750
Albums Rated
3.51
Average Rating
69%
Complete
339 albums remaining
Rating Distribution
Rating Timeline
Taste Profile
1970s
Favorite Decade
Psychedelic-rock
Favorite Genre
other
Top Origin
Wordsmith
Rater Style ?
162
5-Star Albums
44
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
L'Eau Rouge
The Young Gods
|
5 | 2.32 | +2.68 |
|
Opus Dei
Laibach
|
5 | 2.39 | +2.61 |
|
Public Image: First Issue
Public Image Ltd.
|
5 | 2.42 | +2.58 |
|
Shleep
Robert Wyatt
|
5 | 2.5 | +2.5 |
|
Welcome to the Afterfuture
Mike Ladd
|
5 | 2.56 | +2.44 |
|
Tragic Songs of Life
The Louvin Brothers
|
5 | 2.58 | +2.42 |
|
The United States Of America
The United States Of America
|
5 | 2.61 | +2.39 |
|
Shalimar
Rahul Dev Burman
|
5 | 2.65 | +2.35 |
|
Casanova
The Divine Comedy
|
5 | 2.67 | +2.33 |
|
Atomizer
Big Black
|
5 | 2.72 | +2.28 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
At Folsom Prison
Johnny Cash
|
1 | 3.99 | -2.99 |
|
In Utero
Nirvana
|
1 | 3.83 | -2.83 |
|
Highway 61 Revisited
Bob Dylan
|
1 | 3.77 | -2.77 |
|
People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm
A Tribe Called Quest
|
1 | 3.61 | -2.61 |
|
Hail To the Thief
Radiohead
|
1 | 3.44 | -2.44 |
|
My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
Kanye West
|
1 | 3.42 | -2.42 |
|
The Köln Concert
Keith Jarrett
|
1 | 3.4 | -2.4 |
|
Heaven Or Las Vegas
Cocteau Twins
|
1 | 3.37 | -2.37 |
|
It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back
Public Enemy
|
1 | 3.37 | -2.37 |
|
From Elvis In Memphis
Elvis Presley
|
1 | 3.36 | -2.36 |
Artists
Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Metallica | 4 | 5 |
| Black Sabbath | 3 | 5 |
| Pink Floyd | 3 | 5 |
| The Kinks | 4 | 4.5 |
| Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds | 3 | 4.67 |
| The Doors | 3 | 4.67 |
| Dire Straits | 2 | 5 |
| Roxy Music | 2 | 5 |
| Yes | 2 | 5 |
| King Crimson | 2 | 5 |
| Can | 2 | 5 |
| Led Zeppelin | 2 | 5 |
| Deep Purple | 2 | 5 |
| Jimi Hendrix | 2 | 5 |
| The Who | 4 | 4.25 |
| The Velvet Underground | 3 | 4.33 |
| R.E.M. | 3 | 4.33 |
Least Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Kanye West | 3 | 1.33 |
| The Chemical Brothers | 2 | 1 |
| Johnny Cash | 3 | 1.67 |
| A Tribe Called Quest | 2 | 1.5 |
Controversial
| Artist | Ratings |
|---|---|
| The Divine Comedy | 5, 1 |
| Pet Shop Boys | 5, 1 |
| Elvis Presley | 1, 4 |
| Jane's Addiction | 5, 2 |
| The Fall | 1, 4 |
5-Star Albums (162)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
M.I.A.
4/5
A true fusion album; I can't classify it as one specific genre. It is cool to see explicit political messaging outside of its usual mediums like rap and punk. A few of the songs are really catchy, and I like the overall 2000s liminal vibes.
21 likes
Magazine
5/5
The only problem is that I had to listen to over 600 other albums before I got to this one.
12 likes
Radiohead
1/5
I'm not a fan of Radiohead in general, but this is their worst album on this list so far. 90% just pretentious electronica. It seems mainstream music was generally pretty lost in the 2000s.
12 likes
A Tribe Called Quest
2/5
This is so boring. Can anyone really tell these songs apart from any other hip-hop/rap songs? The album description in apple music mentioned something about a jazz aesthetic. What does that even mean? Jazz is about interesting variations on a melody, which is the opposite of a canned beat. Also, it is impossible to follow the lyrics unless you pay attention all the time. What happened to songs having a chorus to sing along to?
10 likes
Britney Spears
1/5
It sounds like they took some built-in phone ringtones and wrote super generic lyrics that reference "you," "love," and "heart" as many times as possible.
9 likes
1-Star Albums (44)
All Ratings
Radiohead
3/5
I can't make out the lyrics a lot of the time. The singing style is really annoying. 3 stars because some of the instrumental parts are good.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
4/5
The Velvet Underground
4/5
The melodies are a bit boring, but overall very pleasant
Frank Ocean
3/5
Not very memorable
R.E.M.
4/5
The first half of the album kind of blends together, but the energy really picks up in the second half.
The Doors
5/5
Amazing!
Digital Underground
2/5
Dire Straits
5/5
The Stranglers
5/5
Not the kind of music I usually listen to, but very good!
Blur
2/5
The tunes are catchy, but each song is basically the chorus played over and over the exact same way. Boring.
Robert Wyatt
4/5
I don't usually listen to art rock, so I was not sure I would enjoy this album. But actually, most of it is very solid, though it gets a bit boring in the middle.
Super Furry Animals
3/5
The album is clearly well-made, but I think I just don't get it.
Aerosmith
4/5
John Lennon
3/5
Beautiful, but too simplistic
Metallica
5/5
Everything is better with a symphonic orchestra)))
Solange
2/5
Joni Mitchell
3/5
Sure, her voice is beautiful, but what are those songs?
David Bowie
3/5
It would be better if the style was more consistent throughout the album.
Fairport Convention
5/5
Great album! The quality is not very even throughout, but most of the songs are good. The melodies are simple but effective, and the singer's voice is beautiful.
Arctic Monkeys
5/5
Great album! Maybe it is a bit generic, but I am not very familiar with this genre of music, so I wouldn't know.
Rahul Dev Burman
5/5
Really good as far as movie soundtracks go!
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
I would give this album 5 stars for the music, but the lyrics and the vocals don't work for me.
Bon Jovi
4/5
I never listened to the entire album before, so I discovered some new songs. Even the really overplayed ones are actually good after not hearing them for a year.
Slint
2/5
All the songs sound the same
Sarah Vaughan
4/5
Very sweet, a great listen for the holiday season!
Anthrax
2/5
The B-52's
2/5
The Rolling Stones
4/5
Black Flag
4/5
5 stars for the vibes, but I wouldn't be able to tell this apart from any other set of punk rock songs because I can't understand the lyrics, and there isn't a consistent melody throughout each song.
Funkadelic
4/5
Great music for studying
Paul Revere & The Raiders
5/5
The style is not very unique, but the execution is great. Nice basic rhythms to dance to, but each song is distinct enough that it doesn't get boring. This goes for the lyrics too, they aren't very deep, but each song tells a different story. Listening to the album just made me happy, so five stars.
Black Sabbath
5/5
The White Stripes
3/5
Too repetitive
The Velvet Underground
5/5
Elvis Presley
1/5
So boring. The melody simply repeats over and over, and the singing is somehow really unenthuseastic.
Gene Clark
5/5
Muddy Waters
4/5
It was really interesting to see one of the styles that influenced rock music. A few of the songs are great, although the lyrics mostly exist to accompany the music rather than have any interesting meaning.
3/5
A few good songs ("Bullet in the Blue Sky", "In God's Country", "Trip Through Your Wires"), but as an album not memorable.
Cocteau Twins
1/5
This sounds like background music at a store. With the rest of the albums on the list, I can at least see that the artist is trying to do a thing.
Brian Wilson
3/5
This is a concept album, so I think you either get it or you don't. Maybe I would appreciate it more if I paid closer attention to the lyrics. There are also too many vocal harmonies for my taste. Still, it is really impressive that this project was revived and brought to a complete form after so many years!
Gil Scott-Heron
2/5
Grant Lee Buffalo
5/5
Love almost the entire album! Really clear sound, all of the elements of the music fit perfectly, original topics for the lyrics (at least in many of the songs).
Finley Quaye
2/5
The only good song is "Sunday Shining". The other ones pretty much consist of a beat with some talking over it.
ABBA
4/5
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
Not very remarkable, pretty much what you expect from a Bruce Springsteen album, although there is some development of the style. The only interesting song is "Worlds Apart."
Bad Brains
4/5
Faith No More
3/5
For the most part, this just sounds like a generic rock album. The songs that stand out are "The morning after" and "Woodpecker from Mars."
Public Enemy
1/5
I can't listen to music like this because there is no melody, just a beat. It's definitely interesting that this caught on, though.
Various Artists
4/5
This is actually very good music in terms of the melodies, the variety of instruments used, and the vocals. And the idea of having cheerful songs about Christmas and winter to play around the holidays is great. The problem is that there aren't that many popular Christmas songs, so existing ones end up being overplayed.
A Tribe Called Quest
1/5
It seems that the point of rap is mostly the lyrics. If you don't pay close attention to what's being said, it is just white noise.
Ray Charles
3/5
Fairly pleasant to listen to, but all the songs sound the same.
Dizzee Rascal
2/5
The Temptations
5/5
Roxy Music
5/5
Sweet, songs for dancing to and songs for vibing!
John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers
3/5
Despite having many great moments musically, this album feels empty. The style is interesting, but there is no substance: it doesn't convey a message, tell a story, or put the listener in a different mood.
Sheryl Crow
3/5
Shuggie Otis
4/5
Elastica
3/5
Inconsistent quality, some songs are boring, and some are quite enjoyable. And even the better songs aren't very interesting; they have a pretty standard sound.
Frank Sinatra
2/5
The Roots
1/5
The Divine Comedy
5/5
This is definitely very different from all the music I've encountered before, so this website is doing its job. Some of the lyrics are a bit too much, but the overall sound is great.
Radiohead
3/5
Some moments are good, but for the most part, it's boring.
The Gun Club
5/5
A very fun album; I like how they mixed several styles together.
JAY Z
1/5
Missy Elliott
2/5
Justice
2/5
Pet Shop Boys
5/5
A nice 80s pop-rock album, very atmospheric.
Fats Domino
4/5
The Chemical Brothers
1/5
This kind of music only exists to provide a rhythm for people at a club to dance to. Just listening to it is obviously going to be very boring.
The Kinks
5/5
Marvin Gaye
3/5
The music and the vocals are pretty good, but the album is too long, so it gets repetitive.
Louis Prima
3/5
Dexys Midnight Runners
5/5
Nick Drake
3/5
I'm undecided on this one. The melodies are nice, but the nonsense lyrics somewhat ruin the songs.
PJ Harvey
2/5
Too chaotic
Elton John
3/5
The Young Gods
5/5
Sufjan Stevens
4/5
An interesting idea, and some beautiful songs! A bit too long, though.
Pink Floyd
5/5
Roxy Music
5/5
Cat Stevens
4/5
The Black Crowes
3/5
Not bad, but for the most part, derivative from older rock music. There is no reason to choose this album to listen to out of many similar ones.
Crowded House
4/5
Metallica
5/5
Metallica is the only metal band universally liked even among non-metal fans for a reason. They maintain a heavy sound without compromising the beautiful melodies or meaningful lyrics.
Lightning Bolt
1/5
That's not music, just 40 minutes of noise.
5/5
David Crosby
4/5
Talking Heads
4/5
A good album, original and well made. I personally don't enjoy the style, though.
Sabu
4/5
Definitely raised my mood
Elbow
3/5
Most songs feel like they never start. Even the lead singer sounds unenthusiastic about the music.
Beatles
4/5
Good album; really interesting how it explores so many different styles.
King Crimson
5/5
Having very well-known albums on this list goes against its purpose a bit; after all, the goal is to help people discover chapters in music history that they might otherwise be unaware of. But I can't complain about having a reason to listen to "In The Court Of The Crimson King" again. It deserves six stars, of course.
Neil Young
5/5
Great album. Beautiful blues-rock sound with some clever lyrics.
Coldplay
3/5
Röyksopp
4/5
Heaven 17
3/5
A few good songs, but mostly filler
Beastie Boys
2/5
Tom Waits
4/5
Very soulful, if a bit repetitive.
Baaba Maal
4/5
Senegalese tunes and familiar western rhythms are combined beautifully. The album starts with high-energy tracks, and the melodies become more thoughtful later.
Beastie Boys
3/5
Slightly better than "Paul's Boutique", more melodic, I think. Still, hip-hop music and the Beastie Boys in particular are not my cup of tea.
Kanye West
1/5
A vague mix of hip-hop, rap, and pop with no originality and no soul. The melodies don't get any development, and the lyrics are just there to fill up the time. Also, what is the point of featuring other artists on some of the songs if they all sound the same anyway?
Ash
4/5
A charming and fun album. Overall the sound is pretty standard for modern alternative rock, but many of the songs are pretty distinct and catchy.
Mariah Carey
3/5
Miles Davis
4/5
Richard Thompson
4/5
It sounds good, I guess. But come on, it's 1973, and they are basically making folk? Kind of boring.
Guided By Voices
3/5
The short tracks (like under two minutes long) don't work well. But there are definitely some good songs there, e.g., "Striped White Jets" or "Blimps Go 90". I think this could be a good alternative rock album if they chose fewer songs and made them into regular-length tracks.
