209
Albums Rated
3.06
Average Rating
19%
Complete
880 albums remaining
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1950s
Favorite Decade
Jazz
Favorite Genre
UK
Top Origin
Wordsmith
Rater Style ?
22
5-Star Albums
17
1-Star Albums
Taste Analysis
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Rating Style
You Love More Than Most
Albums you rated higher than global average
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Timeless | 5 | 2.53 | +2.47 |
| Palo Congo | 5 | 2.69 | +2.31 |
| Snivilisation | 5 | 2.71 | +2.29 |
| Second Toughest In The Infants | 5 | 2.86 | +2.14 |
| Music Has The Right To Children | 5 | 2.91 | +2.09 |
| Selling England By The Pound | 5 | 3.18 | +1.82 |
| Hysteria | 5 | 3.21 | +1.79 |
| I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got | 5 | 3.25 | +1.75 |
| Rum Sodomy & The Lash | 5 | 3.25 | +1.75 |
| Gunfighter Ballads And Trail Songs | 5 | 3.34 | +1.66 |
You Love Less Than Most
Albums you rated lower than global average
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pet Sounds | 1 | 3.93 | -2.93 |
| Face to Face | 1 | 3.27 | -2.27 |
| System Of A Down | 1 | 3.26 | -2.26 |
| The Boatman's Call | 1 | 3.2 | -2.2 |
| Elvis Is Back | 1 | 3.18 | -2.18 |
| Another Music In A Different Kitchen | 1 | 3.09 | -2.09 |
| Murder Ballads | 1 | 3.08 | -2.08 |
| The Notorious Byrd Brothers | 1 | 3.04 | -2.04 |
| Teenager Of The Year | 1 | 3 | -2 |
| At Folsom Prison | 2 | 3.99 | -1.99 |
Artist Analysis
Favorite Artists
Artists with 2+ albums
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Jimi Hendrix | 2 | 5 |
Least Favorite Artists
Artists with 2+ albums
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds | 3 | 1.33 |
| The Byrds | 2 | 1.5 |
5-Star Albums (22)
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Popular Reviews
Beatles
2/5
I know it's a bit sacrilegious, but I've never been much of a Beatles fan. I don't hate them, and I recognize their contribution to everything we currently enjoy in mainstream music, but they've never really done it for me. This album is pretty typical of my enjoyment of them at 2 stars.
17 likes
Goldie
5/5
This is, indeed, Timeless. What a FANTASTIC album to just put on and forget about everything else. The first track is over 20 minutes long; the second is over 7. This is a LONG album that you can just keep playing. Also, definite heads-down coding music, which will always push it toward 5-star territory for me.
16 likes
Marty Robbins
5/5
I've always had a soft spot for Marty Robbins. I'm not sure why, as I didn't listen to him much growing up, nor was I overly enamored with the Wild West or gunslingers otherwise. However, I find I can identify him as singer even if I don't know the song. I've never actually listened to this album until today, but am happy to give it 5 stars. I don't know if I'll ever reach for it again, but I certainly wouldn't turn it off if it were playing otherwise...
16 likes
Siouxsie And The Banshees
2/5
I'm not feeling very generous this morning, unfortunately. The music was really interesting, but the singing mostly annoyed me. Again, I know that's the style, and it's on purpose, but it just doesn't please me very much. 2 stars.
12 likes
Aretha Franklin
5/5
Finally! An objectively fantastic album! From start to finish, an auditory pleasure!
10 likes
1-Star Albums (17)
All Ratings
Q-Tip
3/5
I've not listened to much hip hop, but enjoyed this album quite a bit. Admittedly, didn't catch most of the lyrics, as I was working. Will focus more next time.
The Kinks
1/5
Well, looks like I still don't like 60's music. I'm sure this is great, but it's not my bag.
Elvis Presley
1/5
Turns out I *still* don't like Elvis. "Fever" is OK, but Elvis is no Peggy Lee. :-)
Leonard Cohen
2/5
Interesting music and lyrics, but let's face it: Leonard Cohen was not much of a singer. I know that was part of what made him great -- the signature style -- but it really grated on me by the end of the album.
Aretha Franklin
5/5
Finally! An objectively fantastic album! From start to finish, an auditory pleasure!
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
3/5
Neil Young is another one whose voice was never my favorite. This album has really good, trippy music, though. Would listen again.
Van Morrison
4/5
Ah... one of the 10 albums I got for $1 from Columbia House back in the heyday of CD clubs. Liked it then, like it now.
Billy Bragg
4/5
The first song made me doubt I'd like this album, but it turned out to be a red herring. The album is really good, mixing a country-rock and folk style. Lots of different singers as well. And they lyrics are worth a listen by themselves.
Quicksilver Messenger Service
4/5
Sounded like a jam session or an experimental album -- didn't realize it was a live recording until I heard the crowd. Luckily, it's a jam session I enjoyed. Would listen again!
Tom Waits
3/5
Feels like the soundtrack to an Oddities show. Tom Waits is another singer-without-voice, except that I've always found it more appealing than Cohen. Most of this album is worth listening to again, but a couple of tracks are pretty meh...
David Bowie
3/5
As with most Bowie, I liked it... OK. I actually love his voice, but his music is pretty often on the "too weird to listen to regularly" side. However, I like this better than the Waits album. Still, can't give it 4 stars.
Sinead O'Connor
5/5
This album is surprisingly varied, stylistically. I'm a sucker for Irish-sound, so those tracks were easy. The rest of it had sounds that generally jived with me; it's all in my 90's wheelhouse. I'm giving this one 5 stars, but it's not as strong a 5 as Aretha's.
Genesis
5/5
Incredible music, sometimes weird, often haunting... And the lyrics tell a really interesting tale. The whole album has an experimental feel, which often appeals to me. Easy five-star rating.
The Specials
1/5
The styles on this album are a mish-mash of bleh. A lot of it has a ska feel, which has never been my favorite, and the rest was unappealing enough to make me almost turn it off. I finished it, and I like it slightly better than the Elvis album, but not enough to give it a 2-star rating.
Frank Black
1/5
Gosh, two crap albums in a row. Pretty disappointed in this part of the selection algorithm.
