1001 Albums Summary

Listening statistics & highlights

Contributor
309
Albums Rated
3.48
Average Rating
28%
Complete
780 albums remaining

Rating Distribution

Rating Timeline

Taste Profile

1950
Favorite Decade
Metal
Favorite Genre
Other
Top Origin ?
Wordsmith
Rater Style ?
44
5-Star Albums
0
1-Star Albums

Breakdown

By Genre

Tap a bar to see the albums behind it

Top Styles

Tap a bar to see the albums behind it

By Decade

By Origin

Albums

You Love More Than Most

AlbumYouGlobalDiff
Street Signs
Ozomatli
5 2.88 +2.12
Larks' Tongues In Aspic
King Crimson
5 2.99 +2.01
Nothing's Shocking
Jane's Addiction
5 3.17 +1.83
Vespertine
Björk
5 3.18 +1.82
The Slim Shady LP
Eminem
5 3.27 +1.73
Achtung Baby
U2
5 3.29 +1.71
The Chronic
Dr. Dre
5 3.3 +1.7
Ready To Die
The Notorious B.I.G.
5 3.36 +1.64
Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs
Derek & The Dominos
5 3.38 +1.62
Hail To the Thief
Radiohead
5 3.45 +1.55

You Love Less Than Most

AlbumYouGlobalDiff
Five Leaves Left
Nick Drake
2 3.46 -1.46
Never Mind The Bollocks, Here’s The Sex Pistols
Sex Pistols
2 3.44 -1.44
Aqualung
Jethro Tull
2 3.43 -1.43
Different Class
Pulp
2 3.42 -1.42
Odessey And Oracle
The Zombies
2 3.41 -1.41
The Fat Of The Land
The Prodigy
2 3.4 -1.4
Red Headed Stranger
Willie Nelson
2 3.34 -1.34
British Steel
Judas Priest
2 3.29 -1.29
The Stooges
The Stooges
2 3.26 -1.26
Mr. Tambourine Man
The Byrds
2 3.22 -1.22

Artists

Favorites

Tap an artist to see their albums

ArtistAlbumsAverage
Led Zeppelin 5 5
Radiohead 4 5
Miles Davis 4 4.5
Stevie Wonder 3 4.67
AC/DC 2 5
U2 2 5
Black Sabbath 3 4.33

5-Star Albums (44)

View Album Wall

Popular Reviews

Moving Pictures by Rush

So many hits! What a treat! Everybody in the band was at the top of their game for this album. Prog rock doesn’t get much better.

Led Zeppelin II by Led Zeppelin

One of my favorites by the band. Page is still developing his sound on the guitar, which is going to peak on the next 4 albums, and he is beginning to show his abilities as a producer. Great playing by all involved. Virtuosic without pretense.

Birth Of The Cool by Miles Davis

A masterclass in jazz improvisation. Amazing tone and playing by all of the musicians involved. These tunes are still played regularly to this day by jazzers.

Machine Gun Etiquette by The Damned

Heavy punk, a little bit more polished and poppy than I think the band intended it to be. Better musicianship than I typically associate with punk from this era, the guitar player sounded like he knew more about how to play the guitar than he should have to be a part of this band. This will definitely be both my first and last time listening to this album.

Street Signs by Ozomatli

Very cool hybrid of Latin, Rock, Hip Hop, and Middle Eastern sounds. Worth a spin in the future for sure. Strong vocals, and big rock guitars. Very catchy songwriting with some very memorable and singable choruses. I’ve listened to the album 3 times which is very unusual for me with this challenge.

All Ratings (309)

Highway 61 Revisited by Bob Dylan
Aug 19 2022

From before my generation. I knew the opening track which hooked my from the beginning. Good stereo separation for an album I don't know. Was my first album from this project. I am not used to listening to something not recorded with a click track lol! It is very interesting to listen to a legend that I know nothing about. The whistley noise in Highway 61 is something that you don't hear to often, with the exception of Van Halen 1. The out of tune instruments take some getting used to for sure.

The Cars by The Cars
Aug 22 2022

Synth heavy! A precursor to what was going to come in the decade we all know very well for too too much extra excess. The vocals sound really far back with synths front and center. A lot of pop with some punk and too much treble on the very bright but confidently played guitar. Lack of reverb is noticeable but makes each instrument easily identifiable in the mix.

Deloused in the Comatorium by The Mars Volta
Aug 23 2022

Heavier than what I usually listen to. Great voice on singer, can be so gentle then so strong. Band reminds me of something that I can’t put my finger on, but it is also a style that I don't listen to too much. Very math rock and prog, like heavier Porcupine Tree. First tune definitely hooked me.

Jazz Samba by Stan Getz
Aug 24 2022

Nice intro to Bossa Nova. I think that the title is a misnomer. The 2nd track, which is the only one that is not a cover, is kind of cheesy, in a Benny Hill sort of way. Solid playing, it is a bit unusual to hear a bright electric guitar in this setting instead of the duller, lower tone playing is usually common with this type of playing. Bright tempi for all tracks, faster than I play them. This album is making me reassess my tone choices for jazz, although I do typically play with a lower tone setting than what is on this album. Even though Desafinado and One Note Samba were the only tunes that were familiar to me, the general vibe of the album was familiar.

Sign 'O' The Times by Prince
Aug 25 2022

Great album that I was not at all familiar with. Prince's guitar tones seem to have never changed throughout his career, thanks to his consistent use of BOSS pedals. Solid, confident, aggressive playing throughout, by a new group that was not The Revolution. This is after Purple Rain, it was very noticeable that there were far fewer hits (none) on this album than on Purple Rain. This album is definitely more raw and has less synth than what he did in the past and what most people typically associate with the 80's.

Raising Hell by Run-D.M.C.
Aug 26 2022

Fun classic hip hop. Has strong Beastie Boys vibe with regards to instrumentation and rapping style. Hints of the rock/rap collaborations that would take place in the future weee evident on this album.

In The Wee Small Hours by Frank Sinatra
Aug 27 2022

Soothing, warm, welcoming voice. This is the first album by him that I have ever listened to. Playing and instrumentation reminds me of old Disney movies as well as any movie or TV show from the 50s. Considered to be one of the first concept albums, which I enjoy, especially The Wall of course.

Ctrl by SZA
Aug 28 2022

Great combo of hip hop beats, and good pop/rock playing. The language is authentic but may turn some people off from this album. She is an amazing talent and more people should know about her.

Songs In The Key Of Life by Stevie Wonder
Aug 29 2022

I was really looking forward to listening to this album. Started slower than I expected, I’m used to big strong songs opening an album. Tons of hits that I recognized. Some of the tunes were longer than I expected with more extended jams than are typical these days. The fusion tunes were a surprise. The variety of styles was a surprise as well. I look forward to exploring more SW in the future.

Either Or by Elliott Smith
Aug 30 2022

Reminds me of acoustic Nirvana. Nice unpredictable key changes and melodies with interesting twists with out being unlistenable for a pop listener. Great music that is an approachable accessible combo between sad, happy, and confused. Nice contrast between his gentle voice and then pain you know that he experienced in his life.

Songs Of Leonard Cohen by Leonard Cohen
Aug 31 2022

Dark mood and sound. Nice 70’s indie pop style. Long songs with many verses that tell stories. Interesting chord progressions that meander in and out of different keys in an unpredictable way. Calming and soothing like Sufjan’s acoustic tunes.

Electric Prunes by The Electric Prunes
Sep 01 2022

Average 60s hippy pop with fuzzy guitars, lots of reverb. Psychedelic. Tremolo on guitars. Style is familiar sounding from old movies and tv shows, but I am no at all well versed in 60s psychedelic pop rock.

Pretzel Logic by Steely Dan
Sep 02 2022

Fun music! Awesome guitar playing with great tone, pop melodies with complex jazz harmonies. Enjoyable if you like pop or jazz. Lots of deep cuts. Creative orchestration dependent on piano.

Parallel Lines by Blondie
Sep 03 2022

Fun party pop punk pop lite. This album has a dark edge with contrasts of hope and light. Guitar is much heavier and distorted than I would have expected. Many surprises on this album. Hints of 50s pop and show tunes can be heard in some tracks.

...And Justice For All by Metallica
Sep 04 2022

Dry mix that is well known for having bass guitar, but not bass drums, way too low in the mix, aggressive but catchy songs, part of the end of the MTV generation of metal and rock music being as popular is hip hop is in the 2020s. Tight, scooped mid guitar tones. I had never realized how good of an album this was, but I definitely like Master of Puppets much more for both tunes and recording style. This album could use more bass and a touch of reverb, but the lack of reverb helps to showcase the virtuosity they had on this album by making the mix far less muddy. This genre appealed to me much more when I was a teen. I didn’t give this album as much of a chance when it came out as I should have.

Antichrist Superstar by Marilyn Manson
Sep 05 2022

Angry dark album. Supposed to mark the end of the fun and all too brief grunge era. Recording marred by excessive drug use and guitar player quoting during session. The distorted vocals add a nice edge to the dark. Great guitar playing and use of feedback as an effect. Super crunchy guitars that are very prominent in the mix. The cover art, dissonance, and horror like mood of this album would have been nightmare fuel for me as a kid.

