Not for me. I liked the covers much more than anything else on the album.

While I appreciate the quality and range of the vocal performance, to me this is background music. It doesn't make me feel "involved" or like I'm an active participant.

Not sure what to make of this record. I do like a lot of it, but what is it? Rap, reggae, jazz, hip hop, electronics? All of the above? I really liked Tracy Thorn’s vocals but she’s only on a couple of tracks. Most unusual version of a Doors song I’ve ever heard to close the record. While I like it, I think it’s music to play in the “quiet room” at a party, not the main event. Doesn’t make me want to see them live.

I hear a direct line from this record to Cage the Elephant. Snappy post-punk rock. Melodic but rough at the same time with some slashing guitars.

How can you not like an album that starts off with a song that has become part of the American Standards songbook and also includes one of the greatest "story songs" -- The Boxer? Great orchestration throughout. Keep the Customer Satisfied is an underappreciated song. I wish you could award 1/2 stars. I'd like to rate this 4.5 but since I can't, it gets 5 stars from me.

This is an average new wave style album that leaves no lasting impression on me. Not sure why this would be considered a "must listen to" record. Fine but nothing special.

Instantly recognizable quirky sound of David Byrne. I like this album, but there are other Talking Heads records that I like better. I do love Psycho Killer. I think that's one of their best songs. This was clearly a very different sound that really stood out back in 1977. May have been categorized as Punk at the time, but much more sophisticated and complex than that label!

Really good pop music. Interesting to hear this in its original form as I only know the Ryan Adams cover of this entire album. Now I have to listen to that so I can hear what he was hearing. Her more recent albums are much more mature sounding, but this is fun stuff.

Wow, hard to believe that they made an entire album out of two classic, short songs. I liked this a lot, although some of the more trippy parts of of the jams were a bit much. That said, great guitars and mostly great jams. You can clearly see why they played so many shows on the same bill as the Dead. I will listen to this again and probably download.

I've always thought this band was somewhat overrated. I do like some of the songs a lot though; especially Nightswimming and Drive. I find Michael Stipe's voice to be a bit whiny. I do remember seeing them in the gym at college when their first record had just come out. I don't have any specific memories of the show, but I'm sure I enjoyed it. This another record where the half-star option would be helpful. I would give this 3.5 if I could, but since I can't, it gets a 4 from me as I think it deserves the benefit of the doubt.

A great album start to finish. Finally a true 5 for me.

Never been a Leonard Cohen fan and this album didn't change that. Although some of these songs were more upbeat than I expected, I just don't care for his vocal style. I really don't get what people see in him. Still, not the worst record I've ever heard.

A very pleasant album but it's background music. I feel like it should be playing in a nice cocktail lounge. I wouldn't go out of my way to listen to it again. The 1/2 star option would be helpful here too. I'd like to give it 2.5 but because I don't dislike it, I'll round up instead of down.

I'm surprised that I've never heard of this album, or the band for that matter. I hear a lot of different influences in this music. First, there is definitely some '60s psychedelic rock, followed by a hint of Pink Floyd. There is also an element of the "wall of sound" production style and even a bit of Oasis. Underneath all of this is some pretty good Rock & Roll. I will probably listen to this again and maybe try one of their other records as well

I don't always love James Brown, but this is him at his absolute best. I would imagine this is only a portion of the entire show, but he packs a ton into 32 minutes on this record.

For just The Message, I’m tempted to give this album a 5, but the rest of it is just fine. It is an interesting mix of R&B and early rap/hip hop, but that one song is brilliant.

I like the blend of Americana, California folk rock and country on this album. Some really nice guitar work by Buddy Miller. Did not know that Bruce and Patti contributed vocals on one of the tracks and Dave Matthews on another. If I could give 3.5 stars I would, since I can’t I’ll round up.

Didn't like this very much. Too much electronics and not enough "real music". Vocals sound like high pitched whines. Certainly wouldn't be on my list of albums that you must hear.

I think this album is just ok. Most of it is too slow and depressing for me. Clearly he was a pretty unhappy guy. The high point is his cover of Hallelujah. I think that ranks up among the greatest covers ever.

I liked this more than I expected I would. Don't love her voice, especially when she sings in a high whiny voice, but several of these songs have very good "protest" lyrics.

This is a little hokey, but I liked it anyway. Reminds me of songs during the credits of old B/W western movies. It's very well recorded for the time (or maybe it's been completely remastered). Another half-star problem for me. Would like to give it 3.5.

Very surprised that I haven’t heard of this band. It’s a little harsh but I like it. Post-punk in the vein of Rancid who I love. I’m a broken record about this (no pun intended) but really missing the half star option as I’d give this a 3.5. Rounding up this time

His voice makes me think of Jim Morrison; just a little less gruff. I really like the acoustic guitar (I assume it's acoustic) work throughout this entire record, but especially on Buzzin' Fly and Gypsy Woman.

Fine as quiet background music. Nothing here grabs me and makes me pay attention. I don’t think it’s bad, just not my kind of music.

They remind me of a harsher version of the RHCP. A lot of really good bass lines and it's easy to see why Dave Narvarro could easily step in and play with them. He's an excellent guitarist. Don't love Perry Farrell's voice, but overall I liked this album. Previously I had only heard a few of the songs.

