260
Albums Rated
2.84
Average Rating
24%
Complete
829 albums remaining
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Rating Timeline
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1950s
Favorite Decade
Folk
Favorite Genre
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Critic
Rater Style ?
17
5-Star Albums
37
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
American Beauty
Grateful Dead
|
5 | 3.24 | +1.76 |
|
High Violet
The National
|
5 | 3.24 | +1.76 |
|
Sweet Baby James
James Taylor
|
5 | 3.24 | +1.76 |
|
Nebraska
Bruce Springsteen
|
5 | 3.32 | +1.68 |
|
Darkness on the Edge of Town
Bruce Springsteen
|
5 | 3.42 | +1.58 |
|
Oar
Alexander 'Skip' Spence
|
4 | 2.46 | +1.54 |
|
James Brown Live At The Apollo
James Brown
|
5 | 3.46 | +1.54 |
|
Violent Femmes
Violent Femmes
|
5 | 3.5 | +1.5 |
|
The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan
|
5 | 3.63 | +1.37 |
|
Born To Run
Bruce Springsteen
|
5 | 3.64 | +1.36 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Electric Ladyland
Jimi Hendrix
|
1 | 3.94 | -2.94 |
|
Can't Buy A Thrill
Steely Dan
|
1 | 3.72 | -2.72 |
|
Superunknown
Soundgarden
|
1 | 3.66 | -2.66 |
|
Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
Wu-Tang Clan
|
1 | 3.61 | -2.61 |
|
Raising Hell
Run-D.M.C.
|
1 | 3.51 | -2.51 |
|
Blackstar
David Bowie
|
1 | 3.48 | -2.48 |
|
Zombie
Fela Kuti
|
1 | 3.47 | -2.47 |
|
Paul's Boutique
Beastie Boys
|
1 | 3.47 | -2.47 |
|
Aja
Steely Dan
|
1 | 3.46 | -2.46 |
|
3 Feet High and Rising
De La Soul
|
1 | 3.45 | -2.45 |
Artists
Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Bob Dylan | 3 | 5 |
| Bruce Springsteen | 3 | 5 |
Least Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Steely Dan | 4 | 1.25 |
| Beastie Boys | 3 | 1.67 |
| Alice Cooper | 2 | 1.5 |
5-Star Albums (17)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
1/5
Well that was terrible -- but at least it was long.
94 likes
Steely Dan
1/5
Oh Steely Dan -- why do people think you're great? I will never understand. 1.5 stars
2 likes
Funkadelic
2/5
I don't know -- I guess I just don't "get" funk music. This was totally fine but nothing that grabbed me.
1 likes
Devendra Banhart
4/5
This was great! Finding someone like this that I never heard of is what I was hoping for with this list. Easy 4 stars and could go to 4.5 on repeated listens
1 likes
1-Star Albums (37)
All Ratings
Janis Joplin
3/5
Enjoyed this more than expected, great energy and voice
The Smiths
2/5
Title track was good, rest wasn’t for me
Jimi Hendrix
1/5
That was a slog to get through
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
4/5
Loved it! Listened to it a couple times in a row and will definitely be one I come back to again
Funkadelic
2/5
Alright, that title -- whew! Getting past that (and the bizarre flatulence noises at the end of the album) and this was an enjoyable, fun album to have in the background while I worked. Doubt I'll seek it out again (so 2 stars) but enjoyed it more than I expected
Arrested Development
3/5
Hip hop isn't really my thing, but I like this more than expected -- Mama's Always on Stage, Mr Wendal, and Tennessee were great
The Police
3/5
Eh, it's The Police. Never mind having them on but never rocks my world either. Every Breath You Take, King of Pain, Wrapped Around Your Finger are all good, though.
Taylor Swift
4/5
Had really only listened to the Ryan Adams version, but this is great. Out of the Woods, Shake it Off, Blank Space -- lots of good stuff.
Killing Joke
3/5
Never heard of this band, couldn't understand a lot of the lyrics but the music was fun. I could see picking this up if I saw it at a shop to slot in alongside The Clash and Sex Pistols on the shelf
Primal Scream
3/5
Well I wasn't expecting that. Enjoyable background music to work to, a couple songs rose above that (Burning Wheel, Out of the Void)
Fun Lovin' Criminals
2/5
Well -- again, not the type of music I listen to usually. Didn't mind it but nothing stuck out as something I would listen to again.
Judas Priest
3/5
That was a pleasant surprise. If I ever start working out again I would definitely put that on.
Taylor Swift
3/5
It was … fine. Music gets 4 stars, lyrics get 2. They just felt a little clunky, a little too over explaining, and not a great match for the music in a lot of cases.
Primal Scream
2/5
Second album from these guys -- and I think if someone made a mix of my favorite songs from their albums I would probably like it. But this album overall was tough to get through. So I'll give it 2 stars since there were some songs I enjoyed but also because I sighed when I came back to my computer and remembered I wasn't done with it yet
Steely Dan
2/5
Never listened to them before because I assumed that were inoffensive yacht rock … and it was.
