448
Albums Rated
3.28
Average Rating
41%
Complete
641 albums remaining
Rating Distribution
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Rating Timeline
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Activity by Day
When do you listen?
Taste Profile
2000s
Favorite Decade
Grunge
Favorite Genre
US
Top Origin
Wordsmith
Rater Style ?
79
5-Star Albums
29
1-Star Albums
Taste Analysis
Genre Preferences
Ratings by genre
Origin Preferences
Ratings by country
Rating Style
You Love More Than Most
Albums you rated higher than global average
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Rock Opera | 5 | 2.82 | +2.18 |
| Red Dirt Girl | 5 | 2.86 | +2.14 |
| Woodface | 5 | 3.1 | +1.9 |
| Roger the Engineer | 5 | 3.11 | +1.89 |
| Dear Science | 5 | 3.16 | +1.84 |
| Solid Air | 5 | 3.16 | +1.84 |
| Here Are the Sonics | 5 | 3.16 | +1.84 |
| Nothing's Shocking | 5 | 3.17 | +1.83 |
| Ritual De Lo Habitual | 5 | 3.19 | +1.81 |
| The Idiot | 5 | 3.21 | +1.79 |
You Love Less Than Most
Albums you rated lower than global average
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arrival | 1 | 3.49 | -2.49 |
| Achtung Baby | 1 | 3.3 | -2.3 |
| The Slim Shady LP | 1 | 3.29 | -2.29 |
| Younger Than Yesterday | 1 | 3.14 | -2.14 |
| Rubber Soul | 2 | 4.12 | -2.12 |
| Armed Forces | 1 | 3.09 | -2.09 |
| Autobahn | 1 | 3.09 | -2.09 |
| Heartattack And Vine | 1 | 3.07 | -2.07 |
| Chemtrails Over The Country Club | 1 | 3.05 | -2.05 |
| Water From An Ancient Well | 1 | 3.04 | -2.04 |
Artist Analysis
Favorite Artists
Artists with 2+ albums
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Led Zeppelin | 4 | 4.75 |
| Jimi Hendrix | 3 | 5 |
| Black Sabbath | 2 | 5 |
| The Smashing Pumpkins | 2 | 5 |
| Nirvana | 2 | 5 |
| Jane's Addiction | 2 | 5 |
| Red Hot Chili Peppers | 2 | 5 |
| Johnny Cash | 2 | 5 |
| Radiohead | 3 | 4.33 |
| Metallica | 3 | 4.33 |
Least Favorite Artists
Artists with 2+ albums
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Tom Waits | 3 | 1.33 |
| Randy Newman | 2 | 1 |
| The Byrds | 2 | 1 |
| Pet Shop Boys | 3 | 1.67 |
| Eminem | 2 | 1.5 |
| The Kinks | 3 | 2 |
Controversial Artists
Artists you rate inconsistently
| Artist | Ratings |
|---|---|
| U2 | 1, 4, 5 |
| Kate Bush | 2, 5 |
| Billy Bragg | 1, 4 |
| Neil Young & Crazy Horse | 2, 5 |
| Pink Floyd | 5, 2, 4 |
5-Star Albums (79)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
Tim Buckley
1/5
39 minutes is a long time to scream “I have sex”. Surprised there’s no cleverly innuendo named track ‘Lick my tube’
32 likes
U2
1/5
Nein. It’s like 4 session musicians all contributed their required piece to a contracted recording.
The cohesion, lustre, charisma, and taste of steamed lettuce.
20 likes
Pink Floyd
5/5
If there’s ever a list compiled of albums that should be listened to before you die, I reckon this one should be on there. A great mix of synth & guitar that they kind of ply on think compared to the normal amount of vocals on an album
16 likes
The Blue Nile
4/5
Goddamn this is a smooth album, especially Heatwave.
Very short.
First album/artist so far I know nothing about, and glad I’ve now heard it.
14 likes
OutKast
5/5
Takes a tusk to the expectations of a hip hop album. A few tracks I can miss, but on the whole a great listening experience, and a modern classic
10 likes
1-Star Albums (29)
All Ratings
The White Stripes
4/5
Hotel Yorba was the first song I heard of White Stripes. Offend in Every Way very Neil Youngish. Easily the best album of the list so far - Sack
Tears For Fears
3/5
This sounds like everything that played at Live Aid rolled up. No doubt many of us were conceived to ‘Head Over Heals’, but it falls over in the last song, which is troubling when it’s 1/8th of the album. Sweet bass on ‘Broken’
OutKast
4/5
As Marge Simpson’s psychologist would say: it’s a rich tapestry. Great tracks mixed with some not so. ‘Snapping & Trappin’ painful drum track- skipped.
Outkast always a mix of serious and taking the piss.
I like the interludes in albums, but there could’ve been some tracks dropped from this lengthy album that goes for ever. Forever ever?
Funkadelic
2/5
Track 2- sample for Rill Rill by Sleigh Bells was a surprise, probably my favourite track also.
Bit of a scattered album with more jam than a kid’s lunchbox. I think I’ve been put off long guitar solos at live gigs- Impressive, but don’t add much and can stall the vibe.
Michael Jackson
4/5
The Blue Nile
4/5
Goddamn this is a smooth album, especially Heatwave.
Very short.
First album/artist so far I know nothing about, and glad I’ve now heard it.
U2
1/5
Nein. It’s like 4 session musicians all contributed their required piece to a contracted recording.
The cohesion, lustre, charisma, and taste of steamed lettuce.
Echo And The Bunnymen
3/5
‘Take me internally’. This guy is a smooth operator.
I get the feeling this album was recorded in the album sequence, with the singer holding back at the start then unleashing a bit toward the end with 10 beers under his belt.
Thorn of Crowns a bit more interesting than the bulk of the album
More enjoyable after a few listens over the weekend- probably something the Friday albums will benefit from.
C-c-c-cucumber
C-c-c-cabbage
C-c-c-cauliflower
Men on Mars
April showers
Green Day
2/5
Very clean album. A bit too clean and predictable, I like a bit of fuzz.
Some good songs to listen to on their own, but BJ’s voice and guitar gets a bit grinding listening to a whole album.
Carpenters
3/5
Oh Marge... por vous. Close to You is a classic.
I remember listening to ‘I’ll never fall in love again’ on the Austin Powers Spy Who Shagged Me cassette tape, but I think that was the Burt Bacharach original/remake.
Single folk must hate this album.
Baby It’s You- just the right amount of sax 👌.
Some cool classics, intertwined with some dull
Willie Nelson
3/5
Not as country as i was expecting, even a splash of jazz . Effortless vocals
Note to self: listen to Willie Nelson when cranky
Fugazi
3/5
Had only heard ‘Waiting Room’ before from a different album. Bass guitar seems to drive the whole album. Can feel the influence roll onto some bands like nirvana/offspring etc.
ABBA
1/5
A few ok songs, but not the strongest hand to open with. Knowing me knowing you is a great track.
Not my cup of herring juice
Frank Black
2/5
Enjoyable, but nothing stand-out great. I hope there’s some Pixies later in the list. Music is good, but fairly same-same for the whole album
Black Sabbath
5/5
Love it from go to whoa. Bass & slapping drums that fit snuggly, guitar solos that added to the songs.
Tina Turner
2/5
I’m excited for the pending 1984!
A few too many power ballads for my liking to rate in turn. I Can’t Stand the Rain is best
Pet Shop Boys
1/5
I can't tell if this was made to be enjoyed. It's kind of a bit nothing, with a few hypo spots, be as it will.
If there was ever an album that didn’t need a secret track to drag things out...
JAY Z
3/5
Takeover and All I Need probably my favourites. Your reign on top was shorter than leprechauns. Enjoyed the Tom Jones-esque scream in U Don’t Know
The Zombies
2/5
Beatles meet beach boys. To quote The Mighty Boosh- “Elements of the past and the future combining to make something not quite as good as either.” Pleasant, not life changing
Napalm Death
3/5
A tough one to listen to while cooking dinner with the fam, so had a late night earphone session, kinda enjoyed the music at times... mostly the A side stuff with the earlier band lineup, the singer is clearly after adamant help from the Cookie Monster. A brave genre to introduce to the world in the 80s. How am I going to sleep after this?