I really don't like the fuzz over all of the vocals. I like the instrumentals on this album better than the songs with lyrics. A lot of this could have been original punk with cleaner language. Not my cup of tea.

Definitely not for me

It’s hard to get past the vulgar and misogynistic lyrics but the rapping and beats are really very good. I actually kind of liked this record

I've never been an Iggy Pop fan, but his raw energy on this album is undeniable. I'm sure this record sounded completely radical when it came out in 1970. Without a doubt, this had to have been a favorite of the early punk bands, but I think the Stooges must have liked early heavy metal/hard rock. That seems to come through, especially in some of the guitar solos. Overall, I liked this one.

This album starts out on fire but I think there’s a bit of filler in the latter part. Still it’s a great combo of funk, soul, pop and good old rock and roll.

A near-perfect (if not outright perfect) album from start to finish. Just one great song after another. Sonically outstanding. It's Henley/Frye's masterpiece that sounds as great today as it did when I first heard it! Truly one of my top albums of all time.

Too horrible to make it through. Wish I could give it a 0.

I liked this because it was socially positive and not vulgar or misogynistic. The only song I knew from the record was Tennessee, which I already liked. I liked how they blended in Sly Stone!

I just don't get her. I think she's one of those artists that critics love (for some unknown reason), but most people just scratch their head. I didn't hate this, but I definitely won't be adding it to my collection!

A foundation of the wave of southern rock to come in this decade. Didn’t realize there were so many hits on their first album.

I liked this. A nice blend of country-ish, singer-songwriter and pop styles. I'll download and listen again.

Honestly not sure what criteria qualifies this album or band for this list. To me this is a far less good version of The Style Council or Spandaux Ballet. Nothing interesting. Not bad, just bland.

Are there any actual musicians here? This is just a bunch of repetitive sounds with some melody trying to peek through. I could have it on (very softly) as background music, but I wouldn't go out of my to listen to this style of music ever. It's soulless.

Just a really fun pop album with great songs and catchy lyrics!

Excellent all the way through. Bluesy and soulful rock and roll with a very distinctive sound

Very good early Queen. Leans heavily on progressive rock influences, but also has a good dose of rock & roll. Interestingly I associate the cover art with the soon to come Bohemian Rhapsody. I don't think this album is nearly as good as Night at the Opera.

Eric Clapton playing the blues at his best. Searing guitar work on both the covers and original songs. Didn't know that John McVie played bass in this band. I'd like to give it a 4.5 as I'm trying to save the 5's for things I absolutely love, but since that's not an option, this is strong enough for me to round up!

Nice rhythms but without being able to understand the words much of this sounds the same to me.

I liked this one, especially the (I assume) finger picking guitar style. Soft and contemplative lyrics. Sounds contemporary despite being 50 years old.

Love this early Steely Dan record. A little less jazzy than later albums but a lot of great songs.

Not bad

Very good live versions of many great songs. I wonder if he would be allowed to perform in a prison today?

Not familiar with this band other than one song on this album. Never would have recognized the cover of Iron Man, but I thought it was really interesting. I think this is pretty good pop/rock and would isten again.

I know there are guitars under here somewhere, but this is essentially noise. The distortion completely overwhelms any music or vocals. Not sure what the point is or why this deserves a record contract.

Not really familiar with early Roxy Music work. You can definitely hear the influence that Brian Eno would have on later Talking Heads albums. My favorite song on this record is Grey Lagoons. Great band jam in that one.

Overall a pretty interesting record mixing mainstream blues sounds with “world music”. Too bad I couldn’t understand the lyrics. Would like to know what they’re singing about

Never been a Willie Nelson fan. Thi is fine but wouldn’t Hopi of my way to listen

Wow, this is intense. His anger comes through in so many ways -- obviously in the lyrics but also is the pacing, phrasing and the guitar riffs. Hard to say I liked it because of the violent and misogynistic images, but there's an important message embedded here. I think Body Count is the best song on the album. Great early mix of rap and metal.

This was fine but I lost interest after about a dozen songs. I liked the ones with the female lead vocals much better than the males ones. His voice reminds me of The National, who I don’t like at all.

I liked this a lot. I thought it was really good pre-punk rock. I especially enjoyed the Sonny and Cher cover. Not sure why they didn’t become bigger.

This is an album I wouldn’t have listened to much less liked when it first came out. Much too poppy. Years later I feel very differently. There are a lot of really good sounds here. Sounds very fresh. The songs really hold up. Sounds like Harry Styles could have released this yesterday.

Not really my cup of tea. Mixes too many genres. The one song that I really did like is "The Seed 2.0".

I love this album. Really strong opening track -- Bodhisttva. For years I thought they were saying Old Disciple! My Old School is a classic as is Show Biz Kids. Still this isn't my favorite Steely Dan album, The Royal Scam is. I was shocked when I checked the index that that one didn't even make the list. It should!

He may not be the greatest singer, but Randy Newman is a brilliant songwriter and I think his voice works incredibly well with his writing style. At this point in his career, he's probably thought of mostly as a movie score/song composer. His ascerbic wit is on full display on this album. I think it's great even though my 2 favorite songs of his (Mama Told Me Not to Come and I Love LA) aren't on this record.

This is a really good early rock & roll record. Definitely feel the blues influence. Great use of horns and good examples of piano as the main rock instrument in several songs. I don't know if this has been remastered, but it sounds great; super-clean with great stereo separation.