The Pogues
5/5
Welp, here's another album that hits all the right spots for me. Irish band playing Irish and spaghetti western-style music. To be honest, today wasn't the right day to listen to it, and I didn't enjoy it as much as I might've done. However, I recognize that fact, and this album's greatness. Five stars!
ZZ Top
4/5
Despite being from Texas AND liking the rock/blues style, ZZ Top has never been my favorite. This album is good, objectively, with La Grange being the best track. For me, it doesn't reach 5 stars, but it's better than 3 stars as well. I guess that leaves it at: 4 stars.
The Shamen
4/5
This album has a really nice dance/trance feel. I'm a little surprised that I haven't heard it before, as it came out around the time when I would have been getting into it. This style isn't my go-to anymore, but the album is a solid 4 stars.
John Coltrane
5/5
Jazz. Raw, unapologetic, beautiful, soulful, all of those other words that have certainly been said about it over the years, and more. This album is great, and definitely deserves a high spot on this list.
1/5
I tried. I really did. I suspect that Ms. Lynn is like a very fine wine and requires and acquired taste, or a predisposition to embrace the full-bodied style that she portrays. I... lack that level of refinement. 1 star: DNF.
The Byrds
1/5
Another genre I could bear not listening to. This folksy hippy style, at least in this presentation, is anathema to good moods for me. Simon and Garfunkel, strangely, do not affect me similarly.
The Velvet Underground
2/5
Eh, I liked this better than the Loretta Lynn album and whatever other crap 1-star albums are on this list, although not much better. I'll give it 2 stars, but reserve the right to downgrade that.
Aerosmith
3/5
I'd never heard the full album before, and the popular tracks definitely carry it. Still, Aerosmith is closer to my wheelhouse than most other music of this era, and this one is definitely better than whatever nonsense that yesterday's 2-star offering earned. 3 stars.
Sabu
5/5
Great great great! Music that makes you swing your hips and move your feet! Probably a good thing no one else was around when I listened... injuries may have occurred...
Bob Marley & The Wailers
4/5
Reggae is good music for me if I'm in a mood to or already am relaxed. Today is not that day. Still, the album is pretty great. 4 stars.
Blondie
4/5
Pretty great rock+punk (and slightly new wave) sound. I enjoyed this album quite a bit, but not quite enough to give it 5 stars.
Al Green
4/5
I recognize the greatness of this album, but I didn't enjoy it nearly as much as the other 5-stars in my collection so far. I suspect the lines between some of these is going to be inconsistent. Oh well! 4 stars.
The Who
2/5
This album is... odd. And the stuff that's not odd feels really average to me. It's pulling me more toward 2 stars than 3.
Run-D.M.C.
5/5
Another album that I've never heard all the way through. I've already stated that hip hop isn't normally in my wheelhouse, but this one is objectively great and definitely deserves a place on this list. 5 stars.
4/5
Wonderfully odd, and a precursor to an onslaught of ska and new wave sounds. I don't have a good reason to like it, since the vocals are absolutely the type I despise, but it works for me in this combo. Still, this isn't an album I would reach for as readily as the other 5-stars, so 4 stars it is!
Arrested Development
4/5
Another fantastic album that I would have never listened to otherwise, since the genre is not in my wheelhouse. A solid 4 stars.
The xx
4/5
Tracks from this album always come up with Tanya and I listen to the Chill station on $MUSIC_STREAMING_SERVICE. I like it! Probably not strongly enough to give it 5 stars, but it's an easy 4.
Steely Dan
3/5
Steely Dan has always been pretty so-so in my book. Their sound never particularly appealed to me, but I never felt compelled to change the station when one of their songs came on. More like, I had to ride it out in favor of a better one. I'm tempted to give this 2 stars, but the truth is, it's an OK album. Weak 3, but still 3.
Burning Spear
3/5
Pretty great reggae album, but as previously stated, it's not really my jam unless I'm in the right setting. Would listen again, but wouldn't seek it out. 3 stars.
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
Just. Great.
A magnificent example of the breadth of Hendrix's styles and interests. And one of the longer albums on the list so far as well. Worth every minute!
Creedence Clearwater Revival
3/5
Here's another group that is hit or miss for me, and mostly miss. This one, however, due to the diversity of the sound and musical stylings, resonated pretty well. I don't feel it enough to give it 4 stars, but it's a really solid 3 for me. Would listen again, but wouldn't seek it out.
Alice Cooper
3/5
Alice Cooper was considered "devil music" as a function of my upbringing. My, how times have changed! Realizing that this was as hard as you could rock at the time, I recognize its boldness. I enjoyed the album, and would listen to it again, but it's another in the "wouldn't seek it out" club. 3 stars.
Sex Pistols
2/5
Well, I learned a bit about the history of punk rock by reading about this album. I recognize its importance to music in general, but dammit, I don't like it. I also don't loathe it the way I do the other 1-stars, so 2 is the number for it.
The Doors
2/5
Here's another album that I never really got into. It's got some interesting grooves, and the lyrics are pretty interesting as well, but it's a bit too trippy for my taste. I'm not feeling very generous today either, so 2 stars.
System Of A Down
1/5
Nope. Didn't make it through the first song. Definitely not my sound, groove, or anything else. I know a lot of people just love this, but I would commit 0 stars if possible.
R.E.M.
2/5
Not bad, but not something that would compel me to listen again. If one of those tunes came on the radio, I wouldn't be compelled to change the station, but I wouldn't be compelled to listen through either. Not a lot of compulsion here. 2 stars.
Isaac Hayes
3/5
Didn't have a chance to finish this album, although I liked the parts I heard. Am giving 3 stars for now, but reserve the right to bump that up or down on a more thorough listening.
Siouxsie And The Banshees
2/5
I'm not feeling very generous this morning, unfortunately. The music was really interesting, but the singing mostly annoyed me. Again, I know that's the style, and it's on purpose, but it just doesn't please me very much. 2 stars.
Fairport Convention
3/5
I should like this album more than I do, as it has a bunch of themes and sounds that are firmly in my wheelhouse. Something about it just didn't click very well for me, though. I'd listen to it again, but it's only a weak 3 stars for me.
