Drive is such a great track on this record. The strings add a lot to the feel of melancholy and sadness. One of my favorite REM albums.
I thought this was a solid debut for them. The melodies are pretty catchy and they straddle the line between cheery and depressing with the combination of their instrumentation of lyrics.
Favorite Track: The State I Am In
Least Favorite Track: Mary Jo
This is like as archetypal as experimental jazz gets. Wildly changing time signatures, multiple keys soloing at the same time, crazy studio editing tricks to make it sound even more cacophonous (that flamenco guitar section though). This is one of those records that sounds like it could soundtrack On The Road or something. One of Mingus’ best.
Favorite Track: Track-C Group Dancers “(Soul Fusion) Freewoman and Oh, This Freedom's Slave Cries”
Least Favorite Track: Track-A Solo Dancers "Stop! Look! And Listen, Sinner Jim Whitney!" (If I had to pick one)
The funk is real on this one. The record that preceded the Berlin years (my favorite era of Bowie) and started his second renaissance into the public consciousness. It’s got everything, art rock, soul, funk, jazz elements, melodica for Christ sake. The birth of the Thin White Duke. It is said that Bowie sustained himself on cocaine and peppers during these sessions and was so fucked up that he didn’t remember recording this album. If I dropped this banger and didn’t remember it, I’d be pretty upset.
Favorite song: Station to Station
Least favorite song: Wild is the Wind (if I had to choose)
This is the Talking Heads before Afrobeat really took over as an influence. I really enjoy the second half of this album a lot and I think it is paced very well. The playing is incredibly tight (the drums on I’m Not In Love are *chef kiss*) and some wild guitar effects to make it extra funky. I tend to prefer more of their later output, but this one is still very nice and has a lot of songs that I show people if they ask about good Talking Heads starter songs.
Favorite track: I’m Not In Love
Least favorite track: The Good Thing
The first album in the Stones golden period (68-73). They went from a rock and roll/bluesy cover group to worldwide stardom. Their honky tonk influences are starting to show up here, but the heart of this album is still blues. Obviously has one of their biggest hits in Sympathy for the Devil, but has some good deep cuts that combine Keith Richards’ marvelous guitar composition with Jagger’s passionate vocals. This would also be the last album to feature founding member, resident douchebag genius Brian Jones playing on all songs (he would play on Let It Bleed for two tracks but was basically tuned out because of alcohol and drugs) before he drowned in 1969. Not my personal favorite of this period or their music, but has some of my favorite songs.
Favorite song: Street Fighting Man
Least favorite song: Factory Girl
This is the first record for an artist that I had not listened to before. I am pretty sure I saw his name before but had never listened. His style of indie pop mixed with an overwhelming sadness reminds me a lot of Elliot Smith. Apparently he played a tribute gig for him at some point. Overall I thought this record was good with a lot of interesting sounds that I wasn’t expecting. It is a bit long-winded however.
Favorite track: Another Pearl
Least favorite track: Say It Again
This album is an hour long song basically. It weaves through a ton of samples to make glistening and sparkly beats with that old time flavor. A lot of the samples still have the record popping sounds on them which I appreciate (either artificial or otherwise). I do think there is a couple filler tracks that didn’t really stand out as much to me and this could’ve probably been a 50 minute record. That being said, this is probably in the top 5 quintessential plunderphonics records and if you are into electronic music and sampling, you need to hear this record at least once.
Favorite song: Frontier Psychiatrist
Least favorite song: A Different Feeling
God I love this record. Little snippets of pop rock, lo-fi goodness. Robert Pollard and company create little worlds for you to live in sonically and then are immediately transported from one song to the next at a blistering pace. There are some moments on this record that remind me of The Beach Boys, the Beatles and Big Star but only if they had a 4 track recorder set up in their high school bedroom. It’s a phenomenal listen and only rivaled by Bee Thousand in their discography.
Favorite song(s): Game of Pricks and Motor Away (I had to include two)
Least favorite song: Hit
Blues, blues, blues. Jeff Beck can play the blues. This album was released shortly before Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin joined the band. You can tell that they loved Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, that whole Chicago Blues scene. A lot of English kids did. This album has some incredible tones for 1966 and still rips when I throw it on today. Psych Blues supergroup that split to spawn solo careers and other famous bands.
Favorite song: The Nazz Are Blue
Least favorite song: Hot House of Omagarashid
This record is pretty solid. Weird noise pop with some catchy tunes but a decent amount of filler in my opinion. I’ve listened to this record before and I think I fell out of favor with it.
