User Albums Journey
Exploring beyond the book, one album at a time
View 1001 Albums Summary508
Albums Rated
3.42
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1960
Favorite Decade
Reggae
Favorite Genre
US
Top Origin
Cheerleader
Rater Style ?
55
5-Star Albums
14
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
Top Styles
By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Zaireeka
The Flaming Lips
|
5 | 2.65 | +2.35 |
|
Crimson
Edge Of Sanity
|
5 | 2.71 | +2.29 |
|
Symbolic
Death
|
5 | 2.76 | +2.24 |
|
Sound Awake
Karnivool
|
5 | 2.76 | +2.24 |
|
22, A Million
Bon Iver
|
5 | 2.92 | +2.08 |
|
Images and Words
Dream Theater
|
5 | 2.95 | +2.05 |
|
Before These Crowded Streets
Dave Matthews Band
|
5 | 2.96 | +2.04 |
|
Crack the Skye
Mastodon
|
5 | 3.01 | +1.99 |
|
Up
Great Big Sea
|
5 | 3.02 | +1.98 |
|
The Mantle
Agalloch
|
5 | 3.02 | +1.98 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
The Devil And God Are Raging Inside Me
Brand New
|
1 | 3.1 | -2.1 |
|
10,000 gecs
100 gecs
|
1 | 2.89 | -1.89 |
|
Oil of Every Pearl's Un-Insides
SOPHIE
|
1 | 2.8 | -1.8 |
|
Korn
Korn
|
1 | 2.6 | -1.6 |
|
METAL FORTH
BABYMETAL
|
1 | 2.56 | -1.56 |
|
TEKKNO
Electric Callboy
|
1 | 2.43 | -1.43 |
|
Temple of Thought
Poets of the Fall
|
1 | 2.4 | -1.4 |
|
World's End Fruit Basket
Ikd-sj
|
1 | 2.39 | -1.39 |
|
Comfort To Me
Amyl and The Sniffers
|
2 | 3.36 | -1.36 |
|
News at 11
Cat System Corp.
|
1 | 2.36 | -1.36 |
Artists
Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Bon Iver | 3 | 5 |
| Porcupine Tree | 3 | 5 |
| TOOL | 4 | 4.25 |
Least Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| BABYMETAL | 2 | 1.5 |
5-Star Albums (55)
View Album Wall
1-Star Albums (14)
All Ratings
Susanne Sundfør
4/5
This was a nice start to the user-submitted albums! Mostly folk-oriented but with forays into jazz, pop, spoken word, some synths... and it all works together to create a singular dark emotive mood throughout rather than feel disjointed. Beautiful voice too! Thanks for the reco!
Pedro The Lion
3/5
This seems like an album you end up dissecting and loving for the lyrical concept and themes - so take my review with a grain of salt as I don't always pay much attention to lyrics unless I'm grabbed by the music first and foremost. In this case, I wasn't. Maybe I'll give it a few more tries but this sounds like an indie rock/emo band I would have had on my iPod Classic but never listened to and eventually forgotten about when that iPod eventually died. Still happy to have been introduced to it, but not my cup of tea!
Godspeed You! Black Emperor
4/5
Really enjoyed this one! And a good addition to the list as well because looking back, post-rock is a genre almost completely ignored in this book, besides maybe one or two albums. This particular album was definitely on the more experimental end, with long, almost fully instrumental tracks full of ambient/drone-ish sections, spoken word, and even silence. But it always kept me engaged and interested. Nice pick!
3/5
Solid 3 star indie rock album - had heard a few of these songs before, including the album closer. Overall it doesn't hook me in a way that I'll seek it out in the future, but if its already playing, I won't turn it off. I was curious if anyone was going to submit a bonus album from a band already covered by the list - guess I have my answer!
Kaizers Orchestra
4/5
Nice pick! Scandanavians really do know how to write good music - this one has the feel of early 2000s garage rock akin to Franz Ferdinand/The Hives/etc but jumps around a bit more, adding in influences from various different genres and styles. Probably a 3.5 for me but I'll round up.
The Postal Service
5/5
Wait... This wasn't on here already? WTF? We get 400 post-punk albums that all sound the same but skip out on one of the defining albums of the 2000s?
Neutral Milk Hotel
5/5
Two days in a row of users submitting albums that were clearly glaring omissions on the part of the list-makers. This was a landmark indie rock album... what the heck? I know they can't include EVERY important album, but the weighting of certain genres over others is definitely.... off. Questionable decisions were made.
Frank Zappa
4/5
I appreciate that this contributor presumably saw the Zappa album and both Mothers of Invention albums on the list and determined these were not the correct choices. And after listening through this one, I may have to agree with the contributor! This one much more expertly straddles the line between accessibility (ish), grooviness, and being totally fucking bonkers. And it flows super well from start to finish. Better IMO than the other three choices from the original list makers.
Angelo De Augustine
3/5
As a huge Sufjan Stevens fan, I've listened to "A Beginner's Mind" although I don't return to it as often as his other solo works. Hearing Angelo's solo stuff really makes it obvious why he's on Sufjan's label - the similarities are obvious and many. I enjoyed the album but did feel like I might not return to it in lieu of just listening to Sufjan instead.
Bran Van 3000
3/5
This was pretty good! From the name and photo I was expecting some repetitive electronica. There was a tad bit of that but much more varied than I was expecting, with R&B, Soul, Hip Hop, World, etc. all playing a part. I think the guest musicians/singers really made this album - not sure if I would like it as much without the contributions.
Chucklehead
3/5
Solid enjoyable funk album - not sure I would add it to my list of essential albums as it is pretty standard fare for funk rock. The wiki page mentions they were praised for their groundbreaking mix of hip hop and live funk - so perhaps they were important/revolutionary, although it seems to me like RHCP and a few others were already doing this in the mid 80's. Solid 3/5 though.
Garbage
3/5
Nice throwback - I definitely had this album growing up, also heard a bunch of these tracks on rotation on our local alt rock radio station. I'll probably throw a few of these back into my own playlists. Probably higher than a 3 but not quite 4 material.
Jellyfish
4/5
Interesting blend of 90's alternative rock (maybe with some Britpop influence) and the music of the 60's, most notably pulling direct influence from the Beach Boys/Beatles/Harry Nillson style power pop. Some songs also feel like they could be Beck songs as well. So not super original and they wear their influences on their sleeves. BUT, that being said, they do it really well. It's fun and playful, and they keep the music interesting. So in the end, I'll round this up to 4 stars.
Madvillain
4/5
It took me a few times initially to get into this album when I first heard it. It's unlike anything else - an experimental hip-hop album made up of short songs with super abstract lyrics and no hooks. Somehow it all works! I don't even know how or why it works, but it does. It's not yet in my top hip-hop albums of all time, but maybe one day - for now its a solid 4 stars. Glad to see someone added it!
THE SPORTS
3/5
Pretty solid new wave album, and nice to see some additional Australian representation - although I think maybe more special for Aussies who have a history with it. From the outside looking in, its fairly similar to the other New Wave representation on the list.
Louis Armstrong
3/5
Louis Armstrong is obviously one of the GOATs, and you can't deny how incredible he was or how influential either. That being said... it isn't really in the spirit of this project, which excludes compilations and soundtracks. Which is why the oldest albums on the original list are from the 50's - you know, when the modern concept of album originated with the birth of the LP. This is a collection of tracks from the 20's and 30's compiled in 2000, nearly 30 years after Louie's death. I think I'm leaving a 3 here, as I can't in good conscience rate Louie as a 1 or 2, but I'm going to be a pretentious, pedantic asshole and not give this a 4 or 5 out of spite. Should be a DQ.
Haley Heynderickx
4/5
This was great! Indie-folk that would have fit right in during the 2000's revival. Beautiful songs and voice, introspective lyrics, and a runtime that doesn't overstay its welcome. Might need to add this to my collection. Nice recommendation!
Ty Segall
3/5
I've been recommended Ty Segall before but never listened. Honestly a little disappointed. Expected noise rock but kinda just got a blend of garage rock/noise that didn't work for me. I'll be optimistic and give it a 3. But just felt like he either could've leaned more heavily into the experimentation or just given us a banging garage rock album. This just felt like something mediocre in between.
Tally Hall
3/5
Bunch of dudes having a fun time writing (mostly) silly songs. Obviously won't go in the pantheon of music as high art but it was quite enjoyable. Some songs were slightly more on the cringey side but I still had a blast listening.
Bad Religion
4/5
I laughed when I saw the other review say they would have gone with "Grey Race" instead. Why? Because I saw this album get generated and my first thought was "Bad Religion - awesome! Although I would have gone with The Process of Belief..." It was definitely a miss to not include BR on the original 1001 albums list, and the fact that they've been churning out albums of consistent quality for FOUR DECADES now means everyone is going to have their own favorites. I need to go back and give another listen to quite a few that I have never checked out. This one is def a solid 4 stars.
Childish Gambino
3/5
Interesting choice - I would have for sure gone with either "Camp" or "Awaken My Love" as this to me is definitely his weakest album. Its still fun to listen to, and is this kind of "beautiful chaos" of styles. Certainly a statement as well. But its a little too much, a little too chaotic. In trying to recreate the internet in album format, it does a good job - because the internet is chaos. But it makes for a disjointed listening experience. Still a 3/5 but his other albums are probably 4 stars for me.
Nuyorican Soul
2/5
I was disappointed in this one. Was expecting maybe some salsa, Latin pop, music to dance/get down to. Was not expecting elevator jazz. 1hr15min of elevator jazz. And only a handful of the guest musicians (Tito Puente & India) have any connection to Puerto Rico at all. Nope, not for me!
Daniel Bélanger
3/5
Not many French-speaking acts on the original list - so it was nice to see not only an additional Francophone act but a Quebecker as well. I enjoyed the music - definitely fits right in with other 2000's indie-alternative acts, with a mix of folk, alternative, and electronica. I may give this another listen at some point so its worth at least 3 stars.
Chromatics
3/5
Another good recommendation from the users - this was a good idea. Having individuals pick ONE album vs. having one individual pick 1001 albums is definitely making for a more varied, interesting pot. This one gave me huge "Drive" vibes - especially when I got to the last track and realized it WAS used in Drive. As is the case with a lot of electronic albums, it's too long. Tick of the clock is a good song but doesn't earn its 15 minute runtime. Same with a few others - with the songs being repetitive by nature of the music, they could have been trimmed down a bit. Otherwise, this would have been a four-star album! Music is fun, but the (lack of) editing brought it down to a 3.
Garmarna
4/5
Dark Swedish folk - this shit is right up my alley. A few of the songs were a little rockier/electronic that slightly ruined the vibe but I thought like 80% of the album was just superb. Trad swedish folk is the tits.
Type O Negative
2/5
I do like me some Gothic Metal, and I knew these guys were big in that scene but never listened to them. After giving this album a shot, it's definitely a mixed bag - some great heavy riffs, awesome moody feel, but it's way overlong, some of it feels cringey, like it's trying just a little too hard to be edgy, and the vocals are miss more than hit. As the album wore on, what slowly could have been a 4 star affair drifted to a 3, and then a 2.
First Aid Kit
3/5
Damn... this one started out super strong - the first two tracks are incredible and I'll probably download the album just for those. The rest of the album is also good but doesn't quite live up to the potential of how it kicks off and some of the tracks veer into Lumineers/Edward Sharpe territory with the the whoops and claps. This brings the album down to three stars. But when they stick to Americana stuff its fantastic though!
INXS
3/5
Well, I definitely recognized a large majority of this album. INXS has always struck me as being perfectly adequate rockers - and its no wonder they were super popular. But I never seek them out, they just feel like kinda standard 80's fare, none of their hits really scratch any itches for me.
Sparks
3/5
This album flew by so quickly that I had to go back and remind myself what I had listened to. My stance on Sparks remains essentially unchanged even though they transitioned here from glam rock to a sorta synth-pop sound: they are big, dumb and fun but not essential.
John Mayer
3/5
Peak John Mayer is easily his John Mayer Trio album, which I'll put on any day of the week. This is probably his best studio album though. He's an incredible guitarist - I just wish he'd go full blues rock more often instead of pumping out pop rock albums. I mean, more power to him... I just don't dig it as much. This is a 3/5 for me, Try! is maybe a 4 or 5.
Dave Matthews Band
5/5
I made fun of DMB once - but had some friends who grinded me down until I eventually learned the errors of my ways. Now I'm a huge fan. This is up there with his best, for sure, although it depends on personal preference (or day of the week for me).
The Lumineers
2/5
Honestly never really liked this group - maybe its because they came on late to the folk revival of the late aughts but gained huge popularity doing what seemed pretty derivative of the bands that had started the movement. Or maybe its because they way overdid the clapping/shouting "hey" thing to the point of it becoming meme-ish. Dunno but yeah I'd say this is pretty mid.
Ian McDonald
4/5
Damn... A bonus King Crimson album I never knew about? Nice! Without Fripp it's definitely more jazzy/folksy and less rock than KC but it still tickled my earworms and I might just need to add it to my collection.
Protomartyr
2/5
Someone honestly listened to the 1001 albums full list, and decided what was missing was some more "post-punk." For fucks sake, this genre is done and covered, and this album did nothing to add anything to the genre or cover any new ground.
Status Quo
3/5
Not a bad album by any means but it sounds pretty much like a stock 70's hard rock album - seems like they are trying to be halfway in between a more classic hard rock sound and then a little more glammy/over the top sound. I think its fine, but not list-worthy.
Maldita Vecindad Y Los Hijos Del 5to. Patio
4/5
Fun album! Mexican rock with heavy ska elements. Somewhere in the"let's round up to a 4" range. Would listen again/add to a few playlists
Earth, Wind & Fire
4/5
Man this LP has a lot of their biggest hits, and really showcases their energy. I feel like one of the strongest elements of EW&F is just that infectious passion and energy, that just makes you want to get up and dance. Anyone who says "Disco sucks" might need to give these guys another listen.
Fontaines D.C.
3/5
Looks like the universal acclaim for this one is for the lyricism, which a quick perusal of a few lyrics tells me is certainly top tier. I didn't have time to fully read through/analyze but I'll fully take everyone's word that it is amazing poetry. However... that's not how I listen to music. I want to be amazed by the music first, and then delve into lyrics later. This music does nothing for me. It is pretty run of the mill post-punk, with a singer who seems bored / has absolutely no sense of tune. Glad people like this and I'll raise my review to a 3 after reading through some of the lyrics, but otherwise its a pass for me.
Weezer
5/5
Yeah... as many other reviewers have mentioned, this is just a glaring omission from the original list. No matter what Weezer has become now, the blue album was a landmark in alternative rock, and one of the greatest albums of the 90s. And insanely influential. It's unbelievable that this one was skipped.
Jimmy Buffett
3/5
Definitely a bit more country than I thought Jimmy Buffett was in my head. I didn't dislike it and it definitely transported me to Florida for 3/4 of an hour, but I was expecting it to be a little more of a "tropical" feel than it was.
Phish
4/5
I love the user that submitted this. No regrets, just throws unsuspecting listeners into a 2+ hour live Phish album. No one should have their introduction to Phish be this way - you are supposed to just ease folks in with a song or two when you're a bit stoned. You have to build people up before the 30-minute Tweezer. That being said, I was introduced the right way and have had previous experience, and so I'll go ahead and give this a 4 - once you are accustomed, it is a pretty great live album with lots of great performances and jams.
Extrechinato y Tu
4/5
Some nice hard rock from Spain - really enjoyed the music here - it felt inventive yet catchy. I may bookmark this album so I can use it to improve my Spanish.
Steven Wilson
5/5
Well this was my album. Obviously a 5 star album for me. Debated long between this or several PT albums but ultimately I thought this was his most cohesive and beautiful album, and on the more accessible side. I do love my wonky prog bits but this manages to create a stunning experience while reining it in quite a bit. Absolutely perfect.
The Weeknd
2/5
Heard the artist's name mentioned a whole lot (I mean he's apparently one of the most popular artists of the era), but never heard anything apart from some singles here and there. Was never really entranced with anything to a GREAT extent, although I do think Blinding Lights is a banger. However I'm not sure it works as a whole album. Its kind of a neat novelty but overall just seems like this kinda derivative dream pop/synth pop mashup with everything in a high falsetto that never changes. Probably higher than a 2 in reality but not enough for a 3.
The Posies
3/5
Pretty solid 90s alt rock. I laughed at the other user who wrote "Seems like the sort of thing that would've been on the list." Because that seems fairly true... Decent album but not super unique or original.
1/5
This is most assuredly not my thing. In fact I kinda detest it and question whether it's even music. This is like... TikTok music. Music as a meme. Terrible.
