Journey Complete!
Finisher #523 to complete the list
1089
Albums Rated
3.02
Average Rating
100%
Complete
Aqualung
Jethro Tull
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Rating Timeline
Taste Profile
1950s
Favorite Decade
Hard-rock
Favorite Genre
US
Top Origin
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Rater Style ?
55
5-Star Albums
23
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Histoire De Melody Nelson
Serge Gainsbourg
|
5 | 2.75 | +2.25 |
|
Songs The Lord Taught Us
The Cramps
|
5 | 2.84 | +2.16 |
|
Swordfishtrombones
Tom Waits
|
5 | 2.95 | +2.05 |
|
I'm Your Man
Leonard Cohen
|
5 | 3.1 | +1.9 |
|
Pump
Aerosmith
|
5 | 3.11 | +1.89 |
|
Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo
Devo
|
5 | 3.13 | +1.87 |
|
Ritual De Lo Habitual
Jane's Addiction
|
5 | 3.19 | +1.81 |
|
The Real Thing
Faith No More
|
5 | 3.2 | +1.8 |
|
Rain Dogs
Tom Waits
|
5 | 3.2 | +1.8 |
|
Vivid
Living Colour
|
5 | 3.2 | +1.8 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
OK Computer
Radiohead
|
1 | 4.1 | -3.1 |
|
In Rainbows
Radiohead
|
1 | 3.84 | -2.84 |
|
Kid A
Radiohead
|
1 | 3.71 | -2.71 |
|
Hail To the Thief
Radiohead
|
1 | 3.44 | -2.44 |
|
My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
Kanye West
|
1 | 3.41 | -2.41 |
|
Amnesiac
Radiohead
|
1 | 3.41 | -2.41 |
|
Queens of the Stone Age
Queens of the Stone Age
|
1 | 3.29 | -2.29 |
|
Virgin Suicides
Air
|
1 | 3.24 | -2.24 |
|
american dream
LCD Soundsystem
|
1 | 3.18 | -2.18 |
|
Mermaid Avenue
Billy Bragg
|
1 | 3.18 | -2.18 |
Artists
Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Steely Dan | 4 | 4.75 |
| Beatles | 7 | 4.29 |
| Led Zeppelin | 5 | 4.4 |
| Jimi Hendrix | 3 | 4.67 |
| Tom Waits | 5 | 4.2 |
| U2 | 4 | 4.25 |
| Pink Floyd | 4 | 4.25 |
| Prince | 3 | 4.33 |
| The Doors | 3 | 4.33 |
| Johnny Cash | 3 | 4.33 |
| Peter Gabriel | 3 | 4.33 |
| Leonard Cohen | 5 | 4 |
Least Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Radiohead | 6 | 1.17 |
| Kanye West | 3 | 1.33 |
| Mudhoney | 2 | 1.5 |
| LCD Soundsystem | 2 | 1.5 |
| Air | 2 | 1.5 |
| Sonic Youth | 5 | 2.2 |
| Beck | 3 | 2 |
| My Bloody Valentine | 3 | 2 |
| Kraftwerk | 3 | 2 |
| Morrissey | 4 | 2.25 |
Controversial
| Artist | Ratings |
|---|---|
| Fleetwood Mac | 2, 5 |
| Billy Bragg | 4, 1 |
| Pink Floyd | 5, 2, 5, 5 |
| The Cure | 2, 3, 5 |
| Black Sabbath | 2, 4, 5 |
5-Star Albums (55)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
Radiohead
1/5
Thom York and Radiohead continue to baffle me as to how they make so many albums that people love. I find him and his music tedious, boring ,and painful to sit through.
44 likes
Linkin Park
5/5
Linkin Park's debut album is a classic by any standard, but it took me a long time to get to that point. Chester's trauma is thinly veiled in most songs, but the raw power and fury that drove him is on full display.
6 likes
Radiohead
1/5
In an almost, but not quite passable attempt at an album, Radiohead once again threatens us repeatedly with the potential for a good time, but with every song, they never deliver.
6 likes
The Smashing Pumpkins
2/5
Sometimes, an album is ruined not by poor craftsmanship, but just the sheer overwhelming presence of ego. This is one of those albums. It's got some great songs, but they're completely overshadowed by Corrigan's ego and conceit.
4 likes
Kanye West
2/5
While I can see why this is such an influential album, I just can't get past the raging anti-intellectualism strung through this entire album.
4 likes
4-Star Albums (277)
1-Star Albums (23)
All Ratings
Oasis
2/5
Boring slog. Feels like it can't decide between pop and punk, so it does neither.
Fatboy Slim
3/5
The master of the ever repetitive sample loop's second outing has a few choice pieces (Right Here, Right Now; The Rockefeller Skank; Praise You), but is otherwise unimpressive.
Queens of the Stone Age
1/5
You would think that a supergroup like this would produce blockbuster albums that shake the very foundations of music. In this case, you would be wrong. Boring, uninspired, and feeling like this was an Adam Sandler version of a music album leaves the listener frantically looking for something, anything - that resembles rock.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
3/5
Nick Cave doing what he does best - overwrought, melodramatic songs of longing and sinister intentions.
The Cure
2/5
Stripped down doesn't always equate to a better experience, as evinced by this outing from The Cure.
Linkin Park
5/5
Linkin Park's debut album is a classic by any standard, but it took me a long time to get to that point. Chester's trauma is thinly veiled in most songs, but the raw power and fury that drove him is on full display.
Morrissey
2/5
When I started this, I was very much in the mind of "oh great, Morrisey". But the first song blew me away. Then it quickly degenerated into traditional moody whinging from the godfather of Emo.
4/5
The breakthrough commercial smash that cemented U2 in the public psyche is marred only by the fact that "With or Without You" was used in the television show Friends.
Supergrass
5/5
Didn't know what to expect from these guys, but I was pleasantly surprised. Funky, edgy, alternative music that has a high relisten value.
The Velvet Underground
3/5
The Velvet Underground's first album is griity, raw, and unpolished, but hints at greater things to come.
Simon & Garfunkel
5/5
An all-time classic of soft, emotional heart moving music. You just have to be in the right mood for it.
XTC
2/5
I know the XTC has a cult following and has been very influential in the music industry, but this elicited a heavy 'Meh'.
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
Springsteen's seminal album tells the tale of people who have been beaten down but refuse to quit. Enjoyable, but you have to be in the mood for it.
Steely Dan
5/5
One of the best albums of all time. Not Steely Dan's best album, but one of the best.
Faith No More
5/5
I wore out more copies of this album as a kid than any other album combined - and it was CDs. One of the greatest albums ever.
The Dictators
3/5
Nico
2/5
Oh man, this one was rough. Nico ( Christa Päffgen) hit it big with the Velvet Underground, but here, she sounds bored and delivers her lyrics by rote recital. This album feels almost forced and mechanical.
2/5
I like Bob Dylan - well, the concept of Bob Dylan. His music has been deeply influential and profound, but you really have to a) be from that generation, or b) really enjoy this genre. I like this to a point, but what really sours me on this album is that it's live. I don't know what it is about live albums, but I have a strong aversion to anything live.
On the whole, this one is a dud for me.
Ute Lemper
2/5
Le Mis for goths. I kept feeling like I was watching a musical with my ears, and was slightly entertained, but ultimately left feeling bored.
Paul Simon
3/5
It's Paul Simon. You either like him or you don't.
The Divine Comedy
3/5
Reminiscient of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds.
Not my thing, but worth a listen.
The Smiths
2/5
It's the Smiths. Whoopie.
Ananda Shankar
3/5
While not the biggest sitar fan, this album surprised me as being accessible due to such songs as 'Jumping Jack Flash' and "Light My Fire'.
Not for all tastes, but much better than I had anticipated.
Manu Chao
3/5
I think I would have enjoyed this more if I spoke more foreign languages other than English. Aside from that, this is a solid album.
Sex Pistols
4/5
Love them or hate them, they were effectively the face of British Punk in the 80s. While tough to stomach at times with their raw, unpolished style, this is a seminal album in the history of modern rock.
Pet Shop Boys
3/5
One of the less entertaining albums by a solid band.
Nirvana
3/5
It's gotten better over the years, but I still intensely dislike Nirvana.
Röyksopp
2/5
This is a great album if you're looking for something to fall asleep to.
The Who
4/5
Probably the most accessible album by The Who. Almost every song charted, and it's difficult to stop yourself from singing along.
Nick Drake
2/5
Um, yeah. This is definitely a record.
T. Rex
3/5
It's easy to see how this was a bridge between the Beatles and harder rock, but it's still an album I wouldn't actively seek out. Just not my style.
GZA
4/5
Not a fan of rap, but damn, this is good stuff.
Louis Prima
5/5
Amazing album from a man who knew how to have fun with his music.
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
5/5
One of the greatest albums of all time by an amazing coterie of blockbuster musicians. Still holds up and blows the mind nearly 50 years later.
Van Morrison
4/5
Probably the best thing to come from Van Morrison when he was still relevant.
Beastie Boys
4/5
The Flying Burrito Brothers
1/5
I never thought, in a million years that a band called The Flying Burrito Brothers would produce an album by the name of The Gilded Palace of Sin, or that it would sound like that.
This was an adventure in pain tolerance.
Radiohead
1/5
Thom York and Radiohead continue to baffle me as to how they make so many albums that people love. I find him and his music tedious, boring ,and painful to sit through.
The Undertones
4/5
Beautiful, early punk rock.
James Taylor
4/5
So many memories of my childhood are tied up in this album.
Bad Brains
2/5
I miss the days of when Bad Brains were full of vitriol and righteous anger.
ABBA
4/5
ABBA's final album does not disappoint, with infectious rhythms and catchy hooks that make you want to dance, regardless of your attitude.
Elton John
4/5
Alternately brilliant and bloated, this was the declaration by Elton John that he was here to stay. Excellent album if marred by a couple of clunkers.
The Cure
3/5
The album that defined a genre. A solid album that just doesn't connect well with me.
Björk
3/5
The socially acceptable Yoko Ono style musician weaves a mystical transcendent album that can easily put anyone to sleep.
Radiohead
1/5
In an almost, but not quite passable attempt at an album, Radiohead once again threatens us repeatedly with the potential for a good time, but with every song, they never deliver.
Nas
3/5
Touted as one of the greatest rap albums of all time. I can see why it's so popular, but not my style.
Ramblin' Jack Elliott
4/5
This one caught me off guard. Definitely one of the founding fathers of the folk/protest movement of the 60s along with Dylan. Surprisingly good stuff.
Derek & The Dominos
4/5
Amazing album by an amazing guitarist that rose to fame on the back of American blues artists.
Boston
4/5
Probably the only album I am aware of that every song became a single.
Orbital
2/5
The second outing from the regents of recursion manage to produce one stand out song (Halcyon and on and on). Other than that, this is a snooze fest.
Earth, Wind & Fire
3/5
Funkalicious music from the band that made it happen.
Radiohead
1/5
Radiohead sucks, and whoever built this list apparently thinks the sun shines out of Thom Yorks ass.
Deep Purple
4/5
Before today, I never heard a full Deep Purple album. I regret not doing it sooner.
Adam & The Ants
2/5
The lat 70s, early 80s were a wild and untamed era of musical experiments, and one of the more interesting ones was Adam and the Ants (fronted by Goodie Two Shoes Adam Ant). This album however is probably best relegated to the late 70s, early 80s.
Isaac Hayes
3/5
That Shaft is one bad mother-
Only the finest in 1970s blaxploitation cinema soundtracks for Richard Roundtree and Isaac Hayes.
Public Enemy
4/5
It took me 30 years to come to appreciate this album, but I'm glad that I finally got to a point where I can enjoy it.
Mercury Rev
4/5
Surprisingly solid album that is great for chilling out.
The Young Gods
2/5
I don't know what to make of this album. It's interesting, but not something that really piques my interest.
Kanye West
2/5
While I can see why this is such an influential album, I just can't get past the raging anti-intellectualism strung through this entire album.
John Lennon
3/5
Lennon was a not-nice human being, and a hell of a musician. Landmark album you should listen to at least once.
Mudhoney
2/5
This sounded like it wanted to be a lot of different styles of music, but couldn't make up its mind. They're a competent band, but I've heard these genres before and played better.
Elvis Costello
2/5
I like Elvis' earlier stuff. This felt repetitive and uninspired.
Erykah Badu
2/5
Not my style
The Mothers Of Invention
3/5
Zappa's first outing is just as weird and surreal as one would expect. Unfortunately, advanced knowledge of cultural touchstones prevalent at the time of release are necessary to truly appreciate this album.
Siouxsie And The Banshees
3/5
You can see where Souixie was getting ready to launch into the stratosphere with this album. While not as polished as later offerings, this is a good introduction.
Roxy Music
3/5
Wasn't sure what to expect with this album, other than two attractive (mostly) naked women on the cover. Wasn't disappointed.
LCD Soundsystem
2/5
Yet another album that makes us marvel at the peaks and depths of the music experience.
2/5
Mystical hippy dippy music from a band that when they were hot, they were HOT.
Echo And The Bunnymen
2/5
Progenitors of Emo show their chops on this mostly mellow, moody outing.
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
A solid album from an amazing artist.
Ryan Adams
2/5
Whitebread, middle-class honky-tonk-ish music for those who don't want to be offended.
Sigur Rós
3/5
Weird, ethereal, otherworldly, and very mellow.
Joy Division
3/5
Maudlin, morose music for the perpetually sad.
Can
3/5
I didn't even realize this album had ended. Weird, groovy music that works well as mood music.
The Replacements
2/5
These guys may have been cutting edge in the 80s, but by today's standards, this feels way behind the curve.
Public Enemy
3/5
Not as gripping as "Fear of a Black Planet" but still a good album.
Jurassic 5
3/5
Good, solid hip-hop album from a powerful name in the genre
Prince
4/5
Another great album from Prince.
Elvis Costello
4/5
While not as entertaining as some of his later works, This is an excellent debut by one of the chillest Punk bands to ever cut a record.
Bob Dylan
3/5
I really like Bob Dylan, but I like him less than I did when I was 16. Still, this is an intense, breakthrough album that forever skewed the rock and roll landscape for the better.
The Police
4/5
When my wife and I were first married, we were taking a winter road trip across the state (over the Rockies) in a '97 Geo Tracker. We stopped at a large chain retail store and bought a bunch of self-stick insulation tape for the doors to help keep the wind out, and two CDs to listen to. This was one of them, and even though that was one of the most harrowing road trips we ever took, I find perpetual comfort in the fact that every time I listen to this album, I can still feel my wife desperately clinging to my arm as we came down Vail pass with lunatics and psychopaths zipping past us. At the same time, the snow whirled around us so thickly, visibility was only about 10 feet.
Good times.
Super Furry Animals
2/5
Uhm... what?
The Prodigy
4/5
Prodigy getting back to its digital roots. Only the best in digital doots, bweeps, and dial-up connection tones. Infectious as hell, and impossible to not move to. Good stuff from the golden age of rave.
Simon & Garfunkel
4/5
Another enjoyable album from Simon and Garfunkel.
