Journey in Progress
Discovering music one album at a time
660
Albums Rated
2.99
Avg Rating
41
5-Star Albums
61%
Complete
429 albums remaining
Rating Speed
2.8
Per Week
1656
Days Active
Reviews
660
Written
100%
Review Rate
vs Global
-0.25
Avg Diff
2.99
Avg Rating
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How you rate albums
Rating Timeline
Average rating over time
Ratings by Decade
Which era do you prefer?
Activity by Day
When do you listen?
Taste Profile
2010s
Favorite Decade
Grunge
Favorite Genre
UK
Top Origin
Balanced
Rater Style
30
1-Star Albums
Taste Analysis
Genre Preferences
Ratings by genre
Origin Preferences
Ratings by country
Rating Style
You Love More Than Most
Albums you rated higher than global average
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Remedy | 5 | 2.68 | +2.32 |
| Slipknot | 5 | 2.68 | +2.32 |
| White Light / White Heat | 5 | 2.88 | +2.12 |
| They Were Wrong, So We Drowned | 4 | 2.11 | +1.89 |
| Vespertine | 5 | 3.17 | +1.83 |
| Only By The Night | 5 | 3.23 | +1.77 |
| The Age Of The Understatement | 5 | 3.24 | +1.76 |
| Cross | 5 | 3.28 | +1.72 |
| Live Through This | 5 | 3.28 | +1.72 |
| Trout Mask Replica | 4 | 2.28 | +1.72 |
You Love Less Than Most
Albums you rated lower than global average
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kind Of Blue | 1 | 4.06 | -3.06 |
| The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill | 1 | 3.63 | -2.63 |
| Cloud Nine | 1 | 3.41 | -2.41 |
| Court And Spark | 1 | 3.35 | -2.35 |
| Mama's Gun | 1 | 3.25 | -2.25 |
| It's Too Late to Stop Now | 1 | 3.25 | -2.25 |
| American Beauty | 1 | 3.24 | -2.24 |
| Soul Mining | 1 | 3.17 | -2.17 |
| John Barleycorn Must Die | 1 | 3.17 | -2.17 |
| Songs From A Room | 1 | 3.16 | -2.16 |
Artist Analysis
Favorite Artists
Artists with 2+ albums and high weighted score
| Artist | Albums | Avg | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beatles | 6 | 4.5 | 4 |
| Green Day | 2 | 5 | 3.8 |
| Nirvana | 3 | 4.33 | 3.67 |
| The Velvet Underground | 3 | 4.33 | 3.67 |
| Pink Floyd | 3 | 4.33 | 3.67 |
| The Doors | 3 | 4.33 | 3.67 |
| Kings of Leon | 3 | 4.33 | 3.67 |
Least Favorite Artists
Artists with 2+ albums and low weighted score
| Artist | Albums | Avg | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joni Mitchell | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| Leonard Cohen | 4 | 1.75 | 2.29 |
| PJ Harvey | 3 | 1.67 | 2.33 |
| The Temptations | 3 | 1.67 | 2.33 |
| Grateful Dead | 2 | 1.5 | 2.4 |
5-Star Albums (41)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
Green Day
5/5
Such a classic modern pop-punk record, this takes me right back to being a moody-too-cool-for-school teenager. Dookie guides you through the inner musings of Billie-Joe around themes such as boredom, anxiety, relationships, and sexuality.
Best: Longview, Welcome to Paradise; Basket Case; When I Come Around
Worst: FOD
15 likes
The Soft Boys
3/5
Underwater Moonlight is a psych-rock with tones of influence from The Beatles, with note of the sitar throughout. Whilst they haven't had much commercial success, they have been credited as early influencers of the likes of REM.
Best: I Wanna Destroy You
Worst: Old Pervert
NOTE: Spotify had ALL of the reissue tracks on the one album. I only listened to the original 10 songs off the album.
10 likes
Lauryn Hill
1/5
Could this album be any longer? I get that this is a progressive album hearing life perspectives from the female side, and the whole classroom vibe at the end of some of the songs being about learning fitting into the vibe of the album cover and title. But sheesh it gave me a headache and almost put me to sleep at work. Any way something could have been cut from it's 77 minute track list?
Best: Can't Take My Eyes Off You (I Love You Baby)
Worst: When It Hurts So Bad
8 likes
Joni Mitchell
1/5
Not my cup of tea. Too slow and jazzy, maybe it's that I don't understand the context of the time the album was written. Almost fell asleep listening to it.
Best: idek
Worst: The whole album??
8 likes
Hole
5/5
Although I had heard a lot about Courtney Love through the years, I didn't realise she had her own band. Heavy grunge reminiscent of the 90s with a strong female empowerment/feminist overtone lyrically, that as a whole was often criticised and mocked for being whiny and overdramatic due to the 'Riot grrrl' movement, would resonate with audiences today.
Best: Miss World; Jennifer's Body; Doll Parts; Gutless
Worst: N/A
6 likes
1-Star Albums (30)
All Ratings
The Rolling Stones
3/5
Very blues-ey, at times felt like I was at a southern US country music festival. Overall, a good album by one of the most iconic bands in music history.
Best: Sympathy for the Devil, Stray Cat Blues and Salt of the Earth.
Worst: No Expectations, Factory Girl
New York Dolls
3/5
One of the OG glam punk rock groups formed in the US, which paved the way for the likes of the Sex Pistols, Guns & Roses, Kiss, The Dammed and The Smiths.
In listening to this album, you can hear where each of these bands have drawn their influence from. I found this an easy listen, and fell straight into the album with a now fairly familiar sound. High tempo, shredding guitar riffs, and punching rock vocals.
Best: Personality Crisis, Frankenstein, Jet Boy
Worst: Looking for a Kiss, Bad Girl, Subway Train
Earth, Wind & Fire
2/5
Funky disco beats, started high tempo with what I think is their standout, then mellowed into a late night jazz club vibe. Lots of sax and instrumental beats that for me dragged out a little too long in some cases.
Not my favourite kind of music.
Best: Shining Star, That's the Way of the World
Worst: Reasons, All About Love (First Impressions)
The Damned
2/5
An ok listen, nothing really too polarising on the album.
Best: Machine Gun Etiquette, I Just Can't be Happy Today, Liar
Worst: Melody Lee, Looking at You
Orange Juice
2/5
Scottish pop/electro band who's only Top 40 hit, "Rip It Up" was the first hit to use the Roland TB-303 synthesizer.
Lots of electro synth beats, with some sax and horns thrown in. At times could hear some Franz Ferdinand.
Best: Rip It Up
Worst: Hokoyo
Sonic Youth
3/5
Heard a bit about Sonic Youth growing up but never got the chance to listen to any of their stuff. This album fits in with the timeline of the grunge movement of the early 90's. Lots of long guitar shredding solos midway though songs, presumably to help the headbanging movement. Lots of socio-political references to the era of the album.
Best: Sugar Kane, Youth Against Fascism, Swimsuit Issue
Worst: Chapel Hill, JC, Purr
Joni Mitchell
1/5
Not my cup of tea. Too slow and jazzy, maybe it's that I don't understand the context of the time the album was written. Almost fell asleep listening to it.
Best: idek
Worst: The whole album??
Ice Cube
4/5
A good listen to old school rap. A lot of the themes in the songs resonate to today's climate in the USA.
Best: The N***a Ya Love to Hate, AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted, It's a Man's World
Worst: Who's The Mack?, Get Off My D**k and Tell Yo B***h to Come Here
Radiohead
3/5
A very slow, lo-fi rock album leaning to electronic. Kind of nice to have in the background whilst doing work. Will need a few listens to get into, I think it will be one that grows on me.
Best: Nude, Jigsaw Falling into Place
Worst: All I Need, Faust Arp
M.I.A.
2/5
Most of the album is very afro-beat hip-hop type. Not too much of a fan of this type of music. The notable exception would be the commercial radio friendly Paper Planes, and I would argue that Come Around also fits this, likely in large part due to their producers (Diplo & Timbaland respectively)
Best: Paper Planes, Come Around
Worst: BirdFlu, Jimmy
2.5 Stars
Bob Marley & The Wailers
2/5
Did not enjoy, not into Reggae at all. I get that Bob Marley was very good at what he did, it's just not for me.
Best: Natty Dread, No Woman No Cry
Worst: So Jah S'eh, Rebel Music (3 O'Clock Roadblock)
Cypress Hill
2/5
An ok listen, not really outstanding for me.
Best: How Could I Just Kill a Man, Hole In the Head
Worst: Psycobetabuckdown, Latin Lingo
2.5 Stars
Janis Joplin
3/5
A good album, after having only ever heard of Janis, but not what her music sounded like, it was almost a surprise in listening to it. A lot Blues-ier than I thought. Can see how her music will have influenced many that came after her.
Best: Cry Baby, Mercedes Benz
Worst: My Baby, Trust me
Simply Red
1/5
Music styling is pop-jazz-saxo beats. But good grief! Didn't really think too much about the lyrics until it got to "Jericho's" first verse. That sounds like some messed up crap, and made me go back and look at the other lyrics a bit closer. Hope there is a reasonable explanation for those lyrics on Jericho.
Should re-think having this album in the best 1001 of all time in my opinion.
0 stars if I could
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
3/5
An ok listen, haven't heard about this group before, but it was a decent rock'n'roll album.
Best: Anything that's Rock'n'Roll, Breakdown
Worst: Fooled Again (I Don't Like It), Strangered in the night
2.5 Stars
Tricky
2/5
A slow jam type of album, can see many of those songs as the background music of a moody teen drama or movie. Not too bad, but not my style of music.
Best: Ponderosa
Worst: Suffocated Love
2.5 Stars
Pavement
3/5
Pavement are a real alt rock band, with their sound not out of place in today's alternative scene. A good album that spoke about the time. A good listen and would add to my streaming library.
Best: Cut your hair, Range Life
Worst: Filmore Drive
John Martyn
3/5
Dreamy, folk-jazz album, many songs could work well as a part of a dinner party playlist to have some ambient background music.
Best: Solid Air
Worst: I'd Rather be the Devil (Devil got my Woman)
Supertramp
4/5
A good prog rock album that I enjoyed. Didn't think I'd enjoy too much from this era but here we are. The woodwind instruments were a nice surprise throughout and fit in quite well.
It's a nice listen and I think it would sound awesome on vinyl.
Best: School, Asylum
Worst: Rudy
Solange
3/5
An ok listen, not too much a fan of the genre, but can see a bit of Alicia Keyes in the album.
Some of the interludes made the album flow nicely, and kind of put me into a dreamlike state, and raised some still valid socio-political points (2021)
However I struggled to take Solange seriously as she will always be Camille from "Bring it On: All or Nothing" to me.
Best: Cranes in the Sky
Worst: Mad (Feat. Lil Wayne)
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
3/5
A folksy rock (heavy on the folk) album that I did not expect to recognise any songs from, but 'Our House' was the one. Not too out of place for an alternative radio station by today's standards.
Best: Our House, Woodstock
Worst: Almost Cut My Hair, Country Hair
2.5 stars
Marvin Gaye
4/5
Wow, so good haven't listened to the entire album previously, but the title track is only the beginning for this album.
After having a quick scan of the Wikipedia page there was more to Marvin's story than I was aware of. His personal struggles with his stunted sexuality due to his father's physical abuse when he was a child. Not only are his lyrics suggestive, but as David Ritz wrote:
"If the most profound soul songs are prayers in secular dress, Marvin's prayer is to reconcile the ecstasy of his early religious epiphany with a sexual epiphany ... In those songs of loss and lament—the sense of separation is heartbreaking. On one level, the separation is between man and woman. On a deeper level, the separation is between man and God."
Prior to this I would not have guessed that deeper level that the album goes to.
Best: Let's Get It On
Worst: You Sure Love to Ball
Paul Revere & The Raiders
3/5
A perfectly fine album, very garage rock for the time. Can see some modern albums that fit within this framework in some stylistic and sound choices.
Best: Kicks
Worst: Melody for an Unknown Girl
2.5 Stars
Sister Sledge
3/5
An all time classic anthemic song in We are Family. I don't think I've been to a wedding without this song playing! The whole album is very disco pop and familiar sounding.
Best: We are Family, Thinking of you.
Worst: Somebody Loves Me
3.5 Stars
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
One of the all time classic albums, even though I would not actively go out and listen to it, but can appreciate the significance it's had on the music landscape.
Best: Born in the USA, Dancing in the Dark
Worst: Bobby Jean
Elvis Presley
4/5
Really lovely listen to this album, the ultra familiar tones of Elvis was strangely very comforting. Although I don't think I've heard any of the Elvis originals in the album, it feels like a more mature outing than his earlier songs. The different styles and pace of music take some getting used to, and can see that there might have been mixed reviews when this initially was released. The production on Fever is just gorgeous!
Best: Fever; Dirty, Dirty Feeling
Worst: I will be home again
Steely Dan
2/5
This album sounds typically like something out of the early 70s by way of soft/psych rock. A perfectly ok listen. The album cover is next level crazy though.
Best: Reelin' in the Years
Worst: Brooklyn (Owes the Charmer Under Me)
2.5 stars
New Order
2/5
Bernard Sumner's voice left a lot to be desired. Not too sure if it was the production that hampered it, but it felt very whiny to me. I did enjoy the instrumentals on all of the tracks particularly Elegia. They have a very distinctive 80s sound, with their use of synths throughout.
Best: Elegia
Worst: Face Up
2.5 Stars
Basement Jaxx
5/5
What an album, one of the original acts from what was the birth of the mainstream house scene that we know today.
It gives me "Ministry of Sound" vibes well before it was propelled into existence.
Best: Rendez-Vu, Stop 4 Love,
Worst: N/A
Couldn't fault it, a fantastic debut for Basement Jaxx!
Beatles
4/5
I did enjoy listening to this album, having never fully listened to any Beatles albums from beginning to end. Only knowing a few of their major singles, this definitely felt more psychedelic/experimental than perhaps their earlier work. Especially with the sitar and other instruments. It seemed obvious that they were on some good drugs around the time of recording this album.
Controversial opinion - didn't care too much for Yellow Submarine.
Best: Taxman; Elenor Rigby
Worst: Here, There and Everywhere
The Kinks
3/5
An ok album, had a psychedelic Beatles vibe, with a more pop leaning. Not sure if I got the full experience as Spotify only had the Deluxe Edition.
Best: Party Line, Dandy
Worst: Holiday in Waikiki
2.5 stars
Jorge Ben Jor
2/5
Funky Brasilian/Latin American beats. Not really my jam, but in the right setting this could be a cracker album. Definitely think the back half of the album is better than the front.
Had to re-listen to Rod Stewart's 'Da Ya think I'm sexy' to hear the similarities in 'Taj Mahal' that would constitute a settlement.
Best: Meus Filhos, Meu Tesouro; África Brasil
Worst: O Plebeu
Blondie
5/5
Didn't realise that this album was from the late 70's, I associated their main singles firmly from the 80's!
An all round decent pop/rock album with instantly recognisable classics in "One way or Another" which has been endlessly covered, and "Heart of Glass" which was personally a staple in PlayStation 2's SingStar game.
The album takes you on a journey and I think there are no real stinkers on the album which makes for a quintessential pop/rock album.
Best: One way or Another; Heart of Glass
Worst: no real outliers here!
Ryan Adams
3/5
The heartbreak in this album is evident. Much lamenting and sorrow throughout. Lots of harmonica riffs really touch to the sadness of a broken heart.
Best: Oh my Sweet Carolina; Shakedown On 9th Street
Worst: Sweet Lil' Gal
Buena Vista Social Club
3/5
A relatively easy listen, definitely one to put on if you were in the mood for some salsa like tunes. Not something I would go out of my way to listen to, but hosting a latin night or something like that would be good to put on in the background.
Best: Chan Chan
Worst: Buena Vista Social Club
2.5 Stars
Beastie Boys
3/5
A really funky jazz/hip-hop mix from the Beastie Boys with their trademark rap sound over the top.
Lots of instrumental tracks throughout, where I perhaps wasn't expecting it.
Best: Sure Shot; Root Down
Worst: Sabrosa
Violent Femmes
3/5
An good listen overall, Violent Femmes have been on my list to listen to for a while, but before this I thought they had a bit more of a harder rock edge to them.
Random aside, not sure if there's a connection but the part in Gone Daddy Gone (the na na na na bit) sounds like the "Hippogriff" song featured in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire movie.
Best: Blister in the Sun; To the Kill
Worst: Please Do Not Go; Good Feeling
Incredible Bongo Band
3/5
Upon getting this album pop up for today's listen - I was really skeptical. But the first song on the album is Apache which at first didn't recognise by name, but recognised the sound from countless covers, samples and features in films.
The entire album has a soundtrack like quality to it, which makes sense when you realise that Michael Viner was a record artist manager and executive at MGM Records. Overall a good listen for a Friday afternoon
Best: Apache; In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida
Worst: No real weakness just a nice flow through the album as a whole
Disclaimer - I only listened to the first 8 songs on Spotify as they were part of the original album. The remainder was part of the 2006 CD Release
Nightmares On Wax
2/5
A very dreamy instrumental album, where based on the title could easily see people listening to this on a lazy arvo smoking up a storm.
Not really a fan of the album, but it makes ok background music for studying/working
Best: Stars
Worst: Groove St
A Tribe Called Quest
2/5
The Low End Theory is regarded as one of the most influential albums in hip hop history. Even though its been called the "Sgt. Pepper's of hip-hop" and helped meld the lines between jazz and hip-hop in the early 90s, this is not really an album for me.
Best: Scenario
Worst: Butter
Frank Sinatra
4/5
How can you go past some absolute classic Sinatra?
Its a pleasant listen and kind of reminds me of a simpler time. Classic big band sound, dulcet tone of Frank how can you go wrong?
Best: I've Got You Under My Skin; Anything Goes
Worst: We'll be Together Again; Swingin' Down the Lane
Wilco
3/5
A good alt/rock record with a sound that would not be out of place on some radio stations today.
The first disk of the double album was stronger than the second. I think they should have left it at the end of the first one.
Best: Outtasite (Outta Mind)
Worst: Someone Else's Song
2.5 stars
The Flaming Lips
3/5
An interesting concept album, and can definitely see how they adapted this into a musical.
A lovely soft rock/sci-fi vibe throughout the whole album, somehow reminds me of Neon Genesis Evangelion (maybe that's just the album cover)
Best: Fight Test, Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots Pt. 1
Worst: Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots Pt. 2
2.5 stars
Radiohead
4/5
The Bends is an album I have heard of but never had the chance to listen to. After "Creep" it catapulted them into the stratosphere. Their sound has influenced so many Brit Pop/Rock bands that have come after them, and in listening to this it becomes evident where the influences are.
Best: The Bends; High and Dry
Worst: Bullet Proof... I wish I was
Kraftwerk
3/5
Autobahn was an interesting listen, at first I was a little skeptical when I saw the length of the title track was over 22 minutes! Upon listening I would never have thought that the album was released in 1974, the sound is well ahead of it's time. It was quite a relaxing listen and really took you through a sonic journey.
Best: Autobahn
Worst: N/A
Billie Holiday
2/5
Lady in Satin was a dip into the soulful and quite mournful sounds of Billie Holiday. She has such a gorgeous voice, however this album just didn't grab me. It was a little too heavy on the "You have to have felt loss to love" vibe for me.
Best: But Beautiful
Worst: You Don't Know What Love Is
Frank Sinatra
2/5
Frank Sinatra's crooning tones can't be surpassed. In the Wee Small Hours takes you through a journey of the end of a relationship, which mirrored Sinatra's personal life at the time with his separation from his second wife Ava Gardner.
It's hard not to hear the emotion in his voice throughout, however this really has brought my mood way down for the day. Would have been 1 star if not for his dulcet tone and emotion throughout the album.
Best: Dancing on the Ceiling
Worst: Deep in a Dream
Nirvana
4/5
If Kurt Cobain wanted a more un-polished and un-refined record than Nevermind, I think they successfully accomplished this without a doubt. In Utero is possibly the quintessential grunge/garage rock albums of the early 90s. At times the raw sound could be a little grating, but looking past those couple of tracks, it's one to have a good head-banging sesh to.
Best: Heart-Shaped Box; Pennyroyal Tea
Worst: Scentless Apprentice; Radio Friendly Unit Shifter
Bad Brains
3/5
I Against I is not what I was expecting upon looking at the album cover. I was expecting some reggae/hip-hop - guess it shows that you don't judge a book by it's cover! This was a cool listen to some mid 80s punk/ska of which I have never heard of the band.
Best: Hired Gun
Worst: Sacred Love
3.5 Stars
Dr. John
2/5
The first track grabbed me as being a perfect soundtrack to a horror movie set in the deep south of the USA. The psychedelic rock of Dr. John would also not be out of place on a mind bending trip. Although not sure if I'd recommend going down that route.
The ending of "I Walk on Guilded Splinters" capped off an odd album.
Best: Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya Ya; I Walk on Guilded Splinters
Worst: Danse Fambeaux; Croker Courtbullion
2.5 Stars
David Bowie
4/5
Bowie takes you on a journey from upbeat and relatively radio friendly electro-rock tunes, right through to quite experimental instrumentals in the latter portion of the album. I quite enjoyed the ambient relaxing sounds of Moss Garden which transported me to another place.
Amazingly, most of the tracks on the album were created in one take both instrumentals and lyrics.
Best: Beauty and the Beast; Heroes; Moss Garden
Worst: V-2 Schneider
Justice
5/5
Justice's Cross is a punchy and in your face Dance/EDM/House record that is one to get you really going either on the dance floor or one to pump you up. I love that singles are still played out on the youth radio station in my country.
Their clever use of samples and hundreds of microsamples throughout are a showing that music can truly be anything you make of it.
Best: Genesis; D.A.N.C.E.; One Minute to Midnight
Worst: Hard to pick a bad song in the entire album. Each song captured my attention from the get-go and didn't let me go.
Fred Neil
2/5
Bluesy folk rock is not really my jam. However I can appreciate the deep Baritone of Fred Neil's voice.
Best: Everyobdy's Talkin'
Worst: Cynicrustpetefredjohn Raga
Living Colour
3/5
Cult of Personality on Guitar Hero was my first and only foray into Living Colour. For a US based band there is a noticable British rock/punk sound in the beginning of the album. When you find out the bassist was British born, this connects the dots. It then moves to more of a funk vibe, and finishes off the album with turn to some metal.
Best: Cult of Personality
Worst: Open Letter (To a Landlord)
Femi Kuti
2/5
This album is not my jam. I can appreciate the cool Afro Beats, but it's not something that I'd willingly listen to. The arrangements were very long, which dragged out the album.
Best: Wonder Wonder
Worst: Stubbor Problems
Pere Ubu
2/5
Interesting arrangements to the entire album and an interesting look into post-punk from the late 70s. At times it was a little grating, but overall an ok album.
Best: Dub Housing
Worst: Blow Daddy-O
2.5 Stars
Love
3/5
Overall, an ok album. Not minding some of the harpsichord trilling and flute arrangements. A very folksy album epitomised by the 19 min jam session Revelation, with its spoken word lyrics, guitar, harmonica, and drum solos it's what one would expect. When it got to the sax solo, started to hurt my ears. :/
Best: 7 and 7 Is; She Comes in Colours
Worst: "¡Que Vida!"
2/5
The album is lo-fi electronica mixed with Latin american beats. It would be good to have on in the background at a low-key dinner or a chill-sesh.
Best: Abraço; Samba Do Gringo Paulista
Worst: Antropófagos
2.5 Stars
Bruce Springsteen
2/5
Springsteen's Nebraska is in the vein of telling the story of the 'True America' not glossing over anything and telling it as he sees. Very solemn and seemingly deliberate in taking you on a journey, through mid-western USA. Springsteen doesn't hit the mark for me, perhaps, because its not really something I can relate to.
Best: Nebraska; Open All Night
Worst: Highway Patrolman
Michael Jackson
4/5
Absolute Classic MJ. I have never previously listened to this album but there were several songs that are so ubiquitous that you can't not have heard them. Funky disco vibes throughout and mellowing towards the tail end of the album.
Best: Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough; Rock With You
Worst: It's The Falling In Love
The Zombies
3/5
Right off the bat, listening to this reminds me of the Beetles, and to almost no surprise it was recorded at the Abbey Road Studios. The Zombies is a foray into the psychedelic rock of the mid to late 60s and has an airy lightness to it with the backing harmonies. Although there are darker toned themes such as prison, breakups, wallowing in ones sorrows, and yearning for a great love, it appears it's told through the haze of LSD (have you seen the album cover?).
Best: Care of Cell 44; Butcher's Tale
Worst: This will be our year
Motörhead
2/5
The album got off to a cracking start. How could you go past the classic Ace Of Spades? As it progressed it kept those hard nosed guitars and drums but the content of the lyrics progressively got more and more rapey. Culminating in both Jailbait and The Chase is Better Than The Catch. I wanted to enjoy the entire album but I really couldn't, it makes sense as to why the only released single from the album was the Ace of Spades.
This album would've had a much higher rating from me only if the lyrical content was not so rapey.
Best: Ace of Spades
Worst: Jailbait; The Chase is Better than the Catch
Hole
5/5
Although I had heard a lot about Courtney Love through the years, I didn't realise she had her own band. Heavy grunge reminiscent of the 90s with a strong female empowerment/feminist overtone lyrically, that as a whole was often criticised and mocked for being whiny and overdramatic due to the 'Riot grrrl' movement, would resonate with audiences today.
Best: Miss World; Jennifer's Body; Doll Parts; Gutless
Worst: N/A
The Kinks
4/5
Overall a good album, its very easy listening and fits in nicely with the pop/folk rock of the late 60s. Its a real shame that it was released on the same day as the Beetles "White" album. With themes such as the nostalgia of childhood and small village life contrasting to the quickly changing youth of the late 60s it cements itself as one to listen to on a lazy afternoon and watch the world go by.
Best: Village Green Preservation Society; People Take Pictures of Each other
Worst: Monica
Super Furry Animals
2/5
It was such a weird mish-mash of electronica/rock and to be honest not really a fan. It felt like it jumped around from place to place and no real cohesion throughout. I can kind of see what they were trying to go for but it just didn't really work.
Best: It's Not the End of the World?
Worst: Run Christian Run!
Green Day
5/5
Such a classic modern pop-punk record, this takes me right back to being a moody-too-cool-for-school teenager. Dookie guides you through the inner musings of Billie-Joe around themes such as boredom, anxiety, relationships, and sexuality.
Best: Longview, Welcome to Paradise; Basket Case; When I Come Around
Worst: FOD
Charles Mingus
3/5
The arrangements throughout are a mish mash in a good way of jazz, classical, Spanish and African themes. It feels very improvised, something you may hear at a jazz club, quite nice as some background music.
No best or worst as the entire album feels like a collective that should be treated as a whole.
Depeche Mode
4/5
Music for the Masses is obviously ironically named. Depeche Mode would not have been classified as mainstream in any sense of the word. It is moody and dark, but also decidedly 80s in feel. Overall a great listen and one I'd venture back into.
Best: Never Let Me Down Again; Little 15
Worst: Pimpf
Queens of the Stone Age
3/5
Spotify only had the 2011 re-issue album in their catalogue, I believe the omission of some of the added songs may have made the album flow a little better. Might have given it a slightly higher rating if it was the original track-list. Overall I thought it was a good intro to QOTSA being their debut album.
Best: Regular John
Worst: These Aren't the Droids You're Looking For
Carole King
3/5
Once I saw the track-list of this album I knew I was in for a surprise. Seeing tracks like 'I Feel the Earth Move' and '(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman' which are absolutely iconic songs, of which I had no idea who originally sung them. Its a very relaxed pop/folksy album with acoustic guitars and piano playing that has an old world feel to it.
Best: I Feel the Earth Move; (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman
Worst: Way Over Yonder
Fleetwood Mac
3/5
Honestly surprised me that there was a female voice on the album - genuinely thought it was a male led band. Then I do some extra digging and find out the Stevie Nicks is that voice?! Definitely a TIL. Overall a good alt album which I can see some songs making it onto a road trip playlist. But for the hype that everyone talks about Fleetwood Mac, IMHO, totally overrated.
Best: Angel
Worst: Honey Hi
System Of A Down
3/5
This album is so full of energy, it makes you want to get up and jump around head-banging. It's a politically charged album throughout, being anti-war and touching on topics of genocide, religion and brainwashing. All of these themes make sense when you realise that the band-members are Armenian, whose people have been subject to tragedies.
Best: Sugar; Peephole
Worst: Spiders
Pet Shop Boys
4/5
The PetShop Boys, Actually is a quintessential 80s album. With songs including "What Have I Done to Deserve This?" and "Rent" have the iconic sound of pop synths and dramatic electro-drum beats.
