439
Albums Rated
3.32
Average Rating
40%
Complete
650 albums remaining
Rating Distribution
Rating Timeline
Taste Profile
2010
Favorite Decade
Soul
Favorite Genre
UK
Top Origin
Wordsmith
Rater Style ?
77
5-Star Albums
18
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
Top Styles
By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Merriweather Post Pavilion
Animal Collective
|
5 | 2.9 | +2.1 |
|
You're Living All Over Me
Dinosaur Jr.
|
5 | 3.08 | +1.92 |
|
Let England Shake
PJ Harvey
|
5 | 3.15 | +1.85 |
|
Mermaid Avenue
Billy Bragg
|
5 | 3.17 | +1.83 |
|
Soul Mining
The The
|
5 | 3.17 | +1.83 |
|
Loveless
My Bloody Valentine
|
5 | 3.17 | +1.83 |
|
If You're Feeling Sinister
Belle & Sebastian
|
5 | 3.18 | +1.82 |
|
The Boatman's Call
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
|
5 | 3.2 | +1.8 |
|
Pink Flag
Wire
|
5 | 3.21 | +1.79 |
|
Rust In Peace
Megadeth
|
5 | 3.24 | +1.76 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Brothers
The Black Keys
|
1 | 3.57 | -2.57 |
|
Slippery When Wet
Bon Jovi
|
1 | 3.29 | -2.29 |
|
Don't Come Home A Drinkin' (With Lovin' On Your Mind)
Loretta Lynn
|
1 | 2.97 | -1.97 |
|
Smokers Delight
Nightmares On Wax
|
1 | 2.91 | -1.91 |
|
Picture Book
Simply Red
|
1 | 2.88 | -1.88 |
|
Elephant
The White Stripes
|
2 | 3.85 | -1.85 |
|
Sweetheart Of The Rodeo
The Byrds
|
1 | 2.82 | -1.82 |
|
Night Life
Ray Price
|
1 | 2.81 | -1.81 |
|
Guitar Town
Steve Earle
|
1 | 2.81 | -1.81 |
|
I’ve Got a Tiger By the Tail
Buck Owens
|
1 | 2.81 | -1.81 |
Artists
Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| David Bowie | 7 | 4.57 |
| Radiohead | 4 | 4.75 |
| Arcade Fire | 3 | 4.67 |
| Jimi Hendrix | 2 | 5 |
| Nirvana | 2 | 5 |
| Oasis | 2 | 5 |
| Pink Floyd | 2 | 5 |
| Led Zeppelin | 4 | 4.25 |
| Black Sabbath | 3 | 4.33 |
| Sonic Youth | 3 | 4.33 |
| Joni Mitchell | 3 | 4.33 |
| Paul Simon | 3 | 4.33 |
Controversial
| Artist | Ratings |
|---|---|
| Dinosaur Jr. | 2, 5 |
| Björk | 2, 2, 5 |
5-Star Albums (77)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
Iron Butterfly · 10 likes
3/5
Wait a minute, this sounds like rock and/or roll!
Roni Size · 8 likes
1/5
- First album I couldn't finish
- Repetitive beats and not great vocals
- Felt like I'd been listening for hours
- Really questioning the validity of the Mercury Prize if this won
The Zombies · 1 likes
4/5
- Heard this album years ago
- Really good, better than I remembered
- Kind of dated to the late 60s, but in a good way?
- Fav songs: Care of Cell 44, Time of the Season, Brief Candles
The Avalanches · 1 likes
5/5
- Heard this many times before
- Another classic, still yet to hear an album that uses sampling as well as this does
- Frontier Psychiatrist is such a good song
- No filler for an hour is impressive
- Fav songs: Frontier Psychiatrist, Since I Left You, Electricity
- Side note: Unbelievable that I've had 4 albums in one week that have been instant 5*
Steve Winwood · 1 likes
2/5
- Only knowledge of Steve Winwood before this was Higher Love or Dennis from Always Sunny
- Boring 80s pop
- Wouldn't listen to it again
1-Star Albums (18)
All Ratings
Led Zeppelin
4/5
- First listen
- Better than other Led Zep albums I've listened to
- WHEN THE LEVEE BREAKS is a great closer
- Best songs: WHEN THE LEVEE BREAKS, THE BATTLE OF EVERMORE, STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN
Sufjan Stevens
5/5
- Already own on vinyl
- Best Sufjan album
- Top 10 album of 21st century
Red Hot Chili Peppers
3/5
- First listen
- Better than Californication
- Way too long, mix of great and meh songs
- UNDER THE BRIDGE is the best RHCP song by a distance
- Not a fan of SUCK MY KISS at all
- Best songs: UNDER THE BRIDGE, THE POWER OF EQUALITY, FUNKY MONKS
Linkin Park
4/5
- First Linkin Park album I've listened to
- Enjoyed it much more than I expected
- Really consistent
- Fav songs: ONE STEP CLOSER, IN THE END, FORGOTTEN
Black Sabbath
5/5
- Already listened to this before
- Certified classic
- Not a huge metal fan, but this album is fantastic
- WAR PIGS is one of the greatest openers of all time
- Fav songs: WAR PIGS, IRON MAN, ELECTRIC FUNERAL
The Jam
4/5
- First listen
- Liked it slightly less than Sound Affects but still very good
- Down in the Tube Station at Midnight is the best track on this by miles and is up there with Town Called Malice and That's Entertainment for best Jam song
- Fav songs: DOWN IN THE TUBE STATION AT MIDNIGHT, TO BE SOMEONE, ENGLISH ROSE
The Rolling Stones
3/5
- First listen
- Unbelievably good opening and closing tracks
- Few more forgettable ones as well
- Most of the middle tracks not really my thing
Fav songs: You Can't Always Get What You Want, Gimme Shelter, Let It Bleed
XTC
2/5
- Never heard an XTC song before
- First album from this that I didn't really enjoy
- Liked a couple of songs, disliked a couple, meh on most
- Fav songs: Grass, Ballet for a Rainy Day
Miles Davis
2/5
I don't understand jazz
Paul McCartney and Wings
4/5
- Already listened before
- Very good, but nowhere near as good as The Beatles' best
- Paul has the best overall solo output, but I prefer Plastic Ono Band and All Things Must Pass as individual albums
- Fav songs: Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five, Band on the Run, Let Me Roll It
3/5
- Already listened before
- Great 3 tracks to open the album
- Rest is good, but samey sounding
- Fav songs: With or Without You, Where the Streets Have No Name, I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
1/5
- Never heard of this
- Not a fan of country, and this is the worst kind of it
- Wouldn't listen to any of the tracks again
- PS Between writing these notes and actually rating this album, Loretta Lynn died, so I hope the 1 star review isn't what caused it
Boston
2/5
This is certainly a 70s album
Missy Elliott
3/5
- First Missy Elliott album I've listened to
- Sounds much newer than 20 years old
- Not a fan of the talking interludes, but all solid tracks
- Fav songs: Work It, Funky Fresh Dressed, Bring the Pain
Led Zeppelin
5/5
- First listen to this album
- Better than other Led Zep albums I've listened to, and I've liked all of theirs that I've heard
- Every song is great
- 1st 5* I'm giving to a first listen
- Fav songs: Babe I'm Gonna Leave You, Good Times Bad Times, Dazed and Confused
Primal Scream
4/5
- First Primal Scream album I've listened to
- Can see why this album is a cult classic
- Hard to place what genre it is in a very good way
- Doesn't sound anywhere near as old as it is
- Fav songs: Movin' on Up, Loaded, Damaged
Le Tigre
4/5
- Never heard of Le Tigre before
- Really impressed
- Best tracks are really good
- Fav songs: Deceptacon, Les and Ray, Eau d'bedroom Dancing
Electric Light Orchestra
4/5
- Never listened to an ELO album in full before
- Expected it to be good from the songs I was already familiar with
- Excellent album, just a lot of the songs sound too similar and blend into eachother
- Very nearly went 5*
- Fav songs: Sweet Talkin' Woman, Mr Blue Sky, Night in the City
David Bowie
4/5
- Heard this before
- Not one of my favourite Bowie albums, so it's still better than 90% of any other albums ever
- Fav songs: Time, Drive-In Saturday, Aladdin Sane
Billy Bragg
5/5
- Never listened to this before even though I like Bragg and Wilco
- Genius idea that works really well
- California Stars stands out as the best track but consistently really good
- Fav songs: California Stars, The Unwelcome Guest, Way Over Yonder in the Minor Key
John Grant
3/5
- Never heard of John Grant
- Good album, consistently decent songs
- Fav songs: Jesus Hates (redacted), Where Dreams Go to Die, Silver Platter Club
The Lemonheads
2/5
- Never heard of The Lemonheads before
- Meh
- Not a bad album, but I don't really understand how it's on this list as it's very generic sounding 90s alt rock
- Doesn't help that the best song is a Simon & Garfunkel cover
- Fav songs: Mrs Robinson, Rudderless
Portishead
4/5
- Heard this album once before, years ago
- Grown on me a lot
- Not a genre I've heard much of but still really good
- Fav songs: Glory Box, Sour Times, Wandering Star
ABBA
3/5
- Abba's not really my thing but can't deny they have some great tunes
- Would rather listen to Abba singles than a full album of them
- Some absolute classics that I've heard thousands of times mixed with ones I've never heard before and I can see why
- Happy Hawaii is terrible
- Fav songs: Knowing Me, Knowing You; Fernando, Dancing Queen
Charles Mingus
2/5
I don't understand jazz.
David Bowie
4/5
- Heard this before
- Nowhere near my favourite Bowie, but it's 70s David Bowie so it's an automatic 4*
- Fav songs: Young Americans, Right, Fame
Steve Winwood
2/5
- Only knowledge of Steve Winwood before this was Higher Love or Dennis from Always Sunny
- Boring 80s pop
- Wouldn't listen to it again
Manu Chao
3/5
- Never heard of this before
- Not usually my thing, but some catchy songs
- Liked the switching between languages
- Fav songs: Welcome to Tijuana, La vie à 2, Desaparecido
Sigur Rós
2/5
- Heard this once before
- One of the only albums that regularly appears on all time best lists that I don't get the appeal of
- Enjoyed a couple of the songs
- The rest didn't click for me at all, maybe one day it will and I'll regret this rating
- Fav songs: Ný batterí, Olsen Olsen
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
3/5
- Too old to be my thing but enjoyed it more than I thought I would
- Can see the influence on early Beatles
- Fav songs: That'll be the Day, Not Fade Away, Oh Boy!
Milton Nascimento
2/5
- Never heard of this
- Started off decent, got very grating
- Too long
- Fav songs: Cravo E Canela, Clube da Esquina #2
Willie Nelson
2/5
Booooring
Cocteau Twins
3/5
- Only ever listened to HOLV before
- Good album
- Would prefer Cocteau Twins if they used actual lyrics, but I can kind of see the 'voice as an instrument' perspective
- Fav songs: Lorelai, Beatrix, Donimo
The Smashing Pumpkins
3/5
- Don't think I've listened to a full Smashing Pumpkins album before
- Enjoyed it, but it's WAY too long
- Would probably rate it higher and be more likely to listen again if it was half the length
- Fav songs: Porcelina of the Vast Oceans, Thirty-Three; Tonight, Tonight
Röyksopp
4/5
- First listen
- This is the kind of thing I want from this website, good albums from genres I probably wouldn't listen to
- More than nice background music
- Fav songs: Remind Me, Eple, Poor Leno
Malcolm McLaren
3/5
- Weird proto-rap
- The fact this album came out as early as it did is incredible, and gives it an extra * for me
- Fav songs: Buffalo Gals, Double Dutch
Michael Jackson
3/5
- Heard this before
- First two tracks might be his best, rest is good but doesn't reach the same level
- Fav songs: Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough, Rock With You, Burn This Disco Out
Nick Drake
4/5
- Heard this before
- Classic album
- 28 minutes of a man with a guitar hasn't really ever sounded better
- Very nearly 5*
- Fav songs: Pink Moon, Things Behind the Sun, Parasite
Grizzly Bear
4/5
- Listened to this before
- Has grown on me with more listens
- Two Weeks is one of the best songs of the 21st century but the rest of the album's still good
Fav songs: Two Weeks, I Live With You, All We Ask
R.E.M.
