I'm glad to hear this as it expands my funk and R&B knowledge a bit more. As my first listen to Stevie Wonder, he does a great mix of mentioned genres along wonderful sax jazz and piano ballads. It's also very political with it's social issues in the first half, and I appreciate that. I'm not a fan of the cover art, which dates this release personally, but the music itself is anything but. It sounds amazing and is relevant with artists like Silk Sonic taking the torch for this sound.
Pretty decent. I'm not a super fan of these singer-songwriter records from the 70s like the group vocals, but this one definitely has some elements that feel contemporary. It's pretty on the ears and I like the stories of freedom and love. I like the more quieter moments than the soft rock songs on here.
This was way better than I expected. I had briefly listened to his older material which didn't click with me. Here, it's most likely from age and his deeper vocals that his delivery and way with storytelling has changed to something more weary and reflective than before. The album is of course contrasted with his recent death after release, making it as equally prophetic as Bowie's last record. Overall, it was a warming listen.
Starts out great but I think it really overstays it's welcome by the end. It's just an incredibly meat and potatoes, detached punk album for me. Even with the short length it felt like a drag.
I get that this is a classic album or whatever but I'm not a big fan of this kind of rock. It will always just sound incredibly dated to me. Usually anything by Led Zeppelin will always sound a bit uneventful for me.
I already know that I like this album. In fact it's my favorite of the Beatles catalog, which is a predictable choice. I always find myself returning to this eventually as it has the heaviness and catchiness of everything that makes the Beatles the best pop of it's time.
I don't know anything about Eric Clapton nor this album other than the main popular song being used for an EPMD song. After giving it a spin and a cursory read, I can understand seeing this as a great comeback record after battling a heroin addiction. It's some mellow and sunny blues, rocking the simplicity of his lyricism and songwriting. Unfortunately even with that context I don't find myself returning to this than for the singles. It's not my thing but I won't complain if I heard songs from this album.
I can see why this album and its singles were popular at the time of release but it sounds incredibly dated by today's standards. It's not that the overall message is bad per se, but the delivery from Speech and the 90s production don't do enough beyond the cliché. In fact, the deeper message is surprisingly hateful toward black people who don't agree with his message, so it becomes an odd listen. This is not something I would ever return to.
This is the first time I listened to Eurythmics in album form, and I gotta say it gave me more than I expected. These are very good and pleasant sounding songs, but one can argue they are all overshadowed by the big single. In some respect, I will agree but the deep cuts are still jammy for the 80s. I had a fun time!
I think it was nice while it was on but really drags on during the later half. Don't get me wrong, these are some excellent bass grooves and I like that they savor every bit of it. I just feel like it could have been streamlined a tad and still have gotten the point across. One of the more satisfying listens through this series.
I really didn't get how going back to traditional roots and blues rock made this a top Rolling Stones album. I wasn't into this lof-fi production, specifically the vocals being so hard to hear. Exile on Main St. really clicked on the second half however, especially with the bass. I understood the more light-hearted and passionate take this was approaching. It modernizes old rock-'n'-roll tropes even if not all of it is in my wheelhouse.
I've listened to this enough times to know this is a really amazing album. While it has some of their most popular singles, the deep cuts offer more variety than straight piano ballads. It's much more rocking and offers the same warm and uplifting feeling from the last album. It's a classic album and one of Coldplay's best effort (aside from their next release after this one).
Very much not my thing at all. I can understand the circumstances in which it was made, but this is much too old and out of my wheelhouse to appreciate it any further than a glance listen. The English parts of the album really do not help much either, as it comes off more childish than fun.
Has a similar feel to the Rolling Stones with their take on blues and classic rock-'n'-roll. It's funny that this came out the same year as Sticky Fingers, too. Anyway, not a bad collection of tracks. It has the same vibes as Exile on Main St. in the sense that I appreciate it more than I outright like it. I wouldn't go back to listen to this but there are some awesome cuts that will be on my playlist.
