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Fri Dec 31 2021
The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan
Don't Think Twice, It's All Right remains a favorite for me
5
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Sat Jan 01 2022
Live And Dangerous
Thin Lizzy
Read the wiki - this album was made in lieu of a new studio album. Some of the album has been overdubbed with studio recording as well, which was a little controversial among critics, but overall it's still high on many lists of best live albums.
I wanted to appreciate it more, but I honestly didn't love it. They sounded great, technically, but I didn't enjoy it on a personal level. I won't stop giving all different genres of metal a try, though.
2
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Sun Jan 02 2022
Van Halen
Van Halen
4
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Mon Jan 03 2022
Live At Leeds
The Who
Ahhh I still love the Who. I've spent too long not listening to them. Quadrophenia remains one of my all time faves, but this was the first live album I've actually listened to.
I don't know a lot about mixing/mastering, but my opinion was that it was well done on this album. I felt like I could picture exactly where they all were on the stage and appreciate each voice / instrument individually in a way that isn't usual for live recordings. I read the wiki after listening, and I guess there was no mic pointed toward the audience at all. That explains why they sounded so far away.
4
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Tue Jan 04 2022
1999
Prince
I hate myself for never listening to this album before today.
I've always appreciated Prince's greatest hits with the intention of listening to full albums at some point. This was his breakthrough album, and the first one with his band the Revolution, and I would recommend it to anyone wanting to get into his music. (Fun fact, "and the revolution" is written backwards in the eye of the I in Prince in the album artwork.)
Anyway, what have I been doing with my life before this. This album is SUCH a vibe.
5
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Wed Jan 05 2022
On The Beach
Neil Young
I really enjoy Neil Young, but this was my first listen of this album. I'm so glad it got to be one of the first 10 albums assigned to me in this project.
I'd like to listen again, but Google each track as I go to see what inspired it. Apparently Vampire Blues is about the oil industry.
I'd also like to listen to it again with some honey slides - apparently that's what they called the sauteed marijuana and honey goop they concocted and consumed throughout the making of the album.
Another bit of interesting history is that this album was not widely available until 2003. The title was deleted from vinyl in the early 80s, according to Wikipedia. In 2000, fans signed a petition to have it released on CD, and finally in 2003, it was.
4
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Thu Jan 06 2022
All Hail the Queen
Queen Latifah
I can't say I loved this album but I'm glad I listened to it. I'll come back to a couple of songs, but I don't know how often I'll revisit it in its entirety.
I appreciate Queen Latifah so much more after listening to this, though.
3
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Fri Jan 07 2022
Sunday At The Village Vanguard
Bill Evans Trio
I went down a Wiki rabbit hole about the Village Vanguard - it's the oldest jazz club in NYC that's still in operation, and so many big careers were launched.
This album was so soothing to listen to. I love the ambiance of everyone dining too. If I ever make it to NYC to visit, I'll make a point of going there to visit the Village Vanguard.
Super interesting trio - they made a point to give all three of them equal melodic responsibility, which I think I'm paraphrasing from the Spotify bio. But it was interesting to listen with that in mind.
4
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Sat Jan 08 2022
Crime Of The Century
Supertramp
I think the only Supertramp song I've ever heard is Give a Little Bit. And I like that song, just never listened to them beyond that.
This album was playful and engaging - I like the prog-pop-rock thing it's got going. I'm too high to come up with anything better than that. But I dig it, would listen again.
3
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Sun Jan 09 2022
Goodbye And Hello
Tim Buckley
The father of Jeff Buckley. I read that he only met his father Tim once.
I usually enjoy psychedelic folk, but this album didn't really hit for me. I liked so many of the ideas, lyrical and musical, but I was left wanting more follow through on some of those ideas.
I might need to give this one another try, but first listen didn't stick with me.
2
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Mon Jan 10 2022
Winter In America
Gil Scott-Heron
SO GOOD. My standout track was The Bottle, and honestly all of side 2 especially . I wish this was on Spotify.
For my own note keeping, a blurb I copied from Wikipedia below:
Winter in America juxtaposes themes of nostalgic hope to the social problems of the early 1970s, particularly in the African-American community and inner cities.[29][30] Also a prominent theme in Scott-Heron's lyrics is people's faith in their culture in a bleak, impoverished environment.