Orbital
5/5
Orbital! I didn't realize they'd made this album. THANK YOU TO THIS LIST for enlightening me. Ever since Halcyon+on+on, I've been a fan. Easy 5 stars.
4/5
Great album. As usual, Bowie isn't always my cup of tea. This album has plenty of goodness going for it though, so it falls into my 4 star range.
The Stone Roses
3/5
Wikipedia says this is considered to be one of the greatest albums of all time. I'd never heard of THEM, much less IT, and can't agree. It's solid enough, but I compare it to what I listened to yesterday (Ziggy Stardust) and find it wanting. 3 stars.
The Band
2/5
Noope, not for me. Somewhere between 1 and 2 stars. Since I don't actively dislike it and am feeling chipper this morning, I'm leaning toward 2.
Dirty Projectors
2/5
Hmm, probably too experimental for my tastes. I suspect that if I were in the mood for it, it would rate more than 2 stars. As such, I'm not, and thusly: 2.
The Strokes
3/5
I like this one OK. The Strokes have a sound I like but don't love. Still, seems pretty worthy of 3 stars. Would listen again, but not sure I would stay on a station that was playing any of the tunes...
Tori Amos
3/5
Tori Amos: I like her stuff alright. She was always on the periphery of my listening sphere back in the day, but was definitely known to me. This album is a good one, but feels very middle-of-the-pack for my collection so far. 3 stars.
Deerhunter
3/5
Another in a line of albums that mildly appeal to me but don't compel me. Much like the Tori Amos album yesterday, I like it, but about halfway through the listen I became aware of the fact that I couldn't tell the difference between any of the songs. Still, I didn't dislike it. 3 stars.
Chicago
3/5
I've always liked Chicago, but I'd never heard their first album. It was a really interesting blend of everything that I've known of them, plus some throwbacks to the era which initially produced them. It wasn't a top tier album for me personally, but merited 3 stars.
Solange
4/5
Pretty great blend of r&b, soul, and jazz. Definitely would listen again, and am interested in their other work as well. I'm not sure I can punch it through to 5 stars, but it's a high 4 for sure.
Boards of Canada
5/5
This was just perfect today. Lofi tunes I can listen to in the background of whatever else I'm doing are a fantastic way to get me to play your album over and over. 5 stars, my friends!
Sufjan Stevens
4/5
Pretty great album. Folksy feel, but also some more experimental sounds. It's the kind of thing I would expect to hear in a non-chain coffee shop, and is appealing to me today (he says as the dulcet banjo sounds come through on "Casimir Pulaski Day"). I'd listen to it again. Solid 4 stars.
UB40
2/5
Look, we've talked about this before. Reggae is something for which I really need to be in the mood. Generally, I like UB40. This album, however, just didn't do it for me. 2 stars.
Crowded House
2/5
This album didn't really do it for me. There's nothing wrong with it, and I suspect if I were in a different mood it might've come across as more compelling. As it is, it's somewhere between 2 and 3 stars, and I'm not feeling charitable this a.m.: 2 stars.
Buzzcocks
1/5
I've said it before: punk is very hit and miss with me. This one is a miss, unfortunately. 1 star.
Beatles
2/5
I know it's a bit sacrilegious, but I've never been much of a Beatles fan. I don't hate them, and I recognize their contribution to everything we currently enjoy in mainstream music, but they've never really done it for me. This album is pretty typical of my enjoyment of them at 2 stars.
Marty Robbins
5/5
I've always had a soft spot for Marty Robbins. I'm not sure why, as I didn't listen to him much growing up, nor was I overly enamored with the Wild West or gunslingers otherwise. However, I find I can identify him as singer even if I don't know the song. I've never actually listened to this album until today, but am happy to give it 5 stars. I don't know if I'll ever reach for it again, but I certainly wouldn't turn it off if it were playing otherwise...
The Zombies
4/5
I'm having a hard time classifying the musical stylings of this album. Regardless, I kinda like it! Maybe it's resonating with the rainy April day outside, but I think I'd listen to it again even if it were sunny. 4 stars!
Pearl Jam
3/5
I should like Pearl Jam more than I do. For some reason, however, they've never resonated with me very well. This album is full of song with which I am familiar, and I like them all... okay. None of them increase PJ's appeal to me, though. 3 stars.
Fatboy Slim
4/5
Really interesting album. This album is convincing me that I should give more of their stuff more listens. I'm giving this one 4 stars.
The Chemical Brothers
3/5
I used to like the Chemical Brothers a bit more than I do at this point. This album has a spot for me, and it's in the middle. I'd listen to it again, but I wouldn't reach for it as quickly as the 4 stars, so it gets a solid 3.
Grateful Dead
3/5
Here's another album that there's absolutely nothing wrong with except the fact that I don't like the musical stylings -- kind of a folk/country rock style with lots of harmonizing. This one hovers between 2 and 3 stars for me, and I'm feeling generous. 3 it is! rusty, i love that i finally know about this site. also i figured out you can only be in one group at a time and there's no security on user accounts whatsoever. glad to see toddles started rating yesterday. he would also be abysmally disappointed in the securitIIIIEEE!
The extra notes REMAIN! :D
Super Furry Animals
3/5
This album was very "take it or leave it" for me. I didn't dislike it, but didn't feel very compelled by it either. I think that puts it in the 3-star range for me.
Bob Dylan
2/5
Here's another artist that is objectively great but has ALWAYS turned me off. This album doesn't grate on me the way other 1 stars do, so it gets a 2 star rating. Please don't make me listen to another Bob Dylan album though. Please.
John Martyn
3/5
There are parts of this album that I like *a lot*. Especially the parts where John Martyn isn't trying to sing. When his voice blends in with the music, it's really good. When he grates, it's REALLY grating. Luckily, that doesn't dominate most tracks, and I enjoyed the album overall. 3 stars.
Haircut 100
3/5
I liked the music, but have to admit that the cover art looks a little like they're trying to be the early 80s new wave boy band. That aside, I'd listen to this album again. It's not quite as new wavy as I normally dig, but it was probably pretty far out there back in 82. 3 stars.