This was fairly decent for what it is. I'm not super into jangle pop but by the second half it was starting to sink in that Rattlesnakes is fairly different. The compositions and singing reminds me a bit of New Order if they weren't doing new wave. Some of these songs I'll revisit sometime. At the very least I'm glad to have listened to this as it sounds like it will grow on me in time.
I still think Evermore and Folklore are mostly neck and neck for me. I definitely come back to this like her other album but for different reasons. This one feels more in tune to her older material like Red but more mature with Taylor's vocal experience.
It's fucking Joy Division's Unknown Pleasures, of course it's good. Goddamn every song still hits to this day. It's super depressing, headbobbing post-punk that every band after has been replicating. One of the most important albums for me.
I never grew up with Nirvana so I can't say that I'm super familiar with their songs aside from the singles. I think their MTV Unplugged is a great way to get into their deeper cuts. Without knowing the context of this performance, it is a very good performance of cool covers and lesser known songs. Knowing this to be Cobain's last performance makes it a bit more haunting and elevates the song choices and visuals. Otherwise, I'm not gonna pretend that I feel sad listening to it, or that knowing the context changes the listening experience. It's powerful due to its circumstances, which is completely fine.
While incredibly short and lyrically sparse, it is an impressive display of political ire. It's makes people want to move and shake, send a message while providing compelling fusions of afrobeat, jazz, and funk. It's music of the people for the people, and Fela Kuti understood that very well. It's a shame that his mother was killed as a result, which adds to the lived-in reality of what Kuti was expressing on Zombie.
I've weirdly been hesitant to listen to Elliott Smith until now. It's not that I worried it would be bad but because it wouldn't be this inspirational force in my life like how it is with most people. I walked away pretty amazed with how smooth and digestible this album is. It's emotionally complicated and Smith's voice really carries each song. What a stunning surprise.
I can understand including this as an essential listen for what kickstarts the popularity of rap music in France. I do like the boom bap beeps and MC Solaar as an rapper sounds really good on the mic and has nice flows. Like many English speakers, I do not understand what's being said and feel like translating it will remove many play on words and rhyming schemes. As such, I can't rate than higher than a 3.
This was a very surprising and calming listen. It's interesting to see how well everything sticks together despite different recording periods. That said, that sequencing and the throwaway tracks at the end really do keep it away from greatness for me. My positives are that each track individually is amazing and I will return to this when I can.
The singles for this are cool and it's not a bad listen overall. It's a consistent sound and vibe and it has its place as an influential British rock album. My gripe is that I'm kind of tired of Damon Albarn's recent saturation in today's music, so it colors how much I would enjoy this. I also think there are better British rock albums out there
I've only listened to Caution which is one of my favorite albums from Mariah Carey, so it was nice to check out some of her older material. While I'm not super into her slow ballad pop cuts on here, it's balanced with the hip-hop influenced bangers and R&B burners. It's a very decent album although it wears its era on its sleeve.
I've listened to Return to Cookie Mountain a lot and it's my favorite of their catalog. Their follow-up is a lot more funky with plenty of percussive groove everywhere. It also has some nice ethereal cuts to break it up. Overall a very solid record.
This is such a fiery rock-'n'-roll live performance. It really convinces you that this genre is a lot more than old-fashioned honkey tonk and blues numbers. It has the feverish energy of a bustling church dance. Too bad the dude is a pedophile though lol.
I've yet to understand the appeal of a band like R.E.M. Their lyrical content is always well thought out and relevant like this one. They definitely explore different styles and play with different timbres, but I guess the general rock vibe doesn't click. Even their singles don't do it for me which is a shame. I hope they click with me someday but this one unfortunately was only okay.
An amazing listen front to back. It's full of amazing African influences mixed with pop flare. Reading about was interesting too, giving greater context for why this release exists at all. I can definitely how this influenced modern indie rock down the road.
