User Albums Journey
Exploring beyond the book, one album at a time
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Albums Rated
2.85
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Taste Profile
1970
Favorite Decade
Jazz
Favorite Genre
other
Top Origin
Wordsmith
Rater Style ?
33
5-Star Albums
56
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
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By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Chocolate Synthesizer
Boredoms
|
5 | 2.09 | +2.91 |
|
World Of Echo
Arthur Russell
|
5 | 2.54 | +2.46 |
|
Mouth Sounds
Neil Cicierega
|
5 | 2.57 | +2.43 |
|
An Empty Bliss Beyond This World
The Caretaker
|
5 | 2.91 | +2.09 |
|
Join Us
They Might Be Giants
|
5 | 2.92 | +2.08 |
|
Elmer Gantry's Velvet Opera
Elmer Gantry's Velvet Opera
|
5 | 2.94 | +2.06 |
|
Telefone
Noname
|
5 | 2.94 | +2.06 |
|
Life Goes On
Carla Bley
|
5 | 2.98 | +2.02 |
|
Old No. 1
Guy Clark
|
5 | 3 | +2 |
|
Djarimirri
Gurrumul
|
5 | 3.03 | +1.97 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
For Emma, Forever Ago
Bon Iver
|
1 | 3.49 | -2.49 |
|
The Fame
Lady Gaga
|
1 | 3.39 | -2.39 |
|
Contra
Vampire Weekend
|
1 | 3.35 | -2.35 |
|
The Universe Smiles Upon You
Khruangbin
|
1 | 3.35 | -2.35 |
|
A Deeper Understanding
The War On Drugs
|
1 | 3.33 | -2.33 |
|
Pulse
Pink Floyd
|
1 | 3.29 | -2.29 |
|
Only God Was Above Us
Vampire Weekend
|
1 | 3.29 | -2.29 |
|
Sublime
Sublime
|
1 | 3.28 | -2.28 |
|
In Between Dreams
Jack Johnson
|
1 | 3.24 | -2.24 |
|
Deadwing
Porcupine Tree
|
1 | 3.22 | -2.22 |
5-Star Albums (33)
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Popular Reviews
Cindy Lee · 4 likes
5/5
This album is available to listen to on Bandcamp: https://cindylee.bandcamp.com/album/diamond-jubilee
One of my favorite albums of the last 10 years. I ordered a copy of it before I was 10 minutes into listening to it on Bandcamp when it was released. Very cool that this is on this list.
Salif Keita · 3 likes
4/5
This was a hard album to find, but it was truly a gem. Beautiful music and a beautiful voice. Thanks for the introduction.
Anaïs Mitchell · 3 likes
1/5
Everything about this screams a specific time and place in folk/Americana music, and it's one I never need to visit. Had a really hard time getting through this whole album.
Boredoms · 3 likes
5/5
I had it set in my head that my submission to this list would be Super æ. The day I finished this was among the 5 most recently added albums to the user list, so I abandoned that.
I definitely prefer more the spacey trance vibe of Super æ and Vision Creation Newsun, but this album rules so much. Stoked Boredoms are on this list regardless.
Dream Theater · 2 likes
1/5
This was a truly ridiculous inclusion. Progressive metal at its most over the top. Fun for a bit for sure, but so ridiculous.
1-Star Albums (56)
All Ratings
Harry Styles
2/5
My first album on the user submitted list is a admittedly a dud. Sure this is super polished modern pop music, and I can say that it is that. But beyond that I can't say much, there is nothing here that catches me the way pop music should. I think Harry is obviously very talented but I have always felt like he plays it safe and holds back when it comes to his songs. This is all pretty forgettable.
Teenage Fanclub
4/5
I am only familiar with earlier Teenage Fanclub and this had an unexpected different feel to it. Not as noisy and rough around the edges as the earlier stuff, but a much brighter and janglier power pop. Not to say one is better than the other as Teenage Fanclub just crafts excellent songs. Really enjoyed hearing a different side of them, and really enjoyed this record.
Polvo
4/5
Firmly in the guitar driven indie rock of the early 90s. I have always heard Polvo was worth listening to so was intrigued to see this pop up. Sounds exactly out of the time and place it came from. Inventive and interesting, but also a bit more brittle and artful than the heavy hitting guitar driven indie rock bands from the same time. Regardless, I enjoyed this enough, Polvo seems cool.
Chucklehead
2/5
I had never heard of this band which is not surprising given that they seem like a pretty niche regional 90s funk band. I am not a good judge of what is good and what isn't when it comes to funk, as it's never really spoke to me. I'm sure this is good as far as 90s funk, but it's not for me.
Savages
4/5
I think in the 2010 post punk genre, this stands out as super solid. A great representation of that time and style for sure. Really enjoyed this.
King Tubby
5/5
Probably one of the quintessential dub albums out there. Feels like it's just cooked in to everything that's come since. Excellent record.
Boy Azooga
4/5
Had never heard of this artist at all. More fun and moved a bit more than I was expecting when I saw the "Dream Pop" genre affixed with it. I enjoyed this for sure.
Men I Trust
3/5
This album is pure dreamy bedroom indie pop, and it's also super long. It's good for sure, but not really my thing, and it drags on a bit too long.
Billy Squier
2/5
I saw Billy Squier open for Styx and Bad Company when I was in high school probably 25 years ago now. Styx was incredible and at this point I don't remember much else from that show. This album at the same time seems to be entirely familiar and entirely ordinary. I feel like I have heard of all of these songs so many times, but they all sound kind of the same, and just kind of sound like ubiquitous inoffensive rock music from the late 70s/early 80s.
The War On Drugs
1/5
I first heard this band on the original list, and this album did nothing to change my understanding of them, but just further enhanced it. I liked this album even less because of that. I get why people love this stuff, it sounds like an amalgamation of Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, and Bruce Springsteen to me, with some Paul Simon thrown in there. Just straight boring heartland rock tropes. Not for me at all, but it's pleasant and very safe and non-confrontational.
Fontaines D.C.
3/5
Definitely have been aware of Fontaines D.C. for a bit but hadn't checked them out yet. Decent and fun enough. Kind of some more poppy shoegaze. I enjoyed this quite a bit.