At Newport 1960 by Muddy Waters
Sep 06 2022

Traditional electric blues instrumentation. Was a big influence on many electric blues on rock players. Traditional yet super clean. I love how in blues tunes they talk about their problems, but they don’t usually ever get resolved. Makes for an easier tune to write for sure. Will listen to more Muddy Waters in the future for sure.

Surf's Up by The Beach Boys
Sep 07 2022

Something is missing compared to the classic hits by The Beach Boys that I know so well and I can’t put my finger on what it is. It still has the tight and unpredictable harmonies that The Beach Boys are known for.

Sep 08 2022

Reminds me of early Weezer with untuned guitars and Peavey practice amps for the guitar distortion. Loose, jammy tunes with wandering tempi making for a very live performance recorded in the studio sound. With no click track feel. I will check out more of this band in the future. They have an interesting sound that I am not familiar with, reminds of early Indie Rock.

Sep 09 2022

Amazingly clear vocals that really cut through the live mix. Excellent right band that really starts grove by the end of the opening tune. You can hear how good he would have been as a performer just from the vocals. Guitar is clearer than typical for this era, especially for a live recording.

The Queen Is Dead by The Smiths
Sep 10 2022

Nice 1980s New Wave sound, darker than a lot of the other pop that was in the radio at the time. Has strong Cure vibes. Very listenable and pleasant even on the first listen.

Orbital 2 by Orbital
Sep 11 2022

Old school electronic from before I had ever heard electronic music. Less monotonous then current electronic music for sure. My ear needs to hear changes for this type of music to keep me interested, and for the most part, this album supplies that interest, even if it is just one instrument changing, providing a bit of ebb and flow in a sea of sameness.

Hot Fuss by The Killers
Sep 12 2022

Great album! Super energetic, clear lightly crunchy bass tone, retro 80s sound while not sounding dated. Vocals are an unusual but very listenable style. Good hooks. Will listen to more Killers in the future. Nice guitar tones that rock without being overly distorted.

Bluesbreakers by John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers
Sep 13 2022

Great guitar playing on this British interpretation of American Blues that was a part of a movement in the 60s that went on to become a heavy influence on guitar playing at the time and to this day. Very listenable album that will be a big part of my rotation going forward, this album is a keeper for sure. I don’t know Clapton as well as I should, but this has some early Zep vibes for me for sure.

Seventh Tree by Goldfrapp
Sep 14 2022

Hooked from the first tune. I’m surprised I’ve never heard of this artist. Sufjan meets Enya meets Pink Floyd, hints of The Beach Boys and the Beatles, with a little bit of indie edge sprinkled in. Pleasing reverby vocals, synths from every era, cool key changes.

Manassas by Stephen Stills
Sep 15 2022

Great old school classic rock. Nice slide playing, traditional song structures, unfamiliar songs with a familiar vocalist from his other projects.

The Renaissance by Q-Tip
Sep 16 2022

Very funky, nice mix of rap and jazzy funky pop with jazzy pano chords and prominently features effect laden guitars, which for me makes for the most listener friendly rap. Light use of samples make for an authentic yet accessible album.

B-52's by The B-52's
Sep 17 2022

Interesting tones that are definitely dated. Album intro definitely longer than any than I can remember with vocals coming in super late. Super fun tunes with guitars high in the mix. Strong show tune vibes are ever present. The back up vocals add a ton to the texture. I would love to see these guys live for sure.

Triangle by The Beau Brummels
Sep 18 2022

Definitely not my cup of tea. Very clear Medieval Manor vibes on this album. Probably one of the picks that may have been big in England but never caught on in the US that some people have mentioned in reviews of the book. Sounds like movie/tv/musical theater tunes from the 70s.

Queen II by Queen
Sep 19 2022

Awesome guitars played with reckless abandon while being conscious of making listenable melodies instead of carpet bombing us with notes. Retro synths galore! And of course, Freddie Mercury. Amazing and big vocal harmonies and creative, unpredictable chord progressions. Makes me want to listen to more Queen, I only know the hits. Hints or Beach Boys, and reminds me more than a bit of Radiohead even though they are very different and from different eras. The drums would sound great a bit bigger and with more modern production, but it is similar to the production of other albums of the era. This, and some of the songwriting sound experimental and dated, but nothing else sounds like Queen, and they were definitely trendsetters.

Zombie by Fela Kuti
Sep 20 2022

Very cool mix of Latin and African rhythms, and Jazz. Reminds me of something I would hear at the International stage at Montreal Jazz Fest. Definitely very cool, and I will revisit this album in the future.

Pink Moon by Nick Drake
Sep 21 2022

Great use of open tunings on the guitar. Nice calm vocals, does not at all sound dated or like it is from the seventies. Piano adds nice color to the mix. Has a Sufjan Stevens or Elliot Smith type vibe to it that I really like.

Chelsea Girl by Nico
Sep 22 2022

Nice acoustic style guitar playing on what sounds like a hollow body guitar. Nico’s voice is too deep for my liking on first listen. String arranging reminds me of Eleanor Rigby. Nico didn’t like the strings and flute in her recordings, and i don’t blame her one bit. The songs would be much cleaner without the strings. The album grew on me as it progressed, I got more and more used to her style by the middle of the album. Interesting uses of electric guitar that I had never heard before were present in a few tracks.

Blue Lines by Massive Attack
Sep 23 2022

Cool mix of Enigma, Chaka Khan, Sade, and SiSe. Easy to listen to from the first play. I enjoyed hearing different singers on different tracks.

NEU! 75 by Neu!
Sep 24 2022

Sounds like it was recorded when synths were tens of thousands of dollars. Definite Epcot Center or Boston Museum of Science Commercial vibes to the synth patches. Much too dated sounding to become a part of my regular rotation.

On The Beach by Neil Young
Sep 25 2022

Chill summer classic rock. This my first time listening to one of his albums front to back. Solid playing and vocals.

Vol. 4 by Black Sabbath
Sep 26 2022

Great album that I have never listened to, I’ve only heard their hits. Solid power chord driven rock with intricate bass lines. Many of the e bands I enjoy listen to list them as an influence, so will give more of their albums a listen for sure.

The Visitors by ABBA
Sep 27 2022

Surprisingly sophisticated playing. Awesome vocals and production. Nice synth sounds that are retro but sound like they were ahead of their time when this album came out in 1981. Definite musical theater vibes from this album.

Sep 28 2022

Decent old 80s new wave. Very creative, maybe to creative for more radio airplay back in the day. New and familiar at the same time because of the genre that I grew up listening to. The instrumental was a nice surprise. It reminds me of a tune I might hear in a dance club scene in a movie like Scarface.

Sep 29 2022

Not the Genesis I thought i knew from the 80s. This album doesn’t do much for me. Pink Floyd meets musical theater meets sleep depravation. Amazing musicianship for sure though.

Back In Black by AC/DC
Sep 30 2022

Arena rock at its best, cars and girls accompanied by Gibsons and Marshall stacks. Well crafted songs, amazing solos, and vocals that are instantly recognizable.

Heartattack And Vine by Tom Waits
Oct 01 2022

Strong Sopranos soundtrack and Springsteen vibes, but without all of the hookiness. Simple bluesy instrumentation, dark and sad vocals. Worth another listen for sure, but will not be put into my regular rotation. This is my first experience listening to Tom Waits.

Nowhere by Ride
Oct 02 2022

Interesting combo of big fuzzy guitars and 60s style song writing and drum playing. Will give another listen in the future for sure.

Green Onions by Booker T. & The MG's
Oct 03 2022

Fun old school music. Sound like organ trio jazz but far bluesier and poppy. I could listen to this album a thousand times, will be in my rotation for sure. Clear guitar but not offensively loud.

Modern Kosmology by Jane Weaver
Oct 04 2022

Lush vocals, wish I had hear of this artist before, great energy. Retro but not too retro indie synth pop.

Something/Anything? by Todd Rundgren
Oct 08 2022

Pleasant 70’s easy listening. Decent songs, album, and playing, but it won’t stay in my regular rotation.

Oct 09 2022

Interesting tunes, genre I am totally unfamiliar with. Creative use of dissonance in a lot of the songs on guitar. Reminds me of The Police. From my favorite era, yet I only know the biggest hits.

Miriam Makeba by Miriam Makeba
Oct 10 2022

Calming, island/African sound, jazzy tunes. All of the songs are quite short. Great album to listen to if you are cooking breakfast on a Sunday morning. I definitely will give this album a listen again in the future.

Aqualung by Jethro Tull
Oct 11 2022

Great playing, but has an extremely dated and out of style vibe to it. Amazing musicianship for sure. The fact that these guys beat out Metallica for best heavy metal album in 1989? leaves a very bad taste in my mouth for this band.

