Journey in Progress
Discovering music one album at a time
649
Albums Rated
3.05
Avg Rating
61
5-Star Albums
60%
Complete
440 albums remaining
Rating Speed
4.4
Per Week
1037
Days Active
Reviews
560
Written
86%
Review Rate
vs Global
-0.2
Avg Diff
3.05
Avg Rating
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
2010s
Favorite Decade
Post-punk
Favorite Genre
other
Top Origin
Balanced
Rater Style
65
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Wave | 5 | 2.86 | +2.14 |
| Vauxhall And I | 5 | 2.96 | +2.04 |
| Sail Away | 5 | 2.97 | +2.03 |
| Vulgar Display Of Power | 5 | 2.97 | +2.03 |
| Safe As Milk | 5 | 3.01 | +1.99 |
| Life's Too Good | 5 | 3.07 | +1.93 |
| Youth And Young Manhood | 5 | 3.1 | +1.9 |
| In Our Heads | 5 | 3.12 | +1.88 |
| Let England Shake | 5 | 3.15 | +1.85 |
| Dear Science | 5 | 3.16 | +1.84 |
You Love Less Than Most
Albums you rated lower than global average
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thriller | 1 | 4.22 | -3.22 |
| Cosmo's Factory | 1 | 3.93 | -2.93 |
| Tapestry | 1 | 3.92 | -2.92 |
| Metallica | 1 | 3.79 | -2.79 |
| Tracy Chapman | 1 | 3.78 | -2.78 |
| Brothers In Arms | 1 | 3.74 | -2.74 |
| Dummy | 1 | 3.71 | -2.71 |
| Van Halen | 1 | 3.64 | -2.64 |
| Sign 'O' The Times | 1 | 3.45 | -2.45 |
| Imagine | 1 | 3.45 | -2.45 |
Artist Analysis
Favorite Artists
Artists with 2+ albums and high weighted score
| Artist | Albums | Avg | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Radiohead | 5 | 4.8 | 4.13 |
| Pink Floyd | 3 | 5 | 4 |
| Arcade Fire | 3 | 4.67 | 3.83 |
| Talking Heads | 3 | 4.67 | 3.83 |
| David Bowie | 7 | 4 | 3.7 |
| Jimi Hendrix | 3 | 4.33 | 3.67 |
| Steely Dan | 3 | 4.33 | 3.67 |
| Led Zeppelin | 5 | 4 | 3.63 |
Least Favorite Artists
Artists with 2+ albums and low weighted score
| Artist | Albums | Avg | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madonna | 3 | 1.33 | 2.17 |
| Orbital | 2 | 1 | 2.2 |
| Ice Cube | 2 | 1 | 2.2 |
| Aerosmith | 2 | 1 | 2.2 |
| The Specials | 2 | 1 | 2.2 |
| Peter Gabriel | 3 | 1.67 | 2.33 |
| George Michael | 2 | 1.5 | 2.4 |
| Van Halen | 2 | 1.5 | 2.4 |
| Frank Sinatra | 2 | 1.5 | 2.4 |
| Portishead | 2 | 1.5 | 2.4 |
| Dire Straits | 2 | 1.5 | 2.4 |
| Run-D.M.C. | 2 | 1.5 | 2.4 |
| The Byrds | 4 | 2.25 | 2.57 |
5-Star Albums (61)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
John Lennon
1/5
Can we stop pretending every shit from a Beatle is gold?
#freeRingo
24 likes
Justin Timberlake
2/5
Dude… no. Literally the music that made me get into alt genres. Production is impressive tho.
5 likes
Michael Jackson
1/5
Yuk. An uneven and overrated album and that’s before bringing in the singer’s history.
3 likes
Fun Lovin' Criminals
1/5
Please tell me why this is on the list. I’m genuinely asking. The lyrics are cringe inducing and I just can’t.
2 likes
1-Star Albums (65)
All Ratings
Sister Sledge
4/5
Pleasant listen. There's nothing wrong with this music but doesn't move me.
Joy Division
2/5
Maybe the greatest album artwork. If only the songs matched. I’ve wanted to like this album for years but just can’t get there. Perhaps the context of the release is essential to understanding why this is such a standout.
Violent Femmes
4/5
Pretty fun album. Only knew the single and there’s more to this band than that one song from all the indie comedies.
The Byrds
1/5
Didn’t finish. Snooze fest
Prince
4/5
Rockstar shit.
Wire
3/5
Fine early punk. Doesn’t really break out or transcend the normal chord progressions.
Lana Del Rey
1/5
Not a fan. Ambien music.
Peter Tosh
3/5
No Sympathy is a standout but overall just an okay album. Sort of feels like you had to be there.
Roxy Music
3/5
Pretty cool album. Feels like a Wolf Parade precursor.
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
Good for Springsteen, probably one of his best but still feels pretty one dimensional.
The Kinks
4/5
The Kinks rock and this is no exception. Can’t wait for Village Green
Sonic Youth
3/5
Kinda good but just off putting and not for me
The Electric Prunes
4/5
Fun listen, lots of jams.
Minutemen
1/5
Nope, not for me
Bob Marley & The Wailers
3/5
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
1/5
Lol. Who gives a shit
The Roots
3/5
Like the other Roots album. Technically good but the rap music equivalent of eating a large pile of steamed broccoli.
Willie Nelson
4/5
A little slow but very enjoyable
Joan Armatrading
3/5
A fine album.
Orbital
1/5
First album to feel actively annoying
The Pogues
4/5
A cool precursor to Dropkick Murphy’s and Flogging Molly
Beastie Boys
5/5
What a blast. So ahead of it’s time. Even if the rhymes are simple, the production just sounds completely unique.
Soul II Soul
2/5
James Brown
3/5
Morrissey
5/5
George Michael
2/5
David Bowie
4/5
David Bowie
4/5
The Who
3/5
Meh
Fleetwood Mac
2/5
Not great, pretty repetitive, no Rumors
Cocteau Twins
3/5
Crosby, Stills & Nash
5/5
Pink Floyd
5/5
The Zombies
4/5
Kendrick Lamar
5/5
Dr. Dre
3/5
Iggy Pop
5/5
What a legend.
PJ Harvey
5/5
SZA
3/5
A bit boring compared to my memory
The Doors
4/5
This was a fun album.
Sex Pistols
4/5
Quick, great flow.
The Avalanches
5/5
Stone cold classic.
Digital Underground
1/5
Old hip hop is generally bad. This is very old hip hop.
The Beach Boys
4/5
A little long but a great album.
Simple Minds
3/5
Pretty fun, very 80s
The Smiths
4/5
Very good album. A couple songs feel like outliers but a clear precursor to many modern indie stars.
Willie Colón & Rubén Blades
3/5
It’s fine, good instrumentation.
Fiona Apple
3/5
More innovative than enjoyable. More tedious than her other albums. A great artist but and overhyped work.