The Vaccines
2/5
This felt like a pretty middle of the road forgettable catchy indie album from the 2010s. A dime a dozen for sure.
blink-182
1/5
With this shitty art work I assumed this was the debut album from blink-182. Was surprised to learn that wasn't the case. This is definitely a bit different than what I know them for, but different does not equate to better. This was a slog and entirely forgettable.
Bad Religion
4/5
I used to be very in to Bad Religion when I was teenager, and it's been forever since I've listened to them. That melodic 90s punk hits so right. Really enjoyed this. A classic album for sure.
Medeski, Martin & Wood
3/5
I always assumed this group was like a bluegrass jam band. I don't know why, maybe just a generalization based on the type of people that I thought were in to them. This is definitely some crunchy fusion jazz though. Not my cup of tea by any means, but they are obviously talented and great at what they do.
Bon Iver
1/5
I have never listened to Bon Iver before and this is more or less what I expected, but man is it so much worse than I would expected. This type of music just brings up so many negative connotations with that time and scene. Even trying to contextualize it is difficult, I understand he may have been early on with this before it became more ubiquitous, but it just feels so pretentious and empty to me. I just can't.
Jack Johnson
1/5
Everything about this just evokes such a specific time and place that I want nothing to do with. This whole vibe is just so empty and vapid. I can't take this seriously.
The Avett Brothers
2/5
I had always assumed I would not like The Avett Brothers, no real reason why. Figured this would come up on this user list, since people seem to like them. I see this was produced with the guiding hand of Rick Rubin which already makes me skeptical. This was fine I guess, felt pretty hallow and empty and forgettable, but pleasant.
Enter Shikari
1/5
This has been in my backlog for a bit, and I had been holding out since it seems very much not for me and I figured it'd be a slog. All of that proved to be true. This was rough, long, and a slog to get through. Not great at all.
Salif Keita
4/5
This was a hard album to find, but it was truly a gem. Beautiful music and a beautiful voice. Thanks for the introduction.
Savatage
1/5
Very ridiculous and over the top Heavy Metal. Did not know anything about this group. Funny they are connected with Trans-Siberian Orchestra. This was about what I expected, fun and inconsequential.
Blackalicious
3/5
I was a college kid in the early 2000s, so obviously I have a lot of experience with Blackalicious just being played in the background a lot. It seems fairly ubiquitous in that time and place. That being said, Blackalicious has always been sweet and always been something I enjoyed. It was nice listening to an album separate from that context. Good stuff for sure.
Beyoncé
3/5
It's obvious immediately that this is a concept album. It's has an ambition and maturity that extends beyond being great pop music. A great listen for listen, if I was going to like a Beyoncé album it would probably be this one.
Boredoms
5/5
I had it set in my head that my submission to this list would be Super æ. The day I finished this was among the 5 most recently added albums to the user list, so I abandoned that.
I definitely prefer more the spacey trance vibe of Super æ and Vision Creation Newsun, but this album rules so much. Stoked Boredoms are on this list regardless.
Modern Life Is War
2/5
Midwest hardcore from the 2000s. This was about what I was expecting it would be. It was fine.
Weezer
5/5
An easy 5 stars. Probably the most universally agreed upon omission from the original list. Egregious to say the least.
This album is nearly perfect, it was huge, had a massive effect on a generation of music afterwards. It's kind of impossible to overstate how important this album. And on top of that it's long been one of my favorite albums. There were so many second and third albums from artists that were questionable to be on the list to begin with. This album's omission kind of undermines any legitimacy of the original list to begin with.
Anyway, I listened to this on vinyl and listened to it loud, like I have done countless times in the last 30 years.
Brand New
2/5
Emo isn't really my thing. It wears on me a bit. This was fine, definitely not my jam, but it was okay to listen to.
Rita Ora
1/5
This is certainly a modern dance pop album, which means it certainly did not hit for me.
Mull Historical Society
3/5
Scottish indie pop band from the early 2000s I have never heard. This was enjoyable enough, felt like they so many songs were on the verge of being great, but not quite there. Overly long record as well.
Kaizers Orchestra
3/5
Definitely not what I was expecting. Much more eclectic and interesting than I assumed it would be.
Slowdive
3/5
A very chill and dreamy shoegaze record from the 90s. Good enough for sure.
Kano
3/5
British hip hop. Surprised this wasn't on the original list since seemingly getting shortlisted for the Mercury Prize seems to guarantee inclusion. This was fine.
The National
3/5
Never cared to try to get in to this band. I enjoyed this more than the album of theirs that is on the list proper, but this type of indie folk rock revival is not for me.
Roky Erickson
5/5
Surprised that this wasn't on the original list. A classic album anyway you slice it. Roky was the best.
Hamilton Leithauser
3/5
This seems like it's maybe a decade too late. Some chamber sounding indie pop for sure. Not really my thing, but interesting enough I guess.
Psyche Origami
4/5
Had never heard of this, and both this artist and album do not have Wikipedia pages, so I wasn't expecting much. But this was excellent. Great flow, sounded like something from early 1990s rather than early 2000s. Really enjoyed this. Great selection!
Arthur Russell
5/5
Thrilled that someone added Arthur Russell to this list. A singular and phenomenal talent. Love this album and everything he did.
Childish Gambino
4/5
I have never checked out Childish Gambino before. This was more interesting than I expected it would be. Very eclectic and genre blending. Really enjoyed it.
Lady Gaga
1/5
This is pop music and is pretty inconsequential. The mix on this feels so buried. Some catchy songs for sure. But this isn't it.
Graham Parker
1/5
This dude just seems like a poor man's Elvis Costello, which is definitely not a good thing.
Garmarna
2/5
Nothing all that interesting here aside from it being in Swedish.
Valerie June
4/5
This was a great album, really enjoyed this on a lazy morning with my coffee.
Boards of Canada
3/5
Another Boards of Canada album was on the original list, and I didn't know anything about them previous to hearing that. I enjoyed that record enough as being something that was not offensive and not all that great, and serves as a great thing to put on as background music. I feel about the same with this one. Nothing all that interesting.
