423
Albums Rated
3.75
Average Rating
39%
Complete
666 albums remaining
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2010s
Favorite Decade
Grunge
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US
Top Origin
Generous
Rater Style
133
5-Star Albums
16
1-Star Albums
Taste Analysis
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Rating Style
You Love More Than Most
Albums you rated higher than global average
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Movies | 5 | 2.7 | +2.3 |
| Histoire De Melody Nelson | 5 | 2.76 | +2.24 |
| My Life In The Bush Of Ghosts | 5 | 2.78 | +2.22 |
| Vulnicura | 5 | 2.79 | +2.21 |
| Chris | 5 | 2.82 | +2.18 |
| I Am a Bird Now | 5 | 2.84 | +2.16 |
| The New Tango | 5 | 2.88 | +2.12 |
| Ingenue | 5 | 2.94 | +2.06 |
| Swordfishtrombones | 5 | 2.95 | +2.05 |
| Fever Ray | 5 | 2.99 | +2.01 |
You Love Less Than Most
Albums you rated lower than global average
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| This Is Hardcore | 1 | 3.14 | -2.14 |
| Let Love Rule | 1 | 3 | -2 |
| Introducing The Hardline According To Terence Trent D'Arby | 1 | 2.98 | -1.98 |
| Exodus | 2 | 3.94 | -1.94 |
| Gentlemen | 1 | 2.9 | -1.9 |
| A Short Album About Love | 1 | 2.77 | -1.77 |
| Our Aim Is To Satisfy | 1 | 2.74 | -1.74 |
| G. Love And Special Sauce | 1 | 2.74 | -1.74 |
| Odessa | 1 | 2.72 | -1.72 |
| Bitte Orca | 1 | 2.69 | -1.69 |
Artist Analysis
Favorite Artists
Artists with 2+ albums
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Bob Dylan | 5 | 4.8 |
| David Bowie | 4 | 4.75 |
| Beatles | 3 | 5 |
| Radiohead | 3 | 5 |
| Queen | 3 | 5 |
| PJ Harvey | 4 | 4.5 |
| Beastie Boys | 3 | 4.67 |
| Michael Jackson | 3 | 4.67 |
| The Cure | 3 | 4.67 |
| Prince | 2 | 5 |
| Paul Simon | 2 | 5 |
| Green Day | 2 | 5 |
| Joni Mitchell | 2 | 5 |
| Tom Waits | 2 | 5 |
| Kate Bush | 2 | 5 |
| Björk | 2 | 5 |
| Pink Floyd | 2 | 5 |
| Johnny Cash | 2 | 5 |
| Led Zeppelin | 2 | 5 |
| The White Stripes | 2 | 5 |
| Bruce Springsteen | 2 | 5 |
| CHIC | 2 | 5 |
| Stevie Wonder | 2 | 5 |
| The Beach Boys | 2 | 5 |
| Brian Eno | 4 | 4.25 |
Least Favorite Artists
Artists with 2+ albums
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Pulp | 2 | 1.5 |
Controversial Artists
Artists you rate inconsistently
| Artist | Albums | Variance |
|---|---|---|
| Stan Getz | 2 | 1.5 |
5-Star Albums (133)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
Sonic Youth
5/5
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.
9 likes
Tom Waits
5/5
I fucking love Tom Waits. This album is so, so good. He's a tremendous storyteller. His lyrics are poetry, a lot of it gritty, but then there's tender songs like Hang Down Your Head. "Hush, a wild violet, hush, a band of gold / Hush, you're in a story I heard somebody told / Tear the promise from my heart, tear my heart today / You have found another, oh baby, I must go away" I mean, come on. No one does it like Tom Waits.
3 likes
Antony and the Johnsons
5/5
Oh, this is beautiful. I've known of Anohni, but this is the first album of hers I've listened to all the way through. It's so emotional, it lifts my heart and also makes it ache.
Our empathy is cultivated through the stories we hear, if we choose to hear them. I will never truly know how it feels to be trans, but art like this helps me understand. I will surely be doing a deep dive into Anohni's other work now.
2 likes
Talk Talk
4/5
I was only familiar with It's My Life, but I love that song and generally most things under the new wave umbrella, so I figured this would be right up my alley.
I've listened to this twice now, going on three, and each song roots a little deeper with every listen. His voice is so rich with emotion and the instrumentation compliments it so well. It's interesting he wanted to move away from synths and use more traditional instruments for this album. I wasn't expecting that, but I think they made something really special.
After a quick read of the wiki, I'm excited to explore the albums that came after this and hear them move into jazzier, more experimental territory.
2 likes
Christine and the Queens
5/5
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.
1 likes
4-Star Albums (135)
1-Star Albums (16)
All Ratings
Bob Dylan
5/5
Don't Think Twice, It's All Right remains a favorite for me
Thin Lizzy
2/5
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.
Van Halen
4/5
The Who
4/5
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.
Prince
5/5
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.
Neil Young
4/5
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.
Queen Latifah
3/5
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.
Bill Evans Trio
4/5
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.
Supertramp
3/5
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.
Tim Buckley
2/5
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.
Gil Scott-Heron
5/5
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.
Lynyrd Skynyrd
3/5
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.
Drive-By Truckers
3/5
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."
Fela Kuti
4/5
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.
Sonic Youth
5/5
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.
Booker T. & The MG's
4/5
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.
Coldplay
3/5
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.
Missy Elliott
4/5
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.
T. Rex
4/5
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.
1/5
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.
Fela Kuti
4/5
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.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
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).
Sam Cooke
4/5
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.
Terence Trent D'Arby
1/5
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.
Eminem
4/5
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.
The Last Shadow Puppets
3/5
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.
Don McLean
4/5
Lovely voice, lovely album. So glad I listened to it. Vincent makes me cry.
David Gray
3/5
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.
Solomon Burke
2/5
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.
The United States Of America
1/5
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.
Orange Juice
3/5
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.
R.E.M.
4/5
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.
Al Green
4/5
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.
Roni Size
1/5
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.
D'Angelo
3/5
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.
N.W.A.
4/5
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.
James Brown
3/5
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.
Arrested Development
4/5
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.
Amy Winehouse
5/5
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.
Rush
4/5
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.
The xx
4/5
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.
Paul Simon
5/5
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.
Green Day
5/5
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.
Happy Mondays
2/5
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.
Duran Duran
5/5
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.
Black Sabbath
4/5
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.
Christine and the Queens
5/5
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.
Bee Gees
1/5
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.
The Who
5/5
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.
The xx
3/5
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.
Beastie Boys
5/5
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.
The Pogues
4/5
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.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
2/5
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.
The Cars
5/5
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.
Joni Mitchell
5/5
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.
Nick Drake
5/5
I adore Nick Drake. My favorite album is whichever one I just listened to, so today it's Bryter Layter.
Michael Jackson
4/5
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!
Tom Waits
5/5
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.
Paul Weller
2/5
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.
Elvis Costello
2/5
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.
Van Morrison
4/5
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"
Hanoi Rocks
2/5
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.
New Order
3/5
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.
Alice In Chains
5/5
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.
The Specials
2/5
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.
The War On Drugs
3/5
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.
The Doors
5/5
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.
Electric Light Orchestra
4/5
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.
Waylon Jennings
3/5
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.
Arcade Fire
5/5
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.
Adele
3/5
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.
4/5
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.
Stephen Stills
3/5
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.
Soundgarden
4/5
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.
The Icarus Line
1/5
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.
George Michael
4/5
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.
Ride
5/5
I've had Vapour Trails in multiple playlists throughout the years, but hadn't gone for the whole album yet, and - whew. I've listened to it like four times now.
The official tracklist ends with Vapour Trails, but I listened through the CD bonus tracks. I love how the title track closes with the cries of seagulls in a full circle moment, as the album opens with Seagull. And, by the way, what a first fucking track. Blew my socks off. The harmonies are Alice In Chains-esque, but make it shoegaze.
This is a 5 star album for me. It may not be a 10 out of 5 like some of my other 5s, but I hear something new in the lyrics or the guitar layering or the drums (the drums!) with each listen, and that's worth the rating for me. I'm so glad I got to fully discover this one.
Fleetwood Mac
4/5
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.
Kate Bush
5/5
5 fucking stars. Kate Bush's artistry is unmatched. Her vocals, her production, her concepts, the execution of it all. She is one of my favorite artists of all time, and though I go back and forth on which of her albums is my favorite, HoL is either #1 or #2.
I got to play my vinyl for this one, which has the original mix of The Big Sky. I love the way the drums come right out of the gate, and I can hear so many of the details in the backing vocals so much more clearly.
Often times I like to just listen to The Ninth Wave tracks. On one such occasion, I was out walking during sunset on a crisp fall evening. I was looking up at the sky, which was a gorgeous pink/purple, and The Jig of Life was playing. Suddenly a red tailed hawk flew toward me and swooped low directly over my head - I could have touched them if I'd jumped - and then flew off high into the sky behind me. I don't know, maybe they thought my hair bun was a mouse and it was a close call, but it felt like a movie moment. I had chills, and I won't ever forget it.
The Sabres Of Paradise
2/5
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.
Nina Simone
5/5
Oh, wow. My first Nina Simone album. As a pianist, I am kicking myself for never listening to any of her work outside of the few songs I was familiar with. Her playing is incredible. Oh, and her voice, the tone, the way she emotes. Four Women left me with tears stinging my eyes; I had to pause and just sit there saying wow over and over and process what I'd just heard. She is the sole songwriter on that one as well. What an incredible artist. I'm going to watch the documentary about her now and explore more of her work.
3/5
We can always use more silliness in this world - I couldn't help but smile during some of the goofier moments on this album. However, with my usual love for all things 80s, I was really expecting to like this more. Maybe it's because Whip It was one of my favorite songs as a kid, and nothing here really scratched that itch, even after a second listen. Still, lots of fun moments here, and though I did enjoy it more the second time, I don't know if I'll feel like revisiting.
U2
4/5
I saw U2 in concert - a whole stadium singing One together is just goosebump city. That song alone is worth a whole star. For whatever reason, I don't love the last 2 or 3 songs. It's like it loses steam toward the end and could have been shortened up a bit. But overall, great album.
Morrissey
2/5
Listen, I know the guy's a twat. But that aside, I did not enjoy this.
Okay, but seriously, with that actually aside, I found the Smiths in my formative years, and I do love their music very much. But I don't need Morrissey alone.
The song I liked the most was the opener, and I figure there's enough great Arctic Monkeys songs I could listen to instead if I'm in the mood for that style.
Still, it wasn't an assault on the ears so I won't go as low as 1 star.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
5/5
My first introduction to Nick Cave! I've wanted to get into his stuff for a while now, and boy have I been missing out. I've listened 3 times now, I'm just in awe.
On my first listen, I preferred the more mellow The Lyre of Orpheus side, but the second time I enjoyed the Abattoir Blues side more. The gospel choir is incredible. On the third listen, I really took the time to read through the lyrics. There She Goes, My Beautiful World is such a beautiful song about the creative process. Let the Bells Ring is a lovely tribute to Johnny Cash. And Nature Boy is so romantic. Ahh, I can't even choose a favorite, they're all so good.
My favorite artists are usually songwriters - lyrics really take an album from good to great for me - so I was expecting I'd like Nick Cave, but I wasn't prepared to be so moved. I can't wait to dive into more of Nick / The Bad Seeds.
Aretha Franklin
4/5
Respect is such a powerful opening track, I wish I could hear it for the first time again. It's a tough one to follow though, and I honestly can't remember how any of the other songs sound now that it's been a few days. But I know it's a joy to listen to her sing, and I'll plan to give this another listen sometime.
Talk Talk
4/5
I was only familiar with It's My Life, but I love that song and generally most things under the new wave umbrella, so I figured this would be right up my alley.
I've listened to this twice now, going on three, and each song roots a little deeper with every listen. His voice is so rich with emotion and the instrumentation compliments it so well. It's interesting he wanted to move away from synths and use more traditional instruments for this album. I wasn't expecting that, but I think they made something really special.
After a quick read of the wiki, I'm excited to explore the albums that came after this and hear them move into jazzier, more experimental territory.
The Smiths
5/5
I have strong memory association from my younger days with so many songs on this album. The melancholy atmosphere of their music was pure escapism for me during some really hard times. The Headmaster Ritual, That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore, Nowhere Fast, and Barbarism Begins at Home are my favorites.
I don't care for the title track, but other than that, pure perfection. Johnny Marr's guitar playing and Morrissey's vocals are a match made in heaven, and Rourke's bass really ties everything together beautifully.
Björk
5/5
With some artists, I devour their discography as soon as I discover them. With others, I wait until the timing just feels right and select an album at random, like a treat. It seems the timing was right for Vulnicura, truly. I'm in a stage of life where I can really relate to and absorb the story.
It may not be my favorite Bjork album (so far), but her expression of heartbreak is just so visceral I can feel it in my own chest. It's beautiful and difficult and unlike anything else I've ever heard.
Meat Loaf
4/5
Okay, this is so fun. Recognized the E Street Band playing immediately. As a former theater kid who loves camp, I'm into this. RIP dude.
Sisters Of Mercy
4/5
This was rad. Will listen again.
The Zombies
5/5
I've been blessed by the album gods so many times in just my first 100 albums. Odyssey And Oracle is one of my favorite albums ever - those first few notes of the harpsichord immediately lift my mood, and I'm in the happiest little buzz by the time I'm through Time of the Season.
Iron Maiden
3/5
Okay, this was a fun listen. Not my usual cup of tea as I'm not a big heavy metal fan, but I bet it would be such a good time listening to this with someone who really loves it. Sometimes someone else's joy is all you need to hear through new ears.
Also makes me want to re-watch School of Rock.
The Good, The Bad & The Queen
2/5
Hmm. I usually enjoy Damon Albarn projects, Danger Mouse too. I'd never heard of this, but based on the description, figured I'd really like it.
Nope. I listened twice, and both times I felt like a heavy, oppressive fog was settling over me. It made me think of times I just wanted to dissociate, but someone would keep getting my attention and I would have to engage. I know that's a strange way to describe listening to an album, but, man. I just really felt bad listening to this.
I listened to the first Broken Bells album after - I like Danger Mouse's production so much more on that one.
Rush
2/5
I genuinely enjoyed Moving Pictures, but I think it's safe to say I'm not ever going to be a huge Rush fan. Much respect, but this one wasn't for me.
Fairport Convention
4/5
"The British Jefferson Airplane" indeed. Celtic music has been in my rotation since I was a kid; it's always stirred something deep in my soul, so I'm not surprised that I really enjoyed this.
I love the song Shady Grove (traditional folk song with Appalachian roots), so Matty Groves was immediately familiar. Cool to find that it originated from this old English ballad.
Method Man
3/5
I've only listened to one Wu-Tang album (and thought it was fantastic), so I'm wondering if I'd appreciate this more if I were more familiar with their discography.
I like to let an album marinate a few days before jotting down my thoughts, and this one hasn't been super memorable.
I saw another user's comment that really clicked for me: "I like my hip-hop with hooks. Must be the pop guy in me."
Prince
5/5
Banger after banger. What else to say? It's Purple Rain.
Kraftwerk
3/5
I listened to the 2009 remastered, and it sounds fantastic. I can't imagine hearing this when it was released; it must have sounded so futuristic, and it certainly influenced electronic music for years to come.
It's not the type of album I'd play regularly, but it was a fun listen. My least favorite track was The Model. It really took me out of the rest of the album for some reason. I genuinely really love Neon Lights. That will go into my playlist for sure.
CHVRCHES
5/5
Okay, this is getting 5. Is it a 10/5? No, but I just love it so much and have so much nostalgia for it. I played this to death when it came out, and am happy to say it still holds up as some fantastic synth pop. Not a single skip for me. Lauren Mayberry has such a lovely, unique voice. A great album for shaking it out with some cathartic dancing as well, which I definitely did!
The Monkees
3/5
I love their hits - Daydream Believer, Last Train to Clarksville, I'm a Believer - and I even used to watch the show on the oldies rerun channel sometimes. But listening to this album just makes me want to listen to the Beatles instead. The songs are well crafted and great at imitating the Beatles, as they intended. And I don't hate this, not at all. But after listening twice, I'm confident that's enough for me.
Miles Davis
4/5
My third Miles Davis album, first of this project. I very much enjoyed this, though not as much as Kind of Blue and Bitches Brew. I'd love to listen to this out on the porch with some coffee on a drizzly weekend morning.
2/5
I listened to this twice and actually liked it less the second time. Guess this one's not for me. I do think the production is good, but the songs themselves just didn't draw me in.
David Bowie
4/5
I've listened to a couple Bowie albums, but he's mostly been one of my musical blind spots. I've really wanted to do a deep dive into his work, but it's always been a little intimidating, much as he fascinates me. I knew this project would help remedy the overwhelm.
It's been interesting to contextualize Low by reading about how influential it's been on artists I know and love well, like Radiohead. Low certainly doesn't sound like anything else I've ever heard from that era.
I understand that the way they processed the drums through a pitch shifting device (the Eventide H910 Harmonizer) is one of the most notable aspects of this album. I listened a second time with this in mind, because it's an effect I definitely take for granted in a lot of the music that followed.
I really loved the instrumental back half the most, particularly Warszawa. Haunting stuff.
Talking Heads
4/5
Imagine having a debut album with a song like Psycho Killer! I love Talking Heads and have listened to most of their albums, but this was my first listen of their first album. They are delightful, genius, goofy, sincere, and out of the box in all the best ways. 77 didn't become my new favorite, but it's still wonderful and brought my the usual dose of joy I've come to expect from their music.
