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Wed Jan 13 2021
Kid A
Radiohead
I mean, c'mon.
5
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Thu Jan 14 2021
Ace of Spades
Motörhead
I had only heard "Ace of Spades" the song from the album, maybe one other. This would be perfect music for a dive-bar, like North Star or something. Beyond that, all the songs basically are the same tempo, same drum pattern, same style. There is something to that, but it doesn't do much for me just listening intently. As a live show, I could see the appeal. Some of the song titles/themes are gross.
2
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Fri Jan 15 2021
Let's Get It On
Marvin Gaye
Ahhh. I have only heard "Let's Get It On" the song in a joke context, so kind of fun to listen to it without that. It's a nice song though. I love the trumpets.
1. First two tracks are a little too similar.
2. "If I Should Die Tonight" has a niiiice silky smooth groove. Those horns tho.
3. "Keep on Gettin' It On", meh. Obviously just trying to repeat the theme of "Let's Get It On" for some reason. I would of not included this at all.
4. "Come Get to This" is a bit more jaunt-y fun. Like walking down a city street with a spring in your step.
5. At this point, I kind of dropped off. Hah.
Thematically it's a bit worn out now though, like I couldn't seriously play this for seduction without laughing. Remember "Delilah" on the radio? Reminds me of that love-y soft-rock. I think there's better Marvin Gaye than this album.
3
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Sat Jan 16 2021
Entertainment
Gang Of Four
Never heard of them before, but looking at the cool cover I knew it had potential to be interesting. Initial vibe was like "is this punk?". Sorta, but a little more "off". I like it. Parts of the energy remind me of RCE actually, the social commentary part of it. I like it. I'd probably give it a 3.5 but I'll round up.
4
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Sun Jan 17 2021
Meat Is Murder
The Smiths
I've never listened to the album before, but I've heard some of the tracks. I love "The Headmaster Ritual". The rest are just ok. I'd prob give this a 3.5 but I am barely rounding down to 3.
3
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Mon Jan 18 2021
Sunshine Superman
Donovan
3
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Tue Jan 19 2021
Dance Mania
Tito Puente
It's alright. I can appreciate it but nothing I'd listen to on my own. Good background music. I'm no salsa dancer but I'm sure this would be fun to dance to.
3
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Wed Jan 20 2021
Electric Warrior
T. Rex
I have definitely heard some of these tracks, but never knew they were T. Rex. Another artist I'm aware of but haven't listened to much. I like it but not sure I'd listen to it on my own. Reminds me of a very subdued Queen, which makes sense considering T.Rex is considered Glam Rock. 3.5 rounded down to 3. It's a liiiiittle too poppy than I would like. I could see why some would rate it 4 or 5. Fav tracks: Monolith
3
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Thu Jan 21 2021
Live And Dangerous
Thin Lizzy
I wish there was a video version of this. Pretty good for a live version on these songs. I feel like this is the type of music that sounds amazing in person but back on the computer I'm like... ehhh. I only knew "The Boys are Back in Town", which I didn't even know that was Thin Lizzy.
3
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Fri Jan 22 2021
Rising Above Bedlam
Jah Wobble's Invaders Of The Heart
Initial cover art I was like "oh boy, this is either Hip Hop or something really dumb". Immediate thought listening was: is this the eponymous category of "World Music"? Also surprising that the guy named "Jah Wobble" is white, heh. Guess he was part of Public Image Ltd. It feels like this is using various sources of music, instruments, etc without any conclusion. Music that sounds just "there", feels very 90s Best Buy World Music CD section. I find it sort of cheesy. Especially the voiceovers. It's like, look at my super unique music cause I have these other instruments! Everything is so on-the-nose. The level of introspective goes as deep as a philosophy major in freshman year who smokes a lot of pot and thinks they are super smart, braaah.
2
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Sat Jan 23 2021
Nilsson Schmilsson
Harry Nilsson
First song is like, 70s Tom Goes. His take on "Get Ready".
Joking aside, this is pretty easily listening, just throw it on in the background and it'll be fine. Very Radio friendly. Beyond that, doesn't do much for me. I can tell he's got some talent, but not exactly my cup of tea. I wouldn't reach for the radio dial to turn it to something else though.
Oh and I have heard "Without You". Very Beatles-esque. I like the harmonies, actually. This one might be my fav on the album, but it's a bit cheesy, but it's earnest so I can't fault it. This was prob the movie/breakup song of the year.
Oh god I have heard "Coconut". Not a fan. I remember Coke used it for their Coke with Lime (Put the lime in the coke, you nut). Pretty good ad, actually. It's on YT.
"Jump in the Sea" instrumentation is pretty good actually, thought it was a different band that came up through Spotify. The lyrics/vocals bring it down for me though.
Really hard to rate, but 2.5 rounded up to 3 for me.
3
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Sun Jan 24 2021
Copper Blue
Sugar
Meh. Pretty generic 90s alt-rock. Definitely the thing you heard on the radio in the 90s. Not sure what to say, but it's... there. I don't remember any of this either.
2
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Mon Jan 25 2021
Searching For The Young Soul Rebels
Dexys Midnight Runners
Totally melodramatic but sort of leaning into it, I like it??? The crooning vocals are so hamfisted but it sounds fun. I love the punk element. It's like punk D'Sievers. Like, this live would be a fun time with friends. I didn't know these guys were the ones who did "Come on Eileen" which is a banger. I agree with Jon that "Tell Me When My Light Turns Green" might be my fav, along with Geno. I'd prob give it a 3.5 but I'll round up to 4.
4
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Tue Jan 26 2021
Sign 'O' The Times
Prince
This is a hard one for me. I don't really like Prince as a whole. Mostly due to vocal deliveries and general style. He's obviously very talented in all aspects of music and music production, but the result isn't my cup of tea. Most of the instrumentation I like, but I enjoy it most when it's without the vocals.
Side note: When the track "The Cross" played I thought it was a completely different band that came up after the album ended. Probably my favorite track cause it's the least "Prince-like" on the album. I actually like the vocal delivery on this one.
It'd probably be a 3 or 3.5 but since I don't really "like" prince I will personally give it a 3. But, anything from 3-5 I think is justifiable.
3
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Wed Jan 27 2021
Smash
The Offspring
I have a soft spot for this album. Hearing "Self Esteem" on the radio was unique since it was so negative, which wasn't common in the 90s on Rochester's pop radio. I've heard maybe half of this album's tracks? Kind of reminds me of the Ace of Spades album by Motorhead, like all the songs kind of blend together but they got a thing going on and they are nailing what they are aiming for. Fast and loose. Would have been fun to listen to them in a dive bar before they got popular! I'd rate it higher than Motorhead since this feels like it aged better.
3
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Thu Jan 28 2021
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
WOAH "Fast Car" hit me in the nostalgia hard, I was like "omg what is this, I know this", super good. Like Jon said it's so honest/naked that it's kind of shocking especially at the time, this was a bit before singer/songwriter was so common. This performance on YT of her playing it for one of the first times just with acoustic guitar at Wembly is so cool, shes nervous and it adds to it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teZsA_ci-7E
If the rest of the songs matched "Fast Car" this could be a 4-5 from me, not something I'd listen to all the time but I can respect it.
But, the rest of the songs do nothing for me, which is a shame. Still I can respect it.
3
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Fri Jan 29 2021
Ocean Rain
Echo And The Bunnymen
Heh, I know "The Killing Mood" but I actually thought that was a recent indie band's song. That song aged pretty well, I like it.
There are some interesting instrumental ideas across the rest of the songs, but in general the vocals completely ruin it for me, it's all the bad parts of Bono and U2. Still, this whole album is pretty interesting for the time it came out. A bit unconventional 80s. Some of the guitars feel very Pink Floyd inspired. I'd personally prob rate it a 2.5 but I'll round up.
3
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Sat Jan 30 2021
The Downward Spiral
Nine Inch Nails
I've actually never listened to a full NIN album. Sonically I love everything that they are doing, synths, noise, distortion, it all sounds really good. Except, and this is a common sticking point for me, I do not like the vocals at all. If it was purely instrumental it would be a 4 for me. But, man the vocals feel like it's trying to be edgy but it's too "clean" sounding as well? I think some of the themes are kind of dumb like "Closer". Some of the quieter songs were nice, except again for the vocals. Really conflicted, but it's prob about a 3.5 but rounded down cause I don't really wanna listen to it on the regular.
3
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Sun Jan 31 2021
Berlin
Lou Reed
I don't think I've heard a full Lou Reed album either. I do not mind the style, but there are way better Lou Reed songs IMO. Nothing really grabbed me here.
2
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Mon Feb 01 2021
The Seldom Seen Kid
Elbow
Another band I heard of, but never listened to. Honestly musically they are good, some interesting progressions/melodies. However, thematically it completely falls flat for me. Most it sounds too "happy" for a sour old bastard like me, and the lyrics are seemingly one-dimensional in their focus on relationship woes. Also is very "produced" sounding and I like a little bit of rough edges, or at least something a little off. I can respect it, but not for me.
2
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Tue Feb 02 2021
American Idiot
Green Day
I never got into Green Day, but they aren't bad per say. I can appreciate the punk opera concept and I think the album starts strong but then fizzes out, like Jon said. It's not bad, but not my thing. I did get a bit tired of it towards the end, probably won't listen to it by choice, lots of the songs were played so much on the radio, so that's my association.
3
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Wed Feb 03 2021
Back To Black
Amy Winehouse
I don't know what it is, but I just can't get into Amy Winehouse. I think it's the vocal style. Nothing in it sounds "bad", but IDK. I would like it better with a different vocalist. Instrumentation is fine.
2
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Thu Feb 04 2021
Leftism
Leftfield
Not bad, I was coding and this was perfect for in the background. I'm sure there's some history here that's important but I typically don't get much out of typical house/techno unless it's live. I suppose 2.5 up to 3.
3
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Fri Feb 05 2021
Music for the Masses
Depeche Mode
I like Depeche Mode, but I do not love them. I think the vocals are too naked/clean/straight compared to the darkness of the sound for my taste. I don't think this is their strongest album. Just felt a little too dated, very 80s, a little cheesy at parts. I like the synths though!
I have heard "Behind the Wheel" before, prob one of the standouts. Nice driving beat. Also heard "Nothing" before too.
Really don't like "I Want You Now", those breaths are a biiiit much. Pimpf is sooo overdramatic.
"Agent Orange" was nice atmosphere. Kinda reminds me of a jam of ours without lyrics.
"Pleasure, Little Treasure" is kinda fun. I swayed my shoulders in a goofy way.
Pretty sure I've heard "Route 66". Had to look it up, but it's a cover. I'm guessing I'm getting into B-sides or something now.
"Stjarna" reminds me of like, FF7 music or something.
I can't believe they put a cover of Moonlight Sonata on here. Ballsy, but I am not a fan of something that popular being on an album as a cover unless it's a piano-focused album/cover album.
3
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Sat Feb 06 2021
No Sleep 'Til Hammersmith (Live)
Motörhead
About the same as last time, although maybe slightly better since there is some banter. I wonder if some of this is overdubbed? Pretty consistent with their album, so if no overdubs then they did a good job.
2
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Sun Feb 07 2021
Graceland
Paul Simon
Definitely like Simon & Garfunkel more than Paul Simon solo. Not my type of music here, all the parts of pop music that I hate. ;) I am sure there are people who really like Paul Simon but, not for me.
Oh god I just had a flashback to college freshman year where I knew a guy named Simon and whenever I saw him I said "Hey Simon, where's Garfunkel?". I can't believe he didn't punch me, I was an annoying piece of shit. I thought I was being clever.
2
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Mon Feb 08 2021
Palo Congo
Sabu
Doesn't do a whole lot for me, it's not offensive and just sorta there. It was in the background while I was coding and it wasn't the worst. Very rhythm heavy, obviously. But, ehh. I finished the album and some other random ones came up in the playlist by Sabu (Volvera for example), which were much more interesting.
2
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Tue Feb 09 2021
Blur
Blur
Blur is a band I've only heard a few songs of but always wanted to dig a bit deeper into. Song 2 I've heard a ton of, it sounds so 90s and captures that Nirvana-esque angst. I heard the rest of their stuff is a bit different, and so far I'm liking it!
Some really cool guitar stuff on this album too. Like that stuttery-effect on M.O.R. and the glitch guitar on On Your Own. I also like the singalong/gang vocals a lot. Reminds me a bit of some of our RCE energy actually.
"Movin' On" 2:42 sounds just like the Atari Punk Console from our songs! It might be a super fuzzed out guitar though, hard to know!
"Essex Dogs" intro with the drums coming in is siiick. It has the same Hot Team synth glide! This song even has a long freaky guitar part. I love this one.
On the Special Edition, some of the b-sides definitely sound jammy like Hot Team do.
If Blur used a drum-machine instead of live drums, I think you could make a case that RCE ripped off Blur.
This album is just fun energy, but has some interesting technical things going on as well.
4
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Wed Feb 10 2021
The Specials
The Specials
I think I have heard of this band, part of the first wave of ska revival I think? Never heard any of their songs though. Oh, I guess I have "Little Bitch", It had to look it up, but it was in DDR haha! Might have been a cover though. Also heard "Ghost Town" from another of their albums.
I do like ska though, I think it's fun. Not something I necessarily go out of my way to listen to, but if it comes on through the radio or online, I usually enjoy it.
Some really dumb songs in here though, like "Too Hot" and "Stupid Marriage". But, I guess it's all in fun.
Apparently they even have a song called "Rat Race" haha.
Overall, the album is good but doesn't really blow me away, so 3.5 rounded down to 3.
3
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Thu Feb 11 2021
Wild Is The Wind
Nina Simone
I can appreciate Nina Simone, but it doesn't really do a ton for me.
3
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Fri Feb 12 2021
Pet Sounds
The Beach Boys
Sacrilege alert, but I just don't like The Beach Boys at all. It all sounds so cheesy to me. I get the music production and "wall of sound" history of the album, and for what it's doing in 1968 it's quite forward but... as a listening piece it does absolutely nothing for me. I would give it a 3* just for the techniques heh...
3
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Sat Feb 13 2021
Liege And Lief
Fairport Convention
I am not a huge classic folk fan, I had no listened to any of this band before. They have 26(!!) studio albums, so they have been going for a long, long time. For me, nothing in here is "bad", but listening to recordings does absolutely nothing for me. Listening live might be more fun. The vocalist is good, but very cookie-cutter "good singer' for me, I typically like "flawed vocalists".
3
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Sun Feb 14 2021
Dog Man Star
Suede
Pretty generic Britpop. Again, has some vocal parts that are very U2esque which I hate. There is some nice instrumentation going on, but this feels very 1994, so I guess I can't fault it too much.
3
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Mon Feb 15 2021
Moving Pictures
Rush
Admittingly not a huge fan of Prog Rock, but Tom Sawyer and YYZ are good songs. If the rest of the album had the same strength it would be a 4, but the others are quite cheesy to me. The guitar work and synths are good though, but the vocals can either be great or... very hammy.
3
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Tue Feb 16 2021
Fear Of Music
Talking Heads
Talking Heads is a band I have not dived into much, although I know they are a big influence on a bunch of bands I like (Radiohead especially, considering they took their name from a Talking Heads track).
I am not a huge fan of the singer's voice when it's straight, but after a few listens its acceptable to me now. Some crazy instrumentals and interesting progressions. I can appreciate some of the experimental/different instrumentation/tempo/key changes. For 1979 it's quite forward thinking. I can definitely see the influence it had on Radiohead.
Part of the vocal stylings/delivery do remind me of RCE (Cities, Life During Wartime). I can see parallels with Jon's vocal delivery here. If I loved the vocals more it could be a 5. At first I thought I wouldn't listen again but I did it twice. With RCE there is a joke aspect that is fun, but here it's just commentary that is purely negative. I am listening to this one twice though, as it was a lot for just one listen. RCE could definitely cover one of these songs and it would be "on brand".
Fav Tracks: Life During Wartime, Memories Can't Wait
4
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Wed Feb 17 2021
E.V.O.L.
Sonic Youth
Don't know much Sonic Youth, but I enjoy the style. I'm not sure this is their finest work though, some of it doesn't do much for me. Love the lofi/feedback/dissonance parts of it, but overall there aren't any tracks on here that are ones I'd wanna go back to listen, except maybe "Shadow of a Doubt".
3
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Thu Feb 18 2021
Emergency On Planet Earth
Jamiroquai
It's not bad, not my style normally. Live I would prob like a lot more. Funky but nothing that was like "WOW THIS SLAPS". It's like... accessible Jazzy.
3
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Fri Feb 19 2021
Autobahn
Kraftwerk
Listened while working, which I think is kind of a perfect pairing for the repetition here. I read a bit about Autobahn and it's supposed to effect "like driving down the Autobahn" with the repetition and changes. The brief pauses and little changes after remind me of taking an exit ramp and getting onto some other road.
This is probably not my favorite Kraftwerk album (that is likely Trans-Europe Express), but it's probably up there. I haven't really listened to it much lately. I like the inclusion of some traditional instruments like flute, etc.
Mitternacht is a nice track, very moody. Reminds me of Berlin Era Bowie/Eno Side B tracks.
Morgenspaziergang electronic parts reminds me of some of my test equipment that I modified that does weird stuff. Fun! I do like the inclusion of traditional instruments on the album as a whole. I know this is kind of the last album they do that on.
4
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Sat Feb 20 2021
The Visitors
ABBA
I really don't know Abba, but this album was actually pretty happy and sounded OK??? I wouldn't listen to it on my own, but I can see why people would like it. I was doing cheesy dance moves/swaying cause it just pushed me to. It's so earnest and so 80s. It also sounds very theatrical. I am kind of surprised by some of the songs like "I Let The Music Speak", it sounds like it's made for a play. Fun fact: The Visitors was one of the first records ever to be recorded and mixed digitally, and also one of the earliest in history to be pressed on the CD format in 1982. They sure do like their harmonies.
3
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Sun Feb 21 2021
Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite
Maxwell
First impressions, oooh this is nice. Funky grooves. I do not know much of the genre "neo-soul". This does not sound like 1996 at all. Very modern sounding, if this is the original they did an amazing job in the production, sounds like a modern remaster. Love the bass on this, the piano, the synths, the sax. All the instrumentation is superb. Vocals are good, if not straightforward, but I would almost prefer it without. I like the falsetto parts, if it were more of that I'd be down. As the album went on I started to get kind of bored though.
3
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Mon Feb 22 2021
White Blood Cells
The White Stripes
I should probably listen to more of The White Stripes. I definitely enjoyed this. I like Jack White's vocals in general, and some of the jammy/off-kilter instrumentation at times was up my alley.
Hotel Yorba reminded me of a rocky Bright Eyes. Definitely fun.
I have definitely heard of "Fell in Love with a Girl". It's good. Not much else to say.
I liked Little Room a lot, simple fun.
The Union Forever might be one of my favs on this album. Goes a lot of places. Love the plain vocals/smacking of drum sticks after 2 minutes. Reminds me of that jam where I used the drumsticks against Tom's metal beam. :)
I Think I Smell a Rat. I mean RCE cover lol? In my mind I was dreaming up a businessman music video for this song.
Aluminum is enjoyably sort of experimental/off-tempo.
I could see people giving this a 5. But it's not my favorite style to listen to all the time, it's a time and a place for me. It was fun to walk to for suuure.
4
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Tue Feb 23 2021
Fear Of A Black Planet
Public Enemy
The definition of a mixed bag. I do not like Flavor Flav's schtick, I feel it totally waters the entire politically charged messages which I think are pretty good, I like Chuck D's delivery. From reading about Public Enemy it seems like Flavor Fav is sort of a hype-man for the group so I get it, it probably made sense and made them more popular, but in terms of the general "art" his inclusion drags it down. Welcome to the Terrordome, Brothers Gonna Work It Out, Contract On The World Love Jam - Instrumental, and obviously Fight the Power are the standout tracks.
3
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Wed Feb 24 2021
Before And After Science
Brian Eno
Vocals Brian Eno is not my thing. The only song I already liked was "By This River". This entire rest is... acceptable. Not much to say.
3
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Thu Feb 25 2021
Odessa
Bee Gees
My only knowledge of Bee Gees is their disco stuff. This seems like completely typical late 60s/early 70s easy listening rock/folk. It does not do much for me. It's not offensive, but it moves me not. Vocals are fine, instruments are fine, but I'm completely ambivalent. 2.5 down to 2.
2
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Fri Feb 26 2021
Viva Hate
Morrissey
I did not give this a fair shake, but I am not in the mood for Morrissey at all, lol. This feels like more of the same, maybe a little weaker than the last one we listened to. It's all fine, nothings bad... I will give it 3* since I feel like it's more my mood that isn't into it.
3
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Sat Feb 27 2021
On The Beach
Neil Young
This one has a bittersweet sentimental association for me. Maria (remember her?) really liked this album, and I got it for her on vinyl for her birthday. It's not tainted by that association, but my mind associates a few songs on this album with her. I knew of Vampire Blues, See The Sky About to Rain, On the Beach, Revolution Blues before though. On the Beach is my favorite. I'm a total clichè, but Thom Yorke has a nice cover of it, which is how I first heard it, lol: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHaqT3CcZfw I actually think the original may be better, it has a nice chill/vibey feeling.
I actually don't know much Neil Young. In some ways, this is a 5* album. But, it's not one I listen to all the way through. So, probably closer to 4* for that reason.
4
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Sun Feb 28 2021
Off The Wall
Michael Jackson
Test for edit later.
3
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Mon Mar 01 2021
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath
The sort of music I was warned against as a kid as demonic! That cover art is great. Haven't heard all of the tracks except The Wizard, Wasp, never knew it was Sabbath actually. Also forgot Ozzy Osbourne was the singer in Sabbath. First one starts very Sludge/Doom Metal (was a genre born from this single song?). Second is much more up-beat... by metal standards. The entire album reminds me of growing up and hearing the bus drivers play "Laser 101.7" on the radio (Rochester classic rock station). Rest is pretty typical Sabbath, but I enjoyed it. I think the shortness of this album helps it actually, a preview of what's to come. 3.5 up to 4.
4
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Tue Mar 02 2021
More Songs About Buildings And Food
Talking Heads
First impressions are that this is leading up to "Fear of Music", which we reviewed already. Same themes/ideas but not as fleshed out to my taste. Some of the same lyrics even! Fear of music is definitely better.
3
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Wed Mar 03 2021
Arc Of A Diver
Steve Winwood
80s cheese to the max. Soft-pop-rock. The only redeeming quality is it's hilarious since it's so straight. I'd love it in a cheesy 80s movie, but I'd never ever want to listen to it beyond that. I guess a time and a place. In some ways I can respect it for how uncompromising it is. This is one I turned on "Private Listening" on Spotify so it doesn't ruin my algorithm. I guess I have heard the track "Valerie" and "Higher Love" but those are on different albums.
2
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Thu Mar 04 2021
Being There
Wilco
Is this the first breakout success for Wilco? I know Misunderstood, I like this one, teenage me would have ate it up. I always viewed Wilco as a band that has a theme of feeling like they are too old/missed the boat and are the old-guard that doesn't quite fit in and is coming to terms with that through their lyrics, kind of like Future Islands and Sun-Kil Moon. I don't know, it's a bit boring to me? It's not bad, just I can't relate (yet).
3
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Fri Mar 05 2021
Paul Simon
Paul Simon
I think this album is better than Graceland, for me. Also there is a lyric that said "Queen of Corona" and I did a double-take. The songs feel a little more personal/gritty than Graceland. Some neat instrumentation on this album as well. Still nothing I'd personally listen to a lot, but I could see a few of these songs gracing a playlist of mine somewhere.
3
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Sat Mar 06 2021
The Wall
Pink Floyd
Conceptually I think it's cool, but execution wise there are a lot of tracks I wouldn't care to listen to. I don't enjoy listening to kids sing for example, but thematically it's great. Very rock-opera, very Queen. There are standout tracks like "Comfortably Numb", "Another Bring in the Wall, Pt. 2", "Goodbye Blue Sky", "Another Brick in the Wall, Pt. 3". Really hard to rate this one. It could easily be a 4-5. But, I'm leaning 3.5 rounded up to 4. I did a deep dive reading up on Pink Floyd and Syd Barret, since I actually don't have much of a Pink Floyd knowledge. I should probably watch the film.
4
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Sun Mar 07 2021
Cee-Lo Green... Is The Soul Machine
Cee Lo Green
I do find Cee-Lo Green's vocal styles kind of interesting, he has an interesting cadence and good range. There is some neat instrumentations/flows here but, not quite the potential it could be, weighed down by some of the themes. Not my jam, but not bad.
3
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Mon Mar 08 2021
Picture Book
Simply Red
First song was 80s cheese. Then 2nd is sorta Soul and live?
What the hell is Jericho's lyrics?
Personal enjoyment would be a like a 2. But it's to be objective I guess a 3. He's not a bad singer and nothing is bad, but absolutely not my music.
3
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Tue Mar 09 2021
Daydream Nation
Sonic Youth
For some reason I didn't enjoy this one as the previous Sonic Youth albums. I think I like the female vocalist more than the guy. It got a little better as it went on. I like the long noisy instrumental at the end of The Spawl, for example. It sounds very mid 90s post-punk so I guess at 88' they maybe defined this sound? With more heavy distortion front-and-center, 'Cross the Breeze would sound like a metal song interestingly. Lyrically it feels a bit juvenile, very HS writing feeling. I will say this album has quite a range of styles in terms of instrumentation and it's all interesting to me. 3.5 down to 3.
3
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Wed Mar 10 2021
New Forms
Roni Size
When the drums started I was like "alright this is not bad." Hip hop but sorta jungle electronica-ish? Not bad to have on in the background while working (which I am doing now). I like New Forms... uh huh, uh huh, uh huh. Reminds me a bit of DJ Shadow, there's a darkness here that I like. Oh shit this is the 2hr album. I did enjoy it, but Jungle/DnB is very draining lol, but I was working and trying to stay awake so it worked well. 3.5 up to 4.
4
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Thu Mar 11 2021
If I Could Only Remember My Name
David Crosby
First thought was "is this country?" "Oh it's more folk I suppose". I know the name David Crosby but don't know his music. I like Cowboy Movie, some nice energy here. Then I didn't enjoy the rest as much. Not bad, but nothing that jumped out for me.
3
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Fri Mar 12 2021
Madman Across The Water
Elton John
Hold Me Closer, Tony Danza. This is a tough one since my first impression was "Oh, great. Elton John". But even listening to Tiny Dancer I was thinking "Y'know, this song is actually really good. It's just I've heard it so much it's lost any novelty. If I heard this the first time I would be blown away." So many details/harmonies/production things going on in this track. It's like Elton John's "Hey Jude" for me. I've actually heard more of these tracks than I thought. I can't deny that this album is very, very good. It doesn't necessarily match my tastes though.
3
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Sat Mar 13 2021
Younger Than Yesterday
The Byrds
From David Crosby to The Byrds! I don't know much about them, but it feels like they are trying to be like early Beatles. Then I heard the end of C.T.A - 102 and WTF. Is that like Crazy Frog in my right ear? Bizarre. Renaissance Fair is not too bad, a bit of Simon & Garfunkel vibes. Everybody's Been Burned has a nice slightly down-tempo vibe. Another very S&G feeling track. I like the guitar work here. Almost reminds me of a Radiohead guitar track with the two panned guitars playing different things. Thoughts & Words is not bad either. The album seems to be getting better as it goes, at least for me. Not a huge fan of the right-panned drums. I assume this must be an early stereo-remaster where they feel they must pan things hard left and right. Some nice reverse tape echo effects here, probably quite unique for the time. Well, theres a few tracks after this that don't do much for me either. Ended up being just okay.
3
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Sun Mar 14 2021
Dirty
Sonic Youth
Man we are getting all the Sonic Youth these days. Again, the guys vocals are not my thing and that again was the first thing that struck me on the first track. Production clarity has definitely gone up, for better or worse. I kind of hated the female "I love you I love you I love you" on Drunken Butterfly. Live and super loud is how I'd like this music for the most part. Yeah overall I dislike this album the most of Sonic Youth. It's very middle-school-feelings. Looks like Tom listened to the Deluxe Version, even the normal versions too long for me here. I mean, I like doom and gloom and this isn't their best work, for sure. The best track is "Sugar Kane", and you know I don't like the guys voice really.
2
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Mon Mar 15 2021
Vivid
Living Colour
At first I was like, ehhh generic 80s-90s "classic/hair metal rock" sound, but it got better as it went on. It's cool that they were pioneers for people of color in this genre though. I guarantee many racists listened to this band, found out they were black, and were like "I'M SO CONFLICTED". Listened to some live performances on YouTube and they seem to get much heavier and more interesting to me. I can see some RATM vibes, I'm guessing they were influenced by LC a bit. Lyrics seem to be a bit socially conscious which is nice to hear. I have heard "Cult of Personality", not a huge fan. I've heard Desperate People, that one is not bad, cool guitar work. Overall very good control of his voice, but not my type of vocals. I got to Memories Can't Wait and was like HOLD ON A SEC. Man, many people covering Talking Heads from our list so far.
3
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Tue Mar 16 2021
We Are Family
Sister Sledge
Funkayyyyy Discoooo. First track is quite nice. Then it sort of went downhill for me. Not bad at all, just not my thing. I feel like a broken record with that phrase.
3
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Wed Mar 17 2021
This Is Hardcore
Pulp
Strong start instrumental. I know a few Pulp songs (Common People, Disco 2000) and those are pretty good. First track is pretty good. I like that background vocal ahhh-ohhh. The e-bowed/sustained guitar that sounds synth-y is nice. First track reminds me of early Muse actually, mostly the falsetto and electric guitar. Nice outro too. One thing I like is watching Pulp video, cause the singer is quite an expressive performer, although some of it is likely cause he is so damn British, if he were American I'd probably be annoyed. I'm switching over to the deluxe version now cause I'm curious. Well, that was maybe not the best decision. After the first song the album has fallen off for me, shame. Not a single other song does anything for me.
