Nov 02 2024
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Misplaced Childhood
Marillion
It was ok. I was intrigued early on but my interest started to waver as it went on.
Funny story (to me) back in the early 2000s I was a frequent shopper at a local used music store. As I'd thumb through the CDs I'd always see this band's album "Fugazi" in there. As a young man with an interest in punk and hardcore I'd always get briefly excited...only to remember that Fugazi never put out an album called Marillion. That tripped me up more times that I care to admit. It was kind of nice to finally hear the band that I once angrily shook my fist at for "deceiving me"
3
Nov 03 2024
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O
Damien Rice
Going into the user submitted albums feels weird. I feel a need to be nicer as these albums probably hold a significant place in at least one person's heart.
That said, I really disliked this album. At best it reminded me a little bit of Ryan Adams; at worst it was tedious, very sad sack which I generally don't like listening to these days, and I couldn't wait for it to be over.
I debated a 1 but it did have some half decent moments to get it a 2. I just feel like I need some Prozac now.
2
Nov 04 2024
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Kick
INXS
This probably should've been included in the book as it has so many hits. I personally think it's just an okay album but I understand why others would like it more.
3
Nov 05 2024
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Super Ape
The Upsetters
I really don't care for the genre and this did nothing to change my mind. So much of it is kind of samey. There's decent moments and I wouldn't say it's terrible I just get fatigued of this sound very quickly.
The album art is great.
2
Nov 06 2024
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You'd Prefer an Astronaut
Hum
I did myself a disservice for years by ignoring Hum because I didn't think Stars was particularly good so I never went any further.
It turns out they have quite a bit of good material (I'm actually more fond of their last album) but this one is definitely good. I've even grown to like Stars a bit more than I used to.
A really solid album, definitely worth your time if you like the genre.
4
Nov 07 2024
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10,000 gecs
100 gecs
This was my second go with this album. I still find it just as frustrating as when I listened to it last year. I like the punky approach but not much else. This is an album that I think has an interesting idea but I don't care much for the execution. It also somehow feels longer than it's sub 30 minute run time. I'm not sure HOW, but it does.
This is the definition of a 2.5 for me but that's not an option.
3
Nov 08 2024
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Yeti
Amon Düül II
One of those "I think that I get why you like it, but I'm gonna pass" albums.
2
Nov 09 2024
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Music For People In Trouble
Susanne Sundfør
She can sing, but these songs do nothing for me.
I can see why others would like it, but thisbkind of music just makes me very sleepy.
2
Nov 10 2024
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Carrie & Lowell
Sufjan Stevens
I like it better than the album included in the book but Sufjan still doesn't really do a whole lot for me.
2
Nov 11 2024
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No.1 In Heaven
Sparks
Not bad. I could see how this would be influential to other artists. A 3 for my personal enjoyment of the album.
3
Nov 12 2024
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Don't Say No
Billy Squier
This is a pretty solid "classic rock" album. I really don't care for The Stroke at all but there's definitely better songs on there that make up for it. Honestly this probably could've taken the place of several duds that popped up in the book.
4
Nov 13 2024
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Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You
Big Thief
What a mixed bag. There's several songs that are just pleasant to listen to on a cold Autumn day (which is probably helping my appreciation of this album) but it also has some really boring duds and it goes on way, way longer than it needs to.
If this album was cut in half I could probably give it a 4, despite the fact that music like this tends to be very niche to me.
3
Nov 14 2024
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Whipped Cream & Other Delights
Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass
I needed this. Very fun. I usually don't stay too long after the album ends and Spotify starts playing similar music but I sure did today. Honestly, I should really listen to music like this more often.
What a world it would be if this was the popular sound rather than the mumbly, mopey nonsense I'm subjected to when I'm forced to listen to modern radio at work.
Oh, and that album cover rules.
5
Nov 15 2024
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Come And Get It
Rachel Stevens
Well that came out of left field, didn't it? Ex S Club 7 member solo album.
I honestly didn't care for this much at all. It's not my thing. It wasn't dreadful but I didn't exactly hear anything super catchy which is what I expect from a pop album.
Major ups for "borrowing" from The Cure's "Lullaby" but that was easily the highlight for me.
I get it. This was probably a personal favorite from back in the day and the user who submitted it probably loves it wholeheartedly. I just can't feel the same.
2
Nov 16 2024
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Home Sweet Home
Kano
Kanoball: Hold Block, rotate joystick 360°, then release.
Knife Throw: (Hold Block) Back, Forward.
Fatality
Heart Rip: Back, Down, Forward, Low Punch.