Brian Eno
1/5
The 70's, man -- did people really decide this was fun to put on and sit around and listen to? Maybe it's more fun if you do drugs at the same time
Television
4/5
Always was interested in checking this out, glad that I finally did -- really enjoyed it. Can definitely see adding this one to the collection
Fatboy Slim
4/5
Blast of nostalgia … high school baby! The hits are big big and the others are … fine. Fun listen
Frank Black
1/5
Made it through it. I feel like no way this album is on this list if it wasn't for the Pixies pedigree.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
4/5
Pretty good! Less "reedy" that I think of Neil Young's voice being usually and that made it a lot more enjoyable than some of his new stuff I've heard
The Pharcyde
1/5
Look -- I don't really know how to judge if this album is good, but I didn't enjoy it
Pretenders
3/5
Didn't know much about them, but this was enjoyable. Liked Precious, Stop Your Sobbing, Mystery Achievement. Didn't like Brass in Pocket which I guess is why I never bothered to check them out more
Creedence Clearwater Revival
3/5
I feel like CCR is one of those bands you've heard so much it's tough to really judge. But it's interesting hearing non-hits w/ some fresh ears. Still not something I'm going out of my way to listen to but I can see the appeal
Curtis Mayfield
3/5
Never heard any Curtis Mayfield before and thought it was pretty good. Nothing in particular stood out but nothing was one I would skip, either
Tim Buckley
2/5
Not a big fan of the whole "voice as instrument" stuff. Wouldn't turn it off, won't seek it out
Manic Street Preachers
1/5
First couple songs I was like ok, this is fine -- got more annoyed at it as it went. Very aggressively 90's and want a little more mania from "Manic Street Preachers"
Louis Prima
4/5
This was a nice antidote to the last album. More energy and just a good time all around. I assume gigolo meant something different in the 1950’s? Also wonder if this was one Pops liked
Eminem
1/5
Hard one to rate. I don’t ever want to listen to it again but I can at least see the artistic / cultural impact. But since this is my rankings, 1 star it is
ABBA
3/5
I like ABBA and hadn't heard any of these songs, I think. None of them really grabbed me the one some of their favorites of mine do -- but enjoyed it
Bob Marley & The Wailers
3/5
Yet another one where it was fun to hear tracks I don't know from someone I've heard over and over. This was good -- CC may have sort of ruined me for reggae but enjoyed it. No More Trouble was favorite, I think
Paul Weller
2/5
Nothing that really stands out from many, many other 90's singer-songwriter types. Like w/ Frank Black, I feel like this one is drawing on the Jam pedigree -- or it's just a British thing, I don't know
JAY Z
3/5
I don't know anything about the history of rap / hip hop but it's interesting to me that this was only 2 years after The Slim Shady LP. Enjoyed this one much more
Boston
4/5
Lots of hits on this one -- enjoyed it more than I would have thought if you just asked "do you like Boston?"
The Divine Comedy
3/5
Not bad. Not sure what it is about British pop and the sort of lounge-singer vibe. Don't love it.
Gillian Welch
4/5
Very enjoyable even if a little overly stripped down at times. I Want to Sing That Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley Blues, and I Dream a Highway were great
Gene Clark
4/5
Never heard of this guy but this was a nice listen in the vein of other kind of country-ish, rock stuff of the time. I'd listen to it again for sure
Erykah Badu
3/5
Some I enjoyed (Orange Moon in particular), a lot that were kind of "eh" but nothing that was bad.
Sonic Youth
4/5
Man -- that was great! And unexpected. Great bridge between punk and grunge and doesn't feel dated in a way that a lot of the 90's albums I've listened to so far do.
The Soft Boys
4/5
Another album that doesn't feel like it came out when it did -- really enjoyed "I Wanna Destroy You" and "Queen of Eyes." They are what elevates this to a 4 from a 3
The Beach Boys
4/5
Really liked it. Would be 4.5 stars if that was possible … not an all-time classic, but definitely on my list now to pick up for the collection
ZZ Top
3/5
Feel like this is a 3.5. Enjoyable blues rock and a fun listen from a band I really only knew for their beards
Bob Dylan
5/5
I had been thinking maybe I was being too stingy on my ratings … maybe some of those 4’s should be 5’s. But, nah, albums like this are why I’ve been saving them.
Crosby, Stills & Nash
4/5
Darn good! Will be looking to pick this one up. 4.5 stars for this one
Belle & Sebastian
4/5
Forgot how much I enjoy these guys and probably enjoy them more now at a slightly older age than when I first heard them. Solid 4.5
Bob Marley & The Wailers
4/5
I know this is a trend, but I like hearing some of these albums where I know some songs but only from Greatest Hits albums -- nice to hear them in their original settings. Was thinking a solid 3 stars before Waiting in Vain, Three Little Birds, and One Love pushed it to a 4 at the end
John Coltrane
4/5
Alright, I don't know if it's because I'm getting older or what but it might be time to admit that I like jazz. Listened to it twice and found new things the second time around -- and, yes, I know what that makes me sound like.
Aerosmith
3/5
Not bad -- a few highlights, less "campy" than I usually think of Aerosmith. I guess that's true of a lot of these bands that got huge, they only became overexposed or whatever you want to call it because they were good before
Roxy Music
3/5
Overall a little uneven for me, but holy cow Re-make / Re-model is fantastic! 5 stars for that song for sure, 3.5 for the album overall
1/5
Well that was terrible -- but at least it was long.
Eurythmics
3/5
Overall pretty enjoyable -- somehow never knew Annie Lennox was in the band. Anyway, "Jennifer" was a the big standout, loved that one!