Billy Bragg
3/5
An interesting album, almost entirely the artist and singular or simple instrumentation. Not every tune did it for me, but it's definitely something I could play in the background. As such, it's in 3 star territory.
Fever Ray
3/5
Good album! Resonated pretty well with me this morning. I'm not sure I would actively search it out, but it's solid electronic stuff, and I would listen to it again. 3 stars.
fIREHOSE
3/5
Interesting album. I like the instrumentation (lead, bass, drums), and the melodies are cool. Nothing in here appealed to me dramatically, but I would listen to it again. 3 stars.
Beastie Boys
5/5
Great album. Beastie Boys have a special place in my heart despite the fact that I've never owned one of their albums. "Sabatoge," especially, puts this album over the top for me. 5 stars!
The Stooges
2/5
Another interesting album. It came across with lots of early punk vibes with jazzy highlights. My first inclination was to give it 2 stars, as it's not really my jam, but there's an argument to be made for 3 stars given the release date. We all know what a terrible judge of music I am by this point though: 2 stars it is.
Queen
5/5
Heh, you'll have a hard time finding a Queen album for which I will *not* give 5 stars. This is NOT that album. 5 stars.
The Who
4/5
Apparently, I like concept albums. I'm typically not a huge fan of The Who, but this one is an easy 4 stars for me.
Janis Joplin
3/5
There are parts of this album that I like a lot, but I've never been overly fond of Janis Joplin's style, and it grates on me after a while despite some of the other really enjoyable stuff. I would listen again, but it wouldn't be something for which I'd reach.
Talk Talk
4/5
Really good album that fits squarely into my wheelhouse stylistically. I listened to this mostly in the background, so I didn't pay particular attention to the lyrics, but really liked the sound. 4 stars.
Tears For Fears
4/5
Am a Tears For Fears fan in general, but had never heard more than the singles from this album. They were definitely the strongest offerings, as it turns out. The album is still a good one though, and I'd easily listen to it again. 4 stars.
M.I.A.
4/5
I've said it before: hip hop isn't a genre with which I'm very familiar. However, the more I listen, the more I realize how much I'm missing out on. This album bends the genre around quite a bit with instrumentation, rhythms, and pure sounds. It's not something I can easily listen to in the background; the lyrics demand attention. Given how this album turned out, I'll be listening to other M.I.A.
Death In Vegas
3/5
Pretty good album for having in the background while coding. Monotonous electronic rhythms and beats means it's not too distracting, but also means that there's nothing remarkable about it either. Would listen again, but probably wouldn't reach for it.
The Byrds
2/5
As previously noted, I don't like the sounds that The Byrds make. This album was slightly better than the last one from this list, but the mostly country slant was still not one I could stomach repeatedly. 2 stars.
Tim Buckley
2/5
Eh, this album didn't really do it for me. It had some OK funky grooves, but as a whole, I didn't feel very moved. Might be worthy of another listen when I'm in a more funky mood...
Def Leppard
5/5
This is the first album on this list that I've actually listened to more times than I can easily count. It was my go-to gym album for a while, and I've never grown tired of it. There have been a couple of other easy 5-stars for me, but this was one I could label without needing to listen to it. \m/
The White Stripes
3/5
Here's another band that has been commercially popular and objectively great but never really did it for me. This album, though, does have some pretty nice licks and a cool groove overall, despite me not liking Jack White's voice very much. 3 stars.
Teenage Fanclub
2/5
This one was not my jam. It doesn't fall as far as a single star, but also doesn't rise high enough to merit another listen. 2 stars.
Marvin Gaye
2/5
This album was alright. It didn't resonate with me as strongly as some of his other work, unfortunately. I'm not sure I'd recognize it if I heard it on the jukebox, and I probably wouldn't reach for it otherwise. 2 stars.
Black Sabbath
2/5
I can see why this album was controversial in its day. The lyrics especially are meant to be that. The music itself is surprisingly good, and I can see why it's considered the proto-heavy metal. However, Ozzy Osbourne is NOT a very good singer, and the way he noodles around on this album doesn't make it any better. I probably wouldn't listen to this album again by choice, but wouldn't object to someone else playing it. 2 stars.
Frankie Goes To Hollywood
4/5
Really good album! I really like "Relax" from my entrance into new wave. The entire album's vibe really resonated today. I enjoyed the covers as well. Solid 4 stars!
Björk
3/5
Good, strange music. I've never been overly fond of her voice, but I'd listen to this album again. 3 stars.
Stereo MC's
3/5
The title track is the only one off this album that I'd ever heard, and it continues to be in rotation for me due to it being on one of the Hackers soundtracks. I enjoyed this album as it played in the background, and am feeling generous enough today to give it 3 stars.
Jacques Brel
3/5
Well, I don't speak French, so there's that. Putting that aside, the album has a great feel to it, if you're in the mood for it. Luckily, this morning, I was. The album is not one I would reach for very often, but I wouldn't turn it off either. 3 stars.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
1/5
Nooooooooooope. Made it through 1.5 tracks before punting. I can tell that the orchestration is interesting, but there's absolutely nothing appealing with respect to the singing and the content itself. 1 tiny star.
David Bowie
3/5
As with other Bowie stuff, I like it, but don't love it. Would definitely listen to it again, but wouldn't seek it out. Good enough for 3 stars, though.
Brian Eno
3/5
Interesting album. Had a very ambient feel to it, which was nice. Half of the tracks were *just* music; I enjoyed those tracks more than the lyrical ones, although none of it turned me off. Still, not much here that would draw me back again. This leaves it in 2-3 star territory. I'll go with 3 for now.
Joni Mitchell
3/5
Pretty good album. Joni Mitchell can sing, and the simple instrumentation and interesting lyrics make this album work really well. It's not my exact jam, but I enjoyed it well enough to listen to it again at some point. 3 stars.
Miriam Makeba
4/5
Fantastic album, especially if you're into world-style music. For me, this is a really strong 4-star album. I would definitely listen to it again, but it's not a genre I reach for often.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
2/5
Eh, Elvis Costello never really appealed to me. This album is pretty typical of my experience with him -- OK singing, and music that I don't like very much. 2 stars.
