My User Albums Journey

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User Albums Journey

Exploring beyond the book, one album at a time

View 1001 Albums Summary

Albums Rated

2.49

Average Rating

Rating Distribution

Rating Timeline

Taste Profile

2000s

Favorite Decade

Electronica

Favorite Genre

other

Top Origin

Perfectionist

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5-Star Albums

1-Star Albums

Breakdown

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Albums

You Love More Than Most

Album	You	Global	Diff
Dimanche à Bamako Amadou & Mariam	5	3.31	+1.69

You Love Less Than Most

Album	You	Global	Diff
Enema Of The State blink-182	1	3.37	-2.37
Continuum John Mayer	1	3.11	-2.11
Elmer Gantry's Velvet Opera Elmer Gantry's Velvet Opera	1	2.95	-1.95
Don't Throw Stones THE SPORTS	1	2.84	-1.84
Piledriver Status Quo	1	2.82	-1.82
In the Aeroplane Over the Sea Neutral Milk Hotel	2	3.54	-1.54
Nonagon Infinity King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard	2	3.44	-1.44
Version 2.0 Garbage	2	3.42	-1.42
Madvillainy Madvillain	2	3.39	-1.39
The Hazards of Love The Decemberists	2	3.35	-1.35

5-Star Albums (1)

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Popular Reviews

In the Aeroplane Over the Sea

Neutral Milk Hotel

2/5

This album gets rave reviews from everyone so over the years I think I must have tried to listen to it at least a dozen times. I love lo-fi indie music, heck its one of my favourite genres, but for some reason I just can't get into this album, in particular I really find the lead vocalist's voice to be annoying AF. I'll file this under "What am I missing?"

10 likes

The Beautiful Letdown

Switchfoot

2/5

This album was perfectly named, it was indeed a letdown.

9 likes

Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum

Tally Hall

2/5

I really appreciate how these User Albums expose us to a really diverse range of music that I would never otherwise listen to, sometimes they click but sometimes they don't. Unfortunately this one fell with a thud.

5 likes

Apostrophe(')

Frank Zappa

4/5

I have mixed feelings about this album, I'm a huge Zappa fan, but this isn't one of my favourites. During this mid-70s period his humour became too sophomoric for me with songs about pee, masturbation and other bodily functions. The only redeeming song for me here is Uncle Reemus which echoes the classic Zappa virtuoustic sound. But seeing as he released over 60 albums over 30 years and this list only includes 1 or 2 albums is just plain sinful. So I'm bumping this up a bit to address this travesty.

5 likes

Oil of Every Pearl's Un-Insides

SOPHIE

3/5

Thanks to whoever submitted this offering as I would never have listened to it otherwise. I'm not a big fan of this brand of hyper-pop but I must respect their originality, especially in some of the more experimental tracks.

4 likes

4-Star Albums (7)

1-Star Albums (5)

All Ratings

No.1 In Heaven

Sparks

2/5

This was produced by the legendary Giorgio Moroder and it influenced (arguably) the greatest single of all time - Joy Division's Love will tear us apart, so what could go wrong? Well its corny and dated as hell, but I'll give it an extra point for being highly influential.

Nuyorican Soul

2/5

Seeing the names of the all-stars on this album was encouraging, but the songs with vocalists (mainly Jocelyn Brown) are too poppy for my tastes. The few instrumental numbers that lean towards jazz are a significant improvement. Overall, this easy listening latin jazz/pop went down easy, but it left me wanting a bit more substance.

Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino

Arctic Monkeys

3/5

This was better than expected, and Four out of Five is a nice crowd pleaser.

McDonald and Giles

Ian McDonald

2/5

I'm a big fan of King Crimson so this is a nice find. However, early 70's prog was pretty "out there" and this is no exception and it sounds a lot like early Gong. This is a also bit too folky and and not enough King Crimson for my tastes.

Madvillainy

Madvillain

2/5

This album has gotten a lot of love on various lists but I don't get it. The beats and lyrics are pretty run of the mill to me.

Control

Pedro The Lion

2/5

This was aight, I get Pearl Jam vibes from the lead vocalist

Relatives in Descent

Protomartyr

2/5

I like a good post-punk album, but this was a bit too raw and abrasive for me.

