"I am scared of over
playing it"


Pearl Jam - Vitalogy


This is, even now, the only album I have to stop myself from playing because I am scared of over playing it. I am a huge Pearl Jam fan and could have easily picked eight Pearl Jam albums. This is Pearl Jam’s third album and for me the first three songs epitomise the whole album and, to this day, I still have the same feeling now as if I first played it. As a bit of a fanboy when it comes to Pearl Jam, I often go on Pearl Jam fan sites and discuss and argue how good this album is compared to all their other albums. I adore this album and always feel a bit sad when it’s over.

Iron Maiden - Seventh Son of a Seventh Son


As a concept album, this is the best I have ever heard. From start to finish the story does not deviate from the main crux of the story. It’s outstanding how they did it with every song, it is awesome. As a teenager I would sit in my room and while listening to this album I would write out the lyrics for each song (even though they were printed on the album sleeve). I did this so I could completely immerse myself in the music and the story. Because of this album I have listened to many other concept albums and there are some amazing ones but this is the one I cannot get past. When I play Iron Maiden, I always pick a track from this album.

Skeletonwitch - Breathing the Fire


Now ten years ago I would never have contemplated ever listening to this kind of music, but it is a testament to the fact you really can teach an old dog new tricks. I have always liked rock and heavy rock but nothing of this genre (extreme metal). This particular band I was introduced to by a good friend at work and then I got into the whole genre and I have never looked back. I have seen this band many times live and have never felt energy like it. It fills me with passion and fury like no other kind of music, also I enjoy the fact of how obscure and how removed from mainstream music and culture it is.

The Police - Reggatta de Blanc


This was the easiest to pick and the album that made me want to be in a band (just 30 years I have achieved this). This would definitely be on my Desert Island Discs. No one, for me, drums like Stewart Copeland; it’s raw punk even though the title means white reggae, and this was all before Sting got a little too pretentious. When I hear this album, it takes me back to being an eight-year-old boy, bouncing on his bed and playing guitar with a tennis racket or drumming with pots and pans and wooden spoons.

Nine Black Alps - Everything is…


It was always going to be a toss-up between this or Definitely Maybe by Oasis, but you have to go with your gut with things like this so here it is. When Britpop exploded it was a mini revolution, but unfortunately for Nine Black Alps they peaked a little too soon and this album came out about a year before Britpop. There is a saying that timing is everything in rock and roll and I am convinced that is one of the reasons why this band is not as successful as they should be. All albums have fillers, this album simply does not. It’s a deluge of indie rock from start to finish that still stands the test of time. Plus, they are from Manchester which is always a thumbs up.

"When Britpop exploded,
it was a mini revolution"


"One dark album."


Radiohead - OK Computer


I saw Radiohead before the hit single Creep, in the smallest room at Manchester Uni. I only went to see them because I liked the name (never judge a book…) so I can honestly say I knew Radiohead when they were a tiny band. This album destroys the myth of the difficult third album. What a diverse collection of songs - no two are the same. It’s a well-crafted, intelligent album, which really does take you on a rollercoaster of sound and emotions. Also, I got married to one of the songs off this album, so it shall always have a special place in my heart.

Manic Street Preachers - The Holy Bible


One dark album - when you say pain is pleasure, that sums up this collection of songs. It's not depressing, because the music is so good, but just a shining example that art is tragic and harrowing. It was written after a band member went missing and some of his writings are on this record. After listening to this album, I do find myself taking a deep breath and I do have to be in the correct frame of mind when I put this on, but where there is darkness there is light and I do, at times, find it quite cathartic.

Terence Trent d’Arby - Introducing The Hardline According To…


This album is only here purely due to the influence of my parents, who were both massive Motown fans and when I first heard Rocking Chair I felt that I had discovered my own version of Motown. An outrageous voice which permeates right through your soul, I think this was possibly the first time I understood what soul music was all about. As a total contrast to one of my other picks (The Holy Bible), this record makes me smile every time and oozes joy.

Bio


Steve Edge is 47, married with two girls and loves playing and listening to Music.