My 1001 Albums Journey

Album	You	Global	Diff
Slipknot Slipknot	5	2.67	+2.33
Yeezus Kanye West	5	2.77	+2.23
Ctrl SZA	5	2.92	+2.08
A Seat at the Table Solange	5	3.01	+1.99
Golden Hour Kacey Musgraves	5	3.1	+1.9
Blood, Sweat & Tears Blood, Sweat & Tears	5	3.17	+1.83
S&M Metallica	5	3.26	+1.74
1989 Taylor Swift	5	3.27	+1.73
Bitches Brew Miles Davis	5	3.3	+1.7
The College Dropout Kanye West	5	3.31	+1.69

Album	You	Global	Diff
MTV Unplugged In New York Nirvana	1	4.21	-3.21
The Gershwin Songbook Ella Fitzgerald	1	3.53	-2.53
Blackstar David Bowie	1	3.48	-2.48
One Nation Under A Groove Funkadelic	1	3.42	-2.42
This Is Fats Domino Fats Domino	1	3.38	-2.38
At Fillmore East The Allman Brothers Band	1	3.38	-2.38
My Aim Is True Elvis Costello	1	3.35	-2.35
A Girl Called Dusty Dusty Springfield	1	3.33	-2.33
Sunday At The Village Vanguard Bill Evans Trio	1	3.32	-2.32
Made In Japan Deep Purple	1	3.29	-2.29

Artist	Albums	Average
Metallica	4	5
Led Zeppelin	5	4.8
Miles Davis	4	4.75
Kanye West	3	5
Black Sabbath	3	4.67
Marvin Gaye	3	4.67
AC/DC	2	5
A Tribe Called Quest	2	5
Jimi Hendrix	3	4.33

Artist	Albums	Average
Tom Waits	5	1
The Divine Comedy	2	1
The Fall	3	1.67
Sonic Youth	5	2
Scott Walker	2	1.5
Pere Ubu	2	1.5
Elvis Costello	2	1.5
Randy Newman	2	1.5
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band	2	1.5
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds	5	2.2
Roxy Music	3	2
My Bloody Valentine	3	2
The Rolling Stones	6	2.33
Morrissey	4	2.25

Artist	Ratings
George Michael	4, 1
Funkadelic	1, 4
Deep Purple	4, 1, 4
Nirvana	4, 1, 3
Tim Buckley	3, 1, 4

David Bowie

3/5

a. Starting off with a song that is the title of the album is bold. Making that song ten minutes long is even bolder. I’ll confess, I am not a huge Bowie fan. But this album has Golden Years which is one of my favorites of his since it is on the Knight’s Tale soundtrack. It’s one of the highlights of that movie where the entire cast dances to the song before the tournament, breaking the fourth wall. I’m sure David was proud of that when he was watching the film. Of course, I am writing this while the first song is still playing. Halfway done but that’s halfway closer to those Golden Years. I think one of the reasons that Bowie never really resonated with me is because it’s difficult to hear him on most songs. The music itself is louder than his voice and that is shown on this track. Golden Years! What a treat. I still don’t understand many of the lyrics (hard to hear him) in the song but I still sing along (sometimes even dance along wearing a full suit of armor). I’m enjoying Word on a Wing. There is a magic with David Bowie where you can have his music playing, not really hear what he is saying, but how he is saying it along with the actual music makes for great background music. It’s also wild that there are only six tracks on this album, not even 40 minutes long when compared to current day musicians trying to have multiple hours on their album. I wish I could hear him as he talks about TVC15, is that a new type of VCR or radio from back then? He was very ahead of his time so I wouldn’t put it past him to make predictions in his songs. Stay is interesting because when the song started, that is exactly what I wanted to do but as it went on I kind of wanted to Go. Wild is the Wind sounds a little bit like the rest of the songs but I hate wind in most of its forms so I totally agree that it is wild and hard to control. Is he ruminating on that presumption or telling it to someone? Either way, this was an enjoyable album that, even remastered, feels like the 70’s.

Ramones

3/5

One of the most classic songs starts out this album that is more than twice as long as David Bowie’s album the same year. By length I do mean tracks because time wise it is ten minutes shorter. I think back to when Freddie Mercury told the executives when pitching Bohemian Rhapsody: “I pity your wife if you think six minutes is long”. Maybe David Bowie taught Freddie, I’m not sure. But the Ramones certainly are of the philosophy “get in and get out”. As much as I am a fan of shorter songs, can a song that is ninety seconds long be considered a song? It is pretty wild to see how far punk rock has come from the Ramones. Loved the cool use of a chainsaw on the song Chain Saw but then the beat goes right back to their last four songs. At least each song ends before I even have a chance to skip it due to their length. Again, these are great songs to have on in the background of a party or a punk rock type gathering but I wouldn’t listen to it otherwise. Now they want to sniff some glue. I did do a quick play through of three or more songs and they all started with the exact same drums and guitar riffs. I could sing Blitzkrieg Bop during each of these songs and my tempo wouldn’t be off at all. Ok I even tried another two songs and it was the same. I’m laughing as I write this because Listen to My Heart starts out different but quickly goes right back to the beat. They became famous from this so who am I to tell them what success looks like.

Stand!

Sly & The Family Stone

4/5

Now here we go! Starting off with a song that is the title of the album is bold. Making that song only three minutes is just right. But I do see a 13-minute Sex Machine coming so I am sure Freddie Mercury would approve of that length. Very upbeat so far, I have not listened to this album before but a few of the songs. The second track was longer but felt very short and that may have been them repeating the chorus quite a bit but it was still a strong message. I Want to Take You Higher is a total classic, I’m trying to remember what movie I heard it in, but I’m sure it was football or sports related. It’s interesting that this album is seven years older than the prior two but it feels better produced. The sound quality is better and the vocals are much clearer. Enjoyed Everyday People and the undertones of a lot of these songs commentating on what was going on in the country around this time. I’m not sure off the top of my head if this was the first Sex Machine or if James Brown was first but like I said earlier, 13 minutes is very bold for a song. Seven minutes in and not a single word but this grove is funky. I’m starting to understand the meaning behind the song title. The way it ends with the drums feels like a rock song so this is a highlight of the album for me. Great ending on You Can Make It If You Try, a great message to all. My favorite album so far that’s been reviewed!

Rio

Duran Duran

4/5

Now this is an album I grew up with. Not the entire album but there are some gems in this one and we are jumping into the 80’s Rock/Pop genre which I love. Duran Duran has such a unique sound that few have been able to replicate over the years. There is some kind of synth that feels like Manheim Steamroller but also brass that reminds me of Chicago. It’s a wild mixture of music that works well. Already on Hungry Like the Wolf, my favorite of the album. This was something my brothers and I danced to when we were young, maybe even on camera. This was also a fantastic music video. Hold Back the Rain was alright, a weaker track but it’s hard, if not impossible, to actually hold back the rain so I give them credit for trying. In New Religion, the vocals seem interlaced over one another but the beat is interesting. I also really like the synths in Save a Prayer. Overall, this is a fun 80’s album perfect for driving or at an 80’s themed party.

Siamese Dream

The Smashing Pumpkins

3/5

The year my brother was born! I have a feeling Cherub Rock was playing right as he came into this world. This is a great guitar hero song and I haven’t listened to this album before so I’m excited to see what’s in store. Hopefully not too many pumpkins were harmed in the making of this album. There is a certain irony in this second song, I didn’t find it to be Quiet at all. I don’t think I’ve heard Today before today but it sounds an awful lot like a Simple Plan plan. Ok I have heard it before now. Maybe Simple Plan hadn’t I won’t presume. This is another instance where I am not a huge fan of Smashing Pumpkins (I certainly wouldn’t do that to a neighbor) but they have some great songs and a few of them are on this album. This does feel like a seminal 90’s album. Something someone would put on while they stare at the posters in their room of Duran Duran and The Ramones as they struggle to do their homework when they really just want to fight the system aka skip class. Rocket stands out to me as another good song from this album. I’m seeing now that we are commenting on the album covers so I really like this one as well, very alt rock.

Off The Wall

Michael Jackson

4/5

This album starts out with a BANGER. Having listened to this song since hearing it in Rush Hour 2 (did Chris Tucker sing it better?) I feel like I still haven’t gotten enough. But also, ever since everything came out about Michael and his proclivities, I haven’t listened to him as much so maybe I’ve had enough. It is very hard to discuss Michael without bringing up not just the many many allegations but also the way he grew up and was treated by his father. While I don’t like making excuses for others, I do like understanding why people are who they are and when looking at his life it is easy to see why he did the things he did. I have never actually listened to a Jackson album all the way through so I am excited to see where this takes me. Rock with You has a nice beat to it but I wonder who he is referring to when he talks about all night. I’m not a historian so I do not know the timeframe between this album and his ranch. This does feel like the kind of song I would have danced to at the club if I was alive back then. I am DIGGING Workin’ Day and Night, the beats that were chosen for this album are so good and his “catching of breath” or “yipping” I’m not sure what you would call it, is on point here. He says someone has him working day and night, maybe that is a reflection of the countless hours his father forced him to practice and rehearse. I’m sure after being around his dad he would be excited to get out and dance to this beat as well. Get On the Floor starts out as a great disco type song, very funky. Off the Wall speaks to me right off the bat because I was the guy who was on the wall not wanting to dance at school functions which is funny because I love to dance. Maybe if I had heard this song back then I would have been inspired to get off the wall. He says to leave the 9-5 on the shelf and just enjoy yourself which is a great message for someone like me (even though I work 8-4). This is one of my new favs of the album. Girlfriend is a weak song to me, certainly sounds nice, but for some reason I can’t picture him having girlfriend. She’s Out of My Life is the same story as before, but I won’t deny that he has pipes and sounds great on this track. It’s interesting that his album is a lot of fun dance tunes but then there are a few slow dances in there as well and ends with Burn This Disco Out for that last dance of the night. Looking at the album artwork, it’s easy to see someone who is ready to get off the wall and dance but knowing what we all know and where he ended up, it is also incredibly sad. This album was his first solo so I wonder if he struggled breaking free from his fathers grasp and struggled making this just for fear of what his father thought or how he would be treated.

If You're Feeling Sinister

Belle & Sebastian

2/5

First album that I knew nothing about going into it. I’m a few songs in and I don’t think this is an album for me. Feels very Bob Dylan in that stream of consciousness type singing along with the harmonicas and lazy singing tone. This feels like the kind of album that was a hit in European coffee shops which is probably why I never heard of it prior. One of my goals for this album exercise is to listen to all the albums as fairly as I can so I’m at least enjoying listening to something I haven’t heard before. But I also feel like I’ve heard this before. Like Dylan in the Movies is pretty enjoyable, but it still feels like Dylan in the Music. Listening to If You’re Feeling Sinister and it sounds like the kind of song that would play in an indie movie as the main character is driving through the new big city or something. In looking at the album cover, it also doesn’t do much to stand out other than the red filter. Look, I’m sure some of us are going to love this album but this one, while good at times, doesn’t make its case for being on this list. Maybe I’m just feeling sinister.

Kings Of The Wild Frontier

Adam & The Ants

3/5

Here is another album I’ve never heard of. Walton Goggins appears to be on the front cover of this album dressed like David Bowie. I’m not sure if that is actually Adam on the cover or one of his Ants but I think the ants put the D backwards on the cover. This first song starts out nice enough. Reminds me a little of Duran Duran but the music itself is very different from DD. Lot of dogs yipping but that could also be Michael Jackson. I’m wondering how many of the prior albums reviewed will end up being mentioned during this listen. Actually, Walton Goggins was in Ant-Man and the Wasp and now here we are listening to Antmusic with the Ants (and Adam of course). Is this Antmusic, though? Would an ant find pleasure in this? I doubt it just because they are more concerned with their queen and their work. Just like the last album, I certainly wouldn’t have listened to this music otherwise so I’m glad I’m learning about new sounds. This also feels a little British so I wonder if Adam is from across the pond (especially because ants hate water). Three songs in and Adam already wants to be fed to the lions. I really liked the opening of Los Rancheros, felt like it could be the intro to an 80’s breaking bad show but then Adam and his Ants started singing and I feel like I’m in a circus. OK I’m enjoying Ants Invasion, feels like the perfect invasion song and I feel like the chord is familiar but can’t place it. Now we have arrived at the title track and it starts strong. As I’m listening, I am growing to enjoy this album which is more than I can say for Belle and Sebastian. This feels like the album that would play in a Wes Anderson movie. Kings of the Wild Frontier even sounds like Moonrise Kingdom. But it only lasts so long as most of these songs do. They start strong and some carry through but sometimes those vocals (FIVE! Magnificent…FIVE!) are strange. Ok I’m giving props to the Ants because I know they suggested doing a pirate song. Jolly Roger is fun and makes me feel like I’m on a British ship filled with ants and rats and Adam at the helm. Kind of funny that he is really trying to cover all the bases when it comes to “wild frontiers”: sailing, invasions, wild frontier, rancheros, lions, cowboys. Final thoughts: very interesting album, creative for sure, but nothing to write home about.

Exile On Main Street

The Rolling Stones

3/5

I was wondering when we would see a Rolling Stones album come up since everyone loves them so much. I do include myself slightly in that “everyone” but when it came to rock, I had many other bands I liked more so I’ve never listened to a full stones album. I like the album cover, very scrapbooky but they also use duplicate photos so there is a touch of laziness to it but it was the 70’s. This is another band where I struggle to hear what Mick is saying but don’t mind too much because I love his voice and the music is really good. I’m noticing that right off the bat on Rocks Off. Rip this Joint is also really fun. I’m hopefully sensing a theme for this album with these easy to dance to type songs you’d hear in a tavern with the pianos and brass. Woah, Shake Your Hips sounds a lot like La Grange from ZZ Top, who made it first? Uh oh, La Grange came out in 1973…and it sounds better than this song. Casino Boogie! For some reason I really like that song title. Wish I liked the song, doesn’t feel like the kind of Casino Boogie I was expecting. Despite me not being a huge stones fan, I’m really learning to appreciate them with this listen. Hearing the sound they are creating on this album really does feel like they could have been an old timey saloon band. I wonder when exactly they shifted to the more stadium rock they are known for now. Kudos for Turd On the Run, that’s an all timer of a title. I’ve been just cruising through these songs like they are on the soundtrack of Red Dead Redemption. After listening to the whole album, I really enjoyed it. My favorite songs were Tumbling Dice and Torn and Frayed.

Aladdin Sane

David Bowie

2/5

The guy so nice, we get albums twice. After Bowie’s first outing I was hoping it would be longer than week before I reviewed another one but the universe has other plans. Watch That Man sounded like I was listening to the prior Stone’s album. Ok David is going pretty wild on the piano on the title track, and it sounds like how I play the piano so that’s a skipper. Drive-In Saturday sounds like the song that plays at the end of a TV show I would have turned off before the ending. Panic in Detroit had a line about a teacher wearing overalls so that’s that. Cracked Actor doesn’t sound bad but I’m getting pretty upset that so many albums so far have been three stars or below. For a “Top Albums” list, I’m wondering when we are going to get to the good stuff. Pretty funny that there is a song on this album called The Prettiest Star but his last album was Blackstar…this is rough. Let’s Spend the Night Together sounds like Saturday Nights Alright for Fighting and they are the same amount of words but I bet you can guess which I like more. Oh look he is being punny, The Jean Genie. If I had a genie right now I bet you can guess what my first wish would be. Lady Grinning Soul sounds kind of like White Rabbit. Please understand, I really like David Bowie, some of his songs are some of the best, but this is the second album of his that I have kind of to barely liked. I guess I’m just A Lad Insane.

Kilimanjaro

The Teardrop Explodes

3/5

Right off the bat I like the music on this first track. Honestly, I’m hoping this isn’t a sign that we are going to be getting a majority British bands (especially since this list is British) but this is starting to look like an album I might like. Never heard of them before, The Teardrop Explodes, not my favorite band name but I’m getting those 80’s Duran Duran type vibes with these guys. Sleeping Gas was good too until then end when he kept wandering around. I listen to most of these on Apple Music and there are always some editors notes and for this one it says this band was Liverpool’s most volatile band, barely able to keep a lineup together long enough to put out an album. I think that actually enhances the music because this album is really enjoyable to listen to. Haven’t found any songs to take home with me but as an album its nice background music. Looking at the album cover I bet the minute after the photo was taken the bandmates started fighting. I feel like they just constantly yell at each other but the minute they record they just get to business. Overall this did end up being an enjoyable able to just listen all the way through. I don’t’ think I’ll come back to it but I’m glad I got a chance to listen to more British rock.

Beautiful Freak

Eels

3/5

My only hearing of Eels was from a song on the Hole’s soundtrack which, unfortunately, is not on this album. But I’m excited to listen to this since I enjoyed that song a lot. Creepy cover of daddy’s little beautiful freak crawling around on the ground. This feels like classic 90’s alternative in the vein of Sugar Ray and Shawn Mullins which I like. These alternative albums always remind me of hanging out by a pool in the summer or someone skateboarding through their neighborhood. I lied when I spoke earlier, there was a second song I had heard from Eels! My Beloved Monster is also on the Shrek soundtrack so it’s a good day when I can talk about Holes and Shrek in the same post. I hate to constantly bring it up, but this another good album. I say that because I thought this list would be the best albums. I’ve had it on in the background and have enjoyed it thoroughly but this is going in the same bucket as many other albums have so far.

A Date With The Everly Brothers

The Everly Brothers

2/5

Girls were made to love…the opening line of this album. We are safely in the 60’s in America where women were the object of every song. Heck, even listening to this album constitutes going on a date with these two fellas. The album cover is a classic 60’s vibe but I wonder which brother was allowed to hold the phone? Are they calling a girl? Telling her she is meant to be loved? “Back in my day, 12 songs got you 28 minutes” is probably what the producer for David Bowie said referencing this whimsical and outdated album. Second song is perfect for a slow dance (just make sure you are at arm’s length from your date!) Oh now I get it on the album length! I bet most girls back then were not allowed to listen to music for longer than 30 minutes otherwise they would turn into sex demons or something. Don’t get me wrong, I love old music and this feels like Buddy Holly mixed with Dewey Cox. I just think it is really funny how people acted back then compared to now. Imagine listening to this back then and losing your mind because it was so boundary pushing. It’s called Rock but I’d probably categorize these oldies as dust. Looking at the song list I see three different women’s names. Who was dating who and when? Was there a “two dates” situation with these brothers? Did they ever have to parent trap their dates? Uh oh…I’m now hearing the birth of two incels in So How Come (No One Loves Me). Fellas, you can’t as why and then have your next song be you telling Donna what to do. And then say she has had a Change of Heart but that might be because you changed, not her. And then you finish out the album saying you don’t want Cathy’s love anymore and call her new man a Clown which we all know what that meant in the 60’s. I love a lot of oldies, but I don’t plan on listening to this again.

Kenya

Machito

4/5

Ten seconds in and this is already my favorite album of this journey. Not sure if I’ve listened to an album of afro-cuban Jazz except maybe Tito Puente, but I am loving it. I love the fast playing of bongos and trumpets. I also feel like this could be a worship album for the great god Damballa. What’s just as nice is that these songs are all less than three and a half minutes long. Lots of Jazz out there goes into the David Bowie range which isn’t a problem but this is a nice change of pace. These songs remind me of the late Cloris Leachman dancing with young Dewie in Malcom in the Middle. There honestly isn’t much more I can say about this album as I don’t know the vernacular for complimenting jazz. So I’ll say that I give this album three whiskeys, neat, two winks in a smoke filled dive bar, and six whistles from a mysterious sax man.

Nevermind

Nirvana

4/5

It has finally arrived. An album I would have expected to be on this list. No disrespect to Michael Jackson but the minute I saw this album cover I fist pumped the air. I haven’t ever listened to the album but I know so many of the songs on here. Nirvana is a band that I have more relation to through others than myself. I am not a Nirvana fan but I know a lot of people who were at one point. Our cousin Harry had a Nirvana box set we listened to in New Jersey when we were kids, I had a classmate, Shelby Jones, who would spend lunches telling me about Kurt Cobain and what he meant to her (he had passed by then) and to music. She had lost her parents in a car wreck and was always listening to this album and I’m sure some of his others but she introduced me to Nirvana. I think of her along with my cousin and all those other young kids out there who latched onto this particular grunge rock that totally fits the bill of Alternative. It was perfect if you were going through a phase or were just an emo type of person but that doesn’t mean the sound is bad. Teen Spirit was played many a times in the football locker room or in movies I would watch. Come As You Are was just recently featured in Captain Marvel. Territorial Pissings was covered by one of my favorite metal bands, Ill Nino. Those are the three I know off the bat so I’m excited to see if there are any other that I recognize. But that is a lot to say about this band and album during just this opening song! Which I didn’t realize was five minutes long. Oh I’ve listened to Bloom before in Rock Band! Nirvana, especially this album, feels like this underground scene that eventually turned main stream. That’s what Apple Music says and I totally agree. I haven’t even mentioned that this album came out the year I was born so maybe I was the baby on the cover, who knows. I think we all were that baby on the cover chasing after the almighty dollar. That album cover is probably one of the most recognized of all time. I’ve seen it parodied, censored, and everything in between. I know when I was younger it was the source of many giggles for getting to see his wee willy winky but in my current age, all I see is that dollar bill *insert cool guy glasses*. I wonder if in someway Nirvana inspired Seether, they sound kind of the same. Breed is great, that’s four awesome songs in a row. Love the fast paste drums and strings along with Kurt’s brooding voice. Lithium was great, I don’t think I’ve actually listening to that song fully before. On Territorial Pissings, I also haven’t listened to this fully, just the cover. I like the cover better but that doesn’t mean it’s bad. A lot of the rest of the songs were good but the reason I never listened to the album is I am not the biggest Nirvana fan (did not like the last song on this at all). Not sure why because they are awesome. Listening to this album has helped, especially with finding some new favs like Breed and Stay Away.

For Your Pleasure

Roxy Music

2/5

What a striking album cover. An all-black white woman with a panther on a leash as if she can control one of the kings of the jungle. I like the album cover but I’m nervous about this album. It’s 70’s rock I haven’t heard of and it’s only 8 songs at 42 minutes so these will be longer songs it looks like. I already don’t like the first song. The band is called Roxy Music, I’m trying to see if they are British, as they certainly sound like it. “Oi Gov, we’re puttin out a’notha album?” “Yeh Mate, collin it for ya pleasha! The ladies will be drippin. A real saucy experience. Trus me.” “Right but..deres hundreds a rock bands out there…will anyone even listen to us?” “Camon mate, even a drop in the bucket gone cause ripples, innit?” “Oh sha tup, Brian, I’m sick o dis band. I bet we end up on some list where American pricks are saying how shite we are.” “Nah mate, were goin down in istory!” I imagine the conversation kind of went like that before recording this album. And despite that conversation being very silly, I still enjoyed writing it more than I did listening to this album. I’ll just highlight the Bogus Man and suggest they’d call this album the Bogus Album.

The Contino Sessions

Death In Vegas

3/5

At first blush I was nervous to have to listen to two hours and 22 songs of this album. I then saw it was listed as electronic and my eyes lit up. I love electronic music and this album sort of fits that bill. A little older than I am used to, but there are some good hits in here like the opening song Dirge and a few others as it goes on. I don’t know which because I’ve been having it on in the background and I’ve flown through ten songs already. Some of them I had to skip but there is a lot of gold in these mines. I’m still a little surprised at the album length but if you were driving in a car for two hours this could be a good soundtrack to pass the time if it was the only CD in your car. The cover of the album is pretty basic and has been done before but the music feels fresh and experimental.

Court And Spark

Joni Mitchell

4/5

Joni Mitchell is someone I don’t think I’ve heard before but I’m sure a song will pop up that I will recognize. Nice to finally have a female artist in the running. It’s been a British sausage fest so far. The album cover is confusing and totally 70’s. I really like her voice, it sounds like Paula Cole a little bit and Danielle Haim a lot (Haim may have even said Joni was one of their role models). Very folksy. Wow, Help Me is really good. I love hearing her go from different octaves or whatever it’s called. She has a lot of range and clearly sounds like she has room to grow into tons of different sounds. I saw she has a million albums so hopefully she was able to experiment throughout the years. This album kind of feels like the Carpenters. Apple Music dares you to try NOT listening to this album a dozen times in a row. While I don’t think I’ll take up their challenge, this is certainly a great album and something I thoroughly enjoyed. I am looking forward to any more Joni that comes up. She weaves both fun and carefree with insecurity and romance (and even some of her Jazz in Twisted).

Buena Vista Social Club

4/5

Another fantastic jazz album! I call it jazz just because this feels like Latin Jazz. Apple is calling it Bolero. Either way, I’m digging this. I love the drum beats and the chorus lines. I felt like I was allowed into the Buena Vista Social Club. The album cover is perfect as well, fits the music just right. This is the kind of stuff I can listen to on a summer day, sipping on a drink at the beach or just hanging out with friends. A really fun album to have on. As with many Jazz type albums, I don’t have more to say than that and that I loved it.

First Band On The Moon

The Cardigans

3/5

When I first saw the album on the website I was scratching my head trying to figure out why the name sounded familiar. Then when I pulled the album up the lightbulb went off. Lovefool was one of my childhood favorite songs and comes with a story. One of the few memories I have from living in Minnesota is getting on an ice cold bus in the morning to go to school and one of the neighbor girls, don’t remember her name, but on the bus this song came on and she turned around and did a lip sync of it to me. That memory has always stuck with me and I always think about it when listening to love fool. I don’t think anyone had sang to me before so it was a big deal. But not as big a deal as this band being the first band on the moon! I’m saddened they weren’t able to film their moon visit because that would be cool to hear them perform Lovefool in Lunar Orbit or even on the moons surface. Unfortunately, their album cover is forgettable and most of the other songs on the album are equally unremarkable. They have an interesting sound that seems like something out of the 70’s flower child movement but the lyrics did not stick with me at all. Except for Lovefool (and the Iron Man cover!). I love that song.

Duck Rock

Malcolm McLaren

3/5

Old hip hop! This is pre so many hip hop artists but you can tell some of the influences he has had going forward. Eminem copied the Buffalo Gals go round the outside. The Album cover, along with style of music reminds me a lot of Do the Right Thing by Spike Lee. A lot of radio conversations and just feels like a summertime type album. Though, I imagine Radio Raheem would take issue with the desecration of the speakerbox on the cover. Double Dutch stood out to me as a really positive and upbeat song. There is also a latin hip hop influence in here as well. Jive My Baby was also super unique. I can’t wait to see the other reviews on this one if anyone touches on the genre of this album. I’m not so sure it is Hip-Hop in the way I understood it to be. It certainly hips and hops but very little rapping and heavy beats like modern day hip hop. And then there is Duck for the Oyster, again, not hip hop, more like hee haw. Overall, I really liked this album. Each song seems unique on it’s own making for a real mish mash of an album that didn’t really know what it was trying to be but I’d like to think this was something that inspired a generation (minus Duck for the Oyster).

Francis Albert Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim

Frank Sinatra

4/5

I’ve said it before, but…FINALLY. Frank Sinatra was a huge figure for me growing up. He was the Christmas CD we listed to each year. His greatest hits album was something I have listened to falling asleep from back when I stayed in Plano with my grandparents to a few days ago. My grandpa loved Frank and I do too. I’d been waiting to get an album of his but didn’t expect it to be this one. Pretty wild to name the title of your album the full names of both the performers, it’s a mouthful. I do love the album cover of Frank puffing and recording...that 1967 haze. It was a different time. I honestly don’t know much about Frank as a person but I’ve heard some things so when I say I love him, I mean as a musician. Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars was my favorite from this album but this is a perfect evening listening to album or something when going to sleep or to calm down. I’m always happy to listen to my favorite crooner.

Pink Moon

Nick Drake

3/5

I didn’t know there were any singer songwriters in 1973! I thought that was a new indie thing to get published on iTunes. Well Nick may have been the first of his kind but the album is so quick it’s hard to even say what I like about it. I put it on in the background and the 28 minutes flew by. It was as expected, just a man and his guitar. I even listened through a second time and it still didn't do much for me. I'll take Frank over this fella. The album cover looks like if Dali had been asked to do a rendition of James and the Giant Peach. I didn't hate this album, but I also didn't love it. No songs stuck out to me.

The Doors

4/5

With this album coming into the list I hope we have now broken through to the other side. The minute I saw this classic cover of the group shadowed by a pensive yet determined lead singers headshot (sort of looks like Tom Brady), I knew I was in for a treat. I’m sure I’ve listened to this album before but this felt like a new listen. There are so many gems on this one. Break On Through, Soul Kitchen, Alabama Song, Light My Fire, and of course The End. A classic song that is featured both in Apocalypse Now and when we play Call of Duty: Zombies. I love how the album, when thinking about it, screams classic Rock, but when you listen to it, it feels a lot lighter than Rock. It plays a lot more like other late 60’s early 70’s albums with the electric piano. Reminds me a little of Ryan Goslings band Dead Man’s Bones, especially on In the Room Where You Sleep. I say this as I’m listening to I Looked At You. So I don’t really see this as a Led Zepplin or Journey type of Rock but that doesn’t diminish the power in this album. Even with a few weaker songs this is still a fantastic album to listen to at any time. 9/10

Five Leaves Left

Nick Drake

4/5

I wish I had listened to this album before his final one. I think it would have made me appreciate it more and give it a higher rating. This album is so good. I’ve listened to it twice already and while some of the songs I could take or leave, the album as a whole is very strong. I love the peacefulness of the songs and the way it plays nicely in the background. Even this album feels very minimal. There are only a few more instruments in this vs Pink Moon. As I listened to this album I just kept thinking, who is this Nick Drake and why did I never hear about him before this list. My favorite song was ‘Cello Song. I also really like the album cover because I feel like that was a happy moment for Nick before things started going downhill and he was like “hey get a shot of me, I’m feeling this attic”.

Steve McQueen

Prefab Sprout

2/5

My god. What part of this album did they say “wow people need to hear this before they die?” Maybe it’s something British that I don’t understand but the whole Steve McQueen bit doesn’t work at all for this album. I’d bet money that one of those tossers saw that bike on the road and said “Oy! Look at me I’m Bullet” and that’s how they took their album cover. I’m not sure where they came up with their name either but nothing about this band and album makes any sense to me. To be clear, I did like Bonny. That was a good song, but like a few others on this list, one good song shouldn’t get you this far. This is just a case of one too many bands of the time trying to vie for my attention. The last thing I am looking for is a new 80’s British Pop band to add to my collection. I’m also enjoying the beat on Horsin’ Around but this whole album kind of feels like that is what they were doing. Also the guy in the back standing up looks like Bill from Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure.

Who's Next

The Who

4/5

I’ll be interested to see what the comparison is between how many albums come from which country because this feels like an invasion. Who’s next? The Who? I had a whole bit I was doing with this Abbott and Costello style but I started seeing the word Who too much and it lost its meaning. In any case, this is one group of tossers I’m more than happy to listen to. I really like this album and it has some bangers. One of the coolest album covers, with the fellas standing around a monolith (something doesn’t look right about the guy second from the right…maybe he is being affected by the monolith). The songs on this album remind me of my days as a lifeguard and in high school when I was jamming to all the classic rock. Not every song hits for me but my favs are obviously Baba O’Riley, Getting In Tune, Going Mobile, Behind Blue Eyes, and Won’t Get Fooled Again. This feels like the height of the who and maybe even for rock in general around this time. These are some of the most recognized songs especially Baba which goes by many names like Teenage Wasteland and was a blast to play on Rock Band. I loved this album and can’t wait for more classic rock pieces like this.

Ill Communication

Beastie Boys

4/5

Those beastie boys…I still don’t know if it is true but I read something a long time ago that they were originally the Latch Brothers who recorded some songs for the Jet Set Radio Future soundtrack. I haven’t googled to confirm because I want it to be true. But we need to live in a world of truth so I did just google it and I was half right!! Mike Diamond was in Latch Brothers and Beastie Boys so I’ll take that as a win. I love the Beastie Boys style and this album really shows that. Sure Shot lets you know the angle of the album before immediately jumping into the less than a minute Tough Guy. Sabotage is such a good song with that famous intro beat. I really enjoyed Get It Together as well, was that one of the members of Tribe Called Quest on that one?? The only song on this album I’d listened to already was Sabotage so all of this is new to me and I’m loving it. I’m not sure if I like this album or License to Ill more, I haven’t listened to either of them fully but there feels like a ton of variety on this one. There are short and long songs, instrumental and rap. The whole album feels like a Jet Set Radio type album as well. Perfect for skateboarding down Mulholland or just cruising on the 405. The cover of the album looks like either a Beastie Boy or a Blues Brother (BB) ordering at a drive in. I guess there could be some Ill Communication there. Maybe some dumb car hop got their order wrong and they were like “THIS IS A SABOTAGE”.

Kind Of Blue

Miles Davis

5/5

Well Stevie…look at the album we manifested. Our anger yesterday at the lack of black musicians was heard. This album also answers a lot a questions. Namely, this is the first album on this list I have on vinyl and this is the first album on this list to get five stars. Kind of Blue is one of my favorite Jazz albums. I’ve listened to it going to sleep. I’ve listened to it while road tripping to Texas. I’m listening to it right now on vinyl as opposed to Apple Music. This is one of those albums with a shorter track list but longer songs. They are all great and perfect to listen to at any time. Whether you are happy, sad, or just kind of blue. Miles Davis quickly became one of my favorite Jazz musicians a few years ago with this album and Bitch’s Brew. I can’t express how happy I am to finally have an album of this caliber on this list. The album cover is simple enough. The songs are magical. I was worried a five star album would take forever to arrive with the content we have been given but here it is. And it’s Friday.

Entertainment

Gang Of Four

3/5

And we’re back to our regularly scheduled programming. As the album cover suggests, there is a small portion of this album that is intriguing but the rest of it is just empty space. Not Great Men was a song I’ve heard before but can’t place where and I liked Damaged Goods but the rest of the album was completely forgettable. It feels like just another male British group. I won’t listen to this album again but I’m glad there were a few enjoyable tracks. I think the album title might be hyperbole.

Scott 2

Scott Walker

1/5

How bout NO, Scott.

The ArchAndroid

Janelle Monáe

4/5

Glad to see Janelle take the spot of most current album on this list. And what an album this is. I’ve grown to love Janelle more and more over the years especially with her most recent album, Dirty Computer and her film roles. I’m glad I’m getting to hear her on this album as well because this is a kaleidoscope of different songs and styles that fits her so well. Her whole persona has always felt so otherworldly and that is on full display in this album especially with the gorgeous cover art and title. She really is an android in the best way. I really enjoyed Faster, Locked Inside, Cold War (which was sampled by a super underground musician named Santoma). I’m still listening to it and just hit Oh, Maker which at the start could have been a Carpenter’s song. She breezes through so many different genres and even though the album is listed as R&B it could be hip hop or pop or electronic. I would also equate her to a more sophisticated and technologically advanced (keeping with android theme) of Nikki Minaj where she does voice changes and quick verses along with serenades. But most of Janelle’s songs are focus on very different things than Ms. Minaj. The best compliment I can give this (along with her other albums) is it always feels like I’m listening to the future.

Locust Abortion Technician

Butthole Surfers

1/5

Didn't think I'd get two dumpster fires in one week but I guess that's what happens when you hire clowns to give locusts abortions.

Talking Heads 77

Talking Heads

2/5

Maybe it’s because we had some really great albums and also some huge stinkers this week, but this album didn’t feel like anything special. I did like Psycho Killer which I’ve heard somewhere before but the rest of the songs felt very off beat and abrupt in the way the guitars cut. The singing was a little off as well but I know the Talking Heads meant well. Their album cover is bland and kind of sums up the album itself. It isn’t bad, per se, but I was not a huge fan of this one.

Sweet Baby James

James Taylor

4/5

We are starting March off, and this week, on a great note. I thought “You’ve Got a Friend” was on this album but these are all new songs to me and I really enjoyed them. James feels like he is exploring the studio space in this album especially on Steamroller Blues and Suite for 20 G. He always reminds me of a very soft rock folksy kind of fella so it was nice to see him try the blues and also cover a few songs too like Oh, Susannah. I liked Fire and Rain and Country Road as well but the standout tracks for me were Lo and Behold and Steamroller Blues. This album was short and sweet but the best part of that was I listened to it twice in a row. The album cover makes it seem like he is slowly getting upset at something but the title of the album and type of music is anything but.

Californication

Red Hot Chili Peppers

4/5

I wasn’t always a pepper head but on one of our road trips my wife and I listened to almost all of their albums as we traveled through Utah and Arizona and I was converted. It was the perfect soundtrack and this album was one of those so it always brings me back to Sedona and the beautiful landscapes and cruising down the highways and byways. This isn’t my favorite pepper album but it is still really good. There is a magical quality to this group, maybe due to the drugs or the skills but their songs are so unique and unlike anything else. They were never afraid to go crazy. My favs are Around the World, Parallel Universe, Scar Tissue, Otherside, Get On Top, Californication, Porcelain, and I Like Dirt. The album cover is iconic and always makes me want to sit by the pool, though idk if I’d swim in it if that was the color.

Grace

Jeff Buckley

3/5

I had heard one Buckley song before and it was on a different album so this was fresh. Just as his album cover shows, he is a mix of Alden and James Franco but also he seems like the kind of fella that spent most of his time in dive bars. These songs all feel like the person singing in the back of a lounge filled with cigar smoke and full drinks. He has a wide range in his voice but there were many songs where I thought he went too hard. If that is such a thing. It almost sounded like he was screaming but he has a great voice so I’m sure he just likes flexing those muscles. His songs run long in the tooth as well. Overall, the album wasn’t bad, but I don’t think I’ll find myself listening to it again.

Teenager Of The Year

Frank Black

1/5

Hey Frank, the 90's called. They want their award back. Apparently you were not a teenager at the time of the award and furthermore, your album isn't even listed under your "Albums" section, instead it is under "compilations". I don't know if that is because it is a collection of your worst songs. I won't ever find out. Frank Black, wearing all white, at least got me to write more than "How bout no" but I can't put any more words towards this.

Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness

The Smashing Pumpkins

4/5

Off the bat, I love the album title, the album art. Reminds me of Melancholia, I wonder if Lars took inspiration from this gals green dress and the name when he was doing his movie poster. I could see Lars Von Trier being a Smashing Pumpkins fan. Even beyond that, this is an even bolder album because it is two hours long over twenty eight songs and two CDs. Very impressive especially for that time period. You look at just a few years earlier when Nirvana came out with Nevermind and that album was very short compared to this. I loved the instrumental song to start and didn’t realize that “Despite all my rage, I’m still just a rat in a cage” was from Bullet with Butterfly Wings! I thought it was from a Doors song or something. That was a pleasant surprise. As the album goes on, many of the songs drifted into the background, not because they were bad but they play really well as background music. Most of the stand outs for me came from the beginning of the album but I liked this album much more than Siamese Dream. Standouts were the first track, Tonight, Tonight, Zero, and Bullet with Butterfly Wings.

Disintegration

The Cure

4/5

I don’t know what it is about this album but I love it. I was very put off by the length of the songs but they quickly became easy to listen to in the background as there are not a lot of words. When there is, it is haunting and exactly what I expected from the Cure from other songs and albums I’ve heard. After last weeks double disc of music, I saw 12 songs and thought this would be quick but many of them are 6-9 minutes long which rivals bands like Metallica. The standout for me was Lovesong but that’s because I’ve heard it before. I also really liked Pictures of You and Prayers for Rain but I’m going to listen to this one again and see if any others stand out. The album cover is perfect for this music. Very strange and almost Jared Leto Joker like in its presentation but it makes total sense as almost every song can be listened to while driving through the city on a rainy night looking for something that can’t be found.

Roger the Engineer

The Yardbirds

3/5

I went into this album thinking I wouldn’t like it just because I think of the Yardbirds as that old timey Everly Brothers type music. I was wrong. I enjoyed this album and mostly because of the variety in the music. The birds really felt like they were experimenting with different ways to play their instruments so that each song didn’t feel exactly the same. It was also nice how short the album was. My standouts were The Nazz are Blue and He’s Always There. The album cover is another story, however. Looks like some type of scary expressionist type drawing. I wonder which yardbird drew it or if it was one of their kids.

The Downward Spiral

Nine Inch Nails

3/5

I was really excited to listen to this album because I’ve never been a fan of NIN even when I listened to their songs and I figured some age and wisdom would change my mind. That didn’t end up happening except for a few songs. As many may know, these boys went on to make some of the best Oscar and Golden Globe winning music but their early work I’m much less a fan of. The grungy, haunting music mixed with very cacophonous vocals made some songs difficult to listen to or even understand what was being said. With all that, I did find a few I liked: Piggy, Heresy, and Reptile. Now Heresy sounds so good at the beginning but once the vocals start I like it a little less but still good. Overall, I liked the album less than I thought but not enough to make me hate it. The album cover is pretty cool too. A kind of stain on a canvas that would cause any person to begin that downward spiral.

Another Green World

Brian Eno

4/5

What an album. I was not expecting this but in hindsight based on the album cover I should have. iTunes says this is rock but the only rock I hear is me mining to this very Minecraft-esque music. I love the way there are certain songs with vocals (wasn’t a fan) and other songs that are just short instrumentals. I got Minecraft vibes in Another Green World and Red Dead Redemption vibes in Sombre Reptiles. Just a very eclectic mix of synths and instruments to make this my most surprising album of the week. My Favs were Over Fire Island, The Big Ship, Another Green World, and Sombre Reptiles. Hope we get another album of his on here.

The Seldom Seen Kid

Elbow

3/5

You can always count on this list to throw in a lesser known band from the UK. Feels like every week we get at least one or two. This album was billed as Pink Floyd meets Coldplay. I like both of those bands better. I did enjoy Mirrorball and Grounds for Divorce but the rest were un memorable. The album overall was nice to listen to in the background but I’m getting a little bummed at how many of these albums we need to listen to before we die just end up as background music. Album art reminds me of a more sophisticated cave drawing.

Bandwagonesque

Teenage Fanclub

2/5

A fine album under any other circumstances but when your album cover is something I could have created in Microsoft Paint and your music can barely rise above the hum of background music, I, again, question why it is on this list. Clearly this group of people liked the idea of 1001 albums more than actually trying to find 1001 albums. Seems more like they found about five hundred and then said "right, just toss a bunch a randoms in here"

Dub Housing

Pere Ubu

1/5

No thanks. And trust me, I tried. Stevie, sorry this is the album on your b-day.

The Dreaming

Kate Bush

2/5

While this album was enjoyed more than yesterdays, this is another non starter for me. I thought I knew who Kate Bush was but after this I'm not so sure. Did she take the wrong pill and she is stuck in the dream world? I'm not sure but I tried to get into this music and I couldn't. Something about the composition feeling jarring and the vocals being off. Not sure if she is from the UK but that would explain a lot.

The Clash

3/5

Enjoyed this Clash Album! As I said on the first one, I'm not a HUGE Clash fan just because I never understand what they are saying but it's still fun to listen to. I liked London's Burning and Career Opportunities. The album cover looks like from left to right, Kevin Bacon, Marlon Brando/Steve McQueen, and Andrew Tennison. Don't have more to say because this album is lightning fast.

The Specials

3/5

I was not expecting this. When I saw the album cover my eyes rolled so far into the back of my head that I thought I was in the UK. In all serious, I’ve just been burnt out with these 70’s and 80’s UK bands and their mediocrity, especially this week. But this album is…Special. I can almost sense the beginnings of Ska in their music and wonder if bands like Reel Big Fish were inspired by these blokes. Now this doesn’t mean I love the album, I certainly enjoyed it but a lot of it fell into the background. I will say that Monkey Man was a stand out because monkee. The reggae tones as well really sets this album apart from a lot of the other rubbish that has been put on our list this week. I still stand by my opinion of the album cover, looks like something that would be on a menu at a diner. Actually, I am just now getting that it is a menu of specials.

Birth Of The Cool

Miles Davis

5/5

Hadn’t heard this Davis album but just like his others, I love it. These are shorter songs than his longer, later albums but they are still fantastic to listen to. I’ll have to listen to this album more as time goes on to find my true favs but I love the entire thing. The album cover is very basic but it’s what’s inside that counts. Great way to start off the week!

Fear Of A Black Planet

Public Enemy

4/5

On my Hip Hop education tour last year, I listened to this and their older album in full. While I liked their earlier album more, this one isn’t bad. You can see the influence these guys had on so much hip hop going forward not just stylistically and lyrically, but in samples as well. I heard “Dis Generation” on Revolutionary Generation which was sampled on the most recent Tribe album. My favorite song on the album is Fight the Power probably because that’s in the opening of Do the Right Thing. I hope their first album comes on this list as well but I’m glad this one did too. There are also some great interludes about people calling into the radio and complaining about Public Enemy and other types of bigotry that sadly still ring true today. They are saying so much with just their album cover alone, and the title. People who just want to be treated equally are often looked at as a “public” enemy and showing this black planet with someone in the cross hairs merging with earth really does invoke that fear of a “takeover” that so many are still unfoundedly afraid of today.

The Village Green Preservation Society

The Kinks

3/5

I've always heard the Kinks mentioned but never listened to them. I really enjoyed this album but more so as background music. I like their style. It reminds me of those other soft rock folksy but psychedelic bands of that time. None of the songs really stood out to me but this felt like a great album to have playing in the backyard while playing outside or hanging by the pool. It would also be good for a lot of those 70's movies soundtracks. Kind of cool album cover but once you've seen one band staring at you with some distortion, you've seen em all.

Violent Femmes

2/5

I tried. I skipped almost every song. Sounded like Tim Heidecker impersonating both Bob Dylan and Mick Jaggar at the same time. Was not impressed.

Chicago Transit Authority

Chicago

4/5

Well well well. If it isn’t our family’s band. I don’t need to go into that history as I’m sure many of us are aware, but this album was fantastic. Does anybody really know what time it is is one of my favorite Chicago songs and the rest of this album was just great. I loved the intro song and one towards the end even had the soundbites from the protests that were shown in Trial of the Chicago 7. There is a magic to this band, with the trumpets and guitars and singing. Perfect for the late 60’s but also incredibly timeless. This album cover is basic but also classic as well. I never had heard this one before, I usually listened to the hits but I’m glad to see that even their lesser known songs are great.