El Circo

Maldita Vecindad Y Los Hijos Del 5to. Patio

2/5

Kumbala was cool, but the rest of the album didn't resonate with me.

After Hours

The Weeknd

2/5

I tried to like this but the dream-pop, repetitive drum machine and his high pitched vocals really got under my skin. The only redeeming thing about this album was Blinded by the light.

The Beautiful Letdown

Switchfoot

2/5

This album was perfectly named, it was indeed a letdown.

Recipe for Hate

Bad Religion

2/5

If you're in the mood for some straight-ahead, no nonsence, ol' fashioned punk this is a great record to put on. Unfortunately I wasn't in the mood, but if I was....

Maestro

Kaizers Orchestra

2/5

This Norwegian rock definitely has a different vibe to it. I thought Christiania was the best song, very reminiscent of the Red Hot Chillis. I probably wouldn't seek it out but its was a novel listen.

Dimanche à Bamako

Amadou & Mariam

5/5

This is one of my favourite World music albums, A&M are great and with Manu Chao producing it, this is just lightining in a bottle. I've been listening to this regularly since 2005 and I never seem to tire of it. Most of the album is killer with no filler.

Discosis

Bran Van 3000

3/5

When listening to the first song I thought, wow I really like those Curtis Mayfield vibes! But upon closer inspection, I discovered that it really was Curtis Mayfield! Kudos to DiSalvio for assembling such a notable bunch of legends for this album, but its almost too much of a good thing as it clocks in at over an hour and there's quite a bit of filler. But the good moments do shine.

I Need to Start a Garden

Haley Heynderickx

2/5

Not my jam

In the Aeroplane Over the Sea

Neutral Milk Hotel

2/5

F♯ A♯ ∞

Godspeed You! Black Emperor

4/5

If there's a list of the best post-rock bands there are two Canadian bands that have to be included: Godspeed and Do Make Say Think, from Montreal and Toronto respectively. I do love DMST the most but GYBE have their charms. This debut by GYBE is dark and foreboding and I do think their subsequent Lift your skinny fists was better, but this was pretty rad back in the day.

Poesía Básica

Extrechinato y Tu

3/5

Well that was a fun listen. Accessible and entertaining.

Tomb

Angelo De Augustine

2/5

I see that this guy is on the same Ashmatic Kittly label as Sufjan Stevens, and he definitely sounds like Sufjan lite. I Could Be Wrong is nice, but the samey sameness of every song on this album and his oh so delicate voice gets a bit tedious after awhile.

Rêver mieux

Daniel Bélanger

2/5

This album will be good for a dinner party where you want something in the background with not much happening. Unfortunately, it’s a little bit to poppy and bland for me.

Continuum

John Mayer

1/5

Nonagon Infinity

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard

2/5

the first song was pretty good, but then it seemed to continue on for the rest of the album. Very samey samey samey samey

Version 2.0

Garbage

2/5

Manson has a cool voice but beyond that this album isn't very exciting.

King Tubbys Meets Rockers Uptown

King Tubby

4/5

I'm glad someone suggested this as Dub is sinfully under-represented in the book. This dates from the mid-70s so the effects are somewhat crude but still very effective today. King Tubby basically invented this genre, putting echoes and reverb into the forefront for a psychedelic effect that would probably best be listened to in a hazy room full of ganga smoke. I also love the drum flourish that introduces almost all of the songs. The highlight for me is King Tubby Meets Rockers Uptown which has spectacular reverb action for the drums, melodica and vocals and a remix of Baby I love you so.

Cleopatra

The Lumineers

2/5

of course everyone thinks that Ophelia is good, but the rest was pretty meh TBH

Zuckerzeit

Cluster

3/5

Comparisons with their fellow Krautrock peers are inevitable and I must say I much prefer the more melodic Kraftwerk or the spacey/prog sound of Tangerine Dream. I think these guys really start cooking when they're joined by Eno, but alas Eno is nowhere to be found on this album.

