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Thu Jan 14 2021
Shake Your Money Maker
The Black Crowes
This was a very important album for me. I bought it right when it released and listened to it constantly. I also saw them on this tour, at a small club in Oakland called The Omni. Sadly, not around any more. They are an amazing live band. I've always loved how loose and bluesy this album is. It definitely deserves to be on this list.
5
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Fri Jan 15 2021
Goo
Sonic Youth
I didn't discover Sonic Youth until 1992, when Dirty was released. I quickly devoured their entire catalog, but Daydream Nation was the album I connected with the most. It's nice to have a reason to come back to this one. It still holds up. All of their music holds up. It could be released today and be totally relevant.
4
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Sat Jan 16 2021
Home Is Where The Music Is
Hugh Masekela
I liked this, but when tracks from some of his other albums came up after this one I found that I liked them more. There was a little more funk to them.
3
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Sun Jan 17 2021
At San Quentin
Johnny Cash
4
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Mon Jan 18 2021
The Joshua Tree
U2
This album. This was a really important one for me. I listened to it A LOT. I still have my original vinyl. I also remember searching for the 12" of Where the Streets Have No Name because Sweetest Thing was on the B Side. This was my first concert where no parents were involved. This was my first BIG concert. We left early in the morning and sight seed our way to the Oakland Coliseum, with lots of time to hang out in the parking lot. Rating this is hard. I want to give it a 4 because there are other albums that are probably better, but in revisiting it for the first time in a long time I can't believe how good it still is, how much I love it, and I want to give it a 5. But I'm going with 4.
4
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Tue Jan 19 2021
Hysteria
Def Leppard
Oh boy. I listened to this album a lot in high school. Despite the memories and nostalgia associated with this album, and how much I enjoyed it at that time, it's super mediocre. Extra point for nostalgia.
2
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Wed Jan 20 2021
Tical
Method Man
Enjoyed this, but nothing really jumped out at me. The integration of jazz made me want to listen to Jazzmatazz.
3
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Thu Jan 21 2021
Vivid
Living Colour
It was nice to revisit this one. It was such a big deal when it came out. There were some songs I didn't really remember, and then some I was excited to revisit. It's not terribly inventive, but there are some solid songs.
3
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Fri Jan 22 2021
The Renaissance
Q-Tip
3
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Sat Jan 23 2021
Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden
3
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Sun Jan 24 2021
Tellin’ Stories
The Charlatans
I'm so glad this forced me to revisit this. It's been a long time and I never really spend much time with them. After listening, it's probably because they have a similar sound to Oasis, who I was never a big fan of. That said, they both write catchy tunes. Decent album. YouTube gave me the Stone Roses right after, which reminded me why I'm giving this a 3.
3
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Mon Jan 25 2021
Fred Neil
Fred Neil
I don't think I ever would have listened to this on my own, and I'm glad I did. There's a little country in there, and also hear Chris Isaak, which makes complete sense. And a couple of tracks that we know because of more famous singers recording them.
4
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Tue Jan 26 2021
Bossanova
Pixies
Pixies are in my all time top 10 so I think this album is an interesting to represent them. It is not the album I would have chosen. It is not the top of their game, and it is not the most representative of them. I mean, given how much I love them I still think it's better than most things out there, but I can't give it a 5. That goes to Surfer Rosa. I need half stars.
4
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Wed Jan 27 2021
She's So Unusual
Cyndi Lauper
Cyndi should have been as big as Madonna. She's more talented, and she has such a powerful voice. I can't remember the last time I listened to the whole album and I had forgotten about the range of songs that are on it. Time After Times makes this a 5 all on its own.
5
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Thu Jan 28 2021
Dog Man Star
Suede
3
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Fri Jan 29 2021
Heroes
David Bowie
I really thought that my Bowie knowledge ran deep. And it does, but this is an album that I don't know well. No Bowie is bad, and all Bowie is better than most, but I don't connect with this one in the same way.
4
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Sat Jan 30 2021
Tea for the Tillerman
Cat Stevens
3
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Sun Jan 31 2021
Sister
Sonic Youth
3
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Mon Feb 01 2021
I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got
Sinead O'Connor
Oh my god. This album. I loved it the first time I heard it and I love it just as much now. I listened to it endlessly in 1990. I used it to test out the first real set of speakers I got. I needed some base. I still have those JBLs. I didn't listen to much of her stuff after this, but this and Lion and the Cobra were everything.
5
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Tue Feb 02 2021
Nilsson Schmilsson
Harry Nilsson
The artist no one knows they know, and love. I realized I had never sat down and just listened to him. He's just everywhere.