Stereo MC's
3/5
Enjoyable -- liked Step It Up and Creation. Not my favorite but nothing I disliked
Beatles
4/5
Middle-Beatles is always my favorite Beatles, but I think I prefer early-Beatles to late-Beatles. Lots of fun stuff here, both original and covers. I'll give it 4.5 and if "I Want to Hold Your Hand" had made it onto the album, would bump it to 5.
Funkadelic
2/5
I don't know -- I guess I just don't "get" funk music. This was totally fine but nothing that grabbed me.
Kate Bush
3/5
Solid 3.5 stars for this one -- definitely want to give it another listen, sounds way ahead of it's time with some 80's undertones but a lot else going on. Pleasant surprise!
The Youngbloods
3/5
Another pleasant surprise -- never heard of them, looked them up figuring they were the first band of someone famous, but nope. Just a good band I'd never heard of.
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five
3/5
That was surprisingly fun! Not something I'll put on regularly, I don't think, but enjoyable to have in the background. Can see why he's known as a pioneer
Sade
2/5
Totally inoffensive muzak feeling album
Run-D.M.C.
1/5
Welp. Didn't enjoy this as much as Grandmaster Flash a few days ago. 1.5 stars
The Prodigy
3/5
Not what I expected -- I guess I never what genre these guys were, but I liked it. Not sure I'll decide to listen to an electronic album again, but if I do this one is just fine
Dolly Parton
4/5
Great album. Obviously title track is great but a lot of the tracks are just nice, clean, simple country songs. Early Morning Breeze was a standout I had never heard before
Finley Quaye
2/5
This was fine -- but not sure there was anything about it that seemed like it needs to be on a list like this. Oh well
Bruce Springsteen
5/5
I mean, come on -- Thunder Rd and Born to Run alone would be enough to make this one 5 stars before adding in Backstreets, She's the One, etc. Stone-cold classic
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
4/5
Turns out I think I like jazz! This was great
Bad Brains
2/5
So I mean, there's nothing wrong about this but I still don't see why this would be in the top 1,001 albums -- maybe I wasn't listening closely enough or it had some big impact I'm not familiar with. It was fine
Crowded House
2/5
Ranged from mildly interesting to inoffensive to boring
Tears For Fears
2/5
Liked this better than I remembered from 30 years ago or whenever Becky had the CD. Everybody Wants to Rule the World and Head Over Heels are fine. But nothing that grabs me. Somewhere between 2 and 2.5 stars
Jimi Hendrix
3/5
Enjoyed this more than Electric Ladyland for sure. Purple Haze and Fire are always good. Seemed to have more direction or less fat or something.
Milton Nascimento
3/5
Difficult to rate an album when I don't speak the language. But I liked the music itself and the overall atmosphere / vibe, so I guess 3?
Blondie
3/5
Pretty good! 3.5, with an extra .5 for I'm Gonna Love You Too -- what a great track!
Guns N' Roses
2/5
This is a tough one to rate. Sweet Child O' Mine is fantastic, Welcome to the Jungle and Paradise City are fun. Lots of misogyny sprinkled through the other songs and not really the same hooks as in the hits.
The Doors
3/5
I've never been a fan of The Doors so I wasn't too excited to see this one pop up, but I enjoyed it more than I thought! More bluesy than I expected -- really enjoyed Been Down So Long and The WASP, both of which were new to me. Don't think I'll become a big fan but this was a pleasant surprise
Skunk Anansie
1/5
So edgy, so angry, so 90's. Struggled to get through this one
Supergrass
3/5
A pleasant surprise! Lots of energy, fun to listen to, and didn't feel dated like a lot of the 90's albums on this list have. 3.5 stars
Sister Sledge
3/5
That was fun -- I'd have that on in the background again. 3.5 stars
Bad Company
3/5
Solid with nothing overwhelming one way or another.
George Harrison
4/5
I'll take off half a star because it seems a little bloated -- but great stuff overall. 4.5
Björk
2/5
Not my thing really, but interesting! I can see why people dig it. 2.5 stars
Devendra Banhart
4/5
This was great! Finding someone like this that I never heard of is what I was hoping for with this list. Easy 4 stars and could go to 4.5 on repeated listens
The La's
2/5
Totally fine -- nothing jumped out at me but it was fine to listen to. 2.5 stars
Missy Elliott
2/5
Mostly just had it on in the background and was fine
Violent Femmes
5/5
Wow! That was awesome! Guess I wasn't ready for them the first time I heard them back in HS, but that went right on my "to buy" list
Gorillaz
2/5
All seemed a bit blasé ... maybe you had to be there.
Jazmine Sullivan
2/5
Not my favorite but enjoyable enough.
Kraftwerk
3/5
I'm very surprised to say that I dug it! Nice to have in the background as work music.
Grateful Dead
5/5
Don't care much for jam bands but I've always liked this album for being a little tighter / more focused. Side one of the album is great start to finish!
Queen
2/5
I don't usually like Queen -- all a bit overwrought and melodramatic for my tastes. Liked this better than the other things of theirs I've heard but still not something I'm likely to come back to. 2.5 stars
Sly & The Family Stone
2/5
Parts were enjoyable but overall just not my jam.
Jane's Addiction
2/5
I don't know there's just something about that middle time between punk and grunge that just doesn't do it for me.
The Kinks
2/5
Eh. Give me the first two albums and some more angst or whatever is missing from this.