3/5
- Listened to this before
- Good, but not as good as REM's best
- Fav songs: Exhuming McCarthy, It's the End of the World As We Know It, Dusturbance at the Heron House
Amy Winehouse
5/5
- Heard this before
- Great album
- Not my favourite genre and still one of the best albums of this century
- Fav songs: Tears Dry on Their Own, Love is a Losing Game, Rehab
Roni Size
1/5
- First album I couldn't finish
- Repetitive beats and not great vocals
- Felt like I'd been listening for hours
- Really questioning the validity of the Mercury Prize if this won
Michael Jackson
3/5
- Never listened to this in full before, but obviously heard most of the songs before
- Preferred it to Off the Wall
- Some absolute classics on this
- Knocking off 1* because of how awful The Girl is Mine is, especially the spoken word bit at the end
- Fav songs: Wanna be Startin' Somethin', Billie Jean, Human Nature
Lou Reed
5/5
- Heard this before
- Probably prefer this to every VU album I've heard
- Perfect 70s glam rock album
- Fav songs: Satellite of Love, Perfect Day, Vicious
The Rolling Stones
3/5
- Never listened to this in full before
- Similar feeling to most Stones albums I've heard, some really good songs and some that I think are only ok
- Fav songs: Wild Horses, Brown Sugar, Sway
Blue Cheer
3/5
- Never heard of this
- Very much ahead of its time, obvious influence on Sabbath
- Preferred some of the jammier songs
- Fav songs: Doctor Please, Second Time Around, Out of Focus
Derek & The Dominos
2/5
If you like the most generic classic rock imaginable sung by a racist, this is the album for you
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
- Heard this before
- Classic album, so much influence on so many different genres
- Fav songs: Are You Experienced?, Manic Depression, Foxy Lady
Happy Mondays
4/5
- First time listening in full
- Thought the rest of the album wouldn't live up to the popular songs, but it's all consistently good
- Unique sound
- Fav songs: Step On, Kinky Afro, Bob's Yer Uncle
Nirvana
5/5
- Only ever listened to Nirvana years ago and I wasn't too into it
- I get them now, this is excellent
- Mad that a live album of covers and random album tracks can be so good
- Probably 2nd only to Stop Making Sense for best live album I've heard
- Fav songs: Where Did You Sleep Last Night, The Man Who Sold the World, Plateau
Nick Drake
3/5
- Only ever listened to Pink Moon before
- Didn't click for me in the same way as that one, but still enjoyed it
- Preferred the songs towards the end of the album to some of the first ones
- Fav songs: Saturday Sun, Thoughts of Mary Jane, Day is Done
Sonic Youth
4/5
- Listened to this once before, grown on me since last time
- Not as good as Daydream Nation, but not many albums are
- Great album cover
- Fav songs: Kool Thing, Mary-Christ, Dirty Boots
2Pac
3/5
- Never listened to a 2Pac album in full before
- Pretty good, prefer a lot of other 90s rap albums I've heard
- Fav songs: Me Against the World, If I Die 2Nite, Fuck the World
The Band
3/5
- Nice old folk songs
- Enjoyed it, not sure I'd listen in full again
- Criminal that they didn't call this 'The Album'
- Fav songs: The Unfaithful Servant, When You Awake, Look Out Cleveland
Neil Young
3/5
Heard other Neil Young albums but not this one before. Thought it was good but he definitely has better.
Common
4/5
- Heard this before
- Really good album, just find some of the tracks seem to blend into one
- Great Kanye/Dilla production
- Intro is a classic
- Fav songs: Be (Intro), They Say, GO!
The Who
4/5
- Heard this before
- Classic album
- Think how good the opener and closer are makes me like the rest a bit less
- Fav songs: Baba O'Riley, Won't Get Fooled Again, The Song is Over
Frank Zappa
2/5
- Only ever listened to Apostrophe before and it was years ago
- Not a big fan of instrumental albums
- Another one that I could imagine clicking for me at some point, but right now not for me
- Fav songs: Willie the Pimp, It Must be a Camel
Destiny's Child
2/5
- Never listened to this before
- Starts with a few good pop songs, thought the rest was bad
- Fav songs: Independent Women Pt 1, Survivor
Bruce Springsteen
5/5
- Listened to this before
- Thought I preferred some of his other albums, but this is a lot better than I remember
- Probably the first of multiple 5* ratings I'll give Springsteen albums
- Fav songs: Darkness on the Edge of Town, Candy's Room, Badlands
Radiohead
4/5
- Heard this many times before
- Radiohead are my favourite band of all time but this isn't one of my favourite albums of theirs
- Still really good, might be marking it down because of how good In Rainbows is
- The raindrops (x42)
- Fav songs: There, There; A Wolf at the Door; 2+2=5
The Allman Brothers Band
3/5
- First listen
- Enjoyed it to begin with, but tailed off
- Jams are good to a point, but are too long and become background noise
- Fav songs: Stormy Monday, Done Somebody Wrong, Statesboro Blues
The Cure
4/5
- Heard this before
- Not my favourite Cure album but still really good
- A Forest is a classic
- Fav songs: A Forest, Play for Today, Seventeen Seconds
Air
3/5
- Only ever heard Moon Safari before
- Liked it, might have enjoyed it more if I'd seen the film
- Good background music
- Fav songs: Dirty Trip, Playground Love, Afternoon Sister
Spacemen 3
2/5
- Never listened to a Spacemen 3 album before
- When I saw who was in this band, I had high expectations
- Disappointed, thought it was very forgettable and dull
Bob Dylan
4/5
- Heard this before
- Probably the first great Dylan album, but not quite as good as his best
- Insane that he wrote this when he was 22
- Don't Think Twice might be my favourite Dylan song
- Fav songs: Don't Think Twice, It's Alright; Blowin' in the Wind; Girl from the North Country
Talking Heads
4/5
- Heard this before
- Talking Heads are one of my favourite bands of all time, but this isn't an album I go back to very often
- Still really good and very near to 5*, might be marking it down because of how good some of their other albums are
- Fav songs: The Book I Read, Psycho Killer; Uh-Oh, Love Comes to Town
Fela Kuti
4/5
- Heard of Fela Kuti before but never actually listened to any of his music
- Another album which is the exact kind of thing I want from this list, something from a genre I wouldn't have listened to that's really good
- Will definitely listen to more of his music
- Fav songs: Ye Ye De Smell, Let's Start
Mercury Rev
3/5
- Never heard of Mercury Rev before
- Can see the Flaming Lips comparisons, think it also sounds a lot like Smashing Pumpkins
- The opener was clearly the best track
- Fav songs: Holes, Endlessly, Opus 40
Beck
2/5
- First time listening to a Beck album in full
- Thought I would enjoy it more based on other Beck songs I've heard
- Found it all a bit dull, maybe it would grow on me if I listened again but I probably won't
Duran Duran
3/5
- Never listened to a Duran Duran album in full before
- Enjoyed it, but thought the popular songs I was already familiar with were the best
- Fav songs: Save a Prayer, Hungry Like the Wolf, Rio
Oasis
5/5
- Heard this before
- 90s classic
- Feel like it's a slightly better album than Morning Glory because it feels more cohesive and not just a lot of singles
- Some of Oasis' best songs
- Fav songs: Live Forever, Supersonic, Married with Children
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
5/5
- First time listening to a Nick Cave album
- Thought I'd like it and it massively exceeded my expectations
- First track is really good and it stays consistent for the entire album
- Any album with a song on a Shrek soundtrack has an advantage
- Fav songs: Into My Arms, (Are You) the One I've Been Waiting For?, People Ain't No Good
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
4/5
- First time listening to an Elvis Costello album
- Thought it was very good, sounded like it could've come out anytime between 60s and 90s
- Fav songs: (I Don't Want To Go To) Chelsea, Lip Service, Pump it Up
The Clash
4/5
- Heard this before
- Great album, not as good as Combat Rock and doesn't come close to London Calling but I would probably rate London Calling in the top 5 albums of all time
- Fav songs: Police & Thieves, White Riot, Remote Control
Amy Winehouse
4/5
- First time listening to this, not sure why I've never listened before because Back to Black is excellent
- Also really good, not as good as Back to Black but not much is
- Shame that she only has two albums
- Fav songs: Fuck Me Pumps, Help Yourself, October Song
Def Leppard
2/5
- Never listened to a Def Leppard album before
- Not my thing
- Thought Photograph was quite good but the rest was a bit samey
The National
4/5
- Only ever listened to Boxer before
- Thought the first few tracks were good, but the last few were really good
- I should probably listen to the rest of their discog
- Fav songs: Bloodbuzz Ohio, Conversation 16, Little Faith
Bee Gees
1/5
Didn't know what to expect from pre-disco Bee Gees but I was expecting better than this shite.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
3/5
- Only ever listened to Exodus in full before
- Didn't think this was as good, but still a decent album
- This version of No Woman, No Cry is way worse than the live one
- Fav songs: So Jah S'eh, Natty Dread, Them Belly Full (But We Hungry)
The Cars
4/5
- Heard this before
- Probably the quintessential new wave album
- Just What I Needed is an absolute classic
- Fav songs: Just What I Needed, Moving in Stereo, My Best Friend's Girl
Jamiroquai
2/5
- Never listened to a Jamiroquai album before
- Maybe would be good in moderation, but found it very grating by the end
Sonic Youth
4/5
- Listened to Sonic Youth albums before, just not this one
- Should've gone further into their discog years ago, this is great
- Fav songs: Starpower, Death to our Friends; Madonna, Sean and Me
Yes
4/5
- Never listened to a Yes album in full before
- Thought it was very good, enjoyed it a lot
- Always a big fan of long songs with multiple parts
- Fav songs: I've Seen All Good People, A Venture, Yours is No Disgrace
Eagles
3/5
- Never listened to an Eagles album in full before
- The two famous songs were way better than the rest which I thought were just decent
- Last track seemed to drag on for ages
- Fav songs: Hotel California, Life in the Fast Lane, Try and Love Again
Caetano Veloso
3/5
- Never heard of Caetano Veloso before
- Not my usual type of music but I enjoyed it
- Thought some of the tracks towards the end were a bit weaker
- Mad album cover
- Fav songs: Tropicália; Alegria, Alegria; Onde Andaras
Slipknot
3/5
- Never listened to a Slipknot album before
- Surprised that I actually enjoyed it
- All of the songs kind of sound the same though so it seemed quite long for an hour
- Great drumming kind of carries it
- Fav songs: Eyeless, Prosthetics, (sic)
PJ Harvey
5/5
- Heard this before
- Great, great album
- Surprised by how low the average rating on this website is for it
- Probably prefer this to her older ones
- Like every single song on this
- Fav songs: The Last Living Rose, The Words that Maketh Murder, The Glorious Land
Ray Charles
4/5
- Never listened to a Ray Charles album before
- Pleasantly surprised, didn't think I would enjoy this but it was really good
- Not something I ever would've listened to on my own
- Very bold to call yourself a genius in your album title but I guess he can pull it off
- Fav songs: Let the Good Times Roll, Alexander's Ragtime Band, When Your Lover Has Gone
Raekwon
4/5
- Only ever heard 36 Chambers before
- Really good, if a bit too long
- Not quite as good as 36 Chambers, but still a really solid 90s hip hop album
- Fav songs: Criminology, Ice Cream, Knuckleheadz
System Of A Down
4/5
- Never listened to a System of a Down album before
- Thought it was very good, especially last couple of tracks
- Think Toxicity is their most popular so will need to check that out
- Fav songs: Darts, P.L.U.C.K., Sugar
ZZ Top
3/5
- Never listened to a ZZ Top album before
- Different to what I expected but I liked it
- Not always a big fan of this type of music but I enjoyed this
- Fav songs: Jesus Just Left Chicago, La Grange, Have You Heard?
