Slow, inflective album. An album to match a sad mood. Pain is clear throughout. Nice arrangements. 3* is maybe a bit harsh, but it's not particularly groundbreaking and the style is confused at times.
On the face, it's an album with an eclectic mix of songs, switching between love, drugs, Lewis Carroll, and television. Listening end-to-end, the album works. I think it still stands up all these decades later. 'Today' is in my opinion one of the most beautiful love songs. 'White Rabbit' is one of the most iconic psychedelic rock songs. But it's easy to define this album by it's singles, I don't think there's a bad song on Surrealistic Pillow, even if some are not particularly memorable compared to the more rousing songs. Definitely deserves a 4 in my opinion, the iconic-ness of this album is not enough to push it to 5.
Really feel like I must be missing something with this album. It didn't particularly grab my attention. Decent use of samples, beats were good, but lyrically, I just zoned out. Vintage hip-hop, yes. Nostalgic, maybe. Best hip-hop album ever, I just don't see it.
Began strongly with the first two songs, it feels unfair to say it went downhill from this point as the rest of the album isn't bad - but peaking this early meant the remaining songs felt jarringly average. It's good at what it does. Certainly atmospheric, and definitely of it's time. 3/5 is maybe harsh, but there's a lot of albums on this list.
I really wanted to enjoy this album. Every song felt longer than it should've been. Each instrumental break was messy and lacklustre. Lyrically, there are some interesting subject matters but with no assertion. This album made the idea of starting a revolution seem boring.
I was previously completely unfamiliar with anything by Frank Zappa, and for the most part, jazz rock. I enjoyed this album. Personal high point was the use of a jazz violinist. I wasn't even aware they existed.
Although I could appreciate the quality of this album, no studio release should be over two hours long. I had to skip the final five tracks as it felt as though the same one was continuing indefinitely. This would get a 4 for the quality, but as a listenable album it just makes a 2.
I don't think there's an artist in the world, past or present, that could make an album like this. Probably the most crowd interaction you will hear in a live album. The whole thing feels so natural, as if the whole show was meant to be.
Begins pretty emphatically with a Bo Didley cover that the first half of the album is devoted to. Two renditions bookend a fifteen minute instrumental. The second half, again is strong - taking a darker turn with Calvary, which is a far more engrossing instrumental than the bulk of the Who Do You Love suite, before ending with a chipper Happy trails.
The album is standard of the 60s San Francisco psychedelic scene, I don't think it is anything particularly ground-breaking but all-in-all, an enjoyable album.
I don't think any other artist could produce anything as unique as 'Jesus Walks' or 'Through the Wire.' The use of skits was too excessive, I found myself sitting waiting for the music to start again. His personality is clearly represented throughout. This album marked the industry shift towards mainstream hip-hop, lyrically inoffensive (for the most part) with soul beats.
Beautiful album
Nice mix of sounds. Lives up to the Orchestra name. Easy listening, very enjoyable.
I didn't think it was anything particularly memorable, but a decent album.
I think this is a confused album. Blur were looking for a new sound and ended up with several. Post-grunge, indie alternative, britpop etc. I expected to love this and just never did. I'm not sure if a band like Blur would make an album just peddle singles but the filler on this album made it feel as though.
I think if it was any other band, in any other era I would call it incoherent. As with any Fleetwood Mac album - context is important. It is a double album where only one song was not written independently by a member of the band. It's an album immediately following Rumours. An album where the band was probably beyond the breaking point. Yet somehow, a great album was produced. Less pop than in Rumours, some darker songs with multiple sounds throughout. Rather than producing a consistent sound, the band balanced the manic with the downbeat. I don't think this is their best, although from what I can see it is the contrarian's choice.
No real shock that this is a session band's album. Felt like an extended jamming session to surround the title track. Interesting blues, jazz, R&B etc. Can see how this became influential but there's not enough substance in this album.
Haunting, ethereal, dark? Yes. Interesting? I'm not so sure. I felt myself waiting for this album to end. A few nice beats but the vocals just became grating in the end, I had no interest in what Beth Gibbons was singing about in the end, I just wanted her to stop.
Lyrics are a strange attempt at cryptic poetry. Can make more sense out of Worstward Ho. Some nice tunes, can see how Radio Free Europe became a template for jangly alt-rock. I am struggling to see how Murmur makes its way into best-ever lists. Maybe the influence? Solid album but I just don't see the love affair.