Jon Batiste
4/5
Undeniably a great album from a great talent. I think this is probably one of the better additions to the user list.
They Might Be Giants
5/5
I am not super familiar with They Might Be Giants, though I did have tickets to see their cancelled show a couple days after 9/11. I was skeptical because it was more recent, but this was awesome in all the right ways. Great record and I enjoyed it a ton.
Guy Clark
5/5
Super classic outlaw country. A wonderful listen on a lazy weekend morning.
Yo La Tengo
5/5
I am not sure if the user list will have anything that’s more of a sure fire 5 stars for me than this album. I had it on my shortlist to submit once I finished, but was beaten to it. One of my all time favorites.
Touché Amoré
3/5
The melodic post hardcore screamo stuff is definitely not for me, but I always appreciate the energy and conviction behind it, and also always appreciate how short it is. No complaints about this.
Dream Theater
1/5
This was a truly ridiculous inclusion. Progressive metal at its most over the top. Fun for a bit for sure, but so ridiculous.
Spose
4/5
Had never heard of this, and was not particularly looking forward to it after looking into it and also seeing how long it was. This was honestly great. Spose is obviously super talented and super eclectic, this album just grooved pretty hard and I really enjoyed it. I wouldn't call it essential and it is too long, but with a lot more obscure inclusions on the user generated list, so far this is one the better albums I've listened to.
Refused
3/5
Post hardcore is not really for me, and I wasn't thrilled with the long runtime on this, but I ended up enjoying this quite a bit. Settled in nicely.
John Coltrane
5/5
A truly beautiful recording. An excellent and essential jazz record.
Vampire Weekend
1/5
I have heard the Vampire Weekend name forever but don't think I had ever (knowingly) heard them or could explain what they sounded like. This was very bad, and I'm a bit disappointed that I couldn't have just maintained not being exposed to this band, but here we are. I guess at the very least, at least this album was short?
Avenged Sevenfold
1/5
Every aspect of this was painful and grating to get through. It sounds like some shitty early 2000s pop punk band trying to be a metal band. At least it was well over an hour long.
Gotcha!
1/5
I guess kudos for selecting an obscure band from an overlooked time frame within an underrepresented genre of music. Aside from that, there is not much else that is redeeming about this.
Black Devil Disco Club
5/5
An excellent example of early electronic music. It reminds me of Giorgio Moroder. I was unfamiliar with this, but this is an excellent release. An EP worthy of inclusion on a list of albums.
The Caretaker
5/5
Absolutely loved this, so dreamy, what a vibe.
Roger Waters
2/5
Very much sounds like a watered down Pink Floyd, lacking the urgency the full band was able to create. I lean more towards the David Gilmour contributions to that band than Roger Waters. This was interesting enough I guess. I guess I've just never cared to explore what any of those guys have done outside of Pink Floyd.
Charly García
3/5
Super solid and enjoyable Argentinian rock from the 80s. Better than I was expecting, and kudos for something outside the box.
Joe Cocker
3/5
I guess this was fine. It was a long live album, and I'm not sure anyone ever needs another one of those in their life. Joe Cocker is sweet enough though.
Calibro 35
3/5
This had a good groove for sure. Different and interesting enough and not too long. Nice album to listen to on a weekend morning.
Chloe x Halle
2/5
Sounds like a generic overproduced commercial R&B music. Which I know that hits the spot for some people. This is not for me.
Elmer Gantry's Velvet Opera
5/5
As far as 60s British music that hasn't had a lasting impact, this is an album that enjoyed more than others. Obscure 60s psych that contains all the best elements of The Kinks and the The Zombies. This album was great.
Karnivool
1/5
We do not need so many prog metal albums on this list.
Hikaru Utada
1/5
Definitely do not need this.
Biffy Clyro
1/5
Nope.
Gurrumul
5/5
Completely unfamiliar with this artist, but man what an incredible record. This is the type of thing that makes this list and exercise worthwhile. Easy 5 stars.
Chet Baker
5/5
Just an absolutely beautiful jazz record.
Killswitch Engage
1/5
Absolutely no interest in Metalcore.
The Marcus King Band
2/5
About as middle of the road as you can get.
New Model Army
2/5
Very middle of the road. Sounds like tons of stuff already on this list.
Agalloch
3/5
About as good as I could have expected. Blends a lot of genres and the massive wall of sound is so calming. Exceeded my expectations for sure.
Ozzy Osbourne
4/5
I mean an incredible "debut" solo album from one of the all timers, with some of his most iconic songs. Great album all around.
Pink Floyd
1/5
For how much Pink Floyd was on the original list, it's absolutely to ridiculous to consider this to have been missed. 90s era Pink Floyd just isn't it. This is too perfect and calculated and empty and incomplete, and far too long. I guess I'm happy to say I was able to slog through this thing, but this is a hard no.
Manchester Orchestra
1/5
This is the exact brand of 2010s indie rock that I find uninteresting and boring.
Noname
5/5
Loved it.
Khruangbin
1/5
I caught the first 10 minutes of this band at a fest in 2019 without knowing them, and my friend and I decided they'd be a great band to skip to get some food from the food carts. They've blown up a lot since then, and I don't really get it. This is the first time I have listened to one of their records. It's fine for sure, but man it just seems so mellow and boring--nothing wrong with it being mellow and quiet, it's just surprising to me that they've blown up as much as they have. Did not enjoy at this all.
Shudder To Think
1/5
I do not need this melodic hardcore music.
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard
3/5
I have a lot of respect for King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard. I saw them play in a small venue in 2013 before they started to explode and the show was incredible. I definitely cannot keep up with their albums, a bit too proggy (and frequent) for me, but love what they do. This was enjoyable enough to listen to.
Stromae
2/5
I can see how this would be a great album for it's genre but it doesn't do anything for me.
Fontaines D.C.
5/5
I was not expecting to love this album as much as I do. What a debut. Brilliant songwriting with a resonate energy that feels right at home in the long storied history of Irish troubadours. It feels very working class and very tender and articulate at the same time.
Shpongle
2/5
Psychedelic trance for sure. As far as EDM goes there is plenty worse to listen to than this. So within that genre this was great, but in general, definitely not.
