Journey Complete!
Finisher #50 to complete the list
View User Albums Summary1090
Albums Rated
3.95
Average Rating
100%
Complete
Violator
Depeche Mode
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Rating Timeline
Taste Profile
2020s
Favorite Decade
Hip-hop
Favorite Genre
US
Top Origin
Enthusiast
Rater Style ?
393
5-Star Albums
9
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Duck Stab/Buster & Glen
The Residents
|
5 | 2.03 | +2.97 |
|
L'Eau Rouge
The Young Gods
|
5 | 2.32 | +2.68 |
|
Opus Dei
Laibach
|
5 | 2.39 | +2.61 |
|
Rock Bottom
Robert Wyatt
|
5 | 2.39 | +2.61 |
|
Third
Soft Machine
|
5 | 2.43 | +2.57 |
|
Suicide
Suicide
|
5 | 2.46 | +2.54 |
|
Boy In Da Corner
Dizzee Rascal
|
5 | 2.57 | +2.43 |
|
Tragic Songs of Life
The Louvin Brothers
|
5 | 2.57 | +2.43 |
|
Chelsea Girl
Nico
|
5 | 2.63 | +2.37 |
|
Trafalgar
Bee Gees
|
5 | 2.63 | +2.37 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs
Derek & The Dominos
|
1 | 3.39 | -2.39 |
|
It's Too Late to Stop Now
Van Morrison
|
1 | 3.25 | -2.25 |
|
Rocks
Aerosmith
|
1 | 3.12 | -2.12 |
|
Songs From The Big Chair
Tears For Fears
|
2 | 3.74 | -1.74 |
|
Brothers In Arms
Dire Straits
|
2 | 3.74 | -1.74 |
|
Dire Straits
Dire Straits
|
2 | 3.72 | -1.72 |
|
Boston
Boston
|
2 | 3.71 | -1.71 |
|
Moondance
Van Morrison
|
2 | 3.71 | -1.71 |
|
Born In The U.S.A.
Bruce Springsteen
|
2 | 3.7 | -1.7 |
|
Back to Mystery City
Hanoi Rocks
|
1 | 2.68 | -1.68 |
Artists
Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Beatles | 7 | 4.86 |
| Tom Waits | 5 | 5 |
| Björk | 4 | 5 |
| Pink Floyd | 4 | 5 |
| Stevie Wonder | 4 | 5 |
| Leonard Cohen | 5 | 4.8 |
| Led Zeppelin | 5 | 4.6 |
| Brian Eno | 5 | 4.6 |
| Metallica | 4 | 4.75 |
| PJ Harvey | 4 | 4.75 |
| Johnny Cash | 3 | 5 |
| Bob Marley & The Wailers | 3 | 5 |
| Nirvana | 3 | 5 |
| Kate Bush | 3 | 5 |
| Yes | 3 | 5 |
| Black Sabbath | 3 | 5 |
| Jimi Hendrix | 3 | 5 |
| Kraftwerk | 3 | 5 |
| The White Stripes | 3 | 5 |
| Michael Jackson | 3 | 5 |
| Bob Dylan | 7 | 4.29 |
| Radiohead | 6 | 4.33 |
| The Who | 5 | 4.4 |
| David Bowie | 9 | 4.11 |
| Queen | 3 | 4.67 |
| Simon & Garfunkel | 3 | 4.67 |
| Kanye West | 3 | 4.67 |
| Beastie Boys | 3 | 4.67 |
| Creedence Clearwater Revival | 3 | 4.67 |
| Public Enemy | 3 | 4.67 |
| The Velvet Underground | 3 | 4.67 |
| The Cure | 3 | 4.67 |
| Kendrick Lamar | 2 | 5 |
| A Tribe Called Quest | 2 | 5 |
| Pavement | 2 | 5 |
| Green Day | 2 | 5 |
| Funkadelic | 2 | 5 |
| Rufus Wainwright | 2 | 5 |
| Van Halen | 2 | 5 |
| ABBA | 2 | 5 |
| Depeche Mode | 2 | 5 |
| OutKast | 2 | 5 |
| Taylor Swift | 2 | 5 |
| Elliott Smith | 2 | 5 |
| Common | 2 | 5 |
| Red Hot Chili Peppers | 2 | 5 |
| LCD Soundsystem | 2 | 5 |
| Portishead | 2 | 5 |
| Amy Winehouse | 2 | 5 |
| Lou Reed | 2 | 5 |
| The xx | 2 | 5 |
| Fiona Apple | 2 | 5 |
| Eminem | 2 | 5 |
| King Crimson | 2 | 5 |
| Willie Nelson | 2 | 5 |
| Dolly Parton | 2 | 5 |
| Love | 2 | 5 |
| Bee Gees | 2 | 5 |
| The Pogues | 2 | 5 |
| Siouxsie And The Banshees | 2 | 5 |
| CHIC | 2 | 5 |
| M.I.A. | 2 | 5 |
| Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds | 5 | 4.2 |
| The Byrds | 5 | 4.2 |
| Talking Heads | 4 | 4.25 |
| Joni Mitchell | 4 | 4.25 |
| Neil Young | 4 | 4.25 |
| Roxy Music | 3 | 4.33 |
| My Bloody Valentine | 3 | 4.33 |
| The Beach Boys | 3 | 4.33 |
| Prince | 3 | 4.33 |
| Nick Drake | 3 | 4.33 |
| Elvis Presley | 3 | 4.33 |
| Pixies | 3 | 4.33 |
| Sonic Youth | 5 | 4 |
Least Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Van Morrison | 3 | 1.67 |
| Public Image Ltd. | 2 | 1.5 |
| Pere Ubu | 2 | 1.5 |
| Aerosmith | 3 | 2 |
Controversial
| Artist | Ratings |
|---|---|
| AC/DC | 2, 5 |
| Iggy Pop | 5, 2 |
| Miles Davis | 3, 2, 5, 5 |
| Neil Young | 5, 2, 5, 5 |
| The Stooges | 2, 3, 5 |
5-Star Albums (393)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
Ice T
5/5
Upon initial contact with Ice-T's music, I had envisioned him to be an ill-mannered and psychologically unstable man with an extremely uneducated and barbaric frame of mind, whose raps displayed nothing but ridiculous jargon, shocking sexual audacity and repulsive images of the ghetto.
However, after further analysis of his music I can deduce that he is the epitome of antidisestablishmentarianism who embodies the entire spectrum of the urban experience and struggle.
But to make things more plain and simple to the layman, I find Ice-T to be the dopest, flyist, O.G. pimp hustler gangster player hardcore motherfucker living today.
To be honest I'm totally and irrevocably on his dick
67 likes
The Offspring
5/5
Offspring is like Taco Bell for Punk. If someone said "I want Mexican food" it isn't my recommendation, but it deserves it own category for just how tasty it can be, ya dig?
66 likes
The B-52's
5/5
The Rocky Horror Picture Show of music.
Step 1. This is so ridiculous.
Step 2. Wow this is hysterical.
Step 3. Why is my head bobbin?
Step 4. There's a Moon in the sky, and it's called the Moon.
Step 5. R O C K L O B S T E R
46 likes
Derek & The Dominos
1/5
Uninspired trash over basic blues backing. If I wanted to listen to this, I can go to a local dive bar on a Tuesday evening show with a bunch of aging rockers who believe in conservative fiscal policy.
37 likes
Leonard Cohen
5/5
INT. Abandoned Cathedral, 5:30 A.M.
A thin ray of light shines on an organist wearing black robes with a Grey stole. He appears to have been awake all night. It is apparent he is playing what appear to be the final chords in a grand symphony.
I love this very much.
34 likes
1-Star Albums (9)
All Ratings
Talking Heads
4/5
Feels very "definition of New Wave"
The Allman Brothers Band
3/5
Decent album, probably better as a live show
The Smashing Pumpkins
4/5
Awesome album, if a bit erratic and superficially moody
The Flaming Lips
5/5
Love this album. Psychedelic, Nostalgic, and a hell of a time.
Duran Duran
4/5
Solid 80s Vibes throughout, very classic
The Doors
4/5
Surprisingly Western, Definitely "Heroin-Feel"
Elvis Costello
3/5
Cruisin' music with an attitude
Sonic Youth
3/5
Background Rage, but it has its place
The Rolling Stones
4/5
The standard for rock, but nothing flashy until the end
The Temptations
4/5
Classic love/heartbreak album that seems to be timeless.
Carole King
5/5
Songwriting Excellence, full of soul
Earth, Wind & Fire
4/5
Classic Album with some fun unexpected twists at the backend. Shiny pop exterior with a nice fullness underneath
Robbie Williams
3/5
Unable to listen on spotify, consider at a later time.
Tears For Fears
2/5
Dreamy and ambient. Some good stuff, but not my style.
The Blue Nile
5/5
Everything good from the 80s IMO
Liz Phair
3/5
Bland save for a few tracks. Very one note
Aretha Franklin
3/5
Feels so perfectly timeless.
The Only Ones
4/5
Very cool precursor to things that I have liked for a while.
David Holmes
4/5
Some really subtle and lowkey work, but it scratches a certain itch
KISS
2/5
A bit tired in the beginning, and a little shaky on exit. Good party vibes though
Kendrick Lamar
5/5
Beautiful Storytelling. Also a sleeper album as opposed to GKMC, but it is a mainstay of excellent hip-hop.
Manic Street Preachers
4/5
Really cool and political, I can see its influences in a lot of things now
Boston
2/5
A couple of interesting tracks, but no duds or shiners. What I think of as stereotypical classic rock, not much substance.
Led Zeppelin
4/5
Love this, awesome playing with folk
Violent Femmes
4/5
Love this sound. Rock, folk, and punk elements. The vocalist is particularly my favorite part.
Iron Butterfly
4/5
Even with this high a score, slightly underwhelming given my love of witchy or occult sounds. The real game changer is the epic title track.
The Go-Betweens
2/5
Like a cheap charcuterie board. Cheesy, a little bland in some cases, some meat, but overall a pleasant enough experience.
Fela Kuti
4/5
Cool in context, and fun enough in general, one of my favorite "big band" albums so far.
Johnny Cash
5/5
I love this man. Instant classic. Superb soul.
The Auteurs
5/5
Lowkey great vibes. Big fan of the Beatles-vocals.
Miles Davis
3/5
Very chill and downbeat. Cool stuff, but unfortunately nothing truly attention grabbing for me.
Mott The Hoople
4/5
Surprisingly good. Got strong summer vibes, and does not fit what I think of as Glam Rock, but that may need reassessment after this album.
Roxy Music
5/5
Loved the experimental and eclectic sound. Also loved the way that this album felt like a story without the use of skits, very cohesive and has musical through lines.
My Bloody Valentine
4/5
Really samey, but I do like the vocals and the more upbeat tracks a lot
David Crosby
4/5
Somewhat situational, but the western vibes are very enticing. Good road trip music
Motörhead
3/5
Great Rock album. Live always a bit rough though.
Beatles
5/5
Classic.
Joni Mitchell
4/5
Very special and relaxed. I would love to listen to this after midnight.
Bad Company
2/5
Nothing noteworthy. Way less grit than a group called Bad Company should have.
Gotan Project
3/5
Mild. Cool genre, good background. Sounds like copyright-free music.
Fugees
5/5
The Platonic Form of Hip Hop. Lauryn Hill is hands down what elevates this album to a firm 5.
Queen
4/5
Great album, Queen always has a very "storytelling" sound that I appreciate particularly in this album
A Tribe Called Quest
5/5
Excellent hip hop, fun rhyme schemes and superb flow
Khaled
2/5
Background listenable (due to not knowing the multiple languages involved), but relatively bloated. Cool sound though, and liked each song individually, but as a project I would say this could of been shrunk down.
Fats Domino
4/5
This knows what it is. Short, simple, sweet. Great sound that has established itself in everything leading up to today.
The Crusaders
3/5
Night Time Street Jazz. Very background, but would put on in the right mood, and the opener is killer thanks to the vocalist.
Ryan Adams
4/5
Great sounds and not a lot of weak points. Unfortunately made by a sexual predator, so only useful in looking at associated acts and adjacent sounds.
Sonic Youth
4/5
Much better and more raw than Daydream Nation, and a magnificent composition rocking through
R.E.M.
3/5
Good cruising music with a couple of hits. Nothing spectacular.
Jah Wobble's Invaders Of The Heart
2/5
Surprisingly bland for experimental music. Maybe in the background.
Air
4/5
I really liked this, and it felt like a really familiar space to be in. A little too background to hit a true 5, but damn good nevertheless.
Otis Redding
5/5
A lot of songs that are fundamental in the Lexicon of soul, rock, and pop. Very cool and jam-packed with hits.
Digital Underground
4/5
As this Era of hip-hop is more of a blindspot for me, I quite enjoyed getting a taste of Westcoast classics, and seeing where my tastes originate from a bit.
Mylo
4/5
I didn't anticipate this sound from the title. Very mellow and listened to this while in a very dark place. It helped with optimism a little.
Q-Tip
3/5
Great headbobbin music. Nothing sticks out though.
Simon & Garfunkel
5/5
I hate liking this, because I hate Simon and Garfunkel as people. But I get the hype, very different from other music of their time.
Grateful Dead
4/5
Blindspot filled for sure! I like this for more relaxed driving music.
Ali Farka Touré
5/5
This has a feeling of soul. Passes lingual barriers, and just damn good to jam to.
Steely Dan
4/5
Pretty catchy and has a timeless element to it. Nothing stood out for me, but consistently good.
The Sugarcubes
3/5
Dragon brought this up to a 3, but otherwise lackluster alt rock
Sonic Youth
4/5
Now this is some some Sonic Youth I can get behind. Grit and realness with less of an overtly politicized sound.
Pavement
5/5
I don't know how I haven't heard this before. Amazing sound and songwriting.
Steely Dan
4/5
Pretty interesting and catchy tracks throughout, I think this fits a Sunday cleaning sort of vibe.
Emmylou Harris
4/5
Feels like the heart of Americana, thoroughly enjoyed this surprise of an album
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
3/5
Real Dreary work. Vocally a little off, but I enjoyed it.
Stereo MC's
3/5
stereotypical 90s electronic. fits a vibe for sure, but no meat
Incubus
3/5
Drive and the backhalf really saved this album. Otherwise mostly 2000s nostalgia.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
5/5
Fantastically classic. Bob and Pete have incredible songwriting synergy. Very great.
Orbital
4/5
Enjoyable background. Very cohesive and immersive aesthetic
The Chemical Brothers
4/5
Excellent mood and vibe. A little surprised at the lack of Dancy stuff.
The Stooges
2/5
Kind of exhausting to listen to
The Beach Boys
4/5
Cool and fun different sounds than I expected, Great cruising music.
Alanis Morissette
3/5
Just ok. Couple great shiners, couple of duds. Very aggressive 90s pop.
Pulp
4/5
Spooky vibes, I am surprised I like this.
Thelonious Monk
3/5
Maybe some percussion stuff was cool, but nothing about this album makes we want to listen to a single track ever again
Napalm Death
3/5
Some really groovy stuff honestly. A bit of a slog, maybe cut out a few tracks. If you need this vibe, you got it fully here.
Green Day
5/5
Not surprised that this ended up on the list. Jam-packed with hits, somehow polished and pop while maintaining the raw edge.
The Coral
5/5
Dope Psychedelia. Would probably be a 9/10, but a lot of the early songs squarely place this in a 5.
Stan Getz
3/5
Now that's what I call elevator music. TM. But honestly pretty soothing.
Fatboy Slim
3/5
Founding sounds from Fatboy Slim. Skank brings this to a firm 3.
Fairport Convention
4/5
Very cool Fusion of rock, folk, and traditional UK music. Little bland on the back end.
Pantera
4/5
A solid staple of a groove metal diet. Big fan, almost a 5.
Jane's Addiction
4/5
Full of LA Rock Nostalgia, and the back half slaps
Animal Collective
4/5
The far-reaching effects of this album on pop in the last 10 years is wild. Very cool modern psychedelia.
The Everly Brothers
2/5
Like baseline ok. Dated, and had a few sexist and "forever alone" shots that rubbed me wrong.
Madness
3/5
Just ok, nothing spectacular
The Streets
4/5
Honestly shocked that some grime made it in the list. Excellent album with some subpar mixing
John Coltrane
4/5
Now this is some soulful stuff. I really dig the structure and concept of this album a lot.
Rocket From The Crypt
2/5
Sound is cohesive, and has a certain Southern California Rock sound to it that is nice, but throughout I kept thinking it was just noise. I would love stuff similar to this, but it just didn't click.
Eagles
4/5
Now this is what I call Dad™️ Music. Good stuff, but there is some self-loathing required to like it.
Cypress Hill
4/5
This album is funky and fun stoner psychedelic rap from the streets. Amazing stuff and it has a through line that makes sense in hip hop history.
Metallica
5/5
I think this is probably one of my favorite live albums ever. Metallica is so orchestral, and the feel of this record was incredible.
PJ Harvey
5/5
I really love this raw, Emotional exertion. High up there so far in the list.
Roxy Music
4/5
There is just something silly/fun about listening to Roxy Music. I enjoy this album, if just for ambience.
X-Ray Spex
3/5
Great punk with a definitive edge. Like the sound, but as an album a little exhausting
Quicksilver Messenger Service
3/5
I definitely was feeling a 2, but two elements changed my mind. 1, I was blown away that this was live. 2, the back half is absolutely slappin.
The Dictators
3/5
Fun. Simple. Not extremely substantial, and that is ok.
The Monkees
4/5
I really liked this. Like a dumb amount. For what is functionally a Beatles parody group at its inception, this was really jammin', and I get why they became popular in their own right. Fucking Zilch.
Queen
5/5
Definitely epic music. I can't really say no to slapping a five on this bad boy.
Thundercat
4/5
One long, fantastic song. Like if Bill Wurtz was slightly more commercial.
