Sep 17 2021
View Album
Hotel California
Eagles
Hotel California, The Eagles (1976). Listened on 9/16/21, during/after a shower, and again while rating. “Hotel California” the song suffers from being overplayed on classic rock stations, but it’s a good song with good guitar and of course a Steely Dan reference (“stab it with their steely knives”). “New Kid in Town” is almost too slow and almost too country for me, but I’m glad I gave it the time of day. “Life in the Fast Lane” always seemed like a later song to me, probably because I was picturing 1980s yuppies in that car. “Wasted Time” has some Elton John-style vibes at some points, but it doesn’t really land for me. I’m referring to the first “Wasted Time” on the tracklist, as there is a second with an apparently identical title that is more just a symphonic interlude. “Victim of Love” is fine. I’m glad I listened to the album a second time, because I had kind of zoned out during the penultimate two songs and figured I didn’t like them. It was more that they didn’t grab me, but I liked both more on second listen, “Pretty Maids All in a Row” a bit more than “Try and Love Again”. The final song, appropriately “The Last Resort”, is my favorite. I still remember my 11th grade history teacher playing it for us, complete with printed lyric sheet, and highlighting how it corresponded with Manifest Destiny. “She came from Providence,” he quoted, making the analogy that proponents saw it as fate-given, God-given, but, boom, the line is immediately followed by “the one IN RHODE ISLAND” he emphasized: it’s just people coming from the East Coast. Standout lyric (from The Last Resort): We satisfy our endless needs/And justify our bloody deeds/In the name of destiny/And in the name of God
Hotel California (1.5)
New Kid in Town (1)
Life in the Fast Lane (1.5)
Wasted Time (0.5)
Wasted Time (0)
Victim of Love (1)
Pretty Maids All in a Row (0.5)
Try and Love Again (0)
The Last Resort (2)
4
Sep 20 2021
View Album
Head Hunters
Herbie Hancock
My method of how I want to review albums is still evolving. I may also do it differently based on album. Anyway, for this one, I wanted to share the bulk of my play-by-play experience of listening to the first (and longest) track off Head Hunters, "Chameleon."
A roughly play-by-play retelling of my listening to “Chameleon”: Ooh yeah, funky groove. I’m into it. Okay the horns are getting a little sharp and too much now. Okay, they’re dying down, so I’ll make a note of the point at the song that I’m not really digging- ::checks Spotify, sees this had all happened between about 2:30 and 3:30 of...a 15-minute song? Wow:: Whoa this song is longer than I was expecting. But okay okay, I can settle into this. You could just like live in this groove you know? Ooh this part is really chill. Like a totally different vibe, really relaxing. The other energetic one wasn’t bad, but this is nice- OH LIKE CHANGING LIKE A CHAMELEON. Ha. Nice. And a break from horns (love you horns, really!). This isn’t the normal length of a song, and that’s okay. But it was much more relaxing to my brain to be able to see exactly how long to expect the song to be, because if I hadn’t seen I would have been constantly anticipating an ending that wasn’t coming for ten more minutes LOL Ah, and now I have a sense that it’s almost over ::looks, sees there are a few minutes left, so, yes:: yep. And now it’s circling back to the early motif. Good song."
3
Sep 21 2021
View Album
Something Else By The Kinks
The Kinks
I was excited to see this album come up, the first one from the 60s (probably my favorite decade of music) for my set, as I really like some Kinks songs...but they aren't on this album. Another reason I should have liked Something Else more is that I quite like chamber pop as a genre (ex: Vampire Weekend). But I've given every other album so far a second listen, so I'm doing that for this one too, and I'm already liking it better. One general note: I quite enjoy most of the instrumentation of this album; it's more lyrics and vocal quality that don't resonate with me. I wish it was instrumental like my previous assignment, \"Head Hunters\".
\"David Watts\"- Catchy and short. The opening beat reminds me of the Rolling Stones' \"Let's Spend the Night Together\", one of my favorite songs by that band. +1.
\"Death of a Clown\"- It's okay, but I have a low tolerance for anything negative, so the \"death\" aspect lowers it for me. =0
\"Two Sisters\"- I wouldn't say I \"like\" this song, but I think it's important to analyze the different experiences of women, especially in the midcentury, so I appreciate it for that. +0.5
\"No Return\"- This song was fine and I could hear the mid-60s bossa nova influence. +0.5
\"Harry Rag\"- Repetitive and not really for me. -0.5
\"Tin Soldier Man\"- This one will cause me to repeat: Repetitive and not really for me. -0.5
\"Situation Vacant\"- Music +2, bummer lyrics -1. Net +1.
