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Albums Rated
3.04
Average Rating
92%
Complete
82 albums remaining
Featured Review
Headquarters
The Monkees • 5/5
I grew up in the nineties when Nick @ Nite aired old reruns of the Monkees show. My mom adored them growing up, and Headquarters was in fact her favorite Monkees' album. I've never stopped loving the Monkees. Some bias may show here, but I'll show good reason for it! Headquarters is different from the Monkees' previous albums. Not only are Peter and Michael's vocals featured more, but the overall quality is better and feels more authentically Monkees. This album isn't as breezy and light as their first two albums but instead contains more substance. The Monkees were given more creative control for this album, which is unmistakable when comparing their albums. More than half of the album is written by at least one Monkee, along with the usual Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart additions. I will plug the delightful opening lyrics from "My Sunny Girlfriend" written by Nesmith: "She owns and operates/her own sunshine factory". Not to mention, for a band that was created simply for a TV show and not because they could play instruments, the four of them creating the "Band 6" instrumental is monumental as an inclusion. As mentioned before, Headquarters has more depth. There are some sweet, slow songs ("Shades of Gray", "Early Morning Blues and Greens"), but you have the typical Monkees humor ("Zilch", "Randy Scouse Git" - and I swear you can hear Micky's laughter in the back of "No Time") and your love songs for Davy and his girlfriend of the week ("I Can't Get Her Off My Mind"). Sure, it's a similar formula, but more meaning is contained within than before. Headquarters is the first Monkees' album to balance all members without relying only on Micky and Davy's vocals. If anyone is slighted, it is Peter; later albums show how soft and beautiful his voice on songs could be. There's a reason why "Shades of Gray" stands out on this album. But for Mike to have three (!) songs he wrote and sang included, that shows the Monkees' personal influence. Don't get me wrong: Headquarters is brilliant and enjoyable, but I love all Monkees' music. Regardless of the album or the song, a smile always finds its way to my face when listening to them. One of the easiest 5s I've ever given.
Rating Distribution
Rating Timeline
Taste Profile
2020s
Favorite Decade
Funk
Favorite Genre
other
Top Origin
Wordsmith
Rater Style ?
72
5-Star Albums
77
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Buenas Noches From A Lonely Room
Dwight Yoakam
|
5 | 2.6 | +2.4 |
|
Arise
Sepultura
|
5 | 2.72 | +2.28 |
|
Bone Machine
Tom Waits
|
5 | 2.86 | +2.14 |
|
Headquarters
The Monkees
|
5 | 2.87 | +2.13 |
|
Street Signs
Ozomatli
|
5 | 2.87 | +2.13 |
|
Call of the Valley
Shivkumar Sharma
|
5 | 2.95 | +2.05 |
|
Swordfishtrombones
Tom Waits
|
5 | 2.95 | +2.05 |
|
Introducing The Hardline According To Terence Trent D'Arby
Terence Trent D'Arby
|
5 | 2.98 | +2.02 |
|
evermore
Taylor Swift
|
5 | 3.04 | +1.96 |
|
Behaviour
Pet Shop Boys
|
5 | 3.04 | +1.96 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Off The Wall
Michael Jackson
|
1 | 3.78 | -2.78 |
|
Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
Wu-Tang Clan
|
1 | 3.61 | -2.61 |
|
Blonde On Blonde
Bob Dylan
|
1 | 3.5 | -2.5 |
|
Parachutes
Coldplay
|
1 | 3.46 | -2.46 |
|
Murmur
R.E.M.
|
1 | 3.42 | -2.42 |
|
The Fat Of The Land
The Prodigy
|
1 | 3.41 | -2.41 |
|
Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea
PJ Harvey
|
1 | 3.38 | -2.38 |
|
The College Dropout
Kanye West
|
1 | 3.31 | -2.31 |
|
Homework
Daft Punk
|
1 | 3.29 | -2.29 |
|
Live At The Star Club, Hamburg
Jerry Lee Lewis
|
1 | 3.28 | -2.28 |
Artists
Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Tom Waits | 4 | 4.75 |
| Arcade Fire | 3 | 4.67 |
| Pet Shop Boys | 3 | 4.67 |
| Nick Drake | 3 | 4.67 |
| Aerosmith | 3 | 4.67 |
| Prince | 3 | 4.67 |
| Beatles | 7 | 4.14 |
| ABBA | 2 | 5 |
| Alice Cooper | 2 | 5 |
| Depeche Mode | 2 | 5 |
| Led Zeppelin | 5 | 4.2 |
| Van Morrison | 3 | 4.33 |
| Creedence Clearwater Revival | 3 | 4.33 |
| Leonard Cohen | 5 | 4 |
Least Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| PJ Harvey | 4 | 1 |
| My Bloody Valentine | 3 | 1.33 |
| Bob Dylan | 7 | 1.86 |
| Pere Ubu | 2 | 1 |
| Robert Wyatt | 2 | 1 |
| R.E.M. | 4 | 1.75 |
| Blur | 3 | 1.67 |
| Björk | 3 | 1.67 |
| The Fall | 3 | 1.67 |
| The Mothers Of Invention | 2 | 1.5 |
| Dinosaur Jr. | 2 | 1.5 |
| Coldplay | 2 | 1.5 |
| Rufus Wainwright | 2 | 1.5 |
| Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band | 2 | 1.5 |
| Public Image Ltd. | 2 | 1.5 |
| Scott Walker | 2 | 1.5 |
| Kanye West | 3 | 2 |
Controversial
| Artist | Ratings |
|---|---|
| Michael Jackson | 1, 5 |
| Kings of Leon | 1, 4 |
| Deep Purple | 4, 2, 5 |
5-Star Albums (72)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
Serge Gainsbourg
1/5
no, no, no. absolutely not. i don't care if many music critics and personnel find this influential and life changing. this album is about statutory rape! i was going to give it 2 stars because musically, it wasn't too bad of an album, but that was until i got to the sex noises in "en melody". what on earth is this album? i wish i could give 0 stars.
18 likes
Pink Floyd
5/5
pink floyd has an ability to make their extremely long songs sound very short. they take you on a beautiful experience, and every second is full of amazing music. they do use their lyrics to make a point or message (which are noble!), but i couldn't care less about what roger waters wrote (okay i do). the actual music is the best part of this album! i can't think of a single aspect that is lacking. as a fan of musicals, i love when musical themes repeat. the iconic diamond melody is beautiful and peppered throughout the album to give it a cohesive sound.
there are a lot of little touches that make this album stand out. the barely there sound effects--wind, soft laughter, tv static, and so on--aren't overdone. the variety of instruments and how the instruments were used stands out, too. the timpani instrument in "welcome to the machine" creates the beat, and i swear it feels like a heartbeat pounding away.
this album easily stands as one of the most influential, forefront progressive rock albums. it's incredible from start to finish, and it's so easy to lose yourself in the music. really, for being experimental, the album sounds so beautiful. i'm happy to add it to my 5 stars and my regular album rotation.
9 likes
Wilco
2/5
this album was an exercise in restraint. there were some god awful sounds throughout the album, like that loud static noise?! the lead singer, jeff tweedy, has an unremarkable voice that even sometimes sounds like pure whining. those sorts of things soured me on the rest of the album very quickly.
wilco did get something right: "heavy metal drummer" is the best song on this album. it's cute, charming, and there are no awful sounds on it. unfortunately, what that means to me is that wilco is capable of creating good, enjoyable music but chooses not to.
9 likes
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
2/5
Ah, Elvis Costello. I cannot think of any reason why I'm on my fifth Costello album. What did this album offer that was different from the other four I've been subjected to? Like, yes, Elvis Costello and the Attractions can be fun and bouncy, but at what cost? What was the point of using a racial slur? What was the point of using the Final Solution as a comparison in "Chemistry Class"? I am bewildered--and frustrated.
6 likes
Arcade Fire
5/5
uh, WOW. this has got to be one of my favorites so far. i can tell that repeated listenings can only enhance my enjoyment of this album, and i am going to listen to other music by arcade fire, too.
this is definitely an album to be enjoyed fully. the singles are definitely good and stand out, but the album was created to listened to as it is.
the variety of instruments and sounds! the flare from the classical music influence, the different impact coming from two vocalists, it's all wonderful.
6 likes
1-Star Albums (77)
All Ratings
AC/DC
4/5
I wasn't sure if I had listened to this album in full before. Most I already knew, because they are huge hits, but some I hadn't. "Rock & Roll Ain't Noise Pollution" is a great choice to end the album. There's so much strong guitar work here, some really memorable lyrics and melodies. No surprise it's on this list!
Led Zeppelin
4/5
I'm ashamed for a few reasons: 1) I have never listened to this album in full, 2) I never realized I knew so many of these songs, 3) I want to live in the moment between "Heartbreaker" and "Living Loving Maid" forever, and finally, 4) I am now a fan of Led Zeppelin. Surprised to hear so much progressive rock in here!
Parliament
5/5
I am positively blown away! I wish I could have experienced how groundbreaking this album was in 1975. This album takes you on a delightful journey, starting with introductions in "P-Funk". I can't get over how many genres and instruments they crammed into seven songs. The amount of fun contained in this album... I just had so much fun listening, and I listened to this album a lot today. I can't wait to listen to it again.
Let us also take a moment to appreciate this absolutely funkadelic album cover. It is so seventies but I don't care. Love those platform wedges.
The Verve
2/5
"Bitter Sweet Symphony" is so iconic; everyone my age knows this song. It's a beautiful song, and I love the backing orchestra. But the rest of the album just fell flat for me. It was very of its time--maybe if I listened to it in the nineties I would feel different.
Q-Tip
3/5
I feel like this album is the whole reason I began this journey, and I'm only a few days in. He sampled quite a few songs throughout the album, and songs from multiple genres at that. Creativity oozes from Q-Tip, his lyrics are something else! "Won't Trade" in particular grabbed me. Some songs not so much, but I have tons of respect for Q-Tip regardless.
N.W.A.
3/5
how interesting "fuck tha police" was never a single! it seems like such a standout. i mean, the opening to the song, that first verse, setting it up with NWA presiding over a court? i love it. plenty of other songs on the album mentioned police brutality as well, and i appreciate how much of their lives and experiences informed their many (many!) lyrics. of course, plenty of songs also mention misogyny, which i'm not exactly wild about. but hey, something 2 dance 2 is indeed fun to dance to! the beastie boys' songs sampled in 8 ball? fantastic.
Lynyrd Skynyrd
3/5
More than half of these songs were new to me! Sometimes you don't understand the hype behind a song, but "Free Bird" is not one of those. There's a reason it's a classic. Actually, considering that "Free Bird" was constructed for Lynyrd Skynyrd's debut album is incredible! The guitar opening in "Gimme Three Steps"? Wow! This album actually has some very amazing, memorable guitar moments. Some songs were a miss for me, but hey, can you get any better than "Poison Whiskey" for a song title?
"If I leave here tomorrow,/Would you still remember me?"
PJ Harvey
1/5
I wish I had something good to say about this album. I enjoy emotional music, but there was nothing that stuck out to me or interested me. There wasn't a single song I even sort of enjoyed. I was praying for the end of the album to come. Really, just not for me.
The Mothers Of Invention
2/5
this was incredibly experimental! it really reflects a time where musicians were not restricted by record companies and not every song was fine-tuned in the hopes of becoming a hit. how wonderful frank zappa and co. was able to be their true selves. that being said, i will bring frank zappa from the dead, hand him a kazoo, and knock it the fuck out of his hands. i'm glad i listened to this album, to expand my musical knowledge, and i did find two songs on here i liked! but oh boy, oh boy, yikes?
Gotan Project
4/5
This is the most different and the most beautiful album we've listened thus far. What a shame--it looks like this album didn't even make a blip in the US! The album was wonderful as a whole, and I really can't wait to listen again. It was great to work to!
Portishead
4/5
I'm not sure what I was expecting with this "trip hop" but my gosh, this is great! What a wonderful album, truly a unique sound. Some songs really blew my socks off--"Sour Times"? "It's a Fire"? Wow! Actually, "Glory Box" has a very Billie Holiday feel to it. Some other songs I didn't enjoy as much, but regardless I can't wait to listen to this album more and more.
The Pharcyde
1/5
I enjoyed hearing something very different! Jazz rap is a unique and creative combination. How they used certain jazz elements in rap songs? Very cool! But there weren't any songs I really liked, I'm sorry to say.
The Incredible String Band
1/5
all i'm going to say is that if u feel the need to include the word 'incredible' in your band name, you should think twice. definitely of the time period, considering all of the instruments (i do love hearing a sitar!). a lot of yikes going on here.
Little Simz
3/5
Oh, can Little Simz go fast or what! I think she's excellent, considering how fast she goes and how clear her rapping is! It was so cute to hear her British accent come through, too. Those lyrics definitely pack a punch--she doesn't hold back! This album was definitely worth the second listen I gave before assigning a vote. "Venom" demanded my attention during the first listen.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
3/5
Quite beautiful! It was lovely to have on in the background while working. There are some deep songs here, and it's definitely worth a re-listen when I'm not multitasking.
Paul Simon
3/5
i am rather conflicted on how to approach my rating and review. i read deeply into the polarizing controversy with this album; it’s fascinating that this album is so deeply beloved when so much contention surrounds it. while the african music is gorgeous, it is not the place of a white westerner to steal and profit from it, let alone during apartheid. that being said, i cannot deny how amazing some tracks are—diamonds, al, graceland. those songs alone can explain why this album is so memorable, more than 35 years later.
Willie Nelson
5/5
Do I love a good covers album, especially when it's all old, classic songs. Even though these aren't Willie Nelson's original songs, his emotions are so palpable. I feel so connected with these songs, some new to me, even after one listen. Every song is a hit. A beautiful album that includes genre hopping! Oh what can’t Willie Nelson do?
Big Brother & The Holding Company
2/5
The way Janis Joplin sang! It's still so unique, even after all these years. That being said, I'm just not a big fan of this type of music and this album.
Rahul Dev Burman
4/5
i watched many a bollywood movie in my youth, but not this one! so i went into this with high hopes, bias, and more bollywood knowledge than most people have. this album has a pure seventies bollywood vibe! i have fallen in love with the romantic theme, but the other instrumentals are just as good. this album really jumps around in genres, and it can get corny at times with the sampling of english songs, but that's what adds to this soundtrack's charm. a fun, joyous listen. it doesn't have to be taken seriously.
1/5
An interesting listen! I learned some about early punk and MC5 today, but primarily I learned it just isn’t for me.
5/5
i knew u2's hits and of bono's humanitarian work, but i was still taken aback when listening for the first time. this album, with lyrics written only by bono, covers so many topics and political themes. i love pop-y, mindless songs, but songs with great meaning? those are dynamite. bono's heart and compassion come through the lyrics so clearly. "mothers of the disappeared" in particular is going to stick with me for a long time--"we hear their heartbeat."
i'm not sure if i've ever heard of a genre called "art rock," but as i listen to this album, really listen to it, i totally get it. all music is art, yes, but u2 takes it further, on all possible musical levels. every song has such beautiful instrumentation. definitely a concept album. i cannot wait to listen to this album again and grow to truly love it.
The Flaming Lips
2/5
It's... okay?? It's interesting enough, but not engaging enough. A cool concept, some parts could be could be great, but wholly forgettable.
The White Stripes
3/5
Very garage band! It's interesting how much Meg and Jack White could do between the two of them, vocals and instruments. Sometimes simple is fantastic, as in "Little Room" and "We're Going To Be Friends" but sometimes simple falls flat in others. Maybe it's showing me I'm not really a garage band genre person. I certainly respect it, because darn it all "Hotel Yorba" slaps! but on a whole, this album is just average.
Arcade Fire
5/5
uh, WOW. this has got to be one of my favorites so far. i can tell that repeated listenings can only enhance my enjoyment of this album, and i am going to listen to other music by arcade fire, too.
this is definitely an album to be enjoyed fully. the singles are definitely good and stand out, but the album was created to listened to as it is.
the variety of instruments and sounds! the flare from the classical music influence, the different impact coming from two vocalists, it's all wonderful.
Mike Ladd
3/5
I was impressed by this album, actually. I was negatively affected by a group member's thoughts, but I try to go in with an open mind. I'm not sure if I'd listen to this album again, but it had some cool sounds! "To the Moon's Contractor" in particular stuck out to me. There was some lovely Indian music on this album, which was a wonderful nod to some of his upbringing in India.
All lyrics were very enunciated, I had no problem hearing all lyrics, which was so important in "Feb 4 '99 (For All Those Killed By Cops)". That song title alone! I was impressed by his lyrics in this song in particular. Lyrics were crafted brilliantly with metaphors!
Pixies
3/5
i'd say this was average! i enjoyed it just fine and there was some excellent guitar noises, but it didn’t super stand out to me.
since reading dracula, i can say this is one of my favorite lyrics: “is she weird, is she white, is she promised to the night?”
Bob Dylan
2/5
i'm torn about bob dylan. i don't think there's any arguing on how influential he and this album (among others) were, but there is controversy surrounding his music. it makes me uneasy that he's stolen so many musical aspects from bipoc. he does, at least, cover important topics within his songs.
but to take the album as it is: i'm not the biggest fan of blues or folk, but with the rock element, this album is enjoyable for me. dylan's other work is tough for me to listen to, but his willingness to incorporate other instruments on this album helps me. but, of course, dylan still uses his signature harmonica and his story-telling lyrics. that being said, this was a worthwhile listen, mostly for my musical history education, but that's kinda it.
Finley Quaye
4/5
Gosh I love when I am caught off guard for an album! This album was so mellow to listen to. Perfect for a workday. Some real gems could be found--"Sunday Shining" is such a beautiful song, full of hope. "I Need A Lover" reminds me deeply of Prince. I love this combination of blues, reggae, soul, jazz in this album. Such creativity! I am looking forward to listening to this again.
Pantera
4/5
i am thrash metal's newest fan, apparently? pantera absolutely went for it in this album, they held nothing back, they went so metal. i didn't fully realize how into metal i could get, or maybe it was the loud music while working, or those great guitars and drums! whatever it was, it really worked with pantera and this album. i think i'll be adding some of these to a workout playlist.
mad respect for a great album cover. and to every song from the album being explicit on spotify.
Van Halen
4/5
some memorable and huge hits on this album! i mean, "hot for teacher" is cemented in rock history for a good reason. the drums in that song! but hey, all instruments are working so well on every song: the drums, the guitar, the synthesizer. musically, this album is so beautiful and solid. the womanizing and misogyny i can do without, but i cannot do without those guitar solos.
"1984," the opening, title, and lead off track, is a such an interesting choice. it's futuristic-sounding, yet the title is the year it was released. was it irony, perhaps optimism? once the instrumental is complete, the jump right into "jump" hits such a high! this was very much a fun, fun listen, and i rocked out hard today.
Erykah Badu
2/5
a nice album! a pleasant listen while there are some great themes and lyrics. "why world do you want me to be so mad" from "penitentiary philosophy" hit me, today, in the year 2022! every song had such a mellow vibe and it wasn't a bad listen at all. but it simply didn't wow me. a lot of it blended together, and some songs unfortunately didn't want to end. i'm satisfied i listen to some erykah badu and i wouldn't be upset to listen to this again, but i wouldn't seek it out.
The Flaming Lips
2/5
this album wasn't awful! but i guess i now join the many people who are confused why two flaming lips albums are on this list. i understand this list is the albums you should listen to, not the best albums ever, but i remain befuddled.
it had some nice moments, but on the whole, it wasn't anything remarkable. well, that's a lie, because the spiderbite song is going to stay with me for some time.
Ray Charles
3/5
what a lovely listen! i so enjoyed listening to this album. i enjoy a good album containing covers of classics! it wasn't perfect sounding, but that's the beauty of it.
the second half of the album hit me hard. “am i blue” is going to stay with me for a while. charles’ voice really shines in the last few songs!
Rage Against The Machine
4/5
i sure appreciate the purpose of every lyric in this album! rage held exactly nothing back in every song—lyrically and musically. i have nothing but respect for tom morello, as a person and a guitarist, and i absolutely love hearing that killer guitar. morello and his guitar absolutely make this album better.
that being said, some songs were great! some, however, were grating against my precious ears—which i recognize is the whole point of it, 'cause rage goes against the mainstream. but it resulted in me unfortunately skipping some tracks. the whole album does deserve to have a listen. rage's anger came through easily. the album inspires more anger, and encourages the continued social justice fight.
not to mention, this combination of rap and metal was so unique for its time. at the time of this review, rage is up for nomination for the rock and roll hall of fame for their fifth year. i hope 2022 is their year.
fight the man.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
5/5
i only realized a few months ago that rhcp were funk! and this album is pure funk and rap, and i sure loved it! some of the lyrics are, uhhh, well beyond suggestive, but somehow i don’t mind with all of the amazing guitar, bass, and drums. i mean, rhcp certainly embraced their desire for unrestrained lyrics. a lot surrounds sex, but the opening song, “the power of equality,” being what it is and containing some scathing comments, makes sure we know they’ve got more to say.
this album, as a whole, is so solid. the slower songs on the album don’t mess with the flow. “under the bridge,” in fact, remains this album’s highlight. it’s beautiful and relatable, regardless of situation. the rest of the album has such amazing instrumentation—it’s steady throughout.
special mention to my favorite lyric ever: hicks don’t mix with politics.
Echo And The Bunnymen
2/5
i know a few songs by echo and the bunnymen, which i really enjoy, but i was expecting to enjoy this album more than i did. the album left me disappointed, but it did include their biggest hit! "the killing moon" was the standout, easily.
the choice to include a backing orchestra makes for some gorgeous sounds, especially on "nocturnal me." but still, most songs were forgettable and a little too weird sounding for me.
Gil Scott-Heron
3/5
what a pleasant listen! yet filled with such purpose and themes. i loved paying attention to these autobiographical lyrics. i also loved hearing the variety of genres here! i'm happy this album made the list.
"h2Ogate blues" (a rather clever name) deviates from the rest of the album for some spoken-word, but it was so meaningful. i have to imagine it packed quite a punch in 1973. "i'm sorry, the government you have elected is inoperative."
Germs
1/5
god bless the people who enjoy this album, because i'm not one of them. the vocals were just too rough, and i couldn't find many positive things because the vocals ruined the whole album.
The Zombies
5/5
A feel good listen! That sixties, happy pop is still a wonderful listening experience. Most songs made me smile, but the Zombies didn't restrict themselves on subject matter: "A Rose for Emily," a sort of gothic pop song, and "Butcher's Tale (Western Front 1914)," a song using only a harmonium with White's unsteady voice to depict a scene in World War I. Major props for including a protest song despite the album's generally pleasant tone.
I was so reminded of the Beach Boys, especially on "Care of Cell 44"--it's so reminiscent of "Good Vibrations" from the year before. The subject matter, however, is different from the Beach Boys' number, but honestly I'm in love with this song. The topic, combined with the tone, made it stand out!
"Time of the Seasons" is a great classic, but my goodness this album is rounded out nicely! An album that deserves its spot on this list but also on my personal album rotation.
Talking Heads
3/5
i wanted to like this more than i actually did. i guess i went into this thinking it would be pure and catchy new wave. to be fair, this album isn’t bad! i listened to it several times and couldn’t find it in me to love this album. there’s some great, interesting beats here (“i zimbra”) and i love singing “this ain’t no party, this ain’t no disco,” but that just wasn’t enough. i wonder if it’s because byrne’s vocals are rather soft. still a good listen, but it’s rather average.
Fleet Foxes
3/5
once i get past my hang-ups about folk, fleet foxes' album is quite beautiful! folk can be difficult for me since it's so different from my typical musical interests. i must be in the right mood to appreciate the subtlety and mellow tune. fleet foxes definitely make it worth it to pay attention! the whole album blends together, but you cannot find a song that isn't pleasing to your ears.
Sam Cooke
4/5
sam cooke died too many years before i was born, and this wonderful live album makes me feel closer to the experience of seeing him live! the audience's cheering, cooke's rapport with audience, his attention commanding presence.
no one does soulful, romantic songs like sam cooke. what a legendary voice. how he combined certain songs was masterful--i literally felt like i was one of the screaming audience members when cooke sang a few words from "you send me" during "bring it on home to me".
this album was certainly a treat!
Common
3/5
a nice listen! it was a different kind of hip hop here. the soul aspect of the album mellowed it out. this sort of soft hop pop was gentle on my ears. it's nice to hear good lyrics without forcing itself down your throat. should be a nice album to revisit!
Aretha Franklin
4/5
aretha! how wonderful she is on this album. some aretha classics here, and they are noteworthy and legendary--absolutely worthy of praise! but the other songs that weren't hits are just as good. it takes a rare album to accomplish that. her voice was perfect as it was, but it was also perfect for soul. aretha and this album have upheld in the test of time. a charming record i would love to come back to.
Beach House
2/5
a nice album, but rather boring. each song had the same kind of tune, and nothing stood out. i certainly didn't hate it, but it's just fine. this album must be a lovely listen right before bedtime, though.
Kraftwerk
4/5
oh, was this album COOL. this album is so influential and sounds nothing like was created before 1978! it's such an interesting listen, to hear what kraftwerk created with electronic music. more than that, including themes to create a concept album! fantastic. it was a great background listen because of all the instrumentals and minimal lyrics. but even when you pay attention to the songs (and aren't multi-tasking like i usually do!), it's fantastic. what an enjoyable listen.
side note: the german version of "the model" ("das model") is far superior--check it out on the german version of their 2017 catalogue release. actually, it's great to listen to this album in german!
Beatles
3/5
goodness, "and i love her" is possibly my favorite beatles' song. it's so wonderful and tender yet simple. learning that per paul, george was responsible for the guitar riff in that song made my day.
their hits on this album are undeniably brilliant. "a hard day's night" always gets me moving! the other songs are nice to listen to. i don't think there's really a bad song in the bunch. but it's definitely early beatles and i can't get as excited about it. perhaps i'm unfairly comparing to their later, more exciting music. despite that, it was a nice listen and i appreciated hearing some deep cuts.
The Pogues
2/5
possibly one of the most interesting albums on this list (so far)! i appreciate this a lot: this is solid music and is a good combination of folk and punk. folk in general isn't easy for me to listen to, but combining it with punk creates a fascinating upbeat folk sound! but if there was ever any doubt it was folk, you've got that banjo and fiddle. that being said, i have respect for this album and it was a good listen, but it really isn't for me.
bonus: how cool elvis costello produced this! what a range that man has.
Happy Mondays
3/5
this album is in the "not bad" category! really, considering the variety and amount of drugs happy mondays was on during this album's creation, it is quite good. the vocals leave something to be desired, but the guitar, drums, keyboard definitely deliver. i could hear happy mondays' experimenting with this album and touching on so many genres. an enjoyable, intriguing listen.
Circle Jerks
1/5
it’s fine?? i mean, wholly unremarkable. i have heard better punk. i can appreciate the punk genre enjoys going against the grain/system/the man, but circle jerks are trying all too hard. i guess i’m glad no more than fifteen minutes of my life was dedicated to listening to this album.
Frank Ocean
3/5
a pleasant, mellow listen! it was a soothing listen even though each song was distinct and the album covered a range of genres. this is an album to appreciate as a whole, and i'll enjoy it more as i continue to listen. ocean has a beautiful voice, which is rather evident in "bad religion"--a standout on this album.
The Strokes
4/5
first time listening to the strokes and i am a new fan! i admittedly don't know much about the garage band revival scene, but i found them much easier and enjoyable to listen to than other bands of this time. the vocals, surprisingly, are clear despite fogginess. every song starts off strong and unique, and begs your attention.
i'm obsessed with this album cover. black and white, sensual, daring.
The Who
5/5
the who changed music forever with tommy. a concept album, yes, but a rock opera most importantly. it has all of the characteristics of a stage musical: overture/underture, recycling melodies, reprises. perfect for adapting into a movie! the who were influential for a few reasons but i stand by my belief that creating the first rock opera was their most important contribution to the world.
this album takes you on such a journey alongside tommy. yes, perhaps some suspension of disbelief is involved and it is such a product of the sixties. you meet such a range of characters (including a sexual abuser! cool, she said sarcastically) while tommy journeys through a traumatic incident as a child to becoming a cult leader. obviously, i enjoy the story a lot but the music! the who is so solid; tommy's instrumentation is without flaw.
i know this album quite well, but it's still surprising to me that "we're not going to take it," one of the who's most notable songs, a protest song, comes from this album. it has transcended tommy to stand on its own!
"you've got to play pinball/and put in your ear plugs/put on your eye shades/you know where to put the cork"
The Rolling Stones
3/5
"sympathy for the devil," what an album opener. possibly one of the best album openers of all time. but the album takes such a quick turn into blues! it was shocking how blues heavy it was. the stones did a good job with that, especially the subject matter. "salt of the earth" in particular stuck out to me. blues isn't really my thing, but i can recognize that this was blues well done! i do admire a band that can jump around genres.
Femi Kuti
3/5
this was a cool listen! it was something out of my norm and i made sure to really listen as a result. every time the horns were present, they dominated!! the horns definitely made the album great. some great themes here, too.
ZZ Top
3/5
the guitar, the melodies, there's no mistake with zz top being on this list. "waitin' for the bus" and "jesus just left chicago" back to back--there's just something about it. "la grange" is easily the most standout track here. hm hm hm hm.
ultimately, i'm just not a huge fan of zz top! still a worthwhile listen, and i did discover i enjoy "jesus just left chicago".
Jamiroquai
3/5
an intriguing listen! funk and jazz and soul. these genres combine beautifully, and i enjoyed listening to this album. and the lyrics, oof! "too young to die" in particular.
Judas Priest
4/5
this album was great!!! the heavy metal was a work of art. i didn't realize judas priest was so heavy metal--i thought they were more rock--nor did i realize how influential they were on the heavy metal scene. i mean, this album came out in 1980!
it's weird to hear so much heavy metal yet there are two rather patriotic songs (okay one was a bonus track) on this album when they're a british band. regardless, rock on, judas priest.
Basement Jaxx
3/5
oh wow! this was completely new to me, and dang it was pretty good. definitely an album to dance to. some of these sounds were just so good! i could, however, see how some of these could get rather repetitive. still a cool listen.
ABBA
5/5
abba's music is beautiful! i suppose this album isn't considered as good as their other albums, but i fell deeply in love with this album. it has everything from tender songs to their signature fun, pop-y songs. "one of us," a deeply autobiographical track, hurts me even as i sing along. "head over heels" is such a standout that it's shocking it flopped as a single.
with every listen, i loved this more and more. easily five stars, with the hope more abba is on this list of albums.
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
4/5
folk can be such a nice, relaxing listen. folk is a great medium for telling stories or political/protest songs, too. and this album is so evidently rock from that guitar! it's charming how much to a T this album is folk rock.
i was surprised by my enjoyment of this album! i wouldn't call myself a fan of folk, or even folk rock, but this was a wonderful listen! "country girl" grabbed me--boy do i love it when multiple songs are crammed into one. but also "teach your children," that is a song that's relevant in 1970 and 2022. "helpless" hits me right in my gut. that being said, some songs were just okay for me. still, an enjoyable and soothing listen on a friday. 3.5.
Booker T. & The MG's
3/5
oh is this cool! covers can be so interesting, to see what an artist does with an existing song. and more interesting when you take a song and turn it into an instrumental! the music really stands out then. booker t and the mgs did a cool, cool job. not to mention the ever famous, non-cover "green onions," which is always a treat to listen to. nice to listen to while working.
i also learned that a popular song from dirty dancing, love is strange, used the guitar riff from "rinky dink"!
The Stooges
2/5
what this album generator has shown me is that i'm not a huge fan of proto-punk! i suppose i like a more refined noise, though i know for a fact i do enjoy iggy pop's music. i did find something to enjoy about this album, and it grew on me after the first listen. getting past my biases and first impressions is important! "we will fall" is a dark, ominous, hymnal-like song. the guitar in "i wanna be your dog," wow! "no fun" is fun to clap along to! and of course, for the artists with long careers, such as iggy pop, it's always interesting to hear their first album.
Billy Joel
5/5
oh my god! this album! THIS ALBUM!!!!! i really grew up with this, with my parents playing this album a lot. it's perfect, from start to finish.
"movin' out (anthony's song)" is one of the greatest opening songs. the tires screeching on the pavement! "just the way you are" is one of the all-time greatest romantic songs. with lyrics like "i couldn't love you any better/i love you just the way you are"--are you kidding me? "scenes from an italian restaurant," a song that creates such a vivid picture in my mind. "vienna" contains a wonderful life lesson. the whistling in "the stranger" in the beginning and end, tying the song together in a neat bow--then the melody and whistling returns in "everybody has a dream."
billy joel, his melodic voice, his beautiful piano playing. every song is unique and contains beautiful lyrics. you couldn't stop me from giving this 5 stars. a joy to listen.
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
4/5
this was an enjoyable listen! very southern rock and roll. i enjoy listening to artists' first album, because sometimes they had their sound down pat and other times it's interesting to see how they evolved. tom petty and the heartbreakers were pretty solid in their sound, for that matter!
i don't think i was imagining it, but i got a small sense of punk in this album. very small, but makes sense for 1976.
Kendrick Lamar
5/5
this is an album where you know every second was so expertly planned and crafted. every song has a purpose. nothing is filler. kendrick lamar has a lot to talk about and he spends his 1 hr 18 min runtime wisely and productive. i mean, this whole album is pure art! i cannot fathom the amount of relentless work and creative energy that went into this. the album as a whole is so beautiful and thought provoking.
what stands out is that this album is unapologetically created for black people. the songs that lamar chooses to sample. the interview with tupac at the end of "mortal man". the contemporary and historic artists lamar features in his songs, including george clinton of parliament funkadelic and ronald isley of the isley brothers (!). the spoken word poetry in "i". and of course all of the topics that he covers within his lyrics.
also: king kunta must be one of the best songs in the universe. i will fight you on this.
Hugh Masekela
4/5
what a beautiful, delightful album! well deserving of its place among the 1,001 albums. a well done instrumental album. it's fantastic to have on while driving or working. i appreciate the combination of afrobeat and jazz, because this album really became something unique. can't wait to listen again!
Ray Price
3/5
a lovely, easy listening album! wonderful to have in the background while concentrating on the task at hand. it's pure sixties country! it isn't heavy at all, even when the lyrics are somber. it's rather soothing, actually. i should like to listen to this again!
Iron Maiden
3/5
this album generator has made me realize i'm a fan of heavy metal, but this album didn’t impress me, really. it certainly wasn’t bad but it was just good, not great or amazing.
the guitar work is easily the best part about this album! everywhere i turned, the guitar sounds were beautiful and heavy! the guitar definitely delved into the progressive genre but i loved it.
Stan Getz
4/5
what a pleasant, pleasant listen. i loved it all! beautiful from start to finish. there isn't a bad song in the album. the saxophone is heavenly. truly, i can't wait to listen to this again and again.
perhaps i'm thinking too much, but i confess i'm disappointed to learn that bossa nova was created in brazil yet the album that makes it on this 1001 albums list is the one by americans. that doesn't take away from the beautiful sound of the album but it does leave a sour taste in my mouth. regardless, i still learned all about bossa nova and this album is a lovely one.
The Jam
2/5
this kind of did nothing for me. i didn't hate it but it seemed not very special. maybe it was too punk-y?
MGMT
4/5
this album has such a cool sound! a good vibe. their singles are catchy, but the whole album is such steady quality. not to mention, i just love their electronic psychedelic pop sound! i enjoyed this one more than i thought, and i'm intrigued with the rest of MGMT's catalogue as well.
Talk Talk
3/5
i enjoyed this album! it was a nice listen. i was expecting more synth in their new wave, though. i wouldn't call myself a huge fan of this album as a result. it was very beautiful and wonderfully crafted, don't get me wrong. but i couldn't get super into it.
i did realize, after i saw steve winwood played the organ on several songs, that this album has some real winwood vibes.
Tito Puente
4/5
a wonderful listen! the inclusion of albums like this are so important to this list. i always enjoy the international albums. and i am loving these mambo numbers! the entire album is fun and light. the trumpet in particular is noteworthy.
The Band
2/5
unremarkable! "the weight" is such a classic song, and i can't help but love it. that song saves the album. the rest of the album certainly isn't bad, but it isn't memorable. nice, easy listening in the background but that's about it.
Miles Davis
4/5
i think the album's title defines it, no? it's beautiful, and so smooth. the trumpet, the drums... it's magnificent! this is good to listen to at the end of the day, or during the work day! i quite enjoyed it.
perhaps the only draw back of the album is "darn that dream"! when the vocals begin, it's quite shocking for an otherwise entirely instrumental album.
New Order
3/5
i wasn't into this album until i heard "elegia." that's the standout of this album. deep, beautiful, eerie. a nice tribute in their friend's memory.
i like this album, and it's very of the time! synth eighties. it's a good listen, but i don't think it stands as i thought it would. it can be a little forgettable, but some of the instrumentation is top notch. "sunrise" and of course "elegia" stand out in that regard.
Deep Purple
4/5
a GOOD album. i really enjoyed the album, but i found i enjoyed it way more with headphones!
"child in time" is such a standout. definitely allows the album to head into the progressive rock category. i was surprised at how heavy this album got! but it was an enjoyable surprise.
Ramblin' Jack Elliott
1/5
well this was an album! it had a great sense of authenticity and i liked how unrefined it was. however, it is definitely from 1958 and i don't think i liked it. i could not believe i listened to a song about bed bugs. whoever sang dink's song has the loveliest voice, but i don't think it was mr. elliott.
TV On The Radio
3/5
i admire artists jumping around genres and not limiting themselves to just one style. i also admire an album that is cohesive, tight. this album was creative but all over the place. i didn't not enjoy it, but it's at a solid 3 for me. an interesting listen.
Run-D.M.C.
4/5
what!!!! this album was FUN. i had a grand time listening to this album. there was never a dull moment. dmc and run going back and forth often kept me on my toes! they were so quick. the beats are, as the kids say, sick. i admire that, despite most of their tracks being fun, they use "wake up" as a powerful political song.
run dmc were such pioneers with this hip hop album coming out in 1984. but then certain songs, such as "30 days," are of their time. i don't know the last time i heard the word "layaway." (but i loved that song anyway.) i enjoy the combination of rap and rock, too--the guitar is amazing on "rock box"!
rip jam master jay. what a legacy he created!
The Doors
3/5
an album where i didn't realize i knew so many songs! i'm definitely surprised by the blues aspect of this album. they do a great job with the blues, though it mostly isn't for me. hearing the blues aspect of their album was surprising, considering i only ever associated the doors with psychedelic rock.
Aimee Mann
4/5
this album surprised me; i wasn't expecting to enjoy it as much as i did. i wish i found this album as a teenager. i would have grown such an attachment, and my former teenage self is mourning that loss. this album is a four, but i know i will listen to this album more. it could easily become a five!
the songs are catchy, beautiful, witty. "jacob marley's chain"--everyone knows the reference but it's still fresh and sounds eerie. "i should've known" isn't the only song with attention grabbing lyrics, but this song definitely stood out. there's some great guitar work in here, too. lots of emotions, but it still makes for a lovely, calming listen.
so many instruments among the album's personnel! perhaps this is the only album that has dixie cup within its liner notes?
Van Morrison
4/5
my goodness, moondance is so, so pleasant to listen to! i didn't know van morrison made such soft music. the whole album flows seamlessly and smoothly together. "crazy love" is beautiful and has such lovely lyrics. the sax, the piano! the optimism in "brand new day"! this was such a well rounded album. i am looking forward to listening to it more.
Jeff Beck
2/5
the guitar work on his album stands out. covering "greensleeves" is an interesting choice, and i think beck did a nice job on it.
recent news came out about a new jeff beck collaboration. i am certainly being biased but i can't bring myself to care a fig about this album.
The Mamas & The Papas
3/5
"california dreamin'" is one of the best songs in the history of music. it's beautiful, the harmonies are incredible, it contains such emotion, and the instrumental part makes me cry.
that being said, the rest of the album was a let down. it was catchy, pleasant pop of the sixties. but not as memorable as i would have thought. i listened to this album a few times through, and with every listen, i was expecting to like this more and more, but i didn't. the rest of the album is just average and doesn't have the same spark contained in "california dreamin'". i'd be remiss if i didn't mention mama cass, who had the best voice in this group. when she's on lead vocals, the songs sing.
Radiohead
4/5
i felt my feelings with this album! the lyrics paired well with the instrumentation and tone. it was a good, even listen; the album was whole. lots of standouts here, but i definitely think my favorites weren't even the singles. can't wait to listen to it more and more.
Pretenders
3/5
this was an okay album! it's always a little difficult, when an album on this list contains the artist's most popular song. "brass in pocket" is great song and rightly a classic. but the classics can easily overshadow the rest of the album. i can say it was a smooth, easy listen, despite its punk-y nature. i do love a good instrumental--that deep bass on "space invader"!
The Byrds
3/5
this album is placed so firmly in the sixties. i hear some beatles and beach boys inspired songs. "thoughts and words," with its fake sitar sound (they had me fooled!), is definitely reminiscent of the beatles/george harrison from this time period.
i enjoy the variety in this album. i think the byrds really tried to hit as many rock genres as they could! there's a good amount of the peppy sixties pop sound, but "everybody's been burned" is a lovely sober tune to round out the album. "so you wanna be a rock 'n' roll star" was a cute way to open the album, and again it just felt so sixties.
all in all, i liked the album fine, but it didn't grab me like other sixties albums of similar sound have in the past. it is interesting to see an evolution of david crosby!
Spacemen 3
2/5
this really was, like, fine but rather boring and nondescript. i suppose i'm biased because my previous album was another neo-psychedelic album (by MGMT) and i happened to love that one, but spacemen 3's kind of music is rather dull to me.
Thelonious Monk
4/5
this being monk's first album of his own arrangements is incredible. the record companies should have been letting him do that from the start!
this album is a wonderful piece of art! monk clearly had a gift with jazz and the piano. the composition of each piece really boggles my mind. an impressive, enjoyable album. should be a good one to listen to while working.
James Brown
2/5
i couldn't get excited about this. i think 1001 albums chooses exceptionally good live albums and i could see how this one made the cut. i'm not sure if it's because i know of the allegations of james brown or it's the fact i didn't really know the songs. typically when i do listen to live albums, i already know the artist and the songs well. i didn't have that connection with james brown's music this time around. the audience was so lively! and brown really got the crowd going. i didn't initially recognize "night train," but i do know that song from back to the future! i liked hearing brown's rendition and his own lyrics.
Tom Waits
5/5
tom waits took me by SURPRISE. i have disliked other experimental albums within this list, but i am HERE FOR MISTER WAITS!!!! i admittedly haven't heard anything else by tom waits before and i'm looking forward to hearing more of him on this list.
there is something about his raspy, gravely voice. he owns it and leans into it! his songs are dark with deep lyrics. he didn't restrict himself at all. i think everyone who listened to this album, whether they liked or disliked it, can agree that waits let himself create what he wanted to create. i don't know why this is listed as "experimental rock," when it touches jazz, country, rock, spoken word, and other genres i didn't catch. the album has a cohesiveness somehow. i realize this album is weird--like really weird, but i couldn't stop myself from enjoying this.
Beck
2/5
an interesting listen! some good, ear-catching lyrics. beck bounced around genres here. i found it a creative album, but i think it lacked some cohesiveness. it wasn't bad, and i did groove to it! but it was just okay for my tastes.
Fiona Apple
4/5
the joy of listening to music by a singer/songwriter means the lyricist can draw from a variety of aspects; they may be autobiographical, or from a friend, or even about politics/world news. which is how we get songs like "for her". i mean, these lyrics, so striking so powerful: "good morning, good morning/you raped me in the same bed your daughter was born in" and "like you know, you should know, but you don't know". that song wasn't the best on the album, but the lyrics hold such strength!
this album definitely has an experimental feel to it. despite that, it remains a pleasant listen! a lot of the time experimental can be another word for unrefined, which can be true for apple's type of music, i think. but i think it also allows apple to be simplistic. music can be busy and fun and loud, but "i want you to love me" has a beautiful, beautiful piano to pair with apple's voice and lyrics. songs can be so beautiful without all of the bells and whistles. it definitely allows apple's lyrics to remain prominent as she covers various topics.
this is definitely an album i will look forward to revisiting and enjoying more and more. i'm obsessed with the album title.
Black Sabbath
3/5
i can't imagine listening to this album for the first time in 1970! it wasn't the very first heavy metal album, but it's close to and it is so iconic. i can definitely feel the presence of this album on other heavy metal we've seen in this 1001 albums, like pantera's vulgar display of power.
the guitar riffs in this album are the focal point. i cannot believe how great they are! obviously "war pigs," "paranoid," and "iron man" are incredible, carry the album, and contain amazing guitar. the drums, actually, were amazing in "iron man," too. that being said, the rest of the album is okay. some of these titles were, uh, inspired is a nice word to use. the lyrics were probably fine, if you could ever understand ozzy. the instrumentation, however, is top notch, which cannot go overlooked. black sabbath released a killer debut album and set the heavy metal standard high.
Gorillaz
3/5
i don't think i'm cool enough to listen to this album! it was an enjoyable listen and i can see how groundbreaking this was in 2001--and still today, even. i enjoy some of gorillaz' music, but some songs here just missed the mark for me. good, unique, but it couldn't excite me as much as i thought.
Fairport Convention
2/5
fairport convention 🤝 fiddle
this was fine! i admired the storytelling aspect of their songs. their folk sound was pleasant. it really was an all around nice listen, but it just didn't do much for me.
Madness
4/5
an album that grabbed my attention! i had known "our house" initially and only vaguely at that. madness kept me on my tiptoes the whole album. some jazz sounds, some reggae sounds! i came away impressed that madness didn't confine themselves to anything, really. i mean, "new delhi" brings some beautiful indian sounds and instruments to this album. the piano, the saxophone, it was all very enjoyable.
Beatles
4/5
i was surprised to realize i had never listened to the white album all the way through. i enjoyed hearing many new songs! i wasn't expecting this amount of experimental music, though. this album recorded and released in 1968 definitely shows the year with its brand of experimental music. some songs were just weird, but others like "piggies" were charming enough to forget any eclectic aspects. this album demonstrates a more grown-up sound, different from the solid pop their beginning--which isn't to say one is better than the other.
the hits on this album are unbelievable. memorable, catchy, delightful, beautiful. the album balances itself so nicely. "back in the ussr" starts you off high. the album bounces between sweet, somber, fun. george's "while my guitar gently weeps" is the scene stealer. "glass onion" contains throwbacks delightful for even a casual beatles fan. "blackbird" is a lovely, soft number, worthy of its hit status. "ob-la-di" and "birthday" are plain fun, undeniably. how can you not clap along with "bungalow bill"? the guitar on "helter skelter" goes so hard, and edges this album toward some harder rock. no two songs are alike! we end with "goodnight," a simple and gentle song i wasn't expecting for ringo but provides a perfect end to the album.
we all know beatles' songs were not equally distributed through its four members, but george's songs are always delightful; this album is no exception. it's always a treat to listen to new george music.
an album i was so excited for, threw me some surprises, and left me so satisfied. an album which its hype is so, so valid.
The Sonics
3/5
it goes without saying but i'll say it anyway: the sound quality leaves something to be desired. but there's a charm to this! what the sonics lack in production, they make up for with excitement. well, a lot of excitement.
it was an enjoyable listen. it was a good mix of covers and original songs. i appreciate their beginnings of punk!
Bob Dylan
2/5
i hesitate to find out how much bob dylan is on this list. i appreciate hearing more of dylan's discography, because i can understand how he's culturally significant ("blowin' in the wind"!!!) and i can see how he grew as an artist. but i didn't enjoy this album. it isn't bad by any stretch; it's just not for me. too folk-y, too bluesy, too harmonica-y. good lyrics! good message. but that's about all.
Cheap Trick
2/5
cheap trick are an average band and one i’m not overly excited about. it makes sense that the version of “i want you to want me” that everyone knows is this live version! there’s magic there, even if the song has become old for me. really, this is a passable live album and my ears did not bleed. but meh
also—yikes, this sound production is awful! for being such a well known album, you’d think the quality would be better, or that the album was from before 1950, not 1978!
Serge Gainsbourg
1/5
no, no, no. absolutely not. i don't care if many music critics and personnel find this influential and life changing. this album is about statutory rape! i was going to give it 2 stars because musically, it wasn't too bad of an album, but that was until i got to the sex noises in "en melody". what on earth is this album? i wish i could give 0 stars.
Can
1/5
what is this album? it's so WEIRD. and it became progressively weirder and weirder! we had violin screeching, throat noises, dog barking. i would argue on the fact if this is actual music. it's cool they experimented so much but there should be a limit somewhere. the fact is i have a lot of questions for the members of the CAN band.
Beastie Boys
4/5
your mom threw away your best porno mag!
some songs were hits, and some were misses. but their creativity shines through with their raps and guitar riffs. the sampling throughout the album! the iconic "fight for your right"! it's a fun listen and i always enjoy fighting the man. it's evident the beastie boys had fun creating this album because the excitement is infectious. how else do you explain "no sleep till brooklyn"?
3.5 but rounding up to 4.
Charles Mingus
2/5
enjoyable jazz but sometimes it got a little weird sounding. i do appreciate the subtitles for each movement, because it definitely added to the overall experience. mingus had a vision!
Goldfrapp
4/5
i only knew goldfrapp's music from supernature. this album was a complete departure! and i like it. it's serene. actually, it's surprisingly serene considering the variety of topics goldfrapp covers on this album. it's a nice easy listen, almost like you don't have to pay attention to the lyrics, but the lyrics are beautiful. each song is unique and has such purpose. overall, a lovely listen that i can't wait to come back to.
Marianne Faithfull
3/5
her voice on this album is the most unique part! you wouldn't think someone should sing with such a voice, but with the new wave and song contents, faithfull makes it work. it's somewhat off putting at first; her voice definitely grew on me. but she brings a certain charm to the songs.
"the ballad of lucy jordan" rather grabbed me. i wasn't aware shel silverstein ever jumped into song lyrics (though it's clear this is his style), but i dug faithfull's version of the song very much.
an easter egg for me is steve winwood on synthesizers! how neat.
Steely Dan
4/5
this is SO on the boat. i didn't even realize how on the boat this whole album was until i was swaying to every single song on this album. it's so smooth and makes for great easy listening. i could instantly recognize the amount of work that went into the composition of this album, particularly with their variety of instruments! the piano and sax stood out the most, but all instruments had their time to shine and were expertly performed. i was shocked when i read on wikipedia that steely dan called in a-list session players because the music was so technically demanding--but when i pay attention to the depth of each song, it makes a lot of sense. regardless, their hard work creating this album paid off. the yacht and jazz aspects allow for a pleasant ride. it's such a cohesive album. a delightful listen. looking forward to listening to it more.
Leonard Cohen
5/5
the only song i knew of leonard cohen before this album was "everybody knows". while i was looking forward to that song, i wasn't aware i'd fall in love with the rest of the album. there's a great mixture of topics and cohen touches different genres, but there's a cohesiveness despite that. it isn't easy to create an album with every song being unique! this is a well crafted album.
cohen's deep, gravelly voice adds to the album. his voice allows the songs to be lyric driven. you can hear and focus on every single line! you hear his message and thoughts that much clearer. singing with his kind of voice makes for something beautiful.
"ain't no cure for love" in particular grabbed me. well, if by "grabbed me" means i mean "listened to on repeat," then yeah. jennifer warnes' vocals paired with cohen's are quite powerful. "first we take manhattan," while catchy, creates such an image for the listener. then there's "take this waltz," which maybe should seem out of place on this album but it isn't. it's a beautiful opening to side two. as mentioned earlier, cohen dabbles in a few genres: classical, country, jazz--perhaps ironically in "jazz police".
i like the album cover very much. it's a simple shot, really. this shot being an accident makes me think those might be the best kinds of album covers.
Miles Davis
3/5
this album has got to be one of the most well known and well regarded jazz albums. while i enjoy jazz, it isn’t something i seek out much or often. despite its place in our culture, i would not have listened to this album without this list! and its place on this list is well deserved.
i wasn’t expecting the amount of experimentation that was on here. i thought davis would create straight jazz, but it’s clear whatever this man touched turned to magic. i enjoyed hearing what he did with his jazz sounds. despite the long runtime, the hour and a half flew by! each piece was unique and exciting. nice to work to, besides.
Garbage
4/5
i never considered myself a fan of grunge music! but this album has me rethinking that idea. i do see similarities with this album and others by female singer-songwriters in the nineties. the contents of and the focus on the lyrics, for one.
this album is dark and emo! it allows me to really feel my feelings. shirley manson’s voice is perfect for garbage’s types of songs. so many songs where the guitar really stands out. but the bass on “as heaven is wide”?? wow. and no songs are duds!
“stupid girl,” the only song i sort of knew on the album, containing a loop from “train in vain” by the clash absolutely blew my mind! their loops from various genres show garbage’s desire to not be defined.
going to rate this a 4, but i wouldn’t be surprised if i regretted not submitting a 5.
Mudhoney
2/5
this album wasn't terrible. it was okay but it was on the meh side. i liked how prominent the guitar sound was; it made the grunge and punk stand out. i don't know much nirvana but i can definitely see an early influence happening on this album as well.
as a side note, i can see how this album wouldn't come to very much commercial success, but the critical acclaim this album received later was remarkable!
Robbie Williams
4/5
i'm a sucker for that boy band sound! i don't know if i've ever listened to take that or robbie williams, though. i really enjoyed this album. i'm not sure how much is due to williams? i wasn't that into his voice, or didn't find it as impressive as other boy band members' voices. of course, his voice isn't bad and he can certainly hit notes!
this album had a great range. i do enjoy that nineties boy band sound, and i enjoy a slightly grittier sound from the britpop influence. "ego a go go" is a great example of that. also, the horns throughout the album are excellent. williams has a softer side with "angels." i'm not surprised such a soft, emotional song has become his biggest hit. his voice is well suited for it.
as a side note, i listened to the whole album on youtube because spotify didn't have all songs available. i saw some scary nineties music videos as a result. williams is lucky i did not factor that into my rating!
Eels
3/5
i have mixed feelings about this album. i think i liked it! the album had an unusual sound, and the album cover added to that. there was an even, morose feeling throughout. "your lucky day in hell" might be the most stand out song. i thought it was so clever! i do like wit in my songs.
Led Zeppelin
4/5
This is our second Led Zeppelin album on this list, and I find myself more impressed with this one even though the album was the other's predecessor. I may be paying more attention now or perhaps differently, more than 100 albums later, but I feel more expression and creativity here. A worthy addition to this list.
There were some notable songs that stood out. if you're not clapping during "Bron-Y-Aur Stomp," then I don't know what you're doing. A shoutout to "Immigrant Song," which is such a classic banger of a song that deserves all its praise. It's definitely the hardest on the album. "Friends," which I maybe heard on the radio once or twice, stood out to me. I keep listening to it and finding more to enjoy about it. I thought "Bron-Y-Aur Stomp" would've been my favorite but "Friends" grabbed the title a few listens in. The guitar opening on "Celebration Day." The simplicity of "Tangerine." The songs are varied and enjoyable. some were okay to me overall, but nothing was bad.
Eminem
3/5
i'm quite torn about this album. i'll start with the positives: there's no denying how catchy eminem's songs are! these hits are fire. "stan" and "the real slim shady" are such bangers after all these years. the cultural significance of those two songs alone! i grew up listening to some of eminem's music and i never realized the horror aspect of his songs. "amityville" in particular. i was impressed.
but despite eminem creating good music, i have some serious concerns. i didn't fully realize as a kid how often he says certain slurs. or how awful his murder fantasy song "kim" is. i suppose you could say it's only a horror story, but considering that is his former partner's name and domestic violence is very real--well, i have reservations. it makes me very uncomfortable to listen to that song. i always do admire artists who are not afraid to be their true self (he even wrote "the way i am" to show this!). i suppose this is just eminem just expressing himself through music. if you're able to focus on just the music, well, he does it very well! i'll be fair and give a middle of the road vote of 3.
Jazmine Sullivan
3/5
i love this concept for the album!! it's so daring even in the year 2021. the stories in spoken word format in between the songs is a brilliant choice. the stories are varied but still are women's stories. i loved hearing the different perspectives! sullivan touched on so many topics that are important to women and in such a well done way. the album's actual music was good but it didn't really grab me. an enjoyable listen and i was able to really listen to the lyrics.
Blue Cheer
2/5
an interesting inclusion in this project! it’s got a pre-heavy metal sound laced with that sixties pop. drums and guitar were super heavy. the music is not close to eighties’ heavy metal but i can hear the groundwork blue cheer set in ‘68. this album isn’t awful but just fine? i’m impressed as far as their influence but it’s not super enjoyable overall.
Derek & The Dominos
3/5
the guitar on this album... wow. WOW. WOW!!!! i truly understand now how great of a guitarist eric clapton is after listening to this album in full. in particular, the guitar on "key to the highway" and "i am yours" stood out to me, but the guitar was present and amazing on every single track. and of course the credit does go to duane allman as well. the guitar is what makes this album into what it is. of course i have to mention "layla." the piano halfway through is so exquisite, so beautiful, so perfect.
all in all, it was too bluesy of an album for me. it wasn't bad, but just not for me. i couldn't get into more than a few songs. but derek and the dominos did know how to make their hits, that's for sure!
Radiohead
2/5
i'm disappointed i didn't care for this album. i listened to it several times in the hopes i would change my mind. this album's sound was beautiful and took you on a journey, but i think it was too lethargic and mellow for me. my teammate said this album had an "ethereal" sound, which i wholeheartedly agree. all songs connect with each other through the mellow tone. i was impressed with "life in a glasshouse." i enjoyed the addition of the humphrey lyttelton band to add some great jazz to that song! "knives out" has got to be the stand out and puts me right in my emo feelings. but overall, a lackluster album.
DJ Shadow
2/5
this album is an interesting creation. i find dj shadow's process and the concept behind this album fascinating. using uncommon songs to combine together to create a wholly original hour of music... it's a unique approach to an album. overall, it was unremarkable to me. not bad, but it didn't do much for me.
The White Stripes
3/5
Jack and the guitar stood out on this album. Everyone knows about "Seven Nation Army" (which deserves all its praise and acclaim), but the guitar on "Black Math" and "Ball and Biscuit" is baller! The White Stripes hit a bunch of genres here and made no bones about it. We even had a touch of folk? I don't think I imagined that.
There were some unusual tracks here. I don't know if I liked it? Like, "Girl, You Have No Faith In Medicine" is apt even for the year 2022, but I didn't enjoy it. Interesting, yes, but eh. But there were some good weirdness songs here. "In the Cold, Cold Night" is dark but has to be my favorite song here. Jack typically sings, but Meg really shines here. Simplistic but it grabbed me. The cover of "I Just Don't Know What to Do With Myself" shows the White Stripes' willingness to step out of their comfort zone.
There were songs that strongly reminded me of Led Zeppelin. "Ball and Biscuit" had a garage band sound, but if I didn't know the White Stripes performed it, I would have bet money on it being Led Zeppelin. So even though the White Stripes are firmly garage band, I appreciate the nod to classic rock.
I did enjoy this more than their first album, but some songs were misses for me. So it receives the same ranking as the other one (3).
The Modern Lovers
3/5
on its own, the modern lovers is an average album. it was listenable and had some enjoyable parts. but when compared to the other proto-punk albums that i've listened to on this list, this album is amazing, easily a 5! i suppose it's the rock elements that allow me to enjoy this record more than other proto-punk albums, but it still doesn't make me excited. i think i might just prefer my punk more produced/commercialized. it was a cool listen though with the punk, rock, and experimental combination.
George Michael
4/5
i quite liked this album! there are quite a few tender songs here. i mean, "cowboys and angels" emotionally destroyed me. "praying for time" and "mother's pride" deal with tough subjects, but george michael handles them so well. he approaches the topics with sensitivity and care. he doesn't shy away from heart-wrenching lyrics. while i very much enjoy wham!'s poppy fun, what george michael does here is so beautiful, meaningful, and important. i found myself admiring his lyrics. every line seems to be purposeful. his voice is so well suited to these emotional songs, too.
there's something magical about "freedom! '90". i enjoyed taking the time to learn about this particular song and its personal significance to michael. too often on this list, an album containing a hugely popular song will fall flat, except for that big hit. the rest of listen without prejudice vol. 1 carries itself well. i'm looking forward to listening to this album more in the future!
Pet Shop Boys
5/5
Oh heck yeah. This is the new wave sound that I love and have been waiting for! Actually is the definition of moody new wave. The lyrics and the tone of the music make it dark, but there's quite a beat throughout the album. It must the disco vibes! So many songs are just so catchy. "Heart" and "Hit Music" embody that disco feeling! And how absolutely wonderful Dusty Springfield lended her voice for the "What Have I Done to Deserve This?" duet. Pet Shop Boys and Dusty Springfield are an unusual combination but one that paid off big.
I've been looking forward to Pet Shop Boys on this list, and I'm so thrilled I was not disappointed. I do get nervous submitting 5s but I do know I will come back to this album and enjoy it more and more.
Final note: the album cover is such, such a mood.
Simple Minds
2/5
this album just made me bored. it was unexciting and unremarkable. it was rather soft, too, and simple minds had a rather lethargic sound here. the one redeeming quality is the instrumentation on "somebody up there likes you". that was rather pretty and felt like a fantasy. overall, i didn't hate the album and i do like synth, but i couldn't get enthused even after several listens.
Primal Scream
2/5
this was one interesting album. it contained a mix of rock, electronic, and punk. primal scream certainly kept us guessing because the sitar-like sound on "if they move, kill 'em" was astounding! with how heavy and unusual their electronic sounds were, i could hear influence from kraftwerk. this is an album that the focus wasn't so much on lyrics and vocals but instead the actual music and instruments. overall, an intriguing listen but not one i super enjoyed. sometimes the electronic sounds just became too much for me.
Ice Cube
2/5
i am so impressed with the amount of political and social commentary on this album! ice cube held nothing back. by that alone, i can understand the album's deserved influence over thirty years. not to mention the songs are catchy! creating catchy songs with power isn't easy. that being said, there are a number of, uh, aspects about women that aren't great and make me feel uncomfy.
The Chemical Brothers
3/5
most tracks in the first half of exit planet dust were rather repetitive to my ears. i don't necessarily enjoy that, so it got old quickly. since the lyrics were minimal, i had no choice but to focus on the music. the songs did contain interesting, unique sounds, especially for the year 1995! the second half somehow turned around for me--or perhaps i became used to repeated melodies. but i do think it sounded better. "chico's groove" in particular was where my mind changed. a respectable 3.
Alice Cooper
5/5
i must preface this review with saying alice cooper is my favorite artist. i cannot manage to be unbiased in my review and i'm glad to use this as an excuse to listen to a fantastic album.
billion dollar babies is AMAZING. it showcases the alice cooper band's shock rock sound. the band definitely hit their stride in this album--i think it's their best (band-wise). a lot of what the band does here they were already doing: they were writing witty lyrics like what's in "elected," creating creepy songs like "unfinished sweet" dating back a few years, and writing amazing guitar, bass, and drum melodies (that drum intro on "billion dollar babies"? WOW). but there's something amazing about this album that makes it different from their previous albums. not every song was released as a single, but every song is so *good* and so unique. the lyrics are top notch. the group balances well between clever and scary. and if the lyrics aren't enough for you, listening to the piano solo in "mary ann" will cause actual chills to go up your spine! "i love the dead" is horror-esque by its title alone, but the guitar takes the listener on such a journey that you viscerally feel it.
i couldn't say enough wonderful things about this album. well deserved on this list. i wouldn't dare change a single lyric or note.
Dwight Yoakam
5/5
while i lack a strong country music knowledge, i can recognize this project's absence of country albums! but dwight yoakam said, "hold my guitar."
this was a fun album! a pleasant, easy listen. there were more than a few songs that became earworms after a few listens. i had fun singing along, even. it was a nice mix of original compositions and covers from old country songs. as i understand it, yoakam stood right between the old and the new country sound. i like that he took several old country songs (one as a duet with the original artist!) and created his own covers! it was a nice nod to the early country music.
Leonard Cohen
5/5
i had previously listened to "i'm your man," cohen's 1988 album, as part of this project. it became one of my favorite albums, and i realized this album will become the same halfway through my first listen.
cohen's lyrics are just as beautiful, thought provoking, heart wrenching as before. so many songs focus on death and come across as authentic. he wears his heart on his sleeve. you feel his pain ("i'm angry and tired all the time") and acceptance (i'm ready, my lord") as he finds himself closer to death. i was struck by how simple "traveling light" was, yet his meaning is clear ("i'm running late/they'll close the bar/i used to play/one mean guitar"). i loved each line in this lyrics, honestly.
there's a thread of religion throughout the album. "make it darker" contained hymns and jewish imagery, and "treaty" was about his relationship with (and love for) his god, among others. for someone as spiritual as cohen, incorporating this into his album while nearing the end of his life must have brought him some level of comfort.
his voice is deeper on this album, lending to a further emphasis on death. his tenor had always created the focus on his lyrics but more so here. there's minimal background accompaniment; while beautiful, its simplicity allows the focus to be on the lyrics. and somehow, the violins sound like they're crying. the "string reprise" section was unparalleled in its beauty. he's still with his usual folk sound, but there are some blues sounds as well.
this remarkable album is meant to break you. it's dark and deep, and it can be rough. it's beautiful and truly a piece of art.
Hole
4/5
the best part about this album project is to listen to albums by musicians you wrote off. for this purpose, i do my best to enter into albums as a blank slate. i, like many others, didn't give courtney love (and her band as a result) a chance before. but this album! it's gritty and dark. the lyrics and themes are heavy, and the feminine focus wasn't terribly popular in 1994. "asking for it" in particular grabbed my attention; its subject matter is relevant today and has been for decades. i commend hole for releasing a song like that in 1994 when it was rather edgy to do so.
a reviewer at allmusic mentioned the phrase "raw pain" to describe this album, and i cannot imagine anything better to describe this album.
The Hives
3/5
the hives are a bit of an acquired taste. i got around to liking this album with a few listens. the vocals are just okay--super punk and garage but too much. at times the vocals were screeching and it was rough. the guitar is without a doubt the best part of this album. it stood out on so many songs ("hate to say i told you so"!!!) and is what gives the album its rock genre. really, the hives are way more punk than rock! they lean so hard into the punk. also: this album name is GREAT, i love it!