From Elvis In Memphis

Elvis Presley

5/5

It's the king! Elvis has always been a part of my life, so much so I was almost named Elvis. My dad is a huge fan and I became one very quickly at a young age. This was a fantastic album with a few classics like In the Ghetto and Suspicious Minds but I found a few other gems like Wearin' That Loved On Look and True Love Travels On a Gravel Road. I thought this would be a live album but it didn't seem so despite what the title and cover show. I hope we get more Elvis because I can always listen to him.

Imperial Bedroom

Elvis Costello & The Attractions

2/5

Was pretty bummed that this album was very middle of the road for me. I found myself skipping a few songs and I couldn't tell you any from the album. Pretty bold for this Elvis to follow the last Elvis but I did not like this one as much as I was hoping to.

The Bends

Radiohead

3/5

This was one of the albums I had been waiting to listen to. This is an iconic album both in its cover and content. I thought the album was fine, good for some background music. I'm not a huge Radiohead fan and would categorize them with Smashing Pumpkins but I was glad to have listened. No songs really stuck out to me but I do enjoy the singers voice and some of the chords.

Live At Leeds

The Who

3/5

No offense to the Who, but if I am running a best albums list, I would not include any live albums because that is duplicative. I listened to a few of my favs and they sound just as fine as the regular album. Why this is on this list makes no sense. Also that is a very bland album cover.

Something Else By The Kinks

The Kinks

3/5

I did say that I wanted another Kinks album. I know now that I do like the Kinks, or at least the idea of them. Many of these songs went into the background but there were some that I enjoyed including David Watts and Afternoon Tea. They feel like the ultimate UK Soft Rock type group and this album cover is kind of creepy especially the guys in the bottom and top right. I liked their first album better but this was still good.

The Real Thing

Faith No More

4/5

I thought I hadn't heard these guys before but there is song on here called Zombie Eaters that Ill Nino covered on that same album that had Territorial Pissings from the Nirvana album. I enjoyed this album, they felt like a slightly angrier Red Hot Chili Peppers. Besides that song, I really enjoyed Epic, too. The War Pigs cover was great and some of the others had some good pieces like Woodpecker from Mars. Interesting album cover as well. This was a welcome surprise for a monday!

Be

Common

5/5

Ah, here we go. I love this album. I had seen it on posters and at stores for years and never listened until last year when I was catching up on hip-hop. This is an incredible album and I love every song on it. Kanye and John Mayer and a few other guests make this extra special and I love the beats. I think Kanye produced this album too which would explain a lot. The album cover makes it seem like it's a gospel album and in a way, this is the good news.

Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)

Eurythmics

2/5

The title song of this album is a complete classic but I couldn't find any other songs I could get behind. I did enjoy Wrap It Up but only for the weird noises. This was a bummer since I've always been a fan of Anne Lennox.

If You Can Believe Your Eyes & Ears

The Mamas & The Papas

3/5

This was a classic album with hits like Monday, Monday and California Dreamin'. The other songs were fine and I found myself bobbing my head, but none of them were memorable enough to get a mention. I saw on the iTunes info that there was a lot of infighting with this group, and while it must have been tough for mothers and fathers to be fighting, at least they had time to all scrunch into a bathtub to take an album photo. Or maybe that is what started the fighting.

Happy Sad

Tim Buckley

3/5

For a while, I thought this was Jeff Buckley but these are two different fellas. This guy loves really long songs and moaning which isn't a bad thing. I especially enjoyed Gypsy Woman but I found myself skipping the other songs when he started talking. The music itself was really good but I just wasn't a fan of his vocals.

Vento De Maio

Elis Regina

3/5

There was a higher than normal barrier for entry on this album but once that hurdle was crossed, I really liked this one. Me te amo latin jazz. I'm not sure if this is as jazzy as it is upbeat but these are the songs I picture playing on the little radios in the shopping center in an island town. When I listen to this I'm on island time but there were some I wasn't a fan of. I'd say this was my least favorite of these albums we have heard so far but that is not a knock.

Rejoicing In The Hands

Devendra Banhart

2/5

Siri, please find me better albums.. *Siri blinks* "I'm sorry, there are over one thousand albums in this list made in the UK so you will have some stinkers. Understood, thanks Siri.

The Who Sell Out

The Who

3/5

I can see for miles and miles and if all I saw was Roger Daltry in a tub of beans that would be alright with me. Besides that, this album was a far cry from their most famous one. Felt very folksy and childish but I Can See for Miles and the album cover made up for it.

Welcome To The Pleasuredome

Frankie Goes To Hollywood

4/5

Now this was unexpected! After the opener there was a 13 minute song and I got very nervous but the rest of them leveled out and I actually found a ton that I liked on here. Obviously Relax is a classic but I really enjoyed Two Tribes, Born to Run, and San Jose (which I think is a bit from who's line is it anyway). The album cover looks way better on Apple Music, this looks like Picasso went to the Queen Mary's and had his life changed.

System Of A Down

4/5

System of a Down is one of my favorite metal bands, I fell in love with them back during Toxicity. I wasn't as into their early albums as their later ones but after sitting down with this one, I appreciate it a lot. I didn't hear the back up singer maybe at all on this album which means maybe he worked his way into doing songs. Serg is just as incredible here as it is on his later albums. He has such a distinct and unique voice and while their later albums were more overtly political, this felt like them just trying to get some jams out and I love that. Standouts for me were Know and Spiders but I listened to this puppy straight through. Also, iconic album cover. I always saw this at Movie Trading Company but knew I could never buy it because it had a parental advisory label on it...those were the days...

This Year's Model

Elvis Costello & The Attractions

3/5

While the album does feel a bit ahead of its time, maybe just because Elvis' voice is very iconic, the album felt very middle of the road. Whether it came out in 78 or 21 I'd feel the same way about it. Perfectly alright in which case it makes no sense to be on this list.

Sweetheart Of The Rodeo

The Byrds

1/5

Future Days

Can

3/5

I enjoyed how little songs were on this album but they were also very long songs. My fav was Spray but this felt more like a Jazz album than rock.

Parachutes

Coldplay

4/5

The Holy Bible

Manic Street Preachers

1/5

No thank you, gov'na.

Real Life

Magazine

2/5

wasn't a huge fan of this either. Better than the last album, the music itself was alright but could not stand the vocals.

Live And Dangerous

Thin Lizzy

3/5

It's a live album, nuff said. Wonder how many there are left on this esteemed list.

Walking Wounded

Everything But The Girl

4/5

I really enjoyed this album. Was not expecting it to be as synthy as it was but I liked that. Reminded me of some other bands currently so almost a timeless sound. My favorites were Before Today and Wrong. Interesting album cover. I'm assuming it's the lady who sings the songs but the band would indicate no women were involved so there is a paradox.

american dream

LCD Soundsystem

4/5

I've heard LCD before, never in depth. This album, being in 2017, feels a lot like 80's British Pop, especially on other voices. Funny enough, Apple Music is saying the nods to Talking Heads and 80's post-punk are apparent so I was close. This is an American band but I'm sure the people who made this list heard this album and thought it was British and that's why it's on this list. I don't blame them. I liked change yr mind as well. Fun dance beat.

In Rainbows

Radiohead

4/5

wow this album flew by. I loved the first song 15 Step but that is because it's the song from Twilight that isn't on the soundtrack so that was a nice surprise. I really enjoyed this album, it played all the way through without me skipping anything so that is a plus. It felt very easy to listen to but I still liked some of the more creative beats in many of the songs. Radiohead is one of those bands that I had heard bits and pieces of but not the albums so I'm glad we are getting a few of them on this list. Great album cover too.

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

3/5

I think I was more of a fan of Tom Petty than the entire heartbreaker ensemble. This album reminded me of other old rock albums which makes sense with this coming out in 1976 but it felt like it was missing that spark from songs like Free Fallin and Running Down and Dream.

Dig Me Out

Sleater-Kinney

2/5

Despite Carrie Brownstein being in this group, I was actually not a huge fan of this album. I don't think I liked the main singe, not sure if that was Carrie but her voice rattled as she sang and it didn't sound good to me. The music was fine and some of the chorus' were catch but then that rattley voice would come back and I'd skip the song. Glad to see a female rock/punk group!

Floodland

Sisters Of Mercy

3/5

This was a very interesting album. I liked the music and vocals. I can't put my finger on who they sound like but it's like a mix of Leonard Cohen and Psychadelic Furs. Either way, they are UK and alright with me. Even their album cover is epic. Creepy lady in the back. I really enjoyed This Corrosion.

Queen Of Denmark

John Grant

2/5

I should have known by the album cover but it took me hearing him say Sigourney Weaver and then the next song being Chicken Bones for me to shut this off. I'm all for the Queen of Denmark, I'm sure this guy is good friends with her, but I do not need to listen to this album before I die.

The Number Of The Beast

Iron Maiden

4/5

Love this album, classic metal music that showed up on Guitar Hero. The entire album was blast to listen to. This was when metal was still just super hard rock so it's much easier to hear what they say and the music itself isn't too abrasive, but if you don't like hearing about the devil and his beasts this album may startle you. My tops for this were Invaders, The Number of the Beast, and Run to the Hills. LOVE this album cover too, all of theirs are great but actually seeing this up close. Satan is still only a puppet to Iron Maiden and that is how it should be.

Goodbye Yellow Brick Road

Elton John

4/5

Our dad is a huge fan of Elton and we have grown up with him around in some capacity but I don't think I've ever sat down to listen to an album all the way through (unless it was when I was little). This is a really fun album, the kind of thing that you play pool side or during a cook out. Elton always knew how to have a good time and translate that into his music. Favs were Saturday's Alright for Fighting and Bennie and the Jets. Classic album cover as well.

Marcus Garvey

Burning Spear

3/5

I'm a huge fan of reggae! I'm not afraid to say that I am openly reggae but don't ask me what type of bass I prefer (I might be more of a rude boy). This wasn't my most favorite reggae but I can't complain when there are so many worse albums I've listened to on this list. Only Red, Gold and Green stood out to me, but I enjoyed listening all the way through on this and hope more reggae finds its way onto this list. Very cool album cover as well, there was a Marcus Garvey center at UNC that we had to patrol the lot of so theres some good memories around that, on top of everything Marcus did as a person.

Electric Ladyland

Jimi Hendrix

4/5

A classic Jimmy album. While not my favorite, there are some hot tracks on here like Voodoo Chile and All Along the Watch Tower. Hopefully we see some of his other albums on here. As I am catching up, I'm laughing because while I was gone, it seems like all the good albums came out (or at least well known artists, we will see if the albums hold up)

Pearl

Janis Joplin

3/5

Janis has such a powerful voice but her style of music is not something I'm a huge fan of. I could listen to it if I was at a cook out or something but just for fun, I wouldn't chose it. Me and Bobby McGee is a classic and a few others I liked such as Cry Baby.

Tommy

The Who

2/5

What a stark difference between this and their prior album. I could not get into this one and I think that's because all my favorites are on the other album and besides those the Who kinda just feels like folksy UK music. Didn't even feel like rock music. Mixing between one minute songs and ten minute songs on an album with 24 total songs feels a lot like the preamble to Drake's Scorpion.

Blood And Chocolate

Elvis Costello & The Attractions

2/5

Now I know that I am not a fan of Elvis Costello

More Songs About Buildings And Food

Talking Heads

2/5

I was not a fan of this album, even it having what I'm assuming is the original Take Me to the River. I liked both covers I have heard better. I'm not sure why, as I was a fan of their other album but this one felt very strange, wasn't a fan of the vocals nor the music.

I’ve Got a Tiger By the Tail

Buck Owens

1/5

I felt like I had a tiger by the tail as I pressed play on the first song. While Buck Owens was able to sing out 32 minutes hanging onto that big cat, I wasn't so brave. Not a fan and shouldn't be on this list.

Parallel Lines

Blondie

4/5

Fun album! A couple of hits along with some new ones that I liked as well. One Way or Another and Heart of Glass are both fantastic classics and I enjoyed Sunday Girl as well. After yesterday, this was a welcome change of pace and I'm digging the album cover as well! A beautiful lady surrounded by many similar looking white men. Look at all the parallel lines!

Machine Head

Deep Purple

4/5

Now here is some classic rock! Fantastic album, listened all the way through, it's got your classic Smoke on the Water (easiest way to learn the guitar I hear) and Space Trucking. I enjoyed the other songs as well and hope we get their album with Hush on it in the future. Album cover is also classic, looking at their reflections in the metal. Very metal.

Black Sabbath

5/5

On a monday morning, looking at this album cover, I wish it was October. This is the perfect spooky album opening up quickly with a mention of Satan as this evil vile woman stands in the wood ready to curse an unsuspecting bloke...or maybe she already has? Is she the Wizard? We can't be sure, but the vibe Sabbath put out on this album is insane. The distorted guitar, the harmonica (a devil in disguise type instrument), and I just heard "lucifer" as I write this. I can't imagine how the young and old of America took this album when it came out. Were they scared? Were they repentant? All I know is I'll be coming back to the altar to listen to some of these hellish hits. And in fact, I did, listening to this album again with my brother. I don't know about you, but I'm ready to keep the Sabbath holy.

90

808 State

3/5

This was a very cool album. The songs felt a tad long and repetitive but it made for great background music. The album cover is both bland and baffling in a good way, I'm not sure the significance of the numbers either.

Wild Is The Wind

Nina Simone

4/5

When it comes to older music, this is what I like. Much better than Tex and the Sad Cowboys chasing tiger tails. Nina sings with such heart and has such a strong presence just in the microphone. I liked some songs more than others but having never listened to one of her albums before (only singles) I can say I really enjoyed this. I also love the album cover, the hot pink really sticks out.

Bug

Dinosaur Jr.

2/5

Bug...I'll just say I'd rather watch Bug in Uncle Buck than this album. Maybe it is because it's an older album of theirs but I was not a fan. I could barely hear what they were saying over the music and most of that music was very one note. Especially for a band named after one of my favorite things, I was bummed. And the album cover is a bug so at least they are consistent.

Highway 61 Revisited

Bob Dylan

4/5

I was not expecting to like this album as much as I did. I may be a secret Bob Dylan fan. It made me laugh and think at the same time as Dewey Cox floated around in my head especially during Tombstone Blues which I loved. Like a Rolling Stone is also a classic but I was very surprised to see Desolation Row because My Chemical Romance or maybe just Gerard Way covered that song on the Watchmen soundtrack. Their version was only two or so minutes but this behemoth was almost 10 and I still loved it. I love seeing how young Bob is on the cover since he is still kicking to this day, like a rolling stone.

The Blueprint

JAY Z

4/5

I hadn't listened to this album before but knew Izzo from Linkin Park. Still a classic on here and I enjoyed most of the songs but there is always something that holds me back from loving Jay-Z. He loves to brag and I think that's great if you have the skills to back it up. He is no Kendrick. But I find out most of his raps aren't written down so even though I listened to the album twice, now I need to go back again. I really enjoy the album overall but don't have too many favorite songs. CLASSIC album cover.

American Pie

Don McLean

3/5

We all know the title track on this one. I will say, I knew Weird Al's version more than this one but thanks to Rock Band I was introduced more fully to it. I wasn't a huge fan of this album. Comparatively to what we have been getting there is nothing exciting in this album to me. Just a man playing guitar talking about Americana. I do enjoy American Pie but it's also 8 minutes long (feeling about twice as long as Black Sabbath's longest if you catch my drift). The album cover could possibly be sued by Marvel as they looks identical to Captain America's suit.

Brothers

The Black Keys

3/5

I enjoyed this album quite a bit but none of the songs stuck out to me. I've always been a fan of Heavy Soul from MacGruber but beyond that, I was never a huge fan of the Keys. Their groove is awesome, and the guitars really set them apart, but their songs all sort of blend together after a while. Will I listen to them again? Probably, but will I remember the songs? No. And the album cover certainly isn't helping with that. Almost feels like they sent that to the label telling them what they wanted and the label accidentally just put their request on the cover.

Heartattack And Vine

Tom Waits

1/5

They say an album cover is a window into the music. That it can make or break the experience. I agree, and I'd say this one was ruined. The minute I saw this man on a dirty bathroom newspaper looking like Marilyn Manson at his first wedding, I shuddered even pressing play. When I did press play, I stopped. I don't need some guy trying to sound likes a blues man. Honestly by the third track I thought this was a gag album.

Superfuzz Bigmuff

Mudhoney

3/5

At first glance I groaned thinking I would have to listen to another UK grunge band but turns out these boys are from Seattle! And they aren't half bad! It feels like they are approaching something special with this album but don't quite reach it. The music is very interesting but borders on overplayed and the lyrics are exciting at times but mostly lost in the music. There is even one very interesting track called Hate the Police where this lead singer says it. I really enjoyed Need, Mudride, and No One Has.. Album cover is really cool, too. Feels very grungy in a great way.

Bad

Michael Jackson

4/5

Now that I have listened to this and Off the Wall, I can't decide which I like better. OtW I was able to listen to all the way through where as this album had some skippers, but I think this album has more songs I like overall. Bad, the Way you make me feel, man in the mirror, smooth criminal, and leave me alone were my favs. While many would say this album was MJ admitting he was in fact, bad, and it almost looks like this was when he started trying to turn his skin more white. If we are talking album covers, OTW wins all day compared to this one.

Vulgar Display Of Power

Pantera

4/5

Lets go! One of my favorite metal songs, Walk, graces this album as I am treated to all the other songs Pantera has to offer. Another case of, I'll listen to them eventually. The time is finally here and I am enjoying what I hear! I may have to give it a second listen to find some gems, but Rise is sticking out and F****** Hostile was wild. I wonder if they were the first to get an F on an album track. I wouldn't be surprised if Slipknot got some of their influences here with the singers lower voiced moments that shift to screams. This can especially be heard on No Good (which I am liking as well). Love the album cover, too. That is me when I was first introduced to metal music and my life was change forever.

New Gold Dream (81/82/83/84)

Simple Minds

3/5

This felt very 80's in a good relaxing way. I had the album on while I was working and breezed right through it, although, nothing really stood out to me. The album cover makes absolutely no sense to me either but at least the music was good!

3 Years, 5 Months And 2 Days In The Life Of...

Arrested Development

3/5

Never heard of this group before and I'm surprised with all the hip hop I've been listening to from that era. I enjoyed this album, while not as much as, say, Tribe Called Quest, but it was still entertaining. Not as calming but upbeat and I was outside while I was listening so that helped. I think my favorite track was Mr Wendal. Very cool album art as well, glad to see the group playing outside.

Germfree Adolescents

X-Ray Spex

2/5

a perfectly fine album that doesn't need to be on this list

Hot Buttered Soul

Isaac Hayes

4/5

Opening this up to listen and seeing four tracks was really exciting. If I'm remembering right, Isaac did the Shaft soundtrack and that same vibe is in this album, maybe just a little slower. There was a magic to these songs that makes them timeless both in length and memory. Consider my soul all buttered up.

Done By The Forces Of Nature

Jungle Brothers

4/5

I'm going to give this album another listen because after one I think this may be something on the level of Tribe Called Quest. There were a few duds but almost all of the songs hit in some way for me. The lyrics were fantastic, the beats were those great late 80's early 90's, and I loved all the track titles with the "2" or "U" in quotes. This is also a phenomenal album cover. Favs were Feelin' Alright and Acknowledge Your Own History. These are the albums I hope to see on this list.

My Generation

The Who

3/5

Whatever. I've been told this is the final Who album on this list and I am grateful. I love the Who but I also don't need to hear four of their albums in the span of a few months, especially when they sound so similar. At least I can now say my favorite Who album is Who's Next. My Generation is a classic on here but I wasn't a fan of any of the others. They were not necessarily bad, but they are just the same stuff I have heard before over their 100+ other songs. I also don't understand why all their albums are a million songs long. Shout out to Stevie for giving me the scoop it was only 12 songs but even that felt like too many. Again, just happy this is over.

At Newport 1960

Muddy Waters

3/5

I was very hesitant to listen to this album because the title suggests it is a live album. Sure enough it was one and I just don't subscribe to the idea that these live albums should be on this list. I feel like for any live album the review is basically "this is a live album...they are performing songs from another album, just live". I'll leave my review at that (don't get me wrong, Muddy Waters kicks Who's ass).

The Fat Of The Land

The Prodigy

3/5

This was a really fun album. I always enjoy an electronic non lyric type of album and this had some good songs that reminded me a bit of Jet Set Radio Future or some old type of video game. Some were strange but seeing that crab on the album cover made it all worth it.

Fifth Dimension

The Byrds

2/5

Cool, another band that tried LSD and realized they could make music. I'm really trying hard to come up with new creative ways of saying "this shouldn't be on this list, why do I have to listen to these" but it's Monday so the juices aren't flowing yet. I had this on in the background while I was working and it was relaxing but nothing to write home about.

At Budokan

Cheap Trick

2/5

You already know I don't want to listen to this album and Apple music made it even easier by not having it in their album list. The only Cheap Trick I see is this list trying to make me listen to another live album.

Out of Step

Minor Threat

2/5

I'm not sure what made these boys so angry but it's been a while since I've seen a 22 minute album over nine tracks that is punk rock. After clash and ramones, I don't know why anyone would try to replicate that but these fellas gave it their best. Unfortunately, their best, just like their album and art, was out of step.

Haut de gamme / Koweït, rive gauche

Koffi Olomide

4/5

This was awesome. Perfect relaxing music with bits of excitement. There was a great variety between each song but all felt perfect for the beach or a relaxing shindig. I've said it before but these are the albums I'm trying to get on this list. Really liked Desespoir but cruised through most of the rest as well.

Here, My Dear

Marvin Gaye

4/5

Pure pleasure to my ears. A while back I had listened to "What's Going On" since it topped Rolling Stones chart and I really enjoyed it but never dove into his other albums. This one was awesome. I'll be exploring this one again to find some favorites but When Did you Stop Loving Me is an early stand out, as is a lot of the album. Very glad this came on a Friday especially with the week we've had with bad albums. Incredible album cover too. Is Rome/Greece burning down because of his love? Who knows but I'm here for it.

Paul's Boutique

Beastie Boys

2/5

Probably my least favorite of their albums I have listened to. Some catchy bits but there were a few I outright skipped and nothing was that memorable. Shake your Rump was the only one I saved. And cool album cover, I've never seen a busy New York street corner as an album so very inventive and creative.

Being There

Wilco

2/5

At almost an hour and twenty, there are some duds on this album but having never listened to (insert band name) before, I'm glad I did because there are some ones I pulled out as well like Outtasite and I Got You. I put the parentheses because I feel like a lot of these albums are blending together in their rock/folk/guitar work. I understand and appreciate that there are so many artists out there with gifts to share but as I say on almost every review, I'm not trying to listen to 1001 Mediocre Albums before I die.

Isn't Anything

My Bloody Valentine

2/5

What can I say; a calmer smashing pumpkins. Maybe they should call themselves carving pumpkins. I thought this was bullet for my valentine and I kind of wish it was. Pretty decent but I’d lump it in with yesterday’s album in the mediocre bin. And what’s up with the Album cover? I’m sure they took multiple photos that didn’t have lens flare but if you look closely you can see that little bloody valentine peeking out.

Screamadelica

Primal Scream

3/5

A little bit of everything and nothing. They sound like Rolling Stones but have a ton of other influences. Was fun to listen to outside.

I'm Your Man

Leonard Cohen

3/5

Leonard Cohen will always remind me of watchmen. In the movie his cover of Hallelujah was used and during the credits, First We Take Manhattan, which is featured on this album. He has always reminded me of a deeper and slower voiced Bob Dylan. His songs remind me of driving in a neon soaked town at night. They are a little weird and out there but very enjoyable. I mean, look at the guy, it’s like Anthony Bordain meets Dustin Hoffman and he’s eating a banana on the cover! Guys a baller.

Ten

Pearl Jam

4/5

Another album with some classic hits that I never listened to fully. I enjoyed rocking out in the car to this one. Even Flow and Alive are probably my two favorite Pearl Jam songs so this album was a win regardless. I know Jeremy is a big one too but it never caught on with me. Very iconic cover but I wonder what they are reaching for? Ten feet?

A Walk Across The Rooftops

The Blue Nile

4/5

This was a really relaxing listen, I enjoyed most of the songs and felt like I was listening to 80’s soft rock but it was unique enough to stand on its own. Very short and sweet

Swordfishtrombones

Tom Waits

1/5

Now I know for sure I don't like Tom Waits at all.

Let Love Rule

Lenny Kravitz

3/5

I have a bunch of Kravitz in my playlist, especially songs like Fly Away and American Woman but those aren't on this album. While it certainly wasn't bad, I didn't connect with the music on this album. I did enjoy his fusion of a few different genres especially some funkadelic but I don't think I'll listen to this again.

Southern Rock Opera

Drive-By Truckers

3/5

I've heard a few southern rock groups but not the drive-by truckers (or maybe I have and didn't realize it). I found myself actually enjoying the more talky songs than the actual music ones especially The Three Great Alabama Icons. Love this album cover too with the spooky owl.

Picture Book

Simply Red

3/5

This felt like something I would have heard when I was younger, a sort of poppy soft rock. Kind of felt like Peter Gabriel at moments but also like other 80's pop/rock. I really enjoyed the opening song and it immediately was stuck in my head. Some of the others were skips but overall I enjoyed this one. Creepy album cover.

British Steel

Judas Priest

4/5

Did not realize Breaking the Law was Judas but here we are. Fantastic album, they remind me a lot of Iron Maiden but maybe a little more rockish than metal. Of course this list would pick "british steel" as the first album but I guess we have to take what we can get.

Highway to Hell

AC/DC

5/5

When you see this album cover, you should already know. These wild boys will rock your socks off whether that is on a hot summer day playing outside, jamming out with an air guitar, or watching any Iron Man movie. I think this might be my favorite of their albums but Back In Black might be there too. Either way, if you are looking for rock, roll, and blood, you've got it.

Hard Again

Muddy Waters

3/5

Love those old blues. This was a perfect blues album, something I haven't listened to before. This is great "hanging out" music but I don't think I'd ever listen to it on a playlist. Great start with Mannish Boy and there were a few others on there too, the album breezed by. Pretty basic cover but it's about what's inside that counts.

Crime Of The Century

Supertramp

3/5

A very interesting album to end the week on. I really like the album cover and there were times I felt trapped in space listening to this but something about it I liked. I really liked Bloody Well Right, too.

Catch A Fire

Bob Marley & The Wailers

4/5

Always love me some reggae! Bob Marley is the king of cool, the sultan of swag, the regent of relaxation. Him and his wailers are perfect for any outdoor setting or even indoor if your main objective is to relax and feel like you are close to an ocean or beach or beer.

Groovin'

The Young Rascals

4/5

I enjoyed this album much more than I anticipated. It may have been because I watched Once Upon a Time In Hollywood recently and this felt like it was ripped right from the soundtrack. Just a sort of folksy rock group trying to grove and have fun. What else would you expect from some young rascals in the late 60's. Album cover is very strange but it was probably a strange time.

Phrenology

The Roots

4/5

This album was all over the place and I loved that. Songs as short as 30 seconds or as long as ten minutes. very easy to listen to as the beats and other ambient sounds carried through most of the songs, especially on Break You Off and Water. The songs felt so short but were super long. Love this album art as well. Surprised this came out in 2011!

Homework

Daft Punk

2/5

I am a huge electronic fan but I have grown to realize I am not as big of a Dance fan. At least that is the genre that Apple puts this in. I have listened to Daft Punk in the past and never been a HUGE fan and I think that is highlighted on this album. The songs are very repetitive and often just repeat the same beat and lyrics over and over. I got bored very quickly with each song as the initial playing of it wore off.

People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm

A Tribe Called Quest

5/5

I am beyond embarrassed that with all the love I have give Tribe over the last year, I didn't realize what their debut album was. I always thought it was Low End Theory so while I have been blaring that and their subsequent albums so frequently, I have never actually listened to this one. These are the days I appreciate this album list. I'm only a couple songs in now but this is just as great as their other albums. Tribe may be one of my favorite hip hop groups of all time and I think this solidifies it. Amazing album art work and that same classic beats and rhymes in each song. Glad I fixed my mistake.

London Calling

The Clash

3/5

This one feels much calmer than the Clash's other album we listened to and I like that. Still not enough for this band to become a favorite but London Calling is a classic. I could almost sense some Ska in some of these songs which made me enjoy them more. Iconic album cover, I'd be just as upset if London called me too.

Eliminator

ZZ Top

4/5

One of the classic rock greats!! This album has almost all the ZZ Top Top Hits. I thought I had listened to this album a long time ago and maybe I did because the other songs on the album, while decent, didn't do much to stick out to me, besides TV Dinners due to its weirdness. When your album has Gimme All Your Lovin', Sharp Dressed Man, and Legs, there isn't much more you need on it so the fluff didn't bother me. These are songs that have followed us through childhood and remind me of summers lifeguarding and Santa Clause. Not to mention the epic album cover with the fancy car shootings its lights into the distance.

Faith

George Michael

4/5

This is a classic I remember listening to all the time with Dad. He had this CD going in the car and we would jam to Faith and Father Figure but there were a few others I remembered as well like One More Try. I think this may be the only George Michael content I've ever heard unless their is a song from another album but I really enjoyed listening to this one. Great album art as well.

Nothing's Shocking

Jane's Addiction

2/5

Wasn't a fan of this album. I'd heard Janes Addiction before but something just got me wrong with these songs. I didn't like the vocals or quality.

Revolver

Beatles

4/5

I have never been a true Beatles fan. Maybe it's because when I was able to "get into them" I was too busy getting into "better" bands like Led Zepplin, Rush, and Van Halen. Anytime I listened to them I thought they were just a lighter version of that and never impressed me. But any time I really dove into a song, I tended to like it for the most part. I'm very excited that we have finally gotten an Beatles album on this list so I have an excuse to listen to them and this one didn't dissapoint. With classics like Elanor Rigby and Yellow Submarine (is it the true version?) I was hooked. Even the lesser knowns were enjoyable. I actually ended up listening to the album twice over and I can confidently say I am a fan. I have no ranking of the beatles albums but since this is the first I've fully listened to, I'll say, for now, it's my favorite. Super strange and cool album cover, something I'm sure they made while they were tripping on acid.

Songs From The Big Chair

Tears For Fears

4/5

Classic album alert! All the great Tears for Fears songs are here on one album. I didn't fall in love with any of the songs that weren't hits but of course Shout, Everybody wants to rule the world, and Head over heels are enough to push this into the 4 category.

Dig Your Own Hole

The Chemical Brothers

4/5

Well this was unexpected! The album felt like a less exciting Jet Set Radio Future album and that isn't bad. Quite a bit of repetitiveness but there were some gems in here! Some were a little long but I jammed out to this one.

Crosby, Stills & Nash

3/5

This feels like all the other 1960's rock albums of that time. Very chill and easy to listen to but not much there in my opinion. Nothing in these songs stands out as unique but I'm sure at the time it was fun. I enjoyed listening to the album but won't again.

The Sun Rises In The East

Jeru The Damaja

3/5

Overall, I thought this album was alright. Not as great as the other Hip Hop albums we have seen here. Honestly, nothing stood out to me in this album to make it memorable....that is...except for one thing. I had to do a little research on this but funny enough, the famous song from this album is Come Clean. Well, that happens to be the only song where I caught something. "Don't provoke the wrath of this rhyme inventor, cause I blow up spots like the World Trade Center"....within this verse there is also something about flying like a jet. Not ONLY that but this album cover has him crouching next to what appears to be the twin towers burning. Mind you...this album came out in 1994 so while the album itself wasn't that exciting, this entire thing will stay with me forever. Jeru the Damaja possibly knew about 9/11 seven years before it happened. He was ahead of the game (and I tried to find what Damaja meant, maybe seer or prophet, but all I could find was that there was a Brahman in Indian text called Damaja).

With The Beatles

Beatles

4/5

Another great Beatles album. I was nervous since this was an older one and I'm not a huge fan of their old stuff but again, I hadn't listened to any of it fully. I really liked this one too, not as much as Revolver, but still up there. All my Loving, Please Mister Postman, Roll Over Beethoven and even some others all stood out to me. Parts of this album felt just right for when it came out but other parts seemed ahead of their time. Pretty cool album cover too but nothing special.

Rumours

Fleetwood Mac

5/5

I saw the cover and immediately got excited, of the three boys I'd say I'm the least versed in Fleetwood only because I never listened to the albums, I'm sure I listened to greatest hits at one point but not a singular. This felt like greatest hits as there were so many from their roster on this one album. That alone is enough to give this one a 5, but it is the other songs that really boost it. While they don't stick as well as the favorites, I still enjoyed them all. As I said, this is an iconic album cover and I never realized the two dangling balls. Epic.

Deja Vu

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

2/5

There is something about this folksy rock that sat well with me but overall I wasn't a huge fan of this album. I can imagine this being a big hit when it came out, there are a lot of good 70's themes in here for all the liberteens who probably jammed out to this. For me, there wasn't anything that exciting about it except for the spooky album cover that appears to be like an old western (or maybe eastern Appalachian) scene. The men on the far right and left also both look terrifying.

Beggars Banquet

The Rolling Stones

2/5

I'll say this much, I love Sympathy for the Devil. I had this album on while I was working and breezed through it but don't remember any of the songs. I skipped a few too that bored me but this did not fee like the stadium rock I know from these stones which makes sense since this was one of their earlier albums. And I'll skip out on that bathroom in the cover.

Coles Corner

Richard Hawley

3/5

All of this guys songs sound like they are the song that plays at the end of the movie as the credits roll. I'm not sure why this came out in 2005 or who this guy is but I liked Ocean. He almost is like a knock off Johnny Cash in a way. And so he is just waiting outside at his own concert for someone to show up and they aren't showing up? Kind a sad.

Lust For Life

Iggy Pop

2/5

I was never an Iggy Pop fan, I had heard his songs every once in a while and on a Kesha song and I was never impressed. Finally getting to listen to an album I can now say he should be called Iggy Dud. The confidence of this fella to post his mug on the album cover is hilarious and while I'm not saying I hate his music, it just didn't impress me at all. Just your basic late 70's rock. I would rather listen to Lana Del Rey talk about her Lust for Life than Iggy.

Fred Neil

2/5

Wasn’t a fan, I know I listened to the album a few days ago but can’t remember any of it

Microshift

Hookworms

2/5

Very quirky and interesting sound but also kind of slow for my taste. The song trailed too long too

Hotel California

Eagles

4/5

This album gets 4 starts solely because of hotel California. Life in the fast lane is also a classic but None of the other songs on the album were of the same caliber. Very strange but glad this made it to the list

Aftermath

The Rolling Stones

2/5

The album cover here says UK version, which doesn’t even have paint it black. Another reason to just be sick and tired of these Rolling Stones. Honestly. After a few albums I can see so much moss growing it’s not even funny. I didn’t even bother with the UK version and did the US. Paint it black is a classic. All the others felt like the same ol Beatles rock that I don’t care for. I don’t get how people liked these guys.

Fisherman's Blues

The Waterboys

2/5

Upon first blush, I see a bunch of boys just trying to fish. That’s probably why they are blue. But when you have ten people in your band (one more than slipknot) and your music sounds like this, I’d say there’s some rotten fish in the barrel. If I’m trying to fish, I would never listen to this band. I wish id have casted and caught a different group cause I’m tossing these tossers back out to sea. Makes me sad that ten men can just decide to start a band and get by sounding like this. I had a biggun on the line but turns out all I caught was a boot.

Infected

The The

3/5

This album was as weird and whacky as the title, artist, and album cover suggest, and I mean that in a good way. Nothing memorable about it other than feeling like it was more pop rock, almost like Duran Duran meets Flock of Seagulls. Great music to listen to while working!

Franz Ferdinand

3/5

Take me out!! One of those albums that had a one hit wonder and I never bothered listening to the rest. Now is my chance and this is an enjoyable album! Still a sort of brittish rock but there were some unique tunes within. They were definitely channeling their predecessors of rock. The album cover is very informative because that is the name of the album and also of the band.

If I Should Fall From Grace With God

The Pogues

3/5

As this album played I got both excited and annoyed. Excited because I have a very soft spot for this type of music, kind of like Dropkick Murphys or some other irish band of misfits. The people who live out in the sticks in the show Outerbanks call themselves the Pogues so that was a nice call out as well. But I'm annoyed because while this album is fine, and has one reallllllly good song, Turkish Song of the Damned (holy cow love the beat), this does not need to be on this list. Throw this album up against Miles Davis or ACDC or Fleetwood and it just crumbles.

Technique

New Order

3/5

very nice! Some slower pop but made sense for late 80's. Nothing to write home about or have any reason to be on this list but enjoyable none the less.

Rattus Norvegicus

The Stranglers

2/5

I'm not joking, yesterday I watched the digital short on Disney Plus about Ratattoullie and they talked about the Norwegian Rat and that it actually came from China. Pretty wild that that is the title of this album today. Now I need to think about lottery numbers. There is a song on here called down in the sewers that has some good rat music on it but the rest of the album was mediocre. I'm sick of these albums, especially the ones where the cover and name are so cool and the music is just bland and british

Seventeen Seconds

The Cure

3/5

I wasn't a huge fan of this album but I can see the merits behind it (not of it deserving to be on this list, just as an album). Being one of their earlier albums, the Cure seems to still be finding their style but it is readily apparent that driving at night was a theme. This entire album I could play during a night drive and it would fit the mood perfectly. With very little lyrics and some very short songs, this felt like a quick preview of what was the come in their future (better) albums.

That's The Way Of The World

Earth, Wind & Fire

4/5

Bring on the funk!! Been waiting for some EWF and this album didn't disappoint. Solid all the way through with some classics peppered in like Shining Star. I also really enjoyed Africano as a fun Jazz mix. Hopefully we get a few more of their albums because this knocked most of the last week and half out of the water.

Made In Japan

Deep Purple

1/5

I'll be honest, there are some days where I wish I didn't have to listen to an album just because the success rate has been so low. Today, I get to take that breather just the same way I did when they did this for the Who. Live albums don't belong on this list.

The Chronic

Dr. Dre

4/5

No doubt this album is special. Especially for it's time. I listened to Dre's albums a while back and never caught on and here I was listening again, nodding my head to the tracks but ending wondering why I felt the same way. This isn't a bad album, in fact, it's the best album this week so far, but I still couldn't find any songs on it that I'd take away. Maybe I like 2001 more, maybe Dre just isn't my style, but I still can't deny how good this is. I'd listen to it anytime.

Frampton Comes Alive

Peter Frampton

1/5

Perfect ending to the week, as in, I can focus on the new albums that came out this week that are all better than this live album that I will never listen to. Two in one week, who do they think we are?

Hypnotised

The Undertones

3/5

This was an unexpectedly fun album! Saved the first song and under the board walk which I swear I’ve heard before somewhere. Just your classic British rock album but it was short and sweet.

Live At The Star Club, Hamburg

Jerry Lee Lewis

1/5

How bout no?

Green River

Creedence Clearwater Revival

3/5

While I think their greatest hits album is the best, I'm more than happy to explore some of their lesser known songs. They don't disappoint, but many don't stick out either. Either way, CCR is a classic rock band and Bad Moon Rising is enough to put this higher on the list than certainly all the live albums we have seen.

Lady Soul

Aretha Franklin

4/5

Such a beautiful voice. Each song had its own flair and for only being 30 mins long, I wonder what Drake or Kanye would think about this? I thoroughly enjoyed this entire album and especially chain of fools and natural woman.

Transformer

Lou Reed

2/5

I think I remember Lou Reed being one of the greats but I can't remember. Just like I won't remember listening to this album after I'm done and more focused on the actual better albums that came out this week in 2021. Some of these were entertaining but for the most part I found him a little creepy and it wasn't just because of the album cover.

The Dark Side Of The Moon

Pink Floyd

4/5

A classic album graces us today. One that I have heard so much about throughout my life but have never truly listened to (either forwards or backwards). This was a fantastic album and as I've heard, best listened to all the way through. Time was one of my favs in the album. As a whole, this is a really cool concept of one long song all the way through. Lots of instruments and psychedelic feels to this. And this may be one of the coolest album covers ever. At least if you go to a college campus.

In The Wee Small Hours

Frank Sinatra

4/5

The last Frank Sinatra album we had was really fun because I hadn't heard it before and it felt like a step out of his comfort zone collabing with someone else. This one I was hoping would be on here because I already created a Frank Sinatra playlist and this CD is on it. Hadn't listened yet, but I am intimately familiar with the title track. Opening this album with it is pure perfection. This song will always give me so much comfort as it was a part of the Sinatra album of greatest hits that I have listened to going to bed since I went to school at John Paul in Plano. This is one of my favorite songs of the bunch because it is so touching and sad while at the same time filled with promise. If you're thinking about them at 3am, they are a special someone. Though, as I listen to this album, I'm starting to reframe that song as most of the songs on this album are sad. All about a guy who can't catch any sleep because he is thinking about his missed opportunities and bad times with love. "I Get Along Without You Very Well" and "Deep in a Dream" both have some sadness to them. Frank is fine being alone, but he doesn't want to be. Overall, I liked this album a ton. Perfect to play late at night when you're about to fall asleep. And an absolute painting of an album cover.

Siembra

Willie Colón & Rubén Blades

4/5

Boy was this a fun album to listen to! I love any Musica Tropical (according to apple music) that gets me on my feet to dance. Maria Lionza was particularly interesting to me because I swear I remember some cartoon movie where a character was listening or humming to some music saying "bing bing bing bing" (not crazy frog) that was very similar to them doing that in the song (This morning I thought more and I think its the chiwawa in Oliver and Company) . Not sure what those babies are doing on the cover and kind of surprised that none of them seem to be having a good time. Maybe they are seeds that were siembra'd in the field of flowers on the cover. Very strange but adds to the mystique of this album. This might be one of the best weeks of the year so far in terms of banger albums. FYI my Frank Sinatra yesterday was meant to be a 5.

Moving Pictures

Rush

5/5

I think this might be the best week have had so far with these albums. Nothing lower than 4 stars all week and two five stars in the bunch, this being one of them. Moving Pictures is one of my favorite rock albums, something I jammed to in the car all the time during high school. From Tom Sawyer and Limelight to lesser known Red Barchetta and Camera Eye. They Even throw in the instrumental YYZ as well. And sitting at 7 songs for the album is very bold of them but also makes it more special. Getty killing it on base and vocals and Pert rocking the hell out of the drums. Rush gives me a Rush and I think Moving Pictures is my favorite album of theirs. I just realized today, though, that the album title is about actually moving pictures and not movies.

Younger Than Yesterday

The Byrds

3/5

I started listening to this album with my eyes ready to roll. Especially after the first few songs I was about ready to but then this album took an interesting turn. Instead of sounding like so many other 60's rock of the time, it started going very psychadellic. It really hit hard on Mind Gardens which sounded ahead of its time. While this didn't end up closing out the week perfectly, I still liked this album (except, boring album cover).

There's No Place Like America Today

Curtis Mayfield

3/5

Mr Superfly himself! Have not listened to anything else he had done and I'm glad we got some! Felt just like his Superfly soundtrack too which I liked. I have no qualms about this album but also nothing that really stood out to me. Great start to the week and so much better than a live album.

The United States Of America

2/5

There's an old (probably British) saying that "If you've never heard of the band or album before, there's a good chance it doesn't belong on this damn list". I don't care if the UK is pandering to us with this USA named band but I'm good, I have enough to deal with with all the less than mediocre UK bands to deal with the United States of America. Every song felt like it was on the precipice of something better but it never came. I did enjoy the lyrics on Coming Down but not enough to save this album.

Fire Of Love

The Gun Club

2/5

was it just me or does this seem like the same as the last two albums? Wasn't impressed. Not looking like a good week! Just a very very basic rock album.

Blood On The Tracks

Bob Dylan

4/5

Welcome back Bobby! Another classic smattering of nonsense that somehow sounds fantastic and nostalgic all at the same time. My favorite on the album was a simple twist of fate because it had all my favorite Dylanisms. Wild nonsense lyrics with wailing endings. Just reminded me of my impressions of Dylan. Overall, this was a great album. Cool album cover too, looks like a comic strip or something.

Juju

Siouxsie And The Banshees

2/5

Wrapping up this week with an unknown UK band. Confirming that last week was in fact an anomaly that I pray visits us more frequently than Haley's Comet. This wasn't a bad album, and I feel like I keep saying that this week. "Not a bad album but not great". And then mentioning that those shouldn't be words used when discussing top albums of all time. I did save the first song on here, the singer reminded me of Rush a bit with hints of Led Zepplin but the music was sort of bland. The album cover is cool but I won't see it ever again.

Bryter Layter

Nick Drake

4/5

While I don't think this is my favorite Nick Drake album, it's still fantastic. I never knew who he was before this album exercise and getting to hear all three of his best in the same year has been great. Love the giant shoes in the album cover and the entire cover in general. I kept Fly and Poor Boy to re listen but his albums are better listened to fully than picking certain songs out. Great start to the week.

Mama's Gun

Erykah Badu

4/5

Lisa shared this album with me a few years ago and for a few months we were both obsessed with "Bag Lady" especially because of the classic Gunter Grocery comment around another Bag Lady. I was so happy to see this album on here today and would never have expected it to be. I will say, listening in this format, it did feel long in the tooth. Sitting at an hour and 12 minutes this is that prime type of album that almost doesn't fit on a CD but you see why when the interludes are 50 seconds and some songs are over 6 minutes but I can't complain. She is a genius and speaks a lot of truth. Also love this album cover, gives of a 60's/70's vibe and for some reason I love the toothpick.

Mermaid Avenue

Billy Bragg

3/5

This album opens with a weird and wild song that I immediately liked but the rest of the album was a little forgettable. I loved the overall country type rock and it was enjoyable, but they just didn't hit the heights of that first song. I'd still call this a steady week, however, fingers crossed we keep it up!