Favorite song: Revival
Least favorite song: Basement Scene
Nick Cave’s first band. A wild, off-the-wall take on post punk, goth rock and punk blues with screeching guitars, pumping bass and wailing vocals. Nick is completely insane here. I actually prefer their record Prayers on Fire to this one but I like this one. The global stats do not. This record is surely not for everyone.
Favorite song: Hamlet (Pow, Pow, Pow)
Least favorite song: 6” Gold Blade
Depending on who you ask, this is REM’s best album. A debut that contends with some of the best debuts ever. I really enjoy this album. Hooky basslines, jangly guitars and weird lyrics that burst into catchy sing a long choruses. This album laid the groundwork for what was to come later in the 80s underground music scene and how big REM was about to become with albums like Document and Automatic for the People.
Favorite song: Radio Free Europe
Least favorite song: Shaking Through
Glam metal, man. Some of the tunes here hold up well, some don’t. This has arguably my favorite Van Halen song on it, but I don’t come back to this album that often really. The guitar tones by Eddie Van Halen are pretty crazy on this album but I prefer Van Halen 1 I think.
Favorite song: Panama
Least favorite song: I’ll Wait
Funky funk funk funk. This is a disco masterpiece, obviously. It’s got R&B, Disco, Pop, a whole bunch of stuff. The bass playing and production is what really stood out to me. I don’t think I can really state the impact that this album made on popular music going forward.
Favorite song: Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough
Least favorite song: Girlfriend
This reminded me of the band Talk Talk a lot. Complicated, well-produced pop music. The song structures are something I haven’t really heard before. I like the first half of this record quite a bit. And Hoo boy those basslines.
Favorite song: A Walk Across The Rooftops
Least favorite song: Easter Parade
This is a jazz fusion masterpiece. The guitar work on this is superb and the instrumentation is just sublime. I can listen to this record over and over. I don’t have much else to say really.
Favorite song: Willie The Pimp and Peaches En Regalia
Least favorite song: None boy
Holy cats, I didn’t listen to this record for a long time and I love it. The stories of blue collar families being downtrodden is incredibly sad but I really like Bruce’s voice on this album. This is super intimate and I really like it.
Favorite song: Atlantic City
Least favorite song: Open All Night
I thought the second half of this album was stellar baroque pop. Lush strings, great singing and interesting lyrics to boot. I like Scott Walker’s early stuff a lot. This makes me want to listen to his early stuff.
Favorite song: The Old Man's Back Again (Dedicated to the Neo-Stalinist Regime)
Least favorite song: On Your Own Again
One of the greatest punk albums ever created. Also one of the best debuts ever. I’ve listened to this record countless times and it really makes me feel like I’m in London in the 70s. Joe Strummer’s snarling, angry voice perfectly compliments Mick Jones sweet melodic vocals and the playing is the right balance of melodically interesting and aggressive. No secret that the Clash are one of my favorite bands.
Favorite song(s): Police and Thieves, Janie Jones, London’s Burning
Least favorite song: Deny, I guess
It’s a psycho billy freak out! The Cramps, one of the best live bands ever. They used to go absolutely wild on stage and Lux Interior is one of the craziest frontmen I’ve ever scene. They clearly love punk, garage and surf music and I love it too. This record got a whole bunch of weirdos into punk music and I’m grateful for it.
Favorite track: Garbageman
Least favorite track: Sunglasses After Dark, I suppose
Taking over where Lynyrd Skynyrd left off. This album has a really interesting concept and I like the difference in the two singers voices (although I prefer the one that sounds like he gargles nails every morning). This has some truly rocking tunes on it and I think I’m going to revisit it at some point. My only complaint is that it is a bit long but honestly I didn’t mind.
Favorite song: Ronnie and Neil
Least favorite song: Moved
The album that bridged power pop and CBGBs for the masses. Had two huge hits on it and was solidly produced. The instrumentation on this album is really good for music of this type. Blondie is always really good to come back to at any time.
Favorite song: Heart of Glass
Least favorite song: Sunday Girl
Yep, this is definitely 80s Aerosmith. Eesh. Love in an Elevator and Janies Got a Gun were the big hits on this record. Of all the Aerosmith records to choose for this list, this is a strange choice. This record is pretty meh.
Favorite song: Love in an Elevator(?) I guess
Least favorite song: F.I.N.E.
This cover does not tell you how FUNKY this album is. I really enjoyed this, new wave with that funk influence. This reminds me a lot of Orange Juice. The instrumentation for a bunch of white boys from England was a pleasant surprise. Dug it, will listen again.
