I encourage anyone who is about to listen to this record to also read about the story leading up to this performance. Absolutely ridiculous circumstances surrounding the show that really puts the songs in a different perspective. The music itself is great as well. Impressive improvisation throughout. Also surprising to me that a solo piano free-improvisation record became a best seller.
Solid jazz/bossa nova record. Can get kinda repetitive, but still a fun listen nonetheless.
Aw hell nah miss me with that 80s bullshit.
Emerging from the 1960s, the Temptations were forced to leave their signature “Motown Sound” behind in search of a more commercial and progressive sound. What resulted (besides numerous lineup changes) was a slew of albums in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s known as the Temptations’ “Psychedelic Era”. This record was on the tail end of their psychedelic era. The Temptations were able to land a number 1 single in “Papa Was a Rolling Stone” after a drought in chart success. The first side contains funky numbers such as a 12 minute long version of the aforementioned #1 single, and the political tune “Run Charlie Run”. Side 2 opts for a more mellow tone, with many songs featuring orchestra components. The record ends with a funky number complete with horns. Overall, I believe The Temptations fit in well to the funk sound. Standout tracks: Papa Was a Rolling Stone, Do Your Thing, The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face
No sophomore slump for the Smashing Pumpkins. This record is a perfect blend of shoegaze, dreamy psychedelia, and grunge/alternative. What else can be said?
Fiona Apple burst onto the alternative scene in 1996 with this debut album. What I really enjoy about this album is the range of musical styles and instrumentation. Her songwriting and singing is also stellar. Great debut record. This is the first project I’ve heard of hers.
Elton John’s magnum opus, as I’ve heard. I never really paid too much attention to Elton, but I respect his artistry in the pop music scene. This album has some great songs. It may be a bit long, but I was surprised that I enjoyed it.
This is a hidden gem in my eyes. I hear many different genres being incorporated in this record. Alternative rock, folk, punk, even some emo tinges (see: Bit Part). I really enjoyed this album and I can hear influences on bands like the Foo Fighters, Nirvana, and Modern Baseball.
We all know this is a classic. I don’t think the singles accurately reflect the sound of this record. Biggie tells of his experiences as a young criminal, and his life before getting rich. This record seems more as a precursor to drill rap, similar to Wu-Tang’s 36 Chambers. There are some great vulnerable moments on this record as well. The only thing keeping it from a higher score is the sheer size of this record. It clocks in at 1 hr 16min. Lots of skits throughout the record also made it age a bit badly in that regard. Overall, this is a must listen for any rap/hip hop fan
I don’t think anyone can really deny the importance of U2 throughout the 80s. Their arena rock sound had become stale by the time the 90s rolled around. Alternative rock was on the rise and U2 was outdated. This album was their attempt to reinvent themselves to keep up with the times. Although there are some bright spots on this record, overall it is a bit stale to me, and pretentious at times. It is a lot of meandering ‘90s alternative rock with some forgettable tracks. If the album was closer to ~35mins, cutting out a few tracks, it would be much better.
For 1972’s “Greetings from L.A.”, Tim Buckley trades in his dreamy, psychedelic folk for a rocking, hard hitting, “sex funk” sound. The career of Buckley is sort of strange. He had this sort of crooning, deep voice that seemed to change with every record. He was big in the underground L.A. scene, but never really made it out. This record was a huge change in sound for him. There are a lot of Jim Morrison-esque moments and a few Janis Joplin moments on this record as well. The lyrical content is - well - sexual to say the least. Some of it certainly didn’t age well, and some of it is sort of strange, but I think a majority of it is pretty fun. If the lyrical content varied more, this would’ve received a higher score. Overall an enjoyable listen.
This was an interesting listen. I had never heard of the “fun Lovin criminals” before. Apparently they were pretty big in the ‘90s. The instrumentals on this record are fantastic. As another user said, though, some of the rap-rock tracks haven’t aged well. Maybe this is due to the nu-metal movement that would come a few years after this record was released. One thing that annoys me is the lyrics. They kinda suck. This was a fun listen tho. I would’ve gave it a higher score if the lyrics were better.