5
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Tue Jan 11 2022
(Pronounced 'Leh-'Nérd 'Skin-'Nérd)
Lynyrd Skynyrd
I thought the only songs I knew from this album were Tuesday's Gone and Free Bird, but I quickly realized I've heard this one many times. A kid I used to work with at the local pizza place had this on repeat every night we closed together.
It was nostalgic to hear it again. I still love those two songs the most, but they're all pretty good.
3
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Wed Jan 12 2022
Southern Rock Opera
Drive-By Truckers
This album is an experience. I listened to the first few songs cold, no previous knowledge of the band or album. I couldn't get into it. So I gave it a day before trying again, but this time I researched a bit beforehand. I also read along with the lyrics as I listened to each song.
Both of these things helped me appreciate the ambitious project that is SRO. From a songwriting perspective, there are so many interesting characters and great imagery, and overall I found it to be lyrically thought provoking. Though I get the stylistic choices here (I think), my personal preference would be for a more rhythmic as well as melodic approach to delivering those lyrics.
For me, this is less of a casual listening album and more of one that I'll sit and give my full time and attention to from start to finish, like watching a movie. I like any album that can provide that kind of experience.
Here's a snippet from a Stereogum article (for my own notes):
"Throughout the album, Hood returns repeatedly to a concept he terms “the duality of the Southern thing,” his way of attempting to balance pride in his home with the worst parts of the region’s troubled history. By his own admission, Hood wasn’t always successful in this, which is part of the reason the band now rarely plays Opera track “The Southern Thing” in concert."
3
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Thu Jan 13 2022
Zombie
Fela Kuti
I listened to the album before reading about it, just to mix things up (usually I read about it before listening). I enjoyed it musically - I've always been drawn to Afrobeat/ music of Africa. I obviously didn't know what each song was about specifically, but the passion and energy was undeniable throughout.
I learned that this is a political album - it's criticism of the Nigerian government likely resulted in Fela's commune being attacked by Nigerian soldiers. His mother was killed in that attack, and Fela was severely beaten. Also, he formed the commune which declared itself independent of the Nigerian government.
He played multiple instruments, had multiple wives at once, and is widely regarded as the pioneer of the Afrobeat style.
4
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Fri Jan 14 2022
Dirty
Sonic Youth
I was a casual Sonic Youth fan before listening to this. Like, loved pretty much everything I've heard and always intended to dive in deeper, but hadn't gotten around to it yet.
This album assignment was the push I needed to finally do that. Now. In my defense, I was very stoned before i hit the play button. But I immediately purchased a Dirty vinyl after one listen.
Anyway, to sum up my thoughts, I'm an alt-rock girl at heart (maybe tied with pop at this point for my favorite genre), and listening to this was like letting my angsty soul have a nice long rest at home.
Oh, also, as an avid crocheter, I will definitely be creating my own little orange alien to sit on the shelf next to the album.
5
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Sat Jan 15 2022
Green Onions
Booker T. & The MG's
WHAT okay I pressed play and immediately recognized the title track, Green Onions - and so do you if you've seen/heard even a handful of American movie trailers.
Booker T. wrote that riff when he was 17 and later improvised heavily for the recorded version that became a huge hit and shaped the sound of groovy Southern soul.
But did you know there's 'Mo where that came from? That's right, 'Mo Onions is track 4! Besides the onion songs, Behave Yourself is the only other original on this instrumental album. The rest are covers of songs you probably already recognize - I was surprised to find out I knew most of them.
Also, fun fact, this band and the Beatles had mutual appreciation of one another, and John Lennon affectionately referred to them as "Book a Table and the Maitre D's". This warmed the cockles of my Beatles-loving heart.
Anyway. Great album, and glad to have filled in this particular gap in my musical history knowledge.
4
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Sun Jan 16 2022
Parachutes
Coldplay
Oh man. I loved Coldplay in high school. I still do, but I did back then, too. I probably haven't listened to this album since then, so it was nice to revisit it. Though not my favorite Coldplay album (Viva Viva La Vida), it's still good and has some great songs.
I read on Wikipedia that It's one of the highest selling records of all time in the UK (45th of all time). The Wiki page also said this:
"In fact, a few critics have suggested that the album's commercial success was due in part to a portion of Radiohead's audience being alienated by the band's experimental and more electronic-influenced Kid A album."
Eek. Again, I like Parachutes. But I hope everyone gave Kid A another chance, because it's definitely the better album of the two.