Miriam Makeba
2/5
Pretty cool album to have playing in the background. Impressive tongue clicks. The track with the dude laughing was a bit weird. Would’ve benefited from including a marimba. Mike would like this
Beach House
3/5
Very cruisy and easy to listen to. A good album to listen to during a long haul on a bus. He echoes her vocals nicely to make that dreamy sound.
Iron Maiden
4/5
No mystery where Jack Black gets his metal voice inspiration from... although the vocals gets a bit irritating like a mini drone constantly hovering around. Guitar solos are pretty damn good. Would’ve been great to see live in the day. Pretty clear why Iron Maiden didn’t get a lot of airtime in our house while growing up 👹😈
The The
3/5
First impressions: Midnight Oil sound meets Billy Corgan vocals in some sort of win-win for the scalp wax industry. I didn’t mind it, felt like I was hitched ten feet in the air
Jerry Lee Lewis
3/5
Jerry likes his albums like Oompa Loompas: short, catchy tunes, German. Pretty fun little live injection with many songs I didn’t know were by the same bloke. When it comes to gems, this guy has all the jewelry. Relies heavily on classic musical scales.
Elliott Smith
4/5
Pretty nice layering, great for a relaxed background album. Vocals are unique, but for some people, probably push the album to the limit. Slot in a few great tracks, and this is a keeper
Ride
2/5
With an opening track named Seagull, I was pretty hopeful for this album. A bit dreary with some dreary harmonising to really drear it up. A few tracks a bit more ironed where the music drowned out the vocals
Pink Floyd
5/5
If there’s ever a list compiled of albums that should be listened to before you die, I reckon this one should be on there. A great mix of synth & guitar that they kind of ply on think compared to the normal amount of vocals on an album
Love
2/5
Neither here nor there on this one to give it a lot of coverage. Fresh, novel sounds that influenced later bands
Gang Starr
4/5
I really enjoy this era of hip hop. Arrested Development, Public Enemy, De La then prearranging taste of music to come in the following years.
The Allman Brothers Band
5/5
These guys hold a solo longer than carbonite, and they work better in the songs than normal dabblers. Really good
The Pogues
5/5
Takes me back to Sunday arvos at Duggan’s. The diversity in the tone of this album make these go up the order of favourite songs, and rustle my inner Irish Jimmies
Van Morrison
3/5
The song Moondance is one of those songs I’ve heard a million times, but not really appreciated. And come on, It has an exceptional melody. Crazy to think someone wrote that from nothing. Pretty cruisy album all up. Glad Tidings very much like Brown Eyed Girl
Dusty Springfield
4/5
Very smooth and easy to listen to with many tuneful & eddying flips. Rusted on classics such as Preacher Man & Windmills are great.
Sisters Of Mercy
4/5
When I read the genre ‘gothic rock’ I thought I’d not really enjoy it, but turns out it’s pretty cool. Similar to The Cure, and Flood II is uncannily similar to The Dandy Warhols’ “Boys Better”. Comfy resistors of the 80s trends
Jeru The Damaja
3/5
A nice slow, stay-in-your-head, ear jam. Juts out in some tracks more than others
Sabu
3/5
My SIL first moved over here from Cuba in the early 2000s. If you ever want to feel like cementing yourself as the most awkward white-guy dancer in a crowd, go to a Cuban party. The guy talking at the start of the 2nd track was sick. The drumming makes me want to slap a barstool for a pub conga solo
Earth, Wind & Fire
2/5
I like a few of the songs, but the falsetto gets a bit grating over an album. Good for the diehard winter fan, but I feel they have bigger hits out there for good reason
The Rolling Stones
3/5
Haven’t heard much acoustic Rolling Stones, or much beyond their big ones. Street fighting Man my fav. Keith Richards is the strongest hellion
Jungle Brothers
3/5
Good for a bounce around. Benched a fortune of oysters were my favourite lyrics. Nice simple beats
Anthrax
3/5
Probably translates well to a live show, attracting longtime following fans. A bit too clinical and clean to begin with, but losses up and gets funner as the album goes on. really like the music to ‘I am the Law’, but vocals are pretty annoying
Lou Reed
2/5
Lou leading the rude rebellion, but not a lot standing out for me. Must be one of those ‘minimum 7 listens to get into it’ type albums. Ain’t nobody got time for that.
Cocteau Twins
2/5
Growing on me and becoming familiar after a few listens over the weekend. Fotzepolitic and I Wear Your Ring are favs. Liked when it went acoustic
The Waterboys
3/5
Cool when it cuts between studio and amateur recordings. Sincere music and lyrics bestow hearty emotions. Bloody long
5/5
Fro got me onto The Beatles at 190 George, before that- just a famous old band. I think out of their albums, this is the best ale. No 2 songs alike
William Orbit
3/5
Seems like there would’ve been no stranger cog turning in the early 90s music machine. Pretty cool background music
Machito
2/5
Enough beats to thicken a mayo. Not heaps memorable
The Stooges
3/5
Fairly amateurish and repetitive music, which is where the charm lies and soothes. Gets better with age
David Crosby
3/5
Great start, but trails away in the second half. Some very Led Zeppelin 12 string guitar sounds. A few more stars on the cards by void’n those later dull tracks
Laura Nyro
2/5
Skillful, but grating vocals. A few decent songs, but lacking a royal run of tracks to make the list
Brian Eno
2/5
“I’ll come running to tie your shoe”. What a line for the ages. Torn, healed, regrown- Brian is all over the shop with some interesting industrial sounds, but not that appealing to me
Black Sabbath
5/5
Imagine putting this on for its first spin back in the day. Planet Caravan is a bit of a rad piano diversion from the rest of the album
Big Brother & The Holding Company
4/5
First Joplin experience- she has some lethal chirps. Loved the lead guitar too. Pretty chaotic album. Piece Of My Heart a cracker. Almost a 5, just a bit chaotic
The Prodigy
3/5
Feel like I needed to drop eighty tabs to get into this on a Tuesday morning. They have a certain sound that sets them apart from other electronic music.
Grateful Dead
2/5
Didn’t enjoy it as much as I’d hoped. Too upbeat or something. Like they deluged a fart of music and called it an album.
Raekwon
2/5
I listened to this going to sleep. A wreak on my ears. Plenty of cussing
Jefferson Airplane
4/5
A puristic loser will pan this album, but I really liked it, especially Embryonic Journey
The Undertones
3/5
Pretty fun album, some of the lyrics dethrone tunes from being better
Wu-Tang Clan
2/5
Not much of a lyrics person, but a certain usually-unflappable wife just called what she heard ‘grotesque’. These guys have gnawn a cult following over the years, but haven’t gotten into them.
Miles Davis
2/5
Cooler than peeing your pants. Would’ve made those divas smile, but not something I’d listen too often
David Bowie
2/5
An unavoidable widow of his legacy, I assume this was a dark time for him. Not my favourite
Grant Lee Buffalo
3/5
A refutable flagon of tracks, pretty good listen
Radiohead
3/5
Great start, but the brains I own aren’t enough to get past the lackluster 2nd half
Elton John
4/5
Elton worked a cobbled, oily orgy of piano for every track. Pretty damn good
Spacemen 3
2/5
Probably worth replaying if with the right crowd, but not doing much for me
Neil Young
4/5
This guy- no line towing in sight, always doing his own thing and not giving a shit. Very enjoyable
Randy Newman
1/5
Don’t wanna deny Mr Newman a good review, but can’t get past the comic voice, nor the bit in family guy where he’s “just singing about what he sees”.
The Black Keys
5/5
Bleak, sketchy sounds few & far between from earlier albums. All great
Turbonegro
3/5
Can’t tell if this band is a boner tug or what? Pretty good music most the time, but not anything I’d listen to often
The Beach Boys
2/5
Lots of harmonies, a bathe by echos. Not my scene.