Madonna
2/5
- Never listened to a Madonna album before
- Not my thing but I can see why it was popular
- First two tracks are way better than the rest of it
- Fav songs: Like a Prayer, Express Yourself
Elliott Smith
5/5
- Heard this before many times
- Elliott Smith is one of my favourite artists of all time and even though I think this is probably his 3rd best, it's still 5*
- Hard to narrow down what my favourite songs on this actually are
- Fav songs: Son of Sam, Happiness/The Gondola Man, Everything Means Nothing to Me
Wire
5/5
- Heard this before
- Not listened for a while and I forgot how good it is
- Clear influence on so many albums and artists that came after
- All-round great album
- Fav songs: Mannequin, Ex Lion Tamer, Three Girl Rhumba
Björk
2/5
- Listened to other Bjork albums before but not this one
- Don't really get Bjork, maybe her music would grow on me if I went back to it
- Appreciate the idea of using a capella but I didn't enjoy listening to it
Alexander 'Skip' Spence
3/5
- Never heard of Skip Spence before
- Thought it was pretty good, seems ahead of it's time considering it was released in the 60s
- Fav songs: Grey/Afro, Diana, War in Peace
CHIC
2/5
- Never listened to a Chic album before
- Good Times is a very good song, but it's 5 minutes longer than I thought it was
- Rest is just okay
Rod Stewart
4/5
- Never listened to a Rod Stewart album in full before
- Shocked to learn that Rod is good actually!?!?!?
- Enjoyed this way more than I thought I would, Maggie May was the only song I was familiar with before
- Fav songs: Maggie May, Tomorrow is a Long Time, Mandolin Wind
Emmylou Harris
2/5
This album was ok. I will never listen to it again.
Bad Company
3/5
- Never heard of Bad Company before
- Pretty good but pretty much standard 70s dad rock
- Better than some others I've heard though so 3*
- Fav songs: Ready for Love, Seagull, Can't Get Enough
Dwight Yoakam
1/5
If I ever lose my hearing, I will see the silver lining in never hearing a Dwight Yoakam song again
Otis Redding
5/5
- First time listening to this start to finish, but I'd heard most of the songs before
- Really good album, not a genre I listen to often but this is one of the best soul albums I've heard
- Probably the perfect soul album despite the number of covers on it, so it's got to be 5*
- Fav songs: Respect, My Girl, You Don't Miss Your Water
Run-D.M.C.
3/5
- Never listened to Run-DMC album in full before
- Found this quite hard to rate, as it's obviously very very influential considering it came out in the mid 80s, but it also sounds very dated
- Found the style a bit grating at times but still good
- Fav songs: Hard Times, Jay's Game, It's Like That
Love
4/5
- Only ever listened to Forever Changes before and that was years ago
- Thought this was really good, much better than I'd expected
- The second half of Revelation was the highlight
- Fav songs: Revelation, Orange Skies, The Castle
The Stooges
4/5
- First time listening to a Stooges album
- Thought I would like it, lived up to expectations
- Massively influential album
- Fav songs: Gimme Danger, Raw Power, Your Pretty Face is Going to Hell
Led Zeppelin
4/5
- Heard this album before years ago
- Grown on me since then, thought it was very good but I still prefer their debut
- Kashmir is one of the best songs of all time
- Fav songs: Kashmir, In My Time of Dying, In the Light
Roxy Music
2/5
- Never heard a Roxy Music album before
- Didn't really like it that much, but I can appreciate the impact it had on later artists that I do like considering the year it was released
- Fav songs: Out of the Blue, Three and Nine
Eurythmics
3/5
- Only ever heard the title track before
- Thought the rest of the songs were good but nothing incredible
- Good album but not one of my favourites from the list
- Fav songs: Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This), I Could Give You (A Mirror), Love is a Stranger
Kate Bush
5/5
- Heard this many times before
- Simply one of the greatest albums of all time
- Could justify counting any of the songs as my favourite
- Best album of the 80s maybe? Definitely top 3
- Fav songs: Running Up That Hill, Cloudbusting, The Big Sky
Blood, Sweat & Tears
3/5
- Never heard of Blood, Sweat & Tears before
- Enjoyed it, a good mix of different genres
- Got a bit repetitive towards the end
- Fav songs: Smiling Phases, More and More, Sometimes in Winter
The Go-Go's
4/5
- Only knew this for We Got the Beat
- Very pleasantly surprised, didn't think I'd like a full album of it but it was really good
- Good vibes
- Fav songs: How Much More, Lust to Love, We Got the Beat
The Chemical Brothers
4/5
- Never listened to a Chemical Brothers album before
- Seems like I either love or hate every electronic album that comes up here, luckily this is the former
- Not a genre I usually go to, but still really good
- Fav songs: Song to the Siren, Three Little Birdies Down Beats, In Dust We Trust
Sonic Youth
5/5
- Heard this album before
- Sonic Youth's best and I like every album I've heard by them
- Teen Age Riot is one of the greatest album openers of all time and one of the best songs of the 80s
- Unbelievably ahead of it's time, wouldn't have half the alt rock and grunge records from the 90s without this album
- Fav songs: Teen Age Riot, 'Cross the Breeze, Total Trash
Steely Dan
4/5
- I'd been meaning to listen to Steely Dan for ages, but this is the first time listening to them
- Expected to like it, lived up to expectations
- Really enjoyed it, but thought it kind of tailed off towards the end
- Fav songs: The Boston Rag, Bodhisattva, My Old School
Peter Frampton
3/5
- Never listened a Frampton album in full before
- Thought it was good, if a bit long
- Some songs were much better than others
- The Jumping Jack Flash cover is horrendous
- Fav songs: Baby, I Love Your Way; Show Me the Way, Winds of Change
Marvin Gaye
5/5
- Heard this before
- One of the most important albums of all time
- Not something I listen to very often, but when I do I can easily see why it's considered one of the best of all time
- Fav songs: What's Going On, Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler), Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)
The Zombies
4/5
- Heard this album years ago
- Really good, better than I remembered
- Kind of dated to the late 60s, but in a good way?
- Fav songs: Care of Cell 44, Time of the Season, Brief Candles
Siouxsie And The Banshees
4/5
- First listen to a Siouxsie album
- Thought I would like it and it lived up to expectations
- Helter Skelter cover is very good
- Fav songs: Jigsaw Feeling, Mirage, Helter Skelter
Weather Report
2/5
I don't get it, maybe need to try again
U2
2/5
- Heard this before
- Like The Joshua Tree, but I really don't like this one
- Don't really get how this is considered a similar level, I genuinely think this is just a bad album that shouldn't be on the list
- However, One is actually a really good song so I can't give it 1*
Tori Amos
4/5
- Never heard a Tori Amos album before
- Really enjoyed it, better than I'd expected
- Kind of Kate Bush-lite but that's not necessarily a bad thing
- Fav songs: Silent All These Years, Crucify, Winter
Dexys Midnight Runners
4/5
- Never listened to this in full before but I've heard quite a lot of the songs already
- Some of it's a bit samey, but overall a very good album
- I once saw Car Seat Headrest cover Tell Me When My Light Turns Green and I've loved it ever since
- Fav songs: Tell Me When My Light Turns Green, Geno, Seven Days Too Long
Hüsker Dü
3/5
- First full listen to a Hüsker Dü album
- Liked it to begin with, but it was far too long and too many songs sounded similar to each other
- I'll probably give some of their other stuff a listen, because there were some really good tracks, just too many not so good ones
- Fav songs: Ice Cold Ice, Standing in the Rain, Turn it Around
Hugh Masekela
2/5
- Not for me
- Still looking for an instrumental jazz album that I can actually enjoy
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
2/5
- Never listened to a full YYYs album before
- Disappointed, thought I would've liked this a lot more
- Only really liked the two songs I was already familiar with
- Fav songs: Maps, Y Control
Joy Division
5/5
- Heard this album many times before
- Classic
- Not ideal for a Monday morning, but perfect for this type of music
- Fav songs: Disorder, She's Lost Control, Shadowplay
Kraftwerk
3/5
- Heard a couple of Kraftwerk albums before, but not this one
- Clearly very influential considering it came out in the 70s, but not really something I'd go back to much on it's own
- Preferred The Man Machine and Computer World
- Fav songs: Showroom Dummies, Europe Endless
The Electric Prunes
2/5
- Never heard of the Electric Prunes before
- Weird mix of some decent songs, some bad ones and a few absolutely awful ones
- The Toonerville Trolley is one of the worst things I've ever heard
- Few decent tracks keep it from being a 1*
- Fav songs: I Had Too Much To Dream (Last Night), Get Me to the World on Time
Todd Rundgren
2/5
The Specials
4/5
- Heard this album many times before in my dad's car
- Actually very good
- Pinnacle of British ska in the 70s/80s
- Fav songs: Too Much Too Young, Monkey Man, A Message to You Rudy
The Verve
2/5
- Heard some of the songs before
- Always thought Bitter Sweet Symphony was great so I'm surprised by how little I enjoyed the rest of the album
- Sounds like knock-off Oasis combined with U2, which is an awful combination
- Fav songs: Bitter Sweet Symphony, The Drugs Don't Work
Buena Vista Social Club
4/5
- Never listened to this before
- Surprised by how much I liked it
- Another album which is exactly why I use this website, would've never decided to listen this on my own but it's actually great
- Good music for a sunny day which helps
- Fav songs: ¿Y Tú Qué Has Hecho?, Candela, El Cuarto de Tula
Drive-By Truckers
3/5
- Never heard of this before
- When I saw it was a 90 minute long country rock album, I thought I'd hate it, so I was pleasantly surprised to think it was actually decent
- Still think it's far too long
- Never known an album to mention Lynyrd Skynyrd as much as this
- Fav songs: Dead, Drunk and Naked; Birmingham; Angels and Fuselage
Spiritualized
2/5
- Heard Ladies and Gentlemen before but not this one
- Thought I would've enjoyed it more so a bit disappointed
- Thought it was a bit bland and forgettable, but maybe it would grow on me if I listened again
- Nothing really stood out
Motörhead
2/5
The title track is very good but the rest of this is samey and also has some weird noncey lyrics. Title track gives it more than 1*.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
4/5
- Heard some of the songs from this but hadn't listened to it in full before
- It's Neil Young so obviously very good but there are definitely some songs I prefer to others
- Powderfinger is one of my favourite songs of his
- Fav songs: Powderfinger, Thrasher, Pocahontas
The War On Drugs
3/5
- Never heard this album in full before
- Always thought TWOD were decent, but nothing incredible and this kind of fits that
- Good album though, just not higher than 3*
- Fav songs: Red Eyes, An Ocean in Between the Waves, Eyes to the Wind
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
4/5
Going back to rate Neil Young albums now that he's back on Spotify. Never listened to a CSN album before but it was kind of what I was expecting. Definitely liked Young's songs the most but a very good album.