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard
3/5
Still not totally sold on King Gizzard, but this album was definitely solid. A high energy romp that just keeps the momentum going from start to finish. The trade-off here is that all the songs sound maybe a little too similar, so it lacks any real big moments and you find it hard to differentiate between tracks. However, still a solid 3/5 and intrigues me to listen to more.
blink-182
4/5
Middle school me loved this album. I still do but I wonder how much is nostalgia. The lyrics are obviously quite immature and haven't aged well. On the other hand this was the most important and influential pop punk album and secondly, there's Travis who immediately elevated the band. This is somewhere between a 3 and 4 but I'll round up with my rose colored glasses on.
Arctic Monkeys
4/5
FOUR STARS OUT OF FIVE. But for real, this is probably a 4-star album for me. Their debut and AM are definitely their 5 star albums. The lounge-y sound on this one just takes me out of it a little bit. It's just a bit too slow and lacks the energy of my favorite Arctic Monkeys releases. But still an excellent release with an interest concept.
Cluster
3/5
Nice - I won't say no to more krautrock. While this is probably not on the level of say, Kraftwerk or Tangerine Dream, but it's still pretty interesting. 3/5 for me but still very solid.
Elmer Gantry's Velvet Opera
3/5
Some fairly straightforward British psychedelic rock from the 60's. It's fine and fun but not sure I'd call it a stand out of the genre or anything when we've heard a bunch of similar music on the list already. Plus I think they may have overdone the sitar just a tad here.
Switchfoot
2/5
Oh man sorry dude but I went through that period of time where my parents only let me listen to Christian Rock and I'd rather not go back there. Meant to Live is a decent jam but the rest of the album was virtually indistinguishable from the myriad other Christian Rock bands from that era.
King Tubby
4/5
This was a fun addition and a good correction from the original list which had some reggae classics but no dub. Never heard of this one in particular but he seems influential on the genre and I'm sold.
TOOL
5/5
I mean, this was a seminal release that spawned countless imitators and whole genres of progressive metal around this sound. While Lateralus might be my personal favorite, this is a close second, and they are both 5/5 records.
Rachel Stevens
2/5
Oof - I apologize to the submitter but yeah, the album cover immediately said "2000's Pussycat Dolls imitator" and while this was an earlier S Club 7 solo spin-off, the actual music was pretty much exactly what I expected and left my scratching my head as to why this was deemed essential.
Tame Impala
4/5
I do have this one in my collection already and its a great slab of modern psychedelic rock. "The Less I Know The Better" is just a fantastic hit with a killer bassline but the whole album manages to keep the same vibe and energy and feels very cohesive. I forget about this band a lot but I shouldn't.
blink-182
3/5
Blink's attempt at a more "mature" album, which does succeed to a certain extent. I was initially super disappointed by this album since it just wasn't as much fun as their earlier immature pop-punk affairs. I probably like it better in retrospect but its still not their best, despite a few standout tracks.
Procol Harum
3/5
Interesting add to the list. Feels a bit like "prog rock lite" with a somewhat similar tone but not as many of the conventions that would define the genre. Was a bit unexpected as well since the only song I knew from them was "A Whiter Shade of Pale" which is fantastic but a different vibe entirely. I think a 3/5 is suitable for this one.
Stromae
3/5
Definitely not my thing but that's okay - its electronic club music but it isn't repetitive to the point of exhaustion, it sticks to a respectable 45 minutes, and is a much tighter blend of hip hop, pop and EDM so its a bit more varied. The lyrical topics also look like they elevate this music quite a bit and I can certainly understand the critical acclaim. For me, the album is a 3/5 because the style is just not something I dig, but I can understand a higher critical ranking.
Bon Iver
5/5
Damn, I literally put "For Emma" on last night and was thinking about how Bon Iver was a mysterious omission from the list. If I was making my own list I might put all of his first three albums on here. This is his weirdest of three but might just be a crazy masterpiece. Not for everybody for sure but a 5/5 for me.
Men I Trust
3/5
Not a bad dream pop sound - it's definitely too long at 70 minutes though so the slow, dreamy sound overstays its welcome just a tad. But definitely in the same lane as say, Beach House or Air, if it maybe doesn't quite hit those heights. Solid 3/5 though.
Amon Düül II
3/5
Definitely an odd duck - krautrock with heavy prog rock overtones and a good dose of psychedelia and avant-garde. While this sounds like I'm just reciting the genres on the wikipedia page, you actually can really hear all these elements in the final product - at times its proggy improv, at time its Kraftwerk-ian, and at times its just bizarre and "artsy." Don't know if this goes into the "listen again and add to my collection" territory but its worth at least a 3/5.
Sublime
5/5
Another obvious misstep on the original list to skip over this 90's classic. Like all three of their albums, its a little bloated with some filler (I could probably easily pick 15 minutes to cut) but the rest is so brim-full of ubiquitous classics that its a bit excusable (at least half of this album would likely be recognized by anyone who listened to rock radio in the 90's). I'll add this to my 5 star list, although its probably a 4.5.
Jóhann Jóhannsson
4/5
Nice interesting choice! RIP, I love Jóhansson's score work - Sicario and Arrival in particular his score just adds so much to. While classical music seems kind of out of scope of the 1001 albums project, which is more centered on popular music, its definitely a refreshing change of pace and maybe should have been highlighted more. This album in particular is an intriguing classical/electronic blend that makes great background music.
Amadou & Mariam
4/5
Never listened to this despite listening to the follow-up Welcome To Mali plenty of times. And Manu Chao is a featured artist? How did that skip me by? This is solid African blues. Real good stuff.
Alex Cameron
2/5
Interesting choice I guess? Not sure why I needed to listen to it before dying. I know it's tongue in cheek 80's pastiche, but I couldn't shake that it just sounded exactly like later era Killers. Welp, lo and behold, Brandon Flowers shows up as a guest singer... and it turns out Cameron helped co-write songs on Wonderful Wonderful and Imploding the Mirage as well. Don't really think the songwriting here stands up to either of those albums though, and I honestly was not a fan of the character either - I get it, I just don't think the joke is that funny.
The Decemberists
4/5
Man... so many albums to pick instead of Hazards. In particular, Picaresque and The Crane Wife. Both 5/5 albums that received universal acclaim. Hazards was considered a disappointment to many after those two, myself included. I don't hate it but its clearly not their best.
The Avett Brothers
3/5
This was the album where I actually gave up on The Avett Brothers - I really liked their first few albums, and especially Mignonette and Emotionalism still get some play from me these days. But nothing hooked me with this album, and the album overall just felt like something was missing. Not sure if its just the production or what, but it just didn't resonate and I eventually deleted it from my collection. Listening again now it is maybe not as bad as I remember, but its still probably around a 2.5 or 3 for me.
Porter Robinson
2/5
I started the album wondering what CW Teen drama show this album was the soundtrack for. While I ended up liking it slightly more than I initially suspected, I don't think it was enough to push the rating above a 2. Just not enough interesting there
The Hold Steady
3/5
Not bad, but if I wanted to listen to Springsteen I would just listen to Springsteen? Not sure what else new this brings to the Heartland Rock table.
Sampha
4/5
I liked this one a lot - very mellow electronic r&b sound that feels very unique. Might listen to this one again when the vibe strikes.
Richard Dawson
3/5
Definitely an odd one. I really liked the songwriting and composition, it was proggy/avant-garde feeling unique with folk instrumentation. However I wasn't a fan of the execution as much - I get that it is supposed to sound messy and stripped down, but just would have preferred the songs if they were a bit more polished and ummm... on key. That said, still a 3/5. But would have been a 4/5 if performed by a different band.
That Handsome Devil
4/5
Enjoyed this one! Felt like the soundtrack to a Tim Burton movie. Feels like I should add a track or two to my "Halloween" playlist. Screaming Jay Hawkins meets Tom Waits meets psychobilly. Good stuff.
Thee Oh Sees
3/5
Immediately got King Gizzard vibes from this one and doing a brief search on Reddit I am definitely not the only one hah. They came first so sounds like they were probably an inspiration for KGATLW. Psych rock that is crazy proficient, releasing album after album after album, and dabbling in many different genres. I find both this and KG adequate and fun to listen to, but nothing particularly special that makes me want to seek it out.
Mustafa
2/5
Taking clear inspiration from the Sufjan Stevens/Bon Iver school of stripped down indie-folk, this is a (very) short album that somehow actually feels too long as it doesn't really do anything interesting with its 23 minutes. It just feels like a short coffee shop set. Somehow when Sufjan Stevens writes a chill album, there is still an energy about it that feels unique and keeps my attention rapt. This follows more in the xx line of alternative music where it just makes me want to take a nap.
My Chemical Romance
5/5
Yeah this was a mistake not to include on the original list. I was an MCR fan already before this album came out and it still took me by surprise. They really went all out to create their magnum opus rock opera. And while I've generally grown out of many of the bands in the emo/post-hardcore genre, MCR (and this album in particular) have stood the test of time so far for me, 16 years later. So this is a perfect rating for me.
Gotcha!
2/5
Feels like maybe a "you had to be there" type of album. If you were Dutch in the 90's, these guys may have been a local favorite and I respect that and it was probably a fun time. However, in retrospect, and looking at the greatest albums of all time, it doesn't really feel like something that belongs, just a fun funk album but nothing iconic/fundamental about it.
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
Glad someone decided to shine some extra light on this underexposed artist LMAO. While I agree he has many albums that should be in consideration for this list, its just a little funny to me that someone decided to add one more bonus album after he already has five of his best records on the main list. That being said, of course its excellent... its the Boss. At his absolute prime. Great live album.
Koritni
3/5
I enjoyed this. Definitely not 1001 list material as it's just a bunch of dudes recreating 80s hard rock/glam, but I enjoy that kind of big dumb music. But not revolutionary or noteworthy in any way, really.
Josh Ritter
4/5
I liked this a lot. Name sounds familiar so not sure if I ran into him before in my "indie rock" heydey. But great folk songs that would have got many a 2000s/2010s playlist.
Alexisonfire
4/5
Well this took me back. Grew up with this post-hardcore scene and loved Alexisonfire - they are one of the few bands from that scene that I still follow today. This is probably their best as well, and still holds up IMO. 4/5
Korn
1/5
Can we stop adding nu-metal to the list and making the overall metal ratings lower than they already are please? Sorry guys, but Korn is boring. The "heavy" riffs are all the same from song to song, album to album. Sure they make some funny squeaky guitar noises during the verses and sure, the lyricism is an expression of a tortured childhood. But overall... nah can't do it anymore.
Marillion
4/5
Despite being a big prog fan, I never really checked out Marillion. They definitely come from the Genesis school of prog, and I even swore it was Peter Gabriel singing a few times. It's definitely right up my alley though. I may give this album a few more listens and check out some of their other releases as well.
They Might Be Giants
3/5
Nice artist to add to the list! I attempted to get more into them at a certain point and gave up - with 23 albums it was just too much to wade through. Surprised the user went with this album though, and not some of their more famous 90's material. Either way, its a decent album, but TMBG for me is a band better experienced with a Greatest Hits compilation.
The Beautiful South
3/5
Didn't mind this much but felt like it jumped around between styles too much and didn't have its own identity. Really liked the sound and direction some songs took but didn't think the overall product was cohesive.
Boy Azooga
3/5
Decent indie rock but not super memorable - if a song popped up on a playlist I wouldn't turn it off but I'd probably forget about it five minutes later.
Wussy
3/5
Same as the last album - thought it was decent but with all the great 2000's alternative rock, I'm not sure it really stands out? Still a 3/5 but probably will fade out of my memory.
Scraping Foetus off the Wheel
2/5
I applaud the submitter of this one. Way to go weird and uncomfortable! Don't regret listening. However.... was not a fan. Felt like weird for the sake of weird rather than an artistic statement or fun listen.
Roger Waters
3/5
Not quite Pink Floyd level but an interesting addition to prog history nonetheless. Too bad Waters is a huge wanker at this point.
Courteeners
3/5
This was not bad, liked it quite a bit! I don't think we're quite in 4 star territory here as it seems like pretty standard British alt rock fare that has been done better, but it was pretty solid.
100 gecs
1/5
I don't know much about hyperpop but it seems to me like its a genre that specifically a lot of Trans folks have jumped on/pioneered - maybe because its something disruptive that deconstructs a lot of pop/rock tropes and specifically tries to alienate other listeners in a way that they have felt alienated their whole lives? Or maybe I'm reading into it too much. Either way, I guess I can respect that and be happy for the people who love this music... while still having no desire to listen to it myself in any capacity? It is 100% music that is not made for me and I struggle to not turn it off after 30 seconds. So its a one star from me dawg, but a one star in perhaps the most respectful way you can give something one star.
Bloc Party
4/5
A great debut album right in the peak of the 2000's UK garage/dance-punk craze. They never managed to replicate what made this album so good and every subsequent album has left me disappointed. But they'll always have this album, which knocked it out of the park and is definitely a standout of the 2000's.
Childish Gambino
4/5
This really is a very good album - as one review said, it is "pure Funkadelic cosplay" but that is not really a bad thing in my opinion. Might be much more firmly in the homage territory and not as original as some of Donald Glover's other work, but its arguably better than some of those albums and seemed to make more of an impact when released as well.
Sufjan Stevens
5/5
Yeah this is for sure a 5/5. Maybe my favorite Sufjan album and one of the most melancholy pieces of music ever. Brilliant.
Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band
4/5
The dad-dest of dad rock. Not that that's a bad thing! Seger didn't really have the same lasting legacy as the trio of Springsteen-Petty-Mellencamp, but probably would still make the Mt Rushmore of heartland rock. I enjoyed it a fairly good. Probably a 3.5 but rounding up
Primus
3/5
Primus sucks.
The Marcus King Band
3/5
Pretty solid Blues album - not sure it stands out in the sea of solid Blues albums out there but I enjoyed it.
Billy Squier
3/5
"The Stroke" and "Lonely is the Night" are for sure classics. The other singles are pretty decent too. Not sure if the rest of the album lives up to those though and seems pretty standard 80's AOR.
Hombres G
4/5
Nice... glad to see some more Spanish rock on here. Might need to listen a few more times and practice my Spanish in the process. Nice variety of tracks and sounds.
The B-52's
2/5
The B-52's for sure are a weird band to rate. They have such a distinct style that is instantly recognizable, but at the cost of the music sounding incredibly monotonous. So if you hear one song from them in a playlist, its great! If you listen to multiple songs in a row, its just a chore.
Savages
3/5
While the post-punk genre tag makes me wince when I see it, I thought this one was pretty decent. Will it stand out afterwards? Will I remember anything about how it sounded? Probably not.
Death Cab for Cutie
4/5
Was always a big fan of Plans but never gave this one a fair shot. Glad to listen to it again now. Doesn't have the hits of Plans, but might actually be a better album? Not sure but it's definitely going back in my library.
The Burning Hell
2/5
Meh, felt like it was trying too hard to be clever and more often than not came off as cringe-inducing instead. His monotone voice got old quickly too. That style works when used sparingly, not all the time. Barbarians was a cool song though.
Marillion
4/5
Now I guess I've heard albums from both eras of this band. Probably still won't crack my list of favorite prog bands but I did find this one quite good. Good mix of upbeat songs and ballads. Can see how they influenced a lot of bands I like.
Adam Green
2/5
Something about this rubbed me the wrong way. Couldn't quite place it - it does feel a bit forced at times, trying to be clever and not quite succeeding, it ends up coming off as irritating rather than witty.
Kano
3/5
Thought this was a pretty solid rap album. Production was very good... still has what is now probably considered "old school" R&B-sample-driven beats. Wasn't paying attention to lyricism so can't comment there but his flow sounded good as well.
Café Tacvba
2/5
I liked the music, mostly, although sometimes the eclectic genre mix was more miss than hit. The vocals? Good lord... I wanted to turn every song off as soon as the singing started.
LaBelle
4/5
Patti LaBelle definitely deserved a spot on the original list so this is for sure correcting an oversight. Obviously Lady Marmalade is a big highlight, but the rest of the album is a super solid dose of funk/r&b/soul from a great diva.
Mull Historical Society
3/5
Pretty catchy indie album - I swear I recognized some of the songs but it could be that the tunes just caught my ear pretty quickly. Probably wouldn't enter my listening rotation though.
Freddie Gibbs
3/5
Probably would need a few more listens to properly rate this. Madlib's production is on point as always. The record was definitely a bit too long and wore me out a bit, and there were probably a little TOO many guest stars, so it felt a little crowded. So its a 3/5 for now but on subsequent listens I feel like I probably would rate this higher.