David Bowie
4/5
Alanis Morissette
5/5
Love this album; it has some great energy and fun lyrics. The music doesn't stand out too much, but it is also are on point.
Can
5/5
Love it! Prog, but on a more chill side.
Talking Heads
4/5
There were a few songs I liked on this album, but in general, not a fan of the style.
Run-D.M.C.
5/5
Probably the only rap/hip-hop album that I ever enjoyed. Some songs are fun and lighthearted (but still have well-written texts that you can follow), while some are more serious, providing comments on problems in the modern world. But even then, the lyrics aren't too sad or heavy. The beats are also good, and the occasional bits of rock melodies are a nice touch. And overall, the artists come across as fun, likable guys, a connection that isn't easy to establish through music.
Tito Puente
3/5
T. Rex
5/5
Great! I didn't expect anything different either; T.Rex is one of the greats when it comes to classic rock.
Sly & The Family Stone
4/5
The Jesus And Mary Chain
2/5
Average rock music with too much feedback.
3/5
Sparks
5/5
Not my favorite Sparks album, but still great. Their style is truly unique.
Elvis Presley
4/5
A Tribe Called Quest
2/5
This is so boring. Can anyone really tell these songs apart from any other hip-hop/rap songs? The album description in apple music mentioned something about a jazz aesthetic. What does that even mean? Jazz is about interesting variations on a melody, which is the opposite of a canned beat. Also, it is impossible to follow the lyrics unless you pay attention all the time. What happened to songs having a chorus to sing along to?
Jane's Addiction
5/5
Love the energy
The War On Drugs
3/5
They try a few different styles, but none work particularly well. Only "An Ocean in Between the Waves" and maybe "Lost in a Dream" are fairly good tracks, in my opinion.3
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
5/5
Subtle but beautiful
The Pretty Things
5/5
I really enjoyed listening to this album; the only comment I have is that the songs don't have a common style. I've been definitely missing out on The Pretty Things and many other 60s bands, which I am finding out about thanks to this list. The bands that an average person like me knows about are the ones that made hit songs still recognized today, like the Beatles or the Rolling Stones. But when it comes to albums, these guys are way better than the Beatles.
Led Zeppelin
5/5
Big Brother & The Holding Company
4/5
Beautiful blues-rock and Janis Joplin's vocals? Amazing. Most songs probably worked better when performed live, though, because they don't have a lot of structure.
DJ Shadow
3/5
Thin Lizzy
5/5
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
5/5
The lyrics are very thought through, and there is a good balance between acoustic songs and ones with electric guitars.
Tim Buckley
3/5
Tim Buckley has a great voice, but unfortunately, the songs are just a stream of consciousness.
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
5/5
The July aitee aliens had pretty good taste in music; too bad they weren't real. But seriously, the tunes on this album are great, the players are very good at their instruments, and the topics of the lyrics are diverse.
Antony and the Johnsons
2/5
It seems the artist tried to make some ~deep~ songs, but they turned out really boring.
Prince
2/5
So repetitive
Earth, Wind & Fire
4/5
The Yardbirds
5/5
No surprise here; a well-regarded 60s rock band was indeed good.
Eurythmics
3/5
The album has some good moments, but the vibe is somehow not quite right. With synth as the key instrument, it takes some magic to make music that sounds human. Hopefully, there will be examples of European new wave on this list too!
Aretha Franklin
5/5
Amazing
Minutemen
4/5
I enjoyed the album, but 43 tracks is too many. They start to blend together at some point.
The Fall
1/5
This is technically music, I guess
Lynyrd Skynyrd
5/5
4/5
Very nice relaxation music
Moby Grape
4/5
A good rock-n-roll album but a bit repetitive.
B.B. King
5/5
I love the blues
Japan
3/5
Eh, this just sounds like a mediocre imitation of David Bowie
Frank Sinatra
4/5
These songs would be great in a movie, but listening to an entire album of them gets a bit repetitive.
Cheap Trick
5/5
If you look up rock music in a dictionary, it just says this album.
Bobby Womack
5/5
This isn't the kind of music I would typically listen to, but it is beautiful.
The White Stripes
4/5
The music is very good, but the lyrics and the vocals don't match the energy.
Common
3/5
There are a few songs with great messages, but most of the album is pretty average.
Blondie
5/5
Absolutely iconic
Ice Cube
1/5
The Band
4/5
Pretty good, but leans a bit too much into the country style
Iron Maiden
5/5
Willie Nelson
4/5
The songs are a bit cheesy, but the renditions are beautiful
The Louvin Brothers
5/5
Simple but effective. The lyrics are seriously well-written.
Metallica
5/5
Yep, exactly what I expected from one of the classic Metallica albums.
The Beach Boys
3/5
This album has many elements shared by great 70s rock music, and The Beach Boys have their own style too. Yet somehow, none of the songs are memorable, but I cannot determine what specifically is missing.
Eminem
4/5
The album is a bit too long; most of the second half is just mediocre hip-hop. But a few of the tracks are truly phenomenal. The level of sarcasm is just right.
Circle Jerks
5/5
Great energy, and for once I can actually hear the lyrics in a punk album
The Temptations
4/5
SAULT
3/5
The album has a great message, obviously, but musically it isn't very interesting. Most tracks are just a beat with some voice samples.
Kate Bush
5/5
Love the unique sound. Also, the album has a good progression, so it doesn't get repetitive.
Pentangle
2/5
Kendrick Lamar
2/5
Disappointed
Kid Rock
1/5
The rock and rap components individually are not bad. But the transitions are too jarring; I would be enjoying the guitar riff, and then suddenly the verse starts.
The Chemical Brothers
1/5
Super monotone
Madness
5/5
Great album. The music is rich, and the songs are fun.
Electric Light Orchestra
5/5
Excellent album!
UB40
5/5
Very cool. I would describe this style as the prog-rock of whatever umbrella genre this album belongs to.
Incubus
3/5
Mostly just generic alternative or grunge rock.
Leonard Cohen
4/5
I think these songs would be great in a movie. For a studio album, though, the melodies are a bit too bare.
Deep Purple
5/5
Dinosaur Jr.
4/5
Solid album. A good variety of songs.
The Offspring
5/5
Great album. The melodies don't sound tired; the guitar parts are interesting, and the lyrics fit the vibe of the music.
The Specials
5/5
A cool mix of rock'n'roll and reggae tracks.
The Young Rascals
4/5
An okay album; a bit too mellow. Most of the songs are about being happy and being in love. Adding trumpets and tambourines is a nice touch. It helps makes the music more entertaining but is not enough to make one care.
John Lee Hooker
4/5
Simon & Garfunkel
3/5
Garfunkel may be a good singer, but these songs are nothing special. Most are either simple guitar or piano melodies or your average folk-rock-something tunes.
Emmylou Harris
1/5
Modern country music(
Fiona Apple
3/5
I like how this album is produced; the different layers of music fit very well with each other. But no element makes the album stand out: there are no catchy melodies, no cool guitar riffs, no impressive vocals, or interesting storytelling in the lyrics. To be fair, I don't tend to enjoy alternative music in general, so I guess this album isn't for me.
David Bowie
3/5
Television
5/5
Adele
3/5
Ice T
2/5
Ice T seems like a cool guy, but unfortunately, I still find rap music really boring(
Pulp
3/5
The music is pretty good, although not very original. The lyrics are really uninspiring.
Sex Pistols
5/5
Barry Adamson
3/5
Some of the pure jazz/blues/prog tracks are good, but most of the album feels half-baked, like a collection of unfinished song ideas.
Jimmy Smith
5/5
I often find jazz music too chaotic and kind of impersonal, but this album is beautiful. It is not too technical while still being interesting. I feel like this music is connected to the real world instead of just existing for its own sake.
Bill Evans Trio
2/5
My previous album was "Back At The Chicken Shack" by Jimmy Smith, and in comparison, this album has all the features that I dislike in a lot of jazz music. It feels directionless and impersonal. Your typical track has a piano solo, a standing bass solo, and some fun interactions between the instruments but no overall theme. It is relaxing, though.
Basement Jaxx
1/5
I don't even know what genre this album would be. These songs don't have have any distinctive qualities, good or bad. One step above elevator music.
Scott Walker
5/5
Beautiful voice. And I'm adding an extra star just for "The Old Man's Back again".
James Taylor
4/5
The first half is random country music; the second half is pretty good acoustic rock.
Suzanne Vega
3/5
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
3/5
Dead Kennedys
5/5
I cannot overstate how much of a vibe this album is. Doesn't matter that it was made over 40 years ago.
Isaac Hayes
4/5
Cool soundtrack
Arcade Fire
3/5
Pretty much the same as all other alternative rock, but with a violin here and there.
Merle Haggard
2/5
The Beach Boys
4/5
Interesting sound
Death In Vegas
2/5
The album is OK to listen to, but it isn't very original. They are using existing music styles without putting a unique spin on them. For example, classic 60s-70s rock is a key influence, while "Death Threat" and "Flying" sound just like 80s sci-fi movie soundtracks. And even though the quality is pretty good, the album ends up being forgettable.
Violent Femmes
5/5
Maybe I just never grew up from being a teenager, but I think this is pretty cool.
Suede
3/5
Wilco
3/5
The Pogues
4/5
This style of music is really fun, and I like how the melody has several layers.
The Who
5/5
Really cool! I feel like I didn't fully get the story, though, need to listen again.
Belle & Sebastian
3/5
The Kinks
4/5
Love the ideas of the songs, the lyrics, and the general vibe. The music is nothing special, though.
Paul McCartney and Wings
3/5
They are mixing styles a bit too much.
Sebadoh
4/5
Some of the heavier songs and the more punk-rock ones are good, but the rest of the album is generic alternative.
Supergrass
3/5
Steely Dan
3/5
Very chill; wouldn't mind if it was playing in the background somewhere
Pere Ubu
4/5
Unusual, but also a bit too chaotic
Red Hot Chili Peppers
3/5
For the most part, a pretty average alternative album, though I enjoyed some of the songs. Didn't appreciate the hip-hop/rap bits in a couple of the songs either.
David Bowie
4/5
I don't really enjoy David Bowie's music that much, but it is interesting to trace his influence on other musicians' styles.
Leonard Cohen
5/5
These are more like ballads than songs; you have to pay attention to the lyrics to follow the story. The use of language is fantastic.
Radiohead
3/5
Sounds fine but a bit directionless.
Isaac Hayes
5/5
Beautiful
Jungle Brothers
2/5
I like that the texts make sense and are positive. But the melodies are very repetitive, so I was bored.
The National
2/5
Foo Fighters
4/5
Five stars for the music, but the lyrics and vocals are not as good.
Public Image Ltd.
5/5
Not sure what you'd call this style, but it's great. Similar vibe to punk, but more chill so that I can actually understand the lyrics.
Nick Drake
4/5
Gary Numan
2/5
Too repetitive, and not enough lyrics. Maybe that's just how synth-pop was before the 80s, but I don't like it.
Aretha Franklin
4/5
Bob Marley & The Wailers
5/5
Elvis Costello
4/5
Nice clean style but with its own spin on everything. Minus a star because only about half of the album is good.
George Michael
2/5
They try to be all inspirational, but it just comes off as insincere.
Dire Straits
5/5
I think we all agree that Dire Straits' music is basically magic, so I won't try to come up with a new way to describe it.
Bad Company
4/5
Nice
Cypress Hill
2/5
The songs have good harmony and flow well, but I don't see any interesting ideas either musically or lyrically.
The Band
3/5
An exciting and ambitious idea, but the execution doesn't live up to the expectations. The storytelling aspect isn't on the level of folk/old country songs, and the music (except for a couple of songs) isn't as good as in other rock albums from the time.
The Shamen
1/5
A couple of synth notes and the same words over and over again.
Massive Attack
2/5
Pretenders
3/5
Frank Zappa
5/5
Brilliant
Brian Eno
3/5
A few of the tracks are good, but the album is a bit all over the place. And completely trails off in the second half.
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
5/5
Patti Smith
3/5
Orbital
2/5
Nice and meditative, but also very repetitive.
Queen
4/5
I'm biased towards rock music, so I'm not going to give Queen fewer than four stars. But except for 2-3 songs, the album is just OK. The rest of the songs kind of lack unique style and internal cohesion.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
3/5
The more energetic songs have a good beat, but the slow songs are boring.
Nitin Sawhney
4/5
A bit random, but the sound is relaxing, and the message is good.
The Blue Nile
3/5
A good idea, but way too repetitive.
Boards of Canada
1/5
Telephone hold music with some voice samples thrown in
Burning Spear
4/5
The reggae rhythms are immaculate, and the texts make sense. However, the songs are a bit formulaic.
Elton John
4/5
The orchestral arrangements are excellent, the vocals not so much. A few of the songs have a haunting quality.
Traffic
5/5
Less well known than later 70s bands, but these guys already invented many of the elements.
5/5
Ute Lemper
3/5
Fancy, but somewhat boring
Belle & Sebastian
4/5
A nice mix of classic and alternative. Good texts too.
Soundgarden
4/5
ZZ Top
5/5
Aphex Twin
1/5
This is the kind of music you can put in the background of a slide show or an animation.
Country Joe & The Fish
4/5
A good album, but the styles of the songs vary too much, from simple rock'n'roll and blues rock to tracks that lean into folk and prog.
Bob Dylan
2/5
Maybe this album was innovative at the time, but now it sounds old-timey and boring. Not to mention Dylan's voice is annoying.
