Boogie. Brash. Like bitters in a cocktail, I get a splash of southern rock, but I love the RnB on display here. The vocals are insane, at one point (the end of "Nightbird" maybe?) made me audibly say "wow". Favorite tracks: "Lady Marmalade", "Are You Lonely?", "You Turn Me On"

Recently, I was at karaoke and I watched a drunk man get up, and sing the lyrics from "Never Gonna Give You Up" with "The Hand That Feeds" by Nine Inch Nails as the backing track. He kept a straight face the entire time, breaking maybe once near the end after maybe not realizing how many times the chorus on "Hand" repeats. I kind of feel the same way about this record, it feels like 80s Springsteen with absolutely no filter (especially on "Marlon Brando", where he casually drops the f-slur and, later in the song, muses that maybe he shouldn't be saying that). It's a weird album that constantly finds new ways to shock you (I think my biggest surprise was the lyric that said something along the lines of, "Love never taught me how to vote"). It's an album that makes you want to figure out what the fuck this person is on, or if they're that deep in their persona. The instrumentals fucking slap, too. Genuinely fascinating record. Favorite tracks: "Runnin' Outta Luck", "Studmuffin96"

Extremely 2004. Like, I can imagine hearing this passing a stage, or stage sitting, at Warped Tour. Reminds me of fellow-genre-vets Atreyu, Thrice, and sounds like it was inspired by the likes of the Misfits and thrash metal. It's solid, and I like the bouncing between clean and screamed vocals, it's a nice dichotomy. The guitars are sharp (as was the style at the time). It's not entirely my bag, but I do appreciate it. Call it a 3.5. Favorite tracks: "Hey, It's Your Funeral Mama", "It Was Fear Of Myself That Made Me Odd"

Yeah, why *wasn't* there any Tool on this list? The band that launched a thousand imitators. I consider myself a pretty casual fan, and it's been a while since I listened to this one, but I'd consider either this or one of the next two ("Lateralus" or "10,000 Days") to be the definitive Tool album. It can get a little weak in spots, but it's got the trademark, mind-bending riffs with some noise and middle eastern influences. Shout out "Die Eier Von Satan", a cookie recipe recited in German over scary music. RIP Bill Hicks. Favorite tracks: "Eulogy", "Forty Six and 2", "Third Eye"

I think I'm supposed to say, "I only listen to the Mountain Goats," here. That being said, I've always been a casual fan, enjoying the singles (especially, yes of course, "This Year") but after listening to this, I can understand the hype. It's simple, but clearly very earnest. I've incidentally read one of John Darnielle's novels, and one thing I always appreciated of him was his ability to paint small, Mid/western America with a gorgeous brush. That carries through here. Favorite tracks: "The Best Ever Death Metal Band In Denton", "Balance", "Distant Stations"

Extremely 2004. Like, I can imagine hearing this passing a stage, or stage sitting, at Warped Tour. Reminds me of fellow-genre-vets Atreyu, Thrice, and sounds like it was inspired by the likes of the Misfits and thrash metal. It's solid, and I like the bouncing between clean and screamed vocals, it's a nice dichotomy. The guitars are sharp (as was the style at the time). It's not entirely my bag, but I do appreciate it. Call it a 3.5. Favorite tracks: "Hey, It's Your Funeral Mama", "It Was Fear Of Myself That Made Me Odd"

Dutch funk, huh? Honestly sounds like all the radio stations decided to brawl it out and came up with this. Sounds like aliens interpreting human music. I like it. Has notes of Fishbone, P-Funk (I mean, obviously), and maybe some jam-heavy tendencies that would fit in with Phish? I think there's some fat to be trimmed, but it did leave me with a goofy smile on my face throughout. It sounds earnest and like the weirdest house party you'd ever attend. Favorite tracks: "Bonesong", "Love O' My Life"

Yeah, why *wasn't* there any Tool on this list? The band that launched a thousand imitators. I consider myself a pretty casual fan, and it's been a while since I listened to this one, but I'd consider either this or one of the next two ("Lateralus" or "10,000 Days") to be the definitive Tool album. It can get a little weak in spots, but it's got the trademark, mind-bending riffs with some noise and middle eastern influences. Shout out "Die Eier Von Satan", a cookie recipe recited in German over scary music. RIP Bill Hicks. Favorite tracks: "Eulogy", "Forty Six and 2", "Third Eye"

