My 1001 Albums Journey

Album	You	Global	Diff
Antichrist Superstar Marilyn Manson	5	2.45	+2.55
Histoire De Melody Nelson Serge Gainsbourg	5	2.71	+2.29
Damaged Black Flag	5	2.86	+2.14
Music Has The Right To Children Boards of Canada	5	2.92	+2.08
Reign In Blood Slayer	5	2.97	+2.03
Spiderland Slint	5	2.97	+2.03
Slanted And Enchanted Pavement	5	3.03	+1.97
Double Nickels On The Dime Minutemen	5	3.13	+1.87
Repeater Fugazi	5	3.14	+1.86
Junkyard The Birthday Party	4	2.15	+1.85

Album	You	Global	Diff
Disraeli Gears Cream	1	3.46	-2.46
S&M Metallica	1	3.26	-2.26
1977 Ash	1	3.03	-2.03
Slayed? Slade	1	2.87	-1.87
So Much For The City The Thrills	1	2.8	-1.8
Brothers In Arms Dire Straits	2	3.73	-1.73
Hot Fuss The Killers	2	3.73	-1.73
Next The Sensational Alex Harvey Band	1	2.7	-1.7
Moondance Van Morrison	2	3.68	-1.68
With The Beatles Beatles	2	3.64	-1.64

Artist	Albums	Average
Miles Davis	4	4.75
Nirvana	3	4.67
Radiohead	6	4.17
The Velvet Underground	3	4.33
Bruce Springsteen	5	4
Sonic Youth	5	4

Artist	Ratings
Metallica	3, 3, 5, 1

Straight Outta Compton by N.W.A.

Dec 15 2021

Like a poppier, bouncier X?

"Not Fade Away" is the standout track

Not at all what I was expecting. Kind of a weird album, really. Strangely catchy. That voice!

Not even my 2nd favorite Clash album...

Much dirtier than I remembered. Too many "interludes". Wasn't my thing as a kid, and still isn't I guess...

I like it! Now I'm wishing I would have been a raver in the mid 90s...

Maybe I've just heard some of these songs too many times to care anymore?

Good recording quality, at least? Not sure I'd ever listen to this again.

A couple-few interesting tracks (Bussing and They're Hanging Me Tonight) but not sure I'd make an effort to re-visit the full album again.

Interesting to listen to this right after Radiohead. Definitely a through-line between them. This isn't my favorite Kraftwerk album though...

Meh, probably not coming back to this one ever again... Parts of it come off as a parody album somehow. I'm very confused.

Some really nice tracks, but a bit meandering at times.

It's fine.

Right up my alley. I feel like I probably should have heard "Shot By Both Sides" before, but I don't recognize it.

Wanted Dead or Live is pretty good

It's got it all

I don't even know anymore. I still listen to their earlier stuff all the time. But black album and later.... I just can't. Does that make me a hipster?

Great album, fun songs, just always found the production a bit thin :/

meh. I like Iggy and all, but this is more just a bad Bowie album.

I wanted to be more interested...

My least favorite S&G...

Still raw and impactful after 40 years.

I listened to the whole damn thing.

Interesting to put Come on Eileen in context. It fits right in with the album, though.

well constructed, but not really my thing

Dance punk!

Weird. It sounds good, and maybe I'd want to listen to individual songs on occasion, but I can't really imagine wanting to come back to this album. A bit too "all over the place".

"It's Alright Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)" might have converted me to a Dylan fan

Nice!

I feel like the 2nd half drags a bit. First track is awesome!

love how much the lyrical imagery seems to clash with the style. how is this from 1968?

I'm a fan!

I'm sure there's something here, but can't really get past the cheese factor.

I've enjoyed other albums of his more... A double album is a lot to ask.

Meh. Feel like I didn't *have* to hear this one before I die.

I really liked the sound, but it stayed a little too "low key" to engage.

meh

I appreciate it, but I don't enjoy it.

Listening through this whole thing was a slog... I used to love Dire Straits.

This was actually pretty decent

Hard to argue with, I guess. Well put together, lots of hits. But I'd rather listen to Tom Petty...

I'm sure my devotion to Minutemen is biasing my rating a bit, but this is a pretty fun listen.

I obsessed over this album back when, eventually wearing out the cassette tape. But it's been a while since I listened to it through. Still a collection of well-crafted, poppy punk songs. It is what it is.

Pretty rockin' stuff. This one's hard to rate after just one listen, but my gut says 3. It could very well deserve a 4.

Man, I just can't with early Beatles stuff. It's just a bad Motown impression.

Andy Warhol and Queen Bitch are my favorites

I actually enjoyed this a bit. Had never heard of The Waterboys. A bit uneven, but I liked the longer, more driving tracks the most.

I'm not familiar with this group. Not my favorite industrial-ish album, but there are some parts that I enjoyed. No plans to revisit this one...

I have to admit the first half is pretty strong. Kinda falls off a bit though towards the end.

It's fine. Kinda blended into the background. Not bad music to work to!

Didn't think I knew the artist, but I knew a lot of these songs. Definitely quirky, but still kinda fun. Can't tell how much of this is a joke!

meh

I guess I'll never get Genesis. It's so goofy sounding, but not in a fun way like Rush or Yes or whatever.

I guess this is my favorite Springsteen album so far. Not generally a fan, but the stripped back style sounds OK to me.

