Albums that make you rethink bass
 

Anybody ever buy an album that completely changes what you think about bass? This one's been out for quite a while now, and some people are probably sick of hearing about it, but Everything Goes Numb by Streetlight Manifesto hit my ears very early on while learning bass and definitely helped pushed me into the direction of writing more involved bass lines that are at the same tasteful. It's one of those "perfect" bass albums for me. "Here's to Life" (the eighth track) was probably the most influential track for me on the album. It's involved, fun, active, but yet finds a way not to be super distracting (though definitely stands out and has some serious melodic parts). It kinda showed me that bass can really drive a song that's kinda good into a great, danceable song. It can take a song with ok energy into a song with tons of energy (even if the listener doesn't notice it's the bassist that's doing it). It also showed me that you can do "crazy" stuff like chords on bass and have it fit in without seeming forced. It pretty much makes the song even if most non-bassists don't realize it. Here's a YouTube link for those of you who haven't heard it yet (Ska-Punk warning!) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNq_SpKih2I (Here's to Life is at 34:56)

Another Green World by Brian Eno - my first exposure to Percy Jones.

Word of Mouth- Jaco pastorius

FUGAZI - 13 Songs

Tera Melos - Tera Melos

American Football - American Football

Keep 'em coming! I see a lot of familiar albums and a couple that aren't. I'm looking at doing some studying of good bass :)

Marvin Gaye - What's Going On

I swear I hear something new each time I listen to it.

The best albums are always that way :)

Mel Schacher of Grand Funk Railroad..."On Time" and "GFR". To this day, his lead bass is amazing! :cool:

Anything Scooter Wooten's done with the Flecktones...

J.J. Cale's album 'Naturally'. There are a couple of bassists on that album, including Carl Radle, and they are experts of holding it all together, keeping it down home and sometimes surprising you with a tasty wee lick.

Dang, I haven't heard JJ Cale in years! Time to revisit some great music :)

It's a great album, for sure! That whole Tulsa sound is out of this world

Sunny day real estate - Diary
Although it didnt make me rethink bass. It showed me newer ways to look at grooves. not exactly my style i dig roots a little more. but just inspired me.

Hell yes.

I second that

Early Cream, Rush, and Yes

Michael Manring-- Thonk

Blue Hats - Yellowjackets

This album made me want to play bass and showed me that bass can do much more than play one note at a time and be tasteful. Had quite a profound impact on 13 year old me at the time. Still some of my favorite bass playing.

It was Moving Pictures for me :D