This album is really bad. Painful to listen to. Very, very juvenile. I feel like many of the positive reviews are blinded by nostalgia, because listening to this album in 2022 actually sucks. This record embodies everything I hate - annoying, frat rap. Not to mention it is extremely dated. Even 14 year old me would’ve hated this.
In 1967, The Beatles were focused on making cohesive albums rather than just focusing on singles. The result was Sgt. Pepper, and even down to the intricate album art, it was clear that The Beatles were putting a lot of time into recording and crafting complete albums. So how do you follow a monster like Sgt. Pepper up? You do the exact opposite! At least that’s what The Beatles thought. The White Album, as it has become known, is a double album released by the Beatles in 1968. The album consisted of many seemingly “loose” songs, thus there is no definite flow throughout the album. This throws a lot of people off. A lot of people also don’t like the “filler” tracks. Personally, I think many of the filler tracks are fun. I really love how the Beatles explored different musical styles throughout the record, such as folk, blues, proto-metal, and even avant-garde. Overall, this was a really fun listen and a great album, even if it isn’t as cohesive as their other efforts.
I never really listened to bluegrass prior to listening to this album. The closest thing was some bluegrass-esque Grateful Dead tunes. As another user stated, this album is a sort of “uniting” of two generations. It flows like a long jam session. The talent on here is great. Lots of legendary names. I absolutely love the dialogue between the songs. It makes you feel like you’re in the studio. The only thing keeping this from a higher rating is its length. 2 hours is a long time for straight bluegrass. If it was cut in half, it’d get a higher score.
Very important album in the metal/thrash genre. I wish the bass was turned up/mixed better. Overall a great album.
Truly one of alternative rock’s most precious gems.
Very fun listen. Soundtrack of my childhood.
Great debut record. Mixes genres (psychedelic rock, garage rock, doo-wop, r&b, etc.). Pretty accessible for a Captain Beefheart record, but is just enough “out there” to keep you on the edge of your seat.
Great debut record. Mixes genres (psychedelic rock, garage rock, doo-wop, r&b, etc.). Pretty accessible for a Captain Beefheart record, but is just enough “out there” to keep you on the edge of your seat.
I was not expecting to like this at all. However, after listening, it was pretty good. It kinda sounds like Dave Matthews Band mixed with mid-70s era Bob Dylan, with some Irish/Celtic influences mixed in. I think the first side of the record is by far the strongest side. It does get a bit meandering towards the end. Overall, a fun listen.
Emotional, powerful, loud. This was an enjoyable listen. Every song felt like something out of a coming-of-age film soundtrack. The lead singer’s voice can be a bit polarizing, but I enjoyed it. There are some pretentious parts of this album as well. It really embodies the 2000s indie sound.
Great debut record. Mixes genres (psychedelic rock, garage rock, doo-wop, r&b, etc.). Pretty accessible for a Captain Beefheart record, but is just enough “out there” to keep you on the edge of your seat.
Nothing special. The instrumentals are cool but the vocals leave a lot to be desired. This sort of electronic-pop had been done before so I’m not sure why this is included on the list. Again, not bad, but not great.
Really cool record. Some cool psych, funk, and jam-band moments on here. However, some songs dip a bit too far into the avant-garde, and that’s where this album suffers.
Interesting listen. Cool blend of post-punk, metal, electronic, industrial, and even dub. Not something I’m likely to visit again, but I will admit that this album was at least 10 years ahead of its time and definitely deserves its spot on this list.
Classic and influential album. Set the stage for 90s alternative rock, and alternative rock in general.
Nothing special here. Average classic rock. Not really sure why this has a spot on this list. There were many bands that sounded just like this. Not bad, but not great.
This one was a surprise. Not what I was expecting at all. Great 90s alternative rock. There’s some interesting 60s, britpop, and psychedelia influences as well. Do I think it is a must-hear before you die? Probably not. Is it that bad? Absolutely not. Good stuff.
