Creepy. Weird. Kind of cool? Maybe? Probably not. I thought I enjoyed industrial music. This album makes me feel like a schizophrenic. Fave tracks: AB/7A
Fun album. After seeing that this record was released in 1970, I didn't expect it to have as much grit as it did. I welcome the grit. The music is heavy blues, garage, noisy, raw and energetic. Definitely one of the main predecessors of the punk movement in North America, and eventually in the UK as well. The incorporation of a saxophonist was unexpected, but the sound works really well. Vocally I am reminded of Jim Morrison, which is always a good thing. This album is provocative, and gets bonus points for being a cutting-edge, experimental album for the time that it was released. Turns out I really like The Stooges.
I'm not sure why Aerosmith were such a hit back in the day. Their sound does not hold up. Is this a country album? A blues album? A rock album? Elements of all of the above, but none are done well unfortunately. Steven Tyler's shrill voice ringing true on this album, and I can't look past it.
Pretty classic Metallica album. It is a solid follow-up to Master of Puppets, with a few gloomy/grungy slower jams that still capture the essence of this band. Vocal mixing on a couple tracks has not aged well. Still a fun listen. Fuck Napster.
Very soothing album with some surprisingly heavy lyrics. Super clean studio production, isolation of the guitar goes really well with the minimalist percussion. Not in love with the vocal registers. I feel like this album doesn't do enough to be a standout, but still gets a passing grade. The Fun Powder Plot is an excellent opening track.
Enjoyable listen. Can sense a lot of hip-hop and dub influence throughout. The electronic production is excellent, as well as the vocal mixing. Album feels unpolished in certain areas, but definitely a groundbreaking release at the time. Incorporation of strings on Unfinished Sympathy, and the use of percussion (digital & analog) on Hymn of The Big Wheel were highlights for me.
An absolute classic album, through and through. A velvety sound from the backing orchestra, and an even smoother voice coming from Sinatra. A beautiful album that has remained timeless and will continue to. Let the sun shine and the jazz swing.
Explosive. Noise rock fused with jazz. Very energetic, very upbeat, very experimental and free. The album does not really have any sort of direction or flow, but it is fun to listen to and keeps me on the edge of my seat. At times it can seem like a battle of the bands between the two saxophonists, and at others they synergize well; I prefer the latter. A great showcase of talent here and it is good to hear something so experimental.
Surprised I have not heard of this group before. Great punk jams on this album. Upbeat, casual, and raw recording. More acoustic guitar than I'm used to on a punk album, but it really fits with the sound here.
Love coming back to any record from the 60s, this one does an excellent job of storytelling, super captivating while still managing to experiment with instrument and vocal performances. I appreciate the harmonies used throughout the album, and the mastering of the left/right channel recordings of guitar/drums simulates the experience of standing right in the middle of this band. Underture was my favourite track this session.
Perfect voice. Not sure I can think of a more iconic singer in all of music history. Her voice is constantly on display, front and centre through this entire album, as it should be. My only critique would be that I don't think she needs backup vocalists at any point.
