This was my first listen to this album. The music was fine, but I don't see myself listening to it again, a firm 3 for me. I don't see myself listening to any of the individual tracks again either. "Go West" is the only track on this album that I remember hearing before, but it was hard to miss if you were around in he early 90s.

For several of the tracks, you can listen to about one-third of the song and you've heard everything. The remaining two-thirds is just recycling. No thanks. The album feels like a characature of a Rock and Roll band, but without much Rock and Roll in the musicianship. Two out of ten tracks were on the verge of catching my attention. That is not enough to distract from the terrile lyrics of most of the songs. The lyrics emphasize a lot of what I don't like about KISS - trying say "I am SO great" soaked in sleaze. The music fits in with the charicatures they played on the stage. Did the drummer, sitting behind the drums for most/all of the show really wear platform shoes too? Congratulations KISS, you earned my first 1 star rating.

This is my favorite album from the Cure. Go ahead. Put on some headphones (this is a headphones kind of album), sit in a dark room and just listen. The album is filled overlapping waves of sound that can fill a room. The album is dark, but comfortable. Favorite tracks include "Lullaby", "Fascination Street", "Pictures of You", "Plainsong", and "Disintigration". I will listen to this one again, and I might make someone listen with me. 5 stars

There are two songs on this album that I am very familiar with, and the rest of the songs on the album are easily identifiable as the Rolling Stones. This album is a good representation of the problems I have with the Rolling Stones. Beggars Banquet has an interesting mix of music, including a solid amount of rock and roll that reaches into the blues and even some country. The Stones are good musicians and wrote some catchy songs. But, once the lyrics settle in my ears, I can only think about what a creep Mick Jagger is. I can find rock and roll elsewhere and easily not listen to the Stones. It's too bad that it wasn't the Beatles who had a chance to play well into their old age.

"Television, the Drug of the Nation" was the only song that sounded familiar. This was a new album and artist for me. I liked it more than I thought I would. The opening track, "Satanic Reverses" was my favorite track, followed by "Television...". Some of the tracks were hard to distinguish from the next track. It was good to hear this album, but I'm not sure that I'd listen to the whole thing all at once again.

"Everydays" might be the only track that sounded familiar to me. I'm not sure if I've heard "Bluebird" before or if it just sounds like Buffalo Springfield. I like Buffalo Springfield in general. This album sounds good enough.

This album bordered on getting a 2. There are elements (e.g. Flea's bass work) that I liked about many of the tracks, and some tracks that I liked in general. As a whole, I wouldn't put this album on to play. Lyrics on tracks like "Suck My Kiss" almost sank this album from a 3.

I love "A Forest", and the whole album sounds like it could have been built around "A Forest". My 2nd favorite track is probably "Play for Today". This album would be easy to slip into for background music or for a deep listen with headphones on in the dark. This album is probably between 4 and 4.5

I would play this album again. The last 4 tracks, from "Metal on Metal" through "Endless Endless", was may favorite portion of the album. The first track, "Europe Endless", felt like the typical sound from Kraftwork to me (in a good way). Track 2, "The Hall of Mirrors", was the weakest spot for me on the album. Perhaps this was because of the almost spoken word portions. "The Hall of Mirrors" wouldn't prevent me from putting this album on again. Between 3.75 and 4.25

This is an album I've already listened to, and I'll listen to it again. There is something about James Murphy's voice, his delivery, and the rest of the music that comes with it. In general I like LCD Soundsystem. I like this album too. "Someone Great" is my favorite track. On it's own, I would give "Someone Great" 5 stars. "Us vs. Them", "All My Friends", "Watch the Tapes", and "Get Innocuous!" deserve some attention as well. There are a couple of tracks that are "okay", but the album works as a whole. I would give this album 4.25 stars

I was happy when I saw this album as today's recommendation. I own this album, and it is my favorite album from the Grateful Dead. The songs have elements of folk, americana, and country. My two favorite tracks are "Box of Rain" and "Ripple". I've learned to play both on the guitar (with varying success). Individually, each of these tracks would get 5 stars from me. "Box of Rain" and "Ripple" have lyrics that tumble around in my head every time I listen to them. I would not say that I know exactly what the lyrics mean, but at the same time they feel meaningful to me. All together, the album works as a whole and is definitively a 5 for me. (Perhaps 4.6 to 4.75 at the lowest?)

This was my first listen to this album. The music was fine, but I don't see myself listening to it again, a firm 3 for me. I don't see myself listening to any of the individual tracks again either. "Go West" is the only track on this album that I remember hearing before, but it was hard to miss if you were around in he early 90s.

The album starts out upbeat. I enjoyed B.B. King's performance style. He almost has a conversation with the audience as he talks in between songs. The album slides from one track into the next, linked by B.B.'s narration. I recognized one track, "How Blue Can You Get", because it was sampled for the song "Standing Outside a Broken Phone Booth With Money in My Hand" by Primitive Radio Gods (1996). I'm pretty sure I've never heard the original song before. The rest of the album was 100% new to me. There are a couple tracks that I'd have a hard time listening to with my daughters in the room, because of the way B.B. talks about his ideal woman. Nothing crazy, but I would never sing along to those lyrics. Overall I liked the music and the performances. The album is borderline between a 3 and 4. I could see myself listening to the album again at least once, so that makes it a 4.

The music was okay. I am not a fan of Rod Stewart's voice. This album is a "No" for me.

The album was fine, but none of the tracks felt like something that I would want to play again individually. "Sara" was the only track that sounded familiar. I did not like several tracks ("What Makes You Think You're the One", "Not That Funny", "Tusk"). Even though there are some tracks where you can hear the quality of Stevie Nicks' voice ("Honey Hi", "Beautiful Child", "Walk a Thin Line"), her voice isn't strong enough to carry the weaker portions of this double album. This was a solid 3 - there was stuff I liked, but would not listen to the album as a whole again. Most of the tracks scored a 3 as well.

I remember when Chemical Brothers were emerging into the music scene. I didn't listen to them much, but I remember "Leave Home". I may know some of the other songs, but after a while it's a little hard to distinguish one song from the next. Would I listen to this again? Maybe not. There are some interesting sounds, on some of the tracks and the album does okay for me as some background music. I liked some tracks: "Three Little Birdies Down Beat", "Chemical Beats", "Chico's Groove". As a whole, the album gets a 3.

For several of the tracks, you can listen to about one-third of the song and you've heard everything. The remaining two-thirds is just recycling. No thanks. The album feels like a characature of a Rock and Roll band, but without much Rock and Roll in the musicianship. Two out of ten tracks were on the verge of catching my attention. That is not enough to distract from the terrile lyrics of most of the songs. The lyrics emphasize a lot of what I don't like about KISS - trying say "I am SO great" soaked in sleaze. The music fits in with the charicatures they played on the stage. Did the drummer, sitting behind the drums for most/all of the show really wear platform shoes too? Congratulations KISS, you earned my first 1 star rating.

This was the first album where I didn't know anything about the band, or any of the tracks on the album. Through either the music or the lyrics it was quickly apparent that this album was from the late 60s or early 70s. As I listened to the first track, the lead singer reminded me of the lead singer from the Moody Blues. The horns on some of the tracks reminded me of early Chicago. There were tracks that I liked ("Alone Again Or", "The Daily Planet"). There were tracks that I didn't like so much ("Andmoreagain", "The Red Telephone"), and overall the album gets a 3. As if the album was making sure that I had a full experience, it finishes with "You Set the Scene", which is full of lyrics that had me asking '¿what?', and I don't understand. For example: "There's a private in my boat and he wears Pins instead of medals on his coat There's a chicken in my nest and she won't Lay until I've given her my best" ¿Do I want to know? At first glance, the rest of the lyrics weren't clearing anything up for me either.

I know one song from this band. That song wasn't on this album. That's most of what I have to say about this album. There were a couple sections that were a definite "no" and the remainder felt like "meh". Sounds like a 2 to me.

I've never heard this album as a whole before, but I've heard a few of the tracks many times. This album was so big when it came out, it was hard to avoid. Violator is a darker version of Depeche Mode than their earliest work. Their debut album "Speak & Spell" almost has a pop music sound compared to the somber and sometimes creepy tones of "Violator". The opening track, "World in My Eyes", is dark musically and lyrically. This song gives me the creeps. There are some tracks that I would listen to again (4 stars). "Enjoy the Silence" is my favorite track on the album. "Personal Jesus", and "Policy of Truth" round out a trio of tracks that I would repeat. On a side note, Johnny Cash's cover of "Personal Jesus" is worth checking out. His cover carries a portion of the same somber mood as this album. Even if I didn't find "World in My Eyes" so creepy (2 stars), this album would get the same score from me overall (3 stars, but solidly in the 3s).

Youssou N'Dour's voice is familiar to me through his work with Peter Gabriel on various albums and live performances. The music is mostly okay. I wasn't sure how to rate this album, so I listened again. At almost the same spot in the third track out of four, I checked to see how long until the album was done. There are a few points in the last two tracks where I'm done listening. I guess that makes this a 2.

Sometimes I think that I want to like Tom Waits more. I've heard a few individual tracks from Waits, but never a close listen and never a full album. I'm still not sure if I do or should like Waits. The interesting bassline in "'Til the Money Runs Out" might be the track that keeps this album well into the 3-star range. "Downtown" and "Jersey Girl" weren't bad for my first listen either.

There is a certain energy in his performances, and his recognizable voice make it easy for me to say that I like Elvis Costello. I’ve heard a lot of songs from Costello before, but up until now, I think that the only album I’ve listened to is a greatest hits compilation. Hearing this studio album was a pleasant surprise. About 1/4 of the tracks are, “I WILL listen to this song again” (5 stars), 1/4 are “I WOULD listen to this song again” (4 stars) and rest of the album was at least likeable (3 stars). There were familiar tracks that I still like ("Oliver's Army", "Accidents Will Happen", and "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding" <-- the album I listened to contained this additional track from the US / Canadian release). Interestingly enough, my favorite track was "Green Shirt", which I don't think I've ever heard before. "Busy Bodies" was also a pleasant surprise. My least favorite track was "Sunday's Best". I would listen to this album again as a whole (4 stars).

Nope. I didn't like the music. I didn't like the quality of the vocals. The melodies as they are sung are uneventful and droning, to the point that the whole album feels sad and flat. I was unfamiliar with Nico, and the music. One listen seems like it was enough.

Yes, I'm very familiar with the title track, but everything else was new to me. "V-2 Schneider" is the track I'll most likely listen to again. "Sons of the Silent Age" was the only track that I was tempted to skip. Overall the album was good. One of the surprises for me was the number of instrumental tracks. Bowie’s voice is so recognizable, and it was surprising to hear that it was absent from a string of tracks. "Sense of Doubt", "Moss Garden", and "Neuköln" had a hint of progressive rock to them, while still sounding like they belonged on the same album as "Heroes". I might not listen to the whole album again, so I'll settle with 3 stars.

"Tightrope" might be the only track I've heard from this album, but it's not the only track I've heard from Monáe. This album was a happy surprise, with and overall happy sound and several tracks that I really enjoyed. Monáe frequently reaches back to earlier say close enough.

I was happy to see this album come up. I haven't listened to this album before, but I do like New Order. The first two tracks are the most familiar to me, and are tracks that I would listen to again. The album worked as a whole for me. I would give this album somewhere between 3.7 and 4.0 stars.

With 32 tracks there were many songs that I like from the Who. I would have preferred listening to the studio recordings, rather than live. I also have a hard time with a few of the tracks from Tommy, and this concert was essentially Tommy + additional tracks. "My Generation" was a fun listen, to hear the collaboration between each of the band members. "I Can't Explain" was also good. There were tracks that reminded me of other bands who were around at the same time as the who. For instance, "A Quick One, While He's Away" reminded me of the Beach Boys. This album let the music from the Who express a little bit more of the context of music of their time.

"Television, the Drug of the Nation" was the only song that sounded familiar. This was a new album and artist for me. I liked it more than I thought I would. The opening track, "Satanic Reverses" was my favorite track, followed by "Television...". Some of the tracks were hard to distinguish from the next track. It was good to hear this album, but I'm not sure that I'd listen to the whole thing all at once again.

I've never heard this album, but I've heard a few of the tracks and songs that have sampled from these tracks. My favorite track from this first listen was the instrumental "Contusion", followed by "Sir Duke" and "Have a Talk With God". I don't see myself sitting down to listen to the whole album again. 3 stars. (On a side note, ¿How could Coolio be upset about Weird Al's parody of "Gangsta's Paradise", when Coolio sampled SO MUCH of Stevie's "Pastime Paradise"?)

Yes, I was expecting to see a Neil Young album on this list. No, I was not expecting an album that I've never heard of. I don't think I knew any of the tracks either. The music was good. After a first listen, I would listen to this album again (4 stars). "Walk On" and "Ambulance Blues" might be my favorite tracks.

Before this, I could have told you that Jeff Buckley is a musician. If I was truly pressed, I might have remembered that Buckley perhaps has the most popular cover of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" which is on this album (and is a great track). The music on Grace is okay. The lyrics to some of the tracks are not for me. 3 stars

Interesting, but I don't think that this was made for me. "Paper Planes" was familiar and is the track closest to getting a repeat listen.

It is amazing that this is their 2nd album. So many great tracks. John Bonham and John Paul Jones deserve more praise. The drum and bass work on this album are fantastic. There is one track on this album that, for me, has has permanently painted Robert Plant as a creep. My enjoyment of Led Zeppelin in general is dragged down by this sense of Plant's creepiness. Bleh. That being said, tracks like "Ramble On" (my favorite from this album -- listen to the bass lines), "Thank You" (my 2nd fav), "What Is and What Should Never Be", and "Moby Dick" keep this album at 4 stars.

I'm still new to Tom Waits, and I'm not sure if I should like him more than I do. This album is getting 3 stars because of rounding - and an assumption that the album might grow on me a little after a second listen.

A new artist and new music for me. Most of the tracks got an "okay" rating from me (3 stars). "Set the Controls for the Heart of the Pelvis" would get a second listen from me (4 stars), but "It's Business as Usual" and "Vermillion Kisses" were oddities that got a firm "I don't like this" (1 star). I'm not sure if the two bad tracks can sink the whole album. I guess I'll give the album an "okay" (3 stars).

I like Belle and Sebastian. I liked this album. Yes, I would listen to this again. 4 stars. Potential favorite tracks (but this was only a first listen): "My Wandering Days Are Over", "I Don't Love Anyone", "She's Losing It".

I liked it. Did I like it more because I haven't listened to any classic country in such a long time. I don't remember hearing any of the songs before, but I am familiar with Haggard's voice and other music. On first listen, I liked "My Rough and Rowdy Ways" the most. This album is borderline 4 stars, I MIGHT listen to this album again.

There are sounds on this album that remind me of Garbage, perhaps some Cocteau Twins or Portishead, and a hint of Prodigy - definitely a mid-90s sound. There were some okay tracks, but there were also some tracks I definitely did not like. 2 stars

This is my favorite album from the Cure. Go ahead. Put on some headphones (this is a headphones kind of album), sit in a dark room and just listen. The album is filled overlapping waves of sound that can fill a room. The album is dark, but comfortable. Favorite tracks include "Lullaby", "Fascination Street", "Pictures of You", "Plainsong", and "Disintigration". I will listen to this one again, and I might make someone listen with me. 5 stars

I had never heard of this band before, and none of the songs sounded familiar. There were some tracks that I found interesting and enjoyable, and others that I would not listen to again.

There are a few albums that you can play and listen all the way through, without feeling like skipping any tracks. This is one of those albums. I love this album. The music is great, and the lyrics are clever and often playful. I love the contributions from Ladysmith Black Mambazo, who help create some of my favorite tracks on this album ("Homeless", "Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes"). I also love the great hamonies from Linda Ronstadt on "Under African Skies". I've heard "You Can Call Me Al" so many times, and I'm not tired of it yet. This is an album that I recommend and share.

I think I've heard all of Dookie (it was everywhere in '94). I own Nimrod ('97). I had heard "American Idiot", "Boulevard of Broken Dreams", and "Wake Me Up When September Ends" off of this album, but that might be it. I liked the album. I'd listen to it again.

The artist and the music was new for me. There were elements of Weller's voice (and sometimes the music) that reminded of Steven Stills, with occasional shifts to something similar to the lead singer from Collective Soul. The music was fine, but nothing stood out on my first listen.

I don't know if I've ever heard anything besides "Tainted Love". The extended version of "Tainted Love" is the best, but the extended version is not on this album. Most of the music was good enough. A significant portion of the content of the lyrics is not for me, dragging this album down from a 3 to a 2. The short version of "Tainted Love" couldn't keep this album afloat.

I listened to the original version of this album with 7 tracks, but I put the extended album in a back-up playlist to listen to later. I wasn't expecting to hear so much of a blues sound, but the album sounds like the Allman Brothers. "Whipping Post" might be the only track on this album that I have heard before, but even this version was different than what I've heard before. My two favorite tracks were "Hot 'Lanta" (in part because of the keyboards), and "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed" (an excellent composition by Dickey Betts).

This was a new album for me. I am familiar with several songs from Mitchell, but "River" might be the only track on this album that I've heard before. This album felt like it had an overall theme, without being monotonous. Mitchell's voice is great. I'd listen to this album again. (4.5 stars)

I know who James Brown is, of course, but I don't think I had heard any of the songs from this album. I'm curious as to where this performance fits within context of Brown's career as a whole. I was surprised how short some of the tracks were, especially for a live performance. "Lost Someone" is the longest track, and has some of the back and forth between Brown and the audience that you might expect with a live performance. This album is fine, but I'm not sure if I'd listen to it again. 3 stars

Something I like: The Wu-Tang Clan Name Generator https://wutangclan.net/name-generator/ Something I do not like: This album

"Life's What You Make It" is the one track I was familiar with. The voice of the lead singer is unmistakable and easily recognizable on each track, but apparently Talk Talk is not for me.

I have never heard of the artist or any of the music. There was this strange wibble-wobble noise that found its way into the background of ¿half? of the tracks. I think I like some psychodelic music, but the first listen of this album came up with 2 stars.

"Immigrant Song" is a great way to start an album. The rest of the album wasn't familiar to me. "Tangerine", "That's the Way", "Bron-Y-Aur Stomp" are probably worth a re-listen, but the album as a whole was only okay.

I don't think I've every heard anything from or about The Stranglers. "(Get A) Grip (On Yourself)", and "Hanging Around" hinted at giving the band a second chance for a follow up listen, but it only felt like a hint. There were some tracks that I definitely didn't like. Another entry, where I'd like to know why they're on the 1,001. There probably is a reason, but it wasn't apparent from my first listen.

First listen and I have no prior knowledge of this band or their music. Le Tigre has some elements that remind me of other things (¿from the 90s?) that I have listened to, but I'm not quite sure what. ¿Luscious Jackson? ¿Veruca Salt? ¿Utah Phillips? The album was fine.

When there are 1001 albums on the list, there are bound to be several albums that I won't be able to explain why they are on the list. This was a first listen to a band I've never heard of. This isn't the worst album I've heard so far, but it didn't even make it to "okay".

I like Bob Dylan. This album sounds very much like Bob Dylan. I've heard other albums by Dylan, but this album was new to me. I am familiar with studio recordings of several of the tracks, but otherwise the tracks on this album were new to me. I liked Side B of the album a little more than Side A. Based on this first experience, I don't see myself coming back for a second listen.

I have heard of Femi Kuti before, but I can't say if I've ever listened to any of his music all the way through. "Frustrations" was the track I enjoyed the most, followed by the fun little funk of "Nawa (Intro)". A few tracks kept this album in the 3 star range.

I knew the name of the band, but I'm not sure if I've ever taken time to listen to any of their music. On my first listen, "Soon" was the track I liked the most, and "I Only Said" was the track I wished would end sooner. Perhaps on a second listen, I might think that this album was more enjoyable. Either way, this feels like a 3-star album.

My familiarity with Cohen only gets a little further than Hallelujah. I was surprised by the first track, with the synthesizer sound that feels very much like the 80s. The first track sounded familiar too, but everthing else was a new listen. "Jazz Police" is the track that is holding this album down just below 3 stars. The rest of the album is okay, including some tracks that are barely in the "okay" range. It was my first listen, but "Jazz Police" feels like I would want to skip the track every time. The backing vocals... yeesh.

This was a first listen to a band I don't know. "D.A.N.C.E." was the one track that I've heard a version of somewhere. "One Minute to Midnight" is the track that got my highest rating. "The Party" was my least favorite. I enjoyed listening to the album enough that I think that I may have to turn the 3.5 stars into a full 4 star rating.

I think that my introduction to Pulp was hearing William Shatner's cover of "Common People". I like both versions. As soon as I heard the first track on this album, I knew that I was listening to the band who is responsible for "Common People". "I Spy" was my least favorite track, but even with that I have feeling I probably would listen to this album again. I enjoyed the listen. 3.6 stars

This is one of my all-time favorite albums, from one of my all-time favorite bands. I can't say how many times I have heard this album. I will listen to this album again. You should listen to this album with headphones on, the way it was meant to be.

A new band and new music for me. There was some okay stuff, but this album wasn't for me.

This was a first time listen to a band I do not know. There were some elements that reminded me of other stuff I've listened to, but I can't quite pin down what it is. Another album where I don't have enough context to know why it's on this list. On fist listen, the music was fine (3 stars).

I own this album, but I haven't listened to it in a long time. Some of the more popular tracks have accumulated a little more baggage for me, which keeps this from scoring a 5. I still like this album. I have heard every album from the Police (there are only 5), and Synchronicity is the band at their best. My favorite tracks are "Synchronicity II", "King of Pain", and "Walking in Your Footsteps". The album is oddly dark, but the Police find so many new and different sounds. I would listen to this album again, but if you were in the car with me I would probably skip "Mother" for your sake. I don't think that "Mother" is very far off in it's mood compared to the rest of the odd darkness of this album. ¿Does Andy need some help?

I'm a big fan of Mark Knopfler in general. I probably haven't listened to this album from start to finish since the 90s, but I have probably listened to half of the tracks on this album within the last 6 months. "Brothers in Arms" might be my favorite track on the album. I would listen to this album again (4.5 stars)

Yes, I've heard of Kanye (that quote about George Bush, but Kanye's still willing to wear a silly red hat). No, I don't think that I've listened to any of his music. This album did not do Kanye any favors. The content of the lyrics... yeesh. No reason to listen to this. There's musical talent, but apparently the album gave room for a full expression of Kanye's character.

I've never heard of the band or any of the music on this album. By the time I got to "If you were a horse I'd clean the crap out of your stable..." I was confident that I did not like this album. I didn't find anything that changed my mind after that.

This was a first listen to an artist that I don’t know. Elis is talented, but the album wasn’t for me.

A new band for me, and none of the music sounded familiar. The album squeaks in at an "okay" (3 stars). "Soul and Fire" and "Think (Let Tomorrow Bee)" might be worth a second list, while my least favorite was "Elixir is Zog"

I was surprised how much of this album sounds like early rock and roll. "Out of Time" is a good example of the older sound. "Goin' Home" gives a taste of the Stones' experimentation with the blues that I believe was part of the origin of the band. The more well known singles ("Mother's Little Helper", and "Under My Thumb") contrast with the rest of the album, having a more advanced sound of Rock and Roll that I most often think of when it comes to the Rolling Stones. This album is at the edge of being "okay", but I think I would listen to it again.

I may have heard of this band, but only maybe. This was new music for me. There were some elements that reminded me of some progressive rock that I have listened to. In the end, I was left trying to decide if I didn't like the album or if I just didn't know what to do with the album. "Clockwork Creep" and "Baron Samedi" fit somewhere in between weird and strange. 2.5 rounds up to 3 stars I guess.

When this album came up, I knew that I know some of Thompsons music. I tried to remember what I've heard before. I don't think it was anything from this album. I have listened to several tracks from Thompson, but I've never heard a full album. This was a solid, and enjoyable experience. "I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight" was my favorite track. I would listen to this album again.

This is a new artist and new music for me. Some of the tracks remind me of things that I listen to. "No Sympathy" starts off sounding like a something from Phish in the mid-nineties, finishing with a twist ending (not so much like Phish). "Juxtapozed with U" reminded me of some of the music from Damon Albarn and the Gorillaz. "Alternate Route to Vulcan Street" was a good way to start the album. We'll call that track my "favorite" for the album. The album was interesting enough that I'd probably listen again. (3.5 stars)

I don't think I've heard of this band before, and all of the music seemed new. There was some decent rock on this album. There were tracks that hinted at hair metal of the 80s ("Strange Boys Play Weird Openings") and other tracks that fit in with tracks from Billy Idol ("Back to Mystery City"). The album was okay, but I don't think I'd ever sit down to listen to the whole album again.

This was a new band and new music for me. "S.F. Sorrow Is Born" was my favorite track, which I'd listen to again. I heard hints of the Beatles, the Kinks and Pink Floyd in a few of songs. "Old Man Going" reminded me of some of the psychodelic music I'm familiar with from the 60s. The album was okay.

I don't know what to do with Leonard. He's a clever writer, but I never quite feel like I need more of his music. Some of the backing vocals cement this album into a earlier time, and this album has a number of strange songs to women. "So Long, Marianne" and "One of Us Cannot Be Wrong" came closest to being a potential repeat listen. This album took some work to get through. I don't feel like rounding up --> 2 stars

This is the first time I've listened to a full album from Steely Dan. I've heard several songs from Steely Dan, but I was never sure if I liked the band or not. I'm still not sure. I have heard two songs from this album before ("Bodhisattva", "My Old School"). "Your Gold Teeth" got me tapping along as the music played. "Show Biz Kids" was the track that had me saying 'no, thanks'. I'm still not sure about Steely Dan. This album gets an "it's okay... I guess".

I've seen Badly Drawn Boy in concert and I know several of the tracks off of this album. I don't think I've listened to the album as a whole before. With 18 tracks, perhaps it's a little tough to get the album above a 4. I would listen to this album again. "Once Around the Block" is probably my favorite track.