3
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Mon Jan 17 2022
Under Construction
Missy Elliott
SO GOOD. I am ashamed to have never heard this album before, but that's why I'm doing this project. I knew Work It, of course, but the other tracks were all new to my ears.
Dedicated to Aaliyah, produced by Timbaland, this Missy Elliot album sounds amazing. Like, if it had come out today instead of nearly 20 years ago (which...how has it been that long??) - it would still be fresh and sound great.
4
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Tue Jan 18 2022
Electric Warrior
T. Rex
I was familiar with T. Rex in name only prior to this. Well, and I knew the song Bang a Gong (Get It On), but I wouldn't have been able to put a name/artist to the song before.
I loved this album! Glam rock perfection. I've already revisited songs, and I'm sure I'll listen to more from them. Marc Bolan WAS T.Rex, and was so influential on many of the artists I grew up listening to (the Smith's being a major one). I listened to the Expanded and Remastered version on Spotify, but did skip about halfway through the interview track.
The Wiki page was interesting- almost all the band members died from reasons other than natural causes - Bolan in a car accident (girlfriend driving, she survived) right before he turned 30. Another member died of asphyxiation from a cocktail cherry, another in a car accident.
Lots of times, that one song you know from a band is the only good one. But if you're like me and only know Bang a Gong, T. Rex has a lot more to offer. They're worth the listen.
4
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Wed Jan 19 2022
Spy Vs. Spy: The Music Of Ornette Coleman
John Zorn
I really didn't want to pile on by adding another 1 star rating, truly, I didn't. I read through the positive reviews hoping to hear it through their ears. Alas.
Technically, what the band was able to accomplish together is impressive as hell. But my average daily anxiety is high enough as it is. It's too much, man. It's too much.
1
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Thu Jan 20 2022
Live!
Fela Kuti
This is one of those live albums where you forget it's live until there's talking between songs, and you're like "oh, right!". That's one of the indicators of a great live recording, for me.
I was surprised to get another Fela Kuti album after just listening last week, but I'm not mad about it. This was a good listen. Maybe not one I'll play over and over, but it would be good to vibe to while cleaning/cooking.
4
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Fri Jan 21 2022
Beggars Banquet
The Rolling Stones
I liked this album. In the context of the British Invasion, I'd much rather listen to The Beatles or the Who or others, and as a result I just haven't spent as much time with the Stones' discography as some of those others.
Sympathy for the Devil is awesome, as always (and - in these covid world music streaming days, I realized it's actually been a long time since I heard it). I had on pretty good headphones, and realized how much I love the piano work in that song. I was drawn to the following track, No Expectations, for the same reason.
In my usual Wiki page browsing, I learned that Nicky Hopkins (frequent Stones collaborator/ pianist / organist) did the piano for both of those songs (and he's also one of few musicians to be featured on a Beatles track - Revolution). He also did piano on Nilsson Schmilsson, an album I first listened to this year as well (but independently from this project- no idea of that one is on this 1001 list or not).
3
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Sat Jan 22 2022
Live At The Harlem Square Club
Sam Cooke
Aww. This album was sunshine on this gray, snowy day. My favorite track was Medley: It’s All Right / For Sentimental Reasons. When the audience started singing along at the end, my heart melted.
SO, my fun fact about this album is that even though it was recorded in 1963, the record label thought it would be damaging to Cooke's pop image because it was too "gritty and raw", so they archived the recordings. It wasn't actually released until 1985, when an exec found the tapes and made sure they be released asap. And now it's widely regarded as one of the best live albums of all time.
4
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Sun Jan 23 2022
Introducing The Hardline According To Terence Trent D'Arby
Terence Trent D'Arby
This was the first big miss for me.
I honestly did not enjoy any aspect of it. I'm sorry to anyone who has positive feelings about this album, but it just did nothing for me.
I listened to it all the way through with good headphones, but it took a lot of willpower to make it to the end.
1
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Mon Jan 24 2022
The Marshall Mathers LP
Eminem
This is the first full Eminem album I've listened to. I understand why it's on this list, but I'll probably only continue to listen to the hits. This stressed me out.
4
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Tue Jan 25 2022
The Age Of The Understatement
The Last Shadow Puppets
This was one of my CDs before the days of streaming. I got a lot of mileage out of it back then, but don't find the need to revisit it much now. I think it's a tight record, cohesive, and a mood.
3
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Thu Jan 27 2022
American Pie
Don McLean
Lovely voice, lovely album. So glad I listened to it. Vincent makes me cry.