Solid indie/garage album. This is definitely the best of the Strokes on this one, it is unfortunate that they peaked so early. The guitar riffs on this album are muddled up nicely through distortion effects and the vocals are produced to match that feel. Fave tracks: Last Nite, New York City Cops
Gritty, grungy album. I appreciate the incorporation of noise and effects to create a signature sound, however I struggled to understand the vocals through the entire album due to the production of this noise. Lyrics are also a bit too creepy/overtly sexual for my liking. I understand why this album received the acclaim, but the band's sound does not resonate with me. Fave tracks: I Can See It (But I Can't Feel It)
What can I say about The Beatles that hasn't already been said. Super groovy album, vocals on full display with surf-style rock 'n roll instrumentals underneath. The vocal doubling is done so perfectly on select tracks throughout, and the harmonies are very enjoyable. This album truly marks the start of a new era for pop music. Fave tracks: It Won't Be Long, I Wanna Be Your Man, Money (That's What I Want)
Awesome hip-hop album. I really enjoy the sampling throughout this one, reminds me of Paul's Boutique in that sense. Stellar production. The lyrics remain incredibly relevant today, and they serve as exceptional political commentary. These guys are the literal OGs and it is well-deserved. Paved the way for an entirely new, experimental, and controversial style of music. Fave tracks: Fuck Tha Police, If It Ain't Ruff, Express Yourself
Bill Evans is an absolute genius on the piano. I'd put him right up there with Oscar Peterson. This album creates a very soothing ambience that I really enjoy. The 'banter' between the bass and piano is playful at times, and you can tell the trio never falls out of sync. The quiet conversation and clinking of glasses leaking through this live recording at times makes me feels right at home. Fave tracks: All of You - Take 2, Alice in Wonderland - Take 1
I enjoy the attitude and quirkiness that Blondie carries throughout this album. The guitar playing is super tight, and the vocals compliment that sound well. Fun, poppy, dancey tracks front to back on this one. There are a plethora of genres that serve as inspiration for this album by the sounds of it. Not a standout selection for me, but it is a very solid collection of songs. Fave tracks: Fade Away and Radiate, 11:59, Heart of Glass
Wicked jazz fusion album. Super experimental and fun, lots of different influences from world music, jazz and funk coming through. The technical skill of all of the band members gets highlighted on this record; the drums, horns, keys, guitar, bass all have their moments in the spotlight throughout. Heavy Weather pushed the boundaries of a traditional sounding record at the time, and helped to evolve jazz and prog rock through this period. Fave tracks: Birdland, Havona
Interesting, eclectic collection of songs mainly based in the style of Celtic folk. Lots of cool instruments used, but I found the arrangements of each song to mostly be underwhelming. I'm glad I listened to discover but not a whole lot more. Fave tracks: World Party, Has Anybody Seen Hank?
Bizarre. Psychedelic. Electronic. Interesting. This album is very experimental, and includes some production techniques I have never heard on a record this old. I was very intrigued by the first half of the album, but got fatigued/bored through the second half. I was also not a fan of the spoken gibberish towards the end of the album. Very cool and inspiring, but not a keeper for me. Fave tracks: Ogdens' Nut Gone Flake, Rene
One happy little album. They remind me of Chicago at times, The Animals at others, and Three Dog Night at others. I'm surprised I have never heard of The (Young) Rascals before now. Solid listen. I enjoy the inclusion of brass and the overall feeling of this album. There is a nice Stevie Wonder cover towards the end of the record. Enjoyable, though it did not floor me. Fave tracks: A Girl Like You, A Place in the Sun
One of the best folk albums out there. Peak Bob Dylan, incredible songwriting and storytelling. Nothing else to say. Fave songs: Rainy Day Women # 12 & 35, Visions of Johanna, I Want You
Mostly covers which surprised me, but they are all executed so well. Johnny Cash has a way of making songs his own whether he intends to or not, such powerful styles of singing and lyrical delivery. The guest appearances were mostly unnecessary in my opinion, however the Fiona Apple vocals on "Bridge Over Troubled Water" were fantastic. Johnny Cash still knows what the people want to hear after having a whole life behind him. Fave tracks: Hurt, Bridge Over Troubled Water, I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry
There's some solid hits on this new wave album led by Boy George, however I will be an infrequent re-visitor to this one. The vast majority of these tracks are emotional, and meant to evoke similar feelings in the listener; it feels a bit put-on and cliche. Got pretty bored while listening to be frank. There is some good incorporation of strings at times and synth-y beats, but overall I do not operate on the same wavelength as this album. Fave tracks: Karma Chameleon, Black Money
One part Choose Your Weapon, one part Awaken, My Love! (or Maggot Brain), one part straight soul music. R&B, soul, jazz, rap are the ingredients used in this creative experiment. It works well. The vocals always stand out in front of the instrumentation, but Erykah maintains the balance of complimenting rather than overpowering. Very cool record, I wasn't sold on it immediately but it managed to grip me after a few minutes of listening. I will definitely be listening to this one again. My actual rating is a 4.5/5, so I will round up on this one. Fave tracks: Penitentiary Philosophy, Orange Moon, Green Eyes
A near-perfect indie rock album, and my favourite release from Arcade Fire. Everything hits on this record, and it feels like the band has way more experience than they currently do at this point in their careers. I really enjoy the moments throughout the album where strings and piano dominate. Great flow to the tracks throughout. Régine Chassagne's vocals on the final track are one of my favourite moments on this listen. Can't think of much to criticize on this one. Fave tracks: Neighbourhood #1 (Tunnels), Rebellion (Lies), In The Backseat
Fun album. After seeing that this record was released in 1970, I didn't expect it to have as much grit as it did. I welcome the grit. The music is heavy blues, garage, noisy, raw and energetic. Definitely one of the main predecessors of the punk movement in North America, and eventually in the UK as well. The incorporation of a saxophonist was unexpected, but the sound works really well. Vocally I am reminded of Jim Morrison, which is always a good thing. This album is provocative, and gets bonus points for being a cutting-edge, experimental album for the time that it was released. Turns out I really like The Stooges.