Nirvana
5/5
Historic Collison of pop culture with underground
The Fall
2/5
Nothing caught my ear, but overall quality sound, with a few niche uses
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
I mean.. I get it? I liked each song, but as an entire project it was very exhausting to listen to. Was about to be a 2, but Meeting Across the River alone bumped it up a notch for me.
Caetano Veloso
3/5
Fun, experimental, and revolutionary sound, suffers from the inability to understand due to a large portion of it being in Portuguese.
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
3/5
Not a ton of substance, but what it lacks there it makes up in fun and tightness.
Koffi Olomide
4/5
This right here reeks of the 90s and makes me want to go to the beach, I love it
Hawkwind
4/5
True Psychedelic Space Rock in a proper way. Also great for a live album.
The Doors
3/5
Good Bluesy album. The Doors are overrated I think, and I believe that mostly has to do with the cult following of the personality of Jim.
The B-52's
5/5
The Rocky Horror Picture Show of music.
Step 1. This is so ridiculous.
Step 2. Wow this is hysterical.
Step 3. Why is my head bobbin?
Step 4. There's a Moon in the sky, and it's called the Moon.
Step 5. R O C K L O B S T E R
Kanye West
5/5
Truly Visionary Work. This score would be deserved if only for Runaway, the rest is icing. And yeah, I know. Kanye is an ass. IDGAF.
Sade
2/5
Great Pipes, but nothing about this album stood out to me unfortunately.
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
5/5
Am I an asshole for actually liking this a lot? I feel kinda gross.
David Bowie
4/5
Wowed the back half. The first half was a tad boring, but I loved everything from Sense of Doubt on.
Frank Sinatra
3/5
I mean, great sound. Girl from Ipanema is fantastic as well.
Beastie Boys
5/5
Classic style, unique production, unabashedly playful. You can try and throw this on in the background, but someone will start singing along.
Foo Fighters
3/5
I love some of the quieter and downtime tracks. I can't go below a 3 because Grohl, but I know that this music ain't my bag really.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
Paint It, Black brings this up to the 3, but otherwise lackluster album.
The Damned
4/5
Damn good early goth rock. I think this has way more bite than I anticipated.
Joy Division
4/5
Now That's What I Call Goth Rock™️
Ash
4/5
Something about this just felt good. Really struck a lot of chords with me sonically.
Fatboy Slim
3/5
I would say I liked this a bit more than You've Come a Long Way Baby, but only by a hair as the sound broadly was slightly more enticing.
The Gun Club
4/5
This just solidified my western pride as a whole.
Beatles
5/5
Scattered gems among a pile of gold.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
4/5
Biggest sleeper genre for me - Swamp rock. I just love something about this sound and I literally cannot place it.
The Magnetic Fields
5/5
I really like the songwriting and variety on this album. It is a beast, but a solid 9/10, and leans more to a 5 for me.
Kate Bush
5/5
There is good and bad from the 80s. This is the Good.
Miles Davis
2/5
Back end was pretty smooth and lovely, but experimental jazz, no vocals, and 20 minute long songs is rough.
Ray Charles
4/5
Christmas style strings. Beautiful instruments all around. And a voice that strikes so deeply. Not super substantial, but beautiful and easy to listen to.
Leonard Cohen
4/5
Now this is an ominous yet silly album. I am shocked by how much I like this. Vocals are a little odd but endearing, content is just a thinly veiled joke. Keep telling 'em Leonard.
Billie Holiday
3/5
Beautiful vocals that I could listen to forever. Everything was pretty samey throughout. This is Sunday music.
The Black Keys
4/5
Quite delicious garage and blues sound. Relatively new to me. Curious for their earlier stuff.
Ella Fitzgerald
4/5
Pros: Ella, Diverse Array, Great Instrumentalists
Cons: Long, Mind-Numbing
= Good tunes to listen to on individual or short burst basis
Super Furry Animals
5/5
I think this solidified my love of the Cool Cymru movement. Phenomenal stuff, psychedelia that isn't all about the trip if that makes sense.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
3/5
A very high school album for me. The sound can be grating in spaces, but when it works, it works well.
Lambchop
2/5
I like the overall sound, but honestly, nothing strikes me. Good to find other stuff from, because it was close to scratching an itch.
Marty Robbins
5/5
FUCK AMERICA, WE RIDE WITH WESTERN PRIDE BABY BOY
Small Faces
4/5
This is actually a very playful and lovely record. First disc is just ok 60s rock, but Big fan of Disc 2 and the Tale of Happiness Stan.
Missy Elliott
4/5
Great songwriting and performance by Missy, undercut by Top-Tier Timbaland Production
Funkadelic
5/5
Best funk album is a deserved title. Would be a 4.5 just because I couldn't listen on spotify, and availability should matter.
Prince
5/5
Sexy, soulful, and human. It has a song for many moods, all performed excellently and honestly.
Thin Lizzy
3/5
Biggest rebound. During the first song, I considered giving a preemptive 1, but I stuck it out and enjoyed myself for most of the record. Good rock.
Talvin Singh
3/5
I would say this was a strong album with some interesting stuff, distinct punch to its sound. Would love to see another album after the sound has matured!
Cyndi Lauper
4/5
There is a reason Cyndi is a prototypical 80s Queen. This sound is fun, powerful, and synthetic. I like it.
Television
5/5
This feels like the definition of "proto". Sonically it's roots really resonate far and wide, and in its own right it is surprisingly strong. Plus it fits my flavors in some really strong ways.
Leonard Cohen
5/5
INT. Abandoned Cathedral, 5:30 A.M.
A thin ray of light shines on an organist wearing black robes with a Grey stole. He appears to have been awake all night. It is apparent he is playing what appear to be the final chords in a grand symphony.
I love this very much.
The Young Rascals
2/5
Just ok. Nothing sticks out, but I liked it when I zoned out a little bit.
Sleater-Kinney
5/5
I love the Riot Grrrl sound so much. Not only is this important music, it is also impressively powerful, raging, and Righteous.
Pavement
5/5
Raw young contemporaries to Nirvana, and it shows on this record. I love it.
The Fall
3/5
Significantly more listenable than Live at the Witch Trials, with a few experimental songs that were quite enjoyable. Overall good album.
Justice
4/5
Great Electronic with an upswing on the last few tracks.
Hole
4/5
I do get it Kurt, I get the appeal. Raw, yet commercial. Interesting stuff for sure.
Gillian Welch
4/5
Beautiful, soulful, Americana.
Soul II Soul
2/5
This is sample fodder, and not much else.
Fleet Foxes
4/5
The sounds of running through a field, sometimes in the rain, sometimes in the sun, and sometimes in the snow. Great sound, definitely a mood album. Because it is a little situational, I don't think I can give it a 5, but a fantastic album nevertheless.
Simon & Garfunkel
4/5
Really solid sound from these two assholes again. I hate myself more.
Sigur Rós
5/5
Ethereal Millenial Soundscape. Very cool all around, a little hard to listen to all the time. Very, Very good though.
Paul Simon
4/5
God I hate this man more the more I like his music. Great songwriting, asshole.
Frank Black
3/5
Vocals are great, punchy songwriting. A pretty good record.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
4/5
This was a cool record, solid follow up to my aim is true. I can see how a lot of rock derived from this in the 80s.
Sam Cooke
5/5
A gold standard for live records. Soulful, fun, and the energy between Sam, the band, and the crowd is out of this world.
The Specials
4/5
Diverse album, with just a solid set of tracks. Very fun, and I could see it growing on me for sure.
Ute Lemper
3/5
Eerie and beautiful. I don't think I'll revisit it, but the haunting sound here will stick for a while.
Public Image Ltd.
2/5
Woof. The first track coupled with most of the record are trying really hard to drag down to a 1. Religion 1, 2, and Fodderstompf successfully pull this up at to a 2. There are better Post Punk projects.
John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers
3/5
Perfectly inoffensive, some good sounds, and great playing from the band. I probably won't revisit it, but I am sure it belongs on the list for being some earlier Bluesy classic rock.
Rufus Wainwright
5/5
Beautifully cinematic pop record with an orchestral flair that suits the songwriting. I am honestly surprised I have never even heard the name, because wow this sound suits me.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
This was much more listenable than the previous two albums by Rolling Stones. Good Bluesy stuff.
The Who
5/5
Fun jaunt in self-satirization. First Who album, and what a weird and exciting entry point!
Stereolab
4/5
The sound of living in a city inside a French synthesizer. Surprisingly good stuff throughout.
Joni Mitchell
5/5
Joni knocks it out of the park on this one. Summer feels with an excellent blend of nostalgia, melancholy, and ambience.
Moby
3/5
For a "finale" album, this piece started off with a bang and the began to fizzle near the end. Not horrible, some truly good electronica soundscape stuff going on, but suffers from bloat and too much downtempo at the close.
Doves
2/5
A little Arena Coldplay for my tastes. Kind of draining to listen to, but each song was good enough.
Ian Dury
4/5
This is some delightful pub rock. One or two songs got a little obnoxious, but a truly and definitively cheeky record.
The Police
3/5
Sting is so hit or miss vocally. I wish that there was more consistency, because some stuff really rocks me.
Derek & The Dominos
1/5
Uninspired trash over basic blues backing. If I wanted to listen to this, I can go to a local dive bar on a Tuesday evening show with a bunch of aging rockers who believe in conservative fiscal policy.
Belle & Sebastian
4/5
Sweet and almost soothing tracks. Nothing really struck me, but strong across the board.
Ministry
5/5
Distorted, Exhausting, Powerful, Oppressive, Industrial.
Hanoi Rocks
1/5
Bad 80s Glam. The sound of doing blow off of a Macy's credit card
5/5
This is it folks. One of the few moments where I can excitedly proclaim that the fans of a genre have made listening to something unpalatable. I have not touched prog rock, because prog rock has some of the douchiest shithead fan bases I have ever met. But this right here is an easy five, from the almost storytelling soundscapes to the beautiful use of old and new instrumentation. And the vocals have a great Glam/Folk Fusion sound that I love.
Sugar
3/5
Perfectly fine cruising music. Precursor sound to some stuff later, and fine in its own right, but nothing striking.
Sepultura
5/5
Groovy fucking metal. This hits hard with a sound that sits at home.
ZZ Top
3/5
Groovy Swamp rock with some solid singles.
Fairport Convention
5/5
Fantastic Proto Bardcore. Makes me want to go to Ren faire
John Martyn
4/5
Distinctly generic until Small Hours, which hits different from the rest of the album and drags this sucker out of the muck.
Neil Young
5/5
Surprisingly cinematic folk sound. Very main character energy.
Motörhead
3/5
Quite samey throughout. That same is a great sound, but it is a little silly that I felt like the only difference song to song was the words.
R.E.M.
4/5
An excellent sound, still not quite pushing 5 for a real sense of sameness which becomes all the more pervasive in the gloomy sound this album creates.
Dinosaur Jr.
5/5
Really powerful noise with rock solid guitar work. I think I like this general sound all the way.
Joy Division
4/5
Now That's What I Call Goth Rock: The Early Years™️
Shack
3/5
Perfectly nice, and Perfectly forgetable.
James Taylor
3/5
Beautiful home-grown sound. Not a lot of really surprising stuff, and didn't quite hook me very well.
Queen
5/5
Queen, you've done it again.
Consistently good with a good scope of sound.
The Cardigans
4/5
Great performance, and the surprise Iron Man cover really sealed this up for me
Chicago
3/5
Stanky Soft Rock. Some really cool tracks, and a few bland ones
a-ha
4/5
Energetic ProtoDream Pop, honestly Take On Me is overrated compared to the rest of the album.
David Bowie
5/5
This album revealed to me why Bowie is so widely beloved. Uniform, and Diverse. Epic, and Elegant.
Nick Drake
3/5
Pretty gentle stuff, could probably use more diversity of sound
Curtis Mayfield
5/5
Beautiful soul and funk sounds, and as a Chance fan it was cool to hear the origin of Pusha Man.
Count Basie & His Orchestra
4/5
Great big band and swing stuff, but I did feel a real pull for vocals on these tracks that dragged down the album a little for me.
Van Halen
5/5
Like KISS, but fun-filled, more raw, and with less schmutz. Everything is done right here.
Soundgarden
4/5
Very very good grungy sounds, standout in Spoonman. A bit of a slog, but individually I think I would enjoy every song. Also not something I would put on all the time, but it is good stuff.
Slint
5/5
Like a friend said. A sonic snuff film, in the best possible way. All jokes aside, really good instrumentation, and the meandering spoken word really works.
Beatles
4/5
A lot of early experimental magic here. But it is very samey throughout, which does knock it down a point for me
Youssou N'Dour
5/5
The sound of being at a late-night backyard party illuminated by string lights on a hot summer night with a glass bottle in your hand. Really fun, and has no bloat at all.
Slayer
5/5
Excellent record from the darkest of the Big 4.
Frank Zappa
4/5
One of the first Jazz adjacent albums that didn't feel challenging to listen to in any way. Quite enjoyable honestly.
Dirty Projectors
5/5
This is a great experimental indie album, reminds me of Discovery. A big fan of some of the strange cadences and the colorful sound.
Cream
4/5
Pretty good psychedelia. I like the witch rock elements especially.
Björk
5/5
Truly what separates Björk from the pack is her haunting vocal quality and endless soundscapes. It feels comfortably Claustrophobic in the way the most people talk about space.
Jane Weaver
5/5
I have a soft spot for Ethereal femme voices like this one, and the production felt post-apocalyptic in a great way.
The Stranglers
4/5
More than anything, the fucking organ slaps. This is great new wave/punk/with a pub Horror vibe to it.
David Bowie
5/5
A surprisingly strong album, given that this was much earlier Bowie. And better all around than some of the other stuff I've heard. While I love the experimental stuff on later records, this was just consistently strong songwriting, cohesive sounds, and great performances.
Charles Mingus
4/5
Raw stuff, on the higher end of the Jazz spectrum, the only thing keeping it from a five was the sonic wall at the end that was absolutely exhausting to listen to for that long
John Lennon
4/5
Yeah, John is an asshole, but he is a talented asshole. I will say the diss track was surprising, and the amount of layered vocals that almost mimic the Beatles sound was interesting.
The Youngbloods
4/5
Sublimely lowkey. Great background, great foreground. Sounds unique and yet matches its contemporaries. I love the folk, psychedelic, and Bluesy vibes going on here.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
3/5
American with a capital A garage rock, some good stuff, but overall a little underwhelming. Strong finishing songs though.
The Adverts
4/5
Excellent tight punk record
The Byrds
4/5
This was a beautiful morning album. I think the thing I liked about this is that it was so tightly packed, and while it lacked a little something to pump it to a five, it was a high four.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
4/5
Consistent and sturdy aggro-fem pop. Rad as hell. The only thing holding this back is that it is too consistent, as it holds a little sameness throughout.
MC Solaar
5/5
Surprisingly diverse sounds that pump in African, Jazz, Rap, and plenty others to make a strong record.
Public Enemy
5/5
Truly a masterpiece of Hip-Hop in the political vein. I think I always avoided Flavor, but Chuck D and Flavor Flav's balance is very strong, and the narrative style production augments an already strong duo. Plus, Anthrax mixing with Public Enemy feels just so right.
Sonic Youth
5/5
Not as strong as Goo, but the second strongest from them so far, far surpassing Daydream Nation. It is good, if a little overrated.
Alice In Chains
4/5
Very grueling in the right ways. Gritty, Angry, frustrated. Missing the pump up to a 5, but a damn fine mood album.
Frankie Goes To Hollywood
3/5
Woof this is all over the place. Horrid title track, great songs that would probably sound better covered, very dated, and interesting album experience touches. Too confusing for anything but a 3.
Elvis Presley
4/5
I mean this is the start of something special. Definitely tight, punchy, and leaves you wanting more. Downsides are in shallow writing and a lack of fully developed sound
Eagles
3/5
It was about half good, half bad here. Not much else to say.
The Icarus Line
4/5
I like the vocals and more downtempo tracks a lot. A little bogged down by the noisy stuff.
Sex Pistols
5/5
I think I love the vocals and songwriting here more than anything, and the rest of the band accents and also stands out in their own potent way. Anarchy in the UK is my most obvious favorite for a number of reasons. Good job on converting another.
Tim Buckley
3/5
Wow, what a lullaby. Very sleepy, lazy even. Not much really drawing me back though.
The Velvet Underground
4/5
This is dope. From vocals, to experimentation, to the impact it had on music, all solid. However, and I mean this shit, Andy Warhol drags this down a point
T. Rex
5/5
I can taste the folk origins here, and the thin Glam veneer is actually surprising potent in such a small dose. This is simultaneously the most confident and the most relaxed Glam rock record.
Pink Floyd
5/5
The album before my fave. I can hear the vocal transitions happening, and the soundscape elements that I love so much really begin to blossom here.
Crowded House
4/5
One of the most apt album titles and art. A very good night album.
Lucinda Williams
4/5
Somber morning Americana with some excellent twang to it embellished by guest vocals.
Def Leppard
3/5
Vocals are hit or miss, and empty lyrics for the most part, but excellent auditory profile, specifically as hype up/ party night music
Steely Dan
3/5
It is so easy to listen to, but doesn't feel all that punchy. Not a lot to bite honestly.
ABBA
5/5
Overall, the album sounds like a Swedish utopia, and it does get a little dull at points, but hot Damn do some of the singles and the title track yank this thing up to a place of power.
Travis
4/5
I find this surprisingly enjoyable, a solid sense of millennial doom throughout. Definitely reminiscent of some other sounds around the late 90s, but I think I just liked this particular flavor.
Lloyd Cole And The Commotions
2/5
Kind of boring 80s blues. I did enjoy songs individually, but very samey throughout
Meat Loaf
4/5
There is a reason that Meat Loaf is kind of meme. Fun music, melodramatic as hell, with strong metal feels throughout.
The Kinks
3/5
Meets a bar set by contemporaries, and has some original cool baroque/folk stuff. Some other stuff falls pretty blandly, which leaves us pretty much dead smack in the middle of the road.
The Who
5/5
A sort of depressing loop, but purely cinematic and and wonderful. My only complaint is that songs tended to be incredibly samey.