A more psychedelic Who. Kinda all over the place, which I guess was the point. But it kinda ruined the flow for me.

Once again Van Halen woos me with awesome guitar licks despite awful lyrical content.

Pretty cool

Man, I used to love it. I guess it's aged ok...

I don't know why this annoyed me so much. It seemed pleasant enough, but then I realized the songs were just longer versions of Don Henley or Dire Straits or something.

I don't really know how to rate this. Obviously it's good and earns its spot on this list. But I also don't care.

it's pretty long. i remember enjoying it the first time i listened, but repeated listens seem to drag a bit

the title song is obviously great, but i wouldn't come back to this just because of one song

Weird.

Nice! Never listened to the whole thing before. It's heavy!

Not my favorite R.E.M. album, but still solid all the way through.

Awesome!

Apocalyptic sci-fi meets pop? Interesting.

I was introduced to this album a while back, and it seemed more impressive then. I get that it's "groundbreaking" or whatever, but does it sound good?

Really well recorded. Some great tracks, but it blends together a bit.

I don't know. I started out liking it, but this just isn't my thing for a whole album's worth.

Weird coincidence with the passing of Queen E?

I listened a couple times. It sounds pretty cool...

Meh, probably never coming back to this one

I really don't want to like Rod Stewart, but this is pretty good. The sound/recording is great.

Whatever... it's fine.

nah dog

Sure, everybody agrees Imagine is an all-time great song. I'd never listened to the rest of the album though. Not a collection of all-time great songs...

Man, I really don't care about this at all.

This one didn't do it for me. And I liked Perfect Prescription a fair bit...

I really hoped I'd enjoy this more. I just don't think I'll ever "get" Johnny Cash the way I should.

Maybe this was original for the time? Sounds boring now.

Maybe because this style has come back a bit with other artists like Bill Calahan (who does a much more interesting version), I found this quite boring.

Maybe I'll just never get it...

I don't actually dislike this, but I'm annoyed it's on this list. It's a fine, well-recorded live album. Maybe I'd get more out of it if I knew or cared more about Allman Brothers...

The the two standout tracks book-end this album. Would have made a terrific 7".

*sigh* Is this influential on crotch rock genre? Not revisiting this one...

Some OK Radiohead worship here. N.Y. is my favorite track. Not a fan of the seemingly autotuned vocals.

Not my favorite thing, but I appreciate the ambition.

I don't feel like this has earned a place on the list.

Well I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. Not sure I needed 16 tracks of this in a row, but they all sounded nice.

A fun surprise

I can't bring myself to care about Peter Gabriel

My 2nd favorite from them (Sister being first)

Not my thing really, but it definitely has a vibe that I could see folks enjoying and it's well put together.

Sure, it's groundbreaking, but none of the songs really stand out.

Nope.

Never heard of 'em. It was interesting at times.

Hadn't listed to Julian Cope before. This is decent.

Not sure I'll ever get Tom Waits

My relationship with Steely Dan is constantly changing. Right now they're boring me.

Pleasant enough, but this was clearly just a cash grab to re-hash a bunch of previous/better recordings in English with Sinatra at the helm. The originals should be on this list, not this. Sinatra is always Sinatra and he has enough stuff here.

I lost interest pretty quickly.

Wild Horses is an all time great song. Not my favorite Stones album otherwise.

Cool sounding record, but docking a point because I kept thinking of other bands while listening (Cure, Smiths, Gang of Four)

Boring

Got some NIN vibes on "Thoughts of You". Wonder if Trent Reznor listened to this a bunch

Weird. I guess I could see why this would be mentioned together with the Clash or whatever, but this is way stranger. Some OK tracks, but not sure I'm coming back to listen this one again.

A lot of connective tissue here linking to 80's and 90's stuff. You have to assume Wilco was taking notes here (especially Holocaust), plus a bunch of other folks. Big Black Car is my favorite song.

Hamburger Lady is a true masterpiece. I appreciate this as an art piece, but not really a regular listening kind of thing.

I don't mind this at all.

It's good, but not as good as "If You're Feeling Sinister".

I still don't get it. Theoretically all the parts of a great album, but it just doesn't jive with me. Maybe it's too optimistic for this cynic.

Somehow I never really listened to Anthrax. The vocals are pretty off-putting to me.

I actually like this one OK. It was entertaining. But I feel like the whole "live" conceit might not work as well on subsequent listens?

Not my favorite hardcore band. But it's short and sweet.

Not at all what I was expecting. I may listen to this again. Who knows.

It's a good one

I guess I'm a hipster since I much prefer the earlier Madness albums.

I remembered a lot of these songs. Still not my favorite, but it's a cool time capsule.

Deranged and awesome

Meh, I'll appreciate it for what it is, but probably not coming back to this one.

Now I'm sad I haven't been listening to The Damned more all these years...

I mean, I guess I can respect it for the execution? Maybe I'm still too young to "get" Steely Dan

I just can't. Stuff like "Making Whoopee" is so cringey.

Meh

Time to Pretend is an awesome time capsule. I just feel like this album doesn't hold up to repeated listens. There's no depth and the back half is so unremarkable.

I think it's just OK. The "heavier" sound suits his voice on some of the tracks, but on others it just doesn't seem to come together.

It's nice

I think I'll need to listen to it a few more times. It could grow on me.