Hole
4/5
i always enjoy when artists change their general sound, and i love it even more when they can make it sound *good*! i had listened to their earlier album, live through this, as part of this project, and the two albums could be confused for belonging to two different bands! the reason i mention this is because of the pop sound here--it's such a departure from their grunge and punk. but hole does still incorporate punk-y aspects, and celebrity skin contains that great mix of punk and pop.
hole has a lot of strengths, but their lyrics seem to be something special. i'm drawn to them in every song. love's vocals are perfect for the punk and grunge genres, partly because her voice isn't the clearest. she brings something great to pop songs with that voice! and i do like albums created around a concept: l.a., in this instance. definitely an enjoyable album and well deserved place on this list.
Crosby, Stills & Nash
3/5
this album was soft rock to a T! it was actually a little too soft for me. of course, it was a calming, relaxing listen regardless.
i had listened to the group's next album with neil young, déjà vu, earlier in this project, but their self-titled didn't have that same spark. i didn't even think there were any political songs, which must have been something young brought to the table. like with déjà vu, some songs were just misses for me: not bad but not exciting. "marrakesh express" and "pre-road downs" had a fun beat, and since they were livelier than the others, i enjoyed them more. i loved learning "suite: judy blue eyes" was about the wonderful judy collins!
Steely Dan
4/5
this album provided such nice easy listening! it was so smooth. i can hear some yacht rock tendencies in here. it wasn't quite full yacht rock yet and it falls out of the year range, but its soft rock genre is right there. there were some jazzy aspects, too--the sax and horn! (evidently the flugelhorn?!) the sitar on "do it again," which i never noticed before and enjoy very much, is very indicative of the year 1972.
i've listened to aja as part of this project, and i can see the evolution between can't buy a thrill and aja. the choruses are still catchy (the chorus of "dirty work" has been permanently stuck in my head for the last 24 hours). the beginnings of incorporating jazz into their music began in can't buy a thrill and jazz is much more prominent in aja.
Elvis Costello
2/5
first, i felt attacked. how dare elvis costello release a song titled "welcome to the working week"?
overall, i found myself unimpressed by this album. it was decidedly average, even if it was costello's debut. this album was not bad; it was quite listen-able. but something lacked here, and its absence makes the songs a little boring. i couldn't even tell you what it is! i knew a handful of costello songs before listening, and i suppose they were his best because the album fell flat most of the time. unremarkable.
for all costello represents the new wave sound, there was a strong sixties vibe here! it's interesting how well costello captured that pop sixties sound. "(the angels want to wear my) red shoes" was the standout of the album. it's got a slight punk sound--which checks out, considering its short runtime.
The Youngbloods
3/5
this album is too early to be considered yacht rock but i'm definitely feeling some yacht rock vibes. it was a mellow, easy album that definitely touched on a few genres. folk (the fiddle!) and rock and a touch of country but that sixties sound is still prominent. the lyrics were quite nice and could be rather emotional. "on sir francis drake" was quite the beautiful instrumental, though.
Super Furry Animals
4/5
this album is all over the place! i do admire when an artist does not confine themselves to any one genre--or two. or three. i liked the range that super furry animals were able to project. it was such a weird listen but an enjoyable one. every song was unique, and somehow the whole album flowed? i wouldn't think this album would work but it does. some songs were absolute bangers ("god! show me magic", "something 4 the weekend") and others were sleepers ("long gone", "bad behaviour") and some weren't as good, but it made for a cohesive listen.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
this project has allowed me to truly hear the blues' presence within the stones' music. this album is no exception. the harmonica and unrefined sound helps that. their blues sound even comes off as experimental, like in "high and dry."
the album is rather dark in its lyrics. out of all the songs, the subject matter of "mother's little helper" grabbed me. obviously that sort of thing was happening in the sixties but i was surprised to hear such in depth lyrics describing this story. the rest of the songs are, well, not very complimentary towards women, but i have to trust jagger that it's done more tongue-in-cheek. there's no denying the catchiness of their hits, though.
the uniqueness and variety of the instruments struck me. the sitar was rather popular in the late sixties, but its presence on "paint it black" could be its most famous instance in western culture. "under my thumb" contains the marimba--so soft i missed it before. the fuzz bass was an instrument that i don't believe i've heard before and it provided a unique sound.
Fela Kuti
4/5
what an important, interesting addition to this project! the pioneer of afrobeat definitely deserves his spot on this list. a previous album on this list that i hard was by fema kuti, fela kuti's son who performed covers of his father's songs.
there is something about the live presence on this album! with the afrobeat (a genre i'm uneducated about and like just okay) sound and the humor, there's some magic that fela kuti creates. the jazz influence! this album is made up of music through which you *feel* primarily. and the inclusion of ginger baker, cream's drummer, on a few tracks is, in a word, cool.
Ella Fitzgerald
5/5
after listening to the shortened version of this album, i knew i had to listen to the full version, despite its length at four (!) hours (!!!). the time i had to devote to this album was absolutely worth it. it was beautiful from start to finish. some credit goes to both gershwins for their songs that remain classics to this day. some credit goes to nelson riddle for his excellent arranging. and a lot of credit goes to fitzgerald. her voice! i cannot begin to describe it. she brought so much emotion to each and every recording so all pack quite a punch. (unsurprisingly, fitzgerald won a grammy for "but not for me.") i adore jazz and i enjoy gershwins' songs, so of course this album was going to be super enjoyable for me. but i wasn't prepared for how amazing ella fitzgerald sounded. her voice is what makes this album a classic.
Sly & The Family Stone
3/5
in a word, this album was funky. more important than the music on this album was the social commentary it provided. it's clear a lot of thought went into the album creation, and i do admire the title track's length of four seconds long. the american flag is an interesting choice for the album cover, too. it's all very appropriate for its release in 1971.
billy preston on keyboards on this album! what a highlight. so many times throughout this album did the keyboards stand out. it may have even been the best part of the album!
a lot of this album was real smooth. there was some weirder songs (looking at you "spaced cowboy") but i can appreciate them. and the lyrics are what really hit home with this album anyway.
The Clash
4/5
this is the punk i've been waiting for on this project!! there have been a fair amount of misses for me in the punk genre as i've gone through the list. i'm more used to the clash's more established years, where i think you could argue they had a more popular and refined sound, but this album is so delightfully punk. strummer's vocals are grimy and not always clear.
i admire songs like "i'm so bored with the USA," "career opportunities," and "police & thieves," among others, for their harsh criticism of society and politics. the clash had something to say in 1977 and were not afraid to say it. the anger comes through with their lyrics and, well, how darn fast they play their music.
John Coltrane
3/5
i enjoy jazz and a love supreme contained covered quite a few subgenres of jazz! it was an enjoyable listen and coltrane was rather talented. but i can't pretend to know and understand jazz enough to hear the subtle aspects for themes, though. for that reason, the album was good but average to me. i have heard other jazz albums on this list i liked much more.
Mekons
1/5
typically i've admired albums on this project that mashed together drastically different genres because some unique, creative sounds can be a result. well, fear and whiskey has changed my mind. the combination of alternative and country on this album does not mesh.
i guess this was music but it was so disjointed. it didn't flow, no interesting sounds were created. other albums with unusual genre combinations were cohesive, at least. and that damn fiddle got on my nerves. i walked away unimpressed and bored. in fact, some of this was not listenable or enjoyable.
Sugar
2/5
this will be a boring review, because it was kind of a boring album. it wasn't bad music (and there has been some bad music on this list! i know this wasn't bad). it was just unremarkable to me.
Blur
2/5
considering blur's "song 2", i guess i was hoping this album would be better and more exciting. it was mediocre. not even one song stood out to me.
PJ Harvey
1/5
i don't know why pj harvey personally seeks me out to make my ears bleed. her voice is too unsteady. it does not sound good. some songs aren't even good when you focus on the instrumentation. i know i'm not usually a fan of folk albums, but i don't even think folk appreciates what pj harvey is doing.
not a fan but i have to listen to more albums by pj harvey on this list. thanks for nothing, robert dimery and micahel lydon.
Bob Dylan
2/5
“blood on the tracks” is an excellent album title, to start.
my reviews for other dylan albums find him very average. he’s too folky for me and his voice isn’t enticing. this album was better than the others and i believe it was due to the presence of rock and more instruments than just dylan’s guitar and harmonica. and he didn’t sound as nasally as he usually does! but it was still just an okay album. i am finding dylan’s progression interesting, as a positive note.
Shack
4/5
we've gotten a string of britpop recently in this project, and by and large it's been "just okay" for me. i don't know what happened with shack's h.m.s. fable, but i enjoyed their sound so much more. britpop appears to be a convoluted genre, so whether or not this album can be truly referred to as britpop, i don't know.
i do know that the whole album flows easily, one song into the other. shack did well creating songs that were unique and can differentiate from one another, but taken as a whole, the songs are even better. the songs are pop in the sense that they are easy and catchy, but the songs are more broadly alternative. some songs are a little cheesy but charming ("beautiful"!). there are some good choices with the instruments. the horns on "reinstated" were particularly lovely. really, just a nice listen overall.
The Jam
4/5
is there a reason the jam wanted so desperately to have an album title with a glaring grammar error? i guess they are indeed punk!
i am incredibly relieved to discover that the jam considered the beatles' revolver as a huge inspiration for this album. in my notes for this album, i wrote "beatles if they released an album together in 1980". it's got some definite beatles vibes combined with punk and new wave. the end result is quite good.
something unique about this album is that i found every song to have a killer intro!
The Undertones
3/5
this album was a great mix of pop and punk and rather reflective of music in 1979, i think. i suppose it's punk that's easier to consume because it wasn't as unrefined as other punk can be. i mean, the whole album did have a great beat going. and it could be quite catchy! the lyrics definitely come off as pop-like. an enjoyable listen and wasn't upset about listening to the album a few times.
Ramones
3/5
this is a chaotic album. to be fair, i think i'd call any album with a song titled "now i wanna sniff some glue" to be chaotic, but i stand by my assessment. it's clear there was a lot of fun involved in the creation of this album and they didn't take themselves seriously. it's fascinating how the ramones knew their sound immediately from their debut album. to open with "blitzkrieg bop" is real balls to the wall energy.
a good album but sometimes lackluster. their hits are amazing, but some of the others are just okay. as always, it's very interesting to listen to a famous artist's debut album to see their start.
Pixies
2/5
this was an okay album. it was the second pixies album as part of this project, and while they don’t make terrible music, it doesn’t seem that engaging for me. i can say they have the most wide ranging, weird subject matters for their lyrics. the banter is a cute addition in a few songs! i don’t know if that’s overdone nowadays but i do always find it charming to get a slice of the real artist on the album.
Love
3/5
well, it's certainly a choice to have six short songs on the first side, then the second side have one nineteen minute song. arthur lee and jethro tull have something in common.
this was an interesting album. i could hear similarities with other artists from the mid-sixties. "relevation" sounded like the rolling stones crafted it. "stephanie knows who" is a little too harsh for me, but the harpsichord presence is of its time. "she comes in colors" could have been a beatles track.
a big treat for me with this album was "7 and 7 is." as a huge alice cooper fan, i recognized the song immediately from his special forces album (a deep cut). i do enjoy comparing covers in my spare time, too.
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
if you don't get out of my way when "dancing in the dark" comes on, then it's your fault if you get clocked.
this album was full of some old fashioned rock and roll. two of the boss’s biggest songs were here, and ugh did he deliver. the e street band backing him sounded great, too.
really, the album left me with a feeling of homesickness. “my hometown” definitely hits the listener over the head with that, especially since it finishes the album. the boss’s voice sounded soulful at times, which definitely contributed.
The Smiths
4/5
the gall to choose this album on the day following queen elizabeth ii's passing!!! (i'm hardly offended, it's just amusing that our fearless leader chose the same album for all listeners.)
this album. in a word, it's moody. i hadn't ever listened to the smiths before, but i understand now how teenagers can easily gravitate toward the smiths. one big reason has to be these lyrics--they're so descriptive and i couldn't help but being drawn to them. they're not completely pleasant ("mother, i can feel the soil falling over my head" from "i know it's over" or "to die by your side is such a heavenly way to die" from "there is a light that never goes out") but they're full of so much feeling and emotion.
there's some unexpectedly catchiness in here. that upbeat tune in "frankly, mr. shankly" or "cemetry gates" grabs your attention, despite the darker subject matter. it's interesting to pair a weird song like "vicar in a tutu" with a beat that's bumpin'. somehow the album flows well, a credit to marr.
some songs here were great! some missed the mark for my own tastes, but half of the album was just so strong, strong enough that i already can't wait to listen to those songs again. i do love those heavy, emotional songs.
oh yeah, following what other reviews have said: fuck morrissey.
Simon & Garfunkel
4/5
i am excited when the day's album is a famous one! sometimes it doesn't live up to the hype, but bridge over troubled water does exceeds its reputation. this is an album where the hits are just as good as the non-singles. i was thrilled for "cecilia" and emotional over "bridge over troubled water" but wasn't expecting the intricacies of "the boxer" or even i'd find another folk album i enjoyed.
the lyrics are, of course, a high point. i suppose that's guaranteed with an album paul simon took part in. but every song contained such beautiful lyrics. i am biased about "bridge over troubled water" but there's something to be said for is simplicity yet the lyrics contain such beauty. and i'm not sure anyone can deny simon's ability to use songs as a storytelling medium.
i wasn't fully aware how many songs i knew from the muppet show! a lovely surprise.
Ash
2/5
ah, not a terrible album but not a terribly interesting one. i gave this album a few listens yet it just came across as boring. unfortunately, i don't even have much to comment on. to end positively, i certainly appreciate how the album title came about! i think it's a fitting and unique title.
Ali Farka Touré
4/5
i apologize for being a broken record but i am thrilled an album like this made this list! there are a ton of western albums on the list but other areas of the world are included, too.
i hadn’t heard of this artist before, but i do know an artist’s final album released around the time of their death can be heavy and full of significance. i don’t think this album is an exception. i wish i understood the lyrics without a translation service, but i appreciate music with lyrics in another language. it leaves more to the imagination.
savane is a beautiful album. while i wouldn’t typically call myself a fan of blues music, i enjoyed hearing the combination of blues with african music. the result is an intriguing listen. it’s very pleasant to the ears, and is a nice tribute to touré.
Elton John
4/5
it seems silly to write that the piano stood out for me on this album, considering it's elton john. but it did! it's no wonder his piano playing is so renowned and respected. the piano was beautiful and commanding in every song. the piano in "tiny dancer" (while a great song) is what allows the listener to become destroyed.
and i must bring up bernie taupin! elton gets a lot of well deserved credit, but this album is filled with beautiful lyrics. while the "madman across the water" song has a soaring piano, the lyric of "is the nightmare really black/or are the windows painted" is what makes the song into an epic masterpiece.
all this to say, john and taupin make a great team. a super enjoyable listen.
AC/DC
4/5
my goodness. no denying the catchiness of ac/dc's songs! that opening guitar riff to "highway to hell" is unmistakable and can bring a dead man back to life. ac/dc, in their last album with bon scott, is at the top of their game here. every song is so solid. the non-singles go just as hard as their hits.
there, uh, is a certain topic that all songs here revolve around, to say it delicately. easy to figure out what was on their mind, just like all of the eighties bands who followed in ac/dc's footsteps. but the truth is despite the consistent subject matter, every song is a banger. i don't know how they made it work so well! scott's grizzly voice and the fact that each guitar, drums, bass are relentless, and mutt lange's producing, of course.
The Lemonheads
2/5
this type of music that the lemonheads had here was very popular in the early nineties, but i'm not hearing much that's intriguing to my ears. musically, "the turnpike down" was the most interesting number here! and i enjoy the album title; it definitely grabs attention. i do enjoy simon and garfunkel, so the cover of "mrs. robinson" was appreciated. lyrics weren't too different, though "confetti"'s did grab me.
unfortunately, this will just be a forgettable album as part of this project. not bad, not great, but nothing to make it stand out.
Nirvana
3/5
i'll start this review by saying i absolutely recognize the significance and influence nirvana had and still has. i agree in utero should be on this albums list! i'm just not a huge fan of their music. upon listening to this album, i've realized a lot of it has to do with kurt cobain's voice. in many songs, i couldn't hear many of his lyrics because his voice was so much softer than the music! that's my personal preference and that was his choice to sing that way. and i didn't care very much for when he screamed instead of sang. ah, i suppose that's grunge for you.
the drums by dave grohl were just excellent. he completely controlled the songs via drums. and cobain's guitar could be very powerful. in some parts of the album, nirvana even edged close to heavy rock/metal. the lyrics were authentic and real.
so this to say, i grew in my respect for nirvana, i did find a song i enjoyed, and i learned more about nirvana, but. i think a 3 is the best i can do.
Beyoncé
4/5
beyonce is one of those artists that i have always wanted to explore, and i'm thrilled to get the opportunity here.
the album is autobiographical at times, which is fitting for a self-titled album. including those audio clips of her childhood/past was a brilliant choice. not to mention, "***flawless" includes such an important message--the spoken word verse!! i love owning and celebrating sexuality via "partition." it's so empowering. "pretty hurts," as the album opener, discusses happiness and beauty standards. beyonce works hard to cover some important topics here.
for someone who can sing as she does, it's a shame there's so many produced sounds. i wish her voice was allowed to stand more on its own. regardless, her voice is beautiful here. but i suppose with the produced sounds, the album is full of a lot of fun.
as a side note, it's fascinating to see how many of these songs have a cultural impact!
Leftfield
4/5
i was not expecting such a cool album. so rarely have we had an album full of this amount and this level of cool. it's full of creative, unique sounds and not repetitive at all. there's a variety of softer and bouncy, fun songs. with the minimal vocals (and i like how not every track has vocals), the electronic music is the focus! according to the wikipedia article, this album was a pioneer in house music and i can't say i'm surprised. barnes and daley put together such a fun album. looking forward to listening to this more and more.
John Prine
3/5
this album was a calming listen. prine has an even voice, which definitely contributed to the overall easy feeling. it allowed him to tell stories within his songs and include a great political anti-war message. sometimes prine even included rather amusing lyrics (see the final few lines of “illegal smile”!). all in all, this album was a different kind of addition to this project. i enjoyed it!
Janelle Monáe
5/5
this is an album that was so artfully created. a lot of effort went into this, and i so appreciate and respect it. i knew a little of janelle monáe's music before, but now i really understand all of the hype behind her. she deserves it. and i do love a concept album, especially since monáe doesn't beat you over the head with that fact.
progressive soul is an interesting genre to use, and monáe does it well though she does float around. but despite that, the album is seamless, flowing from one song into another. a majority of these songs are catchy as hell. some of them (especially "tightrope" and "come alive" and many others) grabbed me, and i couldn't get away from them. the hooks are strong. i'm a sucker for "clair de lune," so when "say you'll go" included its melody, i nearly had a breakdown. the song used a popular melody without depending on it. it makes for a beautiful song. the suites are a perfect touch to start each cd, and are quite beautiful regardless. including classical music? i love it. when she has the opportunity to belt out a song, get out of the way. when she raps, she's brilliant and so fast.
honestly, there isn't a bad song on this album or any musical decision that was bad. i'm looking forward to listening to monáe's other music to hear the entirety of the metropolis story.
Suede
3/5
some of this album is forgettable and maybe even boring, but the second half of the album is special. i'd argue the piano's presence here is what allows the album to be beautiful and unique. there are quite a few songs that are "epic"--sometimes it's the piano, sometimes it's a nine minute song, sometimes there's a classical edge. but i really enjoyed the second half of the album. bernard butler's piano in "the 2 of us" was perfect.
Boards of Canada
2/5
perhaps one of the most interesting albums (so far) on this list! i definitely see how influential this album was for electronic music. it was nice, but i began listening when i felt a little sleepy--not my smartest move. there were some times where the distortion was just a little too weird? i respect the art but it was just okay in the end.
The Mothers Of Invention
1/5
what?
what did i listen to? i’m not entirely sure this is art or even music. the reoccurring whispering was awful and grating to my ears. it was plain weird and not in the charming way. there was a nice piano solo, but uh. that’s all.
i respect frank zappa a lot both personally and professionally, but this was one of the worst albums on this list. i just have so many questions for zappa. i’ll never get them answered. but thank goodness he moved away from the kazoo in this album.
i can say the personnel notes were the most amusing i have ever seen.
The Stranglers
2/5
a nice mix of punk and new wave. their lyrics were weird at times, but i suppose i couldn't doubt how punk they were. they definitely did open the whole album with the lyric "someday i'm going to smack your face." their songs were quite catchy, which is reminiscent of punk at this time in the late seventies. but all in all, nothing too memorable.
David Bowie
3/5
the first thought with this album is that it's definitely different from david bowie's typical music that made him famous in the seventies. bowie's last album being full of dark, experimental music across multiple genres seems rather fitting. to open the album with a nearly ten minute track is more of bowie's daring. the distortion of "blackstar" stuck out to me, and it must've been such a purposeful choice. the album's final two songs, "dollar days" and "i can't give everything away," contain some poignant lyrics and remind the listener that this was bowie's last album.
Billy Bragg
3/5
one thing this list of albums takes into account is albums that contain very different genres! but sometimes the result is not good. i was apprehensive about a combination of folk and punk and suspected it would be grating, but instead it was good and interesting. it was an even mix and didn't lean too hard in one direction.
i was definitely impressed with how frequently his songs obviously reference a political message. not only that, but quite a range of political topics! some even seem early for 1986. folk and punk have a long history of using music as a medium for a political message, and briggs leaned into it.
David Holmes
4/5
one of the coolest albums on this list so far. with albums only providing an audio experience, it's harder to string together a story or theme, unlike other forms of media. but you wouldn't think so with this album! david holmes did a great job using only electronic sounds and minimal, intermittent dialogue to create a story. it comes as no surprise to me that holmes has created the music for many movies and tv shows after listening to this album.
i recognized holmes' name instantly because i am absolutely obsessed with the ocean's franchise, and it was such a treat to hear some of the ocean's soundtrack in this album ("gritty shaker", "rodney yates") in a slightly different format. i can have a small easter egg, as a treat. and the james bond number was an interesting homage, too!
Sepultura
4/5
color me impressed! first, sepultura goes *so* hard in every single song--it's hard to imagine them being any more metal than they are. they aren't music to relax to, but damn, it's some good rage music. but the inclusion of their brazilian heritage is what stands out! the combination of the two is absolutely marvelous.
there have been previous albums on this list or otherwise that have borrowed (a not so nice word is stolen) musical influences, themes, instruments, styles, etc. from other native cultures. but as far as i can tell, sepultura created this album respectfully with the brazillian indigenous people's encouragement. the influence isn't over the top, but the chants, flutes, forest sounds every so often add to the general ambience.
it took me several hours after listening to this album to realize i am reminded of system of a down! that's a wonderful compliment in my world. i'm looking forward to coming back to this album again! 🤘
Elvis Presley
4/5
this is the kind of music elvis' voice was perfect for! i mean, he excelled in a lot of areas musically, but there's something lovely about his voice and how well it suits southern soul/blues/country. he brings such a tender quality to these songs. i'm glad an album of elvis' made this list when it doesn't contain the sound he was most well known for.
Pink Floyd
5/5
pink floyd has an ability to make their extremely long songs sound very short. they take you on a beautiful experience, and every second is full of amazing music. they do use their lyrics to make a point or message (which are noble!), but i couldn't care less about what roger waters wrote (okay i do). the actual music is the best part of this album! i can't think of a single aspect that is lacking. as a fan of musicals, i love when musical themes repeat. the iconic diamond melody is beautiful and peppered throughout the album to give it a cohesive sound.
there are a lot of little touches that make this album stand out. the barely there sound effects--wind, soft laughter, tv static, and so on--aren't overdone. the variety of instruments and how the instruments were used stands out, too. the timpani instrument in "welcome to the machine" creates the beat, and i swear it feels like a heartbeat pounding away.
this album easily stands as one of the most influential, forefront progressive rock albums. it's incredible from start to finish, and it's so easy to lose yourself in the music. really, for being experimental, the album sounds so beautiful. i'm happy to add it to my 5 stars and my regular album rotation.
Britney Spears
3/5
i really like britney spears as a person and a singer! i think she sings well and has great songs. this album, however, was rather lacking. it's overproduced in a word. this album was created to appeal to the youth instead of creating music for the sake of creating music, which is exactly how we wound up with a song like "email my heart"--yikes!
that isn't to say there aren't good songs. the album starts out so strong with "... baby one more time", "(you drive me) crazy", and "sometimes". those are three amazing songs and are still so good in 2023. the rest of the album falls off so quickly and becomes forgettable drivel. it's unfortunate. that leaves me with an in between score of a 3; i would give a 5 for the opening tracks, but the rest of the tracks bring it down to a 3.
of course i have to mention max martin. he's amazing with creating pop music, and it's no surprise his stamp is on this album but most notably the opening track.
side note: it's possible to not like britney spears/this album and not dunk on the fact she's a woman.
Fishbone
4/5
thus far, this 1001 albums list has not contained very much ska--which is already a genre that gets ignored too often. but this is some original ska, before it took off in the nineties and aughts. but more than that, fishbone did some creative work with playing ska with metal an funk, starting off from the opening track being a cover.
i'd describe many of these songs as snappy. it's gotta be the trumpet's frequent and dominating presence! the trombone and saxophone helps, too. there's a lot of smoothness here, too. even though there's some metal in here, the album still comes across as a smooth and easy listen. something this album excelled in was making every song creative and original. it never felt repetitive, boring, or stagnant.
Tears For Fears
2/5
this album is another new wave album that i didn't quite care for as part of this project. i initially considered myself a fan of new wave, but i must be picky with that genre, more than i realized. tears for fears' sound isn't bad, and they can indeed make music--but this album was underwhelming to me. a point in their favor is that it was an easy listen. but perhaps too easy, since i found myself bored.
George Michael
2/5
what an album opener! "faith" remains a classic, a huge hit, and its acclaim is well deserved today. if this album was full of "faith" on repeat, i wouldn't be upset and it would easily get a 5 rating. but this album contains more than just "faith," and it's disappointing and i'm disappointed it's disappointing.
i listened to george michael's follow up album, "listen without prejudice, volume 1," before this album since it appeared for me first. i can't unknow what i already know and it's hard not to compare. that album has a lot of heart and strength. this album lacks the volume and emotion. after starting out so strong with "faith," there's only one other song that appealed to me. the rest wasn't noteworthy or thought provoking. i didn't even find the pop sound fun, like i do with wham!. very unfortunate.
Keith Jarrett
5/5
this album is something else. everything that could have gone wrong before keith jarrett's performance did go wrong! but for me, someone who is musically untrained but enjoys music a lot, i couldn't have even predicted any of the backstage struggles and mishaps. jarrett gave a remarkable concert and every second sounds so beautiful! it's also hard to believe this was improvised, and there's only the piano for the entire concert! regardless of how the concert/album came to be, it is positively wonderful. it's easy to listen to, and the backstory makes it even more fascinating. well deserved spot on this list.
Pet Shop Boys
4/5
When multiple albums of an artist are on this list, we truly get a chance to hear the artist's musical progression. I previously listened to and adored their earlier album Actually, and I was subsequently nervous that I wouldn't enjoy very on the same level. Well, I shouldn't have been concerned! I absolutely love their music, end of sentence.
The Pet Shop Boys' usual synth pop sound is present here, but they've expanded. There's a techno-like sound on "A Different Point of View"--there's even a smidge of a smooth jazz in "To Speak Is A Sin". And multiple songs here keep them on the disco train. This album is a great balance of Pet Shop Boys staying synth but exploring other genres. I get some of the same vibes from Actually, but Very is able to stand on its own and be appreciated for itself.
They've kept their heart on this album, too. The hidden track "Postscript" is so tender despite its short length. A good way to describe Pet Shop Boys, I think, is beautifully melancholy. "Dreaming of the Queen" and "The Theatre" follow that description. Somehow, PSB manage to use synth and disco to make music with such feeling.
I definitely want to mention Neil Tennant's sexuality. I have always admired pet shop boys' gender neutral love songs; most artists just do not go that route. I believe it allows any gender, any sexuality to enjoy any song. I do think Tennant's sexuality encourages him and Chris Lowe to write their songs in such a way. But really, only a queer person could write "Liberation": "Take my hand/don't think of obligations/now, right now/your love is liberation."
Cream
3/5
it is funny how when you grow up with a famous song like "sunshine of your love", you don't think too deeply about the song until you're prompted to like in this project. i didn't realize how psychedelic rock "sunshine" was, nor did i pay attention to how the guitar (clapton) and drums (baker) work so well together. "sunshine" is definitely the biggest hit of this album fifty-five years later, and what stood out to me was how the album was so very full of psychedelia. "sunshine" is a great song, yes, but this album flows so well. the psychedelic rock genre makes the whole listening journey smooth. but of course with a genre like that, there are bound to be some songs that are just too weird. i hope eric clapton doesn't take that to heart.
Joan Armatrading
4/5
joan armatrading has a marvelous voice! what a treat to listen to her self-titled album. the songs here are soothing, as if she literally reached out of spotify, patted my hand, and told me everything will be okay.
every song contains such unique, colorful lyrics, proving her ability as a songwriter. she bounces between heartbreaking ("down to zero") and desperately optimistic ("somebody who loves you") while requesting help ("save me") and remaining realistic ("help yourself"). while so many songs on this album are good, "join the boys" shows armatrading didn't shy away from a protest song. it's uplifting yet the opening lyric (or rather, rallying cry) asks, "are you for or against us?"
Massive Attack
2/5
i didn’t find this album terribly creative or innovative. sure, it was the first of its kind in the trip hop genre, but it relied all too much on electronic music. it just didn’t grab me at all.
i did get some slight prince vibes, but it was in the sense it was second rate. there was a certain male voice that was rather whiny, and not in a good way. i enjoyed the female voice (shara nelson, unless if i’m mistaken); she had quite a voice, one i must describe as alluring.
The Cure
3/5
if i were to describe this album in one word, i would choose "immersive". what the cure excel at here is creating a uniform sound and feeling throughout the album. i found myself falling into the album as a result. that isn't an easy sensation to capture.
this album screams moody teenager music--but in a positive way. it's got a modern feel despite being from 1980. the bass drove multiple songs with its heavy, crisp presence, almost overpowering.
Sly & The Family Stone
4/5
this album is full of funk, plain and simple. there is creativity oozing out of very song! the vocals on "i want to take you higher" demand special attention; while the entire song is a banger, the combination of multiple band members singing and trading off the chorus is something beautiful. definitely the stand out of the album. sly and the family stone nearly end the album with a thirteen minute epic, "sex machine," and damn if i've ever heard a song so funky. and of course, like the other sly and the family stone album i've heard (the follow-up to stand!: there's a riot goin' on), great purpose was taken to have nearly every song contain a message. the influence this album had on prince is evident, too: the funk, combinations of unusual instruments, messages.
Pink Floyd
4/5
there is nothing as terrifying as staring up at the teacher leaning over the wall on the fourth floor of the rock and roll hall of fame in cleveland, ohio (please look up images on google if you're unfamiliar).
growing up, i heard many of these songs on the classic rock station so a good half of the songs were already familiar to me. like other pink floyd works, this is an album best enjoyed as a whole. yet there are some absolute banger hidden gems! there were several new-to-me songs that instantly grabbed my attention. at the same time, the wall suffered the way too many double and triple albums do: it just went on for too long and could have used some tightening up. i certainly don't want to give too much credit to the record companies, but sometimes how they hold an artist back can be helpful. but clearly here pink floyd was so popular that they were given free reign. the album was incredibly commercially successful and relevant in pop culture, regardless.
the main focus of this album is remarkable. in today's society, we talk much about mental illnesses and struggles, but this album must have been significant in 1979. it's still important today, so it's no surprise that it remains relatable to so many. an event or events causing enough trauma to build barriers to protect ourselves? that's something everyone can connect to.
like my other review for pink floyd (wish you were here), i must mention how simply beautiful the music is. roger waters has such a magical touch, and every guitar strum and synthesizer key is perfect, even though i did say the album was bloated. focusing on the arrangement makes the album fly by.
bob ezrin, who is responsible for some of alice cooper's most famous albums, was such an important part for the wall's creation and evolution. knowing how he puts together concept albums, i'm not surprised this album is still respected and adored.
that dang repeated dial tone to tie the whole album together somehow creeps me out, even though it's just that: a dial tone!
1/5
uh, this album was decidedly not for me. it was a struggle to finish listening. i like new wave and i like punk, but devo's album missed the mark completely for me. it was just weird--maybe too punky? the only devo song i know, "whip it," is much more synth than punk, so that abrupt difference didn't help either.
i do try to find a positive thing in every album: the heavy guitar sound ran the album.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
3/5
ragged glory contains a different genre for neil young, while still containing some of his folk roots. some of this album was full of what i'd call jam sessions. there seemed like there were more than usual amount of instrumental interludes, and neil young just wanted to rock out with the crazy horse--which is not a bad thing! the guitar, bass, and drums are positively bangin'.
i do think that young lost some of his spunk he had earlier in his career. granted, i don't know very much neil young music, but when most of the album is written by him, i assumed more political topics would have been covered. but none of us need to be political all the time, so that's just a passing note.
Kanye West
3/5
this album was randomly selected for me on october 31st, 2022, and this was during the time kanye west made several public anti-semetic comments, not to mention other public incidents in the last few months. i hardly know of any of west's music, and i typically do have difficulty separating music from the artist.
the album was better than i thought it would've been. there were some troubling parts that did not endear me to west. but so much of it was catchy. west managed to combine such a soundscape into one album, and the album works as a whole, reminiscent of other well known concept albums. in particular i loved the line from "power": "no one man should have all that power."
Lloyd Cole And The Commotions
4/5
for an artist and an album i had never heard before, they knocked my socks off! not to mention i hadn't heard of the genres jangle pop and college rock before. i was so pleasantly surprised. rattlesnakes was a lovely, soothing listen with tender lyrics. sometimes the lyrics veered off in a pretentious manner, almost like name dropping, but even lloyd cole later said he was embarrassed by some of the lyrics, so i won't hold it against this album.
i feel a lot of similarities musically with this album and the smiths' the queen is dead--which is nothing against lloyd cole and the commotions, since rattlesnakes predated the queen is dead. it's definitely less weird, which probably means less punk, than the smiths.
Public Enemy
3/5
i'm not sure if i've ever heard a studio recorded album contain such a concert environment. so many songs contained enough hype to impact the listener! several songs were created with that explicit purpose. several transition songs introduced certain group members, too. i love it!
the goal of this album was, per public enemy, to mimic the level of social and political observation of marvin gaye's what's going on album. they certainly succeeded! their songs are filled with so many messages and thoughts, much of it about blackness. this could have easily been just as powerful of an album in 2022 as 1986. these two lyrics grabbed me: "five-o said, "freeze!" and i got numb/can i tell 'em that i never really had a gun?" (from "bring the noise") and "j. edgar hoover and he coulda proved to you/he had king and x set up" (from "party for your right to fight").
as a side note, as a result of their frequent samples in their songs, several songs contained beats that were just too repetitive. i do know i'm sensitive to sounds and find that sort of music unpleasant to the ears, and it did impact my overall listening pleasure. but hey, how interesting that a song on side B samples a song on side A!
Alice Cooper
5/5
that opening guitar riff is seared into my brain. it's one of the most iconic openings in all of music history! it's bangin', it's recognizable, it's lively. the riff was created by glen buxton, and it must be one of the most well known song intros. fun fact: the opening riff music notes are engraved on buxton's grave in clarion, iowa. truth be told, because "school's out" is such a classic and mind-blowing song, it overshadow rest of album. but with alice cooper as my favorite artist, i've listened to this album hundreds of times and i have such a soft spot for the rest of the album.
the lyrics! alice cooper is one of my favorite songwriters, and too often i don't think he or the group gets their due. these lyrics are witty and enjoyable. some of it is dark in typical alice fashion. who doesn't enjoy the lyrics from "school's out"? this lyric from "blue turk" is actually one of my favorite lyrics ever: "tastes like roses on your breath/but graveyards on your soul."
considering that the alice cooper group met in high school and this album is the group's second to last before their dissolution, this album reads like a tribute to their respective high schools in a musical format. so many of these songs are about school or reference cheating math tests. a song's title is even straight up "alma mater." i'm not sure if anyone could deny this is indeed a concept album. it isn't as tight as cooper's later solo albums but could possibly be the alice cooper group's most concept-y album. bob ezrin, notable producer of pink floyd, was definitely a contributor. "gutter cats vs. the jets" uses west side story (which uses the school theme as well), and of course the melody returns at the end of "grand finale." the final song of the album is even an instrumental!
Talking Heads
2/5
this 1001 albums project has allowed me to learn more about myself and my music tastes, specifically that i don't like talking heads beyond their biggest hits. i admire the album's inspiration drawn from fela kuti, who i have enjoyed listening to as part of this project. incorporating musical elements from other cultures can be great if done respectfully and well. but despite this, the album just could not pique my interest. so many songs may have had a lot going but came across as monotone and boring. a lot of the album seemed too similar. i'm giving a 2 simply for the song "once in a lifetime." i did say i enjoyed their hits, so i will be fair.
Justice
4/5
from the very first beat of this album, the music leapt out of spotify and into the world. every single song comes across as cool, though that doesn't quite seem to cover it. these instrumentals are wonderful and vivid; they carry the entire album well and the minimal vocals don't even matter. because of how commanding the instrumentals are, it's kind of weird when a guest vocalist is on a track. electronica's foundation in disco is so clear here, too. the disco beat is undeniable! side note: this album is great to walk to, with a peppy beat in every song.
Tom Waits
5/5
As I listen to more of Tom Waits' music, this much is clear: either you enjoy his vocals, or you don't. There is no in between. For myself, I absolutely love it. Sometimes it's distorted and nearly unintelligible ("Downtown"), but at other times, it's soft and tender (see "Ruby's Arms"). His voice choices are intentional and depends on the song.
What a shame that Tom Waits' style doesn't allow his lyrics to be easily understood! The more you get used to his voice, the easier it is to understand. The lyrics within "Mr. Siegal" are so full and paint such a picture. "Drivin' dangerous curves across the dirty sheets." But possibly the best lyrics on the album are in the ballad "Ruby's Arms." While simple, this song describes a heartbreaking departure between lovers. I feel like I'm there in the room with Waits as he leaves.
There was a fair amount of blues on this album. As someone who claims to not enjoy blues too often, I sure loved it here. Like with anything, Waits puts his spin on it. "Heartattack and Vine" is pure blues but the guitar drives the tempo hard. The "In Shades" instrumental immediately follows and acts as a continuation but is more classic blues. As for the topics covered in the songs, there's that pure down-on-your-luck blues, "On the Nickel". "'Til the Money Runs Out" and "Mr. Siegal" tell such stories, pure blues.
Dinosaur Jr.
1/5
i found little remarkable about this album. i do believe it was early on the alternative scene, so its inclusion is notable. but nothing stands out to me. well that’s not necessarily the whole truth. “don’t” stood out because it’s one of the worst songs i have ever heard. screaming nonsense that hurt my ears and i have no remorse for my rating.
The Jesus And Mary Chain
3/5
this album's genres are hard to pin down. punk always has a very distinct sound, so even though this album isn't pure punk, that comes to the forefront for me. despite the punk, darklands is very easy to listen to--i'd go so far to call it charming. there's just a general rock/pop vibe. "cherry came too" has such a sixties pop sound, similar to the beach boys. the jesus and mary chain explored and pushes genres, and it made for an enjoyable listen. 3.5
Hookworms
2/5
this album has a sound we've not heard much on this list. it's electronic, but it's different from kraftwerk and other electronic artists part of this project. not to mention it's such a newer sound, so i'm not surprised it came out in 2018.
while it was a calming and easy listen, i couldn't get into it. it was just too little. this was not a terrible listen, but there wasn't enough to grab me. the vocals were straight forward and bland.
also, yikes about how hookworms disbanded.
The Roots
2/5
like a lot of hip hop, the roots touch on a lot of important topics in phrenology--including the choice of their album title. they weren't afraid to pull some punches in their lyrics. and something i absolutely loved was that "WAOK (ay) rollcall" provided the roots a way to honor and recognize the black musicians who came before them, many of which are on this 1001 albums list. however, including a song with the name of "pussy galore" was certainly a choice, and one that made me uncomfortable. but that's a recurring theme within a lot of music, so the roots aren't the only offender. all in all, i was left rather ambivalent. i admired some aspects of this album while being indifferent to the rest.
Laura Nyro
3/5
laura nyro was a brand new artist to me! i knew of her since she was inducted into the rock and roll hall of fame in 2012, but i hadn't sought out her music before. her spot on this list is worthy! in a word nyro is pop, but she has jazz and folk mixed in. nyro had an interesting voice; sometimes it can be very beautiful, like in a carole king style, and sometimes her voice isn't exactly "pretty." but that's reminiscent of the sixties, and i respect it. actually, this album is firmly in 1968 but i'm not surprised that musicians like elton john were influenced by it. i can hear similarities between nyro and carole king and other singer songwriters. 3.5
Stereolab
2/5
stereo's emperor tomato ketchup is unusual; for its 1996 release, it sounds like it could have been released in 2022. they use electronic to create light pop music, but they leave you with a psychedelia aftertaste.
as i've mentioned in other reviews, i don't care too much for repetitiveness within songs. unfortunately, stereolab in their usage of looped sounds didn't exactly create music that was pleasing to my ears. sometimes there was enough happening in the song that it didn't bother me at least.
this album title is one of the weirdest i have ever heard of. i get that they used the name of a film from 1971 but i still have questions for *somebody*.
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
4/5
i love this rockabilly fifties sound. i just do! it's charming and easy to listen and dance to. buddy holly and the crickets excelled at this sound: every single song contains a super catchy chorus. because of the short length, i listened to the album a few times in a row; before long, i was singing along easily. several of these songs became popular covers over the past sixty-five years, which does not surprise me.
and finally, what a little treat to find out roy orbison was a contributing songwriter on two songs.
The Offspring
4/5
the offspring works within a genre that i didn't pay much attention to as a teenager, much to my adult self's disappointment. i can recognize now this album is great! i didn't realize how many songs i already knew.
smash is definitely punk, but not as punk as other groups in the previous decade. i almost want to call this "fun punk"? it feels more commercial than other weird punk from the eighties. ska's also evident in this album; multiple aspects reminded me of no doubt. dexter holland's vocals aren't the clearest, enough to provide some gritty, punk feeling. if you take away the vocals, the guitar absolutely wails and is more of the rock genre.
Harry Nilsson
4/5
right from the first few notes of "gotta get up," i knew how pleasant and lovely this album was going to be! it's a charming and easy listen. there's nothing complicated here! i adore it, and i listened to it at least six times before writing a review. "without you" is the cornerstone of the album: it's beautiful and grabs at your heart, and nilsson's voice is so tender.
i couldn't determine if it was on purpose, but i noticed multiple songs had an interesting intro. the stalled car sound in "driving along" or the heart thumping in "jump into the fire".
also--what an absolutely cute album title in "nilsson schmilsson"!
The Go-Betweens
2/5
a word that comes to mind after listening to this album is bland. it's not bad but not very interesting either. i get a bit of a smiths vibe, but the go-betweens didn't write as clever or charming lyrics as the smiths. i'm not sure this album deserves to be on this list. yes, it was some early indie/alternative music, but eh. one thing i am trying to determine is why the the harmonica was used.
Santana
4/5
what stands out most on this album is the instrumentals! they are positively beautiful. the guitar on "samba pa ti" or the keyboards on "incident at neshabur" or even the percussion on "el nicoya"--that wasn't an instrumental, but i stand by it. the latin element is present and delightful. abraxas was fun, plain and simple. santana created music that stood on its own without vocals.
i've gone through over 200 albums on this project so far. world music is lacking. abraxas was refreshing and provided a different kind of sound that we haven't heard yet. i had a lot of fun while listening to this album!
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
this album took longer for me to get into than born in the u.s.a, which surprised me when i was coming into this album with excitement. i grew to understand how it's considered some of bruce's finest work: the working class focus, the deep lyrics, the guitar riffs. there are some bluesy aspects here, but it's mostly classic the boss' rock and roll. that being said, while i did come to enjoy and respect darkness on the edge of town, there was something lacking and i couldn't come to love it.
Pink Floyd
4/5
the dark side of the moon is similar to the other two pink floyd albums i've reviewed so far: wish you were here and the wall. the specific, reoccurring sounds (the heartbeat, money clinking, the laugh, etc.) tie the whole album together, like a concept album but also like a musical. the songs flow into one another with such ease, which makes me regret ever having heard pink floyd on the radio (aka out of order and incomplete). roger waters' lyrics are just as beautiful and poignant. the thought behind such songs like "money."
what makes the dark side of the moon different is how hard pink floyd leaned into the progressive. there was more experimentation, specifically the keyboards. there's also this psychedelia feel, which makes sense in 1973. several songs created such a colorful visual in my head.
SAULT
3/5
there is a word that sums up this album: power. SAULT speaks to a lot of important topics facing our world today, and they deal with heavy subject matter. it is not lost on me that this album was released during the summer of 2020. i am sure that's the same for most listeners; if you aren't paying attention to the lyrics, then the album cover will force you to understand. but "stop dem" literally has vocals shouting, "stop dem" and "don't shoot us"--how could it be any clearer their intent? but on this album there is still joy; it's a celebration about being black while fighting.
with twenty tracks at 56 minutes, SAULT created untitled (black is) with a heck of a lot of genres. wikipedia has this album listed as soul, r&b, and funk--all of which are true, but there are world music, techno, and pop fifties sounds as well. a well rounded album.
The Velvet Underground
2/5
as a lou reed fan, white light/white heat was a disappointment. it's made up of the kind of experimental music i don't enjoy and don't find a lot of interest in. there were periods that consisted only of discordant keyboard smashing. i can understand the significance and influence on punk music, and its release in '67 was much earlier than other punk music. but i just didn't enjoy this.
one positive is the storytelling in "the gift." yes, it's weird but intriguing. i don't think i've heard a song like this before. the storytelling was performed dryly by john cale, and it isn't too surprising it was written by lou reed.
Alice In Chains
5/5
alice in chains is an artist whose music i only know from the radio--so only their biggest hits. i enjoyed what i knew, but i wasn't quite prepared for this album. alice in chains go so hard! every song is different yet masterfully crafted. dirt is a great combination of metal and grunge; it's gritty and it's dark.
there is a heavy purpose in the songs combined with meaningful lyrics. while a lot of their songs have a focus on drugs, there's a lot of relatability regardless of your drug status. "hate to feel" must be about heroin ("pin cushion medicine") but covers the pain someone can feel at any given time ("hate to see (wish i couldn't see at all)/hate to feel (wish i couldn't feel at all)"). and alice in chains shows somewhat of a softer side--as much as you can with grunge and metal, anyway. "down in a hole" isn't soft per se, but as one of the softer songs on the album, its lyrics hit home and are beautifully written. it's no surprise this song endures to this day.
there hasn't been as much metal on this list as there probably should be. dirt is definitely a prime album and its place on this list is well deserved. i will definitely enjoy listening to this album more and more.
Curtis Mayfield
4/5
curtis mayfield's super fly is so smooth! it's easy to listen to, and the whole album flows so well that it's hard to tell where the album ends if you have it on repeat. super fly has soul and funk while remaining pleasant and easy to the listener. with instrumentals dispersed throughout, super fly is balanced.
earlier on this 1001 list, i listened to fishbone's "truth and soul," which contained a cover of "freddie's dead." it's nice to see a song come full circle! i enjoyed hearing the mayfield's original version; both versions are still rather funky but have their own strengths.
Taylor Swift
5/5
Evermore is my first real foray into Taylor Swift's music, and it is breathtakingly beautiful. The album can be surprisingly simple at times, like with only a piano accompanying Swift's voice. No song is overdone or contains "too much." Every song is given exactly what it needs. The whole album is really an emotional journey. Swift creates such an atmosphere that lingers throughout the album, so that it flows easily.
There's a reason Swift is so well known as a songwriter. Evermore, unshockingly, is very lyric heavy. But this isn't different from her other musical works, from what I know about Swift. She can create such a world within one song. She uses symbolism but it isn't overdone.
Queens of the Stone Age
4/5
i don't know what to really talk about in my review, partly because this is the first time i've listened to queens of the stone age for more than one song and because queens' style is unlike anything i have ever heard before. they createD such a unique sound. the instrumentals are amazing--the drums seem to always, always stand out, but the guitar is well done, too. they get a little weird at times, like at the end of "i was a teenage hand model" with static and other noise and it isn't always great. but on the whole, a great listen.
Deep Purple
2/5
this album didn't do much for me. deep purple played their biggest hits with extended jam sessions--which could be interesting, for a time. but that's also deep purple's M.O.: progressive music! performing live allows creativity and it's what every artist dreams of.
for some reason, there appeared to be rather limited audience reaction? i suppose that's something uncontrollable, no matter how hyped an artist is, but it's interesting this japan concert was chosen for the album release. the sound quality for live shows in 1972 is good at least!
Spiritualized
2/5
spiritualized's lazer guided melodies was overall interesting, but eh. i was surprised it was released in 1992 when it has such a modern sound. spiritualized did create a very ambient album that was relatively easy to listen to. i was surprised when there were vocals on these tracks. the vocals weren't bad but they didn't add much. the focus was on the actual music in the end, and the vocals could almost be distracting at times.
Air
3/5
what a curious album this is! some vocals use an autotune-like device (back in 1998! 👵), and sometimes vocals are completely absent. regardless, the vocals here are purposeful when they are used; air knows their strengths lay in their instrumentals. air created instrumentals that match their titles perfectly. this album is 100% dream pop, yes, but it's more than that. there's some seventies soul, a little jazz, electronica. it's an easy listen but i still found myself so intrigued so i paid a lot of attention. 3.5
Pixies
2/5
this is my third pixies album as part of this project, and i suppose my third album cements the fact that i consider them just okay. i can, however, see some influence: they sound like an early version of green day in some of their songs. they've also got a late seventies/early eighties punk vibe, like the clash. some of the songs could be snappy and carry a good tune, but then some of the lyrics just fell flat. also, noise pop is apparently just uninteresting to me; making loud noises for the sake of being loud? no thank you. 2.5.
Kanye West
1/5
honestly? kanye's an antisemite jerk whose music i don't want to write about. i listened to the album and it's fine. influential? sure. but i don't care.
The Monkees
5/5
I grew up in the nineties when Nick @ Nite aired old reruns of the Monkees show. My mom adored them growing up, and Headquarters was in fact her favorite Monkees' album. I've never stopped loving the Monkees. Some bias may show here, but I'll show good reason for it!
Headquarters is different from the Monkees' previous albums. Not only are Peter and Michael's vocals featured more, but the overall quality is better and feels more authentically Monkees. This album isn't as breezy and light as their first two albums but instead contains more substance.
The Monkees were given more creative control for this album, which is unmistakable when comparing their albums. More than half of the album is written by at least one Monkee, along with the usual Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart additions. I will plug the delightful opening lyrics from "My Sunny Girlfriend" written by Nesmith: "She owns and operates/her own sunshine factory". Not to mention, for a band that was created simply for a TV show and not because they could play instruments, the four of them creating the "Band 6" instrumental is monumental as an inclusion.
As mentioned before, Headquarters has more depth. There are some sweet, slow songs ("Shades of Gray", "Early Morning Blues and Greens"), but you have the typical Monkees humor ("Zilch", "Randy Scouse Git" - and I swear you can hear Micky's laughter in the back of "No Time") and your love songs for Davy and his girlfriend of the week ("I Can't Get Her Off My Mind"). Sure, it's a similar formula, but more meaning is contained within than before.
Headquarters is the first Monkees' album to balance all members without relying only on Micky and Davy's vocals. If anyone is slighted, it is Peter; later albums show how soft and beautiful his voice on songs could be. There's a reason why "Shades of Gray" stands out on this album. But for Mike to have three (!) songs he wrote and sang included, that shows the Monkees' personal influence.
Don't get me wrong: Headquarters is brilliant and enjoyable, but I love all Monkees' music. Regardless of the album or the song, a smile always finds its way to my face when listening to them. One of the easiest 5s I've ever given.
The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy
3/5
michael franti had a lot to say here! every song had such a purpose and even bordered on educational. this album is different from the other hip hop i have seen on this list so far; public enemy and n.w.a. have included meaningful lyrics but nowhere near the scale on hypocrisy.
the genres itself were interesting as well. hip hop, for sure, but there was some jazz that popped in here and there. like, that trumpet?! it was a good mixture and different from others on this list.
as a side note, the disposable heroes of hiphoprisy is a great artist name.
Frank Black
2/5
i have listened to three pixies albums so far; all were okay but didn't stand out that much. i wasn't even aware they were successful enough to have their frontman go solo! and i'm not entirely sure why. this music is fine but doesn't stand out so much and isn't as good as the pixies. the lyrics are unimaginative. it even seems unnecessarily long; it wasn't like frank black had that much to say so i don't know why teenager of the year is over an hour long. for what it's worth, the guitar was quite good here.
Leonard Cohen
3/5
in his early career, leonard cohen created music very folk-y; his sound reminds me a lot of bob dylan. i don't care very much for dylan, but i do enjoy cohen's later music that contains more than just the folk element. i suppose that's why i'm in the middle with my vote.
folk does allow the songwriting focus, which is where cohen always excelled. his music style changed over the years, but his songwriting has the same quality. it's just as raw and evocative here. i suppose the best example of that is "famous blue raincoat," and it's no wonder it became so legendary. but also worthy of mention is "avalanche": it has the most beautiful violin in the background that adds perfectly to his voice and acoustic guitar. "diamonds in the mine" might be the most unusual one here; i'm not sure i've heard a cohen song where his voice is so gritty. but his tendency to use backup women singers to contrast with his voice began in the beginning of his career! but, throughout it all, cohen uses his storytelling skill to create great lyrics.
Ice Cube
3/5
i enjoyed ice cube's the predator more than other hip hop of the late eighties/early nineties. i am, in the spirit of all honesty, white, and i do wonder the correlation with the actual music more accessible/enjoyable. but there's still other troubling matters; for all of ice cube's focus on racial matters, the misogyny is easily evident.
some of this album comes across as personal when ice cube uses media/audio clips (though some are perhaps fake for the sake of his narrative?) to guide the listener through the album. malcom x's appearance seems particularly well placed toward the end of the album. ice cube created "we had to tear this muthafucka up" in response to the trial of the rodney king beatings, all in the same year, 1992. "who got the camera?" seems sort of ahead of its time, considering how crucial cameras on phones became after michael brown's murder in 2014. ice cube made a strong statement with this album for all those reasons, but the misogyny damages it.
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
bruce springsteen's rock is, on the whole, very easy to listen to. it can be quite calming, even when about heavy topics like here. the fact this album came to be because of 9/11 is no surprise, but it's more than that. this album surpasses any tragedy or disaster. springsteen wrote some beautiful, impactful lyrics that can be and are applicable to other situations; it isn't confined to any borders. the rising isn't about the tragedy itself but rather the aftermath. we can't control tragedies, but we can control our reactions. 3.5
Gene Clark
4/5
while i know of and enjoy the byrds, i hadn't known of gene clark before listening. this album came out of left field and knocked me out. the more i listen, the more i become upset i hadn't heard of him and that this album was a failure for its first fifteen years of existence. it is quite striking! it's easy listening. while clark uses several genres, he never leans too far in any one genre to pigeonhole himself. it makes for a smooth, mellow ride. and the lyrics? they are so beautiful! clark put a lot of work into this album, and i'm so glad i could listen to and appreciate it.
Beastie Boys
4/5
this album must be one of the most unique albums on this list. i was excited for my favorite beastie boys song ("sabotage"), but this album is so much more than that. "sabotage" barely begins to cover the diversity and depth the beastie boys included in ill communication. there's their usual punk and rap, but the jazz and funk aspects are a surprising yet delightful change of pace. the few instrumentals are also a fascinating listen. the violin is so eerie in "eugene's lament"! the flute in "flute loop"? unexpected instruments but with great results. the whole album seems oozing with creativity while being lots of fun, which is what the beastie boys do best.
Various Artists
4/5
themed albums don't seem to make this 1001 albums list very often, based on my experience from the last 235 albums. most of these songs have become, since their release in 1963, the definitive version! to me, that knowledge solidified this album's importance, even if it was produced by phil spector. his idea of using a handful of musical acts to sing several classic songs is so simple, yet it worked brilliantly. each group sings in such a charming way; it's hard not to smile when listening. a lovely christmas treat, even if the "random" generator stopped functioning properly on december 23rd.
David Bowie
2/5
i'm torn on this album. i know some random songs of david bowie, sometimes big hits and sometimes not, and a fair amount about him and his music. but i'm not the biggest fan. as such, the album wasn't amazing to me, but i can still appreciate bowie's creation and c-c-c-changes (i couldn't not). "life on mars?" in particular shows bowie's evolution toward ziggy stardust; it's a soaring epic with intense lyrics. in fact, it sounds like it belongs on that album more than hunky dory! 2.5
Muddy Waters
4/5
there haven't been many blues albums on this list, but that means the albums that do make the cut have something extra about them. well, this live album performed by muddy waters is something special. the audience in 1960 maybe wasn't as vocally loud as other live albums here, but their excitement in their clapping and call-and-response is evident. while waters' voice isn't as clear due to quality, his joy of singing is infectious.
waters is a common influence among the most popular rock and roll musicians, so much so that he's frequently listed as an influence for those inducted into the rock and roll hall of fame in addition to be inducted himself as an early influence in 1987. listening to this album, when i hadn't listened to much of waters beforehand, made this clear to me. several of these songs written by waters have been covered and have become concert staples for other artists. the peppy riffs in "i'm your hoochie coochie man" are early rock if i've ever heard it!
Ice T
3/5
o.g. original gangster is one of the better gangsta rap albums that i've heard as part of this project. that being said, it could definitely have been tightened up. 76 minutes seemed all too long, even though ice t commented on important subjects. that, to me, is this album's biggest weak point. well, the misogyny isn't great either, but that has been part of all of the gangster rap of the late eighties and early nineties thus far.
i enjoyed the various methods ice t used to get a point across: a public service announcement, an interview, a news bulletin. it allowed him to directly speak to the listener. the best part was the opening of "body count," where ice t all but chastises listeners if they limit themselves in music--and then he proceeds to bang out a great rock and punk song. that was the standout of the album, and allowed ice t to flex his music muscles.
Jean-Michel Jarre
4/5
there have been a handful of instrumental only albums so far. in a word, this is ethereal. it's an incredibly easy listen; its beauty forces you to slow down, relax. there are no rough or discordant sounds. everything stylized by jarre is done to bring peace to the listener.
this album was incredibly ahead of its time with being released in december 1976. there's a timeless aspect about this album; it feels like it was simultaneously created in the seventies, eighties, nineties, and now. the synthesizer and electric sounds were delightfully eighties! the space sounds had a slight E.L.O. feel to them, but perhaps that's what makes the album as a whole sound so timeless.
The Avalanches
2/5
since i left you contains a lot of sampledelia; i've mentioned this before, but suffice to say, sometimes i worry sampling shows more of a lack of creativity and doesn't allow an artist to create their own music. the songs that didn't rely too much on sampling other pieces of work were better. the album alternated between easy listening and dance music, an interesting combination. there were some noises early in the album that were incredibly jarring and unpleasant. all in all, a forgettable listen.
David Bowie
3/5
aladdin sane is my third bowie album as part of this project, with lots more sure to come, and i immediately find myself admiring how different his music was throughout the decades. the biggest component of aladdin sane is definitely the piano provided by mike garson. the piano is on every track and drives the music often.
i’m not so sure how glam this album was, in the long run. it’s a toned down version of other glam rock in the eighties, but you do have to walk before you can crawl.
Grateful Dead
4/5
grateful dead are easy listening! there's a country charm within american beauty, and i can't help but ease back as i listen. it's folk rock, which is much easier for me to digest than plain folk. their lyrics aren't too complicated, their melodies simple. sometimes their songs blended together as a result, but i can't complain too much. it made for such a lovely listen.
D'Angelo
2/5
d'angelo's brown sugar is incredibly smooth. all songs were of the same build: some funk, some soul, lots of romance. it ended up sounding rather one note. this sometimes happens to an album that spurred a large music trend. without a doubt, d'angelo influenced r&b for the late nineties.
i was heavily reminded of prince during some of this whole album. even moreso when i discovered d'angelo created these songs in their entirety almost completely by himself! i admire the creation decision and dedication. outside of that, the musical similarities to prince were too much. the album came across was unoriginal as a result. not terrible sounding, but there was only ever one prince.
Wilco
2/5
this album was an exercise in restraint. there were some god awful sounds throughout the album, like that loud static noise?! the lead singer, jeff tweedy, has an unremarkable voice that even sometimes sounds like pure whining. those sorts of things soured me on the rest of the album very quickly.
wilco did get something right: "heavy metal drummer" is the best song on this album. it's cute, charming, and there are no awful sounds on it. unfortunately, what that means to me is that wilco is capable of creating good, enjoyable music but chooses not to.
Franz Ferdinand
2/5
the amount of punk within franz ferdinand's self-titled album took me by surprise! their punk is catchy, too--you just need to listen to "take me out" once to agree. musically, the drums absolutely stood out the most throughout the album. the lyrics were witty, creative, and created some good imagery. some of the album seemed to meld together and could be lackluster, which was surprising considering how much of a banger "take me out" is. 2.5
OutKast
4/5
admittedly, i don't know very much about hip hop, but i know outkast's stankonia wasn't typical hip hop, especially compared to what i've heard thus far on this project. sure, it had the rapping and good beats! but it was a breath of fresh air in comparison to other hip hop albums--especially because of the purposeful lack of misogyny here. the satire song "we luv deez hoez" was amusing for that reason.
progressive rap isn't exactly a common genre, and outkast might be one of the few to make it sound good. and to combine it with funk? wow! i found every song to be a creative endeavor. outkast didn't rely just on rapping for their vocals (though it is clear especially in "b.o.b." that they are talented rappers!), and that choice allows the album to not feel stale. at 73 minutes it is a long listen, but with the different genres and vocals, the time is well spent. and like many other hip hop albums, outkast chooses important subjects for their songs. "gasoline dreams" stood out to me for that reason with its lyrics.
that being said, i've found myself interested in this album in a few different ways. upon repeat listens, there's more and more to notice. it's well done and deserving of its place here. but for me? it just isn't something i'd revisit frequently. a 3.5 as a compromise.
Boston
5/5
boston hit the nail on the head so accurately right out of the gate in their debut album. side a is filled with solid gold bangers, and side b doesn’t suffer like many albums do with stellar hits. side b holds its own! there are no duds, only jams.
boston’s lyrics and vocals can be powerful—but the guitar? the drums? the keyboards?? they’re all given a time to shine on this album with their own solos. some of these guitar riffs are some of the most famous out there! their instrumentals, notably but definitely not restricted to “foreplay”, are beautiful and go so hard. the second half of “smokin’”? wow! there are no boring or lazy components to be found.
Sarah Vaughan
3/5
at mister kelly's was a charming album. small details can go a long way: the falling R on the album cover, the introduction on the first song about the entire audience being mercury recording artists for the night, vaughan needing to find "a key" in the beginning of "willow weep for me". it was extremely easy to listen to this album. vaughan had a lovely voice and sings these songs beautifully with her backing band. but i suppose it was a little too easy because the songs melted into one another. there was nothing bad about this album; it just didn't have much to make it stand out.
Solange
2/5
i found myself unimpressed with this album. i wanted to be fair to this album when the artist is beyonce's sister. while solange discusses empowerment and injustice and other worthy topics, the music itself is just okay. not that it's bad! it's that beautiful soul music with an updated edge with some great funk. but it isn't memorable. every song left my head as soon as it ended.
as a final note, i don't care for the decision to include interludes that were not performed by solange. they were all written by solange, unless if i'm mistaken, so it is her perspective. but i wanted to hear her voice--it's her album, after all.
Meat Loaf
5/5
i had a hell of a lot of fun listening to this album! it's maybe over the top, potentially cheesy, but who cares when you're having this amount of fun?? these choruses are extremely catchy--i dare you not to sing along.
this album is one that's meant to be enjoyed as a whole. jim steinman, the composer, made sure of that. each song by itself is a soaring, epic masterpiece. together, all songs could almost be overwhelming--but there's also this whimsical feel, like meat loaf and steinman didn't take themselves too seriously. the piano and saxophone are beautiful intermittent touches. not to mention, meat loaf is actually a good singer! this album couldn't work without that talent. when he holds the notes at the end of "for crying out loud" or "bat out of hell," oof!
The Doors
3/5
it's always fascinating when an artist releases their debut album and knew exactly at that moment what they wanted to do. this self-titled album contains that very psychedelic rock sound that the doors cultivated. i knew a good amount of these songs already, due to my upbringing on classic rock radio, but i was struck how progressive the doors could be. most of their songs are under or around three minutes, but their two longer songs show their intrigue in experimentation. the keyboard instrumental in "light my fire" is a perfect example of this.
mostly, psychedelic rock isn't for me. it's kind of too weird for me! the doors' hits are undoubtedly good, but with the non-hits being too different to enjoy, sometimes i wonder if i don't like them as much because i did not live through the sixties. no matter--still a worthy entry to this albums project.
The Electric Prunes
3/5
i certainly didn't expect this type of music out of a band called "the electric prunes." i found a lot of similarities between the monkees--unfortunately in how the prunes didn't get much of an opportunity to play their own music and create their own lyrics. this album has the same feel as the early monkees albums, too. it's rather simplistic and straightforward. too many songs were lyrically not bad, but the opening lyric was the title of the song. overall pop-y and easy to listen to, but not super engaging.
The Divine Comedy
2/5
somehow the divine comedy's casanova comes across as pretentious, like they're trying too hard. i'm not sure if this is because i'm an american and band is british. but even though the music isn't bad, i'm left with such a sour taste in my mouth and i find it hard to enjoy much of the music.
in the spirit of saying something positive: i liked the usage of several melodies from classical songs interspersed throughout. and the backing orchestra can be quite beautiful! it's pleasant enough, but overall, eh.
Neneh Cherry
3/5
this is an album that surprised me! it sounded fresh for 1989, even though it came in at the end of the eighties with lots of synthesizers. there was some good variety and even some dance songs were included, but it stayed easy and smooth enough. and there were some cute rhymes in here! before i knew it, i had listened to this album a few times over.