Eels
3/5
Weird, sometimes fun album whose standout song was featured in the first Shrek movie.
Elliott Smith
2/5
Woof. This is really a bit of a dog of an album.
Led Zeppelin
4/5
The first in a long line of incredible music that shaped a generation, and forged new paths in rock and roll. Hard to beat.
Iron Maiden
3/5
Prior to Bruce joining the band, Iron Maiden sounded much more like a 2nd rate bar band. Amazing what a talented singer can do.
Supertramp
2/5
Supertramp was one of those bands that had some amazing hits, but the rest of their catalog isn't worth listening to.
PJ Harvey
2/5
Riot Grrrl music from the 90s. Wasn't a fan then, not a fan now.
Stevie Wonder
3/5
I think I preferred his political stuff.
Roxy Music
2/5
I thought I could hack this one. I was wrong.
Elbow
2/5
A weird, almost likable album whose lead singer sounds like he's trying to emulate Peter Gabriel in his prime.
Björk
4/5
Bjork's debut album is sweet, ethereal, and a lot of fun.
Paul McCartney and Wings
3/5
Although much maligned, this is a solid return to form from McCartney.
Nirvana
3/5
Mtv had a plan in the 90s to make "hard" sounding bands more "accessible". While not a bad album, it's a little boring.
2/5
The stuff that made the radio is great, but the rest of the album just drags it down to mediocre.
Miles Davis
3/5
I love the concept of Miles Davis, but his music just doesn't do it for me.
Sufjan Stevens
2/5
Much like the composer Philip Glass, you either have the patience to bear the music out and be rewarded, or you don't and move on to other stuff.
I'm moving on.
The The
3/5
Not as compelling as I thought it would be.
The Black Crowes
4/5
In high school, I was obsessed with this band. Subsequent releases cured me of that affliction, but this is an amazing album that stands up with time.
Teenage Fanclub
2/5
There's a reason why this band didn't make a bigger splash, or stayed in the collective memory of a generation. It's just not good. I don't care how influential (allegedly) they were, this was a lame album.
The Notorious B.I.G.
2/5
I know Biggie was one of the most influential musicians of the 90s, but man, I really don't like his stuff.
Iggy Pop
4/5
This is a quintessential Iggy Pop album, and so worth a listen.
The Who
4/5
A solid, fun album from the head of the Mods in the 1960s. I still prefer The Who's Next, but this is a good album.
Nirvana
3/5
While Nirvana was the face of the grunge movement, their music became their undoing. Probably the best of their three studio albums still fails to really inspire.
The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy
3/5
Not a rap guy, but Franti really makes me want to be one with this album. One one hand, I wish Disposable Heroes had found traction, but if they had, we might not have Burning Spear.
Tom Waits
5/5
While it might be his most commercial album, there is a certain charm to this album that made me a life-long fan.
10cc
2/5
Weird art rock for the soft rock generation
Ella Fitzgerald
4/5
It's Ella. How can you go wrong? Even if you don't like jazz, there's plenty here to enjoy.
Elton John
4/5
One of the best
Fats Domino
4/5
Classic Rythm and Blues album
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
Jimi at his absolute best.
Nick Drake
3/5
minimalist, haunting, and leaves you wanting something, but you don't know what.
The White Stripes
3/5
Seminal rock from an accomplished atist
Elliott Smith
2/5
Interesting and compelling for those that like this stuff.
Cypress Hill
3/5
I can see how this was such an influential album to the genre, and music overall, but it's not my thing.
Queen Latifah
2/5
A 'meh' album from an amazing artist and actress.
Kanye West
1/5
Almost gave this a pass, but if I could make it through Radiohead and The Flying Burrito Brothers, I can put up with this.
The hubris, egocentrism, and sheer audacity that is Kanye are in full effect here, especially on the spoken word cringe fest "Blame Game'. That is an excellent song if you've ingested a household cleaner and need to induce vomiting.
Def Leppard
4/5
Just as inappropriate and sly-eyed as the day it was released, this is a great jam from some true bad boys of rock and roll.
George Michael
3/5
Not as good as Faith, but this is still a solid album from a great talent who was taken before his time.
LCD Soundsystem
1/5
I don;t know what to think of this, but it wasn't anything I was expecting, or really enjoyed for that matter.
Green Day
2/5
Green Day has always been an anomaly. Highly polished, impeccably produced and finished, and aimed at the heart of the American wallet. But when you listen to them, all of their themes are raw, gritty, and anti-capitalist.
If you like Green Day, you'll love this pop-punk opera. If you don't then you're better off listening to something else.
Coldplay
2/5
Coldplay was a staple in the early 2000s and dominated the airwaves much like the Gloved One in the 80s. However, this album has aged like a cheaper laminate and is starting to show its age.
Finley Quaye
3/5
Decent 3rd (4th?) wave reggae with some infectious hooks
Dire Straits
4/5
An introduction to one of the greatest rock bands of the 80s. Mark Knopfler's genius begins to show through on this album, and aside from some now problematic lyrics in "Money for Nothing", this is an amazing album.
Arcade Fire
3/5
Kinda meh, kinda interesting. Heavily influenced by 70s glam rock.
Various Artists
3/5
I really don't like Christmas music, but this album is an acceptable collection I would willingly listen to on Christmas Eve.
Love
2/5
Real earnest hippie dippy music from the late 60s. Not bad, but definitely naive and full of unrealized hope.
Jefferson Airplane
3/5
Jefferson Airplane began to shift more towards aggressive rock with this album, but the majority of it is hippie-dippy pie-in-the-sky ideology.
Anita Baker
4/5
Her hits are amazing, and the rest of the album is a master class in soulful R&B.
Liz Phair
2/5
Debuting with a lot of fanfare, and bringing a lot of meh to the table. Unless you're into pseudo-riot grrrl monotones, give this one a pass.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
3/5
One of their most popular albums is also one of their more popular titles. It's good in a commercially accessible way.
The Byrds
4/5
60s pop with a dash of snark and rebellion. good, if dated.
Joan Baez
4/5
There were a lot of "give peace a chance" folx that came out of the 60s, and most of them were schmaltzy or overwrought. There were a few, however, that were amazing, and Joan Baez led the charge on that.
Rush
3/5
Rush's early stuff just doesn't do it for me as much as their middle-career stuff.
The Who
3/5
Pluses:
+ It's The Who
+ There are great songs on here
+ From when they were still relevant
Minuses
- It's a live album
- It's a live album
- It's a live album
Final Consensus
* If you love The Who, this is a must-listen album.
* If you like The Who, it's worth a listen.
* If you (like me) hate live albums, give it a pass.
Carole King
4/5
For as unassuming and mellow as this album is, it totally belies the power and gravitas that King has. Amazing.
CHIC
3/5
Free Cow!
Some chicks and sheep.
Not the lyrics, but this is what I always think of. An uneven album with some great songs, and some instrumentals that leave you wanting something more.
Jeff Buckley
2/5
I never understood the appeal of Jeff Buckley. I still don't.
The 13th Floor Elevators
4/5
One of, if not the definitive sounds of the psychedelic 60s. This one caught me off guard and proved to be more enjoyable than it should be.
Booker T. & The MG's
4/5
Fun blues album of instrumental covers.
The Zombies
3/5
More psychedelic music from the 60s.
Grizzly Bear
3/5
Mellow-ish post-pop for those that dig that sort of thing.
The Doors
4/5
Morrison's last album before his death is a powerful collection of memorable songs that still hold up nearly 50 years later.
The Flaming Lips
3/5
Post-pop indie that's tolerable.
Paul Simon
3/5
Paul Simon doing what he does best.
Orbital
2/5
Traditional Orbital chillout stuff.
Gotan Project
4/5
Wild, enthralling, Mexican-influenced trip-hop/jazz.
Fleet Foxes
2/5
Snoozefest of the highest degree.
Pink Floyd
5/5
IMHO, one of Pink Floyd's greatest albums.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
3/5
Old fashioned swamp rock, just like grammaw used to make.
The Jam
2/5
This one didn't really even register with me.
Missy Elliott
4/5
Missy Elliot doing what she does best. Laying down thick beats and slaying lyrics.
The Saints
4/5
Delicious original Australian punk rock.
The Kinks
2/5
Kind of hard to believe this group who at the time was trying desperately to be the Beatles with hints of the Grateful Dead would go on to help shape and define punk rock.
Van Halen
4/5
Not as good as OU812, but this is vintage Van Halen.
Lana Del Rey
2/5
There is a large contingent that loves Lana Del Rey. I am not one of them.
Everything But The Girl
2/5
70s band that helped give rise to so-called "soft-rock".
Motörhead
3/5
Plus: It's Motörhead.
Minus: It's live.
Machito
5/5
Amazing album that is impossible to resist.
Deee-Lite
3/5
Aside from a very peppy tune that saw heavy rotation on Mtv back in the day, this seems to be a good, but rather pedestrian funk album.
System Of A Down
3/5
Much like The Velvet Underground & Nico's first album, this is not as polished or as enticing as later albums - but it shows insane amounts of promise for later smash albums.
Elvis Presley
3/5
One of the greatest collections of appropriated songs that inspired the classic "London Calling" album cover by The Clash.
Van Morrison
2/5
Van Morrison being his usual maudlin self.
Crosby, Stills & Nash
5/5
This and Deja Vu are two of the greatest albums I've ever heard. While decidedly 60s in tone, the songs still transcend time.
Led Zeppelin
5/5
Hands down, one of the best albums of all time. This was the one that introduced me to Zeppelin, and I never looked back.
Amy Winehouse
3/5
Evocative of Ella Fitzgerald, but without the heart.
Eminem
3/5
Eminem is an accomplished artist, and storyteller, and his talent really shows on this album. Too bad his stories are all really messed up.
Anthrax
3/5
Anthrax's big breakthrough album. As other bands have come forth as faster, more technically proficient, and honestly, better, this album has not aged evenly. There are still some standout songs, but unless you're a big 80s thrash fan, I'd give this a pass.
Stevie Wonder
4/5
Stevie Wonder bringing some soul to our dark world.
N.W.A.
4/5
The foundations of "Gansta Rap" as a fully formed genre start here - social commentary, lack of concern for anyone that opposes them, and tons of misogyny. Not my cup, but still an unforgettable and powerful album.
Kanye West
1/5
More megalomania from the most oblivious artist around today.
Hugh Masekela
4/5
Good jazz fusion.
Run-D.M.C.
4/5
One of the most influential and prolific rap groups to come out of the 80s. Not my thing, but impossible to ignore.
Happy Mondays
2/5
Sounds like a mash-up between Falco and The Cure, with none of the good parts.
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
4/5
Brubeck is one of those artists that you either really like, or can't stand. Either way, he loves his oddball time signatures.
John Coltrane
3/5
Coltrane was a master of his craft, but this just doesn't appeal to me.
Wu-Tang Clan
5/5
If I liked rap, this would be the number one album in my collection. As it stands, it's still an impressive debut album and homage to old 'chopsocky' martial arts films.
Radiohead
1/5
Again with the Radiohead? This is painful and a waste of time.
Ramones
5/5
One of the greatest punk albums of all time.
Black Sabbath
2/5
While hailed as their best album, I just don't see it.
Lauryn Hill
4/5
Much like Run D.M.C. or Wu-Tang Clan, this is a highly influential album, just not to my taste.
Belle & Sebastian
2/5
May cause drowsiness. Do not operate heavy machinery or equipment while listening to this album.
Adele
4/5
Music good for the soul.
Marvin Gaye
4/5
Listening to Marvin Gaye may cause spontaneous sexy time. Use with care. This is also why I'm not allowed in the Starbucks restroom alone anymore.
Alice In Chains
4/5
One of the best albums of all time. Is starting to show its age a little, but still amazing.
New Order
2/5
This was really 'meh' for me. A fading relic of the synth-pop era that didn't grab me at all.
The Hives
2/5
I know The Hives were supposed to be a hot ticket, but I find them very bleach.
Muddy Waters
3/5
Some classic Muddy on here, but nothing really stands out to me.
Megadeth
2/5
Mustaine is one of the most gifted technical guitarists in the world, but this is really kind of a snoozer of an album.
4/5
Classic album from an amazing artist doesn't mean it's flawless. Still good, but not great.
Norah Jones
4/5
Jones is a delight in her debut album, and fond memories of early married life are always conjured for me when I hear this album.
The Temptations
4/5
Listening to this made me realize just how important The Temptations were to modern music. Good stuff.
The Roots
4/5
Good stuff from modern funk masters.
Eagles
2/5
It's the Eagles, man. I hate the fucking Eagles.
Fairport Convention
3/5
Interesting, but forgettable.
Youssou N'Dour
2/5
Um, I'm not sure what this is all about.
De La Soul
4/5
It's De La Soul. How can it be anything but amazing?
Living Colour
5/5
One of my first organic discoveries of hard rock. Living Colour has informed so much of my outlook on life as well as my moral decisions.
Cheap Trick
2/5
This was their big breakthrough, but times have changed, and this just doesn't hold the same appeal it may have had once upon a time.
Blondie
3/5
Fun time capsule from the crossroads of pop, punk, and new wave.
Tina Turner
3/5
An iconic album from an amazing artist that just doesn't hit all the notes for me.
Cyndi Lauper
4/5
Some amazing, decade-defining songs with a few clunkers.
Aretha Franklin
4/5
The Queen of Soul showing her chops. You can't help but groove along.
Gang Of Four
3/5
Early British punk album that is mildly amusing.
Fleetwood Mac
2/5
On the decline from their meteoric "Rumors" album, Tusk finds the band pushing out mostly forgettable and unremarkable songs.
Paul Weller
2/5
This album had so little impact on me that I didn't realize it was over for half an hour.
Robbie Williams
1/5
Is it terrible that I can't remember anything about this alum 24 hours later?
Fleetwood Mac
5/5
Home to one of the biggest diss tracks of all time, this album is a testament to the professionalism and sheer audacity of the band members. To loathe each other so much and still put out one of the most iconic albums of all time is mindblowing.
Simon & Garfunkel
3/5
A concept album that doesn't feel like a concept album.
Dr. John
3/5
Fascinating look at the origins of "swamp rock" which is a blend of psychedelia and Louisiana R&B.
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
4/5
The beginning of a meteoric rise for one of the most accomplished musicians to ever play guitar.
Os Mutantes
4/5
I don't know what this is, but I liked it.
King Crimson
3/5
Weird, menacing at times, and trippy as hell. A fun ride!
The Darkness
2/5
I don't know if this was a precursor to the mock rock band Steel Panther, but this was highly forgettable.
Leonard Cohen
3/5
Early Cohen hints at the powerhouse he would become.
Talking Heads
3/5
The Talking Heads second studio album finds them still refining and searching for their style.
The Specials
2/5
70s ska/reggae that just doesn't land like it should.
Ray Charles
4/5
Ray Charles was a brilliant musician, and his talent is evident here.
Kacey Musgraves
2/5
Pop-Country that just didn't do a thing for me.
Michael Jackson
3/5
One of the most popular albums by an alleged pedophile in the entire world.
