My favorite duo of all time. I totally love Everything But The Girl! I skipped recess and lunch in school just to save up for all of their albums, including EPs and singles. And now that they’ve released reissues of their studio albums, I want to buy every single one of them!

Everything But The Girl - Old Friends (by theuTV)

I want these Everything But The Girl CD re-issues. I want all albums!!!

Do you have CDs that you’ve always listened to from the first track to the last one without having or wanting to skip even a single track? And you just loooove listening to the whole album until everyone in your house or your neighborhood gets sick of it? I’m pretty much sure you do.

Well, I am a total music-lover, but I can’t say I am a music critic. But here is my list (in no particular order), which I just want to share. I have narrowed it down to 15 (but I can actually go higher than 15 :p).

1. Doo Wops & Hooligans - Bruno Mars

Everybody LOVES this guy. I DO! This guy has STYLE, he is very dapper, and I like his rockabilly moves and fashion. I don’t think I’d ever get sick of his songs. Ever. Even the songs he made for other artists. He has the magic a serious songwriter has to have to succeed. And he is going to go a loooong way for sure. I heard he had a hard time before he finally broke into the scene. I don’t think I’d ever forgive the music industry if they hadn’t welcomed Bruno Mars with open arms. It’s about time we had another seriously talented guy in the music biz after Michael Jackson (hey, Bruno’s got the MOVES, I tell ya!). I got the chance to watch his concert here in Manila and all I can say is, his album, even though its GREAT, doesn’t do him enough justice, you also HAVE to see him perform live! AMAZING GUY!

2. Viva La Vida - Coldplay

This is, for me, by far the GREATEST album of Coldplay. Well, yeah all of their albums are really great actually. I’m a fan, what can I say. I am no music critic, but I just love all the songs in this album. I can always listen to it and never get sick of it. And Chris Martin’s voice has got my hypnotized. I love the band too much that I flew to Singapore for the Twisted Logic Tour and Hong Kong for the Viva La Vida Tour. Both experiences have been amazing, and I hope they’d come to Manila soon. L-O-V-E.

3. Hands All Over - Maroon 5

I love Adam Levine. Well, he’s just too gorgeous. And he just knows the right song to write. This album is my happy pick-me-upper CD. The songs have a happy beat to it, even though the lyrics talk about heartbreak mostly. I have seen them live twice here in Manila, and Adam Levine  just knows how to communicate with the crowd.  I also had the chance to have a meet & greet with them and so far, I have never seen them act like rockstars with an attitude. I hope they stay that way.

4. The Joshua Tree - U2

This album brings back happy memories - from roadtrips - listening to the cassette tape in the car (yes you read it right, CASSETTE tape, our car didn’t have a CD player yet that time :p) - to soundtrips in my Walkman, using a ballpen to rewind the cassette hundreds and hundreds of times to prevent my battery from draining. Whenever I hear songs from this album, it makes me feel real good. Its a feel-good album for me. I have already had a life-long love affair with Bono and U2, but sad to say, I haven’t had the chance to see them perform live. It is seriously a part of my bucket list. Its not yet too late right?

5. Battle Studies - John Mayer

This album makes me feel all warm, fuzzy and squishy inside and out. My favorite John Mayer album. The lyrics just hit the right spot. You got me at Edge Of Desire, Mr. Mayer. Its like you have a love affair with your guitar. I have no words to explain it. My friend and I braved the rainy weather for you just to see you perform live, so you better get well soon! I NEED you to make another album like this!!!!

6. Life Of Surprises: The Best Of - Prefab Sprout

The only song that I really love that is not in this compilation is “Bonny” which they SHOULD HAVE included in the track listing. Other than that, this is a great compilation of their hits, not a single weak track. I guess I had a very happy childhood, coz this album brings back happy memories of the 80’s. I still believe that the 80s were the glory days of music. Prefab Sprout makes great music thanks to Paddy McAloon who is a great songwriter. I am quite surprised this band never really became that big in America. This album is a must-listen if you want to get to know the band’s music, coz it pretty much sums up Paddy’s extraordinary songwriting.