Grant Lee Buffalo
3/5
Meh. This album was alright, but nothing special for me. I would probably listen to it again, but wouldn't recognize the artist as distinctive. I'm not sure if that makes it 2 or 3 stars, but I'll default to 3.
The Teardrop Explodes
3/5
This album had its moments for me. The overall sound is pretty interesting, but it probably doesn't appeal to everyone. It appealed to me well enough to rate this album with 3 stars.
Merle Haggard
2/5
Well, I've already stated my appreciation (or lack thereof) with this era of country music (with notable exceptions). Merle Haggard falls into the "lack" bucket, although not sinking quite as far as others (I'm looking at *you*, Elvis). 2 stars for this album.
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
Fantastic album. You have to like the sound, but it turns out that, this morning at least, I do. I didn't realize this was their DEBUT album, which makes it that much more amazing. Pretty easy 5 stars.
Franz Ferdinand
3/5
This album wasn't my favorite, but I would listen to it again. That probably puts it in the 3 star category, so here you go!
George Michael
4/5
Really good album! To be fair, I'm a George Michael fan. Even so, I don't think I'd ever heard anything from this album but the hits. Very glad this one came up, even though I think I still enjoy "Faith" more. 4 stars!
Beck
4/5
I like Beck for no reason I can actually identify. This album had a couple of tunes on it that I really like, and I didn't dislike any of them. Somehow, I think that makes it a 4 star effort?
Joy Division
2/5
Here's an album that I might've enjoyed more at another time in my life or when I was feeling more jovial in general. Today's listen put it in the 2 star category, as the vibe just didn't jive with me.
Curtis Mayfield
3/5
Funky! The only thing that brought it down for me is that almost the entire thing is sung in falsetto, or at least that's how it sounds to me. Still worthy of 3 stars.
Missy Elliott
4/5
Great album. Lots of fantastic hip hop with a smooth serving of R&B to top it off. Easy 4 stars.
Van Morrison
2/5
This album really didn't do it for me. It might just be the day, my mood, whatever, but I found his voice to be mostly grating instead of endearing on this record. The music itself is OK, but this isn't something I would come back to quickly... 2 stars.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
1/5
Nope, not today. Maybe not ever. Not exactly sure why, but there's nothing about this album that I like right now -- voice is meh, music is yawn, and lyrics are wat. 1 star.
My Bloody Valentine
1/5
I'm sure this album is very important and hugely impactful to some set of people. I am excluded from that set, however. The entire album felt like noisy droning to me. Not the worst 1 star I've listened to, but still wouldn't listen again.
Gang Starr
4/5
Another great album that is outside of my normal wheelhouse. I'm not sure which school of hip hop this one falls in, but I like it. Would definitely listen again. 4 stars.
Steely Dan
2/5
I know a lot of people really dig Steely Dan's groove. I am not one of those. There's nothing inherently wrong with this album -- I just don't like it. 2 stars.
Elastica
3/5
Punky. Very punky, in a good way. Resonated pretty well with me this morning, so I'm giving it 3 stars.
The Crusaders
4/5
Pretty great album. A handful of tracks, but they all work it. If I didn't know better, I'd swear this was a live jazz album recording... 4 stars.
LCD Soundsystem
4/5
I liked this one pretty well. Good mix of singing and music that can play in the background while working. Not pure electronica, but I don't think it's trying to be that in any case. 4 stars.
The Notorious B.I.G.
2/5
I recognize that this album objectively pretty great, but it didn't really do it for me. It's not one I would listen to again by choice. 2 stars.
Thundercat
3/5
Lots of funky grooves on this album. It's a bit too out there for me to give it a 4 star rating, but I'd listen to it again. 3 stars.
Love
2/5
Not surprisingly, this album isn't really my jam. It was groovy enough in that 60's style, and I could be tricked into listening to it again, but I wouldn't reach for it. 2 stars.
Fleet Foxes
3/5
This album pretty much paid off what the cover art was promising. It's not something I would reach for frequently, but the folksy vibe strikes me sometimes. 3 stars.
The Avalanches
3/5
I feel like this should be more appealing to me than it is. Maybe it's that I'm not quite 100% today, but the electronic, dancy vibe just didn't do it for me. I'd be willing to give it another chance, so for now it's getting a really weak 3 stars.
The Only Ones
2/5
This would be an easy three-star album for me, except for one thing: the lead singer. I. Just. Can't. With his voice. I know that's a big part of the sound, and it's supposed to be that way, but it immediately grated on me as soon as he started on the first track, and it didn't let up through the end. As such, this very nearly fell into one-star territory, but I'm going to leave it with 2.
Jane's Addiction
4/5
An album with distinctly different vibes from the first to second half. Really interesting music, lyrics, and style in general. I haven't listened to a ton of Jane's Addiction, but I like this album pretty well and am feeling generous: 4 stars.
Mylo
3/5
I typically like house stuff, and this one is... OK. Would listen again, but wouldn't be able to identify it if you put it in a lineup. 3 stars.
There was a time for me when U2 could do no wrong. By the time this album came out, the former time had long since passed. I like this album OK, but it wasn't enough to get into regular rotation for me. It's a 3 star effort.
Pulp
2/5
This album didn't feel Pulpy or hardcore. The vocals are generally that mixture of meh and warbly that turns me off. Some of the music is pretty good, but not enough to make me want to listen to it again. 2 stars.
Abdullah Ibrahim
4/5
Nice change of pace from the first two listens this week. Easy jazz, and would definitely listen again. 4 stars.
The Magnetic Fields
1/5
I understand that this album is poking fun at love songs, not love itself. And to its credit, some of the lyrics made me giggle. However, once again, the singing and music... Some tracks were great in both ways, but most tracks were grating in one way, the other, or both. This is a pretty strong "nope" for me. I'm going to leave this a strong 1 star (meaning, might be 2 stars under different circumstances).
The Prodigy
4/5
Finally listening to the album from which several of The Matrix OST tracks were taken. Whole album is pretty good, and really enjoyed listening to the familiar tracks again. Probably needed it today, when I'm feeling slightly grungy and angsty. 4 stars!