I guess, fine. It's like a slicker more pop-oriented version of later Radiohead?

Folks still ripping off the first track to this day. It's a cool album but I think Master of Reality is better.

I don't get it. Like an over the top Neil Diamond?

It's possible this was very influential. I bet it's better live.

Maps is a good one. Otherwise pretty standard dancy punk stuff. Kinda reminds me of Elastica.

Classic

I appreciate the lo-fi-ness of this.

I mean, it's mostly pretty dumb...

I figured I'd see one of their earlier albums here, not this one. But it's ok in the end...

Some interesting parts, but it doesn't seem to have aged particularly well, maybe?

It's pleasant

I remember enjoying this album a lot more when I first heard it. Might just be having a bad day today. I never made the comparison with Elliott Smith, but I hear a lot of similarities. This is pretty good. I'd come back to it again.

Some good tracks. But it's kinda weird overall. Never really got into a groove for me.

Maybe just not my thing. The vibe was cool, but went on too long.

Certainly not as catchy as their debut, but interesting still

Now I see where Badly Drawn Boy got all his ideas. Also hearing Belle and Sebastian and even Dinosaur, Jr. It's an interesting album in its way, but I think it's too inconsistent and the good ideas come and go too quickly.

Not my favorite Cohen album...

Now I need to listing to more Keith Jarrett solo stuff. I love the piano sound, and reading the story of how this concert came together made it sound even better.

I actually really like her more "traditional" stuff. But this collection of songs I didn't really get into.

I don't see why this album is on this list... It's just so mediocre

Ugh. I hate this.

Surprised I enjoyed this so much. I guess it's just a nice, calming album. I can see the through line to someone like Neko Case

A bit disappointed honestly. Other Bunnymen albums just stick with me more...

Not my favorite from them

It's interesting enough. I never really got into this the first time around, but it's fine.

it's pleasant enough. sort of background music, for some kind of overpriced beach bar?

It's kind of a jazz rock thing, but definitely more poppy than, say, Emerson, Lake and Palmer. I think I like ELP more, but this sounds good and the instrumentation is great.

I've listened to this album a bunch over the years, and it's just "just alright" for me. I guess I'd rather listen to Jesus and Mary Chain instead?

A nice surprise

Definitely a punchy sound. They got the rocking sound down. The songs are alright...

Not sure why this is on this list. It's fine, but it's just generic rock.

From my perspective, this was already a cliche when it came out...

Stone cold classic. Imitated by others, but never matched. Both grooves and shreds. And the lyrics are just as strong as the music.

Actually pretty entertaining!

It reminds me a lot of the pop-punk/alternative stuff that would come later on, so extra points for being early/influential.

I feel bad for asking, but is this a joke?

Pt. II - Resolution is an absolute masterpiece

I don't see why I *have* to listen to this.

Lame. It just keeps going and going too...

Interesting to listen to this in close proximity to The Shamen, which I thought was more entertaining in the end. But this is a pretty solid 3 I guess.

His "singing" just gets so samey after a while. But the songs/lyrics are definitely strong.

I like this well enough. Somehow I've never heard of them, though it fits right into the mid 90's techno evolution that Warp was a central part of - and I'm generally a fan of. It doesn't hit me the same as other high-profile albums from the same scene though.

Cool vibe. None of the songs really stand out though.

Pleasant enough, but sort of drifts into the background. I'd probably revisit down the road.

Definite Michael Jackson vibes on several of these tracks. It's catchy enough.

Alright... I'm sold. It's a classic.

"The Big Ship" is one of my favorites for a long time. The rest of the album is just so weird and intriguing, but overall I think it settles as an average album for me. I come back to it every once in a while, but it doesn't quite click with me like Eno's ambient stuff does.

A bit plodding at times... almost like a doom metal album in a way. That works for some songs more than others.

Something very captivating about this for me. Definitely coming back to this one... I can see Songs: Ohia/Magnolia Electric Company flowing from this, amongst others.

Mezzanine brings everything together just a little bit better in my opinion, but this is a very solid album.

I really did think I would like this more... I remember listening to it a bit when it came out, but revisiting it now, I find it irritating. I think it can't decide what it wants to be. Is it it dance music? I think DJ/Uproot does something in the same vein much better. To be fair, I did enjoy seeing M.I.A. live... but can't give bonus points for that, right?

Go To Sleep is my favorite track. The rest of it is good, but only just good.

It's pleasant. Almost too pleasant, to the point where I don't really care about it. Not sure why this is on the list, since it so easily blends into the background.

Seems like a slightly better produced re-tread of Pyschocandy, which I still enjoy much more.

Some stand-out classics on this album, but altogether it's just average for me.

Maybe one day I'll understand

so much potential, but lost interest quickly

Novocaine for the Soul doesn't save this otherwise unremarkable album. A much worse version of what Sparklehorse was doing around the same time.

Just not into this one.

It's not really fair for me to evaluated since I'm not much of a fan of this type of thing. The standout track for me was not even on the original release: the Live version of Melting Pot...

I liked this better than Screamadelica. Sort of a Massive Attack vibe on some of the tracks (Kowalski). I guess I'll give it a 3, though I don't really understand why this is essential listening for 1997... It definitely sounds like an album FROM 1997, but is that enough?