4
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Fri Jan 28 2022
White Ladder
David Gray
I forgot about the song Babylon until being assigned this album. That's a great song. I also like the title track. I vibed with the rest, but didn't find it as memorable.
3
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Sat Jan 29 2022
Rock 'N Soul
Solomon Burke
What a voice. I just wish I loved the songs more. I knew Cry to Me and love that song. I was excited when I heard it as the opening track, but nothing that followed grabbed my attention in the same way. I would have liked a little more variety.
2
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Sun Jan 30 2022
The United States Of America
The United States Of America
Look, I love experimental music usually. But this was like Sgt. Pepper's listening to itself on a bad acid trip, the kind that takes you on a tour of hell. I welcome music that makes me uncomfortable; I often take away something valuable when that happens. But in this case, I did not.
1
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Mon Jan 31 2022
Rip It Up
Orange Juice
Scottish band! The album just kind of made me want to listen to Talking Heads instead, but I found joy in several songs here. Mainly the ones with contributions from Zeke Manyika. Found out Kate Bush had him contribute drums to Running Up That Hill. Even though his track didn't make it to the final version, that's still pretty cool.
3
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Tue Feb 01 2022
Murmur
R.E.M.
I thoroughly enjoyed this. I remember when I first discovered Losing My Religion and would just keep it on repeat on my iPod. It tugged at something inside me and gave me permission to feel that something. Perfect Circle feels a little like that too. I can't believe this is a debut album.
4
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Wed Feb 02 2022
Let's Stay Together
Al Green
Haven't put this album on since college. I listened to it twice back to back. My faves are still the title track and How Can You Mend a Broken Heart. Those strings after "I can still feel the breeze..." is one of those little magical musical moments. This album is so easy to listen to, and I just love his voice.
4
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Thu Feb 03 2022
New Forms
Roni Size
This was my first and last listen of this album. I listened to all 2+ hours of both discs. The 20th anniversary version on Spotify has additional content bringing the total time to over 5 hours. There's not enough MDMA in the world. I genuinely gave this a true listen through a good sound system and tried to keep an open mind throughout. I was in a state of discomfort by the time I was a few tracks in, but by the end I was internally screaming. I am clearly not the intended audience here, but wow I hated this. 0 stars.
1
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Fri Feb 04 2022
Brown Sugar
D'Angelo
Smoother than a fresh jar of Skippy. Been a minute since I listened to this. I love Shit, Damn, Motherfucker. The vibes and the lyrics are in such contrast lol.
3
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Sat Jun 01 2024
Straight Outta Compton
N.W.A.
While I do listen to rap, I probably don't listen to enough to have truly thoughtful commentary on this album. But I understand its place in shaping the genre of gangsta rap. Obviously a lot of the lyrics haven't aged well - the blatant misogyny is hard to stomach, for one. But not so surprising for its time. What's also hard to stomach is how Fuck Tha Police still rings as true today as it did then. That track, Express Yourself, and Something to Dance To are the standouts for me every time I listen to this album.
4
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Sun Jun 02 2024
James Brown Live At The Apollo
James Brown
In my notes for a different live album from this project, I said something about enjoying a live album more when I can't hear the audience. Truly don't know what I was smoking saying that. Maybe it was something I enjoyed about that particular album, finding the mix impressive, idk. But I love hearing the audience usually. It amplifies the frisson. Goosebumps galore. Hearing the women screaming and ow-ing in this recording at the Apollo makes me wish I could use a time machine and be there in person. I'm giving it 3 stars, but only because I don't have a desire to relisten any time soon. For me, 4/5 stars are for albums I want to hear more than once or twice. It would be great to own on vinyl to spin on special occasions though.
3
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Mon Jun 03 2024
3 Years, 5 Months And 2 Days In The Life Of...
Arrested Development
I had zero prior knowledge of this group/album. I love going in blind and I ended up really enjoying this. I see some have mentioned it can be corny or preachy at times, and I can understand that takeaway. However, I found the messages uplifting and still relevant today. I was hanging on to every word in Fishin' 4 Religion with its critiques of passivity in the church, of praying to cope instead of taking an active role in making positive changes in the world.
I liked the repeated mantra of "Dig your hands in the dirt, children play with earth." (Track 6) It's a metaphorical invitation to get in touch with yourself and shape your own reality. But it's also a literal invitation to get in touch with Mother Earth. It's a fun song that reminds me we all have an inner child. One day I stopped making mud pies in the dirt and became an adult, but how would it feel to connect with that child again? It's far from the best song on the album, but it really resonated with me. Power in something simple.