Being There by Wilco
Oct 12 2022

Eclectic mix of sounds. Started very loud and aggressive, yet the vocals had a big contrast with the guitars. Indie feel to the album, just indie enough to not be pop, but definitely has some of the songwriting hallmarks of pop. Great album that will go into my rotation in the future, this is my first time listening to this band, but I have heard of them before.

The Stooges by The Stooges
Nov 27 2022

Opening track was frightening compared to what I usually thought of as music from the 60's. More distorted than what I am typically used to from that time period. Loud, aggressive, early version of what I consider punk.

Nov 28 2022

This album is a masterpiece. Hit after a hit, and The Edge wrote the textbook on using delay on his guitars. Great songwriting, great hooks on all of the tunes. Definitely an album that you can play front to back without any filler material. Super tight and accurate playing by the entire band.

Machine Gun Etiquette by The Damned
Nov 29 2022

Heavy punk, a little bit more polished and poppy than I think the band intended it to be. Better musicianship than I typically associate with punk from this era, the guitar player sounded like he knew more about how to play the guitar than he should have to be a part of this band. This will definitely be both my first and last time listening to this album.

New York Dolls by New York Dolls
Nov 30 2022

I never listened to this band, and I see know how I always heard about them being a big influence on 80’s hair metal. Very similar stylistically to Crue and Poison in the way the songs are written and the playing style of the guitar. This album definitely has more of a punk edge to it though than the bands that they influenced.

Fetch The Bolt Cutters by Fiona Apple
Dec 01 2022

Soul baring and honest album. The piano is almost used as a weapon. Nothing is held back in the playing or the lyric writing. Amazing template on writing from the heart. She is my age, so it is interesting to hear her view of the world on how it is similar and different from mine.

Five Leaves Left by Nick Drake
Dec 02 2022

Uneventful acoustic 70's rock with a bluesy jazzy edge.

Solid Air by John Martyn
Dec 03 2022

Nice vibe, but kind of boring. Vocals a tad high in the mix. Decent 70’s acoustic singer-songwriter tunes.

Locust Abortion Technician by Butthole Surfers
Dec 04 2022

Reminds me of listening to King Diamond when I was a kid, which both scared and intrigued me. This album would definitely scare most religious parents. Drug and horror movies and comics definitely contributed to the writing of this album. But it is nostalgic nonetheless! I will give the rest of their catalog a listen for sure!

Dec 13 2022

Great 90's vibe to this album. Super aggressive vocals, yet with cool harmonies and melodies. I recognized a handful of the tunes from the radio. I miss the angry angsty woman tunes of the 90's.

Low by David Bowie
Dec 14 2022

Interesting listen for my first listen of a Bowie album. Synths typical of the era, or a bit before their time. Unusual choice to put an instrumental at the front of the album.

Le Tigre by Le Tigre
Dec 15 2022

Super fun and lively, but not the best album to listen to while relaxing. Abrasive in a fun and punky way. Will listen to it again for sure.

Dec 16 2022

Awesome predecessor to old school West Coast Gangster Rap. Jazzy backing tracks with heavy synth drums. The Beatles sample caught me off guard. Simultaneously unfamiliar and nostalgic album.

Play by Moby
Dec 17 2022

Great vibes, great accessible electronic music with electric guitar. Would love the album if it wasn’t attached to a negative time in my life. Will give other Moby a listen for sure. Super chill, but you can tap your foot to it.

Led Zeppelin III by Led Zeppelin
Dec 18 2022

Great mix of electric and acoustic. Perfect playing by all involved. Guitar heavy in a perfect way. First four albums really show them developing and improving on their influences.

Darkness on the Edge of Town by Bruce Springsteen
Dec 19 2022

Fun arena rock lite typical of Bruce. Guitar tones are a bit abrasive and high in the mix for the genre. Nice mix of intensity levels on the tunes. Nothing was tough to listen to, the entire album had a nice listenable and nostalgic vibe.

Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots by The Flaming Lips
Dec 20 2022

Fun and very listenable album, was only familiar with the title track. Nice textures with the unusual instrument choices and cool synth sounds. Radiohead vibes with more pop hooks. Very creative all around, and will get more listens in the future for sure.

Beggars Banquet by The Rolling Stones
Dec 21 2022

Interesting first listen of a Stones album front to back. Hard to think that back in the day the were competing with the Beatles, this seems very different from the Beatles. Much closer to Zep. Fun poppy but bluesy tunes. Mix typical of 60's-70's rock and pop.

Nothing's Shocking by Jane's Addiction
Dec 22 2022

Solid album. My introduction to alternative and without realizing it at the time. Huge guitars, great effects and tones in all the vocals and guitars. Nice mix of Pink Floyd, 80’s hair metal, and what was to come with the grunge era.

Come Find Yourself by Fun Lovin' Criminals
Dec 23 2022

Very fun combination of hip hop, humor, and rock guitars. Less music samples than is typical of the genre. Has a definite Cypress Hill/Sublime/mid 90s vibe to it. Will give this album another spin in the future for sure.

Boston by Boston
Dec 24 2022

Perfect. Perfect lead vocals, harmonies, arena-ready guitar playing, mix, lyrics, peaks and valleys, it’s all here in this album. The acoustic guitar really contributes to this in this album. Like many, (but not all) debut albums, it’s hard to peat this one.

Neon Bible by Arcade Fire
Dec 25 2022

Springsteen and War on Drugs vibes. Thick, plush instrumentation. Catchy singable dark arena rock tunes. Will get more listens in the future. Great combo of arena rock bangers and indie sensibilities. Not as strong of an album as “The Suburbs”, which is definitely more hooky, but I will definitely give this album more spins in the future.

Dec 26 2022

Definitely super fun album and nostalgic for anyone who is over 45 in 2022. I was kind of mad when I saw this on the list, but it was quite ok in the narrow retro girl band holiday songs produced by a murderer genre.

Odessey And Oracle by The Zombies
Dec 27 2022

Sounds like a mix of the Monkees, The Beach Boys, and Pink Floyd. Not my cup of tea, but cool and unpredictable chord progressions in most tunes that kept my attention, sort of.

Kid A by Radiohead
Dec 28 2022

Love how this band is always reinventing themselves. Nothing is of limits. Unpredictable as an album and a band. Love everything about it. Always staying the same by always changing.

Seventeen Seconds by The Cure
Dec 29 2022

Instrumental opener, seems to be a theme among some of these albums. Synth pop/alternative at its finest. Tinges of punk as well. Such delicate vocals by the singer that do a great job of reeling in the listener to the story. Song structures atypical of 80s radio pop. Familiar guitar tones. No musicians stand out as a virtuoso, this album is more about mood than playing out individually. Somber, melancholy. Mix is amateurish, vocals very low on some tunes.

Foxbase Alpha by Saint Etienne
Dec 30 2022

Fun indie pop with a rock edge. Tinges of dance music as well. Fun catchy song writing. Hints of electronic music as well.

In Rainbows by Radiohead
Dec 31 2022

Awesome tones on all the instruments, listenable but strange, ai love how every album sounds so different from the last, they are constantly reinventing themselves. Perfect combo of optimism, despair, and sadness. Amazing songwriting as usual.

Buena Vista Social Club by Buena Vista Social Club
Jan 01 2023

Amazing album. I love the history behind the band. Amazing playing, flawless rhythms, so much great dissonance, Latin rhythms… I could go on forever about this album. A masterclass in Latin musicianship.

Different Class by Pulp
Jan 02 2023

Sounds 20 years older than it is. So mixed between genres. Too stuck in the 70s and 80s for my liking.

Green River by Creedence Clearwater Revival
Jan 03 2023

Nostalgic album from friends that have listened to this band during my life. Catchy songwriting, easy to play tunes for musicians, yet super listenable.

Music From Big Pink by The Band
Jan 04 2023

Nice classic rock album. Was familiar with The Weight and Long Black Veil. Having only been familiar with the “Last Waltz” album before listening to this, the style and instrumentation was still very familiar because of my experience listening to that album.

Run-D.M.C. by Run-D.M.C.
Jan 05 2023

Amazing old school hip hop from what it was just starting to gain national attention. Surprising prevalence of guitar that I never picked up on when I first heard many of these tunes as a kid. Slow rhymes, lack of profanIty was very noticeable considering how prevalent it became when gangsta rap first hit the scene.

High Violet by The National
Jan 06 2023

Down tempo indie rock, pretty depressing, definitely my cup of tea. Keys are heavy in the mix, while guitars are way in the back. Unusually sparse drums for the genre that really add to the songs. This band will definitely be in my rotation going forward.

Achtung Baby by U2
Jan 07 2023

Amazing album. This band is always putting out great, powerful, relevant, creative music. Much like Radiohead, they are constantly reinventing themselves. One of the most creative guitar/vocal combos in popular music, and the bass and drums are always flawless both live and in the studio.