I will listen to "Superstion" every time it comes on. The rest of the album... I guess it's okay. I don't think I have heard any of the other songs before. With only a first listen, there might be stuff I'm missing. 3 stars

This is the album that introduced me to Billy Bragg. I think I already knew Wilco because of Uncle Tupelo. I like Billy Bragg. I’m a big fan of Wilco, Natalie Merchant and Woody Guthrie. I have occasionally put “California Stars” to memory enough to play it in the guitar. I wonder how come I don’t have a copy of this album anymore. “Way Over Yonder...” and “Birds and Ships” are my next favorite songs. I saw them play “Way Over Yonder...” live on Letterman

I do not know this band or any of their music. A couple of times the music tempted me to like a track, and then the lyrics would kick in. The subject matter and the delivery of the lyrics keeps this album in the "dis-like" category.

I wasn't sure if I had heard of the Specials before or not. I am familiar with the first track, "A Message to You, Rudy", which i rated as the track I like the most from the album. "You're Wondering Now" was in second place. The album is good, but I'm not sure I'd listen to the whole thing again.

This is the second album that I've listened to from Sonic Youth, and both were suggested in this list. "Kool Thing" was the one track I was familiar with, and the track is okay. The track "Mildred Pierce" is a good metaphor for the album - there are elements, and sometimes long sections of the music that I like, but by the end I can definitely say "NOPE! not for me".

I have never heard of The Birthday Party or any of the music on the album. This was hard enough to get through that the album is getting 1 star.

If I had to pick my favorite work from Iggy Pop, it would be from his role on "The Adventures of Pete and Pete". I know songs from Iggy Pop, like "Lust for Life" and "The Passenger", as well as some familiarity with him as an artist. This was my first time listening to a full album from Pop. It gets the "okay, I guess". I had no idea that Bowie helped create so much of this album.

I have heard several tracks from the band over the years, but nothing has piqued enough interest to get me to listen to more. No change of opinion. The musicians are talented, but for me this album is "okay".

I like Neil Young. I have his "Harvest" and "Harvest Moon" albums. I think I like at least something from every one of Neil Young's colaborations, but I couldn't tell you when a song is from Neil Young & Crazy Horse, or when it's just a Neil Young song. "Cinnamon Girl" and "Down by the River" were the familiar tracks for me from this album. This felt like a solid album that I would listen to again.

I think I've heard something from Beth Orton before, but I'm not sure what it is. I don't think it was on this album. "Stolen Car" was the closest to sounding familiar. This album sounds like it would have been played by some of the radio stations I listened to in the late 90s, but it also sounds like stuff from the late 90s. I didn't find any new favorite tracks, but there wasn't anything that I definitely disliked either. (3 stars.)

This album was a new artist and new music for me. I liked the album, in part because it was a chance to listen to something different than I would normally listen to. Based on a first listen, the album as a whole may not get replayed, but there were tracks that I wouldn't mind hearing again. This album got enough for 3.5 stars (round up to 4)

The band and the music are new to me. Some of the music remined me of Van Morrison. I could tell that the album comes from the late 60s, but I'm not quite sure how to categorize the music. "Trillium" and "On Sir Francis Drake" caught my attention, and are potential repeats. I enjoyed listening to something new. I would be curious to hear additional tracks from the band, but I don't imagine returning to this album for a second listen any time soon.

I've heard of this album. I've heard of this band. I've seen a lot from Flava Flav post Public Enemy's prime. Before looking up the album to play, I did not remember that any of these things belong together. "Fight the Power" might be the only song I've heard of. I can't decide if "911 is a Joke" is familiar or if it's just because it's Flav that it sounds familiar. Most of the tracks just kind of ran together. There were some okay elements, but I don't think this album was for me.

I vaguely remember Maxwell being part of the current music scene at some point. I don't know if I've heard a full song from him before, but I was pretty sure back then that Maxwell is not for me. In general, I want to listen to about 0% of the "oo, baby oo" songs. This album was a solid 2 for me (I did not like it). The one song that has even the possibility of a replay was "The Urban Theme" and it was an instrumental. The music wasn't enough to get me past anything with lyrics.

I've heard several tracks with Ginger Baker in Cream, but I'm not sure how much I've heard from Fela Kuti other than his name. I've never listened to a full album from either artist. There was an enjoyable funk to each track. "Ye Ye De Smell" was the one (out of four tracks) that I enjoyed the most on first listen. I'm not sure this album is calling me back to a second listen any time soon, but I was happy to listen to the music the first time through.

Carole King is one of those artists that I have heard several tracks from, and I know that they are talented and deserve praise. I know that this is a landmark album, but I started today's listen with a sense of resignation... "I guess I'm listening to this today". The music is good, a solid 3 stars. I know some of the lyrics to at least 4 or 5 of the tracks on this album. I just don't imagine a second listen of this album any time soon.

This is a first time listen to a band I've never heard of. There are elements that reminded me of the Talking Heads and the Art Rock of the early 70s. I'm not sure what to do with this album. It was interesting, and I'm glad that I got to hear something new. I'm not sure if I liked it enough to give it 3 stars, but I'm judging the album as a whole

A new band and new music for me. I hear some things that remind me of something coming some where in between the Ramones, the New York Dolls and maybe the Strokes? Nothing stood out as being great or bad. The album was fine.

I had to look through their singles to figure out where I had heard of the band before - Nickel Creek covered one of their songs. I don't know if I have heard any of this band's music before. I don't think I liked the album. Some okay tracks, and some I definitely didn't like.

When this suggestion came up, I was happy that it wasn't "Bat Out of Hell II" and I wasn't going to have to listen to "I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)". I still wasn't happy that this album came up as a suggestion. I have heard enough of Meat Loaf's music to know that his music is overly dramatic and generally not my preference. Listening to the whole album did not improve my impression of Meat Loaf. Most of the album scored at best 2 stars (did not like), but "Two Out of Three Ain't Bad" is at least as dumb as "I'd Do Anything for Love...", and deserves 1 star (because there is no 0).

I think that "Legend" and "Natural Mystic" are the only albums from Bob Marley that I've heard all the way through, and they are 'greatest hits' compilations. It was good to listen to an album that isn't a compilation. The one song I've heard before many times, "No Woman No Cry", wasn't even the version I'm most familiar with. My favorites from the album are "Lively Up Yourself" and "So Jah Seh". This album is right on the edge of 'I MIGHT listen to this again', so for today I'm going round up and say 4 stars.

My favorite versions of "Come as You Are" and "All Apologies" are on this album. Overall, this is a solid live album, especially considering that Nirvana played the whole show on acoustic instruments. Even the selection of tracks shows that the band was trying to do something different but representative of their style of music.

I knew the disco friendly version of the Bee Gees is only a part of their work, but I had never heard much outside of their disco era. The Bee Gees use 17 tracks to give you a wide variety of musical styles that seems to sample from a selecton of what was popular at the time. There were things that reminded me of the Moody Blues version of prog rock, other songs that seemed to hint at the Beatles, the Beach Boys, and early Pink Floyd. "Marley Purt Drive" sounds like it could have been played by the Band. "Give Your Best" relies on some country fiddle and a backing banjo. The connecting link to most of the music is the backing orchestra on most of the tracks. The album was interesting and worth a listen, but some of the sweepingly dramatic orchestration and some warbly vocals (e.g. Robin singing lead on "Lamplight") would keep me from putting this album on for a full re-listen.

New band, new music. "Halleluhwah" might be my favorite track because of the funk groove from the bass and drums early in the song. "Halleluhwah" as a stand out favorite is interesting because the track takes up one whole side of this double album. "Peking O" is an example of a track that I'm not sure what to do with. The track starts out with hints of a latin swing that turns into a bit of jibberish, on off into some other experiment before it's over. There were some elements of the album that I did not like, but most of it was okay.

I'm familiar with individual tracks from Bowie, such as "Young Americans" and "Fame" from this album. I haven't listened to full albums. A little much on the saxophone, a few creepy lyrics and an overall sound that doesn't draw me in. I hate these albums where I'm not sure if it's "okay" (3 stars) or if I didn't like it enough to say "don't like" (2 stars)

I haven't heard much from Winehouse outside of "Rehab". It was good to hear a full album. "Rehab" and "Back to Black" are tracks that I would listen to again. The rest of the album is good enough. For me a few tracks ran together. The album works as a whole, but it also means that some parts of the album didn't stand out for me.

There is a possibility that I've listened to this album before. Arcade Fire is a band that I wonder why I don't like more. I admire a lot about their musicianship, and what they've done. I just haven't caught that sense of "oh, I need to hear some AF right now". The album is good. "Rebellion (Lies)" is my favorite. There weren't any tracks that I didn't like. This album probably squeaks in to the category of "I'd listen again"

Of course I remember a couple of popular songs from UB40 from the late 80s. It was good to hear this album, because my primary exposure to UB40 was through their cover songs. The album was good enough. I think I liked the instrumentals the most ("12 bar" and "25%"), but there wasn't anything that I disliked. There was at least one cover song on this album, which was probably my least favorite track ("Strange Fruit"). (3 stars) [I listened to the Cassette version of this album which has ¿3? more tracks than the LP -- "Strange Fruit" wasn't on the LP.]

My best guess is that I've probably heard of something from this band, but maybe it wasn't from this album. The lyrics sank this album from almost being okay to low enough to get a "nope" from me. There is interesting music, but I generally have a hard time with lyrics that brag, and curse all at the same time. The music wasn't good enough to over look the lyrics. The pop culture references feel outdated too.

Of course I am familiar with the Zombies' most popular track ("Time of the Season"), which is on this album. The rest of the album was new to me. Musically the album is solid as a whole. The music had a psychodelic side, with elements that reminded me of the Beach Boys, the Mamas and the Papas, and even Belle and Sebastian. My favorite tracks were "Care of Cell 44", and "This Will Be Our Year". ¿Where all of the songs about girls?

Sure. Fine. Another album from Public Enemy. I don't think I've heard any of the songs before. It was okay. I probably should have given their previous album 3 stars too.

I've seen Franz Ferdinand in concert, but as one of the opening acts for The Cure. "Take Me Out" is the one song I can realiably attribute to the band. The album was good, but I still don't feel much of a draw to listen to the musc again. "The Dark of the Matinée", "This Fire", and "Come on Home" are potential tracks worth a second listen.

I have heard a few tracks from Jennings, but I'm most familiar with his later career - "Willie, Waylon and the boys" - and that only in passing. All of the tracks on Honky Tonk Heroes were new to me. I enjoyed hearing a whole album, and I liked the music. The simple, but prominant, basslines were distracting sometimes. "You Asked Me To" and "Ain't No God in Mexico" grabbed my attention the most. This album is right on the edge between 3 and 4 stars. Perhaps Jennings' performance is enough reason to round up? --- it's 3.5 stars people, three-and-a-half.

Of course I know David Bowie, but I think every track on this album was new to me. It was different than what I've heard from Bowie before. "Weeping Wall" almost sounds like Prog Rock. I have no idea what "Warszawa" was supposed to be (weird). "Sound and Vision" came up as the favorite from this album, but overall this album gets an official "okay".

I'm sure I've heard something from Fishbone before, but I could not tell you what. I want to like Fishbone, but I don't think I do.

I've heard several tracks from Steely Dan, and I knew enough to recognize Donald Fagen's name as a part of the band. As I listened, I would have thought that this album was from Steely Dan, if I hadn't seen the name of the artist. "I.G.Y." sounded familiar to me, and is a track that I'd probably play again. I'm not sure if I'm familiar with "New Frontier" or if the track just sounds like Donald Fagen's work. I'm not a particular fan of Fagen, but I think I enjoyed this listen. Some albums BARELY squeak into the 3 category. I think this one squeaked into a 4.

Joan Armatrading's name was familiar, but I couldn't tell you if I've heard any of her music. "Love and Affection" is the track on this album that I've heard before. This was a good suggestion, and a solid album all the way through.

Well... I didn't dislike it. A new band and new music for me. I'm not sure if I can pick anything that would stand out to me about the band or the music. It sounded like the 90s.

I was surprised that an album of covers was my first recommendation for Willie Nelson. This was the first album I had to read about after listening to it. (This was the 193rd album that I've reviewed from the 1001 albums generator".) I had previously heard two or three tracks from this album. The album sounds like a Willie Nelson album. "Stardust" and "Blue Skies'' were my favorite tracks. I don't ever like "Unchained Melody" no matter who sings it. There are tracks I like, but the album as a whole gets 3 stars.

Hearing some early Metallica with Cliff Burton was interesting, but I don't see listening to this music by my own choice. The title track verged on being okay. There is enough "meedly-meedly-mee" from Kirk Hammett to keep Strong Bad happy. The "chug-chug-chug" that drives extended sections of most (¿all?) tracks wears out my patience. Metallica is not for me.

I'm not sure if I've heard of this band before or not. The music was new to me, but definitely sounded like it was produced in the 90s. Nothing spectacular, but I didn't hate it. Here's to "okay".

I don't think I've heard a complete track from Iron Maiden. I've seen a lot of posters and album covers. Some tracks were passable. A couple I definitely didn't like - I think there was an attempt at too much drama for me. There was a lot from this album that reminded me of the Argentinian band Rata Blanca. Iron Maiden sounds like they were a big influence on Rata Blanca's 'Magos, Espadas y Rosas', which came out 10 years after 'Iron Maiden'.

I wish I could listen to Elvis without all of the image of poor impersonators coming to mind. The album is good. "Tryin' to Get to You" and "Money Honey" are the two tracks that I might listen to again. "Tutti Fruitti" sounds better from Little Richard. There were a couple tracks that I'd want to skip. This album gets an official "it's okay".

I had no idea what to expect from this album - new artist and new music to me. This album was a mix of okay tracks, tracks with good music but lyrics that I didn't like, a couple tracks I didn't like at all, and a couple tracks that I'd listen to again ("Wipe Out on the Wave of Armageddon", and "To the Moon's Contractor"). With only a first listen, this album feels like 2 stars.

I've heard a couple of songs from Isaac Hayes, but all of this album was new to me. I'm tempted to listen to "Hyperbolicsyllabicsesquedalymistic" again, because I'm sure I missed something in there. Hayes did say 'medulla oblongata' at some point in that song. The music was interesting too. "One Woman" wasn't quite my style, and the LONG spoken intro to "By the Time I Get to Phoenix" (9 of the 18 minutes) keeps this album in the "it's okay" category.

I've probably listened to something from Air before, but I can't say what. There was something familiar from the track "Highschool Lover", but the rest of the album was new to me. No tracks stood out prominantly as something I should come back to individually. The album as a whole was a collection of interesting sounds that I would revisit. The last track, "Suicide Underground" is the one track that I felt like skipping.

This review is not about whether or not I can understand that someone might like this music. This review is whether or not I like this music. I just don't want to listen to Madonna. I was surprised that only three of the tracks were clearly familiar to me. Either way, I could happily avoid hearing more from Madonna. "Oh, please no" was a common thought throughout my listen.

Prior to listenign to this album I was familiar with a few tracks from Prodigy. I thought that some of what I heard previously was okay, and some of it I did not like. Listening to this album did not change my opinion. The further I got in to the album, the more I was ready for the album to be over. I would not listen to the whole album again.

This album had solid examples of the vocal harmonies and jangly guitar that typifies music from the Byrds, I think that all of the tracks were new to me. I've never heard more than a few songs from the Byrds, and probably music prior to this album. The album was worth a listen. I marked "Change is Now" as a track to come back to. I'm not sure what to do with "Dolphin's Smile". This album almost gets a pass into the "I'd listen to this again", but I don't think it quite makes it there.

I don't think I liked this one. I have never heard of the band, nor any of the tracks. The album started out with a sound that hinted at the Squeeze. By the end the album had settled in closer sounding like Talk-Talk or Spandau Ballet -- just not what I'm interested in. I don't think I'm far enough from the 80s to enjoy this one.

I'm not 100% sure, but I think I've listened to this entire album before. There are tracks that I like and would listen to again ("Femme Fatale", "Sunday Morning"), and most of the album is good enough. Two tracks have so much added noise ("European Son", "Heroin") that I wouldn't want to put this album on again. Most of the tracks were good, but if I'm rating the album as a whole - "no thanks, it's not for me."

I've heard a few tracks from Black Sabbath many times, and two of their albums all the way through at least once. This album was new music to me. The album was good, but nothing stood out as iconic as their other works. I'm not sure if 'iconic' is a measure of the quality of the music, or if 'iconic' is just a sum of the pop-culture weight that has accumulated over time to some of Black Sabbath's music.

New band and new music for me. I'm curious as to where this album fits with punk and the rest of the music scene at the time of it's release. There wasn't anything that stood out in particular to me, good or bad. With some of the tracks being so short, I may need to listen again just to make sure I heard everything.

The band and the music were new for me. This was an interesting recommendation, with a mix of punk and new wave to the music. It felt like the music could fit in on a playlist with the Talking Heads, the B-52's, and the Pixies, while not being far away from the sounds of more well known punk bands like the Sex Pistols. A punk-ish sound that included saxophone was unexpected. The album was okay, but my individual track ratings started to dip as the album went on. I didn't hear enough variety with my first listen.

New artist, new music. I'm not sure how to even classify this album. The music shuffled between a mild "okay" and "¿whuh?" Saxophone squonks and back-masked lyrics. If I had to label this, I would call it a "nope".

A disclaimer of sorts: I am the father of three girls with the youngest born the year before this album came out. I've heard the singles and a couple other tracks MANY times (and it's been a generally enjoyable experience). There are some tracks that automatically call back to hearing a two-year old singing along from her car seat. "Style" and "Clean" are two tracks that I would recommend a listen to, if you want to hear a track that might be new to you. This was my first listen to the entire album, but this is one that definitely has a place at our house. I'd probably listen to it again. Here's another tangent - My oldest was surprised and a little confused when I played Ryan Adams' version of "Blank Space" - that was fun.

Welcome to the first album I did not finish. I liked some of the music at first, but the lyrics and content quickly sent this listening experience in to the trash heap. No thanks.

I did not know about this band or the music. After listening I don't know much more other than that I did not like this album. There might have been some music that was reaching for "okay", but I couldn't get past the back-of-the-throat, frog-like croaking for the vocals. At least I wasn't mad that I gave the album a listen. (I'm looking at you Dr. Octagon).

There was a time when I would choose to listen to The Doors. I've heard a few of the tracks on this album so many times. I don't believe I've heard this album as a whole before. There were some tracks that seemed like they were new to me. With enough time listening to and seeing performances from Jim Morrison, I can't get past feeling like Morrison was just a creepy letch. Some of the lyrics are definitely sung by a creepy letch. The tracks that possibly aren't so creepy still hang on to that uncertain feeling that I'll figure out what the songs really mean, and it just took me a while to realize that Morrison is just being a creep again. I do love the work on the keyboards fom Ray Manzarek. "Riders on the Storm" is the prime example of what Manzarek can do, and it is a track that I will go back to. Other tracks on the album keep me listening just for Manzarek's contribution. There are tracks on the album that I know I would skip every time ("Been Down So Long", "Crawling King Snake"). Knowing that I would skip at least 2 or 3 tracks keeps the album below the line for "okay".

New band, new music for me. The opening track sounded like it was related to music that I would listen to. A couple of songs I'm not sure about, but we'll give this album an "okay"

When I was in university, you didn't have to go far to find a copy of this album in someone's apartment. It's possible that the only song I've heard off of this album is "Doo Wop". "Doo Wop" was a good choice for a single off of this album. Hill is not my taste in music, but the album is good.

This is the 4th album by Leonard Cohen for me to review on this list. The recommendation came up earlier, but it took me a while to review the album. I was not looking forward to listening. The first track, "Avalanche" and "Joan of Arc" showed some potential to possibly grow on me. "Famous Blue Raincoat" got an 'okay' from me too. There may be room for my appreciation of individual tracks to grow, but by the end of the album I am still left with the feeling that I should skip Cohen. I wouldn't listen to this album again.

On my own I don't really listen to Lou Reed. In general, there are a few things that I like from Reed, and a bunch of stuff that I would be fine not listening to. This was an interesting listen. Most of the music was okay. A few of the songs had some odd background audio, and I wasn't sure what I thought of some of the backing from instruments from the orchestra. Maybe I'd get more out of it on a second listen. The album probably hangs on to an official "okay"

I've heard of the Dirty Projectors, but I wasn't sure if I've heard any of their music. I've probably heard at least one of their Tiny Desk Concerts. I wasn't sure if "Stillness Is the Move" was a track I've heard before, or if some of the sounds used on the record just remind me of other music. Most of the album felt that way - new music to me but with hints of sounds I've heard before. This isn't bad. The album was put together in a way that I think that it qualifies as a potential re-listen of the whole album.

I'm not sure if I've heard this album all the way through or not. There are several tracks I can sing along with, and just as many that seemed like a first listen. I like Simon and Garfunkel. I would choose to listen to this album again.

I like Joy Division, but I'm not sure if I've heard anything from this album before. All of the music was good enough. It would be easy to put this album on again for another listen.

I've heard this album before, and many of the tracks SO MANY times. There are songs and sounds that are worth checking out. A little surprisingly, I had to admit that this album didn't reach the "I'd listen to this again" level. The music is good, but I think there are too many versions of "hey girl, I'm so cool, so be with me" in the lyrics.

I liked this album better than "Surfer Rosa", which has my favorite track from the Pixies. I knew three tracks from Doolittle, which were my favorites from this review: "Wave of Mutilation", "Here Comes Your Man" & "Monkey Gone to Heaven". The album had a level of noise that you'd expect from the Pixies, but a couple tracks ("Tame", "Crackity Jones") were noisy and chaotic enough to dip down into the "no thanks" category. I liked the album, but probably won't come back for a full re-listen.

Yes, I've heard of the Temptations but I couldn't list any of their records off of the top of my head. Yes, I've heard "I Heard It Through the Grapevine", but I haven't heard this version. Maybe I've never heard the Temptations' version of the song. I think all of the tracks on this album were new to me. This was a good album to listen to. "Cloud Nine" has a great intro, and was a great way to start the album. I'm sure there are tracks that deserve a second listen to get a full appreciation of the album. I'd listen to this album again.the tracks on this album were new to me. This was a good album to listen to. "Cloud Nine" has a great intro, and was a great way to start the album. I'm sure there tracks that deserve a second listen to get a full appreciation of the album. I'd listen to this album again.

I found the track "Babylon" a few months before it was in regular rotation on the radio. I listened to that track again and again. I was curious about the rest of the album and was happy to find that "Babylon" was not an outlier. The album works as a whole. "Babylon" is still my favorite, with "Please Forgive Me" and "Silver Lining" as a good follow up. I would listen to this album again.

New band and new music for me. I'm not sure where to place this music. I enjoyed having a chance to listen to something new. "Krautrock" was a good introductory track, and there wasn't anything I dis-liked. "Giggy Smile" had some sections with saxophone that didn't quite work for me, and I would have skipped some of the background noise on "It's a Bit of a Pain". The album wasn't a clear favorite, but it was good enough that I'm curious what I might discover with a second listen.

I like the Kinks, and have listened to several of their songs multiple times. The only track that I knew off of this album is "Waterloo Sunset" which is a track that I pull up from time to time. Most of the album was okay, but I think that I like this album enough that it creeps over the edge enough to give the album 4 stars.

I've heard the name Saint Etienne, but I had to look it up to see if it was a single person or a band. I enjoyed the recommendation. The album sounded different than stuff I would normally listen to, but with some overlap to music that I choose to listen to. "People Get Real" and "London Belongs to Me" were the tracks that stood out most as something I would listen to again. Perhaps the difficulty in trying to decide if I would play this album again is a sign that I should bump this album up above a simple "it was okay." There wasn't anything that I wanted to skip, and I am a little curious if there is anything more I might discover on a second listen.

I like the Smiths, and have heard many of their songs and a full album or two. I'm not sure if I've heard this album before, but I knew several tracks prior to listening to the album. "Cemetry Gates" is a potential new favorite, and "There is a Light That Never Goes Out" and "Bigmouth Strikes Again" are favorites that I've heard many times before. Compared to when I first listened to the Smiths, I have more questions about whether I like the content of the lyrics or not. For now, I'd listen to this album again.

Although I have heard many tracks from Queen, "Killer Queen" might be the only track I was familiar with prior to listening to this album. This album is a reminder that Brian May (lead guitar) is worth listening to. With some of the vocals given to others besides Mercury and allowing for solo work from May, this album has music that is not easily identified as music from Queen (e.g. "Tenement Funster"). I would be tempted to skip the last two tracks of this album, but they don't reduce my rating below 3 stars. No new favorites from this album, but I enjoyed listening.

Definitely Maybe might be the first whole album I've listened to from Oasis. "Live Forever" is the only track from this album that I recognized, and it's okay. There are songs from Oasis that I like, but they are from different albums. None of the tracks from Definitely Maybe appeared to be a potential new favorite. Nearly all of the tracks on this album were backed by a constant, fuzzy, grinding rhythm guitar that wore me out about 2/3 of the way through the album. Individually, the tracks seemed okay, but as a whole the album drops below 3 stars. I was done with the album before I finished listening to the last track.

I have never heard of Willie Colón & Rubén Blades before, and all of the music from Siembra was new to me. The album was okay. There wasn't anything in particular that I really liked or disliked. I may not have enough exposure to latinoamerican music to appreciate what is on this album. "Pedro Navaja" was the track that I liked the most, but none of the tracks really caught my attention.

I knew the name of the band but none of the music. 14 tracks in 15 min 25 sec. I didn't find anything I'd listen to again. There were tracks I would skip every time.

I probably like something from every band associated with Stephen Stills. "So Begins the Task" and "Johnny's Garden" were interesting enough to make me pause to see what track was playing. I heard some elements that made me think of Southern Rock. This album also includes some fiddle and pedal steel for an occasional classic country vibe. Overal the album was fine.

This is the first time I've listened to a complete album from Metallica. My familiarity with Metallica centers on their Black album, fights with Napster, and the Metallica documentary from 2004. Was I listening to this album to experience the music or was I just trying to get through it? I felt like I kept getting distracted by thinking about a drummer who seems like a jerk, and a bullied bass player. Kirk Hammett has some skills. Between the lyrics and the delivery, whenever I listen to Metallica I end up asking myself, "¿What character is James Hetfield playing when he's singing these tracks?" I tried to be open. I don't think Metallica is my kind of music.