Dolly Parton
3/5
Bauhaus
4/5
I like this style in general, and some of the tracks sound very different and interesting. The album is a bit long, though; there is definitely some filler that could be left out.
Metallica
5/5
Echo And The Bunnymen
4/5
The first half of the album is excellent: moody new wave with some orchestral bits. But approximately after the halfway point, it just turns into average alternative.
Elliott Smith
3/5
Talk Talk
2/5
Most songs on the album lack progression both in melody and lyrics. The only track that fought my attention was "Living in Another World".
Nine Inch Nails
3/5
The sound is fresh and raw, but there is too much noise, and the lyrics are too obnoxious.
Joni Mitchell
4/5
With different lyrics, or no lyrics, this would be lovely music for a Christmas party, for example. The melodies are not impersonal, like in jazz, but beautifully intricate. The texts are totally unrelatable, however.
Steely Dan
3/5
True neutral. I don't mind this playing, but also don't care about any of the songs.
The Beach Boys
4/5
I guess you can only write so many songs about surfing, but the switch to more lyrical themes didn't entirely work out for the Beach Boys (at least not in this album). The upbeat songs are still great and make me happy, but the more contemplative tracks just arent's as catchy, although they are stylistically interesting.
The Cure
3/5
There are some cool moments, but they are never fully realized. For the most part, everything is just sort of toned down.
Def Leppard
4/5
Very fun, even though there is not a lot of substance.
Dennis Wilson
3/5
Erykah Badu
3/5
The Icarus Line
3/5
5/5
Light but rich rock'n'roll tunes. The lyrics center around social and political commentary, yet they are not bitter.
Wild Beasts
5/5
They came up with a fun concept and implemented it well. Some alternative albums give me the impression that the artist is taking things music a bit too seriously. I don't have this problem with this record (this is, of course, very subjective). Also, love the chill new wave vibes.
The Who
5/5
Leonard Cohen
4/5
Johnny Cash
2/5
Some covers of popular songs played mostly just on an acoustic guitar. I guess this would be interesting to people that are already fans of Jonny Cash, but for the rest of us, it's a pretty uneventful album.
Teenage Fanclub
3/5
Lou Reed
3/5
The way the lyrics are delivered ruins the flow of the songs. It feels like the texts are prose instead of poetry.
LL Cool J
3/5
I didn't know my earphones had such good bass. The album is just OK.
Underworld
1/5
Don't like it, sounds spooky.
The Cars
4/5
A fun album, although it seems a bit derivative.
Bee Gees
1/5
Way to sappy.
The Mars Volta
4/5
Very original, although a bit exhausting to listen to because of the constant rhythm changes and the many layers of sound. Since the tracks do not feel like cohesive pieces, the transitions between tracks are not as noticeable. As a result, the album feels like one hour long piece, which is too much, in my opinion.
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
3/5
3/5
Red Hot Chili Peppers
4/5
An excellent mix of classic rock'n'roll and hip-hop\funk. The only components I have a problem with are the lyrics and vocals on the more hip-hop-style tracks - they are cheeky to the degree of occasionally being obnoxious.
Nina Simone
5/5
Amazing voice
Peter Gabriel
4/5
Most tracks have a good intro, great riff, and interesting detailing. But the vocal parts lack tension; even when the song is not upbeat on the surface, it just sounds like they have all the answers, so there is no reason for me to care. So I would classify this as a solid nostalgic 70s rock album, but not a timeless classic.
Eminem
5/5
Britney Spears
1/5
It sounds like they took some built-in phone ringtones and wrote super generic lyrics that reference "you," "love," and "heart" as many times as possible.
Garbage
4/5
CHIC
5/5
Wire
3/5
LCD Soundsystem
2/5
Led Zeppelin
5/5
Cream
4/5
The Everly Brothers
3/5
The way they describe love in the lyrics is so down-to-earth and lacks any expressive details.
Megadeth
5/5
Nothing to say here; an essential metal album.
Simon & Garfunkel
3/5
Van Halen
4/5
Beatles
4/5
In this case, the most popular songs from the album are actually the only really good ones. The rest are just a bit weird.
Frank Sinatra
2/5
It says who this is for in the title, and it isn't me.
Yes
5/5
Carole King
3/5
Michael Jackson
4/5
Really catchy and well-produced songs, but a bit too smooth and without a lot of impact.
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
1/5
Seems like they got a new synthesizer with bell and other sounds and were just trying it out.
Alice Cooper
5/5
Based on the only two songs of theirs played on the radio, my impression was that Alice Cooper's music was just light-hearted and a bit silly. Now I see why they are considered one of the greats, and I will no longer be missing out!
Aerosmith
3/5
I'm starting to think that the only reason Aerosmith is still well-known is because of nostalgia. The lyrics are a teen boy's idea of "cool". The songs are not too interesting musically, but they are in the popular style for the time, which is enough to attract an audience of high schoolers trying to follow along with the trends.
The Smiths
4/5
Very good album. Had to take away one star because Morrissey's voice is so smooth it's creepy.
Rocket From The Crypt
5/5
Very uplifting and energetic but also artful if you stop to listen more carefully. The lyrics don't really matter. There is even a song involving lightning (can you guess which other song about lighting I am thinking of)?
Tracy Chapman
5/5
The Doors
4/5
John Cale
3/5
Neu!
4/5
Old electronic music has such a cozy feel.
PJ Harvey
4/5
Ok, finally, music for British people and not just by British people. It's interesting but a bit too weird.
The Pharcyde
2/5
KISS
5/5
Just a fun rock'n'roll album. Best track - "God of Thunder". Plus a star for the fourth wall breaks.
Paul Simon
3/5
The guitar is certainly lyrical, but I was falling asleep after a few songs.
Public Enemy
4/5
Very original and sincere
Rage Against The Machine
3/5
Good sound, but I wouldn't say I like the lyrics. In punk-adjacent songs, it is essential that the listener can experience feelings of sadness or anger together with the singer. In this album, that doesn't really work, so the singer just comes across as annoying.
The Jam
4/5
A good alternative album overall, though the tracks are pretty hit or miss.
Tori Amos
1/5
Stream of consciousness
Kelela
4/5
Buzzcocks
4/5
David Bowie
4/5
I don't understand what any of the songs are about, but the music is good.
Badly Drawn Boy
5/5
This album goes through an impressive variety of styles while still maintaining depth. The instrumental tracks were my favorite. The only songs I did not like were the sappy alternative/singer-songwriter ones. Maybe that style was cool when it was still relatively new.
Slipknot
2/5
Janelle Monáe
5/5
Both chill and uplifting. Beautiful symphonic bits, beautiful voice. Love the sci-fi theme interspersed throughout as well.
Fatboy Slim
2/5
Stevie Wonder
5/5
Very funky, fantastic voice. A bit too chill and soft for my taste, though.
The Mothers Of Invention
5/5
Close to the border between genius and ridiculous, but I think still on the right side.
Bob Dylan
3/5
The Undertones
4/5
Fela Kuti
4/5
Randy Newman
4/5
Buck Owens
3/5
Fiona Apple
3/5
The Pogues
4/5
Very good, but I didn't like it as much as "If I should fall from Grace with God". The lyrics here are more gloomy, and the melodies less catchy.
Dr. Dre
3/5
Some of the lyrics in the first half of the album are a bit too aggressive. If you stop paying attention to the texts, the beats are pretty chill, good to listen to in the background.
Frankie Goes To Hollywood
1/5
The Cardigans
4/5
Ella Fitzgerald
5/5
Radiohead
1/5
I'm not a fan of Radiohead in general, but this is their worst album on this list so far. 90% just pretentious electronica. It seems mainstream music was generally pretty lost in the 2000s.
Bee Gees
3/5
Too cheesy. The only really good songs are "Odessa" and maybe "Edison".
The Byrds
4/5
Fugees
4/5
My Bloody Valentine
3/5
Rush
4/5
Solid melodies and great guitars. The only reason I don't give five stars is the songwriting. The songs blend together into an off-brand Styx album.
Bob Dylan
1/5
The Stooges
3/5
Machito
4/5
A nice mix of jazz and African
Jane Weaver
3/5
The Black Keys
4/5
The Black Keys represent one of the directions that 2000s-2010s alternative rock has gone that is actually good. The album has some filler, though, along with some great tracks.
The Prodigy
2/5
A few of the tracks are actually surprisingly not bad; nice rhythm and melody. Unfortunately, the rest are just unlistenable noise. Unrelated to the album itself: the cover art prompted me to go listen to Crab Rave again. It's been playing in my head all day now. Reminds me of simpler times before the pandemic!
Drive-By Truckers
4/5
4 stars just for the first part: solid southern rock, heavy and with thought-through lyrics. The second part could be fun if you are a Lynyrd Skynyrd fan or enjoy general country themes.
Van Morrison
3/5
Serge Gainsbourg
3/5
I understand it's a conceptual album, but the music still needs to be interesting.
Portishead
5/5
Such a unique style. This album is like a soundtrack to a dark, confusing dream. A great application of electronic instruments to create a feeling of uneasiness.
OutKast
3/5
Run-D.M.C.
4/5
My Bloody Valentine
1/5
This feels more like a musical experiment than a finished product. There are some neat moments here and there, but no entire tracks that you would want to come back to. And that makes the listening experience more frustrating than just a consistently mediocre record.
AC/DC
3/5
The title track and "If You Want Blood" are iconic. The rest of the album... the instrumentals are just generic AC/DC sounds, and the lyrics are painfully shallow.
Simon & Garfunkel
4/5
Tim Buckley
4/5
Johnny Cash
1/5
Sometimes simplicity is best, but in this case it is just boring.
Judas Priest
5/5
Talking Heads
4/5
It was interesting to take an American take on punk. I love the whimsical lyrics and delivery, but the album is not particularly varied or exciting musically.
Hanoi Rocks
3/5
Not bad, but I don't see why this album belongs on the list.
The Byrds
4/5
I love the sound of this early rock album: the simple guitar melodies and the lyrical vocals are refreshing. But the songs don't have a lot of progression; the theme repeats in pretty much the same way for each verse, which is a bit boring.
Nightmares On Wax
3/5
Oasis
4/5
Joni Mitchell
4/5
This album flows like a river; very pleasant to listen to. Maybe laying on the romanticism a bit too thick in the lyrics.
Talking Heads
4/5
I don't care much for the lyrics or Byrne's vocals, but the early electronic tunes with reggae vibes are nice.
James Brown
4/5
Mekons
3/5
Amy Winehouse
2/5
Talvin Singh
3/5
The traditional Indian elements in an electronic music framework work very well. But I still find electronic music boring due to the repetitiveness. The good moments are spread too thinly through the hour long album.
Sam Cooke
4/5
Nice old-timey music
Marianne Faithfull
5/5
Kind of a slow burn at the beginning, but after a while it becomes really good. A mix of blues-rock, synth, at times with a bit of Pink Floyd vibe, both musically and lyrically. And the unique vocals really help this album stand out.
50 Cent
3/5
Interesting beats; average texts and delivery.
Keith Jarrett
1/5
An hour+ long piano improvisation ... why is this an album? I guess for people watching live it could be interesting to observe music being created in real time. Listening to it now, I can appreciate the artist's skill and ideas, but it is just boring.
Thelonious Monk
5/5
Little Richard
4/5
Spiritualized
3/5
Nas
2/5
Jethro Tull
5/5
Eric Clapton
3/5
I am not sure why this album was included on the list. It isn't really special in terms of songwriting and guitar, the two things Clapton is famous for. It turned around a bit with "Let It Grow" and "Mainline Florida", but those aren't done in a unique style; they sound like other British bands of the time.
Pet Shop Boys
1/5
So mellow
The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy
4/5
It's a vibe. The beats are varied enough; the texts make sense most of the time and sometimes even contain real gems.
Chicago
5/5
Beyoncé
2/5
Youssou N'Dour
4/5
Very relaxing
Q-Tip
2/5
The beats are pretty basic; in most tracks, I couldn't tell you what the text is about, and the guy doesn't sound enthusiastic about them either. There are a couple of OK tracks, like "Move".
Jurassic 5
4/5
The sound is excellent; didn't pay much attention to the lyrics.
The Last Shadow Puppets
5/5
Call my music taste boring, but I like a good variation on sixties rock motives. The texts, on the other hand, are sharp and modern. I also like the cinematic touches in some of the tracks.
Mudhoney
5/5
Great energy
Le Tigre
1/5
I don't really get what they were going for with the lyrics, and the music sounds like it was made entirely on a computer.
Cornershop
4/5
Makes for chill background music. I like how they mix traditional Indian elements into a pop/R&B/hip hop framework. The nonsense lyrics are fun.
Leonard Cohen
3/5
All the tracks sound pretty much the same: poems read over a barely present melody. It is definitely a vibe, but it gets old after a few songs.
The Adverts
5/5
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
Just sounds washed out
Buffalo Springfield
4/5
Bebel Gilberto
3/5
John Coltrane
3/5
Korn
3/5
There is some solid metal somewhere in there, but it is intermixed with emo lyrics and terrible hip-hop tracks.
Solomon Burke
4/5
Rufus Wainwright
3/5
A few tracks have cool arrangements, but most are pretty sleepy. Plus, I am not the target audience in terms of lyrical content. Great vocals, though.
Van Halen
5/5
Decade-defining rock contrasted with completely unserious lyrics? Great
The Sugarcubes
5/5
It's weird in a good way. The combination of male and female vocals works well, which does not happen often. Also, they have a cat, a pony, and a dragon in one album - what's not to like?