Nice vignette into Cuban folk music. Pretty unique situation behind the album. Impressive for an album that is completely live
In my mind, this is what albums should be - a set of songs thematically linked, telling a story rather than just a collection of songs the artist wrote in a certain window. There are a lot of valid criticisms, The Wall is self-indulgent, a reflection of Roger Waters' ego, and it does contain songs that exist purely to drag the story along, which wouldn't stand up when listened to on their own. However, I don't think this detracts too much from the experience. There are songs that on their own are part of rock history, but this album should be consumed as a whole. This isn't the best Pink Floyd album, but that does not mean that it is not an incredible album-cum-experience. It is more of a musical soundtrack than anything. I could write about this album all day, but I have better things to do.
I think if you ranked every rock song from best to worst, then selected the middle 35 minutes you'd get this album. Basic lyrics, occasional good riff. Album was saved by the vocals.
Always heard of this as a classic but this is the first listen. Pretty strong opening, it's unfair to say the album tails off - it just happens to be that the first three songs ended up as classics. Exit hits a weird note, it doesn't seem to fit with the rest of the album but I enjoyed the build-up through the song. I can't really call it a perfect album, I'm not sure why but it just doesn't scream classic to me, although I probably would listen to it again.
No surprise to find out this band was pulling in all directions when it was made. Every song is stylistically different. Saved by the quality of musicianship and vocals, however this feels far more like a compilation album than a studio album.
I will never listen to anything from a man this disgusting, not sure why it's even been included in the list.
Cohesive album. Vignette of blues-americana, with some classics of the the 60s.
Usually I'd say 1hr 29m is a bit much for a studio album but this works. The high energy is engrossing. Would listen to this again
Couldn't really work out what to rate this. Obviously not his best album, but as his debut into songwriting this a very strong start. Immediate classics. Songs that helped define a mood that was brewing in the 60s. Pure folk, but with something special.
Writing this a few hours after listening and honestly can't remember a single song from it. Wasn't bad but not particularly memorable.
Good music
Didn't really grab me immediately until 'Pre-Road Downs.' Although second half of the opener was good. Slower songs blended in to each other, the harmonies got a little bit tiring. Liked 'Long Time Gone.'
Weak opening two songs. Strong riffs and drums throughout but the vocals at times sounded like a bad metal cover-band. Peaked with 'Indians.' Not something I'd listen to twice.
Reading about this album I expected to hate it, but wasn't all bad. The 'experimental' tag can go either way but there was definitely some good songs.
Well-sang album. Unsure why an album composed solely of covers can be included in a list like this. I get it was commonplace in the 50s and 60s, but it's not exactly a spectacular composition.
First time listening to a Pet Shop Boys album begining to end. Definitely enjoyable. Strong start, fell off a bit in the middle but certainly a good album.
I can appreciate this as a precursor to new-wave, but it's not something that blows me away. Not a huge fan of his vocal style. An album saved by The Attractions.
Critiquing this album is difficult. The cultural undertone through this is clear, Bruce Springsteen certainly had a lot of pressure on him. This album is probably too long. Good as a kind of social comforter, almost in the same way a person would use a hymnbook. But for me, a person who was too young for the cultural change it's difficult to find much in this album. Although I will definitely praise its promotion of love and lack of overt patriotism.
Listened to this twice through. Looking at other comments in guessing I just didn't get it. I'll give them props for this being 1981 but aside from that, it just didn't sound very special to me.
Very much an incoherent album. The jazz-influenced songs were very good but the atmospheric/soundscape stuff missed the mark.
I wasn't too shocked to read that this is a kind of compilation album as each song is in different style. Luckily, Nina Simone's range is incredible enough that this doesn't matter too much. Superb vocals saves songs that are slightly lacking.
I enjoyed the production but it didn't blow me away
I appreciate the use of traditional music styles. Particularly the extended track at the end. Vocals were too repetitive however.
Decent album, not convinced it should be on this list
Fairly certain I've just listened to the same song 15 times.
Couldn't really think of any good reason not to give this 5 if I'm honest. One of the best around. Listened to this twice in full since it popped up on my list - couldn't fault it either time.