The Jesus Lizard
3/5
I can see how this would sound quite revolutionary in 1991. Unfortunately my 2024 brain can't quite get into it. For my own taste, some music ages like fine wine and never grows old, and other music is notable for its influence but doesn't stand up any longer. I feel like this album falls into the latter category, for me. 3/5 but probably not replaying.
Igorrr
3/5
I applaud this uploader for going all out on their selection. I went back and forth with my pick for awhile and landed on going with something a little more accessible, which apparently was a sticking point with listeners, with half thinking it was too vanilla of a choice. Maybe I should have gone all in on one of my favorite metal albums instead, but here we are. In this album's case, this is definitely on the "extreme chaos" side of experimental metal, which can be a lot of fun for sure, but you have to be in the mood for it. I'm also not sure if Igorrr is doing anything especially original, or just taking things other have done and pushing them to their extreme. But its still quite an enjoyable ride.
Gang of Youths
3/5
This was really well done Springsteen. A little full of itself? Sure. Bloated? Yes. Derivative? Yes. But I still wouldn't give it a bad rating, just maybe an average one.
Vampire Weekend
4/5
I haven't quite cracked "Only God Was Above Us" yet but all four of their other albums are fantastic LPs in my regard. They may be this weird combo of preppy but hipster, but they don't pretend to be anything else, and even if you think they are too clever by half, they consistently write catchy bops to go along with their lyrics, so its always entertaining. Good addition to the list!
The Upsetters
3/5
I've seen the name Lee "Scratch" Perry thrown on so much records over the years. Obviously a legendary producer, but never realized the Upsetters was his band. I hadn't heard this album before but it's definitely a super solid classic reggae album. Maybe not on the same level as some of his production work, but would listen again.
Snarky Puppy
4/5
I think I've listened to Snarky Puppy before but don't remember. Very tight jazz fusion, and great for putting on while working. Nothing revolutionary but obviously a very talented group playing together very well.
Hikaru Utada
2/5
Japanese representation on this list is very low, so glad to see a submission of some J-Pop to try and remedy that. That being said, this one was definitely a little hard to get through. Has a VERY distinctive "2000's Pop" sound that is kind of grating on the ear at the current point in time. Maybe it will eventually feel nostalgic but I'm not there yet. Also just didn't feel like there was much variation in the tracks.
Graham Parker
2/5
Does sound fairly similar to Elvis Costello, but not sure it quite has the same energy and catchiness.
Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass
4/5
Always loved this album although I tend to listen to the reWhipped version - still a great album but it really has a heavily dated 60's feel - sounds like background music for a 60's sitcom or movie. Which is fine but the remix lets the iconic melodies shine with a little bit more of a modern polish, even though that's the type of thing I would normally detest. Regardless, I'd still give the original album 4 stars.
The Alan Parsons Project
4/5
This one was fun. I listened to the 1987 remaster/remix with Orson Welles narration, which was a neat addition to the album. I'll need to go back and listen to the original as well. For the most part, it doesn't really "feel" Poe-inspired, you would expect the music to be a little more spooky and sinister. But still a solid album. I'd probably rate this a 3.5 but I'll round up.
Debbie Gibson
3/5
Actually glad someone added this as I've heard her mentioned but I'd never checked her out. Definitely a pretty representative slab of 80's Pop, almost stereotypically so. But I still enjoyed it plenty.
Oingo Boingo
4/5
Very fun New Wave album, and had no clue Danny Elfman was involved (and that this was how he got his start) until reading the wiki later. But the songs are varied and interesting while still sounding cohesive. And the title song from Weird Science was a surprise at the end.
Valerie June
4/5
Definitely can feel the Dan Auerbach influence on this record. Folksy/bluesy Americana with some soul mixed in, but very old-school sounding. It's recommendations like this that I love this project for
The Tragically Hip
4/5
All the R.E.M. comparisons are pretty spot-on - this does seem like REM's cousin from the north, from the vocal stylings to the alt rock riffs and melodies. Didn't get too deep into the lyricism but from face value they seemed a bit more elevated as well. I think this merits a 4/5 - really enjoyed it!
Robyn Hitchcock
2/5
This one really didn't resonate with me much. Not sure quite what it was but it just rubbed me the wrong one. Sometimes I would get into the groove of a song and then a random lyric would completely pull me out and interrupt my enjoyment. Or sometimes the music itself wasn't working. Not entirely sure - I probably should give it the benefit of the doubt and listen again at another time, but for now its a 2 for me.
MF DOOM
4/5
Great underground hip-hop album with Doom's signature lyricism and sample game on-point
Chet Baker
4/5
Love me some Chet Baker. Was surprised the selector went with an earlier instrumental album though - while he is a great trumpeter, his most iconic albums feature his playing AND his signature vocals. Still a 4 star album, but some others, such as Chet Baker Sings, would be higher.
The War On Drugs
3/5
Guess a second album from this band was necessary to add, just in case we didn't get the idea from this first one? Pretty similar vibes, just taking heartland rock and making it moody and atmospheric. Enjoyed it but didn't love it.
Ani DiFranco
4/5
Big 90s indie folk artist who was indeed neglected from the original list - good call to add this one.
Salif Keita
4/5
Damn, was already going to give this a high score because of the excellent musicianship, but reading his story - a Prince of Mali cast out for being albino and ending up with perhaps greater fame for his music - makes it an even crazier and noteworthy addition.
Freestylers
3/5
I didn't dislike this as much as I feared looking at the cover. It's 90's electronica from the UK, sure, but much more hip-hop/DJ-focused, which is loads better than the drum n bass and other excessively electronic genres. Probably 2.5 but I'll round up.
Nik Kershaw
4/5
New Wave seems to be pretty hit or miss on here but this was a pleasant surprise! Super catchy and a lot of memorable tracks even though I wasn't familiar beforehand. Will have to save and listen again.
3/5
Definitely recognized "Stars" and maybe some others. Maybe goes in the "underrated gems of the 90's" pile but probably not a "greatest albums ever" list
Damien Rice
4/5
This album (especially Blower's Daughter) is a favorite of the wife. I do quite enjoy it as well. It is peak indie-folk, and was pretty early-on in the 2000's acoustic/folk "revival" of sorts. i.e. the big "music for scrubs/garden state/the oc/greys anatomy" years. I do miss that era a bit. And this is a great example.
Gurrumul
3/5
That was certainly a unique and interesting listen. Loved the addition of an aboriginal musician to the list, and the way traditional aboriginal music was fused with orchestral overlays was also fascinating. If anything, a little variation might have helped. Sometimes it felt like the orchestra tones were just copied+pasted from one track to the next. Or killing the orchestra just for a few tracks here and there to hear the more traditional songs without it. Or some other variation to break the album up. Otherwise it gets a little bit droney for the hour plus runtime. Otherwise it would have been a 4 star+ album.
The Mountain Goats
4/5
I literally just read a "review" from John Green praising this band, and I knew I had to give it a try at some point. Lo and behold, a few weeks later, here we are. I did really love the music... simple but expressive tunes with great lyricism. The lo-fi recording does not work for me for this type of music - for me you really have to have a solid reason and specific sound you are going for to make lo-fi work. This doesn't really fit the bill and I do not personally think it would lose an ounce of charm recorded on proper equipment.
GAS
4/5
Wasn't too pumped from the description but ended up liking this a whole lot... Not a huge fan of electronica but I love ambient music and this scratched that itch well. I'll come back for sure
Joan As Police Woman
3/5
Wasn't hugely enamored with this one. Didn't think it was bad but seemed reminiscent of other artists and didn't feel super unique or mind blowing. Couldn't help thinking of other albums I'd rather listen to instead. Not necessarily bad though.
Arthur Russell
3/5
Definitely a weird one! Experimental, avant garde... Reminded me a bit of the Richard Dawson someone else recommended. Might not revisit but like the weird choice.
Sunny Day Real Estate
3/5
Damn, I'd forgotten about this album. I know I had listened to it a bunch of times when I was really into the emo-screamo-punk scene in middle/high school. This was an album that I knew was fundamental to the scene, but it never quite stuck with me, and eventually dropped out of my rotation. Sad to say I think my feelings are unchanged - might be more influential than it is "fun to listen to" for me. Also definitely drags on as the songs all feel very similar-sounding. Probably a 2.5 for me but I'll round up.
4/5
Not really sure where to put this. I might need to spin several more times to get a better read on it - 80 minutes at first go is just too much to take in. Varied enough that it felt shorter than some of the monotonous 45 minute albums though. Gut reaction is that this a solid 3.5... rounding up to 4.
The Amazing Devil
3/5
Feels like a fun curiosity more than anything - I might not end up listening again but it was clearly a passionate effort. Very theatrical. Fun to hear this guy outside The Witcher.
Mogwai
4/5
Love me some Mogwai. It's great background music, which I mean in the best possible way. Post-rock at its finest
Jai Paul
3/5
The backstory and apparently the influence of this album on modern pop music perhaps intrigued me more than the album itself. Seeing when it was originally leaked makes sense after hearing it - definitely feels about five years ahead of it's time for being recorded in 2007-13, so it clearly influenced the frenetic modern pop a ton (especially hyperpop). It's obviously not a finished product and the hyperactivity is a bit much, but it's pretty solid.
Mary Chapin Carpenter
4/5
This album sounded VERY familiar to me. I either heard it a bunch growing up, which is a big possibility, or pop melodies are just sorta universal/similar to other stuff. I'll give this a high ranking though. It was fun, catchy, and loads better than most country.
Stars
5/5
This was a huge band in the indie rock scene of the early 00's. I still play this and their earlier albums from time to time. Surprised at the negative global reviews but maybe it doesn't hit the same if you weren't there at the time. I'll offset those with a perfect rating for these Canadian hipsters.
Khruangbin
3/5
I've heard some of Khruangbin's stuff before, but not this album. It is definitely an enjoyable listen. They are obviously super talented. I feel like you have to be in the right mood to just let the music wash over you... I could probably listen to this ten times and still not remember a single riff or melody. So its good... but maybe not an all-timer.
Killswitch Engage
3/5
This album was my jam back in high school. Was definitely one step in the chain of listening to heavier music. Went from emo/punk to screamo/post-hardcore to metalcore before graduating to the much better styles of extreme metal. So I have to leave this with at least a three since it was important in my development and musical journey, but its hard to listen to it now without cringing a bit. Metalcore just hasn't aged well... and these guys in particular were very one-note, from the repetitive guitar chugs to the attempts at harsh vocals. I probably should have submitted a metal album...
The Hold Steady
3/5
Dupe album - just re-pasting my original review so it doesn't look like I'm missing a review hah: Not bad, but if I wanted to listen to Springsteen I would just listen to Springsteen? Not sure what else new this brings to the Heartland Rock table.
Streetlight Manifesto
4/5
Nice! I would have gone with Everything Went Numb or Catch 22's Keasbey Nights, but this one slaps too. One of the few ska-punk bands I still play from time to time now.
Jimmy Eat World
5/5
This wasn't on here? Damn, that seems like an oversight. Great breakthrough album that still holds up today
Touché Amoré
3/5
Pretty good post-hardcore album. Although seems weird to have a 2016 album on here that clearly follows all the beats of the 2000's post-hardcore scene, just about ten years later? Not sure there is anything new or original on here that isn't derived from about 30 bands that came before? Still worth a 3/5 though...
Crash Test Dummies
3/5
I remember this album... I think I rented it from the library back when I was in middle/high school and didn't "get it" then so it just kinda disappeared from my radar. I can't say its really my bag now either - it sits somewhere between the elevated alternative rock of R.E.M. and the sort of "rather silly" vibe of, say, They Might Be Giants. But just sorta lands in the "try-hard hipster quirky" area for me. I'll give it three stars and maybe a second chance another time.
Anaïs Mitchell
4/5
Interesting listen - couldn't devote myself to following the plotlines/lyrically but the music was fun and some great guest vocalists. It may work better with the visuals so I might have to check out the actual musical at some point. Still good for a 4/5.
3/5
Eh, I tend to like stuff that gets categorized as "dream pop" but this didn't do anything for me. Just felt like "slow indie rock" rather than having that ethereal dreamy vibe. Just a 3 from me
Pink Floyd
5/5
Lol. Four Pink Floyd albums plus solo albums from Waters and Barrett already on the main list... But sure, why not add one more? I do like Animals a lot, would definitely go in my top 5 PF albums... Just have to laugh at it being added.
Shania Twain
4/5
This does deserve recognition. This was THE country album of the 90s. It is a little long and could stand to cut a few filter tracks but honestly hard to argue with the crazy number of singles/hits.
The Dear Hunter
4/5
These albums are always enjoyable to listen to. Don't really need to follow the story either (which might end up never being finished). Acts 2 and 4 might be my favorites of the series, so solid pick.
Cardiacs
3/5
Saw that Devin Townsend was a fan and that made immediate sense. Very hyper, spazzy, unafraid to do whatever it feels like. Also way too long for sure, sometimes actually restraining yourself and leaving stuff on the cutting floor is a GOOD thing. Overall mixed although appreciated it
Calibro 35
3/5
Love the diversity of recommendations coming out of this project - would not have even thought of "cinematic funk" as a genre but here we are (although for some reason we do own "Star Wars and Other Galactic Funk" by Meco on vinyl). This was a fun listen! Would not put it down as a classic by any means but a fun/intriguing diversion. Would also have been better completely instrumental IMO.
Faith No More
4/5
Really need to spend more time with Mike Patton's projects - I'm aware of how influential FNM and Mr Bungle are but haven't spent the time on them. This one was quite good, probably up there with The Real Thing. Definitely adding more to my collection.
Chappell Roan
3/5
Honestly wish I was giving this a 4 but I'm mixed on it. Definitely some absolute bangers on here, she has a great voice, can write a catchy tune, has all the makings of a great pop star. Happy for her and glad she's now a big voice in the queer community. On the other hand, some of the songs are decidedly filler/not bangers... and I think for me there's something about the cheerleader-type chants that she overuses that kinda bothers me and detracts from the music I think. But... this music was not made for me, and I respect that. In fact, some of it could be intentionally trying to alienate a listener like me. Which is fine. Or I'm reading into it too much. Either way, personally a 3/5 but she probably deserves a 4.
Biffy Clyro
3/5
Probably deserving of another listen/listening to their other albums. Looking at the genre tags it seemed like they jumped around a lot, and could even be metal/prog rock at times but the result I listened to was firmly just alternative rock. Alternative rock from some guys who listen to a lot of different genres maybe, but still just squarely alt rock. It was good! But nothing particularly groundbreaking or anything that would put them on any "best of" lists or anything. I may still give them some more listens though.
The National
4/5
My exposure to The National so far: my wife having Bloodbuzz Ohio on her playlists, and from the band members appearing on the albums of other artists - Bon Iver, Taylor Swift, Sufjan Stevens. This being my first listen to a full album, I actually enjoyed it quite a bit! It's somewhere between a 3 and a 4, but one of those albums I think I would like more on repeated listenings, so I'll rate up.
Harmonium
2/5
Oof, don't like being this negative especially with albums that are important/special to others. But lord was I bored to tears with this album. I love prog but this was probably the slowest, timidest, un-energetic prog album I've ever heard. Some of the longer songs managed to build to a more energetic climax in the last 3-4 minutes of an 11-minute song, but these are just glimmers of hope in an otherwise relentless slow slog. The rest is maybe fit as background music in a 70's TV family drama. Apologies to the Québécois but not for me.
Screaming Females
4/5
Was recommended their following album All at Once back when it came out and dug it for sure. Straightforward indie-punk with a great energy and a great ear for tunes. Feel pretty much the same about this one. And while I may not return to either album too frequently, I enjoy whenever I listen.
Tori Amos
4/5
Everything i said about little earthquakes also applies here. Her first two albums are definitely my favorite and a 1-2 punch to kick off her career
Transvision Vamp
2/5
Meh, this was probably the most unoriginal out of all the 80s new wave on this list, and that's saying aomething.
Avicii
2/5
Generally don't want to trash other people's tastes, and this will assuredly make me sound like a musical elitist but this type of EDM is kind of "bottom of the barrel" stuff. It is so studio-manufactured it doesn't even feel like music, just a product designed for delivering bass drops to kids on acid. And sure, if I'm at a party or dancing at a bar and one of these songs came on, I would dance, it would do the trick on me. But there is no real artistry behind any of this. In that regard, hearing Matisyahu jump on one of the later tracks really made sense and fit perfectly with his sad career trajectory.
The Chats
2/5
Music is pretty by-the-books punk rock that has been done to death. So the lyrics must be pretty spectacular to warrant an addition here? Well, I guess having a band highlight Australian "bogan" culture and use a lot of Australian slang is different and unique at least? Otherwise I've got nothing.
