Jan 13 2022
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Axis: Bold As Love
Jimi Hendrix
New album to me. Enjoyed much more than other JH collections. That said, not my favorite music.
3
Jan 14 2022
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The Soft Bulletin
The Flaming Lips
Aimless, disjointed, nothing "catchy". Album never should have been cut.
1
Jan 15 2022
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Horses
Patti Smith
Who from our generation doesn't remember the building power of "Gloria". Raw and fun. That said, the rest of the album did not age well.
Good; not great.
She was great live. Saw my freshman year. Was in a line-up with Grateful Dead and some no-name down at UMass.
2
Jan 16 2022
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Dirt
Alice In Chains
Interesting. Not a huge fan, but this was much more listenable than expected. Enjoyed the slower songs, cringed a bit on the harder. Seems they never quite reached heavy metal, but we're still raw and a bit unrefined.
I want to give 3.5 stars, but thought "will I listen to this again"? 3 stars.
3
Jan 17 2022
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Tigermilk
Belle & Sebastian
I am torn ... is good, easy-listening, nice music to wake to. But I don't find it exciting in any way. Listened to a few newer songs (Tigermilk is their 1st album), and they are still similar. So for me, it is still just "meh".
2
Jan 18 2022
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James Brown Live At The Apollo
James Brown
Never been a huge James Brown fan. Listened to one other live (at the Garden '67) which I hated. This one was much more enjoyable. Got the grit, the horns, the singers. All that said, it just is not my thing.
Fav song: Lost Someone.
2
Jan 19 2022
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Elvis Is Back
Elvis Presley
I like Elvis. This album was an easy-listening version of him. Nothing here blew me away. Quite short also.
3
Jan 20 2022
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Oxygène
Jean-Michel Jarre
Love the soothing feel of JMJ. Have not listened to this one for years and years. Brings back great memories. I prefer the group "tangerine dream" which has a similar sound.
3
Jan 21 2022
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Innervisions
Stevie Wonder
Great album. Thoroughly enjoyed. "Living for the City" was wonderful on headphones. And who doesn't love the funky sound of "Higher Ground".
4
Jan 22 2022
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Harvest
Neil Young
Classic. A bit quiet for my normal listening, but has it's place. Love the simplicity.
5
Jan 23 2022
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Emperor Tomato Ketchup
Stereolab
Crazy album, but I liked it. First song was amazing and carried the album. I will definitely be listening to more of them. Fun find.
4
Jan 24 2022
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Cypress Hill
Cypress Hill
I actually enjoyed the overall sound, groove and harmonies. Sort of mix of reggae and rap. My issue is the lyrics. Really liked "Hand on the Pump", but the excessive use of the N*** word and the topic (killing) are really off-putting.
Lead singer's (B-Real) voice is high, almost nasally, but I found it a great sound. Another singer (Sen Dog??) has a low rap sound, and they play off each other nicely.
Fav song is "Latin Lingo". Has a great base line and the rap is mesmerizing. Added to personally library !
3
Jan 25 2022
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Paranoid
Black Sabbath
Early Ozzy !!!
Iommi blazing the guitar on "War Pigs".
Geezer's base just cranking out on Paranoid.
Beautiful, soothing guitar picking and congos on "Planet Caravan".
Raw raw power of "Iron Man". Song just does not give up; increasing in intensity all the way to the end.
And "Hand of Doom". Just a great, driving song in every way. Sad lyrics, but that goes with the times (Vietnam, heroine). Simply a masterpiece. Hands down my favorite song on this album.
"Rat Salad" devotes time to Bill Ward. His drumming is perfectly adequate, but this one just does not excite.
Wrapping it up with "Fairies wear boots" ... "cause smoking and tripping is all that you do". hoo-rah.
Absolutely classic album.
5
Jan 26 2022
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Let's Get It On
Marvin Gaye
"Let's Get It On" is such a classic. Soulful, easy listening sound. Is just one of those songs you can hear that makes you smile.
"Keep Gettin' It on" is fun, though seems to be just a copy/paste of the 1st track.
The rest of the album is slow and repetitive, and just does not excite. Cannot say that the 1 great song carries this album. It does not.