I have heard several tracks from Björk, but I'm not sure if I've ever listened to a full album. I liked this album. I have listened to the opening track "Human Behaviour" several times, and it is my favorite track from the album. There are some tracks that get a little distracting (the harp on "Like Someone in Love", and other tracks that feel lik they are a little dated (e.g. "One Day"), but I wouldn't say that I disliked anything from this album. This album has room to grow on me, but with this first listen I don't think it was enough to round up to a full 4 stars.

The album and the band were new to me. There were tracks (e.g. "Spike Island") that remended me of Stone Temple Pilots or sounded like The Icarus Line could have been an influence on STP. There was more noise on this album that I wanted to listen to. I was not expecting to hear saxophone in some of the tracks from this genre of music, but in the end it was just more noise. I didn't hate the album, but I didn't like it.

This is the second album from Elvis Presley for me to review on this list. "In the Ghetto" was the only song on this album that I know that I've heard before, and is a good example of how I feel about this album. The music is fine, but "In the Ghetto" has enough warble and melodrama in it, that I get stuck thinking about charicatures of Elvis rather than the music. I've had too much exposure to bad Elvis. This album has too much melodrama for me. "I'm Movin' On" is a good track, and has a similar groove as "A Little Less Conversation". Rounding up, I give this album a full "meh".

If I haven't heard this album as a whole before, I've heard most of the tracks before. All of the tracks are good, and this would be an easy album to re-play. "Crazy Love" might be my favorite track, and there are some covers of the song that I like almost as much. Liking the covers is evidence of Van Morrison's talent for writing a good song. "Into the Mystic" is another favorite.

I couldn't get through this album. There is a surprising amount of repetition of a few "choice" words. Some of the beats were okay, but the samples and repeated sounds weren't enough to draw me in. The background music of an old Nintento game can be catchy and intersting at some level, but why would I choose to listen to that for 70 minutes? That's how I feel about this album. This music wasn't for me. The music did not draw me in, and the lyrics pushed me away. I give you permission to skip this one too.

I have heard a few songs from Earth, Wind & Fire, but never a whole album. If the whole album was like "Shining Star" (a classic I know) and "Africano" (a new favorite for me), this album would easily get 4 stars from me. Songs like "All About Love", with it's spoken intro, and "Reasons", with falsetto singing that I had a hard time appreciating, got lower ratings individually. Still, the album was good enough for a listen from me.

I have listened to all of this album before. I liked it enough back then, that I listened to the next album too. I like "Cult of Personality" and "Glamour Boys" enough that they are on my 'I will listen to this again' list (5 stars). As a whole, my opinion of the album is still the same as it was when the album first came out. I like some tracks very much, but most of the album is okay (3 stars). With rounding, I guess the album gets 4.

Some of the tracks on this album I have heard dozens of times, and I'll still listen to them again. I haven't listened to James Taylor in a while. I had forgotten how much I like "Sweet Baby James" and "Country Road". "Fire and Rain" is a classic. Even though I'm not excited for every song on this album, it's easily a re-play for me.

Except for one track ("Move Any Mountain"), this was new music and a new band for me. This album sounded like a bridge between music from the 80s to early 90s. I heard elements that reminded me of Yazoo (Yaz) and Eurasure, but hints of EMF and Jesus Jones. The music seemed to fit in a little pocket in between EMF, Jesus Jones, Soup Dragons and Hudu Gurus on one side, and Yazoo (Yaz) and Eurasure on the other side (with C&C Music Factory and Information Society stopping in to say hello). I liked the album okay at first, but then the music started wearing on me. Did I not enjoy this album? OR Did I dislike the album? I think there were too many tracks that I would want to skip if someone played the full album for me again.

I may have only heard a few tracks from the Pogues, and never a full album. Overall, I think I like the Pogues. "Fairytale of New York" is the track from this album that I've heard several times before, and I like it. "If I Should Fall from Grace with God" and "The Broad Majestic Shannon" were other favorites. To me the Pogues (with their Celtic instrumentation) would fit in well with Great Big Sea, and the first album from the Crash Test Dummies. The Pogues add a punk feel to their delivery, and it was worth checking out the album as a whole.

I am familiar with Muddy Waters' name, but I couldn't tell you what his signature songs are or if I have heard them. The album was good enough. I've heard a version of "Got My Mojo Working", but I'm not sure if it was Waters or someone else. "Got My Mojo Working" and "I Feel So Good" were the highlights for me. I'd spin this record again.

This is the second album that I have reviewed for Aerosmith as part of this list, even though it was suggested first. I've heard plenty of Aerosmith, including 3 or 4 whole albums, but none of the tracks on this album were familiar. I think I have developed an opinion about Aerosmith over time. In the past, there are albums that I would listen to, but I think I'm done. I did not like the album.

When this album came out, you didn't have to go far to find someone with a copy of the album. Green Day's sound is easily recognizable, but "Longview", "Basket Case", and "When I Come Around" are the only tracks that I recognized having listed to before. I listened to the album back then, but wasn't sure if I liked the band or not. With a re-listen, this album still seems at best to be "okay".

The first two songs I learned to play on the guitar are "Paradise" and "Angel From Montgomery". Prine is one of the great songwriters. For a debut album, you can see that he already had an old soul. I need to add "Hello in There" to my list of songs that I can play. (Brandi Carlile did a great version of that track on Colbert - check it out). I've heard this album all the way through more than once, and so many of the songs dozens of times. I was lucky enough to see Prine in concert once, and so many performances on TV. RIP John.

"I Can See For Miles" is the only song on this album that I've heard before, and the only song that sounded like what I typically think of when I think of the Who. That track, "Relax", and "Mary Anne with the Shaky Hand" are tracks I would easily go back to for a second listen. The rest of the album was at least okay. Again, this is another album that I'm not quite sure what to do with. I think there might be something to uncover for a second listen, so that might bump this up to 4 stars

Blur is a band that I like in general. There are several tracks by the band that are on my repeat playlist, including "Girls & Boys" from this album. That track as a rhythm that keeps me coming back. "This Is a Low" is a potential new favorite from the album. I have listened to all of this album before, but most of the album felt unfamiliar. I think that this album lands squarely at 3 stars... it was good, but nothing is calling me back for a full album re-listen

Why would I listen to this? (I tried, but no).

I remember when this album came out. I bought this album, and I've seen Coldplay in concert. Every track on the album is good enough for a listen, and several are tracks that I choose to listen to again from time to time. This album is close, but I'm not quite sure if it gets a full five stars. (4.5 stars).

I've listened to this album many times, and I've seen the Violent Femmes in concert. It's been a while since I've last listened to this album, but I could still sing along with most of the lyrics. However, this is not the same album for me that it used to be. The music is really good, but I can't overlook the lyrics like I used to. The songs seem to originate from a point of a view of a high school punk without much regard for women. There are tracks on this album that I would skip for sure - every time. There is music that I still like from the Femmes, but I couldn't recommend this album.

I enjoyed having a chance to hear a whole album from the Jefferson Airplane era. The album includes the psychodelic tracks I am familiar with ("White Rabbit" and "Somebody to Love"). The album also contains tracks that draw own the folk and rock of its time. I was reminded of songs sung by Crosby, Stills, and Nash. "How Do You Feel" had some great vocal layers and seemed to echo "She's Got a Ticket to Ride" from the Beatles. "She Has Funny Cars" was a good groovy start to the album, and it is a shame that "Embryonic Journey" (my favorite track on the album) isn't longer. A different relase of this album includes 4 additional tracks that fit in with the original set. This album would be worth a second listen.

I could name two songs by Adam & The Ants off of the top of my head. Neither of those tracks were on this album. I did not recognize any of the tracks, but the whole album sounded like what I remember from the band. Adam & The Ants has a particular drum sound and a complimentary rhythm to the vocals that was present on several tracks. The album brought back memories of early new wave. Based on this album, I would think that their live performances would have been energetic and fun. The album hinted at being worth a second listen, but there was a limited diversity in the music. I just wasn't paying as much attention to the album towards the end. There was at least one track that I'd probably skip. This album is officially "okay".

I am familiar with the tracks "The Look of Love" and "Poison Arrow". The rest of the album is similar. ABC has a very early 80s sound, but I don't think it's for me - too melodramatic. I've heard enough of ABC.

New band and all new music to me. It was easy to recognize the era that this music comes from (60s psychodelia). No tracks stood out as potential additions to my personal playlist, and there wasn't anything that I wanted to skip. This album is officially okay.

As a general rule, I like Steve Earle. I've heard a few songs here and there since the mid-90s and I've heard some performances for radio stations in his the more recent portion of his career, but I've never heard a full album. "Girls & Boys" was the track I liked the most from this listen. It had a good driving rhythm to it. Overall, the album was good, but I'm not sure if I will remember this album long enough to want to come back to it. I'd be happy to listen to more Steve Earle though, in general.

"Like a Rolling Stone" is the only track on this album that I was familiar with before listening. The album collectively is okay and there isn't anything that I felt like I would skip. I'm just not sure that I would want to come back for a second listen anytime soon. Bob, you did "okay".

I've listened to this album before, but not very closely. I played the album to provide some background music at work. During this second listen, I had to work at paying attention to each track, and appreciate what the music offers. I think I like the music, but based on my rating of the individual tracks this only gets 3 stars ("Green Calx" had some repeating sound effects that were too distracting). Even with only getting 3 stars, there is a chance I'll put this album on again.

I know of Sonic Youth. I have heard a song or two in passing, but I can't tell you anything other than that they are a band. I have now listened to an album, and I'm still not sure what I can tell you about the band. I didn't hate anything on the album. I'm not sure what this music is, or who listens to it. I would give the band a second chance with a different album or track, but so far Sonic Youth does not seem like it's music for me.

I've heard a variety of tracks and a couple of full albums from Simon & Garfunkel, but this album was mostly new to me. Some tracks I have heard many times before, but different renditions that what appears on this album ("Scarborough Fair/Canticle", "Homeward Bound", and "The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)"). This album is much more solidly folk music than what I'm used to hearing from the band. "For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her" was an album favorite (and a moderately familiar track), along with the previously listed tracks. "Patterns" (with it's dying rats) and "A Poem on the Underground Wall" were just weird enough to keep this album squarely in the 'okay' zone.

Another album from the Who that I wasn't familiar with. It is interesting to hear a different sound from the band. The sound of early rock and roll comes through on a few songs, mixed in with some of what I'm more familiar with on songs like "My Generation" and "The Kids Are Alright". I didn't find any tracks that I would want to skip, but with my first listen I didn't come away with a feeling like I would be revisiting this album any time soon. "The Ox" might deserve a second listen. The album was good enough for 3.5 stars but not enough to round up to 4.

I'm sure I've heard more than "Bitter Sweet Symphony" (not on this album) from the Verve. All of this music was new for me. "Brainstorm Interlude" got my highest rating, but overall none of the tracks stood out for good or for bad. The album was okay, but it won't take long for me to forget what I heard.

I am a fan of the Talking Heads. This is the second recomendation for this band on this list, and I've heard a few other full albums from the band as well. I don't think I liked this album as much as the previous recommendation (More Songs About Buildings And Food), but I liked the album. "Once In a Lifetime" is one of my all-time favorite tracks from the band, and "Crosseyed and Painless" is another track that I would come back to. The remaining tracks felt new to me. "Born Under Punches" seemed like it had a strong connection to the live performances that followed this time... with a large supporting band and lots of interaction between the main members and the supporting band. I think because I am a fan of the Talking Heads in general, this album gets a slight boost to round up to 4 stars.

This album was almost all new music for me. I am familiar with "Help Me, Ronda" and have heard other bands also do a cover of "Do You Wanna Dance?" The Beach Boys, for me, are a band that may have been better if I could have heard them in context. There is a certain innocence to much of the content of the music. The focus on the life of a teenager and young girlfriends in song after song keeps this album from being more than just okay. "Don't Hurt My Little Sister" just feels too weird for a repeat listen. I respect the talents of Brian Wilson and the rest of the Beach Boys, but I don't see myself listening to this whole album again.

I definitely remember the singles off of this album. It was interesting to give the whole album a listen. "Can't Stop the World" was one of the new introductions to me that I though was pretty good. The track isn't alone. It is a solid album.

This is the fourth album by Cohen that has been recommended by my feed. Cohen is a little bit like Bob Dylan for me. I think I like Cohen's song writing, but his singing not as much. All of the music was new to me off of this album. The one exception was "Bird on a Wire" which I've heard a cover of, ¿perhaps the Johnny Cash version? "Lady Midnight", "The Old Revolution", and "Story of Isaac" are tracks that I'd listen to again. The basslines of "Story of Isaac" brought me in to that song. Congratulations Leonard, another "okay" album

I'm not sure if I've ever heard of BPB before. All of the music was new for me. "A Minor Place" was my favorite track, and a good start to the album. The album was consistent and all of the tracks fit the same general mood. I liked the album, but towards the end it was harder to pay attention to each track. This was a good album.

"How Soon is Now?" might be my favorite song from the Smiths, and it was on the US release of this album. I will listen to that track every time. I have heard other albums by the Smiths all the way through, including some 'Best of...' albums. I don't think that I have listened to this album all the way through. Many of the tracks felt new to me, but with the familiar Smiths sound. I would listen to this album again.

Hearing the title track sent me straight back to the early 90s, with the alterantive dance / hip-hop music that was being played along side Big Audio Dynamite and EMF. "Connected" was the only track I recognized. "Pressure", "Don't Let Up", and "The End" had a good groove. The album was good.

My primary introduction to Alice Cooper was his appearance on the Muppet Show. He was creepy, but perhaps not creepy in the way he hoped to be creepy. I'm not sure how to deal with the character that Cooper is trying to portray. I have heard a few tracks from Cooper, including "No More Mr. Nice Guy" from this album. I haven't found anything I'd listen to again. "I Love the Dead" is completely committed to Cooper's shtick. I'm not sure how "Mary Ann" was ever recorded. All of the tracks, alone or combined, arrive at the same result for me - "no thanks".

Most of what I have listened to from Bob Marley has come from compilation / best of albums. This was a new album for me, with only a couple of songs that were familiar ("Stir It Up" <-- a classic, "Kinky Reggae"). I like Bob Marley. I liked the album. I might listen to this album again sometime.

I had never heard of this band or their music before. I heard some elements that reminded me of the Pet Shop Boys. I heard some scratching that reminded me of early Run DMC records. I think I heard a swamp rave / dance party too. I labelled "808080808" as 'good' during my review. This album might just sneak in above "I did not hate it".

I know about 2Pac as a part of pop culture, but I don't think I've heard any of his music. The album just ran together with no individual tracks standing out for good, and only a few that immediately stood out as something I did not like. The biggest problem for me is the subject matter and the language. This album was not made for me. Sometimes I sing along to music that I like. I could never sing along to any of this -- > I don't like this album.

I'm not sure if I've listened to this album before or not. I know that this album is regularly cited as some of Van Morrison's best work. All the tracks felt new to me, but they also had a familiar 'Van Morrison' sound. I could easily listen to this album again.

I have been a fan of the Eels since I first saw the video for "Novocaine for the Soul", the first track from this album. I'll listen to that track every time it plays. I've seen the Eeels in concert once, and I've listened to at least a few of their albums all the way through. I'm not absolutely sure if I've listened to this album as a whole, but I know I've done repeat listens to later albums from the band. On this album, like the later albums, there is a bit of darkness to many of the tracks backed by gently up-beat music. All of the tracks on this album are good enough for a second listen. This album is easily a 4-star album for me.

This album has what was probably the first song I ever heard from the Waterboys, "Fisherman's Blues", which was part of the "Waking Ned Divine" soundtrack. I may have listened to this album before, because of that movie, but nothing else sounded very familiar from the album. I like the mix of folk and celtic elements to the Waterboys' music. With rounding, this album probably slips into the 4 star range -- I'd probably listen to the album again.

This album was not for me. I've heard at least two tracks off of this album before, in addition to other tracks from the band. Some of the music I did not like and I did not like nearly all of the lyrics. I did like "A Warm Place" (no lyrics). Trent Reznor is talented, and I have liked some of the movie soundtracks he has created. The other track on this album that is good is "Hurt". Reznor's version is good, and I love Johnny Cash's cover of this track. Even with a couple of tracks that I like, the lyrics and much of the mood of this album sink the rating to 1 star.

I am somewhat familiar with the band, but "The Wizard" might be the only track I've heard from this album and that was earlier this year. I really like Tommy Iommi's guitar wark on tracks such as "The Wizard", "Sleeping Village" and "Warning". I did not enjoy the title track, and some of the vocals to other tracks. The album was okay, but I don't see myself tempted to listen again.

I listened to this album once after finding R.E.M.'s cover of the title track. Many "top album" lists of the 70s include this record. This album is a solid example of the best musicianship from the band. My favorite track by Aerosmith ("Sweet Emotion") is on this album. I have heard at least one other album in full from Aerosmith, and a variety of their singles. The music on the album is good, but I can't seem to get past the lyrics that I know or my suspicions of what may be in the lyrics that I don't know. Repeated exposure to Steven Tyler further cements his place in my mind as a creep -ick. The music gets 4 stars, but the album as a whole gets 2.

I'm not sure if I've heard of this band before. All of the music was new to me. Occassionally the vocals reminded me of Billy Corgan (Smashing Pumpkins). From time to time the music reminded me a little of a few other bands from the 90s like Beck, Oasis, or the Dandy Warhols. This album sounds like it would have fit in with any of those bands. I liked the album overall. Every track was at least "okay". "Cheapskate" and "Sun Hits the Sky" were my favorite tracks. This album is 3.5 stars --> rounding up to 4.

I remember when this album came out and I am familiar with several of the tracks from this album. By the time Californication was released, I think I had heard enough Red Hot Chili Peppers to last my lifetime. "Scar Tissue" and "Otherside" verge on tracks that I might like, but by the end of listening to the whole album I still feel like I have had enough of RHCP. ¿Is it the vocals that sink the album below being okay?

I've heard of Funkadelic and other George Clinton projects. I'm not sure if I've heard any tracks specifically from Funkadelic or not. All of the tracks on this album were new to me. Most of the individual tracks were okay, but the first track on the B-side was enough to sink the album as a whole. I would not listen to this album again.

Muddy Waters is a familiar name to me, but I'm not sure how much of his music I've heard. I enjoyed this album. I like Muddy's voice. "Crosseyed Cat" was my favorite track, followed by "Deep Down in Florida". Perhaps if I knew more about the blues, I would appreciate more of the album. The album was good, but I don't know that I will remember this album well enough to come back for a second listen.

I've listened to this album at least once before, and some of the tracks more than once. "Open All Night" is the one song from Springsteen that I've learned to play on the guitar. "Nebraska" and "Reason to Believe" are tracks that I would definitely come back to for a second listen. I'm not a huge Springsteen fan, but this album fits in well with what I like. I'd listen to the whole album again.

I have heard some of Isaac Hayes' work and at least the "Theme from Shaft" from this album, if not more. In general I think I like Hayes. With his quality of voice, I was a little surprised that there was so few vocals on this album. (At the same time, this is the soundtrack for a movie, so I shouldn't be too surprised that the music is mostly instrumental). Overall I liked listening to the album. A couple songs felt like they were straight from a TV show in the 70s. "Be Yourself", "Do Your Thing", and "No Name Bar" were the tracks I liked the most. There was enough to remember from this album that I might thing about playing it again some time.

I don't know Simply Red enough to tell you what music is theirs. Before listening to the album I was pretty sure that I do not like this band. I've heard "Holding Back the Years" many times and I've never liked that track. I listened to the whole album, but it was kind of a slog to get through. It's not bad music, it's just not for me. I wouldn't know who to recommend the album to.

I couldn't name the title of any track by Kraftwerk, but I do like their music. This is my second Kraftwerk album to review on this list. The sounds that they were able to produce is interesting. I think that I can recognize when others are following Kraftwerk's style. "The Model" was my least favorite track, because of the vocals / spoken word. "Space Lab" and "Metropolis" were my favorite tracks. I'd probably listen to this album again (rounding up to 4 stars)

Of course I know the title track and cover from this album, but that is almost the extent of my exposure to this album. There were other tracks that were familiar, but only familiar. With such a distinctive voice, it's hard to know if you have heard a song from John Lennon or if it just sounds like John Lennon. "Imagine" and "I Don't Want to Be a Soldier" were the tracks enjoyed the most. "How?" detracted from the overall experience. Rounding up probably gets this to 4 stars.

I first heard of Brian Eno as a producer of other bands that I like (including U2 and the Talking Heads). I listened to Ambient 1/Music For Airports before, to find out what Eno's own music sounded like. I'm not sure who to recommend the album to, but it's good enough. I know when I would play the album. I would have no problem listening again. Rounding up to 4 stars.

I don't think I've listened to a full album by Kate Bush before. "Running Up That Hill" was the only song that was familiar to me from this album. Bush has a good voice, and there are songs that I like from her. I don't feel a desire to come back for the full album again.

Aw, crap. Well, I guess I'm listening to this... I'm trying to be open minded… I don't like the 'uh-huh's... nothing resonates with me... ¿Am I still listening?... Mariah really needed to get some people to stop chatting in the background... runs and whispers... ¿Who's whistling?… oh, that's singing... Nope... whew!… it's over.

The title track, "Green Onions", is one of my all time favorite tracks. I will listen to it EVERY time. I know I have heard at least a few other tracks from Booker T., but I couldn't name the tracks. This album easily qualifies as "I would listen to this album again" -- > 4 stars. "Lonely Avenue" and "You Can't Sit Down" were happy surprises, but I rated each track on the the whole second half of the album with 4 stars each.

The name Boards of Canada was the extent of my familiarity prior to listening to this album. Early in the album I felt like I was drawn in and enjoying the vibe. Music Has The Right to Children is not my favorite music, but the album is good enough that I would be interested in hearing more of what the band does. As I made my way through the second half, the album started to feel a little long. Repetition within and between the tracks began to distract from my enjoyment of the album as a whole. The album did not quite make a full 4 stars.

I've heard a handful of tracks but never heard a full album from the Pixies. "Where is My Mind?" might be my favorite track from the band. There are portions of the album that I like, but enough tracks sink this album to 2 stars.

I have listened to at least three full albums from Emerson, Lake, and Palmer all the way through, maybe more. I could probably find a track on any one of ELP's albums that would get 4 or 5 stars from me (except THAT album - you know the one... yeesh). Somehow I still have mixed feelings about the band. Tarkus is a perfect example of my mixed reaction. The title track (Side A) is something that eventually makes it's way back into my playlist for another listen, but I forget about the rest of the tracks on the album (Side B). Yes, this album is worth a listen, but it feels inconsistent to me. Rounding bumps this album up to 4 stars.

I remember seeing this album - you didn't have to go far to find someone who owned it. Multiple tracks from this album are familiar because of regular radio play, and one or two tracks feel like a vortex straight back to the 90s. The album didn't appeal to me back then, and listening to the full album didn't make me like the music more than I liked it back then. The vocals are easily recognizable, and a weight too heavy to carry for me to like this album.

I've heard a variety of tracks from David Bowie, and this is the third Bowie album that has been recommended to me by this list. Sometimes I don't know what to do with Bowie's music, even the songs I think I like. This album was even more of a puzzle. I kept asking myself, "Do I like this track?" and it was hard to come to an answer. It was an interesting listen, but nothing stuck with me, plus some tracks were hard to get through. 2 stars

There are some good beats on this album which helped me make it through the album. The lyrics and content --> this album is not for me.

I've never heard anything from Sparks, but I do know that there is a recent documentary about the band. It was good to have a chance to hear something from the band. "Amateur Hour" and "Talent Is an Asset" caught my attention, while "Equator" and I did not get along as well. The downside of the album for me was a feeling of repetition within some of the tracks. My curiosity about what else I might hear if I gave this album a second listen rounds my rating up to 4 stars.

I have a Siouxsie and the Banshees "Greatest Hits" album. This album sounded like the band, but almost all of the tracks on this album were unfamiliar to me. I like the band, and some of their songs are tracks that I would replay. "Jigsaw Feeling" is the track that felt like a probable track to revisit. The album as a whole comes in at "okay".

I have listened to (and own) several albums from R.E.M. I can't remember if I own this one, which may tell you something about my rating. Most of the tracks are on my "I would listen to this again" list, and one or two are on my "I WILL listen to this again" list. "King of Birds" might be my favorite track, followed by "Oddfellows Local 151". "It's the End of the World..." is probably my least favorite track. The song has been overplayed, and the novelty has worn off for me. This is not my favorite R.E.M. album, but I still give it 4 stars.

I don't think I've heard of X before and all of the tracks on Wild Gift were new to me. Based on the music I'm guessing this album falls into the punk category and feels well rooted in the 80s. (Another sign that this is punk is that there are only 3 of 16 tracks that are longer than 3 minutes.) I got through this album, but I did not enjoy listening. None of the tracks sparked my curiosity.

There are several songs on this album that I've heard before, but I've never listened to a whole album from Sinatra. I'm not a fan of Sinatra, but I don't actively seek to avoid his music either. The music is okay. I can't imagine that I would play this album or individual tracks again.

This is the second album by Steely Dan suggested to me from this list, and the second album from the band that I've listened to as a whole. I liked this album more than the previous. It was good to listen to the album and hear a full set of songs rather than individual tracks, which has been most of my experience with the band. Even though I enjoyed listening to the album, I just don't see myself coming back. I'm not sure why Steely Dan doesn't resonate with me. "Josie" is a potential track to replay, followed by "Aja" and "Peg".

I first heard Kravitz when a friend played for me the entire "Are You Gonna Go My Way?" album shortly after it came out. I followed that up by buying this, Kravitz's first album. I've listened to this album many times, but probably only once in the last 15 years. It was good to come back. "Let Love Rule" got my highest rating for an individual track. Overall the individual tracks don't come to mind as something that I should play again, but I would put on the album as a whole.