Dr. John
5/5
It's magic)
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
Curtis Mayfield
3/5
Neil Young
3/5
Not a great balance of slow and fast tunes. Plus, the rock and country styles don't mesh well.
Eagles
4/5
Nice mellow rock. A few songs stood out for brilliant lyrics, poetic but also somehow solemn.
Buena Vista Social Club
4/5
Love the overall cozy feel, and the guitars are neat.
Manic Street Preachers
3/5
A few of the songs are just great rock tunes, but for the most part, I get the impression they were trying to be too serious about their message (for example, with all the pieces of recordings at the beginning of each track), and the actual music fell by the wayside.
Kate Bush
3/5
Has the same sound as "The Dreaming", but with much less silly charm.
Herbie Hancock
2/5
I get that it's jazz, but I think a song still needs to have some kind of a central theme.
Miles Davis
4/5
The fusion tracks inspired by psycheldelic rock and soul are very fun and novel. Some of the other tracks drag on a bit, though.
Boston
5/5
There's a reason this record is on every "top debut albums" list. It's got everything you expect from a 70s rock classic: dancy rock'n'roll rhythms, prog explorations, electric organ solos, and vocal harmonies. But what makes it unique, in my opinion, is the unusual sound which is simultaneously light and sharp, upbeat and lyrical.
Nirvana
1/5
What exactly was going on in the 90s that Nirvana got so popular? It just sounds so annoying.
The Strokes
4/5
Nice little alternative album. It's something you can dance to, but it also has solid guitar and lyrics and an overall interesting sound.
Anita Baker
4/5
Laibach
5/5
These guys rock so hard. The album has industrial; it has art, all with an underneath of satire.
The Stooges
3/5
Pretty average other than the one good song.
Brian Eno
1/5
This is the musical equivalent of modern art. I don't care what innovative techniques were used if it's boring to listen to.
The Saints
4/5
Moby
3/5
Definitely very 2000
Hugh Masekela
5/5
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
4/5
Blues-inspired whimsey. Good.
Beatles
3/5
It makes sense to include this on the list since this is the stuff for which the Beatles originally became famous, but it's not really what they are remembered for today—just some love songs with stripped-back guitar tunes.
Johnny Cash
2/5
Nanci Griffith
2/5
The small southern town vibes just create a feeling of being trapped for some reason. Nanci Griffith does have a beautiful voice, though.
Kate Bush
3/5
Brian Eno
2/5
I understand they wanted to include Brian Eno because he pioneered ambient music. But why do I need to listen to this pre-ambient uninspired prog album?
Linkin Park
2/5
This is basically Nirvana with a bit more rap and more electronic sounds. There are a few good metal sequences here and there, though, like in "Runaway" or "By Myself".
The Lemonheads
2/5
De La Soul
3/5
Arcade Fire
5/5
This is the kind of beautiful album that belongs on the list. It has a unique sound that creates a specific atmosphere. I like the lyrics and the occasional new-wave-inspired elements. The record is very gloomy, though, so I am not sure if I will ever return to it.
Calexico
4/5
A good comfort album. I think they successfully brought the genre into the new century.
Pink Floyd
5/5
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
Kings of Leon
3/5
R.E.M.
5/5
Afrika Bambaataa
4/5
Well this is nothing but entertaining
Duran Duran
4/5
Femi Kuti
4/5
Klaxons
3/5
For the most part pretty bland pop-rock. A few tracks stand out by including more new wave or eurodance elements.
Throbbing Gristle
1/5
Some of the tracks are just people talking. The other ones would make a pretty annoying arcade game soundtrack at best.
The Vines
3/5
Miles Davis
4/5
Stevie Wonder
4/5
Radiohead
2/5
Fleet Foxes
3/5
Definitely different from anything I've heard before. Both the sound and the lyrics are inspired by the Renaissance times, but the sound ends up very light and innocuous, while the texts are sometimes quite dark. The album cover fits perfectly - these kinds of paintings look cute on the surface, like an illustration in a children's book, but if you look at the individual figures, there is some crazy stuff going on.
Dwight Yoakam
1/5
Based on this album, it seems like country music has been getting worse with time instead of better. The sound is very generic, and the storytelling is nonexistent. Most of the songs are some variation of "I love my woman/my woman cheated or left me", then there is one happy song about leaving his woman and her being sad for a change, one song about how the countryside is better than the city, and one obligatory song about God. Come on.
Dusty Springfield
5/5
A very warm album
The Darkness
3/5
Michael Jackson
4/5
Funky, cute, good to dance to, cool layered melodies and vocals. The album has some filler, though, and five minutes is a bit long for a pop song.
Joan Armatrading
4/5
I love the unusual voice and the overall different, otherworldly feel. Some of the songs are in a pretty boring singer-songwriter style, though.
5/5
Some of the best 2000s alternative, and I was missing out on it. Muse have everything in this album: musicians that learned from the decades of existing rock music and put their own spin on the style, space themes, dark but not emo lyrics, vocals that actually complement the melody (looking at you, Radiohead), and just plenty of bops.
The La's
4/5
They channel the Beatles with moderate success.
Public Enemy
4/5
Raekwon
2/5
Ananda Shankar
2/5
Maybe the gimmick of just playing anything on a traditional instrument worked in the 70s, but this album does not hold up today.
Goldie
1/5
Why would someone decide to make music only to create two hours of this?
Richard Hawley
3/5
Quaint
Joy Division
4/5
Not one of my favorites, but an influential early new wave record.
Lambchop
3/5
White Denim
4/5
The style is interesting: 2010s alternative but with whole segments inspired by classic prog or just 70s rock. There weren't really any tracks that stood out, though. Will probably return to this album.
Suede
4/5
The Sonics
3/5
Not sure how to rate an album where many of the best tracks are covers. Either way, old-timey rock'n'roll is still some of the best dance music.
Willie Nelson
3/5
Sounds ok, but I don't have the attention span for a concept country album.
The Sabres Of Paradise
4/5
Pretty cool experimental album if you skip the rough bunch of tracks and look past the few places where the style slips into club music.
David Bowie
3/5
Eh, the other David Bowie records on this list were more unique to him—this one kind of blends in with the rest of 70s rock. I didn't really get anything new out of this album, and my favorite track was the Nina Simone cover.
Donovan
4/5
Beautifully dreamlike, though a bit vague at times.
Jack White
4/5
I like the style, a slightly heavier alternative maybe with some blues influence. But the mood created by the vocals and the lyrics is a bit too dreary.
Bonnie Raitt
5/5
80s country-rock is a bit cringe, but Bonnie Rait gets five stars just for being so cool.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
4/5
I like how the songs are light but also meaningful and musically intricate. They even kind of pulled off the 11- minute "I Heard It Through the Grapevine". I did not expect that I would ever take CCR seriously.
The Hives
4/5
Not sure why this album was picked for the list since it does not seem that unique or innovative. Good record, nonetheless. It is punk rock but slightly less intense so you can listen to it in the background.
King Crimson
5/5
Another obvious choice of a prog-rock album for the list. Beautiful.
Common
3/5
Jefferson Airplane
3/5
Idk what this is about
R.E.M.
4/5
A consistently chill but fun album; good for dancing or at least tapping your feet. The lyrics don't really matter here. I guess this is what alternative was like before the whole genre, and R.E.M., in particular, got too weird.
Big Star
3/5
It's just alright. Some of the songs could be on a soft-rock playlist, but this isn't anyone's favorite band.
The Divine Comedy
1/5
Not even funny, just toxic. And a symphonic orchestra cannot save lackluster music. This makes me lose hope for humanity.
The Prodigy
3/5
There were some interesting new ideas. Still, electronica feels a bit empty and soulless. Ok as background music.
Lauryn Hill
5/5
Wow, that is a different album. It is a bit more energetic and focused than regular R&B, thanks to the hip-hop-style beats. But most importantly, the storytelling is great. The balance between reality and a romanticized version of it is perfect - the songs talk about the ups and downs without leaning into bitterness or fantasy too much. The result is a beautifully artistic depiction of life with the right mindset. The loose conceptual framing of the album also works well - the interludes are on theme, they are thoughtful and funny - not the obnoxious stuff that plagues many rap albums.
Fun Lovin' Criminals
4/5
It's cool, it's goofy, and it's a hip-hop album using retro rock and R&B rhythms.
Gorillaz
3/5
It's hard to pinpoint the sound of the band; it just sounds like generic 2000s stuff. It doesn't help that the genres of the songs switch completely from alternative to a mix of pop and hip-hop. I guess the virtual band aspect was innovative at the time, but it does not make the music itself any different. Also, the lyrics are weird; I don't understand what any of the songs are about.
Queen Latifah
4/5
The Who
3/5
I think The Who just have so many songs that it is difficult to pick a good album. Here "I Can See for Miles" is the hit that stood the test of time, and I also enjoyed "Rael"; everything else is generic British 60s sounds.
Rufus Wainwright
2/5
The ultimate hipster album.
Gotan Project
2/5
The idea of combining tango and electronica is interesting, but the album turned out pretty boring. It seems both the artists behind this were electronic musicians, so the tango components were mostly samples. And in this case, the remix is not really adding much value to the originals.
Slayer
5/5
Fun album. The sound seems straightforward on the surface, but it is actually very subtle because it is always different, so I was not bored. The lyrics are so unapologetic they become kind of relaxing.
Bert Jansch
4/5
The songs are meh, but this is the best acoustic guitar playing I've heard. If there were instrumental versions of these, I could listen to them all day.
Bonnie "Prince" Billy
3/5
There are some excellent lyrical moments, but most of the songs are very slow, more like reading a poem over some soft piano or guitar chords than a song.
Sister Sledge
4/5
This music has such a warm feel to it. Good to dance to as well.
4/5
Don't really have anything specific to say about this album—another thoughtful and simultaneously goofy record with a complex 70s sound.
Big Star
3/5
Soft Cell
4/5
Yep, this is the essential New Wave sound. The album stands out thanks to the expressive vocals and the British sarcasm mixed with melancholy and maybe a bit of punk? None of the individual songs are that memorable, though.
Kanye West
1/5
For 2013, both the rap and the electronica/industrial aspects are a bit pathetic. The misogyny is rampant, but that kind of comes with the territory. I think there was some valid social commentary somewhere in there, but I could not pay attention to the lyrics because the song was so boring. Maybe I don't understand the point of samples, but if you put a piece of a good song into a bad one, I will just wish I was listening to the good song. I was sad about "Gyöngyhajú lány"; first, Scorpions did their awkward cover, and now this.
Deep Purple
5/5
The classic period of Deep Purple is comfort music for me. I do not remember most individual songs, but I can listen to this stuff endlessly. Not sure where it lies on the scale between artistic and just entertaining, but there is clearly something about their sound that made Deep Purple a cornerstone of rock music. I mean, Catholicism had Europe mesmerized for centuries with a regular pipe organ, and these guys got an electric one. And, of course, this lineup is iconic. Yes, the lyrics can get misogynistic (it was the 70s, after all), but it's pretty easy to ignore them and just enjoy the low frequencies. My other complaint is that the studio version of "Child in Time" is not the best one.
The Clash
3/5
The title track is one of the best songs of all time, but I don't really care for the rest of the album. I think the genre change made sense for the band, and the exploration of different styles within this one record is impressive. But I just cannot get behind Britpop. Plus, many of the references are time and country specific, so I can't really enjoy them.
Gram Parsons
2/5
X-Ray Spex
5/5
Goofy but genuinely good pop-punk. The first track kind of threw me off, but the rest of the album is really energetic and just makes you want to dance. The singer has the right combination of charisma and great vocals. Love the saxophone. And the retro-futuristic theme in some of the songs gives them a cool flare (or futuristic, for the time, I guess).
The Undertones
3/5
M.I.A.
4/5
A true fusion album; I can't classify it as one specific genre. It is cool to see explicit political messaging outside of its usual mediums like rap and punk. A few of the songs are really catchy, and I like the overall 2000s liminal vibes.
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
3/5
Getting a bit bored of those jazz albums.
Pixies
4/5
The subversion of classic rock, the unusual lyrics, and the grunge sound are pretty interesting. Overall, I'm not that enthusiastic about this album, though — a weak 4 for me.
Eels
5/5
Maybe I will come back to this record and think it's too dramatic. But on first listen, it is a perfect mix of miserable with some beacons of hope. The lyrics describe feelings and situations so well - it's like Impressionism, but with music. The overall sound isn't anything super innovative, but it complements the themes of the songs well and is varied enough not to be boring.
Manu Chao
3/5
The album has a beautiful sunset feel to it. I also like the minimalistic production. Would have never guessed this guy is French-Spanish.
Parliament
3/5
The sound is interesting, but the songs are a bit repetitive. It's like listening to the soundtrack to Subway Surfers.
Skunk Anansie
4/5
This album was somewhat hit-and-miss. Some of the songs feature a cool combination of an authentic haunting sound with traditional hard rock elements. Others are pretty generic R&B or soft rock.
Neneh Cherry
3/5
Great hooks and lyrics on a few of the songs, but the production makes it sound like a Nokia ringtone.
Prince
4/5
The pop/R&B sound on this album is second to none. The individual songs are not that memorable, though. After the first few songs, the rest seemed like iterations of the same themes.