Not my favorite S&G but I won't say no to this one

Poppy alternative rock. Oasis, Jesus and Mary Chain (90s), etc. I don't see anything essential here, nor would I revisit the album. This was probably dated when it came out.

Another rehash of alternative/britpop/whatever, ala Oasis or Stone Roses. I wouldn't consider this essential.

I liked Blue a lot more

I love Can, but this one didn't really do it for me. "Persian Love" is the highlight. This seems like it would have been more fun to make than to listen to.

It's held up better than I thought it would. Fun, but maybe a bit one-dimensional.

I love the Knife more, but this is good stuff

I don't mind this, but I'd rather be listening to Guided By Voices

I appreciate the unique style, but I'm not sure I'd come back to this.

Fun, high quality stuff. I think I just prefer the earlier, "rawer" version of Queen a bit more.

It has merit. I liked it more than Sex Pistols which just popped up here a week ago, but I'll need to revisit this album again to be sure.

Still one of the most rockin' albums ever

It's pretty fun.

I love "Jamming". The album's good, but not my favorite Marley.

Eh. I know I should like it. I just wish it sounded better.

Stone classic. Infinitely re-listenable. Groundbreaking.

Some real fun tracks here.

Strong debut. Some of the songs are a bit goofy, but overall I didn't mind this one. Hoping to get some later career Tori on this list as I'm sure the sound matures a bit.

I really enjoyed this.

I think I liked the first song the best. Pretty uneven album. The tone is pretty consistent, but some of the songs were pretty generic alt rock (in a bad way).

I have more context for this album now than I did when I first starting listening to it in the 90s as a kid. Maybe it's not so groundbreaking after all, but it's still a good album to listen to.

I dunno man

A true mishmash of everything on rock/pop radio in 2001. I loathed that stuff at the time, and I don't believe it's aged well.

I'd heard so much about this album. I hoped I'd like it more... It's fine. The singing style doesn't really vibe with me, but I like the music well enough.

I love Pink Moon so much that it's hard to be fair to his other albums. This definitely doesn't stack up, but it's pleasant nonetheless.

I'd definitely heard the Sweet Jane cover, but the whole thing is really nice. Really low key, gentle stuff. Not for every day, but for right now.

This is fine... Flashes of interesting bits. 3 for effort, but I probably won't revisit it.

I might revisit this one.

Y'know, it's really not as bad as the single might suggest!

Never heard of them, but it seems like it's right up my alley. A weird mix of alt-rock and Jesus Lizard and mumbled talk-singing. Nice low-end action. Giving it a 3 because it's not *all* strong, but I'll probably revisit this one.

One of the most aptly titled albums ever?

Not my favorite Dino Jr. album

Favorite song was "All The Way", maybe because it sounds like the Cure?

Man, these songs are LONG

I like "Broken Drum". It's a solid album.

I don't know why I like it, but I do. I guess it's just kinda fun.

It's got its highs and lows. Not as much fun as This Modern Dance, but I'd re-listen...

It's ok... I liked their first album way more though.

Solid one

I liked disc 2, with all the instrumentals, much more

It kinda drags on... Cool sound, and I almost like it, but probably won't revisit.

Stone classic. Everybody I know has a different favorite song from this album, and they're all right (mine's Gold Dust Woman).

Punches above its weight for me. Not quite sure why I like it, but I do. Maybe it's just the organic/imperfect sound.

Everybody raves about this album, which really makes me question if my dislike for this band (and this album in particular) is irrational. I just can't get into this stuff... Something about it being too relentlessly positive sounding?

For me this album is in a similar place as Scum by Napalm Death. I understand the inclusion, but beyond a handful of songs (Pachuco Cadaver, Moonlight on Vermont, Orange Claw Hammer), it's hard to really enjoy the thing. 4 for importance, 2 for enjoyment = 3. Safe as Milk is much more fun to listen to, and I really do enjoy Beefheart in general.

I like this, but the intent and vision is so clear that the whole thing ends up feeling like a single track. Not something that's easy to come back to.

It's fine. Maybe too much a sum of its influences, rather than standing on its own?

Not one of my favorites...

It was a mistake to listen to this. These songs won't get out of my head.

Probably great to see live, but I'm not revisiting this one.

It's a good first effort. A bit bland... but catchy enough.

The mixing kinda sucks... The vocals seem isolated from the rest of it. I dunno, I think Pretty on the Inside is far superior.

It's still Elliott Smith under all of the unnecessary sheen, so it's still worth a listen. But not nearly as strong as XO or his earlier albums. Less is more...

ehhhh

I really hoped I'd like this more. It's weird, wild, wacky, even unhinged, but also never held my attention. Ideas come and go so quickly. Not off the train with JSBX; I'll try another album before giving up. But this one didn't do it for me. As an aside, I like his side project Boss Hog way more...

Alright fine... The fact that every song on this is a massive, catchy hit. There must be something to it.

Ah yes, the album with such stone classics as "Gang Bang" and "Giddy Up A Ding Dong". Listening to this made me stupider. This is easily the worst album on the list so far (about halfway through now).

Not a fan of this one.

Overall I might enjoy Evol and Sister more, but this is obviously a classic. It's less about the individual tracks. You just have to let the whole thing sprawl out in front of you.

Coming to this list without much Hendrix experience, Axis: Bold As Love really blew me away. This one, not so much...

It's fine, but probably not coming back to this one.