Thin Lizzy is one of those bands that I'm a little surprised that I don't think of when I'm adding music to my personal playlists. I didn't want to skip any of their songs as I lsitened to this album, and they play some solid rock music. I can list four tracks that I know Thin Lizzy plays, but only one of them was on this album ("The Boys Are Back in Town"). For a live album, the recording and performance from the band are easy to listen to. The band represented their talents well in a live setting, and the background noise from the audience didn't overpower the music being played. I enjoyed hearing a full (double) album from the band, but I don't think the album has sunk in enough to get Thin Lizzy on my personal playlists.

About all I could remember of the Yardbirds is that they had someone in their band that I knew from somewhere else. I had forgotten that the description could apply to three different members of their band (Clapton, Beck, and Page). I don't know which (if any) of those individuals were on this album. The music was fine, but nothing stood out to me enough for a second listen.

I listened to this album close to when it came out, to find out more than what I'd heard from the singles and the videos on TV. I liked the music enough back then, but I probably haven't listened to anything from the album in close to 20 years. I like the album more now that there's some time separating the music from the personal history of Apple. "Sleep to Dream" is a track I would come back to.

This is the second recommendation for Belle and Sebastian from this list and at least the fourth of fifth album I've listened to as a whole from the band. I like the band in general. My introduction to the band was later in their carreer. The tracks on this album are easily identifiable as connected to the band I came to know. "Like Dylan in the Movies", "Get Me Away from Here, I'm Dying", and "The Boy Done Wrong Again" were the tracks that stood out to me the most. This album gets 3.5 stars from me (rounding up to 4).

I have never listened to an album from Randy Newman. I don't think that I have chosen to listen to an individual track from Newman either, other than listening to Newman's music from the Pixar movies with my kids. All of the tracks from this album were new to me. Overall the music was okay. The album sounded like Randy Newman. There are enough tracks that I would skip, that I think I'm going to round down. I would easily skip a re-listen of the album.

I was already familiar with R.E.M. by 1988, if not earlier. I eventually went back for Murmur and their other earlier albums, and I followed R.E.M's subsequent releases until 2001 I've seen R.E.M. in concert, and I own this album. It's been a while since I have listened to Murmur, but that may just be because of a limited number of CD players on hand. This is an album I regularly recommend to others. "Talk about the Passion", "Sitting Still", and "Catapult" are tracks I will most likely listen to again, but I can easily listen to the album as a whole.

I have heard of Grant Lee Buffalo, but I couldn't tell you anything more than that they are a band. I know that I liked seeing Grant-Lee Phillips as a "town troubador" on TV, but this album was my introduction to the band. "The Hook", "Dixie Drug Store", and "You Just Have to Be Crazy" were the stand out tracks for me on the album. I liked the album.

Have I heard of Tim Buckley? or am I confusing the name with Jeff Buckley? Some of the music is okay, but I was tempted to skip most of the tracks either for the lyrics or strange non-lyric vocals. I was glad this album wasn't any longer than it was.

My primary experience with the La's is the appearance of "There She Goes" on the "How I Married an Axe Murder" soundtrack. I probably checked out a few other tracks from the band because of "There She Goes", but I can't say for sure. The La's fits in with other bands that I would have been listening to at the time that this album came out (Blur, The Lightning Seeds, The Ocean Blue). I still have a soft spot for that sound, even if it feels strongly anchored to the 90s. I still like "There She Goes". "Son of a Gun", "Feelin'", and "Timeless Melody" grabbed my attention. Overall, I enjoyed the album enough to listen to the bonus tracks on the extended edition.

I was introduced to the track "Mr. Wendal" well after it was played on the radio, which led me to listen to the whole album to hear more from the band. I still like and occasionally listen to "Mr. Wendal" but I haven't listened to the album again until now. I like the album, probably more than I did the first time. Maybe I'll listen a 3rd time in the next 20 years.

I think the title track is the one song that I know that Marvin Gaye sings. I know I have heard other tracks from Gaye, but I can't tell you which. The album was fine, but I don't see myself coming back for a second listen.

I like Paul Simon, and I have listened to other albums and songs from Simon. Hearts and Bones was new music for me. All of the album was okay. I didn't know what to do with "Cars are Cars", which feeling hung on with me by the end of this album. It was interesting to hear this album, but I'm not sure which tracks I would come back to. (¿"Hearts and Bones", "Think Too Much", "Train in the Distance"?)

My introduction to the B-52's was their album "Cosmic Thing" which came 10 years after this album. I have listened to this album at least once before to hear the rest of the album that includes "Rock Lobster". The B-52's have a consistent sound throughout the album. If you like the band you'll probably like the album. "Rock Lobster" (with all of its oddities) and "Planet Claire" are the tracks I'm most likely to revisit. I do like the band, and I like many of their songs. I may not come back to the album very soon, but I wouldn't be surprised if I do.

This is the second album from Love that was recommended to me by 1,001 albums generator. I almost forgot about the previous album. On "Da Capo" I can still hear a notably late-60s characteristic to the music with prominant psychodelic sounds. This album seems to venture into progressive rock a little more that the last record I listened to. For example, "Revelation", which was the track I enjoyed the most, is 18 minutes long and takes up the entire B side of the album. The progressive sound is not just a matter of length. The shorter tracks on the album also experiment with progressive rock layers and transitions. My enjoyment of the music was periodically interrupted by some of the delivery of the lyrics, and sometimes the content of the lyrics. I'm not a big fan of songs whose themes revolve around "ooo, baby" or "hey, mama". I have a soft spot for the occasional odd lyrics, but after hearing "Oop-ip-ip, oop-ip-ip, yeah" a couple of times I was feeling a little confused about whether I liked "7 and 7 is" or not. For the moment, I'll say that I like the track. After a first listen, this album is 3 stars, but there might be room to grow with a re-listen.

This is the fifth David Bowie recommendation within 244 albums so far. The track "The Jean Genie" feels like a good representation of my opinion of Bowie's music as a whole. Talent is expressed in the music and it feels like rock and roll, but I could comfortably never listen to it again. "The Jean Genie" was the only familiar track for me. Most of the album was okay, but it's hard for the album to overcome putting my least favorite track, "Aladdin Sane", as the second track on the album. The track is long, weird, and full of jumbled noises. I don't want to listen to this album again.

I was surprised for that such a recent album was on the list (2020). I like the bands that contributed to a few tracks on the album. Because of my daughters I have a soft spot for Swift's '1989' album. On this first listen all of the songs were okay but nothing really grabbed me. I kept waiting for a hook. A little bit of the language made me wonder if Swift was trying on a more "gritty' image. "Gold Rush", "Coney Island", and "Long Story Short" are the favorites, but this album firmly resides in "okay".

I liked this album more than I thought I would. Back in the mid 90s, I listened to an album of PJ Harvey's (not sure which) because there were bands that I liked that liked Harvey's music. I even had a chance to see her perform on Letterman. I didn't like what I heard. I was suprised that this album was okay.

I listened to this album once before, because of general recommendations that this is a good album. I did not like it then, and not much more now. Phair's drone singing, and the lyrics keep me from wanting to hear more from Phair. I'm done.

Thundercat is an artist that I wish I liked more. I've heard a few tracks from Thundercat, but Drunk is the first time I've listened to a whole album. Thundercat has a productivity that I admire, and follows his own way. I just don't know what to do with his music. The guest vocalists follow the same path - they are talented, but I've never been drawn in by any of them (Michael McDonald, Kenny Loggins, Kendrick Lamar, Wiz Khalifa). I let this album sit for a bit, before giving my final rating. I think this album was a 2 for me.

This was my first time listening to a full album from Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds. I've heard a few tracks from Nick Cave, and the band The Birthday Party was a previous suggestion on this list - so I've heard music from Cave before. I still don't like it. Most of the album was trying to reach up towards okay. Cave's music is dark and gloomy, putting many of his tracks in the "don't like" category. "Fable of the Brown Ape" sealed the deal on this album. It's the worst of what I don't like from Cave.

I have heard at least three of the seven tracks on this album before. The album mixes elements of progressive rock and early heavy metal. It would have been interesting to hear the album at the time of its release, because Deep Purple was probably doing something very different. From a 2021 perspective the album is okay.

This may have been my first time listening to a full album from Roxy Music. This album did not change my opinion of the band. The music was okay, but I don't imagine that this album will come to mind for a re-listen.

I reviewed the North American edition of Are You Experienced, because this is the version of the album that I have listened to before. I easily recognized and remembered 8 of the 11 tracks from the titles alone. I may have had a copy of this album on cassette, but I can't remember for sure. Maybe my brother had a copy. This was a difficult album to try and find studio versions of each track for review. The tracks that I enjoyed the most were lesser known tracks - probably because I haven't heard them so often, but also because they are good tracks: "3rd Stone from the Sun" and "Love or Confusion". "Are You Experienced?" and "The Wind Cries Mary" are favorites too, but probably got lower scores from me because I've heard them so many times. This is a debut album that is worth listening to. It would be an easy choice to play the album again.

For a band that I like as much as Talking Heads, I'm surprised that I was only familiar with one song on this album, "Take Me to the River". "Thank You for Sending Me an Angel" has the potential of becoming a new favorite track for me, and "Found a Job" was a reminder (but not a surprise) of what Tina added to the band. This album sounded like the Talking Heads, and there's definitely room for this album to grow on me.

Ray Price and Night Life are new to me, although there was at least one track ("The Wild Side of Life") that I have heard by other artists. Night Life is full of gentle, almost sleepy, country swing. The album seems to be presented as an invitation for people to go out and enjoy the night life, and dancing. The music is pretty good, but the lyics share prominently chauvanistic view of women as a temptation that men cannot resist. I can't seem to overlook the lyrics in favor of the underlying music from these talented musicians.

I am sure I have heard something from the Mekons before. After listening to this album, I'm still not sure what I've heard from the band before this album. The album has a sense of overcast and tempered dread, without giving up to being fully catastrophic. I enjoyed the album, but I'm not sure if I will remember this album long enough to come back for a second listen.I am sure I have heard something from the Mekons before. After listening to this album, I'm still not sure what I've heard from the band before this album. The album has a sense of overcast and tempered dispair, without giving up to absolute dread. I often like a dark tinge to the music I listen to. I enjoyed the album, but I'm not sure if I will remember this album long enough to come back for a second listen.

Welcome to the sixth David Bowie album to be recommended. I'm approximately 1/4 of the way through the list so, ¿only 15 more to go? I liked two of the longer tracks the most ("Station to Station", "Stay"). I would skip "TVC 15" on a relisten... but probably would relisten to the album. "Golden Years" was the only track I knew from the album, and it probably got a lower individual score because I've heard it enough times already. I'm coming to the conclusion that, yes, David Bowie is talented, but I'm not his audience. It's possible that I've heard enough already.

I know of the Stooges, but I don't know if I've ever heard a song from them before. I was surprised at the overall mellow (noisy, but mellow) nature of the album. I was also suprised to find a track that was longer than 10 minutes. At best, some of the tracks made it into the 'okay' range. The album wasn't terrible, but I could easily say 'no' to listening to this album again.

With a potentially generic name like Happy Mondays, I'm not sure if I've heard of the band before. All of the music was new to me, but with hints of other bands that I listen to. I was reminded in part of the band James, and after listening to the album I looked up the Happy Mondays and found out that they are part of the Manchester sound (along with James) from bands that were putting out music in the early 90s. I liked the album, but no tracks stood out for better or worse. If I had to pick one track, it would be "Performance".

T. Rex sounded like a familiar name, but I wasn't sure if I've heard anything from the band. As soon as the first track began playing I recognized the voice and sound of the band. That's when I realized that I know the track "Get It On". "Cosmic Dancer" sounded a familiar, but maybe it's the distinct voice of the lead singer. I'm not a fan albums that are full of multiple 'love' songs. "Jeepster" was a weird love song, and definitely my least favorite track. The rest of the tracks keep this album in the 'okay' range, I guess.

In general I like the Pretenders. "Brass in Pocket" is a good example of the best of what this band has to offer. "Stop Your Sobbing" was the only other track from this album that I know I've heard before. "Space Invader" was a new potential favorite. Overall, the album was okay. I would skip "Tattooed Love Boys". I don't feel enough of a draw to the album as a whole to come back for a second listen.

A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector was a new album for me, although I have heard some of the individual tracks as part of the regular rotation on the radio stations playing Christmas music in December. The Ronettes might be the only artist on the album that I recognized by name. The album was okay, but I'm not sure what I would come back for, for a second listen.

Sound Affects from the Jam was new music from a new band for me. The music on this album at times reminded me of a variety of bands including: The Clash, Squeeze, Billy Bragg, and XTC. "Pretty Green" and "Start!" were the most memorable tracks from this album. I would be interested to hear more from this band, but I'm not sure if I'd make it back to this album for a second listen.

I don't know if I've heard the Sonics before. After listening to the album, I'm still not sure. The songs that sounded familiar to me from this album are familiar because I've heard other bands play those songs. None of the tracks stood out as a definitive example of the Sonics. I kept thinking about the early Beatles as I listened to this album. The album was okay, but nothing stood out to me enough to inspire a second listen.

The United States of America is a new band and new music for me. My best guess at classifying this music is Psychodelic ¿Folk? Psychedelia is interesting to me more often than not. "Coming Down", "Love Song for the Dead Ché", "Stranded in Time" got my attention and could attract a second listen. I wasn't sure what to do with some of the oddities like "I Won't Leave My Wooden Wife for You, Sugar". I did not like "The American Metaphysical Circus", but that was because it was two (¿or three?) songs being played at once and I don't like that much noise. ¿Did I like the album? I'm not sure. ¿Did I dislike the album? No. (2.5 rounding up to 3)

I've never heard of Little Sim. All of the music was new to me. This album was not for me. Some okay rhythms, but the content of the lyrics makes this a definite "nope"

A new band and new music for me. There were a few tracks that I would be tempted to skip during a re-listen. This is not my favorite music, but there were tracks that caught my attention. I probably will never re-listen to this, but it was an okay one-time experience.

I've heard a variety of Steely Dan's singles over the years, including "Rikki Don't Lose That Number" from Pretzel Logic. This is the third Steely Dan album I've reviewed for this 1001 list. There is some interesting funk and grooves to some of the music ("Parker's Band"), but Steely Dan still hasn't truly captured my attention. Listening to this album was enjoyable, but I doubt the album will get a second listen from me.

The name of the band was familiar, but none of the tracks stood out as something I've heard before. It's hard to get me excited about hip-hop, but the variety of music genres was interesting and enjoyable. I liked the arabic influences in a couple of tracks, and even the ska-ish track "Déjame en Paz". "Ya Viene el Sol" was another favorite track. Overall the album was good, but there were some slow spots. This album has room to grow on me.

I have heard many Depeche Mode songs MULTIPLE times. Depeche Mode has never really caught on with me. Perhaps there were so many strong fans around me, and DM had enough radio play that I never had to listen to much of their music of my own choice. I think I didn't find out about some alternative bands (The Cure, The Smiths, Echo and the Bunnymen, etc.) and later new wave artists until later because the local alternative radio station played so much Depeche Mode. This album sits firmly on the darker side of Depeche Mode's work, a good distance away from the pop-ish new wave of their early work. The dark, broody mood of DM still keeps me from fully enjoying this album. "Strangelove" got the highest marks from me for an individual track.

I'm a fan of Sigur Rós, and Jónsi. I think I've listened to this album before. I know I have listened to lots of individual tracks and live performances from the band. The first two full tracks ("Svefn-g-englar" & "Starálfur") were the tracks that I recognized as having heard them before. "Starálfur" was my favorite track, but "Ágætis byrjun" and "Svefn-g-englar" were close behind. The album was consistent and each track was 'good' or better.

All Directions is the second album from the Temptations recommended to me from this list. I still feel only slightly familiar with the band. I can't name any of their tracks off the top of my head. "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" was the only track I recognized by name. The long instrumental intro was a pleasant suprise, and the track was probably my favorite from the album. I enjoyed listening to this album. The Temptations are talented musicians and this was music that I wouldn't normally listen to on my own. I like hearing different music. I think there is room for several of the tracks to grow on me. Perhaps the music sounds like it is anchored in the 70s, or perhaps I'm the wrong demographic for the this genre, but I'm not sure it I'd listen to the whole album again. (3.5 stars)

I like New Order and have heard several songs and at least two other albums from the band. The only track that sounded familiar was "Round & Round", but the whole album sounded like New Order so I'm not sure if I've heard anything from Technique or not. "Love Less", with a calm yet hook-filled melody, got my highest rating for an individual track. The beginning of "All the Way" sounded like it had elements lifted directly from "Just Like Heaven" from the Cure. "Run" reminded me of Lemon Jelly. Overall, the album was good. I'm not sure if I will make it back to a full re-listen of the entire album.

The first cassette tape I bought was Billy Joel's "An Innocent Man". I'm sure that "Only the Good Die Young" from The Stranger had helped me decide that Joel was someone worth listening two. I've listened to 3 or 4 other studio albums, but never to the Stranger. There are only two tracks from The Stranger ("Get It Right the First Time", "Everybody Has a Dream") that I don't think I've heard before. 6 of the tracks I recognized just from their titles. I didn't think I had heard the title track before, but when I pulled up Joel's Greatest Hits vols. I & II (which I have listened to several times) I saw that "The Stranger" is on side 1. Joel has talent, and most of the music is likeable, but I've heard most of the tracks often enough to not see a need to re-visit this album.

I haven't liked the Doors more than when I first listened to them, and less and less over time. There wasn't anything I particularly disliked from this album. I didn't feel like listening to any of the songs a second time either. "Roadhouse Blues" was the only song I know I've heard before. I have seen reviews of Peace Frog, but probably haven't heard the whole track before. I'm still a fan of what Ray Manzarek did on the keyboard.

I first heard portions of American IV: The Man Comes Around shortly after the album came out. I was beginning to dig into some of Johnny Cash's work, and learning to play a couple classic songs. I like this album, and it was a great discovery for me. I reference songs from this album in at least two other reviews on this 1001 album list. I remember seeing Cash on the TV frequently growing up, and it was great to hear what he was doing so late in his career. It was still a year or two before the biographical movie about Cash came out, so there was plenty of room to explore on my own. This album seemed like a reward for exploring his older catalog. Favorite tracks inlcude: "The Man Comes Around", "Hurt" and "Tear Stained Letter". The track I enjoy the least is "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry". I'll blame that on Nick Cave, 100%. There are covers on this album that I don't like as much as the originals, but there are covers that I DEFINITELY like more than the originals too. I'll probably listen to all of this album again.

John Martyn is a new artist for me, and Solid Air was new music. A fair portion of the music sounded like what I thought the music would sound like, based on the title and album art - a folk-ish invitation to float in space. Sometimes Martyn's voice and delivery reminded me of Nike Drake. "May You Never" was my favorite track. I'm not sure if I'll remember having listened to this album, but it was okay.

I like Echo And The Bunnymen. They have tracks that I regularly listen to, but I'm not sure if I have listened to a full album from the band. "Rescue" and "Monkeys" were the tracks I liked the most. This album sounded like Echo And The Bunnymen. I liked the album, but I'm not sure if I would round up to 4 stars.

I remember when the Hives were on the radio, and seeing some performances on TV. Listening to a full album, the songs started running together about half way through. The album drifted into a tangle of static, yelling, and and incoherent guitar noise. I wasn't interested in the Hives when this album came out, and I'm not interested in them now.

I've never listened to a complete album from Ryan Adams before. "New York, New York" was the track I liked the most from this album, and a track that I've heard before. "Gonna Make You Love Me" was another favorite. Overall, this album was easy to listen to. I like Ryan Adams enough that I'm happy to listen when his music comes on, but I haven't been at the point where I specifically seek out his music on it's own. This album was good and there's room for it to grow on me. (I listened to the extended verison of the album and "Cannonball Days" is an additional favorite).

I knew that I must know something from this band, and the first track on the album is the track. "Good Times" is the one track that I might play again. It was good to hear a full album from CHIC. They are talented and the album is solid. "Will You Cry (When You Hear This Song)" was the one track that I would be tempted to skip on a re-listen. To me, the track sounded to sugary sweet. The album is good, but isn't a match for my music tastes. One listen might be enough for me.

This album was too noisy for me. Tracks like "2 Towers" and "Crown of Storms" would attempt to get interesting, and then the amount of chaos would ramp up. No thanks.

Outside of this 1001 albums list (Songs in the Key of Life, Talking Book) I have not listened to albums from Stevie Wonder. I have heard several songs, but Wonder is not part of my regular playlists. "Higher Ground" is the only track that I know from Innervisions, and it is my favorite track. "Higher Ground" has some good funk and a keyboard sound that reminds me of my favorite Stevie Wonder song ("Superstition"). Most of Innervisions was just okay. I did like the humor that was sneaking through on "Don't You Worry 'bout a Thing".

I have heard some songs from Paul McCartney post Beatles, but I don't know which tracks are Paul McCartney or which tracks are from Wings. This is the first full album I have listened to from McCartney. "Mrs. Vandebilt" felt very much like a McCartney song, and was probably my favorite track. "Band on the Run" is okay too. My prior reaction to most of what I have listened to of McCartney's work after the Beatles is a recognition that the music is a functional piece of rock. It's not hard enough to be ROCK, and not pop enough to be pop. The music seems like functional, popular music and I move on. Paul, congratulations on being okay.

Little Richard is one of those artists I wish I could have come to know in context of the music sceen when he was first making music and coming in to his prime. I remember Little Richard from the 80s. This album does a better job at displaying Richard's talents, than how I was first introduced to his performances and music. I knew "Tuttie Frutti" (and possibly "Long Tall Sally") before listening to this album, but the remaining tracks were new. My favorite track was "Rip It Up" -- I liked the energy of that song. "True, Fine Mama" and "Can't Believe You Wanna Leave" were next in line. I liked hearing the blues influences coming through on "Can't Believe You Wanna Leave". The album was good. There were a few tracks that felt a little repetitive in their rhythms and construction, which makes it difficult to say a strong "yes, I would listen to the WHOLE album again".

Mercury Rev and their album Deserter's Songs were new to me. I liked the album. The album definitely had a sound that reminded me of some of the alternative music from the 90s. The first track ("Holes") had definite Flaming Lips vibes, and by the end of the album I was reminded of Sigur Rós. Was there something in this album that reminded me of Modest Mouse? I dunno. "Delta Sun Bottleneck Stomp" was the individual track that got my highest rating, and ""The Happy End (The Drunk Room)” got my lowest. Overal the album was good, but I'm not sure if I'll remember to come back to the albumfor a second listen any time soon. I'd be happy to listen to another suggestion from this band.

Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea is the third album I've listened to from PJ Harvey, and it's the one I've enjoyed the most. PJ Harvey is on my list of artists who I wonder why I don't like more. People who share similar interests to mine recommend Harvey. I've tried exploring some of her work on my own, but I've never been drawn in. Sometimes Harvey's vocals detracted from the overall experience, but the album was still okay.

When Achtung Baby came out, I was impressed by how different this album sounded from the previous work from U2. I had listened to tracks from each of U2's albums prior to Achtung Baby, and at least 4 out of the 6 prior albums in their entirety. This album made me excited to see what U2 was going to do next. I like each track on this album. My favorites are "Mysterious Ways", "Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses", "One" and "Tryin' to Throw Your Arms Around the World". I think I may need to round up to a full 5 stars.

When Animal Collective came up as the suggestion, I knew that they are a band that has music that I like but I couldn't remember what I've heard from them. "My Girls" and "Brother Sport" are a couple of the tracks that I've heard before, and I like both of those tracks. Sometimes a portion of "Brother Sport" gets stuck in my head. Animal Collective has a mix of indie pop and electronic beats that fit well in to a style of music that I like. I was happy that all of the tracks were good. I could give this album a second listen.

Massive Attack sounds like a familiar band name, but everything on this album felt new to me. The album was okay. "Five Man Army" was the track that almost got 4 stars, and "Safe from Harm" and "Daydreaming" were slightly above 3. "Be Thankful for What You've Got" was 2 stars.

I like R.E.M. and this is an album I've listened to many times. "Try Not to Breathe", "Nightswimming", "Everybody Hurts", "Find the River", and "The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonight" are all tracks that have been on repeat, as I try to hear what the song is about or to try and figure out how to play a portion of the song on guitar. The album is full of intreguing lyrics and interesting backing vocals all in support of well written music. I had forgotten how good "Sweetness Follows" is. I would recommend this album to others. Most of the tracks on this album get 4 stars from me. "Monty Got a Raw Deal" and "Star Me Kitten" have always been my least favorite tracks, but they're okay. Maybe I've heard "Man on the Moon" too many times.

This was a pleasant surprise from a band that I've only ever known as a one-hit-wonder. They have a great horn section on many of the tracks, and their cover of "Jackie Wilson Said" fits in well with the album. I listened to a version of an album with bonus tracks, which are great additions to the album. "Until I Believe in My Soul" could have been skipped, but I would come back to most of the tracks. If you like their one-hit "Come On Eileen" this album is worth checking out. I'm rounding up to 4 stars.

OutKast is a band that I want to like. The album sounds like OutKast. "B.O.B." is the track that I've heard off this album before. I think I tried to listen to Speakerboxxx/The Love Below, but didn't enjoy that album either. OutKast are talented, but the music is not for me. I could not and would not want to sing along with most of the tracks. The multiple interludes on their own may have been enough to sink this album to 2 stars.

A new album and a new artist for me. In some cases this album sounded like generic rock - not much to notice. There was some punk energy to some of the tracks. Only a few tracks got me to feel the music and take in more of what I was listening to. More noticible than the occasional okay track was the lyrical content which sank this album for me. I would not listen again.

I've heard all of London Calling more than once, and several tracks on this album many times. "London Calling", "Lost in the Supermarket", and "Train in Vain" were my favorite tracks from this re-listen, but several other tracks were close behind. "London Calling" has a driving energy that makes it a great way to start the album. I'm likely to re-listen to this album again, and there are no tracks that I would skip. I would recommend this album to almost anyone.

This was my first time listening to a whole album from the Mamas and the Papas. I have heard "Monday, Monday" and "California Dreamin'" many times. The rest of the album was less familiar, but I wouldn't be surprised if I had heard more than those two tracks. The Mamas and the Papas are not a group that I would pick for myself to listen to, but I do admire the layers of their vocals, which are a mix of harmonies and interplay of overlapping lines. "Monday, Monday" is the track I like the most from this album and perhaps from the band. It was good to hear a full album.