4
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Wed Feb 03 2021
Slanted And Enchanted
Pavement
So many memories around this album. Nirvana kicked off my alternative journey and this album kicked off my independent journey. Well, maybe this, and Exile in Guyville. This album makes me happy. It was a time in my life where I was figuring out who I was and music was such a huge part of that. It was also college, and I was working at Urban Outfitters, so all the memories there. My CD even has my name on it from taking it to Urban to play as store music. I wish I could remember how I discovered them. I probably read about them somehwere.
5
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Thu Feb 04 2021
Mama's Gun
Erykah Badu
She's such a badass. And this album is so good. Funky and soulful.
5
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Fri Feb 05 2021
Eternally Yours
The Saints
So glad this came up. They are such an influence on so many artists (Nick Cave, U2) and I really didn't know anything about them. And I always love adding another Aussie band to my arsenal.
4
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Sat Feb 06 2021
Bluesbreakers
John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers
3
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Sun Feb 07 2021
Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
3
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Mon Feb 08 2021
Songs Of Love And Hate
Leonard Cohen
4
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Tue Feb 09 2021
I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You
Aretha Franklin
4
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Wed Feb 10 2021
Vanishing Point
Primal Scream
3
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Thu Feb 11 2021
Graceland
Paul Simon
I am not a Paul Simon fan. And I am not a fan of this album. This one gets 2 stars because I know it's important.
2
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Fri Feb 12 2021
The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars
David Bowie
Bowie is going to get a few 5s along the way. And this is the first one. Is there really anything I can say that hasn't been said already? He's a genius and this is evidence.
5
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Sat Feb 13 2021
A Love Supreme
John Coltrane
3
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Sun Feb 14 2021
Remedy
Basement Jaxx
I forgot about Basement Jaxx. Rooty reminds me of a very specific time and place - working at Urban Outfitters in Austin, TX, and living in the same place as Josh. But I don't think I've listened to anything before or after. Not generally my thing, but they have some good stuff.
3
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Mon Feb 15 2021
On The Beach
Neil Young
I've never really connected with Neil Young in a strong way, which has always felt odd to me, but it is what it is. I don't think I had listened to this album before, which is a shame, because I love it. I connected with this one.
4
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Tue Feb 16 2021
Illmatic
Nas
4
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Wed Feb 17 2021
Guitar Town
Steve Earle
4
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Thu Feb 18 2021
The Score
Fugees
We actually put this on the other week, to share with the kids. It will always hold up.
4
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Sun Feb 21 2021
Casanova
The Divine Comedy
4
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Tue Feb 23 2021
Blood On The Tracks
Bob Dylan
I try to like Dylan, but I rarely connect. I find I'm never paying attention to it. I appreciate his genius, and cultural significance, and there are some songs that I love, but overall it just doesn't move me.
3
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Wed Feb 24 2021
Protection
Massive Attack
It was nice to revisit Massive Attack. Also ended up revisiting Tricky. What does it say about me that I want to give everything a 3 4 or 5?
3
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Thu Feb 25 2021
It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back
Public Enemy
Another one I listened to recently, before it came up here. This is a classic. It reminds me of high school, and is just such an important album. I was listening to it in preparation for sharing it with the kids. It still holds up.
5
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Fri Feb 26 2021
More Songs About Buildings And Food
Talking Heads
4
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Sun Feb 28 2021
Sincere
Mj Cole
3
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Mon Mar 01 2021
Wild Gift
X
What's not to love about X?
4
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Tue Mar 02 2021
Rain Dogs
Tom Waits
What can I say? It's Tom Waits.
4
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Wed Mar 03 2021
Either Or
Elliott Smith
3
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Thu Mar 04 2021
Chicago Transit Authority
Chicago
Wow, this really showed me how unfamiliar I am with early Chicago. A couple of familiar tracks made it fun here and there. Too many guitar solos for me.
2
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Fri Mar 05 2021
Rip It Up
Orange Juice
3
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Sun Mar 07 2021
Make Yourself
Incubus
2
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Tue Mar 09 2021
It's A Shame About Ray
The Lemonheads
While I know this isn't an amazing album, it's like a big warm blanket for me. I listened to it A LOT in the 90s and listening to it for this put me instantly at ease. It speaks to a specific time in my life. My first instinct was to give a 5 because of how it made me feel, but after thinking about it more it needs to be a 4.
4
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Sat Mar 13 2021
Ready To Die
The Notorious B.I.G.
I appreciate his significance and cultural relevance but I just didn't connect with this album in any way.
3
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Sun Mar 14 2021
Blue Lines
Massive Attack
3
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Mon Mar 15 2021
Brothers
The Black Keys
4
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Tue Mar 16 2021
Purple Rain
Prince
No question this gets a 5. It's Prince. It's one of the more formative albums of my childhood. Purple Rain was the closing song of every dance in middle school and high school. It's a classic, he's a genius and it deserves all of the stars.
5
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Wed Mar 17 2021
Sticky Fingers
The Rolling Stones
I'm apparently handing out 5s this week. But c'mon, this album has so many great songs, and that album cover.
