I love this album - one of my favourites. If you don't like reggae, I don't think it is going to convert you - but I love the raw elements - his plaintive voice, the 'country' horns, poewrful lyrics in patois etc etc

It had some depth and I enjoyed it. would have liked to have first heard this when I was younger

I've always loved this album - kept finding myself humming or whistling along. Just brilliant

I can see that this album polarises people, but I loved it.

This is a strange one - looking through the reviews I don't think I've seen a more polarising album. All 1s or 5s. I've tried to listen to it neutrally, and will give it a 3. There are some OK hooks, but generally it is pretty bland.

Chain of Fools!

Rawer than the later records

This one was completely new to me. Not usually a fan of prog-rock, but this was OK I think partly due to their stripped down sound as a 3 piece

Another great Aretha Album

Brings back memories, but I think has dated a bit

Delicate

Perfection - one of my favourite albums ever

Slick, but not really my taste

I have not listened to this for a long time, and enjoyed it more than I thought I would. Dated in parts, overexposed in others, but an interesting album

OK, but not as good as the Stooges

I've always liked and respected Dylan rather than loved him, but I think this is my favourite album of his

Interesting and unique

Nice and loose

Purple haze - one of my favourite songs. This is a great album

I didn't know what to expect, and ended up liking this album a lot

While I don't mind the twin guitar solos, this is not really my thing. Seems to me a heavy 60s & 70s US bias in this list so far

Sounds great, but some of the misogyny jars nowadays

Rude and raucous - Ace of Spades is the essence of rock. Enjoyed this one.

Enjoyed this one - crunchy and precise

Tricky and Walk this Way are awesome, but a lot of this sounds a bit dated now

Sounds incredible - a lot of energy, but now I find the 'Bitch is a Bitch' type lyrics jarring - kicking down?

OK - but a little dull. Not sure what the album is doing on this list

Interesting as a milestone in the history of rock - but not sure I'd listen to it too much for pleasure

I love the Stooges, but this album is let down a little by the production. Great songs, but I prefer Fun House

I love this album - one of my favourites. If you don't like reggae, I don't think it is going to convert you - but I love the raw elements - his plaintive voice, the 'country' horns, poewrful lyrics in patois etc etc

I don't mind Smooth Operator, but the rest of this album is pretty dull. Seems like a strange choice for this list

It had some depth and I enjoyed it. would have liked to have first heard this when I was younger

Smooth and soulful, and a bit strange. Interesting to hear a Public Enemy sample. I enjoyed this a lot

Not what I was expecting. So long and so Spinal Tap. Didn't know Lemmy from Motorhead was in this band. Some weird stuff, some pedestrian. Glad I listened to it once but don't imagine going back to it.

The first album and group that was completely new to me on this list. I enjoyed it as something fresh and different.

I've always loved this album - kept finding myself humming or whistling along. Just brilliant

Pretty good

Some good riffs and energy, but feels like something you grow out of. I agree with the other reviewer - listen to Public Enemy

Pretty Vacant is one of my all time favourites, and there are a lot of other great songs on this as well. Enjoyed it

First time listen for me - pretty good

Known of this album for years, but never felt the need to listen to it. Pretty interesting, including the backstory that it was recorded in Lagos

Pretty good - a Bob Dylan album I guess

I can see that this album polarises people, but I loved it.

Interesting, but not really my thing

A Stevie wonder rip-off that hasn't really dated well. Lots of people loved it when I was young, which is fine, but it was always irritating to me - especially the lyrics

It's OK I guess - of it's time. Can't help but think of Spinal Tap at some point

A bit pedestrian I thought - I don't mind metal, but this wasn't for me

I enjoyed this one - even if as background music I could engage with

I enjoyed this one a lot - unique and true to itself. I can imagine how amazing it would have been when it was released in 1978, and still sounds fresh

Interesting, one of those artists I knew the name of, recognised a couple of his songs, but had never really listened to. I enjoyed the album, and you can definitely hear the Beatles influences

While it is obvlously a classic, I find it a bit overwrought - not really to my taste. I'm not a fan of Opera either.

Interesting to read how polarised the reviews are of this album. Personally, I love it - so evocative of an amazing period

Nice to have non US/UK choice. I loved this one, very funky, and due to minimal french, can avoid alleged paedo overtones to lyrics as noted in other reviews.

Pure and beautiful - what is not to like?

It is impossible to review this album objectively. But there is no doubt there are some bangers on it

Interesting - one of those albums I've known about for a long time, but never actually listened to from beginning to end.