I've only heard individual tracks from Ella Fitzgerald before. I enjoyed listening to the album, but I didn't come away with any new favorite tracks. Perhaps if I was more into musicals, I might like the album more. With so many tracks, I don't imagine listening to the album again.

I've only heard a few tracks from Musgraves prior to this, but I know I like her voice and I would be open to hearing more of her music. There are times when Musgraves reminds me a little of the Weepies, which is a group I also like. Golden Hour is a good album. My favorite tracks were "Slow Burn" and "Mother". The section of the album from "Space Cowboy" to "High Horse" was too pop, and too pop-country for me. The music was okay but the lyrics had a collection of pop-country tropes. The titles of the songs hint at the content I'm describing. I think Musgraves is talented and worth checking out, but not every track is for me. I'll play "Slow Burn" again.

I have heard "Black Magic Woman" and "Oye Cómo Va" from this album, and a few other tracks from Santana many times before. This might be my first listen to a full album from the band. My favorite tracks may have been the instrumental tracks (from beginning to end), but I liked every track. An easy 4 stars.

A new band and new music for me. I listened with headphones, and the band did a few interesting things with the stereo recording. Some of the music was odd, but not completely off-putting. In general the music seemed to fit somewhere between early Pink Floyd and the Moody Blues. The very last track, "HappyDaysToyTown" reminded me of Donovan's "Mellow Yellow". I'm still not sure what to think about this album other than that it is okay.

I don't know if I've heard more than three or four songs from Beyoncé. I definitely have not listened to a whole album. This album was not for me. The music was fine in general, but I'm not the expected audience. Several of the tracks have lyrics that push this music further away from me. The best tracks were okay, and there are so many tracks that I did NOT like. I haven't written off Beyoncé completely, but I would not recommend this album to others.

A new artist and new music for me. I apparently had seen a clip of Burke's performance at his induction to the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame, but apparently I didn't remember much about that. I liked this album. Some of the tracks had elements that sounded like Burke might have influenced Cee Lo Green. "Cry to Me" and "Hard, Ain't it Hard" were the tracks I rated the highest. Both had a good energy and a good groove. This would be an easy album to put on again, to listen to something different than I normally do. Rounding up to 4 stars.

I listened to Play shortly after the album came out. Singles from the album were regularly on the radio, and there was a lot of buzz about the album in general. I haven't listened to this album in a long time, but I still like Moby. "Porcelain" is my favorite track, but "Honey" and "Run On" grabbed my attention on this listen. "Natural Blues and "Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad" are favorites that I remember from before. "Machete" is the hardest track for me to listen to, but I would come back for a second listen to the album.

You Want It Darker is the fifth album from Leonard Cohen that I have reviewed for this list. I think I liked this album perhaps all of the other albums so far. I was still left wondering at times if Cohen is actually singing on this album. I have not yet reached a full appreciation of Cohen. I am primarily just getting through the albums. This album does have some guitar work that adds to the mood of the album. The overall mood of the tracks is okay and interesting even if I don't get in sync with Cohen's work. The lyrics to "You Want It Darker" are dark, but the track was a good opening for the album. I think I enjoyed "If I Didn't Have Your Love" and "Traveling Light". This album gets three stars because it was okay with a few additional bright moments spread over dark themes.

This is the second album recommended to me from the Stooges. Compared to the pervious album (The Stooges), Funhouse sounds more like what I expected to hear from the Stooges. I was enjoying the album more than I thought I would for the first few tracks. By the second half of the album, I was getting tired of Iggy Pop's vocal delivery - too much yelling and grunting. The music began to be repetitive as well. Then came the title track, "Fun House"... yeesh. I'd prefer to skip a re-listen of this album. Once was enough (¿too much?).

I remember when this album, and the video of the title track came out. I've listened to Eurythmics' Greatest Hits album and Lennox's Medusa Album. This was my first time listenting to Sweet Dreams. Eurythmics found a way to get electronic instruments to be a worthy back up to Lennox's great voice. "Love Is a Stranger" and "Sweet Dreams..." are my favorite tracks. Overall, the rest of the album is okay. I didn't find any new favorites or hidden surprises

Based on the cover of the album and the name of the band, I thought I was going to hear something along the lines of Slayer or Suicidal Tendencies. I liked this album more than I thought I would, but it still landed at "okay" after rounding up. "Misbeaten" and "Used" were the peak of my interest, but overall I was just waiting for the album to get over. I did not dislike the album, but I'm not sure if I liked the album either.

New album and new music for me. There were some good surprises on this album. I added "My Mate Paul", and "Don't Die Just Yet" into my personal playlist. I really wish I could cut out the dialogues, and the shorter tracks. Let's Get Killed could possibly have been a 4 star album that I would want to come back to if the dialogues weren't included, but that is not the album that Holmes recorded. Does this sink the album to 2 stars? I REALLY want to skip the spoken dialogue recordings. I guess I'll compromise with 3.

I have heard of Nina Simone, but I don't know if I've ever heard any of her music. Most of the album was good. "I Love Your Lovin' Ways" and "Lilac Wine" might be worth a re-listen. The second half of the album, was less enjoyable. Simone sings a few of the tracks with enough vibrato in her voice that I began asking myself if I didn't like this album. It was good to finally hear some music from Simone. Rounding up gives this album 3 stars.

Perhaps I've heard a track or two from Derek and the Dominos, but I don't know much about the band or their music. As soon as I hear the music I remember that Eric Clapton is in the band, but I don't remember how any Derek or any of the Dominos fit into Clapton's overall career arc. I've heard versions of "Bell Bottom Blues" and "Layla" before, but I'm not sure if I've heard the versions from this album before. Let's say that "Key to the Highway '' was my favorite track because of the solid foundation of bluesy guitar. "It's Too Late" and "Any Day" could be next on the list for favorite tracks. I like "Little Wing" (e.g. Stevie Ray Vaughan, or Jimi Hendrix), but not this version of "Little Wing". The album was okay, but I'm not sure if I'd come back around for seconds.

I like some things from Morrissey. Your Arsenal arrives firmly at "Okay". I made it through the album, but I won't remember anything from this album to make me want to revisit.

Pink Floyd is one of my to 5 all-time favorite bands, but I have probably only listened to this early ablum one time before reviewing The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn for this list. Perhaps I have only listened to this album only once before because it is the early Syd Barrett authored sound. I enjoy many tracks from Barret ("See Emily Play", "Arnold Layne"), including tracks from this album ("Bike", "Astronomy Domine"), but the band's output was uneven during his time. "Pow R. Toc H." (with a string of somewhat grating introductory sounds that come back later in the track) is the low point for me on this album. This album is prime psychodelic rock, and further away from the more progressive leaning albums central to Pink Floyd's career. If my three star rating means that it's a single listen and I'm done, then I will have to admit that this album has earned rounding up to four stars. I may be back to hear the whole thing again.

Gene Clark is an unfamiliar name, and the only track that I knew from the album ("Stand by Me") is a cover of a song I've heard from other artists. The two tracks I rated the highest reminded me of other artists. "White Light" reminded me of Gordon Lightfoot. "For a Spanish Guitar" reminded me of James Taylor's "Sweet Baby James". "Tears of Rage" reminded me of the Jayhawks. Overall the album was good. It sounded a little like some old-school country music, but not quite. A solid 3 stars

The title track was the only track that was familiar from Mama Said Knock You Out. In principle I respect LL Cool J's talent, but about half way through this album I was tired of what I was listening too. I can only listen to so much of "I'm so cool." The lyric content seems dated and not for me.

I can confidently say that I will never listen to this album again. I've heard one or two tracks from the band before. Listening to a whole album was not far from what I expected from the band. No thanks.

I have listened to this album before. After hearing other artists and music reviewers talk about this album, I had to check it out. The music is good, and how this collaboration came to be is a great story. "Pueblo Nuevo" and "El Carretero" were the tracks I liked the best on this listen. Because of the history of this album, I won't forget that this album is out there. This might not be the music I will come back to very often, but this is quality music. I might be back again, when I'm looking for something different than what I normally listen to.

Quicksilver Messenger Service was a new band for me. All of the tracks from Happy Trails were new to me. Side one of the album was an interesting take on "Who Do You Love" and had some interesting jams ("How You Love"). The album felt like the music rested firmly in rock and roll music, but nothing stood out enough to make me think I'll be back for more later.

Primal Scream sounds like they would have fit in with other music that I listened to at the time when Screamadelica came out (Soup Dragons, James, Oasis, Blur), but this was all new music for me. I liked the album, and I would be interested in hearing more from the band. "Inner Flight" and "Damaged" were my favorite tracks. "Come Together" - not my favorit song from the Beatles either - was my least favorite track, and might be what sinks this below 4 stars.

I think I've listened to Hejira before because I've seen this album from Joni Mitchell recommended elsewhere. None of the songs sounded familiar, but it's good to hear Mitchell's familiar voice. I don't think that any of the tracks have a traditional verse-chorus, verse-chorus structure. Mitchell has built the tracks around story-telling, but even if I wasn't paying 100% attention to the stories I could enjoy the music as a whole. I'm not sure if I'll remember to come back to this album again, but I enjoyed this visit.

All of these tracks were new to me, but Joni Mitchell's clear and strong voice was shone through on each track. The album is good, but none of the tracks really stood out to me enough to call me back to the album for a second listen.

Fever Ray is a new artist and new music for me. There is something in the vocals that reminded me of Tegan and Sara. Some of the music reminded me a of less serious Dead Can Dance, with Fever Ray having a little fun with the music too. The album works as a whole, but the individual tracks were different enough to keep my attention. "If I Had a Heart" is good example of what you'll get from this album. I also put "Triangle Walks", "Keep the Streets Empty for Me" and "Coconut" in my personal playlist to listen to again later. I enjoyed this album. I could easily come back for a second listen.

There are two songs on this album that I am very familiar with, and the rest of the songs on the album are easily identifiable as the Rolling Stones. This album is a good representation of the problems I have with the Rolling Stones. Beggars Banquet has an interesting mix of music, including a solid amount of rock and roll that reaches into the blues and even some country. The Stones are good musicians and wrote some catchy songs. But, once the lyrics settle in my ears, I can only think about what a creep Mick Jagger is. I can find rock and roll elsewhere and easily not listen to the Stones. It's too bad that it wasn't the Beatles who had a chance to play well into their old age.

Remembering who Courtney Love is from the time that this album came out made the experience even less enjoyable. I have heard tracks from Hole before, but this was a entirely new album to me. There are moments of musicality, but for the majority of the time Love falls back into her default vocal delivery. "She Walks on Me" and "Rock Star" are particularly heinous. I don't need to listen to a bunch of screaming over music that ALMOST "okay".

I was surprised to see an album from a band that I have only known as a one-hit-wonder, and this time it's an album that does not include their one hit. The music was okay. I didn't find anything that made me want to listen to more from the band, but not much to make me not want to listen either. The listening experience drug down a couple of times for some spoken audio, and there were a couple of times that I said "Oh look, they decided to include a swear." I think that Searching For The Young Soul Rebels comes out as "okay".

My third Tom Waits album to review, and I'm still not sure what to do with it. Maybe I'm getting used to Waits, because Swordfishtrombones seemed okay. "Rainbirds" was an easy instrumental track to like, but "In the Nighborhood", "Swordfishtrombone" "Down, Down, Down", "Gin Soaked Boy" and "16 Shells From a Thirty-Ought-Six" were easily "okay" or better tracks. The track I would want to skip is "Shore Leave" which almost feels like a classic Tom Waits track because all I could say was "What?" when I listened to it.

Moon Safari is the second album recommended to me from Air. I'm not sure how to assess how much I liked this album. There were portions of the album that reminded me of ELO or some of the popular music from the 70s. Some of my least favorite tracks were the tracks with female guest vocalists. All of the tracks seemed at least okay. I added "La femme d'argent" (my favorite track) and "Talisman" to my personal playlist for a re-listen. I would be open to listenting to more from Air. I don't think that there are any tracks that I would skip, so I'll do a bit of rounding up to a full 4 stars.

The Incredible String Band are a new band for me, and The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter was all new music for me too. The musis matches the album cover, with som psychodelia mixed with an odd bit of folk. The jaw harp came in early enough to let me know I was going to hear something different. Some of the vocals relied on 'la la la's and 'ah ahaaaah uh ah-ah' kinds of arrangements that wore out their welcome. There were a couple of songs that were quite weird, but in an endearing way ("A Very Cellular Song", and "Mercy I Cry City"). I did not know how to deal with the weirdness of "The Minotaur's Song". I definitely did not like "Witches Hat". I don't think that I LIKE this album, but the album was enjoyable enough to make listening to the album as a whole worth that much time.

Of course I am familiar with "Relax" and Frankie Goes to Hollywood. The whole album seemed felt like what I would expect from Frankie Goes to Hollywood. Several of the tracks sound like a second or third movement of "Relax". "Krisco Kisses" is a solid example of what I did not like about this album. I did not like their cover of "Born to Run". I'm not the person that would appreciate this album. Add to it that the album is a double album (twice as long), firmly places this experience in the "nope" category.

I recognize the band's name, but I wasn't sure if I have heard much if anything from A Tribe Called Quest. There were rhythms to the vocals that sounded familiar. "I Left My Wallet in El Segundo" was the only track that lyrically sounded familiar. For me, "Youthful Expression" is an example of the fun and groove that the band is pursuing on this album. I enjoyed listening to the album, but I don't think I'll remember enough to want to come back for more.

I like Wilco and have listened to several liver performances from the band, and a variety of individual tracks. This is the second album recommended to me on this list. The only songs familiar to me from Being There were the "Ottasite" and "Outta Mind" tracks. For a double album, Being There was a consistently good listen. I marked several tracks for a re-listen ("Outtasite (Outta Mind)", "Forget the Flowers", "What's the World Got in Store", "Outta Mind (Outta Sight)", "Someone Else's Song", "Kingpin", "Why Would You Wanna Live").

This is the album that introduced me to Bonnie Raitt. I have heard 4 of the 11 tracks from Nick of Time many times in the past. This album is fine, but I think I prefer to hear more of Raitt's music that has a stronger connection to the blues. Some of these tracks feel firmly rooted in the 80s. This is no surprise, but makes it harder for me to want to take a second listen to the album.

Chris from Christine and the Queens is a difficult album to rate. There was nothing that I particularly liked or dis-liked from this album. I listened to the French album, and "5 Dols" is the only track that caught my attention enough for me to double check what I was listening to. I was surprised that this album was released in 2018, because the album sounded like 1990s to me (like stuff that I was chosing not to listen to of my own choice in the 90s). I guess this might round up to 3 stars because I didn't hate it?

This was a new band and new music for me. I'm not sure where to put this album. I heard music that reminded me of Badly Drawn Boy, Damon Albarn or Oasis - and I like at least some music from each of those artists. There were also tracks that I definitely would skip ("All of My Thoughts", "Come Together", "The Individual"). I do not expect to listen to this album again, so rounding up to three stars is an okay measure of this listening experience.

I'm sorry Tina. I know that you are talented, but this album is not for me. I've heard at least two of the tracks from this album so many times, that I've had enough of the album as a whole. I have never liked "Private Dancer" on its own, but it is also tied to so many other pop-culture references - I've heard the track more than enough times to last my lifetime. "1984" is the track that I disliked more than "Private Dancer". Rounding down to 2 stars.

This was my first time hearing a full album from Ladysmith Black Mambazo. I have heard many songs from them and I have seen them in concert. "Rain, Rain Beautiful Rain” was the only track that seemed familiar to me. The rest was new, but in the familiar Ladysmith Black Mambazo style. "Unomathemba" was my favorite track and a great way to open the album as the deeper voices began filling in behind the lead vocals. Not a lot stood out from this album, but because I know that I enjoyed this listen, and Ladysmith Black Mambazo are a group that I like, I might be back for a second listen in the future.

Curtis Mayfield was a mildly familiar name, but all of the music on the album was new to me. I enjoyed listening to the album, but none of the tracks stood out to me as something that I'll come back to.

I've heard some music from Antony and the Johnsons, but never a full album. "Fistful of Love" was my favorite track from the album, but I couldn't handle the warble in the vocals. The music is good, but the vocals would make me skip listening to this album again. I think the warble was enough to keep me from rounding up to a full 3 stars.

I am curious to hear what Radiohead has recorded, even if I don't always like everything they do. OK Computer is a good example. Most of the tracks are at least okay, but there are a few bits that might keep me from doing a full re-listen. My reluctance to Radiohead is in part related to some of the videos from this album (which were part of my initial introduction to the band). A couple tracks get too noisy for my enjoyment. "Let Down" was the track I liked the most, folowed by "Karma Police" and "Subterranean Homesick Alien".

Shalimar was new music for me and I've never heard of Rahul Dev Burman. "One Two Cha Cha" was my least favorite track. Perhaps there was one other track that I was ready to have it finish sooner. I liked listening to something new and from a different culture. At this moment I'm not feeling like I should go check out the movie any time soon, but that could change.

I have never listened to a full album from Traffic. "Glad" was the only track I recognized from the album. I enjoyed listening to the album, but I did not pick out any tracks to come back to for a second listen. The title track seemed to reach toward some sort of folk-tune, while reminding me of a less frenetic version of Jethro Tull.

Yes is one of my all-time favorite bands. I don't know how many times I have listened to this album before, and I have listened to individual tracks from the album at least a dozen times more than I've listened to the album as a whole. "Yours is No Disgrace" is a great way to start off the album. Bill Bruford (drums) and Chris Squire (bass) lay down a foundation and provide a propelling force through the whole song. There are great examples of what Steve Howe (guitar), Tony Kaye (keyboards), and Jon Anderson (vocals) bring to the mix. There is a reason that all 5 members get song writing credit for the first track. Most of the album fits in the same mood. Steve Howe's instrumental "Clap" feels out of place between "Yours is No Disgrace" and "Starship Trooper". "A Venture" is a little weak as well, but none of the songs are bad. The rest of the album is great. I will listen to this album again.

This is the second album recommended to me from Echo and the Bunnymen. Ocean Rain sounds like the version of the band that I am most familiar with. This album has one of my all-time favorite tracks from the band ("The Killing Moon") in addition to other familiar favorites ("Seven Seas", "Silver"). I had forgotten about "Seven Seas" and was happy to hear it again. The album is consistent, but with enough variety to keep me interested. I would listen to this album again.

This was the most I've heard from the Everly Brothers. I enjoyed listening to the album. "Love Hurts", "So How Come (No One Loves Me)" and "Cathy's Clown" were the tracks that stood out the most for me. The Everly Brothers are talented, and the music is good. I do have a hard time with this early era Rock and Roll that is so focused on the teenage life. I don't want to listen to "Made to Love" again... so creepy.

This is the seventh album recommended from David Bowie. (Only 19 more to go!) I liked this album more than most of the previous recommendations. "Changes" is my favorite track. "Life on Mars?" is the only other track that I was familiar with before listening to the album. Bowie can be dark in strange ways that don't get along with me, but I didn't feel that weight from this album. I'm not sure if I would choose to listen to this on my own, but I wouldn't complain if someone else decided to listen to the album and I had to listen again.

I know nothing about Killing Joke, the album or the band. There is an early punk feel to this album. Some of the music felt like it was an attempt by the Clash to play music by Echo and the Bunnymen or perhaps music from the earliest version of the Cure, all with a set of amplifiers trying to open a door for Rage Against the Machine. I enjoyed the album enough to listen to the additional tracks from the re-release. "Requiem" was easily my favorite track from the album. I'd come back to this album for a second listen.

I wasn't sure if I was familiar with the band until I saw them listed as The Charlatans UK. All of the music on Tellin' Stories was new to me, and I couldn't say if I've heard anything from this band before. The Charlatans seemed like they would fit in with Blur, James, Oasis, and the Verve. "One to Another", "Area 51" and "Only Teethin'" were saved to my personal playlist. I'd be interested in hearing more from this band.

The second track on this album ("White Winter Hymnal") was my introduction to Fleet Foxes, and still one of my favorite songs from the band. I enjoyed listening to the album. I would come back for a second listen.

What if Angus played guitar over different lyrics? Angus is awesome, the lyrics are terrible.

Before listening to this album, I couldn't have told you what songs Dusty Springfield sang, only that she was a singer. I recognized at least four of the tracks on the album, but I know that I've heard covers of most if not all of them. I don't know if I've heard Springfield's versions before. Springfield is a talented singer. Listening to the album was an enjoyable experience, but the style of music feels like it is firmly set in the early days of pop and rock music. I don't see me wanting to pick up this album for a revisit (and if I did I would want to skip "Mockingbird" - it's too busy of a song).

Suba and São Paulo Confessions were new to me. The album felt like it was somewhere in the middle of electronic, ambient, and club music. "Antropófagos" and "Segredo" were my favorite tracks, and "Pecados da Madrugada" had some interesting sounds. Some of the tracks had some odd sounds in repetition that kept me from enjoying the tracks completely. "A Noite Sem Fim" was my least favorite, which is a surprise because I usually like longer tracks on an album more. The track had too many sour electronic sounds. For my first listen this album feels like 3 stars, but I would be interested in hearing more from the band.

This is the second recommendation I've received from this list from A Tribe Called Quest. Listening to this album felt a lot like the previous album. There are interesting and enjoyable tracks, but I'm not sure if I'll remember this album enough to want to come back for a second listen. "Show Business" was a familiar track, and had a good sound. "Scenario" with Busta Rhymes was entertaining too. Unfortunately, there are lyrics and on these and other tracks that would make me skip the tracks on a second listen. For one listen, the album gets a 3. If I had to play the album again - 2 stars.

Frank Sinatra is not on my list of music that I listen to. Antonio Carlos Jobim is a welcome addition for this album, but the album still didn't get much past "okay". I'm not a fan of crooner music I guess. I feel like I'm only one or two steps away from elevator muzak.

I have listened to at least a couple other Brian Eno albums. Before and After Science is different than his more ambient recordings. "King's Lead Hat" made me think of the Talking Heads, and "By This River" (which was one of my favorite tracks) made me think of Alan Parsons. "Through Hollow Lands" was another favorite. There are some interesting sounds on this album. "Kurt's Rejoinder" was weird enough that it put a little pause in my listening. Nothing was too weird. I would probably re-listen to this album because the album is not typical.

This is the first time I've listened to a whole album from Donovan, and I've only heard a few tracks in total. For me Donovan falls somewhere in the middle of folk, psychodelia and Van Morrison. "Sunshine Superman", "Season of the Witch" and "The Trip" were familiar tracks. "Sunshien Superman" was the best track,and the album was okay overall.

I must have been present to hear this full album at some point when Appetite For Destruction was new. I had friends who loved Guns N' Roses. I had a hard time with the persona Axl Rose was trying to play. I guess I still do. Rose has talent, but I don't buy into the tough-guy persona. Having seen their videos doesn't help my distaste. Another detractor from Rose is his injection of additional sylables ("mow-ah" = more; "lie-ee-ine" = line). All of that distracts from the fun that Slash provides on guitar ("Welcome to the Jungle", "Sweet Child o' Mine"). I don't like this album.

All of the tracks on this album were new to me. Hearing Roxy Music has never sparked my curiosity to look for more muisc from the band. For Your Pleasure fits within that same zone of interest. Did I like the album? Not really. Did I dis-like the album? ¿Maybe? The warble in the vocals and some sounds from the horns keep this album from being "okay". No one was harmed in the listening of this album, but I will forget that I heard this album soon enough.

I have heard Baaba Maal sing with Peter Gabriel, Afro Celt Sound System and on the 1 Giant Leap album. In general I like what Maal does, but listening to a whole album is just okay. "Loodo" was my favorite track, and a track that I could come back to an enjoy. "Lam Tooro" was my second most favorite. Some of the longer tracks towards the end of the album felt like more of a distraction than music that I would listen to.

The title track was the only familiar song for me from this album. It was good to hear a full album from Al Green. "I've Never Found a Girl (Who Loves Me Like You Do)” and "La-La for You” grabbed my attention. Overall the album was okay.

Two Baaba Maal albums in three days. The album overall was okay. The enjoyed hte album more as it went along. Maal has some interesting percussion and beats. "Hamady Boiro" and "Olel" were my favorite tracks. Maal is talented, but I can't quite round up to 4 stars.

MC Solaar and the music from Qui Sème Le Vent Récolte Le Tempo were new to me. There is almost no Rap in what I generally listen to, so any rap artist has some work to do to keep my attention. I listened and finished the album curious about the artist and his music. The music was at least okay. I only found two or three tracks (out of 16) that I was tempted to skip. Solaar is skillful, and I understand enough French to see at least a hint of some humor and cleverness in his lyrics. I'm torn between 3 and 4 stars.

My first introduction to Tito Puente was through the Simpsons, but I took some time to listen to a few tracks from Puente to hear what he sounds like on his own. Dance Mania was new music to me. Part way into the album Puente was grabbing my attention with "3-D Mambo", "Llegó Miján", and "Cuando Te Vea". Towards the end of the album, "Estoy Siempre Junto a Ti" was a too slow and sounded like more of aa song from a classic crooner than fits my taste. I'm torn on how to rate this album. Most of it is really good, and the music might grow on me. If I was looking for something different, and to mix up what I've been listening to, I this album feels like a reliable source of good and different music. Well, let's round up to 4 stars.

I remember three of the tracks from Ritual De Lo Habitual from when they were first played on the Radio. I think I like "Been Caught Stealing" but I'm still not quite sure. I like some of Jane's Addiction's sound, but haven't been inspired to listen to much of their music. I do have a tendency to like longer tracks from a band, perhaps because they have more room to develop the song. Not surprising, "Three Days" (at 10min48sec) was my favorite track from the album. I liked the second half of the album more than the first. The first seemed to be stuck in the strange buzzed vocals of Perry Farrell, which started to wear on me.

I think I've listened to a track or two from the Bill Evans Trio before. Sunday at the Village Vanguard is good music. I'd easily agree to listen to more from the band, but nothing stood out calling me back for a second listen.

