Journey Complete!
Finisher #157 to complete the list
1179
Albums Rated
3.08
Average Rating
108%
Complete
Germfree Adolescents
X-Ray Spex
Favorite Album
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How you rate albums
Rating Timeline
Average rating over time
Ratings by Decade
Which era do you prefer?
Activity by Day
When do you listen?
Taste Profile
1970s
Favorite Decade
Rock-and-roll
Favorite Genre
UK
Top Origin
Wordsmith
Rater Style ?
148
5-Star Albums
124
1-Star Albums
Taste Analysis
Genre Preferences
Ratings by genre
Origin Preferences
Ratings by country
Rating Style
You Love More Than Most
Albums you rated higher than global average
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opus Dei | 5 | 2.39 | +2.61 |
| En-Tact | 5 | 2.43 | +2.57 |
| New Forms | 5 | 2.53 | +2.47 |
| Boy In Da Corner | 5 | 2.57 | +2.43 |
| Fear and Whiskey | 5 | 2.6 | +2.4 |
| Live At The Witch Trials | 5 | 2.64 | +2.36 |
| A Grand Don't Come For Free | 5 | 2.67 | +2.33 |
| Casanova | 5 | 2.67 | +2.33 |
| Raw Like Sushi | 5 | 2.7 | +2.3 |
| Next | 5 | 2.71 | +2.29 |
You Love Less Than Most
Albums you rated lower than global average
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmo's Factory | 1 | 3.93 | -2.93 |
| Kid A | 1 | 3.71 | -2.71 |
| Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness | 1 | 3.68 | -2.68 |
| After The Gold Rush | 1 | 3.64 | -2.64 |
| To Pimp A Butterfly | 1 | 3.61 | -2.61 |
| good kid, m.A.A.d city | 1 | 3.61 | -2.61 |
| Foo Fighters | 1 | 3.5 | -2.5 |
| Blackstar | 1 | 3.48 | -2.48 |
| Hail To the Thief | 1 | 3.44 | -2.44 |
| ...And Justice For All | 1 | 3.43 | -2.43 |
Artist Analysis
Favorite Artists
Artists with 2+ albums
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Michael Jackson | 4 | 5 |
| Leonard Cohen | 6 | 4.5 |
| Nirvana | 4 | 4.75 |
| Kanye West | 4 | 4.75 |
| Elvis Presley | 3 | 5 |
| The Kinks | 5 | 4.4 |
| Queen | 4 | 4.5 |
| Prince | 4 | 4.5 |
| The Doors | 3 | 4.67 |
| Bob Marley & The Wailers | 3 | 4.67 |
| Public Enemy | 3 | 4.67 |
| Pixies | 3 | 4.67 |
| Johnny Cash | 3 | 4.67 |
| Alanis Morissette | 2 | 5 |
| New York Dolls | 2 | 5 |
| Eminem | 2 | 5 |
| The Clash | 2 | 5 |
| The Divine Comedy | 2 | 5 |
| Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds | 6 | 4.17 |
| Pink Floyd | 5 | 4.2 |
| The Temptations | 4 | 4.25 |
| Led Zeppelin | 6 | 4 |
| Dusty Springfield | 3 | 4.33 |
| Lou Reed | 3 | 4.33 |
| Ice Cube | 3 | 4.33 |
| Dire Straits | 3 | 4.33 |
| The White Stripes | 3 | 4.33 |
| Jimi Hendrix | 3 | 4.33 |
| The Cure | 3 | 4.33 |
| Kraftwerk | 3 | 4.33 |
Least Favorite Artists
Artists with 2+ albums
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Van Morrison | 4 | 1.5 |
| Ali Farka Touré | 3 | 1.33 |
| My Bloody Valentine | 3 | 1.33 |
| James Taylor | 2 | 1 |
| The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion | 2 | 1 |
| Slipknot | 2 | 1 |
| Emmylou Harris | 2 | 1 |
| John Martyn | 2 | 1 |
| Sepultura | 2 | 1 |
| Kendrick Lamar | 2 | 1 |
| Billy Bragg | 2 | 1 |
| Radiohead | 6 | 1.83 |
| Ryan Adams | 3 | 1.67 |
| The Byrds | 5 | 2 |
| The Magnetic Fields | 2 | 1.5 |
| Pavement | 2 | 1.5 |
| Dolly Parton | 2 | 1.5 |
| Public Image Ltd. | 2 | 1.5 |
| Frank Sinatra | 4 | 2 |
| Neil Young | 4 | 2 |
| Brian Eno | 5 | 2.2 |
| Rush | 3 | 2 |
| TV On The Radio | 3 | 2 |
| Coldplay | 3 | 2 |
| Tim Buckley | 3 | 2 |
| Elvis Costello & The Attractions | 4 | 2.25 |
Controversial Artists
Artists you rate inconsistently
| Artist | Ratings |
|---|---|
| Happy Mondays | 1, 5 |
| The Band | 4, 1 |
| Gene Clark | 4, 1 |
| Amy Winehouse | 5, 2 |
| Super Furry Animals | 5, 2 |
5-Star Albums (148)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
The Libertines
3/5
It's not bad, it's the definition of "landfill indie" however, instantly forgettable but does make you feel good while listening so sneaks a 3
36 likes
1/5
Dreading this as soon as the genre was "noise rock" I'm sure it's arty and influential to someone. But as a listen it's unbearable for more than 10 seconds at a time. 1
21 likes
Bill Callahan
1/5
Lost the will to live halfway through the first song. When hillbillies think they're deep.
14 likes
Foo Fighters
1/5
I don't know why I just can't stand the Foo fighters, its a mix of garage band and middle of the road rock and boring vocals, just don't' like them
13 likes
1-Star Albums (124)
All Ratings
The Velvet Underground
3/5
Liked this, less Rocky than I expected, great chill out album
Dusty Springfield
4/5
Loved it
Funkadelic
3/5
Slow start, some really nice tunes in the middle section
The Specials
3/5
Great singles, let down by the rest of the songs, swings between a 2 and a 5, more of a 3.5 score
James Taylor
1/5
Tina Turner
3/5
A lot of very good individual songs, not a classic album when all put together
Massive Attack
2/5
Bit too chill out tent for me
Primal Scream
2/5
not my thing
Ali Farka Touré
1/5
Not my thing
Lou Reed
4/5
Really good mix of different type of songs
Spiritualized
2/5
Like a VERY 90's Pink Floyd
Spiritualized
3/5
better than the other spiritualized album
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
1/5
did not make it though one song
Little Richard
4/5
Really great, every track enjoyable
OutKast
4/5
really good album, a little jaded as it was so overplayed when I was younger
Grizzly Bear
2/5
not for me
Tangerine Dream
3/5
Yeah very nice but ultimately forgettable
Jamiroquai
3/5
enjoyed this, wouldn't really listen regularly though
Alanis Morissette
5/5
maybe 4.5 but instantly re-listened , mix of rocky, angry and poppy tunes. loved it.
The Temptations
4/5
good, but not the best of motown
LCD Soundsystem
4/5
Liked this, no idea why, synthy/ prog rock-y/ pop-y. interesting mix of styles
The Fall
4/5
love this genre, this was good but not one of the best of them
Queen
5/5
Fantastic
Ice Cube
5/5
Classic hip hip and classic Ice Cube
Van Morrison
2/5
Country & Western, not for me
Moby
3/5
Flips between a 5 and a 2. Some amazing tunes but then the rest lets it down
Nirvana
5/5
Jut a series of really great tunes
Milton Nascimento
3/5
Some nice tunes and great guitar work, wouldn't re-listen really
David Bowie
2/5
Just didn't get on with it, wanted to like it but outside of singles just didn't enjoy
Wilco
2/5
Not a big fan
Kanye West
5/5
undeniable 5 stars
Laura Nyro
4/5
Beautiful vocals
Can
4/5
wtf was this, don't know if i loved or hated it
a-ha
3/5
Ok pop, some nice tunes wouldn't seek out more of their stuff
Joni Mitchell
4/5
Beautiful music
Led Zeppelin
4/5
classic rock
Bad Company
4/5
generous 4
David Crosby
2/5
Depeche Mode
3/5
enjoyed but a bit too dark for relistening
Dire Straits
4/5
really good rock
Death In Vegas
3/5
Strange choice, like a movie soundtrack
Ryan Adams
2/5
Started out ok but went too country and western
Rush
2/5
Ok rock
Miles Davis
2/5
Am sure it was influential not my thing though
The Slits
3/5
some nice tunes, needed to be more poppy or rocky though
Pulp
4/5
feel i should enjoy this more than I do, still some great tunes and a slice of time
Michael Jackson
5/5
yeah easily one of the albums of the 20th century
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
5/5
superb
The Stooges
3/5
solid 3, wouldn't relisten
Tori Amos
2/5
good, far from great
TV On The Radio
3/5
nice, pretty forgettable
Prince
4/5
great
Frank Sinatra
2/5
croony, nice if you like that sort of thing, found it boring really
Leonard Cohen
5/5
Wow this was a nice surprise
The Kinks
4/5
Fantastic, can really hear the influence they've had on so many bands, as good as a Beatles album easily. Just missing maybe one more banger to be a 5
Mudhoney
2/5
not my thing
Le Tigre
4/5
enjoyed this
The Teardrop Explodes
2/5
basic 80s sound
Coldplay
2/5
gave it a try and good first tune, but find them so boring overall
Deerhunter
2/5
did nothing for me
Sly & The Family Stone
2/5
Not my thing, wishy washy
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
not my thing but appreciate it
The United States Of America
2/5
didn't like
Mike Oldfield
4/5
interesting
The Temptations
5/5
Wow this was a surprise, knew a few of the tunes, the entire album was great though
Jurassic 5
4/5
Prefer the previous album, fantastic music but missing true bangers
Elliott Smith
3/5
needs another listen but good
Solomon Burke
4/5
Nice Rock and Nice Soul, maybe 3.7 but enjoyable
Boards of Canada
1/5
arty rubbish
Pulp
4/5
Darker than what you expect from a Pulp album. maybe 3.9 but very good
Bon Jovi
3/5
bit middle of the road rock
Pink Floyd
5/5
iconic
New York Dolls
5/5
Who knew Americans could do punk?
Peter Frampton
3/5
ok
David Gray
3/5
slow to average
The Mothers Of Invention
3/5
The Who
4/5
Baba o'reilly alone give this a 4, not as stand out as other iconic albums however, maybe 3.75
Sonic Youth
3/5
pretty good, bit too heavy rock for me
The Magnetic Fields
2/5
Pedestrian
Harry Nilsson
4/5
Put off listening to this, but a vey surprising album full of great Beatle-era pop tunes. 4.3
The Lemonheads
2/5
Deee-Lite
3/5
3.5 nice album just missing a second stand out tune
Underworld
2/5
Not a great fan
Sparks
4/5
enjoyed this, maybe 3.8
David Bowie
4/5
first Bowie album i've really enjoyed
Frankie Goes To Hollywood
2/5
basic 80s with a load of covers weaker than the originals
The Cramps
3/5
on the lower end of 3.5 good but not great
Morrissey
3/5
Didn't mind but find most Morrissey forgettable
David Holmes
3/5
ok, fairly forgettable
The Pogues
4/5
really enjoyable
808 State
4/5
3.8 perhaps good ambient tunes
Marianne Faithfull
4/5
achingly cool
Astrud Gilberto
3/5
Nice, no desire to relisten 3.4
Thin Lizzy
2/5
Live album not really doing anything for me, not exactly the most rocking tunes ever either
Sonic Youth
2/5
not a big fan
The Sabres Of Paradise
2/5
ambient music, needs vocals
Deerhunter
3/5
ok, didn't blow me away
Ravi Shankar
2/5
I'm sure it was influential, but I'm rating based on what I enjoy
Primal Scream
3/5
Some really nice individual tunes, just would never relisten as an album
Cat Stevens
4/5
Didn't think i'd like but some very nice music
Aretha Franklin
4/5
can't give any less than 4 but lot of slower tunes
Machito
3/5
enjoyable
Fela Kuti
3/5
nice, can't honestly give more than a 3 as will never re listen
Iggy Pop
3/5
Thought I would enjoy this more than I did
Little Richard
5/5
has to be 5 out of 5
The B-52's
4/5
Music that's fun, I enjoyed.
The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy
4/5
3.8 maybe very Public Enemy
The Rolling Stones
4/5
never been a big stones fan, this is a undeniable 4 -5 though
The Flaming Lips
4/5
give it 4 just for the title track, rest is pretty meh
Eminem
5/5
maybe nostalgia, but it's always a 5 from me
Def Leppard
4/5
good fun
LCD Soundsystem
4/5
3.5 not blown away
James Brown
5/5
5 all day
The Doors
5/5
is it's own genre by itself really
Jorge Ben Jor
3/5
cool and funky, just not my thing
Fleet Foxes
2/5
not my thing
Drive-By Truckers
3/5
rocky parts were good, too hillbilly overall
Bob Dylan
4/5
Very enjoyable rock
Magazine
4/5
v good punk album
Dirty Projectors
1/5
Life too short for this shit
Frank Sinatra
2/5
croony, nice if you like that sort of thing, found it boring really
Crosby, Stills & Nash
3/5
Hmm 3.4 maybe had to have experienced it at the time
The Stooges
3/5
Starts off really well, just doesn't maintain through whole album
Metallica
1/5
Tried, but just no
Harry Nilsson
4/5
Put off listening to this, but a vey surprising album full of great Beatle-era pop tunes. 4.3
Beastie Boys
3/5
enjoy the beats but not the vocals
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
3/5
ok, not as good as his other albums despite some good tunes
Common
1/5
Don't know what to say, this was just awful
Blue Cheer
3/5
interesting and fun, can't see myself ever re-listening
Miles Davis
4/5
4 but mostly due to impact
Erykah Badu
4/5
Loved this, missing a stand out tune to make it a 5
Dusty Springfield
5/5
Loved this, even better than the other album even though that has the most well known tune. could listen again and again
Leonard Cohen
4/5
Thought this would be a three as a bit slow, but very beautiful songs which stuck in my head
John Lennon
2/5
Didn't enjoy, doesn't help the main tune is really overplayed
Richard Hawley
3/5
was always going to be a 3, fairly nice songs and voice but instantly forgettable
Stereolab
2/5
life's too short
Cypress Hill
3/5
If I was 15 it may have been a 5, as it is was a good hip hop album, nothing more
John Coltrane
4/5
enjoyed this, would listen again as background music
Fiona Apple
3/5
liked the first song, album overall is the complete opposite of an album you should listen to before you die. 2.7
Talk Talk
3/5
again, nice but middle of the road and no need to re-listen
Dinosaur Jr.
2/5
basic basic rock
The Doors
4/5
Again a sound all of their own, a little too experimental to be a 5 though
Bruce Springsteen
2/5
Sounds like a South Park parody of US "Pain" after 9/11 . only Springsteen's quality and a few good songs stop this being a 1
Lou Reed
5/5
could pick holes but it's just great music
My Bloody Valentine
1/5
trying to enjoy new music I wouldn't normally listen to this is so dull though
Bebel Gilberto
4/5
was waiting for something a bit different from generic rock and this was certainly it. I enjoyed it, would not be a regular listen but good. 3.6
Cyndi Lauper
4/5
Enjoyed pretty much every moment of this
Peter Tosh
4/5
3.6 enjoyable
TLC
3/5
not particularly crazy sexy or cool, to be honest suffers as influences so much bad music which came after
Stephen Stills
2/5
Started off really well, then plummeted to awful country rubbish. First 2- 3 songs were nice rock
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
Jurassic 5
4/5
Van Morrison
1/5
No, just no
Ryan Adams
2/5
Why is this on here twice?
Air
4/5
Odd, but enjoyed. missing vocals but nice instrumentals if you're in the mood
Deep Purple
3/5
enjoyable, not really my thing
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
2/5
People actually listen to this? was mildly entertaining once
My Bloody Valentine
1/5
nope
The White Stripes
4/5
Super enjoyable, just find the white stripes missing something a bit though
Quicksilver Messenger Service
3/5
yeah enjoyed this 3.3
System Of A Down
1/5
hated this
Shack
3/5
nice enough, pretty forgettable overall 2.8
Black Sabbath
3/5
Hmm loved some f it, meh about the rest. 3.5
The Electric Prunes
3/5
Another that had a few good tunes, interspersed by Nursery rhymes and rubbish
Spiritualized
2/5
2Pac
3/5
This is nice, he's got a great flow, too bad it led to the rise of a million poor imitators
Mudhoney
2/5
very generous 2, 1.6
Wilco
2/5
Not a big fan
Rush
2/5
Femi Kuti
2/5
Kinda enjoyed, wouldn't listen to any more 2.4
The Young Gods
2/5
Nah
The Modern Lovers
3/5
another fine but forgettable 3
Paul Simon
4/5
Didn't know him apart from one song, really enjoyed this
Tom Waits
3/5
3.5, glad I listened, but not gonna put it on again
Björk
4/5
Enjoy Bjork, maybe wouldn't listen regularly but every time I do I enjoy. 3.8
Red Hot Chili Peppers
2/5
did not enjoy this
The Specials
4/5
Yeah really enjoyable 3.9
Pavement
2/5
boring and rubbish together
Air
3/5
Enjoyable
George Jones
1/5
no, just no
Brian Eno
3/5
interesting to listen to, wouldn't put it on again
Bad Company
3/5
Otis Redding
3/5
Didn't like as much as i though i would
Iron Butterfly
4/5
enjoyed this
Radiohead
3/5
I like the odd radiohead tune, can't really handle their albums though 2.8
Solomon Burke
4/5
PJ Harvey
4/5
No stand out tunes but overall a great album 3.9
The Sugarcubes
2/5
interesting, doesn't do anything for me though
Bauhaus
3/5
glad I listened, wouldn't put it on again
James Taylor
1/5
Willie Colón & Rubén Blades
3/5
good if you like this type of thing
Boards of Canada
3/5
Enjoyed this, can't imagine listening to it regularly though
Simple Minds
4/5
3.5
Alexander 'Skip' Spence
2/5
Didn't like
The Blue Nile
2/5
bit forgettable
The Who
4/5
liked the other album better, bit experimental
Frank Zappa
5/5
what a surprise, loved this
David Bowie
2/5
Beatles
4/5
Harsh 4, only because other albums are so much better
The Soft Boys
3/5
yeah pretty good
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
4/5
really liked the last two songs, some was little too country for me. 3.9
Dinosaur Jr.