Hookworms
3/5
A good album but it blends together. The first song is very exciting and feels like a throwback to early aughts indie’s best impulses, but by the end it has become mush.
The Cure
3/5
5 stars for the atmosphere, minus 2 for everything else.
Dusty Springfield
3/5
A shrug.
Femi Kuti
4/5
Super funky base lines, lots of fun and doesn’t get too jammy or long winded
Stereolab
3/5
Not that good, not that bad.
Baaba Maal
3/5
Feels very 90s. Maybe too many world music albums this week to give this its proper consideration.
Primal Scream
2/5
Who are these early nineties albums for? All the expression of a stale saltine.
The Flaming Lips
4/5
Michael Jackson
1/5
Yuk. An uneven and overrated album and that’s before bringing in the singer’s history.
Spiritualized
4/5
An album that you have to let flow over you. Took a few tries with Spiritualized but really liked this.
Rage Against The Machine
4/5
The best songs are just so good. Some half baked shit bogs it down in the middle.
Wilco
4/5
Objectively a good album but feels like lab grown indie rock. Jesus etc. being the exception.
The Verve
1/5
Good god, nope.
Frank Ocean
3/5
Pyramid brings this thing up to at least 3, Thinking bout you pulls it even higher, but then Pink Matter, White, and basically the rest of the album pulls it back down.
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
5/5
Didn’t know what to expect, loved this.
Prince
1/5
Serious Prince is the worst
Culture Club
2/5
The Chemical Brothers
3/5
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
3/5
Pretty tonally similar throughout. Dark gospel starts cool, gets boring.
CHIC
3/5
Fine music, nothing special.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
4/5
It’s Blitz is better. This is still good.
Fugazi
2/5
Idk about this one. Doesn’t feel like I HAD to hear this.
Van Halen
1/5
Didn’t finish.
Sarah Vaughan
3/5
Not really for me but some beautiful vocals.
Ice Cube
1/5
No more early 90s rap, pleeaassseee
Megadeth
3/5
Idk I guess this is something. The riffs are tight but this just isn’t a genre I care about.
The Incredible String Band
1/5
Is this a joke?
Adele
2/5
Okay voice, massively over produced.
Frank Sinatra
2/5
Whatever. This list is getting sus.
The Cars
3/5
Not their best but not bad
Thundercat
4/5
This is a fun album. Thank god cause it’s been a rough two weeks. A bit long for 5 stars but an extremely solid 4 stars. Some of the base playing just makes you say whoa
David Bowie
5/5
Absolute classic. All hail the duke.
Motörhead
3/5
Dumb but v fun.
Belle & Sebastian
4/5
A beautiful album, wish it had a little bit more grab but there are some great songs here. Precursor to a lot of aughts indie.
David Gray
3/5
Such a strong start but really falls off. 30 minutes would be the right length for this album, a tempo change at any point also wouldn’t have hurt.
Shack
1/5
Sticking to my theory that the 90s outside of rap were broadly shit.
John Lennon
1/5
Can we stop pretending every shit from a Beatle is gold?
#freeRingo
Jimi Hendrix
4/5
A really fun listen. There isn’t much of a concept behind the album but 90% of the songs are classics.
Roxy Music
3/5
I don’t quite click with Roxy Music. This is their second album that’s come up and both times I’ve felt it’s good not great and while I respect the ideas, the execution feels just alright.
DJ Shadow
2/5
Loved this album in high school but found it deeply boring upon relistening. Sample at the start is an amazingly arrogant way to start off and you really need to come with bangers after. This just didn’t do that. More influential than good.
Bruce Springsteen
1/5
What a fucking slog. Third Springsteen album that I ‘Had to hear’ smh.
Public Enemy
3/5
Never a great sign when you’re relieved that an album ended and the Spotify algorithm took over.
Manic Street Preachers
2/5
Just couldn’t get into this one.
Belle & Sebastian
3/5
Too twee for me.
Neil Young
4/5
Classic for a reason, but a couple clunkers. Looking at you Man Needs a Maid
Radiohead
5/5
Basically perfect. One of my five favorite albums.
Stevie Wonder
4/5
Probably was in the wrong headspace for this one. It’s obviously good but wasn’t feeling it.
Isaac Hayes
2/5
Doves
4/5
Really enjoyed this and will listen to their other albums.
Liz Phair
3/5
Good moment but clearly of an era.
T. Rex
4/5
Good tunes.
Tom Waits
4/5
Wow, never heard anything quite like this. Might never listen again, but glad I’ve heard it.
Q-Tip
4/5
Great flow and production. Probably the first good rap album on the list.
Yes
3/5
Extremely prog so take that either way.
Elliott Smith
4/5
A good album with great moments but loses momentum in the back third.
Hole
4/5
This album rocked. Great grunge vibe throughout, coherent sound. Big ups.
5/5
5 stars. Easy. Done.
Kate Bush
5/5
So ahead
Elvis Presley
3/5
I mean I guess it was better than I expected?
Ramones
2/5
Just beats you over the head.
Stevie Wonder
2/5
Nope, no thank you.
Aerosmith
1/5
Just comically horny and not very good.
3/5
About 10% of the way through this list and there’s a clear bucket of albums that are influential but not for me. This is another one of these.
Leonard Cohen
4/5
Enjoyed the composition but didn’t really pop.
Faith No More
1/5
Hahahahahaha fuck out of here.
Manic Street Preachers
2/5
I just don’t understand why this band has at least two albums on the list.
Air
3/5
Pretty but also pretty boring
Jurassic 5
3/5
Way cornier than I remembered but three stars for What’s Golden.
Radiohead
5/5
Yup, still really great.
Blur
4/5
Some fantastic moments, Parklife alone brings this thing up by a star. However,
I don’t quite see the impact of this album beyond leading to more interesting products in the aughts.
Bee Gees
1/5
Wow. Nope. Very boring and indulgent.
Led Zeppelin
3/5
Probably a band that’s best of is one of the best out but this is a lot of Led.
Various Artists
3/5
Van Morrison
2/5
Didn’t make it all the way through. The wailing on track two really got to me.
Missy Elliott
4/5
One of the few rap albums that’s really held up. These beats are just dope.
Miles Davis
5/5
Classic for a lot of reasons. Still lovely to come back to this one.
Robert Wyatt
2/5
Coldplay
4/5
Well that was better and more musically interesting than I expected.
Supertramp
5/5
Loved this. So much range. So much piano.
The Band
4/5
A really enjoyable listen. More funky swing than I was expecting.
Miriam Makeba
2/5
A Tribe Called Quest
4/5
Eagles
2/5
The dude was right.
Thin Lizzy
4/5
This was really fun. It’s a bit long at an hour and seventeen minutes but basically every song rips.
Arcade Fire
5/5
I really wanted to dunk on this album. Arcade Fire's latest albums have lost what made this band so special but hot damn The Suburbs absolutely brings it. No skips, great album apparently 19 year old me wasn't totally off base.