5
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Thu Mar 18 2021
Songs The Lord Taught Us
The Cramps
4
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Fri Mar 19 2021
Buena Vista Social Club
Buena Vista Social Club
4
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Sun Mar 21 2021
Beggars Banquet
The Rolling Stones
4
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Mon Mar 22 2021
Something/Anything?
Todd Rundgren
2
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Tue Mar 23 2021
Surrealistic Pillow
Jefferson Airplane
4
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Wed Mar 24 2021
Nothing's Shocking
Jane's Addiction
I cannot over emphasize the importance of this album. I wish I could say that I found it when it was released, because it really was at the beginning of the next wave of rock. A time in music that changed me, and my relationship with music.
5
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Sun Mar 28 2021
american dream
LCD Soundsystem
3
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Sun Apr 04 2021
Sound Affects
The Jam
4
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Mon Apr 05 2021
The Holy Bible
Manic Street Preachers
3
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Tue Apr 06 2021
Surf's Up
The Beach Boys
3
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Wed Apr 07 2021
The Seldom Seen Kid
Elbow
3
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Thu Apr 08 2021
Drunk
Thundercat
Funky and smooth. And Loggins and McDonald.
4
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Sun Apr 11 2021
Low
David Bowie
4
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Tue Apr 13 2021
1977
Ash
3
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Tue Apr 20 2021
Nighthawks At The Diner
Tom Waits
I just love the concept of this. And there's no one like Tom Waits. He does what he does so well.
4
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Thu Apr 22 2021
Otis Blue: Otis Redding Sings Soul
Otis Redding
It's Otis Redding. Doing what he does, so well.
5
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Fri Apr 23 2021
Off The Wall
Michael Jackson
This is one of my favorite albums of ALL TIME. I'd rank it higher than Thriller. But I had to give them both 5s.
5
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Sun Apr 25 2021
Surfer Rosa
Pixies
This album sit in my all time top 10, maybe top 5. The Pixies are such a huge part of my music fan development and really steered me in a specific direction. And this album is such a classic. I love every minute of it.
5
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Fri Apr 30 2021
Brothers In Arms
Dire Straits
1
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Sat May 01 2021
Californication
Red Hot Chili Peppers
I'm really disappointed that this is on the list. This is Chili Peppers album that made walk away from them. This album has no soul. Not that the band is particularly deep, it just feels like generic, SoCal rock and it makes me sad.
1
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Tue May 04 2021
For Your Pleasure
Roxy Music
3
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Sat May 08 2021
Dry
PJ Harvey
4
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Sun May 16 2021
Technique
New Order
3
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Mon May 17 2021
Talking Heads 77
Talking Heads
4
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Wed May 19 2021
Five Leaves Left
Nick Drake
4
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Fri May 21 2021
Supa Dupa Fly
Missy Elliott
4
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Sun May 23 2021
AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted
Ice Cube
4
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Mon May 24 2021
Psychocandy
The Jesus And Mary Chain
4
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Thu May 27 2021
Exit Planet Dust
The Chemical Brothers
3
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Tue Jun 01 2021
Hunky Dory
David Bowie
All I have to say is Changes, Oh! You Pretty Things and Life on Mars. It doesn't get much better than this. Bowie is a genius, and this is one of his best.
5
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Fri Jun 04 2021
The Village Green Preservation Society
The Kinks
I love the Kinks, but this is not my favorite.
3
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Mon Jun 14 2021
Automatic For The People
R.E.M.
I listened to the hell out of this at the time so I clearly loved it, but not my favorite. Just a little too poppy compared to some of their more complex stuff.
4
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Sun Jul 04 2021
Copper Blue
Sugar
I didn't need to listen to rate, but I did because I love this album so much. I had it in constant rotation when it was released. These are my favorite kind of songs. Dark lyrics, happy music. And so much personal storytelling. These songs make me so happy. And I have always love his guitar playing.
5
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Mon Jul 05 2021
The Bends
Radiohead
It's tempting to give all Radiohead albums a 5, but this one has to get a 4 since my connection to it isn't as strong as some others. But overall they make genius music.
4
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Wed Jul 07 2021
The Dark Side Of The Moon
Pink Floyd
3
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Mon Jul 12 2021
Penthouse And Pavement
Heaven 17
3
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Thu Jul 15 2021
Sign 'O' The Times
Prince
4
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Sun Jul 25 2021
Murmur
R.E.M.
A true classic. Not a bad song on here as far as I'm concerned. And what an influential album. An anchor to the college radio music wave.
5
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Tue Jul 27 2021
Tusk
Fleetwood Mac
For whatever reason this one of my least listened to FM albums. I generally think that everything they do is genius, but this one is a little too chill for me. A few great tracks on it though.
3