Depeche Mode
5/5
Immaculate, Dark, Doomy. A Polished Obsidian Mirror with drifting wisps of smoke.
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
3/5
A rough beginning, but the rest of the album has some great stuff. And of course the album art.
Deep Purple
4/5
This was surprisingly theatrical and tasty, I would say a weak 4 for too many classic tropes that grate against my other joys of this album.
Curtis Mayfield
3/5
Very soulful, but honestly? Too short.
Prefab Sprout
4/5
Bland 80s pop, but it begins to shake that on the backend in favor of stuff with a little more variety and soul.
Don McLean
4/5
Excellent piece of americana in my opinion in spite of the title track. Very wistful and laidback.
Radiohead
4/5
A bombastic wall of sound that needs to be consumed from an auditory squint, this album requires the right amount of abstraction and pull back to dive in deeply, but it does Play with some really fun things and manages to come across with a coherent theme.
AC/DC
2/5
Each song is a carbon copy of the next. Enjoyable, but repetitive and a bit tiresome.
The Charlatans
4/5
I don't know why, but this album actually struck me quite well. Beginning at a high acceleration, the songs sort of lose energy, but in a way that feels almost cathartic. The best way I can express it is the feeling at the tail end of a party, where there is almost too much going on, so then you leave with a van full of people and begin dropping them off, and by the end of the ride it is just you and one other person talking about life together. Really nice.
Rush
3/5
Surprisingly interesting, considering how much I have heard that Rush is all talent, no substance. I would say it was enjoyable, but I do get why people wouldn't want to listen on repeat. (read: Geddy's Voice)
The Isley Brothers
4/5
As a fan of "Awaken, My Love" this was a very cool exploration of the Ancestral DNA of that album, and stood strong in its own right
The Sabres Of Paradise
2/5
A few standout songs with industrial sounds, but this is the first album I considered turning off several times. It falls into all the Traps early electronic can fall into, being too long, monotonous, and not having any vocals to break up the monotony.
The Prodigy
3/5
I would call this an easy record to enjoy, but it doesn't give me anything that I am hurting to come back to either.
Paul McCartney and Wings
3/5
Aside from the title track, this album was fairly underwhelming, especially after establishing a relatively strong solo presence.
Sly & The Family Stone
4/5
Now this is tasty, something you can really bop your head to for a while. It is a high four, as I have trouble imagining putting it on as often as a five would suggest.
Mike Oldfield
5/5
I mean, starting off with the album's biggest contribution in the Exorcist theme, to the yelling section, this album is just damn interesting. Worth a revisit for sure.
fIREHOSE
4/5
Strange music based on cover, but I overall enjoyed the folksy and punky elements here.
Johnny Cash
5/5
I mean Johnny fucking nails this performance for a number of reasons, but to me one of the standout moments is with June on Jackson, as she surprises me with her power and what it adds to the record. Instant classic.
JAY Z
4/5
I just don't like Jay-Z's flow very much, but I do think this is a critical piece of rap history. And Em's infamous verses on Renegade also standout for me, as well as production by Kanye, Timbaland, and Just Blaze.
Arrested Development
5/5
A very strong spiritual, positive, alternative vein in hip-hop. I liked this quite a bit, and think it definitely needs to be listened to for any fans of Rap, let alone music.
4/5
Really good and unique sonic profile. A little long, which knocks it down from a 5, but Albarn is at a high point here.
Iggy Pop
5/5
Spooky, which fits well for spooky season. I can hear Gothic and Industrial undertones that support and artsy direction from a punk background. I really liked this.
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
5/5
Oh this is a sneaky one. I listened to this and immediately thought it was gonna be boring so it faded into the background, and then as I listened it crept to the forefront. Incredible storytelling here.
Willie Colón & Rubén Blades
5/5
This was a surprisingly incredible album with ballads, bops, and even a banger or two.
Dire Straits
2/5
This album was so low energy. It almost teeters into 1, but is so mundane and safe that it doesn't have the guts to get into the 1 place.
The Saints
3/5
Perfectly fine. It has a good background edge, but in the foreground honestly sounds like it would be used as a backing track from an indie movie in the early 2010's.
The Mars Volta
4/5
A little draining at times due to sheer pitch, but overall fun and enjoyable. I could probably return to this, but it doesn't have anything dragging me back, which puts squarely in the 4.
Coldplay
4/5
Coldplay always falls into an uncanny valley of "this is so boring that it slips back into enjoyable" like a dreamy drone of sorts. This album includes great tracks and overall is very listenable, but can get tired in one sitting.
Jurassic 5
3/5
Just outright boring beats. The flows were phenomenal though, if only they could've been over something else.
Garbage
5/5
Thick with the sort of 90s-00s edgy grime that rests upon the windowsill holding a copy of Underworld and Vampire: The Masquerade. Love it.
Ice Cube
3/5
The issue with this album is it is so samey throughout. While Cube is the fundamental piece that makes NWA work, the other members are so fundamental to the attractiveness of the group due to the diversity of sound. That is what is lacking on a solo Cube project. The only reprieve was found in the occasional features which spiced things up.
Arctic Monkeys
4/5
This was surprisingly strong, sexy, and fun. I would say that overall it lacked a "need" to come back for me, but I happily would.
John Prine
5/5
I really liked this. I mean it was folk country, but God damn if you don't hear some punk underpinnings in this you aren't listening. This is the kind of music that makes me proud of being an American, without me having to have pride in my government, and be able to criticize the nation without losing my love for it.
Richard Hawley
4/5
This somber, longing album is quite choice for when you are in the crossover zone of romantic and depressed. Standout track is Last Orders.
Air
5/5
Breathy and tasty like a whipped chocolate mousse.
Nico
5/5
Alright, I'll say it. I'm a sucker for this dark, pretentious, avant bullshit. I like the instruments, I like the vocals, I like the production. This is fanfuckingtastic.
Janis Joplin
4/5
Janis is so special in personality and as a vocal presence. The music actually dragged this album down a bit.
Method Man
5/5
Phenom of rap, with that signature Dark east coast sound. I might have a complaint or two, but the beats and flow are tops here, and that brings it all the way up baby.
Radiohead
5/5
Absolute shocker, as I had listened to it before. But the ATMOSPHERE. This album has such an exquisite sound scape, and while I do not think any individual song would be in my rotation normally, somehow the album will.
Gene Clark
2/5
Perfectly Bland, not much else to say.
Gang Of Four
4/5
A really punchy album with some fun mixing of post-punk and dub/reggae type stuff happening as well. I like this album a lot.
OutKast
5/5
The best hip-hop music to come out of Atlanta. Beats, Boasts, and Bars.
New York Dolls
4/5
Good punk/hard rock with a buzz from New York. This must have been bitchin live.
The Mothers Of Invention
5/5
I don't know how to feel about liking this. But I do, so there.
Sepultura
3/5
Not as in my wheelhouse as Roots, just seemed a little more basic and thrash. Not bad, definitely enjoyable, but I've heard better.
Frank Sinatra
3/5
Fantastically replayable, and of course pleasant sounds. Unfortunately not otherwise striking in my opinion.
Beyoncé
5/5
This album is a monster of singles, and at the same time so cohesive. This is one of the things that separates Beyonce from other similar artists. I think the thing that pushes it up to 5 is Partition/Yonce.
The Pharcyde
3/5
Great flows and beats, but a little cheesy in some bits and the skits were kinda wack.
Rage Against The Machine
5/5
RATM is in my opinion the ultimate protest music. There is sonic strength, powerful lyrics, and aggressive performance that equal a steady groove filled with, well, RAGE.
Taylor Swift
5/5
The experience of listening to hot chocolate while remembering your mistakes in a positive light. Great presentation, cozy vibes, and gifted songwriting.
The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy
4/5
This album has only two issues that I think would bring it down to a 4: bloat and availability. With great political rhyming, immersive soundscapes, and a unique vocal performance, I think this album is of particular note when looking at the grand scheme of things.
4/5
Fantastic Millenial angst. I think it wasn't quite as good as Dry, but I did quite enjoy it.
Tricky
5/5
I FUCKING LOVE THIS. Real dark and dreamy trip-hop. Vocals on point. Coherent and consistent. I think this has hopped up pretty high in my top albums.
Solomon Burke
4/5
Absolutely Classic Sunday Music. Very easy to groove and rock to this piece, and I would say the percussions were played very well.
The Soft Boys
3/5
Enjoyable enough, but sometimes I found it faded too far into the background and only came back after a song switch.
Talking Heads
4/5
Most prominent things happening here are Byrne's interesting early vocal quality, and instruments that are fun and feel slightly B-52s. Up and down in places, just barely clears to a 4 for me.
Soft Cell
4/5
Surprisingly strong album, considering the bursting out single of Tainted Love. Very diverse and enjoyable early electronic/synth sounds.
A Tribe Called Quest
5/5
Bold samples, boasts for days, cerebral and street level at the same time. This is Tribe really nailing how to burst into the music scene, and especially the hiphop scene
Peter Frampton
2/5
WHAT A SLOG. I mean I enjoy these songs out of context and think the playing is great. Even in terms of being a live record, this is atrocious. The only thing saving it from a 1 is the excellent talent displayed.
The Jesus And Mary Chain
3/5
Dreary and Moany. Interestingly enough, while that usually strikes me strongly, this one missed me to some extent.
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
5/5
This might be one of the easiest 5s to give. Narrative, unique sounds, and excellent performances, ALL ON A LIVE ALBUM. Concise Beast.
Ok OK. I kind of get it. But U2 still has such an emptiness to their sound that really puts them at a mediocre 3 here. Some songs I can definitely return to, and it has that millennial dread aesthetic that I like, so there you go Bono. Happy?
Blondie
3/5
I think that this sat in an overall mediocre position, great singles, consistent sound, but samey, and not a ton of interesting stuff going on.
Run-D.M.C.
4/5
Cheesy and bombastic, with some really corny stuff at parts. Nevertheless, this album is a DEFINING moment for music, and so that pulls it from the monotonous muck into a strong 4.
Raekwon
4/5
The big standout here is RZA, whose production maintains such a rock solid ambience for Ghostface and Raekwon to play around in. Raekwon and Ghostface are definitely delivering bars, but unfortunately something about Ghostface's vocal delivery is just not my favorite. I respect the differentiation, but it still sticks out enough to drop down a star for me.
PJ Harvey
5/5
A perfectly polished PJ album with some interesting vocal and instrumentation changes. Her songwriting and delivery always pair well for me.
Elliott Smith
5/5
Now this is interesting. Somehow, even though it is far from a love letter, this album captures everything I love about cities, particularly Los Angeles. The raspy, vagabond delivery here tells me that this is an authentic cut, and digging into his story confirms that suspicion, excellent album.
Common
5/5
So the thing about Common, is the he is an excellent lyricist with a special sound. I feel uplifted, and yet, grounded when listening to him. He absolutely captures a cup of coffee in the middle of the city on a Thursday morning for me. Sometimes it is cheesy, I'll just say that is a little cream cheese on a bagel with my coffee. I can't always put this on, but I can for sure put it on every morning.
Iron Maiden
4/5
Something I know about myself is that classic metal can often sound "tinny" for me. That being said, I like the raw feel of this debut and think that there are excellent performers at work.
Simon & Garfunkel
5/5
Of course I liked it. Fucking assholes. And on my final class for my Master's? Irritatingly great, douchebags.
1/5
This album is possibly the worst album I have ever listened to, and that may be generous. I love experimentation, but this experiment should've stayed in the lab, John. From top to bottom, this was an assault on the senses. I had an ear infection listening to this, and I enjoyed the ear infection more. I cannot find a single redeemable thing about this album. I had to pause the album for about 15 minutes, and those 15 minutes were a sweet Oasis in a dessert of pointless cacophony without rhythm. How do you have two drummers and a bassist and use none of them effectively? All the great elements of any genre that could be compared were missing. None of the soul, punch, or craftsmanship of Jazz, none of the rhythm of thrash, no groove, no vocals, no variety. This sounds like vomit incarnate.
Merle Haggard
3/5
This feels like a purer country artist than Cash, which is what inspired him to make music. Unsurprisingly, this sound doesn't strike me very positively, but I would not say it was the worst either. Just middle of the road.
Talking Heads
4/5
Good cruising album in my mind, definitely bouncier than the earlier sound and more filled with fun.
Big Brother & The Holding Company
4/5
Great form from Janis. Excellent closer as well. I think that if I lived during this I would've loved a performance of this more than the album itself.
4/5
A very classic, lovely sound to bop to in a tight little record. Big points for an absolute lack of bloat.
Incredible Bongo Band
3/5
Surprisingly good for what is essentially a joke album. Not gonna put it on always by any means, but I could bop to it while it is on.
Christine and the Queens
5/5
Of course an incredible record. Christine and the Queens nails a balance between pop formula and experimentation within a synth framework that really blasts past her competitors in the pop scene. When listening to her, you feel very trendy but not douchey.
Miriam Makeba
4/5
Very nice and nostalgic, with some fun standout songs. Nothing really dazzled me to the five, but this is a confident high 4.
The Young Gods
5/5
Gritty, Dark, and Circus/Cabaret. I fucking love the vocal delivery, grooves, and backing noise.
Louis Prima
4/5
My favorite things about this sound, is that it is exemplified by very physical verbs. Swing. Jump. Jive. Wail. Very true to how this makes you feel.
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
A softer Springsteen is more pleasant, but still does not really pump him up in any significant way.
Parliament
5/5
A classic, pure and simple. It is tight, fun, and packed with exploration, groove, and FUNK.
Os Mutantes
4/5
Enjoyable psychedelia/experimental, and compared to Caetano Veloso, this is more my speed in regards to the Tropicalia movement.
Arcade Fire
4/5
This is a vein of indie rock from the 2000s that I find quite enjoyable. Now normally I enjoy a raw and rough sound, but this is one place where I think their mellower sounds later in their discography really shine, and the rawness seems detrimental to the overall feel of the album.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
5/5
This is RHCP at a perfect blend of funky-punky aggro, and softened alternative pop rock sound. It is tight, but still feels full. The only thing I might change is the song order, as many placements of songs in the overall album experience stick out to me.
Buffalo Springfield
3/5
A soft sort of backyard Beatles. Easy to listen to, but nothing dragging me back
Culture Club
3/5
A fun enough album, with a unique sound. That sound gets kinda samey during the back half though.
T. Rex
3/5
As they go more glam, I lose interest. Still enjoyable, but lacking in the stuff I liked from the previous record.
The Flaming Lips
4/5
It was good, but unfortunately lacks the special elements from Yoshimi to really pump it up.
The Cure
4/5
Moody, early goth. Unfortunately it was so long that it detracted from my overall listening experience of what should have been a knock it out of the park sound.
Queens of the Stone Age
4/5
I like the dusty desert sluggishness of the album, and think with a bit more refinement this could be an excellent album.
Pixies
3/5
Some good noise that you can get a little lost in, but honestly nothing that really shines for me.
Kacey Musgraves
5/5
Now I do like this album, and I think comes down to a few things:
1. Female country vocalists are way more palatable to me.
2. Some really unique production things going on in a few songs that spice it up.
3. It really tiptoes the line of what I dislike about modern pop and what I dislike about modern country in a way that succeeds at avoiding both.
Death In Vegas
2/5
Just ok electronic. Nothing completely shocking or exciting, and frankly a little disappointing in the middle to back half.
Van Morrison
2/5
Just meh, really off and on through each song. Honestly was expecting a slightly stronger overall sound.
Metallica
5/5
What we are talking about here is in my opinion one of the most famous metal albums of all time, and for good reason. Diverse sounds, with all the stuff that is good about thrash at one point or another. Not even my favorite Metallica album, but their most prominent early one by far.
Minutemen
4/5
Incredible onslaught of diverse sounds, and an overall strong aesthetic. I can also see a lot of its influence in later music that I like. It's a low five, but a five nonetheless.
LCD Soundsystem
5/5
Some very fun retro futuristic stuff. This is an album that I think might be best enjoyed late at night while driving with some friends.
Beastie Boys
4/5
A much more aggro sound from the Beastie Boys. While it is not bad persay, it really loses the something special I enjoyed from Licensed To Ill.
Portishead
5/5
The beginning of something great. Not only that, but haunting vocals that really accompany the melody quite well.
Primal Scream
4/5
Surprisingly Dancy Psychedelia. For a name like Primal Scream, I expected a bit more raw sound but was pleasantly shocked by a relatively calm album.
The Specials
4/5
If you don't like modern Ska, this album is kind of birthing that whole sound in a way, and personally, I think a lot of the best things about Ska are on display. Great playing, fun writing and performance, and a dash of rage & anti-establishmentarianism.
Various Artists
4/5
A punchy Christmas album with fantastic performances. I feel like that is kind of all I have to say about it.
The Cure
5/5
A much more concise Cure project in comparison to Disintegration, and that helps this A LOT. I love this sound, and I think this could sit comfortably by the other goth projects that have really shined for me
System Of A Down
5/5
This was an excellent listen as always from SOAD. They really bring something unique to metal that I don't think any other group does, including their intense sound, operatic performance, and potent message. Always going to be a 5.
Ghostface Killah
3/5
Man Ghostface, you got bars. It sucks that your delivery is so grating to me. The production here is top notch as well, with some excellent features throughout.
Massive Attack
4/5
This album is low key and groovy, and while it has lost a little luster for me, I still think it is a great album when I'm feeling extra moody.
Beach House
4/5
Enjoyable indie dream pop. I think The xx does this sound a bit more up my alley, but nothing about this album was bad by any means.
5/5
It is the Beatles, and in a period of proper exploration that has one of my fave sleeper Beatles songs with Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite.
Neil Young
2/5
Bluesy album with some good performances that get samey. Honestly a sad backstory with a somewhat lackluster album package.
Slipknot
4/5
Slipknot is definitely up my alley when they take a more laidback and groove approach, but I think when their death metal roots show up I start to flinch a bit. That being said, still very much so an enjoyable album, at a sturdy high 4.