Born In The U.S.A. by Bruce Springsteen
Jan 08 2023

Classic album, was cool hearing how many songs on this album went on to stand the test of time. Super unique grit to Bruce’s voice that can be aggressive or gentle. Some of the songs had a surprisingly strong 50’s sound to the vibe and instrumentation. All around solid album, I now want to explore i more of Bruce’s albums going forward.

I'm Your Man by Leonard Cohen
Jan 09 2023

Very mellow, reminds me of something that would play during the credits during The Sopranos. Definitely an acquired taste. Relaxing. Very strange vocals, but I guess that’s what he’s known for.

Younger Than Yesterday by The Byrds
Jan 10 2023

Diverse group of 60s pop tunes that remind me of the Monkees. Typical pop instrumentation, great vocals, but overall kind of bland.

Fever Ray by Fever Ray
Jan 11 2023

interesting electronic indie pop with vocals, predictable, easy to listen to, not super adventurous or interesting, but very easy to listen to. Very dark, minor, bassy sound to all of the tunes on the album.

Out Of The Blue by Electric Light Orchestra
Jan 13 2023

Lush orchestration. Interesting songs. I’m not familiar with the band but they sound like they influenced or were influenced by artists I’m familiar with like The Beach Boys, The Beatles, Queen, and Radiohead. Will give this another spin in the future for sure. Amazing high quality singing and playing.

xx by The xx
Jan 14 2023

Awesome indie rock album. The mix of male and female vocals is unusual and refreshing in the genre. Great synths mixed with crystal-clear guitars. Super listenable album that has some tracks that I've heard on the Sirius XMU radio station.

The Next Day by David Bowie
Jan 15 2023

Eclectic mix of styles, from jazz to prog to radio pop rock. Amazing guitar tones and vocals, and unexpected chord progressions and vocal harmonies.

2112 by Rush
Jan 16 2023

Amazing playing, quite a few hits, super creative early prog rock.

Music for the Masses by Depeche Mode
Jan 17 2023

Chill, downtempo synth pop reminiscent of The Cure. Makes me want to watch crime dramas set in the 80’s. Hypnotic and repetitive.

The Low End Theory by A Tribe Called Quest
Jan 18 2023

Awesome hybrid of jazz instrumentation with late old school rap, making it a great listen for people who are into either of those genres.

Let's Stay Together by Al Green
Jan 19 2023

Amazing vocals. Great songwriting that keeps you mellow throughout . . . nostalgic for me as a child of the 80s. Similar to alot of what I heard on the radio during my childhood. All of the instruments are clear and easy to hear, not at all overproduced.

Hot Buttered Soul by Isaac Hayes
Jan 20 2023

Pleasing old school soul, fuzzy guitars, strings, and wah make this album super fun to listen to. Hypnotic, very cool old school use of stereo makes the band sound like it is swirling around you as you are listening.

Slippery When Wet by Bon Jovi
Jan 21 2023

Surprising number of hits on this album. Stereotypical 80’s lite metal sound, which is not intended to be negative. Memorable rock anthem, great writing, playing, and performing. I remember this album being very popular when it came out.

Olympia 64 by Jacques Brel
Jan 23 2023

Old school style that I am completely unfamiliar with. Pleasant enough tunes that would be fun to listen to while cooking dinner or having a candle lit dinner in the city.

Ten by Pearl Jam
Jan 24 2023

Amazing early pop grunge. Hints of 80’s production with a completely different style from the 80’s. Super high energy, refreshing non conventional song forms that are reminiscent of jam bands at times. Very bluesy guitar parts, great mix of strat and Les Paul sounds that are complimentary and don’t clash in the mix. Big guitars are clear and not muddy or overbearing.

Destroyer by KISS
Jan 25 2023

Fun 70's dad rock, solid songwriting, great bluesy guitar solos, and more hits than I would have expected on any one Kiss record. I am only familiar with the radio hits.

Jan 26 2023

Early 80s retro synth heavy. Stereotypical of the style that I remember being referred to as “New Wave” when I was a kid in the 80’s. Heavy reverb, drum machines, theremin, and lack of guitar is also reminiscent of a lot of radio pop during the 80’s. Use of clarinet and unusual percussion instruments caught me off guard when listening to this album.

Fuzzy Logic by Super Furry Animals
Jan 27 2023

Fun pop rock that sounds like a combo of 90s alt, The Beatles, and STP. Easy and fun melodic and catchy band that I will listen to in the future for sure.

Buffalo Springfield Again by Buffalo Springfield
Jan 28 2023

Great acoustic folk rock album, I had no idea that they were as funky as they got in “Good Time Boy”. Wonderful vocal harmonies throughout the album, along with great old school fuzz on the electric guitars and crisp, clean acoustic guitars and organ that complement each other perfectly.

Peggy Suicide by Julian Cope
Jun 21 2023

Definite early indie/alternative vibe. Could have come from anywhere from the late 90's to today. Great rock instrumentation and playing. Reminds me quite a bit of Jane's Addiction playing and song-wise minus the vocals and with the addition of keys on many tunes. Sounds like something that would be playing in the background at Adrianna's night club or the Bada Bing in the Sopranos.

Bayou Country by Creedence Clearwater Revival
Jun 22 2023

A handful of classics that I was already familiar with, which made it a much easier listen than I expected it would be. Super accessible combo of jammy poppy bluesy 60s music.

Meat Is Murder by The Smiths
Jun 23 2023

Catchy album for sure. Reminds me of The Cure but happier. Doesn’t sound typical of mid 80s radio pop. Nice chorusy electric guitars, driving drums, and crisp acoustic guitars with vocals reminiscent of Robert Smith of The Cure.

Disintegration by The Cure
Jun 24 2023

Amazing collection of early emo/synth pop. Instruments create a consistent mood throughout the album. Whispers of 80s pop apparent throughout, with more darkness and hopelessness.

Unhalfbricking by Fairport Convention
Jun 25 2023

Definite 60s vibe. Calming vocals. The non-aggressive use of the electric guitars was something I haven’t heard on many albums. Definitely has a jam band feel that is still popular to this day. Very diverse instrumentation with the dynamics constantly rising and sinking like a living being.

1999 by Prince
Jun 26 2023

Great album that starts with some great hits. Very 80s aesthetic, sounds, and vibe.

Abraxas by Santana
Aug 22 2024

Familiar style and tone right from the opening track, which had Santana’s signature sound right away. Two tracks were already known to me as staples of classic rock radio during my teens. I will be giving more Santana a listen in the future for sure after hearing this album.

Group Sex by Circle Jerks
Aug 23 2024

Shortest album ever! Fun and aggressive and silly punk album, a genre that I am not very familiar with. Reminds of a less melodic and slightly faster and angrier version of Green Day.

Moving Pictures by Rush
Aug 24 2024

So many hits! What a treat! Everybody in the band was at the top of their game for this album. Prog rock doesn’t get much better.

In A Silent Way by Miles Davis
Aug 25 2024

Definitely more experimental than Kind of Blue, but still easy to listen to even on a first listen. So great to hear so much guitar on the extended improvs on this album. Highly recommended to any fusion fans.

Little Earthquakes by Tori Amos
Aug 26 2024

Alanis without guitar. The melodies are a little tougher to get on an early listen than Alanis, but your efforts will be rewarded. If you are a Fiona Apple fan, I highly recommend giving Tori a listen.

Blur by Blur
Aug 27 2024

Great guitar driven indie rock album. Awesome and catchy vocals, playing, and songwriting. Interesting and strange guitar and keys parts that sound phenomenal even when they are dissonant. I’m surprised that the only song that got big from them was Song 2, they deserved a bigger following than they had for sure.

Scott 4 by Scott Walker
Aug 28 2024

Nostalgic 60s/70s acoustic with strings vive for the entire album. Nice for fans of acoustic music from that time period.

Pump by Aerosmith
Aug 29 2024

Well polished album by classic arena rockers that combines tight playing, catchy pop melodies and songwriting, radio hits, and an aggressive sound that is even parts pop and sleazy guitar driven rock and roll.

Mr. Tambourine Man by The Byrds
Aug 30 2024

Cool 12 string intros to many songs. A bit droney for my tastes. Decent vocal harmonies, which always add to the quality of a tune or album for me.

Coat Of Many Colors by Dolly Parton
Aug 31 2024

Relaxing old school country. Old fashioned sounding recording.

Tago Mago by Can
Sep 01 2024

Meandering psychedelic early 70’s jam band folk indie rock.

Africa Brasil by Jorge Ben Jor
Sep 02 2024

Cool combo of pop funk and blues sounds and instrumentation. Very catchy and easy to listen to.

All Directions by The Temptations
Sep 03 2024

Much darker and funkier than I anticipated before listening. Great vocal harmonies and falsetto. Very live quality to the sound of the recording. The strings give the album a definite and obvious 70’s feel.

The Rise & Fall by Madness
Sep 04 2024

Quirky original, and sometimes dark 80s new wave Brit pop that has big instrumentation and lots of clever writing.

Frank by Amy Winehouse
Sep 05 2024

New School percussion along with old school funk and R&B rhythms make for a solid first album. Amy’s voice is so unique, smooth yet unschooled, innocent yet dirty. She was one of a kind and is missed by all who were touched by her music.