Todd Rundgren
4/5
This is like finding a brand new shiny thing. Montage of many artists in one dude. Pretty good
Leonard Cohen
5/5
This album warranted you kit-out your headphones to maximum bass, for his vocals alone. Very much enjoyed to slow sultry tones of a man on the way out
The Doors
4/5
There’s no holier storm like Morrison, piano, guitar, and harmonica. A bit more honky tonk than I expected
Tom Waits
1/5
Written in the throws of morbidness, I hadn’t heard much of Waits before this. Seems to try to be weird for the sake of it
Leonard Cohen
2/5
I would have bet a fool’s seventh gonad that I would enjoy this, but it was pretty bland and annoying
Frank Sinatra
4/5
A true artisan, Frank serves up the goods as always
Sinead O'Connor
4/5
As a raccoon dines on crayfish, I ate this up. Great voice and like the slow tempo of the whole album
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
3/5
A few good songs to tempt. Toys around with some fun tracks
Lorde
3/5
Put everyone in alarm mode when it was released, great work for a teenager. Not something I’d listen to, but some catchy tracks
Coldplay
4/5
It’s hoot hour! Feed a bad sloth and you have to expect a good outcome, as they say. Pretty good and not grinding for a mainstream-y band. Takes me back to a trip home from Louth Races in TR’s car after I’d been bitten by a redback spider, tripping balls
Kate Bush
2/5
I know the vocals are meant to give you a shake, but I just can’t enjoy them. Some good parts
David Bowie
4/5
Cobain can you hear The Spheres singing songs off Station to Station? Notations toast its fun funky sound, love it.
Elastica
3/5
On a scale it balances well with good music, and perhaps influenced a few bands in the late 90s/early 00s. Pretty good, but a bit same-same toward the end, all of which could’ve been shorter
Beastie Boys
3/5
Some great tracks (Sabotage my favourite of theirs), and shows their songs aren’t all comic munition.
Fiona Apple
3/5
Like a flopped Italian, this album is kicking goals. Nothing too over the top, just decent talent
David Bowie
3/5
Bowie brooded a wise hive of great albums, but overall this one didn’t grab me. Some great tracks
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
3/5
A nice rubberneck hotel will put this album on high rotation. I must’ve been in the right zone, and really liked it
Metallica
5/5
A cracking Friday album. Kirk seems to always table a calm lick of the guitar to set off any track. Iconic drum track
Neil Young
3/5
Some awesome minimalist songs, and a few that drag in that blotch a genuine honey pot of an album
George Michael
2/5
All a bit cheesy, like a mega Glee choir. I liked a few but nothing amazing
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
Classic rimed hi-jinx, I would almost rate the drum track 5 stars alone
Iron Butterfly
2/5
The title track is truly not brief. From memory, the singer had skolled a ridiculous amount of alcohol when the bass player was transcribing the lyrics for ‘In the Garden of Eden’- hence named the album title instead. Overall not a great album, but garden is a great jam
Beatles
2/5
A lot on here I hadn’t heard. A few classics, but many blubbers a resolute tune. Usually a few listens wins me over
Terence Trent D'Arby
1/5
This album is a deterrent by nectar- a pretty sweet voice (except for the high screams he misses), but generally awful songs.
The Coral
2/5
I remember living ‘Goodbye’ back when it was released, and it gave me a chortle. The rest of the album is a bit lost in weird ska/carnival/rockabilly weirdness
Björk
4/5
Tasty as tubed squid
Aerosmith
2/5
Monkey on my back and What it takes best for me. Jumps around like a moist hare...trying to be too extreme
Talvin Singh
2/5
Having links to Indian music is pretty cool. I like it, but don’t love it... not quite an album for this list
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
1/5
Listening to this scarred me. Of all the voices that got fame...
Pink Floyd
2/5
Made me feel like taking a kip. Fondly sees their inception, but glad they improved from here
Brian Eno
4/5
Eno rejects a memo whether he needs to conform, making a pretty chilled out album. Needed a headphone listen, perfect after a mad day at work
Can
2/5
The warmth of a dusty furnace, relaxing background music but nothing life changing.
The Crusaders
2/5
Definitely reschedules a street rift between gangs with its cruisy vibe.
Röyksopp
3/5
A moody, poky sampler- knew a few songs and enjoyed ‘Remind Me’ the most.
Mariah Carey
2/5
Can truly fabricate a rhyme, and great pipes. Too churchy feeling for me
k.d. lang
3/5
Great voice- pipes of an old handsaw. Struggled to actually find the album online to listen to properly, though.
Suede
4/5
Credit where credit’s due. See used talent by this group I’ve never heard of, very much enjoyed it
Peter Tosh
3/5
I don’t know what “it” is, but if it’s a good time, then I’m all for it. Ohhhh there’s pot. Fun/relaxing album
Drive-By Truckers
5/5
Trying to get enjoyment out of country/western music is usually like trying to bucket dry rivers, but this one was great. Husky vocals, good music, tells a great story.
Beck
3/5
I remember illegally downloading a few of these tracks in high school. Ages back, hence awful quality- was good to listen to in a higher bit rate. Pretty good, some Vedder-ish vocals creep in
OutKast
5/5
Takes a tusk to the expectations of a hip hop album. A few tracks I can miss, but on the whole a great listening experience, and a modern classic
Ramblin' Jack Elliott
3/5
Boll weevils, bed bugs, and cocaine: this album covers all the scourges of the 1950s mid west. Lyrics with more flavor than black jam tortellini
The Mamas & The Papas
3/5
This album paps a masthead anthem in ‘California Dreaming’. Some other gooduns too. Some Beatles inspired (or vice versa) vocals and guitar on a few tracks
Hole
2/5
Some of the highs hurt. Violet coloured glasses needed to see past the fairly recycled song format
Cyndi Lauper
4/5
Thought it would be nauseous slush, but really liked it. Time After Time a classic
The Cars
2/5
This album impressed me like Thatcher scares tories. Didn’t do much for me
Beatles
5/5
Nothing like a great Beatles album to whet the labium.
Billy Joel
5/5
This album promotes ear strengths- varied and catchy and I haven’t heard it all together before
Ice Cube
5/5
Ice curbed a poetic ether of ideas still relevant 30 years later, and probably many years earlier
Richard Thompson
4/5
Have a few beers and a sing around the campfire, and the chards morph into this album. Enjoyed the vocals and much of the guitar
Public Enemy
4/5
Numbly piece this album together as one of the greats. Another I grew up with surrounded by older brothers.
The Smashing Pumpkins
5/5
Dearie me, mass regret on not listening to this whole album before now. What a cracker- perfect mix of all instruments and vocal
Derek & The Dominos
4/5
Eric “the kindred moose” Clapton at it again with a very catchy album soaring great guitar rhythm and solos.
Pixies
4/5
Passion above six out of 6. As cool as Kim Deal
Tim Buckley
1/5
39 minutes is a long time to scream “I have sex”. Surprised there’s no cleverly innuendo named track ‘Lick my tube’
Pet Shop Boys
2/5
The feeling of this album battle a school yuppy. A bit weird and pretentious, but I will give an extra star for being much better than the last Pet Shop Boys album
Super Furry Animals
2/5
A farmer sips unruly amounts of Blur and churns out this album. A bit so-so for me
Led Zeppelin
5/5
Has a spicy light affair with this album in 2006 ovoid with Shane. Great album
Serge Gainsbourg
3/5
Probably won’t snag our big score. It was definitely 2 things: ok and French
Kraftwerk
3/5
This album reexports a pureness in sound, didn’t mind it at all for a little change
Blondie
5/5
Was going for 4 stars, then Heart of glass came on late. Also liked Fade away and radiate, I know but I don’t know (Iggy Pop?). Diverse genres that rallies all pen types to write
The Electric Prunes
2/5
Nothing to eclipse current views on albums from this era
Bebel Gilberto
3/5
A potent atom of relaxation- I recognized her voice from a Buddha Bar album I use to zone out when studying
Eric Clapton
2/5
Clapton and a guitar- a duo overbalanced, but not as well as the other album on this list.
TV On The Radio
5/5
I really like this one and thought it was pretty groundbreaking when I first heard it, like another divot into the great fairway of life. Especially Red Dress, but especially Golden Age.
Deep Purple
3/5
With a stiff upper lip, reckoned I would’ve scored this high before listening... but the [impressive] solos dragged on for so long. If your epic song changes dramatically halfway through, then turn it into 2 songs. Black night a ripper
A Tribe Called Quest
4/5
Noteworthy. He led the way in early 90s hip hop. Another one I like
Caetano Veloso
2/5
A cool eve sonata, pretty relaxing.
