Journey Complete!
Finisher #503 to complete the list
1089
Albums Rated
3.3
Average Rating
100%
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Microshift
Hookworms
Favorite Album
Featured Review
Apocalypse 91… The Enemy Strikes Black
Public Enemy • 4/5
Public Enemy is one of the only rap groups I genuinely like, so this was easy listening today. I actually don't know much about them and didn't know until today that Flavor Flav is part of the group. I was about 20-25 feet away from Mr. Flav a few months ago. He was hanging out with the sound guys for the Green Day concert I was at, and I was in the last row in front of the sound board. We had a drone scare mid-show which was terrifying because we didn't know at first what was going on. I turned around and saw Flavor Flav smiling and laughing with the sound guys, so I knew we were fine. I definitely never had "Seeing Flavor Flav smiling made me realize I probably wasn't going to die today" on my bingo card but life is weird that way.
Rating Distribution
How you rate albums
Rating Timeline
Average rating over time
Ratings by Decade
Which era do you prefer?
Activity by Day
When do you listen?
Taste Profile
1950s
Favorite Decade
Rock-and-roll
Favorite Genre
UK
Top Origin
Wordsmith
Rater Style ?
144
5-Star Albums
27
1-Star Albums
Taste Analysis
Genre Preferences
Ratings by genre
Origin Preferences
Ratings by country
Rating Style
You Love More Than Most
Albums you rated higher than global average
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haunted Dancehall | 5 | 2.37 | +2.63 |
| Tragic Songs of Life | 5 | 2.58 | +2.42 |
| Duck Rock | 5 | 2.66 | +2.34 |
| Justified | 5 | 2.68 | +2.32 |
| My Life In The Bush Of Ghosts | 5 | 2.78 | +2.22 |
| Rejoicing In The Hands | 5 | 2.82 | +2.18 |
| Street Signs | 5 | 2.87 | +2.13 |
| E.V.O.L. | 5 | 2.89 | +2.11 |
| Heroes to Zeros | 5 | 2.9 | +2.1 |
| Lazer Guided Melodies | 5 | 2.92 | +2.08 |
You Love Less Than Most
Albums you rated lower than global average
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Little Earthquakes | 1 | 3.23 | -2.23 |
| Like A Prayer | 1 | 3.23 | -2.23 |
| The Real Thing | 1 | 3.2 | -2.2 |
| Truth | 1 | 3.16 | -2.16 |
| Are You Experienced | 2 | 4.16 | -2.16 |
| Ragged Glory | 1 | 3.15 | -2.15 |
| Queen Of Denmark | 1 | 3.14 | -2.14 |
| The Holy Bible | 1 | 3.14 | -2.14 |
| Repeater | 1 | 3.12 | -2.12 |
| Drunk | 1 | 3.12 | -2.12 |
Artist Analysis
Favorite Artists
Artists with 2+ albums
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Beatles | 7 | 5 |
| Radiohead | 6 | 4.5 |
| Talking Heads | 4 | 4.75 |
| R.E.M. | 4 | 4.75 |
| Creedence Clearwater Revival | 3 | 5 |
| Simon & Garfunkel | 3 | 5 |
| Pink Floyd | 4 | 4.5 |
| Pet Shop Boys | 3 | 4.67 |
| Elvis Presley | 3 | 4.67 |
| Kraftwerk | 3 | 4.67 |
| The White Stripes | 3 | 4.67 |
| Oasis | 2 | 5 |
| Green Day | 2 | 5 |
| Fatboy Slim | 2 | 5 |
| LCD Soundsystem | 2 | 5 |
| Depeche Mode | 2 | 5 |
| Coldplay | 2 | 5 |
| Supergrass | 2 | 5 |
| Dire Straits | 2 | 5 |
| Stan Getz | 2 | 5 |
| The Smiths | 3 | 4.33 |
| Nirvana | 3 | 4.33 |
| Paul Simon | 3 | 4.33 |
| The Beach Boys | 3 | 4.33 |
| Brian Eno | 5 | 4 |
| Bruce Springsteen | 5 | 4 |
Least Favorite Artists
Artists with 2+ albums
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Primal Scream | 2 | 1.5 |
| Common | 2 | 1.5 |
| Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band | 2 | 1.5 |
| The Divine Comedy | 2 | 1.5 |
| Dinosaur Jr. | 2 | 1.5 |
| Manic Street Preachers | 2 | 1.5 |
| Slipknot | 2 | 1.5 |
| Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds | 5 | 2.2 |
| Jimi Hendrix | 3 | 2 |
| Elvis Costello & The Attractions | 4 | 2.25 |
| Björk | 4 | 2.25 |
Controversial Artists
Artists you rate inconsistently
| Artist | Ratings |
|---|---|
| Frank Sinatra | 2, 3, 5 |
| Kings of Leon | 3, 2, 5 |
5-Star Albums (144)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
David Bowie
3/5
This list wants me to be a Bowie fan so badly and it’s just not happening.
25 likes
Steely Dan
3/5
One of my favourite things on the internet is a photo of a dog inside someone’s car, and there’s a sign in the window that says “Please don’t break the window. The A/C is on. He has water and is listening to…” and someone photoshopped it to say “Steely Dan.” I don’t know why, but the concept of a dog liking Steely Dan always gives me a chuckle, even though I’ve never listened to Steely Dan before today.
I was excited to get this and finally give see if that dog was onto something. For me, it never rose past generic dad rock. I’m sure it sounded generic because of everything that has come since, but it just wasn’t special enough for me to want to listen to again.
12 likes
Hot Chip
4/5
I was excited about this one after reading Apple Music's little write-up for it. I liked it, but didn't love it. At times I really, really liked it, and at other times, I felt like it was ostentatious hipster trash.
9 likes
Christina Aguilera
4/5
I’ve had this album since it came out (21 years ago, oh god why did I do the math) and I’ve always liked it. Before today, I hadn’t listened to it from start to finish in many years (maybe since 2003). It is excessively long and should have been made into two albums, but I do enjoy the vast majority of the album.
I suspect many reviewers won’t give this a fair chance since Christina was a pop princess back in the day, but this is a solid, heartfelt album with varied influences and honest lyrics.
7 likes
Beastie Boys
4/5
What kind of elder millennial would I be if I didn’t like this album?! I knew several songs already.
5 likes
1-Star Albums (27)
All Ratings
Parliament
3/5
Funk, not really my thing but I didn’t mind listening. Pretty upbeat and fun.
Public Enemy
3/5
I liked it as far as hip hop goes but probably wouldn’t listen again.
Beastie Boys
4/5
What kind of elder millennial would I be if I didn’t like this album?! I knew several songs already.
Arrested Development
4/5
Enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would.
Chicago
2/5
Didn’t really like it, and I thought I would. Too many long ass guitar solos. I did like “I’m a Man.”
Herbie Hancock
4/5
Wasn’t expecting to enjoy this so much. I especially enjoyed “Watermelon Man.”
Pink Floyd
4/5
I had listened to it once before. I like it, but not as much as DSOTM and The Wall.
Primal Scream
1/5
I hated this. It was the most bland, generic rock. The one meagre highlight was “Stuka,” but it’s not going on my highlights playlist because it still sucked. I want these 54 minutes of my life back.
The Jam
2/5
Not my taste, but it was an energetic album from start to finish.
Talking Heads
5/5
Wow! I’ve always meant to listen to the Talking Heads and I’m glad this 1001 album endeavour finally forced me to. This is the first album I’m giving 5/5 because I will definitely listen to it again. When it finished playing, I let it start again. Loved it from start to finish.
Elton John
2/5
I’ve never been a fan of Elton John and this album didn’t change that. Every song sounded like a variation of Tiny Dancer. Thankful this was over in 45min.
Grizzly Bear
3/5
This was delightfully just okay. I’d never heard of this band but somehow I recognized “Two Weeks.” Not sure how. The songs on this album are a little too slow for me, but I did really like “Foreground.”
Led Zeppelin
4/5
Great album! I liked this better than Physical Graffiti and I already knew the more famous songs. “The Battle of Evermore” was a highlight for me. I don’t think I’d listen to it again but I did enjoy it today.
Dexys Midnight Runners
3/5
Kind of reminded me of a lighter, more ska version of The Clash. I liked a couple of songs but probably wouldn’t listen to it again.
The Style Council
3/5
Interesting mix of jazz and new wave…with a random hip hop song mixed in?? Each song was quite different which I appreciated, and it was mostly engaging. “My Ever Changing Moods” was familiar. I enjoyed it but probably wouldn’t listen again.
Buck Owens
4/5
A refreshing change of pace. I don’t listen to a lot of country, but this is the type of country I like (traditional/honky tonk). I thought this was a solid album from start to finish. I’m not sure if I’d listen to it again but I did really like it.
The Pogues
4/5
Boisterous and fun all the way through. I’d never heard of this band or any of their songs, but I enjoyed this album. It did start to feel a little long by the end, probably just because this style of music doesn’t lend itself to a marathon listening session, but I thought every song was strong. Probably wouldn’t listen again but glad I know about this band now. I would see them live if given the chance.
The Allman Brothers Band
3/5
Ehhh…I wanted to like this because I dig this type of music in principle, but the prolonged jamming doesn’t do it for me. The whole thing really dragged for me, and I started to lose my patience. This album is probably something that is better enjoyed live. Technically-speaking however, it’s a great album.
Fleetwood Mac
5/5
This one is an automatic 5 stars since I already listen to it on a regular basis. Not much to say about it that hasn’t been said many times already. Although there are a couple songs I don’t care for (Songbird, Oh Daddy), they’re still good songs.
Gang Starr
3/5
Pretty good… I don’t really like rap, but I did like “Execution of a Chump.” I understand that this album was a pioneer in early rap, but it was kind of repetitive after awhile. Unlikely that I would listen to it again.
Scott Walker
2/5
Wow, I really did not like this. When I saw it was a pop album from 1968, I thought we were golden. Not so much. I’d never heard of Scott Walker and reading through his Wikipedia page, it’s surprising (and maybe embarrassing) that I hadn’t. “Next” was the bright spot for me on this album. I would not choose to listen to this again…as, uh, unique as it was.
Carole King
4/5
Some of the songs on this album are iconic, so I think this album is required listening for any music fan. I probably wouldn’t listen to it again, but I’m glad I finally did listen to it.
Rod Stewart
4/5
Long ago, for some dumb reason, I had decided that I didn’t like Rod Stewart. This was despite not knowing literally any of his music or even knowing what his music sounded like. I don’t know why I came to this conclusion and this album proves that I was an idiot (although I already knew that). This was great, I really enjoyed it. I’m not a big fan of his voice and so that dissuades me from pursuing more Rod Stewart, but I’ll be adding a couple songs from this onto my 1001 highlights playlist.
Alice Cooper
4/5
I was not expecting the “West Side Story meets 1970s hard rock” sound at all. I guess now looking at the album art above this text box, it’s not accidental. I enjoyed this album. Kinda fun listening to “School’s Out” in June, too.
Brian Eno
5/5
I took the advice of the Apple Music writers and put this on in the background while I was getting ready for work. By the time I got into the car, I was hooked. Loved it. I especially liked “The Jezebel Spirit.” It kind of reminds me “Frontier Psychiatrist” by The Avalanches.
System Of A Down
3/5
I appreciate the skill behind this album as it’s undeniable, but I’m not into nu-metal. I don’t mind SOAD but I can only take them in small doses. The one saving grace today is that I took the day off work and thus wasn’t playing this in my car like usual. I might have driven off a cliff if I was trapped in a car with this album.
Pet Shop Boys
4/5
Pet Shop Boys are very much in my musical wheelhouse so I was excited about this album. I’m not sure what it is about PSB, though, because they just don’t do it for me. I listened to a mix of their stuff recently and just didn’t connect with it, much like this album. I feel like they take themselves too seriously or something. I did really like the song “To Face the Truth.” I listened to this a second time and liked it a little more, but was still overall left feeling “meh.”
Elbow
5/5
Going by Apple Music’s description of this being a cross between U2 and Coldplay, I figured I would either love it or hate it. IMHO it’s much more like Coldplay than U2. This album won me over, though. I was thinking it was a strong 4, but by the time I got halfway through, it became a 5. I look forward to listening to this again. I had never heard of this band before so this is a fun surprise.
David Bowie
2/5
Ugh, David Bowie. If there’s an afterlife, I’ll probably be punished for how much I dislike David Bowie. I understand his contribution to music, and I’m sure there are musicians I love who were heavily inspired by Bowie, but no thanks, we can agree to disagree. I don’t understand how his music is so popular, honestly. That cover of “Across the Universe” probably took a year off my life.
Fugazi
1/5
The artistry of this album must be lost on me, because all I heard was noise and yelling. No thanks.
Joan Baez
3/5
This type of music is like balm for my weary soul and made for pleasant listening on my morning commute today. “Wildwood Flower” was the highlight for me. I don’t think I’d listen to this album again but it was nice this morning.
Ray Charles
4/5
This was highly enjoyable. I preferred the first half of this album but the second half was great, too.
2/5
I was not a fan of this. Three overly long songs doth not an album make. I didn’t find the songs interesting or engaging. I didn’t hate it, but I was glad when it was over.
AC/DC
4/5
This album is great. I do think the songs all more or less sound the same, but they’re so good that I don’t really care.
Rush
3/5
This is the third album I’ve been assigned that I had heard before (I’m keeping track for my own sake). I had listened to this as part of my pre-pandemic mission of listening to classic rock albums I was unfamiliar with. I think I enjoyed this a bit more today, compared to the first time I heard it. It’s hard to deny Rush’s talent. I don’t think I’d listen to it on my own but I enjoyed listening again today.
The Damned
3/5
I was completely neutral on this. It never grabbed my attention positively or negatively.
Ramblin' Jack Elliott
3/5
Thanks to the kind person who made a playlist of this album on YouTube, as it was not available on Apple Music in the USA.
This album was kind of amusing and felt very, very American. I don't know what I was expecting, but it wasn't songs about bed bugs, boll weevils, and cocaine.
I felt the same as most other albums on this list: I liked it, but I probably wouldn’t listen again. I had never heard of Ramblin’ Jack Elliott but I can see how and why his music was influential at the time.
The La's
5/5
I really liked this! Every song was different and engaging and just overall pleasant. I didn’t think it was necessarily groundbreaking but I do think it’s really well done for 90s power pop.
On my first listen, I was thinking I would give it a 4, but after listening to twice, I’m giving it a 5 because I plan to keep it on my phone.
Beatles
5/5
Automatic five stars because I own this album. I bought this during a class trip to Ottawa in 2002, I’m pretty sure from the Rideau Centre. These days, I don’t listen to it often but I do still like it. I don’t think there’s one weak song on the album. This is the fourth album that I already knew before today.
Destiny's Child
2/5
Three great singles, followed by 50 minutes of filler, including four minutes of a "thank you" track that ends up coming across as self-congratulatory. The filler wasn't terrible, but I was glad when it was over. I can understand why this album was eventually taken off the list. While it might have been successful at the time, there's nothing influential past track 3.
The Smiths
4/5
For once, I don’t know what to say about an album. I’ve somehow managed to avoid listening to The Smiths in my 36 years, except “How Soon is Now?” (a great song). I expected to like this and I think I did? Maybe? I actually listened to it twice because I couldn’t tell after the first time through.
Tom Waits
3/5
Someone I really admired as a teenager loves this album so I was hyped when I saw it this morning. However, as soon as it started, I knew it wasn’t for me. I appreciate the artistry and especially the lyrics (“I’ll tell you all my secrets, but I lie about my past”) but I cannot get past his voice. Giant deterrent for what is otherwise brilliant stuff. Disappointed.
Billy Bragg
5/5
I really liked this. I thought every song was strong; there wasn’t a single one that I thought stuck out as weak. I would definitely listen to this again.
Beastie Boys
4/5
My first repeat artist…after 43 albums.
I liked this. Having just learned to Licensed to Ill recently, it is obvious their sound had matured in the eight years between that and this. I appreciated the instrumental interludes between the rapping. As much as I like The Beastie Boys, they’re a bit much when it’s track after track. That said, I do prefer the lesser refined sound from Licensed to Ill.
Jimi Hendrix
2/5
Excuse me while I diss this guy.
I’m not a fan of Jimi Hendrix AT ALL. The only reason I’m not giving this a 1 (my “it shouldn’t have been included” rating) is because music critics and time clearly feel otherwise.
Flamin' Groovies
3/5
This was pretty good. I was hoping I would like it more but it landed solidly in the “good but not great” zone for me. I also wasn’t a fan of the production of this album.
5/5
Automatic 5 stars because I already own this album, and it’s one of my favourites. I love Oasis. There’s not a single weak song on this album. This is the fifth album I’ve been assigned that I already knew.
Talking Heads
5/5
Second repeat artist in one week, and I’ve rated fewer than 50 albums total. Interesting how the algorithm works sometimes. That said, the first time I got a Talking Heads album, it was my introduction to the band, and it’s easily the best thing I’ve discovered on this journey thus far. I was pretty happy to see another Talking Heads album this morning. I loved it and will definitely be adding it to my phone. Oh, and thanks to the generator for giving me Fear of Music, My Life in the Bush of Ghosts, and this in their proper chronological order. Nice it worked out like that!
Jane's Addiction
3/5
It’s hard to deny the talent behind this album, I’m just not really a fan of Jane’s Addiction.
Buena Vista Social Club
3/5
Well this was different! I listened to most of this on a summer Saturday with the windows open. This album was made for listening in warm, fresh air…preferably with a drink in hand. I felt whisked away to a tropical place. I probably wouldn’t listen to this again but this was pleasant.
Madonna
3/5
I wasn’t really a fan of this. I was hoping there would be more songs like “Ray of Light” but that song is an outlier. I didn’t hate it but I wouldn’t want to listen again.
Pink Floyd
5/5
Five stars because I already own this and listen to it. What can you even say about an album like this?
Count Basie & His Orchestra
4/5
I listen to these albums on my 6am drives to work and this woke me up! As much as I love yesterday's album, Dark Side of the Moon, it is not 6am driving-to-work music. This is. I enjoyed this a lot.
Jeff Beck
1/5
I disagree that I needed to hear this album before I die. My life was just fine without it. I’m not a fan of Rod Stewart’s voice nor this brand of blues rock.
Pixies
4/5
This was alright. I preferred the back half of the album, starting with “River Euphrates.” I’ve always meant to listen to Pixies so it was good to do that…however, I’m not sure I’d purposely listen to this again. I think I’m going to prefer Doolittle, based on the tracks I know.
Led Zeppelin
3/5
This is the third Led Zeppelin I’ve listened to for the purposes of broadening my horizons and listening to the best of classic rock. Three albums in and I still feel the same: they’re good, but I prefer them as background music.
The Louvin Brothers
5/5
Maybe I’m just in a great mood, but I loved this and would definitely listen to it again. This project is making me realize that old school country is an entire genre I’ve ignored, for shame.
Megadeth
2/5
This is not my taste in music whatsoever.
Frank Sinatra
2/5
I thought I was going to like this, but sadly, I did not. It was too heavy on the vocals and the music felt like more of an after-thought. Too bad.
k.d. lang
3/5
Well…I didn’t hate it? I can’t see myself listening to this again but I didn’t mind it. I enjoyed “I’m Down to my Last Cigarette.” Also, hard to deny how nice her voice is. She reminds of Jewel, but more country. Nice to see more Canadian talent on here.
Rufus Wainwright
3/5
Thom Yorke and Beck had a baby... and it's Rufus Wainwright. I might have liked this album more with a different (IE non-monotone, whiny) singer, but overall it was too slow for my tastes regardless. Wainwright's singing really started to get on my nerves a few songs into this.
Pink Floyd
5/5
My generator algorithm loves Pink Floyd, apparently. I’ve gotten 3 of their 4 included albums, and this is only album #62 today. This is not a complaint. I recently saw Classic Albums Live perform this album, so I didn’t do a full listen again today. I highly recommend going to see CAL if you’re in Canada or the USA. Anyway, this album is amazing and it’s obviously an automatic 5 stars. This is the 7th album the generator has given me that I already knew.
Jimmy Smith
3/5
Can we take a moment to respect the fact that 60-70 years ago, it was totally cool to call your album “The [amazing/ incredible/ magnificent/ unbelievable/ strongly positive adjective] [Name]”? Nowadays, the only person who dares compliment themselves so highly is Kanye West, and we all side eye him a bit for it.
Anyway, I enjoyed this! I like jazz but I find it slips into the background for me after a few minutes. However, whenever my attention was brought back to the music, I liked what I was hearing.
Eric Clapton
2/5
Fuck Eric Clapton.
Norah Jones
3/5
This is one of those albums I’ve always meant to listen to as I remember all the hoopla surrounding it after it came out. As much as I appreciate her talent, ultimately, this album just isn’t my taste. Good to finally listen to it, though!
Blondie
3/5
Hmm I wasn’t really a fan of this, but it was okay.
Malcolm McLaren
5/5
This was very interesting! I listened to this while running errands in my car, over the span of two days. It was fun and engaging to have on. This isn't the type of thing I normally listen to but I enjoyed it. It was so musically dense, I feel like I need to listen to it again at least once.
Black Sabbath
3/5
This was okay. I’m not really into Black Sabbath but it was interesting hearing what they sounded like on their debut album.
Paul McCartney and Wings
2/5
Ugh. Ever since I knew this album was in the book, I have dreaded this day. As big of a Beatles and Paul McCartney fan as I am, I loathe the song "Band on the Run." I loathe it so much that when I saw Sir Paul perform it live, I used the opportunity to use the restroom. I felt similarly about the rest of the album, with a couple songs I didn't mind.
It makes no logical sense for me to dislike this album and yet here we are. I can only assume there is some unhappy childhood memory baked into hearing my parents listen to this. Pro-tip: blaming your parents for your mysterious quirks and shortcomings always works.
Steely Dan
3/5
One of my favourite things on the internet is a photo of a dog inside someone’s car, and there’s a sign in the window that says “Please don’t break the window. The A/C is on. He has water and is listening to…” and someone photoshopped it to say “Steely Dan.” I don’t know why, but the concept of a dog liking Steely Dan always gives me a chuckle, even though I’ve never listened to Steely Dan before today.
I was excited to get this and finally give see if that dog was onto something. For me, it never rose past generic dad rock. I’m sure it sounded generic because of everything that has come since, but it just wasn’t special enough for me to want to listen to again.
Sonic Youth
3/5
This was okay. I didn’t dislike it but none of the songs stood out to me. It was very much a product of its time and I was never a big early 90s grunge fan.
Johnny Cash
4/5
I have a lot of time for Johnny Cash so it was a bummer this album was only 34 minutes long. I appreciated the down-to-earth way he spoke to the prisoners and I’m sure they appreciated it, too. Their excitement during this album is palpable.
Nirvana
3/5
Outside of the singles that I already knew, I didn’t really care for the rest of the songs.
Spiritualized
3/5
If you want to know what Pink Floyd would have sounded like if they started in the 90s instead, listen to this album. It was an interesting journey from start to finish as I had no idea what to expect next. Probably wouldn’t listen again.
Goldie
2/5
Timeless??? I beg to differ. This album sucked the life out of most of my morning… keyword: sucked. There is no earthly reason for the opening track to be 21 minutes long, it could have accomplished the same atmosphere and mood in far less time. Overall, this album was way too long. I would have hated it much less had it not gone on and on and on with mediocre beats and obnoxious singing.
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
4/5
I enjoyed this. I listened to it this morning on my drive to work, thinking about how pleasing it is to the senses. This album is comfy, if that makes sense. I really don’t listen to a lot of jazz so I’m not sure if I’d listen to this again, but it was extremely pleasant today.
Pixies
4/5
Interesting that I got this about a month after Surfer Rosa. I was not expecting to get this album so soon. The randomness of the algorithm continues to amuse me. As I predicted a month ago, I did like this album better. Their sound is a little more developed, a little more cohesive. I already knew three songs. I really like “Here Comes Your Man” (new to me) but has anyone else noticed that it sounds a lot like REM’s “Stand”?
I’m torn about whether I’d keep this on my phone and listen to it again (the difference between 4 and 5 stars for me). I guess however I feel about it tomorrow at 5:30AM will be the answer…
Goldfrapp
3/5
I liked this, but every song started to sound the same after awhile. The only real standout track for me was “Happiness.” I was optimistic about this album at first, but every song felt like it hit the same mood, so I doubt I would listen again. Also not a fan of her breathy singing.
Meh. I didn’t realize that this was Rod Stewart on vocals and I didn’t like it because it sounded too much like Rod Stewart. Is this guy everywhere?! He keeps showing up unannounced and unwanted.
The further I get into this project, the more I realize I’m not a big fan of traditional rock, or blues… or rock with blues in their mouths, and when they rock, they shoot blues at you.
Tom Waits
1/5
This is the second Tom Waits album I’ve been assigned. Again, I cannot get past the gravelly voice. I liked this even album less than Rain Dogs. Not much to say other than I was basically clenching my teeth to get through this.
Khaled
3/5
See, this is what I love about this project (or this journey, if you prefer). There is no way in hell I would have heard of Khaled, much less this album, had I not embarked on this generator life. If you keep an open mind, you can be rewarded with interesting, worldly music like this.
I enjoyed listening to this. It seemed like it pulled from all sorts of different genres and it felt upbeat and positive. I can’t say I would listen to this again (especially as it’s not on Apple Music), but I’m in a better mood having listened to this.
JAY Z
2/5
While I’m sure this album deserves its place on this list, I’m not into rap and this album didn’t change that. Out of all the rappers around, Jay-Z is probably the most tolerable to my ears but diss tracks and bragging aren’t my jam.
Cypress Hill
3/5
I expected to dislike this, but was pleasantly surprised. I wouldn’t listen to it again, but it was alright.
Tim Buckley
3/5
While no particular song stood out to me, I liked this. It was fun and upbeat. I preferred the music more than the singing. The singing was...a lot at times.
Did his singing remind anyone else of Shakira? At times, it was so uncanny that it was distracting.
Dennis Wilson
3/5
I feel like I should have a lot to say about this album but I don’t really. I could easily hear the Beach Boys’ influence in this album. As a fan of the Beach Boys, I liked it for that. I did enjoy this album in general but doubtful I would listen again. River Song was nice.
The Sonics
3/5
I’m not sure I agree on the inclusion of this album except for as an early garage band prototype. This music is up my alley but I thought other bands have done the covers better (namely, the Beatles). The original songs were forgettable. Overall, this was okay and I didn’t mind it.
Kacey Musgraves
5/5
Automatic five stars since I own this album and have listened to it many times. I adore this album. This is the ninth album I’ve already heard (just released I had miscounted earlier, ugh).
I was a little late to this album as I only discovered Kacey Musgraves in late 2018. Someone had added “Oh, What a World” onto a shared playlist I was on, and it was love at first listen. I’ve been a big fan of ever since.
Aretha Franklin
4/5
I liked this. What do you even say about an album that has “Respect” on it? I don’t think I’d listen to this album again, but I enjoyed it all the same.
Joan Armatrading
3/5
I was surprised to read that this album came out in the 70s. To me it sounded like it was from the 90s, plucked from a Lilith Fair lineup. I listened more closely after learning of my error. It reminded me a lot of Tracy Chapman also. While I appreciate her talent and enjoyed the album, it’s doubtful I would listen to this again.
New Order
3/5
It’s tragic I didn’t really care for this, because theoretically I should love it. I love 80s new wave synth music and yet I never engaged meaningfully with this album. I’m open to giving it another chance but I found it boring on the first listen.
The Clash
3/5
I like the Clash and it was good to hear their first album. I prefer London Calling but it’s worthwhile hearing this album, too.
Super Furry Animals
3/5
This was okay. It felt very 90s to me. Based on the description, I expected to like it, but I didn’t really care for it.
The Mamas & The Papas
5/5
I've long been a fan of the The Mamas and the Papas. My parents were fans so I grew up listening to them, and eventually became a fan in my own right. That said, I've only ever owned a greatest hits album, so a few of these songs were new to me. I was familiar with other bands' versions of "You Baby" and "Do You Wanna Dance," so it was fun to hear their take on them.
It’s actually mind-blowing to me that this was their debut album. They weren’t new to making music, but it’s still crazy that they were this good from the start.
The Stooges
4/5
I liked this! Also, I had no idea they started in the greatest city of all time (but I might be biased since I live in that city). I did find the songs a bit repetitive but imagining how this would have sounded when it was released was satisfying.
The Smashing Pumpkins
4/5
Good to finally listen to this all the way through! I’ve been a fan of the Smashing Pumpkins forever, but mainly just their singles. I’ve even seen them live twice without ever having listened to a whole album of theirs. Oops? Anyway, outside of the hits I already knew, I actually wasn’t super interested in the rest of it. Oops?
Gorillaz
4/5
I’ve owned this album forever but I have to admit, I don’t love the entire thing. There’s about six songs I really, really like (“Tomorrow Comes Today” is legitimately one of my favourite songs) but the rest of it, I could take or leave.
Wilco
3/5
I was excited about this, after really liking Wilco’s contribution to Mermaid Avenue. This was alright! I wasn’t blown away, though. It kind of sounded like generic indie pop-rock to me.
Primal Scream
2/5
Primal Scream is by far the worst thing I’ve had to subject myself to during this journey. That said, this wasn’t as awful as Vanishing Point, but it’s not much better. The first half of the album was better. I didn’t even mind some of the songs. But by the second half, they were wearing out their welcome and it dragged. Please tell me this is the last Primal Scream album I’ll have to listen to? I cannot understand what anyone sees in this music.
The highlight of this album is the cute little sun/plankton blob thing on the cover art.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
3/5
This was alright. I’ve never listened to Elvis Costello before so I was eager to get in my car and start listening. It felt somewhat repetitive to me but I didn’t hate it. I just can’t see myself listening to it again. Not a big fan of his voice. The only standout track for me was "Moods for Moderns," and I think that’s because it reminded me of Talking Heads.