Not bad, just not…. good. Pretty boring actually. There’s a reason this style of smooth jazz died out quickly. The guitar parts are cool but the sax parts get kinda corny. The song “Carnival of The Night” is the highlight on here. Everything else is pretty mellow.
Really an interesting album. Pretty eclectic blend of genres including hip-hop, world music, and avant-garde sampling. Very ahead of its time for 1983. Pretty fun listen.
Good ol’ Britpop. Probably the best Blur album. The influences of the Kinks and Small Faces are strong with this one. The album is a bit too long tho. Not bad at all.
For 1971’s “L.A. Woman”, The Doors turn in their psychedelia in exchange for a more mature, blues-y sound. The band was at the peak of their dysfunction, with Morrison not showing up to sessions half the time (when he did show up, he was wasted out of his mind). Nevertheless, The Doors still managed to create this great record. Is every song on here great? Not necessarily. But I enjoyed the record as a whole.
Following the success of their previous album, it was only natural for Outkast to release a …. Double solo album? Of course! This is a really ambitious project. I honestly enjoyed this listen. I can’t choose which disc I like more. Speakerboxxx is more of a hard southern rap vibe while The Love Below is more smooth and a bit more experimental. Bangers all throughout. There are a few songs I could do without, but overall it was an enjoyable listen.
Why did every 60s/70s artist fall for the 80s trend of electronic overproduced music. Ugh. This is definitely not bad. Some of the songs are good even. Just filled with too much 80s cliches. It makes the record a bit boring.
Brilliant album. Huge sound. Great songwriting. Need I say more?
Absolute classic. The rise of political rap, and one of the earlier examples of boom-bap style. This is definitely one to hear before you die.
This one is ok. I’d definitely pick FOABP over this tho. The instrumentals are a bit too 80s for my taste.
Absolute classic. The rise of political rap, and one of the earlier examples of boom-bap style. This is definitely one to hear before you die.
Definitely not my favorite PF. Still good nonetheless. Very ambitious project.
What an amazing debut. I always liked Peter Tosh because of the harsher political edge he brought to roots reggae. This one in particular pushes for the legalization of marijuana in Jamaica. Great songs on here.
This isn’t your “relaxing on the beach” reggae. This is political and angry. Essential listening.
Not my thing. Some cool moments on here tho.
Some early boom-bap rap. Pretty good stuff. The beats are great on this record. You can tell this record was pretty influential, considering it was made in 1990, and the projects that would come after it.
Amazing record. Dark, moody, political, and psychedelic. AFAIK the band was pretty much dissolved at this point. This is basically a Sly Stone solo record. He isolated in his house and had many drug-fueled recording sessions. This band should’ve been way bigger in the 70s than they were.
Synth-pop is just not my thing. There are some cool moments on here, especially the funky bass lines. I don’t think this has aged well.
Very important record for industrial/noise rock. Very, very dark and grim. It follows the “Downward Spiral” of a man, ultimately ending in his suicide. Not a bad record, but some of the lyrics are cringe in retrospect. I would’ve loved this shit when I was in high school.
Great record. The vocals can be a bit cheesy at times and it has a yacht rock feel but I honestly enjoyed it. The real highlight here is the guitar playing. Mark Knopfler is criminally underrated.
Pretentious British art-pop with an orchestral backing. Not my ting
What a great record. Fun fact, Dave Grohl played all of the instruments on this record, so it’s basically a Dave Grohl solo record. Sure, it’s got the typical ‘90s alternative rock sound. But it’s mostly Nirvana songs that Dave wrote and Kurt never got a chance to record. It’s really a “what could’ve been” if Kurt was alive to record these songs.
Great noise/alternative rock. Do I hear a bit of early emo/pop punk on here?
Monstrous record. I just have to give it 5 stars. Perfect blend of psych, acid rock, funk, and soul. The guitar playing on this record rivals Hendrix. Play this, and play it loud!
The early-mid 90s needed a change to occur in the hip-hop landscape. This record was an interesting change from the gangsta rap that dominated the charts. It brought a more positive and spiritual vibe to hip-hop. Although there were better groups in the genre, this record is still important. It is a product of its time, sure. Overall a pretty good record.
