User Albums Journey
Exploring beyond the book, one album at a time
View 1001 Albums Summary355
Albums Rated
3.22
Average Rating
Rating Distribution
Rating Timeline
Taste Profile
1960
Favorite Decade
Punk
Favorite Genre
US
Top Origin
Wordsmith
Rater Style ?
38
5-Star Albums
9
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
Top Styles
By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Save Rock And Roll
Fall Out Boy
|
5 | 2.57 | +2.43 |
|
Squeezing Out Sparks
Graham Parker
|
5 | 2.85 | +2.15 |
|
Stage Four
Touché Amoré
|
5 | 2.9 | +2.1 |
|
The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking
Roger Waters
|
5 | 2.95 | +2.05 |
|
Crystal Castles
Crystal Castles
|
5 | 2.96 | +2.04 |
|
God Shuffled His Feet
Crash Test Dummies
|
5 | 3.01 | +1.99 |
|
Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum
Tally Hall
|
5 | 3.03 | +1.97 |
|
Cleopatra
The Lumineers
|
5 | 3.03 | +1.97 |
|
The Lioness
Songs: Ohia
|
5 | 3.06 | +1.94 |
|
TRON: Legacy
Daft Punk
|
5 | 3.06 | +1.94 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Polygondwanaland
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard
|
1 | 3.4 | -2.4 |
|
Lahai
Sampha
|
1 | 2.91 | -1.91 |
|
Blue Is The Colour
The Beautiful South
|
1 | 2.89 | -1.89 |
|
Fuzz
Chucklehead
|
1 | 2.86 | -1.86 |
|
How to Operate With a Blown Mind
Lo Fidelity Allstars
|
1 | 2.74 | -1.74 |
|
Latin Mass
Os Mundi
|
1 | 2.71 | -1.71 |
|
Human Racing
Nik Kershaw
|
1 | 2.68 | -1.68 |
|
Peasant
Richard Dawson
|
1 | 2.58 | -1.58 |
|
Homogenic
Björk
|
2 | 3.5 | -1.5 |
|
Portishead
Portishead
|
2 | 3.49 | -1.49 |
Artists
Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| blink-182 | 2 | 5 |
| Daft Punk | 3 | 4.33 |
Least Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard | 2 | 1.5 |
Controversial
| Artist | Ratings |
|---|---|
| Sufjan Stevens | 5, 2 |
5-Star Albums (38)
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Popular Reviews
Joe Jackson · 3 likes
5/5
Shame that Joe Jackson isn't anywhere on the list... This, I'm the Man and Night & Day are all well ahead of many the entries that made it. Great to see someone is paying appropriate tribute to Joe Jackson. Definitely in the punk/rock style & biting wit of Elvis Costello & Graham Parker. Strong from start to finish... with really good variety in tempo and style from Fools in Love to Got the Time.
Anaïs Mitchell · 2 likes
3/5
Interesting and a bit of a decent change of pace, however, it seems like another musical/theatrical focused effort that has to do too much to serve the storyline, that the musical pieces are fine but don't excel or stand out on their own... it exists to serve the context. Nice to hear Justin Vernon contribute as well as lots of guests.
The Chats · 2 likes
4/5
Its the song topics that make this charming punk. The music and delivery it pretty standard issue energetic rock, but then topics like 6L GTR, The Price of Smokes, I've Been Drunk in Every Pub in Brisbane and Emperor of the Beach give it punk humanity. Fun listen!
Björk · 2 likes
2/5
Why? I feel like Bjork is already pretty solidly represented on the list and this really doesn't seem to do anything innovative or exciting. It seems to be the same Bjork semi-approachable warbling that is more experimental than interesting or engaging. Props to those that really find something to appreciate here, but it misses me... and given that we already have her represented on the list, this certainly doesn't seem to be "missing".
The Burning Hell · 2 likes
4/5
Definitely an album that lives or dies by your perception of how clever the lyrics are. The music is fun, but the star is the writing. I was pleasantly surprised that it didn't feel too forced most of the time and there were some definite home runs with Amateur Rappers, Barbarians and Industrialists. Really enjoyed.
1-Star Albums (9)
All Ratings
Frank Zappa
2/5
This seems definitely the most approachable of the albums we’ve heard from the list… and sonically it is pretty interesting, definitely doing a lot more to demonstrate craftsmanship while not being entirely experimental. What keeps holding me back is the lyrical writing isn’t particularly clever, it just comes off as juvenile. Most of it is a miss for me, though Uncle Remus is the closest where it comes to working as there is a fun/joy in the vibe that I can more easily engage with. Overall, it was good to hear a different aspect of his catalog, but Frank is just not my cup of team.
Dave Matthews Band
4/5
I enjoyed the journey. The strings and woodwinds layered with a warm contemporary slower jazz has a great vibe to it that was able to keep me engaged. Though Crush and Don’t Drink the Water stand out the most for me, the rest of the album has does a pretty decent job of staying interesting. The arrangements are really the king here. Definitely fun!
Igorrr
4/5
This is an awesome kind of madness. It certainly challenges you from the outset, but it feels that the abundance of screams and panic in the early tracks is actually used in moderation with lots of other more open and orchestral pieces. Mix this with the occasional metal skrillex electronic vibe and this is something that is entirely unique. It is engaging and something that I came back to multiple times over a few days… I expect to explore this more.
John Mayer
5/5
This is really easy to approach and enjoy. What stands out the most is the slow blues guitar feel in many of the tracks that seems to perfectly capture the emotion of the song and carry it forward. It doesn’t need to be flashy or fast, but just hits the vibe and elevates the song. Beliefs, Gravity, Slow Dancing and Bold as Love as all standouts though the album is really strong from start to finish.
Sampha
1/5
This is my kryptonite. It’s a jazzy electronic rap R&B vibe that’s all over the place and isn’t particularly fun to wade through. It sounds somewhat tolerable, but other than wave therapy, they all pretty quickly become irritating.
blink-182
5/5
I frickin' love this album. Pop punk at its finest. Maybe the Party Song is a bit weak, but otherwise the album is start to finish catchy mostly fun (thanks Adam's Song) bangers that double down on goofball youth and their priorities.
Josh Ritter
3/5
A solid singer-songwriter vibe in the vein of Iron & Wine and lo-fi Father John Misty. The songs are a bit hit and miss through most of it. They're fine, but they don't do a lot to differentiate themselves. Enjoyed Girl in the War and Monster Ballads at the start. It wasn't until Thin Blue Flame that this really comes into its own. It has a great developing passion and energy that carry it like any of the prior tracks. Really solid.
Procol Harum
3/5
What's most suprising about this album is that it isn't actually bad. Late 60's prog rock? It is almost universally dated and is generally pretty uninteresting. All of this is completely fine, rock and blues, without fuzztones, prog rock noodling or anything that really hobbles it. There's nothing award winning here, but the tracks are pretty even and generally enjoyable.
Weezer
5/5
I’m already a Weezer fan and like many others, pretty shocked that this wasn’t in any editions of the book. It is a seminal album in the nerdy college alt rock domain, and though I’ve found Pinkerton to have more enduring interest, there isn’t a bad track on this album and Say It Ain’t So is one of my 5 favorite songs of all time.
The Decemberists
4/5
Definitely a really strong showing. I had considered proposing the Decemberists to the user list, though i put both Picaresque and The Crane Wife ahead of this. This is still very cool as it continues the theaterical story telling of their style. Well written, and i enjoy Colin Meloy's delivery. The tracks are a little bit more uneven, feeling more like the musical that has a handful of filler or connecting songs to get you from one point of the story to the next, but the effort to make a banger was not there. Still, The Wanting Comes in Waves, The Rake's Song, and Hazards of Love 4 are all fantastic, and the album is engaging. Enjoyed!
Death Cab for Cutie
5/5
Saw Death Cab in a tiny club touring with this album back in 2003. The thing that surprised me the most was that the album initially comes off to me as a pretty mellow alt rock delivery, Title and Registration is awesome, Sound of Settlings, We Looked Like Giants… all just great songs. But in there, and especially noticeable live, they can crank the noise with the best of them. They aren’t afraid to occasionally create the wall of noise that really steps on Ben’s vocals, but I think I like this approach as they also give the vocals lots of room at the front. Its a variety that definitely works for me and this great set of tracks.
Rachel Stevens
2/5
Pretty formulaic synth pop. I feel like i'm listening to an album of rejects from the Shrek soundtrack.
Bon Iver
3/5
He is definitely an artist missing from the list, though I definitely in the For Emma, Forever Ago camp... one of my absolute favorite albums. This is definitely way more experimental, though his approach still shows a lot passion. The slightly more traditional tracks like 8 Circle really work for me, but there's not enough like that which makes most of the album more of a curiosity.
Extrechinato y Tu
4/5
This is just crazy. If this is introduced as a spanish-language collection of poems done to music, you would never guess what you were about to experience. This is wild and fun. Though I'm not sure i'm likely to listen to this again, the music was really solid and so much fun. Enjoyed!
Alex Cameron
3/5
Easy to approach, and has a very “Killers” vibe to the sound. Nothing stands out as too memorable or catchy, and tracks like Stranger’s Kiss seem a bit forced to me. What I caught of the lyrics doesn’t particularly work for me which seem to hold it back a bit. Overall OK.
The Alan Parsons Project
3/5
A more approachable and reasonable prog roc delivery. The instrumental sections seem to be the strongest… as most of the singing doesn’t actually seem to make it much better. Nothing too memorable but an interesting listen.
The Avett Brothers
4/5
I had never heard of this before and was pretty impressed at how easily approachable it is and that tracks like I and Love and You are exceptional, with a sincere passion that elevates it. Songs like Kick Drum Heart do a lot for the album, giving new tempo and energy that also carries a good pop hook. Really enjoyable.
They Might Be Giants
3/5
Cool to see someone added They Might Be Giants to the list... i've enjoyed a bunch of their hits that i've heard but haven't delved too deep. This album is quirky and fun, with certainly some songs that make you pause (e.g. When Will You Die?), but ultimately there is not much that is really catchy that elevates it. A fine listen.
Sublime
4/5
Definitely enjoy the ska punk reggae vibe from Sublime. There is enough really strong tracks in here (Santeria, Wrong Way, What I Got, Sam in the End, Caress Me Down, Doin’ Time) that make the long journey worthwhile. There a bit of uneven content, nothing bad, but not particularly interesting.
The B-52's
3/5
Not sure why this needed to be added. The self-titled B-52's album has several stronger songs, though is a bit more uneven. Wild Planet brings us Private Idaho and Strobe Light, which are both great, but everything else is pretty forgettable. It is more of the quirky party B-52's sound, which is enjoyable in limited doses.
Graham Parker
5/5
Huge fan of this. Similar in time and style to Elvis Costello... its got an intellectual vibe, and delivers an amazing blend of rock, punk and pop hooks. Both slow and sneery attitude driven rock songs work here. Enjoyed!
Adam Green
2/5
It sounds like late 60's musical theater with modern references. Though unusual, it certainly doesn't seem very compelling. Happy when it was over.
Status Quo
3/5
Fascinating. I have no idea how i've never heard of this band... popular in England and an active band for over 50 years (60 years if you allow the precursor bands). The surprise of that is more interesting than the album... which is some fine bluesy boogie rock. I like the slower tempo A Year and All the Reasons best. Their cover of Roadhouse Blues is a bit of a travesty, but the rest of the album is fine, though ordinary genre music.
Valerie June
4/5
Her vocal style really works for me and the bluesy and soulful arrangements are enjoyable. Wanna Be On Your Mind and Pushin' Against a Stone work best for me. Though there are a few tracks that are kinda 'meh', there is enough passion and power in the style that made it an enjoyable surprise.
Earth, Wind & Fire
3/5
There's nothing really like Boogie Wonderland... an absolute banger. After the Love is Gone certainly also stands out, though it's not enough to carry an entire album of otherwise just serviceable 70's disco/r&b/funk.