I had not listened to the Butthole Surfers until now and I'm pleasently surprised with this pick. It's incredibly noisy, chunky, and melodic. If I had known this is what they made I would have listened to them a long time ago.
I first listened to this on a plane, thinking it to be perfect ambiance for a long flight but the amount of noise planes make really dampened the experience. It's way better to listen to this at night in silence, hearing the whooshes and nutty arpeggios. It's a really relaxing listen, though I like their more melodic material. This is going in my sleep playlist.
I get that this was supposed to be an influential blues album for the British, but the British are stinky poopy people and I'm not into this one like I was with the last few blues listens.
While it doesn't feel like it reinvents the wheel or anything, these are some real hypnotic tunes that take more than an initial listen to sink in. It doesn't leave me much to talk about aside from the occasional weird lines that pop out at you, but I had fun with it.
Obviously a very funky record, but also mellows you out like a deflated marshmallow. It's sweet on the ears and loud when it wants to be too. I think the only criticism I can give is that the album cover is really bad. That awful wall texture and generic drippy text do not match the music at all.
I've been wanting to get into this group for a while and what a perfect way to start with the debut. It's amazing this was all recorded live in three days, 'cause it sounds so realized and so full of potential. These are some amazing tunes with equally thought-out lyricism and message.
This is a perfect record through and through. The situation of a band member's death, the pivot away from the poppy elements of their last record, and the performance altogether create a musical journey like no other.
I used to be really into this on first few listens but it's kind of shrunk on me because of how long it is. Not that the length makes any of the payoff for each song worth the trek, but I also have to be in the mood for something like this. It's an album I have to give my attention to which isn't always convenient but you're here for the experience of Disintegration and I really respect that.
Excellent release from Bobby Womack and a great return to form. From what I read he had a slump before this album, and this brought him back into the spotlight. He sounds amazing on this and the longer tracks breeze by you.
Pretty decent set of songs. They go by real quick though not everything gives off a lasting impression. Surprisingly the singles for this were not my favorite, and instead some of the deep-cuts caught my attention more.
I was expecting something a bit dated given the time period but the songwriting feels pretty fresh and I loved the final song it ended off with. It's interesting to see the musical branches coming from this artist and where this fits in the music canon, too. I feel like this will grow on me but for now, I think it's decent.
I was expecting more of a spectacle with this album given the names and high reviews. It's possible the gentle and slow grooves on these tracks weren't syncing with me, and may just click with me better on future listens.
The main single being the opener sounds incredibly risky, as it sets up high expectations. Somehow A-Ha meets them with songs that are equally bombastic and memorable. This was a surprising listen and makes me wanna check out their catalog further.
Listening to it again after a long time and it's shrunk on me. Nothing on here is bad though, very good songs with some awesome cuts on the second half. I think having the vocals stay on one channel on the stereo version grated my ears a bit.
Gave it a couple listens just so I would get the feel of this expansive psych folk release that's so coveted. I think it does have some wonderful moments, though I feel it would take some time to actually sink. Sadly I rather not give more attention to a dude that would eventually turn to a conspiracy nutjob, so I'll give it a 3.
I've tried to get into Led Zeppelin but I'm just not into the whole blues/hard rock thing they got going on. I will admit that there was some awesome tracks on here but the rest just don't sound as impressive. I'll be one of the few to admit this didn't need to be so long.
This was a really fun listen. This is incredibly chill music with the swanky guitar lines, the thumping bass, and Crow's complementary vocals. A great debut.
One of the few Beatles albums that I actually like and return to a lot. I feel the new mix also does a lot to modernize and lift up the blemishes that existed in the older mastering. I've only grown to like the White Album as time goes by.
I get that a good chunk of albums I'm gonna listen to are going for this kind of blues rock trend but I'm going to be eternally wondering why it won't click for me. I think the story behind Morrison Hotel is more interesting than the music itself as well. Maybe I just need to listen to something else from the Doors otherwise, this is just another album that ain't for me.