Arcade Fire
5/5
oh, wow. i really liked this! neon bible was beautiful, especially whenever unusual instruments popped up. "my body is a cage" utilizing the organ took the album's end to such heights. the lyrics can be moody (typical of indie music in the aughts!) but heartfelt. the album's theme was an interesting focus; i'm not sure if there's another album that covers television preachers like this. "neon bible" and "(antichrist television blues)" drive arcade fire's point home. if the album is to have any weakness, most songs do blend into one another. but i find it hard to mind when the album is breathtaking. i struggled to write this review, but i didn't mind listening to this album over and over.
The Mars Volta
4/5
all music is intrinsically art by nature, but some albums, such as de-loused in the comatorium, are so purposefully made that you are smacked in the face.
since it's progressive music, the album can be jarring at times but it isn't overwhelmingly so. overall the sound is better when it's not so distorted or discordant--but that is their style so i won't split hairs. progressive metal is definitely not a common genre, but whenever an artist utilizes progressive music, they must be top notch musically. volta's drums and guitar stood out multiple times--and imagine my surprise discovering flea was the bassist for most tracks here! the lyrics are strong and well crafted. the mars volta is a band with a vocalist (cedric bixler-zavala) who is incredibly well-suited for this kind of music. 3.5
Sufjan Stevens
2/5
sufjan stevens' illinois is very dense. i get that's kind of the standard for his indie folk music, but i can't really say i enjoyed much of it. i did find it varied. "jacksonville" started off with the most beautiful violins, but then we have a banjo quickly thrown into the mix. quite a lot of instruments were included. it's lyric heavy in the sense that it's so hard to focus when stevens is coming at you with so much. while i enjoy concept albums, it's just *too much* at the end of the day.
Black Sabbath
3/5
This album feels like a mix between Black Sabbath's usual sound and Led Zeppelin, which also makes it sound very much from 1970. It's got a classic rock feel and you have progressive moments the second an instrumental part begins playing. The bass sometimes had a gritty sound, and the drums and guitar were positively jamming. And speaking of instrumentals, that album opening is absolutely aces. If an artist's debut album is going to catch anybody's attention, you need to do it like Black Sabbath. Definitely a debut album that's enjoyable, but it felt like something was missing--perhaps because I know some of Black Sabbath's later career. Still a worthy listen. 3.5
Faith No More
4/5
1989, when this album was released, was quite an interesting place for music in hindsight. the eighties and rock and roll were winding down, and metal and alternative were about to blow up. after listening, it's no surprise when this album was released. it has an eighties touch but it's facing forward, especially with the metal. i heard some similarities with pantera and system of a down, and i have no doubt that faith no more served as some influence. there's a pinch of hip hop in here, too, so again forward facing to the gangster rap of the early nineties.
overall, one of the most unusual albums part of this project but an enjoyable one.
Supertramp
3/5
what i know of supertramp is their catchy hits! i knew a few songs here beforehand (i wasn't even aware i knew "bloody well right"!), but crime of the century is missing that catchy earworm aspect that makes supertramp so fun to listen to. so while it's far from bad, crime of the century shows supertramp was definitely working up to their usual sound. they were more progressive here than their big later hits, so much so that i felt that this was an off brand pink floyd. and the horns popping up or the harmonica opening a song? not bad at all.
Queen
4/5
despite sheer heart attack being an early queen album, it contains that usual queen charm. it also contains the great glam and hard rock sound they were known for! sheer heart attack is their third album but is the first album to contain one of their biggest hits, which happened to be "killer queen". as such, most of this album was new for me. it was incredibly enjoyable, and i had no problem listening to this album multiple times.
if i had to pick one instrument from this album, it is undoubtedly the guitar. brian may absolutely KILLS the guitar during multiple tracks. opening the album with "brighton rock" and that guitar, wow! but also, "bring back that leroy brown" is somehow catchy yet weird. the instruments used in that song were an unusual combination but it turned out good. i guess that's queen in a nutshell! freddie mercury is synonymous with queen since he was their frontman, but it's lovely to hear other band mates' voices, too.
The Icarus Line
1/5
thus far, one of the least enjoyable albums in this list. i couldn't find much remarkable about this album. it was an exercise in patience when there was mindless screaming or feedback noises. i can't tell if i found it boring when i actively disliked it? but i can say it was unimpressive.
The Temptations
3/5
cloud nine didn't contain the kind of music the temptations are known for, but they're hard to pin down because throughout their long history, they have moved around genres often. i was surprised how funky and soulful this album was. the temptations' cover of "heard it through the grapevine" startled me, as someone who is so used to marvin gaye's own cover. i found it fascinating how the temptations created their version. while it was rather pleasant to listen to, it lacked that spark in other temptations' music. i couldn't get too excited, though i do enjoy the temptations a lot.
Hüsker Dü
2/5
eh. warehouse: songs and stories was an okay album that didn't wasn't remarkable. it wasn't bad music but the lyrics were just okay, the vocalist wasn't impressive, and the music was fine. this album was released in the age of hair metal. if i put money on when this album was released, it would be the mid nineties, not 1987. is this album on the list because it was ahead of its time? i guess, but ehhh.
Stevie Wonder
4/5
stevie wonder's talking book is positively beautiful. wonder bounces around a few genres: his signature soul, funk inspired by the seventies--there's even a folk-like song. it's a good mix! in multiple tracks, wonder's voice is full of emotion, resulting in tender songs. his piano definitely adds to these songs. he creates such smooth songs and all of a sudden i have tears in my eyes during multiple songs. an enjoyable listen, well deserving of its spot here. 4.5
The La's
2/5
the la's self-titled album was more punk than i was expecting when when wikipedia listed the genres as pop and rock. not much stood out to me on this album. though it wasn't bad, it wasn't great--not even deserving of a 3, i think. it wasn't jarring, to its credit, and it was easy enough to listen to. but a little too even without anything interesting to jump out.
Pere Ubu
1/5
i've hit a point in my reviews that i'm tired of using the word unremarkable so i've begun using an online thesaurus. pere ubu's dub housing is unexceptional and pointless at best. i can sort of understand its importance in punk history, but whatever. there's better punk out there. and i'm tired of hearing so many distorted noises for no purpose!
King Crimson
2/5
some of this album was startlingly beautiful. the drums in "exiles", or the violin in "larks' tongue in aspic (part i)"--they could make such beautiful music! but then a lot of it was weird. i'm not sure what the purpose was to make the violin sound abysmally terrible. and some of it was just average: it didn't stand out too much but most wasn't awful to my ears. i guess i just have some questions to ask of king crimson. a polite 2.5.
The Cure
3/5
i've previously listened to a prior album of the cure's, seventeen seconds, as part of this list. the cure has more of an evolved sound here, and they do more, too. they're still dark, but there's more depth in general, notably in their lyrics. and of course there's "love song," and it's no wonder it's still such a well known song often covered.
i do think this is an album i would've enjoyed more as a teenager. the cure create good music, but this album didn't hit so much for me at my current age. so a 3 to show i respect and value this album's place on this list but it's an album not for me.
Spiritualized
3/5
this was an unusual album! overall it was peaceful, ethereal. there's a sci fi element, too--which has definitely been done before, but with the muted and easy tone of the album, the combination is what made it unique. somehow the entire album had this muted tone, like it always felt farther away as you reached. that allowed the album to be cohesive. spiritualized went in a lot of different directions but didn't lean too much in one direction, yet that muted sense connected the album together.
as mentioned, spiritualized did a lot here but not in an overly ambitious way that causes an album to be too muddled. "ladies and gentlemen we are floating in space" sampled elvis. they have a fair amount of instrumental numbers, almost bordering on progressive. not to mention the range of instruments used. the horns and saxophones were used well--ok, almost. while i'm sure there was a thematic purpose for the discordant noises during the end of "no god only religion," i don't know if the ends were worth the means. and that instrumental title was accurate and descriptive, which is something i always enjoy. and even when i first listened to "broken heart," i felt my stomach drop because of the title's accuracy. there was a splash of punk, too. dr. john making an appearance is a great, unexpected addition.
i found this to be a unique album, but i'm finding it very difficult to rate fairly. there were some ups and downs, but in general it was a smooth listen.
Sade
3/5
sade's diamond life was absolutely a pleasant and smooth listen. the jazz undertones, especially with that horn (!), is what made for such a smooth ride. there were no bad songs, because it was such easy listening. but at the same time it made for good background music, it was too uniform and it blended too much together. i wish there was something to make it stand out more. ultimately, an average album.
William Orbit
1/5
at first, i thought this would just be yet another weird electronic album i couldn't get into. but oh no, the album cover is racist as hell! i guess asian cultures are considered strange, because the world is euro-centric due to some ignorant brit making music in the UK? not to mention, calling it strange and then pointedly using asian instruments in your music isn't a great way to go, my guy.
i try include something positive about an album: i do find enjoyment in asian music in general, and i did enjoy the usage of various asian instruments. but william orbit can fuck right off, because you know this wasn't done respectfully. i don't agree with this album's place on this list at all.
Koffi Olomide
4/5
haut de gamme / koweït, rive gauche was a refreshing listen. i have lamented the lack of world music part of this project, so koffi olomide's presence is very appreciated. but despite my excitement, i want to be fair in my review. this album was quite fun. the beat was fast but playful. it could be soulful, or deep with african music, or even encouraging the listener to dance along. this album makes for a good introduction to this kind of music, and it's no wonder olomide is so well known in all of africa. 3.5
Joan Baez
2/5
i must include a disclaimer that i am not a huge fan of folk music. but here, joan baez has a positively beautiful, soulful voice. it's commanding yet not overbearing as baez weaves her stories. it's hard to get a voice so sweet but strong, but she sure is perfect for the folk genre. i admire the desire to include a spanish song here, which couldn't have been easy to convince the record company of in 1960. even for someone who isn't well versed with folk music, i can recognize the importance and influence baez still has to today. i certainly respect and appreciate her music, but i couldn't get completely into it--and i did enjoy this more than other folk music!
Elvis Presley
3/5
i suppose if i had put any thought into it, i would have realized that elvis presley's debut album would absolutely be included in this list. if there's one album that single-handedly changed the trajectory of american music as we know it, well--here you go!
the biggest takeaway was how often artists covered other songs in the fifties. this is something i knew before, of course. and that's just how the industry was then. i can't single elvis out, either. i can enjoy different versions of songs, but sometimes i desire a little something more than just another cover.
regardless, elvis' debut album is enjoyable. it's a quick listen that's entertaining without a ton of focus required. he had his legendary voice here. sure, this album is entirely based in rock 'n' roll, but luckily there's enough to distinguish the songs. the little bit of rockabilly keeps things interesting!
Dusty Springfield
4/5
a girl called dusty was a wonderful first album for dusty springfield. it was full of covers, but dusty had such a charming voice and presence that i didn't mind. if a new artist can make covers sound new and different, then it's a great testament to their talent. despite recording songs from a variety of lyricists, the album flowed together well. that's that easy fifties/sixties pop for you!
of course, i'd be remiss not to point out the bacharach/david creations--always beautiful, regardless of the vocalist, but dusty does bring something special to those songs. also, "my coloring book" (written by ebb and kander) has that same spark. dusty's voice is tender, and she took me by surprise here. streisand who?
Belle & Sebastian
2/5
this is an okay album. it can fade to the background too easily and thus become forgettable. it could be interesting at times, like with the use of a harmonica or piano. the lyrics weren't anything unique. the album became uniform quickly without much to distinguish, or intrigue. for what it's worth, i enjoy the album cover and title--it creates a good vibe.
The Smashing Pumpkins
3/5
i listened to this album quite a few times in the hope that i would love this, but i only like it. it's far from bad. the drums, bass, and guitar are all well done. some of these riffs or solos!? damn.
the vocals didn't impress me as much. the music itself seemed to drown out the vocals. i guess that's grunge? so the vocals weren't bad necessarily but i wish more emphasis was on them. but despite my non-preference for billy corgan's voice, he is a great lyricist. there's a personal touch within these lyrics, and corgan laid himself bare for the sake of these songs.
all in all, the album is just okay. the vocals soured me some but i can appreciate other aspects.
Kanye West
2/5
a disclaimer: kanye is antisemitic. i don't believe in separating the art from the artist because the artist creates art from their worldview. but i did listen to this album, which was my third of his so far, because i want to be thorough.
some of this album could be catchy. some of it could also be too repetitive for me to enjoy. it wasn't as long as the other two albums i've heard; kanye was able to be succinct while still getting his message across. and he made some very good choices--using a "strange fruit" sample in "blood on the leaves" is brilliant. his use of electronic separates this album from the other two, and i wasn't surprised to see daft punk's name all over. i'm not a fan of the racism in his lyrics, either.
i find it hard to vote for this. i've given him a 1 before on the basis of who he is. he's lucky he isn't getting a solid 1 from me.
Leonard Cohen
4/5
my fourth leonard cohen album on this list! songs of leonard cohen is his debut album (you can't say the album's title wasn't apt). i am hearing a lot of similarity between bob dylan and leonard cohen here. songs of leonard cohen was released in 1967, arguably in dylan's hay day. this album is straight folk, plain and simple. instead of focusing on the political like dylan, cohen focuses on love and religion.
as with other leonard cohen albums, what truly stands out is the songwriting. (of course, that's what just happens in folk music.) throughout his entire life, he was able to use beautiful imagery to create such a lifelike world. it's lovely to see his ability in full force in his debut album. my suspicion is that he was heavy-handed in the lyrics here, especially in comparison to later albums, but i can't fault a debut album.
cohen makes for easy listening, in a way. it isn't jarring and is easy on your ears, even if the lyrics are dark and his voice isn't smooth. some of the album is too similar to itself; when i initially listened, i thought the album restarted when i was halfway through.
i've said before in my reviews i'm not generally a fan of folk music, but leonard cohen makes folk so bearable. 3.5
GZA
3/5
an interesting album! this is an album that was created with such purpose and a clear vision. i don't believe i know of another album that features so much dialogue from multiple movies! the dialogue is used in such a smart way to craft a story. the lyrics could do that on their own (and i do think the lyrics are strong), but using the dialogue strengthens gza's message with such ease. and while i can't pretend to be a hip hop aficionado, i can say that i found myself impressed with gza's lyrics. he rhymes well and the lyrics contain such a message.
this was an album that impressed me and was good for what it was, but not something i'd probably put on again.
Wire
1/5
eehhh??? this is an album that somebody on this earth must enjoy, perhaps only robert dimery, but it isn't me. these are extremely short songs, and the album has a relatively short runtime. it lacked substance as a result. it's punk by the music and the runtime length, but this comes across as another founding punk album that allowed other musicians to excel after them.
Raekwon
2/5
i do find it amusing that inside of one week, i get two solo albums of wu-tang clan members when i hadn't gotten them before. i do enjoy other wu-tang clan members showing up in multiple songs!
overall, i found myself unimpressed. some of these beats were absolutely great. i definitely think this album went for too long; i don't know why it is nine minutes over an hour. i can't comment on the fact if it was that influential or meaningful of an album. i don't know if it deserves a spot here. i suspect it's uncreative but not bad. i've definitely heard actual garbage on this list, and raekwon's only built 4 cuban linx was not garbage.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
2/5
this is not my first neil young album on this list, but i finally arrived at the conclusion that i don't enjoy his voice very much. this album isn't bad but perhaps lackluster. the instrumentals can be good, which i respect. everybody knows this is nowhere is mellow and relatively easy listening. but it couldn't excite me, and it really comes down to young's voice. i have enjoyed some music by young (when i'm distracted by the message or there is more music happening), but i think this was just too mellow and isn't quite the neil young i enjoy.
B.B. King
5/5
after listing to this album, is it any wonder b.b. king is such a legend? he's the blueprint. the masterpiece. no one can or did do it like him.
there's so many wonderful things about this album. live albums, in order to be great, must have a magical connection. his presence can be felt through the album, even though we're only receiving audio of the concert. the audience is LIVING for king, and he's even encouraging us to whoop and holler fifty years later. he brings all thirty-five minutes to life, and none of it is boring.
but that's just about the live aspect here. musically, it's amazing. b.b. king makes this so easy to listen to. his guitar playing is beautiful and impactful. he hits the right notes, every time, and i felt it in my bones. he alternates between blues and jazz and there's a touch of latin in there. nothing is boring or tired. the sax and piano seem to come in at the exact right time.
i do hope b.b. king has more albums on this list, but damn can any of them be as good as this? can anybody's live album top this? i don't think so.
The Smiths
3/5
this is my second album of the smiths. i'm struck by how calm the smiths' punk is when compared to the punk of the late seventies and early eighties. it certainly has a moody edge, though. the smiths do go harder in some songs, but nowhere near the level of, say, the clash or the ramones.
the album comes across as inconsistent. it can be catchy with witty lyrics, but flat at other times. johnny marr's guitar playing is absolutely on point, though. "barbarism begins at home"? killer.
some of meat is murder comes across as holier-than-thou. i know how much of an asshat morrissey is, and clearly we can see him showing his pretentious jerk colors just by these lyrics from 1984. i mean, my god, "meat is murder" is absolutely over the top and unnecessary, morrissey. don't you know you can catch more flies with honey?
Julian Cope
4/5
what this album did was prove to me that preconceived notions don't do us any good. i made the error of reading the wikipedia article before listening. i was sure peggy suicide would be pretentious art rock or a wannabe pink floyd, and that i would be bored and unimpressed. that was not the case! this album was refreshingly different. julian cope dabbled in so many genres--punk, rock, pop, a little jazz, and more i'm sure i didn't catch. calling this album art rock is limiting, really.
cope as the primary lyricist is able to make quite a statement with these songs. the choice of a chorus singing all lyrics in "western front 1992 c.e." is bold. i wish i knew more about u.k. politics, because "each day we get closer to the big bad fire" in "double vegetarian" seems rather poignant. within "drive, she said," two sets of lyrics grab me: "she shouts, screaming down, over cities and towns, 'i have rights!'" and "yeah, we could crawl, but i'd rather drive, she said." 1991 was a quieter time, relatively, for women's rights, but i too want to go fast for societal progress. and that's only a handful of songs!
this album could still be considered too long at 75 minutes, but i didn't find myself bored much. cope's ability to make every song unique helped in that regard.
Adele
4/5
i can't say anything about adele's voice that hasn't already been said. stunning, exquisite, lovely. we know this. but what stuck out was how very well suited she was for these songs. talk about playing to your strengths. every time she holds a note, i shiver. every song allowed her to showcase her voice! these are emotional songs, and you can really hear that emotion thick in her voice every time she opens her mouth. it's no wonder she became a sensation after this album.
this album has songs that are similar enough they flow in and out of each other but contain enough different elements to distinguish. the piano accompaniment to adele's voice is crucial and beautiful. "set fire to the rain" allows adele to take her power back. the final line of "rumour has it" contains a twist: "but rumor has it he's the one i'm leaving you for" after the song's beat pounds throughout. the album ends with a heart wrenching yet optimistic ballad, "someone like you." together, all songs create such an atmosphere and controls your every emotion. there isn't a bad song among the bunch.
on a final note, i absolutely loved what she did with the cover of "lovesong." it's eerie, like the original, but slower. her vocals pack the punch in her version, instead of the background music. i think i might even prefer her version now!
The Byrds
4/5
it's so weird how easy the byrds are to listen to when they're folk rock. i don't care for folk rock much! but the byrds have a bubblegum pop twist to their folk rock, and it's so palatable.
i thought maybe initially this wasn't much of a groundbreaking album, but that thought was because after this album's release in 1965, the byrds' style became so popular and reused. i know this style, because i've heard it so many times before!
regardless of its influence, mr. tambourine man is good. it can come across as simple sometimes, because of how easy it is to listen along. but upon further analysis, the byrds have plenty happening in each song. "mr. tambourine man" is a catchy song to grab you as you begin the album. gene clark, for his first songwriting forays, created charming, pleasant songs, even if one of them happens to be breakup song "i'll feel a whole lot better." this, combined with covering bob dylan's impactful songs to make them a heck of a lot better, makes for a great album, especially a debut.
a small easter egg: george harrison used a guitar riff from "the bells of rhymney" into his song "if i needed someone." i cannot imagine the feeling of being a brand new band, and someone like george uses your guitar riff.
David Bowie
3/5
this album is completely different from david bowie's biggest hits and the albums i've heard of his thus far on this list. bowie leans into an experimental electronic sound here. while he had always gravitated into a different/unusual sort of sound, the music found on low is nowhere near his usual glam rock. in addition, a good chunk of these songs are simply instrumentals. to be honest, what bowie excelled at here was the instrumentals! the songs containing lyrics were okay but forgettable. the instrumentals are a weird mix of eerie and serene. a little space age-y. it keeps you on your toes.
i admire artists who over their careers frequently changed their sound and played around with different kinds of music, good or bad. bowie's low landed in the good category. i was surprised by the change in sound with this album--and i enjoy it more than other bowie albums. i kind of wish there were no vocals, especially since the instrumentals are so impactful on their own. still a 3, though.
Jimi Hendrix
4/5
jimi hendrix was just a guy who enjoyed rocking out! what i kept thinking about is that jimi hendrix has been held up as a rock god for decades at this point, and still his sound is so unique.
electric ladyland is a double album, and typically i find double albums' length unnecessary. not here. hendrix found a way to make all four sides unique with combining psychedelia, funk (!), rock, soul. the many guitar solos! and when songs' time extends into double digits, i didn't care. this album is a listen it's easy to lose yourself in.
several songs here are all-time classics. i wasn't expecting several covers to be included, but he definitely makes them his own. only listen to "all along the watchtower" to be convinced. but he keeps the listener guessing. "little miss strange" is such a easy sixties song, more akin to the beach boys or the beatles, not jimi hendrix. most songs are more of hendrix's signature sound, but i like curveballs.
Björk
2/5
vespertine was a different kind of album than what's typically part of this list. i found it interesting, but i didn't like it very much. while i'm unfamiliar with björk, i can say that this style in this album isn't very common. i was amazed to learn the driving aspect of this album was to create music that functioned well when downloaded and listened on a computer! the choices to make the album electronic and ethereal--and so quiet!--as a result were pretty cool.
that being said, eh. as much as i respect her, i found björk's voice grating at times and it quickly soured me. i did try to focus on the instrumentals, which used a variety of instruments to create an unusual sound, but she sang quite often. it could have very well have been too artsy for me.
Joni Mitchell
4/5
what an absolutely beautiful voice joni mitchell has. the style of music in hejira (soothing, folk, story telling lyrics) compliments her voice. most of the album is relatively slow, though the album opener "coyote" has her playing and singing at a faster pace. there's a fair amount happening in each song, but it's easy to listen whether focused or not.
like a lot of singer songwriters, mitchell's lyrics aren't overwhelmed by the music. her voice is so clear. and every song contains such expansive lyrics! she creates such vivid pictures. pulling from her own life, mitchell touches on variety of experiences, but travel and journeys are the biggest recurring theme. i feel like i'm with mitchell in her "blue motel room".
all of this together allows hejira to come off as effortless, though i know it was anything but. a lovely, calming listen, especially for a friday.
Buffalo Springfield
3/5
buffalo springfield again by, you guessed it, buffalo springfield was an okay album. a nice, easy listen, but not something i'd seek out often. it doesn't even sound much like their biggest song! overall, it's folk-y but not overwhelmingly so. the banjo isn't used excessively. most of the songs don't sound very much like one another. "expecting to fly" is a sweet song with minimal accompaniment. "good time boy" is probably the most fun and funky song here. sometimes springfield goes surprisingly hard, like "mr. soul"--i didn't know buffalo springfield could do that. i realize they are still rather easy listening; i am aware they are not heavy metal.
i didn't know much of buffalo springfield before today, but i realized how equal of a band they were. songwriting, yes, but most importantly vocals were spread throughout the group. i have to admit i like it!
Rod Stewart
4/5
this was absolutely a charming, easy album. i could hear similarities between artists like tom petty and the heartbreakers or lynyrd skynyrd, but still not quite the same. the roots rock genre is a real back to basics genre. the fact that rod stewart made sure to include several covers to accompany his originals shows he's giving a nod to the roots of rock and roll. i want to call this album simplistic, but then rod stewart threw in the mandolin into the mix--and "mandolin wind" is so beautiful! it isn't simplistic at all. the intro to "maggie" may proves that easily enough, or even the quick inclusion of "amazing grace". i probably mention this too often in my reviews, but i'm always impressed when an album is so uniform. it's a smooth ride, and stewart has the covers weave seamlessly with his original songs. nothing is out of place.
on a final note, i knew "maggie may" was originally a b-side, but gosh it goes to show you how baffling music can be.
Little Richard
4/5
this album was plain fun! little richard brought a lot of energy to this album. his intensity comes through despite the slightly coarse quality, though the album does not suffer due to sound quality.
this album was was a mix of rock and roll and rhythm and blues. there are the usual instruments, bass, guitar, drums, but the inclusion of horns and piano! little richard set a lot of standards with these songs, and inspired many as a result. for me, it's easy to hear the impact this had on prince's music--especially in the voice! interestingly, multiple songs on this album used the same, if not similar, arrangement and structure of "tutti frutti."
The Go-Go's
3/5
a fun and charming album--and not just the actual music, but the album title and cover were cute, too. the go-go's have a lot of pep in their new wave sound. there aren't a ton of sharp edges like in other punk bands of this time, but their fast speed makes up for it. and it was catchy! the choruses were undeniably crafted well.
for a band that formed on happenstance, the go-go's seem rather put together while furthering a new sound. this was before the synth of the eighties, and not as punk or new wave as blondie. carlisle's vocals lend themselves to the punk genre. she doesn't come through clearly, and that works for new wave, too.
3.5
Bill Callahan
3/5
i'm not entirely sure i have heard anything like bill callahan's sometimes i wish we were an eagle before. calling this country is so limiting. there are a lot of country elements, yes, but then callahan will throw in beautiful string instruments or a tinkling piano, or use a south asian-like sound to start and begin "the wind and the dove." both aren't commonly found in country or folk music. he ends his album with "faith/void" to examine and disregard god while finding his own peace. his musical choices come across as bold.
an unexpectedly enjoyable album. it took a few listens to enjoy and appreciate it. i continually find new aspects the more i listen. 3.5
Steve Earle
2/5
i am lead to believe that steve earle's guitar town was groundbreaking in terms of country and rock coming together. most times, i didn't find myself that impressed, but it's of course different listening to something in 1986 than 2023. it was easy enough to listen to! it could be catchy at times. i do enjoy witty lyrics, and earle's songs could contain clever lines. earle even leaned into the hick side of country rock, even going so far to create a song named "hillbilly highway." you gotta embrace who you are! 2.5
Aretha Franklin
5/5
can you imagine listening to this album for the very first time, and the opening track "respect" absolutely knocks you off your feet? wow!
this is a beautiful album. aretha franklin had the most heavenly voice, and she's absolutely wonderful here. her voice is so well suited for these songs. these songs are silky smooth and her voice is like honey on top. what stands out is how accessible this is. this is soul music sung by a black woman, and it's just so darn easy to listen to.
something shocking is the track listing. two dynamite songs bookend the album: otis redding's "respect" (which she undoubtedly made her own) and sam cooke's "a change is gonna come" (considering more people know of her version than cooke's, she did the same here, too). there are good songs in between, but nothing comes close to the power those two have. not to mention, it isn't easy at all to create the most popular or well regarded version of a damn good cover.
Fatboy Slim
3/5
i can appreciate fatboy slim's you've come a long way, baby with its creativity and its place on this list. some tracks i enjoyed more than others; i think the ones i didn't enjoy just fell into the category of too weird. electronic music can allow the artist to explore the bounds of music, and i think fatboy slim was able to do so. the album is electronic, but there's a funk or rap feel throughout. he was able to make each song pretty catchy, to boot.
Brian Wilson
3/5
i can't imagine how ambitious of a project it is to finish an album from several decades ago! music changed a lot in those 30 years. but brian wilson managed to catch the same beach boys sound in their later years, including their lean towards experimental. i found that showed itself through the variety of instruments used. wilson used the early beach boys' sound of playful pop, too. "heroes and villians" is a good example of this!
of course, like the beach boys, some of this was just too on the nose for me. i don't need to hear wind chimes in a song titled "wind chimes." but i realize i'm being grumpy--i'll refrain from telling kids to get off my lawn.
also, there are some small easter eggs. i'm not the biggest beach boys fan so there were some that i missed, but hearing a light melody of "good vibrations" in "song for children" was adorable. i think that's a nice treat for the fans after so many years of an unfinished album, in addition to covering the beach boys' biggest hit toward the album close.
anyway, this album convinced me that the beach boys were primarily driven by brian wilson.
Nick Drake
4/5
my absolute first thought about this album was that its album cover looks like a picasso.
pink moon by nick drake absolutely does not sound like folk from 1971. i've listened to folk from the late sixties and early seventies as part of this project, and this album doesn't sound like it at all. i think part of it is drake's vocals. his voice is so gentle and calm, absolutely nothing like bob dylan, joan baez, leonard cohen, or neil young. i can't help but wonder about the guitar. it is an acoustic guitar, commonly used in folk music, but it doesn't sound as abrasive. perhaps the music production did something?
regardless, i found pink moon to be a relaxing listen based on the mellow tone. there's not much accompaniment aside from the guitar (and the piano on one song). sometimes it's nice to have a lot happening in music, but here the music softens the listening experience. it's delightful. sometimes the lyrics are on the darker side, or they can be very minimal. but there's something about the presentation that forces you to pay attention. i must think it's telling on drake's last album before he died, his last song "from the morning" is an optimistic song.
David Ackles
4/5
david ackles' american gothic was country with jazz interspersed. some songs even sounded rather orchestral! other times, it was minimal, like with only a piano joining his voice. i enjoyed the mix.
ackles enjoyed telling stories through his lyrics--he always had something to sing. i was left with such a feeling of homesickness. ackles keyed into so many emotions without being over the top. his lyrics were the key part of that, too. the whole album had a serene, wistful sense, and it hit a head when it came to "waiting for the moving van" toward the end of the album. "oh, california!" had a jaunty country attitude as ackles described an exciting return journey. "another friday night" puts you firmly by a campfire when camping with that opening harmonica. "love's enough," which absolutely took my breath away, was a softly beautiful song and described the beginnings of love. hymn-like "family band" was the oddball of this album, but with the memories of his family celebrating their faith together.
i found myself reminded of leonard cohen, but not the music from his early career. cohen wasn't very country but was lyric heavy.
ABBA
5/5
abba's music contains such energy. they are incredibly easy to listen to! arrival with its release in 1976 must have been an oddball. this was rock's heyday, and an album of such light pop and disco must have been unusual, even though it wasn't abba's first release. but there's a sense that abba is unashamedly having fun, and it leaves the listener with such joy--or at least it does with me! some lyrics here can be almost silly ("dum dum diddle"), but i can't bring myself to care much when there's "dancing queen" or "money, money, money," because listening to abba is all about having a good time. honestly, i couldn't stop listening to this album!
Coldplay
2/5
this is a difficult album to review. upon my listen, i realized there were a lot of aspects in coldplay's music that are like candy to me. this album is moody, emotional, beautiful. musically, it's positively brilliant. but there was some sort of disconnect, and i couldn't click with this album. is it possible that "the scientist" over-hyped coldplay for me? maybe. i mean, i couldn't tell you how many times i heard coldplay's "the scientist" in a tv how or movie. it remains a beautiful, beautiful song and is the standout of this album.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
3/5
this album was a stark disappointment to the chili peppers' earlier album, blood sugar sex magik. i do try not to compare either previous or future albums, but i was so looking forward to this album that i cannot help but feel some dissatisfaction. in some ways, this album seems like almost a caricature of bssm instead of standing on its own. that doesn't mean that californication was bad, but boy did that second half of the album fall flat quickly. on the plus side, "road trippin'" absolutely saves the second half from ruin.
i'm not quite sure what it is. even when rhcp are at their weirdest, their songs can be so catchy and i can't resist loving them regardless. but i couldn't get behind "purple stain" or "i liked dirt." i enjoy their funk more, that's for sure. i think, with this album's shift toward alternative rock, it wasn't so much for me and my tastes.
still, for all of my negative aspects, there were some really great bangers here, and they made up for considerable lost ground. 3.5
Manu Chao
3/5
this was a breath of fresh air! manu chao's clandestino is an easy, fun listen. it's different from other albums on this list by the virtue of it being world music (which is just too vague of a term!). but i enjoyed some incorporations of hip hop and electronic music.
the concept of this album is cool and is, i think, the reason why it comes across as so fresh. traveling to different locations to record music on a laptop might be a very 1998 thing to do, but i enjoyed it anyway. 3.5
Dusty Springfield
3/5
i'm a sucker for dusty springfield's voice! her biggest hit, "son of a preacher man," is on this album, and ugh is it a scene stealer. it's so easy to sing along, and dusty even veers a little into country. it's a damn good catchy song; no wonder it's her biggest song. but as for her other songs, they are soulful and delightful. her tender voice is perfect for "the windmills of your mind" in particular, especially with the song's slow beginning.
like other dusty albums, these songs are all written by others. dusty was choosy about the songs she recorded, which was wise considering (my personal philosophy of) covering songs in a unique way. i like the variety of song writers chosen here--though i am pleased to see carole king on there four times!
The Beach Boys
3/5
in some ways, this is very unlike typical beach boys but not. the beach boys' sound evolved as the years went on, as all artists do, but brian wilson's songwriting has a magic about it. after my first listen, it wasn't a big surprise to discover brian wilson was not heavily involved in this album. that fact is definitely to this album's detriment. i suppose carl wilson and the rest of the beach boys didn't necessarily do a bad job, but it's such an obvious change. surf's up mostly feels like some sort of beach boys caricature.
i am compelled to say that "student demonstration time" is by far the standout of this album. this rock song is catchy on its own, but with mike love rewriting lyrics of "riot in cell block number 9" from 1954 to apply to the political and social unrest in 1970, it is incredibly powerful.
Isaac Hayes
4/5
isaac hayes comin' through! this mostly instrumental album was an absolute pleasure. full of soul and funk and jazz, shaft was a smooth listen. the instrumentals flowed into one another, and damn there's something about hayes' voice in "theme from shaft." undeniably, this is a great, great album.
the significance of the shaft movie, and by extension the movie, is not lost on me. i can respect a movie specifically geared towards black people in 1971, especially after the social and political upheaval in the sixties. this movie must have been part of blaxploitation, but that doesn't mean the soundtrack doesn't have ongoing significance. i am satisfied that a soulful black man made this memorable soundtrack.
Barry Adamson
4/5
what WAS this album?! i didn't hate oedipus schmoedipus, but i think i received whiplash. actually, i can say with confidence i enjoyed this. that being said, i'm not entirely sure what i listened to or how to write my review. this definitely is experimental, considering it sounds like nothing i've heard, but more evolved than a lot of other experimental music on this list.
a fair amount of these songs were instrumentals! and there was a heavy amount of jazz throughout the album. there's "miles," an extremely jazz-y song (with such horns!), followed up by "dirty barry," which sounds like it's straight out of a horror film. "vermillion kisses" has a fairytale-like narrator. "the sweetest embrace" sounds like a tom waits song in lyrics, tone, and voice. "the vibes ain't nothin' but the vibes" contains a beautiful piano, a fake audience, and a narration deeply spoken so close to your ears--again, a little waits-like. "the big bamboozle" is a jazz song that could have been used in an ocean's eleven movie. with all of this, i don't know what adamson's end goal was, but at the end of the day, i had a good time listening to the different songs here.
Lou Reed
4/5
i like lou reed in general. as part of this project, i was subjected to velvet underground's atrocious second album, and transformer is so much more palatable than that. there was some weirdness, but it wasn't overpowering. the quirks remind me of reed's punk origins. he leans more into rock on transformer, but he dips his toe into punk and pop, and jazz? i mean, i admired the tuba and saxophone inclusion on "goodnight ladies" but it was unusual on the album. i guess that ties back into punk, huh?
reed's voice struck me. like some other musicians of this time period, they weren't strong singers--alice cooper comes to mind immediately. but these kinds of singers have unique voices and bring something different to their songs. in fact, reed's steady voice is perfect for slower songs like "perfect day" or "satellite of love." lyrics tend to be stronger, i think, for these kinds of musicians. the first few opening lines of "vicious" seems to prove that. 3.5
Fugazi
3/5
color me impressed! upon my listen, it was easy to hear similarities with nirvana and rage against the machine. it's a shame fugazi isn't as well known as those bands, considering they laid the stepping stones. i hear some more punk in this album than i typically do for alternative rock in the nineties. fugazi's repeater didn't blow me out of the water as something i'd listen to again, but i appreciated it.
to include something specific and positive on this album: fugazi didn't waste a lot of time writing lyrics! that isn't necessarily a bad thing--we all can't be taylor swift. but some of it i enjoyed. the "every slip's not a slide" line from "reprovisional" was particularly poignant.
Nick Drake
5/5
nick drake is an artist i had never heard of before the last month or so. his debut album five leaves left is my second album of his as part of this list. this was another immensely enjoyable album by nick drake.
this is folk, but as i've said in my previous drake review, it's not like other folk music from 1969 or the surrounding years. there's more than just singing with an acoustic guitar. i want to call it accessible folk, if that makes any sense at all. what sets him apart, i think, is the delicate nature he uses to craft his songs.
there's a somber tone throughout. drake's voice only adds to it. the songs are slow, lyrics morose, his voice steady. the piano and vibraphone together on "saturday sun" are beautiful, yes, but with those instruments combined in the final song, you're left with a more optimistic note. the lyrics and the subjects add the most to the somber tone, i think. he leans on nature/earth metaphors often, but then again, the album is called five leaves left. so many songs stood out to me, but since drake crafted three albums in his short lifetime to no critical acclaim, i enjoyed this line from "fruit tree": "they'll all know you were here when you're gone."
Curtis Mayfield
5/5
this is my second curtis mayfield album on this list. the first, superfly, was a notable soundtrack. while i enjoyed superfly, his there's no place like america today was more elevated. there's a considerable amount of funk on this album, and damn mayfield makes it so easy to listen to. funk is the most dominant, but mayfield incorporates jazz and soul, too.
mayfield alternated between romantic songs, including religious undertones (and overtones, considering there's a song straight up called "jesus"), yet he begins and ends his album speaking of society in the mid-seventies. as a result the album comes across as grounded. but what's most important is that in the final song, mayfield makes a point to say, "i'm not givin' up, this little pride." the light-hearted songs don't distract from the message, which is hammered home by the album cover.
as a prince fan, i can say some of these songs sounded like they could be from prince--in lyrics, in vocal range, musically. i almost always say that prince did or could it better, but i cannot in good conscious say that here. 4.5, rounding up.
Röyksopp
2/5
melody a.m. is an album that stands out on this list. it felt like a film soundtrack in many parts. like, i swear one track sounded like it was from a forties noir movie! or another song would be something out of a horror flick. röyksopp is definitely wide ranging in their electronic music. when there were vocals in the songs, it seemed so out of place. it was, for what it's worth, easy enough to listen to, but it wasn't of too much interest to me.
Neil Young
2/5
there is such a thing as neil young fatigue. or is it harmonica fatigue? i suppose this is my first neil young solo album, though i've had 2 albums by neil young and crazy horse, 1 by crosby stills nash and young, and 1 by buffalo springfield.
a lot of this album just wasn't my speed. there were some aspects that appealed to me--there were some instrumental sections in "speaking out" and "mellow my mind" that were beautiful. but somebody needs to get that darn harmonica away from young. and i suppose i don't care much for his voice, either. i can respect the driving force of the death of two friends of young's. in fact, i love the unabashed inspiration and grief. ah, sorry neil young.
The Police
2/5
the police's reggatta de blanc has one of their greatest and well known songs, "message in a bottle" and... not much else. i couldn't get much into it. this album has an interesting fusion of new wave and reggae, which definitely set the police apart. i like some reggae and some new wave, but not this combination.
LCD Soundsystem
3/5
i'm typically not a fan of electronica on this list, but lcd soundsystem's sound of silver was enjoyable at times for me. the repetitive nature of electronica can weigh me down, but outside of that, i recognize that the dance aspect of electronica set this album apart. dare i say some disco elements were used? if i were in a club (and not judging this album solely as part of this project), i would dig these songs! i would be dancing.
T. Rex
3/5
electric warrior contains the t. rex music i know. imagine my surprise discovering that this was their first glam rock album and had only done folk rock before! i hadn't known that t. rex was one of the pioneers of glam rock, either. like other artists early to a genre, they aren't as well known as others--david bowie is easily the most known. but t. rex created "get it on," so we're all winners here.
as for the album, a lot of these songs are catchy. good hooks, easy to sing along with, but sometimes not entirely memorable. many songs seem to clump together. a lot of glam rock has to do with stage performance/presence, which doesn't come through the music as much, unless if you're david bowie or alice cooper. but there's some sort of attitude that does come through. i'm hearing some similarities with prince and david bowie, among others, so it's easy to see how influential electric warrior was. 3.5
Tom Waits
4/5
tom waits is an artist who has created such drastically different music throughout his career! nighthawks at the diner is no exception. i've heard his jazz origins, and his later change to rock and experimentation. this is a jazz album but with an audience component. jazz music is perfect for intimate, live settings, so this combination makes sense.
this album is full of waits' personality. he is charismatic and funny. the humor can be bawdy at times, or even contain terrible puns. with nearly every song written by tom waits, his usual wit is present, too. "emotional weather report" is clever when waits recounts his mental health difficulties in terms of weather terminology. in that sense, this album can be rather personal, and it does indeed feel like he's talking directly to the listener.
of course i must give credit where credit is due. waits is only on the piano and guitar in addition to his vocals. his backing jazz band is absolutely fantastic throughout!
Björk
2/5
i don't think i can call myself a fan of björk, but i did like this more than her later album, vespertine. and i found myself more intrigued by this! debut shows a wider range of björk, which surprised me considering this was her first album. she alternates between peaceful and ambient to electronic dance music. and she throws in a touch of folk, and jazz!
honestly, i realize i don't care very much for björk's voice. it's unfortunate, but that's how it is sometimes. 2.5 even though i enjoyed it more than vespertine.
Antony and the Johnsons
4/5
whenever there's an album by an artist completely unknown to me, i do get nervous! i shouldn't have worried. anohni created a rather emotional album. it's honest and from the heart. the listener is taken on a journey to understand anohni's inner thoughts. like others, her vibrato sometimes bothered me, but the lyrics could be so beautiful that i didn't mind. the album has such purpose and anohni had such focus creating an impactful piece of art.
some of this album contains rather famous musicians guesting. it almost seems weird that lou reed, a punk pioneer, would make an appearance, or some of the other musicians, but their presence fits well. and i always enjoy musicians stepping outside their comfort zones. lou reed's baritone voice opening "fistful of love" is perfect.
i was reminded a lot of evanescence as i listened to i am a bird now. they are obviously more rock, but i was reminded of them in regards to the emotional level. sometimes, i was reminded of fifties pop. but mostly, antony and the johnsons created a unique sound found in i am a bird now.
The National
2/5
the national's high violet is a very middle of the road album in my mind. in some ways, it was an easy listen because it didn't hold my attention and wasn't a challenging listen. i say challenging to mean doing something different or unexpected. there was minimal excitement. the album was even and steady in tone, and not a terrible listen, but it had such a bland and disconnected vibe. as a result, it wasn't very memorable or interesting for me. it wasn't catchy. i did enjoy the lyrics from "anyone's ghost"--i thought it was clever!
Deep Purple
5/5
rock on, deep purple. i unfortunately thought that deep purple was overrated in my naivety, but these thirty-seven minutes have absolutely changed my mind. deep purple rocked their hardest on machine head.
while i only knew two songs going in, i quickly realized that didn't matter. there was so much to enjoy and appreciate. each song has a significant instrumental section, and they are always unique and fascinating. also, that deep guitar opening "smoke on the water" melts your face off, which is just a statistical fact. with all of their instrumentals, they do come off sounding slightly progressive rock, which was just beginning to find its footing in 1972. with this album recorded in three weeks, there's a natural element found here. these songs don't contain quickly created, unpolished jam sessions. their instrumentals rock out hard and are polished but only to the point of still being natural. 4.5
Bonnie Raitt
3/5
bonnie raitt has an absolutely mesmerizing voice! some of these songs aren't the most memorable, but she brought her A game to every single song. her vocals are just amazing. similar artists to raitt's style here are springsteen or petty, but of course their vocal range is not like raitt's. most of this album is some country, blues, rock (just like springsteen and petty), but then some jazz tones are used unexpectedly (see "too soon to tell"). really, this was incredibly easy to listen and relax to.
a lot of what i like about this album is bonnie herself! while most of the songs aren't her own, she's owning the music and herself. "nobody's girl," "i will not be denied," "the road's my middle name." the late eighties weren't the dark ages, but raitt's backbone and determination to create music in a man's world is seen and appreciated. and of course, say what you will about an album mostly full of cover songs, but one of her biggest songs is "nick of time," first on this album and an original song of hers.
Suicide
2/5
i didn't hate this album until i got to "frankie teardrop." i understand what suicide was going for in this song, and i admire the story they were telling, but i really could have done without the blood curling screaming in my ear.
on the bright side, this is better than the other proto-punk on this list! i enjoyed the mix of electronic/synth with punk. the music of "johnny" definitely grabbed my attention. suicide's self titled and debut album is definitely a creative venture. just--i wish they opted from including that screaming.
Tracy Chapman
4/5
i'll be the first to admit that i generally don't care much for folk music. oh my gosh, tracy chapman! she used her lyrics wisely to tell her stories, to such a powerful impact. the social injustices mentioned are done in such a smart way, too. she asks hard questions, demanding answers, in "why?" or muses about a hypothetical revolution, "talkin' 'bout a revolution." or there's "across the lines" where chapman details how different lives can be as black or white. while those are worthy subjects, her more personal songs dealing with heartbreak are on equal footing. "fast car," rightly a legend, showcases chapman's storytelling skills with snapshots of a life. and her visible pain when singing the chorus of "if not now..."! all this to say her songwriting is clearly the standout of this album. the music itself sometimes wasn't as good on certain songs, like i found myself uninterested, but no matter what, the lyrics brought me back and kept me in it. that's exactly what good folk music should do!
i suspect this is an album that becomes better and more appreciated on additional listens, so i'm looking forward to future listens. more than that, i felt like chapman's self titled was an educational listen and a great choice to be among the 1001 albums. for it being folk music in 1988, to be by a black woman, to include such important subjects.
Jimi Hendrix
3/5
everyone knows jimi hendrix was a talented guitar player, and sometimes because it's such a fact i don't pay enough attention to his guitar playing. hendrix' axis: bold as love didn't contain his most well known songs, except for little wing. because i didn't know most songs, i concentrated more on the guitar--and my goodness, that man was TALENTED.
lots of psychedelia rock here. that's definitely what influenced the album cover, though hendrix and my displeasure over the label's choice is another story. i've previously had the follow-up album, electric ladyland, as part of 1001 albums. while both are psychedelic rock, axis doesn't have that soul sound and is more r&b based. while i try not to compare, i enjoyed this but not as much as electric ladyland.
Beastie Boys
3/5
my third beastie boys album as part of this project. paul's boutique was part of their sample phase. their previous licensed to ill sampled as well, but i felt a larger range of their chosen samples here. of what i caught, they used more rock music, but there's still a touch of disco and country to be found, too. a little easter egg was to hear the drum intro for alice cooper's "it's hot tonight" on "what comes around"!
that being said, i only thought this was just an okay beastie boys album. i do enjoy their more original work better, for what it's worth. the beastie boys brought their usual energy, which made the album pass by easily. a pleasant 3.
The Byrds
2/5
the byrds' sweetheart of the rodeo is a cute album name, but if you hadn't told me who the artist was, i would never have guessed it was the byrds. really, this album is indistinguishable from their earlier albums, of which i've listened to two as part of this list. the country lean must have happened due to gene clark and david crosby's absence and firing, respectively.
i enjoy country music, but this album came across as bland. it's not that good of country music. clark's absence is keenly felt. sure, this album is listenable but it's uninteresting and a drag.
Jerry Lee Lewis
1/5
the energy on this album! jerry lee lewis brought so much excitement to the stage, and it's evident through this recording. i mean, multiple times the crowd chants his name! i can understand why this live album made the list. lewis' piano playing remains unique to this day, and it's a big part of the energy captured here. i think lewis' notable "great balls of fire" showcases that--but also his original "lewis' boogie," a charming song.
also, today i learned what a huge racist and asshole lewis was! hope you rot. he could've gotten a 3 or 4 from me, but he's stuck at a 1 now. i have no remorse.
System Of A Down
5/5
ok, listen. system of a down is not for everybody. their later music is much more palatable, and their early music is rather abrasive metal, though there are some people who don't like any of their music. but honestly and musically, this album SLAPS. is it unusual? yes, but i love it. the screaming, the harsh guitar, everything.
i have always admired their lyrics and topics. soad has never shied away from any topic. it's because of system that i learned about the armenian genocide when i was a teenager. more than that, they question the meaning of war, describe existential breakdowns while on drugs, deliver scathing criticisms of the catholic church, and plenty more. song after song, system delivers such a strong message. i found myself drawn to this sarcastic lyric of "mind" today: "free thinkers are dangerous." there's so many more i could pick out, but they manage to have such purpose in their lyrics while providing us with such amazing metal music. it's hard to find another artist like system.
while i don't think this album is their best, this album was markedly different for its time. i'd give this a 4.5 on the lower side, but since this is the only system album on the list, my loyalty from my youth has me rounding up to 5. it's still a banger of an album after two and a half decades.
Living Colour
4/5
living colour's vivid sounds so fresh! it was actually a lot of fun to listen to. they definitely used a range of genres here, and that helps the listener from being bored. their biggest hit by far is "cult of personality" (which is such a banger), and i was surprised how different the rest of the album is after the opener. their music doesn't completely remain as hard or metal! they have a number of chiller songs: "open letter (to a landlord)" is a societal statement disguised as power rock--and that chorus was just as good as any eighties power ballad. the very prince-like scream opening and the funk included in "what's your favorite color?" does make the music feel a little more eighties--but it's enjoyable regardless. toward the end of the album, there's more of rap and hip hop. my goodness, was i impressed that living colour managed to put together an album touching so many genres while making it sound good!
i traditionally keep to the original track listing since that's what i should only be reviewing, but i have to mention--the cover of "should i stay or should i go" was great! i always admire when an artist purposefully has the cover sound different from the original.
Elton John
5/5
a list like this is always going to contain some sort of bias. i was shocked that more of elton john's albums aren't part of this list, but i suppose if it's going to be any of his albums, it should be goodbye yellow brick road.
many of the songs on this album are his biggest hits and are deservedly so classics. this album opens with a larger than life song, "funeral for a friend." this slow building intro, along with several other songs, gives me goose bumps on a sunny summer day. but soon, "funeral for a friend" brings us into "love lies bleeding" and if you aren't bopping along, then the problem is you. john toys with us some, alternating between fun songs and his slower, sincere songs. the tender, broken-hearted "i've seen that movie, too" is a star. unsurprisingly for an elton john album, the piano of course shines. somehow, so much emotion is in the songs because of that piano! this album wouldn't be what it is without john's piano creations.
there are no bad songs to be found on goodbye yellow brick road--only one song i'd call so-so. for a double album, it certainly flies by fast. it's almost a shame! i never want this album to end.
Sabu
3/5
this was fun! sabu brought high energy to their palo congo album. i don't know a lot about this kind of music, so i fear some nuance was lost on me. regardless, this album was percussion focused with the congas appearing on every track. sabu created a mix of songs: some instrumentals, one had call and response vocals, another used chanting, and one song had more of a salsa feel. enjoyable, and i feel more knowledgeable for listening to it.
Silver Jews
1/5
silver jews' bright flight was bland. a lot of the singing by david berman was close to monotone. some lyrics and song titles were witty, but it just felt like silver jews were being try hards. a lot of this album felt like folk rock with a side of country, and... it unfortunately held little appeal to me.
Neil Young
3/5
neil young thinks he can pull a fast one on me! i've gotten a handful of young albums so far: solo, csny, and him with crazy horse. i still wouldn't call myself a neil young fan, but thank goodness we have an album of his that was a nice listen. but did neil young think that i wouldn't realize on the beach is a pleasant listen?! where has this neil young been!
on this album, young uses folk rock not in a brash way but in more of an easy listening way. his harmonica is not grating. it's a mellow kind of album, which makes sense when he dipped his toe into the blues. i might not be a huge fan of his vocals but i can tolerate it well enough.
"vampire blues" is a cute, tongue-in-cheek song, which is an unfamiliar feeling (for me) with neil young. i enjoyed his lyrics here in general. but "motion pictures" was the one, however simple it might appear, was crafted to be simple but grabbing. "see the sky about to rain" was not about actual nature, but rather life's ups and downs for everybody, especially anticipating a negative event. "walk on" must be the most personal song of the album. "i remember the good old days/[...]/but we still did the best we could."
Arcade Fire
4/5
the third arcade fire album on this project but their debut album (excluding their ep). it contains a lot of their usual morose, melancholy sound. some indie music can be real misses for me, but with arcade fire, i know they are dependable, based on the other two albums i've heard of theirs throughout this project.
like with their other albums, they created a theme on funeral. it can be moody but they do stay on theme. "crown of love," the standout, breaks your heart, and it's not like "wake up" makes you feel any better. i like all three neighborhood songs, and they really tie the album together.
i found myself disappointed by régine chassagne, the female vocalist, and i'm not sure her voice is strong enough to carry a song by herself, but at least there were only two solo songs.
also, this guy win butler sounds like a real piece of work. unfortunate arcade fire makes such good music.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
some of the rolling stones' biggest hits are on sticky fingers. as someone who mostly knows only the stones' hits from the radio, it was a different experience to listen to this album in its entirety. their hits are generally straight up rock and roll, but i found much more depth in the other songs here. i mean, yes, it was a lot of rock! but the stones incorporated blues, folk, a pinch of jazz that was unexpected but not unwelcome. sticky fingers made for an interesting listen that kept rewarding me the more i paid attention. also, "brown sugar" is a bop.
Moby
3/5
i didn't love this album. i liked it--but most importantly, i found it riveting. the evolution throughout the album progressed from electronica and techno to rather ambient music, including some acoustic songs. the electronica songs could be extremely catchy ("honey"!), and the acoustic tender. the samples that moby used were well and sparingly chosen; they suited his songs and purpose nicely.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
3/5
in 1978, elvis costello traveled through time to read my 2022 review of his debut album. thank goodness he did, because he made this album with more energy and it's considerably better.
costello definitely found more of his sound on this year's model. obviously he's new wave through and through, but there's something that nails his signature sound here. i suspect it's the keyboards! the almost throwaway lyric of "those disco synthesizers" from "this year's girl," the second track, seems to encompass the entire album. but also, really, the higher energy goes a long, long way. "pump it up" is obviously the most fun song on the album, and the other songs benefit from it but are also able to carry the high energy well. 3.5
k.d. lang
4/5
k.d. lang's ingénue was a very easy album to listen to. her voice is awfully gentle. she leaned more on jazz than i expected, resulting in a smooth album. i feel like i didn't get the full effect out of this album because i didn't listen with the lights dimmed and a lit cigarette in my hand. despite that, i was intrigued and enjoyed the listen.
i found myself reminded some of leonard cohen. the singer-songwriter is part of it, yes, because also lang's lyrics (sometimes written with two other songwriters) are so personal. difficulties with love and being drawn to the wrong person, finding yourself. the slight folk sound is part of it, too. but at the same time, k.d. lang doesn't sound like much music i've heard. a unique album on this list.
Jurassic 5
4/5
power in numbers was a delightful surprise! jurassic 5 had real purpose when creating this album. i was blown away by some of these lyrics and themes. jurassic 5 covered political corruption and personal empowerment, called out phony black people, reminisced about the old days of rap music. the second song on the album is titled "freedom" and these lyrics cover the song's point better than i could: "yo, my forefathers hung in trees to be free (rest in peace)/got rid of slavery but still kept the penitentiary."
the majority of this album is rap and hip hop, but jurassic 5 hop around to other black originated genres, too. "if you only knew" is jazz inspired and so smooth--and it specifically and blatantly mentions soul music! there's some funk interspersed as well. "remember his name" is a thematically dark song about death, and i can't help but be reminded of the last ten years of social unrest, though this album was released in 2002. "if you only knew" has jurassic 5 speaking to and trying to connect with the black community, despite differences of protest methods: "i'm trying hard to relate in a place filled with so much hate." i'd be remiss to not mention the call and response (usually linked with black cultures) within "i am somebody". the choice to use call and response to empower the listener is so powerful.
i'll include a disclaimer that i'm white, but even i can appreciate the significance of this album. this is definitely an album written for the black community.
Miles Davis
3/5
miles davis' in a silent way is a pleasant album. i do wish i was more knowledgeable about jazz music to fully appreciate what davis is doing here. as a result, my review will be short. this was an easy listen, and davis weaved together his composition beautifully. absolutely no complaints! this was the third album of his on the project thus far, and i can't say i'm upset he's on the list.
Metallica
4/5
i'm torn on metallica's live s&m album. combining heavy metal with an orchesta is a cool idea, and metallica did something super unusual here. however, at times the orchestra is drowned out and the whole point of the album is lost. metallica really just plays hard, so i guess that's the risk you run.
regardless, it was an enjoyable live album. metallica was able to extend some instrumentals in their songs, and i enjoyed the differences the orchestra brought. the string instruments could increase the musical tension well. two hours is a risky length, but with the extended instrumentals, it didn't seem so long. not to mention metallica brought such great energy to this audio only recording. and i heard some new metallica songs, so it was a win for all of us today.
Emmylou Harris
3/5
emmylou harris, containing a first name worthy of any country star, has a sweet voice that's particularly perfect for these tender songs on pieces of the sky. "far too gone" is a great example of this. it's already a beautiful song, but something about harris' voice knocks her songs up a notch. that song with the only single, "if i could only win your love," are the stand outs. the rest of the album could be a little lackluster in comparison, but her voice makes the album enjoyable in the long run. and linda ronstadt providing backing vocals on "queen of the silver dollar" (containing cute lyrics by shel silverstein) is the icing on top of the cake! 3.5
Creedence Clearwater Revival
4/5
CCR isn't typically in my wheelhouse. i enjoy their hits, and they have some fantastic songs. i wasn't expecting to enjoy it as much as i did! this genre is formally called swamp rock, but to me it's just a combination of rock, blues, and a good amount of country. i mean, of course it's swamp rock when you have the album opener called "born on the bayou." i'm reminded of tom petty and the heartbreakers, though he was more southern or americana rock, so i'm not sure if that connection works.
bayou country is a remarkably even album--this stands out to me after listening to metallica, so maybe some context will help. it's still rock but it's a chill kind of rock music. "graveyard train" is an example of that; it doesn't get very excitable but the bass and the lyrics catch you. the cover of "good golly miss molly" was interesting. while it's still a cover with the slightly changed lyrics, CCR made it their own with their swampy music. and, of course, a special mention: we have to thank john fogerty for tina turner's "proud mary."
a delightful 4.5!
Oasis
2/5
oasis' definitely maybe, while containing a cute album name, didn't do much for me. liam gallagher, who i am sure is talented, had a droning voice at times, and i checked out. i did try. i did like the lyrics! the other gallagher brother, noel, came to my rescue. all in all, uninteresting--and i guess it was some sort of super influential game changer?
Jack White
2/5
jack white is real eh for me. i don't think i enjoyed this as much as the two white stripes albums i've heard, and i thought both of those were average. this one was boring on the whole. i'll admit i'm not the biggest blues fan, but this in particular could not grab my attention. it was easier with the higher energy songs, but my goodness the low energy songs were rough. not for me.
Guns N' Roses
4/5
wow, did guns n' roses go hard on their first full length album or what? they opened with "welcome to the jungle," which is a banger of an opener and is still so great after all these years. this album does contain three of their biggest hits, and in these kinds of situations with previous albums, the other songs typically are lackluster. that didn't happen here--gnr went all the way, even on sentimental tracks like "think about you." i say sentimental, but you know what i mean. even songs that aren't hits, like "mr. brownstone," are absolute bangers.
appetite for destruction (an amazing album title if i ever heard it) was a fun album, plain and simple. it didn't invite deep discussion like bob dylan or leonard cohen's music does, but it's enjoyable, as music should be. 3.5
Iron Butterfly
3/5
i laughed when i saw today's album, but then "in-a-gadda-da-vida" instantly got stuck in my head. the seventeen minute long track is joked about in my family, but the fact is that the song actually slaps. iron butterfly created a masterpiece of progressive and psychedelic rock in this song, and damn if it's not delightful every second of the way.
the rest of the album is certainly passable. the other songs are similar in style to the title track, but like other albums with one major hit and nothing else, the rest of the album doesn't live up to expectations. the other songs allow for a flowing listening experience, but they're not noteworthy. i did think a band called iron butterfly creating a song called "flowers and beads" was cute, for what it's worth.
The Prodigy
3/5
music for the jilted generation was an unusual album! after more than 350 albums, i haven't heard anything quite like this yet. i get the sense that this album was unusual for its release year, 1994. the prodigy certainly were committed to rave and techno. techno music can sometimes be too repetitive for my enjoyment, and basically i'm here to say "it's not you, it's me." i can say that the wind instrument in "3 kilos" was an unexpected choice of a sample. not bad to keep your listeners on their toes.
2.5, but i'm impressed with the album and creativity, so 3.
Radiohead
2/5
third radiohead album as part of this project, and i don't know what they did here. it sure isn't the worst i've heard on this list, but i know that radiohead can do better. hail to the thief has a more experimental vibe than i realized radiohead had. it's super artistic and off the wall, which usually i admire. but this album seems to just be a moody, bleak mess. the droning voice did them no favors here. bummer.
Van Halen
5/5
eddie van halen's guitar work is the first thing that stood out to me, but i'm sure it does for most people. i'm thrilled he had his own instrumental song, "eruption," to play with, and it's not a surprise that became so well known, even if it wasn't ever a single. it contains some of the best guitar work in hard rock! the rest of the album doesn't slouch. take any song, and you'll find some beautiful guitar work.
there was some nuance that was easy to overlook, that i only heard upon multiple listenings. there's a pinch of eddie van halen playing the sitar on "ain't talkin' 'bout love." on "i'm the one," there's a quick interlude containing some scatting. despite those nuances and more, the lyrics are great. the songs are catchy. what an enjoyable listen.
rip eddie van halen!
Michael Kiwanuka
4/5
what a delightful and fresh album! i can say with confidence i enjoyed every aspect of this album. overall, the choice to use the soul genre made it a calming and pensive listen. kiwanuka did use more than just soul, but gosh i loved how much soul was on here. "living in denial" was pure seventies soul! and the beautiful lyrics, too! they could be so insightful. i'm not sure i've ever heard a song with lyrics like "solid ground". i enjoyed this album a lot, especially since it was absolutely an unknown to me going in.
Fleetwood Mac
5/5
i don't know what i can say about this album that hasn't been said before. i will say that "silver springs" has to be included when considering this album, and i won't be taking no for an answer.
this album is a wonderful mix of songs. emotional songs that tear at your heart, but there's plenty of fun songs so you aren't weighed down too much. "you make loving fun" might be the purest, happiest song on the album while recollecting the joy of love. you've got an acoustic song, "never going back again," and a piano only song (and a little acoustic guitar), "songbird." most songs aren't as minimal, so they stand out more. "the chain" has such an intense beat in comparison. the reverberating bass before the big finish--wow. the album is well balanced.
the songwriting is absolutely exquisite here. each member of fleetwood mac contributed, to the album's gain. the different perspectives amid the relationship drama, again, only help the album. the album title makes sense, huh? if i may request readers' patience, the juxtaposition of all of these lyrics: "i know there's nothin' to say/someone has taken my place" from "second hand news", "for you, the sun will be shining/and i feel that when i'm with you" from "songbird", "and if you don't love me now/you will never love me again" from "the chain", and "now here you go again, you say you want your freedom/well, who am i to keep you down?" from "dreams". i love it all so much!
the voices of christine mcvie and stevie nicks absolutely ruin me. the minimal accompaniment to "songbird" allows mcvie's voice to be center stage. what a beautiful and captivating voice--and the same for nicks, too. while, no offense, i don't find lindsey buckingham's voice as interesting, he doesn't have a bad voice--and it's perfect for a song like "second hand news." but there's something about nicks and buckingham singing together.
there isn't a bad song on this album. it's a perfect album and i have no notes. i don't hesitate in my vote.
Joni Mitchell
3/5
joni mitchell cannot ever be a bad listen. her voice has such a light, pleasant quality to it, which sure makes for easy listening. she uses jazz for the most part but combines it with pop and rock, which makes for that smooth listen. the second song on the hissing of summer lawns, "the jungle line", is the exception--her voice by itself is lovely, but the discordant sounds here are interesting yet jarring. i'm not mad about it!
i definitely noticed the emphasis on women's perspectives. i'm sure it's due to mitchell writing almost the entire album, but i know she chooses her themes carefully. the world was changing in the mid-seventies when this was released, but not enough that her emphasis choice wasn't purposeful. she describes a southern belle's persistence despite difficulties, a woman's decision to stay with an unloving husband, the strength of all women.
De La Soul
3/5
de la soul's 3 feet high and rising is not your typical rap or hip hop! this album was released in 1989 and had an incredibly different tone in comparison to other rap and hip hop that was released at that time. truth be told, i think it still stands out from today's rap and hip hop! de la soul is playful in their lyrics and topics. i mean, who else would sample "magic number" from school house rock or a nursery rhyme?! or create some seventies game show as a running gag? de la soul's daring dissent is charming and admirable. yet it isn't always fun and games: they make sure to cover societal issues like many rap groups at this time. not limiting their music, sampling from a variety of genres or unusual sources--this formed the respect i have for this group and album! 3.5
Wu-Tang Clan
1/5
wu tang clan's first album was very much not for me. i respect it and i know many people today enjoy it still. oh my good gravy, that misogyny! super uncomfy to listen to. this album was a lesson in restraint for me and tested my ideology of listening to entire albums on this project, but i persevered.
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
2/5
this band name and album name are quite the mouthful. orchestral manoeuvres in the dark (shortened to OMITD) created a very specific ambient tone on architecture and morality. this album is a great example of creating music that flows seamlessly, one song into the next, while remaining different songs. all that being said, my overall reaction was "eh." omitd's album is easy enough to listen to, but kind of boring.
