Top 5 Albums from Beginning to End

After a lot of thought (and debate), I came up with my Top 5 Albums I Can Listen to from Beginning to End. Here they are:

1) Legend - The Best Of Bob Marley And The Wailers:maybe I cheated a little bit by picking a greatest hits album. How can you really go wrong with this album? Every song is a hit, I actually know all of the words to each song, and it always relaxes me and puts a smile on my face. It might also be the most universal album (heard and revered throughout every culture).

2) Supernatural - Carlos Santana:this might be the only album that I actually bought twice (someone "borrowed" my first copy). The album has something for everyone (Latin jazz, R&B, rock, spanish rock) and a diverse group of featured artists (Dave Matthews, Rob Thomas, Lauren Hill, Wyclef, Mana, Eric Clapton).

3) Evolution of Robin Thicke - Robin Thicke:this may be considered too new to be on a Top 5 list, but its my list. When it first came out, I played it on repeat on my iPod. Its the perfect CD to play when you have dinner guests over, trying to set the mood, or listen to in the office.

4) Voodoo - D'angelo:this might be my "sleeper" pick. How did this album not get more acclaim? It epitimizes soulful and funky. His first album was great, but this sophomore effort completely beat it out - who said that sequels can't be better than the original (Godfather II, Terminator 2, Karate Kid II)?

5) The Christmas Song - Nat King Cole:this was my sentimental pick. Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without this album. I grew up on it and refuse to get anyone else's Christmas album. It is an essential must have and I will admit that if my iPod plays a Nat King Cole song in July, I will most likely not skip it.

Brooklyn Brewery Black Chocolate Stout

I try, emphasis on try, not to fall victim to all of the Facebook quizzes and viral "25 Things About Me". The LivingSocial application is the latest rage - you rank your top 5 everything: favorite albums, TV shows, sports teams, and you can go on for eternity. Recently, they had a Top 5 Beers which I had to think long and hard about. I credit my appreciation of beer to the unlikeliest of souces: my college friend Dave (AKA Davo). Although I never drank beer in college (I transitioned from Bacardi Limon to Southern Comfort to Vodka), it wasn't until Davo introduced us to Belgian beers, that I ever even considered beer. He discovered it while doing the "Beer of the Month Club" (he also put us onto to different cheeses when he did the "Cheese of the Month Club" - cranberry chevre, anyone?). Once we got a taste, coupled with the much higher alcohol content (8.5%-10.5%; regular beer is 4%), we never turned back. WARNING: taking a case of Duvel camping with you is not advisable (amongst the casualties the next morning: someone's charred blanket, toilet paper doused with lighter fluid and thrown into the fire, and all memories of the night before).

Davo also introduced us to Brooklyn Brewery seasonal beers and I go on a yearly hunt to find and stock up on Black Chocolate Stout. This year, I found a deli in the East Village which keeps them well stocked and $14 per 6-pack. The Black Chocolate Stout is only available in the winter and is a treat if you are able to find it. If you pour it into a glass, it looks like very dark coffee and tastes like the Spanish soft drink Malta with some added punch. Weighing in at a whopping 10% alcohol, its surprisingly easy to drink and has notes of chocolate and coffee. Its perfect by itself and with a rich dessert (cheesecake).