User Albums Journey
Exploring beyond the book, one album at a time
View 1001 Albums Summary391
Albums Rated
3.51
Average Rating
Rating Distribution
Rating Timeline
Taste Profile
1960
Favorite Decade
Soul
Favorite Genre
US
Top Origin
Cheerleader
Rater Style ?
51
5-Star Albums
6
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
Top Styles
By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Being Funny In A Foreign Language
The 1975
|
5 | 2.75 | +2.25 |
|
John Dawson Winter III
Johnny Winter
|
5 | 2.85 | +2.15 |
|
Nurture
Porter Robinson
|
5 | 2.85 | +2.15 |
|
Older
Lizzy McAlpine
|
5 | 2.89 | +2.11 |
|
10,000 gecs
100 gecs
|
5 | 2.9 | +2.1 |
|
Fine Line
Harry Styles
|
5 | 2.94 | +2.06 |
|
All Hail West Texas
The Mountain Goats
|
5 | 2.98 | +2.02 |
|
Emotion
Carly Rae Jepsen
|
5 | 3.01 | +1.99 |
|
Up
Great Big Sea
|
5 | 3.02 | +1.98 |
|
Music For People In Trouble
Susanne Sundfør
|
5 | 3.07 | +1.93 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Korn
Korn
|
1 | 2.61 | -1.61 |
|
Sing To God
Cardiacs
|
1 | 2.5 | -1.5 |
|
Alive Or Just Breathing
Killswitch Engage
|
1 | 2.48 | -1.48 |
|
Canciones 1989-2013
Extremoduro
|
1 | 2.34 | -1.34 |
|
10,000 Days
TOOL
|
2 | 3.24 | -1.24 |
|
The Lonesome Crowded West
Modest Mouse
|
2 | 3.16 | -1.16 |
|
HELLYEAH
HELLYEAH
|
1 | 2.15 | -1.15 |
|
Chocolate Synthesizer
Boredoms
|
1 | 2.05 | -1.05 |
|
Sailing The Seas Of Cheese
Primus
|
2 | 3.04 | -1.04 |
Artists
Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Vampire Weekend | 2 | 5 |
| The Mountain Goats | 2 | 5 |
5-Star Albums (51)
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Popular Reviews
Chappell Roan · 28 likes
5/5
This is the album I submitted so of course I'm going to rate it highly ;)
Now as to why I submitted it: the original book has done a really poor job at representing pop music post 2000s. Seriously there is no Lady Gaga album? Katy Perry? Ed Sheeran? One Direction? Rihanna? Justin Bieber? Spice Girls? BTS? The list goes on. I get that the music isn't for everyone but in terms of reach and influence and impact, they absolutely should be listened to. You're telling me that some obscure British band from the 90s that barely has any impact on the industry or music be on the list but not Lady Gaga? Pretty pathetic.
Also I found the list did a poor job at representing queer music. There are some here and there but it felt very under-represented. As a queer person, this isn't surprising so I wanted to rectify it a bit. With so many options to submit, I realised in the end that it had to be Chappell. I've been a fan since 2021 and when I saw her in a small club in 2023 I walked out knowing I would never see her again in a tiny room again. Cut to 2024 where she became a cultural phenomenon (Femininomenon) and absolutely exploded. She also is unabashedly queer and wears her influences on her sleeve (especially drag). Her music has meant a lot to me in the last 3ish years since I've been listening and I'm happy to be able to see her 3 times this upcoming year in 2025 (she's headlining so many festivals).
Reading some of the other comments, I definitely agree with those who disagree with it. I think what makes the user submitted albums interesting is the wide range of viewpoints and musical tastes. I definitely haven't liked all the albums I've gotten so far.
I really do believe this album will stand the test of time and will be looked back on fondly. Hell even if it's forgotten, HOT TO GO will be this generations YMCA (speaking of which... no Village People?).
My personal rating: 5/5
My rating relative to the list: 5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? It's my submission so yes :)
Getatchew Mekurya · 7 likes
4/5
See this is the kinda stuff that should be on the OG list. I don't think I'd seek out Ethiopian jazz otherwise. This album goes hard but the only downside is the mediocre vocals.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4.5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes.
Magdalena Bay · 6 likes
5/5
Fuck. Yes.
This is the album that got me into Magdalena Bay. I was so sad I couldn't attend their concert in 2024 since I was busy but I saw them a few months ago in Barcelona where they played this album from start to finish. It was so fucking good live. I've already listened to this album like 10 times in full in the last month so having an excuse to listen to it yet again is welcome. Their first album is also good. They just have dialed into that ultra catchy synth-pop sound perfectly and each song is just so good. I don't know of any other bands in the indie-sphere who have this sound but god I want more of it.
Now, do I think it's a little early to add this album in? Yes. I think it is, but I do believe it will stand the test of time be one of the best albums of the 2020s.
This is just an absolute banger of an album and I'm glad others will discover Magdalena Bay. They are blowing up in a good way.
My personal rating: 5/5
My rating relative to the list: 5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Strong yes.
The Mountain Goats · 5 likes
5/5
I remember saying on the other Mountain Goats album that this is the album that should have been submitted. Good to know someone has submitted it.
A top album for me and I've been listening to it for over a decade. Love it.
My personal rating: 5/5
My rating relative to the list: 5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes.
Salif Keita · 4 likes
4/5
Yes! This is the kinda stuff I was hoping to see. Music from people and places I've never heard of. I'm not going to actively seek out Malian music.
It's a really interesting album and sound. Of course my regular complaints of being too long still stand here, some songs go on too long, but at least it's different.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes. These are the kind of albums I'd love to have heard more of.
4-Star Albums (139)
1-Star Albums (6)
All Ratings
Bad Religion
4/5
Alright here we go with the user submitted albums. Having looked at the list, I know we're in for some real treats. I've decided for this section to review albums based on personal taste (removing all context of the list), whether they should be included in the list, and rating relative to the list (which I will use as the final rating). I won't be consistent but that's what I'll try and aim for.
So for this we start off with a nice punk album. Very pop punk? Not great with punk genres. Reading through the other reviews, they mention Tony Hawk and I looked it up and I heard the song You by Bad Religion a lot since I played that game a TON. Did the original list cover that pop-punk well? I remember Green Day being on there but can't remember much else? Although to my ear this was pretty straight down the line. Reading wikipedia I realise I was familiar with the lead singer since he has a PhD and that shows up on lists of musicians with PhDs I read from time to time. Always a fan of that.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the original list: 4/5
Should that has been included in the original list? Yes I think so. Reading wikipedia, they've had a big influence on punk music in the 90s and think that's worthy.
4/5
One thing I'll like about the user submitted albums (from having looked at the albums submitted) is that many are from the last 10 years and still out there putting out music so I'll have likely listened to it prior to getting it.
I've seen both Big Thief and Adrianne Lenker (doing a solo show for her album Bright Future which I highly recommend) live this year of 2024 so I already like them and enjoy their music. I think Lenker is one of the best songwriters out there right now. Some other artists I love did her songwriting class which shows how influential she is in that regard.
Saying that, one big complaint I have about this album is that it is long. I found so many albums on the original list to be way too long and I stand by it. I love many songs but at 80 minutes, considering their other albums have to date been all half that length... yeah could have cut it up. I know how damn prolific Lenker is, but even I think this was a bit excessive.
My personal rating: 5/5
My rating relative to the original list: 4/5 (too long!!)
Should this have been included on the original list? Tough one for me... I think they should have some representation on the list for their impact on the indie music scene in the last few years but that's more of a personal preference. I'm like 45-55 yes / no at this point.
Gang of Youths
4/5
Surprised I haven't heard of this group before, but they seem to be quite big in Australia but haven't quite broken through elsewhere. Looking at where they've played here they played quite a small venue two years ago so they clearly haven't broken through.
I enjoyed it but still, it falls into the trap that so many albums do which is being too damn long. Like yesterday's Big Thief album, you could cut a lot and make it tighter. It just felt like it dragged on and with some good snips would be a nice and tight 45-50 minutes. Otherwise I enjoyed it.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the original list: 4/5 (too long!!)
Should this has been included on the original list: Another tough one. I think it's a similar to yesterday where I'm leaning more towards no, but I wouldn't be disappointed if it were.
Nik Kershaw
3/5
It does surprise me that someone would submit this... didn't you get enough 80s new wave from the original list? Like maybe if this was doing something really interesting or unique I could see but this just sounds like every other new wave album that exists. Nothing interesting or unique. Just that boring 80s sound that has aged so poorly.
I wish the user submitted albums would also have a blurb submitted by the user to explain their thought process behind submitting their album. I just struggle to see why this was done.
My personal rating 2.5/5
My rating relative to the original list: 2.5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Absolutely not. There was more than enough generic bland 80s new wave / pop and this is just another one to add to the pile.
Mary Chapin Carpenter
3/5
One of my complaints about the original list is that I found the country selections to be pretty lacking so when I saw this was country I was excited. Was this country? I guess so but it felt more like adult contemporary or something. Just very bland. I like the Dire Straits cover but otherwise I found this very tepid and uninspired and generic. Nothing sharp. I guess easy listening but I was expecting something with a little more grit.
My personal rating: 2.5/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this has been included on the original list? Nope. Didn't feel like this was bringing something new to the table that the original list didn't already contain.
Elmer Gantry's Velvet Opera
3/5
An interesting submission. I've never heard of the band and they seem not to have had much impact on music as a whole so curious to see the thoughts of the one who submitted it. The album itself sounded very typical to that 60s era psych sound and while I found it had some interesting moments never really got there. I do wish more bands would introduce themselves though, that's always a fun time.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3.5/5
Should this have been included in the original list? No. I think there was enough 60s-era music that was adjacent to this on the original list and this doesn't really bring something new to the table.
Thee Oh Sees
3/5
Live albums are a really tough one. When I hear a live album I want to hear something that I couldn't hear in a studio. So many of the live albums on the og list were just mediocre studio albums that happened to have a live audience in front of them. A perfect example, in my view, of what live albums should aspire to is Alchemy: Dire Straits live, in particular Sultans of Swing. Knopfler took a 5 minute song and extended it into a 11 minute masterpiece. That's what I love about live albums! This doesn't have that. It felt like a studio album that just happened to be recorded in front of people.
Also looking into the band, they sure are prolific. In the end, this didn't do much for me and I never felt they were doing anything creative or unique.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Nope. Nothing about this really felt special and doubly so with a live album. Maybe something from their catalogue would have been a better choice.
Jellyfish
3/5
Another band I've never heard of. Turns out there is a reason since they barely sold any records so no one has. They immediately gave Queen vibes (which others note) and since Queen is my favourite band of all time, I should be primed to like them. It started off strong but for me it never really gets to that next level.
I read on wikipedia that a critic said this band was 15 years too late or too far ahead others haven't caught up. I'm leaning to the former, but I think here in 2024 such a band would find a niche.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3.5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? My gut reaction says no, but I wouldn't lose sleep if they were. There is already enough 80s/90s mediocrity so this replacing something on there wouldn't be a loss.
Arthur Russell
2/5
Never heard of this guy and reading a bit about him, it's tragic he died early. When it comes to music.. yeah this was ambient bullshit. The other comments have really summarised it perfectly. This sucked. I read on wikipedia the album failed to perform commercially and he requested the album be labelled with 'unintelligible' and no shit dude, this sounds like it is meant to be played at performance art. Just because you think it's good doesn't meant others do. It's not. Also some magazine named this the best album of the 80s? Jesus fucking christ talk about pretentious.
My personal rating: 1/5
My rating relative to the list: 1.5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Honestly, yeah sure. I hated it but at least it was something different . Many of the 1 star / 2 star albums I at least appreciated they existed. They weren't for me but at least they tried (and failed).
Marillion
3/5
A big pet peeve of mine is length. I enjoy long songs and prog rock is chock full of long wankery bullshit. This almost gets there but they have the decency to keep it on the shorter side. No song shorter than 5 minutes but at least there aren't too many of them and they keep it a tad over 50 minutes. Still it's prog rock at the end of the day and I'm not the largest fan.
Reading about the band though, whose name I've heard here and there, I applaud the effort for crowd funding. That gives me respect.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3.5/5
Should this have been included in the original list? I'm leaning towards a yes. I think the pioneering of independent funding is noteworthy and worth a listen.
Mogwai
3/5
Another band I've never heard of although funnily enough I saw an ad for Rough Trade doing a listening party for a new album of theirs so they still are active.
Unsurprisingly this follows my common complaint of being too long. For long drawn out songs, they just weren't interesting enough for me to care. I'd say cut 20 minutes and you'd have a nice solid album. The long drawn out songs just felt tiring.
My personal rating: 2/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should have this been included on the original list? Sure why not. Replace some 90s mediocrity with this and I wouldn't complain. At least this band has some impact on music.
Gotcha!
2/5
A baffling choice and I'd love to see the reasoning. I've never heard of this band and as far as I can tell, no one outside The Netherlands has either. This is like discount bin Red Hot Chili Peppers and I dislike RHCP. This was a slog to get through.
My personal rating: 2/5
My rating relative to the list: 2/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No. I really struggle to see what impact this has had on music / what it brought to the table.
Earth, Wind & Fire
5/5
Well hell yeah. This is way better than the other Earth, Wind & Fire album on the list. It's so good. Just killing it on every single level. Boogie Wonderland is just such a good song that makes you get up and dance.
Just go watch some soul train and enjoy.
My personal rating: 5/5
My rating relative to the list: 5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Absolutely. A better pick than the original for sure.
Primus
2/5
Just the title alone makes me go ugh... I find funk metal to just be so... dated? Just not a fan. I guess there are people who like this but that person isn't me.
My personal rating: 1.5/5
My rating relating to the list: 2/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Probably. Primus has been around quite some time and while I don't find the music all that interesting, I think they could get a nod.
Korn
1/5
Sorry why did we need another Korn album on this list? We already had one and I hated it. This album was more of the same. I get that some people enjoy it but I absolutely do not. At least it was 10 minutes shorter than the other one. Still 20 minutes too long.
My personal rating: 1/5
My rating relative to the list: 1.5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No. Or if you want to, use it to replace the other album on here.
MF DOOM
5/5
I found that the original list did hiphop / rap dirty and never felt like they really explored the genre. This is a great example. I've never heard of this guy before but it was fantastic. It was fun and different and had some great vibes. Plus it's just a hair under 50 minutes which is absolutely perfect (soooooo many rap albums on the list were way too long).
Just sounds so fresh and interesting. Absolutely a great pick and addition.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes. Strong yes here. This is some great music that deserves to be listened to.