Time Out Of Mind

Bob Dylan

2/5

Don't get me wrong, I'm a fan of Bobby, but I could tell in this one that he was getting older and less exciting. I did enjoy Not Dark Yet, but these songs were so long and repetitive. If I was Bob I would have retired a long time ago and just enjoyed my ride off into the sunset. Even the album cover feels like it doesn't belong but is also completely accurate with this album. A blurry shot of the man we once knew who is out of his mind with the times of these songs.

A Love Supreme

John Coltrane

5/5

I don't care what happened this week. Eryka started us off strong and John is finishing us stronger. How can you ask for anything more than the perfect four track 30 minute jazz session we get today? John looks mad in this album cover but it seemed like he was having a great time. Loved this.

Back In Black

AC/DC

5/5

I don't even need to listen to this album to write a review but I will anyway. Even the songs that I don't actively look to listen to were awesome. This is a classic rock album at its core. Hells Bells, Shoot to Thrill, Back in Black, and You Shook Me All Night Long were my favs. Perfect album cover as well. It's hard to top something like this so perfect start to the week.

Liege And Lief

Fairport Convention

4/5

British folk rock??? As I pressed play, fully ready to toss this album in the trash with the rest, I was transformed. I realllllly enjoyed this one. While many of the songs begin to blend together, it is the style and voice that kept me listening. Reminded me of Joni Mitchell or Jefferson Airplane. I was hooked. I loved Come All Ye and Quiet Joys of Brotherhood among many others. While the album cover isn't very flashy, and I'd never have listened to this before, I'm really glad I did.

Apocalypse 91… The Enemy Strikes Black

Public Enemy

4/5

Not my favorite Public Enemy album but still really good! I loved their sampling of their own songs from prior albums in some of the earlier tracks and I really enjoyed Nighttrain. Also it was a great surprise to have the Anthrax Bring the Noise at the end of the album which was used in Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2.

A Grand Don't Come For Free

The Streets

1/5

British Eminem, but a parody? Certainly felt like a parody with how bad this was. I'm not sure, I can't listen to any of the songs. His voice is terrible and his rapping is super slow. I was interested for half a second when I heard his voice because I wondered if this was the birth of balls, batty, and dick, but I don't want to know anymore and I definitely don't care. This should not be on this list.

Surfer Rosa

Pixies

4/5

Oh doctor and hello, nurse! I think I've heard the Pixies a time or two but never like this (in this list). Love the garage band sound and the short sweet songs. A 33 minute album is just how I like it. Gigantic was a stand out and so was this album cover.

Morrison Hotel

The Doors

3/5

This was a great album to listen to in the background while working, I loved the guitar twangs, felt a bit like Khruangbin in the best way. Nothing really stood out to me that I wanted to save, however. If the album ever came on, I wouldn't complain, but I won't be looking to listen again either. I just hope these boys were able to get a reservation at the Morrison Hotel, looks like fire sale prices.

Tonight's The Night

Neil Young

2/5

While listenable, I don't think I'm a big fan of Neil Young. It's not that he's bad, I've just heard other people do what he is doing but better. Sorry Neil! Tonight isn't the night but you do look like Jarod Leto's Joker doing a set as Joaquin Phoenix's Joker.

The Slim Shady LP

Eminem

3/5

I would say I am an Eminem fan, I bought one of his CDs in college and was obsessed with some of his older ones too, but I never really enjoyed his debut LP. Listening to it today, it grew on me a bit but nothing stood out. I especially didn't like all the skits which is par for the course for me (I typically don't like skits and interludes) but I've grown to like them more as I've gotten older. These I wasn't a fan of. I hope we see some of his other albums on this list and I'm glad we got this first one out of the way. The album cover is very interesting, guy with his kid on a pier and a dead body in a car under the full moon. Is that slim shady? Looks more like Husky Shady.

Paul Simon

2/5

I guess he was the first "cute girl winter" with the fur hoodie. That might be the only interesting thing about this album as well. I didn't hate it, the album is kind of up beat and folksy but nothing stood out except for the album cover.

Let's Stay Together

Al Green

3/5

Really fun album to listen to in the morning. Helped get my day started and I know I've heard Let's Stay Together before because it was instantly recognizable. This week, however, felt like album after album of just ok albums that didn't really do anything for me save for a few fun songs. This one is part of that group, a good album that I probably won't listen to again. I'm sorry Al, we probably won't stay together.

Stardust

Willie Nelson

3/5

Haven't listened to Willy before like this and I think it's safe to say he is the Frank Sinatra of country, just based on this album. A sad country boy reminiscing about love and loss and other country things.

Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde

The Pharcyde

3/5

Brilliant Corners

Thelonious Monk

4/5

The Only Ones

2/5

Elephant

The White Stripes

3/5

Songs In The Key Of Life

Stevie Wonder

4/5

I've been just putting ratings on these last few albums because it's a lot to catch up on but wanted to make a note about this one. This was a fantastic album, the original longer than one CD type album and I was here for it. Yes it ran long, and yes there were some that I wasn't a fan of, but I could feel the bones of so many current day songs within this album just like Stevie mentioned with Pastors Paradise and others. Stevie Wonder truly is that, and it is incredible that he gifted this album to the world and felt the need to make so much music within one timeframe. I can't wait to listen to some of these again.

Vincebus Eruptum

Blue Cheer

2/5

Da Capo

Love

3/5

Better than the last 60's rock group that we just saw. I figured we would have heard all the rock groups by now with the amount of unknown bands we are getting but there's always more. Creepy man in the middle, looks like a morlock or the giant from Equinox.

Follow The Leader

Korn

4/5

Korn was one of those metal bands I never really got into because I only liked maybe two of their songs. I never listened to any others except when I did I didn't like them. Hearing them in the context of this album, which I know some of these songs came on in the football locker room, I have more appreciation for them. I really liked Freak on a Leash and the rest kind of just flowed. I still wasn't a fan of some of it, but the ones I liked I really liked. And that's a fantastic album cover too.

Appetite For Destruction

Guns N' Roses

4/5

Now this is classic rock! I was shocked to hear the F word on multiple tracks without a parental advisory so I can only imagine the young kids who's parents caught them listening to this and called it the devils music. All their best songs on one album plus some other ok hits. My appetite was quenched as I was destroyed by these balads.

Ready To Die

The Notorious B.I.G.

3/5

Ah, Mr BIG. I listened to some of his albums a long time ago when I was trying to catch up on rap that I missed and I wasn't a huge fan. Listening to it again, I still am not a big fan. There were some good ones one here like Ready to Die, Me and my Bitch and Big Papa but I'm just not a big fan of this big man. I don't doubt this album belongs on this list, and I recognize the significance but there is so much rap and hip hop that I enjoy far more than this notorious rapper.

Sheer Heart Attack

Queen

3/5

As innovative and quirky Queen is, nothing beyond the hits caught my attention on this one. Killer Queen and Stone Cold Crazy are awesome but some of the others got a little too whispy for my taste when I listen to Queen I'm more on the rock side than the roll side but again, doesn't make it a bad album, just not one of my favs.

Purple Rain

Prince

4/5

Now here is an album I haven't listened to but know so many of the songs. SO happy to have this on the list with classics like Let's Go Crazy, When Doves Cry, I Would Die 4 U, and Purple Rain. Prince was an enigma and while I was never really a fan of him just due to little exposure, I recognize what a special person he was and this album is a perfect showing of that. Album cover is also an all timer.

Sign 'O' The Times

Prince

3/5

The man (formerly known as prince) so nice we get him twice! Very glad I could dip my ears in some of the lesser known prince songs. While this album didn’t hit the same way the last one did, feeling more whispy and long, it was still enjoyable! No songs stuck out but I like this album cover because it is a perfect description of this album being a little all over the place and a lot to listen to.

Ágætis Byrjun

Sigur Rós

2/5

Very eerie. And with the album cover this just made for a very creepy album. How did anyone even discover this Icelandic group? I listened all the way through while doing some work and it felt just like a score of some 2001 type movie with this cover. Don't feel it belongs on this list.

Back At The Chicken Shack

Jimmy Smith

4/5

Fantastic Jazz album, wish it was longer but this felt very fresh compared to some of the other jazz albums. And this cover is great too. Amazing start to the week, I need more chicken!

Drunk

Thundercat

4/5

Now this was a pleasant surprise. I've only become a Thundercat fan a few years ago when his newest album came out. I was always facinated with this one as well because of that album cover. He is something else. The jazz mixed with an almost freestyle storytelling that is for a younger audience, talking about anime and mortal kombat. Really enjoyed this one!

Timeless

Goldie

3/5

Very bold choice to open this album up with a 20 minute song. Almost to say, either you're going to like us or hate us. Well, I'm here to say I'm in the middle. For this being a pretty cool electronic album that came out in the mid 90's, I think that's impressive. For it being as long and repetitive as it is, that makes it less impressive. I don't know the history behind Goldie (maybe a cousin to Blondie?) but I'm imagining they inspired a lot of future electronic artists. It's a very intriguing album, it just runs way too long on every track.

American Idiot

Green Day

4/5

Very excited that this album is on this list! American Idiot came out while I was at the tail end of middle school it was all anyone listened to at that time. Whether that was on someone's CD or the radio, we jammed to so many of these. This was also one of the first albums I listened to with swear words (as far as I remember). Boy did I feel like a cool kid singing those words. Lots of memories with this album. Hands down my favorite Green Day album. Classic album cover too. Favs: American Idiot, Holiday, Boulevard of Broken Dreams, Are We the Waiting, and Wake Me Up When September Ends

Zombie

Fela Kuti

3/5

Enjoyed listening as background while I was getting some work done, just like the last few jazz albums, a 54 minute run time with only 4 songs. I certainly didn't mind it, but it felt like there were brief moments of really good mixed in with a lot of just regular afro-beat music. Again, no real complaints, always happy to listen to African music but nothing that stood out to me to make it on this list.

Closer

Joy Division

2/5

Very apt title for this album. Funny too, that their name is Joy Division yet when I was listening I felt nothing but monotone mediocrity. Oh right, the album title. A man walks into a bar and asks to hear some good music. The bartender says "I just got the new Joy Division album in, want me to open her up?" he asks. The customer says, "Nah, Closer"

Bummed

Happy Mondays

2/5

A day late with the band name but the album title is spot on for how I felt about this one. It wasn't terrible but that's two unnecessary albums this week.

John Barleycorn Must Die

Traffic

2/5

Better! But still not there yet. Enjoyed the instrumentals and was cool to find out Steve Winwood is a part of this but I don't think I'll come back to this one.

Darklands

The Jesus And Mary Chain

2/5

each day is getting better but we are not there yet, felt like generic 80's music.

We Are Family

Sister Sledge

4/5

With all the basic albums this week, I’m glad we could end on a high note. This was a great album with a ton of fun dance songs that also are good to chill to. We are family is a classic but I found myself jamming to almost every song on here.

1989

Taylor Swift

5/5

This is one of my favorite albums of hers, especially the deluxe edition that has the song "You Are In Love" but I'll stick with the regular. There are so many great songs on here, Blank Space, Out of the Woods, Shake It Off, Bad Blood, Wildest Dreams, How You Get the Girl, This Love...this was also her first pop album which was probably why it stuck so much with me. I wasn't as big a fan of country Taylor and when this album came out I fell in love with her pop side. This album is an easy four star, but I'm giving it five because it is very difficult for artists to change genres and she pulled it off.

The Healer

John Lee Hooker

3/5

While initially frightened by those healing hands (looks like babadook) this album was anything but scary. Classic blues in the best way with Santana even joining in the fun. Enjoyed this one!

Goodbye And Hello

Tim Buckley

1/5

Wasn’t a fan of his last album and a fan of this one either

Live Through This

Hole

3/5

Solid Air

John Martyn

2/5

another british rocker I never needed to hear. Smooth music but give me something new and exciting plz.

Shaft

Isaac Hayes

4/5

Now here is a classic album and hopefully a promising start to the week. I can dig it! One of the few albums I had already listened to prior. This theme song is iconic.

Welcome to the Afterfuture

Mike Ladd

3/5

interesting beats on this one, almost reminded me of the latch brothers from jet set radio but I couldn't latch on to any of these songs. Was cool to hear through though!

Different Class

Pulp

2/5

I liked bits of Disco 2000 but everything else was more British rock I don’t think should be on this list.

Songs Of Leonard Cohen

Leonard Cohen

3/5

Good ol Cohen. Always nice for an early morning listen. Every song felt like you were driving/walking through a dusty old town long forgotten by time. Apple says this sounded like nothing else at the time so that's pretty cool since it kind of sounds basic now. But for a debut album that is really impressive.

Out Of The Blue

Electric Light Orchestra

4/5

This was an absolutely classic album. Along with the cover and time frame, this felt right up there with Boston's albums. I wouldn't directly compare them beyond that but I really enjoyed this. My favorite was Mr. Blue Sky but the rest all felt like the classic rock I know and love that helps close this week out on a better note.

Chris

Christine and the Queens

4/5

This band reminds me a bit of Tegan and Sarah but also I think they are french? Never heard of them before this but this is one of the more current releases we have heard. I found Goya Soda to be very interesting in terms of content. It was as if they were trying to sing about anything they could.

Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1

George Michael

1/5

The Infotainment Scan

The Fall

1/5

not my style of singer at all, sounded a lot like a guy who just doesn't care. A classic British bastard which could be fun for some, but I'm looking for something much more unique.

Hearts And Bones

Paul Simon

3/5

I enjoyed this album way more that I thought I would. While it was very folksy in a way, Paul felt very inspirational to a lot of similar artists down the line. Some of these songs felt current in their design but the lyrics were insane. A whole song about cars in other countries? I'm sure he was going through something.

Sunday At The Village Vanguard

Bill Evans Trio

1/5

glad apple let me know this was a live album.

Fulfillingness' First Finale

Stevie Wonder

4/5

While this album did not reach the heights of songs in the key of life, it was still incredibly enjoyable. I loved the variety of songs and even could hear I think the same sample for Superstition in You Haven't Done Nothin. My favorite in the album was Boogie on Reggae Woman. Also killer album cover.

Lost In The Dream

The War On Drugs

3/5

And I thought Metallica's songs were long! This was a relaxing album but felt very long in the tooth. I could see it being great as background music while working but when focusing on it, there's a lot of empty space. Also the singer sounds like Bob Dylan. This is basically just Bob Dylan in space.

Connected

Stereo MC's

4/5

This was an awesome album. Some 90's hip hop from a a very diverse group based on the album cover. I enjoyed almost every song and a few I saved. These are the albums I'm looking for with this list!

Led Zeppelin III

Led Zeppelin

4/5

One of Led's greatest songs kicks this album off and lets just say I've been waiting since the beginning of the year to review a Led Zepplin album. Three is not in the top albums for me but that is only because I was never as familiar with it as 1 or 2 or Physical Graffiti. After listening to it, I'd still keep it lower on my list only because I was always more a fan of their rock side than folk side but this is still a classic album.

Fragile

Yes

4/5

This was a nice mellow rock album that felt very 80’s I digged it!

In It For The Money

Supergrass

2/5

While I listened to the television album first, this one sounds exactly like them except a little quicker paced. Still not impressed.

Marquee Moon

Television

2/5

A semi unique voice (like a more punk mick jagger) with basic sound. Not a fan nor do I think this should be on this list. Only cool thing is a “punk” band in the US in 1977

A Girl Called Dusty

Dusty Springfield

1/5

Parklife

Blur

3/5

I enjoyed this album. There was enough quirk on here to make it seem different. And it helped that I've been looking to listen to this album for a very long time because I saw the cover one time and thought it was terrifying. Tracy Jacks was one that stuck with me after listening.

A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector

Various Artists

4/5

Is this list random? Honestly I hope it is because that makes this even better. Great Christmas album with some of those classic radio hits I added right to my Christmas playlist. Also loved his thank you at the end.

OK Computer

Radiohead

3/5

Under Construction

Missy Elliott

3/5

Another great album that I never got to listen to at the time. Felt almost conversational at times but the raps were great and I'm glad we got this one on the list.

1999

Prince

5/5

Alright, I think this is the third Prince album we have had and I can solidly say I am a fan. I liked this better than the last one but I can't decided if I like it more or less than Purple Rain, either way, tons of classics on here like 1999m Little Red Corvette, Delirious and more. Love it!

Live At The Harlem Square Club

Sam Cooke

3/5

ooo a live album, good for sam cooke! I listened to a little bit but I'm not a big live album guy.

Vivid

Living Colour

4/5

Look in my eyeeeeeeees what do you see? This was actually an awesome album. They are more than a one hit wonder and his voice grew on me with every song. Great stuff to start the year.

The Undertones

3/5

album was fine, but reminded me of a knock off ramones. Songs are short and sweet with some nice grooves but nothing to write home about.

Rage Against The Machine

4/5

HOT album. I love Rage and first grew into them during the Guitar Hero days. Last year I listened to their discography (or was that two years ago now) and there are some bangers on here. I love Bombtrack and Killing in the Name.

Something/Anything?

Todd Rundgren

2/5

Something about "It Wouldn't Have Made Any Difference" stuck with me but the rest of this album felt so extra. Who does an hour and twenty in 1970 and expect it to be good? So many skips on this album and this fella reminded me of better rock singers.

Hounds Of Love

Kate Bush

4/5

This was an incredible album. Much like her last album, many of these songs left me confused. But Kate's beguiling lyrics and attitude just further the mystique around her. Under Ice was probably my favorite of the album but this is one I'd love to listen to again.

A Seat at the Table

Solange

5/5

ITS HAPPENING. THIS IS NOT A DRILL. This is one of my favorite albums of all time. When this came out I was just getting into more R&B for the first time and it changed the way I listened to music. I remember listening to this while eating lunch in an enclave at the Nationwide building and then again while working. And then on the drive home. I can’t speak highly enough about this album. Favorite Songs are Weary, Cranes in the Sky, Don't You Wait, Don't Touch My Hair, Where Do We Go From Here, Borderline, Junie, and Don’t Wish Me Well. Basically the entire album is my favorite.

Thriller

Michael Jackson

4/5

Finally we get the mirror album to Off the Wall. I think those are his two best? I might light off the wall better because there aren't as many hits on this one but also some of these songs like PYT are a little questionable knowing the singer. Either way, Thriller, Beat It, and Billie Jean are all classics and alone make this a great album.

Melodrama

Lorde

3/5

I was not expecting this album to ever make this list but here we are. I'm more than happy to enjoy the change of pace we have been getting (not a 60's british band). While I wasn't a huge fan of this album, enjoying her debut much more, there are some great songs on here like Greenlight and Supercut. Lorde was stretching her wings on this album but it seemed like she was almost closing herself in. A lot of the beats on her first album felt much bigger and the lyrics felt very deep but this just felt like a watered down version of that but it's on this list so people must really like it.

The Grand Tour

George Jones

2/5

It's always the saddest, loneliest men who may or may not have been rejected that make the best country music. I'm not saying George Jones is the best, I'm just saying I can tell he is very sad and every song is about him losing a girl. I almost passed on this album because I thought the title indicated that it was a live one but thankfully it wasn't. Wasn't a huge fan.

My Aim Is True

Elvis Costello

1/5

Alright this settles it! I am not an Elvis Costello fan, give me the regular Elvis over this guy any day.

Cloud Nine

The Temptations

3/5

Real nice album, great grooves to get you through the morning! (Since that's when I listened to it). I got very excited that Heard it through the grapevine was on here but turns out this is a different version. Cloud Nine was probably my favorite song of the bunch, none were terribly memorable but as a whole this was a fun album.

John Prine

2/5

A more quiet and reserved Bob Dylan....I like that. Very relaxing music. Nothing I'll go out of my way to listen to again but I'm glad this farm boy was able to get up on a bale o hay and talk about his troubles and reminisce about days of yore.

Aqualung

Jethro Tull

3/5

Hey aqualung!! A famous anchorman quote but I never went and listened to the full album. Definitely some flute action in this one and great guitar riffs. I wouldn't put this anywhere near some other rock albums but I think this is a really good one, especially with the use of other instruments than the typical rock fare.

High Violet

The National

3/5

I've never been a huge fan of The National and this album stays within those boundaries. Very slow and melodic which was kind of nice but all the songs start to blend together as he shares his woes with us.

Will The Circle Be Unbroken

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

2/5

I thought this was a joke but its real. I love Fishin in the Dark but that song isn't even on this incredibly long and bloated album. I barely got through the first half because these songs felt so unlike this band. At least my perception of them. Not a huge fan of blue grass slow songs when it comes to country.

The Marshall Mathers LP

Eminem

3/5

Oh Slim, you poor boy sitting on your porch wondering what the world can offer you and how you put your fist so far up the worlds rear to prove that you are the next big rapper. I enjoyed parts of this LP but I'm like a midpoint Eminem fan, his old stuff is very vulgar which is ironic because I typically don't care about that but you can tell that he is trying to be very aggressive on this album. Every other song started getting me upset or nervous just feeling like I was being personally attacked by Marshall. He definitely hits every gender, race, and creed in his insults. People are upset at Dave Chappell for his comments about the trans community but I'm wondering what they would think about some of these tracks. But there are some bangers on here too: Stan, The real Slim Shady, Marshall Mathers, Drug Ballad.

The Gershwin Songbook

Ella Fitzgerald

1/5

Bitches Brew

Miles Davis

5/5

Nothing makes me more happy then clicking into this site and seeing a 5/5 album that I can just listen to on vinyl and know I'll enjoy it the whole way through. We had Kind of Blue sometime last year and I'd been waiting till we got another of my favs of his. This album will always remind me of driving home from Texas back in 2020 when we road tripped to mom and dads. On the way back, we just had music on and I think this album repeated a few times because I kept thinking "wow this guy can really play for hours" but it was a treat because this album is gold.

Funeral

Arcade Fire

2/5

Not a huge fan of this album, I was never a fan of arcade fire. I think I've only seen them perform on SNL. Either way, I won't be going back to this one.

Phaedra

Tangerine Dream

1/5

What a week, two albums that I can't find on apple music. All of their discography is there except this one.

Music From Big Pink

The Band

3/5

Interesting album! Wasn't expecting much but when The Weight came on, I realized I've heard a few of these songs over my life. Nothing knocked out of the park but much more enjoyable than many of the others this week!

Let It Be

The Replacements

3/5

Interesting album to kick off the week. I liked these guys...punk rock meets regular rock but also sounding british. I really liked Unsatisfied and the rest just flowed through as I was working. Hope they are being safe up on that roof.

No Sleep 'Til Hammersmith (Live)

Motörhead

1/5

Good news, motorhead fans! Hammersmith has come and gone, since this is a live album, and you can all now sleep soundly. I know I certainly will.

Heavy Weather

Weather Report

3/5

As soon as I saw the album cover I knew we would be in for a treat. Glad to see I was right in that regard! A very interesting jazz type of fusion album. All the text of Weather Report and Heavy Weather also felt prescient due to the current snow storm outside. This was great music to listen to while working and I'm glad this funky album was on the list!

Celebrity Skin

Hole

4/5

I think I enjoyed this album more than their prior even though it seems that one is more popular. I've heard Celebrity Skin before but don't know where. Malibu also stuck out. Really enjoy the late 90's punk feel. Sounds a lot like Smashing Pumpkins. Very cool album cover, looks like they are at some type of witch type ritual or maybe just the homecoming bonfire.

Tidal

Fiona Apple

4/5

While I don't love every single song of hers, I've grown to really like Fiona Apple as an artist. Her songs are incredibly unique and I keep learning new things about her as time goes on. This album was a good one with hits like Sleep to Dream and Criminal. Each song feels familiar yet all are different from each other. She is just a very dynamic artist, great way to end the week! Also we watched Eyes of Tammy Faye last night so this album cover hits today.

Since I Left You

The Avalanches

3/5

A very interesting album, listed as pop, but felt almost like a jet set radio knock off soundtrack. Lots of repeating lines and synths which seems like the perfect skating/rollerblading type of music. Would I listen to it again? Probably not.

Bongo Rock

Incredible Bongo Band

4/5

Fantastic and fun album! Loved anything with fun drums like this and that opening song I think was used as a sample for Jump On it? I don't know if that's the title but it sounded identical to Apache.

Midnight Ride

Paul Revere & The Raiders

2/5

I don't know if they are british since their name and discography heavily implies American roots, they certainly feel british. I just googled and they are from Boise Idaho. Regardless, this shouldn't be on the list. One more "rock pop" band banging tambourines and keeping their keel as even as possible is not something to be honored on this list. I can almost guarantee the real Paul Revere was much more interesting and I pray that this midnight ride does not indicate that the british are coming in our next albums this week.

Palo Congo

Sabu

4/5

Great jazz album! At least that is how it was listed on Apple music. Felt like fusion in some moments as well, much more focus on the drums than other instruments but also singing too. I really enjoyed this one.

The Velvet Underground

3/5

This was a fun little album, I gave them some grace since I've heard of the band but haven't dived into any albums and as background music it was enjoyable. Like a hang out at night in the 60's. Pale Blue Eyes stuck out to me but the rest blended together.

Winter In America

Gil Scott-Heron

1/5

Yankee Hotel Foxtrot

Wilco

4/5

This was a much more enjoyable album that I thought! Wilco has a very interesting style and I wonder if any more of their albums will be on this list. Lots of fun ones on here like I'm the Man who loves you and Kamera. The kind of music that is perfect for a car ride.

Ambient 1/Music For Airports

Brian Eno

4/5

This was an awesome album. Perfectly timed for traveling in the airport. A huge desressor, but also didn’t exactly sound like something you’d hear in the airport. Either way, I’m excited to use this for meditating and sleeping in the future.

Innervisions

Stevie Wonder

4/5

Wild Wood

Paul Weller

3/5

This is a fun rock album! Very 90's but I'm digging that.

Rocks

Aerosmith

3/5

After going to Disney, this is a great album to listen to. They have their own rock and roller coaster ride that we did twice and it was great. This album isn't one of my favorites, but has some classics on there like back in the saddle. Forever, Aerosmith will remind me of their guitar hero game.

Leftism

Leftfield

3/5

very interesting album, electronic but older, with words. Some interesting beats, but nothing that wowed me. I'm sure someone would say these songs laid the groundwork for future electronic music but it felt a tad basic. I do like the album cover though!

Come Find Yourself

Fun Lovin' Criminals

3/5

interesting 90's hip hop even if apple lists it as alternative. Reminded me a bit of sublime. Nothing particularly unique, but was a fun listen.

Bert Jansch

2/5

not a fan, shouldn't be on this list. There are many others that surpass what he is trying to achieve here including Dylan, Drake, Simon & Garfunkle, etc etc.

Halcyon Digest

Deerhunter

2/5

Almost every song felt like it was just a slow burn towards getting started but then nothing happened. Memory Boy was the first one that at least started with a quicker tempo. Haven't heard of this group before but I would have been comfortable not knowing for longer. Doesn't need to be on this list.

Figure 8

Elliott Smith

3/5

This was a really enjoyable, calming album. Had some more upbeat songs, but reminded me a lot of other pop/alternative albums of that time.

Gunfighter Ballads And Trail Songs

Marty Robbins

4/5

Did not expect this to show up on this list but I should have. Stevie had a vinyl with some of these greats on it and we used to sing them all the time. Classics like Big Iron, El Paso, The Hanging Tree are great country songs. I think what I liked most was the way Marty was able to tell a story in his songs that was unique but also so very country.

Penthouse And Pavement

Heaven 17

3/5

What a fun album. Very very quirky. I feel like I have heard those voices before from some other 80's pop band. Some catchy songs but also none of them made any sense which I think added to the mystique.

On The Beach

Neil Young

3/5

Neil is a good man and this was a good album. It didn't exactly take me to the beach, but I'd be glad to listen to it if I was there. I particularly liked See the Sky about to Rain, again, not quite what you want at the beach.

Led Zeppelin

5/5

It is always a good day when we can drop a five star. Led Zepplin is one of my favorite rock bands and their debut album starts to explain why. From Plant's wailing and crooning to Paige's shredding of the guitar (something few were doing at the time) to Bonham's expert drum work, this album has it all. And it isn't even my favorite album of theirs! Every song oozes both the 60's and coming right at the tail, a promise of exciting things during the next decade and beyond.

Dust

Screaming Trees

2/5

Eh, not a fan, especially in a world with so many better bands. Leaving them in the 90's.

This Is Fats Domino

Fats Domino

1/5

album was not on apple music

KE*A*H** (Psalm 69)

Ministry

2/5

NWO kicked absolute ass as an opening song but I found d myself skipping the entire rest of the album. I've never heard of this band and I know quite a few metal groups so I wonder if NWO was a one hit wonder or something. Much more mainstream than the rest of the album which felt more like something of a mishmash between Metallica, Slipknot, and Rob Zombie.

Paris 1919

John Cale

3/5

A fun album that felt like that time period.

Blonde On Blonde

Bob Dylan

2/5

Of the Dylan albums we have listened too this was my least favorite

Clube Da Esquina

Milton Nascimento

3/5

A fun morning listen, but doesn't hold a candle to some of the other cuban-esque music we have gotten on this list. Enjoyable, but forgettable.

My Life In The Bush Of Ghosts

Brian Eno

2/5

I'm not sure what it is, with the last Bob Dylan album and now this one. My least favorite Eno album and I have been loving his other ones. This one just felt way more frantic and unfocused compared to some of his calmer albums we had. No doubt he has become one of the rising stars of this list for people I didn't know prior, but I'd put this one at the bottom of what we have gotten.

Vespertine

Björk

3/5

I wonder if this is the album that sparked her famous swan costume she wore back them. A very quirky album but that isn't a bad thing. I was never a huge fan of Bjork besides Gloomy Sunday, but this was enjoyable.

Seventh Tree

Goldfrapp

3/5

Was not expecting Goldfrapp to be on this list! Never listened to this album before and in a wild turn of events, it was very calming. I thought she had more upbeat things but this felt like a relaxing album. Reminded me of someone just meandering around a field of flowers not knowing where they are going next.

Sound Affects

The Jam

2/5

This list sure loves generic UK rock bands

The Visitors

ABBA

3/5

Loved hearing some new ABBA songs after hearing nothing but the classics for so long. I really liked Visitors and Head Over Heels. The rest were fun but unmemorable. Glad we got to hear one of their albums and I'm assuming that means there are others on this list with more famous songs.

Golden Hour

Kacey Musgraves

5/5

This was one of my top albums of 2018 although I admit I put it lower on my list than I should have. This album has aged incredibly well and I can't believe it's been four years already since it's release. Feels like yesterday. I love this album. Every song on it is special in it's own unique way and stirs up memories of this or that. Both memories of when the album came out and growing up in Texas. Funny, it took me till this album to find out who Kacey Musgraves was so after I went back to her other prior albums and enjoyed those almost as much. I think this was her best album and I think the Grammy's agreed.

Rip It Up

Orange Juice

2/5

While the beats were fun to listen to, the minute the singer started going I skipped. Did not like his voice and it made the songs hard to hear.

Emergency On Planet Earth

Jamiroquai

3/5

Mine and many's first experience with this fella was in Napoleon Dynamite for the final epic talent scene. Very fun and quirky album. Even for 1993, these beats feel very fresh and almost every song could be danced to.

Maxinquaye

Tricky

2/5

A few interesting songs but nothing to write home about. I did like this better than a few other albums this week, but in its entirety this was a pretty lack luster week for albums (Minus Kacey)

Risque

CHIC

4/5

Great kick off to the week. Good times is a classic. And while I have never heard the rest of these songs, I felt like I had to some degree. I'm sure they were on radios at some point. Every song was really catch and could easily be danced too. This also might be our first Disco album?? Either way this was a great album.

Bayou Country

Creedence Clearwater Revival

3/5

Love getting to listen to a classic CCR album vs their greatest hits. Very interesting this band from San Fran chose to harness the power of the Bayou but I think we are all better for it. Proud Mary is a classic and Born on the Bayou was fun too but the entire album just feels like you're flying down some old river on an air boat.

Skylarking

XTC

3/5

This album was listed as alternative but it feels more like something you'd hear at some 80's dive bar or night club. Very interesting and quirky, like many of the others that have been popping up. I wouldn't consider this worthy of this list but it was enjoyable.

Rising Above Bedlam

Jah Wobble's Invaders Of The Heart

1/5

I know we are told not to judge an album by its cover but since it’s not available on Apple Music I’ll just say I’m glad it’s not available on Apple Music. There is no way in any reality this album belongs in this list.

Play

Moby

4/5

Honey is a classic. Straight from the Holes soundtrack. Natural Blues was also on here. This was a great album.

Eagles

4/5

The eagles debut album has a lot of classics on it including the first two, Take It Easy and Witchy Woman but Peaceful Easy Feeling is also on here too. All to say, this is a really calm album. Some of the songs are a little more upbeat but feeling peaceful and easy seems like something different from the rock of the day. Great start to a hopefully great week.

Darkness on the Edge of Town

Bruce Springsteen

3/5

I've never been a huge fan of Springsteen and if you had told me this was his best album I probably wouldn't listen to any others but I know that isn't true. There wasn't anything that stood out to me here besides this just being classic mo town rock which is cool but I like a little quicker tempo.

The Rising

Bruce Springsteen

4/5

Ok first off....come on. Twice in a row? I guess that means we can get it out of the way. Starting to listen, however, I already like this first track more than the last album so I won't complain too much. Ok, as I listen, this album is really great. Feels very rock but also very folksy in a weird way. Pretty wild how different these two albums are and now I'm glad that we got to listen to them back to back.

New Boots And Panties

Ian Dury

1/5

And now we are back to UK Rock...no thank you.

Billion Dollar Babies

Alice Cooper

3/5

There's a few hits of Alice that I like, like No More Mr. Nice Guy and School's Out but for the most part, his music on this one feels a little generic with the other greats putting out albums during this time. It's listed on Apple as Hard Rock which I don't agree with either, this felt like soft rock. Not a bad album, but not much to write home about.

Countdown To Ecstasy

Steely Dan

3/5

Another classic rocker that I don't know too much about from the name and a few hits. This was a fun album and really leaned into those rock roots. Felt like a mix of Lynard Skynard, Eagles, and others of that era. I thought Show Biz Kids was a cool one but nothing made too big an impression.

Only Built 4 Cuban Linx

Raekwon

3/5

While I love that 90's hip hop, there was way too much talking on this album and worse, a lot of it was on songs that also were singing so there would be a minute or two of a skit that would also have a song which I didn't like.

The Velvet Underground & Nico

The Velvet Underground

3/5

Really enjoyed Sunday Morning and Venus in Furs but this almost felt like Bob Dylan’s less wordy clone. Felt like a classic album which means some were great and some were just eh.

Make Yourself

Incubus

4/5

Fantastic Album! Most of my favorite incubus songs are on this one including Drive, I Miss You, and Pardon Me but every single song felt unique in it's own right. While I didn't love every song, I could listen to this album start to finish with no complaints. I can't believe we even got this album on this list so just that gives me hope for future albums!

Ritual De Lo Habitual

Jane's Addiction

2/5

I feel like I have heard a Jane's Addiction song before but I don't think it was on this album because I didn't really like any of the songs enough to make this one memorable.

Ragged Glory

Neil Young & Crazy Horse

4/5

This was some great classic rock which is saying a lot for it being 1990. Songs were a little long but couple the music with the album cover and this felt like a huge long jam sesh between Diamond and Crazy Horse. And I'm down for that.

Black Monk Time

The Monks

2/5

Wasn't a fan

Sail Away

Randy Newman

2/5

I've never been a fan of old randy, and maybe it was because of a hilarious family guy bit making fun of him but it was an accurate bit because he kind of sounds like he has a little jello in his voice. Not my style.

One Nation Under A Groove

Funkadelic

1/5

not on apple music

The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan

3/5

This felt like classic Dylan but more focused, probably because it was earlier in his career. My fav was Blowing In the Wind.

Modern Life Is Rubbish

Blur

2/5

Enjoyable but forgettable...also, sometimes it isn't modern life that's rubbish but a constant stream of UK rock bands

(What's The Story) Morning Glory

Oasis

4/5

Here's your classic 90's alternative album and it's a lot of fun. We have the always timeless wonderwall and champagne supernova on this one along with a few other fun ones. Not a huge fan of Oasis but glad I could finally listen to the album all the way through.

Bridge Over Troubled Water

Simon & Garfunkel

3/5

What can I say that I didn't on the last S&G album. They are good guys but a little too folksy for my playlists. Fun to listen in the background especially hearing The Boxer from Mumford and Sons (who I think probably did it better). And did Baby Driver make it's way into the movie? Look, S&G are no different than Penn and Teller, or any other duo that you don't know who is who but you do know who they are, the tall einstein one and the short monty python one. Love the album cover too as it adds to that mystery.

Rings Around The World

Super Furry Animals

2/5

Started off sounding like minecraft but then turned into what appeared to be an attempt at 70's rock, not a huge fan

C'est Chic

CHIC

3/5

awesome disco album with one of the classic songs Le Freak. This album was equally relaxing and exciting.

Truth

Jeff Beck

3/5

This felt like a classic rock album, and it also felt like it inspired Led Zepplin and AC/DC especially on You Shook Me and I Ain't Superstitious. Greensleeves was nice too.

Dirt

Alice In Chains

4/5

I really liked this one. Hadn't heard any Alice in Chains that I remember (maybe I have) but this reminded me of a mixture of Korn, Nirvana and maybe Pantera even. Cool hard rock and I think the vocals are what elevated it for me. There is a time and place for screaming and shouting but I liked that the singer here chose less of that so his words could come across.

Here Are the Sonics

The Sonics

4/5

As old as this is, and the band looking like a basic british rock band, this was an awesome album. We got some classics with Do you Love Me and Roll Over Bethoven but a bunch of others were great like The Witch and Have Love Will Travel. These guys were a ton of fun.

At San Quentin

Johnny Cash

4/5

I know I said I'm not going to listen to live albums but this is Cash at San Quenten. Gotta support that. This was a fun one, and I'm impressed he played "San Quenten" twice in a row. Great album

KIWANUKA

Michael Kiwanuka

3/5

This might be the most recent album so far, but in 2019 I had no idea about this one. Must have flown under the radar but I don’t think I would have put it in my top albums back then anyway. In the most curious of terms, I’m not sure why this album is on this list, I’d love to know why, I don’t think it won any awards but it seems like a basic RnB album. Felt a bit like 70’s too.

Achtung Baby

U2

3/5

My favorite song on the album also perfectly sums up my feelings on the album. It's alright, it's alright, U2 moves in mysterious ways. Some of the other songs were good but I've never been a big U2 fan. This album didn't change my mind but enjoyed the tunes.

Can't Buy A Thrill

Steely Dan

4/5

A few classics in here that I've heard before like Do It Again. Steely sounds a bit like Thin Lizzy too which isn't a bad thing. Reelin In The Years felt like that opening but then getting to the chorus this is one of those songs I've heard a ton but never knew it was this song. Great album to kickstart the week!

Either Or

Elliott Smith

2/5

This felt like the singer of smashing pumpkins turned into a singer songwriter. And I don't even know if it makes sense, maybe more like Simon and Garfunkle. Either way, wasn't a fan of this one.

3 + 3

The Isley Brothers

3/5

What an album. I was looking at the tracklist before I listened wondering if it was a cover album with Listen to the Music, Sunshine Go Away, and Summer Breeze. And now googling I realize that those are covers mostly which makes me feel a little better since I liked the originals better. These weren't bad but I think the only OG I had heard was That Lady but I'm reading even that was a cover too.

Clandestino

Manu Chao

4/5

Perfect album to listen to at the beach or just to relax, this was really fun. Short quick songs mostly in spanish but some english too. I liked the variety.

A Nod Is As Good As A Wink To A Blind Horse

Faces

2/5

This started to sound interesting but slowly felt like a very basic rock album. I'm not sure why they are on this list, the music wasn't bad, it just wasn't anything new or fresh compared to the hundreds of rock bands on this list. I've never heard of them before.

Raising Hell

Run-D.M.C.

4/5

now here is a classic hip hop album I've been waiting for. And we got the two songs I know with Tricky and Walk This Way. I used to watch Runs house with Stevie and Bryan back in the day and been a fan of them since. Very classic album and glad it's on this list.

Selling England By The Pound

Genesis

3/5

I love Peter Gabriel, I love Phil Collins, and I really like Genesis, but this album doesn't quite make my like list. It felt like it was pulled right out of mideval times and that's not to say it's bad. Just that none of these songs caught my attention or made me want to listen again.

The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars

David Bowie

3/5

Is that a sign for Kanye West above the starman? It's been a while since our last Bowie album, maybe since the first day. But when you've got moonage daydream and starman on here, this is a great one. Still isn't turning me into a huge Bowie fan but I'm learning to appreciate him more.

Tres Hombres

ZZ Top

3/5

The Zaza kings. Only song I know from this album is La Grange so I was pumped to listen to this one. I love ZZ Top, and I appreciate these roots of not being as hard rock and more so country rock. At least to me. While this album isn't as good as some of their others, I enjoyed it.

Daydream Nation

Sonic Youth

2/5

I was not a fan of this album. The guitar riffs seemed very generic and monotone. Vocals were not exciting either. Found myself skipping a lot of the songs. I could have sworn I liked whatever other album they had on this list but this one missed the mark for me.

Street Life

The Crusaders

3/5

This was a really fun jazz album! Felt like it was right for its time in 1979, each song could have been the opener for some new television talk show or elevator music and I mean that as a compliment.

Sea Change

Beck

3/5

Not a huge fan of Beck, this album was decent and had a nice calming atmosphere but just wasn't my bag.

Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge

Mudhoney

2/5

Had some good drums/guitars, but overall this felt just the same as many other mediocre grunge bands and I'm not a huge fan of that.

Country Life

Roxy Music

2/5

I enjoyed the last Roxy album but this one I did not. This was an interesting week of second albums for bands from this list and most didn't hit the mark as much as the first. I'm not sure what they were going for and their songs felt a little all over the place.

Kid A

Radiohead

3/5

Classic radiohead, a mix of smashing pumpkins and muse, though I'm sure the inspiration went both ways.

Is This It

The Strokes

3/5

Not a bad album, but very middle of the road. I guess I'm not a huge strokes fan. And I wouldn't be surprised if they were a British band either.

Hysteria

Def Leppard

4/5

One of my favorite Def Leppard albums. I don't love every song but there are so many anthems on this album. Animal, Love Bites, Pour Some Sugar, Armageddon It, Don't Shoot Shotgun. This may have been the album that made me a fan of them. Classic stadium rock of the 80's that you don't see much anymore.

Bringing It All Back Home

Bob Dylan

3/5

Another great Dylan album! This felt like classic dylan even though I didn't mark any as favorites. I feel like each time his album pops up I have to mention how we are always impersonating dylans voice and lyrics and this album is probably the closest to that.

Born To Run

Bruce Springsteen

3/5

Still waiting for one of the albums of his that I enjoy, this was alright but not my style

Roxy Music

2/5

wow...the band so nice we get them thrice. Yet I'm still not sold on them. Their first album we listened to, For Your Pleasure, is still my fav. This one felt closer to a David Bowie which I saw was some of their influence. Either way, I think they are using these fancy women on the covers to draw you in and possibly overcompensate for their mediocre melodies.

OK

Talvin Singh

3/5

Really enjoyed this album. Very electronic with Asian influences. Feels like it was ahead of it's time, both sounding new age but also feeling stuck in the 90's.

Songs For Swingin' Lovers!

Frank Sinatra

4/5

Fantastic album, some bangers on here, You Make Me Feel So Young, It Happened in Monterey, and I've Got you Under my Skin. I also really liked You're getting to be a habit with me. I laughed at Making Whoopee as well. Those dangerous and probably profane for the time lyrics haha.

The Soft Bulletin

The Flaming Lips

4/5

This was a jamming album, I really liked it. Great pacing and fun songs. I breezed through this album though this seemed like a movie soundtrack too which is pretty cool. This might be my fav album this week besides ol blue eyes.

Music for the Masses

Depeche Mode

3/5

haven't heard any of these songs before but I can get hints of other songs like policy of truth in certain ones like strangelove. Depeche is always great so this was a good week ender.

Time Out

The Dave Brubeck Quartet

5/5

I know many of my favorite albums won't make it on this list and that's fine. Art is subjective so I can see how British well to do's may not think a lot of American bands/people that I like are worthy of this list. But this album...this album was one I knew would show up from the very beginning. One of my favorite jazz albums of all time. I still remember purchasing this cd at Hastings back in Greeley during college and just jamming to Take Five, Blue Rondo, and all the rest as I cruised around campus. This is a fantastic jazz album that has moments of calm and relaxation and moments of frenetic anxiety. All the best parts of what a jazz album should be. I even used Take Five as my alarm during those years. What a perfect kick off to the week.

Fromohio

fIREHOSE

2/5

another headscratcher. Super short songs, actually not bad, but not sure why it's on this list. Enjoyable in the background but nothing more.

White Ladder

David Gray

2/5

Interesting performance, songs weren’t bad they just didn’t move me any which way.

Destroyer

KISS

4/5

These four demons of the day probably felt like Satan reborn to the general pearl clutching public but their music is relatively tame not just compared to today, but to some of their peers. Their bark was worse than their bite. But that doesn't mean the music is bad, this is classic American rock. Detroit Rock City and God of Thunder were my favs, Shout it Out Loud was good too. They were established by this point so I bet people went crazy over this album. Look at Gene's insane shoes!

Too Rye Ay

Dexys Midnight Runners

3/5

Come On Eileen is an absolute banger and a classic, but the rest of this album makes sense that it has fallen away. None of the other songs had quite the kick but I still enjoyed listening to them.

S&M

Metallica

5/5

What an ecstasy of gold this album is. How many other bands, especially rock or metal got with a philharmonic orchestras to belt out to CDs e worth of music? Not just that, but new songs specifically for this as well? There are so many gems here of songs made even better by the strings and other orchestral compositions. And that album cover is awesome.

Ocean Rain

Echo And The Bunnymen

3/5

A couple of good songs on here including The Killing Moon which I know I've heard from multiple things. Interesting album but nothing to write home about.

The College Dropout

Kanye West

5/5

My oh my. Huge Kanye fan, and this year watched Jeen-Yus so I have developed an even greater appreciation for this album. The things Kanye did, and the lengths he went to to put this album out is a testament not just to who he was at the time, but a message to all those out there wanting to reach for something that a lot of times, you have to put the work in yourself, and you need to think outside of the box. I'm thinking of the Wire specifically with that. But almost every song here is a gem and just feels like magic knowing what he was going through and how he got there. I had a feeling last week we would be seeing this album on this list but I didn't realize it would be this soon. Either way, along with Metallica, this makes for a very memorable week.