Boogie. Brash. Like bitters in a cocktail, I get a splash of southern rock, but I love the RnB on display here. The vocals are insane, at one point (the end of "Nightbird" maybe?) made me audibly say "wow". Favorite tracks: "Lady Marmalade", "Are You Lonely?", "You Turn Me On"

This album reminds me of the smart-but-unmotivated kid in a classroom: when on task, phenomenal. When not, the results aren't as good. It's interesting that this record takes shifts into hardcore punk ("Kill All The White People") and, weirdly, Madchester-esque-rock ("Set Me On Fire"), but it is at its best when performing the atmospheric, deep-voiced goth-metal it seems to be championed for. Favorite tracks: "Christian Woman", "Bloody Kisses"

A buddy of mine is very into Ty Segall. Never checked him out. Fuzzy with several zs. Occasionally hits some good tunes, but seems more like a quantity over quality type of guy. Shades of The Beatles at their most overdriven, and maybe QOTSA and Uncle Acid. Favorite tracks: "Californian Hills", "Mandy Cream"

Very 80s. Flits between sensual and occasionally recklessly happy (especially the vibe on closer "Tiny Daggers"). Nothing incredible lyrically though nothing terrible, except maybe "Calling All Nations". The early attempt at white-boy-rapping is fun but more of a time capsule ("Mediate"). Not my thing, unfortunately, though I didn't outright hate it when it was on. Favorite tracks: "Devil Inside", "Need You Tonight"

Funny enough, I was wearing my Protomartyr shirt when this was revealed. I'm a fan. This wouldn't have been my pick out of their albums ("The Agent Intellect" would have been) but it's still a solid album. The rhythm section acts as the propulsive engine while the guitars craft appropriate atmosphere for Joe Casey's depressed, drunken scholar ramblings. It's oppressive, dour, and I love it. Favorite tracks: "A Private Understanding", "My Children", "Windsor Hum", "Corpses In Regalia"

Autumnal as all get out. The most pretentious thought I had was "if Florence Welch got really into Pile". I enjoyed it, but feel like it, at certain points, attempted to be more "impressive" than "good", as in "Worth It", where I love individual parts (that outro!) but didn't find it transitioning smoothly. Call it a 3.5. Favorite tracks: "The Bug Collector", "Untitled God Song"

I remember this album getting a ton of praise when it initially came out, around the time I started paying more attention to music and what was being critically acclaimed. I never took time to listen to it, but I think hearing it like this made me enjoy it more. It's struck a fine balance between poppish indie folk and genuine Americana spirit. The songs have movements and feel like they fit together perfectly. Can't say enough nice things about this. Favorite tracks: "I And Love And You", "And It Spread", "Ill With Want"

I'm normally one to not be bothered by vocals too much, but the vocals on this one started to cloy after a while. It doesn't help that the rest of the album is sparse and leaves them a lot of room. I eventually grew used to them, but I wouldn't say it was anything I overwhelmingly enjoyed. Favorite tracks: "Kaitlin", "Bird Has Flown"

I had a friend who told me this was his favorite artist, and when I realized I'd never heard of him (but had heard of Porcupine Tree), I checked them out. I did not check this album, nor did it particularly pull me in enough to warrant more listens, but now listening to this record, I found myself enjoying it. In parts. Any of the heavier proggy parts, I love. When the record slows down, it's easy to lose track of it. It's clearly steeped in every prog-rock band that came before it, and I think it holds the mantle well, just not entirely my bag. Call it 3.5. Favorite track: "Ancestor"