Abdullah Ibrahim
1/5
Ha... I brim with hope that I would one day endure an instrumental jazz album. Today is not that day
Nirvana
5/5
Always a good narrative. Union of all of the good things coming out at the time. Penny royal tea and Heart-shaped
Box favourites
Pixies
4/5
Have always liked the Pixies’ slight weirdness. Kim Deal’s vocals and bass surfs our ears into a better place. A few tracks are a miss
Queen
3/5
Went in thinking I’d preheat a hot giant 5 stars. Was a bit disappointed that between the hits, there were numerous misses
Joan Armatrading
4/5
Letting out plenty of data jarring moans, this one had plenty of smooth soul
ZZ Top
4/5
Was expecting a few short embers of enjoyment, but that was really good. Knew of them, but hadn’t hear much - if any- of their music. Toight
Billy Bragg
1/5
I’m sure I’ll be shown to brag gibly, but this was a tough listen. Can respect the messages, but what a slog
Hanoi Rocks
1/5
Tie back my cyst, Troy! This was woeful
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
Born to Run single has a bursting presence, the rest I can take or leave.
The Smiths
3/5
Plenty of goodness emerges. Ace a newsworthy album and it will go well. nothing flashy, just good music
The Smiths
3/5
Heads need quiet spaces to appreciate this album. Pretty good and inoffensive
Paul Simon
3/5
Walking through a piano slum, some good, most ok.
Janet Jackson
1/5
Runs a little thin on my hart- nothing jumps out as need-to-hear
Sade
3/5
Smooth operator un folded a mini memory tucked away in my brain. Pretty cool
Solange
4/5
You can glean so much insight about others from an album like that. Some good music also
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five
5/5
Grandmaster Flash- he eats gems and spits them out in song. This whole album could be just the message song and still get 5. Can see big influence for Outkast
The Cardigans
5/5
Is there a genre for pop that is alternative? Really liked it. Humming liked charged satin.
Steve Winwood
3/5
Pretty rad. Voice far from enticing, but not too shabby.
Tom Waits
1/5
A voice more like a cadaver than a kitten, I just can’t enjoy it. It’s like Tom Waits is the South Park guys lampooning Tom Waits
Air
3/5
The album is driving saucier instrumentations through the speakers. Some very good tunes, a little slow in some places
The Prodigy
4/5
Brian Eno
3/5
Ended up listening twice, quite pleasing for my one brain cell.
Bob Dylan
2/5
Flubbed, timid, a monotony of vocals. Not doing it for me
The Pretty Things
4/5
Very Beatles-y, but not in a bad mimicking way. They tip strength in the psychedelic rock better than the fab 4, albeit not as catchy
John Martyn
5/5
Not a single disharmony nor jilt on the whole album. Probably one of the best discoveries for me so far
Boston
2/5
Like a joke in a bonbon to toss at Christmas, this starts off well, but gets old quick
The Byrds
1/5
Doesn’t really trot your rhino shorts. Ebbed & flowed, but mostly ebbed.
Super Furry Animals
2/5
The intro growls a hundred growls, but tapers off a bit. Not as enjoyable as their previous album on our list
Leonard Cohen
2/5
I really liked the album he wrote as he was dying a few years back- but wrongly attributed his predicament as his muse for songwriting - seems like that emotion was there even in the 70s.
I’m sure it gives orgasms for mono-tone vocal lovers, but didn’t do it for me.
Pulp
3/5
Hadn’t heard the song ‘Help the Aged’ since about 2000 when Ali G freestyled over the top of Jarvis. Very funny, he was a childish supporter of the band.
Didn’t mind it.
The outro is still going as a write
Belle & Sebastian
2/5
Fairly non-impressive baseline bleats. I like some on other albums
Ray Price
4/5
I was fixing a greasy mower while this was on. Could not find a filthier panegyric for this album, I really liked it. Felt like I was transported to the era
Dirty Projectors
4/5
Flaps around more than an erotic bat, yet somehow appealing. Most songs went places unexpectedly, which I like. One song in particular had off-key singing, was not a fan
MGMT
5/5
Like a crap calculator user, this album presses a lot of buttons with unexpected results. Some masterpieces on here. Tossing up between 4 & 5, can’t punish it due to a lack of 4.5 option. 5 it is!
Electric Light Orchestra
2/5
This album climbs up and collects a higher critter than the last. Still doesn’t do a lot for me
Radiohead
5/5
They look like a mock troupe, but this is one of the best going
Faith No More
4/5
These guys had hot iron fame in my house when I was a kid. Mike Patton’s vocals grinding, but somehow is what makes the album.
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
2/5
Try to smell a meaner poker face of that audience. Some very good music technically, but not much cohesion
Minor Threat
2/5
Another trim range of music and vocals. Lots of influence over later bands such as early Offspring
The Cure
3/5
The great tracks secedes nonevents, which are in too great numbers, though the album as a whole has a cool vibe. Drum track isn’t grating despite being repetitive
Arctic Monkeys
5/5
A good bit of sticky romance, loved this when it came out. Was tossing up between 4 and 5, 5 stars firmed up the more I listened
The Pogues
3/5
A few we used to play at the Irish pub in Bathurst (Jack Duggan’s) with a few tracks as potent as deathly mushrooms. Didn’t enjoy it as much as the last album of the Pogues on this list.
The Sonics
5/5
More nice shots than I expected, with classics littered throughout. Definite influencers of Black keys, who covered ‘have love will travel’
Fatboy Slim
5/5
A balmy foist of fun and unexpected beats was unleashed to the world in 1998. A beauty
TLC
2/5
Feels like it wants to simulate the coccyx orally. Zest is in no short supply, but not for me. Waterfalls obviously the best
DJ Shadow
2/5
Listened to this on a road trip, album pretty much finished, and I barely realised it was on. Not adding nor deducting points for working with Zack De La Rocha later down the track.
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
They’re some tight buns. Antihero of the proud yanks, I like Dancing in the Dark but feel the album is a bit overrated
Motörhead
4/5
A smoothed escapade for the listeners, despite the vocals being fairly unshifting . Some cracking tracks
Iggy Pop
5/5
This ode hit it on the head. I really liked it much more than his (I assume) layer heavier stuff
Muddy Waters
2/5
While it warmed dusty parts of my road trip , I couldn’t get past the very repetitive trill on the harmonica which was always the same note through the whole album
The Byrds
1/5
Similar to some albums of yesterday, a tone-hungry list of songs that raises little interest
Sly & The Family Stone
2/5
A stalled fist synonym- threatens to punch, but doesn’t deliver. A few good moments, but I was ready for more
The Jam
5/5
Donates scuffs to the shoes. Just the right amount of everything. Particularly liked ‘Music for the last couple’
The Birthday Party
1/5
Thirty bad therapy sessions wouldn’t be as painful as this album. Can’t think of a subtle redeeming quality of this clusterfuck of noise
Keith Jarrett
4/5
Above others by a head and neck. The control over the keys was pretty cool. Mixed up a lot of timing too. Enjoyed more than I expected
Al Green
4/5
The general of smooth
Jane's Addiction
5/5
Another candidate joins the top tier. A very fun album, saw these guys at the 2001 big day out
David Gray
3/5
Plenty of heralded wit, I didn’t mind this. Reminded me of Gomez a bit
Morrissey
3/5
No sorer is my ear for listening to this album- not life changing, but pretty cruisy. No stand-out moments
Gang Of Four
5/5
The bounce of a frog. Gun drum and bass cohesion, very much enjoyed it
Pink Floyd
4/5
Methinks a foredoomed rating incoming.... was assuming a 5, but can’t justify it. Felt myself thinking “get on with it” too often between some great tracks. Sorry to my father in law in advance
Sex Pistols
4/5
Would’ve been a good live show, six topless sweaty band members screaming and doing their thing on stage. Gets a bit samey, but enjoyable nonetheless and punk institution
The Youngbloods
2/5
Fairly non event and a-phenomenal. Nut it out over how it made the list. Not awful
The Undertones
3/5
Plenty of honest tenured tracks, with a certain simplicity.
AC/DC
4/5
Thought I’d know a few more on it, but only a couple. very driven album, would probably grow on me with more listens. Highly expected to whale after Scott’s death, the band have gone on well.
The Who
3/5
Plenty of good musicians in the band. Why moot them? I didn’t mind it, and know it’s a concept album, but it’s probably more up Helen Keller’s alley.
Big Star
2/5
A lot of drivelers. This sort of vocals in particular are not too appealing
808 State
2/5
The album has a neat tensity running throughout, but doesn’t do much for me. Time & place
Billy Bragg
4/5
May have been a media maneuver to merge these acts, but it works. One of my favourite songs (stemming from playing guitar at Jack Duggan’s Irish Pub in Bathurst) is on this album- Way over yonder in the minor key. Sounds like an album that would grow on me to be a classic
John Grant
3/5
This guy has a manque kneed for lyrics, sings about anything and everything, and is pretty funny. Some pretty good music too, but all a bit out there.