Marvin Gaye
4/5
Sufjan Stevens
5/5
Wow. Imagine if Sufjan had done this 50 times.
Ice T
2/5
I just don’t understand why the list author included so much early 90s rap.
Ananda Shankar
3/5
Some good jamming moments but I’ll most likely never come back to this record.
The Flaming Lips
4/5
Such a good and weird album. Not my favorite albums by the lips but definitely has some of my favorite songs. I’ll always associate this album with my college freshman year and driving around. Nice to bring that sense back.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
3/5
The Smashing Pumpkins
4/5
Damn I love this album but fuck it’s long.
The Smiths
4/5
Not my favorite Smiths album but some great songs and more consistent end to end than The Queen is Dead. I get it Morissey is an asshole etc but he knows how to make indie rock music like few others.
Isaac Hayes
4/5
Loved every track besides Phoenix.
John Prine
3/5
Idk not really for me. A bit too much twang and twee
Dexys Midnight Runners
3/5
Some jams but gets old
TV On The Radio
5/5
Absolutely love this album and this band.
TLC
2/5
Cool production but no thank you.
The Undertones
2/5
ABBA
2/5
Abba just isn’t for me. Kind of like Fleetwood without the edge.
Talking Heads
4/5
Yup - so good. What a strong debut album.
Stevie Wonder
3/5
Best of the three Stevie Wonder albums but just not really my style.
AC/DC
3/5
It’s just variants of the same song, but a damn good song.
Neneh Cherry
2/5
I bet this felt so progressive when it came out but feels extremely dated.
John Grant
2/5
Nice musicality but not for me. Just kind of drags on and on and on and…
On
Frank Sinatra
1/5
I fucking hate Frank Sinatra.
The Sabres Of Paradise
1/5
Yup, trash.
Beastie Boys
3/5
Probably the best of the early rap albums.
Tortoise
3/5
Peter Gabriel
2/5
What an off putting album. Did not enjoy it at all. 2 stars because the atmosphere was BIG but overall not one for me.
The Stone Roses
3/5
Some interesting moments but mostly a blaze snooze of an album
Sonic Youth
3/5
There’s a large bucket of albums on this list where I respect but do not like the music. This plops firmly into that pool.
Eels
4/5
Really enjoyed this one. Pretty singular song writing without being overly eclectic.
Nas
5/5
Yup - that’s that good stuff. 40 minutes, no skips just pure butter baby.
Queen
3/5
More metal than I was expecting.
Honestly, surprisingly annoying, very guitar forward and doesn’t really highlight Freddy’s incredible vocal range.
Beatles
4/5
Not my favorite Beatles album but fuck, you just have to tip your hat.
Billy Bragg
3/5
Idk man. Mediocre country adjacent twang. No thanks.
David Bowie
3/5
More interesting than good? Feels like Bowie is finding his way into something new that doesn’t get fully realized until Toy.
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
2/5
When Prague goes wrong
Garbage
3/5
Song to song this is cool and a fun listen but an hour and a half is too much.
Bob Dylan
4/5
Fun listen and a good revisit. Can’t say it blew my mind but it’s fun.
Gillian Welch
2/5
I really wanted to like this.
Jazmine Sullivan
4/5
Fuck this bangs (pun intended)
Aerosmith
1/5
God nope no thank you
Talking Heads
5/5
Yup yup yup
Bill Evans Trio
5/5
Absolutely a classic
Steely Dan
5/5
Truly didn’t expect to like this so much. The composition is just fucking tight so much for yacht rock this things a speed boat!
R.E.M.
4/5
This was a good album! But samey throughout but an enjoyable listen
The Auteurs
5/5
Loved this album.
Bob Dylan
2/5
Two stars for Visions of Johanna but a ton of skips
Queens of the Stone Age
3/5
I love QOTSA but this is the wrong album. Hopefully a precursor to either Lullabies or Songs for the Deaf. Hell even Villains or Like Clockwork.
The Cardigans
3/5
Fine indie stuff. Nothing stood out but also inoffensive.
John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers
2/5
Tom Waits
2/5
Like watching a child throw spaghetti at a refrigerator.
The Rolling Stones
4/5
Not just hornier Beatles. These guys might have some staying power.
Kraftwerk
2/5
Pretty boring, tbh.
Penguin Cafe Orchestra
2/5
Just so boring
The Byrds
3/5
Fine but doesn’t move me.
Iron Butterfly
3/5
Surprisingly not bad. I went in with low expectations but sometimes that’s okay!
The White Stripes
4/5
Not their best but still has some very strong songs.
The Doors
4/5
Yeah this is fun. It’s not perfect and a few songs drag but overall I get the appeal.
Portishead
2/5
Ughhhhhh not for me thanks. So slow, didn’t have pop.
System Of A Down
3/5
Kind of a best of band.
Pet Shop Boys
4/5
This fucking slaps. Can see the influence on modern indie especially groups like Destroyer.
Joni Mitchell
3/5
Lovely voice, probably a classic. Not my jam.
The Smiths
3/5
Standard smiths fair
Bobby Womack
2/5
Dolly Parton
4/5
Beautiful album, esp Coat of Many Colors
Alice In Chains
2/5
Paul Simon
4/5
Yeah that was pretty good!
2/5
Tom Waits
2/5
T. Rex
3/5
Not nearly as interesting as The Slider.
Pink Floyd
5/5
One of my all time favorite albums. Always great to revisit.
Led Zeppelin
4/5
It’s hard to rate something like this as have heard most of these songs for decades. I like it but not totally convinced.
The Saints
3/5
Really like the sound but should have been 30 minutes in and out.
Radiohead
5/5
Not my favorite Radiohead but damn if it isn’t five stars, I don’t know what is.
Drive-By Truckers
3/5
Liked it but 90 minutes is a lot.
The Streets
1/5
Hated this album since I first heard it in like 2007. Nice to see some things haven’t changed.
Led Zeppelin
4/5
My personal favorite Led Zep joint. Bit more musicality and nerd shit than the earlier albums and that’s kinda fun.
Echo And The Bunnymen
4/5
Definitely fun and ahead of it’s time
k.d. lang
1/5
Oofa
Creedence Clearwater Revival
2/5
I do not care about the sounds of CCR
John Martyn
3/5
Enjoyed more than expected but was ready for it to end. First song really bangs and the voice is distinctive.
Thelonious Monk
3/5
Sure. Why not?
Nina Simone
4/5
What a voice.
The Mars Volta
5/5
Yes! What an insane album.
Metallica
1/5
Like listening to a pubescent boy trying to fuck a brown crayon.
ZZ Top
3/5
Shoulder shrug. Not sure if bad or not for me so generic three stars.
The Youngbloods
3/5
Some good tunes on here but nothing to really write home about.
The La's
3/5
Pretty generic indie rock stuff
The War On Drugs
5/5
What a joy to come back to this album. Absolutely holds up and brings me right back to eating Jianbing in Tianjin on cold mornings.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
1/5
So CCR is like bad Kings of Leon?