Amy Winehouse
5/5
Soulful and somber, while still remaining quite fun and explosive at times. The record is a 5, but Rehab is like a 2 at best though.
Hole
5/5
Hole is raw and potent. Courtney has an excellent delivery, and the sound has a solid blend of diversity and cohesiveness that helps elevate the album experience.
The Verve
3/5
U2 Mixed with End Credits bait.
Serge Gainsbourg
2/5
Sometimes, French music in this vein does strike very well for me, capturing a mood of feeling that no other music does. However, this album came across as cheesy and only had a few bright spots in the back end.
Arcade Fire
5/5
Arcade Fire perfectly encapsulates an aesthetic of the suburban dread that most modern Americans experience. Not only that, but sonically they found a sound that uniquely identifies them as major players in the 2010s indie rock scene two albums after their first.
Tom Waits
5/5
I think there is definitely something about the street level storytelling and mumbling delivery that does it for me.. I'm easily a Tom Waits fan now.
Tracy Chapman
5/5
Relaxed and homey. This is a mad nostalgic album that makes me feel like it is early Sunday morning.
Kanye West
5/5
Kanye makes his own debut on the scene in a bombastic way. This album is packed with fun features, excellent production, and singles that really demonstrate the next mover and shaker in hip hop.
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five
5/5
Crucial addition to hip hop that generates a very specific set of samples, as well as using a specific set of strong samples. Surprisingly laid back and R&B heavy.
Black Sabbath
5/5
The thing I like most about Black Sabbath is the dark and slow sounds mixed with Ozzy's shrill delivery. That is on full display here!
Can
3/5
The first half was a little lackluster and basic experimental rock, but the second half shined a little brighter and got into much weirder stuff.
Metallica
4/5
Opens with a phenomenal track, and while there are a lot of emotional songs that I actually quite enjoy, I find the end of the album drags a bit.
Supergrass
4/5
Surprisingly silly and raw. I quite enjoyed this, although wish I could maybe chop it in half into two albums.
Cat Stevens
4/5
Very easy to listen to, and I understand the folksy potency of Yusuf very well now after listening to this. That being said, it did dip a few times for me.
The Strokes
3/5
On the one hand, it was very cool to fill in a blind spot on an Era and sound that I am very familiar with, on the other hand it was a little bland across the board for my tastes. The album did have a few shiners though.
Hugh Masekela
3/5
On one side, easy to enjoy and listen to. On another, I just think I don't "get" Jazz.
Spacemen 3
4/5
Really cool sparsely populated psychedlia. I'd be interested to see where this band went.
The Replacements
5/5
This was surprisingly youthful and raw. Soft, aggressive, pensive, and driven. Good surprise.
Bruce Springsteen
2/5
God Bruce, it's rough. So bland across the board. A few songs I enjoyed, but mostly the sound of everything I dislike about classic rock.
10cc
5/5
Absolutely bizarre record with like 8 different vibes simultaneously. Absolutely baffled at the fact that this could be contemporary with other bands from the 70s and that it didn't drive past everyone else in the field.
Bob Dylan
3/5
Waffling album, sometimes an old man who is too tired and sometimes a rugged sound I don't quite expect. I'm more excited for earlier Dylan.
Led Zeppelin
4/5
I now can safely say I enjoy Led Zeppelin and I think this album was solid. I think I still prefer 3 to this, but I respect this album quite a bit.
D'Angelo
3/5
Well, what a boring but enjoyable ride. The sound was solid, but it never moved anywhere interesting. The songs were great by themselves, but consecutively each song is way too long.
The Afghan Whigs
4/5
Unrelenting grit and grunginess like this can only come from Ohio.
Machito
4/5
Fun and ritzy, this was a welcome surprise!
LCD Soundsystem
5/5
Massive Open, consistent diverse sounds somewhere between White Stripes and OK GO, and it does it for me. Hell yes.
Mudhoney
4/5
I love how RAW this album was, but God it was rough to listen to for long. Overall good experience though.
Lou Reed
5/5
Lou knocks it out of the park with the Storytelling and ambience of this one. Excellent job.
Harry Nilsson
5/5
Soulful, playful, and adventurous. I quite enjoyed this album, and although it is not modern by any means, it did occasionally brush into timeless.
5/5
Big sounds on this one. I particularly enjoy sexy vamp baseball.
U2
2/5
The core issue is that the band is doing an overall presentable job and I enjoy the instrumentals quite a lot, especially early in the album, but then HIS vacuous howling enters a song and just destroys the peace.
Sheryl Crow
3/5
A soulful and playful album, the only issues I found with it were the occasional edge Crow puts on her vocals and sameness throughout the album.
Norah Jones
4/5
Quite a pleasant sound throughout. I had heard the first song, but I enjoy the overall texture of her work a lot.
4/5
A real pleasant surprise, from some interesting bass lines, and composition as a "love album".
Orange Juice
3/5
It was good, and the dub elements were something else. But I think the singer struck me as a little hard to listen to, especially near the end.
Todd Rundgren
3/5
Bloat central, but I liked a lot of what I heard.
Dusty Springfield
5/5
Tight, polished, and chock full of excellent songwriting.
Spiritualized
4/5
Now I do like a space rock album, and this was no exception. I think it did drag a bit in a few places, but the atmosphere and songwriting were stellar.
Joan Armatrading
5/5
This is some stuff I can vibe with strongly. There is a ton of soul and it has a loving and cozy feel to it.
Led Zeppelin
5/5
On a second pass 3-4 years after I first listened to it, this pass illuminated this as a bit more of a standout for me. A lot of very cool tracks and particularly strong musical choices for a debut.
Guided By Voices
4/5
A bloated album of punchy songs, and I love the edge here, even if it misses (looking at you Hit)
Dr. John
5/5
Not a single standout song, just an entire standout album, nothing so far has sounded as groovy and gritty as this.
The Last Shadow Puppets
3/5
A surprisingly retro sounding album with a strange malaise lying over the whole thing. I like the sound but I don't know if and when I'll return.
Happy Mondays
2/5
Quite an empty sound. I do like the "beachiness" feel, but I think there are better versions of that sound.
John Martyn
4/5
Soulful blues, this is good depression muzak.
Pet Shop Boys
3/5
A little boring in the back end, but this was some dated synth pop that had some strong moments for me.
Cheap Trick
3/5
Surprisingly strong back half on a live album. I think it still suffers from the live elements, but I bet it rocked as a show.
Ravi Shankar
5/5
There is something so delightful about the simple and friendly presentation of this album while still demonstrating virtuosic and archetypal classic Indian music.
Belle & Sebastian
4/5
Great vibes again, but no standouts to push it to 5 on this one.
Little Simz
5/5
Surprisingly laidback and Contemplative for something in the modern grime Era, and I am certain Little Simz has a career for many years to come with this unique take on the sound.
The xx
5/5
Possibly on of my favorite albums in the last 20 or 30 years easy.
Ice T
5/5
Upon initial contact with Ice-T's music, I had envisioned him to be an ill-mannered and psychologically unstable man with an extremely uneducated and barbaric frame of mind, whose raps displayed nothing but ridiculous jargon, shocking sexual audacity and repulsive images of the ghetto.
However, after further analysis of his music I can deduce that he is the epitome of antidisestablishmentarianism who embodies the entire spectrum of the urban experience and struggle.
But to make things more plain and simple to the layman, I find Ice-T to be the dopest, flyist, O.G. pimp hustler gangster player hardcore motherfucker living today.
To be honest I'm totally and irrevocably on his dick
Saint Etienne
3/5
At times, Ethereal, and others, Exhausted.
The Jam
3/5
This album took a little longer to come online for me than I'd like, but it does have a rocking back half and the softer stuff in the middle was really strong as well.
Adam & The Ants
2/5
Silly and energetic throughout, but a little same and sometimes the dissonant parts of this album take me out.
Booker T. & The MG's
2/5
Background music, with a couple of through lines to some music I do like, but not much else pulling me back.
Manic Street Preachers
5/5
Good blend of raw and polished with a superb vocal delivery. The thing that elevates this album for me is the sonic diversity though, staying well within the niche while exploring the space fully.
Buena Vista Social Club
4/5
Nostalgic and loving. A little samey at times though.
John Grant
5/5
Beautiful strings and pianos fill in the rainy soundscape of this album, while John floats modern classic lyrics and vocal delivery on the foam layer of this artisinal coffee.
Fiona Apple
5/5
Fiona feels like a rawer and rougher Norah Jones, and I absolutely adore that.
Elton John
5/5
Fantastic lyrics and a huge opener. Jam packed with familiar songs, and maybe the only issue being slight bloat.
Eminem
5/5
Packed with trailer rage and raps like never before seen. An early and incredible success of an album. A modern version could cut out like 3 or 4 tracks, but it still slaps.
Living Colour
4/5
Funk and glam make for a surprisingly tasty treat.
Aerosmith
2/5
Fun at times, sure. And Sweet Emotion is a bumping track. But overall just ok.
Aimee Mann
3/5
Some cool instrumental stuff happening, and she has that great millennial dread that many of her contemporaries demonstrate and that I quite enjoy. But overall samey.
David Bowie
5/5
Incredible experiment, David. Blackstar = TPAB (To Pimp A Bowie).
The Divine Comedy
4/5
Absolutely soulful and swanky album, quite tightly packed as well. Huge Surpise here.
Santana
5/5
First intentional brush with the legend, and I think it was an incredible first brush.
Lorde
5/5
The thing that is most striking about this album is the immaculate production, and Lorde's haunting and nostalgic vocals augment that production supremely.
King Crimson
5/5
Classic. Modern. Masterpiece.
Public Enemy
5/5
Excellent music Chuck D and Terminator X put together constantly fighting against Flavor Flav. They win, but God damn is it a battle.
Black Sabbath
5/5
I love Doom, and it is so vital in a Doom fan's knowledge base to have this album.
Kendrick Lamar
5/5
One of the best narrative albums at point blank range. Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst might be in my top 10 songs.
The Clash
5/5
Rock solid album with a punk sound that is unique and captures a specific sort of political rage. Maybe a little bloated, but not enough to bring it down a star.
Beatles
5/5
This is catchy shit, and while I think I prefer mid to late Beatles much more, that early sound is still so fun.
Underworld
3/5
Starts slow and picks up at the backend, but also suffers from bloat heavily.
Queen Latifah
4/5
The QUEEN. She absolutely nails her debut, but the album does suffer from a lot of the cheesy 80s tropes when it comes to rap.
Oasis
2/5
A bit of a bore. I could enjoy some mustard on the sandwich, but I don't want all mustard.
PJ Harvey
5/5
Fabulous work again PJ. Absolutely stunning and raw.
Tangerine Dream
5/5
The first time a space rock felt more space than rock, and I loved it.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
4/5
I found this to be an altogether charming album experience, with a few boring moments.
Led Zeppelin
5/5
Really great when in the soft spots. The big songs are of course good, but I actually enjoyed Going to California most.
Pink Floyd
5/5
Syd's influences are obviously most heavy here, but it is crazy to see how deep they affect all the future albums. Incredible psychedelic journey.
Anita Baker
3/5
A perfect middle of the road
Fela Kuti
5/5
An excellent performance by Fela, and getting this early taste is very illuminating in how he reached stardom in the way he did.
Mike Ladd
4/5
Incredible beats and vibes, just slightly underwhelming flows.
Eric Clapton
3/5
When a white man touches the islands, he comes back a changed man. Sometimes the change is good, sometimes it's bad. In this case it's good, even if Clapton should leave Marley's work alone.
5/5
Absolutely Timeless. Not my fave from Bowie, but it is so damn consistent and strong.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
4/5
Great enough stuff, but nothing really pushes it all the way up to 5
Johnny Cash
5/5
Hurt: Director's Cut is the most deserving of 5 stars.
Cee Lo Green
5/5
So. Damn. Fun. Fuck CeeLo though.
Sarah Vaughan
3/5
Smooth and soothing. Not much beyond that.
David Gray
2/5
Forgettable as a project, songs on their own are not too bad though.
The Smiths
4/5
Chock full of a tasty blend of malaise and melancholy
Boards of Canada
5/5
Excellent vibes using found-sound spectacularly, with maybe just a hair of bloat.
Neil Young
5/5
I've had a beach visit that felt like this album. Apt name, incredible record.
Jungle Brothers
5/5
Proto Tribe if I ever heard it. Tribe honed the blade, but the Jungle Brothers forged the weapon.
The Who
4/5
It's a live album, but it has some really great performances. Also really Hard Rock sounding, which isn't my flavor.
Bob Dylan
5/5
Now that is the foundational Bob Dylan that I was expecting. Great folksy sound, really does have a populi feel.
Wire
5/5
Punchy, fun songs tightly coiled in a record with no filler in my opinion. Great punky stuff.
Sinead O'Connor
5/5
I love this melodramatic record, a lot of soulfullness surprisingly, and even though it is a little cheesy, I was surprised that it did feel quite authentic.
Nick Drake
5/5
Holy hell this is amazing, so soft and sensual, but somehow innocent as well.
Blur
4/5
Blur is on top of very interesting sounds here, and there are some fun memorable moments
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
5/5
Folk rock Juggernaut
Haircut 100
3/5
I think that it was a fun example of 80s cheese. Not much else to say.
Steely Dan
4/5
I thought that this album had a beautiful finish on it, and only had a few dull moments for me.
Brian Eno
5/5
Actually listened to this in an airport. Honestly so fitting and so damn good.
Aphex Twin
4/5
Really clean, and surprised to find the sample for Ugly Boy in this piece. Really lacking something for the final star, but strong for a debut.
2/5
Drab at moments, but has a few shiners.
Missy Elliott
5/5
She is marvelous. Flawless production with bangers throughout, flows, features, and soul.
Jeff Beck
3/5
I was pleasantly surprised by this, a lot of iconic sounds at times, and some experimental here and there that impressed me. Otherwise, the album had a rough vocal performance and some tired blues moments that dragged it down a bit.
Elis Regina
5/5
This is breath in album form.
The Temptations
5/5
I'll be honest, Run Charlie Run shocked the shit out of me based on the time period. This album bumps, and has no fluff at all.
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
3/5
An explosion is great title for something that was spectacular at the beginning, and got smoky and draining towards the end.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
5/5
Short, simple, and swampy. I love it.
Alexander 'Skip' Spence
4/5
I would say this album is very interesting, and I enjoyed listening to it. I feel like I would enjoy something from Skip that wasn't solo, so I will have to check out more work previous to this.
Wilco
5/5
Phenomenally laidback and gloomy, I love the cohesiveness and expressiveness on display in this.
David Bowie
2/5
Wow, this album could've made a great single.
Lana Del Rey
5/5
Trophy: Lana Unlocked
Lana has always been difficult for me to listen to, but tonight changed everything. I had always heard from her fans that she was such a soulful and melancholy singer, but I always just heard a bored drone.
Then it hit me: that is exactly correct. She is droning and she is not energized. But plenty of instruments make that sound. So as I listened to this, I let her fade into the mix like an instrument, and what emerged was a sorrowful and melancholy masterpiece.
Marvin Gaye
4/5
Oh a lot of fun, to be sure. But it does get a little tired at points, which drags it down from a sex-God 5 to a sex-demigod 4
Le Tigre
4/5
It is fun, punky, and dancy. Simple, yet effective.
Screaming Trees
2/5
Good songs, forgettable album
Bert Jansch
4/5
The guitar on this album is phenomenal, and songs in short snippets really sells it for me. I think an instrumental version of this elevate it even further, but it is still a fantastic folk work.
Black Sabbath
5/5
Keep it going Sabbath. An album with the most popular songs still hits all the features of the group that I love.
The The
2/5
My God, this one is a slog. I loved every song, but as a project this is wretched.
Nas
5/5
East Coast Hip Hop™️
Def Leppard
4/5
Really potent compared to Hysteria, and has a lot of potential. Still too samey for a 5.
Herbie Hancock
5/5
Full of epic and silly music. It's fun, it's funky, and I LIKE IT.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
4/5
Putting the Honky in Honky Tonk.
Morrissey
3/5
Ultimately a good record, if a hair forgettable
Prince
5/5
This album is like Prince's Pants: Tight, Sexy, and Jam-Packed with content.
Adele
3/5
A tight enough album with a decent variety, just not my general cup of tea.
Kanye West
4/5
Very Dope, unhinged follow up to MBDTF, probably closer to a 4.5 than a 5 though.
New Order
2/5
Somewhat forgettable, but enjoyable in the moment. Like the 80s.
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
So this has easily three of the most powerful and potent Hendrix songs. Not only that, but it is the debut! Fucking nuts.
Suicide
5/5
Wow. Weird. But goddamn if it isn't tightly wound and experimenting in the right places.
Mekons
4/5
Fun and samey all at once. It plays the one note well.
Leonard Cohen
5/5
I love you, Leonard. I hope you're fairing well.
Björk
5/5
I'll be frank: I didn't expect Nordic Beatboxing tonight, but it is a welcome sound.
Nanci Griffith
3/5
Beautiful, but a bit bland altogether
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
2/5
Woof, goes from snail's pace to really slow at a breakneck 5 songs.
Metallica
5/5
If for One alone. Nostalgia probably plays a factor for me.
The Velvet Underground
5/5
Wow, sometimes the 60s is music that makes you feel like you are on drugs, and sometimes it sounds like it was made on drugs. This is both, in a really good way.
Anthrax
5/5
In another life, Anthrax would have easily been the top of the Big 4 for me. I just love their humor so much. Metallica only pulls on nostalgia and showmanship to win.
Kraftwerk
5/5
As I've established thus far, I'm a suckered for gimmicky experimental sounds. I love the feel overall of this, and it feels like perfect late night music.
The Band
3/5
Good, but definitely forgettable at a point, especially in the back half
Killing Joke
4/5
Really firm and raw. Got a little bland a few songs in, but I really desired a live show after this.
Nirvana
5/5
Probably the best live album, with maybe some exception for Johnny Cash, but really something special, so intimate.