Angelo De Augustine
3/5
This is the indie folk bullshit I love. Yet I hadn't heard of this dude and, unlike the Big Thief album from a few weeks ago, this dude seemingly has had no impact on the music industry. I know a ton of other artists that are doing the same thing as him, but better. Nothing is really standing out as unique or special about this album.
Yeah its neat he works with Sufjan Stevens but beyond that seems to not have done much.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3.5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No. There would be better examples of this kinda music I would go to over this.
The Beautiful South
3/5
Never hear of this group or album. I definitely enjoyed some of it but other songs not so much. I am not a Tom Waits fan (see my other reviews) and this definitely dragged on as it got longer. Honestly not much more to say it but it's quite forgettable.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No. There is more than plenty of bland 90s British music. We don't need more.
Childish Gambino
4/5
Ah Donald Glover. I can't say I'm really all that familiar with the music but I definitely know of it. I'm more familiar with his comedy. Spelling Bee is a great sketch.
More of this should have been on the list instead. It's still baffling they excluded anything by him. It's great beats and good vibes.
My personal rating: 3.5/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes.
Rachel Stevens
4/5
So my complaint about the original list is that it's really done pop music post 2000 really poorly. So many obvious missing gaps. This is a step in the right direction but there must have been a better choice. I've never heard of this artist before but I have heard of S Club 7. These are great perfectly crafted pop songs and good fun and vibes.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4.5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes and no. More of these types of albums should have been included, but maybe not this one in particular.
4/5
It's funny reading the other reviews of people who are like "I've never heard of these guys" yet they already had an album on the original list. Reading my original review tells me they didn't have much of an impact on me and I couldn't name anything about it.
This time around, I liked the album a lot more. Couldn't say why in particular this one had more of an impact on me over the other one but it did. Just felt more cohesive and interesting.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? I'd replace the other Eels album on the list with this one.
First Aid Kit
5/5
Well this is an instant 5 stars from me. I've loved First Aid Kid for many years now and when I saw them live in 2023 I was right on the barricade.
What's more to say? Fantastic Swedish folk music. Love this band a ton.
My personal rating: 5/5
My rating relative to the list: 5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes. I'd personally love to have it and given how much dross there is, this would be a good addition.
Chappell Roan
5/5
This is the album I submitted so of course I'm going to rate it highly ;)
Now as to why I submitted it: the original book has done a really poor job at representing pop music post 2000s. Seriously there is no Lady Gaga album? Katy Perry? Ed Sheeran? One Direction? Rihanna? Justin Bieber? Spice Girls? BTS? The list goes on. I get that the music isn't for everyone but in terms of reach and influence and impact, they absolutely should be listened to. You're telling me that some obscure British band from the 90s that barely has any impact on the industry or music be on the list but not Lady Gaga? Pretty pathetic.
Also I found the list did a poor job at representing queer music. There are some here and there but it felt very under-represented. As a queer person, this isn't surprising so I wanted to rectify it a bit. With so many options to submit, I realised in the end that it had to be Chappell. I've been a fan since 2021 and when I saw her in a small club in 2023 I walked out knowing I would never see her again in a tiny room again. Cut to 2024 where she became a cultural phenomenon (Femininomenon) and absolutely exploded. She also is unabashedly queer and wears her influences on her sleeve (especially drag). Her music has meant a lot to me in the last 3ish years since I've been listening and I'm happy to be able to see her 3 times this upcoming year in 2025 (she's headlining so many festivals).
Reading some of the other comments, I definitely agree with those who disagree with it. I think what makes the user submitted albums interesting is the wide range of viewpoints and musical tastes. I definitely haven't liked all the albums I've gotten so far.
I really do believe this album will stand the test of time and will be looked back on fondly. Hell even if it's forgotten, HOT TO GO will be this generations YMCA (speaking of which... no Village People?).
My personal rating: 5/5
My rating relative to the list: 5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? It's my submission so yes :)
John Mayer
5/5
Another baffling omission from the list. Love him or hate him, John Mayer has had a massive impact on guitar music since his debut. I've seen him live numerous times and the guy knows how to play. I think he did something smart with his career which is play the super poppy stuff early on and make all the money and now just plays whatever he wants. Dude is living the guitar life.
This is a fantastic album. So many big hits that have endured. I've been a fan for a long time and will continue to listen to this.
My personal rating: 5/5
My rating relative to the list: 5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Absolutely yes.
Stromae
3/5
Ooh some French language music. Ah it's electronic. The problem I have, as mentioned many times before, is that I hear so much really good house / electronic music that my bar is set so high that this has to be flawless. It's okay.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Sure why not. Could replace some of the electric slop that was on here.
Tame Impala
5/5
A band name I've heard for so long but never checked out. What a ride. This was fantastic. Definitely worth to be included. Hard to add much more.
My personal rating: 5/5
My rating relative to the list: 5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes
Touché Amoré
3/5
I wanted to like this a lot more than I ended up liking it. even though it's a brisk 33 minutes it felt way longer. Possibly because I just didn't enjoy the screaming lyrics. It just did not work for me. Even a cameo from Julian Baker didn't save it.
My personal rating: 2/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No
Daniel Bélanger
3/5
Looking into the background of this album, I realised there is no Quebecois music. Maybe there is and I forgot but something from that area should be included. Come to think of it, there is no Celine Dion? She is definitely worthy of having something on here.
As for this, it again follows my complaint of electronic music for this list. It's long and never really does anything unique or interesting. It was fine and pleasant to listen to, but far from essential listening or having much impact on the music industry.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No
Haley Heynderickx
5/5
Ahh! A name of an artist I've been really wanting to check out for a while. I know she released an album recently at the end of 2024 which is on my to listen list.
This was really fun. I loved the finger-picking style guitar. Kinda reminds me of Joni Mitchell in some ways. Just a really great folk album. It also inspired me to listen to her new album (which is also super short) and it's excellent. Definitely an artist worth checking out and following if you love folk.
My personal rating: 5/5
My rating relative to the list: 5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? As much as I love this, probably not. She hasn't made a large impact on the industry or is really doing anything super groundbreaking that you must listen to it. You should, but it isn't essential.
Graham Parker
3/5
Ehhh... it's okay. It's really hard to write something insightful when I heard this album numerous times on the original list. It isn't really doing anything new for me. At least it's short and inoffensive.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Absolutely not. We had a enough mediocre new wave already, don't need more to add to the pile.
The Upsetters
3/5
Not really my type of music but enjoyable enough. I don't think there were any dub albums on the original list? If there were I've forgotten them. I know there was some reggae on the original but again it felt quite obvious and not super in depth.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Definitely. There is a clear influence on Jamaican music that has lasted.
Bran Van 3000
3/5
There appears to be a bunch of music from Quebec submitted, which is great. However this felt like a compilation album of a bunch of different songs. It's neat but ehh... not super my thing. Also too long. Once again that plague of long albums.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard
4/5
Ah King Gizz... this is the only album of theirs that I have listened to as I was told it was a good starting point to get into their music. I know how prolific they are and how much music they put out. Personally I find it too much music but I have friends who are really into them and have seen them a bunch. I would definitely check them out if I saw them at a festival but I've never really sought them out otherwise.cWhen there exists diagrams of how to parse their discography is just too much.
Now for the album, I enjoyed it but I don't find myself to returning to it. It's solid music but just not exactly what I always vibe with.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Probably some album from them should be included.
Freestylers
2/5
Top comment said it. We did not need more shitty 90s British electronica. Also too fucking long.
My personal rating: 1/5
My rating relative to the list: 1.5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Absolutely fucking no.
Vampire Weekend
5/5
I got really into Vampire Weekend last year when Only God Was Above Us was released. I love that album a ton and saw them live at Primavera Sounds. Converted me into a fan. I also really love their self-titled debut. This album is great, but compared to those others, it just isn't as good for me. It's still fantastic but the bar is so high from those two.
It's surprising they aren't already on the list. Vampire Weekend are the perfect indie darling type band that should be on this list. They headline major festivals and have tons of critical acclaim.
My personal rating: 5/5
My rating relative to the list: 5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes. Strong yes. I'd even argue putting on Only God Was Above Us instead since that album is so fucking good.
Jai Paul
2/5
Okay never heard of this guy or music before so didn't know what to expect. Being completely honest, releasing half-finished songs just doesn't cut it for me.
Overall the music could be interesting but I don't hear anything super special. Maybe due to the unfinished nature of things? Considering this is pretty much all he has released, it's hard to be interested in this unfinished mess.
My personal rating: 1/5
My rating relative to the list: 1.5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No. Unfinished songs do not make an interesting album. Finish it and then release.
THE SPORTS
3/5
Huhhh another pretty nondescript band. Honestly, it's hard to say something about this since I'm pretty sure I heard an album identical to this on the list at some point. From reading the wikipedia article, it seems like they had success in Australia but nothing much elsewhere. Limited success and limited influence doesn't amount to much. Can be said about a lot of album on the original list.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No. Nothing really interesting about this that isn't already on the original list.
Ani DiFranco
3/5
Never heard of this artist before and it should be up my alley... but of course it follows into the trap of being too long. Every song really overstays its welcome. Did we need a 7 minute cover of Amazing Grace? No. But that's the curse of 90s albums. They had CD lengths to fill and boy did they fill them. Cut out 15-20 minutes and this is a solid album! It really does have that 90s sound.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Indifferent. Wouldn't bother me either way.
Khruangbin
5/5
Another band I've been meaning to check out. This feels a lot like a vibes band for me. If I'm in the mood for it it'll be great, but if I'm not, it'll feel tedious. I was very much in the mood today for this. I know I'm seeing them at a festival this summer, so I liked them enough to really given them a good listen.
They also just got nominated for Best New Artist at the Grammys. On their 4th album. BNA is a fucking weird award isn't it.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Ohh tough call. I am leaning towards a slight yes.
Cluster
3/5
It just faded into the background as I listened to it. Nothing really special. It's neat historical curiosity and living in Germany I'm sure I could find a bunch of their records laying around, but nothing that will stick with me beyond that.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3.5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Killswitch Engage
1/5
Going through the original challenge made me realise how much I appreciate the sounds of vocals. My dislike of many of the metal albums on here was the vocals just kill it. Musically, it sounds great, then you have someone screaming over it and it just kills it. It's annoying and unpleasant listening to.
I read through the submitters reasoning and I get it, but at the end, this is not something I would ever listen to again or enjoy. The vocals and just too annoying and it reminds me too much of edgy teens trying and those people are fucking lame.
Even though this was 44 minutes (hooray!) it felt like hours.
My personal rating: 1/5
My rating relative to the list: 1/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Tally Hall
3/5
Never heard of this band. Within seconds I was like "these are a bunch of nerdy white guys aren't they?" Yes. It gives off the quirky vibe that is just... ehh. Listening to the rest of the album it's somewhat exhausting with the rapid shifts. Very musical theatre energy. Sometimes this style of music works with me but other times not. For example, Panic! At the Disco really give me those vibes (btw why aren't they on the list?) but it works for me. Ultimately this didn't resonate with me but I can see why it would.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Sure why not. Replace one of the numerous garbage 90s acts. Even though I'm not a huge fan, at least it was interesting.
Alex Cameron
3/5
We get it, you like the word pussy. Grow up. I think I would like it a lot more but the lyrics were just so juvenile. It's overall quite nice, but just some of the immaturity got to me. It's on Secretly Canadian and I like a bunch of other artists there so musically, it hit me. But given I wasn't a fan of the lyrics, I don't think I'll be returning to it.
I can't really complain about the duet with Angel Olson. She is awesome.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No. He isn't doing anything really unique that isn't done by others.
Sublime
3/5
I've heard the band name but never listened. This was not for me. It just reeks of the 90s and has that vibe of a type of music I just don't really enjoy. Maybe you had to be there to get it.
Also, too long. Cut 20 minutes.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Sure why not. I know they've had impact on the industry with this album.
The Hold Steady
3/5
This started really strong and very Springsteenesque. But then as it went on it really lost steam and became quiet generic.
Even though it was a brisk 40 minutes, it felt a lot longer.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Nope. Nothing really special about it.
Snarky Puppy
3/5
I've known about Snarky Puppy for a while but never really listened to them. I knew their vibe but never investigated. I get what they are doing but it's not for me. Jazz fusion is just a genre I find.. boring? Technically they are amazing musicians but it's just got that specific thing where I'm like "meh". I know the drummer is amazing and he learnt an entire album of material on a plane flight for one of their albums.
Still it's okayish background music but ultimately doesn't get me going.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? I think so. I don't like it but they are doing something at least interesting
The Posies
4/5
I enjoyed this. Not doing anything ground breaking, but quite a fun little listen.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Nah. There is enough 90s music on here to last a lifetime. This could replace something else but it's not essential.
The Dear Hunter
3/5
I thought we already had this band on the list. Oh that's Deerhunter. Well that's confusing.
Oh great a prog rock album. Buckle down for songs that go on way too long. At a "brisk" 75 minutes this was exhausting. Also being thrown into the middle of a story (which I had no idea what it is about from the lyrics) is a bit strange.
This really sounds like a soundtrack to a musical. Maybe in the context of a musical I'd enjoy this more but I agree with the comment that this exudes theatre kid energy.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Nope.
Mull Historical Society
3/5
I bet you this album was already on the list. It's just so uninteresting and boring and isn't breaking any new ground.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Nope. This album is already on the list. We don't need more forgettable UK music from that era.
Harmonium
2/5
First off, another long ass prog rock album in so many days. I really dislike these long albums. They are just so boring. Do we need 4 songs that that are between 12 and 14 minutes? No. They aren't even that interesting. I guess this is why I hate prog rock. Long songs can be fun if they are interesting and none of these were.
I also sense there was a group of finishers who are in Quebec since I've seen that there are a few albums from the province. That's nice to mix it up from the usual UK/US dreg, but still it just boring. I suppose I should support more Canadian music but this isn't it.
Cut it in half and I'll be interested.
My personal rating: 2/5
My rating relative to the list: 2.5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes, in the sense of it's at least not from the UK or US but no in the sense of it doesn't need a boring almost 90 minute long prog rock album.
Transvision Vamp
3/5
From the first song I was like "ooh this could be interesting" but it ended up sounding like so many other 80s albums. That decade really had a sound didn't it? So many of these meh bands that released a few albums in the 80s and then vanished forever.
Honestly what else to say but it's been done.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Nope. There are too many albums that sound identical to this already and we don't need another one.
The Burning Hell
3/5
Never heard of this band before and I'm Canadian. Can't really see what impact they've had and the music is fine. It's got that talk-singing kinda style that can work, but here was ehhh....