I actually have this record on vinyl but never listened to it. It was nice to throw on some good headphones and get lost in the music. This is some good early electronic music with some ambient tracks as well. Pretty trippy. Solid record overall, good but not amazing.
Pretty good prog rock. The real highlight here is the production. The instruments sound so clear, and the drumming is great on this record. A little weird, but I honestly enjoyed it.
One of the best live records of all time. So explosive and expressive. A must listen.
It’s ok. Not really my type of music to begin with. There were some good cuts here and there. A bit pretentious tho.
A staple in funk/soul. Every song on here is a banger, even the instrumentals.
Classic Americana/blues rock. Probably their best record. Side note: CCR released 3 records in 1969! No wonder they outsoles the Beatles that year. Lots of quality cuts were being pushed out in quick succession. Very solid record.
Nick Drake was sort of an enigma. Unfortunately we lost him much too soon. This record is such a strong debut. Everything down to the production is really good. It has a really moody sound, which is amplified by his untimely passing. I think Nick Drake really set the stage for more modern folk acts of the 2000s and 2010s
The late 90s and early 2000s was such a weird time for music. I mean, Limp Bizkit and Kid Rock were topping the charts so it was really like the Wild West. I think Incubus is one of the better bands from the whole nu-metal scene. Sure some aspects of them didn’t particularly age well, but I enjoy their incorporations of grunge and early emo elements. It’s overall not that good of a record but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy listening.
Very solid britpop / powerpop / UK indie / alt rock. Nothing too special, but a very enjoyable listen.
Neil Young’s first collaboration with Crazy Horse. I loved this record. Really raw country-tinged rock, with some long jams here and there. Records like this really planted the seeds for grunge music further down the line.
For this record, Beck opts for a melancholic feel, reflecting the ending of a long-term relationship just prior. Lots of sad breakup songs, all of which are solid. What really shines here is the production. Throw on some good headphones and drift away….
Although I prefer the earlier iterations of Fleetwood Mac with Peter Green, I can’t deny that this record is great. Sure it’s a bit overplayed, but it’s got great tracks.
I’ve been a fan of world music (focusing on percussion) since hearing Mickey Hart’s Planet Drum. This record is great. Really groovy. The percussion rocks. Solid.
It’s a shame that Van Morrison is a wanker these days. This record is pretty good. I feel like he was trying to pull a Tim Buckley with the jazz/classical elements to his folk rock. He pulls it off quite well. While Morrison’s voice isn’t the best, the songwriting is pretty good. There’s also a tinge of psychedelia in the overall sound of the record. But hey, it was 1968, what do you expect?
Interesting listen. Seems as though this record was pretty influential. It definitely sounds like bands like NIN took things from it. It’s not a bad record, but pretty minimal. I could do without the moaning/groaning and the ear rape screaming tho (regular screaming is fine).
More like Dad co. This is straight up 70s dad rock. Not a bad thing, but nothing too interesting here. Definitely a product of its time. Still a good listen. Classic classic rock.
Very inoffensive (and rather boring honestly). Costello was a has-been at this point in his career. Alternative rock ruled the 90s, and you can hear some of its influences on this record. Just very uninteresting overall (and probably too long)
OutKast wears their influences on their sleeve on 2000’s Stankonia, recalling sounds of Jimi Hendrix, Sly Stone, and other funk/psych artists. I love how they also added a bunch of local artist features on this record. Sure, their are skits/interludes on here which are pretty dated, but they’re short and non-intrusive. The production is amazing. This record was obviously very influential because I can hear shades of Kanye, Tyler, the creator, Kendrick Lamar, and much more. I cannot believe this came out in 2000. Great record.
Johnny Cash is so badass. Dude had just come off of a hard fought battle with addiction and is looking to return to the music industry. Mind you, he had been out of the limelight for years. So he does the sensible thing and… makes a live album? From a prison? Hell yes. The audience noise and commentary makes you feel like you’re actually at the show. He’s singing about doing cocaine and shooting people and the crowd is loving it. Amazing record.
Never been a fan of Lorde’s voice/delivery. Good songwriting though.
