You can only pick 1 album, what would it be and why?

For me, "Urban Hymns" by the Verve.

Amy Grant unguarded.

Just 1???

I was thinking many other things, but if just 1, it had to be Purple Cliché

I seriously thought about this question and can't think of a single album that has done that. At least not consciously.

If an album can pull out emotions that already exist or existed....or tell a story well...and do it without boring me lyrically and musically, on a level where I want to find out every detail about its creator and the creation process....that would probably be my definition of shaping me.

If so, probably 'famous' albums like Purple Rain. Which I can still listen to today in awe.

The Bliss Album - P.M. Dawn

Sign O' The Times is, and remains, the album that had the most impact on me.

Other impactful albums, in rough chronological order:

Shaft, Isaac Hayes

A Motown Christmas, Various Artists

LoveSexy, Prince

It Takes A Nation of Millions To Hold Us Back, Public Enemy

Talking Book, Stevie Wonder

Genius of Modern Music, Vol. 2, Thelonious Monk

Blowout Comb, Digable Planets

A Love Supreme, John Coltrane

Bitter, Me'Shell NdegoCello

Sea Change, Beck

Passion: Music From The Last Temptation of Christ, Peter Gabriel

Madvillainy, Madvillain

Choose Your Weapon, Hiatus Kaiyote

[Edited 2/19/19 9:29am]

Phyllis Hyman "Prime Of My Life"

I'll echo Janet's VR. It is the most influential album for me.

I have to mention SOTT as a very close second though, as that was the album that taugh me how to appreciate music.

Nothing defines me, I grow with every musical experience.

Music itself shapes me as a person every day.

It's part of my DNA and operates on a primal/emotional level.

I tune into whenever I want and feel sorry for those who can't.

[Edited 2/18/19 12:12pm]

Purple Rain

Mary J's "My Life" for me.

Swing Out Sister's "It's Better To Travel" (1987)

Achtung Baby - U2

the one I go to and the one that impacted me the most!

also:

Magical Mystery Tour - Beatles

Six - Mansun

LoveSexy - Prince

songs of faith and devotion - Depeche Mode

Welcome to wherever you are - INXS

Low - David Bowie

I don't think one album or even a series or albums could truly define a person, unless they were the artist who created them.

As for album that shaped me, Madonna's Erotica probably had the most impact. I was eleven when it came out and was just starting to notice girls, so that album and Madonna era answered so many questions I had about sex, the body, sexuality, etc.

DaveT said:

I don't think one album or even a series or albums could truly define a person, unless they were the artist who created them.

Well said.

Isaac Hayes Shaft Soundtrack

My dad used to play it when I was 5 or 6.

I used to listen relentlessly when he was off to work.

I was fascinated by the music and the album cover with Richard Roundtree on the front

and Isaac Hayes and Gordon Parks on the back of it.

The grooves were thick on it and put me on to funk and R&B

I will submit a non Prince album...... but there are SO MANY. I will pick one right now..

Me'shell N'degeocello Peace Beyond Passion. This album helped me in my final stage of ripping the church from my head. When I first heard it I was in the space of rejection of God and very angry about the church, god, spirituality, etc.....

This same album, 10 years later, led me back to God.

Mechanical animals - Marilyn Manson

The gold experience - Prince

Earthling - David Bowie

Older - George Michael

.

All from that magical end of high school time pf life.

[Edited 3/2/19 11:22am]

Songs In The Key Of Life by Stevie Wonder

Minnie Riperton: "Stay In Love: A Romantic Fantasy Set To Music." <3

Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. wow

Prince - Controversy

I was 8 years old when I heard this in 1981 and that's when my fandom started.