Queen
4/5
Really interesting album that I'd never actually heard until now. It felt very concept-y, but Wikipedia claims it's not. Regardless, as I've stated before, it'll be hard to find a Queen album that I don't like. With that said, this is one that I wouldn't play on loop. It's a solid 4-stars for me.
Japan
3/5
Interesting album. I wouldn't have guessed it was released in 1979. Good electro/synth vibes, with variance enough between tracks to let me know there were differences. With that said, the album itself didn't strike me as powerful enough for 4 stars, so it gets a good 3.
Sonic Youth
3/5
This album sounds almost experimental. Some of the music is compelling, but a fair amount of it is just noisy. I liked it well enough to listen to it again at some point, so it's not getting a 2-star poo-poo. However, it's a weak 3-star entry.
Suzanne Vega
3/5
I like the musical style. This is another album that I was very surprised to learn came out in the mid 80's. This probably wouldn't make it into regular rotation for me because the singing style isn't great for me, but feels like a precursor to folks like Sarah McLachlan. Feels like a good 3 star effort.
Dexys Midnight Runners
3/5
Come On Eileen was the best track on here, and several of the others sounded really similar (probably due to the way the lead singer sings). It's... OK for me. 3 stars.
Michael Jackson
4/5
I'd forgotten how many good tunes were on this album. Enough to push it very close to 5 star territory. The fact is, though, that I never was a huge Michael Jackson fan. This one lands at 4 stars for me.
Roxy Music
3/5
As with a lot of the music from the 70's, this really isn't my jam. With that said, it's not entirely unappealing either. The lead singer's got a decent voice, and the instrumentation is varied enough to keep it interesting. I'm giving this a low-3 stars.
Morrissey
3/5
Pretty decent album. Nice variety of sounds, and Morrissey is a decent singer as well. A bit felt too poppy for my taste, and therefore forgettable, but I wasn't offended by it. 3 stars.
Laibach
2/5
I think I understand the aesthetic, and I normally like a bit if industrial noise. This one really didn't do it for me, unfortunately. 2 stars.
Slint
1/5
Weird. This album is weird. And it's also weird how a weird album is categorically considered great. Lots of spoken lyrics, mostly mumbled, alternating with screechy screaming. Mixed rhythms, dissonant chord structures... Sorry, this gets a solid 1 star from me.
The Pogues
3/5
Welp, here we are again, with a Celtic album by a Celtic band. There's plenty on this album to like, and I do like it. At the same time, it doesn't resonate at a higher frequency for me. 3 stars.
Billy Joel
5/5
It's been a while since I've listened to this album. Billy Joel is another artist that I nearly categorically adore. I like every tune on this album, but can understand why other people don't. Still, for me, it's 5 stars!
Kate Bush
5/5
Amazing album. I'm really surprised that I somehow missed her during the 80's. Granted, she's more in my wheelhouse now than she would have been then, but this album is an easy 5 stars.
Moby Grape
3/5
I had to listen to the youtube version of this album, as it's not available on Apple Music. It's a little better than average for the era; several different vocal and musical styles, which keeps it interesting and pushes it into the 3-star range for me.
Ella Fitzgerald
5/5
OMG, Ella Fitzgerald singing Gershwin is an easy 5 stars. I hadn't heard this album before, but wasn't even finished with the first track before I realized this album was going to be great. Would listen again. Frequently.
The Stooges
3/5
Pretty good album. The punky style is not what I would listen to every day, but occasionally fits my mood. This one sits at a solid 3 stars for me.
Portishead
3/5
I normally like Portishead pretty well. Apparently I like older albums more than newer, but this one was alright enough for me to listen to again. It's still electronic ambient, mostly, but more experimental than my caters to my taste. 3 stars.
Morrissey
3/5
This album didn't feel all that special to me. There's nothing absolutely wrong with it, as the tunes are nice and Morrissey's vocals are pleasant enough. There's just nothing that makes it stand out to me at all. It's classified as alternative rock, but to me it's on the verge of pop. I'm giving it a weak 3 stars.
Gang Of Four
2/5
Eh, another punk-ish album that really feels like it meanders all over the place, melodically and tempo-wise for no very good reason. I'm giving it 2 stars, but could be convinced it's not worth that much.
Jane Weaver
4/5
Nice album. Weaver is a pleasant enough singer, and the instrumentation is really easy to listen to. This is somewhere between 3 and 4 stars for me... Since today is a holiday, 4 stars it must be!
Doves
3/5
Nice listening on a mellow day. I felt like the first track was a bit of a bait-and-switch given the singing on the rest of the album, but it still fit neatly into 3-star territory.
Jeru The Damaja
2/5
I find myself not particularly liking the subject matter of this album this morning, which despite the good beats and rapping ability, drops my rating to a 2-star level.
The The
4/5
I was pleasantly surprised by this album. I had heard of The The back in the day, but never really gave them a listen. This album was slightly punky, slightly alt, and over-around good. 4 stars!
The Beach Boys
1/5
I've never really liked The Beach Boys. This album is very typical of their music, so naturally I dislike it. "Wouldn't It Be Nice" is the most recognizable tune on it, and all I could think was "Wouldn't it be nice if no Beach Boys albums were on this list?" 1 star.
Frank Zappa
3/5
More enjoyable than I expected. Lots of jazzy vibes, and Zappa only sings on a single track (I think). Probably not one I would reach for given the proliferation of other jazz albums, but worthy of 3 stars.
CHIC
2/5
Good voices and instrumentation can't overcome the fact that this album is more disco than soul or funk. As a result, it only gets 2 stars from me. If you like disco with a good groove, you'll like this album.
Screaming Trees
3/5
Pretty good album. Nice guitar work, singing, lyrics... but nothing that makes it a real stand-out. Would listen again, though. 3 stars.
Dolly Parton
2/5
As much as I want to like this album, because Dolly Parton is objectively great, it's still a country album. It's a country album released in the early 70s. It is great for some folks, but not for me. 2 stars is as much as I can give it.