Best: What Have I Done to Deserve This?; Shopping
Worst: It Couldn't Happen Here
Massive Attack
3/5
This is a great album to chill out to, or to have on in the background whilst studying or working or doing something you need to focus on.
Best: Protection
Worst: Spying Glass
2.5 Stars
Talking Heads
3/5
More Songs About Buildings And Food has the familiar production of producer Brian Eno. The story of how the album name came about sounds like a typical band decision. Quote from Tina Weymouth the bassist:
"When we were making this album I remembered this stupid discussion we had about titles for the last album. At that time I said, 'What are we gonna call an album that's just about buildings and food?' And Chris said, 'You call it more songs about buildings and food.'"
It seems that a number of artists have been influenced by the sounds of this album, in my experience, MGMT immediately comes to mind through their similar sounding Avant-pop/new-wave electro sounds. Whether that was a direct influence of the producer or Talking Heads themselves remains to be seen.
Best: With Our Love
Worst: The Big Country
Note: Spotify had the 2005 Remastered album with bonus tracks, I only listened to the original tracks off the album.
Lou Reed
2/5
It's a pretty dark album we get from Lou Reed here. With what is essentially a concept album, with the telling of a couple's struggle with drug addiction and abuse.
Best: Caroline Says I
Worst: The Bed
David Bowie
4/5
Station to Station is a space-age-cocaine-fueled insight into the mind of Bowie at the time with the Thin White Duke persona that he adopted. There are some very odd references that Bowie attributes to the album including references to the stations of the Cross and the Kabbalah. As Bowie was so disconnected with the album as a whole he attributes it "as a piece of work by an entirely different person".
Best: Station to Station
Worst: Wild is the Wind
Hole
4/5
From the satirical look at the cult of celebrity to orgasms and rehabilitation clinics - and that's just in the first four songs. Courtney Love really knows how to get the world bopping without paying too much attention to the lyrics. It is a testament to the alt-rock-pop sounds throughout this album. Overall a listen that takes you back to the sounds of high school teen movies from the very late 90s and very early 00s.
Best: Malibu; Petals
Worst: Dying
Animal Collective
3/5
Merriweather Post Pavilion is a good psych-electronica album that being sample heavy, it allows a creative flow of interesting soundscapes.
Best: My Girls
Worst: Lion in a Coma
Aphex Twin
3/5
This album is perfect to have on in the background whilst studying or working. Great lo-fi beats and sounds like something a 24/7 YouTube channel would be playing.
Not sure if I can pick a best and worst, the whole album is pretty cohesive.
Badly Drawn Boy
3/5
Quite a dreamy alternative album. There was a gamut of instruments throughout the production which kept things fresh and interesting.
Best: Pissing in the Wind
Worst: Be Wilder
Erykah Badu
1/5
70s soul vibes throughout. Not something I'd go out of my way to listen to normally. Its very slow and to me it drags on and I couldn't wait for it to be over.... all 71 minutes of it.
Best: Cleva
Worst: ...&On
1.5 Stars
Willie Nelson
3/5
Willie Nelson's Stardust is a collection of more 'pop' style music than I was expecting from what I've heard of Nelson's country pedigree. The album was a lookback at his childhood, Nelson wanted to bring these songs to a new audience, along with bringing an older one back into the fold of listening to music again. Overall an enjoyable compilation album of covers which, similarly to its namesake, has a starry quality throughout.
Best: Stardust; Unchained Melody
Worst: On the Sunny Side of the Street
Röyksopp
3/5
Melody AM is a look into the world of chilled out house music. Lovely to listen to whilst relaxing on an afternoon, a perfect addition to a background music playlist also.
Best: So Easy
Worst: Poor Leno
3.5 Stars
Jane's Addiction
3/5
It's a fast paced alt-rock bordering on metal in the first half of the album. then in the second half of the album it takes a turn to the dark side. Of which is a delve into love and loss. Firstly of Perry's girlfriend who overdosed at 19 along with his mother who committed suicide when he was 3. Overall it's an album that feels a little disjointed. Going from one side of the record to the other you'd just about think you put on an entirely different LP.
Best: Stop
Worst: Been Caught Stealing
Joy Division
4/5
Closer is melancholic and austere. Given that it was released posthumously from Ian Curtis' suicide it feels more poignant. Coupled with the cover art image of the Appiani Family tomb from Genoa, you have a haunting album, of which in hindsight makes it seem that Ian's suicide was inevitable. A seminal album in post-punk/alternative with the introduction of the synths so prevalent of the 80s.
Best: Isolation
Worst: Passover
Green Day
5/5
Whew, American Idiot is an absolute classic in my eyes. The entire album is filled with commentary on the political and disenfranchised state of the USA in the early/mid 00s, and although the album is almost 20 years old, sadly it still speaks to the state of USA. This conceptual album is multi Grammy award winning, has been adapted for Broadway and has a documentary that was filmed about the process of making the album.
This takes me back to early high school blasting this in my headphones on my discman, and to what we now know as a much simpler time considering what the Trump Administration has brought to the world.
Best: American Idiot; Boulevard of Broken Dreams; Wake Me Up When September Ends
Worst: Are We the Waiting
Note: Spotify has joined some songs as one, which I can see why they've done it for the flow, but I have always listened to them as separate songs. (Holiday/Boulevard of Broken Dreams; Are we The Waiting/St. Jimmy, and a couple of others)
The Byrds
3/5
The Byrds seemed like they may have put up a good fight against the tsunami that was The Beatles, however at the time there was no real way to stop them. Mr. Tambourine Man is a solid pop-folk album that would have been enjoyed by audiences all over.
Best: Mr. Tambourine Man
Worst: The Bells of Rhymney
Note: Spotify has the 1996 reissue with additional tracks. I only listened to the original 12 tracks on the album.
Alice Cooper
3/5
Schoooooooollll'sss Ouuuutttt!!! Classic song that's been used as an anthem for school leavers since it's release. The rest of the album doesn't quite hit the mark in terms of the peak that School's Out was able to achieve. Interesting to note that on their greatest hits album, the only featured song from this album is School's Out. The remainder of the album is a little lacklustre with some potentially questionable lyrics - it's ambiguous if the lyrics relate to consensual acts or otherwise. A couple of other songs do have the themes of school/school leaving but the others do not. The instrumental's weren't too bad either.
Best: School's Out; Public Animal #9
Worst: Blue Turk
Iron Butterfly
3/5
Iron Butterfly's In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida's standout song is quite obviously the title track. The remainder of the songs are perfectly fine, however are clearly only filler.
I feel younger audiences, would know the title track from The Simpsons classic church scene where Bart Sells his Soul to the Devil. The song was supposed to be "In the Garden Of Eden" but the organist was so drunk and slurring his words it was transcribed as In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida.
Best: In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida
Worst: Are You Happy
AC/DC
4/5
AccaDacca! If you're looking for the quintessential Australian Rock album, this has got to be one of the top ones for sure. It has classic tracks, hard-nosed guitar riffs and solos that will get your head bopping and ears bleeding!
Best: Hell's Bells; Back in Black
Worst: Shake A Leg
Santana
3/5
A totally smooth album filled with what Santana are known for, cool latin/jazz fusion rock.
Best: Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen
Worst: Samba Pa Ti
Nine Inch Nails
3/5
A very dark and heavily moody album, of which whose title reflects the state of mind of Trent Reznor's spiral into drug abuse and depression. If you're not paying attention to the lyrics then you may mistake this for a regular distortion filled album but it is so much more than that.
Best: Heresy
Worst: A Warm Place
Beatles
5/5
A Hard Day's Night is what can only be described as Absolute Classic Beatles.
Interesting to find out that the first half of the album was a part of the soundtrack from a film of the same name. It was their first album to feature entirely original compositions.
It was such a delight to listen to, it felt so comfortable and familiar to listen to, even though this is the first time I have listened to this album in full.
Best: A Hard Day's Night; Can't Buy Me Love
Worst: Can't pick.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
2/5
The album is a perfectly ok listen. That kind of country rock doesn't really appeal to me, but it was nice to hear that it wasn't a typical 'country' album.
Best: Green River
Worst: Broken Spoke Shuffle
Blur
4/5
Parklife feels like a new record, yet so familiar. Having never heard the album, but familiar with Blur's 'Song 2' it feels worlds apart from that song, yet all cut from the same cloth.
Best: Girls and Boys
Worst: Trouble in the Message Centre
Fats Domino
2/5
Super boppy and a very bluesy album overall. This style of music would have been a staple at numerous parties and events from the late 50s onwards.
Best: Blueberry Hill
Worst: The Fat Man's Hop
Spotify did not have the entire album, had to resort to finding the songs on YouTube to complete my listen.
Dire Straits
3/5
I've heard of the Dire Straits, however this album isn't what I was expecting. I was expecting a little heavier rock than the slight blues twinge to the record. That's not to say that it was bad, just unexpected.
Best: Down to the Waterline
Worst: Wild West End
Chicago
2/5
Lots of jazz, naturally lending itself to big band energy.
Overall an ok album, however nothing that would really grab me to go back and listen to it.
Best: Southern California Purples
Worst: Liberation
The Fall
2/5
Wow for a band to have their 15th (!) album in the top 1001 albums either some of their other stuff juuuust missed out or it wasn't that good to begin with.
The Fall's 'The Infotainment Scan' is reminiscent of early to mid 90s alt rock with house/dance undertones throughout. It has a very abrupt, poetry style to the lyrical content of the album. Overall an ok listen.
Best: Ladybird (Green Grass)
Worst: Light/Fireworks
2.5 Stars
NOTE: Spotify had the double disc version of the album. I only listened to the first disc as it would have been released on CD at the time.
Keith Jarrett
2/5
An interesting listen, definitely something that I would not normally listen to unless I was perhaps going to a concert specifically for this. I can appreciate that Keith Jarrett is a very good pianist, but I will probably never listen to this again.
No Best/Worst as I think it should be treated as a whole performance.
Booker T. & The MG's
3/5
After looking at the album cover and the year it was released I wasn't expecting too much from this album. however when I popped it on, immediately I recognised the sound, although can't pinpoint from exactly where I recognise it from perhaps from movies or TV shows. Overall a good instrumental album with many familiar melodies.
Best: Green Onions
Worst: One Who Really Loves You
Leonard Cohen
2/5
I've heard of Leonard Cohen, but never listened to any of his music. From the first note I wasn't sure what to expect, but when that deep, booming yet soulful voice came at me I was taken aback. Overall it was a very dark and somber album that was ok but wouldn't go out of my way to listen to.
Best: You Want It Darker
Worst: Steer Your Way
The Beach Boys
2/5
There was only one song that I have heard previously of in the entire album of course it was 'Wouldn't it Be Nice'. Other than that, the album was a delve into the sound of the 60s pioneering new sounds and instruments used for rock at the time including bicycle bells, French horn, flutes, Electro-Theremin, string sections, and beverage cans. Overall an ok album but not as good as the hype that I have heard surround this record.
Best: Wouldn't It Be Nice
Worst: Sloop John B
2.5 Stars
Frankie Goes To Hollywood
4/5
Whilst I have kind of heard of Frankie Goes to Hollywood I didn't realise that the absolute classic "Relax" was by these guys! Welcome to the Pleasuredome is an amalgamation of what I think the 80s would've sounded like. Full of deep synths and electro dance pop goodness.
Best: Relax; War
Worst: Tag
The Who
3/5
There's no doubt that The Who Sell Out by The Who is a concept album. It's dripping with the irony of 'Selling Out' with all of their "Sponsored" commercials and "Public Service Announcements" interspersed between songs. Overall it was an ok album but quite possibly very niche in terms of the whole concept.
Best: Tattoo
Worst: I Can See For Miles
The Pharcyde
3/5
Bizarre Ride II has that early form Hip-Hop flavour in the way of their flow and overall beats and sound with a familiar cadence and flow of the late 80s early 90s.
Their lyrical content is typically not as heavy as those of other artists of the time - particularly NWA and the like. Overall an easy listening album, where lots of the tracks would work well in things like skate videos or skate video games
Best: Oh Shit; Ya Mama
Worst: Return Of the B-Boy
Note: Spotify didn't have the track Officer - had to jump over to YouTube to listen.
R.E.M.
4/5
Quite a good indie/alt debut album from REM. I can understand why at the time it would have been very out there with such a new sound and lyric style. In 1983 I don't really think anyone had a sound like REM and that is part of the reason they're a mainstay in the music industry.
Best: Radio Free Europe
Worst: We Walk
Note: Spotify had the Deluxe reissue version of the album. Only listened to the songs on the original album.
Ice T
2/5
A look into the lives of the LA rappers moving into the 90s. This lengthy album has many interludes and asides where it felt a little drawn out. Definitely some tracks could've been cut, or edited a little better.
Best: O.G. Original Gangster
Worst: Fly By
John Coltrane
2/5
It was a jazz album that was pleasant enough to listen to, however not something I'd actively go out of my way to listen to again. An album that would be good as part of some background music at a speakeasy type bar.
No best/worst as they all flow into one another.
2/5
I can understand why people liked Bob Dylan, however it is not my jam at all, way too folksy and kind of a whiny voice overall - kind of difficult to listen to over 1.5 hours.
Best: Mr. Tambourine Man
Worst: Desolation Row
Buffalo Springfield
2/5
A very folksy, psych rock, a very familiar sound, not sure if I've heard some of their tunes previously or if their sound has been replicated throughout time.
Best: Bluebird
Worst: Broken Arrow
2.5 Stars
Metallica
4/5
A very heavy and dark outfit from Metallica. It's probably their best and most well known album, having been number 1 in about 10 countries and a mainstay in the charts. It is the quintessential metal/heavy rock album. Its a heavier sound than the likes of the metal albums of the 80s, but does not disappoint.
Best: Enter Sandman
Worst: Of Wolf and Man
The Soft Boys
3/5
Underwater Moonlight is a psych-rock with tones of influence from The Beatles, with note of the sitar throughout. Whilst they haven't had much commercial success, they have been credited as early influencers of the likes of REM.
Best: I Wanna Destroy You
Worst: Old Pervert
NOTE: Spotify had ALL of the reissue tracks on the one album. I only listened to the original 10 songs off the album.
Rufus Wainwright
2/5
Very baroque in style and dreamy, Rufus has a voice similar to Matt Belamy from Muse - when he's singing on some of their softer tracks. I can see why some people would really like this its very adult contemporary in style, however it's too dreamy and flowery for me.
Best: Angus Dei; Crumb by Crumb
Worst: Old Whore's Diet
Tito Puente
2/5
A very fun and flirty mambo album that would get a lot of people up and dancing. I can appreciate the album for what it is but it's not something I'd pop on for going out over the weekend.
Best: Mambo Gozon
Worst: Varsity Drag
2.5 Stars
Spiritualized
4/5
A dreamy album full of vast orchestral instrumentals that take you to a place off into the ether. Just as the album name suggests - we are left to feel as though we are indeed floating in space (and time).
The addition of Elvis' 'Can't Help Falling in Love' on the title track, sets you up for a kind of mystique the album is going to bring.
Best: Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space (I Can't Help Falling in Love)
Worst: No God Only Religion
Jimmy Smith
2/5
Back At The Chicken Shack is probably only going to be on a background music playlist. Tracks were quite lengthy.
Best: Back At The Chicken Shack
Worst: Messy Bessie
Dusty Springfield
3/5
This is why they tell you not to judge a book by it's cover. Looking at the album cover I was expecting a country album, but surprisingly what I got was a pop/Motown record including a cover of 'You Don't Own Me'. The album has a similar soul to the likes of Adele, but sounds like Hairspray.
Best: You Don't Own Me
Worst: Wishin' and Hopin'
Note: Spotify had the 1997 reissue with 20 tracks. I only listened to the original 12 tracks from the album.
Public Enemy
4/5
It's a politically and socially charged album that is fast paced with a dense and chaotic production style that relied on found sounds and avant-garde noise as much as it did on old-school funk.
Listening to it today, it still sounds fresh and relevant.
Best: Bring the Noise
Worst: Mind Terrorist
3.5 Stars
Small Faces
3/5
A concept album that if released today would pop up on some indie station. Their psychedelic sound is pretty chill and easy to listen to. Didn't really enjoy the speaking parts throughout the album - but I guess that's what you get from a concept album.
Best: Long Agos And Worlds Apart
Worst: Happiness Stan
5/5
A really good listen to a lot of familiar songs, but never as a whole album. It's evident that The Beatles were well and truly over their teen heart throb status and were more than willing to branch out on something really new and different from their sound and concept for the album to their looks and really keeping with the times of the 'hippy' and drug liberated era.
Best: Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band; With a Little Help from My Friends; Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds
Worst: When I'm Sixty-Four
The Cure
3/5
The Cure's Pornography is a look into the substance-abused mind, delving into the obscenity of violence, exploitation and abuses of power. Lots of imagery around the colour red, seemingly a metaphor for blood, flesh and sex to showcase the fullness of despair, hopelessness and darkness.
As it's hard to make out the lyrics and with the way the instrumentals are arranged it's very easy to fall into the trap of tapping along and enjoying the music without realising that there are some really heavy things lying in waiting.
Best: The Hanging Garden
Worst: Siamese Twins
3.5 Stars
TV On The Radio
2/5
TV On The Radio's Dear Science is more of an indie/electro/rock style of an album. Not sure why it was classed as the best album of 2008 by a number of major publications, considering things like Kanye's "808s & Heartbreak" and Kings of Leon's "Only by the Night" were out the same year.
Best: Family Tree
Worst: Lover's Day
Lynyrd Skynyrd
2/5
Only ever heard one song by Lynyrd Skynyrd, and it was not on this album. Overall it's an ok album fitting into country blues rock style which I'm not really a fan of.
Best: Gimme Three Steps
Worst: Mississippi Kid
Orbital
3/5
Nice house/dance vibes with Snivilisation, great to chill out to or have in the background whilst working/studying.
Best: Science Friction
Worst: Are We Here?
Sheryl Crow
3/5
Tuesday Night Music Club has a very familiar sound and voice where it takes you back to an earlier time. Although most of the songs on the album don't really live up to "All I Wanna Do", overall it's an ok listen.
Best: All I Wanna Do
Worst: No One Said It Would Be Easy
Pretenders
3/5
I feel I've heard of the Pretenders from an older uncle or aunty who were really into them. I can see where the hype would have been back in the day a pop/punk outfit that would appeal to a lot of people.
Best: Brass in Pocket
Worst: Private Life
Bonnie "Prince" Billy
2/5
It's a very stripped back indie folk album which goes through the musings of a man going through some stuff and feels a little personal.
Best: Death To Everyone
Worst: Today I Was An Evil One
Note: This Album is NOT available on Spotify - needed to head to YouTube to listen to it.
The Rolling Stones
4/5
Thankfully Spotify had both the UK and US versions of the album. After listening to the UK version, initially, I thought it was a perfectly good album by the Rolling Stones, but there was something lacking from it to elevate it to the next level. Then I decided to listen to the US version, and instantly found what was missing - "Paint it Black" along with the arrangement and placement of songs throughout the album.
It really is amazing what changing around, adding and cutting a few songs does to an overall album sound and flow. I found the US release much tighter and flowed so much better than the UK version. Where the songs had more cohesion as a whole and sonically seemed to make better sense.
Best: Paint It Black
Worst: What To Do
Creedence Clearwater Revival
2/5
Let's be real here - "Proud Mary" is the only good song on this album. Wikipedia definitely had it right in calling this genre 'Swamp Rock'. Listening to this feels like I've been transported to the deep American south where we're in either a trailer park or down by some swampy lake fishing. (If that's what they were going for then I guess they nailed it?). Two stars only for Proud Mary.
Best: Proud Mary
Worst: Graveyard Train
Note: Spotify had the 40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition - I only listened to the songs on the original album.
Big Brother & The Holding Company
3/5
A slightly different take on the concept album by structuring it as a live album, it does add a bit of flair and interest to it overall. A good acid/psych rock album with a bit of blues thrown in for good measure.
The album cover certainly is unique. It gives an overview of what to expect from the album - as though it was a live show played out in comic. Although, some of those drawings in particular wouldn't fly in today's market.
Best: I Need A Man To Love
Worst: Ball & Chain
Note: Spotify had the re-release album with bonus tracks - I only listened to the original songs.
The 13th Floor Elevators
2/5
One of the first bands to use the term psychedelic rock - if you couldn't tell by the colourful trip-inducing album cover. The use of the "hillbilly" jug as a sound is thankfully not too prominent and blends in quite well.
Overall, a good psych rock album, although there weren't too many standouts.
Best: You're Gonna Miss Me
Worst: Don't Fall Down
2.5 Stars
Note: Spotify had the 2008 Remaster Edition, but I only listened to the original tracks
Cocteau Twins
3/5
Very dreamy and ethereal. I will say though I am pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it. Whilst at the time of release I can see how it would have been quite out there and different. This would not have been the same record had they not included the backing drums on each of the tracks. It reminds me of the "Mermaid Song" from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire movie.
It's a good album to pop on when you're in the mood for a chill/space-out session.
Best: Ivo
Worst: Amelia
Frank Zappa
3/5
I'd heard of the name Frank Zappa, but never any of his songs. It was an interesting - mostly instrumental - ride that has some great guitar solos with a pop of sax and surprisingly organs.
Wouldn't mind some of these popping up on a playlist randomly.
Best: Peaches En Regalia
Worst: Willie The Pimp
The Smiths
4/5
Quite a progressive album from The Smiths for the time it was released. There is clearly a lot of underlying dissent to the archaic way Morrissey was treated in school and yet it's also very forward thinking, contrary to the popular sentiment of eating meat as well as jokes at other's expense not being ok.
Best: That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore
Worst: Nowhere Fast
k.d. lang
1/5
Blegh. This is very much in the genre of "Adult Contemporary" and just about put me to sleep. Could not get into this album at all. She must have some listeners to have been around all these years but jeez, dunno who would listen to her willingly.
Best (of a bad bunch): Constant Craving
Worst (saying something): Season Of Hollow Soul
Stereo MC's
3/5
This album was a nice mix between Hip-Hop and Electronica, a nice easy listen and good to pop on and nod your head to - but would have been amazing to see at a festival. It was nice to hear some female vocals throughout the album - something that was not common at the time of release.
Best: Connected
Worst: Chicken Shake
Kanye West
4/5
A real iconic album from Kanye and a great follow up from 808s & Heartbreak. There are several songs on the album that are still in rotation on many playlists (as of Jan 2022) that never fail to please. At times throughout it can be a bit self-indulgent with the extra long tracks. (9 min+).
Best: Power; Monster
Worst: Devil In a new Dress
Lauryn Hill
1/5
Could this album be any longer? I get that this is a progressive album hearing life perspectives from the female side, and the whole classroom vibe at the end of some of the songs being about learning fitting into the vibe of the album cover and title. But sheesh it gave me a headache and almost put me to sleep at work. Any way something could have been cut from it's 77 minute track list?
Best: Can't Take My Eyes Off You (I Love You Baby)
Worst: When It Hurts So Bad
Gene Clark
2/5
Overall it was an alright album. Laid back and chill if not a little slow, nothing really stood out and grabbed my attention.
Best: Strength of Strings
Worst: Some Misunderstanding
The Auteurs
3/5
An ok album that had a chill but haunting vibe to it overall.
Best: Starstruck
Worst: Idiot Brother
2.5 Stars
Derek & The Dominos
2/5
This is one long album clocking in at 77 minutes one of the longer albums I've listened to so far throughout this journey. It's blues rock focus can at times feel a bit repetitive and a lot of the guitar solos could have neatened up the album a bit.
Best: Bell Bottom Blues; Layla
Worst: Key to the Highway
Missy Elliott
4/5
This is a surprisingly deeper album than I would have expected. Missy's love for the overall hip-hop community really shines through. With all of the intro/outros throughout the album really hark back to where she came from and pays tribute to who came before her (I'm not normally a fan of intros/outros). She really brings the love for the music and the music alone and does away with the huge egos and all of the unnecessary 'gangsta' deaths.
Best: Work It
Worst: Slide
Manic Street Preachers
3/5
After reading a little background of the album, it's indeed a very sad state of affairs. It is clear whilst listening to it that there the lead singer is not in a good place mentally and physically with documented reports of self-harm, anorexia nervosa, alcohol abuse and depression. The lyrical themes reflect heavily on politics and human suffering, yet it's one of those albums if you weren't paying too much attention to the lyrics themselves you'd happily bop along to the songs themselves without realising it's true meaning.
Best: Yes
Worst: Ifwhiteamericatoldthetruthforonedayit'sworldwouldfallapart
The Incredible String Band
2/5
Wow, initially listening I thought I could get on board with this album the first couple of tracks were a little kooky but manageable. Then came "A Very Cellular Song" - all 13 mins of it and it was just about as much as my mind could handle. The trippy lyrics and use of sitars and finger cymbals was way too much for me and I was definitely not high enough to appreciate much else.
Some of the vocals (not sure who was responsible for them) reminded me of Italian folk music (similar era so maybe it was a thing) where the singing gets all whiny sounding like having a stomach ache. Which is what it gave me to be honest, not very pleasant.
Best: The Minotaur's Song
Worst: A Very Cellular Song
Cream
3/5
Something in the back of my mind thought there was something familiar with the band Cream, but couldn't put my finger on it. Then I heard the second track off the album and the bell went off. Overall Disraeli Gears is an wonderful and eclectic mix of pulling away from blues rock and diving headfirst into psychedelic rock. A lot of the tracks don't really make much sense lyrically and fit exactly in the psych era.
Best: Sunshine of Your Love
Worst: Blue Condition
3.5 Stars
Wilco
3/5
There is as really chilled urban landscape vibe to the entire album. At times it can be a little slow and drawn out.
It was slated for initial release on September 11, the cover image and some of the songs were later seen as an allegory to the attacks although the album was recorded before the attack had ever occurred. A very interesting coincidence.
Best: Heavy Metal Drummer
Worst: Kamera
The Adverts
4/5
What a great punk rock album. It really captured and embodied that teen/early adulthood angst. With shredding distortion and punching lyrical delivery, this is one I wish I had heard earlier.
Best: No Time to Be 21
Worst: Bombsite Boy
Note: Spotify had all the 2002 release with Single Edits & Live performances. I only listened to the original 13 tracks.
Hookworms
3/5
A neo/psych/synth rock album that was a pleasant listen with a dreamlike quality to the whole thing.
Too bad one of the band members are a total piece of shite.
Best: Static Resistance
Worst: Each Time We Pass
Eminem
4/5
I had almost forgotten how playful and outrageous Eminem's early lyrics were, interspersed with those skits. Eminem gives the world a glimpse into his lower socio-economic class upbringing (although potentially slightly exaggerated). His flow throughout is quite loose and free coupled with his cartoonish, satirical alter ego, makes for a fun listen. Anyone taking these lyrics at face value need to check themselves.
Best: My Name Is
Worst: Role Model
The Stone Roses
3/5
An ok alt-rock album that has paved the way for some similar sounds we hear in today's music. Some of the songs could have had less instrumentals and be tightened up a little.
Best: I Wanna Be Adored
Worst: I am the Resurrection
Eagles
4/5
I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this album and although I have heard of the Eagles, I haven't really listened to much and thought they were just American Country.
Hotel California is a great concept album by their own admission. It embodies all of the themes and connotations of what California encompasses, the allure of the glitz and glamour of Hollywood but it also speaks to the illusion of it all.
Best: Hotel California; The New Kid in Town
Worst: The Last Resort
4/5
It's so weird to see Bono without his trademark glasses. The Joshua Tree is really one of those quintessential albums, I had always discounted it being just a bunch of hype (never listening to it in it's entirety before now), but it definitely holds it's own.
The powerful voice of Bono with the smooth arrangement of the music and backing vocals make it a powerhouse album with a cinematic quality. Lyrically, it was the beginning of U2's sociopolitical awakening with embellishments of spiritual imagery.
Best: With Or Without You
Worst: Trip Through Your Wires
The Black Crowes
3/5
Although it's from the 90s (let's say late 80s really) Shake Your Money Maker sounds like it's from the mid 70s. I'll have to agree with this Entertainment Weekly review which sums up the sound of the album:
"The Black Crowes are to the early Rolling Stones what Christian Slater is to the young Jack Nicholson: a self-conscious imitation, but fine enough in its own right."
Best: Jealous Again
Worst: She Talks to Angels
The Smiths
3/5
Strangeways, Here We Come is filled with a familiar sound. But honestly, nothing really stood out with a wow factor, but it was a good solid album nonetheless.
Best: Death of a Disco Dancer
Worst: Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me
Cyndi Lauper
4/5
This record probably houses two of Cyndi's most famous releases - Girls Just Wanna Have Fun and Time After Time.
It's a very pop heavy record, with the iconic sounds of the 80s including heavy synths and electronic drum beats. Coupled with Cyndi on the album cover, full of costume jewellery, fishnets, bright make-up and that glorious mullet, it signals a grand entrance to what 80s pop was really known for.
