Jan 13 2021
The Specials
The Specials
Very fun album. Reggae inspired songs, so not quite what I'm interested in but there are a few really good songs in here.
3
Jan 14 2021
The Wall
Pink Floyd
This was an interesting listen. While I didn't love every song as a stand alone, they're all pieces of a greater whole that was a blast to listen to. I love an album that can tell a story and man, this one does it beautifully. I could picture so much of what they were going for as I listened and I'll be honest there's probably plenty that I missed. I'll probably give it another listen, in one sitting this time, in a few months.
4
Jan 15 2021
Eliminator
ZZ Top
Fantastic listen; a lot of very good songs packed in here.
4
Jan 18 2021
Sound of Silver
LCD Soundsystem
I didn't expect to like this. I don't usually go for electronic music, but this had a lot more heart than what I've heard in this genre before. That heart probably comes from the inclusion of lyrics to give breaks to the heavy, and constant, techno sound. All leading up so a nice soft piano song really worked for me.
4
Jan 19 2021
American Pie
Don McLean
As close to a 5/5 that I've heard so far. Stellar opener that leads into such a varied, interesting, and emotional album. There's only a few songs on here that didn't really sell me on them. Still, stellar.
4
Jan 20 2021
Heroes
David Bowie
I like some stuff from Bowie, but it feels too experimental for me on this one. Didn't like any of the songs on the album and almost fell asleep.
2
Jan 21 2021
Beyond Skin
Nitin Sawhney
An interesting listen with heavy Indian influences. I loved that it felt more like Nitin was trying to drag emotions out of the listener with all of the samples and that really added a weight to the album. But, as much as I love that, it takes away from the listening experience from song to song, more an emotional state of being than a direct statement. All in all, I liked the moodiness of the album and the dramatic presentation but don't think I'd listen to the whole thing again.
Favorite songs: Pilgrim and Serpents
3
Jan 22 2021
My Aim Is True
Elvis Costello
This album felt like it came up in the middle of an evolution or something, like growing pains or the awkward phase in life, it stood out as different and that came with good and bad. I kept getting turned off for a song or two, that shocked when the next one wasn't as bad. Overall, a strange, but fun, album that won't stick with me despite liking some of the songs.
Favorite songs:
Welcome To The Working Week
Miracle Man
Alison
3
Jan 04 2022
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Amazing album with a lot of songs that I had never heard. It's impressive to me that she can make such serious songs that feel light but real.
5
Jan 05 2022
Young Americans
David Bowie
Very interesting sound. Clearly, he was very talented, but I did find this album a little repetitive. The only song that I enjoy fully on the album is Fame.
3
Jan 10 2022
Blue
Joni Mitchell
I enjoyed this album well enough; it wasn't something that I think I'd be able to listen to often and I didn't add but the last three songs, but still I could feel the passion in her presentation and knew where her songs were coming from. The thing that kept me from adding the songs and really enjoying them on their own was their structure, or lack there of. Her voice does so much heavy lifting, it's wistful and her style embraces that drama.
Favorite songs:
River
A Case of You
The Last Time I Saw Richard
3
Jan 11 2022
The Stone Roses
The Stone Roses
Having never heard of this band before, I am completely blown away. I loved every song on the album and this is the first time that I can remember tapping my foot to any album yet (7/26/25); between the varied styles, the lyrics, the presentation, it all kept me guessing and I couldn't get enough. That's the thing that really got me, they never stuck to a genre really, but their style stayed the same. You know it's their music but are pleasantly surprised with the direction. Stellar album, really makes me happy that I decided to do this list.
Favorite songs:
I Wanna Be Adored
She Bangs the Drums
Waterfall
Elizabeth My Dear
Fools Gold
5
Jan 12 2022
Whatever
Aimee Mann
Aimee has one of those voices that's pretty good, but you don't expect anything from. I feel really similarly about what I've heard of Joni Mitchell, so it's a compliment in a way. I enjoyed the album for how different the songs were and about the range of story telling within it. Also, I learned that she plays Opal, a.k.a. Giant Woman, on Steven Universe and that counts for something. Jokes aside, this was a decent listen and I know that at least one song will stick with me.