The United States Of America
1/5
this album was plain weird, and this is coming from someone who enjoys weird tom waits music. i'm not entirely sure this band is normal after "i won't leave my wooden wife for you, sugar." a lot of this was out of tune or instruments were smashed together in the hope of creating music. i get that in 1968, lots of musicians were experimenting with psychedelic music, but oh my good lord, this was not music. and then this band even used old time-y music! i don't understand.
as for something positive, i liked the different vocals. i'm out tho
The Boo Radleys
1/5
oh this is garbage! nothing about this was interesting or revolutionary. i even kind of find it offensive that a band of mostly white guys called themselves the boo radleys and created a song named "rodney king." i'm honestly confused on how anyone can call this music. some of it wasn't terrible, but a good chunk was made up of random sounds that don't sound good together. what? also, 64 minutes of this nonsense was 64 minutes too long, yes, but for real this album dragged!
David Bowie
4/5
while i'm not a big david bowie fan, i have always admired artists who try different sounds and can never stay still. bowie definitely was that! this is the fifth bowie album as i've been randomly given albums throughout my journey, and i can guarantee this was my favorite thus far. with station to station's release in 1976, yeah, the funk and rock music makes a lot of sense. i would even mention that there's a touch of disco, but that may be a controversial statement. but i'll stand by this statement: "stay" is the best example. and speaking of "stay," the instrumental sections of this and other songs were top notch. i wasn't disappointed at all.
while i was annoyed that i had yet another david bowie album to listen to, i couldn't be upset once i began listening. many apologies, david bowie!
Creedence Clearwater Revival
4/5
green river follows bayou country, which i've also listened to as part of this project. CCR honed in on that swamp rock sound, huh? it's a remarkably easy (swampy?) album to lose yourself in.
"bad moon rising" has to be one of my favorite classic rock songs. it's got such a good hook, and i can't resist singing incorrect lyrics. like most albums with huge hits, "bad moon rising" does overshadow the other songs. sometimes the other songs can be forgettable and not noteworthy, but that's not the case here. fact is, "bad moon rising" is just that good! the rest of the album can hold its own. some songs like "cross-tie walker" or "commotion" are unusually peppy for CCR, but they still contain that usual twang of swamp rock that connects the whole album. "sinister purpose" has a different tone but it's delightfully disquieting. green river is definitely an album that contains distinct songs yet it flows quite well.
3.5
Talking Heads
2/5
talking heads' debut album released in 1977 has a cute title: talking heads: 77. but the actual album itself wasn't too exciting for me. my review for another of their albums allowed me to realize that i enjoy their hits but not much more. that holds true here, too. "psycho killer" is a certifiable bop of a song, but what sticks out the most is that talking heads replicate various aspects found in "psycho killer" into their other songs but nothing is as good or catchy. i did find myself intrigued because there's more funk than i expected (not mad about it).
John Cale
4/5
if you told me that a member of velvet underground created music that wasn't a discordant, experimental mess but full of beautiful orchestra pop, i would call you a liar. john cale discarded his punk roots and went in a completely different direction with paris 1919, and i absolutely love it. this is the kind of music i am a sucker for.
the backing orchestra adds such a lovely, pleasant quality to this album. i am left to suspect that without the orchestra, i wouldn't be as interested. his voice isn't too remarkable, though it's interesting that he's close to whispering on "like on antarctica." the orchestra fills up the tension, higher and higher, on "the endless plain of fortune". the orchestra matches the increased tempo on "macbeth," which definitely sounds like your typical fun rock song from the seventies. the orchestra allows "andalucia" and other songs to be mellow and sweet.
yet, cale makes himself known with a song named "hanky panky nohow." alright, cale, i see u.
Jane's Addiction
3/5
i was surprised that nothing's shocking came out in 1988. a lot of genre precursors are not good at all, and while i didn't love this album by jane's addiction, it's incredibly listenable. jane's addiction was early for heavy metal, alternative rock, and grunge, but they have some punk roots, too. and then they decided to do an about turn for a bit of island time for "jane says" or jazz for "thank you boys." i admire their gumption. i definitely hear similarities with rhcp (no surprise considering dave navarro) but also rage against the machine, in regards to the music played but also for the fact their album's that level of unusual. they clearly did what they wanted to do. how else do you get a song referencing ted bundy?
on a final note, perry farrell's vocals are unique. this is definitely part of the trend of this genre that they aren't stylistically great singers, and that's okay since there's a fair amount of screaming.
Jorge Ben Jor
4/5
wow! jorge ben jor's áfrica brasil sure was lively, despite it not being a live album. it isn't easy to create that kind of natural energy in a studio. but i found myself clapping, bopping, dancing along to these songs. i had a good time listening! each song was distinct from one another, yet the album as a whole was a fusion of jazz and funk. and then in the final song, ben jor threw us a curveball with that beautiful piano!
a joyful listen. worthy of being on this list!
Funkadelic
4/5
i can never be upset when a funk album comes up--even when the title is maggot brain. george clinton, that certainly was a choice.
maggot brain was full of delightful, funky funk. it was clearly created and released in the seventies, especially considering the amount of psychedelia. and the soul sound!! what a captivating mix. the album used only instrumentals at times, and gosh the title track was some way to start off the album. that truly was a great instrumental. then on "can you get to that," raymond davis' deep voice was so alluring! even with the farting noises during "wars of armageddon," this album was such an enjoyable listen.
The Human League
3/5
the human league's dare had some heavy synth! with the intense synth sounds, the album definitely came across as dark. but oh my gosh, some of these beats were delicious. i heard some similarities with kraftwerk, who did predate them (no shade meant! it's just good to know who influenced who). like kraftwerk, their electronic/synth sounds definitely were more on the experimental side. an educating listen, to be sure.
"don't you want me baby," as the fourth single, is absolutely bonkers to me, considering how it's their most famous song by far. it's a fun album closer, though.
Al Green
4/5
this album is just as smooth and delightful as i had hoped. like, buttery smooth. i'd be surprised if it wasn't one of the smoothest albums on this project! because of al green's voice and the album's tone, let's stay together is a delightful, joyful listen, even with some sorrowful songs. really, al green covering "how can you mend a broken heart" by the bee gees seems rather on brand. i was so charmed by this album, and i'm so happy i listened to it.
Stan Getz
4/5
what a joyful surprise, this self-titled joint album between stan getz and joão gilberto. this sultry jazz album was such an easy listen! gilberto's voice was incredibly smooth. switching between portugese and english added to the mood. there's something lovely about music in a foreign language! i'm not mad about this album at all, though i'm sure there were intricacies i didn't appropriately appreciate.
The Cars
5/5
holy crap!!! i knew i would enjoy this album, but i wasn't prepared for how much. the cars' new wave is the new wave i love. it's light and synth-y. a lot of these songs are bops! honestly, it was a lot of fun listening.
i'm surprised how much of the cars' debut album is well known. i do admire artists who make such a big stamp on their debut, and the cars were no exemption. synth was ballooning in 1978, and it makes a lot of sense that the cars used new wave and synth to define their sound. "moving in stereo" is a good example, because the synth is the loudest part of the song--it definitely drives the song.
anyway, 5 stars. no notes.
Iron Maiden
4/5
second iron maiden album for me, and i have to say i like this album more! my review of their debut self-titled album mentioned how great the guitar was--and i stand by that for this album, too. these guitars are killer! the final song on the album, "hallowed be thy name", in particular had some great guitar work. i wasn't upset at all.
i'll admit i don't have much iron maiden knowledge, but i feel like "the number of the beast" was right up their alley in terms of theme and tone. each song connected with one another with a malignant tone, and of course iron maiden brought up demons and hell and their usual business. 🤘
Pulp
2/5
i can't say i was anticipating an album named this is hardcore to have its second song to be about cleaning the dishes comparing himself to jesus, but i guess that's where my day took me. with this album being released in 1998, i was surprised how similar it was to david bowie's music. even the lead singer's voice sounds like david bowie? if i didn't know better, i'd bet money that this was david bowie, not just music that took david bowie inspiration.
not terrible, though i couldn't find much original about this music. as always, i've definitely heard worse music on this list!
Dolly Parton
4/5
the joy i felt when i saw today's randomized album! queen dolly!
older country typically is a calming and relaxing listen, and parton holds true to that in coat of many colors. it's quite the easy listen. her voice is so endearing and definitely adds to the easy rhythm. "early morning breeze" is a great example of this!
with most of the album written by parton, her music comes across as incredibly genuine. the only exceptions are the one song from each side that were written by her long-time collaborator, porter wagoner. with the opening track as the title track, parton nails her purpose within three minutes.
Talvin Singh
4/5
this album kept me on my toes, and not always in a good way. the album opens with "traveller," a song i can describe no other way than gorgeous. orchestral, full, emotional. the following songs were noir-like or peaceful with electronic used, but still a south asian sound was there, through and through. the regional sound tied the album together and forced the album to be so different from the other electronic music we've had on this list--and in such a good way. anyway, then you got a weird ass song like "decca" that stands out, and really drops this whole album down from a 5 to a 4. thank goodness spotify allows you to omit a song from your listening.
Rufus Wainwright
2/5
rufus wainwright's want one was a nice album. it was dreamy and pretty in general. i felt rather enveloped by his music because it was all encompassing. but it had some sleepy time tea vibes, so i found my interest waning as the album went on to nearly an hour.
anyway, a song released in 2003 named "vibrate" and containing lyrics like "my phone's on vibrate for you" was rather of the time. what a time to be alive, huh. 2.5
Taylor Swift
4/5
it's no surprise that max martin's name is all over this album, especially when you consider how big 1989 is. all of taylor swift's albums are huge, but she hit something special on 1989. it's pure fun pop and definitely a departure from her early country sound. considering the heavy pop presence, of course martin was heavily involved in its creation.
while swift does not hold herself to one genre, 1989 was definitely a springboard to her current sound. the pop music has synth and electronic backing, and gosh it just makes so many songs unbelievably catchy. in fact, many of swift's staples are on this album! hit after hit after hit.
unsurprisingly, swift's songwriting remains strong. but it's still worth a mention. "band-aids don't fit bullet holes", "'cause, darling, i'm a nightmare dressed like a daydream", "pictures in frames of kisses on cheeks". just a handful of examples but her songwriting can be so evocative, simple, emotional, powerful.
4.5
Ride
1/5
oh my gosh this album was boring. is shoegaze a synonym for boring?! i mean, nowhere is fine on the whole. there were some pretty strings and encompassing music, but i could not wait for it to end.
i typically reserve 1s for albums that are unlistenable or the artist is a dbag. well, ride is a special case. byeeee
Merle Haggard
3/5
i'm a lonesome fugitive by merle haggard is a whole ass vibe!! with a title like that, it's no surprise this album is country with a capital c. the entire album follows along with a theme haggard created after hearing (and subsequently covering) "i'm a lonesome fugitive." his own prison stint only encouraged the theme, and i love the connection and the dedication. i enjoyed following along with haggard's story, and like a lot of country, i found it easy and relaxing to listen to this album. i'm just saying that the album would've improved with including "mama tried".
Lenny Kravitz
4/5
lenny kravitz' let love rule was an album i knew, two songs in, that i would enjoy. what i'm stuck on is if i enjoy it on its own or that it's got a lot of prince vibes. well, i know i'm not upset with the prince similarities. in some ways, this felt more like a family friendly version of prince. when you add to the fact kravitz did prince's trademark--performing almost all instruments by himself--well, that isn't a uniquely prince attribute, but it's another connection. regardless, it's admirable.
there was *so* much funk here! kravitz nailed it. great immersion with rock and soul music.
Public Enemy
2/5
fear of a black planet, as an album title, is badass. this wasn't public enemy's debut, so it isn't a surprise they continued to create songs reflective of their society. but even knowing that, the inclusion of "911 is a joke" shocked me! i admire it, and i'm glad it's on this album. go off, public enemy (thirty-three years later)!
Fiona Apple
4/5
fiona apple's tidal is her debut album, released when she was just nineteen. my goodness, it's so beautiful! some of this album can be so delicate, but sometimes there's a darker undertone, and it's so delicious. i'd also describe the album as smooth. not smooth as in jazz typically is, but smooth like untouched water.
as a singer songwriter, apple crafted music that is definitely emotional and personal. actually, i wonder if tidal is more personal as her debut. "sleep to dream" kicks off the album, and gosh some lyrics are delightfully scathing! musically, the songs are great and i have no complaints, but her lyrics are definitely a highlight.
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
4/5
what an absolutely pleasant and easy going album! upon reflection, with the various jazz albums on this list, i understand why the dave brubeck quartet's time out was included. among the instruments, the piano and the saxophone stood out the most. the sax could be so beautiful, like nothing could ever top it, and then the piano charmingly shimmies into the song. not mad about this delightful album one bit.
John Martyn
2/5
one world is an album that doesn't sound like it's from 1977. "couldn't love you more" sounded more like some nineties alternative than seventies experimental pop! other than that, some of this album came off as uninteresting. i'm already not the biggest fan of experimental, so unfortunately that's a strike against john martyn he can't fight. i will say that steve winwood's energy is definitely felt here. he popped in nearly every track on this album, and a song like "small hours," a pleasant instrumental, felt like another song from winwood's eighties career.
Slayer
2/5
slayer did not go home; they go so hard on reign in blood. a little too hard for my own tastes; i'm not entirely sure i've heard music like this before. of course, i'm sure that there's many people who love their thrash metal and satanic lyrics. it was far from bad music, and i know they were early to this scene with this album's release in 1986. a precursor for sure, but like many early influences, it's not quite as good as the later music. so i'm left with appreciation!
Fela Kuti
3/5
go off, fela kuti!! in my book, when you anger your country's military with your music, odds are you're on the right track. i loved hearing this scathing criticism, even if i didn't understand it fully without the societal context. musically, kuti's zombie has more jazz fusion than the other albums i've heard. the horn usage was just delightful!
Thin Lizzy
4/5
oh my god, the guitars!!! brian robertson absolutely murdered his guitar solos and the instrument itself in live and dangerous. thin lizzy is definitely a well-rounded band, so it's not like the other instruments were lackluster or boring. but gosh there was something magical about the guitar in this recording. "still in love with you" and the guitar? are you kidding me?!
the energy on this album is HOT. the way the album opens and closes with the cheers allows it to be played on a seamless loop, like a never ending concert. phil lyontt has great audience interaction, even through an audio only recording.
by the way, absolutely wild that huey lewis makes a little cameo on the harmonica during "baby drives me crazy"! i'm not mad about it, but i'm just saying i assumed at first it was a different huey lewis.
N.E.R.D
2/5
this album was okay. not as attention grabbing as it could be, truth be told. i found some similarities with n.e.r.d.'s fly or die with the beastie boys. whereas the beastie boys leaned more into hip hop with rock tendencies, n.e.r.d. focused more on rock with sprinkles of hip hop. a good combination, but it couldn't do enough for me.
really cool to see pharrell williams' origins! he's like a baby here, and he learned to play drums for this album?!
The Soft Boys
2/5
a lackluster album, but truly not the worst i've heard. i could hear some of the influence that the replacements took from the soft boys' underwater moonlight. the replacements are more solidly punk, whereas the soft boys were a kind of light punk.
on a weird note, i couldn't determine if "positive vibrations" was a take off from the beach boys' "good vibrations". the inclusion of the sitar made me think that. though a sitar is not present on "good vibrations," it does contain a lot of unusual experimental sounds.
David Bowie
2/5
i've listened to a number of david bowie albums as part of this project. i don't exactly agree about the choice to include this album. his other albums definitely broke barriers and had influence, but the next day seems just okay. while i wouldn't call myself a bowie expert, i don't think he did much of anything new here. i did say this album was just okay; by itself, it's fine, but i suppose i was expecting more from david bowie.
for what it's worth, the artistic choice to use an adapted version of the heroes album cover is fascinating. and what went into bowie's inspiration for the creation of this album is fascinating, too.
Stevie Wonder
4/5
a delightful album. stevie wonder mixes soul and funk in such a beautiful way. i can think of no better example than the classic opening to "higher ground". beautiful and catchy. but like you'd expect from an artist like stevie wonder, there's even a pinch of latin in the opening of "don't you worry 'bout a thing"!
his voice is truly beautiful. wonder is great with a variety of songs, but with the soft, emotional songs, there is something special when he holds a note. "all in love is fair" destroyed me when i first heard it. legitimately, leave me here to die.
my perception of wonder, as a millennial, is that he's an apolitical musician with a focus on soulful, romantic songs. that assessment isn't fair anymore. i knew of the song "living for the city" but only the single version. sure, wonder isn't shoving his comments on society in your face, but he doesn't need to. the full version speaks for itself, and its story is forceful. also, to be fair, it just a good song, musically. i admire the ability to create a good song with a powerful purpose and great lyrics! a good example of his songwriting prowess.
The Beach Boys
3/5
the beach boys' pet sounds is probably more of an okay album by today's standards, but its existence in 1966 was much more groundbreaking. still, looking back on the beach boys' evolution through the years is fascinating. they didn't completely sever their connection to their original sound; these songs aren't as happy-go-lucky (and don't contain surf references), but they do have that saccharine quality that makes their music such easy listening. regardless, they are straddling their original sound and their newer, more mature sound here. "god only knows" is one of the most beautiful songs of all time, and it isn't a song that could have come out earlier in the beach boys' career.
Adele
4/5
my second adele album, with the first being 21. her voice is positively beautiful on 25. she holds some notes way longer than you'd expect. actual chills!!! what a gifted singer. every song showcases her voice. even if some songs hit the mark more than others, her voice remains reliable.
she did change some of her genre inspiration on 25. adele lives in soul music, but it's less pronounced on this album. there's a stronger r&b presence. she used synth, making "i miss you" have more of an impact. "send my love (to your new lover)" is very reminiscent of amy winehouse (considering the inspiration, that's the exact direction she used). "a million years ago" is a paul simon-like song.
i can understand why some listeners found this album boring. this type of music isn't the type to get you hyped at a party. you definitely have to be in the right mood for this album. this music is emotional, and being present only allows you to appreciate it more. this is an album that can't be rushed.
her ballads are beautiful and heart wrenching. though adele isn't the only songwriter, her lyrics are emotional and moving. those notes she holds on "all i ask" are incredible but would be nothing without those lyrics. the choice to have a piano only song only serves to hammer home the emotions. her ballads, to me, standout among the other songs.
Cocteau Twins
2/5
an unusual album. heaven or las vegas has a dreamy quality that's unlike anything i've heard. the cocteau twins leaned into their ethereal sound. the whole album contributed to the same float-y, vague ambience. actually, i think it hurt them overall since the songs became a whimsical tangle. the imperceptible vocals weren't much help; a lot of it was mumbling. still, didn't hate this album.
The Who
2/5
i'm learning about my personal musical tastes through this project. the early version of the who was not good, and i didn't enjoy it. some songs sounded like not-as-good beatles knockoffs, which makes sense considering its release in 1965. there was more of an original, garage sound on the first side. "my generation" is, clearly, the gem on the album. it slaps! i did find this an interesting listen; as the who's debut, my generation shows the origins of the band and their evolution towards rock music. outside of "my generation," there are few clues to show that the who would become the legendary rock band they are to this day.
Michael Jackson
1/5
i've been dreading the inclusion of michael jackson albums. it's hard to reconcile good music when it's created by a pedophile. to be fair, a large part of off the wall's direction is due to quincy jones. jackson's initial solo albums were not noteworthy. but once jones joins him, jackson's albums become instant hits.
off the wall is the beginning of the huge pop star jackson would become. as a result, the first two songs are absolute disco bangers. the rest of the album isn't bad and makes for good enough listening but pales in comparison to the first two.
anyway, i'd probably give this album a 3 if the artist didn't commit sexual abuse to children.
Butthole Surfers
1/5
throwing random sounds and vocals into poorly created melodies is not going to result in good music. locust abortion technician is a disjointed, messy album. it's fine butthole surfers did a play off a black sabbath song, but what was the point? what did butthole surfers do in this album to be anywhere near remarkable and legendary?
Amy Winehouse
4/5
i have to believe that as amy winehouse's debut, frank gets overlooked since her following album absolutely blew up the world in 2006. as someone who isn't a huge winehouse fan (but can appreciate her music), i was surprised how solid this album was. it's a shame frank didn't get as much attention in the US initially. amy's wheelhouse is in jazz, but gosh it's such a cool combination, with soul and r&b and hip hop.
for a relatively short career, amy tells us exactly who she is in "fuck me pumps," and i love the strength in coming out of the gate with a song like that. while she's not the sole songwriter on this album, i found myself amazed at the power of the lyrics.
Marvin Gaye
4/5
damn, no one did soul like marvin gaye. his voice is remarkably smooth, a great accompaniment to the music. i don't think he was capable of making a bad song. his music creates such a sense of calm and contentment, almost making it easy to not pay attention to his significant lyrics.
and speaking of--i'd be a fool if i didn't mention the over-arching theme on this album. what's going on reflects issues in society and gaye's changing perspective, a definite turning point of his career. all of the topics are important, even to this day, and gaye gives a lot of social issues significant time on this album, all while making great music. gosh, who knew soul could sound so political yet remain easy listening?
Bauhaus
1/5
i wouldn't consider mask by bauhaus a great or even good album, but i found myself weirdly interested in it. sometimes it was a mess of distorted music, but sometimes it was quite normal punk rock! it could be gothic at times, too. the vocalist left something to be desired. a disjointed album that had no flow. i don't know why it's on this list, to be honest.
KISS
2/5
kiss is well known for their hard rock and metal sound, and they're very good at what they do! but they're also one note. this album is undeniably fun and great for concerts but lacks substance. these songs are big and contains well played music but are rather similar to one another. these are corny songs in a way; "detroit rock city" starts off with a radio intro that's kind of campy! enjoyable to an extent, but not very fulfilling.
Paul Simon
4/5
this album feels different from paul simon's other solo or simon & garfunkel albums. at his core, simon is a storyteller and that hasn't changed with this album. "the late great johnny ace" and "rené and georgette magritte with their dog after the war" are songs referencing real people and events; the former connects several assassinations to one another. simon's genres aren't any different from his other albums, though he isn't as heavy into folk here. his tone is the same; he's as paced and even as ever. the beat seems stronger as a whole. "when numbers get serious" is a playful song, reminiscent of simon's earlier work. i'm reminded of the songs used on simon's episode of the muppet show! "think too much (b)" uses a marimba, which definitely foreshadows simon's next album. i'm not sure of the inclusion of "cars are cars", but there seems to always be a weird song on any paul simon album.
what stands out on this album is the personal aspect. simon is a storyteller, but i've come to expect that his songwriting typically doesn't cover himself. the title track references his relationship with carrie fisher. "allergies" and "train in the distance" seem to reference other love relationships. the lyrics simon wrote are simplistic yet provides an inside look into his life.
i enjoyed hearts and bones more than other paul simon albums, to be honest. i found graceland to be lackluster outside of its hits, but this album had more of a consistent quality.
Pet Shop Boys
5/5
My third and final Pet Shop Boys' album from this list. I've discovered my joy and interest in PSB as part of this project. To exactly no one's surprise, this album's still synth heavy, but there's a change in their tone. While they do have their more energy intensive songs, the consistent tone throughout is much more melancholy.
Part of the tone change is due to lyrics. "Jealousy" has a great beat and describes the emotions and thoughts of a lonely, hurt, jealous lover in a one-sided conversation: "You didn't phone when you said you would". "To Face the Truth" seems like a follow-up, of bitter acceptance of the end of a relationship after not knowing where their lover is at night. But we still have "Nervously", which is an adorable, sickly-sweet song of young love, in contrast. "So Hard" reveals a couple's compromising efforts, but the lyrics lead us to believe that it's too difficult: "Why don't we try not to break our hearts and make it so hard for ourselves?" And of course there's a song with the title "The End of the World", though it's not so bleak or dramatic but about teenage heartbreak. "Only the Wind" uses weather imagery to show a relationship with difficulties, but at least one person is blind to the problems: "It's only the wind, they say it's getting worse" and "A storm blows itself out".
"Being Boring," with a banger minute and a half instrumental to open the album, is anything but boring and is probably the album's song with the strongest significance. The world changed, particularly for the LGBTQ+ community, through the 1970s to the 1990s, and our main character grows older and opens the "closing door". From the chorus, we hear a recollection of the carefree times: "And we were never holding back or worried that time would come to an end." But soon, within the third verse, we see the fierce changes the main character went through: "All the people I was kissing, some are here and some are missing, in the 1990s". An impactful song to start off an album named Behaviour and a big reason for the album's somber tone.
Immediately following is "This Must Be the Place I Waited Years to Leave", a song reminiscing not-so-fondly of returning to school and likening school to a strict dictatorship without protest or free expression. PSB went so far to include spoken Russian by prosecutor Andrei Vyshinsky during a 1938 Soviet treason trial as the outro. "My October Symphony" seems to reference the October Revolution and the Soviet Union--but also the disillusionment of its people. It's important to mention this album did release in 1990 when the USSR was going through major changes leading to its demise. To edit the lyrics for the sake of space: "Shall I [...] change the dedication [of my October symphony] from revolution to revelation?"
"How Can You Expect To Be Taken Seriously?" seems more of a personal number for the duo to poke fun at themselves, like the Pet Shop Boys are using the second person POV to detail questions they receive but provide no answers. I couldn't help but love this line: "Do you think they'll put you in the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame?" While the Rock Hall inducts musicians of other genres, PSB are not currently inducted.
I heard more orchestral aspects on this album, too. "Only the Wind", "My October Symphony", "Jealousy". PSB use synth mostly, which is why their orchestral music is noteworthy. The pairing together is chef's kiss. There are some more electronic elements than usual, too, ("The End of the World") so it isn't synth by itself. To my ears, using an orchestra will allow music to become more emotional, which only adds to that melancholy tone.
Bob Dylan
1/5
new meme dropped: a cat paw on the back of bob dylan's hand. it's time to stop playing the harmonica.
george harrison did a better cover of "absolutely sweet marie".
Anthrax
3/5
anthrax is definitely a band i wouldn't have sought out on my own, but i can't say i hate this album. among the living is thrash metal, obviously, but there is a good amount of solid instrumentation behind the screaming vocals. anthrax couldn't be a reputable band without creating decent music.
having a song like "indians" on an album in 1987 is bewildering. gotta love a political song you weren't expecting! because anthrax doesn't do anything halfway, their lyrics are particularly hard hitting. i can't even single out any specific lines because all of it is amazing.
a surprising 3.5. thanks for the head banging, anthrax.
The Bees
2/5
this was not a bad album, and i was not bored by it. at times, i struggle to pinpoint other genres' influences on an album, but with the bees' sunshine hit me, the reggae came through well. there were even some classical notes.
on the whole, this album was forgettable. i was at times reminded of an unrefined beach boys. the vocals were very eh and could be drone-y at times. i'm not a huge fan of the early 2000s indie for the fact that not all indie needs to be published. indie music should not be a synonym for "not very good", and i don't know why this album is here. the bees were not the only to use reggae with indie music.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
3/5
reggae as a genre is overlooked, and i'm so glad bob marley made this list. marley and reggae are still so intertwined after all these years, and who knows how known reggae would have become without his influence? his use of reggae punctuated the white western world, though this album wasn't marley's debut or final.
bob marley and the wailers' exodus is an extremely easy going album. the beat, like yacht rock, is so chill and creates an easy album to listen to. the inclusion of the horns is so beautiful! in contrast, you would think the reason of the title track creation seems potentially antithetical to the rest of the album. but it isn't: marley took his experience of an assassination attempt and crafted a hopeful, uplifting song for his religion and fellow believers. the lyrics written by marley may seem plain, but they're more powerful than anything else.
1/5
i never knew of pj harvey before this 1001 albums project, and i wish i still didn't. third album of hers i've heard, and it's absolutely not for me. it's boring. her voice drones on and on. there's nothing exciting or different in her songs. cool album cover is all i've got.
Solomon Burke
4/5
what a beautiful album! solomon burke's voice is so pleasant, and the music itself is an engaging mix of rock and soul, hence the cute album title. this kind of older music is my catnip! soul is definitely the primary genre (like, so much that soul has a capital S), but burke includes country at times, too. his soulful voice makes it work, though!
the background singers don't quite get their fair praise on this album. their backing of burke allows songs to become well rounded. there's no way "just out of reach (of my two empty arms)" could sound so beautiful without those background singers! i can't even find record of who his background singers are, which is such a shame.
Marvin Gaye
3/5
i don't think marvin gaye could've made bad music! while i don't think here, my dear is his finest work, it isn't bad. it's still unbelievably smooth, and his voice is just as delightful as always. he really was made for soul music. it seems to miss the spark his other music has, though. but i'm not mad, because his voice is still full of love.
i'm no gaye aficionado, but i think he did something a little different here. i thought funk would be on this album more, but it's only a touch of funk sometimes. "is that enough" contained electronic pieces, and "a funky space reincarnation" reminds me of parliament's mothership connection with its sci-fi.
Stephen Stills
3/5
i came away from manassas with more appreciation for stephen stills. of the supergroup CSNY, stills was the last one to prove their significance to me. i can't say i was wowed by this album, so i'm at a middle-of-the-road 3, but i appreciate his songwriting and music creation now. tied with his buffalo springfield roots, this album does have more of a country and blues tilt. it wasn't easy listening like how yacht rock is, but there was that general ease that comes from blues music. and i say this even with manassas being a double album!
the last song acted as a tribute to recently deceased musicians/friends. having "blues man" as the closing track of a supergroup's debut album tugs at the old heartstrings. "such a waste, left such a space."
M.I.A.
2/5
overall, i found myself impressed but not intrigued. m.i.a. is definitely not your typical artist and there were some cool or unusual elements, like incorporating world music with hip hop and paying homage to her heritage. in a genre dominated by men and pointedly not those of indian heritage, m.i.a. carved quite a spot for herself in her debut album.
Yes
4/5
yes' fragile delivered! i suppose their music isn't as progressive as other artists, or as progressive as their later music became. but i enjoyed it a lot. for being a song that was possibly overplayed on classic rock stations in my youth, "roundabout" still slaps and is a great album opener at eight and a half minutes long.
the instrumentals ("cans and brahms", "five per cent for nothing", "mood for a day") grabbed me in particular. the first had more of a classical touch, the second experimental, the third folk-y, but they were solid and showcase yes' range.
Fun Lovin' Criminals
2/5
this album is an album that includes every genre under the sun! hip hop was the dominating genre, but the fun lovin' criminals (what a band name) incorporated jazz, rock, rap, and some country/blues. they even covered a bond song!
i didn't hate this album and its genre jumble, but i also didn't find it terribly interesting as a whole and i don't know about its inclusion on this list. the song titles were entertaining, at least.
2/5
this album felt too long. i've heard much worse before, for what it's worth. on the bright side, suba created electronic music that was pleasant and not grating to my ears, especially for someone who isn't the biggest fan of electronic music. the infusion of experimental, jazz, and ambient aspects kept suba's são paulo confessions interesting. then out of left field, suba throws a fiddle in for a folk-y feel. the fiddle was a choice, is what i'm saying. still, in the end, the album as a whole just seemed to never end.
Tom Tom Club
3/5
well, that was music! i knew tom tom club's "genius of love," so i kind of suspected what this album would contain. tom tom club's self-titled is, in a word, unusual. for a talking heads' side project, this album contained more funk than i associate with talking heads. the amount of new wave, even for a side project, checks out for two members of the talking heads. i suppose a side project allowed weymouth and frantz to experiment more, and weymouth's airy vocals got a chance to shine. her voice paired well with this funk/new wave sound!
Teenage Fanclub
2/5
i have to imagine the use of microsoft paint for the album cover was a lot cooler and edgier in 1991 than 2023.
regardless, i am here to focus on the music. on the whole, teenage fanclub's bandwagonesque left something to be desired. it had an early sound of alternative or indie music. some songs were better than others; i felt like teenage fanclub found more of their groove with "is this music?" 2.5, close to a 3 but not quite.
Kings of Leon
1/5
oh i did not care the lead vocals one bit. they quite ruined this album for me. i guess outside of the vocals, the music was ok. tolerable. it just sounded like a repeat of garage rock in the seventies. youth and young manhood was a slog. i've rated better albums a 2, so we're in 1 territory.
Incubus
4/5
ah, more music i missed out in my youth! in all fairness, i wouldn't have appreciated incubus' depth in my younger years. make yourself is a metal and rock mix, but there are bits of alternative, funk, and hip hop.
i was reminded of beastie boys at times, which makes sense since incubus lists them as an influence. "battlestar scralatchtica" is an instrumental that the beastie boys could have created; in fact, if i didn't know i was listening to incubus, i might have thought it was the beastie boys! and those weird electronic noises at the end of "privilege", too. "out from under" sounds like incubus' contemporary system of a down, especially but not solely because of the resist theme. based on other albums i've heard as part of this project, i hear some inspiration from alice in chains and rage against the machine.
despite similarities, i do feel like incubus has their own sound here. "nowhere fast" or "drive" are too slow of songs that beastie boys or system could ever create! incubus is definitely able to mix between the harder, metal songs and their milder, alternative rock songs--and do it well. i suppose it's no accident their tame songs off this album were their singles, but gosh their harder songs absolutely slap and shouldn't be overlooked.
to the reviewers who didn't give this album a chance, i will direct them to the chorus of "the warmth" that shows incubus is tender-hearted, yet still metal: "so don't let the world bring you down/not everyone here is that fucked up and cold/remember why you came, and while you're alive/experience the warmth before you grow old."
Sex Pistols
2/5
it's truly fascinating that the sex pistols had one studio album but were so influential and memorable. but that doesn't mean i enjoyed it. a lot of early punk is so unrefined and uncoordinated that i can't even appreciate it. in contrast, the instrumentation was fine! in fact, i think it was done well or maybe i just had extremely low expectations. the vocals, however, were incoherent and unappealing and a downright mess. johnny rotten's voice makes the sex pistols unlistenable. i do respect this album's placement on this list, however.
R.E.M.
2/5
in general, i don't care much for r.e.m.! i think they're overplayed on the radio (which they don't dictate), but more than that, the lead singer's voice is drone-y and uninteresting (i don't know why he held the note at the end of "king of birds"; alas, one of life's great mysteries). despite this, listening to r.e.m.'s document taught me more of their alternative rock presence. their two big hits off this album are more rock than alternative to my ears, but the rest of the album has that alternative feel. this album is definitely something for emo teenagers--i mean, one of their biggest hits from this album is "it's the end of the world as we know it," and nothing screams more emo teenagers than that. for what it's worth, the instrumentation was very solid and allowed the album to be cohesive.
Run-D.M.C.
4/5
this album was so fresh! the second run d.m.c. album i've heard, and their focus shifted from just hip hop and rap to, well, hip hop and rap but also with rock thrown into the mix! it was indeed a welcome and fun change of pace. their version of "walk this way" is iconic! the original song is good as it is, but run d.m.c.'s rapid, back and forth rapping compliments aerosmith's song so well. the sampling of "my sharona" subtly in the background of "it's tricky" was unexpected but exciting. and the periodic guitar riff in the background of the title song! damn, that was an excellent touch of the rock genre and showcases that rock and rap blend.
finally, raising hell made me realize those beastie boys and run d.m.c. both dabbled in the sampling, hip hop, rock area in the mid-eighties. never quite made that connection before.
Coldplay
1/5
i sure do not like chris martin's voice! this album already had a strike against it, but i tried to be as fair as possible with coldplay's parachutes. but all of these songs were boring! they slid into one another and i couldn't tell where one ended and another began. well, i can say that the piano stood out on a few tracks! that was one good factor.
bye, i will never listen to this again!
The Replacements
4/5
this album's track listing is wild! the replacements' first two songs are sweet, which definitely cuts into the stereotype of what punk music is. what's more punk than that? but the replacements made sure to include songs like "tommy gets his tonsils out" and "gary's got a boner," which are definitely your typical punk of creating songs with titles and lyrics that make your elders stop in their tracks. but i will not forget that the replacements included cutesy, clever lines or they have a lyric of "you're my favorite thing, bar nothing". i see you, paul westerberg.
what's most punk about this album is the song "androgynous". this album was released in 1984, and to have a song that blatantly talks about non-gender conformity is pretty great. the song is limited to only a piano, but the distorted vocals don't allow the lyrics to be as coherent as much as they would otherwise. still, the song's intention is clear: some people appear androgynous and they do what they want to do. "tomorrow, who's gonna fuss?" as in, mind your own business.
this album is the only one of the replacements that i know; apparently they toned down their previous punk nature for let it be. i wouldn't necessarily characterize this album as straight punk. there's a bit of a peppy pop approach at times. yes, the new wave genre is absolutely here!
and the instrumentals! the instrumental sections in "seen your video" and "unsatisfied" are particularly beautiful. punk can be characterized as songs played quick and fast without much fuss or intricacy. instrumental sections aren't unheard of in punk but are uncommon. the usage of these instrumentals is a breath of fresh air but also showcase the band's talents without the vocals interrupting.
two of the more morose songs on the album, "sixteen blue" and "unsatisfied", provide balance to the more lively songs. i don't think it's an accident these are more rock based. the roaring, unrefined vocals allow these melancholy songs to hit deeply. the unpolished nature of "unsatisfied" (which the band freely admits to!) possibly makes this song more noteworthy than otherwise. but a song doesn't need to be tweaked to death in order to achieve greatness. again, that's punk!
The Young Rascals
2/5
groovin' is a pleasant listen--and from the sixties, to no one's surprise. i didn't find it much different from other sixties music, though, and it felt rather average as a result. the (young) rascals created decent enough music in groovin', but it wasn't enough to create something legendary or even remarkable. legitimately, i have no idea why these guys are in the rock and roll hall of fame.
Astrud Gilberto
2/5
astrud gilberto's beach samba was light and pleasant! it wasn't challenging in the way of punk or metal, that's for sure, though i'm not entirely sure my listening experience was relaxing enough like i was at the beach. the combination of a latin sound with folk music was nice, but i felt like overall the album lacked substance.
oh, and the marching band song was weird. don't think that was a necessary inclusion on this album, but i guess it didn't hurt my ears.
Roxy Music
2/5
i couldn't help but think of david bowie while listening to this album. for your pleasure was released the year after bowie's the rise and fall of ziggy stardust and the spiders from mars, and bowie must have provided some influence to roxy music. for your pleasure has that artsy, experimental vibe that was bowie's sound around this time. because of this unfortunate comparison, this album was bland as a whole to my ears. i did enjoy "do the strand" quite a lot; the horns present in a glam rock song was unexpected but delightful.
to be honest, i had no idea brian eno didn't begin his career as a music producer but was himself involved in creating music as a musician in a band. to learn about eno's beginnings with art rock was fascinating; his work with bands like talking heads or U2 makes a lot of sense, but his own musical work did evolve over the years to stray from the glam rock found on this album.
The Beta Band
2/5
definitely an album that's just okay. it didn't leave me with strong feelings or thoughts, so that means it was neither outstanding nor terrible. for an album released in 2001, hot shots ii didn't sound particularly new or old. the electronic aspects, for what it's worth, was the kind of electronic that i enjoy since it wasn't overly repetitive and remained different enough to keep my interest. the sample choices, too, seemed unusual. i'm not mad carole king's "it's too late" was sampled!
The Dictators
1/5
some of the dictators' lyric topics were questionable at best. i guess it's edgy to shock your listeners with songs like "back to africa" and "master race rock." i have to assume these songs were done tongue-in-cheek, especially since the dictators have jewish band mates, but i can't say knowing that made me feel more comfortable. is it that edgy to blatantly use racial stereotypes that have dehumanized black and jewish people for centuries, or is it disrespectful and racist? (it's disrespectful and racist).
but despite my rating, i'll provide some deeper thoughts. the dictators' go girl crazy is definitely an early punk sound. covering sonny and cher's mega-hit song and creating a beach boys-esque song "(i love for) cars and girls" not only connected punk to the sixties pop sound but gave the dictators that punk humor, perhaps even before other artists did that.
Nirvana
4/5
an album with an unplugged concept allows a deeper connection with the music, i think. even though there's an audience, i'm able to focus more on the instruments. like, that deep bass line opening "come as you are" hits that sweet spot--or that strong guitar presence of "the man who sold the world." i will say i wasn't very surprised that kurt cobain sneaked in an amp, because the guitar sounds too much for an acoustic type. but i guess nirvana makes up for it by including an accordion?! while i don't know the history of mtv unplugged, the usage of an accordion makes nirvana's unplugged stand out, not to mention the inclusion of a few covers that nirvana made into their own only adds to it.
this album deserves its reputation and legacy as being one of the best live albums out there. nirvana created an intimate experience--somehow, the guy periodically asking for which song is next adds to the intimacy (despite the guy being recorded for all of posterity as the annoying guy interrupting kurt cobain, but ok). that connection cobain created isn't anything like the usual concert feeling, and i think that's part of why this album's popularity rightly soared after his death.
anyway, respect.
Blood, Sweat & Tears
3/5
the usage of the horns makes for a satisfying listen. blood, sweat & tears' self-titled shines when infusing rock and jazz. the song "blues, part ii" exemplifies the fusion beautifully. the eleven minute track even veers toward the progressive genre, and i'm not upset. the usage of other songs in this nearly instrumental track was inspired. that deep, bluesy bass sound of "sunshine of your love" was delightful.
i'm honestly disappointed that most of the album contained covers! the songs bs&t covered were not bad, and i am always excited for steve winwood to pop up, but considering what was created with their original sound and three covered songs in "blues, part ii", i expected more from them. still, for what it's worth, an enjoyable listen. 3.5
R.E.M.
1/5
r.e.m.'s first full length album leaves something to be desired. i'm sure r.e.m. was still finding their sound, because i found murmur to lack originality or variety. while i wouldn't call myself a fan of r.e.m., i can at least find more of a unique sound in their later albums--and at least *some* excitement. did the record company or producer hold r.e.m. at gunpoint to create this album? that's the only explanation i can gather. and not to mention, michael stipe's vocals are Not Good. ugh.
David Bowie
4/5
i couldn't tell you how many david bowie albums i've gotten on this list thus far (5 at least), but i will say that young americans fulfills bowie's trend of creating a different sound for each album. i appreciate it! his music is varied and keeps my interest, even when i am not his biggest fan. young americans has a soulful, funk sound to it that is so delightful. this album marks a turn from art, glam, progressive rock to some great soul and funk music. the title song has a touch of jazz, "fascination" (with the wonderful luther vandross as a co-songwriter) has a disco feel, and "fame" is fun but also soooo funky.
two songs in particular grabbed my attention. "young americans" lyrically is great (and it's also a good song, period) and is kind of a sarcastic look at american society, especially coming from a british musician. "across the universe" was the other song. i didn't know bowie covered this song! it's quite a soulful rendition and does justice to the original song, especially with john lennon providing the guitar.
Beatles
5/5
this album is and deserves to stay at the top of highest rated albums. abbey road shows the beatles in their prime and deserves all its accolades. a double album worthy of its length. et cetera, et cetera, et cetera.
this album will always remind me of my twin sister being obsessed with "octopus's garden" at about age seven! she'd play it on repeat on a boombox while playing on our swingset.
despite my loyalty to george harrison (whose songs on this album are delightful), "i want you (she's so heavy)" remains my favorite on this album. the instrumental aspect is grandiose! can't get enough of it.
Suede
2/5
second suede album on this list and i have yet to discover what makes them interesting. it's fine, but bland, music. there's some more of a punk sound than i anticipated, but it wasn't enough to save suede, at all. a 2 because i'm generous, and their music was... actually music, but flat.
Patti Smith
3/5
patti smith is an artist i respect greatly. historically i haven't been a huge fan of her or her voice, but i did enjoy horses. her debut album didn't quite sound like her later music; it was very close but her signature vocal sound wasn't quite there. her lyrics seem to be right on the mark, though.
i LOVE smith's medleys. they were full of creativity! it's fascinating what her and her group were able to do with the covers. if it's one thing i admire, it's creating covers that challenge the original song.
smith defined punk at this time. while i'm not rating the album cover, it gives off such punk androgyous vibes that can't be ignored. musically, the album contains punk, but with history's context, sure, she doesn't go as hard as other punk bands in the late seventies or early eighties, but that wasn't a common sound in 1975. and punk is about defying expectations, which is why i absolutely love the inclusion of reggae in "redondo beach." if that song doesn't add to the beach feeling, then i don't know what does.
The Killers
3/5
gosh, this album's release in 2004 doesn't seem right! the killers created such modern rock but also something that wouldn't be out of place released in 1982 or 2023.
as someone who enjoys the killers a regular amount and doesn't seek them out, i found the second half of the album to be refreshing. the killers made such a smash with the first album, but telling a fellow millennial that the killers have better music than "mr. brightside" might get me beat up. the second half was completely new to me and maybe didn't have the same energy as the first side, which has so much punch, but i didn't mind because more of the killers' talent was revealed on side b.
since i don't seek out the killers' music (as mentioned before), i didn't notice their punk or new wave aspects before, but i was struck how well they combine several genres. color me impressed!
Brian Eno
3/5
to be honest, the sound of another green world is exactly what i imagined a brian eno album to sound like. mostly instrumental, and a mix of electronic, ambient, art/experimental. the vocals themselves weren't anything special, because eno's strength lies in the instrumentals. maybe the album as a whole could be considered boring, but the instrumentals could have such moments of beautiful brilliance that i wasn't bored.
these types of instrumentals were still new and different for 1975--not to mention the kind of creativity that went into this album. there were fiddle-like and outer-space sounds, and i don't know how the album managed to sound cohesive, but eno managed it.
The War On Drugs
3/5
i'm torn on this album. on one hand, musically, lost in the dream is solid. they've got this dreamy ambient vibe that's a little spooky--perfect for october listening. in that regard, i can't say i'm surprised this album was written by the lead singer while he was in the throes of depression.
but the thing is, i'm not sure i heard much new music on this album. "eyes to the wind" had bruce springsteen's sound, bob dylan's voice. "burning" was full springsteen. the title song was very dylan. "red eyes" sounded like "touch of grey" by the grateful dead. i could go on! but you get the point. mostly, i felt like the war on drugs brought nothing new to the table. i say mostly because their instrumental "the haunting idle" was unique and was creatively interesting.
i'll give this a 3 and we'll call it even.
Dennis Wilson
4/5
i wasn't expecting much from a solo album from a beach boys member that was not brian wilson. i assure you, i didn't. i'm thrilled my misgivings were absolutely wrong. and i sure am glad dennis got a chance to create his own music and shine by himself on pacific ocean blues. while this is a solo album, the album's title track and album title are reminiscent of the beach boys!
this album was varied! i don't think it's fair to consider this album only part of rock and pop history, because oh my gosh so much of this album was full of delightful funk. the song "time" began using some sort of jazz/funk combination halfway through that was absolutely astonishing. the uses of orchestral music were so well placed; the tuba on "dreamer" and the piano on "moonshine" were creative, inspired choices.
his voice is utilized well, in particular on the softer songs where his voice comes across so tender. as the main singer of this album (with carl joining at times), wilson was able to showcase his voice so well. "you and i" might be the best example of that. or sometimes his voice is grittier, rougher on a harder rock song like "friday night." i appreciate the range he had on this album, which depended on the song's genre.
the beach boys' early music can be described as bubble pop, like almost mindless pop without much substance. i think those vibes are on this album in some ways. i wouldn't describe these lyrics as beautifully written, or wilson and gregg jakobson as brilliant songwriters, but there's an art to creating lyrics that are easy to digest. the duo hit the nail on the head. "rainbows" is a good example--because it's rather simple but remains enjoyable. that being said, pacific ocean blue, like many beach boys' albums, is incredibly easy to listen to.
The Zutons
3/5
well gosh, this album took me by surprise! especially for an unknown artist, i wasn't expecting the zutons to create actual music that was listenable and refreshing. for the most part, this album does not sound like it was released in 2004. there's mostly a sixties pop sound, but somehow combined with garage and folk music. there's even a sound i don't know how to describe--some sort of bluesy, ska sound. "dirty dancehall" is an instance of that unusual, catchy sound. regardless, this was a delightful surprise to my ears.
the zutons created an album with a sound i haven't quite heard before in my personal listening or on this project before. i'm glad they're here and i experienced them! 3.5
Ghostface Killah
2/5
another solo album by a member of the wu-tang clan. i am white, and i'll freely admit i am probably missing nuance on this album. i'm not quite sure what ghostface killah put out on this album that wasn't already out there. it's fine for the hip hop genre, but i don't understand its presence. i do also believe this album was simply too long; it didn't need to cross over the 1 hour threshold, at all. the misogyny of "back like that" was unfortunate since that's one of ghostface killah's biggest hits.
Stevie Wonder
4/5
songs in the key of life was stevie wonder at his peak, and he created a double album as a result. stevie created such amazing music, and "sir duke" and "as" (among others) are prime examples of that. i don't think a double album was necessary, but it was also not unnecessary. this album could've been trimmed, but i didn't hate listening to it! this album is full of beautiful music after beautiful music. how could i be mad?
there's something about the way wonder creates music. that combination of r&b, soul, funk, pop, jazz, all while he plays keyboards. he does this as if it's magic, truly. how does he do it??? i don't know, but i do know it makes for a damn easy listening experience.
i've mentioned this in a previous stevie review, but forgive me. stevie wonder makes noteworthy music, but it's easy for him to be only considered as the king of romantic songs--which is absolutely accurate and fair, but he doesn't let us forget he's a black, religious man. "have a talk with god" and "black man" forces us to understand who stevie wonder is. not to mention, "village ghetto land" allows wonder to include a political song, too, which isn't unheard of for him, but i admire it all the same.
Cowboy Junkies
3/5
isn't this album something! i didn't love it but i found myself intrigued. the lead singer of the cowboy junkies has such a lovely voice that lends itself well to their airy, alternative country sound. honestly, i found similarities between an album like this and "emo music" in the early aughts, and the trinity sessions was released in 1988!
i enjoyed what they did with their covers; they definitely made these famous country songs their own. for instance, "walkin' after midnight" is barely distinguishable from patsy cline's! the cowboy junkies used their unique sound to change these covers, and because i'm familiar with some of the original songs, it's easy to see how different their sound was and how it drove the songs in unexpected directions. one easy example of this is how the use of the harmonica had a near "crying" sound effect.
Dire Straits
4/5
this album is SO good. "money for nothing" is one of the greatest songs in the history of music. the lyrics, the slow intro, the guitar, the jam session, the music video, the EVERYTHING. and sting was involved! what more could anybody want?
but this album didn't have "money for nothing" on a loop, so i'll consider the other elements, too. this album has so much: eighties new wave sound, sultry and smooth jazz (we're nearly in yacht rock territory), instrumental-opening songs. brothers in arms is incredibly easy to listen to, and to have on repeat. because "money for nothing" is a song with a heavy sound, the rest of the album could easily be passed over--but it shouldn't! the rest of the album may not pack the same punch as "money for nothing," but it's full of meaning and beauty! the title song's lyrics and soft tone are so striking. the sax within "your latest trick" is perfect! "walk of life" is so pleasant and so endearing.
Alexander 'Skip' Spence
1/5
alexander "skip" spence put it all on the table for oar. and by put it all on the table, i mean his vocals are awful and drone-y and unappealing. no thanks. 🤢
Klaxons
2/5
new rave is a genre i didn't know existed, but i suppose it didn't last for terribly long. my ignorance can be forgiven. klaxons' myths of the near future was full of dance music and was easy to vibe to. memorable? no. but hey, i do appreciate a theme.
Mylo
3/5
well! mylo's destroy rock & roll was cool! i found it to be an interesting, creative album that worked to make the sampled songs different. it was quite easy to listen to, despite the variety between the original songs. because of the variety, the music wasn't boring. gosh, the title track tied the whole album together with the repeating holier-than-thou message from the church universal and triumphant. damn, mylo!
The Auteurs
1/5
i couldn't tell you why this album is here. sure, my ears didn't bleed, but new wave was not full of the new wave genre but instead that boring, unremarkable indie music of the aughts. i suppose the auteurs were ahead of their time, with this album's release in 1993. anyway, new wave's inclusion made sense once i read it was part of early britpop--and then i understood why i found it so boring!
The Waterboys
3/5
a surprising album! i'm not a huge folk fan, but fisherman's blues has more going on than just folk. the combination with the rock genre helps for my ears, but beyond that, there's still a fair amount of creativity going on. the music doesn't go in the direction you expect it to. and the type of folk here is the one that, like, actually involves multiple instruments and even has an irish flair, which makes it sound much more modern, despite being from the late eighties. at times, i felt like there was a soft, charming rod stewart sound happening here.
The Smiths
5/5
as the third album of the smiths on this project, strangeways, here we come marks a change in their style. since it's their last album, i found myself sad that we will never know where their music could've gone. regardless, this album doesn't have the punk sound as their others. instead, the smiths went more into the early alternative scene. i found myself enjoying this album more than their others, which is such a bittersweet feeling. if there was anything to dislike, then i found myself more interested in the first half. side A has more energy, whereas side B is more morose, especially with a song titled like "unhappy birthday."
"last night i dreamt that somebody loved me" (aka the smiths giving fallout boy vibes with their song titles) starts off side B, and it's so delightfully gloomy. the decision to have a haunting two minute haunting instrumental introduction with background audio of a mid-eighties british miners' strike is inspired. and the basis for "a rush and a push and the land is ours" as a poem by oscar wilde's mom (!) and referencing the flippant colonialism of england towards ireland. morrissey has a lot of sketchy opinions, but both of these i respect. this is part of why i enjoy the smiths: their commitment to social issues.
johnny marr's decision not to play guitar for "a rush and a push and the land is ours" is mind-bogggling. it reminds me of prince's decision to omit the bass line of "when doves cry". both situations were unexpected, back then and now. these kinds of creative choices allow the songs to stand out against the test of time.
as always, fuck morrissey.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
3/5
nick cave and the bad seeds are quite the artist. definitely pretentious, but also definitely pleasant enough music! i've listened to their ghosteen album as part of this project, and i'm impressed by the range this band has. many artists don't challenge themselves in the way nick cave and the bad seeds do! in contrast, abattoir blues / the lyre of orpheus is much more lively and has a stronger beat driving the music--and there's an overall dark tone that, honestly, i'm obsessed about.
like many double albums on this project, i'm left wondering why it needed to be so long, but alas.
Les Rythmes Digitales
3/5
i'm not mad i listened to les rythmes digitales' darkdancer! truly, this album was pleasant and fun. many songs had a good beat and were different from one another to keep a listener interested. my personal music tastes found some sounds were too repetitive in a single song, but i can still appreciate the creativity even if it wasn't for me.
the usage of electronic, synth, disco to create dance music was a big part of why this album came across as different from other half-instrumental electronic albums. i was reminded of kraftwerk at times--"sometimes" had that heavy electronic sound that i associate with kraftwerk!
The Stooges
3/5
proto punk is so polarizing, and i'm surprised i even enjoyed this album when proto punk is typically straight up loud and brash and unappealing. to be fair, this album didn't only have proto punk, and a good thing too because gosh that genre usually leaves such a bad taste in my mouth. i think part of it was the lyrics, which seem to be more substantial than a lot of punk (of any time or variant), but they still have that punk attitude--i sure did laugh at the title of "your pretty face is going to hell." also, raw power doesn't have the same unpolished sound as a lot of other proto punk bands. i wonder if that was david bowie's impact?
as a final note, i felt there were some the replacements vibes at times. even though they were more post-punk, both band did infuse rock and focused on their lyrics. "i need somebody" almost sounds like a song the replacements could've created.
The Temptations
4/5
oh! the temptations are trying to murder me! this album, all directions, has the temptations at their finest. to me, they are most well known for their romantic, dreamy love songs. those are here in spades! and gosh they are full-bodied, beautiful songs.
but that's not all! the temptations said funk rights!! and their funk is positively banging. that funk and soul combo in "papa was a rollin' stone" absolutely destroys me because of its smoothness. the symphony instrumental is a great way to open the song, and then i'm clapping along like nobody's business.
with "run charlie run," i was shocked at its presence, because that isn't a typical temptations-like song, but i'm not mad about it. and to learn otis williams was so reluctant to record that song! but its second spot is significant. they could've hid this track on the second half of the album. i love its inclusion because the temptations are black and have something to say.
FKA twigs
2/5
fka twigs' lp1 has a sound that hasn't been present on this list before now! it has dreamy, ambient vibes, which have been done before but are always enjoyable, but they come with an electronic, r&b combination that was fascinating to listen to. while i don't know the full history of r&b and ambient music, these genres allow lp1 to stand out from the crowd. the ambiance created by fka twigs is quite lovely. 2.5
Minor Threat
2/5
wikipedia informs me this album is some sort of landmark in punk rock. personally, i didn't hear it. i mean, yeah, it was definitely hardcore punk, but i was left wanting more. i guess other artists took inspiration from minor threat's only album, but i'm sure they did it better.
for what it's worth, i like the album cover. the symbolism is easy enough to understand, but the more "basic" drawing of the black sheep, versus the others, sends it home.
i've already listened to two rod stewart albums as part of this project, and i of course already knew the song "stay with me." but this felt rather lackluster! i didn't get a sense of the creativity i was used to on those two stewart albums. and i'm sure part of it is that i enjoy stewart's crackly voice more than i realized! that must be why i've always enjoyed "stay with me." but there's more of a focus on the instruments here, not just the vocals.
all in all, this album really is just fine, but i wish it was more. a low 3.
JAY Z
4/5
jay-z's the blueprint came out in 2001 but still sounds fresh. the beats, as the kids say, are sick. i found nothing repetitive, just lots of creativity.
the samples used were purposeful, like on "song cry." the original song "sounds like a love song" provides a beautiful background for jay-z's version and allows jay-z to show a gentler side musically and explore his emotions. who says music isn't therapy?
when i got to "renegade," i did not realize that eminem had such a distinct sound! i didn't know jay-z and eminem had a collaboration, but as soon as that song started, i instantly recognized it as such an eminem-esque song.
titling an album the blueprint is quite a declaration, but incredibly well deserved, even by someone who isn't as well versed in hip hop.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
3/5
there's been a lot of elvis costello and the attractions on this list, and finally there's been an album i like! this album contains some actual energy from costello, aside from just the singles, and the songs were catchy! see, i knew costello had it in him.
a lot of talk on this album focuses on the early grunge sound. i hear mostly new wave, with a little grittiness, assisted by costello's imperfect voice, and my thought was that it was more of a punk style.
Tortoise
3/5
tortoise's millions now living will never die is rather a unique instrumental album and listening to it was an interesting journey. each song is distinct and it's easy to differentiate between them. at times, it had a whimsical vibe, other times it was futuristic sounding, and it could get distorted, too. i felt like i was melting into the album at times.
Norah Jones
5/5
this was the music teenager me needed but would've scoffed at. i wouldn't have appreciated it, but i sure do appreciate norah jones' come away with me now. overall, it was an unbelievably pleasant listen. each song was smoother than honey and so easy to digest. in that regard, i hear similarities between her and fiona apple.
jones jumps between morose and sultry. the balance is just right. with a mix of original and cover songs, jones manages to come across as earnest and forthright, even when the lyrics aren't hers. her voice is working overtime to make me understand her emotions! the chill jazz inclusion only adds to how easy this album is. "painter song" has some italian vibes, too. jones allows this album to be a cohesive album with an easy flow while still making each song distinct. i want to live in this album forever.
my fun fact with norah jones is that her father was ravi shankar and her godfather was george harrison. yeah, nepotism is a thing, but truly i believe jones and this album proves her own talent and creativity.
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
4/5
growing up on bollywood movies and music, sufi music like what's found in devotional songs is old hat to me! what is new to me, however, is nusrat fateh ali khan himself. he brought international recognition to qawwali music, sufi islamic devotional singing. despite dying quite young, his legacy lives on with how he continues to inspire young musicians today. from personal experience, this kind of music has appeared many, many times in south asian films since his death in 1997. his early death makes me wonder what kind of contributions he could've continued to provide to bollywood films!
anyway, as far as this album goes, its music is serene and blissful. the vocals pack an emotional punch, even when you can't understand the lyrics. some may call this style of music repetitive, but religious singing always is--the singers want to express their love for their god(s)! outside of the singing, the instrumentation is good. using south asian instruments, the music has a consistent, rhythmic beat that acts as a trance. but since singing is the main focus of this music, it should be and is dominating over the instruments.
Paul Simon
4/5
paul simon's comfort genre is folk, and on the whole, this album is mostly folk! i find myself amazed of the other genres included in "mother and child reunion," but reggae does stand out the most. the reggae element is a great one to use to open the album, but it also makes for a great song. outside of that, this album has so much folk that sometimes it borders on country. folk isn't my typical genre, but gosh does it make for easy listening. the usage of pop in "me and julio down by the schoolyard" lightens the album's load, too.
simon's songwriting talents are clear on his first album after simon & garfunkel's breakup. a lot of these songs showcase a vulnerable side to simon, especially revealing songs like "run that body down" or "everything put together falls apart" or "paranoia blues." these songs reveal who simon was in 1971. in the middle of the album, there's "peace like a river" as a semi-hopeful desire for peace, but the final line of "congratulations" is "live together in peace," which definitely brings the album full circle but also suggests what simon deems as most important.
3.5 because the second half wasn't as solid, but i'll round up for good intentions.
SZA
2/5
not a bad album, but it didn't do very much for me. sza's ctrl was chill and smooth. the r&b electronic mix, with sza's soft style, made for an enjoyable, relaxing listen. but i'm afraid ctrl didn't stand out very much, and the songs didn't distinguish themselves enough.
Sparks
3/5
where did this album come from?! sparks' kimono my house is peppy and tongue-in-cheek. a song titled "thank god it's not christmas" is rather charming. the high voice, almost falsetto, of the lead singer only adds to the fun vibe.
honestly, this album sounds like it couldn't have been released in 1974. i can hear some likeness with their contemporary, roxy music, but i still feel like this album was ahead of its time. and i do admire this album's uniqueness. the usage of castanets in "talent is an asset" stands out.
this may be a controversial statement, but i'm heavily reminded of rush with this album. the lead singer's voice is reminiscent of geddy lee, and there is a fair amount of progressive music here, too. i just can't shake the connection!
The Beau Brummels
1/5
no, i am not happy! the beau brummels' triangle album is not good. it's nearly indistinguishable from other sixties music, and it's unremarkable, to boot. the voices of the two singers leave a lot to be desired. i'm not claiming that singers must have clear voices, because a not perfect voice can be amazing, but like. c'mon.
Brian Eno
3/5
wow! david byrne and brian eno created such a different album for 1981. it's rather experimental and electronic, but the usage of various world musics make this album so unique. the beats are pretty sick, which is a weird statement to make for a brian eno album, but it is what it is. and the inclusion of funk made this album made it stand out even more. the samples could be repetitive, as they usually are, but since the samples were so unusual, i found myself more intrigued than annoyed.
the feel of the album is very brian eno, who seems to ooze some chill and psychedelia vibes in his music. the talking heads' new wave sound isn't here, but their typical art/avant music is! i suppose that's david byrne's influence on the talking heads, too.
i do wish that perhaps two white men hadn't created this album, but from what i read, what byrne and eno did was create music respectfully and borrow inspiration from other cultures. when they received some complaints or requests for a song removal, they complied and adjusted the album--even in the last few years. i'm impressed.
Prefab Sprout
4/5
i'm reminded of yacht rock with prefab sprout's steve mcqueen album! that's not to say this album is rock, but the usage of jazz into another genre (rock or new wave, as in this case) gives me this similarity. i wouldn't be upset if i were on a yacht sipping champagne and listening to this album, is what i'm saying. it makes for a charming and easy listen. there isn't a bad song on here.
i'm not always struck by lyrics, but i quite enjoyed those on this album. "i believe that sweet talk like candy rots teeth" from "hallelujah" is a cute line. the lyrics in general aren't pushing too hard but remain charming.
3.5, but i'm feeling generous. an enjoyable listen when i wasn't expecting it.
Os Mutantes
2/5
i always enjoy albums from a non-english language! and gosh, os mutantes' self-titled was truly created and released in the sixties, despite being recorded in brazil. this album is oozing with psychedelia, in addition to some beatles-esque music, but the percussion usage is what makes this album different. the drums in "bat macumba" in particular stood out to me.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
3/5
with my third nick cave and the bad seeds album, i've come to see the variety included in their albums! henry's dream has a fast punk tempo with folk vocals and sometimes has a gentler blues cadence. this isn't necessarily music i'd normally listen to, but i can appreciate it and its uniqueness, both for the band itself but also for music in general.
Rod Stewart
3/5
like a lot of rod stewart music, his gasoline alley is a pleasant listen. particularly, the mandolin on the title track is so calming. stewart's take on folk rock isn't as bare bones as bob dylan's, but it has a simplicity that's lovely. this album didn't feel as noteworthy or remarkable as his next album, every picture tells a story, but i had an enjoyable afternoon listening!
i was struck by his voice, which isn't clean necessarily. it isn't nasal-y like dylan, or gravel-y like tom waits. i'd put his voice similar to alice cooper's: decent enough but not beautiful, holds a tune, but somehow manages to convey a tone, which makes up for any imperfections.
Ryan Adams
2/5
ryan adams' heartbreaker was a mellow album and unfortunately kind of a boring one. by far from the worst album i've heard, i did enjoy the different kind of country found here. i'm given to understand adams created some early indie folk country sounds, though it's clear to be not my style of music. i did enjoy the lyrics, too, but gosh there was that one song or two that went too heavy on the harmonica.
Kraftwerk
2/5
you could've fooled me saying this was a double album of a length of an hour and a half. i can't believe this was only 42 minutes. so obviously this album was repetitive and continued for too long. i can't say kraftwerk's trans-europe express was boring because i did enjoy it in general, but the songs were too repetitive and way too long.
aside from my criticism, i did feel an originality here. kraftwerk and electronic music are practically eponymous, and it's weird to know that they weren't always heavily in the electronic sphere. it was a fun experience listening to gritty, early electronic music.
The Stone Roses
3/5
well, here i was dreading more britpop and britpop-esque music. nope! the stone roses' self titled debut album is refreshing and charming. it's a mix of late punk and early alternative and some of your usual pop. there's a dreamy element that makes it quite pleasant to listen to!
Soft Cell
2/5
"tainted love" is a bop. super enjoyable and peppy. the second half of the album fell off, though. the first half had energy and was enjoyable wave. the second half was tired wave. i can't imagine soft cell had a good time crafting those songs, and you can tell side B gets terribly boring.
creating music around sex is great! it's always been a popular topic, but something soft cell is doing here is too much. you don't need to force these kinds of things. hasn't soft cell ever heard of the word subtle?