I mean it's cool the guy has a phd in ethnomusicology and the lyrics are quirky, but ultimately kinda bland.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Pigeons Playing Ping Pong
2/5
You know what we don't need? An almost 15 minute insipid cover of the Ghostbusters theme song. I'm sure this band is probably interesting live but it's so dull and uninteresting. I've been getting a few of these long albums and I just don't get it. The wikipedia article (which is super short) says they are a funk jam but I didn't hear much funk. Just a bunch of mediocre noodling on the guitars that didn't really ever get out of first gear.
My personal rating: 2/5
My rating relative to the list: 2/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No. Not interesting at all.
INXS
3/5
Surprised INXS isn't in the book. Saying that, I didn't care for it. I've never connected with their music and it just sounds like meh 80s music to me. Maybe you had to be there to enjoy it and I wasn't alive so a huge shrug of the shoulders for me.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes.
Men I Trust
4/5
Another long ass album. What's with these submissions? Anyway at least each song is short. This is the perfect album that just fades into the background.
Beyond that, it's nothing super special. But it faded into the background for me while I was doing something and I enjoyed what I was hearing.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Nah. Not really breaking any moulds.
Bloc Party
3/5
I thought this was okay. Reading the comments, others love it but I don't see it. I guess I had to be there because this just sounds like tons of other stuff I've heard. Nothing super amazing for me.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Nope. Already have enough meh British rock.
Valerie June
5/5
I was familiar with this album before and I've enjoyed it quite a bit. It's some great music from a fantastic artist.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Slight yes. Not essential but probably could have made it on.
Crash Test Dummies
3/5
Growing up in Canada, I heard of this band and maybe even saw a music video or two on MuchMusic but I've never really listened. It really is prototypical 90s college rock. Saying that, it doesn't do much for me. I think there was enough of this already and we don't need more meh 90s rock.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Koritni
3/5
Never heard of this band. It's like a slightly more modern take on hard rock but completely forgetable and utterly bland.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
blink-182
4/5
Never been a huge blink-182 fan but this album was everywhere around that time period. It really nails the time period and atmosphere of the time. It's a baffling ommission from the original list.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes. Strong yes.
The Alan Parsons Project
4/5
Normally I hate prog rock but Alan Parsons works for me. Maybe it's because he keeps it short? 40 minutes is perfect. There is sufficiently prog rock wankery, but it keeps it tight. That helps a ton.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Slight yes.
Jimmy Eat World
3/5
It's fine! I didn't hate it or love it but it was an okay listen. It fits with that kind of album that was prolific on the original list where they are competent but nothign super mind blowing.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3.5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Indifferent.
Biffy Clyro
3/5
It's fine. It's one of those many forgettable albums that plagued the original list. It's not bad, but it's not great.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
The B-52's
4/5
Who isn't going to say no to more of The B-52s? I do think this is a weaker album than their debut, but it's still fun.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Don't think so. I think the debut album was the correct choice.
Pedro The Lion
3/5
Another indie rock type record that should be right up my alley, yet it's fine. It isn't mind blowing or anything. It exists perfectly fine and that's about it.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3.5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass
5/5
This was a great. Why was there no Herb Alpert on the original list? His music has influenced culture in so many ways, even if it isn't the most cutting edge or whatever. This is easy listening for a reason and it's fun and short. A perfect little album that should be listened to since you've probably heard the songs before.
My personal rating: 5/5
My rating relative to the list: 5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes.
TOOL
4/5
I've known of Tool for a long time but never gave them a listen. On the original list I hated having long metal albums. This is a long metal album. It wasn't as bad as I would have thought. They seemed to get it and even though I would have shortened it, it didn't feel long which a lot of the other metal albums.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes.
Chet Baker
4/5
Jazz was one of the genres that had a surface level understanding in the original list. This is a great album that should have been there.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes. Jazz was done poorly.
Vulfpeck
4/5
I've been familiar with Vulfpeck for a while. I've seen clips of this MSG concert as well (the full thing is available for free on youtube). I think the top comment already covers it completely. This looked really fun to be there live but listening to it far removed from the event I'm like... fine. Still it's funky at times and they are really talented musicians and that shines through.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No. Don't think you really need to hear this. Maybe an album from them would work?
Childish Gambino
3/5
This is a toughie. I liked the sound of the music, but I didn't like it compared to the other Childish Gambino album. It's tough to evaluate this since I wanted more hiphop music on the list but this just was fine. I guess hiphop has to have those mediocre albums right?
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3.5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No. The other user submitted album is better.
Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band
4/5
Surprised there was no appearance of Seger anywhere on the list. Surely we could remove a Elvis Costello album for this? It's prototypical classic rock and just is fantastic.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes. Strong yes.
Oingo Boingo
4/5
Oingo Boingo isn't on the list? Is Danny Elfman anywhere on the list? He should be. I'm not the hugest fan of new wave and there is certainly plenty of it on here (much to my annoyance) but the fact that Oingo Boingo wasn't one of them is somewhat confusing.
It's weird and fun.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes. Replace some other new wave album with this.
Jóhann Jóhannsson
4/5
Interesting take on modern classical music. Very nice background music but beyond that, rather run of the mill.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Operation Ivy
3/5
I agree with the top comment: there is already a few versions of this album on the list. At some point, a lot of the punk music just sounds interchanegable. Maybe if I had a better understanding of the whole history of the genre, I could appreciate the importance of these guys, but in the end it sounded similar to other stuff I've heard.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Hombres G
3/5
This is more what I wish on the original list. An album by a band I've never heard of from a country that I don't think of when thinking of rock music.
Now saying that, it was a curiosity to say the least. I'm happy to have listened to it but it isn't that special.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Sure. We had enough boring British garbage, why not something from Spain instead?
Damien Rice
4/5
I should like this more than I do. It's singer-songwriter stuff and I know many musicians I like have been influcned by him. Still it feels at times a little long.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Indifferent.
Sparks
4/5
I liked the Sparks album on the original list. I felt just having one was a bit underappreciated for how long these guys have been at it and how consistent they've been. Given so much other dross on the list, they have a good sound.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes. I think the band deserved another album.
Salif Keita
4/5
Yes! This is the kinda stuff I was hoping to see. Music from people and places I've never heard of. I'm not going to actively seek out Malian music.
It's a really interesting album and sound. Of course my regular complaints of being too long still stand here, some songs go on too long, but at least it's different.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes. These are the kind of albums I'd love to have heard more of.
Kayo Dot
3/5
This album solved my problem with so many metal albums: the vocals! Here it was more instruments than vocals and it's immediately better. Now saying that, it's still long and dull. I didn't need multiple 10+ minute songs that are just okay. It's tiring.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3.5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Josh Ritter
4/5
Never heard of this artist and it was perfectly acceptable folk / americana. I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it as much as some other folk artists on this list. The guy seems quite prolific and maybe that'll inspire me to check out some of his other discography. Seems like a veteran solid singer-songwriter.
My personal rating: 3.5/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Steven Wilson
3/5
Ah the curse of prog rock. Why do so many people who finished this challenge just have a hard-on for prog rock? I don't get it. Do you just like songs that go on for 15 minutes? 10 minutes longer than they should? It's tiring after a while.
Musically it's competent but the songs are just too damn long for me to really care. Again the problem with prog rock. Learn to edit!
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3.5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Switchfoot
3/5
Based on the reviews I thought this was going to be worse than it actually was. It was acceptable. I don't think it's really doing anything all that unique and it's perfectly generic alt-rock music. That's not bad, it's listenable. I didn't really get the Christian vibes but maybe I didn't listen to the lyrics too closely. It's just bland. And forgettable, but not bad.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No. There probably should be something to represent Christian rock but this isn't it.
Stars
4/5
Never heard of this band before so didn't have any expectations going in. It was fun.
I can tell there was clearly a bunch of people from Montreal who completed the challenge since there are a bunch of Canadian indie bands represented. I have to say it's great to hear more music from Canada.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Indifferent.
Tori Amos
4/5
Wish they had put this one on the list instead of the other album. This one is a lot better. Saying that, still could have cut a couple of songs since it falls into that 90s long album trend.
Cornflake Girl is such a good song.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Prefer this one over the one already on the list.
blink-182
3/5
Pretty generic sounding pop-punk music. Compared with the other blink-182 album submitted, this is a disappointment. It's not bad but it's not great. It's just generic. It reeks of that early 2000s pop-punk sound. Which, given the band, can work, but here it doesn't.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No. The other user submitted one is better.
The Lumineers
4/5
Ahh yeah The Lumineers. They have a sound and sure commit to it. I am not entirely against it but I remember them being everywhere when this came out. This, or their debut, are a good representation of that early 2010s vibe.
My personal rating: 3.5/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Hmm... a hard one. I'd lean towards a slight yes given how prolific their sound was around the early 2010s.
Neutral Milk Hotel
5/5
The fact that this isn't on the original list is so baffling. If you wanted to list influential indie rock records, this is up near the top. It's like the protoypical indie rock record people point to. Such a mystery why it is overlooked.
I say all this and I'm not even the largest fan of it. I think it's fine and others have come along and iterated immensely on the formula, but it's influence is still seen today. I don't really pick it up to listen to all that often, but relistening to it today I appreciated it more than normal.
My personal rating: 5/5
My rating relative to the list: 5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Absolutely 100% YES.
Extrechinato y Tu
3/5
This was fun to listen to. Wish I knew what they were saying. Sounds very dramatic at times. Trying to read about this album there isn't much to it. It seems to just be a little side project of someone who is probably famous in Spain? Nonetheless, it's certainly fun to listen to but all fluff no substance.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Courteeners
3/5
Another pretty middle of the road British indie rock band from the early 2000s.
It's fine. It's really hard to find something to say beyond it's competently made but it isn't doing anything unique or special. It sounds like mid 2000s indie rock from Britain and that's about it.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
The Tragically Hip
4/5
As a Canadian, I think I am required by law to like this band? I'll be honest, before this I'd never listened to them. Never really interested me all that much. Listening to it, it's the Canadian version of REM. I'm sure if you grew up with it, it would be great but for me it's just fine.
I remember when Gord Downie died, it was big news. Every Canadian band seemed to come out of the woodwork and reference how they were impacted by his death.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes. But only because they were super influential in Canada.
LaBelle
5/5
I didn't know this band, but the first song I was like "oh THAT song". This is just some great funky, disco-y, soul music. Besides the opening track, the rest of the album is banging music.
Not much more to say other than this is just fun good music.
My personal rating: 5/5
My rating relative to the list: 5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Strong yes.
Jimmy Buffett
4/5
Ahh Jimmy Buffett. Did you know he was one of the richest musicians ever and one of the richest ever celebrities? Insane to me. I'd never listened to him before but I knew of his island music. I always thought he was kind of a joke but this album was great. It was fun solid music. I don't think I'll be putting on my hawaiian shirt, sipping margaritas, and calling myself a parrothead any time soon.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes. He carved out a niche in popular culture and maintained it for 40+ years.
Susanne Sundfør
5/5
I definitely have a type when it comes to music. This is it. I just love some etheral folk sounds. I will have to dig deeper into her discography because this is what I love.
My personal rating: 5/5
My rating relative to the list: 5/5
Should this have been included on the original list?
Indifferent. Leaning more towards a yes but am fine if it isn't.
Shania Twain
4/5
I suppose as a Canadian I should love Shania Twain and I think she is fine. The songs on here are well known and bangers but in the end, it's not really for me. It's got a specific sound that is just so 90s. That's not a bad thing, but it's not ultimately something I connect to.
Now saying that, the fact it isn't included in the original list is another baffling ommission. This album has had a huge impact on country music and its sound since its release.
My personal rating: 3.5/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list?
Strong yes.
Margot & The Nuclear So And So's
4/5
Another run of the mill generic indie rock band from the mid 2000s. It's competently made but just fine. Nothing special. Started a bit interesting but there are hundreds of these types of albums out there. Not essential to listen to.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list?
No.
Nuyorican Soul
4/5
I've been very picky about the house music that is on the list and this one does pass the test. Louie Vega is a fantastic house DJ and has been there for a long time and still produces great tracks.
Saying that, this is a long album. For me, house music isn't for albums but for dancing and vibing to. You don't actively seek out albums but long DJ setlists.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list?
No.
Calibro 35
4/5
Well that was an interesting addition to the list. I can't say I'd listen to it all that often or it's particularly important to listen to but it was a pleasant listen. Agreed with others saying this is a soundtrack album and reading about the band they started as one who recorded soundtracks. That makes for easy listening but it's a curosity and not really that essential.
My personal rating: 3.5/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list?
No.
Streetlight Manifesto
3/5
Ska punk. Definitely something that was underrepresented in the original list. The user list has definitely remedied that. Although with this album, is is really that essential? I feel like maybe there are better examples of this? I think better examples already. It's a perfectly fine record but I don't think it's really that exceptional from its peers.
Also did their songs ever make it into a Tony Hawk game? Feels like they should have.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3.5/5
Should this have been included on the original list?
No.
The Amazing Devil
3/5
This is an indie folk band? I'd hardly call it indie folk at times. More like dramatic musical theatre. I agree with the other comments saying this is a musical. That's what makes it give off trying too hard vibes. It sounds forced. Like those little spoken word things sound so fake and inauthentic. It's hard to describe why but it just does.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Marillion
4/5
Another Marillion album. It's hard not to repeat what I said last time: they figured out how to make prog rock not annoying and that is by keeping it short. At 40 minutes this was fantastic. Not too much wankery but enough to be satisfying. This is how you make prog rock.
I will say the album cover is absolute garbage. It looks super AI-art even though it was made in the 80s.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Leaning yes. Same view as the previous user submitted Marillion album. Don't need more than one though.
100 gecs
5/5
I know this album is going to be controversial. I like 100 gecs and I love this album, but it is 100% not for everyone. I listened to this album a bunch when it came out and then put it aside because it is a lot. But that's hyperpop to me. You binge listen to it and then turn it off for a while.
My personal rating: 5/5
My rating relative to the list: 5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Slight yes. It is a prototypical example of hyperpop.
Shudder To Think
2/5
Did not like this. It wasn't horrible, but it wasn't a pleasant listen. From the start just wasn't my vibe.
My personal rating: 2/5
My rating relative to the list: 2.5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Roger Waters
4/5
Oh this is an interesting album. I feel like I'd heard the name before at some point when reading about Pink Floyd but had never listened to it. Reading about the history of this album, Pink Floyd made the right choice on going with The Wall. I'm sure if they had gone with this one, it would still be amazing, but The Wall is a more interesting concept and worked a lot better. The concept here is just not as interesting.
Sonically, it's discount Pink Floyd. It's almost there but it's missing that magic that they had together. It's a competently made album and you can hear so much of them in it, but that is what is the ultimate downfall. Without the rest of Pink Floyd it's just another album. I'm sure passionate fans of Pink Floyd and imagine what could have been but in the end, ehh.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3.5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Kano
2/5
Not memorable British hip-hop.
