Grade school lyrics masked in pleasant melodies
Oof. This short-lived genre of music sounds whiny in retrospect.
There were some nice melodies and vibes on this album from a band I’d never heard of. Unfortunately the Manchester and Liverpool mid-90 genre’s sound makes all those bands sound alike and blur into obscurity.
This and other female led bands from the 90s were genre defining
Mood music
Too experimental and disturbing
Not a fan of electronic dance music
A real game changer, much like Fleet Foxes, to recalibrate the 2000s against the pop garbage of the late 90s.
Hadn’t heard of them before and didn’t know what to expect. Really pleasant sounding and hit a lot of right notes.
I would have liked this band in ‘89 but I didn’t hear about them until I moved on from raw punk.
Really fun listen, and has a few hits that take me back in time
this was like a time machine to a place I’d never been before
These songs sound like they were made for background tracks on a medieval themed video game.
Some good sounds and a unique band
I’d never heard of them but liked them
1990s dregs
Strange but sometimes took me out of my head it was so unique
The singer’s voice is too affected and dramatic to give the songs gravity.
New group to me. They had some listenable songs.
New to me and I jammed out to it. Definitely will be listening to several of the songs from this album again.
It’d be 4 stars but for the whiny lead vocals. Great mellow vibe, smooth instrumentation, and good vocal accompaniment when not pushing the high notes.
Never heard of them before, but they have a really nice sound, and I added some of their songs to my playlists.
Sad, mournful voice is a bummer at times and sweet other times. “Worth It” was a unique and impressive song.
Even at my peak of listening to Pink Floyd, this would have been solo garbage.
Couldn’t get more than 4 songs in before I was sickened by how terrible the music is.
Not good enough for a second listen but also not just one star
At first, I groaned because I’m rarely in the mood for reggae. But this band had some great instrumental songs.
One of many punk bands I don’t know and don’t want to know
Pretty boring. Their songs are pretty and they’re boring.
I’d never listened to any of his music before and I instantly loved several of his songs.
Sad-voiced but unique lead vocals. The strain of the lead vocalist’s voice during every song made it a chore to get through. Good lo fi vibe, though.
After trading tapes of shows for years, it was great to hear quality recordings.
Their sound is very much of the time. I’d never heard of them but a few songs were nice.
Their sound is very much of the time. I’d never heard of them but a few songs were nice.
Creates a consistent and unique vibe in an unorthodox marriage of mainly quiet moments with compositional studio metal. Won’t ever listen again because it’s not my genre, but an interesting listen that I wouldn’t have had anyone recommend.
I hadn’t heard of this group but they had good songs and great songs!
They sound like if Trent Reznor joined Spinal Tap. It is unintentionally comical and very, very bad.
Too medieval/viking to vibe to
Though not what I was listening to in 1997 and was under my radar, it has elements of good sounds from the 60s through disco through early hip hop era. The dance songs are a pleasant escape.
Extremely surprising find with then-cutting edge studio effects to make a dreamy, trippy sound. And I usually tire of reggae after a couple songs.
Had never listened to the album, just the two big hits. Really swell sounding music.
Forgot how good this album is. Many hit songs and a great time in music with bands like Garbage.
I had to bail after 3 songs because it was bat sh*t crazy. Not one-star bad, but bananas
Too many dirges to listen to a second time. Good musicians, though.
A risky avant-garde premise that’s respectfully executed.
I was surprised to like any of these songs given that he repeats the name of the song incessantly.
Had heard of this artist and heard two hits but did not do a deep dive until this recommendation. I can see what the hype is about now.
Delightfully silly. I hadn’t heard the non-parody songs and they’re funny too.
I don’t know how I’d never listened to this album but I’m glad I know of it now!
Never heard of this band, but some of their jams got me lost in the moment
Imaginative and playful lyrics belie the savage musical perfectionist beneath
I love his voice but the songs were choppy and hard to listen to
Some sweet grooves and melodic hooks completely ruined by the guttural caterwauling and puke staccato lead vocalist.
1990s-sounding ear candy that’s pleasing but ultimately empty.
It grew on me, despite never hearing of them and only knowing they were The Cure adjacent.
Disliked the lead vocalist who was putting us on with a fake Tom Waits voice.