Favorite songs:
4th Of July
Stupid Thing
Jacob Marley's Chain
3
Jan 13 2022
MTV Unplugged In New York
Nirvana
As much as I don't gel with their music, their talent is undeniable. What I really enjoyed was hearing their banter, just how funny Kurt actually was, getting to hear them cover some really interesting songs, and how his sound is suited so well for that intimate setting; I'm sure the people in the room will remember it forever. Still, it's not an album I'd see myself ever going back to and I didn't add any of the songs. But, I'm very glad that I listened to it, none the less.
3
Jan 14 2022
Paris 1919
John Cale
This was a really different album and I wasn't really album to fully appreciate it, I think. I found it off putting lyrically, and not always in a bad way, and I never found myself getting wrapped up in it. Still, I thought that it was unique and, sadly, ultimately forgettable.
Favorite song:
Hanky Panky Nohow
2
Jun 13 2025
Let's Get It On
Marvin Gaye
I really liked the album and was impressed with the vocals and jazziness.
4
Jun 16 2025
Channel Orange
Frank Ocean
Liked it less than I thought I would, because it felt really disjointed and didn't really catch me until the last few songs. But, Frank sure can sing.
3
Jun 17 2025
Born To Run
Bruce Springsteen
Absolutely loved this album. Filled with great songs, and doesn't overstay its welcome.
Favorite song: Meeting Across the River - I loved the mix of storytelling and piano. His voice really sold the vibe of this song.
4
Jun 18 2025
Face to Face
The Kinks
Sunny Afternoon is a really great song from an album that reminded me a lot of the Beatles. But, I didn't much care for their swing; something about the lyrics just didn't do it for me.
3
Jun 20 2025
Underwater Moonlight
The Soft Boys
Couldn't even finish the first quarter of the album. On Spotify, their biggest song (which I didn't like either) is the very first song on the album and it seems like it's all downhill from there.
When I started this, I told myself that I was going to listen to every album to the fullest, even if I wasn't enjoying. Nope. This killed that. I mean, I wasn't having a good time AND it's 2.5 hours long.
1
Jun 24 2025
Aftermath
The Rolling Stones
Really good album. Of course, none of the songs are as good at Paint It, Black; that song really set the tone for the album and it didn't follow suit at all which left it feeling a little disjointed to me. Overall, a very good listen.
3
Jun 25 2025
Songs From The Big Chair
Tears For Fears
Really great stuff! Very impressed because I didn't realize just how atmospheric their music is. Loved nearly every song on this album.
4
Jun 26 2025
Quiet Life
Japan
A really cool album that was a fun listen. I like the sleepy, dreamy vibe that they presented, but didn't love that it got so mumbled that I couldn't understand anything as the album went on.
Favorite songs:
Quiet Life
Halloween
3
Jun 27 2025
Larks' Tongues In Aspic
King Crimson
This felt more like an experiment and an experience than an album, which was really neat, but didn't do much for me.
2
Jun 30 2025
A Love Supreme
John Coltrane
I don't normally care for instrumentals, but this feels different. I has so much heart and emotion thanks to the jazzy and moody nature. I'll start to get used to the piano solos, or the bass, and then right when I'm ready for a change, that sax comes in and wakes up the whole song. Loved it.
4
Jul 01 2025
Pink Moon
Nick Drake
I liked the vibe of this album. It reminded me of Cat Stevens, or other folk bands of recent, which I love. What I think the songs lacked were purpose or, maybe, passion? All in all, a very enjoyable listen.
Favorite song: Which Will
3
Jul 02 2025
Rum Sodomy & The Lash
The Pogues
I thoroughly enjoyed this album! I was reminded of a more tame, and more varied, Dropkick Murphy's whom I also love. I love the Irish shanty vibe, the seafaring pirate sound which so my of these songs ooze. But, I loved the softer songs even more. No two songs gave me the same feeling or provided the same listening experience and that's something that really elevates an album for me.
Favorite Songs:
The Band Played Waltzing Matilda
Sally MacLennan
A Pair of Brown Eyes
4
Jul 03 2025
Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
Wilco
Really didn't like it. It's not bad music on its own, it's just not for me. There weren't any stand out songs, I didn't care for the lyrics or the presentation, and I couldn't stop thinking this was for someone that just wanted to turn their brain off and not really listen.
2
Jul 04 2025
Soul Mining
The The
Not bad, but not good either. Reminded me a lot of Oingo Boingo, who I love, and David Bowie, who I don't. So, all in all, listenable but not special.
Favorite song: Soul Mining
2
Jul 07 2025
Paul Simon
Paul Simon
Pretty good for a debut, solo, album. I know he has the years as Simon & Garfunkel, which I preferred, but this is still solid. A few good hits, but nothing that will stick with me, except for just how impressive his voice is in general.