Judas Priest
2/5
A hard album to review. I think it’s probably good for the genre and the time but not the genre for me.
Boston
3/5
This album is definitely a lot and there’s nothing wrong with that but it really felt a bit pummeling for my taste.
CHIC
2/5
Lots of albums on this list seem to be arguments that 1 hit wonder bands deserve more attention. Not sure this album really makes the case.
Dead Kennedys
4/5
Such a rush. Some good good punk sound.
The Mothers Of Invention
3/5
Obviously cool. At times annoying. Makes Aerial Pink less impressive.
Tom Waits
3/5
Certainly one of the most listenable Tom Waits adventures.
Air
4/5
An eminently listenable album.
Beatles
5/5
My personal favorite Beatles album. The B-side is just astounding.
Stereo MC's
2/5
Not offensively bad but also not good.
OutKast
4/5
Good but uneven. I guess I’m happy because if this album made the list then some other great OutKast albums are on the way.
Metallica
3/5
Some of the better Metallica but they really just beat you over the head with it.
Dusty Springfield
3/5
Kind of the same as the last Dusty album.
Beatles
3/5
Some great moments but overall more impressive in hindsight that the Beatles took it so far from this to the White Album etc.
Common
4/5
Some amazing production - the base line on Be is always a joy and the energy on The Food is so good. At the same time, there are some clunkers here that make me cringe. For example - I used to love Testify but it just doesn’t do it anymore. A solid 4 stars and holds up better than a lot of the rap I’ve listened to on this list.
Mott The Hoople
3/5
Lots of Bowie influence (he may have produced) but doesn’t have that same infectious pop. Good not great.
The Last Shadow Puppets
4/5
Listened to this when it came out and thought it was fine. Really enjoyed it upon revisiting.
Nirvana
5/5
Nice to end the week strong. Easy 5 stars.
Oasis
3/5
Oasis has one good album and this isn’t it. Personally, I’ve just always preferred Drive Shaft so maybe biased.
The Police
4/5
Good album, very interesting sound but kinda long. The Police are absolutely one of one though and that counts too.
Mudhoney
3/5
K-Mart Offspring?
John Cale
4/5
A much kinder album than I would have expected.
Rush
3/5
Sorta expected this to be weirder and bigger.
Santana
3/5
Good moments but not exceptional.
The Cure
4/5
Great atmosphere but felt like it really found it’s feet in the back half.
Soft Cell
4/5
Gets a little tiring but Frustration and Tainted Love are absolute bangers. Also had to check to make sure I was hearing sex dwarf correctly.
Elis Regina
3/5
Respect the musicianship but not my bag.
David Bowie
3/5
A bluesy effort from Bowie that works to mixed effects.
Dire Straits
2/5
Really thought I’d like this album but it’s really just fine.
Taylor Swift
2/5
A slog of cozy songs written by committee. A perfect soundtrack for trying to sneak in and take a nap at your local Restoration Hardware.
Slipknot
4/5
Man - this is not my music, but it is fucking impressive.
Elton John
4/5
There’s definitely a formula to Elton John’s music, but it works! A classic if it ain’t broke approach to song writing.
CHVRCHES
4/5
Way better album than I remembered. Synths on this go hard as fuck.
Marvin Gaye
4/5
Some absolute all timers but a slightly soft middle.
Sinead O'Connor
1/5
Just a big nope on this one.
Songhoy Blues
4/5
I’ve found African music often hits hard but wears thin. This album was a solid exemption with enough stylistic variation and emotion to more than offset that I can’t understand the words.
Genesis
3/5
I don’t know. I didn’t like it and an hour and a half is a lot of this. I guess it’s musically good in the way a broadway show is good. Begrudging 3 stars?
Tears For Fears
4/5
Miles Davis
4/5
Willie Nelson
3/5
Honestly I just don’t care that much about Willie Nelson’s music. National treasure etc..
2Pac
3/5
A pretty typical 2Pac experience. Repetitive themes, overly long, bad features, but great production and flow.
Ryan Adams
3/5
Fine singer songwriter type things
Creedence Clearwater Revival
4/5
I really don’t like CCR. They are an annoying band with a distinctly annoying sound. But this album is kind of good. I don’t like saying it but I have to acknowledge that it jams.
Radiohead
4/5
Maybe my favorite Radiohead album… but actually upon relistening that’s wrong. BUT it does have some of their best songs just a lot of cruft in between
The National
4/5
Wow The National used to make really exciting music. WTF happened!?
Machito
2/5
Bounced right off this one.
Deerhunter
4/5
Always felt a bit mixed about this album and it does take a song to get into the groove but then is very good.
Daft Punk
4/5
4.5 stars but a weird grade because Alive 2007 is my favorite live album and there needs to be some differentiation. If that album didn’t exist then this would be 5 stars.
The Black Keys
3/5
The Danger Mouse era is hard to assess. He makes hits but also took the edge off of almost every group he worked with. Brothers certainly feels this way, starting strong but overstaying it’s welcome. It’ll be interesting to see if any other Black Keys albums show up on the list. You could make a case for El Camino as an even tighter Danger Mouse experience or something earlier in the discography when this group was more blues focused.
Blood, Sweat & Tears
4/5
A fun weird one that kept me on my toes.
Kate Bush
3/5
I love Hounds of Love but this is a lot of Bush.
Beyoncé
3/5
Couple good songs. Outstanding production. Committee written.
Tracy Chapman
1/5
All preach, no fun.
Nirvana
4/5
Good ass rock album.
Nick Drake
4/5
The king of the mope.
Peter Frampton
1/5
Wow, I hated this. Didn’t like the voice, didn’t like the guitars, vibe sucked. Nope.
The Clash
5/5
Yup.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
Strong first and last songs but didn’t do much to convince me the stones aren’t a greatest hits band.
Ella Fitzgerald
4/5
Lovely if a little boring.
The Yardbirds
2/5
Nope, no.
Cat Stevens
3/5
Girls Against Boys
1/5
Wow. This one was easy to rate.
Rush
5/5
After being burned by Moving Pictures, this was much more what I wanted from Rush. Unequivocal rock god shit.
Earth, Wind & Fire
3/5
Pretty fun album. Extremely listenable if not necessarily that memorable.
SAULT
3/5
Felt a lot longer than it is.
More a series of sketches than an album. Didn’t hate it.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
4/5
It’s been a long time since I listened to the RHCP. Honestly these boys still have it. Great melodies and hooks, a really fun return to 9th grade.
Elvis Presley
4/5
Better than I expected even if it has a decent amount of schmaltz sprinkled over the tracks.
The Band
5/5
Rambling but tight. An album I will definitely return to.
JAY Z
2/5
Incredible production for absolute cornball lyrics
Bob Dylan
5/5
Arguably Bobby D’s best album front to back and for good reason.