The Stooges
3/5
Raw and punchy first half, snoozing on the back.
The Offspring
5/5
Offspring is like Taco Bell for Punk. If someone said "I want Mexican food" it isn't my recommendation, but it deserves it own category for just how tasty it can be, ya dig?
Yes
5/5
Rating this album low would be like saying you don't like music, there is just so much variety throughout. Phenomenal performance and tight, especially for Prog.
The Modern Lovers
3/5
It was akin to a really good burger patty with Moldy bread. Horrible Openers and closers, but the meat was tasty.
Dusty Springfield
4/5
Dusty gives a beautiful performance with a great set of tracks. Just a little samey for my preference
Madonna
4/5
I actually like the religiosity of this album, combined with the electronica sounds, which makes it kind of like a meditative trance of an album.
Taylor Swift
5/5
The key here is the nonsingles, as I think is the case with Taylor generally. Huge ups to Clean in this regard, interesting instruments on that one. Of course the singles themselves indicate a sonic shift for Taylor that is much more pop-centered, and a wide spread there. Probably a 4.5, but still deserving of a 5 for how prominent this album was during its release.
Shivkumar Sharma
5/5
No one told me teleportation existed, and then I just happened to be transported to a beautiful river valley in a fantasy setting.
Iggy Pop
2/5
Way boring, which is surprising because it has Bowie playing a role in writing. The grit and grime of The Idiot gets lost in trying to return to the Stooges. And Sixteen is just gross.
Jeru The Damaja
5/5
Damn, I always get surprised by how much I have grown to love east coast rap. This album is very strong as a debut and as a contemporary to Illmatic, Ready to Die, and Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). I think because of how large those 3 albums are, this album and others end up getting lost in the mix, but they deserve a little retribution.
The Notorious B.I.G.
5/5
It is the most iconic East Coast Rapper on his most iconic album. Not much more needs to be said.
The Who
4/5
One of those albums where I go "Damn I've heard all of this out of order". It is good, but I get the sense (and know when reading the wikipedia page) that this could have had more of a strong narrative direction.
Megadeth
4/5
I think my main issue with Megadeth is a lack of diversity in their sound compared to the other 3 of the Big 4. I'd listen to it again, but not while focusing on it.
Beatles
5/5
I think this is that perfect blend of early pop beatles and experimental mid Beatles into a very radio friendly album that still pushes the fringe.
Dinosaur Jr.
3/5
Good noise. The album art here really captures the aesthetic of the album well.
Everything But The Girl
4/5
Really nostalgic and wistful 80s, with a great lingering pace throughout.
Brian Eno
4/5
Crazy debut with a lot of Experimental shit going on. A fun time, if maybe a hair sloppy.
The Smashing Pumpkins
3/5
Lacking the special massive qualities that I liked in Mellon Collie, and layering on the parts that I don't like as much, which makes sense for a debut. They had growing to do.
Beck
4/5
Melancholy and soft. Good stuff, but it lacks the sort of humor and fun of other Beck stuff I have listened to, which does bring it down a hair for me.
Fever Ray
5/5
An obvious contemporary to Bjork. Fantastic soundscapes and really Ethereal and lingering vocals bring this all the way into my wheelhouse.
4/5
I give U2 a lot of shit for their sound being big and empty, but this album does have a broad sonic scope that proves some of that wrong. Another thing that it highlighted for me is the fact that U2 has this fantastic stadium sound that grates against me for general listening, as I don't like the way that mix comes out.
Pink Floyd
5/5
Tight narrative with some iconic songs throughout, and of course, The Dark Side of Oz.
Lauryn Hill
5/5
Probably one of the best products of New Jersey, ever.
A fantastic blend of sonic consistency in the production, beautiful songwriting, and flavorful performance. Top to bottom one of my favorite albums.
Joan Baez
5/5
Excellent example of why I think Folk Music may be the TRUEST form for music, no matter the origin. It feels Primordial and contemporary all at once.
Badly Drawn Boy
4/5
Good millenial indie, with a bit of bloat. Probably due to a diverse set of sounds throughout.
Leonard Cohen
5/5
Great to see early Leonard Cohen catching his vocal wavelength occasionally, and the songwriting is superb as always.
The Fall
4/5
Really strong move compared to other albums by them, but too bloated to get the 5.
The Avalanches
5/5
A symphony of samples, and an absolute delightful sort of background music that can creep to the foreground seamlessly.
Brian Wilson
4/5
It is how I expect the Beach Boys sound. It is not bad, but a little tired and not surprising in any way.
The War On Drugs
3/5
Very akin to a drearier Arcade Fire. A good chunk of bloat, but it is some good rain music.
Morrissey
2/5
Woof. Some real hit or miss throughout this one.
Elton John
4/5
Phenomenal stuff, but some of it does Circle the drain a bit too much for my liking.
Daft Punk
5/5
I'm a simple person, I see French Disco Robots, I give a 5.
Grant Lee Buffalo
4/5
Fuzzy is an accurate descriptor of this album. It is warm in the cold. A big heavy blanket. Maybe a tad too heavy though.
The Undertones
5/5
Incredibly punchy proto pop punk. This is concise, lean, and full of fun.
Pearl Jam
4/5
Enjoyable enough, but the core problem with a lot of the 90s alt rock and grunge is bloat. I'd probably rate it a lower 4 because I do like it, but it is not quite on par with the other 4s I have, so it gets a bit of an asterisk *.
Fiona Apple
5/5
There are two directions musicians can go in the modern era: Experiment, or solidify tradition. Fiona manages to do both in this awesome album.
4/5
I think this was a solid display from the Kinks. I enjoyed the album and would listen again, but nothing staggeringly awesome.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
5/5
Finally, this is an album with some gristle and grit by Nick Cave that I can absolutely get behind.
Gang Starr
3/5
Very laidback rap with great rapping and lyricism on display. Unfortunately, laidback is not often what I'm looking for in my rap.
Mott The Hoople
4/5
Strong glammy follow up to All the Young Dudes, with a more confident sound and direction. The back half going a more balladic direction was a nice surprise too. High 4 for sure.
Muddy Waters
5/5
Good Blues is something you get lost in, and this album was no exception. Dogged driving riffs combined with Muddy's performance make for a fantastic 45 minutes.
Carpenters
5/5
I really enjoy the soft sound, catchy writing, and the combo of the pair's vocals. Plus, Help was a very welcome surprise well executed.
Cocteau Twins
4/5
Really good gothy dream pop. It lays on the 90s sound a little thick, which is probably because the group pioneered the sound to some extent. Still a bit dated in that regard.
Tori Amos
5/5
Really good soundscape, which makes sense due to her Chromesthesia. Truly beautiful, somewhere between PJ Harvey and Rufus Wainwright.
Jimmy Smith
3/5
I do struggle with instrumental albums in the foreground. That being said, this album was not too difficult and had a Down home sound that I quite enjoyed. Definitely would put it on in the back, but probably won't intentionally seek it out to listen to with full attention.
The Mamas & The Papas
5/5
I was a little hesitant at first, but frankly, great vocal performances, Californian flair, and counterculture folk was all I needed.
Green Day
5/5
Iconic original Green Day, this is raw and rough. I think people have a pastime of shitting on Green Day for American Idiot era and beyond, but I think these roots point in the direction clearly, and nothing is wrong with that direction in my opinion.
Paul Weller
2/5
This is an area where I think the Americans fully shit on the British. Everything on this was fine which redeems it from 1, but could have been done better by literally any of the folk/country/soft rock artists from America. Step off and stick to Fairport Convention.
Willie Nelson
5/5
I love you, Willie. Thank you for keeping it 100% authentic throughout your career. Also, a little bump for a sweet song about Denver!
David Bowie
5/5
Now that I've had some time, I reflect on "Heroes" and think about how much I love side two, and how I wish it sounded like that throughout. And then I listened to this, and it was like my prayer was answered, which is silly considering this was the predecessor to that album. I love the instrumental artsy direction, and enjoy the lack of classic pop rock Bowie vocals.
Tom Waits
5/5
I want this man to be my Psychopomp, shoutout to Wristcutters!
Wu-Tang Clan
5/5
Rap so dope, even Congress said this is a must listen.
Sister Sledge
4/5
I mean, come on. This album is just fun and groovy. It isn't the most substantial, sure, but the feel of the music is enough to enjoy without an intense meaningful punch.
Elvis Presley
5/5
A very wistful album in my mind. Early Elvis feels sexy and cutting edge. This era is reaching back to grab his childhood, and I can tell that he is basically sitting in the corner of the bar of America, weeping and playing a guitar as the bar is being renovated.
Deep Purple
2/5
Smoke on the Water saves this album from a 1, but damn is this so generic sounding.
Turbonegro
4/5
I do not know how to properly say this, but let's be frank: They are a punk act who knows what the fuck they are doing with this name. While I really enjoyed the album, the tone-deaf name (yes, I understand it was the past, but I know they haven't changed their name, so fuck off If you feel you need to defend it) and maybe a hair of bloat do bring it down to a 4.
The Shamen
2/5
Now that is some 90s techno bullshit. Too bloated to actually enjoy with a sober mind.
The Flying Burrito Brothers
5/5
Just teeters the line a bit dangerously between the early country/western sound I like and the polished country sound I disdain, but the back end really pushes it up to that final star. Great lyrics, great performances, concise album.
Iron Maiden
5/5
This is the best Maiden so far I've heard. Iconic tracks, tight tracklist, and a very strong personality as an album overall.
Brian Eno
4/5
Just a demonstration of Eno and his classic production innovation in my mind. Not always the perfect foreground music, but almost always well done.
Led Zeppelin
5/5
There are a lot of Gems here, Kashmir and In the Light really shine back to back for me. There is a hair of bloat, if they could have brought this down to like an hour it would have felt a lot better, but it still earns a strong spot in the 5.
Van Halen
5/5
Have you ever felt a guitar string snap back at you after breaking? They can cause major damage, including major bruising and deep cuts.
It has to do with the amount of tension required to tune the string appropriately. The string is tightly wound through and around the tuning pegs, causing the notes we know and love to ring true.
This album is tighter than that.
Miles Davis
5/5
Ok, now this was truly Cool. A smooth set of tracks. I can get behind this Miles, and listening to this might be a better entry point than the other 2 I've had on the list so far.
Ramones
5/5
I mean, to me, this is another prime example of how punk shines best. It is tight and catchy, but still has rough edges and a lack of polish that really digs in to you.
Radiohead
4/5
There is a little bit of stale 80s funk on this one, but it isnt too detracting. I think this is a little bit before the era in which I truly enjoy Radiohead, still a little steeped too heavily in Britpop for my tastes.
Billy Joel
5/5
Fabulously nostalgic. It feels crazy, but Billy Joel nails the feel of longing for the past while also sounding youthful. Old soul, young body maybe.
Guns N' Roses
5/5
Sex appeal of the Late eighties. Very strong set of tracks, I don't know if they need another album beyond this though.
Suede
2/5
Tired, overstayed its welcome, and everything being done has been done better before.
Common
5/5
Common continues the sounds he had from the previous record with excellent support from Kanye's production. To me, this album is a bit stronger overall, with some marked improvements in sonic quality.
SZA
5/5
While Jhene Aiko is more my flavor, I do have a soft spot for 2010s R&B. This album was no exception, with beautiful vocals, production, and features that spice up the projext.
Linkin Park
5/5
I mean, LP is one of my favorite bands of all time. Something I will call out beyond the vocal chemistry between Chester and Mike is Joe Hahn, most notably on Cure for the Itch. His presence is the thing that ties the sounds all together in my opinion, with the Nu-Metal presence of electronic and rap sometimes coming across as jarring for other acts.
Rush
4/5
The thing that stands out is how short this is for a prog album. And tightly packed with some of their most iconic works. And again I did really enjoy it, maybe just a hair below the line for a 5.
Erykah Badu
2/5
Wow, what a fucking snore of an album. For all the rage of Badu being like a modern Billie, there was none of the sauce on the voice, and even the instrumentals were weak.
ZZ Top
4/5
Rough open, and a snoozer or 2, but some of these chugging songs are strong enough to keep it securely in 4 territory.
Circle Jerks
5/5
Fuck, my ADHD brain loves a short goddamn album. My Tony Hawk heart is also enjoying the hell out of this. Good on you Circle Jerks.
Lynyrd Skynyrd
4/5
Absolutely surprising how enjoyable the album is, but damn, cut down Free Bird and Tuesday's Gone please.
Gorillaz
5/5
I mean, this album is a phenomenal debut. Although I grew up on Demon Dayz, I can see a version of myself considering this to be one of the most iconic albums ever.
Michael Kiwanuka
5/5
Kind of an odd contemporary from across the pond to "Awaken, My Love" in a way. I enjoyed every moment of this.
Hookworms
4/5
Good neo-psychedelia, like a lesser MGMT to me. Disappointing to hear about why they dissolved as a group.
Amy Winehouse
5/5
Quite fucking swanky in my opinion. Kind of a darker, after-hours Norah Jones. I enjoyed this, maybe even more than Back to Black
Tom Waits
5/5
I love the man. He has a carny appeal that really strikes me as folksy, authentic, and fun while still being grounded and deep at points.
Lou Reed
5/5
I think I'm a carny fan, I really enjoy "Circus sounds" on an album. The other part that elevates this album is Lou Reed's vocal delivery.
MGMT
5/5
Heavy Frontload on this one right here, but the frontload is so strong. I mean, for a solid 5 years at least this was the indie rock sound.
Fleetwood Mac
3/5
This solidifes that I don't like a double album generally. If I carved a good 30-40 minutes off this, it would be much tastier as a project.
3/5
The biggest problem here in my mind is best represented in comparison to other Nu-Metal that I am a fan of.
SOAD - Not enough melodic talent from Durst to rival Serj.
Slipknot - Not enough actual edge to even get close to this sound.
RATM - No real political message besides "Fuck everyone else".
Linkin Park - Not nearly the same even blend of rock, hip hop, and electronic.
Korn - Much heavier, and handles experimental pieces better all around.
Evanescence - 2000s Goths and Emos know what I'm talking about. No authenticity in comparison here.
That isn't comprehensive at all, but you can see the core issues of authenticity, talent, and meaningfulness on display. On top of that, the album suffers from major bloat, with almost every non-explicit song needing a cut.
That being said, this is the junk food I grew up on, and so I do have to rate it an honest 3 for all the stuff I do like. Could be a 4 or 5 even if the right cuts were made.
Stephen Stills
2/5
I think this album started on a relatively forgetful note, and then picked up speed throughout. I was quite dissatisfied considering the other Solo acts from CSNY I did really enjoy. But the bloat was too heavy (I know it is a double album, I don't care) and I was tempted to tune out a few times, which is really quite rare for me.
Joni Mitchell
5/5
Beautiful Folk Music™️
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
4/5
See, this grizzly sound is something that I enjoy much more than the softer folk sounds I've heard from some of his other stuff. It does have enough bloat to warrant a 4 unfortunately, but it would be a low 9 out of 10.
Suzanne Vega
5/5
Soothing 80s folk. It is actually baffling how strong a start this is for her, as she really just nails putting out a beautiful, concise album.
Spiritualized
2/5
Woof, more bloat from Spiritualized. Some really strong songs though.
Blur
4/5
The sounds here feel closer to what I enjoy about Gorillaz, although it did have some dull moments.
The Teardrop Explodes
3/5
I do enjoy this, although at times I felt like someone else did the sound better. But that doesn't make it bad, just similar to other stuff.
The Byrds
4/5
Fairly experimental folk, which is quite a fun sonic experience. However, there were a few moments on the album that were a little samey for my tastes.
The Cure
5/5
The Cure decided \"we make long dreary songs, so let's only put on a few to be less cumbersome\" and, frankly it worked.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
5/5
RHCP doing their thing. The back half is really strong, and quite a few strong tracks throughout. The only negative feeling I had about this album is that it continues to make me feel that Sublime was entirely slighted.
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
4/5
I think that this is the truest acid music. The fact that he and Zappa would compete shows through already in this album. Good stuff, maybe a hair too disjointed for a 5.
Echo And The Bunnymen
3/5
Suffers from 80s syndrome hard. I enjoy individual tracks, but the whole is a lot to consume at once. That being said, it is lean, which does bump it safely in the middle.
Bad Brains
3/5
This particular record is akin to a train of anger that is progressively slowing down to the station in a moody town. Enjoyable, but a little much in some cases.
The Beau Brummels
5/5
Fantastic concise album. I am a massive fan and could play this any day with no issue.
The 13th Floor Elevators
3/5
Enjoyable psychedelia. It was a little rawer, but it also led to being a little too noisy and busy for regular listening to me.
The Smiths
5/5
God Save The Queen.
The Human League
4/5
A synth-pop 80s purgatory is a better place to be than a 80s post-punk hell.
Frank Ocean
5/5
Fantastic album, probably one of the most important albums of my musical journey and I would say a front to back masterpiece.
Jamiroquai
5/5
I will show my age and my whole ass here, but my only exposure to Jamiroquai (beyond in passing) was through Napoleon Dynamite. But honestly, I do really like this sound, and I was absolutely baffled by the amount of didgeridoo on a funk album!
Maxwell
3/5
Now I've had all the neosoul artists that are credited with the revival. Honestly, having listened to the others I found this was probably the strongest. A high 3, but with a lot of bloat and lackluster tracks that keep it from 4.
Ryan Adams
4/5
Enjoyable Americana, shame it came from a shitwad.
Minor Threat
5/5
H A R D C O R E ™️
AC/DC
5/5
AC/DC really holding it down for the 80s in a lot of ways. They kicked off the decade with a phenomenally early sense of what the sound would be.
Weather Report
4/5
I was surprised by how much I liked this, as I always feel like Jazz Fusion is a genre that leaves a sour taste for me. But the consistency and experimental flair throughout was just the right flavor for me.
Drive Like Jehu
2/5
A very disappointing album. From the long drawn out songs, to the noise walls throughout, to the overall length and lack of shining moments, this album felt like a full dud that misses a lot of the appeal of its various included genres and aesthetics.