Favorite song: Run that Body Down
3
Jul 08 2025
In Utero
Nirvana
I thought that this album was okay. I'm, so far, not a big fan of Nirvana or more specifically the grunge genre. This felt like garage rock, which is really cool in it's own right, but I didn't love the grittier songs with grotesque lyrics (which I do realize are present in Heart Shape Box), and blasty vocals without substance. It's about presentation and context; this album wants to be too much and in your face, and that's just not my vibe.
Favorite songs:
Heart Shaped Box
Dumb
2
Jul 09 2025
The Coral
The Coral
This was a really fun ride! It made me think of new age circus music! Short and sweet, with catching and interesting songs. My favorite part about the songs is that they change, usually around the halfway mark to something completely different that still works just as well. It really hooked me with it's presentation, purposefully different and proud of it.
Favorite songs:
I Remember When
Shadow Fall
3
Jul 10 2025
Oedipus Schmoedipus
Barry Adamson
Just, no. I can't even finish this. It's an instrumental with heavy creepy notes and strange vibes. I could see it as background music for movies but nothing else.
1
Jul 11 2025
Every Picture Tells A Story
Rod Stewart
It was over before I knew it. Which, I'm not sure it's a good thing.
It's not really my thing, and I don't think I care for Rod's Stewart voice. The whole album was packaged really weird. The songs are really up and down, the bridges didn't really do it for me. Still, I added a song or two.
2
Jul 14 2025
Hot Rats
Frank Zappa
I didn't mind this album too much, but I know it won't stick with me. I'm not he biggest fan of instrumentals, which this album *almost* entirely is, but I see the appeal. The best song was the opener, so it was a downhill ride for me.
I asked Beau if he's ever listening to Zappa, and his response was, "I don't mind him. Kinda weird though." Which got me excited for something interesting and this doesn't deliver.
Favorite song: Peaches En Regalia
2
Jul 15 2025
Debut
Björk
When this album ended, I said, "Oh thank God." out loud.
This was a slog for me. It's not the kind of vibe that I look for in anything. It's wispy and laissez-faire in a way that just feels so dead. The music is upbeat and as the songs would start, I'd be bopping along, then the singing started and I just kept checking how long the song had left.
Not the worst thing I've ever heard, but still a one for me.
1
Jul 16 2025
Oxygène
Jean-Michel Jarre
This album sounded like music that would be in Logan's Run 10+ years after Logan's Run. Just sounded way after it's time, which was weird. Plus, it's an instrumental, a techno instrumental but an instrumental none the less.
I wanted to give this album a 1 but it's at least more unique than that.
2
Jul 17 2025
Come Find Yourself
Fun Lovin' Criminals
This was a really fun album. I had never heard of this band, and am really shocked since their song is so great. Their pop/ rock/ rap mix doesn't seem good on paper, but they nail it in this album. Each song is from a similar place, but presented differently (I assume, in part, by the different members) and that keeps the album fresh by moving from bouncy jazz inspired songs, to the slower lovey tunes, then to something deep with social commentary.
Favorite songs:
The Fun Lovin' Criminal
Smoke 'em
King of New York
Crime and Punishment
4
Jul 18 2025
The Last Of The True Believers
Nanci Griffith
This is someone that I'm shocked isn't as popular as some other country/ folk artists, but I'm a sucker for folk music and this is a great early example.
This album feels like it comes from a really personal place for Nanci and you can feel the passion in the every note and lyric. I love the relaxing a real nature of this album, and I will remember it as one of the few that gave me chills; that's mostly thanks to Love At The Five & Dime since it's such a nice song.
Favorite songs:
The Last Of The True Believers
Love At The Five & Dime
More Than A Whisper
Banks Of The Pontchartrain
4
Jul 21 2025
Exile On Main Street
The Rolling Stones
I can't believe I'm about to give the Rolling Stones a 2, but this album just didn't hit. Out of an hour, I only liked three songs and I don't I'll remember them after an hour. So many of these songs sounded jumbled, or garbled(?), that I just ended up getting distracted.
Favorite songs:
Rocks Off
Ventilator Blues
2
Jul 22 2025
Aladdin Sane
David Bowie
Every time I get a Bowie album, Will and I laugh just because neither of us have liked any so far, but I finally got one I liked. Easily the best Bowie album yet. It's more creative, without going too off the rails (minus Aladdin Sane, which was a disappointment because it would've been my favorite without that runaway piano), has a lot less repetition, and doesn't outstay its welcome.