2
Jan 27 2022
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Violent Femmes
Violent Femmes
Unrefined punk. Simple yet catchy in so many ways. Enjoyed the xylophone on "Gone Daddy Gone". Fun commentary in "Kiss Off". That said, this was never one of my favorite punk artists.
2
Jan 28 2022
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Brothers In Arms
Dire Straits
This album has me very torn. Two very successful songs on the top of the album, to have it just fade away into overly processed rather ho-hum songs at the end. And where is that Knopfler guitar on those ending songs?
I remember buying the album as soon as it came out. Also remember that it almost never got pulled out for play. "Money for nothing" and "Walk of Life" were so overplayed on the radios that there is not interest/reason to play. And the rest of the album just does not excite.
I categorize this album as their mid-life crisis. After the power and creativity of "Love Over Gold", to follow with this is just a bit of a disappointment.
So I really give this a 3.5 stars. But based on how little I actually have played this, I have to round down.
3
Jan 29 2022
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Marquee Moon
Television
Never heard of these guys before. Wish I had discovered back in late 70s'; definitely feel like leading-edge punk. Maybe ever a bit more refined than some of the Ramone's style music.
"Friction" is catchy.
Title track "Marquee Moon" did not do much for me until half way through, then it turned the corner and made for quite an enjoyable journey.
Favorite song was the last - "Torn Curtain".
Still, all in all, not much here.
2
Jan 30 2022
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Dear Science
TV On The Radio
The songs on here had such potential. Was so close to being a sound, an experience, that I was looking for. But it just never made it to that level. Fun, but just not something I will be replaying.
"Golden Age" was catchy and probably my favorite. All in all though the songs just melded together into sort of a nothingness.
2
Jan 31 2022
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Are You Experienced
Jimi Hendrix
I try and try again to like JH. Just not my sound. So many top hits on this album that we have all heard 1000's of times. Still just does not cut it for me. Sorry Jimi.
2
Feb 01 2022
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That's The Way Of The World
Earth, Wind & Fire
I do like the sound. Smooth, evocative. Beautiful vocals. Not something I would listen to a lot, but has it's place.
Favorite song, hands down, is "Africano" (at 1:15 in). For me, this made the album. But I am always a sucker for a nice sax sound.
3
Feb 02 2022
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Jazz Samba
Stan Getz
Has it's place. Definitely easy listening. I am really not a fan of that old-fashioned brush sound on the drums; just not my thing. But it does keep a steady backing for the sax and guitar fronts.
Will I queue this album back up? Probably not. But it was a nice intro to my day.
3
Feb 03 2022
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On The Beach
Neil Young
Nice, easy listening album. Very typical Neil.
3
Feb 04 2022
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Nixon
Lambchop
Nice sound. Really nice. That is the beginning tracks. "Grumpus" has a lovely, flowy feel that was just relaxing. "Up With People" has a fun sound ... but I am always a sucker for brass in songs. But the last 2 tracks of the album really fell off. "Petrified Florist" sounded like the singer was being tortured. "Butcher Boy" was just a flat, unexciting, jumble of sound.
Enjoyed. Will look into them some more.
3
Feb 05 2022
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Pornography
The Cure
Love The Cure. Just have a place in my music heart for that darkness.
Had not listened to this album, and it has a different feel than the overly played "LoveSong", "friday I'm in love", "just like heaven" type of tracks mostly associated with them. Definitely enjoyed.
4
Feb 06 2022
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It's Blitz!
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Yawn. "Heads Will Roll" is a great song; always enjoyed. But this is the epitome of a 1 hit wonder. The rest of the album all sounds the same.
I will give it 2 stars, only because I am feeling generous.
2
Feb 07 2022
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The Wildest!
Louis Prima
I am sure that back 60+ years ago this album was cutting edge and wonderful. Is just not my style.
Was fun that I recognized some of the songs, though there were covers from other artists.
2
Feb 08 2022
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White Ladder
David Gray
Really nice soothing sound. Thoroughly enjoyed even though nothing in here jumped out as exciting or innovative. Nothing much to say about it, but I did like the sound.