Joni Mitchell
3/5
Good, but God damn it I hate YouTube music Joni. In this case I found that Joni sounded a bit tired, detracting from her normal performance.
The La's
5/5
I actually am disappointed this group ended after this, because the album was really strong and punchy. I think if they had written another album they might have become massive successes.
The Verve
4/5
A hair of bloat for my tastes, but everything on it was tasty enough, and had an overall aesthetic I enjoyed quite a bit.
William Orbit
4/5
I love some of the tribalbeat sounds in this, and found it to be a pleasant surprise on what I expected to be a bland work.
Frank Sinatra
5/5
Sometimes, doing this generator highlights why some artists are so revered. This is one of those cases. From a beautiful delivery to the sturdy concept aesthetic, I really found this album stands out.
Marvin Gaye
3/5
This comes across as one of the first double albums that I don't think is bad because it is a double album at all. That being said, since it was so symphonic and consistent, it did lead to it being a lot of the same in the song to song experience, which did detract from the enjoyment for me.
Barry Adamson
3/5
Super busy at parts, but I overall enjoyed the experience. Don't think I'd revisit as a project however.
Dead Kennedys
5/5
A debut that is fast and hard with a lot of humor and bite. What more could you ask for out of hardcore punk?
Cornershop
3/5
Very middle of the road for me, and overstays it's welcome as well. Low 3.
Dr. Dre
5/5
G-funk is the heart and soul of what makes West-Coast and LA Hip-hop so unique, and this is the blueprint that all other music I grew up on is based off of. Even with that being said, there were moments that come across as a little dated (mostly skits), which put it dangerously close to a low 10. Bit of a weird paradox, but still a phenomenal album.
David Bowie
3/5
Standard Bowie, which almost comes across as too predictable in a vacuum. Almost. But it was still pretty good stuff.
The Jam
4/5
I think this was a fun album, and quick. Those are green flags for me.
Pere Ubu
1/5
I didn't dislike everything on here, but the VOCALS really drag this down into a deserved 1. I get the sense some people who dislike Yoko for "screeching" might like this for being "groundbreaking", when really both are like a cheese grater to the eardrums.
Electric Light Orchestra
3/5
I would say enjoyable, and not much else.
Ice Cube
3/5
Typical Cube, with a couple of shiners.
Billy Bragg
4/5
Nostalgic and homey. I like it a lot, but think it could be a hair shorter.
Talking Heads
5/5
I think this is a real testament to Brian Eno. The soundscapes on this are just iconic and very complimentary to the Talking Heads sound.
Mercury Rev
4/5
Kind of a Tim Burton twist on The Flaming Lips. I like.
New Order
2/5
80s synth 80s 80s, cocaine Reagan, synth 80s.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
5/5
His biggest and most famous work for a reason. I and I wanna jam it wid you, Berhane Selassie.
The Kinks
3/5
Really very Beatles-esque to me, which I know has to do with their being contemporaries, but something about this one just feels like phoning in overall. Still quite listenable though.
Elliott Smith
5/5
The overall appeal here is that this piece comes across as bittersweet and delightfully gentle in places. Very good late night music.
Elbow
5/5
This is some really Soft "Rock", and I am really glad I had no preconceived notions going in. This was an incredible and delightful little piece to put on for my morning.
The Roots
5/5
Damn, I regret not sitting down with The Roots before. Of course the performances are perfect, but I honestly was shocked by how strong the album was over a longer duration than I typically prefer.
Dolly Parton
5/5
An enjoyable set of legends! I think they shine a little stronger solo, but really good work regardless.
Stevie Wonder
5/5
I think a hair below what I expected, but still phenomenal in almost every way.
Dexys Midnight Runners
3/5
Just ok, it did start pretty weak and then picked up in the back half quite a bit.
Fleetwood Mac
5/5
A truly stacked album, I understand now why the hype surrounds this album. It is tight and potent with a stellar diversity of sound.
Tom Waits
5/5
Oh Tom, keep up the seedy work.
Korn
4/5
Honestly a really strong work, but a few pieces detract from the overall experience enough to lower it for me.
Sisters Of Mercy
4/5
I found this to be pretty freaking good in a vacuum, before remembering that there are plenty of others who really nail the sound better.
Megadeth
5/5
Stripes Earned, I've given a 5 to each of the big 4. So far, my favorite of Megadeth's Albums easily.
Crosby, Stills & Nash
4/5
I found this to be a quite enjoyable album, and soaked in it well, although it was missing the Young that really rounds out this powerhouse.
Paul Simon
2/5
A fairly lackluster work from Paul, it really feels like he phoned this work in.
Radiohead
5/5
A surprisingly strong work from Radiohead, given that it feels like the most vocal album. I find I usually don't like their vocals, but something about this combo of soundscape and vocal presentation worked in this case.
Prince
3/5
Cocaine ruined a lot of albums by making songs that are 9 minutes long when they really should be 3-5. Other than that, a lot of good music here.
The Incredible String Band
2/5
Kind of rough as individual tracks, if they were seperate, they would almost all be 1s. As a unit, the overall experience becomes more enjoyable, closer to 3. So let's meet in the middle.
Britney Spears
5/5
Iconic Princess of Pop, truly the sound of a generation. As far as I am concerned, it earns a 5 based solely on the importance in music.
Franz Ferdinand
2/5
Honestly, surprisingly bland. I did enjoy it in the moment, but it faded from my mind shortly thereafter.
Radiohead
4/5
I did like this, just wish it had something more to really elevate it to the other Radiohead stuff I've listened to so far.
Arcade Fire
2/5
Woof. This one is very far from when I originally listened to it and enjoyed it. A couple of strong tracks, but pretty dreadful as a project.
Kraftwerk
5/5
In a past life, I would be a Kraftwerk diehard, I think.
Aerosmith
1/5
What a snooze. I fully forgot this album an hour after listening to it. I honestly considered giving it a 2, but I couldn't think of something that actually redeemed it.
Country Joe & The Fish
4/5
Good songs throughout, and a cohesive sound that is perfect for an evening on a porch or a leisurely drive. Missing the special something to pump it for me, but still really good.
R.E.M.
3/5
I enjoyed the record, would have liked a little something more to elevate it as a whole, it felt like it relied on singles heavily.
Wild Beasts
5/5
Really cool Ethereal and dreamy sounds to me. I'd put this on in a heartbeat.
Roxy Music
4/5
Enjoyable for sure, but missed some of the stuff I like from their other albums.
Finley Quaye
3/5
Well, this is coffee shop reggae in my opinion. Inoffensive, and a little lackluster at parts, but overall ok.
Love
5/5
I honestly was shocked I had never heard of Love, but their name accurately describes how I feel about this album.
George Harrison
5/5
A beast of an album. I actually think it is a bit much all together, but the sounds throughout firmly earn it a 5.
Everything But The Girl
5/5
I enjoy this quite a bit, I could really imagine vibing to this on a rainy drive.
Dwight Yoakam
3/5
Hard amount of the stuff I don't like in modern country, but I did like some more of it when it felt really genuine. Mixed bag really.
Talk Talk
3/5
EIGHTIES
Elvis Presley
4/5
Elvis is really consistent in quality. I don't know if it is my fave album by him, but God damn does he nail a sound and keep it sturdy.
Suede
2/5
Too long. Good tracks throughout, but really bogged down by length.
The United States Of America
4/5
Some really fun stuff going on here, especially the female vocals. I think I sense proto-Bjork a little bit. The avant garde and electronic stuff is so damn fun.
The Rolling Stones
4/5
Wow! A pretty good Rolling Stones albu. with no real misses.
Bee Gees
5/5
Some fabulous Baroque pop that tickles my fancy greatly. Not what I expected from the Bee Gees though!
LL Cool J
2/5
More like Milquetoast Cereal
Bob Dylan
4/5
I thought this was a sneaky little record, and I found myself enjoying it a bit more than I anticipated.
Wilco
4/5
Wow, my only complaint was the length, but this one is quite cozy and warm.
Randy Newman
3/5
Some really good writing and Americana sound. Honestly mostly shocking to hear Randy Newman singing the N word.
The Yardbirds
4/5
What a launchpad of a record. Do I think I would have followed their career closely? No. But I absolutely would enjoy this while it is on, and would not be shocked by the follow up of the solo careers.
Van Morrison
2/5
This was just. so. BORING. Nothing will drag me back to this, but it wasn't truly an atrocity to a point of a 1.
The Undertones
4/5
Excellent record, full of fun, and punchy.
Tito Puente
3/5
Fun music for a patio party for sure. I enjoyed this a fair amount.
Mj Cole
2/5
90s bloat never gets better. "Let me see if I can fill this cd with music" is an atrocity, even if the music is passable.
SAULT
5/5
Listening to this was filling a gap between Little Simz and Michael Kiwanuka, and I loved it. I also imagine that this music is something Gambino listens to, which inherently elevates it.
The White Stripes
5/5
I mean, I love Jack White vocally, and there is just something so potent about this sound that was so pervasive in the midst of other mainstream successes at the time.
Super Furry Animals
4/5
Really fun stuff, a bit of a Rocky open for me, but definitely swung an hit its goal after the fact.
Neu!
4/5
Really chill and laidback Krautrock. It doesn't really have anything particularly noteworthy, but it is enjoyable nonetheless.
Ray Price
5/5
I am constantly impressed with early country songwriting. Ray really nails it here. At this rate, I may have to start saying I like country.
TV On The Radio
4/5
I thought this was some really fun indie rock, I found myself quite taken with it.
Flamin' Groovies
4/5
Fun bluesy stuff, but nothing that really strikes me any more than the Stones typically.
The Lemonheads
5/5
Fun, quick, and full of catchy tracks. Also might be the most radio friendly Grunge in my opinion. Great shit.
4/5
I mean, really good stuff. As an album? Too long, and obviously not the best quality in some cases. But I enjoyed it.
Tina Turner
4/5
I enjoyed this! The most shocking thing about this album though was the Bowie cover though, did not anticipate that.
The Pogues
5/5
Fuck, I love Celtic Punk
Ramblin' Jack Elliott
5/5
I like this Folk shit. Sue me.
Goldie
4/5
So, it is a DnB album, which means it is gonna have bloat. But honestly? Some of the stuff in here was unique enough to actually push it to a high 4 with me, especially Sea of Tears.
Dr. Octagon
4/5
Great raps and production. Maybe a bit too many skits and weird dated humor. Good though.
ABBA
5/5
If Disco died in 1979, this feels like the elegy for the day Disco died. I honestly am baffled by how much I liked it too.
Miles Davis
5/5
I think this is the Best Miles so far. Simple and clean
Ananda Shankar
5/5
Doing his uncle proud in my opinion. These tracks are gonna slip right into my instrumental playlists.
Bon Jovi
5/5
Fuck, this is jampacked. I did not anticipate this many potent songs, I figured Bon Jovi had a bit more of a spread, but now I see they had an excellent birth of pop hair metal that really grabbed a stranglehold on Gen Xers everywhere.
Nick Drake
5/5
And so, this rosy satellite briefly passed our vision. It's orbit, although unstable, was close enough to be felt on the skin and in the bones. And while it leaves our sight as the daytime approaches, it lingers in our chest, tugging gently past the horizon.
My Bloody Valentine
5/5
The first album to make me go back and change a rating. That is damn significant.
Siouxsie And The Banshees
5/5
I know they dispute the Goth Rock descriptor, but there is something so good about the sounds here that reminds me of those other Goth Rock acts.
Nina Simone
5/5
I mean, simply put, this is beautiful.
Morrissey
4/5
A surprisingly strong Morrissey record. If I had to choose any of his solo work, it would be this.
Ride
2/5
Slipped into the background and never left it for me.
Jerry Lee Lewis
3/5
I don't feel good giving this anything but a 3. On one hand, the performance is great, and a tight album. But on the other hand, it was frankly same throughout. And also the dude was a bona-fide nasty creature.
Burning Spear
4/5
A little below my typical liking, but really tasty reggae nevertheless.
Manu Chao
5/5
I was honestly quite shocked, as I think I made a preconception based on the album art. But this truly blew me away, with a good sonic blend and both emotion and playfulness staggered throughout.
Jefferson Airplane
5/5
I mean, yeah the big singles here are doing some carrying, but not by much. The whole album is stellar, front to back.
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
Now, this is some Bruce I can get behind. I do think there is a blend of rugged and soft that really kicks this one up a notch from the others I've heard so far.
Elvis Costello
4/5
An aged Costello is a bit tastier than the rest, methinks.
Genesis
5/5
Fine, I like Prog Rock. The fans definitely still suck though.
The Doors
5/5
Now this classic right here earns the Doors their clout.
Nine Inch Nails
5/5
I mean, that industrial sound when well executed and not just done to alienate the masses really hits for me.
Gil Scott-Heron
5/5
Apt, considering the snow outside right now. A cozy record that harkens to home around a fireplace we can barely afford to light. I like it.
Happy Mondays
2/5
Honestly? Glad to see that my initial response to Happy Mondays was consistent with my second attempt. Quite dull and repetitive.
George Michael
3/5
The production was a big bang here to me. But as the album went on, it was a little too same. Call it an even 3.
The Boo Radleys
5/5
Classicly good psychedelia infused with a lot of other fun little bits. Reminds me of this: https://www.cadbury.co.uk/products/marvellous-smashables-jelly-popping-candy-11337
Todd Rundgren
2/5
A bit too long, which is surprising and amusing because almost every song is like a minute or two long. But something about the project dragged a bit for me.
Dolly Parton
5/5
Go Dolly go. I love an album under 30 minutes.
Dizzee Rascal
5/5
Grime Origins, and boy does it slap. Between flow and beats present, I'm not sure which hits harder, but both hit hard enough to punch a new genre into the mainstream.
Run-D.M.C.
3/5
It is the early stuff for sure, so it does get a slight pass, but it is quite corny at bits. The first does not always mean the best.
George Jones
4/5
A touch too close to modern commercial sounding country, but it does still have an authenticity that strikes me.
DJ Shadow
5/5
I mean, lofi hip hop owes its existence to artists like DJ Shadow. Respect where respect is due.
Al Green
4/5
The open of this album was delightful and soulful. It kind of tapered near the end, but I still very much enjoyed it!
Kraftwerk
5/5
Iconic Suite in the back end, and further solidifies one of the bands I actually would have have been a hard-core fan of in the 70s
Jeff Buckley
5/5
A surprising amount of variety in this album, with a lot of potential for a future career. Unfortunately, not possible in this case, and that does not save the album from being lower in the 5s, but I do think it is important enough to get that ranking, even if on the lower end.
Big Black
3/5
A fun punk album, that's it
Deee-Lite
2/5
The music is good, don't get me wrong. But as an album, I'm honestly very underwhelmed.
Drive-By Truckers
4/5
A bit long, but I am a sucker for a narrative record. And the songs are quality.
Public Enemy
4/5
Missing a little something in a lot of the album to give it that extra push, but I enjoy for sure. Chuck D is always one of my favorites in terms of delivery and flow. I still chafe at the antisemitism of the group, although not a focal point on this record.
Buzzcocks
5/5
Honestly? Shockingly good Punk. I was not familiar with the group, but they will go into regular rotation!
Devendra Banhart
5/5
I was not familiar with Devendra at all, and I was blown away. This is a set of tracks that really feels like a bedroom in the mid 2000s.
Nirvana
5/5
A little more unapologetic (intended) than the previous work, and I think it lacks a little of the power as well. Nevertheless, still a 5, if a low 5.
Laura Nyro
5/5
S W A N K Y
Beatles
5/5
These guys are pretty good, I'm surprised they aren't more popular.
Bonnie "Prince" Billy
5/5
I wish this was on spotify, because I want to listen to it on repeat. Guess I will settle for the artist's other stuff.
4/5
This is an absolute step up from the previous album, although still a hair too long.
The Prodigy
4/5
I was actually quite impressed compared to their follow up to this, but it had a bit more substance in my mind.
The Black Crowes
2/5
Bland in most parts with a couple of standouts, but really not much ever bringing me back. Just seems like R O C K with little spice.
Sly & The Family Stone
5/5
Funk, soul, anger, and love. A lot of good shit happening here.
Echo And The Bunnymen
3/5
Woah, some more post-punk. Crazy.
Simple Minds
3/5
Woah, some more new wave. Crazy.
Germs
3/5
Not a ton super interesting here, although I think overall as a record it was perfectly acceptable
The Sonics
4/5
Some Vintage Garage Rock, and I personally thought it was pretty hyucking good. Could use a little less covers, but not the biggest deal in the world.
Astrud Gilberto
3/5
I'd agree this belongs on the list, it just is a little too easy and subtle for my tastes.
Laibach
5/5
Incredibly cinematic. I think this album is vital after listening to it, and I would argue that this obviously inspired several other projects (Rammstein feels like an obvious one, but stuff like Sigur Rós and other atmospheric projects definitely seem to have similar lineage musically). Either way, this is an album that I think everyone should digest at some point.
Isaac Hayes
4/5
Prog soul is quite intriguing. I think it lacked something that really popped for me, but it truly is a great album.
Michael Jackson
5/5
This is arguably one of the most important albums in pop's history, and I believe it is still yet to be topped.
Willie Nelson
5/5
I mean, c'mon. It is Willie getting more wistful and nostalgic, and killing musical staples.
Lenny Kravitz
2/5
Bloat is a big issue here, honestly liked most songs, but too many on the same record methinks.
The Hives
4/5
Good punky garage rock.
N.W.A.
5/5
Arguably the beginning of west coast hip hop getting a true foothold in tandem with Ice-T paving the way. Also just a massive open set of tracks.
Rod Stewart
2/5
Not for me really, but a couple decent tracks. Just a bit of a bluesy snoozy album.
Stevie Wonder
5/5
The Magnam Opus of Mr. Wonder. I get it.
Alice Cooper
3/5
I enjoyed the music, but I kind of hope this is not the only Alice Cooper, because I feel like there is better stuff for them.