Robyn Hitchcock
2/5
There was a moment in time where i was into Robyn Hitchcock's voice and i found Globe of Frogs to be decent. Unfortunately this is a bit too artsy and experimental to get into. Didn't find anything that really stuck for me, and the extended spoken bits made it feel like a bit of a slog.
The Marcus King Band
4/5
Surprised and really enjoyed this. It soulful and southern... like a cross between Chris Stapleton and The Commitments (soundtrack). Goodbye Carolina and Autumn Rains are great and there's enough else that is easily approachable and hits that vibe to stay engaged.
Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band
5/5
How could this have not already been on the list. Definitely justified. Maybe Brave Strangers is a bit boring, but otherwise this is one of the strongest top to bottom albums around. Nobody does it like Bob. Awesome fun!
The Hold Steady
3/5
A fine alt rock vibe, but nothing particularly special. Citrus seems the most interesting, but I'm not that big of a fan of the lead singers vocal style. Its fine but nothing i would seek out.
Amadou & Mariam
5/5
It just works. The vibe and energy are easily approachable and just make you feel cool. I feel like if you were watching this live, you couldn't help yourself from dancing, head bobbing, and moving to the groove. Greatly enjoyed. I even think the french language works with the style despite not being able to understand anything.
First Aid Kit
4/5
Really compelling singer-songwriter album that starts out huge... Lion's Roar and Emmylou are strong and engaging. There's a few other gems along the way, like To a Poet, but it suffers a bit from being very samey by the time you get to the end. Promising and approachable.
LaBelle
3/5
Lady Marmalade is OG, and there's a couple more strong tracks, Somebody Somewhere and You Turn Me On stand out, but most of the rest seems like standard issue disco-R&B genre music. It's fine, but doesn't stand out for me.
Angelo De Augustine
3/5
Not sure I get this one. It is entirely the style of an Elliott Smith or Sufjan Stevens but seems to be an octave higher and more waifish without the warmth or those other artists. This is fine singer songwriter material, but nothing really immediately engaging on first listen.
Hombres G
4/5
Damn, this is a pretty fun album. Lots of strong tracks with a fun beat, melody and energy. En La Playa, Te Quiero, and Marta Tiene are my favorites, but it has a fun pop bubbly vibe with some decent hooks that make it a nice surprise.
TOOL
3/5
I love the dark angsty vibe of Tool. Tracks like Stinkfist are exceptional and convey a powerful mood. Unfortunately after Stinkfist, there isn't anything that really delivers at the same level of the first track. I compare this to Fear Inoculum and 10,000 Days, which i think are much more engaging, with greater consistency track by track, that really have some exceptional standouts. This shows promise, but there's not enough to be excited about.
Louis Armstrong
3/5
It's fine. Old timey trumpet music doesn't do much for me... certainly tends to sound all the same, but i can acknowledge its importance.
Type O Negative
2/5
The sound is actually pretty clean and seems well produced. Unfortunately what they produced seems overly serious but just comes off as dumb, laughably dumb.
Freddie Gibbs
2/5
It seems well crafted, lyrics, beats, however the content itself isn't in my wheelhouse. It ends up being a bit more regrettable. Pass on this.
Korn
3/5
I really LOVE the korn numetal sound. Jonathan Davis' voice (especially the range and different styles he uses). The bass is so dark and dirty and the whole vibe can get so angsty, aggressive and heavy... there is SO much potential here. It works best for me on Blind, Daddy (the first few minutes at least) and Faget. The other tracks have that vibe, but it seems like it fails to deliver the big punch. A bit too uneven to recommend further.
Roger Waters
5/5
I really like the journey that this takes you on. I have definitely been a fan of Pink Floyd, and appreciated the heavy Roger Waters story influence that applied to the Wall, and even more so to The Final Cut. This still feels like an extension of that (i do think his output becomes less interesting with Radio KAOS and forward). But this is still visceral, emotional and engaging. The title track is the closest to something catchy and traditional, but the whole album does a great job in playing like a story. Excited to see this as a user submitted album.
Protomartyr
2/5
Kind of a beat poet/rap delivery over generally interesting/mini-wall of noise alt rock instrumentation. The lyrical delivery is uninteresting, and there’s nothing particularly engaging or catchy with the music either. It is different but not particularly great. Kind of aimless. There’s nothing that is a major turnoff, it just gets old after 20 minutes.
Maldita Vecindad Y Los Hijos Del 5to. Patio
3/5
Fun and hip, but there's little here that really stays with me... blends together to easily. Un Gran Circo was the standout for me and the only track that really engaged. Still an interesting listen.
Jóhann Jóhannsson
4/5
Enjoyed a modern take on classical that felt like it was a bit of a mood journey and travel experience. Nice discovery and definitely under-represented in the original list.
Pedro The Lion
3/5
I really like the tone and the lead singer's voice. This genre is kind of a perfect fit for me, however the album underwhelms a bit. Options and Rapture are promising, but most of the rest meanders around until Second Best, which is the standout track for me. I actually like the subsequent album, Achilles Heel, better.
Garmarna
3/5
Reasonably interesting. The opening track is a bit of a shot, with a higher energy electronica vibe than most of the rest of the album. It definitely settles into a more folky atmospheric haunting energy that conveys feeling but doesn’t do a whole lot to engage the listener. The singer has a Dolores O’riordan delivery that I like, but the tracks aren’t particularly catchy.
Steven Wilson
3/5
An interesting hybrid. A little introspective/heartfelt singer-songwriter, that goes into several experiments in the rock/classic rock/prog rock genre. Perfect Life was the first track that stood out, though it wasn't until Ancestral that i felt the rock side of things took off a bit better. Not a bad listen, just not too much to return to.
The War On Drugs
5/5
I absolutely love the style and vibe here. Pain was one of my favorite songs in 2017 and the rest of the album has lots of introspective quiet passion tracks that really work for me. Great atmosphere and feeling. Could listen to this over and over.
Tally Hall
5/5
Fun and unexpected. Quirky, melodic and really enjoyable. Reminds me of something in the vein of Ben Folds, Jellyfish, Fountains of Wayne and Barenaked Ladies. Though some of the songs become a bit goofy, Banana Man, Two Wuv, they all have pretty good hooks which make the album a great surprise.
Salif Keita
3/5
Has a great soulful vibe and passion that is instantly appealing. I was a bit challenged by it in places where it become lyrically heavy and the music gets pushed to the background and all i'm hearing is a passionate guy loudly since in a language i can't follow. When it flows with the music, its easy to bob your head and follow the vibe, but i was thrown out of it a little bit when Salif really had something to say. Definitely an interesting listen and great to be exposed to music from around the world.
The Mountain Goats
3/5
The first three tracks are an absolute home run. Quirky clever low-fi storytelling. Though it sounds like it was recording on a cassette tape, it has charm. Unfortunately the success of this is based on whether the remaining songs can continue to capture your interest... and they start to fizzle a bit. The music doesn't seem to be the star... it is just there as background to carry along the storytelling, and though there are some interesting bits here and there, it is definitely starts to blend together. Interesting find.
Primus
3/5
Definitely like the Primus sound and vibe. When it works it works, but it is a bit too experimental and strange at times. Really enjoyed Jerry and Blue-Collar Tweekers, though tracks like Sgt. Baker and Fish On were interesting enough.
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard
2/5
Disappointing. I was looking forward to this, but it is just buzzy, high energy rock with a jazzy randomness and a vocalist that doesn't do much for me. It all starts to sound the same unless the repeat the title over and over and over again (I'm looking at you Mr. Beat). There's nothing that particularly catchy or engaging... maybe the last track, Road Train, has a glimmer, but by that time i have long ago checked out.
Savages
3/5
A cool raw energy... very reminiscient of Siouxsie & the Banshees. There's definitely points where the music really hits its groove and drives forward, but it doesn't seem consistent enough to really elevate the whole album.
Chucklehead
1/5
This is not my jam. Annoying from start to finish. The jazzy bass line, big bandy percussion, staccato rap, and weird vocal harmony choices. One of the most challenging in a while to simply have to listen to it all the way through.
Mull Historical Society
3/5
Pleasant but ultimately ordinary. If you're going to go with the pop angle, you need to have something catchy, a hook, a groove. This is samey, and though easily approachable, doesn't make me very interested in anything else they might do.
Marillion
3/5
I definitely get the Lamb Lies Down on Broadway/Peter Gabriel/Genesis vibe from this, but it feels overly dramatic and self-serious. Like the bombast of Meatloaf without the humor. Nothing was really offputting, but it also didn't really click for me.
Snarky Puppy
2/5
Ugh. Its not horrible sounding, but also its not really enjoyable. Proficiency in playing and busy-ness in music isn't enough to maintain my interest. I equate it to listening to a guitar solo without any of the music/context around it. There are a handful of guitar solos that can really stand on their own, but there far more in the "hey cool" or "this guy rips" category, but it isn't enjoyable to just listen to guitar solo after guitar solo. Was happy when it was over.
Childish Gambino
3/5
A unremarkable soul and funk experience. It is fine, with Redbone really being the only track that really stands out and is instantly catchy. The rest is well executed, but isn't very engaging for me.
Gang of Youths
3/5
Reminds me a bit of The National or War on Drugs with the occasional orchestral flair. Though there were some decent tempo shifts, the music did end up getting very samey over the long length of the album. Do Not Let Your Spirit Wane was the standout track for me. Overall it was fine but not enough strong tracks that connected for me.
blink-182
5/5
Not my favorite Blink album (not as poppy as Enema or Jacket), but there's definitely enough here that keeps me interested in what they do next. I Miss You is the runaway hit, though Feeling This, Violence, Down and Always are really strong. Really enjoyed my time here.
Fontaines D.C.
2/5
Doesn't do much for me. If Billy Bragg was a bit more rock-punk and wasn't very melodic (more spoken lyrics), this is what I think you'd get. There wasn't much that engaged me, and grew a bit boring by the end.
Godspeed You! Black Emperor
3/5
Fascinating. There's probably 10 minutes of good ambient vibe and then 50 minutes of uninteresting recordings and noise. There's nothing that's particularly offputting, there's just so much to wade through in order to get to the few high points in the album.
Cluster
3/5
Not bad. Surprisingly minimalist. It really seems like a very basic electronic loop with a few layers and a little atmosphere. Stripped down and each track doesn't wander too far from that. Interesting to listen to, but it doesn't do a lot to capture your attention. I did have a moment where i was getting a Heroin/VU vibe from James.
Arthur Russell
2/5
My favorite moment was when i was 13 tracks in and then checked the wikipedia page. It said the original album was only 14 songs, which meant i had only 1 more song remaining... the final 4 i could skip. ;). I really don't get this... some surprisingly unappealing sparse cello & percussion instrumentation with mumbling lyrics loosely tied to the flow. It may be somewhat unique, but i don't think its particularly special... as a comparison... i think it is REALLY HARD to intentionally write a catchy pop song. most people couldn't be forced to write something good... however, i feel if you told a decent musican to do something in the style of World of Echo, they could pretty easily come up with a track that is indistinguishable from what is on this album.
Bloc Party
3/5
Wish this did a bit more for me. It has a Damon Albarn/Blur vibe and Like Eating Glass and Helicopter are great kick off tracks. Unfortunately the rest of the album starts to fall off pretty quickly, and there's only occassional tracks that are still interesting/engaging for me... The Pioneers is decent. Nothing bad here, but also not much to really want to come back for.
INXS
5/5
A stellar album. Though I wasn't the biggest INXS fan at the time, there's no denying that this tracklist and the variety of hits on this one album is exceptional. Though there is an INXS sound, I do feel that their variety/breadth is greater than most. The non-hit tracks are all pretty solid, so there isn't too much of a dip anywhere on this release. Never Tear Us Apart and Mystify are my favorites. Really enjoyed.
The Burning Hell
4/5
Definitely an album that lives or dies by your perception of how clever the lyrics are. The music is fun, but the star is the writing. I was pleasantly surprised that it didn't feel too forced most of the time and there were some definite home runs with Amateur Rappers, Barbarians and Industrialists. Really enjoyed.
