One of mine is Commit This to Memory by Motion City Soundtrack. I basically took the title verbatim and know the album word for word. And while I would love if it did, the rest of MCS’s stuff just doesn’t hit the same way.
And if you’re not an album person, maybe a period of time in the artist’s work? Whatever works for you.
*Lots of mentions of hit debut albums that subsequently petered out, which follows with the dreaded sophomore slump that hits many artists. Anyone with mid or even later career albums that stand alone? Those always intrigue me.
I think War Pigs/Luke’s Wall is one of the best anti-war songs. While so many of the era were very hopeful/happy (Youngbloods, Buffalo Springfield…), Sabbath’s take on the war song genre was a giant middle finger to the military industrial complex, saying “you are literally doing Satan’s bidding.” It’s awesome.
Fortunate Son, Gimme Shelter, and I’m gonna say Rooster round out my favorite Vietnam songs.