\"Love Me Til the Sun Shines\"- I realize I'm once again comparing The Kinks to other bands, but: I like this song, and yet I think it sounds like (and would be better performed by) The Who. +1.5
\"Lazy Old Sun\"- I hated this song on first listen, and on second listen I hate it a little less. -1
\"Afternoon Tea\"- This may be my favorite on the album, but I'm a sucker for \"ba-ba-ba\" songs. +1.5
\"Funny Face\"- This one's another music +2, lyrics -1, for a net for 1.
\"End of the Season\"- I strongly disliked this song on first listen, and I still do. -1.5
\"Waterloo Sunset\"- This is a nice song and absolutely the most famous from the album. I'm biased slightly against it because it makes me think of a guy that's in and out of my life, but I know it's a good one. Also, it sounds like The Guess Who borrowed the opening from this for \"Hand Me Down World\". +1.5
5 (points, not stars).
Least Favorite Songs: Lazy Old Sun, End of the Season
Favorite Songs: Afternoon Tea, Waterloo Sunset
And just so these are somewhere, because I might do this for subsequent albums:
Hotel California Least Favorite: Try and Love Again
Hotel California Favorite: The Last Resort
Head Hunters Least Favorite: Watermelon Man
Head Hunters Favorite: Chameleon
2
Sep 22 2021
View Album
Lust For Life
Iggy Pop
I hate that a cruise line has made me associate "Lust for Life" with commercials. I'm behind, so I'm not saying too much about this one.
Points (-3 to +3, with 0 as neutral)
Lust for Life: +1
Sixteen: 0
Some Weird Sin: +1
The Passenger: +1
Tonight: +1
Success: +1
Turn Blue: -1
Neighborhood Threat: -.5
Fall in Love with Me: +1
Total: 4.5
Favorite Tracks: The Passenger, Lust for Life, Tonight
Liked Tracks: Some Weird Sin, Fall in Love with Me
Least Favorite Tracks: Turn Blue (pretty much just for the screaming parts, and that it's a bit long), Neighborhood Threat.
3
Sep 23 2021
View Album
The Genius Of Ray Charles
Ray Charles
3
Sep 24 2021
View Album
Queen Of Denmark
John Grant
I have a surprising number of thoughts on this album, especially for one with a totally unfamiliar artist. I'll break them up in a few comments. I listened to the first few songs on this album and I was like "Ugh, not feeling this", and even the opening of "Sigourney Weaver" wasn't great for me, but somewhere during that song the melody got me and I was enjoying it. Then I quite appreciated the upbeat bad-day song "Chicken Bones".
The song I most identified with was "Silver Platter Club", particularly this section. Man, it me:
"I wish that confidence was all you could see in my eyes
Like those interviews in locker rooms with talented sports guys.
I wish I had no self-awareness like the guys I know
Float right through their lives without a thought.
And that I didn't give a shit what anybody thought of me
That I was so relaxed you'd think that I was bored."
Here's another thought of a different tone: When I heard "Caramel" I thought to myself "I don't think I've ever heard a gay love ballad before." I'm sure I've heard songs that were written by men without knowing/later finding out they were about men, and I've heard love songs by women about women, but this was a rare honestly gay love ballad (for my listening) and that was cool to hear. I particularly appreciated the line "My love has constructed with his arms for me the safest place." It's not as impactful reading it, but hearing it sung by a male voice immediate after a song titled "Jesus Hates F-----s", it hits different and more beautifully.
3
Sep 27 2021
View Album
1984
Van Halen
I thought this album would be a good one to listen to in the shower and while bustling around after and it didn't disappoint. This is another one I'll give a 3.5ish to. Am I being too stingy with 4s or have I just not seen enough albums yet?
3
Sep 28 2021
View Album
Dear Science
TV On The Radio
There were a couple moments on this album that I enjoyed, but it generally wasn't for me and I felt like it was about a third too long (maybe I'm spoiled by the length limit of the old LPs we've been dealt the most so far, where they're all coming in at under ~45 minutes); I had to take a break in the middle of this album (sometimes I do that anyway) and listen to some Disney tunes before coming back to it LOL
2
Sep 29 2021
View Album
Sheet Music
10cc
There were a few amusing moments, but I wasn't really into it.
2
Sep 30 2021
View Album
Steve McQueen
Prefab Sprout
The album peters out for me, but I really like the first three tracks.
3
Oct 01 2021
View Album
Pelican West
Haircut 100
It had its moments, but it was pretty long and it was a bit of a slog. I'll give it a 2.5, but since multiple albums I liked better got a 3, I'll round that down to a 2 for this site's star system. Favorite tracks were "Love Plus One" (naturally- the one hit that makes them a one-hit wonder, as well as Surprise Me Again and Nobody's Fool.