The Postal Service
5/5
I'm a big Death Cab fan, so Ben Gibbard's delivery is something that really works for me. I really like it in this setting, an electronic vibe that has a really simplistic approach but delivers surprising warmth in its style. Though it gets a little uneven by the end, the album as a whole is a great background sound that sets a cool mood.
Elmer Gantry's Velvet Opera
3/5
Despite the dated genre, and what i feel are already enough example of this style on the list, the album kicks off with a jam, both Mother Writes and Mary Jane are solid. Unfortunately it quickly devolves into the worst of psychedelic brit rock, with each track showcasing a new way to be annoying. It recovers a bit by Long Nights of Summer and I'll say the last few tracks are solid, reminding me of Decca Bowie and really old Floyd. I don't think i'd do it again, but still interesting.
Phish
3/5
After to listening to the first half, i thought i was going to be okay with Phish. Unfortunately then you hit Tweezer and eventually Harry Hood, and it is exactly the jam band noodling that is a pretty strong turnoff. Still, there's enough here that is just a cool rock album that was interesting, but there are also some dark corners that i don't want to visit again.
Hikaru Utada
3/5
Definitely seems underrepresented genre in the list. Nice to listen to something different than what i'm used to.
Vampire Weekend
2/5
I was VERY surprised to find this album as annoying as it is. Alt rock is my jam, understated vibey, a little eclectic... check! But the vocal delivery here plus a nothing that struck me as that melodic or catchy... feeling a bit more pretentious & smugly clever. Even though this is barely over 30 minutes, i was happy for it to be over.
Boy Azooga
4/5
Really approachable. Alt rock with strong pop sensibilities. The music really shines here, with engaging rhythms and fun harmonies. Loner Boogie is a great example that just gets the driving beat going. Enjoyed.
GAS
2/5
Not sure what to do with this. I think i like ambient, but it doesn't have to go somewhere... even just a little. This barely has a heartbeat. This is some life later, Untitled 4 seems to have a little something as does Untitled 7, but it just isn't enough to want to stick with it, especially as they add a little static at times which makes it a bit less listenable.
Kano
2/5
Not my preference for rap... UK style with a bit more electronic angle didn't really work for me. Typical Me was the strongest, but there isn't really a track here I'm interested in hearing a second time. Do give props for the pretty diverse sampling and style variety.
Sunny Day Real Estate
3/5
I was really hoping to enjoy this more... I had heard a lot about it and it was a genre i really like. The album starts pretty strong with Seven and In Circles, but it never really gets anywhere past that. Ultimately it reminded me a lot of what i think Nirvana would sound like if they had no melodic hooks. Take all the catchiness out of nevermind and you get some passable alt rock that doesn't really engage to effectively. Interesting, but not great for me.
Madvillain
2/5
Seems more like a long radio bit or theatrical performance... more message than music. All in all, somewhat distracting for me and nothing really kept me engaged.
Stromae
4/5
Sure, i didn't understand it, but the energy and fun combined with the fact that it is pretty unrepresented in the book, made this an enjoyable listen. Humain a l'eau was probably the only tough one to get through, but the rest were cool electronic pop.
Neutral Milk Hotel
5/5
I love this album, and Jeff Mangum's tortured poet vocal style. He really has a great passion and voice that can carry an entire song. Having listened to the Decemberists recently, there is something aligned there. King of Carrot Flowers and Holland, 1945 stand out from the album, but I can even find long tracks like Oh Comely pretty engaging. This stands out as deserving to be in the book.
Garbage
5/5
Great album. Really like the electronic alt pop/rock vibe and Shirley Manson's delivery. They do as well in the higher energy tracks (I'm Think I'm Paranoid, Push It), as well as the slower tempo ones, such as The Trick is to Keep Breathing. Enjoyed this from start to finish.
Nuyorican Soul
3/5
Sweet tears just keep falling... from your... Ass! Enjoyed!
100 gecs
4/5
I really like the aggressive buzzy electronic version of alt rock that 100 gecs delivers. Hollywood Baby is just a home run and MeMeMe is super solid as well. The rest seems a bit up and down, with definitely some pretty quirky tracks (most notably Frog on the Floor). But overall, i like the experimental nature and vibe.
Kaizers Orchestra
4/5
This is actually pretty engaging despite being not able to understand any of it. The pace and style has enough variety and interest to work pretty effectively. Kind of a vibe on arctic monkeys. Rounding up a little bit, but the music was good.
Childish Gambino
3/5
Definitely seems very dense in content and there's a lot going on. The experiment is interesting, but there isn't much here that gets a hold on me.... I'd say the first time I was really enjoying the rap was on The Biggest Troll, the last track on the album. Worth the listen.
Jai Paul
3/5
I definitely like the elements that go into this.... very droning beats, electronic focused, with a lot of experimental vocals and samples. I think it starts super strong with Str8 Outt Mumbai and Zion Wolf.... definitely engaging and cool. Unfortunately i think the rest of it definitely misses the mark, being experimental without being engaging... maybe Jasmine gets halfway there. Still an interesting listen.
The Posies
3/5
It doesn't do a lot for me... a fine alt. rock vibe, akin to Toad the Wet Sprocket, which also shares a bit of a weakness which is that the lead singer's voice doesn't have a lot of personality. It is fine clean singing, but isn't too interesting. Most of the songs don't really have a hook, and it is the darker songs which i think are a bit more successful, Burn & Shine, How She Lied and Coming Right Along. The guitar work is really solid as well.
Mustafa
3/5
His vocal delivery is beautiful and soulful. I was instantly engaged into the performance. Though the album is short, it also seems a bit one note-ish... the approach is pretty similar track to track and blends together very quickly.
Ian McDonald
2/5
There's some small amount of promise here as the start of a few pieces has a mellow Beatles feel to it, though unfortunately it goes into the jazzy, noodling, prog rock experimenting that is pretty tiring to listen to.
Koritni
4/5
A very welcome sound in this list. Pretty straight forward hard rock... it sounds as if Kix took the Black Crowes singer. Everything is pretty energetic and fun, reasonably melodic and has a good driving beat. Rounding up a little bit.
Switchfoot
3/5
Pretty straightforward alt. rock/pop... seems a bit milquetoast to me, though I did think tracks like Dare You to Move, On Fire, and Adding to the Noise were a bit stronger than the rest. Unfortunately even those were like a watered down Goo Goo Dolls hits, so not sure if this quite qualifies to be missing from the book.
My Chemical Romance
5/5
This is pretty great. Definitely has a perfect sing along energy that works well with high energy rock style here. I do like that they can definitely bring the noise as well as hold back the tempo at key points. The album is solid from start to finish... though Disappear, Black Parade, and Teenagers probably my favorites. Adding this to my music library, will listen again.
Jimmy Buffett
3/5
Definitely has a country vibe, with a folk-pop angle. It seems a pretty standard issue for the genre/vibe and they are all pleasant, but generally unremarkable. Even A Pirate Looks at Forty has an interesting topic, but the song itself is just okay. A nice listen, but i don't see it as book worthy.
Mary Chapin Carpenter
3/5
This sounds like an "adult contemporary" version of country. Pleasant, easy, all sharp edges removed. And ultimately if the song itself doesn't have a hook, pretty forgettable. The Hard Way and He Thinks are the most interesting and the rest is a glass of room temperature water.
Chromatics
4/5
This one completely works for me. It's a bit of a haunting electronic vibe... it is all very approachable and just finds a consistent groove track after track. There's nothing that is out of the park (and there are some interesting choices in the long Tick of the Clock track), but overall i really enjoyed this.
Mogwai
4/5
Pretty interesting release. At first it seems a bit aimless with Long Way from Home, but Like Herod starts to kick it up several notches by delivering an energy and groove that immediately works. Though there is some filler material, there's enough that works, exploring different tempos and energy levels, but still drives a great vibe (Katrien, Tracy and Mogwai Fear Satan are all strong). Enjoyed!
Oingo Boingo
4/5
Really enjoy Danny Elfman and Oingo Boingo. Unique sound and plenty of fun energy. I'm pretty done with Weird Science, and much prefer Just Another Day and Stay, the best songs on this album. There's a bit too much filler here that prevents it from hitting the highest tier.
Ani DiFranco
3/5
Wow. I'm not sure how you rate this now and not compare it to Alanis. Certainly interesting that she pre-dates Alanis' popularity, but given the heights that Jagged Little Pill achieved, it is just such a similar tone and style that today it just feels like a shadow. It is still decent, but ultimately doesn't have the hook/engagement of the comparable artist.
Bran Van 3000
3/5
My buddy gave me a copy of Glee when it was released and i was instantly hooked at the weird sampling/mix thing that was BV3. Drinking in LA is just amazing, but its even the weird other segments and attempts that work for me. Though Loop Me stands out on this album, not much else has the charm and fun of glee. Still worth listening to, but not sure it is above average.
MF DOOM
3/5
An interesting exercise in rap and storytelling. He has a pretty understated delivery that I like and dense lyrical content. Still there wasn't much here that got me engaged beyond the curiosity of hearing something new. Deep Fried Frenz was the highlight for me.
Touché Amoré
5/5
I can completely understand the criticism that the music is actually pretty interesting, but the vocal delivery is as uninteresting as you could imagine. Still, i don't know what it is about it, but it completely works for me. The vocal delivery is pretty monotone in its style, but it does have passion and pain, the lyrics are intentional and certainly evoke a feel of pain and loss. Never heard of this group before, but i will definitely be exploring more of the catalog. Loved it.
Porter Robinson
3/5
This is like a casio electronic keyboard amped up to 20 on the HAPPY slider. It seems to have a CHVRCHES vibe without the intrique and mystery. Overall pleasant and peppy, but nothing really stayed with me.
The Amazing Devil
3/5
This has the feeling of an offbroadway-level Disney animated movie soundtrack. Dramatic and theatrical, and a little overserious. An interesting listen.
2/5
Felt like a slog to get through this. It is pretty unoffensive alt-folk with a sprinkling of country. It seems to be lacking melody or a hook that keeps the tracks interesting... it just drags. Certainty, Red Moon, Blue Lighting had a spark, but it was just too long and generally uninteresting.
Café Tacvba
4/5
Definitely a wild and welcome entry to the list. It's like a giant amusement park with all kinds of different rides and attractions. They certainly surprise you with the different genres and styles and it full of energy and a lot of fun. There are a couple strange ones, but always interesting. Glad to have experienced this.
Amon Düül II
2/5
No no no no no no no no. I don't need 70's prog rock... and though this avoids some of the organ noodling we see elsewhere... the vocals that kick in around Gulping a Sonata are a double "no" to the no.
Gurrumul
2/5
It immediately starts off as very interesting... i like the soulful wailing mixed in with an orchestral backing. Not sure i've really ever heard that before. Its cool. But this is definitely part of the issue... my untrained ear thinks all these songs sound the same. At some level I couldn't have told you whether i listened to 12 different songs or the same song 12 times. Ended up being a bit of chore to get through.
Daniel Bélanger
3/5
An interesting mix somewhere in the David Gray, James Blunt vibe, albeit in French. Easy to listen to and appreciated for being a bit different. The title track, Rever Mieux stood out for me.
Richard Dawson
1/5
Drunken out-of-tune street minstrel.
Freestylers
3/5
A style i almost universally detest, but i found myself surprised that it wasn't nearly as cliched as much of the rest in the genre. Though i wouldn't want to listen to it again, i'll give it recognition as a potentially high water mark in the genre.
THE SPORTS
4/5
I definitely had fun with this. It has a little bit of a punk edge to rock with a lot of pop hooks and harmonies. The lead singer's voice fits well and is easy to enjoy. Fits in the Elvis Costello, Joe Jackson, Graham Parker space for me. Very enjoyable.