Dr. Octagon
3/5
Way ahead of it’s time but still too long and repetitive to hold me. Feels like an album that gets more credit for being prescient than good.
Ramblin' Jack Elliott
2/5
Not my style, couldn’t finish. Classic for somebody I’m sure.
Bob Dylan
5/5
Such a great album.
Wu-Tang Clan
4/5
Jane's Addiction
3/5
Enjoyable but feels pretty samey at times.
Love
3/5
Fairly ephemeral 60s pop. Added a song to the liked playlist though.
Pink Floyd
5/5
Not my favorite Pink Floyd album but still damn good. Even just an instrumental version of this album would be 5 stars from this guy.
Miles Davis
2/5
Couldn’t find my footing with this when I was in my Jazz phase. Even less so now.
Also my god it’s an hour and forty five minutes.
Beatles
3/5
Some gems, some junk. The experimentation is cool but hardly worth replaying.
The Velvet Underground
4/5
Solid throughout with some absolute bangers.
Echo And The Bunnymen
4/5
Really fun album. Great base work and vocals to boot.
Nitin Sawhney
1/5
Arcade Fire
4/5
An easy band to mock given their recent output but the early albums stand strong and remind what indie rock can be. Solid 4.5.
The Jam
4/5
Really liked this. Unique sounds, tight composition, definitely will come back.
Green Day
3/5
Some classics, but soft in the middle which counts for a lot given the run time.
Justin Timberlake
2/5
Dude… no. Literally the music that made me get into alt genres. Production is impressive tho.
Elastica
4/5
Fun album. Very 90s but not in a bad way.
Duke Ellington
3/5
Cyndi Lauper
3/5
Good not mind blowing but fun.
The Prodigy
3/5
Fun but got old
The Damned
3/5
A good solid beating over the head
Janis Joplin
4/5
Love her voice. Little bit repetitive song structure but overall a very fun listen.
Ray Charles
4/5
Liked it. Unclear if I finished or not.
Paul Simon
3/5
Personal bias but I just can’t get there with Paul Simon. Songs are all objectively well composed but he’s boring.
Idk kind of blues played by old English dudes. Just don’t care.
Bert Jansch
4/5
Some nice folk. Enjoyed this.
Finley Quaye
4/5
Not my preferred genre but this was fun. Lots of good details to make the songs feel less interchangeable.
Alanis Morissette
2/5
Well this voice is certainly unique. Didn’t hate this as much as I expected to but also found it very hard to finish.
Massive Attack
2/5
I genuinely tried but track 3 really burned all the good will I had from the House theme song.
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
3/5
Holy god this is way too long for more than three stars. Some good tunes tho
Fleet Foxes
5/5
Great album
Metallica
3/5
Probably the best of the THREE Metallica albums that have been on the list. But I just find their songs way too long and the style repetitive. Like we get it. 9 mins of quiet to loud is just unnecessary.
John Lennon
4/5
I don’t like John Lennon. He’s a confirmed sack of shit, but god damn if this album isn’t catchy. Subtract a star for trash bag but still dang
Meat Loaf
4/5
Just a banging good time. More camp than expected but ain’t nothin wrong with that.
Pavement
2/5
I have never liked Pavement. Still don’t.
Blue Cheer
2/5
Yeah put this in the bin.
Marilyn Manson
1/5
More of a best of artist with some admittedly great songs but also minus all the stars for turning out to be a rapey shit bag.
Booker T. & The MG's
4/5
I honestly thought I’d hate this but enjoyed more than expected. Probably not something I’ll come back to but fun grooves.
Ice Cube
1/5
This list has taught me I really don’t like Ice Cube. Better actor than rapper? Food for thought….
The Byrds
3/5
Fine but hardly memorable
Neu!
3/5
It was fine but a bit boring.
The Sugarcubes
5/5
Pipes! Base! Drums! This album has it all.
Fela Kuti
3/5
I like the idea of Fela Kuti more than the experience. Songs are all jams but also damn long.
Johnny Cash
3/5
I like the idea of Johnny Cash, but the twang gave me a headache and I didn’t finish.
The Darkness
2/5
Butt rock for the soul
Mike Oldfield
4/5
This thing has baselines! Good fun.
Barry Adamson
3/5
I mean it would be a great soundtrack but there’s no movie!
Funkadelic
3/5
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
4/5
Been waiting for an end to end Elvis Costello album. One of the coolest dudes and brings it all together on this one.
The Go-Betweens
4/5
Yeah this is good stuff.
The Bees
2/5
This got old pretty fast. Good first track but faded.
Richard Thompson
3/5
It’s fine. Good vocals but didn’t grab me.
Little Simz
5/5
Dude bars and production. Hot damn.
Franz Ferdinand
4/5
One of my favorite albums of the era. Just walk to wall bangers.
The Pretty Things
4/5
This grew on me. Weirder in the back half in the best possible way.
3/5
Music is good but never grabbed me.
The Replacements
4/5
Strong bops couple misses
Nick Drake
4/5
Maybe the best of the Drake’s.
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
Born to Run is one of my favorite albums but honestly this album sounds like Bruce is singing through some bad hemorrhoids. I’m on Fire is an all timer but overall no thank you.
Everything But The Girl
2/5
Im sorry but mid-90s British electronica is just not my bag.
Fun Lovin' Criminals
1/5
Please tell me why this is on the list. I’m genuinely asking. The lyrics are cringe inducing and I just can’t.
Travis
2/5
This is an album that some people worked very hard on. I respect that but it is not really for me.
Billy Joel
3/5
Definitely some classics on here. Definitely some songs I really don’t like. Let’s split it and… 3 stars
AC/DC
3/5
I mean sure, fine.
The Fall
4/5
This was pretty good.
The Dictators
3/5
Wanted to like this. I don’t like this.
The Who
4/5
Just a really good album from a band that I generally don’t like. Just gotta tip the hat.
Moby
3/5
Deserves to be on the list but man oh man has this aged poorly. A surprisingly boring album punctuated by a couple brilliant songs.
Johnny Cash
3/5
Same as the last other ones.
Parliament
4/5
Groovtastic
Bob Marley & The Wailers
3/5
I get that this is great music but to me it’s just a bit boring. So sorry.
Primal Scream
3/5
I kind of like Primal Scream? Musically more creative than the name would imply but some super cringe lyrics. Star stands out in this regard.
The Smashing Pumpkins
5/5
Fuck yes.
The Prodigy
1/5
These fucking guys again. Look sure fine if I were at a rave in the nineties this would slap but I’m not and Smack My Bitch just isn’t my vibe.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
Like the last 3 Rolling Stones album- this is a best off band
The B-52's
4/5
Just a super creative and fun band. They aren’t all hits but when they hit it’s like a truck.
Buck Owens
2/5
Maybe good in a Quentin Tarantino movie but not for headphones
Herbie Hancock
3/5
An album I’ve always wanted to love but never clicked.
Beatles
4/5
Old Beatles are a bit more of a mixed bag but there are definitely gems.