2
Oct 04 2021
View Album
Oracular Spectacular
MGMT
In its entirety, this album was different than the hits, and thus different than I expected- like a few moments I'd say I heard some 60s psychedelia- but I enjoyed it. I'd have to listen again to see if I'd up it to a 4, but I might give it a 3.5. (I think I need to start specifying .5s in my ratings because I'm giving so many 3s that it feels like it doesn't mean as much.)
3
Oct 05 2021
View Album
Protection
Massive Attack
Oof, this album was not for me. The constant beat drove me crazy, and the breathing on the Heat Miser track was so unbearable I actually cried out "Make it stop!" even though I know I could have made it stop- I didn't want to because I haven't not completed an album on this list so far and didn't want to start.
1
Oct 06 2021
View Album
New York Dolls
New York Dolls
I did not like this album. The instrumentation was good in parts, but the lyrics and voices just weren't for me. I'll give it 2 stars, but it's basically a 1.5.
2
Oct 07 2021
View Album
The Gilded Palace Of Sin
The Flying Burrito Brothers
That was a slog. The Hippie Boy story was sort of intriguing but not exactly clear, and the Hot Burritos (two tracks) weren't the worst either, but that's about all positive I have to say about this one.
1
Oct 08 2021
View Album
Elastica
Elastica
I enjoyed this one, which would have been good for a fast drive, I think. It was a pleasant surprise to recognize Connection from its use in Ted Lasso. I also especially liked Waking Up, Stutter, and Never Here. I'll give it at 3.5.
3
Oct 11 2021
View Album
Pretenders
Pretenders
I didn't really like Side 1 very much. I think it was too \"punk\" for me? But I liked several of the latter songs that were more melodic. My favorite song on this album is Kid (and part of the riff sounds a bit like Telstar). Other songs I liked were Mystery Achievement, Stop Your Sobbing, Brass in Pocket, and Space Invaders.
3
Oct 12 2021
View Album
Dust
Screaming Trees
Me: I’ve heard of this band- grunge right? Let’s see how I like it.
::Really quite likes it::
Me: I think they might be from Seattle? That would be cool. ::looks it up:: ELLENSBURG?! There are so few bands from Eastern Washington, so that was pretty cool.
Favorite songs are All I Know, Look at You, Make My Mind, and Witness. 3.5
3
Oct 13 2021
View Album
16 Lovers Lane
The Go-Betweens
I liked this one too, and got some Cure vibes from it on occasion. Favorite songs were Love Goes On, The Devil's Eye, and Streets of Your Town.
3
Oct 14 2021
View Album
Songs In The Key Of Life
Stevie Wonder
I didn't like this album as much as I wanted to, but Stevie Wonder is great and I'm glad I listened to it.
3
Oct 15 2021
View Album
Armed Forces
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
I don't like some of the things I've heard about Elvis Costello as a person, but this is a good album. 3.5, almost 4, but not quite pulling the trigger on that high of a rating yet.
3
Oct 18 2021
View Album
Fragile
Yes
It was different than I expected, such as the straight-up classical song toward the beginning! Some tracks were a bit too long for my taste, but I liked it quite a bit. 3.5
3
Oct 19 2021
View Album
Brothers
The Black Keys
I liked most (all?) of the songs on this album fine, and they flowed naturally into each other. Unfortunately a lot of them sound very similar, which is a thing I liked less. My favorite, unsurprisingly, is "Howlin' For You", which I already liked :) 3-3.5
3
Oct 20 2021
View Album
American Beauty
Grateful Dead
This album was a slog. Too country. But I like Sugar Magnolia and Brokedown Palace was decent.
2
Oct 21 2021
View Album
The Predator
Ice Cube
This isn't normally my style of music but I liked it. It's simultaneously so much a product of its time (1992), but still relevant.
3
Oct 22 2021
View Album
Chelsea Girl
Nico
Oof. I hated this. Some pretty instrumentation on some songs, but not all, and her voice was terrible. Songs were also slow and sad. Not a fan. Song I didn’t hate as much: “Somewhere There’s a Feather.”
1
Oct 25 2021
View Album
Bryter Layter
Nick Drake
I delayed listening to this because the first few notes had sounded slow and I wasn't really feeling that vibe after Chelsea Girls, but this one was pretty pleasant. I could see this being good ambient background music for some situations.
3
Oct 26 2021
View Album
Joan Armatrading
Joan Armatrading
This might be my favorite album we've drawn so far. I really liked it, all the way through. I even started listening to her next album. Also, this is an artist whose name rang a bell but that, to my knowledge, I've never listened to before.