Is this a test? Why is this album on this list? Who is the target audience? This album left me with lots of questions, and probably in the worst way possible. I am confused as to what this record is supposed to represent. It has no flow, no real direction, the lyrics are extremely basic and meaningless. It kind of sounds like their influenced by a combination of groups such as the Beastie Boys or Fatboy Slim. There are some additional sprinklings of eastern/Indian-inspired beats, but my god, they are not well implemented at all. This album was released too late to be considered groundbreaking in terms of any production styles or techniques. Every time a new track plays, I feel like I've switched to a completely new record, it's very jarring. Summed up, this album feels kitschy and avant-garde, and does not have the cohesiveness or flow that I can tell it is intended to have. Fave tracks: N/A
Fun, dance-y punk album. Kind-of sort-of 1970s pop punk? Vocals remind me of Blondie, lyrics are more junkie/garage-inspired though. A solid listen, I am surprised this group was a one-and-done in terms of albums, I feel like there's a lot of potential here. I really enjoy the double-tracked guitars in certain areas throughout the album. Noteworthy record, glad to have discovered it. Fave tracks: Germfree Adolescence, Plastic Bag, Age
Enjoyable. Bob Dylan songs sung by prettier voices. Harmonies are great, backed by bright guitar chords and some standard time-keeping from percussion. Bonus points for being the trend-setting folk rock album, bringing a light electric sound to the existing genre. This is the influence for a ton of my favourite music. The album itself is not necessarily a standout in the genre, but I give it a little bump because they were the first people to make this folk rock thing take off. Fave tracks: Mr. Tambourine Man, Spanish Harlem Incident, It's No Use
Trent Reznor's multi-instrumental talents, as well as production techniques, really shine on this album. It has such a distinct sound, and helped to push the industrial sound into more people's Sony Walkman players at the time. I really enjoy the imagery created through sound layering and producing instruments to make them sound like a wall of sound, before falling off a cliff into silence. The vocal tones used by Reznor are also very effective in contributing to the overall mood throughout the record. There is no subtlety in the lyrics, which was common during this period but does not hold up incredibly well over time. The writing is the only aspect that leaves a bad taste. Fave tracks: Heresy, Eraser, Hurt
This album has a small soundstage, but lots of energy. Full of dancey tracks and pop melodies, it sounds a lot like an indie rock record that would have been released in the 2010's. It didn't really blow me away, but it is a very positive listening experience. The record has a super consistent sound and flows well track-to-track. Fave tracks: No Action, Pump It Up, (I Don't Want to Go to) Chelsea
George Clinton, baby. Such a great funk album. I feel like I have so much bias going into this one because of how big a fan of George's projects I am. It is so incredibly easy to get caught in the groove of this album, the music is infectious and contagious. There are some iconic sounds on this album, and they have lived on through samples (mostly hip-hop) and cultural references to this day. This is not a perfect album by any means, but it is so charming and inviting, and that is what has earned this album legendary status in my mind. **Rating = 4.5/5, rounded up Fave tracks: P Funk (Wants to Get Funked Up), Mothership Connection (Starchild), Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof off the Sucker)
I enjoy the intense finger-picking moments very much, some great guitar playing on this album. Not crazy about the vocal performance. I understand that the shaky vocals are adding to the overall image of the album, but it's a bit jarring for me. Kind of ruins it if I'm being honest. Guitar-playing = 5/5 Vocals = 1.5/5 Fave tracks: This is the Way, Tit Smoking in the Temple of Artesan Mimicry