Traffic
2/5
Really not doing it for me. Maybe a bit of enjoyment here and there, but almost didn't get to this level even, low 2.
Portishead
5/5
Meandering and brooding. A very strong return from Portishead and a fabulous album with a slightly weak intro. Overall a low 5 for me.
2Pac
5/5
I'm a simple west coaster. I hear Tupac, I like.
Jorge Ben Jor
3/5
Not a lot of thoughts here, but enjoyable while it was on.
Dion
2/5
A lot of the same, and way too long. Veering on a 1 here I think.
Funkadelic
5/5
Atmospheric sound with unapologetic groove that really works together to make a distinct and potent record.
My Bloody Valentine
4/5
Something feels a little unfinished here, but not bad by any means, just a little too rough for a 5.
Bonnie Raitt
2/5
Just ok. Really bland.
Isaac Hayes
4/5
Enjoyable for sure, although of course it is a soundtrack, so a little too deep in the background vibe to be a true 5.
The Cars
3/5
I mean, some good music and tight for sure. Something about it did not really click unfortunately.
Steve Earle
2/5
I have to say, I was really not very impressed. I didn't hear anything that struck me as a strong stand out. That being said, I like this guy after reading through his Wiki. I wish he made a better album, and maybe he did after this one.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
4/5
I am a big fan of this, although I do wish there was maybe a bit more rhythm like that of the last track.
Massive Attack
4/5
A really solid work again from Massive Attack, but while it is the first Trip Hop (a genre I love) first does not always mean best.
Faust
4/5
A little more low key than I would have liked out of Krautrock, but still quite enjoyable.
The Electric Prunes
4/5
I love a good 60s garage rock.
Pentangle
3/5
Fun little folk record, no complaints
The National
4/5
Definitely bringing a different sound to the list, and I enjoyed it thoroughly.
Pink Floyd
5/5
My favorite popular Floyd album for a lot of reasons. Other reviews hit most of them, but for me, it is primarily the first concept album that I touched. A vital masterpiece.
Barry Adamson
2/5
I like the concept, and the songs are not bad necessarily. But having just listened to the Shaft soundtrack, this feels like it really misses some of the character necessary for a soundtrack.
4/5
A truly fun electronic punk/New wave record.
Stevie Wonder
5/5
I understand why Stevie is seen as one of the best after having several of his albums now. Truly just a solid sense of album experience.
Julian Cope
4/5
A little too bloated, but I did like most of this. I think the more mature sound as opposed to The Teardrop Explodes really highlights a much more intentional artistry.
Goldfrapp
5/5
I think I really enjoyed this sort of folksy 2000s stuff. I know that this was a departure, but I would hazard a guess that it was a departure in the correct direction.
Beastie Boys
5/5
The boys are back at it again. The Suite at the end is such an example of the sampling that really shines in therapy production.
4/5
Something about femme Punk vocalists really just hits harder for me. Great record.
Milton Nascimento
4/5
Bloat is the only issue here for me, otherwise, a relaxing back porch of an album.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
5/5
I mean, it's Marley, but it is missing the power of the Wailers, and doesn't have the real maturity that Exodus brought in my opinion.
Jean-Michel Jarre
5/5
Holy fuck, I was legit blown away by this album. Just a supremely strong atmosphere, and I felt like it was a perfect soundtrack type of record.
CHIC
5/5
A classic Disco record. I don't know if I'd say it is a strong 5 due to bloat (drugs be crazy), but I think it has such staying power, that it at least deserves that 5 position.
Alice Cooper
5/5
I think I'd say that this is a perfect glam rock with an edge type of album
The Kinks
4/5
Some forgettable songs, but I think an overall enjoyable folk pop piece.
The Mothers Of Invention
4/5
I enjoy the playfulness on display quite a bit. Maybe a bit too much in places, but overall a great album.
Bruce Springsteen
2/5
Oh sweet Brucey. I wish I enjoyed your music more. But damn is it just so bland. But. please keep doing your thing, because I like you.
Keith Jarrett
4/5
I was pretty reasonably impressed with most of this. There were a few moments that were a little "lobby music" for me, but I did enjoy listening to it!
Syd Barrett
4/5
Good psychedelia that mostly makes me kind of sad. Sorry Syd.
Supertramp
3/5
A good album, maybe a touch forgettable in some places and a little bit lacking in others. Not bad by any means.
De La Soul
5/5
Fantastic Hip Hop in an alternative vein from its contemporaries. Of course, I think that these guys eventually make even better music later, but truly a great start.
The Zombies
4/5
Kinda meh in many places, although enjoyable enough with a shock at the end (Time of the Season) that brings it up a notch!
The Slits
3/5
Decent Manic art punk. Maybe lacking something that really draws me back, but I could enjoy it while it is on.
Genesis
4/5
Really just a little too long in my opinion, and a little too abstract to truly enjoy it like I might with similar more concrete concept Albums. But some shiny moments for sure.
Stevie Wonder
5/5
Really solid, and shows that Stevie really has a signature sound across his discography.
Gene Clark
4/5
Actually pretty good, and I was honestly surprised based on description. But missing anything elevating.
Richard Thompson
4/5
I love this, but it does miss something special from Fairport Convention's sound.
Jazmine Sullivan
5/5
Fantastic concept and performance, definitely derived from Lauryn Hill, but unique to the current time. A low 5, but a 5 nonetheless.
Stan Getz
3/5
I mean, this is some really standard Bossa Nova type stuff, and I honestly think I'd lean in the direction of a low 3 here. But nothing was bad at all, just kinda meh.
Pixies
5/5
I love the Manic Coastal energy on this record.
Bebel Gilberto
5/5
It is very interesting to hear this right after listening to her father. While that record had a staleness to it, this is much more reminiscent of Norah Jones and a soothing coffee shop type record. I liked.
Beck
4/5
I actually think this is the first Beck where I get his whole "antifolk" thing, and I am on board.
Röyksopp
3/5
Nothing super special, but not bad. Definitely enjoyable electronic stuff.
FKA twigs
5/5
I love this, really in the Björk and SOPHIE School of production, which is definitely one of my favorite approaches to music.
Antony and the Johnsons
4/5
Surprisingly strong music in a very similar vein to Rufus Wainwright (yes I know he is included), but it is missing something that grabs me all the way.
Björk
5/5
I love listening to a biblically accurate angel.
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
Wow, I really loved this, it was riding a 4 and then Castles Made of Sand hit, and it was 5 then on, baby.
Marilyn Manson
2/5
Thank God I didn't like this as much as I expected. Aside from Marilyn Manson being a shitbag, I found that a lot of the album was really bad shock and not substantial. A few things I did like, but too many slurs, high pitched-drones, and bloated songs to be very good in my mind.
The Go-Go's
4/5
Oh what a silly time. This a whole heap of fun with some classics on it.
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
5/5
This feels like a staple bluegrass album, which is so rare to me I think it moves the needle to low 5.
Bob Dylan
5/5
This finally feels like Bob Dylan™️. Great stuff.
Meat Puppets
2/5
Woof, vocals rough. The instrumentals were pretty good, but not good enough to redeem.
The Darkness
3/5
Silly goofy glam rock. Style over substance personified.
Scott Walker
3/5
What a weird album. This is one that I assume might sit better on a few listens, but for now, it was good.
Japan
4/5
Surprisingly good, although the opener was a little Rocky. Probably a little too long on each track to be a strong 4, but it still makes the cut.
White Denim
3/5
Just fine, pardner.
Throbbing Gristle
1/5
I am going to scream. When you leave the threshold of music so often like this, it feels frustrating to review it as such. Some okay Kraftwerky type songs that I did enjoy, but too many unforgivables. Sti better than John Zorn.
Jethro Tull
4/5
Surprisingly good, I honestly was shocked that it wasn't as Dad Rock as I expected.
Venom
4/5
Honestly shocked this was so low globally. The only downside of it is the production dampens everything too much in my opinion, but otherwise, good album.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
3/5
The Crazy Horse presence makes things a bit lukewarm here.
Pulp
4/5
A little too long, but I enjoyed most tracks, particularly the level of grit on display.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
3/5
Good catchy songwriting, nothing super incredible on display for me.
Deerhunter
5/5
Ooh, I like this. Kind of feels like an indie horror movie with a positive, if bittersweet ending.
The Byrds
5/5
I honestly love David Crosby the more I listen to him. Hell yes to the tightness on display too.
Abdullah Ibrahim
2/5
Woof, too bland, dangerously close to a 1.
Siouxsie And The Banshees
5/5
A low 5, but it grabbed the spot by being proto-everything I like out of the 80s, so great job!
The Clash
4/5
A really solid album, although I do think I understand why it is not the favorite generally, a good beginning to a great career.
Faith No More
5/5
Oddly ecclectic in sound, this feels like the Bay Area answer to RHCP. I like it.
Penguin Cafe Orchestra
5/5
I love this. This is what my mind plays when I am in POLITE COMPANY.
Hot Chip
3/5
Fun and dancey, I'd probably want a little bit more substance to pump it up a notch, but definitely a fun time.
Scott Walker
4/5
A fine record, I think that it is quite concise, which saves it from a 2.
Peter Gabriel
3/5
Mired in the 80s sound, but a few shiners come through. Just middle of the road to me.
Waylon Jennings
5/5
Really aces when it comes to blending Outlaw and Honky Tonk so smoothly. And now I have 3 out of 4 of the Highwaymen (waiting for you Kris) in my Repertoire, so that is fun.
Bee Gees
5/5
I like this a lot actually, playing with the baroque pop elements strongly.
Bill Callahan
4/5
Surprisingly doomy for a country record, I like this a lot.
Moby Grape
2/5
Just fine.
Goldfrapp
4/5
Really Dreary and soft. I think there was more that went unexplored, but overall I enjoyed my time spent listening.
Adele
4/5
A lot of strong singles on display, and they do form a good album. No quite the level of hype she often gets in my opinion, but good nonetheless.
The Residents
5/5
The correct way to do that avant-garde type shit.
The Beach Boys
4/5
Fun little beach boys record. Not as substantial as I'd like though.
Can
5/5
Really cool stuff, I think the German avant era really speaks to me a lot, but I would say this maybe gets a low 5.
The Stone Roses
3/5
What a Rollercoaster, probably started around a 2, then rocketed to a 4. But The songs overall are too long, and I'd way I'd have preferred some truncation here.
Leftfield
2/5
Too long, always stuff like this is so God damn long. And really, the length isn't the problem. It is that the length is combined with repetitive tracks. If you have repetitive tracks, just play them on repeat.
A fun rock and rolling time, no complaints, no standouts throughout.
Kings of Leon
3/5
I was mildly impressed by the diversity of sound, but when the signature Kings of Leon sound is present, it sours a bit for me.
Tortoise
5/5
Quite a trip of an album, and honestly surprised by the atmosphere on display.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
Excited to hear the debut! But ultimately, just some fun bluesy rock, not much else lol.
The Police
2/5
really meh police
Billy Bragg
4/5
Oh my sweet jesus, some of that early folk punk. I eat it all up.
Kid Rock
2/5
Woof, Bawitdaba is basically the only reason I would ever listen to Kid Rock.
U2
3/5
Middling album. Some shiners, and some duds.
Love
5/5
Love still equates to my feeling about this group.
Black Flag
5/5
Zaheer did nothing wrong.
Dennis Wilson
4/5
Kind of a sorrowful and nostalgic album, reminded me a bit of If I Could Only Remember My Name
The Chemical Brothers
4/5
A good enough electronic album, although I think it needed more juice.
Coldplay
3/5
C O L D P L A Y™️
Slade
3/5
Some fun glam, unsurprisingly missing substance.
The Pogues
5/5
I just always find Celtic Punk scratches all the right itches, and this is no exception. I'd say I particularly enjoy that sometimes the Celtic and Punk Elements are not evenly balanced, which brings a welcome diversity of sound.
Skepta
4/5
Some incredibly dope grime, but too many skits really takes it down for me, which is unfortunate
Roni Size
4/5
Drum and Bass Albums are always interesting, because it always sounds like a lot of going nowhere. But I don't dislike that. The main thing I do dislike is the length, which makes this album a little sloggy at times.
50 Cent
4/5
A one note album, but an absolute banger of a note.
Elastica
4/5
Some really fun femme lead postpunk. A little samey at parts, but tight enough to cover it.
David Ackles
4/5
I can see how this is an understated Folk classic. Not quite getting to what I want, but quite enjoyable.
The Beach Boys
5/5
A true staple piece in music. And prog pop is quite an interesting genre to explore as well.
Donald Fagen
2/5
What in the Yacht Rock is this mess.
The Triffids
2/5
Just mid Rock honestly. Nothing special here.
Big Star
3/5
A good fun time with little substance.
Patti Smith
5/5
I hate how much I love the Warhol/Velvet Underground crew.
TLC
3/5
A little too samey surprisingly, but there is good stuff going on. Just a note that probably got played too much.
Beth Orton
4/5
Perfect rainy album, with a hair of bloat.
CHVRCHES
4/5
Screams 2010s loudly. A good album, maybe a little too much of the same and a bit too long to really be great for me.
The Byrds
4/5
Some really pleasant folk, nothing too flashy or shiny though.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
5/5
Just a good old swampy time.
Grizzly Bear
5/5
Incredibly diverse and uniform at the same time. Also, reminds me of a very particular era of Indie film.
The Cramps
4/5
A fun cheesy sort of punk, I think it maybe missed a little of something to flip it over the edge.
Jane's Addiction
4/5
A surprising back end, I love the slowdown songs, but the opening is weaker than I'd like.
The Jesus And Mary Chain
3/5
A little boring if we are being honest, but the moments it had that shined really hit me.
Leonard Cohen
5/5
A fabulous debut Leonard, no notes. Cool to hear a large portion of your discog in almost reverse order too.
Rod Stewart
2/5
Just not my flavor. But not horrific enough to drop down to a 1 for me.
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band
4/5
Oh it was a silly fun time. Not very substantial though. The Faith Healer and Next were standouts to me.
James Brown
5/5
First Album Encounter with The Hardest Working Man in Show Business, and he did not disappoint.
Jack White
4/5
Good, although it lacks something that Jack nailed in the White Stripes typically.
Mariah Carey
2/5
Meh.
The White Stripes
5/5
This is the sound of a grimy but friendly alleyway in middle America. Full of life, love, and soul but with a little bit of grit. I love it.
Tom Tom Club
3/5
Kind of good funky stuff. Nothing really shined for me though.
Blood, Sweat & Tears
3/5
Just fine. But some real shining moments in the more orchestral parts.
Afrika Bambaataa
4/5
A classic, but of course a little bit dated. I would say a high 4 though.
Marvin Gaye
5/5
Surprisingly tight, and the concept was very strong. A low 5, but a 5 nonetheless.
B.B. King
5/5
A strong record, and a lot of fun. King obviously knows how to have a good time.
The Pretty Things
4/5
Yeah, good Rock. Nice and tightly wound with a good throughline.
Hüsker Dü
3/5
Really Nostalgic Punk with too much bloat to take it anywhere significant.
k.d. lang
4/5
Some tasty western country, no standouts though.
The Smiths
2/5
The hopelessness on display, combined with Morrissey's ego, is too much for the record to shine.
Michael Jackson
5/5
Iconic album, and a phenomenal follow up to Thriller.
Ray Charles
4/5
Incredible performance by Ray, no shiners for me but a solid R&B/Piano Pop album nonetheless.
Donovan
5/5
Excellent early Psychedelia, I think this was important enough and also unheard of for me (a layman) to consider it vital.
Peter Gabriel
4/5
A little bit bloated for my taste, also Modern Love and Waiting for the Big One were not as harmonious with the rest of the album. The rest was Rock solid, however.
King Crimson
5/5
Not quite as iconic, but a bit more soundscapey than In the Court of the Crimson King. I still think it was at a solid 5.
Eurythmics
4/5
I was pleasantly surprised by the variety on display, but still too much 80s cheese to really push into a 5 for me.
Slipknot
4/5
Strong album, but maybe could have cut 2 or 3 tracks to really make this thing soar.
Destiny's Child
5/5
A low 5, but it is mostly due to the off-balance elements off the group, the production, and the album. Otherwise, vital music for the beginning of the 21st century.
Yes
5/5
I think Yes might be one of my favorite of the Prog Rock groups. Especially considering this album seems a little more disjointed than its follow up, and I still loved it.
The Waterboys
3/5
Good folk on the backend, lackluster rock in the front.
Madonna
3/5
Pretty good, but honestly nothing really brings me back to it.
UB40
4/5
Pretty good Reggae, although a bit long for my tastes.
Orbital
3/5
Good stuff, but a little too in the background for my tastes here. The other album they did was about the same, so it is a shame to not see any real difference.
Solange
4/5
Truly impressive presence of consistency and cohesiveness, but the interlude heaviness was a little distracting at points.
Paul Revere & The Raiders
4/5
Tight little 60s rock and roll album, honestly no complaints, just missed an extra shine or two to pump it all the way up.
Aerosmith
3/5
A few songs saved this from the sludge, but still rough in places.
Dire Straits
2/5
Couple of shiners amidst one of the most boring albums.
Snoop Dogg
5/5
A g-Funk staple, but the abuse of skits does make it a lower 5 for me.
Nitin Sawhney
4/5
A really strong soundscape and concept for an album, maybe just a hair of bloat.
The Style Council
2/5
I listened to this and almost immediately forgot it, which is indicative of its attempt at a lot of diversity with no cohesion in my opinion.
The Divine Comedy
4/5
The Divine Comedy is an odd group that I quite enjoy, but I feel like this was a worse attempt than the record that follows it.
Sufjan Stevens
5/5
I get it, I get why this was on everyone's iPods in middle school now.
Magazine
3/5
A little middling. I didn’t hear anything super bold, but it was one that I think could grow on me.
Janet Jackson
4/5
I do understand why this is on the list, but it was missing something to pump it to the 5 for me. Good vocal performance, good writing, good production, and good album structure
Depeche Mode
5/5
Phenomenal music again from Depeche Mode. Not quite the exciting revelation that Violator was, but still great.