Favorite song: Favourite Shirts (Boys Meets Girls)
Least favorite song: Calling Captain Autumn
Elvis is on fire here. I had heard some songs off this album before but holy smokes I liked this record. His voice is fried but it suits the songs that he is singing very well. The playing on this album is insane for an Elvis record. The focus is supposed to be on him but I couldn’t help but wander to the bass and guitar parts holding it together. This is an incredible Elvis record and I liked it a lot.
Favorite song: Suspicious Minds
Least favorite song: Daddy Don’t Cry
The first reggae album that we have on the list. It’s an instant classic from Bob Marley and his band. The bass on this record is is pretty prominent and I like it a lot. I don’t think this is my favorite Bob record but I do like it.
Favorite song: Stir It Up
Least favorite song: Stop That Train
If you want to talk to me about this album, shoot me a text. There’s too much to say here. This album is near perfect.
Favorite song: all of them
Least favorite song: probably Revolution 9, but even then I still dig it
The flows on this are mean and clean. The production by Cut Chemist is really stellar and I loved all the sample. I love Charlie 2na on this record and this has that classic Jurassic vibe in it.
Favorite song: A Day at the Races
Least favorite song: After School Special
This is probably Mercury Rev’s most popular record and for good reason. The amalgamation of alternative rock, pop tendencies and weirdo instrumentation is pretty great here. I had heard some Mercury Rev before this but never a full album, glad I listened to this one.
Favorite song: Goddess on a Hiway
Least favorite song: Delta Sun Bottleneck Stomp
I forgot how funny this record is. There’s a ton of skits but the lyrics are really meant to be offensive and hilarious. Obviously has that jazz rap, boom nap production which is right up my alley. Do I prefer this over Tribe? Probably not. But does it rank as one of the best jazz rap records ever made. Most certainly.
Favorite song(s): I’m That Type of Ni**a and Passin’ Me By
Least favorite song: Pack the Pipe
I listened to the Afghan Whigs full records as a part of another list I’m taking on and I think this one is the best. Mixture of soul, R&B, post punk and alternative rock to make an interesting genre all their own.
Favorite song: Debonair
Least favorite song: Fountain and Fairfax
One of the most influential albums of the 80s. There would be no Nirvana, Radiohead, Strokes, etc. without this band or this record. Loud quiet loud, baby. This is a top to bottom masterpiece of noise, melody and killer production. Black Francis’ voice on this is shredded and Kim Deal is just the coolest bass player ever.
Favorite track(s): Debaser, Tame, This Monkey’s Gone to Heaven
Least favorite track: No 13 Baby
Probably the best Van Halen album. The first side of it, for glam metal, is probably as good as it gets but that’s not saying much. I think the guitar playing is obviously stellar but the singing isn’t really my thing.
Favorite song: You Really Got Me
Least favorite song: Ice Cream Man
I had heard “Satan Is Real” which is a banger but had not heard this one before. I thought it was much of the same 50’s doo wop country which I really like. I like the stories on this album and a lot of the music they played was traditional tunes that have been around for a long time. Their voices work really well together.
Favorite song: Knoxville Girl
Least favorite song: Alabama
Whether you know it or not, you’ve heard part of this record. Smoke on the Water and Highway Star are two songs that are fully engrained in our culture and it is hard to escape them, for better or worse. This is a pretty short record (especially for 70s hard rock). I’ve listened to other Deep Purple and I think I prefer some of their other output, but this is a good starting point. The organ tones on this are something to behold.
Favorite song: Smoke on the Water (cliche I know but the riff is still killer)
Least favorite song: Lazy
A really solid neosoul record. Had some great grooves and the singing was on point. I’d say it’s downfall would be some of the songs aren’t that memorable and the length is a bit daunting for this music but overall enjoyed this one.
Favorite track: Dance or Die
Least favorite track: Neon Valley Street
D’ya like the flute? The Tull certainly does. Is this their best record? No. Is this a good record? That is for you to determine. I liked about half of this and the other half is what I would expect from a 1970’s prog-folk band. I can’t really say I’d come back to this (try Thick as a Brick instead), but it was an enjoyable listen. The changes in time and feel on the title track are a definite highlight.
Favorite track: Aqualung (I mean cmon)
Least favorite track: Hymn 43
One of the most important hardcore punk records from one of the most important hardcore punk bands. There’s reggae, punk, rock, metal and all kinds of genres on this. I think I like Banned in DC better but this is a great listen.