3
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Thu Mar 18 2021
Figure 8
Elliott Smith
Elliot Smith reminds me a lot of Bright Eyes, but I find him to be the nicer, gentler version. Nothing on the album did a whole lot for me, but nothing was bad. Very chill.
3
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Fri Mar 19 2021
Mermaid Avenue
Billy Bragg
First thought was "oh no is it Country?" but I see Wilco is on the album too so... maybe it's ok. Definitely have heard "California Stars", it's very nice. Apparently "Mermaid Avenue is a 1998 album of previously unheard lyrics written by American folk singer Woody Guthrie, put to music written and performed by British singer Billy Bragg and the American band Wilco." I wouldn't say anything in here did a ton for me though. It was not-offensive but this style of folk rock is maybe not my fav.
3
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Sat Mar 20 2021
Tusk
Fleetwood Mac
I find Fleetwood Mac boring/uninspiring without Stevie Nick's vocals. So, some big duds on this album for me. Also, way too long. Rumors this ain't. A few ones I liked like Sara but beyond that, I'd never listen to anything on this album.
3
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Sun Mar 21 2021
Giant Steps
The Boo Radleys
Some interesting ideas, but the execution never hits for me. I don't mind the vocal style and sort of like it, but lyrically it's uninspired. Very early 90s sounding.
3
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Mon Mar 22 2021
Connected
Stereo MC's
I knew the first track, I like it. A few others are nice tasty jams, but overall a bit one-dimensional and got a bit bored by the 2nd half. 3.5 down to 3.
3
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Tue Mar 23 2021
American Pie
Don McLean
Another first track that everyone knows well, definitely heard this many many times so It's hard to objectively rate it. It's obviously a great song, but I am curious how the rest of the album will fare, not sure I've heard any of them. Oh guess I've heard Vincent. I remember when we got Napster and my dad downloaded a bunch of mp3s and I remember him listening to this song and singing along... wow memories. It's quite simple guitar folk overall, not bad. Kind of quaint, his voice is very pure and plain, there is a certain appeal to that.
3
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Wed Mar 24 2021
White Light
Gene Clark
It's a folk thing. It's fine. I have no feelings on it.
3
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Thu Mar 25 2021
Dare!
The Human League
I know The Human League were pioneers in this sound, but it never did a whole lot for me. I always found it a bit cheesy, I like the instrumentation more than than the vocal stylings, but even then it's a little cheesy sometimes as well.
3
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Fri Mar 26 2021
Another Green World
Brian Eno
I like this album a bit more, there are a few tracks that I already knew, but overall it's still just... okayish for me. 3.5 to 3.
3
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Sat Mar 27 2021
Hounds Of Love
Kate Bush
I like the concept/ideas Kate Bush does more than the execution, unfortunately. I really wanna like her, but it doesn't get there all the way for me. She's kind of a mix between Tori Amos and Bjork for me. "Running up that Hill" is a classic though, perfect 80s electronica-darkness. Definitely more of a Bjork fan here. 3.5 down to 3.
3
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Sun Mar 28 2021
Electric Ladyland
Jimi Hendrix
I think the guitar work on this is pretty good, and I think Jimmy Hendrix is actually a good singer/performer to my tastes, but this is likely an artist I'd much rather see live than listen back to. Some classics on this album make this one of his better albums, for sure. 3.5 to 3.
3
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Mon Mar 29 2021
Dear Science
TV On The Radio
Somewhere along the way I confused "TV on the Radio" with "Girl Talk", so I was surprised to hear more of an indie-rock sound. Digging the vocals. Some nice little flourishes/ear candy bits in a few songs as well. A little too straightforward for me in some ways though. 3.5 down to 3.
3
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Tue Mar 30 2021
Physical Graffiti
Led Zeppelin
I think Led Zeppelin are great, but for me they are just fine. I guess I like them, but not a band I go out of my way to listen to. I can't deny the greatness of this album though, it might just be because of how much Zeppelin I've heard over the years. Kashmir is a classic though. Jimmy Page is an awesome guitarist and Robert Plant has quite a unique voice. 3.5 up to 4.
4
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Wed Mar 31 2021
The Rising
Bruce Springsteen
I don't necessarily dislike Bruce Springsteen, but I find the most of this completely un-relatable for me. It's fine. It's fine. It's there.
3
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Thu Apr 01 2021
Exit Planet Dust
The Chemical Brothers
Not bad. Generally not something I listen to all the time, but I like it in the background while working. At a club or rave it would be fun for sure. Also TIL that this is considered "Big Beat", which I looked up on Wikipedia. At first I thought it was acid house. I do like the breakbeats.
3
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Fri Apr 02 2021
Lust For Life
Iggy Pop
I know of The Passenger, which I like. Sixteen is gross, obviously. I didn't know Bowie sang at all on this too (Tonight), I know this was the Berlin-trilogy time where they worked closely together. You can hear the Bowie touches a bunch of times. I generally like it, 3.5 but can't decide between 3 or 4. I will round up to 4 but I could go either way.
4
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Sat Apr 03 2021
B-52's
The B-52's
Another example of why this 1001 album process is great: listening to artists I wrote off completely. I just knew B-52s as Rock Lobster and Love Shack, which I didn't think are bad... but I feel like I've heard pop culture parodies more than the actual band. There is a proto-punk/surf aspect in here that is pretty neat. They definitely ride the humor line well, I see RCe parallels here. In fact, RCE probably wouldn't exist if not for bands like B-52s making humor in music a thing. Reminds me a bit of Devo as well. Fav track: Dance this Mess Around. 3.5 to 4.
4
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Sun Apr 04 2021
Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret
Soft Cell
I know of Tainted Love, which is probably one of my favorite 80s electronic-pop songs. Never heard the rest. It's uhhh a mix. Songs like Seedy Films and Sex Dwarf are thematically dumb. Instrumentally I like all that's going on, some of the vocals/noises are not great. I think I hate Sex Dwarf, haha. Don't want the sex noises and the phrase is kind of offensive. I guess it's based on a real headline the singer read. I am conflicted. Do I like it or hate it? Heard Where Did Our Love Go as a tail-end part of Tainted Love on some mixes.
3
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Mon Apr 05 2021
Club Classics Vol. One
Soul II Soul
It's alright, not a general fan but I can't say anything here is bad.
3
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Tue Apr 06 2021
Parklife
Blur
Had higher hopes for this one, but still plagues by symptoms of Brit-pop so this doesn't hit as well as their self-titled album. Trying to be critical of the system but still has that 90s optimism sound. Nothing really stands out in here to me.
3
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Wed Apr 07 2021
Halcyon Digest
Deerhunter
Strong start. Love that combo of up-front drum machine with very twangy acoustic guitar. I've definitely heard the first track. This sounds great. Distorted vocals and noisy elements are awesome, this is definitely up my alley. Deerhunter have described themselves as "ambient punk" according to Wikipedia, which I can see from this. Some of the tracks don't hit as hard, but "Earthquake", "Don't Cry", and "Helicopter" are very good. They all don't hit as well as those though, but still about a 3.5 to 4* for me.
4
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Thu Apr 08 2021
Hot Rats
Frank Zappa
I feel like I need to be in a smoky basement at a house party. Being buzzed AF and listening to this would be great. First track is quite fun, definitely some interesting things going on here. I am not very knowledgable of Zappa so I'm glad to listen to him deliberately. There is definitely a "jazz" feeling to things here, especially with the long solos and back and forth. Jamming for sure. I could see this construed as showing-off/mastubatory guitar-playing but from what I know of Zappa ego is not a huge thing in the playing. I could be wrong. I don't know. 7 minutes into Willie The Pimp and I'm ready to move on. Finally Little Umbrellas is different. Overall, it's not bad but doesn't do a whole lot for me right now.
3
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Fri Apr 09 2021
A Wizard, A True Star
Todd Rundgren
A name I've never heard before. Surprised to hear synths. Shit for 1973 this is quite modern with it's synth-explorations. Via Wikipedia: "The sound and structure of Wizard was heavily informed by Rundgren's hallucinogenic experiences. It was envisioned as a hallucinogenic-inspired 'flight plan' with all the tracks segueing seamlessly into each other, starting with a 'chaotic' mood and ending with a medley of his favorite soul song". Fascinating. Ok I just looked at the track list and I'm 4 songs in and thought I was still on track 1. Wow. "You Need Your Head" is crazy! I have a feeling I need to listen to this all again. Dogfight Giggle woooow lol. This is like some RCE mandatory overtime shit. This is a perfect follow-up to that Zappa album, there is much more "heart" in here for me, but I'm sure vocals help here. 3.5 to 4.
4
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Sat Apr 10 2021
Want Two
Rufus Wainwright
Good voice, but not the type of music I'd want to listen to. I have heard "The Art Teacher" before. His voice with another style of music would be interesting.
3
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Sun Apr 11 2021
First Band On The Moon
The Cardigans
Saccharinely sweet. I do like her voice though, but I might prefer it in a different context. No idea that "Lovefool" was this band, crazy. That Ironman cover was unexpected, kind of like it?
3
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Mon Apr 12 2021
Rum Sodomy & The Lash
The Pogues
Nope. I mean, it's not horrible, but it has even less value for me. If you want drunken Irish shindigs there are better options.
2
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Tue Apr 13 2021
Sheet Music
10cc
First song title... had promise. It's alright, a little hammy though. I like a lot of instrumentally what's going on here, but the lyrics and vocal contents drop it a point for me. Has potential, but not jiving with the result.
3
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Wed Apr 14 2021
Slippery When Wet
Bon Jovi
I don't love Bon Jovi. But, I get why people would like it. I can't deny You Give Love a Bad Name and Livin' on a Prayer are just kinda fun, the choruses are catchy. I don't mind his voice, it meets the super earnest party rock fuck ya brah attitude. This all sounds very 80s montage though, which I always think is dumb fun. Never would listen to any of it on my own, but if it came on I'd enjoy it for what is is... and move on.
3
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Thu Apr 15 2021
16 Lovers Lane
The Go-Betweens
Not bad. Kind of slightly different pop-rock. Not a ton of feelings but it's nice.
3
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Fri Apr 16 2021
To Pimp A Butterfly
Kendrick Lamar
Hard for me to rate, since hip-hop is typically not my jam. In terms of genre it's prob 4-5, but there is a lot going on here that I could dive deeper into, but not my cup of tea really. Definitely some interesting things here, so 3.5 up to 4.
4
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Sat Apr 17 2021
Signing Off
UB40
Did not realize UB40 sang political messaging, so a bit more respect to them. I'm not a huuuge fan of Reggae but as this goes it's pretty good. Reggae is kind of nice background music for me. It all is groovy and easy listening.
3
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Sun Apr 18 2021
Blood On The Tracks
Bob Dylan
Dylan is fine. I don't get into it. I can see the appeal but meh. Nothing stuck out on this album for me personally.
3
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Mon Apr 19 2021
Third/Sister Lovers
Big Star
Not bad, I knew the song "Holocaust" which is probably my favorite but... calling someone a Holocaust is maybe a bit much in respect to the actual Holocaust. 3.5 down to 3. I kinda like the singers voice but it doesn't go beyond that for me much.
3
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Tue Apr 20 2021
The Lexicon Of Love
ABC
Pretty 80s new-wave. I'm generally not a huge fan of new-wave, but this is pretty good in that regard. "Tears are Not Enough" and "Look of Love pt. 1" are prob the standouts for me.
3
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Wed Apr 21 2021
Odessey And Oracle
The Zombies
It's fine. I don't get into 60s pop-rock stuff. It's like Beatles-lite for me. I'd rather just listen to the Beatles.
3
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Thu Apr 22 2021
Music From Big Pink
The Band
Doesn't do a ton for me, but not bad. Some of the extra songs that weren't on the main release are kinda better, I like "Yazoo Street Scandal" but it's not on the Spotify default album.
3
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Fri Apr 23 2021
69 Love Songs
The Magnetic Fields
I got confused and thought this was "The Magnetic Zeroes" so I was expecting that ONE song.
Oh boy, these lyrics are a bit much. The singing is a bit too saccharine to me, but that's my bitter heart. Ugh, do I wanna listen to this for 3 hours though? I am gonna skip to "The Book of Love" which is their "hit" and see if I like it. Eh, not really. I am bailing on this. Also funny their 2020 album is called "Quickies" and is 47 min long, ha. I am not opposed to the length of the album if I enjoyed it... but it's just there. 2.5 to... 3. But just barely. I wouldn't be offended if it's on, but I would prob never choose to listen to it. Could work well for background music.
3
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Sat Apr 24 2021
Fragile
Yes
Hoooly shit. I only know the first song cause of the "To Be Continued" meme that went around a while back, never knew that was Yes. The bass slaps for sure. As far as 70s prog go, it's not bad. Not into the vocal stylings so much. Still nothing I'm that into.
3
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Sun Apr 25 2021
Phaedra
Tangerine Dream
Quintessential kosmiche of Krautrock. Had heard this album before but it's been a few years. From the original 4 track version there is not a single dud, haven't listened to the deluxe yet. Remix sounds very modern, but I'd be curious of how the original sounds. Still a touchpoint for anyone doing soundscapes/ambient/space music.
4
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Mon Apr 26 2021
Dig Me Out
Sleater-Kinney
I appreciate the aesthetic here. "Bedroom Production" style Punk/Riot Grrrl always works for me since it is still in many ways, a push back on the "Old Boys Club" of music. Interesting that one of the members was part of Portlandia which helped their revival. That said, I would much rather listen to this in a loud dive-venue, in my experience that's where this music has the most power. Listening to it outside of that just isn't the same. Live it would be 4/5, but recorded it's a 3/5. It is a little same-y as well, but again it works better as a live experience for me.
3
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Tue Apr 27 2021
You've Come a Long Way Baby
Fatboy Slim
"The Rockafeller Skank" and "Praise You" were the two songs I knew. I heard "Praise You" recently on the radio and didn't know it was FBS and thought it was a new artist, so I think a lot of this has aged well. I especially like the stutter-vocals on Praise You that keeps going for a long time, a technique I am surprised to not hear more often in music honestly. There is a playfulness in the tracks that I really appreciate, it's just fun music but also the breakbeats and DJ-style mixing adds a depth to it. There are some somewhat cheesy 90s sounding acid-techno style squelching synths that feel a bit dated, but this was the 90s. The deluxe edition is a bit too long though, I'd cut it down in half personally. But, that original length album exists, so that's the one I'd listen to as a first time listener. Still really hard for me to rate. It's a 3.5 in terms of enjoyment, but I will round up to 4.
4
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Wed Apr 28 2021
Time Out
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
I won't even pretend to have enough knowledge of Jazz to give it a proper rating. It's a 3.5 up to 4 for listening purposes, but I know a few of these songs are so iconic I'd imagine this is objectively a 5, but for my personal tastes I can't quite go there. No surprise, but Take Five is my favorite.
4
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Thu Apr 29 2021
The Score
Fugees
Oh shit, this is actually pretty good. I know the name but my hip-hop knowledge is quite lacking. I know "Killing Me Softly With His Song" which is great, but I enjoyed "How Many Mics". There is a chill jazzy-ness that is the backing feel for the vocals. Some of the other tracks fall a bit flat for me. Also, "The Beast" is a weird track with the "Chinese Restaurant" bit, like... is this offensive, IDK. It's dumb regardless. If this album was half as long it'd be better IMO, so 3*.
3
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Fri Apr 30 2021
Red Dirt Girl
Emmylou Harris
I don't know much Emmylou Harris, I know she is considered iconic in folk circles. I like her voice, definitely heard it on other collaborations. A lot of these tracks are just sort of "there" for me though, nothing that really jumps out to me. Very chill, not bad.
3
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Sat May 01 2021
Bridge Over Troubled Water
Simon & Garfunkel
I get why people like S&G, but most of the songs are boring to me. Bridge Over Troubled Water is a prime example, lots of people like it but I'd rather listen to something like "The Boxer". There are a few Simon & Garfunkel songs that I really like, but there are a lot on this album I don't care for at all. Nothing is bad here, but personally listening enjoyment is a 3.
3
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Sun May 02 2021
Songs For Swingin' Lovers!
Frank Sinatra
Never got into Sinatra, but it's fine. I see why people like it, but not for me.
2
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Mon May 03 2021
You're Living All Over Me
Dinosaur Jr.
Had to give it a few listens. When it works for me, it works well. It feels like just a little bit more "off" and it would be bad, but it holds itself together for me just enough to be likable. Like on songs "Knacked" and "Sludgefest". The delivery on some songs like around 1 min+ on "Little Fury Things" is rough. But in general, I like the garage-lofi-distortion-noise onslaught. I'll have to dig into them a little more.
4
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Tue May 04 2021
Pornography
The Cure
I imagine if I was a little older and grew up listening to Cure as an adolescent I would be very into it, but it feels dark in a way that I (surprisingly) cannot connect with. I can respect it, but doesn't do much for me.
3
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Wed May 05 2021
Blackstar
David Bowie
Surprisingly experimental in some songs, considering this was his last album. Blackstar is a masterpiece. Lazarus is my 2nd favorite but a bit more straight-forward, I do like the transition around the lyrics "By the time I got to New York". Girl Loves Me is good too. Sue is the only track I feel isn't as good as the rest of them, the guitar just feels a bit cheesy, like it's trying to be heavy but it falls flat for me. But, for the real gems on this album, it pushes it up to 4.
4
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Thu May 06 2021
Low-Life
New Order
Heard a few of the tracks before "Love Vigilantes" and "Elegia". Beyond those two, doesn't do a ton for me. Not bad though.
3
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Fri May 07 2021
Groovin'
The Young Rascals
Another style of music I just don't care for. It's not bad, but not for me. Does nothing.
3
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Sat May 08 2021
Swordfishtrombones
Tom Waits
This is a pretty good album to encapsulate a lot of styles of Tom Waits. You got your bastards, your brawlers, and your bawlers. This is definitely an album that keeps you thinking "What could be next?". I had not listened to the entire album for probably at least 7 years, but I had fav'd at least half the tracks, but discovered some new ones that I really like to add. The only duds for me are "Town With No Cheer", I don't think it adds anything to the album nor the Tom Waits catalog. Frank's Wild Years in isolation is just a little dumb-fun story, but if I recall Frank is a character throughout Wait's career, so there might be something more interesting there chronologically. I was thinking this would be a 4, but I am thinking it's probably a 5 actually. Not something I want to always throw on, but I can't deny it's a great album.
5
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Sun May 09 2021
Lady In Satin
Billie Holiday
This is apparently her last album? You can hear the years worn on her, but that adds a kind of beautiful-tragicness to it. I like the 1st song the best. Really makes me want to go to a Jazz bar and just sit and take it all in. 3.5 to 3 since it's a bit one-dimensional.
3
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Mon May 10 2021
1977
Ash
Meh. Below-average punk-rock. A bit cheesy for me. I've heard "Girl From Mars", which is ok. It's fine but does not a whole lot.
2
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Tue May 11 2021
The Renaissance
Q-Tip
Definitely heard "Love Vigilantes" before, funny I think it was a cover Iron & Wine did. Elegia wow, definitely heard this before, I heard it in a trailer for "Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain" (video game). Besides those two, not much does anything for me here. Not bad.
3
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Wed May 12 2021
Pretenders
Pretenders
Did not know "Brass in Pocket" was Pretenders. Interesting, overall not bad but nothing that struck me as very interesting. I kind of like her vocal delivery though.
3
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Thu May 13 2021
Ray Of Light
Madonna
Surprised I knew a couple on here. Very plagued by the late 90s, but I do remember my mom singing "Ray of Light" in the car, which is hilarious now. I mean, it's alright but nothing great.
3
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Fri May 14 2021
Live At The Star Club, Hamburg
Jerry Lee Lewis
Some of the vocal little bits where he's just laughing or doing odd noises kind of annoy me, but I think I enjoy live Jerry Lewis more than recorded. Can't deny the legacy of Jerry Lewis. The funny thing is lots of this was likely scandalous and a "bad influence" on the youth.
3
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Sat May 15 2021
Greetings From L.A.
Tim Buckley
Some of the songs were great, but others are a bit underwhelming. I think I enjoyed Sweet Surrender, Hong Kong Bar, and Make It Right the most. If the rest of them would be as good as those, it would be a 4 but, 3.5 down to 3 for me.
3
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Sun May 16 2021
Kenza
Khaled
An interesting choice. I'm glad the list is not 100% English-centric, but it's hard to listen to this and "get it" as a non-Arabic speaker. The voice does sound familiar though. Really did not like the Beatles cover, but I'm guessing those who speak Arabic really appreciate it and maybe turned them onto the Beatles. 3* Cause I have no idea.
3
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Mon May 17 2021
Solid Air
John Martyn
Pretty chill. I can see John Martyn having a cult-appeal. Some neat experimentation going on here, but overall is just fine... doesn't do much beyond that for me.
3
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Tue May 18 2021
The Sensual World
Kate Bush
Again, I wanna like Kate Bush more than I do. A few nice tracks on here but... I wish I liked it more.
3
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Wed May 19 2021
Roots
Sepultura
I don't necessarily dislike Death Metal, and it's cool that they are from Brazil. Beyond that, it feels very typical heavy metal, a bit uninspired for me. Then again, I'm not a metalhead so :shrug:.
3
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Thu May 20 2021
461 Ocean Boulevard
Eric Clapton
Not bad but Eric Clapton reggae at times is kinda odd. It's fine but, IDK. Not sure what this version adds vs. Bob Marley and the Wailers. I didn't NOT enjoy it but... it's fine.
3
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Fri May 21 2021
Tommy
The Who
This was a trip down to Wikipedia. I can admire the idea of the rock opera, but in some ways this one feels a bit self-indulgent. It feels somewhat exploitive of the idea of a "deaf, dumb, blind kid" as well as abusive situations of said character. I doubt that was their intention, but it's a peculiar choice. I suppose it's "edgy" of those times, now it just feels kind of try-hard. I can definitely respect The Who going for it though, and I think it has artistic significance. No tracks I really dislike, but nothing really speaks out either, which I suppose is potentially good as a cohesive album. There are other rock operas I would rather listen to, but I can respect it.
3
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Sat May 22 2021
Nixon
Lambchop
I know of Lampchop from the Mr. M album, which I think I listened to cause of a Pitchfork review. First two tracks on this album I enjoyed, but as it went on some things didn't do much for me. I think I like his voice, but sometimes the falsetto is too much, in small doses I like it but, the way it's used gets a bit annoying.
3
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Sun May 23 2021
Nighthawks At The Diner
Tom Waits
Kind of a turning point for me within Tom Waits discography. This is the performance when he turns into the type of performer you hear from here onwards. This is as much of a mood-place as you can get. Instant smoky-jazz club. I want to live here. Every time I see a plate of eggs and sausage I think of Tom Waits now. I will say it's not an album I listen to much though, none of the songs are really best listened to in isolation, if I listen to this it's the entire album.
4
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Mon May 24 2021
Call of the Valley
Shivkumar Sharma
Relaxing. I can see how a lot of famous musicians around the time were influenced by this, probably their gateway into music from India and those Indian instruments.
3
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Tue May 25 2021
Kick Out The Jams (Live)
MC5
That first track is very RCE. I love it. Honestly this whole thing makes me miss live shows, I can't wait for their return. First 3 songs are very nice. The following songs aren't as good except for Motor City is Burning and Starship is.. I'm not sure, pretty indulgent but of 1969 probably way more novel. I think I like proto-punk. This could come out this year and I'd believe it.
4
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Wed May 26 2021
Scott 4
Scott Walker
I get why people like Scott Walker, a few of the tracks I ike but in general a bit underwhelming for me. On Your Own Again is probably my favorite track.
3
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Thu May 27 2021
Aladdin Sane
David Bowie
I liked more here than I thought. There's so much David Bowie blindspots I have, and while everything on this album isn't absolutely amazing, there is a lot of production and intent going on, nothing seems half-assed. I enjoyed the janky-ness of some of the playing, 3.5 up to 4.
4
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Fri May 28 2021
Heroes
David Bowie
Another good Bowie album. A few songs are underwhelming to me like "Beauty and the Beast", but "Heroes" is one of Bowie's best songs. There is still some funky stuff going on/strange ambient tracks that are staples of the "Berlin Trilogy". Robert Fripp's guitar playing is also a good addition, although from reading apparently Michael Rother of Neu! was originally considered.
4
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Sat May 29 2021
Wild Wood
Paul Weller
Meh
2
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Sun May 30 2021
Marcus Garvey
Burning Spear
It's Reggae. It's fine.
3
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Mon May 31 2021
Goo
Sonic Youth
Unfortunately the more I listen to Sonic Youth the less I am impressed. I like everything they do on paper, but I just can't get behind the execution in general. I knew of Tunic, but it goes on twice as long as it should, otherwise I'd like it.
3
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Tue Jun 01 2021
Your Arsenal
Morrissey
Did not dislike as much as I thought I would, mostly due to instrumentation. But, it's ok.
3
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Wed Jun 02 2021
Led Zeppelin II
Led Zeppelin
Pretty sure half these lyrics are about sex and the singers penis. Cool dude. Instrumentally it's good and I see the cultural "value" bit personally doesn't fit into anything I'd listen to on my own time. I wouldn't ask someone to turn it off.
3
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Thu Jun 03 2021
Van Halen
Van Halen
Did not dislike as much as I thought I would. Now I'm not sure if Van Halen or The Kinks version of "You Really Got Me" is the one I've heard over the years. Can't deny the legacy and technical prowess of the guitar playing, but beyond a fun novelty every once and awhile doesn't do much for me.
3
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Fri Jun 04 2021
The Nightfly
Donald Fagen
Honestly couldn't get through it all. Not something I HATE but absolutely not my jam.
2
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Sat Jun 05 2021
Let It Be
The Replacements
Pretty good. Heard a few of the songs. Funny I never knew they were from Mpls. I'd say like a 3.5 or so. I Will Dare is probably my favorite track, following Unsatisfied. There's enough heart here that makes me push it up to 4. Live woulda been sick.
4
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Sun Jun 06 2021
I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got
Sinead O'Connor
It's ok. She's not a bad singer but it is what it is.
3
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Mon Jun 07 2021
Remain In Light
Talking Heads
At first I wasn't a huge fan, but after a while I started to dig it. Interesting rhythmic elements throughout all songs. "Once In A Lifetime" is a happy-sounding song with actually depressing lyrics which is always a fun combo. A lot of random little electronic/swelling guitars are pretty nice, still this is all pretty modern sounding. 1980, wow.
4
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Tue Jun 08 2021
Honky Tonk Heroes
Waylon Jennings
Not bad actually. Definitely not something I'd throw on, but right venue, right place... it could be grand. Apparently this is Outlaw Country.
3
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Wed Jun 09 2021
Dookie
Green Day
I imagine there are many who really like this album and have strong nostalgia for it, but I never got into Greenday when I was in middle/high-school so my touchpoints are from the pop-radio hits. I'd suppose Green Day are sort of punk-pop. Nothing bad, but it's all a bit surface-level for me. 3.5 to 3.
3
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Thu Jun 10 2021
Fisherman's Blues
The Waterboys
Liked this a bit more than I thought I would. I would say the more coarse/rough vocal stylings help separate it from generic folk/rock. Overall a nice sound. The original edition of the album only spanned the 1st disk so I stopped there. The sounds for the most part sound pretty same-y, but I'm sure if you like it it's perfect that way. Deluxe is a bit too much for one take. 3.5 down to 3 since there weren't any standout tracks for me.
3
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Fri Jun 11 2021
Elastica
Elastica
Short and sweet punk rock. It's nice but not amazing for me. I like their aesthetic though! Fav track: 2:1, nice vibes on this one.
3
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Sat Jun 12 2021
Infected
The The
"I want to listen to Prince". "We have Prince at home." Prince at home:
3
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Sun Jun 13 2021
All Mod Cons
The Jam
It's ok. Nothing bad here but it's just sorta there for me. I'm indifferent.
3
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Mon Jun 14 2021
New Gold Dream (81/82/83/84)
Simple Minds
I like the other album more. This is fine 80s but beyond that, eh.
3
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Tue Jun 15 2021
Be
Common
Not bad. Apparently a big switch back to his "roots" after he previous album dabbled in other genres. I think I am more curious on that one! I like the samples on this, the drums especially.
3
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Wed Jun 16 2021
Spiderland
Slint
Instrumentally I like all that's going on, but vocally is where it breaks for me. Spoken word parts are fine but some of the singing is... not great. Very dynamic though. I can see why other bands were influenced.
3
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Thu Jun 17 2021
Different Class
Pulp
I know of "Common People" and "Disco 2000". Common people is probably their most popular song, it's a great class-warfare anthem. I Spy has a fun instrumental. I'm not sure how I feel about the whispery-vocals. 3.5 down to 3. Probably their best album. I think I would like the band better with a different singer though. :/
3
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Fri Jun 18 2021
Doolittle
Pixies
Really impressed with the variety here. A ton of great tracks. 4.5
4
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Sat Jun 19 2021
Vento De Maio
Elis Regina
Culturally I have no touchpoint here, it's nice though.
3
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Sun Jun 20 2021
Purple Rain
Prince
I get why people like Prince, but in general I am not a fan of pop so this is just "okay" for me personally. In terms of general consensus and historical purposes it would be a 5 for sure, but enjoyment is just "ok" for me. Always feels a bit corny for me.