Much weirder than it needed to be. I had high hopes too.

If only it could all be as good as "Groove is in the Heart"...

sure, why not. this is fine, but could easily be replaced on this list and nobody would miss it.

The title track is nice. The rest didn't really engage me much.

"The End" only gets better with age.

Whatever your feelings on the guy himself, this album stands as an achievement.

It's not that it's bad, it's that I just don't care... Not sure why it's on this list.

It's so hard to get past his "singing" style sometimes. I enjoyed the full-band stuff on the 2nd disc a bit more.

Not my favorite Tom Petty output, though American Girl is an obvious classic. Three stars because it's mercifully short.

The first edgelord? He's a good rapper, but I didn't enjoy this.

I understand why it's influential and important, I just don't really want to listen to it...

Pleasant. Maybe overly so... Barely a 3, but a 3.

A couple of highlights, but overall I was happy when this ended.

This used to be my favorite Bauhaus. Maybe it still is, but it seems kinda whatever right now.

I liked "Heatwave". This is fine...

I'm hoping Moon Safari and/or 1000 Hz are on this list, otherwise I'm not sure why they included this one... It's fine, but I don't think it's a must-listen.

Meh

This isn't my favorite style of musical mashup, but I appreciate the musicianship and vibe.

Low key dig it.

Yep, this is definitely another Elvis Costello album.

Kinda whatever. I guess that's a 3?

"Birthday" is the obvious highlight. A lot of ideas here, but uneven execution nets a 3. Hints of post-punk, Cocteau Twins and the other stuff going on in the early-to-mid 80's. Usually just my kind of thing, but this album just comes off as a bit thin in the end.

"You're My Girl" is a cool song. The only thing that might improve it would be removing Rod Steward from the equation (maybe no vocals at all??). Not a Rod Stewart fan.

One of the less interesting offshoots from the CSNY ecosystem. And boy is it long. But I guess it has its moments.

It's nice

The songs are bangers, but wow the recording quality is just awful. I tried both mixes and they both seem wrong in different ways. Too bad...

Yeah, I guess this was where electronic DJ music was in '97... Kinda sad that my favorite track is the DJ'fying of Serge Gainsbourg, which didn't need the help.

I like large parts of this and it didn't feel too long for a double album. That's enough for a 4.

Interesting... But not worth re-visiting.

Whiney and too long

I always thought it was weird that Frampton's three regular radio hits were from a live album, but I also have zero interest in evaluating his other records to better understand. This is fine, but I won't be revisiting.

I really had higher hopes for this listen through. Something just feels off about it.

Probably deserves another listen or two to let it set in

I liked the slower, less poppy songs much more. Overall it's just fine.

Not really connecting with this one. Started blending together after the first track.

It's the real deal

I guess this is my least favorite CCR album.

The hits are good, but the rest is pretty yawn inducing for me...

Jeeze, hope I don't have to listen to this one ever again.

How can something so boring also be so irritating?

I really enjoyed this. Very chill in a way that avoids being boring.

Nice. Not my favorite Jazz Samba, but hard to complain about anything going on here.

This and Dirty might be the two most consistent Sonic Youth albums. It's a classic.

I had to hunt this down on Youtube since it's not on Spotify (though the rest of the XTC albums are...). Pretty disappointing overall. Not sure what elevates this above other generic sounding pop rock.

Pretty and morose. Need to revisit it later for a fuller opinion. Definitely seems like a grower.

Not my favorite reggae album. Ketchy Shuby is fun.

Spooooon Mannnnn

Certainly not my favorite Lou Reed output, but I can understand the inclusion here.

I get it, it's "important" or whatever. I just can't care.

Curious why this particular album of hers was the one included on the list. I've enjoyed her other stuff much more.

This is fine, but it's crazy to have a musical group evolve so little over 18 years. Their first album was magical in its own way. This one has no magic.

Obviously "Halcyon and On and On" is a stone classic. Nothing else here is quite as good though this is still a solid early electronic album.

I find it really, really hard to care about classic Country like this. But a bonus point for being well recorded.

I guess they're like a poppier Depeche Mode? This album isn't really doing it for me.

I think I don't get it.

I assumed I wouldn't like this at all, but Ministry sure had something going in the late 80's/early 90's. Scare Crow was my favorite track.

OK, but doesn't earn a spot on this list.

It's crazy how "fully formed" punk was from the start. This still sounds fresh. Hard to imagine Bikini Kill or Sleater-Kinney without this album. This might even be a better collection of songs than the best BK or SK albums...

Highlights were Gin and Juice, Tha Shiznit and Murder was the Case

I actually liked this well enough. It just doesn't seem "complete", almost like a lo-fi demo. That adds charm, but also means the whole thing kinda blends together.

I think I like the individual parts of this album - ska, punk, metal - but it really hasn't aged well. Not a fan.

Fun Ride!

This is fine. I'm probably missing some context about what makes it important. No plans to revisit this one. The version of Love Hurts here is nice enough at least.

While groundbreaking/important, not really the most enjoyable listen. I do actually enjoy their later, more "musical" output!

Actually my *least* favorite Cocteau Twins album. I agree with the band in describing it as "the worst album by a mile". I think the recording quality and simplicity of the effects really does the music a disservice.

I think I like "All Hands on the Bad One" more, but this is still good.

