Gavin Bryars - The Last Days -Decca Records
Performed by the Balanescu Quartet and including String Quartets No.'s 1 & 2. Get ready for some serious introspection while listening to this.
Peter Gabriel - The Last temptation of Christ - Geffen?
There is also a "sources" companion disc for this which is also excellent!
Ani DiFranco - Not A Pretty Girl - Righteous Babe Records/BMI
A musican and song writer with 
access to emotion that most of us ignore.
Steve Reich - Four Sections - Music For Mallet Instruments, Voices and Organ - Elektra Nonesuch Records
If you're not at least a little familiar with minimalism you can't be 
claiming to be living in the modern/postmodern world.
Ween - Chocolate and Cheese - Elektra
Musical diversity by definition - from a classic rock anthem like "A Tear For Eddie" to "Mister Would You Please Help My Pony". Very funny and very serious album.
Soul Coughing - Irresistable Bliss - Slash/Warner Bros. Records
You can't be cool until you know all the words to all these songs.
Lyle Lovett - Joshua Judges Ruth - Curb/MCA
So you don't like country? That's funny, country likes you.
Beck - Mellow Gold - Bong Load Records/Geffen
"Come on mother fucker, put your clothes on, come on.... yeah I'm a fucking drunk but you're a lousy low-life who can't do nothing for himself" Need I say more?
David Bowie - Low - Ryko Records
Not the original ambient, but damn close to it and certainly the first readily accessible ambient blended with pop.

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