Recently, I was at karaoke and I watched a drunk man get up, and sing the lyrics from "Never Gonna Give You Up" with "The Hand That Feeds" by Nine Inch Nails as the backing track. He kept a straight face the entire time, breaking maybe once near the end after maybe not realizing how many times the chorus on "Hand" repeats. I kind of feel the same way about this record, it feels like 80s Springsteen with absolutely no filter (especially on "Marlon Brando", where he casually drops the f-slur and, later in the song, muses that maybe he shouldn't be saying that). It's a weird album that constantly finds new ways to shock you (I think my biggest surprise was the lyric that said something along the lines of, "Love never taught me how to vote"). It's an album that makes you want to figure out what the fuck this person is on, or if they're that deep in their persona. The instrumentals fucking slap, too. Genuinely fascinating record. Favorite tracks: "Runnin' Outta Luck", "Studmuffin96"

Yet another "how did they not make the original list?" I've always seen BR as more of a singles band, though I like the chances this album takes, especially on a track like "All Good Soldiers". I don't think it feels like a complete album, since the closing track "Skyscraper" (since "Stealth" is just a speech) finishes up and doesn't give any indication that it's the final track. Still, BR is solid, no complaints here. Favorite tracks: "All Good Soldiers", "Modern Day Catastrophists", "American Jesus"

I have a weird relationship with Mr. Don Glover. I do think he's a super talented individual, but I just wish people weren't so quick to fellate him about it. This record has an obvious love for early funk (specifically, I think, P-Funk and anything Bootsy has touched), and while it comes out sounding good, I think it leans a bit too much on the influences. The most popular song ("Redbone") being essentially a clone of "I'd Rather Be With You" is notable. It's solid, I'm just tired of Glover's yowling after a while. Favorite tracks: "Redbone", "Terrified"

An entire album based on the works of Edgar Allen Poe was not on my bingo card, but still a welcome listen. I didn't know what to expect heading in, but I like it. It's a little bit "Tubular Bells", a little bit weird funk, and a little bit movie soundtrack. Neat. Favorite tracks: "The Cask of Amontillado", "Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether"

I bet someone gave The Incredible String Band a five. Jokes aside, this is a super interesting record. It feels both like a wandering minstrel, and someone with access to The Mars Volta (seriously, where does that electronic part come from in "Prostitute"?). I wouldn't have gone out of my way to listen to this otherwise, so I'm glad it's here. A little long, but overall solid. Call it a 3.5. Favorite tracks: "Hob", "Weaver", "Soldier"

Weird, but eventually broke me down. It's sparse, and very uniform throughout. Very British, reminds me a lot of brit pop acts that would come later A little long, could've used some fat trimming. Dude really likes the word "flesh", too. Not anything I'm rushing back to listen to, unfortunately. Favorite tracks: "Clean Steve", "Executioner"

I remember taking this record home from the library, and ripping it to my iTunes to grow my music horde. Never actually listened to it, funny enough. It's beautiful. Sparse, but the vocals and instruments are chosen well. I like the woman singing and feel like she should get more credit for her appearances (her name is Lisa Hannigan, for what it's worth). It's an album I feel like I could give another spin to very shortly after finishing it. Favorite tracks: "Cannonball", "Delicate"

Sigh. I really want to enjoy dub music, and I do for a time, but a full album of it always causes me to stare off into the middle distance by the end. This is clearly a solid album, because I did enjoy listening to it, just not entirely my schtick. Favorite track: "Underground"

Arctic Monkeys have had a fun career trajectory, huh? From garage rock, to an album clearly indebted to Bowie and lounge music. I find this one more of a curiosity, than anything. I was very into early AM, but fell off shortly after the second record, and it's crazy to come back and find them here. It's good, it's just... Nothing spectacular. It does work as space-age lounge music, floating lazily over the anti-gravity cocktails. Don't forget to tip your waitstaff. Favorite track: "One Point Perspective"

Pop sensibilities, as well as the grand, sweeping feeling that comes with neo-prog. Cohesive, and feels like a fully contained work. Call it a 3.5. Favorite tracks: "Gazpacho", "King"

I gave the Garbage debut a 5 on my list, and I think I prefer that one to this one. A few songs just don't stick right with me ("When I Grow Up" is a little too bubblegum for my taste), and I'm not crazy about the songs that interpolate classics (i.e. "Push It" with The Beach Boys, "Sleep Together" with Romeo Void), but the other songs continue the gritty, self-confident pop-industrial sound that I liked so much on the debut. Call it a 3.5. Favorite tracks: "Medication", "Dumb"