John Martyn
4/5
I liked these chill vibes. Really pleasant for driving around and doing housework, which is what I was doing as I listened to this. Probably wouldn’t listen again but I liked this.
Fairport Convention
4/5
I liked this! I’ve never heard of this band before but this was really pleasant.
Machito
4/5
I liked this a lot! I think I'm starting to become a fan of jazz. I would consider listening to this again because it was so fun. If the rating system allowed for half stars, I'd give this 4.5 stars.
Arcade Fire
3/5
While I would consider myself a fan of their album Funeral, I never listened to Arcade Fire after that. This was okay. I'm not really into Win's singing style, and the recent allegations of sexual misconduct made it hard to WANT to listen to this. I try to like things as I listen to them, but I couldn't do that today.
2/5
I can only stand Bob Dylan in small doses, and this was one longgggg dose. There were a couple songs I didn’t mind, but overall, I was waiting for this to end.
Grateful Dead
3/5
This was alright! I've never listened to Grateful Dead before, and this album wasn't what I was expecting; it was much lighter. I do like this brand of light acoustic rock with folk and country influences. A couple songs towards the end caught my attention but overall, I found this to be kind of bland and forgettable.
Koffi Olomide
3/5
I liked this! I probably wouldn’t listen again but I enjoyed the uptempo, positive beats.
John Grant
1/5
I had never heard of John Grant before today. After doing some reading of his Wikipedia page, I am sympathetic to his difficult life. However, I hate his music. The goofy lyrics were a huge turnoff and every song sounded the same to me. I got to the last track and had to shut it off. It’s a miracle I even made it that far.
Pentangle
4/5
This type of thing is definitely my jam. I'm surprised I hadn't heard of this band already. I found this album really pleasant to listen to.
Steely Dan
3/5
I didn't really care for Pretzel Logic so it wasn't without some trepidation that I hit play on this album. However, I was pleasantly surprised. I liked this a lot better, but I'm still a little confused why Steely Dan is so popular. I liked "Bodhisattva" quite a bit.
Radiohead
4/5
While I like Radiohead, I haven't listened to a ton of their stuff. I've mostly only ever been a fan of Kid A, and the singles from OK Computer. I was aware of this album but hadn't listened to it.
I liked it a lot! I don't think I'd add it into my regular rotation of music, but if a Radiohead mood struck, I wouldn't hesitate to listen to this again.
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five
4/5
This one surprised me! I really didn’t expect to like this so much because I’m not usually a fan of hip-hop. That said, I preferred the first couple songs and the last couple songs; the stuff in the middle wasn’t my thing.
Wilco
3/5
I just had a Wilco album two weeks ago, so the memory of the other one was still fresh. I think I liked this one better, or maybe I’m just getting more familiar with their sound.
Magazine
3/5
I wanted to like this. I like post-punk and I like what was going on with music in general in the late 70s, but this album just didn’t do anything for me. I didn’t dislike it but I wasn’t particularly into it, either.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
2/5
Unfortunately I knew as soon as this started that I was not going to enjoy it, and I was mostly correct. One song saved this from being 1 star for me: “There She Goes, My Beautiful World” and to a lesser extent, “Nature Boy.” The rest of it was not my taste.
Green Day
5/5
God it’s nice to get an album you’re already familiar with and that you whole-heartedly agree should be on the list.
Frank Sinatra
3/5
Sinatra is alright to my ears. This album went by very fast. I had it on the background and it was kind of hard to tell the songs apart, they all kind of blurred into each other. It was pleasant but I wouldn’t listen to it again.
The Smiths
4/5
I liked this...maybe more than The Queen is Dead? I dig the 80s-ness of The Smiths.
Randy Newman
2/5
This is definitely not something I would have listened to on my own, so I appreciated it for that. It wasn’t really my taste, though.
Suede
2/5
At first, I thought this sounded like an interesting cross between Oasis and U2, but it quickly devolved in boring drivel. I doubt this album would be included if the book wasn't written by Brits.
Richard Hawley
4/5
This was super pleasant to listen to. Hard to believe it’s from 2005, it sounded decades older.
The Zombies
4/5
This was pretty good! I was surprised I wasn’t more familiar with this band, but I only knew “Time of the Season.” I would listen to this again.
Hawkwind
2/5
This was briefly engaging in spurts but overall, not my thing. Literally needed to take ibuprofen towards the end.
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
A few years ago, before I knew about Dimery’s list or this website, I made my own list of classic albums I’d never listened to. Born to Run was on my list and in fact, was the very first one I listened to. I didn’t use star ratings but it looks like I probably would have given it a 3.
After hearing it again today, 3 is about right.
Public Enemy
4/5
Take a drink every time you hear “yeahhhh boiiiiii!!” Just make sure you update your will first.
Ice Cube
2/5
It was okay but the misogyny was too much for me. I’m docking a star because it’s the only power I have over this 32 year old album.
Bee Gees
3/5
To me, this just sounded like a subpar Beatles/John Lennon knockoff, about 5 years too late. I wasn't a fan.
Bonnie Raitt
3/5
I didn't mind this! This is not the type of thing I normally listen to, so I always appreciate hearing something different. Some of the songs were pretty catchy.
Elvis Presley
4/5
My late father was a big fan of Elvis, so it was nice to be reminded of Dad today. I wonder what he would have said about this album.
I knew two songs from this album. I’m not a big Elvis person and I think this was the first time I’d ever deliberately listened to him. Elvis is one of those cultural things that I feel like you don’t need to even have an opinion on. He’s his own thing entirely.
The Human League
5/5
Pre-listening thought: YES, I’ve been excited to get this.
Post-listening thought: HELL YEAH!
Doves
4/5
Every time I get another album from a British band I’ve never heard of, I groan a little bit. However, this album surprised me. I would listen to this again.
Nine Inch Nails
4/5
The word that kept popping into my head as I listened to was “visceral.” This is an album I’ve always meant to listen to and it didn’t disappoint.
Kelela
3/5
I liked this a lot more than I thought I would. I'm generally not a fan of R&B, but as I listened to this, I realized it must be because I'm burnt out on late 90s/early 2000s R&B. The complete lack of male rappers interjecting with an unnecessary rap verse was refreshing.
Coming in at 54 minutes, it did start to drag a bit for me in the last 15 minutes or so. Overall, this album has good vibes and I liked the production.
Sigur Rós
2/5
I knew nothing about Sigur Rós going into this. I knew the name but not that it was a band. It was nice to go into an album with zero pre-conceived notions.
However, I only ask for two things in music: songs to be <5min, and a discernible beat. This album is too avant garde for either. I’m not saying it’s bad, but it’s certainly not for me.
A Tribe Called Quest
3/5
I can appreciate this album but I’m pretty picky about hip hop.
The Undertones
3/5
I’d never heard of this band but they do very much sound like contemporaries of The Clash and Ramones. Probably wouldn’t listen again but I enjoyed it all the same.
Nitin Sawhney
3/5
I really liked the concept of this. Electronic music with anything is my jam. However, I didn’t like the female vocalist’s voice at all and this album sounded very dated. I didn’t even need to look at the album info to know it was from the late 90s.
Interesting fusion of music, but I was glad when it was over.
Killing Joke
3/5
I didn’t mind this. I didn’t feel like it dragged at all but I preferred the instrumental songs. I doubt I would listen to this again but it was alright.
T. Rex
4/5
I liked this! I've always loved "Bang a Gong (Get it On)," so it was nice having a whole album of similar songs.
Little Simz
2/5
I’m happy to see some female rappers make the list, but as I’m not a fan of rap, that’s where my admiration ended.
Buffalo Springfield
4/5
This is definitely up my alley, musically. I listened to this about 1.5 times through and very much enjoyed it.
Paul Simon
5/5
As a big fan of Simon & Garfunkel, and of the song “You Can Call Me Al,” it’s a shame I had never listened to this album before.
Patti Smith
4/5
Somehow I'd never listened to Patti Smith before. I don't know if I'd listen to this again but I did enjoy it. "Gloria" was the standout track for me.
The Shamen
3/5
Electronic is my favourite genre of music (well, EDM, precisely), but I wasn’t really feeling this album. I didn’t hate it but it felt detached and emotionless.
Laibach
3/5
Hmmm. I did appreciate that this album sounded unique, I’ve never heard anything like it. I generally don’t mind this type of thing, but the growling voice was a turnoff.
I was stuck in stop-and-go traffic during “Herz-Felde,” and I don’t recommend repeating the experience.
Dusty Springfield
3/5
Not really my taste, but still enjoyable. “Son of a Preacher Man” was the only song I recognized. I was surprised to learn it’s not a Motown song.
Blur
3/5
Unfortunately I read some negative reviews of this album before I listened to it, and I was unable to listen to this impartially. Why do I keep doing that to myself? But like…this was Oasis’ main rival? They’re so dissimilar and Blur isn’t nearly as good. I definitely prefer Damon Albarn as Gorillaz.
Leftfield
3/5
The singing on this album brought this from a 4 to a 3 for me. Without the singing, this album has held up surprisingly well. While I can tell it’s mid-90s electronica (a pretty defined sound), I thought it only barely sounded dated. I wouldn’t listen to this again but not bad. Not bad at all.
4/5
I've always had a soft spot for Limp Bizkit. In the 90s, my older brother sent me on a mall mission to find their debut album. Every CD store employee looked at me like I was speaking gibberish (I guess I kind of was...limp biscuit, three dollar bill???).
A year or two later when they were massively famous, I thought Fred Durst was the coolest dude ever. I even wanted to buy the same red Yankees cap he always wore. It's fortunate I never did...I was a 14 year old, white, middle class girl from southern Ontario and I'm pretty sure I would have looked ridiculous. But damn it, in my heart of hearts, I really thought I was a badass.
I never, ever listen to Limp Bizkit anymore but I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy this trip down memory lane.
Tricky
3/5
I feel like I have been neck deep in mediocre albums lately, with only a few exceptions. This was another such album. Granted, I didn’t mind this too much, but it was completely forgettable to me.
Do I need to sacrifice an electric guitar or a server to the generator to turn this ship around?
Sugar
2/5
This sounds like a forgettable example from an era of much better grunge/indie rock. Not my thing, too generic sounding.
Jethro Tull
3/5
I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. There were a couple songs that really stood out, although I can't remember which ones. Surprisingly delightful. Probably really a 3.5/5.
Eagles
2/5
I expected to hate this, given that I hate “Hotel California.” I didn’t hate it but I never want to listen to it again.
Steely Dan
2/5
Well, after three Steely Dan albums so far, I think I can say with some level of confidence that it’s just not my taste. I did like “Peg,” though!
Derek & The Dominos
3/5
Perfectly good background music for when you want to HEAR classic rock but you don't really want to LISTEN to classic rock.
But also, obligatory fuck Eric Clapton.
Incubus
3/5
I remember when the singles from this were pretty popular. I never really cared for Incubus at the time; however, today I found myself glad when those familiar songs came on.
Given that I like the singles, perhaps if I exposed myself to this album a few times, it would grow on me. I'm not really interested in doing that, so this album lands as a solid 3.5 for me.
Fatboy Slim
5/5
Yes, yes, yes, hell yes. Finally some EDM. I already knew several songs from this album as my brother had this CD growing up, and I know I covertly borrowed it at least once. Forgot all about The Rockefeller Skank so that was a fun surprise.
Tina Turner
3/5
This wasn’t something I’d listen to again as it’s a bit grandiose for my taste, but damn, girl!
Deee-Lite
4/5
I liked this a lot! I love dance music and am not picky about it, but I do particularly love early 90s dance like this. How great is "What is Love"?! If you told me it was recorded yesterday, I'd believe it.
I don't love Lady Miss Kier's voice, so this album drops from a 5 to a 4.5 for me.
Sly & The Family Stone
3/5
This is not a genre I typically listen to but this was pretty good!
Alice Cooper
3/5
You know, I didn’t think I was going to like this, but I did. I don’t think I’d listen to it again, but I enjoyed it. It lasted the exact amount of time it took me to do dishes and wipe the counters. I love when that happens. I thought the album was pretty consistently good, but they lost me on that “I Love the Dead” song.
Common
1/5
Did I really just hear this dude repeatedly slapping a woman?
Fever Ray
2/5
Hmm what to say about this one? It suffered from a common problem I’ve had with the albums on this list: it would be better either instrumental or with a different vocalist. The music was good, the singing was a turnoff.
I like electronic music and I like some avant-garde music…but in not this combination of it. Reminded me a lot of Sigur Ros which I wasn’t a fan of.
The Who
3/5
Every time I listen to The Who, I’m like man, I need to listen to more of these guys. I started out feeling that way with this, but it ran excessively long and I’m not into long, live jam sessions (or live albums in general). Good stuff regardless but I wouldn’t listen to this album specifically again.
Iron Maiden
2/5
I’m not into metal whatsoever so this was a bit of a challenging listen for me. I didn’t hate it but it did nothing for me. I can understand why it’s on the list, though.
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
2/5
This was okay. It kind of sounded like a blend of other stuff to me; nothing really stood out as unique about it.
Whoever decided on the album title has clearly never gotten food poisoning from dairy.
Manu Chao
3/5
I liked this! I liked what another reviewer said about how it was respectful of the culture while still being accessible. I have mad respect for anyone who performs music in multiple languages. “Bongo Bong” was the highlight for me.
Underworld
2/5
This veered a little too much into DnB for me to enjoy it, and I cannot with the super long songs. I didn’t mind “Banstyle / Sappys Curry” but I’m not sure I’d even add it to my highlights playlist.
The Chemical Brothers
4/5
Wow, so much 90s electronica lately. I like The Chemical Brothers a lot so today was easy listening for me.
Ministry
1/5
God, I hated this. The one brief respite from my unrelenting hatred was “Scare Crow.” I’d give this 1.5 but I’m rounding down.
Bob Dylan
3/5
I liked this better than that live album of his I got awhile ago. The pace of this was much snappier and it was more listenable. I’m still kind of ambivalent about Bob Dylan, though.
Deerhunter
5/5
At the time of writing this, I haven’t finished listening, but what I’ve heard so far makes this an easy 5.
Missy Elliott
3/5
I'm not really a fan of this genre but I'm giving this a three because the album was ahead of its time. I didn't actually care for most of the songs but "The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)" was great.
Elvis Presley
5/5
Easy five stars for the King of Rock and Roll. Late 50s/early 60s rock and roll is one of my favourite genres so this album was a delight for me. "Make Me Know It" was love at first listen for me.
MGMT
3/5
This was okay. I didn’t care for it the first listen through, but went back and gave each song another preview, and liked it a little more.
The Incredible String Band
3/5
I do like folk music and so I didn't hate this, but the songs mostly sounded the same to me, which got boring. Also, can we please not with 12 minute songs?
Astrud Gilberto
3/5
Apple Music clocked this simply as samba, but it’s actually bossa nova, which I like far less. Not bad overall but most of the songs sounded too similar to each other. The song with (what I assume was) her son was cute.
Johnny Cash
3/5
I consider myself a fan of Johnny Cash, but I didn't really care for this album. Perhaps an unpopular opinion, but I don't love his voice in his later years. I also don't care for covers but I didn't mind Personal Jesus. Meh?
The Rolling Stones
4/5
Today was my second time listening to this. I listened to it previously when I was trying to familiarize myself with famous classic rock albums.
I don’t even know what to say about an album like this. It absolutely should be on this list. I don’t love all the songs but I think it’s a strong album.
Johnny Cash
4/5
I just had a Johnny Cash album two days ago, so it was a surprise to see another one. The algorithm strikes again.
Anyway, this album is classic. I generally don’t like live albums but this might be one of very few exceptions. With the inmates’ laughter and cheers, announcements from the PA, Johnny’s accidentally laugher all come together to create an atmosphere that you can’t help but imagine yourself there.
The Temptations
3/5
This isn't a genre I normally like, but this was pretty good! I even thought "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" was the best song and I typically hate songs >5min.
Pet Shop Boys
5/5
Did I love this? Or am I just so used to listening to stuff I don't care for that anything I actually like, I feel very enthusiastic about? Either way, this was a fun listen. I've been ambivalent towards the Pet Shop Boys in the past but I dig them doing 90s pop.
If anyone reading this likes this album and wants to hear something similar, this reminded me a lot of Sparks' album Gratuitous Sax & Senseless Violins. Go for the deluxe 3hr edition as it has all the best songs within the bonus tracks section.
Lightning Bolt
3/5
Respectfully, this sounded like one long song. I didn’t hate it but I couldn’t get into it.
Lou Reed
3/5
I’ve never been a big fan of Lou Reed’s voice but otherwise, I liked this. I probably need to devote some time listening to him and The Velvet Underground since both are so influential and I know basically nothing about them.
The Specials
3/5
I'm kind of ambivalent to ska. I like it in small doses but a whole album gets grating. The Wikipedia article for this album is worth reading as I had no idea ska originated in 1950s Jamaica, nor that some of these songs were covers from older ska bands. I wouldn't listen to this again but it was okay.
Joni Mitchell
2/5
I feel somewhat ashamed that I didn't really care for this. It's not that I think it's bad, it's just not something I could get into. This project has made me realize that I don't care for minimalistic music that focuses heavily on vocals. I need a backing band. With a heavy dose of guilt, I can only give this a 2 since I was glad when it was over.
The Police
4/5
I have listened to this album before. It’s probably not something I’d listen to regularly, but every now and then it’s great.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
2/5
Again, not a fan. However, I think if I was exposed to NC&TBS more, I might learn to like them. For now, meh.
The Byrds
4/5
Sixties classic. This album is strong, concise, and consistent. Teenaged, classic-rock-loving me would have gone apeshit for this album. Definitely deserves to be on the list.
Arcade Fire
4/5
Great album. I’ve owned it for a long time although I rarely listen to it. “Haiti” would find itself on a list of my favourite songs ever.
A Tribe Called Quest
3/5
This was okay but this project hasn't changed my pickiness with hip hop. I don't think this was bad, it's just not my thing. I did really enjoy, "What?"
Tito Puente
5/5
It was a fuckin’ party in my car this morning at 6am with this playing, let me tell you. I have been digging this style of music lately and it’s like the algorithm read my mind.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
1/5
Neil, from a fellow Canadian…sorry eh, but yeah, no. I almost didn’t make it through this whole album.
Emmylou Harris
3/5
I didn’t mind this. Good tunes and good voice. I wouldn’t listen again but it was okay!
Creedence Clearwater Revival
5/5
Hit after hit after hit. Legendary.
LCD Soundsystem
5/5
The year is 2007. It's summer. I also just turned 21, and had just started my first “grown up” job. I had said “nah” to society’s expectation that I go to college, and went to the arctic instead. You could either find me at work, the Legion, or outside on the tundra in front of a bonfire. It was a glorious summer spent with friends outside, making memories, and listening to music. All the music I listened to that summer still gets me hyped for a fun summer evening spent under the midnight sun with friends, nothing but life and years in front of us.
Except I wasn’t listening to this album, because I was dumb.
What a mistake.
Siouxsie And The Banshees
3/5
This was just okay. Theoretically I should have liked it more but it sounded too repetitive to me. As I was listening, I could understand how it could be influential to modern musicians. I also think I might like it more if I listened to it a few times. I had never listened to this band before so it was nice to give them a chance.
Mercury Rev
1/5
I really didn’t like this. The singing was terrible. I can’t believe this drivel is on this list.
Wu-Tang Clan
2/5
I didn't hate it but rap does nothing for me.
LL Cool J
3/5
I didn’t mind this! I probably wouldn’t listen to it again but for a genre I dislike, it was pretty good.
Run-D.M.C.
4/5
I’m pretty picky about rap and hip hop but Run-DMC is one of a handful I do actually like.
3/5
I’ve been greatly anticipating the day I got another Bowie album. You see, I’m not a fan of David Bowie. I never “got” Bowie. When Moonage Daydream came out a few months ago, I enthusiastically sat through it, hoping to learn enough about David Bowie that I could start to appreciate his music. I came away from the movie with a lot of respect for him as an artist, and looked forward to the generator giving me another Bowie album, so I could listen with fresh ears. I have listened to this album before and I hadn’t really cared for it.
Sadly, I still don’t really care for it. I fully realize there is probably something wrong with me. I wish I did like him, but I just don’t.
Ash
2/5
Boring, forgettable 90s rock.
Fats Domino
5/5
I had to cobble this together from compilations as the album is not available on Apple Music, but I loved it regardless. I never get tired of 50s rock and roll.
Ghostface Killah
3/5
So much rap and hip hop lately. This was better and more creative than I expected it to be. I didn’t hate it but I can’t say I’d listen to it again.
Stevie Wonder
4/5
I had never purposely listened to Stevie Wonder before. This was really good!
Frankie Goes To Hollywood
4/5
Pretty decent but it all kind of blurs together. There’s a very consistent sound throughout the album (including the covers) so if you don’t like “Relax,” you probably won’t like the album. Dance music is my favourite genre so I enjoyed it for that, but I probably wouldn’t come back to any song other than “Relax” (which of course I already knew).
Massive Attack
2/5
Boring drivel. I don’t think I needed to hear this before I died.
Beatles
5/5
This is probably my favourite album of all time. I still remember listening to it for the first time when I was 14 on a Walkman in my room. All I had were bootleg tape cassettes my parents probably recorded from someone’s CD. I don’t know what 14 year olds are like now, but liking the Beatles did my already low popularity no favours in the year 2000. I didn’t care, I knew I had found my jam. For the next few years (basically all of high school), I used all my birthday and Christmas money on acquiring every Beatles album. The White Album was one of the first (if not the first) album I purchased, with my first paycheque from corn detasseling. I bought this CD and a pair of baby blue Modrobes (what up Canadians?!).
Anyway, despite being my favourite album, there are a couple songs I don’t really care for, those being “Julia” and “Good Night.” I think they have their place on the album, I’m just not into slow, sappy songs.
Beatles
5/5
Two Beatles albums in a row, what are the odds?
Another easy five stars since I own and listen to this already.
David Bowie
4/5
What the fuck? A David Bowie album I actually liked? Thanks to Brian Eno, no doubt. Having just suffered through Ziggy Stardust last week, I’m shocked I actually liked this. I did prefer the first seven songs much more, though. Everything after A New Career in Town was a bit too Bowie-esque for my likings, but wow. What an interesting start to my day. Huh, what do you know. Me, liking Bowie. A Christmas miracle?
5/5
Legendary album. No complaints from me.
Violent Femmes
3/5
Surprised to see this album came out in 1983; it sounds like a 90s album to me. I'd never listened to Violent Femmes before, except for Blister in the Sun. This isn't a style I typically listen to but I found it likeable for its unusually upbeat rawness.
If there were half stars, I’d give this 3.5.
The Beach Boys
3/5
I’ve never listened to later Beach Boys. I can’t say I’ll be returning to it willingly.
Various Artists
4/5
This was really nice to listen to yesterday on Christmas. I was familiar with the majority of the songs.
The Doors
4/5
Classic album. I don’t have a lot to say about this but I’ve always liked The Doors so this was an enjoyable listen. Probably more like 4.5 stars.
R.E.M.
5/5
Love me some REM.
Lambchop
3/5
Hmm this was an interesting album. I had no idea what to expect based on how Wikipedia described the genres. I feel like I’d like it more if I listened to it a few more times. It wasn’t bad but I also wasn’t enamoured by it. I liked Up With People the most.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
3/5
You know, I didn’t think I was going to enjoy this at all. I don’t care for reggae but I found this accessible and palatable.
The Mars Volta
2/5
Well, I can say with much confidence that this is not a genre I enjoy. Part of my distaste for this type of music is that it felt like it like I couldn’t escape having to hear it constantly in the early 2000s.
I didn’t hate this but I was glad when it was over.
Suede
3/5
I expected to dislike this, since I have Dog Man Star a 2. However, I was pleasantly surprised. They sound like a less interesting version of The Smiths to me, but I didn’t mind it!
Talk Talk
3/5
I’m a bit bummed this wasn’t the album with “It’s My Life” on it, but this was pretty good!
Crosby, Stills & Nash
3/5
Not bad, pretty pleasant. I've been wanting to try out CS&N so it was good to do that today. No single song stood out to me and ultimately, this whole thing kind of blurred into one long song. I probably wouldn't listen to it again but it was fine nonetheless.
John Prine
3/5
Not bad! I like old folk country like this. My tolerance level for it wanes after about 30 minutes so this felt like it ran a little long. Overall, I liked it.
Janelle Monáe
5/5
Whoa, I was not expecting this album. I went into it expecting some kind of cookie cutter music I would quickly forget about. I’d heard of Janelle Monáe but didn’t know her music.
Listening to this album for me was the experience that I think we all hope for from this challenge. It wasn’t on my radar before but I couldn’t believe how good it was.
This album borrows from many genres and inspirations. I couldn’t believe how good every track was, and how diverse this album was, while still maintaining a cohesive sound.
Overall, I am very impressed with this and will be revisiting this album.
The Verve
3/5
U2 + Oasis = The Verve
The Stooges
3/5
Not bad! I didn’t like this as much as I thought I would, but I didn’t mind it.
k.d. lang
3/5
I didn’t like this one as much as Shadowland. This sort of 90s countrylite isn’t really my scene, but I can understand why others would like it. She has a great voice.
2/5
Basically, upbeat Brazilian muzak.
I want to say that I found this interesting, but truthfully, it was kind of boring. I'm glad I listened to it but I have no plans to listen to it again.
Iggy Pop
4/5
I had never listened to Iggy Pop on his own before (aside from “The Passenger”). I liked this! Realistically I’m not sure how often I’d return to it, but it’s something to keep in the mind for the future.
Mott The Hoople
3/5
This was okay. I’d never heard of Mott before. Stereotypical 70s glam rock. Didn’t hate but I also can’t really say I enjoyed it? Maybe really a 2.5? I’ll round up to be generous since there were a couple songs that were okay.
T. Rex
2/5
Holy cow, third album this week produced by Bowie. I can tell, because this past week has been a lot of "meh” for me.
Steve Winwood
3/5
This was alright. I kinda dig the 80s bluesy pop synth vibes. Probably not something I’d return to.
Eurythmics
3/5
Hot take: it’s like they knew “Sweet Dreams” would be a hit so they didn’t put as much effort into the rest of the songs. There was nothing really memorable about any of the other tracks. They all stand in the tall shadow of “Sweet Dreams.” My older coworker, an 80s music aficionado, disagrees with me about the album, so maybe you had to be there to appreciate it.
Billy Bragg
4/5
I’d been looking forward to this album since I really liked Mermaid Avenue. I have a lot of respect for Billy Bragg. I’m not sure I’ll return to this album but I enjoyed it all the same.
Fleetwood Mac
4/5
This does feel like the spiritual successor to Rumours. It feels more grown up, less angry. This one needs a few listens through in order to fully appreciate it.
Bob Dylan
3/5
This was the most tolerable I’ve heard Bob Dylan’s voice. I probably should have listened to the words more but the music was okay, if not repetitive.
Heaven 17
4/5
I really liked this!! I love 80s synth pop and this is about as 80s synth pop as you can get. Bummer the BBC banned their single, thus inhibiting the success of this album.
This is probably a 4.5 for me.
Belle & Sebastian
4/5
Here's me again, disagreeing with how Apple Music labelled the genre on this. It remains to be seen why that bugs me so much.
I'm surprised this came out in 1996 as it sounds like early 2000s indie singer-songwriter. I'm shocked, SHOCKED that nothing from this album is on the Garden State soundtrack. If you liked this album, you'll love that soundtrack.
Anyway, I really liked this. Singer-songwriter is hit or miss for me, and this album was a bit of both. I preferred the peppier songs; not so much the slower ones. I'll be saving a few songs to my 1001 Highlights playlist.
Abdullah Ibrahim
4/5
This wasn’t available on Apple Music in the USA, but I found it on YouTube (minus one song which wasn’t available).
This was good, I liked this. Being forced to listen to jazz has made me appreciate it more. Overall, this was a really pleasant, serene album.
Lynyrd Skynyrd
5/5
Wow. I'd never listened to this album before, outside the of three hits. I have nothing bad to say about this album at all. It's perfect.
The Fall
3/5
This was kind of dreary, but then sometimes very likeable. I waffled between 3 and a 4 for this.
Q-Tip
3/5
I’m not into hip hop and rap but I have to say, this was pretty likeable. I think I understand why it’s on the list. I probably wouldn’t listen to it again, but I didn’t mind it!
Badly Drawn Boy
3/5
This sounds like the kind of thing my friends would have gone apeshit for in our 20s, while I was scratching my head and wondering what was special about it.
Peter Tosh
4/5
This is the second reggae album I've gotten so far; both within this past month. I always thought I didn't care for reggae but I realize now that's not true. It's super pleasant listening and peaceful, in a way. It feels neither rushed nor slow, it just does its thing on its own time. I'll be saving a few of these songs for my 1001 Highlights playlist.
Neil Young
3/5
I won't lie, I rolled my eyes when I saw I got another Neil Young album. However, I was pleasantly surprised that it didn't make me want to pack my ear canals with cement. It was actually kind of nice and I didn't mind it.
Britney Spears
4/5
Listen, I was a 12 year old girl when this album came out. Let's not pretend I wasn't into this. I never owned this CD but I am familiar with a third of the tracks.
I think there are too many schmaltzy filler songs, but otherwise, there are some great songs here.
Gonna forward this review to myheart@britneyspears.com because she asked me to.
Bruce Springsteen
5/5
I first listened to this album a few years ago, and felt neutral about it. In the years since that first listen, I’ve become a naturalized US citizen. Maybe there’s something in the water but I loved it this time. I can’t find it in me to give this anything less than 5. It’s too good. “I’m On Fire” has been one of my favourite songs for years and this album deserves a 5 based on that alone. Who knew becoming a US citizen was all it took to have an appreciation for The Boss?
Animal Collective
4/5
This is definitely up my alley. It reminds me of a watered-down version of Django Django combined with The Beach Boys. Seeing as those are two of my favourite bands, I was very excited during the first song.