Reminds me of Alanis Morissette, also maybe Evanescence? Very emotional songwriting with intense soundscapes behind the words. I thought it was fine. Nothing sensational. Vocal performance is really good, but I don't resonate with the lyrics. The record and I do not seem to operate on the same wavelength. Fave tracks: Little Earthquakes
I like the diverse arrangements throughout the album. The vocals are great in terms of technical ability and range. For an album that was released in 1993, the production techniques are groundbreaking. As far as the lyrics go, I don't really get much from them and if there were messages or takeaways from this album, they went over my head. I hold this album in high regard for being a pioneer and paving the way for future genres and to serve as new influence for other artists. Fave tracks: Human Behaviour, Aeroplane, The Anchor Song
Feel-good, singalong blues performance for the ages. The recording has held up extremely well and should remain timeless. The man has a great voice and has a way of captivating your attention on any of his albums. Fave tracks: I Don't Mind, Lost Someone, Night Train
Pretty straightforward hair metal, direct and to the point. Nothing especially fancy or artistic happening here. Enjoyable but not a "stand out of the crowd" type of record. Props to Def Leppard for being one of the first bands to popularize this sound. Fave tracks: Photograph, Too Late for Love, Rock of Ages
It makes sense to me that this band did not get the fame like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, etc. It's fantastic that Mudhoney was able to come up with this newfangled grunge sound, but it is not as good as something like Nevermind or Ten. I thought this album had a strong start, and kind of plateaued/declined over the second half. A good album, but there are much better grunge records out there. First isn't always best. Fave tracks: Touch Me I'm Sick, Sweet Young Thing Ain't Sweet No More
Love The Doors, and Jim Morrison. Their entire catalogue is excellent. This one, the last studio record featuring Jim's vocals, is extra bluesy and isn't afraid to break out into extended groove sessions. Jim's lyrics are pure poetry, as usual. The guitar, bass, keyboard and drums all combine to provide a perfect blues stage to compliment the vocals. Not too much else to say on this one, it's just excellent. One of my favourite Doors albums, definitely a classic. Fave tracks: Been Down so Long, L.A. Woman, Riders on the Storm
I enjoy the 2 guitars duking it out on tracks like Southbound and Massacre. Overall it is a nice collection of live performances, but doesn't really exceed any expectations that I have of the band, which were mediocre to begin with. Solid album, but this is a band that really does blend into a crowd for me. I found the record to be a little long as well. Fave tracks: Southbound, The Boys Are Back in Town, Warriors
Couple jams on here. The lesser known tracks are lesser known for good reason. Pretty laid back album, and I do enjoy sections of it. However, it is not a record that draws you in and gets you excited about much. You're just showing up to chill and listen to some easy-going jazz rock. Nothing special about it, and there's a time and place to give this one a listen. Not an iconic album in my view. Fave tracks: Do It Again, Dirty Work, Reelin' In The Years
Amazing voice, she is a powerhouse for sure. I wish that the recording studio was willing to adjust her voice less, as it is very evident that the vocal track has been poked and prodded until every aspect of Adele's voice is in pitch, and it just gives this really eerie, unnatural vibe, not dissimilar from a drum machine being "too in time". She does not need to be auto-tuned ad nauseam, and I think natural tones would help give this album some sort of identity. The music is pretty vanilla once you get past the point of Adele having a great voice. There's really nothing else to stick around for. I thought He Won't Go had a fun sounding arrangement and ventured off the beaten path, and the gospel take on I'll Be Waiting was pretty charming; 21 was a bit of a snooze fest aside from these takes. Fave tracks: He Won't Go, I'll Be Waiting, Lovesong