3
Feb 09 2022
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Car Wheels On A Gravel Road
Lucinda Williams
Trying to find what is special about this album. I find her voice a bity whiney and the music very ordinary. "Can't Let Go" is fun. Songs like "Greenville" and "Jackson" are just so sleepy and twangy that they were hard to get through.
Generous rating of 2 stars
2
Feb 10 2022
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Post Orgasmic Chill
Skunk Anansie
Well to start with ... gotta love the album title.
When "Charlie Big Potato" started, I was not a fan. But by 60 seconds in, the deep driving base (reminiscent of NIN) broke in and made for a fun sound.
Hated the 2nd track -"On My Hotel TV". Junk. Was getting concerned.
But then the album got its sound, its flow, its personality.
"Tracy's Flaw" started nice and slow, and then built and built and BUILT. "I'll come running. I'll come running back to you" ... Huge voice. Huge power. Goosebumps.
And then in launched into "The Skank Heads". Not sure there are more hard, clean, driving songs than this one.
"Lately" is a great arrangement with solid drums and 80's sounding guitar wailing.
"Secretly" had the most plays on Spotify. Was OK, but did IMO did not warrant that top position.
All in all, a SOLID album. Added to playlist.
4
Feb 11 2022
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Superunknown
Soundgarden
Hard to believe the number of major hits this album produced. "Black Hole Sun", "Fell on Black Days", "My Wave", "Spoonman". All hugely overplayed everywhere. But somehow their heavy, base-laden, screamy-lyric sound just does not work for me. Hard to argue with their success or influence though. B-
4
Feb 12 2022
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American IV: The Man Comes Around
Johnny Cash
So much sorrow. Glad I listened to it, but these covers are so sad. His voice just oozes calamity, redemption, sadness. Simplicity at its best.
Best cover: Hurt
4
Feb 13 2022
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Back At The Chicken Shack
Jimmy Smith
Nice blues/jazz sound. Quite enjoyed. Great organ and sax. Solid B.
4
Feb 14 2022
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Rattlesnakes
Lloyd Cole And The Commotions
Masterpiece. Love his voice, though at times he does waver at the top of his minimal range. Own and only ever listened to "Mainstream"; now wondering why I never looked for any of his other albums. What a dummy.
Fav tracks: "Forest Fire" - super catchy. "Speedboat" - soothing and just downright fun.
Least fav: "Four Flights Up". But is on 2.5 mins, so goes fast.
A-
5
Feb 15 2022
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Fulfillingness' First Finale
Stevie Wonder
Average. Just average. C+
3
Feb 16 2022
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Medúlla
Björk
What the f*** is this album? I can normally struggle through most any album, and listen to every last minute. Not this one. Wandering, boring, confusing, unnecessarily disjointed. I find nothing redeeming here.
Solid F
1
Feb 17 2022
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Truth And Soul
Fishbone
Felt well produced. Pleasing voice and instrumentals. That said, this just did not reach out and grab me. No specific reason, just meh. Solid C
3
Feb 18 2022
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Elephant
The White Stripes
Is the definition of a 1-hit wonder with "Seven Nation Army", which is a fantastic song. But to go from that into "Black Math" which is just noise. Hard transition. With the exception of "The Hardest Button to Button", the rest of album really doesn't have anything to offer. "Ball and Biscuit" is OK. Last part (after the talk intro) of "Little Acorns" is fun. But overall, just not impressed.
Feeling really generous today due to the 2 songs that have merit: C-
3
Feb 19 2022
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Rum Sodomy & The Lash
The Pogues
Irish Celtic punk music is just not my thing. D.
2
Feb 20 2022
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Murder Ballads
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
Love the fullness of his voice. Really enjoyed "Where the Wild Roses Grow". The rest of the album was good, but nothing special IMO. Liked, did not love. C+
3
Feb 21 2022
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Playing With Fire
Spacemen 3
I like psychedelic rock, I really do. But this left we wanting. And 3 different versions of "Suicide" on a single album. 2 cuts of "Che"; 2 cuts of " "I Believe It". Artists need to be more original if going to make a double-album.