Chicago
4/5
chicago's debut album is, shockingly, a double album, but it doesn't fall into the usual pitfalls of a double album. despite the length, the album isn't boring and doesn't go for too long with the same sound. chicago kept it fun and refreshing.
infusing jazz with rock is peak chef's kiss. chicago leans more towards jazz on the whole, but "poem 58" proves they can do straight rock music, too. the end of the album showed chicago's ability to work within the progressive rock genre, too, which isn't what i expected, given how synonymous chicago is with jazz rock.
Willie Nelson
3/5
willie nelson's red headed stranger is what i consider simple country. it doesn't have too much flair to it. it's reminiscent of older country with the short and simple songs. and it's a concept album telling the tale of an outlaw, and what's more country than that?
on a final note, what i'm taking away most from this 1001 albums project is that studio execs know very little. nelson wanted his unproduced, bare bones album, and if his creative control hadn't been established previously, this album would've sounded very different. makes you appreciate the power musicians have.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
4/5
fever to tell by the yeah yeah yeahs is unlike anything i've heard before. and i know they didn't always keep this exact sound found on this album. most notably, the vocals of the lead singer can be harsh and she holds exactly nothing back. but she isn't a bad singer either!
broadly, this album is garage rock but i hear more than that. there's a mix of electronic and alternative music, too. and i got such a muted and distant vibe, and that's the garage rock for you. i felt so removed from where the music was, but i loved it.
also, it's terribly cute the yeah yeah yeahs have a song named "no no no."
Yes
3/5
i was surprised to hear some similarity with yes's the yes album and the band genesis. they're both progressive rock pioneers and were making music at the same time, but i previously thought of yes and genesis as different in the progressive rock genre. i was delightfully surprised, though. i even heard a bit of a folk undertone on a song or two!
Big Black
2/5
ah, this album was a lot of noise. not exactly where my music interest lies, but i was surprised to hear some metal sounds! with atomizer released in 1986, it's a definite precursor to the nineties metal scene. listening to atomizer for that fact alone is cool, but i could've done without this album on the whole. the harshness, the weird heavy breathing in the beginning of the album... i'm good thanks
Soul II Soul
3/5
soul ii soul's club classics vol. one was a refreshing listen. i found myself intrigued as the album went on; it began as very smooth r&b, but including african music into their album was a good change of pace. i do think that their desire to touch multiple genres hurt them in the end, because the album wasn't very cohesive. regardless, 3 for creativity.
The Associates
2/5
sulk's the associates isn't terribly memorable. this album contained a lot of that usual eighties new wave/synth sound, which i do enjoy! and the album was an easy listen. there were some really good beats. the lead singer's voice was reminiscent of david bowie, though.
Sigur Rós
3/5
what a unique album! sigur rós' Ágætis byrjun made for an extremely pleasant listening journey. peaceful, ethereal, dreamy. the whole album had such a chill vibe, but they were still able to expand past their ambient genre. a great example is in "hjartað hamast (bamm bamm bamm)", where the opening is country-like, which definitely came out of left field. i enjoy them pushing the boundary of their music!
i suppose the only negative thing to say is that it's hard to listen to this whole album straight through. sigur rós know what they're about and go hard in exactly one direction. i wouldn't call them one note by any stretch, but it can be a lot to listen to song after song of them.
The Crusaders
4/5
i've called other albums on this list smooth before, but those albums have nothing on the crusaders' street life. i had no idea that jazz and funk together could create such a delightfully slick album, especially by an artist i hadn't heard of before. i was impressed by the instrumental songs; they definitely held their own. but randy crawford's vocals are special, and they meshed so well with the instrumentals. what a good combination. i'm looking forward to listening to this album again, especially when it went by too quick!
Baaba Maal
3/5
what a cool album! djam leelii is an album that's unique in this project, and i so appreciate the senegalese inclusion. i'm glad i had the opportunity to listen to this album.
a mark of a good album is when it's beautiful even when the lyrics are in a foreign language. sure, the vocals add something to the album, but because i'm not focusing on the lyrics (because there's no way i could understand them!), i'm able to focus more on the music. using instruments like the kora or balafon set this album apart, too.
Slipknot
4/5
metal is a genre that never quite gets its due. slipknot's all hope is gone is extremely good and deserves to be on this project. any music of the metal genre has to have good legs to stand on--meaning, the instrumentation has to be good. i think the instrumentation of this album is incredibly solid. honestly, in a way, the vocals are distracting. the gritty, demanding vocals are perfect for slipknot, don't get me wrong, but it takes focus away from the instrumentation. and let me tell you, these drums are extremely fire.
many of these songs are of the typical death metal style (look no further than the opening lyrics to "butcher's hook" or, you know, the actual album title), of which are done very well, but god does slipknot deliver on the more sentimental songs. there's a reason "snuff" is one of their most popular songs.
The Pretty Things
1/5
😴
there is nothing within s.f. sorrow by the pretty things that is interesting or original. these songs aren't catchy and the lyrics aren't witty. it is, however, directly from the late sixties. what did the pretty things accomplish on this album that the beatles hadn't already? especially with the addition of the sitar! that psychedelic feel in 1968 wasn't unique. i even heard some songs reminiscent of the monkees--i have no problem with the monkees, but considering plenty of people believed they lacked originality and talent, what on earth does that say about the pretty things?
what a bland listen. i'm bitter i had to listen to forty minutes of this boring nonsense.
The Black Crowes
4/5
I am FLOORED. How much the Black Crowes sound like classic rock (Led Zeppelin, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and many others) while creating their own sound. How this album came out in 1990, well past the seventies pure rock heyday, but sounding like it belongs in the seventies. How GOOD this album is!!
These songs are fun and enjoyable! The black crowes are just having a good time and creating absolute bangers. Their lead vocalist Chris Robinson is absolute killing the vocals. He's singing his heart out every song. His vocals aren't a cookie cutter copy of other classic rock band but still have that slight imperfection to give the songs more personality.
Beatles
4/5
placing rubber soul as squarely in the middle of the beatles' discography makes a lot of sense. it even acts as a sort of bridge. rubber soul has a lot of easy, charming pop, but with a song like "the word" proclaiming "the word is love," it's very sixties while also pointing the beatles in their new direction after their initial pure pop/rock sound.
i of course have to mention george harrison. his two songs on this album aren't as well known (in typical beatles fashion), but they're still worth knowing (as all of his songs are). "think for yourself" shows harrison to be light years ahead of his bandmates and contemporaries, especially in terms of topics and songwriting. a song that changes its tempo often with the use of that fuzzy bass sound, it offers a sharp rebuke: "think for yourself/'cause i won't be there with you."
Holger Czukay
4/5
i do enjoy going into an unknown artist and album because i can never anticipate how the album will turn out. happily, this is a situation where the album is not a dud! i mean, it's certainly off the beaten path. it's full of experimental music, but it isn't quite as electronic and outer space-y as other artists exploring this area were around 1979. if i had to describe this album in a word, i'd use the word cinematic. this is partly due to the album name, but also i felt such highs and lows in listening to this album.
holgar czukay's movies is strongest when the songs are instrumentals. i can't say the vocals did much for me, except when they were samples (or what i suspect were samples). regardless, the album was more interesting when focusing on the instruments. 3.5
Hot Chip
2/5
hot chip's in our heads is definitely influenced by the eighties synth trend. unlike many artists who try to be inspired by musicians of past decades and become a cookie cutter copy devoid of creativity, i felt an originality in hot chip's style. however, i couldn't help but find myself extremely bored. sure, they put music together, but at what cost? the beats were good, but the lyrics? no. the instrumentation? no.
whatever, at least i crossed this one off my list.
The Magnetic Fields
2/5
the magnetic fields' 69 love songs went in almost every direction, and they tried to tackle too much within one album. yes, it's full of creativity, but it lacks so much cohesiveness. i thought i understood this album with its quick turns from indie to pop to electronic, but then some celtic sounds came out of nowhere.
i'm annoyed i had to listen to such an unnecessarily long album, and i didn't want to even like this album. i suppose when you create 69 songs, odds are some of them can be hits. the lyrics didn't stand out at all. it figures with so many songs that the creative songwriting juice would run out.
having different lead vocalists help switch things up in this three CD album. with the lead vocalist, i found myself reminded of leonard cohen often with that raspy voice.
The Cardigans
4/5
the cardigan's first band on the moon has such a cute title, but it's also a light-hearted, charming album. a lot of albums on this list have been weird or challenging, and it was refreshing to have a pure poppy sound! even without comparing this album to others, it is still such an easy going listen.
i found the "iron man" cover fascinating! i'm a sucker when an artist covers a song in a completely different manner: genre, pacing, etc. without the title, i'm not sure i would recognize it as a cover.
also, "lovefool" is an absolute bop.
a-ha
4/5
my group's 500th album! it's certainly a relief our milestone was actually an enjoyable album. what i loved most was the oboe backing of "living a boy's adventure tale." the oboe only heightened how beautiful the song was. the synth managed to create a sort of orchestra accompanying the songs, too.
a-ha's hunting high and low had a great temperament. it had ebbs and flows (i didn't want to say "highs and lows"--too on the nose) as they had peppier songs mixed with more moodier songs. the balance was perfect and made for a great listening experience. 4.5
Blur
2/5
i am incredibly grateful for blur because of their contribution to the music world in the form of "song 2," which by itself is fine but covered by big time rush for the absolute banger that is "windows down". but as for the album, it's overdone britpop, the vocals are uninteresting, the music itself is unoriginal. why are we here?
Jefferson Airplane
2/5
one thing jefferson airplane excelled in was creating such a consistent vibe for the entirety of surrealistic pillow, which was definitely aided by the album name itself. no one quite hit the nail on the head as far as psychedelic rock like jefferson airplane. the tone is warped, off putting, challenging. you're not rewarded for a close listen, in a way, because it's so different that you're unsettled.
that being said, it really isn't quite for me. i love their two biggest songs, which happen to come off of this album, but that's about it. still, respect for what jefferson airplane did here.
The Teardrop Explodes
3/5
i listened to julian cope's (vocalist and bassist) peggy suicide many months ago as part of this project; i enjoyed the variety of genres, the topics, and the creativity. while i love the band name, the teardrop explodes' kilimanjaro didn't have the same excitement. i do appreciate the psychedelic vibes, which weren't found often in 1980, at a late punk stage. it's a different kind of music, which is probably why it made this list in the first place.
on a positive note, i did enjoy the lyrics. i did get some sense of creativity. to title a song "ha ha i'm drowning" but reference it to drowning in love is quite amusing.
Can
3/5
this album both does and doesn't seem like it would've come out in 1973! future days seems hard to pin into one genre, too. experimental, electronic, ambient. it was a weird but calming sound? the album sounded way more like it came out closer to 2024, but also i can hear how at home it is in the 1970s with that experimental, electronic sound. can is definitely a contemporary of kraftwerk!
the vocals, for what it's worth, are muted and not even that intriguing. the instrumentals are, by far, more fascinating! the intro to the album is so distorted and uneasy. can had so much more of a command over their instruments rather than their vocals.
Bobby Womack
3/5
positively delightful! bobby womack's voice is delightful and smooth. with r&b and funk, that guy's voice was like butter. what couldn't he sing? honestly, the poet was over criminally fast. to be fair, this album was nothing too outside of the norm, nothing too challenging, but a gosh darn pleasant listen. 3.5
Motörhead
2/5
i don't understand how it's possible to have such poor quality with live albums, time after time! talk about unfortunate. but i suppose since plenty of other live albums have poor quality, i won't stress too much about it.
regardless, i felt no sleep 'til hammersmith was lackluster. beginning with what's still their best performing song, the album was on the right track, but the rest of the songs offered nothing unusual or different. motörhead's energy is high, at least.
Dexys Midnight Runners
3/5
this is a different sound from what dexys midnight runners are typically known for. there's a smattering of new wave here, but more than that, there's SO much jazz inspiration happening here, especially with all of the horns used so consistently! there is also a punk aspect to this music, and that's where the new wave sneaks in. searching for the young soul rebels is a good album, albeit not what i expected.
Depeche Mode
5/5
Considering I gave all three Pet Shop Boys albums 5 stars on this project, my vote for Depeche Mode is no surprise. Violator is similar to Pet Shop Boys--and Pet Shop Boys say this album in particular inspired their Behaviour album! Depeche has more of a darker, high-strung tone; PSB is typically smoother and lighter. But the two bands certainly love their synth!
The vibes are EVERYTHING. I'm absolutely obsessed. the vocals are perfect for Depeche mode's genre; they don't overwhelm the music and they add just enough that you're left wanting more. That allows Depeche Mode to come across as just slightly spooky and sinister. You never know what to expect! And the album flows so beautifully, which is definitely assisted by the conforming tone.
I have nothing bad to say about this album, but I also don't want to go onto the next one.
Dexys Midnight Runners
2/5
DMR's "come on eileen" is on their too-rye-ay album and is a certifiable bop. it stands as a great example of combining celtic music with new wave, but so do several other songs on this album--though they just aren't as good of songs. this sound is definitely unique specifically to DMR and no one could try to replicate it without sounding like a copycat.
i appreciate the nod to heritage, but really, just an ok album to me.
Anita Baker
4/5
i had never heard of anita baker before, and i can now acknowledge that not knowing this black woman with a stunning, jaw dropping voice is a crime! when she holds those high notes, i feel like my soul has transcended my body. what an absolutely delightful listen. i immediately began the album over again once i finished it.
i'm obsessed with this jazzy and soulful r&b style, and i even learned of a new genre: quiet storm. the music doesn't throw itself in your face, and i think it could even be considered as understated. regardless, rapture is calm and lovely.
in a music world that continues to be dominated by white men, anita baker is a joyful and refreshing inclusion.
Saint Etienne
2/5
i am left wondering why this album is on this list! when the album finished, i was bored and sleepy. yeah, foxbase alpha has a different kind of dance music. apparently this style is called alternative dance, but new order was so much better at this. instead of a fun and rhythmic style of dance music, saint etienne created repetitive, drowsy music and relied too much on a cover and samples. unimpressed.
Joe Ely
4/5
it ain't country rock if the album doesn't begin with a song titled "cornbread moon" i guess.
joe ely crafted some soothing country rock on honky tonk masquerade. he also created some really corny songs, but i find myself not caring? he did a great job making those corny songs easy as pie to listen to. not to mention, this album does not sound like it's from 1978. i'm reminded of the pleasant country sound that leans toward modernity in dwight yoakam's "buenas noches from a lonely room," also on this project, but came out in 1985. ely, in comparison, was light years ahead.
btw, ely on this album cover looks like elon musk. dearest joe, i am so sorry.
Eric Clapton
2/5
eric clapton is well known for his guitar playing, and if a genre is mentioned, it's blues-infused rock and roll. but hearing clapton's album of pure blues provides me a wider window into him as a musician. i can respect it! i definitely appreciate the funk he incorporated in a few of these tunes. that's not a genre i ever associated with clapton, and he pulls it off well.
all in all, an easy enough album to listen to, even if i'm not the biggest fan of the blues genre. but boy, he sure did steal from black musicians, didn't he?
Kendrick Lamar
3/5
kendrick lamar's good kid, m.A.A.d city is arguably a concept album. lamar tells a story with purpose. he still manages to make the songs hella catchy ("bitch don't kill my vibe"). lamar's lyrics are a crucial part of why this album is so powerful, especially with a song like "sing about me, i'm dying of thirst". the closing track of "compton" was co-written and co-sung with dr. dre, who also grew up in compton, and this choice was so smart as lamar concludes his album and that period of his life.
i couldn't help but compare this album to lamar's following album, to pimp a butterfly. butterfly felt like a more mature and realized album. more creativity, too. i did like it quite a lot, and i was disappointed to not like this one similarly.
The Monks
2/5
this project excels at including protopunk albums, especially by the early artists whose names are not well known to the common listener. the monks fall into that group real easy. their sound is weird and unrefined--and they certainly go really fast, very much like the ramones a decade and a half later.
the album's leading track, in the first verse, shows what the monks are all about. i love them not being afraid to put their politics out there as young men in 1965 in germany. indeed, it is monk time.
the fact the monks created a song titled "monk time" is terribly cute; i'm reminded of other sixties artists, like the monkees, who created songs to introduce themselves.
The Smashing Pumpkins
4/5
this album surprised me! i was expecting a pure grunge and alternative album, but the smashing pumpkins didn't allow themselves to be defined. there was some beautiful piano work that took my breath away! they allowed themselves to explore metal and the more artsy side of rock. as a result, songs within mellon collie and the infinite sadness were interesting and different.
to be fair, while i enjoyed this album and there was no wasted space, i do not know why it had to be a double album at two full hours. the music was great, creative, and intriguing, yet i feel like they could've gotten their point across in under an hour.
The Notorious B.I.G.
2/5
notorious b.i.g. should absolutely be part of this list! his ready to die album contains one of his biggest songs, "big poppa," and is a double album that could've been shortened. truth be told, i don't think i've ever heard of a debut double album before!
the song "everyday struggle," written by him, is possibly showing him at his most vulnerable but also revealing his frustrated commentary toward society. the songs that included misogyny and/or objectification and/or overt sex noises, well, i could do without those. but continually, the samples chosen for this entire album were by black artists. there were a few exceptions, but there are so many black artists used that notorious b.i.g. must have done this purposefully.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
3/5
an elvis costello album i enjoyed! he is a frequent artist in this project, and often i find myself questioning why. imperial bedroom, at least, has a unique sound from what i know about costello's music. most of that uniqueness comes from the instruments used, i think. for instance, the horns in "...and in every home" really made this album enjoyable.
Frank Zappa
3/5
this? this is frank zappa? i cannot believe he forced us to listen to mothers of invention when he was so capable of creating pleasant, engaging music! music that's different from the usual sound, especially for 1969. music that's nothing like his previous creations! i cannot believe all of this came from him!
to be fair, this album did have that usual zappa sound, and surprisingly, i wasn't mad at it. it's hard to describe his usual sound, other than it contains unusual elements you wouldn't normally put together. turns out that when zappa doesn't go all balls to the wall, he can rein in his weird side and create some magnetic music. besides, using a lot of instrumental music allowed zappa to focus on the instruments and, well, that's where he excels.
plus, with the jazz component, hot rats did remind me of the band chicago, who did release their debut album the same year as this album.
Tori Amos
4/5
tori amos' debut album can be hard to describe. pop doesn't quite describe her music, but i find it closer to folk than others might expect. she's creating epic songs that don't perfectly fit the folk genre either.
learning that amos is a classically trained musician wasn't terribly surprising. i'm impressed period, but after hearing her carry the song "me and a gun" with only her voice, i'm gobsmacked. she's alone without any backing; it's almost spoken word but she follows a melody. the song recounts a traumatic incident, but amos wields the song to bring her the power back. if her voice wasn't nearly so controlled, the song couldn't work. there are plenty of other songs here that showcase amos' voice too, but none omit instruments like "me and a gun" and force your attention to her vocals and the lyrics.
"me and a gun" brings me to amos' songwriting abilities. the way she's able to describe the situation in a non-sexual manner but in a hopeful manner with her desire to live through this encounter--it's nothing but brilliance. "crucify" was also written in a creative way. feeling heavy disdain toward yourself isn't exactly new, but using christianity to drive the point home is striking. those are only two examples, but gosh her lyrics are not sloppy but instead well crafted!
The Doors
2/5
my first thought with this album is that morrison hotel sure does sound very much like the doors! but at the same time, their iconic sound leaves the band with a narrow vision to create music in. this album sounds a lot like their debut album with easy psychedelia rock, but it sounds too much like they tried to replicate what worked then. i didn't feel that same spark of creativity. the songs blended into one another, so overall the album was too repetitive to be enjoyable.
Aerosmith
5/5
damn, pump is a really good album by aerosmith. i'm not sure where it stands in comparison to their other albums, but i found it thoroughly enjoyable. the songs were lots of fun! the lyrics were clever, and though there's some misogyny/objectification happening in "love in an elevator," i can't help but love all the clever lines. steven tyler, of course, came to the album with his signature vocals. pump is pure hard rock and shows aerosmith on point. if i'm being persnickety, i'd say this album is a 4.5, but i enjoyed it so much that it should be a 5.
The Dandy Warhols
2/5
well, that's an album. ...the dandy warhols come down definitely has that alternative, brit-pop sound, though it is very amusing to me they are not british at all. toward the end of the album, it moved away and became more ethereal sounding. not bad, but sort of out of left field.
i found the lyrics clever, but i don't think it was tough to save the album. "not if you were the last junkie on earth" was particularly amusing with its hook. "hard on for jesus" is, i believe, satirical. assuming i am correct, i've never heard a song going full throttle criticizing christians quite like this before.
Calexico
4/5
feast of wire is definitely a unique album on this list. when you thought you could pin it down, it changed its focus. in general, that's a latinx presence and an indie/alternative genre on this album. but i was reminded of the band genesis' early progressive music sometimes? the trumpets and other orchestral instruments used weren't expected, either. i don't know where calexico came from but i enjoyed this album.
a different kind of listen that i really enjoyed. a 3.5 i'm happy to round up.
A Tribe Called Quest
3/5
a tribe called quest's people's instinctive travels and the paths of rhythm is oozing with creativity! considering this is their debut album, i was amazed at what they did here. they included a variety of samples, and while the main genre was hip hop, jazz was included, too. the song "bonita applebum" was partly inspired by south asian music! also, there's definitely funk here. i found myself reminded of prince's funk and his voice sometimes, which checks out for an album released in 1990.
something that stood out to me in particular was the choice of samples. with both lou reed's "walk on the wild side" used in "can i kick it?" and "sir duke" by stevie wonder used in "footprints", the original songs had a catchy melody that was used frequently in the ATCQ songs in a bookend/homage kind of way. i liked it a lot!
The Style Council
3/5
the style council created an album that hit nearly every single genre to ever exist. a slight exaggeration, but i was surprised in the genres chosen for cafe bleu. as a mostly jazz album, it could have the sultry jazz you'd hear in a lounge with dimmed lighting or a beautiful instrumental. but there's also a song that sounds like cheesy, eighties hip hop, or some prince-inspired funk vibes, or straight up rock from the seventies. i admired the creativity because it was so easy to differentiate between different songs, but the second half of the album was too different. i wanted more of a natural flow. regardless, a 3 for creativity.
Everything But The Girl
3/5
an extremely pleasant, dance-y album that flowed perfectly. genuinely, i have no criticisms of the music itself. however, throughout the whole album i was reminded of other artists from around this time period. i didn't feel much originality. but for what it's worth, walking wounded is enjoyable for what it is.
Bob Dylan
2/5
bob dylan's music isn't my style, and that's ok. i won't rehash what i've said in other reviews--the exception being is that *omg* his damn harmonica is like a crutch! this album, though, has the typical dylan sound that we've heard before.
anyway, dylan's greatest strength is found in his songwriting. this line from "it's alright, ma" is arguably one of dylan's finest: "that he not busy being born is busy dying." his lyrics can be so powerful! because there's not much musically to his songs (to the point where i'd call them bland but not derogatory), that allows his songs to be perfect cover material. there's a reason so many of his songs are covered to this day! his lyrics pack a punch and can be well adapted into completely different genres than folk rock and blues.
Love
2/5
i don't understand what makes love's forever changes worthy of being on this list. it's pleasant enough and is very reminiscent of the sixties. folk, psychedelic, pop. but i'm left unenthused and bored. what was done on this album that others weren't doing?
i'll stop being a curmudgeon for a moment. i found some musical aspects interesting--and lyrics unusual. the opening lyrics of "live and let live" ("oh, the snot has caked against my pants, it has turned into crystal") in particular struck me.
Travis
2/5
britpop is not britbad, but gosh it's britaverage and i'm left bewildered why there are so much britpop on here. because of the britpop fatigue i've chronically endured as part of this listening project, i'm bored.
the man who by travis (who has a lot of audacity going by his first name when i don't know him) is very average. his voice brings nothing special to the table--not to mention his voice doesn't sound good on those more emotional songs. musically, the instruments are definitely good. i found myself impressed. there wasn't any aspect i could call terrible because it was a pleasant background or active listen. but where was the creativity? it wasn't enough to get a better rating than a 2.
The Fall
2/5
what stood out the most on the fall's live at the witch trials was the video game-like sound effects used? considering its release in 1979, that seems unusual. the vocals weren't anything remarkable, or interesting. i was bored.
Massive Attack
4/5
i enjoyed protection much more than massive attack's debut album! while i try to judge every album by itself, i couldn't help but notice that massive attack developed a more mature sound. every song was different, yet there was this atmospheric feeling that connected all of them. i think the electronic aspect was what tied them together. but still, they dabbled in several different genres, which normally make an album sound disjointed, but the songs were cohesive.
one of the vocalists' voice grated on me, though i'll chalk that up to personal preference. despite that, i'd give a 3.5, rounded up to a 4 for the immaculate vibes.
Missy Elliott
3/5
missy!!! i'm glad her debut album made the list, though this album was just ok to me. i was impressed with the variety of artists guesting, especially for a debut album, and what the different artists brought. not to mention the genres because it wasn't straight hip hop. but what i like most is how revolutionary this must have been in 1997 to have a woman hip hop artist debuting with a huge album!
Grateful Dead
2/5
this is an album that's a jam session, from start to finish. it's super emblematic of the grateful dead and their music style. they were just a bunch of guys playing music and experimenting with sounds. their live shows were clearly them having a good time! that's exactly what music should be.
that being said, i don't know if i needed a joint to enjoy this, but i was extremely bored.
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
1/5
our god is not a just god
The Blue Nile
2/5
Another album I don't understand. A Walk Across the Rooftops sounds like a knock-off album by the Pet Shop Boys. I love PSB very much, so this album wasn't a complete slog. But gosh it left me wanting more. I don't know why this was included! One of my more specific criticisms is that there was all too much repetition in the lyrics and not enough creativity.
Slipknot
3/5
second slipknot album for my ears and it happens to be their debut. this album is more unrefined and less commercial than all hope is gone. their music is still very metal, but their self-titled has such a distorted style and it's unnerving in the best way. the production quality isn't as high as it could be, but since it does add to the distortion, i'll allow it.
the screaming vocals in the metal genre aren't for everyone, but i've never minded. but if you ignore them, musically this album is just as solid as all hope is gone. that says a lot about slipknot that they had the talent and ability right in the beginning.
Throwing Muses
2/5
throwing muses' first self-titled album is definitely unique to this list. in all of the various punk subgenres, there's such a domination of men. but throwing muses lets you know within the first minute that they're (mostly) women in the post punk space! and, respectfully, the vocals are not good, which seems even more punk. how many times have we let bad male vocalists slide in punk?
so--i appreciated this inclusion, but i wasn't that into the album.
Lana Del Rey
5/5
i must spend the summer by the seaside to tend to my health whilst listening to this hauntingly beautiful album on repeat.
never before has an artist's vibe matched their vocals so perfectly. the combination is ethereal and calming. it's morose yet relaxing. letting her music wash over you is a lovely experience. i find myself alternating between feeling emotional or being uplifted. and her songwriting! she's evocative in her descriptions and has the listener controlled in her grip.
The White Stripes
2/5
the white stripes are well known for their garage band sound, but get behind me satan has a stronger garage band presence than i've heard on elephant or one of jack white's solo albums (both as part of this album project). for being released after elephant (the album that skyrocketed the white stripes into popular culture), this album is way more bare bones. in some ways, i hear a lot of early seventies style inspiration--somewhat reminiscent of the doors.
though this album was just okay for me, i am obsessed with this album title.
Tangerine Dream
4/5
tangerine dream's phaedra is something very different! we've heard other electronic, ambient, or space-like albums before, but nothing quite like this. the music wasn't in-your-face loud but it envelopes you completely. it alternates between a bit of a thriller or calm stretches. truly a fascinating listen.
as a side note, listening to this album on a walk outside was quite the adventure! the music came off as so surreal that it almost felt like i was in a virtual reality with this as my soundtrack.
Christina Aguilera
4/5
back to basics acts as a beautiful tribute to all the artists that came before christina aguilera! she pays homage to all kinds of artists, whose contributions created music to what it is today. she is mostly influenced by r&b and jazz, and she throws a lot of names around. honoring these musicians is done so respectfully and creatively. "back in the day" has aguilera reminiscing of the old days, and it's a delightful way to kick off the album.
however, the second half of the album goes in another direction. aguilera still uses the same r&b of the first half, but doesn't reference the tributes and frequently uses a circus theme. i don't think it's an accident linda perry produced the entire second half--and the two of them wrote each song together.
the sampling of traffic's "glad" in "makes me wanna pray" was outstanding. in fact, the sampling is so well done that aguilera changed the song completely! the touch of the gospel choir was brilliant, too. but to use a jazz rock song as a sample shows me aguilera's fearlessness and creativity. it's not a sampling choice you'd expect.
i can appreciate that aguilera included her own personality in her songs. the lyrical themes are right in her wheelhouse. "still dirrty" is undeniably a xtina song, and it's a continuation from her previous hit, not a carbon copy. it fits in extremely well with the stylings of this album, too. like, those trumpets?! not to mention, she includes short snippets of her previous songs.
aguilera has always had one of the most beautiful voices in all of music. what set her apart in the pop craze of the late nineties was her voice! throughout the album, she uses her vocal talents but they might stand out the most toward the end of the album with the slower, emotional songs.
this album does a lot of things right! i found myself impressed. to be honest, i am reminded of prince's 2003 musicology album. but all artists are inspired by previous music, and there's no rule aguilera couldn't do her own album like that. an apologetic 3.5, rounded up to a 4.
Maxwell
3/5
i found myself intrigued by maxwell's debut album! this was one of the easiest listens ever. maxwell's romantic voice, the soul genre, how smooth the music is, the delightful horns. the lyrics, though, didn't seem to matter. the focus was definitely more on the instruments and the soothing vocals.
also, this is some powerful baby making music.
Sonic Youth
2/5
i'm not a fan of noise rock (because i'm old it sounds like the youth making too much noise without purpose or, like, melodies), but the combination with alternative music makes it tolerable, as did the female vocalist occasionally popping in. not enough to get above a 2, though, and the fact this was an unnecessary double album did them no favors either. regardless, this album releasing in 1988 shows how ahead of the alternative curve the sonic youth were!
Ali Farka Touré
4/5
while i wish more music from around the world was included, typically we get some of the best music from countries i wouldn't listen to otherwise. talking timbuktu by ali farka touré and ry cooder is beautiful, blues-y, and (as i suspect/hope) representative of the republic of mali.
with this album a collaboration between a malian and an american, i was concerned it wouldn't be as unique, like touré would be too confined by western music to his detriment. but cooder is a respectful musician and producer, and the result is an album that is unrestrained and reverent.
My Bloody Valentine
2/5
I don't get it? The album title is an amusing reference to the band, but the whole aura of the album was lackluster. It felt like Lana Del Rey but with punk and not at all interesting or inspiring. At least the album sounded cohesive?
Creedence Clearwater Revival
5/5
WOW. this album is IT. ccr is at their finest here. cosmo's factory has ccr jumping from blues, to rockabilly, a spot of jazz, swamp rock, back to blues rock, and oh my gosh i'm obsessed. there was no song that was boring or out of place. this album was seamless. there were no low points. i had a great time listening to songs i hadn't heard in years, or cover songs, or even new songs.
ccr's "i heard it through the grapevine" is now the definitive version to me (though marvin gaye's soulful rendition is still legendary). they added a great, fun jam session to a song that's already brilliant. the song became an 11 minute masterpiece!
Led Zeppelin
4/5
Led Zeppelin is great and this is one of their finest albums, blah blah blah, we've heard it before. I'm struck by the variety of genres here. They always come back to rock, but "Kashmir" is so daring in comparison to the rest of the album. It's a great example of Led Zeppelin dabbling in progressive rock but not being scared to incorporate eastern music into their sound.
Prince
5/5
people often consider prince's 1987 sign o' the times as his first political statement. but the real ones recognize that prince always created political songs; maybe not always as his singles, but don't forget "1999" was absolutely a political song. that being said, i feel this album contains more overt political and social commentary than he had done before. by overt i mean it slaps you in the face.
the title song questions how our society runs. we go through many scenarios throughout the song, but the first two lines cover the AIDS epidemic but prince purposefully does not link it with the gay community, unheard of in 1987. after that, we cover the national drug problem, natural disasters, the challenger disaster, the cold war/nuclear arms race. as the lead off track, this song was deliberately used by prince to make a statement. to provide some balance, the following song is "play in the sunshine" to remind listeners to enjoy life despite any hardships.
"housequake" doesn't have the credibility it deserves, in my opinion. this song announces a style of music, funk, but prince wants the tempo to be "harder than they did in '66" and "faster than they did in '67," referencing political riots that happened in those respective years. prince was great at the songwriting craft, tying jamming to music and a riot together. protests and music go very well together.
"starfish and coffee" doesn't contain a strong statement like other songs do, but it's notable for other reasons. this song details a young classmate of prince's then girlfriend, cynthia rose, who had a vivid imagination. the talk now suggests that cynthia rose may have been autistic, but regardless, the sweet song encourages acceptance and love above all.
an artist like prince could be arguably considered as dressing and presenting in a non-binary fashion, or at least toying with the boundaries of gender. "if i was your girlfriend" has prince imagining a world where he is considered someone's girlfriend--a real romantic girlfriend, not a platonic one. prince alternates between a more feminine and masculine voice as he sings this song. sometimes he's more hesitant, sometimes more confident.
his song "the cross" combines his belief in god and the social issues he sees. while the world is difficult, he reminds the listener "don't cry, he is coming, don't die without knowing the cross." prince, always ahead of his time, references gentrification ("ghettos to the left of us, flowers to the right").
regardless, prince always treated his fans right. many songs on this double album are his typical speed of love, sex, or religion. "it" references sex, surprising exactly no one, but hey, we can still appreciate prince pretending to be coy. we love prince at his sexiest. and i'd be remiss not to mention the witty lyrics of "strange relationship," especially his opening lines.
the sound production on this album stands out, too. multiple songs on this album or parts of the songs were initially recorded incorrectly but prince wanted the distortion to remain. susan rogers was prince's engineer for this album, but even the best sound engineer can get glitches with initial takes due to the equipment or materials. among these "errors" are the opening distorted wedding march in "if i was your girlfriend" but also the entirety of the song, all of "the ballad of dorothy parker," among others. anyway, while i refer to these as errors, these songs became memorable for those reasons!
maybe i should've led this review with announcing i'm a big prince fan? i listened to this album in full for the first time in some time and was pleasantly reminded what a solid album this is. i initially suspected maybe i'd land on a 4.5, but this is a full-fledged 5 stars.
Liz Phair
2/5
this album was a struggle. liz phair's exile in guyville boasts a clever title but that's about it. like many debut albums, it's nothing remarkable. in fact, she's not even singing that good. there was a huge push for female vocalists in the nineties, but i guess this was just too indie for me. i can kind of get why this was a big deal, but i was very relieved when i finished the album.
Amy Winehouse
5/5
amy winehouse's back to black is iconic. for only being seventeen years old, this album should be considered a classic. in some sense, this album doesn't sound like it was released in 2006 because of how amy effortlessly uses r&b and soul in her music. but she infuses those genres with pop to make a more contemporary sounding album. her voice has a haunted feel, perfect for the kinds of topics she covers, and that definitely helps the modernity.
the album starts off with amy's most well known song, "rehab", specifically the catchy chorus is the first thing the listener hears. the album is peppered with various singles, but remarkably, the non-single songs are just as wonderful. they're smooth but the lyrics will break your heart. these are emotional songs, make no mistake, but she's gonna make you bop along with her.
Morrissey
4/5
after listening to three of the smiths albums, i'm left longing for johnny marr's presence on vauxhall and i. somehow, morrissey was able to rein his obnoxious self in, which i wasn't sure was possible without marr, but i digress. morrissey has a great voice despite being an asshole, and i'm upset how much i enjoy this album. his musicians created music that is so smooth and easy to listen to. before i knew it, i listened to this album multiple times and saw no signs of stopping.
the irony, of course, is morrissey writing lyrics to a song called "hold on to your friends."
XTC
2/5
xtc's skylarking started off good, lost its way in the middle, but managed to find its footing by the end of the album. "dear god," a song that details letters to god asking why people that he created in his image are suffering, is exactly what saved this album. of course, i discovered after listening that the final song "dear god" was only a b side for the lead single and not even on the original pressing! so i cannot in good conscious include that in my review.
the bulk of the album comes across as early beach boys but nowhere near as fun. no substance to be found and the songs mold together. the beginning of the album was definitely the most interesting. there are cute titles like "that's really super, supergirl" or included a multitude of outdoor evening insect noises in "summer's cauldron." but this wasn't enough to get the album up to a 3.
Queen
4/5
queen ii is, not surprisingly, queen's second album. i definitely hear their signature sound, though it's not fully formed quite yet. i hear little snippets of what queen would eventually become, like the beautiful piano work, or songs just bordering on opera-esque in terms of intensity. the biggest hit on here is "seven seas of rhye," but that song doesn't even crack queen's top songs now because they had such an elaborate discography. still, even without a big hit to entice the listener, the album is extremely good.
the song "white queen (as it began)" contained some south asian-like sounds, almost like a sitar but there was no credit to anyone using one. but i take it as a nod to freddie mercury's heritage!
Manic Street Preachers
3/5
this is one of the better britpop albums, in my opinion, but that may be because i have recently heard a number of britpop albums that sounded very much the same. manic street preachers made this album worth it! i heard more of a modern sound, perhaps because i'm reminded of arcade fire? 1996 isn't that long ago, but it doesn't quite sound like it's from that year.
one aspect that has the MSP stand out is their lyrics. something about them feels different and clever in comparison to other britpop, which seems so boring and straight forward in comparison.
Beck
4/5
I’ve listened to Beck’s Odelay as part of this project but didn't find it particularly noteworthy, though I can now say with certainty that beck has quite the range as a musician. Sea Change, however, stands out way more to me. It has such a chill, folk-y vibe. The listener is taken through Beck’s somber emotions while he deals with the ending of a long-term relationship. His heartbreak led to a beautiful album where his heart was bared.
In a way, I find similarities between Beck and Lana Del Rey--which is not a comparison most people make, I’d wager. Their voices aren't alike, but with the bare bones style and their kind of lyrics--it's there!
Eminem
3/5
eminem undeniably creates catchy songs. even 25 years later, these songs are quite enjoyable. the slim shady lp allows eminem's alter ego to make a return appearance, which ties the songs and skits together into a concept album.
to say that this album is crass is an understatement. that's how hip hop was, particularly in the eighties and nineties; i'm not singling out eminem. the misogyny isn't exactly fun to listen to. the lyrics and celebrity references are made to shock you, because any attention is good. eminem is using his slim shady persona, so i guess that's how he reasons it? i suppose i'm too uptight. but hey, the sick beats help distract you.
The Sabres Of Paradise
4/5
wikipedia informs me haunted dancehall can be considered the techno genre's first concept album. i don't have the background knowledge to confirm that; at times i could hear that connection, at other times not. regardless, this album was cool--straight up rad as hell. with creating an album without any vocals, the sabres of paradise did an excellent job distinguishing every song from one another. it wasn't a typical techno album, either. i heard piano tinkering or metal banging sounds. one song sounded like it could've been a theme song for a seventies tv show, another had a reggae influence.
a cool, unique electronica album. technically speaking, i'd rank this as 3.5, but i'll round up since i'm considering my enjoyment.
as a side note, so rarely do we get an unknown artist with such a cool name for both the artist and the album!
Flamin' Groovies
2/5
the flaming groovies' teenage head isn't the most engaging music, but it also wasn't terrible. an album that's easy to forget. the garage rock with some blues aspects stood out some. at least it didn't stand out enough in such a negative way?
Nico
1/5
i wish i could've enjoyed this album. alas, it is not for me. lots of famous names appear on this album! nico's singing did not come across as passionate at all. in fact, it comes across as flat and uninteresting. sure, i enjoy male artists who aren't good singers, but they have passion and their lyrics are intriguing (see: leonard cohen). the only aspect of this album i did enjoy were the string and flute arrangements, which were added by the producer and against nico's wishes. so i'm not considering that in her favor.
Mariah Carey
2/5
without a doubt, mariah carey has a beautiful voice. it's the saving grace of butterfly because without the vocals, the album is so bland. to be clear, butterfly does not contain bad music, but it doesn't have me eager for more. mariah created the entire album as a very smooth listen, at least. her r&b and pop fusion is done well, but it's nowhere near engaging.
Sebadoh
2/5
a forgettable indie album. makes me wonder why sebadoh was even included. there's so little to be remarked upon. i suppose it is early for that indie sound, so it is a predecessor, but ehh.
5/5
listening to full beatles albums has been an interesting adventure! i know a great many beatles songs but don't listen by full albums. listening to sgt. pepper has allowed me to fully grasp how entrenched in psychedelia the beatles were! they were so influential in the rock and pop arena as trailblazers, yet their later career was full of fun, different creativity. george harrison's "within you without you" encompasses this with the south asian elements and instruments creating some sort of hazy acid trip.
the non-single songs, since they have a larger chance of being new to me, stand out--particularly the lyrics. "being for the benefit of mr. kite" is jaunty, contains a circus theme, and has such different lyrics. "fixing a hole" sounds like quite the literal song at first listen, but the concern of a wandering mind reveals the lyrics to be much more metaphorical. "she's leaving home" is already beautiful with the orchestra and the backing vocals provided by john lennon, but its lyrics put it over the top. with the non-single songs being so enjoyable, the beatles are in fine form on sgt. pepper.
Black Flag
3/5
if there's anything i learned from high school in the mid-aughts, it is that black flag is genuine punk music. if you knew their music, your punk roots were solid. black flag should be here without a doubt. even if the sound quality of damaged isn't good (and it's not), they deserve a spot on this list. true hardcore punk sometimes means the sound quality suffers, for the sake of art, but i find myself wishing otherwise. alas.
i discovered some surprising depth in this album, notably in the song "depression." a song like this seems out of place for 1981, but black flag hit the nail on the head in understanding mental illness.
The Divine Comedy
2/5
to give credit where credit is due, i genuinely thought a short album about love was going to be like 69 love songs. the divine comedy kept their album at a tight 30 and it was appreciated. without the orchestral backing, i would've found this album lacking, but the orchestra aspect added such beauty and even made up for some not-so-good aspects, like the lyrics. i mean, what was up with lyrics from "if..."?! "if you were a dog, i'd feed you scraps from off the table"???
The The
4/5
i wasn't expecting a band with the name of the the to create good music! they have a new wave and punk sound, and combined with their lyrics, infected is different from other music i've heard. sort of like duran duran without the synth and with punk.
the song "heartland" contains some delightful piano but the lyrics are biting and sharp. the the hold nothing back in their criticism toward UK and US politics, in both "heartland" and "sweet bird of truth." the feminine backing vocals allow a good contrast with the lead singer, too. a surprise was neneh cherry appearing on "slow train to dawn"! the lead vocalist leans into baritone territory in "the mercy beat," which came across as so captivating.
3.5, rounding up.
Joni Mitchell
4/5
joni mitchell gets it. she created a beautiful, poetic album in blue. i don't even typically go for folk music, but there's something about joni putting all her cards down. her lyrics are honest and snatch at your heart. the emotions in "a case of you" are plain as day, and it almost distracts you of how brilliant the metaphor is. her voice is lovely, albeit in an imperfect way. the emotions are present in her voice, so sometimes her voice isn't as pure as other singers'. but that's part of the allure of joni mitchell. gosh, this album truly was a delight.
Supergrass
3/5
there's too much britpop on this list--but to be fair, this isn't your typical britpop. supergrass includes mostly punk to their music, and alternative too--and the song "time" has a country feel. this may sound weird but i'm reminded of the band fun., who wasn't anywhere close to britpop but the artistic flair seems similar.
3.5, though i'm tempted to jump to a 4 because i wasn't expecting to enjoy this.
Willie Colón & Rubén Blades
4/5
i love hearing different genres! and there was a lot to love in siembra. it was fun, it was smooth, it was chill, it had so many trombones!! the flow throughout the album was well done. nothing sounded out of place, and every song coasted into the next. absolutely no complaints. i understand why it's the best selling salsa album!
Skunk Anansie
4/5
post orgasmic chill was COOL. skunk anansie has such a different sound than many others. metal and punk and hard rock; skunk anansie can go hard, but the softer numbers, like "tracy's flaw" or "you'll follow me down," reveal surprising vulnerability. the lead vocalist is a big part why this album works so well, but don't get me wrong, a lot is still going right for this album. for example, her voice isn't pristine on "on my hotel tv," but its grittiness adds to the intensity. badass.
this album was unexpected but enjoyed regardless. a well deserved 4.
Crowded House
3/5
i wasn't really expecting such a range from crowded house. the opening track, "chocolate cake," has a blues-y, smooth feel to it. multiple songs contained new wave vibes. "all i ask" incorporates jazz into such a beautiful number. woodface has lots of rock and pop but branches further than that. the lyrics, too, felt creative and different. i suspect this album was ahead of its time, because it sounded so much like alternative from the early aughts. 3.5
The Undertones
3/5
the undertones straddled between the pop and punk genres so well. the lyrics could be wry (for the punk genre) or light (for pop). the combination made hypnotized flow extremely well. perhaps a bit forgettable, but i'm not going to forget a song like "my perfect cousin" any time soon. a delightful addition to this album was their "under the boardwalk" cover, which already is a fun song but i love the punch they added to it.
as a side note, the album cover and its origin is so amusing.
Jungle Brothers
3/5
i can respect jungle brothers being on this list! i don't know as much about hip hop, but i can appreciate the classic style of hip hop and the variety of samples used on this album. some of them were unexpected but still delightful. and for a song like "black woman" to be released in 1989? i'm impressed! unless if i missed something glaringly offensive, i didn't catch any misogyny, which is always a highlight.
Daft Punk
1/5
i don't understand why this album was so long!!!! it was SO repetitive--and the repetition was constant! i understand why daft punk should be on a list like this because they were so revolutionary but for the love of god, why is the album so long?
one positive thought i had was that this album sounds a bit like prince if he did electronic. but you know, it wouldn't have been so annoying.
The Flying Burrito Brothers
2/5
like a lot of sixties country, the gilded palace of sin is a gentle, untroubled listen. my intel reports this as a noteworthy addition because the flying burrito brothers were the blueprint for a lot of country in the following decades for how they incorporated folk, rock, soul. they have the typical sixties sound, but my non-bat-like ears missed all these intricacies. mostly, the twang vocals kept me firmly in the sixties! i couldn't feel as excited about this album as other fifties or sixties country, but it was not an unpleasant listen.
2/5
thank goodness, some noise rock that doesn't make my ears bleed. noise rock tends to make sound for the sake of making sound instead of using any creativity. but somehow, liars aren't your typical noise music and created their music with a sense of purpose. the connectivity were amusing. the final song, "flow my tears the spider said," sounds like a funeral hymn. the vocals, however, aren't good or desirable. thus, we are squarely in the 2 range.
Caetano Veloso
3/5
an unexpected album! this self-titled album by caetano veloso was so chill and enjoyable. i wasn't surprised when the album looped without me realizing. titles like "soy loco por i americana" were amusing, but then the songs were quality!
this album belonged squarely in the sixties! typically music coming from non-north american countries in the second half of the 20th century were "late" as far as decades go, but oh no, not this album. this album makes so much sense being released in 1968. the south asian influence on "eles" was an unusual combination and really cool, but also contributed to the sixties feel since it was so popular at this time.
Radiohead
2/5
radiohead's ok computer is definitely of its time with its frequent digital noises and my gosh it's so cringe, as the kids say. but that's not even the beef i have with this album. thom yorke's voice is so WHINY in ok computer. this is what ruined this album for me! i don't know why his voice grates on me here, because in the other three radiohead albums, yorke's voice has not been nearly so awful.
the second half of the album either was genuinely better so i didn't focus too much on the vocals, or i became used to said vocals. regardless, the first half set a low bar. the instrumentation, though, came through. "electioneering" had a strong instrumental section, and the song's satirical and political topic helped matters. "no surprises" was surprisingly delicate and showed the range radiohead can utilize.
Brian Eno
4/5
i don't know if ever there's been an album titled so aptly. the title does indeed make me chuckle. i'm not surprised brian eno created such a beautiful album, nor about him birthing the ambient genre. eno has a great many talents but there is something about his instrumental work. the piano in particular was just lovely throughout the album. he created music that's delicate and peaceful. something that calms you down in the middle of chaos (read: an airport).
Penguin Cafe Orchestra
2/5
this is an album i wish contained no vocals! they weren't remarkable and were kind of drone-y. the music by itself could be good. some parts were jaunt-y or jazz-y or just plain pretty, but then you'd get such jarring violin screeches and my goodness. i don't think there was one song i liked completely, because the penguin cafe orchestra saw fit to ruin at least some part of each song.
The B-52's
2/5
ok, i get it, the b-52s should absolutely be here. they created something unique combining new wave and the surf sound. this album comes across as bouncy and entertaining. they don't take themselves too seriously, and this album is evidence they just wanted to create some new and different music while having fun.
but oh my gosh i have discovered i do not like the b-52s! i enjoy mindless pop a lot, and i'd say their music is mindless new wave. but oh my gosh the grating vocals from both lead singers have ruined the b-52s for me. i could not wait for this album to end. deuces ✌
Emmylou Harris
3/5
i have a touchy relationship with folk music, and i had hoped emmylou harris' red dirt girl mixing country with folk would make it more palatable for me. regretfully, while this album was easy on the ears, it lacked an attention grabber and could not excite me enough. her lyrics, though, made up for any weaknesses. multiple songs' lyrics grabbed me, especially the title song.
one thing that stood out was the harmonizing vocals. i think they were on every single song and still allowed each song to sound unique. then i discovered that there were some surprises with the harmony vocalists!
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
3/5
neil young has a lot of albums on this list! rust never sleeps, however, sounds different. there's still a lot the same: young has his harmonica often and he has his mix of country folk rock. it is a sort of live album, though you can sometimes forget because the album doesn't focus on the cheers or audience participation. a sort of proto-grunge is present, which is endlessly fascinating considering he isn't remembered for that.
the main song acting as bookends was a nice touch, with similar lyrics and titles but the main difference being between acoustic and electric styles. i always am a sucker for album titles being hidden in songs, but there was something about that lyric of "it's better to burn out 'cause rust never sleeps."
Eagles
3/5
what an easy album to listen to! eagles' self-titled album showed how they honed in on that folk-y, country rock sound right from the beginning. i had no real complaints. but i will say the middle of the album was easily forgettable. it sort of became muddled and the songs weren't distinct anymore, but they did recover by the album's end with "peaceful easy feeling". still, it wasn't a bad listen at all. you could easily argue that the eagles improved past their debut album, but this album gave them such a foundation and inspired many others.
Aerosmith
5/5
i'll tell ya what, aerosmith made some great bops together! toys in the attic has aerosmith in their prime--i don't think that can be argued. each of these songs individually are so good and stand on their own, even the non-singles. that has to be because of the backing instrumentation--steven tyler's vocals are unique though incomprehesible, but the band's work is so evident because it's so tight. the guitar intro to "walk this way"? iconic because it is genuinely good.
i was indoctrinated as an aerosmith fan in my youth, but i had no clue that "big ten inch record" was actually a cover. to compare it to the original was fascinating. it's r&b but has a blues feel, which might seem out of place for aerosmith but isn't! "uncle salty" as the second song on the album is even more blues rock, so it all comes full circle. (aerosmith fans will see what i did there.) but, of course, they really are most at home with their hard rock.
The Saints
2/5
i didn't get much from the saints' eternally yours album. it's very punk, right in the era of the clash and the ramones, but i couldn't find an aspect that allowed it to stand out, or at least offer something different from punk i've already heard. not bad by any means, but why was this included?
Screaming Trees
2/5
i'm not the biggest fan of grunge, but even factoring that in, i wasn't excited about this album. i don't think this is a terribly noteworthy album as far as the grunge genre goes. granted, grunge is one of my oversights in my musical knowledge, but i didn't hear much interesting about screaming trees' dust.
the choice to play the sitar seems unusual for an album coming out in 1996? not that indian instruments are conventional or standard in western music, but it's an instrument that was used much more in the late sixties and early seventies. still, a cool way to open and close an album.
The Yardbirds
3/5
the combination between blues rock and psychedelic rock on roger the engineer seems wholly original. it's a bit unusual, but the yardbirds make it work. while i don't have a very high regard of jeff beck as a person and i didn't care for his solo album truth, i admire the guitar work on this album! the first track had quite the instrumental portion. i found myself impressed, especially since i feel like the guitar did most of the work of traveling between work and psychedelia. and if nothing else, i've heard the early work of jeff beck now.
Giant Sand
3/5
chore of enchantment is an album i struggle to define. it sounds more modern, not from 2000, and the combination of alternative and folk is so unique. there's even a time where the album has a psychedelic sound. toward the end of the album is when the folk becomes more present and i'm reminded of leonard cohen, which certainly makes a lot of sense. the lyrics aren't quite up to cohen's standard, but the simplicity of the vocals are very early cohen-esque. so in contradiction, i feel like this album is more in the seventies. but the alternative rock parts are for sure ahead of their time.
Sleater-Kinney
3/5
an all women punk rock band?! i'm obsessed. these songs have so much punch and energy! these lyrics are of the kind that are created with a female perspective, which gives more prominence to sleater-kinney in sharp contrast to every other band in the nineties. it makes for a refreshing listen! and writing a song like "one more hour" for the break-up of the two leads? i love their boldness.
i wasn't a big fan of the vocals, though they grew on me enough that i didn't mind them as much. i wouldn't call them grating or intolerable. the backing music, however, is so solid and amazing, the guitar work in particular and in every single song. that's what won me over, because that solo brash guitar sound opening the album? i loved it! 3.5
Bee Gees
3/5
i was disappointed this was not a disco album! as a huge disco fan, i love the bee gees' disco era, but trafalgar reveals who the bee gees before disco happened. this album was straight pop, but it's evolved from the sixties' kind of pop where it isn't pure mindless pop. "how can you mend a broken heart" was beautiful and evocative! and even without the disco, the gibbs' vocals are right there and full of the same quality.
that being said, the existence of a song titled "israel" is such a yikes moment. times have changed from 1971 to 2024, but i remain gobsmacked at the blatant propaganda. it's not like the song is that good! the lyrics are lackluster and boring. clearly barry gibb had his head in the sand he kept waxing poetic about.
2Pac
3/5
2pac was brutally honest in me against the world. i may have been reading into it, but i noticed a recurring theme of death. the album had such a strong start, especially with the intro creating a newscast of an injured and hospitalized 2pac, and going straight into "if i die 2nite."
the songs' main songwriter was indeed 2pac, and the lyrics are extremely strong. he allowed himself to be vulnerable in many songs, but especially in "dear mama." there were also literary references, some of which i probably didn't catch or appreciate properly.
Tim Buckley
2/5
tim buckley's happy sad has folk and jazz mixed together, which i don't think i've ever heard. this album stayed in that folk and jazz combo, but sometimes the jazz aspects were so light, almost like it was a twinkling effect. it was a pretty chill listen! however, i was interested but the interest wasn't enough to make it actually exciting.
The Residents
1/5
what is this album? calling this experimental rock is generous, because the residents created such tuneless, grating garbage that might as well have been a bunch of toddlers banging instruments together. absolute nonsense that i don't understand why this album is here.
with all of that out of the way, let me say that for some unknown reason, the residents were purposeful in creating this album. the distortion, the out-of-tune violins, the terrible laughter together created such an uneasy and unpleasant feeling. i couldn't help but be reminded of the old nintendo game, maniac mansion. real ones will know what i'm talking about. still, not enough to raise it from the 1 it deserves.
Marvin Gaye
4/5
this is the album marvin gaye's voice was made for!!! thirty-one minutes devoted to sensual love making via song. gaye's vocals are so earnest and captivating, somehow making that personal connection to any listener. it's like he's singing only to me! and the horns throughout the entire album are absolute aces, the perfect companion to the vocals.
all of that makes the album great, but oh my gosh gaye does something special on this album with soul and funk. right from the first note of "let's get it on," the funky sound on the guitar grabs you. that's exactly why this is one of his best. an absolute joy to listen.
John Martyn
4/5
john martyn's solid air is such a chill album. the entire album does a great job weaving songs into one another despite using the genres of folk and jazz mostly and dabbling in psychedelia and blues. the jazz element is the perfect compliment to folk, and both contribute to how this album flows so smoothly.
i was skeptical of this album, since i didn't know the artist, but with every song and subsequent listen, i softened. there's real talent and creativity here! the mandolin on "over the hill" is refreshing, and i'm not sure if i've ever heard a song detailing a middle-aged crisis in comparison to drugs. martyn's insistence in "don't want to know" is full of deliberate ignorance, and the electric piano and backing harmonies are just the right touch to that song. even when he mumbles instead of properly singing, it's purposeful and specific to the song, kind of like tom waits. i can't find anything i don't like!
the album's title of solid air acts as a oxymoron, but with its title song being dedicated to nick drake, it's more than just a clever title. martyn shows his support and love for his friend who is dealing with depression, despite not "know[ing] what's going on inside," to the point of "i will follow you anywhere." the song shows the respect in their friendship, and it's a lovely way to open the album. 4.5
Gillian Welch
3/5
what a lovely album. gillian welch created an easy listening experience. welch's lyrics grabbed me most of all, i think. "i dream a highway" contains such rich visuals, but it isn't an outlier. i'm reminded of joni mitchell, who did more folk than country but was heavy in that singer songwriter space in which welch finds herself so at home. the way they carry their voices has a similarity, too. welch isn't a copy cat, though, and brings her own personality to her music.
Sepultura
5/5
i knew my day would be hashtag blessed with this sepultura album. i first heard another album of theirs, roots, on this list, and arise is no less thrash metal. i even enjoy this album more! the drums are absolutely killer throughout and are what controls the beat and how hard sepultura goes! don't get me wrong, because the guitar is on fire, too. i firmly believe that metal cannot sound good period without solid musical grounding, and sepultura has that in spades. even if the vocals are harsh (and they are), the instruments are doing their part and making the music sound so, so good.
i loved "c.i.u. (criminals in uniform)", even if it was a bonus track as part of a remastered version. usually only black american artists were talking about the corrupt police at this time, so it's awesome to see brazilian musicians speaking out early. as i've mentioned in my previous sepultura review, i noticed multiple similarities with system of a down, and one similarity is that social consciousness.
U2
3/5
while i'm not a u2 aficionado, i hear an immature sound. the beginning of the album is stronger, and i notice more unique aspects. the drum intro on "sunday bloody sunday" is amazing, but the violins increasing the tension throughout the song? and the vocals are more unique on "new year's day," too. i wouldn't say the second half of the album is bad, but is more forgettable especially in comparison to their later music.
what's more important than their changing sound, however, is how early they still sound like u2. "sunday bloody sunday" has their more famous sound but also shows their political side. it's reassuring to know bono was always bono.
Ozomatli
5/5
this is a COOL album and one that's absolutely unlike anything we've heard before. members of ozomatli are from latin america, and a lot of the music contains latin elements. interestingly, there's a sitar on the opening track and it gives a south asian feel to the album, even though the sitar is only on the first song. but i stand by that south asian sound isn't as strong as the latin sound but it persists throughout the album. not only that, ozomatli doesn't restrict themselves just to hip hop, and everything about this album is so refreshing.
i'm obsessed with these lyrics! i had no idea ozomatli was so passionate about multiple social causes, and it's wonderful to hear such a strong presence in their songs. not only that, the songs are catchy as hell! somehow ozomatli creates such powerful lyrics while making absolute bops. no complaints.
Dead Kennedys
4/5
i love a clever album title, but i love a punk as hell album cover! i'm obsessed that the dead kennedys walked the walk. their music is so abrasive, like all punk, but is truly catchy. they don't have the mainstream sound that the clash did, but unlike "noise rock" (should not be a real genre), dead kennedys aren't making noise just to make noise. this alone sets them apart from other hardcore punk acts.
what truly makes dead kennedys different is their commitment to social issues. i don't know the last time i heard an album covering such a range of social and political topics. sure, they can be blatant in their titles, like "chemical warfare," but what they were doing in 1980 was still decades ahead. "let's lynch the landlord" could have come out in 2020 during the pandemic and the Great Landlord Whining Session. "kill the poor" continues to be true and reflective of today's elite and powerful. "holiday in cambodia" is more relevant to the world events at that time, but the lyrics are remain sharp and biting. honestly, what's not to love?
The xx
3/5
the xx created quite the beautiful enveloping atmosphere. there's a whimsical, dream-like feeling that lets the whole album flow very smoothly. the feminine vocals were particularly important in creating that vibe. while the album appeared to be memorable and enjoyable in the first few songs, it lost any initial excitement, and it's hard to differentiate the xx between all of the other indie bands from this time.
David Bowie
3/5
this is my eighth david bowie album i've heard as part of this project, but what surprises me most is how different all his albums are. heroes is mostly in an electronic, artsy space. i was reminded of brian eno's ambience reputation during the instrumental parts, and lo and behold, eno was credited on a number of songs on heroes! their collaboration makes sense, especially since they both were part of beginnings of glam rock, though separate from one another.
Nina Simone
4/5
nina simone has the most divine voice. she commands attention with her powerful voice, and it's perfect for the romantic songs on this album. i began to suspect after i listened that the jazz and soul genres were made specifically for simone and her voice. what we're given is a delightful album that goes by all too fast.
perhaps most interesting is the song "four women." simone, who never shied away from activism in her lifetime, documents the lives of four women and manages to touch upon slavery, sex work, oppression, and biracial life. this song, the only one on the album written by simone, stradles the line perfectly between overt and subtle. the anger at the end of the song is palpable. aware of her song "i wish i knew how it would feel to be free" as the anthem for the american civil rights movement, i wasn't surprised but was truly delighted to hear her activism force its way onto this album.
the full u2 albums i've heard were part of their earlier material, so i was excited to hear their more recent sound, even if it's nearly twenty-five years old at this point. i heard a more mature sound as they welcomed a modern rock soundscape. though i enjoyed this album, the singles are the strongest, and the non-single songs fade into the background too well.
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
2/5
this is not the first band on this list that made me realize that musicians choose to make garbage and pass it off as music. i'm not saying i'm in love with safe as milk, but good lord, we now have solid proof that captain beefheart and his magic band can make music, unlike the monstrosity that is trout mask replica. safe as milk even has a steady presence in the blues genre. i wasn't even aware beefheart could have such a focus! the vocals leave something to be desired, but aside from that, there's solid instrumentation happening. i'm just so glad this album wasn't a chore that i am close to giving this a 5.
fIREHOSE
2/5
in many ways, this album was unremarkable--and even the music and vocals not being bad, only average, makes it even more unremarkable. i was annoyed at firehouse's efforts to be edgy, because it wasn't even interesting. the lyrics were boring, not clever or engaging. i can't figure out why this album is here.
Paul Weller
3/5
paul weller reminds me of a neil young type, but his voice is less rough. there's country present, like in young's music, but weller leans more into rock than country, resulting in a smoother sound. this album definitely sounds straight from the early seventies, and weller channeled that era well in 1993. at some points, i'm reminded of elevator music, which isn't necessarily bad. wild wood is a very easy listen as a result. the instrumental pieces seem strongest. the whole album is tied together with a nature theme.
Burning Spear
4/5
reggae is an under-represented genre on this project, and i was delighted to see this album by burning spear. i was more delighted with my listening experience! marcus garvey is a chill album that makes a statement. it's deceiving! you're enchanted by the easy tone and the lovely flute, but burning spear talks about marcus garvey and laments on slavery and the lost of his tradition. the final song, which was originally omitted, touches on environmental issues and jamaica. considering we now know about countries usually part of the global north impacted climate change more than former colonized lands, burning spear was incredibly ahead of his time.
Stephen Stills
3/5
stephen stills must be the epitome of mellow, folk music. his vibes and his voice match it perfectly. the harmonies on his songs aren't over the top and are just right. he even experiments in the psychedelia and jazz areas, both of which were popularly combined with rock at this time, but his music is different because of the folk emphasis. the song "we are not helpless" and its lyrics seems to stand out the most, and it tells me a lot about stills as a person--instead of a song written by all members of CSNY. all in all, a good album that i can respect--and even found a lot of respect for--but it was just OK. it can be hard to get excited about music that's so chill as stills', even if he does a lot right.
4/5
David Bowie's Ziggy Stardust is one of the most iconic albums of all time and certainly of his own albums. I wouldn't call this my favorite, however; but perhaps it could be considered his most consistent. This album is very solid and made of pure rock and roll. An album made of bangers, one could say. The artistry and creation of Bowie's persona allowed this album stand out the most, out of his prior albums.
While I said Ziggy Stardust is pure rock and roll, I suppose it's become such a classic to me that this album reads as pure rock and roll, though I recognize that it's mostly glam rock with a few punk notes. Analyzing albums retrospectively is so interesting.
Thundercat
4/5
oh i love how this album went everywhere and anywhere. i never expected the album to go the places it did. in fact, drunk doesn't even sound like it was released in 2017. "show you the way" featuring both michael mcdonald and kenny loggins brings a seventies vibe because of yacht rock but also the chill r&b and funk energy adds to the feel of the seventies. the variety of genres and musicians adds to how unusual this album is. the creativity is everywhere, yes, but also drunk provides the listener with a smooth listen. i wasn't expecting to enjoy this so much, especially considering i simply had to listen to this album four times before i could write a review, but i really left this album in awe of thundercat. what a great choice.
Steely Dan
3/5
While Countdown to Ecstasy isn't as good as other Steely Dan albums on this project, I was delighted to hear this chill album. Every song flows beautifully into another! This album focuses more jazz, and considering how much Steely Dan varies the jazz elements, I highly suspect I'm not even recognizing the amount of creativity that went into this album.
Sonic Youth
3/5
A double album that didn't feel tired and repetitive! Not to mention, grunge and noise rock are not my genres, but this album was more than tolerable for me: I liked it! The female vocalist was more appealing than the other vocalists. Her drawling voice was engaging, even if wasn't a "pure" sound. Then I got to songs like "Youth Against Fascism" or "Chapel Hill," and I couldn't be more on board. Fuck yeah, Sonic Youth!!!
