27 Albums That Shaped the First 27 Years of My Life, #15: We the Kings - We the Kings

As I quickly approach my 27th birthday (an age, coincidentally, that many musicians met their own mortality), I have been thinking about the role that music has played in my life. I have not played an instrument for nearly sixteen years and have never been in a band, but I would still consider myself an audiophile. The 26000 songs on my hard drive would agree with me as well.

Because of all those things, I thought it would be as good a time as any to compile my list of the 27 albums that most shaped these first 27 years of my life. Starting Friday January 31, I will be posting one album from the list every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday until we reach #1 just before my birthday.

Let me make one thing abundantly clear: I am not saying that these are the 27 greatest albums of all time. I am not so arrogant to believe that my personal opinion is the definitive voice on music. I like what I like. Hopefully you will be able to unearth some gems from my list. If not, that is alright. These songs and albums are important to me regardless of anyone’s opinions of them.

#15: We the Kings – We the Kings
Release Date: October 2, 2007
When I first heard the album: November 2008

Why I loved it then: Since 2001, I’ve been drawn to pop punk music, but in October and November 2008, I began to look for new pop punk bands that I had yet to discover. Around this time, my gym decided to start playing “Check Yes Juliet”. The first time I heard it, I hated it. Then I heard it again, and it suddenly clicked. I decided to check out the rest of the album. It wasn’t anything groundbreaking, but it was the kind of music I found myself humming to all day. I actually made a video saying goodbye to my Richards kids with “Skyway Avenue” in the background. It was fun music for a fun time of my life.

Why I still love it now: This album distinctly defines a particular period of my life. It was the soundtrack to my life immediately following student teaching. In fact, after listening to this album, I bought a We the Kings band shirt. It was the first band shirt I ever owned. This album reminds me of a time and place that I spend a lot of time wishing to return to. I can’t listen to it without thinking of my Richards kids. “All Again for You” also served as the soundtrack for an entire "thing" (don't know what else to call it) with someone who was very important to my life at that time. When I listen to this album, I feel like I am swept back to November 2008, if only for a moment.

Lingering Lyric: “You were everything that's bad for me/ Make no apologies/ I'm crushed/ Black and blue/ But you know I'd do it all again for you”
Top Tracks: Skyway Avenue, Check Yes Juliet, All Again for You

Previous Entries
27. Avalon - In a Different Light
26. The Dangerous Summer - Golden Record
25. Just Surrender - If These Streets Could Talk
24. The Lumineers - The Lumineers
23. Relient K - Two Lefts Don't Make a Right... But Three Do
22. Better Luck Next Time - Third Time's a Charm
21. Linkin Park - Minutes to Midnight
20. ZOEgirl - Life
19. My Chemical Romance - Welcome to the Black Parade
18. Anberlin - Blueprints for the Black Market
17. Bright Eyes - I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning
16. Rise Against - The Sufferer & the Witness