The Heads
2/5
I have never had any interest in listening to this record. It was fine I guess, but certainly feels like the rest of the band sans David Byrne trying to keep something alive that wasn't anymore. These songs feel out of place and out of time, and feel more like a compilation than a fully formed album. Not great at all.
Everything Everything
4/5
A fun proggy art pop album from a band I have never heard of. Some of this was a lot of fun and I was left with some parts stuck in my head for the rest of the day. Enjoyed it for sure.
The Lumineers
1/5
Man this was so bad and so tough to get through. Seems like music perfect for shopping while in a Target or some bullshit like that.
Chris de Burgh
2/5
This was fine, certainly occupies it's own space. Slightly off kilter from what we usually get on this list which is a plus.
Alexisonfire
1/5
If this wasn't on this list I would have never known how much I don't need this.
Dolly Parton
3/5
Obviously Dolly Parton is incredible. I don't have all the context for different periods of her career or anything, and I'm not super familiar with her records, but this was just so enjoyable and lovely on a weekend morning.
Avicii
1/5
This firmly fits in that boring and uninteresting world where EDM and pop music intersect. Too long as well.
The Burning Hell
4/5
This is very much my alley and very early in to this I was shocked I had never heard of this band before. That hyper literate lyrical approach and delivery remind me so much of Dave Berman. Absolutely loved this, what a treat.
The Jesus Lizard
4/5
A rare record on this list that at least makes sense. A highly influential band out of the mainstream produced by one of the best to do it. Raw a noisy and sounds great. Albini really capturing the best sound in the early 90s alt/noise rock scene. Thrilled this came up and was stoked to listen to it today.
Comus
3/5
Certainly an interesting and eclectic sound.
Shania Twain
1/5
90s pop country is really not for me.
Bon Iver
3/5
The second Bon Iver album that has come up on this User Album list, which is wild. I certainly liked this way more than this band's debut. It still has such a distinct attachment to a specific time and place and scene that I just don't have the best associations with, but it isn't as anchored to it as that debut. I enjoyed this a bit, but certainly not for me.
Lo Fidelity Allstars
2/5
This was enjoyable enough, but just really not for me.
Korn
2/5
I was the demographic of the target audience when this was released in 1994, so I definitely listened to this but quickly shed any interest in this genre of music pretty immediately. That being said, this is a lot better than I was expecting.
Bran Van 3000
4/5
This was so much better than I was expecting. Wide ranging super catchy layered pop songs. Super well done and super enjoyable.
Death
3/5
I guess this is an acclaimed death metal album. It was fine, not my thing by any means.
Various Artists
3/5
One of the truly legendary video games and associated soundtracks. I thought the combined experience was wild when it came out. Crazy to listen to this again years later.
Primus
4/5
Love seeing a Primus album pop up. I have not listened to a full Primus album for so many years. Back when I got in to Primus almost 30 years ago, this was one of my go-to albums, for obvious reasons. So many great songs. Had a lot of fun listening to this.
Mansun
3/5
This was fine, seems a bit before it's time for sure. When I was listening to it, I assumed that it was from the early 2010s. It being late stage Britpop I'm sure was a thing. Because I'm guessing Britpop people don't like more progressive things like this. Anyway, this was an okay listen, too long for sure, nothing super remarkable.
CAKE
4/5
It is easy to laugh and discount this when it comes up. Certainly a very specific sound of a very specific time, but this was not an unpleasant listen at all. For never listening to CAKE I was surprised with how many of these songs felt wholly familiar to me. They must be more ubiquitous culturally than I give them credit for.
ISIS
3/5
Heavy post metal record. Not for me but obviously a good record.
David Baerwald
3/5
An interesting record. It feels like it's from someone who lives on the fringes, and it doesn't really fit into anything neatly. I enjoyed this enough.
Vampire Weekend
1/5
This is the second Vampire Weekend album on the User list after there were none on the critic list. I think that after listening to two Vampire Weekend albums I am firmly in the same camp as the critics and believe their omission was correct. The music this band makes just feels so empty and uninspired. Generally I can understand why people would like something, but with this band, I just don't get it. Not for me at all.
Matthew Good Band
2/5
Pretty straightforward alt rock, which is too say it's nothing special.
Bob Mould
4/5
I had not listened to this for decades. And it totally rocks which is not surprising at all.
Courtney Barnett
4/5
A classic that I haven't listened to for a while now. I forget how much this first album rocks--a sound she's unfortunately (to me) moved away from a bit. I miss this kind of wild abandon from her. Had a blast revisiting this.
Chappell Roan
2/5
One of the more recent pop stars of the moment. Catchy and well produced for sure, but at the end of the day, it is a pop album.
"Weird Al" Yankovic
4/5
I don't think it's hyperbole to call this a groundbreaking release. Something that hadn't been done before that brought this stylized approach to music to the forefront and kickstarted a sensation. Have not listened to a full Weird Al record since I was a teenager. I forget how this was more front loaded with the parodies and the most of the second side is originals. Weird Al rules, one of the best.
Imogen Heap
2/5
To me this is pretty middle of the road and uninteresting.
Ex-Easter Island Head
4/5
A good ambient album which is a great change of pace from what this user list leans hard towards.
System Of A Down
4/5
I am slightly surprised that this album wasn't on the original list, and totally thought it was, but on another inspection it looks like their first S/T album is on the list, so I'm happy to know they are at least represented. I am not a prog metal or nu metal fan by any means, but something about System of a Down hits the nostalgia just right. This album kicks ass and I had a blast revisiting it.
Frightened Rabbit
2/5
This comes with all the preconceived trappings of the specific time and place of late 2000s indie rock/folk. Unfortunately it doesn't offer much to rise out of that. Pretty meh for sure.
Vince Guaraldi Trio
5/5
I don't care for holiday music in the slightest, but there is something timeless about Peanuts and this record that hits all the best nostalgic points, while at the same time being incredible on it's own merits rather than just measuring up to other holiday music. This album is a classic and I love it so.
Phish
1/5
Submitting this is an all-time top tier goof.
Marillion
3/5
At it's surface this is pretty boiler plate 90s rock, however there is slightly more to it than that, and there were definitely some interesting and very catchy parts in there. This was fine.