Pigeons Playing Ping Pong
3/5
Part of me saw this and wondered if maybe one of the guys in the band was doing this project and submitted their own album hah. Not that its bad or anything, this is fun and funky jam band, and they are probably a blast to see in person, but it definitely feels a little like that local band that always shows up at all the community festivals and neighborhood events. Always a good time but would not put them down on any "best of" lists.
Vulfpeck
3/5
Two live funky jam albums in a row, although this one feels heavier on the funk and not quite as jammy. Similar feelings with this one - I'm sure they are a blast to experience live in person, and it definitely makes you want to dance, but it's not exactly breaking new ground or essential listening.
The Sound
3/5
Definitely reminiscent of other gothic rock/post-punk bands of the 80s. Not sure if it stacks up or not, but still enjoyed it for sure!
Shudder To Think
3/5
Further solidifies my feelings that the more commercial post hardcore from the 2000s was much better than the "old school" stuff. Not my cup of tea, but I can appreciate it for what it is and it's influence.
Jeff Rosenstock
4/5
This one grew on me as it went along. At first I thought it wasnt anything special that dozens of bands beforehand hadn't already done, and while it still doesn't feel particularly groundbreaking, it's infectious energy caught me and drug me in. The music is simple but catchy, and he can sure write a tune. Love how the energy keeps up the whole time, each song segueing into the next for a tight 37 minutes. Really solid gem here.
John Martyn
4/5
John Martyn was one of the gems doing this list uncovered for me. Despite having two of his albums on here already, I'll happily welcome more.
Kayo Dot
3/5
Good to see some more metal on here that isn't terrible nu-metal garbage. Been meaning to check out Kayo Dot for a while - I love proggy metal but avant-garde can be hit or miss for me, as I usually categorize it as either "good weird" or "bad weird." I think this mostly lands on the "good weird" side but I kinda wish they would have gone further and weirder. When I see the avant-garde tag I buckle my seatbelt but I didn't feel like they fully hit the accelerator here. Probably would rate it slightly below a 3.5. Rounding down to 3.
Roky Erickson
4/5
Recognized the final song from the cover by Ghost. I liked this one quite a bit! I was expecting it to be a bit more goth from the song titles but it definitely isn't and I guess "horror rock" fits the bill nicely. Good pick!
Death
5/5
Nice! As a metalhead who decided to add some prog to the list to spare the normies, I appreciate those who went all in. This is a seminal death metal record for sure, although The Sound of Perseverance is my fave.
The Cure
4/5
Well I had been meaning to listen to this one for a while now, after hearing much critical acclaim for it. It's definitely quite good - much more atmospheric and shoe-gazey then typical Cure. It's wonderful to hear someone make an album this good this late into their career. We'll see if it stands the test of time but yes, it is very good.
Teenage Fanclub
3/5
I enjoyed listening to this, but I'm not finding much to distinguish it from the boatload of similar 90s alternative bands on the list already.
Joe Cocker
4/5
Joe Cocker definitely deserves his place in rock history and on this list. And a live album is probably the best way to do it, since he wasn't much of a songwriter and his biggest appeals other than his signature gritty vocals were his electric stage presence and live performances. All his most well known songs are covers but man does he put his all in the performances. Really the only proper way to experience Joe Cocker would actually be to WATCH the recordings as well, as even the live audio by itself still almost doesn't cut it.
Charli xcx
3/5
I'm sure that lyrically this is a fantastic album. And the production/melodies are very solid too. But this just doesn't resonate for me. The constant autotune is distracting and weakens the album greatly rather than give it a unique feel. Maybe having lived through the "terrible autotune on every pop/hip hop track" era of the late 2000s/early 2010s just puts a bad taste in my mouth for it that the younger generation just didnt have to live through. Either way, I can respect this for what it means to others while personally not putting it up on my top tier.
Operation Ivy
3/5
Definitely was a big album during the 90s wave of punk rebirth. Listened to it a bunch back then but really didn't remember any of it listening now. Which kinda encapsulates how memorable it feels - not much. Just blazing through the standard punk & ska riffs in record time.
Margot & The Nuclear So And So's
3/5
Would I have been all over this in 2008? Maybe... it definitely fits the 2000's indie rock mold very well. Its hard to tell in retrospect if it would have stuck or just gone into a pile of other indie rock albums that I had but didn't really listen to. On a first listen, I'm thinking maybe the latter. Nothing wrong with that, it's still pretty good, but not sure it would stand out among the other acts doing pretty much the same thing.
Björk
4/5
Yeah I'm on team "why did they pick her other albums over this one?" The other Bjork albums on the list are good, no doubt, but this was kind of a breakout album that straddled the line between her weirdness and commercial accessibility. For sure the album with the most replay-ability.
HELLYEAH
2/5
So much metal to choose from and we go with "Hillbilly bro metal." This might be the worst supergroup ever concocted. Yikes.
TOOL
5/5
Yeah it's probably too long and yeah Maynard is a bit douchey and yeah Tool fans blah blah. 5 stars though.
Bob Mould
4/5
Wasn't huge on Husker Du but I liked Sugar a bit more. This, thankfully, is more along the lines of Sugar, and I might actually like it even more. Probably a 3.5 but I'll rate it up.
Les sheriff
3/5
Hourlong live punk album is definitely a choice. Guess they wanted to introduce us to as many songs as possible. Didn't hate it but was definitely too much for a punk album, which starts to grow repetitive around the 30-minute mark... will leave it at 3 although the length makes me want to go lower.
The Angelic Process
4/5
Ambient drone metal? Fuck yeah, love it. The people will surely complain but this uploader decided to pick something completely different than anything else on the list so far, and makes me wish I wouldn't have picked the "safe" choice I went with. 5 stars for originality of choice, but for the actual music, probably a 3.5 rounded up to a 4.
Joe Jackson
4/5
Is she really going out with him is an all time great. Really enjoyed the rest of the album as well and definitely could see this as a major influence on new wave ska of the 90s/2000s
The Stooges
3/5
Weird one. Seems like a legendary concert for sure, although just listening to basically a bootleg recording later made "official" doesn't really do it much justice. Only reading about the actual event afterwards does it make sense at all. In the end, by itself its probably 2 stars from me but after reading context I can appreciate a little more and up to 3.
Nightwish
4/5
Oh man, loved this album back in the day. Operatic symphonic cheeseball metal. I still have some music in this style in my collection although I've fallen out with Nightwish a bit. It was great in its day and age so I'm giving it four stars! If I was listening for the first time, it might be a little different hah.
Godspeed You! Black Emperor
4/5
Post-rock can be a difficult one to rate... being more ambient, slow and atmospheric means that you have to be in the right frame of mind to listen and experience it. It was pretty good background music as I worked... definitely didn't "actively" listen to this one. However, really enjoyed it and it fit the mood of the day.
Modest Mouse
4/5
The essential Modest Mouse album, according to MM purists, probably. I do enjoy this but would probably rank M&A or Good News as my personal favorite, just for having more fun tunes and replay-ability. However, definitely still worth 4 stars.
Yeasayer
3/5
Discovered Odd Blood during my indie synth-pop phase in College. I thought they had a few catchy songs but nothing amazing. This record feels about the same the same time, maybe minus having any songs QUITE as catchy/fun as Ambling Alp or O.N.E. Pretty firmly 3 stars for me.
Titus Andronicus
4/5
Really enjoyed that! Felt like a lot of the mannerisms of Bright Eyes but with a bit rockier edge to it. I think I'll be adding this to my collection
Karnivool
5/5
Nice, love these guys! Still waiting on a new album...
Polvo
3/5
Kinda glazed over this one. Didn't sound particularly unique compared to other 90s indie rock but an enjoyable listen nonetheless.
Courtney Barnett
3/5
Have heard lots about Courtney Barnett and have been meaning to check her out for a while, so thanks for the push OP! I think I'm a bit mixed on the results - I don't know if its simply the results of overblown expectations based on all the critical praise but I wasn't totally blown away. The style wasn't really anything new or distinct... some of the tunes were solid jams but others kinda forgettable... and her vocal affectations were a little repetitive after a while. That being said, still enjoyed it and the lyrics I picked out were pretty great.
Slowdive
4/5
I've been "meh" on the other Shoegaze stuff on here, finding I like that sub-classification of "dream pop" a lot more than stuff like MBV which is a wall of sound but doesn't feel as dreamy/ethereal. This one definitely feels closer to what I would call Dream Pop so I enjoyed it quite a bit more. Great background music or I assume music for walking around a deserted city at night.
Avenged Sevenfold
4/5
This was a big record for me when it came out. Jumping from the metalcore of Waking the Fallen (which I listened to constantly) to the GnR-influenced hard rock/heavy metal of this record was such a big leap but I thought they nailed it. While I don't regularly listen to A7X anymore, those two records will still hold a special place in my heart.
Jimmy Eat World
4/5
The lack of Bleed American on the OG list felt like an oversight to me, so good on the previous user who uploaded it. Clarity is another great one, but I'd probably rank it slightly lower... Just didn't have the plethora of bangers or staying power of their biggest record
Carly Rae Jepsen
4/5
Fuck it, 4 stars. Excellent pivot from Call Me Maybe with this album.
The Caretaker
4/5
This was honestly pretty fascinating. You for sure need to read about it first to experience it properly but it's worth it. Feels like the soundtrack to a surreal part of a movie where things are whooshing past the main character in a daze. But with the added background, it totally makes sense and is a unique and devastating experience.
CAKE
5/5
Another classic millennial album. Great live band as well. I'll do 5 stars why not
Chloe x Halle
3/5
Some catchy songs for sure but not sure it's anything groundbreaking or unique enough to warrant inclusion here.
Mylène Farmer
2/5
This definitely felt dated. I find a lot of pop from the early 90s falls into this odd transitional space. Like the synth pop sound of the 80s grown stale before the 90s pop sound really kicked in. Glad to see the diversity of a non-US/UK artist though!
Jack Johnson
4/5
This album is always great to put on for relaxing beach vibes. Very pleasant, hard to dislike. Simple, catchy music that helped define the era.
Amyl and The Sniffers
2/5
Meh, not super in love with this one. More somewhat generic Australian punk with a shouted/talked vocals rather than sung which wears thin quickly.
Wishbone Ash
4/5
Damn, can't believe I had never heard of this band. Right up my alley -- progressive rock but with the heavy metal "dueling guitar" sound of Maiden/BoC/Deep Purple/etc. Big fan of a modern Heavy Metal band called "Wytch Hazel" and its very clear that this band / album must have been a major influence. Thanks for the submission, will be listening to them more!
Backstreet Boys
2/5
Props to the uploader for putting up an album they had to know was going to get blasted. I've gotta say, I don't cringe as much as I used to listening to the boy bands but still only worth about 2 stars. The singles are solid bangers when you can listen with an open mind, the rest of the album is still filler. Which is kinda the whole MO of how boy bands operated in the first place. Not saying BSB and NSYNC don't hold a place in music history, but not in terms of memorable, complete albums.
Fontaines D.C.
3/5
Thoughts on this are about the same as Dogrel.
Bon Iver
5/5
Yes, definite 5 from me. Classic Bon Iver album before his crazy experimental voyages. Not that those aren't also great, but this is just a perfect indie-folk album
Martha
3/5
Feel like I'd have to listen more closely a second time to truly rate but a solid 3 for some modern punk
Daft Punk
4/5
Ok, I gave Homework 3 stars and said Daft Punk was maybe slightly overrated. However, this album seems like a huge jump forward. Much more distinct sound and all around more interesting tones and tunes. Like many electronic albums the songs and album are too long, but the variety here makes it less noticable. 4 stars.
Chris de Burgh
2/5
Definitely a bit dated. I didn't NOT enjoy it, but definitely wouldn't put on any best-of lists. Over the top theatrical, almost feels more like a novelty album than anything if I'm being honest. Probably a little harsh but 2 stars from me.
TOOL
4/5
I mean, we already had Aenima and Lateralus, but why not? That said, this is probably in the second tier of albums, so like a 4/5 and probably not worth adding here. Several songs hit the high of the previous two albums but overall not quite as consistent.
Ornette Coleman
5/5
This is a FUNDAMENTAL jazz album. I was super confused when this wasn't included but the John Zorn reinterpretations were. I wrote an essay in college about this album. Props to the uploader for fixing the mistake.
Boards of Canada
3/5
Kinda similar feelings to the previous album from them on the list - its definitely a step up compared to most EDM, I guess that's why its called IDM, but to me it doesn't function as much more than background noise.
Great Big Sea
5/5
Nice!! Will always have fond memories of Great Big Sea - my dad was a big fan and we grew up listening to the albums. These guys definitely deserve to be added - sure there are close similarities with Celtic folk/rock, but this is also a uniquely Newfoundland band and the sound and lyrics really do relay that. Don't know if its my favorite of theirs, its hard to pick, but a good choice.
The Tragically Hip
4/5
Another winner from this band - should really spend more time with them!
The 1975
2/5
Heard good things about this band, so was interested to give it a shot. Unfortunately I was not impressed with the results. It sounds pleasant enough until I started to notice the influences and just how much of a carbon copy this album was of projects that it is imitating. Nothing new to see here - I would prefer to just listen to the Bleachers or Bon Iver's latest.
Arca
2/5
Avant-garde electronic music that feels a little too far out there, a little TOO random to be within my realm of understanding. Maybe like 100 gecs, it is meant to be off-putting. Liked this one slightly more, and it benefits from being on the shorter side.
Daft Punk
3/5
Fairly good live album. Probably about as good as you can get when it comes to a live EDM album, as so much of a live experience when it comes to dance music is dependent on the crowd, the dancing, the drugs you are on, etc. Whereas other live albums feel special because of the spontaneity of the moment (jamming, riffing, etc.), or the cohesiveness of a band playing in unison and being on the same wavelength. This at least captures some of that by having the guys mash songs together and have a lot more control of the set rather than just playing tracks. That being said, I probably won't return to it... I'll just stick to the studio albums.
The Vaccines
3/5
That was a fun album! I think maybe around 3 stars but a solid 3 stars. Indie rock but with an atmospheric feel, while still being catchy and accessible. Might give it another listen
Alexisonfire
4/5
Since someone already submitted Watch Out!, this feels like a redundant addition. I still love it, and it was one of the first post-hardcore albums I bought with my own money. But its clearly a first work and their next two are streets ahead of this one. I'll still give it four stars but I don't return to it much.
Songs: Ohia
3/5
Dark, depressive, slow moving... alt-country? Indie folk rock? Hard to place exactly but not sure I liked it. Not to say it wasn't well done or that he isn't talented, just that it wasn't quite my bag of depressing.
Liked that! I swear I've listened to this band before, the album cover of the album after this one, And the Glass Handed Kites, looks incredibly familiar. But yes, like many others have noted, feels like it could be a death cab/beach house child. I'll have to listen to it more and check out the rest of their discography.
Talking Heads
4/5
I normally start with just the original release but since Spotify didn't have it (and because Talking Heads are awesome) I listened to the full deluxe remastered version. And honestly? Didn't get bored at all. Full of hits, energy, a cut-in from Tom Tom Club, and a few ones that were new to me. Now I'm interested in the concert film, as I'm sure Byrne's stage presence adds a whole other layer.
Sports Team
3/5
This was good! Maybe not all-time-great, I don't really see it bringing anything new or exciting to the table, and just reminds me of other bands from the prior two decades, but overall I enjoyed it well enough.
David Baerwald
3/5
Might have to listen again on a deeper level. Didn't have proper time to ingest the subject matter/political lyrical content. Just basing on the music alone, I'd give it a 3/5.
System Of A Down
5/5
Yeah this should have been the "nu metal" album on the list. Not Kid Rock, Limp Bizkit. Not even their s/t. Weird miss but deserved to be added now.
Times New Viking
1/5
This was literally very hard to listen to. Like wow, this takes lo-fi to all new heights. Pretty sure my high school band recorded songs in higher quality several years beforehand, likely on an even smaller budget. I understand the appeal of lo-fi but this was just way way too much where it is just distracting and unlistenable, and actually causing me physical pain as it is aggravating my tinnitus.
Sufjan Stevens
4/5
After Carrie & Lowell and Illinoise, I probably would have picked Age of Adz or Seven Swans, probably the former as it represents the other half of his body of work, the wild electronic side. This collaborative album is really solid but I don't find myself returning to the songs as much. Not entirely sure why but they don't seem to "stick" in my brain as much. Still excellent though.
Screeching Weasel
3/5
Solid pop punk fare, but pretty standard fare as well, nothing stands out here
Olivia Rodrigo
4/5
Olivia Rodrigo is 2/2 so far. Very much enjoyed both albums. Obviously has her inspirations and doesn't reinvent the wheel, but definitely one of my top pop albums of the last few years.