Arrested Development
3/5
Earth-shattering at the time of release, but it didn't leave much of an impression on me.
Metallica
4/5
The last good album from metal grandmasters has the most radio-friendly songs.
The Smiths
3/5
The original emos, this is another collection of their melancholy and sadness-tinged songs about love, betrayal, and the music industry.
Dexys Midnight Runners
4/5
While Dexys Midnight Runners is best known for their cheeky "Come On Eileen", this is a surprisingly solid blues-infused Irish R&B album.
Electric Light Orchestra
3/5
This feels suspiciously like pop-punk before there was such a thing. Lot of good songs on here, but ends up feeling a little too saccharine in the end.
Peter Frampton
2/5
A few songs on this are really good, the rest are meh. Personally, I don't much care for live albums in the first place, so this is a big pass for me.
George Harrison
3/5
Post Beatles work from Harrison. It's worth a listen.
Run-D.M.C.
4/5
A classic of the genre. Really did a lot to get me into Aerosmith.
Beck
2/5
Beck trying to do mellow folk funk.
Ash
2/5
90s cookie cutter grunge pop. Completely forgettable.
2/5
Chaotic, frenetic, and unable to finish the album.
Q-Tip
2/5
Like a barely remembered thought, this album drifted through my psyche, leaving nothing behind.
Herbie Hancock
3/5
If you like jazz, this is an enjoyable album. If you're not sure, give it a try.
Sonic Youth
2/5
I knew a lot of people that enjoyed this album. I was not one of them.
Todd Rundgren
2/5
People in the 70s got laid to this? Yeesh.
Beach House
2/5
Not much of anything interesting here.
Radiohead
2/5
More overwrought bullshit from Radiohead. At least there's one slightly tolerable song on this album.
Neil Young
3/5
I really like Neil Young, but this was boresville.
Metallica
4/5
If not their best album, it's their second best, behind "...And Justice For All"
Skepta
3/5
Interesting, and got some good beats.
Britney Spears
2/5
If I was a young woman who had her entire life on display, forced to sing songs blatantly written from a male perspective, and constantly objectified, I'd probably shave my head and break out car windows with an umbrella as well.
Still doesn't make this album all that palatable.
Django Django
3/5
Even after listening to this, I don't remember anything about this album.
Garbage
2/5
Didn't care for them when they debuted, still don't 30 years later.
Quicksilver Messenger Service
3/5
Early noodle rock that blends into one big song
Eagles
3/5
While I don't like the Eagles, this is still their most accessible album.
A Tribe Called Quest
4/5
While this is not to my taste, this is still a good album.
Prince
4/5
A strong start kinda peters out at the end, but this is definitive early 80s Prince.
Dinosaur Jr.
3/5
forerunner to Emo, with grunge undertones. Niche music.
D'Angelo
2/5
Great Value Prince with none of the soul.
Talking Heads
4/5
One of my all-time favorite albums is Vivid by Living Colour. It took me 47 years to realize that my favorite song on that album was a cover of Talking Heads. Blew my mind.
Big Black
4/5
Big Black doing what Big Black does best. Not as wild as Black Midi, but still a lot of fun.
Lorde
4/5
I don't care what people say, I like Lorde, and her music is good.
Aphex Twin
4/5
A lot mellower than their other works. I was expecting something along the lines of windowlicker, but this is some nice chill almost lo-fi music.
Destiny's Child
3/5
It's easy to see why these ladies dominated the charts.
Songhoy Blues
4/5
Interesting blues from another country.
Tangerine Dream
3/5
60s hippie dippy music of a strong psychedelic bent.
Iron Maiden
4/5
One of their best albums, but still kind of silly and overwrought.
Todd Rundgren
3/5
Still find it hard to believe that people got laid to this.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
4/5
Juicy tracks from one of the greatest.
Van Halen
4/5
One of the best albums Van Halen ever put out. Running With the Devil remains one of the best jams ever.
Joan Armatrading
4/5
This really caught me off guard, and in a good way.
Johnny Cash
4/5
A good album from a bygone time. The entire premise would be D.O.A. today.
Little Richard
4/5
One of the founding fathers of modern rock, this should be assigned as required listening.
The Clash
4/5
The Clash. One of the founding groups of British Punk. Great album.
Hanoi Rocks
3/5
Had no idea of what these folx were going to sound like, but apparently, every movie that is set in the 80s uses their styling to imply the 80s.
Justice
2/5
Meh. Supposed to be disco influenced, but completely uninteresting.
Led Zeppelin
4/5
Zepplin's penultimate album. Not as good as 4 though.
Ride
2/5
Started interesting, got boring.
Malcolm McLaren
3/5
This was an interesting album in, and of, the fact that it was a white British dude bringing rap/hip-hop to a wider audience. It is further complicated by the fact that he was a sketchy dude who was known for plagiarizing foreign artists.
Regardless, If it wasn't for Duck Rock, we might not have Eminem's "Without Me"/
Michael Kiwanuka
4/5
Another one that snuck up on me. Soul/Funk with a heaping helping of social justice. Beautiful.
Kate Bush
3/5
Running Up that Hill is probably the most recognizable song on this album, but it's easy to see how Kat Bush walking allowed artists like Tori Amos, Sarah McLaughlan, and others to run.
fIREHOSE
2/5
Started out interesting, slid into unimpressive.
Jethro Tull
5/5
Not their greatest album, but this one did get me through high school. Wore out two vinyl copies from my Dad's collection (I replaced the first one), and then several CDs. This one is very special to me, but others may find it bombastic.
Meat Loaf
3/5
From the late meatloaf comes a rock opera all about teenage hormones and bad decisions. A classic that's starting to show its age.
Femi Kuti
3/5
African Jazz with a heaping helping of social justice.
Tom Waits
4/5
Not his best album, but early Tom Waits is understated gold.
Stevie Wonder
4/5
One of the most influential soul albums of all time. Songs on this have been used in commercials, movies, television shows, and countless weddings. This also served as direct inspiration for the late Coolio's "Gangster's Paradise"
Supergrass
3/5
Not as good as "We Only In It For the Money" but still a decent album from a fun band.
k.d. lang
4/5
A shining example. Of just how beautiful, heart-wrenching, and emotional honky-tonk, blues, and old school country can be.
Turbonegro
3/5
Fair to middlin' punk rock.
Sonic Youth
3/5
It's Sonic Youth. You either love them or hate them. I'm pretty meh myself.
Burning Spear
3/5
foundational listening for anyone interested in reggae.
Dead Kennedys
5/5
Dead Kennedys at their finest. Brutal, foundational punk that not only defined a genre, but a generation.
Sepultura
2/5
Sepultura is one of those bands that is so integral to a specific genre in terms of definition and scope, but man, I really don't understand why. I am thankful for their role in the development and evolution of metal, but I wouldn't actively listen to them.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
4/5
CCR's debut album plays more along the lines of a greatest hits album. So much good stuff on here.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
3/5
Neil Young and Crazy Horse. The first track is absolute fire, the rest of the album is standard Neil Young.
Kid Rock
2/5
Not as bad as Radiohead. Almost as bad as Kanye. Would be laughably bad if he just wasn't overselling the trailer park aspect. As it is, it's just bad.
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
Glimpses of future greatness infuse this first album.
Nine Inch Nails
4/5
Genuine conflict with this album. Love it, as it spoke to me on a visceral level, but also hypercharged my depression. Still an amazing concept album.
Simple Minds
2/5
This was surprisingly disappointing.
Cee Lo Green
4/5
Cee-Lo Green is a hell of an entertainer.
The xx
2/5
Nothing to write home about. Etherial adjacent emo pop.
Astrud Gilberto
2/5
Much faster than anticipated.
Neil Young
4/5
This is (apparently) the one album of Young's that I not only tolerate, but enjoy.
Big Brother & The Holding Company
4/5
One listen, and you'll understand the power of Janis Joplin.
Ravi Shankar
3/5
Ravi Shankar and sitar music as a whole are like moderately tasty dessert. At first, it's really enjoyable and fun, but as time goes on, it starts to lose its appeal.
The Band
2/5
The Band had a massive hit with "The Weight", but the rest of the album sounds like outtakes from assorted jam sessions.
Goldfrapp
4/5
Wild, unpredictable, and surprisingly well received.
Frank Ocean
3/5
Really just not my thing. Good, but not my thing.
Throwing Muses
3/5
This feels very riot-grrrrl/pop punk in texture with Save Ferris vibes. Not bad, but not great.
Dr. Octagon
4/5
Silly, catchy tunes, with a wild through-line story. Definitely worth a listen.
Dusty Springfield
3/5
People may knock her, but she was a white woman with soul.
Miles Davis
3/5
I'm not a big fan of freeform jazz, but Davis makes it palatable.
Holger Czukay
3/5
Weird, experimental, kinda goofy at times.
Mike Ladd
4/5
Delightful and compelling
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
3/5
The more I listen to Neil Young, the less I like his albums. There's still a few songs on here that rock, but on the whole, he feels really overrated.
Jazmine Sullivan
4/5
Tales of feminism, empowerment, and sex. Good stuff.
Sinead O'Connor
3/5
Weird, unassuming, gentle. Almost like Bjork's early work if she was Irish.
Queen
3/5
Eclectic departure from other albums. Has some absolute standout hits (Bohemian Rhapsody, You're My Best Friend), but a lot just seems campy.
The Modern Lovers
3/5
early punk that didn't make much of an impression.
Hawkwind
2/5
Weird, futuristic, and felt like a huge influence on Spinal Tap.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
3/5
An excellent album that truly expressed the concept of Reggae.
Moby
4/5
Not the album that got me hooked on Moby, but it definitely cemented my enjoyment.
Paul Revere & The Raiders
4/5
I tend to forget that even though it was the 60s bands like this made songs that laid the groundwork for modern (and post-modern) rock of every stripe. There are some absolute bangers on here.
Venom
4/5
A popular thought on Venom is that they weren't technically proficient enough to make a mark melodically, so they went for speed.
Long considered the progenitors of Speed, Thrash, and Black metal styles. This may seem a little dated these days, but man, were they really poking the pearl clutchers.
Yes
3/5
Yes is one of those bands that were in my periphery growing up. There are some amazing songs on this, but a little too much noodling for my taste.
Eric Clapton
4/5
Good blues album from the original white boy of blues.
Pet Shop Boys
2/5
PSB is one of those bands that either you really dig an album or you don't. The band itself is not a major factor, but each album feels like it's aimed at a middle-aged, married, queer homemaker. This one just didn't appeal like other albums.
Tim Buckley
2/5
Father of the late Jeff Buckley, this is a weird, not all unenjoyable folk rock album that ages like a Twinkie - looks good on the surface, but is slowly growing mold inside.
Snoop Dogg
4/5
Snoop Dogg's breakthrough album still seems to hold up after nearly 30 years. Not my favorite style, but enjoyable none the less.
Santana
3/5
Santana's big album. Lots of Hispanic-influenced jazz here.
Bebel Gilberto
3/5
Spanish Jazz. Interesting if you're into that sort of thing.
Scissor Sisters
2/5
Honestly, not very enjoyable to listen to. They do a very unique take on Pink Floyd's Comfortably Numb that requires a listen.
The Isley Brothers
3/5
Feel good funk/soul album.
Robert Wyatt
2/5
This is one of those albums that makes you stop, ponder, and genuinely question the universe and hope to whatever deity you follow that you can find an answer to WTF did I just listen to?
Pixies
2/5
This may be one of the most influential bands of the 90s, but it doesn't mean I have to enjoy their music.
The War On Drugs
2/5
I genuinely do not remember anything about this album. If it's that forgettable, it can't be that good.
Death In Vegas
3/5
Another one of those that I didn't know what to expect. surprised, and a little impressed.
Fred Neil
3/5
Not a bad little album.
Kendrick Lamar
3/5
Weird album. Enjoyable, but not memorable
Alanis Morissette
5/5
One of the most powerful albums to rock my generation. This album really has stood the test of time and sounds just as fresh and relevant as when it did when it debuted almost 30 years ago.
Iron Butterfly
3/5
60s drug-fueled noodling
Charles Mingus
2/5
Mingus was a powerful figure in Jazz, but this isn't my thing.
The Last Shadow Puppets
3/5
Folksy, 60s tinged music that is worth a listen.
Rage Against The Machine
4/5
RAtM's debut album is still as raw and unflinching as when it first came out, perhaps even more relevant.
Beyoncé
4/5
This is a perfect explanation of why she's known as Queen B. Infectious, soulful, and unflinching in its examination of feminine sexuality.
Harry Nilsson
3/5
Early 70s experimental pop, with a few gems.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
3/5
Weird concept album by a progenitor of the emo movement.
Leonard Cohen
5/5
This was my introduction to Cohen, and it was love at first listen. Heavily influenced by 80s music styles, this is still peak Cohen with such songs as "First We Take Manhattan", "I'm Your Man', "Everybody Knows", and my all-time personal favorite "Take This Waltz".
Fishbone
4/5
Delicious ska-funk.
Janelle Monáe
3/5
Interesting and intriguing album.
Miles Davis
3/5
Miles showing off his experimental chops. A delight for those who like this sort of style.
The United States Of America
3/5
Weird, experimental, hippy-dippy stuff.
Bob Dylan
4/5
Probably one of Dylan's most iconic and accessible albums of any time period.
Soft Cell
2/5
Soft Cell was known for their massive hit "Tainted Love", and not much else. This album illustrates why.
ABBA
3/5
Some good hits on here, but I'm still amazed people got laid to this.
Pixies
4/5
Pixies aren't my jam, but this is a tasty album, with a cover that is iconic.
The Who
4/5
The Who's magnum opus still rocks nearly 60 years later. Well worth a listen.
Mj Cole
2/5
Found this to be boring and at times, annoying. Not terrible by any stretch, just not worth my time.
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
Peak Hendrix. Absolutely amazing album.
The Rolling Stones
4/5
Solid album from one of the longest running acts in rock. Not my favorite, but definitely a good one.
Serge Gainsbourg
5/5
Who knew French music could be so fascinating? Fun album that holds up remarkably well for 50+ years.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
2/5
Neil Young & Crazy Horse continue their slide into irrelevance and obscurity with this release from 1990.
Pere Ubu
3/5
Interesting, if sometimes off-putting proto/avant-garde-punk rock. Definitely worth one listen. Personal tastes will dictate if subsequent listens are warranted.
Jerry Lee Lewis
3/5
Not a fan of live albums, but Lewis does a good showing here.
Bill Callahan
4/5
I always enjoy going into these albums completely unaware as to what to expect, and I was not disappointed with this one. Shades of Leonard Cohen.
Rahul Dev Burman
4/5
Bollywood is always entertaining and this one does not disappoint.
The Clash
3/5
It's not London Calling, but the formation of Punk is still there.
The Associates
2/5
This feels like the equivalent of a buck-a-scoop restaurant. Unmemorable, and leaves you hungry again within an hour.
MC Solaar
3/5
I never knew French hip hop could be so intriguing.
Simply Red
3/5
Irish R&B. One of a kind, but requires a certain taste in music.