Debbie Gibson
3/5
Not opposed to this. Definitely give her some credit for the time putting together her own music when we have otherwise seen so much (especially recently) of hitmakers writing for a pretty face/voice. There's a few catchy tracks, and the rest is pretty inoffensive other than the general weird feeling I get of listening to 10 tracks about a young girl's perspective on relationships & love.
Marillion
3/5
This is mostly prog rock meandering with overly wordy self-importance. The tracks don't really have a hook, but plod along. Towards the end there are a couple of valiant attempts are a good rock song (Afraid of Sunlight and King), but their own 7 minute length get in the way of being able to enjoy the ride. nothing is bad, but nothing great.
The Tragically Hip
3/5
Pretty ordinary alt rock. Nothing really caught my interest... maybe Vapour Trails is the closest to connecting for me. Its okay, but doesn't stand out.
Killswitch Engage
3/5
I enjoyed the switch of vibe and energy from most of what we've been listening to... so it was good to soak in the anger and heavy guitar work. However as a first time listener it is hard to get more from it than the feeling of being hit by a hammer for 45 minutes. I'll say it was effective, but a bit exhausting by the end.
Bad Religion
3/5
The lead singer's voice is my primary issue. it is too generic and uninteresting. I feel like it hangs out in the Social Distortion and NOFX space a bit, but lacks a similarly interesting vocalist. Don't Pray on Me was the one track that stood out for me and enjoyed the most.
Jimmy Eat World
4/5
A tough one to figure out where it goes, but I'll round up based on 3 strong songs... The Middle is fabulous craft, while Get It Faster and Sweetness are also really great alt rock tracks. The album doesn't have any trash, but most of the rest of the album delivers in the same vein but ends up being a bti forgettable. Enjoyed the suggestion.
Damien Rice
4/5
Enjoyed the somber energy and vibe of these tracks. Blower's Daughter and I Remember were my favorites. Easy to listen to and appreciate.
Pink Floyd
5/5
Though i don't think Roger's writing & delivery is as consistent and interesting as other Pink Floyd releases in this time period, this is still a great album and it is deep enough to submerge yourself in a real energy. The guitar work is fabulous and catchy, and there are enough moments where it all shines brightly together.
Tame Impala
3/5
Nice smooth sync alt rock with Let It Happen and The Less I Know being the clear stars of the show. Other than the unnecessary Past Life, the rest was pretty decent, though nothing seems to justify repeat listens.
Streetlight Manifesto
5/5
I had so much fun with this. I really enjoy the brass-infused punk, particularly when it has cleverly crafted lyrics to carry you through. Reminded me a lot of NOFX with a Madness brass vibe. Enjoyed thoroughly.
Cardiacs
2/5
Some of the musical sequences/sections are great. Interesting and enjoyable. However, the whole thing is glued together with what sounds like a zany musical carnival. Creative, yes, but it sounds weird for weird's sake.
Joan As Police Woman
3/5
Slow, soulful and generally sleep inducing. The first three particularly go nowhere and she has a very uninteresting delivery, and it isn't until The Ride that there's a glimmer of hope. There's a few musical hooks later that help I Defy, Christobel and Save Me become a bit more interesting, but it doesn't really rise much above "pleasant" for me.
Sparks
3/5
Highly energetic electro-pop. Interesting that this was a significant genre change coming from being a much more rock act. La Dolce Vita was the most compelling for me. Overall, more interesting than exciting/engaging.
The Beautiful South
1/5
Suprisingly annoying. it seems like what you'd get if you wanted music with child protective padding on it. It is passionless and everything about it seems soft. Lyrics are uninteresting or awkward (one god), but then you hit Liars' Bar which was the closest i've gotten to fast forwarding a song in the 1,200 albums i've listened to. It is the most irritating gravely voice that comes off as more as a bad faked attempt. It was borderline painful.
Chappell Roan
4/5
She's definitely got enough HOOK. Well produced and good sounding. Though a little bit corny and over the top at times, it is definitely got swagger, style and a great pop angle. Enough variety and strong tracks to make it a fun listen.
Arctic Monkeys
3/5
Surprisingly boring. It isn't a collection of songs as much as just a arctic monkeys vibe going on for forty minutes. Subdued somewhat non-descript music with a talky singy voiceover. One stops and the next track is pretty much the same thing. The best track, Four out of Five, is amazingly similar... it just seems to add a little more melody/inflection into the title of the song that makes me anticipate and want to single along with that line. Wish there was more here.
Susanne Sundfør
4/5
A passionate singer-songwriter set. Reincarnation and Undercover are standouts for me, and most of the rest of it is very samey, but they are all pretty and soulful. Strangely the title track and the intro to The Golden Age take you out the mood, but make the whole experience more interesting, as it is unexpected on this type of album. Lastly, the closing track, Mountaineers adds a cool ethereal tone that also elevates the whole piece.
Shania Twain
5/5
This album is amazing gold. Though it definitely has a bit of a dated sound, it really is amazing that her and Mutt wrote, performed and produced the whole thing. It is just one pop country candy treat after another. She does a great job of delivering a fun approachable sass and style that elevates it from a lot of the female artist standards of the time. I wasn't thinking this was going to hold up after all this time, but was solidly impressed, across 16 tracks even. Amazing!
The Lumineers
5/5
Truly exceptional. Heartfelt, soulful, catchy. The first 5 songs are as strong of a start to an album as nearly any around. I really like the very modest arrangements and let the vocals and subtle instruments work their magic. Sleep on the Floor is my favorite.
Men I Trust
3/5
Interesting soft electro/synth pop vibe. It all is pretty mellow and feels a bit directionless. For me, Tailwhip, Found Me and Pines show the potential of something with a little more tempo or melody to engage with.
Sufjan Stevens
5/5
This album really stands out for me. It gives off such a warm introspective cathartic vibe. Though it may be a bit too singular with that tone start to finish, i was wholly absorbed and engaged. Both Death with Dignity and Should Have Known Better are standouts.
3/5
Not sure how this would be justified as a worthy of the list. It is easily approachable, but ultimately just pleasant and uneventful. Somewhat peaceful background music, but i didn't really find much engagement.
That Handsome Devil
2/5
Unfortunately this doesn't really work for me. For every song that is okay and possibly interesting, there are 3 where the super low graveley tom waits delivery gets in the way and seems more schlock than a style. Was happy when this was over.
Chet Baker
4/5
A restrained soulful jazz horn. Reall enjoyed the listen.
Stars
3/5
I like the pairing of the lead singer's voices... goes well with this music, and the vibe is good, but it doesn't really have that hook that would elevate it. Fine.
The National
4/5
Album starts really strong, mellow folk alt vibe... though the lyrics are completely befuddling to me. I have no idea what they are talking about. It gets a little tired by the end, but overall above average.
Harmonium
3/5
It definitely has a pretty good start... different, french poppy with a slight prog twist. Fun and different... enjoyed soaking it all in. About half way through though it turns a bit more plodding orchestral and just isn't as interesting. Still, good listen.
Gotcha!
2/5
The music is good (funky with no fear of a harder electric grind), but everything about the vocal delivery and lyrics are a complete turn off.
Avicii
4/5
Really enjoyed this. Easily approachable, upbeat and fun. It set the vibe and I was onboard start to finish.
Thee Oh Sees
3/5
Though it doesn't stand out too much listening to it in this format, you can definitely imagine what an amazingly energetic live show it must be. I would want to be there to witness it. So the energy comes across in the album, but i find it harder to discern lyrics melody and hook as much. Still fun.
Calibro 35
4/5
Surprisingly cool and fun. Though Automata is a bit of a clunker, everything where there isn't a lyricist is absolutely vibey and cool. Fortunately only 2 tracks have rapping, and tracks like Death of Storytelling and Fail It Till You Make It are awesome.
Transvision Vamp
3/5
Poppy, peppy and passable. It seems pretty polished with a hint of sassiness/punkness, but it unfortunately doesn't really have anything that is too catchy. The lyrics definitely stand out as being "disco-era" repetitive... Halo Jones quickly becomes a bit annoying. Just OK.
Haley Heynderickx
3/5
Pretty decent stripped down folk that varies the tempo a bit to demonstrate some variety, but not much really engages me very much. Its fine but not remarkable.
Courteeners
4/5
Definitely a good style and vibe fit for my interests. Reminds me a lot of arctic monkey and kaiser chiefs. Really like the intentionally crafted brit alt rock. Liked Please Don't and No You Didn't a lot.
Faith No More
2/5
Doesn't do much for me. Its nice to have some real rock for variety though a lot of this seems overly creative and clowny. The coolest surprise was the bonus track, Easy, though Midlife Crisis was also decent. I don't think anything is missing by leaving this off the original list.
The Chats
4/5
Its the song topics that make this charming punk. The music and delivery it pretty standard issue energetic rock, but then topics like 6L GTR, The Price of Smokes, I've Been Drunk in Every Pub in Brisbane and Emperor of the Beach give it punk humanity. Fun listen!
The Sound
3/5
Decent alt rock from that era, comparable to echo & the bunnymen... though the songs don't provide an identifiable hook that makes me want to revisit them. The last two tracks, Silent Air & New Dark Age were a bit more interesting, but by the end it just seemed serviceable.
The Jesus Lizard
2/5
Noisy rock that unfortunately did more to drive me away than pull me in. Seasick was the most promising, though overall it was a bit of a chore to make it through.
Jeff Rosenstock
5/5
A wonderful surprise. It is a bit introspective songwriter, with a rock and punk edge. A ben kweller, bob mould and NOFX shake in a blender. Wave Goodnight to Me stood out though i enjoyed the vibe from start to finish. Will definitely be seeking out more.
Wussy
4/5
I was into the lo-fi alt folk rock vibe, parts of it felt like something from the 80's athens georgia. Crooked, Motorcycle and Don't Leave Just Now were highlights that had me really enjoying the style. Good call out.
Shudder To Think
2/5
Not particularly interesting or special. Alt rock with a decent edge to it, but the vocal delivery is mostly annoying, and nothing with enough of a hook to warrant coming back to.
Nik Kershaw
1/5
Wouldn't it be Good was one of my favorite 80's eras one hit wonder tracks. Just a great pop song. Unfortunately i can't imagine why anyone would think this album needs to be on the list. The rest of the album is now what i would ascribe to being the north star of music that doesn't age well. This is just dreck now. I can't imagine this would have been good in 1983, but it hurts my soul listening to it today. I was very thankful when it ended.
Scraping Foetus off the Wheel
2/5
Not necessary. Buster Poindexter and Tom Waits combined with early Nine Inch Nails and Ministry. Though the Throne of Agony had me interested for a moment, the style quickly became a bit tiresome and didn't do too much for me.
Billy Squier
5/5
"Billy! Every rock album has a ballad on it... it really pulls in the female audience." "Eh? it means chicks? Sign me up." Though the ballad included on this album is nearly a sin, the rest is an enjoyable rock fest. 4 absolute home runs with the rest decent tracks that follow the standard rock tropes. Billy Squier has a great voice for rock, and it is so enjoyable to guitar solos in these tracks. Really enjoyed.
3/5
Uneventful. It sounds like a soundtrack to a Charles Schultz Peanuts cartoon movie or an 1970's after-school special. Soft, with rounded edges. The only song that heads in an interesting direction is the hidden last track Mr. E's. Not bad, just doesn't seem to do much.
King Tubby
4/5
Though nothing really stood out, I got into the vibe, enjoyed something new, and had a good time with King Tubby.
Biffy Clyro
4/5
Fun rock in a very Foo Fighters vibe. Stronger emphasis on melodies and hooks give it a more pop feel that works. Enjoyed.
Pigeons Playing Ping Pong
2/5
I am definitely not a jam band person... it becomes quickly tiring to me. I was doing much better than expected up through Ocean Flows. It was approachable, pretty straight forward and hit a fine groove. Unfortunately from The Liquid on it started heading toward a more psychedelic angle and then Ghostbusters quickly turned to dislike. Can pass on this.
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
It's a great live album and Bruce Springsteen in his prime, but not sure how someone would suggest that this needs to be on the list after Bruce already has 5 other albums there. Really enjoyed the album, but i think this fails the "what is missing the list?" test.