Susanne Sundfør
4/5
A stark and beautifully dreamy work of art pop folk. Loved this album.
Alex Cameron
4/5
Totally unfamiliar with this and it felt a bit gimmicky at first, but this was a great album. Feels very much like he's in his own lane doing his own thing. Really enjoyed this.
The Chameleons
1/5
Shocked this is not on the original list because this fits squarely into the severely overrepresented British post-punk from the 80s. Which is to say, I don't think this list needs any more of that.
INXS
2/5
I wasn't thrilled to get this, and am honestly slightly surprised INXS is not on the original list. This was fine, some songs I recognize, but just doesn't do it for me at all.
The Angelic Process
1/5
A long loud droney ambient shoegaze metal album. About sums it up.
Nic Jones
3/5
A plenty decent British folk revival record. These are always great listens, but I certainly don't need to delve deeper into that movement.
The Tragically Hip
2/5
Based on their name, I did not expect this to be so straightforward blues based roots rock. It was fine I guess, but wholly uninteresting.
Dead Boys
4/5
Just an all around excellent early punk record. It's title is apt.
Wilco
5/5
I initially kind of rolled my eyes when I saw this pop up. I love Wilco but I think what was included on the original list was appropriate for them. That being said I obviously love this album, and while listening to it for the thousandth time today, I couldn't bring myself to justify giving it anything less than a 5.
Streetlight Manifesto
3/5
When I was a teenager I was very much into Catch 22 but kind of grew out of it, and never listened to Streetlight Manifesto. From what I understand they re-recorded Keasbey Nights years after the original Catch 22 release which I loved. I would have been pumped if that came up, I haven't listened to it in over 20 years. I guess this is the album that came out after that re-recording. It's fine, sounds just like Catch 22. Third wave ska rules.
Queens of the Stone Age
4/5
A decent number of people somewhat regularly tell me that QOTSA rock and kick ass. When I listen to QOTSA I find myself absolutely loving the guitar tone and riffs, the production, etc. I don't really love much else. Sometimes I wish these guitar riffs would go on forever, I don't care much for the vocals of their supposed "sense of humor" or whatever. That being said this album rocked and I really enjoyed it.
Electric Callboy
1/5
The energy on this album is over the top too much. It combines all the worst elements of metal, electronic, synth pop into something that is pretty unbearable. At least it clocks in with a short runtime.
Amadou & Mariam
4/5
This is an incredible album. Excellent inclusion on this list.
Final Fantasy
3/5
This was better than I was expecting it to be. Sad boy music, much less pretentious than something like Sufjan Stevens. This was a gem.
Aesop Rock
3/5
Aesop Rock is objectively good. Great production and great lyrics as always. Kind of just used to him being on in the background from my college days. Enjoyed putting this on.
Glass Animals
2/5
Surprised this was not on the original list. I assumed everything that gets a Mercury Prize gets added to that list. This was forgettable. Nothing that sets is apart from everything else in this genre.
Frank Zappa
3/5
Zappa's most commercially successful album. I bought this as a used CD for $2 back when I was 19 after people had told me I should check out Zappa. I bought it without having any concept of how many albums he had, what his best ones were, etc. it just was in the used CD bins I was browsing. Never really connected with it. I respect Zappa's game for sure, couldn't ever get in to this one specifically.
Talk Talk
3/5
Certainly always skeptical of 1980s British albums when they pop up on this list--the whole list was just so oversaturated with them. Not only did this seem unique from that bloc of albums that sounds all too similar but it was good on it's own terms and not just because it was unique.
Cindy Lee
5/5
This album is available to listen to on Bandcamp: https://cindylee.bandcamp.com/album/diamond-jubilee
One of my favorite albums of the last 10 years. I ordered a copy of it before I was 10 minutes into listening to it on Bandcamp when it was released. Very cool that this is on this list.
Joe Jackson
3/5
I was unfamiliar with Joe Jackson, but was very keen on the album artwork and title of this album. And obviously I instantly recognized "Is She Really Going Out With Him?" This was fun enough for sure, a bit ridiculous, and we have plenty of stuff that aligns squarely with this genre.
Amália Rodrigues
4/5
Thanks for adding a great underrepresented genre of music. Great survey of excellent Fado.
Procol Harum
3/5
Not at all what I was expecting based on the abum artwork. This was great, and I think additional listened would reveal even more depth to these songs and this band. Great inclusion in my opinion.
4/5
Everything about this is in the right spot.
Arctic Monkeys
1/5
This brand of modern art lounge pop is a bit too much and is definitely not really for me. I know this band had at least one album on the original list, they probably didn't need another one.
Cardiacs
4/5
This album was absolutely bonkers. It's ambitious and original and dynamic and feels like it's everything you've ever heard before and completely new all at the same time. I really enjoyed this which I was not expecting.
Nujabes
3/5
Something I had never heard of. This was unique and cool enough. Enjoyed it for sure but not really up my alley at all.
Jeff Rosenstock
5/5
Have been aware of Jeff Rosenstock on the ancillary for a bit now, but never really listened to him. This is a great example of something being great for what it is. This whole album is just so solid and catchy and there are moments that when it hits it feels like you are listening to the greatest song in the world in that moment. Absolutely loved it, and I know hold Jeff Rosenstock in higher esteem than I already did.
Anaïs Mitchell
1/5
Everything about this screams a specific time and place in folk/Americana music, and it's one I never need to visit. Had a really hard time getting through this whole album.
David Allan Coe
4/5
Incredible outlaw country record. I've been on a bit of an outlaw country kick lately, so this coming up was very appropriate. Loved it.
Tosca
3/5
This is not really my thing, but this was chill and enjoyable during a sleepy morning.
WHY?
3/5
To me WHY? sounds so much like a Nick Thorburn fronted band. Because of that they sounded both new and familiar at the same time. I enjoyed this enough, and then listened to Islands afterwards.
Times New Viking
4/5
This band is very much up my alley, but I never really got super in to them. But I love the super catchy, fuzzy lo-fi anthemic rock and roll. My kind of jam all day.