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
2/5
Let's just leave this back in the 50s. I guees these songs were fun to dance to at the time.
Otis Redding
5/5
This album is like pure emotions condenced into music, making it easy to connect to many decades after it was written. "My Girl" is one of the sweetes love songs I've heared despite being so simple. Also, the trumpet is pretty cool.
Duke Ellington
5/5
This album is cool, fun, and has the best solos.
Screaming Trees
3/5
I don't really know why this is on the list. Musically, it seems heavily inspired by 70s rock. The vocal style doesn't seem to fit, and it clearly did not catch on in the alternative genre.
Can
5/5
The first two tracks, "Paperhouse" and "Mushroom", are essential prog rock listening, but the rest of the album is really enjoyable too.
2/5
Very avant-garde stuff, the description as jazz from the perspective of hardcore punk is very apt. I think this was more fun for the artists to make than it is for listeners to sit through. I added one more star because they are clearly virtuoso saxophonists.
Gang Of Four
5/5
I would describe the style as punk in a stylish new-wavey vessel. It sounds less angry and more dark and contemplative. The guitar style is also interesting. I will probably listen to it again to catch more of the lyrics.
Ali Farka Touré
4/5
Happy Mondays
3/5
Not sure if it is the production or something, but many of the tracks sound noisy. If it wasn't for that, this could be a nice alternative album with touches of new wave and 70s rock. It has a few good dance songs as well.
Janet Jackson
3/5
Syd Barrett
3/5
An interesting attempt to blend different styles, but it doesn't really work for me. Not structured enough for a mainstream rock album, a bit too complex for a singer-songwriter one, and as vibrant as a psychedelic record. Alternatively, it is possible that all 70s music was always a bit cringe, and I only like the songs I like because I listened to them many times.
Milton Nascimento
4/5
These songs sound very romantic thanks to the distinctive Portuguese charm, but the compositions are not as simple as they seem. Whenever I was starting to get bored, the next track had a different rhythm, or there was a prog-style inclusion in the middle of a song. And all of the singers featured have angelic voices.
The xx
2/5
I don't get why the music of the 2010s is being represented by a random lounge pop album.
The xx
3/5
The guitar sound and all the sound effects feel nostalgic. So I guess this group was one of the founders of the early 2010s indie pop. I find it a bit empty despite the emotional lyrics.
Peter Gabriel
4/5
I like the ominous lyrics and sound (the xylophone adds an interesting effect). "I Don't Remember" has 80s anthem strategy. The political/moral commentary is laid on a bit thick in some of the tracks, though, especially considering this is after Pink Floyd and the punk movement. The songs focusing on an individual work out much better, at least when listening from a modern perspective.
Ian Dury
3/5
Is there a name for songs that are old and kind of meh? We've heard "Sex & Drugs & Rock'n'Roll" before; there is no need to put the whole album on the list.
a-ha
3/5
Astor Piazzolla
4/5
Well, they accomplished exactly what it says on the cover - tangos in the 80s New Age style, complete with a xylophone, so it sounds as if there was a fairy from Argentina in the Nutcracker. However, with the whole album being instrumental and in a consistent style, it does get repetitive at times.
Grizzly Bear
2/5
The Cure
4/5
I definitely agree with this album being on the list. Several tracks are ahead of their time, with the classic 80s reverbed guitar melodies embellished in interesting ways to make them more heavy-hitting, and some of the lyrics fit for a metal song.
Django Django
4/5
The songs are catchy and upbeat but not too in your face. I also like the mix of electronica and alternative with some folk elements.
Alice In Chains
3/5
It is a good album in and of itself, but not what the description in Apple Music promised me. I expected some next-level grunge record, but it mostly just sounds like Metallica in their hard rock era or even leans toward Aerosmith.
Van Morrison
3/5
"I Believe to My Soul" is a great, and songs like "Gloria" and "Cyprus Avenue" are the perfect choice for a live performance, but the rest of the album is not that special. Mixing styles can be cool, but I think it doesn't really work in this case. As a result, the general sound resembles a mass-produced, easy-listening big band record. The best moments are not the soaring strings and flashy brass band interjections, but the quiet sections, which demonstrate that this guy is a good blues and soul singer.
The Monkees
3/5
More than half of the tracks are generic 60s boy band stuff about girls. A few songs stand out due to their more contemplative mood, a different sound, and less cliche lyrics.
Frank Black
4/5
Around the middle of the album, the genre changes from this offbeat alternative that is closer to the Pixies to basically grunge but with a unique flavor. I'm all for it since their alternative sound doesn't really stick, except for "Abstract Plain", which I also liked.
U2
3/5
I guess this album was less boring than what I expected. Definitely makes sense to include it as a foundational record for alternative rock with "One" and "Mysterious Ways", bla bla bla. These guys would have also smashed back in the 70s through, making ballads like "Love is Blindness". You can hear the influences of preceding genres in other tracks as well.
Christina Aguilera
5/5
I previously thought Christina Aguilera was a pop artist because of other people's songs that she was featured in. But this album clearly shows she is confident working with a variety of genres, so one of the themes of the album - getting inspired by old-school rap and soul music - works really well. The songs themselves also cover a variety of moods and themes so that anyone can find something to enjoy: the vibe varies from sweet to bold, from heartbreaking to weird and funny. And yet, the album does not feel disjointed, but rather a genuine expression of Aguilera's different sides as a person and interests as an artist.
The Allman Brothers Band
5/5
The first two tracks are structured like actual individual songs, but the lyrics don't work that well. The rest of the album features longer, mostly instrumental tracks that consist of slowly developing variations on a central musical theme. It's kind of like prog but in a more blues rock style, which I thought was fun.
G. Love & Special Sauce
2/5
I can see how this can be fun to mindlessly listen to in the background while doing something chill on the weekend. But did I really need to hear this album? I don't think so.
Ray Price
1/5
The music is neither interesting nor particularly bad; just a standard slow dance/country sound. But unfortunately, every other song is a PSA against partying specifically for women, with the singer playing the nice guy that the girl should be with. No wonder the women in all those other songs have left him, as he seems like a total buzzkill. Showing the less glamorous side of nightlife is a fine theme for an album - but a bit more variety in how stories are told would be good. As it is, the women get blanket advice, while the singer can make his own decisions, learn from mistakes, and deal with heartache by writing songs (the only option for a woman to be happy again is apparently by getting a boyfriend or better yet, husband).
Pink Floyd
5/5
"The Wall" still holds up very well, even if it might seem a bit naive from today's perspective. And with a runtime of a bit over an hour and twenty minutes, not every song on the album is a classic, but many of them definitely are. It's tricky for me to find a good time to listen to a record like this because I cannot just do nothing other than sit and listen to it for over an hour, but if I'm too distracted, I might miss some of the cool details of the narrative. But today, it worked great, and I even teared up a bit.
Portishead
3/5
Some kind of chill electronic pop. Nice.
Cyndi Lauper
4/5
It's fun, but also sounds kind of ephemeral. Clearly, this is some of the best 80s pop.
Scritti Politti
2/5
The songs on this album are unoriginal Michael Jackson-era pop at best and weirdly quiet and creepy at worst.
The Magnetic Fields
4/5
It is really impressive that they managed to write that many songs without that much perceived repetition - each one is like a unique small observation on the topic of love. A few songs have actually great quips that made me laugh. The diversity of musical sound is more limited, but it is utilized well by putting tracks in different styles next to each other. Overall, this album achieves a balance that alternative bands sometimes struggle with: being quirky and artsy without taking things too seriously.
Waylon Jennings
3/5
I would say this was worth listening to just to reassure myself that there is normal country music out there (or at least was at some point). The songs reflect on a life full of struggling without being bitter and with a sense of sad beauty. Still, I'm going to rate the album three stars for not being too interesting musically.
Billy Bragg
3/5
Peter Gabriel
3/5
Most of this album sounds less like Gabriel branching out into a solo career and more like Genesis with the rest of the band missing.
Eagles
4/5
This sounds like an American band trying to sound like a British band imitating an American band. Anyway, the songs are a bit corny but also really sweet and thoughtful.
Cowboy Junkies
3/5
Some songs, like "I Don't Get It", have an incredible combination of an alternative folk sound with more direct modern lyrics. But most of the album leans too far into a more traditional southern blues-rock sound, which quickly gets boring and sleepy.
The Killers
3/5
They have great hooks, but that's pretty much it. I don't understand why "Mr. Brightside" was such a big hit. Plus, the lyrics are just weird at points, not something I expect from a US band.
Simply Red
5/5
What a likable pop album. The songs are catchy, the sound is full, the lyrics playful, and the guy's voice is great. Plus, where else have you heard a dance tune about Raegonomics?
Thundercat
3/5
The fusion style is cool, but the tracks are just too random.
The Waterboys
4/5
As pop or rock music, it's just OK. But the Irish folk-inspired component is great. The guys on the fiddles and the wind instrument section are great.
Soul II Soul
4/5
I think most tracks are a bit too lyrical to work as upbeat dance music. But the fusion of R&B and soul with electronica works well.
Sinead O'Connor
4/5
I can understand why people like Sinead O'Connor's music - her style is unique: it's pop with a gothic feel with topics from staples like love to everyday life to radically political. I just think it all sounds a bit sleepy.
10cc
3/5
I did not expect to see 10cc on this list - they always seemed like just one of the many '70s rock bands. The music isn't groundbreaking but clearly made with a lot of effort and attention. Pretty good use of electronic instruments in a few places (for 1974, that is). You have to admire the persistently unserious lyrics. However, it is difficult to pinpoint the purpose of the album as a whole, so it isn't very memorable. And individually, the only song worth listening to is "The Wall Street Shuffle".
The Birthday Party
4/5
Well, this is true alternative. Most of the time, I have no idea what's going on. For all the weirdness, the songs are just incredibly aesthetically pleasing, though. And pretty hilarious.
Depeche Mode
4/5
Beck
2/5
The album isn't even that bad, just very cringe. Every song uses some combination of jingle bells, claps, and that rusty-sounding guitar. It's too Californian.
Drive Like Jehu
3/5
I feel like there have already been a few albums on the list with the same vibe, so it's a bit boring.
Radiohead
5/5
This is great. So different from Radiohead's other albums. It is simultaneously ambient and very intricate. And just has a lot of vibes.
Tim Buckley
3/5
It's a fine 70s rock album, although the lyrics are pretty distasteful at times. I don't really see a reason to include it on the list since there isn't anything special about it. It seems they had already put other Tim Buckley albums and just wanted to show the range of his music. Buckley does have good vocals; he sounds a bit like the guy from Golden Earring on this album.
4/5
Top-notch, catchy pop tunes with the perfect amount of orchestral backing, but with really cheesy lyrics.
Bob Dylan
3/5
The music is just boring, and I don't like the harmonica or Dylan's vocals. The political messages are pretty impressive for the 60s, so plus a star for that.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
4/5
A lot has been said about the high number of Elvis Costello albums on this list. But many of the songs on this record are catchy and good to dance to, so I don't have any complaints. Sounds like alternative before alternative was a separate genre. It is also really quaint and stylish. (Yes, my taste is really basic. I am easily impressed by any 70s British music).
Aerosmith
3/5
Another Aerosmith album, and this time, I don't recognize a single song on it? Maybe they should have just thrown in some Scorpions instead at this point. Well, at least it's short.
David Gray
3/5
Chill, soulful, and modern
System Of A Down
5/5
Yep, this album is an excellent choice for this list since it represents the beginnings of modern mainstream metal. The lyrics are a bit abstract, but it sure sounds cool as hell.
Echo And The Bunnymen
5/5
This sounds like all those unidentified 80s songs people find on old cassettes, but if they were actually good. Cozy and romantic but also futuristic and ominous.
The Style Council
3/5
I thought I turned on the soundtrack for "La La Land" by mistake.
The Charlatans
2/5
Mixing turn-of-the-century Britpop with 60s and 70s rock was an interesting idea, but it didn't really work. I found the album boring and derivative. Also, it just sounds like the vocals are not at the center of the songs. Not that they are too quiet or unclear, but I could not tell you what a single song is about or what the singer sounds like.
Hole
4/5
The lyrics are really smart and inventive, and the songs have a lot of impact despite keeping close to the light alternative style.
Randy Newman
3/5
I just don't know about this one. It is pretty catchy and wacky, for sure.
Sepultura
5/5
Brazilian metal is obviously some of the most metal out there, and this album in particular has some of the best riffs. It is also cool that you can trace the influence of Portuguese and Brazilian music styles in many of the songs. The second half of the album gets a bit too indie, but I'm going to ignore that and just give it 5 stars.
The Byrds
2/5
The Byrds seemed like a good rock band (in their time and genre); why did they make a country album? It sounds pretty boring, and the lyrics to many songs are weird and creepy. Which was par for the course in the '60s, but you're supposed to make them more abstract and poetic, at least. And was "The Christian Life" meant seriously or ironically?
Jah Wobble's Invaders Of The Heart
3/5
Pretty chill and unique
Morrissey
2/5
Oh, grow up already. And the lyrics don't even fit the rhythm properly.
Queen
4/5
Sounds like stereotypical 70s rock, but I guess that's because Queen are one of the key bands that created this sound. Either way, I had already picked my favorites, so no five stars. Plus, there is only one certified Queen hit on this album.
Motörhead
3/5
The schtick works for a couple of songs before it gets boring. Also, the sound is a bit outdated for 1980.