3
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Mon Jun 21 2021
Parallel Lines
Blondie
Some high highs and low lows on this album. The Blondie hits on this one are good, but there are a lot of songs that don't really need to exist on the album as well.
3
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Tue Jun 22 2021
Bitte Orca
Dirty Projectors
I respect the experimental-ness, but it doesn't always work for me. The guys voice is not my cup of tea, the female led vocals are better for me, like on Stillness is The Move which is not bad. But it is definitely indie-pop, which in the end I still don't usually like a lot.
3
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Wed Jun 23 2021
Court And Spark
Joni Mitchell
It's nice, but nothing shattering for me. I can see why people would love it though.
3
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Thu Jun 24 2021
Cafe Bleu
The Style Council
This album is genre-bending at best, or completely different genres at worst. Jazzy, but then you have songs like "A Gospel" which are basically Hip-Hop, then it goes into "Strength of Nature" which is... new wave? I think I like the instrumental jazz pieces the most, the vocals don't add a ton for me.
3
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Fri Jun 25 2021
Jazz Samba
Stan Getz
Playing this made my apartment instantly more classy. I like it. Gotta love that Bossa Nova beat.
4
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Sat Jun 26 2021
Hunky Dory
David Bowie
Another Bowie album I had only heard bits and pieces of. Changes and Life on Mars are great, ofc. Kooks reminds me of the Beach Boys or something, pop harmonies etc. It does fall off a little bit towards the end for me, but overall pretty good.
4
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Sun Jun 27 2021
Fear and Whiskey
Mekons
I respect what's going on here, but the execution doesn't do much for me. Maybe I'd just need more time with it.
3
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Mon Jun 28 2021
A Walk Across The Rooftops
The Blue Nile
I liked it for a bit, then the content and execution fell a bit flat. Lyrics are too cheesy for me but it sounds alright.
3
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Tue Jun 29 2021
Funeral
Arcade Fire
This album came out when I was a sophomore in college so I remember it vividly. I had one roommate who was kind of a dick and he really liked it so it soured parts for me at the time. Regardless there is a nice theme going throughout this of growing up and forgetting your humanness, which as I get older I think about more and more. Wake Up was so overplayed that I can't listen to it much anymore, but the other tracks are still great. Not something I'd always listen to but was a nice thing to come back to.
4
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Wed Jun 30 2021
Licensed To Ill
Beastie Boys
I know it's all supposed to be lighthearted and silly rap, but it doesn't do much for me. It all feels juvenile but... at this point in my life I am not the target demographic for this. Even in middle school I didn't care about Beastie Boys though. I'm sure the legacy of this is probably 4-5 stars but for me it's only 3*.
3
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Thu Jul 01 2021
Crosby, Stills & Nash
Crosby, Stills & Nash
Chill, although some of it is a bit too clean/pure for my tastes. Guitar in tracks like Wooden Ships is more interesting to me, in some ways this sounds like Simon & Garfunkel, similar folks-y vocals. Very 70s. Long Time Gone is better sounding to my ears with the solo vocal parts. Song with No Words is actually pretty annoying to me.
3
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Fri Jul 02 2021
You Are The Quarry
Morrissey
Kind of done with Morrissey at this point. But it's okay.
3
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Sat Jul 03 2021
Hypocrisy Is The Greatest Luxury
The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy
I want to like this more than I did, I appreciate these themes in hip-hop but the lyrics are so bop-you-over-the-head that there's no nuance and it isn't interesting at all to me. Sounds alright though.
3
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Sun Jul 04 2021
Bookends
Simon & Garfunkel
I remember Bookends (the theme), but the intro into a synth thing at 2nd track was quite a surprise. I know a lot of these tracks, and I find them some of the better Simon & Garfunkel tracks, there is a tender-sadness to them that I can appreciate. Things flow well into each other as well, it is definitely an "album".
4
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Mon Jul 05 2021
Rings Around The World
Super Furry Animals
There are some interesting sounds here, but thematically it falls flat for me. A little too cheese for my tastes.
3
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Tue Jul 06 2021
Happy Sad
Tim Buckley
I knew of "Sing a Song for You" which is really nice, the rest is not bad but not exactly what I would be looking for. I think you could make an argument for 4* or above, but for my enjoyment just a 3.
3
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Wed Jul 07 2021
C'est Chic
CHIC
We all know "Le Freak". Overall not bad but nothing I'm freaking out over, ho ho ho ho ho.
3
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Thu Jul 08 2021
Definitely Maybe
Oasis
I find Oasis utterly vapid, that is likely influenced by the Gallagher brothers being so up their own asses. I find it tolerable, but nothing I'd ever go to listen to. The music is indifferent to me, but their drama is kind of ridiculous. Surface-level 90s Brit Pop to me.
3
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Fri Jul 09 2021
Veckatimest
Grizzly Bear
I knew a few of these songs. It's not always my jam but when it works it's nice. I can respect that these are pop-indie-rock songs but there is a bit of nuance to them, some interesting structures/tempo changes. 3.5 up to 4.
4
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Sat Jul 10 2021
Abraxas
Santana
Classic Latin Rock. It's nice to have in the background but beyond that doesn't do a ton, but it's definitely culturally significant, 3.5 down to 3.
3
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Sun Jul 11 2021
Bitches Brew
Miles Davis
Definitely well-known and iconic in modern Jazz. An intimidating album, I can't say I have the background to fully appreciate it. It's likely a 5 but enjoyment (and understanding) for me is a 4. Some bold play here. Might be the only trumpet I've ever heard with echo/delay. It also sounds like a lot of this was spliced together from many cuts, but I would have never guessed that, seems like a complete one-take to me.
4
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Mon Jul 12 2021
In The Wee Small Hours
Frank Sinatra
1:00 AM: "What is this thing called love?" "I have a new 1001 album today, let's listen", and it's apropos for all the reasons I hate to admit. Scene: Post-cocktail party. Swap stories. Has-beens of what-could-have-beens. And time grew cold. Fuck you Sinatra, but you got me 5 drinks deep, you win with your candor and forward lyrics. I can only laugh how piercing your earnestness is, I hate it and also respect it. Some sort of party-bus went by during my walk, I wanted on but also want to leave it be. I mentioned to the driver "What a night!" and he chuckled as the passengers took selfies outside to remember (or delete in the morning). I'm just a tourist here, keep, moving. And recollect. Did I mention I'm laughing? I'll be around, from now on. I Goodbye again. Now and then, drop a line. Let's get "serious", this was a perfect post-party walk around the block sad-nostalgic-I'm-getting-older sort of mood. Normally listening I'd fucking hate this shit, but in this very specific mood-very specific time it really worked. Unfortunately all the songs sound about the same though. 3*
3
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Tue Jul 13 2021
All That You Can't Leave Behind
U2
I sort of have a prejudice against U2, but I think a lot of that is cultural and Bono. Beautiful Day is a fine pop song though. Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out Of... ok this is too much, it basically is like someone took a Christian worship song and removed all mentions of God in it, same with Walk On, Peace On Earth, Grace, oh god... The tolerable part of the album is probably The Edge's ambient-guitar-stuff but it doesn't save it. It's obviously a well put-together album but, lots of these songs are just painful. Oh man, Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois produced this? My how the mighty have fallen. I understand why people like U2 though, but this sort of U2 is on a mission to do something I am not interested in when listening to music. 2.5 up to 3 since it's competent.
3
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Wed Jul 14 2021
Southern Rock Opera
Drive-By Truckers
I appreciate the ambition and the idea of a southern rock opera but it gets a bit old for me. I know a few songs by them though that I do like but I was unfamiliar with this one.
3
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Thu Jul 15 2021
Le Tigre
Le Tigre
I am not the audience for this, if I were a teen girl I’m sure I’d be all about it.
3
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Fri Jul 16 2021
At Folsom Prison
Johnny Cash
I've only heard the first track, but it's a great concept. Not something I'd always listen to, but I have a soft spot for Johnny Cash. I love that they kept all the quips and dead-space, really puts you there.
4
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Sat Jul 17 2021
Siamese Dream
The Smashing Pumpkins
I would have rated this a lot higher in High School, but it's still not bad. I certainly wouldn't' change the radio if any Smashing Pumpkins came on, but it still feels very "of the decade".
3
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Sun Jul 18 2021
A Nod Is As Good As A Wink To A Blind Horse
Faces
It's okay, musically it's pretty good. Pretty solid 70s rock and roll, but it doesn't do a ton for me personally.
3
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Mon Jul 19 2021
Darklands
The Jesus And Mary Chain
Pretty chill but was just sort of "there" for me, I do like the slow-dark delivery though.
3
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Tue Jul 20 2021
Close To The Edge
Yes
I am generally not a huge fan of Prog, and Yes is quintessential Prog. Always intricate song structures and impressive virtuosity but... emotionally it is completely technical for me. It's not what I go to for music.
3
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Wed Jul 21 2021
Manassas
Stephen Stills
Supergroup? At first I thought I'd rate it higher, but the later tracks dragged for me. Some of the later stylings of songs didn't do as much as the ones at the start. An interesting Wikipedia read on the process, though. 3.5 down to 3.
3
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Thu Jul 22 2021
Steve McQueen
Prefab Sprout
Very 80s, but not in a way that interests me. Bit too poppy for me, but I suppose it's fine for what it is.
3
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Fri Jul 23 2021
Tago Mago
Can
When I was introduced to Can they kind of blew me away, it did not sound like the 70s rock I knew. Can is my favorite group in the classic Krautrock pantheon. They're funky as hell, sometimes accessible, while other times experimental and jammy. Damo Suzuki might be my favorite of their vocalists, although Malcolm Mooney has some great performances as well (not on the album). There are a bunch of interesting Krautrock documentaries and articles for digging deeper, highly recommended for music nerds. "Halleluhwah" goes by a lot faster than its 18:31 track time would suggest, it keeps it interesting and changing in subtle and dramatic shifts somewhat subtle ways that you can get lost in pretty easily; definitely my favorite track. Not sure if this or "Ege Bamyasi" is my favorite, but this is almost the perfect Can album. Going from "Aumgn" straight to "Peking O" is a bit much though, I think "Peking O" should be removed completely since it doesn't add anything "Aumgn" didn't already do and parts of it don't fit with the rest of the album to me. Looks like originally "Aumgn" was Side 3 and "Peking O" + "Bring Me Coffee or Tea" was Side 4, which is a bit more palatable I suppose.
Favorite tracks: Paperhouse, Halleluhwah, Bring Me Coffee or Tea
5
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Sat Jul 24 2021
Peace Sells...But Who's Buying
Megadeth
I never knew the vocalist/guitarist of Megadeath used to be in Metallica, makes sense. Regardless, in terms of Metal speed/thrash doesn't do much for me, at least in this form. Feels like the mix is boring and just kind of there. I'm sure this is a classic, but it's just ok to me. Obviously the guitar playing is well done, but yeah.
3
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Sun Jul 25 2021
Jack Takes the Floor
Ramblin' Jack Elliott
I am pretty ignorant of folk, so I'm glad this was in the list since it led me to read up on Ramblin'Jack Elliot and by extension, Woody Guthrie. I find the music kind of quaint, kind of cute, and very nostalgic. Not what I'd throw on, but if someone really dug it and wanted to listen to it, I'd have no qualms.
3
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Mon Jul 26 2021
xx
The xx
Maybe the ones who popularlized the tight-production, low-key-moody indie-vocals that still is a popular genre in itself. I like most of the songs, but I can't say they blow me away. Very indie-radio friendly, I still hear The xx played on our local hip radio. There is not a lot of difference between songs, to be honest. Very one-dimensional on this album.
3
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Tue Jul 27 2021
Automatic For The People
R.E.M.
I like their previous album. A lot of this is too soft and a bit too easy-listening for me. Everybody Hurts is almost a parody of itself. Man On The Moon is good though.
3
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Wed Jul 28 2021
Sunday At The Village Vanguard
Bill Evans Trio
At first I enjoyed it a lot, but all the songs are about the same tempo/style so it wore on a little it. It's nice but, got sort of bored.
3
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Thu Jul 29 2021
When I Was Born For The 7th Time
Cornershop
Very west-cost summer. Reminds me a bit of Sublime at times, but with more variance. Overall it’s fine.
3
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Fri Jul 30 2021
The Coral
The Coral
I enjoyed the instrumentation more than the vocals/lyrics. Interesting tempo changes, so it wasn't boring at least. But not my thing.
3
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Sat Jul 31 2021
The Genius Of Ray Charles
Ray Charles
I don't know a lot of Ray Charles, and I didn't know a single track from this album. It's all good and fine, but I think there are other albums/tracks I enjoy more. 3.5 to 3.
3
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Sun Aug 01 2021
Urban Hymns
The Verve
I think we all know Bittersweet Symphony, it's a good rock song. The Drugs Don't Work is another song I knew and liked. If the entire album lived up to these songs I think it could go up to a 4, but there are a lot of tracks that are skippable or don't add anything interesting. It's Brit-pop-rock, usually I am not a huge fan.
3
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Mon Aug 02 2021
Document
R.E.M.
I want to like R.E.M., but the execution/style just feels a bit flat to me. I like the themes, but it's played too direct. It's The End of the World is a good track though. Kind of the times though.
3
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Tue Aug 03 2021
Slanted And Enchanted
Pavement
I have a couple songs in my liked list that are by Pavement so I was excited to listen to this. Some of the songs I'm not super into like "Conduit For Sale!" and "Chelsey's Little Wrists", which I found annoying. Other songs like "Summer Babe", "Zurich Is Stained", and "Here" are that nice chill lazy indie-rock sound I associated with them. It just barely goes from a 3.5 rounded down to 3, wavered between a 3 and 4.
3
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Wed Aug 04 2021
Power In Numbers
Jurassic 5
A few good tracks here, but overall a little underwhelming for me. Some of it is completely skippable, but a few are some nice 90s/early 2000s hip-hop.
3
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Thu Aug 05 2021
Fifth Dimension
The Byrds
The Byrds for me are like comfort 60s music, it sounds nice but nothing I'd throw on to listen to. Nice harmonies and a chill tempo for the most part. I'm sure if I grew up with it I'd think differently.
3
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Fri Aug 06 2021
Head Hunters
Herbie Hancock
Starting off, that is some funky as hell synth bass line (apparently from an ARP Odyssey. Love it. Once the horns came in I realized I've definitely heard this before, or at least a version of it, really good but for me might have went on a touch too long. Watermelon Man is a certified bop, definitely heard this one as well. Sly definitely increases the intensity. By Vein Melter I was starting to lose interest a bit though, but still overall pretty darn good.
4
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Sat Aug 07 2021
Disintegration
The Cure
Some cool hits on here, but a bit too long which makes me have to drop it down to 3. Still one of the better 80s albums.
3
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Sun Aug 08 2021
Punishing Kiss
Ute Lemper
So theatrical. A bit surprised to see some Tom Waits covers but it sort of makes sense. I generally do not get into this sort of thing, but she's clearly talented.
3
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Mon Aug 09 2021
Eagles
Eagles
Pretty ambivalent.
3
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Tue Aug 10 2021
Blue
Joni Mitchell
I can appreciate Joni Mitchell but it's not my style. Sounds pretty though.
3
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Wed Aug 11 2021
Talking With the Taxman About Poetry
Billy Bragg
Something about this just kind of annoys me. It might just be me and my mind right now but I couldn’t get through it.
2
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Thu Aug 12 2021
Pearl
Janis Joplin
I can appreciate Janis Joplin but it's not my style. Sounds pretty though.
3
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Fri Aug 13 2021
Destroyer
KISS
Gene Simmons is a tool. Just listen to his interview with Terry Gross of Fresh Air. Musically, it's ok. Nothing crazy to listen to, they are a live band experience for sure.
3
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Sat Aug 14 2021
Homework
Daft Punk
This is hard one to rate just listening back, since this is kind of made to be played in a club/dance party situation. It is pretty straight-forward house with some acid/techno at times. At 1997 this was a big deal though, it's just kind of self-aware dumb dance fun that I'd love at a club but listening at home is hit or miss. Some tracks are definitely better than others. Compared to today's EDM/IDM scene this is very barebones production/embellishments which I can admire. It's a 3 for home listening and as an "album", apparently they never intended this to be an album but rather a bunch of singles. Also this was likely intended to be multiple vinyls so it's not even designed to be listened all the way through I don't think, but rather mixed in and out of a DJ's set. Since this is "1001 Albums" I will have to give it a 3, but in different circumstances it'd be a 4.
3
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Sun Aug 15 2021
Teen Dream
Beach House
I love Beach House's approach to using low-end synthesizers and other electronic instruments, I believe they said something like "find a crappy keyboard, and find the one setting on it that sounds good and ignore the rest". I had no listened to this particular album, but I knew of Silver Soul which is super good, peak Beach House. The semi-lofi soft melancholy singing and song progressions is millennial sad in a bottle. I think it still holds up. Legrand's vocals are still unique to my ears, they feel very honest. I hear elements of drone, shoegaze, but of course that sparkly indie-pop of the 2010s. I love the detuning on Norway, which I've heard as well. There is a bit of a lull in the middle of the album for me though, the first 3 tracks are 4s but the others are completely ignorable for me, unfortunately. I really want to give it a 4 but as an album it is not consistent in quality, so it's a 3.5 down to 3.
3
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Mon Aug 16 2021
Supa Dupa Fly
Missy Elliott
Standard 90s Hip-hop to me. It's not bad but just sort of there, doesn't do much that other things haven't. Very radio friendly sound to me.
3
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Tue Aug 17 2021
Mott
Mott The Hoople
Somewhat comforting in an odd way, feels a bit Dylanesque in vocal delivery.
3
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Wed Aug 18 2021
The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
Lauryn Hill
Pretty standard 90s sounding R&B/Hiphop. Not my thing but I respect it.
3
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Thu Aug 19 2021
Modern Life Is Rubbish
Blur
This Blur album didn’t do as much for me as the other. Damn. Still ok though.
3
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Fri Aug 20 2021
Time Out Of Mind
Bob Dylan
Started off really strong for me but fell of a little bit as it went, not bad at all though. This is the type of Bob Dylan I haven't heard though, so definitely worth listening.
3
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Sat Aug 21 2021
Bongo Rock
Incredible Bongo Band
Some is kind of nice, but some of it is a bit meh. Feels like it could be nice for a TV show/movie soundtrack. I was wanting some vocals.
3
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Sun Aug 22 2021
Raising Hell
Run-D.M.C.
It's almost quaint compared to modern day hip-hop. "Walk This Way" and "It's Tricky" are great, but the rest of the don't do much. If the rest of the album was like those two, it would be a 4 or 5.
3
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Mon Aug 23 2021
World Clique
Deee-Lite
I knew Groove is in the Heart but that’s it. The rest is early 90s dance in a nutshell. It’s ok.
3
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Tue Aug 24 2021
Roger the Engineer
The Yardbirds
Kind of boring for me, very much of the times. Not bad, but not for me.
3
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Wed Aug 25 2021
Too Rye Ay
Dexys Midnight Runners
Come On Eileen is the best track on here, it's a total banger. The rest unfortunately fall flat, "Searching for the Young Soul Rebels" was a better album for me.
3
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Thu Aug 26 2021
If You Can Believe Your Eyes & Ears
The Mamas & The Papas
California dreaming is good. The rest are just not my thing, but it’s not bad per say.
3
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Fri Aug 27 2021
Ready To Die
The Notorious B.I.G.
The beats and flow are great, but lyrics and themes are gross gansta rap that I can't get behind too much. If it had a bit more lyrical depth I'd be more into it.
3
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Sat Aug 28 2021
Country Life
Roxy Music
Disappointed Eno had left Roxy Music by this point. The result is fine, but nothing that sounds very interesting to me.
3
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Sun Aug 29 2021
School's Out
Alice Cooper
Kinda garbage.
2
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Mon Aug 30 2021
Heartattack And Vine
Tom Waits
Not my fav is Wait’s work. Only the title track, Downtown, and Jersey Girl interest me, the rest feel like worse versions of other songs. It’s still all great but is also a bit short.
4
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Tue Aug 31 2021
The Poet
Bobby Womack
Instrumentally I like everything that is going on, but lyrically it's all cheesy-80s-soul to me. Although I'm sure live would be really cool, it's not something I'd listen to on my own.
3
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Wed Sep 01 2021
People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm
A Tribe Called Quest
Really like this style. I've heard a few tribe songs and this is my fav style of 90s hip-hop.
4
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Thu Sep 02 2021
Behaviour
Pet Shop Boys
80s synth pop to the max. Instrumentally it's ok but I can never get into 80s synth-pop vocal deliveries.
3
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Fri Sep 03 2021
The Contino Sessions
Death In Vegas
Some interesting ideas here, but execution wasn't 100% my style.
3
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Sat Sep 04 2021
Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde
The Pharcyde
I thought the themes were pretty dumb, honestly. Sounded fine but ehhhh.
2
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Sun Sep 05 2021
Mama's Gun
Erykah Badu
Not bad, but not my kind of soul. All very competent though.
3
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Mon Sep 06 2021
Pink Flag
Wire
I like it, but don’t love it. 3.5
3
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Tue Sep 07 2021
The Atomic Mr Basie
Count Basie & His Orchestra
I love me some big band.
4
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Wed Sep 08 2021
Our Aim Is To Satisfy
Red Snapper
Not bad not but great. Live would be fun, but for listening at home it doesn’t do a whole lot for me.
3
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Thu Sep 09 2021
Fuzzy
Grant Lee Buffalo
Very REM/Pearl Jam esque. Not bad, Fuzzy is kind of nice. But, it feels a bit held back, but that's the sort of style that late 90s/early 2000s alt-rock sound had.
3
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Fri Sep 10 2021
Bubble And Scrape
Sebadoh
I like a lot of these actually, some quite different moods between some songs. Never knew what to expect. I like the slightly off vocals, gives it that punk edge. Reminded me of Dinosaur Jr and surprise surprise, the person who produced their albums did this one afaik.
4
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Sat Sep 11 2021
Unhalfbricking
Fairport Convention
Liked this one a bit more than the last Fairport Convention album I've heard, a bit more chill.
3
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Sun Sep 12 2021
Heavy Weather
Weather Report
Pretty nice, but nothing that blew me away. Live I'd love it.
3
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Mon Sep 13 2021
The Modern Lovers
The Modern Lovers
Definitely sounded like hugely influenced by The Velvet Underground and from their Wiki that's definitely the case. However this does feel a bit more pessimism and ironic than The Velvet Underground. Some of the songs do absolutely nothing, but others like "Road Runner", "Pablos Picasso", and "Hospital" feel very nostalgic, maybe I've heard them or maybe I've just heard songs that have copped their style. "Dance With Me" is surprising that they were released with that much recording distortion, but that flaw in production is kind of my jam.
The Jonathan Richman delivery is definitely the point of which you are too drunk to sing but god dammit you gotta do it anyways, which I mean I can respect. I like that there are only a few albums of the group, makes it feel a bit more transient. I'd be curious if I'd like Richman's solo stuff or if this combination of musicians had struck gold.
4
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Tue Sep 14 2021
Young Americans
David Bowie
First and last songs are probably the best, but this isn't quite the best Bowie era for me. It has those glimmers of greatness but isn't quite there yet for me. 3.5 down to 3.
3
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Wed Sep 15 2021
Born To Run
Bruce Springsteen
Nothing against Springsteen, but I can never get into him in any capacity. I like the American myth subject matter, but it all sounds too produced and loses any way for me to relate to it. I see why others like it, but for me it's just there.
3
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Thu Sep 16 2021
Gunfighter Ballads And Trail Songs
Marty Robbins
I knew of El Paso, which is just ok. I also knew of Big Iron, which is quite nice albeit a little long. Overall beyond a couple of the songs I'm not too into it, but I respect it.
3
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Fri Sep 17 2021
Five Leaves Left
Nick Drake
I like Nick Drake, but this is not my fav album. Time has Told me is a great song, but the rest did not measure up to it for me.
3
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Sat Sep 18 2021
Modern Kosmology
Jane Weaver
I liked everything except the vocal delivery. All the instrumentation was cool but if the vocals aren't my style it ruins an artist for me.
3
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Sun Sep 19 2021
Shaka Zulu
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Unfortunately completely ambivalent, nothing wrong but nothing I'd want to listen to on my own?
2
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Mon Sep 20 2021
The Healer
John Lee Hooker
John Lee Hooker's shtick at this point feels a bit old, not bad but not sure any new material does much for me.
3
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Tue Sep 21 2021
Axis: Bold As Love
Jimi Hendrix
I wanna like this more than I do. Clearly Jimi Hendrix is a guitar-god, but when it comes to listening pleasure it's just... ok? Personal enjoyment is a 3.5.
3
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Wed Sep 22 2021
Paris 1919
John Cale
I much prefer John Cale in The Velvet Underground, nothing blew me away here.
3
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Thu Sep 23 2021
Kilimanjaro
The Teardrop Explodes
Very 80s sounding to me, which unfortunately I never quite love. Not bad but not my thing.
3
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Fri Sep 24 2021
Paul's Boutique
Beastie Boys
Never can get into how dumb most Beastie Boy songs are. It sounds fine, but thematically ehhhhhhhhh. I hate fun though.
3
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Sat Sep 25 2021
At Fillmore East
The Allman Brothers Band
Allman Brothers are clearly talented, but long guitar-jams typically don't do much for me. Which is sort of odd, since long Jazz performances of synthesizer instrumentals can be interesting to me, it might just be there's only so much guitar wankery I can take. However, I was listening to this while working and I did not mind it as background music.
3
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Sun Sep 26 2021
No Other
Gene Clark
Not my thing, it's ok
3
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Mon Sep 27 2021
Tapestry
Carole King
Definitely not the target audience for this one, not bad though. (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman reminds me of that 80s/90s commercial, was it underwear?
3
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Tue Sep 28 2021
Bandwagonesque
Teenage Fanclub
Kind of like it, but not enough that I'd seek it out. If it was on the radio I wouldn't change it though.
3
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Wed Sep 29 2021
Sister
Sonic Youth
Again, I think the author(s) has over-emphasized the importance of Sonic Youth since I'd never include this many of their albums. Ironically I have ended up liking Sonic Youth less as I've listened to more albums.
3
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Thu Sep 30 2021
Spy Vs. Spy: The Music Of Ornette Coleman
John Zorn
I couldn't access it on Spotify but had to find an incomplete Youtube Playlist. Boy, barrage indeed. I think I'd like it more if it were more noisy, ironically? If it were more of a single tonality it might create more interesting tones, but as it is there's just tooooo much going on.
3
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Fri Oct 01 2021
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Beatles
Actually might not be my fav Beatles album. I think you can easily give this a 5 based on historical/impact, but in terms of a listening I may even gravitate towards a 3.5 or 4. So gonna go with 4.
4
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Sat Oct 02 2021
This Is Fats Domino
Fats Domino
I'm kind of a sucker for this old-style R&B/Rock. It just feels so pure. I listened to "Fats Domino Swings" since the linked album didn't allow all the tracks in the US, I think it's the same album? It all is good-feel music to me, without being saccharin.
4
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Sun Oct 03 2021
Follow The Leader
Korn
I didn't hate this as much as I thought I would, there are SOME redeeming things here. There is some interesting instrumentation in the background. The guitars are plagued by that super-midrange-late-90s metal sound that is so cliche. I don't mind "dark", and I can sort of see that they are kind of self-aware that a bunch of this is pretty dumb. I had friends who listened to Korn in HS and I never got into it then. The "scatting" that they do that's a buncha weird noises is hilariously dumb and is a trope now, it made me laugh at least. But you know, I bet it would be entertaining to see Korn live during this album's tour, I'd never listen to it on my own but in that setting I'm sure it would be at least interesting. It's not boring that's for sure.
2
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Mon Oct 04 2021
Exile In Guyville
Liz Phair
Kind of caught me off-guard how honest/explicit some of the lyrics were in comparison to the voice. Not bad, but nothing blew me away.
3
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Tue Oct 05 2021
Disraeli Gears
Cream
I always thought "Sunshine Of Your Love" was a Hendrix jam, but after reading that Cream went to a Hendrix show and they came up with the song after... it makes sense. It's a bit hard for me to separate Eric Clapton, who I used to like a lot when I was younger, from the music. Between Clapton's "Keep Britain White" outburst and his most recent anti-lockdown songs (yes plural) "Stand and Deliver" and "This Has Gotta Stop" ... really? Hard to even utter anything positive. Objectively, this is a good album and one of Cream's best.
4
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Wed Oct 06 2021
Armed Forces
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Production-wise very polished. However I really am not into the vocals, which is likely a huge draw for fans of Elvis Costello. I will say it does not sound like 79, it sounds late 90s/early 2000s to me. I can see why people would like it. Kind of reminds me of Prince for some reason. I checked out the music video for Oliver's Army and for some reason watching him makes me like it more, probably cause he has a such a nerdy look that it feels a bit more fun. I could see if I listened to his whole catalog I'd get more into it and go higher, but for now I think 3 is fair.
3
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Thu Oct 07 2021
John Barleycorn Must Die
Traffic
Not bad, definitely better than Steve Winwood's solo material.
3
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Fri Oct 08 2021
Miriam Makeba
Miriam Makeba
Nice voice, read into her history on Wikipedia and sounds like a tough road. Not my genre but live would be lovely.
3
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Sat Oct 09 2021
Close To You
Carpenters
I get why people like them, but man it is definitely not my thing, I really don't like anything here lol. Too pure and beautiful, it's like the Carpenters came back from church and recorded. I'm gonna give it a 2 because I really can't listen to this anymore.