The Flaming Lips
4/5
I like this album a lot. Very trippy with some alt rock vibes. The singing isn't fantastic, but it fits the style in such a way as to not offend. It's also telling a story, which I didn't pick up on at first. 4 stars!
Funkadelic
4/5
Full funk, with plenty of long tracks so you can feel the groove all the way through. Only available on spotify and youtube, oddly. This is a high 4 star album for me.
Stan Getz
4/5
Really short but nice album. It's certainly something I would listen to again without reservation, but as with most stuff in the pure instrumental jazz genre, it's not something I would actively reach for. 4 stars.
Stereolab
3/5
Decent album. It felt a little experimental, like it couldn't decide if it was going to be trance or pop or new punk. At the end of all that, it was slightly too messy for me. Still a 3 star album.
Tracy Chapman
3/5
Interesting album. I've always kind of liked Tracy Chapman's voice, and the tunes I'd heard on the radio were musically pretty simple but lyrically compelling. The album has a little more variety in style, even getting some reggae in there, but is mainly folk on the edge of pop at times. I would revisit this album, but leave it at 3 stars for today.
Mudhoney
1/5
There's a lot of noise and shrieking on this album. I suppose I understand why some people would think it's great, but I'm not one of those people. I wouldn't listen to this again if given the choice. 1 star.
Eagles
3/5
I get why this album is important in the grand scheme of things, and it did have one great tune (Witchy Woman) and two pretty good ones (Take It Easy, Peaceful Easy Feeling). Still, without more Henley vocals, and with the mish-mash of styling, it left a 3-star taste in my mouth.
Wilco
3/5
I suspect under different circumstances I might be willing to give this album more than 3 stars. However, today being the day I listened to it, and in lieu of more compelling feelings, it stays at 3. It's OK, and I wouldn't turn it off if someone were playing it, but I also wouldn't put it on if I saw it in their collection.
Underworld
5/5
What a great album (if you like trance/progressive techno, which I do)! This is something I would listen to when I am heads-down coding and love every second (of the music, not the coding). I'm giving it 5 stars since I still imagine I do heads-down coding. And I legitimately like the music. :)
Alice Cooper
4/5
I think most Alice Cooper is 3-star territory for me. I typically like the lyrics and the music well enough. Cooper's singing is hit or miss for me though. This album happens to have a couple of tunes I really like, such as "No More Mr. Nice Guy." That pushes it into 4 stars for me!
Ice Cube
2/5
This is another album where I have to recognize its greatness although it doesn't appeal to me. I'm not a fan of gansta rap, as it turns out. Since this is supposed to be a subjective rating, I have to give this one 2 stars.
Common
3/5
It turns out I like hip hop "OK." It's still not my favorite, but this is an album I would listen to again (despite it having strong Kanye influences). 3 stars.
Ray Charles
5/5
Great album, especially if you want an overall slower paced R&B style. Pretty easy 5 stars.
The Kinks
3/5
Strangely, Wikipedia classifies this album as "Baroque Pop, music hall, R&B". I'm not sure what Baroque Pop is, but this album feels like a collection of tunes in search of a genre. There are some undertones I like a bit, especially the ones that steer towards Celtic, but ultimately it feels closer to typical 60s stuff than anything else. 3 stars.
Siouxsie And The Banshees
3/5
This album hovers between 3 and 4 stars for me. I can't criticize anything in particular, and there are some licks I quite like. The whole things compel me very strongly to listen to it again, although I certainly wouldn't turn it off if it started playing. That sounds more and more like 3 stars to me. :-)
Primal Scream
4/5
It took a minute, but this album grew on me the more I listened to it. It's somewhere in between funky and trancy with some grooves that make you want to dance a bit. It's not top tier for me, but I would listen to it again without hesitation. 4 stars!
Goldie
5/5
This is, indeed, Timeless. What a FANTASTIC album to just put on and forget about everything else. The first track is over 20 minutes long; the second is over 7. This is a LONG album that you can just keep playing. Also, definite heads-down coding music, which will always push it toward 5-star territory for me.
The Doors
2/5
Again with The Doors. They're still not my bag in general. And because today is the way that it is, I'm only giving this album 2 stars.
The Fall
2/5
I'm sure this is a fantastic album for folks that really enjoy a particular flavor of punk. I am not one of those folk, and this makes the second 2-star album in a row. C'mon, albums generator! Gimme something I can like!
Johnny Cash
2/5
A couple of things going against this album. First, the genre is country, and Johnny Cash falls into the bucket of folks that I don't enjoy much in that genre; second, the album is live, and Johnny Cash's voice is only so-so here. Once again, I have to give something... 2 stars.
This is your last chance, albumgenerator. Give me something worth listening to, or we're done.
Gary Numan
3/5
Good enough. Weird synthy, but I've always had a soft spot for "Cars." This whole album has that feel, and is worth listening to. I don't think I enjoyed it enough to call it 4 stars, but it's a solid 3.
Les Rythmes Digitales
4/5
Really nice album for playing in the background while other stuff is going on (like attempting to work). Full of electronic synth stuff, but not so overpowering that you HAVE to pay attention to it. I'm tempted to give it 4 stars, given how scarce my actually enjoying the selections has been lately. Relatively speaking, I like it better than yesterday's 3-star offering, so 4 it is!
Nick Drake
4/5
When I first saw this album come up, I thought it would be an easy poo-poo-ing. Turns out this album is pure folk music, and the title track is one that I'd heard and rather liked (thanks to the cultural miracle of advertising). The entire album is pleasantly relaxing, and I'd definitely listen again. Easy 4 stars.
Ride
3/5
This album was mostly noisy with mushy vocals. Luckily, the music itself, while noisy, was pretty good if you like post-punk/neo-psychedelia stuff. I'm inclined to give it a weak 3 stars.
2/5
This artist is clearly talented and has a lot to say. Unfortunately, it's really not my cup of tea today. I think the genre of this album is alt rock, and it probably fits there, but it doesn't resonate with me very much. I'm giving is 2 stars, but might be convinced it's worth 3 at a later date.