5
Oct 27 2021
View Album
Astral Weeks
Van Morrison
I'm a Van Morrison fan (musically, not personally), but I don't think I've ever listened to this album all the way through. I already liked Sweet Thing, but I really like the title track. The rest of the album is okay, but those two songs in particular are excellent.
3
Oct 28 2021
View Album
The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn
Pink Floyd
Interesting to hear some of their early stuff. I liked Astronomy Domine but the rest of the songs weren't really my jam.
3
Oct 29 2021
View Album
The Hour Of Bewilderbeast
Badly Drawn Boy
I really loved some of the songs on this album. Some of my favorites were The Shining, Another Pearl, This Song and, I think, Bewilderbeest.
4
Nov 01 2021
View Album
Thriller
Michael Jackson
It was fun to have this come up right around Halloween :) My favorites are probably Human Nature and Wanna Be Startin' Something, but Billie Jean is infectious and the title track is a spooky season essential.
4
Nov 02 2021
View Album
3 Years, 5 Months And 2 Days In The Life Of...
Arrested Development
Loved Mr. Wendal as a still-relevant song about humanizing people in the homeless population. I also liked other songs such as Fishin' for Religion.
3
Nov 03 2021
View Album
The Man Who
Travis
The last track turned me off, with its language and dead air, but I liked multiple songs on this album, like Driftwood, and it was pretty good ambient music for coloring. It gave me a proto-Muse/Coldplay vibe.
3
Nov 04 2021
View Album
Fever To Tell
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Favorite songs were Black Tongue and Maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaps. Wait!
3
Nov 05 2021
View Album
Bummed
Happy Mondays
It was fine. 2.5
2
Nov 08 2021
View Album
Tidal
Fiona Apple
Most of it is a little too...slow? brooding? ponderous? for me, but I can tell it's a pretty good album. My favorite songs are Sleep to Dream and Criminal, and I'll give an "okay for me" to Sullen Girl and Shadowboxer.
3
Nov 09 2021
View Album
Rumours
Fleetwood Mac
It finally happened- one of my all-time favorite albums came up in the rotation :) Rumours is a go-to listen. My favorites are Secondhand News, The Chain, You Make Loving Fun, and I Don't Wanna Know. And yes I know that's almost half of the album. I even left some off :)
5
Nov 10 2021
View Album
Fromohio
fIREHOSE
This one was unfamiliar to me but had some songs I liked. The ones I liked best were Riddle of the Eighties, In My Mind, Time with You, and Understanding.
3
Nov 11 2021
View Album
Unknown Pleasures
Joy Division
This one isn't really my style, but I used it as ambient working music and also didn't hear many of the lyrics, which is good because I've heard they're depressing.
2
Nov 12 2021
View Album
Revolver
Beatles
A classic :) My Favorites off this album are I'm Only Sleeping, Here There and Everywhere, And Your Bird Can Sing, and I Want to Tell You.
5
Nov 15 2021
View Album
The Blueprint
JAY Z
This album isn't really my style, but I think I can tell it's well-done. The tracks I liked most were The Ruler's Back and Izzo (H.O.V.A.). I also thought it was sweet how in the title track he gave shoutouts to important people in his life.
3
Nov 16 2021
View Album
The Soft Bulletin
The Flaming Lips
I already liked Race for the Prize, but Waiting for Superman rocketed to my favorite from this album, particularly the remix. Very good song.
3
Nov 17 2021
View Album
Too Rye Ay
Dexys Midnight Runners
I love the single, but the rest of the album wasn't really my jam. I did like the later added track, Show Me. But apparently it wasn't on the original release.
2
Nov 18 2021
View Album
Immigrés
Youssou N'Dour
I didn't like it very much, but it was cool to hear something totally different, and it made perfectly fine background music while I was playing a board game tonight.
2
Nov 19 2021
View Album
Dare!
The Human League
The song is okay (kind of monotonous in beat/tone, for me) but I like the sentiment and really appreciate this simple truth of the opening track's chorus:
Everybody needs love and adventure
Everybody needs cash to spend
Everybody needs love and affection
Everybody needs 2 or 3 friends
Fittingly, the song is called The Things That Dreams Are Made Of, and grander things are mentioned, but I think this basic list is poignant. Besides that, Don't You Want Me was really the only song that I liked.
2
Nov 22 2021
View Album
The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars
David Bowie
No skips.
5
Nov 23 2021
View Album
Halcyon Digest
Deerhunter
Nice background music. My favorite songs were Desire Lines, Fountain Stairs, and Coronado.