When the songs from Tuesday Night Music Club were on the radio, I was trying to decide if I like Sheryl Crow or not. Four of the eleven tracks from this album are familiar, but I'm pretty sure I've listened to the whole album at least once as I tried to figure out if I like Crow or not. I listened again, and I'm still not convinced. Crow is talented, but the music doesn't call out for attention from me. The singles from this album (excluding "Run Baby Run") got a slightly higher rating. I did not like "The Na-Na Song". The album as a whole lands squarely on 3 stars. Meh.

This is the third album recommended from the Rolling Stones. The three songs that I liked the most are all songs that I've heard before many times ("Wild Horses", "Dead Flowers", "Brown Sugar"). But even these tracks don't call to me for a second listen. I like covers of "Wild Horses" more than the original from the Stones. Overall, the album can be summed up as, "Sure, okay". It was an album, but I wouldn't miss it.

I can't tell if the the band The Young Rascals is a familiar name or not. The album Groovin' was new to me, except for perhaps the title track. And yet, I may have heard some other band's version of Groovin'. The album sounds like early rock and roll. It was good, but I'll probably forget that I've listened to it.

The Number of the Beast is the second Iron Maiden album that I have reviewed for this list, and essentially doubles the amount of music that I've heard from the band. The only track from this album that was all familiar to me was "Run to the Hills", but I may have only heard a couple lines from the song and never the entire track. From the start, the album felt like it would be at best a "one and done" recommendation. Iron Maiden is too bombastic and operatic for me. That approach actually works for me with "Run to the Hills", but the rest of the album didn't capture my attention. I didn't dislike the tracks, but one listen feels like enough.

Even as a fan of the Talking Heads, it is hard to beat their work on their live album Stop Making Sense. Most of the music off of this recommendation, Fear of Music, was new to me. I am only certain that I have heard two of the eleven tracks from this album, but the album does sound like the Talking Heads. I liked "I Zimbra" and "Life During Wartime" the most. "I Zimbra" hints at later work by the band and David Byrne's solo career. I was a little disappointed that I didn't find more than one or two tracks that I'm definitely going to listen to again, but overall I could give Fear of Music another listen.

New music and a new artist for me. I have listened to a limited amount of Jazz, and I have wanted to re-listen to only a small portion of what I have listened to. Mingus' album was too cacophonous for me. I did not enjoy this album.

Congratulations 'Skip', I didn't dislike your album. I'm not sure if I liked it, but I did not NOT like Oar. Alexander 'Skip' Spence is a new artist to me. There was only one song that I recognized ("Little Hands") and I'm pretty sure I've only heard someone else play that song. This album was a mix of folk-rock and hippie, of Neil Young, Leonard Cohen, and... something else I can't quite put my finger on.

I've listened to this album before. I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got is not my favorite album from Sinead O'Connor (check out The Lion and the Cobra). O'Connor's most recognized song is on this album ("Nothing Compares 2 U"), which is a good showcase of her vocal abilities, but it's not a song that keeps my attention well. My favorite song from this album is "The Emperor's New Clothes", which has a strong guitar rhythm backing up the energetically paced vocals. I also like O'Connor's version of the traditional tune "I Am Stretched on Your Grave". All of the songs were at least good, but I don't imagine coming back to the album as a whole.

"Here Comes the Sun" is one of my all-time favorite tracks from the Beatles. "Golden Slumbers / Carry That Weight / The End" is my next favorite track on this album. I have a soft spot for the absurd in the tracks "Octopus's Garden" and "Maxwell's Silver Hammer". This was not the first time I've listened to this album, and probably not the last.

I've heard the name Moby Grape before, but this was new music to me. The album felt like a good representation from its time. I didn't find any new favorites on this album, but I didn't want to skip any tracks either.

Pink Floyd is one of my all time favorite bands, but I have not listened to the Wall in 30 years or more. The Wall is a mixed bag for me. Roger Waters gets a little creepy at times, but this album also displays the combination of Gillmore and Waters at their best, and just prior to the falling apart of the classice Pink Floyd lineup. Their is a combination of soothing and terror ("Goodbye Blue Sky"), entrancing guitar solos and odd sound effects, haunting and horror ("Hey You"). This album is solid on vocals from both leads (Gillmore and Waters), Gillmore's guitar solos, and previews Gillmore's lead once Waters has moved on. My favorite song is "Comfortably Numb" on which all of the band members make recognizable contributions. There is some darkness to this album that keeps me from coming back regularly, but it was good to be reminded that I do love several of the tracks ("Comfortably Numb", "Hey You", "Run Like Hell").

I like the Clash. This is a new album for me, but I've heard a couple of studio albums before and their greatest hits album. "Police & Thieves" was the track that I saved to my personal playlist, and "48 hours", "Janie Jones", and "Garageland" were good too. This sounded like an album from the Clash that I like, but none of the tracks stood out as a discovery of a new favorite. I liked the album, but I might not remember to look for this album again for a second listen.

I've propbably heard a track from Minor Threat, but never listened to the band. I'm glad the tracks were short. All of the vocals are yelling or talking. The music is related to punk with influences from metal. I did not enjoy listening to this album.

The Louvin Brothers is a band I know of, and I've heard at least a track or two from the band including "In the Pines" from this album (Tragic Songs of Life). I also like other bands that have credited The Louvin Brothers as an influence (e.g. Ralph Stanley, The Stanley Brothers). Overall, I like this album. I used to be more okay with some of the sexism and murder ballads found in Old Timey music. "Knoxville Girl" is a 'traditional song' that I'd probably want to skip on a re-listen. I'll round-up to 4 stars anyway.

I know I've heard the Replacements before, but I don't know what. I like the Crash Test Dummies' cover of "Androgynous" and the version of that track on this album is good too. Some of the tracks were too noisy and musically incoherent. Most of the tracks were fighting to reach the okay level. I just don't think I can round up to 3 stars. I did not hate the album, but 8 out of 12 tracks got less than 3 stars.

I think that Lou Reed in general is a talented musician and songwriter. I generally like his music, and there are covers of his songs that I enjoy. I think I heard U2's cover of "Satellite of Love” before I heard Reed's version off of this album. I have listened to this album at least once before, because I wanted to see what else came with the infectious hooks from "Walk on the Wild Side”. I'm a little nervous to listen closely to Reed's lyrics. The music is good, but I don't want to know what he's actually singing about.

Can't Buy A Thrill is the fourth Steely Dan album recommended to me from this list. I've heard three tracks off of Can't Buy A Thrill on the radio."Dirty Work" is the track I liked the most, followed by "Reelin' in the Years", "Change of the Guard" and "Do It Again". I still wish I could hear what others hear in Steely Dan. I know they're talented, but I don't feel a real desire to hear more. Can't Buy A Thrill, you are officially "okay".

Isn't anything is the second album recommended to me from My Bloody Valentine on this list. My Bloody Valentine reminds me a little of Sonic Youth. The music is adjacent to what I might listen to, but I don't want to listen to this music. Isn't Anything waivered in and out of "okay"-ness, almost reaching something that I could like with "All I Need", but the second half of the album was a slog to get through.

I have probably listened to this album at least 10 times before reviewing this album. The first few times was out of curiosity about the rest of the album that includes "Pinball Wizard". The next few times was to try and understand the whole rock opera. The last couple of times was to decide how much some of the characters and songs creep me out. This album still makes me feel icky. I haven't watched the movie yet (maybe never will?). I did not know that a couple of the creepiest songs were credited to Entwistle. I thought the creepiness was all on Townshend's shoulders. There are tracks that I still enjoy ("Pinball Wizard", "I'm Free") and some of the instrumentals are worth listening to, to see what the band was trying to explore musically (my fav was "Sparks"). Overall, the album comes out as an "okay", with a wish to skip some of the story portrayed across the album.

I had heard a few songs from Daft Punk prior to their 2013 release of Random Access Memories. I listened to that album as my full introduction to the band. Homework has a couple songs that I have heard before ("Da Funk", "Around the World"). "Around the World" is the track I like the best from this album. I did not enjoy most of the tracks on this album. I don't understand the repetition. In some cases, the repetition goes on long enough, and is of such short clips that it feels like a broken record ("High Fidelity"). Maybe there's something that I'm missing.

This album came up as my recommendation and I said to myself, "Great!" This version of Genesis is a solid line-up with Peter Gabriel, Tony Banks, Steve Hackett, Mike Rutherford, and Phil Collins. I like Peter Gabriel, and I like a lot of what Genesis has done. A few years ago I listened to every single Genesis album to try and figure out how they went from their prog-rock beginnings to pop music superstars. I've heard "Selling England" by the pound at least a couple of times, and several of the tracks more than that. You could take any track from this album and get a good idea of what Genesis has to offer at this point in time. I had two tracks that I wasn't sure if they were a full 4 stars, but the rest of the tracks were easily a 4. The album works well as a single whole. This album is not my favorite Genesis album, but it is a favorite and worth a listen.

Lady Soul is the first whole album I've listened to from Aretha Franklin. I knew two tracks from this album ("Chain of Fools", "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman"). Overall, this album was a fun listen. The music felt upbeat and lively. I particularly liked the horns on several of the tracks, but especially on "(Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You've Been Gone". I would recommend listenting to this album.

The xx is a band that I like, although this was the first time I've listened to an entire album from the band. I'm pretty sure that I have put "VCR" or "Islands" on one of my personal playlists. I like the xx's mix of indie-pop that dips into electronic music from time to time. This band sounds like it would go well with many of the artists produced by Sub Pop records.

As a fan of early Genesis, Yes, ELP and Pink Floyd, I'm surprised that I was unaware of this album until about 4 years ago (2018). Seeing that the album was recommended, I listened to part of the album, and the 'Mike Oldfield 'Tubular Bells' Live at the BBC 1973' concert. Apparently I have only heard Part I. The weird grunts and growls in Part II were an unpleasant surprise. The album is worth a listen, but I may not get to Part II again.

I remember that The The was a band that was on the radio at one point in time, but I can't remember what I've heard from them. "Uncertain Smile" is the track that I liked the most, and almost sounded familiar. For me, this band fits in well with groups like the Psychodelic Furs, and Simple Minds. This album was okay. Perhaps a second listen might help me hear more of what was accomplished on this album, but I just don't know if I'll get back to the album again.

Rod Stewart is not a new artist to me. I've heard about half of this album as individual tracks, but never listened to a complete album from Stewart. There are some great instrumental sections and tracks ("Tomorrow is a Long Time", "Henry", "Mandolin Wind", the 'Amazing Grace' portion of "That's All Right"). I was not aware of the talent of Rod Stewart's band, but I still get bogged down by his voice. I think that Stewart's "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?" (not on this album) has permanently ruined hearing Stewart's voice for me.

Oh boy, does this album broadcast 1989, or what? The videos for some of the tracks are a perfect encapsulation of that point in time for popular music. Other than recognizing a time period, I don't have much in common with who this record was written for. I like understanding different cultural perspectives, but this is not music I would choose to listen to. Once was enough.

I've listened to at least a few full albums from Queen in addition to various verions of their greatest hits. I like a lot of Queen's music. This album reminded me more of their work on soundtracks like Flash Gordon or Highlander. The music on Queen II reaches into progressive rock and follows a theme throughout the album. Each track is well suited to the rest of the album. I enjoyed hearing something different from Queen. The driving energy of "Seven Seas of Rhye" made it the track I liked the most. Because the album is different, I could imagine listening again just to see what I missed the first time.

I have probably only heard one or two complete songs from D'Angelo. I don't follow the kinds of entertainment that might include this music. My impression of D'Angelo is that he's more than content to be D'Angelo, but I don't like "I'm so cool" as a theme in any genre of music. Some of the music on thsi album is... okay..., but why would I ever want to listen to the content? I don't want to listen to a guy sing about how much he wants to get physical with the ladies. Bleh.

I remember when this album came out. I don't remember listening to the whole album before, but the singles from this album where everywhere. This album holds a high dose of nostalgia for me, because the singles were so popular. I think in general I like Tears for Fears, but I rarely, if ever decide to listen to them on my own. I have re-listened to them at the suggestion of others. The one exception is their track "Woman in Chains", but that's on a different album. Overall, the album is good, but I'm not sure a full album re-listen is in the future.

I have heard individual tracks from Dolly over the years, but Coat of Many Colors is the first time I've listened to a whole album. The title track was the only song I was familiar with. "Coat of Many Colors" and "The Way I See You" were the tracks that called to my attention as I was listening. Overall I was surpriesed how consistent her voice and songwriting have been over the years. The album is not typical of the music I would listen to, but it was a good album.

The Velvet Underground was a pleasant surprise. "Pale Blue Eyes" was the only track I had heard before, and it might be my favorite song from the band. "What Goes On" is a new favorite from this album. With the other music that I've heard from the Velvet Underground, I am tempted to like it but I don't quite get there. This album didn't hit those same roadblocks, with one exception. "The Murder Mystery" was confusing and noisy, and I'd prefer to skip that track.

This is a new artist and new music for me. Jeru the Demaja has some good beats, and is a talented rapper with some clever rhymes. Unfortunately, I don't want to listen to the content of the tracks. Many of the tracks I did not like, but there was one track that clarified that this whole album gets 1 star.

I don't think I had listened to all of In Utero before. I have listened to at least 2 other Nirvana albums before, and I know 5 of the 12 tracks from this album. From the beginning, I've felt at best ambivalant towards Nirvana. "Dumb" and "All Apologies" are interesting, and have kind of wormed there way in to where I like those tracks. But there are tracks on the album that I do not like. Sometimes it's the screaming and noise of the tracks, other times it's the content of the lyrics. The video for "Heart-Shaped Box" just makes me feel gross. As an album, I did not like In Utero.

Koffi Olomide is a new artist for me. This is a very happy sounding album, with some interesting rhythms throughout the album. I enjoyed listening to somethin new, even if I couldn't sing along. With only one listen, the album falls somewhere between 3 and 4 stars, but I did like it enough that I'd be willing to have a second listen.

I don't remember if I've listened to The Beatles album as a whole before now. There are several tracks that I know I've heard several times before. I enjoyed hearing the early connections to Rock and Roll, before the Beatles really began to expand the genre as they did later in their career. The covers of songs by other musicians are firmly tied to the originals, but they sound like early Beatles tunes. "All My Loving" and "Roll Over Beethoven" were my favorite tracks from this listen. I like that they covered Smokey Robinson's "You Really Got a Hold on Me" too. The Beatles trips up on the general problem I have with this era's approach to love songs. "Little Child" feels creepy as the lyrics seek romance from... a little child. "Hold Me Tight" is another track I'd be tempted to skip. In general, this album is an album of love songs, which helps to keep this album at 3 stars for me. The music is energetic, and the harmonies are fun. I enjoyed listening to the album, but once might be enough for the album as a whole.

I listened to Head Hunters once before because the album came up as a suggestion on YouTube after I listened to some Miles Davis. Herbie Hancock is a different kind of jazz than Davis, but Head Hunters was a good way to expand the music that I have listened to. The album is solid and as a whole I would give it a higher rating than tracks individually. I put two of the four tracks into my personal playlist ("Chameleon", "Vein Melter"), and I would come back to this album for a second listen.

I like LCD sound system. I have reviewed a different album previously for this list, I have listened to this album before and I have listened to at least two other albums outside of this list. My favorite "must listen to" tracks are probably on other albums, but american dream would be easy to come back to for a second listen. "Oh Baby", "Black Screen" and "Tonite" are good examples of the kind of music LCD Sound System makes.

Daydream Nation is the third album I have reviewed for this 1001 album list. There is a previous recomendation from Sonic Youth that I haven't had a chance to review yet. This review is the same as for the previous albums. Some of the music is okay, but it doesn't take long for the band to make enough noise and clatter that I dislike what they have recorded. "Cross the Breeze" starts out okay, but once the vocals come in I'm done. I do not like the vocals from Sonic Youth. "Teen Age Riot" was the one track I thought was okay. Daydream Nation isn't terrible, but I did not like this album.

Death in Vegas is a new band for me. IThere are enough sounds from guitars and drums on The Contino Sessions that it's not obvious that Death in Vegas plays electronic music. This album was a pleasant surprise. "Dirge", "Lever Street" or "Flying would give you a good example of what Death In Vegas does. There was one track, "Aisha", that had some spoken word that I did not enjoy. The track isn't terrible, but I would be tempted to skip the track if I played the album again. Because I enjoyed the album enough to continue listening to the remaining tracks on the extended album, I will round up from 3.5 stars to 4. I could come back to this album for a second listen.

I like the Monkees. I was the right age for when their show had a revival, and I honestly liked the show and their music. I may have only listened to some compilation and greatest hits albums, and I know I've never listened to Headquarters. Three tracks from this album are added to my personal playlist ("You Just May Be the One", "For Pete's Sake" and "Randy Scouse Git"), all of which I've heard before. "You Just May Be the One" is one of my all-time favorite Monkees songs, and for me is an example of what Michael Nesmith had to offer as a songwriter and a performer. Headquarters is an interesting mix of music, considering the history of what it took to get an album that the Monkees could actually record on their own. There is a tinge of country (which I believe is due to Nesmith) and a couple tracks that have some of the experimentation that you might have expected from this album ("Band 6", "Zilch"). Surprisingly there is a track that sounds very much like a Davy Jones (not necessarily a 'we're the Monkees and we're going to record what we want') song ("I Can't Get Her Off My Mind"), and a generic pop track that sounds like a low energy filler on the show ("Forget That Girl"). I liked hearing the whole album, but the final product is uneven in energy and musical styles.

Television is a new band for me and Marquee Moon was all new music. There were portions of this album that reminded me of the Talking Heads, both in the delivery of the vocals and some of the composition of the music. "Venus", "Friction" and "Marquee Moon" were the tracks that I liked most. Overall, I liked the album. I'd be interested in hearing additional music from the band. I didn't dislike any of the tracks, but on a first listen the album I'm not ready to round up to 4 stars.

This album is quite the power house of folk and old-timey musicians. Some of my favorites who appear on this album are Earl Scruggs, Doc Watson, Vassar Clements, Norman Blake, and of course John McEuen from the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (NGDB) itself. I have listened to this album once or twice before, shortly after seeing McEuen live in concert (great show) and close to the time of his return to the NGDB (~2001 or 2002). At the time, I had heard some of the music from NGDB from the 80s, but not their older work or their music that is more closely tied to old-timey music. In addition to classic musicians, this album is full of some classic standards as well. I favor the instrumental tracks in general, but it's not like I don't like the tracks with vocals. For example, I'm ready to hear Doc Watson sing any time he likes (I've seen him in concert too). "Tennessee Stud", "Cannonball Rag", "Earl's Breakdown", "Orange Blossom Special", "Flint Hill Special", "I am a Pilgrim", "Soldiers Joy" and several others are competing as favorites. (It doesn't help when there are so many tracks on the album.) With such a long album it can be harder to listen to the whole thing at once, but I imagine myself re-visiting this album to soak up some of this cultural experience again.

Yes I've heard of John Coltrane, and I've heard of A Love Supreme. I don't know if I've ever heard anything by Coltrane before. I know people really admire and love this album, but I don't understand Jazz well enough to hear what others hear. The album was okay, but didn't spark my curiosity.

I don't think I heard Haircut 100 much on the radio at the time when they were releasing new music, but I am very familiar with the first two tracks on Pelican West Plus. "Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl)" and "Love Plus One" occasionally pop up in my personal play list. Haircut 100 has elements hinting at the upcoming Brit-pop that will come in the late 80s and early 90s. There are songs that remind me a little of the Squeeze, one of their contemporaries and a band that I like. The everpresent saxophone reminds you that this band and this music is from the 80s. "Baked Bean" and "Fantastic Day" were the new individual tracks that I might come back to. Overall the album was good enough. I'm not sure if I would listen to the whole album again.

I've heard plenty of songs from the Beach Boys and a couple of full albums from the band, but "Surf's Up" was all new music to me. This album is interesting because of how much of the song writing and the lead vocals are spread out among the members of the band. The content of this album is documenting something that was going on in the US and the world at the time. There are discussions of environmentalism, and political activism. It would have been interesting to listen to the album in context. Althoug Surf's Up does not have what I would have thought was the typical subject matter for the Beach Boys, the songs still have an intreguing application of Beach Boys musical arragnements. "Don't Go Near the Water" and "Long Promised Road" have such happy sounding music for serious subject matter. There were tracks that I can only describe as weird: "Take a Load Off Your Feet" (which contains an odd collection of lyrics about feet), and "A Day in the Life of a Tree". "Disney Girls (1957)" made me feel like there is so much that I don't understand about the Beach Boys. "Student Demonstration Time" feels like a practice run at the blues, but not really the blues. I didn't hate this album, and I didn't NOT like it, but I'm not sure if I liked it. The album is interesting and was an unexpected experience from the Beach Boys. The album was worth a listen just for the novelty of the experience.

2112 is an album I own (on cassette of all things), and I've listened to Rush many times. I have heard all of Rush's albums, except for perhaps the last 2 or 3, and 2112 is a favorite. This album is progressive rock, but a hard rock version of prog rock. Headphones make the listening experience better. I love the opening sounds, followed by the blast to the foundations of what you're listening to from the guitar and drums. The opening movement ("Overture") resolves with an explosion followed by quiet guitar and vocals. All of side A is full of these contrasts between blasting energy and quiet reflection. There are times when you have to concentrate to hear where the guitar and bass separate. Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee give you plenty of music to listen to, and Niel Peart is not shy to show you what he can do with his drums. Above all the music, Geddy Lee's vocals on this album are in their most iconic form. Lee adds to the contrast between energy and reflection, using more than one voice to tell the story. Both voices are iconically Lee’s. Side A ("2112") is a progressive rock classic, and gets a full 5 stars from me. I've listened to Side A more often than I have the whole album together. Side B is good, but I would only give it 4 stars on its own. I will still give this album 5 stars, because it won't be long before I listen to this whole album again.

I've heard the name of Teenage Fanclub before, but I can't remember hearing any of their music. Bandwagonesque could be described as a power pop album. Various tracks reminded me of Weezer, the Eels, Sonic Youth, and above all the Replacements. There was definitely an early 90s feel to the album. "December", "I Don't Know", and "Is This Music?" were the tracks that I liked the most. The album was fine, but I'm not sure if I'll remember having heard it later on.

Veckatimest is the first full album I've listened to from Grizzly Bear. I've heard the track "Two Weeks" before, and I think I have a track or two from an earlier Grizzly Bear album on a personal play list. Grizzly Bear fits in well with some of the indie bands from the early 2000's that I like. In some cases, I hear a sound that reminds me of Fleet Foxes. I saved "Two Weeks", "Ready, Able", "About Face", and "Foreground" to my re-play playlist. The calm mood of the album hides some of the potential of this album. I liked all of the tracks enough, so I'm rounding up to a full 4 stars.

Modern Life is Rubbish is the second album that I have reviewed for Blur for this list, and I've listened to many singles from the band. I generally like Blur and their front man, Damon Albarn. This album was fine. Other than "Turn It Up", the rest of the album was new to me. "Turn It Up" and "Coping" were the two tracks I enjoyed the most. A couple tracks on the album got a "meh" reaction from me, and the rest were "good". This album lands solidly on 3.5 stars, but I'm not sure whether I should round up or down. I'm not sure what would call me back for a second listen.

Microshift was new music and Hookworms is a new band for me. About half of the tracks on this album were 3.5 or more stars. At various points within the album I was reminded of the Postal Service, Vampire Weekend, and Passion Pit. Overall I liked the album. I saved "Ullswater", "Opener", and "Shortcomings" for a replay. I would listen to additional music from the band. The opening track ("Negative Space") takes a bit to settle in, and "Boxing Day" was tempting me to skip it. After only one listen, I'm not ready to round up to a full 4 stars.

Goldie was a new band for me, and Timeless was new music. The opening track reminded me of some of the soundtrack for the Power Puff Girls, but the rest of the listening experience dropped off after that. The album felt long. I did not enjoy many of the vocals, and the electronic music was repetitive enough that I had a hard time distinguishing between the tracks on the album. This album was not for me.

My first reaction to seeing another PJ Harvey album from this list left me asking '¿How much PJ Harvey will I have to listen too?' (see similar comments for Leonard Cohen and David Bowie). Harvey is an artist that I know others like, but I've never quite caught on to. This album was better than I had expected. I saved "Written on the Forehead" and "In Dark Places" for my personal playlist to come back to later. The guest vocalists on "The Colour of the Earth" reminded me of the Pogues, and Billy Bragg. Overall the album was okay, but I'm still not sure if I get Harvey.

I've heard many individual tracks from Willie Nelson, but I'm not sure if I've heard a whole album. "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain" was the only song that I'm sure I've heard before. This album seems like a good representation of Nelson's talent. Red Headed Stranger is country music, including some country swing, but not pop country music. The album has an interesting format with many shorter tracks that flow together. I enjoyed the instrumental tracks in particular, but I was content to listen to Nelson's iconic voice as well. I saved "Just As I Am" for a re-listen. I also liked the last three tracks ("I Can't Help It (If I'm Still in Love with You)", "A Maiden's Prayer", "Bonaparte's Retreat") in particular. I'd come back for a second listen to the whole album.

I have only heard clips of some tracks from B.I.G. before listening to this album. I have listened to very little rap overall. From this album, the primary characteristic that I hear from each track is vulgarity. Then there are all of the references to guns and violence. I can't hear past the language being used.

I've heard the studio recordings for at least half of the tracks on this album. For a live album, the recordings are done well. This album feels a lot like the track "Smoke on the Water". Yes, it's a rock album. Yes, there are talented musicians making interesting music. Yes, I've heard this enough that I don't really want to come back again. I did NOT like "Child in Time" - too much wailing. "The Mule" and other instrumental portions of the album were interesting. The band did well with extended versions of their songs. "Child in Time" is enough to sink the album below the possiblity of rounding up to a full 3 stars.

I have not listened to much from Missy Elliot, but there were at least a couple of tracks from Under Construction that I've heard before. The listening experience for me was a combiniation of okay, good or even great beats, combined with lyrics ranging from unfortunate to terrible. I could not listen to this again, and I can't recommend the album to anyone.