Best: Girls Just Wanna Have Fun; Time After Time
Worst: All Through the Night
Sufjan Stevens
3/5
I feel in listening to this album, I'm missing a lot of context regarding very, very specific references to the state of Illinois.
This album gives off a carnival vibe to me, perhaps it's the vast array of instrumentation and whimsical nature of it all. But my god, it's such a looooonnnngggg album! And the song titles aren't lacking in length either!
Best: Jacksonville
Worst: Come On! Feel the Illinoise!" (Part I: The World's Columbian Exposition – Part II: Carl Sandburg Visits Me in a Dream)
2.5 Stars.
Paul McCartney and Wings
3/5
It was an ok album, not sure if the collaboration with Wings added much to what really feels like a Paul McCartney Album. When you find out that the production of this album, was just Paul & Linda and one of the members from Wings, it all begins to add up.
There are many familiar sounds throughout, but definitely didn't hold up to the Beatles heyday.
Best: Jet
Worst: Picasso's Last Words (Drink to Me)
The Velvet Underground
5/5
White Light / White Heat is a fantastic foray into very early punk rock. The Velvet Underground were lyrically transgressive, and likely one of the first bands to demonstrate to the audience, through their lyrics, that they were the embodiment of Sex, Drugs and Rock 'n' Roll.
Best: Whole Album
Worst: N/A
Note: the Link to the album above on Spotify is the deluxe version. I only listened to the original album.
Peter Frampton
3/5
Frampton's live album was a good stadium rock album. Never heard of Frampton himself, but didn't realise he was the one behind 'Baby I Love the Way'. You can really feel the energy of the crowd in this one, and after 2.5 years of no live music from COVID it felt really good to hear.
Best: Baby I Love the Way
Worst: Lines on My Face
Adele
5/5
Absolute perfection. Adele's 21 was my first real introduction to her and I instantly fell in love.
From 'Rolling in the Deep' to 'Someone Like You' 21 doesn't miss a beat. With almost half of the album released as singles, along with topping the music charts in over 30 countries, it's not hard to see how much of an impact this has had within the music world.
Adele's soulful voice coupled with her deeply personal trials and tribulations that resonate with so many worldwide, and is touted as one of the best break-up albums ever created.
Best: All of it
Worst: N/A
The Who
3/5
A live album that felt like it captured all the high and lowlights of a concert - including lots of interspersed talking and long ass guitar solos. I'm not sure if it was the way it was cut in studio or not , but it seemed to drag on a little towards the end.
Best: Shaking All Over
Worst: Amazing Journey/Sparks
Jurassic 5
3/5
I actually didn't mind listening to this album. I did think going in, that it would be unbearable considering the runtime reaches almost an hour long. But the beats and flow of Jurassic 5 were able to keep my head bopping along. The fan interaction at the end of "If You Only Knew" was definitely an unexpected highlight, it really captured the essence of an Aussie fan - no matter what they're a fan of you can expect a similar reaction.
Best: Freedom
Worst: One of Them
Stephen Stills
2/5
It was an ok country rock album, perhaps those late nights/multiple days of recording hindered the overall quality of the album.
Best: It Doesn't Matter
Worst: Hide it So Deep
Nirvana
5/5
An absolute classic album! Although more "polished" than their previous album, Nevermind is a cornerstone of the grunge movement in the early '90s. Although the band - in particular Kurt Cobain - resented some of it's success, it truly brought grunge to the masses. Everyone under the age of 25 at the time, would have sold their soul for a ticket to any of their shows.
Best: Smells Like Teen Spirit; Come as You Are
Worst: Lounge Act
John Cale
3/5
Paris 1919 is a very poetic take on the pop genre, and thankfully had a reasonable runtime. With numerous pop-rock influences and countless literary and cultural references throughout it makes for a rich listen.
Likely John Cale's most famous work "Paris 1919" he described it as "an example of the nicest ways of saying something ugly."
Best: Paris 1919; Antarctica Starts Here
Worst: Hanky Panky Nohow
2.5 Stars
The Go-Go's
5/5
The Go-Go's are one of the original all girl pop punk bands. What a joy to listen to this album in full.
I was already across their two main hits in Our Lips Are Sealed and We Got the Beat, but the whole album was full of great songs that really makes you feel like you're a part of their girls club, in the best possible way.
Best: Our Lips Are Sealed; We Got the Beat
Worst: Skidmarks On My Heart
Hugh Masekela
2/5
An ok jazz instrumental album, but to my untrained Jazz ear nothing really stood out.
Best: Unhomé
Worst: Ingoo Pow-Pow (Children's Song)
Paul Simon
2/5
An ok album a little more upbeat and reggae than I expected (particularly on Mother and Child Reunion). I expected it to be a lot more 'folksy' than it was. As it was Simon's first solo album it probably felt good to experiment with what he wanted to do rather than to also be tied to Garfunkel's whims.
Best: Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard
Worst: Hobo's Blues
The Undertones
3/5
It was a good boppy pop punk album that really showcased the youth of the time.
Best: Teenage Kicks
Worst: I know a Girl
Note: Listened to the 2016 remastered version on Spotify to avoid the anniversary edition.
Fugazi
4/5
A really high octane outing that is probably a seminal rock album at a time of style transition. It really bridges the gap in between a more 80s style of hard/glam rock to what has now become known as garage/grunge rock.
Repeater's subject matter addresses a wide variety of themes such as greed, violence, sexuality, privacy, drug abuse and death. Of which the themes are at the forefront of the grunge movement.
Best: Repeater
Worst: Brendan 1
Billy Bragg
3/5
This is an album that is meant to be taken as is. From what I have read about Bragg & Wilco, their styles differ quite a lot in comparison to this album. Mermaid Avenue is really about bringing to life the lyrics of American folk singer Woody Guthrie. Personally I think what Bragg & Wilco were able to do with the limited references to the music stylings (Guthrie was really only a lyrics man) were quite remarkable, although not my favourite style of music I can appreciate what they have done.
Best: California Stars
Worst: Birds and Ships
Isaac Hayes
3/5
I can see how the Shaft Soundtrack went onto influence future movie soundtracks - especially those with a predominantly black cast. It's a very catchy offering, provides some good background music, coupled with some funky items that will no doubt get you into the feel of the movie itself.
Best: Theme From Shaft
Worst: No Name Bar
James Brown
3/5
Live at the Apollo was a great jazz album that lead itself as something akin to a time capsule. It is wonderful to experience the energy from the crowd back in the day. Any woman over the age of 60 who complain about the way girls go gaga for singers these days, should take a good listen to this album, nothing has changed.
Best: Try Me
Worst: Think
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
4/5
It is a solid prog rock album that takes the listener on a musical journey. The title track (with its many parts) was a great listen and the conceptual-ness of it all allowed me to really think about themes such as life, religion, war, death and the fate of the world.
Being not as experimental, I felt the second half was lacking in overall feel and sound in comparison. They almost sound like two different albums.
Best: Tarkus (all parts)
Worst: A Time and a Place
Sugar
2/5
Copper Blue by Sugar sounds like the type of music that you'd find in a 90s to early 00s teen angsty movie or tv show. This album is only helped by the fact that it came out around the time of the Nirvana Boom in 1991.
Best: Man On The Moon
Worst: The Slim
Jungle Brothers
3/5
Done By the Forces Of Nature takes you back to the golden age of Hip Hop with their afro-centric lyrics and sampling music from all kinds of genres. It felt like being transformed back to the 80s surrounded by a crew of b-boy dancers.
Best: What U Waitin' 4?
Worst: In Dayz 2 Come
Electric Light Orchestra
3/5
It was a very expansive record, ELO takes us on a journey through space and time with the mix of orchestral sounds and experimental electronica. Perhaps it might take a few more listens to really get a feel for it, but it didn't grab me as much as the iconic album cover.
Best: Starlight
Worst: Mr. Blue Sky
A Nod's As Good As a Wink... to a Blind Horse was the first time I'd heard of Faces, then to find out that in it was Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood was a nice surprise. A very succinct album that hit all the right notes for a country/blues rock album.
Best: Stay With Me
Worst: Last Orders
The xx
5/5
Didn't realise that The xx have been around since 2009! It feels like they only really came into consciousness in the last few years (being 2022 atm), but upon reflection it really has been a long time!
The xx have a way of making music that just slips into you consciousness and take over your soul without you even noticing it's there.
Best: Intro; Shelter
Worst: N/A
FKA twigs
4/5
LP1 is very soulful and hymn like in quality, yet has a sensuality that draws you in. FKA Twigs' futuristic take on R&B, melds into electronica quite nicely, and is uniquely it's own thing.
Best: Two Weeks
Worst: Numbers
3.5 Stars (so very close to 4 stars)
Kate Bush
3/5
Overall a very grandiose record, especially with the string sections throughout and Kate's ethereal voice. The title track was a little hot & heavy to be listening to at work, but the subject matter of the rest of the album twists and transforms, never really knowing what you'll get next.
I can see how Kate Bush was popular, but its not something that I'd reach out to listen to on the regular.
Best: Love and Anger
Worst: Between a Man and a Woman
Pink Floyd
5/5
Such a seminal album, this was my first full listen to it and its an amazing concept that really hits hard. The overarching story throughout takes you on a the titular "Pink's" journey that was likely similar for many post WWII children, from their experiences then moving onto adulthood an the trials, tribulations and insecurities that come with growing up and being a part of a post war world.
Best: Another Brick in the Wall Pt. 2
Worst: Waiting for the Worms
The Pogues
4/5
The Pogues' second album is full of very good drinking songs, and most of it wouldn't go astray on a pirate ship at all (judging by the album cover - it's very appropriate).
A super fun listen!
Best: The Sickbed of Cuchulainn
Worst: And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda (seemed really out of place on an Irish album with such thick accents)
3.5 Stars
Belle & Sebastian
3/5
It was an ok listen overall, the themes of discovering oneself and experimentation in all kinds of forms. A witty insight into the youth of the mid-90s that takes some inspiration from the past and can undoubtedly inspire future generations.
Best: If You're Feeling Sinister
Worst: Like Dylan in the Movies
Aerosmith
3/5
Pump was almost a surprise to listen to - whilst I've heard a bit about Aerosmith, I didn't realise how much their lyrics really leant into the 'sex, drugs & rock 'n' roll' stereotype pretty hard - guess that's why its a stereotype, it needed to be somewhat true!
Aerosmith come out with all guns blazing on this record with exactly what you'd expect from a hard metal/glam rock band. Most surprising of the record for me was Janie's got a Gun and the themes surrounding it, not a topic I had pictured Aerosmith singing about.
Best: The Other Side
Worst: Monkey On My Back
Beatles
5/5
Rubber Soul was a great first time listen. It still amazes me as to how effortless The Beatles songwriting and musicianship feels. Quite literally each song on the record could have been a single.
Beginning to see some of that psychedelic influence that was quite separate from their initial sound. But this was not so far removed that it still would have been palatable for those that fell in love with their original sound.
Best: Drive My Car
Worst: Run For Your Life
The Prodigy
5/5
The Fat of The Land is a super high octane outing from Prodigy, in which you'd really expect no less. With the controversy of 'Smack my Bitch Up', it only saw to drive the popularity of the record itself and cement Prodigy as psych-electro gods.
I know 'Breathe' is more about the pull that drugs can have, but it has been a part of my workout soundtrack for the better part of at least the last 20 years (which blows my mind!), and it always gets me to push further.
Best: Breathe
Worst: Narayan
ZZ Top
2/5
Literally only know of ZZ Top from the song 'La Grange' and that Billy Gibbins is Angela's dad in the TV Show Bones. Thankfully 'La Grange' was on this record.
Overall it was a little meh. Gibbins' guitar shredding is probably the only thing that saved the entire album.
Best: La Grange
Worst: Hot, Blue and Righteous
Alice In Chains
3/5
Overall a decent grunge/metal album by Alice in Chains. It's a very emotional album that deals with some heavy subjects including depression, pain, anger and war that are played out with such raw emotion.
Best: Dirt
Worst: Would?
The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy
2/5
Hypocrisy Is The Greatest Luxury is an ok album that speaks to many issues of the time, and unfortunately still to a degree speaks to today's plights faced by many not just in the US but around the world.
Best: The Winter of the Long Hot Summer
Worst: Water Pistol Man
Dizzee Rascal
3/5
A great debut from Dizzee, it definitely brought the UK grime movement to the mainstream masses. This album seems more raw and unpolished in comparison to his later works, but doesn't suffer from it's "green-ness".
There are pockets in the album where his flow is not quite there, but there are gems where you can see he's taken that flow and honed it.
Best: I Luv U
Worst: 2 Far
3.5 Stars
Malcolm McLaren
2/5
An interesting contemporary/world music album that put together a whole bunch of sounds and evoked a feeling of whimsy. Not a favourite, but could potentially have a couple of tracks on as background music.
Best: Merengue
Worst: Duck for the Oyster
JAY Z
3/5
There's a reason why Jay-Z is one of the top rappers of the late 90s/early 00s, and this album is one of them.
Overall it was a decent hip-hop album, but I think it's just the style of late 90s/early 00s hip-hop that I have never really enjoyed, but there's no doubt that this album had a huge influence at the time.
Best: Izzo (H.O.V.A.); Renegade
Worst: Jigga That Nigga
Grateful Dead
1/5
A pretty boring album by the Greatful Dead. Felt like any other country rock from the 70s.
Best: Truckin'
Worst: Candyman
Goldie
3/5
Goldie was able to create an expansive atmosphere, coupled with ethereal vocals and a litany of stringed instruments. Timeless is truly a timeless album that will always take you back to the mid 90s house/trance scene.
Best: Timeless
Worst: Adrift
The War On Drugs
2/5
Lost in the Dream was an ok prog-rock/Americana album, however I feel it was let down by the Americana that came through. It was an easy listen albeit with one that was filled with half an album full of songs that were over 6 mins each.
Best: The Haunting Idle
Worst: Eyes to the Wind
Marilyn Manson
3/5
Just gonna start off by saying that Marilyn Manson scared the crap out of me as a kid, and to be quite honest, still kinda scares me today 😬
There is no doubt however that he is the master of heavy industrial/gothic rock/metal, and Antichrist Superstar is definitely up there. A horror filled concept outing that revolves around a supernatural being who seizes all power from humanity, driven by resentment, and despair, he uses this position to destroy the world.
It can also be seen as a social critique, using this storyline as a metaphor for the perceived fascist elements of the conservative political movement and the Christian right in North America. (This is not the first album that I have listened to where themes that were relevant over 25-30 years ago are still very much in the forefront of the American people's minds.)
Best: Beautiful People
Worst: Tourniquet
Jeff Beck
2/5
It was an ok blues/rock album that really didn't bring much to the table. Felt like there was a heavier blues influence rather than rock, even though at the time there was the transition phase between the classical blues/blues rock and what we now know today as rock.
Best: You Shook Me
Worst: Blues Deluxe
Note: Spotify had the Remastered album with additional songs, I only listened to the original tracks from the album.
Björk
5/5
I've only ever heard of Bjork because of her - shall we say - out-there dress at the Oscars in 2001. So it almost comes as no surprise that she is donning that exact dress on the cover of Vespertine.
This album was an overall nice surprise, as what little press I'd heard of Bjork was all about the swan dress, and how strange it was. Of which I then formed a pre-conceived notion of what her music sounded like, and that it wouldn't be something I would enjoy.
The ethereal like quality to her music, draws you in with her understated beats and unique voice, of which I would liken to someone like Norwegian artist Aurora, paired with the sensuality of FKA Twigs.
Best: Aurora
Worst: Heirloom
The The
1/5
The The's Soul Mining is a strange combination of 80s punk, synth and weirdly reggae-like in parts.
It feels too convoluted and all over the place for me. Not a fan.
Best: Soul Mining
Worst: This Is The Day
Isaac Hayes
3/5
Isaac Hayes has to be the master of ultra smooth soul. This album, as the title suggests, is nothing but fully Hot Buttered Soul. Although the tracks are lengthy, it has a way about it that will just mellow you out and take you to another place.
Best: Walk On By
Worst: By The Time I Get To Phoenix
Devendra Banhart
3/5
It's funny that sometimes, you can look at an album cover - not knowing the artist or what the album will remotely be like and just pick the style of music that it will contain. Devendra Banhart's Rejoicing In The Hands definitely fits the bill for this.
Overall the slow indie/folk vibe seems to be alright for popping on in the background, or would fit seamlessly into countless indie movies/TV shows from the early/mid 00s.
Best: Insect Eyes
Worst: When the Sun Shone on Vetiver
Queen
4/5
With the wide range of sounds, genres and influences that are present in A Night at the Opera, you would think that there would be no coherency and that it would be all over the place. However, Queen manage to wrap it all up in a neat bow, hell there's even an instrumental version of the British National Anthem to tie it altogether!
AJ Ramirez of PopMatters sums the album up much more eloquently than I have "... while the transitions between genres would conceivably throw listeners for a loop, none are jarring. Instead, Queen succeeds because it pulls from all the best tricks in the library of showbiz history to deliver laughs, heartache, grandeur, and spectacle to its audience at precisely the right moments."
Best: Bohemian Rhapsody (cliche I know)
Worst: Good Company
David Bowie
4/5
Blackstar truly sounds like its both written and sung by someone who is knocking on deaths door. Unfortunately for wider humanity, this was indeed the case for Bowie. Blackstar has quite an experimental sound with a mish mash of genres entwined from jazz to art rock onto industrial rock, folk pop and hip hop.
Although not Bowie's best work, it is indeed a fitting end to what was a groundbreaking and illustrious career of a legend of music.
Best: Lazarus
Worst: Dollar Days
Traffic
1/5
John Barleycorn Must indeed Die. What even was this album? I for one would not want this to be played in Traffic or I'd be the one raging on the road! Did not like the weird mix of folk jazz and what I'd call jamming with mates in public. It's not great at all. The singing makes me almost want to spew up - it's got that sound of when you have an extremely sore stomach and you make that cry out/wail in pain sound.
Best: Freedom Rider (juuuust)
Worst: Empty Pages
Bill Evans Trio
2/5
A perfectly fine jazz album, another one to pop in a chill background music playlist. Nothing particularly offensive but perhaps a little too mellow for my taste - it definitely feels off the cuff, but in the most practiced way.
Best: Solar: Live At The Village Vanguard
Worst: All Of You: Live At The Village Vanguard
Ozomatli
3/5
A very eclectic mix of sounds ranging from Bollywood and Sitars that was mixed with rap and Salsa dancing. I think it would be worth a listen to as a full album as it's kinda fun but also a little strange. Not sure how I feel about it as a whole because of how disjointed it felt trying to find as many tracks as possible.
Only 2 songs were on Spotify AU. Could not find "Te Estoy Buscando", "Doña Isabelle" and "Nadie Te Tira"; for "Santiago" only found a drum cover, not ideal but could get a feel for it.
Best (from what I heard): Love and Hope
Worst (from what I heard): Ya Viene El Sol
Kid Rock
1/5
Wow, this is the definition of white trash. It's so misogynistic and sexist it just sounds like the definition of a rich white boy getting his rap on, and definitely not in a good way. Also, what's with the kid (as in it sounds like an actual child) rapping on Devil without a Cause?? The whole album has this weird fusion of country, rap and rock, and at 71 minutes in length it is WAY too long, and almost wish I had skipped listening to this, the only saving grace was listening to Eminem's verse on Fuck Off.
Best: Fist of Rage
Worst: Cowboy
Manic Street Preachers
4/5
A good easy listening to, brit rock album. Even with the dark undertones, full of lament and asking for forgiveness for moving on from the disappearance of their rhythm guitarist Richey Edwards (who has since been presumed dead).
Overall, it has the sentiment of a bittersweet album, wrapped up in an upbeat rock album.
Best: Everything Must Go
Worst: Kevin Carter
The Doors
5/5
What a debut album by The Doors! An absolute instant classic masterpiece that helped usher in the era of psychedelic rock and was even touted as inspiration for The Beatles Sgt. Pepper album. In true psychedelic style, the drug references are numerous as are the sexual innuendos whilst we delve into the altered mind of Morrisey.
Best: Break On Through (To The Other Side)
Worst: N/A
N.W.A.
5/5
An absolute classic hip-hop album from NWA. Straight Outta Compton moved straight into the hearts of millions, even through all the controversy. In particular, after 6 months of playing Fuck Tha Police, Australia's youth radio station Triple J were censored from playing it, and subsequently staged a protest. The entire station went on strike and Express Yourself was put on repeat for 24 hours (350 times) instead of regular programming.
The entre album is full of energy and angst, that allows everyone living outside their way of life to begin to understand and appreciate.
Best: Fuck Tha Police; Express Yourself
Worst: If It Ain't Ruff
Lenny Kravitz
2/5
Sorry, just don't get the hype of Lenny Kravitz. Yeah he's a good vocalist, good looking and basically this entire album is a one man show (apart from a couple of songs co-written by his then wife Lisa Bonnet), but it doesn't really offer me much else.
Best: Fear
Worst: Mr. Cab Driver
2.5 Stars
Sparks
3/5
Kimono My House is the glammiest of glam rock albums. It's full of quirky lyrics and upbeat tempo and very, very high falsetto (guess it could've been a byproduct of the '70s tight pants too! haha).
Overall, it was a decent glam rock album - even if that high falsetto threw me a little to begin with.
Best: Equator
Worst: In My Family
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
3/5
So boppy and up-tempo it really makes you want to tap your feet and do a little ske-doodley-bop dance (don't ask what that means, I've got no idea).
If one were to head to a cool jazz bar, you would totally expect something like this to be playing.
Best: Take 5
Worst: Kathy's Waltz
Neil Young
2/5
The slow, somber timbre of the album now makes sense when you learn that Neil Young had a broken back and recorded this at his farm, where he literally couldn't play any other instrument other than an acoustic guitar.
Whilst it does provide some grandeur and atmosphere, The London Symphony Orchestra is able to lift the album in parts a little, however sadly, it doesn't provide much in the way of lifting the album up entirely.
Best: Heart of Gold
Worst: A Man Needs A Maid
Note: Most of this album is not available on Spotify so had to find a YouTube stream of it (thankfully not too difficult).
Steely Dan
3/5
A perfectly ok album that straddles the bridge between jazz and more of a pop rock focus, I believe the term is yacht rock (whatever that is). It is quite a smooth and chilled out album, which is an ok listen for a background music playlist IMO.
Best: Peg
Worst: I Got The News
Gary Numan
3/5
Numan's The Pleasure Principle is likely one of the pioneering records for what is now the big synth movement of the 80s.
Was not expecting the M.E. track, it was quite distracting though, I kept expecting Basement Jaxx to yell out in my headset. And I really enjoyed Asylum, it had a dark haunting quality that would be home in a good sci-fi show or movie.
Best: M.E. ; Asylum
Worst: Oceans
John Grant
2/5
Why in the world is this album on this list. With all of the great albums that were released between 2005 and 2010, what even is this entry?? I've never even heard of this guy - I'm not saying that alt music shouldn't be included but c'mon. Nothing interesting, quite bland and broody sounding, perhaps it's included for that "alternative" or "interesting" voice in the new album lineup.
Best: Outer Space
Worst: JC Hates Faggots
The Replacements
3/5
A solid punk album that took us on a journey through the funny awkwardness of adolescence coming into adulthood.
Best: Unsatisfied
Worst: Sixteen Blue
Note: Spotify had an extended version album however I only listened to the original 11 tracks.
Songhoy Blues
3/5
I wasn't sure what to expect from this album but I was pleasantly surprised. The Songhoy Blues' story is truly inspiring, from having to flee their country where the new regime, among other things, banned music. Although they don't look like your traditional blues band, they certainly play like one. It is the perfect blend of that blues sound we are all familiar with, combined perfectly with Malian groove.
Best: Nick
Worst: Al Tchere Bele
Stevie Wonder
3/5
I haven't heard too much music from Stevie Wonder but have definitely heard his name, however I didn't really expect the sound from the album. I envisioned that Innervisions would have more of a saxophone jazz sound rather than the piano style jazz it has. (I may be confusing Stevie with Bleeding Gums Murphy from The Simpsons 🤦♀️(please don't crucify me!!))
Overall a solid album that has the smooth/funky sounds of soul and jazz that has a way of seamlessly working serious themes without being too in your face.
Best: All In Love Is Fair
Worst: He's Misstra Know-It-All
Echo And The Bunnymen
4/5
An great debut post-punk album that sounds so familiar in today's ears. It's exactly what lots of teen punk/rock bands aspire to produce, something that's moody, mysterious, full of angst, horror and despair.
Best: Rescue
Worst: Happy Death Men
Soundgarden
4/5
Soundgarden is the epitome of the soundscape of the rock/metal/grunge of the 90s. Chris Cornell & Co were able to successfully pivot from their earlier punk influences and transform it into a truly fresh sound, with obvious new influences such as Nirvana.
It's easy to see how Soundgarden are generally known for being stoner music, and with Superunknown being a long album, but it's definitely worth the listen (even if your're not high).
Best: Black Hole Sun
Worst: Half
Jazmine Sullivan
3/5
Heaux Tales is a very poignant album, released in 2021, with themes of feminism, sexuality, classism, body-shaming and all other struggles that women face, and seems to have become even more relevant in mid 2022.
Having never heard of Jazmine Sullivan she is not my general go to listen or even something to have in rotation on a playlist, however I can see the importance of this album in the overall worldview.
Best: Pick Up Your Feelings
Worst: The Other Side
Nirvana
4/5
A look into the absolute rawness and absolute genius of Nirvana. This set contains songs that are so unbelievably vulnerable, and filled with so much passion - particularly for an acoustic set (even if the guitar was run through an amp).
Their covers are just as good - if not better than their originals in this set, who can look past their cover of Bowie's The Man Who Sold The World. This performance will go down as one of the greatest live sets of all time, especially as to how soon after this performance we lost Kurt.
Best: The Man Who Sold The World
Worst: Oh Me
4.5 Stars
Pearl Jam
4/5
Ten is one of those quintessential rock albums of the 90s. Coming around the time of Nirvana, it's another album that helped the grunge/alt-rock movement shoot straight into the consciousness of the mainstream - no matter how much they were maligned as sellouts - eventually even outselling Nevermind.
The lyrics tend to lend themselves to heavier subjects, pretty much standard for that alt-rock scene. What brings this album alive is the anthemic sounds on tracks such as Jeremy & Alive.
Best: Jeremy
Worst: Release
Rush
3/5
"It's a Saturday night, I have no date, but a two litre bottle of Shasta, and my all Rush Mix-Tape. Let's Rock" *Space Invaders shooting sound plays* - Fry, Futurama
This is my one and only intro to Rush, and was mildly disappointed that the record didn't really come with a Space Invaders overlay. But in all seriousness many songs in Moving Pictures would work well in any playlist (or mix-tape - let's keep that theme going), for a huge gaming sesh or even a workout sesh. For a band's eighth studio album that ain't bad at all in my books.
Best: YYZ
Worst: Witch Hunt
Jimi Hendrix
3/5
This is totally the sound I had envisioned when hearing about Hendrix. Its got the psychedelia, it's got the guitars and all of the guitar solos which are undoubtedly absolute top notch. However, that is not enough to save many of the songs of the album of which are quite frankly forgettable.
Axis: Bold As Love has an airiness to it, where it is easy to see how Hendrix & team have a high (pun intended) association with hippies and stoners. Looking at the album cover will definitely trip you out.
Best: Castles Made Of Sand
Worst: One Rainy Wish
The Isley Brothers
2/5
Funk, soul and rock all rolled into one. Perfectly ok, but nothing that blew my mind.
Best: The Lady
Worst: The Highways of My Life
Crowded House
3/5
Ah, Crowded House, featuring Neil Finn, one of Australia's favourite not-so-sons. The amount of people that Aussies claim as their own (particularly New Zealanders) it's amazing there's anyone else left to claim! hahah
But seriously Crowded House are probably one of the best bands with a New Zealand front-man. It's easy to see with their catchy relatively non-offensive lyrics, and undeniably alluring melodies.
Best: Weather With You
Worst: Whispers & Moans
Blur
3/5
Blur's self titled album is an interesting one. For one thing, it's got one of the most recognised hype songs in the world on it, on the other hand, it was jarring to go from Song 2 to Country Sad Ballad Man, mood went way down, and it never really picked back up.
I'm really torn with this one, if it wasn't for Song 2 I don't think this album would make the list. That being said I don't think its a bad album, just a little lack-lustre.
Best: Song 2
Worst: Essex Dogs
Billy Bragg
3/5
Not a bad folk/punk album (didn't really think I'd string those two genres together) that's full of the plight of the British Battler. It's quite heavy on the political themes, particularly left leaning, and challenging the societal norms. The musicianship is easy to get into and sounds quite uptempo and the message could quite easily get lost in the vibe.