Kayo Dot
2/5
Just different and weird. I was surprised by the amount of different instruments that seemed to be present, but there isn't much that immediately seems enjoyable... just strange and slightly interesting.
Vulfpeck
3/5
A lot of fun. Has great energy and easily approachable soul and funk that had me in the groove. Not every piece works for me, but enough to make it an enjoyable listen.
Alexisonfire
3/5
Unfortunately the scream-o aspect of this seems a bit overplayed and out-of-balance. It works in places but loses a bit of the emotional edge when it becomes a trope. I do like the rock and energy.
Screaming Females
2/5
Though the music is fine alt.rock, I don't enjoy the lead singer's voice/delivery. It feels slightly off/flat/out of tune to me.
3/5
Another good alt rock offering. I had heard Stars before, but not any other tracks. The album is pretty solid and has some good variety of pace/energy... i like the garage feel of it, like early Death Cab.
Khruangbin
4/5
All vibe, all the time. Really enjoyed this and could see it as great vibe background music.
Roky Erickson
3/5
Strange thing here is that the music and delivery all work really well... for me its the lyrical composition... its simplistic and repetitive to the point of distraction. What could be thematically interesting, gets lost in strange lyrical choices.
Death
3/5
I liked the energy, the speed, solid hard rock. Enjoyed the diversity of choice... 1,000 Eyes, Misanthrope worked for me.
Ty Segall
2/5
Too experimental and artsy for me. Reminds me a bit of Robyn Hitchcock, though i didn't find anything catch or enjoyable.
Anaïs Mitchell
3/5
Interesting and a bit of a decent change of pace, however, it seems like another musical/theatrical focused effort that has to do too much to serve the storyline, that the musical pieces are fine but don't excel or stand out on their own... it exists to serve the context. Nice to hear Justin Vernon contribute as well as lots of guests.
2/5
Though experimental electronic can be interesting, i don't feel very engaged across this album. Faceshopping and Ponyboy became irritating pretty quickly and though Pretending is a bit of a cool sonic landscape, there is a bit too much that is a bit offputting to enjoy.
Tori Amos
4/5
A bit of a challenging listen... she has a bit eccentric style and delivery that is interesting and takes a little bit to get accustomed to. God and Cornflake Girl are pretty easy to engage with and appreciate, while the remaining tracks seem to take a little time to work with... it took me a few listens to appreciate items like Past the Mission and Icicle a bit more. Enjoyably complex.
The Weeknd
4/5
Though his subject matter doesn't seem to tend to anything particularly interesting, the dark electronic ethereal pop vibe that The Weeknd generates totally works for me. There are certainly some outstanding pop tracks here with Blinding Lights and Save Your Tears. There's enough other strong tracks like Scared to Live, Heartless, and In Your Eyes that I enjoyed my journey.
The Dear Hunter
3/5
Its kind of an event... a very theatrical presentation, with strangely a fall out boy like delivery (if it didn't rock too hard). Though the music is well produced and approachable, it feel like it prioritizes lyrical delivery ahead of something that has a hook. I enjoyed the experience but not much stands out.
John Martyn
2/5
Not sure about this... seems like a tortured Michael McDonald (Doobie Brothers) vibe, with a very 80's jazz artsy musical delivery. Though Sweet Little Mystery has some promise and grace, too much of the rest is a turn off for me.
Charli xcx
2/5
Was expecting something poppy fun and enjoyable, but there really isn't a track here that I connected with. There are hints of hooks in Von Dutch, Apple and B2B, but they feel a bit like half an idea that still needs something else to elevate it. The rest of the album fluctuates between forgettable and slightly irritating.
Operation Ivy
4/5
Really liked this. A vibe of so-cal punk and early clash. Raw, full of punk and reggae/ska energy... definitely a welcome addition to the list.
Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass
3/5
Definitely embraces The Dating Game game show theme song vibe for a lot of it. Though a lot of it sounds pretty dated, I did enjoy Bittersweet Samba and Lemon Tree.
Jellyfish
4/5
Quirky college alt rock with some definite pop harmonies and melodies. It is colorful and creative and there are some really strong songs with New Mistake, Ghost at Number One, Bye Bye Bye. Enjoyed!
Teenage Fanclub
3/5
This is definitely my vibe... i was a big fan of bandwagonesque and like the band's sound. Though I enjoy it, there's not a ton on this album that really stands out to me. Neil Jung is probably my favorite, and the rest kind of blends together.
Crash Test Dummies
5/5
Love this album. I can see how the quirkiness and strange perspective, mixed with a pretty unique vocal delivery can be a bit divisive. For me, it works, embraces the humor in things and makes me want to sing along every line. Pretty much enjoy every track from start to finish... even some of the stranger musical experiments have segments in them that capture the melody and hook of a pop song. I Think I'll Disappear Now probably my favorite.
The Cure
5/5
Hard to put such a fresh album in context, but it is something of a miracle that Robert Smith pulled this off so well. It is exactly in the Disintegration/Pornography vibe, dark and brooding. A Fragile Thing and I Can Never Say Goodbye are just outstanding, and the rest of the album is both interesting and is a welcome return to this sound. Loved it.
The Upsetters
4/5
I was definitely in the right mood for this album... a chill dub/reggae vibe... echoy and chill. Though it does start to blend together after an hour of it, it hit the right breezy tropical beach bar vibe for me.
Joe Cocker
2/5
Certainly has some strong tracks on it (e.g. The Letter), but given that it is a live album, that seems like kind of a cheat. Not sure why this live album is deserving of the list. Its fine early 70's rock/blues, but doesn't seem like it would deserve to make the list.
Karnivool
3/5
Has some pretty cool harmonies and dark energy mixed with rock. Hints of Silverchair and Tool. And though it is pretty easy to listen to, there wasn't a lot that really stood out and had enough of a hook for me. Decent.
Les sheriff
3/5
Though it definitely has a couple of listening strikes against it... a live double album is a bit of a stretch and typically unusual as an essential album missing from the list. Still, i gladly welcome the change of pace and a new experience, a french punk album that gives me a Social Distortion vibe. Had a good time through it.
HELLYEAH
2/5
Though Alcohaulin Ass is a interesting pun, I think it an embarrassing investment in a song above the age of 13. Though their sonic delivery is solid, the content just seems amateur.
Björk
2/5
Why? I feel like Bjork is already pretty solidly represented on the list and this really doesn't seem to do anything innovative or exciting. It seems to be the same Bjork semi-approachable warbling that is more experimental than interesting or engaging. Props to those that really find something to appreciate here, but it misses me... and given that we already have her represented on the list, this certainly doesn't seem to be "missing".
Margot & The Nuclear So And So's
4/5
This was a nice surprise. Wasn't familiar with Richard Edwards, but this album starts super strong... seems to have an interesting Ben Kweller / Thom Yorke vibe, that works for me. After a few songs, it gets a bit more uneven, but there is enough here that I can say it was a nice change of pace and something new and interesting.
The Stooges
2/5
This seems completely unnecessary. The Stooges already have 3 albums on the list, and this is bootleg quality fidelity from a couple of live shows. It may have been historically important to alert people to the Stooges, but i can't see why it would be identified as something missing. I did like the Gimme Danger version here.
Titus Andronicus
3/5
I enjoyed the raw energy and very Replacements-esque vibe. The lead singer's delivery really emphasizes that passion. No Future Part 3, Richard II and Theme from Cheers showcase this. I do get a bit lost in the super long rambling tracks, but there is definitely something interesting here. Good addition.
Joe Jackson
5/5
Shame that Joe Jackson isn't anywhere on the list... This, I'm the Man and Night & Day are all well ahead of many the entries that made it. Great to see someone is paying appropriate tribute to Joe Jackson. Definitely in the punk/rock style & biting wit of Elvis Costello & Graham Parker. Strong from start to finish... with really good variety in tempo and style from Fools in Love to Got the Time.
The Angelic Process
3/5
Not opposed to this.... it is a really cool sound. Just a wall of dark noise that ebbs and flows, with the occasional incoherent lyrics underneath. I definitely enjoy the aspect of just having this wash over me. The problem is that it just feels so muffled, clipped and muddy that everything blends into the same sound. After listening to this album, i'm sure I couldn't pick out a single track if you played it to me again and asked "was this one on the album?" So though I liked the unusual experience, I'm not sure there is much to call out.
Godspeed You! Black Emperor
3/5
Hits that soundtrack/score vibe and just ambles along for most of its journey. I did really get into the crescendo and thought it raised the engagement quite a bit. The spoken bits were distracting more than interesting. Decent listen.
TOOL
4/5
Definitely a solid Tool release, with the appropriate dark energy and tortured beats... with tracks like The Grudge, Reflection and Triad really showcasing this. Schism is the only track that falls into the catchy hit, but the album really hits the Tool vibe. Even though they are now OVERREPRESENTED in the user list, this is still enjoyable.
Nightwish
2/5
Fire Saga! We found you! This is definitely the Icelandic Eurovision entrant. Play Ja Ja Ding Dong!
Bob Mould
3/5
I'm a Husker Du fan and enjoyed Workbook & Black Sheets of Rain, but kind of dropped off following what he was doing after that. Interesting to visit something later that some one thought was worth considering as essential... but it strikes me as pretty average alt rock. Still like his voice, but I didn't really get captured by anything that was here.
Yeasayer
4/5
i really enjoyed the vibe of this... a bit percussion heavy with blurry vocals... i get a bit lost in the ethereal sound and had a great ride. Sunrise and 2080 are strong, though the whole album has an engaging tone.
Modest Mouse
4/5
Definitely a slightly surprising and challenging introduction, which gave me a Primus feel with its funkiness and less than melodic approach. Ultimately it really started working for me... the raw energy and engaging lyrics. Even the simple delivery of Shit Luck hit its tone well and ultimately elevated the experience. This was a great add.
Polvo
2/5
This was exhausting. Discordant and the lyrics didn't really even feel like they were going along with the music. No part of it pulled me in, and it was just a bit of a slog to get through.
Courtney Barnett
4/5
Really strong and interesting alt rock album. The music is engaging though the depth and interest of the lyrics is really what elevates it. Had a great time listening to this.
Slowdive
3/5
Enjoyed the slow shoegaze vibe of Slowdive. Very approachable and fine for the genre. When the Sun Hits has a bit more drive than the other tracks and stands out for it. There's some promise here but it doesn't have enough to keep me engaged.
Jimmy Eat World
3/5
Average alt rock. Its fine, inoffensive and it is solid enough that you feel that given enough iterations, they should be able to craft a hit out of their sound. Unfortunately I don't see it on this album. Lucky Denver Mint shows promise, but it quickly all blends together and the album is a bit tiring by the end.
Avenged Sevenfold
2/5
Ultimately a bit boring and self-indulgent. Though it varies tempo and has some more interesting tracks (Bat Country, Seize the Day), too much of it is hard rock that is just loud and long. Its not really bad, but just becomes uninteresting well before the album is over.
Chloe x Halle
3/5
A decent genre piece... smooth vocal R&B, though much of it didn't really hit for me... just pop R&B... ROYL ended up as the most interesting, but it was too little too late.
The Caretaker
2/5
Kudos to the person that added this. One goddamn unusual and original recording. The main problem is that the story of what this is and reading about its intent and design is about 100 times more interesting than listening to it. You need to essentially pick any 30 seconds of it and i think you have the general idea of what you're getting. Still a pretty neat original idea of a recording... just not independently enjoyable.
Mylène Farmer
3/5
A pleasant french Enya pop vibe. Pretty and smooth, though nothing really engaged me... beyond my control was the most surprising with its Art of Noise attempt.
Amyl and The Sniffers
4/5
Had a really great time with this. Good energetic punk with a sassy angry delivery that is well written and intentional.... though there may be some questioning that with the lyric "Put your maggots in me". Really enjoyed Hertz, Maggot and Knifey.
