This post took some careful consideration. Just by putting these, I feel like I'm leaving thousands of great albums out.
AC/DC - Back in Black
This album, owned originally on vinyl by my parents, has always been something I can go back to. I have been known, on occasion, to use a vacuum as a guitar during 'Rock 'n Roll Ain't Noise Pollution'. It is, by far, the best album to play while cleaning house. Just put on your Van Halen bandanna (if you also own one, you rock) and get out the Windex.
Death Cab for Cutie - The Photo Album
Death Cab for Cutie - We Have the Facts and We're Voting Yes
I saw DCFC in Chicago when The Photo Album was just coming out. My socks were rocked. These are still favorites. There are just some albums you listen to and think, 'This was what high school was for me.' This is exactly that.
Deftones - White Pony
There is no better driving music than this album. Passenger features Maynard James Keenan from Tool (below on this list) and is so great. Change (in the house of flies) is also a favorite. Eh, the whole album is a favorite. It's on repeat as we speak.
Garth Brooks - The Limited Series
I could, quite possibly, be the largest Garth Brooks fan this side of the Mississippi. I have listened to him ever since I first saw him appear on an episode of 'Empty Nest' and have been a doting fan ever since. My first Garth concert was when I was 7, and there were three more to follow. I even got pointed at. Yes, folks, Garth Brooks pointed at me. I'll be signing autographs.
John Mayer - Heavier Things
John Mayer - Room For Squares
Both of these albums have such a wide range of emotion and are so well-written, I can't help but love them. I associate a bit more with Heavier Things, being that the issues in them are a little bit more well-defined and the music a tad more complex and fitting. I could listen to these for days. They are feel-good music, they are relaxing music, they are 'I just want to be alone' music, they are everything.
Peter Gabriel - Hit
Phil Collins - ...Hits
I once had a teacher who told me the greatest wisdom of my life - 'You never go a single day without hearing Phil Collins.' It's so true. Although it's somewhat injustice to lump these two Genesis greats together, these albums are mandatory. Peter Gabriel is incredible - Sledgehammer? In Your Eyes? Big Time? Shock the Monkey? Solsbury Hill? All of them are so good it hurts. Phil Collins is the man. No qualms. He's the man.
Pink Floyd - The Wall
I have this on vinyl (again, a hand-me-down from the parental units) and I will argue that it's just not the same on CD. The movie, in turn, is excellent (and the acting on his part turned me into a lifelong Bob Geldof fan, sans Band-Aid). The whole album is a masterpiece. There's not a whole lot I can say to do it justice. I also recommend Dark Side of the Moon and Wish You Were Here (great albums and great songs).
Tool - Aenima
I am a closet Tool fan. I have listen to them since the way-back-when. This is my favorite album they've produced, and it's a frequent play in my car (especially on bad days). I recommend this to anyone who anyone who has been to an Ozzfest.