Best: Levi Stubs' Tears
Worst: Wishing The Days Away
Note: Spotify had the reissued edition & I only listened to the original 12 songs from the album.
Jimi Hendrix
3/5
I can now say that I am indeed Experienced. Hendrix's debut is a classic for a reason. Melding fusions of R&B, Jazz, and a bit of Blues Rock and creates a wholly new style of psychedelic & harder rock. Guitar work throughout is obviously top notch and can't be dismissed, as anything but genius.
Best: Purple Haze; Foxy Lady
Worst: Third Stone From The Sun
3.5 Stars
ABBA
4/5
Good Lawd. First ABBA Album on the list ticked off for me. ABBA basically sound-tracked a LOT of weddings and events growing up for me and this album doesn't disappoint. How can you go past hits like "Dancing Queen" (absolute all time - fight me!), "Money, Money, Money", "Knowing Me, Knowing You" and "Fernando".
However there are definitely some lulls ("Arrival") and problems ("When I Kissed The Teacher"). In spite of this, it's really hard to go past those four hits, which are embedded in our (my) cultural history.
Best: Dancing Queen; Money, Money, Money; Knowing Me, Knowing You; Fernando
Worst: Arrival
Jamiroquai
3/5
Emergency On Planet Earth was an ok listen, it was more funky and jazz-y than I anticipated from Jamiroquai, although it was filled with Jay Kay's signature voice. Having heard his later radio hits, this album is more experimental and feels like they have a freedom that isn't seen often. The didgeridoo is a nice touch that isn't often been heard, even in Australian popular music.
Best: When You Gonna Learn?
Worst: Revolution 1993
Moby
5/5
So I've heard about Moby, but I just thought he was a weird bald dude that made some kinda electronica music. I never really got the hype. But listening to the album, it made me realise that it has been a part of the wider soundscape for at least the last 23 years. There were so many familiar songs throughout, although I couldn't exactly pinpoint from where they were familiar - whether it was movies, ads or TV shows it's been a part of the wider musical zeitgeist.
The lo-fi electronic beats, expertly moulded into ambient background music, it was really what I needed at work today. Not to sound too corny, Play took me to a zen, meditative state, where I was really able to focus and remove all intrusive thoughts. Definitely gave LoFi Girl a run for their money.
Best: Procelain
Worst: N/A
Slipknot
4/5
You can always count on Slipknot for some good heavy metal thrash about. Having had listened to this album years ago, I didn't realise how hefty it was, coming in at 72 minutes (for what was the deluxe edition on release) - you're definitely in it for the long haul. The drill-like drumming, heavy distorted guitar riffs and the distinct vocals of Corey Taylor make it a great album in the most part. The latter portion of the album lags a little and lets it down - only slightly.
Best: Sulfur
Worst: Snuff
The B-52's
4/5
This was a great funky pop/rock/new-wave album that I think really stands the test of time. A fantastic debut that feels well and truly like we have entered the 80s with this album, full of hook-laden beats and kitschy vocals. Definitely one to add to the playlist.
Best: Rock Lobster
Worst: Downtown
2/5
If you were to call an album punk/thrashcore jazz - this would be it. Like all good thrashcore music Spy vs Spy is a wild ride that doesn't let up. The frenetic pace of it all and, the fact there are two saxophonists isolated in each ear make it feel like you don't know which direction you're being pulled in, or really what you are listening to. At times it can feel like a noise explosion. I'm quite used to hearing thrashcore when it's coupled with metal music, however with the type of instrumentation used here it's something that is completely foreign and a little grating at times.
Best: Ecars
Worst: Peace Warriors
Note: This album was not on Spotify at all, so had to resort to ol' mate YouTube.
Iggy Pop
3/5
I always thought Iggy Pop was this kooky weird old dude that always performed with his shirt off. But, this album is quite interesting in that, you can definitely hear the Bowie influence in the early part of the album, and the latter half morphs into this almost experimental electronic/rock that has something a little robotic about it, but still feels very Bowie-esque.
Best: Sister Midnight
Worst: Tiny Girls
Jane's Addiction
3/5
Nothing's Shocking was really nothing shocking. I suppose the only shocking thing was really the album cover - thankfully those ladies are just sculptures. With the obvious undertones and not so "under" tones of addiction and all its struggles, it was a totally ok album that left me feeling a little flat.
Best: Jane Says
Worst: Ted, Just Admit It
2.5 Stars
The Specials
3/5
It was an interesting early sounding ska/punk album that was definitely leaning towards the ska side of things. Not something I'd have in regular rotation.
Best: A Message To You Rudy
Worst: Too Much Too Young
2.5 Stars
The Who
3/5
First few songs were pretty boppy and definitely pop-rock. All of a sudden it then switches to the harder angst-filled tune of "My Generation", which was quite new for the time, and then straight back to that pop-rock sound. The latter part of the album turned a little more bluesy and southern american rock.
I would liken this album to starting off as Beatles-esque then with an inflection of what could be argued as early punk rock, and ending in the vein of the early works of the Rolling Stones.
Best: My Generation
Worst: I Don't Mind
Tracy Chapman
2/5
Adult contemporary is one of my least favourite genres and Tracy Chapman's self-titled debut is no exception, it's pretty slow and overall kind of unremarkable. Although lyrically, it is charged with social and political commentary, it fails to grab me in any meaningful way.
Best: Fast Car
Worst: For You
1.5 Stars
The Velvet Underground
5/5
The Velvet Underground & Nico was more artsy than I expected however considering it was recorded during an Andy Warhol tour things started to line up. Themes throughout, are quite avant-garde and for the time would have been somewhat confronting, this reflects the limited number of copies that were sold on it's original release. However it's easy to see that it has been very influential to many future bands and releases in the vein of alternative, rock, punk, goth & indie.
Best: Sunday Morning
Worst: European Son
4.5 Stars
Stevie Wonder
3/5
Stevie Wonder is truly a smooth soul singer, Fulfillingness' First Finale is a very easy listen, perfect to ease into the day. It is truly hard to believe that this is his 17th(!!!) album as it feels so effortless both musically and lyrically, although not as dance-y or grandiose as I might have assumed, the subdued nature allowed me to feel the groove of it and had to stop myself from dancing at my desk. His signature harmonicas throughout remind you that you're listening to Stevie (if you needed the reminder).
Best: Smile Please
Worst: It Ain't No Use
PJ Harvey
1/5
Very folks-y and not really to my taste. There is a lot of whiney sounding lyrics that would be made out as unique, but what it really is, is annoying.
Best: The Words That Maketh Murder
Worst: England
Beck
3/5
A real sombre album from Beck, with themes including loneliness, heartbreak and desolation, it proved a turning point for Beck musically. Going from a highly experimental musician to a much more emotionally charged view - both lyrically and sonically. It was an easy listen, however it was pretty mood deflating.
Best: Lost Cause
Worst: Round the Bend
The Electric Prunes
3/5
Overall, it was a good album that really felt like a teenage band, albeit a good one. Plenty of easy to listen to tunes with good riffs and hooks.
Best: I Had Too Much To Dream (Last Night)
Worst: The Toonerville Trolley
Yes
3/5
The best thing about this album was the heavy use of psychedelic keyboards, thankfully they quickly replaced the guy who didn't want to play them initially. You would hardly realise that there were several songs that were arranged by individual members alone, in order to cut studio costs, Yes, flows with such ease.
Best: Roundabout
Worst: Mood For A Day
Led Zeppelin
4/5
I keep being surprised at how the early heavier rock songs/albums are so clearly influenced, by blues music, and Led Zeppelin is no exception. However, their difference is they don't overly rely on the Blues sound (personally, I think early Elvis and The Rolling Stones). Also didn't realise that they were English - totally though they were an American band.
Best: Good Times Bad Times
Worst: You Shook Me
3.5 Stars
The Who
4/5
It was a good concept album, that I feel upon additional listens it will grow even more on me. The melodic hard rock provides a journey of Tommy's story, but also provides a way to allow listeners to listen to their favourites without needing to be consumed or drawn in by the full operatic piece.
Best: Pinball Wizard
Worst: Welcome
3.5 stars
The Cars
2/5
The Cars self titled album was an ok listen. It was very reminiscent of the 70s style of pop-rock, however it leant a little more into the synths that would become synonymous with the 80s.
Best: Just What I Needed
Worst: Bye Bye Love
Fatboy Slim
5/5
The absolute genius of Fatboy Slim *chefs kiss*. What a seminal album with some amazing heavy-hitting all time bangers. I was relatively young when this record came out, but all of the singles released were EVERYWHERE, and inescapable. I'd argue that there wasn't a kid in the playground that hadn't at least heard of them - it was all over TV ads and throughout the radio. The Big Beat genre is a perfect mix of electronica, heavy drums, loops and impeccable use of sampling, and Fatboy Slim is one of its masters.
Best: Right Here Right Now; Rockafeller Stank; Praise You
Worst: Fucking in Heaven
The Temptations
1/5
The Temptations failed to tempt me. There were a couple but it didn't really do anything for me. The second half of the album were basically songs on trying to get a girl back with very little luck, seemed a little sad and desperate really.
Best: Cloud Nine
Worst: I Need Your Lovin’
Spotify didn't have many of the songs- needed to fully listen to the album on YouTube
Sigur Rós
3/5
Listening to this it's like an ambient soundscape production, with the themes of birth, childlike wonder, and love. At times it is slightly strange sounding, but also sounds like the late 90s - almost like a "Bittersweet Symphony" by The Verve vibe. Couldn't understand a word of what was being sung, but it was ethereal nonetheless.
Best: Svefn-g-englar
Worst: Viðrar vel til loftárása
Stevie Wonder
2/5
Eh, well, it was overall an ok record. It's very chill but really not my vibe at all. The best were the two singles that were released. I get that he's basically a musical genius but I just didn't enjoy it.
Best: Superstition
Worst: You've Got It Bad Girl
The Jesus And Mary Chain
3/5
An ok album that is full of what I'd term gritty underground pop, thanks to the feedback and fuzz. All that feedback and white noise sound seems to almost be a precursor to the Grunge scene of the 90s.
Best: Just Like Honey
Worst: It's So Hard
James Taylor
3/5
James Taylor sounds like the epitome of the struggling artist. Couch surfing, basically broke when creating this album, and finishing the album well under budget. Heck, to complete the album and get his promised $20k upon completion, mashed together three unfinished songs into one that was cheekily titled "Suite for 20G". Overall it was an ok folk rock album, but didn't really have much to grab me.
Best: Fire and Rain
Worst: Oh Baby, Don't You Loose Your Lip On Me
U2
3/5
Whilst U2 is not my favourite band, I can see why they have a lasting effect on those Gen Xers that absolutely swear by them. One of the truly big stadium rock bands, with mass appeal. Achtung Baby is a fresher take on the alternative rock they have curated previously, with more of an industrial rock/electronic influence throughout.
Best: One
Worst: Ultra Violet (Light My Way)
Queen
4/5
Sheer Heart Attack was definitely moved more into the hard/glam rock sound that they were most famous for. There was some great guitar work by May and fantastic as usual vocals from Mercury.
Best: Killer Queen
Worst: She Makes Me (Stormtrooper In Stilettos)
3.5 Stars
Daft Punk
4/5
A very lengthy 16 track - 74 minute album. Great album overall but by far not their best. There are a few main standouts, but there's just something lacking throughout. Perhaps it may be knowing their latter works or that they went into their record deal thinking they were just making a bunch of singles, there's a definite lack of cohesion throughout the Homework.
Best: Da Funk; Around The World
Worst: Teachers
Faith No More
3/5
A great thrash metal fusion album that melds a multitude of genres. The diversity of the members of the band really help make it a cohesive release. It's one of those records that helped show the world that metal didn't have to be just a one dimensional thing. It's interesting to see that there were many comparisons between Faith No More and Red Hot Chilli Peppers, not something that I would have associated with initially, but upon listening - the comparison seems a little stretched.
Best: Epic
Worst: Zombie Eaters
Maxwell
3/5
Smooth, sultry understated evening R&B/jazz that will do well in a candlelit dinner or a late night wine bar.
Best: Dancewitme
Worst: Whenever Wherever Whatever
2.5 Stars
Simon & Garfunkel
3/5
Bridge Over Troubled Water, I thought it was a decent folk album. Although at times it was a bit lacklustre but then there were times that it pulled you in and lifted you up a bit.
Best: Cecilia
Worst: Bye Bye Love (Live)
OutKast
5/5
Holy crap, I remember buying this album just for "Roses" and "Hey Ya!" but good lord, this album really opened my eyes, at a time where in my life where I thought all mainstream music was filled with 'posers & sell-outs' this felt like a breath of fresh air. (Also looking back, this album is totally inappropriate for a 12-13yo child to listen through multiple times, in particular The Love Below's half of the album).
I also forgot that this was a DOUBLE album with a full 20 songs on each disc, with a total runtime of over 2 HOURS, it sill absolutely SLAPS. (Although 'Speakerboxx' is, in my opinion, the stronger of the two halves.) Basically this is two entire albums that OutKast just made their own solo albums, completed in distinct styles, however, complement each other well, and with the multitude of feats on both records, all the accolades are well deserved.
Best: GhettoMusick; The Way You Move; Happy Valentine's Day; Hey Ya!; Roses
Worst: Unhappy; Bamboo (Interlude); Where Are My Panties? (Interlude)
The Go-Betweens
3/5
One of the band members described the album as the "the perfect combination between London melancholy and Sydney sunshine" and I would agree. This album also fits well into the musicsphere of the late 80s indie rock, that's still got typical 80s synths throughout.
Best: Streets Of Your Town
Worst: I'm Alright
Minutemen
2/5
A really weird mish mash of songs and thoughts, lots of short sharp alt-punk guitar heavy tunes that has that typical frenetic pace of a punk album.
However this album should have been a quarter of the actual length, it felt way to long for the quick pace of the song lengths.
Best: Maybe Partying Will Help; Three Car Jam
Worst: Don't Look Now
B.B. King
3/5
Generally speaking, not usually a fan of live albums - unless it's an act I'm really into. BB King's Live At The Regal kind of sits in the middle for me. On one hand it's a great masterpiece in amazingly good blues with fantastic guitar solos, but on the other, it's a live album. What this album also is - it's pretty tight, there's no real rambling or over-drawn-out solos, which help keep the vibe up and about, without getting bogged down.
Best: How Blue Can You Get?
Worst: Woke Up This Mornin'
David Bowie
4/5
Hunky Dory is an album that was a part of my life that I never knew existed - I'd heard a good chunk of the songs and they have been in the background but never really knowing where they'd come from.
This album serves as a turning point for Bowie and his career, with his next album being Ziggy Stardust, this album was more conventional, however evolved into more of an art rock/pop sound.
Best: Life On Mars?
Worst: Eight Line Poem
4.5 Stars
Dion
1/5
Not that great at all, the folksy- guitars and yodel like singing really does nothing for me. No surprise that my "Best" song is a cover.
Best: (He's Got) The Whole World in His Hands
Worst: Make the Woman Love Me
Bert Jansch
1/5
Too folksy for my liking, that slow drawn out drawl for singing is not my cup of tea. There were some good guitar riffs and solos but really nothing to wow me at all.
Best: Veronica
Worst: Casbah
Elliott Smith
3/5
Elliot Smith is able to perfectly balance the folk/Americana sound with indie rock, without making it too whiny or annoying. Speaking about what he knows best he is able to weave his experiences from his hometown coupled with the immense personal struggles he was - and continued - to go through.
Best: Pictures Of Me
Worst: Alameda
The Cure
4/5
One of the seminal gothic rock albums that they tried to go back into that 'indie' space, away from the commercial success, however it just catapulted them into the full force of the mainstream. This album as a whole is decidedly depressing, with the use of slow synthesisers and guitar progressions, it allowed Smith to really get into his feels. However there are glimpses of some more - well I wouldn't call it upbeat, perhaps not as depressing - songs. It feels like they are at their most comfortable throughout this record.
Best: Pictures of You
Worst: The Same Deep Water As You
The Smiths
4/5
The coincidence - or is it irony? - that this album came up on my list the day after QEII passed away? This album was a great follow up from Meat Is Murder. It brings the Smiths back into the Indie Rock fold and it's quite humorous. That slow progressive guitar rock rhythms and synthesisers really bring it into the 80s.
Best: The Queen Is Dead
Worst: There Is A Light That Never Goes Out
The Temptations
2/5
Wouldn't expect anything less funky from The Temptations, they really know how to do a funk. However their traditional funk in the latter half of the album turns into a deep soul that feels very sombre and reflective.
It was interesting to learn that they didn't want to record a couple of the songs on the record - one being "Run Charlie Run" due to it's opening lines and the other, with what was undoubtedly their biggest hit of the record in "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" because the lead singer's father had recently passed away.
Best: Funky Music Sho Nuff Turns Me On
Worst: Run Charlie Run
Sebadoh
3/5
A solid indie album that holds up in todays world. There is something in it's soundscape that screams 90s but it's a little hard to put my finger on what it is - perhaps it's the countless 90s teen shows that had soundtracks that were similar sounding.
Best: Soul & Fire
Worst: Fantastic Disaster
Black Sabbath
3/5
Having heard a lot about Black Sabbath and Ozzy's famous bat biting incident, I've never listened to an album in full. Vol. 4 is full of hard hitting metal, yet with one surprising ballad in "Changes" helps give the album a little nuance. And despite Iommi calling "FX" a total joke, created whilst they were high, it worked pretty well as part of the album.
Best: Changes
Worst: St. Vitus Dance
Siouxsie And The Banshees
3/5
Sounds both '80s and early '90s at the same time. Not sure how that happens when it was released in '81. Perhaps that's just the legacy of Siouxsie And The Banshees, having such a rich and diverse sound that endures through the years.
Best: Spellbound
Worst: Night Shift
3.5 Stars
Depeche Mode
4/5
Depeche Mode's Violator draws you into their moody, hypnotic, synthed out world, full of mystery and deception. With sleek electronics, coupled by synth bass and just a little bit of funk, has an ambient music feel to it, but you know a live show would absolutely go off.
Best: Enjoy the Silence; Clean
Worst: Blue Dress
Patti Smith
4/5
I can see a lot of modern acts that have been influenced by Patti Smith. With her powerful rock/punk to the punchiness of her spoken word, she is definitely a seminal artist in the punk rock scene, particularly in New York - even beating The Ramones on this release by 5 months. Patti's style has never gone out of fashion, and has set the tone for smart, unbending female rockers of generations since, and undoubtedly will into the future.
Best: Gloria: In Excelsis Deo
Worst: Elegie
Wu-Tang Clan
3/5
One of the OG Hip-Hop groups that broke through to the mainstream. Hailing from New York, it definitely has a different feel to that of hip-hop from the West Coast. Wu-Tang feel more freestyle in their flow, which is punctuated by more subtle references to crime and violence and underscored by underground beats and numerous samples.
Best: C.R.E.A.M
Worst: Tearz
Anthrax
3/5
A great thrash metal album that really woke me up this morning! Full of heavy guitar riffs and heart thumping drums really brought the album to life. Having supported Metallica on tour really opened up their audience and cemented them as one of the all-time great thrash metal groups.
Best: Caught In A Mosh
Worst: One World
3.5 Stars
David Holmes
3/5
Industrial hip-hop/electronica/lo-fi sounds often juxtaposed with a backdrop of raw conversations from the underbelly of New York.
Relatively easy listen and although the runtime is coming close to an hour, it went by very quickly.
What I found most interesting is that David Holmes is not only known for his DJing but also has a long association with creating musical scores, most notably his frequent collaborations with Steven Soderbergh on films such as Killing Eve and the Oceans Trilogy.
Best: Rodney Yates
Worst: Freaknik
Radiohead
2/5
Amnesiac is filled with Industrial sounds that have a slow, sleepy like quality to them. It sounds like it could soundtrack a modern contemporary art installation. Pretty boring overall with at times wailing like singing heard over the top of the soundtrack.
Best: Knives Out
Worst: Like Spinning Plates
Neu!
3/5
A predominantly instrumental album by Neu, however nonetheless a decent listen. The contrasting styles of the two halves of the album weren't too conflicting and overall complemented each other well.
Best: Hero
Worst: Leb' Wohl
Moby Grape
3/5
Typical 60s psych rock band with a bit of funk thrown in for good measure. Moby Grape rightly or wrongly are very Beatles-esque in sound with lots of short and sharp songs to keep you hooked.
Best: Sitting By The Window
Worst: Changes
Note: Spotify didn't have the full album, listened to it on YouTube.
Willie Nelson
3/5
Thought I'd dislike this album more than I did. I think it's saving grace was that it was mercifully short. Nelson has a way with words and is able to evoke feelings of wanting to head out camping in some remote part of the US, sitting in front of a campfire, having some s'mores and strumming on a guitar.
Best: Down Yonder
Worst: Can I Sleep In Your Arms
Prefab Sprout
3/5
Steve McQueen is an interesting mix of pop, rock and jazz - pretty much new-wave without being entirely new-wave if that makes any sort of sense. Prefab Sprout are able to bring together ideas and themes of the joys, fears and disappointments of love.
Best: When Love Breaks Down
Worst: Blueberry Pies
The Jam
3/5
Some outlets called it one of the "truly essential rock albums of the last few years" (being late 70s), I'd hardly call it that. All Mod Cons is an ok new-wave/punk album, with definite feeling of coming into a very early 80s new wave sound, but typically British.
Best: Billy Hunt
Worst: Fly
Rocket From The Crypt
3/5
Nothing but punk rock from start to finish. With a larger budget than their previous releases, they definitely utilised it to it's fullest potential. With string sections, brass sections and of course the mainstay distorted guitars and heavy percussion made the listen quite rich. However, I found the last few songs on the album a little lacking.
Best: On a Rope
Worst: Salt Future
The Jam
2/5
Meh, that's what this album felt like. It's an ok sounding album overall, but nothing that makes it truly special. To me their sound feels quite generic, perhaps its their heavy influence from other post punk groups such as Joy Division, even going so far as to copy the baseline from The Beatles Taxman and borrowing elements from Michael Jackson's Off the Wall album.
Best: Monday
Worst: That's Entertainment
Sonic Youth
3/5
With an industrial sound comprising of screeching guitars, angsty lyrics, and the low almost spoken like lyrics allows Sonic Youth to peer into your soul with what is commonly referred to as their Goth record. By sharing the vocalists amongst the band, it gives EVOL a way to break up the record and creates a nice juxtaposition.
Best: Bubble Gum
Worst: Death to Our Friends
The Roots
3/5
With lyrical themes of hip hop culture and its commodification, with musical elements of rock, jazz, techno, hardcore punk, and soul music, there is a track for almost everyone. At times however the trap of lengthy jazz/soul improvisation kicked in and dragged out the album a little too much for my liking.
Best: Thirsty!
Worst: Pussy Galore
2.5 Stars
Miriam Makeba
2/5
Miriam Makeba's self-titled album was an interesting listen. It was good to hear some 'world music' representation in this list, however similarly to a lot of other albums, it's not one of my favourites. With a sound that is akin to lounge singers or singers that would have performed at a club/dance hall, backed by a large jazz band, back in the 50's and 60s.
Best: Where Does It Lead
Worst: One More Dance
Jeru The Damaja
2/5
An overall ok hip-hop album that helped with the revival of East Coast Hip-Hop. The album cover is evocative with it's use of the burning World Trade Centres from only one year prior, with it so fresh in the minds of the public - it might draw you towards the album or you may feel outrage.
Best: D. Original
Worst: Come Clean - E New Y Radio
Coldplay
4/5
An amazing debut from Coldplay. Although through the years there have been countless memes and brush-offs that Coldplay have sold out. However with a wildly successful commercial debut album, how can they have ever been sold out?
Parachutes includes absolute classics such as Yellow and Don't Panic - where would we be as a society without these songs?
Best: Yellow; Don't Panic
Worst: Everything's Not Lost
John Lee Hooker
2/5
Bit of a meh album, not sure how it even reached number 17 on the ARIA Charts. The album cover is quite eerie, and could be the cover of a horror movie to be honest.
Best: I'm in the Mood
Worst: No Substitute
Judas Priest
3/5
A solid heavy metal album and really highlights why Judas Priest is a real classic in the genre. Never having heard much of their stuff, with this album as their sixth outing, they clearly haven't lost any steam with their face melting guitar riffs, heaving drums no doubt influencing the era of 1980s hair metal bands.
Best: Breaking the Law
Worst: Red, White & Blue
Suicide
3/5
Suicide starts off like your typical rock album but then it melds into an electro-synth-wave piece that evokes the feeling of going under into a much darker place with the band. Particularly on Frankie Teardrop, with it's storytelling of a father's eventual descent into hell.
Best: Johnny
Worst: Rocket USA
3.5 Stars
Fever Ray
3/5
Quite a lo-fi electronica album that almost leans into ambient sound territory. Lots of understated drum beats that permeate throughout the album, whilst unchanging in tempo, acts like a heartbeat for the self-titled debut.
Best: Keep the Streets Empty for Me
Worst: Seven
Note: I only listened to the original track listing
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
1/5
Their voices are quite grating and really not my thing. To me, sounds like hillbilly rock that is the precursor to current bad country music. Captain Beefheart and his Magic Band, more like Captain Vegetableheart and is Lacklustre Band, there is absolutely nothing beefy or magical about this group or album, super whiny and the twang of the guitars coupled with his voice hurt my ears. What's with the album cover - using the fish-eye lens trying to be edgy and cool, only a British band could pull the look off successfully.
Best: Autumn's Child
Worst: Yellow Brick Road
NOTE: Spotify had the CD bonus tracks, I only listened to the original 12 tracks.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
3/5
I've heard a bit about Elvis Costello, but not much of their stuff - didn't even realise he was in a band. Throughout the album, the theme of political effects on human relationships was quite prominent and not hard to mistake. Their overall sound does sound quite modern for the time it was released, however coupled with the themes the lyrical content feels slightly dated.
Best: Oliver's Army
Worst: Chemistry Class
2.5 stars
The Police
3/5
Having heard Every Breath You Take, probably a million times (don't know why people love it tbh) I expected the rest of the album to sound very similar. I was pleasantly surprised, but also mildly confused that this wasn't the case. In spite of all this, The Police did a decent job of melding a number of different styles, tempos and genres throughout.
Best: Synchronicity II
Worst: Every Breath You Take
The Young Gods
4/5
Wow its been a while since I've had a truly interesting album come through. The Young Gods with their dark industrial sound symphony like arrangements and the deep guttural voice of their lead singer was like a match made in heaven. Would love to see them live!
Best: Crier Les Chiens
Worst: Pas Mal
MGMT
5/5
MGMT, what can I say. This album really opened my eyes up to what music could be, at a time where I was basically an "emo kid". The neo-psychedelia/indie production coupled with Andrew's ethereal vocals came at the perfect time and was the perfect album to begin to expand what I thought music was.
With their kooky look, and really freaking crazy music videos it was just what my weirdo teen brain needed.
Best: Time To Pretend; Electric Feel
Worst: 4th Dimensional Transition
Leonard Cohen
2/5
Songs of Love and Hate started off well, with beautiful guitars and haunting deep vocals, but then kind of fell off the wagon from there. Which mirrors Cohen's state of mind at the time according to an interview with Throat Culture magazine stating that "absolutely everything was beginning to fall apart around me: my spirit, my intentions, my will. So I went into a deep and long depression."
Best: Avalanche
Worst: Diamonds In The Mine
R.E.M.
3/5
R.E.M.'s eighth studio album is nothing to sneeze at, I can see why their appeal has lasted the test of time. Whilst there were some songs that were lacking, the majority were pretty good. Themes of mortality, loss, mourning, and nostalgia dig deep into the melancholy of Stipe's voice.
Best: Everybody Hurts
Worst: The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite
Curtis Mayfield
2/5
An ok funk/soul R&B album that still sounds fresh to my ears today. I've mentioned this before and I'm sure I'll mention it again but there are themes throughout this album that have themes that are unfortunately still relevant particularly about the African American experience in the USA.
Best: When Seasons Change
Worst: Jesus
Madonna
3/5
Ray of Light is a very different sound to what Madonna became famous for. The electro/techno pop sound was perfectly timed for the late 90s surge of dance clubs and raves. With most of the album it would be at home in a lot of nightclubs.
With her newly found spirituality in the Kabbalah religion, coupled with Buddhist and Hindu traditions, she has managed to encapsulate the feeling of these in this album. And all credit to her, she worked to get the correct pronunciations of Sanskrit words for the track Shanti/Ashtangi.
If only she was able to shorten some of the track lengths, averaging about 5 mins per song, it did feel like it dragged on a bit.
Best: Skin
Worst: Little Star
The Notorious B.I.G.