3
Nov 24 2021
View Album
Licensed To Ill
Beastie Boys
I give this a 1.5. I know this is a classic in the rap genre, but I just don't like it. I'm marking it with 2 stars instead of 1 because it's not *that* bad, but it's just not for me.
2
Nov 25 2021
View Album
GREY Area
Little Simz
Not my main style, but it was good. I particularly liked the last three tracks on the album- Therapy, Sherbert Sunset, and Flowers- as well as Wounds.
3
Nov 26 2021
View Album
Pump
Aerosmith
A whole album of Steven Tyler's voice gets a bit grating. My favorite track, as it was before I listened all the way through, is Love in an Elevator. 2.75.
3
Nov 29 2021
View Album
Nilsson Schmilsson
Harry Nilsson
I was excited to see this album come up. Gotta Get Up is fun having been a big fan of Russian Doll a couple years ago. My favorite tracks are Driving Along and Without You.
3
Dec 01 2021
View Album
Raising Hell
Run-D.M.C.
I liked it :) I wonder how much of what I think about rap (not really digging it except isolated cases) comes from just...not liking what's been Top 40 in my teenage and young adulthood years? Stuff like Lil Wayne and 50 Cent etc. Because I found this album really enjoyable and didn't feel the need to skip anything (not that I would have, because I'm trying to listen to everything on this list straight through). Unsurprisingly I've been a fan of It's Tricky for a long time, but I found myself dancing in my chair at several points during the album, and I didn't expect that :) And songs like Peter Piper remind me of the lyrical dexterity needed to rap well, and I appreciate that as an art form :)
4
Dec 02 2021
View Album
Channel Orange
Frank Ocean
I liked some elements, but they or the songs tended to go on longer than my interest held. But I really enjoyed the first part of Pyramids and one song that could have been longer was Fertilizer :)
2
Dec 03 2021
View Album
White Light / White Heat
The Velvet Underground
I didn't like this one, I think it was too avant garde for me.
1
Dec 06 2021
View Album
Dry
PJ Harvey
Wasn't really into it.
2
Dec 07 2021
View Album
Elephant Mountain
The Youngbloods
Enjoyable, but I don't remember much about it. Both of these things may have been affected by where my head was at :)
3
Dec 13 2021
View Album
Franz Ferdinand
Franz Ferdinand
Other than, of course, Take Me Out, my favorite tracks were Tell Her Tonight, Dark of the Matinee, and Darts of Pleasure.
3
Dec 14 2021
View Album
Blood On The Tracks
Bob Dylan
I was already a fan of Tangled Up in Blue and Shelter from the Storm, but I liked this album even more than I thought I would. New songs I like include Simple Twist of Fate.
4
Dec 15 2021
View Album
Our Aim Is To Satisfy
Red Snapper
Ugh, I did not like this one.
1
Dec 16 2021
View Album
Slippery When Wet
Bon Jovi
This album wasn't anything special, but was a pleasant enough upbeat listen.
3
Dec 27 2021
View Album
A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector
Various Artists
I wonder if there will be more Christmas albums on Christmas day in the next few years, and I wonder what they would be. Pretty innovative, even though Phil Spector is terrible.
3
Dec 28 2021
View Album
Back In Black
AC/DC
A bit one-note, but the one thing this album does it does well. I did before and still will love the intro to Hell's Bells. That's probably my favorite song on here. My other favorite is probably Shoot to Thrill. I also enjoyed Rock and Roll Ain't Noise Pollution, and You Shook Me All Night Long and Back in Black are good when they aren't overplayed.
3
Dec 31 2021
View Album
Dub Housing
Pere Ubu
I didn't like this. The instrumentation was totally enjoyable in parts, but each song was spoiled for me in some way by the singing. It was possibly going to get a 1.5 but then the last song was so terrible even musically that it gets a 1.
1
Jan 03 2022
View Album
Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots
The Flaming Lips
I quite liked some songs, and others didn’t really do anything for me. Favorites were Fight Test and Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots Pt. 1.
3
Jan 04 2022
View Album
White Ladder
David Gray
This album got monotonous for me in the middle and I had to take a break. So I don't know if it's that or if it's just a coincidence, but my favorite songs on this album are the first two and the last two: Please Forgive Me, Babylon, Sail Away, Say Hello Wave Goodbye.
3
Jan 06 2022
View Album
Faith
George Michael
In terms of songs I'll go out of my way to listen to again, that's probably only the title track. But I found the American standard-style of Kissing a Fool intriguing- I'm not aware of too much of that from pop stars in the 80s.
3
Jan 07 2022
View Album
Rhythm Nation 1814
Janet Jackson
This isn't an album I'd listen to all the way through, but there are multiple tracks I like a lot. My favorites are Rhythm Nation, Escapade, and Black Cat, with an honorable mention to Miss You Much.
