“5 Albums That Changed My Life” with Dave Adams (A.D.D.)

Chicago, IL has always been a hotbed for great music, and hard rockers A.D.D. (which stands for Analog Digital Disorder) aren’t an exception, as they prove on recently released “Core”. Guitarist Dave Adams stopped by to deliver onto you, loyal readers, 5 albums that have had a profound impact on him. Check them out after the jump!

Dave’s choices are below.

5 albums that changed my life

ELVIS PRESLEY – ELVIS IN CONCERT

I found this record in my parents’ record collection and immediately was drawn in. Even at a young age, I recognized the charisma Elvis had. Looking back years later, this was recorded at the downside of his career not too long before his death. He was clearly on drugs at these shows, but his raw talent and showmanship still carried him through somehow. “That’s All Right” was the first song Elvis recorded, and still my favorite to this day. The raw energy in his vocal performance is unmatched.

KISS – ALIVE II

This album to this day was the biggest game changer for me. KISS is why I play music, plain & simple. From the back cover with Gene Simmons covered in blood to Ace Frehley’s “Shock Me”, I was completely engaged. And Paul Stanley’s gems, “Detroit Rock City”, “I Stole Your Love”, “Makin Love”, “I Want You”. They were and still are bigger than life to me. The thing people never got about KISS is, they actually write good rock songs. And Paul and Gene’s harmony vocals are undeniable. They are still No. #1 in my book.

OZZY OSBOURNE – BLIZZARD OF OZZ

Coming from Elvis & KISS, this was the first real “metal” album I got into. I hadn’t started playing guitar yet, but I still could recognize that Randy Rhoads was something special. Even though “Crazy Train” was the hit on this record, I listened to “I Don’t Know” & “Suicide Solution” repeatedly. This was the first “dark” lyrical content I had heard up to this point. Ozzy had that unmistakable voice, and the production of Max Norman is pretty unique. From the doubled vocals to the chorus effect on the rhythm guitars, this is a one of a kind sounding record.

MOTLEY CRUE – SHOUT AT THE DEVIL

Around this time, a lot of music was watered down, and my favorite band KISS had been putting out pop records. I saw the black cover with the pentagram at the record store and bought it immediately. As soon as “In The Beginning” starts, it sets the tone for this record. “Shout at the Devil”, “Looks That Kill”, “Ten Seconds to Love”, “Knock Em Dead Kid”…….Mick Mars tuned down guitars sound huge, and Tommy Lee’s slamming energy is captured here. Such a raw, heavy record. The gatefold sleeve left an impression similar to KISS for me, except I thought Vince Neil was a hot chick. lol They were definitely over the top and bigger than life.

PANTERA – COWBOYS FROM HELL

This album was really a tie with Metallica for me. But I picked this one because where Metallica brought me to that next level of heavier music, Pantera went 3 levels from there. It was the first band that I heard with such heaviness, yet had a catchiness and groove about them. The riff in “Cowboys from Hell” is one of the greatest ever. “Primal Concrete Sledge” may be the heaviest song I have ever heard. “Cemetary Gates” showed that a heavy band could be melodic still. Vinnie & Dimebag clicked much like Alex and Eddie Van Halen to me. Terry Date’s production is cutting edge here and on all the following releases after this. This record opened my mind alot regarding writing and playing heavier style music. Pantera showed you can be aggressive, yet still write great songs.