Anything by Nick Cave and his entourage will be magnificent. This one in particular I have not listened from his catalog and I'm glad to have given it a whirl. For a double record it does an amazing job keeping it interesting for the entire thing. I may need further listens since Nick Cave albums are always so dense but I can already tell I love this.
Eh.
I don't need to listen to this again to know this is one of the best french house and electronic releases out there. Nothing comes close to how infectious and powerful these songs feel. It deserves to be on the electronic pantheon along Daft Punk's Discovery.
Wow, something from the British punk wave that doesn't immediately suck ass. I actually liked this from start to finish and it has really memorable songs. The sound may be of its time but the performance, especially the vocals, are really tight on this one.
A record you really have to sit down and dedicate your time to in order to absorb it all. Briefly listened to it again and I forgot just how many of the songs are mostly skits or segways to the bigger songs. Pretty decent release though not my favorite from Pink Floyd.
Absolutely wonderful country music from Willie Nelson. I'm instantly sold as my first exposure to his music and plan to check out his new album, which I've also heard is great. This really is "watching the stars" kind of music.
As a first time listen, it's pretty chill and vibey. I'm surprised how much of it I already knew from exposure alone. Can't say I'm a massive fan of Fleetwood Mac but I'm sure it'll grow on me.
Giving a 4 because the beats are excellent and Jeru sounding really entertaining on his first album. Don't really care for the homophobic line but almost every 90s rapper is guilty of this. Can't rate it higher just due to the holier-than-thou attitude that would paint his imagine in later years.
It's one of those albums that doesn't get a reaction other than disinterest and slowly reveals itself to be more interesting song-by-song. It builds up to their most well-known song and slows back down. I think they really had something going on here but whether it's the beats or the singer or the composition, it needed a bit more flare to keep my attention.
Really enjoyed this album more than I thought I would. After listening to 30 and returning to this, it's noticeable just how much better and well-aged this album has lasted in comparison to her new one. Sure it's a lot of stripped-down piano and guitar ballads but I'm a fan of that shtick.
A great New Order album. It's got some great singles and that unforgettable 80s sound that you can't mistake. I mostly prefer Brotherhood overall but I love how punchy this one sounds.
Really cool album with a lot of variety and ferocity. I can see where all my favorite bands get their influences from, right here. There wasn't a bad song on here and I definitely want to explore more of their records soon.
I don't do well with early 70s rock music, something about every rock singer having the same nasal inflection and cadence makes the genre sound real tired and dated. This falls mostly in line, but I do respect being a bit more nasty with great guitarwork on here.
Amazing set of tracks and wonderful combination of folks, blues, and "big music" rock. I might actually have to check their other stuff more.
First exposure to listening to a Who album aside from radio singles. This was super enjoyable, especially the radio segments part and how they tribute pirate stations that would all shutter during the release of this album. Consider me interested in listening to more of the Who.
I find this combination of boogie, blues, and synth rock to be really interesting and Eliminator does have the chops to pull it off. I might not like the over-reliance on guitar noodling between the chorus and verses, but it otherwise is a fun listen.
I found it more interesting than expected, though I feel it could be a bit generic at points. As part of the series it seems kind of early to put this as a must-listen, but if you're gonna put anything by Jazmine Sullivan this ain't a bad place to start. I've heard stronger and more memorable R&B though, so I don't know how often I would return to this.
Queen II is a real mixed bag of songs, and none of which really make me want to return to this. Queen in general is a band I like in doses rather than as an album experience, as even their most popular albums don't land with me. I'm more a fan of what they would do on Innuendo.
The only Kate Bush album I've heard front to back, it was nice to revisit this and be reminded how forward-thinking and freaky she can be outside the singles. The transitions from track to track are also magnificent. It's my favorite Kate Bush but I also need to listen to more of her stuff.