The White Stripes
4/5
Has a few of The White Stripes best songs but a far cry from their best work.
Sabu
3/5
I liked this but didn’t finish.
The Velvet Underground
4/5
Classic status is deserved but the Nico songs are a rough hang.
Big Brother & The Holding Company
4/5
Love that Jackie Jormp Jomp voice.
The Cure
4/5
Fun but long.
Ash
1/5
Donovan
4/5
Strong debut. Really enjoyed most of these songs and Season of the Witch is a knock out
PJ Harvey
3/5
Eh this was fine
Led Zeppelin
5/5
Spaced out at points, confident throughout. Generally I find Zeppelin to be better as a greatest hits band but this album definitely deserves its spot in the pantheon.
Beastie Boys
3/5
I respect the Beastie Boys but can’t do an hour. Sabotage still incredible.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
4/5
Like all things Nick Cave, the production on this is incredible. If you’re the kind of person who vibes with his music then this seems like a top shelf album. I’m not that person but a respectful 4 stars.
Stan Getz
4/5
Super easy listening. Really pleasant.
M.I.A.
3/5
I’m glad I stuck with this. It’s more fun than I expected and definitely ahead of its time.
I don’t like U2 and this album hasn’t changed my mind. The music isn’t bad it’s just boring music for everyone and nobody.
Beck
4/5
An album that takes a ton of swings. The best parts are fantastic but it’s an uneven effort. Nevertheless, this will always be an album that I have a soft spot for and don’t mind skipping through the weak tracks.
Fela Kuti
4/5
Hot damn this was fun.
The Police
3/5
Bit of a mixed effort but still has some high points. 3 stars but could be convinced it’s a 4 star album.
Ian Dury
2/5
A comically bad album… but I didn’t hate it.
Beth Orton
3/5
This was fine.
Adele
2/5
Over produced and I’m not a divorced woman so…. 3 stars I guess.
R.E.M.
4/5
Sitting inside working instead of going skiing. I finally understand REM.
Nick Drake
4/5
Generally, love the Drake but it’s all kind of the same isn’t it?
Coldcut
3/5
First song is amazing then kind of slows down.
Sade
2/5
Well produced but no thank you.
Waylon Jennings
2/5
Nah.
Jack White
4/5
I liked this a lot more than when it was originally released. A pleasant surprise.
Peter Gabriel
2/5
I’m going to just level with the internet here. I really don’t like Peter Gabriel or Genesis. I think they are lame maximalism. I know some people love this stuff and I’ll give an extra star for those people but man oh man, nope.
Heaven 17
4/5
Love the base work throughout this album. This is manic 80s madness that I never would have found on my own.
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
3/5
Some great tracks but not my favorite Tom Petty
Count Basie & His Orchestra
3/5
Jeff Buckley
4/5
Maybe greatest sad boi album ever?
Pixies
2/5
Bob Dylan
4/5
Bit of a Dylan skeptic and figured this would suck. It doesn’t suck. That was a nice Monday surprise.
Siouxsie And The Banshees
3/5
Fun album. Very much of the decade.
Leonard Cohen
4/5
Even if you don’t like Leonard Cohen, he’s kind of a four star floor kind of guy.
Hot Chip
5/5
One of the best of the decade.
Portishead
1/5
Dummy indeed. Hard pass.
Sonic Youth
3/5
This was fine. I liked it at first but didn’t hold my interest
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
4/5
Personal favorite YYY album.
LCD Soundsystem
4/5
Millennial nostalgia at a near all time high, yet I didn’t really want to revisit.
The Specials
1/5
Man on man did I hate this. Every track hurts in a different way.
George Jones
4/5
This is not my music but it’s very well done. A respectful four star effort
Randy Newman
5/5
Randy Newman just casually gets it.
Dexys Midnight Runners
1/5
I can’t even pretend that I finished this one.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
3/5
This album has no pace. This Year’s Model comes in and grabs you but by comparison this album is meandering and bloated. Imperial in the worst ways.
Lightning Bolt
1/5
Nope, no, no thank you.
Prince
3/5
I really like the idea of Prince but the music isn’t for me.
Lambchop
3/5
Honestly have never understood the lamb chop appeal. It’s good enough to put on in the background but doesn’t hold my attention.
Sonic Youth
2/5
I don’t really like this.
Maxwell
2/5
Tasteful soundtrack for some full bush soft core
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
Dude really was just on another level. The guitar work is obviously incredible but Jimi also sells the vocals so hard.
Scritti Politti
3/5
Extremely indifferent
Eminem
3/5
Too long but some incredible moments. Hope to see the Marshall Mathers LP on here
Janet Jackson
4/5
Enjoyed this a lot more than I expected.
Ali Farka Touré
3/5
Like with most of these type of albums it was fun but overstayed
John Martyn
2/5
Supergrass
3/5
Better than average but couldn’t hold my interest
Frankie Goes To Hollywood
2/5
Pet Shop Boys
3/5
The Notorious B.I.G.
4/5
Yeah sure. This should be here but not that psyched on the misogyny etc
Iron Maiden
4/5
Fun stuff
Carpenters
2/5
I tapped out around Help. Don’t plan to finish or revisit.
Kendrick Lamar
4/5
A fun one to relisten to. As ambitious and as uneven as I remember.
Blondie
5/5
A great album. Pure fun.
The Verve
3/5
Television
2/5
Koffi Olomide
3/5
Passable background music
Baaba Maal
3/5
Enjoyable but I didn’t notice when it ended.
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
3/5
Yeah fine probably should be here, but super safe jazz
Elton John
4/5
Elton John is a weird one. A few songs and he’s the greatest song writer of his generation, a whole album and I want to never hear his music again.
Genesis
3/5
Cypress Hill
2/5
Classic early 90s rap. Best to leave it in the 90s tho
Nine Inch Nails
1/5
Would rather nail my balls to a plank than finish this album.
Harry Nilsson
3/5
Very listenable. Not really my style.
Alice Cooper
3/5
Bob Marley & The Wailers
5/5
My parents love Bob so I’m biased towards disliking it out of lazy rebellious feelings but fuck this is good stuff
De La Soul
2/5
No. Sketches are tedious, raps are ancient.
Le Tigre
3/5
Yeah fun enough
Sigur Rós
4/5
Love this album.
Kings of Leon
5/5
Fucking love their early work. So many bangers
The Everly Brothers
1/5
This gives me a headache
The Specials
1/5
Nope
Van Halen
2/5
Can
4/5
Public Enemy
2/5
Got old fast
Fred Neil
3/5
Enjoyed but didn’t love
Syd Barrett
2/5
Pretty much whatever
Peter Gabriel
1/5
No more Peter Gabriel. This is a protest vote
Pixies
5/5
Been losing faith in this project but this renewed my interest. Clearly influenced so many artists I love and is a great balance of discordant sounds and harmony. Loved this.