D+
2
Feb 22 2022
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Faith
George Michael
Totally not my style of music. But you cannot help but smile when listening to this. So full of passion and is just beautiful. And it does have some classic songs on it.
A-
5
Feb 23 2022
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Steve McQueen
Prefab Sprout
Nope. Just nope. D
2
Feb 24 2022
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Killing Joke
Killing Joke
Hard to pin this sound down. Industrial, post-punk, Brit-rock. Is an odd mixture. Sometimes catchy (like "Primitive"), sometimes redundant and goes no-where ("Tomorrow's World"), sometimes hard driving ("The Wait"). Has it's own sound which appears a bit ahead of their time. To me, is like an unpolished version of Tool.
In the end, not really much to me. D+
2
Feb 25 2022
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John Prine
John Prine
Not a country fan. To me, his voice sounds strained and has that country "twang" that oh so reminds me of John Denver (my #1 most hated artist).
Sorry John. Just not for me. Won't be listening to this one ever again.
D
2
Feb 26 2022
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Phrenology
The Roots
Not a good start to find Spotify #plays under 1500 for some of the songs. And was for good reason. The only songs that do not offend the ear are those where The Roots teamed up with other artists. "Sacrifice" with Nelly is OK and some melody. "The Seed" with Cody Chesnutt is a lot more mainstream, but still falls very short.
Big fat zero.
F
1
Feb 27 2022
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Raw Power
The Stooges
Raw Punk. Simple and in your face. Not a fan of the opening track "Search and Destroy", but quite enjoyed the others. "Gimme Danger" has that mellow start that gets offset at the end of the song with a strong, driving guitar. "Penetration" (my favorite on this album) has a nice xylophone sound in the back that holds the line and gets stuck in your brain, jumping octaves and just ever present.
Solid album that I enjoyed. Wish I had uncovered back in my high-school days.
B-
(as an aside ... Spotify rolled into "Down on the Street" off of The Stooges "Fun House" album. Fantastic song.)
2
Feb 28 2022
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Buenas Noches From A Lonely Room
Dwight Yoakam
Twangy country. Nope
F
1
Mar 02 2022
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Trafalgar
Bee Gees
Snoooooooze.
D
2
Mar 06 2022
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GI
Germs
Fucking noise. F-
1
Mar 07 2022
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Basket of Light
Pentangle
Cheap-mans version of Renaissance. But no where near as good. Just could not get in to this.
D+
2
Mar 08 2022
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Paul's Boutique
Beastie Boys
Not a Beastie Boys fan. Not my style at all. But I tried to listen with an open mind and did find my foot tapping to a few songs. Notably "The Sounds of Science", "Looking Down the Barrel of a Gun", "Car Thief".
Will I listen again? Not a chance. But I can see the attraction. Not nearly as bad as I expected.
C-
3
Mar 09 2022
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Let It Be
The Replacements
I so wanted to be a Replacements fan. But I just don't see the attraction. Average songs, annoying vocals, minimal musical talent displayed.
How this album got highly ranked by Spin and Rolling Stone magazines I will never understand.
Highlights: Cover of T-Rex's "20th Century Boy", cover of Grass Roots "Temptation Eyes". Says a lot when best songs are covers.
D+
2
Mar 10 2022
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Rock Bottom
Robert Wyatt
OMG. That voice. Perfectly named album: "Rock Bottom".
Horrible album in every way. Rather listen to Yoko screaming.
F
1
Mar 11 2022
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Smokers Delight
Nightmares On Wax
Really nice soothing sound. Great background music. Thoroughly enjoyed.
B
4
Mar 12 2022
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Ace of Spades
Motörhead
Noise. Plain and simple.
F
1
Mar 13 2022
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Vespertine
Björk
Unlistenable.
F
1
Mar 14 2022
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Queen II
Queen
IMO, not Queen's best. Very ordinary and just did not excite.
C-
3
Mar 16 2022
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Sail Away
Randy Newman
Such a unique voice. Immediate recognition. Lots of talent here, and is a nice easy-listening, background sound. All that said, does not do much for me.