I really like conscious rap/hip-hop and spiritual concepts. If you do too, I think this is an essential listen.
4
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Tue Jun 04 2024
Back To Black
Amy Winehouse
I don't love a lot of 60s retro music. Sometimes throwback artists seem to prioritize perfecting the sound/production and end up with a general imitation of an entire era and nothing distinct enough to make it memorable. Not with Amy. This album would sound fresh no matter what year it was released. Hard to believe it's approaching its 20th anniversary. The live version of Valerie on the deluxe edition is so intimate and sounds incredible. This record is between a 4 and 5 for me so I'll just go ahead and give it 5.
5
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Wed Jun 05 2024
Moving Pictures
Rush
Rush's discography is overwhelming and I didn't know where to start, but they've been on my list a long time. So I don't have any other Rush albums to compare this to, but I thought it was great. I like prog rock - odd time signatures tickle my brain - but the genre doesn't usually hold my attention for much longer than 40 minutes at a time. So the length of this was perfect. Would listen with my morning coffee again.
4
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Thu Jun 06 2024
I See You
The xx
A few days before this album was generated I was listening to a bunch of The xx for the first time in a while, including most of this album. I am blessed by the album gods.
I had this on repeat when it first released. I always listen start to finish - it's a whole mood - but I listen to On Hold by itself a lot. I can't get enough of the way they use the Hall and Oates sample, and it's definitely the most upbeat track. I feel a kind of push-pull dynamic listening to the lyrics throughout. There is pain and loss and vulnerability in expressions of insecurities (Say Something Loving). Performance is heartbreaking and always tugs at my tearducts.
I didn't know there was a Deluxe version, so I listened to that. I thought Test Me was a perfect closer, no additions needed, so I'll favor the og in future listens.
4
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Fri Jun 07 2024
Graceland
Paul Simon
Gun to my head, this is my favorite album of all time. No gun to my head and I have time to think, it still makes top 10 at least. Easiest 5 stars I've given so far, and I'm so glad this showed up within my first 50 albums generated.
I love African music. I remember in college I bought a CD at Borders that included a sampling of songs of different styles from different countries. I still have that CD, and I recently found as many of the songs on Spotify as I could to add to my playlists. (I recommend the song Love is Just a Dream (Tatazela) by Johnny Clegg and Juluka if you love Graceland too)
I think Graceland is one of the most beautiful songs ever written. "The Mississippi Delta was shining like a National guitar"...what a killer opening line. "And I see losing love is like a window in your heart / Everybody sees you're blown apart / Everybody feels the wind blow"...so beautiful. And even when I don't understand the words being sung, that beauty comes through. I would die for this album.
5
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Sat Jun 08 2024
Dookie
Green Day
Love this album! One of my favorite moments is the transition from Chump to Longview. My favorites are definitely the hits - Longview, Welcome to Paradise, Basket Case, She, When I Come Around. Volume up for those songs, always. Overall, it's probably between a 4 and a 5 for me, so I'll just round up to 5.
5
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Sun Jun 09 2024
Pills 'n' Thrills And Bellyaches
Happy Mondays
I'm not familiar enough with the Manchester music scene to appreciate this album in that context. Wiki says they were influential to groups such as Oasis and Stone Roses. I did think they vaguely reminded me of someone but didn't figure out who. The first couple of tracks had me thinking maybe I'd be hooked, but I quickly lost steam. I don't think it's a bad album, just not for me, and I wouldn't listen again.
2
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Mon Jun 10 2024
Rio
Duran Duran
I am not ashamed by my love of 80s music, and because of that, I am ashamed I've never listened to Rio until now. I only knew Hungry Like the Wolf, but now I can't wait to listen to this album again and skip that song as I've heard it a million times (still a great one though). I'll join in the chorus of praise for the bass. What a good album.
5
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Tue Jun 11 2024
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath
First listen of this album, but I generally like Black Sabbath. It's a privilege to listen to genre defining records, and I can only imagine what it must have been like to hear this for the first time in 1970.
4
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Wed Jun 12 2024
Chris
Christine and the Queens
Another blessing from the album gods to have this generated within my first 50 albums. This is one of my favorite artists of all time; I'm a massive fan. His music has helped me understand myself profoundly. And it's otherworldly, especially his latest release, Paranoia, Angels, True Love, which is an underrated masterpiece.