Beastie Boys
5/5
I've always loved the hits, but I'd never put on a full Beastie Boys record until getting Paul's Boutique not so long ago. I was floored. It was such an easy 5 stars. I listened to Ill Communication for the first time a few weeks ago, but I was more than happy to listen again today. Another easy 5.
As I did with PB, I found a video on YouTube with clips of each sample used followed by how they were used in each song. Now I know that the dog you hear on the first track is saying "I love you" and, as a dog person, I am charmed.
This album features Tibetan monks, jazzy flutes, noisy guitar, groovy bass riffs, haunting violins, and so much more while being a cohesive body of work. I dig the length of the album. It held my attention for every second, keeping me surprised with each new element woven in so seamlessly.
Also, I love the Q-Tip feat. His voice is so hypnotic.
Traffic
2/5
Sorry Mr. Winwood, sorry other Traffic members, but I was bored. Maybe some other time this would hit right, but today wasn't that time.
I do like Feelin' Alright, but it will never fail to make me think of Friskies cat food. One of their commercials used a version of that song, and, only God knows why, but it's deeply ingrained in my childhood memories, like core memory shit. I hear that song and I immediately want to go find a cat to cuddle.
Christina Aguilera
3/5
I listen to a ton of pop these days, but I didn't listen to much back in the early 2000s, and I never ended up getting into Christina beyond the hits. Her voice is incredible, no denying that. And I've always loved Fighter and Beautiful, but I didn't realize how empowering and feminist the rest of the record would be.
My gripe is that it's too long and a little all over the place. Maybe I'd enjoy it more with a second listen. Either way, she deserves her status as a pop icon. Oh yeah, and the transition from Walk Away to Fighter was sick.
Linkin Park
4/5
Whoa, lots of hate for this one! All I can say is I didn't have therapy in high school, but I did have this album, and it's one that helped me process and cope with some complicated emotions. I enjoyed listening to this one again, and I think it still holds up.
Public Enemy
3/5
I'm so torn between a 3 and a 4. I need more time with it probably. It Takes A Nation of Millions is an easy 5 star album for me, and the only one Public Enemy album I'd listened to before this one, which just didn't hit the same highs for me.
By The Time I Get To Arizona and Bring Tha Noize were my favorites tracks. So good.
John Cale
2/5
Spotify was playing some recommended songs based on albums I've been listening to from this project, and it was playing a Brian Eno / John Cale track from their album together. I didn't know who John Cale was, so I looked him up. Then I checked my album for the day and it was this one.
That was cool. Unfortunately this album wasn't cool. I just didn't enjoy it at all. I did kind of like that song with Brian Eno though, and I like what I know of the Velvet Underground, so John Cale will get a second chance, but this album won't.
2/5
I didn't hate this, didn't love it either. Nothing really grabbed me here, and it was all very samey.
Blondie
5/5
I've never listened to a full Blondie album but love the hits. What the hell, this is so good!? Loved every song, pop rock perfection.
Germs
2/5
This one's not for me. I couldn't understand a word for the most part. And sometimes that's fine. But then the music itself needs to be interesting, and this wasn't. And I do like some punk stuff too, so it's not that either.
The last track, Shut Down (Annihilation Man) was kind of cool, but otherwise I wouldn't revisit anything here.
A Tribe Called Quest
5/5
This isn't my favorite Tribe album, but it's still a 5.
Pulp
2/5
I didn't know this band, but I recognized Common People, and I do like that song. However, though the actual music was agreeable enough, there were too many times where the lyrics just killed it for me.
For example, Disco 2000 (which sounds like Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting) mixed with Bruce Springstein, but not really anything unique itself) has a good pop rock song structure. But the lyrics make me cringe, and I can't get past it, especially when the music itself isn't anything groundbreaking. Like yeah, this guy would definitely be on r/theredpill.
I didn't feel this way with every song. I really like the lyrics for Sorted for E's & Wizz, actually. But overall, it's not a high ranking album for me.
Deep Purple
5/5
Holy shit. I only ever knew (and loved) Smoke on the Water. I didn't know the whole album was going to melt my face off.
Frank Ocean
5/5
Thinkin Bout You is up there in my favorite songs list. His voice is so mesmerizing, and the way he emotes with his falsetto just serves the song so well. I'm surprised how many of the top ratings mention how he can't sing? Are we listening to the same artist?
Anyway, I'm glad I had an excuse to put this one on and get lost in the Channel Orange soundscape for a little while.
k.d. lang
3/5
I've only listened to Ingénue before after falling in love with Constant Craving back in college. I learned a bit about her story and how she became such an icon in the queer community.
I was reading a bit about her after listening to Shadowland, and came across an article in the Guardian where she is described as a "Sapphic North Star." I love that.
Her vocals on this album are so lovely, pure, and open. Her voice is a 10/5 stars. I've now listened a few times through, and while I always cozy up to the mood of the album, I find I can't recall what the songs sound like later. I definitely enjoy Ingénue more, and look forward to the day I get it for this project.
4/5
Another college favorite - I got to see them live, and they were fantastic. Knights of Cydonia in particular was pretty epic, blew the recorded version out of the water. This album has stood the test of time, it was nice to listen to it again.
The Birthday Party
3/5
Okay, I was prepared for the worst and I...kind of dug it?
I listened to my first Nick Cave album just a little while ago through this project, and I've listened to Abbatoir Blues many times since. I believe I've fallen under his spell, because even when the subject was tense or the music wreaking havoc on my nervous system, something about his absolutely feral vocals kept drawing me in.
It's not going to be the kind of album I regularly throw on, but yeah, I'd listen again.
Willie Nelson
4/5
This paired so well with the k.d. lang album I just finished (Shadowland). They were both soothing country albums with similarly relaxing, cozy vibes.
This was my first Willie Nelson album, and I enjoyed it more than I was expecting to. Some cover albums sound disjointed, each song a different flavor, and don't flow so seamlessly as this. But imagine you didn't know these songs or that they were covers - it's so well produced and cohesive. All the little details are placed so well.
Favorite songs are Georgia On My Mind, All of Me, Unchained Melody, and Moonlight in Vermont.
Wu-Tang Clan
4/5
Some days I'm in an Enter The Wu-Tang kind of mood, and others it's an Ariana Grande's thank u, next kind of day - I knew her song fake smile sounded familiar. Found a short piece on Genius talking about the history of the sample usage (After Laughter by Wendy Rene) in rap and hip-hop.
Anyway, Wu-Tang did it first, and it's one of my favorite tracks on this great album. (Listen to the source of the C.R.E.A.M sample too if you haven't - it's awe inspiring when an artist can make a brilliant song with parts from other great music.)
Pet Shop Boys
3/5
I love the two Pet Shop Boys songs I knew before this, so I thought I'd love this. I think I may just not have been in the mood, because I thought I only liked a couple of songs. I was feeling a light 2 stars.
But today I'm skipping around songs trying to remember which ones I liked, and they keep adding up as I listen to them again - Rent, Hit Music, It Couldn't Happen Here, It's a Sin, I Want to Wake Up...wait that's a 5 song run, that's half the album.
I'll give it a 3 today and another listen another day.
Brian Eno
5/5
Whoa. Okay, I've listened to this at least a dozen times already. It hypnotized me, and I would just sit and listen 2 or 3 times in a row while working on projects. I'm only familiar with the expanded version that's on Spotify, but I truly love it. Definitely best with headphones.
Stan Getz
2/5
Stan Getz is too talented of a musician to receive only 2 stars, but this just isn't the type of music I like to actively listen to. In the background of a dinner party? I'm vibing. And Bahia was nice. But otherwise, not my thing.
Janelle Monáe
4/5
Janelle Monáe is so talented. I put Tightrope on one of my mix CDs and then kind of fell in love when I saw her dance in the music video. The Electric Lady and Dirty Computer are both excellent as well.
My favorite moment is the interpolation of Claire De Lune on Say You'll Go. It's so gorgeous.
Jean-Michel Jarre
3/5
One review warned not to be a dummy like them, listen to this at night, not day. It's a night album. I was a dummy. I'll give it another go some night.
I really liked Pt. 3, and there were other moments throughout where I'd start to get into it a but more, but I didn't love the album. I respect the influence it has had, though.
Metallica
4/5
I don't listen to much metal, but some days Metallica just hits the spot. Really solid album. I might like Ride The Lightning more, but it's been a while so I'd have to listen again to compare.
Bob Dylan
5/5
Love Dylan, I'm glad I got to listen to this today.
Eurythmics
4/5
I really enjoyed this. It starts off so strong with Love Is a Stranger. Those high harmonies on "so it's an obsession" surprised me in the best way. Love that track. And Sweet Dreams really is one of the greats. Though none of the other songs hit the same highs for me, it was still a good listen.
Tom Waits
5/5
I fucking love Tom Waits. This album is so, so good. He's a tremendous storyteller. His lyrics are poetry, a lot of it gritty, but then there's tender songs like Hang Down Your Head. "Hush, a wild violet, hush, a band of gold / Hush, you're in a story I heard somebody told / Tear the promise from my heart, tear my heart today / You have found another, oh baby, I must go away" I mean, come on. No one does it like Tom Waits.
Jimi Hendrix
4/5
This deserves its place on the list. His version of All Along the Watchtower is one of the greatest songs of all time. I like that these recordings feel like an invitation to an intimate jam session. There were a few times I found myself disengaging during the more meandering songs, though. I think stoned me would love those songs and give the whole thing a 5, but overall it's a 4 for today.
Neil Young
4/5
This is my second Neil Young album for this project, and another one I haven't heard before. I think the only ones I knew before were Harvest and Harvest Moon, then On the Beach and now this. He's a helluva songwriter, and I find his music very comforting.
Sabu
3/5
I love introducing new genres into my listening. I think I generally vibe with Cuban music, like when I've heard it in a movie or something like that, and am curious which other Cuban jazz albums might be considered definitive.
But I didn't love this album. I'm glad I listened to it once, but some of it was too repetitive to be enjoyable. Rhapsodia del Maravilloso was the best track for me.
White Denim
4/5
What a discovery! I've never heard of them. This album is so easy to listen to, I think I've played it 4 or 5 times already. I was consistently pleasantly surprised by the little twists and turns on each song and how they all weave together so seamlessly. Like, I wasn't expecting the flute to make the appearance it did, but it just works so well. I will definitely be adding this to the rotation.
5/5
I knew a few songs from this album, like This Is Love - I mean, what a fucking banger. I love this whole album so much, and I've been making up for lost time since finally listening to it by having it on repeat. The Thom Yorke collabs are incredible. You can really lose yourself in a trance listening to This Mess We're In. I think it's time for a PJ Harvey deep dive.
Leonard Cohen
3/5
I really enjoyed Bird on the Wire, The Partisan, and You Know Who I am. The album as a whole didn't blow me away, and there's other Cohen songs I like so much more than most of the ones here.
Elliott Smith
4/5
This is not my favorite album of his, but it's still a beautiful piece of work. Somebody That I Used To Know, Junk Bond Trader, Everything Means Nothing To Me, Easy Way Out, and Pretty Mary Kay are the highlights for me.
Kraftwerk
3/5
My second Kraftwerk album with this project. I liked this more than The Man-Machine, which I rated 3. This one will also get a 3, but it's really 3.5. The first 22 minute track was my favorite. It's such a fun listen with headphones; I love the sensory experience of the zooming from one ear to the other, mimicking the cars on the highway. Parts of it sounded a lot like Oblivion by Grimes. It's nice to recognize a modern example of their influence.
I would not dispute anyone's 5 star rating - this sounds phenomenal for an album that came out in 1974. It's just not something I would regularly listen to (but I did listen 3 times already so maybe that's yet to be seen).
David Bowie
5/5
The Thin White Duke, a cocaine haze of creativity, a killer slow burn of an opening track, the hit Golden Years, a moving Nina Simone cover - it's all here and more on Station To Station. The songs I already mentioned are my favorites, save one - Word on a Wing. That's my pick for best song, or at least best performance - I was quite emotional the first time I heard it.
This was my first time hearing this record, and I've given it several more listens since. The production is fantastic - I notice something new in the mix every time. This is the album right ahead of the Berlin Trilogy. I've already had Low, and I'm excited to hear the others soon and piece together Bowie's evolution as an artist.
Ute Lemper
1/5
This has been one of those rare times I just had to white knuckle through. When I felt I couldn't listen any longer, the hilarious reviews on here kept me going.
Technically there isn't anything to critique, really. I mean, she has a good voice, I just don't like it.
I love Tom Waits. Nick Cave. Musicals. Cabaret. Why don't I like this? I don't know, but I've earned the right to a little melodrama after that, and I have to say my beautiful sunset walk tonight deserved better.
Siouxsie And The Banshees
5/5
Ughhh college me would have ate this shit up, like what was I even doing with my life. I mean I'm loving it now, I just remember her and how this would have been the perfect soundtrack for where she was at the time.
I've always wanted to actually listen to one of their albums, and this is just more positive reinforcement for why I'm doing this project. I've listened several times already, and my favorite song changes each time. Her vocalizations are spine tingling.
This is an easy 5 stars, but another time I wish this were out of 10. Because this 5 doesn't hold as much weight as the one I'll be giving Abbey Road or something like that, but it's certainly one of my favorite discoveries so far.
Muddy Waters
5/5
What an album from a legend. I was really in the mood for the Blues today, which is good because I have an Allman Brothers album next. But Muddy is first, as it should be.
The production is so well done on this album. I'm not one who is able to get deep into the specifics, but it was a pleasure to listen to recordings of such quality.
The Allman Brothers Band
3/5
Hey so these guys are really great musicians, and this is the kind of thing I might have on in the background of a BBQ and groove along to while socializing. But this will be the only time I sit down and actively listen to the whole thing. I've never given jam bands a try, maybe they're not for me. It's yet to be seen.
Robbie Williams
2/5
Angels is a good song. And Let Me Entertain You had my attention, sort of. I just couldn't get past the lyrics throughout this whole album. That's my biggest gripe, like they were so bad. I'm not even going to take the time to type out specific examples because I don't want to remember. That hidden bonus track truly had me cringing the most, though.
I wasn't familiar with him before this, but I looked up his band Take That, and I definitely know Back for Good. Though I'm not sure I ever had strong feelings about that song, I do strongly feel I did not enjoy this solo effort.
Beatles
5/5
Oh, that magic feeling - it's Abbey Road day!
There are worlds built in each song on this album, and it's such a pleasure to lose yourself in exploring them with each listen.
This time, I was completely immersed in I Want You (She's So Heavy), thinking how incredibly the arrangement captures this specific emotion. I was so zoned in that my breath caught when it abrubtly ends and transitions into Here Comes the Sun. It was as close as you can get to that "first time" listen again. Such a euphoric transition.
I remember being in the Borders browsing CDs, knowing I had to get something by the Beatles. I'd just listened to Rubber Soul and I needed more. A kind woman noticed, we talked for a few minutes, and then she handed me Abbey Road and said "Get this one." I think about her every time I listen and hope she's doing well.
This would be an absolute masterpiece even if it ended with Because. But my god, then you have the whole medley after that.
One of the best moments on the album is the breathing room between The End and Her Majesty. I'm so glad there's space there to really linger in those last words and ascending ahhhs. *And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make*
U2
4/5
Sunday Bloody Sunday is definitely one of the best album openers on this project so far. I remember hearing it on the radio all the time at work. You know how when you hear a song too often, you kind of forget how great it is and how it made you feel when you first heard it? Well, it's been years since I really listened to it, as well as New Year's Day (just two songs later), and both songs just really swept me away today.
Those may be the best songs, but the whole album really lingers in the landscape of those first few tracks, with just as much emotional sincerity. Really enjoyed this.
The Streets
1/5
I'm so surprised that Fit but You Know It is listed as the favorite track by several reviewers here. The lyrics were such a massive turnoff. Like maybe our protagonist is not supposed to be the most likeable bloke, and yeah he does get the girl (for a while), but what a creepy incel.
That aside, I found most of the hooks massively annoying, wasn't invested in the story whatsoever, and never thought the lines that get repeated as the refrain were really worth repeating. Dry Your Eyes was the one song I thought was alright.
Tom Tom Club
4/5
I knew Genius of Love, but the rest of this album is just as fun! Scratches the same kind of itch as a Talking Heads album (though not just quite), while showcasing what the other members bring to the table. Will definitely listen again.
Parliament
5/5
We need to save this dying world from its funkless hell!
Tortoise
3/5
This was really interesting. It's very meditative, something good for laying peacefully in a dark, quiet room.
I love when Djed starts glitching out around 14 minutes in. I thought the aliens were intercepting for a hot sec.
Ramblin' Jack Elliott
2/5
If I'm at a local festival and there are musicians set up on a stage creating the ambiance for the crowd, I like to stop and listen for a while. I would definitely sit and tap my foot for a bit before moving on if that had been the scene for these songs. But I don't consider this essential.
Anita Baker
3/5
I wish this whole thing was on Spotify. I really like Sweet Love. Makes me happy. She has a beautiful rich voice. This album put me in a good mood and was not a chore to listen to at all, even if it might not be a regular go-to.
Kendrick Lamar
5/5
I wish I had the words this album deserves. All I can say is it's one of the greatest albums ever made, and the one that solidified Kendrick as one of my favorite artists of all time. I am consistently awestruck by his artistic vision and and how brilliantly he realizes it. The rhythmic technicalities of his flow on this album blow my mind, and the way he works with his voice, the poem repeated throughout, the fusion of musical styles celebrating black heritage, the complexity of the subject matters covered - again, I really wish I had adequate words. It's a brilliant album that I learn from with every listen. Infinite stars out of 5.
Rufus Wainwright
4/5
I fell in love with his song Cigarettes And Chocolate Milk years ago and explored a few other songs, but never got around to a full album.
This was lovely, theatrical, and vulnerable. His voice is gorgeous and very legato, and I'm a sucker for great storytelling behind a piano.