Very strong Animal Collective aromas coming off of this album. The smooth synths and softened vocals make for a nice relaxing listen. The psychedelic tones are present and this record makes it easy to drift away. Based on how new this album is, I am surprised it's on this list; it's not really a new sound circa 2018, however Hookworms does a good job of releasing a solid album within this established genre. Good overall, I'm not super excited about it but it foots the bill if I'm in the mood for a neo-psych/indie album. Fave tracks: Negative Space, Opener, Shortcomings
This album kind of reminds me of the Bjork album I listened to earlier. It's a little less alien-like, but exudes the same energy. I really don't think artsy European house music is up my alley. I don't get it. The whole album blends together, and makes me gloss over and tune out. Fave tracks: Girl VII, Spring
One of the most overrated bands of our generation. Is that too bold a statement? Probably. But this band has gotten a substantial amount of hype over the years and it's a bit of a head-scratcher for me. This album is very smooth, very soft, I would almost go as far as describing it as fuzzy. I feel weirdly serenaded by Chris Martin throughout the album, but at the same time I know Coldplay were not aiming to produce a lullaby with this album. It's safe, it's people-pleasing, and kind of boring. Martin's voice is great, but nothing else really stands out in this one. Every track sort of sounds like the one prior, and unfortunately nothing on this record is very memorable. Fave tracks: Shiver, Yellow, Parachutes
This one surprised me, I really enjoyed this listen. The vocals are great, the instrumentation is dramatic and moody, and the lyrics are meaningful, and often political. Reminds me of some spoken-word-esque artists that I really like (Nick Cave, Patti Smith, The National) The production and the recording location of choice being a church really compliment the content throughout this album. There are strings, electronics, percussion, vocal layerings and doubling, so many crafty ways to get just the sound they were looking for. Really good. 4.5/5 Fave tracks: The Glorious Land, On Battleship Hill, England, Bitter Branches
I was recently introduced to Running Up That Hill and was immediately drawn to that powerful 80s track. However, I think this album may have hit its high point on the opening song. Waking the Witch caught my attention, but still doesn't live up to the epic proportions of the initial track. I enjoy the vocal production throughout the album, but I find the instrumentation to be repetitive (until the Jig of Life comes out of nowhere). Overall a cool, spooky listen, but not an album I will be coming back to often. I will be listening to Running Up That Hill a bunch though. Fave tracks: Running Up That Hill, Running Up That Hill, Running Up That Hill
Super fun early psychedelic album. I am surprised I haven't stumbled upon this band before. I hear lots of different psychedelic artists within this album, Donovan and the Moody Blues are among the first to come to mind. The Red Telephone really reminded me of MGMT, possibly an influence for them? Really well produced, loving the use of strings in combination with the guitars underneath the vocals to give it that real dreamy feel. Accented horns in other tracks managed to fit in perfectly. Great album. Fave tracks: Andmoreagain, The Red Telephone, Maybe the People Would Be the Times or Between Clark and Hilldale
I really like the punk celtic sound, it can be difficult to pull off; this band does a decent job of it. There's a part of me that wishes their faster-paced songs would get a little more violent as the sound always remains very clean, but the booze-fueled stories in the lyrics are very much alive and well. I want to describe this group as an Irish version of the Mountain Goats. The production leaves something to be desired, I'm assuming due to budget constraints. The volume of each track is a little bit wonky as well, on Spotify at least. Overall an enjoyable listen, the folk instruments all came out to play on this album. Fave tracks: Wild Cats of Kilkenny, A Pair of Brown Eyes, Dirty Old Town, The Band Played Waltzing Matilda