Prince
4/5
Nice
Creedence Clearwater Revival
3/5
The Fall
4/5
Idk what's going on here, though a few songs have catchy riffs (e.g., "Barmy", "My New House"). The reference to Damo Suzuki is very appropriate - the album does sound a bit like a post-punk, dark version of Can (though with more cohesion and without the 15-minute tracks).
The Incredible String Band
3/5
A very curious album, but a bit creepy at times, and not something I would actually listen to. The musical style varies from regular folk/prog to medieval-inspired, with some world music touches. The lyrics are the usual '60s mix of ironic and just plain weird.
Paul Simon
4/5
It's not really to my taste, but I can see how this album stands out, especially compared to the typically more flashy or dramatic 80s music. The sound is fairly poppy but homey at the same time, with unique South African touches. The storytelling in the lyrics is good, and the delivery is expressive.
Nico
3/5
Fantastic voice, but most of the songs are really sad, and I also find folk in general pretty boring.
Primal Scream
1/5
I don't care if they influenced a whole genre; this album is boring. And if they used to be a regular psychedelic rock band, why would their cover of "Slip Inside This House" sound like this?
Al Green
3/5
Daft Punk
3/5
This is definitely a high-quality album. It had novel ideas for the time; the tracks are varied and not too long, and all the pieces just fit together nicely ... but it is still just club music. I can't really explain why Daft Punk became such a cultural phenomenon. Maybe people just needed to unwind from listening to Radiohead and Nirvana.
Small Faces
5/5
I thought this would be more dusty 60s rock that is only relevant as a step in the development of the genre, but the album actually holds up very well. To me, it illustrates the transition between stuff like the Beatles and 70s hard rock with its more involved guitar melodies. And "Lazy Sunday" is one of the absolute classics from the era.
The Specials
3/5
You know something went wrong when the album cover is in color. The unique style kind of fell apart as it got taken over by rock influences.
Muddy Waters
3/5
Pretty standard blues album. Maybe blues is just better live? Also, seems a bit out of fashion for 1977.
Coldplay
4/5
The most relaxing indie rock I've heard. I love how "Everything's Not Lost" is positive but in a subtle way. "Spies" and "Trouble" were pretty good as well.
Kraftwerk
5/5
It's cozy and cool at the same time. Most of the album sounds like a soundtrack to an old sci-fi movie. "The Model" is a catchy pop song, but it stands out thanks to the signature stripped-down electronic sound. "Neon Lights" is also a vibe.
Beach House
3/5
Never heard about this band, and I've already forgotten about them again.
Super Furry Animals
3/5
The lyrics and general vibes are a bit too self-aware and "quirky". I do appreciate the mix of classic rock/pop inspirations with occasional electronica inserts, though.
Rod Stewart
2/5
Shack
4/5
Good Britpop album. Subtly upbeat songs, not too cliche, some with cool symphonic arrangements. But mostly, I just had a good time bopping my head to the rich acoustic guitar melodies.
New Order
2/5
For some reason, the songs just sound bitter in a mean way. And the mix of synthpop with straight-up dance music is a bit jarring.
Travis
4/5
A bit repetitive, but a few of the tracks are real sad boy anthems.
Billy Bragg
3/5
I think Billy Bragg is a good musician, but I listen to music to have a bit of fun, not to be lectured about politics and societal problems.
Love
4/5
Not the top psychedelic album, but also not the worst. It has all the elements I want from '60s music and is nice and cute.
The Zombies
3/5
For the most part, having Odessey And Oracle on this list feels superfluous since albums like Something Else by the Kinks are already included. "Time of the Season" is a key song in the genre, but it's not worth listening to 30 minutes of other songs to get to it. I think "Butcher's Tale" is good, but it is too dark compared to the surrounding album, so it feels out of place.
Dinosaur Jr.
4/5
It's jangly, it's noisy, and overall pretty good.
Taylor Swift
3/5
Most songs are just OK; they don't have a memorable sound or a chorus to sing along to. I often found it challenging to follow the narrative because of the lack of repetition and the abundance of little details. I'm sure there are plenty of smart quips in the lyrics, but I couldn't properly appreciate them while casually listening to the album.
There were a few tracks that were a bit more catchy. "No Body No Crime" stood out most because its rhythm is different from the rest of the album and due to the darker and more direct lyrics. But overall, everything still sounded like generic alternative/country/folk/pop/singer-songwriter stuff, though clearly more polished and modern than average. I don't know why this album was such a sensation during the lockdown - it does not really deal with any relevant themes; most of the songs are about relationships. Nor is it particularly novel in terms of sound. I guess Taylor Swift was just already popular then, and people were paying more attention to music releases in general.
Ms. Dynamite
4/5
The lyrics strike a balance between self-assertiveness and a positive message promoting community. The sound is also good, I think.
Girls Against Boys
2/5
This album has some good qualities, but not enough to make up for how unsettling it sounds. The lyrics are cryptic to begin with, and they are made completely unintelligible because of the distorted guitars.
Stan Getz
5/5
This is some excellent feel-good music for the Christmas season. The sound is very clear but also super warm. The album as a whole feels like a movie soundtrack - the mood changes subtly from track to track. I know very little about jazz, but among the albums that represent the genre on this list, Jazz Samba was one of my favorites.
The Kinks
4/5
It is questionable whether this album belongs on the list, given that it is supposed to cover the history of music in general, not the history of The Kinks. But I like the elaborate instrumentation of the '60s (today, a rock band just needs a guitar, bass, and drums, and everything else is electronic), and I enjoy their sense of humor, even if it is a bit naive from a modern standpoint. Plus, the lyrics to some of the songs actually have an interesting premise.
M.I.A.
4/5
M.I.A.'s second album is more focused on unique beats, but it has just as much personality as the first one. It definitely gets the energy up, even though it's not really dance music. However, the second half of the album gets a bit less fun and more esoteric.
Madonna
3/5
Lyrically, this album oscillates between hopelessly bleak songs and mindless love songs. And '80s pop music just sounds so artificial.
Les Rythmes Digitales
2/5
The format of this project, where you try to listen to and form an opinion about a whole album, just doesn't work for most EDM. I'm sure this music would work perfectly fine when played at a party or something.
The Police
5/5
Great '80s pop-rock but with more surreal, fantastical lyrics. And with extra keyboard, perhaps.
Skepta
4/5
There are a few actually good tracks, and the rest are at least entertaining. It could be the British accent making them sound deeper and simultaneously funnier, but here's 4 stars anyway.
Kendrick Lamar
4/5
I'm going to say four stars. The overall sound seems interesting and professional, pretty much what I expect from an album included on this list as an example of modern rap. I was listening to this in the background, so in most tracks, I only understood the general narrative, but a few really pulled me in with the story and got me to pay close attention to the lyrics. The circular concept of the album is also cool. Unfortunately, some tracks have examples of how women are often represented in rap - a dismissive and one-dimensional representation at best. Those are obvious skips.
Orbital
2/5
This could make a nice video game soundtrack; it is pleasant and not distracting. But a standalone album of chill electronic music only made sense before the modern state of the internet. I could not tell the difference between this stuff and a random track on one of the numerous "music for studying" playlists. And I'm sure Orbital's contribution was significant for the development of electronic music, but now that the genre is no longer novel and interesting, the only people who will care about this album are the ones who owned a copy back in the '90s and listened to it many times.
Red Snapper
1/5
Sonic Youth
4/5
The album is pretty low-key, and I have no idea what the songs are about besides the general vibe. But the sound is beautiful and one of a kind. Makes sense to include early Sonic Youth to show the foundations of Alternative.
Khaled
3/5
I would agree with the distribution of views on Youtube: "Trigue Lycee" and "Raba Raba" are good tracks while the rest are pretty forgettable. The fusion of the traditional sound and Western popular music just works really well on these two songs. For example, in "Raba Raba", you can hear a tango melody in the trumpet section in the middle, while the influence on the rest of the song is much more subtle: it creates more energy and makes the sound sharper. By contrast, a few of the later tracks give the impression that Middle Eastern elements are being added to a full song in another style (Latin, dance, and even hip-hop). Which can still be fun but is less of an actual innovation in music.
Crosby, Stills & Nash
4/5
They have a cool sound; it is interesting to compare the classics of US and UK rock.
Culture Club
3/5
Mostly pretty bland, although a few of the songs are great dance music, and there are some cool synth moments (like in "Miss Me Blind"). Also, why is a random upbeat pop-soul track called "Church of the Poison Mind"?
The Only Ones
3/5
They have the vibes but not the hooks.
The Police
4/5
Today, I learned that New Wave music picked up some influences from reggae. That's pretty cool, but I still think the later "Synchronicity" is a better album. There are a couple of hidden gems besides the obvious hits, but most tracks are run-of-the-mill 80s rock.
Fela Kuti
5/5
A nice jazz album with elements of world music. The fact that it is a live recording makes it feel more dynamic.
Maxwell
3/5
It's chill, but that's pretty much it.
Mylo
3/5
Not bad for an electronica album; it's like a more sophisticated version of music made in Garage Band. The isolated electronic loops create a focused sound, like placing a single painting in a completely empty room. The way audio recordings are incorporated into the rhythm of the tracks is also interesting.
The Slits
3/5
This just sounds a bit too artsy, while the effect they wanted to achieve with all the artsy stuff does not come through as much.
Rod Stewart
3/5
Fairly generic except for a few folk elements here and there; those were cool. It is interesting how I keep completely forgetting that Rod Stewart exists, even though he has a few classic rock hits. My favorite part of the album is definitely the Art Deco cover, which is very unique in contrast to the music.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
4/5
Pretty nice. A bit of folk, a bit of heavy, a lot of what might seem like repetition, but is actually the melody developing at its natural pace.
Sepultura
4/5
This album is good, but is it really that special? I feel like just having Roots on this list would be enough. Or maybe I'm just spoiled for choice when it comes to death metal and failing to appreciate some of the classics as a result.
Fishbone
4/5
According to Wikipedia, Fishbone's genre is called funk-rock. Not an obvious combination of styles to try to blend together, but I think they pull it off pretty well.
Jane's Addiction
2/5
A bit of a rambling mess
Stephen Stills
3/5
It's impressive that Stills played all of the primary instruments for this album himself, but the music itself doesn't really stand out. '70s UK had plenty of guitar + electric organ-based bands, and the best ones had much more memorable songs and vocals than the ones on this record. The tracks that are closer to his usual folk-rock style are actually the best. The guitar solo in "Go Back Home" is another highlight.
Shivkumar Sharma
3/5
Very chill
Massive Attack
2/5
They just took pop and R&B styles that had existed before and added more repeating loops, along with slowing the music down. Might make a good falling asleep to album.
Mike Ladd
5/5
I like the cyberpunk theme; the texts are smart, and the sound is suitably cool and futuristic. The style is a mix of genres: the proportion of rap varies by track, and the instrumental parts are somewhere between electronica and something almost resembling a jazz or prog jam. You can tell that Ladd doesn't just produce but can also play some instruments himself. The album has some slow moments, but at least they are chill.
Pavement
3/5
A bit too casual even for indie rock.
Green Day
5/5
Do the tracks seemingly alternate between two basic riffs? Yes. But there is usually a bit in the song where they switch up the basic melody. Anyway, the main appeal is the ironically upbeat vibe created by the lyrics that are simultaneously angsty and discerning.
Ramones
4/5
Four stars just because it's Ramones, one of the founders of punk rock. But is their sound really that different from just rock'n'roll? I mean, what kind of punk band has a tambourine? As far as I can tell, the main innovation in the music is the way the guitars sound different. The punk essence is mostly in the edgy lyrics and general attitude. Anyway, "Blitzkrieg Bop" is a classic, and the rest of the tracks are only relevant, again, as an important bit of music history.
Fred Neil
3/5
So this is supposed to be a pioneering folk-rock album; that makes sense. The classic folk-rock sound is definitely there, though I can't fully distinguish American folk-rock from early country. It's cool that traditional music mixes so well with modern instruments like an electric bass and a drum kit.
Björk
4/5
I like the weirdness, but a lot of the tracks have pretty standard electronica for the instrumental, and there are too many love songs.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
5/5
I started listening to this album, and it started raining outside. So I have to give it 5 stars if only to avoid messing with the magic it holds. Jokes aside, it is fascinating how the stories and moods in the lyrics are brought to life with seemingly simple musical tools. The texts themselves paint a vivid picture, and then you add a dark melody that isn't catchy but creates the right atmosphere on an almost subliminal level along with Nick Cave's haunting voice and get a song that transports the listener into another world. And the thing is, the illusion works really well, at least for me: the lyrics are dramatic, but the songs do not come across as theatrical because it is easy to go along with the words and allow them to make sense in the moment.
Traffic
4/5
At its best, this album is a great example of that specific style of prog rock. You know, the one that is a bit more engaging, has lyrics that make sense and some folk elements, but apparently still counts as prog? And based on my limited knowledge, it seems to be an early example too, so a good choice for the list. But then there are some random unserious songs (it's a 60s rock album, after all), and some tracks that don't seem to really go anywhere like they aren't as thought through. Now that I think of it, that might have been the majority of the album. Still, it's kind of adorable, so I can't give less than four stars.
Pixies
3/5
Ok, I respect this album as an important influence on 90s alternative rock, and it has a lot of interesting ideas, but it is pretty rough to listen to. For some reason, the surf rock and punk influences don't come together for me, and the lyrics and track titles are nonsense, but not in an interesting way. To be fair, I am coming back to this list after a long break filled with eurodance music (it's Eurovision 2024 season), so I'm a bit out of practice listening to this kind of stuff.