Ágætis Byrjun by Sigur Rós
Sep 07 2024

Huge spacious reverbs, hints of Floyd and Radiohead in the sound and vibe. Cold, dark, and distant, easy to listen to electronic based mood music.

Vivid by Living Colour
Sep 08 2024

Amazing playing all around. Dated tones that are a bit 80’s, but it works for this album. Definitely quite a few bangers on this album. I’m not completely sure what I think about the song writing, but it’s definitely a repeat listen type of album. Prog rock, 80’s pop/rock, arena rock, and jazz fusion combine for something quite special here.

Sep 09 2024

Easy to listen to West Coast 90’s hip hop the reminds me of old school Snoop. Easy to listen to. 70”s sampling.

Sep 10 2024

Very energetic performances of covers and James Brown tunes. Definitely worth a listen if you are only familiar with the hits like I was before listening to this album.

Hail To the Thief by Radiohead
Sep 11 2024

Dark, chaotic, bitter, and confused. Beautiful tunes written and recorded during a tumultuous time in world history. Yorke’s talent for writing a melody for any chord progression shines so brightly on this album.

Sep 12 2024

Very different in many ways from the Pink Floyd that I know, which is Dark Side through the Wall. Hints of the creativity they possess is apparent, as is the willingness to be creative with instrument and sound choices. A good starting place if you want to delve into some early Pink Floyd.

Street Life by The Crusaders
Sep 13 2024

Great dance/disco/jazz fusion. Only the first song had vocals, which I found surprising. Sax is lead instrument throughout this jazz fusion album.

Sep 14 2024

Amazing. They sound like they were still figuring out their craft while showing us the future. Virtuosic playing by everyone in the band. What was to come from Queen is the only thing holding me back from 5 stars.

Oedipus Schmoedipus by Barry Adamson
Sep 15 2024

Interesting mostly instrumental/jazz/electronic/experimental album reminiscent of Pink Floyd. It’s

Cupid & Psyche 85 by Scritti Politti
Sep 16 2024

Very reminiscent of Boy George/Culture Club and from the same era, but with quite a bit much polish and edge.

The Gershwin Songbook by Ella Fitzgerald
Sep 17 2024

6 discs, over 3 hours. All the familiar songs you would expect, plus some beautiful instrumentals on the final disc. Great soundtrack for a long drive.

Cosmo's Factory by Creedence Clearwater Revival
Sep 18 2024

Fun summer dad rock album, a few familiar tunes.

Gris Gris by Dr. John
Sep 19 2024

Eclectic and entertaining, yet barely listenable.

Kind Of Blue by Miles Davis
Sep 20 2024

Fresh sounding even though it has been around forever. The modal long solos staying in a key for a while make it easily accessible to people who are new to jazz, while being something that seasoned veterans can enjoy.

Young Americans by David Bowie
Sep 21 2024

Very cool songs that have unpredictable chord changes and melodies, along with much more sax playing than most pop bands. Across the Universe was a cool cover.

Bitte Orca by Dirty Projectors
Sep 22 2024

Dissonant, interesting chords and vocal harmonies. Super interesting album that I thoroughly enjoyed. The addition of orchestral strings made for a welcome change from a typical indie rock album.

Want Two by Rufus Wainwright
Sep 23 2024

Amazing vocals, like Freddie Mercury without the grit but all of the control and emotion. Eclectic mix of instruments. Will give this album and artist a spin in the future for sure.

Exile On Main Street by The Rolling Stones
Sep 24 2024

Great Stones album that sounds to me very similar to all of the other stones albums.

90 by 808 State
Sep 25 2024

Semi interesting and monotonous old school electronic music.

The Chronic by Dr. Dre
Sep 26 2024

Super listenable, great samples on the tunes from the 70’s, great story telling that reflects inner city life in the 90’s, with some humor as well. Great to listen to from start to finish.

Colour By Numbers by Culture Club
Sep 27 2024

I loved the radio hits on this album when they came out when I was a kid. Pop with a little bit of soul and Caribbean flavors sprinkled in.

Led Zeppelin by Led Zeppelin
Sep 28 2024

Amazing first album the gave hints of what was to come. Amazing electrified blues rock with some folk added in. Great guitar heavy production, impeccable playing by all.

Movies by Holger Czukay
Sep 29 2024

Pretty strange album, but interesting nonetheless. Was one of the pioneering albums that used sampling according to Wikipedia. Not a good album to listen to if you are trying to sleep or relax.

In Our Heads by Hot Chip
Sep 30 2024

Amazing! Creative instrumentation and effects, vocals reminiscent of Dirty Projects. Catchy songwriting, good use of synths. Each song has a different vibe. I will definitely give this album another spin soon.

Music in Exile by Songhoy Blues
Oct 01 2024

Blues mixed with more traditional African music. Pleasant to listen to, like a familiar meal with unfamiliar spices. If you like electric American/British Blues, you might like this album. I’m torn between 2 and 3 starts, so I will round up.

Endtroducing..... by DJ Shadow
Oct 02 2024

Above average interest-wise electronic music for someone who doesn’t ordinarily listen to this type of music. Acoustic instruments or very realistic ones are mixed in with the typical electronic sounds.

The Pleasure Principle by Gary Numan
Oct 03 2024

Early new wave synth pop, the only song I knew was Cars, which reminded me of a lot of the early mid 80s pop that was on the radio when I was a kid. Cool and original songwriting and performances.

Rhythm Nation 1814 by Janet Jackson
Oct 04 2024

Decent album, has many production aspects reminiscent of New Jack and late 80s early 90’s pop such as 808s, big guitars, and huge drums. Great songwriting and performances.

The Fat Of The Land by The Prodigy
Oct 05 2024

Would be a fun soundtrack for a video game session in my teens playing GTA in a friends basement. High energy, relentless electronic music.

Nick Of Time by Bonnie Raitt
Oct 06 2024

Amazing slide playing, polished yet gritty country pop. Easy to listen to songs.

Deja Vu by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
Oct 07 2024

Lots of hits, excellent tight harmonies, and a more eclectic mix of songs than what I would have expected.

The White Album by Beatles
Oct 08 2024

Many, many hits. Accessible to people who like early Beatles, while still retaining the pop sensibility that their early albums were full of. Experimental, uninhibited, yet easily listenable. Even though it is a double album, it never seems too long. It always kept my attention. This album is a beautiful and raw unpolished gem.

Shaka Zulu by Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Oct 09 2024

Crisp and clear acapella voices with lush reverb, beautiful and uplifting tunes, a must listen album.

Freak Out! by The Mothers Of Invention
Oct 10 2024

Strange, but creative. Repulsive, but interesting. Demands your attention like driving by a car accident. Reminds me a bit of Zappa, Steve Vai, Pink Floyd,, Zep, and the Beatles.

Purple Rain by Prince
Oct 11 2024

Amazing and underrated guitar playing on this album. Edgy radio friendly pop, but with enough dissonance and aggression to make it barely radio friendly. Classic 80s guitar tones produced with BOSS electronics. This album still holds up after all these years.

Can't Buy A Thrill by Steely Dan
Oct 13 2024

Masterfully executed hybrid of rock and jazz with a 70’s flavor. Complicated chords and playing yet super accessible. Clever songwriting.

Pearl by Janis Joplin
Oct 14 2024

Amazing powerful vocals, band reminded me a bit of the Black Crowes, way more hits than I expected.

Aladdin Sane by David Bowie
Oct 15 2024

A bit heavier than I would have expected, unusual, big, dramatic writing and chord progressions, heavy Queen vibes on this album.

Vespertine by Björk
Oct 16 2024

Eccentric, unpredictable, yet easy to listen to. Synth heavy, but also has extensive use of acoustic instruments. Sounds like something that I would put on my playlist if I was going to the Moon or Mars. She is IMMENSELY talented as a writer, arranger, and performer.

Bitches Brew by Miles Davis
Oct 17 2024

Pretty aggressive jazz, the addition of guitar on this album was welcome. A bit too dissonant for my taste. Very long instrumental jams. I think I would enjoy this album more and might have given it 4 stars if I gave it a few listens.

Smash by The Offspring
Oct 18 2024

Intense fun radio friendly (clean versions) of accessible pop punk, but Green Day massively overshadowed them due to the similar release dates of this album and Green Day Dookie. This album hasn’t stood the test of time quite as well as Dookie, but it still hits hard for sure.

Fulfillingness' First Finale by Stevie Wonder
Oct 19 2024

Nostalgic style for me as a Gen Xer. Sometimes dark but always interesting, unexpected, and creative harmonies. Great playing by the entire band on this album. I only recognized one song before listening to this album.

Oct 20 2024

Definite TEMU Radiohead and Floyd vibes. But I still really like it. Creative instrumentation, relaxing, mysterious, old school synths even for the time.

Oct 21 2024

Early indie rock with a little taste of pop and Irish music. Eclectic instrumentation that is out of the ordinary for the genre. Beautiful songwriting that is reminiscent of The Decemberists.