Pretty solid thrash record. It is an early contributor to the genre, so kudos for that. The tracks kind of blended together, I had a couple moments where I thought I was hearing songs for the second time, other than I Ain't Superstitious, which was a bluesy track that came out of left field. Enjoyable, fast, driving thrash metal that grows on you with multiple listens. As a big fan of early Metallica and Iron Maiden, this album has shown me that I will have to pay a little more attention to the early releases from Megadeth. Fave tracks: The Conjuring, Good Mourning / Black Friday
Decent New Wave/Pop album. Not super up my alley, but I can respect the sound on this one. I think the first half of the album is much stronger than the second half, so it kind of dragged on, but there are some classic tunes on this album for sure. It is a good showcase of what the 80s sounded like by the time 1983 rolled around. I discovered via Wikipedia that When You Were Mine is a Prince cover, and it was done well. Lauper's vocal talents shine on a track like this. Time After Time is an iconic slow jam, for good reason; it's got that 80s twinkly sound and has a ton of emotional weight. Solid release. The singles from this album will live on forever. Fave tracks: When You Were Mine, Time After Time, Witness
God damn I love the blues. The electric organ is used so perfectly on this album, it's just so much fun to listen to. After looking at the list of personnel that Booker T. Jones has collaborated with in the past, I would say a lot of people agree that he's the best at what he does. This album consists of one smash-hit original single, and mostly covers outside of that, but that doesn't stop the band from stamping their signature all over others' works. The instrumentation is fantastic and each member does a great job of taking their turn to chime in and take the spotlight. It's very clear that the guitar and keyboard are completely locked in and have spent loads of time playing together. Tight as fuck. Fave tracks: Green Onions, I Got a Woman, Behave Yourself
I think Traffic gets overlooked frequently when it comes to 70s blues rock. They draw much more influence from jazz than the typical popular groups of the time, and it really works for them. The opening track is just fantastic, such a great instrumental jam. After that, there are seamless transitions into the following songs, and the album does not slow down. The incorporation of the organ, guitar, bass, saxophone, piano and percussion are all done so well. This is Traffic's fourth installment as a group, and it may be their peak (Mr. Fantasy is excellent as well, especially for a debut album). No complaints here, this is an excellent album with exceptionally talented personnel and an ahead-of-the-curve sound, they were not afraid to experiment and I think it inspired a lot of bands through the years. Fave tracks: Glad, Freedom Rider, John Barleycorn
Solid grunge album. This group is credited with being a pioneer of the genre, however this album was released after grunge had already caught on. It's a decent album overall. Can't say I had strong feelings towards it one way or the other. Instrumentation and vocal distortion was done well throughout the album. I will admit that the "acoustic guitar intro" gimmick was a bit overused on this record. Happy to add this one to my arsenal of grunge albums. Fave tracks: Halo of Ashes, Make My Mind, Gospel Plow
This was a fun listen. A metal band who doesn't take themselves seriously, and they are very upfront about that. Super thrashy, and super early to the game (shocked this is a 1982 release). High octane metal straight to your veins. Hail Satan. Fave tracks: Black Metal, Raise the Dead, Don't Burn the Witch
It's a no from me dawg. This one is edgy, weird, experimental, but just does not pan out. There's a lot of industrial, house and classical influences here, but man, it turned into a whole lot of noises that don't actually fall in line together and ends up being a sporadic mess. I will likely be avoiding anything described as "baroque metal" in the future, because this is supposed to be the best of that genre. Disclaimer: I do not speak french, so I may potentially be missing out on some insightful lyrics. I have a hunch that I am not, but who knows. Fave tracks: Nope.
