Teachers’ Favorite Albums

Ms. Manning

Disintegration (1989) by The Cure

Alternative rock

“I feel like it’s an album that you can listen to from start to finish and there’s not one bad song. They’re perfectly ordered in terms of how they work with each other. It has some of the best songs—‘Pictures of You,’ ‘Fascination Street’—there’s something so haunting and melodic about it. I saw them in concert, and they played ‘Fascination Street’ for 10 minutes and it was perfect. It’s my go-to. Disintegration is the best.” —Kim Manning, English teacher

Mr. Kim

Reputation (2017) by Taylor Swift

Pop

“I don’t have one specific artist I listen to religiously, but I got into Taylor Swift’s reputation album a couple of months ago (very basic and late to the party, I know). I just found it very cathartic for what my inner drama queen self was going through at the time.” —Minkyu Kim, English teacher

Mr. Rothman

The Velvet Underground & Nico (1967) by The Velvet Underground

Art rock

“Picking a favorite is really hard, but the one that had the greatest influence on me was Velvet Underground & Nico. It expanded the world of music for me, before I would only listen to the top 40. My favorite song would probably be ‘All Tomorrow’s Parties’—Nico had this incredibly heavy, deep voice and would sing the song in such a way that the music seemed to swirl around her.” —Jonathan Rothman, drafting teacher

Mr. Nieves

Out of Time (1991) by R.E.M.

Alternative rock

“Just a very creative album, there’s poetry to the lyrics, and they’re just a great rock band from the ‘80s and early ‘90s.” —Emilio Nieves, English teacher

Mr. Hanna

Kind of Blue (1959) by Miles Davis

Cool jazz

“I think it’s probably the best jazz album that’s ever been recorded. It has not just Miles Davis but it has other really famous jazz musicians like John Coltrane. The musical compositions like ‘All Blues’ and ‘On Green Dolphin Street’ and ‘So What’ are intelligent, relaxed, and sophisticated without being complicated.” —David Hanna, social studies teacher

Mr. Ferencz 

Selected Ambient Works Volume II (1994) by Aphex Twin

Electronic

“My favorite album is Aphex Twin’s Selected Ambient Works Volume II. I adore ambient music. It’s so moody and relaxing, mysterious and visceral.” —Eric Ferencz, English teacher

Ms. Karp

The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust (1972) by David Bowie

Glam rock

“It’s really hard to say, but every song in Ziggy Stardust is just amazing. That album is ingrained in my soul.” —Jane Karp, art teacher

Ms. Garber

Please Please Me (1963) by The Beatles

Rock and roll

“Overall my favorite album is the first Beatles album. I like the original, authentic Beatles, no psychedelics; they were just innocent. I like that clean-cut innocence.” —Barbara Garber, health teacher

Mr. Miller

Any album by the Foo Fighters

Grunge rock

“Well, my favorite band is the Foo Fighters. They have great music, good pump-up music, music I like to listen to when I work out. My favorite album is pretty much any album they come out with.” —Vincent Miller, physical education teacher

Ms. Rocchio

Siembra (1978) by Ruben Blades

Salsa

“I just love the beat of the songs. The songs are pure and classic.” —Pasqua Rocchio, Spanish teacher