3/5
Ready to Die was BIG's first album, and the only one released whilst he was alive. Whilst in some parts it felt a little drawn out, overall there is some stellar quite cinematic storytelling, with easy flows and great beats.
Best: Ready To Die
Worst: Me and My Bitch
Note: Listened on YouTube as Spotify did not have all of the songs
Stan Getz
3/5
A perfectly nice bossa-nova/jazz album that got me grooving a bit in my seat at work. Whilst not my favourite genre, I can appreciate that in the right setting, would be a great listen.
Best: Desafinado
Worst: Samba Triste
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
5/5
It's Blitz! is a fantastic album, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs have melded synth-punk with alt pop in a way that just makes sense. It's upbeat tempo coupled with the emotional lyrics let you know that they want you to forget about your loneliness/heartbreak by literally dancing the blues away.
Best: Heads Will Roll
Worst: Hysteric
Todd Rundgren
3/5
A Wizard/A True Star is a decent 70's psych rock/pop album. It feels very experimental in it's composition, with many short sharp pieces, with many of them seamlessly transitioning to the next, along with a couple of much more epically sounding and long tracks.
After hearing this album it was no surprise that Todd was experimenting with drugs whilst creating this album. There is nothing that I have heard in more
contemporary music that is likened to the late 60s/70s psychedelia rock/pop sound.
Best: Sometimes I Don't Know What To Feel
Worst: Is It My Name?
Todd Rundgren
3/5
The randomness of the daily album is strange, I just listened to Todd's A Wizard/A True Star album the day before this one. However this being a double album- big ouft - I was not looking forward to the slog of such a long listen.
This outing by Todd, is much more traditional pop rock and not so much experimental yet each sides of the original records are distinct in their own way with a flow that creates 4 mini albums/EPs. So as an entire album it doesn't feel like I've listened to 1 album, which kept it relatively fresh throughout.
Best: I Saw the Light
Worst: Marlene
Bon Jovi
3/5
What an album, Slippery When Wet is what I'd call an essential 80s album. Bon Jovi really knocked it out of the park with this one. With all time classic tracks like You Give Love A Bad Name and Livin' On A Prayer, it doesn't get much bigger than these.
What was most surprising to learn was that Jon Bon Jovi thought that Livin' On a Prayer was not a great song, guess he ate his words pretty quick.
Best: You Give Love A Bad Name; Livin' On A Prayer
Worst: Wild In The Streets
3.5 Stars
Ray Charles
3/5
A lovely album to ease into the day. With his seventh album, the dulcet tones of Ray Charles never disappoints. A big-band sound upfront on the album, coupled with a much more subdued ballad/string second half, shows that Charles can do it all, although personally I enjoyed the big band sound more.
Best: Let The Good Times Roll
Worst: Am I Blue
Garbage
3/5
Garbage was probably one of the first female led grunge rock bands I was introduced to growing up, and it's always so refreshing to hear a female singer in a grunge band.
Their self-titled debut is a solid mix of pop/punk fundamentals, all pulled apart and put back together, finished off with the grittier vocals of Shirley Manson, show that angst with some direction in the right hands is a winning combination.
Best: Only Happy When It Rains
Worst: Dog New Tricks
Black Flag
3/5
A good punchy punk/hardcore album that was great for an energy boost. The punchy vocals of Henry Rollins and rip-snorting guitar riffs made for a wild ride of listening. Throughout it's time many a rebellious teen would love to blast this record, much to the chagrin of their parents.
Best: Rise Above; TV Party
Worst: Room 13
The Youngbloods
2/5
The album cover looks like decent early 90s computer render of a game scene. Is that mound in the front of the wall a pile of elephant turd?
Released on the cusp of the ending of psychedelia and the beginning of country rock, is a perfect bridge for the two genres.
Best: Darkness, Darkness
Worst: On Sir Francis Drake
Aretha Franklin
3/5
Aretha Franklin, one of the original divas with such a powerhouse voice. Who knew that Respect was not even two and a half minutes long?! It was surprising to learn that this album only spent 2 weeks at #1 in the overall Billboard charts, after what we know today as some of her most famous works. However listening to it, it is understandable as there is not really much else on the album that really holds a candle to the two released singles.
Best: Respect
Worst: Don't Let Me Lose This Dream
The Who
3/5
With 'Who's Next' best tracks stacked at the end of the album, it is a steady climb through. Being part rock opera, with a combination of hard rock, prog rock, and art rock, as well as its influential use of synthesizers this album was an interesting listen.
Best: Behind Blue Eyes
Worst: The Song Is Over
Note: Spotify had the 1995 Remastered Issue and I only listened to the original 9 tracks.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
3/5
A great album from Bob Marley and Co. In true Bob Marley fashion, it was a very chill and laid back album epitomised by the Three Little Birds or what I like to refer to it as the "Don't Worry" song.
Exodus was completed after his assassination attempt and exiled to England (hence the album name). The overall typically Marley reggae sound is a laid-back production and stoned atmosphere that's simultaneously funky and political.
Best: Three Little Birds
Worst: Natural Mystic
Eric Clapton
3/5
With his slide guitar and interesting solos, its one of the reasons why Clapton is such a renowned guitarist, it was a really enjoyable listen. This one critic's line sums up the entire album in my opinion "the climate comes out in Clapton's work, ten tracks ranging from bright blues rock to, well, 'Let It Grow'."
Best: I Shot The Sherriff
Worst: Let It Grow
Iron Maiden
4/5
The outrage that conservatives have over albums like this is hilarious. It's like the outrage that exists today for the mumble rappers and how they're the next devil re-incarnate. At least with metal bands they embraced the "stereotype" and had fun with it - just look at the album cover!
Overall it was a fun head-banging album that really does stand the test of time, oh to have been to one of their early gigs would have been incredible!
Best: The Number Of The Beast
Worst: 22 Acacia Avenue
Goldfrapp
2/5
An interesting album, though I'm not sure if I enjoyed it. Felt Mountain has a very experimental sound that I think, brings out sonically the difficulties in the recording process where Goldfrapp was often alone and disturbed by the mice and insects in the bungalow. Yikes.
Generally I don't mind electronica, ambient and trip-hop sounds but the wailing lyrics brought it right down for me. Which is unfortunate, because when there was no wailing, it was really wasn't that bad.
Best: Pilots
Worst: Deer Stop
Doves
4/5
The Last Broadcast felt like a warm hug, so familiar and comforting with their Indie rock/neo-psychedelia sound. You really can't beat the sound of the early 2000s Brit rock with an infectious, melancholy and ultimately euphoric barrage of sound wrapped in a sheeting of guitars and subtle effects this was one I wish I had heard earlier.
Best: There Goes The Fear
Worst: The Sulphur Man
3.5 Stars
Bob Marley & The Wailers
2/5
Catch A Fire's songs' lyrics deal with political injustice towards blacks and poverty, as is the case in much of Bob Marley's work. Catch a Fire is about the current state of urban poverty" and "Slave Driver" connects the present to past injustices, which are still ongoing themes today for people of colour.
Best: Concrete Jungle
Worst: Midnight Ravers
MC Solaar
3/5
Wasn't sure what to expect for this album but it was an ok rap album, really good to have on in the background whilst working. But other than that I probably wouldn't listen to it otherwise. It didn't really sound as old as the it's 1991 release date.
Best: Bouge de là
Worst: Ragga Jam
3/5
A very on the nose album, I can see a LOT of housewives in the 60s rinse this LP on their record players. Imagining themselves as the narrator of these songs and becoming sick of their husbands shenanigans and going off and becoming the wild women they wished they were - all whilst dragging on a cigarette and sipping on a cocktail.
Love it for what it is and represents but won't be a part of my regular rotation anytime soon.
Best: Don't Come Home A Drinkin' (With Lovin' On Your Mind); I Got Caught
Worst: I'm Living In Two Worlds
Portishead
4/5
Third by Portishead is a soundscape album that really experiments with a more electronica and psychedelia rock with heavy synths create a dark cinematic feel with a touch of a bleak art installation.
Liked it more than I thought I would and for me it would fit on a playlist to listen to whilst at work.
Best: Plastic
Worst: Nylon Smile
Fleet Foxes
3/5
Judging this album by it's cover is probably a good thing. Being the Netherlandish Proverbs by Pieter Bruegel the Elder, it's definitely an interesting choice, but is actually fitting for the album itself. Being an indie-folk, chamber rock sounding album, fits right in with this middle ages scene.
Best: Your Protector
Worst: He Doesn't Know Why
Red Hot Chili Peppers
4/5
Classic RHCP. This is probably their first foray into what I would deem their signature sound. With classic tracks like Suck My Kiss, Under the Bridge and Give It Away, Blood Sugar Sex Magik is quintessential RCHP listening.
Best: Give It Away; Under The Bridge
Worst: They're Red Hot
3.5 Stars
Gram Parsons
1/5
This is terrible. Country rock music is not my thing. Coupled with that kind of yodelling/singing that country is kinda known for. Big yuk. My heart is not on fire, my ears are!
Best: Ooh Las Vegas
Worst: Hearts On Fire
The Cramps
2/5
Whilst sounding quite heavy, it's overall rockabilly sound was something unexpected. It felt very "underground" in composition and very garage rock band. Overall, not too great but something that I wouldn't mind hearing again if it was on.
Best: I Was A Teenage Werewolf
Worst: The Mad Daddy
3/5
Another great prog rock album from Yes. Whilst I don't generally like long tracks, the way that Yes is able to piece together these tracks allows for some really good flow throughout.
Best: Close To The Edge
Worst: Siberian Khatru
The Smashing Pumpkins
3/5
The Smashing Pumpkins, whilst overall a great band, I couldn't help but feel that this album was a little lacking. It didn't grab me in the way I expected it to as other similar albums of the era have. Don't get me wrong I thought it still was a good listen, just not great.
Best: Cherub Rock
Worst: Sweet Sweet
3.5 Stars
Don McLean
3/5
Let's be real, this album is only known for American Pie. Honestly, probably not a bad thing, though I didn't realise it is an eight and a half minute song! It was ok, nothing to write home about, but also not my preferred style of music.
Best: American Pie
Worst: The Grave
2.5 Stars
D'Angelo
1/5
Rubbish. Boring, whiny RnB, like there's good RnB but this was terrible. Who even is D'Angelo? Literally never heard of him. Too many of the songs were drawn out and way too much of that "woo woo yah yah" crooning that kinda gives me the ick.
Best: Brown Sugar
Worst: When We Get By
Ramones
5/5
Just like with pretty much all punk rock, no one can see the influence until well after the fact. Nothing is different for the Ramones here. With their self titled debut, they had relatively little commercial success, with their two singles that failed to chart. Also the album didn't even crack the US Billboard top 100, peaking at 111. Critics for once knew where it was at and it was pretty much widely acclaimed at the time.
Best: Blitzkrieg Bop
Worst: I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend
Steve Earle
1/5
Country Rock. Ugh, why is it so popular? I love me a good guitar, but I can't get past the real country twang vocally. Please get it away from me.
Best: Guitar Town
Worst: Hillbilly Highway
Portishead
3/5
This is a great debut from Portishead, there are so many samplings, loops and techniques such as skating with and walking on vinyl to give it a distorted sound, along with playing through a broken amplifier, gives this album such a unique sound. All without the use of digital recordings.
With the trip hop sound makes me feel that I'm walking through a laneway on a gloomy rainy evening, coupled with just the sound of your footsteps and the odd passing car.
Best: Glory Box
Worst: Biscuit
3.5 stars
Lupe Fiasco
2/5
A decent alt-hip hop pulled straight out of the mid '00s. The album cover full of that nostalgia, with an original Nintendo DS, what looks like an early blackberry phone, CDs and wearing some Chuck Taylor Converses brings me right back.
With themes of poverty, Islam, terrorism, racism, and individuality, this is one of the great hip-hop albums of the 00s. Although the Outro track was probably a bit self aggrandising, over 12 minutes for what is essentially a thanks track - the album is definitely better off without it, and lowered the score I am giving this album.
Best: Kick Push
Worst: Outro
2.5 stars
The Human League
4/5
At first I thought I was getting another 80s synth-pop/nu-wave album styling. Then I looked at the song list, right at the very end, is probably one of the best songs of the 80s 'Don't You Want Me'.
Looking back the lyrics are somewhat concerning, yet gives the female protagonist a voice to move forward with her life when the relationship comes to an end, and move onto bigger and better things.
Overall it was a great album and really opened up the 80s to the new sound of the synth.
Best: Don't You Want Me
Worst: I Am The Law
The Beach Boys
3/5
The Beach Boys Today! had glimpses of what is to come in their latter albums, but something feels like it's missing through the familiar Beach Boys Californian beach carefree sound. The final track really brought the album down and felt entirely unnecessary.
Best: Dance, Dance, Dance
Worst: Bull Session with the 'Big Daddy
Culture Club
3/5
You can't get much more iconic 80s than Culture Club. Just look at that album cover - if you've got an 80s dress-up party just go as one of those guys! Apart from Karma Chameleon, the overall album wasn't that great. Yes Boy George has a great and varied voice, but there wasn't much that grabbed me throughout, even with the other singles.
Best: Karma Chameleon
Worst: Man Shake
Neil Young
3/5
It was an ok folk rock album by Neil Young. I can see why at the time of release it would have garnered a great following, particularly amongst the middle America scene, even though he's actually Canadian!
This quote from The New Rolling Stone Record Guide from 1983 sums this record up perfectly:
"The record chronicles the post-hippie, post-Vietnam demise of counterculture idealism, and a generation's long, slow trickle down the drain through drugs, violence, and twisted sexuality. "
Best: Come on Baby Let's Go Downtown
Worst: Roll Another Number (For the Road)
Note: Needed to listen on YouTube Music as it was not available on Spotify.
Beatles
4/5
The famous White Album by The Beatles. This album is mildly experimental in nature with multiple styles of music throughout. Having been on a retreat in India and written most of the songs there, it feels like they wanted to just really get into their feels, yet at the same time it seems as though they placed all of the songs written since their last album onto this record.
Whilst there are some absolute classic Beatles songs throughout this double album, I wish it was curated a little better.
Best: Blackbird
Worst: Good Night
Roni Size
3/5
A decent drum and bass album by Roni Size. It perfectly encapsulates the sound of the 90s, with the repetitive drums and high hat synths with underlays of record scratching that were often heard in many 90s movies.
Best: Brown Paper Bag
Worst: Mad Cat
Supergrass
2/5
In It For The Money is an ok alt-rock/brit-pop album that didn't really grab me. There is really not too much to say, another unnecessary double album that didn't need to be. If only Supergrass knew how to curate their songs for this album.
Best: Richard III
Worst: Sex!
Jerry Lee Lewis
3/5
A fun live rock and roll live recording from one of the very greats of the era. Even though the entire album is basically a re-jig of the blues scale, it still manages to be fun and make you want to get up and dance!
Best: Great Balls of Fire
Worst: Long, Tall Sally
5/5
Such a seminal Brit-Rock Album. (What's The Story) Morning Glory has so many great hits on this and likely in the top 10 albums of the 90s.
With their six released singles from the album, it's hard to deny they are all now classics with deep nostalgia attached to them... anyway, here's Wonderwall ...
Best: Wonderwall
Worst: The Swamp Song - Version 1 & 2
Miles Davis
1/5
Eh, it was ok. I can appreciate that Miles Davis is a legend in the jazz trumpet scene, but the album was way too melancholy for me. The tracks were very long and drawn out as well which didn't help grab me at all.
Best: Blue In Green
Worst: All Blues
Crosby, Stills & Nash
2/5
A very slow album. Actually almost put me to sleep, I had a real struggle keeping my eyes open at work. I was hoping that it would be a little more up tempo but alas, it wasn't to be.
Best: 49 Bye-Byes
Worst: Suite: Judy Blue Eyes
Sly & The Family Stone
2/5
Unfortunately not a great funk/soul album in my eyes (ears). This another album where I can appreciate that it was kind of a ground breaking new sound and way of producing, however, I just couldn't get into it at all.
Best: Family Affair
Worst: Time
Van Halen
5/5
Almost don't really care about the lyrics in this album, I'm all in for the face-melting cheese-shredding guitar work. Also, I had no idea that "You Really Got Me" was a Van Halen song and Eruption was an absolutely incredible instrumental with electrifying guitar work by Eddie!
A high energy head-banging album that makes you want to go back in for more.
Best: Eruption; You Really Got Me
Worst: Jamie's Cryin'
Snoop Dogg
2/5
While Snoop Doggy Dogg is a good rapper with a very smooth even flow, it's hard to rectify the content of his stuff in my eyes. I get that all of the was unfortunately kind of normalised at the time but the content of the lyrics, heck even the album cover makes my skin crawl a bit.
Best: Gin & Juice
Worst: For all my N*#gaz & Bitches
The Chemical Brothers
4/5
great industrial electronica/dance mixed with a bit of acid house. this is the sound of 90s/early 00s movies when they cut to a rave/dance club.
Best: Leave Home
Worst: Alive Alone
Ryan Adams
1/5
Absolute trash, waste of 90 minutes of my life. Ooh look at me, I'm so edgy, got my American flag upside-down, blue-jeans with my face looking down and my spiky hair. Please give me a break. Whiny, country music, that doesn't deserve to have any Grammy Nominations in the "Rock" Category.
Waste. Of. Time.
Best (this was hard to pick): Firecracker
Worst: The rest of the album
Kate Bush
3/5
An interesting if unconventional album by Kate Bush, I was only mildly disappointed that this album did not contain "Running Up That Hill" or "Wuthering Heights". But it perfectly encapsulates the wild and wacky nature of who and what is Kate Bush. Very experimental and wacky, but without that, it wouldn't be the same.
Best: Set In Your Lap
Worst: Get Out Of My House
3.5 Stars
Michael Kiwanuka
3/5
A very dreamy album by Kiwanuka, taking the concept album to a different level, a more autobiographical healing piece. Michael has a smooth soulful voice that could probably heal anyone's pain. Wouldn't normally have this on my rotation, but an interesting addition to the album list.
Best: Hard to Say Goodbye, Solid Ground
Worst: Piano Joint (This Kind of Love) (Intro)
The Police
3/5
The album really lives up to it's name - white reggae. Before this I would never have thought that The Police was a reggae band, but this album definitely begs to differ. It effortlessly straddles the line between post-punk, new-wave and reggae rock.
Best: Message In A Bottle
Worst: Contact
Led Zeppelin
2/5
Whilst Led Zeppelin are one of the all time greats of the genre and have had some great albums and singles, this release didn't grab me the way I though it would. Being a double album was already on thin ice - most of the time I don't generally enjoy them. But then coupled with the album having some unreleased tracks from their previous works, it felt like an amalgamation of songs just for the sake of it.
Best: Bron-Yr-Aur
Worst: In My Time Of Dying
Air
3/5
Having never seen the movie, and only reading some of the synopsis, the album feels like it captures what a slow, drawn psychological thriller, involving the minds of the feeling of being a trapped teenager.
Not one of my favourite albums thus far, but can appreciate what Air have done with this one.
Best: Dead Bodies
Worst: Dirty Trip
2.5 stars
2/5
A very strange sounding sci-fi-esque album by Spirit, it almost feels like being possessed by some at parts! I can see how this would have been enjoyed by many college radio stations in the 70s, and not so much by the mainstream charts.
Best: Nature's Way
Worst: When I Touch You
Note: Spotify had 1996 reissue bonus tracks - didn't listen to these.
Morrissey
3/5
Not sure how I feel about this album, it was perfectly fine, but nothing to really go nuts about. But Morrissey on the album cover has a way to stare into your soul with those piercing blue eyes. Good melodies but not sure about some of the lyrics throughout.
Best: Spring-Heeled-Jim
Worst: Used To Be A Sweet Boy
Solomon Burke
3/5
A perfectly fine soul/rock early RnB album by Solomon Burke. Generally not my cup of tea, however I can appreciate how albums like this allowed us to progress to both the rock and RnB music of today. His quote sums it up perfectly - "without soul, there'd be no rock, and without rock, there'd be no soul."
Best: If You Need Me
Worst: Hard, Ain't It Hard
Van Morrison
3/5
Overall an ok album however there wasn't really anything that stood out as fantastic to my ears.
Best: Sweet Thing
Worst: Madame George
Sinead O'Connor
3/5
Such a haunting and ethereal voice, whilst her songs are rather lengthy, this I feel, is one of those times where it's needed to have that breathing room to fully appreciate her voice and the arrangements around her.
Best: Nothing Compares 2 U
Worst: You Cause As Much Sorrow
3.5 Stars
Bill Callahan
1/5
This album is putting me to sleep. Definitely not what I need on a Monday (or most days really). Pretty horrid really, weird sounding instruments also, it felt like the guitars weren't tuned correctly and something was a little off. This is definitely not an album where longer songs are better. The way his voice is mixed it sounds like it's layered over the top of the music, but as with almost everything in this album, is not good at all.
Best: Eid Ma Clack Shaw
Worst: Jim Cain
Pantera
4/5
A solid heavy metal album that was great to listen to and really just get some head-banging in, to really feel the drums and guitars and just jump around (or as much as I wanted to whilst at work). Another classic metal band that still stands the test of time.
Best: Walk
Worst: This Love
The Cardigans
3/5
First Band On The Moon was a good listen to some pop/alt-rock from the mid 90s. Who couldn't forget that absolute banger Lovefool from the Romeo + Juliet soundtrack? That track was the most nostalgic and brought me right back. I can't recall any other track from the album from the time, or whether or not they had any other hits from any other albums, to me they were a one-hit wonder, with a decent album to back up the single's success.
Best: Lovefool
Worst: Never Recover
The Clash
3/5
The Clash's London Calling Somewhat surprised me. Thought it would be a little harder rock/punk, however the majority of the double album sounded more like a pop rock/pop punk album. It is clear to see that there are many other albums that have taken influence from The Clash.
Best: London Calling
Worst: The Right Profile
3.5 stars
Richard Thompson
2/5
Overall, it was an ok album. Nothing too intriguing, a little too much country/folk for me but definitely not the worst that I've heard. It was good to break up the singing between the two vocalists.
Best: I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight
Worst: The Little Beggar Girl
Mudhoney
3/5
Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge was a fun album that had me bopping my head along to the grunge guitars of '91. I enjoyed the short sharpness of the majority of the songs, apart from the only song that was longer than four minutes.
Best: Good Enough
Worst: Broken Hands
Norah Jones
2/5
I can appreciate a voice like Norah Jones, but good grief, she puts me to sleep. I didn't remember until I got this album for today's listen, but there was a seemingly relentless campaign on TV and Radio of the "Sounds of Norah Jones, Buy the album now", wow how wild and random. The jazz-pop/adult contemporary is definitely not my jam.
Best: Don't Know Why
Worst: I've Got To See You Again
Stan Getz
3/5
I think everyone has heard The Girl From Ipanema, but not heard of Getz or Gilberto. Getz/Gilberto is perfect for having on in the background at a gathering or a nice restaurant. Definitely not something that I'd often go out of my way to listen to ordinarily.
Best: The Girl From Ipanema
Worst: O Grande Amor
Metallica
3/5
A decent album by Metallica, full of intense guitar and drum riffs, and melodies that make it classically Metallica. But what is it with these bands from the 80s having such long albums and in particular releasing double albums?
Best: Eye of the Beholder
Worst: To Live Is To Die
Bebel Gilberto
3/5
It was an ok jazz contemporary album that would be perfect for a nice chill evening. I can appreciate what Bebel Gilberto has done, but it's really not my cup of tea.
Best: Samba da Bencao
Worst: Alguem
The National
3/5
An alright album that perfectly fits into the 2010 era of indie rock. In certain sections the melodies and overall sound was very Arcade Fire-esque. l really enjoyed the listen and would probably have it on a background music playlist.
Best: Terrible Love
Worst: Lemonworld
3.5 stars
Rage Against The Machine
4/5
Ever amazing Rage Against The Machine, politically on point and full of energy. The self-immolation of the Vietnamese monk as the album cover is just a taste of what you can expect to hear throughout the record. You can't deny this genre bending amalgamation is perfect to pump you up and get you started for whatever you are doing.
Best: Killing In The Name
Worst: Take The Power Back
Elvis Presley
4/5
With the typical southern drawl of Elvis' voice, it's hard to deny his pull over the youth of the 50's and beyond. His debut, whilst being mostly full of covers, is the perfect introduction to the enigma of Elvis.
Best: Blue Suede Shoes
Worst: I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Cry (Over You)
Lou Reed
3/5
It was interesting to find out that Bowie was one of the producers on this album, to me there isn't too much of him in there. I believe it's too much of Reed trying to have that glam sound, with the overexposed image on the front cover along with the understated sound of each of the tracks - Bowie could never.
Best: Walk On The Wild Side
Worst: Goodnight Ladies
Otis Redding
3/5
A good cover filled soul album that kind of blows my mind that it came out at the time when bands like The Rolling Stones and The Beatles were really beginning to hit their stride. Otis' voice, gritty, rich and most importantly sounds very much alive, is one that anyone couldn't complain about.
Best: My Girl
Worst: Rock Me Baby
Kings of Leon
4/5
Kings of Leon, what a great debut album, Youth & Young Manhood is a fantastic testament to early 2000s alt-rock/garage-rock. There are so many great singles on this that you can't help but do at least a little head-bop to. With songs featured in TV Commercials, in Movies and as part of the FIFA games soundtrack, it's easy to see why this album is part of this list.
Best: Red Morning Light; Molly's Chambers
Worst: Holly Roller Novocaine
Big Star
3/5
A good rock album by Big Star that wasn't too out there but still provided an interesting listen. It's a shame to hear that they only reached commercial success after the declining mental state of the lead singer which produced this record.
Best: Thank You Friends
Worst: Downs
Boston
3/5
A quite epic rock opera album that whilst only 37 minutes long, feels like the perfect amount for how grand Boston have made it feel. I believe that has to do with the instrument effects used, which was quite revolutionary at the time.
Best: More Than A Feeling
Worst: Something About You
3.5 Stars
Talking Heads
3/5
A new wave, experimental album that takes a lot of influence from African grooves and funk sounds, with an electronic twist helped along with the producing efforts of the prolific Brian Eno.
The first half of the album is definitely the stronger side, with insane electronic loops coupled with afro-funk/rock beats that both made you want to get up and dance and feel somewhat familiar, but at the time totally fresh and accessible to the wider population.
Best: Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On)
Worst: The Overload
3.5 Stars
Madness
3/5
As an album, The Rise & Fall is a bit of bouncy and boppy new wave pop, yet distinctly British. Madness have a recognisable sound and whilst I have never listened to the album, they sounded familiar, and wasn't until it got to "Our House" where it all clicked.
Best: Our House
Worst: New Dehli
Note: Deluxe album is only available on Spotify, I listened to the original 13 tracks only.
Arcade Fire
4/5
A great debut by Arcade Fire, it has the typical sound that we have come to know of Arcade fire, but at the time of release, their style was quite new and fresh. Filled with lots of emotion and atmosphere, I think it's one to add to the record collection!
Best: Neighbourhood #3
Worst: Neighbourhood #4
Eminem
4/5
It's easy to see how Eminem's third album really made it's mark on the musical landscape. It was probably most people's introduction to horrorcore. I remember the controversy it cause when it was released - due to it's explicit nature and the fine line in discerning whether or not to take his content as satirical or literal. At about 77 minutes long - despite how good it is, by the end of it, it feels entirely too long.
Best: Stan; The Real Slim Shady
Worst: Ken Kaniff-Skit; Bitch Please II
AC/DC
4/5
Highway to Hell is one of the most iconic Aussie rock albums, in the history of rock albums. Who can beat the thumping beats of Angus Young's guitars, and Bon Scott's piercing vocals?
Best: Highway To Hell
Worst: Beating Around the Bush
The Black Keys
4/5
Brothers is a great blues/garage rock album with the familiar sounds of Dan Auerbach's vocals and guitar riffs. Despite it's length and the personal issues the
bandmates had at the time, it manages to keep you engaged throughout.
Best: Howlin' For You
Worst: These Days
3.5 stars
Björk
3/5
A strange acapella album by Björk, but then again - she has always been a little kooky. Didn't enjoy this as much as her previous album Vespertine, probably due to it's wildly experimental nature. The track "Who Is It" sounds like there's some beatboxing going on, then "Ancestors" sound like people in compromising positions! You never know what you're gonna get with Björk!
Best: Where Is The Line
Worst: Show Me Forgiveness
Janet Jackson
3/5
I can appreciate Janet Jackson's concept album based around the social issues including tragedies and inequalities facing America of the late 80s and like so many albums I've listened to so far, many of these issues are still plaguing the USA today.
Rhythm Nation 1814 is full of 80s synths and samples that manages to hit at the heart of what the people really wanted to hear at the time.