This is the Stones’ “White Album”. Although I think this one is much more cohesive. Tons of groovy, soulful songs on here. I like the production too. It feels like you’re sitting in on a jam session. Good record.
Good ol’ UK Garage. But not really good. I never liked this early 2000s rave era electronica to begin with. I don’t think it is something you NEED to hear before you die. This record is pretty repetitive. There are some cool moments, but it’s repetitive nature and overall length of the record ruin it for me.
I didn’t expect to see a cover album on this list. On “Stardust”, Willie Nelson covers many pre-1960 vocal standards. However, he does a good job at changing up the sound on these tracks. There’s a really soulful, country-tinged vibe.
Wow this record was really ahead of its time. It really started the whole conscious/sample-heavy rap that would rise in the 90s. Packed with great tracks. Lots of cool samples. I also really appreciate how the tracks flow into each other. I’ve commonly heard this referred to as “The Sgt Pepper of Hip Hop”. Really fun listen overall.
During a time where hair metal dominated the charts, this record was probably a nice change of sound. However, listening to it in 2022 proves that it did not age well. The sound is very dated. There are some good tracks on here, but not enough to keep it interesting.
Another Elvis Costello record. Still not a fan. Stop trying to convert me!
Phil Spector was an arse but damn did he produce some great shit. Especially love the Ronettes cuts on here.
Heavy listen. I’ve heard of Joy Division (obviously Unknown Pleasures) but admittedly never gave them a real listen. “Closer” is the record that was released after the death of their lead singer, and ultimately the last record the band would release before reforming under the name “New Order”. The lyrics are dark, but well written. The instrumentals are minimal, but also, you guessed it, dark. The lead singer definitely drew inspiration from Jim Morrison of The Doors. This record also obviously inspired many bands that would come later, such as Sonic Youth. Overall an enjoyable listen, and absolutely belongs on this list.
One thing I hate about house music is how repetitive it is. I’ll hand it to Orbital, they at least try to spice songs up. If the album were about 40 mins, I would have liked it more. Considering the long album length, it gets a bit tiring to listen to.
Never really gave The Clash a fair listen. I liked this record. Especially the ska/reggae tracks. Truly a landmark record in punk history.
Tom Petty really had the inoffensive pop-rock formula locked and loaded. That’s what this is. Taking influence from pop giants such as The Beatles, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers roll out a promising debut. A lot of people say it’s boring, and doesn’t go to the next level, but I say that’s alright. Still an enjoyable listen.
Good late-90s indie. Some cool experimental moments on here as well. Fun listen.
This makes me wanna wear eyeliner and hate the world. They definitely took some inspiration from Joy Division for this record. Good stuff.
Great psych/acid rock. Really shows the artistry that took over Haight/Ashbury in the late 60s.
Dylan’s “breakup album”. Before Midwest emo, the sad bois cried to this.
A fantastic live record that really highlights the impact that Neil will have on the upcoming “grunge” genre.
White boy reggae. I never associated reggae with the peace & love weed smokers. It was always a political genre for me. I appreciate the political lyrics and themes present here. The dub-influenced instrumentals are pretty cool too.
The sound of the 60s. Beautiful acoustic psych with baroque elements.
I surprisingly liked this record. They borrowed a lot from groups like CSNY and American Beauty-era Grateful Dead. Inoffensive soft rock. They really honed in on that 70s-singer/songwriter/laurel canyon sound.
I’m very picky with my taste in country music. This is a bit too twangy and poppy. It wasn’t a bad listen tho. Just nothing that really stood out to me.
Great instrumental R&B on here. Hammond organ + guitar (possible telecaster?) duo sounds great. Everyone recognizes that title track.
There is a lot of britpop on this list. This one was one of the better britpop records on here. Great production, and a diversified sound. Solid record.
Pioneers of dream pop. The production is a bit too 80s for my taste. Slowdive did it better.
The instrumentals were cool but a lot of the songs just felt like generic early 90s rap. Not bad, just boring.