3/5
not much to day, it's fine but yet another middle of the road rock album
The Beach Boys
2/5
bit too twee for me
Green Day
3/5
Some Good tunes, they're a bit American garage band for me
k.d. lang
3/5
was fine, really expecting something more
Stan Getz
4/5
gonna be generous as I don't like Jazz but feel quite moved by this
The Who
3/5
good tunes, prefer studio albums really
Soundgarden
3/5
enjoyed some tunes, rest was a bit backgroundy
Suicide
3/5
first few songs -4
last few songs - 1
Fred Neil
2/5
didn't get on with it
Bob Dylan
4/5
enjoyed this
The Go-Betweens
2/5
fine but just forgettable
Joy Division
4/5
Love this music, but it's so depressing
Willie Nelson
3/5
probably one of the best country albums i've heard, still country though
The 13th Floor Elevators
4/5
enjoyed this much more than I thought I would
Sonic Youth
4/5
something a bit different, overall enjoyed
Beastie Boys
4/5
not a huge fan but enjoyed this album
Dire Straits
4/5
Portishead
4/5
This was very enjoyable, just don't see myself re-listening. 4.2
Dr. Dre
4/5
good album, was perfected in 2001 however, this is rawer, but still has that Dre gloss
Badly Drawn Boy
3/5
just does nothing to stand out. 2.6
Radiohead
3/5
nice music, just doesn't do it for me
The Smiths
4/5
No a huge Smiths fan but enjoyed this and when relistened enjoyed it even more
The Cars
5/5
Overall this was a really good album, no huge stand out songs, but this is what I want when listening to a full album 4.7
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
only knew a few of these songs, was great
Patti Smith
4/5
Really good album, kept me engaged all the way
Eagles
3/5
like country and western rock, didn't really get on with it
Eminem
5/5
would probably hate this if it was released today, but came out when i was an angry 16 year old so it holds a massive place in my heart
Mercury Rev
4/5
yeah mostly enjoyed this. Goddess on a highway is one of my all time tunes, rest is a 2/3 out of 5 so 3.5
Charles Mingus
2/5
just too jazzy
The Incredible String Band
2/5
I like folk, but this was just too folkey for me
Justice
4/5
enjoyed this, 3.5 maybe but a good listen
Genesis
3/5
just doesn't stand out as much as it thinks it does. 3.4
Portishead
3/5
not the strongest 2.9
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
4/5
good album, step off being great 3.7
Jethro Tull
3/5
some real nice tunes in here good message overall wouldn't relisten though
Sonic Youth
2/5
didn't really enjoy
Syd Barrett
1/5
didn't enjoy at all
Jerry Lee Lewis
4/5
hit after hit, enjoyable
Iron Maiden
4/5
Thought Iron Maiden were just a singles band, actually really enjoyed this.
4.3
Butthole Surfers
3/5
didn't hate at all, maybe I was just in a good mood. 2.9
Aerosmith
3/5
some enjoyable tunes, some dull ones
Germs
1/5
nope, like the worst of nu metal and American punk
Foo Fighters
1/5
I don't know why I just can't stand the Foo fighters, its a mix of garage band and middle of the road rock and boring vocals, just don't' like them
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
2/5
an extra star just for the opening hook from Tical
Talking Heads
4/5
psycho killer & sugar on my tongue push this to a 4
Tortoise
2/5
don't hate it but does nothing for me
Paul Weller
2/5
again, just does nothing for me
David Bowie
1/5
Did not like at all; every song was a slog to get through
New Order
3/5
Was ok, didn't stand out
Turbonegro
2/5
Seems to desperately want to be offensive but doesn't actually go that far, carries the tunes for the majority of the album. Maybe being a bit harsh as it's mostly thrashing guitars and don't enjoy that type of music. Smacks more of US punk than Norwegian rock .2.4
Slipknot
1/5
Tried to give this a fair hearing, but it's just so bad in every way. Music for absolute posers
Steely Dan
4/5
enjoyed, didn't find it outstanding 3.7
The Stranglers
5/5
love this
Pink Floyd
4/5
great, but not dark side of the moon great
Yes
4/5
far from the best Yes album. 3.5
The Yardbirds
4/5
enjoyed this, interesting glance at non Beatles 60's. 3.8
Dr. Octagon
3/5
Yeah not bad, good beats and scratching. Feel I missed the boat a bit on this one.
Frank Sinatra
3/5
Definitely would describe this as swinging 3.3
The Go-Go's
4/5
Engaging and fun music, liked this
Baaba Maal
2/5
I mean I don't hate it, I just really can't listen to the whole thing.
The Waterboys
3/5
Some nice tunes, found it very middle of the road though
Solange
1/5
Really gave this a try as had an opinion of her as just a pop stars sister, wish I hadn't as this is arty music for 12 year olds, no introspection or even a decent beat in the entire album.
The Damned
4/5
not the best punk album but still great. 3.9
Rufus Wainwright
2/5
some enjoyable tunes 2.4
The Byrds
2/5
wasn't the worst ever, still country though 1.8
AC/DC
4/5
Great tunes 4.4
Love
2/5
Instantly forgettable
3/5
enjoyable background music 3.4
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
Never really got Springsteen, but this album comes close - 3.8
Grizzly Bear
2/5
Twee
The Clash
5/5
Easiest 5 ever, probably one of the top 10 albums of all time
Blondie
5/5
Didn't realise so many bangers all came from one album, it's like a greatest hits
The Temptations
5/5
Fatboy Slim
4/5
Difficult to rate as I loved this album when it came out, listening to it now it's everything I hate about mainstream dance, but it does have some genuinely great hooks in there. could give it any score based on how I feel that day. 4 seems generous but fair
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five
4/5
Really wanted to give this a 5,but outside of the well known tunes it's not really listenable.
Led Zeppelin
4/5
Rock album that actually feels like it belongs on this list 4.4
Madonna
3/5
Was going to give this higher as I do enjoy Madonna's perfect pop, however outside of the big tunes this is very forgettable.
Belle & Sebastian
4/5
Wasn't expecting to enjoy this that much, not as slow as I expected
The Clash
5/5
Prefer some of their other albums but this is still stone cold 5
Red Hot Chili Peppers
2/5
Can only handle RHCP in small doses
a-ha
3/5
Scott Walker
4/5
surprisingly enjoyable even though didn't know any tune nodded along all the way, could hear this being played at Christmas. 3.8
The Stooges
3/5
Pretty good, doesn't really go anywhere though
Beck
3/5
Enjoyed it, quickly became background music though
Blur
3/5
would probably have given it a higher score when younger, beatlebum and song 2 still great, rest sounds like proto gorrilaz
5/5
was going to be all objective with this, but to be honest it's still a stone cold 5
Manu Chao
3/5
some really good multi lingual tunes, especially bongo bongo
3/5
another enjoyable but not stand out album by Blur, song do get into my head though. 3.3
Traffic
3/5
liked this, especially the title track, very olde worlde English folk
Arctic Monkeys
5/5
Damn I love this album
The Notorious B.I.G.
3/5
Might be blasphemy, but as good as BIG is he's slightly overrated due to his tragic death. Still he has a style all of his own and it's still a good album with great beats.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
3/5
First tune and a few others are really stand out, rest of the album not so much 3.45/5
The Everly Brothers
2/5
dated pop, doesn't stand out enough
Beyoncé
2/5
Went in objective as I could as I knew I wasn't a fan but she'd had good tunes in the past, started interestingly with an acapella song that seemed to imply this would be something different, however it quickly descended into modern rnb-pop with no stand out song.
Beatles
2/5
Can hardly believe I'm giving this score, but if wasn't for the Beatles name it might even be lower, found this album boring and dated, all my loving has a bit of foot tapping to it, but have to be objective
Arcade Fire
3/5
different than what I was expecting, not every memorable however
Paul McCartney and Wings
2/5
Bit boring
The Velvet Underground
2/5
not in the mood at all for this
The Beach Boys
3/5
Started off good, went a bit meandering
Muddy Waters
5/5
Really enjoyable 4.7
5/5
What can be said which hasn't already? It's not a perfect album, some of the forced surrealism seems corny now, but its got beats, sing along tunes and historic importance. Has to be 5
The Saints
3/5
Pretty good punk - stand out memories are made of this 3.5
Suede
4/5
really enjoyed this, from britpoppy songs to dancier and slower songs, summed up 90's well
Paul Revere & The Raiders
3/5
Nice pop, didn't massively stand out 3.3
Milton Nascimento
2/5
Not bad, relaxing, but couldn't listen to the whole thing
Sam Cooke
4/5
can only describe as "swinging"
Jane's Addiction
3/5
Interesting listen, can't say it's my thing but didn't hate it - 2.8
Steely Dan
3/5
foot tapping all the way through 3.5
Pretenders
5/5
fuck this is cool. 5
Adam & The Ants
2/5
didn't enjoy this as much as I thought
Oasis
4/5
Still a great album of my youth, I had it in my head I preferred this album due to it being a bit rawer, but listening now not as good as def maybe.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
1/5
The worst of Costello's aggravating voice
The United States Of America
4/5
This was interesting, def part of the psychedelic wave and reminded me of the Mama's and Papa's. Showed there was more to the 60's than the Beatles.
Grant Lee Buffalo
2/5
seems disjointed, couldn't get into it despite nice chords
The Cure
5/5
A fantastic piece of music - as an album it's a 5. dark and speaking directly to the listener, no huge stand out tunes. but a super powerful album, something to put on and contemplate.
Lightning Bolt
1/5
Made it through 2 songs
Brian Eno
3/5
a 3 from start to finish
Missy Elliott
4/5
I remember a review calling this "coffee table hip hop" which does sum it up a bit. Thing is Missy just works with so many talented people that when her flow isn't the best each song has a killer beat or hook. 4.4
Rod Stewart
3/5
It's ok, can't get an image of him as a gurning old man though, don't really like his voice 2.7
The Strokes
3/5
Last nite is a great tune, found the rest a bit meh
Sonic Youth
3/5
Enjoyed this, not as much as say iron maiden but didn't hate it as much as most metal type bands. can't say a single song stood out.
3/5
had a negative image about U2 due to their later work. didn't hate this, but also wouldn't go out of my way to listen again despite some pretty nice tunes
Ministry
2/5
Metal is my second most hated genre after country, so went in with trepidation but determined to give it a try. First song hated and almost turned it off, but next few started to get into it a bit. Still got bored with samey tunes by the end. 2.4
Don't know what I expected with this, all I can say is, nice I guess
Kanye West
5/5
Decided to be as objective as possible listening as I loved at the time but through it aged badly. However as soon as the first beat hit it was just joyous. Skits are a little cringy but no where near as bad as 90's hiphop. Kanye even had good lyrics here.
Anthrax
2/5
Beats remind me of Iron Maiden, missing the vocals badly though. 2.3
Pet Shop Boys
4/5
some tunes were a bit weak, but the better ones stay in your head for days 3.7
Liz Phair
2/5
yeah nice, but boring
N.W.A.
4/5
As a hip hop fan had never listened to this whole thing. Amazed at how relevant and influential it all was MC ren and easy-E could easily have been as big as Ice Cube if things had been different. 4.4 could easily could have been 5
The La's
2/5
Unexciting 90s. almost country-y at times. Apart from there she goes completely forgettable.
Jeff Buckley
3/5
Not really my type of music but can appreciate it
Incredible Bongo Band
3/5
Nice tunes and enjoyable all the way through, all covers though
Joni Mitchell
4/5
The Style Council
4/5
Different and cool, am a sucker for fast piano
George Michael
4/5
Good old style album - takes you on a journey from Rocky songs to ballads, up tempo songs to really well written ones. enjoyable.
Common
3/5
liked this more than I thought I would
Pearl Jam
4/5
Better than average rock - 3.8
Buffalo Springfield
3/5
started out strong, disliked it more as it got slower 3.3
Faith No More
3/5
Kind of cool, not really my thing
Minutemen
3/5
VERY 80's that's neither a good or bad thing really. But can't put this higher than an "interesting" listen.
The Cure
4/5
Music I really enjoy, difficult to explain why as it doesn't massively stand out. Can tell each instrument is carefully considered though. 3.6
Van Morrison
2/5
Kacey Musgraves
2/5
Not too bad, just not for me.
Elbow
4/5
Brit pop but not Brit pop, interesting and cool
My Bloody Valentine
2/5
Ethereal music, not horrible, but actually forgot I was listening to it at one point.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
3/5
nice, didn't stand out enough for me. the odd song gets me going, but overall not enough
Todd Rundgren
2/5
Started off prog rocky, turned a bit too experimental
Eurythmics
4/5
Title track still a banger despite being overplayed, rest of album nice if not incredible - 3.8
The Monkees
3/5
Skipped quite a few songs, nit really doing it for me 2.8
Norah Jones
3/5
not massively my type of music, but she has a great voice and enjoyed the album overall 3.3
Roxy Music
4/5
Fun Rock
Nine Inch Nails
1/5
I tried, would honestly rather have silence though
The Young Rascals
2/5
Bit boring, obvious Monkeys/ Beatles pretender
Kate Bush
3/5
Strange choice, not even in the top 3 Kate Bush albums
Tori Amos
4/5
reminiscent of Kate Bush. Wanted to re-listen to understand the lyrics. Overall good -3.7
The Triffids
4/5
Not heard of this band before but enjoyed this, any song with loud "Huhs" all the way through screams 80's and I love it.
Sister Sledge
4/5
Some great songs, can see a few reviewers knocking stars off as it goes on a bit too long with weaker songs, but don't believe in penalising for providing more. The first few tunes are more than worthy of a 4
Frank Black
2/5
found it whiny and dull - a little light shining through here and there, but got bored listening to most songs
Nico
4/5
Beautiful music, probably wouldn't re listen often
Beatles
4/5
Maybe was expecting something a bit more, prefer other Beatles albums. Good but not mind blowing
The Allman Brothers Band
4/5
Just seem to be a band having a good time. 3.6
David Crosby
2/5
Tom Waits
3/5
Hmmm really don't know. could have given a 4 or a 2. Great gravelly voice, but the whole set up with audience laughing at his jokes doesn't work for me.
Elvis Presley
5/5
Swinging great tunes, massive historical impact, know they're all covers but what music isn't? 4.6
The Pogues
3/5
fun, get's tiring after a couple of songs though
Booker T. & The MG's
4/5
Funky great hooks. no vocals which could have pushed to a 5, as it is it's great background music.
The Police
3/5
2.7. Bit disappointing overall. Every breath you take is so far ahead of the rest of the album it's crazy
Iron Maiden
4/5
Solid 4 - Run to the Hills is an all time classic and enjoyed the rest of it.
The Stone Roses
3/5
This is an album that I constantly hear I'm "supposed" to like. Given it a try many times and although it's good it's not as special as they make out. Perhaps I was a little too young at the time, coming into my own as Oasis who were massively influenced by this came through, but find them just listenable like morning tv background music.
Bob Dylan
2/5
I'm sure it's technically brilliant, but I just didn't enjoy it
MGMT
3/5
It was fine, smacked a little of sepia filters on instagram
The Rolling Stones
3/5
Not a big Rolling Stones fan. Paint it Black is great, the rest smacks of songs they've heard and are badly ripping off.
The Pogues
4/5
Fairy Tale of New York is of course an all time classic. You forget that you're guanteed to hear every year and still enjoy it. Liked this more than their other album, fell off a little towards the end.
Adele
2/5
Quite like Adele as a singles artist, none of the songs I knew were here though and found it surprisingly dull
Kanye West
5/5
Madonna
3/5
Had it in my mind that I loved this era of Madonna, listening to the album though there's no massive stand out tunes and it's a real mixed bag. Frozen stands out but this is really just a start for her re-invention.
The Byrds
2/5
Bit too trippy an experimental, seemed to be trying everything possible and while that's commendable a good album it does not make
Fugees
5/5
This is the type of album that for better or worse hugely influenced everything that came after it, still soulful and great, love it
Lauryn Hill
4/5
This is a strange one, it really felt like Lauryn was just beginning as an artist and this was just the first step for amazing things which never happened. Listening now what strikes me is how humble she paints herself asking questions about love and life and admitting she's just learning.
Morrissey
3/5
Morrisey always confuses me, I start off thinking I hate this music, then there's always a certain line or riff which totally hooks me. 3 just because this misses a major stand out
Talking Heads
3/5
a 3 all the way, nothing to stand out but kind of enjoyable to nod along to
Joy Division
4/5
No major stand out songs, but that's not so much what this album is about, it's dark, electronic, evocative it's like listening through smoke.
