So, I am reading a friend's blog this morning and discover a recent entry where he describes the five best albums of all time, according to him, anyway. So, I think this is a really cool idea and begin to ponder my top five albums of all time. Moments, then minutes pass and I am completely stumped. I thought perhaps I had landed into a silent movie where I was playing the fat, yet handsome character actor. I simply could not think of many albums outside of Madonna ones. Hmmmmm.

I have realized that I have grown old. Well, I grew old many years ago when it comes to music. When I was in high school, I knew all the bands, songs, performers, and acts of the time. Even if I despised them, which I did most of the time as it was the 80's, I knew about them and could name off albums and singles. Then college happened and I began to pull away from the music scene, as the trends were turning to the grunge era and that really turned me off in a big way. Give me the pop ballads and catching, soon-to-be swing choir tunes any day. I could not relate to the new music.

I remember feeling old and thinking about how people of generations before me were totally ignorant and unimpressed with the musical talents currently running the airwaves. I was feeling like one of those people. I had no interest anymore and the music was no longer generating the buzz it once did. It was a little sad but I was becoming stuck in my musical ways. Only Madonna, fresh or old songs, true pop music, or vintage 80's pop would do it for me. Yet, time was marching forward musically, and I was not. Of course, back then, there was no iTunes and really discovering and appreciating the music you liked was limited to what was popular. iTunes has allowed people to discover and find all kinds of music and is not limited to popular tastes. I love that. I also think that truly appreciating the music YOU liked may have been too revealing of an act for younger people then. Now, as a more mature adult, who the hell cares.

Still, I am perplexed on the top five albums. I don't know if I could think of five that I remember or like. Movies, yeah, I could do that. TV shows, yeah, I could do that, too. Music? This is harder. Still, I will try. WARNING: More than likely this list will include multiple Madonna albums. Also, I guess I do not have the capabilities of the fancy options my friends do in terms of graphics and such, or perhaps I just don't know how to do them, but in any case, no pictures here. Sorry. Maybe someday.

Most of my top five are listed because of one important quality to me: ability to listen to the whole album and enjoy 95% of the entire album's sound. In most cases, I will or have purchased an album because of one or two songs that I have liked, only to be disappointed by the overall sound of the album and lackluster feel of the rest of the singles. So, the following five all contain sounds that give me great pleasure and I enjoy practically every song the each of the albums. Here I go......................

5. (Hear the girly chorus singing, "number five!") George Michael's Faith (1987). Father Figure is still one of my favorite songs of all time! Now that's a great pop song. His voice is distinctive and unmatched on this album. The only selection on this list to win the Grammy for best album.

4. Cher's Living Proof (2002). This is non-stop fun and dance. Love every single cheesy pop/dance groove this album offers. Clearly a production to replicate the new found Cher sound and success of Believe, but way more fun songs on this album.

3. Madonna's Like A Prayer (1989). March of my senior year in high school was when this was released and I loved it. Waited forever to hear it and to own it. Dyed my hair the same week the lead single, Like A Prayer was released. Dyed my hair back to a darker color by the time the album came out. Dan had the musical masterpiece before me because his dad got it for him in Sioux City or something like that (true?) but anyway, I was thrilled. Total package here. Great combination of pop meets art. Pop Art! Totally snubbed by the Grammys. I have hated them ever since. Arguably Madonna's most personal album. Moving, touching, and great fun. An album to which all pop artists should study and examine for it's influence and presentation.

2. Gloria Estefan's Gloria! (1998). Wow is all I can say. Go, Gloria! Dance, fun, non-stop energy. You could lose 10 pounds while listening to this album. Both in English and Spanish. All I can say is, "Raise the roof!"

And the number 1 album: Madonna's Confessions on a Dance floor (Dan's pick, too!) Well, what can I say? Most awesome album.....ever. It amazes me how Madge can re-invent herself every time she releases a new album. New sound, new look, new attitude. It's all there. This time, she did a perfect package of commentary meeting dance music. Dancing with a message. How quaint! It also amazes me that this is her 10th studio album and it is one of her freshest and most innovative collections. Clearly not an album for everyone as it is heavy on the disco sound, but right on for my tastes and desires. I love every song. Well, almost every song as the final track is just okay in my opinion. The groove, the beats, and the boogie woogie factor shine like crazy in this outstanding album.