Metallica
3/5
Solid. Not sure it made me a fan of any songs I wasn't already but really enjoyed having the symphony behind a lot of the songs I already enjoyed
Public Enemy
1/5
Not my favorite, but didn't mind it. Interesting to think back to when Flava Flav was more than a meme
Lynyrd Skynyrd
3/5
Southern rock has never been one of my favorites, but this was more fun than I expected. Somehow never knew they sang "Tuesday's Gone" and although the style as a whole isn't my favorite this one won me over
Pink Floyd
1/5
I always thought of Pink Floyd as a 70's band and never cared for them much. Never knew they were starting right around the Sgt Pepper time and man, it didn't help my opinion of them. Feels like what I would think a bad knockoff of psychedelic music would be
The Rolling Stones
3/5
I do wonder what this would have felt like in the moment. I also wonder what the overall transition from the 60's to the 70's felt like -- feels like a rough one. Not sure I had heard Moonlight Mile before but enjoyed that one. 3.5 stars
Thelonious Monk
4/5
Enjoyed it -- if I get nothing else out of this album project, I will finish knowing that I need to listen to more jazz
Fleet Foxes
4/5
That was a VERY 2008 sounding album -- and I loved it. Think I had only heard one or two of the songs and although they blended together, it was all enjoyable. I'd put it on again, no question
Method Man
2/5
Enjoyed it more than expected -- fan of the music, less so the lyrics.
Elton John
3/5
Feels a little bloated and this is around the stage in his career where Elton and I part ways -- much prefer the earlier stuff
Kanye West
2/5
A lot of these albums I wonder what it would be like to hear it without having all the songs be ubiquitous. This I wonder what it would be like to hear without the MAGA baggage. Not something I'll probably chose to go back to but man can I see why people are so high on his music. 2.5 stars
DJ Shadow
3/5
Fascinating. Enjoyed it and exactly the kind of thing I would never know was out there without this list. 3.5 stars
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
3/5
Pretty standard CSNY stuff. Never my favorite, never offensive
Cat Stevens
5/5
Love it. Even the non-hits are solid and Father and Son pushes it over the edge. Will never leave my collection
Nick Drake
4/5
Can't believe I'd never heard this -- loved it. I agree with something I read about it that I wouldn't want it to be longer, but I already went back and listened several times. Giving it a 4 but over time could see it going up
Thundercat
1/5
Not sure what I was expecting but it definitely wasn't that. Apparently a very well respected bass player. Not my cup of tea 1.5 stars
Kraftwerk
3/5
Honestly, more fun than I expected (though I don't know what I expected exactly). For some reason it's wild to me it's from 1974. I would add this to the collection as a piece of history more than something I would listen to regularly -- but I would listen to it.
Eagles
3/5
Tough one. They're great songs, they just don't grab me too much. I supposed it's telling that I had this in my collection and sold it. 3.5 stars.
ABBA
3/5
It's ABBA. Never dislike it, never love it. Knowing Me, Knowing You was one I hadn't heard before that I enjoyed
Miles Davis
4/5
I feel like I've said similar things with other jazz albums that have come up, but this settles it -- I'm getting more jazz records
The Stooges
4/5
Yes! More of this, please -- going straight on the "to buy" list
Bee Gees
1/5
Interesting to hear them prior to disco -- but still not something I'm interested in listening to. 1.5 stars
Bruce Springsteen
5/5
Just awesome from start to finish. If I could only have one Springsteen album, this would be it
Gil Scott-Heron
2/5
H2O gate was interesting, overall fine just not for me
Merle Haggard
3/5
Straight-ahead, classic country. Almost to the point of sounding like parody at times listening to it now. Still, good listening / example of the genre
The Doors
3/5
Second Doors album, second time I groaned about having to listen to it, second time I've been pleasantly surprised. Maybe I don't dislike the Doors, maybe I just disliked the kids in college who were *really* into the Doors.
Leonard Cohen
2/5
Was all of the place on this one. Starting thinking "well, I can see why people thought he had promise" then some songs in the middle I was pretty blah on, the a couple towards the end turned me back around. Sounds like a 2.5 to me
The Flaming Lips
2/5
Probably a 3 for the music, 1 for the lyrics and so we'll average it out to a 2.
Jah Wobble's Invaders Of The Heart
1/5
I don't understand how some albums get on this list. Like the first song was ok and then it just got worse for me from there -- fine, I don't have to like every album on here. But what was this album doing that was new or different or that makes it stand out? And my god, those lyrics "Love conquers fear ... in the arena ... of LIFE!" Bleh
Coldcut
1/5
I don't know -- it was ok but not anything that grabbed me. What's That Noise indeed. 1.5 stars
Beastie Boys
2/5
That's a moment in time right there. Still a fun listen coming up on 40 years later in all its ridiculousness
The Who
5/5
Been awhile since I had sat and listened to this whole album -- holds up great. Love the anthems, love the quieter moments, love that it feels grandiose without feeling over the top.