Songs From The Big Chair by Tears For Fears
Oct 22 2024

Great guitar playing for the time period, when a lot of the playing was excessive and tasteless. Awesome songwriting. Strange chord progressions that caught me off guard but worked well.

Melodrama by Lorde
Nov 01 2024

Great melodies and amazing vocal performances, a bit monotonous instrumentally as an album, but definitely great mood music for driving in to a city at night.

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Nov 02 2024

Solid songwriting and some welcome gems considering that I have only heard the hits in the past. Tighter band than I would have expected.

Sunshine Hit Me by The Bees
Nov 03 2024

Interesting and eclectic mix of genres that span between 60s pop and later Radiohead. I will give it a spin again for sure, I had never heard of the band until this listen.

The Bends by Radiohead
Nov 04 2024

Amazing debut album. Creative guitar effects that help lend the album a feeling of angst and confusion. Spicier chords than similar albums of the time period. The interaction between the vocals and the band couldn’t be anymore perfect.

Black Sabbath by Black Sabbath
Nov 05 2024

Very dark, cool to hear where some bands that I liked got this from, such as AIC, Metallica, and Slayer. Awesome early metal album.

We Are Family by Sister Sledge
Nov 07 2024

Super clear mix. All instruments are clear and pop out with limited effects and not overly aggressive stereo separation. More hits than I would have anticipated or knew about before listening.

Next by The Sensational Alex Harvey Band
Nov 08 2024

Interesting, raunchy, awesome vocals!

Doggystyle by Snoop Dogg
Jun 30 2025

Easy to listen to tracks that are heavily 70's influenced West Coast gangsta rap. Many hits from the early 90's, great story telling on most of the tunes. Lots of sampling while also being very original compositions that stand up on their own.

Heroes by David Bowie
Jul 01 2025

The unusual instrumental tracks were a welcome addition to this album, including electronic sounds and some unexpected instrumental choices. His songs are always creative and have unexpected twists. This album was definitely way ahead of its time.

Alien Lanes by Guided By Voices
Jul 02 2025

Indie rock, diverse and high quality songwriting, many different guitar sounds, good album in a genre that I don’t know much about.

If You're Feeling Sinister by Belle & Sebastian
Jul 03 2025

Beautiful and well crafted indie pop songs. Eclectic instrument choices for what is primarily a guitar driven genre.

Jul 04 2025

Funky Jazzy old school jam band sound that reminds me of Santana with less guitar. Super cool album.

She's So Unusual by Cyndi Lauper
Jul 05 2025

A gem from a decade that had some amazing music and a lot of junk as well. This album has stood the test of time with a surprising amount of songs that ended up becoming modern day classics. Amazing instrument playing when compared to most of the pop playing at the time. Beautifully crafted and performed songs.

The Grand Tour by George Jones
Jul 06 2025

High quality writing playing, and performing. You can see why he is so highly regarded in country music after listening to this album.

Jul 07 2025

Poppy but dissonant early indie rock. All around interesting, great distorted guitars. Heavier Camper Van Beethoven vibe.

Franz Ferdinand by Franz Ferdinand
Jul 08 2025

Guitar driven pop/disco/rock with some keyboards as well. Very catchy and danceable songs, I’m surprised that they didn’t get more famous than they did.

3 + 3 by The Isley Brothers
Jul 09 2025

Diverse tunes stylistically on a single album. Impeccable playing by everyone in the band. Quality guitar playing that was unexpectedly good. This albums placement on this list is well deserved. Listening to it makes me want to drop everything and start dancing.

Happy Sad by Tim Buckley
Jul 11 2025

More accessible to me than most folk from this era. The variety of instruments that are not typically in folk really adds to the sound. Reminds me a bit of Mad Season but from a different era.

Eliminator by ZZ Top
Jul 12 2025

Massive guitars, catchy songs, flawless heavy blues playing, and the synths work well with the blues. A true classic and gem from the 80s.

Traffic by Traffic
Jul 13 2025

Cool 60s rock album that reminds me of some of the tunes on Led Zeppelin I and III regarding its use of electric guitars.

Songs From A Room by Leonard Cohen
Jul 14 2025

Interesting instrumentation but it works with acoustic and electric guitars, strings, harmonica, occasional backup vocals, and sparse percussion. He weaves beautiful stories, but his voice is an acquired taste for sure. But it did grow on me.

Licensed To Ill by Beastie Boys
Jul 15 2025

Fun energetic early hiphop. Amazing use of early hiphop technology, fun and clever lyrics. A fun old school party album.

Casanova by The Divine Comedy
Jul 16 2025

Interesting contrast between show tune type vocals and unusual pop music with eclectic instrument choices like full strings.

Shleep by Robert Wyatt
Jul 17 2025

Really cool and unexpected melodies and harmonies. Reminds me a bit of Pink Floyd.

Jagged Little Pill by Alanis Morissette
Jul 18 2025

Truly a masterpiece. Dark and light, the imperfect vocals make it even more perfect. Relatable for anyone who grew up in the 90s when this album was huge. It truly never gets old.

Tidal by Fiona Apple
Jul 19 2025

Fiona can do anything with her voice, she has an incredible range and can evoke any emotion with her voice. Without a doubt she is the best vocalist of her generation. This combined with the unusual chord progressions and a variety of styles, although all piano heavy, makes for an amazing album.

Kala by M.I.A.
Jul 20 2025

Cool indie rock rap album that is great party music, good combo of alternative indie, rap, and electronic music.

British Steel by Judas Priest
Jul 21 2025

Cool guitar playing, but really cheesy as a whole.

Led Zeppelin IV by Led Zeppelin
Jul 22 2025

A true masterpiece. Some echoes of the third album are present with the acoustic tunes, yet it still has the heaviness we all expect from Zep. So many amazing songs that showcase the band’s diversity. This album is responsible for my love of the genre, and I vividly remember the first time that I heard it as a teen.

California by American Music Club
Jul 23 2025

Acoustic indie folk with polish that is reminiscent of the Decemberists but less hooky. Good sound train for a rainy Sunday afternoon lounging around the house.

Paranoid by Black Sabbath
Jul 24 2025

Great album with many hits. Very influential to this day to most musicians in the genre. Very dark, and listening to it is a masterclass in metal. If Alice In Chains and Metallica love this band, they are worthy of my attention and respect.

Jul 25 2025

Decent English 80s pop album, I had heard of the band but this was my first listen through an album, I am looking forward to listening to more of them in the future.

Raw Power by The Stooges
Jul 26 2025

Old school punk, cool vocals, short songs, the addition of acoustic guitar was surprising and really added to the style in an atypical way.

OK by Talvin Singh
Jul 27 2025

Electronic music that has a very interesting and listenable mix of eastern musical instruments, in addition to the sounds that you would typically associate with the genre. Above average listenability, reminds me a bit of Enigma with an eastern twist.

Merriweather Post Pavilion by Animal Collective
Jul 28 2025

Cool combo of indie rock, electronic, psychedlic music, The Beach Boys, Pink Floyd, and arena rock, minus the big guitars, and with a hint of poppiness.

The Köln Concert by Keith Jarrett
Jul 29 2025

Beautiful jazz piano playing. This is an amazing and relaxing album.

Arular by M.I.A.
Jul 30 2025

Fun danceable electronic beats, catchy, gritty street smart rap singing. Definitely worth listening to, great pre-party music.

Hot Rats by Frank Zappa
Jul 31 2025

Fresh and original melodies for this prog jazz rock pop fusion instrumental work. I can hear where Steve Vai got his inspiration largely from by listening to any Zappa. Wide variety of instruments. More rock than anything else.

Aug 01 2025

Bright 80s synth pop, I only knew Take On Me, which I loved as a kid and still do to this day. No big standouts on this album other than the previously mentioned track.

1984 by Van Halen
Aug 02 2025

This album came out when I was 10, and to this day it is still one of my favorites. Eddie’s guitar playing is amazing as usual, and the addition of keys really works well. Great songs front to back whether or not you are fan of keyboards.

The Stone Roses by The Stone Roses
Aug 03 2025

Old school early indie meets the Beatles. Fun, energetic, and not terrible.

That's The Way Of The World by Earth, Wind & Fire
Aug 05 2025

Groovy and smooth R/B and soul, virtuosic playing, but still accessible from a pop perspective.

Night Life by Ray Price
Aug 06 2025

Decent old school country, with a bit of blues. Amazing pedal steel playing, great musicianship all around. Lyrics that keep your attention.

Hunky Dory by David Bowie
Aug 07 2025

Awesome old school rock, fantastic writing.

Time (The Revelator) by Gillian Welch
Aug 08 2025

Beautiful and relaxing acoustic tunes, amazing lyrics, great guitar playing.

Armed Forces by Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Aug 24 2025

Ahead of its time rock with 50’s pop style vocals that are very rocking. His voice reminds me very much of Lenny Kravitz.