Not necessarily bad, but couldn't discern much difference in any of the songs. Wouldn't say I enjoyed it. Wouldn't bother to listen to it again.
I haven't got anything to add about this album that hasn't already been said. There is not one note wrong with this album. Unreal.
Usually not a fan of albums this long as the songs can end up blending into another. Each song here has a distinct sound. Songs here are amongst the best the Beatles ever made, although there are a few strange songs mixed in. This album hold up even now.
Wanted to like this after seeing all the bad reviews. Ended up agreeing unfortunately. Great vocals ruined by over-producing. Sounded like a pop Goldfrapp but worse. Unlucky for FKA
Enjoyable album. Unreal vocals and graet backing band.
Great musicianship. Some of the most iconic psychedelic rock songs. Great album.
Miles Goes Electric. Jazz goes Rock for 1.5 hours, yet somehow all I could do was stare out of the window and listen, trying to take it all in. I know Kind of Blue is the magnum opus, but surely this has to be the defining Miles Davis.
Great arrangements/strings. Not huge variation in the vocals and songwriting though.
Very much a forgettable album. Did nothing for me.
The Beatles ditching some of the experimental stuff and returning to making a great album with a few janky tunes. Some of the songs on here are up there with the best they ever did. Hard to argue.
Disappointing and highly forgettable
Beautiful easy listening. Rightly on this list.
Can appreciate it was a trailblazing album for 1989, but it's just way too cheesy for me. Doesn't hold up well now.
Just average. Didn't expect too much. Didn't get too much.
Anything soul/funk is usually perfect for me, but this didn't really do anything for me. Hearing the opener made me think I'd be in for a great political album, but it just kinda fell off. Little bit disappointed. Great vocals, which saves the album. No real stand-out songs.
Probably one of the easiest 5s I'll ever give. One of the most emphatic beginnings of an album. 'Life on Mars?' is the song that first got me into Bowie, still one of my favourites. Great songwriting, if a little odd in places.
Album feels like he ran out of ideas and just repeated M.E. and Cars
Started of interesting then just didn't evolve. Got bored.
The album that defines a genre. Genuinely enjoyable throughout.
There isn't much range in this album. In a blind test, I probably couldn't pick their vocals out from any other early 00s rock etc. band.
Think I zoned out with this one. I can appreciate the musicianship behind it and the title track is good but probably just not for me.
I can see where the high ratings for this album come from but it just felt a bit sickly to me. Felt a bit too simple. I think I'd have to be in a certain mood to listen to this again.
kind of ok if you try not to pay attention too much
Turns out, you do gotta hand it to Led Zeppelin
Falls between ambient and post-rock, but doesn't really reach either.
Started a bit formulaic but morphs and changes throughout. Some timeless songs on here. Highly enjoyable album to just go about your life listening to.
Not as much diversity as I'd have liked. Middle of the road album saved by a couple of good songs.
Not overly complicated but still great. Don't think it deserves the hate it gets. Fun and catchy songs.
Sparse album that lets you really focus on the vocals and lyrics. An album that needs the full attention to listen to. Great but difficult.
Wasn't what I expected but still a good listen. I think I'll give it a second listen to check what I heard but don't think it's one for the ages
This album appears to be the result of a BuzzFeed article titled "we asked AI to make an 44 minute album of family friendly radio rock. This is what happend." To say this album is 10 years out of date is a compliment. I've had to double check the 2* ratings I've given because I'm not convinced this album deserves that high of a rating. This album is entirely inconsequential for anyone who wasn't bullied in high school for liking rock.
Toes the line between 'rips-off' and 'is influenced by.' Maybe I wasn't paying attention enough but can't remember much about this album.
An album I looked forward to listening to. Wasn't disappointed. Skirted enough around britpop to keep it fresh enough.
Hard to not compare this to What's Going On, not as good but still a solid soul album
Better than expected but not blown away. Budget Prince if he lived in a society.The kind of religious/protest songs that make you want to be an atheist in sin.
Probably would've maybe been passable 20 years before. Wouldn't even make the top 1001 soul albums. Only in this list because some virgins think this is sex music. Shite.
Nothing ground-breaking but enjoyable enough
Expected to love this and just didn't
The kind of album that makes you wish it was longer