I’d forgotten this band, which I’d liked in the early 2000s. Their lead vocalist’s style is too dirge-like and strained to not be accompanied by shoegaze studio affects.
Too noisy and offbeat
I find this band’s songs very relaxing.
The attempted street cred of adding featured artists doesn’t save the cacophonous samples and shouting from injuring my ears.
Two mega hits and the rest are great to hear.
Took me back to when this came out and many similar bands were making great alternative rock!
Squeal voiced anger music is unintentionally funny.
At its best it sounds like Arcade Fire workshopping their sound before their first album. At worst it’s Ren Fair knights and ladies fantasy.
The lyrics are so dense and clever that listening to them to comprehend and appreciate their artistry subtracts from the joy of music listening.
Phenomenal!.
Far more listenable than I was expecting from a punk band I’d never heard of from a gritty time and with an album and band name like these.
Lyrical and almost every other choice makes this inaccessible to listeners
The few moments of sonic genius aren’t worth suffering through dozens of minutes between.
The lead vocalist has an annoying high vocal range in the grating pop songs at the beginning, but calms it down along with better alternative songs in the middle of the album.
One hit and the rest are genre-homogenous forgettable songs.
A few great songs from a generational artist, but also some duds and dirges
It’s so distracting to have a Joe Jackson-sound-a-like lead singer. Not a bad-sounding band otherwise and new to me.
This is fine pop music for a teenager, which I am not.
No catchy hooks or hits
Their genre shape shifting had me flummoxed. They’d be rated higher if they picked 90s “Clerks” soundtrack band, early 2000s indie rock, or glam punk.
This was new to me and I only knew their new wave hits. Listening produces a calm vibe.
Weird and not in a melodic or fun way.
Really good melodies, harmonies and chords. Enjoyed it despite being unable to understand the lyrics.
I hadn’t heard of this band. Their songs have cool chords and harmonies. Not good enough to revisit and not bad enough to pan.
There are some grade school simple lyrics and unappealing metal, but, on the good side, some harmonies and chords I’ve never heard.
Even on their earlier and better albums, their louder than most indie and more guttural than most lead singer sounds gets too grating to sustain an entire album.
I had this CD and it was a weird time for me and my music taste. It’s not as good as I remember.
Excellent instrumentation and gorgeous singing ruined by silly, out of place lyrics
I’ve never heard such bizarre lyrics from a good vocalist and band. It’s as if Father John Misty had a lobotomy.
One hit song and dull filler
The yelling and bad music hurt my brain!
He was really talented.
I kept thinking I was listening to Semisonic’s song “Secret Smile.”
I can place 4 Ani albums higher than this; it’s not a top 1,001
It’s ok background music: not phenomenal but not annoying
Forgettable and weak
Never heard of this artist. Psychedelic, bizarre, fun, and at times annoying.
One of my favorite all-time albums
Never heard of this artist and it’s a soothing album with smooth jazz vocals.
Ska is a complicated genre. I don’t miss it or retroactively indulge. That said, this is a group that escaped mainstream play that isn’t half bad.
Decent background music
Elementary school rhymes for lyrics ruin the depth and plain vanilla melodies make it middling
Groundbreaking mix of genres and sounds
I know they’re being serious, but it’s too close to Spinal Tap not to laugh.
Many beautiful songs from an artist I’d never heard of but liked immediately. Regretfully, no memorable songs or hooks.
Id never heard of this collaboration and sadly there was nothing good about it.
Without understanding the lyrics, I can tell this album isn’t great because the genre of the songs and singing styles are all over the place.
Forgettable mimicry of early 2000s bands like Garbage
Plain dirges that belong on the Clerks backup soundtrack
Poor imitation of Fugazi
A few brilliant splashes but mostly a cacophony of samples so frenetic I needed a rest afterwards.
Just from the band and album name, I should’ve known I was getting catfished. This music belongs in a dentist’s waiting room.
The vocalist style imitates Bon Iver and the accompaniment doesn’t back it up, so it comes off weak.
A long time ago as a teen, I would’ve liked a couple of these. But it’s just noise now.
A few hits but a lot of derivative mess
It’d been a while since I heard this album. It was a pleasant trip down memory lane!