Roxy Music
4/5
maybe a 3.7 feels a bit like guys who feel like they're more in the know than most and a bit snobbish about it and music would like this. But I enjoyed listening to the album overall
The Band
4/5
Nodded along right from the start, very folksy without being country, great guitar work in the background. Very enjoyable.
Beastie Boys
2/5
I know fight for your right to party is supposed to be a parody but it plays it completely straight and the rest of the album is the same. Only She's crafty stops this being a 1. Just don't really get the Beastie Boys they seem to be 100% focused on the frat bro audience
Neu!
4/5
Interesting music, fun to listen to, lacking vocals but enjoyed it
Emmylou Harris
1/5
"Modern" country and western. dislike everything about this, the "girl next door with the guitar" vibe to the warbling vocals, not for me
Sade
4/5
Just a really nice album, love her voice and the piano and the smooth pop/jazz/rnb tunes which have a style of their own.
Gene Clark
4/5
Was all ready to give this a 1 as it sounded too country, then thought "ah the opening song is all right", then "Silver Raven" was a great tune, then continued to enjoy every song that came up. Is a proper headphones album with layers on layers of music.
Wilco
3/5
don't mind it, very backgroundy music though
The Undertones
4/5
great beats, fun lyrics, weird cover of under the boardwalk - 4.3
CHIC
4/5
Enjoyable disco music so I was always onboard but also great arrangements with guitar riffs, violins and beats to the songs. Not a huge fan of the instrumental tracks so gets a 4.
David Gray
3/5
Not really a fan of this type of music but was pleasant enough. 2.6
Hole
4/5
Better to stand out than be bland, bit shouty but overall good.
Living Colour
3/5
loved the first song, the rest kind of blurred together
Cheap Trick
3/5
Big "hair metal" music, fitting that it's a live album as I'm sure they're great live. as it is better than average but didn't blow me away
Beatles
4/5
High points are obviously very high, there's no real consistency to the album though and some of it is very forgettable.
Jimmy Smith
2/5
Nice Jazz I guess, got bored way before the end of every song.
Gotan Project
3/5
Another definition of a 3, perfectly nice to listen to, instantly forgettable.
Would be good as a background soundtrack while doing something
Tears For Fears
2/5
strange album, was going to give it a high score after first 3 songs, then found the rest almost unlistenable. Shout and Rule the world are fantastic, the rest really not so much.
T. Rex
4/5
Very enjoyable music
XTC
2/5
Don't get it, seems at once twee and pretentious
The Beach Boys
4/5
Some very nice layered music all the way through
The Last Shadow Puppets
4/5
Bit of a journey, started off really well with great rock. some tunes straight from the 60s and some new wave type. overall 3.6
Leonard Cohen
5/5
The Hives
3/5
This is odd, it's a good rock album, but I felt something was missing, it almost felt like a parody at times, like the album title they seem to be super arrogant about being the best.
Ananda Shankar
2/5
Didn't mind it, but it's still covers and still much worse than original songs. Got bored way before the end
David Bowie
5/5
Didn't think I was a big Bowie fan but enjoyed that album all the way through with several massive stand outs
Fun Lovin' Criminals
4/5
a little cringy in places, can see this as the precursor to nu metal which is a huge drawback. Ha a real fake swagger to it using Tarantino samples etc. But overall it's just fun music with a couple of real stand outs.
Alice Cooper
4/5
enjoyed this
Paul Simon
4/5
Has a very 80's feel. although can't quite say what that means, is different from every other album on this list so far and I enjoyed listening so it gets a 4
The Verve
4/5
Only knew Urban Hymns of the Verve but this is perhaps deeper and goes harder on the theme of someone from the underprivileged north taking on the world. 3.9
Jimi Hendrix
3/5
After loving the other 2 Hendrix albums this is a bit more as I associate with him - glimpses of brillance but overlong guitar solos and "trippyness" to the detriment of the overall music. still enjoyable 3.4
The Mamas & The Papas
5/5
Just great swinging music
B.B. King
4/5
Got into it more as it went on. Not my usual type of music but can appreciate 3.7
Van Halen
3/5
It's good rock, but long guitar solos do nothing for me 3.3
Little Simz
4/5
Really enjoy Little Simz tunes and her voice, she's a bit too spikey to be a 5, but that's also part of her overall charm
Steely Dan
4/5
Technically brilliant but a bit forgetful, loved it when it started as can tell a lot of modern music has taken samples from this, but overall just didn't stand out. Suspect it's a get stoned and listen with headphones on album.
The Kinks
5/5
Just such evocative music, really speaks to Britain in a specific way no other album really does. 4.7
The Teardrop Explodes
3/5
Stand out "Poppies in the field". it's another very 80's album that only just sneaks a 3.
The Cramps
2/5
Didn't really get on with it
Miles Davis
2/5
Yeah nice, Jazz just does nothing for me in an album setting
Stereo MC's
4/5
Early 90's fun, gets a little tired towards the end but great opening 3.8
The Fall
2/5
Think this would be good in small doses or for those trying hard to be cool, as it is, just listening to it for music I did not enjoy.
Elvis Costello
2/5
I like the music going on, some proper piano bashing happening. but don't get on with his voice at all so can't really listen to it.
Marvin Gaye
2/5
I can respect the music, just not for me. too slow and too linked with "old people romance" in my mind
The Band
1/5
Possibly just not in the mood but did not get on with this at all - disjointed and quirky in a bad way.
Black Flag
1/5
Nope nonsense thrash metal
Jungle Brothers
4/5
Very reminiscent of Sugarhill gang, heavily influenced the jungle scene of the 90s as well of course. Just missing a stand out banger to make it a 5
Sisters Of Mercy
2/5
nah tried to get onboard but it's just bad rock with "atmosphere" which doesn't translate unless you're all in.
Violent Femmes
5/5
Had only head one of these songs before, a great discovery. heard it described as folk punk and love it.
Hanoi Rocks
3/5
Competent fun rock, not really anything special
Frank Sinatra
1/5
A guy obviously in love with the sound of his own voice. This is the third Sinatra album on this list and the most boring of the lot.
Carpenters
3/5
Loved we've only just begun and close to you. The Beatles cover and several others really let it down.
Tracy Chapman
4/5
Powerful and sad, wouldn't massively re-listen apart from the first two songs I knew already though.
The Prodigy
4/5
As an album not actually all that great, first few tracks just electronica, however the stand outs of voodoo people and start the dance are just so good. Also helped dance music become the sound of the 90s so super influential.
The Birthday Party
1/5
No, tried and kind of had something, but struggled to finish every song
Bert Jansch
1/5
Nah all guitar strummy and a bit country, really didn't like
SAULT
2/5
I mean it's a nice idea a concept album with something to say. It's just not very good and can even be cynically thought of as a cash in on trauma.
Buena Vista Social Club
3/5
Nice and gives party atmosphere, not really my thing though
Amy Winehouse
5/5
Yeah this isn't my usual sort of music and reminds me of a strange time in my life. However her voice and tunes just work so well, not a perfect album but damn good.
Lenny Kravitz
2/5
Like a soft rock Hendrix pretender. I.e a bit shit. Even the album cover annoyed me - I have a nose ring I'm so alternative, but also safe enough for the middle of the road
Joni Mitchell
4/5
enjoyed this, to begin with was a bit all over the place but also felt was being led on a journey, just as seemed too nicey nicey had some dark moment and piano was beautiful
The Flying Burrito Brothers
1/5
Country & Western & Soft Rock? I'm actually in hell.
John Cale
3/5
Yeah had its moments. Don't think I'd relisten but nice piano and head nodding
The Temptations
3/5
Liked the first song, felt it was best when doing it's own thing rather than the covers. Liked it but not blown away.
Black Sabbath
3/5
High points are very high - Paranoid & Iron Man, but when it gets slow I'm not a fan at all
Miriam Makeba
4/5
Was expecting to give this a "Nice but not for me" but got super into her melodies and beautiful voice, very different from my usual thing in every way and loved it.
The Kinks
3/5
Sub Beatles pop
The Velvet Underground
2/5
Have to admit I just don't get this. Cool heroin chic is all well and good but a fun album I want to listen to it does not make.
John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers
1/5
Music for those who love guitar solos. as mentioned by another reviewer smacks of middle aged guys who think they're incredible playing a local pub night and butchering the original songs. English guys singing "tell ya mama, tell ya Pa" is just so inauthentic I can't listen.
MC Solaar
3/5
Fun hip hop, very 90s feel there should be big neon words flashing up accompanying the video
Isaac Hayes
2/5
Main tune is a tune, the rest is (admittedly funky) instrumentals.
Metallica
2/5
It's a live metal album, on the list of things that are not for me this is extremely high, could be ok background music so gets 1.6
Beach House
2/5
It's like background lift music, don't hate it but can't feel anything for it.
Orbital
2/5
Influential and great at festivals, but not a good album to listen to.
Taylor Swift
3/5
Hmm going into this thought this was a 1 star. However the production on the album in genuinely good and the singles are at least as good as some of 80s pop or rock I've given 3 stars to.
Still massively not a fan as she's so manufactured and bland both in personality and musical content but can see why some like her. See a lot of reviews here criticizing all lyrics being about the same thing but same can be said for a lot of albums. Overall 2.8 Technically good but overall soulless
Crowded House
2/5
Just so forgettable
Frankie Goes To Hollywood
2/5
M.I.A.
5/5
Thought of this artists as a novelty one hit wonder before. Was unsure on the first song as thought it would be too experimental, however it grew on me very quickly.
it's just so different from everything else on this list, evoked everything from Abba to Digeridoos and crucially had multiple great tunes. Have to give it a 5.
John Martyn
1/5
Could have sworn this was a parody.
Coldplay
2/5
Nice enough just not my type of music.
The Smashing Pumpkins
3/5
Really like "Disarm" the rest is ok but forgettable and sums up what I disliked about the 90s mainstream.
John Grant
2/5
It's not bad, just not my thing at all
Bob Marley & The Wailers
5/5
Always going to be a 5. However less upbeat than much of their work. This album focuses more on stories. For better or for worse this defines an entire genre and Reggae has never really moved past this
Barry Adamson
3/5
Very strange really enjoyed the firs two songs then the rest was borderline unlistenable. Generous 3
Primal Scream
2/5
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
3/5
Enjoyable Jazz, still Jazz though and missing vocals to make it really good
Mariah Carey
2/5
Some ok beats, warbling singing is not for me.
The Cure
4/5
Similar to their other album, lovingly created music. Missing stand out thrilling tunes to be a 5 but could listen to this over and over.
Simon & Garfunkel
4/5
Really nice music, surprisingly progressive at times, wouldn't be surprised to hear some of the beats in modern music
Guided By Voices
1/5
What is this? it seems like they set out to make the most generic rock album possible.
Julian Cope
4/5
Great find! Really enjoyed this.
The Fall
5/5
Wow I more knew of The fall and Mark E Smith before, but damn I loved that. Raw but crucially great tunes and lyrics, middle of the album sagged a little, but was great!
Kraftwerk
4/5
Got completely lost in this.
Pantera
1/5
Some of the guitars were good, but the vocals are just so bad I can't listen.
Bob Dylan
3/5
Deep lyrics and important music, but a bit samey and unlikely to relisten, mostly enjoyed though. 3.4
Sonic Youth
3/5
Flips between a 4 and a 2. At least it's more interesting than most albums on here, but some songs are simply awful and the good ones are merely good.
50 Cent
2/5
Even as someone super into hiphop around this time, this was always a novelty act. Can only think it's on this list as an example of gangster rap but then BIG and DMX have that dark style down better and Xibit from the same period massively outshines him. Production is slick but don't like his style of rapping at all.
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
1/5
Nirvana
5/5
Was flirting with giving this a harsh score, mainly due to how overplayed it is, but crucially relistening I loved it all over again.
Can't think to compare it to anything else to a counter-culture movement being all of a sudden completely mainstream. I know they're not grunge pioneers or anything but the power of this album is undeniable. You can say this is the voice of a disaffected generation and all sorts but the most enduring thing is how this took a great album full of great songs and defined the remainder of (mainstream) music for the decade, even if that proved to be mostly negatively.
In this age of choice it's hard to explain how sudden and shocking this music was to be front and centre after the synth and pop of the 80s - it was not underground but all of a sudden on mainstream radio and everywhere. This probably means it's marked as overrated by many but the simple truth is it's a super powerful album.
The Killers
5/5
Not ground-breaking, not deep lyrics, but simply banging tune after banging tune.
Japan
4/5
Generous 4. Moody music which I wasn't expecting with the synth style but could see myself listening to this a few times.
Sleater-Kinney
2/5
I would probably quite enjoy seeing them live, however would immediately forget them and any songs on the walk home.
Billy Joel
4/5
Surprising, like a bit of Billy Joel, but didn't recognise the songs I know looking at the tracklist. This was a great journey of an album though.
Ramones
4/5
really enjoy this, might have lost some of it's overall impact over the years. Classic but not the all time classic it's referred as.
Santana
4/5
Not usually a big fan of meandering guitars, this was very enjoyable though.
Grateful Dead
1/5
Didn't realise this was country, awful
AC/DC
4/5
Great, feels like a "proper" album that's best listened to in it's entirety. lots of great songs in there, however I wouldn't have this on a regular playlist.
Joni Mitchell
3/5
Arty and different I liked this.
Brian Eno
1/5
Well does what is says on the tin. Can't recommend or ever say I'd listen to this again and if I did I wouldn't even realise. Total background music
The Smiths
3/5
Always start off not liking the song, but will always have something to hook me or keep me engaged, more interesting than enjoyable however.
Les Rythmes Digitales
3/5
Sigh, 90's electronica/trance. hard to explain listening to cd after cd in search of that one tune in 50 that would blow your mind. This album was more accessible than a lot if it.
Janis Joplin
4/5
Starts off crazy strong, goes a bit too country but good album with super strong feeling throughout.
Destiny's Child
4/5
First 3 songs are all A* pop songs. Expected the rest of the album to drop off a cliff but surprisingly it didn't and had some actually good tunes. It's a collection of individual songs rather than an album but on the other hand I feel this is where Beyonce's superstardom started and it does have a star is born feeling. I'm waffling as i'm hesitant to give this a 4 but on the power of the first 3 songs I'm gonna do it.
The Jesus And Mary Chain
3/5
Bit dark and deep, enjoyed it more than most rock - 3.3
Fugazi
3/5
Not my type of music generally, enjoyed a few tunes though, particularly the titular one. 2.9
Raekwon
3/5
For some reason this album gets loads of plaudits from the same type of hip hop fan who bang on about Illmatic. It's actually one of the weaker early Wu-tang efforts whilst still having the identity and enough strong tunes and production to drive it.
Aerosmith
4/5
very enjoyable rock, even liked the slower songs
The Specials
4/5
Barry Adamson
2/5
I mean I like concept albums, however I wouldn't listen to a soundtrack of a film that did exist let alone has been made up for this. Tried to follow the story along but it's mostly background jazz. I mean at times I thought this would be a cool car chase soundtrack, but so what? In terms of an actual album I want to listen to it's not there.
Gene Clark
1/5
Oh god harmonica country and boring country at that, this is beyond terrible.
Fleetwood Mac
4/5
One of those famous albums that is always on best of all time lists which I've never fully got. Listening now there are at least two all time great tunes and consistently enjoyable throughout, can't help but be distracted listening though. Maybe an album cursed by its own hype. 4.4
Devendra Banhart
2/5
Started off ok and had some glimpses of enjoyable but overall couldn't wait for it to be over. 1.6
Slipknot
1/5
Was dreading this, but was determined to go in with an open mind. Holy shit. from the first noise I 100% hated it. It's music for people who want to shout about how different they are while being absolutely the same. It was kind of inevitable in the 90s after so many years of pop blandness that this type of music would appear. But its just the different side of the same coin to plastic pop in that it's all about image.
Duran Duran
3/5
The singles Rio and Hungry like the Wolf are straight banging classics. The rest is a bit too synth heavy for me.
New Order
5/5
This surprised me, very much a headphones album with layers and layers. No massive stand out tune and not blown away by vocals but an album to get lost in. 4.5
Steve Earle
1/5
I swear this music is a joke right?
Meat Loaf
5/5
Ridiculous and overly dramatic - I love it
Wire
4/5
Great punk
Nick Drake
2/5
Nice enough, not my type of music though and got bored quickly.
5/5
4.7 was very tempted to give this a 4 as can't see it becoming a regular listen. very tempted to pick up the album however. enjoyable all the way through with some clear stand outs, even lesser tunes are good.
Big Brother & The Holding Company
2/5
Normally like Joplin - overall not feeling this album though
Love
3/5
OK, wasn't a fan at the start but middle of the album really grew on me. Harmonica let it down a bit. but glad I listened.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
1/5
Well liked this when it started, but then the first tune kept going and going then the next was like hippy country. Nah not for me.
The Smashing Pumpkins
1/5
Nope sorry. started off into it with a long intro, then the guy started singing in a crappy metal way but over garage rock tunes. 90s albums have been taking a beating here but oh my god this is just bad.
Amy Winehouse
2/5
Hmm, This album was named for Sinatra apparently and it shows with smoky bar piano tunes which I'm sure are cool and trendy for those who base their personality on the music they listen to. but a bit boring. I do like her voice and style of singing. this album too Jazzy though
Laibach
5/5
Different - and crucially fun - it's almost like a pop record rather than the metal it's presented as. 4.6
Christine and the Queens
3/5
Enjoyable, doesn't hugely stand out
Belle & Sebastian
2/5
Not as twee as I first thought when the album started, a few good tunes but just not my thing
Hugh Masekela
2/5
Didn't totally hate it, Jazz with no lyrics not for me though
Death In Vegas
3/5
Jane Weaver
2/5
It's ok, a bit arty and experimental for a 2017 album meaning they're deliberately being as arty and twee as possible. Aimed squarely at those with coloured hair who think that makes them interesting.