Garbage
2/5
I know there was another Garbage album on the original list, and at the time I was surprised that it was on it and this album was not, as this was the only thing I was familiar with when it came to Garbage. Well turns out neither of them were albums that I needed to listen to. Very much has that strange blend of alt-rock, dance-rock, industrial, power pop that only the mid 90s could produce. Pretty tame and boring background music. This was fine I guess, just really, and squarely not for me.
Carly Rae Jepsen
1/5
Boilerplate pop music. This ain't it.
Songs: Ohia
5/5
This is a record that many folks have been telling me to listen to for year, given how much Jason Molina and his sound align with what I am interesting in. Despite all of that I have never actually sat down and listened to it until now. What a record. Everything about it. I should have given this a listen years ago.
Paco de Lucía
5/5
Incredible top tier flamenco album.
Protomartyr
4/5
Protomartyr has always been cool enough as far as modern post-punk goes. Good live show for sure. This is easily the best album of theirs. Happy it's here for sure.
Os Mundi
4/5
I listened to this whole thing thinking it was a great example of late 60s/early 70s Brazilian psych music. And then when it finished and I read about it, I learned this band in German. No matter. A great record, and a good inclusion from something a bit underrepresented on this list.
Billy Strings
1/5
I had always assumed Billy Strings was the name of a member of Phish or like a character in a song or something. Had no idea he was an actual person.
Well this was incredibly tough to listen, and at 75 minutes it really drove that point home. Absolutely belongs no where near an essential list of music.
Backstreet Boys
1/5
This was rough. The one bright note was that this was a normal album length at 46 minutes. I would not put it past a group this big during the height of the CD era to push the 70 minutes mark an album. Fortunately they did not. This album has hits for sure, but is not worth the time.
Bruce Hornsby
1/5
Certainly recognize the name but am not familiar with the music. This was a very strange and dated very 90s intersection of jazz and soft rock. Wild that there is enough people out in the world for whom something like this is for. Certainly not for me.
Nik Kershaw
1/5
Very forgettable dime a dozen 1980s British New Wave Synth Pop -- Something that the original list is over stuffed with to a fault.
Igorrr
3/5
This was a lot better and more interesting than I thought it would. Very eclectic for sure.
Bright Eyes
4/5
I never got into Bright Eyes, his voice and affectation was always a bit too emo for me. However, this was a great record and I really enjoyed it. At the end of the day these are just really excellent songs.
Sunny Day Real Estate
4/5
I had never checked out SDRE and had always just kind of assumed they were 90s indie rock. I did not realize that they are distinctively post hardcore and emo. This album was great, a lot of it kind of reminded my of Treepeople, particularly Scott Schmaljohn Treepeople songs. I bet if I would have listened to this in like 1999 or 2000 I would have loved it and gotten very in to SDRE. Great record.
Mansun
1/5
Had never heard of this band, and for good reason! This is maybe the most Britpop sounding album I have ever heard, which is not a compliment.
Maldita Vecindad Y Los Hijos Del 5to. Patio
3/5
Great inclusion. Truly a niche and under represented scene in this list. Mexican ska from the 90s? Yeah I can dig, something different for sure.
Gorky's Zygotic Mynci
3/5
A bit of a quirky psych folk band, which is not surprising given the band name and album title. This was enjoyable as it's own thing and also just because it's distinctly different from what is usually on this list. A decent listen.
The Ike Reilly Assassination
3/5
I had never heard of Ike Reilly at all, and this vibe really hit this morning. Fun anthemic songs with great hooks. Sounds like it's own thing for sure. This was a great listen this morning.
Paul McCartney
5/5
This is an album that I was genuinely expecting to be on the initial list and was surprised it wasn't, especially given how overrepresented the seminal classic British musicians are on the list. A great album, though as always with post-Beatles McCartney albums, a little too much Paul. Nice Sunday morning listen.
Songs: Ohia
4/5
I am not overly familiar with Jason Molina, but he's clearly one of the best songwriters of his generation. This album was great, and happy to listen to most of his music.
LaBelle
2/5
A fine funk/pop record from the 70s. It has a hit on it that was re-made nearly 25 years later and was also a hit so it's enduring. Not much more to this than that.
Sublime
1/5
Well this is unfortunate, since it has rightly been excluded from the official list. I am not familiar with Sublime outside of their ubiquitous hits that everyone has heard. I have always loved the part in the 'What I Got' song where he says "I can play the guitar like a motherfuckin' riot" and then proceeds to play the most basic and boring guitar riff/solo anyone has ever heard. Hilarious stuff. I think that kind of encapsulates this band in a nutshell. This album was a very tough listen, and I will not ever listen to it again.
Deltron 3030
3/5
Early 2000s alt hip hop is not really my jam. This was a long concept rap opera album. It was good for sure, but not really my thing.
Future Islands
4/5
Unfamiliar with this band aside from just recognizing the name. I ended up listening to this 3 times, it just kind of fit the vibe for the work day. Enjoyable enough for sure.
Ian McDonald
3/5
Decent prog/art rock album. More interesting than I was expecting.
BABYMETAL
1/5
A genre blend that I am not interested in at all.
Wet Leg
4/5
The meteoric rise this band experienced after this came out was wild. I was out of town the first time they came through and played an actual smaller show and then the next time it was nothing but immediately sold out, adding additional dates, at much larger venues. Bummed to miss those early shows. I think this record is great and haven't listened to it for a while, and listening to it for the first time in a bit, I do feel like it's likely going to age well. Stoked to see this come up on this list, though not at all surprised.
Neil Cicierega
5/5
It's been a while since I've thought about Neil Cicierega let alone listened to anything of his. This immediately hit all the nostalgia notes hard. This is just as fun as it was when it came out and I had a blast listening to it.
Sam Fender
1/5
This about as middle of the road and as boring as rock music can get for me.
Ani DiFranco
2/5
Not sure about this at all.
Tindersticks
3/5
I ended up really liking this after it didn't make a great initial impression of me. More moody and atmospheric than I was expecting. Enjoyed it for sure.
The Posies
3/5
Always kind of been aware of The Posies just being PNW based. This is pretty straightforward 90s power pop and it's a lot of fun. The album sounds full and loud, it's great. Really enjoyed this.