My personal rating: 2/5
My rating relative to the list: 2.5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Sufjan Stevens
4/5
I wanted to connect more with this album but I didn't. It's in my wheelhouse, but I find that with Sufjan, if I'm not in in the mood it doesn't connect: today I wasn't in the mood.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No. I prefer Illinois.
They Might Be Giants
3/5
Another baffling omission. TMBG have had such a unique niche in music for over 40 years now that's is bizarre they weren't included. Have they had mainstream success? No. Have music nerds heard of them? Absolutely yes.
Do I like TMBG? Not really. There are some songs of theirs I enjoy but I've never really been into them. This album is an interesting choice since I don't think it's all that great. It's fine. Why not Flood?
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes. But not this album.
King Tubby
4/5
Surprised this isn't on the original list. I am not a huge reggae fan, but I understand the importance of dub. Once again the authors of the OG list had a pretty superficial understanding of some genres of music.
This isn’t the type of music I would actively seek out, but it’s nice and short with some good vibes.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes.
The Cure
4/5
Did we need a 4th album from The Cure? No we do not. I'm a little surprised that someone would pick an album that was so new. My own pick was just over a year old and because it had really permeated popular culture I felt like it had enough clout to be on the list. This album? I mean I guess The Cure are known but I don't hear people clamouring to play this. It got a lot of play at the end of 2024 and made some best of lists, but that's 3 months ago as of this writing and this album is just 5 months old. It needs more time to cook.
It's a fine album but still too damn early.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
The National
4/5
There is only one The National album on the original list and since I got in December 2023 I've seen The National twice at festivals. It's a great show and Matt Berninger is so enticing to watch live. They really do match the sad dad rock vibe, which they fully acknowledge and embrace. Also it was really cool to see Aaron Dessner live since I love his collabs with Taylor. My friend also met Matt just wandering around the streets and told me he is a super cool guy.
Saying all that, The National's music is just good. It's nothing mind blowing but it's not bad. It's great music that is easy to listen to. Once again, sad dads!
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Indifferent. Would prefer this over the one on the list.
Nightwish
3/5
This is 100% the soundtrack to a musical right? The music is exactly what I would expect from some overly dramatic and musical theatry production of some gothic play.
It's just not all that interesting at the end of the day.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Les sheriff
4/5
French punk. Definitely something I would have liked to have seen more of in the OG list. Not the French punk part but the music from around the world.
This was catchy and I sort of know what they are saying given my French language learning (it's been a long time). The short songs really push it along. Still, like all punk albums, you get the gist quickly and sustaining it for over an hour is tough.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes.
GAS
2/5
How do I rate this? It's ambient music which is supposed to fade into the background. Which it did. Except it sounds like every other ambient music I've heard. Inoffensive blandness.
My personal rating: 2/5
My rating relative to the list: 2/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Louis Armstrong
4/5
I like Louis Armstrong, but his early stuff I am less keen on. I've danced so many hours to this early jazz stuff, but I love when things get a little more swingy and more rhythmic. These are great early jazz songs but, as the original submitter mentions, predate the whole concept of albums themselves so the songs are meant to be in isolation. The way people consumed music 100 years ago is very different from now.
His later career stuff is really good and he has so many good songs. Still, the fact he isn't on the original list tells a lot about the way the authors understood music. He is essential listening.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes. Glaring omission.
Roky Erickson
4/5
What a neat little album. Never heard of this guy or his band and the songs were fun. Not something I've pick every day but fun enough.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Slight yes. Could replace a Costello album.
Karnivool
3/5
It's technically fine but it's just so long. By minute 50 you get it and it still goes on for 20 more minutes.
The metal albums submitted by users have all been pretty meh. There has got to be some good metal out there. Just not being submitted.
My personal rating: 2.5/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
3/5
Not exactly breaking the mold here. I feel like I've heard this album many times over by now. Nothing really new or interesting. It does it competently and not all that amazing.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
The Decemberists
5/5
Personally I prefer The Kings of Love over this but I can't complain. The Decemberists are great and I love this album.
Exactly the kinda indie stuff I love.
My personal rating: 5/5
My rating relative to the list: 5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Slight yes.
Gurrumul
4/5
See this is the kinda stuff I wanted more of. It's music I've never heard of in a genre I never listened to. This is great stuff. How often do I get to hear Australian Aboriginal music with orchestral backing? Never. It's interesting and different.
Still I'm going to complain it's too long and you do get the gist after about 40 minutes so it easily could have been cut down.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes.
Savages
3/5
Another British post-punk band. Throw it on the pile.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No. We have 10-15 identical albums already on the list.
John Martyn
3/5
Heh... seems like a waste of a user submitted album. This guy already had 2 albums on the list and I don't feel he needed another one. It's fine music but nothing I haven't heard already, especially since he had 2 other albums on the list.
Looking over my previous reviews, I appreciated how short they were. Which I do here. He is in and out in under 40 minutes which is a huge plus. But otherwise, eh.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No. He already had two on the list so if you want to replace one with this go ahead.
Martha
4/5
Did someone from the band put this on here? I love this sort of sound, but these kind of bands are a dime a dozen these days and this isn't exceptional. Amusingly, spotify recommended another band, Muncie Girls who have played with people from Martha, which is a band I do enjoy, in particular Lande Hekt. She is amazing. Go listen to that instead.
Given how this kinda sound is dime a dozen, this band has had no impact on the industry at all, it's not really essential that you listen to this.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
The Marcus King Band
3/5
I've seen the Marcus King Band live before as part of a blues festival. If you really love blues rock, which I do, you'll enjoy this. Saying that, it's not like it's exceptional in the way of, say, Tedeschi Trucks Band is. It's fine but really you know what you're getting if I say blues rock band.
My personal rating: 3.5/5
My rating relative to the list: 3.5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Bon Iver
2/5
Good timing. Bon Iver just released a new album a few days ago which I've heard a lot about. If this is what it is like I'll give it a skip. I did not like this. It just felt very raw and annoying at times. Random bleeps and bloops. Like the ideas are there but it is just too incoherent for me to enjoy.
My personal rating: 2.5/5
My rating relative to the list: 2.5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Phish
2/5
Listen, should Phish be on here? Yes. They are an important jam rock band and have an important niche in music history. However giving us a 2 hour live album is not the way. I know they are supposed to be seen and listened to live while high on drugs. I get that. but oh boy but sitting at home this is just so fucking boring.
I remember listening to Analyze Phish podcast with Harris Wittels and Scott Aukerman back when it was being released (holy shit that was 14 years ago) and the entire premise was to get Scott to like Phish. Even with a huge Phish fan explaning why Phish are great, I couldn't get into it. Still hasn't changed.
You can just fuck right off with a 30 minute long song. The songs are just so god damn boring at times.
My personal rating: 2/5
My rating relative to the list: 2/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No. Pick a studio album or some shorter live album that has the best hits. No 30 minute wankery bullshit.
Avicii
3/5
This doesn't even contain that famous song. Listening to this I realise how bland the actual EDM stuff from the 2010s was. It's acceptable but there is little heart and soul. Should something from that era be on the list? Yes. But not this.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Godspeed You! Black Emperor
3/5
God couldn't they have broken the songs up? I'm fundamentally uninterested in 4 20+ minute long songs. They are interesting at times but given their length it feels tedious to listen to.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3.5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Screaming Females
5/5
I really liked this. As I'm seeing, indie rock can be such a hit with me and this one hit.
It's not doing anything really ground-breaking in the end and it's a fun listen to. However there are many bands out there like this so it isn't that unique.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
4/5
Really glad someone added this. This is an important album in the latest 2010s and has inspired artists like St. Vincent, Charli XCX, and Caroline Polachek amongst many others. It's an album that absolutely should be listened to since it puts in context hyperpop and other dance music that developed in that time period.
However, I don't particularly enjoy it. It's a fine album for sure, but not something I've ever really turned on. It is one of those albums that is a musicians musician or a film buffs film. Stuff the general public will be indifferent to but inspired those who make things the public loved. For that reason, it fits the purpose of the book to a tee.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes.
The Angelic Process
4/5
I saw this and thought "oh god ambient drone metal shoegaze... sounds exhausting". Fuck this hit me in the right spot. I love shoegaze and normally am not a big metal person, but this worked.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Wussy
4/5
This is the kinda indie bullshit I like. Sometimes it hits and sometimes it doesn't. For whatever reason today this hit. Interestingly, sitting here in April 2025, we are seeing a return to the country-infused indie rock.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Ornette Coleman
4/5
This is great. Need more of this on the list. What more is there to say? This is some fantastic jazz music.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes. Could always use more jazz.
Boards of Canada
3/5
Background music. Good background music but background music nonetheless. It's hard to talk about it more than that.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3.5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Ty Segall
3/5
This should be right up my alley as garage rock but it just didn't work for me. Can't really describe why but it wasn't clicking with me today. It's perfectly fine music but just felt tedious even though it was relatively short.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Arctic Monkeys
3/5
This was a lot worse than the other Arctic Monkeys album that was already on the list.
This really felt like discount David Bowie. Maybe it can work but here it really doesn't.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No. Stick with the original.
Debbie Gibson
4/5
I submitted a pop album for the user list as I complained there wasn't enough pop music. Acts that were massive and had impact on music got nothing but some obscure band that no one listens to, barely has any spotify streams did.
This is the kinda stuff I want to see more of. Is it the best pop album? No. But is interesting? Yeah to me it is.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Slight yes.
Amon Düül II
4/5
Never heard of this. It was fun German krautrock.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Slight yes.
Faith No More
3/5
It's fine but I liked this a lot less than the original album on the list. I don't really see why there needs to be more than one from them on this list.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
My Chemical Romance
4/5
For a band whose name I've known for 20+ years, I'm surprised I didn't recognise a single on this. Even the big hits were things I don't recall ever hearing. I'm sure I've heard them before on something but not a single song I thought "oh THAT song". Fascinating.
I do know this is one of the big pop punk albums. It just sounds like the 2000s. Surprised it isn't on the OG list. Once again showing that the OG authors just didn't know anything about pop punk music at all despite it being massive. Guess it they needed to add a 100th Britpop album instead.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes.
Procol Harum
4/5
Some neat early prog-rock. However given that this time period is already well covered, I don't think they are really a necessary listen.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Daft Punk
4/5
Really curious why this wasn't the album selected for the book for Daft Punk. This is a far superior album. Outside of the hits though, it is fine. A little long (thanks to the last song) but it's bad.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes. This one over the other one.
Polvo
4/5
This was some enjoyable indie rock. It hit me well today. But it wasn't doing something super unique that isn't already covered.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Fontaines D.C.
3/5
I've really tried to get into this album since it was released last year. Some of my friends gush about it a ton. It got lots of allocades but I just don't hear it. For whatever reason, it just doesn't click. They are supposed to play a 3 festivals I'm attending this summer so maybe seeing them live will help explain it but until then the music is just fine.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Death Cab for Cutie
4/5
Never really been into them. I don't really like the name and the songs didn't connect with me. Funny how that indie stuff works. Similar artists work and others don't. But this is still a huge album that is surprising isn't on the list.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes.
Boy Azooga
5/5
This really worked for me. It's a great little album that I will be returning to.
However is it essential? No. Absolutely not.
My personal rating: 4.5/5
My rating relative to the list: 5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Ian McDonald
4/5
Oh so more prog rock. What's that? It's short? Wow. Listen up prog rockers you can make good songs that are short.
Can't say this album is all that essential to listen to, but it's got some nice tunes. I think the list has adequately covered the topic from this era.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Mustafa
3/5
Interesting album from an artist I've never heard of it I definitely like the short length but ultimately it isn't anything that unique. Perhaps a full album that fleshes out the ideas more?
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Amadou & Mariam
4/5
Love me the inclusion of foreign music. This is what makes the user list more interesting. I would never seek out this kinda music and it was great fun. Still a little long but otherwise great stuff.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes.
Death
2/5
Ah another metal album. Once again I would enjoy it more if the vocals weren't such garbage. Why do all these metal albums have horrible singers? Technically I can hear skill but then the vocals come in and it's just bad. Takes an okay album to a terrible one.
My personal rating: 2/5
My rating relative to the list: 2/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Sure. Seems to be important to the genre.
The Postal Service
4/5
Funny that a few days ago I got the Death Cab for Cutie record and it didn't really click with me. This one did but not as much as maybe it did for others. Another one where you had to be there I think.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes.
Type O Negative
3/5
Does metal just suck? Two days ago I got another metal album that was also mediocre. There has to be some good stuff in this genre right? Like if this is what is being presented, I shudder to think what isn't being included. Well at least this time the singer is actually listenable.
My personal rating: 2/5
My rating relative to the list: 2.5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
The Caretaker
3/5
What a fascinating listen. Reading about the history, it's a neat idea and feels like something I would hear in an art gallery exhibit. However I'll probably never listen to this again. The static was just too annoying and given that this is based on actual records, I'd rather listen to those instead. Even though it's only 45 minutes, the hissing and static just made this feel like it takes forever. So while it was a fascinating listen, it was a frustrating one.
My personal rating: 2/5
My rating relative to the list: 3.5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Maybe. A really hard one. It's unique and different
Joe Cocker
3/5
Ahh a live album. Honestly it's fine, but very of its time blues rock. I think because it's a live album I'm not as into it.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3.5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Garmarna
4/5
This is the kinda stuff that should be more on the list. I would never listen to weird Swedish folk music. It's strange and odd and different. A great addition.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes.
Backstreet Boys
3/5
In my review of my submitted album, I complained about the lack of pop music on the list. This is a prime example. Backstreet Boys had a massive impact on pop music in the late 90s. This album was everywhere and it influenced a generation of pop music. It baffles me that they were excluded.
Now is the music good? It's Max Martin so you know what you're getting. It's perfectly fine pop music. The great songs are bangers and the rest is very listenable. There is a reason it sold millions of copies.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes.
Joe Jackson
4/5
Man with so much shitty new wave on the original list they couldn't have actually included a good one??
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes. Replace one of the so many shitty new wave acts.
Björk
4/5
I didn't enjoy this one as the other Bjork albums. I think she got good representation on this list already. It's just Bjork doing her Bjork thing. If you like it, you'll like it. If you find it annoying you'll won't.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No. Or replace one of the 4 other ones already here.
TOOL
3/5
First off, too long. Secondly, metal is so much better when the vocalist shuts up and the instruments play. The 11 minute instrumental track was great but the other tracks were fine.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes.