I’ve never listened to the entire album because people would always just play the hits. It’s really good as an entire album.
It’s bad whether you categorize it as alternative hard rock or soft metal.
I hadn’t heard this album or artist previously. His vocal style, singing voice and lyrics fit the music and period.
A collection of soundscapes can’t be one of the 1,001 greatest albums
One of the first CDs I bought with my own money and one of the best albums of all time!
They are a poor man’s Husker Du. But there was some sweet guitar.
Really funny and clever lyrics with good vocals and music. But unfortunately not listenable with others or for repeats.
Putting an album of massage spa music on 1,001 albums was a dirty trick!
Problematic name and even more cringey album cover but unique and interesting songs.
I couldn’t take it after about 5 songs because the lead vocal style is so grating. I gained a little more respect for this artist from the realization that she uses her voice like a percussion instrument more than a melodic instrument.
The up tempo songs are smooth and dreamy. The power ballads are reminiscent of Imagine Dragons. But when the lead vocals demand high notes, the singer’s falsetto strains.
One or two songs every now and then. Not a whole album, or the mournful vocals and spare instrumentation leave the listener unsatisfied.
One of the greatest rap albums ever.
Talented, but with a mouthy, annoying lead vocalist.
Whether its genre is alternative or metal, I’m unsure which garbage can to throw it in
A new band to me, and I listened to loads of bands like this at the time. A nice find.
Both his albums that have been recommended on here are groundbreaking in their sound and style.
Poppy but too sweet
For me not understanding any of the words, the music was universally.
Agree that it should be on this list. Many R.E.M. albums belong on it.
Works well as a full album. A unique vibe despite the archaic lyrics.
I forgot how amazing this band is! I listened to two other albums I had on CD long ago, and this is the best.
I’d only heard one song from another album of theirs before this, but liked it. The lead singer’s voice is distinct and beautiful.
Pretty voice, good guitar, but bad lyrics and music because traditional folk and shanties get repetitive.
Ok background music, but not on repeat
They sound real jammy and good later in the album, like a prototype for 1990s jam bands. Never heard of the group but liked it.
Kind of a mess. All over the place. A few inspired seconds among many long stretches of talentlessness.
Almost every song sounds the same, and features the strained voice of the lead vocalist. It’s lost in the 90s alternative dirge universe.
A strong start to the album devolves into self indulgent half-hip-hop and eventually lunatic hollering.
Hadn’t heard of Johnny Hartman but his voice compliments the sax and piano.
Relaxing background music and above average acoustic guitar.
I’ve listened to some of the songs repeatedly but it had been a while since I listened to the whole album. A masterpiece.
I had only heard the song Vampire a couple times and liked it. Hearing the whole album was great. Fun and from the heart.
Very dreamy and talented vocals. Good background music.
Great voice but most songs were too slow. Some had wonky sounds or talking bits. Perhaps one or two great songs.
Boring background music
The scratchy, strained voice of the lead singer makes it hard to like any of the songs.
It seems like her music has always been with us but this album is just 10 years old.
Couldn’t get through it all because it was too overstimulating.
The vocalist’s name, thick accent, and album cover made me smirk too often to take this album seriously.
Whew! Phew! It stinks. This isn’t even the one hit wonder album.
This band has a big following, but I’m not a fan.
Reminiscent of Neutral Milk Hotel but uneven and sonically shallow, but with a lot of chutzpah.
A well known name but overrated talent.
Good background music but lacks spark or uniqueness enough to grab my attention.
Most of the songs are just bananas. How the most bizarre music got made in the 90s was wonderous but dated.
I’d heard a song from a different album years ago and liked the singer’s powerful voice and deliberate song tempo. This album had similar qualities.
Activism thrust in your face, lyrically, distracts from what could be a decent sound.
I listened to this one when it came out and wasn’t thrilled and forgot why. Now I remember: too much yelling; not enough singing.
I don’t get the reference for the name of the band and the genre of “soft punk” isn’t something I thought the world needed.
Every song sounded exactly the same, and they were ballads. Yuck!
Heard it before and is just fine
I’d heard the name of this band a long time ago but couldn’t place them. Their songs were new to me and many were good. It was a good recommendation.
I wasn’t aware of this album and it was great.