Unwound
4/5
Nice pick! Another band in an earlier iteration of post-hardcore then when I started listening to the genre in the 2000's. One listen and I could tell these guys were a clear inspiration for many of those groups. Enjoyed it!
Refused
5/5
Seminal hardcore punk album. It references a seminal jazz album that changed jazz forever and then proceeded to do the same thing. A modern classic for those who can stomach it.
Portishead
4/5
Some more solid trip hop from Portishead, one of the big four of the genre for sure. We already got two solid albums from them on the OG list so not sure we needed another here but still always a pleasant listen nonetheless.
Guy Clark
4/5
Alright this is the kind of country I can get behind. At turns reminded me of Willie Nelson, Jimmy Buffett and even Cat Stevens. Seriously good shit, this is what country music should be.
Emicida
4/5
I enjoyed this one, even without understanding the lyrics. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt and round up to 4 - solid production and sample game, good flow and presumably some solid lyrics for the critical acclaim he receives.
Crystal Castles
3/5
I remember this being all the rage for a bit, but then it fell off quick. I had it in my collection but lost track and deleted it, and then never really got into any of the later albums. The chiptune style is unique but wears thin after a few songs and I'm not a big fan of the vocals. That all being said, it's probably a 3/5 but that's rounded up.
Talk Talk
3/5
I gave their album on the proper list a 2 and said it was causing me drowsiness. I'll be a little more generous this time (probably in a better headspace) but still feels like a 3. I'm all for pretentious arty shit but I just need to be able to feel a little more energy/passion in it.
Manchester Orchestra
5/5
This was my introduction to Manchester Orchestra and probably still my favorite, tied with Cope. Their music just scratches an itch I didn't know was there, but I return to their albums quite frequently now. Most definitely a bit of fanboy-ism but I'll go 5/5.
Noname
2/5
Came away feeling pretty mixed on this one. Loved the production, and the lyrical content is also solid. But I found her flow kinda terrible? And her voice kinda bothered me as well. It definitely seemed more suited for slam poetry than for music. I think its enough for me to drop from a 3 down to a 2.
Johnny Winter
3/5
Excellent guitarist, along with his brother. The music itself is kinda middle of the road - just playing covers and standard rock fare. 3 stars for musicianship but 0 for memorable songwriting.
Bon Iver
5/5
Justin Vernon hasn't missed yet. I still spin this regularly and it's possibly my favorite of theirs.
TOOL
3/5
OK we get it, we get it... leaving Tool off the main list was a big oversight. We apparently are now trying to add their full discography, just missing Undertow. Why anyone would have selected FI when Undertow exists is beyond me though. FI almost feels like Tool on autopilot - it's way too long, songs are extended for no real reason, there aren't nearly as many memorable riffs, and the whole album lacks any punch or urgency. A disappointing album, especially after the long wait.
R.E.M.
5/5
Had plenty of R.E.M. in the original list but yeah, this one is also a personal favorite so probably would have switched out one of the others (Murmur maybe?) with this one. However, you can't really go wrong with R.E.M. as they had such a crazy stretch of fantastic albums. Another winner here.
2/5
Second foray into The 1975 here. I was disappointed in the first album as it seemed to just be a rip-off of Bon Iver and The Bleachers, even if it had some good hooks here and there. This one, somehow, was worse. Just fully totally derivative, the music doesn't have an ounce of originality. The critical acclaim this received is baffling to me. Maybe the lyrics are astounding? But reviewers comparing this to OK Computer are out of their gourds, holy christ.
Enter Shikari
3/5
I feel like I remember these guys from way back in the day but they would have been past my post-hardcore phase, which would have been like 2001-2005ish. By 2007 I was still listening to a few faves like Thrice, but otherwise fully migrated into metal by then. I think this album is "fine." It doesn't seem like it messes with the formula much other than throwing synths in here and there. Maybe I would have liked it more back then, but listening to it today it feels middle of the road.
Al Stewart
3/5
Very 70s record right here. Feels right on the cusp of prog but not quite there. I enjoyed it but it felt a bit too safe for me, I wanted it to just get a little weirder.
Lo Fidelity Allstars
3/5
I groan whenever another "EDM" albums pops up, however this one falls within a subgenre that I do quite enjoy - big beat, with artists like Chemical Brothers, Fatboy Slim, Crystal Method, etc. Not sure it quite lives up to those acts (and it's still overlong) however a pretty solid showing.
Os Mundi
3/5
Interesting one! Wonder if the genesis of it was just "hey we're playing this Hammond organ anyways, so let's write something with church vibes" hah. It does feel very "early Deep Purple" which is by no means a bad thing. Probably not exciting enough to add into rotation but glad it was added!
Spose
2/5
Honestly wondering if the uploader of this album is the artist themselves - if that's the case, sorry dude! I gave it a listen, but not for me. There is a ton of great underground hip-hop out there that should have been given the nod before this, which is kinda cheeseball white guy rap that makes Macklemore look like Nas.
The Breeders
4/5
Cannonball is a 90's classic for sure. Didn't recognize anything from the rest of the album, but it was all pretty solid. I'm not a huge Pixies fan, and the Frank Black solo album also left me indifferent, so I'd put this in the top tier of Pixies-related musical projects. Probably a 3.5 so I'll round up to a 4.
Ween
3/5
Ween is one of those bands I always had heard about randomly but never actually listened to. I always assumed they were more in the generic "alt rock" vein and although they would still be considered that, they obviously jump around and try to write songs in tons of different styles. While this makes for quite an enjoyable album, I don't think I'd return to it much as each song almost feels like a novelty song and there isn't really any cohesion to the album.
New Model Army
4/5
On the post-punk spectrum, this album definitely leans more towards "The Cure" side, also feeling a tinge goth-y. These are all good things! I really enjoyed the album and might have to add it to my collection.
Sam Fender
3/5
I mean, he's doing The Killers doing Springstreen. It's pleasant to listen to but not exactly breaking any new ground. Also have to love the uploader for picking a 4 month old album as an essential pick!
Dead Boys
3/5
For 1977, this is great stuff - sounds like punk that came waves later. I can definitely respect the influence and I'm sure at the time this album and sound was just streets ahead. Listening now and it does not sound fresh or exciting, just sounds like the thousands of punk bands that came later. Also I'm sure this hits harder when you are 20... at almost 40 it just doesn't hit anymore.
Jason Isbell
4/5
Country is for sure not my thing, but generally when I see "alternative country" listed as the genre, then I suddenly get a little more open-minded. This was indeed quite good. Just some well written acoustic songs from a singer-songwriter, with a bit of southern flair. Interesting they went with the album just released 4 months ago rather than one of his older critically acclaimed ones that have already made "GOAT" lists. Will have to give a few more a fair shot.
The Chameleons
3/5
A second album from the similar 80's post-punk/gothic genre in under a week. I maybe didn't like this quite as much as New Model Army but it was very solid and a few songs caught my ears.
Ex-Easter Island Head
4/5
That was pleasant - I feel like this falls somewhere in between ambient and instrumental post-rock. Instead of just being pure textures and soundscapes like much of Brian Eno, there is definite "tonal form" - I wouldn't quite call it melodic but there's enough there to keep it interesting and elevate it a bit.
Beyoncé
4/5
I enjoyed this a bit more than her previous album on here (her s/t album). Really does feel like her magnum opus - a true statement piece. I don't feel right rating the album without watching the film and digging into the lyrical matter, but its a 4/5 on music alone. I may need to give the Queen more of a chance...
Tosca
3/5
Downtempo is always nice chill music to work to. Sorta has a ceiling in my opinion (and that ceiling is Nujabes - it doesn't get much better than him) but still a real solid piece of music to vibe to.
Yo La Tengo
2/5
I feel like I've listened to Yo La Tengo a bunch of times and it's just never stuck. Out of all the darling indie bands of the 90s/2000s I've just never got the appeal.
John Coltrane
4/5
A Coltrane album I hadn't listened to yet. Interesting to hear Coltrane's sax paired with a vocalist as the other primary instrument. They complement each other well and everything about this works. It does feel a bit "safe" for Coltrane, especially coming right at a turning point in his career before he veered into much more experimental jazz. But still a lovely way to spend half an hour.
Psyche Origami
3/5
Sounds like fairly solid hip-hop - seems like their claim to fame was bumper spots on Adult Swim... wild that they don't even have a wikipedia page. While not super inventive as they are clearly playing throwback hip-hop inspired by their favorite artists, its still a solid record with great production.
Final Fantasy
2/5
Wasn't really in love with this one. Maybe this is an earlier effort that hasn't really been refined yet, but it feels very much like what it is, a first attempt from someone who has been more of a side player. Talented and promising but overall a little lackluster in the songwriting chops department. Just makes me feel like I'd rather be listening to Arcade Fire.
Frightened Rabbit
4/5
I'd been meaning to check Frightened Rabbit as I heard great things (sadly many of these great things were said in the wake of Scott Hutchinson's death). I've definitely been missing out, these songs are great! If I would have listened to it when it came out I would have been all over it too as this was right in the middle of my biggest indie-rock phase. Still great today though, and I'll listen a bunch more I'm sure.
Lady Gaga
4/5
Surprising there's no Lady Gaga at all on the original list - as she has certainly earned her spot as a musical and cultural icon. THAT BEING SAID, I also kinda get it because this is a greatest ALBUMS list and she is waaaay more of a "singles" artist. The singles from this album are absolutely iconic, fantastic dance hall bangers while the rest of the album is... honestly kinda trash. Even one of the singles (Eh Eh) is also kinda trash. And this has kinda been the same her whole career. So I absolutely love her as an artist and I think she has a great number of outstanding songs, but probably wouldn't rank any albums as top-tier. I'll still give this four stars because its Gaga but if I'm being honest the album as a whole is maybe a 3 or less.
Neil Cicierega
2/5
Submitting this was either a masterful troll job or someone honest to God thought everyone should listen to Smash Mouth mashups before they die. 2 stars because it actually does take talent to do this and because I for laugh a few times so job well done
Vangelis
3/5
I remember the soundtrack being amazing but was a little underwhelmed hearing it by itself. It also seems like the original 1994 release (which I listened to) was incomplete and contained some music that wasn't even in the film. End titles were great though! I'll leave this a 3/5 but it's a 5/5 film with a 5/5 score in context of the movie.
Medeski, Martin & Wood
4/5
Liked this a bunch! Nothing groundbreaking here, just some improvisational jazz with drum, bass and (mainly) Hammond organ. Sorta thing you would groove out to at a jazz festival and enjoy it while nodding your head and holding a beer. Good stuff if not exactly essential listening!
Magdalena Bay
2/5
Didn't hate the music but good lord what is the singer doing? Is she trying for some sort of "baby voice" or is that just how she sounds? I've heard a few other pop singers doing this and I do not understand the trend at all. Probably would have been a 3 or 3.5 but I'm downgrading to a 2 based on that alone.
Electric Callboy
1/5
Jesus Christ this is terrible. I know I should be less of a metal elitist gatekeeper but what the fuck.
Duncan Dhu
3/5
I liked a good bunch of these songs and loved seeing more non-US/UK non-English-speaking representation getting submitted. Of course a double album is way intense to try and get new folks exposed to the music. Just far too long to digest for someone who isn't already a fan.
Deltron 3030
4/5
A hip hop CLASSIC. Del and Dan the automator make a hell of a production team. Definitely deserves a spot in my opinion.
Jon Batiste
4/5
Was already familiar with Jon Batiste but mainly from Treme and ONLY his NOLA Jazz stuff. This however was totally different - a diverse genre mix that still felt like a cohesive, unified project. Loved it!
Rita Ora
2/5
Yeaaah kind of a baffling selection here. Pretty much standard overproduced pop, nothing unique or original to see here. I was interested to listen because I'm familiar with Rita outside of her music but had never listened to her actual songs. Well, color me disappointed. I'm sure she has a lovely singing voice ... why the extreme pitch correction? That plus the sterile production just gives this album a gross, fake supermarket sheen. Yikes. Two stars just because I know she actually can sing underneath all that.
Pearl Jam
5/5
A very solid follow-up to Ten. It might not reach quite the same delirious heights as its predecessor, which is probably a top 5 grunge album and definitely one of the GOAT rock albums as well, but Daughter, Dissident and Elderly Woman alone make this a worthy successor and still worthy of 5 stars.
Sorta neutral milk hotel vibes but done in a folk-punk vein. Thought it was fun and decent enough but topped out at like a 3 for me.
Yellowcard
3/5
I know some people just loved Yellowcard and in fact Ocean Avenue played at my brother's wedding and like 90% of the people were singing all the words. Not sure I would put it near the top of my early 2000's punk rankings, although that and Breathing are definitely jams. I'd give this a 3 but it is quite enjoyable no doubt, just a bit basic and repetitive, and not super original.
The Who
5/5
Wildly low reviews so far on this one. It's too long? Y'all listened to 1001 albums and can't sit stomach an album specifically written as a rock opera? One of the most acclaimed rock operas of all time? Good lord. This is arguably better than Tommy. 5/5.
ISIS
4/5
A post metal classic - nice add! Obviously won't be Appreciated by many doing the list, but for those who like the genre, this is considered foundational. Don't return to these guys a ton, but when im in the right mood this really hits the spot.
The Groundhogs
3/5
This was decent - didn't LOVE it but I thought the concept was interesting and the songs seemed well written. It definitely feels like an album on the cusp between the 60's blues rock, and a more psychedelic sound, although they never really go too far into that sound, so to me it's sounds a little muted, like they could have been experimenting a bit more, or being just a bit more adventurous. So I end up mixed on this one.
Cat System Corp.
1/5
the fuck
Kashmir
4/5
Thought this was an interesting one. Not sure how I'd categorize it or who exactly to compare it to other than just "alt/indie rock", but I'd even say it borders on art rock. Not sure I'll remember the songs or return to it, but we'll see.
Reincidentes
3/5
Pretty fun and catchy punk rock from Spain - not sure it stands out in the crowd during that period of punk explosion of the 2000's, but it was enjoyable.
Aesop Rock
4/5
Been an Aesop fan since Labor Days and I think this is my favorite of his. Production is top notch, and his lyricism and flow are on point as always. Plus Kirby is an all time great song. What other rapper has written a song about his cat?
Baroness
5/5
Listen, you shouldn't have picked a double album to introduce everyone to Baroness. With that out of the way, I do fucking love this album and I'm going to give it a 5/5. They are one of my favorite bands. Yeah it works better as two separate albums, but they are really firing on all cylinders here, especially if you're already a fan via a normal length first. Awesome stuff
Floating Points
4/5
Listened to a bit of this while walking my dog at night in the city and gotta say, the vibe was just right. Nice minimal ambient jazz... Could be a killer soundtrack to a noir or a Hong Kong action movie. Nice add!
Agalloch
5/5
An essential folk metal album. I probably would have picked Ashes Against the Grain, but The Mantle is also great. I usually wait for the winter months to listen to these guys but this works too.
Dream Theater
5/5
Who knows how this progressive shred-fest will go over with the general populace but its a 5/5 for me. One of the first albums to get me into prog metal in the first place. This and Scenes from a Memory are just epically written and performed. While they are still cranking out albums, nothing really lives up to the early stuff.
of Montreal
4/5
This album was fire in a bottle when it came out (at least for me). Catchy, weird and conceptual, it hit all the marks I was looking for at the time. Actually saw them perform in New Zealand when I studied there. Nothing they've recorded before or after has inspired the same feeling in me, but this album was definitely magic.
Harry Styles
3/5
Thought this was... Fine? It wasn't low effort pop schlock but it didn't really raise the bar either... Just kinda average pop rock that takes a lot from those that came before it
"Weird Al" Yankovic
4/5
Weird Al definitely deserves list recognition as a cultural/musical icon. Is it this album? One of his later ones after he gets better at parodies? Not sure but this is as good as any I guess. And I definitely laughed out loud a few times, so probably good enough for at least four stars.
Ozzy Osbourne
4/5
RIP Ozzy. And RIP Randy Rhoads, the true star of this album. If you are gonna put one Ozzy solo album on the list, it's definitely this one, although the album still feels like "Crazy Train, Mr Crowley and some other songs that aren't nearly as good." I'll still give it a 4 but probably somewhere between a 3 and 4.
Deafheaven
4/5
Was this album and band a bit overhyped? Yes. Is it still a super solid mix of black metal and shoegaze? Yes again. Lastly, is it still awesome to see a good metal band have crossover appeal with the "normies"? Also yes. While not perfect, this is still a solid 4/5.