It was OK - of its time I guess

She's a favourite artist of my daughter's but I hadn't listened to her before. Beautiful, I enjoyed this (and Norman Fucking Rockwell, which my daughter said was better)

A fantastic unique album - love it

I love PJ Harvey - but I don't think this is her best album

Fame is one of my favourite Bowie songs ever - but the rest of the album is a little ho-hum

Pretty good - Radioheadhas always been one of those bands I understand are good, but they don't really connect for me

One of my favourite Stones albums - loose and raucous.

Interesting story, I was only vaguely aware of this band and no idea they were from Finland. But album is pretty average

Nothing needs to be said about this - takes me back to listening to my parents' copy when I was 10. I love this album

I enjoyed this more than er other album on this list

This is a strange one - looking through the reviews I don't think I've seen a more polarising album. All 1s or 5s. I've tried to listen to it neutrally, and will give it a 3. There are some OK hooks, but generally it is pretty bland.

Interesting - but not sure I would want to listen to that more than once

Never heard of this band before - interesting album, happy to listen to it while working

Pretty good - distinctive sound

It's OK - an interesting artefact

Its a beautiful thing. I had played it too much previously and happy to encounter it again here.

Too much noodling - this one should have stayed in the 60s

Interesting - a new album for me

Enjoyable, even if I am not as crazy about The Boss as a lot of other people

Never listened to this before, OK - West Coast sound

I was only vaguely aware of this band. Solid 'meat and potatoes' rock

Interesting to listen to such a prominent album which I'd not listened to previously - OK but it didn't grab me. Production is very of its time.

Never heard of this guy - and really enjoyed this one. Bossa nova with a slightly experimental twist that stops it being muzak

Much more familar with XO and Figure 8 so interesting to hear this earlier work

It's OK - an album and artist that was in the ecosystem but which I never felt the need to engage with

Interesting - pure country - not quite my thing but appreciated it nonetheless

Always happy to enjoy some thrash - this is competent, but not distinctive

I am a fan, though I prefer to later albums, this is pretty good

I'd never taken much notice of this band - album was better than I thought it would be

I understand the appeal - it just doesn't resonate with me

I like the texture of this record - have had the vinyl for years

A polarising album - but I like soundtracks and I like the concept

Fantastic - a lot of energy. I enjoyed this as much, and perhaps even more than Fela Kuti - though they do sound very similar. Apple doesn't fall far from the tree

Some good songs here

Pleasant, and a little more interesting than I thought it would be

Happy to see an Australian band on the list. If you like this, try some other Australian bands of the era: Laughing Clowns, Died Pretty, Radio Birdman, The Triffids

Pretty good - pleasant, and every now and then something grabs my attention

Very naughty and a lot of fun - and funky. I enjoyed this one!

OK - recognised some of the tunes, but it didn't make much of an impact

Pretty good - though I like Black Sunday better

OK - though in some ways delivers less than it promises. Love Mango Pickle with the Wilcannia Mob though!

Smooth - perhaps a little too much so - but good background music

Pretty good - though perhaps not his best?

Interesting background music - which I guess is all you can ask from Ambient music

Like many other reviewers, I don't 100% get Prince - though he is obviously an important figure and there are some great tracks in here.

I enjoyed this as a piece of recording history. I think they were very influential for bands in Australia.

Having listened to my parents copy of this on vinyl repeatedly in the 70's this record is part of my DNA. And (with the exception of Run For Your Life - why are so many 60's songs about killing your girlfriend?) it still sounds fantastic. Love it!

Is it unfair to compare this to the Smiths? I loved them, but haven't really listened to his solo work. It's not too bad

Solid, but not really my thing no more

It's OK, but I'm not the audience for this.

I don't think this has dated well, though there are some fresh sounding bits.

Is what it is I suppose - competent but leaves me cold. However happy to listen to a landmark album a couple of times

Completely new to me - never heard of these guys before. Fresh, I liked it

Smooth as butter

I'm a long term QOTSA fan, but had not listened to this album before. Found it a little disappointing at first, but it repaid a few repeat listens

Interesting - I think this album was very influential in the Sydney live music scene in the 80s. Not quite my thing now, but I would have loved it then

Dense and interesting - feels like I need to listen to it a few more times. But also feel like I'm not really the audience for this.

It's a solid album, but didn't hear anything to hook me.

Another album that is impossible to separate from pre-existing impressions, prejudices etc. And I have just heard Hotel California too many times! Can I place myself in the position of someone hearing it for the first time? What would I think? Pretty solid but does not resonate for me. Coincidently - just watched the Big Lebowski - which would get a 4 or even a 5

Interesting to hear the big band sound, but nothing jumped out at me. Perhaps a bit of its time?