Rock 'N Soul

Solomon Burke

2/5

Some nice tunes that have no business being on this list

Ace of Spades

Motörhead

3/5

Right off the bat, I had to check and see when Kill Em All came out (1983) so Metallica was probably inspired by Motorhead to some extent or maybe they knew each other but that 80's metal opening of banging on drums before those chords begin is a classic.

Music in Exile

Songhoy Blues

3/5

This was a nice album, reminded me a bit of Power of One. Not sure why it's on this list but glad it is just for the variety and it not being a british rock band.

All Mod Cons

The Jam

2/5

literally what I was referring to yesterday but I'll say it again. There does not need to be this many mediocre british rock bands on this list!!

Pieces Of The Sky

Emmylou Harris

4/5

Fantastic country album. Especially back in the 70’s I’d wonder if she was one of the pioneers. Either way, this felt like I was listening to a variant of Joni Mitchell or The Carpenters. Really liked this album.

Survivor

Destiny's Child

4/5

Now here are the kind of albums I’m wanting to see on this list! Three bangers right out the gate and then a bunch of R/B greatness. Awesome album.

Boston

5/5

Perfect album for Friday. No real comments needed. Welcome to the list Boston, we’ve been waiting for you. Perfect album for rocking, summer, the pool, really anything.

Woodface

Crowded House

3/5

Here’s a band desperately trying to be different. are they British? It feels like it when they say some very British boy name in the opening song. Tommy Knocker or something. Regardless, they get an extra star for the attempt at uniqueness since it worked on some tracks. And that wickerman/floory cover helped a bit too.

Tragic Songs of Life

The Louvin Brothers

2/5

The guitar picking reminded me a lot of o brother where art thou, and some of the songs were nice but there was a feeling on this one that it just felt out of date. I was more interested in another album I saw of theirs called Satan is Real but I listened and it was the same stuff.

I’m a Lonesome Fugitive

Merle Haggard

3/5

Glad to be getting some country albums this week instead of the same ol same but nothing crazy to write home about

Eternally Yours

The Saints

2/5

I spoke to soon on the country music. I’m cursed. How can there be this many British rock bands?

The Stooges

3/5

when this album popped up, my eyes rolled so far into the back of my head. Two british rock bands in a row? Come on...and they have the audacity to call themselves the stooges?? Though I appreciate there are four of them. But as I listened, I realized this wasn't a british rock band, nor was it a typical rock band. Very psychadellic which is par for 1969. I enjoyed this, and while there wasn't a lot of nuance or things that made it stand out, I enjoyed I Wanna Be Your Dog.

Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)

Wu-Tang Clan

4/5

Great rap album, finally listening to some Wu Tang. Really liked this album and caught a lot of samples either used in here or on other songs from here. It's funny to think how terrifying this group was to people, but this album isn't that crazy at all.

Eli And The Thirteenth Confession

Laura Nyro

3/5

I was pretty shocked to see that this album is from 1968, until I heard it. The album cover and it being listed as "pop" threw me off because it does not feel like something from the 60's but the songs were good! I wouldn't quite compare her to Kate Bush or some of the other pop people of those decades but she had some good songs.

Slipknot

5/5

Well well well. Can't wait to hear what Stevie thinks of this album. Deep in the heart of Iowa, 9 boys decided to shred and scream and wear insane masks. People were scared of these guys at the time, maybe some still are, as no one knows what they look like. Except that we do now, especially with lead singer Corey Taylor, who also did a stint with Stone Sour, and drummer Joey Jordison who is up there as one of the best drummers of all time. While this wasn't the first album of Slipknots I listened to, it is one of my favorites. A very interesting blend of thrash metal and rap, but more Limp Bizkit type beats. But that's what you get when you have 9 people playing different instruments including metal trash cans. Almost every single song as a unique as the members of the band and back in freshman year of high school this was one of my go to albums for pump up music while working out and running track. These songs will get you moving. Fav Songs: (Sic), Eyeless (the chorus of this song was a line one of the band members heard while they were in LA from a homeless person), Wait and Bleed, Surfacing (vivid memories of listening to this just before running the 100 yd dash), Spit It Out (metal rap, some wild lyrics), Me Inside, Liberate, No Life, Diluted Extra credit if you listen to the deluxe version there is a song called Purity that was about a serial killer who had buried a girl alive in a box, I believe that was in Iowa too but not sure. Also Snap (Demo).

Gorillaz

4/5

Great album, hadn't listened to it fully before but I'd say I'm a Gorillaz fan. Clint Eastwood is obviously a classic, but I also really loved Double Bass. If I am remembering right, these guys are like our last group, you don't know what they really look like they are just animated but this was a fun synth, groovy lofi hip hop type album.

This Is Hardcore

Pulp

3/5

I'm A Man stood out to me during my listen but the rest didn't really. Maybe in the late 90's this was hardcore, but not today. Reminded me of a couple of the other british pop/rock bands we have heard on here but nothing to write home about.

1984

Van Halen

4/5

One of Van Halen's best albums, although, it's due to some really incredible songs amongst some pretty normal ones. Jump, Panama, and Hot for Teacher are rock fundamentals with the big show quality of the first two and the guitar solos in the third. The rest of them just aren't anything to write home about. I'd still put their debut album above this one but anytime we can get Van Halen on here is worth jumping for.

Group Sex

Circle Jerks

1/5

An entire album of skits I guess, a 16 minute long album not sure if that qualifies as an album or an EP but either way, no thanks.

Teenage Head

Flamin' Groovies

3/5

Even in the notes it was stated that the rolling stones felt like this was a better version of their album and I partially agree but more so I'm laughing that this guy sounds almost identical to them so really they are just copy cats. I thought I'd get annoyed by this album but I'm enjoying it, only a few skips.

Sheet Music

10cc

3/5

This album surprised me quite a bit. I winced when I saw it was british but still gave them a chance and I think it paid off. I especially loved Hotel, Clockwork Creep, Silly Love. All of the songs were very unique and also vaguely familiar.

The Köln Concert

Keith Jarrett

4/5

At first I was ready to skip this one because I don't think live albums should be on this list, but is it really a live album if it's just piano? Isn't all piano work live? That's my thought at least as I was taken on a journey on the ivories by this guy. And as crazy as it is, I'm a fan of those 26 minute tracks of just calming piano music.

Bossanova

Pixies

2/5

listened to it all the way through while I was working and can't remember any of the songs. That's about it for this one. Nothing stood out to me, nothing was outright skippable, but as I've said, that type of album doesn't need to be on this list.

Warehouse: Songs And Stories

Hüsker Dü

3/5

After listening to this album, I wonder if I'm more of a Husker Don't. Also the name reminds me of the fireworks from Joe Dirt. It wasn't a bad album, just nothing special. Been a quiet week so far.

Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite

Maxwell

4/5

Very fun album. I jammed to this all morning. Very smooth and felt a little ahead of its time in some ways. I feel like I've heard some of these beats in current songs. I'll be down to hang with this album!

S.F. Sorrow

The Pretty Things

2/5

An eh album for an week full of ok albums.

The Boatman's Call

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

3/5

The Boatman's Call is a very interesting album title, and when I pulled the album up and it said it was rock I got even more excited. Didn't realize rock included just a guy playing piano with some slow drums and music behind him. That is not rock. Barely even roll. And I couldn't hear the call of the boatman even if I tried. I'm ready to put this week behind us.

Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea

PJ Harvey

3/5

Interesting album, I feel like I had heard a song or two from here but couldn't place it. Sort of a new sound so I liked that. Hoping for a good music week.

The Scream

Siouxsie And The Banshees

2/5

Much like the Banshees and their screams, there was something that drew you out to the moors and beyond the craggled rocks but despite their cries, it always ended in doom. That's how I felt listening to this, at first excited and intrigued for a possible new sound but then disappointed at more of the same

Live At The Regal

B.B. King

3/5

I don't like live albums on this list, but I gave it a listen and was very pleased. BB King is a legend and it was great to hear him conversing with the crowd. I'm biting my tongue but glad this was on the list.

Tubular Bells

Mike Oldfield

3/5

LETS GO!!! Tubular bells first track out the gate is Exorcist, this is awesome. Also noticing some guttural growls on the second track. There's only a few on this album but what a wild experience. And an even more wild album cover! Finishing the album up, I think the first track is the best, there's some talking on the next few tracks that takes you out of the music a little bit but overall this was a really fun album.

The Poet

Bobby Womack

3/5

Enjoyable album to wrap up the week. Nothing really stood out but this was a good listen while I was getting work done.

Fuzzy Logic

Super Furry Animals

3/5

Fun album, felt like a few songs on here I'd heard before on a soundtrack or maybe the radio. Decent start to the week but still waiting for that next five star album (or even four at this point).

Brothers In Arms

Dire Straits

3/5

Never knew Walk of Life prior but that music was so familiar, I know I've heard it probably everywhere. This was an interesting album, rock, but a variety of it and not exactly guitars but a good mix of instruments and beats. But I will always think of Dire Straights as the message Grandfather Disguisey passes to Pistachio when giving him the Disguisey ball of knowledge.

Penance Soiree

The Icarus Line

2/5

Reminds me a bit of smashing pumpkins but more forgettable

Teen Dream

Beach House

3/5

An interesting alternative album, couldn't put my finger on who they sounded like but enjoyed it. Still waiting for that "wow" album that has been missing from the last week or two. This one aint it.

Master Of Puppets

Metallica

5/5

"still looking for that wow" is what I said yesterday, and maybe is something I should say everyday since we have been given a WOW. Still not my favorite Metallica album, it's an easy five stars. This, along with many other Metallica albums, has a special place in my heart. This on in particular, I picked up my first CD at Half Price Books in Chicago. Listening to Battery in the car with Auntie Susan and family and having to turn it off after that song because I don't think anyone was a fan. But I also made a movie based on The Thing That Should Not Be when I was in highschool which was a mixture of me playing my electric drums, stevies guitar, and searching for where Dad was in the house. Master of Puppets is probably one of the best Metallica songs of their entire discography and only recently Lisa told me that its "Master of Puppets, I'm pulling your strings" not "is pulling your strings" so I'm still learning the intricacies of this band. Favorite Songs: Battery (that intro...), Master of Puppets, The Thing That Should Not Be, Welcome Home (Sanitarium), and Orion (an 8 minute instrumental that gets your head bobbing). Album Art: The Master of Puppets (perhaps the government? since that is a theme that carries into their next album) pulling the strings of all the disposable heroes (maybe veterans if you look closely at the dog tag on the front cross). ICONIC.

Shake Your Money Maker

The Black Crowes

3/5

Listened to this album while walking outside and it was perfect for the activity. A couple good ones in here especially Hard to Handle which is a classic. Great way to kick off the week!

Take Me Apart

Kelela

4/5

So excited they included this album. I found it in the new section back when it came out in 2017, gave it a try, and was blown away with the first song in how good it was. Kicks off the album in a perfect way. The rest of the songs are a great blend of interesting beats both slow and thoughtful. It's been raining to day and I listened to this by the window as it rained and it was a perfect soundtrack.

Mask

Bauhaus

2/5

very strange album, the description above calls them an english gothic rock band and to me that is a recipe for disaster. At least in terms of the greatest albums of all time. Does not belong on this list, no matter how spooky they are trying to be.

Tea for the Tillerman

Cat Stevens

3/5

Cat Stevens will always remind me of Auntie Susan even though I don't know if I ever heard her listening to it but we did at her funeral. This album however, had songs that reminded me of other things! Sad Lisa is a sort of joke song my wife, Lisa, told me about and Father and Son is from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2. There are other cat stevens albums I've enjoyed more than this one but it was still a nice little something just as the album cover indicates. It felt very spritely and like it was recorded while he was walking in the woods. I really like that album cover.

Joan Armatrading

3/5

Fun little Friday album that I listened to late Thursday night. Nothing to write home about but at least it felt different than all the other 3 star albums we’ve had recently.

Tracy Chapman

4/5

Was wondering when this one would show up. Fast Car was a staple growing up and became even better once I had the Iceland remix that Stevie heard in the country. Getting to listen all the way through, this was a very light, but also deep album. The lyrics and emotion in each song was palpable even while the songs themselves felt very breezy and whimsical. Many of them are sad things or struggles that seem all too relatable but packaged nicely within the music. The duality of this album is very interesting.

Pyromania

Def Leppard

4/5

A classic rock album with some fantastic songs. Photograph, Rock of Ages, and Foolin' are my favs from this one. The rest aren't very memorable but they are still good to listen to. I think this makes two Def Leppard albums on this list too so glad to see them return.

The Sensual World

Kate Bush

3/5

How lucky are we to be on our third KB album! I'd say she is one of the big wins of this thing, I barely knew about her prior and know I have a list of my favorite songs. Some more coming from this album including Reaching Out. She really is a fantastic artist. You can see her style on every album but each feels different in its own way.

Actually

Pet Shop Boys

3/5

I've been on a Swet Shop Boys kick of their song Anthem and at the very beginning they make clear that they are not the Pet Shop Boys. This album had a lot of style and made me think of West End Girls (and GTA). But it also reminded me a bit of Phil Collins in the slow style of a lot of the songs. Enjoyed this album but nothing to write home about.

Femi Kuti

3/5

What a jazzy album, though by Apple Music's genre, I should say funky! A great mix of jazz instruments and African beats and vocals. Good album to end the week on!

Let It Bleed

The Rolling Stones

2/5

Pretty wild how a band called the rolling stones has gathered quite a bit of moss when it comes to being an entertaining listen. I was never a stones fan but as I hear more of their albums I realize that was for the best. They have some good songs in their library, and You Can't Always Get What You Want is one of them, but the rest of these felt like songs I've heard a hundred times already on this list. What was it about these guys that people fell in love with? Maybe their gyrating hips at live shows? We may never know.

Sister

Sonic Youth

2/5

Not a huge fan of this album, songs were forgettable and at times skippable. And nirvana did the naked boy better on the cover.

...Baby One More Time

Britney Spears

4/5

Here is one of those albums I've been hoping was on this list, or at least, an album that has some incredible songs that I was obsessed with as a kid but never actually had the CD or listened all the way through. So I'm glad it's on this list so I can finally dive in. Obviously the first three tracks are pop classics, and while none of the other tracks reach those same heights, it can't be denied what this album did for music at the time. So many other artists in this genre wouldn't exist without this, even if a lot of the songs have similar themes of a woman needing a man to be complete. Those themes don't hold up as well in our current day, but as a time capsule, this album is great. I’d normally give an album like this a 3 but due to the prestige I gotta give it a 4.

I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You

Aretha Franklin

4/5

Looks like we are getting some awesome albums this week. I don’t know if this is her most famous, but I thought this album was fantastic. Some songs weren’t, but overall this was a great soul album from start to finish.

The Hour Of Bewilderbeast

Badly Drawn Boy

2/5

The first song sounded vaguely familiar, from a movie or something, but the rest was very forgettable.

Hail To the Thief

Radiohead

2/5

Not my favorite Radiohead album. Some of the songs were decent but I found myself skipping quite a few. I'd put this at the bottom of the Radiohead list for sure.

Born To Be With You

Dion

2/5

Another eh album, though I’d rather listen to radio head than this guy. Like a knock off Leonard Cohen.

I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got

Sinead O'Connor

3/5

Listened to some Sinead growing up, but was never a huge fan. This album is a good explanation why. Beyond Nothing Compares, none of the songs really stood out to me. She does feel a little ahead of her time as many pop stars these days love the quiet singing like her. Either way, nothing to write home about.

She's So Unusual

Cyndi Lauper

4/5

Great album, a true pioneer of pop. And some classics with girls just want to have fun and time after time. A few new ones caught me as well such as Money Changes Everything. Glad to see this one on the list!

The Queen Is Dead

The Smiths

3/5

I can't believe the Smiths predicted the queens death almost down to the day. I know this album thing is random, but days like this I wonder if they just pushed this album out to everyone today due to her actual passing. It would have been even spookier had this been the album yesterday. Really enjoying it though, especially the title song.

Toys In The Attic

Aerosmith

4/5

I think this is my favorite Aerosmith album both thanks to Guitar Hero Aerosmith and Dad loves most of the songs on here. My two favs being Walk This Way and Sweet Emotion, but Toys In the Attic is another great one too.

La Revancha Del Tango

Gotan Project

4/5

Very funky and cool album, I kept thinking it was hispanic, but a few tracks starting showing those French roots of the accordion that I picture with films like Ratatouille. Listened while I was on a walk which was nice too. Very enjoyable album.

The Renaissance

Q-Tip

3/5

Pretty good album. I always like any new q tip music I can get, and some of these songs scratched that itch like You. Nothing huge from this one either but glad to see he was making music after the rifts with Tribe.

Ladies And Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space

Spiritualized

2/5

Eh, the cover on here made me excited but this wasn’t what I was thinking it was.

Pretzel Logic

Steely Dan

3/5

This was a fun Little Rock album. It capitalized Little Rock and I kind of like that. Smooth rock perfect for a bar or cookout.

Moon Safari

Air

3/5

This is a quirky and funky album! Another one of those early electronic type albums that I bet paved the way for some of the great music we have today. Nothing to write home about, except to say we got a fun enough album for the day!

Qui sème le vent récolte le tempo

MC Solaar

3/5

A French rapper? Very interesting, and that 90’s hip hop vibe was great as well. Nothing stood out but it was fun rocking to this in the AM.

The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter

The Incredible String Band

3/5

Well fiddle dee dee! This is an album for me! Not really, but I really did enjoy the fancifulness of this one. Nothing I would listen to otherwise, but I felt like I was transported to an old renaissance festival on some of these. Not sure how this album made it on this list, but glad it's here.

Nighthawks At The Diner

Tom Waits

1/5

Tom Waits? More like Tom Pass. Not only is it him (not a fan), but a live album. My problem is seeing him as an actor first and I couldn't even get past the first song, talking about weather in a jazz club. Album cover matches him perfectly, just a guy wearing a chubbs hat in a diner with a lot going on.

Maggot Brain

Funkadelic

4/5

Call today Funky Friday! Maggot Brain is not the name I would have gone with but the album was funkadelic regardless. Some long songs peppered with some shorter ones made this a quick listen but was great for getting my morning started. I feel like I've heard this band before, but none of these rang any bells. Great album to end the week on!

Disraeli Gears

Cream

3/5

Woah, psychadellic babay, yeah! Sunshine of your Love is a guitar hero classic so it was nice to hear what songs surrounded it on this album. Predictably very similar and with the cover art and album title, this felt like a trippy visit into the late 60's.

Odessa

Bee Gees

3/5

I think we got Spirits Having Flown earlier on this list but this is an album I knew nothing about and I'm a pretty decent bee gees fan. Odessa feels like their older stuff (because it is) but very interesting reading how it wasn't a hit at the time and got better with time. I don't know if I agree with that but it's the bee gees so even in the background it's worth listening to. No real stand outs on this one but fun overall.

Boy In Da Corner

Dizzee Rascal

3/5

This reminded me a bit of "the batty man" rapper. I don't remember his name but Stevie would. This felt unique especially in 2003, but in the latter half of the album I was skipping a lot of songs. One that stood out and I thought was awesome was Fix Up, Look Sharp which I think had the guy who sings The Stroke.

Untitled (Black Is)

SAULT

4/5

Very cool album, and the newest on our list. A couple great songs on here and an overall great listen. Loved their album covers for a few albums too.

Graceland

Paul Simon

2/5

Graceland is the last place I think this album should be compared to. It felt medieval at times and also tribal at others. I'm not sure what Paul was trying to go for but if I was his agent, I would have told him to retire. Though, the opening drums of the first song were really cool. I also wonder if this was one of those instances where the industry should have been elevating other cultures voices instead of letting this white guy just attempt to do African music.

Coat Of Many Colors

Dolly Parton

3/5

Oh Dolly, we love you. This was a classic album I've never heard. Always love a good country tune and Dolly is one of the greats. Would I listen again? No, but if these songs came on the radio I'd happily let them play.

Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not

Arctic Monkeys

3/5

Great album! And "I bet that you look good on the dancefloor" was one of the first free itunes singles I ever got back in the day. Really enjoyed listening to this one but it was fast!

The Nightfly

Donald Fagen

3/5

Fun little album but don't think it should be on the list. Thought it was going to be jazz but not at all.

Dookie

Green Day

3/5

I never had a chance to look closely at this album cover and I'm loving monkey questioning his purpose with the dookie. This is a classic Green Day album, not my favorite, but has some awesome songs on it.

Low

David Bowie

3/5

Nice to have another bowie album. Still hasn't changed my opinion on him, which is one of distant positivity. I enjoyed this album but like every other album this week, nothing really sticking out to make it more than a 3.

Melody A.M.

Röyksopp

3/5

Fun little Norwegian dance album. Not as crazy as the dance album sof today but was enjoyable especially in the morning. Nice wake up music. Week is starting off on a good album but I just hope we get some standouts this week after last week.

Protection

Massive Attack

2/5

Some interesting tunes but overall was not impressed with this one. Not needed on this list.

Double Nickels On The Dime

Minutemen

2/5

two nickels on the dime? Brother, I wouldn't listen to these songs again if they were a penny a piece. I can think of a better way to spend 43 cents. Not only is that too many songs, but they are all basically a minute long. No thanks.

Urban Hymns

The Verve

3/5

Miriam Makeba

4/5

great album to end the week on. Always a fan of great voices like this in languages I am unfamiliar with. There's always a magic about those songs.

MTV Unplugged In New York

Nirvana

1/5

hm a live album. I'm sure their acoustics are fine, but I'll pass on this.

It's Blitz!

Yeah Yeah Yeahs

3/5

Album/artist reminded me a bit of Chvrches and there were a few enjoyable songs in here but nothing to write home about. I feel like a broken record saying this shouldn't be on this list.

Dusty In Memphis

Dusty Springfield

3/5

Fun album, folksy but also felt like pop. I love Son of a Preacherman so that was great to hear as well. Hopefully we get some more like this to finish out the week.

Pet Sounds

The Beach Boys

3/5

Wouldn't it be nice is a song I've heard plenty of times before but all the rest were fresh to me. Unfortunately none of them had the sticking power in my brain besides that first one.

Rum Sodomy & The Lash

The Pogues

3/5

"Rum Sodomy & the Lash is the second studio album by the London-based folk punk band The Pogues, released on 5 August 1985. The album reached number 13 in the UK charts." This is the wiki portion on this site and it made me laugh...just what we needed, a UK Folk Punk band that charted at 13. That must be the recipe this very biased website uses when choosing albums. But listening to the album, it was exactly as described. Nice variety between the songs which was good, but still doesn't fix the issue of it being on this list in the first place.

Born In The U.S.A.

Bruce Springsteen

4/5

Now here is how you kick off a week. I haven't listened to all of his albums yet, and I'm not a huge fan of him anyway, but this is probably my favorite BS album. Born in the USA is a childhood classic that I remember being on a slideshow our dad would show us. One of the original home movie songs, so to speak. But on top of that I'm on Fire and Dancing in the Dark both reach pretty close in quality. Three awesome songs plus a smattering of pretty good songs on top of it go give this a real Americana feel.

Deep Purple In Rock

Deep Purple

4/5

This album is nuts, 7 songs at 44 minutes and just endless guitar riffs and solos. Not sure why people aren't talking as much about this one vs their more famous albums. Maybe they are and I just didn't hear it but I'm hearing it now.

Darkdancer

Les Rythmes Digitales

4/5

Very quirky. A fun dance album with that classic repetitive style of the 90’s that we’ve seen on a few other dance albums in this list. Music Make You Lose Control was fun to see as a sample from Missy Elliot. Also Hypnotize sounds like a similar beat to sweet dreams. This album felt like a stepping stone for the jet set radio future soundtrack too which was really fun.

Remedy

Basement Jaxx

2/5

Almost every song had the same beat. Pretty wild we’ve gotten so many late 90’s electronic albums on here because they all sound so similar which should disqualify them from this list

Get Rich Or Die Tryin'

50 Cent

4/5

Another classic this week! I remember hearing people listen to this in class. We weren’t allowed to and back then we couldn’t stream it or anything. I know Stevie loved this album and there are some fantastic bangers on here that defined a generation and pushed rap into a new dimension. I’m not a fan of every song but will acknowledge the impact this album had on so many future projects.

Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere

Neil Young & Crazy Horse

3/5

Pretty good album, I think we had another Neil one on here. Nothing stuck out, just a nice rock album.

Your New Favourite Band

The Hives

1/5

Well this is a first. This is a complication best of album based on two albums. On principle I shouldn’t listen to this. But I’m in a generous move and listened to one song. Gave me hives. It actually wasn’t bad, but this is a ridiculous inclusion. No live albums or best ofs! That’s cheating. Also per wiki, if you need to create a compilation album because your regular albums didn’t catch on that’s a problem.

Night Life

Ray Price

3/5

Great album to listen to at night, reminded me at times of Orville Peck. A nice classic country album

Histoire De Melody Nelson

Serge Gainsbourg

2/5

This album had some promise, I'm always interested in listening to other country's music, France being one of them since I haven't heard a lot, but this felt a little slow and nothing really happened. I read the wiki and it's supposed to almost be like a story which is cool, but I don't think that makes it worth being on this list.

Elvis Is Back

Elvis Presley

3/5

Always a good day when you can listen to a new Elvis album! I was unaware of most of these songs but was enjoyable none the less. And a great album to wrap up this week. What’s wild now is we just watched the Elvis movie so it put this album into some brief context of when he returned from war.

The Pleasure Principle

Gary Numan

3/5

Cars is a classic but the rest of this album felt like a riff on a twilight zone intro song, and that isn't exactly a complaint, but in terms of this being a pleasure principle, there wasn't a lot of pleasure being had. Sorry Gary.

Damaged

Black Flag

3/5

A punk album that felt a little like the Ramones but updated for a modern audience. It was pretty good and I'm glad I could hear it because I've heard black flag mentioned so many times, including on the Atari's Boys of Summer "out on the road today, I saw a Black Flag sticker on a Cadillac."

Searching For The Young Soul Rebels

Dexys Midnight Runners

3/5

I thought this album was from the 60's so when I saw it was 2000, that made this a little more interesting. Listed as rock, but felt a little more like British punk. Nothing to write home about but a good listen.

Arc Of A Diver

Steve Winwood

3/5

Bring me a higher love! Oops wrong album, but his voice is unmistakable so it was fun to hear an album full of new songs. A fun little 80's album but I don't think I'd come back to any of these songs.

Oracular Spectacular

MGMT

3/5

This was a really good album, I’d heard Kids and I think Time to Pretend before but the rest were good too. Interesting to see this group on the list but glad they are here.

A Rush Of Blood To The Head

Coldplay

3/5

Whenever I see this album cover it looks like a high heel shoe, and even looking closer today I now know it’s not, but this shoe of an album has the classic Clocks and not much else. The songs felt very disjointed but that might just be a coldplay thing.

New Wave

The Auteurs

2/5

Shouldn't be on this list, felt like a knock off smashing pumpkins but less catchy if that can be a thing.

Debut

Björk

4/5

I really liked this album! I don't think I'd listen to any of the songs by themselves (though I did like Human Behavior), but as an album this felt fresh and also classic Bjork at the same time. Great debut.

No Other

Gene Clark

2/5

For a guy who played with the Byrds, a few of these songs sounded like he was copying the Eagles. Another questionable album on this list.

Raw Power

The Stooges

3/5

Classic rock! Or I guess more punk than rock but it felt very rock at the same time. A good friday album to listen to while working. Despite enjoying this album, when it comes to stooges, I prefer mine in pairs of 3.

Diamond Life

Sade

4/5

Sade is always classic, and I haven't listened to this album yet but really liked it. Saved Hang On to Your Love. I love her voice and it's a beautiful blend of easy listening and R&B.

Nick Of Time

Bonnie Raitt

2/5

Nick of Time, more like my time was nicked. Nothing against Bonnie, but who thought this album should be on this list? She has some good songs and it had a nice country flair but this list just has a lot of unnecessary albums.

Nebraska

Bruce Springsteen

4/5

Apple described this album as bleak and I completely agree, but what a theme for an album. I listened to this one at night before bed and it really felt like the perfect late night album just due to its slow nature and sheer difference from the other BS albums we’ve gotten. I wouldn’t listen again but I have a lot of respect for this album.

Lazer Guided Melodies

Spiritualized

3/5

Like a softer smashing pumpkins or Radiohead. Never heard of these guys before but this was a relaxing album.

The Predator

Ice Cube

3/5

Been waiting for an Ice Cube album though wasn’t expecting any to be on this list. I love Today was a good day so I was happy that was on here but the rest of the songs were a little forgettable. Not sure if this was his best album, but beyond a few good hooks and verses, parts fell flat. Still cool to listen to though.

Dry

PJ Harvey

3/5

reminded me a bit of fiona apple and I know we got another of her albums this year at some point but I did like this one better. Still isn't something I'd keep listening too but I enjoyed some of the tracks and I like her voice.

Fuzzy

Grant Lee Buffalo

2/5

Beyond this list, this felt like a middle of the road album by a knock off of other better albums. I couldn’t place it but it just felt like I’d heard songs like this before and it made me wish for those. No way does this album need to be on here.

Power In Numbers

Jurassic 5

4/5

This was an awesome album. Immediately felt iconic and I'm shocked I haven't listened to them before. But, technically I have, because on the first track one voice stood out to me. I knew I had heard it from one of my fav albums Reanimation from Linkin Park and sure enough, on Forgotten, Chali 2na is featured with his very deep voice and it's the same guy. One piece of this rap squad that feels like a new age Tribe Called Quest. I hope we get more albums like this. Saved If You Only Knew, What's Golden, and Sum of Us.

Rhythm Nation 1814

Janet Jackson

3/5

This was another fun album, I found a few songs I hadn't heard before but felt like I had, not sure where. But I really liked Escapade and Black Cat. It was cool to hear her bits like "4,3,2,1" and "edit". The only Janet song I ever knew was All For You from Now 7 so this broadened my horizons, but also too many interludes.

The Joshua Tree

U2

4/5

I'm not a huge U2 fan, mostly because of their album or whatever that happened with Apple way back in the day where the songs were everywhere. Little place called Vertigo? I was a sucker for that song. But this is the album I always think about with them. I think mom and dad had a copy, but opening with Streets Have No Name, Haven't Found What I'm Looking for, and With or Without You, puts this already as a really good album. The other songs aren't as memorable but they are still good. I'd say these last few albums this week have made up for last weeks.

Led Zeppelin II

Led Zeppelin

5/5

Well well well. You know your week is starting right with Led Zep, but not only that, Led Zep II, which I think is my favorite album of theirs. This is a five start through and through. The guitar solos, drum solos, wailing of Plant, and the general summer of rock vibe. This was a staple while lifeguarding at the outdoor pools. Favs: Whole Lotta Love, What Is and WSNB, Heartbreaker, Living Loving Maid, Ramble On, Moby Dick.

The La's

2/5

I got so excited when I saw "There She Goes" on this album but then very confused when it did not sound like the one I knew. Maybe this was the original song and what I heard all the time was a cover. Not sure who sung that cover, maybe six pence, but either way, the rest of this album was that classic British rock that I do not care for.

Like A Prayer

Madonna

3/5

Our first Madonna album I think, though not sure if we will see any others. This one is usually her most acclaimed. Like a Prayer is a classic and I really liked Cherish as well. I know I’ve heard that a few times before. I can imagine young people growing up when this album coming out and having it change their life, but not so much now. Many of the songs didn’t really pop for me, and some felt too long and repetitive. But overall a good album for this list.

Aja

Steely Dan

3/5

This was a nice little rock album, always a fan of the longer songs on shorter albums. Steely is an up and comer on my like list and glad to have another album of theirs on here.

Channel Orange

Frank Ocean

5/5

Was not expecting this album to be on this list, just due to the amount of garbage on this list. One of the easiest five stars I can give. This album is a defining one as my brother Stevie used to listen to this allllll the time in college. He had a bootleg vinyl that we would rock in our apartment and while driving arong town or back home on the weekends. So many classics on here and songs like Pyramids that just go incredibly hard. I remember singing Crack Rock with him and some of our cousins while we were going to our cousin Taryn's wedding, too. Frank Ocean isn't one of my favorite artists, some of his other albums I am not as big a fan of but when it comes to singular albums, I'd call this one some kind of masterpiece. Songs: Thinkin Bout You, Sweet Life, Super Rich Kids, Pilot Jones, Crack Rock, Pyramids, Bad Religion, Forrest Gump

Definitely Maybe

Oasis

3/5

I think this means we are officially done with Oasis since there are only two well known albums. Enjoyed this one about as much as the last one. Just a couple of guys jamming in a small apartment by the looks of the cover. After listening to the whole thing, I think I liked their other album more, nothing really stood out for me on this one.

Run-D.M.C.

2/5

I can't remember if we had another Run album on this list but I wasn't a huge fan of this one. I do like some of their stuff, and I know we watched the show back in the day, but none of these tracks hooked me. I'll just listen to Channel Orange again.

The Last Broadcast

Doves

2/5

The album cover and design made me think this was like a screen shot of the skyline on Twisted Metal 2. I thought this was a fake album. I even looked up the doves and this album wasn't listed. But once I found it, I confirmed it was real and really not worth being on this list. Like a watered down alternative band. Oh surprise surprise it's British indie rock.

Odelay

Beck

3/5

Beck seems like a fun guy, and this was an enjoyable album, I even possibly caught a sample of Candy Shop on one of the tracks. But overall, nothing to write home about. The album cover is creepy and cool at the same time, that dog is wild.

In Utero

Nirvana

3/5

This is the second STUDIO album we have gotten from Nirvana on this list. Nevermind is incredible, and this album struggles to even compare to that one. I found myself skipping a few songs and noticing them all kind of mesh together. Heart Shape Box certainly felt familiar from a movie or something, and I actually did like All Apologies, but the rest didn't really grab me.

Natty Dread

Bob Marley & The Wailers

4/5

I will never say no to Marley. This was a great album and had the classic No Woman No Cry, though I have been listening to the Tems version on the Black Panther soundtrack and I like that one better, but the original is still a classic.

More Specials

The Specials

2/5

Beyond the attempts they made, there wasn’t anything special about this group but when you claim to have 1001 albums I guess there are always going to be duds

Dire Straits

4/5

British Rock? Here we go again. But wait? Actually unique? Actually Enjoyable? Some songs gave off a fleetwood mac type vibe of rock with a dose of easy listening. Not bad at all. Though, anytime I've seen this band the first thing in my head is Pistachio's grandfather saying "when you're in dire straits, and you don't know what to do" using the crystal ball to communicate. Which makes me think we have had a DS album before because I know I've mentioned that here before. Side note, I ended up listening to this one twice because I enjoyed it so much.

Mothership Connection

Parliament

3/5

This was a funky album, and I was grooving at moments but compared to many of the greats I’ve heard, this doesn’t make it high on the list. Though I think I heard a sample that was used in Awaken, My Love which was pretty cool.

Fleet Foxes

2/5

It’s called alternative, but feels more folksy, like a cousin of Mumford and Sons. It’s the kind of music you love having in the background, but can’t ever remember the songs. Like some medieval troubadour playing whimsical music as the album cover sort of alludes.

Rain Dogs

Tom Waits

1/5

Couldn’t finish it, as the third song started like a man out of his mind, kicking down the door while wearing one of those tuba drum type contraptions on his back. I haven’t enjoyed a single one of this guys albums and I’m starting to wonder if it’s coincidence that Waits rhymes with Hates.

Doolittle

Pixies

2/5

Nothing really grabbed me from this album, but a few songs were nice to hear. I didn’t give this one much thought but I can see where it shines.

Dog Man Star

Suede

2/5

Call me the guy in this album cover as I tried to listen to this album. It opened really strong, from a hook perspective. I figured we’d be in for a treat, but it felt like watching a bike go down a hill really fast, you know it’s going to crash but can’t look away. This hasn’t been a great week but I saw we hit 500 reviews so halfway done!

Trio

Dolly Parton

3/5

Just a trio of country gals hymning and singing away on the prairie. I loved their voices even when the songs themselves felt old and antiquated. Like the same way I love old Christmas songs. No keepers, but overall really enjoyed.

Pretenders

4/5

This was an awesome album. Felt like a Joan Jett meets ramone’s or dare I say strokes/pixies. Just a great rock/alternative album that was fun to jam to in the kitchen while cooking dinner. I didn’t think I’d like it but the opening song sold me.

Axis: Bold As Love

Jimi Hendrix

4/5

Knew this would be a good album with that UFO opening. And wild album cover too. I’ve never listened to this album before, but I’ve heard little wing and if 6 was 9 but it’s been forever and I really dug them. Also Bold As Love is on here and I forgot Jimi did that song Too! This was a fantastic album to start the new year.

Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret

Soft Cell

2/5

Look, tainted love is a classic. We have a home video music video of that one I believe. But that song is a cover., and when your non stop erotic cabaret dives into Sex Dwarves, all I can do is laugh at the absurdity of this album. I’m not sure if this was a concept album or the beliefs of this group, though based on the album cover wouldn’t put it past them. This felt like an “it’s the 80’s now we can be more overt about sex in Britain, gov” but I could name so many other bands who would have done a better job handling the material.

Goo

Sonic Youth

2/5

I could have swore these blokes were British but I guess not. Kool Thing is from guitar hero so that was cool but nothing else stood out to me.

American IV: The Man Comes Around

Johnny Cash

4/5

This is an album I've been wanting to listen to. Just Johnny Cash in general but this one kicks off with the one two punch of The Man Comes Around and Hurt. TMCA I'm pretty sure was sampled on Behold a Pale Horse by Angels and Airwaves. Hurt is a cover, but still incredible. There are a lot of covers on this album but doesn't take away from his message throughout.

Dance Mania

Tito Puente

4/5

Tito is always a hit. This was a fantastic album of fantastic jazz that flew by and made up for some of the lesser albums this week. We always need a little TP in our lives.

Virgin Suicides

Air

3/5

It is a very slippery slope, especially as we cross the halfway threshold on these albums, to have a soundtrack, and one that is a score, as the album of the day. I am a sucker for scores, and this one was really good. The problem is that I could come up with at least another 50 scores that should be on this list, and another 50, at least, soundtracks that should be on this list. They should have a whole separate 1001 Soundtracks to listen to before you die that includes scores, soundtracks, and things like forest and weather sounds. Sadly, I hope we never see another soundtrack on this list because it would be a shame to include ones like this and not such famous ones as Lord of the Rings, Interstellar, Star Wars, Black Panther, The Mummy, Guardians of the Galaxy, Master of Disguise, MacGruber...you see where I am going with this.

...And Justice For All

Metallica

5/5

You know an album is destiny when your brother talks about wanting to get into Metallica, you're about to recommend this album, and then you check and see what the album of the day is tomorrow and here it is. It's as if this list listens to us. But then there wouldn't be half the albums on here. Metallica is one of my favorite bands of all time and this album is the reason why. I would argue this is their best album in terms of length and quality (I even have a Funko Pop of Lady Justice!). I'd also accept their self titled black album, but this one came first and set the stage for their ability to go all out on that album. The sounds are crisp here, and Hetfield sounds better than ever on each of these tracks. The guitars are powerful and drums are loud and distinct. I think I call this one the best because you can actually hear everything (the singing, guitars, drums). This album, to me, harnesses all the anxiety that the group (and us) have about so many systems within this country. Opening with the dark, yet amped up Blackened, it seems like all is bleak and the world is ending, but you can't help but dance to the awesome guitar riffs and drums. From there we are taken to ...And Justice for All, a barefaced anthem about the unfairness of the justice system and how those with money tend to get away with everything. At almost ten minutes, this song flies by. Again, the drums and guitar really sell this one. I'm constantly air drumming this song. Eye of the Beholder is a lesser listened for me, but I will always love the opening guitar riff, this song has some lyrics like "Freedom of choice is made for you, freedom of speech is words they will bend, freedom with their exception" so another poke at the systems around us. I'd also say this song is underrated, even by me. Next is One, another masterpiece. The anti war song on the album. A soldier trying to live through injuries after the war is over but as we all know, so many people come home but never truly leave the battlefield. Reading the lyrics it's a really depressing song, but the instruments make you forget that a little bit. This is also a classic guitar hero song both on III and Metallica. The song ends with the soldier describing what this landmine did to him and how it "left him with life in hell". The Shortest Straw is an epic song, with an amazing guitar riff throughout and the solo is insane. This song was almost impossible to play on Guitar Hero. Talking about the shortest straw being pulled for you, life isn't fair, they are coming after you type stuff. Very on brand. I can't stress enough how amazing the drums and guitar are on this. Harvester of Sorrow is another, less political, but still dealing with that anger towards others that I think Shortest Straw deals with. This may be my least favorite on the album, but still good on a play through. The Frayed Ends of Sanity takes a bold swing with the Wizard of Oz "o we o" kicking off with the drums. Love that they are diving into someone just going insane, and not in a good way. "everyone's after me, frayed ends of sanity, hear them calling me". Also Hetfield's laughing towards the end is the cherry on top. To Live is to Die is a beautiful instrumental track that opens up very calmly before kicking into gear. I'll never say no to instrumental Metallica. Dyers Eve ends the album on a very strong note, starting with the kick off and moving into the descending drum beats that kick into a very fast gear rift reminiscent of Kill Em All. One of the few early songs with an F bomb too which I just found out today, no Parental advisory on this album! But I love the music when it hits the "Innocence, torn from me without your shelter" chorus. Excellent solo here too. Overall, this album is incredible, impeccable, and everything in between. A perfect primer for someone wanting to hear some metal music that hasn't before since it's like a Nu Metal type rock. It's pure art...and justice for all.

Ingenue

k.d. lang

3/5

Hadn't listened to a k.d. lang album before, beyond the appearance in Pee Wee's Christmas Special. This was a calming album. She has a great voice and the songs were easy listening even though it's listed as "singer/songwriter". No tracks stood out or anything, but I liked this album.

Dear Science

TV On The Radio

3/5

Some unique sounds and tracks, this was an unexpected one. It's better than some of the others on here, and felt a little like a different version of Muse/Coldplay/Bon Iver depending on the song. Very quirky, and I liked that.

Le Tigre

3/5

This was a very interesting album, felt like it was ahead of its time but also right on time. Capturing the angst of that time period. And I feel like these songs have been used on some indie movie soundtracks. Deception and Cassavetes were great.

Abattoir Blues / The Lyre of Orpheus

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

2/5

This album had moments that made me think Tom Waits snuck into another band. While I appreciated the rock aesthetics, I found myself skipping most songs.

To Pimp A Butterfly

Kendrick Lamar

5/5

As this album was coming out, I was slowly becoming a Kendrick fan. My brother would play GKMC in our college apartment as we chilled around the house and I knew right away I liked this guy. But when TPAB came out, everything changed. This was an incredibly special album, not just for its content, but where I was when it came out. 2015, I think spring break, Stevie and I had flown to Georgia to hang with the Pankows and I remember it released early and I think we listened to it in the car as we were picked up super late at night from the airport. Stevie burned a CD. That entire trip, anytime we were in a car, or there was a lull, we were listening to this. Every song on this album reminds me of specific moments whether that was cruising down the roads watching the trees and houses fly by, or going to eat bbq, or playing ping pong in the basement. This album will be forever tied to that experience and I think that is a good thing. This album is one of the best of all time. Certainly of that year, but it threw such a huge wrench into what people thought hip hop could be. Kendrick was not only able to craft amazing tracks with key samples and guests, but each song had something to say. And it wasn't just the typical "I'm the greatest rapper" but him questioning things. Questioning society and all the racial divides that are in the face of so many people of color. But he went even further and explored what an album would look like blending so many different Afro influences such as Jazz and Funk. This album has so many layers in that regard, and there is a beautiful poem that he slowly builds on throughout the album that is just one more layer. From tough songs like u to more radio friendlies like King Kunta and Alright, there is a song on here for everyone. And I am not as versed in the Kendrick lore, but I think he begins his talks on "Lucy" in this album that carry over into Damn. I also love this album because of the last song, Mortal Man, and his conversation's he has with what I think is his "dad". Not just the conversation, but tying all the verses of the poem together and then finishing on a description of the title of the album. Something I think many people struggle to find within albums, the meaning, but here Kendrick lays out exactly why it was titled TPAB. True masterpiece.

The Gilded Palace Of Sin

The Flying Burrito Brothers

2/5

After yesterdays album, I feel really bad for the flying burrito brothers. Your classic late 60’s “rock” album. Normally I’d have given them a 3 and moved on but I skipped songs and just kept thinking about Kendrick and it made these songs sound even worse. I kept picturing this as a great album to listen to back in the 70’s while cruising in your car. But in todays time, I don’t think I’d listen again.

Here's Little Richard

Little Richard

3/5

Little Richard was someone who I hadn't heard a lot of music, but would always see him every year in the Pee Wee Herman Christmas Special singing on the ice. OOOO WEEEE PEE WEEE. I also watched Elvis last year and he was portrayed in that movie, along with Tutti Frutti as a song if I'm remembering correct so it was cool to see that the two of them knew each other. This was a fun album but it also became pretty repetitive with the hooks and repetition. Only so many different words you can rhyme together in the same vein "tutti frutti" "ready teddy" "long tail sally" etc. They all sound the same, same beats and very similar vocal range. Again, this was him making his mark and I respect that for the late 50's, but this would not fly in today's age. Thinking again of To Pimp a Butterfly and how no two songs are similar.

L.A. Woman

The Doors

3/5

I loved the last doors album that we go, but this one not as much. It wasn't a bad album by any means, I just didn't connect with any of the songs as much as the prior album. LA Woman I've heard before, and Riders of the Storm is an absolute classic (shout out to Need for Speed: Underground 2 (and Snoop Dogg)) but the rest seemed forgettable to me. We've had worse albums this week, so I'm not going to complain. This was a good album to close out the week.