The Kinks
3/5
i do love an album title that includes the artist's name. this kinks album makes me think of them as the british beach boys, which i've never thought before. 1968 is the time where the pop bands of the sixties were experimenting, and the kinks are no exception. this album is halfway between sweet pop and more adventurous rock music. of course, i don't find them to be a cookie cutter of the beach boys at all. they took this album in a different direction. there's some south asian influence, folk, and psychedelia, too. not the sound i was expecting from the kinks!
PJ Harvey
1/5
Ah, my nemesis. I freely admit grunge isn't my genre, but there's something about PJ Harvey that prevents me from enjoying her music. I get no enjoyment from her vocals, which sound out of tune at best. The screaming at the end of the title song left something to be desired. Some of the music itself is passable, but the frequent discordant sounds prevent me from giving Rid of Me anything other than a 1.
Eurythmics
3/5
I wish I liked Sweet Dreams more! This is not a bad album, but it's an album I had high expectations for considering the banger that is its title song. And by itself, Sweet Dreams is not a bad album and I can hear the Eurythmics had their sound and synth ready on their second album. The whole album was full of synth and took you on such a smooth journey. Every song was indeed different but sounded part of the same album.
The Damned
2/5
Far from the worst punk I've heard on this list! The Damned's Machine Gun Etiquette is punk, through and through, and it's palatable. They incorporated other genres, too. I found it kind of mischievous that they began "Melody Lee" with a falsely positive piano. But I couldn't get into this album, though I can't place what was missing for me.
The Young Gods
3/5
this album was rather intense! and i'm surprising myself that i enjoyed it. the young gods' sound is completely unique from anything i've heard before. the industrial sound, metal, dark cabaret, orchestral. this album never went where i anticipated. orchestra backing or a carnival tone would pop up when i least expected it, but either the young gods made a lot of happy accidents or they planned this album out well.
i can understand why the lead singer's voice can be grating or not even enjoyable, but i love how he (and the rest of the band) hold exactly nothing back and i found myself getting sucked in. i sure hope he took care of his voice since 1989, though. 3.5
Dizzee Rascal
3/5
Boy in da Corner might be one of the most different albums here! Grime is not a genre I've even heard of, but it appears to be mostly a combination of hip hop and electronic music. The beats, as the kids say, were sick. I did hear a lot of creativity, but sometimes it came across as plain weird. Some of the additional vocalists rubbed me the wrong way, but Dizzee Rascal's voice was fine to me. 2.5, rounding up for creativity.
Guided By Voices
1/5
This album is garbage! Guided by Voices are out of tune and quite frankly boring. The songs are so short that it's like they ended right where they started. What's even the point of this? 41 minutes of my life I can never get back, though I tell ya it felt much longer than that.
The Jesus And Mary Chain
2/5
Psychocandy didn't leave me with many thoughts or emotions. It wasn't as garbage as other albums with a noise genre, but there was something lacking. Unsurprisingly it is a debut album, so perhaps I need to cool my expectations. There was more to the music than just noise, at least. The first song, "Just Like Honey," started strong, but the rest of the album was downhill.
X-Ray Spex
2/5
I hate to continually be so critical of punk bands, but gosh I couldn't get past the lead singer's vocals, even when I'm aware that is the point of punk music. I do recognize that their sound is different, especially for 1978. X-Ray Spex were punk with just enough of a presence in pop to be on the cutting edge of new wave. And with American music always dominated by men, to have a female lead vocalist and frontman is still great! But I just couldn't wait until the album finished.
Cocteau Twins
3/5
Treasure is my second Cocteau Twins album on this project, and their sound is truly unlike anything I've heard. They were ahead of their time for 1984, but musicians still aren't making music like this. To say this album is ethereal is selling it short. It's an easy journey to listen to this album because their music has a tendency to wash over the listener, but there's a lot of nuance. Nothing on this album is sloppy or unrefined. Not to mention, the main vocalist has the perfect voice for this album, more so than anything I've ever heard before.
Bee Gees
2/5
I don't know what is so special about Odessa. I love the Bee Gees, but this album doesn't showcase very much about them. Their vocals are what make them stand out, but so frequently their voices aren't being used to their full ability. The beautiful instrumentals were the highlight of this album (and were perhaps the only highlight on a subpar album), but what a shame the Bee Gees' vocals wasn't the focus. I heard similarities with the Beatles, which isn't surprising for 1969 release, but then that leaves me wondering how original the Bee Gees' first sound was.
Earth, Wind & Fire
4/5
One of the most delightful albums on this list! The year of this album's release is 1975, so it's slightly pre-disco, but with the soul and funk, That's the Way of the World borders on disco. It isn't quite as jumpy as disco music but the smooth vibe is right there. The vocals of Maurice White, Philip Bailey, and Verdine White are positively exquisite. At times their voices could be described as sultry, kind of Marvin Gaye-esque.
Of course, there's some African tones toward the end of the album. I appreciate the nod to their heritage, though it was very much a seventies theme. But I love how Earth, Wind & Fire still made the sound their own! The horn in "Africano" or the keyboards in a few songs provide a more modern sound.
Paul McCartney
3/5
My first thought of McCartney was that it was slightly unrefined, especially when compared to his music just a few years later. Upon learning the unrefined aspect was purposeful and Paul McCartney created this album from start to finish by himself, this album began making a lot more sense. A lot of the album does sound similar to some Beatles songs, which isn't a bad thing--he was one fourth of the band and a prominent songwriter! Because of his songwriter status, I found myself more drawn to the instrumental "Singalong Junk," which I believe showed McCartney's instrument prowess.
Not a bad album, but I recognize that McCartney had a lot of growing musically yet to come and that's what makes this album sound unfinished. I definitely enjoyed hearing an early solo album that isn't as well known today as something like Band on the Run.
Kate Bush
4/5
Kate Bush is a whole ass mood. She knows exactly how to craft her lyrics so that they aren't overwhelming but instead paint evocative scenes. An unparalleled songwriter. Her lyrics and her voice pair perfectly together and only add to how dreamy The Sensual World is. Including an unusual aspect in pop music, like Celtic music, can be abrasive or plain difficult, but she doesn't overly depend on it. Instead, the Celtic music appears only on a few songs and isn't overpowering; they add to the dreamy vibes instead of taking away from them.
I find similarities between Bush and Prince because of how encompassing their music is and was. Their music envelopes the listener completely and provides a one-of-a-kind experience. They both dabble in pop music and are rather accomplished songwriters. This probably isn't a comparison most people would make, but it came to me immediately when I began the album!
The Rolling Stones
3/5
I enjoyed listening to the Rolling Stones' very first album! The heavy blues focus is undeniable. Even when they cover Chuck Berry's "Carol," the guitar still sounds blues-like. Their more commercial music, or I should say their singles, focus more towards rock and roll, but this project has already taught me that the Stones included lots of blues--and now I know they always leaned hard towards blues, even from the very beginning of their career!
The Stones covered "(Get Your Kicks On) Route 66," and their version, a certifiable bop, is *the* version, though I'm stuck wondering why a British band had any interest in covering this song. The Stones were indeed part of the British Invasion, huh?
Most of the songs on this album are covers, which both did and didn't surprise me. This was the trend of the fifties that continued into the early sixties, and the Stones followed that trend, too--or at last in the beginning. But I hadn't considered the Stones, a band legendary for breaking the mold and pushing beyond limits, could ever fall victim to conformity.
Mj Cole
2/5
MJ Cole's Sincere was not my thing and was, quite frankly, a slog to get through. The main adjective I'd use to describe it is repetitive. Some of it was smooth and not abrasive as a jazz and electronica combo, but overall it wasn't engaging. You can't repeat the same series of sounds over and over again and think your music is appealing.
The Rolling Stones
4/5
Arguably, Exile on Main Street has The Rolling Stones at their peak, though it isn't hard to debate that their peak lasted longer than just an album or two. This album showcases the Stones' iconic rock sound but also throws back to their blues origins. But because the Stones are never satisfied, there's a touch of jazz. Retrospectively considering their long career, hearing an unusual genre in their music is exciting and refreshing. The xylophone and harmonica combo on "Sweet Black Angel" was another refreshing aspect. And their album opens with a banger of a song, "Rocks Off," to make sure the audience knows rock and roll's their bread and butter.
Incredible Bongo Band
4/5
I loved how different this album was! Instrumentals of banger songs but with some great bongo drums? I didn't even realize this was something I was interested in, but I quickly found myself obsessed. "In A Gadda Da Vida" but with bongos? Sign me up! This album went by all too fast but I received way more enjoyment out of it than I initially imagined when I saw the album's title and the band's name.
On its face, Bongo Rock doesn't seem to be on the same caliber as some of the other albums on this list. A quick look at Wikipedia informed me how often The Incredible Bongo Band's music has been used or sampled, which does bring a lot of joy to my life. More people need to know of this album.
Violent Femmes
4/5
I truly enjoyed Violent Femmes' self titled! The main thread throughout was minimalist punk, to the point of almost sounding folk--which I never imagined was a thing. "Good Feeling" has a folk-y hymn vibe and somehow isn't out of place. I don't think the minimalism was simplistic, though; it came across as purposeful. "Gone Daddy Gone" contained a xylophone, which was both unexpected and enjoyed, but it wasn't too much at all. Despite the minimalist feel in the music, most songs were fun to listen to and had such a good bounce. The clever lyrics helped to keep the album light. 4.5
Nine Inch Nails
3/5
Nine Inch Nails go so hard in The Downward Spiral! At some points, their industrial sound is like you're in a horror movie and I felt so off kilter--but that was the obvious intention, so I give credit where it's due. "Hurt" in particular made me feel unnerved because of the static sound, harsh cords, and minimal piano; it's fascinating to see how Johnny Cash adapted the song, but it's just as fascinating here, too. NIN excel in the industrial genre--every single song was just right. I would even describe NIN as harsh but in a good way. This as their second album reveals to me that, yeah, NIN were always this way. 3.5
The Byrds
2/5
The fourth Byrds album I've listened to as part of this project, but I can't find much to make the Notorious Byrd Brothers discernible. They dabbled in psychedelia, which allows me to differentiate this album from their previous. But lots of artists were doing that in 1968, and not many songs stood out. I suppose at least very least the Byrds didn't let me suffer through a double album? They kept it under thirty minutes. Good job, guys.
The Monkees covered "Wasn't Born To Follow" on their last studio album in 2016. Peter Tork provides vocals; this rendition of the Goffin/King song is beautiful and poetic--and immensely improves on the Byrds' lackluster original version.
Heaven 17
2/5
Heaven 17's Penthouse and Pavement is definitely a different kind of album, and one I was hoping I would like more. The album being divided into two distinct entities is interesting: funk and electronic. It felt new and refreshing, adjacent to the disco aftermath. The topics covered throughout were great, too. I loved the concept of "(We Don't Need This) Fascist Groove Thang," but I did find the music itself too repetitive at times. In the end, I just wasn't super engaged. At least it wasn't a total waste of time.
4/5
There is nothing I love more than a little known band and album that are truly good. In fact, I only know of Spirit because Alice Cooper covered their hit "I Got A Line On You," which isn't even on this album! There's a lot to enjoy with uniquely named Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus. This is in the rock genre but there are touches of psychedelia, electronic, and progressive. The electronic notes are particularly interesting, like in the instrumental "Space Child" or "Love Has Found A Way," and seem to be early in terms of when electronic music became a thing. Spirit included horns in "Morning Will Come" and "Mr. Skin" so it isn't over the top but just delightful. "When I Touch You" is emblematic of Spirit's progressive inclusion with that long instrumental. "Nature's Way" is a somber, simple second song that nearly warned me this album would be something akin to a Nick Drake album (affectionate) but remains a strong song and possible environmental protest number. I thoroughly enjoyed this surprise of an album!
Joni Mitchell
4/5
Oh, this Joni Mitchell album is beautiful. I'm obsessed with the incorporation of jazz to her usual sound. Jazz is a perfect companion to her soft, sincere sound and personal lyrics. Her music is even smoother than her other albums because of the jazz, and oh my gosh what a pleasant listen this album was. The jazz even gives Mitchell more of a bounce than what's typically found in her music. And I know I'm not making this up: Mitchell absolutely uses funk at least once, specifically on "Raised on Robbery." This makes sense for the time of 1974 when Black musicians' funk was becoming popular. It doesn't hit you over the head but it sure makes the album all the more vibrant.
Nas
3/5
Nas' Illmatic caught me by surprise! It was full of very catchy hip hop music, and before I knew it, the album repeated and I didn't stop it. The lyrics were purposeful and smartly crafted--and I'm always a sucker for songs covering meaningful topics. The samples chosen and used were different. There's even a Kool & the Gang sample bookending the album!
Kacey Musgraves
4/5
Kacey Musgraves was a surprise on this list! I wouldn't have expected her here, though I enjoy her voice and her music. Golden Hour was utterly delightful. I listened with ease and the album flew by. Though Musgraves is not the lone songwriter, I felt there was a lot of autobiographical lyrics--which could also be clever, thus adding to Musgraves' charm. "Space Cowboy" and "High Horse" might be the best examples of that. Despite witty lyrics, she allows herself to be vulnerable. The lyrics to "Rainbow" or "Golden Hour" are beautiful as a result.
Robert Wyatt
1/5
Robert Wyatt's Rock Bottom proves that putting various noises together does not make music! The mindless mumbling and discordant piano were distracting as best. The album was sort of deceiving; it dabbled in psychedelic and progressive rock with an interesting mysterious sound, but then it would devolve into nonsense. Anyway, I'm glad Wyatt had the foresight to keep this under forty minutes and not subject me to a double album. I couldn't tell you why this album is included on this list.
Janet Jackson
3/5
Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 has so much substance! I appreciate a Black woman singing unapologetically about romance and she has such a sultry voice that isn't over the top. But more than that, the interludes include social commentary and act as the glue to bind the album together. This album is mostly pop but incorporates funk and r&b, so it's a super smooth listen. I wasn't the biggest fan but do recognize the album's importance on this list. And, of course, that iconic outfit!
Belle & Sebastian
2/5
Second Belle & Sebastian album, second time I'm wondering what they're doing on this list. They don't make bad music by any means, but so much of their sound fades into the background and doesn't leave any imprint in your memory. For what it's worth, their debut album Tigermilk has a seventies vibe to it, and they do nail that indie sound perfectly.
Joanna Newsom
1/5
I hate to say it, but whoever Joanna Newsom created music for, it could not have been me. Ys could not have been further from my music tastes. Newsom narrowed in on a folk that's perfect for a Renaissance Faire while still giving a vibe that's both magical and light. Folk by itself isn't too interesting to me, but hers came across as more boring than usual. Not to mention, her squeaky and grating voice were too much for me. The amount of times she was out of tune was too much! Yikes.
Mercury Rev
1/5
The mystical aspect in Mercury Rev's Deserter's Songs was very beautiful! The album started off in such a nice way, and I was reminded of Lana Del Rey’s elegance and airy vibe. But then there was the baffling creative decision of continuous otherworldly sounds. These two layers contradicted each other and nothing was enjoyable. What I'm saying is that Mercury Rev had a lot of potential and they squandered it. This was 44 minutes wasted!
Billy Bragg
3/5
Billy Bragg and Wilco are both artists I've only heard due to these 1001 albums, and to hear them work to create music to Woody Guthrie's unused lyrics is so cool. The sound isn't like Guthrie's exactly; I'd say it's reminiscent of his style but also incorporating a modern folk sound, even with this album's release in 1998. I won't pretend to know Guthrie's music to a T, but because of the modernity, there was a lot more bounce in what Bragg and Wilco created than in Guthrie's standards, at least. That made the album more fun than I expected, considering I anticipated this album would only revive the Guthrie sound without any artistic additions by Bragg and Wilco. The artists did a good job crafting the music as their own while using Guthrie's timeless lyrics.
The little I know about Bragg is that he's very leftist oriented, and I wasn't surprised to hear Guthrie's line of "And maybe we'll have all of the fascists out of the way by then"--and neither was I surprised Bragg had used these lyrics specifically. I appreciate protest songs any way I can get them! 3.5
Elvis Presley
3/5
Ah, Elvis Presley. This album announcing Elvis' return to music contains his signature sound, though perhaps it is over the top with songs like "Soldier Boy" and "I Will Be Home Again." Still, it's amusing that he didn't skip a beat and even came back with a better sound. Still, this album doesn't contain his most well known songs. It can be hard for me, a millennial, someone who grew up with Elvis already dead, to fully understand the significance of what Elvis did--because so many musicians have built upon Elvis' accomplishments and done much grander things. Someone had to start rock music, and that was Elvis. That being said, the album was a slog to get through (and I love fifties classics like this!), but I have respect.
Mike Oldfield
4/5
Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells is an album I wasn't expecting. With the minimal vocals, I found it easy to focus on the progression and the various instruments. This album went a lot of places (serene piano playing to new age to
a fast folk sound), but the important thing is that it was such a satisfying listen. It's hard to believe that Oldfield explored so much in the span of 49 minutes. On the subject of vocals, the first time there were vocals, I jolted because I was so enraptured with the instrumental. The growling vocals in part two were rather unexpected but somehow enjoyable? The growls added a different vibe, and this 1974 album reminded me of the upcoming metal scene.
Simon & Garfunkel
3/5
Simon and Garfunkel's folk is so chill. Their folk is even a step above usual folk, because they add way more to the music than what you find in the traditional, bare bones folk. In Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme, they omitted the Oxford comma but their personalities come through more. I don't think it's a coincidence that this as their third album was the first time they had total control--which, in hindsight more than fifty years later, is shocking it took so long. The tone stays tender and melancholy most of the time, even when delivering the final song: the news at 7 o'clock with "Silent Night" sung softly in the background. The choice to end the album with a sharp commentary was subtle but powerful. Simon and Garfunkel absolutely knew about folk as a protest genre.
Peter Frampton
2/5
Frampton, my nemesis. Live albums, as always, are such a mixed bag. This reminds me of Cheap Trick's live album, of which my belief is that if your studio material sounds so boring that your live album is what gets the most attention, you might be doing it wrong. Frampton falls into this category.
In paying attention to the album, I recognized similarities between Frampton and Aerosmith and the Doobie Brothers. And I hadn't realized before how much into progressive rock Frampton was. The instrumental sections were pretty solid! But jeez, I cannot get over how overhyped this album is.
Arctic Monkeys
2/5
If I were to put Arctic Monkeys' amusingly titled album Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not into one genre, I would call it indie punk. A lot of this album pulls from punk in the late seventies and early eighties--and it's even reminiscent of glam rock but without the stage presence. Arctic Monkeys put a modern spin on their music, and it's different and refreshing. The vocals, I fear, are drowned out and the album suffers from it--and my enjoyment, too.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
4/5
To call Shaka Zulu beautiful isn't descriptive enough. This a cappella group has some of the most amazing harmonies I've ever heard. Even when I don't understand the lyrics, it doesn't matter, because it's too easy just to focus on the vocals. "This Little Light of Mine" wasn't part of the original track listing but showcases how beautiful their rendition of a well-known American song can be when they only use their voices. What a wonderful inclusion Ladysmith Black Mambazo is.
Elastica
4/5
Another britpop album on the list, and Robert Dimery owes me another dime. Despite my initial dread, I realized that there's something different about Elastica! I hadn't even realized before how cis men dominated the brit pop scene before hearing this album, but gosh this album is like a breath of fresh air after listening to the same damn britpop album the last 200 or so. Most times, Elastica's self-titled album feels more punk than britpop. And even when they aren't punk, they have a catchy pop sound or a goth/mysterious vibe. The vocals are right on for this kind of music, too--and it's on the cusp of alt, too. The guitar riffs, frankly, kick ass. The songs that had solo guitar intros were absolutely banger songs.
Super Furry Animals
3/5
Super Furry Animals are so silly. I love an artist that doesn't take themselves seriously. With the question mark at the end of the title "It's Not the End of the World?" and the word play in "Juxtaposed With U" or the tongue-in-cheek attitude in "Presidential Suite", I honestly had a good time. Or even a weird song like "Run! Christian, Run!" being about death cults.
I've heard SFA's debut, Fuzzy Logic, earlier in this project. Even though Rings Around the World was their first album under a major label, they have much of their vibe still. I hear more of an electronic aspect than before, but to be fair six years separate the albums. They still bounced around a lot of genres: one song had a Bon Jovi eighties vibe and another had a soulful seventies number. I don't know how SFA does it but they somehow do it right. 3.5
Fatboy Slim
1/5
I sure am not a Fatboy Slim fan. And while I understand why this album is here, I sure didn't enjoy it. Better Living Through Chemistry, whose cover was a trigger to me, is definitely different from other electronic albums, whether now in 2024 or then in 1996. But god was it boring and repetitive to my poor ears. At times, it felt otherworldly and incorporated jazz and I just. Couldn't care less.
The Velvet Underground
3/5
The Velvet Underground did such an about face for their self-titled album! I knew Lou Reed was capable of way more than the discordant nonsense of an album that is White Light/White Heat. While still early in his career, his lyrics are powerful here. His soulful voice, paired with his lyrics, in "Pale Blue Eyes"? Wonderful. I acknowledge I'm biased in favor of Reed, so I am aware I would prefer the songs with his lead vocals. For the most part, I didn't care for the songs that didn't have his vocals--or even lead vocals at all (except for "Candy Says").
This album by itself isn't super special but its release in 1969 was a stepping stone for folk, rock, and VU's later work. It was an interesting listen in the history of music and Velvet Underground and offered a very easy, relaxed listen in comparison to their prior album (for which I am eternally grateful).
The Byrds
2/5
Possibly the most generic the Byrds ever became. Fifth Dimension didn't add much to my knowledge of the Byrds, or of the sixties' music scene in general. I noticed the Byrds suffered without Gene Clark, but I didn't need to listen to this album. Compared to other albums I've heard of theirs, Fifth Dimension falls squarely into place in the middle of their sixties' journey with folk and rock. What does this album offer that Mr. Tambourine Man or Younger Than Yesterday didn't already offer?
George Harrison
5/5
This project has taught me that no musician requires a double or triple album because songs could and should be cut. But George Harrison isn't any musician and is the exception to the rule. Even before the Beatles broke up, he was overflowing with creativity and thusly we were blessed with a triple album in the year of our George 1970. Every song has purpose, and together all songs are beautiful. The third disc comes across as a jam session due to the instrumentals, but how can I be mad when vibing to brilliant music?
A big part of Harrison's music is his religion. "My Sweet Lord" is his most well-known song and is on this album, and that is a rather obvious choice. "Art of Dying" covers reincarnation, "Hear Me Lord" has Harrison asking for forgiveness, "Beware of Darkness" advises caution toward those who distract from one's spiritual journey--and those aren't the only examples available. His lyrics are always evocative and poignant, but even more beautiful when singing about religion. Even for someone who is nonreligious, I recognize something powerful about his songs and lyrics. Also, I found it interesting that, if you omit Apple Jam, "My Sweet Lord" and "Hear Me Lord" are nearly bookending this album.
Harrison always came across as serious, perhaps because he wasn't as loud as the other Beatles, but I was surprised at how playful he could be. "I Dig Love" is absolutely straight from the brain of someone who lived through the sixties as he alternates between singing "I dig love" and "I love dig." "Thanks for the Pepperoni," though an instrumental, has such a goofy title. I read these choices as not taking his music too seriously.
I already mentioned Harrison's lyrics, but I must come back to them because his songwriting was unbelievably special. The title song in particular hits hard; Harrison reassuring you in difficult times is emotional, or at least it is for me. Harrison always wore his heart on his sleeve, and that's never more evident with lyrics like that song. When Harrison doesn't sing about spirituality, like his meaning isn't abstract, the impact is still strong. The second side of the first disc in particular contains that realistic aspect.
The range Harrison covered on All Things Must Pass is incredible. Mostly he explores rock music, but there are spots of jazz, like in "Out of the Blue" and "Art of Dying," or blues in the aptly named "Out of the Blue". There is a folk presence too, which is definitely Bob Dylan's influence, and Harrison's voice allows folk to be so smooth. He created a glorified five minute jam of "Roll Over Beethoven" that slaps five decades later. He created different kind of sounds, like the guitar through the wah-wah pedal, or the frequent use of the slide guitar. And there's that steady, muted guitar beat in "What is Life." I just love the different kind of sounds he included.
This album, as Harrison's first since the Beatles break up, is full of nuances and layers. By themselves, the songs are amazing but also are longer, deeper, and more creative when compared to Beatles' tracks. I must believe there is still plenty to uncover, even with however many books, articles, and reviews have been written on this album.
Beatles
3/5
This album by itself is kind of basic. There are a few covers of some classic songs, and the original songs by the Beatles don't exactly push the envelope. Standard early sixties renditions, and nothing like what they would be known for later in the sixties. But you can also see early hints of genius, like with how serenely McCartney sang "Till There Was You" or Harrison's lyrics in "Don't Bother Me."
I was also thinking about how much the Beatles changed the face of music for decades to come. The Rolling Stones and Beatles originally focused primarily on covers, following the paths set by others, but branched out and crafted music themselves as they explored creativity. Like I said, this album is basic, but it's a clear stepping stone for their careers and it impacted the trajectory of the music business, too.
Soundgarden
4/5
I loved this album when I was only expecting to enjoy it on a normal level. I wouldn't specifically call myself a grunge fan, which is why my expectations weren't super high. Superunknown is super good, if you'll forgive the pun (that I'm sure others have made before). I admire the creativity on this album. The frequent distortion is badass and Chris Cornell's vocals are everything. There's a South Asian influence in "Half" that sets it apart. Though grunge straddles metal and punk rock, sometimes Soundgarden went harder into heavy metal and it plays so well. Different time signatures in the same song, the emotive lyrics, it's all so satisfying.
Randy Newman
4/5
Randy Newman is a musician that typically evokes strong respect. I only know him from music he created for Toy Story and the tv show Monk, but I had no reason to have doubts about Sail Away--and it was an enjoyable and smooth album that ended all too soon. He's a songwriter, first and foremost, and I'll be the first to admit his voice doesn't do much for me. But the music is unbelievably beautiful, as are the lyrics. Despite Sail Away's short length at thirty minutes, Newman accomplishes a solid album that flows and provides a range of emotions.
Louis Prima
3/5
Louis Prima's The Wildest! is a charming addition, and we haven't quite had anything like this before! This album was a rip roaring good time. Maybe it's a little silly when compared to the sounds of 2024, but I enjoyed myself, partly because it's so different. And the fact that his song in Jungle Book is one of Disney's best helped, too; I already knew who Louis Prima was, but it was a lovely easter egg for me anyway. Indeed, he is the King of Swing and a huge influence then and now.
Sisters Of Mercy
3/5
Floodland by Sisters of Mercy is different from other albums! The vibes are super gothic and dark wave, and the fact that it was so different made it enjoyable--but it's still good regardless. I bet this album can be considered dreary, but I found it riveting and fun. The choral intro to "This Corrosion," the piano accompaniment in "1959," the lyrics and topic in "Mother Russia," the consistent deep vocals. The musical choices weren't expected at all, and the music was good benefited from those unusual choices. 3.5
CHIC
4/5
Disco is a genre sorely unappreciated by the general population, and I was wishin' and hopin' that Nile Rodgers would appear on this list! C'est Chic is everything and more. "Le Freak" is iconic by itself for good reason, but the other songs aren't flat or uninteresting. The entire album has great beats and is so smooth. It's even a great example of the intersection of disco, funk, and R&B. I love that there's an instrumental too! "Savoir Faire" brings such a chill vibe. The horns and strings in particular gave extra volume to already great songs. And honestly, this album was just fun. Chic didn't take themselves seriously, especially with that spoken outro in "(Funny) Bone" closing out the album. A worthy addition.
The Velvet Underground
3/5
Nico's vocals and I do not mesh, but unlike her Chelsea Girl album, we are saved by Lou Reed providing the primary vocals. Outside of Nico, this album was rather middle of the road. It's certainly better than "White Light/White Heat" but not better than their self-titled. With this album as their debut, it's clear Velvet Underground had a clear vision of their unique sound. It's such an unrefined sound, and I'd even call it experimental because of how early it is with art rock, punk, and more genres.
"Venus in Furs" isn't their most known song but should be. It shows how much Velvet Underground pushed the envelope and Reed's creativity too. Besides, the drum and tambourine driving the song is all consuming. I learned that VU believed "Venus in Furs" was the closest they got to their idealized sound.
Nanci Griffith
3/5
Say what you will about country but it sure goes down easy. Nanci Griffith's The Last of the True Believers is pleasant, albeit perhaps leaning on the generic side. It isn't often there's an album whose cover neatly ties in with the songs and themes. The title of "Love at the Five & Dime" is cute and charming but also leaves no doubts about the album's purpose. The lyrics may not be jaw dropping or attention grabbing, but Griffith had a subtle way with words. She created a world in an album that's too easy to put on repeat.
2/5
As a millennial, I was all too aware of Fred Durst's shenanigans in the early aughts. Then today I learned he supports Russia wholeheartedly. Putting that aside, this music isn't bad. My biggest annoyance with this music is that Limp Bizkit comes off as tryhards. The vocals are not strong, but of course that isn't the focus of the music. Their lyrics are a big reason why they come off as tryhards; there's only so much I can stand to hear about how everyone else is a mother fucker. At least other nu metal bands sang about more than that.
On the bright side, there were some aspects I enjoyed. I anticipated Bizkit to go hard the entire time, and I was genuinely surprised and heartened to hear they have a softer side. I was also not expecting their music to have an experimental component. This album could've been tightened up, but I suppose that's just how experimentation comes to be. Some of the songs' musical backing were quite catchy. Also, I just love a good call back. And, you know what--for all his faults, Durst can sing coherently and clearly, which isn't nothing. 2.5
Genesis
3/5
I'm what the hardcore Genesis fans would call a poser (probably). I know Genesis' eighties music very well, and I know a smattering of their seventies sound. I definitely prefer their pop, mass-produced music over their long, overzealous jam sessions. They never strayed away from their progressive roots though, but I suspect they learned to tighten up the songs that last more than eight minutes. Genesis' The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway was a hallmark of progressive and art rock for the weird and other worldly sounds. These long songs definitely aren't for everyone but are soaring, satisfying epics. While this album was an exercise in patience, I only heard amazing music.
10cc
3/5
10cc's Sheet Music is very much a quirky album; I can't think of any better descriptor. I mean, when you have a tongue-in-cheek song like "The Worst Band In The World" or a song that begins with "hey toots" ("Silly Love") or pun-filled lyrics ("The Wall Street Shuffle") or a song that creates a dance named after a body part ("The Sacro-Iliac")--well, I rest my case. Unfortunately, the second half of the album fell off some. The songs were still quirky, but didn't pack the same punch as the first side. Regardless, 10cc made an album that is just silly and enjoyable.
Buzzcocks
3/5
I'm not entirely sure I heard a groundbreaking sound within Buzzcocks' Another Music in a Different Kitchen, though I recognize they were early on that pop punk scene. The vocals weren't anything spectacular, but that is often the case with punk from the seventies and eighties. The pop punk made for a fairly easy listen at least. I felt real kinship with the song "I Need," particularly with the lyric "I need cash".
The Specials
3/5
I consider ska and reggae to be generally under appreciated, and I was thrilled to hear both genres in The Specials' debut album. They were part of ska revival, though I wish I knew more about it to appreciate the impact of the Specials. By covering some classic reggae songs and creating their own, The Specials pay homage to the early reggae and ska sound. Fascinatingly, the Specials dabbled in some punk, too? That alone made this a unique album, with ska, reggae, and punk. This album came across as super chill and super fun, with the silliness only increasing on the second half of the album. 3.5
Bebel Gilberto
3/5
Bebel Gilberto has such a beautiful voice! Her vocals are the exact reason why Tanto Tempo was so smooth and melodic. Listening to a mostly Portuguese album let me focus more on the vocal quality instead of the lyrics. The album, I fear, was a little to slow for me despite its beauty. I need something with a little more bounce so I don't finish the album sleepy. Regardless, bossa nova mixed with electronic was something unique and unexpected--and I enjoyed, even if I was terribly sleepy.
Carpenters
4/5
Karen Carpenter had the most heavenly voice. I knew this album would be a treat solely because of her beautiful voice! And I was even surprised at how good Richard's vocals were in "I Kept On Loving You," which is definitely something he doesn't receive the proper acknowledgement for. Because of the focus on Karen's voice, she wasn't on the drums too much and I wish I discovered which drums she did perform on Close To You. Fascinatingly Hal Blaine filled in for her. There's an instrumental section in "Another Song" that I'm hoping was her drumming--and Richard's keyboards were great in that song, too. And speaking of "Another Song," Carpenters veered slightly into progressive territory despite being so pop-y!
For some of the covers on this album, Carpenters' version is *the* definitive version. Karen's voice was something special, and I suspect that was a big reason why. More than that, this entire album is positively delightful and full of emotion. I sure had a smile on my face for the entire day and I have no complaints.
Songhoy Blues
2/5
Music in Exile is the kind of album I desired exposure to! But Songhoy Blues' story is more interesting than their music. Their music, while nowhere near the awful trash I've been subjected to, was repetitive and melded together. I couldn't get into the album despite my best efforts. I learned about the genre desert blues--and I can say with confidence that Songhoy Blues absolutely honed in on a blues, rock, and African sound. At the very least, I don't regret listening to this album.
Eagles
4/5
I'm definitely an Eagles fan. There's something special about "Hotel California," but everybody knows how great that song is. What grabbed me on this Eagles album were the lesser known songs! The ballads, the endearing songs. The first "Wasted Time" had evocative lyrics, and the following "Wasted Time" orchestral instrumental was beautiful. The lesser known songs didn't have the hook of "Hotel California" or the loudness of "Life in the Fast Lane," but what the Eagles created in them is the essence of the Eagles! Soft rock at its finest. This album was so mellow and pleasant. You might even say the Eagles created a peaceful, easy feeling (shh, I know that song isn't on this album). And finally, I was struck by how great Don Henley's vocals are--and how they're superior to the rest of the group.
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
3/5
Like other progressive rock albums, I enjoy it to an extent but more importantly I respect it. Emerson, Lake & Palmer used a lot of creativity that makes this album sound different from other progressive albums. I didn't find any space or new age-y sounds, which alone made Tarkus different in this time period. I found myself drawn most to the guitar and keyboard throughout the album. "Are You Ready Eddy" had a classic rock and roll vibe, like Chuck Berry with "Roll Over Beethoven." "Bitches Crystal" was fast jazz, and was much faster than any other song here. "The Only Way (Hymn)" had the most scathing lyric I've ever heard ("Can you believe God makes you breathe, why did he lose six million Jews?"), but contrasted with the hymnal vibe and orchestral-like sound, it's even more scathing.
Prince
5/5
Some of Prince's best known bops are on 1999! Despite this being his fifth album, it is the album that truly put him on the map. He honed in on his unique sound, the Minneapolis sound, perfectly in 1999. The album opens with classic Prince songs, his fun dance bops. Then Prince delves into possibly what's best known for: his long and sexual jams. Holy shit, the order of "Let's Pretend We're Married"/"D.M.S.R."/"Automatic" is one of the best combinations in all of music.
Regretfully, I am loath to admit that the double album that is 1999 goes for too long. Far be it from me to suggest Prince rein himself in, but I've always thought the second disc's second side could have been eliminated without suffering any integrity to the album. I proclaim my love for the song "International Lover" and its sensual lyrics (thank you for this gift, Prince), but the final 3 songs just go on for too long.
If I were a stickler, I'd say this album is a 4.5, but I gotta go for a 5 for the genius that is Prince.
Peter Gabriel
4/5
While I fully know what Peter Gabriel created with Genesis, somehow I didn't realize how experimental his solo material could be. I suppose I'm so used to his big hits that I don't think how creative he was with his non-singles. I loved it! The unnerving start to the album ("Intruder"); the playful xylophone (?) used often; the pleasant, almost instrumental "Lead A Normal Life"; the beat in "Games Without Frontiers"; the occasional saxophone; the bop that is "I Don't Remember"; all of it was wonderful. As a lovely bonus, Phil Collins is on the drums for a few songs and Kate Bush provided some backing vocals! How delightful.
Fleetwood Mac
4/5
Both fortunately and unfortunately for Fleetwood Mac, all of their albums are compared to their Rumours masterpiece. Try as I might to hold Tusk on its own legs, I can't help myself. I'm happy to report that even though Tusk isn't an album revealing two iconic breakups, it holds a lot of emotions inside. Songs like "Storms" or "Over & Over" or "Never Forget" have so much vulnerability on display. Fleetwood Mac did not come to play.
Stevie Nicks is a gem, and her vocals and songwriting are amazing on this album. Christine McVie is too often overlooked in favor of Nicks, which is a shame because there's something special about her songs. Her voice is lovely but without overpowering the listener. Her lyrics are beautiful and emotional. I can't say enough wonderful things about her songs!
Tusk's biggest sin is probably its length. I wouldn't characterize any songs as bad or undeserving of its place, but the truth is double albums tend to go on for too long. But I've said this before about other double albums--Fleetwood Mac is far from the only sinner. Regardless of the length, Tusk remains an easy, breezy listen. So my complaining doesn't stand for much.
Also, Lindsey Buckingham's whining on "Not That Funny"? Bruh, get over your ex because you sound pathetic complaining about her popularity. 4.5, knocked down because of Buckingham.
Simon & Garfunkel
4/5
Simon & Garfunkel appear to be plain musically. But that's only because their music has a chill vibe--because if you pay attention you're rewarded, especially in concept album Bookends. And the genre of folk rock doesn't scream hype, but S&G add much more to their music than your typical folk.
The opening title track and instrumental is beautiful and brings the album together. Placing "Old Friends" after "Voices of Old People" is purposeful and evokes juxtaposition. "Voices" is an unusual inclusion and has the opinions of elderly people, truthful yet harsh. The rising violins throughout "Old Friends" nearly become discordant and grating but only after describing two dear, elderly friends refusing to discuss their mutual fear. "A Hazy Shade of Winter" is optimistic in comparison as the singer reflects on their life of missed chances and rebuilt hope. "Save the Life of My Child" has that deep bassline created by the Moog synthesizer that's just delicious, but the topics intrigue me more. The song features dramatic snippets from a sample of public life, all of which boil down to the concern of children these days. "At the Zoo" is pure Paul Simon with the playful lyrics, but it also uses some of the up-tempo melody from "Mrs. Robinson," which brings the album together musically and not just thematically.
Concept albums intrigue me because artists always approach them differently. Instead of telling a story from A to B, S&G gave us vague snippets with just enough detail to put together. Like a good storyteller, S&G trust us with the information so that we can connect the dots as we see fit.
Milton Nascimento
3/5
Clube da Esquina is a vibrant album. It goes in a lot of different directions, from chill to soothing to soaring. For being a Brazilian album, there were lots of sounds unique to my ears, but sometimes it sounded so American. I enjoyed hearing that fusion! With the limited amount of non-American or -British albums on this list, Clube was a good choice to get our feet wet.
Siouxsie And The Banshees
2/5
I love and appreciate women in all genres, especially when heavily male-dominated, and I'm thrilled Siouxsie and the Banshees was female fronted. But The Scream just wasn't for me. The abrasive punk sound never interested me much, and it was hard to get over that. For what it's worth, the Banshees did a lot right. The Scream had a whole ass spooky vibe! High school goths should be all over this album. Songs like "Jigsaw Feelings" or "Carcass" were so unnerving, too.
Traffic
3/5
Traffic and Steve Winwood don't tend to be appreciated fully, which is why I wasn't expecting a Traffic album. Whenever the piano or organ was used, oh I knew that was Winwood's doing. I recognize my bias, but this album was at its finest with the organ or piano because that's where the creativity hit. Traffic contained rock music, and Wikipedia lists folk rock as the only genre--but I beg to differ. There's way more psychedelia present, more than I anticipated, but hey it is 1968. At times I was reminded of Van Morrison's style.
Dire Straits
4/5
Dire Straits made such good music! This self-titled album toes the line perfectly between rock and blues, and it never goes too hard in either direction. It's quite the pleasant album to listen to, because it flows beautifully from start to finish. I'd go so far to say this is one of the smoothest albums I've heard on this list--and I'm nearing 700 albums. Not only that, but to make a bop that doesn't disrupt the smooth vibe? It could only be "Sultans of Swing." The instrumental portions might be the strongest, because damn does Mark Knopfler know what to do with the guitar. A joy from start to finish.
Sister Sledge
4/5
#blessed for Sister Sledge. "We Are Family" is easily one of the best disco songs of all time, but unlike many other albums that contain the artist's biggest hit, the rest of the album is solid. There is no dull point. Sure, the other songs are practically nobodies, but they are so smooth and delightful. Several songs are worth going into my regular rotation!
Anyway, Nile Rodgers as a producer should surprise exactly no one--and I don't know how I had the audacity to be surprised.
Sinead O'Connor
4/5
Sinéad O'Connor is hard to put in words, though I think it's easy to understand nothing compares to her (I'm sorry). She was unafraid to be herself or touch upon difficult topics. Very few white musicians spoke about police brutality against Black children by 1990, but O'Connor did at 24 years old. She also covered her miscarriages and her mother's death, both of which couldn't have been easy at a young age. Her lyrics reveal her maturity and her ability to be wise beyond her years.
While I have respect for O'Connor, I didn't know much of her music. To be fair, most people don't know her beyond "Nothing Compares 2 U" and her SNL controversy. I now realize what a shame that is, because while her Prince cover is outstanding, we're all missing out on her beautiful sound. She keeps the same gothic, spiritual vibes throughout. She uses strings exquisitely in "Feels So Different". Staying true to her heritage, she includes Irish sounds too. O'Connor dabbled in the folk genre, like your typical singer-songwriter, but it isn't overpowering. I even felt some Enya vibes, but O'Connor was more gloomy and not as ethereal.
Fugees
3/5
I love when I am surprised by an album! The Score by the Fugees was just that. It's an unexpected and powerful album. Lauryn Hill might be the strongest link here; when it was her turn, her songs were the best and were very impactful. I definitely paid more attention to her songs, and I sure was rewarded. The songs chosen for sampling seem unusual; older and unexpected songs were used. And several songs utilized a South Asian sound, which definitely set the Fugees' The Score apart.
808 State
1/5
The sound in 90 by 808 State simply does not interest me. I acknowledge it's different and 808 State were electric music pioneers, but acid house and techno do very little for me considering how repetitive those genres always are. The single "Pacific 202" was probably the most interesting for me due to the nature aspect. Respectfully, this was a struggle to listen to.
Björk
1/5
You know what, I've had it. 1 Björk album is already too much, and 3 is pushing it. I hear creativity, sure, because no other artist would make such weird, unapproachable music. I like strings and I enjoy ANOHNI, which were the only high points. Singing with a high, wispy voice and creating random noises does not make art! There better not be a 4th or 5th Björk album on this list.
The Cult
4/5
Oh, this album slaps. The Cult came here to rock hard, and they went hard. I am a sucker for the classic eighties, hair metal, hard rock sound. Even the song titles are super reminiscent of their contemporaries. The lead vocalist has such a gritty voice, which lends itself to the genre well. And those guitar riffs? Damn.
I didn't and still don't know much about the Cult, but Electric departing from their original gothic sound is a bummer. Their most well known song is gothic rock and slaps pretty hard. Regardless, I enjoyed this album a lot.
1/5
Oh no, more Blur. I was unenthused going into Modern Life Is Rubbish, and my lack of enthusiasm wasn't unfounded. The vocals were boring and felt unpassionate, which soured me. The lyrics stirred nothing in me. Blur's sound is like they are mimicking another musician's sound but without any originality. For what it's worth, I thought the instrumental interlude on "Chemical World" was probably the most interesting that Blur were.
Aerosmith
4/5
Aerosmith is so good at cranking out bangers. I don't think Rocks was as strong as the other two Aerosmith albums on this list (Toys and Pump), not to mention plenty of other Aerosmith albums that I know. Are the songs still great? Yes! They go hard, and Steven Tyler's signature vocals are perfect. The guitar, drums, bass, harmonica are all working flawlessly. You've got great lyrics in songs like "Last Child" and "Nobody's Fault". I couldn't ask for a better, more energized opener than "Back in the Saddle." I hate to complain, but I just don't know why Rocks was included over other Aerosmith albums.
Otis Redding
5/5
Damn, Otis! What an absolutely smooth voice, but he wielded forcefulness, too. He wasn't afraid to abuse his voice, which allowed him to dabble in funk and R&B. The way he held his notes when singing a soulful song? I tell ya, that voice was made to sing the blues and soul music.
Redding did exactly what I love with covers: he made them his own. His version of these songs may not be the most well known, yet he makes them different and--dare I say it--funky. I've never heard "Satisfaction" with horns! I didn't think any other version of "A Change Is Gonna Come" could compete with Sam Cooke's, but somehow there's more emotions, more sorrow, more vulnerability. Redding covers several Cooke songs, which must have been purposeful with Cooke's death months prior the album's release. "Shake" is SO fun--and with those trumpets? And Redding covers Cooke's "Wonderful World" and, with a slower tempo, somehow out-souls the King of Soul!
I'm not sure I knew that "Respect" was originally Redding's! I enjoyed hearing the original, but this song is more impactful coming from a Black woman. He can't compete with Aretha, not that he'd try.
Big Star
2/5
Big Star's Third(/Sister Lovers) is a big mess. The behind-the-scenes drama impacted this album, and not in a good way like Fleetwood Mac's Rumours. Third lacks cohesion, like the album was shoved together recklessly. There are hints of a new sound--I guess that's in part to the experimental nature. Not a chore to listen to necessarily, but not an enjoyable listen either. Sometimes you just don't understand why an album has cult status.
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
1/5
Say what you will, but I never would've listened to The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion's Now I Got Worry without this 1001 albums list. Combining punk and blues is unusual, and I initially didn't think it could work! But there was something about the deep, blues beat with the fast, punk sound that makes this album unique. The lead vocalist could sing like Elvis, which reminds you Elvis played the blues too--not just rock and roll.
Anyway, this album was not for me. The screaming aspects were unpleasant and soured everything else for me, even if it was a different kind of listen for me.
The Psychedelic Furs
2/5
The Psychedelic Furs brought strong seventies Bowie vibes--the vocals in particular but the music, too. I hate to rag on artists that seem to only mimic another artist's sound, but I didn't hear too much originality. Despite this, this album was very far from a miserable listen. The best part of Talk Talk Talk was absolutely the saxophone! The songs ran together too much, but there's something to be said about every song on an album contributing to the flow and the same vibe.
Tina Turner
4/5
Private Dancer is 100% a big "fuck you" to Tina Turner's abusive ex-husband. These songs hold so much empowerment; I feel her strength forty years later. Despite Private Dancer being Turner's fifth solo album, she is reclaiming herself and her music. I'm just beside myself--because it's so clear her songs were created with such purpose. I mean, she has songs entitled "Show Some Respect" and "Better Be Good To Me"!
Turner's "What's Love Got To Do With It" was released when she was 45, yet it revived her career. A Black woman in her mid-forties singing about physical attraction and pondering if love is even worth it? Ob-sessed. Also, the music video is iconic. ✨
Turner had such a voice! You can hear her charisma through every note. She's mesmerizing. Her cover of "Help!" is so emotive and tender; I've never heard that song covered that way. And the way she wails? Oh, there is and was never anyone like her.
Speaking of "Help!", I love what Turner did with the covers. She gave each of them the 80s synth treatment, and they sound so unique from the originals. The sax on "Help!" is a stellar choice, and so is that gospel choir backing her up in the chorus. "Let's Stay Together" still has Al Green's soul but she puts this disco-pop spin on it!
LL Cool J
3/5
LL Cool J's Mama Said Knock You Out is a fantastic title and has some damn catchy hooks. This album is definitely of its time in regards to the male gaze and the objectification of women, but that isn't anything unusual from other hip hop albums around 1990. "Milky Cereal" was pretty cringe, as the kids say. LL Cool J did, however, create "Illegal Search," possibly the most powerful song on this album as he describes scenes common to lots of young Black men. Immediately after that song is "The Power of God" to close the album. This song and its placement speaks volumes about LL Cool J as a person and a musician.
Public Enemy
3/5
I love a clever album title! More than that, I love an album that has a strong message especially when it's societal and political commentary. A song like "Shut 'Em Down" accusing corporations of using the Black community, or "Can't Truss It" discussing another kind of slavery in today's world, or a scathing take down of a popular newspaper in "A Letter To the New York Post"--all of it was impactful. I wasn't aware about Arizona's governor cancelling MLK day, but I sure learned about it in "By the Time I Get to Arizona." Who knew Public Enemy could teach me about history? I have a lot of appreciation for how hard Public Enemy went on Apocalypse 91.
The Who
3/5
I'm with a lot of other reviewers on the skepticism of live albums' inclusion. The Who, however, are particularly predisposed to releasing a good live album based on their nature alone. They were rocking out! Like, the way The Who went in an out of medleys like it was a game to them! I don't even know all of their material, but what I recognized was great. Also, Pete Townshend on the guitar was amazing.
Based on the original pressing's track list, I had mediocre feelings until the extended version of "My Generation." Additional releases had more live tracks, which I tended to enjoy more, though I don't feel it's fair to factor that into my rating and review.
Funkadelic
4/5
I love funk music and how different it is from all other genres, and Funkadelic knew exactly what to do. So much funk, yet so smooth. One Nation Under a Groove was so good I had no problem hitting repeat and even listening to the bonus tracks again. I had to laugh at the line "Which one is George Clinton?" from "Promentalshitbackwashpsychosis Enema Squad (The Doo Doo Chasers)" because, yeah, this album was definitely George Clinton's brain child. I love that kind of meta acknowledgement.
What I couldn't stop thinking about is how much Prince took from funk artists like Funkadelic. Prince touched on so many genres, but he doesn't get enough recognition with funk. At times, I could have been convinced this was a Prince record! Like, there was even a song that had Prince's signature scream. With me being such a Prince fan, I enjoyed hearing where some of Prince's inspiration came from.
Mott The Hoople
3/5
I can't help but listen to an album of a little known album and expect it to be trash! I'm happy to report Mott the Hoople didn't create garbage music in Mott. I'd say this was more than passable, even. The lyrics are clever and engaging. The increasingly jarring violins in "Violence" when the word violins sounds a lot like violence--I have to say I enjoy that kind of playful attitude.
The previous studio album to Mott had David Bowie producing and writing a song. This album of Mott the Hoople did not involve Bowie but his presence is definitely felt with its glam rock genre. Thankfully, Mott isn't yet another band copying Bowie's sound and voice since they brought something different to the table. I'd say Mott was just influenced by Bowie, which is accurate for its 1973 release. 3.5
Ananda Shankar
4/5
I acknowledge I'm a sucker for the sitar! It has such a unique sound that is so easy to recognize, and it feels both mesmerizing and energizing at the same time. The sitar can, however, be a very intense instrument and difficult to master. Ananda Shankar knew exactly how to wield it!
Hearing sitar-heavy versions of two major sixties songs is riveting. I didn't know The Doors' "Light My Fire" could become any more psychedelic, and Shankar's version of "Jumpin' Jack Flash" is on the experimental side. Both were different and enjoyable, but what I liked more were the original compositions. There's something about the freedom Shankar had in these songs. He didn't confine himself to any singular tone or mood. Beautiful, soaring, trance-like, whispering, striking, mysterious.
A worthy inclusion that I enjoyed hearing. (At the very least, it's better than another brit pop album, huh?)
Roxy Music
2/5
I don't know what Roxy Music's self-titled album provided that their follow-up album For Your Pleasure didn't already provide, seeing as both albums are on this list. I'm flummoxed as to why two Roxy Music albums are here, especially when they changed their sound ten years later--meaning it would be at least something different for my ears. This is that artsy, experimental rock popular in the early seventies. Bryan Ferry's leading vocals were too high and grating. Experimental music usually doesn't do a lot for me, but I can recognize how different Roxy Music's sound was even from their contemporaries.
Barry Adamson
3/5
I enjoy an unusual concept, and Moss Side Story delivered. As a soundtrack to a movie that does not exist, this album contains descriptive and colorful song titles. Because noir movies contain a distinct sound, Adamson chose his fake plot smartly. The instruments like the organ or the horns helped sell the plot and also helped to distinguish each song on an almost entirely instrumental album. Still, because there is a story behind the music that I don't know, I feel like I'm lacking something valuable. But for what it is, I enjoyed Moss Side Story--and its pun-y title.
Genesis
3/5
Gosh the music Genesis created in the seventies is beautiful. Progressive music can be easily overdone, but it was so easy to melt into the music. Genesis knew exactly where their limits were. And they had such variety in the instruments! Truly, a treat to listen just the instrumentals. But the lyrics and vocals detract from their strongest element. I would get lost in the music, only for the vocals to jar me. Their fantastical lyrics aren't accessible, but they make for good enough lyrics. I suppose I'm just a sucker for lyrics written by Lana Del Rey--or at least Genesis' eighties work.
The Isley Brothers
4/5
3 + 3 by The Isley Brothers was what I needed today: soul and funk. I loved how they blended the two genres together, and even incorporated psychedelia and progressive. That combination makes this album *really* from the seventies! The soulful, heart wrenching numbers, like "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight," felt so intimate. But then "Sunshine (Go Away Today)" was capital f Funk. Like, what they did with the Doobie Brothers' iconic "Listen to the Music" is fascinating! There's so much funk in the Isleys' version. Truly, the instrumental portions were perfect. The entire album flowed well even with these multiple genres!
If I were being particular, I think their weakness is the lyrics of their material. Their own songs didn't quite hit the same way as the covers. But when the musical backing is so strong, my concerns wash away.
Venom
2/5
Metal is a genre overlooked on this project--it's no britpop, apparently. But I found myself less than impressed with Venom, though it is a great band name. Black Metal sounds like a bunch of tryhards, and I do understand they sound like that because they were pioneers. The lyrics were predictable. The song titles were right on brand at least. All in all, not a bad listen, just maybe cringe-worthy at times.
Country Joe & The Fish
3/5
While this list does have a lot of psychedelia, normally the psychedelia isn't appealing or is redundant. I'm not convinced that Country Joe and the Fish deserve to be here, but this is middle-of-the-road music! It isn't bad!!!
The vocals were OK to me, but there was some unexpected charm, too. The unexpected, humorous double-take intro to "Love" is what endeared me to Country Joe. I love a protest song, and "Superbird" maybe hit you over the head, but I enjoyed it anyway. Some songs were just weird, as you get in the psychedelia genre. "Death Sound Blues" (or "Death Sound") created an unnerving death rattle that I only appreciated on my second listen. All in all, an easy enough listen to muddle through.
Morrissey
3/5
Morrissey is such a jackass that it detracts from his music. I can't help but be reminded of how much of a jerk he is when I listen to his solo music; it's easier with the Smiths. The irony of him penning and singing this lyric: "Leave all your hate behind you" in "Treat Me Like a Human Being" off an album named Viva Hate!
But I also can't help but enjoy his music. It's so catchy! The violins in "Angel Angel We Go Down Together" are beautiful, and I liked the lyrics in "Alsatian Cousin" and the reminiscing "Late Night, Maudlin Street". While I don't always agree with Morrissey's politics (or his methods), "Margaret on the Guillotine" ends the album with a serenading instrumental and an abrupt slicing noise--and damn, if I don't respect Morrissey more for it.
Morrissey is good on his own but was better with the Smiths. His songs are too short and are missing the amazing music backing that made the Smiths so good. I guess Johnny Marr was good for something, eh Morrissey?
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
Bruce Springsteen really is an American icon. Born to Run is classic rock, and it's a darn easy listen.
Springsteen's music is so accessible, something I hadn't recognized before. His music is fantastic, yes, but he crafted his sound and lyrics to be normal and relatable to normal Americans. Not the hippies or yuppies but regular people, like your blue-collar workers. His hooks are catchy and his lyrics make you feel seen.
The E Street Band, of course, is firing on all cylinders. Clarence Clemons' has one of the most beautiful saxophone solos I've ever heard in "Jungleland." The song is amazing as it is, but the instrumental part is what ends the album on the perfect note after a soaring melody.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
2/5
Ah, Elvis Costello. I cannot think of any reason why I'm on my fifth Costello album. What did this album offer that was different from the other four I've been subjected to? Like, yes, Elvis Costello and the Attractions can be fun and bouncy, but at what cost? What was the point of using a racial slur? What was the point of using the Final Solution as a comparison in "Chemistry Class"? I am bewildered--and frustrated.
Portishead
3/5
What I like about Portishead is they're impossible to define or put in a box. I guess experimental is the only way you could describe their music because they sure keep you guessing. I heard some similarities with seventies' progressive music, which makes sense with the psychedelia! I can't say I loved this album. I genuinely liked it, but more important than that, my appreciation grew the more I listened to it.
Fever Ray
3/5
I've never heard anything like Fever Ray's self-titled. This album is full of electronic sounds designed to be other worldly yet still chill. The vocals are unusual but add to the float-y feeling. I call this album weird, but I mean it affectionately because of how unique Fever Ray sounds--and the fact my ears didn't bleed like with the weirdest Swedish musician of all time, who I shall decline to name. But we all know who I'm referring to.
My Bloody Valentine
1/5
Yeah nope, shoegaze is not for me. In fact, I can't stand it. My Bloody Valentine didn't create something that could reliably be called music. The songs meld together into an indistinguishable mess. The lead singer's voice drones on and on. The backing music, if you can call it music, drowned out the vocals, but upon reflection, maybe that was a blessing.
An album that was a nightmare to get through.
Michael Jackson
5/5
This is a GOOD album. Every song is fun and catchy, to the point that the album finished when I wasn't prepared. Thriller contains more singles than non-singles, yet every song is unique. Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones crafted Thriller's sound to straddle between R&B and pop. But Thriller also reminds the listener that Jackson created his own disco music before, and I love he didn't hide that aspect. The genres put together make for a fantastic, unique listen.
It's no surprise this album was huge and remains a classic to this day. I would even posit that, yes, Jackson had decent to good success in his earlier solo career, but Thriller cemented his long-lasting success for his subsequent albums. There's nothing like this album, with how descriptive and engaging the music is, let alone the music videos. Every artist wants one iconic music video, but Thriller set the standard. While the self-titled track is unlike any other music video, Jackson can boast that he has multiple memorable videos on Thriller.
The Kinks
2/5
The Kinks' Something Else wasn't something else; it was just OK. The album was more pop-focused than the Village Green Preservation Society, which was more psychedelic. This album displays the Kinks' standard sound, but I don't know what the they created that was so different from other bands, like the Beatles or Beach Boys. Factors like fancy guitar work or witty lyrics weren't present. I personally didn't mind listening to it. This album had a pleasant bounce, and it passed by quickly.
Brian Eno
3/5
Brian Eno is one of a kind, isn't he? The music on Before and After Science is so beautiful. This album is definitely experimental, but it isn't so experimental that it's unrelatable. Sometimes songs are lively rock and pop numbers, but some songs are unexpectedly tender songs. Though Eno's next album was pure electronic ambiance, I hear hints of that here. I enjoyed the creative song titles, too. 3.5
James Taylor
4/5
I was not expecting to fall in love with James Taylor. Sweet Baby James is so lovely and charming, and my listening experience felt like his music washing over me. Taylor effortlessly navigates between serenading me (or the listener, I guess) or creating a jammin' blues number.
This album contains folk, country, and blues, but the final song contains a spot of jazz, just to spice it up. I'm picky with folk and country; I still wouldn't say James Taylor would be my first choice when listening to music, but I get it now. I guess I'm a sucker for singer songwriters.
Electric Light Orchestra
5/5
You know that Autotune trend that was everywhere 15 years ago? That's Jeff Lynne's creation, from thirty-five years prior. But unlike that trend, Lynne knew when to rein in the autotune so it isn't so overwhelming. Electric Light Orchestra were electronic pioneers but used rock and pop to make it accessible. They sure created some catchy songs, like the electronic chorus in "Sweet Talkin' Woman"!
Lynne created a beautiful album that has highs and lows--but most importantly has bangers, some of ELO's most iconic songs. But even the songs that weren't hits were great and engaging. ELO never shied away from pure instrumental songs, and this album was no exception. The instrumentals aren't throwaway songs but are engaging and impactful.
I was struck by how similar to a musical Out of the Blue is. Its creation was purposeful, to the point that the position of each song was carefully determined. One motif in particular popped up multiple times, and it was a chord from "Mr. Blue Sky." This connected the album musically but ensured the listener could connect the themes, too.
Pentangle
2/5
Lackluster. I'm not a huge folk fan as it is, but there wasn't any excitement behind their songs. Does Pentangle even enjoy making music? For what it's worth, Basket of Light contained an unusual sound. Folk and jazz aren't often combined, so at least they created unexpected music. Some songs even had an Asian influence. Anyway, I'll give this a 2 because it was indeed music--just not my thing.
Skepta
4/5
This might only be the second or third grime album I've heard, and I found Skepta's Konnichiwa to be better than the others. These songs were catchy, so much so that the electronic noises were captivating. The combination of electronic and hip hop is unusual and engaging. I couldn't help but be excited for the next song. And of course, the social themes were aces. Not much else on this list sounds like Konnichiwa; while I genuinely enjoyed it, I appreciate its unique sound more. 3.5
4/5
Perhaps the best kind of album is a surprise: unknown artist and unknown album but the music is genuinely good. The Lexicon of Love by ABC falls squarely into that category. The songs are bouncy, catchy, and easily enjoyable. ABC has a great disco and new wave combo, and I am so amused that disco isn't so far removed from pop or new wave. The lyrics are cute and bop-y, and "Poison Arrow" might be the best example of that. An delightful listen that I needed today.
3.5, but enough to be a 4.
Syd Barrett
2/5
This was a big ol' fat disappointment. For such an interesting title, the Madcap Laughs was lackluster, just like how a lot of folk is. And damn, those vocals were doing too much and it was very yikes. The reason singers that lack good voices (Alice Cooper, Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits) do so well is that they don't strain their voices like Syd Barrett does.
1/5
This is hot garbage. So little, if any, was enjoyable with this heap of trash. I recognize there were two drummers on this album, but never before have I thought music could contain too much drumming! But I don't want to blame the drums solely, because John Zorn must be held accountable for this discordant piece of shit.
Echo And The Bunnymen
3/5
My second Echo & the Bunnymen album, and Crocodiles has more depth than Ocean Rain did. Crocodiles is pure new wave, and quite fun new wave at that. I enjoyed the lyrics and the bouncy beats. I heard some similarities between Crocodiles and the Replacements' Let It Be, which came out in 1984. Both are post punk, though I suppose Echo & the Bunnymen weren't quite as unusual as the Replacements.
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
4/5
I loved this album and everything Emerson, Lake & Palmer did with it. Repurposing a piano suite from the Romantic period to become progressive rock is SO cool. Pictures is full of creativity, due to ELP's work, and is often quite beautiful, owing to the source material. Unsurprisingly, because the suite was crafted to be one piece, each movement/song flows beautifully into one another. ELP still make this their own, sometimes with lyrics or electronic music.
Live albums are hit or miss. Often I'm flummoxed as to why a live album is on this list, but the content of this album sets my mind at east. ELP never recorded a studio album with this material, at least. Does the live aspect add anything for me? Perhaps not, but perhaps their best bet for this music to be published was through a live album. Since piano suites are made to be performed live, I will allow this live album.
Drive Like Jehu
2/5
Yank Crime is an album I didn't enjoy personally but I felt enriched after listening. Yes, it was weird, but I could tell that Drive Like Jehu influenced others. The instrumental parts, which frankly was their biggest strength, delved into the progressive territory. The post-punk reminded me of Green Day, who were just getting their start at this time. In fact, this album's release in 1994 pre-dates that emo music movement in the aughts!
Christina Aguilera
4/5
I was a big Christina fan at the time of Stripped’s release in 2002, and I’m happy to report this album holds up. Christina became a different artist with Stripped. She’s still a pop artist but I feel her true personality came out. For one, she pays tribute to her heritage with Latin music influences. She departed from the sugar sweet pop image and sound to create some absolute bangers.
But like, can we talk about how revolutionary the themes of this album are? “Can’t Hold Us Down” is a breath of fresh air after the misogynistic trend in music of the nineties. Christina tells us not to be ashamed of sexuality in “Dirrty.” “Fighter” remains an anthem to this day—I think I could kick box to that song. Most of all, Stripped contains so much self-love before that was even a well-known term.
R.E.M.
2/5
Ah, R.E.M., my twin sister's nemesis. I'm contractually obligated to not enjoy R.E.M., and as such I cannot give them higher than a 2. Regardless, I'm not a fan of R.E.M. I sure do not enjoy Michael Stipe's vocals. Musically, R.E.M. is OK. Though I would dispute what makes this album experimental (because this album sounds like classic R.E.M.), the use of the mandolin was cool--I always enjoy artists exploring past their usual bounds. I learned a bit more about R.E.M. and their style, discovered I knew "Orange Crush" without knowing the title, and toughed out another album.
"And how can it not be longer?!"
Elliott Smith
2/5
I was not vibing with Elliott Smith and his Either/Or. His voice is whiney and frankly unappealing, which made the whole album a slog to get through. I struggled to find any high points, but I guess at least Smith created actual music.
The Last Shadow Puppets
4/5
Considering I like but don't love the Arctic Monkeys, I wasn't stoked about the Last Shadow Puppets' The Age Of The Understatement. I tend to feel Arctic Monkeys' music is a bit one note. But color me impressed! I heard great variety, bops, catchy lyrics. Every song was a hit with me. I probably liked the songs with a mysterious tone the most, but there were no bad songs.
In truth, this album sounds like it's from the seventies. I'm reminded of a lot of other seventies bands who tried to create pop music, but the Last Shadow Puppets made it sound way better. While most of this album is pop, I heard similarities with rock and psychedelia.
CHIC
4/5
Another fun album by CHIC! This music is so bright and delightful that its creation seems to be effortless, though I know better. But Risqué sure is easy to listen to. Delightful and smooth are probably the adjectives I'd use the most, I think.
I think it's fair to say Risqué, despite its name, wasn't as daring as C'est Chic, but hey, both were enjoyable just the same. Thankfully Risqué wasn't a cookie cutter copy and leaned more towards R&B. Still, there was enough disco that I was dancing!
Queen
4/5
A Night at the Opera is classic Queen. The hits are great, and the non-singles are still great! These songs are high production value, and they deliver every single time. Their harmonies are flawless. The guitar riffs are intense. Often, the album comes off as a rock opera, a la The Who's Tommy.