(Close)
2
Nov 17 2024
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In the Aeroplane Over the Sea
Neutral Milk Hotel
Given the reputation of this album it's amazing that it wasn't included in the book, especially considering some other albums that did make it in.
Overall I do enjoy this album. I dont think it's a 5 star undisputed masterpiece but is very good and certainly a blueprint for many to follow.
I'd bump it to a 5 for it's influence power, but honestly I feel better giving it an emphatic 4.
4
Nov 18 2024
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Cleopatra
The Lumineers
I dont know where to begin other than I cannot stand The Lumineers and this kind of music in general. It rubs me me the wrong way.
I have a hard time hating on the user submitted albums as I recognize that whoever did submit it likes it very much and it's probably special to them on some level, but I just find this so offputting.
1
Nov 19 2024
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Madvillainy
Madvillain
The book list has several UK rappers of low quality. I wondered how they could possibly ignore the great MF DOOM (all caps when you spell his name) I'm glad that someone corrected that mistake. Its nice to see one of my all-time favorite rappers and seeing him get some love.
5
Nov 20 2024
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Continuum
John Mayer
I will never ever truly understand the appeal of John Mayer. Yeah, he has a couple decent tunes but overall he just bores me to tears.
Remember when he was in that skit on Chappelle's Show? If only his music entertained me as much as that did.
2
Nov 21 2024
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Human Racing
Nik Kershaw
There's a lot of similar stuff in the book that I didn't enjoy as much as this. I don't love it but it was a pretty good listen.
3
Nov 22 2024
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Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum
Tally Hall
It's fine. It kind of reminds me of a less entertaining Ween in some regards. I could see how others would enjoy it.
3
Nov 23 2024
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People
The Burning Hell
It wasn't terrible but it didn't do a thing for me either.
2
Nov 24 2024
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Gemstones
Adam Green
The music is fairly enjoyable. The lyrics got on my nerves after a while.
3
Nov 25 2024
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Elmer Gantry's Velvet Opera
Elmer Gantry's Velvet Opera
I'm not necessarily a big fan of this genre but it wasn't bad.
3
Nov 26 2024
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Korn
Korn
Korn was a huge band for me in my middle school years. They arguably have had the biggest impact upon my musical tastes. By the time I got into high school I was more into more extreme metal and punk, but Korn certainly made an important impression upon me.
This is arguably the definitive nu-metal album. I think other bands surpassed them (Slipknot and Deftones come to mind) but this album really laid the ground work.
I don't listen to it much these days aside from an occasional song or 2, I mean how good is Blind? But I think it deserves a 5 for it's legacy alone.
5
Nov 27 2024
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The Black Parade
My Chemical Romance
It's a pretty solid album overall. The title track in particular is pretty great. There's a few not so great songs sprinkled in.
I'd give it a 3.5 if I could. As for now I'm giving it a 3 because honestly I think this album is a bit overrated and not even their best album.
3
Nov 28 2024
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Nurture
Porter Robinson
It was overall a pleasant listen. I started growing a bit tired of it a few songs in but not a bad album at all.
3
Nov 29 2024
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St. Jude
Courteeners
One of those albums that I could understand someone else enjoying but for me this just feels like something I've heard several times before.
It's not bad but it just left me with the feeling of shrugging my shoulders.
2
Nov 30 2024
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The Universe Smiles Upon You
Khruangbin
I find this a little bit hard to rate. It has some nice songs but oh boy did I find some of them boring as well. I'm completely middle of the road on this one.
3
Dec 01 2024
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I And Love And You
The Avett Brothers
I'm not a huge fan of this style but they have a bit more life than some of their peers which is very welcome. I'm so so so so tired of mumble mope plastic folk.
3
Dec 02 2024
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Live in San Francisco
Thee Oh Sees
I thought I'd like this more than I did. I don't think it being a live album helped. It's pretty rare that I enjoy a live album. Overall not bad.
3
Dec 03 2024
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A Live One
Phish
Truth be told: I did not listen to this whole album, nor did I expect to. I cannot listen to this wanky jam band stuff. I gave it about 30 minutes and then skimmed the rest. It's pretty much everything I thought it would be.
I know people who live for this stuff. That's fine. Just keep it far, far away from me.
1
Dec 04 2024
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The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking
Roger Waters
I'm not crazy about any Pink Floyd member solo albums. It's not terrible but I'd rather just listen to a classic Floyd album than this. I'm just really middle of the road on this.
A true 2.5 for me
3
Dec 05 2024
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Give Up
The Postal Service
I loved this album when it first came out. Death Cab For Cutie was at their peak (in my opinion) at the time and this was just icing on the cake.