Pere Ubu
3/5
I actually kind of liked this.
David Crosby
3/5
Very loose
The Jesus And Mary Chain
2/5
Keith Jarrett
3/5
Good enough
Van Morrison
4/5
Genuinely didn’t expect to like this but Van Morrison can fucking belt
The Soft Boys
3/5
Rod Stewart
2/5
Don’t care at all
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
2/5
Billy Bragg
3/5
Jeff Beck
2/5
Louis Prima
3/5
The Adverts
4/5
Def Leppard
2/5
Honestly this always had a ceiling of like 3 stars.
Caetano Veloso
3/5
Suede
2/5
Talking Heads
5/5
Maybe the coolest band.
The Stooges
3/5
Fine enough
Sparks
3/5
I don’t like Sparks. Don’t at me Edgar Wright
Roxy Music
2/5
Roxy feels like a band I should like but I don’t
Grizzly Bear
2/5
Used to love this album. Do not love this album.
Gram Parsons
3/5
GZA
3/5
Throwing Muses
3/5
2/5
Listened to this a ton in high school. Even then wouldn’t have said top 1000 albums
G. Love & Special Sauce
2/5
Unreal this album is 57 minutes.
Dwight Yoakam
2/5
Scott Walker
3/5
David Ackles
3/5
Funny but overwrought
Joni Mitchell
3/5
George Harrison
2/5
lol @ 2 hours of runtime.
Goldfrapp
2/5
Snoozer
Slade
1/5
Not going to pretend that I finished this album.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
2/5
On paper I should really like Nick Cave but I just don’t. Maybe this should be a play rather than an album? Idk but still 2 stars.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
2/5
Nick Cave is a SERIOUS artist.
The Young Rascals
3/5
Actually pretty good. Not mind blowing but genuinely listenable.
Randy Newman
4/5
Randy Newman so casually goes for the jugular and his ear for composition is impeccable.
The Style Council
2/5
Inoffensive
2/5
Good composition but man do I get bored with this whole aesthetic
The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy
1/5
Nop3
Miles Davis
4/5
Didn’t expect to like this as have generally found the jazz selections pretentious but this bops.
Deee-Lite
2/5
Dated, AF
Justice
5/5
Deserved classic status
Kelela
3/5
Eh, good production but kind of whatever
Madonna
2/5
Music without point or purpose
Steely Dan
3/5
surprisingly meh compared to their other albums.
Common
3/5
It’s good for the time but it’s not good.
Norah Jones
1/5
Seriously!?
David Bowie
4/5
Not the best Bowie but Queen Bitch alone, hot dang.
1/5
First album to actually make me angry so that’s something
Bauhaus
4/5
A lot of fun. Maybe derivative or maybe invented the genre. Idk but I jammed with this one.
Red Snapper
2/5
Nico
3/5
I kind of wish we could get a better explanation for why albums were chosen.
Jamiroquai
3/5
Very much of an era but undeniably smooth
50 Cent
4/5
Definitely 20 mins too long but the highs are so high.
The Fall
3/5
It’s good but I feel like I’ve heard a version of this talkie British bop like 5x
Frank Black
4/5
This was a very fun album. Maybe too long but track to track was very enjoyable
The The
3/5
Without looking at ratings, I’d guess this is averaging like 2.2 stars but I kinda didn’t hate it. It had fun moments.
Bad Brains
1/5
Nah
Arcade Fire
5/5
One of the best albums of its decade and bought Arcade Fire four albums worth of goodwill from me. What a joy to revisit.
Cornershop
2/5
Madonna
1/5
Yup hated this. Over produced, nothing interesting about vocal styles or lyrics.
Massive Attack
2/5
Booooooo
Dagmar Krause
3/5
Alexander 'Skip' Spence
2/5
The Rolling Stones
2/5
I’m sorry but I do not care for The Rolling Stones except for the occasional Gimme Shelter listen. I really find them to be a best of band and that’s that.
B.B. King
4/5
This bangs pretty hard.
Jimi Hendrix
4/5
Yeah, Jimi is good and some songs I didn’t know plus the classics.
Muddy Waters
3/5
Started fun, got boring
Dennis Wilson
2/5
Double albums have to go so fucking hard. This is flaccid as it comes.
3/5
Good. But I think Bob Dylan, despite being objectively good to great, may be the most overrated artist of the last 60 years.
Butthole Surfers
1/5
Oof
Jane Weaver
3/5
Good composition and detail work but also sort of whatever
Scott Walker
3/5
This fucking guy, again!?
Stephen Stills
3/5
Boomer wet dream.
Beach House
5/5
A true 4.5 stars but I’ve given a lot of bad reviews recently so will balance out with being generous here. This is such a consistent album, sound is completely unique and taken in a vacuum outside of the broader Beach House discography, it’s perfect. Their albums are all kind of the same but this is a good representation.
Christina Aguilera
2/5
Fucking, seriously!?
4/5
Dug this. All over the place but not in an off putting way.
Pantera
5/5
Generally don’t like metal. Wasn’t looking forward to this. But holy shit. 5 stars, easy.
MC Solaar
3/5
Patti Smith
5/5
Yup. 5 stars just for Gloria but the album keeps going and actually stays great.
Sheryl Crow
2/5
Wow, what a voice for such mid music.
Nightmares On Wax
3/5
Sure whatever.
Sly & The Family Stone
4/5
Family Affair is a perfect song. Classic 4.5 star case where there’s excellent and a slightly softer back half.
Killing Joke
3/5
Some clear originality to this one but also just not that interesting.
The Velvet Underground
4/5
Obligatory 4 stars
Brian Eno
3/5
Hüsker Dü
3/5
Eh. Sort of whatever
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
4/5
Well, points for trying and there’s some genuinely cool stuff here. But also this is a lot. Putting 3 stars feels honest because it’s the average of 1 and 5 stars which is the experience but I’ll add a star for the ambition.
Depeche Mode
3/5
After like 5 songs you kind of get the point.
Echo And The Bunnymen
4/5
I just really like this band. One of my favorite discoveries from this exercise.
Alice Cooper
4/5
I really liked this album. It’s smart, good blues elements. Just a whole lot of fun beyond the single.
King Crimson
4/5
Cocteau Twins
4/5
Yeah! This is a fun album. Surprisingly dark.
Pixies
5/5
If I’d gotten into the pixies in high school, they would have become my whole identity.
Björk
3/5
Clearly made with a lot of care but the whole aesthetic just isn’t my thing.
Megadeth
1/5
Sorry but just can’t with this one. It’s not fun or interesting music.
The Waterboys
3/5
There’s nothing wrong with this but I started checking how much was left on the first song and there’s nothing here that would keep me listening for an hour and 20 minutes.
Ministry
1/5
The Sonics
2/5
The Shamen
2/5
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
4/5
Really enjoyed the first half of this. Was a bit less excited in the second half as it felt it lost its edge
Kanye West
5/5
The first couple of songs are a bit slow but also I’ve probably listened to this album 100 times so hard to say if that’s just me. Despite Kanye’s more recent slippage in quality and abhorrent politics, this is a classic.