The Police
3/5
Some pretty catchy sing-along tunes. I won’t cop the lie that the track ‘Mother’ made it onto the album on purpose.
Sting was pretty good at digging Timmy O’Toole out of that well.
Julian Cope
1/5
Lo, pan juice has more talent than this. Couldn’t get through it
The Replacements
4/5
Rough and rusty. I really enjoyed every chapter’s element of surprise, especially the slow burning ‘unsatisfied’.
New Order
4/5
Saw these guys at my first Big Day Out in 2002. Joy Division lost their lead, but still flowered. Lower in a few new band mates, and keep going. Very easy to listen to
Little Simz
4/5
Someone’s having a rage year- full of anger and frustration. Listened through this short album twice, and really liked it.
The Smashing Pumpkins
5/5
Huge anthems, skipping mush and fillers. The strings play a huge part
Death In Vegas
3/5
A hectic start that soothes into niceness. A good alternative break from many vocal-heavy albums
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
2/5
I like a lot of Neil’s songs, but this album is a bit of a gargled orgy of his vocals (that can get old fast) and drums & rhythm that are way too boring and repetitive. Both times I’ve seen him live, things dragged on a bit too much. Maybe I don’t like his music as much as I thought.
The Who
4/5
Was looking forward to this like the improved next show following the previous album, which didn’t live up to the sound of ‘The who’ I had in mind. “Won’t get fooled again” is amazing. I assumed Limp Bizkit wrecked ‘Behind Blue Eyes’, but even the original is pretty shitty.
Otis Redding
4/5
Dried ingots of pure soul. Was a bit disappointed to learn most are covers, rather than the other way around. Went from 5 to 4
Joy Division
2/5
Thought I’d flock to this like the US joins oil discovery, but was way too dreary for me to enjoy
Traffic
3/5
Listened through twice… didn’t do heaps for me. Would improve their craft if a better singer involved
Sam Cooke
3/5
Strong as an oak, comes from a time I’d love to be a fly on the wall of dance halls back in the day.
Fats Domino
5/5
The album finds a hot mitosis of soul and blues, a great insight to the times.
Lauryn Hill
3/5
Like a hilly lunar surface, it has its ups and downs. Wasn’t awful
The Specials
3/5
‘I once heard Ska described as "what plays in a 13-year-old kid's head when he gets extra mozzarella sticks" and nothing in this world is more accurate’ - @NeverOnBrand
I would’ve thought it would make this list a sheepish spectacle, but I didn’t mind its cheekiness.
Emmylou Harris
5/5
If there’s a holier summary of pre-lame country music, this must take the cake. A very easy voice to listen to
Compared to the last album of U2, this one is fairly decent. Hunt a hotly available spot on the list, some very catchy melodies mixed with its fairly lame lyrics. Begrudging 4 stars
Leonard Cohen
3/5
Smooth, but I feel everything is a little overdone. May I mourn the amount of Cohen on this list? Yep, he’s pretty cool, but come on.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
5/5
I’d riot if canonical albums like this weren’t included. One of my favourites and a long-term resident in the tape deck of my Tarago when I was in high school. I can understand people not enjoying all their stuff, but there’s just something about the Peppers. Only downer- a bit too much rhymy stuff in Around the World.
The Verve
5/5
A great album that braves uneven rhythm at times. Many sing alongs to boot. I don’t know if ‘The Drugs Don’t Work’ refers to party drugs or antidepressants, and I won’t find out
Belle & Sebastian
3/5
They’ve never been a ballsiest group, but they do their thing well. Always pretty relaxed and catchy
Beatles
3/5
You can table these with a lot of the simpler early Beatles’ songs. Pretty cool to see their progression
Muddy Waters
3/5
The album daydreams thru a wading swamp of cool.
The White Stripes
5/5
Enough to heal pent up energy, great to listen loud. That slightly unpolished sound that makes it so good
Janis Joplin
4/5
Listening to this a little tired & hungover on the first day of Jan. Slip joints into the mix for the perfect combo. Not quite the gusto in the voice of the previous album by JJ, but powerful nonetheless
Mercury Rev
2/5
A merry curve from the norm. Very Flamings Lips-ish, but not quite as entertaining
Penguin Cafe Orchestra
1/5
Hefts a pure carcinogen that is as mysterious as its inclusion in this list
George Jones
1/5
Lots of dreary vocals that hang tortured to the end. Why do so many old love songs just sound like the diary of a creep?
Madonna
4/5
I remember as a young kid this got plenty of airplay. Reeks of Prince production on guitar, which is great. Didn’t mind it actually
Creedence Clearwater Revival
5/5
The whole album’s vocals and music comforts a cosy part of my brain.
Joy Division
2/5
This is a cult classic, but is a bit of weak nonplus runes… had to be there I guess
Ramones
4/5
The vocals are a bit of a moaner’s sermon, but I did enjoy this. Especially the straightforward slapping drums. A must-hear for this genre
The Avalanches
5/5
A suite of nicely mashed together samples and beats. Frontier Psychiatrist probably my favourite
Lana Del Rey
1/5
We all yearned for groundbreaking follow ups to her debut, but this is not that. The vocals on the first track are woeful- was it on purpose?
Arcade Fire
5/5
Real fun, one of my favourites actually. A mix of slightly left field music and lyrics
Willie Colón & Rubén Blades
2/5
Hard to rate these one, like their from the same rib. That slapping bass in the first track needed to endure a bit more throughout
The Modern Lovers
2/5
Resolved the norm of this genre, not a lot in it for me
Jane's Addiction
5/5
Great album, my 2 year old even asked for it again after we danced through the first. Perry’s voice certainly does habituate a loud rill.
Various Artists
4/5
Makes you feel chipper, slots into the list well. Feels like the less-painful versions of many known songs.
Pulp
4/5
I knew a few of these singularly, but the whole album was very good. Great music with plenty of ‘let’s dance’ riffs.
Gillian Welch
4/5
I found my calling while sitting on my roof and replacing 1688 screws: this album. I’m not sure if was the slight fear of heights, dehydration, or exposure, but it resonated with me
Lightning Bolt
1/5
A windblown furore of noise. The book describes it as being challenging to listen to. Couldn’t have said it better
Aerosmith
2/5
A few karmic soothers, but overall too sloppy on guitar especially
Bob Dylan
5/5
Haven’t had a lot of exposure to Dylan, but I really enjoys this. ‘Maggie’s Farm’ nabbing a rock limelight from Rage Against The Machine
Kate Bush
5/5
Some folk feel Kate’s voice sucks the steam out of a song, like an oven hood’s flu, but I don’t mind it. Some crackers on here, and plenty covered by other bands- a testament to the song writing.
The Smiths
4/5
I liked this one, very catchy despite going against a lot of things I like. The vocals- something dreamier must exist, yet they’re still strangely enjoyable
Elbow
3/5
Overall fairly methodised. Kneels in comparison to others in the same genre, but I reckon it could grow on me
Steely Dan
5/5
Jades a neatly cut album, very enjoyable!
Thin Lizzy
4/5
This is not what I thought Thin Lizzy sounded like, was expecting much more glam rock for whatever reason. The 70s dangled a souvenir for many future bands, and passed on a fair legacy
Primal Scream
2/5
Didn’t put me into a calm prism, too busy and not catchy. Not awful, but not a game changer.
New York Dolls
3/5
Look like some swollen dorky dudes, but I didn’t mind this album’s roughness and intensity
Simon & Garfunkel
5/5
Really enjoyed a lot of these, especially Cecilia. Some smoking funeral songs amongst the tracks.
Kraftwerk
1/5
About as interesting as fake Bhutan artwork.
Metallica
4/5
Like a camel tail on a horse, it still works but isn’t the same as the original
The Kinks
2/5
Above as interesting as the skink in my garden. Pretty bland
Bee Gees
2/5
This album gets far agreeable ratings from some, but not a lot in it for me. I thought I may have matured into it a bit, but it wasn’t to be.
Milton Nascimento
3/5
This one was pretty catchy. Plenty of musical highs, and lows only equaled in scuba diving.