I think I'm supposed to say, "I only listen to the Mountain Goats," here. That being said, I've always been a casual fan, enjoying the singles (especially, yes of course, "This Year") but after listening to this, I can understand the hype. It's simple, but clearly very earnest. I've incidentally read one of John Darnielle's novels, and one thing I always appreciated of him was his ability to paint small, Mid/western America with a gorgeous brush. That carries through here. Favorite tracks: "The Best Ever Death Metal Band In Denton", "Balance", "Distant Stations"

To say this is multi-faceted is selling it short. I don't really think I heard one repeat of vocalist, let alone genre throughout. It's impressive, but very all-over-the-place, and my mood for it could change depending on what the song was. That being said, the songs flow into one another in such an impressive way that it feels like it took a lot of planning. Feels like a well-curated DJ mix more than a band. Favorite tracks: "Discosis", "Go Shopping"

Inarguably the most schizophrenic thing I've listened to in quite a while. It's so niche it's crazy. I've been trying to come up with a good metaphor for what it's like to listen to this, where it might flip from low gutteral growls to the fucking Amen break, but I'm at a loss for words. "Interesting" is the only word that repeatedly flashes in my mind. Favorite tracks: "Opus Brain", "Apopathodiaphulatophobie"

Unlike "Awaken, My Love!", which someone else submitted, this one is lead by Glover's rap ability and some banger beats. I don't think it has the strength that the run time would make you think it does, but it does showcase a lot of talent. Favorite tracks: "Sweatpants", "3005", "Zealots Of Stockholm"

I believe it's required I start the review with "Primus sucks". That being said, Primus has always been more of a curiosity to me, a showing of talent over any aspirations at making anything that sounds commercial. It's impressive, but I will admit that it does all kind of blend together, with Les Claypool's bass gymnastics kind of wearing on me a bit. It also somewhat falls apart near the end, feeling more like half-ideas than cohesive songs. Call it a 3.5. Favorite tracks: "Sgt. Baker", "Jerry Was A Racecar Driver", "Tommy The Cat"

This is fucking neat. It's considered Krautrock? I don't hear a lot of the hallmarks I would associate Krautrock with. It's way more driving, a bit more psychedelic. I feel like it probably inspired a band like The Mars Volta, who I'm a huge fan of. Requires some further study. Favorite tracks: "Halluzination Guillotine", "Pale Gallery"

The word my older millennial-ass keeps coming back to is "vibes" and man, if anything has "vibes", it's this. The blending of genres on this thing is impressive, and the whole record slides through in one extremely cohesive burst that it's impressive. It does occasionally fade into background music, but again, the vibes are just too good. Favorite track: "Runaway"

Apocalyptic. Dark. Almost film-score ish. The record plays some hope near the end, though it's not all sunshine, and has a bit of a militaristic feel to it. There's a lot of space, which can be good, but I think it hits dead air a few times. Makes me very interested to listen to the rest of their catalog.

Weirdly, I could place what year this album was from by looking at the band's promo photo. The title and name gave me big 70s vibes, which, after listening, is definitely what they're going for: harmonies that remind me of the Beach Boys, and really swinging for the magnum opus-likes of "Sgt. Pepper's". Occasionally flits into musical theater territory. On a personal level, it reminds me of the band I Fight Dragons if they weren't video-game-dorks and were just regular-dorks. Overall feeling? It's fine. It swings into "bad" territory whenever any of the members try to rap (not that they can't, it's just that it's... earnest but cringe-worthy), and "Banana Man" for being a liiiiittle, well, you know. With all due respect, it makes me think of TV shows like The Office or How I Met Your Mother: twee, adorkable, and maybe just a little too saccharine. Favorite tracks: "Greener", "Just Apathy"