Fav songs: Helpless, Woodstock, Country Girl
Al Green
5/5
- Only heard the title track before but that song is one of the best of all time
- Rest of it is really good as well, Bee Gees cover is better than the original
- Overall just really, really good, not a bad song on it
- Fav songs: Let's Stay Together, How Can You Mend a Broken Heart, What is This Feeling
Leonard Cohen
3/5
- Only ever listened to his first album before
- Appreciate how good the songwriting is, just don't think it's for me
- Not sure but Cohen just doesn't seem to click in the same way as others do
- Still enjoyed some of the tracks
- Fav songs: Diamonds in the Mine, Famous Blue Raincoat; Sing Another Song, Boys
Os Mutantes
4/5
- Never heard of this before
- Very pleasantly surprised
- Really good 60s psych and sounds ahead of its time
- Will definitely go back to this again
- Fav songs: Senhor F, Trem Fantasma, Panis Et Circenses
Dusty Springfield
3/5
- First listen of this
- Good covers album, great vocals but doesn't really do anything interesting compared to the originals
- Still a good album, just not one of the best when it's a list like this
- Fav songs: Will You Love Me Tomorrow, You Don't Own Me, Anyone Who Had a Heart
William Orbit
3/5
- Never heard of this before
- Not my usual thing, but it's pretty nice background music
- Hard to differentiate between the tracks to say what my favourite or least favourite ones were, but I still enjoyed it
Kendrick Lamar
5/5
- Heard this album many times before
- Simply one of the greatest hip hop records of all time, if not one of the greatest records of all time full stop
- Every song on this is brilliant, one of very few albums that I would describe as flawless
- Fav songs: All of them but really: These Walls, i, Institutionalized
The Kinks
3/5
- Heard other Kinks albums before but not this one
- Thought it was pretty good, not their best
- Sunny Afternoon is one of their best songs
- All round good but not great listen
- Fav songs: Sunny Afternoon, Party Line, Rainy Day in June
Nirvana
5/5
- Heard this many times before
- Absolute classic
- Pinnacle of grunge music
- Says a lot about the quality that despite some of these songs being massively overplayed, they're still fantastic
- Fav songs: Lithium, In Bloom, Smells Like Teen Spirit
Wilco
5/5
- Heard this many times before
- Absolute classic, love this album, think it's quite easily Wilco's best
- Really consistent, there's not a bad song on this
- Could easily pick any of the tracks as second best to Jesus, etc
- Fav tracks: Jesus, Etc.; Ashes of American Flags; Pot Kettle Black
The Avalanches
5/5
- Heard this many times before
- Another classic, still yet to hear an album that uses sampling as well as this does
- Frontier Psychiatrist is such a good song
- No filler for an hour is impressive
- Fav songs: Frontier Psychiatrist, Since I Left You, Electricity
- Side note: Unbelievable that I've had 4 albums in one week that have been instant 5*
U2
3/5
- Heard other U2 albums before but not this one
- Similar thoughts on this to others, some of the songs are very good but quite a few that I don't like
- Surprised this isn't considered their second best to Joshua Tree, think it's way better than Achtung Baby
- Thought the start of the album was better than the end
- Fav songs: Sunday Bloody Sunday, Like a Song, Seconds
Ray Price
1/5
No
Roxy Music
3/5
- Already had Country Life on the generator
- Preferred this one to that
- All-round decent album
- Big fan of long songs, so liked The Bogus Man most
- Fav songs: The Bogus Man, Do the Strand, Editions of You
T. Rex
3/5
- Never listened to a T Rex album in full before
- Kind of what I was expecting, good but nothing spectacular
- Opening track was probably the best
- Fav songs: Metal Guru, Rock On, Spaceball Ricochet
Stevie Wonder
3/5
- Only ever listened to SITKOL in full before
- Stevie Wonder's music has never really clicked for me before for some reason
- Thought it was decent, some tracks a lot better than others
- Fav songs: Heaven is 10 Zillion Light Years Away, Boogie On Reggae Woman, Please Don't Go
The Doors
4/5
- Heard this album many times before but not listened for a good while
- Clearly an iconic and groundbreaking album, if a slight bit overrated by some
- Break on Through and Light My Fire are classics
- Fav songs: Light My Fire, Break on Through (To the Other Side), The End
Blondie
5/5
- Heard this album many times before
- Unbelievably good album, basically a Blondie Greatest Hits
- Tons of classic songs on this
- I'm still annoyed that they didn't do Sunday Girl when I saw them on the Sunday of Glastonbury earlier this year
- Fav songs: Heart of Glass, Sunday Girl, Picture This
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band
1/5
Sensationally shit
k.d. lang
2/5
Not as bad as some of the other country albums on this list
Beastie Boys
3/5
- Listened to this before
- Find it quite hard to rate this, I'd imagine if I heard it in the 80s I'd have loved it but it's aged quite badly
- Some tracks still hold up and it's clearly very influential and worthy of making this list
- Fav songs: Brass Monkey, Paul Revere, Fight for Your Right
Television
5/5
- Heard this album many times before
- Title track is one of the greatest songs of all-time
- No bad songs
- Absolute classic, easy 5*
- Fav songs: Marquee Moon, Torn Curtain, See No Evil
Richard Thompson
4/5
- Never heard of this before
- Very impressed, really good album
- Some tracks were better than others but still very good and I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would
- Fav songs: I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight, When I Get to the Border, The End of the Rainbow
Eminem
2/5
- Never listened to this album in full before but I'd heard a lot of the songs and other Eminem albums before
- Very conflicted on the good songs vs the bad ones
- Stan is his best song and there's a few other really good ones, but there's so much that's aged so badly that I didn't enjoy the album much
- Probably would've been better if I was an edgy teenager in the early 00s hearing this for the first time
- Kim is horrendous and may be his worst song ever, which is saying something considering this is the guy who made Revival
Iron Maiden
3/5
- Never heard an Iron Maiden album before
- Not usually my thing but still enjoyed it in places
- Fav songs: Run to the Hills, Hallowed Be Thy Name, Children of the Damned
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
2/5
Normally like Neil Young but this didn't do it for me. Also marking it down because he has far too many albums on this list.
Dirty Projectors
2/5
- Never listened to a Dirty Projectors album before
- Heard of them and went into it assuming I'd like it but I was quite disappointed
- Thought the two songs sung by the female vocalists were far and away the best, especially Two Doves
- Maybe it would grow on me if I gave it a few more listens and I'll regret this rating because it does seem like something I should like but I mostly don't
- Fav songs: Two Doves, Stillness is the Move
Prince
5/5
- Think I listened to this years ago but couldn't remember much about it
- Far, far better than I was expecting, definitely can see why some people think it's one of the all-time greats
- Title track is one of the best closers ever
- All-round excellent album
- Fav songs: Purple Rain, When Doves Cry, Darling Nikki
Supergrass
3/5
- Heard a few Supergrass songs before but never a full album
- Thought I would enjoy it and did
- Nothing groundbreaking but still worthy of being on the list
- Fav songs: Richard III, Late in the Day, Sun Hits the Sky
R.E.M.
5/5
- Heard this many times before
- One of the best albums of all time, no other REM album comes close to this for me
- Could easily rate about half of the songs as my favourite depending on my mood
- Fav songs: Nightswimming, Drive, Man on the Moon
Aerosmith
2/5
- Never listened to this before
- Thought it would be ok classic rock and it was
- Really not a fan of this kind of stuff but it wasn't bad
Muddy Waters
3/5
Killing Joke
4/5
- Never listened to Killing Joke before
- Impressed, enjoyed it
- Yet to have had a post punk album on this that I haven't liked
- Very good opener
- Fav songs: Requiem, Complications, Wardance
Rush
4/5
- Heard this before
- Very good album but a bit inconsistent
- Tom Sawyer is a great opener
- Not usually a fan of (mostly) instrumental tracks but YYZ is great
- Fav songs: Tom Sawyer, YYZ, Limelight
The Offspring
2/5
- Never listened to the Offspring before but thought it'd be something I'd like
- Disappointed, nothing interesting really stuck out and doesn't seem like it fits on the list
Megadeth
5/5
- Never listened to Megadeth before
- Didn't think I'd like it but I loved it
- Another album that makes me glad that I'm using this website, would've never listened to this otherwise
- Will need to listen to the rest of their discog and other similar stuff
- Fav songs: Hangar 18, Holy Wars, Rust in Peace
Iron Butterfly
3/5
Wait a minute, this sounds like rock and/or roll!
Rahul Dev Burman
2/5
Quite difficult to rate this when I've never seen a Bollywood film before
Bon Jovi
1/5
Didn't like the songs I already knew, didn't like the songs that I'd never heard before. Absolute shite.
Tortoise
2/5
Not for me
Little Richard
3/5
- Never listened to a Little Richard album in full before
- Not my thing, but have to respect the influence it had on so much music that came after it
- Very dated, but it came out in the 50s so no surprise really
Little Simz
5/5
- Heard this before but not listened to it for a while
- Forgot how good this is
- One of the best hip hop albums of the past decade, and somehow the album sje released after this one is even better
- Not a bad song on this
- Fav songs: 101 FM, Selfish, Venom
Deep Purple
4/5
- Only ever heard Smoke on the Water before
- I feel like I've had a lot of classic rock lately, so I'm pleasantly surprised by how much I liked this one
- Some really good tracks, especially Lazy
- Fav songs: Lazy, Space Truckin', Highway Star
Van Halen
3/5
- Heard some of the songs before
- Some songs I really liked and some I really didn't
- Great guitar playing
- Fav songs: Panama, Jump, House of Pain
The Beach Boys
4/5
- Listened to other Beach Boys albums before but not this
- Knew going into that it was different to their other stuff, but still very, very good
- Came very close to giving it 5* but a couple of the tracks weren't the best
- Probably the closest to a 5 without being a 5 so far
- Fav songs: Surf's Up, Long Promised Road, Disney Girls
Joni Mitchell
4/5
- Only ever listened to Blue in full before
- Didn't think it was as good as that one, but not many albums are
- Still a very very good album
- Fav songs: Free Man in Paris, Court and Spark, Raised on Robbery
Steely Dan
5/5
- Had Countdown to Ecstasy on this before but haven't listened to any other Steely Dan
- Can really see why people like this so much
- Really, really good album from start to finish
- Definitely need to listen to more of their stuff
- Fav songs: Do It Again, Dirty Work, Reelin' in the Years
The Doors
4/5
- Only ever listened to self-titled and LA Woman before
- Honestly think this is on a par with them
- A few songs I didn't like, but the good ones are really good
- Fav songs: Peace Frog, Land Ho!, Waiting for the Sun
The Byrds
1/5
Hopefully one I day I'll find a country album that I like. Today is not that day.