Spiritualized
4/5
I liked the vibe of this one, and how it utilizes rapid tempo changes. Some the the tracks drag on a bit
Arcade Fire
4/5
Have always liked these guys’ works, and this is no exception. Not quite as on fire as some of their others, but enough heat to barbecue a turd fisher’s catch
UB40
4/5
I don’t always go sniffing for reggae, but this was very relaxing
Beastie Boys
3/5
Some beats fat enough to base obesity on, but vocals a bit grating and repetitive over the length of an album
Stevie Wonder
3/5
Must’ve been a stoned review to put this in rather than one of his more upbeat albums. Still enjoyable, but nothing incredible. His voice seems a lot different to later songs
Taylor Swift
2/5
A soft, twirly album with a couple of catchy beats and songs, but too bubble gum for me
Miles Davis
2/5
Started off as a dog’s breakfast, then transformed into the best rich web of sound. A shame that first track was 15 minutes of shambles, or would’ve scored it higher
The Yardbirds
5/5
A recording to ignore the green areas of music of the time and influence many future sounds. I liked that it covered so many genres in the one album
LL Cool J
4/5
Ladies Love Cool James manages to nut a commodious autonomic album full of great tracks
Orange Juice
2/5
I trip up trying to work out where this album fits, a fair bit of Bowie influence I reckon. A weird and forgettable
The Band
4/5
Take a load off Annie is a 5 star track for me, overall a great album that had bent my ears out of shape
Rage Against The Machine
5/5
A favourite in my younger years- a gatecrashing enema hit of power. And no, Paul O’Brien, Rage is not just Linkin Park with a political twist. Fuck you
Jamiroquai
4/5
JQ isa bit of a guilty pleasure of mine- a thorny replacement gene in my side. A work truck I used to drive had a CD on constant rotation- it grew on me.
Ryan Adams
4/5
Pretty catchy and easy to listen to. The songs harken a merry database of lyrics to bring it all home
The National
2/5
I used to enjoy hearing the odd song on the radio, but when I saw them live it was too much song-after-song, so I left and saw another band. Listening to the album is much the same. The one part I can get past is his vocals- a heathen light volition.
2/5
Not doing much for me, would rather hit skunk spray than listen to too much more.
Deep Purple
5/5
Hotter than a pepper duel, each instrument plays out of its skin and is so well recorded. Every track a cracker
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
5/5
Countless reverent plusses in this album. I love the bookended first and last tracks, and have always like the track ‘Powderfinger’
Wilco
4/5
Ended up listening through about 3 times. Enjoyable, but nothing really stuck with me, like waiting for the rest of the iceberg while not quite knowing if you’ve seen it. Definitely thought the intro to ‘Outta Mind’ was leading to a cover of the Sesame Street theme song.
The Beach Boys
3/5
The Beach Boys coasted a hobby into a huge musical career- while not my favourite genre, I appreciate the songwriting and harmonies
George Michael
3/5
Looking down from a elegiac height, plenty of good beats but lyrically didn’t work for me.
Blur
5/5
Sticks in you like a burr. Bull-at-a-gate kind of energy, which I enjoyed very loudly on a road trip
Johnny Cash
5/5
The prison’s antennas quit after seeing the reception Cash gets from the inmates. Loved the interaction with the crowd and him stirring them and the guards up.
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
Plenty of saliva, blood, sex in this album. Musically tight and appealing
R.E.M.
3/5
Interesting to listen to their debut, and had not heard any of the tracks before. Vocals not quite as developed into Stipe’s signature weirdness. As punchy as rum. Rum not quite fully aged
Sonic Youth
3/5
Was heading for a 4 with some great songs, but some tracks were absolute stinkers that raise their heads and cough too noisy. Liked the mixing up of vocalists
Justice
5/5
Some say soccer is just a competition between great actors. Well, I can’t act like I don’t like this album. I also can’t help but think it’s because of Peter Bresnik, who surely got me into it. A dancey time was had. Not a classic, but can’t give it less than 5
The The
2/5
A bit wishy-washy and no kick. Less appealing than loincloth sumo lining
Beck
4/5
He has a way with composition, and heading in very unpredictable directions. The randomness of some lyrics sometimes feels like a bleak decoy of words due to running out of ideas. Still some great tracks
Elliott Smith
3/5
Is there a homelier elitist troth stronger that Elliot fans? Tragedy aside, it’s enjoyable but a little lackluster
Adele
4/5
Vocals that are as slippery and enticing as an eel ad. Some big songs, mixed with a few middle-of-the-roads.
Badly Drawn Boy
2/5
I like a few tracks from their movie soundtrack album a few years later, but nothing on here jumped out at me. Vocals a bland wordy bay of meh. Little interludes weren’t really needed
Joan Baez
4/5
A jab zone of sharp vocals and powerful songs
Tracy Chapman
5/5
A pharmacy can’t provide you with anything stronger than this short sharp album. Really liked the acapella track
Randy Newman
1/5
Sounds like a insanely wayward man jibbering on about nothing. Some woeful lyrics. If there was ever an album that didn’t need bonus tracks….
Duran Duran
4/5
A rad runaround of catchiness. So of the better 80s synth music
CHIC
5/5
I think more people would like disco than care to admit. The bassline in Good Times is worthy of 5 stars alone, really like that it was sampled and squires a lot of later tracks.
Brian Eno
1/5
His holy mush be offsetting any positives from this album
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
Great riffs, melody, lyrics makes this an all-trend delicacy
Massive Attack
3/5
I crept onto this album a few times, mostly because it didn’t get my attention too much and it was over before I realized. Very relaxing
Erykah Badu
3/5
Uh, daybreak after a brewery tour, and up early with toddler. Not a bad album for a slow cruisy morning. I think I liked the second half of the album best
Parliament
5/5
I’m the last person to have the right to label something as cool, but this is cool. Enough funk to ricochet pension month around in the dance floor
A Tribe Called Quest
4/5
A delectable squirt of early 90s hip hop that is really easy to listen to. Can I Kick It? an obvious stand out track, but all pretty good
Hugh Masekela
4/5
I really enjoyed this one… well compared to the jazz album from a few weeks ago. It’s trying to hush mega leak- this jazz thing is alright
The Stooges
2/5
Tried to like it, but it’s just the same riff repeated over & over- not just in each song, but every song. Still fuses enough soot to get 2 stars, and isn’t horrible.
Led Zeppelin
5/5
Like swallowing a deep zen pill, takes you to a very good place. Love the integration of harmonica and mandolin to complement the other sounds. Bonham my favourite drummer.
Massive Attack
4/5
As putting on a mask activates Jim Carrey, putting this album on takes me to a different place. Very enjoyable
Ryan Adams
3/5
A hard worker who earns his goddamn salary. Some real slow burner tracks, and I really like ‘Nobody Girl’ in particular. Other tracks a bit yawn. This one anagrams oddly
Slipknot
3/5
Probably an album everyone should experience once. Very hectic and enough generating enough heat to top kilns. I saw these guys at a Big Day Out, out of curiosity. The drummer was particularly impressive, but a little too regimented.
Willie Nelson
4/5
Granddad here trees with the best of them 💨. A very pleasant album with one of the nicest voices around
John Lennon
2/5
Everyone knows the namesake track from a mini age, but I don’t think I knew any other tracks. Could be telling, or could be one to grow on me later.
John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers
2/5
Surely someone blares rebukes for recycling the 12-bar blues over a whole album.
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
3/5
These tracks emit out a sense of calm with their simple 3-4 instrument max input, much more enjoyable than other hectic albums with no [discernible] time signature.
Prince
3/5
Pretty good, but a bit synth-poppy; lacking in guitar, which he shreds and usually allows him to rip purer pinnacle songs
The Saints
4/5
Eternalises a thorny, lusty sound that I hadn’t heard much of before. Pretty good
Bruce Springsteen
2/5
Attempting to bask near the glory of other albums, this one doesn’t do much for me. Feels like forced sentimentality
Metallica
4/5
What do you get when the Swedish Chef cooks spaghetti? Pasta of Muppets.
Hetfield, the ever-faster poet, pumps out the lyrics but I think it’s not quite on the same tier of some of their other albums.
The Monkees
1/5
Harkened a mother’s quest to be pretty bland and uninteresting. Should’ve stuck to the ghost writers and session musicians.