I Don't Know What It Is, Vicious World, Go Or Go Ahead, and 11:11 are my favorite tracks after a couple of listens, but I enjoyed them all.
The Fall
2/5
I listened to this one a while ago but hadn't gotten to the review yet. I remember knowing it would be a 2, but I skipped around the album to refresh myself.
Two things - one, his vocal delivery just does not appeal to me. There's some cool lines, actually (as a SK fan, I loved "You're one of the best songs I've ever heard by Stephen King), but I just can't take the quivering, off key talk-singing. Those stylistic choices can be really effective depending on how they are used. But they do nothing for me on this album.
Two, I've been amazed by many albums on this list already when I've realized what year they released. Albums so well produced and engineered I can't believe they were from the late 70s or early 80s, and not just the remastered ones. I was surprised to find out this album was from the 90s. There were a lot of elements working together on these songs, but I just kept feeling it was all disjointed and slightly off in a way I don't know how to properly describe.
Anyway, all that to say, I have not wavered from 2 stars.
The Stone Roses
5/5
Wow wow wow I love this!! I thought it was really good after my first listen and definitely deserved a second. After listen number 2, I'm addicted.
1989?? How does it sound so good? Pure listening joy from start to finish, and the loop is so satisfying. Resurrection is such a high energy closer, and then you get to reel it back into chill mode with I Wanna Be Adored.
Do get the hype. 5/5.
Circle Jerks
4/5
I've listened to this so many times now, and not just because it's short. I love it more each time; it really boosts my mood and energy. What a fun discovery.
The Dictators
2/5
I respect their influence in the punk music scene, but I've listened to this more than a couple of times trying to get something out of it, and I've accepted it's just not for me. The tracks I liked best were the two covers.
Yesterday's album was Group Sex by Circle Jerks, which I thought was a great punk album, so this was a tough follow-up.
Traffic
3/5
I've already had their self titled for this project, which I didn't really enjoy. This was much better, very easy to listen to. Still not my favorite, but jazzy wind instruments with rock is cool. If the whole album was more English folk like the title track, I think I'd be way more into it. John Barleycorn and Empty Pages were my favorites.
Pink Floyd
5/5
There's nothing I can say that hasn't been said. I've loved this album for many years now. It's not just music you know - it's music that knows you.
I love being in total darkness with noise canceling headphones while listening and just fully immersing. This one is truly very special.
SZA
4/5
R&B is not one of my go-to genres, but I had this album on repeat when it came out. I first fell in love with SZA's voice when I heard her feature on the opening track of Rihanna's ANTI. I had to see what solo work she had, and realized I'd heard her song Julia on my college-town radio station a ton, and while I also really liked that song, her feature on Rihanna's song really showcases her signature vocals that would come to shine through on CTRL.
This is probably a 4.5, but I'm giving it a 4. Mainly because - while I love vibing to this album - I can't really remember what any of the songs sound like outside of Love Galore, which is my favorite track. I prefer an album's songs to embed themselves in my brain in the most delightful way.
Overall a great album, and I've enjoyed following her deserved success since then.
Radiohead
5/5
My first Radiohead of the project! So many of their albums hold a special place in my heart, and The Bends helped me understand and get through some of my lowest lows.
The Bends, High and Dry, and Fake Plastic Trees is an insane three track run, but every single song is good if not great.
Duke Ellington
5/5
One of the reasons I'm doing this project is to be introduced to all the great albums of jazz. It's not my go-to genre, but when it hits, it hits. I really enjoyed this.
I learned a lot reading some of the most liked reviews on here, for instance, Diminuendo In Blue features the infamous 27 chorus saxophone solo by Paul Gonsalves. And also the fact that parts of this were recreated in the studio. I know there are mixed reactions to this, but to me, they created a final project that really showcases the energy and joy felt by the performers and audience both. However they got there is fine by me.
I listened to and am rating the original ~44 minutes, but I want to listen to the complete version sometime as well.
ZZ Top
3/5
Gimme All Your Lovin' and Sharp Dressed Man are great, I've always liked those songs. The driving guitars / synths and steady drums are kind of addictive. I think I've heard Legs, but I never sought it out. I actively disliked I Got the Six and TV Dinners, and the rest were okay. Love their sound, but yeesh, the lyrics.
4/5
Well this was awesome. Glad to have listened to this slice of Detroit music history. I like the fuck the establishment songs the best, like Motor City Is Burning, which is a song about the Detroit Riot that they adapted from John Lee Hooker. I recommend the original song too; it's blues style, with Buddy Guy on guitar, and also very good.
Starship is weird in the best way.
Peter Gabriel
4/5
I've been so excited to dive deeper into Peter Gabriel - I've been working through all the Genesis albums outside of this project, but I've only heard So from his solo work. (I adore So, and In Your Eyes is one of my all time favorite songs ever ever).
This album is the perfect bridge between those two points of his career. It did take me more than one listen to appreciate it as a whole when I only knew Solsbury Hill and was expecting all the songs to be more similar to that. But of course it's much more experimental prog pop, and really good overall. There's a few songs I wouldn't want to listen to all the time, but I still love Solsbury Hill and also really liked Humdrum and Here Comes the Flood.
The Band
3/5
I really enjoy the Americana sound, so in a historical context, I'm really glad I finally listened to an album by The Band. All I knew of them before was their history with Dylan. Many songs grew on me more with a second listen, but the album just wasn't the whole package to me. Highlights are When You Awake, Whispering Pines, and King Harvest (Has Surely Come).
Thelonious Monk
5/5
This was wonderful. Ba-lue Bolivar Ba-lues-Are is my favorite, and when I was listening, it really reminded me of the Cruella de Vil theme from the original animated 101 Dalmations. I remember the character Roger was a jazz pianist, and I figured the composer of the theme Roger plays must have been paying homage to Monk. Wikipedia confirms this is so!
Lovely Sunday afternoon relaxation, this.
The Associates
2/5
Bap de la bap, Scottish New Wave band, bap de la bap, wasn't good, wasn't bad.
Elliott Smith
5/5
My second of his for this project, I was glad to know he has more than one on here. Either/Or might be his best, but it's a tough call.
Adele
2/5
I had 21 not so long ago. 25 is really on here too? I would never argue with anyone that loves Adele. I do think she has an incredible voice. And like, I do enjoy the song Hello, but it's more like I'll sing along when it's on, not something I seek out on my own. For 21, I thought all the non-singles were mostly boring. I think that's even more true on 25, and the singles aren't as strong. I wish there was more going on with the production, like more vocal layering and harmonies, more instrumentals, anything. The landscape of most of these songs is so sparse. I get the choice to highlight her voice over everything else, but there are no surprises musically or lyrically.
She makes nice songs and sings her heart out, and I understand why she is loved. But I don't connect with any of it in any meaningful way.
The National
4/5
Beautiful album. Perfect for sitting by the window watching the first snow fall. I get the most out of their songs by reading along with the lyrics. "I still owe money to the money, to the money I owe" is such a great way to describe the situation of being under a hopeless mountain of debt. And "It takes an ocean not to break" ugh, gut punch.
Johnny Cash
5/5
This is a perfect album. I've heard many of the songs, but never the whole album before. I'm so glad I have now.
I love both the original and his cover of Hurt, and they've both made me cry, but the emotion knocked me off my feet today. I sobbed, like fully broke down. The power of a song, man.
Run-D.M.C.
4/5
Awesome. This was a good listen. I already loved Peter Piper, It's Tricky, and Walk This Way and definitely think those are the best tracks. But the whole album brings that same high energy and the songs flow together so well.
Big Star
2/5
Hmm. I don't know what to say about this one. I just wasn't feeling it. I listened to the version with 19 tracks, but I don't believe I'd like the shorter tracklist any better.
The lyrics cheesed me out far too often. Even on the song I liked best, Nightime, we have "Glanced in your eyes and fell through the skies" which is lovely, but then there's "And when I set my eyes on you, you look like a kitty" which - blech.
Enjoyed the uncredited SpongeBob feature at the end of Thank You Friends.
Baaba Maal
4/5
I love African music - I know that's far too broad of a statement; I'm not versed enough to be able to place countries/regions/styles, but I really do enjoy it.
Listening to this album, I thought - wow! This really reminds me of the Black Panther soundtrack/score (which I love) - I should see if it's specifically because it's Senegalese, or the types of percussive instruments used, or what is it exactly that sounds so similar? Turns out, the first thing the composer did was spend a month with Babaa Maal, who was one of the main advisers for creating the music of Wakanda, and whose voice is featured in the score.
I often struggle to find the words I want, but I always trust my ear. I will absolutely listen to this again.
Pixies
4/5
I really dig Pixies. I love love love Doolittle, and I assume it's also on this list, and I will give it a 5 when I get to it. I know some of their other songs, so I was surprised I didn't recognize any of these ones. This is still a really solid album, even if I do prefer their earlier stuff more.
My favorites right now are Is She Weird, Down To The Well, and The Happening.
Ella Fitzgerald
3/5
Damn it. I tried. Listened to all 3 hours and 14 minutes in one go. I could have broken up the listening time, but taking multiple days to get through one album just doesn't interest me. And I don't think I'll be compelled to listen to this again, broken up or not.
Obviously Ella Fitzgerald has such a clear, expressive, timeless voice. And I truly respect the effort of this passion project. But I've heard other Ella songs I thought were far more interesting than the ones from this collection, and I hope there's another of her albums in this 1001 project.
The Black Crowes
4/5
I knew Hard To Handle, and while I prefer Otis, it's a good cover.
The other song I knew was She Talks To Angels, which is a 5/5 song - beautiful and heartbreaking, and I'll always love it.
My favorite song I didnt know was Sister Luck. Overall, this was a really good album, and I really like his voice.
Paul Simon
5/5
Paul Simon is one of absolute favorite songwriters, and I've listened to every album up until the ones released in the 2000s, which I still plan to get to eventually. Every single one of his records has timeless gems.
I think most are probably familiar with Mother and Child Reunion and Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard from this album. Duncan, Peace Like a River and Paranoia Blues are some of the others I love.
The demos for Me and Julio and Duncan are a fascinating peek into his creative process. At some point between the demo and the final recording, he made the choice to take the note on Rosie higher, and it just truly elevates the whole song.
Is this as strong as Graceland, one of my favorite albums of all time? No, but I'm not giving Mr. Simon less than a 5.
Nirvana
5/5
I'm a Nirvana fan so I was more than happy to get to listen to this today, and I'll probably watch it as well with my next morning coffee. I'm having a hard time finding the words to describe how this whole performance makes me feel - but it's the same reverent awe that stunned the whole audience to silence after that final song.
This is a snippet from a reviewer highlighted on the Wiki page - it's worth watching or rewatching the video of Where Did You Sleep Last Night after reading this. So many goosebumps.
"For the final line, "I would shiver the whole night through," Cobain jumps up an octave, forcing him to strain so far he screams and cracks. He hits the word "shiver" so hard that the band stops, as if a fight broke out at a sitcom wedding. Next he howls the word "whole" and then does something very strange in the brief silence that follows, something that's hard to describe: he opens his piercingly blue eyes so suddenly it feels like someone or something else is looking out under the bleached lank fringe, with a strange clarity."
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
4/5
I love Maps and their other singles, but have never actually listened to one of their albums. This was fun! I would have listened to the shit out of this in college.
Miles Davis
5/5
I've listened to two Miles Davis albums prior to this project, and Bitches Brew is one of them, though this is only my second listen through with years in between. I remember finding the space in this music to be a really cool place to relax and hang out for a while, to listen to the conversation happen organically between the musicians. I enjoyed it just as much with this second listen. Oh yeah, and the album art is also incredible.
Talking Heads
5/5
YES great day! Such an amazing album, and I felt like I was discovering it anew today. I had My Life in the Bush of Ghosts not so long ago, which Eno and Byrne recorded prior to recording Remain In Light. I've loved Talking Heads for some time now, but I'm really gaining appreciation for Eno as well through this project, and you can really hear how close together the albums were recorded. I've also had two albums by Fela Kuti, whose music hugely influenced this album. The timing of this album generating after those others has really allowed me to treasure Remain In Light even more.
Also, Angélique Kidjo has an absolutely brilliant track by track tribute album that came out in 2018. It's an homage that celebrates the African musical styles which make up the backbone of the original tracks. I can't recommend it enough if you love both this album and African music in general.
Lambchop
2/5
I couldn't get into this one. The instrumentals were lush and pretty, but something in the lyrics or his voice took me out of it every time. Not my cup of tea.
John Grant
3/5
So I had never heard of John Grant until last year. I listened to the album that came after this one, Pale Green Ghosts, which is much more electronic (and I love the title track, which has a super cool Rachmaninoff interpolation).
I recently had a Rufus Wainwright album, and this reminded me of him a lot. I owe this album another listen; I think it has the potential to grow on me given I like his second album. But for now I'm feeling 3. My favorite track was Sigourney Weaver.
Willie Colón & Rubén Blades
4/5
I've never really listened to salsa, but this was enjoyable enough that I let it loop a couple of times through. I really like his voice and the horns and the vibes!
Bob Dylan
5/5
My third Bob Dylan album! So far he's three for three with those 5 stars, but this one is at least a 10/5. What an incredible lyricist. Besides the classic Like a Rolling Stone, my favorites are Tombstone Blues, Ballad of a Thin Man, and Desolation Row, but every song is great. I could spend hours dissecting the songwriting.
David Holmes
2/5
This was okay. I did really dig one track, Don't Die Just Yet. Then I read that he reworked songs from Serge Gainsbourg's album Histoire de Melody Nelson for that song. I knew of Gainsbourg, but had never actually listened to him, so I listened to the Melody album and really like it. I also love the way Belfast remixed those songs. I'm sure the album deserves better than a 2, but it's not the type of thing I'd seek out again aside from that one song.
Richard Thompson
3/5
I absolutely loved the first two tracks, When I Get To The Border and The Calvary Cross. A couple of other songs were good, but nothing ever reaches the highs of those first few songs. The End Of The Rainbow is devastating, damn. I've listened twice now, and it sits solidly at a 3.
DJ Shadow
2/5
I don't know enough about the history and world of the DJ to properly appreciate this. I'm giving it a 2 because I probably wouldn't listen again, but I'm sure it deserves better.
The Everly Brothers
3/5
I love Cathy's Clown. I remember it from those infomercials for oldies compilation CDs, and I always thought the way they harmonize on that song was so pleasing to the ear. No other songs from this album grabbed my attention the same way, but it was a fun little time machine of a listen.
The Style Council
2/5
This album is all over the place genre wise, and none of it worked for me. I wouldn't listen again, not even as a background listen. I just didn't find it musically or lyrically compelling. Like, the track A Gospel has such a cheesy vibe and delivery to go along with the message. The instrumentals were pleasant but not super memorable.
The Clash
5/5
Oh so THAT'S why people love this album. I only knew the title track and Train in Vain (Stand By Me), and maybe one or two others sounded vaguely familiar. I like all the Clash songs I know, but I'd never listened to this classic. I really enjoyed it, and it was a strong listen all the way through, with some of the back half songs being the best. Lost in the Supermarket is my pick for my playlist.
Snoop Dogg
3/5
I've never listened to this, but of course Gin and Juice is a classic and I can't help but still love it for the nostalgia. It's such a well produced album and I understand its place on this list, but for me it's a 3. I only go to 4 stars if I'd absolutely listen again, and I don't really want to listen to this again. I always do my best to understand when something is a product of its time, take the good, and leave the bad. I try to analyze how some things were acceptable then that may not be now, and why that is. But these lyrics are just nasty to women and I don't want to hear them again.
Black Flag
3/5
I liked this more than I thought I would for a 7am pre-coffee listen. I've been excited to listen to some of the most influential punk albums through this project, but punk is not usually how I ease into my morning, ha.
I'm actually listening a second time right now and think this will grow on me more. I liked the first half a lot more than the second, with Rise Above, TV Party, and Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie being the standout tracks as of now.
Brian Eno
4/5
My appreciation for Brian Eno continues to grow as I make my way through this list. This is incredibly peaceful and calming to the nervous system. My favorite is 1/1, which immediately reminded me of the score for The Social Network (Hand Covers Bruise specifically).
Sister Sledge
5/5
I knew Nile Rodgers by name, but now I know Bernard Edwards by name too. I want to listen to this again and just zone in on that funky bass. I loved loved loved this! Lost in Music is about to become my anthem. And it's such a little thrill when you get to appreciate a classic that you've heard a million times in the context of an all around great record.
King Crimson
5/5
Finally! I've been meaning to listen to this for so long. Maybe I was worried it would be a letdown if I didn't love it, knowing how adored it is. I just never got around to it, and then knew it would generate on here eventually, so I waited.
It's incredible and deserves all the love it gets. The more prog I've listened to throughout the years, the more I've grown to appreciate it, and all of it shares a common heritage with this album.
I want to highlight one track, which is I Talk To The Wind. It's gorgeous and lonely and makes me think of Odyssey and Oracle which came out the year before (though I think it was actually inspired by Joni Mitchell). It's a little breath after the frenzy of that opening track.
Overall, the seamless flow of this album is incredible. Once I was through, I realized these songs express such a dynamic range of emotions. Even if there were no lyrics at all, the storytelling would still be there. This is one of those albums I can loop over and over and find something new to appreciate each time. And to realize this is a debut - whew!
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
4/5
Two Yeah Yeah Yeahs records only 19 albums apart? Alriiighht. I think they're both really solid. Fever To Tell was a little more punk-ish and It's Blitz! dips into the arena rock sound a bit more. I already knew and loved Zero and Heads Will Roll, but I found a couple of other gems to enjoy, like Dull Life and Runaway (ooh and Hysteric). I think I like this slightly more than FTT, but FTT has Maps, so it's a tough call. I already thought Karen O was awesome, but I appreciate her so much more thanks to this project.