Paul Simon
4/5
- Heard a few Simon & Garfunkel albums before but never any of their solo ones
- Surprised by how few of the songs I was already familiar with
- Really good album but with a few songs I didn't like as much as some of the others
- Fav songs: Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard, Mother and Child Reunion, Duncan
Black Sabbath
4/5
- Heard Paranoid and Master of Reality before but not this one
- Liked the others a bit more but this was still very good
- Some songs I thought were only ok, but the good ones more than made up for it
- Fav songs: NIB, Wicked World, Black Sabbath
David Bowie
4/5
- Heard most Bowie albums before but never actually got to this one for some reason
- Really, really good and better than I expected
- Not quite as good as Blackstar and not one of his best, but still a very good album
- Fav songs: The Next Day, Where Are We Now?, The Stars (Are Out Tonight)
5/5
- Heard this many times before
- It's basically like a greatest hits record, some of the best Britpop songs back to back on this
- I think I still prefer Definitely Maybe, but after listening to this again it's a lot closer than I thought
- Didn't think I'd be going 5* before listening today, but I can't give it anything less
- Fav songs: Don't Look Back in Anger, Some Might Say, She's Electric
Pere Ubu
2/5
Liked some of the later tracks a bit more than the first few but not for me. Might be one that would grow on me.
Steve Earle
1/5
Too country for me
Fugees
4/5
- Heard this before
- Classic album, but I think there are a few slightly weaker tracks
- Probably prefer Miseducation
- Fav songs: Killing Me Softly, Ready or Not, Fu-Gee-La
Massive Attack
5/5
- Heard some of the tracks before and listened to Mezzanine but first full listen
- Really, really good, somehow sounds ahead of its time and of the era at the same time
- Fav songs: Unfinished Sympathy, Safe From Harm, Blue Lines
Rufus Wainwright
2/5
I imagine this is what Radiohead sounds like to people who don't like Radiohead
Method Man
4/5
- Heard Wu-Tang albums before but not Method Man solo
- Really good but not on the level of 36 Chambers
- Aged very well compared to some of the other older hip-hop albums on the list
- Fav songs: All I Need, Mr Sandman, Bring the Pain
Billie Holiday
3/5
I find it hard to rate ones like these because of how old they are. Great voice and I enjoyed it at the start but it started to drag a bit nearer the end.
Songhoy Blues
3/5
- Heard of this band before but never listened to them
- Pretty good, not sure if I'd revisit it but I enjoyed listening to it
Joan Armatrading
3/5
4/5
- Never heard of this before
- This is what I'm here for, doubt I would have ever heard this without using this website
- Really enjoyed it despite language barrier
- Could move up when I relisten a few times
Elvis Costello
4/5
- Had This Year's Model already
- Thought it was very good, similar to the other album
- Only had the two Costello albums so far so maybe my opinion of him will get worse as it goes on
- Fav songs: Red Shoes, Welcome to the Working Week, Alison
Paul Simon
4/5
- First time listening to this
- Thought it was very good but not quite as good as some of his other stuff
- Kind of weird topics for song lyrics
- Fav songs: Think Too Much, When Numbers Get Serious, The Late Great Johnny Ace
The The
5/5
- Heard of this band before but didn't even know what genre it was
- Very pleasantly surprised, not sure how I hadn't heard this before
- Fav songs: This is the Day, The Sinking Feeling, Giant
Hole
5/5
- Never heard this before
- Heard good things about it and can see why
- Very very good album
- Fav songs: Plump, Violet, Gutless
George Harrison
5/5
- Hears this many times before
- Easily my favourite Beatles solo album
- Very long, but I kind of think it's justified considering the amount of songs he had unreleased by the time the band broke up
- Fav songs: What Is Life, Isn't It a Pity, Apple Scruffs
Louis Prima
2/5
Not for me
My Bloody Valentine
5/5
- Own this on vinyl
- Easily the best shoegaze album I've ever heard
- Great start to finish
- Feel like I've given out too many 5* recently but this has to be a 5
- Fav songs: When You Sleep, Sometimes, Only Shallow
John Martyn
2/5
- Never heard of this before
- Thought it was alright, probably wouldn't listen again
Joan Baez
4/5
- Never listened to Joan Baez before
- Wasn't expecting much from a folk album released in 1960 but very pleasantly surprised
- Amazing voice
- Fav songs: All My Trials, Silver Dagger, House of the Rising Sun
The Kinks
4/5
- Heard this before
- Title track is a classic
- Really consistently good album
- Fav songs: The Village Green Preservation Society, Starstruck, Last of the Steam-Powered Trains
Yes
3/5
Enjoyed this but I preferred 'The Yes Album'
Throbbing Gristle
1/5
I normally defend "weird" music, but this genuinely just sounds like random noises
The Isley Brothers
5/5
- Never listened to an Isley Brothers album in full before, but recognised a few of the tracks
- Wasn't expecting to like this anywhere near as much as I did
- Really good and different to other funk albums I've heard
- Fav songs: That Lady, You Walk Your Way, Summer Breeze
The Roots
4/5
I'd heard of The Roots before but hadn't actually listened to them. Very enjoyable and fun album, The Seed is especially great.
Fav songs: The Seed, Sacrifice, Complexity
Public Enemy
5/5
- Never listened to a Public Enemy album in full before but not sure why because I always thought I'd like them
- Lived up to expectations, can 100% see why people love this so much
- Fav songs: Fight the Power, 911 is a Joke, Welcome to the Terrordome
Air
4/5
- Heard this before
- Agree this should be on the list, not my usual thing but very enjoyable
- Quite unique compared to other albums of this genre and period that I've heard
- Fav songs: All I Need, La femme d'argent, You Make It Easy
Jack White
3/5
- Only ever listened to White Stripes albums, not any of his solo ones before
- Enjoyed it, a couple of really good tracks on this
- However, not sure this necessarily fits this list? It's good but not certain that it's 100% essential listening
- Fav songs: Freedom at 21, Take Me with You When You Go, Weep Themselves to Sleep
Björk
2/5
I've listened to a few Bjork albums now, and still none of them have clicked for me
Morrissey
2/5
I'm a big fan of The Smiths, and I like Viva Hate, but this just doesn't do it for me. Morrissey too far removed from Johnny Marr is just all the bad parts of Morrissey with very little of the good.
Harry Nilsson
4/5
- Never listened to a Harry Nilsson album before but I recognised a few of the tracks
- Overall very good but some tracks stood out more than others
- How many good albums came out in 1971!?
- Fav songs: Gotta Get Up, Without You, Jump Into the Fire
Björk
5/5
Earlier this month I had a different Bjork album and gave it 2* and said I'd heard a few of her albums but none had clicked for me. This has definitely clicked for me. I've listened to this a few times now and every time I do I like it even more. The first four tracks back to back are one of the best sequences to open an album I've ever heard, especially Crying and Venus as a Boy.
The Police
3/5
- Never listened to a Police album in full before
- Thought it was quite good but nothing incredible
- Probably still deserves to be on the list so 3*
- Fav songs: Message in a Bottle, Walking on the Moon, It's Alright for You
The Dictators
3/5
- Never heard of this before
- Interesting to hear a punk album this early
- I enjoyed some tracks more than others
- Might be rating this slightly higher than I would if it was even a couple of years newer, just seems slightly ahead of its time
Rocket From The Crypt
2/5
- Never heard of this so had no idea what it was going in
- Not a bad album but nothing really stood out to me
- Pretty run of the mill punk rock really
The Rolling Stones
2/5
Surprised by how little I liked this. Listened to the UK version so no Paint It Black and didn't particularly have any stand outs for me.
Deep Purple
3/5
I liked this a lot but Machine Head is already on the list? Absolutely no reason for both albums to be on this
The Who
3/5
- Only ever heard later Who albums
- Good but not as good as the later stuff and parts are a bit dated
- Title track kind of overshadows the rest of it
- Fav songs: My Generation, La-La-La-Lies, I Don't Mind
Fun Lovin' Criminals
2/5
- Never heard of this before
- Didn't really enjoy it, not terrible though
Todd Rundgren
2/5
Thought this was decent a third of the way through but it just kept going. Would be a 3* but far too long.
Alice In Chains
2/5
I feel like this another one that I should like on paper but it doesn't do much for me. Would? Is very good though.
Pearl Jam
3/5
Didn't think I liked Pearl Jam based on their songs I'd heard before but this was pretty good.
Willie Nelson
2/5
I'm sorry country music but you're still not doing it for me
Traffic
2/5
Thought it was fine, not much else. Not sure it should be on the list.
Elton John
4/5
- Heard this before
- Think this is easily his best album
- Would probably be 5* if it wasn't so bloated with songs that just don't need to be on there
- A few classics as well though
- Fav songs: Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Bennie and the Jets, Funeral for a Friend
Foo Fighters
3/5
Fatboy Slim
3/5
- Knew a few of the songs but never listened to one of his albums in full before
- Good but inconsistent, the more recognisable tracks were definitely the best
- Fav songs: Rockafeller Skank, Praise You, Right Here Right Now
Haircut 100
4/5
I'd never listened to this before but I was surprised by how many of the songs I was already familiar with (probably due to being raised in the UK by parents who would've been late teens when this was released). Similar to Duran Duran, but funkier and, I would argue, better.
Fav songs: Love Plus One, Fantastic Day, Surprise Me Again
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
First time listening to this, not sure I've listened to any of his from after the 80s. It's the Boss so it's obviously good, but slightly overly long. Not sure if it's worthy of being on the list as it doesn't stack up against all his classic albums but it's still a decent listen with some strong highlights.
Fav songs: My City of Ruins, The Rising, Waitin' on a Sunny Day
Ian Dury
1/5
Sounds like a cockney chimney sweep shouting. Fair play if you managed to get through this without skipping a track.
Daft Punk
3/5
- Heard their second album before but not this one
- Enjoyable, but overly long and incredibly repetitive
- Good background music
Arcade Fire
5/5
One of my favourite things about going through this list has been going back to albums that I first listened to years ago, hearing them in full again for the first time in ages, and being reminded of just how good they are. The title track into Ready to Start is such a good way to open the album. While I do still prefer Funeral, this album does run it close and has my personal favourite AF song (Sprawl II).
Fav songs: Sprawl II, Ready to Start, Modern Man
Gram Parsons
2/5
Not the worst country album I've heard
The Jesus And Mary Chain
4/5
I'd previously only ever listened to Psychocandy once and only thought it was decent, so I was very pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this. Some really good tracks on this and it makes me want to go back to their other music.
Fav songs: Happy When it Rains, April Skies, Darklands
Soft Machine
2/5
Overly long songs and not really my thing
3/5
Never heard of this band before, wasn't my usual thing but still enjoyable. Opening track was especially good but I was starting to be a bit sick of it towards the end.
Count Basie & His Orchestra
2/5
Still don't get old jazz
Elton John
3/5
Only ever listened to Yellow Brick Road in full before but was familiar with a few of the songs anyway. Good album but not on the level of Yellow Brick Road.
Fav songs: Tiny Dancer, Levon, Holiday Inn
The Clash
5/5
Easiest 5* I'll ever give. The best punk rock album of all time and possibly simply the best album of all time.