C-
3
Mar 17 2022
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Happy Sad
Tim Buckley
OK. Sort of a yawn.
C
3
Mar 21 2022
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Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters
OK, but a bit noisy for my liking. I see this was progressive at the time, just not quite polished enough for me.
C+
3
Mar 22 2022
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It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back
Public Enemy
Nope.
F
1
Mar 23 2022
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The Yes Album
Yes
Classic album. Love every bit of it.
A
5
Mar 24 2022
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Here, My Dear
Marvin Gaye
Sleepy. Not slow, background, "love" music. Just downright sleepy.
Let me throw in meandering and underwhelming.
And boring.
Can't forget to add that the lyrics are just fucking depressing as hell.
Pathetic.
D-
2
Mar 26 2022
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Nebraska
Bruce Springsteen
There are so many great albums by Bruce, and they pick this one. Just so boring ...
D+
2
Mar 27 2022
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Rip It Up
Orange Juice
Overall I liked it; quite a bit actually. Has a "General Public" /"English Beat" feel to it. Found "Mud in Your Eye" to be intoxicating. Last half of album fell off, but overall was fun.
B-
4
Mar 28 2022
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Being There
Wilco
Minimal entertainment value here.
D
2
Mar 29 2022
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In Utero
Nirvana
OK. I am not going to get much love for this review ... but this album is just too much noise. Though I do love all "All Apologies", and there are some really big hits on this album, I would be quite happy living the rest of my life never hearing this again.
C-
3
Mar 30 2022
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Chicago Transit Authority
Chicago
CLASSIC CLASSIC CLASSIC album. By and large, really great stuff.
Could have done without "Free Form Guitar".
A1
5
Mar 31 2022
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Ogden's Nut Gone Flake
Small Faces
Uh ... No.
D+
2
Apr 03 2022
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Destroyer
KISS
Totally uninspiring. Just sort of there. Even their blockbuster hit "Beth" just doesn't reach out and grab you.
D+
2
Apr 05 2022
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Siembra
Willie Colón & Rubén Blades
Found boring. Nuf said.
D+
2
Apr 06 2022
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Shadowland
k.d. lang
REALLY not my thing. Could not even make it through the whole album. No doubt there is some talent here. Almost nothing I can listen to.
Only exception: Busy Being Blue. Enjoyed this one song.
D+
2
Apr 07 2022
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The Velvet Underground
The Velvet Underground
Maybe this was album was "the bomb" back in '67.
Not today.
D+
2
Apr 08 2022
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The Slider
T. Rex
Not bad, though really not good. Seemed lacking to me, though I did at least listen to the whole album.
(not a remark on THIS album, but my selected albums have really sucked lately. Due to this, I am being generous on my score here)
C-
3
Apr 09 2022
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Bad
Michael Jackson
Classic pop album. Pop is *not* my thing, but you just can't help but enjoy this album end to end.
A-
5
Apr 12 2022
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The Beach Boys Today!
The Beach Boys
Not one of their best efforts. Is OK, but really not worth playing.
C+
3
Apr 13 2022
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...And Justice For All
Metallica
Raw, driving, hard. All what you would expect from early Metallica.
B+
4
Apr 14 2022
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Beggars Banquet
The Rolling Stones
2 fabulous and wildly successful songs, and a bunch of meh songs. So glad to see this album, but not stellar in any way.
C+
3
Apr 15 2022
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My Generation
The Who
The Who has so many incredible albums ... unfortunately this is not one of them. Unexciting.
C
3
Apr 16 2022
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Head Hunters
Herbie Hancock
Nice. Real nice.
B
4
Apr 17 2022
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Roots
Sepultura
Noise, plain and simple. Nothing redeeming here.
F
1
Apr 19 2022
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Dig Your Own Hole
The Chemical Brothers
Interesting, but just not exciting.
D+
2
Apr 20 2022
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Marcus Garvey
Burning Spear
Totally new to me. Never heard of this group. Enjoyed the sound. Quite fun.
B-
4
Apr 21 2022
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The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
Lauryn Hill
Fun, lighthearded sound. Was not expecting to like, but was pretty good fun.