7. Idlewild - Everything But The Girl

Everything But The Girl is my most favorite duo of all time! I spent practically most of my savings ordering and buying all of their CDs, EPs, Singles, and Rare Albums abroad, coz it wasn’t readily available here then. They got me at “Cross My Heart” from their sophomore album Baby, The Stars Shine Bright. I’ve been hooked ever since. But Idlewild is the album I really fell head-over-heels in love with. Its their 4th album, and a part of their early years. Though they have already ventured into electronic music, I still love EBTG. I have always been a fan of Tracey Thorn’s distinct and haunting voice, she doesn’t feel the need to own her space. Too bad I never got the chance to see them live, and they aren’t playing as a duo anymore. But they are married, so there MUST be even the slightest hope :p.

8. Tragic Kingdom - No Doubt

How can I forget No Doubt? When I first saw the video for “Don’t Speak”, it was love at first sight. Gwen Stefani just has a presence that is hard to resist. And No Doubt’s music is a mix of reggae, ska, punk, and power pop. When I bought this CD, I got hooked to No Doubt forever and bought every single CD after. Their sound was unique and sounded different from the hits on the radio that time, that is why the clicked. Despite the title of the album, it made me feel bright and sunshiney all the time. I do hope they come to Manila when they release their comeback album soon. Expect to see me at the front row ;-).

9. The Sweet Escape - Gwen Stefani

The two most exciting words for me: GWEN STEFANI. I totally and completely adore this woman. She’s oozing with style and class. She makes me feel hyper giddy. I went all the way to Hong Kong just to watch her concert. She is my modern-day Madonna. I just love everything about her! Her songs are my constant LSS. The Sweet Escape doesn’t have a specific genre of songs. Her music is inventive, a mix of everything catchy, and is generally pleasant. Now that she is back with No Doubt, we can probably expect the same energy she had when she was with the band, but with more style and innovation this time. Can’t wait!

10. Surfacing - Sarah McLachlan

I love Sarah McLachlan! Her voice, her face, her music. She has it all. This is the best Sarah McLachlan CD. This CD is very much overplayed in our house, our helper practically has all the lyrics memorized already. She makes my heart beat and bleed. Thoughtful lyrics. Beautiful music. I have no words to describe it. I wish I could watch her live.

11. In My Tribe - 10,000 Maniacs

“Like The Weather” is the song that made me want to grab a mic and attempt to sing like Natalie Merchant. Thank God I didn’t :p. She has a very unique and distinct voice, you’d immediately know if its her singing. This CD is soooo overplayed in my house that one day it mysteriously went missing for a long time. Maybe someone got sick of it and hid it hahaha. 10,000 Maniacs was never the same again after Natalie Merchant left and went solo.

12. Lucky Dumpling - Moonpools & Caterpillars

I LOVE this band! They are one happy bunch! I saw them when they played here in Manila and all the more I got hooked. This is a CD that you just HAVE to listen to from the first to the last track, or else the experience isn’t enough. “Ren” and “Soon” are such bittersweet songs but it really picks me up when I am having one of those low days. I am still in touch with 3/4 of the band (they are very nice and warm people, i really love them!), and they are raring to make a comeback. And I honestly think they should! Paging concert promoters…. ;-)

13. Glow - The Innocence Mission

This is another band that has a vocalist with a distinct voice. Karen’s child-like voice is cool to the ears. Their music is not mainstream, but they got my attention because of the song “Bright As Yellow” which was part of the original soundtrack of Empire Records. I bought their CD after hearing that song, and I got hooked. Their songs are bright and beautiful. Like the feeling of seeing a rainbow, or waking up to a bright morning after a rainy night. They have other good albums too but this one is the best. They have a haunting cover of “Moon River” but that’s from another album - Now The Day Is Over - another must listen to album.

14. Static & Silence - The Sundays

Harriet Wheeler’s sweet voice sounds a little bit like Karen Peris of The Innocence Mission. They pretty much have the same kind of music too. I discovered The Sundays because of the song “Here’s Where The Story Ends”, but this album is their best. I listened to this album every single day while nursing a terrible heartache and it helped me get over it. The album cover is perfect for the songs. Try listening to “Homeward”, “When I’m Thinking About You” and “Monochrome” while staring at the moon. It gives you a bittersweet, breezy, fuzzy feeling. This album made me pick up a guitar. Though I never really got to play good like her :p. Maybe someday? ;-)

15. Thriller - Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson will always be the one and only KING OF POP. He defined the music of my generation. A MUSIC GENIUS. Need I say more?