I'm pretty sure even the uncontacted tribes of the world have heard "Blinding Lights" at this point. Admittedly, I was very big into the "Beauty Behind The Madness" record, but fell off quickly after. It's interesting to see the progression, while still being very, very dark ("Faith", my lord). I'll admit I'm not as into the trap sounds of, say, Future that I think this record deals in. I can enjoy a few songs but a full album feels like a lot. Despite that, I do enjoy the overall atmosphere. It does feel aptly named, "After Hours": the party has long turned, it's still dark, but you know that's going to change too. It's a tough call, rating wise. I didn't hate it, but the radio singles are so saturated I don't think I can put enough distance between them to justify a higher rating. Favorite tracks: "Escape From LA", "Heartless", "Repeat After Me"

High energy (high kick! high kick!). I'll admit, I hadn't listened to too much Sparks until watching their documentary (I'm a sucker for Edgar Wright), but I can see why they're one of those bands that is favored by music nerds: these songs aren't "radio friendly", but from the first sequence on "Tryouts For the Human Race", I was hooked. A rare album where I restart it shortly after finishing it. Very fun. I have a minor gripe that the final track doesn't particularly feel "final", it just kind of fades, but it's not enough to keep from really enjoying the record. Favorite tracks: "Tryouts For The Human Race", "Beat The Clock"

The 80s answer to the cock rock likes of Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, and Bad Company. While that sentence reads like I hate this album, I don't. It's fine, solidly performed, just doesn't move the needle too much for me. Favorite tracks: "I Need You", "The Stroke"

I always had a soft spot for Switchfoot. I'm not particularly religious anymore, but they always walked that line between Christian rock without being obnoxiously preachy about it. Plus, that guitar riff from "Meant To Live"? Mm. Choice. I was really loving the first half of this album, but it eventually kind of loses steam, and I think they take a huge swing at guitar-driven pop on "Gone" and the record never really recovers from the folly. Still, I didn't have any song I disliked on side A, and I really enjoy how uplifting and genuine everything is throughout. Call it a 3.5. Favorite tracks: "Meant To Live", "This Is Your Life", "Ammunition", "Dare You To Move"

I went back and read my review of "Beautiful Freak", since I recognize that this band already had at least one (maybe two?) albums in the book. My opinion hasn't changed all that much: it does remind me of Beck, with the kind of lackadaisical, laid back atmosphere. Lyrically, it's fine? It feels a bit simplistic at times (a la "I Like Birds"). It's a bit twee, and doesn't really leave more of an impression than "90s jangle pop/rock". Favorite tracks: "The Sound Of Fear", "Mr. E's Beautiful Blues"

There really wasn't much emo on this list. "American Idiot"-era Green Day, Drive Like Jehu... It needs more of this. More Jimmy Eat World, Jawbreaker. SDRE is the bridging gap between melodic hardcore and emo, and God bless em for it. Favorite tracks: "48", "In Circles"

I mean, man, if you know anyone who doesn't jam with this even a little, maybe consider giving them some distance. It's just a pleasant, fun album that gets your feet tapping. Notes of city pop and some maybe some easy listening, just solid grooves. That bridge groove change on "Let Your Feelings Show" is immaculate. Favorite tracks: "In The Stone", "Let Your Feelings Show", "You And I"

Gorgeously produced. Reminds me of Louis Cole, SZA, and seems especially inspired by Stevie Wonder. Neo-soul stuff is, unfortunately, not my particular cup of tea, but you can at least appreciate a well-made record. Favorite tracks: "Spirit 2.0", "Only"

There are albums where, from the first few bars, you know you're going to like it. This album hit me like that. It has the twee-ness of power-pop with some latent darkness. Very, very 90s. I love the guitar tones, the songs are catchy and change it up in great, unexpected ways, and the vocals are just great. No notes. Favorite tracks: "Love Letter Boxes", "How She Lied By Living", "Coming Right Along"

The main thing I take away from this is, "vibes". That's a little dismissive, because it's more than vibes. But at the same time, it's not. There's a really, really cool blend here of things like EDM (a la Deadmau5), 90s R&B, yacht rock... But it all gets put under a strong layer of reverb and gloss. I'm conflicted with this one, because while I enjoyed it, I wouldn't say I had a lot of strong memories about it. I liked it, but I didn't. It's like being dragged into an H&M but finding a cool shirt, in your size, on sale. Does that make sense? Favorite tracks: "Tailwhip", "You Deserve This"