Adele is such a frustrating artist. Amazing singer, good songwriter, but always sticks to the same method and style. Lots of these songs follow the same structure. It makes for a record that meanders way too long. This had potential to be great.
Some pretty basic indie rock. Not bad but not too interesting. The songs with Thom Yorke were interesting. It’s amazing how just his voice can elevate a song.
I don’t typically like 80s synth-pop. Bumping this up to a 3 cause “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” and “Broken” are such bangers. Maybe if I did copious amounts of cocaine the rest of the record would sound better.
Good ol Ska. Nice mix of hype tracks and slower ones. Fun record.
80s synth pop. This was more interesting, though. Some cool punk-inspired moments and even a ska track. Lauper obviously wears her influences on her sleeve which was something I liked about this record.
Lovely album of soft psych tinged folk rock, rich in those west coast harmonies and vocal prowess, fantastic playing by some of the finest in the American music scene at the time, it is warm and autumn golden like honey. Alternatively it’s the sound of bloated fly blown rich asshole rock stars indulging their excessive egos with vast capitalist fantasies of self indulgence and blissful/wilful ignorance of harsh and unfair reality and suffering of others Whichever takes your pick, or a bit of both? This is the sound of the blossoming hippie ideal, albeit seen through the eyes of the sometimes unpleasant, Stoned, talented, privileged and lucky
Landmark punk recording. Changed the game for women in rock music. That droning guitar and bass, those Jefferson airplane-turned-punk vocals. The driving drums. Very important album to listen too. Bands like Joy Division and Sonic Youth obviously took much inspiration from this. And that version of Helter Skelter is just sick.
So much post punk on this list. This one is closer to the punk ethos than others I’ve listened to. Heavy instrumentals, angry vocals, controversial lyrics. Pretty good, but is a bit too long.
Great tracks on here. He does a great job at blending the old-school 50s doo-wop sound with the newer, more energetic 60s soul/Motown sound.
I’m starting to think this list is very partial to UK-based artists. Anyways, this is the Wanker Brothers’ debut record. Right off the bat, the production is garbage. Very muddy wall of sound style guitars. Can get fatiguing to listen to. But luckily the songs are pretty good so it kinda makes up for that. They are probably the most polarizing band of all time but you can’t deny this is just a massive debut record that immediately boosted their popularity. Using meth before going onstage certainly helps.
Horn-based rock/pop. Talented musicians, but not super interesting.
I was discouraged when I saw another electronica album today. However, this one definitely brought a different vibe. Ultra compressed and distorted and funky as well. Pretty cool listen.
Solid bossa nova record. Man that sax just glides across the instrumental set by the other instruments.
A masterclass in 70s pop/songwriting. Inoffensive tunes with great lyrics. Solid record.
Another bloody britpop record. Not bad but not amazing. They’re all starting to sound similar.
Pretty generic singer/songwriter stuff. This record aged pretty well I must say, but just not my style.
Post-ATCQ Q-Tip. I appreciate how he incorporated aspects of the 90s sound with late 2000s rap/r&b that was popular at the time. The instrumentals are great.
Eh folk. It’s okay.
Sick live album. It’s a bit long but these tracks rock.
This list is slowly making me a Cure fan. Now where is my black eyeliner????
This is some pretty dated, synth-heavy jazz fusion. The artistry is great tho. Especially the drumming and bass playing.
Not the best Pixies album, so I don’t think it needs to be in this list. Nonetheless, still a good record.
Really enjoyed this one. They almost sound like a more modern version of The Band. A lot of the songs on here have a bit of an Exile on Main Street vibe which I appreciate. Good stuff.
I love Tina Turner’s work from the 70s. And I respect her career revitalization in the 80s. I really just feel like her vocal style doesn’t work with the slick 80s production. She needed something more raw like funk imo.
Pretty good. Inoffensive folk. Not sure why it is on this list tho. Wait… they’re from the UK! Seems as though any UK artist is automatically included.
Much like the Beatles, after releasing one of the most successful albums of all time, Fleetwood Mac elect to release a double album. This record is wonderfully non-cohesive and even includes some proto-punk jams. Fun record.