The Beta Band
3/5
Generically fine music
Run-D.M.C.
1/5
Copy and paste my review of every late 80s and early 90s rap album. There’s nothing that I need to listen to from this time period.
Gil Scott-Heron
3/5
Eh this is fine.
Muddy Waters
3/5
The Louvin Brothers
1/5
I wish this website had a written justification for its selections.
Neil Young
5/5
Another 4.5 star album. There’s a few songs I skip but overall this is just a great album.
Björk
2/5
I just don’t care about Bjork. Sorry, I tried.
LL Cool J
2/5
Fishbone
3/5
The Rolling Stones
2/5
Man oh man, most overrated band of all time? I think they are at least a contender.
Chicago
3/5
Morrissey
3/5
Morrissey has an ear for catchy song writing but lyrically this is just too on the nose
Goldfrapp
2/5
Pretty sure this band has like 3 great songs.
Sam Cooke
3/5
Ghostface Killah
4/5
This album is too long but it’s also too good. Whatareyougonnado!?!
But seriously this is like the third good to great rap album out of the 500+ albums this list has put up.
Kings of Leon
3/5
Some good tunes but the cracks were starting to show compared to their first two albums.
Dire Straits
1/5
No thank you. Easy listening like a pencil stabbed into my ear
Joy Division
2/5
A band I want to love but just don’t really enjoy
Astor Piazzolla
3/5
Nanci Griffith
3/5
Discount Joni Mitchell?
The Gun Club
4/5
Good meat and potatoes punk. Learned one of my favorite Kings of Leon songs is a cover so that’s neat.
Death In Vegas
2/5
Pretty standard late 90s affair.
The Divine Comedy
3/5
Sure, fine.
Led Zeppelin
4/5
KISS
2/5
The hits are fun but even at 30-ish minutes, this overstays its welcome.
George Michael
1/5
Nope, not buying this.
The Monks
3/5
The Byrds
2/5
Pretty boring
Boards of Canada
1/5
Can’t believe I used to like this album. Such pretentious noodling
Röyksopp
2/5
More bleh 90s electronic
U2
4/5
Couple skips but overall this album hits hard. I don’t like U2 but have to concede there’s something here.
The Go-Go's
4/5
Really fun album. Isn’t trying to hard to be more than it is
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
1/5
No thank you
Robbie Williams
2/5
If you’re a C+ British rocker then you’re probably making the list.
The Beau Brummels
3/5
Pretenders
4/5
I have a soft spot for talky British bands but this is a good one
The Stooges
5/5
Fuggin’ gud stuf
The Who
4/5
The most fun I’ve had listening to The Who
Sepultura
1/5
Nah
Dizzee Rascal
3/5
Conceptually cool and feels like a missing step in rap history that helps explain Danny Brown (who I love), but I just don’t personally enjoy this one.
Beck
4/5
Honestly a really fun album. Jumps around and a few skips but I liked revisiting this one.
Talk Talk
2/5
This ain’t it
Leftfield
3/5
This was fun. I wasn’t blown away but enjoyable.
Badly Drawn Boy
3/5
A solidly inoffensive indie rock experience
The Afghan Whigs
3/5
Fart music for loud bois
Goldie
2/5
More of the same
Burning Spear
3/5
Generally not a genre I love but this feels like a strong showing.
Eminem
4/5
What to even do with this album. Moments are great, parts are ugly, there’s a few throw away tracks but it’s also bracing.
Screaming Trees
1/5
So like worse Incubus
Steve Earle
2/5
Cool, thanks for coming by
Todd Rundgren
2/5
A shockingly boring album
Lou Reed
4/5
The aesthetic of Lou Reed probably is better than the songs but it’s still an amazing hang
2/5
This was fine
Shuggie Otis
4/5
A very happy pleasant if somewhat banal listen.
2/5
Tom Tom Club
2/5
Joan Baez
4/5
Incredible voice and very musical. Probably just a bit too long of an album but each song is strong.
Anthrax
3/5
Destiny's Child
1/5
Fuckkk off
The Residents
2/5
Not sure what to do with this one to be honest. It’s pretty off putting but at the same time, it’s more fun than like Destinys Child.
Madonna
1/5
Like chewing toilet paper.
Erykah Badu
1/5
Ughhh for my money one of the more overrated artists of the last 20 years
The Thrills
3/5
They knew what aesthetic they were going for and then just beat it into you
Blur
3/5
This album is good but too long
Jungle Brothers
2/5
I refuse to believe the creators of this list spent any time listening to these prototype rap albums
MGMT
5/5
Absolute classic of its era. The hits are great but some of the lesser known songs (Moons and Monsters, Handshake) are what really make this album sing.
R.E.M.
3/5
This is quintessentially fine
Frank Zappa
4/5
Yeah that was fun.
Grant Lee Buffalo
2/5
I’ve been doing a thing where I let albums accrue and then skim. Maybe I miss some gems but albums like this really validate the theory that maybe 30% of the 1001 albums I HAVE to hear are actually worth a listen
The Jam
2/5
I bet there’s like one good song that I’ve heard somewhere on this album. Can’t wait to wade through 30 mins of garbage to find it.
Update: nope just generically meh rock music.
The Boo Radleys
3/5
Too long but a decent listen
Incredible Bongo Band
2/5
Okay look, the composition here is objectively good. HOWEVER, I have no interest in listening to this for 15 mins let alone the full run time.
3/5
There’s some really fun instrumentation here but the lyrics are pretty anodyne.
The Dandy Warhols
3/5
Fine pop music. I had a nice time.
The Young Gods
2/5
Nah
Otis Redding
4/5
Pulp
3/5
Don’t care at all. This album made me take a 3 week break.
Run-D.M.C.
2/5
Fairport Convention
4/5
Yeah this was good and a great example of why this list is fun.
The Cramps
2/5
Not doing an hour of this
Radiohead
5/5
One of probably my 10 favorite albums. I’d have to think exactly where this ranks exactly but it’s my favorite point in Radiohead’s incredible discography and easy five stars.
The Hives
3/5
Starts strong with that one song we all know and then becomes fine. At least it’s short.
Queen
3/5
Like kinda fine… but I think queen is a best of type band
Carole King
1/5
Who the fuck cares about this music in the year of our lord 2025. Unless I’m committing suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning via Prius, I’ll never listen to this again.
Fugees
4/5
Pretty good album. One of the most listenable of the myriad of terrible rap albums on this list.
Country Joe & The Fish
3/5
Fun and groovy.
Orbital
1/5
Lol. The only thing worse than the hip hop albums on this list is the electronica
Jane's Addiction
3/5
Pretty fun rock album
Steely Dan
5/5
One of my all time favorite albums and 1a 1b with Can’t Buy a Thrill for best of the Dan