It's possible my familiarity with this album has led me to rate it highly. But maybe everybody should become familiar with this album. So many mid/late 2000's band were just trying to do what the Bunnymen had already done...

Cool vibe, but it wears thin. Yet somehow many, many bands still tried to steal their thing. This is all about individual songs. As an album, it's average at best. "I Was A Teenage Werewolf" is my favorite.

I remember when this came out and people were talking it up. I didn't get it then and I still don't. There's certainly nothing wrong with it, but the whole faux retro thing just makes me want to listen the originals instead. I suppose it's a fine inclusion on the list if only because it presaged a host of other, even worse imitators, who I suppose you could categorize as a "sound" in itself.

Not my first time listening to this, but I've never noticed before how much of Sonic Youth's poppier side comes straight from The Fall. I do enjoy this one, though most of the songs could be a bit shorter and still maintain their impact and aesthetic. That's to say, I like how the songs start, but once the themes have been established, they tend to drag on instead of maturing further.

Worth it for the singles. A solid 3.

It's fine

I don't mind that the songs kinda sound the same. Really chill stuff.

Not really sure what to think here. It's not bad per se. Rounding a 2.5 up to 3 here...

Ugh

I know this album is influential (and Don't Burn the Witch is a real banger), but I'd rather be listening to Motorhead.

I think every Pavement album except their last might have been my favorite Pavement album at some point. Right now, this one is my favorite.

This is fine. I could see its influence on bands like Tortoise and such.

Hard to imagine Tom Waits without this paving the way. Unfortunately I'm not a huge Waits fan either. This is cool, but probably not going for another listen. I enjoyed the Dr. John album from 2012!

I guess I could see why a more overblown version of the Beatles could appeal to folks, but it's not my cup of tea.

I just can't with Dylan sometimes.

It's definitely what it is, I'll give it that.

I don't really get it. The last track is nice. But it just seems like fragments of soundtracks to movies I wouldn't really like either.

My least favorite Tim Buckley album so far

I do revisit this album from time to time, but it might still be my least favorite from the Gun Club. All the pieces are here though.

Like Journey with makeup. Nobody will make me believe this band is good.

My least favorite VU album... Sister Ray is really good though.

Everybody can probably find something they like here. But also something they really don't like... If we're talking pass/fail, this is a pass.

Hard to be unbiased here, since I've listened to it so many times before. But this is an album I listen to at least twice a year, so it must be a 5.

Not my favorite from them

It's nice, but seems so forgettable. I could imagine revisiting this one later on and seeing how much it sticks.

Man, just imagine how good some of these old SST records would sound if they were recorded better.

Great musicianship can't overcome my seemingly innate dislike of Rod Stewart. I also don't understand why this blues-derivative stuff gets so much representation on this list. No interest in revisiting this one.

I just don't really get Zappa I guess. I like the irony, wit, and philosophy, but the music usually just sucks. Maybe you just had to be there? There are a couple cool tracks here, "Trouble Every Day" being my favorite, but for a double album there's gotta be more for this to be more than a 2.

Still trying to find my favorite Kraftwerk album. This isn't it.

The instrumental parts were my favorite. You can really hear how other metal bands (especially Metallica, with the instrumentals...) grew out from this. But wow, some of the vocals are pretty awful here. I'm not even a big fan of Bruce Dickinson, but man was he an improvement.

I disagree with the premise that every damn Elvis Costello album needs to be on this list. Y'all are making me feel like a crazy person. This album is boring!

Simultaneously a homage to the past and ahead of its time. Where would The Cramps be without this? A whole genre was spawned from Evil Hearted Ada. Solid album. I think it earns its place on the list. Even if I might not return to it frequently. The Cramps were never my favorite thing either.

This may be only my second 1 star review, 713 albums in... Ugh, I knew I was going to hate this after the first song. Just saying "Santa Cruz" over and over and over is not a song. Everything is just so contrived. They took all the worst lessons from 40 years of pop rock. This absolutely should not be on this list.

What a comforting sound. Friend of the Devil and Attics of my Life in particular. Random sound associations: Wilco, fIREHOSE, Beach Boys

I actually enjoyed the extended version. This is definitely "background" music, but it's crazy how fresh it sounds considering its age. This is closer to a classical music suite than a rock album, so it's hard to say what my favorite parts were.

I figured this had to be on here. I guess it's better than a lot of the other britpop stuff on this list.

Getting this the day after Oasis's debut album puts things into perspective. This just sounds messy.

Parts of it were cool. But parts of it were just... annoying

It's crazy how fresh this still sounds, and how low-key influential it must have been

I'm usually all in on "proto-punk", but this is pretty boring -- and stupid.

Not much to say here. One of the crowning achievements in the genre. Even if the drumming isn't great.

I feel like there's gotta be some other album(s) in the same genre that are more "must hear"

Can't bring myself to care about this

Violator is superior. This is pretty gothy and morose, though, which I like.

Weird, but also weirdly fun.

It's at least a 4 for Baba O'Reilly alone. The whole thing still sounds fresh.

Lowkey

Harrowing

I mostly didn't like this, but there were a few songs (especially "Tooting Bec Wreck") that were interesting enough. I guess it's still punk enough that I'm not totally turned off.

This is fine. Lives in that 90's Beck-like world I guess. I don't think this is must-listen or anything, but I suppose it's a 3.