The Youngbloods
1/5
Started off kind of liking then went so country-soft soft soft rock I couldn't even listen
The Black Keys
3/5
I'm not sure with this band, I like the dark, drum heavy beats, the lyrics are good. Not a fan of distorted vocals. I think with different vocals this could be an all time classic.
Whilst listening I really enjoy getting wrapped up in the music being created but none of the songs hugely stand out or can be sung along to. That may be a bad way to judge music but they get very samey.
Strong 3
Terence Trent D'Arby
3/5
What can I say? it's nice music, doesn't inspire me or particularly grab me. That said I could happily listen over and over. strong 3
Aerosmith
2/5
third Areosmith album on this list and just felt weak and by the numbers
Neil Young
2/5
Didn't get on with it, found it forgettable
Ella Fitzgerald
3/5
Very nice voice, not engaging enough to be blown away by it 70 years later but to still be enjoyable in that sense is a hell of an achievement
Louis Prima
3/5
Reminded me of Fallout 3 music, maybe in a good mood, or this music put me in a good mood. 3.4
Funkadelic
3/5
Simon & Garfunkel
3/5
Enjoyed every song. strong 3
Wu-Tang Clan
5/5
Easiest 5 of all time, was beginning to be concerned this wouldn't be on the list when it's easily one of the top 10, let alone top 1001 albums of all time.
Might be slightly biased as this introduced me to real hip hop in the 90s but the power, energy, differing styles and personalities shining through mean this is truly unique at the time and still now.
Stevie Wonder
4/5
The very first song bored me, but then the album opened up hugely, music was almost experimental at times. great fun and groovy.
Public Enemy
4/5
Can't Truss it is good - however seems to be more looking back to how good the previous albums were. To be honest this is weaker than all 3 of their previous ones, however the fury of PE still comes through and taken by itself it's still a super powerful album.
Fela Kuti
2/5
Not my thing
Genesis
2/5
I feel i should like this more than I do, have tried to listen to the whole album several times however and it doesn't do it for me. I normally like prog rock and story telling in music. This leaves me uninterested however, like a band trying hard to make an arty album.
Songhoy Blues
4/5
nice music, listened mostly as background music but I enjoyed the rhythms and the album all the way through. 3.7
Culture Club
3/5
Opens with perhaps one of the most perfect pop songs of all time. Your gran can dance to it at a wedding yet has a subversive streak. Rest of the album tries to keep up the energy but gets boring. However that song is so ubiquitous for the 80s it's deserved.
The Streets
5/5
Made me fall back in love with concept albums. Doesn't have the bedroom tunes raw power of the first album but this is music as storytelling and I love it.
Lou Reed
4/5
Love a concept album and this has all the coolness you'd expect. Caroline says is a great tune
Eagles
2/5
Hotel California is an all time classic, the rest is unlistenable
Siouxsie And The Banshees
4/5
Like this, feel it's missing just that little "something". What a pointless review. 3.7
Depeche Mode
2/5
Moody music, just doesn't do it for me overall
Michael Jackson
5/5
Beth Orton
3/5
Really liked the opening song, glimpses of greatness. Actually liked to background tune more than her voice which was a bit warbly.
Beatles
3/5
I don't know, beyond Elanor Rigby and the novelty of yellow submarine actually found this a bit boring. I get it was them trying out different sounds and deliberately being jarring. but to me listening now doesn't make me want to listen again.
U2
4/5
Not a big U2 fan. this is a very good Rock album though
Tom Waits
2/5
Did not enjoy at all 1.7
Super Furry Animals
5/5
Fan of the 90's but didn't really know these too well. Absolutely loved this!
Beatles
5/5
Probably my personal favourite Beatles album
Arcade Fire
2/5
Fine I guess. Middle of the road 2.4
Jane's Addiction
3/5
Feel the 1-5 system doesn't really work with this album. It definitely caught my attention, it's not my usual thing, but its different from everything else on this list. Could give this anything really. moments that are 5's moments that are 1s.
Hookworms
2/5
Glimpses of goodness, can't say more than nice I guess, however. Too weak for proper dance music
Keith Jarrett
2/5
Nice enough, just nothing but Piano is not for me
Ian Dury
4/5
Actually charming. some great tunes, some are a bit too music-hall for a 5.
Drive Like Jehu
1/5
Oh god no. Its US Garage band with early nu metal stylings. made me feel physically sick.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
Love love love Gimme Shelter, the rest of the album is exactly why is dislike the Stones however, definition of taking original songs and sanitising them for the mainstream.
Radiohead
2/5
I mean it's ok, Radiohead are the equivalent of Matt Le Tisser. Highlights are incredible and will be all time classics played for years. While the majority is beyond mediocre. This album is mostly mediocre.
The Isley Brothers
4/5
That's some enjoyable music. was expecting some 70's soul but took me on a trip
Marvin Gaye
2/5
Nah doesn't do it for me. have an image as Marvin Gaye as something older people put on just when they want to be freaky and can't see any reason why you'd listen otherwise. Slow songs about love just not for me. 1.6
The Byrds
1/5
1 is a little harsh as I enjoyed the first song, but found the rest of the album so boring. Was trying to give it the benefit of the doubt, however then read they were all covers, so it's not fun, not original, not engaging. what's the point. Everything about this screams band pushed as they resembled the Beatles in some way. 1.4
Franz Ferdinand
5/5
Possibly due to it came out at a sweet spot in my life, but I fucking love this. Great tunes engages me all of the way.
Ice T
2/5
Can see the influence it had on Hip Hop of the 90's, while still having the raw mix style of the 70's & 80's. Unfortunately this really means it's a poor version of both, not as polished as later artists like Tupac and not as authentic as Public Enemy. Has the worst of both eras as well with skits and attempts at rock music.
Megadeth
2/5
Don't totally hate it and can appreciate some... just not my music
Thelonious Monk
1/5
OK 3 mins in, is it all going to be like this? skip ahead... yep.
I'm sure he was influential. However for me listening now, this is a hard no.
Missy Elliott
2/5
The beats are good, Missy's style is too laid back to be engaging for me. Never heard this whole album despite being big into hip hop at the time and found myself trying to convince myself I liked this, when just not interested. 1.7
The Mothers Of Invention
3/5
I don't know, it's different, deliberately so, so I want to rate it higher, however apart from nodding along doesn't grab me at all. 3. but an interesting 3
Sarah Vaughan
4/5
Thought this would be a nice but not for me, but her voice absolutely took me on a journey and was so enjoyable and real throughout.
Television
5/5
Maybe 4.5 but a great piece of music
Scott Walker
3/5
Mixed bag. loved the first tune, hated the second. overall enjoyable but not really my thing.
The Roots
3/5
Is this "cerebral" hip hop? Or "Rock Hip-hop"? For me it's an album that people say they enjoy rather than actually enjoying. Not to say I disliked it; It just reminds me more of collaboration tunes at the end of an album with some flashes of greatness but overall not why you bought the album. Distinct lack of bangers.
Public Enemy
5/5
Too Black
Too Strong
Einstürzende Neubauten
2/5
Extra star for being different and challenging, but listening while working can't deal with this.
Tito Puente
2/5
If you're in the mood for this, I'm sure it's great live.
The Stooges
2/5
Missing something, didn't enjoy
Ali Farka Touré
1/5
African blues sound like country and just didn't get on with it.
KISS
3/5
I always thought of them as a parody band. it's so strange to think of them causing an actual moral panic.
The music is fine, middle of the road rock, really nothing to write home about. 2.6
Pere Ubu
2/5
Come on, some interesting chord progressions which keeps it from being 1 but "what do we do with the drunken sailor".. no
The Chemical Brothers
2/5
Just don't believe dance music translates to albums well, plus CB were always overrated.
Massive Attack
4/5
Moody, influential. Think it's slightly overrated by those who were influenced by it but it's so different for them time it's a worthy part of this list.
Can
3/5
Enjoyable and quirky, but backgroundy however
Cream
5/5
Well that album was a trip, I'd expect deliberately so. Bit odd that it opens referencing "Strange fruit" as it's a British Rock album. However felt like a true global album pushing boundaries for the time (and still now considering the blandness which permeates now)
Röyksopp
4/5
Not usually a fan of chill out type albums but thought that was really good.
Teenage Fanclub
3/5
Feels like 90's distilled to their core
Nitin Sawhney
4/5
OK, liked the opening songs, then went very obscure with Indian music plus a style of rapping. Liked the music and extra points for being interesting and different.
Sex Pistols
5/5
OK can only rate this on the music as I'm listening now. I know they're "pop-punk" and more of a boy band. Thing is it's so clear and different to everything else it's still so enjoyable and feels like a challenge to established society still.
Guns N' Roses
4/5
Outside of the well known songs it's like a parody, I guess the well known ones are as well but they've become archetypes. 4.4 on the strength of 3 songs.
Ride
3/5
Saw shoegaze and dreaded this, overall wasn't too bad though and kinda got into at times.
DJ Shadow
3/5
I mean it's nice background music, another album people promote to show how much more "in the know" they are than you. I'll prefer an album with songs I can sing along to 100% of the time.
Tina Turner
4/5
A full album is perhaps a bit too much Tina Turner, however enjoyed this immensely. She's an undeniably fantastic front person, the music is great but she's like a permanent light shining on every song.
George Harrison
2/5
If this wasn't an Ex Beatle I feel this would have no where the recognition it has. Mostly super boring "My Sweet Lord" was OK, the rest I just found dull to get through. 1.6
Siouxsie And The Banshees
4/5
Great bit of punk. slow start and short album and definitely has an unfinished feel about it but that's all part of the charm. 3.7
R.E.M.
3/5
It's beautiful music. not a big fan of sad music though feels a little like wallowing in misery. Certainly has a place though.
Nightmares On Wax
3/5
Chilled instrumental hip hop, actually enjoyed it for the most part, but a whole album of chill out is a bit much. 2.7
Dion
2/5
Not my thing
Radiohead
1/5
No. everything from the deliberately difficult to understand vocals, slow as possible song openings to even the album work with the sketch on a book of a crying person everything screams "I'm misunderstood and special, not like the rest of the world". The music itself is Radiohead at their worst, dull and depressing while still being impenetrable.
Queen
4/5
Absolutely loved Queen growing up, thinking about it I mainly listened to their greatest hits. As such most of this album was a discovery for me. More prog rocky than I associate with Queen and perhaps not their campy best but certainly enjoyable. 3.9
Blur
4/5
Overall a bit laddy and immature, even though I was a teenager when this came out still felt the same, the album excels when it slows down a bit "badhead" & "End of a century" are fantastic and show glimpses of the later Blur I enjoy much more. would probably be more impressed with Parklife if it wasn't perhaps the most overplayed song ever on UK radio so I'll give it the benefit of the doubt.
Nas
3/5
This is an odd one - I like it as an album but it's championed too much who call it the greatest hip-hop album ever (it isn't) or the boring Radiohead fan type who say they hate all Hip-hop except this.
I guess that why I don't really get on with it, it's Radiohead levels of meandering on the tunes. Other acts e.g Dilated Peoples do that as well. But just find this album so overrated and over-championed when there are better records out there can't help but mark it down. 3.4
The War On Drugs
2/5
I don't hate it, just where's the passion?
Prefab Sprout
3/5
One hit wonders who I'd never heard of. Nice enough music, just doesn't excite me at all. 2.8
Deep Purple
2/5
A live concert album and a love of long long guitar solos - not for me
Ray Charles
3/5
Hmm dreaded this when I saw "country" Charles does have his style that's wholly his own and this is so much better than most. However it's still the slow, pondering type music which is country all over. He has a great voice though. 3 but an interesting 3
Pixies
4/5
3.6 strong interesting rock but not overall memorable.
Johnny Cash
5/5
Don't like country, don't like live albums but by god this is good. strangely jolly but also so so sad. You can hear the audience hanging on every word. They're almost an instrument in themselves at times.
It's best when Cash is just telling a story - "the Wall" & "Joe Bean" cut deep
This is music as it should be no matter the genre - talking directly to people.
Carole King
5/5
Wasn't expecting to like this, however I knew the first three songs off by heart and the rest of it was so strong. 4.5
Burning Spear
4/5
Nodded along all the way through 3.9
Sepultura
1/5
Life's too short for this shit
Venom
2/5
few head nodding moments even though this not my thing. 1.6
Depeche Mode
3/5
Bob Marley & The Wailers
4/5
A really good display on how great a musician Marley was. contains almost none of the well known songs but so enjoyable all the way.
Talking Heads
4/5
Enjoyed this, blends together a little but good music
A Tribe Called Quest
5/5
Didn't really get TCQ before. this is a great album. pity wasn't more mainstream and drive the direction of hip-hop in the 90's
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
Oh wow Ok. thought it would be too jammy and trippy especially after the opening track however really loved this. Wasn't high when listening but could have easily been a 5 if I was. In fact just great headphone music listening to the layers it stands out much more than other Hendrix I've listened to.
Kate Bush
5/5
Absolutely incredible and still only the third best Kate Bush album
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
2/5
Glimpses of good, but sort of music you'd expect from a boyband for most of it and country influenced.
3/5
Normally like concept albums this doesn't really do it for me
Pet Shop Boys
4/5
challenging pop music, very good.
Kid Rock
1/5
If you brought together the two worst genres in the world; country and metal you get... this.
Even worse it has late 90's rap rock thrown in.
If it was presented as a comedy album I'd have given it 5 stars
The Who
5/5
Was going to mark it down as it's better with the film, but listening to this by itself tells such a clear story as well as being such great music.
Supergrass
3/5
yeah it's ok, bit of a stretch to be an essential album by any measure. Late in the day is very good
Garbage
4/5
I'm aware this is a manufactured band to sell alt rock to the mainstream, but so much music comes from that melding of art and capitalism so just as sex pistols I'm going to judge this purely on how much I enjoyed the music right now... And on that it's simply not bad few stand outs with only happy when it rains, but ethereal slower tunes as well. Overall 3.5
Roxy Music
4/5
Didn't know this band and enjoyed that a lot 4.3
TV On The Radio
2/5
Like the electronic style drum and beats, mix of dance and rock almost. Really dislike the vocals however.
Dr. John
2/5
It's different and experimental which I suppose is good
The Chemical Brothers
3/5
Good dance album, reminds me of mix tapes from the 90s
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
Never really got Springsteen but have to say this speaks directly in a working class voice and is very enjoyable 3.3
The Who
4/5
The Icarus Line
1/5
Oh god this is just tiring
Underworld
4/5
Much closer to what was actually going on in the 90's than any of the indie rock rubbish which has been on this list. Still doesn't make a great album but consistently decent tunes. 3.6
The Undertones
5/5
Absolutely jam packed album. fantastic
Elvis Presley
5/5
I don't care about any outside things, this is bloody brilliant
New York Dolls
5/5
Madness
2/5
I mean I quite like "Our House" but it's like a novelty record. Don't get on with their regular stuff at all.
Dolly Parton
2/5
Not the Dolly I know and like 1.6
Gang Starr
4/5
Wasn't really aware of this duo and they seem super ahead of their time.
Slayer
3/5
Don't consider myself to enjoy heavy metal at all, but that was pretty good. Still couldn't handle a whole album of it 3.2
Elliott Smith
1/5
Feels like an annoying guy at a party who breaks out a guitar when no one wants to listen. 1.4
Tom Waits
3/5
Like a novelty record, enjoyed it at first, soon got tiresome. 3.2
Super Furry Animals
2/5
I don't know it's just so generic rock band it's boring. 2.4
Kanye West
4/5
Oof this is a difficult album to review as it's a deliberate step away from radio friendly pop Hip Hop in Kanye's previous My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (which I think is overall a better, more enjoyable album).
However this album pretty clearly sets out to be as challenging as possible - from "I am a God" to "Black Skinhead" its a direct challenge to the listener at times - not even mentioning the deliberately bad Bound2 video which went over everyone's heads on release.
Kanye's rapping here as well is clearly challenging, he's never been the greatest lyricist however on MBDTF his voice is clearly another instrument or vocal layer which he fits into the songs so well. Here his voice is almost at odds to the music to give more of a feel of clashing and rambling style.
Overall I fully understand why people don't like this album, however taken in respect of Kanye's work and life it's a defining piece of work. That's not to say it's crazily enjoyable - I'd give 3.6 overall. Mostly due to what the album speaks to rather than a head nodding experience.
Boston
3/5
Ahh middle of the road rock.. where would this list be without you?
Taylor Swift
2/5
Sum up the current state of modern music, completely inoffensive and so, so bland. Can't even bring myself to hate it, it's just such a nothing.
Fairport Convention
2/5
Nah not my thing
Talking Heads
3/5
Not sure, experimental and cool. Didn't really enjoy it however and found myself skipping songs. 2.5
Neil Young
4/5
Didn't really enjoy other NY albums on this list, however really enjoyed this, specifically Heart of Gold & the titular Harvest.
Seems to be a bit of a headphone journey album with the feelings of time progressing slowly and long summer days. This was good!
Judas Priest
4/5
A lot of fun
Creedence Clearwater Revival
3/5
Much preferred this to their previous album and good rock. not super memorable though.