But then the second song sounded like the first song. And the third song sounded like the second song. And the fourth song sounded like the third song. And so on and so forth. I really like it...but it's too repetitive. I'm going to listen to this a few more times to see if the tracks become more discrete over time because I can see myself really loving this.
Joni Mitchell
3/5
This was a nice album. I don't have anything bad to say about it, it's just not really my thing. Great voice, though!
George Harrison
3/5
Really good stuff here, just longgggggg. Love the Beatles, love the individual members, but probably wouldn’t return to this album.
The Divine Comedy
1/5
Scott Walker is bad enough, but I draw the line at wannabe Scott Walker.
Garbage
4/5
I hadn’t listened to this album in ages. I like it a lot. It’s not a favourite of mine but there are several standout tracks here. Truly an excellent example of 90s angst rock.
Lenny Kravitz
3/5
Not bad! Not really my taste in music but it was decent. I liked "Mr. Cab Driver" the most. I wasn't aware of Lenny Kravitz until the late 90s so I always forget he was around earlier.
I appreciate the blend of genres here and respect him doing something so different from what other musicians were doing at this time. This album is kind of timeless in that way; there's nothing inherently 80s about it (to my ears, anyway).
Probably more of a 3.5
Bob Dylan
3/5
This is the most tolerable Bob Dylan has been for me. I even kind of enjoyed a few songs. Gasp.
10cc
5/5
What the hell? What even was this, and why is it so good?!?! There haven't been many albums on this list where I'm sad when they end, but the silence after "Oh Effendi" made me go, "Awww." Every single song was interesting and enjoyable. I'll be returning to this for sure.
Siouxsie And The Banshees
2/5
Maybe it was an influential album, but I really didn’t care for it.
Queens of the Stone Age
3/5
I'm more familiar with QOTSA's later singles, but I've never really been a fan of theirs regardless. I think they have an interesting and unique sound, it's just not my thing.
Peter Frampton
3/5
These Dad Rock vibes were so strong that when I got out of my car after listening, I was somehow wearing white New Balance sneakers, tube socks, and a T-shirt tucked into khaki shorts.
Miriam Makeba
3/5
It's so nice to get a break from Brit rock. I enjoyed listening to this. Miriam has a great voice and this was a pleasant selection of songs. The incontrollable laughter from her duet partner on "One More Dance" made me laugh, too.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
3/5
I like RHCP, but really only know the singles. I liked the songs I already knew, but none of the other songs enticed me to listen to this album again.
Nina Simone
3/5
This isn’t really my taste in music but there’s a lot to appreciate here. Every song was heartfully sung. “Four Women” is a masterpiece.
The Last Shadow Puppets
4/5
This was pretty good! I think I'd want to listen to this a few more times to fully get into it, but I was a fan.
Love
3/5
I listened to this yesterday and now I'm struggling to remember what it sounded like, so I guess I was pretty neutral about it? I was surprised to find out this was made in the mid-60s. I thought it was about 10 years newer. Either way, this was alright!
The Doors
4/5
There are some legendary tracks here, and some I didn't know. I've always liked The Doors so this was an easy listen today.
Ozomatli
5/5
I always know when the genre on Apple Music isn't in English, that I'm in for a treat. Indeed I was today with this fun and lively album. I appreciated the diversity between the tracks as well as the energy and creativity of each song. Very enjoyable!
The Waterboys
4/5
Well, I was going to complain that this album was way too long, but I accidentally listened to most of a deluxe version. I kinda don’t regret it, though.
My thought process going into this, having seen the (incorrect) long running time, was "Dimery, this better damn well be good!" But it didn't disappoint! I preferred the first half of the album with more of the rock vibes, but the more traditional Irish and Scottish stuff was pretty good, too.
The first few tracks reminded me of early U2. I LOVED “We Will Not Be Lovers” and listened to it numerous times already.
Beastie Boys
4/5
I love the Beastie Boys. I’d never listened to this album before but I liked it.
The Isley Brothers
4/5
This was really good! I recognized a couple songs which was nice, considering I didn't think I knew The Isley Brothers.
I liked this combo of soul, funk, and disco. Really, I like anything up-tempo, but the super duper 70s-ness of this was a pleasant bonus.
Black Sabbath
3/5
Not bad! I liked Black Sabbath more when I was a teenager, so I still have a bit of fondness of ol’ Ozzy. I didn’t mind it but I have no plans to return to it.
Beth Orton
2/5
Not bad, just a little too sedate for my likings. I think I’m failing to hear what’s special about this album because it sounded like generic indie singer-songwriter to me.
Boston
4/5
Great album. Not much to complain about here. I have listened to this album once before and remember enjoying it. This album definitely deserves to be on the list.
Kanye West
2/5
I can’t separate the art from the artist here. I like some of his older stuff (Graduation and 808s era) but I can’t with this narcissistic, antisemitic clown.
He’s mentally ill and I hope some day will see the errors of his ways. Until then, I can’t take his music seriously.
Joy Division
5/5
I had never listened to Joy Division before and I really liked this. I learned after listening that this album is basically Ian Curtis' suicide note. I feel a bit weird gushing about this album considering that fact.
I listened to this album straight through twice and feel like it's a perfect album. Not sure how often I'd realistically listen to this in the future, but it deserves a perfect score.
Emmylou Harris
4/5
This is not really my type of music but I have to say, this was really good! I enjoyed it a lot.
The Cars
5/5
Hell yeah! One of my favourite albums! The Cars is (are?) one of my favourite bands. There's not a single bad song on this album.
AC/DC
4/5
It's AC/DC, what's not to love? Their sound is a little formulaic in that every song is pretty similar, but I like it.
The Crusaders
3/5
An 11 minute song to start the album? Straight to jail.
This journey has made me realize that I like jazz. Overall I liked this but I found it kind of boring. It felt like it was just generic jazz; there wasn’t anything that stood out to me.
Gene Clark
3/5
This reminded me too much of Neil Young, whom I'm not a fan of. I did like "Silver Raven” though.
Thelonious Monk
3/5
I like jazz but this didn't really do anything for me. My attention wavered a lot.
Cheap Trick
3/5
I’m neither a hard rock nor live album fan, but this was not bad considering!
The Byrds
3/5
I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I think this was too short. It was kind of difficult to get into any song because they were almost all over as soon as they started. That said, this felt like bog standard 60s psychedelic rock. I liked Mr. Tambourine Man but this just felt lacking in comparison.
Led Zeppelin
3/5
I’ve listened to a lot of Led Zeppelin in hopes of appreciating them, but it just never connects for me. I listened to this album in 2020 and my feeling then was the same as today. I don’t really care for this but I don’t mind the second half. “Kashmir” is probably the only Led Zeppelin song I can honestly say I like.
Radiohead
4/5
My second Radiohead album on this journey. I like Radiohead but have really only listened to the hits and Kid A. I liked In Rainbows when I got it 6 months ago but now totally forget what it sounded like.
Anyway, I liked this. Most of it was a little too slow and dreary for me to listen to regularly, but it's good stuff regardless. "Just" was the highlight for me.
Simply Red
3/5
I thought I liked most 1980s pop but this album proved that even I have limits sometimes.
Beatles
5/5
Automatic five stars since I already own this and listen to it. It’s not one of my favourite Beatles albums but in the grand scheme of things, it’s still an amazing album. Norwegian Wood, Michelle, If I Needed Someone…all terrific songs.
Unpopular opinion: I’ve always hated “In My Life.” I hate very few Beatles songs but that one is my least favourite.
Orbital
3/5
Well, I love electronic music so I didn't mind this, but this isn't an album I'd willingly seek out again.
Man, so much good electronic music in the world and this damn book picked the most flat, mundane stuff.
Frank Black
3/5
I like the Pixies and so obviously there are some similarities here. Barring the fact this is too long of an album, I still thought it was decent.
Van Halen
4/5
Great album. Not my first time listening to it. This isn’t something I’d listen to on a regular basis but you can’t deny how fun it is.
The Cure
4/5
Oh wow, just yesterday my husband and I decided to go see The Cure this summer, as they’re coming to our city for the first time in nearly 20 years. I said I hadn’t really listened to them before. Thanks, algorithm!
I enjoyed it!
Hot Chip
4/5
I was excited about this one after reading Apple Music's little write-up for it. I liked it, but didn't love it. At times I really, really liked it, and at other times, I felt like it was ostentatious hipster trash.
Finley Quaye
3/5
I didn't mind this but it was also kind of forgettable. I would call this pop reggae-lite. It seemed like the type of thing that would be playing in a hotel lobby somewhere warm.
The B-52's
4/5
I'd never listened to the B-52's outside of their famous songs. I find them a little repetitive but I do really like their sound, so it's okay. Besides "Rock Lobster," "6060-842" was the highlight for me.
Dr. Octagon
2/5
I didn’t mind this at first but it felt really long. Also not really a fan of all the sexually explicit stuff. I liked “Earth People” but that’s about it.
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
2/5
What the hell is this? And why did I need to hear this before I died? I pretty much spent all day laughing about the most upvoted review on this site saying it sounds like your drunk neighbours having open mic night. Nailed it.
Most of this was god awful but I liked "2Kindsa Love." It's saving this from being 1 star.
The Afghan Whigs
2/5
Serviceable 90s rock, but ultimately forgettable and kind of annoying.
Also, this album cover is gross.
The Beach Boys
5/5
Shamefully, I’ve owned this on CD for at least a decade and have never listened to it. However, my parents were/are Beach Boys fans and I grew up listening to them. One of my earliest memories in life is putting a Beach Boys’ greatest hits CD in the stereo and turning on “Sloop John B.”
Anyway, I’m glad I finally listened to it from start to finish. I actually knew most of the songs already. I don’t have any commentary good enough for this album.
Boards of Canada
3/5
I'd been eagerly anticipating this album as I've seen it mentioned a lot on the subreddit for this site. I had no idea what to expect and only kind of vaguely remembered it was electronica.
I didn't mind this. I'm not really into ambient/chill electronic music, but it's okay. I liked "Telephasic Workshop" the most.
If I was ever in the mood for mostly instrumental chill music, I would consider playing this again.
Probably more of a 3.5.
Kraftwerk
4/5
I became a fan of Kraftwerk about a year ago, but hadn't yet gotten to this album. Eventually I learned it was on this list so I just waited to get it.
An opening 20 minute song, woof. Tracks longer than 5-6min annoy me to no end but I love Kraftwerk so...conundrum?
This album was alright! I don't think I'd listen to it again as I prefer their later more "radio-friendly" stuff.
David Bowie
3/5
Not bad, considering I don’t really like Bowie. The funk vibes helped.
Bee Gees
2/5
Me: Mom, can we buy The Beatles?
Mom: No, we have The Beatles at home!
The Beatles at home:
The Who
5/5
A true classic. I've listened to it before. It really is an outstanding album and deserves a place in this list.
Baaba Maal
3/5
I'll take some variety any day of the week. If it's not generic rock, all the better.
I liked this, I found it really pleasant. I can't see myself listening to it again but I enjoyed it today.
Thundercat
1/5
I reaaaaally did not like this. It all had a resemblance to that YouTube video “history of the entire world, I guess” by Bill Wurtz. The sun is a deadly laser! And I wish this album was too, so I wouldn’t have had to hear the entire thing.
X-Ray Spex
3/5
This was alright! It was kind of repetitive and I didn’t really find any song that stood out more than the others. Didn’t hate but wouldn’t listen to it again.
The Saints
3/5
Kinda reminded me of The Stooges. I don’t know how influential this album was/is, but to me it sounded like the musical ancestor to 2000s garage rock.
Willie Colón & Rubén Blades
3/5
Who knew four babies could write such fun and lively music?
Bonnie "Prince" Billy
5/5
I’ve never heard of this guy but I really liked this. It was a little sedate listening to it at 6am while driving, though. I really liked “Madeleine-Mary.”
I ended up listening to this a second time and enjoyed it even more. It sounds a little ahead of its time; it has more of a mid- to late-2000s indie singer songwriter sound.
3/5
Well well well, this album!
I knew a little bit about it going in; namely that it sounds like a high school band warming up, turned into an album. I can understand why anyone would shut this off immediately. The chaos was anxiety-inducing for me at first; I felt uneasy as I pulled out of my driveway and started my commute.
But hear me out...it actually gets better. The chaos winds down; a couple instruments start playing together, and something resembling music rises from the ashes of the first 10 minutes. I started wondering if the initial chaos was simply to make you that much more grateful to hear actual music, that it sounds amazing by default? You might not like having freezing cold water dumped on you, but you would love it if you'd just been pulled out of scalding water.
I can't hate this album for that. It's an experience I'll surely remember!
Soul II Soul
2/5
Alright, I can see why this was included in the list. Arguably, it does deserve to be here. I love dance music but I didn't particularly enjoy this outside of "Back to Life." I preferred the male singer over the female. Kinda boring overall, though.
Van Halen
4/5
Great album!!! I can’t complain about an album that has both “Jump” and “Panama” on it. Absolute classics.
Fugees
3/5
Pretty good! This is a very consistent album, albeit a little long. I was surprised how much of it I recognized as I thought I only knew "Killing Me Softly."
Bob Dylan
2/5
While listening to this, I thought to myself that I don’t listen to Bob Dylan; I endure him. Nevertheless, this was alright. It had a good pace throughout. I still didn’t really like it overall, though.
Sonic Youth
2/5
I wish I could say I liked Sonic Youth. I feel like I should, like I could get really into this band… but they just don’t do anything for me.
Genesis
3/5
I’m not usually a fan of prog rock, but I liked this. I don’t think I’d listen to it again but I enjoyed it all the same. This was a quirky album that I felt had hints of glam rock at times.
Barry Adamson
3/5
I probably should have read a little bit about this one first, but oh well. It was alright. I'm picky about vocals so instrumental music is always welcomed. I didn't dislike this but it wasn't very interesting and it was hard to pay much attention to.
Circle Jerks
3/5
Trying to enjoy this is like trying to enjoy sand slipping through your fingers. It's here and gone so fast. That said, there was something fun about the unique experience of listening to this. I wouldn't listen to it again as I'm not really into punk, but it was punchy.
Don McLean
4/5
I was surprised that I knew more than just the title track; "Vincent" was familiar as well. I'd never deliberately listened to Don McLean before but this was pretty good. I like folk so I liked this. I probably wouldn't listen to it again but I'll be adding "Vincent" to my 1001 highlights playlist.
Gram Parsons
3/5
Pretty good! I probably wouldn’t listen again but I don’t mind some quality country every now and then.
Anita Baker
2/5
She has a great voice but I find this adult contemporary stuff a slog to get through.
Jane Weaver
5/5
Where the heck has this been all my life?! I read something online recently that led me to believe I'd probably enjoy this album, and I was right. This reminds me a lot of Django Django but with a frontwoman instead instead. I can't wait to explore the rest of her discography.
Dizzee Rascal
2/5
I wasn't a fan of this. I found it repetitive and tiring to listen to. I wavered between a 1 and 2.
Janis Joplin
2/5
I’m probably objectively wrong here but I didn’t care for this. :( This journey has made me realize I hate anything bluesy.
Sonic Youth
4/5
I just had a Sonic Youth album 10 days ago and I said I wished I liked them more. This album helped. This was SO good! I was shocked that it came out in 1988 because it sounds newer. I realized that a lot of the musicians I liked in the 90s and 2000s must have taken inspiration from this album, because it reminded me so much of other, newer bands.
This album absolutely should be on this list.
The Who
3/5
I liked this! It did run a little long, though.
Tim Buckley
3/5
I realized that I expected this to be more pop because of his big, beaming smile on the cover. I'm not very familiar with Tim Buckley and didn't realize he was making music with the best of them during the mid-60s.
Sometimes I wonder if I would like 60s rock as much had I not been exposed to it my whole life. That said, when I hear 60s rock from an artist I'm less familiar with, I tend not to really care for it. That was the case with this album. It was good and his voice is fantastic, but otherwise it did nothing for me.
5/5
I had a pretty good feeling I was going to like this based on the fact I knew it was country, and I knew people hated this album. I was correct.
This album's message is basically "My man is a POS but so am I." Respect.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
I mean, it’s The Rolling Stones. What’s not to like?
Keith Jarrett
4/5
I really enjoyed this. If you haven’t read the Wikipedia article for this album, do yourself a favour and read it.
Probably more of a 4.5.
M.I.A.
4/5
I liked this! It reminded me of Gwen Stefani mixed with Major Lazer. I really liked “Boyz” but I would listen to this whole album again.
Marvin Gaye
3/5
Pretty good. I wouldn’t listen to it again but I’m glad I did listen to it.
Tori Amos
1/5
Not gonna lie…I struggled to get through this. I’d never listened to Tori Amos before but with any luck, I won’t have to again.
The Chemical Brothers
5/5
I love The Chemical Brothers so today was easy listening (especially compared to yesterday's Tori Amos). “It Doesn’t Matter” was the standout track for me. Gonna keep this one on my phone.
Arctic Monkeys
4/5
I dig the Arctic Monkeys. I liked this and I think I would like this even more if I gave it a few more listens.
Isaac Hayes
3/5
Who knew prog soul was a thing? While I doubt I'd listen to this again, I liked it. I preferred the instrumental songs.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
3/5
The production on this is great; it feels like you're being surrounded by voices all in harmony.
I liked this but it's not something I'd listen to again. I LOVE their contribution to Graceland but on its own, it's a bit repetitive for me.
Would rate 3.5 stars.
CHVRCHES
4/5
CHVRCHES is one of those bands that my husband always asks me why I don't listen to, since they sound like other stuff I'm into. This was my first time giving them a real chance.
It reminded a lot of Lights and maybe even a little bit of Taylor Swift, on certain tracks. I liked it overall on my first listen and plan to listen again. It wasn't love at first listen but I think it would grow on me more.
Leonard Cohen
3/5
Somehow in nearly 37 years, I had avoided hearing anything by Leonard Cohen. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I didn’t think I’d like it. I was pleasantly surprised. He reminds me of a much more pleasant Bob Dylan.
U2
4/5
Great album. I’ve become a fan of U2 in the last year or so. I’m happy this project is giving me a reason to go through their discography.
The Who
3/5
Before I checked the year this was released, I was thinking it sounds like mid-career Beatles (Help!, Rubber Soul, Revolver era). It turns out I was correct, since this came out in 1965.
I liked it, but I prefer their later stuff. I was mostly distracted the whole time thinking about how much they sounded like a Beatles knock off.
Depeche Mode
5/5
I've been a fan of Depeche Mode for awhile, but I'm only really familiar with their hits. That said, this was great and will be staying on my phone. The highlight for me was "Little 15."
a-ha
4/5
80s pop is one of my favourite genres. I only knew "Take on Me" but I liked the rest of the album as well. I'd listen to it again.
Traffic
3/5
Interesting fuse of funk, jazz, and rock. I don't think I'd listen to it again but I didn't mind it.
Michael Jackson
4/5
This was my second time listening to this entire album. I'm obviously aware of the famous tracks and have heard them a million times.
That said, I don't love this album. I love the hits but I don't love the other songs.
The Black Keys
5/5
I've had this album on my phone for awhile and have listened to it many times.
I fucking LOVE this album. There's not a single song I'd remove; they're all great. This is probably the only band that can do the blues in a way that I actually like.
Grateful Dead
2/5
You know those jokes like "beware people with tattoos; they're proof they can sit still while being stabbed for hours"? This is the musical equivalent of that. I'd be extremely wary of someone who can sit through this whole thing happily, haha.
I cannot do these prolonged jam sessions, it’s just not for me. I gave each song a fair play time and then skipped to the next one. All in all, I listened to an hour of this. The only song I didn’t mind was “Turn on Your Love Light” but even it started to wear on me after about 8 minutes.
The Auteurs
3/5
For being pop rock from 1993, IMHO it sounds a bit ahead of its time. At times it sounded pretty 90s, but overall I thought it had a fresh sound.
More of a 3.5.
The Cure
3/5
I didn’t like this album as much as Disintegration. I didn’t mind it but it didn’t really do much for me.
Cyndi Lauper
3/5
This was alright. I knew the two hits obviously. I’m pretty picky about solo female artists and so this didn’t really win me over. I preferred the back half of the album.
Fleet Foxes
5/5
I'd been meaning to listen to Fleet Foxes because I got the impression I'd probably like them. I ended up loving this album. I understand why it's on the list; it's a strong album and well produced. Will definitely be listening to this more.
Cream
3/5
Here we go again with more classic rock featuring Eric Clapton, literal human trash. I have a bone to pick with a song from this album. It sounds so absurd that it can’t possibly be true, but it is.
In 2016, I lived in a not-bad-but-not-nice apartment building for a year. My next door neighbour didn’t seem to work and spent all day, every day playing his electric guitar. I’m talking starts around 9-10am and shuts ‘er down around 9-10pm. Every single day, at least when I was home to hear him. It wasn’t so loud that it was disruptive, but I could hear it clearly in my apartment.
The problem? He literally only played “Sunshine of Your Love.” That’s it, just that song, over and over again for 12 hours a day, every single day. No other song. Just that stupid guitar refrain ad nauseam. He seemed to only take breaks to smoke a cigarette on his balcony, which would blow into my apartment. Obviously, the song is beyond ruined for me at this point, and that’s saying nothing of my sanity.
The album was okay but I feel a little burnt out on classic rock lately.
Elton John
3/5
The man is talented, I can’t deny him that. I just really don’t care for Elton John, save for a handful of songs. This was a long 75 minutes.
Suzanne Vega
2/5
I don't know if this just hasn't aged well or what, but I'm not sure why I must hear this before I die.
Why would they pick this over Jewel's Pieces of You album?
Common
2/5
I didn't have high hopes for this, given that Like Water for Chocolate is the only album I've shut off partway through in 350+ albums.
This was...fine. I'm not a big fan of rap and hip hop. It seemed like a decent album if you're into this type of music.
Metallica
3/5
My husband was very excited this morning when I told him that this was my album of the day. Unfortunately, I'm not into metal whatsoever. I can't deny Metallica's massive talent, that much is obvious. I just don't enjoy listening to metal. It all sounds the same to me.
I did recognize "One" because I don't live under a rock, and it was the highlight of the album for me.
Motörhead
3/5
It was interesting getting this right after Metallica. I have to say that I preferred this over Metallica as it's a bit lighter. Kind of fun to hear to metal before it evolved.
Gillian Welch
2/5
Theoretically, this is up my alley. I should have liked this, but I didn’t. It was too country for my singer-songwriter tastes and too singer-songwriter for my country tastes.
The Beach Boys
5/5
Classic. I've been listening to these songs for basically my entire life, so this shit is part of my DNA at this point.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
4/5
I ran hot and cold on this album. The hots were easy 5s, the colds were probably a 3. Four seems fair.
The Black Crowes
2/5
Things I dislike: hard rock, blues rock, southern rock, bad vocals.
How I would describe this album: see above list.
David Bowie
3/5
I was born missing the gene responsible for appreciating David Bowie. That said, this challenge has made me listen to four of his albums so far (only four more to go, sigh).
I didn't mind this. I like a handful of his songs and one of them is on this album ("Queen Bitch"). I prefer him here with the acoustic sounds, although methinks I could hear The Beatles' influence in here, which is probably why I didn't mind this.
White Denim
3/5
This was alright! I liked the indie sound and it reminded me a bit of The Black Keys. I would listen to this again.
Would rate 3.5.
Stephen Stills
2/5
I don't know if I'm just in a phase or what, but I'm having a hard time with all this classic rock. I used to consider myself a classic rock fan, but it's been wearing on me lately. I know Stephen Stills is hugely talented and all that, but how much classic rock does a person really need to hear before they die?
The dominance of white boomer male taste on this list is really starting to grate.
Curtis Mayfield
3/5
This was just okay. It was a little slow for my tastes. I'd never listened to Curtis Mayfield before (other than on "Astounded" by Bran Van 3000) so it was good to do that today.
Curtis Mayfield
3/5
Oh wow, two Curtis Mayfield albums in a row. Crazy odds.
I liked this better than There's No Place Like America Today...this one had more funk to it, so it was a little snappier. I can see why this was a big hit when it was released.
The Velvet Underground
5/5
Strong album of what I would call gentle rock. I listened to it twice through. I don't think I'd put it in regular rotation but I'm hard-pressed to give this anything less than a perfect score. I'd never listened to The Velvet Underground before so I'm glad I finally did, and liked it!
XTC
3/5
This is definitely one of the more unique albums I've listened to thus far. I was kind of ambivalent about it, though. I think I'll listen to it again as I had a hard time wrapping my brain around it the first time as I was somewhat distracted during the first listen through.
ABBA
5/5
Crazy how many hits are on this album. As a lover of pop music, this album is irresistible.
David Bowie
3/5
This list wants me to be a Bowie fan so badly and it’s just not happening.
James Taylor
3/5
I was only familiar with "Fire and Rain." I found this album really pleasant. I'm not usually into adult contemporary but this was nice.
The 13th Floor Elevators
3/5
I'm surprised I had never heard of this band because this was pretty decent psychedelic rock. I probably would have really liked this as a teenager. As an adult, I didn't mind it but it did feel a bit repetitive.
Sonic Youth
4/5
I guess I'm becoming a fan of Sonic Youth because I enjoyed this. I've now listened to all four of their albums on the list, and interestingly, I was given them in reverse chronological order.
I would listen to this again, especially "Stereo Sanctity."
Hugh Masekela
3/5
Nice pleasant jazz. It did sort of fade into the background for me after a little bit, but it was good background music.
Tangerine Dream
3/5
While I enjoy music made with synthesizers, I need more of a beat and a rhythm. I didn't mind this and it made for pleasant driving music, but I don't seek out this type of atmospheric noise.
The Teardrop Explodes
3/5
It's interesting that this is labelled as neo-psychedelic because all I can hear is the post-punk.
I do like post-punk so I didn't mind this. I'll be adding "When I Dream" to my 1001 highlights playlist.
Frank Sinatra
5/5
Funny to get this album the day after I watched From Here to Eternity, for which Frank Sinatra won Best Supporting Actor at the Oscars in 1954.
I didn't care for Sinatra's bossa nova album on this list, but this is definitely up my alley. I knew a lot of the songs already either from him or others who have covered them. Overall, I can't complain about this!
Eels
3/5
Surprisingly not terrible for mid-90s rock, although it is very 90s.
Do you think Eels paid Princess Beatrice to use her likeness on the cover?
Would rate 3.5.
Neil Young
4/5
Alright, this was good. There, I complimented Neil Young. Are you happy, Dimery??
The Rolling Stones
5/5
I think I actually liked this more than their later stuff. Sacrilege, I know. I liked the majority of the songs. My favourite was "Carol" which I see now is a Chuck Berry cover. I listened to this twice through, which means that's 5 material.
Jimi Hendrix
2/5
I really don't like Jimi Hendrix. I didn't hate this album but I didn't care for any of the songs. I'm not disputing his talent; it just does nothing for me.
Snoop Dogg
2/5
Although I don't generally care for hip hop, I can understand why this is on the list.
Iggy Pop
5/5
I really liked this! I’ve enjoyed the Stooges and Iggy Pop stuff I’ve gotten thus far, so I was looking forward to this and it didn’t disappoint.
James Brown
2/5
I didn't care for this, but it was over quickly enough.
Penguin Cafe Orchestra
4/5
This was an interesting album. A little bit jazz, a little bit pop, a little bit Kraftwerk. I was driving around town while listening to this and it was super pleasant.
Stereo MC's
3/5
I only knew the album's eponymous song but I didn't mind the rest of it. It did feel like it dragged, though. I thought a couple of the tracks could have been left off, especially as it was somewhat repetitive. Overall a likeable throwback from the 90s.
Michael Kiwanuka
5/5
Damn, this was SO good! I’d never heard of this guy before but this was amazing. I haven’t heard anything like this before and will definitely be keeping it on my phone.
Beatles
5/5
I've owned a copy of this for over 20 years and love it, but I tried to listen objectively today for the sake of this review.
There's not a single bad song on this album and IMHO, the medley on the back half is one of the best things ever recorded.
I will say that I never noticed how jarring "Maxwell's Silver Hammer" is coming hot off the heels of the masterpiece "Something." I like the song but I don't think the album would be worse off without it.
Overall, a truly amazing album that I never grow tired of.
Baaba Maal
4/5
I had Baaba Maal's album Lam Toro recently and liked it, but I can't remember now what it sounded like. I liked this, too. I think the guitar gave it a more familiar and accessible feel for western audiences. I'm not sure I'd listen to it again but it was pleasant.
Grant Lee Buffalo
2/5
I wavered constantly being hating this and kinda not minding it. It was a tormenting listen. None of the songs particularly interested me.
R.E.M.
5/5
I love REM but admittedly, I had never listened to an actual album of theirs. Cheers to the list for finally making me!
There are two absolute classics on this album that I would consider some of the best of the 90s.
Pink Floyd
4/5
I'd never listened to early Pink Floyd before, only the super famous albums. It was interesting to hear them before they discovered the psychedelic prog sound I'm familiar with. I love that you can hear hints of their later sound in the making, especially on "Interstellar Overdrive."
Throbbing Gristle
3/5
For having the second-lowest rating on this site (as of writing this), I expected it to be a lot worse. It turns out it’s just…boring. It reminded of Boards of Canada but industrial. It was very light on any actual music or rhythm but I didn’t mind it at all. It’s interesting this is from the late 70s; I would have guessed mid to late 90s.
Consider me confused why this is so hated.
Television
5/5
I'm not even sure what to say about this but I really liked it. Post-punk is quickly becoming one of my favourite genres and this is a great representation of what's awesome about it.
The Flaming Lips
4/5
I’ve been meaning to listen to this album so I was happy to see it pop up today. I thought it was strong, consistent, well-produced album and I would definitely listen to it again. No complaints from me.
Radiohead
5/5
I've loved Kid A ever since it came out, but I never realized this album existed. I've never paid much attention to Radiohead otherwise, for shame.
That said, it's basically just Kid A part 2, so I obviously loved it!