3
Jan 10 2022
View Album
Cheap Thrills
Big Brother & The Holding Company
There a few songs I liked, which of course includes Piece of My Heart, but otherwise this album wasn’t too much my style. 2.5
3
Jan 11 2022
View Album
All Mod Cons
The Jam
The first half of this one wasn't my jam (ha)- was hoping for songs more like "A Town Called Malice," which isn't on this album. But the second half was more my style, which bumped up the rating a bit. My favorites were It's Too Bad, Fly, and Down in the Tube Station at Midnight. 2.5
2
Jan 12 2022
View Album
Ladies And Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space
Spiritualized
I didn't like this one very much, but it was mostly inoffensive background music for coloring. I say mostly because some of the music strayed a little far into what I think of as noise. I liked I Think I'm in Love and Stay with Me alright. 1.75.
2
Jan 13 2022
View Album
In Utero
Nirvana
I already liked some songs from this album, namely Heart-Shaped Box and All Apologies, but I also discovered I liked dumb. Honorable mention to Frances Farmer Will Have Her Revenge on Seattle and, a little bit, knocked down in part by its title, Rape Me. Why call something that? Edgy I guess? Meh. Multiple songs were way too screamy, so it's sort of a 2.5, but that's rounded up to a 3 here I think.
3
Jan 14 2022
View Album
Station To Station
David Bowie
I listened to this album about a week ago and honestly don't remember very much about it. There were only a few songs, and Golden Years doesn't really do much for me, but if I hated the record I'd hopefully remember that, so I'll give it the old standby of 3.
3
Jan 17 2022
View Album
Here's Little Richard
Little Richard
Repetitive, like a lot of early rock and roll, but enjoyable and energetic. Favorite songs are Tutti Fruity and Ready Teddy. 3.5
3
Jan 19 2022
View Album
Led Zeppelin II
Led Zeppelin
This is my Dad's favorite Led Zeppelin album, and I don't know if it's my favorite, but I do like lots of songs on it and think it still deserves a five-star rating. Favorite songs are What Is and What Should Never Be, Living Loving Maid, and Ramble On. I appreciated The Lemon Song more when I listened to this, because previously I'd only really known the line about squeezing the lemon until the juice runs down his leg, and that was a bit too crude of a metaphor for me LOL
5
Jan 20 2022
View Album
Something/Anything?
Todd Rundgren
There was a bit too much, but I liked the personalization of a few of the spoken clips a little. Some interesting sounds. Favorite songs were I Saw the Light (pre-existing, but still), Wolfman Jack, Saving Grace, Couldn't I Just Tell You, and Dust in the Wind.
3
Jan 24 2022
View Album
Beauty And The Beat
The Go-Go's
Some of the songs kind of blended together for me but all in all a pleasant listen that I would put on again. Favorite song is still Our Lips Are Sealed, and We Got the Beat is great when not overplayed. Other songs I enjoyed were Automatic, You Can't Walk in Your Sleep (If You Can't Sleep), and Can't Stop the World. 3.5
3
Jan 25 2022
View Album
Aftermath
The Rolling Stones
It was okay, but I wasn't really into it. Under My Thumb is a pretty song but the lyrics are so misogynistic. Paint It Black was probably my favorite. 2.5
3
Jan 26 2022
View Album
Figure 8
Elliott Smith
I'm glad I listened to this album even though I was worried it might make me more depressed. It was pretty music and I wasn't too focused on the lyrics. Favorite songs were Son of Sam and Junk Bond Trader.
3
Jan 27 2022
View Album
1977
Ash
I liked this a lot better than I thought I would, for an album I hadn't heard of and whose first note was a bit cacophonous :) The songs I liked best were Goldfinger, Girl From Mars, Let It Flow, and Angel Interceptor.
3
Jan 28 2022
View Album
Among The Living
Anthrax
Ugh, that was was a slog. I did not like it. It does make me curious about what kind of musical attributes are prized by people who love this band. Maybe there’s an article about thrash metal and what it does for people who like it.
1
Feb 04 2022
View Album
Parsley, Sage, Rosemary And Thyme
Simon & Garfunkel
Great lyrics, great melodies, great harmonies. Too many liked songs to mention, but special shoutout to For Emily Wherever I May Find Her, Flowers Never Bend with the Rainfall, Homeward Bound, and The 59th Street Bridge Song.
5
Feb 07 2022
View Album
At Newport 1960
Muddy Waters
I'm not a big blues fan but I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. It's repetitive for me as, again, not a big blues fan, but it was solid.