Jack Johnson
5/5
I love the Jack Johnson chill. It feels like a sunny afternoon island vibe. Though "Staple It Together" could be dropped from the album, i really enjoy the conscientious chill vibe of the album. Songs like "Better Together", "Good People" and "Crying Shame" are some of the best.
CAKE
5/5
Like most CAKE albums for me, it has highs and lows. It is ecletic in topic and delivery and varies enough that keeps it constantly interesting. When it works, it really works, but there are definitely a few passes (e.g. Race Car Ya-yas), but i am all onboard and embrace the adventure. I love "Friend", "The Distance" and their "I Will Survive" cover.
Carly Rae Jepsen
3/5
Its not that there aren't some good pop songs here... its that it is bubble-gum content skewing to such a young girl focused on relationships while the singer is 30-years old. it just feels off. There are strong pop songs here... a bit dated, but fun. Run Away with Me, Boy Problems, Making the Most of the Night.
Bon Iver
5/5
One of my favorite albums and absolutely missing from the original list. There's not a bad song on the album and the introspection and vocal passion of his delivery is among the best. Though the lyrics are difficult to decipher in places, i'll just embrace the mystery.
Great Big Sea
3/5
It seems like this would be the most fun to see in a rowdy bar with everybody singing along. I enjoyed Mari-Mac and the rest of the album was fine, though not particularly memorable.
Backstreet Boys
4/5
Can't deny the candy pop perfection of I Want It That Way... it is truly one of the best pop songs ever. The other released hits here are also pretty good, but once you get past that, it contains what you would expect for high-school-relationship-level filler... though the Perfect Fan is certainly cringe too. I'll ignore a bit of those down sides based on the fact that it has 5 strong hits.
Fontaines D.C.
4/5
Really surprised how much i enjoyed this, particularly after distinctly not liking Dogrel. This is a bit moodier with an electronic atmospheric feel. Though starbuster is definitely catchy, Bug, Sundowner and Death Kink are my favorites.
TOOL
5/5
This is my favorite TOOL album. Vicarious and Jambi are a blistering dark energetic opening that continues its vibe with Wings Pt. 1 & 2. The Pot culminate the first half with another tortured energetic hit. The throbbing bass and drums in this is perfect with Maynard's twisted delivery. Though the latter half doesn't quite hold the ferocity of the first part, the album itself is absolutely great.
Martha
3/5
Feels like standard issue alt-pop. Pleasant and inoffensive, but forgettable.
Boards of Canada
2/5
Seemed like a collection of generally dark, moody electronic music experiments... most of them not very interesting or engaging. BIt of a chore to get through.
Ornette Coleman
2/5
I kind of get excited when i see a jazz recommendation on the list, thinking i may finally find that breakthrough that grows my appreciation of the style. Then typically a few minutes in, it becomes apparent i still don't get jazz. It doesn't start too bad, but Eventually was my stark reminder that some jazz just doesn't work for me. With the speed saxophone, i can't tell if he's having a spasm or playing notes correctly... its just a shrill burst after burst. Focus on Sanity also is too challenging of a listen for me. Glad to move on.
Wishbone Ash
3/5
Never heard of this before... some vibe of jam band and prog rock. Pretty approachable, though i feel like this music would be best received at a renaissance fair. Nothing the was really compelling, though enjoyed Thrown Down the Sword the most.
Daft Punk
4/5
Most of the tracks sound like a sonic experiment that focuses on a single aspect or vibe. They are different and interesting enough to keep the album pretty engaging. Certainly Harder Better Faster Stronger stands out as being worthy of repeat listens, though Crescendolls and Veridis Quo also work for me. Really enjoyed the journey.
Chris de Burgh
4/5
I'm in for the storytelling minstrel approach that is presented here. Entertaing read to about the title track, Spanish Train, being banned in South Africa. Overall, the album has enough variety and enjoyable story-driven songs that i was really engaged. Cool addition.
The Tragically Hip
3/5
Pretty average alternative rock. Certainly not bad, but also nothing on here is that great. Courage and Locked in the Trunk are strong, but nothing here is catchy enough to be a hit. Fine.
Arca
2/5
Adventurous. The start is curious and had me intrigued about what was to follow. Unfortunately, it really felt like the first 6 tracks were more of the same without really finding a flow or a groove. It was just different. It wasn't until the final 3 tracks that i felt that it finally was trying to drive in the same direction. It offered some semblance of hope... I think Manners is the best track... but it was a bit too much of an effort to make it to that point.
The 1975
3/5
Very alt. pop and pleasant. Most of it felt too light and vacuous for me... the equivalent of teenage love songs we no emotional depth. It was happy and peppy and light... but felt pretty disposable, even though there were some catchy tracks. I really did like the slower mood of All I Need to Hear and could listen to that multiple times... definitely my favorite.
Daft Punk
4/5
Normally i'm pretty critical of live albums, especially when they can just lean in on the greatest hits aspect of their recording career and declare it an amazing experience. Even though Daft Punk definitely takes advantage of their popular track, this feels like a different experience that just listening to a studio album. The way the hooks are blended throughout the show and it really drives the energy and vibe at a higher and higher level. Thought this was fantastic.
The Vaccines
4/5
This is a great energetic alt-punk record. Seems smartly written, with a nice assembly of catchy pieces. Enjoyed this quite a bit.
Some solid enjoyable alt rock. Really liked Eight Flex Over and Comforting Sounds, though a lot of it wasn't quite as engaging.
Songs: Ohia
5/5
This was really amazing. Props to the listener that suggested it. The tracks are well earned sincere escalating pain and sorrow. In tracks like The Black Crow and Tigress, the climb in energy and fierceness is palpable. Though it felt a bit samey through the experience, this was a fantastic discovery.
Alexisonfire
2/5
I was giving scream-o rock a somewhat generous pass on the first alexisonfire suggestion, but what we didn't need was a second album on this list. It is way out of balance and is far more annoying than it is engaging.
Olivia Rodrigo
4/5
Find her to be a pretty interesting pop artist. She has the singer-songwriter pop star vibe and though still writes a lot about high school romantic topics... its not all starry eyed, naive songs of love and loss. Edgy and snarling at times. Definitely fun. Vampire is a fantastic track.
Talking Heads
4/5
This is tough, because as enjoyment of the Talking Heads, this is a 5 star release. The original track release is all killer, no filler... and the vibe with swamp and slippery people as well as better tracks really elevates it. However, knocking down a star as its unfair to take your hits, put out a live album, and then call it essential. There is something unique about Live Talking Heads still, so i'm willing to embrace the 4.
Times New Viking
2/5
holy toledo. this is like a horrible quality cassette tape. and given the more recent recording date, this was clearly all intentional. there's no depth to the bass and percussion, the voice is lost... ultimately it seems there's no chance for the music to make any impact with how they've chosen to record this.
Sports Team
3/5
Decent alt rock release with bit of a cheeky attitude and delivery. The songs have enough of an edge to keep them interesting and the lyrical content is pretty good. It has some catchy elements but not consistent enough to truly have any hits here. Promising.
Screeching Weasel
3/5
Solid punk, fun to hear the I Can See Clearly cover.
System Of A Down
3/5
The music is pretty divisive for me... when it hits, it is doing something unique, energetic, with strong attitude. But when its off, it feels like they think they are a lot more clever than they are, and though the songs do get credit for adventure, they are too weird to enjoy. Chop Suey and Aerials are awesome and save what is otherwise pretty uneven for me.
David Baerwald
2/5
I feel like i've listened to a bunch of these average sounding pop records and given them a passing grade. This one doesn't do anything for me and a lot of the delivery starts to get irritating. A Brand New Morning attempts to save the album a bit, but its too little, too late.
Sufjan Stevens
2/5
I'm usually pretty accepting of this as I've definitely enjoyed some of Sufjan's work... however this just meanders a bit too much and doesn't click for me and keep me engaged. His subtle kind of waifish voice makes a lot of the tracks feel the same. There is some promise in Back to Oz, Olympus and Fictional California, but even that is just okay. Everything else is a bit boring.
Unwound
2/5
Doesn't seem worth the effort. Slightly dissonant alt rock that doesn't deilver with a hook or energy to keep you engaged. Just a lot of slightly annoying music that overstays its welcome.
Guy Clark
3/5
Hard to see what is special about this. Some generally up-tempo country storyteller vibe. Some fine songs, and maybe Let Him Roll was racy for the times, but nothing that makes this a really compelling gap from the original list.
Talk Talk
4/5
Had an enjoyable time with this... a more atmospheric and thematic experience that nicely ebbs and flows. I really like the lead singer's voice that works well with the material. Though nothing particularly stood out, i really liked the experience.
Emicida
3/5
Pretty interesting variety of hip hop and rap... though the language made it a bit more difficult to appreciate it also kept it interesting in that you could focus on the flow and vibe. Glad to experience it.
Crystal Castles
5/5
I wasn't ready. This is the perfect electronic vibe for me... a video game flair, and a bit more sophisticated than early synth sound. Other than the 3 aggressive edge tracks (e.g. Alice Practice and Xxzxcuzx Me) I found this absolutely compelling from start to finish. Tremendously enjoyable.
Manchester Orchestra
5/5
Smooth, somewhat moody alt rock. I really liked the singer's voice and the cool vibe layered in by the music. The Gold was one of my favorite songs of 2017 but never branched out to the rest of the album. Though nothing quite reaches that mark, I had a great time from start to finish.
Refused
2/5
I was hopeful with the punk label, but found this very difficult to get into and enjoy anything. The beginning of Tannhauser has a great sound but quickly devolves like the rest of the album. Was happy to get past this.
Noname
3/5
The low-fi rap wasn't particularly my thing, but it was at least engaging and had me listening. Nice for the variety.
Portishead
2/5
Who thought the list really needed a third Portishead album? This may be one of the most overrepresented artists based on the quality of what has been included. The place it starts from isn't necessarily bad... i like the dark tortured siren and some of the instrutmentation can be interesting, but it is too much of the same without being particularly enjoyable.
Bon Iver
4/5
I'm rounding up a little bit on this because i really like Bon Iver's vibe, both the musical aesthetic and Justin's vocal delivery. I was completely blown away by For Emma, and this album unfortunately doesn't really live up to that precedent. Holocene, Towers, Calgary and Beth/Rest are the strongest for me, but the rest seem very much "vibe with no hook"... it seems a bit short of being an engaging song. Still enjoyed listening to it.
TOOL
4/5
Really enjoyed this release... a bit more in the tone of 10,000 days... definitely long pieces that are dark and moody. Though Chocolate Chip Trip could certainly be left off this release, I really like what Maynard and Tool are doing. Great sound.
The Breeders
4/5
Solid alt rock release. Wasn't familiar with this beyond Cannonball, but the rest of the album is really enjoyable... love Kim Deal's voice and will be listening to this more in the future.
Spose
4/5
Definitely better than you would expect. Though definitely long, there's enough creativity both lyrically and musically that it stays pretty interesting. Certainly "Dudes" is a standout, but overall i like the cheeky/fun style delivered here.
Al Stewart
3/5
Love the title track, though the rest of the album is just pleasant moody soft rock, that isn't quite as compelling or engaging.
Enter Shikari
2/5
The balance and use of "quiet v screaming" here is not great, but i have less of a problem with that versus that the songs seems to be uninteresting or awkward. Most of the first half seemed to be just dumb, while the back half tried harder, but just came across as forced and amateurish. Definitely not needed on this list.
Johnny Winter
2/5
I generally annoyed by this style... though the guitar work is stylish and showy, the blues/rock groove is cliche and overused. I feel like you had 30 seconds of any of these tracks, it would be indistinguishable from 1,000 other recordings of the same style. Maybe if you were in a party band, it would be fun to "rock out" and play this music, and a maybe as a sweaty bar patron it would be fun to listen to, but i'm tired of it and this was a slog to get through.
R.E.M.