Paul Weller
1/5
I really didn't like this. I thought it had a consistent sound throughout the album, but it wasn't my thing and I couldn't really decipher what was special about it. More 90s Brit rock, ugh.
Daft Punk
5/5
I've owned this album forever and it's definitely a classic. I do think Discovery is the better album, but I'm just happy Daft Punk is included.
George Jones
4/5
I suspect reviewers on this site will not be kind towards 1970s sad sack country, but I like this sort of thing. I prefer older country but this was pretty good. I like "The Weatherman" the most.
Probably more of a 3.5 but I'm rounding up.
Todd Rundgren
3/5
I’ve been meaning to listen to Todd Rundgren so this was cool. It was an interesting blend of genres: rock, glam rock, 80s-esque adult contemporary?? Some of it I didn’t mind, but most of it I wasn’t a fan of.
Cocteau Twins
2/5
I appreciated that this was a change from male-led rock, and I liked the simultaneously old school and otherworldly track names. However, the music itself wasn't my thing. It sounded like one long song.
The Rolling Stones
4/5
Pretty good! Some all-time classics on this one. I’m not picky when it comes to the Stones.
Tom Waits
3/5
Well, I didn't hate this like the previous two Tom Waits albums. I'm not calling myself a fan but perhaps the gravel in his voice has filed down my hatred a smidge.
Tom Waits
2/5
Haha very funny, algorithm, giving me two Tom Waits albums in a row. Sigh. I just came off the first one thinking maybe I don’t dislike Tom Waits as much as I thought I did. My burgeoning neutrality was worn very thin with even more Tom Waits.
I dunno…I don’t think I hate it but I don’t really like it.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
3/5
This was pretty good! I never knew I liked reggae until this project forced me to listen to it. I wish I could have heard the lyrics better because I know they're what makes this album revered.
While reggae is still probably not something I'd seek out, I have been enjoying it. It's super chill driving music.
The Electric Prunes
4/5
Despite this being pre-punk, I thought it could have passed for post-punk mixed with psychedelic rock.
I probably wouldn't listen to it again but I liked it. And what red-blooded lady could resist these hairstyles? Meow. Go steady with me, boys!
Dinosaur Jr.
1/5
This was worse than that Jon Spencer Blues Explosion album, and that’s saying something. That album was so bad that it was comical, this one was just plain bad.
I can’t believe multiple so-called music editors agreed this is a “must hear” album. Has anyone checked their hearing?
Electric Light Orchestra
5/5
I have a loose policy of not pre-listening to albums I know are on this list, if I’ve not already listened in the past. However, for some reason about a month ago, I decided I wanted to hear this album asap. I loved it and looked forward to the day the generator gave it to me. I wasn’t expecting to listen to it again so soon, but it was good listening for a Monday morning commute.
The Gun Club
3/5
The whole time, I just kept thinking I really wanted to hear this but with a better singer. I hated the singer's voice.
It was also really repetitive and white guys dropping the n-word was a major turnoff.
This so easily could have been a 5 but it's not.
TV On The Radio
4/5
I totally understand why this is on the list, it’s quality indie rock. I don’t think I’d listen to it again but I thought it was really well done.
Ray Charles
5/5
I wasn't sure what to expect with this, but this type of thing is right up my alley. I'm not sure I'd listen again, but I really liked it. I usually reserve my 5s for stuff I know I'll listen to again, but I can't fathom giving this any less than a perfect score.
Soundgarden
4/5
One of the best 90s rock albums, IMHO. I'm not super into grunge and hard rock, but you can't deny how good this album is. So many great tracks here.
4.5 if I could.
The Byrds
3/5
I felt like I could hear some of the same influences that inspired The Beatles' Revolver, but maybe that's just wishful thinking on my part.
This album just SOUNDS like 1966 music to me. I'm not big into The Byrds but it's an undeniably good album. I was getting kind of sick of the vocals by the end, though. The singing felt repetitive. None of the songs stood out to me, but I thought the album was decent overall.
Sufjan Stevens
3/5
Pleasant and inoffensive, but ultimately kind of boring for me. Despite being a morose young adult during the hay day of the 2000's indie singer-songwriter era, I never really liked most of this sedate stuff. I don't think it's bad, it's just not my thing.
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
4/5
Pretty good! I’d only ever listened to Damn the Torpedoes in the past, and I think I liked this a bit more. I’ll be saving some of these songs onto my 1001 highlights playlist.
The Jesus And Mary Chain
3/5
This had a very familiar quality to it, but I'm not sure if I've ever actually heard any of their songs before. Overall, it was okay. I didn't mind it but doubt I would listen again. Interesting mix of grunge and punk, despite whatever the official genre is.
Marvin Gaye
3/5
Not bad! I’m not really into soul music but it’s alright. I didn’t mind it but I probably wouldn’t listen to it again.
Amy Winehouse
4/5
I always liked the singles from this. The hits are easy 5s, the others are a 3. Four seems fair here.
Booker T. & The MG's
4/5
I’m familiar with the first song but had forgotten all about it. I always liked it and with the rest of the album being similar, I enjoyed this.
Haircut 100
4/5
I had never heard of this band but I’m a sucker for 80s pop, so this was a delightful surprise!
Brian Wilson
3/5
I don't know if my negative mood was affecting my opinion, but I didn't really like this. I love The Beach Boys but I just felt like this was long and cloying.
I'm going to try listening again some day when I'm in a better mood.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
3/5
This album sounds like the love child of The Hives and Metric, two bands I really like. I feel like I SHOULD like the Yeah Yeah Yeahs but I don't and I don't know why.
Harry Nilsson
5/5
I loved this! Apple Music had it listed as rock but it felt more like pop to me. This was original and quirky, without being over the top. There was good variety to the songs and each song was strong. Also, what a voice! I'd come back to this album for sure.
David Crosby
3/5
Not a huge David Crosby fan but this was alright.
Van Morrison
3/5
Does anyone remember that old blog-turned-book called Stuff White People Like? I should dig out my copy to see if Van Morrison is in it, because he should be.
Christina Aguilera
4/5
I’ve had this album since it came out (21 years ago, oh god why did I do the math) and I’ve always liked it. Before today, I hadn’t listened to it from start to finish in many years (maybe since 2003). It is excessively long and should have been made into two albums, but I do enjoy the vast majority of the album.
I suspect many reviewers won’t give this a fair chance since Christina was a pop princess back in the day, but this is a solid, heartfelt album with varied influences and honest lyrics.
The Stranglers
3/5
Not bad, I dig the grunge punk vibes here. It’s not something I’d listen to again but I didn’t mind it.
Waylon Jennings
3/5
I’d heard of Waylon Jennings but never listened to him before. This was an interesting brand of old country. I’m not sure I’d listen to this again but I enjoyed it for what it is. More of a 3.5.
Guided By Voices
3/5
This was kinda fun! I can get on board with this garage pop punk indie sound. It wasn't super memorable for me as I'm struggling to remember it more specifically, but it was alright.
Songhoy Blues
4/5
When the first track got going, a big smile came across my face because I knew I was going to like it. I listened to this album twice, and I really like the first two tracks.
This is the type of thing I love about this list. I never would have found this otherwise.
Madness
3/5
I ended up listening to this through a Youtube Playlist that someone made, as this wasn't available on Apple Music or Youtube Music.
I thought this album was fun and lively. I might poke around what's available on Apple Music because I could see listening to this when I'm in the mood for new wave.
Blackface on the album cover sucks, though. Ugh.
Tim Buckley
2/5
I really didn’t care for this. I haven’t really liked the other Tim Buckley stuff I’ve heard so far, either. It’s a little too slow for me, there’s nothing there to hold my interest. Also, way too many long ass songs.
Jimi Hendrix
2/5
Not my first time suffering through this album, but hopefully my last. I’m not going to say I think Jimi Hendrix sucks, but I can’t stand this music.
Nick Drake
3/5
Before starting this journey, I always thought singer-songwriter was one of my favourite genres. It turns out, that's not really true. Anyway, I can see why this album is on the list. It's well done and extremely pleasant, it's just not really my jam.
Dolly Parton
4/5
While I am obviously familiar with Dolly, I'd never listened to one of her albums. The title track is definitely the strongest song on the album but I like all of it. I really like Dolly's voice here; it's clear and strong.
Ravi Shankar
3/5
Well, this was different. I appreciated the intros to each song, but even with that, I still wouldn't have been able to differentiate between each song.
Overall, it was pleasant and I don't mind the sitar in other songs ("The Inner Light" by The Beatles comes to mind), but I can't see myself seeking this out again. Nice to listen to something than bog standard rock, though!
Madonna
1/5
I can't believe I'm giving Madonna 1 star, but I reeeeeallly didn't like this. Excluding the first two tracks, every song was obnoxious.
The Go-Betweens
5/5
Good to be back listening to music, and this was a great re-entrance! It sounded like a lot of stuff I’ve heard already from this list, but upbeat. “I’m All Right” was the standout track for me, but I plan to keep this on my phone.
TV On The Radio
3/5
Pretty good! This is the second TVOTR album I’ve had. I can see why people like them, although I don’t feel particularly compelled to seek them out on my own in the future. I really liked “Staring at the Sun.”
More probably of a 3.5.
Big Star
1/5
I usually like power pop but I hated this. It was insufferable, with the only exception being "Till the End of the Day." I'd give it a 1.5 but meh.
Fiona Apple
2/5
Doing this challenge has introduced me to multiple albums that I feel like I SHOULD like, but I just don’t for whatever reason.
Take this album, for example. I didn’t realize how similar Fiona Apple is to Regina Spektor. Even their voices are similar. But I love Regina Spektor and thought this was blah. Not bad, just not for me.
Jefferson Airplane
4/5
One of the only psychedelic rock albums I actually like. This wasn't my first time listening to this.
Joe Ely
3/5
Pleasant enough honky tonk 70s country. I enjoy a bit of honky tonk now and then, and the production on this album was great. Overall not super memorable but I liked it.
Aimee Mann
2/5
I've known who Aimee Mann is since my brother brought home Magnolia on VHS in the early 2000s (side note: it took up two tapes...why didn't he just buy the DVD?).
I'd put her in the same spot as I put Tom Waits: great lyrics and storytelling, but grating voice. I'm also not a huge fan of singer-songwriter stuff, and this felt like it dragged on and on. I wish I liked Aimee Mann but I just can't get there.
More of a 2.5.
Air
4/5
I was looking forward to this because I've long suspected that I would like Air. I haven't seen the movie this soundtrack is for, but I remember it hearing about it frequently when it was in theatres.
I love electronic music and although I don't usually go for chill/ambient stuff, I enjoyed this. I suspect I liked it because I'd just come from a few albums I didn't care for, but whatever! Four stars!
Coldplay
5/5
I've had this album on my phone forever but never actually listened to it from start to finish. Thanks to the generator for making me finally do that! The singles on this album are iconic.
Soft Cell
4/5
Always glad to see 80s pop generated for me. We all know why this album is on the list, I don't even need to say it. It was clearly the strongest track on the album, and the others felt weak in comparison. I also felt like the rest of the tracks were pretty repetitive, but I liked them enough that I didn't really care. Besides the obvious, "Seedy Films" was my favourite track.
John Coltrane
3/5
I’d heard of John Coltrane but never listened to him before. I had no idea it would be instrumental saxophone-led jazz. It was alright! I couldn’t really get too into it but I didn’t mind it.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
2/5
This is third Nick Cave album I’ve gotten from the generator and I’ve deeply hated all of them. I was in a bad mood when I turned this on, which was when I had just left 80 hours of social interaction (and I’m an introvert), including work and family.
I thought this would make my bad mood worse but actually, knowing I already hate Nick Cave and therefore feeling no pressure to enjoy it, I felt free to let the irritation of everything wash over me, and it actually kind of made my bad mood dissipate. I’d give it one star but I’ll give them credit for making me feel better, and also because the band being called The Bad Seeds is so good.
New Order
3/5
I thought I was going to really like this because on paper, it's all genres I enjoy (new wave, electronic, dance). However, it was kind of bland. Nothing was memorable, it all kind of blurred together into one unremarkable blend of not-quite-danceable new wave pop.
Depeche Mode
5/5
I've been a fan of Depeche Mode for awhile now, but only really knew the greatest hits. They're one of those bands whose discography I've wanted to deep-dive, but just haven't made it a priority. It's nice that this is helping me along with that.
I love 80s new wave synth pop and I already knew I love Depeche Mode, so of course this was great.
American Music Club
3/5
I'd never heard of this band before. Amateur-esque roots rock only available on YouTube via user-submitted playlists.
I don't mind a bit of roots/Americana style but this album was just kind of meh. I did like "Bad Liquor" which was a clear departure from the rest of the album.
William Orbit
4/5
Fortunately this was on YouTube Music, because it was strangely missing from Apple Music.
I haven’t liked the other 90s electronica on this list, but I did like this! This was chill and yet interesting. I am going to look into William Orbit’s discography because I can see myself enjoying it.
Taylor Swift
5/5
Some of the reviews for this album are overtly misogynistic. If you're a woman using this site (as some of us are), you've probably noticed there's an extra level of vitriol in the reviews for the women who dared to make a record, and gasp, someone named Dimery dared to find it worth listening to. It's a hundred times worse when the woman on the album is (or was) young.
I'm glad I married a man who likes this album as much as I do and doesn't crow about Taylor Swift's "tArGeT aUdIeNcE" as if the tastes of young women are somehow lesser than other demographics.
The Bees
3/5
I'd never heard of this band and had no idea what to expect. I definitely think this album was only included because somebody writing the book has a nostalgic soft spot for it.
My husband and I listened during a drive to pick up his new car. We both felt the front half of the album was boring but that the back half was more engaging.
I REALLY liked "A Minha Menina." I'm not surprised it's the only cover on the album since it was a departure from the rest of the album.
This lands somewhere in the fog between a 3 and 4 for me.
Donald Fagen
3/5
Smooth 80s yacht rock, or something like that. It did sound a lot like Steely Dan to me, for better or for worse. Not bad, didn’t mind it, but probably wouldn’t listen again.
The Kinks
3/5
Classic 60s Britpop. I've always liked The Kinks but had never listened to one of their albums. The Britpop-obsessed phase of my life is long over, but it's nice to revisit every now and then.
While the standout song here is obviously "Sunny Afternoon," I was delighted when "Dandy" came on. I only knew Herman's Hermits' version.
Would give 3.5
Joni Mitchell
2/5
I always feel guilty that I'm not into these legendary singer-songwriters. Before undertaking this challenge, I would have assumed I'd love this type of thing.
My feelings can be summed up the same way as usual: it's not bad, I just don't like it.
Roxy Music
3/5
I liked this. Spirited glam rock that was consistent without being repetitive. I don't think I'd listen to it again but it was pretty good!
More of a 3.5.
Run-D.M.C.
4/5
You can’t convince me this isn’t the height of cool, never to be reached again.
Red Snapper
2/5
This book and electronica, I swear to god. It's like they intentionally pick the worst stuff, with only a few exceptions.
This album sounds extremely dated and I'm not sure why anyone would classify this as essential listening.
Sarah Vaughan
3/5
I’m not really in this lounge jazz but I thought it was well done for what it was.
The Who
3/5
The first half of this album is pretty whimsical. I ended up having to listen to the whole thing twice, I think because I just instinctively tuned out what sounded like commercials.
Things definitely take a turn for the better starting with “I Can See For Miles,” and the rest of the album becomes more conventional.
I like The Who but don’t feel too strongly about this album one way or another.
Adele
3/5
I love all the complaints in the review that this album was written to appeal to the mass market. It's literally one of the best selling albums of all time. Even if it was written to appeal to a wide audience, doesn't becoming one of the best selling albums all time deserve a bit of respect? There's been lots of stuff actually made for wide appeal (see: pop bands from the 90s and early 2000s) and none of those albums can touch this album's success with a ten-foot pole.
Can you tell I hate when people try to detract from a young woman's success?
Mike Ladd
1/5
God this was so fucking awful. I try to listen to every album in full, but that was a difficult task here. I ended up skipping about half the songs after I got halfway through them. Just fucking bad, repetitive, stupid lyrics, overly long. Ugh. How did anyone think this was worth listening to?
Japan
3/5
I dig the 80s vibes here but ultimately, I found this boring and unengaging. It’s the kind of thing I will have forgotten by next week. I did always want to try listening to Japan though, so I’m glad to cross it off my list now.
David Gray
4/5
Wow I hadn't heard "Babylon" in YEARS! When it was popular, I didn't really care for it but it's grown on me while it's been in dormant in my synapses.
I actually kind of liked this album. I'm not sure I'd listen to it again but it was good.
Mylo
4/5
Do my ears deceive me or is this EDM??? I had long ago given up on expecting to hear my favourite genre on this list, so today was a pleasant surprise.
I liked this a lot. Not every track was a winner but there were some awesome songs here. "Drop the Pressure" sounds like it could have been made yesterday.
More of a 4.5. I'll definitely be saving some of these songs to my phone.
Rage Against The Machine
4/5
I wasn't old enough (or even American) to understand American politics at the time, but a lot of these lyrics sounded relevant to today's political landscape (if a hellfire can be considered a landscape).
I've always liked RATM. I don't put them on regular rotation but I appreciate them when I do listen to them.
Happy Mondays
4/5
I had never heard of this band. I liked this...it wasn't love at first listen but I think I'm going to keep it on my phone and listen again. It sounded very 90s, so it's interesting it only came out in 1990.
Sepultura
2/5
As my dash cam can attest, as soon as the singing started on this, I went, "Oh boy." I really don't like metal. I didn't mind the instruments, but the growling -- sorry, I mean singing -- is far too much for me.
Femi Kuti
3/5
Sometime it's like the algorithm has read my mind. I've been wanting to listen to afrobeat because other bands I like incorporate afrobeat into their music.
This was a lively and engaging album but I wasn't super into it. Femi's voice was great and I appreciated the backup singers and instruments complementing the music, but ultimately it all kind of blurred together for me.
King Crimson
2/5
I am too sober and impatient for meandering prog.
The xx
3/5
I’ve been looking forward to getting an album by The xx because in the contexts I’d heard about them, I had a feeling I’d like them.
I was surprised this was billed as alternative because it seems like straight pop to me. While I found it pleasant and inoffensive overall, it didn’t really do anything for me. I would give them a chance on another album, but I doubt I’d listen to this one again.
Christine and the Queens
4/5
Am I the only one who thought that was Christian Slater on the cover? No offence to Christine.
I like this but I kept wishing the music was a little faster, though. It was like a slower La Roux (who isn’t also French, despite the name).
Overall I liked this and will probably save a few of the peppier songs.
Joy Division
4/5
One of the big things I've learned about myself over the last 470+ albums is that I didn't realize just how much I like punk but especially post-punk.
While I am familiar with this album cover (does every Gen X dude own a t-shirt with it on the front?), I'd never listened to it before. I was excited to see it pop up this morning.
Anyway, I definitely dig it. I'll be listening to it again.
Marianne Faithfull
3/5
I read a bit about Marianne on Wikipedia and it sounds like she went through hell before recording this album. I couldn’t stand her voice but felt more sympathetic when I read that laryngitis and a heroin addiction had altered it.
I didn’t enjoy this and was going to give it a 2…until I got to the last track and damn! She won me over (up to a 3, anyway).
On the off-chance you’re reading this before listening to the album, that last track is very NSFW.
UB40
3/5
This was okay. I found it a little boring compared to the other reggae albums I’ve heard so far. I liked the instrumental tracks more than the ones with singing. “Reefer Madness” was the highlight for me.
Quicksilver Messenger Service
3/5
Since this was instrumental, I didn’t mind it as much as the other rock on this list. I wouldn’t listen to it again but it wasn’t too shabby.
The Prodigy
3/5
This list loooooooves 90s electronica. Electronic music is my favourite genre so while I wasn’t necessarily a fan of this album, I’d take it over a lot of the other stuff I’ve had to listen to.
I’m not super into this industrial sound. At times it reminded me of DnB which I loathe. As background music it’s okay, but there’s not a lot here to sustain your attention for 78 minutes.
Wild Beasts
3/5
I would have liked this WAY more without the falsetto singing. I did liked it on the whole; the beats were great and the non-falsetto singer had a great voice, but Hayden Thorpe's voice really started to aggravate me after awhile.
Probably more of a 3.5 or 3.75.
Einstürzende Neubauten
3/5
I find it odd that people hate industrial music so much but have no problem with verified assholes ranting and raving about bitches, money, and drugs. I'd take German experimental industrial music any day over that.
The Clash
5/5
This has been my longest stretch between 5-star albums. Twenty-nine days!
This album is a big part of why I'm doing this challenge. Back in 2018 or 2019, I realized I'd never listened to London Calling before, and wanted to change that. As I listened to it and realized how good it was, I was angry at myself that I'd been missing out for all these years. I had been living in blissful ignorance that I was already aware of all the good music in the world, and suddenly I realized how wrong I'd been. I ended up listening to Fleetwood Mac's Rumours around the same time, and continued feeling like an idiot. Eventually I made my own list of albums to listen to on my commute to work, but the pandemic hit after about 35 of those albums (almost all of which are on this list, so apparently I picked well). It was great to discover this generator so I could carry on my goal of educating myself about great music. Cheers to the creator of this site!
Anyway, there's nothing I can say about this album that hasn't been said before.
Sonic Youth
5/5
I thought I had gotten all the Sonic Youth albums on the list already, but I guess not! Coincidentally, the generator gave them all to me in reverse chronological order. I mentioned last time that I've liked SY more with each earlier album, and that was the case here as well. I guess what I'm learning is that I should explore the rest of their early discography.
I'm planning to keep this on my phone and listen to it again.
Fiona Apple
3/5
Hmm. As I was listening to this, I was thinking about how I could envision a future version of myself who likes this. I can definitely understand why others like this music. It's an interesting and compelling blend of moods.
That said, I don't really care for music where the singing is the main focus. I want to like this and maybe someday I will, but today is not that day.
Burning Spear
3/5
Nice to get more reggae. While I'm not yet at the point of seeking it out on my own, I'm enjoying reggae more and more.
Janet Jackson
3/5
"Now our kids can't go out to play / that's the state of the world today"
Hmm I don't know about that...I was a kid when this came out, and I played outside unsupervised all the time, as did my same-age American friends, as they've told me. I used to play by myself at a park three-quarters of a mile from our house when I was 5.
It was a little jarring hearing upbeat pop songs with lyrics about what's wrong with the world. I like pop music so this was fine, but I wouldn't listen to it again. It also sounded very dated, and I like 80s pop. Good for her for writing the album she wanted to write, and sticking it to the record company. I guess it paid off!
Simon & Garfunkel
5/5
Didn't even have to listen to this to know it was getting 5 stars. Simon and Garfunkel are one of my favourites and I've been listening to them for years.
Kate Bush
2/5
While I respect Kate Bush’s artistry here, this was a tad too eccentric for me to enjoy.
Paul Simon
5/5
Love me some Paul Simon.
Orbital
2/5
How the fuck are there MULTIPLE Orbital albums on this list but only ONE Daft Punk album??????
Dead Kennedys
4/5
I used to like punk. I still do, but I used to, too.
Billie Holiday
3/5
This isn't really my thing, but I recognize that Billie was a pioneer for female vocalists who would follow in her footsteps. This faded into the background for me and it was nice there.
Moby Grape
5/5
Doing this challenge has really worn me out on classic rock so suffice it to say, I wasn't expecting much here. However, I was pleasantly surprised by this. I guess you would call this roots rock/Americana, and I really liked it! I even restarted it once the album (with bonus tracks!) ended, which I basically never do.
Deep Purple
3/5
I like this blend of heavy metal and hard rock, even though those are two genres I generally don't care for. There's enough variance and skill here to keep someone like me interested, even during 5+ minute songs.
More of a 3.5.
The Pretty Things
3/5
I'd never heard of this band but this was some solid psychedelic rock. It reminded me a lot of The Beatles at certain points. I was really enjoying it until it started to sound all very same-same in the second half.
Lauryn Hill
2/5
I've never been a big fan of R&B and this album didn't change that. I think there's a lot of talent in this album, and I can definitely understand why it was/is so loved... it's just not my taste. I was familiar with "Doo Wop (That Thing)" because it was on Much Dance 2000 and I do like that song.
I had a hard time listening to this impartially as I recently learned Lauryn Hill is pretty shitty to her fans; cancels shows last minute, comes on stage late and only performs briefly. Blegh.
I feel a bit guilty giving this a low score but I personally didn't enjoy it.
The Roots
3/5
I'm super picky about hip hop but I liked this. I can understand why it's on the list. Good variation between songs and interesting hints of other genres.
Nico
2/5
As soon as she started singing, I knew this was going to be a chore. I like folk pop but this is just so dreary, dark, and flat. I couldn't stand her monotone voice, either. Also, those flutes, mein Gott. RIP my ear drums.
SZA
3/5
Lots of R&B and hip hop this week. I didn't mind this. I liked the more modern R&B sound which sometimes seemed to veer a little into pop.
I wouldn't listen to it again but for a genre I usually don't like, I didn't mind this at all.
Radiohead
4/5
You ever have one of those weeks where you've been getting so many mediocre albums that when something better comes along, you're unable to tell if you love it or if you just don't hate it? That's me right now.
Digital Underground
3/5
On the whole, I would say I liked this. Wikipedia calls the genre "golden age hip hop" which I didn't know was a specific genre. I'm not a big fan of hip hop, but this is the type I like.
The fictional concept of GSRAs is up my alley.
Not an album I'd listen to again, especially as the songs were all so long, but I didn't mind it.
Jurassic 5
3/5
Wow this really is the week of R&B and hip hop. This was fine. It kind of faded into the background while I was driving but when I actively listened, I didn’t mind it.
Pavement
3/5
This album is very much a product of its time. It was alright, not really my thing. I thought it sounded like something my husband would love, but he says he never liked Pavement. Sorry, Pavement.
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
3/5
I've never met the creator of this list, Robert Dimery, but this album is exactly what I expect his taste in music to be.
I'm personally not into most prog, and I also hate long songs, but the whole thing was over before I got too irritated.
The Fall
3/5
Hmm I feel like I’ve seen a lot about The Fall since I started this challenge.
I’ve realized that I love post punk but I didn’t really care for this. I didn't like the singer's voice and I found the album unengaging overall. I did like "Why Are People Grudgeful," though.
Adam & The Ants
3/5
Glam post-punk?? Reading the Wikipedia page for this article is a trip because it makes this album sound like it's the greatest thing ever recorded, and here I thought it kind of sucked. I didn't hate it but I was glad when it was over.
U2
4/5
This is bizarre because I just dreamt last night that the generator gave me this album. So weird! In my dream, it sounded nothing like U2.
I listened to this a couple times through since I always need time to absorb U2. I like this and while there are some outstanding tracks here, there are some duds for me too. I think a 4 is fair.
Rocket From The Crypt
3/5
I'd never heard of this band but the Apple Music write-up makes it sound like it was an important album from that era.
I have to say I didn't really care for the singer's voice at all, but the songs were energetic and lively. The horns gave it a ska vibe. I wouldn't listen again and I didn't especially enjoy it, but it was fine.
Erykah Badu
3/5
Not bad, but kind of sedate? I kept trying to pay attention to this as I was driving, but it kept slipping to the background. I didn't mind it, but wouldn't listen to it again. I liked "In Love with You" (feat. Stephen Marley) but nothing else was really memorable.
The Pogues
4/5
A little different tonally from If I Should Fall From Grace With God. I think I liked the other one better, but I did enjoy this, too. I would like to see this band live; I bet it's fun.
The Replacements
3/5
I liked this, this is my jam. I need to listen to it again because I was distracted, but I liked what I heard. Probably more of a 3.5 from what I remember.
Cat Stevens
3/5
In high school, I had an ongoing flirtation with a guy who loved Cat Stevens. The whole thing was a deeply hurtful and negative experience and even though I literally never think about that dude anymore, apparently it soured me on Cat Stevens. It seemed like a good album, though.
Beck
4/5
I was happy to see this pop up. I love Beck but haven't spent much time exploring his discography outside of Midnite Vultures. I was familiar with "E-Pro" and "Girl." I actually had no idea this was released in 2005; I thought it was from the 90s.
Beck's an easy listen for me although this album wasn't as fun as Midnite Vultures. I plan to keep it on my phone and listen again as I did like it enough to warrant more listens.
The Velvet Underground
4/5
I've been dreading this album since I got Nico's Chelsea Girl a few weeks ago (and hated it). However, I didn't mind her inclusion in this album. I really liked this album and can understand why people are still talking about The Velvet Underground so many years later.
Leonard Cohen
4/5
I didn’t expect to like this but I did. I’m not sure if I can see myself listening to it again, but for now, I’m just lowkey happy I don’t hate Leonard Cohen.
Belle & Sebastian
3/5
I wish I was still into this indie thing, because I think I would have really liked this. I can tell it's good stuff, I'm just pretty worn out on this kitschy indie sound.
Kings of Leon
3/5
I was never aware of Kings of Leon until that awful "Sex on Fire" song came out in 2008 and I've disliked them ever since.
At times, this veered into something I didn't mind. Maybe with repeated listens, it would grow on me. Meh.
The Icarus Line
3/5
While listening, I wasn't sure how I felt about this. It was a lot like yesterday's album by Kings of Leon. They were released the same year and they're both garage rock revival.
I didn't hate it but I don't think I liked it very much. Also, like yesterday's album, there were times when I thought it could be something I'd like, but indifference was my overarching emotion.
Roxy Music
2/5
I usually like anything Brian Eno was involved in, but this might be the first exception. I'm not into glam so if this was a great album, it was lost on me.
I had a coworker in the car for the last two songs and at one point, he asked me, "They really think you needed to hear this before you die?"
Big Brother & The Holding Company
3/5
This album is the kind of thing I'm here for. I had never heard of this band nor did I know that Janis Joplin fronted any band, and I feel like I should have known that. Now I know.
