I describe music as the air I breathe. It's been there for me through some very difficult times in my life and it has offered me creativity and hope. I am a big fan of lyrics in songs and am always searching for songs I can relate to but every now and then I do enjoy an infectious beat.

I've been into music since about 1996, though thanks to mediums such as the internet and my mum who still lives in the 80s musically, I have been able to appreciate music from a vast variety of different artists and genres and here is a list of my top ten favourite albums ever. The list may seem quite recent and mainstream in places but I fail to find the attraction in all this 'indie' that people rave so much about and seem to think is 'cool' to like, so here goes.

01 - My Chemical Romance - The Black Parade
Released: 2006

OK, many of you may think this is an odd choice for my number one. I'm not an emo kid who wishes to slit my wrists every other day and it annoys me when people come out with such opinions. This was the group's third studio album and seizes this position due to the fact that it kept me alive through one of the darkest periods of my life. It's an album that doesn't welcome or encourage death, it celebrates life and the huge journey we undergo until we are ready to take that step to something else. It has the huge theatrical stylings of Queen whilst capturing the band's own style and has some wonderfully diverse tracks that are lyrically and musically nothing short of amazing. The mainstream elements are present but songs like 'Cancer' and 'Dead' are very deep and thought provoking.

Best track: I Don't Love You

02 - Garbage - Garbage
Released: 1995

I got into Garbage round about 2001 time and though I find all four of their studio albums to be nothing short of spectacular, their self titled debut is easily the best. I love the presence of Shirley Manson on this record. She can move from seductive to vindictive, to vulnerable and bitter. Garbage have never been one to follow the rules and I've never come across another band with quite the same sound as them. Aside from the glorious singles 'Milk', 'Stupid Girl' and the supreme 'Only Happy When It Rains', the band have painted a record that fails to be dull and even the non releases like 'As Heaven Is Wide' and 'My Lover's Box' grab hold of you in a grungy and sophisticated manner.

Best track: Only Happy When It Rains

03 - Delta Goodrem - Innocent Eyes
Released: 2003

First capturing my attention on Australian soap opera Neighbours, Delta Goodrem's unique and beautiful voice, meaningful lyrics and deep and emotive songs have made her one of my favourite singers. At the time she was an inspiration to me as her piano driven music stood out from the generic RNB/Chav music that was dominating charts at the time. 'Innocent Eyes' is an album crafted by beautiful and luscious melodies and perfect vocals. It's hard to feel miserable when you experience the world through Delta's eyes. Whether it's the soaring 'Born To Try', the moody 'Lost Without You' or the rather rocky 'Predictable', all the bases are covered and a true star is present on all 14 tracks.

Best track: Lost Without You

04 - Nirvana - Nevermind
Released: 1991

'Nevermind' is one of those classic albums that defines its genre and defines music itself, despite the tragic and early end to Nirvana's career and indeed Cobain's life. 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' is clearly the anthem of this masterpiece but there are so many defining tracks that it's hard to have a particular favourite. Everything about the album knits together perfectly like the pieces of a puzzle, whether it's 'Lithium', 'Polly' or 'Drain You', there are messages buried beneath the stunning guitar work and the even more gripping vocals. I can't fault Nirvana and this album is something I put on when I'm feeling reckless!

Favourite track: Smells Like Teen Spirit

05 - Alanis Morissette - Jagged Little Pill
Released: 1995

Probably one of the most known albums in history, 'Jagged Little Pill' is an album I experienced at a very young age through the eyes of my dad. The acoustic, folk sounding record is just perfect for his rather odd music tastes and I used to adore the line 'I'm brave but I'm chicken shit' from 'Hand In My Pocket'. Alanis has a distinctive voice and an artistic direction that puts her miles out in front of everyone else. Her songs are bluntly honest but vulnerable all in the same bittersweet packaging. There is nothing more vicious than 'You Oughta Know'.

Favourite track: You Oughta Know

06 - Evanescence - Fallen
Released: 2003

Another album that has helped me through some hard periods. Amy Lee is stunning both physically and vocally and for a while I could not stop listening to her deep and powerful voice. 'Fallen' reads like a story touching deep and dark issues and that's why I love it so. Whether it's the self sabotaging feel of 'Going Under', the fragile and delicate 'Hello', the scary and rather out of control 'Haunted' or the hatred and pretence that oozes out of 'Everybody's Fool', this record captured my scattered emotions at just the right time and threw them into the music. Nothing beats the stunning 'My Immortal' which is just so beautiful, I'm not afraid to say I shed a tear the first time I heard it :P

Favourite track: My Immortal

07 - Michael Jackson - Thriller
Released: 1982

I always regard Michael Jackson as a flawed genius. He has brought us some of the best songs to ever grace the charts but his eccentric and troubled nature overshadowed them particularly in his later years. The rare thing about 'Thriller' is that is an album I discovered growing up and it's also one of those records that is just perfect from start to finish. There is not a bad track on offer and I fully understand it's impact on music and many future artists as well as the casual record buyer. It's different and it's something that can never be replicated. 'Beat It', 'Billie Jean' the title track and even the lesser known tracks like 'Human Nature' and 'Baby Be Mine' have a sparkle to them that has failed to be replicated on any other record ever.

Favourite track: Thriller


08 - Green Day - Dookie
Released: 1994

Green Day have gone all political and emo esque mainstream with their last two albums though that has done nothing to curb my love for them. However, their humble beginnings on 'Dookie' are quite simply a showcase for one of my favourite bands ever. 'Dookie' is a fast paced, energetic record that takes the whole rock genre in a brand new direction. Most people would be quick to point out 'Basket Case' and whilst this is awesome, 'She', 'Burnout' and 'Welcome To Paradise' are up there with some of the band's best. The songs are simple yet effective and it's a total listening pleasure from start to finish.

Favourite track: When I Come Around

09 - Bjork - Post
Released: 1995

Many a person I talk to thinks that 'Debut or 'Homogenic' are Bjork's best works but the crazy Icelandic artist hit the nail on the head with 'Post' for me. I love artists that are different and are not afraid to be so and very few have the eccentric and outlandish nature that Bjork does and she's not afraid to show that in her music. 'Hyperballad' is one of the craziest pieces of music I've ever come across with it's unbalanced structure yet underneath it all, like most of the songs on 'Post' there are deeper and realistic meanings. It's also home to 'Headphones', 'Army Of Me', 'Possibly Maybe' and whilst it's not the best track in Bjork's back catalogue 'It's Oh So Quiet'.

Favourite track: Hyperballad


- 10 - P!nk - I'm Not Dead
Released: 2006

P!nk was sort of just OK in my books. Her first three albums had hits and misses and I liked her feisty attitude but it wasn't until 'I'm Not Dead' in 2006 that she cemented herself as one of my favourite artists. This album has some great, stupid, bouncy tracks such as 'Stupid Girls' but also has a much deeper side. It's pop-rock at it's very best and P!nk is one fine form throughout. 'Who Knew' is just one of the best songs of recent years in my opinion, if not ever and the very tongue in cheek nature of 'U & Ur Hand' or the controversial 'Dear Mr President' as well as the strength of the entire album earn it a place in this countdown.

Favourite track: Who Knew


So there you have it. From Nirvana to Bjork and then from Garbage to P!nk. A very diverse list of albums. Notable mentions also go to Placebo's self titled debut album, Madonna's 'Ray Of Light', 'Hot Fuss' from The Killers and the second release from Delta Goodrem 'Mistaken Identity'.