2
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Sun Oct 10 2021
Exile On Main Street
The Rolling Stones
A bit embarrassing but I haven't heard much Rolling Stones beyond random songs here and there, but this was pretty damn good. I think you could easily rate this a 5, but in terms of enjoyment for me it's a 4. You can feel the energy on this one, I'm sure lots of these are great live.
4
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Mon Oct 11 2021
The Stranger
Billy Joel
Can't deny the talent of the guy, but in general it's a bit too smooth for me. I have a few songs I like by Billy Joel but overall a bit too soft rock for me.
3
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Tue Oct 12 2021
Home Is Where The Music Is
Hugh Masekela
It's nice, but there are more interesting Jazz offerings for me out there.
3
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Wed Oct 13 2021
The Predator
Ice Cube
TIL where "It's on like Donkey Kong" is from. Can't say I know much Ice Cube but shame there is some patterns of anti-Semitism with him. Putting that aside if possible, not a bad album. I would probably rather just listen to N.W.A though. 3.5 down to 3. It Was A Good Day is a bop though.
3
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Thu Oct 14 2021
Rejoicing In The Hands
Devendra Banhart
I knew of "The Body Breaks" which I liked, but overall started it's alright. Interesting cadence and I like the folksy guitar, but nothing that made me want to listen again.
3
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Fri Oct 15 2021
Screamadelica
Primal Scream
Oof, this is 90s as hell... in a bad way. So sugar-coated, so summer. I can't listen anymore. It's competent in what it is doing, but that's my problem with it. 1.5 to 2.
2
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Sat Oct 16 2021
Me Against The World
2Pac
Pretty damn introspective, thematically strong. Very confessional and raw, probably was a bit uncommon to show vulnerability in hip hop at this time. I probably wouldn't listen to a lot of it, but I can respect it.
4
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Sun Oct 17 2021
Scum
Napalm Death
Ya know, I don't mind this so much really. It is interesting to read about the politics, worldviews, etc of Napalm Death and grindcore as a whole, who Napalm Death are apparently credited with having a huge influence in its formulation. Also apparently "You Suffer" is the shortest song according to Guinness Book of World Records, the Spotify version is 3 secs longer, ha! Overall though, some interesting phrases but it's more of a statement piece than something I'd wanna listen to on my own, live would be interesting I'm sure...
3
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Mon Oct 18 2021
São Paulo Confessions
Suba
This whole album is nice for city driving. Definitely captures that vibe well. Vocals are very hypnotic and sensual as well. I was gonna give it a 4 but it fell off a little for me, 3.5 down to 3.
3
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Tue Oct 19 2021
Green River
Creedence Clearwater Revival
It's good but, it just doesn't do a whole lot for me. I think I like other Creedence albums a bit more. 3.5 to 3.
3
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Wed Oct 20 2021
Odelay
Beck
Some real nice bangers, but then it goes into some different genres so the album is a bit all over the place for me. Not into Beck's hip-hop stylings really, this album does feels very 90s in that regard.
3
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Thu Oct 21 2021
Bryter Layter
Nick Drake
I like Nick Drakes voice more than the rest, it’s just kind of simple comfortable music. Nice but that’s about it
3
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Fri Oct 22 2021
Face to Face
The Kinks
Overall pretty good, if the rest of the songs were as good as Sunny Afternoon I’d be a 4 but some are kind of just ok. Def one of the better bands of this decade though
3
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Sat Oct 23 2021
Straight Outta Compton
N.W.A.
Pretty damn influencial, still relevant. Definitely some sexism/homophobia here, obviously that did not age well. I think in terms of legacy and influence it is a straight 5, but in terms of my personal enjoyment it's a 3. Instrumentally and flow its great, but I can't get down with all the lyrics.
3
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Sun Oct 24 2021
Brothers
The Black Keys
It's rare for an album to not have a single bad track, these are all bangers and I think I've heard every single one on indie radio at some point. Hugely influential in some circles and brought back a bit more blues-y guitar into the indie mainstream. Hard to rate since I've heard it so many times, I will go with 4.5 down to 4.
4
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Mon Oct 25 2021
Triangle
The Beau Brummels
Kinda nice, interesting wiki entry for sure. But, not my thang.
3
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Tue Oct 26 2021
Every Picture Tells A Story
Rod Stewart
Did not know much of this except for one song, couldn’t have said this was Rod Stewart either, a bit of a blind spot. It’s ok but sounds very radio friendly
3
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Wed Oct 27 2021
Queens of the Stone Age
Queens of the Stone Age
It's fine... but I find this sort of rock to be quite boring and sterile. Reminds me of listening to the "hard rock" radio and thinking this was the best shit ever.
3
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Thu Oct 28 2021
Juju
Siouxsie And The Banshees
Woah, never heard of them but really digging it, although Spellbound sounds familiar. Punk energy with a few experimental flourishes. Ticks all my boxes for 1001 albums it seems. Interesting roster changes as well, I'd say the only track I didn't care for was Halloween, lyrics are too cheesy for me.
4
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Fri Oct 29 2021
Antichrist Superstar
Marilyn Manson
Some cool sounds on this album for sure. Lyrics are pretty shock-value but, I'm conflicted on them. Cryptorchild is pretty good actually, was not expecting a Mellotron on this album either. I am not sure their usage of "nigger" and "rape" are proper, they are not glorifying those terms but it's always feels a bit exploitive when a white man uses those terms. I mean, from what I can tell he has some racist/sexist comments... yeah. Regardless, musically I don't mind it really, he was most likely playing the media like a fiddle and completely becoming the persona his haters described him as.
3
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Sat Oct 30 2021
Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
Wilco
I'm not into every Wilco does, but overall this album is solid. It's been a very long time since I heard this album. There's always this sort of tired feeling to Wilco songs, they don't go all the way and are a bit restrained in their energy, but it fits their style (and age now). Indie Tiredcore? Everything feels like somewhat whimsical sad confessionals, definitely has that early 2010s energy, you can hear all the influences in later indie bands of that decade. I also enjoy some of the little experimental instrumental flourishes that most bands would not include, but it adds a depth to it that I think most don't execute well.
4
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Sun Oct 31 2021
Music For The Jilted Generation
The Prodigy
This is basically what I thought all electronic music was until college. It s not bad per say, but it’s only useful for a club setting. If you told me this was a 90s video game soundtrack I would believe you 100%. This style feels so dated and did not age well to me. 2.5 down to 2.
2
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Mon Nov 01 2021
Transformer
Lou Reed
I have heard a few songs in isolation, but not in a while and certainly not in album form. Really like Vicious, Perfect Day, Walk On the Wild Side (most people know this one). Perfect Day was really good because Lou Reed is NOT a good singer, if it was sung by someone traditionally I would not like it nearly as much. There really isn't a bad song on here, but some I could ignore but overall a 4. Nice production as well. It might be a remaster, but if not then that's pretty impressive. Funny listening to Goodnight Ladies on an actual Saturday Night.
4
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Tue Nov 02 2021
Ladies And Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space
Spiritualized
Back in the day I loved the first track and when I was super sad at times I really liked "Broken Heart", was brutally sad but when you get broken up with its... yeah. Beyond that, I wouldn't want to listen to them on the regular. As for the rest of the album, I don't particularly care for it, but it's just standard brit-rock. I can't believe this beat OK Computer in 97 for album of the year in NME though, ouch.
3
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Wed Nov 03 2021
Let Love Rule
Lenny Kravitz
It's 90s pop. It's fine, it had a time. But, never would listen to it now. Oh wait, it's from 89? He was a bit ahead of his time then. Can hear some Prince influences in here as well. I think this is my fav Lenny Kravitz thing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8t-iFr9q1I8 lolol
3
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Thu Nov 04 2021
Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo
Devo
I want to like Devo more than I do, I appreciate the schtick but the execution doesn't do much for me.
3
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Fri Nov 05 2021
Rhythm Nation 1814
Janet Jackson
Definitely going for the Michael Jackson sound. Percussion is pretty fun, liking the general LinnDrum sounds here. I appreciate the conscious themes as well, although I don't feel like the commentary goes far enough. Lyrically it just sounds like mentioning problems, but not pointing to the issues that cause it. Some may prefer this approach, but I feel like institutions and people need to be called out, otherwise it feels like feel-good-activism, like by just acknowledging the issues of things is enough. It is a good sounding album for sure, though. Great pop, but generally not my vibe. Although those orchestral hits with the LinnDrum definitely do something for me.
3
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Sat Nov 06 2021
The Pleasure Principle
Gary Numan
I want to like Gary Numan more than I do. Not a huge fan of his vocal delivery unfortunately, but it could grow on me. I like Cars and some of the other more instrumental ones, but overall the album drags for me a bit.
3
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Sun Nov 07 2021
Bossanova
Pixies
Not as great as Doolittle but still good. I don't think I'd really go back to this album much though.
3
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Mon Nov 08 2021
LP1
FKA twigs
Started off strong but got repetitive for me. Liked the beats and sounds in general, though.
3
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Tue Nov 09 2021
Debut
Björk
First song was a strong start, but after that is unfortunately missed the mark for me. Extremely has that 90s sound which didn't age well. Lots of songs to me were filler and not very interesting. Obviously Bjork really comes into her own with later albums, but it's a fine debut but nothing like the later works.
3
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Wed Nov 10 2021
Crime Of The Century
Supertramp
This is the kind of stuff I associate with bad Prog-Rock. Really don't care for any of it, not my thing.
2
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Thu Nov 11 2021
I’ve Got a Tiger By the Tail
Buck Owens
Thought I'd like it more than I did. I do appreciate this old country-western style though, but nothing stuck for me.
3
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Fri Nov 12 2021
Ogden's Nut Gone Flake
Small Faces
This type of Brit-rock of the era in general doesn't do much for me. It's like if the Beatles never moved past their early works.
3
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Sat Nov 13 2021
In Utero
Nirvana
Overall pretty good but a few songs are a bit meh. Definitely some cool songs in here I've never heard, I've really only heard Nirvana's "hits". 3.5 up to 4.
4
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Sun Nov 14 2021
John Prine
John Prine
Was a bit annoyed at first but got over it. Still, not quite the generation to get into this, so in some ways it’s not for me. Sad country postwar americana.
3
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Mon Nov 15 2021
Violent Femmes
Violent Femmes
I have never really heard Violent Femmes except for Blister in the Sun and I'm super into it. I love the energy and the willingness to make a bunch of weird noises and do some very theatrical vocals. There really isn't a dud on this album, very impressed. I'm a new fan.
5
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Tue Nov 16 2021
Rubber Soul
Beatles
In my opinion, this is the first Beatles album that actually was good. The earlier ones are "fine" but haven't aged as well for me. Rubber Soul shows a few style choices that hint of what was to come. Norwegian Wood and Nowhere Man are my favs.
4
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Wed Nov 17 2021
Rattlesnakes
Lloyd Cole And The Commotions
Interesting sound, but didn't grab me as much as I wanted. But not super cheesy 80s, so it has that going for it.
3
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Thu Nov 18 2021
A Seat at the Table
Solange
Pretty good pop/R&B. Not a genre I get into personally, but I can see it being a 4*+ if you're into R&B. I've heard "Cranes in the Sky", but the rest are new. Just not my style, but it's quite good. I like the little instrumental flourishes, well produced.
3
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Fri Nov 19 2021
Underwater Moonlight
The Soft Boys
Did not enjoy the first 4 songs. Then the album goes into a different direction. "Insanely Jealous of You" sounds like a Lou Reed/Velvet Underground song, I like it. The rest are just ok to me, I definitely hear some early proto-punk/Iggy pop-like structures on "He's a Reptile" as well. Beyond that, it's ok.
3
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Sat Nov 20 2021
Mr. Tambourine Man
The Byrds
I like the first cover song, the interpretation of Mr. Tambourine Man works well with the Byrds style. In general I liked this more than I expected, but still not enough to grab me to listen on my own. 3.5 to 3.
3
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Sun Nov 21 2021
Broken English
Marianne Faithfull
I see what she's going for here, but also am not a huge fan of the vocal delivery.
3
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Mon Nov 22 2021
Electric Music For The Mind And Body
Country Joe & The Fish
Pretty good psych-rock. I am wavering between a 3 and a 4, but since nothing specifically grabbed me I'll go down to a 3.
3
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Tue Nov 23 2021
Tidal
Fiona Apple
Kinda wanna like Fiona Apple more than I do. Lovely voice but there could be a lot more interesting things musically done. Still, stuck out as a good 90s performer back in the day.
3
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Wed Nov 24 2021
The Soft Bulletin
The Flaming Lips
Definitely a The Flaming Lips fans. I'd probably prefer Yoshimi over The Soft Bulletin but this is my 2nd fav album of theirs. Also a huge fan of Wayne Coyne's vocals, although sometimes from live performances they sound a bit rough, recorded they have that perfect balance of normal-sounding-guy with a passionate vulnerability. Race for the Prize is ever so more relevant in our COVID world. The Flaming Lips whole vibe is happy melancholia; softly sad but smiling, dancing, and laughing while slowly letting tears fall. Their concerts always look like one big party, I'd love to go to one but a bit sad I missed out when they were in their prime. 4.5 to 5 for me.
5
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Thu Nov 25 2021
Sheer Heart Attack
Queen
Expected to like this more than I did. Granted it all was fine and I didn't dislike anything, but a lot of the tracks were just ok to me. Killer Queen rules though.
3
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Fri Nov 26 2021
Sincere
Mj Cole
I had liked the drums but they basically used the same patterns with some variations for a lot of the songs. I’m sure it’s better in da club, but as an album it’s lacking.
2
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Sat Nov 27 2021
A Night At The Opera
Queen
I really wanna like the album more than I can honestly admit. I think it’s a 5 in terms of cultural impact but for my listening pleasure a lot of the songs are just on. Bohemian Rhapsody is a 5/5 and the production is very good but, I wish the rest of the album was as catchy and bombastic as that.
3
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Sun Nov 28 2021
Exodus
Bob Marley & The Wailers
Bob Marley is a tine and a place for me. Not my typical listening but when I am near a beach or when I was in Costa Rica on the Caribbean... yeah that was perfect. Some good tracks and I respect it but I wouldn't always listen to it.
3
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Mon Nov 29 2021
Garbage
Garbage
Feels dated to the 90s for sure. I don't mind it but I don't love it.
3
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Tue Nov 30 2021
Queen II
Queen
Actually thought as an album this was a bit more enjoyable than A Night At The Opera. I can respect it but nothing I'd personally throw on all the way through, some really good songs mixed with some just ok ones.
3
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Wed Dec 01 2021
Sea Change
Beck
I've heard about half of these songs, this is a really cozy album. I wouldn't say I'm a Beck "fan", but this album is pretty darn good.
4
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Thu Dec 02 2021
Ramones
Ramones
Knew a few of these, but some interesting other songs that I never heard before. Definitely a fan of early/proto punk in general.
4
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Fri Dec 03 2021
Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden
Can't really get into this much, has that cheesy wankery that I almost roll my eyes at. Iconic though.
3
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Sat Dec 04 2021
Dirt
Alice In Chains
Buttrock as fuck. I just can't get into it at all, not my thing. Vocally the style is almost a meme now.
2
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Sun Dec 05 2021
Talking Heads 77
Talking Heads
Definitely not their best album, I think the only song I'd really want to listen to is Psycho Killer which is a classic. Overall it's still very art-rock and creative, but compared to their latest works there isn't as much here. I want to rate it a 3 in comparison to their other works, but in general compared to other 3s I've given it seems too low, so I'll bump it up to a soft 4.
4
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Mon Dec 06 2021
Don't Come Home A Drinkin' (With Lovin' On Your Mind)
Loretta Lynn
Sad olde country music. I much prefer this to any contemporary country but still not my thing.
3
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Tue Dec 07 2021
Tubular Bells
Mike Oldfield
Fascinating read about this album and the production/artist. To produce this at 19 is pretty impressive, especially back in the 70s. In terms of execution it feels a bit too polished for me though, I would have preferred a more minimal piece, which apparently the original demos were according to Wikipedia. Not my type of instrumental music (sans the Tom Waits-lite screaming), but I respect it.
3
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Wed Dec 08 2021
Back In Black
AC/DC
Hard to rate this one, in terms of enjoyment it's a 3. Not my style of rock, but objectively it's a 4 or 5, so I'll split the difference at 4. An album full of bangers and likely the template for a lot of heavy metal/rock albums to date. Lots of the songs are so ingrained in my American psyche I can't separate them from various movies, bars, and various people I've ran into.
4
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Thu Dec 09 2021
It's A Shame About Ray
The Lemonheads
It's ok. Actually liked the demos better than the produced tracks. Pretty standard 90s alt-rock.
3
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Fri Dec 10 2021
Endtroducing.....
DJ Shadow
Always liked this album, it pretty chill and the motif is always interesting. It's not the most interesting sample-based album for me but it feels like it was pretty ahead of its time and definitely set the stage for hip-hop sampling. I'm also a fan of his sampling ethos to avoid using popular material, and if you do to use it in a way to not be able to pinpoint it back to its source. it An impressive debut for sure.
4
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Sat Dec 11 2021
The Man Who
Travis
I would have loved this in HS or college, but now it is a bit one dimensional in terms of its alt-rock sentimentality. Nothing bad but not a whole lot of depth here either. Some tracks better than others.
3
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Sun Dec 12 2021
Medúlla
Björk
The more experimental-side of Björk. I'm glad to listen to more of her different albums since I have never really heard them. A few songs on here I would listen to again but I don't love them all, still all respectable. Vokuro is like a lovely Gregorian chant and I'm a sucker for that. Who Is It starts off with a minimal choral vocal arrangement then goes into some crazy synth/beatbox drums with more uptempo vibes, kinda like it. A lot of the various octave vocals are unsettling and I'm not a huge fan of their implementation, but it's bold. The whole album feels like a progression and is essentially a narrative/play to me. I could see a whole interpretive dance performance to this. I love the bitcrushed/snappy percussion start in Desired Constellation and when the vocals amp up and the whispers come in left and right. Oceana has some really impressive instrumental flourishes that come in and out. Ancestors is kind of disturbing actually, not a huge fan. Pretty crazy for 2004, the production is beautiful as well.
4
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Mon Dec 13 2021
Can't Buy A Thrill
Steely Dan
It's nice, it's smooth, but generally not my thing. It's good to hear this as "Steely Dan" though since I could not have told you what they sounded like. I can see why people would really like them and I can respect it.
3
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Tue Dec 14 2021
Countdown To Ecstasy
Steely Dan
Maybe it's just my mood but I was jiving much more to this than Can't Buy A Thrill. Really liked Your Gold Teeth. I don't think I was listening with headphones before which probably wasn't doing it any favors. Between the two albums I can give this a 4, not all exactly my thing but I see it, I see it.
4
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Wed Dec 15 2021
Central Reservation
Beth Orton
Pretty 90s singer/songwriter. Very of the times, not a huge fan but nothing is bad. "Stars All Seem to Weep" is more of what I'd be interested in, a bit more trip-hop mixed with acoustic.
3
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Thu Dec 16 2021
Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness
The Smashing Pumpkins
In HS, like many others, I liked The Smashing Pumpkins. In retrospect it's just above-average for me. I waver between a 3.5 and a 3. I think Siamese Dream might be better but not sure, maybe it'll come up in the list.
3
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Fri Dec 17 2021
Grace
Jeff Buckley
What a voice, great falsetto work. Of course many know only of Hallelujah and in some ways is almost the definitive version, although I think both Leonard Cohen and Buckley bring different things to the table. I definitely enjoy the guitar-work on the album, especially the little delayed pitch-y things in the background in Mojo Pin, which is funny cause it's the same stuff I like to do. Definitely feels like a pure musician. Also never realized he drowned to death without drugs/alcohol in his system... tragic.
4
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Sat Dec 18 2021
Vol. 4
Black Sabbath
Was not expecting a cover of "Changes" here. Overall though, to me this is not their best album. FX is a surprising experimental piece. Definitely preferred their debut (the only one I've rated at this point). Still good though. 3.5 to 3.
3
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Sun Dec 19 2021
Mask
Bauhaus
Definitely got more into it the more of a chance I gave it. It has that 80s vocal-trappings which sometimes bring it down a bit for me, but damn there are some nice grooves in here as well as some interesting instrumentation. Had to listen to it twice, was originally a 3.5 rounded down to 3 but I think I have to go up to 4 since it is intriguing enough to me. Especially as the album evolves/devolves into experimental.
4
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Mon Dec 20 2021
Raw Like Sushi
Neneh Cherry
Respectable but very 80s sounding hip-hop. Not my thing. Definitely Prince meets Michael Jackson.
3
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Tue Dec 21 2021
Run-D.M.C.
Run-D.M.C.
Surprisingly I actually kinda dig it. I haven't listened to this early of hip-hop much, but I like this minimalist/staccato/sparse presentation, definitely a fun little jaunt. Plus decently thoughtful lyric material. Dare I say this album is cute now?
4
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Wed Dec 22 2021
Rock 'N Soul
Solomon Burke
Bombastic vocal performances, everything here is super slick. Not something I'd always listen to but it's very nice.
4
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Thu Dec 23 2021
Legalize It
Peter Tosh
Good reggae but I'd rather just listen to Bob Marley/Wailers.
3
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Fri Dec 24 2021
The United States Of America
The United States Of America
Oh fuck ya this is my shit. I sort of recall the name/co ver art but glad to listen to this. "Creating the electronic sounds on the album was difficult because of the technical limitations. Byrd recalled "the only available functioning keyable synthesizers were Robert Moog's at +$20,000. We were left with whatever sounds I could squeeze from three variable wave shape generators, modulating one another." ... this is my shit. This is basically the Beatles "Number 9" meets The Velvet Underground. I can't believe this could chart on the billboard 200 (hit 181). The album also has some beautiful Can-like frenzy in the guitar playling, in some ways this is Krarutrock... Yankrock? The very Nico-esque vocals are a great pairing with all the other weirdness going on. This is the stuff that only could get a label's backing in the 60s/70s for sure. It's almost perfect that this was the only album that happened, then everything fell apart. It's STILL forward thinking, like a fucked up National Album that we deserve.
5
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Sat Dec 25 2021
Bringing It All Back Home
Bob Dylan
Not personally a huge Dylan fan, but can't deny the legacy and power of this album. I don't think it's his best album, but still quite good.
4
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Sun Dec 26 2021
A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector
Various Artists
I really really really dislike Christmas music, but a lot of classics here and I know it's not bad, but it's a 2 from me dawg.
2
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Mon Dec 27 2021
The Infotainment Scan
The Fall
Fifteenth album jeez dude. I do like and respect The Fall but not sure if the entire album is consistent in quality, but overall still good. Definitely wish I could have seen them live in their prime. I think I've only listened to the album with "Totally Wired" on it all the way through, so clearly I have some additional albums to listen to.
4
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Tue Dec 28 2021
The Blueprint
JAY Z
Never got into Jay-Z, always felt he was very typical in terms of rap, which I guess you can say he is a classic. Honestly a bit bored of the album and it's fine... just not my thing,
3
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Wed Dec 29 2021
Strangeways, Here We Come
The Smiths
Unfortunately after listening to a lot of Smiths I don't think I'm a huge fan. Instrumentally it's all fine and dandy but Morrissey's voice and delivery isn't my cup of tea.
3
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Thu Dec 30 2021
Fulfillingness' First Finale
Stevie Wonder
Listen, I know it's good and all but it doesn't do much for me. Only track I really liked personally was "You Haven't Done Nothing" due to the synth(?) sound and energy, if anything it sounds like Superstition to me which came out 2 years before this album. The rest is a bit too earnest in its moodiness.
3
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Fri Dec 31 2021
Led Zeppelin IV
Led Zeppelin
Probably my favorite album of theirs, has quite a bit of range and they are quite far along with their style that this is a great vertical slice of Zeppelin. Unfortunately it's almost become too ubiquitous that I have a hard time separating it from a lot of people that taints the impression. However, it's not my favorite style of rock and I don't always wanna listen to Zeppelin in general. I actually prefer the slower songs like The Battle of Evermore and Stairway to Heaven (as much as it was overplayed). I quite enjoyed Four Sticks with the addition of synths and the percussion is a lot of fun. Culturally and of the genre a 5 but in terms of listening pleasure it's a 4.
4
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Sat Jan 01 2022
Cypress Hill
Cypress Hill
Oof, usage of gay slurs has not aged "Pigs" well. "How I Could Just Kill a Man" is pretty iconic though. Interesting some of the lyrics are very close to some Rage Against the Machine's later works, so clearly they were influenced (not to mention they toured together). Some of the lyrics are so silly though, "Scooby Doo ya'll" made me laugh out loud. It's okay, I see the influence but for me the execution isn't my hip-hop style.
3
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Sun Jan 02 2022
The Colour Of Spring
Talk Talk
I really kinda hate this cheesy 80s soft-rock stuff. It's musically competent but is so vapid to me that it's nothing to me. Apparently their next album is prog/experimental? I'd be curious if it gets any better.
2
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Mon Jan 03 2022
High Violet
The National
I do like The National, but I don't feel like this album is consistent. Bloodbuzz Ohio is an indie classic, unfortunately the rest of the tracks don't match the quality of this song though. Lyrics are on point for this song as well "I still owe money, to the money, to the money I owe" is basically a Millennial anthem, lol. I do like Runaway as well, I remember being very into this song when I was super depressed. And maybe that's how the National is best enjoyed. This is probably a 3.5.
3
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Tue Jan 04 2022
The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan
Hit or miss Dylan for me, a few good tracks but the rest I could leave.
3
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Wed Jan 05 2022
Warehouse: Songs And Stories
Hüsker Dü
I don't know much Hüsker Dü, which I guess is a sin since I live in MN. Regardless, this alt-rock sound does nothing for me, it's there and inoffensive but it doesn't move me in any way. Sounds like they were originally more of a punk/hardcore band so if those albums come up I may be into that more.
2
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Thu Jan 06 2022
Group Sex
Circle Jerks
God the album title and band name combo is eye-roll inducing. But, pleasantly surprised. 15 minutes album... yep it is punk alright. I go back and forth between liking it and not... it feels like it's missing a bit of heart to it for me, it might be just because bands like Dropkick Murpheys and other skank-inducing groups basically co-opted this sound and it ends up being trite and kinda bro-y.
3
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Fri Jan 07 2022
Frampton Comes Alive
Peter Frampton
I can't say I get Peter Frampton, maybe it's just not my thing. Nothing here is bad but I really don't care about it at all, so I'm wavering between a 2 and a 3, but I'll round up for "talent" I suppose.
3
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Sat Jan 08 2022
Vespertine
Björk
Strong interesting start. This coming off Homogenic is interesting, it feels like it could have been released in the last year. Love that instrumental oddness going on. First track has it all, orchestral Björk, weird beat Björk, instrumental oddities swirling around Björk, etc etc. Second track has some nice little poppy-sounding-beats along with interesting acoustic touches, lyrically it's interestingly explicit but pure in its intention. Oh man the Bass contrasting with the music boxes on Pagan Poetry is so fucking good, the push-pull of heavy/raw/powerful instruments with delicate twinkling of other touches+vocals is very powerful and what makes me really like Björk. This is definitely a winter album.
Interesting Wiki tidbit: "With the rising popularity of Napster and music downloads, she decided to use instruments whose sounds would not be compromised when downloaded and played on a computer, including the harp, the celesta, clavichord, strings, and custom music boxes. Assisted by the duo Matmos, Björk created "microbeats" from various household sounds, such as that of shuffling cards and ice being cracked." Honestly there is a lot of interesting found-sound tidbits in the Wiki article that for a nerd like me make me happy. Sounds like the laptop was the studio for most of it, and apparently Björk does not get the credit for her work on it. Bummer. I'd say maybe a 4.5 or 5 but I will go with a 4.5 since not every track was unique enough to grab me compared to some others.
4
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Sun Jan 09 2022
evermore
Taylor Swift
Like, I really hate listening to this type of music. Essentially what I hate about "pop music" is this perfect vocal-style, I like my vocals with some grit or humanness. This just feels so manufactured and processed. Instrumentally it's all fine, it's just pop vocals ruin it for me 100%. I have nothing against Taylor Swift as she clearly is successful at what she's doing, but it's just not for me in any capacity. Furthermore my impression is she has no different lyrical content beyond relationship woes which gets old, but I get it... that's a huge market.
The better songs are with The National and Bon Iver but, it all still feels too "pure" for me. I can't relate to it at all. Like, it's like a 1 or 2 on enjoyment but I can't even properly rate this, so I guess it's just a 2 from me. I don't WANT to hate it but I really don't ever wanna listen to it again.
2
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Mon Jan 10 2022
Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots
The Flaming Lips
My favorite The Flaming Lips album. This feels like the perfect encapsulation of their style: an interesting narrative concept (whether intentional or not), melancholia but whimsical sounds/lyrics, and a lust for life. I remember first hearing this my junior year in college and just being filled with hope for both the world's and my own future.
I may be ignorant, but there still isn't much out there like this. I could type out things about every track on this album; they are all good which is also a rare feat. I'd say the highlight is Do You Realize?? which most people likely already know. It's still extremely pure and beautiful and I've prob heard it over 100 times.
It's very impressive that this is also the 10th album for them, most bands start produce shit at this point but the fact that they could make this after so long is a testament to their artistic acumen, not to mention the really great production work here. One of the most human albums of the 00s. A rare straight 5 for me.
5
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Tue Jan 11 2022
Done By The Forces Of Nature
Jungle Brothers
Pretty cool/positive affirming old-school Hip Hop. Watching the music video for Beyond This World was fun. Overall pretty funky and even has some disco touches in it. While it's fun, I am not sure it really does anything very unique, but overall I like it. 3.5 to 3.
3
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Wed Jan 12 2022
Beyond Skin
Nitin Sawhney
Pretty chill down-tempo. I like a few of the songs but beyond that for a lot I'd rather them be instrumental.