All these years later (oh man, I'm getting old) I still really enjoy this album. I dont know if I like it quite as much now but it's quite enjoyable and I have such nice memories associated with it.
It gets a 5. Yeah, I'm cool with that.
5
Dec 06 2024
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Recipe for Hate
Bad Religion
I love me some Bad Religion even if I dont really listen to them these days since being born again.
This album is something of an odd choice in my opinion. I always defended this one as being pretty underrated but most of the punk people I know were underwhelmed by this one. That said, I personally would've chosen Suffer for it's influence on so many punk bands to follow. No Control or my personal favorite: Against The Grain would've been great too.
All in all I do really like this album even if BR and I have somewhat gone our separate ways. I do still like listening to some of their songs every once in a while, assuming it isn't one that makes me feel convicted.
A 3.5 or 4 star album getting the 5 star treatment for being an all-time great punk band that meant so much to me in my teens and early 20s (and helped me learn some great vocabulary words too)
5
Dec 07 2024
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Stage Four
Touché Amoré
Oh wow. I didn't expect to see this here. I'm a pretty big fan of this band.
I love this album but it's hard to get through because of the lyrics. I just lost my mother this year.
However, the timing of getting this album is quite something: my mother in law was just announced as being cancer free (she was stage four herself) the day prior.
I love this band, I love this album and while it's still a hard listen due to the subject matter at least I now have a positive association with it as well.
5
Dec 08 2024
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Discosis
Bran Van 3000
I liked about half of it and wasn't into the other half of it. I'd give it a 2.5 if I could.
3
Dec 09 2024
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Squeezing Out Sparks
Graham Parker
A solid listen from an artist that I had absolutely zero knowledge of prior.
4
Dec 10 2024
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Stranger In Town
Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band
Pretty enjoyable. There's some definite classics on here. I'm not crazy about it but I definitely like it. I'd give it a 3.5 if I could.
4
Dec 11 2024
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Oil of Every Pearl's Un-Insides
SOPHIE
Annoying. The best thing about it was falling quite short of the hour plus listen that I assumed that this would be.
1
Dec 12 2024
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Mm..Food
MF DOOM
Gotta love MF DOOM and the fact that there are by my count at least 2 of his album included here by submission. I'm hoping one day I find Vaudeville Villain here as well.
Seriously, how did none of his work make the book?
5
Dec 13 2024
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Ultra Blue
Hikaru Utada
It was fine. It didn't leave a huge impression upon me. It's a true 2.5 but getting a 3 because that's not an option.
3
Dec 14 2024
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Vedergällningen
Garmarna
Oh boy. I'm not quite sure what that was but I do know that I didn't care for it very much. It wasnt the language barrier that bothered me but rather the lack of anything that drew me in. Not 1 star level bad but it did cross my mind.
2
Dec 15 2024
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Eye
Robyn Hitchcock
Very, very ok. I didn't really dislike it but I don't see myself ever coming back to it. 2.5 would be the ideal score here.
3
Dec 16 2024
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Bloody Kisses
Type O Negative
I never really got the hype for this band/album. A lot of their songs give me a Danzig-lite feeling so I'd rather just listen to Danzig. The weirder and punkier stuff is what I enjoy more. The album is also much too long.
I could go either way between a 2 and a 3. Gonna give it a 3 I guess.
3
Dec 17 2024
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Join Us
They Might Be Giants
Wasn't sure what to expect here. My main experience with TMBG is Tiny Toon Adventures and Malcom in The Middle. It's kind of all over the place and fun. I'm glad it got to listen to this even if not every song really worked for me.
4
Dec 18 2024
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Nail
Scraping Foetus off the Wheel
I probably would've enjoyed this more 20 years ago. Some of it was pretty good but it got on my nerves on some songs.
2
Dec 19 2024
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Sublime
Sublime
This is an album that I absolutely want to hate. Not because it's a bad album but because it's beloved by some of the most annoying people ever: barely functional burnouts and frat douchebags (this may be a dated experience. I'm 39 and those pukka shelled pukes lost their mind over this way back when I went to school)
Now that I got that nonsense out of the way: I really like this album. I don't need to hear any of those singles ever again. The local rock station I'm sometimes subject to at my job still beats those songs into the ground; but they are good songs nonetheless.
The rest of the album has more hits than misses. I like when they keep things punkier and not so deep into dub/reggae/whatever territory.
It's a really good album. I had this as a teenager and believe me there are few albums I was listening to back in the 90's that I still enjoy today.
4