Bizarre, sweet, triumphant. It's a long listen but it rewards with major crescendoes, heartfelt performances, and very jazzy chaos. Only thing that's a blemish is the new cover art for it which is not as interesting.
I haven't listened to this in a long time and it still sounds really cool and forward-thinking for a 60s album. It's melodically rich, full of nice string and electric guitar, and it's a great vibe. That said, not a fan of how much it meanders with how short the songs can be and it's the reason this isn't a classic for me. It's just a really solid release from Love.
I've been noticing just how many rock-'n'-roll / blues / country rock albums this site has been giving me and how much of it has not been my cup of tea. While I will say CCR mostly doesn't do it for me, I think Cosmo's Factory is wonderfully straightforward and performed really well. "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" didn't even bother me as much as it should have for an 11 minute song. Nice job making it a breezy experience, CCR.
A beautiful and gothic debut from Siouxsie and the Banshees. While they would surpass this album with bigger, more iconic music this is still fresh as hell.
I think Very is an okay PSB release but it's definitely not my favorite nor their best. Confusing why this was part of the 1001 Albums list but whatever. I like the songs I've liked on here and everything else is pretty inessential for me.
That last suite is incredible on here and is my favorite out of everything on here. It has a mix of chaos, cartoonish devilishness, and a knack for silence. That said, everything else feels like a lead-up to that grand statement of this record.
Coincidentally I had already listened to this for the first time a while ago. I thought it was some solid songs and the single is amazing, though it seems like there's not much else to them other than the compilations that are so highly praised. This one has a great flow track to track at least, it was a pleasant listen.
I'm mixed on this. On the one hand, I like the overall sound of this being rickety and unstable and it sets them apart. On the other, I mostly struggle to connect with the songwriting and getting used to Dulli's vocals is not easy. I think if I was more of a rock head I could slip into this easy, but for now only a few songs stand out for me.
A great little album that breezes by easily yet makes you want to listen over and over again. Nick Drake just has a magic with his guitar playing and his voice is incredibly soothing. Amazing stuff.
Funnily enough I hadn't heard this Strokes album out of their other ones, so it's a trip hearing how this is their best one. I think it's a really fun listen though I've grown to like their other works more. Still, I wanna come back to this sometime.
What a funky little record. I've always been curious about Curtis Mayfield albums and it sounds chill and clean. I'm not too equipped to comment on funk and classic R&B but I'm glad this one connected with me.
The vibe is incredible on this. It's classic R&B and pop at its finest. I really find Sade's voice to be unique as it's more of a sing-talk. I am interested in hearing more albums from her now.
I've never listened to the Bee Gees but considering their era, this is impressive. It's probably more on the balladry side of rock which can be a bit much. I had my fun with this and I really wanna return to this.
Holy moly this album is an incredible listen. It's soulful, spiritual, and takes advantage of every silence and open space to immerse your brain. This is worth a million listens.
A very decent debut for Fionna Apple. I very much prefer her later releases to this album but this one has a really good flow with it. It's always a good time with Fiona Apple.
I figured this would be some tired dad rock bullshit given the repetoire of these bands but it's pretty fresh. It's got way more replay than I expected.
Eh.
Elephant's got a lot of good stuff on here. From the iconic single to deeper cuts, it's a fun listen all around. My only gripe is that it's a bit long, but this is only the second White Stripes I've listened to so it may need more time.
I'm not the demographic of dusty dad rock and rock-'n'-roll but this one had enough pizzazz to keep me interested.
One of the most unexpected listens from this list so far. Real haunting and unsettling music wrapped in an engaging narrative. I really need to check the rest of the music if it's like this.
The production from J Dilla and Ye is enough to warrant the listen. It's incredibly soulful, catchy, and feel-good as each we're doing at this time. Common on the other is good but feels more like wallpaper to the music. He kept the energy at least but this didn't make me a Common fan.