Favorite songs:
Time
Lady Grinning Soul
3
Jul 23 2025
Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music
Ray Charles
Wow, what an album. This was my first Ray Charles album, and I'm excited to hear more! There are so many great songs here, wrapped up in a theme of love and loss that I adore. This is the closest thing to a 5 as I've gotten in a while, but the only thing holding it back are a few songs being a little too repetitive, or forgettable; On an album that's nearly 90 minutes, that can be forgiven. I loved the presentation of each song with the slow ensemble and Ray's amazing voice just ooze with passion and romanticism.
Favorite songs:
Born to Lose
No Letter Today
Oh, Lonesome Me
Take These Chains From My Heart
4
Jul 24 2025
Paranoid
Black Sabbath
What an amazing opening to an album. War Pigs and Paranoid back to back really set up this album and let you know what to expect from the band as a whole. Nearly every song on this album is a hit and the ones that aren't are just weird and fun, in their own way. I'll be looking forward to hearing more from the Prince of Darkness (R.I.P. Ozzy).
Favorite songs:
War Pigs
Paranoid
Iron Man
Hand of Doom
4
Jul 25 2025
A Northern Soul
The Verve
I really enjoyed the beginning of the album a lot. It had an interesting sound that really emphasized the instruments while still being able to enjoy what the song is about. (Something that really shocked me is that they made an instrumental that I actually liked, Brainstorm Interlude.) As it went on though, it didn't really keep me. The songs became more generic and ephemeral, especially the vocals, to the point that I couldn't understand them anymore, at all. Still, I liked the bands classic sound and found it really refreshing; I hope that I get another album from them in the list.
Favorite songs:
This is Music
On Your Own
Brainstorm Interlude
3
Jul 28 2025
Bridge Over Troubled Water
Simon & Garfunkel
Wow, what an album. I've heard several songs off this one, but never the album itself and I really loved it; I found several "hidden" gems. Only a song or two that didn't do it for me. I'm really impressed with how upbeat and engaging their music is with such great lyrics and voices to pair with it, they're truly a match made in heaven!
Favorite songs:
Bridge Over Troubled Water
Cecilia
The Boxer
The Only Living Boy in New York
Song for the Asking
4
Jul 29 2025
Moving Pictures
Rush
A very good album, overall. I'd say almost a 5, if it were for a song or two that didn't hit; they mainly didn't work just because they were too long. The sound presented here is just so fantastic, Rush knows how to construct a song and execute it in a way that's interesting.
Favorite songs:
Tom Sawyer
YYZ
Limelight
Witch Hunt
4
Jul 30 2025
More Songs About Buildings And Food
Talking Heads
Wow, that was pretty annoying. I'll give it to them that it is far from generic, but it definitely wasn't enjoyable either.
Favorite song: Take Me to the River
2
Jul 31 2025
Your Arsenal
Morrissey
Honestly, it's not too bad. It just that I don't particularly care for the discount David Bowie sounds, or the repetitive hooks that nearly put me to sleep. Any other person probably would've gotten a two, but racists get 1s.
1
Aug 01 2025
Who Killed...... The Zutons?
The Zutons
This was surprising and fun. I really liked most of the songs presented for being a little quirky and out of the norm. The style reminded me of something much older than 2004, which really appeals to me; there's like a 70s or 80s influence over the whole album that I couldn't get enough of.
Favorite songs:
Zuton Fever
Pressure Point
Long Time Coming
Dirty Dancehall
Don't Ever Think (Too Much)
4
Aug 04 2025
Fear Of A Black Planet
Public Enemy
This was a great listen. I've never heard any Public Enemy, and really wasn't even very aware of them. But, I loved their beats, with all that scratch, and their in your face style with Chuck D as the front and Flavor Flav as the foil; their dichotomy is what made a few of these songs so memorable. This albums whole statement seemed to highlight the difference in white and black in Hollywood and neighborhoods, alike, which is a take I haven't heard. I ended up loving so many of the points that they brought up. The only thing that didn't do it for me here was some of the instrumentals go off the rails and aren't something you can listen to, they seem more to be there to wake you up. All in all, great listen and I'll definitely listen again down the road.