Neneh Cherry
4/5
A pretty fun album, including some huskier wails. I’m sure I recognised the first track from when I was very young
Bruce Springsteen
2/5
Pretty ordinary all over. Very basic drum track. The hardest part to listen to- Bruce’s voice- she’s known a forgotten deed of the past by the sounds of it. Particularly the walrus in the throes of dying at the intro & outro of track 3.
Led Zeppelin
5/5
Top album, loves learning to play Babe I’m Gunna Leave You on guitar. Dazed and Confused is like slipping after taking a deep zen pill.
Nas
5/5
Hotter than a Manilla tic’s bite, I liked this much more than expected. Uncomplicated and easy to listen to
Dire Straits
5/5
A really easy-listening classic. Knoplfler- with his barnstormer yet calming guitar licks really make it. They don’t try to overdo it or complicate things
The 13th Floor Elevators
4/5
When I read the band had conducted sly sheepish LSD trips during recording, a lot started to make sense. I didn’t mind it at all. That weird noise throughout is someone making noises into an old jug…
The Pharcyde
2/5
They parched the lyrics department dry for all the N bombs and dick jokes. Only saving grace was just catchy beats, but was a struggle to listen to. I expect better from Gary Larson
The Stone Roses
2/5
Not bad music, but the vocals/lyrics tether nooses to the vibe to make it all a bit drab.
Isaac Hayes
4/5
I must’ve missed the track ‘Chocolate Salted Balls’, but I say each as good as the other- a great listen
Dr. Dre
4/5
I’m not even sure I’m listening to the actual album. Seems to be hard to track down. Anyway, what I heard was recorded rich nth degree detail, and obviously a few big popular tracks.
Sparks
4/5
Like Chris from Family saying Hi ominous monkey, this one sneaks up for a nice surprise. Some pretty good unions of all instruments
Television
4/5
Just as a mosquito relieve no men, this one circles around looking for an opportunity to bite. I liked it, plenty of good hooks and got some vibes of The Strokes. ‘Elevation’ surely influenced The Cardigans’ ‘Lovefool’
Gil Scott-Heron
5/5
This was really good, has a way with words. I liked his explanation of The Blues and the jazz song about Watergate. Reminds me of antiwar icier men like Michael Franti and Billy Bragg
Red Hot Chili Peppers
5/5
Enough stank that it bails a gorged muskox from the podium. One of my favourite all-time albums, and a feature cassette in the Tarago.
Michael Kiwanuka
4/5
Had a couple of listens, really liked the simple reverby guitar throughout- Has some whack aim unalike Vintage Trouble. A good listen
The Monks
2/5
I back milkmen to deliver, unlike this album.
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
4/5
I feel like I’ve heard this one before. It bounces a songster shyly into the spotlight. A good combo/mix of voices and writing styles
The Lemonheads
4/5
Hotter than a yeti’s Bahamas tour. Really easy to listen to
Franz Ferdinand
4/5
Catchier than a dinner fad, but not quite big enough to start a war. Really enjoy Dance of the matinee and This fire
Living Colour
2/5
Our long civil engagement with 80s music gives or takes influence from a few familiar bands- chili peppers, Soundgarden, Faith no More to name a few. Not awful, but not a huge fan of this album
Queen
4/5
Pretty good, especially May’s guitar of course. A lot of these songs, to me, are new. Quite Freddie “The reason we’re successful, darling? My overall charisma, of course.”
Supergrass
4/5
Sure grasps an element of fun. Good
To listen to loud
Michael Jackson
3/5
Enough pep that it jolts off a mechanical whelk. Fairly certain he was a fiddler, so always conflicting to listen to MJ. A strong start that peters out a bit
The Jam
3/5
Enough energy to jostle a decathlon. Hmm… pretty ok all round,
David Bowie
3/5
Pretty good while lacking any of his big numbers, but some of the purposefully out of time piano parts sanded a nail down a chalkboard.
Hawkwind
4/5
Pretty good listen, very obscure psychedelic rock. Only annoying part was the weird prophetic ramblings. Made me hallucinate and wield a turnip hacksaw, running around the house.
R.E.M.
4/5
REM manage to Pipette a hot ace roomful of tracks, particularly preferred the 2nd half more- some favourites- Man on the Moon and Night swimming.
Joni Mitchell
4/5
Big & tasty, like a jumbo lentil chile. Killer vocals and great songwriting
Elvis Costello
3/5
I like the fairly basic makeup of this album. Somewhere in his vocals a stimuli looms secretively.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
5/5
A great and relaxing listen. I always forget about reggae, it blames your boxed and sheltered world of music choices.
Fugees
5/5
Listening to this is like getting your teeth into some culture, like a soft cheese urge. I felt like I was listening to a very tight knit family
Goldfrapp
4/5
Floatier than a unit of mantle, takes you on a very easy-listening trip
Brian Eno
2/5
Thought I’d accidentally put on some hypnobirthing music. Somatic furors rip off the bandaid quickly to listen to this one.
The Rolling Stones
5/5
Gimme Shelter is one of those perfect songs, and a great intro track. Many tracks tell betide and elusive stories.
Marty Robbins
5/5
I barnstorm by Country music most of the time, but this album was a cracker. Very good story teller. Paints a good picture of what life may or may not have been like in the era
Donovan
4/5
The album gives a positive vibe, a spur in humaneness. I like the harpsichord and sitar sounds. I read Jimmy Page played on this pre Led Zeppelin
Frank Ocean
4/5
Delves into a rank genre of nonchalance, very smooth and easy to listen to. Well produced
Eminem
2/5
The overall vibes hammer pathless thrall of difficult listening. I feel if you don’t care about people/media think and say about you, then writing an album about it defeats purpose. Some good beats & lyrics, but too dark overall for my liking
Solomon Burke
2/5
The album bulks on Romeo-esque poetry, but is all fairly run of the mill.
The Beach Boys
3/5
A freshest chubby soup of sound. Didn’t like it initially, but second half improved. Student protest a stand out
Depeche Mode
4/5
Deciphered a moot love between rock and electronica , a string album
Paul Simon
4/5
The upbeat vibe puts a smell upon a cardigan that you can enjoy with each wear. Call me Al always a favorite, second half better than first
Marianne Faithfull
3/5
Plenty of pain here, and her ink belongs to be read.
2Pac
4/5
2Pac molting a watershed moment, changing the game. Sounds like he knew his shooting death was only a matter of time. That synth sound gets a flogging, and it’s great
Harry Nilsson
3/5
Charging into these like snarly rhinos, he seems to have a fair bit of fun in the recordings and a good musician. Very Beatles-ish sound. Not sure if his medical advice, however.
Rod Stewart
4/5
I really liked this, a good mix of raspy voice and good guitar (especially). Always seems to be a creepiest overtly sultry dude with an undone bow tie around his neck, but I don’t know a lot about him.
The Fall
2/5
All heft and no bite. Too repetitive, songs built in very repetitive little guitar licks.
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
2/5
You’d struggle to accrue a motlier thirty minutes of sound. All a bit airy and no punch
The Stranglers
2/5
Ok, but nothing that stands out. ‘Peaches’ tossing curvature references to the wind.
Talking Heads
2/5
Just coming out of the coma I suffer from the album. Nothing too impressive
Pet Shop Boys
2/5
A vibe hour, but nothing much I can get into. All a bit overproduced and underwhelming
Judas Priest
3/5
The album births elites in the rock/metal works, and you can hear a lot of influence of Metallica and Van Halen etc.
It just doesn’t do much for me
Run-D.M.C.
4/5
I was today years old when I figured out Run D.M.C are the names of each MC. Simpler times, good tracks
Queen
3/5
Queen always grabs you with the melody and vocals, then a secret earthquake comes rumbles through Brian May’s guitar. This was ok, I only knew Killer Queen and I’d need another listen for anything else to stick
King Crimson
2/5
These confectioners might think our palates will enjoy the initial burst of sugar (track 1 was great), but in the end it stunk
M.I.A.
4/5
A great clash of cultures with an aim of not giving a fuck
Michael Jackson
5/5
Some huge songs on here. Is Mr Shrill a technical joke, or pure genius? I think both
Roxy Music
2/5
Left me feeling a little coy. Six rums in may make it more enjoyable, but no lasting impresssion
5/5
The album certifies hot stormy lyrics with raw guitar. Have always loved a few of these tracks
The Band
4/5
‘The Weight’ always puts a bumping coif smirk on my face, though I think I attributed to their other album in the list. A few other good tracks, like long black veil.