I had much higher hopes for this. Listen, I love electronic music. Electronic music can be very repetitive. This is repetitive in a way that just grates, though. I'll give it a 3 just for being one of the bigger electronic groups to open up the gates, but just barely.

I like it. I probably would have really enjoyed seeing this live. I don't think there's enough variety here for a double disc, but I think it's earned its place on the list. I'll probably have to revisit.

This is far from my favorite X album. Hopefully this isn't the only X album on the list...

Pleasant, but pretty forgettable too

An interesting mix of African chill and straight-forward blues. I enjoyed it, but it kind of drifted into the background. I'd probably come back to this.

the hits are good, but the rest is meh

I liked the first track well enough. This doesn't make the grade for me otherwise.

I probably need to give this another listen.

Certainly an ambitious album, which clearly owes a debt to Bowie. The problem is, I didn't really get into it...

That voice! This album is very much of its time, but also timeless.

Not really digging this one. The lyrics seem so forced, right?

You'd think an album that leads with an 18 minute song would definitely feel like a slog, but not even a little bit. And it still sounds fresh somehow. Well recorded. Listen to Close to the Edge and imagine where Mars Volta would be without them.

Rockin'

It's not my favorite classic punk album, but it still rips.

I actually really like this. It doesn't necessarily seem like something that'd be on this list, but it's got that perfect mix of alt-rock, psych, shoegaze and Yo La Tengo that's right up my personal alley.

I have a hard time caring about the Beatles sometimes. But this one has enough songs I like.

Interesting to get this album soon after getting the Dandy Warhols. Both are late 90's albums that playfully mingle very established rock styles. But this one seems too formulaic and too reliant on just being "loud" or whatever.

Isn't this the first bad U2 album? I certainly don't enjoy it.

I wasn't familiar with this even though I'm generally a fan of Throwing Muses. Just hadn't hear their earlier stuff, which isn't nearly as alt-rock as the later output. This is a pretty singular album, hard to describe. You can hear a ridiculous number of influences, to the point where you wonder if this album wasn't just the influence itself.

I think most agree this is the best Pantera album. I suppose I agree.

Sits alongside Bee Thousand as the "definitive" indie album. Hard to follow this one up, but they did it anyway!

Basically a perfect "C", which I guess rounds up to a 3?

It's pleasant, great for background music during work, and honestly, I'll probably listen to this again. But it doesn't really stand out, and the second half of the album just fades into obscurity.

One of my top 5 electronic albums of all time. Probably also a desert island record for me.

I struggle with Waits. I don't feel like I'm getting it. Clap Hands is a great song though.

I definitely hear Michael Gira's influence in the production. If you can tolerate Banhart's vocal affectations (I mostly can) and some hippy-dippy lyrics, this a really solid folk album.

Ever wanted to know the Bee Gees' take on Comfortably Numb? No? Well here it is anyway, sorry.

Not my favorite Wu-Tang-affiliated record, but it's fun enough.

Did not enjoy this one.

It's fine. I'd listen to it again.

Shoot, I was hoping it was the other Elvis.

Naw dog

Air, Slint/For Carnation and many more owe a debt to this. Crazy. Really interesting and low-key groovy.

It's OK. Kinda ska but not exactly?

I appreciate the effort and concept, but didn't end up actually enjoying the result. Except "Who Is It", which is the most produced song on the album.

Kinda cheesy, but also authentic. I don't mind it.

Clearly a love letter to Velvet Underground, but this is pretty fun. Not a new album to me, but I think it could be considered a classic.

Linkin Park took literally everything I disliked about music in the year 2000 and combined into one awful, inauthentic amalgam. And it caught on so well that it appears on this list. God dammit.

If you liked Spacemen 3, you'll probably like this. I did, and do.

Sure, OK

I really struggle with this type of orchestral pop that sounds like it's out of a musical. I just keep imagining dancers pirouetting during the bridges and interludes. For some reason Jeff Buckley is what's coming to mind as a comparison (probably not fairly), and he did this sooooo much better. ...And this is certainly some of the worst album art on the list.

Is Original Pirate Material on this list too? I enjoyed that one much more.

Should I feel bad for enjoying this?

I remembered them vaguely. Didn't expect to enjoy the album. There's more to it than would seem.

I just can't seem to vibe with Blur. It's fine, but I don't really care.

Generally I can be lenient with electronic music because I enjoy it. And parts of this are fine in a "tune out and do something else" kind of way. But no way does it deserve a spot on the list.

This sits right between 3 and 4 stars for me. It's pretty slick. I think re-listen would likely push to 4, but initial impression is 3.

An obvious classic. Music for 13 year old boys, for sure.

I didn't realize I was such a Yes fan.

Chill and enjoyable.

Wasn't familiar with them previously. Sort of 77' punk meets The Cars? Proto-new wave? Not sure! It's solid enough though. Would listen again.

It's fine... more duds than winners, but the winners are worth the price of admission. I added the stuff I liked to a "liked songs" playlist, but probably won't revisit the album.

Spiritualized would go on to make better albums. This is a solid start.

Nope, 3 songs in, won't do it. Pre-black-album Metallica is great, but this is pure wankery. Absolutely does not earn a spot on this list.

Probably need to give this one another spin some time. I liked the fuzzed out Phil Specter songs most.