Astor Piazzolla
5/5
I don't know anything about tango, but I was absolutely captivated by this performance. I've listened to it several times already.
Astor Piazzolla introduced jazz into his tango compositions while also playing with the structure of classical music and Baroque counterpoint. He was an incredibly productive composer - the list on Wikipedia is long!
The violin playing is both haunting and exhilarating and gave me goosebumps. Every instrument has its time in the spotlight, but even when they fade to the background, they're doing something interesting.
One of my favorite moments is the applause following Burton's solo on Vibraphonissimo. It makes me smile; it's so deserved. It also makes me miss going to live performances like this, but the mix on this recording is excellent and makes you feel like you're right up close to the ensemble.
Wholly delightful experience, 5 stars.
Michael Jackson
5/5
I don't think I can say anything that hasn't been said about this album. Usually I only give 5 stars to albums with absolutely zero skips, but I have to make an exception for this one.
I just can't with The Girl Is Mine. 100% a skip. But the run from Thriller through P.Y.T. is actually insane. How do these songs still sound so fresh all these years later? I literally always have to dance or bob along or move in some way when any of these songs (as well as Wanna Be Startin' Somethin') come on.
I believe the key to the magic of Michael Jackson's music is that it comes from the heart of a very gifted dancer. That's rare, and it's what makes him one of the true greats.
The Undertones
2/5
This was fine, but not very exciting. Even for what it is, it feels undercooked. Musically my favorite was Girls That Don't Talk, but the lyrics are dumb. Even not taking them seriously because that's not what kind of album this is, I still think they are dumb.
I randomly chose the song that would go on my playlist - What's With Terry. But then I read the lyrics. Damn, what a mean song. Wow, writing this I'm realizing I strongly dislike this album. I'll stop here before I drop to 1 star, because surely that's unfair.
Led Zeppelin
5/5
I've listened to this album many times. I never really checked the runtime, and was surprised it's well over an hour. It never feels like it. I was going to list the best tracks, but it would be over half the album. Today, In the Light and Ten Years Gone hit the hardest, with the latter being one of my favorite Zeppelin songs. What an incredible run of albums leading up to and including this one.
The White Stripes
5/5
"If you can hear a piano fall, you can hear me coming down the hall" is such a cool line from an awesome song on a fantastic album. I don't know if this is my favorite White Stripes record, but I love it and I don't know if there are any others on the list, so 5 stars it is.
Red Snapper
1/5
I found the majority of this album irritating. When I wouldn't even put something on for background music, well, it's a 1, unfortunately. I thought Some Kind of Kink sounded familiar and was kind of into it, so I looked up the sample and yeah, I'd much rather listen to the David Essex song, thanks.
The Stooges
4/5
Yay, I like this album. My favorite is still I Wanna Be Your Dog.
Ozomatli
3/5
This wasn't my favorite start to finish, but there's still a lot to appreciate about it, like the blend of musical influence throughout, and the feel-good upbeat nature of the songs. However, I wish there was something more distinct in the production or themes or other qualities of the album tying it all together more. To me, it felt kind of like a compilation album. I love Latin piano, so my favorite song was Nadie Te Tira with pianist Eddie Palmieri, whose music I'd now like to explore.
Marty Robbins
4/5
I loved this so much more than I was expecting to. His voice is truly lovely, and the backing vocals complement him so nicely. And not only is the storytelling great, the lyrics flow like water, the meter a perfect match for the melody. And the melodies! One of my favorite moments is that climb and fall on the word wind in El Paso. Delightful.
This is what I'd been hoping for when I had my Waylon Jennings album, which, while still good, just didn't leave the same impression that this did. When I listen to country music, this belongs in the rotation.
Belle & Sebastian
4/5
I'm always going to be biased when it's the music that was the soundtrack to my college years. I used to listen to Belle and Sebastian's first 3 albums quite a bit. I might like some of the songs on Tigermilk more, but this one is probably stronger overall. I find the front man's voice soothing, and the band member harmonizing blends so well with him. Very easygoing, good study music.
JAY Z
4/5
I'm struggling with this one, and not just because of the timing of the recent allegations. I used to listen to this album a lot. I love it for the production, samples, and hooks. But, just as with the Snoop album I just had, I hate how women are treated by the lyrics. Girls, Girls, Girls is just a disgusting song. And, even ignoring the misogyny, there's nothing really deep here. Even so, I can't deny this album is full of bangers. I still like it and respect its place on this list.
Little Richard
5/5
I was introduced to Little Richard as a little one watching his guest appearances on Sesame Street. I absolutely adored him and his infectious energy as a kid, and I'm still all smiles when his songs are on. He's a rock and roll legend, and even if I might not listen to this album often, it's 5 stars.
Bob Dylan
4/5
My fourth Dylan album! I... did not know Make You Feel My Love was his song...wow. I'd only heard Adele's version, and I don't really like ballads in that style (most of the time, of course there are exceptions). But I love the way he expresses the lyrics with his gritty voice, weathered with time and experience. What a great song.
The other standouts for me are Million Miles and Tryin' to Get to Heaven. This is a side of Dylan I didn't know before, and I'm glad I do now. However, this will be the first I'll rate lower than 5, and it's mainly because of that 16+ minutes of Highlands. I love long songs, truly. But this song warped my concept of time.
The Damned
5/5
This is fucking awesome. I wasn't expecting to be so dazzled by British punk rock, but I've been nibbled to death by an okapi.
Shuggie Otis
3/5
This is groovy, smooth, and very chill. And it's so impressive that he played most of the instruments and experimented with the analog drum machines. But nothing really grabbed my attention and held it. I can understand why it's on the list, but it's not my favorite.
LCD Soundsystem
5/5
This is one of my favorite albums ever. I don't know where it falls on the list, but it's up there. This is a group that knows how to execute a build. All My Friends never, and I mean never, fails to give me full body chills as it expands on itself over those 7+ minutes. Lyrics like "You spent the first five years trying to get with the plan / And the next five years trying to be with your friends again" kind of punch me in the gut in a cathartic way.
Someone Great is my second favorite song. After that, it might be Us V Them, and one of my favorite moments on the album is that first "Cloud, block out the sun". I do think Watch the Tapes and Sound of Silver are the weakest tracks, but I've listened to this album so many times that they've grown on me.
Happy day to get this album.
The Who
3/5
You know, I love The Who, but I'd never listened to this album, and I didn't love it after first listen. It grew on me a bit more with a second listen, but there are still a couple of songs that I'd have to skip, like Silas Stingy. Overall I can't say I even enjoyed it enough to give it 4 stars, which really surprises me.
I Can See For Miles is the only song I knew and I still think it's one of their greats.
Scissor Sisters
3/5
Another blast from my college past. Take Your Mama is still my favorite from this one. I don't find myself returning to their music a lot, but they definitely have some really good, super fun songs.
Queen
5/5
I can no longer say I've never listened to a full Queen album. This was fantastic. I am living for the harmonies; it's really cool to hear them in the context of less pop-driven songs.
Badly Drawn Boy
2/5
I've listened to the About a Boy soundtrack, so I'm familiar, but haven't heard this one. He makes very soothing music. But there's a lot of other albums I'd think of first when I need something chill, and there weren't really any songs that stood out to me on this. Still, I can understand why others may love it. But I'd choose something like Carrie & Lowell to be on this list in its place.
Slipknot
2/5
I didn't know I could feel bored listening to an album like this, but I did. I knew Psychosocial and think it's a cool song, but I think that's probably the best song on this album. I don't listen to a ton of nu metal (Wiki says this album moved more into groove metal, but I don't know the difference), but I think I have appreciated a fair amount of it throughout the years. But I think this album could have been shorter, and I wish they'd explored some of the musical ideas a little more, because they are great musicians.
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
3/5
Holy shit. The wiki for this album is absolutely wild. This dude basically ran a cult, living in a commune with these musicians, abusing them mentally and physically and forcing practice sessions of up to 14 hours, forbidding them from leaving the house, depriving them of food. I'm reminded of J.K. Simmons's character from Whiplash, only worse.
I'm surprised these circumstances aren't mentioned more in the discourse for this album. It's a product of abuse. But it's still art, beloved by many.
I read the wiki after I'd already listened to the album. I've listened to one Zappa album (not through this project) and thought it was great. I adore Tom Waits. I like weird. And abuse aside, the way this album was developed and created is fascinating.
I honestly enjoyed this overall. Yes, it's chaotic, but it there were times it tickled my brain in the best way. I'm not great at dissecting all the polymeter / polyrhythmic strangeness, but I love to try. It's like a nice little puzzle. I could see this growing on me more, but I'm also not ready to listen again and don't know when I will be. So today, it's a 3.
5/5
Bowie album no. 3, and the only one I've previously listened to. I think Moonage Daydream is my favorite song on this one. I do think this is an excellent album, absolutely 5 stars with no hesitation. I respect the hell out of Bowie, but I still haven't formed an emotional connection with his music the way I have with some of the other collectively agreed upon greats or my own personal favorites (with the exception of a few songs).
I'd like to watch some live performances to see if this changes things, so I started with his Top Of The Pops 1972 live performance of Starman. The moment he points at the camera when he says "you" is iconic, and watching him on that stage really does let you in on more of his magic. I think this song will be in my head all day.
Joni Mitchell
5/5
My second Joni! The way she layers her voice on this album is so angelic. My favorite song is Help Me. I love the way she slides her voice on the words "help me", and the chord changes between 30 and 40 seconds really tickle my brain.
I can't wait to listen to this again and really soak it all in.
The Isley Brothers
5/5
Another unexpected great discovery from this project. I've heard That Lady so many times I got kind of tired of it, but then loved what Kendrick did with it. I didn't know the album with that song was going to someday be in my regular rotation. His singing fills me with joy, I can't stop toe tapping, and I think I prefer their version of Listen to the Music. They really nailed Summer Breeze as well. Overall, what a delight.
Elvis Presley
4/5
This is the first full Elvis album I've listened to, so I don't have as much to compare it to, but I thought this was pretty good. I was really hooked on the opening track, Wearin' That Loved On Look. I think the last songs on the album were some of the strongest, like In The Ghetto, and Suspicious Minds, and I also liked Don't Cry Daddy and Mama Liked the Roses because they explore different types of love lost and remembered. There are other songs I might not like if someone else sang them, but he really does have a beautifully unique voice and used it so well.
System Of A Down
4/5
I've never listened to their debut, but I love Toxicity. And though I prefer that album, this was a great listen as well. I will absolutely give it another listen and read all the lyrics, probably exploring them on Genius. This band is worth that effort.
Stereo MC's
3/5
A few tracks in and I was sure I've listened to this before, but I have no idea where or when that would have been. Good vibes and grooves.
Pulp
1/5
I previously had Different Class, and I strongly disliked it. This follow up only amplified what didn't work for me. I was searching the reviews to see if anyone else had the same reasons for hating this, and I found a fellow 1 star who wrote a breakdown last January evaluating the lyrics that's perfect.
I still don't like his voice, but I might if he did anything interesting with it. But it's mostly the lyrics that make me scrunch my nose and curl my lips. I don't care if many of the song were loosely based on some fictionalized Barry White character. The common narrator of these two albums I've listened to it still Jarvis Cocker, and this narrator is a cringey creep.
I almost feel bad giving it 1 star because the rest of the band is good, but they needed a different lyricist / frontman. I only give 1 star if I truly dislike every single song, and this meets the criteria.
B.B. King
4/5
This was my introduction to B.B King. My first thought is that he really knows how to work the crowd, and I love hearing them react throughout the show. My favorite moment is in Worry Worry, when he sings for the first time around 2 and a quarter minutes in. Chills.
The Fall
3/5
I didn't mind this. I liked the hint of mandolin on Bombast and would have loved that to be incorporated on other songs, could have made for more interesting textures.
A couple of the songs were kind of grating, like Barmy, but I'd give the whole album another chance. One of my favorites was My New House, which immediately made me think of LCD Soundsytem.
Eels
4/5
Pre streaming, I used to go to the music section of big bookstores and scan CDs at those little stations with headphones to listen for a few minutes before buying. I would always try to pick artists I'd never heard of to discover something new. I ended up with Eels' 2005 Blinking Lights and Other Revelations, which maybe wasn't the best introduction to the band, I'm not sure. I enjoyed it for a while, but I've never been motivated to revisit it, especially with its 1.5 hour run time.
So I wasn't expecting to like this as much as I did. Novocaine For The Soul is a nice 90s angsty grungey song, and it reminds me of Collective Soul a little. I also really like My Beloved Monster because of Shrek. I love the haunting background vocals on Flower. But my favorite might be Your Lucky Day In Hell. I like when he uses his falsetto, and something about the chord progression, the pulsing bass, and the strings in the chorus make this the kind of song I could keep on loop for a while.
This would be a 3.5 if we could do half stars, but I'll round up.
Queen
5/5
I just listened to my first Queen album (Queen II) about 15 albums ago, and I was blown away and have been blown away again. This project might turn me into a massive Queen fan. What a group of incredible musicians. I can't get enough of their harmonies and layering.
I want to highlight one song - Dear Friends. It's New Year's Eve, and what a perfect song for saying goodbye to the past year while looking toward the next one. I had to listen to it twice before moving on. Everything about this album is stunning.
Bobby Womack
3/5
This was a good listen! Some call the production cheesy but I love it. R&B isn't my favorite genre, so that probably knocks it down a bit. I don't think this one will get much if any replay from me.
I love the country tinge in Just My Imagination, and If You Think You're Lonely Now is one of his biggest hits, and those were the songs I liked best. The backing vocals were definitely a highlight throughout.
Prefab Sprout
4/5
I'd listened to their album Jordan: The Comeback, but not Steve McQueen. I liked this album lot! I can definitely hear the influence on a lot of indie music from the 2000s that I love. And Faron Young immediately brought the Smiths to mind, but then that banjo kicked in. I would love a whole album of that sound. (Also I did not know before, but Faron Young was a country singer/songwriter and has a song called It's Four in the Morning, so the country sound on this song makes more sense now.)
I will absolutely be listening to this again.
Siouxsie And The Banshees
4/5
I wonder how I'd feel about this if I'd heard it before Juju. I've listened to Juju so many times since generating it, and this didn't hit quite the same, but I'm sure it has the potential to grow on me more. It's still an incredible debut and would have blown my mind hearing it for the first time in 1978. I think Siouxsie Sioux is a treasure.
Curtis Mayfield
4/5
This is why I love the project. I probably wouldn't have picked this one up over one of his albums with the hits, but I thought this was a very smooth and easy listen, and what a voice. It's disheartening that the themes are still so relevant today, even down to the album cover.
Shack
2/5
There weren't any songs on this album that truly compelled or surprised me, but they were all fine. I guess that means this lands at a solid 2. I thought the first half of the album was better, with Comedy, Captain's Table, and Streets of Kenny being the songs I liked best.
Bruce Springsteen
5/5
Bruce Springsteen didn't click for me for a long time. One day I heard Born to Run (the song) with new ears. I don't know what changed, but that song made me feel like I could fly. I now love that album and Born In The U.S.A., but hadn't gotten around to the rest of his albums yet.
His songwriting on this album is so, so good. Each song is like a vignette, and they show us stories of characters who dream of escaping the oppressing monotony of the lives they have to lead to get by. These songs express determination to find light, even while acknowledging the inevitable darkness that must coexist with it. You can't change the circumstances you were born into, but you can try to adopt a life-is-what-you-make-it mindset.
I'm rambling, but I am gobsmacked by how good these songs are. Some of my favorites after one listen are Adam Raised a Cain, Candy's Room, Racing in the Street, The Promised Land, Streets of Fire, the title track, and, well, all of them lol.
Cream
4/5
I used to rock Sunshine Of Your Love on Guitar Hero. Hadn't heard the rest of these songs before, but this was a vibe. Mother's Lament took me out, but otherwise no major skips. Strange Brew and Dance The Night Away were my favorites besides Sunshine.
Super Furry Animals
3/5
I knew Super Furry Animals by name only. I had no idea what to expect, and this album kept me on my toes the whole time. I think it deserves another listen at some point.
I liked tracks 2 and 3, and the transition between them was very satisfying. No Sympathy was the most surprising song. Those genres usually don't coexist. I think I dig it?
Super Furry Animals, I don't know if I'm in love with you (yet), but I won't hold that against you. 3 stars for now.
Various Artists
3/5
So many classics on this album. That's undeniable. I like Christmas music, but only in small doses, and I like to choose which songs and when. I feel like some of the songs on this album have personally held me hostage. How do I hear them so many times for 6 weeks every year even if I'm actively trying to avoid them by being a hermit?
Michael Jackson
5/5
I've heard all of Michael Jackson's hits a million times, but I've never heard them through good headphones until this project. Bad is my 3rd album of his, and I feel like I'm discovering his music for the first time, which is really cool. This is a fantastic album.
Rage Against The Machine
5/5
This is an easy 5. It's never out of my regular rotation for long because it holds up so well. In many ways, I wish it didn't.
Goldfrapp
4/5
I've listened to a Goldfrapp album that I didnt love, so I probably wouldn't have ever gotten to this one without the project. I've been pleasantly surprised. This is a satisfying blend of strange and lovely, and was perfect to listen to in the dark with headphones before bed. The mix is so delicate, no element ever too quiet or loud or competing for attention. Her whistling and operatic highs are the light filtering through the coverage of treetops in a forest. I would definitely revisit this one.
Kate Bush
5/5
What an absolutely breathtaking album. My second Kate Bush of the project. She's one of my favorites of all time, and I'll echo what I said before that her artistry is unmatched.