The Rolling Stones
5/5
Marking the end of the first year of this endeavor. Sticky Fingers is probably my favorite album from the Rolling Stones. A delight from start to finish.
Dolly Parton
4/5
Starting off year two with a great album by Dolly Parton. Good album with lots of catchy riffs, but just not my style.
Lynyrd Skynyrd
4/5
One of the most iconic Southern Rock bands of any era, Lynyrd Skynyrd cut a swath of hillbilly blues rock that forever changed the foundations of what music could be.
Dire Straits
3/5
Unassuming and at times, underwhelming, but there are glimmers of what Dire Straits would become. Definite must listen for fans of the band.
The Adverts
3/5
Decent early punk album that has, unfortunately, been overshadowed in the intervening years. Still worth a listen.
The Gun Club
2/5
Didn't really leave much of impression on me.
Koffi Olomide
4/5
This one deserves more than one listen. It's good.
Coldplay
2/5
For such a beloved band, this album is a snooze.
Richard Hawley
1/5
Total snooze fest. Didn't even realize it was over for half an hour.
The Human League
2/5
Brilliant marketing on the company's part to put the one good song at the very end of the album.
Deep Purple
2/5
One of the hardest working bands in history, Deep Purple still just doesn't do it for me.
Buzzcocks
3/5
Part of the first wave British punk scene, the Buzzcocks would influence many bands in the years to come. Good listen, but not necessarily compelling.
Raekwon
3/5
While not a huge artist, his lyrics and beats are something to behold.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
2/5
I love Nick Cave, but this was just too sonorous for me.
The Temptations
3/5
Wasn't as good as I thought it was going to be. Still a decent album.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
4/5
Costello and the Attractions are always a good bet for enjoyable music.
Big Star
2/5
Supposedly hyper-influential, I found them to be boring, with sedative qualities.
Michael Jackson
4/5
Not as powerful as Thriller, but still a damn good album, regardless of the legacy and controversy around the man.
M.I.A.
2/5
Not something I particularly enjoyed.
Janet Jackson
3/5
"Miss Jackson if you're nasty" (not on this album) shows the talent, skill, and prowess of being the sister of the greatest pop legend of all time. In spite of that, this album left me feeling unfulfilled.
Blur
2/5
That Damon Albarn went on to create The Gorillaz is a testament to the fact that even if you suck early on, you can still amazing things with the right people.
Miles Davis
3/5
Two Song album that is rather enjoyable.
Roxy Music
2/5
I know Roxy Music was really influential, but it holds zero appeal for me. Well crafted and executed songs bump this up a notch.
Air
2/5
Didn't even register that the album was over.
The Smashing Pumpkins
2/5
Much like Puddle of Mudd, the only good songs on this album were the ones that received airplay. Dismal, whiny, and self-absorbed pablum.
Everything But The Girl
2/5
It's alright. Nothing to write home about.
The Auteurs
2/5
bland, forgettable, and dull.
Les Rythmes Digitales
2/5
EDM, trance, techno, rave... it's all essentially variations on a theme. play a couple of chords, put a beat to it, repeat ad nauseum.
Bill Evans Trio
3/5
More Jazz. Not bad, but not my thing.
Don McLean
3/5
Don McLean doing what Don McLean does best.
King Crimson
3/5
King Crimson is one of those bands that I have a lot of respect for, but little tolerance.
Cat Stevens
4/5
One of Cat Steven's best albums. I grew up on this album, and it helped shape my worldview from a young age.
Pentangle
3/5
Weird Folk rock. Not sure if I like it or not.
Motörhead
2/5
Ace of Spades is amazing. The rest of the album is pretty tame by today's standards.
Fairport Convention
2/5
This was a snoozefest.
Sister Sledge
4/5
Can't go wrong with Sister Sledge. Funkalicious soul.
The The
3/5
The The is a difficult band to gauge. Just when you think you've got them figured out, they change styles and surprise you in whole new ways.
Gang Starr
3/5
Very well put together album, just not my thing.
Eminem
3/5
Eminem is a lot of things. Producer, grammy award winning artist, father, icon. However, he is not an artist I really care to listen to.
Ali Farka Touré
2/5
Don't really remember much about this.
Saint Etienne
2/5
this was not good.
ZZ Top
3/5
What's amazing is offset by what isn't. Still, a decent album worth a listen.
One of my all-time favorite albums by U2, second only to The Joshua Tree.
The La's
2/5
Instantly forgettable Britpop.
Joni Mitchell
3/5
The Queen of Folk. Enjoyable, but forgettable.
Wire
2/5
Meh.
Talking Heads
3/5
Talking Heads first album only hints at what they would become.
Ali Farka Touré
2/5
For a jazz album, this one was pretty unremarkable.
Coldcut
4/5
A good house/EDM/digital album.
AC/DC
4/5
Not their best album, but definitely up there.
Rush
4/5
One of the best albums of all time. Contains one of the greatest songs ever performed.
Funkadelic
4/5
Dark. Biting. Brutal. Funky as hell.
The Stooges
3/5
Iggy doing what he does best.
William Orbit
4/5
Weird, strange, different. Thoroughly enjoyable.
Fiona Apple
3/5
deep album, but not a big draw for me.
Grant Lee Buffalo
3/5
Started out surprising, finished off kinda dull.
Morrissey
3/5
At first, I was all "Oh great, it's Morrissey". The first couple of songs beat you over the head with proto-emo political tomfoolery, and the theme infuses the entire album, but once it evens out around halfway through, it's not terrible.
Tortoise
3/5
Weird, slightly unnerving. Biggest draw was that one of their songs has been used as a segue between stories on NPR.
Pavement
2/5
snoozefest.
John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers
3/5
A great collection of white, British musicians playing traditionally black music.
Morrissey
2/5
It's Morrissey. Either you love him or you hate him. This one's a bit of a snooze.
LTJ Bukem
2/5
An hour of recycling beats over and over for an interminable amount of time. Then, they run them all together in a mix for an hour, and *then* do it again, but with lyrics.
Tedious.
Dusty Springfield
4/5
For as much flack as she has gotten, she has some sold music, and really created a successful template for modern acts.
CHIC
4/5
I can see why Niles was such a massive influence on the music scene. An exceedingly entertaining album.
PJ Harvey
3/5
No bad, not great. Decent album.
Morrissey
2/5
*yawn* more Morrissey.
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
3/5
Quintessential Buddy Holly.
Solomon Burke
4/5
Burke was a unique talent with a lot of power, and he is well worth a listen.
Dolly Parton
4/5
A little too country for my taste, but still an amazing album.
Elvis Presley
3/5
Elvis is Back, apparently from his stint in the military. The architect of the modern rock and roll style of music brings a whole record of songs that were stylistically more pop-ish than prior records.
Still found it more or less forgettable.
The Who
2/5
Early The Who that feels more 50s pop and less 60s counterculture warhorse that they evolved into.
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
2/5
Peak Emerson, Lake & Palmer. Psychedelic, incoherent, free-wheeling from song to song.
Hot Chip
2/5
blech. Brit synth-pop that is all saccharine, no sugar.
Count Basie & His Orchestra
3/5
Count Basie was legendary for his jazz, and this is a decent example of his music.
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
3/5
Wasn't sure what I was getting into, and I'm still not sure what I just experienced.
Pink Floyd
2/5
Pre-David Gilmour led album that really makes you wonder if Pink Floyd would have really been as successful as it was if Syd Barrett hadn't succumbed to drug use and mental illness.
The Blue Nile
1/5
This was an absolute waste of time. Whiny, whingy, soft, pseudo-pop that needs to be forgotten.
Cocteau Twins
2/5
I don't remember much of this album, so it can't be that good.
Boards of Canada
2/5
meh sort of Chill/house music. Nothing to really write home about.
Pink Floyd
5/5
One of the greatest and most influential albums of all time.
Pixies
3/5
Probably their most accessible album. Lot of good stuff on here.
Marvin Gaye
4/5
Marvin Gaye was a phenom in the soul/R&B realm. Unfortunately, this just isn't my jam. I do feel that this album does require multiple listens to really understand it however.
Brian Eno
2/5
Yes, Brian Eno is a legendary producer, but this album was incredibly boring.
Tim Buckley
2/5
Eh, it's alright.
Green Day
3/5
The album that made Pop Punk hip. Well assembled, but not really my taste.
Kendrick Lamar
4/5
Highly personal and influential album. Required listening.
Echo And The Bunnymen
2/5
Didn't leave much of an impression.
Fiona Apple
3/5
Apple is an amazing artist, but this just isn't to my taste.
3/5
In one ear and out the other.
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
3/5
Not bad, not great. Definitely influential.
Aerosmith
2/5
This doesn't even being to hint at the sleazy powerhouse Aerosmith was to become in the 80s and 90s
Television
3/5
Wasn't bad. Didn't really grab me though.
SZA
2/5
Not my cup of tea.
Maxwell
3/5
smooth, sexy, 90s jazz r&b.
Björk
3/5
It's Bjork. It's weird. It's fascinating. It's not really my cuppa.
The Killers
3/5
I still don't understand the rabid appeal of these guys. Yeah, they had a couple of good songs, but that was it.
David Crosby
3/5
Not a bad album, but not really memorable either.
Talking Heads
4/5
Playful, poppy, and sinister all at the same time.
The Kinks
2/5
Apparently there are two versions of The Kinks. This is the version that I was unfamiliar with, and feel more like a kid's band.
Christina Aguilera
4/5
Once she gets away from the Mtv inspired pop songs, her true range comes out and you can really see what an amazing artist she is.
The Mamas & The Papas
4/5
Good album with sold hits.
Pet Shop Boys
3/5
the Pet Shop Boys are a good indicator of how someone views sexuality. If they're into PSB, they have a wide, accepting view of sexuality. If not, they're probably more concerned about what's in someone pants.
Red Snapper
2/5
mostly forgettable synth-wave band that attempted to give Lords of Acid a run for their money on a couple of songs.
Brian Eno
3/5
I listened to it, but I couldn't tell you a thing about it.
John Lennon
3/5
If you love Lennon, this one is for you.
FKA twigs
3/5
Different for sure.
The Style Council
2/5
Early proto-Europop that is probably best left where it was.
Cornershop
3/5
British political pop that loses a fair amount with the passage of time.
Jacques Brel
3/5
Opera? On my list? It's more common than you think. Not bad, not my cup of tea.
The Sonics
4/5
proto-punk garage rock at its finest.
The Chemical Brothers
2/5
Some nice throwback tunes, but the repetitive nature of their music quickly wears out this welcome.
The Bees
1/5
completely unassuming and instantly forgettable.
The Libertines
1/5
Another album came and left before I knew it was over. Completely unremarkable or memorable.
Leonard Cohen
4/5
Quiet, sardonic, and a final farewell from one of the greatest wordsmiths to ever grace our ears. Much like Bowie's Darkstar, this was Cohen's last album before his death, and it reflects his knowledge of the impending end.
The Stranglers
3/5
British garage rock that really help develop the punk rock movement.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
2/5
Personally, not one of my favorite Nick Cave albums.
Tears For Fears
4/5
What can I say? This is some decent late 80s Brit pop.
Spiritualized
3/5
Don't remember specifics of this album, but I do remember it was well worth the listen.
Afrika Bambaataa
4/5
Delicious Afro-synth music from the 80s.
Peter Gabriel
4/5
One of his best albums to date.
Genesis
2/5
While you can tell there's talent here, this is an early version of Genesis, before they refined their sound and made it big.
Muddy Waters
3/5
It's Muddy. If you love Delta Blues, this is a good album.
Aimee Mann
3/5
The album title genuinely reflects my feelings on it. It's not bad, it's not great.
a-ha
3/5
A staple of my generation. It's got some timeless bangers, but for the most part, it's 80s pop, an dsort of adequate at that.
Led Zeppelin
4/5
A Classic of the genre. Not their best, but damn near.
Stereolab
2/5
Bit of a yawner. Chill out techno.
Can
2/5
weird, hypno, psychedelica noodling that overstays its welcome.
Soul II Soul
3/5
I remember listening to this, but not by much. I do remember enjoying it.
Spacemen 3
3/5
Experimental trippy mellow rock.
T. Rex
3/5
It's a shame Bolan died as early as he did. There's a lot of potential that was never realized on this album.
2/5
If you're really into prog-rock, you'll like this.
The Go-Betweens
2/5
Didn't even realize the album was over. Completely non-rememberable.
Dwight Yoakam
2/5
One one hand, I'm glad to see something other than Radiohead or House. On the other, Dwight Yoakam? Seriously?
Barry Adamson
4/5
Weird as hell, but a fun ride.
The Verve
2/5
Another unremarkable album.
Happy Mondays
3/5
Very indicative of late 80s/early 90s club pop. Interesting, but not enough substance for my tastes.
Incubus
4/5
While it's not Morning View, this is still a solid album.
Slade
3/5
This is the kind of band that the movie This is Spinal Tap probably had in mind. Very 60s/70s Brit rock. A bit dated, pretty goofy, but still fun.
Echo And The Bunnymen
3/5
I've never been much for Echo and the Bunnymen, but this is still a decent album to put on in the background.
Massive Attack
3/5
The name always throws me off. You come into it expecting blast beats, and gutturals, but you get trip hop. Regardless, it's a good listen.
Tim Buckley
3/5
Not a big fan of Buckley, but this was worth a listen.
Ice Cube
4/5
When I was younger, I was always afraid of the gansta rap genre, and really felt uncomfortable with the language and imagery they used. Now that I'm older, I'm not scared, but I'm still uncomfortable. Not because of the language or imagery, but the fact that in the intervening decades, nothing has changed.
Regardless, this is an important album.
Willie Nelson
5/5
Mostly covers, but this is one of the most beautiful albums I've ever heard.
Baaba Maal
3/5
Another one that I didn't realize was over until much later. It's good. Not my cup, but still worth a listen.
4/5
Early punk. good stuff, but over too soon.
The Smiths
2/5
Either you love the The Smiths, or you don't. I don't.
Dizzee Rascal
3/5
Grime does not really interest me, but there is definite talent and skill here. Not something I would actively seek out, but I wouldn't turn it off either.
Primal Scream
2/5
Completely forgettable and uninteresting.
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band
4/5
pleasantly surprised by this. A hidden gem.
Nina Simone
3/5
Not the best album by Nina Simone, but definitely a good showcase of her talents.
David Bowie
3/5
Not my favorite Bowie Album, but definitely iconic.
Killing Joke
3/5
Hard-edged punk influenced precursors to the industrial scene in the 90s.
The Crusaders
3/5
Bluesy/Jazzy/70s soul
Richard Thompson
3/5
70s folk rock. Decent enough, but I didn't see any reason to stick around for it.
Madonna
2/5
I know Madonna is a major icon to so many people, but this album was just a snoozefest for me. That's not to say I don't appreciate her works, this album was just a dud for me.
Gene Clark
3/5
Another 70s folk rock album. Felt a little more present that previous entries, but still, not my cup.
Gram Parsons
1/5
Ugh. I know Parsons was part of a super group, but this was not enjoyable for me.