What a fun group. I really enjoy Beastie Boys and how they've managed to meld the worlds of hip-hop and rock. They sample all of my favourite classic rock riffs from Zeppelin, Floyd, Stones etc., which automatically peaks my interest. Specifically on this release, Beastie Boys come out in 1986 and establish themselves as something very new and creative. The start of a fresh sound & era. I can't praise these guys enough for their production and sampling; it's especially impressive for a debut LP. Anytime I need to hype myself up for something, Beastie Boys are one of the bands that immediately come to mind. Tracks are always so full of energy. They lose one star, but only because I know that there are albums released by the Beastie Boys after Licensed To Ill that get exponentially better. Fave tracks: Rhymin and Stealin, No Sleep Til Brooklyn, Time To Get Ill
Oh Yeah. Fave tracks: Mannish Boy, Bus Driver, I Can't Be Satisfied, The Blues Had a Baby and They Named It Rock and Roll
I feel like this album helped propel indie/alt music into a new vibe towards the end of the 2000s. It's new, exciting, fresh sound is super easy to jam along to and the production is fantastic. Loving the synths and soundboard tricks used on this release. Highly respect the sound and the creative approach during a time when the music industry wasn't really exploding with outside-the-box bands/albums. Fave tracks: North American Scum, All My Friends, New York, I Love You But You're Bringing Me Down
I thought it was fine. The classic sound of the 1990s. The group definitely helped to inspire a entire generation of music like this, so full credit there. The album itself doesn't really thrill me; it's not bad, just not spectacular or exciting. Not an album that I will come back to often, but I do understand the iconic nature of the album and the heavy influence it has had on the industry. Fave tracks: Shakermaker, Cigarettes & Alcohol
Creepy. Weird. Kind of cool? Maybe? Probably not. I thought I enjoyed industrial music. This album makes me feel like a schizophrenic. Fave tracks: AB/7A
Great album. Perfectly executed psychedelic sounds that I can easily get lost in. Happy to have discovered this one and will be returning soon.
So fucking good. Similar to Beastie Boys, this group has blended rock & rap so perfectly. Zack's lyrics are very political, provocative and punk, which pairs so well with the fat bass lines, distorted guitar and tight percussion. What an insanely good release for a debut album, perfectly named band and perfectly timed release given the social climate during that period in the early 90s. I can workout to this, I can mosh to it, I can burn my government documents to it. So versatile. Fave tracks: Bombtrack, Killing In the Name, Know Your Enemy, Wake Up
This is the good stuff. Such a fun psychedelic journey, and Jimi does an incredible job with his guitar playing as well as vocals. The unfortunate fact about being a part of a band that houses Jimi Hendrix is that you will often get overlooked or overshadowed. Mitch Mitchell seems to be a victim of this, and in my opinion could lead a group in the same way that Buddy Rich or Neil Peart did. The talent within the Jimi Hendrix Experience is just ridiculous. This record has such a nice flow to it, remains fresh throughout, the solos absolutely shred, and it doesn't get old after multiple listening sessions. 'Tis a thing of beauty. Perfection. Fave tracks: Crosstown Traffic, Voodoo Chile, 1983...(A Merman I Should Turn to Be), All Along the Watchtower
Melancholy mixed with relaxation. The lyrics through all of this album are sad, occasionally stepping through to the depressing and self-harm areas of Elliott Smith's brain. I found most of the songs to be (ironically) fairly catchy and melodic, reminding me of the quieter selections from The Beatles's catalogue. I feel like there was a time in my life where this album would have resonated and I would play it on repeat, but that era is behind me. Not going to be a frequent listen for me. Fave tracks: Everything Reminds Me Of Her, Colorbars
This was a fun listen, I enjoyed the rock & roll covers through the lens of a dirty garage filter. From the pick of the original tracks, The Witch definitely stood out. It was nice to hear a new take on the classics; however, I still enjoy the original recordings more than The Sonics's interpretation. This album coming out way before any Velvet Underground recordings puts them ahead of the curve in terms of developing this signature "dirty on purpose" sound. That opened the door for loads of great music over the years. Fave tracks: The Witch, Roll Over Beethoven, Strychnine, Good Golly Miss Molly
I like this one. It's very laid back and dreamy. It is a little long in my opinion (I get fatigued at around the 45-minute mark) but a worthy listen. There are some bassy grooves on here that remind me of dub music, and other tracks are more jazz-inspired. 3.5/5, rounded up Fave tracks: Nights Introlude, Pipes Honour, Cruise (Don't Stop)