I didn't really care for her solo album on the list, but I did like this. Her voice here is incredible. I don't think I'd listen to this album again but I appreciated it just the same.
Silver Jews
2/5
How on earth did this guy get a record deal with zero ability to sing? This album is mercifully short, and I was already at the end of my patience when it did end.
Towards the end, it started reminding me of a very bare bones, shitty version of Pete Yorn's musicforthemorningafter album. It's interesting they were both released in 2001. Pretty sure wayyyy more people are still listening to musicforthemorningafter than this. I ended up listening to that album after this, as a much-needed palate cleanser.
The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy
3/5
Surprisingly, I liked this. I accidentally had shuffle turned on and so "Music and Politics" was the first track I heard. I felt like it was a good intro this album; it set the stage for self-aware, observant lyrics.
I do agree with some of the reviews that say the songs themselves were a little repetitive. "Famous and Dandy" was getting a little tired by the end, like Amos and Andy.
I don't know if I'd listen to this again but it was nice to hear rap I actually liked.
Supergrass
5/5
I don’t ask for much. An OK voice, a snappy beat. That’s all I want. This album delivers that and more. A surprisingly fresh sound for an album that’s nearly 30 years old. This is definitely staying on my phone.
The Undertones
5/5
Another banger today. I loved this! It's been fun rediscovering my taste for punk thanks to this list. New wave punk? Hell yeah.
The Fall
3/5
I just had a different Fall album recently. I didn't really care for it, and I didn't care for this. Still, there are worse ways to spend 40 minutes so overall, it was okay.
Orange Juice
3/5
This album has an interesting sound and almost seems to be a mix of genres. It's classified as post-punk new wave which it is for sure, but it definitely has its own unique sound. I thought it dipped its toe into ska at times with the saxophone.
Overall though, I found it kind of boring and I'm struggling to remember the songs. I didn't mind it, I do know that.
Kinda feel bad for those two gents in the background of the album cover; they're not even in focus.
Peter Gabriel
3/5
I can go either way on this type of thing. Some of it I didn’t mind, but most of it I was ambivalent about. I think I liked “Big Time” the best. There is a very distinct 80s sound to this album, for better or for worse.
Genesis
2/5
Ninety-fucking-four minutes of prog should be listed as cruel and unusual punishment by the UN. What kind of just world allows this? What kind of psychopath is entertained from start to end by this? No, don’t tell me. I don’t want to know.
Jamiroquai
3/5
I've always really liked Jamiroquai's album Travelling Without Moving, so I was looking forward to listening to this one. Overall, I don't think it's as interesting of an album as it felt a bit repetitive, but I did still like it.
"Didgin' Out" was the obvious highlight here.
3/5
PJ Harvey was never on my radar in the past. This was okay. Her voice is fine although I didn't particularly like it.
I didn't realize how much I liked Thom Yorke's voice until "The Mess We're In" came as a relief.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
5/5
My favourite fake bayou band.
The National
3/5
I actually saw The National in concert when they were on tour promoting this album in 2010. I'm not sure I'd ever heard of them before then, but our friend group was going so we joined them. I'd just moved down from the actual, literal arctic and wasn't used to being in crowds. Long story short, standing in the packed GA section ended up causing me to have a panic attack and I had to leave. So those are the memories I went into this album with on this fine winter's morn. It did help that my brother informed me that he thinks this is a 10/10 album.
Anyway, I can understand why people like The National. I think it's high quality stuff, it's just a bit dreary for me. Some of the songs seemed really familiar.
The Birthday Party
2/5
As if one iteration of Nick Cave is bad enough, they’re subjecting us to two, and this one is considerably worse.
I’m not into noise rock and hated almost every second of this. I did actually like Several Sins though, which is saving this from being rated a 1.
Cocteau Twins
3/5
I’ve had this on my phone for over a week and finally listened to it! I didn’t super care for Treasure, which is probably why I procrastinated listening to this (that and I was on holidays). Anyway, I liked this better than Treasure. I can’t see myself choosing to listen to it again, but I didn’t mind it. Solid 3/5 material.
Weather Report
2/5
I didn’t really care for this. I found it kind of closed off, inaccessible, and boring. Too bad, because I have liked a lot of the jazz from this list.
Bill Evans Trio
3/5
This was just OK. My taste for jazz is young and underdeveloped but I don’t think I care for this type. I didn’t mind it, though. It would be good as background music while I putter around the house or something.
5/5
Goddamn this was good. I knew "Knights of Cydonia" from Guitar Hero 3 but otherwise have paid no attention to Muse over the years. Every song on this album was strong, and none felt out of place. I will definitely listen to this again.
Aerosmith
4/5
I listened to this album before when I was on my own journey to listen to famous classic rock albums.
I like Aerosmith although I wouldn’t necessarily call myself a fan. I noted that I liked this album in 2020 and indeed, I liked it again now. Probably not something I’d keep on my phone but I enjoy Aerosmith’s energy from time to time.
Roni Size
2/5
I really don't like DnB. Let's just get that out of the way. I also have little patience for songs >6min so I skipped most of these at the 5-6min mark. All in all, I probably listened to about 65min of this album, as 140min is way too much.
Even though I dislike this genre, there was little enough singing that it was tolerable. I didn't like it, but I didn't hate it.
The Jesus And Mary Chain
4/5
This is my second album from this band. I remember being kind of ambivalent about Psychocandy, but I definitely liked this. Again, their music has a super familiar quality to it even though I'm fairly certain I've never listened to them.
During "Fall" I realized perhaps it's because a newer band I like, La Femme, sounds slightly like it, despite being a totally different genre. So maybe that's it.
Anyway, I wasn't enamoured with this but I liked it enough that I'm going to make a point of listening to it again.
Germs
2/5
Okay I know I said I've been liking punk lately, but not this. It's a little too scream-y for me.
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
Here's Bruce Springsteen, stripped down without the pomp and circumstance we're used to. At first, I wasn't sure how I felt about it, but the mood of this album is so strong, it's hard not to be pulled in.
The Rolling Stones
4/5
I never know what to say about The Rolling Stones. I like them, they’re good, although I don’t listen to them very often. I listened to this once before and noted that I really liked it. I’ll probably keep this one on my phone.
The KLF
3/5
I like dance music so I liked this, but it was kind of forgettable overall. I barely remember what it sounded like outside of “early 90s dance.”
Fela Kuti
4/5
Afrobeat is a very compelling genre to me. There’s a lot of music I love that has afrobeat influences but I haven’t listened to very much straight afrobeat. It’s basically everything I love rolled into one.
I wish these songs were a bit shorter because I’d be more likely to add them to my regular rotation.
The Sabres Of Paradise
5/5
This was interesting to listen to right after Fela Kuti because they’re not dissimilar. This almost felt like an evolution of afrobeat, although this band isn’t from Africa AFAIK. I loved this and it was perfect for my purposes today: travelling long distance by car. Like yesterday’s album, I wish the songs were shorter because I’d definitely listen to them frequently if they were…but I do want to keep this one my phone regardless, so it gets a 5 from me.
The Kinks
3/5
“This is fine” was all I kept thinking as I listened to this. Sixties’ Britpop has mostly worn out its welcome for me. I’m sure this is a good album and deserves to be here, but it didn’t do much for me.
Raekwon
2/5
I typically don't like rap and gangster rap even less so. I didn't hate this but I failed to hear why it was so important that I had to hear it.
Def Leppard
4/5
For some reason, I thought Def Leppard was "serious" metal like Metallica or Iron Maiden. Turns out, they're more akin to Van Halen, which is a brand of metal I do actually like.
That said, this album is extremely fun. I only knew "Pour Some Sugar on Me" and had no idea it was Def Leppard.
This album had me so hyped. I had a rockin' good time and would give it 4.5 if I could.
The Blue Nile
3/5
This was a bizarre album for me. It started off great and I thought it had 5 star potential. The first couple songs were catchy, but then the back half of the album dragged. Those slower songs were a slog to get through, even though it’s a relatively brief album.
4 for the good songs, 2 for bad the bad. Let’s call this a 3.
4/5
I really liked this. It was consistent without being repetitive. Liking punk is something I didn't expect to come out of listening to all these albums, but it has really driven home that I vastly prefer punchy, fast-paced music.
"I'm Coming Over" was my favourite track and I'll be saving it to my highlights playlist!
Goldfrapp
3/5
I've seen this album on a lot of people's profiles in the 5 star section. I'm...not sure why. I found this super boring and sedate.
The closest I came to liking anything was "Oompah Radar" because of the carnival-esque tune, but the singing was annoying.
I didn't hate this and I do think it's unique but it's just way too boring for me.
Really more of a 2.5 but I'm feeling generous.
Skunk Anansie
1/5
With all due respect to the people who wrote this book…what the fuck?
John Cale
3/5
This was okay. The album’s eponymous song was the best track on the album and the song after it was decent. I’m kind of struggling to remember what the rest of the album even sounded like. Maybe more of a 3.5?
Miles Davis
4/5
I wish I cold say I listened to this and understood what was so influential about it. Alas, I am not that well-versed in jazz. But I did like it, and judging by the Wikipedia article, it's one of the most worthy albums of being on this list.
Led Zeppelin
4/5
This might be the most I’ve ever liked Led Zeppelin. I think they’re good, but something about their sound just never hooks me or pulls me in. This album is pure talent. I’m still not really interested in listening to it again but I thought it was very well done.
Duke Ellington
4/5
I enjoyed this. I liked the introduction at the beginning because it helped set the scene of this being recorded in front of an audience. It gives you the feeling you’re there in the audience, too. This was a lively album and I would listen to it again if I was in the mood for 50s jazz.
The Cardigans
3/5
I always liked The Cardigans’ singles but never explored any of their albums. This is definitely up my alley.
I do think this is only included in the list because of “Lovefool.” The rest of the album wasn’t as good but I did like it. I’d maybe listen to it again and see if I like it even more.
Somewhere between 3 and 4.
Rush
3/5
Not a big Rush person but I’m always happy to see Canada represented on the list.
The Modern Lovers
4/5
I was a little distracted while I was listening but I remember liking most songs but disliking a few. It probably warrants another listen but from what I recall, overall I did like it enough to listen again.
Bob Dylan
3/5
I don't really like Bob Dylan but this was pretty tolerable. This is basically quintessential Bob Dylan here so while I may not really like it, I can understand why it's on the list.
Ice Cube
4/5
Alright, this was good. I definitely can see why it's on the list. I could be wrong, but Ice Cube seemed to quote several other famous rap songs. Or maybe it's the other way around, I don't know. I'm not knowledgeable about rap.
I'm not into rap but I found myself bopping my head to some of the songs while I was driving. That's a win in my books.
The Smashing Pumpkins
4/5
Despite seeing the Pumpkins in concert a few times, I'd never listened to this album all the way through. As a kid, "Tonight, Tonight" was one of my favourite songs.
If this album was cut down to just the hits and a couple others, it would be basically perfect. As it is, it's overly long with too much filler.
Muddy Waters
5/5
I typically don’t like blues music but this album made me question if that’s actually true. I’m definitely keeping this on my phone to listen to again. Wow…maybe I really do like the blues.
Faith No More
1/5
This was a chore to get through. I really don’t like hard rock like this and I don’t like the singer’s voice. There wasn’t a single song I liked.
Isaac Hayes
3/5
This was okay. I forgot that soul as a genre existed while I was listening to this, and was having a hard time trying to decipher what it was. This was typical 3 material for me: I neither liked nor disliked it.
John Lennon
5/5
My parents owned this CD which at some point, I stole for my own CD collection. I’m sure a lot of the reviews are going to say this is only included because of “Imagine,” but I think the whole album is solid. I never listen to it anymore but it was fun to revisit this album today. “Crippled Inside” is still a jam.
The Residents
4/5
This is a chronological log of my thoughts while listening to this:
WTF?
Why is this on the list, but more importantly, why does this even exist?
Man, imagine you started dating someone and things seemed promising. But then one week early on, they’re like “Hey wanna go see this band I like?” and you show up and it’s this shit??? How many relationships have broken up at or right after their concerts?
This is so bad that it’s gone past bad and might be good?
Some of these songs mildly resemble music.
Hmm I like this one.
Oh fuck, I think I like this.
Okay, I’m nothing if not entertained.
Skepta
3/5
This was just okay. His MLE accent is charming in an unintentional kind of way. I don’t really care for modern hip hop but this seemed pretty consistent and well done.
Sly & The Family Stone
3/5
Funky yet also kind of relaxing? It was making me seriously drowsy listening to this, even though it's got a nice groovy thing going on.
More of a 3.5.
2/5
Okay, how didn't I know about this band? I've spent most of my life living <60min from Detroit and somehow completely missed knowing anything about MC5.
However, I'm not into hard rock and live albums even less so. I was just waiting for this to finish.
OutKast
4/5
I liked this more than I thought I would, but definitely preferred Speakerboxxx more. The Love Below meandered a lot and while I appreciate the genre mixing, it felt inconsistent and started to drag for me.
Talking Heads
5/5
Talking Heads are my favourite discovery from doing this challenge. It was love at first listen when I got Fear of Music almost two years ago. They’re one of those bands I can’t believe I hadn’t been listening to already.
Anyway, I loved hearing this album. While it’s not quite as strong as their later stuff, it’s still good to me.
Air
4/5
I liked this! I much preferred the tracks without the singing, though. I saved a couple songs for my 1001 playlist.
Pere Ubu
2/5
I recognized the name immediately as one of the albums from the worst ranked albums list. I’m always curious to see what brand of annoying these albums are going to possess.
This isn’t the first time I’ve asked myself how on earth someone who can’t sing got a record deal and wound up on this list. This would have been a lot better with another singer. I enjoyed the keyboards and the instrumental songs but that was about it.
Turbonegro
2/5
Everything about this is cringy. The name, the lyrics, the band's politics and opinions. I feel dumber having learned of these guys.
I didn't hate it but I won't be revisiting this album.
Queen
4/5
In high school, I had a CD of Queen's greatest hits and I listened to it constantly. I always just thought of myself as a fan of Queen. However, I just can't bring myself to care about this album. I feel guilty because I can hear that it's really good. Excluding the hits on this album, I have no interest in returning to the rest of it.
5/5
I had a poster of this album cover on my bedroom wall during high school. Need I say more?
The Dandy Warhols
5/5
Daaaaaaaaaaamn this is good. I haven't liked a lot of the new-to-me 90s and later rock I've heard on the list so far, but I loved this. Every song was so damn good.
Definitely keeping this one on my phone and forcing other people to listen to it!
Spacemen 3
3/5
Meh? Sedate psychedelic shoegaze that ultimately amounts to nothing interesting.
Culture Club
3/5
Somehow I missed the fact that Boy George is the lead singer of Culture Club. TIL.
While "Karma Chameleon" is obviously a classic, I could take or leave the rest of the album.
I fucking love this album cover, though. The colours, the clothing, the facial expressions, the random kanji. It's perfect. It perfectly encapsulates everything I love about the 80s.
Caetano Veloso
3/5
I don’t think I was in the right mood for this today, but it was okay. I liked it more as it went along. I’m always happy to hear something non-English since it’s unlikely I’d ever find this on my own.
Prince
3/5
I had never listened to this before, but I had always meant to. It was okay. I think knowing how revered this album is, I expected more? Maybe I’d need to listen to it a few more times to get into it, but I was decidedly neutral on this album.
M.I.A.
4/5
While this isn't as strong or diverse of an album as Kala, it's still pretty strong for a debut. I enjoyed it.
Big Black
2/5
Well, I like punchy music and this has punch in spades. I thought the lyrics were obnoxious but when I didn’t pay attention to the words, it was alright. I don’t mind a bit of industrial noise rock every now and then.
More of a 2.5.
Van Morrison
3/5
I'm white, but all I can think about when I listen to Van Morrison is how much it just sounds like music for white people.
I don't mind Van Morrison, but his singing style starts to grate on me after a couple of songs. This sounded like one long song to me.
Blur
4/5
I was unaware of the Oasis/Blur schism until I got my first Blur album from the generator and read through the reviews. As a lifelong Oasis fan, it's hard to listen to Blur objectively, knowing the world has picked a side.
That said, this is an objectively great album and I especially liked "Parklife" the song. It wasn't love at first listen, but I plan to keep this on my phone.
P.S. In regards to the Oasis vs Blur debate, I think it's telling that "Oasis" is mentioned 68 times in the 11343 reviews for Parklife (excluding this review), but "Blur" is only mentioned 48 times to What's the Story's 11538 reviews. So Blur is being compared to Oasis more than Oasis is being compared to Blur. Heh.
Solange
3/5
Decent lyrics, decent production, good voice…seemed like a good album if you’re into R&B, which I’m not really. Basically felt like one long song with interludes in between. “Junie” was the most interesting song to me since it had some funk happening.
Yes
3/5
Man I'm burnt out on prog thanks to this list. This was okay because it wasn't excessively long. The highlight for me was "Heart of the Sunrise," with its slightly harder sound.
Lana Del Rey
4/5
I have a hard time reconciling my distaste for Lana Del Rey's (real name: Elizabeth Grant) somewhat inauthentic, daddy-subsidized origins. I recognize she's far from the only artist guilty of it (cough Taylor Swift cough), and I also know that money isn't everything; talent still needs to be the backbone of success.
All that said, I found this album a little too one-note, although I didn't mind it. I would listen to it again to see if it grows on me.
Side note, but dudes on this site are clowning on themselves when they say they're not the "target audience" for a female musician. There's no target; you just fail to see women as equals.
Bert Jansch
3/5
I found this really pleasant, albeit a little unmemorable. Nice acoustic guitar music for driving.
More of a 3.5.
Paul McCartney
4/5
I was surprised how few of these songs had more than a couple words thrown together for lyrics but reading about the background of this album, it made more sense.
I'm a lifelong Beatles fan and Paul has always been my favourite, although I've devoted very little time to his solo work. I enjoyed this and would listen to it again.
Kid Rock
3/5
I know people love to hate this album but I don't. Am I going to listen to it again? Probably not. Are there some bangers on this album? You bet. Sorry, but "Only God Knows Why" is a legitimately great song. If a more respected band (I'm picturing The Eagles or Journey) came out with it instead, it would have reached stratospheric heights, and it's already a pretty famous song. This music isn't for everybody and at times is incredibly cringy, but Kid Rock carved out his own space in a new genre and arguably, that's worth listening to once.
There's no denying that Kid Rock sucks as a human being; he's his own punchline at this point. However, I prefer to adopt the actual opposite of hatred: indifference. The world would be a better place if we stopped giving idiots so much attention.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
1/5
I got through this album by the skin of my teeth. I want to like Elvis but I just find this music so obnoxious.
Syd Barrett
3/5
The story of this album makes it hard to listen to except with sadness and sympathy for the toll that mental illness took on Syd Barrett. There's some good stuff here but it just made me sad and uncomfortable.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
3/5
I fully expected to hate this, given that I gave Ragged Glory one star.
This was...okay. To be fair, I was kind of distracted with the godawful taste of my new greens powder, but this album wasn't adding to my sensory discomfort in the way Elvis Costello was while I was choking down the same greens drink the other day.
Love
3/5
Perfectly serviceable 60s rock. If I still liked this genre, I think I would have really enjoyed this. Light and airy, but also strong and consistent.
More of a 3.5
Calexico
4/5
After processing my disappointment that this wasn't a Latin album sung by the woman on the cover, I realized I liked it regardless. It reminded me a little bit of Fountains of Wayne. It was consistent and maybe slightly repetitive, but the instrumental tracks were appreciated and enjoyable.
I'm not totally sure I'd make a point to listen to this again, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
More of a 3.5 but I'm rounding up.
Manic Street Preachers
1/5
Woof. No. For some reason, I thought I liked MSP but I must have been confusing them with another band because I couldn't stand this.
Solomon Burke
4/5
I liked this a lot! This was very easy to listen to. This album's genre is listed as soul but it can easily pass as old school rock and roll too.
I'm somewhere between a 4 and 5 for this one. Let's call it 4.5.
Simon & Garfunkel
5/5
Simon & Garfunkel are more or less lifetime favourites of mine. I already knew this album and have listened to it many times.
Devendra Banhart
5/5
I know this site uses the genres from Spotify but it's so weird that this is listed as "Folk/Rock" and not "Folk/Singer Songwriter." This not rock whatsoever IMHO, but it is definitely singer-songwriter.
That said, I usually run pretty hot and cold on singer-songwriter but this album had me...warm? I ended up listening to it about 2.5 times because I couldn’t decide how much I liked it. I still can’t.
edit: 2025-01-31 it's been about 10 months since I first listened to this and it's grown on me since then. Upping this to a 5.
Cornershop
3/5
I appreciated the diversity of each song here, while also remaining fairly consistent overall. I had completely forgotten about “Brimful of Asha” so that was a pleasant surprise.
More of a 3.5?
Blood, Sweat & Tears
3/5
Decent enough background music? I knew “Spinning Wheel” and “You’ve Made Me So Very Happy.” Funny to be listening to something and then be like “Oh! That’s why this is on the list.”
Bobby Womack
3/5
I listened to this as I was driving around town doing various errands. I liked these funky jazzy vibes. Probably wouldn’t listen again but it was pleasant enough.
Ali Farka Touré
3/5
There have been a few albums like this on the list and I really enjoy them, because I don't know how I would ever encounter them otherwise. I found this really pleasant and relaxing to listen to...so much so that I actually had to shut it off as it was 6am and it was making me drowsy as I drove.
Probably wouldn't listen again but I enjoyed it all the same.
Maybe more of a 3.5?
Nirvana
5/5
While I was a little too young to appreciate this as it happened, I remember the reruns on MuchMusic when I was a kid. I think my brother had taped it at some point, too. Even to a 7-9 year old, it was known that Nirvana was a big deal.
I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about this. Nevermind is obviously a masterpiece and I don't always like alternate versions of songs I already love.
That said, this too is a masterpiece. The acoustic format lends itself to a clearer, cleaner sound where Kurt's vocals really shine.
Kicking myself that I didn't listen to this before!
Rod Stewart
3/5
Of all the times I've been subjected to Rod Stewart throughout these 600+ albums, I've only appreciated Every Picture Tells A Story.
This album was okay. It kind of just became background noise while I was stuck in traffic but I wasn't itching to turn it off.
Steve Earle
4/5
I liked this! I don't think I've listened to very much country from the 80s.
Every song was decent and sounded well-produced. "Hillbilly Highway" is the highlight for me.
This was the perfect length of time for this album, too.
He gets an extra star for being a baby boomer Bernie bro.
Minor Threat
2/5
I love a 22 minute album. All the heart eye emojis for that, at least.
The actual music...eh? I don't consider screaming to be singing.
Robert Wyatt
2/5
The intro to the first song had me hopeful...but my hopes were dashed quickly.
What even was this? Experimental prog? No, thank you.
This album would have been much better either with a different vocalist, or none at all.
3 for the music, 1 for the singing
=2
Dr. John
2/5
This did absolutely nothing for me so I was thankful this was so short. I didn't mind "Jump Sturdy" but that's about it.
The Verve
2/5
While I was listening to this, I thought, "Wow this really sounds like a combination of U2 and Oasis." That thought seemed familiar and it turns out, that's what I had written for my review of Urban Hymns.
That said, I like U2 and I love Oasis so their lovechild should appeal to me, right? I just find this so boring, though. U2 and Oasis occasionally pick up the pace whereas The Verve just drones along at the same ambling pace.
Radiohead
5/5
Fuck yeah. I'm a white, middle-class older millennial. You know this is my jam.
Massive Attack
2/5
This has a decent score on this site and I don't get it. I didn't hate this one like I did Protection but that still isn't saying much.
The music itself is okay but the singing is annoying and sounds dated. This sounds like the 90s in a way I don't care for at all, but if you told me this was influential, I would believe it.
Jah Wobble's Invaders Of The Heart
3/5
This was certainly unique, I'll give it that. I found it pretty boring overall, though. I couldn't get into it even though it seemed okay?
More of a 2.5 but I'll round up to be generous.
Girls Against Boys
2/5
I needed to hear this before I died? I'm not sure what was so special about this as it only barely held my attention.
Everything But The Girl
2/5
I knew nothing about this album but I'd been looking forward to it, based on my incorrect assumptions about what it would sound like.
Wikipedia calls this "sophisti-pop," but I would call it adult contemporary. Blegh. Tracey Thorn has a lovely voice but this type of music is a slog for me to get through.
Paul Simon
3/5
I consider myself a Paul Simon fan but a lazy fan, as this list has done the bulk of the work for me in deciding which of his albums to listen to. While Graceland continues to be one of the best albums I've had, this one left a lot to be desired. It just kind of sleepily moves along without much heart...or bone.
Miles Davis
4/5
Great vibes here. Kind of reminded me of the Dave Brubeck Quartet album on this list, Time Out. I typically don't listen to jazz too much but I wouldn't hesitate to queue this album up when the mood next strikes.
Napalm Death
2/5
I don't know whether to give it a 1 because it was so unpleasant, or a 2 because it didn't bother me.
Yes
3/5
I haven't really cared for the other prog-heavy Yes albums on the list, but this one was alright! I actually enjoyed "The Clap" and will be adding it to my 1001 Highlights playlist.
3/5
I didn't like this as much as Parklife. I forgot to review this after I listened and now I can't remember what it sounded like.
Pet Shop Boys
5/5
I’ve been patiently waiting for this album and it didn’t disappoint. I ended up listening to it three times today!!!
Tracy Chapman
4/5
Two albums in a row that I had been looking forward to and that didn’t disappoint. I thought this was a really strong album. Realistically, I’m not sure how often I’d listen to it, but I think it was really good.
More of a 4.5.
Guns N' Roses
4/5
Hard to argue with this one!
My Bloody Valentine
3/5
I find it super bizarre that this album is lauded for its production. I could barely hear the singer, let alone discern the lyrics.
It reminded me a lot of Sonic Youth. I'm not super into grunge or shoegaze so this album didn't do much for me.
The Adverts
3/5
This didn’t leave a big impression on me but in general I like 70s punk. Somewhere between a 3 and 4 for me.
Rufus Wainwright
3/5
I remember disliking Want Two when I got it a while ago, but this seemed a bit better. He still sounds like a combination of Thom Yorke and Beck to me, but it wasn’t as whiny as Want Two.
Pretenders
3/5
Outside of "Brass in Pocket," I didn't know any of these songs, and I didn't find them particularly compelling, either. I liked "Stop Your Sobbing" but it warrants another listen to decide if I'll even keep it on my 1001 Highlights playlist.
Morrissey
5/5
Finally I get a solo Morrissey album! I’ve been looking forward to this since I’ve liked The Smiths, although I haven’t gone back to any of their albums yet. I ended up really liking this. I appreciated the more upbeat energy of the songs. Keeping this one on my phone!
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
5/5
Another 5 today. I fuck with this clean cut 50s rock and roll tripe HARD. I could listen to this type of thing all day long.
Brian Eno
5/5
This list introduced me to Brian Eno and I’ve become a fan of basically everything he put his hands on…even that David Bowie album. This is my first time hearing his solo work, which I’d been looking forward to quite a bit.
I can’t believe I’m giving three albums in a row 5 stars but fuck it, I really enjoyed this.
3/5
I don't have the patience for 10min+ songs so I skipped the longer tracks once I got about 6min in on them. That said, this was fine. I don't mind this era of soul, even though this was more like prog soul (which does exist as a genre, apparently).
Not something I'd willingly return to but it was fine.
Maybe more like a 2.5 but I'm feeling generous.
The Killers
5/5
I've long since considered this THE definitive millennial album. I was 18 when this was released and had this album on heavy rotation for awhile.
This is a straight classic from the mid-aughts. Anyone who denies that is ignorant.
Tom Tom Club
5/5
I'd been greatly looking forward to this, as I'm a Talking Heads convert and was aware of this side project from Tina Weymouth and Chris Frantz. I loved it and will definitely be keeping this on my phone. I liked all of the songs but this album deserves 5 stars for "Wordy Rappinghood" alone.
Jorge Ben Jor
4/5
I liked this! I liked the sound effects in the background (not sure how to describe them), although they did feel a little repetitive after a few songs. This was pleasantly fun and funky. I would listen to this again.
Manic Street Preachers
2/5
I just had an MSP album not too long ago, which I gave 1 star. I was not looking forward to this. It didn’t grate the way other album did, but I really didn’t enjoy it. Blegh.
Cowboy Junkies
2/5
I'm surprised that, as a person who grew up on a steady intake of CanCon, I've never heard of this band. Granted, this genre wasn't my scene...and mostly still isn't.
I didn't hate this, but I would strongly prefer not to hear it again. The lead singer has a nice voice, I just didn't like it or the music.
Simple Minds
5/5
Hell yeah. I know others fatigue of it, but I love the fact I've been able to discover tons of new wave thanks to this list. Bring it on!
Supergrass
5/5
I didn't realized there was another Supergrass album on this list! I loved I Should CoCo and have listened to it a couple times since getting it a few months ago.
I think I Should Coco is the stronger album, but I loved this, too. I love power pop.
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
This was okay. I like Bruce Springsteen but I found this a bit boring.
George Michael
4/5
I've never really liked the song "Faith," and since this album opens with it, this didn’t start so great for me. I kept my expectations low for the rest. However, I was pleasantly surprised and ended up liking everything from track 2 onwards. I see why this is one of the best-selling albums ever. I liked "I Want Your Sex (part 1)" the best but it was all pretty awesome.
Metallica
3/5
Metallica is one of those bands where all the talent in the world doesn’t change the fact this type of music does nothing for me. They’re really good, I’m just not interested.
Meat Puppets
3/5
I was not expecting cowpunk from a band called Meat Puppets. To be honest, I was surprised about cowpunk in general. I kinda dig it.
More of a 3.5.
Hole
3/5
This was funny because my husband and I were just talking about this album yesterday.
I’ve never paid much attention to Hole. This album is consistent without being repetitive and I think it deserves a place on this list, but I don’t see myself listening to it again.