Fav songs: All of them (esp. Train in Vain, Spanish Bombs, Lost in the Supermarket)
Waylon Jennings
2/5
Not for me
The Police
4/5
- First listen to this, had Regatta de Blanc earlier
- Pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this
- Obviously heard Every Breath You Take before, but this reminded me how good of a song it is
- Mother is weird but very good
The Black Keys
1/5
I used to like this band when I was 14 and listening to them again as an adult I am very confused as to why. May be being very harsh here but I'm also marking it down because this is by no means an album that you MUST hear before you die.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
4/5
I've listened to quite a lot of Nick Cave's music since I got The Boatman's Call on this about a year ago. This album definitely isn't my favourite of his, but it's still great. Both the opener and closer are some of his best tracks, but I don't think it's quite as consistently good as Boatman's Call or Murder Ballads (my fav of his).
Fav songs: Papa Won't Leave You, Henry; Jack the Ripper, Straight to You
Suede
3/5
Never really listened to too much Suede before but it's kind of what I expected from a full album from them. Overall a pretty good album but there's much better on the list.
Fav songs: The Asphalt World, The Wild Ones, We Are the Pigs
Paul Simon
5/5
I first listened to this album a few months ago after getting a different Paul Simon album on this website and going through his discography. I'm not sure how I hadn't heard it before because it is right up my street and is absolutely brilliant. Vampire Weekend are one of my favourite bands and the amount of influence they took from this album is insane (the guitar on Crazy Love in particular). Easy 5 stars.
Fav songs: Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes, Graceland, You Can Call Me Al
Rage Against The Machine
5/5
Love getting albums like this that I haven't heard for ages and being reminded just how good they are. Really consistently good from start to finish.
Fav songs: Killing in the Name, Know Your Enemy, Take the Power Back
The Chemical Brothers
3/5
Liked this a bit less than the other Chemical Brothers album I've had but still decent
Animal Collective
5/5
One of the easiest 5* I'll ever give. Didn't realise this album was actually on the list, but more than worthy of being on here. This is probably one of my most listened to albums of all time (as well as Strawberry Jam). There isn't really a song on here that I don't like, and My Girls is one of my favourite songs of all time.
Fav songs: My Girls, Bluish, Taste
Meat Puppets
4/5
Never heard of this before but knew some of the songs from Nirvana covers. Enjoyed it, good combination of different rock subgenres.
Fav songs: What to Do, Plateau, Lost
The Flaming Lips
3/5
Heard this before. Think this album is a bit weird as the songs that I like, I really like, but the others just don't do it for me. Maybe the ones I don't like would grow on me with a few more relistens.
Fav songs: Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, Do You Realize??, Fight Test
Fleetwood Mac
5/5
Not much to say about this that hasn't already been said. It's one of the best albums of all time.
Fav songs: The Chain, Dreams, Go Your Own Way
Herbie Hancock
4/5
Jazz is definitely not usually my thing but I enjoyed this one. Good to have on in the background while working.
CHIC
2/5
One thing I've learned from this list is that I much prefer Chic in small doses rather than full albums
Violent Femmes
5/5
I had heard of the Violent Femmes before but I'd never listened to them or even knew what genre they are. I've clearly been missing out, thought this was brilliant! The first track sounded familiar but the rest was completely knew to me and right up my street.
Fav songs: Prove My Love, Blister in the Sun, Promise
The Strokes
5/5
Easy 5*. Heard this album so many times I can't actually remember when I first heard it. I love every track on this and the list of bands that I like that wouldn't have existed without this album is endless.
Fav tracks: Someday, Hard to Explain, Is This It
OutKast
4/5
An album I'd been meaning to listen to for a long time. Enjoyed it and was familiar with a few of the tracks anyway (Ms Jackson is an absolute classic), but thought it was a bit bloated and had slightly too many skits.
Fav tracks: Ms Jackson, Snappin' & Trappin', B.O.B.
Venom
2/5
There have been a lot of metal albums on this list that I liked, unfortunately this is not one of them.
Astor Piazzolla
2/5
Well, it's definitely something I wouldn't have ever listened to without this list. Decent background music but not for me.
The Psychedelic Furs
2/5
Normally a big fan of 80s new wave so was excited to check this out but it just didn't do it for me at all
Billy Joel
3/5
Been meaning to listen to this album for ages so good to finally get round to it. Honestly, I didn't like it as much as I thought I would but it is still good. Some of the tracks stand out above the rest, but overall it's a nice album but not one I'm likely to revisit any time soon.
Fav tracks: She's Always a Woman, Movin' Out, Vienna
Bob Marley & The Wailers
5/5
Honestly was not expecting to like a Bob Marley album where I was unfamiliar with any of the songs before as much as I like this. Best reggae album I've ever heard, probably need to listen to him more.
Fav tracks: Concrete Jungle, 400 Years, Stop that Train
OutKast
4/5
Weird listening to a double album which is literally that - not just an extra disc, but two distinct albums stuck together. An interesting concept that I don't think many other groups or duos could pull off. Like other OutKast albums I've heard before, I thought this was very good, but something I'm unlikely to listen to in full again just due to how long the album is. Despite The Love Below having the hits on it, I definitely preferred Speakerboxxx as an individual album.
Fav tracks (Speakerboxxx): GhettoMusick, Tomb of the Boom
Fav tracks (The Love Below): Roses, Take Off Your Cool
Frankie Goes To Hollywood
4/5
Never listened to this before but I probably should have considering I'm from Liverpool. I forgot how many of their songs I already knew, so along with the covers I was familiar with most of the tracks. All in all, really good 80s pop album.
Fav tracks: Two Tribes, Relax, The Power of Love
FKA twigs
3/5
Never listened to this before but had been meaning to. Kind of what I expected, decent album but not really my thing.
Fav tracks: Two Weeks, Kicks, Lights On
Serge Gainsbourg
2/5
Very breathy French. Not really for me.
The Killers
5/5
I've heard this album before, but not listened to it for a few years. I'm much more familiar with the first five tracks, which must be one of the best runs to open an album ever, but I forgot how good the rest of it is. Yes, the second half isn't as good as the first, but all the tracks are really solid.
Fav tracks: All These Things That I've Done, Smile Like You Mean It, Mr Brightside
Radiohead
5/5
Well, I finally got my favourite album of all time by my favourite band of all time. I've listened to this album countless times and none of the tracks ever get old for me. I think there's been a point where each of the ten songs has been my favourite. I have literally no negative criticism towards this, it's just the best.
Fav songs: All of them
Belle & Sebastian
4/5
Was quite surprised to see this album pop up as I like Belle & Sebastian but wouldn't say this one is their best. However, after relistening I was reminded how good it actually is. B&S are definitely a band who's sound isn't for everyone but I really like them. I'm hoping If You're Feeling Sinister is also on the list though because that album is clearly better than this one.
Fav tracks: I Don't Love Anyone, She's Losing It, Expectations
Fishbone
4/5
Surprised I'd never heard of these before. Enjoyable listen, good variety in styles track to track.
Fav tracks: Ma and Pa, Pouring Rain, Freddie's Dead
Sinead O'Connor
4/5
Never listened to Sinead O'Connor beyond Nothing Compares 2 U before. Very nice album from someone with an unbelievable voice. Definitely liked some songs much more than others but still a very enjoyable album.
Fav tracks: Nothing Compares 2 U, The Emperor's New Clothes, Black Boys on Mopeds
Sam Cooke
5/5
The main thing I'm learning from listening to nearly 300 albums from this website is just how much I like 60s soul music. This is the latest one that I would have never listened to previously which I'll definitely go back to. Really solid good fun from start to finish and one of the best live albums I've had on here so far.
Fav tracks: Chain Gang, Twistin' the Night Away, Feel It
Black Sabbath
4/5
Never listened to this before for some reason, despite liking the three earlier Sabbath albums. This absolutely stands up to the rest of them and shows their range of sounds. I can't really get over how good Changes is and how different it is to their heavier tracks. Very close to 5*, might be there after a few more listens.
Fav tracks: Changes, Snowblind, Cornucopia
Barry Adamson
2/5
I liked the Jarvis Cocker song but that was about it
The Fall
4/5
The Fall are a band I've been meaning to listen to for years but never actually got round to it other than a few of their most popular songs. I expected to like it and I did. Mark E Smith's ramblings won't be for everyone but I think he's great to listen to.
Fav tracks: I Am Damo Suzuki, Barmy, Paintwork
The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy
2/5
Normally like conscious hip hop but wasn't a big fan of this. Maybe would've given 3* if it wasn't so overly long.
The Doors
4/5
Glad to be reminded once again just how good The Doors are. Probably prefer the debut and Morrison Hotel to this one but it's very close.
Fav tracks: Riders on the Storm, Hyacinth House, L'America
Marty Robbins
4/5
Finally, a country album I like! Genuinely really enjoyed this one, great storytelling on the tracks, if the instrumentals did get a *bit* samey at times.
Fav tracks: Big Iron, The Hanging Tree, El Paso
Cheap Trick
2/5
Bland old rock
George Jones
2/5
More country nonsense
Napalm Death
1/5
I've listened to a lot of albums in my life and I think this is the absolute worst one I've ever subjected myself to. Fair play.
N.W.A.
5/5
Absolute classic. Massively influential but still sounds fresh 30+ years on. Yes, some of the lyrics are highly questionable but it is by no means the only album like that on this list.
Fav songs: Express Yourself, Straight Outta Compton, Something Like That
Sex Pistols
3/5
Listened to this album years ago and it didn't really click with me so it's interesting to hear it again now. It's a weird album where it's clearly massively influential but at the same time, not that enjoyable to listen to.
Fav tracks: Pretty Vacant, God Save the Queen, Holidays in the Sun
Wu-Tang Clan
5/5
Forgot how good this album was until I relistened to it. Absolute classic of this genre, and possibly my favourite rap album of the 90s.
Fav tracks: CREAM, Da Mystery of Chessboxin', Protect Ya Neck
Belle & Sebastian
5/5
Interesting to get this the day after 36 Chambers - two of my favourite 90s albums with completely different vibes! Belle & Sebastian are a great band and this album is them at their best. Should be too twee but it somehow works. All killer no filler.
Fav tracks: If You're Feeling Sinister, Judy and the Dream of Horses, Me and the Major
Siouxsie And The Banshees
4/5
Been meaning to listen to this album for a while so good to get round to it. Really good as expected, right up my street.
Fav tracks: Monitor, Arabian Knights, Spellbound
Jimmy Smith
2/5
I'm still struggling with jazz
Isaac Hayes
3/5
Smooth, but not sure it needed that big spoken word spiel before the last track.
CHVRCHES
3/5
CHVRCHES are a band where I've known their popular songs for years but I've never really delved into them. This is a really solid album but I do kind of think there are better similar bands from the past 15 years. Also always good to hear a song that I know from Fifa years ago.
Fav tracks: The Mother We Share, We Sink, Lies
Dinosaur Jr.
2/5
I'd heard of this band before but didn't really know anything about them. After listening, they feel like one of those bands that may have influenced a lot of music that I like, but I don't actually like much. Don't was definitely the most memorable track - not sure if that's a good thing or not.
The Saints
2/5
Not bad, but there are much better punk rock albums from the 70s than this
Leftfield
2/5
Decent background music while working but I don't think I'll be coming back to it
AC/DC
2/5
Listened to this album years ago, but AC/DC aren't really my thing. Everyone knows the title track and every track after it basically sounds the same.
Cream
2/5
Thought the first few tracks were decent, then it started to drag and felt like it went on for hours.