3
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Thu Jan 13 2022
Introducing The Hardline According To Terence Trent D'Arby
Terence Trent D'Arby
80s as hell. Reminds me a bit of Michael Bolton mixed with Prince. He's clearly a talented singer but definitely not my style.
3
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Fri Jan 14 2022
Gris Gris
Dr. John
At first I was thinking "Who is this ripping off Tom Waits?" then I see it was released in 1968. Wow. Ok not surprising he is an influence on Waits. As a Waits fan this is fascinating. I like Gris-Gris and Mama Roux but the vocals on Croker Courtbullion are super annoying. Definitely hear some Zappa-esque things here as well. I don't know if I'd wanna listen to a lot of this again but, damn I gotta give it a 4 just for the respect of this being 1968.
4
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Sat Jan 15 2022
3 Years, 5 Months And 2 Days In The Life Of...
Arrested Development
An interesting mix of genres between songs. Kind of goes a lot of places, but overall is competent classic hip-hop, I can respect the positive vibes. Lyrically some of it comes off a bit trite though, I appreciate the "anti-gangsta" mentality, it feels a bit superficial.
3
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Sun Jan 16 2022
Cosmo's Factory
Creedence Clearwater Revival
I remember in middle school trying to look up guitar tabs for Creed songs on ultimateguitar and Creedence always came up first and I was like "who are these guys I just wanna learn Creed". The blunder years for sure.
Even since then, I can't say I've really listened to CCR in earnest or in a deliberate way. Just the hits/singles over the years. So this might be one of the first album listens.
Ramble Tamble is a strong start. Really liking the psych-energy and extended jams. After this, it gets into what I would expect from an extended catalog. It's all good but I'm not a huge fan of rockabilly/swamp rock. I do appreciate the weird noises on Run Through the Jungle. I've definitely heard Up Around The Bend, that's definitely the quintessential CCR sound to me. Surprisingly I've heard "My Baby Left Me" as well, not sure where but kind of surprised since it's a lesser played track on Spotify.
Anyways, while overall enjoyment may be around a 3.5 the quality is definitely 4-4.5 so I'll have to go with a 4.
4
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Mon Jan 17 2022
Rust Never Sleeps
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
Hmm...
My My, Hey Hey is a classic. That's for sure. The rest of the songs I'm having a bit of trouble getting into. They are fine, but nothing amazing. Sedan Mothers vocals are a bit annoying though, definitely don't like that one. I just wish some of the other tracks moved me a bit more, definitely not my fav Neil Young but culturally/objectively it's a 4. But, enjoyment is a 3 so I'm gonna do with a 3.
3
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Tue Jan 18 2022
The Slider
T. Rex
Idk but I enjoyed this a little more than Electric Warrior, could just have been my mood. Not every track is a straight A but between the two I think at least one of these albums deserves a 4.
4
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Wed Jan 19 2022
Thriller
Michael Jackson
Listen. This may be one of the top pop albums of all time. There's no disputing that. In terms of personal enjoyment, the first half of the album doesn't do much for me.
Billie Jean, Beat It, Thriller are of course straight 5*. Some of the rest are just okay for me. I personally do not love listening to MJ, but I get it.
4
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Thu Jan 20 2022
New Boots And Panties
Ian Dury
Something about this rubbed me the wrong way. It’s not horrible but nothing produced here needs to exist, which maybe is the tragedy.
2
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Fri Jan 21 2022
2112
Rush
"Jesus" is what I uttered when I saw the first track of 20:33 runtime. It's prog time for sure. I mean, I can respect the concept but execution it isn't doing much for me. I am admittedly not a huge fan of his voice but it can work in songs like Tom Sawyer, but here not so much.
From Wiki it sounds like their label was wanting them to make more accessible/consumable music but they doubled down with their Side A being this single 20 minute track. I can respect that for sure, regardless of my enjoyment of it. The rest of the songs on side 2 are... fine.
Instrumentally they are all talented, but this sort of prog just always feels like it's technical for the sake of technicality. It never feels relatable for me, but to each their own.
3
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Sat Jan 22 2022
KIWANUKA
Michael Kiwanuka
Definitely a good singer and has an interesting vintage sound that still sounds "fresh". I liked it overall but couldn't point to a specific track that stood out. About a 3.5-4 for me so I'll round up.
4
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Sun Jan 23 2022
Something Else By The Kinks
The Kinks
I think I like the more rock-focused Kinks. I did like Death of a Clown due to the interesting vocal mix but everything else is just okay.
3
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Mon Jan 24 2022
Dummy
Portishead
Welcome to trip-hop. I think you can have sex to any of these songs to be honest.
Already know this one very well, I like almost every song on it. Definitely a Portishead fan, the way they can weave a seductively dark vibe is top. Beth is a great singer as well and I love her vocal style. I came to this pretty late unfortunately, didn't hear it until my mid 20s, but I probably wouldn't have liked it as a teenager unfortunately. Only track that isn't as good as the rest is "It's A Fire", apparently it wasn't on the original UK release and I see why, not bad just not in the same caliber.
Hard to pick a favorite track, but it might be Wandering Star. I really like Mysterons, It Could Be Sweet, Roads, Glory Box as well. Overall, Dummy may still be their best work.
5
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Tue Jan 25 2022
Harvest
Neil Young
I want to like it more than I do. I think there are some real standout tracks like Heart of Gold, Out on the Weekend, Old Man... but the rest are just okay for me unfortunately.
3
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Wed Jan 26 2022
Coles Corner
Richard Hawley
Retro-sounding. I can appreciate it but sort of boring for me.
3
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Thu Jan 27 2022
Femi Kuti
Femi Kuti
I overall enjoyed it a good amount, but unfortunately it was a bit long for me without a ton of genre variation, if it was a little shorter I'd give it a 4 and live I'm sure 4.5+.
3
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Fri Jan 28 2022
It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back
Public Enemy
I wanna like it overall more than I do. I think some tracks are very strong like "Bring the Noise", "Rebel Without a Pause", "Don't Believe the Hype" but a bunch don't quite meet that caliber of quailty. The album feels like it could be trimmed down by at least 5 songs, but from what I can see they wanted no dead air space between sides of the cassette so opted for 30 mins each, I get it but... it definitely shows.
3
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Sat Jan 29 2022
Elephant Mountain
The Youngbloods
Competent folk-rock, but just sort of there for me. It's nice though.
3
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Sun Jan 30 2022
Clube Da Esquina
Milton Nascimento
It sounds pretty neat and there is a lot of interesting culture behind the album on Wikipedia, but for my own listening pleasure it's not my thing.
3
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Mon Jan 31 2022
Since I Left You
The Avalanches
Had high hopes for this one because "Frontier Psychiatrist" is a bop... but the rest fell flat for me. Sampling is fine but not very interesting to me.
3
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Tue Feb 01 2022
Private Dancer
Tina Turner
She's a classic. But, I've never been grabbed by her stuff to be honest.
3
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Wed Feb 02 2022
Reign In Blood
Slayer
I dunno man, in some ways this feels so played out I can't even properly evaluate this since this sound has been so overplayed throughout a ton of thrash/death metal bands. It's interesting that this was their first well-produced album and set a standard for metal production going forward, I think that's neat. Beyond that, I can't say I really enjoy it a ton, but I can also highly respect the brevity; I actually listened to it 3x just to make sure. Live however, I'm sure it would be super fun.
3
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Thu Feb 03 2022
Felt Mountain
Goldfrapp
Every song here could be a song in a James Bond film. Overall I like it. I like the vocal delivery as well as the theremine-like synth that wavers up and down across the album. My only qualm would be that the album is a bit static. But overall, a very seductive yet elegant album.
4
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Fri Feb 04 2022
Killing Joke
Killing Joke
I like a bunch of these, especially Requiem, that simple pulsating synth is a lot of fun. There are a few songss here and there that are just "ok" for me, but overall a cool post-punk album for sure.
4
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Sat Feb 05 2022
Speakerboxxx/The Love Below
OutKast
Of course I've heard "Hey Ya!" and "The Way You Move", you can't avoid that song no matter what you try. Thankfully they are both pretty good. Haven't listened to any other tracks on here before, but overall not too bad. Definitely some cool production/mixing here, the concept album of each person with a side is kind of neat. It's not my preferred style of hip-hop but I can't fault it really.
4
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Sun Feb 06 2022
Beach Samba
Astrud Gilberto
I was digging it the first few songs, but then it started to get old and some of the vocals were annoying to me as it went on, unfortunately. It's nice though, but didn't need half of it in the album.
3
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Mon Feb 07 2022
The College Dropout
Kanye West
I haven't listened to much Kanye so glad to have the opportunity to do so. From what I know though, this feels like a rough draft of the "Kanye sound". Lots of filler/skits and a bunch of tracks that don't need to exist, also maybe too many collabs but... when it's your debut using others as a hype-builder just makes sense. Production-wise it's quite good, pretty impressive a lot of this was on his own at parts, you can tell he is a perfectionist and I can appreciate it. I hope the next 2 albums are on here because from what I know they are a bit better.
3
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Tue Feb 08 2022
Cloud Nine
The Temptations
Smooth, but just okay for me. Nothing offensive, unfortunately I have nothing to say on this. It's fine?
3
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Wed Feb 09 2022
Fetch The Bolt Cutters
Fiona Apple
I theoretically like Fiona Apple more than I actually enjoy listening to her in general, with some exceptions. I appreciate the style and energy but I’m not always thrilled with the execution, I can see why people like her but it’s not my thing.
3
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Thu Feb 10 2022
Phrenology
The Roots
I'm definitely a fan of full instrumentation hip-hop. Some very surprising songs on here, like Water where it goes into some weird krautrock-y kosmiche music at times, could have been a Can song halfway through. Songs like Rock You, The Seed (2.0), Rolling With Heat, are all super vibe-y. Some of it is a bit bloat-y but overall I'm a fan. 3.5 to 4.
4
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Fri Feb 11 2022
GREY Area
Little Simz
For some reason British hip-hop delivery does something for me. Instrumentally it's pretty great. Love the distorted drums and the synth lines. Some of the tracks are hit and miss but overall pretty strong.
4
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Sat Feb 12 2022
Murmur
R.E.M.
I wanna like R.E.M. more than I do, on paper it makes sense. But in execution I am bored, it's just so "there" for alt-rock.
3
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Sun Feb 13 2022
Trans Europe Express
Kraftwerk
Iconic. Most people are not aware of Kraftwerk and their ground-breaking electronic style that wasn't really done. The inhumanness goes so far it wraps around and becomes somehow human. Only song I'm not a fan of is "Showroom Dumimes". 4.5 to 5.
5
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Mon Feb 14 2022
(Pronounced 'Leh-'Nérd 'Skin-'Nérd)
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Unfortunately this sound is so culturally complicated for Americans with a lot of racists identifying with the southern rock sound. Beyond that, although I would not want to listen to this on the regular, you can't deny the legacy of this album. Simple Man is still great. Free Bird is... well, Free Bird. Nothing is bad here.
4
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Tue Feb 15 2022
A Rush Of Blood To The Head
Coldplay
Coldplay peaked with the Brothers & Sisters and The Blue Room EPs. In terms of albums, I think their first 3 are strongest and I was definitely a fan of Coldplay in high school/college. Early Coldplay is Diet Radiohead with optimistic-based syrup content. Later Coldplay became its own thing, which is fine but I fell off after Viva La Vida.
With that out of the way, I think Coldplay on these earlier albums were at their prime. Lyrically they are good, it's inoffensive and easy listening. If I didn't have loved these albums in my youth I may not rate this as high as I do. I do remember coming home from a long shift at 1AM after closing up the concession stand at a movie theatre, hearing Clocks on the radio the first time and I made me stop in my tracks, as a moody 16 year old it just did something for me. It's still not what I wanna listen to most of the time, but credit to where credit is due. I think the track "A Rush of Blood to the Head" is still good, but I really can't listen to much of this anymore, I'm kind of past it all. But, 4 since I can recognize that it is very successful at what it does.
4
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Wed Feb 16 2022
Idlewild
Everything But The Girl
Earnest to a fault. Like, definitely too earnest for me, urghhhhhh... also so very late 80s/early 90s sounding. Her voice is clearly the star of this show, but it's just generically good to me, not my thing at all. It's competent, but I couldn't get through it.
2
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Thu Feb 17 2022
Bummed
Happy Mondays
Unfortunately plagued by the 80s sound. It's okay and I can see why someone would like it, but all sounds very 80s cheesy beyond the vocals.
3
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Fri Feb 18 2022
Dust
Screaming Trees
Generically boring 90s alt-rock. Might be my least favorite of the 90s styles to be honest, it's just.... there... Like, just listen to Pearl Jam if you want this style.
2
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Sat Feb 19 2022
The ArchAndroid
Janelle Monáe
I definitely respect what she's going for here, but as an album it feels like it's wanting to be 2 or 3 different things. There's the symphonic songs, the more straight-forward hip-hop (Cold War, Tightrope), and then the rest are much more experimental pieces. I had only heard the radio hits that were Cold War, Tightrope so that's what I assumed the whole album would be, so I was a bit surprised. If the album contained all of one style, I feel like it would be a 4 for me, but since it's so disjointed as an album it's only a 3. Individual tracks rate much higher.
3
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Sun Feb 20 2022
Lost In The Dream
The War On Drugs
I want to like it more than I do. I do like it, but it's just sort of "there". Doesn't excite me or move me. It's kind of that 2010 era of indie sensibility that is somewhat interesting and yet very palatable, which I think compromises too much on accessibility, at least for me.
3
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Mon Feb 21 2022
James Brown Live At The Apollo
James Brown
It's James Brown. He's good. But, I dunno maybe it's the live-ness but as an album it started to drag.
3
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Tue Feb 22 2022
Oracular Spectacular
MGMT
This was the hotness when I was in college. Definitely fun to listen back to it now knowing a bit more about synthesizers and sound-creation. MGMT had that great mix of vocal-pop hooks and delicious synthy vibes. I think there are a ton of bands that wouldn't exist if MGMT didn't have the success they did. I've enjoyed listening to some of the lesser known songs on here, I've heard them but it's been a while. Weekend Wars sort of has a proto-punk vocal delivery, also sort of Freddie Mercury vibe. Thematically at the time it felt like it captured the millennial energy of both being worn down but still happy enough to wanna party. Only problem is songs like Electric Feel and Kids have been so overplayed that they don't mean much to me anymore.
4
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Wed Feb 23 2022
Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs
Derek & The Dominos
Very talented musicians, but honestly it gets a bit old for me. Didn't know this was something Clapton was in as well. Interestingly not the version of Layla I know as well, so that's kinda neat.
3
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Thu Feb 24 2022
Elvis Is Back
Elvis Presley
I mean, it's Elvis. Clearly a 5 for cultural impact. But in terms of listening pleasure it's a 3 for me, not my thing. But, fun to listen to and think about all the music after Elvis that was inspired.
3
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Fri Feb 25 2022
There's A Riot Goin' On
Sly & The Family Stone
Funky as fuck. Definitely don't know much of Sly & The Family Stalone but I'm digging it. Poet is really fun. I have heard Family Affair though, honestly it's just ok for me. Unfortunately as the album went on the songs weren't as good for me, which is a same since I really liked a few songs.
3
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Sat Feb 26 2022
...And Justice For All
Metallica
First thing I noticed is that the mix feels a bit sterile, like it was either over-engineered to be cleaner or wasn't engineered enough, not sure. I think the only song I like is "One". And it's just okay for me. It's just not my type of metal.
3
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Sun Feb 27 2022
The Age Of The Understatement
The Last Shadow Puppets
Look, it's fine. But I really don't like the singer's cadence from The Arctic Monkeys so it is definitely not my thing.
3
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Mon Feb 28 2022
Seventeen Seconds
The Cure
I appreciate The Cure, but unfortunately the 80s-ness detracts it for me. I can get into their dark synth energy but it just doesn't go quite far enough for me to really get into it.
3
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Tue Mar 01 2022
Queen Of Denmark
John Grant
Oh boy this is too earnest for me. Just way too soft of delivery. The track Marz is better but the lyrics are so cheesy for me. I can hear some of the Midlake influences in the instrumentals and some arrangements, I am a fan of Midlake (Tim Smith era) but this is a situation where the execution isn't good for me. I really can't finish it, not a big fan. Totally not my thing.
2
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Wed Mar 02 2022
You Want It Darker
Leonard Cohen
This album compares and contrasts well with Black Star in different, morbid ways. I feel like they are both sort of reaching the same conclusion, but approaching it a bit differently as they age and mortality creeps closer. I feel like "You Want It Darker" and "Treaty" are the stand-out tracks. You Want It Darker is a better-than-average but feels like an intro that doesn't stand on its own as a track. Treaty I do like a lot. It reminds me of something Tom Waits would do, which is great in my book.
From here after Treaty, it falls a bit short of what I'd want. Maybe I'm just not old enough, but it's just ok for me. The spoken-word delivery gets older and older the longer the album goes for me. I don't dislike it, but I want a lot more out of it.
3
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Thu Mar 03 2022
The Beach Boys Today!
The Beach Boys
Like, I get it. Beach Boys are iconic, but wow do I really not like this album, lol. I'd give Pet Sounds more pedigree due to its mixing/production in the age it was in, but if I'm honest this is a 2 on enjoyment. Vocally Beach Boys annoy me.
2
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Fri Mar 04 2022
Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)
Eurythmics
Love Is a Stranger and Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) are 4 or 5 star songs in themselves. I really wanted to give this a 4 as an album, but every other track on the album falls so short of those two tracks it highlights the disparity between them. I love the synths on all of it though, they still held up even with their 80s-style.
3
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Sat Mar 05 2022
Dire Straits
Dire Straits
A name I know of but assumed was somewhat different. I know of the term "Sultans of Swing" but embarrassingly did not know it was a song. I assumed these guys were southern rock but they are British, so apparently more pub-rock. Clearly talented musicians. Beyond that, it's more of a time-and-a-place album for me, certain situations I could get really into it, but casual listening alone it doesn't do much for me.
3
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Sun Mar 06 2022
Life's Too Good
The Sugarcubes
Ahh yes proto-Björk solo career. I have heard "Birthday" which is a pretty cute song sounding song, with that Björk husky-growl that is iconic of her style, a very nice mix.
Anytime there is someone else singing it brings it down for me. The sound is a bit locked in that 80s production-style which also sounds a bit weak. It also is a bit too long, although I wouldn't have cared as much if all the tracks are bangers, but they are definitely not.
3
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Mon Mar 07 2022
Chelsea Girl
Nico
Never listened to solo Nico, definitely think I prefer her stuff with The Velvet Underground. It's not bad. Interestingly on Wikipedia she says she can't listen to this album because they wouldn't do what she wanted, they made it more orchestral/flute-y which she apparently hates. I can see why.
3
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Tue Mar 08 2022
The Black Saint And The Sinner Lady
Charles Mingus
I like it. I feel like any good Jazz is almost always at least a 4 for me. I especially liked Track B where it sounded like he was almost singing through the horn while also playing it, very cool effect.
4
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Wed Mar 09 2022
Electric Prunes
The Electric Prunes
This album feels quite manic, some cool songs and some others I really don't care for at all. First track might be my fav, the rest are sorta meh. Like Toonerville Trolley is sort of horrible. An interesting debut for sure.
3
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Thu Mar 10 2022
Rid Of Me
PJ Harvey
Only knew of later PJ Harvey stuff which I liked, but dang this album is punk as fuck, really raw in the best way. Live this would vibe so hard. Rid of Me is great. Legs is intense, love her raw screaming. Hey, another recording at Pachyderm Recording Studios in Cannon Falls, Minnesota. Guess I know where to go and keep it local if need be in the future.
The albums starts to drag a bit as it goes on though and never manages to reach the heights of the first tracks as well as going maybe a couple songs too long.
Still very good, I never knew this side of PJ Harvey and I'm keen to listen more. 4.5 to 4.
4
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Fri Mar 11 2022
Ingenue
k.d. lang
Soft rock basically. It's "fine" but I'm pretty indifferent, never would listen to it and I'd probably ask to turn it off if in a car. But, that's just me.
3
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Sat Mar 12 2022
I Am a Bird Now
Antony and the Johnsons
I remember in my 20s hearing the first track on Pandora radio and was pretty struck by it, so I went and tried to listen to the album... and more of it I heard the more I started to dislike it. The heavy vibrato-vocals I think work well to be used sparingly, or just one track. But, as it goes on it gets to be too much for me. Might be a nice concert to go to and never listen to again, just for that transient experience.
3
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Sun Mar 13 2022
The Dark Side Of The Moon
Pink Floyd
Difficult to rate this one, I can't say I'm the biggest Pink Floyd fan. I think they're good but not a band I want to ever sit down and listen to. Very much the same with Dark Side of the Moon. It's such a cultural touchpoint and lauded so highly it's almost become boring to me. I'm guessing if I heard it on my own before I heard all the hype that wouldn't cloud my judgement. Culturally/musically it's a 5 but personally it's a 4.
4
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Mon Mar 14 2022
The Queen Is Dead
The Smiths
One of the more popular The Smiths albums. Unfortunately the more I hear of Morrissey the less I like him. It's "good" but I can't anymore... "There is a Light That Never Goes Out" is still their best song though, still like that one.
3
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Tue Mar 15 2022
Stankonia
OutKast
I dunno why but this time I'm not too jazzed about OutKast. I thought the concepts of the previous albums on the list were stronger. Also the intro song really set the mood to be eye-rolling. Bombs over Baghdad is the standout, but not sure what this song is really saying.
3
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Wed Mar 16 2022
Rock Bottom
Robert Wyatt
Instrumentally it's interesting but vocally, oof not my thing. Initially this is a 2 for the grating high pitched vocals but then I read up on the album and now I feel kinda bad since he became paraplegic during this album. However it seems this was still the same vocal style regardless of the accident from his previous works, maybe it became a bit more strained. The vocals unfortunately do not make me want to listen to it though. A 3 since it is trying something different.
3
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Thu Mar 17 2022
Make Yourself
Incubus
Incubus is slightly tolerable butt-rock. Definitely a time and a place thing, and that place was early 2000s in high school for me. It's rock that is "there". I suppose musically it's fine but vocally it's pure butt.
3
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Fri Mar 18 2022
Dig Your Own Hole
The Chemical Brothers
90s big beat. I know Chemical Brothers have a big following and were a scene staple, but listening to it just exhausts me. For me not sure it aged as well as some other similar material. If I was on E in a rave I'd probably enjoy it more.
3
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Sat Mar 19 2022
Fever To Tell
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
I know of Yeah Yeah Yeahs from Maps and "Heads Will Roll", but also heard "Y Control" although I didn't know the title. In general I'm a fan, a few songs on this album I'm not really into, but the ones I am into I am very into. Rich and Y Control are my two stand-outs, but Maps is still good although almost like a different album since it's so mellow. I also enjoyed listening to the 4 track demos on the Deluxe edition, they are all so much distorted but overall I think they made the right choices for the actual album's sound.
4
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Sun Mar 20 2022
Loveless
My Bloody Valentine
Was a bit intimidated to listen to this since I know it's the quintessential shoegaze album. Overall I'm into it, I am definitely a texture guy when it comes to music and it checked all those boxes. The only thing that I didn't love was the higher pitched vocals by Shields, I preferred the lower register or Butcher's style. 4.5 down to 4.
4
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Mon Mar 21 2022
Take Me Apart
Kelela
It's ok. Musically it's at least sort of interesting but it's still stylistically not my thing in terms of R&B.
3
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Tue Mar 22 2022
Let It Bleed
The Rolling Stones
It's iconic, of course. Unfortunately the rest of the song don't hit the emotional highs of the first and last track. I feel like everyone has said anything that needs to be said here, but I could take or leave half the album in a personal listening session. Still, when it rocks it rocks hard.
4
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Wed Mar 23 2022
Celebrity Skin
Hole
Never listened to any Hole nor any Courtney Love in a deliberate fashion. I find this album to be kind of whitewashed punk-rock made to appear on MTV and be palatable enough for the mainstream kids who wanna be cool. That's just my impression though.
3
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Thu Mar 24 2022
Crooked Rain Crooked Rain
Pavement
I haven't heard a lot of Pavement but I love, love, Range Life. There are a bunch of other good ones on here, a few take-it-or-leave it ones for me, but overall very good stuff. This sounds like modern indie but this was 1994! I enjoy the vocal style but I can imagine a lot of people wouldn't, it's a perfectly relatable cadence that almost anyone can sing along with. 4.5 to 4.
4
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Fri Mar 25 2022
Emperor Tomato Ketchup
Stereolab
Tasty jams, Krautrock-like progressions, and I like French when it's sung as well, so this ticks a lot of boxes. I knew the name but never what they sounded like.
4
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Sat Mar 26 2022
The Fat Of The Land
The Prodigy
Definitely that Fatboy Slim 90s era electronic dance music vibe... it didn't age very well for me, but it isn't "bad". Also their excuse for "Smack My Bitch Up" is laughable.
3
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Sun Mar 27 2022
Moon Safari
Air
Air are a viiiiibe. I've only listened to their "Talkie Walkie" album so this was fun. What a debut. A mix of downtempo lounge and fun slow dance music. Makes me feel like a fancy lad.
4
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Mon Mar 28 2022
Casanova
The Divine Comedy
Not much to say... it's fine but definitely not interested in it. There's a joke here somewhere and it falls flat for me.
3
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Tue Mar 29 2022
Nothing's Shocking
Jane's Addiction
Thought I'd hate it more, but it turned out to be just OK. Not a huge fan of the voice but the instrumentation is... fine.
3
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Wed Mar 30 2022
Good Old Boys
Randy Newman
Ok. Newman wants to sing the first song from a redneck's perspective but c'mon man, you know a bunch of bigots loved this song, even with the lines that take a jab at them, it will just be bypassed. I don't think its effective, but I could be wrong. Regardless it has left a sour taste in my mouth. Maybe you get it more once you realize he is also Jewish but idk maaaaaan.
Regardless, not my style but he's clearly talented. I mostly know his voice from You Got a Friend In Me.
3
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Thu Mar 31 2022
Dusty In Memphis
Dusty Springfield
It's beautiful and kind of cute, but generally not my vibe. I get why she is popular.
3
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Fri Apr 01 2022
Hunting High And Low
a-ha
I won't dwell on "Take on Me", but it is quintessential 80s electronic pop. Somehow has transcended how cheesy it is with the catchy riffs and impressive falsetto. I think the video really cemented it though.
I can really only say I've heard "Take on Me" though, the rest of the album is completely unknown to me. It's fine, but not my thing.
I really can't listen to it in general as the 80-ness gets to be much, but I'd say in general I think the world slept on the rest of this album a bit. Maybe I just haven't met a-ha fans but I've never heard anyone talk about any of their other work. 3.5 to 3.
3
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Sat Apr 02 2022
Shake Your Money Maker
The Black Crowes
For southern rock it's okay, inoffensive. In general not into this style of rock though, reminds me of listening to trying-to-be-edgy 90s radio in the US.
3
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Sun Apr 03 2022
Bad Company
Bad Company
I got nothing. Didn't do anything for me but it's fine.
3
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Mon Apr 04 2022
Are You Experienced
Jimi Hendrix
I hate single-side panned vocals. I'd rather have mono for Purple Haze than this overly stereo version. Other tracks are better. But ya, this is good Jimi Hendrix, what else is there to say?
4
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Tue Apr 05 2022
3 + 3
The Isley Brothers
Oh shit I do know "That Lady", didn't think I knew any of this group. Overall some nice funk but beyond That Lady it didn't grab me as much as I wanted. I can see people disagreeing though.
3
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Wed Apr 06 2022
Untitled (Black Is)
SAULT
I like what they are going for, but musically it doesn't hit as hard as I want it to.
3
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Thu Apr 07 2022
Snivilisation
Orbital
In terms of electronic music I find techno to be one of the least interesting for me, at least this era of techno. I know Orbital is considered quintessential techno and I get it, but feels so dated now in comparison to modern IDM. Listening to it in a big warehouse at a rave, now that I could get into. As a casual listening experience it's meh.
3
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Fri Apr 08 2022
Brutal Youth
Elvis Costello
Still can't get into Costello at all.
3
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Sat Apr 09 2022
There's No Place Like America Today
Curtis Mayfield
Hooked straight in due to that funky bass and guitar, then the vocals come in and daaamn what a combo. Another person I knew the name of but never listened to. I'm in a coffee shop and I can't sit still, such a vibe. Unfortunately none of the other songs hit that high for me, but they were still soulful as hell. Love to the People may be my 2nd fav.
This Wiki anecdote is worth noting: "On August 13, 1990, Mayfield became paralyzed from the neck down after stage lighting equipment fell on him while he was being introduced at an outdoor concert at Wingate Field in Flatbush, Brooklyn, New York. Afterwards, though he was unable to play the guitar, he continued to compose and sing, which he found he could do by lying down and letting gravity pull down on his chest and lungs." Gotta admire that dedication.
4
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Sun Apr 10 2022
Master Of Puppets
Metallica
"MASTER. MASTER." is what I think every time I see this album title. This era of Metallic is just ok for me. Master of Puppets is fun though. I bet if this album was mixed in not such a mid-heavy way I could get more into it, it just feels a bit flat compared to modern metal mixes.
3
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Mon Apr 11 2022
Out of Step
Minor Threat
I like the general ethos and sound but there wasn't a track that I was like "hell ya this is the one". Hard to rate really, it's between a 3 and a 4 for me but since I didn't gravitate towards a specific song I'll downgrade to 3.