Missy Elliott
4/5
Pretty fun album, with the limitless toy of Timberland on board. A springboard into some cracking later songs
Beyoncé
3/5
Had only heard a song or two once by chance before. Pretty good, I liked the snippets of her from when she was a kid.
Run-D.M.C.
4/5
Some great tracks on here. Reminds me of growing up with my older brothers. Was headed for a 5, but there were a few later songs that were like munching a driller’s bit.
Stan Getz
4/5
Plenty of tang zest in this one. Probably the most enjoyable jazz album in the list to date.
Thelonious Monk
2/5
Not bad, no barren sonic trill as some jazz albums have been.
Mudhoney
4/5
Big influence on the alternative scene. Honed yum sounds and a loose style to make a pretty good album
Johnny Cash
5/5
This man’s portfolios are ridiculous. The interaction with the crowd, the live mistakes, the warden announcements… and that’s before you consider the music & lyrics
Led Zeppelin
4/5
Great album that features the 12 string heavily, even a bit of banjo that I’ve never picked up on before. Puts me in a trance like a deep zen pill.
Travis
3/5
Travis- the overt shaman with the pipes. Pretty enjoyable for a slow day
Steely Dan
3/5
Not a bad album, but any huge enjoyment for me lays tensed up deep down somewhere.
Cypress Hill
3/5
Like biting into a crispy shell, full of unexpected flavours. Pretty fun listen
The Killers
5/5
Plenty of skill there, a great mix of electronic and rock. Kept being surprised at how many great songs kept coming
Mike Ladd
1/5
Usually a sucker for a bit of protest hip hop, bu this is dead milk. Nothing catchy, lackluster vocals, and poorly produced
Tom Waits
2/5
Like a wading motorist, I was taken by surprise by this one. And not in a good way. Too piratey/carnivaly to enjoy. Yo ho
Cat Stevens
4/5
Great album to feather a little norm into my day. Strong songwriting
Green Day
4/5
Sharp and to the point like a dead-eyeing rook. Many good songs and probably their peak before sliding into mediocrity. American Idiot wasn’t bad either.
The seamless transition into Long View was marvelous
Nightmares On Wax
2/5
Smoother than a hog milk dessert, but nothing that stands out
Eminem
1/5
This one has slid my average rating down a bit. Pretty dismal
Portishead
4/5
I hoarded this trip by way of a couple of listens, partly because it’s good, mostly because it’s only on YouTube. Awesome contrast of the singer’s soft vocals with the harsh industrial sound
Stevie Wonder
4/5
Plenty of inversions in sound, ‘Living for the City’ an absolute cracker
Destiny's Child
4/5
Snitched idyls to make an album with powerful track, and the music is pretty good too
Mylo
4/5
This takes me back to the CSU uni bar in 2004. A few tracks try crooked rolls and beats, but overall pretty fun. Best tracks Drop the pressure , Sunworshipper, In My Arms
Venom
3/5
Surprised this is from so early in the 80s. I didn’t mind it, and seems to back all movement toward more modern sounds including Metallica
5/5
I’m generally all hate/jeer/shout when it comes to U2, but this was pretty good. Bono’s still a bell-end, though
Joni Mitchell
3/5
An above par soundtrack, was good to have on in the background for Wifey’s birthday dinner
John Cale
1/5
In the realm of interesting and slickness, this is far from rich jalapeños. Mostly dull, Macbeth was ok
Depeche Mode
4/5
Just as a feces’ mists humors most, this album is strangely pleasant, dark & mysterious
Underworld
3/5
Pretty enjoyable, but not for everyone. I think I saw them at my first Big Day Out. Enough BPM to make you want to cede a fishnet’s stunning tooth.
Bob Dylan
3/5
I thought listening to bland boy on a train would bolster the experience. No such luck. It’s not bad, but it is overrated.
Let’s go Swannies!!!
Frank Zappa
4/5
Some of those guitar pieces grab the listeners by the throats and commands a listen. Some of the stuff got a bit weird, but it’s all very entertaining
The Triffids
4/5
A clear tune throughout and non offensive. Pretty cruisy
Foo Fighters
5/5
Dave grohl on the vocals… drums… guitar… bass. I wonder if he wrote with the foresight of others playing the parts. Some unreal guitar riffs from left field. A cracking album and one of my favourite bands. He just yelled too much in later years.
The Icarus Line
3/5
I didn’t mind it, a bit too buzzy in guitar. Far from a scene pioneer, sounds like a melting pot of everything from the late 90s/ early 00s.
The Kinks
2/5
A few tracks get homeliness right, but all over pretty dull
Paul Weller
3/5
Pretty good easy listening rock/folky stuff. I like the chunky acoustic solos. A lot of willpower would deal up an album like this.
B.B. King
4/5
Sure to elevate, alright. One of those shows you’d love to be a fly on the wall for. Great voice & guitar
Shivkumar Sharma
3/5
Cooking up Himalayan beats like a lovely tall chef. Pretty cool, but always hard to rate these
The Shamen
3/5
This list has a bit of a sheen attachment with British 90s EDM. Almost guaranteed to make it. It was ok
Joni Mitchell
3/5
To cite John Mill: this one of Mitchell’s good, but not as good as her others
Little Richard
4/5
A classic opening, and unique voice and delivery… Plenty have tried, but nobody has recreated his thrill. Almost a 5, but how much twelve bat blues can one man take?
The Clash
4/5
Pretty good, the many varied sounds hatch a tech’s hell to mix
Fleetwood Mac
5/5
Fantastic, favourite The Chain. Would’ve been good to see at their peak. Must’ve been a welcomed forums tour back in the day
Sheryl Crow
4/5
Some great songs in here, a little over-produced which seems to cowl her cry at times. Strong Enough and All I Wanna Do are crackers, the later was huge when I was a kid
Crowded House
5/5
This list is letting me appreciate local bands on a global scale. Love this album. Always pleased or seduced who ever listens.
Norah Jones
4/5
Wow, a meaty chime of relaxation. Perfect dinner music when stressed. No real standouts, but all over Rancho Relaxo
Amy Winehouse
3/5
When it comes to Winehouse, to her we owe minus. Yeah, a lot of issues, but a great songwriter and performer. Album tailed away and ended a bit abruptly, still enjoyable
Suzanne Vega
2/5
Pretty big in the USA. Zen vegan kind of vibes that were a good listen, but didn’t do much for me.
Bob Dylan
2/5
More overrated Dylan, hurray. I’d rather blend neon blood into my food
Cheap Trick
2/5
I liked the lesser known songs better, maybe some inspiration for Motley Crue and the like. Not that excited about dank lame-rock ‘I want you to want me’, but Surrender is ok.
Jeff Beck
3/5
Some great songs and covers that allow you to trek butch vocals and music
Beatles
3/5
Pretty good singles, but not quite ya standard high expectation for the Beatles
Nirvana
5/5
Always bending up angular versions of their own and other’s tracks, this is a classic. I probably know these versions better than the studio versions
Einstürzende Neubauten
1/5
Not sure how this would fair in an ‘ask’ poll rather than some editors’ picks. A tough listen in any language
The Temptations
3/5
Clued in in this one being a good’un. A good listen, but doesn’t do grapevine justice.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
Enough raw energy in her for a leonine extremist. No huge tracks, but ticks along nicely
Radiohead
5/5
A hidden broadsheet of songs that are a must
Morrissey
3/5
Some rosy rimes to be had.
4/5
I really liked this, having not heard much of the band. A good complement of vocals & music. However, the sting of the songs gets too leeched across the length of each track.
5/5
A huge album that I remember coming out when I was 10 or so. Pumped out of glaring noisy rooms everywhere, an absolute classic
Ray Charles
4/5
This was very good. Charles managed to shout a refreshingly ace set of vocals, despite the lyrics giving away a heartbroken man. “When you’re alone, who cares for starlit skies?”.
Manu Chao
2/5
It was Spanish, it was French- what more can be said? A good tonsil dance
Jorge Ben Jor
3/5
I can’t understand the lyrics, but I’m sure it’s a scribal fair. Very cruisy
Iggy Pop
4/5
Sometimes a little musically repetitive, but this one is pretty good. Some tracks smoother than truffle oils.
Method Man
2/5
About as interesting as a thematic almond. Not much happening to get me in