The sources of her inspiration are so unique and it's hard to imagine anyone else executing them in such pleasantly surprising ways. On this album alone, there are songs inspired by James Joyce's Ulysses, Stephen Hawking, The Godfather, and her cat, Rocket. Not to mention a song about dancing with a man who turns out to be Hitler. And, of course, This Woman's Work written for She's Having a Baby.
The first time I heard Rocket's Tail transition into This Woman's Work, my breath caught for a tiny moment. She is a truly brilliant artist and I'm so glad to have her music as a constant companion.
CHIC
5/5
What a great record! I've always liked Le Freak but I had no idea how much I'd enjoy the rest of these songs. I think I'm a bigger fan of disco / funk than I ever realized. Another funky 5 star album in the books.
3/5
I'm enjoying listening to essential classic country albums through this project. I didn't know anything about Loretta Lynn or any of her songs before this. She has a great voice and this is a good collection of songs. It's interesting that she was once a feminist icon releasing a song like The Pill in 1975, but now supports the party actively working to take women's rights away with her full chest. I'm still rating this 3 stars as I'd planned, but that's incredibly disappointing.
The Beta Band
4/5
I found a thread on reddit a while back asking if anyone who worked at a record store had sold any albums a la the scene in High Fidelity with The Beta Band's The Three E.P.'s. I'd never heard of them before this as I still haven't gotten around to watching that movie (yet), but I did check out their song Dry the Rain, which I really liked.
I was absolutely hooked by the first half of this album, like I was ready to give it 5 stars. I love the harmonies, and it's so otherworldly. I don't know how else to describe it, but songs like AI Sharp, Human Being, and Gone are how feeling homesick sounds. I was definitely reminded of Beck quite a bit, which is a positive for me.
The last few songs kind of lost me, specifically Eclipse, which I found kind of annoying, actually. But otherwise a mostly solid album with lots of songs I'd love to add to my playlists.
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band
2/5
thank u, NEXT.......2 stars because the music was good - I like glam rock - otherwise it would be a 1. His singing style really put me off the whole thing, and the lyrics were sometimes downright horrifying. (The part about the woman smiling through the tears on Gang Bang in particular.) I saw a review that said the point is to feel uncomfortable and icky - okay, I do. To what end though? This was a tough listen.
Frank Sinatra
5/5
This is warm and fuzzy, the album. The arrangements are golden, and Sinatra commands each song with such ease and grace. Listening to him sing is a wonderful experience not only because of how great his voice is, but also because the joy he found in singing comes through on every song.
My favorites are Old Devil Moon, Pennies From Heaven, Love Is Here To Stay, his version of Anything Goes, and How About You?
Burning Spear
3/5
I think I like reggae influenced music more than pure reggae (though I can't think of any examples offhand). I feel kind of bad for giving Bob Marley's Exodus a 2. It certainly belongs on the list, but I didn't love it. (It's so hard to rate things when you don't like them but can recognize why they're great.)
That's the only reggae album I have to compare this to, and I have to say I liked this a bit more. I even listened a second time to see if it would grow on me, but I still feel mostly lukewarm. I'm going with a light 3.
Mott The Hoople
4/5
Violence, Violins...get it? (Okay maybe that's corny but I loved it anyway.)
I'd heard of this band, but did not know any of their songs. I learned that David Bowie didn't want this band to break up and produced the album that came before this one. His continued influence is quite loud. I thought this was really fun and am surprised how much I like it. Probably a high 3 / light 4, so rounding up.
The Police
5/5
Love, love, love this record. I've heard it many times and already knew it'd be a 5. I think the tracklist is perfect and has such a satisfying flow, and it features the best song about dinosaurs I know. My favorite songs are Synchronicty I and II, but they're all excellent, even the unsettling Mother.
FKA twigs
4/5
My college radio station used to play Two Weeks all the time, which is how I first heard of FKA Twigs. I really like that song as well as Video Girl and Give Up, which might be my favorite of them. Overall I think this is a beautiful record, even if I'm not often in the mood for it. The songs make me think of wandering in a desert until you're seeing mirages and questioning the reality of your entire life.
The last time I hear this, I didn't know Arca, Devonté Hynes, or Sampha by name, but now I do. It was cool listening for their work this time around.
Throbbing Gristle
2/5
This was interesting because it's so unlike anything else I've heard. I wouldn't listen to it again, but I'm always down to hear something that really pushes the boundaries of what we call music.
AB/7A was the most listener-friendly track, but I think Hamburger Lady was the one that left an impression. It's the song equivalent of watching a great horror film. I also love Nine Inch Nails, so I can thank them for their influence on Trent Reznor. But again, one listen was plenty for me.
R.E.M.
5/5
Tomorrow is Inauguration Day in the U.S. (and coincidentally MLK Day, which I guess won't happen again until 2053).
Ignoreland is hitting hard right now:
"TV tells a million lies / The paper's terrified to report / Anything that isn't handed on a presidential spoon / I'm just profoundly frustrated by all this / So, fuck you, man (fuck 'em)"
and
"I know that this is vitriol / No solution, spleen-venting / But I feel better having screamed / Don't you?"
This is a wonderful album. I could listen to it over and over, and I have. I find it profoundly comforting, which is nice right now.
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
4/5
This was a lot of fun! I keep thinking I need to listen to some Buddy Holly albums to round out my music history education, and here we are. The best part of these songs is that you can sing along the first time if you just do the echo parts.
Oh Boy!, Not Fade Away, Maybe Baby, That'll Be The Day, and Send Me Some Lovin' were the highlights for me. Not something I would listen to all the time but really quite enjoyable.
Mike Ladd
4/5
Mike Ladd sounds like a really interesting guy - a poet, spoken word artist, and highly respected in the underground rap scene. I know he has worked with lots of other great artists, but the names I recognized were Saul Williams and El-P (who has a vocal feature on this album).
His spoken poetry style lends itself to a unique flow, and combined with his production, makes for a really distinctive hip-hop album.
This was a very meditative and mentally stimulating listen. There were a couple of moments that broke the trance, but nothing worth going on about.
I listened to it for a second time today, but initially listened last week during the surge of L.A. wildfires. The album opens with these lines, which are great but also made me glitch out for a second:
"Went back to the mountaintop the other day / Saw one hundred prophets there / Hid behind the rock and prayed / To all the quiet ones / It’s come and gone like California fires / All praises be to the survivors / All those who ride the heavy lows"
Holger Czukay
5/5
This. Was. Awesome. I've listened to it at least three times already. All the different layers and sampling are just so entertaining. It's such an animated collection of songs, songs that are continuously morphing in surprising ways. I'm loving all the world music incorporated as well.
Holger Czukay is a founding member of Can. I haven't generated any Can albums yet, but I just recently listened to a couple of them, so this was timely. I definitely declare Movies to be a headphones album. Ahh, I don't think I could ever get bored of this!
Fleet Foxes
5/5
I adore this album and return to it often. I had the privilege of seeing them tour after it was released. It was a small venue, perfect for these songs. When the music cut out and it was only their voices harmonizing, every single person went silent, suspended in that moment. I'd go to church every Sunday if that's all it was.
I was reading about it today and realized Phil Ek, who helped produce this album, has produced a lot of my favorite 2000s indie rock music.
My favorite song changes every listen; today it was Your Protector. I always love Blue Ridge Mountain as well.
Gillian Welch
4/5
I've been meaning to listen to this for a while. I'm always here for anything in the Americana/folk/singer-songwriter/bluegrass ballpark.
I really liked this and plan to give it another listen because I know it will grow on me even more. The title track and April the 14th, Part I are the standouts from my first listen.
Not so long ago, I had Time Out Of Mind (from 1997) by Dylan. The song Highlands is over 16 minutes long and closes the album. I Dream A Highway reminded me of this as it's over 14 minutes and also closes the album. While I love the refrain, "I dream a highway back to you," I'm still uncertain whether I enjoy its runtime. Although I did find Highlands tedious, whereas as this was relaxing.
The whole album makes me want to be outside on a warm spring day, swaying in a hammock with my eyes closed.
Girls Against Boys
3/5
Familiar with this band only in name, I went in blind. I thought it was fine. It seems like something I would have liked a lot had I heard it in college or high school, but probably wouldn't have ever picked it back up after that. Rockets Are Red, Bullet Proof Cupid and 7 Seas were the highlights, and I'm putting this on the low end of 3.
Travis
2/5
I knew Why Does It Always Rain On Me? already, which is still kind of a mood for when you're feeling melodramatic but want to laugh at yourself for it.
But otherwise, this album felt like a really long run-on sentence. No punctuation, no dynamics. Just a lot of droning on featuring cheese ball rhymes. This one was not for me.
The Strokes
5/5
This is still as good as I remember - truly 2000s classic rock. Hard to even pick a favorite song, but I think it's Someday. The whole album is such a mood booster.
I didn't know New York City Cops was swapped out for When It Started in the wake of September 11th, so I listened to that as well for the first time. I do think When It Started is slightly better.
Aerosmith
2/5
Walk This Way and Sweet Emotion are classics, and I like them because of fond memories with a friend, plus they are good songs.
Big Ten Inch Record was like the song version of an unsolicited dick pic. The rest of the album was...okay. I'm not a fan.
The Kinks
5/5
Before today, I'd never heard a Kinks song I didn't like.
And nothing has changed now that I've listened to Something Else! This was a great listen, truly delightful. I'm giving it 5 stars. Those 5 stars don't hold the same weight as some of the others I've had so far, but I enjoyed myself for 100% of the album and would absolutely listen to it again. And I'm in such a good mood now, what else is there to do?
Radiohead
5/5
I think I manifested this album. The night before this generated, I spent a couple of hours just watching live Radiohead performances. I love them, but I usually just listen to the music. I don't watch a lot of videos in general. But I was just chuffed to see this as my album for the day after watching Everything In Its Right Place live.
When that song starts, it shuts off my brain and everything is perfect in the world for just a few minutes. It's medicinal, I swear. Kid A is brilliant from start to finish. I don't even know how to explain it beyond that; it's so unlike anything else. It's a captivating world to get lost in, which is what makes an album great to me.
The White Stripes
5/5
I feel like I just had White Blood Cells, which I gave a 5 because I didn't know if there were any other WS albums on the list. But now I remember I like GBMS even more. My 2000s bias might be showing again. But it's hard to give less than 5 stars to albums you loved growing up. And this is genuinely a great album.
I always kind of chuckled at anyone ranting about how Meg was a terrible drummer. Together, she and Jack created something so unique, and these songs just wouldn't hit the same if they were too rhythmically perfect. And when they play, they are in tune with and energized by each other. Why would you change a single thing?
I wonder if Elephant or Icky Thump are on the list, because those would be my other choices. But anyway, love White Stripes, love this album, happy Sunday.
Guns N' Roses
3/5
The hits are huge. Inescapable. I do really like Welcome To The Jungle, Paradise City, and Sweet Child O'Mine. I got really into classic rock as a teenager, and these songs definitely made the playlists. At one point I did decide to check out the full album, and I remember I didn't really like it that much. I feel the same way this time. The musicianship is there, but are the actual songs that good? Not in my opinion. If this album was stripped of those 3 songs, what remains would be a 2 or even a 1. So I'm going with a middle of the road 3 on this one.
Antony and the Johnsons
5/5
Oh, this is beautiful. I've known of Anohni, but this is the first album of hers I've listened to all the way through. It's so emotional, it lifts my heart and also makes it ache.
Our empathy is cultivated through the stories we hear, if we choose to hear them. I will never truly know how it feels to be trans, but art like this helps me understand. I will surely be doing a deep dive into Anohni's other work now.
Simon & Garfunkel
5/5
Is this the best Simon & Garfunkel album? I don't think I could gush about it enough. I love the soft acoustic intro that lulls you into a false sense of security and then jump scares you with that first synthesizer note on Save the Life of My Child. And how about the ghostly choir on that same track? It absolutely makes the song.
And this is the album with America, which I believe is one of the greatest songs ever written.
I wondered about how Voices of Old People was recorded, and loved what I found in the Wikipedia entry: "...this piece, which was taped at convalescent homes in Southern California, helps to underline the feeling of aging and the passage of time, themes that are indeed paramount." What a beautiful lead-in to the next song, Old Friends.
This album has the feeling of being an old friend, really. Familiar and comforting, something you'll never grow tired of, but love and cherish forever.
The latter part of the album has back to back bangers with Mrs. Robinson and A Hazy Shade of Winter, then closes with the lighthearted At the Zoo. Just one pleasant surprise after another.
Bookends is such a masterful exhibit of beautiful songwriting.
Ahh, I could go on and on. This is a perfect album.
Serge Gainsbourg
5/5
Somewhere within my last 100 albums, I had Let's Get Killed by David Holmes, which underwhelmed me except for one song - Don't Die Just Yet. That song stood out so much I had to figure out why, and I discovered it samples this album. So after that I listened to this Serge Gainsbourg album. I really enjoyed it and have listened to it a couple times since then before generating it today. (And now I know why it already sounded familiar because I listen to a lot of Beck as well.)
Anyway, I'm going to rate this a 5 because that's how I felt about the music - which is fantastic - before learning the content of the lyrics just now. I genuinely hope the point is to be disturbed by the character on this album, but...to what end? I've given low ratings to several albums because of creepy or downright misogynistic lyrics. But was that easier because I didn't really like the music that much either? Why should this album get a pass? I can't answer that right now. I will reflect and read some think pieces. Maybe I will change my rating.
5/5
The Beatles are one of my favorite artists of all time, and Sgt. Pepper's is one of my favorite albums of all time. I mostly write my "reviews" as journal entries so I can remember details of albums I hadn't previously heard, or to leave a love letter to the ones that are already dear to me (and the ones that have become an instant favorite).
I'm so overwhelmed trying to put into words how much I love these songs. I guess all I'll say is that the best quality of this album is that I notice something new every time I hear it. And also that it's a masterclass in melody writing. I'd take it with me to a desert island, which is maybe the highest compliment I could give.
Marvin Gaye
5/5
This is an album where I can remember exactly where I was and what I was doing when I heard it for the first time. It's a classic for a reason, an album with perfect flow, gorgeous instrumentation, and of course Marvin's silky voice. It's easy to listen to on repeat, with themes that remain relevant, then, now, and maybe always: "Picket lines and picket signs /Don't punish me with brutality / Come on talk to me / So you can see /What's going on"
Cheap Trick
3/5
This is the second time I've listened to At Budokan, and my opinion hasn't changed. It's really fun - the crowd is delirious for them, the songs are catchy, and the energy is high. But I wouldn't say I'm wild about Cheap Trick. I've always liked I Want You To Want Me and Surrender, and I'm okay with leaving it there, though Need Your Love from this album is pretty cool too.
Common
3/5
I read the Wiki before listening and was excited to realize how involved artists like J Dilla and Questlove were with this album. I love Donuts, so I thought I'd be really into this. I'd say I liked it, not loved it. The length didn't work for me, and has kept me from giving it a second listen. So it sits at a 3 for now.
GZA
4/5
Okay holy cow this was fire. Absolutely would listen again. I was a little bummed listening to B.I.B.L.E. because it was really resonating and hitting a lot of notes but the line about sinning women fighting for their reproductive rights really took me out. Otherwise a great song on a really solid album.
Peter Gabriel
5/5
So is one of my favorites; I adore this record. Red Rain is such an incredible opener and one of his greatest songs. We are graced with the presence of Kate Bush on Don't Give Up, and then with Laurie Anderson's on This Is the Picture (Excellent Birds). Sledgehammer and Big Time are there when you need to jump up and dance, and Mercy Street when you need to sit and reflect with the birds and coffee in the quiet of the morning. There's even a song about the Milgram experiments.
But In Your Eyes is, in my opinion, the greatest song on the album, and possibly my favorite song of all time. There's a live version on the 25th Anniversary Deluxe that is pure joy and wonder and everything that makes live music actual magic. I was SO happy to get to listen to this today...get...get it? SO happy. Okay, anyway, yeah 5 stars no question.
Sleater-Kinney
4/5
I've finally listened to a Sleater-Kinney album! I keep meaning to and somehow just never have. I really hear the Bikini Kill influence and am not surprised that I really dig this album, pun definitely intended.
Korn
2/5
I like Freak On a Leash well enough and thought maybe I'd like some of the other songs too. Nope. This is not my jam and I was glad when it was over. That was a long hour.
Boston
5/5
I listened to this album with my dad while logging my hours for driver's training. I'll always love it. I never get sick of More Than a Feeling no matter how many times I've heard it. Hitch a Ride and Foreplay / Long Time are my other favorites but every song is good.
Muddy Waters
4/5
This is essential listening to understand how so much of the popular music to come after was shaped. I'm glad to finally familiarize myself with Muddy Waters. Love when songs are so good they have to play them twice - Got My Mojo Working and GMMW Pt. 2 were my favorites. He has so much character in his voice, and you can feel the electricity in the band and audience both.
Fever Ray
5/5
I don't know if this is my favorite Fever Ray project, but they just get better and better with every album, and Karin Dreijer is a 5+ star artist. I love these solo projects even more than their work with The Knife. I'm still obsessed with their latest, Radical Romantics. It appeals to my love for pop music while still exploring themes of queer love, desire, and experiences in exciting and interesting ways.
The production is so rich and full on this album, and I'm always amazed at how versatile their voice is and how they choose to process and layer it. My favorite tracks are If I Had a Heart, When I Grow Up, and Now's the Only Time I Know.
Cypress Hill
4/5
The production on this album really won me over. The beats, samples, scratching, the flow - it all comes together in such a pleasing way, and I couldn't stop moving the whole time. I would definitely listen again and am happy to add it to the list of West Coast hip-hop albums I enjoy.