Prince
2/5
I’m not sure what the problem is, but I just can’t get into Prince. I feel a little guilty because it’s almost 100% certain that some other artist I love has been influenced by Prince, but I just can’t get there. This was long and tedious for me.
Judas Priest
3/5
Not a genre I particularly care for, but I didn't mind this. I didn't pay too much attention but I remember thinking "Steeler" was pretty good. Obviously some talented musicians here.
Throwing Muses
2/5
Tough to find this album, but the individual tracks were on YouTube.
I didn't really care for this but I'm always happy to see more representation for female artists. At times, this reminded me a little bit of Jewel, but edgy.
Nirvana
5/5
I don’t even need to listen to this (again) to know it’s getting 5 stars.
Les Rythmes Digitales
3/5
I bet if you surveyed everybody who’s at least 300-400 albums deep, and you asked them if there's a genre they feel they themselves could have done a better job picking albums from, I bet 90%+ would say yes.
Mine would be dance. WTF. I love dance music but you’d never know it from the way I rate the questionable dance choices from this list.
The Beta Band
3/5
I was really optimistic about this and I wanted to like it. They sound like a slowed down Django Django (my favourite band for the last few years). However, I just couldn't get into it as I wanted the songs to be faster. Some of the snappier tracks were alright, but this mostly faded into background music for me.
Paul Revere & The Raiders
4/5
If you would have told me that this was a 60s tribute band, I would have believed you. That said, I like 60s pop rock so I enjoyed this.
Serge Gainsbourg
2/5
While I love French pop AND questionable, pretentious nonsense, this wasn't my scene at all. I don't like music where the main focus is the singing and the instruments unobtrusively provide a bit of backing noise.
I'm actually surprised this has a 2.8 overall score (as of writing this). I expected lower.
John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers
2/5
I don't like blues rock and Eric Clapton is a failure of a human being.
The Good, The Bad & The Queen
4/5
I was unaware of this side project and so I was quite surprised when I had Siri tell me over CarPlay who this band was. I liked it, though! I think I'd listen to it again. A strong 4.
Jeru The Damaja
3/5
This was alright. I’m not a big fan of rap but this was tolerable.
Happy 2nd generatorversary to me!
The Specials
3/5
I didn't realize it had been so long since I had their debut album. Time has really flown. Anyway, this music is a novelty to me. I can't think of anything else that sounds like this, except maybe No Doubt. That said, I'm not a huge fan of ska music, although I don't mind it in small doses. I kinda wish I liked this more, because it's so interesting.
The Hives
5/5
I'm really confused why this album exists and why it's on the list instead of Veni Vidi Vicious.
Anyway, I digress. I was in high school at this time, absolutely loving the garage rock revival. Someone told me, "Hey, you'd probably like The Hives!" so I went out and bought VVV, having never listened to them before. I instantly loved it and it was the soundtrack to my summer in 2002. I remember putting this CD in my Walkman and riding my bike listening to it, hoping it wouldn't skip. Kids these days will never understand our struggle, man.
I'm not sure why I stopped listening to The Hives because this was such a great trip down memory lane.
Beatles
5/5
Probably my second favourite Beatles album after The White Album. “For No One” has long been one of my favourite songs, but there are no bad tracks here at all.
Marty Robbins
4/5
It occurred to me while I was listening to this that this type of music goes against my normal preferences by virtue of being singing-heavy and music-light. However, I love this type of thing.
I could listen to this all day. I'm not sure I'll keep this album on my phone since there are other albums from this era that I like more, but this was a very strong 4.
4.5 if I could.
Amy Winehouse
2/5
This must have been added before Back to Black came out, right? I can’t see any reason why this would need to stay on the list after BtB. Anyway, I’ve never really been an Amy Winehouse fan. I do like the singles off BtB but the rest of her repertoire, including this entire album, is a chore for me to listen to. Her voice and her songwriting are not nearly as developed on this album.
Drive Like Jehu
2/5
Why are so many albums on this list with yelling instead of singing? Who likes this shit?
The Byrds
3/5
Alright, Dimery, I think that’s enough Byrds for me. I’ve had an entire flock of their albums now…har har har! *crickets*
Megadeth
3/5
While I admire the skill required to play metal music, I just can't get into it at all. That said, this might have been the most tolerable metal album I've listened to so far.
Elvis Costello
3/5
I haven't really liked the other Elvis Costello albums I've gotten from the list, but I enjoyed the 1950s rock and roll sound on this one.
3.5 if I could.
Happy Mondays
3/5
This is one of my favourite album covers from the entire list.
I recall liking their other album on the list. This was decent. I probably wouldn’t listen to it again but it was pleasant enough!
Considering this is album #666 for me, I was hoping to get something a little more metal than a band called Happy Mondays, haha. Oh well.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
3/5
I can safely say I've now listened to enough Neil Young before I die. When will it end?
This album was OK, I just really can't stand his voice.
Billy Joel
5/5
I've been waiting for this one! I was surprised how many songs I already knew...maybe three or four?
I'm not sure how often I'd realistically return to this album, but I can't not give it a perfect score. It deserves a 5.
Funkadelic
3/5
This just SOUNDS like early funk and soul to me. I'd never heard of this band before but I can understand how this would be influential. Not something I'd return to but it was an interesting listen nonetheless.
Elliott Smith
4/5
Growing up, my brother had this album but it was one of the few I never borrowed (read: stole)... Probably because I was never super into the emo scene. I expected this to be much more morose than it was. To me it kind of sounded like a mix between Simon and Garfunkel and The Shins. I didn't mind this at all. I'm not sure I'd listen to it again but now I'm looking forward to the other Elliott Smith album on the list.
Linkin Park
4/5
I read Chester Bennington's Wikipedia page before listening, so I could put the lyrics in better context. I almost wish I hadn't because it made listening that much harder, especially knowing he eventually took his own life.
That said, I was 14 when this came out and so I knew probably half the songs from just their saturation in pop culture over the years. I didn't care for Linkin Park when they were popular, but I can't deny how catchy the singles are.
RIP Chester Bennington.
Dire Straits
5/5
I’d been looking forward to this since I don’t know much about Dire Straits but I LOVE “Money for Nothing.” I forgot all about the song “Sultans of Swing” so that was a fun surprise.
I have to say, I don’t normally like blues rock but this was great and I’ll be listening to it again.
Metallica
4/5
I really don't like metal, but this has the two Metallica songs I actually like.
Miles Davis
3/5
I'm not going to pretend I understood this album. 93 minutes of instrumental jazz is a lot to ask of someone.
Prince
4/5
I haven’t really liked the other Prince albums I’ve listened to thus far, but I can’t deny how fun this album is.
A very strong 4…just kinda lost me on the last few songs and how LONG many of them are.
My Bloody Valentine
2/5
This is my second MBV album and I recall not caring for the first one. I maybe liked this a smidge better? I can understand why other people would like this but I don't. It's a bit too ethereal for me.
Maybe more of a 2.5.
Fairport Convention
3/5
Not bad! Pleasant driving music on this warm, sunny May morning.
More a 3.5.
Pearl Jam
5/5
Not my first time listening and won’t be my last! This album is exactly the type of thing that should be on the list. It’s a true seminal album of the 90s with so many amazing songs.
Terence Trent D'Arby
3/5
The genres listed for this here and on Wikipedia are interesting, because to me it just sounds like adult contemporary. I'm not a big adult contemporary person but I thought this album was really good! I knew "Wishing Well" already.
"Dance Little Sister" was the highlight for me.
More of a 3.5.
Public Image Ltd.
3/5
I like this album cover. The photo is something of a cross between a mug shot and a business card, and that amuses me for some reason.
While this list has made me a post-punk fan, this was a little too out there for me. I didn’t mind it and there were some stand out tracks (Religion I, and Fodderstompf), but I can’t see myself listening to it again.
Morrissey
3/5
I didn't like this one as much as Your Arsenal. It also sucks that Morrissey sucks as a person, because I'd be more inclined to get more into him as a musician.
Jazmine Sullivan
3/5
Nice to listen to something hypermodern since this is one of the newest albums on the list. I'd never actually heard of Jazmine Sullivan, but I don't pay much attention to this genre.
As a woman, I appreciated the themes and the messages of the songs and spoken interludes, but overall I found the music wholly forgettable.
Todd Rundgren
3/5
I couldn’t connect with this at all. I think I’m too burned out on classic rock to care about 99% of it anymore. However, at times I didn’t mind this and I thought it was a refreshing change from similar albums on this list.
Ryan Adams
3/5
I had never willingly listened to Ryan Adams before. All I knew was that he has a record of being an asshole. I was not looking forward to this. However, I really loved the rockabilly songs. The ballads were meh to me, but I’m not a ballad person.
+5 for the rockabilly songs, -1 for the ballads, and -1 for being an asshat.
Milton Nascimento
3/5
I didn't realize I forgot to rate this. I can't really remember this album very well. I think it was pleasant and a nice change of pace from classic rock from what I remember! Three stars because I don't remember liking or disliking it.
The Stone Roses
3/5
This sounds like the spiritual predecessor to Oasis. Overall I thought it was alright, but I didn't like it as much as I thought I would have. It could be something that requires more listening for me to get into. Perhaps something to do in the future...
Giant Sand
4/5
When I saw that this was a 60 minute long rock album, I dreaded it. However, I was pleasantly surprised. This kind of reminded me of Pete Yorn's musicforthemorningafter, which came out a year later.
I do think this album is too long...it felt somewhat repetitive. I think it could have been better had it been more concise. I'd consider listening to this again.
More of a 3.5 but I'll round up.
Little Richard
5/5
I always love old school rock and roll. I knew most of these songs already. Easy listening today!
Sepultura
2/5
This did nothing for me whatsoever but it didn't annoy me, so 2 stars it is.
Iron Maiden
3/5
Better than I was expecting. I preferred the instrumental songs but this was fun and energetic all around.
Butthole Surfers
3/5
I don’t know why people hate this so much. Is it the name of the band, the album, or both? I found it kinda boring and forgettable but I did actually like “Kuntz.”
Maybe a 2.5 but I’ll be generous.
Elvis Presley
5/5
Funny to have two albums this week with “Tutti Fruiti” on them.
Anyway, this is obviously a stone cold classic and one of the most deserving albums on this list. I could listen to this type of thing every day.
Merle Haggard
4/5
I enjoyed this!! This is the type of country music I prefer and I'm glad that the list has several albums like this.
Somewhere between a 4 and 5 for me. I'm not sure I'll actually keep this on my phone so I guess it's a 4, but a high 4 nonetheless.
Sade
3/5
Inoffensive adult contemporary with an R&B flair. Not really my thing but a nice change from classic rock and she has a nice voice.
3/5
Yeah, yeah, fine. They’re fine. Good, even.
John Lee Hooker
4/5
Is this list turning me into a blues fan? WTF? I surprised myself by really enjoying this!! So many great songs here had me groovin' in my car this morning.
More of a 4.5. Might have to listen to this again to decide which songs to keep on my phone.
Peter Gabriel
3/5
Fine but didn’t really grab my attention. I would like to like Peter Gabriel but I haven’t heard anything that sways me either way yet.
Sister Sledge
4/5
I don't know why I didn't think I'd like this...it was great! Hell yeah I'll take some disco!
The Dictators
4/5
Interesting precursor to punk. I didn't read about this album beforehand so I had no idea when it was made while I was listening. I originally thought it was early post-punk. It reminded me a little bit of The Hives, but I could be convinced that other famous bands took inspiration from this as well.
PJ Harvey
3/5
Probably not something I'd listen to again as I'm not really into rock music anymore, but I respect the talent here.
Brian Eno
3/5
Brian Eno has been one of my favourite discoveries from doing this challenge. I was looking forward to this one, but I'm not really into glam so it kinda lost me there. Fine overall but not something I'd return to. No real highlights for me, either. Sad.
Slint
3/5
I was somewhat distracted while listening to this, but I didn't find it particularly memorable. Not sure how I feel about post-rock. It was fine...I think?
Crowded House
4/5
I liked this, it was upbeat and boppy. I would listen to this again.
Stereolab
3/5
I listened to about half of this last year, on the advice of someone from the subreddit for this website.
On paper, this is definitely up my alley. In reality, it's just okay. I wish I liked it more.
Neil Young
2/5
God, his voice is particularly terrible here. It was a struggle to get through this.
Slade
4/5
Really fun album! I’m honestly surprised I haven’t heard any of these songs before. I would come back to this.
The Young Gods
2/5
I’m not even sure what to say about this album. Kinda sounded like a harder, French Tom Waits. It didn’t really hold my attention.
Brian Eno
4/5
Really good! At times, mostly towards the end, it got a little too ethereal for my tastes. I loved "Backwater" and will be keeping it on my phone.
Youssou N'Dour
3/5
I always appreciate hearing non-American/British music here. This album didn't make a big impression on me but it was pleasant.
Steely Dan
3/5
My fourth and final Steely Dan album from the list! I didn't mind this album. One of the songs was familiar but I forget now which one. I liked "Do It Again" the most. Overall, this album was just OK.
ABBA
4/5
I was happy to see this album this morning! I love ABBA although I guess I'm more of a greatest hits fan. I only recognized "One of Us" but I really enjoyed almost all the songs. I think there was a ballad that was a bit of a drag, but I'll be saving a few of these songs for my playlist.
Would rate 4.5.
Tom Waits
4/5
I definitely wasn't able to give this the level of attention it deserved, given I was driving at the time.
The story of this album's production is pretty interesting and helped give it some context. However, I admit I liked imagining it at a jazz bar more than I like knowing it was actually just a recording studio, albeit set up like a jazz bar.
The intro to "Better Off Without a Wife" was the highlight for me. The outro with the band introductions was also pretty funny.
I'm not super into this spoken word kinda thing but even still, I was entertained.
The Beta Band
5/5
I completely forgot to rate this. It is now mid-August, whoops. When I first listened to this, I couldn’t decide if it was a 4 or a 5. I wrote the below review and I guess planned to listen again, but totally forgot. I finally did re-listen today and my decision has been made. This album rocks.
Surprised to see this has a score under 3 (as of writing this). I really liked it! I'm waffling between a 4 and a 5. I really enjoyed it but I don't know how often I'd play it if I kept it on my phone.
Björk
3/5
Wow, finally a Bjork album. I've never knowingly listened to Bjork and considering her reputation, wasn't sure what to expect. It ended up being less experimental than I was expecting.
I inadvertently listened to the tracks out of order. They all sounded a little same-same but overall I would say I liked this, and it was nowhere near as avant garde as some of the reviews make it seem.
More of a 3.5. I'm looking forward to her other albums on the list now.
Public Image Ltd.
3/5
I continue to be confused how people hate the lowest-rated albums so much. I didn't mind this at all. I even saved "Socialist" for my 1001 Highlights playlist. I probably wouldn't listen to the entire album again but it wasn't bad.
Kanye West
4/5
Not really a rap or Kanye West fan, but my husband’s excitement that I would be listening to this softened me a little. I have to say that I did actually like it and some of the lyrics were pretty funny.
"Oh my God, is that a black card?"
I turned around and replied, "Why yes
But I prefer the term African American Express" 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Black Sabbath
3/5
Pretty good! I’m not into heavy metal but it’s hard to dispute how good Black Sabbath is.
Jeff Buckley
3/5
I’ve gotten a couple Tim Buckley albums from this and I had friends who used to rave about Jeff Buckley. I could definitely hear his father’s influence on his singing. Ultimately I didn’t really connect with this. It wasn’t bad, just not my thing. I did really like “Hallelujah” and will be saving that one to my playlist.
Traffic
3/5
Pretty decent classic rock with a bit of blues vibes, which generally isn’t my thing. Not overly memorable. I am so jaded on classic rock anymore, it’s hard to find it in me to care about any of these albums.
The Offspring
4/5
I was happy to see this album this morning! I've always liked The Offspring. I'd never listened to this album before but I ended up recognizing probably 4-5 songs, surprisingly. There are some real classic 90s songs here.
I loved this nostalgia trip this morning. After it was finished, I listened to Conspiracy of One, which was one of the first CDs I ever bought.
Doing this challenge has reminded me how much I enjoy punk music!
The The
3/5
Not bad! I knew nothing about this band and expected a different genre based on the album cover.
While I love 80s post-punk and synth pop, this album came across as very restrained to me. I just wanted it to ramp up at some point, maybe get a little crazy…I didn’t feel like it met its potential until partway through the final track.
So while this is a genre I truly enjoy, I wouldn’t come back to this album, unfortunately.
Ms. Dynamite
3/5
Like many of the other post-2000 albums on this list, I was left wondering what makes this a must-hear album. It was fine, just not my thing.
Lou Reed
3/5
I didn’t quite give this the attention it deserved but it was okay. I had an idea what to expect based on Apple Music’s write-up. It didn’t really capture my attention either way.
Super Furry Animals
3/5
I listened to this with my husband and we both thought it had more of a 90s sound. It was okay but I didn’t really care to pay a ton of attention to it.
Beyoncé
3/5
Maybe I’m off-base with this, but this felt like the type of thing you need to already be a fan of Beyoncé to appreciate. It didn’t feel accessible to someone like me, who is only really familiar with her hit singles and old Destiny’s Child stuff. Boring but not terrible, and a couple of livelier moments.
The Sugarcubes
3/5
Totally didn't even realize at first that this is Bjork's band. This was pretty good! Not sure I'd listen again but I enjoyed it and am going to save "Fucking in Rhythm & Sorrow" to my highlights playlist.
More of a 3.5.
The Temptations
3/5
Loved the fact I was listening to this while driving through Motown. My mom was/is a big fan of Motown so I listened to a lot of this stuff growing up. This absolutely deserves to be on the list.
Travis
4/5
I really like this genre of music. This is definitely a product of its time and it does sound slightly dated, but barely enough for me to notice or care. I was only familiar with their song "Flowers in the Window" which I love, so I was a bit disappointed none of these songs were as good. I did like the song "Turn," though.
Country Joe & The Fish
3/5
Pretty good...kind of reminded me CCR but more psychedelic and less swamp rock. I'm surprised I hadn't heard of this band before.
Earth, Wind & Fire
4/5
This was fun!! I'd never listened to Earth, Wind & Fire before, outside of probably just "September" and "Let's Groove."
The groovy vibes of this were perfect for my Monday morning commute. The instrumental songs were decent but less memorable.
Korn
3/5
Nu-metal is best consumed in small doses. That said, “Freak on a Leash” was the only bright spot for me on this album, for obvious reasons.
Kanye West
3/5
I didn’t mind this. I didn’t know any of the songs except for “Lost in the World.” I’m not sure how I evaded ever hearing the other songs from this album. A lot of Kanye West’s stuff sounds the same to me so who knows.
Mostly pretty tolerable. Too bad Kanye himself isn’t.
Living Colour
4/5
Unexpectedly good! I wasn’t expecting the funk fusion, nor would I have expected it to work with metal. But it worked, it really worked. Would listen again.
Pantera
2/5
I can’t get past the singing to even try to enjoy this.
Bob Dylan
4/5
I wasn’t looking forward to this but there were actually several songs I liked! I also don’t usually like blues but somehow this was the most tolerable Bob Dylan has ever sounded to me.
The Doors
3/5
I am a little worn out on classic rock, even for a band as good as The Doors. “Riders on the Storm” is the real highlight here.
Shuggie Otis
3/5
I found this kind of boring and wasn't a fan of the vocals. The funkier songs were better but this will end up being an album I completely forget about in a couple days.
Elis Regina
3/5
A little hard to engage with since this is primarily just singing and I didn’t know what she was singing about. It was pleasant, though.
This is the era of U2 that I grew up with, and never really liked. I’ve since become a fan of their older stuff, so I was able to go into this one a little less pessimistic.
Still not really a fan of this era but “Elevation” is great.
Arcade Fire
4/5
I started out not caring about this but I felt like it fell into a great groove starting with “Month of May.” I ended up liking this a lot and would give it another listen.
OutKast
3/5
I appreciate the creativity, eccentricity, and diversity of OutKast's music, even though this isn't typically the type of music I listen to. I can understand why this is on the list.
Coldcut
3/5
I liked this. I’m a big fan of electronic music with found audio clips. Big Propellerheads vibes here; perhaps Coldcut was an influence on them.
Would rate 3.5. I’d consider coming back to this in the future.
The Thrills
4/5
I liked this, I definitely have similar albums on my phone. However, I found it a little repetitive and the singing style got on my nerves after awhile, so I don’t think I’ll be keeping this. But this was a breath of fresh air for this rock heavy list.
The Zutons
4/5
Pretty good! I'm surprised I didn't already know this band or this album as this type of thing was exactly my scene in 2004.
Some songs were more interesting than others. I think if I listened to this more, it would really grow on me.
Everything But The Girl
2/5
She has such a nice voice, it’s a shame she’s singing such dull, uninspired music.
Morrissey
3/5
Not bad! I don’t mind solo Morrissey. I still think Your Arsenal has been the best of his on the list so far, though.
More of a 3.5.
Jack White
3/5
I've been a fan of The White Stripes since I was a teenager, but never listened to Jack White's solo stuff. This was decent, although kind of forgettable.
As it turns out, the only song that really grabbed my attention ("I'm Shakin'") wasn't even written by him. Whoops.
More of a 3.5.
Teenage Fanclub
2/5
I didn’t like this at all and I’m not sure why, since it sounded like a lot of other stuff I like.
Deep Purple
3/5
While this challenge has changed my mind about live albums, it hasn’t changed my mind about long ass songs.
This was decent, just longggg. Of course, “Highway Star” and “Smoke on the Water” are the standouts here.
More of a 3.5.
Muddy Waters
4/5
I feel differently about blues music now compared to when I first started this endeavour. It’s still not my favourite but discovering good blues like Muddy Waters has been a revelation for me.
Minutemen
3/5
Here we go again, I thought. Another long ass album. However, there are FORTY-FIVE tracks here, the majority of which are under two minutes in duration. There was only one song I ended up skipping as it was just babbling and it was getting on my nerves.
Otherwise, this album playfully bounces you from song to song, mostly never overstaying its welcome. I don't think I'd listen to it again but I enjoyed listening to it.
More of a 3.5.
The Everly Brothers
5/5
I love this wholesome era of 50s-60s rock and roll. I'm not exaggerating when I say this is one of my favourite genres of music. This was easy listening today.
Scissor Sisters
5/5
I started out not liking this...the name Scissor Sisters really turns me off, especially considering this is a bunch of dudes and one woman.
By the second track, I started coming around, and by "Comfortably Numb," I was convinced. This is a great album. The diversity of the songs, the genre blending, the funky beats...this was good.
David Bowie
3/5
This is my 7th David Bowie album so far. Two more to go. I’m tired, boss.
Evidently, I was born missing the gene responsible for appreciating David Bowie. I’ve tried, I honestly have. I respect him as an artist but I don’t hear what everyone else hears. He has a couple songs I don’t mind but the rest of it, I don’t get the appeal. I’m not a music snob, contrarian, or gatekeeper. I like most of the all-time greats, and I like a lot the stuff people love to hate. I don’t know, man. Maybe one day, David Bowie will click for me, but it’s not looking likely at this point.
Portishead
3/5
I really liked the music but not the vocals. Bummer.
The Darkness
3/5
I'm super picky with glam and this barely gets a pass from my annoyance meter. I remember when "I Believe in a Thing Called Love" came out. I've never really liked it but didn't mind it today, in the context of the rest of the album. "Makin' Out" was a strong song as well.
Overall, not for me, but if you like this sort of thing, it seems like a well-made album from the top to bottom.
Meat Loaf
3/5
The words “rock” and “opera” in the same sentence evoke in me a feeling reminiscent of dread mixed with mild nausea. Drausea?
I’m aware this is one of the best-selling albums of all time and thus deserves a place on this list. It’s not something I’ll listen to willingly again, but it was fine and over quickly enough. The vibes were good, I’ll give it that.
Nas
4/5
This lived up to my husband’s reaction when I told him this had been generated for me.
My Bloody Valentine
3/5
Not bad! I didn't like the other two albums of theirs I've had already but I didn't mind this.
I actually had a bit of a revelation about my attitude when I was listening to this. I started out disliking it, but then I was like, "If you told me this was Sonic Youth, I'd probably like it." I wiped my hypocrisy-clouded judgment away and this immediately sounded better.
Kraftwerk
5/5
This one is an automatic 5 stars from me. I love this album!
Listening to this while riding the Deutsche Bahn last year from Berlin to Frankfurt was a fun experience. I know it's not the TEE but it's the closest I'm going to get.
Joni Mitchell
3/5
I can’t deny her talent, I just don’t really like this type of music. Before I started this challenge, I would have thought I’d love this sort of thing. Weird how that works out.
Missy Elliott
4/5
I liked this more than I thought I would.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
3/5
I’m not a Nick Cave fan so I’m glad I read about the background of this album first. I don’t care for his music but only a monster wouldn’t have the utmost sympathy for what happened to Nick’s son.
RIP Arthur Cave
FKA twigs
3/5
I didn’t like this as much as I was hoping I would. It was interesting to listen to and I appreciate the unique fusion of genres, but it didn’t really captivate me.
Robbie Williams
3/5
Music taste is so subjective. I SHOULD like a musician who sounds like a poppier version of Oasis…but I fucking hated “Millennium” so much when it was a hit in Canada, that I cannot get past that to enjoy this. I had forgotten all about “Angels” which I never liked either.
Maybe a 2.5 but I’ll round up to be generous.
The Monks
4/5
I liked this! As an early punk and garage rock fan, this seems like important listening. It's a bummer it's not on Apple Music because I'd consider listening to it again.
Scott Walker
2/5
This was a slog to get through but mercifully short. I can't stand Scott Walker's voice or singing style. Blegh.
Mudhoney
3/5
Oh wow, real live Seattle grunge. Cool. Not something I'd listen to again, but I'm happy to add another album into my knowledge and familiarization of grunge.
Punchy, energetic, and unrefined. An interesting sound.
Elliott Smith
3/5
I can understand why people like this and why it’s still a well-loved album. I think had I tried listening to this 20 years ago, I would’ve liked it, but as it stands now, I’m not really into this singer songwriter thing very much anymore.
Laura Nyro
1/5
Well, this was obnoxious. I wanted to like this, but by the end of the album, her voice was so grating that I was quickly losing my patience with it. Boring, unmemorable songs and a shrill voice. Ugh.
Sam Cooke
3/5
Pretty good!! I don’t know anything about the background of this album but I enjoyed it. It was odd hearing people in the background laughing and not paying attention, though. I found that part a little distracting, but the songs were catchy.
Ian Dury
4/5
What an interesting sound…not quite punk, not quite…I don’t even know? Entertaining lyrics and faster paced songs, which I appreciate.
Aerosmith
3/5
I like Aerosmith but I’m definitely more of a greatest hits fan.
Christina Aguilera
2/5
I remember when this came out, it was pretty hyped up. I listened to it (maybe not even all of it) exactly once and never again.
My feelings 18 years later haven’t changed much. There are some good songs here but they’re weighed down by 40 minutes of bloat. By the time I heard something I liked, I was already pretty fatigued of this album’s repetitive shtick.
Beck
3/5
I remember this album being lauded when it came out, and I always meant to listen to it. I can't believe it took me 22 years to finally do so.
I prefer Beck's more fun and upbeat stuff (e.g. Midnite Vultures) but I can see why this resonated with critics and listeners alike. I think I'd have to listen to it a few more times to fully appreciate it. This was a bit hard for me to fully get into considering I haven't experienced a breakup in 15+ years, but I did like "Little One" a lot.
Doves
3/5
I preferred The Last Broadcast but this pretty good, too. They kind of remind me of Oasis Lite. I'd consider listening to this again, although none of the songs really blew me away, and a couple were annoying.
A high 3.
Incredible Bongo Band
3/5
Dueling Bongos was fun because it sounded like when you're downtown in a larger city and there are people drumming on buckets to busk for money and it sounds cool and you kind of want to stop and listen, but you never have any cash on you so you can't stop because that would be rude, so you just try to get a free listen as you walk away.
SAULT
1/5
This is the LaCroix of R&B, and maybe even music in general.
This is muzak that thinks it has something to say. Repeating the words “Don’t Shoot Guns Down” over and over doesn’t make it meaningful.
An annoying experience that unfortunately I can’t rate higher than a 1.
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
3/5
I didn't care for Tarkus but this was decent. I enjoyed the pipe organ and Moog synthesizer sounds, and the Nutcracker-inspired "Nutrocker" was fun, too.
Maybe more of a 3.5.
TLC
3/5
I’m not super into R&B but I know this one is a classic. I only recognized “Waterfalls.” I think I would have preferred FanMail but I didn’t mind this.
Neneh Cherry
3/5
I wasn't expecting this and it was a pleasant surprise. I don't think this list has dished out any other 1980s era female hip hop artists, and to be honest, I kind of forgot they existed with how heavily male this list skews.
Probably not something I'd listen to again but it was decent. I was happy I recognized the sample in "Buffalo Stance" as it was from another album in this list!
The Beau Brummels
3/5
A little too Bob Dylan-adjacent for me to really enjoy. Not bad, just not my thing. As of writing this, there are 124 mentions of [Bob] Dylan in the community reviews and one in the Wikipedia snippet. Man, it must suck to be your own band and people just constantly compare you to someone else. Maybe they should have just formed a Bob Dylan tribute band instead.
Suicide
3/5
I often use my notes here to try and describe what an album sounded like to me, so I can remember later on. I have no clue how to describe this. Wikipedia says it’s synth-punk. Well, okay then. It was okay; not bad, not great.
Django Django
5/5
Hey look, it’s the album that started this whole thing for me!
There is (or was) a user on Reddit going through the list manually, posting his reviews of every album in a subreddit he made for himself. He would cross-post his reviews to the bands’ subreddits, which is how I came to learn about the book. Django Django is my favourite band and I was surprised to hear they made it to a list of must-hear albums, since they aren’t well-known. A couple years prior, I had made my own list of famous albums I’d never listened to, so the idea of a list of 1001 albums was tempting, but daunting.