Best: Rhythm Nation
Worst: Someday is Tonight
Butthole Surfers
3/5
What a weird album, but oddly enough - it was ok. With a mix of noise, psychedelic and experimental rock, this experimental album really pushes the boundaries for what you can do with limited recording equipment.
Best: U.S.S.A.
Worst: Weber
The Band
3/5
Music From Big Pink was an ok Americana roots/rock album, most likely helped by the number of Bob Dylan songs that were covered, that wasn't his only influence - he painted the album art! The instrumentation was quite good with a really laid back vibe and felt really organic overall.
Best: We Can Talk
Worst: Lonesome Suzie
2.5 Stars
De La Soul
3/5
Lots of samples and funky beats, with a very positive vibe that was quite different to where most of the gangsta rap was heading in the 80s and 90s. With lots of samples and various soundscapes, and conceptually was completed with game show segments interspersed between tracks. Interestingly it's been described as the first psychedelic hip-hop record.
Best: The Magic Number
Worst: De La Orgee
Beastie Boys
3/5
Paul's Boutique has quite the distinctive sound of the Beastie Boys, although I wouldn't go so far as some have in describing it as the "Sgt. Pepper of hip-hop". It's fill of energy and life, with what would have been quite a fresh take on hip-hop at the time as well - even so far as the black hip-hop community loving the take on new beats.
Although it's not to my preference, I can appreciate the way the Beastie Boys have curated this album.
Best: Hey Ladies
Worst: High Plains Drifter
Pink Floyd
5/5
The Dark Side Of The Moon is one of the most seminal psych/rock albums of history. Centred around the ideas of madness, with themes of conflict, greed, time, death, and mental illness. Built upon experiments from previous live shows and recordings, cohesively pieces, across the two sides of vinyl, continuous pieces of music. The first exploring the nature of the human experience and the second highlights the common traits shared by humanity, namely mental illnesses, conflict and personal relationships.
By modern standards the hyped psychedelia of the album is a little overhyped in my opinion, however I can certainly see that this album has paved the way for modern psychedelic rock and trance. I enjoyed listening to this album in it's entirety for the first time and would love to have this sitting on my vinyl shelf.
Best: Money
Worst: Speak To Me
Kendrick Lamar
3/5
When this album came out - I had absolutely zero interest in whatever Kendrick had to say. Didn't like the singles he put out, in my opinion it sucked. I HATED the fact that King Kunta made the Number 1 spot in Triple J's Hottest 100, with the number 2 song absolutely ROBBED. However as time rolled on, I have begun to appreciate the lyricism and mixture of genres that Kendrick brings to Hip Hop and Rap.
Best: Alright
Worst: Mortal Man
Talking Heads
3/5
Let's be real, everyone only really knows Psycho Killer by Talking Heads and everything else is supplementary. All honesty, if it wasn't for how popular that song is, there wouldn't be that nostalgia that there is for them. Despite this Talking Heads 77 is a decent debut, with the sound of Brit Rock/New Wave, whilst being an American band.
Best: Psycho Killer
Worst: First Week/Last Week… Carefree
Note: Spotify only had the Deluxe Version, I listened to the original 11 tracks from the album
The Rolling Stones
3/5
For a Rolling Stones album Sticky Fingers didn't really hit me in the way I expected it to. It was more blues rock but not in the same way their earlier works sounded, where I expected more of a rock n roll vibe. Probably the most interesting part of the album was the cover art where they managed to have an image of a man in tight jeans with a fully functioning zipper exposing some tighty-whities.
Best: Wild Horses
Worst: I Got The Blues
2.5 Stars
Leonard Cohen
1/5
Cannot deal. I really don't get the appeal of Leonard Cohen. Any other kind of arrangement to his lyrics, and even different artist singing them might make his song writing more palatable, but as it is, I would never again, willingly, listen to this album.
Best: The Partisan
Worst: Seems So Long Ago, Nancy
Eurythmics
3/5
I was really only here for one song and one song only. The rest of the album was pretty average in my opinion. I expected it to have more heavy industrial style electronic synths - similar to Sweet Dreams - but alas this was lacking for the most part.
Best: Sweet Dreams
Worst: Somebody Told Me
Siouxsie And The Banshees
3/5
It was an ok album, The Scream was definitely not a misnomer, along with the Banshees portion of the band's name. Full of noise rock and roll, there are elements of letting each instrument operate in their own space but together at the same time, yet also sounding as though they are all one instrument, which at times can be a slightly overwhelming.
Best: Suburban Relapse
Worst: Jigsaw Feeling
2.5 stars
Frank Ocean
4/5
I didn't realise that this album is over 10 years old! It feels as though Channel Orange has permeated our consciousness without being too overbearing, in my opinion. Frank Ocean isn't someone who I would normally gravitate towards, however I can appreciate what this album has done for hip-hop, soul and R&B in a modern context.
Best: Lost
Worst: Pyramids
The Velvet Underground
3/5
A far cry from previous Velvet Underground albums I have listened to thus far on my 1001 Albums journey. A marked change in styling and sound make it feel like a different band. Not sure if I quite enjoyed their third outing as much as the previous two, much of the album feels very preachy and, an allegory for finding and becoming a part of the Christian denomination church.
Best: What Goes On
Worst: Jesus
Can
3/5
I enjoyed the ambiance that was provided by this album, I think Ian MacDonald of NME said it best by exclaiming Future Days is "sheer good music and is perfectly easy for anyone with a pair of ears attached to their heads to get into and thoroughly enjoy."
Best: Spray
Worst: Bel Air / Spare a Light
2/5
An ok album, the sound really wasn't my vibe and am struggling to comprehend how it made the top 50 in both UK and US with over 1 million albums sold worldwide. PJ Harvey looks like the Veronicas if they were cosplaying as an early 00s office-worker. Average album at best in my opinion.
Best: This Mess We're In
Worst: We Float
XTC
2/5
A really strange album, not quite rock, not quite pop and not quite psychedelic - a real mix of all three with leanings towards the rock/pop side.
Despite all of the issues they had with the recordings and the abundance of choices they had with their demos, XTC managed to capture the feeling of significant life milestones including birth, young love, family, labour, illness, death, sprinkled with moments of wonderment.
Best: Dear God
Worst: Dying
2.5 stars
George Michael
3/5
FREEEDOOOOMMMMM!! The sound of this album is what I associate with George Michael. The moody sounds of the late 80s/early 90s synth ballad styling really brings out, in my opinion, the best of George Michael. Whilst sales and reception of this album weren't the greatest, I believe this album still holds up over 30 years later.
Best: Freedom! '90
Worst: Cowboys and Angels
3.5 Stars
Cee Lo Green
2/5
I can appreciate hat Cee-Lo is a very good R&B/soul artist but it's not something that I can get into. Personally, this album did nothing for me, it's filled with that kind of misogynistic/sexist overtones in music that was popular back in the 00s and just kind of rubs me the wrong way.
Best: Soul Machine
Worst: My Kind Of People
Carpenters
3/5
The Carpenters have that 70s soft pop/rock with an almost choral sound down to a T. It definitely won't be something on my regular rotation of music, but I can appreciate what they have done with this record. It was kind of a shame to hear that their parents still held a lot of control over their musical careers.
Best: Crescent Noon
Worst: Another Song
2.5 Stars
2Pac
2/5
This brand of Hip-Hop/Rap/R&B is really something I'm not into. I can appreciate that 2Pac is truly one of the all-time greats in the genre but jeez I can't stand it at all. I really want not very much to do with this album or much of his music in general.
Best: Dear Mama
Worst: Young Niggaz
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
Jimi Hendrix is truly the God of the guitar. Whilst Electric Ladyland is a Double album (generally my most despised type of record), it was truly a breath of fresh air. The way Hendrix really feels his guitar and music throughout this album, is totally on another level.
Best: Come On (Let The Good Times Roll)
Worst: 1983...(A Merman I Should Turn To Be)
Serge Gainsbourg
1/5
Unsure why people think the French language sounds sexy, in the context of this album in particular it sounds quite creepy and slimy, even if I hadn't read the context/story of the album on it's Wikipedia page. Good lord do yourself a favour and do not give this album a listen. This album is all about glamourising paedophilia, from this middle aged man who falls in love with a 14 year old girl and taking her virginity. No thanks, can't even deal. Not to mention the album "art" with a topless girl clutching at a doll, I just hope that the model they used was of age, but being the 70s probably not.
I truly don't get the acclaim that this album has, considering it's subject matter. If the female protagonist was just 10 years older I wouldn't have this strong of a reaction to the album, there are some ok trip-hop spoken word beats underlying the story - from the short sample I listened to. However, there is no place in the world, or world of music where we should be praising a story like this.
Listened to the first song as I was reading the Wikipedia page, then stopped after I read what it was about.
Best: N/A
Worst: Entire Album.
0 Stars if I could
Taylor Swift
4/5
The powerhouse juggernaut that is Taylor Swift! Whilst I have never listened to 1989 in its entirety, I am familiar with over half of it due to the singles she has released from it. It is hard to deny the influence she has had on the music scene in the last 15 years or so (coming from a mid 2023 review), full of ups and downs, countless boyfriends helping to spawn the success of her career. This album is her first real foray into the "true" pop genre, Shaking Off (eyy see what I did there? haha) the hard country music tag and really growing to what she is today.
Best: Bad Blood
Worst: Clean
John Lennon
3/5
If it wasn't for Imagine, this album would not even be talked about. Whilst it's not bad, I found it kind of average overall. There are some ok songs throughout, but there are a couple that don't seem to quite fit in my opinion.
Best: Imagine
Worst: Oh Yoko!
The Young Rascals
2/5
A soul-like album by The Young Rascals, that didn't really give much in my opinion. It sounds like a teeny bopper album that would have been listened to by people going to social dances where they would get to interact with the opposite sex, but then told to leave room for Jesus whilst dancing together. Perfectly fine for it's time but doesn't fit in with the world of today.
Best: A Girl Like You
Worst: You Better Run
TV On The Radio
3/5
It was much more of an art rock vibe than I thought it would be. I expected more of an electronic vibe. Definitely not a bad album, but left a pretty flat impression on me.
Best: Ambulance
Worst: Poppy
Liz Phair
2/5
Never heard of Liz Phair before however she provides an album full of 90s indie "girl" grunge vibes, with some good stories told throughout. It is a long album, and at times it felt like a little bit of a slog to get through it.
Best: 6'1"
Worst: Shatter
Note: Had to listen on YouTube as the full album was not made available on Spotify.
Sex Pistols
5/5
This is the epitome of the Sex Pistols, the rock god anarchists of the UK! This album is truly high octane and relentless in its energy. With classic tracks that have permeated throughout history and have gone onto inspire countless artists since then.
Best: Anarchy in the UK
Worst: EMI
Cowboy Junkies
1/5
Oh my Jesus, this album sucks. It's actively giving me a headache as I am listening to it! Ugh, why is this album on the list?? Why would you want to listen to some whiny almost yodelling type music? It blows my mind!
Best: Sweet Jane
Worst: Blue Moon Revisited (Song for Elvis)
The Rolling Stones
4/5
A great debut by The Rolling Stones. It's great to hear how far have they come from their true blues roots with this album and the changes that they made in moving onto their later albums. Not to mention how clean-cut they look on the cover of the album! Whilst the album is mainly covers, you can see how they were able to capture the zeitgeist of the youth of the 60s. Bringing a fresh spin on blues classics, with more of a guitar heavy feel, such a great vibe.
Best: Route 66
Worst: Little By Little
4.5 Stars
David Gray
2/5
I can understand why this would have been mildly popular when White Ladder came out. But this is yet another album that has almost put me to sleep at my work desk. It's the perfect "mum" album with that crooning voice and slow-ish tempo.
Best: Sail Away
Worst: Silver Lining
Scritti Politti
2/5
A strange 80s pop/synth/electro album that isn't too bad, but doesn't really grab me at all. Thankfully it's a short album and I didn't have to endure that for very long.
Best: Absolute
Worst: Don't Work That Hard
New Order
2/5
An ok album that for the time it came out, would have been a bit out there, if you weren't in the party scene. You can definitely feel the Ibiza vibes from where they recorded it.
Best: Vanishing Point
Worst: Guilty Partner
The White Stripes
4/5
A classic album by The White Stripes, White Blood Cells explores themes of love, hope, betrayal, and paranoia, which were inspired by the increased media attention they were receiving. There is something about the distorted guitars and pounding drums that is so comforting.
Best: Fell In Love With A Girl
Worst: Aluminium
Kings of Leon
5/5
Ooft. Those opening few bars of Closer transported me right back to high school. Kings Of Leon really blew up in the late 00s and epitomised the alt-rock sound of that era. With four songs from this album making Triple J's Hottest 100 for the year including "Closer" which didn't even get an official single release goes to show the pull of the Kings at this point in time.
Best: Crawl; Sex On Fire; Use Somebody
Worst: I Want You
N.E.R.D
3/5
I appreciate the effort that NERD put into creating this album, including learning all of the instruments so they can play them live! Overall it was a good rap/rock album that really put the likes of Pharrell Williams on the map.
Best: She Wants To Move
Worst: Chariot of Fire
Quicksilver Messenger Service
3/5
The solos on the first half of the album was a great example of chill psych rock, then the second half of the album was pretty average. It was a lot slower and didn't grab me the way the first half did.
Best: Who Do You Love - Pt. 1
Worst: Happy Trails
2.5 stars
Elton John
3/5
Not too many super famous songs on this album, although the most notable is Tiny Dancer. Madman Across The Water is one of Elton's lowest charting albums reaching only 41 in the UK albums charts and peaked at 8 in the Aus & US Pop Album charts. Seems like the public didn't really like the prog rock feel of this album by Elton John whatsoever, and I'm inclined to agree for the most part.
Best: Tiny Dancer
Worst: All The Nasties
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
2/5
It was an ok album, I can appreciate that they are a great African acapella group but really not my cup of tea. Without wanting to offend anyone it reminded me of the soundtrack to The Lion King.
Best: Hello My Baby
Worst: Wawusho Kubani?
Barry Adamson
2/5
What a strange concept for an album. A concept album that is based on a made-up soundtrack for a totally non-existent noir movie or book. Initially didn't really buy into it, but listening throughout the album made me believe that it could be the soundtrack to an actual noir film.
Best: On the Wrong Side of Relaxation
Worst: Everything Happens To Me
Death In Vegas
2/5
It was an ok album by Death In Vegas, full of the 90s electronica sounds, yet there was something lacking. There were some good beats and overall feeling, but The Contino Sessions didn't quite hit the mark.
Best: Soul Auctioneer
Worst: Broken Little Sister
The Louvin Brothers
1/5
This whole album was two whiny boys complaining and carrying on about the fact they're not getting married/have a wife or baby and they are only put on earth to die. Get this outta here, seriously, their southern drawl and what I like to call "singing voices to throw up in the car to" can no quicker leave my ears.
Then we get to Knoxville Girl what the actual eff did I just listen to?! Yeah it's a cover from old folk stories but it's all about how he murdered this girl, dragging her down to the river by her hair, then telling his mum that the blood on his clothes was from a bloody nose. And has the guts to say that that he loved her at the end of the song?! I can only assume it was because she was looking at some other boy. Holy heck.
Best: N/A
Worst: Knoxville Girl
Note: Spotify had a few extra songs in the album listing. I only listened to the original 12 songs.
Germs
4/5
A really cool look at one of the earliest versions of a hardcore punk album. It was pretty hectic from start to end but a great listen overall.
Best: Lexicon Devil
Worst: The Slave
My Bloody Valentine
3/5
An ok album by My Bloody Valentine full of fuzz rock guitar and lo-fi vibes, with probably one of the first albums in the Shoegaze sub-genre. The sound of the album checks out with the whole band sleeping together in one house and recording off of a couple of hours sleep. However that surprisingly isn't a detriment to the overall ethereal and spectral quality of the album.
Best: Lose My Breath
Worst: Nothing Much To Lose
Leonard Cohen
2/5
Nice to see that Leonard Cohen's style didn't change throughout the years. Once a contemporary artist, always a contemporary artist. Is debut album definitely set the tone for his entire career, however with this album I can see why people may have liked this album. His voice is markedly different as well, it hasn't yet taken on that gravelly tone that he became well known for, which to be honest I think I prefer the voice on this album.
Best: Suzanne
Worst: One of Us Cannot Be Wrong
Shivkumar Sharma
3/5
An interesting look into the sounds of the life of an Indian shepherd. It was quite a relaxing listen and a decent background music to help focus on tasks.
Best: Ode To The Sun God
Worst: The Shepherd Girl
Radiohead
3/5
Hail To the Thief is a solid outing by Radiohead, yet as with most of Radiohead's sound, I struggle to enjoy Tom Yorke's vocal work. However, despite this their melodies are almost soothing to listen to on this record.
Best: The Gloaming
Worst: I Will
Gillian Welch
2/5
Pretty average, alternative country is not my cup of tea at all. In my opinion no one needs to listen to 51 minutes of that at all.
Best: My First Lover
Worst: I Dream a Highway
Tortoise
3/5
Very slow, and kind of monotonous, yet also kind of dreamy. Would put something like this on a sleep playlist.
Best: Glass Museum
Worst: Djed
2.5 stars
KISS
4/5
What an album, whilst never having listened to this album from cover to cover, I was familiar with about half of the album. Naturally a powerhouse heavy metal band like Kiss, it's hard not to know at least a couple of the songs off this album.
Best: Detroit Rock City
Worst: Rock 'n' Roll Party
Sam Cooke
3/5
Whilst this style of music isn't my usual musical fare, but it is easy to hear that Sam Cooke's approach to music and live performance is impeccable. It would have been amazing to be at this performance in person.
Best: Cupid
Worst: Twistin' the Night Away
The Teardrop Explodes
3/5
With the sounds of Brit rock/psychadelia, The Teardrop Explodes provides a decent listen wrapped up in their debut album. A little talky, a little distorted, definitely more rock than psychadelia, particularly by today's standards.
Best: Reward
Worst: Strange House in the Snow
Note:The Spotify version is the 2000 Reissue version
Thundercat
3/5
This album sounds like the musings of the YouTuber Bill Wurtz, but with more star power. It has an electro/autotune like quality that is very reminicent of Bill's songs. I don't mind it, it's pretty chill and cruisy, perfect for a lazy weekend morning around the house drinking coffee.
Best: Walk On By
Worst: Jameel's Space Ride
Björk
3/5
Bjork being Bjork, Vulnicura contains all the hallmarks that make Bjork. The ethereal sounds, her dreamy quality, you can't replecate elsewhere. I can't say that this album is any better than her previous ones, but still a solid effort even if it feels more drawn out, yet not as captivating as her debut.
Best: Lionsong
Worst: Black Lake
The Strokes
5/5
What an amazing album. Full of fuzzy guitars and distorted vocals, filled with the sounds and experiences of New York. At a time just before 9/11, The Strokes were able to bust through into one of the most critically acclaimed albums of the decade. Who went onto go and inspire a whole gamut of British rock bands including the likes of The Libertines and the Arctic Monkeys. It is truly a crime that it only made No. 33 in the US charts.
Best: Last Nite
Worst: Take It Or Leave It
4.5 Stars
Circle Jerks
3/5
What a wild listen - hardcore punk through and through, and I believe the shortest album I've listened to thus far. Truly chaotic and just what I needed for a Friday arvo!
Best: Live Fast Die Young
Worst: Operation
Soul II Soul
3/5
Soul II Soul's Club Classics Vol. One is pretty much a meh album, the R&B sound doesn't really get into my soul, but functioned ok as a background music listen.
Best: Back To Life
Worst: Feelin' Free
Burning Spear
2/5
A pretty average reggae album by Burning Spear. I can appreciate there is a lot of meaning that was "diluted" as a remix of the album for a western audience. I imagine that the original release was more reggae heavy so it may have 'felt' more real. Still not really something I'd go out of my way to listen to.
Best: Marcus Garvey
Worst: Resting Place
Cornershop
2/5
I expected a little more electronica by judging Cornershop's When I Was Born For The 7th Time's album cover. And this is why they say not to judge. But I was quite happy to be taken on the journey of this album from pseudo Indian with electronic sitar sounds to hip-hop/trip-hop vibes and a whole lot more inbetween. Didn't really enjoy the sitar style sounds, but it was interesting to hear once and likely never again.
Best: Candyman
Worst: Norwegian Wood
Bonnie Raitt
2/5
Wow I don't think I've listened to an album that matched the cover quite like Nick Of Time by Bonnie Raitt. It was exactly the Americana/Country/Pop from the 80s I expected and whilst this isn't my usual listen, I can appreciate the effort that has gone into it - albeit how iconically late 80s it looks and sounds.
Best: Nick Of Time
Worst: I Will Not Be Denied
The Sonics
3/5
A basic rock 'n' roll band from the 60s. Nothing really that stood out too much in this album, filled with lots of covers and a few originals dotted in. Feels like The Sonics would've been a hit really locally to where they formed. But nice to read that they are still on the gig train all these years later!
Best: The Witch
Worst: Walking The Dog
The Streets
2/5
A Grand Don't Come For Free sounds like exactly what the early 00s in England on the streets would have sounded like, think very much like Ali G. The concept is sound, and thematically fits in well to the genre of spoken word rap with heavy regional English accent. It's a nice change to the generic-ness of American rap, but can be a little jarring if you can't really decipher the accent. The huge hit of Fit but You Know It couldn't bump up the rating much further.
Best: Fit but You Know It
Worst: Empty Cans
Bob Dylan
3/5
Upon listening to this album for the first time, I felt like I was listening to an album by Zap Brannigan from Futurama dedicating an album to his heartbeak from Leela. I can now see where the team at Futurama got their inspiration from.
But geez for a 15th (!!) album its not half bad, is it? Not my usual fare, however does have some kind of a nostalgia attached to it, perhaps from the musings of Zap.
Best: Lily Rosemary & Jack of Hearts
Worst: Buckets of Rain
David Bowie
4/5
A departure from Ziggy Stardust, however none the less worse for it. Aladdin Sane takes on a different form of "Heading to America" and you can hear the influence throughout his lyrics and styling. Bowie takes you through a journey as someone who is truly seeing the US in all it's gritty glory for the first time.
Best: The Jean Genie
Worst: The Prettiest Star
4.5 stars
Doves
4/5
Unsure where it singularly fits as a genre but broadly speaking it fits in the British Indie Rock vibe. It feels like the perfect after-hours soundtrack inan underground bar where you could go and just vibe out to the music, yet equally soundtrack an evening session at home with a few friends and a few bottles deep in the wine.
With Doves' electronica roots they really know how to hook you in, and keep you begging for more.
Best: The Cedar Room
Worst: Melody Calls
Mj Cole
3/5
A good house/underground album that created the perfect mood for getting some work done. Super chill with some decent vocals throughout the album. Nothing too crazy but could be worth a lookin on a chill out playlist.
Best: Tired Games
Worst: MJ FM Interlude
GZA
3/5
I didn't expect to like Liquid Swords as much as I did. GZA, being a member of the Wu-Tang Clan, really knows how to tell a story, and with a concept of Shogun Assassins, it was a match made in heaven. The way GZA was able to weave in and out of taking you all the way from the martial arts world and into the gritty, dark reality of the world in today's terms.
Best: Liquid Swords
Worst: I Gotcha Back
Paul Simon
2/5
A pretty meh album, but not as bad as I think it could've been. But Paul Simon's brand of music isn't really in my wheelhouse, but it is totally inoffensive, even if it sounds like it caused the break up of Simon & Garfunkel.
Best: Hearts and Bones
Wost: Cars are Cars
Note: Spotify had the Reissued CD version of the album with bonus tracks. I listened to the original 10 tracks.
Paul McCartney
4/5
Despite all the talks that McCartney breaking up The Beatles, and that it sounds unfinished and using only basic and minimal equipment and mixing, this record is an amazing solo debut. Hailed as one of the pioneers of the Lo-fi sound, he brings a fresh take that I don't believe he could have achieved with The Beatles. Retrospectively he termed it as one of rock's first Indie albums - to which I don't disagree.
Best: Every Night
Worst: Kreen-Akrore
CHVRCHES
4/5
I can't believe I haven't listened to this album in full, as a Chvrches fan, I am disappointed in myself. This album contains the signature sounds that we have come to know and love from Lauren's distinct vocals to their electro pop/rock sounds. Definitely glad this album is a part of this list.
Best: Recover
Worst: You Caught The Light
Joni Mitchell
1/5
Not sure I'd go as far as Stevie Nicks' admission of listening to this album on LSD and praising it's experience. But who knows, it may have been better in an altered state. Joni Mitchell's brand of jazz-pop/soft-rock does not inspire me in any way, yet I can see how it will appeal to some people.
Best: Free Man In Paris
Worst: Twisted
1.5 stars
Note: Album not available on Spotify, listened via YouTube
Genesis
3/5
Selling England by the Pound was quite an enjoyable listen. The way that Genesis were able to weave in all the guitar and drum solos, with the themes of England "selling it's soul to America". They've done this in a way that is almost whimsical in nature, and I barely noticed the almost 60 minute runtime!
Best: Firth Of Fifth
Worst: After The Ordeal
Joni Mitchell
1/5
Two Joni Mitchell albums in 3 days, ooft. Let's hope the next few albums are a little better than this. Why does her music put me to sleep? Perhaps I am not a woman of a certain age who has the life experience needed to help understand the themes and struggles of an early 30s woman... oh wait that is me. Maybe it's a generational thing, because she certainly doesn't look in her early 30s on the album cover.
I truly hope that this is the last album I hear of Joni Mitchell.
Best: A Strange Boy
Worst: Song For Sharon
Brian Eno
2/5
My Life In The Bush Of Ghosts really wasn't anything to write home about. Usually I don't mind the electronic/psychedelia type of sound however Brian Eno this time round really didn't do it for me.
Best: The Carrier
Worst: Mea Culpa
Note: Had to listen to the Carrier on YouTube Music as it was unavailable on Spotify.
Pentangle
2/5
Folk music is definitely not in my likes list and Basket of Light was no exception. This sounded like I was at Church, particularly on Lyke-Wake Dirge. The arrangements were mildly intriguing, but not enough to get me to enjoy it that much.
Best: Light Flight
Worst: Once I Had A Sweetheart
Tim Buckley
2/5
If you're into folk-y Americana music then you'll probably love this album from Tim Buckley. Don't confuse him with Jeff Buckley, because that'll be a mistake you don't make twice. A perfectly average Americana album, even though Wikipedia classes this as "Funk, R&B", interspersed with what I can only describe as weird vocalisations. Glad I don't need to listen to this again.
Best: Move with Me
Worst: Nighthawkin'
Anita Baker
3/5
If you didn't tell me that this album was from the 1980s then it wouldn't have mattered because I would have guessed it. From the diva-like vocals to the large arrangements, Anita Baker tries to embody what we know today of the powerhouse female artists - keyword being tries. Every time I thought she was going to really wow me, it fell short.
Best: Sweet Love
Worst: Watch Your Step
Lucinda Williams
3/5
If you are into Country/Americana sounding music, this would be a great album, if you are not, then it's average at best. No surprises I fall into the latter camp. Lucinda Williams is able to encapsulate her life living in the deep south of the USA, when it was still tolerable and the right-wing crazies weren't in the limelight.
Best: Can't Let Go
Worst: Jackson
Astor Piazzolla
2/5
Average, but can appreciate the effort and skill they have. An Argentinian & American walk into a bar and this is what you get. I have nothing of value to add to this.
Best: Vibraphonissimo
Worst: Laura's Dream
The Zutons
3/5
The best album I have listened to all week! Which is not saying much to be honest. It's good to take a listen to some alt-rock again. The Zutons bring what I would term a more typical sound for the first part of the album, yet the last few songs transform their sound into folk/country, of which was unexpected, on the fence about whether it was a good or bad change in style.
Best: You Will You Won't
Worst: Moons and Horror Shows
Rush
4/5
"All right. It's Saturday night, I have no date, a 2 litre bottle of Shasta and my all-Rush mix-tape... Let's rock. **Space Invader shooting sounds**"
This Futurama quote is the only time I have heard of Rush, from what was playing in the episode, and what I listened to on 2112, I'm not mad in the slightest. Whilst probably not too commercially successful at the time, I found it to be a great prog rock/metal concept album that I was able to get lost in.
Best: 2112
Worst: Tears
Baaba Maal
2/5
An ok "world" album that was kind of ok as some background noise. I can appreciate the talent that Baaba Maal has but it's just really not my thing in the slightest.
Best: Yela
Worst: Sy Sawande
David Crosby
3/5
Hmm, not sure what I expected, but the cover and album title are very meme worthy, and I'm surprised that I haven't seen them in a meme format just yet.
It wasn't too bad overall, likely helped by the mostly instrumental sound throughout. Initially after reading that the album is in the psychedelic folk genre, I was a little dubious, but after listening to the entire album, weirdly enough, I get it. With the arrangements and a strange other worldly quality, it really does fit into that extremely niche genre.