Spiritualized
3/5
Another album with lots of noise, although the style of this noise is a little more in line with my current mood than most. It has an experimental feel to it, and the singing is so subdued that I actually can't state or even recall a single lyric. As such, it can't really be any better than 3 stars, which is where I'll leave it.
Willie Nelson
3/5
I didn't expect to like this album at all, as Willie Nelson is pretty far outside of my favorites list. However, this is a departure from his normal fare, covering a bunch of different tunes from different genres. I still don't like his voice, but this album made the best of it. 3 stars.
John Martyn
3/5
Wasn't at all familiar with this album or artist, but the folksy tone suited me well this morning. It's the kind of thing you might hear as a good acoustic set in a small club/venue somewhere. I don't think it's strong enough for me to merit 4 stars, but it's an easy 3.
Bob Dylan
2/5
I think I've made my feelings on Bob Dylan clear by this point. His voice and vocal style will always ruin it for me. The first half of this album is tolerable, but I got to a point in the second half where I just had to turn it off. 2 stars since I made it at least that far.
The The
3/5
Really nice album. Apple Music had some issues streaming it, for some reason, but I managed to listen to the whole thing eventually. Synthy with a splash of pop, it was pleasant enough to listen to again at some point. 3 stars.
Nirvana
2/5
Bleh. Nirvana is another one of those bands that probably deserves more credit than I give them. I just never really got into their particular flavor of grunge, similar to Pearl Jam. As such, this album only scores 2 stars for me.
Beastie Boys
3/5
I like the Beastie Boys fairly well, although they've never played a lot in my regular rotation. This album seems like pretty typical fare for them: not nearly as good as Ill Communication or Intergalactic for listening to. (After reading the wiki, it looks like this is the definitive album, so I'm certainly glad they made it). 3 stars.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
2/5
Absolutely not a good fit for my mood today. Under other circumstances, I still wouldn't like it very much, but I wouldn't loathe it the way I do 1 star entries. 2 stars.
Tom Waits
1/5
Good grief... I've already commented that I don't like Tom Waits's voice, but this album is labeled as "experimental rock." If you have to put it in a genre, I suppose that's as good as any, but there's quite a lot of this album that sounds like "drunken instrumentation." Imagine going to a carnival and hearing the background music played badly -- that's what the first three tracks sound like. Then at some point mid album bagpipes come in for a second? I felt slightly detached from reality after listening to this album, and not in a good way. I'm giving it a solid 1 star.
Pavement
2/5
Here's another album that should be more in my wheelhouse than it actually is. The main issue for me is that the lead singer isn't very good. If you're going to use that alt-rock, don't-hit-the-notes-or-follow-the-melody style, you've got to be good at it. This sounds mostly sloppy, not artistic. The music is pretty good, but this album didn't really do anything for me. 2 stars.
Beastie Boys
4/5
One of their favorite albums for me. This is another that I don't think I'd listened to all the way through, but the whole thing is pretty great. Solid 4 stars.
Van Halen
3/5
This is the album that changed... well, something. Eddie Van Halen was pretty amazing and popularized a style that really did revolutionize the way electric guitars are played. With that said, I was never a huge fan of the band while DLR sang, with the exception of the Jump album. 3 stars.
Public Image Ltd.
2/5
Reading the wiki, this is one of the foundational albums for the post-punk movement/sound. As it turns out, it's not very pleasing to my sensibilities, especially the Religion I and Religion II tracks. The others are better, but if I compare this album to yesterday's, it's definitely lower. 2 stars.
Rod Stewart
3/5
Rod Stewart has never been high on my list, but this album is objectively good and a breath of fresh air after yesterday's post-punk blah. 3 solid stars.
Led Zeppelin
5/5
The only Led Zeppelin album I've ever listened to (and owned). Good album, too! Pretty simple 5 stars for me, even though some of the weird timings and uneven performance make it seem less great than it actually is. Everyone should listen to this album at some point.
Marvin Gaye
4/5
This album has several of the tunes I most recognize from Marvin Gaye. Oddly, I didn't enjoy this album as much as others in this genre (mainly sexy soul), but certainly liked it enough to give it 4 stars.
Meat Loaf
3/5
Eh, Meat Loaf is another person that's never been very high on my list, despite his amazing comeback in the 1990s. This album is OK, but not better than that. 3 stars.
Duran Duran
3/5
I'm typically a Duran Duran fan, and this album is in the "OK" list. The singles are the best tracks, for sure, but the rest of the album is enjoyable enough. 3 stars.
Miles Davis
3/5
This isn't my favorite Miles Davis album, but I'd be hard-pressed to rate any of his work as less than 3 stars. So, 3 stars it is!
The Who
3/5
Pretty good album. "Behind Blue Eyes" is the best track, and I learned that "Teenage Wasteland" is actually NOT the song title -- rather, it's "Baba O'Riley." The Who aren't very high on my list, but I'd listen to this album again. 3 stars.
David Bowie
3/5
Once again, David Bowie meets expectations. His voice is really interesting, but the music itself just seems... odd. I like it, but don't REALLY like it. This album gets another 3 stars.
Eric Clapton
3/5
Clapton is another one of those artists whom I can consider objectively great without liking their stuff. This album was fine, and I'd listen to it again, but I certainly wouldn't reach for it (or any other Clapton album). 3 stars.
Mike Ladd
4/5
Love the music on this album. I've said it more than once this year: there's something about hip hop that appeals to me. This one feels a bit more experimental WRT the orchestration than most, and I liked it more as a result. Solid 4 stars.
The Young Gods
2/5
There was a time when this type of album would rate very highly for me. Alas, my love of Industrial style music has faded, although NIN will always hole a special place in my heart. As it stands, I can only give this album 2 stars.
The Streets
1/5
Some of the music here is interesting, but the lyrics are needlessly swarthy, and ultimately the story is about an unobservant guy that generally makes bad decisions but gets lucky every now and then. Not interested in listening to it again. 1 star.
Miles Davis
4/5
Nothing wrong with a little Miles Davis, and this album doesn't disappoint. Jazzy in a way that makes you want to listen to it again, although I don't feel compelled to immediately repeat it. Feels like a 4-star album to me.