Some of the worst singing by this vocalist. This band is better than this album.
I got through zero whole songs. The band name, album cover, and year of release tell me to stay far, far away.
One of my favorite bands since their very first album.
New band to me with some very strong, mellow songs. But also some that I wish would’ve ended sooner from annoyance.
A forgettable, droning mess of an album. Many better bands touted this sound at that time, and it is not missed.
Difficult to tell what genre they were going for. Some good songs, but some mediocre ones and a bit all over the place.
Ska, metal, cussing, and screaming. It’s nobody’s favorite combination.
I’d never heard of this band and braced myself for the worst, but liked them a lot.
What a find! I loved this unheard of band.
The lead vocalist sounds like the singer from TV On The Radio, but the music doesn’t grab your attention enough to pay attention.
I hadn’t listened to any music from this band in a while, and enjoyed diving back into them!
Play this game: begin each song; once the lead vocalist begins screech-singing, go next song. Completed the album in 3 minutes!
Are these just rich kids whose parents listened to lots of Green Day?
Far too much yelling to get entirely through this album.
I knew to stay away from the album cover and Wiki
You have to really like this band to suffer through this many songs. I don’t like this band.
I’ve loved the hits from them my entire life and was gratified to know that a whole album is just as solid
I somewhat knew of the Broadway show, but learned through this recommendation that it was first a concept album. It was great and I love the New Orleans style of music.
I hadn’t heard of this artist but loved the album. He overcame the challenge of making songs in this genre sound different from one another.
Never heard of this band, but they made an impression with their low fi sound and gorgeous harmonies.
The singer’s voice is gorgeous in harmony and peaceful in the low range, but grating and tight when solo. The accompanying music is pretty but can’t rescue the album.
The entire package felt derivative and lab grown.
I have listened to this many times and always enjoy the experience.
I’ve listened to other albums of theirs, and their sound grows tiresome after a few songs. But, there are a lot worse-sounding groups.
I’ve loved some of these hits for years after they charted, but never listened to the full album. It’s a great one!
I’d forgotten how much I liked some of the songs on this album. The songs get worse as you go along but it was a fun trip.
This album was new to me and a fun rip. Not an every day listen, but maybe once every couple of years.
I was entranced by this album and group, which I had never heard of before.
This is a new artist to me and their music was consistently good throughout the album. It didn’t blow me away, though.
This album firmly establishes its mood.
A lot of unpleasant noise and blips of talent and melody
Some moments of brilliance among a concept album dirge
A few very good songs
Groundbreaking but at this length, a lot of fluff.
I really didn’t like the dated sound of this album.
Great voice! I liked the way he sings more than the music and lyrics, but it kept me interested.
Addictive! A pop metal fusion explosion.
Heard this album many times; several whopper hits.
I’ve loved Bob Mould for 30 years. Yet, I never actively seek out his music or Sugar’s because it’s not memorable.
It was real nice background music
I respect Oingo Boingo as an influential band and Danny Elfman as one of the greatest firm score composers but rarely listen to their albums. This was a good-to-very-good composition.
Nice background music
What an unsung hero Billy Squier is. Huzzah to him making this list!
Really barfy, like if The Doors made music in the digital age.
Sounded like weak alternative rock of its day and not worth a second listen.
This settled in to be a nice album after they/I figured out their sound.
Before he was a party song buffoon, he performed sappy, lyrically-challenged soft country songs.
I tried to get into at least one song, but this group was all over the place.
I’d forgotten about this artist. Great album when you want to chill.
Pretty at times but not memorable
The song styles were a bit schizophrenic.
This should be one of the 1,001 albums to hear after you die. It assaulted my ears with self indulgent yelling of profanities.
Forgot about this band. This isn’t my favorite album of theirs but some of the songs jam.
It’s just ok
Oddly satisfying, despite the interruptions from the added movie dialogue.
I forgot how much I liked this album when it came out. It’s still holds up well!
Tried getting through two songs but felt like I was in a medieval theme park.
He is quite the passionate teller of boring stories. Pretty music and singing, though.
I knew not to listen by the album cover and death.
I love several of these songs but hadn’t ever listened to the album. It was a blast.