Amália Rodrigues
3/5
Once again, I'll be pedantic here. Despite the importance of an artist or their contribution to music, the scope of this project is centered around the "album" - which is a specific musical idea that didn't exist until the 50's. This is not an album, its a compilation of tracks recorded before the album era of music. Doesn't mean this singer wasn't important, just that they predated this project. You don't see Mozart on here either. Rant aside, she has a beautiful voice and seems like she was an important figure in Portuguese musical history. But 3/5 stars for ignoring the entire point of this project.
The Heads
3/5
Interesting reading up on this... Didn't know about the history post breakup. Definitely a neat piece of musical history/trivia although I wasn't too taken with the music. It was solid but definitely missing the David Byrne component and didn't live up to the full bands albums.
BABYMETAL
2/5
Funny for a song or two... and then irritating. Same reaction I had when it came out. Bland basic metal meets bland basic j-pop. It's only the novelty that makes this remotely interesting.
Turnpike Troubadours
3/5
As far as country goes, this is definitely on the more palatable side. Not top tier enough to make me want to listen again but good enough for a 3.
The Tragically Hip
3/5
Canadian R.E.M. strikes again! Not sure I liked this as much as "Fully Completely" which sounds like a more fully realized effort. This one also had a bit more of a country rock twang which I didn't like. I'll still give it a 3 but probably won't return to this one.
Living Colour
4/5
Another solid one from Living Colour. Glad this list has pushed me to listed to some full albums instead of just Cult of Personality.
Fall Out Boy
2/5
Oof. I know taste is subjective but why pick Fall Out Boy and then go with this middle of the road, pop rock album? Their first few albums had at least kind of a unique sound within the pop punk world. This album was kinda their first album of just generic radio pop rock. Throw em right in with Imagine Dragons and Maroon 5, they're done.
Charly García
4/5
Pretty interesting Argentinian New Wave... Enjoyed it without even understanding the lyrical context which also seems quite potent.
Yoko Ono
1/5
Was the uploader of this album attempting a critical re-appraisal of Yoko Ono? Or just trolling? While I agree that she is for sure unfairly maligned in public perception, this was utterly painful to listen to. And while this could be considered art for some sort of avant-garde art installation, having it be something that was produced and sold as a double LP seems like a waste of good vinyl.
Various Artists
3/5
Another one that doesn't qualify to be here. Yeah I like the musical. There are also zero musicals on the list, because that's not what this list is. I'll give it a 3/5 again as this is the max score I'll give to submissions that don't follow the rules.
Stray From The Path
2/5
As far as the music goes, I didn't hate this as much as I anticipated I would when I saw the metalcore tag. Definitely pulls more from 2000's rap-rock than the modern metalcore scene, which means it is a bit more listenable but also I don't take it as seriously. As far as lyricism, It's definitely a bit "I'm 14 and this is deep" and also some of the "both sides" language makes me roll my eyes. Also for a group claiming to be campaigning for social justice issues, its kind of odd to include a guest verse from noted homophobe Vinnie Paz. At under 30 minutes, I also applaud it for not overreaching the amount of time I'm capable to listening to this style.
Barenaked Ladies
3/5
Listen, BNL is one of the best at playing the style they play, which is sorta "geeky comedic alternative rock." The problem with that that genre which can be derived just from what I wrote is that it kinda has a ceiling in terms of how good it can actually be, which is maybe a solid 3/5. That being said, this is one of their best. Brian Wilson and "If I had" are both solid jams. They definitely earned those 3 stars.
Michael Hurley
3/5
Interesting oddity... Folk music that is just a bit off kilter, a bit out there. This dude just creating what he wants to create and putting it out there. Gotta respect that. Liked it, didn't love it, but appreciated it.
BABYMETAL
1/5
Sometimes I get some bad reviews on my own album submission and I wonder who the hell these people are. Then I remember that this is the internet, and is filled with trolls, actual 14-year-olds and a fair share of people who are just assholes. I'm going to hope these Babymetal albums are just from 14-year-olds.
Shihad
4/5
Discovered these guys when I was studying abroad in New Zealand. The song Pacifier still kicks ass, and the rest of the album aint bad either
Metric
4/5
Never got hugely into these guys, even though I was definitely way in to this type of music back then. I recognize some of these songs though, either from the radio or from roommates playing them. It was better than I remembered, solid indie rock with a great singer.
The Church
3/5
Pretty solid psychedelic rock, although I'll be honest, I kinda zoned out through most of it. Which sometimes feels like the point with psychedelic rock though, so maybe it was successful? Dunno, 3/5.
Nic Jones
4/5
This shit is straight up my alley. British traditional folk revival with stellar acoustic guitar playing. Will for sure add to my collection.
Tom Misch
4/5
This was a pretty solid/chill jazzy album. Guitar work is great, guest spots add a lot too. Nice addition!
Ornatos Violeta
3/5
Always love to see non-US/UK stuff get submitted. This is some interesting alternative rock from Portugal that jumps around to different styles/influences while still being firmly alt rock. Overall nothing wildly groundbreaking but enjoyable.
Kenny Wayne Shepherd
4/5
Great add! What a cool project, tracking down and recording with these legends of the blues. Would I like his solo stuff? Not sure, I'll have to check his other stuff out, but he definitely earned respect with this one.
Denzel Curry
3/5
I'll admit, most of this is based off production and flow, as hip hop often requires a more in depth lyrical review to truly accurately rate, and oftentimes I don't have the bandwidth for that. Overall this album seems like a blend of many different hip hop styles over the years, some of which I love and some I just don't understand as an old fogie. Overall I thought it was pretty solid but didn't hold my interest enough to listen again.
Ween
3/5
I liked this a tad better than the previous Ween album but still in the 3/5 range. Felt more cohesive and jumped around a bit less. Still not in love with the band but solid.
Jaco Pastorius
4/5
I knew this guy was one of the great jazz bassists but never sought him out, so thanks to the uploader! That was a pleasant, funky affair! I don't think the compositions are particularly great, but as a vehicle for showing off some awesome bass skills, its perfect!
Brand New
1/5
Waffled a little on whether I actually wanted to listen to this or not. Loved Deja Entendu when it came out, and then this album took the emo scene by storm. It was definitely widely loved at the time, and even though I maybe didn't love it as much as Deja Entendu I still thought it was great.
That being said, obligatory fuck Jesse Lacey. Hard not to re-contextualize these lyrics now that we have the knowledge that he's a grooming piece of shit. And really, uploader? Even if this music means a lot to you and you can separate art/artists, kind of a shit thing to do to pick it for this list.
Bruce Hornsby
4/5
This was very solid. I had only known of "The Way It Is" until The Bear made me seek out some more of his music. This is pretty solid, jazzy soft rock with great musicians/guest contributors and a unique wall-of-sound feel. Wouldn't say it's great from start to finish but enough choice hits for 4 stars.
Everything Everything
4/5
Highly enjoyed this one! Appreciate the addition to the list. Reminds me a lot of Elbow or Foals, with maybe just a bit more synth and psychedelia. Will definitely add to my collection!
Pink Floyd
3/5
So thankful to this uploader for introducing us to this little-known band lol. I mean, true, this live album is probably not as well-known among the general population, and it didn't feel like it dragged despite being a full 2 1/2 hour concert (I'm sure that won't be the case for many listeners hah). And its super well produced and engaging. But honestly I would listen to this once and then thereafter go back to just listening to the original studio albums again.
Paul McCartney
3/5
Listening for the first time to this one, it sounds quintessentially Paul to me. Interesting to see how hard it was panned on release. Granted I didn't pay attention to lyrical content at all, so the qualms about it being "lightweight" were a little lost on me. We'll see if any of the tunes stick. I'll probably listen to it again.
Spinvis
3/5
Interesting weird little Dutch album - without having heard the term before, I can definitively says it fits the "Indietronica" genre tag. The story of the album is way more interesting than I found the album itself, and also gives hope to anyone who thinks it's "too late" for them. Obviously the lyrics were lost on me so I feel like I was missing an important component. The music was solid but didn't push any bounds. Enjoyed it though!
Vampire Weekend
4/5
This has probably been the least immediate Vampire Weekend release for me. Each of their other albums has been an instant hit with infectious earworms that go into my constant rotation. So far that hasn't happened with this one yet, but each time I listen I like it a bit more. I still think it's a 4/5 album but definitely requires repeat listens and more active listening.
Bright Eyes
4/5
"First Day of my Life" by itself makes the price of admission here worthwhile. This album was a big deal for me and for the indie folk world back in the aughts, and for sure belongs here. Still good listening to it today!
Espers
4/5
Have a few bands in my library that sound like this and I love it! Great renaissance festival type music hah. Is it iconic / list worthy? Nah but I enjoyed it a lot!
Built To Spill
3/5
For some reason I thought this was a punk band - probably because the Ataris listed them with a bunch of punk bands in one of their songs. This much more fits into the Indie Rock vein, and I drew a lot of Death Cab for Cutie comparisons listening to it. No surprise to see that Death Cab listed Built to Spill as an influence! I liked it overall although after a while it started to feel a bit "samey" which I guess is bound to happen when you build an album off of jam session riffs. The second half of the album I wasn't sure if I was still listening to the same song or a new one, which brought the album down from 4 stars to 3 for me.
Chuck Berry
3/5
Not bad but definitely feels outdated even by mid-60's standards. Was definitely not an "LP era" artist, as his greatest contributions to music came prior, in the 50's. Is it also wrong to give him more leeway for his behavior than I gave to Jesse Lacey? Maybe, but I also generally have a rule that I can't judge behavior from eras before I was alive on this planet by the standards of our own time. I can absolutely judge Jesse Lacey, but don't feel like I can pass the same judgment on Chuck. Maybe silly/stupid but there it is. That being said, still a 3/5. An important artist but maybe not these particular pieces of music.
Rodríguez
4/5
Reading about the documentary and background story added quite an interesting element to this. I'll have to check out the film - the music itself was solid and fun, felt like lost classics. I'll need to spin it a few more times to get a better feel but as it is I'm ready to give this a 4.
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard
4/5
I'm not DEEP in the Gizz lore but I've listened to enough to pick some favorite albums and I generally enjoy what they have to offer. This is one that made the list for sure. Its proggy, psychedelic, and filled with tasty licks. Good choice!
Lift To Experience
2/5
Well that sure was odd. I have no idea what to think of it other than it was too long, a very strange concept, decent post-rock music but wouldn't put it up there with the genre greats. Honestly it would have been a 3/5 but too many things turned me off the more I listened that I'm going with a 2.
Robyn
4/5
Super solid synth pop. Dancing On My Own and Call Your Girlfriend are just classic pop anthems. There a bunch of other great bangers. There's also a bunch of songs that really don't work at all. Honestly I'll still give it a 4/5 but it would have been a better 4/5 if like 20 minutes of those duds were cut.
DARKSIDE
3/5
First song was great and set an awesome tone for the album. The rest of the album did not live up to it and I found myself drifting and not paying attention.
Tom Petty
4/5
Tom Petty probably did deserve more than one album on the original list. While his debut with the Heartbreakers is for sure one of the best, this is definitely a worthy second option (this, Damn the Torpedoes, and Full Moon Fever would all be excellent additions IMO). I can totally understand folks who are obsessed with his music, he was definitely one of our best.
Future Islands
4/5
Baltimore bands get an extra point from me! But actually they deserve this 4/5. Solid indie synth-pop, catchy and fresh. This made some pretty big waves when it came out too, not just locally. Good stuff!
Ookla The Mok
2/5
What the filk is this... I mean, I guess they are having fun so good for these guys, but just kinda feels like a budget TMBG or Weird Al. Definitely not "greatest albums of all time" material. More like "fun local band who brings their guitars to comic conventions" material. Nothing against that, or these guys, it just does not belong here.
Mr. Bungle
4/5
Yeah this should have been on the original list I think. Super influential on the experimental music scene, and completely unexpected from the bands previous output. I'd say this record has a major cult classic status today. 4/5
Black Devil Disco Club
3/5
That was a fun surprise of a disco album. Short but packed with catchy electronic beats and maybe a bit more experimental sound than your average disco album. Enjoyed it, although it doesn't quite hit 4/5 status for me.
Powderfinger
3/5
I think "solid" is the right word here. Sounds fairly similar to other bands in that late 90's/early 2000's post-grunge/alternative rock genre. I enjoyed it, wasn't wowed. Just felt like I'd heard it before (which I might have, or I might have just sounded indistinguishable from a dozen other bands from the time period.
65daysofstatic
4/5
Not what I was expecting but enjoyed it! For some reason I thought this was a Christian band. But instead it is solid instrumental rock, maybe slightly progressive, almost could be post-metal even in the Russian Circles vein, but more synths. Will check out more of their stuff!
Shpongle
3/5
I suppose I've been Shpongled. Surprisingly didn't hate this for the most part. Electronic music that doesn't stick to the same repetitive club beats can actually be quite interesting. However, at 1hr17, it falls into the normal trap of these EDM albums being WAY TOO LONG. And the last 20 minute track is indeed a repetitive club track that I could have completely gone without. So I'd put it at "mixed" and maybe a 2.5 although I'll bump it to a 3.
Foxing
3/5
Wasn't bad but initial listen didn't provide anything noteworthy or exceptional - just kinda reminded me of other bands who already did this before.
Hamilton Leithauser
4/5
This was solid, might have to add to my collection. Love Vampire Weekend, less familiar with The Walkmen but I do like a handful of their songs. This was a solid pair-up that works well and makes me want to check out The Walkmen a bit more.
Mac Miller
3/5
Never gave much of a listen to Mac Miller, although I remember folks talking about him back in the day. This was probably better than your average white boy hip-hop, which certainly produced a lot of duds and one-hit-wonders in the 2010's. Listening back to a few of them now and the cringe is real. This was solid but I still didn't love it, and think it possibly is over-rated due to his untimely death. Posthumous releases can definitely be hit or miss. A 3/5 from me.
Boredoms
1/5
Another one where I'm not sure if this is a serious submission that is supposed to challenge your thoughts on music entirely .... or if someone is just trolling yet again. If it's the latter, it's definitely getting a little old at this point.
3/5
For some reason I thought this was a hardcore band in the Turnstile vein. Guess not, this was post-punk (oh that broad unhelpful genre tag) that kept me mildly interested but not engrossed.
Swans
4/5
A two hour experimental album is certainly a choice to subject us listeners to. That being said, I recognize just how influential this band was so it does feel like they were a miss from the original list. Also, as it went along I started to appreciate it more and more as I continued down the sonic journey they were taking me on. By the end I appreciated it a lot more than after the first few songs, pushing it up to a whopping 4/5er.
Warren Zevon
4/5
Hell yeah Warren Zevon. Another miss on the original list and this is the album of his to pick. And a tight 30 minutes packed with hits. Good add.
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band
3/5
There was another Alex Harvey album on the OG list. I looked back and I had literally no memory at all of listening to it. I fear this will be the same. Totally competent, probably kinda fun, but forgettable.
Blackalicious
4/5
Yeah this is a classic that was missed on the original. Blackalicious are some of the kings of underground hip hop and this debut is probably their best.
David Allan Coe
3/5
Would I have liked Country more if I would have been introduced via the 70's musicians rather than the rubbish that has been played on the radio from the 90's on? Maybe! This was a solid album and the last song was pretty hilarious. And at 30 minutes, it didn't overstay its welcome. Probably still maxes out at a 3/5 for me, but for country that's a solid score.
Glass Animals
3/5
I was excited when I saw another reviewer comment that they had a distinctive sound that was all their own. Was kinda let down when it sounded very similar to dozens of other indie pop bands. Oh well, it was still solid but forgettable, maybe the definition of a 3/5.
The Notwist
3/5
Might need a few more listens to digest this one... I should probably stop listening while trying to work. The focus here is 100% on the production - taking mid indie songs and then adding odd electronic flair to make it interesting. Might have gotten into it more if the singer had the slightest bit of energy throughout the entire album, but as it stands it's a 3.
Matthew Good Band
4/5
Honestly probably a three but after looking at the score distribution I feel obligated to rate it a 4 just to counteract some of the negativity here. Jesus Christ, whatever did the 90s do to y'all? I thought this was a pretty solid alternative rock album that maybe just never caught on south of the Canadian border.
Cindy Lee
3/5
This would have been interesting at 30 minutes. Not sure what they accomplish in 2 hours that wasn't in the first quarter of this album. It's a fairly interesting mashup that seems sort of like some layering lo-fi indie guitar and psychedelic pop over 60s girl group pop. Which I guess is a neat novelty and it works well for a bit, but yeah ... It's just too much, with not much variation across the runtime. All in all, definitely a bit over hyped (Pitchfork VERY highly rated it which tells you everything you need to know) but I did enjoy it still.