Well here I am, 780-something albums later. I thought it would have been perfect if this was the final album I got generated, but I’ll take any opportunity to listen to this. It’s one of my all-time favourites.
The Band
3/5
Perfectly serviceable classic rock. I didn’t realize I would know “The Weight” but that’s probably why this album is on the list.
Kings of Leon
2/5
In the matter of taste, the human brain thrives on familiarity. Often, the only thing standing in the way of you liking something is that you haven't been exposed to it enough times.
When it comes to Kings of Leon, my brain works the opposite. At first they're okay, but the more I hear them, the more I dislike them. And I hate "Sex on Fire."
G. Love & Special Sauce
2/5
Not awful, but wasn't a fan. Annoying 90s tripe.
The Slits
4/5
Pretty good! This list has made me a big fan of post-punk and I think this might be the first and only mostly-female post-punk I've had?
Prefab Sprout
3/5
I really liked the first song but it all kind of went downhill from there. I typically like this sort of thing but it was starting to annoy me by the end.
Moby
4/5
I was familiar with Moby, but only his singles. I had no idea what the rest of his music sounded like but I enjoyed it!! I'm not super into downtempo stuff but there was enough here for me that I would return to this album.
Nanci Griffith
3/5
I had never heard of this lady before, but 80s country is not my forte. I enjoyed this. I was doing a monotonous craft while I listened, and it was a pleasant companion.
Os Mutantes
3/5
I'm always happy to get an album from somewhere other than the US and UK. I see that Caetano Veloso wrote some of these songs, and I know that name because I got an album from him not too long ago.
I also recognized the song "A Minha Menina" as it's on Sunshine Hit Me by The Bees, another album from this list. It's really cool being able to recognize things like that now that I'm almost 800 albums deep!
Liked but didn't love this music.
Gary Numan
4/5
This is legit one of my favourite album covers out of all 1089 albums on this list. I don’t know why I like it so much.
On the surface, I liked this, although it started to feel pretty repetitive. Not sure if I would listen to this again. Maybe?
Somewhere between a 3 and a 4.
Ray Price
3/5
While I enjoy old honky-tonk country, all these songs had the same sort of mopey vibe to them (I know, it IS country, but still) and therefore it felt a bit repetitive. An easy listen, but not one I'd ever be in the mood to hear again.
Pulp
2/5
Hmm. I should have liked this, but I didn’t. I just feel like there’s already a lot of other 90s Britpop I prefer over this. I’m actually surprised this came out in the 90s; I just assumed this was from the 80s.
Alice In Chains
3/5
Not bad, just not my thing. Not a fan of hard rock, even when mixed with other genres.
Iron Butterfly
3/5
I can't wait to be done this challenge and never have to listen to another psychedelic rock album again. I don't hate it as a genre, but it's really feeling played out after nearly 800 albums. Other genres are getting the shaft so that the authors of this list could include yet another psychedelic album. Yawn.
This album was mercifully short. I didn't bother with all 17 minutes of the title track since we've all heard the radio version a million times.
MC Solaar
3/5
Sounded good, but it's tough when the lyrics are obviously the star of the show, and you can't understand them.
Madonna
3/5
Listened to this with my husband, on our way up north for a little weekend vacation. I mostly liked it but it did sound pretty dated. I forgot all about the other non-“Music” singles on this.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
3/5
I've been kind of ambivalent about the previous Elvis Costello albums I've gotten from the list. I have to say, this was fun. I liked it and I think if I devoted some time to listening to it again, it would grow on me more.
More of a 3.5.
Queen
3/5
Unpopular opinion: Queen is very hit or miss. The singles are fabulous, the rest is just blah.
Sebadoh
3/5
Bog standard 90s rock. Fine and inoffensive, but didn't do much for me. Not sure what was so special about this.
Elastica
5/5
Well, this was a surprise! I didn't think I was going to like this but I loved it. I don't usually like just straight rock music but this was awesome. Keeping this one on my phone.
Aerosmith
4/5
Wow, lots of hits packed into 37 minutes! I enjoy Aerosmith although I don't generally seek them out.
Stevie Wonder
3/5
It’s nice to get an album that deserves its place on the list. This is a high quality album with solid consistency throughout.
It’s not really my thing so I’m not inclined to rate it as such, but I can understand why other people like this.
Dagmar Krause
3/5
I'm not even sure what to say about this one. On one hand, I didn't enjoy listening to it. On the other hand, this is the type of thing I would have thought there would be more of in the book, and I appreciated it for that.
Dusty Springfield
4/5
This album wasn’t available on Apple Music so I had to cobble all the songs together into a playlist.
Unsurprisingly, I knew most of these songs already, as my mom always had the radio on and set to oldies. Dusty has an amazing voice and I enjoyed this much more than Dusty in Memphis. There are some real classics on this album.
Willie Nelson
3/5
This is nice. Not something I'd return to but it's nice that this exists.
Beach House
4/5
Not bad! I was burned out on indie for a long time but I think I'm coming back around because I didn't mind this. I could see myself listening to this again.
Fishbone
3/5
This was kind of interesting. I always appreciate genre fusions. However, this was a little forgettable to me and I didn't really get into it, but I appreciated it being a different take on 90s hard rock.
Alanis Morissette
5/5
Aw hell yeah! This was the first tape cassette I ever asked for and received as a kid. I was 9 when this album was released, but I think I got it a year later, in 1996. In retrospect, 10 is pretty young for this type of content, but my parents were always cool about that sort of thing. As long as it wasn't costing my parents time or much money, they DGAF what we did, watched, or listened to.
However, I admit I had NO IDEA what this album was really about at that age. When Alanis bemoans "the mess you left when you went away," 10 year old me always envisioned someone leaving her apartment messy and she had to tidy up after them. How rude! And yes, I was absolutely scandalized when I found out it was Uncle Joey she was cursing.
Anyway, this album is full of bangers from start to finish. Obviously I'm biased since this was a seminal album for me, despite my youthful innocence about the content matter.
David Bowie
3/5
Is this my last Bowie album? Maybe? Finally? I'm scared to check, in case there's more. Oh god, there is more. I'm unwittingly being dragged through his entire discography, aren't I?
Anyway, this album has one of the two Bowie songs that I actually like, "Heroes." The rest of it did nothing for me, but Moss Garden was a pleasant listen this morning at 7am.
Neuköln reminded me of Kraftwerk which would make a lot of sense given this album was also recorded in Germany in the 70s, but apparently its inspiration came elsewhere. Man, I really thought I had something there.
Roxy Music
3/5
My mind was a bit distracted listening to this, but I liked it. It was more or less what I was expecting.
If anyone out there is reading this and liked this album, you might like Indiscreet by Sparks as well. This album sounds like it served as inspiration for Indiscreet.
Maxwell
3/5
Nice to get some R&B as opposed to yet another rock album. Ultimately I found this kind of boring and some of the songs were too long, but again, some R&B was appreciated.
Foo Fighters
4/5
Nice to get something I'm already familiar with. I knew several of the songs already, by virtue of being a millennial who watched a lot of MuchMusic growing up.
Foo Fighters aren't my favourite from this era, but the singles are great.
Björk
2/5
I think if you like this sort of thing, this is probably a good album???
I need a rhythm, I can't do this meandering experimental thing, especially when I can barely decipher the lyrics.
The Byrds
3/5
There's too dang many Byrds albums on this dang list. Sorry, but it's true.
So this is considered the first country-rock album? Huh. To me it sounded like straight country but what do I know?
Aphex Twin
4/5
I don't mind ambient electronic music every now and then. To me, it makes for boring active listening, but in the background, it's a great soundtrack for work, studying, etc.
Dion
3/5
Not bad! I’m not sure how to describe this one. Doesn’t seem to fit cleanly into any genre. Not something I’d return to but it was OK!
FYI if anyone is reading this before listening: the original album is only 35 minutes long! I think the link took me to some super long edition but the original track listing only has 8 songs.
R.E.M.
5/5
I love REM even though I typically don’t seek them out. This album has two of my favourite songs of theirs: Stand and Orange Crush. Gonna keep this on my phone and start actually listening to REM more.
Mariah Carey
2/5
I understand why this was added, but Rainbow is a WAY better album. This album feels like a 57min long, LONG song, whereas Rainbow has more diversity, and reflects more of the pop-R&B thing tearing up the charts in the late 90s. Wait, did I just accidentally channel NSYNC?
This album is incredibly repetitive and really started to wear me down about 15-20 min. I was glad when it ended.
Kendrick Lamar
4/5
I'm well aware of Kendrick Lamar's popularity and acclaim, but this was my first time listening to him. I was super curious because this album has a pretty high score for being a divisive genre.
My assessment of it was that it's very accessible and palatable for someone like me, who typically doesn't care for rap. I could actually decipher the lyrics and they were neither overly explicit nor hostile nor braggadocious. In fact, what I heard was thoughtful self-awareness and observation of the imperfect world we live in. I can see why this is critically acclaimed.
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
5/5
I don't know how anyone doesn't like bluegrass, especially the instrumental stuff. It's just so dang pleasant!!
I enjoyed the fuck out of this. I saved a bunch of songs to my phone.
Screaming Trees
3/5
I didn't mind this. I like grunge but wasn't super into the other influences on this album. Overall, I found this kind of forgettable and am already struggling to remember what it sounded like a day after listening.
The Mothers Of Invention
3/5
I had never listened to Frank Zappa before. I find this was basically the 1960’s idea of avant-garde, which has lost its novelty over the decades.
Röyksopp
4/5
More like this please!!!
Leonard Cohen
3/5
Granted I was in an irritated mood when I listened to this, but I thought it was pretty good! I probably owe it another listen when I’m feeling calmer and not stuck in unnecessary traffic.
David Holmes
4/5
I liked this! It reminded me of Propellerheads, which is from the same era of electronica. I do usually go for Propellerheads when in a mood for this type of thing, but it’ll be nice to have this tucked in my back pocket for the future, too.
The Flaming Lips
3/5
I much preferred Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, but this was okay. I didn't find it super memorable.
The Notorious B.I.G.
3/5
77 minutes of rap is a lot to ask of a person who doesn't care for rap. Blah.
With that out of the way, this was fine. I know Biggie is considered one of the greatest rappers and so I was invested in listening. It's just that rap is never going to be a genre I choose to listen to.
Fun Lovin' Criminals
4/5
I put off listening to this but then it turned out to be really good!! I'm not a big fan of rap and hip hop, but the heavy rock influence saved this for me.
Probably wouldn't come back to it but it was a great album!
Hüsker Dü
2/5
Forgettable, generic 90s rock.
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
4/5
Ooh 80s synth pop! Now we’re talkin’!
This was good but the middle section lagged for me. I much preferred the faster-paced songs.
5 for the fast songs, 3 for the slow songs = 4
Lorde
3/5
I was only familiar with Lorde's singles so it was cool to listen to an album of hers. I like her voice and appreciated lyrics that weren't just bog standard love songs.
However, I still don't really minimalistic music where there's nothing interesting happening in the background.
3.5 stars if I could.
Echo And The Bunnymen
4/5
I might need to listen to this again, because my first impression was that "The Killing Moon" stands heads and shoulders over the other tracks. Overall I liked this but wished the other songs sounded more like "The Killing Moon."
Eminem
3/5
I was an Eminem fan at the time this came out, although I didn't own this album. I was a young teenager at the time and thought Eminem was hilarious and didn't take any of it seriously. As an adult, revisiting his excessively edgy lyrics no longer provides the same amount of entertainment. By the end, I was mostly just sick of all the misogynistic crap in it.
Somewhere between a 2 and a 3.
Afrika Bambaataa
4/5
At the risk of sounding insufferable, this fucking slapped.
4.5 if I could.
The Cult
3/5
I'm not a fan of hard rock, so I honestly got through this by not paying it much attention. It didn't seem to be particularly bothersome hard rock, at least.
Hookworms
5/5
I really liked this! This is definitely my type of music. I wasn't blown away but I'm going to listen to it again and see if it grows on me even more.
Edit: 2025-01-31, coming back to change this to a 5 because I recently rediscovered it and absolutely love it.
Neil Young
3/5
I think this might be my last Neil Young album from the list and I’m not upset about it. I do like “Don’t Let it Bring You Down” so that was a nice surprise.
Nick Drake
4/5
I'm pretty sure if you checked the dictionary definition for the word "pleasant," you'd see a photo of this album.
Slipknot
2/5
The sigh I sighed when I saw this had been generated...
Astor Piazzolla
3/5
Really very pleasant and tolerable, but I was getting increasingly eager for it to end around the 45 minute mark.
Would rate 3.5.
Jungle Brothers
3/5
I enjoyed this...I think I need to spend some more time with old hip hop.
Drive-By Truckers
2/5
Look, I like southern rock as much as the next person, but NINETY-FOUR MINUTES?!?!?! Whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy, and why would the creators of this list do this to us?
N.E.R.D
3/5
I thought this was newer than it was. Anyway, it was pretty decent. I thought it was accessible rap for people like me who don’t really like rap. Kinda reminded me of OutKast but less eccentric. Not something I’d return to but I didn’t mind it.
Mekons
4/5
I liked this! I like anything that mixes genres together and comes out with something as smooth as this. Wikipedia calls this alternative rock and alternative country, but I heard traces of Britpop, new wave, and post-punk in there, too.
Would listen again!
Ananda Shankar
4/5
When I saw that this was an Indian/Western rock fusion album, I got excited. However, I found it only really delivered that fusion for the first couple songs, and then reverted to straight Indian music. I don't mind that, but really enjoyed the fusion sound, so it was a bit disappointing that it fizzled out for me.
I'll be keeping "Light My Fire" on my phone because that was a JAM and I think I like it more than the original.
Scritti Politti
3/5
I was only familiar with the name Scritti Politti from seeing that it was an album on this list. The name led me to believe it would be something dark and heavy, like industrial music or metal. I definitely wasn't expecting adult contemporary 80s synth pop.
Once I realized my error, I was pleasantly surprised...until the sophisti-pop and blue-eyed soul started coming through. Blegh.
2Pac
2/5
I've been getting a lot of rap lately. It's just not a genre I'm ever going to like, especially gangsta rap. Some of it is okay, and I can respect the storytelling, but this just isn't what I look for when I'm listening to music.
This was fine. They're all fine. They all mostly sound the same to me.
Carpenters
3/5
I cannot believe the number of awards this won at the Grammy's, jeez. The 70s were a different time, man.
Many of these are not original songs. Of course, I already knew "(They Long to Be) Close to You" and recognized other artists' versions of some of the other songs.
Karen had a lovely voice and it's a shame what happened to her.
This easy listening adult pop thing is NOT my bag, though.
De La Soul
5/5
While I'm not sure if I'll come back to this album in the future, I can't in good conscience give this anything less than a perfect score.
Sinead O'Connor
3/5
Fine, just not my thing.
PJ Harvey
4/5
I didn’t care for the other PJ Harvey album I got already, but I thought it was really well done. I saved a few songs for my playlist.
Liz Phair
3/5
From what I read about this album, it certainly deserves a place on the list. On paper, I should have liked this, but the stripped down, apathetic/angsty grunge-adjacent quintessential 90s thing just wasn’t working for me this time. I feel like I should have liked it.
Soft Machine
2/5
Progressive jazz rock. Or jazzy rock prog. Or prog rock jazz? No matter what you call it, it’s still a no from me, dawg.
Björk
3/5
I liked this better than Vespertine. Still not really my thing but it was alright.
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
4/5
Thanks to a kind redditor for pointing out that this album IS available on Apple Music if you search for Love and Devotion by "Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan & Party." The second disc is this album.
This is almost a jarring experience since it's so different from everything else on the list. You know what, though? I really enjoyed it. The songs were a little long for me but I have no other complaints. I found this calming to listen to.
Funkadelic
3/5
I could only find this as one long track on YouTube, so I felt a bit disconnected from it while listening, as the songs seemed to blur into one long song. That said, it was fine and I didn't mind it. I had no idea Funkadelic was related to Parliament so that's cool.
The Youngbloods
3/5
More psychedelic rock from the 60s. Yawn. This one had a bit of a country sound to it in certain spots, and those were the bright spots.
PJ Harvey
3/5
I think if I spent some more time with this album, I would probably/possibly enjoy it, but I didn't much care for it on the first spin. The music is just a smidge too bare bones and repetitive for me. I did like "Dress," though.
Gil Scott-Heron
2/5
I’ll be perfectly honest…this did nothing for me. I don’t really like 70s jazz, blues, or soul, and this was the personification of all those things. I appreciated the lyrics, though.
The White Stripes
5/5
I’ve had this album since roughly around the time it was released. I was a HUGE White Stripes fan in high school but haven’t kept up with them (or really, Jack White) ever since. I loved this album and still do.
Tortoise
3/5
I didn't mind this. It was chill background music for driving, but not something I'd choose to put on again. A 21 minute long song to start the album though, woof.
The Streets
3/5
How very British that one of the opening lines has a rhyme that includes "tea."
This was okay. I wouldn't listen to it again and the strong British accent gets tiring after awhile (sorry, Brits) but it wasn't too bad.
Mudhoney
3/5
I had the other Mudhoney album about 100 albums ago. I don't mind this...it appeals to my punk and grunge tastes, but not much else. Don't hate but don't particularly like, either.
Miles Davis
4/5
I really liked this! I preferred the second track to the first, although I'm not sure if I'd listen to it again in the future, as I'm not a fan of super long songs.
fIREHOSE
2/5
As a Michigander, I am naturally opposed to anything from Ohio.
I don’t like generic rock anyway so blegh.
Holger Czukay
3/5
Well, I love Can, so ole Holger had that going for him. I felt like this straddled the line between ambient and prog, the latter being a genre I don't care for. I wanted to like this but felt ambivalent about it by the end.
Bruce Springsteen
5/5
Hell yeah, I loved this! I would definitely come back to this again and am keeping it on my phone.
The Cure
3/5
I feel like I SHOULD like The Cure in theory. In practice, this music is just a bit too dreary for me. I’d probably learn to like it after a few listens, though.
The Monkees
3/5
Man it’s crazy what a blatant ripoff of The Beatles they were. I loved The Monkees when I was in high school but only ever owned a greatest hits CD. I still do like their hits but listening to this album just made me feel like I was in high school again, and not in a good way.
Pavement
3/5
I think I would have really liked this in a different time of my life or some other context. It reminded me of other stuff I liked in the past.
Mj Cole
2/5
I cannot understand why anyone thought this was worthy of being on this list. Dated, forgettable EDM.
The Police
4/5
Always happy to see The Police pop up. I only knew “Message in a Bottle” but I enjoyed the rest as well.
Willie Nelson
3/5
While I like older country and Willie Nelson is obviously a legend, it was a little slow for me. It was pleasant driving music but that's about all I got out of it.
The United States Of America
2/5
Sigh. I'm at a point where you could tell me this psychedelic rock album is literally the greatest album in the world. You could tell me there are religions that consider this album their messiah; that upon listening, women become pregnant and men's muscles instantly grow...and I still wouldn't care.
King Crimson
4/5
I just want to say that this is my favourite album cover of all 1089 albums. I'm really not sure why, but it's obviously a striking, jarring, memorable piece of art.
Anyway, I liked this more than I was expecting to, given that it’s prog! Pleasantly surprised by this one.
The Charlatans
2/5
I found it exceedingly difficult not to constantly compare this to Oasis. If this is what Oasis would have sounded like without the brotherly animosity, I am thankful the Gallagher brothers hate(d) each other...
This is like the vegan version of Oasis. It's pretty close to the real deal, but not quite. If you got used to never hearing Oasis and then you heard this, it would be totally fine and you'd maybe even start to forget the differences. I say this as a person who eats a lot of vegan alternatives.
David Ackles
2/5
I was glad to see other people compared this to Nick Cave and Scott Walker, because that was my initial impression.
I REALLY didn't like this but since it wasn't psychedelic rock, I couldn't find it in me to be annoyed about it.
Public Enemy
4/5
Public Enemy is one of the only rap groups I genuinely like, so this was easy listening today. I actually don't know much about them and didn't know until today that Flavor Flav is part of the group.
I was about 20-25 feet away from Mr. Flav a few months ago. He was hanging out with the sound guys for the Green Day concert I was at, and I was in the last row in front of the sound board. We had a drone scare mid-show which was terrifying because we didn't know at first what was going on. I turned around and saw Flavor Flav smiling and laughing with the sound guys, so I knew we were fine. I definitely never had "Seeing Flavor Flav smiling made me realize I probably wasn't going to die today" on my bingo card but life is weird that way.
Justin Timberlake
5/5
I was in high school when this released and bought it a few months after it came out. I literally never listen to it anymore but after listening to it today, I should change that. I forgot how many great songs are on this album. I enjoyed this nostalgia today.
Echo And The Bunnymen
3/5
Good to be back rating albums again (it's January 6 as I write this). To me they kinda sound like a post-punk version of U2 and I'm here for it. Although I liked this album, I found it a little repetitive.
Would rate 3.5.
Radiohead
5/5
I’ve loved this album since it came out. I used to listen to it every night on my Discman to fall asleep. I love the otherworldly vibes.
The Boo Radleys
3/5
I thought this album was about 10 years newer than it is. It has more of a 2000s indie vibe to my ears. I didn't mind it for the most part, but it was a little boring to me. I doubt I'll remember this in a month from now.
Robert Wyatt
3/5
I've seen some hate for this album on the subreddit for this site, so I wasn't sure what to expect. My expectations were low but I didn't mind this at all. I'm even going to save the first track for my 1001 highlights playlist.
Sex Pistols
3/5
Obviously a classic, although it’s not something l’d listen to on my own.
Faust
3/5
I like Krautrock but I'm not a big prog fan, so those two things were at odds with each other here for me. Ultimately I liked it, but probably wouldn't listen to it again.
More of a 3.5.
The Libertines
3/5
I'd been eagerly awaiting this one, because this seemed like something I'd like. It came out when I was 18 and theoretically was in my musical wheelhouse at the time. I'm not sure how I'd never heard of them before.
Anyway, it did nothing for me. I found it pretty bland and forgettable overall. Maybe I would have liked it in 2004, but not today.
Björk
1/5
I’ve had a couple Bjork albums in the past and was neutral or ambivalent about them. But this one was a struggle for me to get through, and I only made it about halfway before I had to switch to something else to save my patience. I finished it later in the day, by the skin of my teeth.
I really don’t like music where it’s mostly just singing and very little instrument sound. At times, there was no background music at all. It was like nails on a chalkboard for me.
Michael Jackson
4/5
Obviously a classic that deserves its place on the list. I wasn’t a fan of the ballads but the more upbeat songs are legendary.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
3/5
I had never really listened to any reggae before starting this, but I'm really enjoying it. I'm not sure if it's something I'll seek out on my own in the future, but this is some good stuff.
I'm nearly 900 albums into this thing so anything but classic rock is always welcomed.
Would rate 3.5.
Oasis
5/5
Definitely maybe giving this a 5 because I love Oasis.
The Coral
4/5
I recognized the song "Dreaming of You" from the vast Rock Band library I share with my husband. That was the only song I was familiar with. Overall I can say I liked this, although I don't know yet how much. I think I'm going to leave it on my phone and listen to it again in a few weeks. I could see myself really enjoying this with a few more listens, but I can't say for sure.
Nice to hear something with more of an original sound!
Stevie Wonder
3/5
Although this does nothing for me, I can understand why other people would like this. I could also hear sounds that I feel like have been replicated by other artists later on.
Sabu
4/5
Fun and funky! Wasn’t a huge fan of the tracks with a lot of yelling but otherwise, I enjoyed this. I LOVE upbeat Latin music, and that’s something I didn’t know before starting this challenge.
Jean-Michel Jarre
5/5
This is an album I've meant to listen to for literally 5 years, when it was first recommended to me. Once I saw it was on the list, I decided to wait. I would say it was worth the wait. I didn't really care for Pt. 1 but it picked up for me with Pt 2 and stayed great through to the end. Pt 4 was the highlight for me, which I understand led to Jean-Michel Jarre's breakthrough.
Would rate 4.5 but going to round up because I think it deserves it.
Duran Duran
4/5
You know it’s going to be a good day when the album is already in your music library.
I love 80s pop obviously so today was indeed a good day.
Queen Latifah
4/5
I thought this was really good. I'm always happy to see women in underrepresented genres and Queen Latifah is a legend.
Sisters Of Mercy
3/5
Ooh, goth music. At least it's something different, although it didn't do much for me. Fine enough.
Mike Oldfield
3/5
Two 20min+ tracks, ugh. I don't like prog but this was okay. Tolerable but it did take me a few listening sessions to get through.
Marilyn Manson
2/5
I have complicated feelings about Marilyn Manson. It's shitty how he was repeatedly, unfairly maligned in the media and blamed for poor decisions made by other people...but he's also an abuser.
Anyway, other than his singles which I have always liked, there wasn't much there for me.
Michael Jackson
4/5
I just had Off the Wall 12 days ago so I was a little surprised to see another Michael Jackson album so soon.
Again, obviously a classic. I’m not a huge MJ fan but I can’t deny the singles are all 10/10 all-time greats.
John Lennon
4/5
Pretty good, a lot of these songs reminded me of songs from Imagine and from the White Album. He certainly has a distinct sound.
Barry Adamson
3/5
This was an interesting album and not at all what I was expecting. I got Moss Side Story quite a while ago and couldn’t really remember what it sounded like.
With this, I never knew what to expect when each track started. I appreciated that there was very little singing as that’s often where these albums go wrong for me.
I preferred the upbeat songs as slow ones were a bit too dark for my likings.
Vermillion Kisses was so painfully awful that I almost skipped it. Holy shit, it had to be one of the worst things I’ve endured in 900+ albums.
Hanoi Rocks
3/5
Not really what I was expecting, but I guess I don’t know what I was expecting. I was pretty distracted while listening, but paid attention enough to know this isn’t something I’d listen to again. That said, it also wasn’t annoying.
Le Tigre
4/5
Apple Music's write-up for this album was almost word-for-word how I would describe one of my favourite bands, Metric. My husband and I listened to the first half of this together in the car and found it interesting and compelling. I wish the lo-fi aspect wasn't present as it detracts from it for me, but I'm still planning to give this another listen.
Hole
2/5
I feel like I should like Hole, but I really don't enjoy Courtney Love's vocals.
900+ albums ago when I was starting this journey, I didn't realize how picky I really was about rock music.
The Yardbirds
3/5
Not bad! I was a little distracted but I liked what I heard. “Farewell” caught my attention the most so I’m going to keep that one on my phone.
KISS
3/5
I’ve always thought KISS’ shtick was a little weird, albeit fun I guess?
Fela Kuti
3/5
Pretty good! I could see myself having this on in the background if I was trying to get some work done.
My arms hurt after just listening to that 16 minute long drum solo!
5/5
This is one of the albums I’ve been most excited about, and for good cause.
Anthrax
2/5
I really don’t like metal but this wasn’t too annoying.
Kate Bush
3/5
Not really my thing but it was okay. Somewhere between a 2 and a 3 for me.
50 Cent
4/5
I didn't realize I had a soft spot for 50 Cent until listening to this, but it was pretty nostalgic for me.
I'm not a big fan of rap but I liked quite a few of these songs.
The Lemonheads
3/5
This sounded very dated but as I don't mind this era of music, it was alright. I'm keeping "The Turnpike Down" for my 1001 Highlights playlist. I'd say overall I liked this, but not enough to listen to it again.
N.W.A.
3/5
I can understand why people like this and why it was influential. While I don’t care for rap, I do like hip hop so there was enough here to keep this perfectly tolerable for me.
The White Stripes
4/5
This is where I dropped off from listening to The White Stripes. I liked this album and I think it’s strong and consistent, I’m just not really into this sound anymore.
Sleater-Kinney
2/5
I thought I was going to like this but I REALLY disliked it. I just kept thinking it’s not melodic at all and I need a melody.
Would give a 1 but I already feel like a bad riot grrly as it is.
Method Man
3/5
Really not my thing but my husband enjoyed it.
Cee Lo Green
4/5
I thought this was really good! There were some great songs here. Other than "Crazy" and "Fuck You," I really wasn't familiar with CeeLo Green.
My husband informed me that if it were him rating this, he'd pick 5 stars. I'm not that generous but I would listen to this again.
Neu!
4/5
I owe this another listen as I had this on in the car with two passengers, but I liked what I heard.
Death In Vegas
4/5
I like late 90s/early 2000s electronica, but these 5min+ songs are just a little much unless it's on in the background.
Thank goodness I realized during the original last track that the rest was bonus material. My rating would have been lower had I listened to 130min of this.
Stevie Wonder
4/5
I haven’t really cared for the other Stevie Wonder albums on this list but I enjoyed this! I’m saving “You Haven’t Done Nothin’” for my playlist.
Buzzcocks
3/5
Is it just me or are there like, at least 200 albums on this list that all sound identical to this?
Jerry Lee Lewis
4/5
Oh boy, I can only imagine what the reviews are going to be about…Yup, the 7th most mentioned word in the reviews is "cousin."
Anyway, despite the obvious grossness of marrying a 13 year old relative, I liked this. I love these old rock and roll standards. I don't really care for Jerry Lee Lewis' vocals and considering his past, I don't typically listen to him. But I can't deny that I love this genre of music.
The Kinks
3/5
I didn't mind this, but I can't help thinking that there are way too many Kinks albums on this list, and that I would have liked this way more during my classic rock phase.
Would rate 3.5.
Eminem
2/5
Ugh. This album came out the same week I turned 14, and I HAD to have it. I loved this album and in hindsight, I have no idea why. The themes in this album don’t hit as hard for a literal child, though. This time around, I couldn’t even make it through the entirety of “Kim” before I had to skip to the next track.
If I was just hearing this for the first time, I’d give it a 1. For the nostalgia of the better songs, I’ll give it a 2, but I hated having to listen to this. I was actually relieved when Dr Dre came on in “Bitch Please 2.”