Popular music in the 80s and early 90s really sucked huh. Does not belong on this list imo.
70s pop. Not great. I feel like if Paul McCartney wasn’t involved with this then it would be looked back on as well. Bland.
I love albums that make you go “did he really just say that?”. Eminem does horrorcore surprisingly well on this record. The production is great as well. Some of the lyrics are immature, but that’s just part of the character he plays.
More boring electronica. I feel like there are so much more influential electronic records that could’ve been included in this list other than rave-era shite.
A lot of people think this is their best album. I just direct them to Siamese Dream. There’s a lot of songs on here. Some hits, some not. The ones that aren’t hits can be really meandering. Either way, this is some good 90s alt rock.
Stop. I don’t like this band. Stop forcing me to listen to them. Why are there so many of their albums on here???????
It’s ok. Not my thing. Violently Irish.
Solid record. Lots of classics on here. Some of the songs feel formulaic, tho.
Good singer, but one dimensional singer. Songs sound the same.
The cover is cool but alas it is boring hair metal. Sigh.
Nostalgia-clouded review alert! I was just a kid when this came out. Everyone knows the 3 singles from this record. And for good reason, they’re absolutely monster songs. This felt so fresh when it came out and still holds up till this day imo.
Already a slur only 1:50 into the album. Color me surprised…. The lyrics on here are corny as fuck. Being edgy just for the sake of being edgy. There’s no substance. Trent Reznor really saved this album. The production on here is actually really good and saves this album from being a 1.
Why is this album here. 1 hit wonder band. Gains an extra star for the hit cause it’s catchy.
Pretty middle-of-the-road prog-ish rock. The first track is a bit meandering but still cool. The drumming is awesome as is to be expected. Pretty good overall.
Decent early 90s alternative. Nothing on here really sticks out to me though. It’s not bad but not interesting. Double tracked vocals, some distorted guitars, and some power pop elements. Reminds me of the Lemonheads. Someone said this sounds like if AI tried to make 90s alternative music and that pretty much ruined this album for me lol.
I encourage anyone who is about to listen to this record to also read about the story leading up to this performance. Absolutely ridiculous circumstances surrounding the show that really puts the songs in a different perspective. The music itself is great as well. Impressive improvisation throughout. Also surprising to me that a solo piano free-improvisation record became a best seller.
Landmark recording in jazz/funk. This basically invented the idea of acid jazz, which has become one of my favorite albums. Also interesting that there are no guitars on here, as opposed to many other early fusion/electric jazz/acid jazz projects that were coming out at the time.
Another lame 80s UK group. It’s ska, but not done well. Overproduced. Could’ve died without hearing this.
As influential as Elvis was, I can’t help but think of the rockers from the same time period who were doing it better.
Is this really necessary to be on this list? Just another generic English new wave group that had 1 hit to me.
Blue-eyed soul has always kinda left a sour taste in my mouth. She’s obviously a talented singer, and the songs are good, but she’s doing the same thing that a lot of black groups were doing at the time, only she’s doing it worse imo. Give me a Motown record any day over this.
This one is pretty sick. It’s got some Primus vibes here and there. I also noticed it may have influences later 90s emo bands. Solid late 80s alternative with some punk flashes.
Pixies have gotta be one of the most influential bands to come out of the 80s. All of their stuff has aged so well. Although this is probably not their best record, I still really enjoyed it. Containing their biggest hit “Where is my mind?”, Surfer Rosa brings a really fun high-energy feel with flashes of punk, surf rock, and noise rock. Aspects of this record are still relevant today in bands like the Osees.
It’s interesting at least. Got kinda a cosmic country feel but more leaning towards easy listening.
Great jazz fusion with some funk and soul elements. Steve Winwood’s vocals are on point as always. Possibly Traffic’s best record?
More pretentious, early 80s new wave rubbish. I’ll give it an extra star for being listenable.
Interesting listen. I like the old school Americana vibe, with a splash of goth here and there. I definitely prefer the traditional songs on here, so timeless. His voice can kinda get fatiguing tho.