I highly recommend the KEXP performance from 2019, particularly Doesn't Matter, the 4th track on this album. He accesses such raw emotion, it's awe-inspiring. "Run if you stole a shard of sunlight"
I was happy to give my vinyl another spin for this one, and Chris is also in my top Spotify artists every year. My favorites are Doesn't matter, The walker, Goya soda, The Stranger, and What's-her-face, but absolutely 0 skips.
5
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Thu Jun 13 2024
Odessa
Bee Gees
God damn it. I didn't know I'd have to start my day by giving the Bee Gees 1 star. Gutted. My dog's opinion was that he hated the cymbal clashes in With All Nations, and he'd like you to know he's usually very chill about loud sounds in music.
I thought the album was over and my auto-play had gone to Danny Elfman for some reason, but that was the last track, The British Opera, so I guess that's my favorite song.
1
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Fri Jun 14 2024
Who's Next
The Who
One of the first CDs I ever bought was a greatest hits compilation. Of course, almost all of the songs on this album were included. Not having songs like Behind Blue Eyes, Baba O'Riley, Won't Get Fooled Again, and Bargain in my life would be like having just a little less oxygen to breathe.
Actually, Behind Blue Eyes ended up hitting me right in the soul today. It means more to me now than ever before.
I've never loved My Wife, but it won't stop me from filling in all 5 of those stars. What a fantastic album.
5
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Sat Jun 15 2024
xx
The xx
I'd just listened to tons of The xx a few days before getting I See You, and that was like, 9 albums ago, so I'm amused to be getting this album as well. Listened to it a lot in college, and I still love Intro, Crystalised, and Islands. You know that specific type of nostalgia that's kind of haunting and a little painful? This whole album makes me feel that way.
I think I See You is better, which I gave a 4, so I'll give this a 3, but it's probably closer to 3.5.
3
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Sun Jun 16 2024
Paul's Boutique
Beastie Boys
Paul's Boutique has a new admirer. Holy shit I loved this. The wiki is worth a read. The way the Dust Brothers used sampling - insane. I found a video on YouTube with a clip from every song that was sampled followed by a snippet of how it was used in the song. I recognized the Beatles sample of The End in The Sounds Of Science, but there's other Beatles songs sampled in that track as well. It would be ridiculously expensive to (legally) make this album today.
The sample that fades in at the start of the album is the same that fades out at the end - but that's not the only reason I immediately want to play it again. I'm so geeked, that was such a fun listen.
5
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Mon Jun 17 2024
If I Should Fall From Grace With God
The Pogues
I used to listen to Celtic Woman and watch Riverdance as a kid. Still haven't made it to Ireland for a visit, but I've always been drawn to their music, and have definitely added Pogues songs to my playlists throughout the years. First listen to a full album though, and I'm not surprised I really enjoyed this. Might be a 5 if I spend more time with the lyrics, but I'll go with 4 for now.
4
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Tue Jun 18 2024
Exodus
Bob Marley & The Wailers
I know the hits, and I've always thought Three Little Birds and One Love were good songs. At the same time, I've never really gone out of my way to listen to them. Like, there's tons of classic songs I've heard a million times but still choose to listen again and again. I don't know, this wasn't unpleasant, it just didn't do a whole lot for me. I respect his legend, but that's where it ends for me for now.
2
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Wed Jun 19 2024
The Cars
The Cars
Synthy poppy rocky perfection, no skips. I listened to this for the first time a couple years ago and had it on repeat for a while. I listened to it 3 times in a row this time.
It sounds great and has a good flow - even I'm in Touch with Your World, kind of a weird (in a good way) song, doesn't sound out of place somehow. Moving in Stereo is one of my favorites but it's hard to choose just one. So happy I got to listen to this today.
5
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Thu Jun 20 2024
The Hissing Of Summer Lawns
Joni Mitchell
I think I went to heaven while listening to this album and so I listened to it a second time. I want to wander around in Joni's world forever. I don't know if it's her best album - I still haven't made it through her entire discography - but it's a 5 star album for me, and one I hadn't listened to yet.
I have listened to Blue which is widely regarded as her best, but maybe this one will be a personal favorite. I'll let the recency bias wear off before deciding. I love this jazzy Joni.