Beastie Boys
4/5
Not my personal favorite album, but this one has left an indelible mark on all genres of music - like it or not.
George Michael
4/5
George Michael was always a head scratcher to me. When he was with Wham! I thought he was just some goofy pop artist. When he released Faith, I was a teenager, and really confused. This is an intense album, and I've come to terms with the fact that Michael was an incredibly attractive man, and that even though I'm cis, I can admire and enjoy beautiful men.
Fugazi
3/5
Not their best album.
N.E.R.D
3/5
It's good if you're into hip-hop.
Public Image Ltd.
2/5
Usually I love Public Image Ltd. but this album just left me cold.
Joy Division
2/5
While I appreciate what Joy Division did for music, I don't really dig it.
Meat Puppets
2/5
Never was a big fan of the Meat Puppets.
Curtis Mayfield
3/5
Mayfield has a smooth style that is really disrupted by his falsetto.
Manic Street Preachers
4/5
This is what happens when you judge an album by the band's name. I thought for a long time this was christian rock. Boy was I wrong.
Grateful Dead
4/5
One of the Dead's greatest albums.
The Jam
3/5
Poppy Brit rock from the late 70s still holds up surprisingly well.
Air
1/5
blech. I skip most soundtracks for this reason right here. Boring, uninspiring, and a waste of time.
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
3/5
While I dislike live albums, this one is pretty decent.
Taylor Swift
2/5
I just don't get it. This was a very tedious album.
The Smashing Pumpkins
2/5
Sometimes, an album is ruined not by poor craftsmanship, but just the sheer overwhelming presence of ego. This is one of those albums. It's got some great songs, but they're completely overshadowed by Corrigan's ego and conceit.
Calexico
2/5
I thought this was going to be a fun little latin influenced folk album.
I was wrong.
Heaven 17
2/5
Brit Synth-pop that really doesn't go anywhere, even though it's got a heavy political charge to it.
Grateful Dead
2/5
I really dislike live albums, and I find the Dead to be kind of a bore.
Violent Femmes
4/5
A great album that holds up remarkably well decades later.
Sonic Youth
2/5
I can appreciate what Sonic Youth did for music in the 90s, but it still doesn't mean I like them.
The Zutons
2/5
Love the cover, not so much the music.
Curtis Mayfield
4/5
So good. Funk Soul that defined a genre of film.
The Kinks
3/5
Ahh, the Kinks. Sometimes good, sometimes great. This time, it's forgettable.
Jorge Ben Jor
2/5
I really wanted to like this album, but I just couldn't get a feel for it.
The Beau Brummels
2/5
I don't recall anything about this album.
ZZ Top
4/5
A great album from a bygone era.
Elis Regina
2/5
I wanted to like this, but it felt too commercial and calculated for my taste.
The Prodigy
2/5
Masters of repetitious, obnoxious digital noise. The Prodigy were royalty of the Techno scene, but I preferred the back alleys and lesser known bands.
Willie Nelson
3/5
Back before Willie had really found his groove, there was Red Headed Stranger. Not a bad album, just not the style he became known for.
My Bloody Valentine
2/5
Shoe Gaze pioneers left me expecting more.
Keith Jarrett
3/5
Not bad, but not my thing either. Classical music with assorted grunts and vocalizations from Jarrett (who I assume is getting freaky with the piano)
Merle Haggard
3/5
While I can dig Merle Haggard, this was earlier in his career, and a little too rustic for my taste.
Emmylou Harris
3/5
Traditional country is not a genre I am familiar with, or enjoy for that matter. Still, it's a sight better than the "pop country" movement of the past thirty years.
Pink Floyd
5/5
One of Floyd's most polished and accessible albums. A nice follow-up to The Wall as well.
k.d. lang
4/5
I really enjoyed this album
Hüsker Dü
2/5
not a big husker dü fan.
Jungle Brothers
2/5
Pretty forgettable album.
David Bowie
3/5
Never knew Bowie did an album that was 95% instrumental. Wasn't bad, but I wasn't ready for it either.
Ms. Dynamite
3/5
sounded good, but I don't remember much of anything about it.
Fugees
4/5
Great album by some amazing talent. "Killing Me Softly" holds a special place in my heart.
Solange
2/5
very well put together, but uninteresting to my ears.
The Strokes
2/5
ugh. Did not enjoy this album at all.
The White Stripes
2/5
Meh. The White Stripes had some good singles, but this album didn't do much of anything for me.
Soft Machine
1/5
Avant-Garde Jazz meets psychedelia. Count me out.
Justin Timberlake
2/5
Aside from some catchy earworms, this is an incredibly dull album.
Dexys Midnight Runners
2/5
Aside from their chart-topping single, Dexys really holds no appeal for me.
The Velvet Underground
4/5
A classic album.
OutKast
3/5
Not to my taste or style, but still a powerful album.
Giant Sand
3/5
Interesting. Not sure what to make of it, but it wasn't as boring as I thought it might be.
My Bloody Valentine
2/5
My second MBV album, and still not impressed.
Jimi Hendrix
4/5
Powerful and entertaining album.
Magazine
2/5
Did not like this one at all. Still, it was better than anything by Radiohead or Kanye.
The Verve
2/5
Aside from "Bittersweet Symphony", there's nothing that really stands out.
Traffic
3/5
A good first outing for the group, but I still prefer The Low Spark of High-heeled Boys.
The Waterboys
3/5
Interesting album. Not bad, not great.
Nick Drake
3/5
quick album that's nice as background music.
The Divine Comedy
3/5
Rather interesting, theatrical bit of music.
Crowded House
3/5
Crowded House was ok in the day, and they haven't changed much since then.
Funkadelic
4/5
Funkadelic has always been exciting and controversial, and this album was no different.
The Fall
3/5
Interesting, but not overly so.
Elastica
3/5
Much more entertaining and listenable than I was led to believe. A lot of fun, and an easy album to groove to.
The Mothers Of Invention
2/5
I love the concept of Zappa and what he stood for, but his music just doesn't gain the same purchase.
4/5
This was such a fun album, if a little repetitive. Still, the amount of camp and kitsch here is unbeatable.
The Police
4/5
The Police's second album still holds up after almost 50 years.
Leonard Cohen
4/5
Not my favorite album of his, but this is definitely a strong contender.
Lupe Fiasco
3/5
not my cup, but not bad.
Method Man
3/5
Method Man, of Wu-Tang Clan spitting verses and calling hearses. Not my thing, but the lyrical genius cannot be ignored.
Bruce Springsteen
2/5
Springsteen is a powerful songwriter, but his delivery has been hit or miss for me. This one misses more than it hits.
Marty Robbins
3/5
Fun little album with some memorable songs, although I still prefer Cash's version of "Big Iron"
The Specials
4/5
The Specials hold a place in my heart.
Alice Cooper
4/5
This is a fun album that has managed to not age all that much over the years
Faust
2/5
I can appreciate Krautrock themes, but this was boring and kind of painful.
Silver Jews
2/5
While I'm sure there's a dedicated audience for this style of music, I am not in their ranks. While not as bad as Radiohead, it's close.
Orange Juice
2/5
Not memorable enough to rate higher.
Stan Getz
5/5
A beautiful, mellow Jazz album.
The Everly Brothers
3/5
Very fast album. Over before I knew it
Frank Sinatra
3/5
When he was on, Sinatra was electric. This is a good album, but my personal opinion about his character really colors my interpretations.
Suede
3/5
Weird. Not in a bad way, but not necessarily in a good way either.
Fela Kuti
4/5
It is really difficult to oversell Ginger Baker, and when he was paired with Fela Kuti, magic happened.
John Lee Hooker
3/5
Hooker's blend of blues always is enjoyable.
Steely Dan
5/5
One of the best albums I've ever heard.
Lenny Kravitz
3/5
Lenny is always good for some funk, but surprisingly forgettable.
Pere Ubu
2/5
Pere Ubu is really for a select, discerning audience. I'm not one of them.
Steve Winwood
3/5
It's a good, solid album from Steve Winwood.
Kate Bush
3/5
Kate Bush is very good at what she does, but her style has never spoken to me. It haunts me occasionally, but it's not something I actively seek out.
Blur
3/5
While you can see the underpinnings of the Gorillaz here, this one is still a bit of a snooze-fest.
Spiritualized
2/5
Low key almost jangle-trance. Don't remember any of it.
Christina Aguilera
3/5
A couple of bops on this album can't really save it from my lack of interest.
The Flaming Lips
2/5
While The Flaming Lips are an accomplished and celebrated band, I find them boring and uninspired.
The Beta Band
2/5
Big yawn
Red Hot Chili Peppers
3/5
The Chili Peppers have been around for a long time, and they have perfected their style of radio-friendly pop-funk. Some clunkers here, but some timeless gems as well.
Neneh Cherry
2/5
No matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't connect with this album.
The Allman Brothers Band
4/5
I'm not one for live albums, but this is the rare exception. Good stuff.
Milton Nascimento
2/5
It's another album that I know I listened to but can't remember anything about.
KISS
2/5
I had gone almost 50 years without listening to this, and I could have gone another 50 without missing anything. Kiss is way overblown in terms of technical merit, and aside from the singles, nothing on this album was memorable or worthwhile.
Sparks
2/5
Peppy, poppy, exuberant, and saccharine sweet. Felt like anaphylactic shock about about halfway through.
Bob Dylan
4/5
A bona fide classic of the genre.
Baaba Maal
2/5
Not really my thing. Couldn't get into it.
Kate Bush
3/5
Kate Bush is hugely influential, but I just can't dig her stuff.
The Band
3/5
A couple of good songs, but this style of folk rock never spoke to me. The Weight almost carries this album though.
Sheryl Crow
3/5
While many people expect this to be full of pop rock radio anthems, there's a deeper blues side that is intriguing. Still didn't land with me, but it's worth a listen.
Mike Oldfield
2/5
Started out really cool (The first song was the theme to The Exorcist), but then it just noodles and meanders its way through the rest of the album.
Steve Earle
2/5
80s country. 'nuff said.
The Dandy Warhols
3/5
Don't remember much about this. I seem to think it was decent, but uneventful.
Korn
1/5
Korn was at the forefront of the rap-metal movement of the late 90s and to be honest, there are other bands with a similar style but sound so much better.
Small Faces
3/5
meh. Usual '60s proto-psychedelia.
Peter Tosh
2/5
While I dig reggae, this one just didn't do anything for me.
Wild Beasts
2/5
I don't remember anything about this album; I listened to it 12 hours ago.
Drive Like Jehu
3/5
Wildly influential but overbearing and grating at the same time. Wanted to rate it higher, but I just couldn't justify it.
Suicide
4/5
A long-forgotten album by precursors to the punk, post-punk, techno, and industrial genres. Deeping disturbing, but hyper-influential.
R.E.M.
3/5
R.E.M. has always been a bigger concept than artist for me. I love what they represent, but their music puts me to sleep.
Billie Holiday
3/5
As much as I love Billie Holiday, this one was a miss for me.
The Fall
2/5
ugh. This is the second entry for The Fall on my list. This one was even more insufferable than the first one.
Rod Stewart
3/5
Early Stewart really shows off why he was such a popular draw.
John Martyn
3/5
Kind of cool, kind of fun, but ended up being the longest 38 minutes I've been through in a long time.
Eurythmics
4/5
So good, but a little more poppy than I remember.
Deep Purple
3/5
Not a fan of the vast majority of live albums, and Deep Purple has never been high on my list of favorite bands. Still a decent listen.
Arcade Fire
2/5
I don't get the appeal of this.
Bonnie Raitt
3/5
Such a good album. It's starting to show its age, however.
Peter Gabriel
5/5
One of my all-time favorite albums.
Kraftwerk
2/5
I listened to this 15 minutes ago, and I can't tell you a damn thing about it.
Randy Newman
4/5
Pretty typical Newman album, although I was a bit thrown when he started spittin' the 'n' word like a member of NWA.
SAULT
3/5
started out really interesting, and then kind of faded into background noise.
Underworld
2/5
Not very impressive and forgettable
The Stone Roses
2/5
Alternative Brit Pop that I could never get into, no matter how hard I tried.
Tom Waits
3/5
Not as compelling as Rain Dogs, but some good songs on here will keep your interest. Unless you're not into noise.
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
3/5
I can't even begin to describe this. Fascinating, yet unmemorable.
Beatles
4/5
One of the most influential and enduring albums of all time. Still prefer Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.
The Monks
3/5
Garage rock from one of the first truly proto-punk bands.
Patti Smith
3/5
Went much harder than I had anticipated.
Genesis
3/5
Will need to listen to this one again. Wasn't super impressed, but there's an unease and sense of danger there that I would like to explore again.
Leonard Cohen
4/5
Cohen always had the unique ability to speak to the soul without raising his voice. Not his best album, but it's pretty damn good.
Jane Weaver
3/5
This was interesting, but didn't hold my attention.
Pantera
3/5
My late friend Robert loved these guys. I'd always bust his balls over how much Pantera sucks, but listening to this today reminded me of him.
I miss you buddy.
Also, Pantera still sucks.
Robert Wyatt
3/5
Weird album. Don't know if I like it or not.
Talvin Singh
4/5
Fusing drum and electronica beats with traditional Indian music is a wild ride, man.
U2
4/5
Not my favorite U2 album, but it's got some good songs.
Pavement
2/5
Boring music from a boring band.
Jean-Michel Jarre
4/5
Very reminiscent of visits to the planetarium as a child. Cool little album that works well as background music.
Judas Priest
4/5
It is a classic from the band that made leather lads metal.
Wilco
3/5
It was alright, but didn't speak to me
A Tribe Called Quest
4/5
A beautiful album from the masters of the craft.
Slint
3/5
Not sure how I feel about this one. It's interesting, but not compelling.
The Residents
2/5
Weird, and not necessarily in a good way.
Terence Trent D'Arby
4/5
This is a fantastic album.
Bon Jovi
4/5
While at times feeling like an absolute relic of the 80s, this has some timeless songs that never grow old.
Madonna
3/5
Madonna is one of those artists you either obsess over or mildly enjoy. I'm in the latter camp.
Marvin Gaye
4/5
A timely album with timeless elements.
The Electric Prunes
4/5
Was not expecting this album to be as enjoyable (or as short) as it is.
Mudhoney
1/5
Did not like at all.
Franz Ferdinand
3/5
Decent album, but too niche for my taste.
James Brown
4/5
The hardest working man in showbiz showing of his skill.
1/5
I tried. I really tried, but this was even worse than Radiohead.
The Byrds
3/5
A classic album, but a little too 60s-ish for me.
Foo Fighters
3/5
Their first album, while important, isn't necessarily their best. It's still decent though.
Sepultura
3/5
Never was a fan of Sepultura. Their music is good, but it just doesn't resonate.
Marianne Faithfull
4/5
This album surprised me. It started out almost tentative and scared, but by the end, it was full on riot grrrrl.
Al Green
4/5
One of the greatest soul albums of all time.
Beth Orton
2/5
Meh. 90s alt-girl pop.
Dagmar Krause
2/5
This proto-kraut rock made me sour.