Metric
3/5
Totally unfamiliar with this band, but sounds very much like I'd expect given the genre and time this was released. It was fine.
Floating Points
5/5
An excellent collab between a great minimalist electronic group and a legendary jazz saxophonist. This was heavenly. 5 full stars.
The Dear Hunter
1/5
I have never heard of this band. It wasn't bad by any means, just pretty straightforward and boring, and overly long. I will not listen to this again.
Porcupine Tree
1/5
Nope.
Ween
5/5
One of the most personally important bands in my lifetime. I have spent way too much time debating--with myself and with other--which Ween album is their best album, and a long time ago I concluded that although it's not necessarily my favorite Ween album, Quebec is probably their best album. I had tickets to see Ween in August 2024 just days before they canceled and went on hiatus and I have not listened to them in earnest since then. I both love and miss Ween immensely. Listening to this today was like hanging out with an old friend.
Black Country, New Road
3/5
Not at all what I was expecting. Much better than I was expecting but not really my cup of tea. It’s a good record for sure. A bit too long.
Zamilska
4/5
Never super thrilled when I see something labeled as Electonic/Techno, but this was just my speed. Great beats and great tone, a fun album to listen to
Madvillain
4/5
This is a great record. Abstract, eclectic. It hits everything I was hoping it'd hit. Great listen.
Prolapse
3/5
Unfamiliar with this, but a super solid post punk indie record from the 90s. About what you would hope for something like that.
Adam Green
2/5
This was fine. Never really explored either Kimya Dawson or Adam Green outside of Moldy Peaches. This is pretty inconsequential and whatever.
Kenny Wayne Shepherd
4/5
Cool concept for a project, honoring and shining light on the legends of Mississippi Delta blues. I wasn't thrilled about this, but it was good. Much respect to this project.
The Beautiful South
2/5
Pretty middle of the road 90s alternative pop rock. Didn't do much for me at all.
I have not thought about Andrew Jackson Jihad for years. I have however seen the AJJ band name around still playing. I had no idea they were one in the same. Crazy! People loved this album and this band when it came out. Certainly a specific time and a place for sure. Cool to revisit for sure.
Arca
2/5
Not my lane at all. Totally fine, but inconsequential to me. Appreciated this was short, but this is an EP and definitely not an album.
That Handsome Devil
3/5
For something that mixes so many elements that I do not care for, this was decent enough and I enjoyed listening to it.
The Breeders
5/5
I love this album so much. I would say it's one of the few flawless albums, everything is in it's right place, the tone and sound on it are incredible. It feels like one of those things that sounds exactly like it's supposed to. Easy 5 stars.
The Weakerthans
3/5
I had never heard of this band, and I was not thrilled when I heard the horns on the first track, btu this ended up being pretty great. Kind of straddles that line between indie, power pop, and post-punk. Pretty enjoyable record all around.
Paramore
2/5
I did not realize Paramore was emo and post-punk pop. I guess I just assumed they were more dance synth pop. Even given that surprise, this still didn't exceed any pretty low expectations. Totally get why people would love this, but it's not for me.
Vangelis
5/5
One of the all time top tier soundtracks to one of the all time top tier sci-fi films.
Spinvis
3/5
Not my lane at all, but this was very enjoyable.
Silverchair
1/5
With almost everything I listen to, I can find a point somewhere where even if it's not for me and I don't like it, I can at least "get" what's appealing about it and why people like it. But every once in awhile there is something that comes across where I can't fathom who this is for or what is appealing about it. This is squarely one of these bands and albums. It's wild to me that this would be someone's favorite band. Like people listen to this and just think it's the best? That's truly bonkers to me.
The Chats
4/5
Stoked to see The Chats on here. These boys are great, love the energy, a lot of fun live for sure. Great short punk album this morning.
Faith No More
1/5
There is nothing about this that I find interesting or appealing.
Pink Floyd
5/5
This is actually an album that deserves to be on the real list. Pink Floyd is overrepresented on that list for sure, but this is potentially their best album, and if not it's easily top 3. Listened to this a couple times today and loved it.
The Church
1/5
Nothing remarkable about this album at all.
The Presidents Of The United States Of America
3/5
This band seems very silly and very ridiculous. Definitely having a good time, very much fit a mid 90s vibe. I remember a couple of these songs. Enjoyable enough to listen to today.
Rozi Plain
3/5
Had never heard of this artist. Very lush and layered pop folk music. Pretty arrangements and good vibe for the morning for sure.
Edge Of Sanity
2/5
Not my lane at all. Tough to judge whether or not something like this is good or not. This was fine, I would not listen to it again.
Bon Iver
1/5
Ouff. Totally unfamilar with the music of Bon Iver before this. There were zero Bon Iver records on the original, and now this is the third I have gotten on the user list through 209 entries. After listening to these three records it's truly bonkers to me that people hold this in such esteem. I was not expecting to like this much based on the other two records, but was utterly shocked at how heavy handed the auto-tune was immediately. I had to go back and re-read the notes I made on the previous albums because I don't remember it being so bad.
This was a huge struggle to get through, such an artifact from a specific time that has not aged well. It was extremely grating. I really really hope more of this dude's albums are not on this list.
Turnpike Troubadours
2/5
This was fine, seems like pretty straight modern honky-tonk which means a little too polished and a little too radio friendly for me.
The Amazing Devil
1/5
Indie folk dramatic theater kid vibes.
Ryan Adams
2/5
This era of Ryan Adams is admittedly maybe the most interesting. He was extremely prolific and experimenting with and shifting between genres very quickly. That didn't always translate into excellent results, and this album is a testament to that. This is probably his most unique and unlike anything else in his songbook album he'd made to that point. It was interesting to revisit it after all these years. It hasn't aged well which isn't all that surprising.
Gaelle
1/5
Wholly unremarkable and not for me.
Warren Zevon
3/5
This is probably borderline should be on the actual list. Kind of surprised it isn't, but the actual list also is super problematic. Fun record, exactly what I was expecting. Warren Zevon is a very Excitable Boy.
Oingo Boingo
4/5
Oingo Boingo is a pretty singular band and in small doses is a lot of fun for sure. Was stoked that this came up, easily their best record.