The Mamas & The Papas
3/5
That's a fun 60's vibe right there. I'll go 3 stars with California Dreamin' doing a fair bit of lifting
Tricky
3/5
This was a pleasant surprise -- not sure about Apple Music's contention that it's make out music, but overall enjoyable and Black Steel was awesome
Harry Nilsson
2/5
I guess I prefer my 70's singer-songwriter to be a little more earnest
Metallica
3/5
Never mind Metallica. Some fun stuff on here but not going to put it on the "to buy" list. 3.5 stars
Siouxsie And The Banshees
3/5
One of my favorite things about this project so far is realizing the year some of these albums came out. For some reason I have trouble picturing this as early-80's and it must have sounded groundbreaking, for sure. Liked it overall
Sonic Youth
3/5
Didn't like this one as much as Daydream Nation. Not sure if it just felt more disjointed or what. Still, not bad
Giant Sand
2/5
Interesting. Not one I'm planning to come back to but nothing I disliked about it. 2.5 stars
3/5
I don't know if I ever actually listened to this all the way through -- even though I knew most of the songs thanks to HS. Champagne Supernova is still my favorite but also like Don't Look Back in Anger and Cast No Shadow has a lovely 90's nostalgic vibe. 3.5 stars
Led Zeppelin
5/5
When I think of "rock 'n' roll" I think of Springsteen doing Quarter to 3 at No Nukes. But when I think of "rock" I think of this album -- even though I know actual fans of "rock" would be disappointed with that take. Classic all the way around.
The Band
3/5
Ok overall. There's something about that era / style of music that feels a little too "sloppy" to me for lack of a better word. I'm sure it's not actually musically but always keeps it from truly clicking for me
The National
5/5
Sort of forget about this one with how much I like Boxer and Trouble Will Find You -- but damn, it's just as good.
Bob Dylan
5/5
Another classic. Like A Rolling Stone, Ballad of a Thin Man, Highway 61 Revisited, and Desolation Row have long been favorites
Bob Dylan
5/5
Depending on the day I bounce between this and Blood on the Tracks as my favorite Dylan albums. But It's Alright Ma is probably my favorite Dylan song every day
John Grant
3/5
Went from "why is this on the list?" to "I dig this song" right around Chicken Bones. 3.5
3/5
Kinks are always fine -- but I definitely prefer early, angsty Kinks to later, quirky Kinks
Peter Gabriel
3/5
I was ready to give this 4 stars (with a .5 star bump just for "In Your Eyes") and then "This is the Picture" came on and dropped it right back to 3.5 stars.
Radiohead
4/5
Early Radiohead is always my favorite but I forgot just how many great songs this album has
Björk
2/5
Well that wasn't for me but I get why people enjoy / respect it. 2.5 stars
The Chemical Brothers
4/5
Way more than expected! I can definitely see coming back to this one -- for Leave Home if nothing else
Paul Revere & The Raiders
2/5
Kept trying to find reasons to give this one a higher rating. But just couldn't do it -- average and forgettable
Coldplay
3/5
Hadn't listened to this one in probably 20 years but feel mostly the same way about it ... Scientist is good, Clocks is great, the rest I could take or leave. I'll round up to a 3 because nothing I dislike on it
Steely Dan
1/5
Oh Steely Dan -- why do people think you're great? I will never understand. 1.5 stars
The Notorious B.I.G.
1/5
I made it through but man it took like 4 days
Garbage
3/5
Some of it sounds a little dated but still holds up well
Elliott Smith
1/5
That was definitely early-2000's singer songwriter. Had to slog through that one. 1.5 stars
John Martyn
3/5
All over the place on the rating for this one. Never heard any of it but was digging the first song. Then the next few were not doing it for me at all. Then three in a row I really enjoyed. So I guess I'll settle in at 3.5 -- would pick it up if I saw it cheap somewhere but not going to seek it out. But will still listen to it more. Man, yeah I just can't decide. This could be a 4 over time.
The Gun Club
2/5
That was a very by the numbers, inoffensive punk record. I enjoyed it well enough and have no idea why it made this list.
Kraftwerk
3/5
You're alright in my book, Kraftwerk. A sort of adorableness to their earnestness
Nick Drake
3/5
Didn't like it as much as Pink Moon but still enjoyable and would still pick it up if I saw it somewhere. 3.5
New York Dolls
4/5
I am in -- this was great. More fleshed out than early punk (not sure how this doesn't count), more passion than The Rolling Stones, I'm definitely putting this on my watch list
Big Star
3/5
I had heard of Big Star but I don't think I had ever really listened to them -- definitely didn't know they were Tom Petty and the Replacements mixed together! Struggled not giving this one 4, especially with Thirteen and Try Again. I'll go with 3.5 but also put it on my shopping list
Richard Hawley
2/5
Totally fine but didn't really do anything for me. I liked "I Sleep Alone" so I'll bump it up to 2.5 stars
Fela Kuti
1/5
First "jazz" album I didn't enjoy although I guess this is trending more funk than jazz. Either way, not for me.
Soundgarden
1/5
Soundgarden is like the band I thought Sonic Youth would be. I like angst in my music but not this kind. And man, 90's albums were too long. Trim the fat! 1.5 stars
Steely Dan
1/5
Hey Steely Dan is here again! Now they have some kind of jazzy muzak thing going on -- I'm going to just keep dropping them 1 star each time they show up.
Christina Aguilera
1/5
Not sure how many days it took me to get through this one, it was a slog. There's probably a way that you could cut this down to one disc and I would give it 2 stars, though.
Frank Sinatra
4/5
Definitely changed my opinion about Sinatra -- very enjoyable throughout
Black Sabbath
4/5
Exactly the kind of thing I was hoping for with this project -- an album that I really enjoyed (and will be looking to add to the collection) that I never would have listened to before simply because of the band.