Thin Lizzy
3/5
Decent album.
Blue Cheer
3/5
Wild, uneven garage rock.
Lightning Bolt
3/5
noise rock for the sake of noise. Not to everyone's taste, but enjoyable under the proper conditions.
Dr. Dre
2/5
While I can appreciate the art and science Dre brings to the genre, I still can't get into this album.
Syd Barrett
3/5
The original frontman for Pink Floyd showcasing his unique take on music.
Missy Elliott
3/5
I appreciate Missy, and her contributions to the genre, but again, this just isn't my jam.
Donald Fagen
4/5
Solo work from one half of Steely Dan. There's some great stuff as well as some good stuff. If you like Steely Dan, you'll appreciate this.
Shuggie Otis
4/5
Yet another album that caught me by surprise. Good stuff.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
4/5
Hard to go wrong with Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Always entertaining.
Led Zeppelin
5/5
One of the greatest albums ever released.
Suede
2/5
Big yawn.
Alice Cooper
4/5
With tongue planted firmly in cheek, Cooper presents a much maligned album that is full of biting wit, humor, and shock.
Depeche Mode
4/5
One of Depeche Mode's more accessible albums. Definitely iconic.
Waylon Jennings
4/5
Jennings being Jennings. *hunches back, grabs walker* This is what country used to be! *shakes fist at passing cloud*
David Bowie
3/5
Bowie's later stuff was either a real hit or a real miss for this listener. The Next Day is one of those rare albums that fell somewhere in between.
Donovan
4/5
As much as I want to malign Donovan, I just can't. His tunes are catchy and enjoyable, if sometimes downright creepy (Sunshine Superman).
Lambchop
2/5
I don't remember much about this album, other than I listened to it. I was struck by how it wasn't anything I was expecting, but apparently, it was not enough to stick out.
Megadeth
4/5
Not my favorite Megadeth album, but its messages and sheer anger still resonate uncomfortably 30 years later.
Pretenders
4/5
Album #700
Chrissy Hines and the boys from Ohio in their debut album. Iconic, with some timeless songs, but on the whole, I have never been a huge Pretenders fan. Still, an album everyone needs to listen to at least once.
The Jesus And Mary Chain
2/5
I understand and appreciate just how influential and important The Jesus and Mary Chain are, I just don't like their style of music that much.
Skunk Anansie
4/5
It's a damn shame I didn't hear this sooner. This is some good stuff that really took me by surprise.
Joanna Newsom
2/5
Medieval influenced Twee-pop. Less twee than her previous, but still too tonally sharp for me to enjoy.
Mylo
2/5
The thing about "house" music was it was designed to be enjoyed while under the influence of brain chemistry altering chemicals. With the absence of those, this style of music gets incredibly repetitive and boring within 2 loops of a drum machine.
Belle & Sebastian
2/5
Proto-emo goth giants showing off a style that I just can't get into.
3/5
This was a weird album. It started out slow and melancholic, only to morph into a Queens of the Stone Age style of music just under halfway through.
Traffic
4/5
Classic Traffic. Not as good as Low Spark of High Heeled Boys, but this album saw me through many miles of asphalt when I was still driving for a living.
Billy Bragg
4/5
Bragg is an interesting artist, and demands another listen or two.
Gary Numan
2/5
While I am a big fan of "Cars" the rest of Numan's stylings leave me bored.
3/5
Much like The Who's "Tommy" or Pink Floyd's "The Wall", this is very much a concept album following the life of the title character, Arthur.
Multiple listenings may be needed to really appreciate this album, but in this reviewer's barely influential opinion, it's too British for full enjoyment from a disaffected American.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
3/5
Elvis Costello is amazing in small doses. Larger doses get a little tedious at times.
The Cardigans
2/5
Ugh. I don't know if it's the falsetto pitch or the sugary twee-pop that gets under my skin so much, but I just don't enjoy this album. It feels all silicone and eyelash extender while trying to coax extra money out of daddy.
Neil Young
3/5
Meh. Neil Young just doesn't do it for me in most instances.
Stan Getz
3/5
Normally, I love Stan Getz, but this one just didn't hold my interest.
Slayer
2/5
While Slayer is one of the most influential metal bands of the last 50 years, I've never been able to take them seriously. When this first came out, I was scared of it, but once I listened, it sounded very amateurish and pedestrian. The upshot is that we got the tastiest guitar riff on "Raining Blood".
Fatboy Slim
2/5
Oh boy! Repetitious repetition, over and over and over and over again! Great for when you're whacked out of your gourd on molly in the club, not so much when you're sitting in an office.
Nightmares On Wax
3/5
more repetition. This one is more bearable than Fatboy Slim in that there's more organic music, but it's still too heavy on repetition.
Metallica
5/5
The album that introduced me to Metallica. Biting social commentary, combined with aggressive riffs really helped shape my understanding of the world as a teen.
Laibach
3/5
Very interesting. Very different. It's easy to see where the 90s industrial scene got its inspiration from. Rammstein seems to draw heavily from Laibach as well.
Sugar
2/5
Feels very reminiscent of what the Seattle "Grunge Scene" devolved into, just a couple of years ahead of the curve.
Alexander 'Skip' Spence
2/5
I know Spence was the epitome of the 60s hippie musician, but this was just a slog.
The Velvet Underground
4/5
While not fully developed yet, Lou Reed's lasting, indelible mark on the punk and new wave scene can already be witnessed here.
Sabu
3/5
African jazz. I could take it or leave it.
The Coral
3/5
This was an interesting jangle pop group out of England that is worth investigating.
Basement Jaxx
2/5
Incredibly boring house music.
Aretha Franklin
4/5
The queen of soul. This is a good album.
New Order
2/5
Listened to this twenty minutes ago, and I can't remember a thing about it.
The Magnetic Fields
2/5
Jesus. Over two hours of petulant noise.
Johnny Cash
4/5
The man in black is always a good draw.
Marilyn Manson
2/5
While not as try hard as Limp Biskut, Manson is definitely up there in terms of terrifying parents and boring audiences.
The Cars
5/5
A classic. Ocasek and the boys did a phenomenal job on this album. This also has my all-time favorite Cars song "Moving in Stereo". IYKYN.
Culture Club
3/5
Culture Club was an interesting band from the 80s. Lots of pastels, lots of gender bending confusion for conservatives, and lots of soul from a bunch of English white guys.
Sam Cooke
3/5
Sam Cooke was a wildly inspirational singer who reshaped the music scene in his image. I just don't really care for live albums.
808 State
1/5
Bleep Bloop trance that makes zero impression.
Dirty Projectors
2/5
I don't even know where to start with this ramshackle amalgamation of noises. All I know is that I didn't enjoy it.
Portishead
3/5
This is a yummy album. Sultry, smooth, and sexy as all get out. Don't understand why I don't dig it.
The Young Rascals
3/5
Ah, 60s pop. Some decent stuff here, but mostly forgettable.
AC/DC
5/5
Back in Black is a lot of things - a tribute to Bon Scott, an introduction to Brian Johnson, and a turning point in the band's trajectory that took them from bars and smaller venues to stadiums. Iconic, memorable, and timeless.
Neu!
3/5
Starting out, the album is ethereal, yet plain. The second half is like a whole different band.
Wilco
2/5
Wilco is another one of those bands that just doesn't do anything for me.
Drive-By Truckers
3/5
Lynyrd Skynyrd was an influential band, but a two disc album centered around their mythology just isn't as appealing as one would think.
Butthole Surfers
4/5
The Surfers at the pinnacle of weirdness. Good stuff.
John Cale
4/5
Cale definitely deserves a deeper look. I didn't know what to expect, and was happily surprised by this.
Gillian Welch
3/5
Not much for more traditional folk, but this was a decent album.
5/5
Devo is a national treasure and should be treated as such. Mothersbaugh has done so much for the art of music that it will take decades to fully understand his influence and contributions to the medium.
My Bloody Valentine
2/5
While My Bloody Valentine may be the progenitors of Shoegaze, it still doesn't make their music appealing.
The Shamen
2/5
boring trip-pop that didn't engender any interest.
Yes
4/5
Hard to go wrong with Yes, and this is proof why.
Doves
3/5
Bit of a yawner. early 2000s alt rock that's a bit soft.
The Incredible String Band
2/5
Weird, psychedelic hippie music.
Cocteau Twins
2/5
I've always found the Cocteau Twins to be boring. Nothing here changes my mind.
OutKast
4/5
While not my style, it's obvious that both Big Boi and Andre 3000 are incredibly talented and able to bridge that gap between Southern Rap and mainstream music effortlessly.
The Rolling Stones
4/5
The Stones earlier stuff is phenomenal, and this is one of their best.
4/5
the forefathers of punk. gritty, raw, and good.
Johnny Cash
5/5
Amazing. Cash takes some great songs and makes them personal. This has got to be one of his best albums ever.
The Undertones
4/5
fun, early pop-punk that still bops today.
Fun Lovin' Criminals
3/5
Decent album. Not really my speed, but fun none the less.
2/5
Blur just doesn't do it for me.
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five
4/5
It's Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five. The godfathers of modern rap. It's hard to go wrong with this.
Beck
2/5
While Beck has some really iconic songs on here, this still just feels like surreptitious propaganda for scientology.
DJ Shadow
4/5
This was much more enjoyable and interesting than I thought it was going to be.
The Stooges
3/5
I love Iggy Pop and the Stooges, and I love the legacy they have created. This album just doesn't thrill me though.
Daft Punk
2/5
Daft Punk certainly redefined what electronic music can be, but their first outing is rife with the usual drum loops and repetitive notes that are found on so many electronic albums of the era.
50 Cent
2/5
50 cent has definitely made his mark on the gangsta rap genre, but I just could not get into it.
Tom Waits
4/5
Was not aware that this was a live album, but it has all the soul, wit, and dry humor that makes Waits such a treasure.
Iggy Pop
2/5
After the Stooges, Iggy Pop went solo, and this is not the greatest representation of his talent.
Kings of Leon
2/5
nouveau-garage rock that didn't make much of an impression
Kings of Leon
3/5
Better than Youth and Young Manhood, but still not all that appealing.
Lou Reed
3/5
Lou Reed showcasing his talents post Velvet Underground. Not bad. Not great, but not bad.
The Good, The Bad & The Queen
2/5
Another Albarn side project. Would be more into it if I was interested in England, or London.
Common
3/5
Nothing stuck with me on this album.
Carpenters
3/5
It's got some great songs on here, and I can see why they were so popular, but it's just not my jam.
Frank Sinatra
4/5
While he was not a nice human being, he had an amazing voice. This is an excellent collection of his music.
Fever Ray
4/5
Different than most electronic. Definitely better.
Digital Underground
3/5
While I appreciate the P-Funk Allstars grooves, and appreciate everything Shock-J did for hip-hop, this just isn't my jam.
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
3/5
Beefheart was a unique artist. Either you love him or you hate him, much like Zappa or Rush. If I'm in the right mood, this album is fantastic. Otherwise it's a major miss.
The Teardrop Explodes
3/5
I normally have very strong feelings about Julian Cope and the Teardrop Explodes, but not today. This was a decent album.
Stephen Stills
3/5
Stills is a great songwriter, and there are some really good bops on this album, but with the changing landscape, his hippie vibes just don't land the same way they used to.
The Only Ones
3/5
Long forgotten proto-punk band from England. This album felt like an early attempt at Violent Femmes style music.
Julian Cope
3/5
This was my introduction to Julian Cope. Conflicted memories over this one, but it's still got some good stuff.
David Bowie
4/5
While most of the album is fairly forgettable, this does contain the title track, which is one of the most haunting and moving songs ever uttered.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
2/5
Normally, I like Elvis Costello and the Attractions, but this album just seemed really whiny.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
While having some great songs on here, this was really a disappointing album. If you want great Stones, check out Sticky Fingers.
3/5
Not a big PJ Harvey fan, but this seemed like a decent enough album.
Beatles
3/5
Proof that the Beatles started out as a saccharine boy band that would eventually morph into one of the most definitive music makers ever. If these songs were released for the first time today, they'd sound no different from other boy bands.
The Pretty Things
2/5
I couldn't find anything compelling about this album.
Janis Joplin
4/5
Janis Joplin, a talent that was too big for this world. This is a fantastic album.
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
4/5
A classic look at traditional bluegrass and old school country. While not my cup of tea, the dedication and desire to document these songs, and the performers who sang them is commendable.
John Prine
5/5
Prine was always an undervalued songsmith, and his first album is one of the greatest ever written.
The Boo Radleys
3/5
Interesting concept, execution left a lot to be desired.
Peter Gabriel
4/5
Gabriel flexing his wings as a solo artist for the first time leaves something to be desired, but the emotional powerhouse he became is apparent already.
Aerosmith
3/5
Probably not the best Aerosmith album, but there's some definite gems on here.
Arcade Fire
2/5
I don't know what I was expecting, but this was not even remotely close to whatever this was. I understand that Arcade Fire was highly influential, but this didn't resonate with me at all.
David Gray
3/5
Not a bad album. Paved the way for other male singer/songwriters to wear their hearts on their sleeves in the modern era.
Tom Tom Club
3/5
A decent early Valley Girl style album that reminds me of Target for some reason.
Bob Dylan
4/5
Dylan beginning to show his political chops. Good album, but still a little timid.
Dion
2/5
Pretty forgettable album.
David Ackles
2/5
I get that he was an unsung hero, and never found his real fanbase. I can also see why.
The National
2/5
Felt virtually indistinguishable from any other "alternative" indie rock band of the era.
Bob Dylan
4/5
One of Dylan's greatest albums ever. So much good stuff on here.
Billy Joel
4/5
Joel at his finest. Great album.
Throbbing Gristle
3/5
Avant-garde as all get out. You need to be in a certain mood in order to really enjoy this album.
Joni Mitchell
3/5
Joni Mitchell has always been a difficult artist for me. I deeply appreciate what she has done for music, but I find all of her stuff too quiet and sleep inducing to enjoy properly.
Sleater-Kinney
4/5
Decent album, but I never was into the riot grrrl scene. If I had been, this would have been a definite 5 star.
Lucinda Williams
3/5
Didn't really leave me with much of an impression.
Sonic Youth
2/5
Never understood the appeal of Sonic Youth.
Ice Cube
2/5
Never could get into this style of music. It's just too violent for me.
*shares another UHC CEO meme*
The White Stripes
4/5
Garage rock has always been hit or miss for me, but The White Stripes really do a fantastic job of it.
Jeff Beck
3/5
Jeff Beck being Jeff Beck. White guy playing black music. Not bad, but not my cuppa.
UB40
2/5
While their radio tunes that hit America were good, I just can't get into a bunch of Irishmen playing reggae.
Arctic Monkeys
2/5
The name Arctic Monkeys implies that there is fun to be had. This album proves that theory wrong.
Doves
2/5
More hipster pop that is mildly entertaining, but not enough to engage my jaded, opinionated tastes.
Taylor Swift
2/5
If I really cared for Swift's music, I would be absolutely over the moon with this album, but I see it for what it is, The perfect example of a carefully crafted, honed, and polished pop album sharpened to a razor's edge to surgically separate listeners from their money.