3
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Tue Apr 12 2022
Closer
Joy Division
I haven't ever given Joy Division a serious listen but I'm thinking I've made a big mistake. Atrocity Exhibition kicks off with that distorted guitar and possibly a synth in the background which has a freeform expressiveness that I find myself doing which is abrasive and only works with the other elements in lockstep (drums/bass). But man it works well. Total Krautrock energy.
Unfortunately it peaks there for me. Twenty Four Hours is a good vibe but the others don't get there for me, I'm not sure I love the cadence of Ian Curtis.
The Eternal sounds like something off Bowie's album Low side 2 but with vocals. Decades is nice with the synth. Maybe the last 3 are better than the first few. Still, I can recognize the greatness here even if it doesn't always tick the boxes for me.
4
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Wed Apr 13 2022
Ill Communication
Beastie Boys
You can tell they were sick of just doing one single thing. Definitely was surprised by the range of the album, but it doesn't really stick to anything so as an album I find it lacking. Obviously has some bangers.
3
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Thu Apr 14 2022
Shalimar
Rahul Dev Burman
I'm assuming this is iconic due to reasons I am not familiar with. It's... ok?
3
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Fri Apr 15 2022
Repeater
Fugazi
Cool, got this after just rating Minor Threat so it's gonna be neat to hear the progression for Ian MacKaye. Not sure I love Guy Picciotto's vocal styles, I think I prefer Ian's.
The track Repeater definitely could be the opener for me. That squealing guitar is neat, definitely post-park with the interplay between abrasive and clean guitar. In general though... not a huge style of this rock sound.
3
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Sat Apr 16 2022
Catch A Fire
Bob Marley & The Wailers
All around great album. Can't give it any less than a 4 because Stir It Up is still a BOP.
4
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Sun Apr 17 2022
Hypnotised
The Undertones
I'm not too into this Pop Punk sound, but live drunk in a bar I'd prob fuckin love it. Under the Boardwalk was a nice throwback sound though.
3
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Mon Apr 18 2022
Gasoline Alley
Rod Stewart
I get why people like Rod Stewart but he doesn't do much for me. It's good though.
3
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Tue Apr 19 2022
The Stone Roses
The Stone Roses
First track was really good and definitely my thing, but then it went a bit too much into brit-pop for me. Still good, just not my thing.
3
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Wed Apr 20 2022
Like Water For Chocolate
Common
Never can get into Common, I always hear he's "socially-conscious" then I hear him calling people faggots and yeah... no thanks. Everything else is fine.
3
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Thu Apr 21 2022
L'Eau Rouge
The Young Gods
On paper I could get into industrial, but this feels a bit too try-hard in terms of edginess. Some neat sounds though.
3
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Fri Apr 22 2022
The Cars
The Cars
A lot of hits here. I get why people like The Cars but it's just too poppy for me. Iconic though.
3
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Sat Apr 23 2022
Surrealistic Pillow
Jefferson Airplane
A lot of hits here. Not something I always wanna listen to but I can't deny that it's great. Somebody to Love and White Rabbit are the cream of the crop.
4
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Sun Apr 24 2022
Very
Pet Shop Boys
Eesh, not a fan of the vocals at all. That along gives it's enjoyment to a 2 but it's "competent" in what it's doing, but... there are much better things out there. Feels like every song is a cartoon's montage.
2
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Mon Apr 25 2022
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Elton John
Listen, I know this is an iconic album and 4-5 songs are classics. But, as an album it has too much. In terms of style it's not really my thing either. I could give it a 4 star if it was like half the length.
3
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Tue Apr 26 2022
Birth Of The Cool
Miles Davis
If peeing your pants is cool, then I'm Miles Davis.
4
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Wed Apr 27 2022
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Surprised I like it more than I thought I would. Still not overly into this type of Tom Petty sound but in a certain bar or setting I can get down with this. Almost gave it a 4 but it's still a 3 since I don't see myself going to the songs on my own.
3
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Thu Apr 28 2022
Billion Dollar Babies
Alice Cooper
It's... ok but surprisingly all over the place. Not my jam but I guess I can respect some of the weird shit?
3
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Fri Apr 29 2022
Bayou Country
Creedence Clearwater Revival
Good ole Creedence. Born On the Bayou and Proud Mary are the standouts but all the tracks are fine enough.
4
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Sat Apr 30 2022
Come Away With Me
Norah Jones
I respect Norah Jones, she does a thing extremely well and is typecast as a pop musician but she does have a. strong Jazz/Country/Folk sound. Not the type of thing I want to listen to all the time, but I wouldn't mind throwing it on once and awhile. Oh to be able to listen to her in some lounge before she got big, I would of fell in love big time.
3
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Sun May 01 2022
Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters
Definitely sounds like a bunch of Nirvana b-sides/demos in some ways. It's not bad but Foo Fighters definitely get better. Respect to Grohl in that he played all the instruments.
3
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Mon May 02 2022
I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight
Richard Thompson
Not a huge folk person but it seems fine, the titular track was definitely the best.
3
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Tue May 03 2022
Kenya
Machito
Kind of fun but gets a bit exhausting to listen as an album.
3
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Wed May 04 2022
Scream, Dracula, Scream
Rocket From The Crypt
Their energy is admirable, and don't mind the horns but the music is so cookie-cutter edgy mid 90s that it is boring as fuck. Like it was made to be on Tony Hawk's Pro Skater.
2
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Thu May 05 2022
Welcome to the Afterfuture
Mike Ladd
Instrumentally it's fine but something about it rubs me the wrong way, lyrics are pretty dumb.
2
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Fri May 06 2022
Headquarters
The Monkees
I am too young to have known much of The Monkees, I just assumed they were a shitty band trying to capitalize on Beatlemania, but seems I'm half right. It was an interesting Wikipedia read to see that they were originally a made-for-tv band for a sitcom, which over time morphed into a real thing due to the band members feeling like they were duping people. I can respect the drive to want to be their own thing and not just letting other musicians play their music behind closed doors.
Regardless of that though, it really is not my thing. Definitely of the time and still sounds like knock-off Beatles, manufactured music to appeal to the kids. They paved the way for all boy bands and other manufactured pop stars, it seems.
3
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Sat May 07 2022
The Number Of The Beast
Iron Maiden
I get it's a metal classic, but I think this style of metal is my least favorite. Too "clean" in the mixing and just sort of meh lyrics, it's cliche at this point. But, it's still good I just don't jive with it.
3
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Sun May 08 2022
The Gilded Palace Of Sin
The Flying Burrito Brothers
Liked it more than I thought. Kind of nice quaint 70s psych-folk but has something about it that is appealing. Not my genre in general but not bad at all.
3
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Mon May 09 2022
Raw Power
The Stooges
I think I prefer the Iggy Pop Mixes over Bowie, at least on Spotify. For an album called Raw Power, having it heavily clipped thematically just makes it feel more appropriate to the material in my opinion, but maybe with a good setup the dynamics of the Bowie mix are better, but there is some major ducking on Search and Destroy that is distracting.
Regardless, the album is as advertised. Search and Destroy and Gimme Danger are awesome. The album just makes me wanna fuck shit up, destroy a park, drink a ton, and... you get the idea. I can see how influential this album was for punk for sure. Probably a 4 overall in listening enjoyment since the later tracks fall off a bit, but a 5 for importance.
5
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Tue May 10 2022
Drunk
Thundercat
I appreciate the production and general progressive R&B direction but there is a lot for me that it becomes exhausting after 10 tracks and I'm kind of over it unfortunately. Clearly a super talented guy.
3
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Wed May 11 2022
Brown Sugar
D'Angelo
Smooooth, pretty nice grooves but nothing stuck with me beyond an enjoyable listen.
3
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Thu May 12 2022
Pieces Of The Sky
Emmylou Harris
Definitely prefer this older county style compared to... anything modern. Not something I'd always wanna throw on, but I can't deny her charm and vocal prowess. Some great harmonies and instrumentation.
4
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Fri May 13 2022
Locust Abortion Technician
Butthole Surfers
A band I knew the name of but not any music. Clearly shock-artists, they were ahead of the times of the early 90s, but I can see how they were influential to MTV-vibes and Grunge feels. Musically I am into noise/experimental/punk energy so overall I enjoyed it a bunch. Sounds like live would be an absolute spectacle... but not sure I would want to be there. Not sure what 22 going on 23 is supposed to say, but feels kinda gross. Musically I like it, but the shock humor is kind of stupid to me, it would be more hilarious if the music was high-brow taking itself seriously and then just keep the name... Butthole Surfers.
4
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Sat May 14 2022
Stand!
Sly & The Family Stone
It's fun and nothing bad, but didn't grab me as much as I'd like. I can see it objectively being a 4 or 5 though.
3
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Sun May 15 2022
Songs From A Room
Leonard Cohen
I like Cohen, but overall felt there wasn't even a standout track for me, so it's unfortunately just average.
3
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Mon May 16 2022
Eliminator
ZZ Top
Fine southern rock. I get it's popularity but it was a time and a place for me in HS.
3
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Tue May 17 2022
Aftermath
The Rolling Stones
Love the jangly guitar on Mother's Little Helper. Unfortunately for me, the rest of the album doesn't move me much. It's all done very well but a lot of it went by without much notice for me.
3
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Wed May 18 2022
Crazysexycool
TLC
Competent 90s pop r&b. Obviously Waterfalls is a banger but the rest I'm indifferent.
3
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Thu May 19 2022
Melodrama
Lorde
Never had listened to any Lorde except the first track. Feels a bit one dimensional and I didn't wanna finish it, but it's fine.
3
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Fri May 20 2022
Vincebus Eruptum
Blue Cheer
Pretty impressed. I was excepting some Beatles knock-off, but it's basically like every song is Helter Skelter. I see the influence on metal and hard psych for sure.
4
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Sat May 21 2022
Sticky Fingers
The Rolling Stones
This ones a bit better for me after listening to Aftermath. Wild Horses is prob my fav, Brown Sugar and Can't You Hear Me Knocking are also great.
4
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Sun May 22 2022
Lazer Guided Melodies
Spiritualized
I like it in theory, but gets a bit too repetitive for a casual listen, even for me. Definitely can get lost in it though. Live would be fun.
3
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Mon May 23 2022
Blood Sugar Sex Magik
Red Hot Chili Peppers
I think RHCP are fine, but honestly it was a time and a place in High School for me and this style of rock doesn't do much for me anymore. For 1991 though it's banging.
3
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Tue May 24 2022
Apocalypse 91… The Enemy Strikes Black
Public Enemy
It's fine but doesn't hit as hard as "It Takes A Nation" or "Fear Of A Black Planet".
3
View Album
Wed May 25 2022
I See A Darkness
Bonnie "Prince" Billy
Interesting it's not available on Spotify in the US, so I went to YouTube. Definitely a very vulnerable album and I did the aesthetic but nothing stuck out to me to make me wanna listen to it again, unfortunately.
3
View Album
Thu May 26 2022
Treasure
Cocteau Twins
I like the ethereal-ness of it, but not a huge fan of the vocal delivery. For some reason I thought they were techno as well, so it was an unexpected surprise to hear dream pop. Still plagued by 80s-ness unfortunately.
3
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Fri May 27 2022
Caetano Veloso
Caetano Veloso
It's fine but I don't connect with it much, I am completely ambivalent.
3
View Album
Sat May 28 2022
Coat Of Many Colors
Dolly Parton
The title track is pretty good, but the rest just feel ok to me. There are better Parton albums and songs IMO.
3
View Album
Sun May 29 2022
Skylarking
XTC
I can appreciate what their going for, but it's not my thing. A bit too poppy.
3
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Mon May 30 2022
Deserter's Songs
Mercury Rev
Really liked the first song, definitely has some Sparklehorse and Flaming Lips vibes. However much of the other songs are kind of misses for me, not sure I loved the execution. I dig the concept though.
3
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Tue May 31 2022
Frank
Amy Winehouse
Amy Winehouse is good at what she does, but it never has ever clicked with me. I think her other album is also a bit better.
3
View Album
Wed Jun 01 2022
Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music
Ray Charles
Respectable stuff, not something I always wanna hear but it all sounds great. A cool tidbit from Wikipedia:
"The album's integration of soul and country challenged racial barriers in popular music at the height of the Civil Rights Movement. In the process of recording the album, Charles became one of the first African-American musicians to exercise complete artistic control over his own recording career."
4
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Thu Jun 02 2022
Actually
Pet Shop Boys
80s synth pop cheese. Completely of the times, it's not bad.
3
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Fri Jun 03 2022
Fever Ray
Fever Ray
Strong Björk and Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith vibes. Definitely can appreciate the great instrumentals as well as the general vibe, I'm not a huge fan of the lower-pitched vocals here though, that's just a preference. Overall pretty nice!
4
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Sat Jun 04 2022
Nevermind
Nirvana
Spawned a genre and generation. Total 90s zeitgeist.
What more is there to say? Well, I did appreciate inclusion of the noise rock closer "Endless, Nameless" quite a bit.
5
View Album
Sun Jun 05 2022
Come Find Yourself
Fun Lovin' Criminals
There's been better 3s so I am gonna dock it to a 2, but it's not horrible... just completely lackluster.
2
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Mon Jun 06 2022
Pictures At An Exhibition
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
I love synth stuff, but I really don't like prog-synth stuff. It's guitar wankery but synths essentially. It is technically impressive but it doesn't move me in any way. Clearly ELP are talented, but it's not for me.
3
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Tue Jun 07 2022
Innervisions
Stevie Wonder
It's Stevie Wonder. Always good stuff. Higher Ground is prob my fav song on here.
4
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Wed Jun 08 2022
All Hope Is Gone
Slipknot
The first two tracks I was surprised I didn't hate them, but as the album went on I got a bit more exhausted. It's at least moving away from nu-metal clichés but it's still groove metal... I get why some people like it but it's definitely not my thing when I want music that goes hard. For what it's doing it does well though, but it's not for me.
3
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Thu Jun 09 2022
Lam Toro
Baaba Maal
Not huge into this style of music but nothing was offensive, cool that he sings in Pulsaar to promote the language.
3
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Fri Jun 10 2022
Pelican West
Haircut 100
I feel like a broken record but this 80s style is just too... 80s for me. It's fine but I can't get past it all. There are also better 80s in this style for me.
3
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Sat Jun 11 2022
The Village Green Preservation Society
The Kinks
Good classic Psych-ish rock by the Kinks. Not my favorite of their material but objectively it's good.
4
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Sun Jun 12 2022
Superfuzz Bigmuff
Mudhoney
I liked the first song the most but as it went on it got a bit worse for me. Solid grunge but not a huge fan of the vocals.
3
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Mon Jun 13 2022
Music From The Penguin Cafe
Penguin Cafe Orchestra
I had heard "The sound of someone you love who’s going away and it doesn’t matter" which I enjoy quite a bit. I believe I listened to this album once before and it didn't quite live up to the feelings I had with this certain song. I'm not sure the inclusion of vocals helps the album, but I get the feeling they got a group of folks together and they just do what they want, which I can respect. Also if you told me Brian Eno was singing on the track "In A Sydney Hotel" I would believe you. I just looked it up and apparently he is a producer, ha. Also absolute banger of a band name.
I respect the concept enough to but up from 3.5 to 4, but I don't wanna hear all the tracks, personally.
4
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Tue Jun 14 2022
Abbey Road
Beatles
It's so hard to rate the Beatles because everyone has heard these songs a billion times. Objectively a 5* though. It's been a long time since I listened to this album, it may be my favorite album as whole with the White Album following closely behind.
5
View Album
Wed Jun 15 2022
Orbital 2
Orbital
I enjoyed the random vocal loop experiments, the rest of the stuff is okay, not my style of electronica that I would listen to in a non-club setting, but I liked this album more than their first.
3
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Thu Jun 16 2022
OK Computer
Radiohead
I'm going to say this is the most important album of the 90s. I honestly don't have the energy to articulate beyond this, but every song is a masterpiece of art-rock-pop. Either this or In Rainbows is my favorite album of all time. It's another great of example of an album made in reaction to the time and place that they existed and we're all still living in.
Shoutout to Godrich's masterful engineering as well, the original 1997 release sounds so freakin' good to this day.
5
View Album
Fri Jun 17 2022
Kala
M.I.A.
I remember when this came out, I was a junior in college and hadn't heard this sort of dance music before and it left a positive impression on me. Now granted, most of the listening was to Paper Planes like most folks but I digress. Definitely could listen to more of thes tracks, but Paper Planes has been so co-opted and overplayed I just can't anymore.
4
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Sat Jun 18 2022
Ragged Glory
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
Much prefer Neil Young solo over the rockier style. But it's fine.
3
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Sun Jun 19 2022
Maxinquaye
Tricky
Pretty iconic trip-hop. Intersesting to hear "Hell Is Round the Corner" which uses the same sample of Portishead's track Glory Box. According to quick googling Portishead played a rough demo to Tricky in a car and then he went and sampled Isaac Hayes' 'Ike's Rap II' as well. I would have thought there was more cohesion between them but it sounds sort of contentious, but I think we all know who came out ahead. Overall some nice grooves but I believe I prefer Massive Attack as a whole.
4
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Mon Jun 20 2022
Here Come The Warm Jets
Brian Eno
I respect Brian Eno and I like the style he's going for here, unfortunately it just isn't my jam, as much as I'd like it to be. Definitely prefer his instrumentals in general, but this was one of his first works so it's understandable coming off of Roxy.
3
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Tue Jun 21 2022
Hot Fuss
The Killers
I have a soft spot for this album, listened to it a lot in college. What it is trying to do it does very well, indie rock anthem bangers. Mr. Brightside is still basically the national anthem in the UK. Still a lot of pretty good tracks on the album, although they are all pretty saccharine. The Killers peaked with this album and went down ever since.
4
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Wed Jun 22 2022
Buenas Noches From A Lonely Room
Dwight Yoakam
Really don't care for Honky-Tonk Country, but it's fine I suppose. Got annoyed to be honest but that is not emblematic of the quality.
3
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Thu Jun 23 2022
Siembra
Willie Colón & Rubén Blades
Starts off with some nice bass guitar then went into salsa :( but I digress.
Sounds pretty competent to me but not really into salsa music as a personal listening experience.
3
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Fri Jun 24 2022
I'm Your Man
Leonard Cohen
Hoo boy, I am not totally against the concept of electronic Leonard Cohen but I was not expecting it. The 80s cheese is strong with this one. It just feels like an older guy saying "music these days has synths, I need to do this now". Production-wise it's good though. Definitely prefer stripped-down version of Cohen. This is pillow-soft rock.
3
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Sat Jun 25 2022
Seventh Tree
Goldfrapp
Definitely liked her earlier stuff more, this just feels a bit less interesting.
3
View Album
Sun Jun 26 2022
Bert Jansch
Bert Jansch
Kind of cute British Folk. I liked it more at the start but it became a little same-y by the end. Not bad though.
3
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Mon Jun 27 2022
Jagged Little Pill
Alanis Morissette
This completely transported me back to when I discovered MTV in a late elementary school summer on my 13" TV.
If all the tracks were as good as "You Oughta Know", "Hand in My Pocket", and "Ironic" I'd say this would be a 4-5 in terms of what she was going for. I do like her vocal cadence, kind of reminds me of Bjork sometimes. Unfortunately almost all the other tracks fall flat for me, which as an album doesn't do it for me. Shame.
3
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Tue Jun 28 2022
Band On The Run
Paul McCartney and Wings
Band On The Run is good. Beyond that none of any of the solo Beatles' works compare to their output together. There's nothing bad here, but it just doesn't feel like it has a lot of energy that speaks to me, maybe because he was more content?
3
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Wed Jun 29 2022
Destroy Rock & Roll
Mylo
Some interesting jams but overall doesn't go into a direction beyond fun dancey tunes. Definitely a vibe better suited for the dance floor than an album listening experience.
3
View Album
Thu Jun 30 2022
At Budokan
Cheap Trick
Interesting read about this one since initially I did not understand why this live album was on this list vs. their normal ones. It seems this was their best-selling album of all time(?) due to how big in Japan they were, which translated into becoming bigger everywhere else. It never hurts to show people how many other people are into you, I suppose. Beyond that, it's fine. It's a typical live album for me.
3
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Fri Jul 01 2022
Future Days
Can
Anything Damo Suzuki and Can is always good. I will say between the 3 albums with him I find this one to be the weakest, but still overall very fun and experimental art-rock. Fav track: Future Days
4
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Sat Jul 02 2022
L.A. Woman
The Doors
Can't say I've listened to a lot of The Doors, so this was a good education experience. I am pretty impressed though, of course I know a couple of these songs but I can see why they were so popular.
4
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Sun Jul 03 2022
The Scream
Siouxsie And The Banshees
I'm starting to think I like Siouxsie and the Banshees. I was originally listening on laptop speakers and halfway through Jigsaw Feeling I wanted to go listen to this on headphones. Some very Can-like guitar playing here, reminds me of their track "Father Cannot Yell".
I definitely appreciate the dark post-punk here. Fun to know that they originally didn't know how to play anything really on their first gig, that's as punk as it can get.
That Helter Skelter cover surprised me as well.
Overall it falls a bit down as it goes along for me, but overall still good stuff. Metal Postcard did kind of annoy me though.
4
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Mon Jul 04 2022
Made In Japan
Deep Purple
I'd say as far as live albums go this probably captured the energy quite well. Definitely some wankery in guitar-work but they definitely change things up as it goes on. Never got into much of Deep Purple besides liking "Smoke on the Water" as a teen learning guitar, but overall not bad. I could see people rating it 4-5 but it's generally not my thing.
3
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Tue Jul 05 2022
Amnesiac
Radiohead
Kid B.
I have a hard time separating Kid A from Amnesiac since they are almost siblings, but it's another classic Radiohead album for sure. Like Kid A, this one took me longer to get into but eventually I came around. I would have loved to be a Radiohead fan when this came out, alas it was before my time.
5
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Wed Jul 06 2022
Dr. Octagonecologyst
Dr. Octagon
Damn this album is long as hell. Although most of the tracks are short, it sure feels like it drags for me. Not totally into it. Definitely hate the skits.
2
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Thu Jul 07 2022
Joan Armatrading
Joan Armatrading
Lovely voice but beyond that, not my thing.
3
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Fri Jul 08 2022
The Man Machine
Kraftwerk
To be honest, this is the last Kraftwerk album that I can get on with as a whole. I think it's a bit weaker than everything they have made before this. I guess Computer World (the album after this) may be the last "good Kraftwerk" but I haven't listened to it in forever.
It overall feels like it's not saying much as an album, there's not really a new statement going on here.
4
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Sat Jul 09 2022
Green Onions
Booker T. & The MG's
Quintessential instrumental R&B. Pioneering use of the Hammond and electric guitar interplay. Green Onions (the song) is obviously huge, but the rest aren't bad either. They don't quite hit the same high as the title track, though.
4
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Sun Jul 10 2022
Chicago Transit Authority
Chicago
Clearly talented but overall a bit too jammy for me. My parents liked them, that's all I remember. I will say, "Free From Guitar" is completely out of left field and I can't imagine most people who like Chicago like it, but I dig the random noise track, very Hendrix. Can't believe it's over 6 mins long as well.
3
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Mon Jul 11 2022
Floodland
Sisters Of Mercy
I find gothic rock in this style comically cheesy. Seems like it's trying so hard to be edgy and dark but at least today it's trite. Mostly the vocals are the reason it's so corny. Instrumentally it's competent but... yeesh.
2
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Tue Jul 12 2022
Hot Buttered Soul
Isaac Hayes
Shit, first song I was like "oh Hooverphonic totally sampled this for their track 2 Wicky". Looks like this is a cover of the original song by Dionne Warwick as well though, interesting how popular this first track has been.
Great vocals but some of the songs are a bit too long, still very nice though.
3
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Wed Jul 13 2022
Vauxhall And I
Morrissey
Totally skippable Morrissey, it's fine but oh boy it's not for me.
3
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Thu Jul 14 2022
The Rise & Fall
Madness
Beyond their choice of living locations, it’s okay.
3
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Fri Jul 15 2022
Aja
Steely Dan
Pretty damn good. I am not well-versed in any Steely Dan and it's not something I'd always wanna listen to, but there's a lot to like here. Smoooooth.
4
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Sat Jul 16 2022
Surfer Rosa
Pixies
Classic Pixies. "Where Is My Mind" is probably their biggest hit, unfortunately I've heard it so many times I can't listen to it anymore due to other media saturation. Regardless, it's a good album. Not as good as Doolittle, but still good.
4
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Sun Jul 17 2022
Merriweather Post Pavilion
Animal Collective
This is an album I've always wanted to like more than I do. It's mostly down to the vocal style, but I can't deny that this is quite a masterpiece of 2000s indie-electronica. Had roommates who were into Animal Collective and I was just not cool enough to get into it. I will say it's kind of cute for the lyrics to reflect his life, he's a dad, a husband, but still wants to make bangers and still be himself. I can respect that.
4
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Mon Jul 18 2022
Bat Out Of Hell
Meat Loaf
Listen. It's not something I want to listen to, but I can't deny there's something here and I have to give credit to the audacity of the performances and concept. Poetry, theatre, musical; it's all here. What a debut!
Shame he had to suffer as a child so much and has some pretty bad takes as of recent years.
4
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Tue Jul 19 2022
Live At The Regal
B.B. King
It's B.B. King. Can't say I wanna listen to it all the time but it's quite good, of course. A live album may be the best way to listen to this style since the zeitgeist of Jazz at this time was likely public performance in America.
4
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Wed Jul 20 2022
90
808 State
Ok.
3
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Thu Jul 21 2022
Junkyard
The Birthday Party
It's like a demented Tom Waits but for all the tracks with a punk-noise backing band. I kind of dig it but not enough to be a "fan", but respect. WELCOME TO THE CAR SMAAAASH
3
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Fri Jul 22 2022
A Girl Called Dusty
Dusty Springfield
Nice singer, sounds cute in a quaint-cause-this-from-the-60s way. Not my general thing but I get it.
3
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Sat Jul 23 2022
The Undertones
The Undertones
Pretty forward-sounding pop-punk from 1979. I'd say this is like accessible-punk, nothing bad but doesn't move me like other punk. Teenage Kicks is fun though.
3
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Sun Jul 24 2022
Damaged
Black Flag
Apparently one of the first hardcore punk bands. These lads are definitely ratchet. I imagine many fist fights broke at their old shows, has that "u fuckin w0t m8" energy for sure. I get the legacy which would be 4-5 but enjoyment it's just ok for me.
3
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Mon Jul 25 2022
Post Orgasmic Chill
Skunk Anansie
Surprised I hadn't heard of this band due to their political leanings. Seems like a cool concept but didn't wow me in the implementation, still definitely need more black people in metal.
3
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Tue Jul 26 2022
Diamond Life
Sade
Chill and nice, but beyond that it's just ok for me.
3
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Wed Jul 27 2022
1999
Prince
It's good pop Prince, but overall not his greatest work. I'm also not the biggest Prince fan so...
3
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Thu Jul 28 2022
This Nation’s Saving Grace
The Fall
I generally like what The Fall is doing, but unfortunately the album as a whole fell a little flat for me, not a lot of tracks stuck out except for Bombast and My New House (very Talking Heads). 3.5 to 4 since I am generally a fan of the sound.
4
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Fri Jul 29 2022
Haut de gamme / Koweït, rive gauche
Koffi Olomide
Difficult to enjoy a lot of it, but it's not bad. It's just me.
3
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Sat Jul 30 2022
Hybrid Theory
Linkin Park
I saved this one for when I needed to stay up, which I guess helped but I was still able to chuckle. I was into Linkin Park in middle school and early high school tangentially through friends.
This was (is?) pretty popular. Emo nu-metal-rap. I can't listen to it at all, it's pretty cringe these days. It's successful for what it does... but mehhhhhh.
2
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Sun Jul 31 2022
British Steel
Judas Priest
Surprisingly OK, can't say I've listened to much Judas Priest but it basically sounds like Jack Black doing his metal voice. More melody that I was expecting and some bangers here, not too shabby.
4
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Mon Aug 01 2022
Elephant
The White Stripes
Wish I could go back and give 5* to White Blood Cells since I like that one more. Seven Nation Army became an anthem, for better or for worse. Still plenty of bangers and The White Stripes doing what they do best.
4
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Tue Aug 02 2022
Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea
PJ Harvey
A bit smoother than her earlier works (such as Rid of Me which I rated higher). Overall very competent but a bit too polished, definitely preferred her rougher/punk-ish deliveries more.
3
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Wed Aug 03 2022
Woodface
Crowded House
Easy listening but competent, but... meh.
3
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Thu Aug 04 2022
Paranoid
Black Sabbath
Actually may like their debut more, but this album is too influential to give anything less than a 5. Really don't think there's a bad song here.
5
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Fri Aug 05 2022
Heaux Tales
Jazmine Sullivan
Interesting to hear something so new on the list, seems like pretty progressive hip-hop but overall not my thing, sounds pretty typical for R&B these days.
3
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Sat Aug 06 2022
The La's
The La's
I knew of "There She Goes" of course, but never thought about this band in the slightest, ever. I guess that's Brit-Pop for ya. It's fine, but just "there".
3
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Sun Aug 07 2022
The Madcap Laughs
Syd Barrett
Oh boy, that was a trip. It almost seems like the label are exploiting the mental state of Syd Barrett by releasing this. It's only passable through the production of the album, but those b-side rough takes are very rough. A crazy diamond indeed.
3
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Mon Aug 08 2022
Rocks
Aerosmith
Never was a huge fan of Aerosmith but this album isn't horrible. It's just middling for me, has some interesting vocal performances but it's not for me.
3
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Tue Aug 09 2022
Under Construction
Missy Elliott
I know lotta folks that like Missy Elliot and there are some bops, but overall not my thing. Not bad though. Classic 00s hip-hop for sure.