3
Feb 08 2022
View Album
Elephant
The White Stripes
There were a few songs that didn't do anything for me, but I thought I'd like this album pretty well and I did. I've always liked Seven Nation Army- I even backed it up to start it again so I could listen to it louder. I also liked Black Math, the understated In the Cold, Cold Night, You've Got Her in Your Pocket, The Hardest Button to Button, and the inspirational message leading into Little Acorns- I haven't gone over the lyrics to that one yet. 4.5.
5
Feb 09 2022
View Album
Scott 2
Scott Walker
I hope Scott 4 and any other Scott Walker albums that might make this list are better, because this did absolutely nothing for me. Maybe the lyrics are good and that's why it's here?- I found Next a bit interesting but in general wasn't too focused because of the instrumentation and his terrible 60s croon pop voice. Ugh. Black Sheep was okayish, so I'll give this a 1.5.
1
Feb 11 2022
View Album
Gorillaz
Gorillaz
Not into it, though I do like the hit from this album, Clint Eastwood, alright.
2
Feb 14 2022
View Album
Mr. Tambourine Man
The Byrds
This album was great, although sometimes I wished the mixes were a little different (some voices stuck out more than I wanted them to- maybe I'm spoiled by Crosby's perfect harmonies with CSNY?) but that is a very small quibble. It was simultaneously upbeat and mellow, offered plenty of Dylan covers, and was exactly the vibe I wanted last night.
5
Feb 24 2022
View Album
Repeater
Fugazi
This one was noisy and monotonous for me, though I admit that I didn't try very hard to listen to it- just worked on something else with it in the background. Not really my thing, though a couple at the end, possibly the one titled Song 1, weren't as bad.
1
Feb 25 2022
View Album
Reign In Blood
Slayer
Not for me.
1
Feb 28 2022
View Album
The Stranger
Billy Joel
This album is great, especially Scenes from an Italian Restaurant. One of Billy Joel’s best.
5
Mar 01 2022
View Album
2112
Rush
Eh, it was fine. 2.5
2
Mar 03 2022
View Album
Tommy
The Who
There were some good songs on it but it was way too long. 2.5
3
Mar 07 2022
View Album
Blonde On Blonde
Bob Dylan
I just wasn't very into this one. it's like it's all the Dylan stereotypes- the nasal singsong between two notes, really grating and repetitive. And I love so many Dylan songs and have an album called Lullabye Dylan for goodness sake. This one just wasn't for me. Still I'd listen it to it over some of these in the past 100, so it still gets a 2.
2
Mar 09 2022
View Album
Axis: Bold As Love
Jimi Hendrix
I was in a different headspace when I first listened to this album for this project (I had listened before), and didn't remember what rating I would have given it, so I decided to re-listen. Oh no, listening to Jimi Hendrix again :)
1. Exp- I may try to ignore this song so it doesn't unfairly torpedo my ranking of the whole album. It was acoustically upsetting and I was looking forward to it being over.
2. Up from the Skies- I've always liked this song and still do. I like when Jimi is a little bit chill :)
3. Spanish Castle Magic- A little heavier than I'm usually in the mood for, but it's done well.
4. Wait Until Tomorrow- One of my favorite songs on the album. I like how it has more of a hint of strutting soul in places than most of his tracks.
5. Ain't No Telling- Solid album track.
6. Little Wing- Good guitar, which, duh, but the opening made me just want to close my eyes and listen. It isn't one of my very favorites overall, but it's a nice one from this album.
7. If 6 Was 9- Good lyrics, good guitar. It was too intense for me on my first 1,001 albums listen, but I enjoyed it a bit more the second time. It does still go a little too sharp and trippy toward the end for me, though.
8. You Got Me Floatin'- This one is fine, nothing special for me.
9. Castles Made of Sand- Pretty sounds but depressing lyrics. I also don't get the last verse.
10. She's So Fine- Weird to hear a different voice on a Hendrix album, but apparently Noel Redding got to do this thing. It has a little more of a "traditional" late '60s rock sound, but it's likable.
11. One Rainy Wish- Not remarkable, but it was fine :)
12. Little Miss Lover- At the very beginning it reminded me of Tommy Roe's Dizzy (which came out after, so there you go) but I was like, what else does it remind me of? Oh, Foxy Lady LOL
13. Bold As Love- This wraps up the album well. Oh that guitar at the end bumps it up a little :)
Going song-by-song has made me a little pickier than I would have been, so I should call this a 4.5 instead of just 4. Even with the songs I don't like as well, I can almost listen to this album all the way through. (Some days I know I couldn't take the sadness on Castles Made of Sand, and in an ideal world I skip Exp every time.)