Favorite track: I Against I
Least favorite track: Return to Heaven
One of the quintessential Brit pop albums. This rivaled Blur and Oasis at the time of its release and it is easy to see why. Catchy, suggestive lyrics, great playing and pop hooks a plenty. I really like listening to this album when I’m not sure what to listen to. Jarvis Cocker is a great lyricist.
Favorite song: Common People
Least favorite song: Bar Italia
This is is, this is the one. This and Kind of Blue. If you had to pick two jazz albums to take with you before jazz disappeared, it’d probably be one of those. It’s truly an achievement in sound, playing, recording, all of it. It’s no wonder this is cited in so many lists.
Favorite song: all
Least favorite: none
A fuse of metal and grunge that brought Alice In Chains to the mainstream. For a mainstream record in the 90s though, this was a pretty stark and gnarly album. I do like Layne Staley’s voice and quite a few of the songs, but some of them just don’t have the memorability that I thought they might have. I still tend to prefer Nirvana and Soundgarden over AIC.
Favorite song: Rooster
Least favorite song: Hate to Feel
If you’re going to pick hip hop/rap albums as the Mount Rushmore of influence, this album would be on there. Seamlessly melding rap and rock to create a hybrid that really had not been heard before, Run-DMC and Rick Rubin produced a sound that would be copied, chopped, skewed and scrambled into different hip hop records for years to come. This album may sound a bit dated, but that the time it was groundbreaking.
Favorite song: My Adidas
Least favorite song: I get sick of Walk This Way a lot
I dug this album. The new-psychedelic mix of electronica and trip hop was pretty good. Reminded me a lot of Primal Scream, just not as interesting. I still enjoyed the listen though, it was good rhythmic background music.
Favorite song: Dirge
Least favorite song: Death Threat
Man what a beautiful album. The guitar playing is superb, Beck’s voice is on point and I love the lushness of the strings. The sadness is palpable here and I don’t know if this is an album that I can come back to often for that reason. But I do love this record.
Favorite song: It’s All In Your Mind
Least favorite song: Little One (I guess)
A masterpiece of art rock weirdness. I almost like this record as much as Another Green World, but it just comes short. The synth sounds and pop hooks on this album are just sublime. A personal favorite of mine.
Favorite song: Backwater
Least favorite song: Through Hollow Lands
This is one of the defining albums of 80s New Wave. This is a big budget record with a big budget sound. The layers of synths and drum machines provide good color while their voices are clearly the focus when they’re present. Overall, very solid record.
Favorite song: Shout
Least favorite song: Broken
The dudes voice is FRIED on this record, but it makes it even more smooth somehow. Classic Motown basslines and instrumentation here. I mean, it’s the Temptations, cmon man.
Favorite track: Cloud Nine
Least favorite track: Love Is A Hurtin’ Thing
There are days when this is the best Jimi Hendrix record. Surely it has some of his best songs on it. The production and sound on this, for 1967, is HUGE. The stereo panning is a nice touch. It’s a succinct record that covers a lot of the sounds Hendrix was trying to make and isn’t as radio forward as his previous. This is a banger.
Favorite song: all of em baby
Least favorite song: none
You ever been to space? Like really went to space? This is what it sounds like. The almighty Hawkwind. The basslines are driving on this record. It would be an incredible show to witness. This record has space rock, psych rock, hard rock, blues rock, proto-punk and a whole bunch of stuff. This is one to come back to and always find something new.
Favorite track: Orgone Accumulator
Least favorite track: honestly can’t choose one
The master of rock n roll piano. The only song missing on this is Ain’t That a Shame. This is a good, short rocker that I can listen to over and over again. Also for being from the 50s, it is recorded very well.
Favorite track: Blueberry Hill
Least favorite track: You Done Me Wrong
Some late 70s funky R&B with some stellar bass. I think this record is up there with 70s funk which, although it is not my favorite, is a respectable period in music. Don’t have a lot else to say about this one.
Favorite track: Good Times
Least favorite track: A Warm Summer Night
This album spawned a million copycats. The lineage of influence you could draw from this record and the two that followed it is far and wide. This sounded like nothing else in 1969 and it still sounds incredible today. The fuzz guitar, Iggy yelping and screaming like a madman, a badass rhythm section. This is a classic. This isn’t even my favorite Stooges record either, or my second favorite.
Favorite track: I Wanna Be Your Dog
Least favorite track: psh there isn’t one
This is the album that sent the Black Keys into superstardom. The first half of this is single after single of pop-blues rock. I do think this album suffers from being too long and a lot of the second half could’ve been cut as b-sides. This isn’t my favorite Black Keys album, but is probably the one I’d recommend if somehow you had not heard them.