Best: Song with No Words (Tree with No Leaves)
Worst: What Are Their Names
Louis Prima
3/5
Even though this was from the 50s, Prima has provided an album full of that boppy blues and early rock sound, which was a fun listen. This is a very happy and joyful album that wasn't too bogged down in the misogyny that can be plagued by albums from this era. It had what was probably one of the first dis tracks in "(I'll Be Glad When You're Dead) You Rascal You", and I wouldn't mind to hear this rearranged in a modern context to see what a modern artist could do with it, I think it's got potential.
Best: (I'll Be Glad When You're Dead) You Rascal You
Worst: Body & Soul
Miles Davis
3/5
An interesting album that was really good as background music that actually kind of helped me today with getting into a zone to push through a tough slog of work. The arrangements of the instruments, whilst not traditional in the least bit, were able to meld the works of jazz and electronic instruments into a cohesive album that felt familiar yet new at the same time.
Best: Pharaoh's Dance
Worst: Feio
Michael Jackson
5/5
What a classic album! How can you look past Thriller as one of the all time great albums? There are only 2 songs on the 9 track album that wasn't a hit single, which I think the only artist in recent times to really only come close is probably Taylor Swift. Truly such an iconic piece of music history, it's hard to think of only one best song!
Best: Thriller, Beat It, Billie Jean
Worst: The Lady in My Life
Common
2/5
Whilst I have heard of Common, this hip-hop/afro beats transitioning into jazz is really not my jam. There are too many songs, and the album is over an hour long. Whilst the beats were ok in that they were a nice steady background sound, some of the lyrical content was not that great in parts, with some glimpses of interesting sounds, it really did nothing for me overall.
Best: Geto Heaven Part Two
Worst: Nag Champa (Afrodisiac for the World)
The Cure
3/5
Moody, dark and likely some of the original gothic rock music. There is a certain sound or sounds throughout that makes you feel immediately like a depressed gothic teenager.
Best: M
Worst: In Your House
Pixies
3/5
A solid alt rock album by the Pixies, I could hear the 90s sound come right through the speakers, with the fuzzy electric guitars, garage sound coupled with a laid back beach/surfer vibe. A perfect album to chill out to sinking a few beers on a hot day, yet also perfect to rock out to.
Best: Velouria
Worst: Is She Weird
3.5 Stars
Public Image Ltd.
3/5
A pretty cool concept with the literal metal box as the cover on the original release. Their sound is more of an experimental concept album that is alt rock/punk avant-garde yet just works as a whole. I can see if you were to listen to them in isolation, then it would be mildly confusing. You really need to listen to the whole album in it's entirety.
Best: Albatross
Worst: Radio 4
Bauhaus
3/5
Mask is an album that sounds like exactly what an 80s gothic post-punk experimental sound would be. They feel expansive with the added flavour of keyboards and acoustic guitars on top of the standard guitar and drum work.
Best: The Passion of Lovers
Worst: Satori
Pere Ubu
3/5
A strange arty punk/rock album that I'm not too sure of what to make of it. There were lots of weird sounds and beeps that I'm not sure what Pere Ubu was going for, but modern dance, I wouldn't have picked that from the overall listen. There were some glimpses of goodness, but overall a little lackluster.
Best: Modern Dance
Worst: Laughing
2.5 Stars
Rod Stewart
3/5
I can see why Rod Stewart is a magnet for women of a certain age. There is definitely something in that husky voice that would continue to appeal to this day. A classic example of mainstream blues/roots rock that kept my interest for the majority of the album.
Best: It's All Over Now
Worst: Cut Across Shorty
Emmylou Harris
3/5
The sounds of a classic country Belle not unlike the sound of Dolly Parton, of which she had completed a cover of Coat of Many Colours. Pieces Of The Sky is wholly inoffensive and has the feel of "good ol' country music - the way it should be" without being too over the top. Definitely one of the more bearable country albums I have listened to thus far.
Best: If Only I Could Win Your Love
Worst: Boulder To Birmingham
Tom Waits
3/5
Bone Machine gives you the feeling of being in a dark room listening to the musings of an old man. There is a strange mix between a more traditional rock sound, but then there are parts where it feels like you are truly listening to an unhinged man wailing country sounding songs at you. I'm not sure if I really enjoyed the album or I was just intrigued because I didn't know what was going to come next.
Best: Goin' Out West
Worst: I Don't Wanna Grow Up
Note: Had to listen to "That Feel" on YouTube Music as it was not available on Spotify.
Simple Minds
3/5
A really good synth pop album that knows how to hook you in with an earworm. With the plethora of 80s music out there, it felt like they really hit the mark with this one, breathing into the zeitgeist of the early 80s sound, and likely helped influence countless other artists later on in the decade.
Best: Someone Somewhere (In Summertime)
Worst: King Is White and In The Crowd
3.5 Stars
Sly & The Family Stone
3/5
A cool soul funk album that brought the family feeling of togetherness through the record, and felt like it highlighted the changing times in the Black movement of the late 60s. Particularly blending both Black & White artists in the group with something to say about the state of the world and what they want to change and how to move forward.
Best: Stand!
Worst: Sex Machine
I only listened to the 8 original tracks, Spotify had the extended reissue tracks.
LTJ Bukem
4/5
Logical Progression by LTJ Buken was a nice slow burn of an album, bubbled nicely under the surface and could easily provide the soundtrack to a late night house/trance club. It was full of soundscapes that could really take you places under the right influence. The way LTJ was able to pull together a nice cohesive compilation, and can see that over the years this has influenced the underground scene.
Best: Senses
Worst: Jazz Lick
Note: I only listened to the first 10 songs as there were the extended mixes of the album for the remainder.
Beastie Boys
4/5
Licensed to Ill straight up punches you with the distinctive sounds and rapping of the Beastie Boys. You almost can't help but at the very least bop your head to the sounds. This has become a classic for a reason, and the Beastie Boys really know how to partayyy!
Best: Fight For Your Right
Worst: She's Crafty
3.5 Stars
Happy Mondays
3/5
A cool psy funk/acid house album but with a distinctive British flavour. After reading about how the album was created with the help of being ecstasy fueled, it all begins to fall into place. Yet it doesn't diminish the sound that they created, by their own admission, likely the first album that was solely created on the drug.
Best: Wrote for Luck
Worst: Hallelujah
Sabu
3/5
A fun and funky upbeat salsa/rumba-y album that would be amazing sitting in an alfresco area on a balmy night in a Latin country, sipping on some cocktails or a nice wine, watching the world go by, perhaps even getting up for a little dance.
Best: El Cumbanchero
Worst: Aggo Elegua
3.5 Stars
Björk
4/5
Surprisingly Bjork's Debut album, which obviously is her debut, sounds the most "normal" of the ones I've listened to so far. She was clearly ahead of her time as no one in the early 90s sounded like that. Totally innovating what pop music could sound like with the electro/ethereal quality that Bjork has come to be known for.
It was close to two decades after this albums release where artists began drawing from this as inspiration and I can see artists such as MIA, Grimes, Robyn, Aurora and with a feeling coming through with Lady Gaga. Generally fitting into the more quirky/kooky type of female artist.
Best: Human Behaviour
Worst: The Anchor Song
Belle & Sebastian
3/5
Tigermilk has a perfectly average chamber pop sound, that was perfectly middle of the road. Their lyrics weave through strange stories of what I can only presume are of their town, that have religious conservative overtones, that if you're absentmindedly listening you wouldn't pick up.
Best: Expectations
Worst: We Rule The School
Waylon Jennings
2/5
Honky Tonk Heroes sounds exactly like what the album cover looks like. It's a guy singing old outlaw style country music, there's not too much more to say about it really.
Best: Honky Tonk Heroes
Worst: We Had It All
Led Zeppelin
4/5
Led Zeppelin really know how to craft an album, each song felt perfectly in place, however almost feels like a slow burn. You just know that you will be able to really rock the hell out of these tracks live though!
This is not what you would typically think of as a metal album these days but it really is the origins of everything that feels and sounds metallic in the music world.
Best: Stairway To Heaven
Worst: N/A
4.5 Stars
Spiritualized
3/5
A wildly calm and dreamy album that sort of floats around you earning it's Space Rock genre well. Paired with the cover art, I felt like I was Mr. Burns where Homer mistakes him for an alien.
Best: You Know It's True
Worst: 200 Bars
The White Stripes
5/5
Probably the best White Stripes album that they ever released, and for me personally, how can it not be as Seven Nation Army was one of the first songs I learnt on guitar. The simplicity of the duo which focused on 3 main components of a song at any one time so they could perform live shows is genius.
Best: Seven Nation Army; The Hardest Button To Button
Worst: It's True That We Love One Another
Lightning Bolt
3/5
This album sounds like how the cover looks. It is true to its form, it is noise rock in all its glory. Whilst there seems to be little rhyme or reason to the entire album other than just being.
Best: Dracula Mountain
Worst: Assassins
Tom Waits
3/5
Guttural blues ballads that sound like Waits is chain smoking whilst singing. A few songs off the album feel like they should be Christmas songs with their subtle jingling bells. But overall Tom Waits manages to put out a decent effort for his seventh album.
Best: Heartattack And Vine
Worst: On The Nickel
Mudhoney
3/5
Superfuzz Bigmuff by Mudhoney was a cool listen to some early style grunge/garage punk, I would describe as a mix between Nirvana and Green Day in terms of energy and overall sound as it sits nicely in the middle genre-wise between the two bands.
Best: Touch Me I'm Sick
Worst: Need
Note: Spotify had the deluxe album, I only listened to the 12 tracks as outlined in "Superfuzz Bigmuff Plus Early Singles (1990)" on the Wikipedia page.
Japan
4/5
A cool early new wave/synth album, on the cusp of the era of the 80s new wave and synth explosion. There is something about Japan's Quiet Life that feels ethereal and whimsical with what will become a defining sound for the genre in the years to come. With clear influence from David Bowie, Duran Duran & Spandau Ballet all coming up in the scene creating that English art pop sound.
Best: Quiet Life; Life In Tokyo
Worst: Other Side of Life
Fleetwood Mac
5/5
Wow, who knew there were so many absolute classics on this classic album! (please note lots and lots of sarcasm in that statement) Rumors is truly a classic for a reason, yet something that I wouldn't normally go for in day to day listening. The majority of the album has been ubiquitous in pop culture and the wider media from everything form TV, movies and even other music since it was released into the world. This really is a masterpiece of an album.
Best: Dreams
Worst: Oh Daddy
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
3/5
An overall ok prog rock live album with some nice mesmerising type grooves throughout. There is nothing too much that really stood out on this album, but it's just perfectly ok.
Best: Nutrocker
Worst: The Sage
3/5
A cool pop/new-wave synth sound that took you on a journey through love and heartbreak. With most of the songs quite catchy and great to bop your head to.
Best: Poison Arrow
Worst: Theme of "Mantrap"
4/5
I wish I could go and watch the movie that this album soundtracks. Bowie is able to tell rich stories and take your mind to other worlds - literally. It was probably one of the first instances of being androgynous or queer into the forefront of the mainstream consciousness, owning it and not being ostracised for it. Although I would say that a theatrical performance under the guise of an extra terrestrial being helped the narrative that it was only a performance for those that may not have approved otherwise.
Best: Starman
Worst: Suffragette City
Aimee Mann
3/5
This entire album sounds like a 90s teen drama, and songs would not feel out of place in a 90210, Felicity, Melrose Place type of shows (let's be real she might've had something on one episode likely lost to time at this point). However, despite this feeling, Aimee was never really able to grab my attention with her pop/rock tones.
Best: I Should've Known
Worst: Mr. Harris
Echo And The Bunnymen
3/5
Echo & the Bunnymen sound both familiar and fresh at the same time. Porcupine is full of post punk/neo-psychedelia sounds that like their album cover, transport you to a cold and desolate place. In spite of the cold, it feels as though you are wrapped up to be comforted by the heaviness in front of the fire on a snowy evening.
Best: The Cutter
Worst: Gods Will Be Gods
Note: Spotify had the 2003 extended version available, I only listened to the original 10 tracks
Gene Clark
2/5
An average folk rock/country album, containing a bunch of poetic songs. Nothing to write home about in my opinion, pretty bland and almost put me to sleep.
Best: For a Spanish Guitar
Worst: The Virgin
Note: Spotify had the bonus tracks, I only listened to the original 9 songs.
Donovan
3/5
Is it just me or does Donovan look like he could be related to Harry Styles? Such a fun psychedelic album that feels very flower power like (i.e. drugs), and wouldn't be a 60s psychedelic album without the use of a sitar somewhere across the track-list.
Best: Season of the Witch
Worst: The Fat Angel
Pulp
4/5
Holy crap, did not realise that Pulp were the ones to sing Common People (never heard the band name said really but heard the song plenty). Initially, I saw the length of the album and rolled my eyes, however when it began, I thoroughly took back that eye roll as Different Class really brought the goods with this album. A fun boppy Brit Pop/Rock album that has a very 80s feel to it, yet sits firmly released in the 90s.
Best: Common People
Worst: Pencil Skirt
Pixies
4/5
For an American band, the Pixies sound really British, perhaps it's just their particular brand of late 1980s alt rock, or that their producers is from Liverpool. A super fun and upbeat record that makes you want to jump around get into it. La La Love you gets best vote for me for the lyrics "Shake your butt (not too hard)".
Best: La La Love You
Worst: Silver
Various Artists
3/5
How appropriate for this time of year (Christmas if you couldn't tell), A Christmas Gift For You is a decent compilation album that has the majority of the Christmas classics, including White Christmas, Santa Clause Is Coming To Town and Winter Wonderland. Although Phil Spector is not really one to idolise, there are none actually sung by Spector himself, just a thank you track to background music of Silent Night. There were only a couple of Christmas tunes I hadn't heard of that didn't manage to catch on to be a part of regular Christmas rotation.
Best: Santa Clause Is Coming To Town
Worst: Silent Night
3.5 stars
Joanna Newsom
3/5
Glad I judged an album by it's cover because that's exactly the sound I expect from what I saw. Joanna is able to take you through almost an hour of dreamy folk rock accompanied by an harps, banjos and mandolins.
Best: Sawdust & Diamonds
Worst: Emily
Note: Spotify didn't have this album and I listened to it via YouTube Music.
Dennis Wilson
3/5
An ocean style rock/pop album with several religious overtones, or it could be sexual, not too sure. It is wild that Dennis Wilson was one of the founding members of the Beach Boys. From the little I have heard of the Beach Boys, I would not have guessed they came from the same region of music. Then again, in reading the Wikipedia article it states that " At the time of recording, Dennis' hard living had begun affecting his looks and more importantly his singing voice, which now delivered grainy and rough, yet still deeply soulful, vocals." I suppose it makes sense in the end. Pacific Ocean is quite laid back and would work well in a beach chill playlist.
Best: River Song
Worst: Farewell My Friend
Note: Spotify had a 2 disc version of the album, however I only listened to the original 12 tracks.
Bob Dylan
3/5
Bob Dylan being Bob Dylan, there's a whole lot of spoken word lyrics, folk, blues-y/country rock type of sound. This style of music isn't really my favourite, however I can appreciate what he has done for music. I still can't get out of my head Zap Brannigan's singing to Leela when I hear anything by Dylan.
Best: Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat
Worst: Just Like A Woman
Slipknot
5/5
Punching you in the guts with this iconic self titled debut studio album. Slipknot really burst onto the scene with this album that still holds its own over 20 years later.
Full of the hard hitting drumming that Metal is famous for - layered with guitars, samples and melodic lyrics make for an amazing album. Whilst it may not be everyone's cup of tea, in the right circumstance at a live gig you could probably turn a few people over to the dark side.
Best: Wait & Bleed
Worst: Scissors
Note: The 10th Anniversary album was the only one available on Spotify, I only listened to the first 17 tracks.
Elastica
3/5
Elastica's self titled debut sounds like the perfect backdrop to a teen movie or TV drama from the 90s. Full of pop punk vibes electric guitars and moody vocals this album is one to have on your radar, and from their sound I wouldn't have guessed that they're British!
Best: Connection
Worst: Never Here
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
4/5
Truly a wild listen. I really don't know where to begin on this one. From the cover to the soundscape throughout the album to even the name of the band and album. I just don't know how to feel. From the asynchronous playing of the instruments to the sometimes gruff vocals and storytelling I felt like I was on a rollercoaster for my brain - it hurts.
There was something about this that made me want to both keep listening but stop at the same time. The overlapping melodies that shouldn't work by any normal stretch of the imagination worked so well and the practice that they did definitely paid off.
Best & Worst: I have no idea and I'm so confused.
Note: This album isn't available on Spotify so I listened to it on YouTube
Tom Waits
3/5
Slam poetry jazz that's what would sum up this album, cleverly recorded in front of a "live" audience in the studio. Wouldn't go out of my way to listen to it on the regular but it was an ok for a once off listen.
Best: Eggs and Sausage (In a Cadillac with Susan Michelson)
Worst: Big Joe And Phantom 309
2.5 Stars
Roxy Music
2/5
An ok album overall, nothing that really stood out to me as a whole and the only thing in my opinion that made it stand out was the album cover because of it's controversy, for controversy's sake.
Best: Out of the Blue
Worst: Prairie Rose
Tom Tom Club
2/5
A cool funky album that is much better in the first half than the second. Full of synths, guitars and decent vocals. It kind of devolved into a fuzzy mess towards the end of the album which wasn't too great to listen to.
Best: L'Elefant
Worst: Booming and Zooming
Note: Spotify didn't have most of the album so I listened on YouTube, and only the LP original 8 Tracks.
2.5 stars
David Bowie
3/5
A different take by Bowie for his eleventh studio album. There are not too many stand outs, but it is a very different sound more haunting and influenced by Bowie's heavy drug use and German inspired krautrock blending electronic elements with rock and avant-garde themes.
Best: Sound and Vision
Worst: Art Decade
Def Leppard
4/5
Exactly what a hair metal band should sound like, huge drums, synths and of course shredding guitar solos. Def Leppard aimed to make Hysteria the metal equivalent of Michael Jacksons Thriller, and whilst I don't think they quite pulled it off, it is very close. Being at the concerts touring this album would have been incredible, heck I wanted to start head banging in the office as I was listening!
Best: Pour Some Sugar On Me
Worst: Run Riot
T. Rex
3/5
It was an alright album overall, didn't really feel the glam rock until it came to the sixth track with Get It On, that has been heard in a bunch of media since it's inception. The whole album is a bit all over the place in terms of style but somehow manages to pull it together in a somewhat cohesive manner.
Best: Jeepster
Worst: Monolith
Funkadelic
2/5
Not really my cup of tea in terms of music style, but was an ok funk R&B album that had a huge black rock sound. I can see how it would have been popular at the time culturally but don't love this style.
Best: One Nation Under A Groove
Worst: Maggot Brain/Chant
Note: Spotify didn't have the album so I listened on YouTube
PJ Harvey
2/5
An ok singer-songwriter type indie/grunge album that fit a niche that today could be filled with the likes of Courtney Barnett but less grunge. Not really my cup of tea here but an interesting listen nonetheless.
Best: Rid of Me
Worst: Snake
Black Sabbath
3/5
An interesting listen to what was probably THE first heavy metal album. it was full of doom and gloom, and heavy thunderous rock. Lyrics were uncharacteristically dark for the time, but by todays standards, you wouldn't even bat an eye at. Overall a cool album to listen to, and so weird to think that Ozzy Osbourne is singing.
Best: N.I.B
Worst: Sleeping Village
3.5 Stars
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
2/5
I vaguely remember when this album came out and a couple of songs got played on the radio. My opinion hasn't changed much since then, it still sounds a bit dreary, but now I can see how this would appeal to some people. But my god the album was a long one! Why did it need to be almost an hour and a half long??? Wouldn't really want to listen to this one again.
Best: Breathless
Worst: O Children
The Boo Radleys
3/5
An OK album overall but nothing to write home about there wasn't really a standout song, but the overall sound was pleasant enough even though it was a really long album.
Best: Lazarus
Worst: Run My Way Runway
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
3/5
I definitely prefer this more upbeat country/rock style sound as opposed to the dreary mumbling style that Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds has come to be known for. Now I understand how they became popular and I guess that generation kinda just grew with their style and kept listening.
Best: Papa Won't Leave You, Henry
Worst: Christina the Astonishing
R.E.M.
3/5
REM are by today's standards a dated band. However their fifth album Document feels relatively fresh and fun undercut with the angst of an alt rock band.
Best: It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)
Worst: Oddfellows Local 151
Madonna
4/5
Wild that Like A Prayer is Madonna's fourth album. A stark difference to her previous poppy releases, she truly walked so others like Britney, Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, and even Taylor Swift could run. The album's concept is much more personal, speaking about her parents and the influence Catholicism had over her.
The released singles here are probably some of her most famous, and much like most teens listening to music as they were growing up, this album still resonates with that demographic.
Best: Like A Prayer; Express Yourself
Worst: Spanish Eyes
Queen Latifah
3/5
I always forget that Queen Latifah started as a singer, now that she is more famous as an actress. That album cover is so 80s it hurts. She really was the queen, dropping bars like nobody's business, this album would have done a lot for female rappers at the time, and so much so it's been inducted into the Library of Congress's National Recording Registry, based on its "cultural, historical or aesthetic importance in the nation’s recorded sound heritage".
Best: Dance With Me
Worst: A King and Queen Creation
3.5 stars
Massive Attack
3/5
Massive Attack's Blue Lines album caught me off guard a bit, didn't know if it was electronic, or hip/trip-hop. The trip-hop sounds slightly too American for a British artist. Overall not bad, just wish it leant a little more into the electronic side of things.
Best: Safe From Harm
Worst: One Love
2.5 stars
Foo Fighters
4/5
An absolute powerhouse of a debut album by the Foo Fighters, that has now become a classic. Who knew that Dave Grohl could do more than just drumming? And by the sounds of it, there needed to be something else he did after the death of friend and fellow bandmate Kurt Cobain.
The Foo Fighters have gone and become a mainstay of that melodic rock/post grunge sound that has stood the test of time for an album that was mostly written in about 20 minutes before recording.
Best: This Is a Call
Worst: Oh George
Megadeth
4/5
Awesome thrash metal album, truly chaotic and mind-blowing. Drawing inspiration from sources including person substance issues, to UFO Conspiracies - just look at that album cover - and The Punisher Marvel Character, and even the Northern Ireland conflict after the band were escorted from their Dublin show in a bulletproof bus.
High octane go go go, Megadeath do not stop on Rust in Peace.
Best: Holy Wars... The Punishment Due
Worst: My Creation
Talk Talk
2/5
Nothing to write home about with this outing by Talk Talk. An ok new wave pop album that was a bit too much jazz and not enough synth for my liking.
Best: Happiness Is Easy
Worst: Chameleon Day
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five
3/5
Absolute classic genre defining and pioneering album by Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five. The Message is one to listen to if you are remotely interested in the history of music or hip hop. A view into the life of black street life giving an open window into their lives that often wasn't seen previously, considering they were mainly releasing mix tapes as opposed to full albums.
Best: The Message
Worst: Dreamin'
3.5 Stars
Method Man
2/5
Another classic hip hop album that I can appreciate, but not really get into. Method Man has a way with the flow that does draw you in, but I'm not sure if that's just the underlying beat that's holding it.
Best: Meth Vs Chef
Worst: Release Yo' Delf
Brian Eno
3/5
This album is a look into Brian Eno's world. It's equal parts psychedelic and dreamy that allows you to float in and out of consciousness. I can definitely see why Eno would have described this album as ocean music.
Best: No One Receiving
Worst: Energy Fools the Magician
Throwing Muses
2/5
Throwing Muses began as a cool alt-rock/punk record with a decent sounding female lead, however towards the end her vocals became too whiny for me to really deal with. I really hate to rag on a female vocalist but if there is one thing I can't really stand, is that whiny screeching singing, which brought down my overall score.
Best: Hate My Way
Worst: Delicate Cutters
Note: Spotify had the extended double album version, I only listened to the original 10 songs from the release.
Arcade Fire
4/5
The Suburbs have a distinctly Arcade Fire feel to it, from their third album release, they have really settled into their groove. Sitting firmly within the indie rock sphere, their use of strings and piano bring a timeless feel that is distinctly Arcade Fire, not sure how else to describe it.
Best: The Suburbs
Worst: City With No Children
Kings of Leon
4/5
I've never heard of a more apt description of the Kings of Leon they are definitely the "Southern Strokes" but it is so fitting, particularly for this album, and the time it was released. Whilst I am a little more partial to their 2008 Only By The Night Album, Aha Shake Heartbreak is still a great outing. You can't really go past the distinctive voice of Caleb which is strangely comforting, yet giving power as needed.
Best: The Bucket
Worst: Rememo
David Bowie
3/5
David Bowies sound developed over the years and with his 25th Studio Album, The Next Day might not be immediately recognisable from his earlier more famous works. The sound was was still very much in the art rock style but with a more mature sound overall, with hints of the glam he is best known for. This is a really long album, and unfortunately I believe suffers a little for its length.
Best: The Next Day
Worst: Boss Of Me
King Crimson
3/5
A cool prog rock album that is a nice slow burn. The arrangements, and their many instruments make you want to relax and really chill out.
Best: Book of Saturday
Worst: The Talking Drum
Note: Spotify had the extended version, I only listened to the first 6 original tracks.
Sade
3/5
How the heck did I not know that Sade was the artist behind Smooth Operator?! Also that Smooth Operator is now a 40 year old song (!) as is this album. What a wild time when I hit play on Diamond Life. I was also shocked to note that on Spotify Smooth Operator was not the most listened to song on the album!
At the end of the day, who can resist the smooth sounds of Sade with her stellar debut, whilst it wouldn't be on my regular rotation, it is lovely to hear every now and then.
Best: Smooth Operator
Worst: Cherry Pie
The Flying Burrito Brothers
2/5
Thought The Gilded Palace of Sin might be a little more risque than what it ended up being. What it was, was a perfectly average Country Rock album that helped bridge the gap of the old style Country into what we now know country as.
Best: Sin City
Worst: Do You Know How It Feels
2.5 Stars
John Lennon
3/5
It was a good album, full of trauma dumping by Lennon and Ono. With the themes of child-parent relationships and psychological suffering, not to mention Lennon's own personal feelings on the abandonment of his parents, feeling like we are hearing his own personal existential crisis. Despite it's themes it was an extremely approachable album, in whole.
Best: Hold On
Worst: My Mummy's Dead
Brian Eno
3/5
A view of things to come for Brian Eno on his solo debut. the craziest thing is purposfully getting 16 guest musicians to play on the album in the hopes of inspiring some creative genius, not only by telling them what he was after, but through dancing and body language as well to help him convey what he felt the album needed. I would say he was onto something that's for sure.
Best: Needles In The Camel's Eye
Worst: Dead Finks Don't Talk
3.5 stars
Richard Hawley
2/5
The first part of this album vaguely reminded me of the more recent Arctic Monkeys albums and if this had been sung by the distinct vocals of Alex Turner, I would be all over it. Alas it was not. Coles Corner brought you back to the vintage-'40s pop, jazz, and even some blues, which felt authentic, just not what I'm into.
Best: Hotel Room
Worst: Who's Going to Shoe Your Pretty Feet
2.5 Stars
Dirty Projectors
3/5
If I was to pick a sound of 2009 this specific brand of Indie would be it. Dirty Projectors with their fifth outing were able to perfectly encapsulate this Indie/Art Rock sound.
Best: Temecula Sunrise
Worst: Fluorescent Half Dome
3.5 stars
fIREHOSE
2/5
A very average alt rock album. There was nothing in fROMOHIO that really stood out, or really captured my attention.
Best: In My Mind
Worst: Mas Cojones
Cheap Trick
3/5
Great live album by Cheap Trick, a couple of songs in there I had heard a million times but had no idea who had sung them. Full of great rock and roll, and perfectly time capsules the late 1970s. It also brought the more hard style rock and roll back to the forefront of the American consciousness where it had previously been dominated by Disco and a softer style of Rock.
Best: I Want You To Want Me; Surrender
Worst: Clock Strikes Ten
3.5 Stars
The Last Shadow Puppets
5/5
The Last Shadow Puppets has got to be one of my favourite 'Supergroup' bands. The combined vocals and styling by both Alex Turner & Miles Kane is, in my ears, perfection. With the stylings of mid sixties pre-psychedelic pop music helped along by period reverb settings, mariachi drum beats, horn sections and rapid strum acoustic guitars it's feels like you're in the middle of your very own car chase scene in a James Bond movie, whizzing through the mountains of Europe.