Amyl and The Sniffers
5/5
Hell yeah. This is the album that got me into Amyl and the Sniffers. I've been lucky to see them live 3 times and it's such a great live show. Good old fashioned fun.
Saying that, I don't really see them as doing anything all the new or unique that isn't already covered by the original list. It's an absolutely banger album but like most punk albums, you kinda know what you're going to get. They do it really well, but punk albums on the list already covered this. However I do recommend it since it's one of the great bands coming out of Australia.
My personal rating: 5/5
My rating relative to the list: 5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Frank Zappa
4/5
This is Frank Zappa doing his weird Frank Zappa shit.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No. Or maybe replace one of the mothers of invention. He got 3 albums which feels about right.
Jeff Rosenstock
4/5
Fun little album. Can't say much has stuck with me after listening but it was a fun listen.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
The Stooges
2/5
I get this might be of historical significance but god is it hard to listen to. Shitty bootleg quality doesn't help. And even listening to the contents, it's just meh. So combining the two things just makes this a tough, tough listen.
My personal rating: 2/5
My rating relative to the list: 2/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Titus Andronicus
3/5
I would have liked this more if the songs weren't too long. They felt way too overstuffed and at just over an hour, it felt tedious. Cut the chaff and get to the good stuff that is buried in here. Again I dunno why so many artists seem to think they are good enough for 60+ minute long records. It just gets tiring.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Chucklehead
4/5
Did someone from the band submit this? They barely have any plays on Spotify. It's funky and I enjoyed that but it is not essential to listen to at all.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Chloe x Halle
3/5
Some interesting contemporary RnB although at times it sounds quite generic. I did enjoy the 2nd half where it got a bit more 90s-throwback style.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3.5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Alexisonfire
3/5
God this brings back high school. I remember hearing this band back in like 2003ish and disliking the music. But it makes sense why it was popular amongst the high schoolers. It's the perfect emo-My Space era music.
Listening to it now 2 decades later, I can't really connect with it. I imagine if you really liked it back then it means a lot but to me it just doesn't work.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
The Avett Brothers
3/5
Some nice folksy vibes but ultimately nothing really that I will remember after a few days.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Madvillain
5/5
I said on the other MF Doom album that hip hop was done poorly. This is another example. This is so fucking good. I love the jazz sampling and the lo-fi beats. This album vibes hard.
My personal rating: 5/5
My rating relative to the list: 5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Strong yes.
The Vaccines
4/5
This is the kinda indie bullshit I am open to. It's been hit or miss on this list but this hit.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
David Baerwald
3/5
This is the kinda bland stuff the original list had tons of. It's fine but it's not anything special and it's a sound you've heard before.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No
Charli xcx
5/5
I wait a few days to rate this since I saw Charli live at Primavera and it was great. Troye Sivan not much. Also can Charli sing live? Not really. But that's not the point of this album, it's more about the party and it was a fun party. Each time I give the album a relisten since it came out I discover something new I enjoy about it.
My personal rating: 5/5
My rating relative to the list: 5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes.
Carly Rae Jepsen
5/5
When I submitted Chappell Roan's album, I was complaining that the list was overlooking pop albums. Pop music is important and popular for a reason and you should listen to it. Again, it's wild to me that someone like Lady Gaga isn't on the list while some shitty Britpop band from the 90s that no one has heard of did. Pop music is popular for a reason and something you should listen to before you die. We don't need every single pop star ever, but to really glance over the genre that is massive is stupid and short-sighted.
As for this album, I wouldn't be rushing to Carly Rae Jepsen as a first choice, but I like it. It's album of this type I'd love to see / hear more of. I agree with the submitter that it is a tad long, but it's full of great songs. I'd say the second half is better than the first half. It's great pop music and shows that Carly Rae Jepsen is more than her one hit.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Slight yes.
The Mountain Goats
5/5
I love the Mountain Goats, but this is not the album I would have gone with. I agree with the other commentators who say The Sunset Tree should have been the choice. That's a more accessible album and I think has slightly better songs.
The Mountain Goats are one of those bands where if you like them, you really like them and if you don't, you really don't. I've seen no inbetween. I've made friends with people because just because they were into the Mountain Goats.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes. But not this album.
Screeching Weasel
4/5
Pretty much prototypical example of pop punk. Nothing really to complain about here and you know what you're getting.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Emicida
3/5
Maybe if I spoke Portuguese I would like this more. The beats are pretty generic sounding and wiki says this guy is pretty good emcee but not speaking the language it's hard to appreciate. So overall it sounded like generic hiphop I'd hear through the speakers of an annoying person on the subway.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Protomartyr
3/5
Reading some of the other comments on which bands these compares to I see names like Nick Cave and New Order and it's clear why I don't like this. I didn't particularly enjoy either of those bands on the og list and this does remind me of them. Also are the vocals mixed a little low at time? Sometimes a bit hard to hear. The vocals themselves aren't actually that great either which didn't help.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Anaïs Mitchell
4/5
Ah I didn't realise this was an album before it was a musical. Reading more about it, the musical was before the album but then converted into a concept album which was then converted back to a musical?
Anyway this is the most theatre-kid of all theatre-kid albums since it's a literal musical. I think it's fine to listen to but I didn't really pay attention to the lyrics which is kinda important in a musical. I've never seen the musical so I suspect it plays better having people in front of you acting it out.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Unwound
3/5
Absolutely not for me. It's totally fine music but just not my scene. It does feel like I've heard this sound quite a bit from others in the list.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Cardiacs
1/5
God at 90 minutes I knew I was in for something. I had some hopes it would be good, but in the end I found myself really annoyed with this more than I should. It was a frustrating listen and really did not connect with me.
Too many songs, too long of an album, too much meandering. The top comments mentions editing and I agree. I dislike The Residents a ton, but I appreciate they knew how to edit. Their album was 33 minutes and I really didn't like it, but it's only 30 minutes gone. This is 3x as long which makes it way more annoying.
Cut this thing in half, edit properly, and I'd enjoy this.
My personal rating: 1/5
My rating relative to the list: 1/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Refused
3/5
I can definitely hear the influence of this on pop punk that came out in the early 2000s. It wasn't anything super amazing beyond that for me, but it inspired a lot of stuff I enjoy so that's good to have heard.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3.5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Slight yes.
Godspeed You! Black Emperor
5/5
I didn't enjoy the other Godspeed record but this one hit with me. I just wish they would split up the tracks. This album is very, very, very vibey and I was in the right move for the vibes.
Still wish they would split up the tracks! I want to listen to certain parts but am not going to listen to a 30 minute song all that often.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes.
Billy Squier
4/5
Fun old 80s era rock. Can't really go wrong.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Slight yes.
Times New Viking
2/5
I really wanted to like this. It's exactly in my wheelhouse of indie and it sounds like it is really good. Except I just can't get over the lo-fi nature of it. The vocals sound interesting but they are so muffled it makes it hard to enjoy. The whole sound is just so muffled and fuzzy it takes away. Underneath it sounds like something I would really enjoy and the glimpses I hear of it, I really do.
However the fuzziness and lo-fi nature just take over too much and it's really hard to listen to.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 2/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Johnny Winter
5/5
I completely forgot about this guy. I saw him twice live at music festivals back in the day but never more. Should have checked him out earlier because this was just some great blues rock.
My personal rating: 5/5
My rating relative to the list: 5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Slight yes.
The Breeders
5/5
So a solo Black Francis made the list, but the far superior album by Kim Deal didn't? It's so baffling the choices that were made. How did this not get on the list but so much other dross did?
I saw the Breeders live last year and they were great. In comparison, the Pixies were bland.
Great album and great addition.
My personal rating: 5/5
My rating relative to the list: 5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes.
System Of A Down
4/5
Another baffling omission. Represent actually what is good about nu metal and how it can not be shit. Good vocals, good melodies, and good lyrics.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes.
Robyn Hitchcock
3/5
It was some nice folk rock, but still could cut out about 20 minutes. It's pleasant but in the end, not doing anything that is all that fresh that isn't already covered
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
That Handsome Devil
2/5
I can totally imagine very, very specific people liking this. I am not one of them. It's a Tom Waits rip-off at times. I found Tom Waits very annoying and hard to listen to and this was definitely above that but it's still rough.
My personal rating: 2/5
My rating relative to the list: 2.5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Crystal Castles
4/5
Bleep bloop. Bleep bloop. BLEEP BLOOP.
The bleepest of bloops. Pretty good stuff. Sucks the guy is an absolute piece of shit.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Slight no.
Mylène Farmer
4/5
See this is interesting. It's French pop music from someone I've never heard of. It's the kinda stuff I wish was more on the OG list. Is it all that unique? No. Is it something I never would have listened to? Yes. And it's pop too which was done so poorly on the original list.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes.
Teenage Fanclub
4/5
It's fine. I don't think they need another one on the list and it's good standard indie rock type music.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
R.E.M.
4/5
R.E.M. already had 4 albums on the original list and I agree with all the other comments saying it is tough to choose. I think 4 is maybe a little too many, but still they have bangers and even being a surface level fan I'm know they have a ton of good albums you could argue about which should be included. I have no real strong preference. I personally think this isn't as good as the other ones, but it's not like I felt bad about having to listen to it.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No. Can replace one of the other albums and I wouldn't complain.
CAKE
4/5
I listened to Comfort Eagle a fuck ton and had never really listened to another CAKE album. This didn't have the same impact as that one. CAKE has that weird unique sound that should be heard at least once before you die.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3.5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Slight yes, but with Comfort Eagle instead.
Café Tacvba
4/5
This is fun music, although by the end I did feel a little tired. Common for those 90s albums to be a full hour when it didn't need to be. Reading about the impact, seems like this has been influential in the latin rock scene, which I know nothing about.
Given how many britpop bands we had, couldn't spare a room for something foreign?
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes.
TOOL
3/5
Another Tool album? Honestly it's just fine. I'd say boring more than anything and way, way, way, too fucking long. 90 minutes? Cut it half again. The songs just meander and hey if that's what you are into great but I'm not.
Wild that there is yet another Tool album awaiting me.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
HELLYEAH
1/5
I complained about how metal was done dirty on the OG list. There were clearly a bunch of users who finished who like metal and added albums. But I honestly have to ask... who is this shit for? There HAS to be better metal albums out there. So many of them submitted are garbage. Does metal just straight up suck? I can't believe that for a second, but oh boy are albums like this not helping.
This album cover looks like a fucking joke used on 30 Rock of a shitty metal band one of the characters is in. They treat it deadly seriously and everyone knows it is garbage. If you asked me to design an album cover in the early 2000s with shitty pirated version of Photoshop, this is what I would make. It's like the angsty teenagers emo band level band. Shit you cringe at a few years after you make it.
I had a brief hope that maybe this was all done ironically and it would be over-the-top Spinal-Tapesque satire but no, this is serious. The only mildly interesting song is Alcohaulin' Ass and that's only because it's a fun pun.
My personal rating: 1/5
My rating relative to the list: 1/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Jack Johnson
3/5
I should like this more but no, it's just kinda boring white guy indie folk. Yeah I love the genre but it seems to be very hit and miss where I either love it or find it just okay. This is just okay. Can't explain why but sometimes it just be that way.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Sampha
3/5
There is something about this album and musical style that is just... so bland? It's like it's trying to be something interesting but the music just sounds like so much generic stuff out there. It never really goes out there.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Jimmy Eat World
3/5
This is so bland that I didn't even realise there was already another Jimmy Eat World album on the user list. It's just so forgettable songs that are fine but never interesting nor are they never terrible. They just exist. And it's an hour. Let me guess? Yup.. 90s.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Bon Iver
4/5
Pretty good debut album. The kinda indie folk bullshit I like. Still Bon Iver has never really gelled with me to absolutely love it.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Slight yes.
Slowdive
5/5
This is one where I for sure thought they were on the original list. I know Slowdive was panned by the critics when they released but they've surely had the last laugh being hugely popular now with the Gen Z kids. I saw them last year and it was a fully packed room so they aren't going to complain. Brilliant album that is pure shoegaze.
My personal rating: 5/5
My rating relative to the list: 5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes.
Talking Heads
4/5
As I wrote on the original list, I just don't care much for Talking Heads. They are fine but their music has never resonated with me. That includes this. I know how influential Stop Making Sense has been and if you didn't know it was a live album, it would be pretty hard to tell at times since the audience is quiet during the songs. I've seen clips of the show over the years and it's definitely more interesting to watch.
Heck, the live version of Burning Down the House I saw Paramore cover during the Eras Tour was this verison not the studio. Still... Talking Heads had 4 albums on the list already, did we need another one?
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes, but replace one of their other albums with this.
Manchester Orchestra
3/5
It's fine. Again the trend with these indie rock records is that I either enjoy them or find them fine. This was fine.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3.5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Bob Mould
3/5
Bland alt rock. Just so, so generic. At least it is short.
I agree with the comment that Zen Arcade should have been on here.
My personal rating: 2/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Dead Boys
3/5
Another perfectly fine punk album.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Os Mundi
3/5
Certainly an interesting little album. I read a bit about the history of the band since they are from Berlin, where I live, which was kinda neat to read about the history of music in this city in the 60s.
Musically, it's fine. An interesting historical mix but I don't think very essential.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Enter Shikari
2/5
I absolutely hated this. Just absolutely not my thing. Annoying overall. Fortunately it got a bit better near the latter half of the album but I hope to never hear this again.
My personal rating: 1/5
My rating relative to the list: 1.5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Chris de Burgh
4/5
I groaned when I saw this and thought this was going to be lame, but I really enjoyed it. I knew only his most famous songs and thought it was would be cheesy 80s synth stuff, but the story telling was really great in this.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Slight yes.
Porter Robinson
5/5
Another album where I initially groaned thinking it would be another sufficient ambient album. It is not that. This isn't ambient at all. This really slaps hard and is right up my alley and I've never heard of it before.
What a great, great discovery.
It's a great album but probably one that you don't need to hear but I am very happy to add it into my rotation.
My personal rating: 5/5
My rating relative to the list: 5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Richard Dawson
3/5
I enjoyed the start but dragged a bit near the end. Probably cutting 15-20 minutes would make solid for me. It's certainly a unique sound which I appreciate, but beyond that doesn't do much for me.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Status Quo
3/5
It's fine. Also weirdly not on Spotify for reasons I cannot figure out.
It's pretty down the middle of the road rock from the early 70s. There is already enough of this on the OG list.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Daft Punk
3/5
Did we need another Daft Punk album? And a live one? Absolutely not. It was probably really good if you were there but you can just listen to the albums and get a way better experience.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Hikaru Utada
4/5
See this is the kinda stuff that should be submitted. I'd never heard of this and the complete lack of j-pop in the original book is inexcusable.