Michael Kiwanuka
5/5
A real throwback album in that it has influences from a lot of genres but also seems best taken as an album as a whole. Also holds a special place for me as first concert back after the pandemic.
At times soft, at times deep, at times rocking. Just a great piece of music.
Sly & The Family Stone
4/5
Wow amazing music which is actually progressive unlike the modern whining.
Various Artists
2/5
Nice songs and nice vocals. I shouldn't lower score due to overplaying, however each of these songs now are just nothing but background music as they get played every single year so I have to rate based on how much fun I had listening and that's not a lot at all.
The National
2/5
There's some nice music hidden here, but depressing is not my thing and after the third song with such dreary vocals I was really struggling.
1/5
This is a joke right?
Prince
5/5
Came to Prince very late in my musical discovery. Really think if I had discovered him as a teenager he would have opened my eyes so wider. This album is sensuous, is over 40 years old and feels modern and very very funky.
Don McLean
4/5
Title track is of course an all time great, I actually liked the rest of the album even though it's not similar to that. It's soft and sad songs. 3.6
CHIC
3/5
Was all on board when the first track started, then it just kept going and going. similar to the other tracks. All start well with a strong idea and then kind of just tread water for 6 -8 minutes. Gets better when the songs are shorter. Seems custom built to take samples from so easy to see how much it's influenced hip hop
Bad Brains
4/5
Not what I was expecting at all. seems a complete fusion of so many genres it doesn't really matter what it's listed at.
Heaven 17
2/5
Very much an album of the 80's - said that a few times but this one seems directly aimed at the issues of the time. Of course some of those issue are ongoing today as "we don't need that fascist groove thing" however it seems like a completely different era and doesn't seem to have aged out of the 80's well at all.
Gary Numan
4/5
Absolutely defining electronica 4.4
Ash
3/5
"Girl from Mars" is Standard of indie radio for over 20 years now... it's not as bad as most indie and not as good as the height of britpop. Outside of that singles it does feel very landfill indie. "Kung Fu" just pushes it to a 3 due to nostalgia
Spacemen 3
1/5
Oh god, feels like a stoner asking "but how do you really feel man?" and dragging you down at a party when you just want to have fun.
The Afghan Whigs
2/5
Not my thing, glimpses of good but too rare. 2
The Mars Volta
3/5
Prog garage rock.
2.6
The Beau Brummels
2/5
Too country for me
Caetano Veloso
3/5
I liked the music here, hate to mark it down as I don't understand the lyrics as that's on me, but rating based on how much I enjoy.
Pink Floyd
2/5
No. Actively didn't like. Other Pink Floyd grew on me so I listened through twice and stick by it. The first point I thought hey I really like this was when the album had ended and a different PF album had started playing. Maybe if you were tripping in the 60's this would have been great - I, unfortunately am not, 2
Motörhead
2/5
Great first tune, rest is a bit samey and it's not the best quality for a live album. 2
The Jam
5/5
Knew the Jam but didn't know any of the songs here, but what a great album. Very of the time but not in a detrimental way. 4.6
Happy Mondays
1/5
Never really got this band, determined to give them a good chance and this is just awful. music for "Mad lads"
David Bowie
5/5
A proper headphones album. Beautiful music and not what I was expecting. however get's a bit too experimental and tiresome right at the end, but the rest is very good. 4.5
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
2/5
Don't get on with his voice and music is basic
Rocket From The Crypt
1/5
Oh god American Garage Punk. really tried to give this a shot but I was cringing the entire time and had to turn it off as I hated so much.
King Crimson
3/5
experimental and cool with deep dark feel to it. not a great listen however. 3
Deep Purple
4/5
Good, fun music 4
Happy Mondays
5/5
Liked this much, much more than the other HM album. Best pure 90s album I think on this list. It's northern, working class and full of upbeat hopefulness which defined the decade.
Emmylou Harris
1/5
oh god this is torture
Prince
4/5
very enjoyable, should relisten but it's a least a 4
4/5
Not heard of this band at all before, really enjoyed this
Goldie
4/5
Not Timeless at all, however an important album in moving Jungle/DnB to the mainstream. Again scoring based on how much I actually enjoyed listening to this album right now and that surprisingly was quite a bit - almost more of a Pink Floyd album than a DnB mix with beautiful vocals against some sounds taking you on a trip.
The Smiths
5/5
Polarising, even for me. But when I'm in the mood for the Smiths they're great. When I'm not I'd listen to almost anything else. "Death of a disco dancer" is fantastic. Maybe was just in the mood but it's a 5 for me.
Waylon Jennings
1/5
oh god just terrible
Fleetwood Mac
4/5
Really beautiful obviously personal music. just short of being a 5
Stevie Wonder
3/5
nice, a bit too soft for me to be honest. 3
David Bowie
2/5
Bit all over the place, far from his best seems like someone doing a parody at times
Isaac Hayes
4/5
Knew so many of the tunes from Wutang and other artists sampling, in fact it's hardly even sampling, some of my favourite tunes are ripped straight from here it seems. however this is all Hayes as even though some are covers "Walk on by" it's all his style.
Lambchop
1/5
Definition of week week 2000's "rock" hated it
Echo And The Bunnymen
3/5
There's some music which stands out here, but also an awful lot which blends into the background
Frank Ocean
2/5
Initial thoughts; interesting sound affects.
As soon as he starts singing all autotune nonsense.
Then the tunes don't really "go" anywhere.
some ok background beats I guess but overall dull and repetitive. 1.5
Gillian Welch
1/5
so so dull
Led Zeppelin
4/5
never dislike a led zep song. however it's rarely must listen, apart from Immigrant song of course. 4 but only just
Thundercat
2/5
Thought it was a cool quirky intro, but it kept going and going. A combination of soft RnB and fusion jazz - i'm sure it's for someone but it's not me. extra point as it's different but it was a difficult listen. 2
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
2/5
Bit too folky for me
Queen Latifah
3/5
Only knew her as a (terrible) actress so thought I would hate this, but it's a nice slice of 80's hip hop
Pulp
4/5
Björk
1/5
I liked the other Bjork album, however did not get on with this in the slightest. First tune was just wailing, skipped ahead and it was screaming. Music appears intentionally disjointed, am sure it's cool and arty but not fun to listen to at all. 1
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
3/5
Am rating based on how much I enjoy listening right now, so have to say it's super dated. Still enjoyable mostly throughout, but can't sustain interest, despite obviously being a big impact on what came after.
Screaming Trees
3/5
Thought I'd hate this actually kind of enjoyed. however didn't massively stand out. 3.3
Marty Robbins
2/5
extra point for the cool big Iron song, some of it's nice soft story telling song, still country though. 2
Circle Jerks
2/5
Trying too hard to be edgy
Elastica
4/5
more like modern punk than Britpop, although the Britpop tag never really made much sense anyway. Enjoyed this and knew more songs than I thought I would, definitely not usual indie dirge. strong 4
The xx
3/5
I liked this, however can't remember a single song after it's done. strong 3
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
3/5
I mean it's quite good, couldn't help thinking i'd prefer to be listening to something else while it was playing. It's good good synths, vocals and tunes, just overall it's meh - strong 3
Baaba Maal
2/5
extra point as it's different, but just not something i can listen to
Dennis Wilson
3/5
Liked this more than I thought I would. Fairly forgettable after listening however
Arrested Development
3/5
Enjoyable and a lot of fun. more funk than hip hop really. Limited re-listenability. Very strong 3
Rush
2/5
Cool as f opening. Then goes into long long guitar solos which I hate
The Velvet Underground
3/5
Simon & Garfunkel
2/5
Don't know, was looking forward to this and left me cold. Even the title track could take or leave.
Goldfrapp
2/5
It's fine, instantly forgettable though and nothing to actually engage me; strong 2
The Auteurs
4/5
expected to hate this as pretentious band and album name. first impressions actually great! 4
Leonard Cohen
5/5
"I wish I had a treaty between your love and mine" I really needed this today. It completely took me by surprise and blew me away. Not something which I'd listen to regularly but a great piece of music
Aretha Franklin
5/5
Yeah this is an easy 5. just incredible heartfelt music. voice like no other
Maxwell
2/5
Sounds like background video game music, takes forever to go anywhere and when it does you wonder why it bothered. 2
Pink Floyd
5/5
Will never be popular nowadays as it's an actual album with a journey and story to tell rather than overproduced individual songs. and what a sublime journey this is.
Alice In Chains
2/5
Some fairly decent rock riffs overall far too close to metal-like pointless shouting
Fairport Convention
4/5
Surprised by this, not normally a folk person but had just such a great feeling overall I really liked this. strong 4/5
The Rolling Stones
4/5
As always rating on how much I enjoyed this album right now and that's quite a bit. Opening song is a great, rest of the album bit too bluesey, country and all over the place. Jigsaw puzzle is good as is Street fighting man. Ultimately still has enough about it to stand out above most other albums. 4
The Only Ones
4/5
Started off a bit rubbish, then "another girl another planet" is an all time great, then some really good and interesting tunes throughout 3.8
Radiohead
1/5
Sum up everything I hate about radiohead arty nonsense for pretentious people to say others don't get it. Torturous to listen to. 1
Suede
2/5
Felt like it was trying to do something at the start then the majority was nice but bland. 2.4
Sparks
4/5
Billie Holiday
4/5
Not normally my thing, but absolutely beautiful voice 4
The Lemonheads
2/5
Wow this is middle of the road. nothing to excite or criticize really. Could have given a 3 but as this is supposed to be "albums you must listen to" this is the complete opposite. You forget it as you are listening.
Funkadelic
3/5
Expecting it to be more funky to be completely honest, the one nation under a groove made me think of Ice Cube and perhaps it's because this was such a building block for so many musicians I was underwhelmed. Still rating on how much I enjoyed listening right now as always and there; enjoyed it but overall left lacking.
Also - so many of these reviews focused entirely on Spotify and how if it's not there they can't listen, even with the world of music at their fingertips people are more closed minded than ever.
3.3
Anita Baker
3/5
Stolen from another reviewer "feels by the numbers but those numbers are so much bigger than normal". She has a great smooth voice and I enjoyed listening, it does blend into the background however. 3.4
Fats Domino
4/5
Really enjoyable, "swinging" music, feels like listening to the birth of Rock
The Mothers Of Invention
2/5
Was onboard at the start then they just seem to be taking the piss. Seems more like a comedy album
Count Basie & His Orchestra
2/5
Chilled and very atmospheric, not something i'll ever relisten to.
The Crusaders
2/5
Forgettable Jazz. Title track is ok but not enough to save the album
Nick Drake
3/5
soft and melodic, got a bit lost sometime overall ok - best song "fly" 2.5
Mott The Hoople
2/5
Glimpses of something better - threatened to be an undiscovered gem but never fully materialised 2
The Slits
3/5
Bit stilted at times, as I got into it was better - Ping pong Affair was the best song, bit doesn't reach great highs but will listen again. 3.4
David Bowie
4/5
I mean yeah this is great, feel the soul and funk and 70s influences and takes you on a journey as an album. There's a lot of Bowie in this list but this one is justified. strong 4
Eels
3/5
This screams later 90's radio 2 to me. It's not a bad album overall but also seems to think it is deeper than it is. First 2 songs good radio tunes.
Muddy Waters
3/5
Some great music, looses a bit being a live album but enjoyable jazz. 3.3
Led Zeppelin
4/5
Have given every single led zep album 4 and this one continues.. seriously consistent and always enjoyable tunes.
The Who
2/5
Some odd tunes in here like "i can see for miles and miles" which show how incredible the Who are, however as an album found myself skipping so often as it was unlistenable fake jingles. generous 2
Napalm Death
1/5
A huge grind and effort to listen to
Country Joe & The Fish
1/5
country electronic music... didn't know I could hate country more
Motörhead
5/5
As an album gets a little samey however is such a tour de force of great hard rocking music and attitude impossible not to love. 4.8
Klaxons
1/5
oh no.. limpest rock I've ever heard
The Charlatans
3/5
North Country Boy is great of course, the rest is very standard for 90's britpop
The Kinks
5/5
Cross between folk and rock - character driven music and so, so good. Comparisons to the Beatles are unfair - they are more than their own band.
Bill Callahan
1/5
Lost the will to live halfway through the first song. When hillbillies think they're deep.
Ice Cube
4/5
Comes in hard with a clear statement of banging beats and close to the street lyrics. begins to fade a little in the second half of the album but several all time greats here. It has both the negatives and positives of 90's hip hop, however still enjoyed this album right now.
Mix of banging tunes and story telling, not quite at the heights Ice Cube reaches in his next few albums still fantastic though and even more hilarious seeing the hand-wringing over the lyrics here. 4
Orange Juice
2/5
Hmm , love the upbeat positive nature - hate the main singers voice; seems like the type of posh twat you'd find at a party claiming he was slumming it by hanging out with you.
Second tune switches it up a bit with African sensibilities however same criticism in that great upbeat music but don't get on with the singer.
Overall 2
Pulp
4/5
Megadeth
3/5
Kinda of fun metal, don't mind when it's like this, but it's still in "don't mind" rather than "enjoy"
Nina Simone
4/5
Beautiful, powerful music. A bit slow for me personally.
The Sonics
2/5
Hmmm as always rating on how much I enjoyed listening right now rather than any influence they may have had. First song was good and interesting. Does feel like the typical 60s middle American sweater band trying to do Chuck Berry or James Brown. Covers were passable rest of album nothing of note.
Overall although has some punk sensibilities does feel like an attempt to sell Rock to white America
Pet Shop Boys
2/5
Slower than their other albums. Enjoyed it at the start with never boring, then it got a bit boring to be honest 2
Prince
5/5
Feels crazily over the top, but also feels paired back... didn't get on with let's go crazy but next song onwards is deep, engaging music which tells a story. what a great album. 5
Shuggie Otis
5/5
Wasn't expecting to like this but instantly did and head nodded all the way through - in a word 'funky' 4.6
Gorillaz
4/5
Think "Demon Days" the follow up is by far a better album but enjoyed listening to this. Guess it's on here as the first "Virtual band" however due to real musicians behind it it's a good album in it's own right. 4
The Avalanches
2/5
knew frontier psychiatrist as the song all the "wacky" people enjoy. Rest of the album opens nice and chill and then just repeats itself over and over, as do each of the songs.. all start with a nice hook then just repeat it over and over. 2 as it's a little different
Tricky
5/5
Hadn't heard this before but absolutely loved it, obvious huge influence on UK music. Could have seen this would have been an album played again and again if I'd have gotten it at the time.
Sly & The Family Stone
2/5
Not bad but slow songs and funk don't really go together for me.
Kendrick Lamar
1/5
Urgh; can only hope it's deliberately as disjointed as possible as otherwise this would be a worthless waste of space only designed to apply to those who think it's edgy. No musical value or interesting lyrics to be seen here, just mumbling nonsense.
Hate to be all modern hip-hop is trash, but by god this is trash. 1 if not lower
Manic Street Preachers
4/5
I'm sure it's sacrilegious to their fans but I prefer the later radio friendly manics. This is still a great album though. 4
3/5
There are tunes in here, if they were actually split into songs. I enjoy albums which take you on a journey. but this is the very definition of self indulgent
Q-Tip
4/5
Enjoy his rapping style and unique beats I haven't heard in other hip-hop. Enjoyed this more than I thought I would strong 4
Antony and the Johnsons
1/5
singer super distracting, to the point I can't even listen. Wanted to give a higher score as obviously emotional personal music, however rating on how much I enjoy listening and that's not at all
Big Star
2/5
the definition of skippable
Iggy Pop
5/5
Goes very David Bowie at times and tracks 2&3 sag a little. But overall a fantastic energetic album with all time great tunes. Singles stand out but strong album all the way through just seems like the type of album which couldn't be made any more due to raw originality. 5
Jeff Beck
2/5
Feels tired and strange. Old man river and Greensleeves covers don't fit at all.
2
Steely Dan
2/5
just a bit too light and fluffy for me, classifies as "easy listening" 2.4
Cocteau Twins
4/5
This album surprised me on how much I enjoyed it, lack of big tunes but a great vibe all the way through
1/5
Dreading this as soon as the genre was "noise rock" I'm sure it's arty and influential to someone. But as a listen it's unbearable for more than 10 seconds at a time. 1
Tim Buckley
1/5
oh I don't have enough time in my life for this.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
3/5
Don't really get on with Costello's voice - few stand out tunes here though "Accident's will happen" starts the album out well with a big promise which doesn't quite materialise, however Oliver's Army is good and maintains energy throughout.
Shivkumar Sharma
2/5
Am sure it's a great example of Sitar music, but can't sit here and listen to an album's worth. 2 to be generous
Mylo
2/5
can't say anything other than "nice, I guess". For an album to make such a bold claim and then be just meh marks it down. Hold music with swearing. 2
LL Cool J
3/5
only knew the title track here, but decent hip hop album goes light and hard at various times.
Ray Charles
4/5
very enjoyable music and voice
Big Black
2/5
Started off hating, then grew on me a little. Still realised if it was not for this list I would have turned it off long ago.
Def Leppard
2/5
Normally like big and silly and dumb, however this does nothing for me.
The Verve
5/5
Find the reviews saying it's one good song absolutely crazy - Urban Hymns is an all time great but also has Sonnet & Drugs don't work. Love this album as it's moving away from the disposable pop rock of the time and being self reflective while still being rooted in youth drug-taking, up for a fight energy.