Rufus Wainwright
3/5
Wainwright is an amazing artist, but this just didn't appeal to me.
New York Dolls
3/5
Proto-punk rockers who have been long surpassed by better talent.
Travis
2/5
Another britpop snoozefest.
Buffalo Springfield
4/5
Buffalo Springfield is one of those bands that you know, but you don't know you know. A solid group that was unfortunately overshadowed by other acts, but they still put out some decent music.
Michael Jackson
4/5
A solid album from one of the most complicated men to ever grace the planet.
Love
3/5
Interesting garage rock that caught me off guard.
2/5
Don't remember much about this one, just that I wasn't impressed.
4/5
Good album from a criminally underrated band whose message still rings loud and clear today.
Willie Colón & Rubén Blades
3/5
Saucy Salsa from a bygone era.
The Beach Boys
2/5
This may bear some more looking into, but I just couldn't connect with this album.
Christine and the Queens
3/5
It was interesting, but quickly forgotten.
The Birthday Party
3/5
You can definitely see where Nick Cave started with The Birthday Party, and how he became the godfather of Goth.
The KLF
3/5
A bit more accessible than other KLF albums, but still not something I really grooved to.
The Yardbirds
3/5
I am well aware of how influential the Yardbirds (Chickens?) were, but I just can't get enthused about this album.
3/5
Early rock that kind surprised me. Still not something I would actively seek out though.
Duran Duran
2/5
A short album that would otherwise be a complete dud if not for the title track.
The Stooges
3/5
more protopunk from the physical embodiment of the movement.
Hookworms
3/5
Interesting digital music.
4/5
This is the perfect example of what country music is supposed to sound like. Loretta Lynn is amazing on this album.
Isaac Hayes
2/5
Isaac Hayes, man what a character. This album just didn't do much for me.
Klaxons
3/5
ok Britpop from the late 00s
Screaming Trees
3/5
Never could get into Screaming Trees. I've tried several times, but they just don't appeal.
Frank Zappa
4/5
One of Zappa's greatest albums.
JAY Z
2/5
Never understood the appeal of Jay-Z, and I am still baffled by it.
The Beach Boys
3/5
Lot of good songs from my childhood on here, but the surf rock of the Beach Boys never enthralled me.
Laura Nyro
4/5
I kept expecting her to break into "Wedding Bell Blues" at any moment. Beautiful voice, and the melodies are haunting at times.
Moby Grape
3/5
Very Bluesy, very difficult to find a full copy. Had to get mine from a shady dealer in a digital back alley next to a virtual peep show, while a derelict server sat in a puddle of its own fluids begging for spare bytes.
Emmylou Harris
3/5
Another staple of early country music, but just doesn't carry the same weight as Loretta Lynn.
X-Ray Spex
4/5
A Cornerstone of not only punk and 3rd wave ska, but the seeds of future Riot Grrrl music. Great stuff, and super accessable.
Jack White
4/5
Jack White doing what Jack White does best. Make some amazing music.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
3/5
Interesting indie pop that can almost, but doesn't quite, hold the attention.
Jeru The Damaja
2/5
There's some beats and some flow here that tug at my interest, but not enough to justify repeated listening.
Lloyd Cole And The Commotions
2/5
This album was like sex for the first time. Didn't know what was going on, over before it began, and left no impression aside from the knowledge that it was interacted with.
Einstürzende Neubauten
3/5
German experimental rock noize. Definitely see these guy's fingerprints all over outfits like The Blueman Group.
Elvis Presley
2/5
The older I get, the less I like Elvis. His vocal stylings are too croony and feel like he's trying to ooze into your clothes.
Mekons
2/5
A bit too twangy for my tastes. Good band, not a great album.
The Beta Band
3/5
Much duller than I was hoping for. It's ok, but nothing to get excited over.
Parliament
4/5
Funkalicious grooves from the mothership, baby!
Primal Scream
3/5
Felt like a mix between early Stones, Duran Duran, and whatever Jesus Jones was trying to be.
The Pharcyde
3/5
I can see how this was such a popular album, but still not my jam.
Tito Puente
4/5
Tito Puente was a great artist, but this album just didn't have the heft of somebody like Louis Prima.
Def Leppard
4/5
Brit Rockers showing how mid to late 80s hard rock was done.
B.B. King
4/5
Delicious blues from the man himself.
Ah, Rod Stewart when he was young and weedy, not like now where he's old and creepy.
The Icarus Line
2/5
At first, I didn't remember listening to this, but once I looked at it, I realized that I had, and it wasn't nearly as compelling as I had hoped it would be.
American Music Club
2/5
As much as I wanted to like this album, there just wasn't enough there to hold my attention.
Rufus Wainwright
3/5
Wainwright in all his transgressive, fabulous glory. It's just not my thing.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
While The Stones have been a cultural touchstone for over 60 years, this early stuff kind of makes you wonder how they got to where they are.
David Bowie
3/5
A major turning point in Bowie's career. Can't really say much past that.
Bee Gees
4/5
I am more used to their mid to late 70s work, so this was a bit of a disconnect for me. Still an amazing album.
Penguin Cafe Orchestra
3/5
Interesting. The conceit is almost more entertaining than the music itself. Feels very Cage-ish. I wouldn't be surprised if Neutral Milk Hotel had been influenced by this.
Shivkumar Sharma
3/5
Started out really good, and then it all just started blending together, and sort of became forgettable.
Metallica
3/5
Metallica is a great studio band for a reason. This is also a great illustration of why I've never gone to see them live - this album feels unfinished and not fully ready.
The Pogues
4/5
Nothing quite like Irish Folk-Punk. Good stuff.
Queen
4/5
It's Queen. Either you love them or you hate them. Me? I love them.
Beatles
5/5
Another staple of modern rock. While not as expansive as the White Album, Rubber Soul is still a strong piece of evidence about how influential (and sleazy) the Beatles could be.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
2/5
The Yeah Yeah Yeahs just don't appeal to me. They put out good albums, but it just doesn't hit the dopamine for me.
Suzanne Vega
3/5
Susanne Vega is another artist that I really respect, but just don't connect with their music.
Little Simz
2/5
Just listened to this album, and it made no impression on me whatsoever. Kind of disappointing, honestly.
Super Furry Animals
3/5
middlin' avant-garde jangle-pop adjacent rock. It's ok.
Deerhunter
3/5
Alt-pop music that didn't leave much to chew on.
Haircut 100
2/5
yet another album that has had no major impression on me.
G. Love & Special Sauce
2/5
Honestly, I think I like the name better than the music.
Germs
4/5
Classic punk from a foundational band.
Depeche Mode
4/5
Not their best album, but definitely one of their best.
Girls Against Boys
2/5
Post-punk music for the edgy.
Paul Simon
4/5
A solid album from Paul Simon. It's not Graceland, but it's not trying to be either.
Brian Eno
3/5
Eno is a weird dude. Always has been, always will be. Brilliant producer, but I didn't know what to make of this.
The Cramps
5/5
Love, love, love The Cramps. One of my favorite bands.
Bauhaus
3/5
Bauhaus is kind of a mystery to me. I appreciate what they did for music, but I really have to be in the right mood for their music.
Sisters Of Mercy
3/5
Much Like Bauhaus, The Sisters of Mercy are a band that I need to be in the mood for, although they do have a couple of songs "This Corrosion" that I will happily bop to any time they come on.
Big Star
4/5
Interesting album. Definitely demands multiple listens.
Jane's Addiction
5/5
I love this album so much. Ritual revolutionized the concept of rock, and has rightfully become an icon of what is possible.
Flamin' Groovies
3/5
Early proto-punk band that is interesting enough.
Stephen Stills
2/5
Stephen Stills with Crosby, Nash, and Young is amazing. By himself, he's too soft for my tastes.
Gil Scott-Heron
3/5
Political posturing from a more prosaic time. It's not a bad album, it just feels dated, and unfortunately, the message has become diluted.
The Psychedelic Furs
4/5
An underrated album that has some great songs on it, even if the source material has not aged nearly as well.
The Streets
2/5
White British rap. I know some people love it, but I can't wrap my head around it.
Björk
3/5
Bjork is always an interesting listen. Maybe not the most groundbreaking artist, but she definitely knows how to command your attention.
Pulp
2/5
Completely forgettable brit-pop.
Bonnie "Prince" Billy
2/5
Had high hopes for this, but it quickly became an annoying buzz.
Gorillaz
4/5
While not their best album (That honor is reserved for Demon Days), this is still a solid, heavy hitting album that introduced the world to the Gorillaz.
Japan
2/5
Tried this album twice, and could never get into it.
TLC
4/5
Just like the album's title, this is Crazysexycool. TLC was a force of nature, and its passing has left a void that will never be filled.
Sonic Youth
2/5
I never could get the hang of Sonic Youth.
Manic Street Preachers
4/5
I was really thrown by this, and heavily reminded that you should never judge a book by its cover.
Stereo MC's
3/5
A decent album led off with an early 00s banger that was ubiquitous for an age.
MGMT
2/5
overblown, overhyped, and overinflated.
M.I.A.
2/5
I didn't really find anything about this album compelling.
The Slits
2/5
That was a disappointment.
Buena Vista Social Club
3/5
I really wanted to like this album more than I did.
Thundercat
3/5
Interesting, but not really compelling.
Abdullah Ibrahim
3/5
South African Jazz. Had a heck of a time finding a digital version with the title track. Solidly middlin.
Steely Dan
4/5
Probably my least favorite Steely Dan album, which is saying a lot.
The Louvin Brothers
3/5
Interesting artifact of a long by-gone era. Traditional Appalachian country that evokes a surprising amount of hurt.
Ryan Adams
3/5
Not sure about this album. Love its folksy, laidback tone, but it feels a little too polished for my taste.
Jah Wobble's Invaders Of The Heart
3/5
Much more interesting that I thought it would be. Worth a second listen.
Tricky
3/5
I wasn't expecting much from this album, and man, I have never been so happy to be wrong. This was a good album.
Joni Mitchell
3/5
My boss asked me what I was listening to.
"Blue, by Joni Mitchell" I responded.
He chuckled. "I thought so. I felt like sitting under a tree and plucking flowers."
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
4/5
Ah, Elvis Costello. This is one of his most enduring and enjoyable albums. Well worth a listen.
Nanci Griffith
2/5
80s country. meh.
Astor Piazzolla
3/5
Free-form Jazz for accordion and xylophone?
It's like Hunter S. Thompson and William S. Burroughs had a delirious drug fueled romp while listening to George Hamilton Green and Lawrence Whelk get down and dirty, and this was the offspring.
Piazzolla & Burton: " Hey, we want to make an album"
Record Exec: (Rips a fat fucking line off a dead hooker's ass) "YYEEEEEAAAAAHHHHHH!"
The Triffids
2/5
Gloriously, painfully 80s pop. Probably best left where it came from.
Le Tigre
3/5
Quick, poppy, riot grrrl lite
Scott Walker
2/5
I really didn't know what to make of this album. Reminded me very much of Neil Diamond.
Otis Redding
4/5
It's Otis Redding. How can you go wrong?
Slipknot
2/5
For all of their innovation and skill, I still find myself bored with Slipknot.
Billy Bragg
1/5
Billy Bragg with Wilco? No thank you.
Duke Ellington
3/5
If you like jazz, you'll love this album.
Goldie
2/5
EDM/Electronic music that fades into the background a little too well.
Sly & The Family Stone
4/5
Beautiful funk/soul/rock.
The Monkees
4/5
While maybe not as catchy as their first two albums, this really shows the boys musical chops. Zilch is a definite standout.
Ice T
3/5
T showing off why he was such a threat in the 90s.
Miriam Makeba
3/5
Interesting, yet ultimately forgettable album.
Cowboy Junkies
3/5
I love the Cowboy Junkies, but this is too soft and intimate for me to truly enjoy.
Hole
2/5
Courtney Love was/is a bit overblown with an inflated sense of importance. Can't recommend this album.
The B-52's
4/5
One of the most infectious bands of all time. the B-52s always deliver.
Badly Drawn Boy
4/5
I was expecting something along the lines of Panic at the Disco or My Chemical Romance. This was a very pleasant surprise.
Ray Charles
4/5
Proof that Ray Charles was not only an amazing artist, but blazed trails for later artists.
Kraftwerk
2/5
While influential, Kraftwerk just doesn't appeal to me.
Ghostface Killah
2/5
I would have figured more from one of the Wu Tang.
Sade
4/5
Much like the title track, this album is smooth. We're talking velvet and silk; dim lights, maybe a fireplace....
*smacks self across face* SETTLE DOWN!
The Jesus And Mary Chain
2/5
While I can appreciate what The Jesus and Mary Chain brought to music, I don't really like it.
Public Enemy
4/5
30+ years on, This is still as relevant as it was when it debuted.
Rod Stewart
4/5
Rockin' Rod Stewart before his skeeviness became apparent. Good stuff, lots of standards here.
The Mars Volta
3/5
Much like King Crimson, you either love The Mars Volta, or you don't understand them. I oscillate between the two.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
3/5
Nick Cave was the precursor to many things, and has a certain panache for theatrics. This can leave a bad taste in many people's mouths, but I enjoy his music.
David Bowie
4/5
Not my favorite Bowie album. Some good stuff on here, but just doesn't resonate with me.
The Doors
4/5
Maybe not their most popular album, but this is a solid block of time that is well spent.
John Martyn
3/5
Not really sure of what to make of this. It's interesting and deserves a second look.
U2
5/5
This album holds a lot of fond memories for me, and in my opinion is probably one of their best efforts.
The Sabres Of Paradise
2/5
It's techno. Very repetitive.
Ian Dury
3/5
Dury is an interesting listen. Not sure if I like it or not.
The Doors
5/5
Absolute classic. Spent many an hour in my teenage years wearing out my dad's vinyl copy.
Bob Dylan
2/5
Not my favorite Dylan album.
Guns N' Roses
5/5
The swan song of my childhood innocence. I was already dabbling in harder edged music when Appetite came out, and this was the final nail in the coffin. I was hooked for life.
R.E.M.
3/5
Never been a big fan of R.E.M. but this is a decent album.
Frank Black
3/5
Black Francis (a.k.a. Frank Black) showing his musical chops here. Not compelling enough for me to want a second listen.
Beatles
4/5
Maybe not the White Album, but still one of the greatest albums ever released. Not bad for a boy band from Liverpool.
The Pogues
5/5
Really wish I had discovered these guys earlier. Great stuff.
Portishead
2/5
It's a two-fer: boring *and* tedious.
Circle Jerks
4/5
Seminal punk band. Well worth a listen for one of the architects of American Punk.
2Pac
3/5
2Pac may not have been my cup of tea, but he had some yummy hooks. Kind of wish he was still around today - I'd be curious to hear what he'd have to say.
The Youngbloods
3/5
Not a bad album, but definitely one that I would not have actively sought out on my own.
PJ Harvey
3/5
It's an ok album. Nothing really jumped out at me.
Black Flag
3/5
Loud, angry, at times incomprehensible, and over all too soon.