Saying all that, it was a little bloated and very dated. The songs did feel samey after a while and it's got that early 2000s sheen to it. Also it's 20 minutes too long (I know.. my standard complaint!) and would help by being shorter.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes.
Talk Talk
4/5
Hey this kinda music doesn't have to be shit! You know why? They don't outstay their welcome. 42 minutes and that's it. That helps so much.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4.5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Slight yes.
Avenged Sevenfold
3/5
Surprise, surprise, too long. It really gets boring by about minute 50 and you know what you're going to hear in the next 20 minutes.
It's fine overall. Bland and the vocals are weak but otherwise it's just there.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
New Model Army
3/5
It's fine but definitely something I've heard similar before. The OG list was full of this kinda stuff where it isn't bad, but not really making any bold choices.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Neat to hear a Danish alt rock band, but really not breaking any new ground, but it is interesting to hear a Danish take on the genre.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Slight yes.
Bon Iver
3/5
A third Bon Iver album? Gotta agree with the top comment. We don't need another one and should have an ICP album. I don't enjoy that band very much but they are important musically.
Like the previous Bon Iver album I got it is fine. Indie bullshit I should like but doesn't connect with me.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Al Stewart
3/5
Meh. It's pretty run of the mill 70s-era soft rock. There are dozens of these albums that exist out there.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Adam Green
3/5
I thought I had never heard of this dude before but turns out he is in the Moldy Peaches which I have heard of and have seen live.
This is very anti-folk and it's silly little songs. I think anti-folk should be on the list somewhere but I dunno if this it. It's definitely an annoying genre that I can't stand super long, but thankfully anti-folk people seem to know this and make their albums super short. 30 minutes is about all I can bear of this before being like "all these songs are identical".
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3.5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Slight no, but the genre should be here, maybe the Moldy Peaches album instead?
John Coltrane
4/5
This is probably what is playing in most peoples minds when you say jazz. It's very very jazzy and some good covers of standards, but it isn't that impressive. It's certainly good but you've probably heard something like it before.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Vangelis
4/5
Interesting to put a movie soundtrack on here. I'll admit, I've never seen Blade Runner but I know the plot of it well enough through pop culture osmosis. It was an interesting listen to and does exactly what you want movie scores to do: fade into the background. A little annoying at times with the dialogue, but otherwise this was a good score. I also really noticed in Blade Runner Blues how it's heavily influenced by Shine On You Crazy Diamond by Pink Floyd. That's a good thing. That song rocks.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Slight yes. If Shaft is on the OG list, why not this?
Songs: Ohia
3/5
Meh.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Tosca
3/5
It's chill music but that's it. This kinda stuff is a dime a dozen and this isn't any really different than the 1000 other versions of it that exist.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Sports Team
3/5
Once again, an indie rock band I should enjoy but ehh... doesn't do it for me. So many sounds like this and this isn't any different than some others.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Yeasayer
4/5
I like that this is felt like it had its own identity. I don't think it always worked but it was a pleasure to listen to.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Ex-Easter Island Head
4/5
I was prepped to be disappointed by this since I've found the ambient albums have done poorly for me here but this kinda worked. I wouldn't say it's essential listening, but the last track worked for me.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3.5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Arca
2/5
Never heard of this artist before so wasn't sure what to expect. The first little bits of bleeps and bloops just didn't work but the last two tracks were very much in the trip-hop style I kinda dig but it didn't make up for the first tracks. I can't really complain too much since they were short and that is perfect.
Overall something I can see some people enjoying but most of this wasn't for me.
My personal rating: 2/5
My rating relative to the list: 2.5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Modest Mouse
2/5
Ah yes the curse of the 75 minute album. This was a very tough listen. It never clicked with me and I found the songs more annoying than anything.
My personal rating: 2/5
My rating relative to the list: 2/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
The Jesus Lizard
3/5
Meh. At least it is short.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Magdalena Bay
5/5
Fuck. Yes.
This is the album that got me into Magdalena Bay. I was so sad I couldn't attend their concert in 2024 since I was busy but I saw them a few months ago in Barcelona where they played this album from start to finish. It was so fucking good live. I've already listened to this album like 10 times in full in the last month so having an excuse to listen to it yet again is welcome. Their first album is also good. They just have dialed into that ultra catchy synth-pop sound perfectly and each song is just so good. I don't know of any other bands in the indie-sphere who have this sound but god I want more of it.
Now, do I think it's a little early to add this album in? Yes. I think it is, but I do believe it will stand the test of time be one of the best albums of the 2020s.
This is just an absolute banger of an album and I'm glad others will discover Magdalena Bay. They are blowing up in a good way.
My personal rating: 5/5
My rating relative to the list: 5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Strong yes.
Dave Matthews Band
3/5
Oh look, another way too long album from the 90s! Like so many of these albums, it is a tiring listen.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes.
Olivia Rodrigo
5/5
Hell yeah.
Obviously I love this since this I submitted Chappell Roan's album and Dan Nigro produced and co-wrote both. How is Olivia so good at this stuff? She isn't even 22 yet and has two absolutely massive albums. I saw her live a few weeks ago and she was fantastic.
People have been giving her shit but she really loves music. The Breeders opened for her! Hell last night she played with Weezer. Everything she does is a huge win in my book.
Banger album full of massive songs and a great addition to the list.
My personal rating: 5/5
My rating relative to the list: 5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes.
Ween
3/5
I can see why people would like this but it just doesn't work for me. More annoying at times than funny.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Electric Callboy
3/5
I thought this was going to be way, way worse than initially suspected. It's not great and it's very generic but it is short. That helps so much.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Portishead
5/5
Never need an excuse to listen to Portishead but we didn't need this. They already had 2 albums on the OG list and there is no need to add a third.
It's good. It's Portishead what more is the to say? Although I like this one less than their other two albums.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No. They already had 2 albums.
The Weeknd
4/5
I've heard of The Weeknd for a long time and have seen this album cover many, many times but had never listened. Even the massive billion+ stream songs I didn't recognise, but I'm sure i've heard them at some point.
I think the biggest thing for me is how disappointed I was with this. It felt like it could have been so much better at times. Like he was getting 90% of the way there and just failing to bring it home. I wanted more from it.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Slight yes.
Bruce Springsteen
5/5
I love The Boss. I just saw him in concert a month ago or so. He is amazing. I love this concert and have listened to it before however, it absolutely does not need to be here.
I've complained about long albums and I've complained about live albums and this album isn't immune from them. I prefer this album over Live 1975–85 since it is a complete concert from that night and has the best version of Kitty's Back. Still, if I had to absolutely put one on the list I'd go with Live 1975-85 since it has bigger hits and better crowd interaction.
My personal rating: 5/5
My rating relative to the list: 5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
4/5
Really fun dream poppy stuff. Right up my alley.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
4/5
Hmm... where do I stand on this album? I like The 1975 and I saw there is their most recent album on the list, but this album just has never clicked for me. It feels a little too disjointed. It just doesn't have the punch that I like from their others.
Also it's a little too long. Maybe cutting 10 minutes would make it better? We don't need the random robot song for example.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Slight no.
Courtney Barnett
5/5
Courtney Barnett is awesome! Seen her live and it was great. Fantastic indie rock.
But as much as I like her, I don't see this as required listening. It's great but the list already has enough of this kinda stuff.
My personal rating: 5/5
My rating relative to the list: 5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Slight no.
The Tragically Hip
4/5
As I said in the other Tragically Hip review, I don't really know their music very well and just know they are Canadian legends.
I liked this a lot more than the other album, and would say I prefer this one over the other one.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4.5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes, take this over the previous one.
The Chats
4/5
Fun Australian punk rock, but I like this less than their contemporaries Amyl and the Sniffers.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Frightened Rabbit
4/5
A nice little album that is right into the indie rock sphere I enjoy. It's fun but nothing really ground breaking that isn't already covered.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
The War On Drugs
4/5
I hate long albums but for some reason, it just works here. I don't know why because some albums they feel to go on forever and ever but this is over an hour yet still felt smooth.
I think one War on Drugs albums is sufficient and you could replace the other with this.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes, but only to replace the other one.
Pearl Jam
4/5
Not really a Pearl Jam fan so this music doesn't do much for me. It's fine and slightly better than average.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
The Chameleons
4/5
This is almost a bit of a hidden gem, if it weren't 20 minutes too long. The songs have that very 80s style that sounds great to me, but it overstays the welcome and just gets very samey after a while and gets tiring. The music industry can be weird as why did this not get popular but a lot of their peers from Manchester did? Mystery.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3.5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Slight no.
Fontaines D.C.
3/5
In my review for Romance, I mentioned that I was seeing Fontaines D.C. at a few festivals. Of the 3 they played at, I went to them twice. I just really am missing something. They were absolutely 100% fine, but not really mind blowing. Listening to this album, I think they are middle-of-the-road post-punk that this list is repelete with. It's not bad, but it's not great.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Wishbone Ash
5/5
Wow this was great!! I'd never heard of this band and this is definitely a hidden gem that I wish was on the OG list.
I've complained about how prog rock stuff can be so long and overdone, but this was a perfect overall length and never goes on too long. Sounds fresh and exciting to my ears.
My personal rating: 5/5
My rating relative to the list: 5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes.
Kashmir
3/5
I've heard this type of album on the user list and OG list many, many times now. It's pretty bland sounding alt rock that it isn't really doing anything wrong but isn't doing anything interesting.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Neil Cicierega
3/5
So this is a tough record to evaluate. I love me good mash-ups and the stupidness of doing with All Star is hilarious to me. As someone who has been online since the early 2000s, I am very familiar with Cicierega's work and in some way, that should be captured in a list like this. The dumb internet humour that emerged should be acknowledged. Is this the way to do it? I am not sure.
However, like all internet stuff, it overstays its welcome after a while and I think it should remain as youtube videos. If you want a master at this, look at Bill McClintock.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Slight no. The concept yes, but maybe a better example.
Sufjan Stevens
4/5
Oh so this is the album with that other guy whose album is also on this list. This album didn't do much for me, like the other one.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Cat System Corp.
4/5
I am familiar with vapourwave and didn't know what to expect from this. I really dug it, well at least the first half. The second half with all the weather channel stuff is a bit dull and repetitive and really just other songs being played.
Still this captures a vibe that I dig.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 3.5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
TOOL
2/5
Ah the four and final (as of this date) Tool album. God is this music so boring at this point. It's the same thing over and over again each album. Songs that go on too long and don't bring anything new.
Tiring. Please no more.
My personal rating: 2/5
My rating relative to the list: 2/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Medeski, Martin & Wood
4/5
I was pleasantly surprised by this. I was expecting to find it eh... but it worked for me.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Slight no.
Bruce Hornsby
2/5
This is really cheesy soft rock from the 90s. It's just so... lame? Like it's just so bland and inoffensive and sounds like the credits over some generic 90s film.
Compared with the jazz album yesterday this is childsplay. It really sounds like the default sounds you get on your casio.
My personal rating: 2/5
My rating relative to the list: 2.5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Great Big Sea
5/5
I was really happy to see that someone has submitted a Great Big Sea album. They were the first band I ever got into in the mid 2000s. I was lucky to see them live in 2006 and they were fantastic. I hadn't even considered them when I was choosing mine.
This isn't my favourite album of theirs, but honestly any of their first 6 albums would be a good choice. According to my play stats, Play, is my most listened to album of theirs so that would be my pick.
Still, I know every single song backwards and forwards and any reason to re-listen to them is a valued one. I wish the OG list had more folk-type music from different cultures. Newfoundland music is just so fun to listen to and makes you want to get up and dance.
My personal rating: 5/5
My rating relative to the list: 5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes.
Baroness
4/5
It said progressive metal and sludge metal and I was thinking we were in for another slog. This was a really pleasant surprise. At times felt metal and other times felt very indie rock.
The vocals were a bit buried and harder to hear. Also it does commit the cardinal sin of being way, way too long. Could have cut this in almost half and it would have been a great album.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
The Groundhogs
4/5
Some nifty late 60s early 70s British blues rock. However it isn't really doing anything that hasn't already been done by others on the list.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Chromatics
5/5
I like synthwave so I like this album.
My personal rating: 5/5
My rating relative to the list: 5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Slight yes.
Scraping Foetus off the Wheel
3/5
The name makes this sound a lot worse. I am not big into industrial music but this wasn't completely into that genre since it has a bit of silliness throughout.
Still didn't make me enjoy industrial music, but it was definitely better than others.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Slight yes.
Psyche Origami
4/5
This is the kinda hiphop I really enjoy. Old school yet still sounds fun. Good flow.
Given how this group seems to have had no impact on the mindustry or genre as a whole, I'd have to lean to a slight no to not include them.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Slight no.
Jason Isbell
4/5
It's good but it came out earlier this year so let it cook a bit! There are many albums that are like out there like this that are similar vibe that have been around for longer.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Final Fantasy
4/5
Kinda neat but not really my jam.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
BABYMETAL
3/5
This album was added just over 3 weeks after it was released... I know there was another Babymetal album submitted but let it wait. Unless this album was receiving immediate critical acclaim and was the number 1 across the world and was heralded as a breakthrough, it did not need to be added that quickly. It isn't and that is a huge strike against it.
Listening to it I absolutely do not see why it needed to be here. It's okay and exactly what one would expect when hearing the name kawaii metal. I'd heard of the band before but never listened to it and I don't think it's for me. The vocals are somewhat annoying, like other metal albums. Maybe if they didn't have guest vocalists it would be better? Also the last song really sounds like Through the Fire and the Flames (I think it is that one... it sounds like a rip off of another song I've heard).
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
BABYMETAL
4/5
Hahahaha yesterday I got the other Babymetal album and mentioned it was the 2nd one submitted and needed to cook. Well this is a fully cooked album and I have to say, it ain't too bad. At times annoying, but it's harmless ultimately.
The last song I was again, "this sounds like Dragonforce" and then saw that Dragonforce played on the song and it made sense. The album is probably a little long but it is something different.
Some of the vocals are a bit annoying, but given that this created a new genre, it's interesting enough.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes.
The 1975
5/5
This is the album that got me into The 1975 and I really love it. A big improvement over the previous two is that this is a brisk 43 minutes which is ideal.
I'm a broken clock, but having a 40ish minute album is perfect. No song overstays its welcome and it feels complete.
Now should The 1975 be on the list? As much as I love this album, I'm still saying no.
My personal rating: 5/5
My rating relative to the list: 5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Agalloch
4/5
This said black metal but it didn't feel very metal. Okay some of the vocals were a bit annoying but otherwise this felt very proggy at times. Just look vibey songs.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
The Tragically Hip
4/5
A third Tragically Hip album? Absolutely not necessary. It's fine and I recognise New Orleans is Sinking from the rock radio station I used to listen to time to time as a teenager.