Simon & Garfunkel
5/5
I've had this record for years but rarely *really* listen to it -- just great from start to finish. Don't really understand the (seemingly) fake crowd noise on Bye Bye Love but everything else more than makes up for it. This will be in the rotation more heavily, for sure.
Beastie Boys
1/5
I don't know enough to gauge its historical or cultural impact, but I know I didn't really enjoy it or find it compelling
KISS
2/5
First half was everything I thought a KISS album would be, but the second half won me over just a little bit -- Beth and Shout It Out Loud bring it up to a solid 2
Fleetwood Mac
4/5
One of my favorite Fleetwood Mac albums. So close to a 5 but second half lets me down just a touch. 4.5 stars
Magazine
2/5
To be fair, I had it on in the background while I was working. But nothing caught my attention enough to replay any of it / turn it up more
The Beach Boys
3/5
It's probably never a good idea to have the phrase "ecological aftermath" in a pop song -- but on-the-nose-ness aside I enjoy this album. Not up there with my favorite Beach Boy albums, but if I see it in a store I'll pick it up and happily listen to it. 3.5 stars
King Crimson
3/5
Not usually a fan of prog rock and this one certainly had all the things I find a little too over-the-top about the genre. But that said, I enjoyed this one for whatever reason -- maybe more earnest, less self-aware?
Joni Mitchell
4/5
Feel like her voice goes a little high and warb-ly for my tastes but still have always enjoyed this album
The Rolling Stones
3/5
Never really love The Rolling Stones but I enjoyed this one -- especially thinking of it as a juxtaposition of what the Beatles were putting out in 1968
Ms. Dynamite
2/5
Not really my thing but enjoyed it more than I expected to
Rufus Wainwright
1/5
Everything I don't miss about early 2000's singer songwriters
Bruce Springsteen
5/5
So much of what makes Springsteen great stripped down and laid bare. Lots of times I prefer the loud, rock version of Bruce but when I need an album to listen to in the dark, this is top notch
The Temptations
2/5
Like the soul parts more than the more R&B focused parts. Totally fine, nothing I'll come back to
Van Morrison
5/5
One of those albums that is so ubiquitous that it's a little tough to hear it with fresh ears. But songs like "Come Running" help show how the whole album must have felt when it was new.
This one that seems very of a time but captures it so well it's still a treat.
Metallica
2/5
Was leaning towards a 3 because I can appreciate Metallica, especially early-ish Metallica. But felt like a long hour so I'll bump it to 2.5
Alexander 'Skip' Spence
4/5
Don't really feel good about rating an album a 5 after just one listen -- so I'll say 4 and straight to the "to buy" list. Love finding albums like this that I've never even heard of that are great!
Public Image Ltd.
3/5
Albums like this are why I signed up for this project. They're strange, cool, I've never heard of them before, probably won't listen to them again, but love that I took the time to listen to them once and know about them and that they're out there
Prince
2/5
I enjoy Prince -- but apparently not as much as the next guy because this is never making my top-100 album list like Apple Music. And 2 lp definitely stretches my interest level
Oasis
3/5
Feel like the trouble listening to a band like Oasis now is that it's hard to picture them as revolutionary since they influenced so much that came after them -- without hearing them first it's tough to know how it felt in the moment. In this moment it feels fine but nothing exceptional.
The Verve
1/5
This particular brand of semi-whining, meandering 90's music has not aged well for me and man, this is "The 90's" the album as far as that kind of music goes. 1.5 stars
Penguin Cafe Orchestra
3/5
Whew I don't know what that was but I dug it! 3.5 and on the "to buy" list
John Lennon
3/5
3.5 stars. Two stone-cold classics bookending what is a pretty good album. Give me a couple more like \"Oh Yoko!\" and it's an easy 4-4.5
Aretha Franklin
4/5
Loved it! Straight on the "to buy" list
Paul Simon
5/5
Listening to this on record it always was hard to convince myself to listen to the second side because the first is so great. First side alone is 5 stars and even if the second side isn't as good to me, it doesn't bring it down at all
Mekons
2/5
I have a soft spot for this era of British music -- it's cheesy but earnest and doesn't sound whiny the way it all did starting in the 90's. 2.5 stars
Mariah Carey
2/5
Actually enjoyed that more than I expected! Sort of felt like I was in a waiting room and I doubt I'll ever seek it out again, but it was pleasant! 2.5 stars
Dinosaur Jr.
2/5
Don't really care for this type of what feels like intentionally a-melodic singing. I know it's a bonus track but the version of "Just Like Heaven" drives the point home -- just give me the Cure version.
Paul McCartney and Wings
2/5
Eh -- never a big fan of Paul McCartney's solo stuff always felt a little light-weight and wishy washy.
The Offspring
3/5
Enjoyed that more than I expected. Was a little young for it when it came out so never really listened to it at the time -- sound was more crisp and less muddled than I expected which I enjoyed.
David Bowie
1/5
I get Bowie is a legend, but I am certain I could have died without hearing this album
Stan Getz
4/5
Don't like ranking instrumental albums 5 stars because so much about what I love about music is related to the lyrics, but this was great -- straight on the "to buy" list
Ray Price
3/5
I find this kind of country enjoyable but repetitive so while I like individual songs here and there, it's tough to decide to sit down and listen to a whole album
De La Soul
1/5
Early on I was thinking "eh it's fine" so maybe a 2, but then it ... just ... kept ... going.