3
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Wed Aug 10 2022
Kings Of The Wild Frontier
Adam & The Ants
First I heard it in the car and didn't think it was interesting at all, but after listening in a different environment I can hear things a lot better. A lot of these songs sound very familiar, not sure if I heard covers or what. It's not bad and has some interesting vocals at times, but still doesn't grip me enough.
3
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Thu Aug 11 2022
Double Nickels On The Dime
Minutemen
Definitely had to give this a few listens, at first in the car I was like "wtf is this album, it's all over the place", but in more deliberate listening sessions it's definitely a greater than the sum of its parts. Tongue in cheek punk with sometimes poignant lyrics and at other times just plain fun. I bet this would be a freakin' riot live.
4
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Fri Aug 12 2022
Walking Wounded
Everything But The Girl
Chill 90s alternative with electronic elements, completely a thing that was of the time and hasn't really come back in any way... yet. Fine, pleasing, but washes over you.
3
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Sat Aug 13 2022
Wish You Were Here
Pink Floyd
A beautiful tribute to a friend. Definitely a great listen as an album but there are also classics like "Wish You Were Here" that stand apart. The synths are tasteful and sparse, I was worried it'd get to "progg-y" but it's a good balance.
5
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Sun Aug 14 2022
Tragic Songs of Life
The Louvin Brothers
Feels almost like a cliché of country music, but at 1956 it's probably groundbreaking for the genre for all I know. It's definitely inoffensive good-ole-boy country, so ehhh.
3
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Mon Aug 15 2022
Brilliant Corners
Thelonious Monk
Definitely interesting and has some interesting syncopation/melodies going on. Nothing jumps out to me as a standalone track, but it was all very nice.
4
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Tue Aug 16 2022
Songs In The Key Of Life
Stevie Wonder
This is hard because it's clearly very good but a lot of it I'm just not into. I love the idea of some of these songs positivity and love, but in practice I never wanna hear songs about that, lmao.
Definite 5 for legacy/talent, 3 for enjoyment. 4 It is.
4
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Wed Aug 17 2022
Either Or
Elliott Smith
Elliott Smith is on paper someone who I should really like, but I've unfortunately never gotten into him much. Lyrically things are great, but for some reason his voice doesn't gel with me. I imagine I have the same reaction to Elliott as many do to Bright Eyes/Conor Oberst. I can see how people would really like him and I want to like him more than I do, but that's where I'm at.
3
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Thu Aug 18 2022
The Real Thing
Faith No More
Clearly talented and has some fun moments, but Faith No More always felt a bit hollow to me... like it's almost there but stopped before finishing the race. Definitely some memories listening to a few of these though.
3
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Fri Aug 19 2022
Like A Prayer
Madonna
Was hoping for more interesting genre-defining 80s pop but I feel like this album doesn't have much to add to her already existing catalog.
3
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Sat Aug 20 2022
Revolver
Beatles
Some cool stuff in playing the studio and doing a ton of different types of recording/songwriting techniques. Apparently some consider this their best album, but I don't think I can get that far behind it. To me it starts the new chapter of the Beatles, one of doing whatever the heck they want and doing it for them vs. performances.
4
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Sun Aug 21 2022
Joan Baez
Joan Baez
Pretty nice folk, nothing jumped out a lot to me but I've definitely heard Donna Donna before. A warm folksy blanket for a cold winters day.
4
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Mon Aug 22 2022
One World
John Martyn
I dunno, vocals just kind of annoy me. Reminds me of middle ages dudes on vacation in Cancun. And then there's a random ambient track at the end? Talk about genre shift. Meh.
2
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Tue Aug 23 2022
Winter In America
Gil Scott-Heron
Soulfully chill and a good match for a heavy snow day (seriously there's a winter advisory out there right now). Obviously Winter in America is speaking more to civil rights issues around the time of the album, and thematically it's very strong. Love the Rhodes piano across the album as well. Some vocal points I wasn't into, but overall very good. I can see why some would rate highly.
4
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Wed Aug 24 2022
Is This It
The Strokes
The production of "a band that is from the past transported to make a record today" works very well for me. I love the garage-rock/lofi aesthetic and the heavy distorted vocals are completely in my wheelhouse. Lots of the songs are kind of perfect indie-guitar-pop of the 2000s, if you wanted to know what indie-rock in 00s is, I'd point you here.
Not a single back track, really.
5
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Thu Aug 25 2022
Abattoir Blues / The Lyre of Orpheus
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
I get why people would be into Nick Cave, but on it's own it's not what I wanna listen to. It's Diet Tom Waits for me. Also way to fucking long.
3
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Fri Aug 26 2022
Virgin Suicides
Air
It's Air. It's chill and lounge-y as hell. Playground love is the best track due to the vocals, I wish more had them. Still overall a nice time.
4
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Sat Aug 27 2022
Pink Moon
Nick Drake
Super chill and nice classic Nick Drake. I think I prefer the stripped down acoustic singer-songwriter Nick Drake as a whole.
4
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Sun Aug 28 2022
Songs Of Love And Hate
Leonard Cohen
I knew Avalanche but overall pretty good Cohen. Diamonds in Your Mine was pretty surprising, his vocals almost went into Tom Waits territory of aggression and I was totally into it. Famous Blue Raincoat is a classic Cohen tune as well. A few songs that I could be fine without but overall strong album.
4
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Mon Aug 29 2022
If You're Feeling Sinister
Belle & Sebastian
I like the idea of Belle & Sebastian but the execution just kind of is boring for me. It's so indie it's almost to a fault. I'd be very into it in college, I'd imagine. Vocals are pretty unique and memorable but it's all just so low-key it doesn't do much for me.
3
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Tue Aug 30 2022
Bluesbreakers
John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers
Clearly talented but gets into virtuoso wankery territory and just becomes exhausting.
3
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Wed Aug 31 2022
Machine Head
Deep Purple
Iconic rock album, drags a bit in the middle but the songs bookending the album are top notch.
4
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Thu Sep 01 2022
Chris
Christine and the Queens
Definitely not bad pop, very reminiscent of Michael Jackson. I am not too into this type of pop music so it's a bit to poppy for me, but for what it's doing its got it goin' on.
3
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Fri Sep 02 2022
Go Girl Crazy
The Dictators
I can see how they'd be influential but damn I did not enjoy it at all, I found it mostly anoying.
2
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Sat Sep 03 2022
1984
Van Halen
So overplayed and somewhat cheesy, but damn are these songs overall pretty good. Credit where credit is due.
4
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Sun Sep 04 2022
Aqualung
Jethro Tull
I liked it more than I thought I would. Aqualung (the title track) is probably the best, and I dug the overall folk-rock slant. I've kind of dismissed Jethro Tull in the past I think I have a new appreciation.
4
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Mon Sep 05 2022
Bad
Michael Jackson
It's not "bad" (hur hur hur), but Michael Jackson's pop doesn't do a lot for me. It's immaculate for what it's doing but it ain't doing it for me.
3
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Tue Sep 06 2022
The Suburbs
Arcade Fire
I wanted to like this album as a whole more, but besides a few songs that were better than the others, it just doesn't match up to the rest of their earlier works, for me.
3
View Album
Wed Sep 07 2022
In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida
Iron Butterfly
Kind of unexpected in a good way. Psych-rock with some interesting instrumental touches. Nothing jumped out to me as a whole but I enjoyed it quite a bit.
4
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Thu Sep 08 2022
All Directions
The Temptations
I wanna like it more than I do. It's good and sounds nice, but I enjoy other albums of theirs more I think.
3
View Album
Fri Sep 09 2022
With The Beatles
Beatles
Not the best of the Beatles work, obviously. But a strong start for their sound. Glad to listen to it in full, I only knew a couple of the songs.
4
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Sat Sep 10 2022
Sound of Silver
LCD Soundsystem
So much more dancey than the later works I’ve heard. I knew “All My Friends” which is an excellent example of a driving simple note progression that stays the same but all the while sounds great.
4
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Sun Sep 11 2022
Inspiration Information
Shuggie Otis
Pretty good, I definitely prefer the vocals vs instrumentals but a funk/psych combo works well for me.
4
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Mon Sep 12 2022
The Next Day
David Bowie
It's David Bowie so it's not bad, however this feels like some of his weakest work I've heard yet. Feels like it's a soundtrack to a movie and I'm missing half the plot.
3
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Tue Sep 13 2022
Live!
Fela Kuti
I get the influence and the rhythmic elements are great. It was a passively enjoyable listen.
3
View Album
Wed Sep 14 2022
Timeless
Goldie
I read the artist as Blondie at first and was absolutely shocked, then I reread it and came back down to earth. Overall some pretty fun jungle DnB-style stuff. Never my favorite genre of EDM, but I think this is better casual listening than techno is. However I'd rather dance to techno than Jungle. Shits intense yo.
3
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Thu Sep 15 2022
Protection
Massive Attack
This album is a bit better than Blue Lines but it's no Mezzanine. I definitely think Massive Attack are at their best with a vocalist so the first couple tracks were my favorite.
3
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Fri Sep 16 2022
Kind Of Blue
Miles Davis
What is there to say, it's great Miles Davis.
4
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Sat Sep 17 2022
Violator
Depeche Mode
This might be the first Depeche Mode album I finally jived with. In general I wanna like Depeche Mode but it never lands fully and is too 80s in the worst way, but this one has some of the bigger hits, especially Personal Jesus. That one is a bop.
4
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Sun Sep 18 2022
The New Tango
Astor Piazzolla
Great musicianship all around. That Gary Burton on the vibraphone is a beast. I actually know nothing about tango except more typical dance stuff so I was not aware that tango was this intense at times, almost like a video game's battle music. Not bad at all.
4
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Mon Sep 19 2022
My Generation
The Who
A strong debut. My Generation is the definitive track but the rest are good as well. Overall it's probably a 3 for enjoyment by legacy-wise it's a 5... so 4 it is!
4
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Tue Sep 20 2022
Blue Lines
Massive Attack
Generally a fan of Massive Attack but overall it's no where near as good as their later output.
3
View Album
Wed Sep 21 2022
Penance Soiree
The Icarus Line
Decent garage/post-hardcore rock. It was still just sort of "there" for me except for some interesting musical elements, but generally not my style/interest. Was a bit surprised how low the Spotify plays were, seems like they were quite popular back in the day?
3
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Thu Sep 22 2022
Rage Against The Machine
Rage Against The Machine
I have a soft spot for RATM. This album prob their best. Sadly all the messages are still highly relevant. Tom Morello’a guitar work is fantastic with his use of the octave/harmonizer as well as his scratch-like playing, one of the greats. Only tragedy is a lot of the fans of this band just like it cause it’s “hard” and ignore the politics, which is the point. I’m looking at you Paul Ryan.
4
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Fri Sep 23 2022
The Sounds Of India
Ravi Shankar
Pretty talented. The explanation makes sense considering the year, diving into who this was and his influence on people like George Harrison was a fun read. It’s definitely way more intense than I’m used to for sitar but overall prettttyy goood.
4
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Sat Sep 24 2022
Highway to Hell
AC/DC
It’s fine… the songs sound all the same but it’s iconic I suppose.
3
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Sun Sep 25 2022
A Northern Soul
The Verve
Pretty of-the-times Britpop, which to me is almost saying something but not enough. It all sounds fine but nothing jumps out to me that is very interesting, it's all competent though.
3
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Mon Sep 26 2022
Second Toughest In The Infants
Underworld
Mid 90s Techno/House, sokay. I always think this is a boring listen at home, but at a club I'm sure it's a lot more interesting.
3
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Tue Sep 27 2022
Music in Exile
Songhoy Blues
It's fine, maybe would be more interesting to me if I could understand the lyrics. Interesting Wikipedia read though, nice guitar work.
3
View Album
Wed Sep 28 2022
Faith
George Michael
George Michael has a good voice, but this style of sensual pop is not interesting to met at all, reminds me a bit of Prince in some ways I suppose. I guess I'm only into Careless Whisper due to how meme-y it is now.
3
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Thu Sep 29 2022
Ritual De Lo Habitual
Jane's Addiction
This is the stuff of butt-metal/rock. Is butt metal a term? It's like nu-metal-ish I guess. Anyways not a fan, it's competent but that's about it.
2
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Fri Sep 30 2022
Here Are the Sonics
The Sonics
WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA *SICK GUITAR SOLO*
4
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Sat Oct 01 2022
3 Feet High and Rising
De La Soul
I can appreciate the playfulness and almost cute messaging, but it's a bit all over the place. I absolutely hate the skits and overall it's a bit long, but I can see the appeal.
3
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Sun Oct 02 2022
Calenture
The Triffids
80s cheese to me, not bad but def. not my thing.
3
View Album
Mon Oct 03 2022
American Beauty
Grateful Dead
I wish I liked Grateful Dead more, they are tight and sound great but the folk psych/rock is a bit boring for me. It's stereotypical but if I smoked a huge bowl I would likely definitely enjoy it more. 3 for enjoyment but 5 for legacy of sorts, so I'll go to 4.
4
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Tue Oct 04 2022
Tea for the Tillerman
Cat Stevens
Wild World is always a nice listen except for that line "I'll always remember you like a child, girl." always struck me as a little weird. Regardless it's very competent and Yusuf is a great musician, but overall it's definitely like eating a whole bucket of ice cream in one sitting, definitely too much for a single time.
4
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Wed Oct 05 2022
Wild Gift
X
I like the style but beyond that is was just okay. Competent punk but nothing stood out.
3
View Album
Thu Oct 06 2022
Tellin’ Stories
The Charlatans
Meh, more standard 90s brit-pop/rock. Really does absolutely nothing for me. Voice was slightly annoying but overall... ok.
3
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Fri Oct 07 2022
Never Mind The Bollocks, Here’s The Sex Pistols
Sex Pistols
Seminal album for brit punk. But... to be honest it isn't very interesting for my American sensibilities. I just don't think I like the straight-sing-speaking of brit punk. A fun Wikipedia read though.
3
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Sat Oct 08 2022
The Boatman's Call
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
Not the worst, but I like aggressive Nick Cave a lot more. Otherwise it's kind of B-tier sappy Tom Waits or Leonard Cohen for me.
3
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Sun Oct 09 2022
Two Dancers
Wild Beasts
Instrumentation sounded okay until the vocals came in and... I definitely am not a fan, not my style at allllll.
2
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Mon Oct 10 2022
Os Mutantes
Os Mutantes
Sounds neat but didn't grab but a ton, good vintage psych though.
3
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Tue Oct 11 2022
American IV: The Man Comes Around
Johnny Cash
67th album he's done according to Wikipedia. Wow.
This is a tough one, with titles like The Man Comes Around and Hurt those songs are 5s, some of the other songs are 4s for me. But you can definitely tell he's done, he's ready to go. Fiona's backup vocals were nice as well. In some ways I can only give it a 4 since most of the good songs are actually covers.
4
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Wed Oct 12 2022
The Holy Bible
Manic Street Preachers
Butt-rock. Meh, it's... passable but I can't see myself ever enjoying it in any way.
2
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Thu Oct 13 2022
Back At The Chicken Shack
Jimmy Smith
Nice sounding Jazz, very chill. I may be spoiled with things like Miles Davis on this list so this comes up a bit short for me in comparison, but still very nice.
3
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Fri Oct 14 2022
Water From An Ancient Well
Abdullah Ibrahim
Very inoffensive Jazz. It’s okay but I’d rather listen to a lot of other jazz artists.
3
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Sat Oct 15 2022
Cheap Thrills
Big Brother & The Holding Company
Carried by Janis Joplin. Fine music but beyond "peace of my heart" it was just okay for me.
3
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Sun Oct 16 2022
Low
David Bowie
Funny enough one of the first Bowie albums I listened to in full a while ago. It definitely feels like a bit of an experimental album, possibly more than the other two entries of the "Berlin Trilogy". There isn't a single "anthem" song that sticks out, but it's all still interesting. Especially for the time it was released.
4
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Mon Oct 17 2022
The Band
The Band
It all sounds nice and well done, but in general this style of Americana-ish rock does nothing for me listening back. Live I bet would be a hoot but it doesn't speak to me at all, unfortunately since I can recognize that it's all well done.
3
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Tue Oct 18 2022
Hejira
Joni Mitchell
Definitely not my thing. It's fine, but too straight and cute for my tastes.
3
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Wed Oct 19 2022
White Ladder
David Gray
Surprised how many songs I remembered from 90s radio. It’s definitely inoffensive 90s pop, he’s a good singer but everything else is pretty uninspired to me.
3
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Thu Oct 20 2022
Synchronicity
The Police
Lots of 80s bangers. I'd say in terms of personal enjoyment it's overall a 3 since the 80s-ness is just so locked into this production, I think its selling the material short. Mother was hilarious, it's like Sting wanted to pretend to be The Talking Heads for a bit. Overall if I put my reviewer hat on, it's at least a 4 so I'll round up to that.
4
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Fri Oct 21 2022
Vanishing Point
Primal Scream
Based on the cover art, I was expecting some shitty 90s butt-rock but I'm pleasantly surprised. Like some weird jammy dub-ambient at times, it's unique for sure. I can appreciate the genre-bending but it doesn't exactly mesh well with what I'd be looking for. Trainspotting is prob the coolest track though, total vibe.
3
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Sat Oct 22 2022
Maggot Brain
Funkadelic
Was not expecting the absolute prog intro guitar song. Definitely went on about 3 mins too long but sounded neat. Rest of the tracks tracked a bit more of what I expected, but overall very nice psych-funk-rock in the tradition of Parliament and a bit of Hendrix. The repetition of the titles and lyrically swirling around that is kind of fun, not typical anymore. They’re all having a good ole time for sure.
3
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Sun Oct 23 2022
Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
Cinnamon Girl is prob the best track for me, it's all good but I wish I could get more into it. Definitely a nice album start to finish though.
3
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Mon Oct 24 2022
Beggars Banquet
The Rolling Stones
Sympathy For The Devil is a classic Rolling Stones song. I didn't know many of the others but they are all pretty good. Probably not my favorite RS album overall but it's definitely good stuff.
4
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Tue Oct 25 2022
Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
In terms of personal enjoyment it's a 3, but for legacy it's a 5, for the time this was huge for popular music, especially 1956. There is a range here of influences which is interesting. Also interesting is how short the songs are, it's like they were made for a quick intense dance with a small breather in between tracks. Between my enjoyment and legacy I'll average the two.
4
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Wed Oct 26 2022
Pump
Aerosmith
Some Aerosmith is alright, but this kinda is a dud for me. Sleazy without a lot a redeeming musical qualities for me. Just reminds me of walking into a dive bar in some little town.
2
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Thu Oct 27 2022
Live At The Harlem Square Club
Sam Cooke
Maybe one of the few albums that is likely better live than if it were studio recorded, you can definitely feel the energy. None of the big tracks that I know were on this, but it was a pleasant energetic listen.
4
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Fri Oct 28 2022
Maverick A Strike
Finley Quaye
Decent chill reggae-esque sound. A fun bop but beyond that that’s about it.
3
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Sat Oct 29 2022
Unknown Pleasures
Joy Division
This is one of those legacy albums that I wish I liked more, but the early 80s production holds back my enjoyment. There's a lot of cool guitar and other instrumentation work that is buried in the mix and the vocals are too up-front. It's also got that 80s digital-coldness sound, although not sure how the production went. Seems like some of the band members agree that they are not happy with the result in comparison to how loud/intense their live shows were. I *like* everything here on paper, it's just not presented in the best way it could be. Regardless, this is the Joy Division sound. Spawned so many great bands so glad this existed.
So, about a 3 for enjoyment but 5 for legacy, split the difference and there's a 4.
4
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Sun Oct 30 2022
Sweet Baby James
James Taylor
I enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would. I’m all for this old school folk/country. It probably helped I was driving on a highway for most of it, so it just worked well.
4
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Mon Oct 31 2022
Slipknot
Slipknot
Oh boy, well I'll try to go into this with an open mind. For a debut and for nu-metal it is a very strong entry. I personally hate nu-metal and think it all sounds like it's trying too hard, but I've heard a LOT worse nu-metal. There are times there is almost an industrial sound going on, and even a few little musical things going on in the background (typically towards the beginning or end) that sound cool, but these are obviously not the main attraction. Regardless, I think they are at least better than Korn.
3
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Tue Nov 01 2022
The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn
Pink Floyd
I haven't heard a lot of this album in a long time. Pretty classic psych-rock that somehow is pretty good, thankfully Syd has it still mostly together on this album. Interstellar Overdrive is probably my favorite track, it's pure jam-psych-sprawl. There are cutesy songs like The Gnome which are fun, which is the best of Syd's works... it all unfortunately goes from here for him. In terms of Pink Floyd, this is barely getting started and later when Waters comes onboard is when PF really become themselves.
4
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Wed Nov 02 2022
Fire Of Love
The Gun Club
Decent punk but never gets super interesting beyond a curiosity for me. Totally serviceable though.
3
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Thu Nov 03 2022
Moss Side Story
Barry Adamson
An album that's a concept album, a soundtrack album to a non-existent crime film. Conceptually I am 100% in. I love the idea that he made this partly as basically an album as a CV to folks saying "See, I can do this. Hire me!" Looks like it worked considered he worked on a few movies later. Only part that is kind of meh is the screaming of women which is pretty damn cliche, but then again maybe the time period this supposed movie would have been made would have been full cliche.
I wouldn't say I loved listening to it, but nothing was bad and it was a decent background listen. Rated it high for the concept and execution, it definitely sets the tone well.
4
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Fri Nov 04 2022
Da Capo
Love
This album started out a 3 but as it went on I was more and more into it. Around 7 and 7 is I was like "wait, is this Malcom Mooney from Can"? Definitely some similarities on some of these later tracks with the free experimentation of Krautrock which I was into. Revelation was nuts, a bit too long but I can appreciate the energy. Apparently the next album is their most acclaimed so I'm hoping that comes up on the list!
4
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Sat Nov 05 2022
One Nation Under A Groove
Funkadelic
I like da funk.
4
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Sun Nov 06 2022
Bone Machine
Tom Waits
I had barely listened to this Waits album, I think the first time I was like "this is a bit much for me at the time" and I moved onto The Black Rider. This is a great reason to give it a deliberate re-listen.
This is one is dark, even for Waits. Cinematic and theatrical as all hell. It's like Waits got too drunk
and was locked in a basement, then was informed everyone he loved has gone away and now he has to make an album.
Sound wise, this is percussion-driven with everything falling around that. It suits the album well. There may be a few tracks that don't do a ton for me, but overall it's very strong.
Fav Tracks: Goin' Out West, Dirt in the Ground, The Earth Died Screaming
4
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Mon Nov 07 2022
Psychocandy
The Jesus And Mary Chain
I like their general schtick of noisy-rock but the rest of the sound is just okay for me. It's kind of like the songwriting/singing of the 80s mixed with the 90s punk-noisey rock. Definitely some interesting things going on and it's good, but I wish I liked it more.
3
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Tue Nov 08 2022
Beautiful Freak
Eels
There are a few tracks by Eels that I like, but overall this album is a bit too postgrunge pop for my tastes. Lots of the lyrical direction is slightly cringey cliche that is surface level of "world is bad" and it's almost like baby's first existential crisis.
3
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Wed Nov 09 2022
AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted
Ice Cube
Iconic ganstarap but there are few areas where it's a bit sexist and casting doubt on some black people's identities by calling them "Oreo cookies". It was a different time for sure and ironically I bet Ice Cube of the 90s would absolutely hate the Ice Cube of today.
Regardless it's good for the genre, for sure. But for me I'd rather listen to other rap.
3
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Thu Nov 10 2022
A Short Album About Love
The Divine Comedy
I definitely don't like this. It all sounds like it should be a soundtrack to a very bad romantic comedy play and somehow they got Scott Walker to sing. It's definitely not "bad" objectively but it's definitely anything I want to listen to, sorry fans.
2
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Fri Nov 11 2022
The Hour Of Bewilderbeast
Badly Drawn Boy
Seems to be an indie darling, but it felt a bit all over the place. Some songs I definitely liked, others I was like "nope". A tad bit too long for me, was about ready to be done by track 14. There are interesting instrumental flourishes and it has grand ideas, but beyond that it didn't gel a ton with me. I can understand why people would really like it though, it definitely is no slouch.
3
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Sat Nov 12 2022
Forever Changes
Love
Nice folk-psych. Def get the appeal of this band but it’s overall not the most interesting listen for me, although there are definitely some interesting instrumental parts that are pretty ahead of their time.
3
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Sun Nov 13 2022
Murder Ballads
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
I can get why people could really like Nick Cave and the concept of this album is very... Nick Cave. I can appreciate it, but not exactly what I'd wanna listen to.
3
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Mon Nov 14 2022
Isn't Anything
My Bloody Valentine
Interesting almost lofi-shoegaze-y stuff. Kind of fun to listen to their earliest work, definitely pioneering for 1988 for sure. Not all of them do a ton for me but I respect the album as a whole.
4
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Tue Nov 15 2022
It's Blitz!
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
First two songs are bangers. There’s a few other good tracks as well but it falls a bit flat at times for me, especially the 2nd half. If the rest of the album followed the first half or was half the length it would be 4+
3
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Wed Nov 16 2022
We're Only In It For The Money
The Mothers Of Invention
Even more experimental than I thought it’d be. Neat for 1968 but sonically it actually isn’t very interesting, just delay manipulation and pitch shifting, likely via tape. Probably novel at the time but now the results aren’t special.
3
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Thu Nov 17 2022
Fleet Foxes
Fleet Foxes
Fleet Foxes are one of the bands of the indie-folk years of 2010s that still hold up, I think Helplessness Blues is better but overall this debut is solid, I just don’t wanna listen to it as an album typically.
3
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Fri Nov 18 2022
New York Dolls
New York Dolls
I know a lotta folks are influenced by the New York Dolls, but it doesn’t do much for me. It’s like proto-punk and glam’s cousin.
3
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Sat Nov 19 2022
Ágætis Byrjun
Sigur Rós
I appreciate what Sigur Rós is doing, their blend of post-rock, ambient, and random noises is straight up my alley. The only thing I am not always a fan of is how pretty it is. I would LOVE a darker and noisier album with Jonsi’s soft vocals, but when it’s backdropped by a full string section it can get a bit much for me. Still, I think as an album this is pretty damn good, regardless of my preferences.
5
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Sun Nov 20 2022
Africa Brasil
Jorge Ben Jor
Pretty nice jams. I enjoyed the 1st track the most.
3
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Mon Nov 21 2022
If I Should Fall From Grace With God
The Pogues
A total cultural work I imagine. I never got into Irish Folk much, there is a sort of punk energy here but I don't find any of it interesting to listen to casually. Now if I were in an Irish Bar? Hell ya.
3
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Tue Nov 22 2022
London Calling
The Clash
Probably the start of the mainstream popularity of The Clash. London Calling is a genre/country-defining song for sure, it still is awesome. There are a bunch of other gems but a few songs that really don't need to be on the album for me, it is quite long in terms of track length, but it's still punk so they are all pretty short. Overall good stuff albeit not a streamlined album experience.
4
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Wed Nov 23 2022
Born In The U.S.A.
Bruce Springsteen
Never got into Springsteen but this album is peak. Enough has been said about the irony of Born in the USA and many of it fans not realizing the critique of the USA in the lyrics, but oh boy just shows how a non-ironic sounding chorus can sway a song.
Dancing in the Dark is prob my fav track. A buncha others are fine but typically not my thing. Still it's a 5 for legacy but a 3 for my enjoyment so... 4 it is.
4
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Thu Nov 24 2022
Dub Housing
Pere Ubu
Plot: Someone gave too many drugs to David Byrne.
Instrumentally I love everything that is going on, but like many people I can't get onboard with the vocals. They are too distracting in their delivery. I am fine with atonal but it's just kind of annoying to me. They are sort of "there" in their annoyance, I'd want it either more abrasive or less atonal and not in this middling area of cacophony. "I, Will Wait" is more along the lines of what I want. Actually the 2nd half of the album would be a 4 for me. It's starting to grow on me though, but my initial impression is 3.
3
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Fri Nov 25 2022
Real Life
Magazine
I remember hearing "Shot By Both Sides" on the radio I believe, it's a fun post-punk song for sure. The rest are decent songs but overall not as good as that one. Not bad though.
3
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Sat Nov 26 2022
At San Quentin
Johnny Cash
Didn't actually like this one as much as the other live album. The titular song is definitely the highlight, funny he capitulated and played it twice.
3
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Sun Nov 27 2022
Rattus Norvegicus
The Stranglers
Very The Fall-qesue in the vocal delivery, which I'm a fan of. Some good punk for sure.
4
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Mon Nov 28 2022
Red Headed Stranger
Willie Nelson
Y'know, not bad. Was driving so this was an appropriate soundtrack for the road.
3
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Tue Nov 29 2022
Darkness on the Edge of Town
Bruce Springsteen
It's "good", but a bit flat for me in terms of Springsteen.
3
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Wed Nov 30 2022
Remedy
Basement Jaxx
It's okay... but not that great to listen to at home. Club? Maybe.
2
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Thu Dec 01 2022
The Dreaming
Kate Bush
Had to listen to this a few times. Much more experimental than I was expecting. Some of it feels a bit dated in its instrumentation but somehow that adds to its experimental nature for me. Pretty impressive, although not sure I'd wanna listen to it as a whole.
4
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Fri Dec 02 2022
More Specials
The Specials
I kinda like some Ska/Two Tone but this wasn't it. It's fine but nothing interesting to me.
3
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Sat Dec 03 2022
Parsley, Sage, Rosemary And Thyme
Simon & Garfunkel
I don't love S&G, I think the 1st track is the only one I've liked on this album. For S&G it's good but to be honest I can't get into it much. It's fine in the background for sure.