I was surprised to learn that Freddie Mercury wasn't the only lead singer. Though he's known for being Queen's frontman, he did way more than just sing and song write--and others contributed vocally. I suppose since Mercury had such a stage presence and unique voice, that's why I didn't know that before. But to be fair, his voice really is beautiful. I enjoyed hearing vocals from Brian May and Roger Taylor, too. This shows that Queen was such a well-rounded band.
Deee-Lite
3/5
Perhaps one of the more unusual albums on this list. It was disco, techno, electronica. World Clique was a great album to power walk to. The beat was consistently good and wasn't repetitive or boring. Lyrics were probably the weakest aspect of World Clique; most lyrics were on the basic side. Vocals didn't wow me either. And that's fine to an extent because the music is what carried the album.
Linkin Park
4/5
I am baffled that Hybrid Theory was Linkin Park's debut album. Their mastery level is sky high. I mean, Linkin Park went hard in every song and don't let up the whole album. Their usage of using alternative with metal and rap made their music so accessible. And their lyrics are so descriptive--perfect for an angry teenager perhaps, but descriptive nevertheless.
Prince
4/5
Prince was something else, and Purple Rain is what cemented him as an icon. No two songs are the same, as Prince bounced around genres and tones and themes. "Let's Go Crazy" is such, such a fun way to start off the album, and I love its high energy. A kickass instrumental is tucked inside "Computer Blue," a hidden gem if there ever was one. "Darling Nikki" is daring for its lyrics alone; it's a great song but it's remembered more due to Tipper Gore. A shame considering how hard Prince goes in that song. "When Doves Cry" is so groundbreaking because the bassline is absent, something not done before. I've always loved the way "I Would Die 4 U" (stylized in typical Prince fashion) seamlessly turns into "Baby I'm a Star." The title track ends the album and is a soaring ballad that I never want to end.
Anyway, for all my talk, probably if this album was done by anyone other than Prince, I would give this a 5. But Purple Rain isn't Prince's best work, and I love other albums over this one. Purple Rain is good but not great. But I won't lie--I was thrilled when this album popped up. 4.5, to be fair.
The Shamen
3/5
En-Tact by the Shamen is this dance/electronic mix that is fun and not overly repetitive. The lyrics, like with a lot of electronic music, were unimportant and melted into the background. They weren't anything interesting, because the electronic music grabbed and kept your attention.
I keep thinking about how repetitive En-Tact did not sound, for which I'm thankful. A lot of electronic, including Daft Punk, is not enjoyed by me precisely because of how repetitive it always sounds. That, and the beat provided a good power walking pace, makes this album a 3 for me, though on the lower side.
Dagmar Krause
2/5
Dagmar Krause is the operatic German Björk. Krause has a lovelier voice than Björk and isn't quite as weird, at least. But I found myself dissociating until the end of the album because Tank Battles was a lot of the same thing over and over. Low 2, but better than Björk, which counts for a lot from me.
The Who
3/5
As the fourth Who album I've listened to, The Who Sell Out feels more influential than their debut album, My Generation. This album is also more consistent in quality, too. But I think more importantly than that, the Who start to lean into their quirkiness. Frequently a theme of cartoon-y, slap stick-y, game show pops up. I can see a clear line between The Who Sell Out and the subsequent album, Tommy. And to my delight, "Rael Part 1 & 2" included a few notes from the Who's upcoming Tommy album.
George Jones
3/5
George Jones sure has a voice like butter. His vocals make the Grand Tour an album that's so easy and pleasant to listen to. In fact, his voice is deceptive when, say, you pay attention to the lyrics of the title song! I'm not entirely sure why this album made the cut, but I had no qualms about listening to it at least. From what I gather, Jones was a big deal in his prime, though I suspect he isn't remembered so much these days.
Sheryl Crow
3/5
I'd say Tuesday Night Music Club is not bad for a debut album. Sheryl Crow stays in the pop/rock genre mostly, but "Solidify" reminded me of Gwen Stefani of No Doubt and "We Do What We can" of a sultry, jazz night club singer. I thought it showed potential about her range, but at the same time I thought about how too much of the album was one note. But of course, being a singer songwriter, Crow's lyrics are powerful and descriptive. The lyrics, if nothing else, saved the album.
Ian Dury
3/5
New Boots and Panties!!, a title that makes me both cringe and laugh, was not what I expected. Ian Dury is an enigma. The lyrics are wacky and bizarre. An unfortunate aspect of his accent is that he pronounces well when singing--and his weird lyrics are very noticeable. But about halfway through the album, the weirdness morphed into an unusual fondness. Dury rhymed Trevor with however in "Clevor Trever"! And then "Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll" was a fucking BOP. So I'm rather partial to this weird ass album.
1/5
Absolutely not. An hour and a half of nasal Dylan abusing his harmonica? No. I'd rather pluck out every one of my nose hairs for the same time frame instead.
Madonna
2/5
This album is so far from Madonna's best work! I'm genuinely surprised Music made the cut. Yes, the title track is an absolute bop to this day, but too many songs were lackluster. The end of the album improved some, at least. The middle of the album was forced, and the lyrics were uninteresting. Madonna relied too heavily on electronica and unnecessary autotune. She has such a beautiful voice, which she reveals in the "American Pie" cover, but why wasn't that voice actually showcased in the actual album and only in an extra track for the international version?!
I admire when an artist changes their sound but only when it's done well. And this album just wasn't even in the quality. Considering I know Madonna can do so much better, Music was a disappointment after the first song finished.
Public Image Ltd.
1/5
This is not music. I don't care what anyone says, because this is not music. My other note when listening to this album was that it was "experimental indeed." That about sums up my thoughts.
Bert Jansch
3/5
Bert Jansch's self-titled is OK; it's a pleasant enough album. Too quickly, the album finished and began anew--and it was easy to continue listening. While I'm not the biggest fan of folk, Jansch had a way of creating very easy going music. But I don't know if this album is remarkable. It's better than Bob Dylan's folk, for sure, and this style of folk persisted at least.
Sonic Youth
3/5
I don't love Sonic Youth but I've come to appreciate them and find their music interesting and different. Honestly, for EVOL being released in 1986, it sounds a lot like other alternative music in the aughts. The noise rock aspect lets them veer too much into the abrasive category, though I recognize that's my own taste. The instrumentals show Sonic Youth actually has talent--because they could be quite powerful. The female vocalist stood out the most to me. Her vocals were wispy and enticing. And I kept thinking she had the most interesting lyrics to sing.
I'd say this is the best showing of Sonic Youth I've heard.
Shivkumar Sharma
5/5
I am in love with this album. Truly, Call of the Valley is one of the most beautiful and serene albums I've ever heard. I'm enchanted, and I can't stop listening to it. Some is even ethereal sounding! This is proper Indian classical music, one that is untouched by western influence, which came heavily in the seventies and onward. Though a slide guitar and flute are present, I stand by my opinion. Those instruments increased the album's accessibility to western audiences but they didn't detract from the inherit Indian musical standards. Not to mention, I easily noticed the influence this album had on American and British musicians after its release, George Harrison as the one most impacted. And because I am a big Bollywood fan, Call of the Valley deeply reminds me of Bollywood historical dramas (Devdas in particular for my fellow Bollywood fans).
Radiohead
2/5
Radiohead, specifically Thom Yorke, continues to befuddle me. I had no idea where this acclaimed album was going because it lacked any kind of a flow. Yes, it was super experimental and the most common thread was this ethereal note. But Kid A could jump around to jazz-y, Celtic-inspired, or electronica. There was too much going on and I couldn't find any enjoyment. And to learn that Yorke specifically wrote impersonal lyrics and all but ran them through the shredder and pasted them together in a nonsense format! I just don't get it.
Stereo MC's
3/5
To be fair, I didn't have high hopes for a jazz, electronic, and hip hop album. Connected was a breath of fresh air! I sensed a seventies funk influence but Stereo MC's made it sound more modern (even if Connected came out in 1992). And the saxophone popped up every so often to make this album so, so smooth.
I've said this on other reviews, but it bears repeating: repetitive sounds and I don't mesh well, so much so that they can ruin an entire album for me. Connected sounded so unique because the Stereo MC's weren't too reliant on electronic sounds or samples. 3.5
Def Leppard
5/5
Def Leppard's Hysteria changed the course of hair metal music. Released in 1987, Hysteria contains more singles than not, and even the non-singles are toe tappers. In this essay, I will...
All joking aside, I still remember the impact of Hysteria on my adolescence. This album created the foundation of musical opinions yet to come. "Love Bites" is the standard I hold other ballads to. "Pour Some Sugar On Me," their biggest hit, is a classic and will live on for years to come. "Women" and "Gods of War" are great, elaborate epics. "Love and Affection" is so tender and beautiful, a perfect closing song. The way Hysteria was put together, even the order of tracks, is brilliant; it is THE gold standard.
Hysteria could not exist without its producer, Mutt Lange. He had his ear to the pulse of eighties hair metal, and he knew exactly how best to craft every single song. In the interest of being fair, every member of Def Leppard brought their A game to Hysteria, which was born out of tragic events. I can't imagine how difficult the creation of this album was, for Rick Allen in particular, yet all rallied together to create a masterpiece.
There are no skips on this album. Every single song is a bop. Def Leppard didn't let up for one instant because every single song goes hard. This is one of the most perfect albums, and one I would fight to the death about its inclusion on this list. Hysteria was groundbreaking to the industry at the time and monumental to me too. 5 stars, easy.
Method Man
2/5
I'm afraid I wasn't very interested in Tical by Method Man. Some lyrics were so dated, which happens frequently in hip hop albums of the eighties and nineties, so I wasn't surprised. And I'll be the first to admit I'm not a huge fan of hip hop, though I can recognize how this album's sound was influential! But I guess I don't see how this album was different in comparison to albums by Wu-Tang Clan and the other members.
Terence Trent D'Arby
5/5
Wait, what is this album?! Sananda Maitreya created beautiful and engaging music in his debut album. The lyrics stood out; as nearly the only songwriter on his debut album, Maitreya revealed an ability to be emotionally raw. Even for well known singer/songwriters, to be that vulnerable on their debut is rare.
His cover of a Smokey song reveals that Maitreya can go toe to toe with the Motown legend! Like, that long ass note that Maitreya held at the end?! But maybe more than that, "As Yet Untitled" displays his vocal prowess. The nerve to include a song of only his vocals is impressive, and the song is so beautiful in its simplicity. Both songs serve well as examples of his vocal talents.
Maitreya's voice and stylings may be best for tender, soulful songs, but I rather enjoyed when he explored further. "Dance Little Sister" contains a faster beat and is quite fun! "Wishing Well" has this cute whistling that's so endearing. And the whole album is so smooth!
I'm a big Prince fan, and I've heard several artists on this project that sounded too similar to Prince while lacking their own original sound. Maitreya doesn't do that! Yes, his funk is reminiscent of Prince because how can you make funk music in the eighties without evoking Prince? But there's a tenderness that even Prince didn't bring to his music. Maitreya dabbled more in the soul genre, which differentiates the two artists further.
To wrap up this review, I can't find a bad song here. I cannot wait to listen to this album again, and even explore more of Maitreya's music. In truth, I'm surprised Maitreya isn't well known at all, and I'm disappointed I slept on him for too long.
Leonard Cohen
3/5
Leonard Cohen's second album containing country wasn't quite on my bingo card. Of course, Cohen was a man of many talents, and country and folk aren't genres far removed from each other. Songs from a Room presents as simple, like his earlier material; it's anything but.
When compared to his first album, Songs from a Room contains stronger lyrics. Cohen presents himself as the evocative singer/songwriter that he was known as, and his debut missed that mark. He brings more emotion to the table, and that goes a long way. Throughout the years, Cohen provided commentary on religion via his lyrics, and I see that taking root with "Story of Isaac." 3.5
Ute Lemper
2/5
Punishing Kiss is a faux sophisticated album. This is just a covers album by a German singer, and I'm supposed to think it's something ground breaking because Ute Lemper sung in a classical way? Yawn. I mean, yes, it was fascinating to hear Tom Waits' songs song by someone very unlike him. And you know what, the vibes were legit cool! While this album was a slog and didn't capture much of my attention, it wasn't complete garbage. I'm just confused as to its presence.
Herbie Hancock
4/5
Well, isn't this a charming jazz and funk instrumental record! Head Hunters by Herbie Hancock was smooth and creative and kept me on my toes. It flowed beautifully, and I wasn't upset to listen again. Head Hunters felt fresh to my 2024 ears--and I can't believe this album cover was giving Deadmau5 in 1973!
Dr. Dre
3/5
I made the mistake of thinking this album wasn't super dated, but then I listened to the closing track of "Bitches Ain't Shit". But in 2025 I cannot do anything about the misogyny present on The Chronic from 1992. Outside of that, I was impressed with how fresh and different this album is. The beats are super catchy! And multiple songs are part of popular culture to this very day--especially "Deeez Nuuuts," which legit made me laugh--which alone signifies how important this album is.
Girls Against Boys
2/5
I wouldn't say I love Girls Against Boys' Venus Luxure No. 1 Baby, but I sure didn't hate it and I found myself appreciating how unusual it is. It's so easy (maybe a little too easy) to record and publish punk-sounding nonsense, but Girls Against Boys didn't create any nonsense. Their musical choices are creative and well thought out. And I noticed a lot of alternative sounds, which puts this 1993 album ahead of the game. 2.5
Django Django
3/5
You could have knocked me over with a feather that this album wasn't from the seventies! In retrospect, Django Django was very art rock, which had a big presence in the 1970s. What I liked most was that each song was different and unexpected. The music never went where you anticipated. I needed something unusual and different today, and Django Django delivered.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
3/5
This is the whateverth album of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds that I've listened to. Now, I can appreciate their variety, but there's something about Nick Cave that usually misses the mark. Yes, the music can be quite beautiful, but it doesn't grab your attention. Other artists do great with this style of music--Tom Waits and Leonard Cohen come to mind immediately--but their music and lyrics are engaging and thought provoking. The Boatman's Call is trying to be tender and soft, but it lacks the depth required to impact someone's emotions.
All in all, not the worst listen, but disappointing when you love other artists that do this style justice. 2.5 on the high side.
4/5
Oh, I was delighted by the funk and soul in The World Is a Ghetto. I want to call this a chill album, but the funk could get the beat movin' at times! With such long songs, the instrumental parts were absolute fire--and kept that steady groove going. With the wide variety of instruments, each song had its own unique sound. The horns in particular were so powerful and engaging.
I don't think lyrics were War's strongest suit, considering how few lyrics were present, but I found myself paying more attention because of the small amount. And despite everything, the lyrics are great! The title song displays the harsh realities of marginalized peoples stuck in the ghetto, "Four Cornered Room" reveals a profound emotional connection, and "The Cisco Kid" has quite the hook while making a Latino fictional character--someone I hadn't even heard of before--sound so, so cool. War certainly didn't need hundreds of words in unnecessary verses to get their point across.
4/5
Oh, this is quite the remarkable and creative album. Muse not only created a unique sound for themselves but impacted alternative rock while making it impossible for others to copy them. Black Holes and Revelations is haunting, beautiful, and epic. Nothing is dull or subpar. And the lyrics are engaging and provocative.
The Prodigy
1/5
The Fat of the Land was too repetitive to be enjoyed! An instance of a potential hook would pop up, only to delve back into the same repetitive nonsense. I suppose I should be grateful enough that The Prodigy created something that didn't demand my full attention like noise rock, but he also didn't make it easy for me. Sure hope somebody else enjoyed this album, 'cause it wasn't going to be me.
Cee Lo Green
2/5
I found myself bored and underwhelmed by this album, though I fully admit at some point my attention wandered. I didn't hear much creativity, and the lyrics were lackluster. However, a song at the end of the album gave me pause because it showed CeeLo Green's potential. "Die Trying" had a great groove, amazing lyrics and harmonies--and it wasn't even a single. Really, this was only CeeLo's second album--"Fuck You" is released six years later! Greatness was yet to come. To be fair, his voice is the saving grace here. His vocals contain such a soulful quality. And I noticed some electronic sounds snuck into this album, too.
OutKast
4/5
Speakerboxxx/The Love Below is longer than most films these days. Each disc could be its own independent album--and in fact, I treated this as such because each had their distinct styles. I was concerned because, well, can Outkast have an original, unrepetitive 2 hours and 15 minutes? I'm happy to report that Speakerboxxx and The Love Below are varied despite their long length. And damn so many of these songs SLAP 21 years later! I think what makes this album so different is the variety of genres. It's hip hop, but it's soul and jazz and a hell of a lot of fun.
Also, I noticed a lot of Prince inspiration, and that should mean a lot coming from a Prince aficionado. At times André 3000 used a very Prince-esque voice, and I knew it had to be intentional.
Air
1/5
Yeah, I don't know why the fuck this album is included. Almost an instrumental album, the Virgin Suicides has electronic ambience that doesn't challenge the listener or create anything new. A musical like Les Misérables did way more for Broadway and music than this album did. Did this album really change how movie music was made? I don't think so.
To be fair, I'd like this album okay if I listened to it outside of this context. The Virgin Suicides could be sultry or hauntingly beautiful. But I'm annoyed at its inclusion so we're going with the lowest possible score.
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
YES! Are You Experienced is the missing link of psychedelic music that I've been searching for the last 750 albums. Are You Experienced is the epitome of psychedelic rock as far as I'm concerned. Jimi Hendrix balances rock and psychedelia just right, so even if you aren't a big fan of psychedelic music (and I understand why), this album is accessible and welcoming. Hendrix grabs you with his hooks and lyrics. It doesn't hurt that he entices the listener with some sultry blues like in "Hey Joe."
This album contains most of Hendrix's biggest songs, which are indeed great, but I found "Third Stone From The Sun" to be perhaps the most noteworthy. This song has Hendrix playing around in more of an experimental fashion. Maybe it was because I've heard the big hits so many times before, but it felt so fresh to hear something authentically Jimi that I hadn't heard before.
Coldcut
3/5
I'm happy to report What's That Noise?, despite its cringe worthy album cover, was only a little repetitive to my ears. I was anticipating a lot more repetitive sounds in this electronic/house album, a la Daft Punk, but thank goodness there was different and creative beats. Coldcut combined electronic and hip hop, and I will stand by my opinion that disco was present here, too. The hip hop and disco combination was unusual--and very cool. I do think this album went on for a little too long, but I've heard worse.
Carole King
5/5
Traditionally speaking, Carole King isn't a vocal prowess. She isn't like Aretha Franklin or other women artists from the late sixties and early seventies. What she lacks, she makes up for in spades with how emotive her voice is. Two of her biggest songs, "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" and "Will You Love Me Tomorrow?", are more famous sung by Franklin and the Shirelles. But she sings these songs in her own way, perhaps how she initially thought they would sound, and damn does it pack a punch. She brings more emotion to both of these songs--and the slower tempo of "Will You Love Me Tomorrow?" absolutely destroys me. That's what makes her music so unique.
King's career trajectory is fascinating to me, and I just love how she's first and foremost a songwriter. That title is what allows her songs to be so personal and resonate. Like, who else could have come up with "Beautiful" or "You've Got A Friend"? Her songs have the capacity to become iconic, personal anthems. None of these songs are skippable, and King has the ability to make each one hit everybody's heart if they're listening.
Carole King's Tapestry is one in a million and one of the most deserving albums on this entire list.
The Adverts
3/5
Before listening to this album, I read via Wikipedia that this album was well regarded in the punk rock genre. I seem to have grown an aversion to punk rock as part of these 1001 albums because many punk albums end up being nonsensical with discordant notes thrown together in an unappealing manner. Not here! The Adverts are authentic punk rock. This debut album even sounds fresh to my ears in 2025, despite the album's release in 1978. The music is fun, the lyrics can be cheeky or weird ("Gary Gilmore's Eyes") or about politics ("Great British Mistake") or just about being young. Not my favorite, but I enjoyed its uniqueness. And, you know, those punk rockers really know how to create a short album.
The Triffids
3/5
Calenture is an album that sure sounds like it's from the eighties and that album cover isn't helping matters. It's pretty peppy in tone, though the album's themes aren't quite as peppy. The lyrics are nice, albeit unusual. The strings were a pleasant addition. Calenture wasn't challenging, but hey, not all music needs to be. The album flows and isn't discordant, and I'm happy with that.
Janis Joplin
4/5
The first thing I noticed here was Janis Joplin's energy. It's electric and intense. Her emotions jump right off the disc/vinyl/Spotify. The energy is tied to her voice. She doesn't have a pristine voice, but the wavering style brings out the unabashed emotion. Her voice is so unique, and honestly I'm obsessed with it. Rock, blues, and her voice make this album one-of a kind--a pearl, truly.
New Order
4/5
Oh, I quite liked Technique. It's less rock and more dance, and noticeably different from New Order's original sound. Synth is there, because it's still the eighties, but it's more electronic sounding. This album definitely precedes electronica and EDM while sounding a lot more creative and full in comparison to many albums to come. I heard similarities with this album and Radiohead, but this was definitely less pretentious and better in quality over all. I'd put New Order on a similar standing as Pet Shop Boys, though PSB is more synth-pop than alternative dance.
Bruce Springsteen
2/5
Ah, Bruce Springsteen, where did I go wrong with you. Normally he's more Americana than folk, and I don't know why he went in the Bob Dylan direction for Nebraska. He has his own sound, just like how Dylan has his. And I like Springsteen as he is, and I don't care very much for Dylan's style. As soon as this album started with the whiny harmonica, I knew I was in for a slog. Still, Nebraska had Springsteen's voice and touch, so it wasn't all bad. I just expected different.
2/5
X's Wild Gift is neither wild nor a gift. The album is definitely palatable, and I had no qualms like I do with other grating, noise distortion punk albums. The vocals by Exene are just right for X's style of punk rock. That being said, I wasn't amazed or impressed. I'm not sure I understand this album's inclusion. But hey, props must be given to an album that wasn't a slog to get through unlike that bitch Bob Dylan.
Metallica
4/5
The reason Master of Puppets is good is because there's pure talent in all Metallica personnel. Sure, thrash metal isn't for everyone, and I respect that. But if you focus on the instruments by themselves without production or vocals, they know how to play and create amazing music. I mean, this is the reason why they have a whole eight minute song that's solely an instrumental. And you know what, Metallica loves rocking out and creating long songs. These songs are extra and perhaps over the top, but they are far from being bad. Play the album again.
Van Morrison
5/5
Yet another live album, but I found myself enjoying It's Too Late to Stop Now. It helped I already enjoy Van Morrison's work. Morrison brings a calming and joyful energy to his studio albums. The energy he brought to this concert is no less joyful but also energetic and fun. His live rendition of "Gloria" is so lively and has a bit of a call-and-response with the audience--way better than his original recording with Them. The studio version of "Domino" is downright boring compared to the live version! But his voice can still be just as tender and evocative compared to the studio albums, which may be most obvious on "Into the Mystic" or "These Dreams Of You."
Sometimes I feel the inclusion of live albums on this list are another version of greatest hits, which seems to miss the point. Not only is the energy different but the arrangement too. The string instruments in "Caravan" are beautiful, bring a different vibe, and give me life. That's another song Morrison improved with this live recording.
Perhaps the best compliment I could give to a live album is that I'd love to see Van Morrison live. He's fifty years older now, but I'd have a grand time if he was only half as good as on the recording.
The Gun Club
2/5
Another punk album that was a middle of the road OK but I have no idea why it was included. Fire of Love was very punk, but to my surprise they included touches of Celtic, blues, and country. That fact alone made the album not boring. I in fact enjoyed "Cool Drink of Water Blues," and I admired The Gun Club's ability to be daring. Outside of that, the nonsensical sounds in "For the Love of Ivy" and the lead singer's voice did The Gun Club absolutely no favors. Next album please.
Johnny Cash
4/5
I had no idea Johnny Cash had such a sense of humor! His stoic presentation doesn't lend itself to someone who would frequently joke, but I was pleasantly surprised. And his jokes are so easy and forthcoming. More than once bleeps occur (it was still 1969), and Cash sure is swearing. I feel such intimacy too, though I don't know how many inmates were in the audience. I'm sure Cash's outlaw persona helped in that regard. All this makes him so personable and genuine to the audience--and even to remote listeners--which in turn makes At San Quentin quite the unique album. Add to that his low baritone vocals and the prison concert venue, and you've got yourself a hit live album.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
3/5
I enjoy reggae quite a bit, but at the same time it can be hit or miss. Catch a Fire was a bit of a mixed bag. The reggae beats were so chill and easy going. When the lyrics were political, I wanted Bob Marley to drag all the white colonizers!!!! When the songs weren't political, I found myself losing focus. Starting the album off so strong, only to end it lackluster didn't help matters. Still, a middle-of-the-road 3 ought to do it.
Adam & The Ants
3/5
I can admire the commitment to the ant theme--it's unusual but somehow endearing, like Black Sabbath reusing their band name for a song and album title. That feature lends itself to a quirky, punk vibe, even if the genre is more new wave than punk. The lyrics weren't anything out of the ordinary, but the beats were good. Made for an album I enjoyed well enough.
Machito
4/5
Kenya was *fun*. This album was different from anything I've heard in a long time (say no to more post-punk and brit-pop music), and it was so lively and engaging. I loved every time the trumpet was prominent. Kenya is Latin jazz; its release in 1957 seems rather timely to me since there's a combination of western jazz with authentic Latin aspects. And I admire an instrumental album whose song titles perfectly match the song's components.
Soft Machine
1/5
This is some of the smelliest trash I've listened to on this list. When the first song began with discordant electronic noises, I wished for the end of this double album. The instrumental parts were OK at times. I do enjoy jazz, but the electronic bits made it so unenjoyable. And when the vocals began, I missed the instrumental parts. The vocals were so terrible and out of tune!
I refuse to ever listen to this disaster of an album ever again.
Grant Lee Buffalo
3/5
Fuzzy is an acoustic album that is an easy listen. I thought the lyrics were strong, especially for a debut album. Some songs were more forgettable than others. Some songs I was reminded of David Bowie. Bowie of course has more than his fair share of imitators, but Grant Lee Buffalo incorporated some Bowie glam rock aspects while making Fuzzy sound more modern. That modernity is what must have inspired bands like Oasis and R.E.M., because I can definitely hear some Oasis-like music.
Nirvana
4/5
I don't think there's any denying the impact Nevermind and Nirvana had on grunge, the music world in general, and teenagers. Nirvana thrust grunge forward; grunge already existed in 1991, but the sound on this album didn't exist. The lyrics and themes are what make Nevermind so impactful to this day and definitely back during its release. Sure, some is very emo teenager-y and maybe cringe, but that doesn't mean bad.
Some of the second half of Nevermind falls flat somewhat, especially when there's such an explosive first half. But with "Smells Like Teen Spirit" as the first track, keeping the same momentum is difficult, especially given the teenage anthem it has become. Still, I found myself enjoying the second half because these were songs new to my ears.
Rocket From The Crypt
3/5
I rather liked Scream, Dracula, Scream! With its release squarely in the mid nineties, this album isn't the rough-around-the-edges punk from the seventies. Make no mistake, this album is punk but there's also alternative and pop. For Rocket from the Crypt's first release on a major label, the lyrics were creative and unusual, definitely worthy of attention.
Also, I absolutely love the band name and the album title.
Happy Mondays
1/5
This album was a drag, honestly. The most exciting part was the title. There wasn't much that sounded interesting, creative, or unique. I guess this is a dance genre popular in the UK around the album's release in 1990, and I guess I hadn't heard it before. But if you're going to make me listen to a genre called "baggy", please make the music kind of decent. I mean, their cover of "Step On" was pointedly not good.
David Crosby
3/5
Through this project I've seen David Crosby's range and growth as a solo artist, with a supergroup, and with his first band. Yet I didn't expect something like If I Could Only Remember My Name, which was rather chill and folk-y. I'd go so far to say that some sounds spiritual. The guest performers are fascinating, and that's what I love to see in these kinds of albums. But in some ways, the album was a little lackluster, probably due to the tone being too chill. At least it made for an easy listen, and damn those sixties and seventies artists knew how to keep an album short.
Frankie Goes To Hollywood
4/5
You know what, I unabashedly love this album. It's camp, it's silly, it's cheesy, it's cringe (as the youths say). But it's pure fun. There isn't a song here that isn't enjoyable. Some songs were epic, like they were made for classic Hollywood dramas, which certainly lends credence to the band name. And like scores for classic movies, there are motifs and themes! A 13-minute epic title song is a daring choice and glues the whole album together. Frankie Goes to Hollywood wants to be taken seriously; otherwise, how do you explain their cover of a classic protest song, "War"? They added their own personality to it too, updating it to the year 1984.
I know this album and band and "Relax" is considered a joke today, but like "Friday" by Rebecca Black, you cannot make a song a sensation if it isn't genuinely good. I listened to this album multiple days as I wrote my review, and I grew to love every song of this synth pop album. It brought many a smile to my face! 4.5
Kate Bush
2/5
Considering the art rock, avant style, I knew I wouldn't be a fan of The Dreaming. I was not prepared for how very weird and off the wall this album is! Now, I appreciate creativity to an extent. The second listen allowed me to get over my initial impression and truly hear more. Still, The Dreaming is just weird. Kate Bush is a unique talent with a beautiful voice, which sure makes for a more agreeable listen. But I can't do more than a 2.
Jeru The Damaja
3/5
A genre I lack knowledge in is hip hop, so I can't provide a ton of insight. What I found on The Sun Rises in the East was a focus on Brooklyn. The album title backs it up, even! The lyrics weren't your standard fare; this is Jeru the Damaja's debut, yet his lyrics are so strong! His hooks are good. The songs are distinct from one another, like "Da Bichez" opens and continues with some beautiful horns. Maybe the many record scratches were overkill, but that may be personal preference.
The Cure
3/5
The Cure's commitment to this gothic vibe is unparalleled. And they nail every single aspect of this vibe, from the vocals to the tempo to the lyrics. It's so delightfully dark, and the album really sucks the listener in. The only gripe I have is that Pornography was slower and moodier than I would've liked, or what I needed today, but that's all personal preference. A general gripe I have about The Cure is that this was the third album of theirs I've listened to, and the three muddle together in my brain. This album was probably their best showing, at least for my tastes.
Ryan Adams
3/5
Gold by Ryan Adams is average. With its release in 2001, Gold straddles the world between rock, alternative, and country well. I can hear the nineties country sound and the yet-to-come aughts alternative sound. And this is a very easy, mellow album to sit back and enjoy. Except for the cringe-worthy moments Adams' voice breaks.
But lord oh lord, did Ryan Adams get extremely lucky with Gold's release two weeks after 9/11, the American flag on his album cover, and his songs about New York and patriotism. I cannot believe his luck, and I will bet a good amount of money that the album wouldn't have received the same kind of reception if it was released years before or after. Gold is decent, but it's not great. I don't understand--but I do understand the other reviews that call this a budget Bruce Springsteen.
Turbonegro
4/5
I am charmed by Apocalypse Dudes. Turbonegro did a great job combining hard rock of the eighties and glam rock of the seventies with some good old fashioned punk. And these songs are catchy! Every song is different and engaging--sometimes the title grabs your attention first, or the soft whispers opening the song, or the lyrics, or even the opening track's Apocalypse Dudes proclamation, and Turbonergo's love of denim.
With all that out of the way, let's discuss these song titles. I'm obsessed. "Rendezvous with Anus"? Strong song titles have the potential to be off-putting, but with their catchy songs, I found myself admiring their daring attitudes. What's more punk rock than that? Regardless, I would love to have been a fly on the wall for these song writing sessions. 3.5, rounding up.
CHVRCHES
2/5
Another album I wanted to like but did not. Chvrches' electronic sound was poppy and sugar-y. I like lots of synth-pop and predecessors of Chvrches. I even like a bunch of their influences! The vibes throughout the album are great; I love a good album title, too. But I think the poor vocals impacted me too much to enjoy this album. Alas, poor Chvrches.
Megadeth
3/5
To Megadeth's poor luck, I listened to Metallica, another thrash metal band, immediately preceding this album. Musically Megadeth is solid, but gosh they lack the range that Metallica has. The guitar wails, it's that good, but it's far too prominent to the detriment of the rest of their instruments. This just leaves me feeling wanting. I like a well-rounded band.
For what it's worth, I love a consistent vibe. Megadeth hit the nail on the head with their song titles. Sure, maybe it's over the top, but I wasn't bad about it.
Arrested Development
4/5
Oh that is a long album title! It's a breath of fresh air and is a shining example of how hip hop is different from rap. At its release in 1992, this type of music wasn't too common due to the rising popularity of gangsta rap. Of course, there's nothing bad with gangsta rap, but there's a fair amount of it on this list for this time period. This alternative hip hop album is restorative in contrast. And I won't lie--there was an added bonus of no misogyny. And songs like "Raining Revolution" or "Mr. Wendal" have great stories or messages. Their lyrics are strong and engaging! And of course Arrested Development included call and response, which I'm a sucker for but also is a great homage to Black culture.
3.5, rounding up.
Metallica
4/5
After this album, I'm left thinking about the musical powerhouse that Metallica is. Thrash metal receives a lot of unjustified flack from society at large but there is a lot to appreciate. I even think it can be argued that Metallica raised up thrash metal, but I'm not here to prove that today. Metallica has always been captivating with their instruments and musical talents. I find their instrumental songs or sections to be their strongest asset. That isn't to say James Hetfield's vocals aren't iconic or powerful, of course. But on ...And Justice for All, Metallica steps further than their earlier material and enter into progressive territory. Their instrumental pieces are beautifully constructed, drive the beat hard, and take you on journeys. This makes for a very satisfying listen.
Ministry
4/5
For what it's worth, this kind of industrial metal is exactly what I needed for my day. Hardcore metal that didn't let up. The vocals could be too abrasive for my tastes, but sometimes I didn't mind, like with the brilliant lyrics of "Jesus Built My Hotrod". A masterpiece if there ever was one. But I think what sets Ministry apart is how very balanced they are with their instruments. Guitars, keyboards, bass, drums, they all drive the music and nothing is lacking. A good album that enriched my personal music tastes.
Tim Buckley
3/5
This album, bless Tim Buckley's dead soul, makes zero sense. There's no reason for Buckley to make such a horny on main album, nor make it sound so good. Being horny isn't a crime, but there's a definite male gaze view point that causes the album to fall flat. The lyrics are cheesy and not in the endearing way.
Anyway, Buckley brought a natural easiness to Greetings from L.A.. The chill energy matches the album's title and lands it squarely into the folk and R&B genres. Usually folk sounds so abrasive, but Buckley combined it with R&B to make this album so smooth. So the lyrics weren't great, but the other aspects intrigued me enough. I can't help but imagine how great he could've been with another songwriter.
The final song, "Make It Right," reminds me of E.L.O. with its orchestra backing. Not sure who inspired who, considering ELO is from the same time period-ish, but something cool to note nevertheless.
ZZ Top
4/5
That guitar is so quintessential to ZZ Top! It's a thing of beauty. I just love the driving beat with the hard rock and blues genres. Billy Gibbons rightfully deserves credit for every single guitar riff and solo. There's no other band that does it like ZZ Top.
Of course I already knew the singles off Eliminator, and I did find myself interested in the non-singles, too. But a thought kept popping up: Eliminator is very one note! All of these songs, which are undeniably great, are so similar--too similar. But because ZZ Top sounds so unique, the album doesn't sound too tired. Well, except of course a song, inexplicably, about tv dinners. I kid--they somehow made a song about tv dinners sound good.
Buena Vista Social Club
4/5
Ugh! Talk about delightful! I enjoyed how smooth and fun this album was. Buena Vista Social Club was a longer album that didn't drag--a miracle, apparently. Every song was full and captivating, and kept me listening and wanting to hear more and more. Truly, this Latin and jazz combo is lights out.
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
2/5
The circle broke!!!
Lord this capital B bluegrass album was on my very last nerve. This is a genre I haven’t heard very much at all in the past 800 albums, but I didn’t need two straight hours of it to make up for its lack. I got the gist after the first three songs. I nearly gave this a 1 but the instrumental rendition of “Both Sides Now” was so lovely.
Goldie
1/5
Timeless had quite the varied vibe; it could be trippy or ambient. It wasn't like most electronic music of the time because of its variance and ambiance. *But*. *However*. *Regardless*. This album was incredibly repetitive. Why were the songs so long? Why were the lyrics inconsequential? Why did they include lyrics at all? Why was this album so long when the songs kept repeating the same 3 beats over and over?! This album could have gotten a generous 3 if it had been shortened dramatically, but it sure wasn't. I guess it was groundbreaking for the electronic scene, but I find I don't care.
The Thrills
2/5
Well. This is indie but not very remarkable. I liked the music OK and thought it was creative. But the lead vocals had a whine-y quality to them that didn't endear me to The Thrills. And there was a little bit too much harmonica (read: I think it was only in one song). As a side note, how many songs can you have about specific locations on your album? Overkill, and unimpressed.
The Fall
2/5
I sure was not a fan of the vocals here. They waned on me so much. Inarticulate and boring. And I know in punk music the vocals shouldn't matter, but they do in fact, and I just hated them. Outside of the vocals, I enjoyed This Nation's Saving Grace. I don't know how remarkable it was, but the beats were good. The tone could become very dark, always a highlight. A lot of the music itself was very strong and engaging, too. On the whole, the lyrics weren't remarkable--well, that depended on how much I could make out. 2.5
Napalm Death
1/5
This is not music. This is garbage. Scum contains a bunch of random sounds masquerading as music, but it's not music. Grunting is not singing! Truly one of the hottest, stinkiest albums I've heard on this list. None of it was enjoyable, thought-provoking, creative, enticing, or any other positive attribute. Even though I love learning about music, I cannot say my life is enriched from learning what grindcore is.
Television
2/5
Not a bad album, but it's so lackluster when I just listened to New York Dolls' self-titled debut. Television was a few years later and not as good. Vocals were meh. I enjoy that punk-y rock/new wave sound, but. I was just bored.
Youssou N'Dour
4/5
Immigrés was full of joy and was varied. Sometimes, it was more serene, and sometimes it was overflowing with fun energy. Every song was different and engaging. I was never bored! Perhaps most interesting was the slight reggae sounds that could be found throughout. Though reggae was originally crafted in Jamaica, of course its roots go back to Africa at large. That to me adds more power to the album title, French for "immigrants" (ok I did use Google Translate to help me with my assumed translation).
A joyful listen, and one that I'm glad I heard as part of this project. And I learned what a big deal Youssou N'Dour is in Senegal and the whole continent of Africa!
Marilyn Manson
2/5
Boy these vocals sure aren't for me. I hated them! I don't think screaming vocals are anything interesting or captivating. But what was good was the music! I didn't listen to Marilyn Manson growing up, and I'm surprised how good this metal/industrial sound is. But I'm not surprised to see some personnel, like Trent Reznor. And you know what, Marilyn Manson sure knows how to put together a vibe. The entire album was the product of one vision while making each song different. The lyrics only added to that gritty, emo vibe. Hey, is there an instrumental version of this album? I'd give that 4 stars, easy.
New York Dolls
4/5
New York Dolls won me over. I have many reservations about punk music, like too often it's a jumble of harsh sounds that make no sense together. But New York Dolls made actual music that's good and fun and campy. I just enjoyed it so much. The vocals were harsh and weren't always intelligible, but I didn't care because both aspects added to the great energy. The lyrics were descriptive and forced deeper contemplation, something I think is hard to find on a debut album. NYD was quite the punk and glam rock pioneer, yes, but more than that, I had great fun listening to this album multiple times. Plus, you gotta love that album cover! I'm so reminded of Poison in the eighties.
Neil Young
3/5
Neil Young hooked me in! I don't always care for his brand of music, and sometimes I'm not sure how he's all over the 1001 albums project when a lot of his music sounds the same. Happily, I did find a lot of differences in Harvest, which enabled me to enjoy this much more than otherwise. Instead of relying only on his guitar, he used the piano frequently, and boy am I a sucker for that. A listen I enjoyed several times. 3.5
Todd Rundgren
3/5
Something/Anything? is an apt title for an album that went just about everywhere it could go in 1972. Soft rock? Yup. Psychedelia? Uh huh. Country? We gotchu. Normally I enjoy an artist's expansive talents, but the whiplash left the album feeling so disjointed. Many other artists are able to weave different genres into the same album with much more finesse.
Regardless, I enjoyed the album. Todd Rundgren is for sure a musician full of creativity and interests. The album's first few songs are that typical, soft, easy early seventies music--which I'm a sucker for. Then the album did become unusual, but I found myself interested despite that. Definitely an unnecessary double album, but it doesn't stop me from giving a 3.
Green Day
4/5
OMG this album is knock-your-socks off good. Green Day took no prisoners with their hard-hitting lyrics and those damn good beats. The messages behind "American Idiot" or "Jesus of Suburbia" are so great that I forget it's 2025 and not 2004. And American Idiot is a great example of fusing rock and punk together. This project has shown me that it's the rare artist who can make banger political songs.
The only less-than-great item I noticed was that the second part of the album drags on some. The excitement of the first half was so high, and it was noticeably absent in the second half. But to be completely fair, that first half is absolutely iconic 21 years later, and it seems cruel to compare the best fruit to the OK fruit.
Frank Sinatra
4/5
Frank Sinatra was such a charmer! Finding another artist that had the same amount of charisma is almost impossible. The personality he brought to swing and jazz music... there was nobody like him. His voice is so unique and captivating. That being said, as my group member accurately pointed out, this album is rather one note. But to Sinatra's credit, the songs are beautiful and so easy to listen to. I wasn't bored one iota. I enjoyed this so much that my 3.5 is rounded up.
The Fall
1/5
Lord, I beg your forgiveness for all the times I sinned, denied your existence, and said your name in vain. Please allow me to rest easy and not listen to another The Fall album, certainly not a fourth album.
Madonna
3/5
Ray of Light was crafted well, flowing well in this beautiful, ethereal way. But this isn't the eighties Madonna that she's so famous for--yet she pulled off this sound well. She incorporated other genres, like trip hop, to create a totally new, mature sound. I recognize that electronic and ambient influence from Brian Eno, and the mythical influence on Goldfrapp (a la Seventh Tree). The lyrics had more of an internal focus, so the album felt way more personal. An interesting listen on the history of Madonna.
The Louvin Brothers
1/5
I like that old country sound. I enjoy emotional, soft songs. I love an encompassing album with the same vibe or theme throughout. Tragic Sounds of Life is not it. This album was a drag and one note without any variance. The lyrics were always telling a story and, true to the album's title, the Louvin Brothers sure told depressing as hell stories. There was nothing appealing about this.
(Un)respectfully, no thank you.
U2
4/5
I've been waiting for Achtung Baby! As my brother's favorite U2 album, it marks a change in sound for the band. Though this album was commercially successful, its sound is less commercialized. The change seems like, to me, that U2 was able to explore more musically. It's not so much rock as the only genre but the burgeoning alternative sound is present, too. The lyrics, like with all of U2's music, are so powerful and evocative. And again like all U2 albums, Achtung Baby is crafted with such purpose. 3.5
Scott Walker
1/5
Who is this guy? What is this album? Scott Walker created an album that's pathetically named and full of tortured baroque pop. I enjoy baroque pop, but not when the music is over the top. Walker's lyrics were meant to shock and grab attention, but they were just dumb and meaningless. What was the point of this album? Was it meant to be a caricature? I couldn't tell you.
Pavement
2/5
An album I'm not sure of the reason behind its presence on this list. Pavement's Crooked Rainx2 was your typical nineties alternative, easy enough to listen to but not distinct. They kept reminding me of another band, though I couldn't quite put my finger on who. The vocals weren't anything remarkable either.
Korn
3/5
I didn't expect to like or enjoy Korn, but I sure did. Are they great? No, but their influence and presence in nu metal cannot be discredited. Plus, the songs on Follow the Leader are catchy and go so hard. Unexpectedly, they had bagpipes in a song? Somehow that makes sense for Korn. That being said, boy oh boy is this album dated. I sure could've gone without the slurs. I also think Korn could have expanded and not relied on the same sound, but honestly I do enjoy the distorted, uneasy vibe throughout the album.
Miriam Makeba
3/5
Miriam Makeba had quite the robust voice! Though she always didn't sing in English on this album, the music and her vocals are captivating. When she did sing in English, she choose well-known songs that turned out different because of the South African flair she brought. I loved noticing those differences! Definitely an album worthy of placement here, and I feel buoyed after listening to it.
The Streets
2/5
I want to be fair to this album, an album that is definitely one of the most unique on this list. But I couldn't enjoy it because of the British accent. I mean, I found other reasons to dislike it! For one, A Grand Don't Come for Free, which is a very true album title, isn't exactly a rap opera but so much as a spoken word album with bits of electronic added. The vocals were either out of tune or not singing/rapping. Like, would we really call this music? That said, I do love a concept album. The story kept my attention.
Gary Numan
3/5
I was pleasantly surprised with Gary Numan's The Pleasure Principle. Even today, this album has a very unique sound. Using both electronics and synthesizers, Numan created a new wave sound that I've never heard before. I definitely noticed aspects that inspired musicians like the Cars and Prince, even if Prince didn't directly dabble in new wave. When the songs are instrumentals, that's when Numan hits his groove--each are distinct and are reflective of the song title. The whole album flows so well, and it must be because of Numan's unique sound and his love of synthesizers.
3/5
I wasn't impressed with this album, but neither was I bored. Arthur being my third Kinks album proves they can be hit or miss for me. The good news is that Arthur was their seventh release, so the album wasn't their early pop sound that made them too similar to other sixties bands. The prior release, Village Green Preservation Society, explored more in regards to genres, which I greatly admired, which makes me rather disappointed Arthur didn't do the same. But at the end of the day, the album was pleasing, jaunty, and easy to listen to.
Elbow
3/5
I found Elbow's The Seldom Seen Kid to be reminiscent of Coldplay, but a lot less pretentious. Unique lyrics with some beautiful music. The album flows so well, one song into another, showing how much craft went into it, again like Coldplay. As a result, The Seldom Seen Kid was monotone without too much variety. But this moody alternative rock was what I was in the mood for today, so I'm not complaining! 3.5
Common
2/5
I'm conflicted about Like Water for Chocolate. On one hand, Common crafted quite the album; he pays homage to Fela Kuti and discusses a political activist's wrongful imprisonment. He holds nothing back in his lyrics, which really hit you in the gut. On the other hand, the album is very long and because of the many collaborations and directions Common went in, it isn't terribly cohesive. I nevertheless appreciate what Common did here. At the end of the day, I didn't enjoy Like Water for Chocolate as much as Be, which contained more soul than just straight hip hop. 2.5
TLC
3/5
I cannot believe CrazySexyCool came out in 1994! TLC absolutely are trailblazers. After the eighties and early nineties male-dominated hip hop, CrazySexyCool is a breath of fresh air with these women owning their sexuality while making such a smooth album (with really sick beats). The power that came from their lyrics is undeniable. I loved their cover of Prince's "If I Was Your Girlfriend"; somehow TLC made it even funkier and I have to trust that Prince loved what they did. And speaking of other artists, I suspect TLC and CrazySexyCool influenced Christina Aguilera, particularly for her Stripped album.
Dr. John
3/5
Yeah, that is Dr. John! I know Dr. John through a few of his most popular songs, and I was excited to hear Dr. John's debut album where he unleashed his full psychedelic, New Orleans style. Gris-Gris isn't your standard fare and even stands out of these 1001 albums. It's unusual, it's pure swamp, and the chants enthrall you. This album's release in 1968 must've still stood out, even with all the other psychedelic albums of the time, because nothing else sounds like this.
As a final note, Tom Waits was a contemporary of Dr. John; though the two musicians share very little between genres, I heard similarities between their blues-style music. Perhaps Dr. John even encouraged Waits to spread his weird wings in the late seventies and beyond? All I'm saying is that Tom Waits' music journey makes more sense after this album.
Donald Fagen
4/5
The Nightfly has a great rock and jazz sound that kept me entertained and eager for more. Truth be told, this album sounds like a bunch of Steely Dan B sides that didn’t make the album cut. Maybe that means the album wasn’t as creative, and I enjoy Steely Dan’s music more on the whole, but I had a good time anyway. Oh and it was way more synth-y than Steely Dan too—I mention this not because I dislike synth but I was very amused. 3.5
Dexys Midnight Runners
2/5
I am befuddled why I have to listen to another Dexys Midnight Runners album. Their typical sound: new wave, soulful, some Celtic aspects, a little punk-y. Unnecessarily long songs, but that did mean there weren't a lot of songs. Vocals were warbling at times, and boring at best. Yeah, I guess it's music, but I fail to see what makes DMR so special to have a third album on this list. If there's a fourth album... god grant me serenity for the things I cannot change.
The Charlatans
2/5
Britpop? For spring? Groundbreaking.
The Beach Boys
2/5
I am a self-professed lover of the mid-sixties teeny bopper pop music. The first few Monkees albums, which I adore, are the best reflection of that. But what The Beach Boys did here is drivel! There’s no substance, and the lyrics are dull. The only saving grace, except for “Help Me, Rhonda,” is their beautiful harmonies. I was bored on the whole, but the harmonies made this 28-minute album bearable. The Beach Boys, Goodbye!
Don McLean
3/5
The title song is the album’s highlight, which anybody could’ve guessed. It’s such a jam and tells a great story. It’s a classic for a reason. The rest of the album is OK. It definitely pales in comparison to the title song, but that title song is tough to beat. Still, American Pie is an easy and charming listen. All songs have beautiful lyrics, which I wasn’t expecting from someone like Don McLean. Frequently I was reminded of Simon and Garfunkel, folk-y but less tender.
The Kinks
2/5
OMG why so many Kinks albums? Yes, I hear differences in Face to Face compared to the other albums, but I don't think it's enough to warrant yet another entry. The Kinks had that art/baroque pop sound locked in. Their lyrics hit harder, especially in "Sunny Afternoon", and I liked what they did. Fact is that I was dreading the album, and it was the typical sound I expected from them.
Gang Starr
3/5
Not bad! I'm sure I don't appreciate everything this album offers, but I recognize its solid production and ear-catching lyrics. A lot of hip hop doesn't sound as smooth as Step in the Arena. Other reviews by people with much more knowledge than me acknowledge Gang Starr's importance, so I'll defer to them to provide more details. But I enjoyed it!
Beatles
5/5
This album is sandwiched between Rubber Soul and Sgt. Pepper's, and boy does it sound it! Revolver feels like the missing link that connects the Beatles' early, silly music ("Good Day Sunshine", "Doctor Robert") with their artsy, matured sound ("Taxman", "Tomorrow Never Knows"). "For No One" is a song that couldn't have been created before Revolver for its serene and feeling lyrics (and I love the French horn). The Beatles incorporated more psychedelic aspects, too.
I'm not going to skip a chance to express how gripping George Harrison's songs are. "Love You To" showcases the burgeoning Indian influence, "I Want To Tell You" is stop-in-your-tracks beautiful, and then he creates the scathing "Taxman," which is still relevant today. These three songs are great examples of Harrison's depth, growing musical talents, and songwriting.
Marty Robbins
3/5
Marty Robbins' voice was smooth and aided his storytelling habits. Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs does a good job making a difference between country and western, though Robbins dabbled in both genres. I did think the album went on for too long, but then I belatedly realized I listened to the lengthened 1999 version, not the original from 1959, so I won't hold that against Mr. Robbins.
Blondie
4/5
What a worthy addition! Parallel Lines is fun and energetic new wave. Every song is unique and brings a different vibe to the album. Their original "One Way or Another" song is so different from the many covers and I'm obsessed with the punk aspect. Debbie Harry's vocals aren't the quality of someone like Cher or Dionne Warwick, but god her imperfect vocals are rich, enticing, and aptly used in every song. I definitely noticed the influence Blondie had on other musical acts, No Doubt in particular. Gwen Stefani's early look cannot be a coincidence, considering Debbie Harry's iconic image.
Orbital
3/5
Well, that was weird, but I didn't hate it. Techno has a deserved reputation for being too repetitive, which Snivilisation was but not to the usual unbearable extent. What Orbital had going for them was the ambiance and variety. The album felt disjointed, but it grew on me. I was vibing! I believe I even noticed some Indian influence?
Talking Heads
3/5
Another Talking Heads album that sounds so uniquely Talking Heads. Part of it is David Byrne's vocals, but also no other artist comes close to their unusual new wave, punk, avant style. More Songs About Buildings And Food might be the Talking Heads' most accessible album yet because there's a frequent pop aspect. An intriguing listen that I'm glad I heard, but I wouldn't discount anybody who says this album didn't offer something different than their others.
Fun fact: This album cover is indeed a bunch of Polaroids, which are now housed at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. When the Hall received the Polaroids, they arrived unsorted in a shoe box.
Wild Beasts
2/5
Eh. Two Dancers was dream-pop, had ambience, and was relatively smooth--but to its detriment it melded together into one blob. If this was solely an instrumental album, my opinion would be more favorable, but I didn't care for the vocals at all. The album did start positively, but then the vocals kicked in, and I tuned out.
Fairport Convention
3/5
Unhalfbricking is a unique album. I've never heard folk music sung in French, and I surprised myself how much I liked that aspect. Speaking of, the female vocalist of Fairport Convention has the most delightful, soothing voice. I liked "Who Knows Where the Time Goes?" most. This album could arguably be considered progressive. With its release in 1969 in the heyday of progressive music, Fairport created instrumental sections that were easy and elaborate. Lastly, I was incredibly reminded of the Canadian-American Joni Mitchell. She made similar powerful folk music, and her vocals have quite the impact, even today in 2025.
Weather Report
4/5
Heavy Weather might be one of the most unique jazz albums on this list. This album is like Weather Report couldn't keep still! The genre was jazz, but it could be smooth or playful or loud, nothing like how jazz typically is. At times, the album sounded jumbled, but I didn't mind it too much when the output was inventive and fun. Truth be told, my favorite song was "A Remark You Made," which is probably the most basic jazz song on the album, but I don't mind. I'm just really glad I listened to this.
The Who
4/5
Who's Next scratched that classic rock itch. The Who created extremely good, reliable, energetic rock music throughout their career, but this album is probably The Who at their finest. Several of their biggest hits are on this album. Often I'm already over an artist's top hits at this stage in my life, but there's something about "Won't Get Fooled Again" that's timeless. I didn't realize I knew the song "Bargain," which made for a fun listen. 4.5, but I just don't love it as much as Tommy.
Def Leppard
4/5
Heck yes, Pyromania is an absolute classic. This is not better than Hysteria, all cards on the table, but it is a necessary stepping stone so that Def Leppard and Mutt Lange could created Hysteria four years later. But Pyromania is still very good! Def Leppard has their most well-known line-up, drums and guitar on fire, a dynamite producer, and great lyrics. So many of these songs are absolute bangers ("Rock of Ages," anyone?) or have amazing instrumentals/guitar solos ("Die Hard the Hunter"), which solidified Def Leppard on the glam rock/metal scene.
Queen Latifah
3/5
YES, all hail the Queen Latifah! This album is a breath of fresh air in 2025, so I can't imagine how empowering it was in 1989. I just love how Queen Latifah is unrepentant about being a Black woman, and in so many songs, too! I'm hard pressed to come up with another hip hop artist that was before her, because she is so blatant. She was and still is a huge inspiration for those who came after her. One of the samples I picked up was from "Come into My House" when it used "Ring My Bell" by Anita Ward, and I think that was both cleverly done and a great way to pay homage to a Black woman artist who came before her.
I noticed and was impressed that this is a mostly hip hop album that can get a little jazz-y and even has some inspiration from African music. One of my favorite things in music is when artists don't hold back and explore genres, and our Queen Latifah did just that.
3.5
Snoop Dogg
3/5
Before beginning this album, my assumption was that Doggystyle was going to be very dated in regard to women. I learned: 1) my assumption was correct, 2) this album created, or at least encouraged, the cultural connection of Snoop Dogg with weed, and 3) “Hypnotize” by Notorious B.I.G. samples “La Di Da Di,” which Snoop covered as “Lodi Dodi.”
Despite the rampant misogyny, Doggystyle was fresh, even to my ears in 2025. Snoop and Dr. Dre created an album with good hooks and catchy beats. I wasn’t bored, though there was some cringe happening.
Badly Drawn Boy
3/5
For me, indie music is more on the miss side of the hit-or-miss dichotomy. But this debut album by Badly Drawn Boy was different and engaging. The Hour of Bewilderbeast wasn't pretentious or over-the-top like Coldplay and had strong instrumental sections--I loved when those horns hit. All that being said, what I'm left with is that it takes a certain kind of musician to write a song with a title like "Pissing in the Wind".
Led Zeppelin
5/5
This is Led Zeppelin at their finest. This album is banger after banger without letting up. Despite never listening to this album before, I know every track because they're all classics and standard for any halfway decent classic rock radio station. "Stairway to Heaven" is, well, is THE classic rock song, but even without this song, the album is amazing.
I don't know what I can add that others haven't, but I'll say some things anyway. The drumming and guitar are just so, so perfect in every song. Robert Plant's vocals can be abrasive and mesmerizing at the same time. Every song is placed well and adds to the rise and fall of the album, leading to such a satisfying listen. The lyrics are well done--just enough to grab interest without being overbearing, like in "Going to California," or contain catchy hooks, like in "Misty Mountain Hop."
I wouldn't change a damn thing about this album.
Neil Young
3/5
This may be the 50th Neil Young album on this project, or I may be dramatic. You choose.
After the Gold Rush is Neil Young's typical genres, folk and country, and shows exactly why he's so talented. He creates an easy album that can increase the tempo to be jaunty or sentimental. His songwriting and lyrics are great and evocative, as always. Some aspects, like the higher voice Young used in the title track, were unappealing to me, but I eased into it over time.
Lambchop
3/5
Well, I wasn't expecting this kind of music by a band called Lambchop. A lot of the album was dreamy, some was smooth seventies soul, there was some Leonard Cohen inspiration, some of it sounded like a movie score, the falsetto reminded me of Prince, and the album title is after Richard Nixon. All of this makes for a weird album that was somehow cohesive? I didn't hate it and was intrigued.
Jeff Buckley
4/5
Jeff Buckley oscillates between serene like in "Hallelujah" and driving, hard rock like in "So Real" or the title song. The differences aren't jarring because there's something about his rock songs that echo a similar tempo and emotion. Grace is a very smooth, cohesive album as a result. I don't know how else he can get away with opening a song with a harmonium.
I'd be remiss not to touch upon "Hallelujah" again. It's emotive and beautiful and begins with the softest sigh. Improving upon a Leonard Cohen song takes a rare talent, but Buckley approaches the song with tenderness and gravity while managing to put Cohen to shame. (I'll mention, dear reader, that I'm a big Cohen fan!)
His lyrics are evocative, and Buckley's vocals are the perfect vessel for them. His singing matches perfectly with his sincere lyrics. Even when the lyrics aren't his own, he treats them like they are, and you wouldn't ever know he included covers on Grace. "Lilac Wine," which I know from Nina Simone's cover (also on this project!), is sung with minimal and delicate accompaniment while allowing honesty and fragility. Who else can completely captivate his audience with songs that aren't even his own?
That being said, I still love "Hallelujah," but I'm shocked more people don't see there's more to Jeff Buckley than one song.
Ravi Shankar
4/5
Oh, did I enjoy this album. Ravi Shankar is an icon. Without his dream to bring Indian music (particularly Hindustani classical music) to Western audiences, perhaps many musicians wouldn't have incorporated the sitar into their sixties and seventies psychedelia. Maybe George Harrison never would have incorporated Indian elements into his music. Who knows what could have happened, because Indian music has had such an impact on the Western world because of Shankar since the late fifties. In this album in particular, Shankar walks the listener through the basics while revealing calming and beautiful music. The beginner course concept is endearing, too.
Sonic Youth
3/5
I'm desensitized to Sonic Youth after three albums. At the same time, Goo isn't the usual noise rock I have come to associate with Sonic Youth. I mean, they definitely incorporated some discordant notes that border on noise rock, but mostly this album comes across as alternative and punk. The songs are silly and fun, like "My Friend Goo," and I do admire a band that doesn't take themselves too seriously. Music is supposed to be fun, and there's something enjoyable and playful about Goo.
Wilco
2/5
I like Being There lots more than Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, but considering how many garbage sounds on that album, Being There could only improve my opinion of Wilco. This album is a weird mish-mash: the first half is alternative and rock, and the second is folk and country. Cohesive is not the word I'd describe this double album. Being There came across as fairly bland, and most songs didn't stand out. And I'm still not into the lead singer's vocals. 2.5
Richard Thompson
3/5
I'll be the first to admit that I'm not a fan of folk music, and Richard and Linda Thompson's album didn't change my mind. I unfortunately found myself bored too often. But I will be honest: this mellow album was flow-y and was quite beautiful. While I enjoyed both Richard and Linda's harmonizing vocals, I liked Linda's vocals much more. The inclusion of horns or Celtic music gave this folk music some spice. For that, I'll round up my 2.5.
Depeche Mode
5/5
MOODY NEW WAVE!!!!!!!!!!
Goldfrapp
3/5
Oh, I'm vibing to this album. Felt Mountain is a delicious blend of electronica and moody ambience. I loved how each song wove into another, sometimes air-y or ethereal or reminiscent of the circus, making for a smooth listen. In my experience trip hop tends to be more abrasive, but Goldfrapp managed to use electronic music to make it more calming.
Goldfrapp, I suspect, is more known her electric-pop instead of this electronic ambiance music. Her electronic-pop music is way more fun, but she brings her A game and creates such a beautiful album in Felt Mountain. 3.5
Lauryn Hill
3/5
Ms. Lauryn Hill has such a smooth voice that's well suited to singing and rapping. Because of her vocals, this album doesn't sound like your usual nineties brash hip hop. She borders on soul music most often. The topics in her songs vary, but I found myself most drawn to "To Zion", a beautiful tribute to her first-born. I'm reminded of newer artists like Cardi B, who also faced the choice of pregnancy vs. career, and life really just is a circle.
John Lennon
4/5
Oh I didn’t want to like Imagine. I’m not a fan of John Lennon’s character, but I will put that aside for this review. But mentioning this is important to show my honesty.
Lennon created some beautiful and engaging music. Every song is different, with witty lyrics or raw emotion. I couldn’t wait to see what the next song brought. He championed social causes, or bit back at a former bandmate, or declared his love, or was snarky toward political figures. Imagine is a fascinating listen for the snark alone. But the way he played with genres to include a little jazz or country? I wasn’t expecting the use of horns or a harmonica, but Lennon made it work.
Buck Owens
2/5
I really did not care for this album one iota. I enjoy older country music more than most people, but Buck Owens did too much rockabilly or had too much twang that I couldn’t enjoy the album. But I’ll be honest: while this was a drag, it was a smooth listen. Owens had a whole vibe going on.
My enjoyment of this album is a 1, but it’s actual music that presumably someone on this earth enjoyed, so a 2.
Kelela
2/5
Kelela created quite a beautiful and smooth album. I liked the combination of electronica and r&b. The soulful aspects of r&b smoothed the rougher edges that usually accompany electronic music. But this album still had the same problem most electronic albums do: it’s too repetitive. Kelela’s voice is lovely and I’m sure the lyrics were great, but I could not get past the repetitive nature. Better than Daft Punk, though.
Madonna
3/5
I'm not wowed by Like a Prayer, but Madonna can be counted to make an easy pop album. The lyrics weren't much to write home about; I found myself cringing more often than not. The title song, yes, is legendary for a reason, but other than that, I was a bit bored. This album isn't bad enough to get a 2, but I suppose I had more expectations for Madonna. She may be an artist whose hits are the only good songs.
Faust
1/5
Faust VI by Faust was great in testing my patience. Multiple times I thought to myself, "This isn't so bad; when there is no singing, the instrumental pieces are tolerable," and then the music turned discordant and unappealing. Or Faust even included beeps or whatever that nonsense was in "It's A Bit of a Pain." I don't know the point of this album or even its inclusion on this list. And I'm sour enough to give it a 1.
Neu!
3/5
I enjoyed this album and its variety, though I freely admit I'm not sure why it was included. Kraftwerk does a great job showing electronic krautrock in the seventies, so I don't know if Neu! belongs here. Despite my pessimism, the first half of the album is what I'll call soft electronic. It had great flow and was quite pleasant. But the second half of the album is completely different with the driving punk songs--which I felt was an abrasive change, but the fun vibe erased any unease.
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five
4/5
Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five's was not what I expected, at all. I expected an early hip hop album--and it was, but it was much more than that! They incorporated lots of electronic sounds with funk and soul, and that sure made for a fun, upbeat album. "The Message" is iconic for its lyrics and how it showcases the early hip hop genre, but more than that, I loved how much it stood out on the album. Maybe more than that, I loved that they also proved they can sing beautiful, slower songs. A lot of artists can't rap and sing well. And "Dreamin'" was an adorable ode to Stevie Wonder to boot while displaying their vocal chops. The sampling of "Genius of Love" on "It's Nasty" was fun and fresh, but also showed how much this band enjoyed playing with electronic, something many hip hop artists don't do.
Bon Jovi
3/5
I wasn't anticipating Bon Jovi on this list, but I solidly believe they belong here! Glam metal is unfortunately overlooked and even looked down upon (an incorrect opinion). Bon Jovi is a solid example of glam metal, but I think I could successfully argue that I'm just hearing other bands' sound in Slippery When Wet. I hear a lot of Quiet Riot, in fact. And glam metal albums tend to run their songs together, and Slippery When Wet just sounded too muddled. But I had a lot of fun with this album, which is exactly what glam metal is all about. 3.5
Gram Parsons
3/5
All cards on the table, I wasn't paying attention and threw myself into this album, thinking that Gram Parsons was part of progressive band Emerson, Lake & Palmer because I forgot the P was Palmer, not Parsons. I was very confused this was a straight country album instead of progressive rock, but once I righted myself, I enjoyed Grievous Angel. It was super mellow and had fun lyrics. Emmylou Harris' vocals were fantastic and brought a lot of flavor to each song. I had a great chuckle at the "Love Hurts" cover. Did this deserve to be on the list? Maybe, maybe not, but I didn't hate it.
Tom Waits
5/5
I got my fourth Tom Waits album after nearly 550 albums with Nighthawks At The Diner in April 2023, and it was a weird one!!! I say this with affection because I absolutely love weird Tom Waits. And it was so weird--I mean, there were bagpipes! I unironically loved it all.