Penguin Cafe Orchestra
3/5
I mean it's nice, feels a bit pointless, doesn't do a lot for me. Generous 3
The Replacements
4/5
yeah enjoyed this
Christina Aguilera
2/5
Went in with a determined open mind; and in general it's ok 2000's pop. However it's the overt sexualisation and claim it's in the name female empowerment which is both the reason I listened (or watched the video) at the time and cringe mightily now. Hilariously the same people who love this freak out over 90s rap when it's the same lyrics and themes.
In terms of a listen, basic pop with some nice energetic tunes and a pretty good voice. 2
4/5
Good energy rock. 4
Madonna
3/5
Typically like Madonna and this is right in the middle of her re-invention when I think she's perhaps a little too comfortable - she's at her best when working with up and coming producers and bringing outside influences to the mainstream, which I guess is being tried here mixing electronica with country. However as a listen it's not anywhere near her best "I deserve it" stand out tune. 3
Peter Gabriel
3/5
Found myself enjoying quite a bit with the odd tune I disliked, however left no lasting impression. 3.3
Coldplay
2/5
Jacques Brel
3/5
Can't fault the energy here. 2.8
Tim Buckley
2/5
dull folk 1.6
Mudhoney
4/5
Great energy and tunes 4
Supertramp
5/5
A lot of snobbery around Supertramp - simply great tunes and always deliver. That opening with the Piano from school to bloody well right is simply superb. They're definetly an album band rather than a singles band which is why the spotify generation doesn't get on with them.
Meat Puppets
4/5
Was slightly dreading when I saw the band name but what a high energy killer first opening song. However then goes a bit country - if it had been all like the first song it would have been a 5.
There's enough great music in here to make it a really good album, however the country tinge to it impacts the enjoyability by a lot. 3.5
Le Tigre
4/5
Supergrass
4/5
Alright is a real anthem of a generation in a way more over pushed bands wish they were, however Caught by the fuzz is the real stand out, the rest of the album is take it or leave it and ok. 4.1
Tom Waits
2/5
The fifth album so far on this list by Tom Waits... not a single one has been even close to a must listen.
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
2/5
Wanted to like this more than I did, it's like the opening to a song kept going and going... for 20 minutes. Then the follow up songs were essentially more of the same. 2
John Martyn
1/5
Adult movie elevator music 1.4
Bon Jovi
3/5
Laura Nyro
4/5
Had no idea what to expect here and it still surprised me. enjoyable swinging music. 4
Duke Ellington
1/5
One star seems a little harsh however a liver performance Jazz album was never going to be my thing and rating based on how much I enjoy listening so anything else would be a lie.
Derek & The Dominos
3/5
Yeah overall enjoyed this, had glimpses of sadness and no long guitar solos.
Arcade Fire
3/5
I enjoyed this, didn't blow me away. Had I heard when younger might have had more of an impact.
Dwight Yoakam
1/5
YeeeeeeHawwwwww. Not really. shows the US influence on this list that this is even being considered what awful twee but also boring music.
The Libertines
3/5
It's not bad, it's the definition of "landfill indie" however, instantly forgettable but does make you feel good while listening so sneaks a 3
Roni Size
5/5
This is a stone cold 5 if you don't know you don't know. Brown paper bag alone transformed so many raves. This is what 90's music should have been instead of generic indie.
Youssou N'Dour
2/5
Oh come on, simply don't believe those giving this 4 or 5 stars. not completely unlistenable but was actively trying to block the vocals out 1.5
Johnny Cash
5/5
Has a few of his more knowable tunes than Folsom. Overall it's not quite as strong as that. Still has so much character - the little chuckles in songs, the audience being as much of the performance. Can't believe this is so good compared to most country.
William Orbit
4/5
Excellent chill out music
The Cardigans
3/5
I like the cardigans in general, know many of their singles. however don't think this is them at their best. sounds a bit like a local band performing at a pub. Mostly enjoyed but apart from the single didn't stand out.
Daft Punk
2/5
Electronica doesn't have to be repetitive
Van Halen
4/5
Thought the opener was classic 80's pop not "hard rock" rest is a bit "harder" but still super fun!
Tim Buckley
3/5
I didn't like his other albums but kinda enjoyed this, just sounds like someone sitting at a Piano getting high and getting laid and having fun.
Aphex Twin
2/5
well it is what it says on the tin - ambient music. which is fine but not what i'm here for.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
5/5
As soon as it starts sense of chilled grooves just come through. No Woman No Cry of course an all time classic but lots of tunes throughout this.
Mekons
5/5
Loved it. one of those albums you can't explain why :)
Cornershop
5/5
Wow complete surprise, anything that can go from vinyl scratching to sitars has my attention. first two songs great bangers, then it's very Indian but it's cool it's so clearly loves this part of the band's heritage. more experimental in the last third, got me thinking and enjoying more than the last 100 albums so it's a 5.
Lupe Fiasco
3/5
Thought I wouldn't like this and it is a little overproduced and has features of the worst of modern hip hop (no tine changes, sample after sample after sample) however it's a fresh sound. 3
Donovan
4/5
sounds very grainy, maybe that's part of the charm.. it's very 60's counter culture. 4
Curtis Mayfield
5/5
OK loved this. just so chilled with layers and layers on the music. Despite never listening before knew so many hooks from modern hip-hop, not just samples either, pretty much entire tunes.
Bob Dylan
2/5
it's ok, too much harmonica. does this list really need 5 Bob Dylan albums? Was almost like a parody of folk music, however i guess this is the guy they parody. 2
Beck
4/5
Hadn't heard much Beck, but enjoyed this album
Kendrick Lamar
1/5
Has a mixtape vibe. but for Christ's sake change your tone occasionally. It's all autotune and plodding vocals it's actually painfully boring to listen to.
Echo And The Bunnymen
4/5
enjoyed this massively, Joy Division vibes. Can't understand the lyrics half the time though, which stops it being an incredible album
Lana Del Rey
2/5
There's no melody in her voice at all and the album screams forced nostalgia which I guess is in with the kids at the moment. 1.5
Dire Straits
5/5
Very enjoyable just pushes a 5, upbeat but also contemplative Rock album
Peter Gabriel
3/5
Don't really get on with his voice, like the music arrangement although it's very 80's Sledgehammer a good tune, but not brilliant the rest began to grate on me a little by the end. 2.6
Neil Young
1/5
ok 5th Neil Young album on the list.. you have to wonder how many great artists have been left off and based on this album at least 5. Does not even attempt to stand out, harmonica and plodding vocals everywhere. 1
Jeru The Damaja
4/5
No what I was expecting, a good slice of East coast 90's hip hop
The Jam
4/5
Very powerful strong songs great written . 4.4
Blood, Sweat & Tears
4/5
varied and interesting, doesn't always hit the mark, but does often enough. 3.7
The Human League
5/5
Was going to say very 80's but instead it's defining 80's. some may hate it but it's such a strong statement of what music was and could be at this time. 5
Small Faces
3/5
Psychedelic and relaxing, doesn't massively stand out but enjoyable overall. 3.2
Randy Newman
2/5
Feel more like he's a parody or novelty performer. 2
The Dictators
3/5
Can see the roots of punk here, but it's US punk and a lot of it is unlistenable or treated a as joke so it's not a very listenable album however has a couple of stand outs - "Next big thing" & the worryingly titled "master race rock" 2.8
Ute Lemper
4/5
love the Divine Comedy so this was a pleasant surprise - another commentator called it "James Bond themes about normal life" which sums it up well. Enjoyed this a lot!
Pavement
1/5
US Indie Garage rock, was never going to enjoy, put on that angsty whiney vocals "oh no someone told me to cut my hair" then it's a super no, music should be fun, just a nothing album.
2/5
Nice and atmospheric, very backgroundy though
Peter Gabriel
3/5
much darker than his other albums, also like a bit more than the previous albums of his on this list, still get's a bit samey by the midway point and not something I'd ever seek out again. - really don't think there needs to be 3 albums by Peter Gabriel here, shows the compiler was struggling a bit. 3.4
T. Rex
5/5
Completely had a different opinion on T.Rex as glam rock novelty act. This is Psychedelic, Folke-y lyrics and similar to the best of Bowie, one of the few albums where the well known tune actually is a step down from the rest of it. Loved it. 5
Morrissey
4/5
Shouldn't read other reviews before I've finished the whole album but strikes me as those who give a poor score are due to issues unrelated to the music. I'm on and off with Morrissey's music generally, however this is a big yes from me. 4.4
Haircut 100
3/5
Lot of saxophones, and very jazzy. Not bad, bit backgroundy. 3
Green Day
2/5
I mean it could be subversive if you were the most middle American person possible. I am not and so it seems more like a corporate put together mainstream bland "punk". All guitar riffs sound the same throughout. "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" is the stand out which shows it's not really punk at all but middle of the road rock.
The Residents
3/5
It's different to everything else and challenging which gives it an extra point, but not exactly a great listen.
Van Morrison
1/5
3rd Van Morrison album on the list... and it's a live album, everything about this just completely turns me off.
Dead Kennedys
5/5
Hits you like a whirlwind. When the first song is "kill the poor" you know you're in for a trip and it doesn't let up.. up there with the best of punk for speaking to rebellious teenagers, which all music should really. 5
The Jesus And Mary Chain
3/5
Interesting music, not entirely sure I love it, but definitely want to relisten. 3.3
Steve Winwood
1/5
I man what? the complete opposite of "essential". Weak jazzy pop doesn't have the confidence to be out there like Jazz.
Would call this easy listening, don't hate it but tempted to give it a 1 as so bland.
Metallica
3/5
It's powerful and surprisingly "clean" guitar and drums. Just don't personally enjoy this music and was waiting for it to end. 3
Pentangle
3/5
It's ok, could be any folk band really 2.6
Manic Street Preachers
5/5
This is the Manic's I know and love, beautiful sad rock music.
Janelle Monáe
5/5
Discovered Monae fairly randomly a few years back and this, album an absolute stand out which continues her themes and makes funky music with it.
OutKast
4/5
It's a weird criticism but this album is a bit "much" as in bit over produced and they may have been better going their won directions completely than releasing this double album which is really to single albums. Still there is some really interesting intelligent music here as well as some great tunes.
Talvin Singh
3/5
Class this album as "interesting". Was a surprise when it first started with a good mix of influences in an up beat 90s dance style. Not all of the fusions worked but glad I listened
The Black Crowes
2/5
Generic boring rock. it's not bad, but it's so boring which is possibly even worse. One stand out is "hard to handle" and that's a cover. scrapes a 2 just.
Skunk Anansie
4/5
Kicks off with some etheral Indian music, drops into hard DnB, right into some shredding guitars. All within the first minute. Skunk's voice does take a it adjusting to and it's not my normal style - very screamy but it just works. More hard rock than the classic punk tunes I know and prefer them for and as such not totally my flavour, kind of re-defines hard rock though. 4
Mike Ladd
3/5
Started off hot, kind of lost me along the way. Interesting album rather than a regular listen.
Led Zeppelin
4/5
Ms. Dynamite
5/5
Instant 5 a real sleeper hit. The funny thing was when this came out I knew her as a presenter on a stupid "street" late night garage show on channel 4. Then this album came out and it was so far ahead of the childish bands she was presenting on. Later found out that she's celebrated poet Akala's sister and it shows as the deepness and reality is so far above the usual stuff which is put out. Loved this album for 20 years.
OutKast
4/5
Bruce Springsteen
1/5
5th Springsteen album on this list all have been utterly boring and this one opens with a harmonica, pile of shit. 1
Sinead O'Connor
4/5
Beautiful and powerful, of course "nothing compares to you" is an all time great but it's so consistent with the rest of the album I was surprised. If I was hearing that tune for the first time I'd probably give it a 5. not every tune is a win, but the opener and general vibe of the album makes this so strong. 4
Britney Spears
3/5
OK... wasn't expecting this, but determined to go in with an open mind. Honestly first 2 songs good pop.
So of the time it's crazy with voice distortion and "email my heart". On the other hand, although I try and not rate on outside factors the whole thing smacks of exploitation with a fairly good voice obviously being put through so many recording studio sessions.
At the end of the day its a good pop album though, firmly aimed at white teenage USA I'll let it scrape a 3 based on more than a few stand out songs. 2.5
David Ackles
2/5
Country with Jazz interspersed, which is possibly the most evil partnership imaginable. but does try to tell stories with the songs, however get bored trying to follow them when the music's not putting me off completely. 1.6
Lloyd Cole And The Commotions
4/5
Hits you straight away with upbeat music then takes you on a journey with darker music and lyrics. enjoyed it a lot.
Cee Lo Green
4/5
Enjoyed this more than I thought I would
The Darkness
5/5
Beyond the well known single the album is strong throughout. Any music which has fun at it's core like this I'm always going to get on with no matter the genre. It hits hard and keeps it up, when you think it may get tiring the sheer energy pushes through. They never quite lived up to this album but damn if this isn't an incredibly enjoyable listen all over again. fuck it it's a 5
Run-D.M.C.
4/5
Find RUN DMC a bit overrated overall, their flow isn't great. However it's powerful music and the album is so good and absolutely rammed.
Ghostface Killah
3/5
This is an odd choice, I'm a big Wu-tang guy but this isn't one of the better solo efforts, not even Ghostface's best. It's strong enough with a wide mix of guesting MCs but not worth shouting about.
Curtis Mayfield
3/5
It's funky and cool, not a super engaging listen though.
Queen
4/5
Not their best but still musically genius, possibly only because their other heights are so high this doesn't get a 5
Justin Timberlake
3/5
incredibly odd - strong songwriting and beats on display here. Feels almost like an attempt at some great producers to create a nice non threatening star.
His voice is ok, it's not Michael Jackson as much as he thinks he is.
really it's an attempt at creating an edgier pop star who is still nice and cute looking, the stand out tunes are really good but they don't have any of the actual singer's personality in at all.
Overall it's still a pretty good listen.
Ozomatli
2/5
interesting mix of styles, doesn't really work though 2
Jean-Michel Jarre
5/5
Big surprise this; could easily have been a ground breaking record in the 90's 2 decades after it was released. Not usually a big fan of long electronica however it sets it's stall - sci-fi inspired dance music long trips and does it so very well. Really enjoyed this. 5
Soul II Soul
3/5
one good song stretched out over an entire album 2.8
Jazmine Sullivan
1/5
Oh god no, went in with a completely open mind as had never heard of her. Everything that's terrible about modern music; sexuality over content, basic basic beats and everything run through a thousand autotune filters. 1
Joanna Newsom
2/5
fake US folk, written by someone who no doubt considers coloured hair and walking barefoot kooky.
Did have an open mind as quite like folk and some of the songs have a nice rhythm to them, but overall it's a no. 2
Rage Against The Machine
3/5
overall too shouty and screamy for me. Appreciate the power though
Korn
1/5
hahahahahahahaha... no
Stan Getz
4/5
Immediately feel sad I'm not listening to this on vinyl sipping martinis, very enjoyable.
The Byrds
2/5
4th album by this band, and whilst this is better than some of the offerings on here it's still not amazing.
Some songs are instant skips, but appreciate it's experimental, some tunes are pretty good like "Renaissance Fair" 2.4
John Lennon
2/5
awkward, overly sentimental. basic beats 1.7
Ryan Adams
1/5
"modern" country; just so so bad in every way.
Michael Jackson
5/5
Massive album both in terms of tunes and how its basically influenced all of music and the music industry since. 5
Black Sabbath
2/5
dark and cool, didn't personally enjoy listening however, lots of long guitar solos
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
2/5
early new wave, ok but not that engaging to listen to
The Prodigy
5/5
it's very aimed at the mainstream but damn it still hits hard.
The Divine Comedy
5/5
love love love this. Constantly amazed when I listen to the DC that they're not super mainstream and listened to all over the world. Just joyous music delivered with a wink and a nod and not to be taken too seriously.
Peter Frampton
1/5
first off it's a live album so the vocals are weak, then has long guitar solos which are a personal hatred of mine. not for me at all 1.4
Lucinda Williams
1/5
I mean does anyone genuinely listen to this? It's so bad I have to believe it's a parody. Bad basic guitar music and horrific vocals, christ even the name is good ol boy. Even the font looks like it was done by a 12 year olds first attempt. Quite possibly the worst album on this entire list.
Digital Underground
2/5
I guess this was influential with blending hip hop with more electronica? The playing lyrics are not a new thing and it quickly becomes tiresome... 2
The Psychedelic Furs
4/5
Like the vocals and style, doesn't excite too much overall however. 3.7
Paul Simon
3/5
nice enough , doesn't thrill me 2.9
Gang Of Four
5/5
Great great music, gritty vocals and banginig tunes
Kate Bush
4/5
Raw powerful and experimental at times. find it not as strong as other albums but still just in aa style and world of her own 4.3
Alice Cooper
3/5
its ok to good rock, doesn't make me feel a great deal. Maybe it's the performance aspect which has been since been done better by others. 2.6
Sigur Rós
5/5
oh ok.. was all but writing the "nice but not for me" review as the intro was a bit meh... then Starálfur blew my socks off. Really an example of how music transcends language and can be so important. Prefer it when it's being Rocky rather than ethereal strangely enough 4.6
ZZ Top
3/5
Fun rock, goes a bit guitar solo "rock out, man" at times 3.4
Afrika Bambaataa
4/5
Opener is an all time great. rest of the album doesn't hold that standard but some great musical journeys which have been so influential bringing genres together and still sounds fresh and modern despite being sampled to death. 3.9
k.d. lang
1/5
haha what? literally starts of with a twang of a guitar then so slow and tortured cowboy music, with lyrics that are beyond cliche.