This was a favourite of my teenage years, as were all Specials albums. And I still love them

I don't usually like vocal jazz - but I've always felt Amy Winehouse was a bit different. I enjoyed listening to this - more familiar with her later albums.

Great vibes

Interesting album, and a little different - but I just don't like the Beach Boys. I can understand why others do - but I don't

Apart from 'Reelin' in the Years' Steely Dan were never on my radar. I didn't mind listening to this album, and like another person, enjoyed hearing some De La Soul samples etc.

One of my favourite albums - good fun to work my way through the list of samples in the wikipedia article

Pleasant listening, with some interesting twists here and there

I had overlooked this album - it was much better than I thought it would be.

I grew up listening compulsively to this album - so I am not even going to pretend to leave an objective review. Still sounds great!

None of the songs really live up to My Generation

Didn't mind this at all

I've heard a lot about Big Star over the years, but never really listened to them. Interesting album with its own sound

Normally I try to listen to each of these albums at least twice. But this was long and pretty sketchy, so only once.

By co-incidence, we watched Napoleon Dynamite the day this album come up. One of my favourite films, and I never knew the title track was a White Stripes song. I had heard the hits from this album, but never listened to it the whole way through. I think the variety of sounds is surprising, given the set up of the band. Enjoyable.

I'd never heard of this band before, and found this album pretty appealing. Definitely identifiable as a precursor for a lot of other artists I like. A good discovery

Its OK, some interesting bits in there

I agree with all the reviews for this album, positive and negative, and those in languages I can't read.

A solid album, lots of stuff to get caught on in there.

Such a a beautiful voice - the guy in One Last Dance is very annoying though

Pretty album - some parts are a little close to Sly Stone for comfort

I really enjoyed this album. Fantastic lyrics, and I don't understand the criticisms of his voice and delivery which are perfect. I also think the production adds an interesting layer as well.

Radiohead escaped me at the time - there's some nice tunes on this though!

I love the VU so predisposed to listen to this - and wasn't disappointed. I actually like his vocal style, and found all the tracks pretty interesting

I love PJ Harvey - though perhaps her other albums more than this which I hadn't listened to before

Functional head cleaning music - that feels very appropriate reflecting current world events (April 2022)

Some interesting bits, some strange bits and some very daggy bits. Somehow I've escaped listening to this until now - good to check it off the list I suppose.

It was OK - good without making a big impression

Interesting artefact - didn't listen to it then, only really heard of Common People - probably won't listen to it again - but glad I listened to it for this

It was Ok

Fine, but nothing that grabbed me or would lead me to listen to it again

OK - Neil Young cover is one track I would listen to again.

First entire Iron Maiden album I have listened to. It was OK, but not enough that I would consider going back for more

Didn't leave much of an impression on me

Pretty good fun, although iffy in parts. Interesting to hear the Public Enemy parodies here and there - eg Officer

Enjoyed this more than I thought I would - probably because I've only been (over) exposed to their massive hits before. There was some interesting synth-pop in there

A hard one to rate - creative, great production, but unpleasant - hadn't listened to the whole album before, won't listen to it again

I was only vaguely familiar with Nas before listening to this album. I enjoyed the stripped down sound and texture. I'd listen again

A favourite artist of my teenage kids. I thought it was OK - though sounded a lot like the Fleet Foxes

I find the Beach Boys very bland - they are just not my thing

Interesting and beautiful. I prefer some of their other hits, but glad to listen to this

I love Eight Miles High - a cracker of a song. And there are some other good tracks there. I'll go back to it.

I agree that there are some ordinary songs on this album, but Sympathy for the Devil alone rates a 4. Street Fighting Man and Jig Saw Puzzle are pretty great too.

How to compare this with a Byrds album, for example? Pushing the limits of 'popular music' as the subject of this list? Anyway - I enjoyed it.

Brilliant, one of my favourite albums ever, and Good Fortune one of my favourite songs ever. Noting fantastic production by Mick Harvey (ex Bad Seeds).

There is something elegant in the simplicity of the concept here - like with the Ramones. But really, in this case it's not for me. Trivia question - which is the only ZZ Top member without a beard - the drummer, Frank Beard! And then there is the Sesame St parody for the letter Z - classic line and the end from the Billy Gibbons muppet: "Only band I've ever played with that can fall asleep and keep playing the blues"!

Solid, and I like the piano in this album - but Bruce isn't for me

I agree with the majority view here - 1st side of the album is incredible, 2nd half is awful!

A Gen X classic - I had this on a pirate cassette tape bought in Indonesia. The Cure were huge in Australia in the 80s and 90s. This album still creates the same mood now, but I can understand if it doesn't work so well for younger listeners.