There are tracks that I like from Kate Bush and have listened to many times. I previously reviewed Hounds of Love for this list. All of the tracks from The Dreaming were new to me. I respect Bush's talent, and I wish I could have heard more of her music in context with the time it came out. I know she was making music in ways that stretched some boundaries. There were strange sounds in "Suspended in Gaffa" that reminded me of Hamster Dance. Bush did a strange low voice on "Houdini" that distracted from the rest of the track. The donkey noises on "Get Out of My House" was a poor way to end the album, leaving this review below 3 stars.

When Hot Rats by Frank Zappa appeared as the recommendation I thought, "Oh boy, this is going to be a doozy." I know of Zappa, and have heard clips of various tracks. The only songs that I have heard all the way through are "Valley Girl" and "Don't Eat the Yellow Snow", neither of which have made me want to listen to more Zappa. I know that many people list Zappa as an influence or admire his unconventional approach to music, but I have not heard enough to appreciate that point of view. Hot Rats was a good surprise. I may have heard a portion of "Peaches en Regalia" before, and I liked listening to the full track. My two favorite tracks were "Son of Mr. Green Genes" and "Little Umbrellas". Even though "Little Umbrellas" was relatively short, those two favorites had an interesting progressive rock feel. Other tracks on the album (e.g. "The Gumbo Variations", "It Must Be a Camel"), didn't just have a prog-rock sound. More specifically, they reminded me of King Crimson during the 80s. I'm not an immediate fan of every part of the album. For example, there were these repetitive violon squawks in "The Gumbo Variations" that detracted a little from the listen. But after my first full listen to the album, I'm curious about a second listen to find out what else I might hear. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

I have listened to In The Court of the Crimson King more than once, and at least one or two other full albums from King Crimson as I have tried to get a handle on their music. "21st Century Schizoid Man" is a track that I will probably always come back to just because that track was part of my expanding intake of progressive rock early on. The whole track offers a varied landscape of sound as you might expect from progressive rock. Greg Lake's voice is a great contribution to this iteration of King Crimson. I sometimes wonder what it would have been like to hear Lake and Bill Bruford in King Crimson at the same time. "The Court of the Crimson King" is my 2nd favorite track from this album. The album as a whole is good, but I have less of an affinity towards the middle of the album. Moonchild" is the track that I enjoyed the least. I like the second half of "Moonchild", but the first half reminds me that I frequently don't understand what Robert Fripp is trying to get at. Rounding up to 4 stars.

Aqualung is probably the first full album I heard from Jethro Tull which was not a compliation album. Aqualung is a good representation of how I feel about Jethro Tull's music in general. I have heard a lot, and there are many elements that I enjoy, I'm just not sure what to do with the music any more. It's interesting how melodic the music and Ian Anderson's voice can be ("Cheap Day Return", "Wond'ring Aloud"). Then there are tracks that seem to fit right in with some of the hard rock of its time ("My God", "Cross-Eyed Mary"). While the flutes in "Mother Goose" makes me think of something from a renaissance fair. Ever since my first listen, I've listened to Aqualung several times trying to figure out why the album just leaves me feeling a little creeped out. Although the music is interesting and has definite hooks and interesting elements, the lyrics have been a barrier to keeping many tracks from Jethro Tull (e.g. "Locomotive Breath") in the rotation of what I currently listen to.

I don't know what to do with Randy Newman's music. Yes, I like his work with the Toy Story music for Pixar. I have a hard time not hearing the parodies of Newman when I hear him perform on his own. Sail Away left me feeling many of the same things as the previous album I reviewed from Newman. The one track I knew from Sail Away is my all time least favorite song from Newman, and I will drop this album to 2 stars for that track alone. I don't think I want to hear anyone trying to flirt that way in a song. Ick!

My opinion of Def Leppard's music is the same as my opinion about their mullets and their bleached and shredded jeans. I paused for a curious moment, but it never caught on with me. All these years later, both the hairstyle and the music feel pretty silly to me. There are moments in the music where I could almost get pulled in, and then it is clear that the track playing is another iteration of Def Leppard's version of a 'hey ladies' kind of song. I don't like that topic from any band. When the album came out it was everywhere, which helped to further ruin my opinion. I remember in high school, for our early morning workouts they finally had to put down the rule and say that this album could no longer be played - other people needed a chance for something different. Superficially, I might be tempted to give this 3 stars ("I guess this is okay"), but "Pour Some Sugar on Me" (may I NEVER have to hear this song again) guarantees nothing better than 2 stars.

Radiohead started getting airplay at a point in time when I had a bit of a pop-culture hiccup as far as what new music I was being exposed too. It took me a long time to warm up to Radiohead. There are tracks that I don't like, and tracks that I like very much. Kid A successfully overcomes my reluctance to listen to the band. "Everything in Its Right Place" and "Idioteque" are the tracks that are closest to me marking for a re-listen, but the album as a whole does not have any tracks that turn me away from listening. I could come back to this album to hear what I've missed. Radiohead provides a combination of not-quite-rock / not-quite-indie / not-quite-electronic music that could be background or foreground music, depending on your preference for the moment. I'll probalby come back to this one.

I own this album, and I have listened to Joshua Tree so many times. It's been a couple of years since I've listened to the whole thing, but I'll probably be back. Joshua Tree is the album that confirmed my fandom of U2 and one of the first albums I thought of when I would talk with friends about albums that you don't have to skip any tracks. The album even opens with great opening sounds and a great opening track. The Edge creates some of his most iconic guitar sounds on this album, and all four members give a great representation of what they can contribute to music on this album. A couple tracks will get less play from me because of how they've soaked into pop culture. "Bullet the Blue Sky", and "Exit" are good, but not favorites. "Running to Stand Still" and "One Tree Hill" are non-single tracks that have my recommendation.

Stereolab is a new band for me, and all of the music on Emperor Tomato Ketchup was new too. There is also something familiar about this album. I'm not sure what music I was being reminded of. I thought that the album was good enough for a single listen. There were a couple of tracks that were 80% good, but the other 20% of the track was noisy end chaotic enough that I was ready for the track to be over. "Metronomic Underground", "Les Yper-Sound", and "Anonymous Collective" were thetracks that got my highest rating individually.

This recommendation almost isn't fair... a FULL double album. OutKast are talented and Speakerboxxx/The Love Below is an ambitious and impressive production. There is some interesting music on this album, but as a whole I did not enjoy listening to the album. The lyrics (words and general content) are not for me.

I am unfamiliar with SZA and her music. Ctrl is not for me. The music did not reach out and catch my attention, and the content of the lyrics is definitely not for me. This album is a 2. Perhaps if I had listened more closely to the lyrics, it would have been a 1.

I am only somewhat familiar with the Sugarcubes. I know I've heard a track or two from the band, but even after looking through a list of their singles I'm not sure what I have heard. I enjoyed listening to Life's Too Good, and it was good to hear early Bjork. The band has a respectibly defined character, particularly with a debut album. "Traitor" and "Birthday" got my highest ratings, but "Sick for Toys" (it was TOO weird for me) and "Take Some Petrol Darling" anchor this album below 4 stars.

I know the name of the band, but everything on Lost in the Dream seemed like new music to me. I would be surprised if I haven't heard anything from the War On Drugs before, because this was an easy album to listen to. The music might be Indie, with hints towards Americana. If you like Fleet Foxes, you might like this. There were no bad tracks. I would listen to this album again.

Autobahn was all new music for me, but I was happy to see Kraftwerk come up as this day's reocommendation. I think I have a soft spot for Kraftwerk. I enjoyed listening to the album. Some of the tracks feel a little more experimental, with some portions of the track feeling less "musical" than others. I never felt like skipping anything. I'd give this album a second listen.

"Lost Cause", one of my all-time favorite songs from Beck, is on this album. I have listened to Sea Change before and several of the songs from the album more than once. One of my big music regrets was not taking time to see Beck when he toured for this album along with the Flaming Lips (who were touring for their album Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots). This is a mellow album with a calm energy. As such, the album does not frequently come to mind when I'm looking for something to listen to. At the same time, if anyone were to suggest that I listen to this album, I would easily listen to the whole thing again.

I have never heard of Shack before, and all of the music on HMS Fable was new to me. The album sounds like it could be grouped with some of the music I would have been listening to in the 90s. I didn't want to skip any tracks, but I didn't have any stand out tracks that I saved for my personal playlist either. This album comes in at exactly 3.5 stars. I'm not sure that I will think of listening to this album again, but I guess I will round up to 4 stars.

I've heard all of Siamese Dream because someone else has put this album on to listen to. I've listened to several songs from this album and from TheSmashing Pumpkins in general. "Today" and "Disarm" are two tracks from this album that jump back into my personal rotation every now and then. Overall, the album feels like a strong 4 stars. No tracks felt like I should skip them, and some of the tracks are marked for replay.

I've never heard of Tortoise before and Millions Now Living Will Never Die is all new music to me. The opening track "Djed" started off with sounds that reminded me of Pink Floyd, but as the track moved on I was reminded of some of Wilco's work. "Djed" was the longest track, shifting through a few movements, and my favorite track. Non of the tracks had vocals. The music was acoustic, but it sounded like it was put together with an electronic sensibility. I liked the album enough to listen to the bonus tracks from the Japenese edition. I could come back for a second listen.

I've never heard of Red Snapper before. The album is a fix of funk and groove on aucoustic instruments, but from a perspective of electronic music. Most of the album was okay. One track I would skip every time, dropping this album from 3 to 2 stars. The track that I would skip makes me worried that I missed other things in the lyrics on the rest of the album. I won't recommend this album to anyone.

I remember seeing the video for 1999 back in the day, and it was so obvious that there is something different about Prince. I am familiar with the first three tracks from this album, but the rest was new music to me. "1999" and "Little Red Corvette" are okay. "Delirious" sounds so 80s, with electronic sounding drums, and keyboards. The rest of the album I would skip. The music doesn't draw me in, and I don't want to hear what Prince is singing about.

Ten by Pearl Jam was everywhere the year that it came out. I remember seeing copies of this album in so many college dorm rooms. I never quite got hooked in by the album back then. I think I have tried to listen to this album before. I've heard a few of the songs many times, and they fit into my list of tracks that I'd listen to again ("Even Flow", "Alive", "Black", "Jeremy"). I think that these tracks are on my re-listen list in part because of nostalgia's sake. After listening to this album again, the music as a whole doesn't hold my attention for each track. I think I like Pearl Jam. I have a lot of respect for their work, but I don't imagine playing this whole album again by my own choice.

I have heard some of Aretha Franklin, but "Respect" was the only track on I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love you. "Respect", "Good Times", and "A Change is Gonna Come" were my favorite tracks. Aretha does a good cover of "A Change is Gonna Come", easily making it her own. I enjoyed listening to this album. I wouldn't skip a single track on this album, and I think I could grow to like the album even more.

I was happy to see the Pogues come up in my list. I've heard several songs, and listened to a previous album from them on this album. Rum Sodomy & The Lash was new music to me, except for some minor exceptions with the cover of "Waltzing Matilda". I like the celtic instruments, music and vocals from the band. I liked this album enough to listen to the extended version. "Navigator", "The Gentleman Soldier", "A Pistol for Paddy Garcia", and "Planxty Noel Hill" were the tracks I liked the most. Two of those are instrumentals, and they are favorites because of the celtic instrumentation. I know a heard a word or two I couldn't recommend, but the irish accents soften the sound. I might make my way back to this album again.

Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots is the one full album I have listened to from The Flaming Lips, but I have heard several other tracks from this band. This album came out at the right time for me, so I have come back for a re-listen now and then. In large part because of this album, I am willing to listen to any suggested track from The Flaming Lips. "Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, Pt. 1" is a track that I regularly listen to - probably a couple of times a year. There are portions of that track where the ear worm comes back into my head, and I need to play the whole thing to satisfy my brain. "Ego Tripping at the Gates of Hell' and "Do You Realize?" are tracks that I have placed in my personal playlist. This album comes in at a solid 4 stars - perhaps only one or two tracks dipped towards 3 stars. Over time I could see myself growing to like the album as a whole more and more, pushing this album towards a full 5 stars.

I did not like Eminem when I had heard a track or two. I tried to listen to this album, but it got to the point where listening to another track wasn't going to change my opinion. The tracks sound too similar musically. Content is what sinks this album. The lyrics sound like they come frm a junior high boy who has never been told "no", and thinks that he is so clever. This album is terrible.

¿Was it as bad as I thought it would be? No. ¿Did I like it? No. There are so many people in the band, but I've heard other bands create more sound with a lot less. I don't know when I would listen to something like this again by my own choice. If I had to listen again, the rating might go down. For now, 2 stars.

I know the singles from this album. I know plenty of people who like Bon Jovi, and Slippery When Wet has a special place in their hearts. After all of these years, I still can't decide why you would listen to Bon Jovi. It's not like I got a rash from listening, but I didn't find any tracks that tempted me to listen again. ¿Is the band playing rock-star, or is this the type of music you put out because you're a rock star? Tough guy love songs. No thanks.

The Songs the Lord Taught Us frequently felt like a mix of The B-52s and The Stray Cats, and something from Iggy Pop. Perhaps on a different week, this album might get 3 stars, but I kept looking to see how long before the album was over. The Cramps are a new band for me and the album was new music. I never felt like the album made it to a full "okay".

I listened to Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo for the first time in the last year and a half. I wanted to see what else was on the album with "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" and "Jocko Homo". In general I like the mix of electronic, new wave, and punk that is Devo. There are several tracks from the band that I will always be willing to listen to, and some that I will play again just because the song scratches a particular itch. "Space Junk", "Gut Feeling" and "Mongloid" were new tracks to me that I added to my personal playlist. Rating this album is a little strange because based on my individual track ratings this album gets 3 stars, but I would have to admit that I might just listen to the album again to have a full Devo experience.

I had a HARD time getting through this album. I have heard at least one song from Everything But the Girl - one of their singles from the 90s. I'm feeling less generous these days. It's harder to say that something is "okay". The tracks on Idlewild were uniform, and had too much of an "easy listening" style, getting into muzak territory. I don't know why this album is on the list. The sound was very late 80s. I would be very surprised if they were not playing an electronic keyboard trying to sound like a piano. Plus there was saxophone. I was bored.

In general I like Sleater-Kinney. I've heard a variety of songs from the band, and I think I listened to a full album of a recent release in the last couple of years. The tracks on Dig Me Out seemed new to me. I have a soft spot for this band because of a track or two that I will always listen to, and because of what I think the band is trying to add to the music scene. I will accept any invitation to listen to more material from this band. With that in mind, I think that you need to be somewhat rested in order to take in a Sleater-Kinney record. They have some great, well-constructed music, but it's screamy at the same time. There is a chance that this record could grow on me, but with a first listen I'm rounding up to get to the 4 stars. I may not remember on my own to come back to this album, but it might slip in for a replay because I never get too far away from the circles that include this band.

I've listened to a couple different "Best of..." compilations from Jimi Hendrix, in addition to a couple of other full albums, including one for this list. Only two of the tracks from Axis: Bold As Love seemed familiar to me, and both of them are on my list of songs that I would chose to listen to again. I like almost anyone's version of "Little Wing", and "Castles Made of Sand" catches me with the music as well as the lyrics. The lyrics in "Castles Made of Sand" seem to always get me to sit and try to follow along with the images being described. "She's So Fine" was the surprise new addition to my personal playlist. The drums and backing vocals had hooks that drew me in. "She's So Fine" emphasises the quality of the rest of the band backing up Hendrix. Hearing Noel Redding take the lead was a present surprise. This album is solid and easily replayable.

Linkin Park is a band that I have chosen not to listen to. I think I have known people who listen to Linkin Park, but we didn't talk about it. I couldn't have told you much about Linkin Parks music prior to this, but within the first couple of tracks I know why I chose not to listen to LP. This music is not for me. The combination of grinding guitars, record scratches, and shouted, growling vocals is not what I would choose to listen to.

Tonight's the Night was new music for me, even though I have heard many tracks from Neil Young. I own Young's albums Harvest and Harvest Moon, both of which are at least 4 stars or more. This album was okay, but nothing stood out to me in particular. I'm not sure what the history is behind this album which may have earned the album a spot on this list. My favorite track was probably the title track, but I didn't save any of the tracks to my personal play list. I'm not sure that I would remember to come back to give this album a second listen.

It's possible that I've heard music from Mylo before, but I can't say for sure. Destroy Rock & Roll was all new music for me. Sometimes I listen to some generic synthwave music to play as background noise to get me through the work day. This album felt very synthwave, and relatively generic. Most of the album was okay, but around the title track my individual track ratings were dipping in to the 2 star range. I did mark the opening and closing tracks ("Valley of the Dolls" and "Emotion 98.6") as tracks to come back to. I'll let the start and end keep the album afloat in the 3 star range (after rounding).

Crossing the Red Sea With the Adverts is new music and a new band for me. ThereThe Adverts are a new band to me and new music. For me, the music felt like it pointed towards punk and maybe a little ska. There were even a track or two that got me think of progressive rock - I can't say why for sure but I was thinking of some of King Crimson's work into the early 80s with a track or two. Midway through the album, the music was feeling less new. My first listen was okay.

Back when Michael Jackson released Bad and other albums before and after Bad, I wasn't sure what to think about Jackson. There are a lot of things I still don't understand about Jackson. There's some baggage that comes with Jackson, mixed in with a lot of cultural impact. This album is a pop-culture anchor. I knew and have seen the videos for all but three of the tracks off of this album before listening to the album as a whole. Even though I have heard several of these tracks multiple times, I must not have been listening too carefully. It took me a few years to realize that "toh tega nya-nya" = "Dirty Diana". I don't know what to think about Jackson and his music. I can't take seriously Jackson's bragging or hitting on the ladies in his lyrics. This album is full of his trademark "hee hee"s (e.g. "another pawt-uh me, hee hee hee"). And as I listened to this album, I kept wondering if there going to be any Weird Al on this list of recommended albums. Yes there are some tracks that I would and probably will listen to again. Scoring individual tracks, the album averages 3 stars, but there are three tracks in the middle that sink this album: "Speed Demon" (¿what's up with all of the "chop/chirp" in this track"?), "Liberian Girl" (please don't make me listen to this track again), "Just Good Friends" (a full dose of "hee hee"s, enough for the album alone). These three middle tracks feel so goofy and weird that I don't see myself listening to the whole album ever again. "chop" "chirp"? no doubt that I wouldn't listen to this track again "ah. ah., hee hee" "another pawt-uh me, hee hee hee" I forgot about this one "toh tega nya-nya" don't even want to put down what lyrics I didn't understand do I know this one

I find my generousity waning the further I get in to this list. When music from Pet Shop Boys was new, I wasn't sure what to do with it. After listening to a second full album, Behaviour has me convinced that I don't need to listen to an Pet Shop Boys. I knew three of the songs off of this album. "So Hard" is the one track that verges on a potential re-listen, but there are also tracks that I for sure do not want to hear again ("Only the Wind", "My October Sympohony"). By that point in the alubm I felt like I had had enough of Pet Shop Boys' odd electronic synth symphony backing music and hushed semi-spoken lyrics. In the past, I would have rounded up saying "I guess I got through it". Today I am rounding down, admitting that I was done with the album before the album was done playing.

Never heard of They Pharcyde before. Two tracks in I knew this album wasn't for me. Shortly after that, I knew that I didn't have to finish listening to this album in order to give a complete review. Nope. Please give me my time back.

I am trying to decide how much time to spend on this review. I don't want to be overly picky about what I listend to. ...Baby One More Time is the first full album I've listened to from Britney Spears, even though I have heard several songs. My shortest review is that the best tracks got an "okay" from me, but more of the tracks got a "no thanks". Too many songs with lyrics about a life changing love... from a teenager. The album felt very crafted, but it was hard to not see the album as a collection of tracks hoping to make it's mark in pop-culture. Spears was successful with an entry into pop-culture, but the music feels weak.

I'm surprised that I liked this album as much as I did. Usually Rod Stewart's voice is so closely tied to some of his solo work that I have heard too many times, that it's hard for me to enjoy his other music. (See the Jeff Beck recommendation early on in this list). I had only heard one track ("Stay with Me") from this album before. I liked the mix of guitar and keyboards from the first track on this album. "Debris" was the individual track that I rated the highest. The last track of the album was the only one that I might skip. The album is easily a 3, but doesn't quit have enough to round up to a full 4 stars. ,

Venom is a new band and everything on Black Metal was new to me. Technically, there are probably differences between each of the tracks, but the whole album seemed to blend together into one big mess. I think that the album mostly reminded me of the background music and sound effects for the video game DOOM, which is survivable but not endearing. There are albums I have disliked more than this one, but it didn't even come close to getting a like from me.

Writing this review feels a bit like listening to this album... let's just get this over with. In general, I don't like Nick Cave's music. This album comes in at a solid 2.5 stars. Much of the music was okay and would have been good material to play at work to drown out the noise around me without distracting me from my job. The often spoken lyrics are a drag, and I don't know what Cave is trying to get at. The album was consistent, but I don't know why Cave would make a whole album of this. I thought about rounding up to three stars, but when it comes down to it my recommendation to others would be to skip this album. There's so much other stuff out there, why waste time with mediocrity?

There were several tracks from White Blood Cells that I've heard before, but I don't think I've heard this album all the way through before. My all-time favorite track from the White Stripes is on this album ("We're Going to Be Friends"), even though the track is not typical from the band. "Hotel Yorba", "Fell in Love with a Girl", "Little Room", and "I Can't Wait" are tracks that I would easily play again. I like the White Stripes, but I think that the noisy, crashing energy that is the White Stripes is what makes me consume their music in smaller doses.

I have never listened to anything from Kendrick Lamar before. I know he's famous and admired, but I don't have time for the content of his work. No thanks.

I like Emerson, Lake & Palmer. I have listened to a few of their albums, and regularly return to some of their tracks. This was my first time hearing Pictures At An Exhibition. "Nut Rocker" and the "Promenade" tracks are the only tracks that felt familiar to me. I settled in quickly hearing Greg Lake's vocals in the Promendade tracks. "The Old Castle" had the mix of keyboards and drums that you would expect from ELP. As "The Old Castle" shifted into "Blues Variation", Keith Emerson was up to full power. For a live album, the production was clean and easy to listen to. There weren't any stand-out tracks for me, but this album feels more consistent than some of ELP's studio records (e.g. Tarkus). I am doing a little extra rounding up, but I could come back to this record on a different day.

Call of the Valley was new to me, and I don't remember ever hearing of the artist Shivkumar Sharma before. I generally like instrumentals, and songs that extend longer than "typical" playing times. This album is completely composed of tracks that have both traits. The music sounds like it is from India, but this is an opinion from someone largely ignorant of that region's musical history. A few elements reminded me of Dead Can Dance, who liberally borrow musical elements from around the world. I liked the album enough to listen to an additional 30 minutes of bonus tracks from the remastered album.

I have listened to other work from Eric Clapton and various bands he has played in. Most of 461 Ocean Boulevard was new to me. Clapton includes some elements of Southern Rock, blues, and even a little nod to the hippie era ("Let it Grow") on this album. There are some songs that I could skip because the music (like Clapton) have taken on extra baggage over ther years (e.g. "Willie and the Hand Jive", "I Shot the Sheriff"). Some of that baggage is just me being too familiar with the music from other sources. I didn't dislike any tracks and I marked several tracks for the personal playlist ("Motherless Children", "Steady Rollin' Man", "I Can't Hold Out", "Mainline Florida" and "Let it Grow"). Overall, this album acheives an "okay".

Another Velvet Underground album checked off, and I'm still not sure what to do with them. I didn't get much out of White Light / White Heat. The first track has on old 1950's rock and roll sound to start, before it transitions in to noise. Noise is a common feature to ¿all? of the tracks on this album. Between the noise and lyric content (including frequently spoken lyrics), I did not like this album.

DJ Shadow and all of the tracks on Endtroducing were new to me. I generally liked to groove of most of the tracks. I marked "Changeling" as my favorite, but I think the album could grow on me. I'd be interested in hearing more from the artist. The shorter tracks which were about a minute long, with more spoken word samples, felt like tracks that I would want to skip on a second listen.

There are tracks that I really like from Bjork. On my first listen of Vespertine, I liked what I heard, but didn't bookmark anything to my personal playlist. I also didn't find anything that I was wanting to skip. This album has room to grow on me. The album was good (3 stars)

I know two tracks from Ministry. One is "(Every Day Is) Halloween" from an earlier era in the band's development. The other track I am familiar with is "Jesus Built My Hotrod" from this album: KE*A*H** (Psalm 69), which is well into the thrash metal version of the band. This album feels like an influence on Rob Zombie, with a bit of Metalica thrown in here and there. These bands, metal and psychobilly are not what I would choose to listen to. A solid 2, but probably a 1 if I had to listen to the whole album again.

The name of the band was the only thing familiar to me before listening to The Flying Burrito Brothers' The Gilded Palace of Sin. In general I liked the album. The music was not country, but had a mix of country, folk, or southern rock. There were times wehn the vocals reminded me of the Flaming Lips, and some of the arrangements reminded me of the Milk Carton Kids. I'm a fan of both of those bands. A full album of songs about "love done wrong" is a bit much for me, so I am not rounding up to 4 stars. I would be interested in hearing more from the band.

I like the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, but I haven't listened to a whole lot of their music. I believe I have listened to It's Blitz! before, but probably only once. I was suprised that the recommended album from Yeah Yeah Yeahs doesn't include "Maps". "Hysteric" was the happy surprise from this album, but familiar tracks "Zero", "Heads Will Roll" and "Skeletons" are tracks that I have in my personal playlist too. I will listen to more from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

I took a while to warm up to the album Elephant, much like I did with the band. The White Stripes is not an every day listen for me, but I was happy to see this album come up as a recommendation. I've listened to this album at least once before. "Seven Nation Army" is in my 'definitely re-play' list, and several other tracks ("There's No Home for You Here", "You've Got Her in Your Pocket", "Ball and Biscuit", "The Hardest Button to Button") are tracks that I will probably listen to again. This album is an odd mix of hard, grinding rock and quiet folk-leaning tunes. I can accept the changes in pace. I'd listen to this album again.