Michael Jackson
4/5
This album contains a few of the funkiest pop songs I know. Four stars because the rest of the tracks are pretty generic.
Beck
3/5
I like the signature sound of this album: really slowed-down with various distortions. It takes a lot of various inspirations (from singer-songwriter/folk-rock and country to whatever genre Dire Straits is) and adds an alternative spin to them. The movie score-style strings in "Paper Tiger" are also cool. But it does get a bit boring when the whole album consists of really chill songs with melancholy lyrics.
Sonic Youth
4/5
I enjoyed the mostly instrumental tracks. These guys really can play. The talking over the music instead of singing isn't it, though. And the random short tracks don't contribute anything; it's like they are just there to make the album more artsy.
Black Sabbath
5/5
Black Sabbath's first three albums have laid the foundation of metal, but because they are so iconic, it can be hard to see the band behind the legendary songs. Vol. 4 is a bit more laid back, and I had never heard any of its tracks before, so I could tune into the developments in the band's style a bit more. Some tracks lean towards a more lyrical or romantic sound popular at the time, others sound closer to modern slow metal, and a couple are just upbeat rock'n'rollers. Overall, it's fun, and clearly, they had fun making it as well, with all the cocaine and whatnot.
The Rolling Stones
4/5
The Boo Radleys
5/5
I had never heard about this band before (and probably never will again), but they sure make a mean indie album. It has layers of instruments and effects and the most milk toast guitar riffs, nonsense lyrics and the most dramatic vocals, and also a third thing. Yeah, that basically describes the next loop of the spiral from '70s rock. Anyway, this record just sounds very sincere for some reason. The musical style is beautiful, each track has an individual identity, and whatever vague narrative the singer is spinning, it has me invested.
Bob Dylan
3/5
So Bob Dylan released a straightforward blues-rock album in 1997, and they still put it on this list for some reason? I guess I'll bump it up to 3 stars because "Love Sick" and "Cold Irons Bound" are nice songs.
LTJ Bukem
3/5
If anything, this compilation convinced me that Drum'n'Bass is an actual music genre. I am glad they picked an album of the Ambient variety of D'n'B for this list - if I have to listen to something for hours, chill background music is preferable. And this definitely is some of the most atmospheric stuff I've ever heard; it has an almost ASMR quality to it. Still, it's baffling that there would be artists out there working for years to perfect the sound, driving the development of new music tech and software, all for a subgenre that lacks both traditional melody and lyrics and where the goal is make the music as ambient and unobtrusive as possible.
Siouxsie And The Banshees
4/5
Damn goths
Just kidding, it's a nice post-punk album. Good vibes.
Genesis
5/5
I'm continuing the tradition of giving every famous prog-rock band 5 stars (except Rush). This album has everything: the drummer being the most famous member of the band, weird lyrics, that electric organ, a flute, and a long runtime. It's also just beautiful.
LCD Soundsystem
4/5
This is what Synthpop would sound like if they had modern electronic music tools in the '80s instead of those synths.
CHIC
4/5
Marty Robbins
3/5
Great voice, but "Big Iron" was the only interesting song; the rest are a bit too simple.
TV On The Radio
4/5
This has the vibes of an essential alternative alternative album. Very artsy and good bass. Some tracks are a bit too long.
Magazine
5/5
The only problem is that I had to listen to over 600 other albums before I got to this one.
4/5
My expectations were pretty low for this album, but it's actually good? The rock parts go hard, and the rap parts really bring out those nu-metal vibes. Actually, the lyrics aren't even that crazy for the most part - they sometimes sound like they belong in a sad grunge song rather than a messed-up rap-rock song. Also, I thought the 80s New Wave-style guitars they have during the verse parts and in the slower songs were a nice touch.
Charles Mingus
4/5
Good album; sounds like something from a movie soundtrack. I like how they mix a bit of classical into the jazz.
Billy Joel
3/5
Good, but too cheesy.
The Libertines
3/5
They've done nothing but rehash old ideas from the '60s-'80s. There is not a single catchy chorus in the entire album, and it takes more than a British accent to qualify as artsy. Also, for most tracks, I couldn't even tell you what the general theme is supposed to be.
Einstürzende Neubauten
2/5
Visiting Berlin: fun Eurobeat song
Living in Berlin: whatever this album is
Michael Kiwanuka
5/5
I really liked this album; it has both the personal touch of a strong singer-songwriter record and an interesting sound with some genre experimentation. At the same time, the music is very calming, albeit in a melancholic way. This isn't the kind of album you expect to come out in 2019, but it is a welcome surprise.
Amy Winehouse
4/5
I was promised a unique modern spin on soul music, and that's exactly what I got. The vocals and the horn section are great. But the songs are a bit too real.
Suicide
1/5
This just doesn't sound like an album of music intended for people to listen to, but rather a sort of a journal in the form of art reflecting the world seen through the eyes of the artist, their feelings and ideas. Which is a pretty cool thing to do, but again, it does not produce actual music anyone would want to hear.
The Psychedelic Furs
4/5
A post-punk album but more upbeat and with a saxophone? I'm not complaining.
Penguin Cafe Orchestra
3/5
Using classical instruments to play modern music is pretty cool. But I can't say I vibe with the sound too much, and the album doesn't appear to have any kind of theme. Their album covers are definitely interesting though (there's six including a compilation album and all have these weird penguin people).
Marvin Gaye
3/5
Madonna
3/5
This sounds like a mix of electropop and general acoustic pop. I don't really know why it's on the list since it isn't one of Madonna's essential albums, as far as I understand. "Paradise (Not For Me)" is a great track, though.
Giant Sand
3/5
Well, this takes the prize for the sleepiest alternative album. The lyrics are sometimes nonsensical in a spooky way. Some of the tracks are quite endearing, though.
CHVRCHES
3/5
Good example of electronic indie music; I don't really care for it.
The Who
4/5
There are some classic songs here, but the entire middle of the album is a bit random. It's funny how the smartness of the lyrics suddenly drops when they are writing about women.
5/5
If this was a studio album, I would take off some points for the kind of loose structure. But a live recording is actually probably a better way to show the pure Garage/Psy Rock energy.
Roni Size
3/5
The Velvet Underground
4/5
Great example of incorporating noise as part of the music, but it does get boring at times.
Sade
5/5
So dreamy
The Verve
4/5
A stylish and meditative alternative album. Four stars since they kind of just put down some bass rhythms and turned up the reverb on the guitars.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
5/5
A perfect folk/Gothic/Victorian horror album. The sound has obvious influences, and the lyrics are iterations of stories that have been told for centuries, but the resulting energy is unparalleled. Also, Cave sounds like a vampire.
Sisters Of Mercy
3/5
I get that this is a definitive goth album, but it's not a very exciting one. Just another band that you hear and think "Did these guys make TMS?"
Goldfrapp
2/5
Would make great background music for a cottagecore instagram post
The United States Of America
5/5
The USA's only album simultaneously contributes innovations to American psychedelia and has the sweet and romantic qualities of the original Mersey beat.
Emmylou Harris
4/5
I actually liked this more than I expected to. The songs sound fresh; they paint a vivid picture despite following many of the tropes. The great storytelling and beautiful vocals make the bendy country guitars sound pleasant instead of tired and annoying.
The Beta Band
2/5
I do appreciate the modern sound and vibe, but most of the tracks are so smooth that there is nothing for the mind to catch on. There is no warmth to them.
fIREHOSE
3/5
The mixture of the alternative and folksy sound with the grassroots punk attitude is pretty cool. I'll just give it a neutral 3 stars because I think the unfortunate name would throw off my rating.
ZZ Top
3/5
In terms of the ranking, I'm giving this 3 stars - most of the songs, except for a couple of hits, are just OK tracks to throw into the mix of a classic rock station. It is a sensible entry on the list, though - listening to some deep cuts from a famous classic rock band can be interesting (to be fair, there are other albums here that play the same role). The combination of growly guitars with laid-back riffs is great - it's both upbeat and smooth. The lyrics, which are overly sleazy in an ironic way, are good at creating the atmosphere of a low-key roadside bar. I am worried that with the intended audience being '80s men, many of them might have taken the lyrics to heart more than they should have. Either way, when the lyrics to "I Got the Six" are performed with a straight face and then followed by an average cool guitar riff with no further explanation - that's perfect satire to me.
Janis Joplin
5/5
There are hits, and then there are just good songs with a deep blues-rock sound, wholesome, sensible lyrics, and Joplin's one-of-a-kind vocals.
Spacemen 3
3/5
These are just vaguely ambient alternative-style, effectively instrumental tunes, but they are pleasant enough to listen to—not too sleepy, not too pretentious.
Jeff Buckley
4/5
Since this album did not originally become popular but is now considered a classic, it's not really clear whether it's cool to like it or not. Either way, some of the songs are great; they have original structures and melodies. Gary Lucas on guitar is great (and even on the songs where he isn't playing, Buckley's own style is influenced by Lucas). Jeff's voice is great, but some people claim it's magic; that sets expectations too high.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
3/5
It's good but fairly minimalist.
The Smiths
3/5
The Smiths on this album have an attitude but don't always have the music to back it up. It's a bit boring, and it seems like they never quite caught up with the '80s: some of the best moments are callbacks to older trends.
Motörhead
4/5
I'm not even really a fan of Motörhead, but they do have enough hits to fill out a show, and the live energy is through the roof.
The Doors
5/5
I don't have any actually useful comments to contribute; obviously, the Doors' debut album was one of the cornerstones of the decade and so on. I had not heard these songs beyond the two hits before, and the less-remembered songs turned out to be a great listen. It also helped me fill out the Doors' timeline in my head - this first album sounds the closest to the contemporary British trends it parallels, and the later albums lean more into a unique style.
The Streets
2/5
The best of the tracks sound like something a stand-up comedian who also makes music might write, but more professional. The rest are just mediocre pop-rap about relationships.
The Stone Roses
5/5
I wasn't convinced by the first couple of tracks, but by the end of "Bye Bye Bad Man" it was clear this is the kind of alternative band I can get behind. They still know how to play a bit of rock'n'roll, and they are building on that instead of thinking of ways to sound quirky first and then using guitars as one of the tools to implement these ideas. The lyrics are definitely extra, but they still have solid concepts and sometimes a plot behind them. The understated vocals are purposeful instead of just sounding disinterested. Also, some of the songs just remind me of a crisp autumn morning, and that just can't be beat.
Elliott Smith
3/5
The sound is pretty interesting, it's kind of a mixture of folk rock and '90s indie/alternative. But the lyrics on most songs are either really vague (I don't want to do poetry analysis when I'm just listening to a song) or really sad, or both. Not like sad and romantic or aesthetic, but just everyday depressing topics. Why would people listen to music like this? Music is supposed to be a way to either escape or process your feelings, or at least romanticize them. Just making the lyrics extra metaphorical doesn't count.
XTC
5/5
The sound is for the most part a pleasantly chill and experimental synth-pop, with some throwbacks to OG Merseybeat and singer-songwriter folk. The lyrics are generally delightfully unserious but occasionally cringy. Overall, this album basically achieves a similar effect to what some artists were trying to do in the 2000s where they used a variety of instruments and mixed alternative, folk, and their own artistic spin (sorry, I don't remember specific names off the top of my head). And then there is the last track, "Dear God", where the lyrics summarize the fundamental arguments against religion in a beautiful poetic form. The sound also changes accordingly; it is a straightforward guitar-based rock tune, with only the incorporation of a playful violin bit as a reminder that this song was made by the same band as the whimsical rest of the album.
Jeru The Damaja
4/5
The best component of this album is definitely the rhymes. Cleverly constructed, proficiently delivered, never written just to fill the page. I like the smooth beats, the dry humor, and the gothic novel-like Prophet storyline. The themes are pretty standard, and the social commentary isn't groundbreaking or anything, but that's fine because the focus of the album is on the craft of the word, finding new ways to talk about old topics.
Paul Simon
5/5
Obviously, Simon is a genius songwriter, but why do all of the songs sound so sad? Even when the lyrics are funny and the melody a bit silly, they are melancholy at the same time. It's the '80s; music is supposed to be upbeat or at least more intense. I like this album, but I'll probably never listen to most of it again.
Derek & The Dominos
5/5
An essential blues rock album with both Eric Clapton AND Duane Allman (no Derek, as I learned). I like that they didn't bother coming up with an album name; they knew which song people would be looking for when buying the record. The slide guitar is on point, and it's really cool that the name "Layla" is inspired by a book.
Nirvana
4/5
Given that the set list consists mostly of deep cuts from just 3 albums, this live show is great. There is some filler, but also a lot of gold. The covers are chosen well. Sounds good in acoustic too.
Brian Eno
4/5
I expected this album to be more experimental based on descriptions - it mostly just sounds like slightly chaotic glam rock. But that style works well - you get the same kind of effect but without being restricted to the rigid structure of a standard radio-friendly song. The best tracks are "Baby's On Fire", "Blank Frank" and "Dead Finks Don't Talk" with a couple of honorable mentions, so that alone brings it to 4 stars. I am skeptical of the idea that bringing in more people automatically leads to better results. As a casual listener, I didn't really see any positive effects of that, and it was probably a logistical nightmare.