Buck Owens
1/5
This kind of music should have been left behind in the 60s
Simply Red
1/5
I very strongly disagree with the idea that you must hear Mick Hucknall butcher Heaven by Talking Heads before you die
Nightmares On Wax
1/5
Maybe I just don't get 90s electronic music, but this just sounds like the same boring background music for over an hour to me
Soundgarden
4/5
I thought I didn't really like grunge bands other than Nirvana, but I actually really enjoyed this. Some of the songs were a bit samey and it was slightly overly long, but all in all a very good album.
Fav tracks: Like Suicide, Black Hole Sun, Fresh Tendrils
David Bowie
5/5
I'm a big fan of Bowie, and this is one of his best. Absolutely brilliant and very varied album, where he tries a lot of different things that all seem to work.
Fav tracks: Sound and Vision, Be My Wife, Warszawa
Ash
3/5
Never really listened to Ash before despite being aware of them. Started as a very good album, but it's overly long and a lot of the songs sound very similar. I also have no idea how this counts as Britpop, sounds much more similar to bands like Weezer and Pavement to me.
Fav tracks: Goldfinger, Girl from Mars, Innocent Smile
Thin Lizzy
3/5
Never really listened to Thin Lizzy before but knew a couple of their popular ones. Good live album, some clear highlights for me as parts of it were quite similar. Not entirely sure why a live album was chosen over a studio one.
Fav tracks: Dancing in the Moonlight, Jailbreak, The Boys are Back in Town
The Jesus And Mary Chain
3/5
Listened to this album years ago and didn't think too much of it, but I've since had Darklands on the generator and really enjoyed it, so it's interesting to come back to their debut. I thought this was better than my first listen, but the distortion is a bit OTT at times and I much prefer Darklands. Just Like Honey is a very, very good track though.
Fav tracks: Just Like Honey, Taste of Cindy, Never Understand
Jorge Ben Jor
4/5
Very pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this without understanding a word being said. This list is really making me realise how much good music Brazilians have made.
Frank Sinatra
3/5
Never listened to a full Sinatra album before but it's kind of what I expected. I imagine this would be unbelievable 70ish years ago but it's a bit one note. Can't deny it's good to listen to though.
Queens of the Stone Age
2/5
I genuinely didn't know QOTSA had a self-titled album until this popped up, I always thought Songs for the Deaf was their debut. After listening to it, I'm not sure why this one was chosen as I don't really think it's even particularly close to as good as their best albums. Not a bad album, but shouldn't be on this list.
Stan Getz
3/5
Very nice background music. Good to work to.
Fleetwood Mac
4/5
Listened to this for the first time years ago and I remember not liking it much. Listening again, I thought it was much better than I remembered and is a really solid album. Not as good as Rumours but not many albums are.
Fav tracks: Not That Funny, The Ledge, Tusk
Bill Evans Trio
4/5
Somehow this list has started converting me to liking some jazz? Actually found this very nice to listen to and I might actually come back to it
The Smiths
5/5
The second best Smiths album is still one of the best albums of all time. Not listened to this in full for a good while and it's just as great as I remembered.
Fav tracks: Barbarism Begins at Home, The Headmaster Ritual, Rusholme Ruffians
Bert Jansch
3/5
Never heard of Bert Jansch before so didn't know what to expect. Very decent 60s folk music, but I definitely enjoyed some songs a lot more than others, especially Needle of Death which is brilliant.
Fav tracks: Needle of Death, Oh How Your Love is Strong, I Have No Time
Stan Getz
3/5
The Who
3/5
Somehow I've never got round to listening to this before. I can see how influential this was, especially for albums like The Wall, but it is definitely overly long and relies a lot on the concept. Maybe could score it a star higher.
Sarah Vaughan
2/5
Some of these albums are so old that it's hard to really fully enjoy them
Joni Mitchell
4/5
I like Joni Mitchell but hadn't got round to listening to this one before. Good as always, but probably not my favourite of hers.
Fav tracks: Coyote, Refuge of the Roads, Blue Motel Room
John Prine
4/5
Never listened to John Prine before as I thought his music wouldn't really be my thing. Surprisingly, I thought this was really good. Brilliant lyrics especially given the age of the album.
Fav tracks: Six O'clock News, Your Flag Decal Won't Get You Into Heaven Anymore
Arcade Fire
5/5
This is one of those albums on this list that I can give 5* straight away. Listened to this countless times over the years and I never get tired of it.
Fav tracks: Rebellion (Lies), Tunnels, Wake Up
Joni Mitchell
5/5
My second Joni Mitchell album in a week and this is one I was already familiar with. Out of her albums I've heard, this is easily my favourite - just unbelievablely good lyrics start to finish. Easy 5* for me.
Fav tracks: A Case of You, River, Carey
Slipknot
2/5
I got Slipknot's self-titled album on this generator a while ago and was pleasantly surprised that I quite liked it. This is more like what I expected to think of Slipknot.
Funkadelic
3/5
An album I'd been meaning to listen to but hadn't got round to it. Surprised that I didn't like it more but maybe it would grow on me if I gave it another go.
Fav track: Can You Get to That
Parliament
4/5
Parliament and Funkadelic albums in the same week! Preferred this to Maggot Braim, very funky.
Fav tracks: Give Up the Funk, P-Funk, Mothership Connection
Elbow
2/5
Overplayed as it is, One Day Like This is a really, really great song. The rest of this less so.
Michael Kiwanuka
3/5
Never really listened to Michael Kiwanuka before despite being aware of him. Not really my usual thing but still very enjoyable and maybe would grow on me with a few more listens. Sounds like it could have been from any era.
Fav track: You Ain't the Problem
The Sabres Of Paradise
1/5
Couldn't get through this
Tears For Fears
4/5
Heard this before, proper 80s classic. Definitely prefer the more well-known songs, but it's just a really good album.
Fav tracks: Everybody Wants to Rule the World, Head Over Heels, Shout
The Charlatans
2/5
There's too many britpop albums on this list. This one is alright but definitely not an essential listen.
Koffi Olomide
2/5
Background music
a-ha
2/5
Take On Me is a classic, but I didn't like much else on this
Beastie Boys
3/5
I've heard Licensed to Ill before but not this one. Similar to that one, I can't decide if the Beastie Boys are great or terrible. There's parts of this that are really, really good but it does get very grating at other times.
Radiohead
5/5
Sometimes I think "Is OK Computer actually as good as I remember"? Then I listen to it and think obviously yes. Five stars.
Fav tracks: Let Down, No Surprises, Exit Music
The Birthday Party
3/5
I like Nick Cave but hadn't bothered listening to this because I'd never heard anything good about it. Pleasantly surprised that it's nowhere near as bad as people say, but it's still nowhere near The Bad Seeds' best albums.
The Young Gods
2/5
Pretty unique but I found it quite hard to listen to
Bauhaus
4/5
Heard another Bauhaus album before but not this one. Kind of weird but really good.
Fav tracks: 1. David Jay 2. Peter Murphy 3. Kevin Haskins 4. Daniel Ash, Mask, The Passion of Lovers
R.E.M.
4/5
Another album I haven't heard for a long time but a good reminder of how good it is. Still prefer Automatic for the People but this is very close to 5* for me.
Fav tracks: Radio Free Europe, Catapult, Moral Kiosk
Bob Dylan
5/5
This and Highway 61 are peak Dylan for me. The run from Visions of Johanna to Stuck Inside of Mobile might be the best four track run on any album ever.
Fav tracks: One of Us Must Know, Visions of Johanna, I Want You
Ramones
5/5
Haven't listened to this album in a very long time but it's just as good as I remember. Not very long but perfect punk rock.
Fav tracks: Blitzkrieg Bop; Today Your Love, Tomorrow the World; Let's Dance
The Hives
2/5
Compilations are not albums I'm afraid
The Yardbirds
2/5
That review about no one knowing who the singer is and the instrumental being the best track is absolutely right
Led Zeppelin
4/5
Led Zeppelin are a band that I like but don't listen to very often so I've liked coming back to their (many) albums on this list. This one isn't my favourite but is still very very good. Kind of suffers by starting with Immigrant Song because nothing else on it comes close.
Fav tracks: Immigrant Song, Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Thelonious Monk
4/5
Maybe this list is converting me to liking jazz. Made me feel cool listening to it, especially because it's nearly 70 years old.
Jacques Brel
4/5
Surprisingly very good. Amsterdam is a level above the rest of the tracks though. I do know some French so not too much of a language barrier, may not have liked it as much if I couldn't understand any of it.
Various Artists
4/5
Listened to this before Christmas but forgot to rate it. People who don't like Christmas music are miserable.
Christina Aguilera
2/5
Sorry if I'm being pretentious but there is no need for an album in this style of pop to be so long. Good voice though
Moby
2/5
Advert music
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
3/5
I've heard Trout Mask Replica before so I'm surprised by how relatively normal this album is. Enjoyable but I'm not sure I'd go back to it.
3/5
This is a pretty good punk album, maybe didn't click with me in the same way as a lot of these 5* reviews. Solid 3*
Aretha Franklin
5/5
I've never listened to this before and I don't know why. It's easily 5*, couldn't possibly rate it any lower.
Fav tracks: A Natural Woman, Chain of Fools, Groovin'
Radiohead
5/5
The more Radiohead the better for me. Not the first album that comes to mind when I think of Radiohead's best, but every time I relisten to it I'm reminded that it's really not far off. Pyramid Song and Life in a Glasshouse are certainly top top tier Radiohead songs.
Fav tracks: Life in a Glasshouse, Pyramid Song, Knives Out
Arcade Fire
4/5
I really like Arcade Fire and was glad of an excuse to relisten to this, but are all of their first three albums really necessary on this list? I do really like this album but for me it's not on the level of Funeral or The Suburbs which I've already had on the generator. Very good album but not sure it should be included on the list.
Fav tracks: Keep the Car Running, My Body is a Cage, No Cars Go
Brian Wilson
4/5
It's not perfect but given the context of this album, it's unbelievabley good. It does come very close to the line of being too "kids music" like, but I don't think it goes too far that way. It also has Good Vibrations on it, so that automatically makes it at least 3*.
Metallica
5/5
Never actually listened to a full Metallica album before and I'm realising what I've been missing out on. Can see why this is so well thought of.
Fav tracks: Master of Puppets, Orion; Damage, inc
The Stone Roses
5/5
Lads, lads, lads
🍋🍻🍋🍻🍋🍻
The Black Crowes
2/5
Not great, sounds older than it is and not in a good way.
David Bowie
5/5
One of the easiest 5* on this list. There's too much to say about how good this album is - it's still absolutely unbelievable 10 years on that he released an album this great and died two days later. (Writing this 10 years to the day between the release and his death)
Everything But The Girl
3/5
Nice chilled music. Not sure I'd go back to it but a good listen.
Quicksilver Messenger Service
3/5
Nice jamming. I can see why the first side isn't for everyone considering it's basically just one long 20 minute plus song, but I really enjoyed it. Second half not quite as good but still a very decent album.
5/5
There are three albums that I often change my opinion on being the best ever. I've had the other two (London Calling and In Rainbows) on this before, and now I've finally got the other one. I absolutely love every song on this album and Five Years is easily my favourite Bowie song (there's a lot of competition!) Perfect start to finish.
Fav tracks: Five Years, Ziggy Stardust, Moonage Daydream
The White Stripes
4/5
I've listened to a few White Stripes albums and always thought a couple of songs were quite good but the whole album didn't click for me. Surprisingly, considering I'd never heard of it before, I enjoyed this one a lot more than others I'd previously heard. Solid indie rock start to finish, will definitely come back to this again.