I have listened to Out of the Blue by Electric Light Orchestra at least once before. I generally like Jeff Lynne as a song writer. The music of ELO (and Lynne) has a sort of joyful melancholy. For a double album, this is a strong showing. There weren't any tracks that I wanted to skip. "Turn to Stone" and "Mr. Blue Sky" are a couple tracks that I already added to my personal play list. "Steppin' Out", "Big Wheels", and "Summer and Lightning" caught my attention this time through. I might come back to listen to the whole album again.

The Suburbs is the second album recommendation from Arcade Fire in this list. I'm still not to the point where I feel like there is an Arcade Fire sized hole that needs filling, but I enjoyed this album. I liked every track, which is impressive for a 16 track album. My favorites were "City with No Children", "Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)", "Suburban War", and "The Suburbs". I could easily come back to this album to see what else I might discover on a second listen.

There is potential for Elbow to be an artist / band that I would listen to. Nothing from The Seldom Seen Kid seemed familiar to me. I was trying to figure out how to categorize this album. I heard a little Coldplay?, a less acoustic David Gray?, a bit of a less electronic LCD soundsystem?, or a more melodic Tom Waits? The album was good, and I'd be interested in hearing mor from Elbow. "Weather to Fly", "One Day Like This", and "The Loneliness of a Tower Crane Driver" were my favorite tracks.

I've had enough Kid Rock to last me for the rest of my life. I've never been a fan of "I'm so cool" lyrics, but some of the music is okay. I can't enjoy the music for more than a few seconds without getting dragged down by the lyrics. What would have happened if he had never met Kid Rock? What would he have written about? Devil Without a Cause is a full album of a rich kid playing dress-ups. There are very few lyrics that aren't centered on telling us how cool he is. The characteristics that he describes to try and portay that "coolness" are baffling.

I became acquainted with Chicago the version of the band (in the 1980s) that I am most likely to not listen to. This earlier work with it's progressive rock tendencies is more likely to capture my attention. I've never listened to the whole Chicago Transit Authority album before, but I was familiar with 4 or 5 tracks. There is an ambition to this record, and I think Chicago achieves some worthwhile music with most of the tracks. "Free Form Guitar" and some occasional noise on the other tracks might keep me from relistening to the whole album again.

I've heard of the name of the band Queens of the Stone Age, but the album was completely new to me. I did not enjoy this album. I'm not even curious to other music from this band.

I'm sure I've listened to Led Zeppelin IV all the way though once or twice just to know what else comes with "Stairway to Heaven", which is the first song I can ever remember hearing from Led Zeppelin. I think I enjoyed listening to Led Zeppelin more in the past, but my appreciation for John Bonham and John Paul Jones has only increased over the years. "Going to California" with the mandolin and a great representation of Robert Plant's vocal skills is probably my favorite track on this album. The additional female vocals make "The Battle of Evermore" my second favorite. The album is good. I'm not eager to get back to it, but I wouldn't be surprised if I do - just becasue this album carries so much weight in the world of Rock.

I think that this album is the first time I've heard a whole track from Megadeth. I was aware of the band, and could tell you that Dave Mustaine is in that band, but that's about it. I did not enjoy Peace Sells...But Who's Buying. I don't understand lots of Heavy Metal, lyrically or musically.

My favorite Yeah Yeah Yeahs song is on Fever to Tell. I like the band and have listened to tracks from various albums. I've listened to this album at least once before, but haven't been back for a re-listen for 10 years or more. There are tracks with a little too much scream and scratch in the vocals, and some lyrics that I couldn't recommend to all listeners. I will keep looking forward to new releases from the band, and but this album may not get a full re-play from me in the future.

Planet Rock: The Album was an enjoyable surprise. Afrika Bambaataa is a band name that I barely recognized as a band name and that was the extent of my familiarity with their music. This album has an 80s, earl rap sound. Some tracks reminded me of Run DMC's Rasing Hell, which came out about 6 months earlier. The album was good enough for a listen, and I'm curious about other music from the band. I'm just not sure if I'll be drawn back to take another listen.

I have listened to Emergency On Planet Earth at least once before, to see what other music Jamiroquai has made besides the track "Virtual Insanity" (which is not on this album). In general, I like Jamiroquai. I'm not sure how to classify his music - it's got some funk to it, but I don't know enough about Funk and related genres to know how to describe this music. I liked the didgeridoo on various tracks ("Diggin' Out" was my highest rated individual track"). I'm willing to hear more from Jamiroquai, but this time through the album wasn't enough to round up to 4 stars.

I had heard three tracks from The Score, and I have heard some solo music from two of the Fugees band members. I did not enjoy this album. The music was okay, but there were so many pop-cultural references and other lyrics that I did not like. I was frequently hoping for most of the tracks to end. "No Woman, No Cry" is the closest I got to liking a track, and that may be Bob Marley's fault.

I'm sure I've heard all of Thriller before, but a couple of the tracks were new to me. I have seen all of the videos from this album. There is so much pop-culture weight to this album. Vincent Price's voice over on "Thriller", a member of the Beatles on "The Girl Is Mine", and "Beat It" (my favorite track) and "Billie Jean". I had forgotten about "Human Nature" but apparently all of those lyrics are stuck in my head. My opinion of this album, like Michael Jackson in general, is split. I would put up with listening to some of these tracks again, and I might even choose to play "Beat It" of my own choice. There are many tracks I would skip. When I first heard music from Thriller I was confused by the songs with lyrics speaking to girls as a love interest - they still seem so weird. "Billie Jean" and "The Girl is Mine" both creeped me out, but not in the same way. "The Lady in My Life" was my least favorite track. Jackson's rhythms also change otherwise normal phrases into some sort of foreign language for me. Musically this album is definitely from the 80s, with strong ties back to the 70s. This sounds like the follow up to Jackson's Off The Wall. Even with the pop-culture weight, at best the album as a whole comes out as "okay, I guess".

Future Days is the second album recommended to me from Can. Most of the album was hovering right in the middle between 3 and 4 stars, but by the last track I felt myself getting impatient with the music and enjoying it less. The music can be interesting. Can's music had hints of the Syd Barrett / psychodelia era of Pink Floyd, or perhaps the Nice. The album feels like it should be grouped with Progressive Rock, but a more jazz influenced version of progressive rock - similar to some of the work from King Crimson.

I was familiar with the name of band and the title track, but I don't know that I've heard anything else from Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five. It was good for me to listen to this assuredly influential album. Most of the The Message was what I expected to hear from these front-runners of rap. "Dreamin'" and "You Are" were surprisingly not rap or hip-hop, and put me a little further away from a higher rating. None of the album was bad, but I don't think I would do a full re-listen any time soon.

I'm sure I've tried to listen to Horses from Patti Smith before, because others have cited this as an influential album. I don't enjoy listening to Smith sing. I might like "Kimberly". It reminded me a little of the Talking Heads, but as if Gordon Gano sang about half of the lyrics. "Horses" was flirting with being "okay" too. I'm not mad that I listened to the album, but I don't want to do it again.

Harvest contains probably my favorite tracks from Neil Young ("Heart of Gold" - the backing vocals from Linda Ronstadt and James Taylor are an excellent addition & "Old Man"). "The Needle and the Damage Done" is worthwhile too. I own Harvest and have listened to this album many times. Most of the tracks get 4 or 5 stars from me. I'm still not quite what to think of "A Man Needs a Maid". I would recommend this album to others.

Before listening to Black Holes and Revelations, the name of the band was the only thing I knew about Muse. I'm not sure how to classify Muse or where it fits in the overall music landscape because I cannot really define what Muse has to offer besides being some sort of alternative rock (I guess). There were tracks where the vocals reminded me of Radiohead, and other tracks that were reminiscent of some other band from the 90s that I can't quite pin down. "Starlight" was my favorite track, and the rest of the album was at least okay.

Well, Neil Young apparently sings on this album. I like Neil Young in general, but Ragged Glory was all new music to me. It took all the way to the final track ("Mother Earth (Natural Anthem)") before I finally heard something that took hold of my attention. The rest of the album will probably fade from my memory fast. I'm not sure why THIS album from Young was recommended. for me it felt "okay" at best.

Freak Out! was new music for me. I have heard some of Frank Zappa's work, but The Mothers of Invention is only familiar to me by name at best. I don't know what to really expect from Zappa. Some of the do-wop / 50s sounding tracks were a surprise. Overall the album was okay, and good enough for listening through once. There were only a few tracks that were dipping below 3 stars - the multi-movement tracks that make up nearly all of the second record (sides 3 and 4 - about 44% of the total music recorded). Rounding up, I guess the album can have 3 stars.

Todd Rundgren is not in my usual list of what I would listen to. "Bang on the Drum All Day" is the only track that I can name from Rundgren, and it's not on Something/Anything. I did recognize "I Saw the Light" and "Hello It's Me", but that's only two songs from a double album. This album sits firmly at 2.5 stars. Almost half of the album is "okay - I guess", but 50% of the album I did not like. There was too much of a 70s soft rock or adult contemporary vibe. This album sounds like it might be friends with Carole King. It took until side 3 before I felt like Rundgren committed to some rock. The track I might come back to is "Couldn't I Just Tell You", which sounded like it was trying to bridge the gap between the early 80s to college station rock a few years down the road. The track sounds like it would fit in on a play list with early REM. I guess I'm rounding on this one.

I've heard of the album title Court and Spark, but almost all of the music was new to me. "Help Me" is the one track I know I've heard before. I'm not sure if I've heard "Raised on Robbery" before, or if the track just sounds like Joni Mitchell. All of the tracks on this album were "okay" or better. There is probably room for this album to grow on me. I wouldn't be opposed to listening to this album again, so I'll round up to 4 stars.

I've never heard of Blue Cheer, and all of the music from Vincebus Eruptum was new to me (with the exception that they did a cover of "Summertime Blues"). The album was okay. The music seemed to look towards psychodelia, but not fit into that genre. Blue Cheer also seemed to channel Jimi Hendrix throughout the album, even to the point of playing a few bars of his work in the middle of "Summertime Blues." The album was okay, but was getting too noisy for me on side two.

I wouldn't have categorized myself as a fan of Garbage, but I remember all of the singles from this album from when they were released. This was my first time listening to the whole album. All of the tracks were good. "Only Happy When It Rains" and "Stupid Girl" were tracks that I have liked from when they were new. "Fix Me Now" is a new favorite and gave me a reason to round up to 4 stars. I could listen to this album again.

I like Elvis Costello. I think I have one album and one compilation album of his. Brutal Youth was all new music for me. I enjoyed the album in general. "Pony St.", "This is Hell", and "My Science Fiction Twin" were the tracks I rated highest. These tracks are good examples of the unconvential lyrics from Costello which can keep my interest and a cleverness that can make me smile. I would listen to this album again.

Jazz is a weak spot (¿weak chasm?) in my musical experience. I've only recently begun checking out recommended jazz albums. I have listened to some Miles Davis before and I may have heard In A Silent Way before, but the album is new for me either way. This album was an easy listen. I liked the album and I could re-visit this album to see what I might have missed the first time through.

Never heard of the Crusaders and all of the music from The Street Life was new to me. I think that there was too much saxophone for me to want to come back to this album. The vocals on the first track felt very set in the time that this album was produced. The album was okay.

The Jam and their album All Mod Cons were new to me. I enjoyed listening to the album. The Jam sounded like they could fit in with a group that included Elvis Costello, The Squeeze, The Kinks or The Clash. "In the Crowd" and "'A' Bomb in Wardour Street" were the individual tracks that I got my highest ratings for the album. I'd be interested in hearing more from The Jam.

The band name is familiar, but I couldn't tell you any songs from The Jesus and Mary Chain. The music sounds like it would have been something I would have listened to when Darklands was produced. If you listen to the Cure, you might listen to this - a somber entry in Brittish alternative. I liked the album enough to listened to the extended edition. "April Skies" was my favorite track from the album.

I've heard at least one song from Pulp before, but This Is Hardcore was all new music to me. Much of the music gets 4 stars from me. The music fits somewhere between BritPop and Alternative, and I would be interested in hearing more fromt he band. Pulp is clever with their callbacks to David Bowie and other influences, but making music that sounds like it belongs to this band. There are a few tracks that the content of the lyrics feels greasy and anchors this album down to no more than 3 stars.

This was the first album title that I heard of from Brian Eno, but I never listened to the album. It is not difficult to hear that David Byrne collaborated on My Life In the Bush of Ghosts - some tracks seem to echo sounds from live tracks that I've heard from the Talking Heads. The album could be categorized somewhere between ambient and world music. Some of the spoken word recordings were distracting, yet there were some vocals / spoken parts that did swirl into the mix of sound and became part of a general audio landscape. After listening to the original release, I listned to the bonus tracks on the re-release. Overall, "Qu'ran" and "The Carrier" were the tracks I liked the best. These two tracks may have had the least amount of vocals / spoken word. I could come back to this album for a second listen.

When Deee-Lite released the single "Groove is in the Heart", it was everywhere. I think that they had a second single, but I can't remember what it was. Besides the one single I remember, the rest of World Clique was new to me. This album was a happy surprise. The music was fun and interesting. If Deee-Lite truly never made it out of being categorized as a one-hit-wonder, it's a shame. I'd listen to this album again.

I've perhaps only listened to a song or two from Cypress Hill. The music was okay. There is a jovial nature to the tone of the music, even though the topics of the lyrics are more serious in nature. If I had to listen closer to the content my rating would probably dip below 3.

I've never heard of Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson, and Winter in America was all new music for me. I don't know if I liked the album, but I know I didn't dislike the album. Mostly I tried to listen, and waited for the album to finish. It was music.

Massive Attack is a name I've heard of but every track on Protection was new to me. About 50% of the album was okay, but I kept wanting to skip tracks.

I remember the single "Connection" from Elastica when it came out. This album's music has one foot reaching towards punk energy, with the other planted in some of the BritPop of the early nineties. I liked "Connection" when it came out, and I liked this album. "Car Song" and "Indian Song" were a couple tracks that I'm saving for a re-listen. It's a bit of a stretch, but I'm rounding up to 4 stars, because I might come back to see if I missed something.

I was not excited to see O.G. Original Gangster come up in my recommendations. I have no interest in listening to someone else's anger, bragging, and chest-thumping. I'm sure "being tough" has probably worked out well for Ice T, but I don't need to hear about it. His acting carerr has given him a place to keep the tough-guy thing going. Ice T's rhymes are moderate, but even when he gets an interesting rhythm going the lyrics range between bleh and solidly landing in exactly what I don't want to listen to. The video for "New Jack Hustler (Nino's Theme)" is a concise example of why I don't like Ice-T: trying to impress by talking about money and cars, the surrounding people trying to create an atmosphere to impress, and a gold chain with gold gun on his neck. Both Ice T and I can admit that this record was not written for me. I was happy when this record was over.

I like the Black Keys even though I can't name any of their music. I've seen them perform on TV, and occasionly heard their music through YouTube. Only one track on this album was familiar to me. I forget how bluesy their music can be. I might come back for a second round. "Tighten Up" and "Everlasting Light" were my favorite tracks.

I own a copy of this album. I don't regularly revisit A Hard Day's Night. The album is a good experience to listen to the Beatles' early work. I am not eager to get back to every track, but there aren't any tracks that I want to skip. The title track and "Can't Buy Me Love" might be required listening for an understanding of the Beatles' work.

Exile On Main Street is a title I recognize, but all of the music was new to me. The Rolling Stones are a capable Rock and Roll band. Even with their best songs, I never get that feeling that I "need" to listen to the Stones to satisfy some craving. Nothing sounded particularly appealing from this album. I listened. I'm done. I still feel like I've listened to enough Rolling Stones to last me for a good, long while.

The only track from the album Rising Above Bedlam that I've heard before was "Visions of You". I don't know if I've heard anything else from Jah Wobble's Invaders Of The Heart. I enjoyed listening to something different. There was a track or two that reminded me of Dead Can Dance, which I like. I enjoyed that some tracks had Spanish lyrics, or lyrics in what sounds like it may be a middle eastern language. I like Sinéad O'Connor's guest vocals on "Visions of You" which is my favorite track. "Erzulie" is my second favorite. I would be interested in hearing more from the band, but the album is too uneven to round up to 4 stars.

Basket of Light was an interesting album to listen to. I've never heard any of the music or of Pentangle before. The album felt like a mix of folk, celtic and pop music. The album sometimes sounds like you took the Mamas and the Papas to a renaissance fair. I enjoyed hearing something different. "Springtime Promises" and "Sally Go 'Round the Roses" were the tracks I liked the most. "Lyke-Wake Dirge" is not a typical entry on this list. The track could belong to a Sunday church service.

I have heard every Genesis album at least once and I have listened to The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway a few times. Listening to all of Genesis came from me trying to figure out how Genesis went from their prog-rock beginnings to pop music superstars. I like progressive rock, especially some of music from the Peter Gabriel era of Genesis. The title track is a favorite off of this album. There are tracks that are full-fledged prog ("In the Cage", "The Carpet Crawlers") and "Lilywhite Lilith" gives you reasons to look forward to the 'Phil Collins as lead singer' era of the band. I don't know what this album is about, and there are a track or two that I don't want to understand I don't think. (Gabriel can verge into a little creepy in his storytelling.) For a double album, all four sides give reasons to check out this album.

Sarah Vaughan's At Mister Kelly's was all new music for me. I've heard other artists versions of at least a couple of the tracks, but Sarah Vaughan is a new artist for me. Vaughan is talented, and her talent is even more evident through this live recording. The album was enjoyable but not an album that I'm likely to play again. The jazz vocals of "How High the Moon" are hard on my attention span. The rest of the album was at least okay.

I've never listened to Cosmo's Factory before, but I have heard at least 7 or 8 of the 11 tracks before. Because music from Creedence Clearwater Revival has been included so broadly throughout pop culture, I wasn't sure how I was going to react to this album. Sometimes my exposure to a band can feel completely saturated and I don't need any more. This album was a good surprise. "Ooby Dooby" was a track that felt like I'd be tempted to skip. There were a few tracks that I've probably heard enough of by now, but others reminded me of why they are popular. The swamp soaked "Run Through the Jungle" digs in to a solid rock and roll base. The guitar riffs alone from "Up Around the Bend" make CCR iconic. The happy surprises for me from this album were the opening and closing tracks, "Ramble Tamble" and "Long as I Can See the Light". These tracks are great examples of CCR's talent.

Another Green World is the fourth album recommended for Brian Eno on this list for me. I still generally like his work, but this album is like the others I have listened to in that the final rating is a little mixed. The album is uneven, particularly when it comes to the tracks with vocals. "I'll Come Running" is the track I'd probably skip on a re-listen. I don't think I can round up to a full four stars, but I liked a lot of what I heard.

I've heard a couple of tracks for this album, and know a few things about the band's place in the history of rock and roll. At best, I got through the the album, but ther were some tracks that I specifically did not like. I can't round up to 3 stars.

Fred Neil, you picked the wrong day to come up as a suggestion. I've never heard of you or your music before. I did not have the patience today. Something like Merle Haggard, Jim Croce, Gordon Lightfoot and Leonard Cohen was mixed together for this album, but only the bland parts. "Cynicrustpetefredjohn Raga" (the last track) finally provided something different with is indian elements, but one track could not save this album.

Although I probably still remember all of the lyrics from their later album, Raising Hell, Run-D.M.C.'s debut album was new to me. I was happy to listen to this album, but didn't find any tracks that I saved to come back to later. This early Rap wasn't afraid to have actual electric guitars as part of the music in addition to the scratching and beats, but the music and rapping feels a little slow. I wouldn't keep anyone from listening to this album, but this album is just a peek at some of the energy and grooves that Run-D.M.C. will produce on later albums.

Throwing Muses is a name I recognized, but the album was all new music for me. The album was okay and seems adjacent to some of the bands that I have regularly listened to. This album felt like a predecessor to some of the work from Sleater-Kinney. "Hate My Way" and "Vicky's Box" were my least favorite tracks, but "Fear" and "Soul Soldier" had some great backing rhythms and energy that keep this album at least at 3 stars. I would be interested in hearing more from Throwing Muses.

I've never heard of Songhoy Blues or any of the music on Music in Exile. The energy in the opening track "Soubour" hooked my interest. "Al Hassidi Terei" and "Nick" were similar energy tracks with interesting guitar licks and hooky rhythms that reached out beyond the language of the lyrics. I would be interested in hearing more from this band.

I'm only marginally aware of The Mars Volta. Deloused in the Comatorium was all new music to me. I knew barely enough about The Mars Volta to reluctantly review the album. I'm not a fan of the vocals from this band. I like progressive rock a lot, but this newer metal prog doesn't inspire. Much of the album was okay. I did not like "Roulette Dares (The Haunt Of)" and "Drunkship of Lanterns" and I would have preferred to not listen to "This Apparatus Must Be Unearthed" or "Take the Veil Cerpin Taxt".

Goldfrapp was a new artist for me and Seventh Tree was all new music. I enjoyed listening to the album. The music didn't sound a lot like typical things I might listen to, but the album still held my attention. The music seemed like it would fit in with Dido, Natalie Imbruglia, or Michelle Branch - not that it sounded like those artists exactly, but the music would fit in. A few tracks had some good energy and I bookmarked to listen to again ("Little Bird", "Caravan Girl", "Monster Love"). One track was verging on a skip ("Cologne Cerrone Houdini"), but it did not have the same sound as the rest of the album.

I was happy to see Tea for the Tillerman come up as my suggested album. I have listened to this and other albums from Cat Stevens / Yusuf Islam, and many of his tracks individually. Perhaps my all time favorite track from Cat Stevens is on this album ("Father and Son"), which is in a close competition with my second favorite ("Peace Train" - not on this album). It was good to hear some old favorites like "Where Do the Children Play?", but I found some two new favorites with this listen ("Longer Boats", "On the Road to Find Out"). A couple tracks ventured in to "okay" territory, but I could easily listen to the whole album again. I like Stevens' voice, his music, and the journey of mood and storytelling that he takes the listener through.

What can I say about an album clearly not meant for me? I just can't get past the content, and knowing more about Kanye lately leaves even less room to attempt to enjoy what he's offering. Can I even compliment his creative use of the Hampster Dance Choir on several tracks? Nope.

Although I have heard several tracks from the Pixies before, all of the music from Bossanova was new to me. Bossanova sounded like a Pixies album. Most of the album was pretty good. "Rock Music" and "Is She Weird" were my least favorite tracks, with too much noise, screams and grinding in the music - which can be typical Pixies. But the album finished strong with the last three tracks getting in to the less chaotic side of Pixies. "Havalina" was my favorite track. I'm interested in hearing more from the Pixies, but probably would not come back to this album as a whole.

Heaven Or Las Vegas was part of my introduction to Cocteau Twins. I have listened to this album several times, but it's been a while since my last listen. A couple of my all-time favorite tracks from the band are on this album ("Iceblink Luck", "Heaven or Las Vegas"). "Pitch the Baby", "Cherry-Colored Funk", and "Wolf in the Breast" are pretty good too. There are a couple of tracks that are a little less engaging, but I could easily give the whole album a re-listen.

I like John Lee Hooker in general. He has a track or two that I will probably always come back to. The Healer was new music to me. I saved just over half of the tracks from the album for a re-listen later, including "Baby Lee", "Think Twice Before You Go" and "Rockin' Chair". Overall this album was fairly mellow, but with enough groove to keep toes tapping.

I was happy to see Who's Next pop up as a recommendation. I've listened to several albums from the Who before, and to Who's Next at least a few times. All of the tracks are good on this album. There weren't any tracks on the album that I'm tempted to skip and more than half of the tracks I'd come back to own my own. So many familiar tracks from this album, with perhaps my two all time favorite tracks from the Who opening and closing out the album. I can forgive CSI for using "Won't Get Fooled Again". I've loved that track since I first heard it - such energy and Keith Moon's drumming is an education in percussion. John Entwistle's bass lines deserve some praise too, even on the mellower tracks like "Behind Blue Eyes".

I've never heard of The Divine Comedy, and all of the music on Casanova was new to me. The music verges into territory of music that I might listen to. The Divine Comedy sounds like Brit Pop (something I'll listen to) funneled through Frank Sinatra style crooning (something I don't listen to). Most of the time listening to the album I was trying to figure out if "putting up" with the music until it's over is good enough to NOT give the album a dis-like (2 stars). I don't think I liked it.

Creedence Clearwater Revival is a familar band, and I have heard two of the seven tracks from Bayou Country before. "Born on the Bayou" is the best track on the album. The track has a deep rooted tangability that has helped to define the music of CCR. The rest of the album is fine, but I wish that CCR hadn't kept on chooglin' for so long. I don't know what 'chooglin' is, but that song went on too long.

I've never heard of Orange Juice, and all of the tracks from Rip It Up were new to me. You can hear the punk-influenced early new wave sounds on this album. The opening track seemed like it was experimenting with some of the same electronic sounds as Blondie and other early eighties bands. There are reggae beats an jangley guitar rhythms that reminded me of Madness and other early new wave music from that time. The band and music were fine. I'd be down to hear more from the band, but nothing stood out enough to me on Rip It Up that might draw me back to re-listen to the whole album

There are tracks that I regularly come back to from the Beastie Boys, and I know I've listened to this album at least once before. This time through I'm finally paying attention to and recognizing the music that was sampled from other artists on many of these tracks. I'm sure I've still missed something. There are tracks on this album that are iconic for the band. "Brass Monkey" is such an ear worm, but not the only one on the album. There are lines from individual tracks ("No Sleep till Brooklyn", "Paul Revere", etc.) that are like little memory bookmarks for me. I've heard "Fight for Your Right" more than enough times. I'm even less enthusiastic about hearing others call out the main line from that track. "Fight for Your Right" is a good example of why I'm not rating this album higher. There is a more juvenile point of view for many of the tracks that keeps me from wanting to revisit much of this album.

In general I like Crowded House and I'll listen to probably every track from Neil Finn because there's a good chance I might like it. I'm not sure if I've heard Woodface before. The title seems familiar, but I only recognized one track for sure. After this listen, I'm not sure if I'm going to remember having heard this album in the future. The music was okay, but no new favorite tracks.