5
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Fri Jun 21 2024
Bryter Layter
Nick Drake
I adore Nick Drake. My favorite album is whichever one I just listened to, so today it's Bryter Layter.
5
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Sat Jun 22 2024
Off The Wall
Michael Jackson
The first half of this album is like a pop masterclass. I don't feel the need to revisit the last half so much. 4 stars because of how massive the hits are, but if the whole thing was like the back half, might be a light 3.
Can't wait til I get Thriller!
4
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Sun Jun 23 2024
Swordfishtrombones
Tom Waits
You either love Tom Waits or can't stand him. I fall into the love him camp - there's no one like him. If this album is too out there for you, maybe try his first album, Closing Time, which is a little more classic, not as experimental. Some amazing songwriting. Anyway, I love Swordfishtrombones, 5 stars.
5
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Mon Jun 24 2024
Wild Wood
Paul Weller
I read through a few of the 5 star comments, and I wish I heard this as they hear it so I can understand. But I was mostly bored. The title track is nice, but I really just felt an overwhelming blah vibe by the time I was through.
2
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Tue Jun 25 2024
My Aim Is True
Elvis Costello
I just listened to Armed Forces (Elvis w/ The Attractions) a couple weeks ago and enjoyed it so much more than this. I'd be willing to give this another go, but first impression was underwhelming.
2
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Wed Jun 26 2024
Astral Weeks
Van Morrison
Lovely, start to finish. I'll absolutely be spending more time with this album. A little droplet of a universe in some earthy fairy land of storytelling and singing and exploring forests.
It made me feel calm and happy, and I'd like to listen through and read along with the lyrics next time - like isn't this bit from Sweet Thing so good?
"And I shall drive my chariot down your streets and cry / Hey, it's me, I'm dynamite and I don't know why / And you shall take me strongly in your arms again / And I will not remember that I even felt the pain
We shall walk and talk in gardens all misty wet / All misty wet with rain down / And I will never, never, never grow so old again"
4
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Thu Jun 27 2024
Back to Mystery City
Hanoi Rocks
I may not know a lot about mixing, but I was thinking the whole time how poor it sounded for being from 1983. I had the volume all the way up. Then Beating Gets Faster started and I had to scramble to turn it down. That song is probably the best even if only because the mix is so much better.
Damn. I was excited for some Finnish glam rock. But this left me disappointed.
2
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Fri Jun 28 2024
Technique
New Order
I'm so torn between 3 and 4 stars. I love New Order and am a sucker for 80s synth pop. I know this is supposed to be more acid house, but I honestly don't have anything to compare it to in that context. I googled acid house albums and didn't recognize anything in a quick pass.
It's 3.5, but I'll round down to 3 because I like the other New Order albums I've heard more. Still really enjoyed this a lot though.
3
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Sat Jun 29 2024
Dirt
Alice In Chains
Opening with Them Bones and closing with Would? is just killer. And then you've got songs like Down In A Hole, Rooster and Angry Chair in between. I listened to Alice in Chains a ton in high school. The dark subject matters don't deter me, and there's just never been anyone that sounds like them before or since. I've always been drawn to their unique harmonization and odd time signatures. This is such a solid album musically and lyrically.
5
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Sun Jun 30 2024
More Specials
The Specials
I don't like ska, but I didn't hate this. It helps that there were a lot of other genres incorporated. I thought this was interesting and technically good musically, but it didn't make me feel a whole lot, which is important to me. Maybe I'll give it another chance someday.
2
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Mon Jul 01 2024
Lost In The Dream
The War On Drugs
I like this album. I used to put Red Eyes on while running and go faster whenever it picks up. But their most recent album, I Don't Live Here Anymore, just blows this out of the water. The title track has become one of my all time favorite songs.
I recommend that album if you like this even a little bit. Oh, their Tiny Desk is really good too.
3
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Tue Jul 02 2024
The Doors
The Doors
I just listened to this album a few weeks ago! This keeps happening. Among the first CDs I ever bought with my own money was a greatest hits of The Doors. I love love love this album.
5
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Wed Jul 03 2024
Out Of The Blue
Electric Light Orchestra
He wrote this in 3 and a half weeks?? Shit. I actually just listened to my first ELO album a few weeks ago, independent of this project. It was A New World Record, which I enjoyed a bit more than Out Of The Blue. Both albums came out in 1976, wild.