Weezer

3/5

Definitely better than other American post punk bands like Green Day, the highlight of course is Buddy Holly

I Am

Earth, Wind & Fire

3/5

This is a fun, vibrant offering. It may be a bit too commercial sounding for me but one can't deny these guys are tight and skilled musicians with a knack for writing happy, brassy, funky tunes.

Night Drive

Chromatics

4/5

The Chromatics have done some great covers over the years, I'm on fire, Into the black and this album features an absolutely gorgeous version of Running up the hill. This album had a nice transition from Side 1 to an atmospheric Side 2. Great recommendation and a great find!

Fuzz

Chucklehead

2/5

This some pretty obscure funk and I notice that most songs only have a few thousand listens on Spotify. Its fun stuff albeit a bit dated and comparisons with Earth Wind and Fire that I just got yesterday are inevitable, unfortunately its hard to compare to EWF.

Apostrophe(')

Frank Zappa

4/5

Because the Internet

Childish Gambino

4/5

I think Donald Glover is one of the most incredible talents around. I just love his TV shows, Atlanta and Mr & Mrs Smith, and his music is pretty fly as well. I’m not a huge fan of rap but I can appreciate the excellent production and performance here

Music For People In Trouble

Susanne Sundfør

2/5

The Lion's Roar

First Aid Kit

2/5

Considering that I don't like folk I was pleasantly surprised, I didn't love it, but pleasantly surprised.

A Live One

Phish

2/5

Vedergällningen

Garmarna

3/5

The description said Swedish Folk so I wasn't expecting much, but this was much better than expected. Nice driving rhythms and strong vocals. Thank you to the person that suggested this one!

Oil of Every Pearl's Un-Insides

SOPHIE

3/5

Dogrel

Fontaines D.C.

2/5

I was surprised that this post-punk record came out in 2019, it sounds more like something you would hear in the 80s or 90s. It doesn't really do much for me though

Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum

Tally Hall

2/5

The Best of The Hot 5 & Hot 7 Recordings

Louis Armstrong

3/5

Dixieland swing isn't my jam, I'd much rather listen to Be Bop and Hard Bop, but Louis Armstrong's influence on jazz and hell, all modern genres of music is undeniable.

Daisies Of The Galaxy

Eels

3/5

Don't Throw Stones

THE SPORTS

1/5

Piledriver

Status Quo

1/5

Elmer Gantry's Velvet Opera

1/5

Enema Of The State

blink-182

1/5

Racine carrée

Stromae

3/5

Very interesting blend of Belgian/French dance/ world music. I must admit that prefer the other great Belgian group Balthazar though.

The Hazards of Love

The Decemberists

2/5

Interesting Indie concept album and if I had time to listen to the lyrics/story I may have gotten more out of it, but as someone else said, they are too one dimensional in their sound

Hand. Cannot. Erase.

Steven Wilson

3/5

Fans of Porcupine Tree will definitely like this as its basically an extension of that sound. First Regret sounds remarkably like Rush, but the remainder is the driving prog/rock sound that PC is famous for.

22, A Million

Bon Iver

2/5

Bon Iver is definitely an acquired taste, and apparently it is something I haven't acquired.

Sublime

2/5

Englabörn

Jóhann Jóhannsson

4/5

This is a very low key entry and its understandable why its under the radar of most listeners. A lovely blend of modern classical, ambient and electronic music. I listened to it 3 times and it got better every time. This one is a grower folks.

Give Up

The Postal Service

4/5

DNTEL meets Ben Gibbard and good times ensue. This is a very nice album with some lovely electro-pop songs.

Carrie & Lowell

Sufjan Stevens

3/5

I really loved Illinoise, Seven Swans and Michigan back in the day but somehow I've gotten really tired of his waif-like whisper vocals. Despite all the rave reviews, I think that this album was just ok.

"Awaken, My Love!"

Childish Gambino

3/5

Donald Glover is a formidable talent, his TV shows Atlanta and Mr & Mrs Smith are simply brilliant. Also the single Redbone is arguably one of the songs of the decade. Unfortunately apart from Redbone there wasn't much on this album to excite me, hence it only gets a middling 3 stars from me.

Wild Planet

The B-52's

3/5