Swordfishtrombones marks Waits' first self-produced album and I hear the differences and similarities. Waits is his usual self: strong lyricist, blues musician, and piano player. He displays his usual repertoire of bangers, soft songs, spoken word, instrumental blues, all backed with his gravelly voice. But he uses a variety instruments you don't typically hear in Western music, like ever, which allow for a more experimental, unpolished tone. "Trouble's Braids" uses an African talking drum and is full of tension. "Dave the Butcher" is so, so unnerving without lyrics: the muted and coarse tempo, the beat slowly increasing and destroying any semblance of normalcy. "Just Another Sucker On The Vine" uses a charming harmonium in Waits' blues standard. Since I know a good amount of Waits' musical career, I can hear exactly where Swordfishtrombones fits in his discography; its release in 1983 makes sense as he experimented more while still incorporating the blues. In fact, the only single for this album was a blues-filled song, "In The Neighborhood."
Waits is political in subtle ways, and he spoke about soldiers multiple times on this album. "Soldier's Things" is simple yet powerful in a somber tone. A soldier fights a war for their country, only to be summed up by material items they own, all sold for a dollar. "And this one is for bravery." The title song metaphorically describes a soldier's PTSD: "he came home from the war with a party in his head." "Shore Leave" depicts the isolation felt by soldiers in a foreign port. With these three songs, I'm left wondering, what is it all for?
If the album has one flaw, it would be that some songs are too short. I mean, "Rainbirds" breaks me inside, and I don't need that song lengthened, but the love letter to Waits' wife, "Johnsburg, Illinois", is beautiful and deserves to be longer. Then again, a song doesn't need to be long to be great. As with all Waits songs, less is more. Still, I loved "Underground" with the jarring, pounding beat and harsh vocals, and I wanted more than a two minute song.
I must mention Waits' bangers. Though this album is the most experimental up to this point, he doesn't shirk his duty to create certifiable bangers. "16 Shells From A Thirty Ought Six" absolutely slaps and must be played at full volume. My online searching tells me this is often a favorite song of Waits listeners. The album contains several other bangers balanced between instrumentals and softer songs. Waits' tender songs affect me so much, but his bangers lift me up back again every time.
Never could stand that dog.
The Birthday Party
1/5
Unappealing garbage. I can't believe Nick Cave ever sang for, wrote for, and was part of The Birthday Party.
Gang Of Four
3/5
Not a bad listen. Entertainment! was a different sound than what I've heard over 850 albums. Post-punk usually sounds like post-no-thanks, but Gang of Four made an album that was fun and vibrant within the post-punk genre. Perhaps it was because Gang of Four was ahead of the post-punk wave? The lyrics were interesting and engaging, too.
Cornershop
3/5
Cornershop created such a fresh, vibrant album, one that still sounds new in 2025. The combination of electronic, rap, and funk with Indian music wasn't created by them, but something Cornershop does makes them sound so unique. I feel like a lot of Indian-inspired music includes the sitar and nothing else. While I'm a huge fan of the sitar, Indian music is way more than that one instrument. Cornershop's single and their most well known hit, "Brimful of Asha," wasn't even that remarkable to me. The songs they created with stronger Indian elements were more fun and interesting.
Could I have done without the R2-D2 beeps? Yeah, but I'll take the good with the bad.
The Police
3/5
Synchronicity must be the strongest Police album. They do a great job incorporating reggae with new wave and rock sounds while making catchy music. The album started off rather unforgettable, but perhaps that is simply because the heavy singles are on the album's second side. Regardless, the "Synchronicity" instrumentals tie the album together, which is a feature I love; an album's flow cannot be overrated or under-emphasized.
3.5 but I'm not motivated to round up because the beginning of the album just wasn't interesting enough.
Dirty Projectors
2/5
I still don't know what to make of Bitte Orca. I guess it's easy enough to listen to. It contains some experimental components that I'm not exactly wild about, and a fair descriptor to use is weird. I heard some Eastern-inspired sounds, which is always interesting. But my life is not enriched or better off after this album.
MC Solaar
3/5
I liked this! A wild guess but I bet this is the only French hip hop album on the list. This album flowed well, as not all hip hop does, but possibly because it was French. I fear something got lost since I don't know French, and since so much hip hop is socially conscious, it behooves you to listen to the lyrics. Alas.
Bonnie "Prince" Billy
2/5
This album definitely had a theme, and that theme was not inspirational or pleasant or soothing. It was definitely dark (I mean, there's a song called "Death To Everyone"), and I didn't think that gothic folk was an actual thing before. But I will give credit where it is due, because Bonnie "Prince" Billy definitely found and kept to a vibe. The lyrics packed a punch, but the vocals were mediocre. A different kind of album that maybe deserves to be here, but I was just kinda meh.
Cyndi Lauper
4/5
Cyndi Lauper's first solo album was just as I anticipated it would be, and I mean that in the most positive way. Full of energy, She's So Unusual was delightful and fun. Her two biggest hits are on this album, a remarkable feat, but the rest of the album held its own. Her vocal range was particularly evident in "When You Were Mine," which is an excellent Prince deep cut, but vocally Lauper went further than Prince (hard to do). Her voice is so emotive and captivating. I can't say I love her version more than Prince's, but they are definitely on a level playing field.
Peter Gabriel
3/5
Peter Gabriel's debut solo album initially reminded me of the unusualness of early Genesis, but toward the end I thought of Randy Newman's orchestral pop. I felt the album rather disjointed, but upon reflection perhaps it was purposeful to show Gabriel's musical beginnings and evolution. I noticed blues in "Waiting For The Big One," a genre I didn't expect from a musician so entrenched in progressive rock. Speaking of, this album wasn't completely progressive but more art rock, and I like that Gabriel didn't limit himself.
Minutemen
3/5
Double Nickels on the Dime was a contradiction. A double album that didn't feel long, even with most of their songs being under two minutes. I really liked Minutemen's brand of punk; a lot of their sound was that playful punk infused with new wave--and mysteriously, a bit of country was included? The album had a great flow when hardcore punk often jerks the listener around. And the lyrics were charming and silly, just like how I enjoy punk music.
Hawkwind
1/5
I don't understand this music. I don't understand why Space Ritual is included! This live album is SO long, and their progressive rock unremarkable. Maybe I went into this album feeling bitter, but I felt like Hawkwind was so pompous and I'm just like, calm down guys. Yeah, it's music, but I'm going against my rule of "if it's truly music, it deserves a 2" because I trudged through an hour and a half of sludge.
Ray Charles
4/5
Aw yeah. This album is it. Ray Charles brought his rhythm and blues style to popular country songs, turning them into classics. I'm not quite sure what he did to make the songs so good--is Ray Charles a witch? The whole album is delightful, and I am charmed.
Everything But The Girl
4/5
Idlewild is so, so beautiful. I'm getting a strong Stevie Nicks vibe, but it isn't a carbon copy of her music. Everything but the Girl brought their own stylings, and the frequent sax is doing a lot (and is really great, too). Tracey Thorn's melodic voice gives so much in every song. Yeah, a lot of the songs blend together but the album is a whole vibe, it flows great, and has captivating lyrics. This album's release is ahead of its time in 1988. This album must have been an inspiration for indie music in the nineties, specifically those solo female artists. 3.5
The xx
3/5
The first thing I noticed with I See You was the vocals. The two leads have fantastic voices that play well off each other! The genre is indie and dream pop with the slightest touch of electronic/house/dance. The entire album was so dream-y and flow-y that it ended rather fast. Really, even though the album flowed well, too easily did the songs blend into one another. Not enough stood out, but I vibed enough to round up the 2.5.
The Rolling Stones
4/5
Let It Bleed contains multiple of the Rolling Stone's biggest and most well known songs. "Gimme Shelter" might be the best definition of classic rock ever, but I couldn't help but hear the blues that was all over this album. The Stones also included country, some jazz, and I swear progressive rock. The combination made for a great, rocking album.
On a final note, I simply must mention Merry Clayton's beautiful, jaw-dropping vocals in "Gimme Shelter." You cannot tell me that "Gimme Shelter" would have become the huge hit it is to this day without her backing vocals. Next album please.
Missy Elliott
4/5
Missy Elliott!!! I found the album titled Under Construction better and more reflective than her debut album. Its lyrics and themes are more mature as well. Elliott recognizes how much she can grow while remembering recently passed loved ones. And of course the empowerment oozing out of this album is wonderful! Elliott isn't the only woman hip hop artist to discuss sensitive subjects, but she brings such frankness to the table. I loved when she spoke directly to her audience multiple times throughout. She isn't afraid of her sexuality, but at the same time she talks about more than just her sexuality. The album was pretty catchy, and I find myself giving yet another deserved 4.
American Music Club
2/5
Ehh?? California was easy enough to listen to, but it muddled together too well. It contained indie rock but also dream pop and country, all which made for a smooth listen. The only remarkable thing about this album is that it belongs more in the mid-aughts, so kudos to American Music Club for being so ahead of the curve in 1988. Also, what a boring and generic band name.
Manic Street Preachers
3/5
This wasn't half bad! I love a theme, or at least a connected band name and album title. The Holy Bible is a tad early for alternative music, and I feel like Manic Street Preachers knew how to make good alternative rock for 1994. The album flowed and had a great beat. I loved when songs got political, especially the long-titled "Ifwhiteamericatoldthetruthforonedayit'sworldwouldfallapart." Hell yeah.
Bad Company
4/5
I always heard that naming your band, album, and song with the same exact name was tempting fate, but I don’t think Bad Company had bad luck at all. As their debut album, BC knew their exact sound and hit the nail on the head. Several of their most known songs are on this album! And I was surprised how much blues was present and influenced their music.
Maybe a 3.5, but I forgot how much I like “Ready for Love,” so whatever. 4 it is.
Kid Rock
1/5
Kid Rock was a lesson in patience, and I already have none on a good day. He has "mom look at me" energy that's so cringy. I mean, some of the songs were catchy, but it was more cringy than catchy. Yeah, Kid Rock was a pioneer for rap and country, but his music is not good, just like how a lot of early punk is pure garbage. The autotune on "Only God Knows Why" did not allow me to take him seriously when he was genuine. And I discovered I knew a Kid Rock song in "Cowboy," which was unfortunate for all involved.
Let's leave the rap and country music to the Black people who created both.
Black Sabbath
3/5
If I didn't know this was Black Sabbath's album, I wouldn't have guessed it. Vol. 4 wasn't completely out of the realm of Black Sabbath but was more progressive than you think Black Sabbath could be. At the same time, heavy metal isn't far from progressive music. And Vol. 4 was definitely heavy metal, through and through, but I heard more of the artistic/progressive side of this band.
The best part of this album is definitely that guitar, which slayed throughout.
Robert Wyatt
1/5
Ugh this was garbage and I'm mad about it. There's music that's unappealing because it isn't your preferred genre, and then there's unappealing garbage with discordant notes and out-of-tune instruments! I didn't care for Robert Wyatt's vocals either, even when he wasn't trying to badly sing as a falsetto. I mean, the end of the album was a little better with a jazz instrumental, but when you have nowhere to go but up... Anyway, the vocals were still crap at the end of the Shleep.
Brian Eno
2/5
This album did not sound like I was relaxing on some faraway beach, oh no sir. I mean, neither was it awful, but this art rock album felt too much like the Beach Boys and not enough of Brian Eno's unique music personality. I mean, there was electronic sounds like R2-D2. I learned Eno was ahead of George Lucas.
Pink Floyd
2/5
This was Pink Floyd? You could've fooled me. This is their debut album and before they found their more popular sound, which brought me a lot of clarity. This album is still progressive and art rock, as their signature sound, but has more psychedelia than I anticipated. But this is not the Pink Floyd that crafted beautiful and soaring songs. It was a slog. Like lots of artists around this time, their debut or first few albums weren't remarkable. For many, they required several albums to find their footing.
But why is this on the list? There's already a lot of progressive music here, and there's nothing much remarkable.
Scissor Sisters
5/5
I. Love. Scissor Sisters. They're one of my favorite musical acts, easily top 5. This review will be biased, but I'm going to explain my rating and how important this band is to this day.
This self-titled debut album is unabashedly queer. When Jake Shears whips out his falsetto, there is no mistaking his sexual identity. If you are still unsure, then the lyrics and tone will tell you. "Comfortably Numb" could not have been covered like this by straight people. A song about voyeurism? And a mama's boy taking his mom for a night out on the town? Scissor Sisters left no doubt.
This self-titled album oozes sex, but Scissor Sisters manage to not be obscene, even with a song called "Tits On The Radio." Really, isn't that song more a commentary on sex workers and drag queens not being able to work? "Lovers In the Backseat" is a sensual number, and "Filthy/Gorgeous" is, well, an iconic banger and definitely about fetishes. But where else will you find a song dissecting the queer community's fetishes?
One of my favorite aspects in music is when an artist covers a classic song and completely turns it on its head. Scissor Sisters re-wrote the blueprint of "Comfortably Numb." Who is Pink Floyd again? The lyrics are the same, but the tempo is different, Shears uses his dynamite falsetto, and somehow the song is even more trippy and psychedelic. I've never found another cover that makes it difficult to listen to the original song.
Plenty of artists have mentioned drugs in their songs, probably more artists than those who haven't. Scissor Sisters did plenty of that on this album, but drugs are never the focal point of their songs. Drugs are mentioned in passing, or you get a psychedelic sense through the music. This allows their songs to be more down-to-earth. You don't even have to be part of the queer scene to enjoy the music, though it doesn't hurt. Also, only Scissor Sisters could rhyme their lyrics with "acid" and "flaccid." Your favorite could never.
Since the genre of disco, there was no out-and-proud queer group like Scissor Sisters in their music and public personas. Even without that fact, I'd give this album a flaming 5 stars. But in 2025 I did travel to London and see them perform this whole album live. :)
The Pogues
3/5
Oh wow! I'm thrilled this album is on the list, because this upbeat Celtic music is unlike anything else. I guess there's the sullen Dexys Midnight Runners, but their music wasn't nearly as interesting as the Pogues'. If I Should Fall from Grace with God (a good album title) uses Celtic music to make a modern punk/rock sound that is super engaging. I found myself not upset when relistening to the album.
As a side note, one of the lead vocalists sounded a lot like Bob Belcher from Bob's Burgers (or rather, H. Jon Benjamin). That isn't something I thought I'd ever mention in a review, but if not in review #900, then when?
White Denim
2/5
This album was not remarkable or noteworthy. I can't believe this was released in 2011 because it sounds like it's from the seventies. In fact, they're like a knock-off Eagles but not as good. I was consistently reminded of what other artists accomplished in the seventies, and nothing original stood out on D.
My Bloody Valentine
1/5
Loveless? Try music-less. This is garbage, and I love the usual music Tom Waits creates. It's a terrible combination of shoegaze and noise rock, and I disassociated to get through this album. There was hardly anything even to critique! I guess MBV's noise rock isn't as distorted as most is, so that's something. I'll go back to Tom Waits now, thank you.
Moby Grape
2/5
Moby Grape is solidly in the late sixties--musically with the psychedelic rock, but thematically with "Naked, If I Want To."
John Lee Hooker
3/5
I expected a smooth blues album from John Lee Hooker, and I was not disappointed. There is no mistaking how Hooker pioneered blues music, because his blues doesn't sound like anybody else's. Santana's blues makes for a great combination with Hooker's, too.
I quite like the fact there are so many collaborations on this album. The Healer was toward the end of Hooker's career, and there's a definite passing of the torch vibe. Those collaborations were easily part of the reason for the Grammy win. At the same time, I wish I heard more that was Hooker only, especially when I suspect this is his only album on the list. Alas.
Big Star
3/5
This... was fine! #1 Record was easy enough to listen to. Halfway through the album, I realized Big Star sounds very similar to Sweet, and then it was all downhill from there. #1 Record had a bit of the power pop eighties sound, which puts them ahead of the curve in 1972. I enjoyed it enough to be a 3, though it is a low 3. I wish the album stood out more.
Waylon Jennings
3/5
Like a lot of country, Honky Tonk Heroes was an easy-on-the-ears album. It's that old style country but has more of a bop to it, which allows it to sound more modern for 1973. The more specific genre of outlaw country isn't terribly removed from country, but I think Waylon Jennings did a good job on this album to make such a distinction. Jennings' album probably flew too much under the radar, but it still sounded a lot better than other nonsense I've heard.
Kings of Leon
4/5
I did not want to like this album. I still think Kings of Leon are overrated, but I can understand some of the hype. Their music is good! (Life-changing, no.) I don't know how many times I listened to this album, but there's something so catchy and smooth about Only by the Night that I didn't hear on their debut album. This is the kind of rock music that was popular in the aughts, yet Kings of Leon still sound unique.
I didn't love there was a song named "17," with lyrics mentioning a girl's age--because I've heard too many songs about how unfortunate it is for sixteen- or seventeen-year-old girls are off limits. KOL didn't say that exactly, but I was left with an uneasy feeling. I guess that was the aughts for you. Whatever, just take the 4.
Led Zeppelin
4/5
I cannot believe this is Led Zeppelin's debut. I'm hard pressed to find another, more iconic artist that knew their sound in the beginning and came out of the gate swinging. Several of these songs are often on the radio, and I wouldn't have guessed they were on their debut. But it's not like Led Zeppelin peaked on their first album like a lot of other artists. They just kept getting better and better with each subsequent album!
At times I can't tell this was their debut album. Other times I can and I'm fascinated. They've got that hard rock down pat, but they also played with the blues and progressive, too. All artists have to find their way, and Led Zeppelin is no different. Still, what they touch is always gold because they still make blues and progressive music stellar.
Roxy Music
3/5
I never know what to make of Roxy Music. Country Life is art rock but shows Roxy Music dabbling in hard rock, country, folk, electronic--who knows what other genres. It's all over the place! But of the albums I've heard of theirs, Country Life is probably the most palatable. Take that for what it's worth.
The Sugarcubes
2/5
These are some of the most unique song titles I’ve seen thus far, and they are perfect for some post punk music. But I’m not pleased I was tricked into listening to Björk. Her voice grated on me even when I didn’t know it was her, which is how I know I truly dislike her. I think Life’s Too Good was a more interesting listen than her solo stuff I’ve heard. Björk with less experimental music goes a long way, or at least to a 2.
Grizzly Bear
3/5
Veckatimest by Grizzly Bear sounded like an indie and more modern Genesis or Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young. I would've thought that to be a bad combination, but I found myself enjoying its uniqueness. It's dreamy and morose but can have a lively beat. The entire album flows well, though I could argue that the album gelled too well together, to the point of not knowing where it starts or ends. Still, I found myself mesmerized.
Dinosaur Jr.
2/5
This is not the same Dinosaur Jr. I heard in their atrocious noise rock album named Bug. I mean, You're Living All Over Me wasn't great, but they had nowhere near the same amount of noise rock. That fact alone made this album so much more palatable. I was able to appreciate Dino Jr.'s alt rock sound, somewhat. The lead singer's vocals are still the worst.
John Grant
3/5
I enjoyed this album and its quirky, charming lyrics until I arrived at the song "JC Hates F******." I genuinely believe John Grant has talent, but boy that song soured on me. The album's release in 2010 coincides with edgy dudebros saying garbage just to get a response. Grant has a great, clear voice for his folk music, which lets you enjoy the amusing lyrics in "Sigourney Weaver," the bizarre lyrics in "Chicken Bones." It's kind of mind-altering to hear such modern lyrics in folk music like in "Silver Platter Club." I just wish no slurs were used in this album!
T. Rex
3/5
I love, love T. Rex's glam rock sound. They have such a unique sound, not unlike ZZ Top or Led Zeppelin. And when other artists copy their work, like the song "Rock On," they can make it totally different. I'm thinking of Def Leppard's cover in particular. Not all musicians' music is ripe for covers, is what I'm saying. Other than that, this whole album had a vibe that was cheeky glam rock, and I'm here for it. 3.5
Doves
3/5
Lost Souls was serene and relaxing. Probably too easy to listen to. The lead vocalist did drone on a bit too much, but I've heard worse. This isn't the first indie album with its release in 2000, but it's different from other indie music I've heard from the time period. Indie normally doesn't do much for me, and I wouldn't call this album great. But Doves at least brought something new different to the table with their dreamy shoegaze space rock.
Killing Joke
3/5
Killing Joke is way more industrial than post punk! I know there's not a huge difference, but my point stands. The electronic touches are great and not overwhelming. Killing Joke effortlessly alternated between the whimsy of punk and the fun, driving sound of industrial. An interesting listen, one I haven't heard much in 900 albums. I found myself more and more interested by the creativity, but just not enough to revisit again, thus not quite a 4.
Kate Bush
4/5
Kate Bush rights. Men musicians find it so easy to be weird and find success, but for weird women musicians we've got Kate Bush and Björk--and that's it. I say this with affection because I adore Weird Al and Tom Waits; there's nothing wrong with their music, but women aren't afforded the same opportunities and appreciation.
Kate Bush has such a beautiful, beautiful voice that carries well through the album. She uses synth well so it isn't overpowering while still providing unique music. One of the songs has Irish tones, which was a lovely homage since Bush is half Irish.
The Specials
3/5
Ska/two-tone isn't something we get often on the list, and this is the second Specials albums I've gotten. I'm not sure how much I notice is different between their two albums. I do appreciate a cute album title, and The Specials picked well for their second album. If I remember right from 250 albums ago, this album still has whimsy and fun as their debut. It takes a rare band to write political lyrics on whimsy tones. I'll give the same rating as before: 3.5.
Beth Orton
3/5
Beth Orton's Central Reservation was a lovely surprise. She has a soft and calming voice that washes over you; it's a voice that's perfect for folk music. There's the slightest touch of electronic, which makes Central Reservation quite different. Orton stayed mainly with folk, but the slight electronic tones made this album stand out.
I hear a lot of inspiration from other nineties women singer songwriters that came before Orton. A lot of recognition was in the lyrics and their style, but the pacing and content as well.
Echo And The Bunnymen
3/5
Ahh I needed this synth, punk-y album today. The lyrics are good and creative. A lot of these songs are existential or concern religion, which I didn't necessarily expect from Echo & the Bunnymen but appreciate anyway. The album had a great flow, which was aided by connecting themes. The lead singer's vocals are more drone-y than I'd like, but it sure made the album flow well. Porcupine is my third Echo & the Bunnymen album and is perhaps their strongest, or at least is the one I've enjoyed the most.
Pavement
2/5
Huh. This indie post-punk album is ahead of its time; I'm surprised this album only came out in 1992. Pavement's punk and noise rock genres are definitely of its time, but they've got an early indie sound, too. At the end of the day, I didn't care for the lead singer's vocals, so I couldn't get excited about this album, at all. I thought the album was turning a corner with the song "Two States," but it was not about the two state solution to find peace in the Middle East. Alas.
4/5
I like XTC's Apple Venus Volume 1 quite a lot more than Skylarking. XTC seems much more suited for this airy and epic symphonic pop music. The tone could be jaunty or vibrant with beautiful harmonies. The symphony aspect was just wonderful. I loved whenever the horns showed up! "Easter Theatre" had such a Beatles vibe, but it wasn't straight Beatles either. I noticed both Irish and Indian influences in the song "Greenman," which might be the most unique song on this album and perhaps the best combination I've ever heard.
I think this is a 3.5, not a full 4, but I'm trying to balance my rating when I was so surprised to enjoy an XTC album. I'll bump up to a 4.
The Allman Brothers Band
3/5
The Allman Brothers Band has a blues, progressive rock sound that's so easy to slip into. Their blues is more Southern rock than, say, the Rolling Stones' brand of blues, and most progressive rock is nowhere near the blues. That alone made the Allman Brothers' sound so unique and different, even if this was a live album (which I abhor, usually). As the album went on, I was less enthused. The jam sessions went for too long, but it's not like I was upset at Duane Allman on the guitar. This live album absolutely showed why he's considered one of the best.
Pearl Jam
4/5
I was not aware how many Pearl Jam songs from Ten I heard on the radio stations in my youth. I mean, I don't know the lyrics because Eddie Vedder doesn't exactly enunciate, but I can mumble along with the best of them. And his vocals are great for grunge! These songs are extremely catchy and have great, solid guitar work. This album, in one word, slaps. Ten as Pearl Jam's debut is absolutely bonkers; their ability to create bangers and know their sound at their inception is on par with bands like Boston or Led Zeppelin.
Quicksilver Messenger Service
2/5
What is this album? No one asked for a 25-minute jam session of "Who Do You Love?", or if somebody did, I need to talk with them. I mean, I guess it's a cool interpretation? I just don't know why I was forced to listen to it. On another note, Quicksilver Messenger Service has a great band name, one that works well with folk, psychedelia, and rock music.
Scott Walker
2/5
Why is Scott Walker making his music our problem?? He and his music are so pretentious. I suffered through Scott 2, and I was scared this album would, too, be filled with tortured baroque pop. No! Walker still created baroque pop music but without the morose vibe. Scott 4 has personality, a beat, and interesting lyrics. Thank goodness this album wasn't the garbage that was Scott 2, but that doesn't mean I wasn't eagerly waiting for the end of the album. Like, why did he make the choice to scat?
The Everly Brothers
3/5
A Date with the Everly Brothers was so charming and delightful, and so was the album title. The Everly Brothers had wonderful voices that wash over you. The entire album was a pleasant listen as they crooned love songs. I can't help but feel many songs were bland though. Nothing was memorable, not even the original version of "Love Hurts."
The Only Ones
3/5
The poppy punk on The Only Ones' self-titled and debut album is lovely. I wasn't anticipating an early new wave album to sound this good. Like, The Only Ones even mixed it up and incorporated some jazz! The lyrics are good--clever and interesting. Mostly it was a sixties vibe but with flourishes from the eighties, which made for such a good listen. But damn the vocals drone on too much. Still enough for a 3, though.
Death In Vegas
3/5
This album is all over the place, and I like that. The Contino Sessions comes across as very experimental for this electronic band because they included noise rock, church music, shoegaze, screaming, and sometimes went hard enough to be considered metal or at least hard rock. But Death in Vegas (fantastic band name, by the way) managed to make it work. There is a flow that shouldn't make sense. The instrumental sections show that Death in Vegas has actual talent. The lyrics are weird and not what you expect. Honestly, I don't understand it either, but Death in Vegas kept me interested and engaged somehow. 3.5
M.I.A.
4/5
I enjoyed Kala more than M.I.A.'s first album! Kala had a lot of energy, which drew me in so much. Anybody my age will remember how big "Paper Planes" was, and now in the context of this album and with my advanced age, I can appreciate what M.I.A. was doing with that song and the whole album. The political themes, lyrics, incorporation of Indian music were very well done. M.I.A. deserve to be on this list for that alone; there's nobody who was doing what she was doing in 2007, or since. 3.5, rounding up.
Isaac Hayes
4/5
If somebody told me that Isaac Hayes invented soul, I sure would believe them. He wasn't the first soul musician, but he was one of the best. What I love most is how Hayes infuses soul with funk! Every song was a brilliant creation and so different from one another. He himself provided the vocals and keyboards with backing vocals and many other instruments (at least, that's what I suspect; the linear notes don't list much, but my ears hear violins, horns, and more). Much of the content in these four songs are instrumentals that could arguably be called jam sessions, but Hayes leaves you with the impression that he knew exactly where he was going and what he planned to create. The whole album has an organic flow that his beautiful voice supports. There's no doubt in my mind he knew exactly what he was doing in Hot Buttered Soul. Most of these songs originally written by other artists, which just gives Hayes more time to play around, improve the songs, and show these jokers who the master really is.
4/5
Ah, the infamous Yes album. I now understand why so many people dread this album, but at the same time I don't. The title song is lacking, but the other two songs rescue Close to the Edge. "Siberian Khatru" could be considered forgettable as the last song on the album, but what makes it stand out is the South Asian inspiration mid-song. The title song must be heavily inspired by Peter Gabriel's Genesis and straddles the experimental/electronic divide. Without a doubt it's an interesting song, but an 18-minute song gets muddles along the way. I wasn't mad at the hymnal-like tone toward the end of the song--just confused. The real gem of the album is "And You and I." This song has everything (said like Stefan): soaring instrumentals, light electronic, capturing lyrics, a jam session with a clear ending. Because of this song I'd like to give this album a 5, but the album is weighed down, even if the best song is a quarter of the album.
Van Morrison
4/5
Van Morrison is THE artist for folk and blue-eyed soul. No one can compare. The way he sings is effortless, and his voice is just beautiful. The entire album is a charming and pleasant listen. It was too easy to keep Astral Weeks on repeat. Interestingly, I was reminded of very early Elton John. However, this album (Morrison's second) came out a year before John's debut, so Morrison must've inspired John.
I first heard his follow-up album, Moondance, several hundred albums ago. I can't help but compare the two albums. I loved Moondance and gave it a 4 when it deserved a 5. While Astral Weeks is quite lovely, it has less whimsy and isn't as bright as Moondance. The songs' backing instrumentals, especially that flute, are so lovely and I'm thrilled Morrison included them again. All in all, Astral Weeks is good but a clear stepping stone to Moondance, perhaps Morrison's opus.
Radiohead
3/5
One thing I learned with video Radiohead is that their music is not for everyone. Thom Yorke’s vocals can be pretty off-putting, and I don’t think In Rainbows exactly showcases his vocal talents. Much of this album has him mumbling, humming, or providing general vocalizations. But his vocal decisions pay off big in an album like this because his voice adds to the vibe in just the right way. The lyrics are strong, when you can understand them, and I love a good theme. In Rainbows is more of a downer than an upper, but I already said I enjoy themes.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
4/5
Yeah Yeah Yeahs can be counted for a unique album that doesn't sound like their previous material, or at least not their debut, Fever To Tell. The indie/alternative aspect to this album sounds like it's from the aughts, but the synth and punk sound are straight from the eighties. That combination alone makes for a unique listen. Karen O's vocals aren't typical either, and I love how she doesn't sing to be attractive. Super punk. The lyrics are punk rock; they're more on the dark side, but the lyrics and tone have a bounce and lightness that make them fun. 3.5
Destiny's Child
3/5
Destiny's Child deserves their place on this list! Survivor was ground-breaking and was everywhere in 2001. I didn't even realize how many of these songs I already knew. This goes without saying, but their voices were amazing, in every single song. "Gospel Melody" showcased their vocal talents; the minimal accompaniment allowed them to shine. And their harmonizing is unparalleled, though I am reminded of their predecessors Boyz II Men. Destiny's Child stands unique to this day because of how they entwined R&B and pop; they weren't the first, they weren't the last, but they did it so well.
As for my enjoyment of the album, I'm at about a medium. I had fun listening to the songs I knew, but the album's bland songs brought it down. Still, gotta give it up for the sheer talent. And I, of course, loved all the women empowerment.
Suzanne Vega
3/5
I had never heard of Suzanne Vega before, but her debut album released in 1985 and she sounds a lot like the solo women artists in the nineties. So many albums that helped spur new genres or directions are not that good--I reference in particular the many not-good proto-punk albums that are on this list. Vega doesn't fall into that category! Her folk rock music sounds great, which allows her be a contemporary of the nineties musicians.
Vega's biggest strength is her lyrics. Singer-songwriter types always have to be strong lyricists, and debut albums must be impactful, especially for women. I found a lot of playful aspects in her lyrics, and her lyrics went in unexpected directions to boot.
Rufus Wainwright
1/5
OMG I don't know the last time I was so utterly bored by an album. Most albums I'm able to find something interesting, whether it's socially conscious lyrics or an unusual combination of genres, but not here. Not with Rufus Wainright. I don't know what's wrong with Wainwright that his voice always whines and he only has one tone for his songs. I guess a single by him wouldn't be so bad, but a whole album of drivel? Lord, please help me. At least there's no Want Three, but there better not be a third Wainwright album on this list. Otherwise, heaven has forsaken me.
Pere Ubu
1/5
Oh good, another crap album by Pere Ubu. My life is so enriched by these out-of-tune horns and these white boys thinking they're Jamaican.
Laibach
3/5
I didn't know what to expect with Opus Dei, and it sure took me on a wild journey. Sometimes Laibach covered a well-known Queen song and changed it into some kind of fascist theme song, or they created epic, soaring music that would be well suited to a Star Wars film. Toward the end, the music became very repetitive and I wanted no part of that. The first few songs were at least something far from the norm, and I had a few laughs at the deep vocals in the industrial genre. Go hard or go home, I guess.
Nightmares On Wax
3/5
This mostly instrumental album was rather interesting. Sometimes the tone was mellow, yacht rock-esque or smooth jazz, or contain eastern influences. I can confidently report Smokers Delight was not boring. Trip hop can be hit or miss with me because I never do well with repetition. But I didn't hear many repetitive noises, and I really like that Nightmares On Wax didn't rely on the same boring sounds played over and over again.
Einstürzende Neubauten
1/5
I didn't understand anything about Kollaps. It's one of the worst albums I've heard as part of this project, and it came as no surprise to me that it's currently #2 of the lowest ranked albums. I haven't yet heard the #1 worst album, but I shudder to think how awful that album would be to my ears after this one.
This album had me questioning people's life choices. Why would a chainsaw be used? Why was there random screaming, or the singing disguised as shouting? Why did it sound like an actual drill was being used, or pots banging together? Why was there so much distorted feedback? And as for "Sehnsucht," I too can press the same key on a piano for two minutes, but that doesn't mean I should put that in a song.
Nein, Einstürzende Neubauten. Nein.
Bob Dylan
3/5
Somehow it makes sense that there could somehow be a Bob Dylan album that is tolerable on this journey! I mean, his voice was still nasally, which is how I knew Dylan wasn't abducted by aliens, but the blues aspect of Time Out of Mind makes for a smooth listen. Turns out I really just don't like Dylan and folk music. With this album, I was able to focus on the lyrics, which is of course what Dylan is actually known for.
Joy Division
2/5
I was hoping to hear Joy Division as part of this project, only to discover they aren't much like New Order. In some respects, I like that the two bands are not the same. I understand Closer to be a seminal piece of post-punk, and I heard a lot of that here. But the new wave aspect sounded too much like Elvis Costello to be enjoyable. I know I'm not giving Joy Division a fair shot, but I can't be unbiased, try as I might. At least there were no racial slurs, which puts Joy Division eons ahead of Costello.
King Crimson
4/5
You'd think King Crimson was garbage the way some people talked about it! As the first prog rock album, In The Court Of The Crimson King is so unlike early genre albums because it is actually good. King Crimson created soaring, intricate songs that hook you the entire time. Lots of other progressive rock albums drone on or are sleepy jam sessions, but Crimson doesn't settle for that. Every moment of their album is different and engaging; I couldn't stop listening to it.
I thought this would just be a 3, or a high 3, but the more I listened to it, the more I heard more to enjoy. 4 it is!
Motörhead
2/5
I love me some eighties heavy metal, yet I did not care for Motörhead's Ace of Spades. Every song was more or less the same as far as tone, lyrics, and energy. I don't even have the nostalgic factor with the title song because I didn't hear it in my teenage years. At least it was a short album? I won't pretend that I have excellent taste in music--I liked Mötley Crüe as a teenager, and outside of the hits, their music is absolute garbage. Actually, Mötley Crüe's hits all sound the same, but they were more fun than whatever Motörhead put on this album.
2, I guess, because this was music instead of whatever Pere Ubu passed off as music, but my enjoyment was at a 1.
Meat Puppets
2/5
The whiplash I felt! I saw the first genre listed on Wikipedia was cowpunk. The first song certainly was punk, and when the country and bluegrass sound came through, I truly understood what the cowpunk genre meant. Meat Puppets II straddled themselves between genres well. When one song was more punk, the next picked up the country vibe. I found myself impressed how they effortlessly merged two genres that aren't ever combined. But other than that, the vocals were fine and the lyrics flat. I would've thought the other aspects of such an unusual album would be, well, not so poor, but here we are.
Frank Sinatra
3/5
Frank Sinatra had the loveliest voice, didn't he? There's little wonder why he was so popular, with a voice like that. I mean, he didn't even play any instruments here, yet the whole album is a delight. Now, I didn't know Antônio Carlos Jobim, but I could easily hear the Latin flare that Jobim contributed to this album. The combination of the two of them is chef's kiss, because Jobim definitely allowed Sinatra to level up. 3.5
Alanis Morissette
3/5
Women singer/songwriters were truly thriving in the nineties. Alanis Morissette ate in Jagged Little Pill. I just love how her voice can be so beautiful, but she isn't shy about letting her emotion come through and allowing her voice to be gritty--and not-so-pretty. There's something very real and honest in her lyrics. I admire how vulnerable she allowed herself to be. And that gave us cute titles like "Head Over Feet." Also, this is the smallest thing, but I am a sucker for when an artist sneaks in the album's title into a song ("You Learn" in this instance!) because it's a subtle nod to the listener. I love being rewarded when I listen closely to an album. The album flows extremely well, too. 3.5
The Darkness
4/5
A debut album named Permission to Land is pretty cute. Add onto that, the album is full of glam rock, like The Darkness was transported from 1978 to 2003, but they still made their own sound. Justin Hawkins isn't the first to use a falsetto with glam rock, but The Darkness just do it so well. The falsetto definitely aids them sounding distinct. I'm just obsessed with how catchy, campy, and fun Permission to Land is. An absolute dream to listen to.
Iggy Pop
3/5
TIL about Sable Starr and Iggy Pop's "relationship." Yikes! I guess I'm not too surprised there's a song called "Sixteen" after all.
Anyway, I would like to praise this album despite Iggy Pop's pedophilia. He's talented and created a great album in Lust for Life with a combination of proto-punk and rock. He mumbles and stumbles through his vocals, but it makes for an engaging sound. The title track is absolutely, undeniably an extremely catchy song. David Bowie's footprint is all over Lust for Life, yet Pop does make the album his own. Bowie's presence doesn't overshadow because Pop has such a signature sound.
I just wish that the groundbreaking musicians weren't so shitty. Sure, we're all human, but pedophilia is beyond what I can handle. 3.5
Deerhunter
2/5
My biggest compliment is that Halcyon Digest is boring. This is definitely music and it's listenable, but it's all too dreamy to pay attention for longer than one song. Deerhunter's album flows and is full of shoegaze, and even evokes a sixties/seventies feeling (particularly in "Memory Boy"), but it all comes back to me being too darn bored.
Magazine
4/5
I wasn't expecting to enjoy an album from 1978 that's a debut from a post-punk band, especially with new wave and art rock tendencies. Art rock is typically way too pretentious, and post-punk can sound too similar to the abrasive proto-punk. No, Magazine used these genres to create catchy and fun music with good lyrics. The instrumental bits caught me by surprise, especially in the beginning of the first song. The keyboards stood out. And I was reminded of Arcade Fire several decades later! (I'm 90% I didn't imagine it.) In that regard, Real Life sounds ahead of its time.
R.E.M.
2/5
I survived another R.E.M. album. I don't understand how this is my fourth R.E.M. album! I mean, fine, when Michael Stipe wasn't singing or droning or being boring, it was kind of OK. The instrumental part of "Nightswimming" was quite beautiful. But that's all I've got for R.E.M.
Pulp
4/5
Everyone on this website is so tired of Britpop, and for very good reason! I wasn't even impressed by Pulp's follow-up to Different Class, This Is Hardcore. To my surprise, this easily has to be one of the best Britpop albums on the list, on par with Oasis, but Different Class is more art rock than pop (Definitely Maybe). I've been waiting for some solid Britpop, and I have been rewarded.
I found This Is Hardcore to be reminiscent of Bowie, and the lead singer's vocals lean naturally towards that. But the vocals on this album were grittier, a la Leonard Cohen. I hear more punk and new wave in this Britpop sound, much like Elvis Costello (but better, let's be honest).
The songs are catchy, lyrics good. The tone in "I Spy" is so delicious that I'm obsessed, and the vocals are almost whispered. Or the vocals can be peppy. Sometimes Pulp leans more towards full-throated rock. I just found a great amount of variety and fun here.
Supergrass
3/5
Another Britpop album that's genuinely good? What is the world coming to?
This isn't my first Supergrass album, but I found I enjoyed it more than their previous debut album, I Should Coco. It sounded a lot more like alternative rock, and the guitar has some great, catchy riffs. Keeping the album on repeat was really easy.
I was delighted to hear more than just Britpop/rock--I mean, "Tonight" even has a touch of jazz with the horn! And "Hollow Little Reign" had a pinch of psychedelia. Both contributed to a well-rounded sound for Supergrass. 3.5
Rush
3/5
2112 is some accessible progressive rock. Rush had a good time with their jam session as they expand upon chords and tempo and play solos. But Rush staying so close to classic rock is what makes this album super easy to listen to. I also found it to be well-rounded, a good balance between their instruments.
I'm surprised this is the first Rush album in 950 albums, though I hope it's not the last. I hear the beginning of Rush's well-known sound, particularly on the last song, but I know that Rush evolved past what's on 2112.
The Cramps
3/5
There is something charming about this garage rock, post-punk sound the Cramps crafted. The lyrics are quirky and engaging, even when the tone is brash. "I Was a Teenage Werewolf" as a parody of the fifties horror film? They even cover "Fever," a favorite song of mine, and change up some lyrics to include their band name! I'm charmed to bits. 3.5
Jimmy Smith
5/5
Oh! What a lovely surprise I found in an album named Back at the Chicken Shack. Jimmy Smith's jazz/R&B combo was soulful, charming, and way too easy to listen to. I loved, loved the organ! The organ is a woefully underused instrument, and Smith using the organ instead of the piano is such a bold choice. The payoff is immediate! The tone completely changes with the organ. On a side note, Stanley Turrentine on the saxophone was freaking fantastic. The guitar by Kenny Burrell helped when Smith's songs were more blues-y, too. A good musician can pick a great backing band.
This is unlike any other jazz music I've heard in 950 albums, so this clearly deserves to be on the list. I just found myself thinking 37 minutes is just too short. Instrumental albums don't often hold my attention, but this one was captivating.
Orbital
3/5
Orbital 2 took me on a journey. The first song was extremely repetitive for being so short, but the immediate next song was fascinating: psychedelia with influence from South Asian music. I vibed to the whole album because of the second song; I could not have come back around on Orbital 2 without "Planet of the Shapes." Good working music.
Nick Drake
5/5
Yes, Nick Drake, pull up a chair and take off your shoes. We're gonna be here a while.
Nick Drake, my beloved. I've been waiting for this album for ages. Unappreciated in his time, Drake created a treasure trove of music in his short life. Bryter Layter is similar to his first album, Five Leaves Left, but is brighter--at times.
As someone who does not like folk music, I love Drake's music. Make no mistake: this is folk music while feeling so accessible with the small jazz touches. The strings and horns are implemented perfectly. The instrumentals are just beautiful; they're evocative without words. The flute in "Sunday" does more work than lyrics ever could. Drake's lyrics can be considered simple, like some folk music, but I'd consider them deceptively simple. Songs on this album can cover wasted possibilities, isolation despite proximity, or--dare I suggest Nick Drake wrote such a song--love. I love his descriptions, especially in "At the Chime of a City Clock." He had the softest voice. Every time he sung, the words came out so gentle.
Bryter Layter was a peaceful, calming listen. An instant favorite.
Jacques Brel
2/5
Eh? As a live album, Olympia 1964 did not wow me, or interest me much at all. The album being in French and capturing popular music of France in the sixties is about the highlight for me. Jacques Brel at least had the decency to make a short album, though the production left a lot to be desired.
Muddy Waters
3/5
Ugh, Muddy Waters! This guy knew blues like nobody else, and him on the guitar is something else. The way he played the guitar had to be unique, partly for the electronic guitar, but the way his sound can be smooth yet increasing in tempo while remaining the blues. It's no wonder that he was such an inspiration for so many rock artists to come after him. One criticism is that the album comes across as one note since differentiating between songs can be difficult.
Dr. Octagon
2/5
Dr. Octagonecologyst is of its time. I was uncomfortable, to say the least, but it isn't like Kool Keith was the only one out there doing this in 1996. And then he dissed disco, which I cannot abide. (I'm mostly joking.)
Aside from that, this was a weird album. Some of it was catchy and interesting. I love a theme/concept, and I suppose I can't complain that the album kept to one. I enjoyed the "General Hospital" skit because I am a daytime soap opera fan. But I guess that's about it.
Devendra Banhart
1/5
42 minutes? You could've fooled me--this felt like an hour and a half. Devendra Banhart is a folk musician that brings me fond memories of nasal Bob Dylan. Most times, the album and its acoustic sound were peaceful enough, but I was so bored that it doesn't deserve a 2. I mean, some of the vocals were so soft they sounded like ASMR.
Dion
2/5
Well, I listened to the reissued version of this album on accident, and the reissue combines Born to Be With You with Dion's next album, Streetheart. My original review would have said the album improved toward the end, but that was because I preferred the jazz, pop sound of Streetheart over Born to Be With You's folk pop. For what it's worth, Streetheart was several years ahead of the smooth soul music of the eighties, and I found myself impressed.
Since I'm only reviewing Born to Be With You, my review is less than favorable. The songs blended together and were bland. Dion didn't write most of the material either. Most of the songs seemed to be plucked directly from the sixties. I'm unsure why this album was included. It couldn't have been because a white man covered the African American spiritual "(He's Got) The Whole World in His Hands."
Culture Club
3/5
This new wave soul mix is SO poppy and fun. I truly had the most pleasant time listening to Colour by Numbers. "Karma Chameleon" is an extremely good #1 hit with possibly the best harmonica bit ever, and most of the songs were silly/whimsical. The world definitely needs serious and political music, but we deserve un-serious music, too. The backing vocals were powerful; there was one singer who contributed a fantastic voice to "Black Money." 3.5
3/5
Loretta Lynn's album is a mouthful, though it is quite the easy listen. Her voice reminds me a lot of Dolly Parton, and the music Patsy Cline, both her contemporaries. In that regard, I wonder how much originality this album serves being on the list. Despite that, the album wasn't bad. Lynn's cadence is pleasant and provides a smooth listening experience. She's old school, classic country with a capital C, a genre that's underrepresented--and underappreciated.
The Slits
2/5
I love when women in music don’t have pretty voices, but the Slits’ music wasn’t too appealing with the vocals. I respect them anyway. The Slits had a mostly punk sound, but whenever reggae would pop up, they got way more interesting. That alone qualifies Cut on this list.
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band
1/5
I mightily did not feel comfortable listening to "Gang Bang." I can't begin to explain how gross I felt.
Despite that, I enjoy glam rock and I enjoyed what they did here (minus the lyrics of one song; see aforementioned paragraph). They played around with genres--"Giddy Up A Ding Dong" had a country feel, and "The Last of the Teenage Idols" had that pleasant fifties pop sound at the end. Next was pretty decent; it could've gotten a 3 if I wasn't so icked. A 1 feels right to me.
Metallica
4/5
This might be the finest heavy metal album out there. This self-titled album is longer than I traditionally like, but Metallica kept the bangers coming, one after another, so much that I didn't notice the length. I also usually enjoy albums with more of a variety; Metallica is very good at what they do, but their hits especially sound similar, but again I didn't mind it. The guitar and drums went so hard, and the arrangement was well done.
Richard Hawley
3/5
Coles Corner being released in 2005 doesn't quite make sense, because its chamber pop sound is so fifties. Richard Hawley uses a rockabilly vibe to make the album more folk-y and country while remaining accessible. Then the last song veered into the ambiance territory, which I didn't love. I mean, the album was still easy on the ears throughout, but the change in direction was disorienting.
Todd Rundgren
1/5
Todd Rundgren is not a wizard, nor a true star. This album was way too long and way too similar to other seventies sounds to warrant its placement. A Wizard, A True Star is a throwaway album as it stands, but its length frustrated me as I continually was reminded of other songs or artists during the grueling fifty-six minutes. I just don't get it. An unsympathetic 1.
Underworld
2/5
This electronic techno sound is not my jam, and I will not lie when I say I didn't care much for Second Toughest in the Infants. At the very least, I found it interesting. The first track was extremely repetitive, but that aspect improved for the rest of the album. Underworld created an album with every song sounding different--I don't think I need to explain that this doesn't happen often in electronic albums. A lot of electronic albums are more ambient-sounding, and I liked that Underworld didn't fall into that common trap. The vocals were rare, and I always felt they added nothing of substance to the song.
The Libertines
2/5
You could knock me over the head with a feather, if that feather told me that The Libertines' self-titled album was release in 2004. This album's garage rock comes across as way more post punk, so it sounds straight from the mid-eighties. That aspect alone makes this album come across as unoriginal. Interesting, "What Katie Did" had more of a fifties doo-wop sound that gave this album way more depth than otherwise. And the vocals weren't good.
Nitin Sawhney
4/5
Beyond Skin is a one-of-a-kind album on this list when you factor in the Indian influence, the nuclear war topic, and the electronic genre. Each song is unique, like the classic jazz in "Tides," the hip hop in "The Pilgrim," or the Indian drums and backing violin in "Homelands." Using so many genres allows Nitin Sawhney to bring the east and the west together, and the topic of nuclear war is quite the choice to bind the album together. Now that the world is connected, the fear of a nuclear war remains. This album is undoubtedly a concept album; the English narrative drives the story while Sawhney honors his heritage by incorporating Indian aspects into his exploration of other genres. Perhaps no song does this better than the title song, which happens to be the last song on the album. Hip hop melds into classical Indian singing with a western orchestra. Musically and thematically, "Beyond Skin" is a great wrap up for this album as we hear Oppenheimer say his famous line taken from the Bhagavad Gita, "Now I am become death."
Good music can transcend language. Singing in Hindi is so beautiful, and with the spoken-word narrative pieces driving the story, we don't require a translation. With descriptive titles like "Anthem Without Nation" and emotive singing, the listener understands. In fact, I was almost annoyed when the English vocals began in "Immigrant"! "The Conference" contains fast, ever-increasing Indian vocals that depict a world conference in which world leaders don't listen to one another. Sawhney uses samples, and his guest vocalists are talented. The guest vocals of Swati Natekar on "Nadia" are stunning. The backing, harmonizing Indian vocals in "Immigrant" are almost hymn-like. "Serpents" sounds very much like it's meant for Bharatanatyam, a classical dance from Tamil Nadu, though this could be projection.
Truly, I want to give Beyond Skin a 5, but the English singing was too frequent and too unappealing to me. Yes, I understand English, but at what cost to the album's integrity? The music was way more beautiful in the Indian languages. 4.5
Duke Ellington
4/5
OMG this crowd is NOT normal. The audience is unbelievably excited for jazz music when jazz is too often considered boring! But then again, Duke Ellington was one of a kind. His love for music is echoed in the audience. Ellington uses jazz, big band, and just a little bit of swing to make a fun, live album, when other live albums don't nearly have the same excitement or high energy.
The Chemical Brothers
2/5
The Chemical Brothers are pretty cool! I respect their electronic sound, because they don't sound like other electronic artists. Their music is so electronic it includes electronic sounds and incorporates jazz and psychedelia. Regardless, Dig Your Own Hole was too repetitive. The guests vocalists helped the album's variety, though.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
3/5
Natty Dread is my third Bob Marley and the Wailers album, and I found it similar to the other two. Of course it's reggae and of course it's powerful. With songs like "No Woman, No Cry," "Revolution," and "Them Belly Full (But We Hungry)," well, duh! Reggae has always included political meanings, but I don't think anybody ever did it better than Bob Marley and the Wailers, considering the chill beats keep you unaware while the political statements smack you in the head.
Baaba Maal
4/5
I just know there's a lot to Baaba Maal's Lam Toro that I'm not appreciating simply because of my ignorance. What I do know is that Maal is successful in this album by staying true to his roots, using his beautiful voice, and creating a varied album that flows. "Sy Sawande" uses African instruments in a western blues format, and the end result is quite beautiful. Most songs are mellow, but "Olel" was a delightful and lively surprise. And I know I already mentioned Maal's voice, but his vocals are so tender and appealing, even when I can't understand Pulaar.
From the little I read about Maal, Lam Toro was early in his career and before his big albums. He worked with big western names--and co-wrote music for Marvel's Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and provided musical connections for the first Black Panther. This man has had quite the career! I heard his debut album, Djam Leelii, which is more folk-like. I hope we get another album of his (I'm at 978 albums) to explore more of his career.
David Gray
2/5
If I weren't alive to hear the male singer-songwriter craze at the turn of the century, I would think that David Gray was remarkable and made interesting music. Unfortunately for Mr. Gray, I was. None of this was particularly innovative. At least White Ladder is easy enough to listen to, mostly; Gray uses folk that makes it pop-like and accessible.
Le Tigre
4/5
I've been waiting 979 albums for this, and finally album #980 did not disappoint. El Tigre's debut and self-titled album is fun, high energy, dance punk music. I absolutely love how unapologetically feminist this album is--and they make it sound so, so good. And anyway, who doesn't love a diss track about Rudy Guiliani?
John Lennon
4/5
I'm tired of getting John Lennon albums and actually liking them! I'm tired of it!!!!
Plastic Ono Band is good, and I enjoyed it. Its placement as Lennon's first solo album makes sense to bridge the gap between the Beatles and Image. His songs are catchy as ever, and he remains a strong lyricist. "I Found Out" verges on garage band, "Isolation" blues. The sound of "Working Class Hero" is so folk it could be mistaken to be by Bob Dylan, except it's actually good. I even was into "Well Well Well" because of the screeching.
Lennon has never been afraid to be himself and say whatever is on his mind, which results in "Working Class Hero" or "God." The former is what I'd expect from someone with a disadvantage youth, the latter from someone who experienced the sixties as a Beatle. But Lennon doesn't lay it on too thick; he knows when and how to pull back in his songwriting, like with his sardonic "but you're still fucking peasants as far as I can see."
Morrissey
3/5
The only thing I hate more than Morrissey is my enjoyment of his music. I honestly don't know why a third album of his is here, but I can't lie and say I didn't enjoy it. As before, I prefer the sound of the Smiths because Morrissey needs someone like Johnny Marr to balance him out. But You Are The Quarry is good. Even as an American, I appreciate "America Is Not The World" and understand "Irish Blood, English Heart." I just wish Morrissey would stop being so holier-than-thou.
Donovan
2/5
Sunshine Superman, a cute name for an album, contains a big Indian influence but it was released before it was overdone. But by the end of the album, the Indian influence was tired--and I'm saying this as someone who loves Indian music!--because Donovan couldn't stop making songs with a sitar. Despite that, this is straight sixties pop. An OK album, and at least Donovan gave us "Season of the Witch," which Lana Del Rey perfected decades later.
Bad Brains
4/5
I Against I is a short album that impressed me. I mean, that guitar wailed, like, the entire time! I kept hearing the guitar in the background and, damn, Bad Brains knew what they were doing with the guitar. They also knew what they were doing with this alternative metal sound because they're ahead of the curve in 1986. More than that, they used reggae and funk, which just made a good album better. And what was "Sacred Love"? That song was recorded over the phone while the lead vocalist was in prison?! Power move.
Jane's Addiction
2/5
Ritual De Lo Habitual is far from bad. I think you could even say it's good with the solid instrumentation Jane's Addiction provides. But I listened to this album 3 or 4 times, and I can't find much to say. The album truly isn't bad but is instead bland. Maybe it was the vocals that turned me off. The coolest part is leaning into the Spanish angle, but that's all I've got.
Digital Underground
3/5
OMG I wasn't expecting to laugh out loud multiple times during this album. Some of Sex Packets was definitely of its time, but I haven't heard a hip hop song about safe sex before. For a "horny-on-main" album, I thought this would be a lot more inappropriate and degrading than it was, so I'm impressed with Digital Underground. And the beatz are catchy and fresh! The title-song is this eighties, sultry R&B tune that I genuinely enjoyed. Not bad, not bad at all.
The Good, The Bad & The Queen
4/5
The Good, the Bad & the Queen is a WILD mix of musicians for a supergroup! Musicians from Verve, Gorillaz, Africa '70 (Fela Kuti's band, which I only know through this project), Blur, and the Clash? The combination makes so much sense, though. This album covers a lot of ground, and initially I didn't understand where this album was going. But they've got pop, rock, electronic, reggae, and who knows what else.
I'm not a fan of Blur, which checks out considering I found the vocals less than engaging. But the lyrics made up for the vocals. These songs weren't lyric heavy, but what was there was impactful and thought-provoking. 3.5, rounding up since I was so delightfully surprised.
Fats Domino
3/5
I didn't realize Fats Domino played the piano! He's so known for his tender, buttery voice on "Blueberry Hill" that this fact is overlooked. And that first song was and is so charming, and it is little wonder the song has persisted until this day. The rest of the album was nice enough but lacked that charm. When I say "nice enough," the album flowed well and was an easy listen, but it just wasn't memorable. Still a nice listen worthy of inclusion, though. Without Fats Domino and his early rock and roll sound, we wouldn't be anywhere close to today's music.
Green Day
4/5
Green Day has got to be one of the finest punk rock bands out there. A lot of this album slaps, and the guitar is so solidly good. Green Day makes a fun, enjoyable punk sound with rock guitar riffs--and they do it quite well.
"Welcome To Paradise" sounds so much like a precursor for their American Idiot album ten years later. Dookie sounds slightly less refined than American Idiot, but that's not a bad thing. I like punk sounding raw, and I enjoy hearing Green Day's evolution.
A song like "She" is not out of place in the nineties, nor by a politically-aware band like Green Day, but I find myself impressed because those kinds of songs were mostly done by the indie, female singer-songwriter types. Green Day was ahead of the curve and not afraid to be themselves, which I just adore.
The only real fault this album had was how much I recoiled when I heard "When I Come Around." Being born in 1989 with older eighties-kid siblings, of course I heard that song way too much and now I literally cannot listen to it again. This is not Green Day's fault, and I will not disparage Billie Joe Armstrong. But I cannot enjoy that song, no matter how hard I try.
Scritti Politti
3/5
This has to be the *most* eighties album here, and I'm nearing 1,000 albums. It's pop but there's so much synth it's definitely new wave. Scritti Politti included notes of reggae, funk, and soul, which resulted in a varied and catchy album. Sometimes I'm reminded of Prince in Cupid & Psyche 85, but that's also because Prince was everywhere in the eighties. I wasn't bored in the slightest to boot.
Billie Holiday
3/5
Billie Holiday's voice was so unique that I'm struggling to describe it. It was evocative and tender, sophisticated yet relatable. It's beautiful with a gritty undertone that makes it imperfect, which in turn of course makes it perfect. Her talents make it such a shame she died young.
Lady in Satin as her last released album is a solid choice. The songs flow smoothly. The accompaniment provided is perfect: it's well orchestrated but demanding the attention that's rightfully on Holiday's voice. All in all, quite the serene listen.
Mudhoney
2/5
OK, first, all good gals and nbs deserve fudge, too.
I'm already not a huge fan of grunge, but I can appreciate it. But there wasn't much to appreciate. Mudhoney is a good example of early grunge, especially with how it's mixed with the punk that's abrasive and not as fun as the punk that borders on new wave. But eh. A slog I was happy to finish.
Fred Neil
3/5
I've made no secret folk music isn't my thing, but combining it with rock makes it more palatable. Still, not my favorite. Folk typically has a lack of excitement and is too simple for me. Fred Neil is no exception. His original "Everybody's Talkin'" isn't as engaging as Harry Nilsson's cover. But the final song grabbed me and is the reason I'm giving this a 3. Indian music in the Western world in the late sixties was very common, but "Cynicrustpetefredjohn Raga" is different--I think because of the absence of the sitar. The song is a jam session with the name contains the six (presumably) white men that crafted it, but I remain intrigued.
Count Basie & His Orchestra
4/5
This was fantastic! I love big band and Count Basie and his Orchestra sure delivered. The music was consistently smooth and was so emotive despite the lack of lyrics. Too often instrumental albums don't distinguish between songs enough, but not this album. Really, just a delightful, fun, and easy listen.
Jane Weaver
3/5
Oh, a surprise! Modern Kosmology seems to be not well known at all, but it's quality. Jane Weaver has a lovely voice, perfect for this trippy psychedelic folk sound. I suppose the only criticism I would have is that I don't have much to say. The album was chill but not overly memorable. Still, sometimes it's not good to be memorable (looking at you, proto-punk genre). I guess the best you can hope for is decent.
Paul Revere & The Raiders
3/5
Genuinely did not expect my mom's favorite, Paul Revere & The Raiders, on this list! "Kicks" is legitimately such a fun song and represents that high energy this band exudes. "(I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone" is a Paul Revere original, and oh my goodness does it pale in comparison to the Monkees' cover. Still, I appreciate the education. Aside from those songs, Midnight Ride is such a pleasant listen as you hear the typical sixties pop sound with touches of psychedelia. Maybe the songs blend in together, but I can't hate on this. 3.5
The Clash
4/5
London Calling lived up to its hype! The Clash are a punk staple if there ever was one, and their style of punk is genuinely enjoyable and catchy. This album has good lyrics, and I love each of their political/protest songs. The Clash include a handful of covers and they do exactly what I love: they rearrange the song to make it way more theirs and punk. And finally, any time an artist makes a double album feel like a 35-minute album, I must give credit where it is due. Punk leans more towards fast, short songs, which helps the length, but I've heard plenty of short punk albums that drag on.
But the Clash are more than punk and new wave, as I discovered. Multiple songs were reggae/ska! Punk isn't that far from reggae, all things considered, but I admired their delving into a different sound. I swear I heard a blues chord in "Train in Vain." The Clash aren't exactly known for their harmonies, but "Lost In The Supermarket" had harmonies that stood out. The genres, aided by the short length, songs of different topics, make this album so varied.
Christine and the Queens
4/5
I found this album very interesting! Multiple genres were included, though electropop was the most common, but mostly it just screams "I belong in the eighties"! Several of these songs could've been by the Eurythmics, even. Since Chris came out in 2018, maybe the album is a little cheesy, but I can't help that I enjoyed it anyway. I enjoyed the French inclusion, too. Even though Christine and the Queens (honestly, my favorite artist name) is French, I found the English lyrics quite impactful and smartly written. And thank goodness for more queer artists.
Red Snapper
2/5
Red Snapper sure is an interesting band name. And I hate to be negative, but their aim to satisfy didn't pan out. I mean, yes, this album was different from many other electronic albums. They incorporate hip hop and, at times, shoegaze. But it was just too forgettable.
The Band
4/5
Before this album, I only knew the Band’s “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down.” I was excited to listen to this iconic rock band, and I feel my expectations of their music were met and exceeded. Their big song is reflective of their usual folk rock sound, but “Up On Cripple Creek” was funky, I swear it.
A lot of artists dabble in folk rock, but I feel like the Band has a unique sound. Other folk rock musicians never quite had the Band’s country aspect. Perhaps Tom Petty and Bruce Springsteen are the most similar to the Band?
3.5, rounding up to 4 for the chill listen.
Duran Duran
3/5
I love Duran Duran's style of new wave! Two of their biggest hits happen to be on this album (the title song and "Hungry Like the Wolf"), and both are extremely polished, well-written, and catchy. As for the other songs, some were better than others. They weren't bad, but there's a reason why those songs by Duran Duran are so well known.
3.5, but I don't feel like it's enough to round up to 4. A good listen nonetheless.
Public Image Ltd.
2/5
I wasn't expecting much with Public Image Ltd. because I had their follow-up album six months ago and hated it. First Issue (a cute name for a debut album) wasn't so avant-garde and was just normal, brash post-punk music. Much of it was too abrasive and not to my liking, but I enjoyed the spoken word of "Religion I." Go off, John Lydon.
Anyway, turns out I know the song "Public Image" because of Alphabeat's electropop cover. Oh and I didn't know Johnny Rotten was in this band either (except I guess he's a bigot?). What a big day I had.
Stevie Wonder
4/5
Stevie Wonder is a fucking genius. Fulfillingness' First Finale, a brand new tongue twister, is soulful and funky, and is my fourth Stevie Wonder album. His music is so consistent, a feat for any solo musician with multiple albums on this 1001 albums list. I think I listened to this album at least four times because it was just so darn smooth.
I'm struck by two songs: the biting "You Haven't Done Nothin'" and the haunting "They Won't Go When I Go". The latter I knew since it was covered by George Michael fifteen years later. Despite my love for Michael, Wonder's voice is unparalleled; it's tender, it's commanding, it's unrelenting. In one breath, Wonder criticizes then-President Nixon's inaction, and in the next he reaffirms his righteous path.
Miles Davis
4/5
This has to be the finest Miles Davis album on the list. This is my fourth Davis album and definitely my favorite. To no surprise, Davis is one of the finest jazz musicians ever, as proven by Kind of Blue. His music is so smooth, engaging, and lovely. Instrumental music has to be engaging without any lyrics, and of course Davis excels at that. And the song titles are amusing! What more could a gal ask for?
Paul McCartney and Wings
5/5
One word I can use to summarize Band On The Run is catchy. Comparing the Beatles solo careers is interesting because McCartney's is definitely the most pop-like. Lennon leaned more towards the experimental side of rock and roll, and Harrison was more spiritual with Eastern influences. (Mr. Starr doesn't have the same career as the others.) But McCartney just enjoys creating catchy rock/pop music. And to be fair, his music is very good!
This is an extremely well-crafted, thoughtful album. The title song returns in the last few notes of "Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five," and "Jet" and "Mrs. Vandebilt" are in the middle of "Picasso's Last Words (Drink to Me)". (I suspect I missed some others, so I can't wait to discover them in re-listens.) I love when artists do this, and how Paul McCartney and Wings do it is nothing short of masterful.
Only one song, "Bluebird," didn't interest me, but the other factors of this album are enough to give this a 5.
Malcolm McLaren
2/5
What I got from an album called Duck Rock is about what I expected. Eclectic and unusual. The inclusion of so many kinds of world music is commendable and interesting, but it sure didn't make for a uniform listen. At least it was different from anything else on this list?
Morrissey
4/5
No wonder Morrissey is so pretentious: three Smiths albums, and now four Morrissey albums on the list. Of course he has an ego the size of Jupiter. Against my better judgment, I enjoyed Your Arsenal. I didn't want to, because he is shirtless on the album cover, but we can't choose our music tastes.
Your Arsenal is the Morrissey album that sounds most like the Smiths--like perhaps the direction the Smiths would have gone in if they hadn't disbanded (or Johnny Marr hadn't understandably become fed up with Morrissey). Morrissey leaned more towards glam rock, which doesn't make much sense for 1992, but he does have a former Bowie guitarist on this album, and that does make sense. His lyrics are as strong as ever, and with a song title like "Seasick, Yet Still Docked"? Damn, the album's sound is just catchy.