Best: Black Plant
Worst: Meeting Place
The KLF
4/5
The White Room is a great electronic/house album, and not really what I expected. The sound is quite enthralling and encompassing, and really good in a pair of headphones. It's a real shame to find out that this was a movie soundtrack until the movie got axed, I want to see the type of movie this would have soundtracked.
Best: 3 a.m. Eternal
Worst: Build a Fire
Note: The album was not available to listen to on Spotify. It was listened to on YouTube Music
R.E.M.
3/5
An ok REM album, not their best but also not their worst.
Best: Pop Song 89
Worst: Hairshirt
Milton Nascimento
2/5
I can see how this album is a cultural touchstone for Brazilian music, put together with the help of Nascimento & Borges. Wouldnt put this album in my regular rotation but it was nice to listen to get an understanding on Brazilian culture.
Best: Um Gosto De Sol
Worst: Saídas e Bandeiras Nº 1
2.5 Stars
The Offspring
4/5
A pretty classic outing by The Offspring for their third studio release. Along with Green Day's Dookie, Smash brought the heaviness and "noise" of punk rock to the mainstream, to the surprise of many - including The Offspring themselves. Whilst I didn't grow up listening to this album by them in particular, it has all the hallmarks of their sound and feel, and still thoroughly enjoyed it.
Best: Come Out and Play
Worst: Smash
Shuggie Otis
2/5
A pretty underwhelming third album by Shuggie Otis. Full of extremely slow psychedelic soul and R&B there was no Inspiration Information to be found anywhere throughout. Truly one to put right to the back of the shelf in my opinion.
Best: Inspiration Information
Worst: Freedom Flight
Ali Farka Touré
1/5
In some places early on in Savane, it really reminded me of southern Italian folk music from the 50s and 60s. There were some ok sounds and motifs throughout, yet after about halfway though the album, as I had no connection to anything, I wanted nothing more than to tune right out and pretty much turn it off. Almost pushing 1 hour is too long.
Best: Yer Bounda Fara
Worst: Gambari Didi
Laibach
3/5
Wow, the industrial-ness and martial sounds really hit you in the face from the get go. At times you can feel the whole army marching with you, and then there are pockets of a more upbeat yet still industrial sound. Not sure how else to really describe it but it kind of felt motivating.
Side note, that album cover really set the tone for what was heard.
Best: Opus Dei
Worst: Krst (Baptism)
Beck
2/5
An ok album by Beck. It is definitely on the more experimental/neo-psychedelia sound rather than the more hip-hop style I believe he was more known for. I can appreciate that it was given acclaim in the mid-90s, but it didn't really resonate with me.
Best: Where Is It At?
Worst: Diskobox
Penguin Cafe Orchestra
3/5
What an interesting concept, I love the album art and it immediately drew me in. I just imagined the characters on the album cover performing the music, sitting outside at a nice café on a lovely summers day, with onlookers sipping on some gorgeous spritzes and nibbles.
Best: Penguin Café Single
Worst: Coronation
LCD Soundsystem
3/5
a decent revival from lcd soundsystem, american dream had a more art rock/synth-pop feel. littered with themes of depression, societal issues, fear and endings of friendship and love felt more subdued than other lcd soundsystem outings.
best: call the police
worst: black screen
3.5 stars
Lorde
5/5
How in the world is this album already seven(!) years old? After a ripper debut, Melodrama catapulted Lorde even higher into the stratosphere - if that was even possible. There are so many amazing singles on this album, it's a real shame she missed out on the album of the year at the Grammys.
I have also never noticed how much most of this album could have been sung by Taylor Swift. In particular The Louvre - pop this on a TS album and you would have trouble finding it out of place. Makes sense when you find out that Jack Antonoff was a producer and co-writer for the majority of Melodrama.
Best: Green Light
Worst: Writer In The Dark
Sisters Of Mercy
3/5
A cool gothic rock album that ticked all the boxes of the genre.
Best: Dominion/Mother Russia
Worst: Flood II
Mott The Hoople
3/5
If you're into glam rock, but not weird glam rock you will enjoy Mott. Nothing too crazy, or groundbreaking in my opinion, just a decent glam rock album.
Best: Whizz Kid
Worst: I’m a Cadillac / El Camino Dolo Roso
Note: Spotify had the 2006 extended album, I only listened to the original 9 tracks.
Iron Maiden
4/5
A solid self-titled debut by Iron Maiden. Bursting onto the stage as the new guys to watch on the heavy metal scene. With it's blinding speed and rampant ferocity it makes the most plastic heavy rock tracks from the '60s and '70s sound sloth-like and funeral-dirgey by comparison, .
Best: Phantom of the Opera
Worst: Strange World
Blue Cheer
3/5
A very early precursor to the heavy metal that came after it. Vincebus Eruptum by Blue Cheer was probably one of the earliest albums to take the blues/rock and roll to a grittier more hard place than previously, and after just listening to Iron Maiden's debut, it's cool to see how the style evolved in the ensuing 12 years.
Best: Summertime Blues
Worst: Second Time Around
3.5 Stars
Incubus
3/5
A huge album of the late 90s, Incubus was hard to miss if you were a teen at the time whether you liked them or not. Their sound is a cross between nu metal, funk rock and alt rock with a little surf/skater rock in my opinion.
Best: Pardon Me
Worst: Battlestar Scralatchtica
Van Morrison
1/5
This was some of the most boring drivel I have listened to in a while. Van Morrison couldn't keep a pet rock alive. Truly don't know how it could be touted as one of the greatest live albums of all time. After sitting through all 92 minutes of it I don't want to hear another Van Morrison Live set again.
Best: couldn't tell you
Worst: Caravan
The Doors
3/5
By this stage of their career, The Doors had a little (lot) of notoriety, band members being charged for all sorts of things. Lyrically, the album deals with contemporary topics such as love, life in Los Angeles, and complex aspects of the human experience. Like a lot of the earlier rock, there is more of a heavy blues influence in riffs and style.
Best: Riders on the Storm
Worst: Crawling King Snake
The Byrds
1/5
Country Rock doing country rock things, things that I don't really like. That southern twang that sounds like yodeling that I just can't really stand, it puts me to sleep but then jerks me awake when they begin to yell (??) again. Please make it stop.
Best: Pretty Boy Floyd
Worst: The Christian Life
Note: Spotify had an extended album version, I only listened to the original 11 tracks.
The Slits
3/5
An interesting debut album from The Slits that was rock/punky and despite the Wikipedia entry claiming a reggae style - I can't really hear it. Cut feels ahead of it's time being an early girl rock band, as opposed to a singing disco/pop style group.
Best: I Heard It Through The Grapevine
Worst: Love Und Romance
3.5 Stars
Afrika Bambaataa
3/5
Overall an ok old school hip-hop album that really was held up by its single release. There were a few great beats and things but not really my vibe.
Best: Planet Rock
Worst: Who You Funkin' With?
2.5 stars
The Dictators
3/5
A cool early punk album that got me bopping my head in the office. You can tell that The Dictators had a hand in influencing a bunch of later artists including the likes of The Ramones. Lots of references to TV and youth culture of the time, they were able to provide the context of the mid 70s to any future audience.
Best: (I Live For) Cars and Girls
Worst: Back to Africa
3.5 Stars
The Beau Brummels
3/5
A folk rock that sounded like it belonged in a fantasy movie/show set in a medieval period. Decent vocals coupled with the harpsichord sound made for an ok listen overall.
Best: The Wolf of Velvet Fortune
Worst: It Won't Get Better
Beyoncé
4/5
I can't believe this album is over 10 years old at this point of listening! It feels like a world away from when it was released, with many of the singles released now absolute classics. This album was probably the first time Beyoncé was able to assert her full artistic freedom served as inspiration for the album's dark, personal subject matter, which incorporated feminist themes of sex, monogamy, beauty standards and relationship problems.
Best: Drunk in Love
Worst: Rocket
Note: Spotify had the deluxe album I only listened to the songs from the original album.
4.5 Stars
Brian Wilson
3/5
A chill album that was very Beach Boys (duh), that Brian was able to have come to fruition as there had been numerous failed attempts previously. Despite the controversy surrounding him not defining it as a Beach Boys album it seems he did what he set out to do.
Best: Heroes and Villains
Worst: Child Is Father of the Man
Mike Ladd
2/5
Meh, not really into this kind of hip hop at all, and sitting through over an hour of it was not a great time overall. The best was the chill out vibes on "To the Moon's Contractor", of which I was surprised to enjoy as it was the longest track on the album!
Best: To The Moon's Contractor
Worst: Planet 10
The Afghan Whigs
3/5
An non autobiographical alt-rock break up album by The Afghan Whigs. Perfectly fine yet a little on the slower side for me, but was an immersion in the methods of warfare in the battle of the sexes - a dark, dramatic wallow in lust, shame, guilt, despair, deceit and obsession that's framed in dense rock.
Best: Gentlemen
Worst: Brother Woodrow
Grateful Dead
2/5
An ok live album, just really slow and drawn out for the most part.
Best: St. Stephen
Worst: Death Don't Have No Mercy
The Fall
3/5
An overall decent punk album that had some good tracks, but some that dragged on a little (lot), however in a sea of synth-pop of the mid 80s this would have been a breath of fresh air.
Best: Spoilt Victorian Child
Worst: Paintwork
Dexys Midnight Runners
1/5
Really average, didn't enjoy too much. At times the intros to the songs were really quiet and a few times I thought the player was down. Turns out the song took about a minute to kick in.
I can see why it was a commercial failure when it debuted but not sure how it ended up being a "lost treasure" to end up on this list.
Best: Listen To This
Worst: This Is What She's Like
The Jesus And Mary Chain
3/5
A cool and darker style album by The Jesus And Mary Chain, with an overall great alt-rock vibe. Random aside, but there were a couple of songs that had the essence of the HP & Goblet of Fire Yule Ball band song, which I thought was pretty strange but neat.
Best: April Skies
Worst: On the Wall
Big Black
3/5
A fun post hardcore/punk album that woke me up for a Monday morning.
The vocalist Steve Albini was somewhat prophetic in his dislike of the CD, as the album was released at the infancy of the medium, in saying:
"This compact disc, compiled to exploit those of you gullible enough to own the bastardly first generation digital music system, contains all-analog masters. Compact discs are quite durable, this being their only advantage over real music media. You should take every opportunity to scratch them, fingerprint them, and eat egg and bacon sandwiches off them. Don't worry about their longevity, as Philips will pronounce them obsolete when the next phase of the market-squeezing technology bonanza begins." Which was then taken over by digital streaming (albeit about 15 years later).
Best: Kerosene
Worst: Cables (Live)
3.5 stars
Koffi Olomide
2/5
Really something that is not in my wheelhouse. Congolese music whilst sounding fun and interesting, is something that I don't enjoy on a daily basis.
Best: Desespoir
Worst: Dit Jeannot
William Orbit
4/5
A cool chilled out electronic/ambient house album that was a nice ease into the day. There were some interesting textural layers to the sound that in headphones sounded pretty amazing.
Best: Water From A Vine Leaf
Worst: Water Babies
The Only Ones
3/5
A decent rock album from the late 70s, that would be on the cusp of being a pop album. The Only Ones debut was a decent release that felt like they had some room for improvement in their latter albums (without having listened to them as yet).
Best: City Of Fun
Worst: Peter And The Pets
Bob Dylan
2/5
I can see how Bringing It All Back Home is a good album and how Dylan took the folk sounds and mashed them up with the likes of early Beatles and Rolling Stones. But I can't really get into it overall.
Best: Subterranean Homesick Blues
Worst: On the Road Again
Gorillaz
5/5
What a great debut by the Gorillaz, one of the first virtual bands I had ever heard of, if not the first. When I heard they would be touring, back in the early 00s I had no idea how they would make it work technologically (nowadays seems quite easy with the advances in tech) and really kind of blew my mind on how it worked.
The cool slow beats flirt with an amalgamation of genres including alt-rock, lo-fi, trip-hop, and art-pop that also weaves in elements of rap rock, Britpop, and punk rock. Despite the plethora of sounds The Gorillaz seem to get it to work beautifully.
Best: Clint Eastwood
Worst: Can't pick one - they're all too good!
Radiohead
3/5
Kid A feels like what I have often heard what Radiohead sounds like - lots of mumbly electronica rock. Not necessarily a bad thing, not sure if I enjoy it. The electronica sounds are fine just the lyrics are all so so.
Best: Everything in Its Right Place
Worst: Idioteque
2.5 Stars
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
3/5
A good album by Elvis Costello & The Attractions, I can see why he has and remains popular to that early Gen X crowd. This Year's Model still sounds like an album that could have been produced in the last decade or so, with its alternative new wave sound.
Best: Pump It Up
Worst: Night Rally
Sonic Youth
3/5
For their sixth outing Sonic Youth have provided the goods. Their mix of alt rock hard rock and undertones of garage rock, provide some solid sounds throughout the record. This time around their song writing reflected themes of female empowerment and pop culture.
Best: Dirty Boots
Worst: Scooter and Jinx
Fela Kuti
2/5
A fun vibe that was free flowing and would definitely get you into a good groove in the right setting. This wouldn't be in my personal rotation but could see it coming up at the right bar or club.
Best: Black Man's Cry
Worst: Egbe Mi O (Carry Me)
2.5 Stars
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
3/5
Buddy Holly & The Crickets manage to encapsulate the sound of the '50s in typical rock'n'roll/rockabilly fashion and was the precursor to what has evolved over time to rock. Nothing really stood out here, but overall it was an ok listen.
Best: Oh Boy!
Worst: Last Night
Marianne Faithfull
3/5
You can tell this album came from a dark place with a fusion of rock, punk, new wave and dance, with liberal use of synthesizers, along with a newly raspy voice with thanks to cigarettes and drugs.
Best: The Ballad of Lucy Jordan
Worst: Why'd Ya Do It
Abdullah Ibrahim
2/5
Eh, an average Jazz album, totally fine for some background music, but nothing to write home about in my opinion. Not too sure why it's included in this list.
Best: Mandela
Worst: Sameeda
Note: Spotify didn't have the rights to the title track so I listened on YT Music.
Oasis
4/5
Oasis, a classic of the Britrock scene, and their debut album Definitely Maybe cemented them right at the top of the classics. Before all their troubles and brotherly infighting, they were able to create and encapsulate the sound of Manchester, exported to the world. It's easy to see why they have had an enduring legacy for the last 30+ years.
Best: Supersonic
Worst: Bring It On Down
4.5 Stars
Creedence Clearwater Revival
3/5
Cosmo's Factory was a surprise, overall not too hillbilly in sound and more of a rock vibe. I can see how this would have performed well on debut. There were a few tracks to like overall, just fell apart towards the end for me. Way too indulgent in their use of guitar solos.
Best: Travelin' Band
Worst: Lookin' Out My Back Door
Note: Spotify had the extended version I only listened to the original 11 tracks.
2.5 Stars
Pink Floyd
3/5
A really nice slow burn from Pink Floyd here, for their ninth outing they have managed to bring the space rock to the forefront through the struggles of the declining mental health of one of their founding members.
As a follow up to Dark Side of the Moon, this was always going to be met with an exceptionally critical audience. However I enjoyed it for it's laid back spacey feel that you could dip into a trance with.
Best: Shine On You Crazy Diamond, Pts 1-5
Worst: Welcome to the Machine
3.5 Stars
SZA
3/5
Didn't realise how long SZA has been really in the zeitgeist of music. Whilst the alt hip-hop/soul isn't usually my jam, I don't mind what she puts out into the world, particularly on CTRL, there are some great tracks and sounds. Perfect to chill out to in a club or at home on a lazy evening.
Best: Broken Clocks
Worst: Wavy (Interlude)
3.5 Stars
G. Love & Special Sauce
2/5
An ok album, nothing that really blew me away, G. Love & Special Sauce missing some of that "Special Sauce" in my opinion.
This album would fit perfectly in a jazz café of the 90s, mid-afternoon sipping on coffee wearing your beret that you purchased on your gap year France, perhaps also with a lit cigarette between your fingers.
Best: Baby's Got Sauce
Worst: Fatman
Pet Shop Boys
3/5
Mixed up The Pet Shop Boys with The Beach Boys, so when I hit play on Behaviour it was a bit of a shock - but not necessarily an unwelcome one. The beach rock vibes I was expecting when I hit play, turned into some neat synth pop, something that was welcome.
A little slow in places, but feels like it would've been a hit in some of the club scene.
Best: So Hard
Worst: To Face The Truth
Primal Scream
3/5
An ok album by Primal Scream, might make more sense and might enjoy it better if I had more context by having seen Vanishing Point the movie.
Best: Kowalski
Worst: Long Life
Neneh Cherry
2/5
An average hip-hop/pop album from the late 80s that was perfectly innocuous with nothing to write home about. A lot of the beats sounded quite generic like they came from a basic keyboard synth with nothing that really stood out.
Best: Buffalo Stance
Worst: My Bitch
Megadeth
3/5
A fun album that goes hard on the thrash metal right from the get go. In a similar vein to Metallica's Master of Puppets and Slayer's Reign in Blood, except it takes the speed to another level.
Best: Peace Sells
Worst: I Ain't Superstitious
2.5 stars
Ian Dury
2/5
An ok album that didn't make any sort of impression on me. A little slow and a bit too misogynistic, not uncommon for the time unfortunately.
Best: Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll
Worst: Plaistow Patricia
Tina Turner
3/5
I was only slightly disappointed that the Nutbush wasn't on this album. But there were definitely a few on here that came close. For her fifth solo album she had cemented herself as one of the largest artists of the 80s.
Best: What's Love Got to Do With It
Worst: Private Dancer
Note: Spotify had the extended version of the album, I only listened to the original 10 tracks.
My Bloody Valentine
2/5
An interesting sound by My Bloody Valentine, the first of their stuff I believe I have heard of theirs. However after 22 years of not releasing an album, perhaps they should have left it where their band belongs - back in the early 90s. Most of the album just sounded like fuzzy noise, with some semblance of lyrics underneath.
Best: she found now
Worst: in another way
The Beta Band
3/5
A decent electro/rock album - leaning more electro with a hint of RnB - from The Beta Band. Despite the band being fraught with chops and changes in members throughout their time, they still managed to put together a cohesive album.
Best: Squares
Worst: Alleged
The Residents
3/5
A very strange sound, experimental rock fits the bill for Duck Stab/Buster & Glen by The Residents. At times it felt like I was in a fever dream from a b-grade horror flick from the 70s/80s.
Best: Bach is Dead
Worst: Birthday Boy
Note: Spotify had the extended version, I only listened to the original 14 tracks.
Kacey Musgraves
3/5
A very loved up album by Kacey Musgraves, off the back of her recent marriage at the time, with the help of some LSD. Golden Hour provides a warm embrace to a soul bearing artist.
Best: Slow Burn
Worst: Wonder Woman
Turbonegro
3/5
A high octane album from Turbonegro for their fourth outing. Moving away from their hardcore punk sound into a slightly more produced hard rock/electronica sound that still wouldn't sound out of place on any Tony Hawk video game.
Best: Age of Pamparius
Worst: Humiliation Street
SAULT
3/5
A dreamy RnB Hip Hop sound punctuated by the Black Lives Matter movement in the US particularly. SAULT highlight the plight of the black person in a more modern context than some others I have previously listened to throughout my 1001 Albums journey. Not quite what I'd normally reach for in terms of music, however it's hard not to appreciate what they have done to highlight their plight.
Best: Wildfires
Worst: Bow
Curtis Mayfield
3/5
Smooth soulful sounding soundtrack of the movie of the same name speaking about blaxploitation in the 70s.
Best: Super Fly
Worst: Junkie Chase - Instrumental
3.5 Stars
George Jones
2/5
Really not into this one. George Jones knows how to put you off to sleep amidst a heartbreak album. So much for this LP being his best, hopefully I don't need to listen to any more of his LPs
Best: The Grand Tour
Worst: Borrowed Angel
The Stranglers
4/5
The Stranglers manage to make the common brown rat cool. In typical punk fashion slapped together in a week and its alternative title "Stranglers IV" was specifically added to create confusion, despite this being their first album.
Best: Peaches
Worst: Princess of the Streets
3.5 stars
Underworld
4/5
Industrial, warehouse vibes, mixed with drum and bass, fitting of their band name. Would be interested to hear their newer stuff to see if it holds up today.
Best: Juanita: Kiteless: To Dream of Love
Worst: Air Towel
Ray Price
2/5
Typical country Western for the 1960s, nothing too out there just the typical drone of the western drawl.
Best: Night Life
Worst: A Girl in the Night
OutKast
3/5
Great showing by Outkast, Stankonia definitely pushed them into the more mainstream consciousness and for what followed in their subsequent albums. Particularly with the varied experimental sounds from funk and psychedelia to rock and gospel. Despite this seeming confusion in styles, they manage to create a cohesive album that holds up over 25 years later.
Best: Ms. Jackson
Worst: Toilet Tisha
Khaled
3/5
Didn't mind the vibe of this album, whilst I had absolutely no understanding of what was going on most of the time, some of the songs made me want to shake my hips and do a little dance. Lots of the vocalisations are what I associate with an Arab wedding so felt very festive despite not knowing what they really mean.
Best: El Bab
Worst: Gouloulha-Dji
2.5 Stars
The Libertines
3/5
A perfect window into 2004 grunge/garage rock scene and the breakdown of the relationship between Pete & Carl. The tabloids couldn't get enough of this and Pete's addictions, and despite this they managed to pull together a solid effort.
Best: Can't Stand Me Now
Worst: Road to Ruin
Deep Purple
3/5
Deep Purple In Rock is a nice slap to the face and gives you a glimpse into what was really the start of the metal scene in the early 70s. Punchy and raspy vocals and the face melting guitar riffs make for a fun ride.
Best: Into the Fire
Worst: Flight of the Rat
The Temptations
2/5
Not too interesting or engaging. The Temptations hardly tempt me for a re-listen.
Best: Papa Was a Rollin' Stone
Worst: Run Charlie Run
The Doors
5/5
An absolute classic by The Doors self-titled debut. Pioneers in psychedelic rock, they masterfully take you on a sonic journey that's hard to beat.
Best: Break on Through (To the Other Side)
Worst: N/A
Curtis Mayfield
3/5
Smooth soulful sounding soundtrack of the movie of the same name speaking about blaxploitation in the 70s.
Best: Super Fly
Worst: Junkie Chase - Instrumental
3.5 Stars
David Bowie
4/5
A departure from Ziggy Stardust, however none the less worse for it. Aladdin Sane takes on a different form of "Heading to America" and you can hear the influence throughout his lyrics and styling. Bowie takes you through a journey as someone who is truly seeing the US in all it's gritty glory for the first time.
Best: The Jean Genie
Worst: The Prettiest Star
4.5 stars
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
3/5
Buddy Holly & The Crickets manage to encapsulate the sound of the '50s in typical rock'n'roll/rockabilly fashion and was the precursor to what has evolved over time to rock. Nothing really stood out here, but overall it was an ok listen.
Best: Oh Boy!
Worst: Last Night
Crosby, Stills & Nash
2/5
A very slow album. Actually almost put me to sleep, I had a real struggle keeping my eyes open at work. I was hoping that it would be a little more up tempo but alas, it wasn't to be.
Best: 49 Bye-Byes
Worst: Suite: Judy Blue Eyes
Norah Jones
2/5
I can appreciate a voice like Norah Jones, but good grief, she puts me to sleep. I didn't remember until I got this album for today's listen, but there was a seemingly relentless campaign on TV and Radio of the "Sounds of Norah Jones, Buy the album now", wow how wild and random. The jazz-pop/adult contemporary is definitely not my jam.
Best: Don't Know Why
Worst: I've Got To See You Again
Jimi Hendrix
3/5
This is totally the sound I had envisioned when hearing about Hendrix. Its got the psychedelia, it's got the guitars and all of the guitar solos which are undoubtedly absolute top notch. However, that is not enough to save many of the songs of the album of which are quite frankly forgettable.
Axis: Bold As Love has an airiness to it, where it is easy to see how Hendrix & team have a high (pun intended) association with hippies and stoners. Looking at the album cover will definitely trip you out.
Best: Castles Made Of Sand
Worst: One Rainy Wish
Beatles
4/5
The famous White Album by The Beatles. This album is mildly experimental in nature with multiple styles of music throughout. Having been on a retreat in India and written most of the songs there, it feels like they wanted to just really get into their feels, yet at the same time it seems as though they placed all of the songs written since their last album onto this record.
Whilst there are some absolute classic Beatles songs throughout this double album, I wish it was curated a little better.
Best: Blackbird
Worst: Good Night
Red Hot Chili Peppers
4/5
Classic RHCP. This is probably their first foray into what I would deem their signature sound. With classic tracks like Suck My Kiss, Under the Bridge and Give It Away, Blood Sugar Sex Magik is quintessential RCHP listening.
Best: Give It Away; Under The Bridge
Worst: They're Red Hot
3.5 Stars
Muddy Waters
3/5
An ok blues album that was in the very early stages of moving away from Chicago-style blues towards the more polished R&B and soul sounds.
Best: Baby, Please Don't Go
Worst: Soon Forgotten
Nas
3/5
It was a decently produced album for Nas' debut. This style of hip-hop isn't my vibe but I can appreciate that it is one of the better ones in the genre. With Prefix Mag's Matthew Gasteier stating in 2002 that "...you find the meaning not just of hip-hop, but of music itself: the struggle of youth to retain its freedom, which is ultimately the struggle of man to retain his own essence."
Best: NY State of Mind
Worst: Halftime
Aerosmith
4/5
Despite being released during their big partying days - they are well and truly in the zone. Whilst there aren't any songs I immediately recognise it's a solid outing by Aerosmith.
Best: Back in the Saddle
Worst: Get the Lead Out
3.5 Stars
The Crusaders
4/5
Street Life was a solid jazz album - made for great background listening at work.
Best: Street Life
Worst: The Hustler
3.5 Stars
Bad Company
2/5
An average rock record, that leant more into blues as were earlier versions of rock.
Best: Bad Company
Worst: Seagull
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
2/5
I really dislike Nick Cave's sound - he's just droning on and on, I get his lyrics are decent but that doesn't come ahead of the sound.
Best: Into My Arms
Worst: the rest of the album :(
1.5 Stars
Raekwon
2/5
Eh, not really my thing. I get that it's a side project of RZA from Wu-Tang Clan but this didn't grab me at all.
Best: Criminology
Worst: Wu-Gambinos
Genesis
2/5
Wow, can I get some of what they had, they don't make musical albums like this anymore (thankfully!!). Ok as background music but it didn't love this.
Best: The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway
Worst: In the Rapids
David Ackles
2/5
An Americana album that was recorded in London? Strange. However for a folksy album, I've heard worse.
Best: Oh, California
Worst: Montana Song
2.5 Stars
Steely Dan
2/5
Ok storytelling throughout, too folksy for my taste.
Best: Parker's Band
Worst: Pretzel Logic
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
3/5
Better than the usual fare from Nick Cave as it was less country sounding - shame it was born out of the loss of Cave's son.
Best: Bright Horses
Worst: Hollywood
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
4/5
And that's why you don't judge a book by its cover - here's me thinking it'll be a blues album then suddenly - BAM - the vocals of Jon Spencer pierce into my headset, a welcome relief. Gritty classic garage rock all day.
Best: Fuck Shit Up
Worst: R.L. Got Soul
Note: I only listened to the original 16 tracks
Air
4/5
A chill way to end the week with this electronica dream-scape.
Best: Sexy Boy
Worst: Ce martin la
Elvis Costello
3/5
Brutal Youth was Elvis' 14th (!!) studio album that still manages to be fresh but also sound dated as well, and at almost 57 minutes - it was far too long.
Best: This Is Hell
Worst: My Science Fiction Twin
2.5 Stars
Madonna
3/5
Music was probably one of the first instances I remember hearing of Madonna still putting out new music. But why does almost every pop star feel like they need to do a country/country adjacent album at least once in their career? Aside from her released singles, this album was pretty forgettable for me.
Best: Music
Worst: Paradise (Not for Me)
4/5
I really enjoyed the experimental noise rock sound coupled with the loose concept album surrounding witchcraft and witch trials. A bit of fun and the soundscape was amazing through a headset!
Best: Steam Rose from the Lifeless Cloak
Worst: Flow My Tears, the Spider Said
Django Django
4/5
The debut by Django Django was a neat electro-pop/rock outing that was great to help soundtrack part of my workday.
Best: Skies Over Cairo
Worst: Love's Dart
The Rolling Stones
4/5
Despite issues with one of their founding members they still manage to hold it together and produce an amazing album - full of their signature blues rock flair their 8th studio album still holds up.
Best: You Can't Always Get What You Want
Worst: Midnight Rambler
Count Basie & His Orchestra
3/5
This was not Atomic, and didn't blow me away as the title and album cover may suggest. A perfectly ok big band record.
Best: Fantail
Worst: Double-O