3
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Sun Dec 04 2022
Shaft
Isaac Hayes
"That's a 3* album as he-"
"Shut yo mouth!"
"I'm only talking about the album as a whole! The title track is awesome."
"... We can dig it."
3
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Mon Dec 05 2022
The Köln Concert
Keith Jarrett
It's fine and somewhat interesting but, overall not my cup of Jazz tea.
3
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Tue Dec 06 2022
Boston
Boston
It's good, iconic even. For an album I am not sure it has a lot to offer more than 3 or 4 songs, they are all kinda same-y. But, what it does it does well.
3
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Wed Dec 07 2022
The Joshua Tree
U2
Bono is insufferable.
With that out of the way, this album is iconic and when I think "stadium rock" I think of U2 and a lot of the songs on this album. I am not exactly a U2 fan, but this album is extremely influential and I get it, I can imagine a live show would be quite an experience. Also, that 3 track start is so strong that everything else falls flat in comparison, it's almost unfair to the rest of the songs.
4
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Thu Dec 08 2022
Hail To the Thief
Radiohead
Listening to this just reaffirms for me how Radiohead feel so far and ahead of most music in the list, but I'm extremely biased. Production wise its top notch. Reading the Wikipedia again, it's interesting to hear it was a very focused 2-week effort to record in California, like a "summer camp" retreat. It's manic, it's frantic, and it encapsulated the times... and still does. I love that a lot of the album was just recorded, then they moved on and didn't dwell on it as much. Of course, this only works if you're really fucking good.
Some of Radiohead's best live banger in here: 2+2=5, The Gloaming, There There, Myxomatosis all go hard live but they are all top notch on the album as well. I know the band is not fully happy with the end mixes and there is disagreement between them, but I think it's great as-is. There is a leaked early version that is interesting for the hardcore, but the differences are end up as minutiae.
For further listening, Glastonbury 2003 is divine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sAoHCiTqUc
5
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Fri Dec 09 2022
Crocodiles
Echo And The Bunnymen
I am whelmed. It's fine but... plagued by 80s rockness.
3
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Sat Dec 10 2022
The Last Broadcast
Doves
I respect what they're going for, but it falls flat for me. Kind of a post-britpop 00s brainchild that was all the rage.
3
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Sun Dec 11 2022
Channel Orange
Frank Ocean
Not bad but not my thing.
3
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Mon Dec 12 2022
The Velvet Underground
The Velvet Underground
Some hits on this one. A few experimental numbers which were a nice divergence. A beautiful slice of Velvet Underground life.
Candy Says might be my fav.
4
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Tue Dec 13 2022
Rain Dogs
Tom Waits
Waits, discussing his mistrust of then fashionable studio techniques, said, "If I want a sound, I usually feel better if I've chased it and killed it, skinned it and cooked it. Most things you can get with a button nowadays. So if I was trying for a certain drum sound, my engineer would say, 'Oh, for Christ's sake, why are we wasting our time? Let's just hit this little cup with a stick here, sample something (take a drum sound from another record) and make it bigger in the mix, don't worry about it.' I'd say, 'No, I would rather go in the bathroom and hit the door with a piece of two-by-four very hard.'
Hell ya. Also the inclusion of guitarists Keith Richards and Marc Ribot add a very nice chaotic-playing style. Although quite abrasive, there is a mix of some quieter songs like "Time". Classic Waits.
5
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Wed Dec 14 2022
Microshift
Hookworms
Pretty dope grooves. Some of the songs are a little meh in comparison but in general I enjoy the vibe and vocals.
4
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Thu Dec 15 2022
Let's Stay Together
Al Green
Smooth as butter.
4
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Fri Dec 16 2022
Car Wheels On A Gravel Road
Lucinda Williams
A lot of familiarity here, very close to 4 but a few ehhh songs. Pretty nice though.
3
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Sat Dec 17 2022
Franz Ferdinand
Franz Ferdinand
Some nice tracks but a bit too one-dimensional and formulaic for my tastes. Good stuff though, this was hugely popular for the time.
3
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Sun Dec 18 2022
m b v
My Bloody Valentine
I enjoyed it but mostly forgettable except the 2nd track.
3
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Mon Dec 19 2022
I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You
Aretha Franklin
Queen.
4
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Tue Dec 20 2022
The Who Sell Out
The Who
I can appreciate the concept of a pirate-radio and radio commercials album, but in terms of enjoyment it's just alright... nothing really grabbed me. It's not bad just wish I could enjoy it more.
3
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Wed Dec 21 2022
Scott 2
Scott Walker
I wanna like it more and I appreciate the style, but vocally it starts to become a bit much... like too many donuts.
3
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Thu Dec 22 2022
Heaven Or Las Vegas
Cocteau Twins
Not bad, a bit of the times but there are some interesting elements. 3.5
3
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Fri Dec 23 2022
Beauty And The Beat
The Go-Go's
Solid but not my thing. I thought "We Got The Beat" was a 60s song, to be honest.
3
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Sat Dec 24 2022
Appetite For Destruction
Guns N' Roses
I mean, you can't argue with success I guess. Do I want to listen to it anymore? No but I had a phase. I think there are definite arguments for 4 or 5 but in terms of my enjoyment, it's just "meh".
3
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Sun Dec 25 2022
Truth And Soul
Fishbone
Got better as time went on, but mostly "ehhhh it's alright". Better options in the genre.
3
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Mon Dec 26 2022
Mothership Connection
Parliament
Me likey da funk. Actually a bit over "Give Up The Funk" but I liked Unfunky UFO, Supergroovalistic..., and Handcuffs.
4
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Tue Dec 27 2022
Pretzel Logic
Steely Dan
Solid Steely Dan, although not my favorite for sure. Still, always impressive.
4
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Wed Dec 28 2022
Only Built 4 Cuban Linx
Raekwon
Points for the conceptual slant and the beats are great. Maybe it's my mood but the execution of everything didn't do as much for me as I wanted, but I can see why people love it.
3
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Thu Dec 29 2022
Peggy Suicide
Julian Cope
It's all competent but a bit all over the place, not for me but not bad.
3
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Fri Dec 30 2022
Trout Mask Replica
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
Notoriously difficult listen, it's definitely interesting and it's obvious the influences it has had on musicians like Tom Waits. In terms of a casual listen though, it is not exactly a pleasant experience. I could see getting addicted to the chaos though with repeat listens.
3
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Sat Dec 31 2022
Francis Albert Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim
Frank Sinatra
This was a nice combination, I think I like it better than just solo Sinatra actually. Spanish guitar and rhythmic elements add a lot. Lounge-y as all hell, in a good way. It's close to a 4 but really about a 3.5 and up. I probably won't listen to it again, but I enjoyed it for sure. Definitely heard "The Girl from Ipanema" before.
4
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Sun Jan 01 2023
good kid, m.A.A.d city
Kendrick Lamar
Yeah, in terms of gansta-rap Kendrick is definitely my pick. There's some great artistic choices through the album that subvert the earlier clichés of gansta-rap, like playing the entire voicemail at the end of the first song and not using it as a little throwaway interlude but rather as a storytelling tool. Everything sounds great but there's some needed restraint in production that elevates it all to be more than a "I'm so hard and I party hard album".
Some tracks are "take or or leave" it for me, and Money Trees goes a little long for me. Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe is prob my fav. good kid also sounds great, that instrumentation and bass-line feels like some 70s odd synth/krautrock or some early electronic experimental stuff.
Interestingly enough there aren't many songs on here that feel like they can be played in isolation or on some random playlist, the material is definitely best listened in an album format, which is probably the best compliment you could get for this list.
4
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Mon Jan 02 2023
Planet Rock: The Album
Afrika Bambaataa
Planet Rock is cool for historical purposes, but everything else starts to get a bit jammy and rough.
3
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Tue Jan 03 2023
The Yes Album
Yes
Not a general fan of the vocals or prog rock in general, but this is still more interesting to me than a lot of modern prog-rock. Still not my thing, prog always feels like there isn't "heart" to it and virtuosity/technicality is the litmus-test for greatness.
3
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Wed Jan 04 2023
Time (The Revelator)
Gillian Welch
Nice folk/country, but overall became a bit of a background sound for me. Not bad though.
3
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Thu Jan 05 2023
A Hard Day's Night
Beatles
I find most of this rather boring in comparison to other Beatles material to be honest. In terms of pop it's great but in terms of what the Beatles are capable of I'm underwhelmed.
3
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Fri Jan 06 2023
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
Haven't heard a lot of these tracks, but defnitely a very strong debut. I kind of enjoy the production with the bleeding of vocals into other tracks with a few rough edges left in, definitely has more "oomph" for me this way.
4
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Sat Jan 07 2023
System Of A Down
System Of A Down
I don't mind SOME System of a Down but this didn't do a whole lot for me, felt super generic and sounded like "hard rock" in the worst way. Not my thing.
3
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Sun Jan 08 2023
Tigermilk
Belle & Sebastian
It's fine, I can appreciate Belle & Sebastian but just doesn't do anything for me. I liked the electronic song though.
3
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Mon Jan 09 2023
Buffalo Springfield Again
Buffalo Springfield
I know the first track of course, but I was a but underwhelmed by the entire album. Not bad but ehhh...
3
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Tue Jan 10 2023
Hotel California
Eagles
The titular track is a classic, but the rest of the album is completely forgettable. A bit sad, really.
2
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Wed Jan 11 2023
Pyromania
Def Leppard
I think this may be one of the worse bands in this genre, absolutely boring AF.
2
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Thu Jan 12 2023
Here, My Dear
Marvin Gaye
I enjoyed it but there wasn't any amazing tracks like on "What's Going On" for me that really really grabbed me. 3.5 down to 3 I suppose. Great stuff overall though.
3
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Fri Jan 13 2023
Selling England By The Pound
Genesis
Not a fan of this sort of prog at all, I find it completely cringe-y and souless to me. It's fine though, just my personal tastes.
3
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Sat Jan 14 2023
Arrival
ABBA
I think they are very talented and "Dancing Queen" and a few other songs are quite good as well. I never wanna listen to any of this on my own though, it's just been so overplayed. However, objectively it's a 4 from me.
4
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Sun Jan 15 2023
Survivor
Destiny's Child
So many of these songs were huge, kind of a preview of Beyonce in her final form. For pop it's servicable but I definitely don't wanna hear it.
3
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Mon Jan 16 2023
Get Rich Or Die Tryin'
50 Cent
Feels so very much of the time. A lot of "hits" that seemingly persist to this day. Definitely an odd feel for gansta-rap and pretty much a strong debut. But, it's all bravado and no substance for me.
3
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Tue Jan 17 2023
Your New Favourite Band
The Hives
Hate To Say I Told You So is a popular song, definitely heard that one before. Overall I liked the punk/garage energy and the vocalists straining/screaming but a bunch of the tracks towards the end are kinda just okay. 3.5 to 3
3
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Wed Jan 18 2023
Achtung Baby
U2
Objectively it's iconic and a "good album" but I just personally can't get into it much, mostly due to Bono and his vocal style. Best parts are the interesting guitar stuff, personally.
4
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Thu Jan 19 2023
My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
Kanye West
Fuck Kanye.
But, this was a tour-de-force. I know around this time there wasn't a lot of prog-hip-hop or anything approaching this level of grandiosity in the genre, so for that it's admirable. Crazy collabs as well. It's not my fav. style of hip hop but credit to where credit is due.
4
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Fri Jan 20 2023
Strange Cargo III
William Orbit
Chillish lounge-electronica. It's there and it's fine and that's about it.
3
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Sat Jan 21 2023
The Doors
The Doors
What a fuckin' debut. So many hits and staying power of an album. They coulda stopped here and been legendary as-is.
5
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Sun Jan 22 2023
Gold
Ryan Adams
Some songs are better than others, I know this album has it's fans but it's just alright for me. Nothing bad nothing amazing for my tastes.
3
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Mon Jan 23 2023
Goodbye And Hello
Tim Buckley
Tim Buckley is mighty fine by me, but that's about it for me. No songs jumped out for me, but everything was good.
3
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Tue Jan 24 2023
Moondance
Van Morrison
Good stuff in general but never could really get into Van Morrison a ton. It's great but just kind of background for me.
3
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Wed Jan 25 2023
american dream
LCD Soundsystem
Definitely one of their better albums for sure. This was post-reunion I believe so there was likely some extra skin-in-the-game here as well. I dunno, there's like at least half of these songs which are fun bangers. I'd love to see them live.
4
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Thu Jan 26 2023
Bright Flight
Silver Jews
Reading Wikipedia on the band and David Berman is a wild and sad trip.
There is something appealing to me about the almost outsider-indie-country vocals, although they aren't "good" by any standards. I can 100% see the cult appeal here. Definitely a drunken-style country confessional.
I'm interested to checking out the entire discography though, as well as David's final project "Purple Mountains". Beyond that, I'm conflict but probably don't enjoy this enough to relisten. But I'm glad I heard of the group.
3
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Fri Jan 27 2023
OK
Talvin Singh
Crazy fusion of lots of different electronic music and world music genres. Feels a bit cliche and boring now though, but at the time it was probably pretty neat.
3
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Sat Jan 28 2023
Machine Gun Etiquette
The Damned
Seems like The Damned are one of the proto-punk pre-hardcore bands that were influential. Beyond that though, not a ton that interests me sonically. Some surprisingly more complex guitar work than typical punk though.
3
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Sun Jan 29 2023
Live Through This
Hole
I haven't heard much of Hole and didn't realize it was Courtney Love either. She somehow gets a really bad rep for some reason. Regardles, this album (coming after the death of Kurt Cobain) definitely has an edge and is on a mission. I dig it.
4
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Mon Jan 30 2023
Pills 'n' Thrills And Bellyaches
Happy Mondays
Kind of neat, a bit surprising in the diversity but there wasn't a song or moment that really grabbed me. 3.5 to 3.
3
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Tue Jan 31 2023
Neon Bible
Arcade Fire
This came out my sophmore year of college so maybe a bit blinded by that, but it's another great cinematic-indie album by Arcade Fire. You can tell they love what they are doing and I generally like the vocal stylings of the singer.
4
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Wed Feb 01 2023
Opus Dei
Laibach
Pretty interesting band. Basically a parody of fascist/authoritarian thoughts.
Per Wiki:
Laibach has frequently been accused of both far left and far right political stances due to their use of uniforms and totalitarian-style aesthetics. They were also accused of being members of the neo-nationalism movement, which reincarnates modern ideas of nationalism. When confronted with such accusations, Laibach is quoted as replying with the ambiguous response "We are fascists as much as Hitler was a painter". In addition, Laibach also provided most of the soundtrack for Iron Sky, a film that mocked Nazism.
That said, I do not enjoy listening to it at all. I really respect the concept though.
3
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Thu Feb 02 2023
Oedipus Schmoedipus
Barry Adamson
First track was super annoying tbh. The rest just faded into background music, which isn't "bad" but pretty forgettable.
2
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Fri Feb 03 2023
Rio
Duran Duran
Says 80s music and I will say Duran Duran. Not to say it's bad, but it's just so damn 80s I can't get past the production, it's not... great. Hungry Like the Wolf is the only track that I really like, the rest are meh.
3
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Sat Feb 04 2023
A Love Supreme
John Coltrane
Furious and complex. I can't even begin to understand what's going on musically here, I'm not that well-informed in that regard. I'm pretty sure I could listen to this 100x and find something new about it. I can't say I understand it, but I can appreciate it.
4
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Sun Feb 05 2023
Nebraska
Bruce Springsteen
I listened to this three times because it was not expected at all. Definitely would not have thought it was Bruce Springsteen. It's quite minimalist but intimate which ends up making it captivating. Lyrics are dark/sad/introspective but also somewhat hopeful? Instant teleportation to Americana Folk land. Really like it and I have a new respect for Bruce Springsteen.
5
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Mon Feb 06 2023
Fun House
The Stooges
Another crazy intense and raw Stooges album. It feels jammy in the best way, although no tracks really stood out to me as "this is the one". L.A. Blues is hilariously indulgent and chaotic but I can get behind it. I think I like Raw Power more, but this is good stuff regardless.
4
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Tue Feb 07 2023
In Rainbows
Radiohead
Favorite Radiohead album and possibly favorite album of all time. This was the first time I "got" Radiohead. I had heard about it during the release when it was pay-what-you-want and that intrigued me enough to listen. It started me the rabbit hole and went further back into their discography.
15 Step is a drum-banger and Bodysnatchers is a manic guitar-heavy song that is very OK Computer era so if anyone lamented the lack of guitar on previous albums, this ones for you.
Nude is absolutely sublime in its sparse arrangement but soaring vocals. Weird Fishes is instant underwater vibes with syncopated guitar parts reminiscent of Let Down from Ok Computer. All I Need continues the chill vibes and I remember it being used for a PSA at one point.
Faust Arp is kind of our intermission song, but it's nice all the same. It could totally pass for a solo Thom Yorke song.
Reckoner and House of Cards continue the vibes with some interesting drums on Reckoner as well as extremely downtempo guitar on House of Cards.
Jigsaw Falling Into Place brings up the energy with an all around solid track, although maybe not my favorite.
Videotape caps off the album as Radiohead albums typically do: a sad Thom Yorke performance that could be the swan song of the entire band. More interesting syncopation with the drums and piano. Haunting as expected.
Easiest 5* of my life.
5
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Wed Feb 08 2023
Germfree Adolescents
X-Ray Spex
Pretty good early punk. The horns were a fun surprise, I bet they were a ton of fun live. Singer is great. All around good stuff, I can see the influence on early riot grrrl stuff too.
4
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Thu Feb 09 2023
La Revancha Del Tango
Gotan Project
Nice to have on in the background but beyond that I am not sure I'd listen to it on my own.
3
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Fri Feb 10 2023
Haunted Dancehall
The Sabres Of Paradise
Kind of interesting electronica but overall this is all just background to me, nothing I'd want to listen to deliberately. If it was on, I wouldn't swap it. But, not something I would be like "Oh yeah let's throw on Haunted Dancehall!".
3
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Sat Feb 11 2023
Truth
Jeff Beck
Jeff Beck is an artist I know nothing of except the name, so I can't say I've heard any of his material in earnest so glad to start with the first album. Impressive guitar-work... but that is to be expected from a guitarist from The Yardbirds. Vocals remind me of some other artist but not sure, still pretty good though. Clearly blues influenced (especially with You Shook Me cover), kind of interesting people consider this influential to "Heavy Metal".
The Greensleeves instrumental seems quite random though, I thought some other album came on shuffle. Also the clapping on "Blues Deluxe"... why?
It's all good but nothing singular that really grabbed me. 3.5 down to 3.
3
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Sun Feb 12 2023
Night Life
Ray Price
Kinda nice and cute ole country. Definitely a vibe, but probably not something I'd wanna throw on. Not bad though.
3
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Mon Feb 13 2023
Black Holes and Revelations
Muse
If I was still in high school this would be a 5. As I’ve grown older and listened to more music, it is pretty average. This is the last solid Muse album as a whole, but you can start to see the patterns of future albums starting with horrible lyrics (they were never good tbh) and overproduction. Muse definitely has stadium rock aspirations here and while it generally works it feels a bit hollow now. Make no mistake, they are a great “live band” and Matt Bellamy is a talented guitarist, but it all feels so juvenile now. Sorry HS me.
3.5 down to 3. High points for solid tunes and instrumentation while also tainted by my own nostalgia. Everything that is good here is just done better on Absolution and OoS. Also Muse now is a caricature of themselves it’s so sad.
3
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Tue Feb 14 2023
Illinois
Sufjan Stevens
My college was in Grand Rapids, MI which is close to Holland and Sufjan Stevens had somewhat of a relationship with the college. He allowed our AV department to use any of his songs for any student projects, so that was kinda cool I guess.
I was bombarded with Sufjan Stevens in college. It was everywhere. Twee-indie was all the rage in 2006-2008, especially at a liberal-christian college. I have gone in spurts where I liked some of the songs, then hated, then tolerated, and now kind of ambivalent with a few exceptions.
Tonally it's kind of all over the place, with songs of deep sadness and others grandiose happiness. "Concerning the UFO" and "Casimir Pulaski Day" are the types of songs by Sufjan that I enjoy. Songs like "Come On! Feel the Illonoise! Part 1" are neat in concept but it's so happy twee I can't really stand it.
I remember thinking John Wayne Gacy, Jr. was quite good back in the day due to its "dark subject matter". Now, I don't really ever wanna listen to it. It is best listened to while looking through the lens of "total depravity", which a Christianity concept that is referenced the line "and in my best behavior, I am really just like him", as in we all have the potential to be monsters.
Apparently he thought it would be "arrogant" to make a double album, but c'mon man this thing is basically that. I do appreciate that he says the album-states concept is essentially a joke gimmick, so clearly he isn't taking things too seriously.
Vocally I kinda dig Stevens cadence but other times it feels just like it's trying to be too cute/quiet, but that's a preference thing.
Personal enjoyment of 3, but I'd have to rate it 4/5 if I was being more objective. I also know his live shows were very theatrical so I'm sure that'd be entertaining as well.
4
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Wed Feb 15 2023
Crossing the Red Sea With the Adverts
The Adverts
New wave punk-ish stuff. I dunno, I don't find it does much more than other contemporaries. When it's punk it's not punk enough, and when it's new wave it is too 80s. Alas.
3
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Thu Feb 16 2023
Freak Out!
The Mothers Of Invention
I wanna like it more than I do. It's kinda nuts they got seemingly carte blanche to do mostly whatever they want. Concept album for sure, but unfortunately it's not "fun" to listen to. I'm into experimental and weird shit, but I dunno... maybe I just need to get drunk or do drugs.
3
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Fri Feb 17 2023
Fred Neil
Fred Neil
Nice folk and glad to listen to a new name, but didn't do anything else others have done better, IMO. Kind of came and went.
3
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Sat Feb 18 2023
1989
Taylor Swift
Completely junk food pop. I honestly don't get why some folks are like "Taylor Swift is really a different breed", there is so much more pop music I'd rather listen to. I find everything about it vapid, surface level, and completely polished that nothing interesting remains. Nothing here is what I listen to music for.
That said, I get why people would like it. It ticks a lot of the boxes for what a lot of people like to listen to. But my god, it's a 1 in enjoyment but I can't in good conscious rate it that low, but this is my damnest 2 thus far.
2
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Sun Feb 19 2023
Songs From The Big Chair
Tears For Fears
Peak 80s new wave. Even though it is very 80s, it is so in a good way. Solid hits and catchy songs that most people already know, but the album is full of them.
4
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Mon Feb 20 2023
Buena Vista Social Club
Buena Vista Social Club
Surprised I knew a lot of the songs actually. Great cubano music, while I probably won't go back to it it's all done rather well.
4
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Tue Feb 21 2023
MTV Unplugged In New York
Nirvana
Probably one of the better MTV Unplugged albums. Funny enough I didn't get into Nirvana much in the 90s as I was a bit young, so this album was actually the first Nirvana album I actually enjoyed, then I went back and listened to the "real Nirvana". I think my favorite songs are even Nirvana songs on here, the Bowie cover of "The Man Who Sold The World" was an entry point for me to listen to Bowie and is the standout track for me. There's a line in a Pitchfork about how Cobain shows through these covers that "this pain is as old as time" and was likely instrumental in showing the kids some other great music out there, as Cobain was a god at this point. I am glad there aren't a ton of "hits" on here either, and the strained/uncomfortable energy of the performance is perfect for Nirvana.
4
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Wed Feb 22 2023
Djam Leelii
Baaba Maal
I like the instrumentation that almost becomes like a drone, but the vocal style just isn't my thing.
3
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Thu Feb 23 2023
All Things Must Pass
George Harrison
Some good songs with others just being "okay" to me. I'm definitely a believer in that the Beatles are best when all are present, and their individual projects never gel enough with me. Definitely prefer George over others though.
3
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Fri Feb 24 2023
Led Zeppelin III
Led Zeppelin
They are all "good songs" but most of the songs on III aren't as interesting as other Led Zeppelin hits. Immigrant Song is iconic though.
3
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Sat Feb 25 2023
21
Adele
Adele is a talented singer for sure. Regardless, I can't really get into it. I've love her music to be a little more interesting as she could propel a lot of genres to higher places.
3
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Sun Feb 26 2023
Qui sème le vent récolte le tempo
MC Solaar
I do believe I enjoy French rap, the flow of the words just sound so good together. Clearly a talented rapper as well, some of those phrases were smooth as hell. Lyrically no idea what's going on though.
4
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Mon Feb 27 2023
Fishscale
Ghostface Killah
It's fine. Some interesting instrumental flourishes at times but not a huge style of the cadence, I can see why people would really like it though, but ultimately not my thing. By god do I hate the skits though. Also Ghostface Killa loves referring to women as "females". Bro.
3
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Tue Feb 28 2023
Deja Vu
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
I enjoyed it. A few meh songs, but overall it's quite pleasant and lovely. A shame half the songs on Spotify can't be played. I enjoyed "Almost Cut My Hair" and "Our House" for the two ends of the spectrum. I think Our House is probably the song I've most heard, but it's kind of a cute little thing that isn't overblown or pretentious, and I can get behind that.
4
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Wed Mar 01 2023
I Should Coco
Supergrass
Kinda interesting energy but parts of it just kinda went by. Curious to listen to more of them if it gets a bit more polished though.
3
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Thu Mar 02 2023
Tuesday Night Music Club
Sheryl Crow
It's competent and Sheryl Crow is a good performer/singer but it just in general doesn't speak to me much. I can see lots of folks into it though. This is quintessential 90s alternative for sure.
3
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Fri Mar 03 2023
Little Earthquakes
Tori Amos
First off, recommend watching is the 1991/92 live performances at Montreux Jazz Festival. Captivating and passionate, she's got the "I fuckin' dare you" energy directed at the crowd and I'm all for it. My understanding is the 1991 festival she was pretty unknown. Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeSj8SnUgUI&list=PL_TOoo0i6bTnIRgto-WfF8dN5Y3dHK_qr
Tori Amos had a LOT to say in this album. It's pretty dark, has a bit of venom, with some little tongue in cheek chuckles. I definitely prefer this album to many other singer-songwriter 90s albums, she is really bearing everything here. It's clearly very autobiographical processing of childhood traumas, puberty, and adulthood navigating it all. Tracks like Me and a Gun are haunting, it's pretty obvious the subject-matter and you feel like you must respectfully listen it, but it's definitely not light. Again, I prefer the live versions where it's even more blunt and plain in your face, especially Precious & Winter.
I had a phase where I was really into early Tori Amos but I kind of can't really listen to it much anymore, I was much more angry and moody then. Still, it's a damn good debut. Unfortunately I liked less and less the more she put out.
Best tracks are Crucify, Silent all These Years, Precious, Winter.
4
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Sat Mar 04 2023
My Aim Is True
Elvis Costello
I wanna like it, but I just can't. It's too poppy and "happy" for my tastes, plus in general it all just feels slightly manufactured, I don't know. I wish I could get into Elvis Costello but it's not for me. It's definitely not bad though.
3
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Sun Mar 05 2023
Oxygène
Jean-Michel Jarre
I've listened to this in the past before, I believe. Jean Michel Jarre is a classic electronica pioneer. For 1976 this probably blew a ton of people's minds. Still has a lot of nice ear candy moments of bubbly synths and interesting frequencies. There are some kind of dated feeling synthesizer sounds and not quite to my taste, but compositionally it's excellent.
4
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Mon Mar 06 2023
Who's Next
The Who
Quite the banging open and closing bookends. There is a bit of a lull in terms of tracks in the middle, but that's also probably emphasized by how good the opening/closing tracks are. Probably a 5 but more of a 4 based on the lull for me.
4
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Tue Mar 07 2023
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones
Rolling Stones do Blues/R&B. If this was a one-off band you'd go "Hey Rolling Stones, they did that one album that was pretty good Blues Rock." Unfortunately we know they have much higher trajectory ahead of them, but standalone it's solid and enjoyable. Route 66 is probably the best track.
4
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Wed Mar 08 2023
This Year's Model
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
After just having Costello's first album 2 days ago, going right into this is a lot. This album feels completely full-throttle manic energy, it honesty kinda wears me out listening to it. Pump It Up is clearly the standout track.
I think with Elvis Costello I've figured out why I can't get into it: an extremely verbose lyrics per song. To be reductive, it's just too many words for my tastes and I latch onto nothing. Maybe the amount of lyrics on a lot of the songs wouldn't turn me off but I find his voice kind of grating as well. Sounds so forced to me, but that could be his natural cadence as well, so who knows.
3
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Thu Mar 09 2023
Here's Little Richard
Little Richard
Don't personally love listening to it, but c'mon... iconic and a gamechanger.
4
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Fri Mar 10 2023
Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
Wu-Tang Clan
I know it's a classic album, but I can't really get into it. Inventive concept in hip-hop at the time, but... meh. It's not bad by any means, but just average for my tastes.
3
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Sat Mar 11 2023
Rust In Peace
Megadeth
Thrash Metal is sometimes almost comical to me. This is pretty Thrash Metal. Obviously some great technique and playing on this album but it's like the cotton candy of metal. Quickly melts after consumption and just a transient experience.
3
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Sun Mar 12 2023
Getz/Gilberto
Stan Getz
Chill AF classic Bossa Nova Jazz goodness. I knew of the first track but might have enjoyed the others a bit more, perhaps just because they were unfamiliar. I felt like I had quite a classy Saturday night listening to this, sipping whisky.
4
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Mon Mar 13 2023
Teenage Head
Flamin' Groovies
I enjoyed the general sound but there feels like there's something missing that propels it further