TV On The Radio
5/5
I originally was disappointed because the album was not going anywhere, but about 3 or 4 songs in I fell in love with this sound. Very dark, dreamy, and Drone
like.
Beck
4/5
Just a weird good time, very late 90s Beck.
Tim Buckley
4/5
A beautiful album, full of great gentle and melancholic music.
Skunk Anansie
4/5
A different kind of 90s punk, which feels rarer than one might imagine.
Holger Czukay
4/5
Great Experimental avant type stuff, but may be lacking a special something to drag me back.
Fred Neil
4/5
A very interesting addition to the list, with some fun instrumentation throughout.
Justin Timberlake
4/5
Pretty strong record with Timbaland's prints all over it. Just bloated heavily.
Fun Lovin' Criminals
3/5
Good Kickback and relax Rap, with a little too much in the record
k.d. lang
4/5
Really pleasant, and I can see why the two different Albums are on display, but missing a shining factor.
The Rolling Stones
5/5
This is the best Stones I've heard thus far.
Buck Owens
5/5
This kicked ass.
The Birthday Party
1/5
Yeah, pretty bad. I didn't like a single song, and it was just full of boring.
Robert Wyatt
3/5
Good, but not great. It felt like there were pieces missing that I could not find.
Emmylou Harris
4/5
Sweet enough music, although bloat affects this, as well as a sort of "out of touch" element that I can't quite identify.
5/5
The sounds that a lot of my childhood were based on, very cool to engage with this.
Sabu
5/5
Like I was at a warm street party into the late hours of the night, just beautiful.
Eminem
5/5
Of course one of the most important albums similar to its follow up. I'd probably have to cut a few tracks for it to be perfect, but I'd say a solid low 5 for me.
Madonna
4/5
Surprisingly strong pop album, I expected a little bit of melancholy based on description, which I don't think would have been nearly as good as this.
Heaven 17
3/5
It was good, but in the slew of similar music I'm not sure it had much that really pulled me.
John Lennon
4/5
It was surprising to actually like this, but it is still missing something in my opinion to really finish it off and make it shine, and I think it is mostly in the songwriting area.
Van Morrison
1/5
Wow. Subpar Double Album, subpar Soul, subpar Rock, subpar live album. Just about everything sucked. As boring as music gets in my opinion.
Duke Ellington
5/5
I love the performances on display here, and was blown away by some of the diversity of sound.
The Psychedelic Furs
3/5
Ok, it wasn't bad 80s, just a little cheese that made it listenable enough.
Bobby Womack
4/5
Really just cool music. Tight album as well, a wholly pleasant experience.
The Stooges
5/5
I was enjoying the album a good deal. And then We Will Fall played. Then I was loving this album. What an epic stowed inside a tight record.
OutKast
5/5
The most Double of Albums, since it is literally two Albums that were smashed together. I think that it is missing some of what I enjoy about OutKast, but Andre really makes up for it in The Love Below.
Silver Jews
5/5
Phenomenal early 2000s melancholic Indie stuff
G. Love & Special Sauce
5/5
I'm surprised they didn't get more popular, because this is the White Stripes before the White Stripes.
Christina Aguilera
4/5
Beautiful but bloated. Very obvious how she got a stranglehold for a while in the 2000s.
Little Richard
5/5
This is what I think a perfect Rock and Roll Album sounds like.
N.E.R.D
4/5
Really close to hitting something so strong, but it feels like almost every song was nearly groundbreaking. Not strong enough to get the 5 for me, but definitely a great album.
The Libertines
3/5
Yeah, fine.
Einstürzende Neubauten
4/5
Wow, impressive industrial and Experimental. It toes the line without falling into a trap of being unlistenable.
Lightning Bolt
4/5
Truly impressed with this, considering it is listed as in the bottom globally. But this is good noise rock.
M.I.A.
5/5
Truly one of the pioneers of the experimental crossover sounds that exist in today's music. A very fun listen, with interludes that flow as well.
The Killers
5/5
I mean, just for the severe stranglehold this held in music in the 2000s, this earns its spot.
Blue Cheer
4/5
An excellent example of something that needs to be on the list. I liked it, but more than anything, its historical position is more important.
Sebadoh
2/5
Well, I sure listened to that. I can't even give it the coveted honor of a 1, since that would define it as noteworthy.
The Vines
3/5
Kind of interesting that this found any purchase on this list. Just fine.
Baaba Maal
4/5
A little bloat on an otherwise enjoyable album.
Neneh Cherry
3/5
Wow, how very 90s. I'd say this was a very mid album for me.
Baaba Maal
4/5
Very droning and mesmerizing. Missing a key feature, but overall good.
Cocteau Twins
5/5
I don't know why, but this one really got me. With the other record on this list, I was somewhat impressed, but I think this one just plain did a better job at the attempted sound.
4/5
I was honestly shocked by the sound on display, but the decade should've given me some hints. Either way, enjoyable and interesting with a hair of bloat.
Steve Winwood
4/5
Surprisingly good blue Eyed soul, particularly strong opening track.
Terence Trent D'Arby
3/5
I enjoyed it, but I was wondering the whole time if there weren't folks who had done this either earlier or better?
Michael Jackson
5/5
A much more downtempo MJ overall, but still the King of Pop.
The The
4/5
Insanely better than Soul Mining. Does not even come close to being comparable in my mind, and something about this record came across as truly genuine.
Dexys Midnight Runners
2/5
Pretty lackluster, one or two good songs. Definitely don't understand why this made it on the list.
Rahul Dev Burman
4/5
A little more "old cinema" sound than I would have liked, but a fabulous soundtrack nevertheless.
Judas Priest
5/5
The most interesting thing about Judas Priest is that they present very clearly as a heavy metal band, but their lyrical content seems like it actually toes the line really well with punk, which I think enhances the overall output exponentially as it taps into 2 genres seamlessly.
Public Image Ltd.
1/5
Wow, what a wretched album.
Les Rythmes Digitales
4/5
A fun little jaunt through important electronic music.
John Lee Hooker
4/5
Star Studded blues album. Enjoyable, but not particularly striking beyond the artists on display.
The Monks
5/5
Now this is some interesting proto Punk garage stuff. I loved it, but it does get an Asterisk low 5 for being off Spotify and only on YouTube as far as I could find it.
Marianne Faithfull
4/5
I love the dark and Gritty and feel of this, also quite tight as a record. Missing a shining element, but not a bad record by any means.
Randy Newman
4/5
I really appreciate the political Americana element that shows up in Newman's work, and this had some great examples.
Traffic
3/5
Meh. Classic Rock, most songs were enjoyable, but as a whole kind of bland.
Shuggie Otis
5/5
Fantastic Soul album, really one you can sit down and enjoy on a Sunday evening
Fishbone
4/5
Eclectic blend, with a lot of good music. I'm mostly surprised I hadn't heard of Fishbone before. A bit too broad of a swing for a 5 though.
LTJ Bukem
2/5
Wow, that was a whole lot of nothing.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
5/5
The sound of a sorrowful Omen. Beautiful, Haunting, and Surprisingly fresh.
Jacques Brel
3/5
Silly French man
Calexico
4/5
Good 2000s Indie stuff, albeit a bit bloated.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
4/5
I thought it was a fun album, but there was almost an effort at parts to sound too raw that really didn't work for me.
Tom Waits
5/5
A darker and gritter Tom than usual, and I love it of course.
Astor Piazzolla
3/5
Surprisingly tasty. I don't think I would just throw it on, but some of the songs will be in regular background rotation.
Supergrass
5/5
Really good stuff, this has been the second time that Supergrass caught me by surprise.
Klaxons
4/5
Great Dancy stuff, I was particularly into the drums on display
Brian Eno
5/5
I do agree after listening to this that Eno is at a Zenith between his traditional sound and his Ambient experiments, and it sounds great.
Nightmares On Wax
3/5
Excellent background with hella bloat in my opinion.
The xx
5/5
Another superb album by The xx, I have no words to describe how this band always impacts me.
The Byrds
4/5
A fun and tight little country piece by the Byrds
Deep Purple
3/5
Good for a live album. Particularly in the showmanship on the drums.
Björk
5/5
She did it again. Møthër.
Pet Shop Boys
2/5
A little too much 80s on this bad boy.
Neil Young
5/5
A great folksy time from Neil. It's a low 5 for me, but it does break through I think.
Cowboy Junkies
4/5
Surprisingly bluesy and downtempo. I really enjoyed this, even though it had a bit of samey bloat.
Scissor Sisters
4/5
Unique amongst their contemporaries, I think they successfully carved a very strong niche. I think I was maybe missing a Wow factor to enhance it all the way, but I still really enjoyed this.
Brian Eno
5/5
Great Ambient. I think Eno just really knows how to lock in a soundscape tightly.
Pretenders
3/5
Wow, this was a dead center album for me.
George Michael
4/5
Somehow this had just the right amount of cheese to make it to a 4.
The KLF
4/5
Some great electronic, and interestingly showed some roots of modern electronic I did not expect.
Sparks
5/5
Kind of Queenesque, I really dig this.
Kelela
4/5
Really surprising R&B piece. Had not heard it before, but very happy with it. I think it is missing a little something to pump it up for me though.
Bob Dylan
5/5
Bob Dylan™️
Kate Bush
5/5
Kate kills it again.
Ms. Dynamite
3/5
Middle of the road, the bloat probably does it in a bit.
Doves
2/5
I enjoyed it while I heard it, but it was pretty promptly forgotten.
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
4/5
I honestly really enjoyed these, I thought they were well crafted and would heavily enjoy listening to them again.
Teenage Fanclub
3/5
The album was a bit hit or miss for me, I think a trimmed down version of this album could easily be a 4 for me.
Janelle Monáe
5/5
I don't think this is my favorite of all time, but this might be a perfect album.
The Associates
2/5
A few great tracks, and many lackluster ones.
Echo And The Bunnymen
2/5
Something about this just didn't land for me, a very low 2
Peter Tosh
5/5
This is Quintessential Reggae, outside of Marley of course. But a fellow Wailer is still a vital part of the music.
Tim Buckley
2/5
Meh. One song I liked, but I prefer the earlier Tim.
The Bees
4/5
Ooh, I like this a lot. Missing a real shine factor, but I wonder what the rest of the discography looks like.
Grateful Dead
4/5
A pretty good live album, almost a 3 but you can just tell this would be killer live.
The Louvin Brothers
5/5
At this point in my musical journey, I feel that I have to apologize to country. A bunch of fuckwads from the 90s and 00s co-opted the sound and took out the substance. I'm so glad the roots are still alive enough to allow some modern artists to hold the banner, but damn has it been tough.
Joe Ely
3/5
A little too Honky Tonk for my liking personally, but not bad, just a lot.
Pixies
5/5
I think this is the best Pixies on the list, something about its rusty quality draws me in. Definitely makes me want more too, with just the right length.
Basement Jaxx
4/5
I was truly impressed with this at the outset, but much like it's contemporaries, it suffers from bloat. A LOW four, but it makes the cut.
Robert Wyatt
5/5
I am always bittersweet seeing Wyatt's name attached to a record. On one hand, I know it will be great, on the other, I am reminded of his paralysis. And nowhere does it feel more present than in this album.
GZA
5/5
I think for me, GZA is what makes Wu-Tang special. That Wuxia-inspired aesthetic makes for a strong flavor that blends well with the New York Street, along with deeper references and interesting topics.
The Who
4/5
Ooh, actually pretty fun and precise. I don't know if it breaks ahead of the pack of its contemporaries, but it didn't really need to as evidenced by their future records.
Butthole Surfers
4/5
Great Noise, although some parts where I think it is maybe a little too nonconforming and challenging for no other purpose than to be that way.
Ozomatli
5/5
Oh wow. I was already excited because of the obvious Nahuatl name, and then was really floored with the overall execution on display. Diverse, Rich, and Fun all in a perfect length record.
Soft Machine
5/5
Really phenomenal spacey electronic stuff, big fan of this sound and can see where it launched them in the future as well.
The Dandy Warhols
3/5
Full of that pre-millenia melancholy that permeates so much 90s music, but a tad too much bloat to really push it for me.
Ali Farka Touré
4/5
A great soothing record, although I think it misses something that the other Ali Farka Touré album had that pumped it up for me.
Gram Parsons
4/5
I can see the soul on display, and I get the tragic bent to it. But I do think it is maybe a notch down from 5, due to lacking a strong shine for me.
Muddy Waters
4/5
Muddy is doing great here, but I did think there was a bit of redundancy that drops the album.
The White Stripes
5/5
I mean, it is the White Stripes. No notes.
M.I.A.
5/5
Truly visionary, this album still feels fresh almost 15 years later, which is incredibly remarkable to me
Bill Evans Trio
3/5
Slipped into the background a bit too much for me, but not bad.
Rufus Wainwright
5/5
Even though I listened to Want Two first, this is The Return of the King
Stephen Stills
4/5
Good sounds, nothing flashy.
Radiohead
4/5
Soundscapey again! But maybe a hair below some of the other more intentional and cinematic sounds Radiohead has done before.
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
4/5
Fun and experimental for sure, but honestly was expecting a bit more out of this.
The Beta Band
5/5
I was thoroughly impressed with this, as I expected a very different sound, but the laid-back energy and downtempo drones here actually compliment each other quite well.
Red Snapper
3/5
A good time, but really too background to be breathtaking for me.
Kate Bush
5/5
Kate, you've done it again.
4/5
Kind of cool, but lacking in star power of any one moment in the record.
Dagmar Krause
3/5
I see what is going on here, but there is just a little too much to actually feel fresh.
Bob Dylan
4/5
I liked it quite a bit. Although, it made me realize why Bob is not necessarily one of the best singers, and was way better at songwriting to compensate.
The Zutons
4/5
Quite enjoyable surprisingly. Maybe a touch of bloat.
The Band
2/5
A little too boring for me honestly, unfortunately.
Lupe Fiasco
4/5
Now this right here was an album that I think was overall pretty quality. And I was especially grateful to Lupe for thanking me personally at timestamp 11:22 in the outro. Shoutouts to you Lupe.
Gary Numan
3/5
A good album, with distracting vocals.
Peter Gabriel
5/5
I was actually quite impressed with this, a low 5 But I just really dug the art rock elements for some reason.
Eels
4/5
I actually kind of like this, sort of a downtempo Foo Fighters.
Fugazi
3/5
Very fun Skater music.
4/5
I was super impressed with this, and honestly only think that the CD era bloat typical among this era is what drags it down.
2/5
Just noise for the sake of noise, no substance.
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
A bit of bloat drags it down to a low 5 for me.
American Music Club
3/5
Just ok stuff honestly.
Sonic Youth
4/5
I really think the longer the Sonic Youth Album, the worse. This is a good example of a length that might be pushing towards too long, but still makes the cut as a good album.
David Bowie
3/5
Honestly? I'm kinda surprised by how flip floppy this was. There were moments where I really dug it, and others where I wanted to skip.
The Velvet Underground
5/5
Yeah, I like this. I think it is probably a low 5, but it still makes the cut for me.
Giant Sand
4/5
A really nostalgic album, with a strong dusty feel on it. Bit of bloat though.
XTC
4/5
Crazy that I got the 2 XTC albums so close to each other. I liked it, but there was something that felt unfinished about it that did drag it down for me.
Pere Ubu
2/5
Better than Dub Housing, but not by much.
Aretha Franklin
5/5
TIGHT album by a legend. No notes, great stuff!
Christina Aguilera
3/5
Bloated into like 3 separate albums, but I liked one of them.
Pet Shop Boys
4/5
Surprisingly strong for Pet Shop Boys, I think there was a clearer charm to this one.
Big Star
4/5
Surprising album, and I loved the femme Fatale rendition. A few stinkers on it, but the rest shone through.
Joanna Newsom
5/5
Wow. Kind of a celtic Folk Kate Bush or Björk. I love it.
Simply Red
3/5
If I'm gonna listen to yacht rock, this will do.
Paul Simon
5/5
Simon's got a hit baby!
The Good, The Bad & The Queen
5/5
It is a good music.
Malcolm McLaren
3/5
Based on prior info, I thought I'd dislike this more. A few moments really poked through and shined though, and instead I got a confusing album.
Femi Kuti
4/5
Very good, definitely a fun follow up to his dad's stuff, although I think the album was a bit too bloated for my tastes.
Girls Against Boys
2/5
Really and truly just ok.
Songhoy Blues
4/5
Yeah, nothing too flashy, but just good Blues. The story behind it is maybe more interesting than the album.
808 State
4/5
Very fun background noise, I would have favored a bit more substance but I am not unhappy with it!
Dexys Midnight Runners
3/5
Meh.
Django Django
4/5
Ooh. A good sound, maybe a bit too similar to a few other things on the list.
Throwing Muses
3/5
A fine punky time.
Bauhaus
5/5
Oh shit. This is actually playing weird and dark shit the right way. I think I really liked it actually.
Primal Scream
3/5
Not as good as the other record, and a wee bit bloated.
Morrissey
3/5
I'm surprised at how palatable this was. Quite a few songs that I liked, although still would never put on the album by itself.
Kings of Leon
2/5
Wow, forgettable.
The Thrills
3/5
Just fine soft boy music.
Scritti Politti
2/5
woof.
The Cult
3/5
Rick Rubin, I can smell you.
Mudhoney
3/5
Good noisy punk, but a little lackluster in parts.
R.E.M.
4/5
Surprise of an album, I was expecting this to be much more lackluster, but it actually was pretty potent.
CHIC
5/5
Proper Disco Staple
Kings of Leon
4/5
Ok Kings of Leon, I'm glad to see an album that deserves to be on this list finally. Of course some star singles, but also just consistent across the board.
Coldcut
4/5
What a perfect portrayal of the decade of cocaine.
John Cale
3/5
Good Folk, but nothing to write home about.
Paul McCartney
5/5
A knockout lofi album, which came as a bit of a shock.
The Beta Band
4/5
A fine album to end on. What a fun 2000s romp to end my generator journey!