Pere Ubu
2/5
Forget about the list for a second; how does this band even get a record deal????? Terrible singing, barely even noise rock. I fail to see how this is art-punk post-punk.
1.5 if I could.
Dolly Parton
3/5
A really nice, pleasant album. I couldn’t help feeling like I was mostly hearing Dolly’s voice, but maybe that was just me.
B.B. King
3/5
This was fast and fun. I'm not super into the blues but I can appreciate BB King's obvious talent.
Gotan Project
4/5
Spanish Tango electronica? Sign me up! I loved this. I preferred the more upbeat songs but I enjoyed everything.
Rahul Dev Burman
3/5
I enjoyed this! Always nice to get something different than dreary Brit rock.
Metallica
3/5
I think the conception and delivery of this is well done. This is the type of thing nobody can repeat without being compared to Metallica. As I can only barely tolerate metal, that’s where my admiration ended. I did enjoy “Nothing Else Matters” because that’s the only Metallica song I like.
Good album, just overwhelmingly not my thing, and took a while to work up the patience to listen to this.
Basement Jaxx
4/5
I really enjoyed this! It was a long album but I listened to it at work and found myself dancing in my seat multiple times.
CHIC
4/5
I like disco so this was fun...but the slower more R&B songs in the second half dragged it down for me. Bring back the fun vibes and this would have been a 5 star album for me.
Stephen Stills
4/5
This was good! I’m pretty much burned out on classic rock at this point but I can’t deny this was a good album.
Gene Clark
3/5
I think I liked No Other better, but this was decent. I appreciate this genre of folk/country rock.
Charles Mingus
3/5
I enjoyed having this on as I was getting ready for work.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
4/5
If you paid any attention to music in 1999, you’ll remember this album was literally unavoidable. That said, I happen to like RHCP, although I’d never listened to this album in full. The singles are so good but I’d probably need a few more listens of the full thing to truly appreciate the other tracks.
Peter Gabriel
3/5
This was alright. I recall being ambivalent about So and that's more or less how I felt about this one. Not bad, just not my thing. I could see it growing on me with repeated listens, though.
Leonard Cohen
3/5
I think I need to be in a specific mood to really appreciate the poetry and considering how things have been going for me lately, I'm not likely to be in that mood anytime soon. That's not to say I disliked this, I just couldn't really get into it. It felt like it was asking a little more of me than I can give right now.
Spiritualized
5/5
I was dreading this, thinking it was going to be some overly long 90s electronica album. I forgot I've had a Spiritualized album already and that it's space/dream pop and shoegaze.
But holy shit was this good. I haven't had anything I've enjoyed this much in a long time. I don't even LIKE shoegaze but I loved this. WTF.
LCD Soundsystem
5/5
I’m not sure how often I’d realistically listen to it, but I did really like it.
If Sound of Silver is the album you play at a house party, this is the album you play the morning after.
Bon Jovi
4/5
I enjoyed this more than I thought I would! There are some real classics on this album, and the rest of the album is fairly consistent. Not something I'd return to, but I'll give credit where it's due.
Kings of Leon
5/5
WHAT ON EARTH? You mean to tell me that Kings of Leon was actually good until they morphed into that "Sex on Fire" trash?????
I cannot believe I'm giving Kings of fucking Leon 5 stars but this was legitimately highly enjoyable.
Tears For Fears
5/5
My husband would leave me if I didn't give this 5 stars. Fortunately, we agree on this album.
The Triffids
3/5
This was okay? It has a 90s sound, even though it's from 1987. At times I kind of liked it, but overall, I found it mostly meh. I did like "Open For You" so I'm going to keep that for my playlist.
Black Flag
3/5
Nice to have some straight-up punk for a change. I don't really listen to much punk, but I enjoy it every now and then.
Extra points for making me laugh with "TV Party."
Hey, wait a minute, my TV doesn't work!
It's broken!
Ella Fitzgerald
4/5
Oh boy, here we go. With very few exceptions, I typically listen to these albums from start to finish. Gulp.
I first developed an appreciation for the Gershwin brothers in 2011 when I helped with a local production of Crazy For You. It was nice to hear those songs again on this album. I always loved "Slap that Bass" and "I Got Rhythm." Of course, several of the other songs here should be familiar to even the most musically ignorant person.
Ella's voice sounds beautiful on every track and the music accompaniments are perfectly charming.
I forewent listening to disc 6 since it's just instrumental songs, although I did listen to one and it sounded nice.
There's no way in hell I'd listen to this whole thing again, but I'll probably hang onto to some of the songs that were in Crazy For You.
Ice T
2/5
Golden age of the CD era + the golden age of rap and hip hop = the bane of my existence.
I already don't care for gangsta rap, and 72 minutes of it doesn't help.
The Strokes
5/5
I LOVE this album and I'm not sure why I never listen to it anymore. Every song is perfect, there's not a single song I skip or dislike even a bit. There are precious few albums I can say that about; not even some of my all-time favourites are front-to-back winners.
I was only familiar with the version that had "New York City Cops" on it. Admittedly, I hadn't even heard its replacement "How it Started" until today, nor did I even know about the change until years later.
For me, this album harkens back to 2001's early internet era. I distinctly remember using Audiogalaxy to burn a copy of this at my grandparents' house, as they had DSL and a newer computer with a CD burner. If you're under the age of about 30, I'm sorry, but you missed the halcyon days of pirating music online. Of course, now you can listen to whatever you want, whenever you want. Back then, access to music was limited and expensive, unless you were content with the library's catalogue and/or the TV/radio. If you were lucky, a friend would have a CD you wanted, and you'd find a way to burn a copy of it for yourself. Going to a website, typing in what you wanted, and simply clicking "Download" was amazing. I still have so much music from that fleeting, perfect time.
Once I had my burned copy of this in hand (which I still have, nearly 24 years later), I listened to it constantly. Even my mom -- who hates everything made after 1975 -- liked it.
The Strokes had an official website that sold merch. I REALLY wanted a t-shirt, but online commerce was a new concept at the time, and there was no way my mom would trust putting her credit card number onto the information superhighway. I resorted to buying a blank hoodie and printing The Strokes logo onto iron-on transfer paper. I did a terrible job and could never wear it outside the house. Every time I've seen someone wearing a shirt with The Strokes' logo, the 15 year old in me is still envious.
Anyway, back to 2025, this album is still wall to wall bangers and holds up perfectly well. This album became the foundation of my teenage musical taste and would be in the Mount Rushmore of millennials' seminal albums.
Stan Getz
5/5
I am shocked there are negative reviews for this. I typically don't care for bossa nova but this is so smooth and so pleasant, I don't think I can rate it lower than a 5. This was so likeable, how could you not enjoy this?
Adele
3/5
I’ll admit I groaned when I saw this had been generated. This isn’t really a genre I care for but I was pleasantly surprised at how much better this was than 21. This is the superior album, no questions asked. Still not a genre I like, but these were catchy songs.
3/5
Not bad, but I’m more of the synth persuasion when it comes to 80s pop.
Coldplay
5/5
Nice to get an album I don’t even need to listen to today to know it’s getting a 5. I’ve loved this album for a while.
Leonard Cohen
3/5
Hmm. This is my third Leonard Cohen album, if memory serves. So far, I've liked his late 80s album the best. This was a little bit too out there for me. I'm more of a music person and less of a lyrics person. Since I listen to these albums when I drive, it's hard to give the lyrics the full attention they deserve. I didn't dislike this but I didn't particularly care for it, either.
The Vines
5/5
This has been a week of my favourite early 2000s albums. I loved this album when it came out. Before today, I don't think I'd listened to it all the way through since probably 2003. I like every song on this album and wouldn't cut any of them. I think as a teen, my favourite song was "Country Yard" but these days, I think it's "Factory."
Fun nostalgia trip today.
ZZ Top
4/5
This was a lot more fun than I was expecting! I wrongly assumed ZZ Top was a strict hard rock band, but this was more like party hard rock. I enjoyed it!
The Velvet Underground
3/5
The version that came up on Apple Music was the 45th Anniversary Edition. I figured if something warranted not just an anniversary edition, but one that isn't even on a decade, it must be good. While I didn't mind this, I don't think I understood what's so special about it.
Jacques Brel
3/5
It's pretty entertaining reading through the reviews of people who didn't bother to dedicate two measly minutes to educating themselves about Jacques Brel. How do you get through 1089 albums -- many of which you're not going to know ahead of time -- and make no attempt to learn anything along the way? If you're not trying to broaden your horizons, why are you even doing this?
That said, this is the type of thing I'm here for. I was unaware of Jacques Brel and his influence, and after having spent some time reading his Wikipedia, I'm happy that I've learned something today.
New York Dolls
3/5
This was okay. Glam doesn't really do it for me, so I tried to concentrate on it being punk. It's interesting to learn that this is considered to be one of the founding punk rock albums.
Franz Ferdinand
5/5
Wow, yet another early 2000s indie/alt rock classic from my youth. The generator has been on a roll lately. I've now had the debut albums from The Strokes, Coldplay, The Vines, and Franz Ferdinand, all in the span of 11 days.
As I listened to one great song after another on this album (many of which I was already familiar with), I wondered why no one really talks about Franz Ferdinand anymore.
Portishead
2/5
Fine, chill. Didn't really do much for me and it sounded like one long song.
Again I must ask: why does this band that nobody talks about have more than album on this list, but Daft Punk's Discovery was missing? IT MAKES NO SENSE.
Kate Bush
3/5
While I'm not really a Kate Bush fan, I do think it's cool that Stranger Things has given her a bit of a comeback. This just isn't really a genre I care for, but it seems like it would be a good album if I did like it.
R.E.M.
4/5
REM can basically do no wrong with me. It was interesting listening to their debut album. It definitely sounds less refined than their later stuff, but still with their identifiable sound.
Klaxons
3/5
This was pretty good! I could see this growing on me more if I listened to it a few more times.
Nick Drake
3/5
I find Nick Drake to be really pleasant to listen to, but not specifically something I'd choose to listen to.
Slipknot
1/5
I don’t think metal is bad, I just really dislike it.
Alexander 'Skip' Spence
3/5
This was just okay. I didn't hate it but I didn't really care for it, either. None of the songs stood out to me. It just seemed like general folk/classic rock.
The xx
3/5
Actual review date: May 6, 2025
Well that was a long and unexpected break from reviewing. I listened to a bit of this before life got in the way and I kind of liked what I heard. I listened to it full today and it was decent. It started off promising but did get a little boring for me. Still, I didn't mind it but it's probably not something I'd keep on my phone.
More of a 3.5.
Shivkumar Sharma
3/5
This was really calming but not super interesting to listen to.
Frank Ocean
3/5
Not bad, just not my thing. I did like the song “Pyramids” but it was way too long to consider listening to again.
Simon & Garfunkel
5/5
I’ve been a Simon & Garfunkel fan for a long time. Not every song on this album is a 5/5 to me, but the vast majority of this album is excellent.
Queen
2/5
Outside of the hits which are amazing, I find the rest of Queen so incredibly mid, it’s hard to believe they’re as famous as they are. I think it’s all riding on the hits.
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band
2/5
Really didn't do much for me but I'm not typically into the glam side of classic rock.
Talking Heads
4/5
Not the best Talking Heads album but still pretty darn good.
ZZ Top
3/5
Not bad! Probably not something I’d return to but I didn’t mind it. I forgot about “La Grange.” I love that song.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
5/5
Fuck yeah
Beck
4/5
I like Beck and I didn’t mind this. I can never get into his other stuff as much as I like Midnite Vultures, though. Heard a few familiar songs here, at least.
Dwight Yoakam
3/5
While I don’t mind country, this was a little too contemporary sad sack country for me.
Lucinda Williams
2/5
I really didn’t care for this. It felt like Courtney Love mixed with Sheryl Crow, but lacking the talent of both. I did like “Joy” so I saved that one for my playlist.
Richard Thompson
3/5
This was okay! I like folk, but nothing here really caught my attention. Linda has a lovely voice.
Ute Lemper
2/5
Woof. Not COMPLETELY awful but pretty terrible.
Dirty Projectors
2/5
This was too indie for my tastes. I wanted to like it but ultimately found it aggravating to listen to.
Small Faces
3/5
I think it's been a while since I had to listen to psychedelic rock so my patience level has reset a bit, but that 20 minute track certainly depleted it.
Dr. Dre
3/5
My husband and I listened to this together as he loves this album. Being from the CD era, this album drops off in the second half, but the first half was okay to my non-rap fan ears.
Big Star
3/5
Not bad! Sounds very of its time but it was fun and didn’t take itself too seriously (despite the album name).
George Michael
4/5
Pretty good! I obviously already knew "Freedom! '90" but I enjoyed the whole album.
Stan Getz
5/5
At the start of this project, 3+ years ago for me, I didn't care for bossa nova. This is obviously a masterpiece, but I think time has softened my disdain into enjoyment.
I love Astrud Gilberto's voice and I love "The Girl from Ipanema" which this list introduced me to.
The White Stripes
5/5
I've owned this since it came out and it's one of my favourites.
The Psychedelic Furs
3/5
While I typically like British post-punk and new wave thanks to this list, I didn't really care for this. It lacked the charm of other NW/PP bands.
The Pharcyde
4/5
I guess this isn't technically old school hip hop but that's what it sounded like to me, and that's pretty much the only era of hip hop I like (plus some later golden age stuff). I doubt I'd listen to this again but I did enjoy this! I saved "Soul Flower (Remix)" for my playlist.
The Mothers Of Invention
3/5
I didn't know what to expect with this, knowing that Frank Zappa was in the band. It ended up kind of sounding like 60s music that isn't afraid to have fun and be funny. Not bad...
The Young Rascals
3/5
Pretty good mid-60s bluesy pop-rock. I recognized "Groovin'" from oldies stations which were always playing in our kitchen growing up.
Would rate 3.5.
Al Green
3/5
Pretty good! I recognized the title track. This album is very consistent. I'm not usually into soul but this is extremely accessible and likeable.
Would rate 3.5.
Slayer
2/5
I heartily dislike metal but I found this tolerable as it was a fairly brief album. Didn't like it, but it didn't annoy me.
Echo And The Bunnymen
4/5
Pretty good!! I was hoping for more new wave vibes but this was mostly post-punk, so I’m not complaining.
Deep Purple
4/5
Not bad!! I knew the famous songs but the rest of it was enjoyable too. I liked the song “Lazy.”
Fatboy Slim
5/5
Always happy to listen to 90s electronica!
Can
4/5
Not bad! I’m not a big prog gal but I always liked Can.
The Flying Burrito Brothers
4/5
I'd never heard of this band and after reading about them, it seems like I should have. I think I can see how this was influential. It was very consistent and accessible. If I ever wanted to introduce somebody to country rock in the future, I'd play them this album.
More of a 3.5 but I'll round up because I think it deserves it.
Marvin Gaye
4/5
Pretty good! This isn’t really my jam but it does seem like good stuff.
The Prodigy
5/5
I didn't realize I would know so many of these songs. Nice to get another 90s electronica album after one last week too.
Taylor Swift
3/5
Unpopular opinion but this is the year Taylor Swift fell off for me. I don't think this album is bad per se (although it all sounds like one long song), I just don't find it all that interesting. I've been a fan since 2007 so it was a good run while it lasted. Some of the songs on Midnights are decent, but I haven't even bothered listening to The Tortured Poets Department.
FWIW, I can't even remember if I listened to folklore AND this, or just folklore. It's all just a boring, repetitive snoozefest.
The Smiths
5/5
This list has turned me into a Smiths fan. I can't believe I hadn't been listening to them all along.
Nightmares On Wax
3/5
I really like this album cover. The music, less so. I love electronic music so at worst, I still like the stuff I wouldn't choose to listen to it again. This was just a little too one-note for me.
Aretha Franklin
4/5
Classic! Impossible not to like this. Can't not think of Aunt Selma and Jub-Jub when I hear "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman."
Ali Farka Touré
4/5
I'm coming to the end of this journey soon and thought I was done with world music. I was pleasantly surprised to find this awaiting me this morning. I enjoyed it!! The list has taught me that I like this sort of relaxing world music.
Frank Zappa
3/5
Not as crazy as I was expecting. Actually kinda boring and inoffensive but I didn’t mind it. Played it in the background while I scrolled my phone.
Fred Neil
3/5
I had never heard of this guy but I did some reading of his Wikipedia page, and now I understand why.
I liked this! I doubt I’d listen to it again but it was fairly decent folk rock.
Talvin Singh
2/5
First of all, this is THE MOST late-90s looking album cover. This album cover might most embody a certain time period better than any other cover on this list.
I see this won the Mercury Prize in 1999 but I found it pretty boring. All the worldly sounds were interesting and I can see why music critics ate it up, but it was just too ambient for me.
Justice
3/5
This was okay! I do love electronic music and I’d never listened to this band before. Nice to have something a little more modern than the 90s stuff.
808 State
3/5
I guess the generator took my review from yesterday personally. This was okay but really forgettable. I am struggling to remember it and I only listened to it 16 hours ago.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
2/5
I’m finally done listening to Nick Cave albums foreverrrrrrr. The book certainly tried hard enough to make me like him/them but in the end, there were only two songs I’ve liked amongst the 6 albums, including The Birthday Party.
This album definitely didn’t change how I felt about the band and the songs were all too slow and dreary.
2/5
Well…I can understand why the global rating on this is so low. I didn’t care for it but for the most part, it wasn’t too egregious.
It kinda sounded like if Thom Yorke had a younger brother who was deeply envious of Radiohead’s success and wanted to make it big too, except that he had no talent.
The Band
3/5
Before I started listening to all these albums, I thought one of my favourite genres of music was classic rock. It turns out, that's not fully true. It's really more this type of classic rock; roots/Americana rock. That said, I still don't have much of a desire to listen to any classic rock, though. I did like this, though.
Would rate 3.5.
Led Zeppelin
3/5
I'm 1018 albums deep and these are the bands/musicians this list has failed to make me a fan of: Led Zeppelin, David Bowie, Elvis Costello, Nick Cave, The Byrds.
I don't hate Led Zeppelin, they just do nothing for me.
The Jam
3/5
Pretty good! I had the other album by The Jam about 3 years ago, and I was ambivalent about it then. Now that my taste has broadened a bit, I enjoyed this more. I’d consider listening to it again.
Would rate 3.5
The Associates
3/5
Being 80s post-punk pop, I was hoping I'd like this, but I really didn't care for the vocals.
Sparks
5/5
Heck yeah! I've been a fan of Sparks since seeing their documentary in the movie theatre in 2021. I believe this was their most commercially successful album although it's not my favourite of theirs. I haven't been listening to them lately so it was nice to be reminded of how much I do really like them.
Def Leppard
4/5
Well this was fun. I kind of love this party hard rock.
John Martyn
3/5
This was okay...I really only liked the first song. The rest of it blurred together and didn't sound that interesting to me. I preferred his other album, Solid Air.
Morrissey
4/5
I kinda wish this whole challenge hadn't turned me into a Morrissey fan, since he's a prick.
The Divine Comedy
2/5
I really don't understand why I needed to hear TWO Divine Comedy albums before I died. None would have been enough! This one was more tolerable than Casanova. Was this supposed to be super cheesy? Is that what the comedy is all about?
Van Morrison
2/5
In the words of my husband, “Zzzzz”
Motörhead
2/5
Blegh. The studio album was okay but live heavy metal isn’t my thing at all.
Louis Prima
5/5
Loved it. Fun all the way through and his wife Keely's voice complements his well. I would listen to this again in a heartbeat.
Kendrick Lamar
2/5
I know this album is considered one of the best from the last 10(ish) years, but it was lost on me.
Bad Company
3/5
Pretty good!! I thought at times this was pretty slow for hard rock but overall I enjoyed it.
Would rate 3.5.
The Go-Go's
3/5
This was fun! A few recognizable songs here so I enjoyed those. Probably wouldn’t listen again but I appreciate 80s pop.
Shack
4/5
This was unexpectedly good! Neither my husband nor I had heard of this but we both really liked it. I’m saving this to listen to again later
Eagles
3/5
I already know what at least half of the reviews are going to say and let's just say I share the sentiment of that quote.
That said, I did actually like the song "Earlybird."
The Stooges
2/5
I've liked the other Stooges and Iggy Pop stuff on this list, but this was pretty mediocre. Every song sounded the same and it mostly sounded like noise and yelling? I get that it's punk but it wasn't working for me.
Ryan Adams
2/5
Ugh. I tried, I really tried, but I can’t get past knowing what an abusive POS he is. Having my own experiences with men like this, I’m too biased to try and enjoy this.
3/5
Pretty decent psychedelic rock.
Would rate 3.5.
The War On Drugs
5/5
I've had this on my phone for a few months on the advice of my brother, who told me to listen to "Red Eyes." I hadn't listened to it all the way through until today. I really liked this! I do think all the songs sound the same but I dig the sound. The throwback rock sound makes me nostalgic as this sounds like something my dad would have liked.
Bill Callahan
3/5
This was an interesting one. It took me a few minutes to get used to him mostly speaking instead of singing. I liked that I could understand everything he was saying and I liked the lyrics. None of the songs particularly stood out to me and I don't think I'd listen to it again, but I am glad I listened to it.
Dinosaur Jr.
2/5
I really don't understand how people like this band. That said, I didn't mind "Poledo" and their Cure cover was OK.
D'Angelo
2/5
I thought this was pretty boring.
The Soft Boys
4/5
Weird cover art, good album. I liked everything that was going on here.
David Bowie
2/5
This is it, the final frontier, the final boss of the 9-headed Bowie album monster I’ve had to battle during the past 3+ years. I wasn’t a fan before this challenge and I’m not a fan now after all these albums. Sorry, music critics everywhere.
Dexys Midnight Runners
3/5
A lot more boring than I expected from Dexys Midnight Runners. Lots of slow, quiet parts that I couldn’t really hear in my car. Too many long songs. Wasn’t a fan.
LTJ Bukem
2/5
I don’t think I listened to exactly the correct album on Apple Music, but I know at least some of the tracks were correct and regardless, there’s not a lot of variation here. I don’t mind this sort of thing as background music but it’s pretty dull actively listening to it. Meh.
Thin Lizzy
3/5
I had to listen to this as one long video from YouTube. I only knew "The Boys Are Back in Town" and I kept thinking every song that started was it, only to realize it wasn't. So to me it sounded like they have a very succinct, if not repetitive, sound. I'd give Thin Lizzy another chance but maybe a greatest hits album or something.
The Avalanches
5/5
I already knew and loved "Frontier Psychiatrist" but hadn't explored any of their other stuff. Judging from what I'd heard about this band over the years, I figured I'd like them, and I did. They remind me of Propellerheads who are from the same era and did the sampledelia stuff too.
Will definitely be listening to this again.
P.S. You're crazy in the coconut!
Julian Cope
3/5
This was mostly tolerable but sometimes annoying. A high 2, but not quite a 3. I’ll round up to be nice.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
2/5
I haven’t taken to Elvis Costello at all and didn’t enjoy this. I think I only have one more of his albums to go, thank god.
Can
3/5
Can is basically the only prog I don't mind, but it's still not really something I ever seek out. It's mostly nice to have on in the background.
Would rate 3.5.
Santana
3/5
Decent! I'm more than okay with mostly instrumental music. Santana is obviously legendary. I enjoyed listening to this while I ran an errand on a 97F/36C day.
Blue Cheer
3/5
Inoffensive and boring and I barely remember it now, 16 hours later. I see this was an early pioneer in heavy metal. I was surprised to read this came out in 1968 as it sounded newer than that.
Jane's Addiction
3/5
I'm not much of a Jane's Addiction fan, although I do like "Been Caught Stealing." I think they're good, they just do nothing for me. Perry Farrell's voice starts to grate after a while, too.
Donovan
4/5
This is a hard one for me to rate.
In February of this year, my mom was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and told she had about a year to live, but possibly more. Eight weeks to the day of that conversation, she was dead. She spent most of her final month in shared rooms in the hospital, but after requesting MAID, they moved her to a private room.
My mom loved music and Donovan was one of her favourites. Once moved to the private room, I made her a playlist of her favourite music and asked her what she wanted on it. Some of the songs she requested were from this album. I recognized it from being on this list, but hadn't had it generated yet.
Suffice it to say, there are some freshly painful memories attached to this album for me. I liked it, and I can see why mom did, too.
2/5
In theory, I should like this, but I just don't. I only liked one song from Skylarking and I didn't like any from this. At times I thought this sounded Beatles-esque which I should especially like, but this was a steaming pile of meh to me.
Otis Redding
5/5
Can't imagine not liking this.
Brian Eno
3/5
It’s interesting that this was groundbreaking at the time. I didn’t mind it but doubt I would listen again.
Dire Straits
5/5
I have been waiting very patiently for this album and it didn’t disappoint!
Funny story I learned recently: my late father loved Dire Straits. I was born a year after “Money For Nothing” was released after which my dad started calling women “chicks.” Apparently he once called me — his infant daughter — a chick, prompting my mom to yell at him.
Dexys Midnight Runners
3/5
I like Dexys Midnight Runners, but not really enough to seek them out.
I’d give this a 3.5.
Supertramp
4/5
I always knew I liked Supertramp but hadn’t ever listened to an album of theirs. I liked this and would consider listening to it again.
Antony and the Johnsons
2/5
I appreciate that this is something very different than most of the stuff on the list, but I really didn’t care for it. It’s a little too slow for me, although I did like “Fistful of Love.”
GZA
3/5
I’m not a fan of rap but this seemed to be good stuff.
Joanna Newsom
2/5
I’d been looking forward to this one because I didn’t know any of her music at all but I knew people really like her. No clue on the genre or anything. It turned out I hated this. I couldn’t stand her voice and every song sounded the same. Sad.
Bauhaus
3/5
This was sort of dark, gritty post punk. It didn't do much for me, even being post punk.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
Seemed on par with other Stones albums. Not much to say here. They’re not favourite but I don’t mind some of their songs. This one was not particularly memorable to me.
The The
4/5
I'll admit I judged this album by its cover first. I was not looking forward to listening to this based on the off-putting cover, but I ended up really enjoying it. I found the sound of this very unique. Very 80s and very fun, but not silly. I would listen to this again.
Ride
3/5
This was just okay. It felt adjacent to noise rock to me, which isn't a genre I care for.
Sheryl Crow
3/5
Some real classics on here, but other than those, the rest of it was just okay to me. My husband loved it, though.
Ramones
4/5
Stone cold classic!
Bebel Gilberto
3/5
Although I liked this, I felt like it was a little thin when giving it a lot of attention. In the background, I think it would be pleasant.
DJ Shadow
3/5
It took me forever to get through this. I do like this kind of music but it felt like such a slog working through this.
The Only Ones
3/5
Being 80s pop, I was hoping I would like this more, but I found it pretty forgettable.
Randy Newman
4/5
I didn't care for the other Randy Newman album on this list but I really liked this! I didn't know he wrote "You Can Leave Your Hat On." So many of these songs sounded familiar and other than the aforementioned name song, I don't think I'd actually heard them before.
Would rate 4.5.
Kraftwerk
5/5
I am already familiar with this album and I love it.
Wire
4/5
Pretty good! I had never heard of this band but Wikipedia says this was a landmark album for post-punk. I thought it sounded more punk than post-punk, but I am no music expert. I liked the song “Strange” and will be keeping that one on my phone.
Gang Of Four
3/5
So much post-punk on this list. I liked it but didn’t find it particularly memorable.
Venom
2/5
I don’t like metal whatsoever.
CHIC
4/5
Love me some disco! I knew the first track of course. I much preferred the more dance-y tracks but I enjoyed it all regardless.
Pixies
3/5
I thought I was going to like this more than I did. :\
Green Day
5/5
I love when I don’t need to listen to an album again to know it’s getting 5 stars.
Lupe Fiasco
3/5
Even though I’m not a big hip hop person, I don’t mind conscious hip hop. I can’t stand the themes in gansta rap so this is always a refreshing change.
I didn’t mind this at all. It’s a long one but if you like this sort of thing, I think it’s a good album.
Would rate 3.5.
Lloyd Cole And The Commotions
4/5
I liked this a lot! I would listen to this again. It had a distinct 80s sound but had its own twist on that era.
Bad Brains
2/5
This was more hard rock than punk, so I really didn’t enjoy it.
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
1/5
No joke, I broke my foot the day I listened to this. Listening to this was still more painful than that.
The Cramps
3/5
Interesting gritty punkabilly sound, but probably not something I’d return to.
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
4/5
This was a lot lighter and brief than I expected. I enjoyed this and would listen to it again. I recognized a couple songs.
Pulp
4/5
I actually liked this for the most part, although sometimes the singer’s voice irritated me. There are a couple songs I’ll keep for my 1001 Highlights playlist.
Saint Etienne
5/5
I actually really liked this. I had no idea what to expect with it, but it sounds ahead of its time IMHO. I’m trying to decide if I’d listen to these songs again or not… I think I just might.
Elvis Costello
1/5
Thank god I never have to listen to another Elvis Costello album ever fucking again (this was album 1088 for me).
The Magnetic Fields
4/5
This is it, my final album. I can’t believe the algorithm spat out a nearly 3 hour long album for me to finish on. Well played generator, well played.
I was dreading this but I actually liked it. I always assumed this would be some shitty rock album but it’s indie pop, which I like. I saved several songs to keep on my phone. I didn’t pay a ton of attention to every song but every now and then, one would stand out for being catchier than the others.
It’s been a long 1230 days since I started (I took some breaks). In that time there have been births and deaths in my family, I broke my foot, I had surgery on my jaw, I went to Germany twice, the UK once, went to about a dozen concerts in metro Detroit, Chicago, London, Toronto, Vegas, and others (Oasis X3, Green Day, Metric X2?, Death Cab for Cutie, The Killers, Teddy Swims, The Swell Season, Kaleo, et al). I don’t know if I really thought I’d ever finish this but it turned into a cherished hobby that I loved telling people about (probably more like bored people with). I can’t believe it’s over!