Mogwai
4/5
One of those bands that I have always been meaning to check out more. Very pleasant post-rock. Not quite as intense and epic as I prefer. More melodic and pretty approachable. A very pleasant listen on a Sunday morning.
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band
3/5
I had never heard of Alex Harvey until an album showed up on the original list. Based on that I was not expecting another one to show up at any point. Very much like the album on the original list: fun, it kind of straddles the all too familiar line between glam and punk which makes sense for the context of this album at the time. A quick hitter and very enjoyable.
Yellowcard
1/5
This was a really tough listen over 47 minutes. Late 90s / Early 2000s pop punk is super rough.
Pedro The Lion
4/5
Been aware of Pedro the Lion forever but never really checked it out. I did not realize he and this project were Christian? I kind of always assumed it was kind of twee and cute indie rock, which is kind of is, but it's also a lot heavier than I was expecting. Cool guitar tone. This was fine for sure.
Poets of the Fall
1/5
Is this a goof? This is objectively horrible.
Mac DeMarco
3/5
Wild to me that the whole Mac DeMarco thing was back in 2012. Had no idea it was that long ago, but yeah just starting this record and hearing that guitar tone--super dated, and it feels like 2012. This was kind of a trip to listen to after all these years. Fine for sure.
Clutch
1/5
Blues based rock and roll of the stoner variety. Pretty meh.
Sea Power
2/5
Had never heard of this band. Seems like they are super into Bowie.
Girl Talk
2/5
This feels like late 2000s / early 2010s so badly. I had no idea that this is what Girl Talk did. This was enjoyable in the sense that it reminded me of being into this kind of mashup trick as a novelty 15+years ago and the whole "I know that song" feeling that happened every 20 seconds. I get why this appeals to people for sure.
Pescado Rabioso
4/5
This was a cool art rock folk album from 1970s Argentina. Really enjoyed something like this getting added to the list, more esoteric international records please.
Toots & The Maytals
4/5
This seems like a classic reggae album. Reading about it now, I didn't realize there were two such drastically different version of this album. Unsurprisingly the streamers have the second US version of this to listen to which is what I listened to. It does seem like this is the more widely reviewed and included on best lists version of the album, but I always would prefer to listen to the original. Definitely having a tough time finding it anywhere, so I guess the second US version will have to do.
Yeasayer
2/5
This made zero impression on me. Seems like it's probably fine, but not for me.
Carla Bley
5/5
A truly excellent jazz recording and record.
Queen
5/5
An underrated Queen album for sure. It plays second fiddle to A Night at the Opera, which is probably a better cohesive album. But is also one that I think is poorly mixed and bothers me when I listen to it. This album's high points are incredible, and the I think the ballads are pretty great as well. Teo Torriatte is one my favorite songs of all time. An excellent album closer. I hadn't listened to this for a while, and listened to it on repeat all day today and absolutely loved it.
Lady Gaga
1/5
This album is just around an hour long, but it truly felt twice that time listening to it and hoping for it to end.
Tom Petty
3/5
I am no Tom Petty fan. That being said, this is a lot better than I was expecting, and better than anything I know of that he did with his Heartbreakers. Recognized more songs on this than I was expecting. Definitely way too long.
Jai Paul
1/5
Unfinished demos of home studio pop songs. Don't really get why this is here. It was interesting I guess insofar as very polished pop music can be.
The Shins
2/5
I was very much into the first two albums from The Shins when they came out. In retrospect they feel very much albums that occupy a specific time and a place for me, but albums I still enjoy hearing on the rare occasion. This third album from The Shins never connected with me the way the first two did and I never gave it much of a chance. Listening to it now all these years later, and I don't feel like I missed much.
Himiko Kikuchi
2/5
Late 80s jazz fusion is a lot. This was fine for sure, but it was a lot.
The Fall
3/5
I am not super familiar with The Fall by any means, but this was much better than I was expecting for a later career record. It feels vibrant and urgent. Rocks for sure.
Daniel Bélanger
3/5
A decent pop record that is more than surface level deep. Really enjoyed this.
Living Colour
2/5
I never got into Living Colour. Truly a unique and eclectic band. Listening to this it sounds like it's all over the place, but you can also hear it's deep impact on a lot of music that came after it. I appreciate Living Colour for sure even though it's not really my jam. Was happy to give it a serious listen though.
STARSET
1/5
This is objectively horrible. Enduring this for a couple minutes was rough in and of itself, but enduring it for the full 60 minutes was excruciating.
Wolf Alice
4/5
Have always been on my radar but never really checked them out. This was great.
Rachel Stevens
1/5
This is appeal to the masses pop music. Not for me.
Built To Spill
5/5
I grew up in Boise and Built to Spill was very much was a huge influence and a gateway to the very early foundation of establishing my music tastes. This is not my favorite nor most personal album of theirs, but it's undeniably great and likely the height of what Doug made in the 90s. I love this album and know it inside and out. Stoked to see it come up today.
Snarky Puppy
3/5
I generally don't love more contemporary and recent jazz fusion, but this was a lot better and more interesting than I was expecting. Great morning listen.
3/5
A pretty incredible and unique avant-pop album. Interesting and ambitious. Not really for me, but I really appreciate the artistry here.
Yello
3/5
A wild record. The music video for "Oh Yeah" is one of the more bonkers videos to a bonkers song I have ever seen. This album was a lot more interesting than I was expecting just based on that hit song alone. Good inclusion I'd say.
Chromatics
3/5
This feels like a very specific sounds in a niche genre. Cinematic for sure. I have always given Chromatics the benefit of the doubt just because they are a hometown band for me. Don't think I have ever listened to one of their albums in full though. This was enjoyable enough for sure.
Bohren & Der Club Of Gore
5/5
Loved this vibe on a lazy rainy morning. Very Lynchian. Kind of perfect for today.
Supertramp
3/5
Not super familiar with Supertramp. Obviously a band who are well known and have hits, and listening to this record, there were songs I instantly recognized as being ubiquitous in culture. Kind of surprised this wasn't on the initial list to be honest as it just seems like such a foundational record to pop culture. Enjoyable enough. Killer album artwork.