Dusty Springfield
3/5
Really enjoyed it. Nothing that blew my socks off but great vibes throughout. 3.5 stars
Amy Winehouse
3/5
Never listened to Amy Winehouse before and not sure what I expected, but it wasn't this -- really enjoyed it! Not sure it grabbed me enough to come back to it a lot, but still.
Simon & Garfunkel
4/5
Not one of theirs I'm come back to regularly, but better than I remembered! Even 7 o'clock news works for me when that type of sanctimoniousness doesn't usually. 4.5 stars
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
3/5
I liked it, but man the 90's was just full of albums that needed to be cut down by 1/3 in my opinion. This one being so loud (had the loudness wars started already? Felt like it) and in your face was just too long for me
Muddy Waters
3/5
Enjoyable. Guess I haven't moved as much in the blues direction as the jazz direction
Billy Joel
2/5
So aggressively *fine*. Only the Good Die Young is fun but otherwise not much doing a lot for me. 2.5 stars
Led Zeppelin
3/5
Well it definitely sounds like a Led Zeppelin album. Unfortunately it feels kind of like a slight, lightweight Zeppelin album -- fortunately that's a pretty nice curve to be grading on
Wu-Tang Clan
1/5
I guess I can see how people would enjoy it -- not for me, though, which makes it tough to rate this kind of album
Super Furry Animals
2/5
The late 90's/early 00's is probably my least favorite time period for music. I don't like the arrangements/productions, seems like all the albums are too long by like 1/3, it's just not my jam. This one had some ok songs but all the rest of it is still true
The Stranglers
2/5
Fine. Thought Get a Grip was fun
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
3/5
More enjoyable than I sometimes find Neil Young. Less reedy on his voice and enjoyed that the guitar playing was more present. 3.5 stars
Orange Juice
2/5
Something about British singers in this time period always sound like they're doing some kind of lounge singer impression to me. 2.5 stars
MGMT
3/5
Had heard the hits (which were the most enjoyable part of this for me) but the rest was still fun to listen to. Not jumping up to go listen to their next album
Adele
3/5
Of course I knew "Hello" (which is still great) but I'm not sure I was familiar with any others. Overall an enjoyable listen even if nothing else quite hits the high of Hello. 3.5 stars
Jimmy Smith
4/5
Very enjoyable. Only thing holding it back from a better score for me was the heavy use of electrical organ -- just not what I prefer in my jazz.
Beatles
4/5
Middle Beatles continues to be my favorite Beatles. My goodness, though, Run For Your Life didn't age great.
R.E.M.
4/5
I was just a little too Xennial to really enjoy R.E.M. in the moment so this was a great listen. Stipe's voice isn't my favorite when he's loud, but Man on the Moon, Nightswimming, and Find the River were a heck of a trio to end this one
Pet Shop Boys
2/5
I think this album probably does a very good job of doing what it sets out to do -- it's just not something I'm very interested in
Alice Cooper
2/5
I don't know if Spinal Tap ruined me or what, but it's hard to listen to some of this type of glam rock without thinking it's parody. But Alma Mater and Grand Finale where both enjoyable and pushed this one to a 2.5 by the time it was all done
Led Zeppelin
4/5
Don't know how this one isn't in my collection yet. Would love to have seen the impact / effect this one had when it was released
Jeff Buckley
2/5
Given the reputation thought I would enjoy this one more, but ultimately felt like a lot of mid-90's that doesn't really do it for me
OutKast
2/5
That was a lot to get through. Most wasn't anything I was interested in, but the highlights are enough to bring this up to a 2.5
Michael Jackson
4/5
I always sort of preferred "Bad" but I'm still human so 4 stars
Madonna
1/5
Memo to all late-90's albums: you are too long by 1/3. Maybe this was the start of more dance influence in pop music but doesn't make it any more enjoyable for me personally. 1.5 stars
Alice Cooper
1/5
Never a great sign when it's midway through the second song and it already feels like a slog. Would love to know what puts an album like this on the list. I did enjoy Generation Landslide, though, so I'll bump it to 1.5 stars overall
Beck
4/5
Not sure if it was ahead of its time, but it was certainly ahead of me at the time -- really enjoyed it now, though!
Kendrick Lamar
2/5
Not in my wheelhouse but I enjoyed "King Kunta" and "i" so I'll go with 2 stars
John Martyn
2/5
Crazy to me that this person managed to get multiple albums in the 1001 album list -- not that they're bad just surprising. Maybe a bias towards 70's artists. Anyway, I didn't like this one as much as the other: 2.5 stars
Hüsker Dü
1/5
Well it wasn't what I expected with the heavy use of umlauts, but I didn't enjoy it much, either. Double albums are a slog when nothing really grabs you
GZA
1/5
Eh. 1.5 stars I guess
Michael Jackson
4/5
That was great! Had heard some of the songs obviously, but you can see how this built to his huge 80's breakout. Fun time all around
4/5
Never one of my favorite Beatles albums but it's hard to ignore how revolutionary it must have seemed when all the songs were new and not classics
Pere Ubu
1/5
Started off feeling like a bad high school garage band -- and I like high school garage band sound! -- and then it just got worse.
R.E.M.