4/5
R.E.M. is one of my favorite artists, but I feel like this album hasn't aged as well as their others. Radio Song is probably the worst blending of rap into a rock song. The track warrants a skip every time. Though it suffers from being overplayed, Losing My Religion is still stellar. Favorite track is Texarkana.
3/5
They can definitely do the lighter peppy pop alternative and do a pretty decent job of that... TOOTIME and Love It If We Made It definitely stand out. I give them credit for trying a variety of other things with this album, tempo/style, but nothing really hits. It's okay, but not something i'd go back to.
Os Mundi
1/5
I may have had more patience for this on the original list, but to indicate that this is some lost treasure that would need to be added? I'm not giving credit for historical importance at this point... 70's experimental prog with latin lyrics... 10-15 minutes tops... that would be enough for a lifetime. When reincarnated, my next two lives should hopefully get a pass on Os Mundi.
Lo Fidelity Allstars
1/5
Instantly annoying and an hour plus of this is truly exhausting. The one thing this list wasn't missing was dated sounding house music. Hard pass.
Sam Fender
3/5
The title track starts out strong, but the album doesn't seem to have much in terms of standouts from that point... it paddles along as a very listenable adult contemporary vibe. Enjoyed but samey.
Ween
3/5
Definitely interesting. I would more easily digest the lows and quirkiness if the highs were a bit more plentiful and possibly higher. Take Me Away is solid rock song, and A Tear for Eddie might be my favorite track, subtle and moving. Roses Are Free, Baby Bitch, Voodoo Lady, and Deaner are also decent. The rest unfortunately bends closely towards irritating and takes a bunch of the good will earned otherwise. Glad to listen to it.
New Model Army
4/5
Has a very late 80's alt rock vibe in the Big Country, The Alarm, The Church sound. The sounds and energy was enough to have me smiling, most of the songs are fun and easy to approach. Maybe a little schlocky in retrospect (e.g. The Charge), but i had a fun time visiting.
Dead Boys
3/5
Perfectly fine punk rock. Enjoyed "Not Anymore" the most, though everything here is pretty straightforward punk.
Ex-Easter Island Head
2/5
Its really cool to get something different in the list and i was certainly a bit intrigued by this, something in the classical / ambient genre. A track like Norther is pretty strong as it seems to have a force and a drive and is generally pretty interesting. Though most of the album seems to have a lot less appeal, whether the wind chimes or easter or other less successful experiments.
The Chameleons
4/5
Definitely has the a british new wave/alt rock vibe from the 80's. I found myself enjoying this a lot... I wasn't familiar with the band, but definitely enjoyed this sound from that era. Though a little samey by the time i got to the end, i had a really good time.
Jason Isbell
3/5
Any individual song is engaging; the music is smooth, appealing with strong lyrics. I feel like if i was at a bar seeing Jason Isbell for the first time, i'd go home thinking this was the most amazing thing i've heard. However, listening to the album straight, i can't get past how similar the sound is song to song. It almost feels like they are all the same tune with different lyrics. Still enjoyed.
Beyoncé
3/5
I'll acknowledge that this feels like a powerful album and is a statement. Songs like Freedom stand out and i really enjoyed Hold up, 6 Inch, and Daddy Lessons. I do acknowledge that is is quite varied and creative, though its not an album that I'd likely revisit a lot.
Tosca
3/5
Cool electronic vibe album. Kind of maintain a constant energy for the album... the lack of highs and lows makes it a bit forgettable... good background music for the right mood.
Yo La Tengo
3/5
Pretty straightforward indie/alt rock. It reminds me a lot of early Death Cab, has lots of variety in tempo and approaches, but there weren't as many hooks that got me attached to the songs... which made the length a bit much to get through. Stockholm Syndromea and Little Honda were my favorites.
John Coltrane
4/5
Smooth cool jazz with a wonderful vocal delivery. Enjoyed it a lot, but it kept making me think that i needed a classic cocktail to go along with it.
Neil Cicierega
3/5
Wow, that was one helluva an adventure. Though i'm certainly familiar with nearly all these songs, the mashups are frequently irritating and completely exhausting. Still, I really find the creativity enjoyable and the variety presented. It is definitely more of the novelty nature... it is good to experience what this is and how some aspects/mixes are pretty interesting, but i have no need to listen to it a second time.
Lady Gaga
4/5
Lady Gaga definitely deserves a spot on the list and though this seems to drift a bit on the back half, it is really a stunning first half and is a great cheeky dance pop record. Enjoyed it a lot.
Final Fantasy
2/5
Though a bit different to hear violin heavy music, it sounds like what i would expect violin jazz to be... a bit too creative/messy and the waifish whiney vocals make it a bit less appealing for me.
Medeski, Martin & Wood
3/5
Does a surprisingly good job of being the jazz/jam band kind of experimentation, but not varying it too much too frequently, so that the tracks do end up finding a groove that makes it more interesting to listen to. Not something I'd likely come back to, but a good experience.
Frightened Rabbit
4/5
Had a really good time with this alt rock offering. It seemed to be a bit more driving and interesting than the average. Reminds me a bit of the Decemberists... i really liked The Modern Leper, Fast Blood, and Old Old Fashioned. Most of the rest are actually still pretty interesting and engaging, which elevates the album.
Psyche Origami
3/5
Pretty smooth hip-hop rap, with a obviously some pretty well crafted songs. Its not entirely my style but the lyrical strength makes the listen worth while.
Vangelis
3/5
I like that its something different, and it certainly delivers on a dark atmospheric future, but as a score, I don't see it serving much more than interesting background music. Interesting listen.
Duncan Dhu
4/5
Even though this was really long, i had so much fun with this album. I know just enough spanish and this is easy enough to understand that i got the gist of most tracks. The poppy super short nature of the songs kept me on board. Melodic and fun... I definitely had a smile on my face most of the time.
Electric Callboy
3/5
Very interesting addition. Its like Linkin Park with metal tropes and 40% dance techno. It was an interesting listen, but the dumb lyrical content doesn't do them any favors.
Magdalena Bay
3/5
A bit too much sounds like Britney Spears singing in a baby voice over hushed adult contemporary pop. It is nicely creative with the production, though the songs themselves aren't that interesting. Cry for Me actually stood out as the best, though overall a bit boring.
Jon Batiste
4/5
Surprising and exciting, soulful. Seems both classic and modern. Really enjoyed this. We Are is an absolute banger.
Rita Ora
3/5
She has a nice voice and the production is polished. Though I feel it lacks a bit of personality or soul... it's a lot of pretty pop. Songs like Praising You and That Girl remind me too much of other songs and end up feeling like a grift. Still though it was easy to bop along too, though forgettable.
Deltron 3030
3/5
I really enjoyed the theme commitment which made it quite interesting. I really like Del's voice and when it all comes together, it is stellar. Mastermind is fantastic. Unfortunately, it doesn't quite hit enough and there are definitely some seemingly forced rhymes... not sure virus and papyrus was the way to go. Still, glad i listened to it.
ISIS
4/5
Once i heard the lyrical delivery, i thought i was just going to chalk this up to another metal trope approach that didn't really work... however, what i found was that the music is truly what sets this apart... at time throbbing and driving, but its almost like ambient metal. I think if this had no lyrics, it would be a five star album... the vocals serve as a distraction and i couldn't find a way that they really elevate the music.
Yellowcard
3/5
Somewhere between emo rock and pop punk, I feel that lots of artists have done this better. Nothing really stood out and it felt very standard issue for the genre.
Cat System Corp.
2/5
I get the concept, and it seems to be a way better idea in theory then it is in execution. Actually listening to it definitely feels like an art project more than an immersion in an alternate reality.
Quirky and creative, doesn't overstay its welcome, and is lyrically exciting. People II is fantastic, as is Bad Bad Things. Really liked this.
The Who
5/5
Compelling. This is my favorite Who album. The storytelling is complete and fully formed, and the music is epic in places, and fully embraces musical creativity... just loving the bass and drums parts through most of this. Its long but i was fully involved. Definitely a miss from the original list.
Pearl Jam
4/5
Definitely plenty of pearl jam magic here. It becomes a bit more challenging than ten, but still a ton of really solid tracks.
The Groundhogs
2/5
This seems completely unnecessary. It doesn't sounds interesting enough to have even been compelling in 1970, so i'm not sure why this is even being presented 50 years later. A clever idea for a title track isn't enough here... its pretty boring 70's rock with a tiny touch of jam band mixed in. Pass.
Kashmir
4/5
Really enjoyed the sound and vibe of this. Kalifornia really hits it right... it has an underlying drive/groove that i instantly tap into. There seems to be hints of Thom Yorke throughout this, and the intro to No Balance Palace was certainly unexpected... but a good listen.
Aesop Rock
4/5
Very cool. The lyrical depth is pretty special and helps make it instantly interesting. I also like the pretty sparse beats and grooves the support the music... certainly more reserved than most hip-hop/rap. It feels like rap poetry with a beat. Happy to listen to this.
Reincidentes
4/5
This was so much fun. Definitely a punk rock vibe and just straightforward rock energy that gives me a spanish language Social Distortion energy. Band sounds like they are having a blast ripping through track after track.
Ozzy Osbourne
4/5
Absolutely classic hard rock album. Love Ozzy Osbourne and Randy Rhoades on this album. The first 6 songs are all absolute bangers, though it fades a little towards the end. Great to see someone put Ozzy solo material on the list.
"Weird Al" Yankovic
4/5
Really surprised and glad this was on the list. Weird Al definitely invented a spin on the novelty/humor style that made it into the mainstream over an extended period of time. Lots of folks have been doing Dr. Demento parody music, but this really elevated the genre.
Bruce Hornsby
2/5
Bruce has got to pick a lane. This starts off as more of an adult contemporary jazz album, which though there may be talented musicians involved, is a bit painful to wade through. It then spins more towards a mainstream audience, hiding the jazzy influences and ending up as pretty boring soft pop. Pass on this.
Baroness
3/5
Easily approachable and everything is just fine. It sounds good, but I didn't really find any great highlights... which made it feel like a very long average album.
BABYMETAL
3/5
I like the mass-up nature of this... j-pop, electronic, metal... the songs can generally be fun, but nothing too earthshattering here. I agree with most of the global comments on the fact that this is way too early to be declaring this worthy of the list.
Agalloch
4/5
Enjoyed this a lot. The atmospheric, vibe take on metal with minimal lyrics. Several of the tracks really get into their groove and deliver. When there are vocals, they don't really elevate the music, but they don't distract too much either.
Yoko Ono
1/5
I remember hearing that Janet Reno and the ATF used sounds of rabbits being slaughtered at high volume to drive the Branch Davidians out of the compound in Waco in the early 90's. I think they would have been much more successful with Disc 2 of Fly by Yoko Ono.
Dream Theater
2/5
Kitschy metal that submarines itself with the overblown and full of itself prog noodling. A bit torturous to get through the whole album.
Floating Points
3/5
an interesting experiment of jazz, electronic and symphonic music. very chill, ambient.
Turnpike Troubadours
4/5
Seems a bit more thoughtful and introspective alt. country roots vibe... with some pop sensibilities. Reminds me a bit of the Old 97's. Really enjoyed this, though a bit more filler on the back half of the album.
Harry Styles
3/5
Polished fun and bright, its a nice pop experience, but i didn't really find the hook in the songs. Even watermelon sugar doesn't really have me wanting to listen to it again.
of Montreal
3/5
Reasonably interesting alt rock that has a synth/electronic vibe and a bit soft/waifish vocal delivery. Reminds me a bit of Television, though i didn't find much here that kept me engaged.
Charly García
2/5
A very poppy, at times artificial production sounding spanish rock record. This one didn't work for me.
Living Colour
2/5
Clearly they are trying to deliver a message, which is a positive thing, but layered over this frenetic (at times) wild assembly of jazzy heavy rock is at times intolerable. They have moments of catchy hard rock, but it is never far away from what seems like some bad musical ideas... yeah, i'm looking at you "Elvis is Dead".
The Tragically Hip
3/5
Fine blues/folk rock, but this the third user submission and no better than the others. There is strength in the style and vocal delivery, but few songs really elevate themselves and it ends up as a pretty average release.
