I've been arranging the playlists in my phone and because it has limited space, I decided to just fill it with my favorite drumming albums. Here are my albums so far:
Dream Theater (Mike Mangini) - This album showcased the Mike Mangini with his full arsenal so far. Yes, there are problems with the production, but I can get past it because I love how this is signature Mangini with amazing playing while not calling attention to himself and working instead to integrate the whole music of the band with a solid rhythmic backbone. Right-Left cymbals? Check. The best footwork in the drumming world? Check. Polythyrhms? Check. Melodic playing to complement the other instruments? Check. Illumination Theory is the best druming in a Dream Theater song I have ever heard. However, based on the released singles, Into The Great Divide might become my signature Mangini listen in the future. We'll see.
Awake (Mike Portnoy) - My favorite drumming album in terms of composition. Before Portnoy became obsessed with fills, he was a master of composing distinct memorable drum patterns to mark different sections in a song. The Mirror is a masterpiece in this regard, but you could also find much of this composition genius in the other songs in this album.
Human Hardware (Virgil Donati) - In terms of technical playing, Donati's best is still Planet X's Quantum. But it's quite different hearing Donati going crazy in songs with vocals. Coming up with one unconventional hit after another but still working in the context of the song, Donati's drumming in Icefish's debut album is a joy to listen to.
Hand.Cannot.Erase (Marco Minnemann) - speaking of being a joy to listen to, I always associated Marco's drumming to a sense of fun. It's like when he plays, you can feel how much he loves to play. He has so many other technically better drumming in other albums, but I love Hand.Cannot.Erase the most because the subdued contemplative parts contrasts well when Marco is "unleashed," making me go "Oh yeah, hit those drums!" Marco just explodes in First Regret/3 Years Older, Home Invasion and most especially in Ancestral.
For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge (Alex Van Halen) - I always found Alex's drumming brimming with energy, as if he is drumming on instinct. In F.U.C.K., though, we got a "mature" Alex that still has that feel but also a great sense of composition. Right Now is my favorite in this album. The drum composition in the song is perfect.
The Seventh One (Jeff Porcaro) - It's Jeff Porcaro with Toto. This has the song These Chains. That's all.
Sex and Religion (Terry Bozzio) - Just like Donati, Bozzio has so many other albums which showcase his technique. But hearing it in the context of songs with vocals is different. Here and Now, and Still My Bleeding Heart are Bozzio's gifts to drummerkind.
III Sides to Every Story (Paul Geary) - A childhood favorite. The perfect example of perfect minimalist drumming. Cupid's Dead is a must-learn for all aspiring drummers.
How about you? What are your favorite drumming albums?