Lust For Life by Iggy Pop
Aug 25 2025

Gritty rock, very listenable vocals that hold your attention. Iggy has such a unique quality to his voice. Much less punky than I would have expected due to the pictures I have seen of him without having listened to his music previously.

Birth Of The Cool by Miles Davis
Aug 26 2025

A masterclass in jazz improvisation. Amazing tone and playing by all of the musicians involved. These tunes are still played regularly to this day by jazzers.

Groovin' by The Young Rascals
Aug 27 2025

Typical radio friendly late 60s-early 70s pop, with more of a soul feeling of similar bands of the era. A couple of the songs on this album were in steady rotation on the radio during the early 80s. Standard instrumentation of the period as well as recording style.

System Of A Down by System Of A Down
Aug 28 2025

Super fast and accurate big dirty distorted guitars that clean up instantly to create contrast within the individual songs as well as the album as a whole. All musicians are highly proficient on their instruments. Angry songs, silly songs, and aggressive songs all “peacefully” co-existing while staying stylistically appropriate. The vocals are very prominent and are a big part of the musical diversity.

Two Dancers by Wild Beasts
Aug 29 2025

Big reverbs on the clean guitars. Slightly unusual almost theatrical and powerful vocals. Reminiscent of Muse and The Cure. Solid post 80s tasteful synth sounds. Perfect soundtrack for a maiden voyage to Mars. Definitely worth a listen.

Tommy by The Who
Aug 30 2025

Solid album that is one of a small group of albums that I know of that the group of songs tell a story and each individual song tells a chapter of the story. The album as a whole has a clean clear sound. Recordings quality really seems to have improved around this time when compared to the mid 60s. I will give this album a spin for sure in the future, even though I enjoy a lot of music from this era and style, this was my first time listening to a Who Album front to back.

Joan Armatrading by Joan Armatrading
Aug 31 2025

Poppy folk music, but with a healthy dose of jazziness. Vocal timbre very reminiscent of Nina Simone, very deep. Decent anulan with catchy writing.

Urban Hymns by The Verve
Sep 01 2025

The strings add a lot to the sound of this album. Reminiscent of Coldplay and Oasis. Easy to listen to on my first listen through.

Surrealistic Pillow by Jefferson Airplane
Sep 02 2025

Old school 60’s folk pop. Lush reverbs, acoustic guitar, flute, and harmonies make it sound similar to a lot of bands from the period.

Killing Joke by Killing Joke
Sep 03 2025

Punk rock with synth. Nothing particularly notable or appealing about this album.

Street Signs by Ozomatli
Sep 04 2025

Very cool hybrid of Latin, Rock, Hip Hop, and Middle Eastern sounds. Worth a spin in the future for sure. Strong vocals, and big rock guitars. Very catchy songwriting with some very memorable and singable choruses. I’ve listened to the album 3 times which is very unusual for me with this challenge.

Celebrity Skin by Hole
Sep 05 2025

Great album and songwriting. Sounds like a hybrid of Smashing Pumpkins, Nirvana, and Alanis Morissette with more grit and agression and less vocal training (but not in a bad way in this case). This album came out at the end of the grunge era, and was definitely heavily influenced by many of the big bands of the era.

Sep 06 2025

Very depressing album that I really enjoyed. You can really hear the pain that he experienced in his life in this album, which was also his last album. His coevers of Hurt and Desperado were highlights.

Cafe Bleu by The Style Council
Sep 07 2025

Cool but strange album that is so eclectic it sounds like different bands or songs from different albums. Mostly jazzy but some mid 80s pop as well.

The Slim Shady LP by Eminem
Sep 08 2025

Very dark but still humorous old school hip hop. This guy has some serious talent. Not as jazzy as west coast, not as dark as east coast.

Crime Of The Century by Supertramp
Sep 09 2025

Super talented group, I’m surprised they didn’t have more of an impact. Great instrumentation, melodies, harmonies, and catchy songs.

We're Only In It For The Money by The Mothers Of Invention
Sep 11 2025

Very strange album, but very entertaining. He makes original music like no one else. But it is an aquired taste for sure. Fans of Steve Vai will see where his creative knack for melodic construction from after listening to this album.

1989 by Taylor Swift
Sep 12 2025

Fun pop music, decent writing, a surprising number of hits for an album. While she is not a virtuostic writer, singer, or dancer, she knows how to put on a great show and she knows how to market herself.

Document by R.E.M.
Sep 13 2025

Alternative album from before it was really a term that was in popular use for music. The jangly arpeggiated guitars over a more distorted guitar are a hypnotic signature of their sound, and it is all over this album. Solid performances and writing from all involved. The hit tunes from this album were in heavy rotation on the radio through the 90's and beyond. They definitely have staying power, and this album is way before his time.

The Yes Album by Yes
Sep 14 2025

Cool early prog rock album, super creative writing, performances, and vocal harmonies.

Teenager Of The Year by Frank Black
Sep 15 2025

Downbeat indie pop alternative, godd songwriting and great vocals in an oversatureated genre.

Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs by Derek & The Dominos
Sep 16 2025

Many differnt styles of electric blues are on this album, it is an amazing showcase of Clapton's versitility in the genre, as well as a showcase of his vocals, both of which were at the top of their game during this era. Worth a listen for sure.

Trans Europe Express by Kraftwerk
Sep 17 2025

Very listenable early electronic music album, reminds me of an SNL skit though, so in a way it is difficult for me to take it too seriously.

GREY Area by Little Simz
Sep 18 2025

Very cool hip hop album, reminds me a bit of Janelle Monae, the beats, raps, and electronic instrumentation is all listenable and makes for a great album that I will listen to again in the future.

Ready To Die by The Notorious B.I.G.
Sep 19 2025

East Coast 90s hip hop at it's finest, super listenable tales of his experiences (or fiction writing) on the street. His smooth voice makes for a calmness in all of his raps. One of the top albums in the genre from this period for sure. Great storytelling in his raps that keeps the listener interested.

Highway to Hell by AC/DC
Sep 20 2025

A masterclass in blues influenced rock about the bands admiration of the opposite sex, as well as the bands proclivity towards making bad decisions. I use these guitar tones as a template to this day for my guitar performing. A lot of gems are sprinkled throughout that don't get massively overplayed on the air waves as well. Worth a repeated listen for sure.

Sound Affects by The Jam
Sep 21 2025

Ahead of it's time punk pop (different from the 90's version of the same name though,) that is heavily Beatles influenced. Very British new wave sound to the vocals. Consistently interesting songwriting throughout the album.

Fromohio by fIREHOSE
Sep 22 2025

Indie Garage-Band rock. Reminds me a bit of a less polished version of Vampire Weekend.

The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
Sep 23 2025

Amazing well crafted diverse group of songs. The strings, piano, and keys really add to how big everything sounds. Having a male and female vocalist that take turns on lead vocals really adds to the diversity of the sounds that the band can get. This album has a well deserved spot on this list for sure.

Talking Book by Stevie Wonder
Sep 24 2025

So, so amazing. Very beautiful songs that use such creative harmonies and melodies, yet the entire album never sounds overly complicated. You and I was a highlight on this album for me that I had never heard before.

Real Life by Magazine
Sep 25 2025

Definite punk sound but with keys and better playing. Punk meets prog meets mid 80s new wave synth pop. Very cool album.

Sunshine Superman by Donovan
Sep 26 2025

Reminds me a bit of Jesus Christ Superstar. Very cool to hear some early playing by Jimmy Page from before his Led Zeppelin days. Has a repetitive feel.

Be by Common
Sep 27 2025

Cool and funky old school melodic hip hop with some amazing guest vocalists.

Time Out Of Mind by Bob Dylan
Sep 28 2025

Cook album to drive around Reno Mevada at night after loosing money at the casino. Has a Sopranos kind of vibe. I’m not very familiar with his music but will enjoy it as I listen to more of him for this project.

Led Zeppelin II by Led Zeppelin
Sep 29 2025

One of my favorites by the band. Page is still developing his sound on the guitar, which is going to peak on the next 4 albums, and he is beginning to show his abilities as a producer. Great playing by all involved. Virtuosic without pretense.

Live At The Star Club, Hamburg by Jerry Lee Lewis
Oct 01 2025

Energetic and well performed early rock and roll from the time period when the Beatles were invading America.

Much more poppy and less punk than I would have expected. Jam band moments appear in some tunes. Reminds me of any the Beatles a bit, and very similar to a lot of British Rock from the time period.

Highly Evolved by The Vines
Oct 03 2025

Reminds me of STP. Definitely worth another spin, if you like 90s grunge give this album a listen.

Definitely Maybe by Oasis
Oct 04 2025

Pretty ok, nice chord progressions and melodies, all sounds kind of the same though. Decent Brit alt pop.

You're Living All Over Me by Dinosaur Jr.
Oct 05 2025

I was surprised that this was from the 80's, it has more of a 2000's vibe to it. Crunchy buzzy early garage style indie rock in the style of aggressive Green Day and 80's punk with slightly more polish.