Marilyn Manson
1/5
I'm not going to give my thoughts on the actual album because being a horrible person overshadows all of Marilyn Manson's contributions to music. This is not a case where we need to figure out how to separate the art from the artist - at this point, there are plenty of musicians that can make stuff that's just as good or better, so as the first step we need to just stop giving him attention.
Morrissey
3/5
Mostly Morrissey is trying too hard at the wrong things on this album. There is no need to put effort into being expressly British; we can already tell. And the attempts to write a proper rock’n’roll song are misguided. The best tracks on the album are the nice alternative tunes with poetic lyrics about love - some even have an ‘80s or ‘70s sound if he was after tradition.
Jean-Michel Jarre
3/5
To me, there are two aesthetics to this album: An old sci-fi movie soundtrack and songs that I would play in the background in my '70s futuristic city apartment tricked out with all the weird impractical furniture they had back then that we now put in modern art museums. The music mostly consists of individual notes played on a synth along with all the "space" sound effects they could come up with. So it's not that interesting, but it is definitely a vibe.Also, why are all the French albums here some kind of ambient or otherwise fringe genre?
MC Solaar
4/5
I thought listening to a rap album in French would be rough (since I don't know French), but it was actually pretty chill. The sound is funky, there is a good variety across the tracks, and the vibes are energetic.
Dr. Octagon
1/5
Most tracks seem to be about nothing, and the beats are same-y. A concept album really needs more than just a vague idea.
The Flaming Lips
3/5
The instrumentals have good vibes and original sound, but the lyrics can be a bit rambly and heavy-handed.
Neil Young
3/5
This album sounds like the intermediate step between folk-rock and what Neil Young's music eventually became, so it's neither here nor there. Many of the tracks are basically acoustic, and no one can pull off having piano on every other track. It sounds a bit like a very minimalistic version of those symphonic covers of rock songs, and again, the folk charm that would make this type of arrangement work isn't there. Best track: "Southern Man".
Tom Waits
4/5
If anything, this gets the prize for the most clank in an album. If you listen carefully though, it actually works well with the storytelling, and some of the songs come out really poetic. The format where each track is like a little vignette of life is cool. Successfully mixing the musical vibes of jazz played in a dingy bar into this whole thing is definitely a sign of an expert musician with a clear artistic vision for the piece. Also, I like how "In the Neighborhood" sounds like an inverted version of a song from the Mary Popping musical.
Killing Joke
5/5
My usual way of describing the style of a piece of music, by comparing it to other bands and genres, wouldn't really do justice here, because these guys seem to be pretty fundamental. The style is already the essence of what I would be referring to with my comparisons. And yes, I did read the blurb about the band on my streaming app before forming my own opinion, but I agree with what it said. Anyway, the band that wrote "Eighties" being a cornerstone of one of the aspects of eighties music is pretty neat.
Big Black
5/5
These guitars are beyond jangly, they are fried, and for some reason, this sound has a relaxing, ASMR-like quality. The repetitive post-punk lyrics enhance this effect, allowing you to get lost in the sound instead of trying to follow the textual progression. The vibes are both emo and party, which is great.
Fever Ray
5/5
Have you ever dreamed of leaving your city job and being a swamp witch? Then this album is for you. I usually associate electronic pop (and Swedish pop) with generic music and shallow lyrics, but this is the complete opposite. Even listening with my simple earbuds that don’t have good bass, I was still impressed by the hypnotic sound. The texts are timeless, and at the same time, they have a powerful, mysterious, ancient folk vibe. Plus, this is one of the rare cases where the album cover did not lie to me about what the music is like and how interesting it is.
Songhoy Blues
4/5
It's not the same sound as American Blues, but it is fundamentally related, for instance, the songs are very rhythmic. Many of the tracks are quite catchy, if I could speak the language, I bet it would be fun to sing along. The instrumentation can seem quite simple because the listener's attention is concentrated on the fancy guitar playing, but the stuff going on in the background is what makes the overall sound so deep and polished.
Simple Minds
4/5
A few songs veer off a bit too towards pop, but overall, I like the synthy kind of surreal sound.
Tina Turner
4/5
Luxurious pop-rock sound with a soul character. Maybe people who say the '80s had the best music are right.
The Thrills
3/5
This album proves that the only way to be excited about the environment of California is if you are comparing it to literal Ireland. I like having seasons thank you very much. Anyway, the music is not for me; I find the original California rock sound pretty empty, and the modern alternative spin they put on it also doesn't stick. My favorite track is "Hollywood Kids" since it has more of a Blues or Southern rock inspiration, and the piano bits add to the nostalgic vibe.
Guns N' Roses
4/5
For some reason, my image of Guns N' Roses was that of a more serious than the average rock band (pretty sure the last time I heard their songs was a long time ago on the radio, and compared light pop-rock tunes something like "November Rain" seemed monumental). But yeah, they are a classic for a reason: lyrics and vibes that are all party are combined with proper hard rock sound. (Do I understand why Glam Metal is in the Metal umbrella? No)
Morrissey
2/5
The sleepiest excuse for Britpop; I don't get the hype around this album. Morrisey's vocals are good, but almost too smooth.
Iggy Pop
5/5
I haven't heard this album before, but many of the songs sounded familiar. Both tempoally and stylistically it's between rolling classic rock and brooding, synth-filled Wave. The tracks are all different, and there are only eight of them, so the album doesn't get repetitive. The lyrics are a similar flavor of nonsense to a weird '70s movie, except it actually works well in a song, because song lyrics are mostly for vibes, while a movie should have actual plot and dialogue. It's an essential Iggy Pop album, you don't need me to explain why it's good.
New York Dolls
3/5
I get that this band was important to the development of Punk Rock, and I'm sure that people appreciated their music in the context of the time and place. However, today this album just sounds dated. Yes, the record is still lyrically striking, and the music is perfect for transmitting the energy and carrying the lyrics. But from the perspective of the modern listener, I'm better off listening to something from the million subgenres descended from Punk or, if I want a '70s band, something from Classic Rock. Unless you are specifically invested in the history of the movement, there is no reason to listen to some weird old-timey guys trying to do both at the same time.
Robbie Williams
4/5
Much of the album is a pop reimagining of the Rock fundamentals from back in the '60s-'70s (I don't know about you, but I was reminded of a few distinct bands by some of the tracks). The modern sound comes from the clean production and the lyrics that are simultaneously sensitive and direct. And mixed in is some classic romantic and goofy boy band fare, as expected given Williams' background.
Kanye West
2/5
I mean it's a listenable pop album. It definitely didn't need to use the entire space on the CD. Maybe consolidating the interesting parts or just cutting filler would have made it a bit better.
The Verve
3/5
I did not like this one as much as their other album. The cover being a photo at an outdoor location was an immediate bad sign. I mean, the most famous single from the album is a remix of a Rolling Stones song. Most other tracks are either chill winding tunes, reminiscent of Dreampop, with further Classic era references, or just lukewarm hipster Alternative/Indie. I have to give them credit for trying to compete with Radiohead, though.
Alexander 'Skip' Spence
3/5
This is a curious album. I'm not sure what it is about some of these songs: they can be slow and repetitive on the surface, but some special resonance in the guitar, or maybe the vocal style, makes them engaging in a meditative way. It's a very creative interpretation of the Folk-Rock style with some Psychedelic sound mixed in. I don't know what happened in the second half of the album, though; it's all weird minute-long tracks.
Jerry Lee Lewis
3/5
As a live recording, this is great; it truly captures the pure Rock'n'Roll energy. But the sound is a bit simple, and, more importantly, I believe most of the songs are covers. Maybe this was before the times when Rock was solidly in the album-oriented era. But then it makes sense to rank it lower when we are specifically ranking albums. Jerry Lee Lewis as a traditional Rock'n'Roll singer or "Great Balls of Fire" as a song would definitely get 5 stars. But the album isn't really a vibe.
Kraftwerk
4/5
The first track is iconic! Kraftwerk's stuff holds up great today when we have a ton of electronic music, but in 1974 it stood out even more. It has slow progression but isn't boring, it's very sleek and makes for chill dance music too.
4/5
For me, there were two kinds of tracks on this album. The first type has a clear connection to previous Alternative styles (to me it sounded like Grunge), and even older stuff like Glam Rock. These are songs I had not heard before, but I predictably enjoyed the sound. The second kind are the essential Oasis songs - "Don't Look Back in Anger", "Champagne Supernova", and "Wonderwall". They sound just fine, and the lyrics aren't that engaging. The only song I really like is "She's Electric" - the tune is simple, but it's elevated by all the layers, the lyrics are fun, and the vocals work great in this song.
Robert Wyatt
5/5
Kind of a niche album, but I enjoyed it. Most '90s albums on this list are either Alternative, Electronic, Rap, or just general pop, so a Prog/Jazz fusion record is not what I expected based on the year. "Shleep" is less a product of the era and more just the result of Wyatt's decades-long experience in this unique style of music. Anyway, the album is very chill; I like the puns in the song titles, and it's cool how the lyrics vary from philosophical arguments put into poetry to the more traditional for Prog impressionist style, where the atmosphere is more important than the specific phrasing.
Koffi Olomide
2/5
The guitar track sounds like Latin loops from a program like Garage Band. To be fair, I don't speak the language, but to me the songs sound very samey. They are upbeat in a chill way though, so OK to play in the background.
k.d. lang
2/5
This must be the kind of music English majors listen to. Inscrutable poetry set to nondescript acoustic music with some jazz or symphonic bits to sound more posh.
Ryan Adams
2/5
I wish Ryan Adams had stuck with the alternative country stuff instead of switching to lukewarm rock. It is understandable why this album got so big in the US - it is very American, and the time of the release coincided with the rise in patriotism after September 11. But why was it certified gold in the UK? Surely the Brits should know better.
David Bowie
4/5
I did not expect a David Bowie album to be mostly instrumental music experimenting with electronic sound. There is probably some context for this, I just didn't read up on it. I think the mix of the usual Glam Rock guitars with early electronic stuff works well. It's kind of an alternative take on the Post-Punk trend - same gloomy vibe, but a unique sound. "Sound and Vision" is great as a standalone song too.
Sonic Youth
4/5
The individually memorable tracks are mostly gathered at the beginning of the album, and after that, it turns more experimental without traditional song structure. Pretty fun to listen to if you like weird guitar sounds.
Lucinda Williams
3/5
I'm not really a fan, but I can see how this has aspects of experimenting with Country music that lead to its current revival decades later.
Pixies
3/5
I'm returning to the project after a month-long break, and I have forgotten what my system was for rating albums. For instance, I love the sound on this album, but there are only 1-2 tracks that are individually really good. I'm probably not going to return to the record just to listen to 30 minutes of cool vibes. There must be a reason it is on the list and generally acclaimed, so maybe it's an especially really good example of this early American Alternative jangly sound? I have no idea because I barely have any reference points in this genre. It's likely I wouldn't be able to tell this album apart from some barely remembered band working in the same style, as long as they were generally competent. I'll give this 3 stars just because of the general nostalgic sound.
The Jam
4/5
This sounds like the happier side of the post-punk/glam rock/soft rock style. The nonsense lyrics make individual songs less memorable but contribute really well to the atmosphere.
Abdullah Ibrahim
3/5
Seeing this album cover and title, then realizing it's a jazz album is like opening a tin of cookies to find sewing supplies. Things do pick up around track 3, though.
Liz Phair
4/5
A great indie album. An amazing voice, lyrics that are sometimes funny and sometimes poetic (but always fresh), and peak indie rock melodies from the time before the genre became too self-referential.
Os Mutantes
4/5
The way I would describe this style is that they use basic rock (or sometimes jazz?) melodies as a foundation, and then add a bunch of stuff on top: effects, samples, extra instruments, some folk elements, sometimes the main theme isn't even there for half of the track, but it all works perfectly together. But more importantly, it just sounds fun.
Devendra Banhart
3/5
The acoustic sound is incredible. I don't know anything about the folk revival music scene, so to me Banhart might as well be the best at this style of guitar. The weird lyrics I can't get behind, although I kind of see what he was going for. To be fair, I don't think there are any words that would properly complement these melodies - more classic folk texts would sound too grounded. I don't enjoy his singing style either.
Joan Baez
3/5
Beautiful voice and guitar, but the arrangement doesn't work equally well for all the songs. Sometimes it's a bit too much, and some of these ballads are just too old-timey.
Black Sabbath
5/5
How did I forget how good this is? 100% the best album on the list. I won't even try to describe the music, I'm sure there are volumes written about it. A lot of the time when we say an album is a classic, it's more of a historical marker in the development of the genre, so a person not familiar with the classic status probably wouldn't be able to pick it out of a selection of just really good albums in a similar vain. Also, they would probably prefer to listen to the more contemporary iteration of the style. Not in this case - Black Sabbath are truly in a league of their own, and always will be - metal hasn't gotten "better" since then, just different.
The Modern Lovers
3/5
Great album to illustrate the evolution of music styles; you can hear the vaguely Punk Rock style turn toward a more Alternative-y version of itself. Sometimes there are hints of it being even more ahead of its time. But also many of the songs don't work for me, so from my subjective perspective it gets 3 stars.
Steve Earle
2/5
Some of the lyrics describing the downturn of small-town America are actually good, and they keep with the tradition of Country songs being depressing. But for the most part, it's pretty boring stuff, and I definitely don't like the music. For a Country album, the sound is a bit too polished, and there isn't enough personality in the songs to shine through that stylistic choice.