Childish, infantile, and a poor imitation of The Might Be Giants
I’d never heard of them but now I have. Some of their jams were groovy but their whole vibe and image comes off as nerdy.
I wore out this album when it came out and remember thinking it was the closest thing to rock and roll that the band ever got. Great concept album and was happy to rediscover.
I’d never heard of this band and liked a few of their songs, but found some of their lyrics and vibe to be weird in the middle part of the album and the first track.
All but one song was ear garbage
I dislike this genre and gave this band and album a chance. But the grunting style of singing for death metal will never be music to my ears.
I knew this band already from one song I like and listen to often, but they can’t string together two good songs in a row on their albums.
What a solid album of well-composed songs! I’d never heard of this artist or knew any of the songs, but was impressed by the singing, lyrics, and music.
I don’t like to be the subject in an artist’s sound experiment. The fake scratchy old record sound drowned out the faint piano on most tracks. It failed at even being good background music.
If I liked nu metal, maybe I’d have given this more stars
Decent background music, but some of the songs with vocals had atrocious off key singing and terrible lyrics
Some good songs and a lot of others that sounded repetitive
Too many moments of frustrating badness to appreciate the one or two moments of brilliance.
The songs that sounded like Daft Punk and not a movie soundtrack were good. Unfortunately, there were only two by my account.
Good, not great classic rock
Forgot about one of the songs on this album and how I used to play it nonstop. Great sounding group.
It was a sweet lullaby of an album. But it didn’t lift the spirits like Sufjan‘s first few solo albums.
This band’s sound from song to song is among the most inconsistent I’ve heard. The poor quality of lyrics are like a middle school boy used ChatGPT to write songs for a girl he likes.
One of the greatest indie rock records ever
I’d never listened to them and only heard the band name without knowing it’s a reggae. I normally find that genre monotonous and annoying after a few songs, but they kept it live!
Wish I’d heard of them before but they sound dated now.
New band for me and really listenable. Good melodies and beat. Added several songs to playlists
Their singer sounds a lot like a particular 90s alternative band’s singer, making their entire sound seem derivative. But I would have liked them when this album debuted.
Some songs are pure pop and others are indie rock bangers. Overall, a good album.
It was the music equivalent of a flat coke. Sweet but no effervescence.
I’d forgotten how amazing this album is, Ben Gibbard’s wimpy voice be damned!
This was a new album for me and all new songs for me from a group that had a profound influence on my music listening two albums later on Violator. Not great, but good, with some very good songs.
The band would sound better if they played better music and not 2000s alternative rock/metal
Amazing album. I only knew the first track but the entire album was sublime.
It was weak, kitschy, and annoying.
It’s so slick like a carefully curated, lab-grown album. But the production overshadows the singer’s beautiful voice. I was distracted and annoyed at being manipulated.
Excellent band, great live. But in hindsight too many Division Bell songs and not enough classic album content. Still 5 stars
Good background music, but wouldn’t listen again.
It doesn’t matter what language it’s in. Mid-80s pop rock is a time machine to good bad music.
The lead singer’s feigned growling ruined every song he sang in.
They had a couple listenable songs among dozens of oddities in the 90s and this album is more of the same. Fun band but only in small doses.
YES! I had forgotten about this album and had absolutely worn it out on CD when it came out. Great album and such amazing guitars.
A forgotten gem of a voice and a great album to set a mood.
Loved this when it came out, and hadn’t heard it in a while.
If I had never heard their debut album, I would say this is a good album. But since I know that they have changed their styles, I don’t like it as much.
I can’t listen to this again because of how dated it sounds, but it’s good hair metal.
Sounded like a soundtrack for prescription medications on TV ads. Some of it was tame and lame, and some of it bopped.
Most songs were like Broadway numbers, with a couple like Medieval music. Great voices but not enough like traditional music to re-listen.
It’s like Zappa crossed with Blood Sweat & Tears.
It’s way too much electronic music for one sitting, even though several songs are good.
This isn’t like any other King Crimson album I’ve heard. There’s hints of Les Claypool bass, Talking Heads percussion and David Byrne singing, and 80s synth.
I’ve heard a few of their songs and they rock. A whole album is too much ear torture, though.
Hadn’t heard this album but like the band and love one other album. This one is sloppy and meandering but has bright musical moments. I admit I stopped listening midway.