Gil Scott-Heron
3/5
pretty cool, however the heavy piano and pain-filled voice doesn't translate to a great listen. still can appreciate it.
The The
5/5
High energy and pretty cool, thought that would be it as first few songs are more pop than post punk but songs are consistently engaging different and cool. Great discovery 5
Red Snapper
2/5
nice but quickly turns into background music. 2
Public Image Ltd.
2/5
So edgy it can cut itself.
When a boyband member strikes out on their own and feels they have to prove themselves.
So overly happy with it's own lyrics it has a version with no music before repeating the same same song with the music included, just to be sure you *got it*.
Title track is good, but rest is a bit rubbish. 2.3
Robbie Williams
2/5
Angels is a banger of course the rest is decent enough pop delivered with a wink which stood him out at the time but doesn't stand up years later. 2
Public Enemy
5/5
Don't really give a shit about the "message" which so many reviews focus on but god damn it's banging music which is so unique to everything else.
ABBA
5/5
First album by ABBA on this list? one of the truely must listen albums which is weird considering I never had. Knew the big tunes of course but there's so much quality here. They get a bad rep as they pretty much defined pop and so much bad came after them, but what music.
The Vines
3/5
Has some nice parts, an hour after listening can't recall much though
Herbie Hancock
2/5
Was nodding along enjoying then realised it had been going for sometime and when would the vocals start? then realised I was 5 mins in to a 15 min long opening song.
Not too bad but at least I realised for certain Jazz is not for me.
ZZ Top
3/5
good fun rock 3.4
Jah Wobble's Invaders Of The Heart
4/5
wasn't really sure what to expect but enjoyed this
Billy Bragg
1/5
nah doesn't do it for me, smacks of rich kids who squat 1.4
Paul McCartney
2/5
Found myself trying to convince myself I was enjoying this more than I really was simply as it was McCartney. If I was to rate it purely on the music not who made it it would be a middle of the road 2 - so that's what it gets.
Can
4/5
Doves
3/5
yeah nice enough music, would put them above Coldplay who they remind me of but wouldn't seek out more of their music 2.8
Neneh Cherry
5/5
Hip Hop elements a little basic but damn she has her own personality and keeps energy up all the way through the album. 4.8
Run-D.M.C.
4/5
classic slice of old school hip hop. 4
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
3/5
Liked this much much more than previous Costello albums, just seems like deep layered music. still don't like his vocals much. 3.3
The Louvin Brothers
1/5
No amount of singing ambiguously about murder can make this anything other than hillbilly dirge - why the big USA focus on albums from this list? I assume it's to increase the sales of the book to middle America as no one with of modicum of taste or intelligence could ever enjoy this.
The Boo Radleys
2/5
Bit more experimental and electronic than I was expecting, didn't really click with me
Queens of the Stone Age
3/5
Super repetitive, trying desperately to convince that Hard Rock is deep, rather than just guitar strumming and basic drum tempos. Every song starts out like "oh this is good... yep it's the exact same." 2.8
Tangerine Dream
3/5
Sheryl Crow
3/5
Probably the definition of a 3/5 album, do like her voice and tune progression but it just doesn't stand out a huge amount. 3.3
The Beta Band
4/5
interesting and different, thought it was from the 60's originally.
Richard Thompson
5/5
Might have just been in the mood for this but loved it, atmospheric folk 4.6
Moby
4/5
re-marking this as had given it a 3 previously, but it played on my mind so much I listened straight several more times. close to sneaking a 5 as it has so many hooks.
The Adverts
3/5
Even I have to admit there's a lot of punk and new wave in this list even though I enjoy it. This is fine, not the best example of the genre.
FKA twigs
3/5
interesting and different, ultimately not a great listen though, sneaks a 3 as it's different.
Dolly Parton
1/5
Just so so twee, couldn't take it
Christina Aguilera
2/5
She has a nice voice and the tunes bounce along nicely. It's very "warbly" style which I personally don't like, she's certainly putting a hello f a lot effort into singing though. 2.3
Marilyn Manson
1/5
Was always just about the image, only aimed at those who wanted a lifestyle or look, the actual music was always an afterthought and terrible.
Linkin Park
1/5
Whiny voices and indecipherable guitars to be "edgy" , utterly unlistenable and probably in the worst 5 albums on this list.
Ice Cube
4/5
Janet Jackson
2/5
Don't hate it, just feel it has no personality of it's own at all. 2
Kings of Leon
2/5
modern guitar solos, still pretty boring.
Joan Armatrading
4/5
Just a really nice piece of music from a really talented singer/ songwriter
Elliott Smith
4/5
Not typically my "type" of music but really enjoyed that. obviously a lot of passion and warm fuzzy feeling music. 4
George Michael
4/5
I did as the title suggests and listened to a very decent piece of music, obviously personal and varied. enjoyed it a lot. 4
Goldfrapp
3/5
*shrug* yeah nice I guess. 3
The Rolling Stones
3/5
bit too country in places, Stones still always deliver a pretty good album but it doesn't really grab you or be memorable 3.3
The Flaming Lips
4/5
Very interesting nice album that plays with different sounds, enjoyed this
The Shamen
5/5
A lot of dance albums rely on repetitive hooks, this clearly sets out to take you on a journey using electronica. only knew them as a novelty with Ebaneezer but this a great piece of music.
Björk
4/5
I mean I like it as music, it's def not a 5 * album but has something about it that's more than just "interesting" still don't overly like her vocals but by the point of "one day" I'm completely onboard with where the album is taking me. 4
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
4/5
Had to be in the mood but very soothing enjoyed a lot. 3.8
Elvis Presley
5/5
Just vote on how much I enjoy listening and this once again was great, smooth and easy yes, but incredibly enjoyable.
Koffi Olomide
3/5
Very high tempo and a lot of fun, couldn't say I'd seek it out again. 3.3
Kelela
2/5
2.4 - seems to think that electronica is innovative. mixing it with basic rnb doesn't enhance either.
Some interesting passages rather than songs throughout managed to keep my attention but by the time it starts going heavy with the autotune it's like every other generic modern rnb but with a bit of electronica thrown in.
The Good, The Bad & The Queen
2/5
Doesn't reach the height of Gorrilaz or the best of Blur. The few good musical packages feel like samples from better songs
The White Stripes
4/5
Solid Rock with interesting twists with their own personalities
Travis
4/5
I think unfairly maligned as dreary; I like Travis as a great indie guitar band. Turn in particular is upbeat, some of the songs are a bit out of place here but there are multiple good tunes. 3.5
Public Image Ltd.
1/5
I feel this is specifically trying to be challenging, however that doesn't make a good listen. Actually bored me rather than challenged me, first song is 10 mins of dirge. Each song starts out ok but then the same dreary vocals come in. by the third time this exact pattern with the exact same vocals came in had to ditch it so can only give it a 1
King Crimson
5/5
wasn't sure I really got it, so listened twice then another time; kind of snuck up that I was super enjoying it. Strange but liked it, a genuinely different album that deserves on this list.
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band
5/5
Didn't expect that at all; loved it!
Giant Sand
2/5
doesn't really do it for me 2.4
Kraftwerk
5/5
An absolute journey which is what I want in an album
Everything But The Girl
4/5
Didn't realise they were so heavily DnB inspired - paring those beats with love songs goes surprisingly well
Bill Evans Trio
2/5
nice but live jazz album was never going to be for me
Alanis Morissette
5/5
Pink Floyd
5/5
Faust
3/5
some good Rock but then quite a bit of experimental style noise which just annoys me when listening 3.4
The Zutons
4/5
Didn't really know this band but that was a very enjoyable slice of rock and good album
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
3/5
Was kinda dreading this as it's world music and knew I wouldn't massively get along. Can see the appeal though. it's obviously not something i'd normally listen to but it has more good points than bad.
Kings of Leon
2/5
basic indie rock with a really annoying singer
Morrissey
3/5
Nice tunes but the apex of "cheer up Morrissey" 3.2
Leonard Cohen
4/5
Excellent, not quite up to his other albums, 80's synth is an odd fit which i don't totally hate. 4
Chicago
2/5
Starts off well then such long boring guitar solos 2
Parliament
3/5
well that's certainly funky, perhaps a bit too funky for me 3.3
Finley Quaye
4/5
nice slice of Reggae - shouldn't read other reviews but why are so many on this site obsessed with things outside the actual music? Must be a generational thing where they're used to cancelling anyone slightly different and instead worship blandness with Taylor Swift and Harry Styles.
Anyway this is nice and chilled with easy beats. 4
The Pharcyde
3/5
Band plays too much 2.9
Elton John
3/5
not the best Elton John album find Tiny Dancer overrated 3.3
The Magnetic Fields
1/5
Actively didn't like - every song grated on me, either twee or boring which is strange as it had a really wide style of songs. however every one of them seemed to succeed in annoying me. Singer sounds like Divine Comedy' Neil Hannon but without the cheeky wink meaning it's dull vocals on top of annoying music 1.3
A Tribe Called Quest
4/5
So laid back it's horizontal 4.4
Everything But The Girl
2/5
bit dreary, some nice music but don't like the vocals
American Music Club
1/5
whiny indie mixed with country, horrible
The Doors
5/5
just totally in a league and style all of their own
Big Star
3/5
pretty good pop rock album, doesn't massively stand out in any area
Os Mutantes
4/5
as big a melting pot as Brazil itself. feels very part of the 60s
The Fall
4/5
Nirvana
5/5
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
5/5
CHVRCHES
4/5
That surprised me, wasn't what I expected. good pop/electronica, didn't hugely stand out as either though.
Sebadoh
1/5
started off fairly inoffensive middle of the road indie, track 3 was unlistenable and from there it just got worse and worse
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
4/5
That's a great rock album
GZA
5/5
I "slept on this" as the kids say. However have no idea why; I knew a few of the tunes from Wu compilations, however this is up there as an amazing album. Not quite up with the best however solidly B album alongside WU Tang forever level, which easily makes it a 5.
Tom Tom Club
4/5
different, I liked it
Stephen Stills
3/5
Middle of the road but nice background music 2.8
De La Soul
4/5
Joyous music 4.4
Ramblin' Jack Elliott
1/5
was kind of enjoying the folksy rambling but even before the end of the first song I was bored and hoping he upped the tempo even a little. As a listen now it's a massive turn off. 1.4
Sugar
2/5
forgettable alt rock
Saint Etienne
4/5
very enjoyable album 3.8
Massive Attack
4/5
took me on a journey, very nice album
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
4/5
different - even to itself it's wildly different within this album. and good fun 4
Weather Report
1/5
Felt like i was bein battered by a piano while a saxophone laughed at me
ABBA
4/5
Very interesting and not what I was expecting, was expecting upbeat pop tunes but this mas a complex and layered album, very much enjoyed 4.3
Björk
4/5
It's Bjork, never know what your going to get. Liked not loved it
G. Love & Special Sauce
2/5
Not for me 2
5/5
F'ing loved that.
Proper took me on a journey with layered music, what rock should be 5
Soft Cell
5/5
Like an album from a completely different reality
Miles Davis
2/5
3rd Miles Davis album.. all have been 2 stars, wase of time
The Offspring
2/5
nah, knew them as a novelty with pretty fly for a white guy, guess this is a more serious album but strikes me as middle class suburban punk, didn't like. 1.7
R.E.M.
3/5
definition of a 3 * album, quite enjoyed it, forgot it instantly.
John Prine
2/5
Didn't actively hate it which is big praise for a country album of which there is way too much on this list 2.4
Buck Owens
1/5
no.
Snoop Dogg
5/5
Oh yes, massive smile on my face when this came up and easiest 5 i've ever given, was one of my entry drugs into hip hip and still love it to this day, just fun bouncy music with personality. Snoop himself has never matched this.
Yes it has 90's skits and gangsta posturing but the talent on display here shines through so strongly, this is a classic from any time period.
The KLF
5/5
influential and banger after banger. 4.8
Nirvana
4/5
Oof difficult to judge - as it opens it contains all of the cliches I hate; screaming vocals, aimless guitar solos. Then Heart shaped box, rp me, all apologies are all time greats which I absolutely love. Plus the gall to call a song "Radio Friendly Unit Shifter" then the shouty one "tourettes" . overall not an album i'd own but can appreciate greatly. 3.8
Deee-Lite
3/5
Fatboy Slim
2/5
This is like the wikipedia summary of dance music from the 90's. Opens with piano old school, then trance, then DnB then breakbeat, then I gave up. There are some nice hooks in here, but the actual music produced this is aping was actually done with care, this is just a sample from a sub genre repeated over and over and then another sub genre picked
Joan Baez
1/5
Not for me 1
Bee Gees
2/5
weird listening to the BeeGee's high vocals on slow songs. Overall it's a generic slow rock album. 2
R.E.M.
4/5
Better than average Rock album 2 great single push it to a 4. 3.6
UB40
3/5
very enjoyable but blends together and into the background 3.3
Kings of Leon
4/5
What an incredibly surprisingly album, really it's average rock with an odd singer but infectious energy pushes this up.
If I wasn't in the mood this would be a low 3. When in the mood songs like "Joe's Head" really hit for me.
4
Method Man
5/5
One of the best albums of all time hands down. Method Man was an absolute revelation here and could have been a global megastar if he was willing to play the game a bit more, still this was recognised at the grammys etc (which was very rare at the time).
The album itself is so dark with those classic RZA simple hooks feeling like they're coming through a smoky club and MM's vocals feeling like they're thumping into your body out of the smoke.
Every song on this is a classic, but it's the album itself which stands out as it brings them all together - you go from lyrical jousting with Meth Vs Chef to the slowly paced "Sub Crazy", then jumpy party tune "Release Yo' Delf", then moody and atmospheric "PLO Style", then "Mr Sandman" where you don't even realise what you are hearing until you're in the middle of the beautifully painted chaotic scene.
Finally name one other artist who can put shout outs to all of his incarcerated friends and family in the middle of an album and it not even interrupt the flow but become an essential part.
Love this album, in my top 5 of all time.
Brian Eno
3/5
Liked the album, have to feel like the impact of it wasn't really there for me.
Pere Ubu
3/5
As before, the impact of what this was at the time is lost to me, certain songs drag on too long even for a short album, when it gets going it's pretty good. can appreciate, will never listen again.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
4/5
prefer upbeat music however this is so beautiful. Not a regular listen though
Joe Ely
1/5
no.
Electric Light Orchestra
5/5
peak 70s inventive and fresh right the way through 5
X-Ray Spex
5/5
Easiest 5 of all time, the pure raw freshness of this albums hits home close to 50 years later. Poly Styrene's tortured but fun vocals unforgettable. Probably the best one and done album of all time.
U2
2/5
The opposite I think of when I hear an album titled "war" mostly boring
Fishbone
4/5
What an eclectic mix of styles, didn't think i'd enjoy at first but kept throwing different things at me and enjoyed each time. 3.6
Brian Wilson
3/5
nice sunny music, doesn't make me want to re-listen or find out more 3
Leftfield
3/5
wide mix of electronica tunes hard to summarise as one album;
"Release the pressure" didn't enjoy at all
"Afro left" was a banger
"Melt" such a chill out
"Song of life" some great vocal samples
"Original" slow but great progression, very 90's speaking vocals
"Black flute" Mostly house style - not a fan
"Space Shanty" Nice Piano but core sample too repetitive
"inspection" Had a chance to be a banger but again was too slow a beat
"Storm 3000" The pattern of how songs are laid out is now very clear, still enjoying though
"Open up" Hate John Lydon
"21st Century Poem" Trying to be deep, offers nothing
Overall it's a 3.1. Could have been 4 with more out and out bangers on the album, but too samey and loop based as the album progressed
JAY Z
3/5
Never really got Jay Z - he works with the best producers out there, however his vocals are always the most basic sort, no interesting flows and are all based on boasting how much money he has. Even the stand out tune "Izza" he breaks up the flow by literally claiming over and over "that's the anthem" like an excited child who's just heard the beat, making it possibly the worst chorus of all time.
"Heart of the city" which I know is a Kanye beat as he talks about it on one of his albums is such a wasted tune. Some wonderful samples and the vocals just ignoring them. The one time I loved this album was Eminem's vocals on Renegade.
I suppose this is important as it marks a move away from the posing "gangsta rap of the 90s" to the posing "billionaire rap" of the 00's. I know which I prefer.
Anyway the album was almost exactly what I expected; some amazing beats and his vocals all blurring together. However towards the end of the album, particularly "Blueprint" & "Lyrical exercise" which is the best tune on the album shows he is immensely talented and enough to push this to a 3.
Dexys Midnight Runners
4/5
Upbeat and a lot of fun
Hawkwind
2/5
maybe not in the mood but just found this exhausting
Todd Rundgren
4/5
Just good classic singer songwriter tunes. Didn't know the artist at all but enjoyed the album immensely.
The The
2/5
Overall album did nothing for me
Bob Dylan
4/5
Was going to complain as this is the sixth! BD album on this list which is way to much but it's still a great piece of music, not entirely my thing but can appreciate.
The Monks
4/5
Only rate on how much i enjoy rather than impact, but holy crap can see the influences this inspired and still a really good album. 4
Adele
3/5
2 out and out all time great banging tunes. the rest of the album far too slow and jazz influenced for me. Her style of holding a note for a long time is impressive I guess but don't think it makes good music. I'm rating the album as a whole not the singles, even though they are top quality so 3
Pixies
5/5
One of the rare albums as soon as it was finished I put it back on again. it's a powerful impact but crucially has great beats underpinning it.