4
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Thu Jul 04 2024
Honky Tonk Heroes
Waylon Jennings
I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. I listen to a bit of Orville Peck sometimes, and now I hear the influence. Glad to have added this to albums I've heard as I've been wanting to familiarize myself with classic country more. It probably deserves better than 3 stars, but I didn't connect with the lyrics as much as I'd wanted to, which is important to me with this genre even more so than others.
3
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Fri Jul 05 2024
Funeral
Arcade Fire
I've seen them live and listened to this album countless times. I think The Suburbs is their best and would be an easy 5 stars. Funeral would be 4.5, but I'll round up because of how much this album has meant to me.
5
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Sat Jul 06 2024
21
Adele
I burned someone's copy of this CD for my car when it came out, I think from my sister. Adele has a powerhouse of a voice, and songs like Someone Like You and Rolling in the Deep deserve the popularity they still have to this day. But...the songs outside of the hits are proper boring at times. Particularly the cover of Lovesong, which I'd honestly forgotten about, probably because I usually skipped most of the CD and just practiced my car karaoke skills to the hits. Hopefully I forget about it again. 3 stars because of the classics.
3
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Sun Jul 07 2024
The World is a Ghetto
War
When I got this album, I thought, which song do I know of theirs again? Oh yeah, Low Rider, that song slaps. You won't find a song like Low Rider on this album, but wow I enjoyed this. I'd love to own on vinyl, the cover art is super cool too. The blend of genres is masterful - soul and jazz and funk and reggae, and just a smooth ride the whole way. It wasn't an instant 5 stars for me, but it might be after I listen again, which I definitely will.
4
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Mon Jul 08 2024
Manassas
Stephen Stills
Another album I enjoyed far more than I thought I would. I've never listened to any solo material from Stills, and assumed I'd be wishing I was listening to Neil Young or CSN(Y) instead. But nope, I liked this a lot - very enjoyable bluesy singer songwriter southern rock. My only issue is with the length. I love long albums, don't get me wrong. But this is one of those times I might use the word bloated as a descriptor.
3
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Tue Jul 09 2024
Superunknown
Soundgarden
Black Hole Sun is one of my favorite 90s rock songs, and I love Fell On Black Days and Spoonman as well. I genuinely love 90s grunge. This will be 4 stars for me because I just had Dirt from Alice in Chains a few albums ago, which was an easy 5, and it's hard not to compare the two. But this is a solid album as well - Chris Cornell was an incredible vocalist.
4
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Wed Jul 10 2024
Penance Soiree
The Icarus Line
I wasn't biting my nails waiting for this to end, but when it was over I just thought, huh. And felt nothing. Would not listen again.
1
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Thu Jul 11 2024
Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1
George Michael
Ugh, what a magnificent voice. There were moments I wish he'd let it flourish a little more, but it's powerful and tender all at once, and when it shines, it really shines. I only knew Freedom! '90 before this (Christine and the Queens does a phenomenal cover of this song - the live performance from Global Citizen made me fall in love with the song, actually). I was happy to discover new songs to love as well - my favorite was Waiting for That Day ("My memory serves me far too well") and Waiting (Reprise) ("There ain't no point in moving on 'til you've got somewhere to go"). A couple of songs, such as Soul Free, really didn't do it for me, but I'm rounding my 3.5 up to a 4 anyway.
4
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Sat Jul 13 2024
Tusk
Fleetwood Mac
I confess my sin of only ever having listened to Rumours (and I'll gladly add to the 5 star ratings when I get to it). I've been excited to listen to more FM, and already listened to Tusk twice. I love that they went in a different direction, though I understand not everyone did. Sure, maybe a few tracks could have been cut. But there's a variety of great songs to choose from, and none that would have me aggressively reaching for the skip button. My favorites right now are Sara, Storms, Sisters of the Moon, & Think About Me.
4
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Mon Jul 15 2024
Haunted Dancehall
The Sabres Of Paradise
Haunted Dancehall is an awesome title - but nothing on this album really evoked that feeling for me. I've been honing my rating system as I go, and from now on, 3 and above will be albums I'd listen to at least more than once, so this one will be ranked 2.
Duke of Earlsfield was the only one of the first 4 tracks I enjoyed, and the 5th track was the Portishead mix, which I enjoyed because...Portishead. I actually got really into the next few tracks, especially Tow Truck. I always choose one song from every album to add to a running playlist, and that's my pick for this one. But the last third of the album left me either irritated or bored, depending on the song. Overall, not for me.
2