Drunken, warm vocals with 90s alternative strumming. A new band to me and not half bad.
So unbelievably good. I liked Big Thief’s louder, indie rock music first but this entire album is smoldering talent.
Honestly, not as bad as I thought it’d be. Good instrumentation and vocals that could’ve gotten annoying if they left the lead singer’s range but stayed tame.
Very gentle and pleasant
Never heard of this band and a great listen. Too bad I had to listen on Bandcamp and can’t add it to my playlists.
Had only heard two hits from this album but appreciated hearing the entire work of art.
1 star for the psychotic and erratic singing style but 5 stars for the great music and arrangements.
Basic and boring
About 99.9% of the time, I dislike Ren Faire and fantasy Medieval video game background music
Rebel Girl is a great song. Listening to an entire punk album is a lot to ask, but this one was good.
They sound like Brazil’s Limp Bizkit. And that is not a compliment.
The lead singer’s slurred talking style of singing made it unlistenable.
Just a bunch of computer generated sounds pasted into song-length clips.
I’d forgotten about this artist, who I used to like. Very good mood-setting for a chill vibe.
We already have a Gaga, and she doesn’t uselessly spew profanity in her songs.
I couldn’t get past track 2. It’s just too loud and bad.
Only got through 2 songs; very mellow jazz.
Only made it through a handful of songs. The singer has a good singing voice and that’s the only nice thing I can write.
I hadn’t heard this album (just two radio hits) and loved it! The hits are phenomenal but the rest holds its own.
This album is a concept I’m not into. Only Pink Floyd is allowed to have weird talking with music.
Really bad lyrics to accompany a heavily affected singing style.
Too whiny of a voice; this genre of music is forgotten and uncelebrated.
They’re like the other groups I liked at that time with tortured-voice singers—Neutral Milk Hotel, Bright Eyes—but this is a new band to me with original melodies.
I know the hit songs but had never listened to the whole album. It’s a nice piece of music.
Very sweet and sad in some parts but a couple of upbeat ones. Interesting to learn about the singer’s fame.
The female vocalist’s poor Bjork impression and the male vocalist’s electronic distortion detract from the middling melodies.
The lead vocalist has a smooth voice and a few of the songs had moving melodies.
Strange album and confusion over genres. Some musicality, though.
An absolute masterpiece every time I hear it!
Couldn’t get more than a few songs in because it’s mood music for a game I haven’t heard of
Some very compelling, beautiful numbers from a band I’ve never heard of…but unfortunately, also, a lot of clutter, borderline madness, and musical indecision.
Too much yelling
I liked it
With lyrics like “she’s seen me naked, she knows I’m packing heat,” is this a comedy album? “Barely legal-aged teens” in a not-thinly-veiled song about internet porn being trolled by a Nigerian guy posing as a woman? An entirely different song with the lyrics “chasing pussy online”? Cease and desist.
Some sad, mournful singing overlaid with decent new folk instrumentation.
Very pleasant and happy.
Ear-pleasing, mostly, blend of pop and alternative rock. But the vocals on some songs were tweaked and autotuned.
Yelling loudness with no fun
An album I’ve never heard of from an artist I’ve always appreciated. A gem of a find! An excellent gumbo of styles.
I’d never listened to this album but had always liked the radio songs. Great listen and heartbreaking.
“Get Myself Arrested” was on a playlist I lost, and I’m happy to be reunited with it! But, I’ve quickly grown tired of Ben Ottewell’s forced-air vocals.
Confusing pop music that bills itself as rock but only fleetingly uses rock guitars, and in addition uses fills of jazz piano and hip hop beats. And very annoying lead vocals.
Every time I see the name of the band, I get excited. But then a few songs into the album, boredom creeps in because every song sounds the same.
One of the greatest albums of its time of its genre.
An unfortunate joyless dirge through most of the album.
A new band to me, and would have been so-so had I heard them when this genre was in style. It’s dated and cringey now.
Didn’t need to listen because I’ve heard it 100X! Love this album and group.
Slightly more listenable than death metal…which is still unlistenable because of its painful vocals.
I listened despite owning the CD and playing it dozens of times. Still one of their best albums, and one of my favorites from my younger days.