Prefab Sprout
4/5
Much more interesting and appealing that I thought it would be.
The Byrds
3/5
Heavily influential to the 70s shift towards fantasy imagery and the eventual rise of hard rock and metal. Well worth a listen.
Pearl Jam
5/5
The soundtrack of my final high school years. My best friend and I wore out at least 4 copies of this on cassette.
Black Sabbath
4/5
The great-granddaddy of metal. Aged, a little rough around the edges, but still a solid album.
Tom Waits
5/5
While not as good as my introduction to Waits (that would be Rain Dogs), this has become one of the fundamental albums of my life.
Animal Collective
2/5
Animal Collective just doesn't strike me as a particularly interesting band.
The Fall
3/5
Early gritty Brit Punk.
Rocket From The Crypt
3/5
Catchy, new-wave punk with horns.
Minutemen
4/5
This is what punk needs to be. Short, succinct, in your face, and political as all hell.
Tori Amos
3/5
I never really understood the appeal of Amos (aside from the fact that she was a waifish, visually pleasing redhead), but I was never her target audience either.
Lou Reed
3/5
Reed is one of those guys who runs hot or cold, and it helps to be in the right headspace to listen to him.
Buck Owens
4/5
This is what country is supposed to sound like.
Steely Dan
5/5
Top 3 of all time favorite albums. Grew up listening to Pretzel Logic, and it's one of the few albums that can always help when I'm spiraling.
Bobby Womack
3/5
Not bad, just not my thing.
Common
3/5
Common is definitely skilled and adept at his craft, but this just doesn't appeal to me.
Ministry
4/5
Seminal album from my formative years.
The Go-Go's
4/5
While the Go-Gos may seem quaint or "cute", they were anything but, and the enduring quality of their music speaks to that.
Massive Attack
3/5
Electro/House/EDM, whatever you want to call it, is either really, really good, or repetitive as all get out.
Barry Adamson
4/5
The soundtrack to a non-existent film noir. You can almost see the scenes as the music plays.
The Chemical Brothers
2/5
More EDM repetition. big snoozefest.
The Cure
5/5
A near perfect album. Robert Smith and crew do a phenomenal job of drawing the listener in, lulling them into a false sense of security, and then going in for the killing blow. Amazing.
Dexys Midnight Runners
4/5
Irish R&B. Whoda thunk it?
Creedence Clearwater Revival
4/5
CCR was an influential band, and not just for their ability to mainstream "Swamp Rock"
Kelela
3/5
Interesting. Sultry. Well worth a second listen.
The Sugarcubes
3/5
If you dig Bjork, you'll like this album. If you don't, give it a pass.
Sebadoh
2/5
lo-fi, garage rock from members of Dinosaur Jr. If you dig that scene, it's a decent album.
I struggle with it.
Beatles
4/5
An iconic album from one of the most influential bands of all time. Not their best, but pretty damn good.
The Avalanches
2/5
I've tried repeatedly to enjoy this album, but the only saving grace is "Frontier Psychiatrist". The rest is just boring.
The Beach Boys
4/5
Music that put the fear of inadequacy in the hearts of the Beatles. So pure, so innocent, so timeless.
Queen
3/5
This is a tough one. I love Queen, and I know this is a major turning point for the band, but it just doesn't grab me like their other albums.
R.E.M.
3/5
R.E.M. has never held my attention on the whole - They had several songs that I find endearing, but the majority of their work just does not entertain.
Jamiroquai
4/5
Definitely one that I overlooked when it debuted. Good, solid acid jazz/funk.
John Grant
4/5
Really cool, under the radar album.
David Bowie
3/5
Not my favorite Bowie album, but it's a good one.
The Damned
3/5
precursors to horror/goth rock and highly influential. Still didn't impress me all that much.
Madness
4/5
While this album was never released in the states, several of the songs wound up on another one of their albums. This is a pivotal album in the Madness lineup, and is a heck of a lot of fun to boot.
The xx
2/5
Boring and completely forgettable.
Mariah Carey
2/5
I know Mariah Carey is fun to look at, and she's got an amazing vocal range, but this album just bored me to tears.
The Rolling Stones
2/5
While it has my second all-time favorite Stones song, the rest of the album is really forgettable.
Amy Winehouse
3/5
Bold and brassy, but not my cuppa.
Jane's Addiction
4/5
Jane's Addiction was a band that I had to warm up to when they first arrived on the scene, but they're now indispensable in my listening repertoire. True innovators of their time.
Minor Threat
4/5
Prime example of 80s Punk. Simple, raw, and over all too soon.
Goldfrapp
3/5
coming into this one, I wasn't expecting a lot, and fortunately, I was wrong. This is a beguiling little album that deserves a second listen.
LL Cool J
2/5
While LL Cool J is an extremely accomplished musician, I found this to be too commercial for my tastes.
Devendra Banhart
3/5
Fascinating little album that I enjoyed more than I probably should have. Folk undertones with some delicious menace woven through.
Guided By Voices
3/5
Really didn't impress me. Felt a lot like Sonic Youth or the like.
The Byrds
3/5
While not as famous as The Beatles or The Rolling Stones, The Byrds were just as important and influential.
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
2/5
No matter how much I try, I just cannot bring myself to like Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark.
Randy Newman
2/5
Normally, I enjoy Randy Newman, but this album is just a drag. It has one of the most uninspired, lifeless renditions of "You Can Leave Your Hat On" that I've ever heard.
The Cult
2/5
The Cult, while influential, has always felt like a tryhard band to me.
Sly & The Family Stone
3/5
I love Sly & the Family Stone, but this one just didn't hold my attention
5/5
One of the greatest (unhinged) albums ever released.
Roni Size
2/5
the 20th anniversary edition of New Forms is over 5 hours long. 5 hours of repetitive noise that changes every 5 to 12 minutes.
Definitely not my thing.
Hole
2/5
Hole (and more specifically, Courtney Love) was such a polarizing and controversial entity in 90s music. While she gave teeth to the Riot Grrrrl movement, I found her tiring.
Scott Walker
3/5
Another weird album that must be examined repeatedly to tease out any true meaning.
Slipknot
2/5
Never understood the appeal of Slipknot. Technically proficient, but just felt like another cookie-cutter hard rock band.
Jimmy Smith
3/5
bluesy jazz that I just could get to stick long enough.
Dennis Wilson
3/5
The Wilson brothers were an amazing force, but never really held my attention. This is right on par with their stuff.
Frankie Goes To Hollywood
3/5
I always knew Frankie Goes To Hollywood as a perennial one-hit wonder (Relax), but this was a surprisingly enjoyable album. Their cover of 'Born to Run' really impressed me.
Joe Ely
3/5
When you think of country, this is what it's supposed to sound like. Doesn't necessarily make it good, but this is what country is supposed to sound like.
CHVRCHES
2/5
Ugh. Uninteresting, dull, and I could barely keep awake to listen to this.
R.E.M.
2/5
Aside from one of their most iconic songs, this album was a bit of a snooze fest for me.
Pulp
2/5
Ugh. Boring, tedious, and so much edge you could cut a loose sheet of paper.
Blood, Sweat & Tears
3/5
Were they a Jazz band trying to pass as a pop rock outfit, or were they a rock band with horns? The world may never know.
Entertaining enough stuff though.
The Afghan Whigs
2/5
Never was impressed with the Afghan Whigs.
Siouxsie And The Banshees
3/5
Siouxsie and the Banshees is always intriguing.
Ray Price
3/5
You know when you watch movies where the story takes you into one of those old time western bars? This is the type of music that is playing in the background.
Mott The Hoople
3/5
I kept expecting this to be more than it was. Kind of a disappointment.
Fela Kuti
2/5
Political jazz that just didn't grab me.
Black Sabbath
5/5
With the passing of Ozzy Osbourne yesterday, this was especially poignant. Probably one of the most influential and important albums in the history of Western Music.
Aerosmith
5/5
Everybody has that first album that they bought with their own money that had an outsized influence on their life.
This was mine.
Soundgarden
4/5
Soundgarden's breakthrough album. Having cut my teeth on Badmotorfinger, I originally found this to be too polished and commercial to really enjoy, but my feelings have softened over the years. Incredible album and highly influential in 90s rock.
TV On The Radio
3/5
This was a weird, and slightly off-putting album. Might be worth a second listen after a bowl or two.
Radiohead
1/5
What's worse than listening to Radiohead? Thinking you've been listening to Radiohead for the past hour and thinking "man, even for Radiohead, this sucks!" and then discovering its a completely different band. Then the continuing disappointment that you still have to listen to Radiohead because your folks didn't raise a quitter.
Madonna
2/5
Ah, Madonna's autotune phase. While she was a massive force to be reckoned with in the 80s and 90s, by the turn of the century, she was comfortably settled into a niche that, while commercially successful on star power alone, really seemed to leave a lot to be desired.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
4/5
For the longest time, I thought that Ska and Rocksteady came from Reggae. Imagine my surprise when I learned it was the other way around.
Marley & The Wailers were an amazing band, and this is a good introduction to the genre.
Brian Wilson
2/5
Unless you're a Brian Wilson or Beach Boys fan, this is probably not going to be that impressive.
Public Image Ltd.
2/5
John Lydon has always been a bit of a prat. He's had some great albums, and some not so great albums. This is one of the later.
David Bowie
3/5
While I love Bowie's earlier works, and Heathen holds a special place in my heart, I just couldn't find the right frame of mind to truly enjoy this album, as haunting and emotional as it is.
Frank Sinatra
4/5
Ol' Blue Eyes doing what he does best in front of a microphone. The less said about what he did off stage, the better.
Beastie Boys
4/5
One of the Beastie Boys most accessible albums.
Adele
5/5
While not as powerful as '21', this is still a perfect example of Adele's power and appeal.
Sarah Vaughan
2/5
I'm sure that back in 1957, this was groundbreaking music, but almost 70 years later, it feels sort of torchlight desperation.
Beatles
5/5
In my opinion, this is better than Revolver, better than Sgt. Pepper's (although it's close), and better than the White Album. Peak Beatles.
The Offspring
3/5
Ehh, commercialized pop punk for the X generation. Biting commentary is blunted by a Madison Avenue undercurrent that I doubt The Offspring signed up for
Van Morrison
2/5
While Van Morrison has had some real bangers, for the most part, I find him tedious. Coupled with the fact that this is a live album, this was not a great experience for me.
Nitin Sawhney
3/5
mildly interesting electronic. Might be worth another look.
Cream
4/5
Cream is just a hint of what was to come with the band members. Some classic songs that stand the test of time can be found here.
The Thrills
2/5
This sounds like they're trying (way too hard) to be Neil Young and Crazy Horse, and failing miserably.
Chicago
3/5
The debut album hints at the amazing run Chicago ended up experiencing.
The Charlatans
3/5
This album deserves a second listen.
The Soft Boys
3/5
Pretty difficult to pin this one down.
Bad Company
4/5
A classic album that influenced much of my childhood. It might help explain why I turned out the way I did.
Joni Mitchell
3/5
Joni Mitchell's brand of quiet, contemplative resistance seems quaint and almost archaic in today's world. Still, it's a decent album.
Brian Eno
2/5
This album is not just Music for Airports, this would also work well as background music for a funeral parlor.
Neil Young
4/5
Neil Young was big in my life as a kid, and I love his music, but as time goes on, his voice really becomes less tolerable. There's still a lot of good stuff here, so I'd recommend giving it a listen.
Brian Eno
2/5
I get it. Brian Eno is a phenomenal sound engineer and producer. I just find his stuff boring.
Country Joe & The Fish
3/5
Much more interesting than the title lets on. I have my suspicions that this "Country Joe" is not a fish.
Incredible Bongo Band
3/5
This was definitely not on my radar in any way, shape, or form. That being said, it is an interesting and fun album. Hearing their cover of Iron Butterfly's In-A-Gadda-Davita should not be missed.
Kraftwerk
2/5
I don't really see the appeal in Kraftwerk outside of an artistic live venue show.
Napalm Death
2/5
The only thing more chaotic and disjointed than this album is the lineup for Napalm Death post 1986.
Beck
2/5
Beck has always been a bit of a letdown for me. I want to like his stuff, but it always seems a little too polished and commercial for what he presents.
Leftfield
2/5
Aside from "Burn Hollywood, Burn", this album is completely forgettable.
Khaled
3/5
There's just something about Middle Eastern music that brightens my mood. I don't know what it is, but I like it.
George Jones
3/5
This album was a lot like sex: kind of fun at times, but ultimately unimpressive, forgettable, and over way too soon.
The Lemonheads
2/5
What is there to say about The Lemonheads that isn't really, really, mean? They were host to a bunch of musicians that went on to better things. I don't know. I find the music to be mostly insufferable.
Thelonious Monk
3/5
I want to enjoy Thelonious more, but I just couldn't vibe with this one.
TV On The Radio
2/5
Didn't care for this one as much as I did "Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes". This sounds kind of like OK GO if OK GO came from Temu.
Antony and the Johnsons
3/5
It's a well executed album, but it just doesn't hold a lot of appeal for me.
Tracy Chapman
5/5
I love Tracy Chapman, and her music just blows me away.
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
Springsteen is always kind of a mixed bag. Love the messaging, but the delivery sometimes falls flat.
Talk Talk
3/5
Talk Talk feels like the spiritual successor to Morrissey.
Take that as you will.
Kings of Leon
2/5
Another band that was beloved by many that I just can't groove to.
The Black Keys
3/5
The Black Keys is another one of those bands that I want to like, but I just can't catch their groove.
Shack
3/5
Kinda hipster-ish turn of the century alt britpop that starts out ok, and then wears out its welcome.
Dinosaur Jr.
3/5
The godfathers of modern noise rock. If you dig The Pixies, you'll like this.
Stevie Wonder
3/5
Some good soul jams on here.
The Byrds
3/5
I don't know what I was expecting going into this, but The Byrds doing "traditional" country was not on my bingo card.
The Vines
2/5
The Vines hit it big in the momentary zeitgeist that fortuitously swung their direction. Aside from that, there's not much here.
Paul McCartney
3/5
This one feels like MacCartney was still trying to figure out the whole solo thing. It's a decent album, but nothing really wowed me.
Gene Clark
3/5
Decent folk rock album.
Caetano Veloso
3/5
Interesting example of Tropicália mixed with Música Popular Brasileira.
David Holmes
2/5
unimpressive, run of the mill electronic.
Weather Report
3/5
Reminds me of similar jazz bands that followed in Weather Report's footsteps. This is decent stuff.
Prince
5/5
One of Prince's seminal albums. Classic in every sense of the word.
Bee Gees
2/5
I guess I'll never understand the appeal of the Bee Gees. I just don't get it.
Ozomatli
4/5
This one really took my breath away. Definitely worth a listen.
Bert Jansch
2/5
I can't tell you a single thing about this album aside from I found it very boring.
White Denim
3/5
This felt like an attempt at 60s rock that at times succeeded, but all in all, not an interesting album.
Scritti Politti
3/5
If you ever wanted to know what the mid 80s sounded like, have I got an album for you!