Van Halen

5/5

Add this to the pile of albums I was praying would be on this list. Van Halen was one of my favorite bands when I was in high school. This album being the one I was most obsessed with. 1984 was also amazing, but this is one of the best debut rock albums I can think of. Not only does it establish Van Halen as a household name in rock, but proved the Van Halen boys belonged in the pantheon of the worlds best drummers and guitarists. On top of that, David Lee Roth showed he was just as perfect in his role as lead singer, wailing and crying and just acting like a nut case. To all of our collective benefits. Eruption is one of the greatest guitar solos of all time, to have a whole track dedicated to it. When that song finally came to guitar hero (along with their whole set list on the Van Halen game) I spent many an hour trying to be like Eddie. Throughout this album, you get to experience a new type of rock that fed on distorted guitar riffs and wolf howls. Favorite Tracks: Runnin' With the Devil, Eruption, You Really Got Me, Ain't Talkin' Bout Love, Jamie's Cryin', Feel Your Love Tonight, Ice Cream Man.

Blue Lines

Massive Attack

3/5

Very interesting album! I saw on Apple they called it Trip-Hop which I've never heard before. Listed as electronic, but it's kind of in a category of it's own. I've heard a few albums like this but it's like smooth hip/hop or R&B mixed with electronic. Does Daydreaming have a sample from Rich Girl??He He say's "If I was a rich man, dananannanananan" just like Gwen Stefani. Either way, this was an enjoyable album.

69 Love Songs

The Magnetic Fields

1/5

The audacity to think you can get away with 69 songs. I’ll say this, I listened to as many as I could but this guy or group seemed like they did not care in any of the songs. Monotone and reminded me of a drunk guy playing random songs at 2am at the bar. Did I miss something? This feels like the Fanny and Alexander of albums.

Heroes

David Bowie

3/5

This wouldn't be my top Bowie album. As I've mentioned as far back as the first album we ever did, I'm not a HUGE Bowie fan. Some of his songs are amazing but his overall library has never captured me. And this is a good example album. I enjoyed some of the songs, and I've heard Heros before as a cover (which I liked better). Some of these were strange, but it wasn't a bad thing. Just didn't leave any impression with me. I looked like this album cover while I was listening.

My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

Kanye West

5/5

The time has come to have a discussion on separating the art from the artist. This time last year, I wouldn't have even thought of including something like this on an album like this, one of my favorite Kanye albums. Possibly one of the best rap albums of all time. But recently, as many have seen very publicly, Kanye fell off. But the question I have is can we still separate an artist's current "persona" or actions from work they created many years prior. If it came out that Michelangelo was a part of some weird child trafficking thing for the church, would we still appreciate his work that was done hundreds of years ago? And what is the difference between throwing away old Kanye merch and tearing down a confederate statue? Well, I'd argue the confederates showed their colors almost immediately, whereas it took Kanye at least 6-8 albums before the cracks started showing. So do you stop listening to his current albums? Do you stop listening to all of them? What about when no one is looking? Does something a person says or believes taint their prior work products (Would you live in your house if you found out it was built by a racist contractor)? I'm not sure, and I don't know if there will ever be a good answer, because none of us truly know Kanye. We may claim to, but hearing a few soundbites and clips of damning evidence doesn't seem like enough qualification to say you have a grasp on who this person is. He may be even worse! He also may be suffering from some mental issues, many undiagnosed, and at that point does that outrage turn to pity? Should it? Often, the most prolific artists are suffering from something, and it is through that suffering that their best work comes out. Whether that is a mental issue, a death (like Kanye's mom), or them losing all their sponsors and respect because they spew conspiracy theories and "free-thinking" ideologies. When we were younger, I had some skewed beliefs about certain actors. You could call it Klein Cancel Culture. I don't know if I could name them all, but I know Barbara Streisand off the top of my head, our parents would always speak ill of her, most likely due to her having a more progressive ideology than them. I have a photo of a note my mom wrote and put on the fridge that said something about the birther theory with Barack Obama. But now, actors are actually getting canceled. Kevin Spacey was completely pulled off a movie and replaced with Christopher Plumber to reshoot all his scenes (and was nominated for it). What I have learned and adopted for film, is that the choices, comments, and actions of someone on a production like a film, while not good or redeeming, should not punish the rest of the cast and crew who made that film. When you watch a movie, that person is not the only one in the credits. There are thousands of people who earned a living creating this art, and to cast aside something because of the actions of one, to me seems silly. Did a thousand people create this album? No, music is a little different. But when you have artists like Michael Jackson who are lauded as the greatest of all time and a child molester in the same sentence, then I wonder if people are picking and choosing who they cancel. Is that the best path? By precedent, Michael Jackson's music shouldn't be listened to anymore. Most of his songs sound a little slimy when you think of Billie Jean, Pretty Young Thing, etc. This is all a very long winded way of explaining that I am not cancelling Kanye's old music, in the same way that I haven't really cancelled Michael Jacksons greatest hits. Now, if Kanye were to release a new album this year, I certainly would listen to it, but I would be very weary of what is being said and if it sounds like he is going off the rails then I wouldn't listen anymore. Another way to say, he is on watch now. I also had an interesting conversation a while back with some of my friends who were explaining that it was interesting the industry was cancelling Kanye over his anti-Semitic comments but where was cancel culture anytime there are anti-black comments in rap? Why didn't any of his sponsors cancel him for any of those comments in the past, or when he rushed the stage at the Grammys. Again, cans of worms that I don't think people want to open so they settle for just burying the person. At the end of the day, I truly believe that it just takes common sense. An intelligent person should be able to separate the art from the artist, and if they can't, there is a deeper issue at work. If you want to cancel someone, you are free to. You can pick and choose like society, our parents, friends, and family do, and I don't think you'd be wrong. Just remember that these artists already made their money and they don't even know who you are. Am I a fan of this album? Yes. This is one of my favorite Kanye albums. Am I a fan of Kanye at this point in his life? Absolutely. He was arguably at his PEAK between this and Yeezus. Am I a fan of him now? No, not really. The more I have seen him outside of his music, the more I have a hard time relating to him due to his god complex and attitude towards others around him. I have very little respect for people who don't own up to their actions and take responsibility for the impact they have on those around them. Especially on minds that are more moldable such as younger audiences. There need to be consequences when people say things they shouldn't. Kanye was dropped and fell off for good reason. Should it have been earlier? Maybe. But it is that same free thinking mindset he touts that should allow you the ability to listen to this album and judge for yourself. Favorites: Dark Fantasy, Gorgeous, Power, All of the Lights, Monster, So Appalled, Devil in a New Dress, Runaway, Hell of a Life, Blame Game Album Art: I wonder if it wasn't pixelated would people have cancelled this album for what that picture is depicting.

Metallica

5/5

You’ve got to be kidding me. I said we are in the 5 star Renaissance and that streak continues today. Part of me wonders if this is one of the most popular albums of all time because I feel like most people are familiar with the first song, Enter Sandman, to some degree or another. This was the first Metallica song I ever heard. I was at my friend Zack's house and he took me into his older brother’s room who had a bunch of metal albums and said "you've got to listen to this" and we did. And it was awesome. He introduced me to most of the OG metal I listened to. When I heard it, it changed my life. It is just such a cool song, and we didn't even listen to the rest of the album! It wasn't until years later that Stevie and I rediscovered this album during high school. It was then that this album took on even more meaning as we used it to pump ourselves up for FBLA competitions, specifically The Struggle Within. There is something special about the most meaningful songs being the first and the last. But then came Guitar Hero Metallica and suddenly all the songs on this album hit. The sheer variety of guitar riffs and deep drums from Wherever I May Roam, Sad But True, Of Wolf and Man, to much quieter songs like The Unforgiven and Nothing Else Matters. This is my second favorite Metallica album after ...And Justice for All. I'd venture to guess they self titled this one because after the last four albums, they finally figured out who they were. I'd argue they knew who they were by the second album but when you add in the progression of their sound and lyrics, this feels like the peak. And many would argue this was their peak. Regardless, this is another masterpiece on our hands. Favorite Tracks: Enter Sandman, Sad But True, Holier Than Thou, The Unforgiven, Wherever I May Roam, Through The Never, Nothing Else Matters, Of Wolf and Man, The Struggle Within. Album Cover: The don't tread on me snake set against pure black. Metal.

Abbey Road

Beatles

4/5

There’s a lot of classics on here, and in particular some that I found on the Across the Universe soundtrack. I enjoyed some of those covers more than these but there’s also an equal amount of betters on here. The Beatles have never really been my thing, but I’ve been itching to listen to this album knowing it would be on the list.

Tago Mago

Can

3/5

This album is certainly something. The kind of album you put on in the background and then have moments of “is it still on the same track?”. Interesting project but wouldn’t listen again.

Songs From A Room

Leonard Cohen

2/5

Enjoyed listening to a younger Cohen, but felt very bland. The guitar work was nice, I enjoyed it on the Partisan, but his voice felt very monotone. Like a duller Bob Dylan. Pretty crazy, too, that this album and the prior one both came out the same year.

Cross

Justice

3/5

I swear I’ve heard the first song on here before I just can’t remember where. Very interesting electronic album! Some of the songs I didn’t like, others I did. Felt like a very specific sound with how technical it got. Though eventually the beat started to sound repetitive as the tracks when on, whenever the beat came on.

The Rise & Fall

Madness

2/5

Our House is a classic and I really enjoyed It Must Be Love, but there were also songs on her that sounded like circus tunes. On one I heard “I’m a big boy now” so not sure how high a rating I can give on this one.

Giant Steps

The Boo Radleys

2/5

This album felt like a knock off of smashing pumpkins and the cure mixed. Vocally pumpkins and also tonally but some pieces sounded like the cure too. Makes it very hard to enjoy when nothing grabs your attention. You’d think people would have warned them they sounded like other people but oh well.

A Northern Soul

The Verve

2/5

Never been a huge Verve fan, and this album didn't do much to change that. If anything, seeing Cody Smit McPhee's dopplegangar at the bottom of this album cover makes things even more scary. I'm not sure what they were going for in this album, felt very similar to a lot of other middle of the road rock albums we've heard on this list.

GREY Area

Little Simz

4/5

Now here we go. This is VERY different (and better) than the monotonous and repetitive UK artists we have heard. Firstly because this isn't a rock album. I've been dying to hear some UK Hip Hop artists and had no idea about Little Simz. Boy am I glad we got this one. This was an awesome showing that makes me want to listen to all of her other albums too. At a tight 35 minutes, it gets to the point, has a ton to say, on top of great beats and lyrics. I've already listened to this album twice and excited for more plays. Offence, Selfish, Venom, 101 FM are all standouts for me. Really digging the cover too.

NEU! 75

Neu!

3/5

Some of these songs were really interesting. It's labeled as an electronic album, but I could hear some rock in there too. Pretty cool album for 1975 though. Feels ahead of its time. Nice album to wrap up the week.

Superunknown

Soundgarden

3/5

Never been a soundgarden fan, but I recognize Chris Cornell's voice anywhere. Much bigger fan of his Audioslave days. Even the soundgarden song that was made for 2012's Avengers didn't really capture me. Rock is a very delicate genre, one that can easily just sound like instruments playing. Truly great rock bands always have a special something, Tom Morello, Robert Plant, Eddie Van Halen, etc. You could argue that is Chris Cornell in this case, but the rest of his group felt like they were just playing some basic rock grooves. For the record, I'd take this album over so many other Brittish rock albums we have gotten. But, bring me an Audioslave album instead.

At Mister Kelly's

Sarah Vaughan

4/5

What a classy live album. This is how live albums should be, and honestly, in the best genre of Jazz. I don't believe a concert album should be on this list, but many Jazz albums are at their best in front of a live audience riffing with the crowd. Especially a crowd that is very small and intimate which makes it almost not feel like a live album. All that to say I really enjoyed this one. I don't think I've heard Sarah Vaughan before but I love her voice.

Africa Brasil

Jorge Ben Jor

3/5

Perfect album for doing work. Had this on and things flew by. Really enjoyed the beats and rhythms. Not sure if I’d listen outside of this but glad I did.

Deloused in the Comatorium

The Mars Volta

2/5

Don’t know anything about this band but after listening + the album cover + album title + the track titles, they feel a little pretentious + ratio. Songs weren’t bad persay, but I’m not sure what all the fanciness was about. I guess I should give them credit for trying to be different than other rock bands, because they certainly felt that way. But I don’t see myself listening again or voting for this to be on this list.

Arrival

ABBA

3/5

ABBA was a band I always enjoyed, but more for singular songs than entire albums and I think this shows that too. This was a good album, there were some skips but also it had Dancing Queen and Fernando which are two of the biggest classics. Glad to see this album on the list, but it isn't earth shattering or anything. Nice album to end the week on.

Superfly

Curtis Mayfield

4/5

A classic soundtrack that has finally made it's way to the list. This was one I had been expecting from day one just due to it's greatness and popularity. Pure funk in the best way with hits like Pusherman and Superfly. I think there have been many attempts at recreating these songs and this album but nothing is as good as the original. Fantastic kick off to the week!

Happy Trails

Quicksilver Messenger Service

3/5

This is a very interesting album. Listed as rock but feels like country. Long stretches of instrumental guitar made it feel like a cowboy on the range. And with Happy Trails and Who Do You Love, this feels like an album that has been used by others so I’m assuming that means it’s well liked. I found some of the songs to be rambly, but that also feels like the point.

James Brown Live At The Apollo

James Brown

2/5

Based on the success of the last live album, I gave this one a shot since it's Mr Brown, but this fell below expectations. This goes back into the live albums category. James was performing but it felt very repetitive, and even on the song I was looking forward to the most, Sex Machine, he kept repeating things over and over. I know people do that when they are live to get the crowd going, but that, to me, doesn't need to be an album on this list.

A Short Album About Love

The Divine Comedy

1/5

Reading Stevie's review informing me there are no other James Brown albums on this list at the same time that I start listening to this one is not a good combo. In fact, it's a recipe for disaster. I don't think I would have given them even 3 stars but I sure as hell won't be now. This wasn't a great album and I found it boring, and now wanting compared to a JB album.

Black Holes and Revelations

Muse

4/5

Probably my favorite Muse album, and arguably the best so I am more than approving of this being on the list. Even if just for the variety. Muse has always been a band that I can't quite put my finger on. With the synthesizers and guitars mixed with other worldly sounds and the lead singers creepy voice, this band is one of a kind. Take a Bow kicks this off sounding like something from a Phillip Glass track. Supermassive Black Hole is from Twilight and also a banger. Assassin is insane, I remember on first listen I immediately resonated with that one for the fast pace synths. And then Knights of Cydonia...a classic Guitar Hero III song. Either way, I think this album makes up for the garbage we have gotten most of this week.

Live 1966 (The Royal Albert Hall Concert)

Bob Dylan

1/5

Damn...another live album...for a guy we've seen on here multiple times. Just brings me back to James Brown...

Pink Flag

Wire

1/5

Something about this made me think it was some sort of special album. Something about the Apple Music description, I'm not sure, but the minute I pressed play, I was glad to know I could put this in the pile of unnecessary UK albums. Maybe it's because the selection the last week or so has been terrible, but I'm getting tired of these albums. It certainly makes the good ones that much better but how hungry are you for ice cream after you've had to eat pounds of crap?

The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill

Lauryn Hill

5/5

At this point it feels trite to constantly say "oh my god, finally, and this will make up for all the past week". But Thank God this album is on this list because it is making up for the past week. It's sad that this list, almost inarguably, could have been 500 albums to listen to before you die and cut out a ton of the fat of live albums and UK bombs. Maybe pepper in more albums like this, and you'd have a stew going! I'm pretty sure my brother recommended this album to me when I was trying to get more hip hop/R&B albums under my belt. I found the CD at 2nd and Charles and it's been history ever since. Jamming to this while driving in the car, and listening to it now, it is such a great album. This was a big deal at the time being a female rapper of sorts and if I'm right, this was her debut album as well. There are so many songs on here that I love, but this is one of those albums that I just listen to all the way through. Favorite Tracks: Ex-Factor, To Zion, Doo Wop, Final Hour, Forgive Them Father, Everything is Everything Classic Cover, and copied well on the Marvel Comics variant cover for Ms Marvel.

Trafalgar

Bee Gees

3/5

A quick fun breezy album by a great band. Hadn’t heard any of these before but enjoyed it overall including the title and cover.

Elephant Mountain

The Youngbloods

3/5

This album started with me wondering if it was more of the same, but trust an American Rock group to try and diversify their songs. I enjoyed this album for what it was, some type of folk rock with hints of jazz too On Sir Francis Drake and Black Mountain Breakdown. Very similar to Dave Brubeck. Based on some of the things we have gotten recently, I'm glad this album is wrapping up the week.

The Message

Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five

4/5

Fantastic album to kick off the week! All the songs were groovy and dare I say funky...filled with soul! That last song was super interesting too using all the samples from various songs like Good Times, Another One Bites the Dust, Rapture, and maybe more. More albums like this please!

Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables

Dead Kennedys

2/5

In the same vein that I am not a huge Ramones fan, I'm even less a fan of Dead Kennedys. That punk rock one minute long song that sounds the same as the last one just doesn't appeal to me. I won't say it's bad, and I recognize the effects these types of albums had on the zeitgeist at the time, but just isn't my type of music. Though, this album has Holiday in Cambodia which was on Guitar Hero so props there (also a 4 minute song!).

Close To The Edge

Yes

4/5

One of my favorite rock songs that I can't seem to get enough of is Owner of a Lonely Heart. There's just something about that song that gets me moving and grooving and reminds me of summer. So when this album came I got excited because that song was all I had heard of Yes. To my surprise, they are so much more than that song. This album has three songs that are between ten and twenty minutes each. Very long! But very unique and explorative in the music. I'm sure you could break them up into smaller bits as the titles suggest with their numbering, but I like these giant songs much more than some of the fakers we have listened to who were long for longs sake. This has been a great week for music!

Another Music In A Different Kitchen

Buzzcocks

3/5

Here comes another punk album, though I kind of enjoyed this one more than the last one. Maybe because it sort of sounded like rock. Either way, it felt similar to a lot of other bands on here. Props to these guys calling themselves the Buzzcocks, I guarantee it was the fella on the far right's idea, he looks like a stinker. Hell they all do.

Straight Outta Compton

N.W.A.

4/5

Perfect album to end the week on. I listened to this a few years ago when I was going through Hip Hop albums and also had been inspired by the movie. Straight out of Compton and Fuck the Police are classics. Knowing the behind the scenes of how this was created and all the greats that are part of NWA just makes this a very historical album. It isn't a perfect album, but with the hip hop we are getting on this list, it more than earns its place. I also hope Stevie extra enjoys If It Ain't Ruff.

Young Americans

David Bowie

2/5

Another Bowie album, hopefully we are getting to the end of his albums. I'll always remember that was the first album on this list, so maybe there will be one at the end too. In searching for this one I saw he has about a billion albums so it's possible. Another one, however, that did nothing to change my opinion of him. Fame I've heard before, but overall this was just an ok album.

Autobahn

Kraftwerk

2/5

I had the first song stuck in my head for a bit, maybe because it was so long, but the rest of the songs I skipped so not sure why this was on this list besides it feeling like a kind of experiment.

The Cars

3/5

I think we have gotten another Cars album on here, but this appears to be the famous one with Best Friends Girl and Just What I Needed, two classics. The rest on here were completely fine. It was an enjoyable album especially with the synths and vocals. Certainly better than some of the prior ones.

Music For The Jilted Generation

The Prodigy

3/5

This was a wild album, felt like I was in some 90's video game Tron type setting of just zipping through tunnels and night scapes. Very cool in that sense and makes me glad I listened to it, but beyond maybe catching these songs at a club I'll never go to or an underground street racing event, I'm not sure I'd listen to again. I did just finish watching Cyber Punk Edgerunners last night and they should have taken some songs from here.

Blackstar

David Bowie

1/5

Two Bowie albums in one week…I know I have to listen but I feel like that should just be the review. That was my review last night when the new album dropped. This morning as I attempted to listen to it, I realized I was right. This is by far the worst Bowie album I've heard which is an accurate, non-hyperbolic statement. I skipped every single song due to length, repetiveness and boredom. Just because it is David Bowie does not mean it needs to be on this list.

Otis Blue/Otis Redding Sings Soul

Otis Redding

4/5

Huge Otis fan, and was hoping to get some of his albums on here, was surprised to see them include a cover album but others have had theirs on here too so I'll be grateful. This was very enjoyable, especially on those covers I know like Respect, My Girl, Wonderful World, Satisfaction. Interesting album cover, not sure what the meaning is behind that.

Hot Fuss

The Killers

4/5

No doubt this is a great album, and I am BEYOND happy it is on here. But something within the wiki excerpt above got me thinking. Nothing in there indicates this is "the greatest album of all time". All signs point to this being on the list due to some grammy wins. It didn't even debut at #1 on Billboard. It just makes me wonder about how many awesome albums we are missing on this list that are much more acclaimed. Hip Hop albums that came out at #1 or even Pop and R&B albums. That's where I am starting to see the bias in this list. Of course, we have been calling out the bias for about two years now but I think this adds even more evidence to that argument. Other than that, this album is a classic. Mr Brightside is one of my favorite songs that always gets me to dance. Somebody Told Me is great too, and I always like getting to listen to the full album since I mostly just enjoyed those singles. Also very chill album cover.

Beauty And The Beat

The Go-Go's

4/5

Another awesome album!! Some classics, and some fresh new songs as well. Our Lips Are Sealed and We Got The Beat are in that classics category, but I also really liked Lust to Love. Great beats (and beauty) throughout and an overall pump up attitude. Glad to see this one on the list.

Underwater Moonlight

The Soft Boys

3/5

Very quirky album. Felt like a lot of the other UK bands we've heard on here but something about it was still entertaining. Maybe it was the wildness of some of these songs and the lyrics. Or just creepiness of the album cover. Either way, it was enjoyable.

Nilsson Schmilsson

Harry Nilsson

3/5

Upon first looking at this album I started laughing...why is this thing on her. This desheveled man with one of the funniest (possibly first) jokes "Nilsson Schmilsson" but there are a few songs on here that classics I have heard on countless movies and shows. Namely Gotta Get Up, Without You, and Coconut. I can't say where I heard them but I know they have been used a bunch. There was a lot of variety on this album even though it is called Rock. Enjoyable end to the week.

Illinois

Sufjan Stevens

4/5

Was not expecting this album to make the list but boy am I glad it's here. Stevie showed me this album a long time ago, but long after it had come out. I can't remember what the situation was but I know we were listening to it while we were driving somewhere. I thought it was incredibly creative to have a whole album dedicated to Illinois and the prospect of him doing this for all 50 states. Now learning that was a joke. But looking at it in this lens, I'm really surprised this came out in 2005. That may seem recent, but it really isn't and at that time, I'm sure this album was surprising for many. I loved 22, A Million, but this feels right up there with that album and that came out more than a decade later. Sufjan albums are the kind that are meant to be listened to all the way through, less so for singles and hits. Although, I did keep Come On! Feel the Illinoise! and Chicago. This is also a great album cover, love the mobster and the goat. I really wish he had done an album for all the states. I'd love to hear Texas, Hawaii, Colorado, etc.

Every Picture Tells A Story

Rod Stewart

2/5

Rod Stewart is one of those guys, and I’m not sure if we’ve had an album of his yet, that just kind of ended up in coffee shops and as easy listening. The kind of guy the elderly love hearing. But this album is more in his hay day with a rock bent that I liked way better. Now, when I say way better, that’s relative to his other stuff. I can see why this might make its way to a list like this, but comparing it to similar stuff like CCR, there’s no comparison.

Vauxhall And I

Morrissey

2/5

Not sure why this one is on the list. I've heard of "Morrissey" before but didn't expect him to be this. Kind of a, I don't even know. Just a dude wailing. Good for him, not for us.

Hybrid Theory

Linkin Park

5/5

Well well well. I think we had meteora on here and I had mentioned that was my first Linkin Park album. This one came shortly after and solidified this band as one of the greats. A new sound at the dawn of the millennium that was a beautiful mashup of rap, metal, punk, and rock. Beyond the regular instruments you had Mr Hahn on the synths and dj-ing on top of Mike Shinoda’s hip hop dance and the late Chester B’s howls. Side note, it was foolish of anyone to assume that man wasn’t hurting as almost every single song on all the albums references pain and sadness to one degree or another. But what truly makes me love this album (beyond its sister album Reanimation) are the lyrics. I’d argue this album against almost any other of any genre for its biting and timely lyrics. Every single word and rap is perfectly placed and not only tells a story, but flows like water. Whether it’s through screams or raps. This was an album I often sang while running or just in general so all the lyrics are second nature. So since I love every song on here I’ll call out some choice lyrics from each. Papercut: it’s like I’m paranoid, looking over my back. Like a whirlwind inside of my head, I can’t stop what I’m hearing within. It’s like the face inside is right beneath my skin. One Step Closer: All these words they make no sense, I find bliss in ignorance. Less I hear the less you’ll say. With You: when things go wrong I pretend the past isn’t real. Now I’m trapped in this memory and I’m left in the wake of the mistake. (Also excellent Hahn track at the end) Points of Authority: forfeit the game before somebody else takes you out of the frame, puts your name to shame. Cover up your face, you can’t run the race the pace is too fast you just won’t last. Crawling: my walls are closing in. Without a sense of confidence and I’m convinced that’s there’s just too much pressure to take Runaway: graffiti decorations under a sky of dust, a constant wave of tension on top of broken trust. By Myself: do I trust some and get fooled by phoniness, or do I trust nobody and live in loneliness. In The End: I kept everything inside and even thought I tried it all fell apart. What it meant to me will eventually be a memory of a time when I tried so hard and got so far but in the end it doesn’t even matter. (This song really hits hard losing Chester) A Place For My Head: The sun doesn’t give life to the moon assuming the moons gonna owe it one. Makes me think of how you act to me you do favors then rapidly turn around and start asking me about things that you want back from me (what a metaphor) Forgotten: the memory is now like the picture was then, when the papers crumpled up it can’t be perfect again (I like the Reanimation version better) Cure for the Itch: ladies and gentleman, Mr Hahn Pushing Me Away: even the people who never frown eventually breakdown (so true, also prefer the Reanimation version) So yeah this is a five star. Needed this one today…RIP Chester.

Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire)

The Kinks

2/5

I'll forgive this album for being less than stellar after yesterdays album. I think we just recently got a Kinks album but I'm learning I'm not a huge fan. I know what sound they are going for, I've just heard it better from others.

Cheap Thrills

Big Brother & The Holding Company

3/5

Very cool to hear JJ on another album than her famous one. I saw in the description that they incorporated recordings of crowd noise to give the impression of a live album, for which it was subsequently mistaken by listeners. I find that really funny especially given how much I'm not a fan of live albums, I did have to do a double take. This was a fun album to kick off the week, felt very in the vein of Janis and also similar to Jimi Hendrix and just that whole woodstock feel.

Permission to Land

The Darkness

3/5

Started off questioning why this album was on the list beyond it being UK Rock, but once I Believe in a Thing Called Love came on I understood. That song is one of the classics and met with a one two punch of Love is Only A Feeling which was another favorite of mine. Then they started growing on me but still beyond those songs there wasn't much that was unique. Also I laughed at this cover thinking this is what UK bands think is an American Style album. Get a naked lady on there and a space ship a la Boston. People will love that!

Meat Puppets II

Meat Puppets

2/5

Another "why is this on here album", sounds like they tried to mimic the doors or something and this is an AZ band, not UK but I didn't latch onto anything.

Arise

Sepultura

3/5

Was not expecting to see this band on here, let alone realize that they are a much older band than I thought. I think I've seen a few Sepultura songs scattered on some movie soundtracks and MTV's Headbangers Ball cds, but didn't know they were from the 80's! Very impressive in that regard, even if I wasn't a fan of all the songs. Glad to see more metal on here!

Licensed To Ill

Beastie Boys

4/5

First song starts out with a sample of When The Levee Breaks by Led Zepplin, never knew that but great kick off. This was a fun one to finish out the week, fight for your right and no sleep till brooklyn are classics. Finding some other gems on here like the first song, and I also liked Paul Revere.

The Modern Lovers

2/5

Some pretty decent music in here but overall just felt like the same ol stuff we have heard before. There really should be a group that goes through this list and puts all these bands into groups to say "Oops we have 76 titles on this list that all sound the same, lets remove some and get other groups or people in here that have different sounds."

Our Aim Is To Satisfy

Red Snapper

3/5

Great electronic album. Has that 2000's vibe, great for getting work done and hearing in the background. Album cover also feels like the songs, driving at night in some industrial area. I really liked Keeping Pigs Together.

Time (The Revelator)

Gillian Welch

3/5

Relaxing album, listed as singer/songwriter and at points it felt like country but I think that's the perfect album for that genre. Gillian has a great voice and many of these songs seem sad and nostalgic in a good way. Enjoyed this one!

Kala

M.I.A.

4/5

An epic album I was hoping would be on this list. Same as many, I loved Paper Planes back in the day but as time has gone on I've learned about other songs on this album and had been waiting to listen all the way through. Come Around was one of my most played songs last year thanks to the Ms Marvel soundtrack and now I'm hearing many other gems on here like BirdFlu, The Turn, Mango Pickle Down River, honestly almost every song was great. More albums like this!!

Dare!

The Human League

3/5

If you change your mind, you better change it back or we will both be sorry. Interesting lyric to a very popular song. Just funny how lyrics were back in the day of "oh you don't like me? Well you better or you'll be sorry.". Either way, this was an enjoyable album to close out the week. We got that classic single, along with some other fun ones on here. There were a few skips as well, this is a UK band that seems like it was ahead of it's time back then, but a little outdated now.

Home Is Where The Music Is

Hugh Masekela

4/5

Excellent jazz album. Perfect while driving and also listening at night. Didn’t even know about this musician before but glad this one is on the list!

American Beauty

Grateful Dead

2/5

Pretty good album. Forgettable but I’m not a huge Dead Head. Felt like a country album but nothing about it stood out to me. I even skipped a few. I’m down to listen to more but give us the good stuff!

Jagged Little Pill

Alanis Morissette

4/5

This is a total classic. 90’s at its best and what a cool album to have had back then. So many great songs on here breaking the mold as Alanis says what she thinks and does what she wants. An album that probably shifted a generation at that time, especially women. This was a staple growing up. Favs: All I really want, you oughta know, hand in my pocket, you learn, head over feet, ironic

Live At The Witch Trials

The Fall

2/5

I had a glimmer of hope when I saw witch trials, but nothing about this felt worthy of that title. Should be called Live from the Bore Fest. Another UK band that does not deserve to be on here.

Vol. 4

Black Sabbath

4/5

Great album! Didn't hit the heights of their first, but another classic I think. Really enjoyed Changes & Supernaut. Some vocals were a little distorted but I think that was the intention of many of the songs.

Synchronicity

The Police

3/5

I think this might be our first Police album? Regardless, this was an interesting one. Every Breath You Take is a classic, but there were a few other ones on here like King of Pain that I couldn't get out of my head. Some songs I also skipped so I think I can only give this puppy a 3 star.

The Hissing Of Summer Lawns

Joni Mitchell

3/5

Joni goes Jazz! At least that's what it felt like. There was still a folksy air to the entire thing but songs like Harry's House/ Centerpiece were clearly jazz inspired. Always enjoy listening to Joni and this was a good one to pass the time at work.

Document

R.E.M.

2/5

A couple classics on here, but laughing at the shortest wiki entry I've ever seen. Nothing about this album tells me it should be on this list, even if I enjoy End of the World and One I Love. Not sure what qualified this one to be on here, but probably the same criteria as the others that shouldn't be on here.

Crocodiles

Echo And The Bunnymen

2/5

English post punk band from the 80’s, here we go again. I wrote that sentence last night prior to listening and after, I stand by it still. When I looked up the band I noticed I think we have had one of their other albums on this list before. I'd be curious what I said on that review and wonder if it is similar to what I'm about to say now. Nothing to write home about, not sure why this is on the list.

Reggatta De Blanc

The Police

2/5

I agreed with Stevie when he said the last police album we got this week should be the last. I guess this list has other ideas. Message in a Bottle is a great song, but I really don't think we need to be including albums that have one great song on them. No one likes being stopped by the police, especially not twice in one week.

D

White Denim

3/5

Wasn't a bad album, in fact, there were moments of fun. It was quick and easy to digest. Never heard of these guys before but I don't think they should be on this list.

Let England Shake

PJ Harvey

3/5

This was an interesting album if only that it exceeded my very low expectations that were brought on by the title of this album and the frequency of said word in the title in many prior albums. Would I listen again? Probably not, but I didn't hate it and I'll take that as a win.

Life Thru A Lens

Robbie Williams

2/5

This album felt like something I had heard before, no particular reason beyond maybe just radio music when we were kids in the car. Not sure why this is on the list as it just felt like basic late 90's pop. Oh, surprise surprise he is from the UK.

Let's Get Killed

David Holmes

2/5

You know I love a good electronic album but there was something about this album that was a little off. Like a watered down electronic album. Come to find out this is a UK electronic album. I see what's going on. It wasn't a bad album, I've just heard so many better ones that I know won't be on this list.

Unhalfbricking

Fairport Convention

3/5

Not sure if the people in the album cover are the singers or if they are the ones in the background. Either way, here we have ANOTHER British folk rock band that the singer sounds just like many other singers in the folk rock genre. Especially Jefferson Airplane. I did enjoy this for what it was, I like those psychedelic folk rock type albums.

Chocolate Starfish And The Hot Dog Flavored Water

Limp Bizkit

3/5

Another Limp Bizkit album! The group that will always remind me of Even Stevens and poor Louis' mom who had to listen. While this album cover and title are both disgusting and gross, the album itself was good! Some songs in here it felt like I had heard before in the past like Rollin' and My Way. Good kick off to the week, minus having to see those gollums holding starfish laying on hot dogs. Insane.

Casanova

The Divine Comedy

1/5

I know we aren't supposed to just an album by its cover, but I wonder if the divine comedy is that they got Elijah Wood to pose with a little cigarette in his mouth. A true Casanova. All that to say I wouldn't listen to this album based on the cover. Upon listening, I should have trusted my instincts. If I wasn't so dedicated, I'd have stopped after the first song. I only listened to about 30 seconds before skipping. Anyone who has the balls to start an album with some casual non consensual kissing does not deserve to be on this list, but then to actually get into the song and it be terrible is a whole other level of dumb. As I said, due to my principles, I did listen to the second song as well, but as soon as he started singing in that played out voice, I had to stop. So that's the long and short of it. This does not belong here. PS: just like other UK pop bands (this one from Ireland which is honestly shocking), the wiki entry says on their best day they charted at #13. How does that warrant being on this list??????

Foo Fighters

3/5

Always love a good Foo Fighters album and here we are getting the debut. While this doesn't reach the heights of some of their later albums, this one still rocks, especially since it came out in 1995. Probably would have felt like a fresh sound back then.

Paranoid

Black Sabbath

5/5

Great another UK rock group. Kidding! I don't remember what my birthday album was last year, but this is a pretty great one for this year. Paranoid is an excellent album with some of Sabbath's best on it. War Pigs/Lukes Wall, Paranoid, and Iron Man are all stone cold classics. Generals gather in their masses, just like witches at black masses...what an opening lyric. Listening to this today, and on my bday, I'm falling more in love with this album. Especially the songs I didn't know as well like Hand of Doom and Planet Caravan. While I would still put their debut above this, it’s nipping at its heels.

Movies

Holger Czukay

3/5

Four songs for 40 minutes, not bad except I remember I skipped two of the songs so this album felt really quick. I liked Persian Love but more so for the samples than the actual song. I can kind of see how this one snuck on this list but it makes me want Sabbath again.

Liquid Swords

GZA

4/5

Was not expecting a GZA album on here but that's one way to start out a week, in the best way. I think Stevie told me about these Wu Tang fellas who did their own albums and Liquid Swords sounds super familiar so listening to this was really great. Especially from something from the mid 90's and when comparing to the Limpy Biscuits. Some fantastic hip hop on here and while I'm not as familiar with GZA as my brother probably is, I'm glad we got this one.

Copper Blue

Sugar

3/5

Sounded very similar to foo fighters both in voice and style. I know this guy used to be on Husker Do (or Don't) but I'm not super familiar with them either. It wasn't a bad album, some nice rifts, but I was struggling to find where it stands out amongst the great ones on this list and doesn't sift closer to the bottom of the "why is this on here" pile.

Ghosteen

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

2/5

I think we have gotten a Nick Cave album before and I'd venture to say I wasn't a fan. This one broke me because the album cover is one of the coolest so far of this entire list. But that's what you get by judging an album by its cover. I skipped most of the songs and found it very quiet and in some ways boring. If I wanted to hear some guy quietly wailing into the abyss I'd re listen to a Cohen album.

Loveless

My Bloody Valentine

2/5

I know I've heard this groups name before, not just as a movie title. Not surprised this is a UK band. Appears to be irish english, but either way, it wasn't bad, it just wasn't anything worth getting excited about either. This entire album quickly made it's way into the background with only a few moments where I checked the song, but only to skip it.

Nowhere

Ride

2/5

No way, the Apple Music description directly references My Bloody Valentine. What kind of twilight zone are we living in. Where’s another album like Liquid Swords?! Regardless, I like this cover, big water fan. Unfortunately, and expectedly, nothing stood out to me on this one either. The week started strong with GZA and ends like a ripple in a vast ocean of UK duds.

Playing With Fire

Spacemen 3

3/5

This was a weird album that sounded like a concept album. Instrumental tracks laced between some dialogue. Some songs I skipped, others I liked. Overall nothing to write home about.

At Fillmore East

The Allman Brothers Band

1/5

I like the Allman Brothers. Can’t remember if we had a studio album of theirs yet but if not I’ll look forward to that one as being the first Allman brothers album I listen to on this list.

Armed Forces

Elvis Costello & The Attractions

3/5

Another ICONIC album cover supporting an album that is just ok. I've made no secret that the only Costello I'm a fan of is Lou. This album doesn't change my opinion at all, but this was a more bearable one than some from the past. I can't say much more than that since I didn't connect to this one at all. Minus that AMAZING album cover.

Fly Or Die

N.E.R.D

4/5

Now here is an album! Enjoyed listening to this from start to finish. Good mix of hip hop and a sort of new jazz. Tough to explain but I'd rather struggle to identify the genre than recognize it immediately (UK looking at you).

Wish You Were Here

Pink Floyd

4/5

Funny that Pink Floyd is a UK band, I honestly didn't realize that. It should have been apparent on some of the way they said certain lyrics, but reading this today kind of shocked me. I'm happy anytime we get a Floyd album on here because I never listened to them growing up but knew of their power. This was another really great album. Some long tracks, seemed like they were having fun jamming out. I wouldn't call it my favorite Floyd album but it's a great one.

Colour By Numbers

Culture Club

3/5

Karma Chameleon will always remind me of that episode of TV my brothers and I made where we acted smart and took dance breaks. Beyond that, this felt like a one hit wonder album from the UK which is to say it’s just right there in that middling middle

White Light

Gene Clark

2/5

Enjoyable album to listen to while patching holes in walls but nothing really stood out beyond the stand by me cover

Violator

Depeche Mode

4/5

I thought I wrote out something for this but I guess it didn’t save. Really fun album!

3 Feet High and Rising

De La Soul

4/5

Enjoyed this one! Always happy for a hip hop album on here, especially De La Soul. Hadn't heard before and I think we had another one of theirs I liked more than this one but still better than most.

Exit Planet Dust

The Chemical Brothers

4/5

Felt like a Jet Set Radio album, dug this one!

Tanto Tempo

Bebel Gilberto

3/5

While it certainly wasn't some of the UK rock/punk/pop we have had to endure, it was still a middle of the road album for me.

Savane

Ali Farka Touré

2/5

Not sure if I'd put this one on my list, certainly unique, but I skipped a few and didn't really connect to any of them.

AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted

Ice Cube

3/5

Glad to be getting another Ice Cube album! I enjoyed it about as much as his other one too. Has some good tracks and others that feel like skits/skippables.

Emperor Tomato Ketchup

Stereolab

3/5

Fun alternative album that I think deserves a spot on this list for it's uniqueness alone. Great unpacking music!

Duck Stab/Buster & Glen

The Residents

3/5

This is an incredibly creepy album and felt like I was listening to something down in a dungeon. Don't think I'll ever listen to this again but it was a fun trip into the twilight zone.

War

U2

3/5

Even though it’s titled War, the songs felt pretty upbeat. Sunday Bloody Sunday is a classic but the rest didn’t stick around with me after they were done.

Reign In Blood

Slayer

3/5

So glad to get to this one after hearing another of their albums a while back. This has the infamous Raining Blood on Reign In Blood, a play on words. Very satantic, and even a song about the the nazis. Apparently they were interested in that at the time and seems like a very metal thing but that first song rubbed me the wrong way a little. But it's the 80's right? Either way, this was a fun album to go through my email inbox after being gone for a week.

Second Toughest In The Infants

Underworld

4/5

Another fun electronic album. I think we got one from these guys already too. The second song Banstyle has the same beat as the hold music on phones. Very chill album with some highs and a few lows too. I'm glad this on here.

The Stranger

Billy Joel

4/5

Pretty crazy when a Billy Joel album tops the list for the week but here we are. I read this was his most famous album or at least the one that made him famous, but I can see why. Movin' Out, Vienna, Only the Good Die Young are ones I've heard many times and I even found some new ones in Scenes from an Italian Restaurant. I'd say I'm a Joel fan, and I can't remember if we got any other albums of his but excited if there are others. Well placed in this lis.

Oar

Alexander 'Skip' Spence

3/5

Very curious album. I can understand why someone would put it on this list but as I was listening, I found myself skipping most of the songs. That is, until I reached Grey/Afro, a 9 minute bender of a song. I listened to this album during a crazy storm last night that kept me up and that was the only song that stuck with me after it was done. Also crazy he went to the hospital for trying to kill some guys with a fire axe. Wild story behind this one.

Heaven Or Las Vegas

Cocteau Twins

2/5

A decent album that sounded familiar to The Cure, at least from the Disentigration album. Felt like middle of the road rock/pop. Nothing to write home about. I'm now seeing they are a UK band and now it's all making sense.

Stephen Stills

3/5

Fun album and I really enjoyed Love the One You're With, I know I've heard that before. Honestly there were a few on here that felt familiar. Love this album art too, a classic winter scene with a giraffe? Ok Mr Stills.

Orbital 2

Orbital

3/5

Really cool electronic album! It does feel like it’s from the 90’s but in a classic way. Felt like driving late at night.

Strange Cargo III

William Orbit

1/5

Wasn’t on Apple Music

Calenture

The Triffids

3/5

Kind of a basic 80's alt pop type album, I enjoyed Trick of the Light and many of the other songs felt like classic 80's music which made this one a pretty fun album. Never heard of this group before, but I'm surprised they weren't on the radio more. Maybe because they are an Australian band.

Haunted Dancehall

The Sabres Of Paradise

4/5

This album made me realize that the electronic scene has been around for a while. I love its current form, but I’m learning now of the roots of a lot of it. I can’t say if this or other ones we have heard inspired the ones we love today but this felt like a cool album that I know I’d never have listened to without this list and it felt like being in a Time Machine. Sort of jet set radio type but also with that 90’s edge of electronic even though it’s listed as alternative. I feel like a counter culture Gen X in the 90s would have had this album.

Songs The Lord Taught Us

The Cramps

3/5

It's a psychobilly freakout! I don't know if this is the same band as that song, but this is still rockabilly music which is an acquired taste that I haven't fully embraced yet. Some of the songs I liked but most sounded repetitive. Along with the album cover it just felt like hearing an early grunge band in a basement or dungeon.

The Wildest!

Louis Prima

4/5

Heyyyy Louis!! The wild man himself. In fact, maybe THE WILDEST! I wonder if we will get any other albums of his on here but if not, this was a good display. I Ain't Got Nobody, Jump Jive an Wail, and Buona Sera are some favs of mine on here. Just your classic Italian singing his heart out and rousing the crowd. What more can you want?

Roots

Sepultura

4/5

Wow. I know we got one of their albums before but this seems to be their most lauded and I can see why. Really embracing the brazilian roots and I know for a fact that this album was inspiration for so many others like Slipknot, Ill Nino, and I even saw that the lead singer went on to start Soul Fly which Ill Nino has done a cover of. Endangered Species had some spots that sounded exactly like Only One from Slipknots 1999 album. Also just the idea of playing with sounds both percussion and acoustic guitar but things like Slipknots banging on trash cans and static sounds are used here. I didn't connect with every single song, but I connected with this album as a whole. It felt like listening to a piece of Nu Metal history. Every song felt distinct in its own way and this album more than deserves to be on this list. Ok I'm convinced now, Canyon Jam at the end is almost IDENTICAL to how Scissors opens, the last song on Slipknots album and is the same design. Long song with sounds but it's that same washer movement to taps and shots. Both used it. I haven't looked but I'd bet money now that Slipknot was heavily influenced by these guys.

The Genius Of Ray Charles

Ray Charles

5/5

What a genius this man was. Another great 50's album this week, always glad to see Mr Charles in the line up. Saved a few from here including my own Rag Time Band?? Felt like the same band that Sinatra used too in terms of the sounds but Ray is such a gem. This was a great album to end the week on. Gotta go with a 5 for this puppy.

Olympia 64

Jacques Brel

3/5

I listened to one song since it’s French and that felt fresh. Being live did not feel fresh so can only do a 3 star but loved the music.

Machine Gun Etiquette

The Damned

2/5

Wasn’t a huge fan, another basic punk album that didn’t feel like it had any flavor

Felt Mountain

Goldfrapp

2/5

This was a strange album, not the typical goldfrapp. Sounded more like some chromatics or other alternative type vs electronic. I skipped quite a bit.

L'Eau Rouge

The Young Gods

2/5

It's funny, when I was listening to the live album that came out this week, I said to myself that I wanted more French music. The gods listened, but this wasn't what I was expecting. Kind of a french metal/alternative type album. I didn't love it, but I've appreciated the uniqueness of some of these albums we have gotten recently.

Green

R.E.M.

3/5

This was a nice album. Unfortunately I can't say much more, it came and went. I see that it is lauded, and I am a fan of REM, but it wasn't memorable.