Depeche Mode
3/5
Solid debut album but doesn't feel as essential as what they would go on to create, some of which is already on the main list.
Zamilska
3/5
Not entirely my cup of tea. Nice to see Poland on here though. Still was a decent end slab of electronic music that I could have in the background while working, even if I didn't totally love it or would consider returning to.
Porcupine Tree
5/5
I mean, yeah, the guy who submitted Hand Cannot Erase as his album is obviously going to give this one 5 stars.
No Doubt
4/5
Yeah this was a major record when it came out. Probably the most popular "ska punk" ever got, as it was more of a blend with alternative/pop rock. Not sure it reinvents the wheel on anything but I'd say it was culturally significant enough to deserve a place here. And it rocks!
Comus
3/5
Some oddball folk rock. I enjoyed it but more for the novelty of their odd sound. A solid 3 but probably won't return to it
Wet Leg
3/5
I'd heard a lot of public and critical acclaim for this band, so I'm glad I had a chance to check them out. After listening, I'm a little confused at it all. They certainly aren't bad but the sound is remarkably average and I don't understand the hype. More power to them though.
Malibu
3/5
That was a pretty solid EP of ambient music. Very relaxing. Felt like the soundtrack of a Puzzle video game, one of those games with a simple structure but beautiful design with background music to match. Something like Journey or Monument Valley. That being said, there's really not much there, just some ambient soundscapes that aren't particularly game changing, so not really sure I can go higher than a 3.
Eric B. & Rakim
5/5
Yeah this is one of those "Wait this wasn't on the OG list?" situations. A classic hip hop album from the golden era. No notes.
Bohren & Der Club Of Gore
4/5
Some dusky film noir jazz. Doesn't reinvent the wheel here but I enjoyed it at all. Might be overrating but bumping to a 4.
Descendents
4/5
Great early and influential punk album! And at 15 songs in 22 minutes it certainly is efficient as well - although a 50 minute album in this style would definitely be too much. Grew up on this one!
Quicksand
4/5
Thought I already listened to this one but was incorrect. I could really see with this album, moreso than other OG post-hardcore albums on this list, the direct influence it had on the post-hardcore wave I was listening to in the 2000's. Also could see how it influenced other alternative metal like Tool / Deftones. Apt to give this a 4 ... keep this good streak going!
Bo Burnham
4/5
Despite the fact that this probably shouldn't be on here, it is a fucking funny album and despite being joke songs, they are also incredibly catchy so I'm giving it a 4 anyways. Now I'm going to have White Woman's Instagram stuck in my head for days, thanks
Weezer
4/5
The blue album and Pinkerton were both iconic and influential albums that needed to be included and it's weird that neither was. Everything post these two albums varies in consistency, even though there are still a few standouts. Yes this album is cringe, and maybe some "not aged well" moments, but overall it wasn't as bad as I feared listening to it with 2025 ears, and the songs still rock.
Auri
3/5
"Hey this sounds kinda like a non-metal folksy Nightwish." Looks at Wikipedia: "Welp guess that's exactly what this is."
Paramore
3/5
I understand adding Riot! to the list, this one not as much. Not sure it adds anything new here, just more of the same emo/pop-punk. Well done, but also nothing earth shattering here.
Q65
3/5
Interesting to see a dutch group on here! Less interested in the music, which is pretty much a copy of the popular US psych rock of the time.
Soul Coughing
3/5
This album came out the same year as cake's first album and I'm surprised how similar they sound to me, despite this being more experimental/loop-based vs Cake's more straightforward alternative rock. However... I'd rather just listen to Cake.
Danny Brown
4/5
His vocal delivery at times is quite a choice. On other songs where he's rapping normally (at least I think it's still him, it may have just been guest features, I couldn't tell) I really liked it. Production was also great. I'm stuck between a 3 and 4, so I'll round up.
STARSET
1/5
What in the 30 Seconds to Mars did I just listen to?
Charles Aznavour
4/5
Some lovely French chansons for a Saturday morning. Enjoyed it greatly.
Pop Will Eat Itself
2/5
For me, this didn't age very well ... just feels like they took every 80's influence possible and mashed it together with dated references and cringey rapping. Would rather just listen to the seminal black hip-hop releases of the time.
Dolly Parton
4/5
Dolly in Bluegrass mode... love it! A national treasure for sure.
Savatage
4/5
I wouldn't put Savatage on my list of elite heavy metal bands. They certainly don't get close to the heights of Maiden or Priest. But fuck it 4 stars.
Nujabes
5/5
A damn classic. Maybe different if you didn't catch this at the right time, or maybe never watched Samurai Champloo. But this is top tier to me
Daft Punk
2/5
Honestly it's disappointing. A) it's a soundtrack so doesn't even fit the project and B) it's really not as interesting as you'd imagine a Daft Punk Tron soundtrack would be. It's just "generic action movie score" but with more synth. Never got the hype here.
Various Artists
2/5
So absolutely no Quality Control on these user albums... Got it. I'm sure this is delightful background music while playing the game but it is not an album, and does not stand on its own in any way. Did you people even understand at all what this project was? 2 stars just because it wasn't unlistenable.
Alabama 3
4/5
An interesting blend of blues, gritty southern country/rock, and... British acid rock? Somehow it works and is enjoyable. Might not return to it but liked it enough for 4 stars.
Turnstile
4/5
Hell yeah, Baltimore bands automatically get extra points from me! That being said, these guys are legitimately fresh, and they play with an intensity and energy that I feel like a lot of modern bands lack. It's definitely not the most complex stuff, and maybe a little repetitive too, but for a short burst it's great stuff!
Modern Life Is War
3/5
Solid if not particularly interesting hardcore punk. But it was short and energetic so worth a 3.
Current 93
2/5
Well that was ... interesting. The actual instrumentals were very good. The vocals were a choice, and definitely hampered my enjoyment. The affectation, the spoken-word, the lyrical content - just all came off as very pretentious and it kinda spoiled the whole thing for me. Big risk doing that style but you have to be VERY good to make it work. They did not make it work.
The Brian Jonestown Massacre
2/5
If I wanted the Rolling Stones, I would just listen to the Rolling Stones.
Billy Strings
3/5
Heard a lot of things about this guy - he's certainly a talented musician, and I did enjoy most of these songs. Wouldn't say any of them really struck me as exceptional but I'm not a bluegrass aficionado. A lot of it sounds the same to me. Also the album is WAY too long. 40 minutes in this genre would be just enough to enjoy with being overwhelmed/bored.
Songs: Ohia
3/5
I liked this more than the album on the original list (although maybe I should give it another listen in a different headspace). Still dark and depressing but felt a bit more upbeat with more of an alt-country / outlaw country feel. Still probably not my speed but decent.
August is Falling
2/5
Huh? All the recorded music that exists out there and someone chose this as their essential album? A 14-minute parody EP from a smug YouTuber? Good Lord.
Yello
4/5
Enjoyed that one! Obviously was familiar with Oh Yeah, did not expect the rest of the album to switch between more poppy 80s synth and more experimental tracks. Some of it was better than others but I'll still give it 4 stars.
ROSALÍA
4/5
Lovely voice. Although it feels slightly like "awards bait" to me? Like, I can't quite describe it, it just feels like it was constructed to hit Pitchfork's Top 10 list while not having staying power/memorability. Could be wrong, just feels like it falls into "critically acclaimed but not culturally/historically relevant" category. Still with 4 stars though.
Bruce Cockburn
4/5
That was quite enjoyable. I didn't listen closely to see how Jesus-y the lyrics were but the guitar playing and songwriting was top notch. I also know that I've heard of him before but have no idea from where.
Crass
3/5
I can see how this would be revolutionary in 1978. I listened before looking up the date and assumed it was a much later release. While I don't get much out of it now (and definitely don't think I'll return to it) as it feels like one of a hundred punk albums that all sound the same, I can at least see it's historical value and influence. Otherwise it's probably 2 stars but for that I'll give it a 3.
Mastodon
5/5
Hell yeah. Perhaps my favorite Mastodon album but that changes daily. Definitely their proggiest album. Good shit.
Muse
5/5
Fuck it I'll give it a 5. I've always loved Muse, and their early stuff is especially fantastic. While they do tend to repeat themselves a bit at this point, this was quite fresh when it hit the scene.
Chico Science
2/5
It was interesting reading about the band and learning about the Manguebeat music. The music itself? I feel like it was solid but A) the production is super bad, making it hard to really feel the dynamic bits and it just turns the whole thing, which should be an interesting mix of rock, funk and Brazilian music, into a flat, compressed, lifeless mess. And B) I really disliked the singer. I can't quite explain it, but the singing annoyed and bothered me. It almost sounded like he was singing while trying to push a dump out... just forcing it in a weird way. So I think in the end, I liked the idea of this more than the execution.
Mansun
3/5
A tough one to rate (and the overall critic reviews seem to be equally mixed). I was expecting Britpop from the Wiki page and from some of the user reviews but did not get that vibe. One of critics used the phrase "post-Britpop" so maybe that's a better description. To me it was just a blend of alternative rock and progressive rock - sounded a bit (ish) like a band I like called Closure in Moscow. Overall, I enjoyed it despite it definitely being too long and self indulgent. Probably won't come back to it, though, and that is what makes me drop this down to a 3.
The Hold Steady
3/5
Not a dupe album but my thoughts are still exactly the same as when I listened to the other album twice so will just paste this in once again: Not bad, but if I wanted to listen to Springsteen I would just listen to Springsteen? Not sure what else new this brings to the Heartland Rock table.
4/5
Damn, I'd only ever listened to Midnight City. Turns out the whole album is great, gee should've known. Might need to add to my collection.
Imogen Heap
4/5
Huge Millennial album here ... Hide and Seek definitely blew everyone's minds in 2005. The rest of the album is tight as well. Her first two albums + the Frou Frou album are just great in my books. Wasn't hugely in love with her output afterwards but the magic of the 2000's was definitely alive with her early run.
Queens of the Stone Age
5/5
Another classic for millennials. Still in the regular rotation as it was one of the best rock albums of the 2000's. And "Songs for the Dead" has perhaps the greatest intro drum riff of all time. 5/5 for sure.
Gerry Cinnamon
4/5
This was a pleasant surprise! I might be adding to my collection. Nice folk vibes
NOFX
4/5
Damn, this brought back memories. I got a bit into NOFX in middle/high school when I was heavy into my punk phase. This was one of my favorites. Trying something totally different for a punk band and pulling it off. More long form punk!
The Mountain Goats
4/5
So it turns out I quite like The Mountain Goats, and John Green was really on to something there. Also this album sounds a lot better than the other one that was submitted, which was one limiting factor for my enjoyment. I appreciated the DIY ethic, but boy did it sound awful. This one is crystal clear and it makes the music pop so much more. I'm leery of giving out a 5, but this is a HIGH 4.
Low
3/5
Some solid dreamy post-rock with big synths. Enjoyed it although glazed over a lot of it as is bound to happen with this style.
Lizzy McAlpine
3/5
I enjoyed this record quite a bit. However, it was distractingly similar to Phoebe Bridgers in both tone, vocal style and mood. So similar that it didn't feel original and that I was just listening to a copycat artist. I may actually listen again but I think that knocks a 4/5 album down to a 3.
WHY?
3/5
Not in love with this one. We've already got plenty of white boy hip hop, not sure what this adds to the table other than "They Might be Giants" vocals. Not seeing what others are seeing but it's competent enough at least for a 3.
Vince Guaraldi Trio
5/5
Yep it's a Christmas classic for sure. Just an iconic slab of piano jazz that works as a soundtrack or by itself. Might have to get this vinyl at some point.
Ryan Adams
2/5
70 MORE minutes of Ryan Adams. Lovely. Thank you uploader, who clearly thought two albums already on the list just wasn't enough.
The Weakerthans
3/5
Solid but average indie album. Well done but probably won't return to it.
Porcupine Tree
5/5
Well you keep giving me Porcupine Tree albums, I'll keep giving them 5/5.
Digable Planets
4/5
Early 90s jazz rap is the best rap.
Broken Social Scene
3/5
I loved Stars and Feist in high school so I did listen to the BSS albums a few times. It seemed like it would really be up my alley but never clicked. Listening to it now, my opinion is pretty much the same - not really as good as the work of its contributors.
Beyoncé
4/5
I still don't really like Beyoncé although I can't quite place my finger on why or what it is. However, I respect her music and vocal chops enough to rate this as four stars, even if it's not for me.
Getatchew Mekurya
4/5
Damn, this is neat! This is the kind of stuff this list is for, 100%. This might be the weirdest collaboration that isn't Lulu, but whereas Lulu was an unmitigated disaster, this actually works! Ethiopian Jazz meets post-punk and it lands! Good stuff.
The Civil Wars
4/5
Nice! This is a lovely album that I listened to plenty back in the day. Was always disappointed that the second album didn't hit quite the same way, and then of course in their breakup at the same time. Still spin it every once in a while, with the title track being the obvious standout on the album.
Wilco
3/5
Early Wilco when they were much more on the alt country side. Not quite on the same level as their later stuff but I never really loved that either. Doesnt feel right rating it a 2 just so it's lower than what I ranked the others, so I'll just leave it a 3 too.
Less Than Jake
4/5
Loved these guys a ton in my middle school/early high school years. While I may only still keep a few standout tracks in my rotation, those standouts are still great fun. Possibly overrating but these user reviews seem harsh for no reason so fuck it, 4 stars.
Extremoduro
1/5
Will join the chorus of reviews here saying this should have been rejected/disqualified. Pick an LP from this band's catalogue, not a 3 1/2 hour compilation that is not in the spirit of the project, and I would have given an unbiased review (let's be honest probably a 3). How did you get through 1000+ albums without understanding the point of this whole thing?
Lady Gaga
4/5
Honestly, I've always considered Lady Gaga a fantastic artist that has amazing singles and terrible albums... Except for this one. Despite not have her BEST tracks, this is the only album that feels tight without many filler tracks. Almost each song is a solid banger even if there's no Poker Face or Bad Romance mega-hit on it. I'll give it a solid 4.
Helloween
4/5
Makes sense to add some Helloween to the list, as they are pioneers of power metal. Personally don't have them in my rotation, I should probably check out more of their stuff. The album after this one looks to be more critically acclaimed than this one, and the "first" power metal album... so curious if I'll like that even better. I'll still give this 4 stars though!
Mac DeMarco
3/5
Well that album was over quick, before I could even assess what I was listening to. TBH I kinda tuned it out as background noise, which is kinda the mark of a 3/5 album for me.
Gorky's Zygotic Mynci
3/5
Eclectic influences on this one... It's a little too "all over the place" for me, and I'm a prog guy! Still 3 worthy
The Housemartins
4/5
This was great! It's like The Smiths, only the music is interesting and Morrissey is not at all involved. 4/5
Zero 7
4/5
I listened to the first few Zero 7 albums mainly thanks to Zach Braff and the Garden State soundtrack. It's nice, chill music when you need to relax, sleep or concentrate. Crazy that was Sia before she got super popular. Still a good 4 star album to me.
Roy Harper
4/5
Enjoyed that greatly. Seems like something I should have listened to before.
Queen
5/5
Is this one of the absolute best Queen albums? Heck if I know. When I was young I used to think they were more of a "singles" band with no great albums. Now I've almost got all their songs memorized. This, Jazz or News of the World could all be great unincluded list contenders and are 5/5 to me.
Jawbreaker
3/5
I believe this is some classic emo, although I never really gave it a listen before. Seems fine, not really my thing Anymore.
My Morning Jacket
5/5
Z was my intro to MMJ and remains one of my favorites from them. It's a 5 (maybe with some admittedly rose colored glasses)
Massive Attack
5/5
Thought it was weird that the original list skipped this one in favor of their earlier albums. I mean, no shade to those but this is the big one, the memorable one. And Angel by itself is worth the price of admission.
311
2/5
311 has some solid songs here and there but they were never in the top tier of 90s alt rock, or even rap rock. I think one is a 2 for me, while some of their later albums are probably in 3 territory.
Vampire Weekend
4/5
Most of Vampire Weekend's stuff falls squarely in the 4/5 range for me. They are super consistent and put out high quality, complete records. Weirdly the one I'd say is maybe a 5/5 for me is Father of the Bride, which hasn't been added yet.
Clutch
4/5
We Marylanders are quite familiar with Clutch. While they aren't my favorite hard rockers I do enjoy them and with the Maryland boost that'll be 4 stars
Paco de Lucía
5/5
Love me some Paco de Lucía. One of the greatest guitarists of all time, and probably the most well known flamenco guitarist. Wasn't familiar with any albums in particular but this certainly seems like a suitably great one. No notes!