As is so often the case with older albums, there are some detestable lyrics. A lot of casual homophobic f-slurs here. I've learned if I judge on that alone, I'd have a lot of 1 star reviews.
Otherwise a really solid album, and it was nice to hear the original How I Could Just Kill a Man again even if I still prefer the RATM cover.
Queen
5/5
When it's Friday and I'm not in love, I go painting in the Louvre.
Elton John
5/5
It's a great day now that I get to listen to Madman Across The Water. An album with brilliant songwriting, iconic piano playing, grand orchestral gestures, and plucky arrangements. I love this one so much.
Favorites are Tiny Dancer (never gets old), Levon, the title track, Indian Sunset, Holiday Inn, Rotten Peaches, All the Nasties, and...I may as well have listed every track.
Public Enemy
5/5
This is one of my favorite rap albums of all time. It just goes so hard. I can never listen to just one song, it's gotta be the whole thing.
I would also give anything for a whole album of songs like She Watch Channel Zero?! rapped over a Slayer sample. But it also works so well as a kind of one-off to break up the rest of the album while not interrupting the flow.
Led Zeppelin
5/5
Holy cow this is my 4th album in a row that will be 5 stars. Gallows Pole to Tangerine to That's the Way is one of my favorite 3 song runs ever, and I think the last of those is maybe an underrated Zeppelin song.
In the context of the subject matter, these lyrics consistently draw tears:
"And yesterday I saw you kissing tiny flowers / But all that lives is born to die / And so I say to you that nothing really matter / And all you do is stand and cry"
New York Dolls
4/5
Yup, I enjoyed this a lot! I'll definitely listen to this again. Also love the album art, would hang on wall (or display the vinyl).
The Go-Betweens
4/5
I have a predisposition to love most things new wave, and it turns out this album was no exception. I really liked it! Quiet Heart reminded me of U2's With Or Without You, which came out earlier in the year they started recording this album. Even though I prefer the latter, I still think Quiet Heart is a really nice song on its own. Another standout for me is Was There Anything I Could Do?
Overall, a nice album for enjoying the peek of spring weather these last few days.
The Rolling Stones
2/5
Harsh, but this is only 2 stars for me. I like plenty of Rolling Stones songs, but every time I've given first, second, and third listens to any full albums (not just this one, but especially this one), I don't experience any kind of wow factor. I have lots of love for so much classic rock, I guess I just don't get the Stones.
This was just okay. I'm more likely to check out the original songs than these covers again. My favorite was Tell Me, which I now see is an original, so that's cool.
Hugh Masekela
5/5
Oh I loved this. Wow wow wow. What a magical jazz album. I'm going to listen to more of his catalogue for sure.
G. Love & Special Sauce
1/5
I had What's Going On several albums back, and while listening to This Ain't Living all I could do was wish I was listening to Marvin sing those words instead [Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)].
I have to be honest. I hated every minute of this. Something about it is just so phony to me.
I mean - take a snippet from This Ain't Living: "This morning bird sounding sweet / Though I sleep on the streets / I have a feeling I'm free / From society's hand picked hypocrisy" coming from the guy who went to private school and definitely seems to have led a privileged life. I'm not trying to make a broad assessment of his character, but I like to justify my lowest ratings. And this is one of many reasons this album didn't hit for me.
I can't even choose one standout to add to my playlist. This meets all my criteria for a 1 star album.
Beatles
5/5
I love the Beatles too much to ever give them less than 5 stars. This may not be my favorite of theirs, but the covers are all great, and some of the originals are great pop songs among the best of the time. It Won't Be Long, All My Loving, and Hold Me Tight remain my favorites, but I enjoy them all.
The Velvet Underground
4/5
My introduction to The Velvet Underground! I knew Pale Blue Eyes, but the rest was new to me. Each song is memorable in its own way, and I liked them all. PBE, Jesus, Beginning To See The Light, and The Murder Mystery were my favorites, and After Hours is such a nice closer.
The La's
3/5
There She Goes always makes me happy. I wish the whole album was full of songs closer to that one. I liked this well enough for one listen through, but I'm not sure I'll reach for it again after this.
CHIC
5/5
Hell yeah, I loved this almost as much as C'est Chic. More tap dance solos, please!
Steve Winwood
3/5
If cheesy yacht rock isn't cool, then I'll stay a dork. I think the title track is the best, but it's so impressive that he wrote, produced, and played everything. Pretty enjoyable overall.
Stevie Wonder
5/5
I don't have adequate words to describe the genius of Stevie Wonder. This is only one of his several perfect albums. My favorites: Too High, which is my most recent hyperfocus song; Visions - so haunting and gorgeous; Living For The City, a song you can lose yourself to in the groove, but makes me think of "Y'all don't want to hear me, you just want to dance" when really listening to the snapshot of life captured; Golden Lady which is still changing keys somewhere out there in eternity; Higher Ground, all time classic; and Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing with it's joyful Latin piano vibe.
Love Stevie, love this album, so happy this is here.
Steely Dan
4/5
I know several Steely Dan songs but this was my first album! This was a very chill, very enjoyable listen. I love how cleanly they harmonize, and they're a great bunch of musicians. Standouts for me are Rikki Don't Lose That Number, the title track, and Charlie Freak.
Slayer
4/5
I had Public Enemy's It Takes A Nation...less than 20 albums ago and mentioned how much I love the Angel Of Death sample in She Watch Channel Zero?!. That track and Raining Blood (so fun on Guitar Hero) are my favorites.
This isn't the type of music I'll listen to casually but occasionally I get in a mood for it. This album is most enjoyable to me when reading along with the lyrics and breaking down what the songs are actually about. They explore very interesting and complex topics that make me ask questions - I love that.
I'm giving this a really high 4 only because it's not something I want to listen to all the time, but I wouldn't argue with any 5 star ratings for Reign In Blood.
Stevie Wonder
5/5
Okay, delightful moment of life - I just had Innervisions 3 albums ago. I have a friend also using the generator, and they ALSO got that album and then this one a few albums later - completely separate accounts.
Stevie is brilliant, life is funny, and I love this album.
De La Soul
4/5
I would absolutely listen to this again. My favorites are the singles, but they're so good! I go gaga for any Q-Tip feature - he has one of my favorite voices ever - so I like Buddy, and I love the Otis whistle on Eye Know. I already knew and liked Me Myself and I and The Magic Number. I listened with headphones and was not prepared for an ASMR experience centered around dandruff, but otherwise really enjoyed this, ha.
The Rolling Stones
2/5
My third Stones album so far. I don't know what it is, they just don't do it for me. Like, it's fine, but nothing on this album really made me *feel* anything. My choice for my playlist is Shine A Light, which I do really like.
The Divine Comedy
1/5
Wow, I really hated this. Out of curiosity, I looked up the lyrics to If on Genius, and now I feel like I'm kink shaming by hating this album and those lyrics. But there's nothing about any of this that's for me, and the general tone for almost every song gave me the ick. Everybody Knows (Except You) is major stalker vibes, like no means no, man.
OutKast
4/5
This album just sounds so good. The production, the mixing, all of it, immaculate. One of my favorite moments is when the (can you feel that b.a.s.s.) bass comes in on The Way You Move.
I've never listened to this in full before but always loved the hits and I think Hey Ya! is one of the greatest songs of the last 20 - wait how is this album over 20 years old already, what the hell? Okay, one of the greatest songs of the last 25 years, then. Or of all time.
I need more time with it before deciding if it's a 5. When I have more time I'll listen through again, but it's a high 4 for now.
Tito Puente
4/5
Can't say I've listened to much Mambo so have nothing to compare this to, but Dance Mania is easy to listen to and so cheerful. I paired my listen with a walk on a sunny day, but it would be great music to put on while cooking as well.
The Temptations
4/5
The opening title track honestly blew me away and I was sat for a whole album of the same. So I was a little disappointed after one listen, but a second listen with fresh ears and tempered expectations helped. How could you not be in a good mood after listening to The Temptations?
Creedence Clearwater Revival
4/5
Love me some CCR. This is a great album, maybe my favorite of theirs. Favorites are the title track, Tombstone Shadow, Wrote A Song For Everyone, and of course Bad Moon Rising.
The Beach Boys
5/5
I love this album with my whole heart. Easily one of my favorites of all time. Thank you, Brian Wilson, for orchestrating this masterpiece.
Johnny Cash
5/5
What an absolute gem of a recording.
The Magnetic Fields
3/5
From a songwriting perspective, it's a massive accomplishment to follow through on the concept of creating a new take on love for this many songs, and even more impressive to finish in a relatively short amount of time.
I don't care for a lot of the songs, but some are very good. It's not a hot take, but The Book of Love is probably the best song, even if I prefer Peter Gabriel's version because that man is magic.
I chose Nothing Matters When We're Dancing because I love the line: "Be we in Paris or in Lansing / Nothing matters when we're dancing".
Isaac Hayes
5/5
Where has this album been all my life?? By the Time I Get to Arizona was my playlist pick from Public Enemy's Apocalypse 91...and the inspiration for that song title came from Chuck D's appreciation of Isac Hayes's version of By the Time I Get to Arizona (written by Jimmy Webb, made popular by Glen Campbell). The Public Enemy Song is a protest of the state of Arizona so it's a completely different thing, but these are the kinds of rabbit holes I love to go down.
But what a fucking cover from Isac Hayes. He reimagined the whole song, created a backstory, and then he gives you permission to step into his flow state bubble for nearly 19 minutes.
This is a delight of an album start to finish.
Skunk Anansie
3/5
I'd be willing to give this a second listen, but nothing really stuck with me after one. Technically impressive, and the lead singer has a great voice, but something about the mix made me feel like I was in a small room and I wanted the sound to feel more expansive. It's like there's a lot of raw energy that's been sterilized somehow. I think a 2 would be harsh, so it's a light 3 for me.
Primal Scream
4/5
Loved this one before the project. I honestly don't even know what to say about it, but I associate Screamadelica with summer - headphones on, eyes closed, laying in the sun - and it makes me happy. High 4.
Paul McCartney and Wings
5/5
I'm a bluebird, I'm a bluebird, I'm a bluebird...
What a fantastic album, ahhh!
Dead Kennedys
4/5
Okay I really liked this. I knew Holiday in Cambodia, but that's it. I've always been a casual punk listener and am happy to use this project as a way to fill in the gaps. This is one of my favorite punk albums that I've heard (so far).
Sparks
4/5
I'd never heard of Sparks until seeing trailers for that documentary. But looking them up, there's a lot of favorite artist's favorite album energy going for this one. I need to watch that doc now - Kimono My House is so fun!
Pavement
4/5
It makes no sense that I've never listened to a Pavement album before. Better late than never, though. This is right up my alley. I recognized Cut My Hair - I used to like that song! I forgot about it. I also recognized Silence Kid because of how it plays with the melody from Buddy Holly's Everyday, which I think is lovingly intentional after some quick reading about the band.
I'll definitely be revisiting this record.
Dolly Parton
5/5
Good golly Miss Dolly! I don't know how I could give this less than 5 stars. What a songwriter, what a voice. I can't get over how great Coat of Many Colors (the song) is. She employs such masterful storytelling true to the heart and soul of country/ folk music.
This is so easy to listen to and she packs a lot into such a short time. My favorite songs right now are the title track, Traveling Man, My Blue Tears, Early Morning Breeze, and Here I Am.
Sex Pistols
3/5
I've tried a few times to get into this album, and this latest listen didn't blow my mind either. I don't strongly dislike it, and I respect their influence and place in the punk scene, but it doesn't do a lot for me. It all feels very one note, not a lot of dynamics, and the songs get lost in each other to my ears. I've enjoyed other punk albums far more even if they owe a lot to this one.
The Slits
4/5
This is just cool. I don't get the hate; it's so different from anything else I've ever heard, in a good way. I could go for a whole album of the sound from their cover of I Heard It Through The Grapevine, which has a great groove and is such an intriguing take on the original. I listened to this twice already.
Green Day
5/5
I was discussing this album with a friend, and what it's like to revisit it over 20 years later, and they said "It was very important to me as a young, newly political person" and I agree. I remember listening to some of my peers arguing over whether Green Day were truly a punk band or posers.
I hadn't been exposed to any punk music at that point in my life - just conservative politics and Christian music at home. So American Idiot (the song) was truly my first exposure to this type of music, however you choose to define it. It made me start to ask questions I hadn't asked before. And today I'd be able to join the conversation with my peers and say the members of Green Day know better than anyone how the music they set out to make both takes from and breaks from the mold of punk's origins. This is a punk rock opera concept album. And also a pop album. They made something different and true to themselves. Not very poser-like behaviour if you ask me.
I'm not even a massive Green Day fan, but this is my second 5 star rating for them, and not just because of the personal significance or because I love a concept album in general. Every song is good if not great, it was a big moment culturally, and the transition from Holiday into Boulevard of Broken Dreams deserves 5 stars on its own.
The Jesus And Mary Chain
4/5
I generally like shoegaze but only knew Just Like Honey. This album is noisy yet somehow laid back. I dig it. Never Understand and Sowing Seeds are my standout picks after one listen, and I'm gonna go with a light 4 on this one.
PJ Harvey
4/5
What an artist!! This project is turning me into such an admirer of her work. But this was my first listen of Rid Of Me. I put on my headphones and pressed play, realized the volume was way too low, cranked it all the way up, and peed myself about 3 minutes in. What a great use of dynamics to make the point - You're not rid of me. I'm going to make sure you hear me say it. I'm going to be so loud in your head it'll be pounding with thoughts of wishing you'd never met me, but you're still not rid of me.
I need more time with this to unpack it more, could turn into a 5, but 4 stars for now.
Le Tigre
4/5
YES Kathleen Hanna!! This album is fun and cheeky and unapologetic. Le Tigre rocks.
In a recent review I just saw, someone said:
"to the guy who left the most misogynistic 1-star review calling it "histrionic screeching" - i'm going to egg your house." and I would just like to say I will join them in egging your house, you miserable douche.
Pixies
5/5
Fuck yes. One of my favorite rock albums ever. It sounds so good, I'd believe you if you told me it was made yesterday. This is a perfect album, practically a greatest hits from start to finish.
When you unintentionally hip-check the furniture you can whisper to yourself "Hips like Cinderalla" but if it hurt really bad you can take it up a notch and shout "Slicing up eyeballs, AWH HAW HAW HO" and I swear it helps.
Buck Owens
3/5
This isn't my jam most of the time, but I'm interested in songwriting, so I'm glad to be given a reason to explore these classic country albums. Now I know a little more about the Bakersfield sound.
The Cure
5/5
I couldn't listen to this album for a long time because of the memories associated with the first time I heard it.
This is the first time I've properly listened to Disintegration as a whole, and it deserves all the love and hype it still gets to this day. I'm so happy. Dark room, stress gummies, headphones, candle, cozy blankets, relaxed and absorbed into the atmosphere of this album - it was a perfect listening experience for a masterpiece of a record.
The Band
3/5
I liked this album more than their self-titled, which I also gave a 3. The Weight is an all time great song. I like the other songs, but there's something about the mix that turns me off. For 1968 couldn't it have been more polished than this? It's like being at a concert in a small venue and you're at the far side of the room and the instruments are drowning out their voices because the mics are barely on.
I don't know, the songs themselves are good, but they don't elicit an emotional response for me most of the time.
Emmylou Harris
4/5
Just about 10 albums ago I had Dolly's Coat Of Many Colors, and now I get to hear another iconic female country artist cover the incredible title track. I understand these songs are mostly covers though I only recognized one other, The Beatles' For No None. She approaches that song with such delicacy and forlorn weariness.
And she wrote one hell of a song for her late mentor, Gram Parsons. Boulder to Burmingham is heartbreaking. Whether singing her own songs or someone else's, her voice is always lovely and so emotive. This has been a fantastic introduction to Emmylou; I quite like this album.
Sugar
3/5
I definitely started to appreciate this more with a second listen. At first I found it not very memorable, but I think if I'd had this CD back when it came out it would have been a mainstay in my car.
I know like one Hüsker Dü song so I wasn't familiar with Bob Mould beyond that. But as I'm listening while writing, I feel nostalgic even though I've never heard it before now. It's like a mix of all the music I love from that era, a time capsule.
The run from Hoover Dam through Fortune Teller won me over. I didn't get into the first few songs and wish it had a stronger opening. 3.5.
Rod Stewart
3/5
This surprised me. When I think Rod Stewart, I first think of Do Ya Think I'm Sexy? and I really don't like that song. But I really like this album! I love Tomorrow Is A Long Time, Maggie May, and Mandolin Wind. That's a nice run of songs. 3.5.
Pink Floyd
5/5
This is a night album - it just hits harder after dark. I'm very familiar with Wish You Were Here, but it took me 3 tries to listen this time because I kept falling asleep before Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Pts. 1-5) even finished. It puts me in such a relaxed, meditative state; it's like a spell. I had incredibly restful sleep each time this happened.
But I finally managed to stay awake for the whole thing, and it's as brilliant as ever. I don't love it as much as Dark Side, but that's a tall order. This album is so deliciously atmospheric, and it makes me feel like I've found refuge on some habitable planet after being lost in space for ages. Maybe there's no other life to be found, but at least there's solid ground and an opportunity to rest. To breathe fresh air. It's lonely, but there's music because I can still sing. There's curiosity for what comes next, and that fuels the will to continue on.
The Coral
2/5
This is not for me. I feel like they have interesting ideas and could make a cool concept album with some follow through. But I didn't understand this collection of songs as a whole on any level. I found a lot of it kind of annoying honestly. My playlist song is Goodbye.
Bon Jovi
3/5
The hits are massive and this arena hair metal rock can be so much fun. But I'm so tired of hearing Livin' On A Prayer and the other hits everywhere, all the time, no escape.