C+
3
Apr 22 2022
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Slanted And Enchanted
Pavement
A bit raw and unpolished for my taste. See where it could have a draw for many, just not for me.
D
2
Apr 23 2022
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1989
Taylor Swift
I am just not a Swifty. "Blank Space" is sort-of catchy, but I find it hard to see where the talent is in this album. Could be I am an old man and this is for young teens ?!?! Could be.
C-
3
Apr 26 2022
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Madman Across The Water
Elton John
Classic songs by EJ. Honestly not my favorite of his albums, but it still amazing.
B+
4
Apr 27 2022
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Like A Prayer
Madonna
Doesn't get more mainstream pop than Madonna. Truly successful and a huge draw to so many listeners. I happen to *not* be one of those, though I can hear and understand the draw.
C+
3
Apr 28 2022
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Actually
Pet Shop Boys
Sort fan, sort just there. Nothing special to me.
C
3
Apr 29 2022
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New Wave
The Auteurs
Some good songs at the end of the album, but overall did not do much. Just sort of there.
D+
2
Apr 30 2022
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Surfer Rosa
Pixies
So this is just straight up noise. Don't believe me ... try "Something Against You". Not bad enough for you, move on to "Broken Face". Squeaky voice and no-talent guitar wailing. But wait you say, they had a hit song with "Where is my Mind?". Have you actually listened to that song? Disjointed, screamy, repetitive, gee what's not to like. "Tonys Theme" - really. Hard to believe the produced allowed that to be included. Then the title song "Vamos" just finishes this album off with bad drumming, unintelligible lyrics and some guitar masterbation that is just downright painful to hear.
F-
1
May 01 2022
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Kenza
Khaled
not my style at all, but I found that I did not turn it off either. Was nice in the background.
C
3
May 02 2022
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Peace Sells...But Who's Buying
Megadeth
I like heavy metal. But something about this just doesn't grab me. Just not polished and feels like guitar noise. So no, it just does not work.
D
2
May 03 2022
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High Violet
The National
Never heard of this one. Sort of fun. Sort of ordinary. But was ok.
Did not like track 1, but whatever ...
C
3
May 04 2022
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Birth Of The Cool
Miles Davis
Who knew Miles Davis released music in 1957? Looking at discography, his 1st album was in 1951. Just did not know it was that old.
Great background jazz. Nothing like what is cut nowadays, but found to be soothing and top notch.
B
4
May 05 2022
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S&M
Metallica
I am normally a real sucker for rock bands that team up with orchestras to perform their music. Was really hoping this one hit the mark, but for me it came up a bit short. Loved hearing so many of Metallica's hits, but the orchestra delivery seemed weak somehow. All of that sounds so negative; I really did enjoy it. Just was not the home run I was expecting.
B-
4
May 06 2022
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Clandestino
Manu Chao
Not bad. Can't see myself queuing this up again, but was enjoyable for a single run.
C+
3
May 07 2022
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Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
Just a top notch album. Helps that it has my fav song by Neil ... "Down by the River". A classic in all ways.
A-
5
May 10 2022
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Wish You Were Here
Pink Floyd
This album has so many memories... I can still remember buying this as soon as it came out. Listening to it at top volume in my '71 Olds Cutlass. Getting high and cranking it up on the home stereo. Opening songs for the "Momentary Lapse of Reason" tour -- 2nd row center in NJ. Damn those were some good times!!
But to the music itself. A wonderful, slow build on the intro Shine On. Gilmour's guitar just singing. Parry on sax just lighting it up. Pure freakin' bliss.
The Machine. Is there a more fun intro? And the lyrics of this and Have a Cigar re. the music industry. So strong.
Title song about Sid: Listening to this on headphones is as good as music gets. That is until it moves into Shine On part 6. Wright on the moog and Gilmour laying down that solo at 2:30 in. OMFG.
Final note. After getting married in 1990, I put this album on. My wife had not heard and immediately asked who was playing. When I told her it was PF, she said "I thought they were hard rock". This album transcends. Rock ... absolutely. But is more of a rock symphony. A story. A journal. An A+.
A+++
5