The Ike Reilly Assassination
4/5
First started listening and thought "well this sounds pretty much like your average 00's alternative rock." And while that stayed true the whole time, I did enjoy it a bunch, and it had several bangers I'll want to listen to again. So I'll give it 4 stars, why not
Counting Crows
5/5
Honestly, I'd probably agree this should have been on the original list. Round Here might be up there in the pantheon of greatest songs ever written, Mr Jones is a classic as well, and the whole album is honestly full of great songs.
Slapstick
3/5
I was immediately ready to slam down the "This is a compilation and goes against the purpose of the list" button when I read further and realized its basically just their entire first (and only) album with some extra tracks and is still under an hour. So its basically just the "deluxe" version of Lookit! That being said, I thought it was ... fine? Pretty basic ska-punk that was done better by the Bosstones, No Doubt, Reel Big Fish, Less than Jake, Goldfinger, Catch 22, the list goes on. I'll just continue listening to those bands, thanks. Still worth a 3 though.
Carter The Unstoppable Sex Machine
2/5
So now two different "grebo" bands have been submitted, and I don't particularly care for either one. this one maybe even less so, although I don't hate it enough to give it a 1. Just rather bland sorta-indie-punk that just sounds a bit dated and unoriginal.
Self Esteem
4/5
This was solid. I will probably return to it and her other albums. It does all sound a bit "too familiar." Like when I listened to Lizzy McAlpine and it just felt like a Phoebe Bridgers clone. However, I still liked it enough to rate it as a 4/5.
Silverchair
3/5
Solid slab of alternative rock. Not spectacular but solid and enjoyable.
David & The Citizens
2/5
Eh honestly this had all the dislikeable aspects of this era of indie rock without the spark that made the best bands from that era memorable. This is the type of music people make fun of hipsters for. Not a big fan.
Porcupine Tree
5/5
Another PT album, another 5/5
Black Country, New Road
3/5
Heard a lot about this album, some people on the Internet were raving about it for a while so I'm glad I gave it a listen finally. Not what I expected at all... And not entirely sure it lived up to the hype. But that seems to be more and more the case for me these days. Just seemed kinda like a knockoff Arcade Fire to me, just not as memorable.
Wolf Alice
4/5
Enjoyed that a lot! This is the type of dream pop I can get behind, brimming with atmosphere but still immensely catchy and fun.
Tyler, The Creator
4/5
Enjoyed this. Been meaning to check out this artist for a while and it didn't disappoint. While I couldn't give the lyricism the attention it probably deserved, the bits I caught were solid, and the jazzy neo-soul production was enjoyable.
Gorillaz
5/5
Who won the Britpop wars? I don't really give a shit, but whatever sequence of events led to Damon Albarn creating this project, we all benefitted. This is probably their most classic album and I'll keep rocking it for the rest of my days. Major miss on the original list for sure.
Sea Power
3/5
My usual ambivalence towards things labelled as "post-punk" continues. It's fine but probably won't ever listen again.
Mansun
3/5
Another one from Mansun. Similar vibes to the other one that was added by a user. Reminded me of "Closure in Moscow" a bit, although not as interesting IMO. And still too long of an album for what it is, despite being slightly shorter than the next one they put out.
Interpol
4/5
Vaguely remember this, although I think I listened to their second album a bit more than this one. I also think I may have been confusing them with Metric until writing this review. While I think there are a few others in this genre/timeframe that did it better, these guys still put out a solid couple of albums in that early aughts indie rock scene.
The Sundays
3/5
Not my favorite out of the dream pop I've gotten on the list... The vocals don't quite fit, I much prefer an ethereal style to match. Still solid but probably won't return to it.
My Morning Jacket
4/5
Yeah I normally don't give 2 hr live albums great reviews on here. Obviously a little different when you already love the band, and have seen them live, and it's so many of their best songs. So I'll give this guy a 4 even though if I wasn't familiar it would have been just too much.
dEUS
3/5
Not sure how many Belgian artists are on the list, so good to see some representation here at least. As to the music, it seemed fairly straightforward late 90's alternative rock. Maybe some glimpses of being more experimental or "artsy" but otherwise I wasn't super taken in.
Pescado Rabioso
4/5
Enjoyed this Argentine rock quite a bit. I'll round up to a 4 although not sure if it's one I'll return to.
Prolapse
3/5
Mixed on this one. It's kinda all over the place, with some punkier songs, some some songs that feel like more straightforward indie rock, and some that are pretty heavy on the shoegaze. Honestly the latter part is what I liked best about the record, and what it made it stand out in the "post punk" crowd. That being said, I'd still probably leave it as a 3.
Poets of the Fall
1/5
I listened to every original on the original list in full. And I've kept it up until now. This marks my first DNF. Is it the worst album I've listened to so far? No, but I've finally got to the point where I'm not going to force myself anymore. I got several songs into this Finnish Eurovision Nickelback nonsense before asking myself why the fuck I was still listening. Yeesh. How do you listen to all that essential music spanning decades of music history, and then submit this?
Charles Mingus
5/5
Black Saint and the Sinner Lady was the only Mingus record on the OG list? I guess it would be a toss up between that and this one for the better record, but both are up there with the greatest jazz records ever recorded. 5/5
MGMT
3/5
I know MGMT has a pretty devoted fanbase who enjoy their post-Oracular Spectacular output. For me, the abrupt switch from synth-pop to psychedelia never hit, and I was super disappointed in Congratulations when it came out. Despite the most recent two albums getting solid reviews, it's been a "listen once and forget it" experience with me.
The Shins
4/5
Don't love this as much as the first two albums from The Shins but still another great entry from the band. They haven't really made a stinker. And "Phantom Limb" is as good a song as they've written. 4/5
Zach Bryan
4/5
If more country was similar to this, I might listen to more country. Of course, his sound here jumps into Americana, Folk and occasionally Heartland Rock with a few Springsteen-inspired tracks. It does feel like he reuses the same progressions a lot, making a bunch of the songs blend together, but overall I enjoyed it!
Foo Fighters
4/5
Yeah, it was weird to me that the original list went with Foo's debut instead of this one. While the debut has some importance historically, being Dave's outlet after Cobain's suicide and dissolution of Nirvana, this is the album where it all comes together and hits its stride. Granted, Foo doesn't have ANY 5 star albums, but I still massively enjoy almost every record they've put out, and this is one of the best.
King Crimson
4/5
Love me some King Crimson. 80s Crimson took me a while to appreciate at first, being such a different sound off the bat, more of a "KC does Talking Heads" type of thing, but eventually grew to appreciate it. Not as good as their debut or Red, but still a solid entry.
Chris Thile
3/5
An interesting addition. In no way "greatest albums of all time" worthy, but as a curiosity of a bluegrass-jazz hybrid, it's worth a listen. In the end, I feel like this duo worked like... 50% of the time? It honestly came down to song choice as to whether the mix of ONLY mandolin, piano and vocals worked. With no low end to the mix at all, or any percussion, it often sounded tinny and hollow. Which works for some songs/arrangements and not for others. Decidedly mixed, would have been better at half the runtime with only the stronger material.
Dënver
4/5
This would have fit right in with the other weird indie-electronic shit I was listening to in 2010. Not quite my bag anymore but I can respect it and still enjoyed it well enough.
Edge Of Sanity
5/5
Dan The Man Swanö! Fuck yeah, this is a classic death metal album. Finally someone with some taste on here!
Frank Ocean
4/5
Frank Ocean... One of those artists where I can appreciate the talent, understand the critical acclaim, but just not have any desire to actually listen to. I've tried both albums a bunch of times and it never quite clicked enough to make me want to listen again. Still a 4/5 but just not for me.
Rozi Plain
3/5
Reminds me of some other artists in that same sort of "experimental indie-folktronica" vein, although I can't put my finger on who exactly. Enjoyed it enough but nothing I'm crazy excited about.
Sum 41
3/5
Listen, I like Sum 41 as much as the next guy. In fact, probably more than the next guy. They are dumb, fun punk. And Dave Baksh's metal riffing tendencies make them stand out for me. That being said, they definitely are not required listening for anyone before they die. So I give this a 3/5, genuinely meant as a compliment and a good score of something I enjoy that is NOT timeless, necessary or important.
Itoiz
3/5
"Basque rock" - interesting! Although for me, the history of the band (and I'm assuming a lot of the lyrical content as well) I found to be more interesting than the music itself. Solid, if not a little straightforward 80s rock.
American Football
4/5
Never heard this "Midwest emo" label until recently. Maybe as an east coaster growing up I never came across it? But apparently this is one of the fundamental albums in the genre. I liked it! Emo but with more indie rock vibes than punk vibes. Might be overrating but giving it a 4/5 on first listen.
Gary Clark Jr.
4/5
Love me some Gary Clark Jr. I probably would have added Blak and Blu but this is for sure my second favorite. A bit too long and overstuffed with different ideas - its a bit of its charm, but also a lot to take in at once. Still a super solid 4 stars.
Allan Rayman
2/5
Not quite what I expected. The songs were average, what stands out upon listening is his voice. He obviously has chops but it just sounds like he's going for a very specific vocal style, almost trying to mimic the tenor and quality of better singers from the past. Didn't really like it, didn't sound authentic at all to me.
Girl Talk
3/5
Yeah I had this on my iPod back in the aughts. That 2 year window where mashups were super cool was definitely a weird time. I listened to this for about 10 minutes just to recollect and then turned it off. The moment is gone. The fad is dead. This might be a fun DJ set while drunk at the club at 1am, but that is not a thing I do anymore, so giving this a pass. I'll still give it 3/5 on nostalgia though.
The Beautiful South
3/5
Another Beautiful South album. Again, I think they are pretty solid and I can understand why they would be someone's favorite/important to music history. But will they enter my rotation? Probably not.
Beastie Boys
5/5
Honestly you could put most Beastie Boys albums on here and there would be a pretty good case for each one, they were on such a solid streak. Honestly went in thinking this would be on the lower tier but I forgot how good it was, and I'm going to leave it 5 stars.
Tindersticks
3/5
I'm at the point where I'm no longer going to listen to full albums if I'm not invested. This one is one of those. Another reviewer called it "bargain bin Nick Cave" and now I can't shake that. Definitely too much talk-singing, which has to be done super well to work. And it doesn't here. I'll still give it a 3 since I could see the appeal to others, and also because I didn't give it a fair shake.
Caroline Polachek
4/5
Damn, I liked this! Somewhere in the same vein as Fiona Apple, Kate Bush, maybe even Poe that I was recently introduced to. Art/Avant-Pop done super well. Will listen again.
They Might Be Giants
4/5
TMBG are legends, obviously. While I'm more of a "greatest hits" listener for them, this is still solid and I'll give them 4/5.
John Frusciante
3/5
Pretty much as expected for the solo album of a famous guitarist. Not terrible but not remarkable. Plenty of guest spots. Missing the magic of his main band. Definition of a middle of the road album.
The Fall
3/5
I liked this more at the beginning than the end. Got a little tired of the vocals and some of the experimentation later on was not my style. Started as a 4 but I think in the end I'll leave it as a 3. Probably not returning to it much.
The Presidents Of The United States Of America
3/5
Don't get me wrong, love this album. Peaches is an all time great. Lump is also in solid rotation. That being said, they are kinda Gen X's "meme band" before memes existed. Most of the songs are a little too jokey and silly to be considered "essential."
GRiZ
2/5
Actually got through more of this than I thought I would, although to be honest I wasn't paying too much attention. This kind of dubstep is better in small doses, I'll just leave it at that. 2 stars instead of 1 solely for the fact that I made it more than a few songs.
Carla Bley
3/5
Perfectly fine jazz album. Not really groundbreaking or anything that would make me want to return to it, but it was enjoyable background music.
The Hotelier
3/5
I guess this was part of a new wave of emo after the wave that I was a fan of. It doesn't really feel that much different in my book, this sounds exactly like one of the thirty bands in the 2000s that all played this style. I enjoyed it well enough though.
The Last Dinner Party
3/5
Baroque Pop is usually hit or miss for me. However, this one didn't seem to really hit a high or a low for me. I thought it was enjoyable, didn't find it TOO pretentious, but also if I'm honest probably won't listen to it again. No major highs or anything that got me super excited.
At the Drive-In
5/5
Yes! Formational post-hardcore album here. Had never heard anything quite like it at the time. This was definitely their magnum opus. And of course this band spawned The Mars Volta, one of my top favorites.
Sahara Hotnights
2/5
This feels like a pretty weird album to add. Pretty straightforward pop rock. Super bland. Normally I'd do a 3 but this might not even qualify being so incredibly boring and repetitive.
Stereophonics
4/5
Nice, the name sounded familiar... Still not sure how I know them but this was a very solid 90s alt rock debut from these Welsh gents. Hooky, energetic and loud. Gotta love it.
Pulp
3/5
Were we out of Elvis Costello albums to add? Did we really need to highlight a Britpop artist who already had two albums on the main list? I judge your choice, sir or madam. This was fine but Britpop really drags on after a few songs. 3/5.
Opeth
5/5
I almost added this one but chickened out and went with something more palatable for the general public. It's the greatest progressive death metal album of all time.
Ikd-sj
1/5
DNF. This reappraisal or revival or whatever the fuck is going on with nu-metal does not interest me at all. It was shit back then (other than a handful of albums) and it still is. This was no exception and I had rather not listen to this for 80 minutes.
Gaelle
4/5
This surprised me - was the perfect soundtrack for a morning drive. Jazzy, electronic, chill... Yet catchy R&B vocals. Enjoyed it a lot. Was probably a bit long, I would have cut like 15 minutes, but otherwise very solid!
Lou Reed
4/5
This was really good! I actually liked it a bit more than the two on the original list, although it might just be the right time/right mood. But the backing rock music seemed to fit his style better and it was a more balanced and enjoyable listen. Might have to go back to the other two and try them again.
New Order
5/5
Ok, I know, I make fun of people for adding more albums to the list from artists already covered with more than one album on the OG list. That being said, it's a head scratcher why this one wasn't chosen and the other two were. This is their greatest, most classic, most iconic album, easily.
Dio
5/5
5/5. A heavy metal classic.
Mötley Crüe
3/5
As a huge metal fan, Mötley Crüe have always felt on the jokier side of glam/hair metal. Closer to Kiss than they are to Def Leppard. That being said, the song Shout at the devil is still a classic for sure. The rest of the album? It's fine. Not particularly iconic, but fine.
The Flaming Lips
5/5
I'd heard about this album but never attempted it. I feel like many people on here will probably just listen to one disc... or not read about the album and just listen to all four parts back-to-back and wonder what the fuck is going on. Or they will just toss it aside as pretentious-ass shit.
Well, it definitely is pretentious-ass shit. But honestly it deserves high marks just for the sheer creativity and unique-ness of this experiment. And the fact that it turns out to be actually interesting music as well?
I was just going to listen to Disc 1 before I realized I had a Sonos system and actually could attempt this monstrosity. So I collected all four speakers from around the house, put them all in the living room, and attempted to play all four discs simultaneously. Thankfully Apple Music lets you do that.
It was a pain in the ass to sync them, and there was always one speaker that was just a little off, but it feels like that was part of the experiment as well. Honestly, it was fun to attempt it and I'm glad this uploader gave me the push to do it, so I'll give this the highest marks.
Gorillaz
4/5
Gorillaz have such a solid discography you probably could justify any album making the list. Even The Fall, for being totally recorded on an iPad. Their newest, The Mountain, is also a strong contender just for how good it is. In between Cracker Island and Song Machine, I probably would have gone with Song Machine just because its multimedia components and release strategy made it much more unique (although you don't get that as much if you weren't following along when it was released). However, Cracker Island, which was supposed to be Song Machine Vol 2, is still full of bangers and awesome guest spots. A solid contribution.
Lankum
4/5
Damn... I liked this a lot! Traditional Irish Folk with the usual harmonies, but played long-form with dark, moody atmospherics giving everything a vaguely sinister but still beautiful feel. I think I'll add this one to my collection. Don't think I've ever heard a version of The Wild Rover quite like that!
King Crimson
5/5
One of my fave KC albums. Definitely went their heaviest with this record, you could call this the birth of progressive metal, my fave music genre. With music spanning five decades and numerous lineup changes to the point where different incarnations are essentially different bands, this is a hard group to pin down the essential albums, but this one should definitely make the list.
Toots & The Maytals
5/5
Damn, no Toots on the main list? That feels like a big oversight. This album has Funky Kingston, his cover of Country Roads which is arguably better than the original and in constant rotation at our house, and Pressure Drop, which is just one of the best reggae songs of all time. Obviously 54-46 is another all time great, not on this album.