I compare them to other songs I've heard a million times on classic rock stations that I think I'm sick of hearing...until I put them on some good speakers at home and realize, yeah that's still incredible. Led Zeppelin, for example - I'm sick of hearing Immigrant Song so often through shitty speakers. But when I play the album at home, it always sounds fresh and rocks my socks off. It's one of the best first tracks of all time from an album of no skips.
I didn't feel the same way about the popular songs from this album even with "the good headphones." And the rest of the songs were just fine. The singles are incredibly catchy, fun-to-sing-along-to, great pop-rock songs. It's not you, Bon Jovi, it's me. I just need some space.
Radiohead
5/5
I considered giving this a 4 because - I can't rate every Radiohead album a 5, right? And I don't love Amnesiac on the same level as some of their other work. But, I still really, *really* love Amnesiac. It's a 5 star album and I can't argue myself out of it.
Every one of their releases from The Bends through In Rainbows was straight fire. I mean, what an incredible run of albums. I don't know how many of them are on this list, but they're all 5s on mine.
Amnesiac is a darker, jazzier, slightly more defiant sibling to Kid A. (I'm a reasonable man, get off my case!) I really like the trip hop influences, especially on Pulk/Pull Revolving Doors. And oh, that clarinet and those horns on Life In a Glasshouse! They really weren't confined by anything when making this album. It also features Pyramid Song, which is among their greatest. Yeah, I'm giving this 5 stars.
Lloyd Cole And The Commotions
4/5
I first heard the song Rattlesnakes because I'm a huge Tori Amos fan, and she has a cover album (Strange Little Girls) that includes her take on this song. She breathes such a different life into the song, and I don't know if I'd like the original as much without having heard her version first.
I really, really liked this album, though knowing Tori's version of Rattlesnakes beforehand let me hear the other songs with different ears. I think with some added vocal layering, more expansive production, and some tweaking of the vocal delivery, this could be a great album. I still like it as is, I just wish he'd articulate the lyrics with more rhythm and purpose, and less carefree new-wavey voice. It would suit these songs well.
I've listened twice already and would listen again, so it's going into the 4 bucket, but it's not the weightiest of 4s.
George Jones
3/5
I've had a decent number of classic country albums generated recently, and I'm won over a little more with each one. Pass Me By (If You're Only Passing Through) was the standout for me. I listened to the original recorded version by Johnny Rodriguez as well, and they both sound great in different ways.
George Jones sings with tenderness and care and has such a lovely, silky voice.
2/5
Wow, what a tragic story - Suba died a few days after this album was released because his studio caught fire and he was trying to save the material he'd been producing with another Brazilian artist. (He was born in Serbia but was finding much success in Brazil.)
I like some electronic music, but 1 hour of this was too much, and songs like Um Dia Comum (Em SP) with that repeating "wah" sound make me want to pull my hair out.
Still, I respect anyone experimenting with blending different sounds and genres to make something unique, and sometimes it just hits. Samba Do Gringo Paulista is my playlist pick. The drums are so cool on that track. And the transition into Abraco is really nice - actually the whole run of the last 4 tracks is nice. I just really couldn't vibe with most of the rest of it as consistently.
Björk
5/5
I forgot how familiar I was with this one. It's been so long it was almost like listening for the first time again. Human Behaviour and Venus as a Boy are the ones I return to most often, but this is great start to finish. I especially appreciated Aeroplane and Come to Me with this listen. But I chose There's More to Life Than This for my playlist, because I love those moments where she takes you outside like a friend so you can hear her over the house music at the party.
She's always come across to me as very assured in her artistry, even in these early days in her life as a recording artist. She repairs the neural pathways in my brain. It's Björk's world, and I'm just (happily) living in it.
Queens of the Stone Age
5/5
I love this album, though Songs For The Deaf would have been my choice in its place. 5 stars for the band though, even though I got tinnitus at their concert which is still the loudest one I've ever been to.
Love
4/5
I used to listen to Alone Again Or often and eventually decided to check out the whole album. I thought the rest of the songs would bring that same energy and was disappointed when they didn't scratch my brain the same way.
But I'm glad to have given this another chance because Forever Changes really is a little gem of an album. The string and horn arrangements are so pleasant throughout, and the lyrics paint with darker colors than the music, creating an interesting contrast. A very high 4 for this one.
Stan Getz
5/5
I've already sought this out so many times (I tend to let things simmer before writing my reviews) - absolutely one of the best discoveries yet. It's easy, breezy, understated, and elegant. I can feel my blood pressure lowering within the first moments of The Girl From Ipanema. I adore this and would love to listen to it on vinyl when I get the chance.
John Martyn
3/5
I'm easily convinced to give some experimental folk music a try, so I enjoyed this for the most part. I wish there was more of a flow to the album though. Solid Air, Over The Hill, and Don't Want To Know make for a strong start, but I'd Rather Be The Devil as the next song in the album was like waking up from a delightful nap before the alarm goes off and not being able to doze back off again. Go Down Easy did its best to lull me back to sleep (in a good way, I like that song), but I never quite got back to that dreamy state of mind.
Pantera
2/5
I knew Walk and always thought it was kind of a cool song even if my friends and I would mostly head-bang to it as a way to be silly. But I've learned that, beyond that song, there is nothing else here for me.
Morrissey
2/5
How can I love The Smiths so much yet have to grit my teeth through this? There's something so hollow about his solo work. I won't be revisiting this.
Tracy Chapman
5/5
Tracy Chapman is a once in a lifetime voice, by every definition, and Fast Car is one of the best songs of all time. I'm failing to find the words I want right now, but she inspires me so much, and this is a hell of an album from a hell of an artist.
Deee-Lite
4/5
I listened to this while cooking dinner and had the best time bopping around the kitchen. How fun is this album?? It's mixed so well too and has a great flow. Plus ypu know I'm always delighted by a Q-Tip appearance. They said it - We're going to dance and have some fun. Dig!
Mercury Rev
3/5
I was immediately reminded of The Flaming Lips, and after reading up on them a bit, yeah, that makes sense. There's some lovely production on this album that's engaging in a very soothing way. I don't want to listen again right away, but I'll definitely give this another spin sometime because I could see this growing on me a lot. High 3.
The Prodigy
4/5
This has been on my listen list for a while, glad to finally check it off! Liked it, would listen again, especially when I need to get shit done.
Brian Eno
4/5
This album is revealing to me how much I like and respect the work of Brian Eno. I listened to this while laying out in the sun and enjoyed every minute. It's strange, textured, rocky, spacey, and I don't know what to really compare it to. I think this is my 3rd album of his, and I'm consistently surprised by how stylisticly different they all are. Truly an innovator.
Joy Division
5/5
What an album. I'd listened to Unknown Pleasures, which is great, but I love this on a deeper level. Those drums on the opening track pulled me in and I was in a trance from then on. The textures are almost tangible in a way, like they reach out and grab you through the speakers.
Closer gives me the feeling of being alone in some chilly caverns where everything echoes; speak your thoughts aloud, and they will bounce right back to you. I hope Ian Curtis is at peace out there.
The Beach Boys
5/5
Pet Sounds is one of my all time favorite albums, but I'll admit I haven't thoroughly explored the rest of their discography, so I wasn't sure how this would compare to the other albums I have heard. Surf's Up really clicked for me after the second listen, and while it may not be complete masterpiece status, it's still a solid 4.5 to me. And of course we round up for The Beach Boys.
The flow of the album isn't perfect - at times it's as though someone is interrupting a conversation, but not in a terribly obnoxious manner. I prefer the second half of the album, which has some really gorgeous moments. Feel Flows, Surf's Up, and A Day In The Life Of A Tree are my favorites, but I also really like opener Don't Go Near The Water.
My project has been on pause as I fell behind, so I didn't get an album from Brian Wilson / The Beach Boys after he passed like other users did. But I had both this and Pet Sounds in my queue already and had listened, just getting around to rating now. I'm so sad he's gone. RIP to a true creative legend and eternal inspiration for so many.
ZZ Top
3/5
I liked this more than Eliminator, which was a solid 3. This is closer to 3.5. La Grange is great - my mom said that song cracked me up as a kid. It doesn't make me laugh hysterically as an adult, but I still like it.
Overall a chill, bluesy rock album that I won't seek out often, but would listen to again. It would be great for when Grandpa comes over for a BBQ - make that a ZZQ. (I'm glad I'm not a dad because that was downright disgraceful.)
Can
4/5
I had never heard of Can before this project, but I've started listening to them ever since the generator gave me Movie by Holger Czukay, which I loved.
Can are chill as shit and I'm 1000% on board. I can't get enough of the drumming, courtesy of the amazing, always in-the-pocket Jaki Liebezeit.
Future Days is a high 4 for me, but it would only take a light twist of the arm for me to change it to a 5.
Joan Armatrading
5/5
Love And Affection had been in my recent rotation of songs, but it's the only song of hers that I'd heard prior. And I think I only discovered it because the algorithm played it and I instantly fell in love (and affection) with it.
I have to ask. Why. How. Why have I never heard of her until recently. How has this album been here all this time and I didn't know!? This is among the best folk / singer songwriter albums I've ever heard, and it's so cool that she's the sole songwriter listed for the entire album.
The guitars are fantastic throughout with flavors of rock, blues, folk, and country, and her voice is emotive, smooth, sparkly, raw, and moving, depending on what the song asks for. This is absolutely going to be one I play again and again.
Janis Joplin
5/5
Hell yeah. Janis is one of the greatest to ever do it. Some have the voice, some have the soul, but only rarely does someone have so much of both. And to complete the trifecta, Pearl is a fantastic, well produced record. High 4 / low 5.
Franz Ferdinand
3/5
I'm very familiar with this one as I owned the CD before the days of streaming. I haven't revisited it much since, but the songs that stood out then are the same that do now: Take Me Out and The Dark Of The Matineé, because of the way they pick up / slow down and switch up the flow. I might add This Fire and Michael as well.
I've heard this album so many times and still know all the words because - again, pre-streaming days. But I never really loved it, and I was even more lukewarm this go round. It's alright, but there are so many albums that could have taken its place. Low 3 because the production and musicianship are both good.
Todd Rundgren
3/5
I already knew and liked I Saw the Light and Hello It's Me, but those are probably the best songs.
It's impressive that he plays the instruments, sings, and produces for most of this double album, and that the result is pretty enjoyable overall.
I'm glad I read the wiki before listening; it was fun to identify and compare the 4 different sections. "The liner notes describe the first side of the album as "a bouquet of ear-catching melodies", the second as "the cerebral side", the third as "The kid gets heavy", and the fourth is titled "Baby Needs a New Pair of Snakeskin Boots (A Pop Operetta)"."
I think the final track is supposed to be tongue in cheek, but I could really do without it.
Tori Amos
5/5
Little Earthquakes is one of my most treasured albums ever, and Tori Amos is one of my favorite artists. She is, respectfully, a fucking rockstar and deserves to be considered amongst the greatest musical artists of our time.
What she accomplishes with her piano work is remarkable. Her arrangements are complex, surprising, haunting, beautiful, and technically challenging. Her live vocal performances would be impressive as standalones, but it's nothing short of masterful that she can play the piano simultaneously without simplifying the accompaniments at all. I really appreciate how she uses the full range of the keyboard; many don't use the lower section quite as often or as well. I also appreciate how fluidly she employs dynamics and articulation throughout her playing. Skill and classical training certainly play a role here, but there's something else too, some kind of magic. Emotion flows through her like water, almost like she and her piano are one living organism. Videos of her live performances around this time are such a treat.
I can't believe this is a debut album. She's already so self assured in her artistry with these songs. Reaching deep into the well of her memories, traumas, and emotions, she's unafraid to bring some of the darkest of it all to the surface and shape it into art.
I could go on, (go on, go on and dream). I haven't even gotten to favorite songs and lyrics yet. But Tori is one of my biggest inspirations, and this album blows my mind every time I put it on. It's really close to my heart for personal reasons, but I think it would be hard to argue against this being an objectively great album that deserves its place on the list. The deluxe version also has some incredible tracks. Upside Down tugs at every heartstring I have. I hope many others are able to discover and appreciate her through this generator. She's a gem.
Funkadelic
4/5
Had to listen on YouTube - there were some gaps between songs that probably aren't supposed to be there, but it was a decent version as far as I could tell, and the bonus EP tracks were included.
I'm glad this project is educating me on funk! I had Parliament's Mothership Connection already (5 stars) but didn't know George Clinton was behind both of these groups: The "P-Funk" collective. So many incredible musicians were involved with these projects and I'm excited for whichever album I get next.
I added the title track to my playlist since it's what's available on Spotify, but my favorite was the bonus track of the live performance, Maggot Brain/Chant (Think It Ain't Illegal Yet!). No one could ever say a funk band can't play rock after listening to that, whew!
Overall this was super enjoyable - very high 4 after 2 listens.
Gang Starr
5/5
Oh, I really vibed with this. The production, the beats - so smooth. The scratching, the samples - so tasteful. This album has great flow between tracks and is strong start to finish. It has a timeless refreshing quality, like ice cold lemonade on a hot summer day. DJ Premier and Guru made a gem of an East Coast hip-hop project with Step In The Arena.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
5/5
Neil Young album #3 and the best one so far. I can't think of any reason to give this less than 5 stars; the whole thing is solid.
Cinnamon Girl has always been one my favorite songs of his, but this was my first time listening to this album in its entirety. CG is bold and grungy and features beautiful vocal harmonies from Danny Whitten. They had a great rapport playing guitar together as well, especially in Down by the River. Another favorite moment is the haunting violin feature on Running Dry (Requiem for the Rockets).
I'm kind of rushing this review, but I really like this album!
4/5
I never got super into Oasis, but this album hits really well when the mood strikes, and Champagne Supernova is one of my favorite songs of the 90s.
Dinosaur Jr.
4/5
I've seen Dinosaur Jr. cited as a source of influence on indie rock often, and now I truly understand why. This is from 1987?? That's incredible. This rocks. I love the transition from Kracked to Sludgefeast, the latter of which is my favorite track at the moment. I also appreciate the more experimental outlier, Poledo. The version on Spotify has the Just Like Heaven cover which was a funny jump scare. Very cool.
Jane's Addiction
3/5
I think this is the 3rd time I've tried this album over the years. I always loved Been Caught Stealing, but never got into the other songs. With this listen I was really impressed by how well everything is mixed. Every element sounds fantastic. I liked the run from BCS to the end of the album a lot, actually. But as a whole, still not one of my favorites.
Manu Chao
4/5
French musician Manu Chao experienced a mental health crisis after the breakup of his former band. He was wandering the world, performing and recording songs. He also recorded snippets of the atmosphere from the cities he visited, which would be used in the final album. The process was therapeutic for him and he found a renewed sense of purpose. This multilingual delight of an album will definitely be getting repeat listens from me.
David Bowie
5/5
Wow, I am blown away. What a hell of a way to go out. Blackstar is a masterpiece.
Brian Eno
4/5
Brian Eno #4 for me and I am officially enchanted by this man's work. The first half of the album is lively, featuring drumming from greats Phil Collins (tracks 1 and 4) and Jaki Liebezeit of Can (track 2). Though the whole thing is great, I favor the more somber and introspective back half of the album. Here He Comes through Spider and I is pure atmospheric perfection.
Supergrass
4/5
Randomly the only Supergrass album I've heard before now is 2005's Road to Rouen. But for years now, Low C is a song I revisit time and time again and has become a favorite of mine over the years.
I don't love any songs from this album as much as that one, but it's a stronger record overall and I really dig their sound. Late in the Day, Sun Hits the Sky, and It's Not Me are the highlights for me.
Marilyn Manson
3/5
Listened to this back in the day before really knowing much about MM. Playing music like this was a little act of rebellion for me in my youth, a way to gain some kind of control.
Anyway, the main character and concept of the album are interesting and honestly the music is pretty great at times. Maybe most of what I like about it is thanks to Trent Reznor. But yeah fuck this guy he's a creep.
Emmylou Harris
3/5
This is my second Emmylou album. I had Pieces of the Sky not too long ago and really enjoyed it. Red Dirt Girl doesn't hit the same highs for me. Her voice is lovely as ever, and it's great to hear her flex her writing pen and blend genres a bit. But most of the songs weren't particularly striking start to finish. The most memorable were Michelangelo (ultimately the choice for my playlist) and Boy from Tupelo. God, though, I do love her voice.
Fatboy Slim
4/5
This was really fun. Good to know I still like the songs I knew, and the rest of the album's pretty solid. Sure, the repetitive sections go on long enough to almost start to be annoying, but there's always release when the beat finally drops again. Fatboy Slim created an amusing musical universe to just hang out in for awhile, and I enjoyed my time there.
4/5
I listened to this one a second time after learning it was a concept album. Some of the inspiration behind it was very sweet, even if the televesion program never came to fuition. I enjoy the mix of short tracks like Brainwashed with some of the jammer ones like Australia. Good album, and I still haven't heard any Kinks songs I don't like!
Blur
4/5
I haven't listened to Parklife in a really long time, but it still holds up well. I don't connect with it on an emotional level so much, but that's okay. I understand why it made a splash and has been included on lists like this one. My favorite song is the energetic opener, Girls & Boys, but I also like This Is a Low, a slower-tempoed, pensive song about the BBC Shipping Forecast.
The Afghan Whigs
1/5
I truly hated every minute of this. The music was alright but nothing special. I just hated his singing and lyrics. I can't point to anything more specific than that, I just felt super skeeved out the whole time. I would never listen to this again - 1 star.
Jurassic 5
4/5
I gave this a couple of listens - I dig it. There weren't many individual songs that clearly stood out to me, but the flow of the whole album is impeccable. Good vibes. I added Thin Line to my playlist because of the Minnie Riperton sample; I adore that song. But I almost added instrumental closer, Acetate Prophets, instead. I love the way all the different genres of world music are incorporated. So cool. I could listen to a whole album of that.