4
Mar 10 2022
View Album
I Should Coco
Supergrass
I enjoyed some songs on this- nothing too notable for me.
3
Mar 14 2022
View Album
Different Class
Pulp
I have complex feelings on this album. Some songs I hated, like Pencil Skirt (kinda misogynistic/not respecting consent, am
I right?) or found depressing, like Live Bed Show (maybe that’s the vibe they were going for with that one?) but other songs I liked. Those include Mis-Shapes, Common People, and Disco 2000. A complicated 2.5
2
Mar 18 2022
View Album
Devil Without A Cause
Kid Rock
This was pretty much exactly as terrible as I would have guessed.
1
Mar 21 2022
View Album
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath
It had a couple moments, and you definitely see the relationship to Led Zeppelin here. I didn't love it or hate it, though the first song got a bit monotonous for me.
3
Mar 23 2022
View Album
Synchronicity
The Police
I'd kinda like to give this a higher rating, because I do quite like Synchronicity II, and King of Pain was better than I thought. (I always skipped it at the beginning because it was boring.) Every Breath You Take landed better than I thought it would. A couple other songs weren't bad, like Wrapped Around Your Finger and Murder by Numbers, maybe? But I wasn't into a lot of it, and Mother was so discordant and repetitive and upsetting that I had to turn it off, the first time I've done that, actually.
2
Mar 24 2022
View Album
Let It Be
The Replacements
I didn't really like it, though I do like their song Alex Chilton, from a different album.
2
Mar 28 2022
View Album
Virgin Suicides
Air
I didn't expect to enjoy this album, based on the subject matter (I haven't seen the movie but did read a synopsis), but I kind of did. Very atmospheric and the kind of music that, other than a few pieces of film narration, would be good background for working or leisure, depending on the activity. I don't know if I could enjoy it the same way if I had seen the movie, because it's a triggering subject for me, and the plot was still occasionally distracting as I listened because I had read about it, but as it was I found it an enjoyable and almost relaxing listen.
3
Apr 01 2022
View Album
Dookie
Green Day
Great album, great energy. Favorite songs were the ones I already knew and loved, like When I Come Around and Basket Case (as well as Longview and Welcome to Paradise), but I especially liked the transition from Chump into Longview, which I hadn't heard before listening in singles style.
5
Apr 04 2022
View Album
Cosmo's Factory
Creedence Clearwater Revival
I grew up on CCR so I knew I was going to enjoy this album. It wasn't AMAZING or LIFE-CHANGING but it still gets a 4.5 from me, which I'll probably round up to a 5 on this scale. I didn't know Ramble Tamble, but it's opening had my interest from the get-go. Favorite songs are Travelin Band, Lookin Out My Back Door, and Up Around the Bend. (Update- I can tell I love this album because I've put it on as background music twice :) I'll bump the score up to a straight 5.)
5
Apr 05 2022
View Album
Stankonia
OutKast
I don't love this album, but it has some good songs, and it's a good window into a life experience that isn't mine- namely being a Black man in Atlanta. 2.5
2
Apr 08 2022
View Album
...And Justice For All
Metallica
Meh.
2
Apr 11 2022
View Album
The Bends
Radiohead
I'm not much of a Radiohead fan (at least I don't think so- I haven't listened to much) but I really like this album pretty well, specifically the first four songs.
4
Apr 12 2022
View Album
Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1
George Michael
Decent album, favorite of course is Freedom '90.
3
Apr 18 2022
View Album
Technique
New Order
Nothing super special, but I enjoyed it. Favorite songs were All the Way, Run, and Love Less. 3.5
3
Apr 21 2022
View Album
Electric Prunes
The Electric Prunes
It was fine. I do like "I Had Too Much to Dream Last Night" a little, and the album mostly wasn't annoying, but it wasn't anything special either. 2.75
3
Apr 27 2022
View Album
Hejira
Joni Mitchell
I wasn't into most of this but I did kinda like Coyote and I really liked A Song for Sharon :) And I can see it is an album maybe I'd enjoy a bit more in a different mood? 3
3
May 09 2022
View Album
Cross
Justice
Sometimes it was fun and ambient, and other times it was too much. 2.5
3
May 10 2022
View Album
Definitely Maybe
Oasis
I wanted to like this album more than I ended up liking it. "What's the Story Morning Glory" is much more my style. A lot of these songs blurred together for me, so nothing stood out, but it was a fine enough listen. I'll give it a 3.5, rounded down to 3 for this scale's whole-number system.
3
Jun 08 2022
View Album
Vanishing Point
Primal Scream
It was meh for me, but unobjectionable enough for me to give it a 2.25
2