Doolittle by Pixies
Oct 06 2025

Aggressive yet poppy alt punk album with creative catchy songwriting.

Oct 07 2025

Shocking yet humorous album that has very catchy tunes. He is definitely one of the best rappers in history. Must listen album for casual listeners as well as rap lovers.

Electric Music For The Mind And Body by Country Joe & The Fish
Oct 08 2025

Cool old school 60's rock music, sometimes a bit dark, very clear recording with hard panning typical of the recordings of the era.

Forever Changes by Love
Oct 09 2025

Not very interesting, reminds me of 60s movie music. And it’s also depressing. No thanks.

At Folsom Prison by Johnny Cash
Oct 10 2025

Very entertaining, well played and recorded, and frequently humorous glimpse into the legendary Man in Black. The interruptions by the warren as well as inmates being paged added to the realization that this concert actually took place in a prison.

Tapestry by Carole King
Oct 11 2025

Solid songwriting and playing by everyone on the album. She is an amazing writer and performer, and although many of the songs were familiar, I never knew much about her before listening to this album.

Songs The Lord Taught Us by The Cramps
Oct 12 2025

Here is the recipe. 1 tablespoonful of blues 1 tablespoon of Rolling Stones 3 tablespoons of Punk 2 tablespoons of a 60s vibe A generous dash of reverb Stir in a generous dash of Johnny Cash Let simmer for 2-3 decades.

Femi Kuti by Femi Kuti
Oct 13 2025

Excellent and easy to listen fusion of jazz, jam band, political commentary, and African music, with a bit of humor as well. Has a very strong Montréal Jazz Festival vibe to the songs. The band will definitely go into my listening rotation.

Stardust by Willie Nelson
Oct 14 2025

Great introduction to him for me, most of the songs were ones that I was familiar with since it is a cover album. Peaceful, calming, nothing on the album is to loud, fast, or aggressive.

461 Ocean Boulevard by Eric Clapton
Oct 15 2025

Decent British electric blues album that has some blues influenced tunes as well. Only one song was familiar to me before listening to this album. Eric's playing as masterful as usual.

Oct 16 2025

Super tight playing with a unique reverb free guitar tone, Van Halen style playing on the solos with a bit more aggression. Great soundtrack for lifting weights or rioting.

Back To Black by Amy Winehouse
Oct 17 2025

Excellent album to listen to over and over. Powerful, vulnerable, and heartbreaking. Reminiscent of the girl groups of the 60s with a little more edge and better sound clarity. Great horns, guitar, and of course the imperfect perfection of Amy’s vocals.

Murmur by R.E.M.
Oct 18 2025

Excellent song writing that has the punk sensibilities of early U2 without the edge, (pun intentional). Ahead of it's time with its early indie rock/college rock vibe. It saddens me that these guys disappeared off of the face of the earth right after their height of popularity in the mid-90's.

Oct 20 2025

Amazing playing by every musician. More experimental sounding than I would have expected from only being familiar with the radio hits. As a guitarist myself, I was pleasantly surprised by the guitar playing as well as how high and clear it was in the mix.

Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd
Oct 21 2025

One of the core albums for people who don't know the band other than Dark Side, The Wall, and Animals. Way ahead of it's time regarding use of synths and its recording quality, especially of the drums. Surely one of their masterpieces. Satisfying, nostalgic, and heartbreaking.

Felt Mountain by Goldfrapp
Oct 22 2025

If you like Bjork you will enjoy this album, similar feel and textures.

Larks' Tongues In Aspic by King Crimson
Oct 23 2025

Eclectic. Creative. Groundbreaking. Full and lush. Ahead of its time. Great first listen to an album that I’ve never heard by a band that has been recommended to me by many people.

Low-Life by New Order
Oct 24 2025

Indie before it was known as that. Alternative as well. Dance based 80s Irish awesomeness.

Fragile by Yes
May 18 2026

Great early prog rock album. I only knew two tunes from this album. The classical and jazz influences are obvious. I love the early synth sounds. Musicianship is off the scale among these guys. I will definitely listen to them again.

If You Can Believe Your Eyes & Ears by The Mamas & The Papas
May 19 2026

Amazing yet predictable pop harmonies, lush reverb, beautiful songwriting, instruments decent but not notable.

The Healer by John Lee Hooker
May 20 2026

Great slide playing. Eclectic set. Beautiful guest performances by people that you may have heard of. Superb blues playing.

Machine Head by Deep Purple
May 21 2026

Great early heavy metal, handful of recognizable tunes to any GenX music lovers.

Lady In Satin by Billie Holiday
May 22 2026

Beautifully written and performed tunes. Happiness and pain.

May 23 2026

First listening of anything by him. Super catchy tunes, I love the gospel and old school hip hop being featured.

Diamond Life by Sade
May 24 2026

Amazing chill album, her voice is deeper than what you would expect based on what she looks like. Nasty sax playing, consistently well written pop tunes. She is an amazing performer, yet she rarely performs, check her out if you get the chance.

Sail Away by Randy Newman
May 25 2026

Well written well sung 70s tunes. His voice was immediately recognizable as a GenXer.

Californication by Red Hot Chili Peppers
May 27 2026

Super album that is just as listenable as Blood Sugar. I love that they can do acoustic and distortion so seamlessly and just as rocking and everything sounds right at home. My new 2nd favorite album by them, I am only familiar with the hits and BSSM.

S.F. Sorrow by The Pretty Things
May 28 2026

Typical psychedelic 60’s hippy tunes. Tones like fuzzy guitar, flute, dead drum sound typical of the decade. Nice vocal harmonies, above average song writing.

Beach Samba by Astrud Gilberto
May 29 2026

Very easy to listen to early Bossa album by one of the pioneers of the genre.Harmonically rich and creative, suprisingly good recording quality considering how long ago it was recorded.

Brothers In Arms by Dire Straits
May 30 2026

Crystal clear guitars played flawlessly. he chill vocal approach really adds to the approachability of the album. The video for Money for Nothing is permanently etched into my brain as a memorable example of early computer animation and MTV. Very eclectic mix of genres and tones. I was not aware this would have smooth jazz on it from the radio hits that I knew from my childhood.

Mask by Bauhaus
May 31 2026

Interesting punk experimental with a lot of different sounds and styles. Creative and diverse. Wide variety of guitar tones.

Red Headed Stranger by Willie Nelson
Jun 01 2026

Nice old school country with more impressive guitar playing than I would have expected.

The Clash by The Clash
Jun 02 2026

Less aggressive today than I think they would have intended, you can tell they listened to popular musiic, it was definitely an influence.

Thriller by Michael Jackson
Jun 03 2026

Awesome songwriting, amazing performances by Michael and his legendary friends. This album couldn’t be any better, and was a big part of is soundtrack of my youth. No one else comes close to being as good at him as a dancer, performer, writer, and singer. He’s the complete package.

Tres Hombres by ZZ Top
Jun 04 2026

Nasty nasty nasty electric blues. Mid heavy electric guitar tones only rivaled by AC/DC. Very listenable, especially by guitar players. My only criticism is the quality of vocals compared to the later hits that I am more familiar with. A few surprises are on this album if you only know the hits.

My Aim Is True by Elvis Costello
Jun 05 2026

A late 70’s interpretation of the first generation of Rock and Roll- very easy to listen to even as a first time listener of Elvis Costello.

Madman Across The Water by Elton John
Jun 06 2026

An album with some very familiar classic tunes, as well as some beautifully written tunes that I have never heard before. Perfectly played, well written and recorded, this album definitely inspires me to listen to more Elton John in the future.

Physical Graffiti by Led Zeppelin
Jun 07 2026

This album definitely has less of a cohesive sound style wise compared to the previous 5 albums. Not quite as many big hits as well, yet that was never an important thing for Zep fans. A true Zep fan loves the deep cuts even more than the more popular tunes.

Screamadelica by Primal Scream
Jun 08 2026

Interesting poppy alt indie rock from 90’s, great playing and songwriting. Drum machine based drums, album samples, gospel backups, and horns really add to the big sound. The vibe of this band reminds me of Moby, as well as the track "Unbelievable" by EMF, which came out around the same time as this album.

Remain In Light by Talking Heads
Jun 09 2026

Part reggae, part early electronic music, part pop. Band was perfect visually for the advent of MTV, which took place around the time that this album came out. Very creative and ahead of its time, this band doesn’t mind borrowing while being innovative, especially regarding use of some of the earlier (yet not first) generation of electronics/synths/keyboards.

Jun 13 2026

Interesting acoustic/folk storytelling that helps me understand the zeitgeist of the 1960’s.

Logical Progression by LTJ Bukem
Jun 14 2026

Modern sounding electronic music that although monotonous, kept my attention. Album sounds to me more recent than a 13 year old album. Very long album, with the last 2 tracks being over an hour long each.

Wordsmith

Reviews written for 100% of albums. Average review length: 203 characters.

Other

Album origins are grouped into three buckets: US, UK, and everything else. “Other” means the artists you rate highest are from outside the US and UK.