Jan 14 2021
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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
Jan 15 2021
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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
Jan 16 2021
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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
Jan 17 2021
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At San Quentin
Johnny Cash
4
Jan 18 2021
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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
Jan 19 2021
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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
Jan 20 2021
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Tical
Method Man
Enjoyed this, but nothing really jumped out at me. The integration of jazz made me want to listen to Jazzmatazz.
3
Jan 21 2021
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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
Jan 22 2021
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The Renaissance
Q-Tip
3
Jan 23 2021
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Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden
3
Jan 24 2021
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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
Jan 25 2021
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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
Jan 26 2021
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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
Jan 27 2021
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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
Jan 28 2021
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Dog Man Star
Suede
3
Jan 29 2021
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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
Jan 30 2021
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Tea for the Tillerman
Cat Stevens
3
Jan 31 2021
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Sister
Sonic Youth
3
Feb 01 2021
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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
Feb 02 2021
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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
Feb 03 2021
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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
Feb 04 2021
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Mama's Gun
Erykah Badu
She's such a badass. And this album is so good. Funky and soulful.
5
Feb 05 2021
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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
Feb 06 2021
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Bluesbreakers
John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers
3
Feb 07 2021
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Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
3
Feb 08 2021
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Songs Of Love And Hate
Leonard Cohen
4
Feb 09 2021
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I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You
Aretha Franklin
4
Feb 10 2021
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Vanishing Point
Primal Scream
3
Feb 11 2021
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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
Feb 12 2021
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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
Feb 13 2021
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A Love Supreme
John Coltrane
3
Feb 14 2021
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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
Feb 15 2021
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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
Feb 16 2021
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Illmatic
Nas
4
Feb 17 2021
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Guitar Town
Steve Earle
4
Feb 18 2021
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The Score
Fugees
We actually put this on the other week, to share with the kids. It will always hold up.
4
Feb 21 2021
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Casanova
The Divine Comedy
4
Feb 23 2021
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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
Feb 24 2021
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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
Feb 25 2021
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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
Feb 26 2021
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More Songs About Buildings And Food
Talking Heads
4
Feb 28 2021
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Sincere
Mj Cole
3
Mar 01 2021
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Wild Gift
X
What's not to love about X?
4
Mar 02 2021
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Rain Dogs
Tom Waits
What can I say? It's Tom Waits.
4
Mar 03 2021
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Either Or
Elliott Smith
3
Mar 04 2021
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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
Mar 05 2021
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Rip It Up
Orange Juice
3
Mar 07 2021
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Make Yourself
Incubus
2
Mar 09 2021
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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
Mar 13 2021
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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
Mar 14 2021
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Blue Lines
Massive Attack
3
Mar 15 2021
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Brothers
The Black Keys
4
Mar 16 2021
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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
Mar 17 2021
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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
Mar 18 2021
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Songs The Lord Taught Us
The Cramps
4
Mar 19 2021
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Buena Vista Social Club
Buena Vista Social Club
4
Mar 21 2021
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Beggars Banquet
The Rolling Stones
4
Mar 22 2021
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Something/Anything?
Todd Rundgren
2
Mar 23 2021
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Surrealistic Pillow
Jefferson Airplane
4
Mar 24 2021
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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
Mar 28 2021
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american dream
LCD Soundsystem
3
Apr 04 2021
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Sound Affects
The Jam
4
Apr 05 2021
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The Holy Bible
Manic Street Preachers
3
Apr 06 2021
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Surf's Up
The Beach Boys
3
Apr 07 2021
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The Seldom Seen Kid
Elbow
3
Apr 08 2021
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Drunk
Thundercat
Funky and smooth. And Loggins and McDonald.
4
Apr 11 2021
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Low
David Bowie
4
Apr 13 2021
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1977
Ash
3
Apr 20 2021
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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
Apr 22 2021
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Otis Blue/Otis Redding Sings Soul
Otis Redding
It's Otis Redding. Doing what he does, so well.
5
Apr 23 2021
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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
Apr 25 2021
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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
Apr 30 2021
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Brothers In Arms
Dire Straits
1
May 01 2021
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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
May 04 2021
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For Your Pleasure
Roxy Music
3
May 08 2021
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Dry
PJ Harvey
4
May 16 2021
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Technique
New Order
3
May 17 2021
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Talking Heads 77
Talking Heads
4
May 19 2021
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Five Leaves Left
Nick Drake
4
May 21 2021
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Supa Dupa Fly
Missy Elliott
4
May 23 2021
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AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted
Ice Cube
4
May 24 2021
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Psychocandy
The Jesus And Mary Chain
4
May 27 2021
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Exit Planet Dust
The Chemical Brothers
3
Jun 01 2021
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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
Jun 04 2021
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The Village Green Preservation Society
The Kinks
I love the Kinks, but this is not my favorite.
3
Jun 14 2021
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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
Jul 04 2021
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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
Jul 05 2021
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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
Jul 07 2021
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The Dark Side Of The Moon
Pink Floyd
3
Jul 12 2021
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Penthouse And Pavement
Heaven 17
3
Jul 15 2021
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Sign 'O' The Times
Prince
4
Jul 25 2021
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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
Jul 27 2021
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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