3/5
Stipe's voice when he's trying to sing "angry" never really does it for me. The slower songs were good, and of course "It's the End of the World As We Know It" is great. 3.5 stars
Incredible Bongo Band
4/5
This is exactly what I was hoping for from this list -- something I never have heard, never would have sought out, and really enjoyed. Straight to the "to buy" list
Elvis Costello
4/5
Have loved this album ever since the first time I heard it back in college. Overall I enjoy it more than later albums that lost some of the punk feel. 4.5 stars
Sonic Youth
3/5
One big takeaway from the first quarter of this list is that I like Sonic Youth way more than I expected. Probably need to be in the mood for this one, but another solid entry. 3.5 stars
John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers
4/5
More of this for sure, straight to the "to buy" list
Todd Rundgren
3/5
Had heard the name before but couldn't have told you want kind of music he played -- and maybe still can't. Whatever I expected it wasn't that! Didn't love it, didn't hate it, had its moments. Feels like a 3.
James Brown
5/5
That was great! Hard to believe there was a point where this had to be argued to be released.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
Enjoyed it more after they got back to some of the blues-ier songs. Always enjoy "Under My Thumb" and "I Am Waiting" 3.5 stars
Beastie Boys
2/5
Enjoyed this one more than Licensed to Ill -- enjoyed the music even if the vocals still isn't anything I'm interested in. 2.5 stars
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
1/5
That was hilarious -- and also kinda insufferable.
The Fall
1/5
Late-70's Indie Rock never really does it for me, and when you include the "Spinal Tap" effect it's just hard to take the vocals on these seriously
The Cars
3/5
Had heard the hits, which I was fine with. Other songs didn't really change my opinion much. Liked the Blondie record that came up early better FWIW
Red Hot Chili Peppers
4/5
This will always be associated with the senior year road trip to CA when Matt pulled this brand new album out and put it in. Rock solid 4/5 for this one, a little 90's bloat but doesn't sound dated the way a lot of 90's stuff does
Elvis Presley
4/5
Great album. Never listened to it all the way through but you can see why it caused a stir -- and great cover, too!
Motörhead
3/5
Not a big metal fan, but if I wanted to listen to metal this is what I would want -- straight ahead, driving, adrenaline
Steely Dan
1/5
A little less flighty in this one but I still don't understand the fascination. 1.5 stars
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
4/5
Not sure how this one flew under the radar for me. Not the same energy/angst as My Aim is True but feels like a bit of a turning point. Overall very enjoyable
Neil Young
4/5
Can't believe I sold this one. And now listening to it again, I guess I'll have to buy it back 4.5 stars
Nirvana
4/5
I was either a little too young or just not angsty enough to really appreciate Nirvana in the moment, but you can hear the power and rawness in full effect here and it's awesome
Alice In Chains
2/5
Not my favorite style, but I enjoyed it for what it was. 2.5 stars
Youssou N'Dour
3/5
Always a little tough to rate albums where I don't know the language. But I enjoyed this one, and it was interesting to hear after years of hearing Springsteen mention Youssou N'Dour on the Chimes of Freedom album and having no idea who he was talking about. 3.5 stars
Talking Heads
3/5
I think I like Brian Eno as a producer better than Brian Eno as an artist, and this album was fine. Not sure why Apple Music says it's justified as one of the best albums of all time, but maybe that takes repeated listenings
OutKast
2/5
Not my favorite but can see plenty of stuff on here that makes it essential for people.
Blur
1/5
Another 90's album that's overly long! And with brit-pop to boot. 1.5 stars
Antony and the Johnsons
4/5
No idea how I never heard of this, but really enjoyed it. Give me British chamber pop over Brit Pop any day
James Taylor
5/5
My favorite era of James Taylor and even the little known tracks on this are great. Easy 5 stars
The Stooges
3/5
Didn't enjoy it quite as much as The Stooges, but still a great album. Raw Power indeed. "Search and Destroy" was great. 3.5 stars
Portishead
3/5
A 90's album that isn't 20 minutes too long! Well done! Actually had no expectations that I would enjoy this one, but I liked it overall. Not going to be something I keep coming back to, but thought it was well done
The Black Keys
4/5
Man this one was a 5 star until it started to drag a bit towards the end. A little cutting off the fat and this one is a banger from start to finish -- 4.5 stars
Waylon Jennings
4/5
Sold me. Was worried it would either be rhinestone cowboy style or a little too much traditional -- but the birth of outlaw country, I'm here for it.
Brian Wilson
3/5
Expected to like this one more than I did. Probably if it came out when it was originally worked on it would be viewed differently (although I don't know if I would like it more). Technically, sonically it's very cool but a little "crowded" in a way that doesn't bring a lot of punch for me.
Earth, Wind & Fire
2/5
I suppose if this is what you want to listen to, this would be a good choice. Not really something I'm going to seek out
New Order
4/5
Maybe it's just because I've been in a synth phase and because I hadn't really heard this before but I thought was great. I'll be generous and go all the way to 4
Jurassic 5
2/5
I feel like I keep writing the same thing for these albums -- not my cup of tea, but fine
Bonnie "Prince" Billy
4/5
Somehow missed this one completely when it came out -- which is weird, it would have been right up my alley (plus let's hear it for a 90's album that's not 20 min too long). Going back and forth on the rating because it's maybe a little bleak for consistent listening, but screw it. 4 stars
Adele
4/5
I would say more like 3.5 since this isn't one I am going to put on my to-buy list, but Rolling in the Deep definitely bumps it up to 4