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My lists of 5 are spreading. Seeing Tim's list there, then, I must do my own. [Warning: Hopelessly mainstream and popular. Logic: If real people (not art-house snobs) don't hear it, it ain't "groundbreaking" is it? And it's my list!

My 5 Most Influential Albums (that is, to me)

5. Weezer, by Weezer. Known by fans as "the Blue Album" for its blue cover, this disc restored some of my faith in rock. And though I love deep lyrics, this album may prove that they aren't necessary.

4. August and Everything After, by Counting Crows. Adam Duritz (lead singer and songwriter) may be weird, and you can listen 50 times without understanding, but I defy you not to enjoy and sing along.

3. The Day, by Babyface. Not even his best release, but made when he was at the height of his influence in 1996, and not a weak track on it.

2. No Fences, by Garth Brooks. This isn't his best one either, (you can frankly make an argument for all of them) but this made sure that it's Garth's world, and we're just living in it. Second-best selling album in US history, right?

1. For The Cool In You, by Babyface. The quintessential Babyface, from America's best singer-songwriter, at least of the last 25 years. At first listen, there are tracks one doesn't like. After a few listens, you cherish those tracks above the "hits." Crafted in the early '90s, when R&B or soul and rap were NOT the same thing, this album defines "crossover." I doubt that white young people of my generation would have explored black vocal pop (Boyz II Men, Dru Hill, Mariah Carey, etc.) without his subtle and not so subtle influence. He's a legend, pure and simple, and this album is one of the reasons.

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