Hole
4/5
Wow. This is my first time listening to a whole Hole album (heheh) and my expectations have been exceeded. I've heard Celebrity Skin many times, but it hit differently in the context of the album. And what a great choice for an opener.
There are some really solid head-banging rock songs here, but my favorite is the beautifully acoustic Northern Star. (I immediately thought of Smashing Pumpkins. Interestingly, Billy Corgan was involved with some songs on the album, but NS was not one of them.)
Really enjoyed this!
The Saints
3/5
I had never heard of these guys. Australian punk band, cool. This was a good listen, but probably not one I'll revisit much. I added Orstralia to my playlist because I love the horns.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
4/5
Holy shit, the nostalgia. I was suuuper into the Chilis up through Stadium Arcadium. Saw them live too. Maybe the good memories will influence my rating a bit.
Listening now, some of the lyrics make me cringe. Most of them are meant to be nonsensical, and I never took them too seriously in the first place. Some are disturbing in retrospect. And then you have Sir Psycho Sexy, which is wild. I did NOT pick up on all of that when I was younger.
What I enjoy the most is listening to them work together as a band. Frusciante's harmonization is one of the cores of their signature sound. It adds this haunted element that melds everything together in an unexpectedly lovely way. And I love his guitar playing, too. The whole band is great, and I do like Kiedis's voice.
I'm landing on 4 stars because there's a lot that could have been cut. Everything between Suck My Kiss and Give it Away could go. And a few songs at the end. But Under the Bridge is an all-timer. I still get top-to-down body chills, especially at the end when the choir sings - these vocals were provided by Frusciante's mother's and her friends from choir. Otherworldly. One full star for that song, at least.
k.d. lang
5/5
Okay, who's going to slow dance with me to this entire album?? Ahh, I adore this woman.
I've been looking forward to this one. I enjoyed Shadowland, which I hadn't heard before, but her artistry really shines through on Ingénue. She has one of the most beautiful tones, just a breathtaking voice. Like a rich dessert wine.
And there's much to appreciate for anyone who likes to geek out over lyrics. Especially from a queer perspective. Lyrics such as: "My desire / Carries no shame / My will / Will harbour no pain" from Wash Me Clean have more weight to their words considering she came out as a lesbian while promoting this album - a trailblazer in the entertainment industry at the time. She left no room to misinterpret her work.
Constant Craving might be the best song; I wouldn't argue against it, but the choice for my playlist is Season of Hollow Soul. The lyrics, such as "Sour the fruit of neglect / The core of my doubt / Deprived are my veins you infect / With or without" are soul-melting. I'm so glad this album was included on the list.
Michael Kiwanuka
5/5
I first heard of Michael Kiwanuka watching the show Big Little Lies. The theme song, Cold Little Heart, immediately tugged at my heartstrings. I listen to it frequently (skip the radio edit version, CLH10MV FTW).
But this is the first time I've listened to one of his albums in full, and what an album! Maybe my favorite Danger Mouse production. It's an incredible journey from start to finish. The album starts with some upbeat, groovier tracks. Lots of catchy hooks and funky beats. But as it goes on, the songs grow progressively more somber and evoke what I can only describe as a strong spiritual yearning. Kiwanuka carries it all with his beautiful singing. The backing vocals also deserve a mention.
This is great start to finish. 5 stars.
Bob Dylan
5/5
Fuck yeah, this is some of Dylan's best. She Belongs to Me and It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding) are my favorites but the entire thing is a masterpiece in songwriting.
Every stanza in It's Alright...is incredible as a standalone, but the final lines to sum it all up gives me chills: "And if my thought-dreams could be seen / They’d probably put my head in a guillotine / But it’s alright, Ma, it’s life, and life only".
Bruce Springsteen
5/5
An absolutely stellar album. I'm happy to have gotten it in the middle of the summer.
The Smiths
4/5
I mean. The music of The Smiths have been a source of great comfort to me for many years now. I don't enjoy The Queen Is Dead quite as well as Meat Is Murder, which I gave a 5, but it's still solid and has a few of their greatest songs.
Those are the only albums of theirs I've had so far (not counting Morrissey solo records, which just don't do it for me), and I'm wondering if there'll be any others after this. Maybe their debut?
But back to TQID. The run from Cemetery Gates to There Is a Light That Never Goes Out is pretty flawless. Bigmouth Strikes Again is probably my most listened to if not There Is a Light. "Now I know how Joan of Arc felt, as the flames rose to her Roman nose and her Walkman started to melt" are some of my favorite song lyrics ever.
I wish they'd cut the final song. That might've been enough to make it a 5 star album for me.
Lenny Kravitz
1/5
I know Lenny Kravitz's 5 or 6 hits, and based on that, I expected to at least partially enjoy a few songs on this album at worst.
I couldn't wait for it to end. There's hardly any meat here. None of the songs go anywhere particularly interesting. Not musically, not lyrically. Several songs touch on compelling subjects, but ultimately the tone is too preachy and / or the rhymes are too cheesy.
Rosemary, for example, is basically just a really bad CCM song. (Not knocking the genre itself - I could name dozens of Christian rock songs that are infinitely better than anything on this album.) The first half sets up a story that could really go somewhere, but it evolves into a sermon. What a complete turn-off. Not for me.
The Cure
4/5
First listen of this one, and I really dig it. It's so interesting to hear the experimental process of them developing a sound that helped define a genre.
A Forest is the most well known song and also my playlist choice. I could easily (and already have) put it on repeat and just ascend. (Or maybe descend? Into the moss and mushrooms?) But At Night is also great for the same reason.
I love that they were recording on a budget and ran out of tape on The Final Sound and couldn't redo it. A happy accident, maybe. I'd love to hear the full song as it would have been recorded that day though.
Hawkwind
3/5
A live double album is a heck of a way to dive into a band. It was a lot, but also pretty cool overall. It's a 3 star album because I was sober, but I can imagine it could be 4 or 4 stars under other circumstances.
Also wondering if Alan Rickman ever listened to this. The spoken word parts have big Snape energy.
Dexys Midnight Runners
2/5
Come On Eileen is one of my favorite 80s songs, so I was really excited to listen to one of their albums in full. Unfortunately this left me disappointed.
Ska is one genre I just can't get into. There's exceptions, of course, but I mostly can't stand it. This album was too close to ska territory for me and did not carve itself out as one of the exceptions. I will say the horn work is good throughout, just not my thing as a part of this particular whole. And I don't enjoy his voice, which could have made the difference. Bummer.
The Teardrop Explodes
3/5
I wasn't feeling this after a first listen, but I just got done skipping around a few songs and they grew on me a bit.
Poppies In The Field is my playlist pick, but Second Head through Brave Boys Keep Their Promises is a nice little section. I can hear this may have been a big influence on a lot of later music I enjoy, so I'd give this another listen for sure.
Carole King
5/5
All I can say is I'm very happy this album is so beloved. Carole King is a songwriting queen and it's a pleasure to hear her sing every note and word of these songs she wrote. Highly recommend lounging outside on a lightly breezy, sunny day with some headphones and cold drink of choice. 10/10 listening experience for a 10/10 album.
Kacey Musgraves
5/5
I'm very fond of Kacey Musgraves and this is some of her best work. I think I've listened to Slow Burn at least once a week since 2018. It's so dreamy and hypnotic and actually a great thesis for the rest of the album. But every song here is very well written and enjoyable.
Even songs like Butterflies or Rainbow, which could easily be skips for me by any other artist - they could be too saccharine or overly embellished with belting and vocal flourishes - are frequent repeats in my house. I love the quality of her voice and the relaxed way she sings. The production on this album complements her perfectly.
I was going to list my favorite songs but I might have an easier time choosing all of them and then trying to rank them. After Slow Burn, number two is Oh, What A World and number three is Happy & Sad. Number four is Space Cowboy. Five stars for Golden Hour as a whole. I also highly recommend her latest, Deeper Well. A lot of those songs scratch the same itch as Slow Burn for me.
Dolly Parton
4/5
Wow, I had Carole King, Kacey Musgraves, and now Dolly, Linda, and Emmylou - all in a row! This album concludes an incredible trio (sorry) benevolently bestowed upon me by the album gods. These are some of the most talented singer-songwriters alive, and knowing the ratio of male to female artists included in the list, it's super cool to have generated three albums in a row fronted by five women.
My favorite song is the Dolly-penned Wildflowers. The traditional, Rosewood Casket, is another highlight. But their voices blend so well that every song is enjoyable. I'll have to plan on listening to Trio II (1999) as well.
Billy Joel
5/5
What a stellar album. I remember when I first discovered Billy Joel, and I'm still just as much in awe of his talent today as I was then. You might think The Stranger is a greatest hits album if you didn't know better.
I could go on and on, but I've got so much to do and only so many hours in a day. This is one of my favorite albums, and Vienna is one of my all-time favorite songs.
With this particular listen, I spent some time with the melodies and arrangement in She's Always a Woman. It tugs at heartache and nostalgia and is really quite perfect. The lyrics are great, of course, but even if you take them away, it's still an exceptionally beautiful song.
I'm glad I got to listen to this today.
Basement Jaxx
1/5
The only song I enjoyed at all from this was Bingo Bango, and only because it brought sweet, sweet relief from that repetitive sample in the previous track, Same Old Show. Why would you do that to your listeners? Never again would I listen to this album.
Black Sabbath
5/5
Generated due to Ozzy's passing, which is a cool feature. My second Black Sabbath album overall. It's a high 4 / light 5 for me. I liked this a lot more than their debut and knew most of these songs well already. I always crank the volume for War Pigs especially. My favorite of the songs I didn't know is Hand of Doom. I love the soft drumming and how the whole song ramps up and backs back down multiple times. Great album overall.
Aretha Franklin
5/5
I was going to give this 4, but I listened again and couldn't remember why. It's such a damn pleasure to listen to her sing. It's the perfect album to put on while cleaning (which I mean as high praise) as long as I wear headphones so I can't feel subhuman by hearing myself sing along. (Especially to the backing vocals on Ain't No Way - HEAVENLY stuff right there.)
I just had Tapestry 5 albums ago, so it's cool to hear (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman again. I love King's version, and of course it's her song, but Aretha made it something extra special.
I gave her prior release, I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You, 4 stars. It's good, but I definitely found an extra star's worth of enjoyment in Lady Soul. Indeed she is.
Raekwon
2/5
I didn't like this. I like Wu-Tang, but something about this didn’t click.
Glaciers of Ice sounded so familiar, I finally had to see who sampled it. The Avalalanches! Duh, they literally say the song title in the sample used. That's one of my favorite albums ever so I wouldn't zoot this one out of existence or anything. Butterfly effect and all that. But after one listen, I'm good.
Dion
2/5
I didn't like this. Maybe I'm just feeling grouchy, but I don't think that's it. It evoked exactly nothing. Is that worse than bad? I don't know, fuck it 2 stars. Added In and Out of the Shadows to my playlist but I've already forgotten how it sounds.
Missy Elliott
3/5
Missy Elliot is awesome. I understand she was carving out her well deserved spot in the industry, but I still wish there was more of her voice on this album.
I've already generated Under Construction which is near perfect. I'm more likely to relisten to UC, but I definitely enjoyed hearing her debut and first work with Timbaland. I chose Izzy Izzy Ahh for my playlist because it hints at all the fun ways she starts incorporating her vocalizations even more predominantly later on.
I'm giving this 3, but it would be 3.5 if there were half stars.
Beastie Boys
4/5
I've generated Paul's Boutique and Ill Communication in that order and gave them both 5s. Beastie Boys have so many hits and I know them all well, but I'd never heard a full album until this project. I've always loved their songs but I never anticipated I would love these albums as much as I do.
It's probabaly because I'm a sucker for great sample art. It's like it's own musical instrument and skill in its own right, at least in the hands of artists like Beastie Boys. And I never knew much about their history in the sampling world until this project.
With PB and IC, I ended up loving the songs I didn't already know. There was a lot to discover. With this one, the hits are still the standouts. But those five songs are great and the others are all good. Rhymin and Stealin is my favorite of the ones I hadn't heard before, but She's Crafty is still my favorite overall of those I did know. That Zeppelin sample is sick. Of course they'd need permission for it today, but I'm glad the song exists as it is.
Country Joe & The Fish
3/5
Likely wouldn't relisten, but can appreciate its influence and place in time. Woodstock and all that. Low on the spectrum of 3 stars.
Probably great if you're on LSD and/or enjoy ASMR whisperings about LSD.
PJ Harvey
5/5
I continue to be stunned by PJ Harvey's brilliance. This is my third album of hers from the generator, and the third time I've kicked myself for never listening to her before. She's everything I love about an artist. Poetic, a next-level one-of-a-kind creative soul, fully committed to her vision even though some may find it abrasive. Who cares? She's a rock star.
I don't even know how to compare Let England Shake to anything else. The concept and musical style are so unique. That's a 5 star album in my book.
Orbital
4/5
I listened to this for the first time a couple of years ago. I love it, and I don't even really listen to techno like that. But anything with creative, well-executed sampling grabs my attention and holds it.
Lush 3.1 is my favorite track, but the didgeridoo always deserves a shout-out. From Wiki:
"Walk Now..." samples the sound of a Sydney zebra crossing alert and a didgeridoo, which were both recorded after a trip to Australia to perform at an illegal rave named Welcome 92."
Haha, awesome.
The Hives
2/5
I Hate To Say I Told You So was everywhere when it came out. I liked that song at the time but never felt the need to revisit throughout the years since. This album was fine, not gonna argue with anyone who loves it. It didn't resonate with me today though, high 2.
Dirty Projectors
1/5
I was listening to a podcast episode a couple weeks ago that began with a story about the host's experience at a performance by Bjork and Bitte Orca at Housing Works Bookstore in New York. (The story was hilarious, highly recommend. 60 Songs That Explain the 90's: The 2000's, episode "A-Punk" - Vampire Weekend.)
I thought if Bjork loves them, I will too! Wrong. If I feel like crawling out of my skin for every single song, it's 1 star. I can't be bothered to justify any further. I never want to hear this again.
David Ackles
3/5
I don't know if I'd listen to this again, but it wasn't bad by any means. Some good storytelling and theatrics, and he has a pleasant voice. I'll round up to 3.
PJ Harvey
4/5
This is PJ Harvey #4, and my third was just a few albums back. I didn't need any more convincing that she's awesome; I've been happy to sing her praises since the first album I generated. But convinced further, I am. Helluva debut.
John Lennon
3/5
I'm a massive Beatles fan. I love a lot of Paul and George's solo work (sorry Ringo, I haven't listened to yours yet), but over the years I've learned I just don't care much for John Lennon without the other three. A couple of good songs here, but I found most of them to be just okay.
Grant Lee Buffalo
2/5
I prefer his work as the Stars Hollow troubadour.
I particularly disliked Dixie Drug Store. It's like they were given a prompt to write a song featuring New Orleans, shouted out everything that came to mind, Family Feud style, and then used all of it whether it worked or not. I lost it at " secret place in the bayou of her blankets" and never regained it. Ooh, jambalaya indeed.
Roxy Music
4/5
I adore Avalon but that's the only Roxy Music album I'd listened to prior to this. I prefer Avalon, but this is great as well. I can't believe it's from 1972. But then, Eno was involved, so I guess I can believe it.
My favorite song is Sea Breezes.
The Cure
5/5
5 stars, no notes, incredible.
The Hanging Garden and Cold are my favorites, but the whole album is an epic immersion experience.
Sarah Vaughan
4/5
I thoroughly enjoyed this. I absolutely adore her voice - listening to her brought Judy Garland to mind, and it turns out she was indeed an influence: "Judy Garland was the singer I most wanted to sound like then, not to copy, but to get some of her soul and purity. A wonderful young voice."
The quality of Sarah's silky voice and dynamic performance drew me in and held me there. And she's funny and charming and delightful. Happy to discover this for the first time.
Primal Scream
3/5
I've only ever listened to Screamadelica, which I like more, but this is good too. It really helps me focus at work. There's new elements being introduced consistently throughout each track, so there's a lot to pay attention to and I was never bored. Lots of good brain scratchies, very high 3.
Hot Chip
3/5
I found this album a little frustrating. The production is SO cool and clean and the mix is great. A few songs really stood out - How Do You Do?, Don't Deny Your Heart, These Chains, and Let Me Be Him (my playlist choice).
But unfortunately I don't love the lead singer's voice. Look At Where We Are is the song that shines the brightest spotlight on his singing, and I kept wishing there was more richness and dynamics in his delivery. Some harmonies would go a long way too.
There are some great lyrics, my favorite being "A church is not for praying / It's for celebrating the light that bleeds through the pane" (play on pain as well as the panes of stained glass, like on the album cover).
There's a lot to love about this album, and I have to say again how much I dig the production. I'm going with a very high 3.
Television
4/5
I've definitely heard See No Evil before, but otherwise this is a new discovery for me! Will plan to revisit often, what a gem of a rock album.
John Prine
4/5
John Prine is a legendary songwriter and I'd really like to spend more time digging into his discography. Where better to start than his debut? Angel from Montgomery is a hell of a song to have on your first album. I'm so glad to finally have listened to one of his albums and be as enamored with his storytelling as I was sure I would be. Excited to discover more.
Deep Purple
3/5
This is a good live album, glad to have listened to it. I'm more likely to revisit Machine Head which I gave 5 stars.
Coldplay
4/5
I love this album. I havent followed Coldplay much since maybe 2011, but this album and the two that followed, X&Y and Viva La Vida, mean a lot to me. The Scientist is one of my favorite songs of theirs and a great song in general. This was a nice nostalgia listen.