Otherwise, I think we've gotten enough Tragically Hip albums!
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
ISIS
2/5
Once again a good metal album ruined by absolute dogshit vocals. The music is so interesting but then they take a shit over it with terrible, terrible grunting. Also too long.
My personal rating: 2/5
My rating relative to the list: 2/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Pink Floyd
3/5
This is a Pink Floyd album I've never actually listened to but have known of. Honestly, it's not great. Considering what it is sandwiched inbetween, it just doesn't have the oomph it needs. I'm somewhat baffled by why people think it is underrated. I think it's perfectly rated which is too long songs which are missing the catchiness of the albums it is inbetween.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3.5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
of Montreal
4/5
Known of the band name for a long time but never listened. Was nice.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Sam Fender
3/5
I remember this getting a lot of buzz when it came out but never listened to it. It's fine and pretty generic. Feels like a waste of an album to submit this early but I guess you do you.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Lo Fidelity Allstars
3/5
Another mediocre bland British mid-90s electronic album. We have enough of these.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Beyoncé
3/5
I had actually never listened to this despite hearing so much praise. I have to say, I'm disappointed. I was expecting something really, really unique and it just didn't feel that to me. It felt fine but it didn't have thing that brought it to the next level. Like this is listed as one of the greatest albums of the 2010s and I just feel like I am missing why. So it's just okay. Still I'd prefer this over the original Beyonce album.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes.
The Sound
3/5
So very straight down middle of the road. Very dull.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Rita Ora
4/5
It's perfectly fine pop music but really nothing special.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard
3/5
I think I just don't get King Gizzard. It's just more meh prog rock.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Boredoms
1/5
I respect the submitter for submitting this. It's certainly different.
Is it good? No absolutely not. It's unlistenable. I don't like the really experimental stuff, but yet somehow this is more tolerable than Captain Beefheart. It feels like this group is trying to do something. What it is I don't know. Would it make more sense if I were Japanese? Maybe.
Honestly, because it's so fucking weird and bizarre and from Japan, I kinda do recommend it. It could replace, I dunno, one of the Elvis Costello albums. It's weird shit from somewhere else in the world and it kinda works for me on that level.
Also I learnt this is where the Flaming Lips got the name Yoshimi so that's kinda neat.
My personal rating: 1/5
My rating relative to the list: 1/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Slight yes.
Michael Hurley
4/5
Since this was listed as outsider folk, I was expecting something very different than what I got.
Some very pleasant folksy music.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Slight no.
Joan As Police Woman
3/5
I've been meaning to check her out for a while. It's fine but nothing really that exciting.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Harry Styles
5/5
In my submitted album, I said that these are the kind of albums that should have been on the original list. It's a great album, but I prefer Harry's House over this.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Slight no.
Deltron 3030
4/5
A fun album that suffers from being a little too long and cutting some tracks would be great. Still, it's a fun concept and I love the vocals, especially since I know them well from Gorillaz.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes.
Alabama 3
4/5
Hey it's the band that did the Sopranos theme song! I dunno what else to expect and you know what? It's really good. A tad long, but they had a vision and clearly executed it.
Love the very hard blues samples.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes.
Brand New
3/5
Seems like you had to be there as I didn't think this album was all that amazing. Sounded pretty down the line alt rock from the 2000s. Tad bit too long as well.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Noname
4/5
Some nice smooth beats, but yet it felt longer than it actually was even though it is a brisk 33 minutes.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Fall Out Boy
3/5
I think maybe Fall Out Boy could get a spot but not with this. It just sounded so... generic? Insipid?
I think the other comments really cover it well. This sounds like it is meant for generic sound commercials and ad promos.
I thought Fall Out Boy had a more emo sound no? Apparently they did early in their career which is what I remember from high school.
My personal rating: 2/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Chico Science
3/5
I applaud this for being something interesting. It doesn't work, but it's interesting. It's also way too long.
My personal rating: 2/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Reincidentes
3/5
Absolutely not my thing. Just so bland.
My personal rating: 2/5
My rating relative to the list: 2.5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
WHY?
3/5
Not my thing.
My personal rating: 2/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Sunny Day Real Estate
3/5
Not my thing. Pretty bland and generic sounding.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Stray From The Path
3/5
For a 30 minute album, it felt longer.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Charly García
3/5
I'll give it credit for being non-English based music but still it wasn't that great. Sounds like a lot of other bland 1980s music, but in Spanish.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Guy Clark
3/5
A pretty good country album. Never heard of the guy and it seems like he influenced a lot of people. It's pretty down the line but hey, country was done dirty on the original list so I'll give it a pass.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3.5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Slight yes.
The Heads
3/5
Do we need more Talking Heads albums? No. No we don't. We already have 4 on the original list, a Tom Tom Club, and one additional Talking Heads on the user list.
This really was meh. It's perfectly acceptable but completely dull.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Vampire Weekend
5/5
In my review for the other Vampire Weekend album, I said I'd rather submit this one over Contra. At the time this album wasn't submitted and someone listened. This is my favourite Vampire Weekend album and got me into the band.
Not much to say beyond I love it and it completely works for me.
My personal rating: 5/5
My rating relative to the list: 5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes. Pick this over the other one.
Various Artists
3/5
I've never seen the Rocky Horror Picture Show but I am well aware of the whole history of the thing. As a queer person, the movie and culture around it have never connected to me in ways that it does for others. It's for the latter reason I think this could be included.
As for the actual music, it's fine and pretty musical. Nothing super catchy which is surprising that I didn't recognise any songs. Some of the lines have made it into pop culture, but the melodies haven't.
It is risky at how many musicals should be included. I can't remember if there are any on the original list, but someone submitted Hadestown and I'm fine with having a handful of musical soundtracks on the list. Given the history RHPS has had, it's worthy of being included.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3.5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes.
Robyn
5/5
Yes please. More of this kinda pop. Robyn is fantastic, although this album is a little long, being partially a combo of 2 EPs.
Great album, even with the longness. A worthy addition to the list.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes.
Freddie Gibbs
2/5
I hate this kinda rap. The lyrics are just so terrible and it ages poorly.
My personal rating: 2/5
My rating relative to the list: 2/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band
3/5
There was another one of these already on the list and I didn't like this one as much as the other one. Given they already had one on the list, this didn't really add much to the overall canon.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Turnpike Troubadours
3/5
This was pretty straight down the line country. It wasn't bad but if you think of modernish country music, this is what it sounds like. .
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Modern Life Is War
3/5
This sort of thing already exists on here. It's fine.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Amália Rodrigues
4/5
Agreed that this is a bit of a cheat with being a best of. Putting that aside, again this is the kinda stuff that should have been on the original list. I was familiar with fado but had never really listened to it.
Being a best of collection, it does run a little thin after a while and the songs sound similar by about the 50 minute work.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes.
DARKSIDE
3/5
It's fine.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Shpongle
2/5
Yet another way too long boring British EDM music album. Seriously folks, why? These aren't good. Please stop adding them.
My personal rating: 2/5
My rating relative to the list: 2/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Blackalicious
4/5
Well it's a 90s album which means it is going to be way too long. Unsurprisingly I found this album really drags in the latter half, but it's got some really nice grooves. Definitely has aged way better than a bunch of 90s hiphop. I agree with the other comments that say they
hear MF Doom in this. Or was he influenced by this? Not sure.
If they cut out about 20-25 minutes this would be a really gem.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes.
Comus
3/5
Definitely ahead of its time and this kinda thing would play much better today.
Can't say I'm the largest fan of it overall. Kinda long dull folk rocky stuff.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Slight no.
Nujabes
4/5
It's some fine good lo-fi beats. Pretty much what you would expect when someone says lo-fi beats.
I will say it is a little long and drags near the end, but it's good background music. It's why the Lofi girl is so popular.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
The Church
3/5
It's fine psych rock but too long. I gotta got the point 40 minutes in.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Powderfinger
3/5
The perfect definition of mediocre. Not bad, not good. Just straight down the middle.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Descendents
5/5
This was released in 1982? It sounds so modern. I can see why it influenced pop-punk genre as the blueprint of the genre is here. Absolute little gem of an album that was very, very, far ahead of its time and influenced a lot that came after it.
My personal rating: 5/5
My rating relative to the list: 5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes.
Garbage
4/5
I like Garbage and this album is good, but I feel like the OG album is a perfect representation. I wouldn't say no to more Garbage though.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Ookla The Mok
3/5
This is a perfect example of what should be on the list. I've known about filk for a long time but never listened to it. Listening to this is exactly what I imagined it would be. It's very similar to Jonathan Coulton, who is great and operates in similar circles in terms of nerd / geek music, and, to be fair, postdates this but definitely is more professional.
Nonetheles, even though I think the concept is silly, I think this is the kinda stuff that should be on the list. Filk occupies that weird space in sci-fi/fantasy conventions and absolutely should be listened to. It's niche, weird, but it's a culture that makes music that more people should be aware of. As someone who doesn't know the genre, I can't speak to whether this is the best it has or if there is a better album out there, but it's very worthy inclusion .
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes.
Bright Eyes
4/5
I wondered if someone would submit a Bright Eyes album and I'm happy to see it.
I am not a huge Bright Eyes fan, but Conor Oberst is partially responsible for being the gateway to discovering so much music. In mid-2019 I got spotify and the song Dylan Thomas by Better Oblivion Community Center came up on a shuffle list. I really liked that song and it lead me to learn about Phoebe Bridgers whose music I loved. This was around the time Punisher was released and my love of her resulted in my learning about her band/friends boygenius and Lucy Dacus, which have all become some of my favourite music. The feedback loop continued and during covid I discovered so much new (to me) music. In fact it was because of these discoveries that lead me to this site in general which I started in December 2021 and 4 years later and thousands of hours of music later am still enjoying. Since then I've seen over 500 live shows (including multiple festivals and many repeats) and have fallen completely in love with the experience of live music.
So Conor's music, even if I'm not the largest fan of it, has been very important to me. Since I'm a huge indie rock fan, I know how influential his music has been for musicians in the genre so it's a worthy inclusion.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes.
Lady Gaga
5/5
In the review for the album I submitted (Chappell Roan) I mentioned how it was baffling Lady Gaga wasn't on the list. Thank you for submitting this. It's just so baffling how this didn't make the original list. Lady Gaga has had an absolutely massive impact on pop music since this dropped and has influenced the next generation of stars. No Lady Gaga and there is absolutely no Chappell Roan.
I listened to this album, well technically The Fame Monster (which honestly should be the submission), so much around 2010 and I know every song on this thing backwards and forwards. I do admit the latter half is weaker but the highs are so high I can overlook it. There is some good stuff on the backhalf that is deserving to be more well known.
My personal rating: 5/5
My rating relative to the list: 5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Strong Yes.
Mac Miller
3/5
Sad he died young. However this album is still meh. He's doing that thing that some modern rappers do that I hate: mumble. It just sounds so disinteresting. The beats are okay but somewhat generic.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Shihad
3/5
Mid.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Tom Petty
3/5
Another overstuffed 90s album. Cut 20 minutes off this thing and it's better. Really drags in the latter half.
I think this is a better album than the Tom Petty album on the OG list.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes. Replace the other Petty album.
Glass Animals
3/5
This should be more up my alley but I just don't really enjoy it.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Duncan Dhu
2/5
I appreciate an album that isn't from the standard English speaking countries. Unfortunately it's the bland generic crap that exists a dime-a-dozen. The songs are short but this thing is 40 minutes too long. You get the point pretty early on and then it goes for another hour.
My personal rating: 2/5
My rating relative to the list: 2.5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Q65
3/5
Interesting Dutch rock from the 60s. Certainly not something that is super unique sound-wise as a lot of bands from the 60s sounded like this. However I would be cool replacing an album on the original list with this because, hey, other places also had rock and roll.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Slight yes.
Malibu
4/5
Interesting little EP. I enjoy the vibes of it and like the ambient nature of it (especially because it is short). However I don't think it's doing anything really that groundbreaking or different from similar albums.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
David Allan Coe
3/5
Hmm.. it's what I think of when people say country music.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No
Various Artists
4/5
The Katamari series is one I've known about since its original release but I've never played.
I love that someone has submitted a video game soundtrack since video game OSTs have so much incredible music. However the issue with video game music is that it is meant to be listened to while playing the game, so it is supposed to be fading into the background and not really disturb the player. Without the context of the game, the songs are a little repetitive (which is what they are supposed to be) and out of context.
Is Katamari the best soundtrack to submit? I don't think so but it's still fun to listen to.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Slight yes, but maybe another game instead.
Jon Batiste
4/5
I like this album but I wish it were more of I Need You which features lindy hoppers. Check out the video. It's great.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Weezer
4/5
This summer I saw Weezer live at a festival and I enjoyed it. They should be a band that I like more but have never really got into them so an excuse to listen to them was welcome.
This album is good but definitely doesn't reach the heights of their debut which I have enjoyed more. Still, the lack of Weezer on the OG list is maybe the most baffling omission.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes.
Zamilska
4/5
It's neat and has some good vibes but honestly, this kinda stuff is very abundant these days if you operate in those circles. So while I dig it, it's not exactly required listening / doing something that others aren't.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Floating Points
4/5
I didn't hear of this album during the pandemic, but I've seen it crop up a few places recently and had never checked it out. It was a nice ambient sounding album and does the following thing right: it's short. It doesn't overstay its welcome and comes in, does a thing really well, then leaves.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Slight yes.
No Doubt
3/5
Maybe you had to be there but this was just.. meh. Too long and I just find the ska vibe annoying.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Turnstile
3/5
I saw these guys at Rock en Seine in 2023 and I thought it was fine. They just played here to a sold out crowd and I feel like I'm missing something. The music is perfectly fine but just doesn't do anything that I haven't really heard before.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Getatchew Mekurya
4/5
See this is the kinda stuff that should be on the OG list. I don't think I'd seek out Ethiopian jazz otherwise. This album goes hard but the only downside is the mediocre vocals.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4.5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes.
Everything Everything
3/5
It's okay.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Living Colour
3/5
It's fine. A little long but fine. Surprised this isn't on the original list (or another album by them isn't).
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Slight yes.
Aesop Rock
4/5
Very fun to listen to, mostly for the words. Lots of words.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Slight yes.
Built To Spill
4/5
Not super my indie rock thing but given its the 90s and not super long, that is a plus. A little mute for me likings but still not that bad.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Slight yes.
The Brian Jonestown Massacre
3/5
This album feels exhausting. And it suffers from the classic 90s being too long issue. Cut 20-25 minutes off this thing and it could be more listenable. It just feels like the same song repeated over and over again. I get wearing your influences on your sleeve, but it's so tiring after a while.