Favorite songs:
Welcome To The Terrordome
Burn Hollywood Burn
Fear Of A Black Planet
Can't Do Nuttin' For Ya, Man!
Fight The Power
4
Aug 05 2025
The Doors
The Doors
I wanted to like this album more than I did. Not that it's bad, at all, I guess I just hyped it up in my head. I really enjoyed a few of the songs, but most felt really expressive and interesting in a way that wasn't really something I can listen to again; absolutely insane that this album is from 1967. Very excited to listen to more of The Doors, I want to be a fan.
Favorite songs:
Break on Through (To the Other Side)
Twentieth Century Fox
Light My Fire
Back Door Man
3
Aug 06 2025
The Joshua Tree
U2
What a stellar album; the start is front loaded with gold and the rest is still so good. This is my first U2 album and I feel lucky. I'm surprised that a few of these songs aren't mainstream, but can really feel the album losing momentum as it descends. Great listen, really impressed, and I want to give it a 5, but I think it's just missing a certain something to get there.
Favorite songs:
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
With Or Without You
Bullet The Blue Sky
Running To Stand Still
4
Aug 07 2025
Beggars Banquet
The Rolling Stones
Yet again, the Rolling Stones put out an album with a world class opener and follow it with whatever they had lying around. That's not to say that I only enjoyed the one song, my favorite song of theirs by far, it's just that Sympathy For The Devil is tiers above. A decent album that probably would've gotten another 2 from me if it weren't for that intro.
Favorite songs:
Sympathy For The Devil
No Expectations
Salt Of The Earth
3
Aug 08 2025
Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters
I think myself to be a Foo Fighters fan but, this is my first time hearing their debut album. There's a clear and strong presence of Nirvana coursing through this album and that takes it down a few notches for me. I've learned that I'm just not a fan of garage grunge; the singing into a tin can, lyrics that go nowhere (if you can understand any of them), and just thrashing turn me off. I want to like them and I want to hear more, so hopefully that'll happen.
Favorite song:
I'll Stick Around
2
Aug 11 2025
Moon Safari
Air
Yet again, I'm not much for instrumentals of any variety. This is more unique, at least, thanks to feeling like a really early entry into electronic instrumental music; as I listened I thought to myself, "This just isn't for me, but I bet that the guys from Daft Punk love this." Which says a lot about the overall quality of what's here. All in all, I didn't hate it and took away a few good songs.
Favorite songs:
You Make It Easy
Remember
3
Aug 12 2025
Songs Of Leonard Cohen
Leonard Cohen
I was very surprised the moment he started singing. I find his voice to be beautiful, enrapturing, and maybe even haunting. I loved that just hearing him sing hit me so hard; I couldn't tell you the last singer, that I hadn't heard of, has made me feel that way since starting the list. Even though his music was coming out around the same time as The Beatles, I couldn't help but think they took some inspiration from Leonard. I didn't quite connect with the older structure, or lyrics, that he uses but really enjoyed myself either way.
Favorite songs:
Suzanne
Winter Lady
The Stranger Song
Hey, That's No Way to Say Goodbye
3
Aug 13 2025
Music
Madonna
So, I remember this as one of my first ever albums to listen to, thanks to the fact that my mom had it on tape! I loved it so much as a kid, but I'll be honest, I didn't expect to see it on this list. That's not to say that I didn't have a great time with it again, though. This felt nostalgic, retro-techno, and fun. I really loved a lot of the auto-tune, which is not usually what I like, but I think it felt more honest here since I know Madonna can sing so well without it that there was no question that it's an esthetic choice for the album. Not every song was a hit, but it bought me back to riding around in Mom's old golden 2001 Chevy Malibu listening to Music again and again.
Favorite songs:
Music
Impressive Instant
I Deserve It
Don't Tell Me
4
Aug 14 2025
The Chronic
Dr. Dre
This one wasn't for me. There's not a lot of music that I just, flat out, don't enjoy and gangster rap, for the most part, is one of them. The only redeemable quality for this album was some of Snoop's lines, but the beats weren't there and every time Dre spoke I wanted to shut it off.
1
Aug 15 2025
Fragile
Yes
This was cool to hear, for one reason or another. I'm sure that Roundabout is the only reason this album is on the list, thanks JoJo. But, that speaks to just how great a song it is, so much of what it has is what I liked about a lot of songs on this album but that song's sticking power is undeniable. It's unfortunate that this is the only song that kept my attention.
Favorite song:
Roundabout
2