Interesting here that no matter whether they give 1 or 5 stars, each review says more or less the same thing. And I agree with all of them

Hadn't listened to this album for a long time - forgot how good it was. And to note in passing that Nick Cave is one of the best live shows you'll ever see. Last time I saw him, he sang People Ain't No Good - during the song I was thinking to myself that the lyrics sounded a little juvenile. Then at the end of the song he said that he'd changed his views since that song was written and now he things "people are alright"!

Never heard of this band before. They were OK, didn't mind them, not sure I had to listen to them before I die though

I enjoyed this - yes some sketchy elements but as a lot of reviews say, a lot of head bobbing, and some great rhymes

I enjoyed this, slick, of its time, cover is the most 80s thing I can imagine, and of course tinge of nostalgia

Although there is the odd moment - this isn't for me

Never heard of this artist before - an interesting enjoyable sort of timeless album

I was vaguely familiar with North American Scum before - which i think is a great song. Otherwise wasn't really familiar with this band, and happy to make their acquaintance

A pleasure to listen to this. Coherent exploration of a sound - cold, mechanical nostalgo-futuristic. I was only familiar with Cars (which was played to death on TV when I was a kids) so glad to hear the rest of the album

A classic of course - can't really review it neutrally as I have the vinyl and have listened to it repeatedly, though not for a while. Not sure my 52 year old self likes it quite as much as my 17 year old self did, but it is still pretty good.

I was aware Gang of Four existed, but didn't know anything about them and had never listened to any of their stuff. Sounds like it was groundbreaking then - a little dated now. But I enjoyed listening to this - they have their own sound.

I remember a lot of this in the background in the 90s and didn't mind hearing it now. It was OK

I just don't like the Beach Boys and I don't like this. There is the odd OK moment - but those slide whistles - jeez!

Rock Lobster was huge in Australia in the 80s - it was everywhere all the time. We covered in my high school band of course. However the none of the rest of this album made any impact at all for some reason. So I was interested to listen to them, and thought this wasn't bad at all.

Interesting to get to this, which had never attracted my attention before - given that it doesn't have their bigger songs. I found it atmospheric, and rewarding for multiple listenings

It was OK - but Madonna isn't really my taste

Another band where I only knew the hits and had never really listened to a full album. I didn't mind this, they've carved out their own coherent sound, and those singles such as Promised... are pretty good.

American country cliches lyrical and musical - not for me

Pretty good for what it was - never listened to it before

I love the Stooges, but there are better albums

There are some beautiful moments, and some pretty cringe-worthy dated moments as well (Battle of Epping Forest). Interesting, but something I would have listened to of my own accord - which is why we do this I suppose

When I was a kid, a friend gave me a cassette, with the first half of this album tacked on one side (remember we use to do that to fill-up the 90 minute cassettes). There was no track listing, no credit, no information at all to explain what was leaping out of the speakers at me. They might have told me it was a friend's band's demo - how could I know? In some ways I feel sorry that mysteries like this denied to kids nowadays by the everpresent internet. I love the Pixies, everything about them, and they are even better live. Who else has this sharp crackly sound, unique worldview. Haven't come across Doolittle on this list yet, but it will get a 5 too!

Beautiful compositions, interesting production etc, but that voice for an hour is a bit much for me - too much, too rich

Had never heard of this band or record before. Didn't mind it at all, but not sure I'd bother to go back. Slightly rough, ragged texture appealed to me, In My mind was pretty good

I didn't realise David Watts was a cover. For me, the Kinks have always been a band in the margins, not quite the Beatles, not quite Bowie, not quite this not quite that. But always so English. They still seem like that, but there were some good tracks on this album.

Good for background while working - but seriously - does not belong here, even given the extent to which it was sampled. The point of sampling is to make gold out of obscure things like this

Converse to some other reviews, I think this is a fantastic name that the group doesn't really live up to. Bog ordinary garage rock really

Reminds me of long car trips. It is a classic, but not an amazing one

I'm new to Black Sabbath - for some reason I missed them when I was a kid despite loving Zeppelin, the Stooges etc. I found this album surprisingly good. Will probably go back to it

Enjoyed this a lot

Listening to the interview, I was intrigued to hear that Jimi Hendrix played with them for a while. Look up Testify parts 1 & 2 on YouTube, also features James Brown I think. A lot more soul that this record which was OK as background, but overall felt a bit flat to me

Clearly a significant album that belongs on this list. Of course, I knew many of the songs, even though I have never listened to the album from beginning to end before - probably because I saw it as to MOR for me. Which it is a bit, but I still enjoyed it

Raw, weird and pioneering - liked it

I've heard of them, but never listened to anything. It was OK