Favorite track: Sinister Kid
Least favorite track: Never Gonna Give You Up
This is (probably) the ultimate Cool Jazz record. Something you put on and sip a martini and cook a steak to. You can really hear the West Coast laid back playing on this as opposed to the busy New York playing that was coming out of Blue Note (although this was recorded in NYC). It produced 3 jazz standards just on the first side for goodness sake.
Favorite song: Take Five and Blue Rondo à la Turk
Least favorite song: don’t really have one
I enjoyed this. I think I prefer Pure Heroine as it is a little darker and (dare I say it) a little less melodramatic. Jack Antonoff produced this (he produces a lot of these types of records) and you can hear his influence on this as well as albums by Lana Del Rey too. This was an easy listen for the morning.
Favorite song: Hard Feelings/Loveless
Least favorite song: Liability
Imagine recording this when you’re 17? Like that’s all you need to know about this record. This record is so smooth and for 1962 was largely new landscape for soul and R&B. You can put this on at any time and you know you’re going to have a good time.
Favorite song: Green Onions
Least favorite: honestly didn’t have one
Tommy boy. Some would say his finest hour (depends on who you ask), but this is when he started to get really weird, which I dig. His voice is a point of contention for a lot of people but I really like it. This album has everything that Tom had done until that point: sultry ballads, driving blues, poetry, strange, world-influences and weirdo lyrics. I like this album a lot but I think Rain Dogs just edges it out for this era of Tom.
Favorite track: 16 Shells From a Thirty-Ought Six
Least favorite track: Trouble’s Braids
Probably my favorite Beck album. It’s what he’s known for, genre-surfing. It’s got hip hop, acoustic, electronic, indie rock, all of it. If you are going to recommend a Beck album, it’s most likely this one.
Favorite track: Devil’s Haircut
Least favorite track: Computer Rock
Depeche Mode when they started to get REALLY big. Personally I prefer Violator, but this is a solid listen. Dark synth-pop that filled stadiums all around the world. I could come back to this one.
Favorite song: Sacred
Least favorite song: Behind The Wheel
I dig this. Her voice might not be for everyone but I think it does the 90s, young woman angst pretty well. Also more than half of this record is singles that were incredibly successful. The main focus is her lyrics but the playing on this record is nothing to slouch over either (Flea makes an appearance). Overall, solid 90s album.
Favorite song: You Oughta Know
Least favorite song: Not the Doctor
What’s not to like? I mean this is probably the ultimate “indie” record. Slacker vibes galore, messy guitars that always somehow end up on beat, bursts of noise and energy followed by moments of calmness. I really like this record a lot. One of my favorites.
Favorite song: Range Life
Least favorite song: There ain’t one
I’m fairly certain I’ve heard every song from this album in classic rock radio at some point. It turned the Cars into megastars in the 70s into the 80s and I can see why. Pop-rock radio friendly hits for the whole family. Got some cool guitar tones and synth sounds to boot.
Favorite song: Just What I Needed
Least favorite song: Bye Bye Love
This is the beginning of superstardom for the Carpenters. Their mix of pop, soft rock and folk with some sweet harmonies is undeniable here. That being said, is this the best Carpenters album? Probably not. Will I constantly come back to this one? Also probably not. However, the influence of the Carpenters can be heard throughout the rest of the 70s and Karen Carpenter is a badass. Her story is a roller coaster if you’re ever interested.
Favorite song: Help (good Beatles cover)
Least favorite song: Mr. Guder
The first 4 Scott albums are pretty hard to beat in therms of theatrics and baroque pop uniqueness. This album has basically every instrument you can think of on it and some you didn’t. The lyrics are interesting (if not controversial) which makes this record deeply layered and fun to relisten to. I still think I like Scott 3 better, but this one is good too.
Favorite track: Jackie
Least favorite track: The Bridge
The best Green Day album bar none. It’s filled with some overplayed classics and some underrated gems. This is the only one I listen to and it’s good when I don’t know what to put on. I think most people have heard the singles from this album but it goes deeper than that for me.
Favorite song: She
Least favorite song: All By Myself
This album is darker than vantablack. The opening track, when I first heard it, was one of the most emotive and dark things I had ever heard. When you know the story of Ian Curtis and read into the lyrics on this record, it is basically a cry for help. This is a perfect record for me.
Favorite track: all
Least favorite track: none
I mean cmon, this album is basically a 10/10. It comes close to Aja for me but doesn’t quite surpass it. Jazz rock perfection.
Favorite song: Rikki Don’t Lose That Number
Least favorite song: None