Heartbreaker

Ryan Adams

3/5

This album did not feel like it came out in 2000. Immediately when it started I thought it was the 60's so the ambiance was impressive. Songs were good too, but nothing memorable in my eyes. Just another singer songwriter album that is def taking the place of a much better album on this list.

Traffic

3/5

Ah, UK rock. Surprisingly I liked this album, songs did not sound the same which was a huge plus. But still felt like something that you'd just see in the clearance section. Not sure why it's on here.

Sincere

Mj Cole

1/5

Here we go again. UK musician who topped at 14 on album charts and is in the list. Not just a fact, but what the wiki thing above says. Just because an album is in the top 20 on its release doesn’t justify it being on this list gov. Especially when it isn’t even on Apple Music.

Scream, Dracula, Scream

Rocket From The Crypt

3/5

This album started off really good with some killer sounds that felt fresh but as it went on, it fell into that generic rock territory. I can't complain too much because the good songs were great like like Middle and On a Rope. Also there are certain words and objects that are immediately logged as "bad ass" in my head and there are so many on this album cover. "Crypt", "Dracula" and a damn scorpion. Very cool

Grievous Angel

Gram Parsons

2/5

I have to think this is the OG Love Hurts song on here. Hate to say it but I like Def Leppards better. This was a fine album, but not sure what makes it on this list besides the wild story about this guy's passing.

Queens of the Stone Age

3/5

For some reason this album felt really long. It was an hour which is longer than some but some songs just dragged. It started strong, too, but by the end, that last song hurt my ears with all the sonics sounds like it was trying to shut my brain off with effective power. That criticism aside, I did enjoy some pieces of this.

Caetano Veloso

3/5

This one flew by, and I was really excited to hear it as I'm always looking for new and unique songs but nothing really stood out to me as I was listening. Glad it's on here, but I'd put it at the lower end of "should be on here"

Basket of Light

Pentangle

2/5

I will never understand this list. In the artists page on apple music this one is under compilations and I'm not sure what that even means. The cover makes this look like a live album but it doesn't exactly sound like one? Who knows. But then you click on the wiki entry and the best single...BEST...reached 43 on the UK charts...not even the US charts. Not even top 20 or 30 or even 40!!!! While the album looks like it was number 5 that still doesn't tell me much. If only there was a 1001 albums list made by someone else...anyone else. I bet we would be getting much better classics than this.

Gold

Ryan Adams

3/5

This album was not as bad as the cover suggests. Not a huge Ryan Adams fan, but this old navy looking ass with the upside down flag album coming out two weeks after 9/11 just screams counter culture. Again, if I saw this album on the shelves two weeks after the towers fell, I'd have said, or more likely heard my parents say "This is why we are boycotting the movies". It's in that way that this album is deceiving. I'm not arguing this is some sort of masterpiece or even a 4 star type of album, but it's just comical to me that this is what was chosen. I'd love to know if they pivoted on the album cover after the plane crashes (there were 27 planes? or was it 79? (Portlandia joke for anyone reading this outside of our family group)) or if this was always the plan. Ryan just said, "I'm getting sick and tired of America" but then everything happened and he thought "this could work" as he reflected back on when his mom bought him that shirt a few days before the 4th off the Kohls rack. I could keep going....and I will. He's also really rocking the multi-holed belt that has almost as many circles as those around his wrist with those bands. Look, I'm not saying I didn't wear a few back in that time, but I def didn't wear that belt, nor did I put my hands on my hips in both fashions like he is trying. To his credit, he didn't do the one thumb in the pocket, or all fingers but the thumb in the pocket. He did, however, inadvertently inspire Green Day, My Chemical Romance, and many others with the died black hair. There's a small part of me that wonders if they shot this as an above shot where he was actually just putting his pants on as he laid on the flag and they made the decision to go with it looking like he was standing up, sacrificing the position of the flag so that it didn't look like he was a vampire hanging from the ceiling since that would be too believable and might ruin his All/Anti American look. On top of all of that, he has songs called New York, New York (DID HE KNOW?? COULD HE HAVE PREVENTED IT??), Firecracker, THE RESCUE BLUES??? As in the first responders??? When The Stars Go Blue (another boys in blue reference, but also a good song that I first heard I guess as a cover from Tim McGraw who did it better, sorry). Enemy Fire (are you freaking kidding me). And there's one more song that mentions blue but doesn't really work with this theme. All I'm saying is this album might have been an inside job.

En-Tact

The Shamen

3/5

Another cool electronic dance album! Perfectly 90's with a hint of 80's as it enters the new decade. Good one to end the week on!

Signing Off

UB40

4/5

Awesome reggae album, and for a band I only new for a few singles, this was a reminder to not judge bands by just one song. Even if most of the one hit wonders we have seen on this list didn't pan out, here is a great example of one that did.

Rust Never Sleeps

Neil Young & Crazy Horse

2/5

I was initially planning on not listening to this based on the cover, clearly a live album. But then I read the description and was intrigued by the melding of live and studio recordings. Even that piece of info didn't save this from just feeling like a regular mediocre album though. We've gotten a few Neil Young and Crazy Horse albums on here that were good to great, I think we don't need anymore.

Tuesday Night Music Club

Sheryl Crow

3/5

Very good album, glad to see Sheryl on here in some capacity, I know she has a couple famous albums. This one has Strong Enough and All I Wanna Do which were easy adds. Most of the rest I hadn't heard before but they were good to listen to. She has a good voice and great lyrics too.

Bad Company

3/5

I've heard many Bad Company songs, but only one of their albums and it wasn't this one. I've always been a fan of them, especially their title song. This debut album really shows where they were headed as time went on and has some hits on it including the infamous title song. Interesting that it's only 8 songs at 35 minutes but I guess they didn't want to fill the album up with fluff.

Headquarters

The Monkees

2/5

Wasn’t a fan, felt very hollow and boring. Nothing caught my eye or held my attention on this one.

Blur

3/5

Song 2 is one of those songs that Lisa and I always sing but never remember who sang it so I'm glad it finally popped up for confirmation. We were just trying to find it the other day. Blur is one of the few UK bands I hadn't heard before that I'm learning to like. I enjoyed Parklife and in real life, they just released a new album last week I think so they are still kicking.

Back To Black

Amy Winehouse

3/5

Was wondering when we would see this album. A true worthy addition to this list, although I'm not a huge fan overall, I love some of these songs and I recognize the greatness that this 27 club member has. I can't help but feel the irony that this keeps mentioning she is a UK pop person, too. She is like 15 of the other UK bands combined.

Brown Sugar

D'Angelo

3/5

A very chill R&B album, nothing that stood out to me, but I'll take a three star album like this over 95% of the others we have gotten.

Never Mind The Bollocks, Here’s The Sex Pistols

Sex Pistols

3/5

I dug this punk album! And we got a classic guitar hero song on here. Boy I bet the queen was furious when this came out.

Viva Hate

Morrissey

3/5

Felt like a mix of the cure but also some Depeche mode in terms of the singing and the sound. Enjoyable, but nothing I'd write home about.

Fear Of Music

Talking Heads

3/5

No outright hits on this one, but overall a good album. Flew by as I was listening to it and didn't skip any. Nice start to the week.

Parsley, Sage, Rosemary And Thyme

Simon & Garfunkel

3/5

That opener is a classic! I said it on the prior albums but I'm not a huge S&G fan and I don't think this album does anything to change that for me. I did like Homeward Bound.

Red Dirt Girl

Emmylou Harris

4/5

This was a really relaxing album. I know we've heard a little from her prior but I really liked this album. Felt like a sort of folk country album, and didn't feel like a 2000 release but this is worthy of this list.

The New Tango

Astor Piazzolla

2/5

There is only so much song you can have with a xylephone. The true tragedy of this album, on top of it being a live album, is there is Barely any accordion as I see on the album cover. Not sure why but this was a bummer album. The music was fine, this just felt like the kind of record you see in the 50cent bin.

Arular

M.I.A.

4/5

Awesome album to end the week on! I didn't think we would be getting another MIA album, let alone her debut. I can see now how she has evolved over the years, this was the only album of hers I don't think I've listened to. Very cool that she created most of this music and wrote it. I saved Sunshowers, Fire, Fire, and Hombre.

Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor

Lupe Fiasco

4/5

Very chill hip hop album. Had listened to this before back when it came out and wasn't a huge fan. Not that it's bad, just didn't connect with it. Listening again now gave me some added appreciation. Kick/Push is a classic we used to warm up to in theater class in high school. I did dig the long outro too, very cool he did one of those.

Head Hunters

Herbie Hancock

5/5

Wow. 4 tracks at roughly ten minutes each. Serving up some of the smoothest, funkiest grooves I've heard in a long time. I'd heard of Herbie but don't think we have had a chance to listen yet. This was his "essential" album on Apple Music and I can see why. This one is an instant classic for me. Listened again before bed and it’s confined.

2112

Rush

4/5

What a week this is turning into! One of my two favorite Rush albums along with Moving Pictures. While Moving Pictures has some better song, the atmosphere on this album feels way cooler. With that album cover and the opening 20 minute song with references to Egypt, along with Twilight Zone and Passage to Bangkok there just seems to be an other worldly vibe to the album. I first listened driving at night in Illinois from the airport I think, it was this one and Master of Puppets and then recently again heading to a concert. Great driving or rocking music. Keep the hits coming!!

Like Water For Chocolate

Common

4/5

Another great common album. Hadn’t heard prior but was an instant hit. I don’t know if I’d put it as high as Be but maybe that will change with time.

Little Earthquakes

Tori Amos

3/5

This was one of the better weeks on this list and this was a good one to end on. I'm not a big Tori Amos fan, but I enjoyed this album if only for it's calming qualities. I also kept Winter. After all the greatness we got this week, I'm ok with an alright album to end things on. Felt a little like Fiona Apple mixed with Joni Mitchell or someone similar.

The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn

Pink Floyd

3/5

While this is a whacky and trippy debut, I wouldn't put this in the top of my Pink Floyd albums no matter how hard all those fellas stare at me on the cover. There were a few songs I enjoyed but it felt more like a concept album (and maybe all of them are) more focused on rhythms and exploring different sounds. That's all well and good, but it just didn't stick with me the same way their others have.

Trans Europe Express

Kraftwerk

3/5

I didn't expect a second Kraftwerk album! It was just as fine as their first, not sure why more than one is on here but I don't make the rules. I just listen and pray it'll be good.

Horses

Patti Smith

2/5

Did not connect with this album. Lots of wailing and I'm not sure what type of music this was. Like a folksy pop punk? Wasn't a huge fan.

Porcupine

Echo And The Bunnymen

3/5

Without looking I could have told you this was a UK 80's album. We've had one or two from this group already and this doesn't really push the needled. I think I might like this one the most but that still doesn't make it something I needed to listen to.

Legalize It

Peter Tosh

4/5

Another classic rasta album. Many states in the US have followed this albums recommendation, though not sure if the law makers actually listened to this album. I enjoyed this the same as I've enjoyed the Marley albums. Jammin!

Honky Tonk Heroes

Waylon Jennings

3/5

A surprisingly calming country album. I figured ol Waylon would be trying to go hard in the pain but apparently he has a soft side too.

Twelve Dreams Of Dr. Sardonicus

Spirit

3/5

Jack Takes the Floor

Ramblin' Jack Elliott

1/5

Cool so for anyone in the world, you must listen to an album that was only released in the UK where the list was made. Very inclusive. This one isn’t on Apple Music so didn’t listen.

Rock Bottom

Robert Wyatt

3/5

There were moments on here I enjoyed. Moments where it felt like a jazz album with some whimsical singer, but beyond those moments it kind of felt bland. Not sure, but I'd say that album cover is a pretty apt one in terms of its impact on me.

Treasure

Cocteau Twins

2/5

The Atomic Mr Basie

Count Basie & His Orchestra

4/5

What a jazz album! I missed this one over labor day weekend, but glad we got it. Never heard of the Count before. This band felt a lot like Sinatra's band on most of the songs. It would be a perfect album to listen to before bed or just anytime to relax. Also kick ass album cover.

The Next Day

David Bowie

3/5

Weirdly, this more recent album I enjoyed more so than some of his older ones. Nothing really stuck with me after, but I just noticed listening flew by and suddenly I was done. No skips. So that means this is that middle of the road 3.

Broken English

Marianne Faithfull

2/5

Wasn't terrible, but wasn't good either. Some songs started to sound like other songs in the beats, not sure if that's like a deja vu thing or if this just felt that basic.

E.V.O.L.

Sonic Youth

2/5

Not sure why this one is on this list. We have heard some sonic youth before but this one has many skips for me.

Metal Box

Public Image Ltd.

2/5

A creepy album with fleeting glimpses of cool riffs and moments. I'm not even sure I listened to the right album because the names were different, but it said so in the description. Those are my favorite albums...the ones that are so incredible that not only do they make it on a list like this, but that they are impossibly hard to find...because they are so popular. SOOOOO POPULAR.

Red Headed Stranger

Willie Nelson

3/5

A fun country album that felt like a cowboy going through an old mountain town and jotted down songs based on his experiences. In that way, this was a really good album. Not much stuck with me, especially with many songs being a minute or so long, but I appreciated what this was. Great for this list.

Music Has The Right To Children

Boards of Canada

3/5

Very creepy and intriguing electronic music from some Scotland natives. Coupled with the album cover, this feels like it could have been a horror movie soundtrack.

Behaviour

Pet Shop Boys

3/5

Some good songs in here, I liked How Can you Expect to be taken Seriously, a very 90's vibe to this album. Felt like a fashion video. But I enjoyed it. Just waiting for that next great album to come to us...not sure what made this one make the list.

A Little Deeper

Ms. Dynamite

4/5

Awesome album that shows not every one of the UK artist/albums on this list is boring or stale. Some...are Dynamite. Also would be curious what made the powers that be add this one to the list. The little entry doesn't really show that it was popular beyond winning a prize. I'm happy it's on here but would be interested in some backstory. Maybe she paved the way for rappers like Lil Simz. Either way, this made up for the last week and a half.

Call of the Valley

Shivkumar Sharma

4/5

Great album to end the week on. Some calming sounds that could put me to sleep in the best way.

Blood Sugar Sex Magik

Red Hot Chili Peppers

4/5

This album, like a few other RHCPs, has a special place in my heart since my wife and I listened to these non stop on our honeymoon roadtrip. I know most of the album well now. Every song has it's own flair and story to tell, especially the first half. Towards the end there are some I'd skip but the first half more than makes up for that. Lyrics are wild and deep. Just a perfect blend of rock and funk that I don't think any other band has captured since. Favs: Power of Equality, Suck My Kiss, Give It Away, Under the Bridge

Berlin

Lou Reed

2/5

I know Lou is an OG, but I really don't know why this album is on here. I could hear some of his signature guitar in some songs, especially sad song, but none of these songs connected.

Cee-Lo Green... Is The Soul Machine

Cee Lo Green

3/5

Based on the description, I guess any album can make it on this list. While I'll take Cee-Lo over every single UK artist we recently have had on here for no reason, but I can't do the double standard. I'm not sure why this one is on here either. No indication that this album pushed the needle in any direction, especially during a time where there were many more popular hip hop albums out. Again, no huge complaints on this album. I had not heard it before, not a huge Cee-Lo guy, but it's one less day we have to listen to the same ol same.

Hot Rats

Frank Zappa

4/5

This was an awesome album and the description said he tried to make it like a movie track and I could feel that on multiple songs. These rats are indeed hot!

Smile

Brian Wilson

2/5

I saved Heroes and Villains because I know I have heard that in multiple movies, possibly Fantastic Mr Fox? Other than that, a lot of skips. I'm not a huge Brian Wilson fan, nor do I know why he remade songs like Good Vibrations when the original did just fine. I know that this is one of his best albums I think so it makes sense why it is on this list, but I wasn't a huge fan. UPDATE: I have checked and H&V is on Fantastic Mr. Fox...as The Beach Boys. So is this album just all covers? Further investigation into the wiki slot above states "It features all-new recordings of music that he had originally created for Smile, an unfinished album by the Beach Boys that he abandoned in 1967". I wonder what Brian thinks constitutes "all new recordings" when most of these are just the same songs. Not sure how this was "an intense emotional undertaking" for him, unless he felt so torn on whether to reuse his songs to an unsuspecting public. Maybe there is a more true version of this but I really don't care.

The Suburbs

Arcade Fire

3/5

This was a great one to see on this list. Always happy for a 2010 or later album. While I'm not a big Arcade Fire guy, I'm glad this one is on here and I kept a song to remember it by, Sprawl II.

I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight

Richard Thompson

2/5

Some nice notes in here at points but another UK album that has me scratching my head at its inclusion on this list. The wiki entry states "Although never commercially successful and critically ignored upon its release (and not released outside of the UK until Hannibal Records in 1983), it is now considered by several critics to be a masterpiece" Another way of saying, "No one liked this album at all when it came out, but 4-5 critics now think it is a masterpiece". This must mean some of the very low rated pitchfork rolling stone albums will be on this list soon since they have panned some great albums. Guess we just need to wait 40 years.

Vulnicura

Björk

2/5

I've always liked the idea of Bjork, but I've never been a Bjorker (I hardly knew her). This album goes right into that. Wild songs that sound like nothing I've heard before, but not really connecting with anything. It's a bit her voice, a bit the directionless flow. Again, I don't think that's a true problem, and I think she is someone meant to be on this list. It's just not my jam. Very cool album cover too. I think her best performance was as the witch/seer in Northman.

Let's Get It On

Marvin Gaye

5/5

So glad we got both of the Marvin Gaye albums, and that they were in the correct timeline order. Both of them are different, yet show the similarity that he knows what he is doing. A brilliant musician, and I can see why these albums stand the test of time and are RIGHTLY included on lists like this.

Honky Tonk Masquerade

Joe Ely

3/5

No where near our last album but still pretty good. Felt like an early dose of that "Honky tonk" that so many country singers talk about.

Live!

Fela Kuti

3/5

Great album, but the title gave it away unfortunately. A live one. The worst part is the wiki says that Rolling Stone has a top 50 live albums list that this is on. Why are there any live albums on this list when a live album list exists?? Either way, this was an enjoyable album since it wasn't your basic rehash live album. One of the better live ones we have seen.

Smokers Delight

Nightmares On Wax

4/5

A fun, if at times long, electronic album. Glad to see any of these on the list because it's always easy listening. Again, some songs ran too long, others were super short but some of them were great. A welcome UK release.

Shalimar

Rahul Dev Burman

4/5

One Two Cha Cha Cha has a line of "That's the way, uh huh uh huh, I like it, uh huh uh huh". I had to check the tape and that song came out a few years before this so super cool to hear them call that out. What a fun album. I'd take 1001 of these soundtracks over so much we have gotten. More bollywood soundtracks!

Low-Life

New Order

3/5

I actually enjoyed this UK band, didn’t sound overplayed but had a familiar feel.

Kenza

Khaled

2/5

Not available on apple music and only one song on Spotify. Sorry Khaled. Maybe in the future we will get, to quote a future namesake of yours, another one.

Sunshine Hit Me

The Bees

4/5

I have a method now to these UK bands of assuming they will be garbage based on the trends we have so far, but this one was great! Lots of fun tracks on here, almost felt like a low fi hip hop album mixed with some pop.

Sound of Silver

LCD Soundsystem

3/5

I was excited to listen to this album, but as I did, I wasn't the biggest fan. There were flashes of things I liked but a lot of the choices that were made just didn't work for me. Strange sounds at certain moments. It didn't make it a bad album, I just wanted it to be better.

Djam Leelii

Baaba Maal

4/5

Very relaxing and unique. Glad this one was on apple music! Reminded me of some of the musical sounds from Black Panther.

GI

Germs

1/5

Another non apple album which is a bummer because I was sort of interested in some old punk. I have to keep remembering we only have about a year left of this list and days like this make me glad for it.

Murder Ballads

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

2/5

For a second, based on the cover I thought this was an Iron Maiden album but was very dissapointed to know it was Nick Cave and his dirty bad seeds. This album cover is still killer, even if these songs almost all got skips from me. I'm sure I said it on his other albums on here, but he's in the same category as Tom Waits. I don't connect to his music at all.

Dummy

Portishead

3/5

This album cover looks like it was taken straight from The Poughkeepsie Tapes. On top of the synths and electronics of this one, it made for a creepy but cool listen. It felt a little repetitive as it went on, but I enjoyed it.

1977

Ash

3/5

Kicking off an album with TIE fighter sounds is a sure way to get me to like an album. Especially that song. A punk album that almost felt alternative which is good since we haven't gotten a lot of those, especially from an album in the 90's

Maverick A Strike

Finley Quaye

4/5

Reggae pop? Is that a thing? Well it certainly feels like it here. I dug this sound quite a bit. I wish we had more like this throughout the list.

Want One

Rufus Wainwright

3/5

Couple good ones on here. I know him from his Hallelujah cover on the Shrek soundtrack and I'm seeing he also has Another Believer on Meet the Robinsons. Two classics. Interesting album cover too. Overall nothing to write home about but glad we are getting some "variety" (not UK)

Pacific Ocean Blue

Dennis Wilson

2/5

I thought one Wilson was enough

Hot Shots II

The Beta Band

2/5

Really not sure why this one is one here. I actually didn't mind it, and at times enjoyed it, but I just kept asking that question throughout. This list needs such an overhaul. And this album cover looks like someone made it in MS Paint.

Go Girl Crazy

The Dictators

3/5

This felt like a classic rock album in a weird way. Never heard of this group before, but I have heard I Got You Babe somewhere, in some movie or show. I'd love to hear why this one should be on this list, too, but I'm not complaining too much.

25

Adele

3/5

Not a huge Adele fan. Personally think she is overrated. She has a few great ones and Hello and Send My Love are in there for me. I completely endorse this being on here for the many reasons listed in the wiki. I can acknowledge that and still not be a big fan. Especially when I see her albums just piled up in stores because they were over produced. And if I remember right, costed a lot of other albums their time in the vinyl light because her album took up so much production time. Talk about waste.

Before And After Science

Brian Eno

3/5

Splish Splash I was raking in the cash. Might be one of the greatest lines of all time. Funny that science is mentioned in this title because this album felt a lot like Weird Science and that sort of 80's vibe, which looking at this as 77 seems a little ahead of its time.

Faust IV

Faust

3/5

Not sure why we needed this many Faust albums on this list

Supa Dupa Fly

Missy Elliott

4/5

Enjoyed this one! Another Missy which is always great, I have def heard The Rain before.

Fishscale

Ghostface Killah

4/5

Woah...have we gotten a Ghostface album on here before? Two rap albums in a row, and of course while I'm on vacation. Early 00's rap, and right around that same time as Chamilionare and a few others I can't think of. Lil Wayne maybe. This was like early highschool. But never heard this one before.

Want Two

Rufus Wainwright

3/5

Haunting opener, and hot off Want One just a few weeks ago. I'd put this one right there with the other one. I can see where this shines and why it's on this list, but for me? I Want None.

Peace Sells...But Who's Buying

Megadeth

3/5

Now here is an album! Kicking off with Wake Up Dead which instantly drew me to the Kevin Hart monologue in Scary Movie 3. While I'm a sucker for Metal, and I haven't really gotten into Megadeth, this album didn't really wow me. I'm glad it's on here, especially because I had been wanting to listen to some Megadeth, but I couldn't help but compare to another 80's metal band that was on here in Iron Maiden and found this lacking in comparison. Again, not a bad thing, but beyond a bad ass album cover and some cool licks, I won't be remembering much else. Seriously though, did metal bands in the 80's all have the same cover designer? Some guy who was visited by the God of Metal, handing down 100 insane covers to be shared by all bands?

Face to Face

The Kinks

2/5

I'm not sure how many Kink's albums we have heard on this list, but by this point I'd say it's too many. Not because they are bad, but because they all sound the same. They have their own sound...kind of a UK rock type thing (super rare on this list), but that sound is the same on all albums. At a certain point, unless the albums themselves are very different, there shouldn't be that many multiples of the same group.

American Gothic

David Ackles

3/5

Interesting album but also felt very familiar. Nothing really stood out even though the wiki and apple were begging for this to be some unfound treasure. Love the cover, though. Man is most happy in boat.

Whatever

Aimee Mann

2/5

Whatever is right. This album felt like it belonged on a Hallmark movie or some show like Felicity. It's 90's blueprint is showing.

Private Dancer

Tina Turner

4/5

It's not often we get a song on an album using a sample from an album we get a few weeks later. I Can't Stand the Rain was a surprise, and What's Love Got to Do With It is a classic. I've also heard Lets Stay Together too! This was a surprise hit and I'm glad this was on here. Love the kitty on the cover.

The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators

The 13th Floor Elevators

2/5

When your top song only reached 55 on billboard and another reached 129, it immediately loses credence for me. I still listened to a few songs but very quickly heard all I needed to which was another outdated and out of touch selection for this list. The only thing this has going for it is the album cover which is really cool. Put better albums on here.

At Folsom Prison

Johnny Cash

3/5

We already got At San Quentin so I wonder just how different this one is to include two live albums. After listening, I didn't enjoy this one as much as the other one. More fuel that more than one live album is unnecessary.

Only By The Night

Kings of Leon

4/5

Great album for this list. A sort of lightning in a bottle type of album. I really enjoyed this one back when I was in high school and college. Sex On Fire and Use Somebody have become classics at this point and there are a few others on here I enjoyed like Revelry and Manhattan. Was cool to read their story on the Apple music explanation too. Glad this one made it to the list if only that it isn't the same as everything else we have been getting.

The Black Saint And The Sinner Lady

Charles Mingus

4/5

Great jazz album! A little all over the place, but hey that's jazz! Glad we got some Mingus.

When I Was Born For The 7th Time

Cornershop

4/5

This was a really awesome album. I'm a huge fan of Middle Eastern/South Asian music and this is no exception. Not perfect, but I found some great songs with Brimful of Asha and We're In Yr Corner. I also really liked the almost transition instrumental songs.

Highly Evolved

The Vines

2/5

felt like classic 00's rock which is funny because we got some better rock earlier this week. This felt like if Smashing Pumpkins lost their creativity. It was fine, but fine doesn't belong on this list.

Sometimes I Wish We Were An Eagle

Bill Callahan

4/5

I really enjoyed this album, and I normally don't like the sort of slow folksy singer song writer music but this one stuck with me. I saved Eid Ma Clack Shaw, that was really cool. Along with the album cover, this really felt like something to listen to while standing out in a field like that with some horses.

Good Old Boys

Randy Newman

1/5

Why have I not heard a single soul say that Toy Story You've Got A Friend In Me Randy Newman immediately kicks off this album with multiple uses of the N-word? I wasn't a Randy Newman fan before, but this seals the deal. A quick search found the following. Writing in the Los Angeles Times, Randy Lewis said Newman had "peeled back the curtain on... bigots and hypocrites" with this song. In 1995, Newman admitted that he was still nervous performing the song. Newman has called "Rednecks" one of his favorite compositions. Newman seldom performs "Rednecks" in concert, because it is liberally infused with the word N***** And the song is sung from the perspective of a narrator upset at the North for being rude to rednecks...but isn't that one of the reasons why? Because of slavery and the "liberal use of the word"? Real 1970's galaxy brain there.

Crooked Rain Crooked Rain

Pavement

3/5

An alright alternative rock album, as with many on this list (unfortunately) nothing really stood out.

Tellin’ Stories

The Charlatans

2/5

Kinda like a UK Oasis, and very similar to many other UK albums on here

Scissor Sisters

3/5

A fine, normal album that I didn't have any gripes or anything with. I feel like I've heard this band before on something but not sure where. Either way, as I always do, I question why this one is on this list but upon reading the wiki it is very glaring. While this album did not perform well in the US, it performed extremely well in the UK. Another instance of bias.

Bluesbreakers

John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers

4/5

This album was awesome. Saved a ton of songs. Mostly due to Clapton. Made me wonder if these guys were using him to sell the record. Kept Hideaway, Another Man, Double Crossing Time, and What’d I Say. Very bluesy but the guitar riffs are what really sold me.

Tapestry

Carole King

3/5

This feels like an important album both within its accolades above, and I just feel like I've heard mention of Carole in the past. Despite that, I thought this was an OK album with some covers too. Not sure if every song was a cover, or if she is the person who first created these songs but somehow I doubt it.

Getz/Gilberto

Stan Getz

4/5

Always love a jazz album, especially one that it seems Frank Sinatra liked too. Couple classics on here and a pretty short album but I’ll take that over a longer UK folk rock thing.

Close To You

Carpenters

4/5

Love a good Carpenters album! And we got a Beatles cover of Help on here too. We've Only Just Begun and (They Long to Be) Close to You are some of their best songs, so it was great to see those in here. None of the others really hung around with me, but this was a great album none the less.

Songs Of Love And Hate

Leonard Cohen

2/5

Kinda felt like a Bob Dylan knock off. I don’t think I’ve had that feedback for Leonard yet so maybe it was a phase he went through but I’d prefer Dylan doing Dylan. The guitar in the first song was great though, reminded me of Spanish Fly or Little Guitars

Are You Experienced

Jimi Hendrix

5/5

Wow. We have arrived. But tell me...are you experienced? This album will always have a special place in my heart. I remember my brother saying "you've gotta listen to this song" as he played Are You Experienced and I heard those wonky distorted guitars and he smiled and said "it's cause the guitar is being played backwards". This album is so good, and while I'm not a fan of every single song, I can't leave this one without a perfect 5 star review. To hear something like this in 1967 must have been a trip. I also found a new song I really liked in Third Stone from the Sun. Very trippy. And FYI to the blokes who made this list...take a good long look at the wiki on this one. Widely regarded as one of the greatest albums of all time. And it's a damn debut! Very different than peaking at 200 on the UK charts. This is one of those albums that you def need to listen to before you die. Kept Purple Haze, The Wind Cries Mary, Third Stone from the Sun, Foxey Lady, and Are You Experienced?

Speakerboxxx/The Love Below

OutKast

5/5

Two classics in a row???? This album was one of the first I ever bought, and on eBay so I didn't have to worry about a check out person asking for my ID since it was parental advisory. I found out many years later that they do not check ID with PA albums so there's some irony there. If I remember right, I had bought Now 16 which had Hey Ya on it, and of course it was on the radio too, but I wanted to get the whole album. And once I did, I played that thing out on my CD player. I loaded this album up on Xbox too and had these songs playing while we played Tony Hawks Underground. This is an easy 5 for me in the same way the last one was, filled with memories of youth and sneaking listens whenever the parents weren't around. Not every song is perfect, but with so many hits on here, and at over 2 hours, this is how you did a long form album. And this puts any of Drakes long albums to shame. Now that I think of it, this might have been the first rap album I ever had. Major Keepers: GhettoMusick, The Way You Move, Knowing, Happy Valentine's Day, Prototype, Hey Ya!, Roses, Dracula's Wedding, My Favorite Things And if I'm picking, I'm giving the edge to The Love Below

Fear and Whiskey

Mekons

1/5

I jinxed it...surprise surprise, another UK band. Funny, it says it was released with commercial success but no mention of where it landed on the billboard charts...I need to stop judging and just listen to this. Upon listening, I can fully stand by my prior comments. It’s sad when an album makes me wish we were done with this list. Just annoying that we get put through so many inconsequential albums like this. I literally feel like I'm listening to the animatronic animals at Chuckee Cheese, and after the two powerhouse albums we got, it's just frustrating.

Street Signs

Ozomatli

4/5

Put this one in the category of new favorites. I feel like I have been on a roller coaster of emotions with this list the past week. Two all timers gave way to a stinker, and now that stinker has turned into gold. I don't think this album made any splashes, per the wiki, but it was used on a ton of soundtracks, specifically video games. I read on there that there was an MX vs ATV game that I swear we played on the Xbox, I listened to that one, Saturday Night, and while no memories popped up, I could tell that was a good song for that game. Regardless, this was one of the more fun albums I've heard on this list. In fact, I listened to it a few times last night while I was doing some Aqua Death Run on Fortnite. When I think of Latin music, and especially that sort of music you'd hear at some big party, this is exactly that kind of music. I didn't like every song, and it is slow to start, but once it gets going it really cooks. Also I was shocked and delighted to see Chali 2na gracing Who's To Blame, his lyrics sounded so similar to some of his on Jurassic 5 and Reanimation. Guy definitely had a message he was trying to convey, and all those albums came out within a year or two of each other. Favorites: (Who Discovered) America?, Who's To Blame, Te Estoy Buscando, Saturday Night, Nadie Te Tira, Cuando Canto

The Sounds Of India

Ravi Shankar

4/5

How cool is this, an intro to Indian music. Love that he takes a whole track to explain things too. And in 1957 this was huge. Even going so far as to explain that it is very similar to Jazz. Must be why I'm a big fan.

Mott

Mott The Hoople

2/5

This album just didn’t do it for me. I know them from All The Young Dudes but this was not that.

Better Living Through Chemistry

Fatboy Slim

3/5

I was scratching my head trying to think of where I heard this artist before. I thought it was Tony Hawk's Pro Skater, but upon checking my iTunes, there is a song called Rockafeller Skank from Now 3 (and also Praise You on Now 2). I really like both of those songs, and neither of them are on this album. This is the debut album and it certainly isn't bad, just an alternative instrumental type album. I'd equate it to electronic/dance type music. But it was at that time where you don't really know what to do with this music. Do you dance? It doesn't really have the best rhythm. You can't really sing. All you can do is listen, and according to this, listen before you die.

Tigermilk

Belle & Sebastian

2/5

Eh, this was a nice quite album that didn't really stand out to me at all. Call me when we get the Badgermilk album.

The Trinity Session

Cowboy Junkies

3/5

I really liked the singer of this band, it's weird because I thought this was an all male band by the album cover, but her voice was great. Says alternative, but this felt like a sort of country, singer songwriter type album. Like if Kurangbin had more/quieter vocals.

There's A Riot Goin' On

Sly & The Family Stone

3/5

Family Affair is a song Dad sang quite often. Glad to see it end up on this list, the album however did not get me as excited as that one particular song. I think we have gotten a Sly album before but while I enjoyed having this on in the background, nothing really jumped out at me.

Here Come The Warm Jets

Brian Eno

2/5

I hope I'm not crazy in saying that this didn't feel like a typical Eno album with all the lyrics involved. And maybe it's because we have had a bunch of Eno albums but I think we could have done without this one. I'm reading also that this was his debut? So that's pretty cool that he got better over time.

Endtroducing.....

DJ Shadow

3/5

Like a weird hip hop jazz type electronic album. One of those late 90's albums that maybe helped grow the genre. I'm not sure, I thought it was fine.

Blue

Joni Mitchell

4/5

And here it is! The Joni Mitchell album above all others, lauded as one of the greatest albums of all time. And I can see why. Joni was singing about evergreen topics in such a way that goes in one ear and out the other. I say that as both a compliment and a criticism. As I listened to it, I found myself getting lost in the melodies and her beautiful voice and often forgot what I was hearing as it left. Almost like a songbird landing on my sill and chirping for a little bit before flying off. It's 36 minutes, and many of the songs run into that singer songwriter dilemma of sounding the same. And when its just you and a piano and some guitar, that can happen. Again, I don't say that to be critical, this feels like that sort of album that would play in a log cabin as the snow is melting and spring is poking its head out. My struggle is that I've never been a huge singer/songwriter fan. But if I was asked what one of my favorite albums was of singer/songwriters, I'd probably say this one. There's even a Christmas song (River)!

The Notorious Byrd Brothers

The Byrds

3/5

This was a fun and whimsical album. Kind of reminded me of The Ramones in that most of these songs are very short and sound similar. I couldn't decide if this was rock or country or a mix of both.

Hunting High And Low

a-ha

2/5

Here we have a classic 80's band known for their opening song Take On Me. Are they more than a one hit wonder? I'd say no. First Norwegian band to be nominated for a Grammy is a good reason to include them on this list, but I think if this was my list, the criteria would be a little more stringent.

Butterfly

Mariah Carey

3/5

Our first Mariah? Kind of fitting before Christmas, and I learned that infamous song is from 94! This was a good album, I’ve never been a huge fan of hers but her voice is undeniable. Glad we got one of hers!

Space Ritual

Hawkwind

3/5

The Wikipedia on this really hints at the bias of this list. I’ll hold the judgement until I listen but a live UK album that barely charted in the US is sus. After listening, I still stand by my words, but this was an enjoyable, trippy album. Very British but for this to be the Christmas Day album is pretty wild. Crazy cover too.

Truth And Soul

Fishbone

3/5

A pretty decent alternative album! In terms of surprising new things, I’d put that on this list. A few songs on here had me wanting to get up and dance.

A Wizard, A True Star

Todd Rundgren

2/5

I'm giving this an extra star because there were moments that I enjoyed, but overall each song got to a point that I had to skip it. Get this one outta here!

Myths Of The Near Future

Klaxons

3/5

Pretty good alternative album! Always nice to see those 00's alternatives show up on here. This was another one that didn't really stay with me and wouldn't make it in my 1001 album list, but it's something a little different so I'll take that.

California

American Music Club

1/5

Couldn’t find this one on iTunes

Merriweather Post Pavilion

Animal Collective

3/5

Very ethereal pop, almost stadium like but if it was in a dungeon. Cool addition to the list.

Triangle

The Beau Brummels

3/5

What felt like a classic 60's folk rock album. I can see why it would be on this list, but I also wouldn't have noticed or cared had it been left off. If this is the last year of this list, I'm hopeful we get some more impactful albums.

Manassas

Stephen Stills

3/5

Not a lot to be said about this one beyond it being enjoyable. This was a fun rock/country/folk type album and we have heard some Stills before. Parts of me can see why this one would be on here, but I also don't understand why a giant majority of these albums are all roughly the same genre.

Antichrist Superstar

Marilyn Manson

3/5

Ironic that our 777th album is from the devil himself! I did not think we would get any Manson albums (maybe we did?) but this is one of the defining albums. I was never a huge Manson fan, and when you read the wiki on this above, you'll see why towards the bottom. All of those lies that were spread about him I believed and was sort of terrified of the band. That was until I heard "This is the New Shit" on a later album. The irony is that it sounds like Manson actually did some bad things unrelated to Satanism. Either way, Beautiful People was a good one, the rest didn't really register. Marilyn is an acquired taste, and even as I buzz through this album again to see if I just wasn't paying attention, I just don't connect as much to this work as say, Slipknot. When I look at the differences there, I think Manson had a shock factor gimmick, both in appearance and music. The songs are grotesque, auditorily and lyrically. Slipknot had some of that, but not to this degree. I listen to Slipknot to get pumped up, I don't get that feeling from Manson. I guess another way to put it: a Manson music video would be a grainy one of some guy who is analyzing all the tools in his workshop before choosing one and the camera pans and we find out that this is a serial killer toying with his victim. Slipknot would be a grainy video of someone looking at all their tools and then just grabbing a sledge hammer and smashing it into a wall. Similar in design, different in execution. I went to a Slipknot concert some years ago and Manson was the act before and they were very different then too. Manson was walking around on stilts while a cross or a bible was burning for all to see. Very shock and awe. The only thing like that for Slipknot was the drum set getting lifted into the air. Slipknot may have creepy masks, but Manson doesn't need a mask to be creepy.

Chemtrails Over The Country Club

Lana Del Rey

4/5

Have we gotten any other Lana?? Maybe Norman Fucking Rockwell? So happy to see her on here. Hope that means we get a few more of hers (was it Ultraviolence?). Cool we have a 2021 album on this list. Relistening to this, I’m remember how much I enjoyed this album when it came out. Lana always takes a few listens to grow on me. I think it’s that her music, to me, is midnight music. The kind of stuff that plays on a record as it gets late. It’s that same quality I ascribe to jazz and singers like Frank Sinatra. Old fashioned Night Club music. This album is the last one that plays at the club as everyone is leaving. Though, her Americana qualities translate it to Country Club music this time around. This was the year she dropped two albums so I think they both got lost in the shuffle of that year, but she’s making a big comeback in my head, especially with her most recent album. Huge shout out to Tulsa Jesus Freak, I’ve always posed that question that it’s either Ar Kansas or it’s (Ar)Kensaw. I’m glad Lana is on my side. Keepers: Chemtrails Over Country Club, Tulsa Jesus Freak, Let Me Love You Like a Woman, Not All Who Wander Are Lost, Yosemite

Slippery When Wet

Bon Jovi

4/5

What a great album to kick off our final year crunch! Now that we are reviewing on weekends I can see this list really opening up. That’s two more chances a week to get a great album and today is proof of that. I’m not a huge Bon Jovi fan, but all the songs I love are on this album. I imagine this album rocked many peoples worlds, especially that blue collar worker that Springsteen was working on too. I didn’t realize this was the albums title, but there’s a moment in Ms Marvel when her parents are talking about their love for this band and it’s mentioned. I’m seeing too that this was a shift from metal/hard rock to pop and I can totally see that. Honestly, that’s how I’d describe Bon Jovi: Radio Friendly Rock.

It's A Shame About Ray

The Lemonheads

3/5

These were really pleasant tunes, felt like I was listening to a road trip type album that plays in a movie. Nothing super exciting, but a good album overall. I’m actually keeping the title song and Rudderless so that’s a win.

The White Album

Beatles

4/5

This list must know we are trying to finish this year, that we sped up the queue, because it is throwing classics at us, begging us not to go. Another great Beatles album, one I hadn't listened to prior. Obviously there are singles on hear I have heard, but this is that reminder why I love this list. Not a big Beatles fan but I respect them, and especially this album. 1968? Two LP? And I think this was during their experimentation phase. How cool to get such a unique album at this time in history. I'd have expected this from a lesser band in the 80's. Not every song is a banger, and there's ones I skipped, but overall this was great. I didn't know they were the ones who sang "They say it's your birthday!" that was cool. Keepers: While My Guitar Gently Weeps, Blackbird, Rocky Raccoon, Birthday, Revolution 1

Hypocrisy Is The Greatest Luxury

The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy

3/5

More 90's hip hop! I would put this album a little lower than the others we got, but I still liked it. Some of the songs weren't available on apple either so I'll assume those were the best songs. I did keep Satanic Reverses.

What's That Noise?

Coldcut

1/5

Bummer this one isn’t on Apple

Unknown Pleasures

Joy Division

3/5

I didn't realize Joy Division could sound like Bore Division! Joking aside, I didn't realize they could sound like Leonard Cohen. Just that sort of night time driving music that doesn't really hit me one way or another. It's not a bad album, I just wasn't moved by it. I will say, for a debut and it being 1979, this would have felt super fresh back in the day. Had I just listened first, I'd have guessed much more recent.

Rattlesnakes

Lloyd Cole And The Commotions

3/5

This was a fun little album, reminded me of others but listening on a Saturday morning feels like the best way to listen.

Freak Out!

The Mothers Of Invention

4/5

Wild album. Not every song hit but when they did they did. Appears to be a very early American rock album and I hadn’t heard of it prior so this was great. The Return of the Son of Monster Magnet was particularly memorable.

Central Reservation

Beth Orton

3/5

Reminded me a bit of Joni Mitchell. An interesting British version. The songs were basic, hotel lobby/elevator music, but they were enjoyable.

Guero

Beck

3/5

Another enjoyable album! Not a huge Beck fan, but this is the closest I have come. There were a few keepers in here towards the end that I liked, Go It Alone and Rental Car.

Yank Crime

Drive Like Jehu

2/5

It says the band toured for the album and then quietly disbanded. I wonder if that's because they heard their music. I'm also seeing a note that this album was credited as starting a music scene in San Diego. I wonder if we will then get albums that kick started music in other towns. That would be a cool separate list. But for this list, I had a lot of skips and irritations whether it was a continuous guitar pick or some distortion sound. My ears were not a fan.

Crazysexycool

TLC

4/5

Here's another 90's classic! A great hip hop album by a trio, before Destiny's Child existed. Creep and Waterfalls are both staples, and always remind me of The Other Guys now. Some songs were better than others, and it falls prey to the interludes, but overall great album.

Inspiration Information

Shuggie Otis

3/5

Very chill Jazz/funk album. There wasn't a lot that stood out to me, but at the same time this is pretty good for 1974.

Bone Machine

Tom Waits

1/5

Oh god do I have to listen to another Waits album? But hey, I can two days early and get this over with. Sorry, could only make it through two songs and I skipped them both. Tell me why the opening track scares me more than Slipknot? Is this man a serial killer? It’s funny because he plays the part of Renfield in Coppola’s Dracula, and every album I’ve heard of his sounds like he recorded while he was playing that psychotic insect eater inside the insane asylum.

Chore of Enchantment

Giant Sand

2/5

So, because a British journal says you have raw but tender empathy then you can get on this list? I won’t deny there were pieces I enjoyed, the vocals were interesting and reminded me of some others similar. Some quirky songs, but this didn’t need to be on the list.

Black Metal

Venom

3/5

Listening to this album made me look back at the release dates of Metallica's early albums. There is a similar sound there for metal in the 80's I guess. This had notes of Kill Em All and Ride the Lightning. But also an inversion because all of the songs are like 3 minutes long (referenced in the wiki too). America had to go bigger with the 6-9 minute Metallica ballads. Overall this was enjoyable, started to sound the same towards the end but I wonder if this inspired any future metal groups.

Sunshine Superman

Donovan

3/5

60’s psychadellic! And we get Season of the Witch! A classic.

Trout Mask Replica

Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band

1/5

Not on apple music

Electric Music For The Mind And Body

Country Joe & The Fish

3/5

Another nice psychedelic album. I think I preferred the last one we got, but this was still nice to listen to.

Shaka Zulu

Ladysmith Black Mambazo

4/5

You love Ladysmith Black Mambazo! Funny because I've had Mean Girls on my mind this week. Shoutout to Stevie for finding this on Apple music for me because I couldn't. Apparently Apple has some organizational issues. This was great, and reminded me a lot of the singers on The Power of One soundtrack. Almost felt like church music too.

Music

Madonna

4/5

I certainly haven't listened to everything Madonna, but I think this might be my favorite now. The pop plus some folk/country at points. This kind a felt fresh in some ways, and certainly did back then as I loved Music and Don't Tell Me. Listening to this album for the first time, there were many other tracks I liked too like Nobody's Perfect, What It Feels Like For a Girl, and Gone.

Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs

Derek & The Dominos

4/5

A truly great assortment of rock songs. We got Layla, but the others felt really strong too. Lots of great guitar riffs and love songs. I kept a few. We are getting some good albums now!

Club Classics Vol. One

Soul II Soul

3/5

Fun dance album! Back to Life is a classic but I'm not sure if this is a cover or sample, or the real thing. Either way, this was a nice album to kick off the week.

You're Living All Over Me

Dinosaur Jr.

2/5

I had some clever things written here but I guess I didn't click save and they dissapeared. Was not a fan of this album, the distorted music and vocals didn't get me, and found me often skipping.

Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots

The Flaming Lips

3/5

A trippy fun album that really gives meaning to the word "Alternative". I don't know if I've listened to the Flaming Lips before but maybe a single or two or on guitar hero I'm not sure. Either way, they are a unique group and I dug this sound. I'm not sure I'd listen again, but glad this exists and is on this list.

Architecture And Morality

Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark

4/5

I'll say it, one of the best electronic artists ever. To be making music like this in the early 80's (probably even late 70's) is wild. Some of these beats feel like things you'd hear in a club. Even though the songs themselves are much more tame, the synths and beats they use felt very futuristic. Also, their best of album is one of my favorites of all time so while this album doesn't bang on every song, there are some classics in here that I know well: Souvenir, Joan of Arc and Maid of Orleans. All songs that pop up in my head randomly since that best of album was so formative when I was young.

Opus Dei

Laibach

3/5

My only thought while listening to this is wondering if Rammstein would list this band as one of their influences since they are so similar. This is much less hard than them, but it's clearly the building blocks. The songs were wild, I skipped some, others had some moments of good. Overall it didn't grab me, but was more of a curiosity just thinking of these people crafting this album with songs like Trans-National.

Guitar Town

Steve Earle

3/5

This was a really fun country album. Leaned into that rock space which I liked. And only 30 minutes. Kept a few and glad this was on here!

Doggystyle

Snoop Dogg

3/5

Snoop Doggy Dogg! It's funny because I watched Straight Outta Compton just a week or so ago so this is fresh. It even made me go listen to the Chronic a little bit for buildup since the Apple Music bio suggested. Snoop out here living his best life just having fun, some of the best sound the same and there were songs that I didn't enjoy, but there were a few good ones on here and I'm more than happy to see this on the list.

Rid Of Me

PJ Harvey

2/5

I think we had another one of PJ and I don’t think I was a fan then. Not a fan now either. Really dig the album art, though!

Everything Must Go

Manic Street Preachers

3/5

This was a pretty good album. Didn’t leave any impression on me, but I did save The Girl who wanted to be god.

Pornography

The Cure

4/5

Glad to see another Cure album on here! And such a provocative title. I haven't heard this album before, but it's more Cure goodness. Moody, spooky, and that dungeon music we all love. Figurehead sounded like Enjoy the Silence.

Introducing The Hardline According To Terence Trent D'Arby

Terence Trent D'Arby

3/5

This was an interesting album, like an early 90's pop album but came out much earlier. I could have sworn I've heard Wishing Well before, too.

Don't Stand Me Down

Dexys Midnight Runners

2/5

I didn't want to have to say this, but...come on, Eileen. This album did not need to be on here.

Alien Lanes

Guided By Voices

2/5

There is so much from the album cover that made me think this was some kind of instrumental type album. Didn’t realize it’d be a hundred thirty second songs that sound like those dollar 45 records. Would love an explanation on why this one is on here.

Gasoline Alley

Rod Stewart

3/5

I really enjoyed this album! I wasn't expecting to enjoy much Rod Stewart but this early stuff is pretty good! Fun country rock blues almost album.

D.O.A. the Third and Final Report of Throbbing Gristle

Throbbing Gristle

1/5

A nauseating masterpiece? I didn't realize the album cover was a live look at the person making this album. Correct me if I'm wrong, but making sounds is very different from making music. Throbbing Gristle...this album did not throb (beyond the natural throbbing sound of static) but it did remind me of Gristle in some ways. Actually, that's it's essentially the physical reaction my brain had, throbbing to gristle, as this music started playing. It's almost become a bit because I also admire them thinking they could just record some sounds like this and get away with it. And get on this list. Brilliant. Also is this the first picture of FaceTime? with that little rectangle in the bottom right.

White Light / White Heat

The Velvet Underground

2/5

Here she comes…here she comes. I feel like we have gotten a VU album before and I enjoyed it, but this just felt like a waste of time. Each song felt like it was the end of a song where the person is like scatting or messing around on the guitar before the song cuts.

Frank

Amy Winehouse

4/5

This was an awesome album, and so glad it’s on here. I liked it more than Back to Black, too. Really like a Soul Jazz album. Definitely inspired by Frank (duh) Sinatra but also some of the old female crooners like Billie Holiday.

Gentlemen

The Afghan Whigs

3/5

A decent rock album, but didn’t leave any impression on me.

The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway

Genesis

4/5

This was a really big bold album. Would not have pegged Genesis to make something like this but did I ever know them? Felt like a kind of magnum opus and seems like maybe it was for Peter Gabriel. Either way, this was a really cool album.

Fever To Tell

Yeah Yeah Yeahs

3/5

Another fun album! Listed as alternative but I’d almost call it punk. Either way, I know I’ve heard this band before I just can’t place is. The female voice is very familiar.

The Lexicon Of Love

ABC

3/5

Actually a decent UK pop album! Especially as a debut. Pretty balsy to take the name ABC.

Millions Now Living Will Never Die

Tortoise

4/5

What a wild ride. Like be dropped off in the middle of the desert and having to find your way back home. Maybe that's the Tortoise of it all. I'd love to dive into the album title too, trying to figure out what they are alluding to. Especially with the fish. I know millions living now will not die is used in Jehova's Witness' per the description. Is that a metaphor? Like that those who convert won't die? It seems like it would be more powerful to title it "In one hundred years, all who are alive now will be dead" or "hero's get remembered, legends never die". Either way, cracking this open with a twenty minute song is balsy beyond belief. But that song is good, and does a better job harnessing sounds than that Report album I hated last week. The rest of the songs were good too, I really liked Taut and Tame.

The Good, The Bad & The Queen

2/5

English super group, huh? Feels less than that. Certainly something from 2007. It didn’t really stick with me kinda in one ear out the other. Cool cover though!

Beach Samba

Astrud Gilberto

3/5

This was a pleasant surprise. A quick breath of fresh air that was over just as it began. Glad it was on here!

Spiderland

Slint

2/5

In the same way that I wouldn't want to be in some canyon river with these four boys, I felt the same uneasyness listening to these songs. Only because they seem very dour and depressing. That doesn't make them bad, I just didn't really connect.

Illmatic

Nas

5/5

They talk about this being one of the best rap albums of all time. And I can see it. This was an album that I knew about, but never got into. I was very late to the old school rap game. Thankfully, my brother was and he introduced me to this one. I remember thinking, this album is great from start to finish. It has that old school feel, which I'm sure back then was very powerful. I still always associate Nas with "kill kill kill, murder murder murder" from the news anchors, but this put him into a new territory for me. Again, I wasn't as familiar with him, but now I realize he is an OG. And more so, he has released so much since, I've really enjoyed his recent King's Disease album series. On here my tops are Life's a Bitch, The World is Yours, One Love, One Time 4 Your Mind.

All Hope Is Gone

Slipknot

3/5

In my Slipknot album rankings this one is in the lower parts but it’s still a good album. I was just surprised to see it on this list! I picked this cd up at Target in Castle Rock, CO back in highschool and I remember enjoying it but thinking that it wasn’t reaching the prior heights. Slipknot is an interesting band, not just because they have 9 members, but there’s a lot of their work that seems influenced by outside forces. Don’t get me wrong, I love that. The first album is powerful in a dungeon type of way, songs like Purity and Eyeless were about a girl who was put in a box and a conversation with a homeless person. The second album saw them dig through the floor of that dungeon and really get into the dirt. Songs that doubled down on that fierceness and spectacle, giving way to Everything Ends, Disasterpiece, and Skin Ticket (I really hope we get that album so I can dive into that). But after that there was media backlash that said they were just shock performers, being so wicked and vile or something like that. So what happens? Their next album doesn’t contain a single curse word. I used to think that they went mainstream trying to get more people to listen to them or more radio stations to play them. I didn’t find that fact out till recently. So when this album came out I was a little disappointed that it seemed to go even less hard than Vol 3. I think there’s some cursing but not much, and some of the songs are slower. With that out of the way, I loved Psychosocial. That’s a top Slipknot song. Sulfer is great too. I actually learned to like this album more after I saw them in concert. There are songs on here I still skip though. Which is why it’s lower on my list. But their next album makes up for all of that.

The Libertines

3/5

Another English rock group, just what we needed! I really liked the first song and the rest were enjoyable but didn’t stick with me. Another middle of the road album.

Remain In Light

Talking Heads

3/5

This was a fun album. We get Once in a Lifetime which is a classic. The other songs were all interesting in their own way. They didn't stay with me, but I felt like I was experiencing something while listening. Loved some of the Nigerian influences and sonics.

Spy Vs. Spy: The Music Of Ornette Coleman

John Zorn

1/5

Not available on Apple

Pump

Aerosmith

4/5

Have we had any Aerosmith? Maybe one album but it's a shame I can't even remember because of how little representation. How is it we get one thousand UK rock bands and that one is US. I need more Aerosmith like I need some love in an elevator. Obviously that one is a classic and we also get Janie's Got a Gun and The Other Side, the guitar hero Aerosmith added some of these to my memory too. Great album, awesome jams. I even enjoyed some of the lesser known ones.

Electric Warrior

T. Rex

3/5

Bang a Gong is a classic but not much else stuck with me on this one

All Directions

The Temptations

4/5

Here we go! Papa Was a Rollin' Stone was oft mentioned by our dad and I think he even had that as grandpas ringtone. I knew generally why our dad had that as grandpas song, but it's funny when you start looking at all the lyrics and not just the chorus. "Sayin' that papa had three outside children and another wife, and that ain't right". Grandpa is almost up to three by my count so I'm glad I could dive deeper into this song, and album. Really great funk grooves and beats.

Electric

The Cult

3/5

Fun rock album. Though I wonder if they realized Rubin was trying to turn them into AC/DC. It works in their favor, and especially for this list, but in general I would rather listen to AC/DC.

The Man Who

Travis

3/5

This kind of sounds like what Muse would have done before amping up their sound. Another middle of the road one, pleasant enough for a Sunday.

Buffalo Springfield Again

Buffalo Springfield

3/5

Another just fine album, some good rock in there but doesn't really rise to anything I'd save or remember.

xx

The xx

3/5

I know I’ve heard that opener somewhere before! The rest didn’t last long but made for good working music

We're Only In It For The Money

The Mothers Of Invention

3/5

What a trippy wild album. This felt like something Tim and Eric would make if they were around back then. Dug it.

Modern Kosmology

Jane Weaver

3/5

Another good album, always enjoy the sort of alt pop. I saved a song so I wouldn’t forget since the album breezed by.

Shleep

Robert Wyatt

2/5

Some really great grooves but his voice just didn’t hit for me. I liked each song until I heard him.

Kick Out The Jams (Live)

MC5

1/5

Pretty balsy to record your debut live. My score sheet says one of my lowest rated album genres is punk so I’m going to save myself the time on this one.

Life's Too Good

The Sugarcubes

2/5

Is life too good? It must be to allow these types of albums to be on this list. No disrespect to the Icelandic group that no doubt inspired countless Eurovision contestants. Much like I am not a huge fan of Bjork, I’m not of this band either. A little too frenzied and the lyrics and just wild. Whole song about a motorcrash, and just saying motorcrash over and over.

Feast of Wire

Calexico

3/5

This was a real fun album and cleansed my palate after yesterdays.

Hejira

Joni Mitchell

4/5

Another great Joni album. I'm going to have to go back through and listen to all of hers again. Really feels like something that is going to grow with me over time. Kind of felt jazzy at times, and folksy. Sounds like she wrote a lot of this on road trips which is cool. And a totally rad album cover too. Song for Sharon was my fav I think, but I enjoyed them all.

Exodus

Bob Marley & The Wailers

3/5

After seeing a bunch of the One Love trailers these past few months at the movies, I feel like I've heard this album before! It actually made me enjoy it more being familiar with a few of these like Exodus and Three Little Birds. Damian Marley actually uses samples from Exodus for his song Move! and I wouldn't be surprised if there were other songs on his albums, or his brothers Stephen and Ziggy. Marley was a king, and this was a fantastic album to show that. Can we all just chill out and listen to this music? I think that's his overall message (kidding).

Bright Flight

Silver Jews

1/5

After a few songs, and hearing this singers monotone voice lacking passion, I just stopped. No thanks.

Cypress Hill

4/5

Another great early rap album! A few of these songs sounded familiar and I enjoyed this over all. Great to listen to on a Friday. I never knew Cypress Hill was a rap group, though, for some reason I though they were like pop or folk, maybe because it reminded me of One Tree Hill.

The Low End Theory

A Tribe Called Quest

5/5

I’m so glad this one made it on here. I got into tribe a few years ago and found myself really loving this one and Midnight Marauders. Funny enough I already have memories with this album, it became part of my late night fall asleep albums. It’s such a chill album and the jazz pieces of it really make it seem special. Like a real late night jazz club hip hop. Since I was up late last night and saw this, I listened to the album while going to bed.

Larks' Tongues In Aspic

King Crimson

4/5

Out of left field! I saw English and got sweaty but this is all instrumental I think and those sounds were awesome. Easy Money was my favorite. There were a few that weren’t as memorable but overall this was a fantastic album.

All Hail the Queen

Queen Latifah

4/5

I love to see that Latifah was active in 1989, and certainly kicking ass. This album is exactly the vibe of late 80's early 90's Hip Hop. She captured that moment and had some really great raps while doing it. I kept Dance for Me and Wrath of My Madness but I also really enjoyed Latifah's Law and Evil that Men Do. Long Live Latifah!

The World is a Ghetto

War

3/5

While I can see the greatness of this album, and I enjoyed the songs, there weren't any particularly memorable. Some felt like they dragged on as they repeated the same verse over and over. Great album cover though!

White Blood Cells

The White Stripes

3/5

I stated in my last stripe review that I'm not a huge fan of this band. After this album I'm a little more of a fan. I really could feel the singularness of this group, with just the guitars and drums it was pretty cool. It helped reading the apple description talking about how they deconstructed this or that. It's not like I've changed my overall opinion on them, but I think this album shed more light on why they are so great. Also didn't realize they did "We're going to be friends".

Tom Tom Club

4/5

Damn, am I prejudiced against new UK music because of this list? I looked at the description, saw it was UK and let out a groan. I listen, and I'm hooked. These melodies and sounds are entrancing, above and beyond the famous Genius of Love. I loved Wordy Rappinghood and Lorelei. Under the Boardwalk was good too. So much ethereal music and lyrics, somehow feeling timeless. This list has done me dirty time and time again, and it will do me dirty again in the future. Today, this list has done good.

3/5

This was not at all what I was expecting and I'm not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing. Each song felt like it was about to touch something and then just didn't. I can't explain it but whether it was a vocal choice or musical choice or something I just found myself enjoying the song and then wanting to skip.

Medúlla

Björk

3/5

We have gotten too much Bjork in too short a time. That's what I was thinking to myself as I listened to this. That is...until the last song which had a really fun beat to it. I have to keep reminding myself that she is the witch in Northman so I need to respect her.

Ray Of Light

Madonna

3/5

A more ethereal album than the others she’s had on here, but it was still good. A few on here I’d heard before too which was great.

Nixon

Lambchop

2/5

Kind of an Americana type album in some ways, I don't know how to describe that but it felt that way, especially with the album cover. I wasn't a huge fan, but there were some moments I enjoyed.

Surrealistic Pillow

Jefferson Airplane

2/5

No question Somebody to Love and White Rabbit are hall of fame rock classics. This makes me laugh when it shifts from Somebody to Love to My Best Friend, the two songs couldn't be more different. And it is so noticeable how mediocre this band feels without Grace Slick. Pretty wild too that, after listening, those are basically the two songs she is highlighted on. Listening to this has made me like this band less. Just the annoyance that these mediocre white male rock bands flooding the market when there are other people far more interesting than them out there but the support only goes to those same boring people. Look, I feel like I'm required to give this album a three but with all these revelations, I need to make a statement.

John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band

John Lennon

4/5

This was a surprisingly powerful album. I've shared bits and pieces of my relationship with the Beatles, which is that there really isn't one at all. On top of that, I was never a fan of the Lennon Yoko thing. Not them, but that whole relationship. Fans just made that some clash point for everything. She ruined the band, John went soft, John's a simp, why is John walking down the alley that way after leaving Yoko's house. So I never got into the solo stuff. But hearing this, it made me a little sad just knowing his overall story and his passing. This guy feels like a man who was held up on high in the Beatles and then when he fell in love and left he was vilified (I think) and he basically just said screw it, I'm going to do my own thing. He makes this album, pouring his soul into it, and, again, I'm not sure if he has more albums or what but this felt like his manifesto in some ways. He is being himself, he is a little love struck, a little saddened by the world, seems like some of his idols have fallen off their perch. Add that to the album cover and I just kept thinking "Poor guy". I loved Working Class Hero, Love, and Well Well Well. It is said above that this was his best solo album so I hope we don't get any more (kidding, but also not...we need more variety)

They Were Wrong, So We Drowned

Liars

2/5

Kind of a "music is dying" sort of sound. Almost sounds like how the cover looks, like fabric that is slowly decomposing. Wasn't a fan.

The Age Of The Understatement

The Last Shadow Puppets

3/5

A very British rock album. Felt familiar with the Arctic Monkeys singer on this one. It wasn't bad, but I'm just done with these UK albums that don't move the bar in any direction. At times it did feel like I was driving down the UK country side or something.

Bookends

Simon & Garfunkel

3/5

Another S&G album, did we need it? Yeah cause of Mrs Robinson, but the rest didn’t grab me. Maybe the Zoo but I hope we are done with S&G

#1 Record

Big Star

3/5

This album reminded me of something that I don’t think this list does or will do. I’m wondering if at the end we are able to provide feedback because what I’d say is that so many albums on here had descriptions or sound that told me why it shouldn’t be on this list. This list should be telling us each time why the albums SHOULD be on the list. Whatever the reason. This album didn’t really standout to me but this is on here because this is an early rock album that influenced a lot of other American bands. That’s pretty cool. But based on the above description I’d guess it’s on here because he had a second life in the UK more so than The Rolling Stones accolades.

The Score

Fugees

4/5

These are the albums on this list that keep me going. These are the albums that I know why they are on here the minute I see the visage of a Lauryn Hill (also looks like this was an album of the year nom). I did not know this existed! I fell in love with Hill years ago and was obsessed. Not a one hit wonder, but a one album wonder, by choice. But here we find that it wasn't one album, she was also in a band with Wycliff Jean! These songs were great and I'm keeping a few of them too. This cover is so Godfather and I love putting Lauryn front and center. Another classic hip hop album at 80 minutes but I think it's being driven by some remixes at the end and skits within the songs.

Elastica

2/5

Why is this on here? Basic rock band.

The Rolling Stones

1/5

Oh man...Keith? Mick? Ya'll ready for this? If you tried to make a debut album today that was almost all cover songs of mostly black artists, you'd get eaten alive. MAYBE you'd go viral, if you were the first, but you wouldn't. In that time period, I get it. These are a couple of white guys looking for a big break and they worked well together covering other artists, many black, to get their big break. I'm sure that was common, and accepted in the time. I'm really not sure how that works being justified as a music group out of the gate...as HIT MAKERS, and I'm going to have to have a talk with my brother. But hey, that's enough in the 60's to become the greatest rock band ever! I've never been a huge stones fan and this album does nothing to change it, and a lot to make my opinion worse. What really gets me is that this is the UK version, the US version was titled England's Newest Hit Makers...these weren't THEIR hits! They didn't make them! Except for one song, Tell Me. I'll assume this one is on the list because there needs to be a historical account of this madness.

New York Dolls

3/5

The apple music description says "The Dolls were a sleazier Stones in eyeliner". If that's the case, I'm going to make like Kesha and get sleazy. Only in comparison to the stones. I enjoyed this album, but to me it was nothing to write home about. I feel like I've heard Personality Crisis before at some point. Compared to yesterdays album, this one is fantastic. Compared to most albums, this one is alright. Would anyone disagree this was a better debut than the stones? Not sure I caught a single cover.

Bitte Orca

Dirty Projectors

3/5

This did not feel like 2009 and I liked that. Kind of felt like the Beatles in some ways with voice and simplicity. Other songs were a little more complicated but I enjoyed most of these. These are the kinds of albums I'm looking for on this list. New faces.

Kollaps

Einstürzende Neubauten

1/5

This music is the equivalent of the scene in every horror movie where the killer is right behind them and you’re saying NO NO NO NO. This is the music waiting for you at the bottom of the sewer. This music is the symbol on the album cover made manifest, at the end of a dimly lit tunnel 100 yards away running towards you at full sprint. It’s the sort of stuff that’s in the basement of the doctor who made the Human Centipede. This shit had to have been created in the aftermath of Chernobyl down in the bowels of the facility. I can feel the radiation on some of these songs and it’s going to linger longer than I’d like. This kind of album has a half-life. And that doesn’t even begin to describe the horror I felt when I saw their album cover of Haus der Luge (spoiler, it’s a wide eyed horse shooting goo into a puddle) another album no doubt cursed by some ancient German demon. Pretty wild I had to hear this the same day I watched Zone of Interest. Maybe this was their punishment for the sins of the third reich. Forced to live in an abandoned concentration camp and record in the bowels of some crematorium. I do believe this album should be on this list, it’s an Art Most Fowl. Abandon all hope, ye who press play, you’re entering the lair in Poughkeepsie Tapes.

Slayed?

Slade

1/5

For some reason this wasn't listed in apple music

All Things Must Pass

George Harrison

3/5

Oh George, always the bridesmaid, never the bride. Somehow, him looking disheveled in giant rain boots and a brimmed hat, as if he is some sort of mountain man (you see the trees in the back right?), is the exact look I always pictured of him alone. Just sad that he could never come close to his brothers. Ringo too in some ways, but dude was named Ringo Star, he's going to be fine. Ol George wasn't too bad on this album (I actually enjoyed it), and I've even heard that first song before. I'm sorry you weren't as famous as the rest, George, but as you've titled, All Things Must Pass.

Tank Battles

Dagmar Krause

1/5

Love that the note even says you can't find this one streaming. Glad to get a day off.

Killing Joke

3/5

oh look at that, another UK punk band. Just what we needed. I had almost forgotten the last one. What about this justifies its place here? Maybe because it moved from 41st to 39th place on Billboard during it's run. I did like Bloodsport, but probably because it had no vocals. I want to provide more disses to this album, but it isn't the album I'm upset with. As it went on I actually started enjoying the songs.

Chirping Crickets

Buddy Holly & The Crickets

3/5

There was a time right after graduating high school where Stevie, Harry and myself had gotten into some specific movies and music. This was also when I had my epic three trip graduation summer where we went to Illinois and celebrated at Uncle Tom's cabin (no relation) and Harry and the Pankow's were there. From there, and I might mix this up, but Harry flew out to Colorado for a week and then we all flew back to Georgia and hung out there for the 4th, and then I went to Texas with Dad. The point being, this album starts with one of those songs we had burned onto a CD, Oh Boy!, so all those memories flooded back. I think that is one of my favorite things about music, that the sounds can transport you to specific places in time, memories you might have forgotten that come back crisply (or however we chose to remember those moments). Buddy Holly is a king, Dad loved him, I think he still does, but this was that time when all those nerdy white boys made sweet songs to court the ladies. I wonder what Buddy Holly would think of Metal or Rap music. He even says in You've Got Love "two hands for holding". To quote Dewey Cox, that's what the devil uses hands for. I also find it interesting how this type of music frequently gets used now for horror music. I'd be curious why that is, something about an old timey song indicating something isn't right, or something terrible is happening or about to happen. I know not much of this has anything to do with the content of this album, but what more do you need to know? A couple horny dudes decided to get chicks the only way they knew how.

Don't Come Home A Drinkin' (With Lovin' On Your Mind)

Loretta Lynn

3/5

Glad we got some Loretta! So funny that the wiki here has 0 information. No reason this should be on the list. But we all know, she was a gem. Was she really the daughter of a coal miner? Who can say. But don't come home drunk expecting love from this woman. No sir. Don't you dare.

The Bones Of What You Believe

CHVRCHES

3/5

I listened to this twice because I felt like I didn’t give it a fair shake the first time while I was driving. There’s a few on here I liked, but having listened to a lot of recent CHVRCHES but not this, id say they were discovering who they are. I’m really happy this is on here but I’d also trade this for another of their albums if it’s the only one we are getting.

In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida

Iron Butterfly

4/5

Holy cow I didn’t think this would be on this list. An album I’ve heard through my brother and one that has rolled around in my head because it’s a fun word to say. I listened to this while grocery shopping and it was great background noise. There were a few songs on here I really dug like Easy Rider. Their opener, the one I think I've heard before, didn't really grab me. Lots of moments of silence and repetitive structure for 16 minutes. I was more impressed with some of the other songs. I am now seeing in Apple Music that I listened to some extended album version that was an hour and 40 minutes, this album is only 30. Hey at least I got to hear a little more.

Gris Gris

Dr. John

3/5

I think the album cover I enjoyed more than the music. It wasn't bad! And I honestly liked the sort of swamp music that the Dr was leaning into. It just felt kind of short and jumbled. Certainly interesting and I'm glad it is on this list.

Fetch The Bolt Cutters

Fiona Apple

3/5

This was a fun 2020 album when it came out though I think I liked it better back then. I would say this and the dual T-Swift Albums encapsulated the pandemic in many ways. Fiona records most of this at home during the pandemic and a bit before it sounds like but I remember when it came out I got excited to hear music someone made in their house that way. It works! I'm not a huge Apple fan, some songs of hers I really like and the rest kind of just flows on by like a stream. This album was similar but some of these songs get stuck in my head like Fetch the Bolt Cutters and Under The Table. It was also during this time that I lost a key to a lock on my fence and had to buy bolt cutters to break it. I made some picture in regards to that, and shortly after cutting I found the key. Really happy to see albums like this on here.

Django Django

3/5

This was a very groovy album. I hate these ones where I enjoy listening but can't really pick out any songs I liked. I just enjoyed it. Also, too many Djangos. Even Beetlejuice knew three was almost too many.

Talking Timbuktu

Ali Farka Touré

3/5

Another "world music" album which are kind of my favorites on here. While it doesn't scream masterpiece, or anything like that, I love hearing these albums because I don't know how I'd find them otherwise. And it's a Grammy winner so that's cool (if you're into that sort of thing). This was really relaxing and just a fun album to work to.

In The Court Of The Crimson King

King Crimson

3/5

Woah...21st Century Schizoid Man...I never new what that sample was saying on Kanye West's Power but now I do. That's super cool, I know Stevie catches samples much better than me, and this was an easy one, but still cool to get it from a band I learned to like on their last album here.

Suede

3/5

I wasn't sure what to expect with this one, Suede by Suede, so many albums like this. And the cover doesn't really tell me what's going on. This ended up just being another bouncy pop type album from that time period. I liked one song but the rest was forgettable.

Water From An Ancient Well

Abdullah Ibrahim

3/5

Scum

Napalm Death

2/5

Wow! English Grindcore! According to the wiki. Just what we needed. So that MUST mean that there are maybe 4 more Metallica albums, 2 Slipknots, some Killswitch Engage and Iron Maiden on this list since we are getting what I'd describe as the music in that one scene in Ace Ventura when he visits his tech buddy at the concert. I hope they marketed this album as 30 songs in 30 minutes because that is what it is. Maybe that is why this album is on the list, so we could see that the blokes across the pond can thrash too. Well I'll let you in on a little secret, mate. When it comes to thrashing about against tyranny, you might think the UK are experts with their Punk and all that, god save the queen. But none of them hold a candle to the descendants of those who fled the UK and their tyranny, and thrashed about on the open ocean to arrive in America (Yes I know Sabbath and I think Maiden are UK but that really isn't the point is it?). At least they were self aware enough to label this "Scum".

Chelsea Girl

Nico

3/5

Here we have another middle of the road folksy type album from someone in Germany, though maybe they are just German. Either way, not sure why this one is on here. We got this sound, and better, from Joni.

Soul Mining

The The

3/5

Crossing the Red Sea With the Adverts

The Adverts

1/5

Oh great, another English Punk band. What did I just say on the last album? I'm properly done with this rubbish. You know what we should have started doing? Each album we think doesn't belong on this list we add in our comments what our substitute would be because it's insane. I'll be curious to look and see what our percentages are. I'd be my opinion on over 60% of this list would be to swap with a better album, and I bet the general public would agree on 50% of those. It's not a secret how bias this list is. I can barely listen to this, it sounds like so much I've heard before, nothing new or noteworthy.

Devil Without A Cause

Kid Rock

2/5

Just a note that I marked the last album as I didn’t listen, but I did and I was trying to give it a 2 star. My gut says either of those paths will be the same for this album here too. Damn...I didn't realize how much this Now-Trump-Supporting, corn rowed, white trash (his words) trailer boy asshole trying to be a rapper impacted me back in the day. What's crazy, too, is that is based strictly on the radio. Growing up in Texas I constantly heard Bawitdaba, Cowboy (which I think is a Tim and Eric thing? Stevie may have to correct me on "I wanna be a cowboy babyyyy) and Only God Knows Why. Having it be heard on the radio, Kid Rock doesn't sound at all like who he is. At moments he actually sounds a bit like the lead singer for Rage Against the Machine. Poor Kid Rock now is only known for being one of the few artists who publicly show up in Mar-A-Lago constantly, either to perform or just enjoy the company. I wonder if we will get his next album because there's another classic on there with Picture. All in all I am giving this a two star to replace the last album.

Quiet Life

Japan

2/5

I enjoyed the opener but the rest felt like bland 80's music. Cool cover though!

Psychocandy

The Jesus And Mary Chain

2/5

Scottish rock band eh? SCOTLAND FOREVER!!! Wasn't a fan though, the music sounds like it was recorded behind the otherside of a dungeon door. I picture them kind of doing their music at the table of Frankenstein's laboratory as the electricity crackles.

Band On The Run

Paul McCartney and Wings

3/5

The opener and title track, Band on the Run is a stone cold classic. Always appearing in the life guarding playlist during the summer. Jet and Bluebird were also great. Seeing this on the list, I totally get why, but it made me start to think about artistry and artists. Especially with all the conversation around Ms. Swift and some criticism of "why did she release another album so soon after her last and on top of her re releases and touring". Paul McCartney reminds me of that. Setting aside the fact that art is art, and artists are who they are, and some are workaholics and must put out music otherwise maybe they don't know who they are. And who are we to judge when we ask why, because if I loved my job, I'd make as much music as I can. But I also know if I put out say ten or fifteen albums (swift or Beatles or whatever) and I was super mega rich, totally famous, beset on all sides by judgement. I'd probably pause between my albums, heck I'd even take giant breaks. And there are some out there that do that. Like Kendrick or others where it's one big album every few years. Again, it isn't our place to judge how other humans choose to use their gifts. But McCartney always struck me as a guy who was scared of becoming obsolete. It wasn't enough to be in the biggest band ever, but to then try and create stuff with other bands, or by himself, or all the stadium stuff he did in the later years. This album cover is the perfect encapsulation of that, the spotlight is on him and this group as the sentry says "HEY STOP! One of you makes too much music!" and of course Paul probably had them all dress the same so they wouldn't be able to identify him. All that to say, I enjoyed this album, but I'm tired of seeing the same blokes over and over on this list. Also I think this means he probably would have flourished in the Streaming era. I will also note that I read the wiki after listening and writing the prior treatise. I didn't realize this is widely regarded as his best work after his bug work. Look, I'm glad we got his best here. I really liked his best. I just hope we don't get "the rest" if you know what I mean. "Please, Sir, may I be excused" if you catch my drift, eh McCartney? But also he wanted to go to Lagos to feel exotic. Paul Exotic they called him, I'm sure. If he had called himself that in his solo pursuits I would have an entirely different opinion of him and I'm sure a lot of the world would, too. Can you imagine?

Konnichiwa

Skepta

3/5

I need to appreciate the American rappers more and how they put their skits as actual tracks on the album instead of being at the end, costing the stream a skip. God save the queen I guess! If there is one area I won't complain about, it's more hip hop and rap from anywhere on the planet. I know it has to be UK due to the list, but I can't complain. It was enjoyable. Part of me wishes I'd have given yesterdays album a 4 because this one is basically a three and yesterdays was way better.

461 Ocean Boulevard

Eric Clapton

3/5

Always happy to expand my knowledge of Clapton. This was fun, and with the album cover felt like a sort of California Dreamin type album.

Post Orgasmic Chill

Skunk Anansie

3/5

The first song reminded me equally of Evanessence and Lacuna Coil. Of course we won’t find those bands here on this list. What a unique band, I wonder where they are from! Ah. But of course. I wonder if the queen ever recorded an album? If she did I’m sure it’ll be on this list. They really should have called this “1001 British Albums to listen to before you die (there’s others but it’s mostly brits)”. That’s fair advertising. I did like this band, always a fan of female lead in a rock band. And deserving of this list too, just tough to swallow 20 British albums in a row knowing so many others aren’t on this list

Ananda Shankar

4/5

Now here’s an album! First song really sets a fun tone of Indian music mixed with some 70’s flower rock. Got a cover or two in there too! And I liked his story on the last song. So glad this was on here.

Rubber Soul

Beatles

3/5

Glad to get another Beatles album! I enjoyed the sound on this one, but not so many of the songs. Nowhere Man I kept, and I’ve heard Girl before but none of the others were super memorable.

Yeezus

Kanye West

5/5

Wow...here we are. I had to go back and read my review of MBDTW (and you should, too) to see how I reviewed that album. I go back and forth between that and Yeezus as my favorite Kanye album. That review spends more time discussing separating the art from the artist which I think frees me up to dive deeper into this album. I don't want that, or the following stories to give the impression that Yeezus is my favorite, though I won't fault you for thinking so because it might be true. This album came out in June of 2013 which would have been about a month after I graduated college, was newly single, and was living with my brother alone in Greeley, Colorado. At this time, I specifically remember that I was still at the house, I think Stevie may have gone home for the summer already. There was an empty room not being used we had then moved to friend Kyle. So this was a transition time for myself. I was alone, sweating it out in a house with no A/C. All of us boys were on Xbox one night and I don't remember how it came up, but Stevie had told me the album came out. Apple music wasn't a thing back then so I think it had been released on youtube as one long audio or something. I don't remember much more in terms of external stuff, but at some point I pressed play and I listened the whole way through. It was late at night, all the lights in the house were off and the only glow was from my laptop and the TV. I lost my mind listening to this album and I think in a weird way this was the album that made me a Kanye fan. I introed with caution, but I think it is fair to say that and that in this moment as I type it's my favorite of his albums. Is it his best? Maybe that is reserved for MBDTF, but the memories surrounding listening to this, and the raw depravity of this album just struck a chord with me. Dungeon hip hop. Something about that whether it's hearing a trash can bang in Slipknot or beats that sound like they were made in a bunker here. It's totally unlike anything he had done before, and it was at a time where (and I realize the irony) he was beginning to fall off. The trajectory is actually pretty wild. Going from proving himself in his first couple, then kind of getting into his feelings, and then reaching an apex with MBDTF and then plunging down deep underground for Yeezus and when he came up he shifted to the religious side and slowly started unraveling with his last few things. You might say that he didn't stop enough times on his ascent from the ocean floor to depressurize his dive suit. This really is an album you could make at the bottom of the sea in one of those steel bases in Aquaman 2. Beats rattling off the metal walls as you're slowly going insane wondering how long you've been down there. Everything is pitch black save for some bioluminescent sea life. All of that to say that it felt like we were simultaneously witnesses the rise and fall of one of the greats. It was very difficult for people to process that, they either hated or loved this album. This might be the only album of his I have on vinyl and it's a bootleg I got from my brother because the seller accidentally sold him two. Unfortunately these copies were missing the final track which is one I really enjoy so that was a bummer but it was still an amazing souvenir of that time. In a stroke of fate, I have time to kill before I leave housesitting today so I will do a track by track free write as I listen. On Sight: It's funny, in the office I'm typing in there is a buzz coming from one of the wifi devices or something and so I put on headphones with my ear buds underneath blocking that sound out. As this track starts I am right back hearing that with these deadly beats. "Get this bitch shaking like parkinson's", damn. He just comes out the gate swinging taking no prisoners as he invades this bunker. "How much do I not give a fuck? Let me show you right now before you give it up". We are being murdered with these laser beams. Black Skinhead: Absolutely epic intro and this attached itself to the Wolf of Wall Street Trailer. Sounds like wolves running honestly. "They see a black man with a white woman at the top floor they gon' come to kill King Kong". "I keep it 300 like the Romans". The shift from the fast hits to the long hums is so good. The production on this album is fantastic. Another aggressive song. I Am a God (feat. God): This song opens up with a beat and feeling that, every time and especially the first, took me right to the Poughkeepsie Tapes. A found footage movie about a serial killer and the police find all these tapes he made. In one, he is crawling on the floor wearing two masks so you can't tell if he is looking up or down as he crawls towards the camera, and victim tied to a chair. I think I may have even brought the movie up to time it with the music and it worked. Terrifying. This song is the one that really told me he was losing it, sure he was trying to prove a point and calling that whole idea out, but there's always truth behind that. The screaming at the end too really ties into that serial killer chase vibe. I don't know if I've ever thought long about why that is, to have that type of music to say he is a god. Because the god's he is conjuring with this type of music probably isn't the same he is repenting to in future albums. New Slaves: Woah Kanye said my name! Never realized that. But this song is a great call out to very common racial issues. This song is also a little slimy with the beats and some of the lyrics. Not the type of song you can sing, more so to just sit your ass down and listen. "I know that we the new slaves, I see the blood on the leaves" call out to future song. Those shifts from one beat to another or to him singing a totally different way. This one is an eye opener. Hold My Liquor: I don't listen to this one as often so no real raw reactions, the beginning kind of sounds like Bon Iver but I'm not sure. These are where I concede MBDTF has the edge. I'm In It: I do love the second half of this song, and we get Bon Iver for sure. Great beats and I can't remember if I've heard it since in a show or commercial. Blood On the Leaves: Phenomenal sample. I love the calm before the storm when the beat drops. His auto-tune at the end is great, too. Guilt Trip: Somehow I immediately saw the movie poster of Barbara Streisand and Seth Rogan in the movie of the same title. Funny, too, because I mentioned Barbara Streisand in the MBDTF review. This is another I don't listen to as much which I always lament because Cudi is in this one. Send it Up: This one also reminded me of Poughkeepsie Tapes. Now that I think of it, I made a Vine of both of these songs with the movie, that's what it was. Too bad that doesn't exists anymore, maybe those videos are on my computer hiding in the bowels of my picture folders. "This the cray-ist shit in the club, since 'In Da Club'" epic. "Can you get my friends in the club, can you get my Benz in the club?" Fantastic burn. Bound 2: I love this song because of the shift from him to "I know you're tired of loving with nobody to love". The contrast is amazing and worth the song. I'm pretty sure this one is about Kim and there's a few lines here where I know cracks were probably forming in their relationship prior to the full crazy divorce part. Like, "I do these things, but it's fine" and she's probably not thinking that way, my guy. That was great listening through. I stand by my statements prior, I think my "fav" is this, but MBDTF is better. I think that statement lets me enjoy this one, but also always want to listen to the other to see if it will take it's spot. Maybe one day.

O.G. Original Gangster

Ice T

3/5

A true OG, Ice T has made himself into an icon via hard work and smart decisions. Now he fills my Twitter feed with ice cold facts about life. Lots are things he preaches about here on this album. I think this might be our second album of his but I’m glad we’ve gotten a few.

A Night At The Opera

Queen

4/5

A classic Queen album, I tried to get into some of the lesser known songs but nothing really jumped out. Obviously Bohemian Rhapsody and You're My Best Friend are huge. Glad to get some Queen on here!

Sex Packets

Digital Underground

3/5

If more albums on this list were like this, and not some 60's UK album this list would have been so much better. I say that while also saying this wasn't one of my favorite hip hop albums. It was good, especially because I haven't heard it before, but I've heard better even from that time period. But again, this is the music I was hoping to hear on this list, not some guy who locked himself in Westminster Abbey recording with just a three string lute. I did enjoy how some of these songs were much longer, and less short skit type songs but there were still a few moments.

Selected Ambient Works 85-92

Aphex Twin

3/5

Another fascinating ambient album. I know it's UK but I don't discriminate when it comes to electronic music. It's either bad or it's good and this one is good. I think we have had a few better, but these beats were fun to carry me through work.

Buenas Noches From A Lonely Room

Dwight Yoakam

3/5

Ol Yoakam the local yokel. I enjoyed this, and even kept one, What I Don’t Know.

I See A Darkness

Bonnie "Prince" Billy

1/5

On my birthday of all days we get something like this. Not my style and not sure why it’s on here.

Exile In Guyville

Liz Phair

2/5

Did Liz Phair sell out? I only ask because I've only heard her album with "Why Can't I?" Which isn't a great album, but it was kind of fun and upbeat in some ways. Almost felt like Avril Lavigne, but this album, which came prior is totally different. She is brooding and quiet and not as exciting. I skipped a lot of songs as they were very monotone. That's why I ask if she sold out because her music changed quite a bit between albums.

Garbage

3/5

Wow this is garbage. The band, I mean! This was an enjoyable album, classic 90's fare. Also Only Happy When It Rains was used in the period film, Captain Marvel so that was cool. This felt like the album Liz Phair was trying to make yesterday, a really good brooding alternative album. That underground garbage.

Step In The Arena

Gang Starr

3/5

Keep on giving us these hip hop albums please, they are so much easier to digest than Lord Fauntelroy and his Merry Band of Brits or whatever the next 60's uk folk album will be. I feel like the sample at the beginning of Step Into the Arena is from Avril Lavigne's Nobody's Fool, too. I listened to confirm and I'm 99.9% sure. I also liked Precisely the Right Rhymes, there was some great record scratching on there.

Surf's Up

The Beach Boys

3/5

There were a couple good ones in here, and the album overall was enjoyable. I didn't realize they released so many albums. I love this cover as well, I read it is surf related but it really doesn't look like it. Almost looks like they are giving up surfing.

Madman Across The Water

Elton John

4/5

Tiny Dancer and Levon are classics, though I didn't know the name of Levon, I've heard that one a lot. Any Elton album we can get on here I will take, I don't profess to be a fan of him in the same way I am with other artists I love, but I do love his music. I will always think of my dad and my wife who both love the guy so these are always special albums.

Kimono My House

Sparks

2/5

Prior to listening I was trying to figure out why this one was on here and then spotted this "Kimono My House peaked at number 4 in the UK and number 101 in the US". I don't get why this list hasn't been done by a US based company or whatever, I'd love to see a list made more for a US audience than a UK one. Again, I haven't listened yet but this is just another example. Especially as Apple Music is posting a top 100 albums and they are all fire and already better than this list of hundreds and hundreds we have had. After listening I Stand by the above, wasn’t a fan.

Music From The Penguin Cafe

Penguin Cafe Orchestra

3/5

The first song was interesting, reminded me of Eleanor Rigby, but from there it kinda just didn’t work for me. Interesting concept though.

Public Image: First Issue

Public Image Ltd.

2/5

Wow first post punk album? And UK? Wow. Though this sounds like punk so not sure about this post business unless they mean that it doesn’t sound as good as regular punk. A 9 minute track followed by a 1 minute track, both of which felt a little like nails on a chalk board. Another wasted slot. And don’t think we didn’t notice the attempt at mainstream with Public Image.

Wild Gift

X

2/5

Eh, it went in one ear and out the other probably because the last few albums have sounded the same.

Talking Book

Stevie Wonder

3/5

Fun album, glad we got another Stevie Wonder. Not sure if this is a hot take but many of these songs got very repetitive as the song went on. Some spent minutes repeating the same line over and over. Wasn’t a fan of that. Superstition is a keeper though.

It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back

Public Enemy

4/5

Pretty sad when we start this list years before the Apple Music 100 (which will probably be referenced a lot now since it’s completion, fyi it’s better than this list) yet they get to this album first. Either way, here it is. Excited to dive in. Another shout out to Apple Music, these albums now have their ranking in the album notes of these ones, this is #34. I'm not sure if this is my favorite Public Enemy album but it might be. Bring the Noise is a song that is always stuck in my head, of course it's the version from Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 which is Anthrax and PE and spelled Noize, but they are the same song, one just has guitar riffs and drums behind it. Funny enough, we recently had a taste of this with Ice-T in meshing hip hop and rock/metal. Headbanging for a bit before letting out a "yeahhhhh boyyy, freeze how low can you go? etc". I listened to this album a few years ago along with some others when I was diving into early hip hop which I hadn't heard a lot of, but everything I did I really liked. Really glad to get this again to let some of these songs sink in. Obviously I kept the above song, but also Don't Believe the Hype, Night of the Living Baseheads, and Party for Your Right to Fight.

Bubble And Scrape

Sebadoh

2/5

Another in one ear and out the other

Cafe Bleu

The Style Council

4/5

Ok I'll say it...this album was really good. I don't even know what to describe it as. Songs that were instrumental, some jazz others light rock. Some were great rock songs and others felt like pop songs but the uniqueness of this album is what I love. There's still hope for this list. I kept Me Ship Came In! (sort of sounded like the West Indies song in Dr Terrors House of Horrors), Blue Cafe, and Strength of your Nature.

Smash

The Offspring

3/5

I wasn’t as a big a fan of this as I thought I’d be. It was ok, they developed their sound over time.

Odessey And Oracle

The Zombies

3/5

Wasn’t a huge fan of this one and then Time of the Season showed up. Saved the best for last!

Vanishing Point

Primal Scream

3/5

very out there and unique album in some ways, songs I hadn't heard before but it also kind of went in one ear sort of thing. But glad we got this one!