LCD Soundsystem
4/5
wasn't sure the first time so re-listened and it's a good mix of rock and electronica, overall enjoyed however can't call it a headphones album as it's too abrasive at times and not something i'd put on my stereo so hard to classify.
R.E.M.
3/5
fine, doesn't thrill me 2.9
David Holmes
1/5
what was the point of that?
overlong rambling vocals followed by looped samples. Actively annoyed me.
Al Green
4/5
Just a lovely piece of music, never quite hits the heights of the opening track again but doesn't need to; the vocals, the background music slowly becoming more focused, it all coming together, great
Willie Nelson
2/5
quite liked the soft guitar, however the vocals do nothing but grate on me
1/5
Oh god no, not sure what I was expecting but not that
Merle Haggard
1/5
proper good ol boy country. should have been left in the 19th centaury
5/5
well would score higher than 5 if I could, massive sucker for that nostalgia but with an edge. it's more folk than rock at times and speaks directly to middle England with stories that are still valid all this time later, plus its a rocking record.
The Divine Comedy
5/5
Love love love it, uplifting and wry all at once
Earth, Wind & Fire
4/5
enjoyed that
Grateful Dead
3/5
didn't even realise it was a live album until I read the description. super chill rock and something you can imagine getting lost in, not usually a fan of guitar solos but can appreciate what they're going for here.
David Bowie
2/5
Very old - school artist trying to be down with the modern times vibe around this.
Loved the music, however Bowie using autotune and incomprehensible rambling says to me he had loads of talented musicians working with him but no one who was prepared to say "really? don't do that."
Scissor Sisters
4/5
fun overrides all else when it comes to music for me.
But this has that disco but dark feel that reminds me of the best of Elton John.
Has perhaps more misses than hits (the cover of comfortably numb is forgettable) but when it hits it hits hard.
Rod Stewart
1/5
hate hate his voice. music is nothing special either but has some highlights, however soon as his voice comes in it destroys the song. half the songs seem like an English guy doing country and western. 1.3
Cowboy Junkies
4/5
Country perhaps my most disliked genre. This album stands out on this list however as it seems genuinely worth listening to. 3.5
PJ Harvey
4/5
interesting and fun music, enjoyed that
Morrissey
4/5
Love his style of sad rock, even though it's a short album does get a bit tiring by the end. 3.8
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
1/5
get it's trying to be deliberately dissociative. but strikes as something wacky for those who know monty python sketches off by heart. not good music to listen to today.
Jack White
3/5
interesting tunes, don't think his voice performs well here and missing the energy of White Stripes.
It's strange, his blues style voice should go really well with the softer piano but just not overly feeling it. 2.8
Dexys Midnight Runners
2/5
pub rock from a remote countryside pub where the band knows half the audience and just chats to them.
Spiritualized
3/5
Slint
2/5
ok interesting intro.. it's still going.
Strikes me as one of those albums pretentious people will say you just don't get it when in reality it's just annoying.
Minor Threat
4/5
strikes me a "skateboarder punk". But I suspect the popularity was more on vhs tapes than clubs.
Not that that's a bad thing, comes in, hits hard and is short. knows exactly what it's going for.
Elis Regina
4/5
dreading this a bit as foreign language Jazz not exactly my thing. but just enjoyable upbeat music 4
Lynyrd Skynyrd
2/5
very guitar solo rock 2.4
Basement Jaxx
3/5
few absolute stand outs, rest of the album's a dud 3
Queen
5/5
The Rolling Stones
2/5
the most egregious example of covering songs by much more talented artists and making commercially viable
2/5
didn't get on with it, trying to be quirky and different but doesn't work for me
Robert Wyatt
3/5
some very interesting and cool songs, then it goes on a bit of a rambling style, in the end more misses than hits. 3.1
The Zombies
5/5
absolutely loved this. seems timeless
Ali Farka Touré
2/5
enjoyed it more than the previous 2 albums, very laid back and chilled, probably great to have on in the background but as an active listen i got bored before the end of every song.
Fiona Apple
2/5
feel I'm actively trying to ignore the overly rambunctious singer in a cat coffee shop who insists to maintain eye contact with anyone not alternative enough and convinced they had it so much worse than everyone else.
In short not for me, but not terrible. 1.8
Hole
3/5
have a inherent dislike of this band as when I was at college they were the band for the "slightly alternative" who wanted to feel superior to everyone else, despite this essentially being a pop album.
Attempting to rate purely on the music is difficult as it opens with a banger, true, however some of it like "Malibu" could easily be from a Taylor Swift bland middle of the road type.
"reasons to be beautiful" has guitar which echo Nirvana but Love's vocals fail.
"Dying" is interesting but obviously aimed at edgelords
"Use Once & Destroy" loved this.
So overall real mixed bag. it's a polished grunge album which is not a reason to dislike it. 3
Simply Red
2/5
some slight gems in there, but rest sounds like cruise ship singing
TV On The Radio
1/5
started off well, got forgettable then annoying
Stevie Wonder
3/5
nice but too soft for me 2.9
Animal Collective
1/5
that got boring, then unbearable very quickly
Ray Price
1/5
oh god no
Coldcut
3/5
liked it; will never relisten 3
White Denim
3/5
Indie but with added guitar solos not my thing but nice enough 2.7
Khaled
2/5
Appreciate this is out of my comfort zone and frame of cultural reference. He does put a lot of energy into it and seems like it could be a good poppy album if I was more engaged. Imagine seems like a parody from a bad movie. 2
Joni Mitchell
4/5
Some amazingly deep tunes, little one note but for a folk album she has great range 3.8
N.E.R.D
4/5
Interesting mix of styles, keeps you engaged as it takes you in different directions. 3.6
1/5
ok this is it, this is the album that officially ends any pretense that this list contains albums you "must" listen to.
it's so, so bad and not in any sort of entertaining way.
Michael Jackson
5/5
Just on an absolute different level, more disco and soul focused than his later work but it grabs you so primarily genre doesn't really matter.
Rufus Wainwright
3/5
really enjoyed the opener "Oh what a world" when it slowed down became really dirgey, nice lyrics but a bit up it's own arse.
Holger Czukay
3/5
guy playing around with samples a lot. may be influential but not a great listen. did kind of get into it as background music. 2.6
Fever Ray
2/5
Kinda nice, but overall a bit of a nothing, bored me 2.4
Lorde
3/5
was apprehensive on this as there were more "reacts to" than actual songs. However it's some nice pop with an indie/ singer/songwriter slant. Doesn't hugely blow me away but enjoyed it 3.3
Miles Davis
3/5
Can see how this is enjoyed, but for me jazz just doesn't do it, generous 3
Abdullah Ibrahim
2/5
Jazz just doesn't cut it for me, this has nice background piano style however .
The xx
4/5
The beats are great the singing is my type with nice male vocals and harmonious female vocals, maybe should relisten but it's missing "something" to make it great. did enjoy though 3.6
Sufjan Stevens
2/5
Huh not sure what to say about this one. the fact i can't remember a single song after it's finished is not a good sign.
Serge Gainsbourg
4/5
Very cool and some super chilled music
David Bowie
4/5
Scritti Politti
3/5
Bright and breezy, seems very influenced by Michael Jackson. 3.3
Radiohead
1/5
This is perhaps the most "Radiohead-y" album of theirs i've heard. Glad people like them for me is like a parody of music.
Calling tracks "The national anthem" & "The Motion icture Soundtrack" when there's no anthem nature at all is I'm certain arty but does not make listenable music.
Skepta
1/5
Oh god. Well I went in with an open mind, he instantly starts referring to the president despite being British.
Half way through the first song I realise he hasn't changed the tone or pitch of his voice at all, I pray this won't continue.
I persevere and "that's not me" and "Man" have a certain "produced in a bedroom" charm, even though this guys supposed to be one of the biggest in the UK scene.
The attempt at a big anthem with "Shutdown" doesn't work. He raps about fake Muslims and Rastafarians misrepresenting themselves, then pretentiously calls his album Konnichiwa? This is bad, not just the music itself but how basic it is for the UK scene, not doing anything slightly interesting but hanging on the US coattails.
1.3
Buzzcocks
3/5
Pretty mid punk album really
Django Django
4/5
upbeat interesting Rock, enjoyed that
Bonnie Raitt
1/5
Why is there so much country on this list?
Why is this album, the most generic thing imaginable, on this list?
Why am I even bothering to write a review when this was unlistenable?
1
Doves
3/5
understated. can't say I'll regularly listen in the future however
The Coral
4/5
Like a modern folk album, liked it 3.7
Kraftwerk
4/5
Shows that electronica can have warmth and rhythm while still being alien as hell
Soft Machine
2/5
kind of takes you on a journey but gets very dull and background-y especially with the jazz influence. starts to show something by track 3 however that's almost 40 mins in.
Throwing Muses
3/5
understated. Good punk with good vocals and tunes, doesn't hugely stand out though 3.4
Dexys Midnight Runners
4/5
High energy liked it a lot. tracks with no vocals were a bit hard to get through as were when it tried to deliver slower songs. some real gems here though 4.4
Leonard Cohen
4/5
some very beautiful music, could be a bit more up tempo
Orbital
3/5
classic of the chill out tent 2.6
Throbbing Gristle
1/5
honestly gave it a try but even as open minded as I am this is not what music is for me.
Jefferson Airplane
5/5
Sounds almost as fresh and out there now as it did back then. 4.8
Bee Gees
4/5
Not what i expected from the Bee Gees almost more of a folk album . 3.8
Robert Wyatt
4/5
certainly took me on a journey. At first vocals put me off, then considered them another instrument amongst the cacophony.
Enjoyed would only relisten when super in the mood 4.3
4/5
Loved the soul side of the album how it started off.
"Cisco Kid" & "World is a ghetto" are amazing - some of the tunes in between are a bit too jazz focused for me.
Donald Fagen
2/5
Feel it should be playing in the background of a leisure suit larry game.
Some nice tunes and rhythm speaking to someone completely different to me however
Malcolm McLaren
1/5
influential in brining hip hop to the UK - think it would have been fine anyway
meh
Nick Drake
2/5
bit twee, overall not for me
Suzanne Vega
2/5
When i got into it there were some good tunes in a coffee shop on the beach type. "marlene on the wall" was particularly good.
overall could have been a thousand different artists though. 2.4
Eric Clapton
3/5
enjoyable, soft vocals and good strummin'
M.I.A.
4/5
"You say that everything sounds the same and then you go buy it". Genuinely fresh sound
Mike Oldfield
4/5
Bobby Womack
2/5
he's cool, this not really my thing though 2.3
3/5
Not too sure on this one. Some interesting experimental songs and snice enough vocals, feel I should re-listen but wasn't interesting enough to do so.
LTJ Bukem
4/5
Electronica but more Drum and Bass focused, can see the clear progression from Jungle to DnB here and a great listen
PJ Harvey
3/5
fun, interesting music, tends to blend a bit together a bit 3.2
Jamiroquai
3/5
SZA
3/5
Never previously heard of this album or even the artist.
Eh it's ok; typical over sexualisation and auto tune voice distorts bring it down.
2.8
Incubus
1/5
music made for and by 13 year olds
Traffic
3/5
nice soft rock, very of the time with psychedelia very much present, overall doesn't stand out though
Randy Newman
2/5
can't get the image of a drunk piano player insulting everyone out of my mind
Calexico
2/5
Smacks to me of hipsters re-appropriating country
The Thrills
2/5
Just so indie bleagh 1.7
Killing Joke
5/5
Great piece of music, very engaging at times challenging but also head nodding. 4.5
Sabu
4/5
Maybe I was just in the right mood this morning but this really got me 4
Astor Piazzolla
1/5
Pointless 1.3
Cocteau Twins
5/5
Wasn't so sure on this. Then got into it as it went on. Then immediately re-listened as loved the last tune. Then loved every tune. Then went on to explore this band's other albums. Rare gem of a find.
1/5
not a huge fan of his and the fact it's a live album distorts his voice even more, I guess it's supposed to be raw, but just can't stand this, tried several songs and can't get very far 1.3
The Byrds
3/5
Do we really need 5 albums by this band on this list? I was really hoping for more undiscovered albums than a popular bands entire discography.
Anyway this is a nice psychedelic rock album.
Johnny Cash
4/5
Think Hurt is overrated and Bridge over trouble water doesn't really hit, overall this is still a very powerful album with so much character in that voice
Rahul Dev Burman
4/5
Interesting album for sure - Bollywood mixed with soul, mixed with a bit of country and a dash of rock. enjoyed the opening, went a bit too classical bollywood towards the end which isn't my thing but can appreciate. 3.5
Brian Eno
1/5
i'm sure influential on 90's dance but rating on how much i enjoy listening. so 1
Hot Chip
3/5
it's an interesting album, but also kind of boring overall 3.1
Elvis Costello
3/5
yeah it's ok, 50's style jangling 2.9
The Bees
2/5
Didn't get it at all
Neil Young
1/5
nah this exhausts me
Nanci Griffith
1/5
oh god what have I done in my life to deserve this
The Dandy Warhols
3/5
Absolutely love the main single, the rest of the album falls a bit flat for me 2.8
Dagmar Krause
2/5
ok, it's different. not really a good listen for me though
Bonnie "Prince" Billy
1/5
Dislike miserable music 1
fIREHOSE
3/5
kinda nice, kinda forgettable 2.7
Sepultura
1/5
not for me 1.4
Dizzee Rascal
5/5
I'd consider this more of a Punk album than Hip Hop, not even to mention Grime to which this album codified that entire genre.
However it's very "howl of disaffected youth" with it's abrasive style much more in line with Punk just with an urban slant.
Certain tunes( "I luv u") haven't aged that well but Dizzee's vocals are so powerful and speak directly to the days of mobile credit and downloadable ringtones. Overall a great listen and important album at the time, still stands up compared to the overproduced sterile tunes.
The Cult
3/5
Fun rock, not very memorable
Moby Grape
3/5
nice mix of bluesy rock and rock and roll 3.3
Echo And The Bunnymen
2/5
incredibly mid guitar album 2.4
Gram Parsons
1/5
what. the. hell.
Pixies
5/5
Wasn't super familiar with the Pixies beyond them being a big influence on a lot of 90s rock. Loved this. 4.6
The Pretty Things
4/5
bit of it's time, however if this had been a Beatles album it would be remembered as a classic
The White Stripes
5/5
Surprised at seeing this album here, it's by far my favourite from the white stripes and has a feel all of it's own. Bluesy, jokey and schizophrenic, I love this album 5
Yes
5/5
fuck it its a 5
The Beta Band
2/5
A whole load of nothing
10cc
5/5
Every single song took me on a journey and didn't know where it was going. kept me super interested and grooving all the way through.
Led Zeppelin
4/5
Cool mix of songs, and of course has the all time great Kashmir. However it's overall a bit too guitar solo for me 3.7
Hüsker Dü
2/5
Was expecting something electronica based, instead it's aggressively middle of the road soft rock. ok to mildly head nod to 2.3
Silver Jews
1/5
took a dislike of this from the first line and then it proceeded to slip further and further into country nonsense.
The Associates
3/5
very new wave, kind of liked it
Aimee Mann
2/5
feels like a coffee shop singer who has all their friends enthusiastically cheering while you're just trying to have a conversation 1.7
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
5/5
God damn Nick Cave does it every time, keep thinking "he's ok but not really my thing" and then the album blows me away every time.
Flamin' Groovies
3/5
not bad, not really for me
Metallica
5/5
Not a metal fan but this transcends.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
3/5
Bad moon rising is an all time great, the rest is good head nodding "good ol boy" stuff
Marvin Gaye
4/5
incredibly powerful music, feels like it's genuinely challenging the world and established music, which in 1971 I guess it was. 4.4
Elton John
5/5
Surprised this is only the 2nd Elton John album here considering some artists have 5-6. Anyway this is him at his height with some super powerful but still sad songs. love this album
Beck
2/5
Had it my mind that I liked Devils haircut, but listening do I really? or was it just at the time was so starved for anything different?
At least it is a little different, but actually good to listen to? not really 2
Dusty Springfield
4/5
Mj Cole
4/5
Oh, had never heard of this guy and went in with low expectations, but really enjoyed it.
The Police
2/5
I like message in a bottle, the rest of the album really does show why they're seen as white guy Reggae, which by itself i'm not too bothered with, but it's just not interesting
John Lee Hooker
4/5
3.5
Wild Beasts
3/5
it's pretty good, it's different and has glimpses of very good stuff. doesn't massively stand out though and almost forgot i was listening at times
The Gun Club
4/5
Some very good post punk
D'Angelo
1/5
possibly the most egregious example of 90's rnb I've heard. Reminds me why I hated it so much during this time period. trying so hard to be "sexy" music. 1 .4
4/5
Deep, layered album, some radio friendly singles as well, which is all I knew of them. However the album is much more than them of the type we don't really get any more. Tries to go harder in the second half of the album which doesn't really work for me, prefer the over the top bombastic nature of "knights of Cydonia" which looking in to it isn't their regular style. 3.9
Slade
2/5
weak rock, can't get over them not just being a Christmas novelty act and based on this album don't think I ever will. 2
Girls Against Boys
4/5
Heard "noise rock" and was dreading, however this was a good album, subtle at times, doing different things with it's songs and keeping me hooked all the way through. 3.7
Stevie Wonder
5/5
very much enjoyed this, such deep layered music. Probably my favourite of his albums
Billy Bragg
1/5
Tried to appreciate it as a working class voice, but it's just not fun to listen to. Plus Bragg himself is a case of "live long enough to see yourself become the villain" which takes away from his initial message 1.4