I really didn't expect to like this, but it led me on a deep dive that was quite fun. Fun being a pretty relative term here...

Was gonna give it 4 stars but my wife said it was 5.

There's nothing obviously wrong with this, but my hipster lenses also prevent me from seeing what merits its inclusion on this list. Every song starts out great, then quickly had me wishing we could move on to the next.

I liked the soundscapes and the intensity, but the vocals were a bit samey song to song.

So this is where the Urinals -> Minutemen -> etc. line of punk came from! Where have you been my whole life.

Even Smiths/Morrisey and Echo and the Bunnymen can make me enjoy this one. Somehow it's a 5 when Belle and Sebastien do it. This just feels boring to me. Not bad, just boring.

Tricky is the more "impressionistic" of the trip-hoppers. I like it, but I don't love it (as much as, say, Portishead or Massive Attack).

I always preferred Shellac. Passing Complexion and Kerosene are great. Fists of Love too I guess.

I can appreciate the craft with really vibing with the end result. Even though it's not my favorite, I did a bit of a deep dive on Scritti Politti, and it seems I enjoyed their earlier post-punkish stuff a bit more.

A couple of good garage rock songs. But the baroque stuff is just really not my thing. I enjoyed the other Love album on the list more.

The first song, Beyond Belief, is great. Unfortunately it's all downhill after that.

I like the more beat-oriented, later versions of Talking Heads. This seems much closer to Television, which makes sense, but Television did this better.

Meh.

I think I like it. Deserves another listen.

Deserves another listen.

Definitely the most straightforward Sonic Youth album. One of my favorites too.

I'm hot and cold on this album. It's probably between a 3 and 4, but today I'm feeling more negative.

I'd probably consider myself a bigger Eno fan than most, but this was not very enjoyable to me, and probably doesn't deserve a spot on the list.

I didn't want to like this, but it's pretty rockin'.

I read that The Replacements were big fans and even covered one of these songs. And that makes sense. But for me, it seems like the Violent Femmes couldn't possibly exist without this band. Also, 1998 by Rancid seems to have a lot of overlap with Language Problem here. But who knows, probably just a coincidence! Anyway, this is actually really good.

This is my least favorite from the Hüskers. They've clearly checked out on the band by the point, and were hardly working together to put together these songs. Does seeing this album on the list this mean New Day Rising, Flip Your Wig and Candy Apple Grey are also on the list? If not, somebody has made a grave error.

Now I've listened to this

Probably the least accessible collection of material from the Surfers. It's taken years for this to grow on me. You have to want it. What's helped me is to think of this as a soundtrack rather than a rock album.

Crazy how well-formed this is for a debut.

I guess this makes the list because it's the "first" grindcore album? There are many, many better grindcore albums (from Napalm Death, Assuck, Discordance Axis, Nasum, Brutal Truth and others). Even as a fan of the genre and extreme music in general, it's hard to ignore how difficult this is to listen to simply because of the poor production. Was this recorded in a garbage disposal? With so little extreme metal being represented on the list, it's a shame that this is the pick simply because it was first. It can be done so much better. 4 for influence. 2 for enjoyment. I guess that makes a 3.

They learned all the wrong lessons from Deftones and 311.

I'm lame, so I prefer Return To Cookie Mountain. This is still good though. I guess I can round a 3.5 up to a 4.

Was trying to justify why this was a 3 and failed. This is pretty fun/good.

Really amateurish sounding knock-off of Bowie and Bauhaus. The programmed drums are very off-putting to me. Absolutely shouldn't be on this list.

So very, very 90s. It gets a 3 because I knew so many of these songs without ever hearing the name "Stereo MC's".

Solid outing. Rounding a 3.4 down to a 3... Sorry Lemonheads.

Great combination of Eastern instruments and break beats. Right up my alley.

I need more time. This is probably a 5, and almost certainly "essential". But I'm not feeling it right now.

Fully formed, but not yet at their peak

I like this well enough. But it doesn't seem like essential listening. I'll round up to a 3. Not confident.

Rockin'

Imperfect, but boundary pushing. Earns a place on the list even if it's not something I'd come back to again and again.

Electric Warrior was so good. This just doesn't feel impactful the same way. I guess I'll give it a 3, but I'd be OK leaving it off this list...

Doesn't really stand out too much, but I like it well enough.

I didn't much enjoy this, but the auto-play on Spotify after this album was really good. Not sure what that means.

Wow 1998. It would be a 4 if it wasn't so damn long.

Fishnchip

Was just not in the mood for this. Snoozefest.

Need to revisit later. Sleazy stuff.

Denied.

20 years in, I still find something new to like about this album with each spin.

Yay

Badass

I'm probably more of an ELP fan that most here, but I'd steer folks clear of this one. I'm very skeptical of live albums making this list in general, but this one just shouldn't be in consideration.

This is fine. The two hit songs are good ones. The rest just doesn't shine through for me. But I'd revisit.

This is almost a 4, but falls apart a bit after halfway through.

It's pretty uneven, but the synths are really good

Journey Complete!

Rating Distribution

Rating Timeline

Taste Profile

Breakdown

By Genre

Top Styles

By Decade

By Origin

Albums

You Love More Than Most

You Love Less Than Most

Artists

Favorites

Controversial

5-Star Albums (37)

Popular Reviews

1-Star Albums (7)

All Ratings (1019)

Perfectionist

Other