My personal rating: 2/5
My rating relative to the list: 2.5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
The Weakerthans
3/5
Bland. It was only 40 minutes but it felt longer. Just felt limp the entire time and never really got out of first gear.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Wet Leg
5/5
I've been a Wet Leg since shorlty after this album came out (my last.fm stats say June 2022) and I saw them live twice on their debut tour. This year I saw them 3 times both pre- and post-release of their 2nd album. Needless to say, I am a massive fan.
I love this album a ton and it's gotten a lot of play over the years. I'd say their follow-up album, moisturizer, cemented them as not just one-offs but a band that will be here for a long time. I'd say moisturizer is better in some places over this, but this has some absolute bangers that are so fun to see live.
Now do I really think people should listen to this? This is tough. I always do recommend Wet Leg to people, but is it essential or something covered already on the list? I'm leaning towards a slight yes, but not a strong one. They are an amazing band but given what's on the OG list and the user list, I think they aren't really that required.
My personal rating: 5/5
My rating relative to the list: 5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Slight yes.
3/5
I get why people like this but it's not for me.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
4/5
I enjoyed this, but agree with the other commentators saying it loses steam after the first couple of songs. Again it suffers from being too damn long. Cut this thing in half and you've got yourself a perfect album.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Slight no.
STARSET
2/5
This sounds like the kinda music an AI would create. It just feels sterile and soulless.
My personal rating: 2/5
My rating relative to the list: 2/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Maldita Vecindad Y Los Hijos Del 5to. Patio
4/5
This was fun. Short and to the point.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Slight yes.
Paramore
5/5
It's surprising that Paramore isn't on the OG list. This isn't my favourite Paramore album, but I think it's a good choice. Given that the band is on hiatus, I was happy to see them open for Taylor on the Eras Tour and finally see them live after being a fan for since 2010ish. Speaking of that, I'm sure someone will submit Hayley's new solo album at some point since it's really good and feels like it'll stand the test of time.
My personal rating: 5/5
My rating relative to the list: 5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes.
Dream Theater
3/5
This review goes out to Ben, a guy who I went to uni with almost two decades ago who was really into Dream Theater. I didn't listen to them at the time and listening to them now, I feel like I'm not missing much, sorry Ben. It's pretty down the middle of the road prog rocky stuff.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Slight no.
Foxing
3/5
Another indie band I should like but it doesn't do it for me. It's not bad, it's just there.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Slight no.
Kenny Wayne Shepherd
3/5
I like blues but this was really a compilation album and I don't really think it works for this project. Agreed with some other comment that says submit an album by one of those legends instead.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Auri
3/5
This sounded like the music from a pretty mid-tier musical.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Queens of the Stone Age
3/5
I just don't get the praise for the album. It's perfectly fine, to the extent of dullness. It kinda reminds me of Foo Fighters (besides the obvious Dave Grohl connection) where everyone seems to love them but it just sound so dull and uninteresting to me. The little radio skits didn't help either.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes, over the book one.
The Mountain Goats
5/5
I remember saying on the other Mountain Goats album that this is the album that should have been submitted. Good to know someone has submitted it.
A top album for me and I've been listening to it for over a decade. Love it.
My personal rating: 5/5
My rating relative to the list: 5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes.
Broken Social Scene
3/5
I should like this a lot more. I've been familiar with Broken Social Scene for a long time, yet have never really gotten into them. Just two days ago I got a Metric album which has a big overlap with BSS.
Something about it just doesn't work for me. It's fine music, but it just doesn't capture me like others do.
I know how important this band is in the Canadian indie music scene so I think it's worth a listen.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3.5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Slight yes.
Vince Guaraldi Trio
4/5
I didn't grow up with the Charlie Brown Christmas special, so ultimately this music doesn't mean much to me.
It's fine and I suspected when I saw this had been added what purpose it would serve.
Still doesn't change my general dislike for Christmas music, but at least the jazzy arrangements make up for that.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Mansun
2/5
90s? Check. British? Check. Too long? Check.
All the things I hate.
My personal rating: 2/5
My rating relative to the list: 2/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
NOFX
2/5
So you finish 1089 albums decide to submit a single 18 minute long song... okay? It's not even that interesting of a song either. Seems like such a waste.
The song is pretty standard pop punk affair. I got the gist of it about 5 minutes in and then it goes on for another 13 minutes.
My personal rating: 1.5/5
My rating relative to the list: 1.5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
The Hold Steady
3/5
It's fine. I liked this slightly more than the other Hold Steady album but that isn't saying much.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
ROSALÍA
3/5
I've been meaning to listen to this since it came out but hadn't got around to it. It was getting so much buzz since it came out in the last few weeks, especially with the end of 2025 best of lists so I had high expectations.
It completely flopped for me. I was expecting something more than what it was. To me it was a bunch of over-produced okay songs with a lot of classical stuffed on top. It just doesn't work for me. No song made me feel anything. It sounds so much like an overly dramatic soundtrack to a video game and just sounds muddled and a mess. And it has god awful guest vocals at times.
Rosalia should be on the list but this album doesn't do it for me.
Also, give it a few months before adding an album. This album came out less than 2 months ago. Let it cook a little bit.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes, but not this album.
"Weird Al" Yankovic
5/5
Been a Weird Al fan forever. Is this album I'd choose? No. I'd say it has some of his worst material. Or least interesting. Which is fair as he was starting out and still figuring it out. He gets better over time for sure.
Nonetheless, he deserves to be on the list. He has consistently been the best at what he does and his original songs are really good. Many artists have said they knew they made it when Weird Al parodied their song.
I've seen him on tour a few times and on the last one he played originals and deep cuts and it was such a night. Definitely one that should be represented.
My personal rating: 5/5
My rating relative to the list: 5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes, but not this album.
Alexisonfire
3/5
I liked this slightly more than the other Alexisonfire album. Doesn't speak to me but it was slightly more listenable to me than the other one.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Yello
3/5
I had higher hopes for this based on the genre of synth-pop and disco. Not really disco to me. Now I know where that oh yeah things come from. Otherwise this was just pretty generic sounding 80s music. Nothing really special about it.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
August is Falling
2/5
An EP from that youtuber? Uhh okay... I mean it's short but I don't get it. It's not even that interesting pop punk. Is it trying to parody it?
Whatever it is, it doesn't work and feels like a waste of a submission.
My personal rating: 2/5
My rating relative to the list: 2/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Bohren & Der Club Of Gore
3/5
It's fine but once you've heard one song you've heard the rest. If you think of background jazz music, this is exactly what you think it wound sound like. It's not bad, it's just there.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Gerry Cinnamon
3/5
This is should be an album I eat up since it's really indie rock and indie folk but it just doesn't quite work for me. I can't describe why it doesn't completely work, but it doesn't. Maybe it's the name? It's a dumb name.
My personal rating: 3.5/5
My rating relative to the list: 3.5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Muse
4/5
I liked this a little less than the other Muse album I got. It just gets a little tiring with all the guitar work. I love good guitar work, but too much of a good thing isn't great.
I think the other album was the right choice.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Extremoduro
1/5
As a matter of principle I have to give this a 1. It's over 3.5 hours long and is just a compilation album which absolutely does not and should not count. Yes there is a long Ella Fitzgerald album on the OG list and someone has added a Louis Armstrong compilation, which are acceptable as they both come from a time before an "album" really existed.
This band clearly has albums. Pick one of those. Instead we are subjected to over 3.5 hours of mediocre bland shit. I'm always advocating for more music from non-English speaking countries, but pulling this kinda stunt doesn't help.
The music is itself is bland and boring. Non-offensive and dull. Mediocre. It's acceptable but 3.5 hours of it makes me hate it.
My personal rating: 1/5
My rating relative to the list: 1/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No. Don't submit compilation albums.
Digable Planets
4/5
I really enjoy this kinda hip hop. Gives me very Tribe Called Quest vibes. Although the album does drag a bit near the end and those last couple of songs could have been cut. Overall still a nice album and something that I'd never heard of before.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes.
Imogen Heap
4/5
I've never really listened to Imogen Heap. I knew the name and obviously that one famous bit of a song. I know she has influenced many artists who came after.
The album got stronger on the back half.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes.
Lady Gaga
4/5
I've had an interesting history with Lady Gaga. I loved the first two albums and have listened to them so much. Then I just kinda lost interest in her when Artpop came out. I dunno why but it just didn't appeal to me and I never sought it out. I kinda see why because this just doesn't work. I know it's considered one of her worst and this was the first time in over a decade that I listened to it. I definitely get it. It just doesn't sound as good as the first two (or three).
I hope someone adds Mayhem because I think that's a real return to form for her.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
The Civil Wars
3/5
A nice little folksy country album. Had never heard of them but have by chance heard them before since they co-wrote a song with Taylor Swift which I had heard.
Beyond that, I don't think it is really all that special.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3.5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Queen
5/5
Queen is my favourite band of all time. I've listened to this album many, many times. I know every song backwards and forwards. I love the songs on it with some amazing deep cuts (Long Away, Millionaires Waltz, You and I) but this era of Queen is already readily captured w/ A Night at the Opera.
Queen got the appropriate number of albums on the OG list and didn't need more. I might have not done Sheer Heart Attack and maybe done something later in their career (maybe The Works or Innuendo and leaning towards the latter).
My personal rating: 5/5
My rating relative to the list: 5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Roy Harper
4/5
Fun to learn he is the source of the Led Zeppelin song and also sung Have a Cigar. Didn't know that. Kinda interesting stuff but I feel like the music has been adequately covered by other artists.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Low
3/5
I liked this less than the other Low album I got.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Savatage
4/5
This was fun, although the mixing is pretty bad which sucks. A could remaster would help a ton since it just sounds so muddy. I was wondering if it was spotify, but checking out youtube I hear similar, so just bad mixing.
Overally, silly fun and could be a good addition to the meager metal offerings in the OG list.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Slight yes.
Porcupine Tree
3/5
I have a friend who really loves Porcupine Tree and has told me that I need to listen to them. I never really have and finally have an excuse to do so.
It's fine. It's pretty much standard prog rock.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Mac DeMarco
4/5
Another one where I should like it more than I do. It's fine, some good songs but not enough to make me really like it.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3.5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Jawbreaker
3/5
Meh.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Ozzy Osbourne
4/5
Even though Black Sabbath has 3 albums on the OG list, I can justify giving a spot to Ozzy. He's played an important role in music and deserves to be listened to.
Now saying that, I think this album is good, but not great. Outside of Crazy Train, I found it okay. Maybe it's because the genre evolved but it's just fine by my modern ears.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes.
Black Country, New Road
4/5
I remember when this came out, it was everywhere among the indiesphere. It made a bunch of best of lists for 2022. I have to say, I am not the biggest fan of this album and much prefer the follow-up album from them. I don't particularly enjoy the lead singers voice and I'm somewhat on the side of liking that he left before this album came out.
This is a perfect example of an album I fully expect to be in the updated version of the book. It's a critics darling and those really into the indiesphere but I dunno if it'll stand the test of time.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Slight no.
Gorky's Zygotic Mynci
3/5
Weird Welsh rock. Kinda neat but not really essentialy. Also, I learnt I just don't like the sound of the Welsh language. Just sounds silly.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Wilco
3/5
They already got 3 albums on the original list, which is 2 more than needed. This is pretty bland stuff and after hearing the songs, I've already forgotten it.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Songs: Ohia
3/5
I was indifferent to the other album from this band on the list and this isn't much better. It's meandering with songs that go on way too long, even though it's only 45 minutes. It's like a discount Neil Young at times and way less interesting.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
My Morning Jacket
3/5
It's fine. Don't really remember much after listening.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Porcupine Tree
4/5
I see that a group of Porcupine Tree lovers recently finished as there are now three albums added in the recent weeks.
I liked this more than the other one I got a few days ago but still it wanders into prog rock wankery and I get bored.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Spinvis
3/5
I appreciate adding non-English music but the Dutch language just does not work me here. And I dated a bunch person for years so I'm used to the language. It just did not work for me here and was unpleasant to listen to.
Otherwise, musically it was fine.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Clutch
4/5
This was fun. I don't think they are doing anything really original or required listening, but it's fun.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Charles Aznavour
4/5
Some fun French music. More of this please.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes.
Massive Attack
4/5
Another one joining in wondering why this wasn't included over one of the other albums in the OG list.
Saying that, I'm still not the largest Massive Attack fan. It's good stuff but a little long.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes, but replace one of the Massive Attack albums.
Weezer
5/5
Everything that needs to be said has already been said by others in the comments. Maybe the most egregious omission from the OG list.
My personal rating: 5/5
My rating relative to the list: 5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Strong yes.
Current 93
2/5
This sounds like a Spinal Tap folk album. From them it would be hilarious and funny but this is deadly serious and it's god awful.
My personal rating: 2/5
My rating relative to the list: 2/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Lizzy McAlpine
5/5
I like Lizzy McAlpine. I saw her live on the tour for this very album. She doesn't need to be on the list.
My personal rating: 5/5
My rating relative to the list: 5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Slapstick
3/5
I am normally against compliations but it seems like their only album isn't available anywhere and was most of this album with some tracks meant for the 2nd album, so it's acceptable in this case.
From wiki they it states: "The creative process stagnated. it has a lot to do with the fact that none of us really ever liked ska a lot."
I totally get it. It's kinda the same song multiple times so even they were like "yeah we think this isn't great". Respect for them for not trying to force it.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
Chuck Berry
5/5
Why isn't Chuck Berry on the original list? He literally wrote the playbook for rock and roll and influenced pretty much the next generation of the Stones, Beatles, etc...
Pretty baffling omission. Although this isn't the album to do it. I get that songs were rip-offs of other ones, but he really shows here he ripped himself off a ton. Why not go with Berry is on Top? Although to be fair, it's kinda here too with almost identical songs but different lyrics.
My personal rating: 5/5
My rating relative to the list: 5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Yes, but would rather have Berry is on Top.
The Housemartins
4/5
I hear a lot of modern indie music in this. Very much attend of its time. Don't care for the overtly religious nature though.
My personal rating: 4/5
My rating relative to the list: 4/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Slight yes.
The Sundays
5/5
I've been a fan of The Sundays for a number of years now so it was nice to listen to this album. I normally listen to a couple of liked songs and haven't really listened to this album in full in a few years.
It's got that dream pop / jangly sound I just really enjoy. It also feels very modern as a lot of bands are making music like this today.
Also random fact, the band Wednesday is named after this band.
My personal rating: 5/5
My rating relative to the list: 5/5
Should this have been included on the original list? Slight yes.