Abraxas

Santana

4/5

I still can’t believe Santana has been cooking for this long. Black Magic Woman and Oye Como Va are classics and I found a few others too. This was a fantastic album and I love that cover, reminds me of bitches brew or something.

Automatic For The People

R.E.M.

3/5

Two classics on here with Everybody Hurts and Man on the Moon. I always loved their singles, especially Everybody Hurts, but I was never an REM fan as a whole. The rest of the songs didn't capture me here and I think I said the same on a prior REM album. Nothing against them, they are just fine to me.

Moby Grape

2/5

If you choose to go down this path, you are opening a can of worms that I don't think people fully understand. Putting an album that is 14 minutes long means that when I consider my list, I can put a bunch of K-Pop mini albums that are even longer than that (usually 20 minutes). Do we think that is wise? Maybe I will add the single Boats and Hoes to my list because it's only a little bit shorter than this. Actually it might be about the same time since it has an instrumental version and some other version too. My mind is racing at all the "non albums" that people say shouldn't be on a list but clearly here Art is Art. This list does not judge between long and short, good or bad, British or UK. All albums are welcome here. This list should be called 1001 Albums of varying degrees of length and quality.

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band

Beatles

4/5

This one is in the running for favorite Beatles album, I’d have to go back and look at all of them but this was was super fun and had some classics. With a little help, LSD, getting better, and within you without you.

Apocalypse Dudes

Turbonegro

3/5

This was a unique album especially given the Norwegian roots. Feels different from other rock albums but still retains that rocker essence.

Moondance

Van Morrison

4/5

I first discovered this album, and more so the title song, back in high school. A girl I was dating had told me to listen to it and it was around that time that I had really been hearing a lot of this sort of classic rock. The relationship did not last very long, but my love for this song did. Even when I hear it now, I don't think about her so much as I think about me in high school during that time with my old radio cd player in my room. Into the Mystic is also a classic on here. Really glad this album made it on here!

Lady In Satin

Billie Holiday

3/5

Always love Billie Holiday, but for some reason this album didn't connect with me. All of the songs had the same sort of ethereal jazz background that reminded me of In the Wee Small Hours from Sinatra. Billie is a queen, there is no disputing that, but all the songs of hers that I love were not on this album and I'm not sure if we will get another of hers (or maybe we did, it's been almost 1000 at this point). Either way, I'm glad she made an appearance.

Murmur

R.E.M.

4/5

Two REMs in one week, what is this? My sleep cycle? Just kidding, I sleep pretty good mostly. After listening, this might be my favorite of the REM albums. I say that both because I don't think I skipped any songs, but also I just really liked a lot of them. Many of the other albums went in one ear and out the other, but this one I had to pause at moments because some songs sounded so familiar. I kept a bunch from this one: Radio Free Europe, Laughing, Moral Kiosk, and Perfect Circle. The last one there reminded me of some other songs I heard, really great melodies. Very happy we got this album.

Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes

TV On The Radio

3/5

This was a unique album only in the sense that it felt different than a lot of the stuff we’ve gotten recently. I love the album cover and I only kept one song, but I’ll take this over many others we have gotten.

Stripped

Christina Aguilera

3/5

I never got into Christina when I was younger beyond radio singles. I was in the Spears boat as a fan, but these are the albums that get me excited on this list. The ones I truly missed while growing up, not some 60's UK folk album that no one remembers. I will give a ding for all the interludes, a product of its time but still. I know I've heard Fighter before and Beautiful is a classic. Glad this one made it on here, but it's funny I wonder if she was going for the Hip Hop cred having so many interludes and an album clocking right in at that CD max of hr 20. I think the album is a bit long in the tooth, but not going to complain.

Greetings From L.A.

Tim Buckley

4/5

I actually enjoyed this album, I'm not the biggest fan of ol Timmy from the ones we have gotten on this list, but this one got me. I think the vibe of LA with a more rockish type energy on some of these songs is what did it. He still goes into some spots that can I can't really follow, but for the most part I found myself connecting.

Me Against The World

2Pac

4/5

I wish we could have gotten the 2Pacs in order of release but I fear this will be the only one. I didn’t connect with every song but this was a good album. Loved the mix of some jazz and beats along with the poetry of his lyrics. Guy had a lot of passion and worry.

Heaux Tales

Jazmine Sullivan

4/5

These are the albums I wait for on this list. Newer albums that I didn't even know existed but are right up my alley. Also want to praise the use of Tales instead of Interludes. Often those interludes are pointless and annoying but these were filled with stories of the female experience, very unique. I loved almost all the tracks but I think those tales were my favorite part.

Back to Mystery City

Hanoi Rocks

1/5

The one album not on apple music, after the last two really great albums, I'm glad I don't have to listen to this one.

Venus Luxure No. 1 Baby

Girls Against Boys

3/5

I gotta say, I enjoyed this album, listened to it start to finished and don’t remember much beyond some riffs.

New Forms

Roni Size

3/5

Very out there and interesting album. Apple only had some 50 track version so I listened to the first disc. A lot of this reminded me of Jet Set Radio Future which was a plus!

Dirty

Sonic Youth

2/5

Pretty decent but not sure why it’s on here

Peggy Suicide

Julian Cope

3/5

The cover and first few songs had me thinking this was a nightmare but as the album went on there were quite a few fun songs. Like a sort of lite rock or something. I can sort of see why it’s on this list.

McCartney

Paul McCartney

2/5

Maybe I’m Amazed is a song I’ve heard in the past, the rest was basically new but also didn’t really move me. Not sure why this one is on here sorry Paul!

Planet Rock: The Album

Afrika Bambaataa

3/5

Love this album cover! This was a funky cool hip hop album that I don’t think reaches the heights of some of the albums that follow it in the genre, but it feels necessary that it maybe inspired some future groups and artists

I Am a Bird Now

Antony and the Johnsons

3/5

Pretty good! Enjoyed it more in that I got to listen with Stevie while he drove me to the airport. Wasn’t a huge fan but liked some of the pianos. I’ll take it over the UK mediocrity.

BEYONCÉ

Beyoncé

4/5

I’m a huge Beyoncé fan and a few years ago I got all her CDs to listen through in car rides. I really enjoyed this particular album and I’m not sure if I would have when it came out with the visual album and all that but I liked it. She always had something fresh on her albums and this one felt like she was reclaiming some power which was great.

Junkyard

The Birthday Party

2/5

No thanks

Repeater

Fugazi

3/5

Pretty basic 90’s rock. Not sure why this one is on the list.

Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music

Ray Charles

4/5

Wow this was great. I feel like we’ve been waiting for this one. Some classic renditions that overall reminded me of Sinatra and some old country singers. Not every song kept me but plenty stood out. This is a fantastic album.

The Slider

T. Rex

2/5

Album was fine, I don’t think I’m a T. rex fan because I think we got another a while back and I felt the same way. Just newer England rock. I’m over that genre. At this point it seems like any bloke across the pond who picked up a guitar is on this list.

Moss Side Story

Barry Adamson

3/5

When I read that this was a concept album of a non existent neo noir type film I was instantly hooked. When I listened to it, however, it was not what I was expecting. Many tracks, especially the first were almost too scary to listen to. Like a ghost recording or something. But you had the classic chase scene type investigation at night music which I liked. Overall I'm glad this was on here because this is super unique. I'd love to see more people try this in modern day.

Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo

Devo

3/5

I did not really connect with this album, and it's listed on apple as their top one. I don't know if I would agree. It was fine, but nothing really capture me like their album with whip it.

Wonderful Rainbow

Lightning Bolt

2/5

All music is art, but not all art is music. I think about all the movies, shows, and books I've read, specifically Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Foxtrot where an older brother is jamming out in the garage with his "band" and just doing a terrible job. Doesn't sound like music, is just dudes being guys whamming on their strings and drums. That's what this reminded me of. I don't think we have heard that type of true grunge and in that space I'd say this is a welcome addition to the list but I was not a fan.

Fever Ray

2/5

Ah Swedish electronic music. Makes me think of all the better electronic albums that aren’t on this list but Sweden is much closer to the UK.

...The Dandy Warhols Come Down

The Dandy Warhols

3/5

Call me a dandy because I enjoyed this album a lot! Felt like a true late 90's rock type album. Even listening to it reminded me of the 90's. I kept Not if you were the last junkie on earth and Every Day Should Be a Holiday. Some really fun stuff.

(Pronounced 'Leh-'Nérd 'Skin-'Nérd)

Lynyrd Skynyrd

5/5

Been waiting for some five star swamp rock! One of those albums that just captures so much about rock and roll. Tuesday's Gone (should be played every week), Gimme Three Steps, Simple Man, Free Bird. All stone cold classics, and the other songs I know less are pretty great too. Just an overall vibe of driving in the everglades or something on a propeller boat.

Bat Out Of Hell

Meat Loaf

4/5

So glad we got this, I hadn’t heard it before but maybe once. I liked Bat Out of Hell quite a bit and many of the others had moments of excitement too. Mixed with moments of sad boy rock with the pianos and wailing. I’ve never been a huge meatloaf fan but it was a good time.

This Nation’s Saving Grace

The Fall

2/5

Just when you thought there couldn’t be any more UK punk type albums they keep coming out of the wood work.

Logical Progression

LTJ Bukem

3/5

Wasn’t sure if I was listening to the right album at first as it was listed as a compilation and like 3 hours long, but I’m always a fan of ambient type music

Throwing Muses

1/5

Look, we are getting to the end of this list and I’m getting really tired of British albums on here. That’s number one, number two is when iTunes doesn’t even have this album, but maybe they do and it’s from 2003? I don’t know and honestly I’m at the point of not caring. I can’t take many more like this.

Imagine

John Lennon

3/5

Ol Lennon at it again. Dude hot boxed in some closet before taking this photo I think. Look, I'm not a huge Lennon fan, and I think I liked his other album better. Imagine is a classic, no doubt there, but I laughed pretty hard that a song called "Jealous Guy" has Yoko Ono on it, something about that is really funny to me.

Strangeways, Here We Come

The Smiths

3/5

Oh look more Smiths! Or is this our first? It’s hard to tell when I see English rock because they all blend together at this point.

Henry's Dream

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

2/5

I’m reading Nick Cave wasn’t a fan of the production on this one and I agree with him.

Electric Prunes

The Electric Prunes

2/5

Oh good! Another late 60’s rock album.

Elvis Presley

3/5

As a debut this is great stuff but there’s covers on here and I wouldn’t really call that genuine for a debut especially at 29 minutes. Of course we get blue suede shoes which is a classic but others like tutti-frutti I know have been done before.

Tical

Method Man

3/5

This was a much better album than the last few we have gotten just due to it not being some old 60's rock album. I'm not a huge Method fan and this didn't change my opinion but I'm always happy to get some more hip hop education.

Third

Portishead

3/5

I think we got a portishead album prior that I wasn't a fan of, and while I'm not a huge fan of this one either, I liked it better than the last. Just a little too unsettling for my taste.

LP1

FKA twigs

3/5

These are the albums that should be on the list, fresh and unique. I enjoyed a few songs but each one got to a point where it’s like it dropped the ball at some moment. Hard to describe but I’d wait for some crescendo or beat and it either didn’t come or it twisted into something else.

Justified

Justin Timberlake

3/5

I feel like this album was a hit back when it came out but I didn't listen to it. Was never a Timberlake fan except for his stints on SNL. But there are some classics on here like Cry Me a River and Rock Your Body. It has that early 2000's charm of that sort of hip hop dance type music.

Jazz Samba

Stan Getz

4/5

Another awesome jazz album, with a samba flair per the title and its a perfect blend. Felt like I was at the Rivera on a balcony in the summer looking out at the ocean, a drink in my hand and a cool breeze at my back.

The White Room

The KLF

3/5

Nice 90’s electronic, sometimes I appreciate when there are vocals with electronics but this also felt like the kind of album you’d hear in a 90’s casino elevator or found in the dollar bin for CDs and cassettes. I did notice the country of origin and that made things more clear.

Rapture

Anita Baker

4/5

Great album, not sure I’ve heard any Anita Baker before but the name is famous. This was an awesome R&B type album, not sure it’s a current day type but for late 80’s it fits perfectly. Loved Caught Up in the Rapture and No One in the World.

Astral Weeks

Van Morrison

3/5

Another fun Van Morrison album though I liked the other more. Astral Weeks was a keeper for sure, some of the others felt in one ear out the other, but his voice is so unique I was happy to listen.

Punishing Kiss

Ute Lemper

1/5

Talk about a punishing kiss, someone singing both Nick Cave and Tom Waits. I need someone to tell me why we have this album on here, not only is it not worth a listen (I'd rather listen to Kids Bop) but it shouldn't be on this list.

One World

John Martyn

2/5

You'd think with a list of ONLY 1001 albums from all of civilization that we would get more variety but this list was so scared that they even went to British pop before they tried so many others. This is like if Tom Waits got one of the flies out of his throat, still sounds bad but not as bad.

A Hard Day's Night

Beatles

3/5

After a week of truly terrible albums, in a month of really blah albums (saying that because we did get a few good ones) we have arrived at possibly the last Beatles album? Either way I'm just grateful we got something good. The past month I've been like middle John searching for something good. I've tried to be like George far left, giving these albums a chance. But most of the time I end up like far left and middle Paul in my questioning and disgust respectfully. Sadly, I worry I'll end up like far left Ringo by the end of this list, disappointed at all the wasted album choices.

Among The Living

Anthrax

4/5

Great album to end the work week on. Especially since my entire company went down this morning with the Crowdstrike/Microsoft update, but I had my laptop off so I was spared. You could say that I'm Among the Living. I enjoyed reading that they opened for Metallica for a while because they sound similar, in a good way. Sort of longer songs, but their vocalist reminds me more of Iron Maiden in some ways (they even have a similar song about Native Americans). Either way, this was a great album.

Sulk

The Associates

2/5

Is this the same Gloomy Sunday by Bjork on Stormy Weather? That’s the only thing intriguing about this album.

Peter Gabriel 3

Peter Gabriel

3/5

Another cool Gabriel album! Hadn't heard it before, but through Dad I have heard Games Without Frontiers quite a bit. The funny piece is that I had no idea Kate Bush is the female voice on that song or that she is speaking French (I think). Back then lyrics didn't come up on your screen so easily. Reading through how he made this album really enhanced listening to it, though it didn't give me any more songs beyond GWF. I did like Bilko but this album felt more like an experiment which I give him credit for (and Phil on the drums!)

In Our Heads

Hot Chip

4/5

Very interesting album, reminded me of Dirty South but then also like a 60’s British folk it was fascinating. A worthy British inclusion, and it’s interesting to see clear differences in electronic construction and execution by someone from UK vs US. Very cool culturally.

Blunderbuss

Jack White

3/5

Always glad for more Jack. It doesn’t quite hit the heights of White Stripes but it’s still enjoyable and another fun inclusion on here.

Tusk

Fleetwood Mac

3/5

I can see why this album didn’t perform commercially, it’s kind of all over the place. There were a few good songs but nothing too memorable. I knew this would be on here though and I’m glad I got to listen through.

Third/Sister Lovers

Big Star

2/5

This felt like an almost less than basic rock album. I see it’s on a bunch of lists but I’m not sure why. Maybe because of it tracking the downfall of the band and singer. People love watching car crashes.

Os Mutantes

3/5

Weird little album that I’m glad was on here. Very creepy but also psychedelic. A strange brew.

Ellington at Newport

Duke Ellington

3/5

Was not expecting a Duke Ellington live album. Could they not bring themselves to include any more of his regular albums? I have to support Duke but I’m peeved.

Tarkus

Emerson, Lake & Palmer

3/5

That first track was insane, reminded me of 2112 by Rush. The others didn’t hit as much but when you have an album cover like this do you need anything else?

Back to Basics

Christina Aguilera

3/5

Interesting album! Did it need to be this long? Lots of burlesque type songs (probably a preview for her future album/movie). Also I started realizing she could have killed as a country singer. She sounds a lot like Carrie Underwood in some of these. I love her voice but don’t really connect to the songs. I did keep Slow Down Baby.

Immigrés

Youssou N'Dour

3/5

This was a fun album! Only four tracks but they were long. Parts of the drums reminded me of similar percussions on the Black Panther scores.

Snivilisation

Orbital

3/5

I think this band should have only gotten one spot on this list and it should have been this album. Much better than the last one!

The Last Of The True Believers

Nanci Griffith

4/5

This was an awesome album. Like a Joni Mitchell meets small town country. Have we gotten more of her albums? We should.

Rust In Peace

Megadeth

4/5

Another rocking Megadeth album, had tinges of other great artists like them. This album must have had the same artist who did Iron Maiden. Seeing a shackled skeleton attempt to activate an alien with a glowing green object as government suits look upon in Hangar 18 makes for a great listening experience. I kept Holy Wars, Hangar 18, and Poison Was the Cure.

G. Love And Special Sauce

G. Love & Special Sauce

3/5

This was a funky one, in a good way. Reminded me of Sublime in some ways. Great to get the variety but it wasn't super memorable.

Dr. Octagonecologyst

Dr. Octagon

3/5

Another cool 90’s album. Felt pieces of the hip hop in Reanimation and also on Jet Set Radio Future. That latch brothers sound. Very chill and underground.

Joan Baez

3/5

Another fun female folk album, we are eating good in the sense that we haven't gotten any cringe or UK type albums in what feels like a week. I know I am jinxing myself by typing this out but it needs to be said. There are some good albums in this list.

So Much For The City

The Thrills

2/5

Well the streak had to end sometime. I don't care if Say It Ain't So was on George W Bush's iPod, this album didn't need to be on this list.

Hunky Dory

David Bowie

3/5

Some classics on here for sure. They say this is when he started getting good but I'm not a big enough fan to tell the difference between it and his other albums we have gotten. I did love that there is a song called Queen Bitch.

Come Away With Me

Norah Jones

3/5

Here's an early 00's classic. The kind of album that was always on in coffee shops or in the morning as you sip your coffee staring out at the world. Very easy listening.

Brutal Youth

Elvis Costello

2/5

Oh great another Costello album. I kept one song on here but more for the music than him. Enough of this guy!

In A Silent Way

Miles Davis

4/5

Wow, you know you have something special when you can release an album with two 15 min tracks. So glad we got another Miles album, and one I hadn’t heard before!

Led Zeppelin IV

Led Zeppelin

5/5

We are eating good today! Like the man on the cover, I imagine he went into Sunday not sure what was up, how much wood he would collect, but turns out the gods smile on you sometimes and he came back with one of the biggest bundles of sticks ever captured on an album cover. Seeing the cover enlarged I am not realizing it is a painting hanging on a wall. Incredible. While this isn't my favorite LZ album, it's one of the greats. Black Dog, Rock and Roll, Stairway to Heaven, Misty Mountain Hop, and one of my favs When the Levee Breaks.

Shadowland

k.d. lang

3/5

Always happy to get some KD, she's a Pee Wee alum. I listened to the album all the way through and enjoyed it, but nothing to write home about.

Mr. Tambourine Man

The Byrds

3/5

Ah more 60's rock! I can't complain too much because this is a debut album from an American rock band. Even so, this felt like a lot of the other albums we have listened to. I'd argue it would have played better if we had heard this towards the beginning of this journey, not the end.

Suicide

2/5

What an eh album. Nothing particularly bad about it, just very bland and had a sort of white noise in the background of all the songs. Also weird that they had a remaster in 2009 and 2017 on Apple, who remasters something that frequently? Especially something like this.

Raw Like Sushi

Neneh Cherry

3/5

Very cool Hip Hop type album and she is Swedish! Does that mean this is a UK album? I'm not sure where it was produced but this was a fun one. Reminded me of a lot of the early 90's hip hop pop similar to this. But I enjoyed the lead Buffalo Stance, The Next Generation, Outre Risque Locomotive.

Sticky Fingers

The Rolling Stones

4/5

Is this their best known album? I don't keep track of these stones as they roll. This might be my favorite of their albums (though I can't confirm not seeing my other ratings). Regardless, felt like a great rock/blues album. Brown Sugar, Wild Horses, and Can't You Hear Me Knocking were all keepers. Hopefully this is the last stones album. At this point with so little albums left the variety has to be there now that we have moved past so many of these.

Aha Shake Heartbreak

Kings of Leon

2/5

We’ve had too many Kings of Leon albums on here, this one made no sense in its inclusion.

All That You Can't Leave Behind

U2

3/5

I figured we’d be getting the last hidden albums we were missing in this list but it’s starting to look like we are getting the last albums of the same bands we keep hearing. Is this our third U2? Who knows or cares. They have a unique sound that is squarely stuck in the 00’s (yes even their older stuff). Beautiful Day is a classic and all the others are upbeat in their own way but I’m good on U2 just the same as I’m good with all the other groups that this list feels need this much exposure.

Beyond Skin

Nitin Sawhney

3/5

I'm actually glad we got this, very different and right up my alley. I love Indian/Pakistani music, and some moments in this album I really liked. My issue is that for every great thing on here there was something that made me skip the song. Nadia, for example, had fantastic lyrics that I immediately feel for but then the beats and clicks were way too fast for the music. Others similar to that prevented me from keeping many I would have because I know if they came up in the playlist I'd like them for a bit and then skip. I felt like the guy on the cover, fully absorbing but also turning to stone.

Talking With the Taxman About Poetry

Billy Bragg

2/5

You know this list feels guilty about an entry when they don't tell you the country of origin. Of course, they forgot to delete the part that says this charted at #29 in the UK. You can run but you can't hide. Welp, I listened and it's exactly as I thought it would be which is disappointing. These are the days, however, that I'm grateful we switched to an album every single day because there is always tomorrow and we are so close to the end.

Live / Dead

Grateful Dead

2/5

Did we get any Grateful Dead that isn't live? It's funny, I feel like they are one of the few bands that can get away with it since a lot of their magic came from their live performances. That doesn't mean I'm letting them get away with it. I'd give this album a 3 star but will be giving it a 2 for the live aspect as this is a wasted spot. Killer sound, killer cover.

B-52's

The B-52's

3/5

A very fun album I’ve been waiting for. I remember when I was younger watching family guy and first hearing that song. I knew other B-52 songs but not that one and it got stuck in my head. Dance This Mess Around also got stuck on this listen. And I really enjoyed the opening of Planet Claire.

Oxygène

Jean-Michel Jarre

3/5

French Ambiance? What is this, the Olympics? If only this had come out a few weeks ago, but either way I can't pass up an ambient album. Especially one with a skull over the earth. Unfortunately, the songs do tend to blend together, both by design and sonically. I went to random portions of each song and they all had the same tunes at times. An eerie haunted house type vibe which I dug! But it still leans towards repetitive if you're focused on it. As background music it was great.

Lost Souls

Doves

3/5

Ah British Indie Rock. This had a unique sort of psych rock feel to it but nothing felt out of the ordinary. I liked the first song as it was mostly instrumental.

Deserter's Songs

Mercury Rev

2/5

I knew I should have given the last album a 2 star, this is algorithm type garbage. Just because we had one sort of good British rock band doesn’t mean we need another even worse one the next day. What did we do wrong?!

The Yes Album

Yes

3/5

Owner of a Lonely Heart is one of my favorite rock/pop songs. I can never stop listening to it, it's always stuck in my head,, and I didn't realize they were British! And that the song isn't on this album so I doubt we will hear it, but hey maybe being British they will get all their albums on here in the final stretch. This had a few fun moments but overall felt like another British rock band.

Peter Gabriel

3/5

I am a huge Gabriel fan thanks to our dad, but I never got into his albums, just the songs themselves. I had no idea that Solsbury Hill was on his debut, this is one of my favs. It was on a compilation album called Journey's or something that had some other soft rock songs on it from those you'd expect, but this song was always so uplifting to me. I specifically have a memory of going to some type of petting zoo in Illinois when I was very young with Aunt Sue and Uncle Tony and my brother and mom had this playing in the car. That's the power of music in my eyes. Songs that are so powerful that they have the ability to capture sights, sounds, and smells of the past that can come flooding back as soon as the song plays. The rest of the album was enjoyable, but none of the songs hit that height most likely due to no memory attached.

Cosmo's Factory

Creedence Clearwater Revival

4/5

Another CCR!! I have to note that Travelin Band is a clear rip of of Tooty Fruity, pretty insane. Overall this was a great album, though it seems like they were maybe doing some covers like Heard it Through Grapevine, too. But it has some of the hard hitters like Run Through the Jungle, Up Around the Bend, and Who'll Stop the Rain. This was a great album despite some flaws. CCR delivers.

Fun House

The Stooges

3/5

What an epic album cover. This was a fun rock album, I'm not sure we have heard the Stooges yet. I'm not sure I'd put them on any list, but it was nice to hear what felt like some fresh rock from the day.

Lam Toro

Baaba Maal

4/5

If his voice sounds familiar, that’s because he was tapped for both Black Panther films as part of their music. Such a good voice that carries so much weight to it. I’m shocked he showed up on here but well deserved. Hamady Boiro even opens with a similar drum beat to some of the BP themes.

Pictures At An Exhibition

Emerson, Lake & Palmer

1/5

Live English rock…guess I get the day off.

I Against I

Bad Brains

3/5

Interesting mix of genres, kind of a hip hop alternative mashup. Glad it's on here!

Scott 4

Scott Walker

2/5

Album releases and fails to chart, radar goes off at 1001 HQ “looks like we found another contender”. Not quite Tom Waits but close enough. We are so close to the end of this list and yet we keep getting stinkers. I can’t wait till this is done to math out the percentage of this list that shouldn’t be on here.

Idlewild

Everything But The Girl

2/5

I listened to this showering this morning and then while eating breakfast. Especially hit hard on Goodbye Sunday even though today is Tuesday. This felt like the kind of album that played in elevators or malls in the 80’s and I laugh because at that point I’m like why is this on the list and of course it’s a 4th album by a British band. Say no more. Not sure this needed to be here.

21

Adele

3/5

Ah here we go again. This list loves British artists for some reason, huh? Only kidding, Adele is a global treasure at this point. I've never been a fan save for a few singles, most of which appear on this album. This is an obvious inclusion on this list, I can't deny that, but for me it's nothing to write home about. Rolling in the Deep, Rumour Has It, Set Fire to the Rain, and Someone Like You flooded the airwaves back in the day and it was unavoidable. Some of them are catchy and show someone mastering their vocal skills while lamenting past relationships.

Very

Pet Shop Boys

3/5

I enjoy a good pet shop boys song, but as this album went on they all started sounding the same. I feel like I’ve heard Can You Forgive Her before but not sure where.

So

Peter Gabriel

4/5

Finally! Arguably the best Gabriel album, certainly my favorite. I think my first memory of this album is listening to it in California as we drove around to Disney and Legoland back in the day. Dad would play these on repeat and continuously play sledgehammer and big time to act out the bits at the beginning “higher” and the flute. On top of that you’ve got Red Rain, Don’t Give Up, and That Voice Again. And lest we forget In Your Eyes, which I’m sure he loved because of Say Anything. Perfect album to end the week on.

I Should Coco

Supergrass

3/5

Seeing another british band put me at such low expectations that I actually enjoyed some of these songs.

The Coral

3/5

No info in the wiki here but a quick mention on apple reveals yet another British band. And, to be fair, another instance of some not bad British music. It’s one thing when it’s the same stuff over and over but this felt fresh while also being distinctly British. I felt that most highlighted on Waiting for the Heartaches.

Queen II

Queen

3/5

Oh great, yet another British rock band. Kidding! I really feel bad because I did not come into this list thinking these posts would turn into Anti-British music creation so I must stress that I have nothing against any of these bands as people or as they pursued their dreams of fame. My Ogre Battle is with this list and the Fairy Feller's who thought their Master-Stroke was to limit themselves to such a narrow grouping of music when they should have been scanning the entire Seven Seas (of Rhye) to find music that the world needs to hear. Some Day One Day this list could be edited and transformed, most likely due to all the submissions listeners will add to this list so the Loser in the End will be the people behind this list who can no longer justify the inclusion of some of these as we cry out "Nevermore"! Funny How Love Is sometimes. But back to our Black/White Queens here as they March through their second album. As It Began I immediately noticed this being of their more folksy qualities but you can hear many hints at their hard rock future.

Safe As Milk

Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band

2/5

Hey I call them when I see this, this is just as unnecessary as the British version. We’ve had a bunch of psych rock already, next!

Heroes to Zeros

The Beta Band

3/5

Cool album cover by comic artist Kaare Andrews, very rarely do I know the people who make album covers so that was cool. This was a unique album that I think fits on this list. I saved a few songs and I'm not exactly sure what this was, some kind of etherial rock? I dug it.

If I Could Only Remember My Name

David Crosby

3/5

The kind of music that plays as the beach is winding down, not too different from this album cover. Sun setting, etc. Did we ever get any CSN or just their offshoots? Either way, this was a fine and decent album.

Two Dancers

Wild Beasts

2/5

Ok but it’s pretty wild that most of the newer albums on here are British. Can we get a cross section on that? How many albums post like 2003 or something. It’s crazy. We did also get maybe 3 kings of Leon though. After listening, I stand by my first-thing-in-the-morning reaction. This didn't need to be on here.

Green Onions

Booker T. & The MG's

4/5

Great album. Green Onions will always remind me of Sandlot. The tones in that song permeate through all the other songs on the album so it can seem repetitive at times, but that’s not always a bad thing. I love the organ.

The Madcap Laughs

Syd Barrett

2/5

British singer song writer? If it wasn’t by someone in Pink Floyd that would be a huge red flag. Now that I have listened, that flag was justified.

Ctrl

SZA

5/5

Now here is an an album that is newer and better than so many on here and totally worth the inclusion. I had listened to SZAs mixtape prior to this and thought it was pretty good but this really cemented her as a phenom (funny because some of these British bands it took them 5-10 terrible albums to get there and she did it in one). I remember this was an album I downloaded to listen to on a plane ride right around when it came out. I'm still trying to figure out where her new album stacks up with this one because it is equally as good. Kept: Love Galore, Drew Barrymore, The Weekend, Go Gina, and 20 Something. Also kudos to her releasing her deluxe album 5 years later vs the following week. I'm sure that really messed with her streams but she seems like someone who doesn't need that validation.

Mama Said Knock You Out

LL Cool J

3/5

Was not expecting LL Cool J on here! I've heard Mama Said Knock You Out but somehow didn't connect that to him. I also really enjoyed Around the Way Girl and Mr. Good Bar. Not too many memorable moments beyond that, but overall the album was a great listen while outside biking.

Your Arsenal

Morrissey

2/5

I know I've heard the first song on here before, but the rest was unknown and will probably stay that way. Some good lines, I liked "We hate it when our friends become successful" that felt very modern day. Otherwise it was a forgettable album.

16 Lovers Lane

The Go-Betweens

2/5

Another middle of the road album that begs the question "why is this on the list". Sounded like a lot of others we have heard.

You've Come a Long Way Baby

Fatboy Slim

3/5

This was a blast. Some parts hung out too long but there were a few classics in here and some new ones I liked. Right Here, Right Now, Rockefeller Stank, and Praise You.

The Wall

Pink Floyd

4/5

I have a feeling this is the last Floyd album on here. It’s a doozy too. All the classics are here like Another Brick in the Wall, Comfortably Numb, Hey You, I also have always been a fan of Run Like Hell. Not every song works and it’s fine when the album is as long as this. But it’s still a feat to behold all together.

Foxbase Alpha

Saint Etienne

3/5

90’s UK Club music? Not bad. Interesting to listen too from a list perspective but nothing to write home about.

Iron Maiden

4/5

At this point in the list I have to say it...another UK rock band lol. Iron Maiden's beginnings is a welcome inclusion especially after the great albums we have gotten from them on here. I made a point to try to listen to all their albums to find any nuggets but unfortunately what I found was a lot of it blended together so I think the better path is to listen to one at a time. Certainly made this listen enjoyable. Also can't forget to mention the awesome art work. This one kicked off what would turn into better and better depictions of these skeleton demons. I'm saving Prowler, Transylvania, and Iron Maiden.

Neon Bible

Arcade Fire

3/5

Eh, had some good moments but not enough to justify being on here. Especially since I think we got an album of theirs already.

The Colour Of Spring

Talk Talk

2/5

I actually enjoyed the first song on here. Then it just felt like one long song after another. I was looking forward to Life’s What You Make it because I foolishly thought it was the original of the Hannah Montana assumed cover and was very wrong.

The Modern Dance

Pere Ubu

2/5

not a fan of this one, not sure why it's on here unless it has some type of uniqueness in the way you can't hear the guy (I can't remember the name of the band but the guy sings "psycho killer kitskisee fa fafa fa fa fa fafa fa fa, that's who this sounded like). The music sounded the same across the album, too.

Cupid & Psyche 85

Scritti Politti

3/5

This album has a lot of the same sound as The 1975. I actually dug this one. Yeah it’s British pop, but it hooked me.

You Are The Quarry

Morrissey

2/5

Oh great, more morrissey, just what we needed.

Ogden's Nut Gone Flake

Small Faces

2/5

Part of me likes what they are trying to do here with this “concept” album, but the rest of me has listened to over 1000 albums on this list and many have sounded just like this one.

Destroy Rock & Roll

Mylo

4/5

Great inclusion! The only album from a Scottish producer and DJ. Very enjoyable with a lot of fun beats and as I combed through it again I noticed most of them sounded different which is a bonus compared to some of the electronic albums we have gotten. Always happy to hear beats like this on a Monday morning. Kept Valley of the Dolls, In My Arms, and Otto's Journey.

The Band

2/5

Apple described this as log cabin music but I'm not so sure. It did feel like that long live the south type music with these mountain men on the front cover but there's other rock bands I'd rather listen to in a cabin. I'm not sure if the band The Band is famous but none of the songs really connected for me. No distinct sound compared to something like CCR.

The Beach Boys Today!

The Beach Boys

3/5

More Beach Boys! When I Grow Up was very interesting and in a way haunting. Help Me Ronda is a classic. Just another fun beach album to listen to while driving to the beach in California in the 60's. In some ways, though, it's also an album you'd listen to as the sun is setting on the beach and you're looking out your window because your parents wouldn't let you go. Lots of retrospective songs on here about being too young for things or being worried about something. Very interesting.

Blood, Sweat & Tears

5/5

Holy cow. I just have to note that sunshine of your love is buried within Blues Pt 2. This is the album I was waiting for. An out of the blue banger. I was listening while working and really enjoyed Smiling Phases and then my ears perked up at And When I Die, existential song wrapped in folksy cowboy ragtime. I loved the genuine lyrics on You’ve Made Me So Very Happy, sent that one to my wife. And then I had to pause because I had some presentations today at work. Now here I am in the evening and started back up on Blues pt 2 and got lost in it, had no idea it was 11 mins, I was so concerned it was part of the deluxe version because it felt so out there but that song is on the regular album so that just catapulted this one for me. Jazz, 60’s pop rock. A mix of mountain music CCR and Dave Brubeck and blues too! God Bless this Child has western harmonica moments along with a giant Tito puente jazz fusion number. Been a while since I’ve done a 5 star but this needs it.

Devotional Songs

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

4/5

Huge shout out to my brother for finding this on Apple, not sure why they are trying to hide it under other artist names. As good as I’d hoped it to be, a very methodical singing that at times could get repetitive but was still great. A double LP at an hour and a half with longer tracks, too, a bold play.

Physical Graffiti

Led Zeppelin

5/5

I’ve talked about synchronicities on here before. Just yesterday I started listening to this album while cooking dinner so this is kind of blowing my mind. What a week. I’ve recently started wondering what a list of my favorite songs would be because of how much I love Kashmir. I say that because I just woke up to it since it’s my alarm. In fact, in order to make a song your alarm with Apple you have to have it in your library (not a playlist) so I had added Physical Graffiti to mine earlier this week hence me listening while cooking. Coincidence? As I listened today, I started wondering if this is my favorite Zepplin album. I ended up keeping the first 6 songs in a row and I think Kashmir might be my favorite Zep song, but then Whole Lotta Love…that’s a whole different conversation. But then a couple popped up that I wasn’t a huge fan of and then got a few more good ones with Night Flight and The Wonton Song. This has been a good week of music so while I’d probably call this a 4.5, I’m giving another 5 star.

It's Too Late to Stop Now

Van Morrison

1/5

Live double album, wow. It may be too late for Van Morrison to stop now, but I can and I will.

The Idiot

Iggy Pop

2/5

Didn’t realize this was his debut so I guess that makes sense it’s on here because I couldn’t find any other reason. Confirmed I’m not an Iggy Pop fan, I couldn’t make it through most of these. Nice album title.

Youth And Young Manhood

Kings of Leon

2/5

No way we have another kings of Leon this is insane!! Now that I’ve listened it’s indeed insane. Another unnecessary album especially after we have gotten at least two others. KoL is worth that one album but not this many.

good kid, m.A.A.d city

Kendrick Lamar

4/5

The perfect palate cleanser after some of the trash we have gotten this week. Been waiting for this one to arrive, especially after it was chosen in Apple's top 100 albums. While I have a different Kendrick ranking than some and wouldn't put this above a few others, this is still a solid and powerful album. It will always remind me of hanging in the house that my brother and I rented in college as he played the vinyl in the living room. All these songs bring back those memories and that makes this more special than the songs themselves. Backseat Freestyle was my favorite from the album and something I listened to constantly as I roamed the lots in my parking services truck. Bitch Don't Kill My Vibe, Art of Peer Pressure, Money Trees, Poetic Justice, and Swimming Pools are all keepers for me. I could never understand if you were supposed to listen to the deluxe version or original because there were so many versions of this and that always frustrated me too. I just want an album to be what it needs to be, I'm tired of the deluxe business.

Veckatimest

Grizzly Bear

3/5

Kind of a quiet in the forest type album, not sure why it’s on here but better than another Kings of Leon.

School's Out

Alice Cooper

2/5

Schools Out is a bonafide classic, the song, not so much the album. It sadly fell into the in one ear and out the other category. With less than ten tracks at a quick 37 mins I’m not sure what the plan was. But that first song was a classic jam on guitar hero and always will be a great summer rock anthem.

Who Killed...... The Zutons?

The Zutons

3/5

Every time I hear one of these albums and wonder why it’s on here I somehow forget to think it being British. Kind of a hipster sound and not bad, but just another waste of a spot.

What's Going On

Marvin Gaye

5/5

Another titan we have been waiting for. A few years back I’d listen to this album while falling asleep. It’s so breezy yet the lyrics are very political. It’s a testament to Gaye that he was able to thread that line. I kept most of the songs but overall this is another five star.

Stankonia

OutKast

4/5

The hits just keep coming. I’ve been waiting for this one! I was excited to see what new things I'd find on here beyond some of the ones I already know like So Fresh, So Clean, Ms Jackson, I'll Call B4 I Cum and BOB. Turned out most of the other songs were skits and a few others I wasn't a huge fan of but I did also keep Humble Mumble mostly because I love Erykah. I think I would still put Speakerboxx/Love Below above this album, but its great none the less.

Cut

The Slits

1/5

been a while since an album has hit all the right beats for a one star. British debut from an overplayed genre with no accolades or reasons why it should be here beyond country of origin, and the album does its best to try to be ska or something but just comes off as annoying.

Atomizer

Big Black

1/5

Two stinkers in a row, this one sounds like grunge alternative. The bass kind of overshadows everything else. It's not British but I think I'd be biased if I didn't also give this 1 star. It doesn't make me as mad as yesterdays album, but I'm still made at the wasted inclusion.

Apple Venus Volume 1

XTC

1/5

Not sure why an album should be on this list if it isn't available for everyone to listen to. Apple music says it can't play in my region. I wonder if I'm being saved from something.

Harvest

Neil Young

4/5

Now here is a classic album I haven't heard before! We get Heart of Gold and Old Man, songs I've heard many times, but I also enjoyed the rest for the most part. I liked Out on the Weekend, too. Felt like a good fall album, especially with all the Harvest talk.

Third

Soft Machine

3/5

Four very long jazz tracks? Color me impressed. When I read the wiki I got very nervous when it said live and studio album, I couldn't tell this was live so I won't count it. These were great songs to have on just like any other jazz type rock album. Very enjoyable.

evermore

Taylor Swift

4/5

Was not expecting this to be on here but I’ll take it! That was the same reaction I had when the album came out in the throws of the pandemic, another folksy forest balm for the fans. It’s hard to separate it from its sister album, and I may enjoy the first more, but they both capture the spirit of fall. That nostalgic memory we all have that never existed sort of thing. Album cover also helps get into that mood. Kept Willow, champagne problems, tis the damn season, tolerate it, no body no crime, and evermore.

Oedipus Schmoedipus

Barry Adamson

3/5

What a wild creepy all over the place album. Should it be on this list? I don't think I can judge as it's something that may need to be heard. Not exactly enjoyed, but there were some nice jazz type moments.

m b v

My Bloody Valentine

2/5

If I wanted to hear one long distorted guitar riff I'd go into my brothers room and do it myself. That's how I felt on multiple tracks on here. Why is this on here? Because it's Anglo-Irish? What does that even mean? Just say Irish. Hm!!! That question made me google and Anglo Irish actually means British Irish so this feels very similar to someone trying to hide their face so they can sneak into a party. Enough with these mediocre British albums!!

World Clique

Deee-Lite

3/5

I'm not sure what the purpose of this album was unless these were songs and styles that set the standard for everyone else? Every song felt like everything I've heard from the 90's. Sort of stuff that was on commercials on TV or kids shows as they danced. If this was the pioneer of that then cool, but something tells me it isn't. Groove is in the Heart is a classic though.

Amnesiac

Radiohead

4/5

Does anyone know why Radiohead sounds like Smashing Pumpkins? I'm sure I said that on another of their albums that were on here. Either way, this was a good one. I keep growing in my fandom of Radiohead, mostly because of our younger brother who is obsessed with them. He made us a Radiohead playlist but it's just all the Radiohead albums. Creative, folksy, sonically unique, and whether it's Smashing Pumpkins or Radiohead, I do love the voice. Feels like good nighttime music while surfing the web or something. Or maybe an Amnesiac wandering the streets after waking up from a coma.

After The Gold Rush

Neil Young

4/5

I thought this was just a line from Kacey Musgraves from Space Cowboy. Yes this album is slow at times and kind of basic, but I think others would describe that as stripped in some sense. All recorded in a basement kind of allows for that. I normally don't like those types of albums but this is an exception. Also glad to see this on the top 100 on apple. Again, not a perfect album, but I can see the heart behind it with some great lyrics that aren't hidden behind a ton of production.

The Man Machine

Kraftwerk

4/5

This might be my favorite kraftwerk so far. I kept Robots, Spacelab, and Man Machine. I really liked the futuristic almost cyberpunk type sound.

The Stone Roses

2/5

Just what we needed, another English Rock debut album. Need I say more? Is it fine? Yes. Does it deserve to be on this list? No.

Forever Changes

Love

3/5

Some of this I enjoyed, the first song I even liked. The rest was kind of a folksy in and out. Especially annoying when I find it's an American band. I enjoyed it more than yesterdays but it's getting ridiculous how many of these there are.

Hms Fable

Shack

3/5

Cool cover! Another just fine UK album that didn’t really need to be on here. But I didn’t hate this one.

Now I Got Worry

The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion

3/5

Some interesting qualities in here but also some kind of obnoxious songs too. I had the volume up high and that first song really set me off. Never heard of this group before and I'm not sure I'll think about them again.

Talk Talk Talk

The Psychedelic Furs

3/5

Pretty in Pink is a classic but in my opinion many of their better songs are on some of the other albums.

Suzanne Vega

4/5

I enjoyed this album quite a bit. Listened while I was driving and the weather was overcast and that felt right. Another great female songwriter that reminded me a bit of Joni at times. The lyrics real stick with me especially on Cracking and Marlene on the Wall.

Ys

Joanna Newsom

3/5

Now this was a unique album. The harp was beautiful, but I wasn’t a huge fan of her voice. Parts I liked but others reminded me too much of Bjork. Either way, a welcome addition to this list.

Pelican West

Haircut 100

3/5

Oh cool another British pop band. I did kind of dig the sound but most of it blended together.

Car Wheels On A Gravel Road

Lucinda Williams

3/5

Listed on Apple as Rock but clearly country. This album cover is awesome too, reminds me of deer camp. I really enjoyed this album! I enjoyed the country elements and it fusing with rock. Glad this was on the list, especially in these final weeks as I'm hoping for more American albums I haven't heard before.

Get Behind Me Satan

The White Stripes

4/5

If only I had listened to this during the day I would have opined that the title of this was an omen for the election in the US today. This was a great album, just like their others. As I say on all the White Stripes, I really enjoy their music and stripped down style. Jack White's voice reminds me of a mix of Robert Plant and Gerard Way. I really liked the exploration in this one, lots of twangs and riffs that go a little bit before bringing back to the song.

You Want It Darker

Leonard Cohen

3/5

The perfect title as the election results are rolling in and the Electoral College makes its voice heard. Leonard is older now, and his voice is deeper, but it's still there. I can't say I love this one any more or less than his others because his music usually falls second to his voice. So distinct.

São Paulo Confessions

Suba

4/5

This album was awesome, again, variety is the spice of life. It was jazz but also almost electronic. Blended a lot of great sounds and brought in vocals in just the right amount of parts. I particularly enjoyed Tantos Desejos, Felicidade, Sereia, Abraco, and Pecados da Madrugada.

Slanted And Enchanted

Pavement

2/5

I’m not sure what this album was trying to be, it had a few good moments but ultimately felt like a mess.

Meat Is Murder

The Smiths

3/5

There is a very 80’s quality in the vocals and arrangements that meets nicely with the guitar/folksy side. I’m glad we got some more Smiths to enjoy.

Pills 'n' Thrills And Bellyaches

Happy Mondays

3/5

Just what we needed here at the end, as if we forgot where this list originated. Not a bad album but no reason to be on this list.

I See You

The xx

3/5

For a minute I thought we had transcended the main list and were starting with user submissions since this felt so new and fresh! 2017, a little electronic, very cool. Turns out this is a British band so that answers my questions. Even though it sounds like this was recorded in the US and some felt familiar. Lips was the highlight for me, but the entire thing was great.

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