BABYMETAL
2/5
As much videogame soundtrack as a musical release. It is an interesting mixture of styles, but I'm penalizing it as it seems unnecessary to have a second BABYMETAL album on this list.
Amália Rodrigues
3/5
The vibe is cool, i enjoyed the tone and that it is something different. Though probably partially because of the language barrier, it all blended together and nothing really stood out in terms of highs and lows. Still was a nice listen.
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard
1/5
Man, prog rock noodling/experimentation can just be annoying at times. This actually takes that and then puts some kind of completely intolerable vocal delivery on top of it. The staccato fragment singing... sing songy every single word just generates constant stress. Particularly when you start to notice it and essentially every song follows this delivery. Definitely one of the harder albums to get through.
Barenaked Ladies
4/5
A really strong side of cheeky folky alt rock. It pushes the schtick a little far at times, but there is enough to dig into here and appreciate that i had a very fun time listening to this.
Metric
3/5
I really like the lead singer's voice and the opening track, Help I'm Alive, is just a banger. I was hoping there was something else that really stood out, but the rest was a fine vehicle but nothing too memorable. There seems like a lot of potential with their sound.
The Church
3/5
Wild to hear The Church again after all these years, and they seem to be treading the same ground as before, though maybe a bit more experimental and a little less catchy. Unfortunately i didn't find anything that really grabbed me, but it was cool hearing something recent from The Church.
Fall Out Boy
5/5
Definitely feels like a bit of a guilty pleasure. It's anthemic, polished and bombastic. Though it feels a bit full of itself at times, i loved every track on this album except Rat-A-Tat-Tat... that just hit wrong, and I'm a big Courtney Love/Hole fan.
David Allan Coe
3/5
Certainly sounds of its era. Old timey country that is a bit story oriented. Everything is decent, but isn't quite clever or catchy enough to stand out as anything but an ok 70's country album.
Depeche Mode
3/5
I really like Depeche Mode as they got darker and moodier (around the time of Music for the Masses). The earlier albums still have strong hits but the combination of early peppy synthesizer makes a lot of it feel pretty dated. Enjoyed the tour through this older material.
The Heads
3/5
That is one amazing collaborators list. The first 3 tracks are pretty strong performances, though nothing i would call a home run. Additional tracks are interesting, though the Ed Kowalczyk track and No More Lonely Nights are probably the best. Its a bit of a bummer that the other tracks don't hit a little better. Still a fun listen.
Shihad
2/5
This seems crazy surprising that this album would have been No.1 and triple platinum. The vocalist is tragically uninteresting and seems flat in places. The rock is generic and though there are couple of OK tracks, Wait and See and Just Like Everybody Else, it felt like an hour of rock filler.
Paramore
4/5
I really like Hayley's voice and the straight ahead rock approach feels like something that has been missing. I feel at times some of the tracks get lost in the dense lyrical delivery and the song doesn't end up with a real hook. Still there are enough tracks here where it comes together (careful, ignorance, brick, exception, all i wanted) that make this a great album.
Nic Jones
3/5
I read the wiki entry that seemed to indicate this was the quinessential folk album. Its pleasant but i'm not sure what really makes this exceptional. It definitely fits the genre, but given that many of these are traditional folks songs, i don't see what elevates it. Still, nice to have some variety and easy to listen to.
Tom Misch
3/5
A cool smooth jazz funk album with a bit of soul. This was a good groove album, though nothing really got its hooks into me and made me want to listen more.
Quicksand
3/5
I quickly enjoyed the raw energy and deep bass and percussion... almost Tool like at times. Though nothing here quite competes with Tool, Lie and Wait stood out for me and i liked the dark wall of noise energy they hit on Baphomet.
Everything Everything
3/5
Very fun and approachable. Upbeat, energetic, a little electronic. They display a great deal of variety and there definitely seems to be some promise... Regret is a bit catchy, and i enjoyed Zero Pharoah quite a bit.
Kenny Wayne Shepherd
3/5
I definitely enjoyed the blue tour though it definitely seemed it was more a result of the legends he had accompanying him on every track. Nothing new or really original, just solid blues. Worthy listen.
Jaco Pastorius
3/5
A lot more adventurous, funky and experimental than i expected. Given how prominent the bass plays in the tracks, it is really a cool showcase of the instrument and what Jaco can do. I can appreciate it from an observer standpoint way more than trying to listen and enjoy, as it becomes a bit exhausting at times (especially Kuru).
Black Devil Disco Club
4/5
This really works! It finds its groove, does the occasional decoration or flourish and rejoins the groove. Short and sweet and it just hits. I'm also really impressed that they've given it a more timeless sound than was typically afforded to late 70's electronic. Really enjoyed <H> Friend and No Regrets.
Bright Eyes
5/5
This just clicked for me. Immediately, it was such a great combination of storytelling lyrics, coupled with stripped down heartfelt delivery. I had very Paul Westerberg vibes through quite a few tracks and enjoyed it from start to finish... instantly went back and listened to it a second time through. Lua, First Day of My Life and Travelin' Song are great.
Malibu
3/5
I don't really know much about ambient, but an intrigued by it. I really enjoyed the work here, though its really hard to understand if its good as i don't expect to be listening to it in the same way. Its ethereal but has some warmth from a strings sounding influence. I liked checking this out.
Modern Life Is War
4/5
I'm usually pretty critical of the monotone shouting, but this somehow hit the right spot for me. The music had raw energy, combined with strong lyrical content which elevated the delivery and gave it a tortured sincerity.
Rodríguez
4/5
Really enjoyed this album; surprised that i had not come across this earlier. Very approachable and engaging storytelling folk rock. Not sure about Gommorah, but the rest was strong.
Espers
3/5
A really curious acoustic mix... led zeppelin is most evident on the first track and the rest seems to range a bit further. More interesting than enjoyable and starts to drag as the tracks extend out past 8 minutes.
Spinvis
2/5
The music/instrumentation seems pretty cool... but it is just impossible to get past the phlegm pronounciation of certain words sounds in Dutch. It is a somewhat unpleasant sound and with the lack of actually understanding the language, it becomes too much of a focal point.
Charles Aznavour
4/5
This was completely cool. The music was vintage crooning pop and entirely enjoyable. He's got a great voice for this, and regardless that i didn't understand a word, i was captivated and found this as a great escape.
Denzel Curry
3/5
I do have a soft spot for hip-hop/rap that has a purpose and direction. The Last and Sanjuro were my favorite tracks... overall a bit uneven, but enjoyed listening to it.
Mr. Bungle
2/5
Far too much of a novelty/carnival vibe across this album. Though Pink Cigarette is doesn't adventure too far, nearly everything else is a bit too experimental and unfortunate for my tastes. Was a relief when this was over.
Hamilton Leithauser
4/5
Really enjoyed the singer-songwriter alt rock vibe. Interesting lyrics, appealing delivery and enough musical hook to keep the songs pretty interesting. A 1000 Times and In a Black Out stood out for me.
Ween
3/5
Creative and experimental. There's definitely a few too many tracks that seem to be odd for odds sake, though the variety really does keep it fresh. By the time i got to F****d Jam, for whatever reason, i really got the vibe of that song and it totally clicked for me. Had a good time riding the ups and down of this album.
Lift To Experience
2/5
Unexpected, but too self-serious and pretentious such that it seems to drain the fun out of the music itself.
Mac Miller
2/5
Soft mumbly light rap. Its easily approachable but the delivery in each song seems very repetitive and the tracks quickly start blurring into each other. A small battle with boredom.
Blackalicious
3/5
Well crafted with good flow. Definitely felt a bit long by the end, but it is hard to deny that this is strong material.
Deafheaven
3/5
If it was the music alone, i'd give this a 4. Really enjoyed the energy and the drive... a compelling sound. Apple Music seemed to indicated that the vocal noises that accompanied this were actually lyrics with words in them. I could not associated any of the printed words with the human generated noises on the tracks. I'm not opposed to the balanced scream-o approach, but this was a bit too overwhelming to appreciate more.
Shpongle
3/5
Enjoyed the adventure of this quite a bit. A little creativity and experimentation in a ambient trance vibe is definitely up my alley. Behind Closed Eyelids hit the most beats for me, but overall was a bit uneven throughout the music journey.
Chuck Berry
4/5
So great to get a classic classic rock sound. The hits still stand out and the rest were strong enough to make it a really enjoyable listen.
Vampire Weekend
4/5
Though Contra really rubbed me the wrong way, this was a completely different experience with the Vampire Weekend. It still has a bit of a soft rock touch, but the tracks delivered a better hook and were a lot more compelling for me. Capricorn and Hope stood out though overall it was really strong.
Ornatos Violeta
3/5
A completely serviceable rock album, and though in a language i don't understand, the variety is the reason to do this and makes it a bit more interesting.
The Notwist
2/5
What is The Postal Service was kind of flat and their songs lacked a perceivable hook? That is Neon Golden to me. I like the genre/style a lot, but there's nothing there that is very interesting.
Robyn
4/5
Definitely danceable and a sweeter pop aesthetic. Was a fun and energetic journey. I liked that it took some risks... Don't Tell Me What to Do and the Snoop Dogg collab weren't great, but they were unexpected and different enough so that it wasn't just sweet candy pop from start to finish. Enough hooks and variety to make an enjoyable listen.
Alabama 3
3/5
A bit of a surprise. Had not expected to find the source of the Soprano's opening theme. I like the unique mix of blues, southern feel, a bit electronic dance beats? Makes for an unusual sound. It kept me engaged, but there wasn't much that i would come back to.
Daft Punk
5/5
I like Daft Punk and absolutely love this soundtrack. It is an impressive expression of the TRON universe and perfectly captures the spectacle and wonder of the TRON environment as if it were a magestic landscape. The building movements and sweeping tones... all leading up to nearly perfect higher energy pieces like End of Line and Derezzed.
STARSET
3/5
Its like a mashup of Fallout Boy, AFI, Europe, Queensryche, and Blink-182. It's pop-polished hard rock with a punk energy. Though the bad lyrics in songs like Carnivore were a bit hard to ignore, overall the polished harmony friendly hard rock was solid and a bit better than i expected for a band i had not heard of.
Warren Zevon
4/5
Enjoyed this a bit more on a second listen. Some of the tracks that sit in the background on the first listen (Tenderness, Lawyers/Guns) became a bit more uniquely interesting. This is on top of Roland, Werewolves and Accidentally, that are interesting right out of gate. A good storyteller approach with some surprising twists. Really good addition.
Chico Science
3/5
Enjoyed the diversity and mixture of hip-hop, rock, funk with a brazilian swagger. Different enough to keep me interested through the listen, but not something that i'm likely to come back to.
Michael Hurley
2/5
Don't love it, don't hate it. It's a fine backwoodsy feeling singer songwriter vibe. It gets a little tiring and samey feeling by the end, as the lyrics seemed to have oddly basic song topics and nothing particularly clever, insightful or maintaining a storyteller-like interest. If you're slowing it down and have a songwriter vibe, i think the lyrics need to stand up a bit more.
Various Artists
2/5
A game soundtrack really feel out of context trying to listen to it as an album and i think suffers a lot for that. Also given the language barrier, it is hard for it to soar, even for a few of the songs that sound poppiest and most approachable... such as Lonely Rolling Star and Ball of Love. I'll admit those are pretty good, but it is a lot to wade through... and I definitely have a positive impression of Katamari Damacy as a game, just not so much as a standalone listen as a soundtrack.
Dolly Parton
4/5
Its interesting that this is "newer" as it sounds like it could have stepped out of the mid 70's. Sweet old time country blueglass. Smooth and enjoyable... enough catchy tunes and interesting lyrics to stay interesting the whole time. A very nice dolly time.
Comus
2/5
They certainly commit to the bit. Freaky folk. For me, this can only be classified as "performance art", not to appreciate for any musical sensibilities. Definitely a labor to get through.