Fav tracks: My Doorbell, Forever for Her, The Denial Twist
Nas
5/5
I listened to this album years ago and didn't really like it, but now I'm wondering what exactly I was thinking! Really, really good album, the run of the first four tracks might be the best I've heard on a hip hop album.
Brian Eno
4/5
More rocky and less ambient than I expected it to be being Brian Eno. Very good album if a bit dated at points.
New Order
3/5
I like New Order a lot but this one isn't my favourite. It's still good, but I much prefer some of their earlier albums. Very dance inspired but still familiar New Order sounds.
Fav tracks: All the Way, Run, Love Less
Beatles
4/5
After more than 350 albums, I finally have a Beatles one! This one obviously isn't their best one but, like, it's still the Beatles. Probably one of my least favourite Beatles albums but still 4*.
Fav tracks: All My Loving, It Won't Be Long, Hold Me Tight
Garbage
3/5
I'd heard of Garbage before but didn't know a song. Decent music but not really my thing and not sure if I'd come back to it, but definitely good enough to be on this list.
Prince
4/5
Only ever listened to Purple Rain in full before and I was only really familiar with the title track. Very good album, but a lot of these songs just go on for too long. First three tracks are great though.
Fav tracks: 1999, Delirious, Little Red Corvette
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
Never listened to this before for some reason even though I really like his other two albums. This is just as good as the others, if not better. Bold as Love may now be my favourite Hendrix song.
Fav tracks: Bold as Love, If 6 Was 9, Little Wing
Beatles
5/5
After taking >350 albums to get The Beatles, I have them again a week later! My favourite Beatles album is very close between this and Abbey Road. This an album I've probably listened to in full hundreds of times - easy 5*.
Fav tracks: Eleanor Rigby, For No One, Tomorrow Never Knows
Stevie Wonder
3/5
I've listened to this album a couple of times before and I think there's something I'm just not getting. It's a good album, but I don't really get it being considered one of the best ever. 3* for me
The Flying Burrito Brothers
4/5
Very pleasantly surprised by this, maybe I'm being converted into liking country. Thought 'The Flying Burrito Brothers' might have been a bit more out there, but this is a very solid album.
Fav tracks: Hot Burrito #1, Hippie Boy, Sin City
The White Stripes
2/5
I really feel like I should like The White Stripes more than I do, but I've tried this album a couple of times now and it just isn't for me. Seven Nation Army is great, but it's cancelled out by how much I don't like the last track.
Dusty Springfield
4/5
Never heard this before but as good as I would expect. Son of a Preacher Man is the obvious highlight but the whole thing's great start to finish
Lana Del Rey
2/5
I feel like I should like Lana Del Rey more than I do. Just a bit dull really
Pink Floyd
5/5
I mean, it's Dark Side of the Moon. Five stars.
Pavement
5/5
The greatest American band of the 90s and this is their best album. Brilliant start to finish.
Fav tracks: Range Life, Gold Soundz, Silence Kit
Pretenders
3/5
Never listened to a full Pretenders album before despite knowing a lot of their songs. Kind of what I expected, good album but not the best that's on lists like this. Chrissie Hynde has one of the best rock voices of all time though.
Fav tracks: Private Life, Brass in Pocket, Up the Neck
The Temptations
4/5
The Byrds
3/5
I feel like The Byrds are more of an influential band than one I'd want to listen to regularly. Much better than Sweetheart of the Rodeo which I couldn't stand
The Smashing Pumpkins
3/5
I always think I should like The Smashing Pumpkins more than I do. I did mostly enjoy this album, but most of the songs sounded very similar to me and I definitely prefer Mellon Collie
Leonard Cohen
5/5
I listened to this album years ago and didn't understand what the appeal was, but now I get it 100%. So Long, Marianne is an unbelievablely good song. 10/10
Madness
3/5
Know most of these songs because my dad is a huge fan. Not my favourite thing, but mostly good and Our House is really good.
David Bowie
5/5
Another Bowie, another great album. If there's any artist deserving of having this number of albums on this list it's him. For me, nothing comes close to Ziggy Stardust but it's 50/50 whether this or Low is his 2nd best. 5*
Fav tracks: Life on Mars?, Changes, The Bewlay Brothers
The Beta Band
3/5
I've heard of The Beta Band before but didn't know much about them. Good album, but it's nothing special compared to the rest of the list
Youssou N'Dour
3/5
Not the usual type of music I would listen to, but a good album. Not sure I would go back to it though
Tim Buckley
2/5
Only ever listened to Jeff before so was interested to hear what his dad was like. Outside of Buzzin' Fly, which was really good, it droned on a bit. Not my favourite on the list.
Minor Threat
4/5
Good stuff, proper hardcore punk. Nice to have a shorter album every now and again. Solid the whole way through, will definitely go deeper into their other music.
Beastie Boys
4/5
I've now had all three Beastie Boys albums on this list, and I think this was the only one I'd never heard before. Surprisingly, I thought this was their best despite only knowing Sabotage before. Much more musically interesting than their other albums. Also anything from the 90s with Q-Tip can't be bad
Pink Floyd
5/5
It's The Wall. It's one of the best albums of all time. I normally listen to albums in the background while working or doing something else, but this one you need to actively listen to. Comfortably Numb might be Pink Floyd's best song, and there is a LOT of competition for that
Stereo MC's
2/5
This is ok, it should not be on this list. Very dated.
Ice Cube
3/5
Never listened to a solo Ice Cube album before. Pretty good, the message still stands even if the music (and lyrics!) are a bit dated in 2025
Snoop Dogg
4/5
Classic hip hop album. May be a bit dated now but can't deny it's a classic
The Mamas & The Papas
4/5
Never listened to one of their albums in full before, but obviously knew a few of the tracks. You can't really go wrong with California Dreamin', and the rest is good too.
Fav tracks: California Dreamin'; Monday, Monday; Straight Shooter
Roxy Music
2/5
Aphex Twin
4/5
Perfect album to put on in the background
Elis Regina
3/5
Very good, never heard of her before and probably wouldn't have if not for this website. A compilation is not an album though so knocking it down one star.
My Bloody Valentine
4/5
It's not as good as Loveless but it's still mbv. There's not much else that sounds like this in a very good way
Baaba Maal
3/5
Something I never would have listened to without this list, but a good listen! Might grow on me more if I listen again, but I'm not sure how likely that is
Kacey Musgraves
3/5
I had very low expectations for this, but was pleasantly surprised by enjoying it. Some of the lyrics weren't great and I enjoyed some tracks a lot more than others, but all in all a good album. Country pop is definitely not my usual thing but this was decent.
The Beau Brummels
2/5
Generic 60s psych rock, there's too much like this on this list
Talk Talk
3/5
I feel like I should like Talk Talk more than I do, enjoyed listening to it but not sure if I'd go back to it
Beck
2/5
This is the second Beck album I've had on this list and again I feel like I'm missing something. I normally like stuff like this but Beck just doesn't do it for me for some reason
M.I.A.
2/5
Don't really know what to make of this, it's clearly ahead of it's time and influential but didn't really enjoy listening to it
Santana
3/5
Good album, but don't think it's for me. Maybe would like it more in a different mood
Cowboy Junkies
3/5
A lot better than I thought it would be based on the name, enjoyed it to begin with but it dragged a bit towards the end
Randy Newman
2/5
I don't think you're allowed to say that word, Mr Toy Story
Ice Cube
3/5
Similar opinion to the other Ice Cube album on this list, it's good but the lyrics have not aged well at all
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
3/5
Oliver's Army is a great song. The rest is also good, if a bit forgettable
Lambchop
3/5
I enjoyed this to begin with but it all kind of felt the same as it went on.
Fav track: Grumpus
Dinosaur Jr.
5/5
The only other time I've listened to this band was when I got Bug on this generator. I don't remember much about it but I gave it 2* so can't have liked it much. This however is brilliant! Really really enjoyed it, obviously won't be for everyone but the whole thing is great. Will need to go back to their other stuff to see if any of it is as good as this.
Fav tracks: Sludgefeast, Raisans, In a Jar
Turbonegro
2/5
Never heard of these before, generic rock music. Not too sure why it's on the list
Robbie Williams
2/5
As someone who grew up in the UK in the 2000s, I'm obviously aware of a lot of Robbie Williams' songs. This is the first time I've listened to one of his albums, and I kind of get why it's on the list, but it's just not that good really.
Run-D.M.C.
2/5
Sly & The Family Stone
4/5
Very very good album. Can see why this is so highly regarded, enjoyable from start to finish
Pere Ubu
3/5
Only heard their other album on this list before. It's weird but good, might listen to this again and rate it higher.
Calexico
2/5
This album is decent, not sure why it's on the list
Lucinda Williams
2/5
Found this a bit dull - not for me
LCD Soundsystem
3/5
I love LCD Soundsystem, they are one of my favourite bands and they are the best live act I have ever seen out of the many gigs I've been to. However, I have no idea why this album was selected to be on this list. It's very good but nowhere near the level of Sound of Silver or This Is Happening for me. Got to dock a star for that.
The Style Council
2/5
I like The Jam and I liked the two songs I already knew off this, but the rest of it wasn't great. Paul Weller is definitely a better singer and guitarist than he is a rapper.
Fugazi
4/5
I've been meaning to listen to Fugazi properly for ages, so I'm very glad this has made me do it. Really, really good album, exact kind of thing I like.
Fav tracks: Shut the Door, Repeater, Blueprint
Hot Chip
2/5
Not a bad album by any means, I do like Hot Chip - but there is absolutely no way this is a essential album that you MUST hear.
Boards of Canada
3/5
Not my usual kind of music but very nice to have in the background
The Libertines
4/5
You may call it landfill indie, but The Libertines are the absolute best of that genre for me. Very good album, but Up the Bracket might be slightly better. Can't Stand Me Now and Music When the Lights Go Out are both absolute classics.
The Shamen
1/5
This type of 90s electronic music really is not for me
Erykah Badu
3/5
Pretty decent, not my usual thing
Einstürzende Neubauten
3/5
To be honest I have absolutely no idea how to rate this. I'd heard that this was one of the worst albums on this list, but I *think* I disagree. Yes it is very weird and at times difficult to listen to, but at least it's much more unique than a lot of the other ones on the list. It kept me wondering what the next track would sound like, so I'm just going straight down the middle.
Van Halen
4/5
Second Van Halen album I've had, second one I liked a lot more than I thought I would. Very good start to finish.
The Band
4/5
This has been on my list of albums to lsiten to for years so good to finally get round to it. Was familiar with a few of the tracks before but the whole thing is very good. Will definitely come back to this one.
Basement Jaxx
2/5
The kind of music playing from a stage I would walk straight past at a festival
Tito Puente
3/5
Presumably the only artist on the list who was suspected of shooting Mr Burns. Good fun, not sure I'll ever listen to it again though.
Emmylou Harris
3/5
Enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would. Good country music, some very good covers on this.
The Fall
4/5
Second album by The Fall that I've had so far and the second one I've really liked. They're definitely a marmite band but I think Mark E Smith is uniquely great
Suicide
2/5
This album probably influenced a lot of bands I love, however I just did not enjoy listening to this at all. Felt a lot longer than 32 mins in a very bad way
Death In Vegas
3/5
Never heard of this before, but a good album with some very recognisable featured vocals. Dirge and Aisha probably the best tracks.