This one was a bit underwhelming. You always hear about how the Yardbirds were this super great and influential group with all these amazing guitar players. Most of the songs on here were just electric blues imitation. Not to say they’re bad, but I was expecting better songwriting.
Landmark punk recording. Real fun listen. Too short, in true punk fashion.
This is a pivotal record in The Beach Boys’ discography. Switching to more mature songwriting and themes, and better production. The Phil Spector wall-of-sound style production really shines in the mono mix.
Really enjoyed this one. Some really cool psych/space rock cuts on here. Some people say there’s too much going on, but I kinda like that. Well produced too.
I’ve always heard good things about Aphex Twin but I found myself a bit underwhelmed by this record. Overrated or is the later stuff better?
Way better than I thought. I like the punk edge this has.
Meh
Solid jazz/bossa nova record. Can get kinda repetitive, but still a fun listen nonetheless.
Solid alt rock with a country tinge. This is the Wilco album I’d choose to be on this list. Good stuff.
Boring. Generic sounding.
This is so mid. Not bad, but straight up mid. Karen Carpenter is dope tho. This stuff is just too twee. Sounds like I’m in a mid-70s department store.
Surprisingly not as bad as I thought. Some tracks have a cool proto-lofi hip hop sound to them.
A lot of people like this stuff, but I can’t get into it. Early 80s new wave rubbish.
Great folk rock. At this time you can hear they were experimenting with aspects of psychedelia. Great songwriting as well.
Full of hits. Even the non-hit tracks were good. This album sees the band move on from their stripped-back blues sound to a more polished indie-influenced sound. It obviously worked out well for them.
Ehhh… there are some cool moments but it feels a bit try-hard to me. Also the lead singer’s voice is a bit annoying. The album shines in its instrumentals/production.
Too smooth and tacky. I know this kick-started the whole neo-soul movement but there are better projects out there that better represent the sub genre.
I have a soft spot for this album. It’s the perfect time capsule back to the early 2000s. Sure, it’s aged kinda badly (specifically the rapping parts) but that’s part of its charm for me. Chester’s voice was so good man.
Never was a Prince fan. Too over-produced and just too… 80s. So many synths. I mean I recognize his talent but I just can’t get into him.
Good stuff. Angry and political. Bonus points for including “Today Was a Good Day”. Insane instrumental on that one.
Repetitive and kind of boring. The instrumentals are cool, however.
Invokes a nostalgic feel. A lot of the songs sound the same to me though….
Not a fan of Kate Bush. I know this is her most “experimental” record, but it’s still straight-up not that good. It kept me interested though, which is why I’m bumping it up to 2 stars. Can’t say I’ll ever listen to it again.
Sonic youth are pretty cool. This isn’t their best, but I still enjoyed it. Very raw.
New wave really isn’t for me. The 80s sucked.
Pretty cool psych/experimental rock with some electronic and pop influences.
Honestly, Nick Drake is a bit overrated to me. I do like his music though, but I don’t get the people who worship him. I can definitely see how he influenced many modern acts though.
Solid album. Great production. Frank Ocean is dope
This was pretty cool. Straight-up hippie folk. Some psychedelic elements in there too. Has a sort of medieval vibe to it.
I couldn’t get into it. To theatric for me. However, “Solsbury Hill” is a great track.
Smooth rhymes by Common and lush production by Kanye and Dilla. Can’t beat it.
There were some good cuts but overall too slick for me. Steely Dan have always been a bit too overproduced for my tastes.
Transitional album. Radiohead was still in their alt-rock sound but moving more towards art-rock and experimental styles. Fun listen.
Boring. Talented singer but this is way too long and many of the songs sound the same.
A lot like Joni Mitchell. The production is great. A bit boring honestly.
Aw hell nah miss me with that 80s bullshit.
Very important recording in American music. Ollllld school folk from the 50s. This is the stuff that inspired Bob Dylan. Can’t go wrong.
The 80s were a mistake.
Neil Young’s peak? Definitely one of his best. A stone cold classic.
I love how Mingus drifts between cacophonous and unsettling. Real good stuff. Has a southern/bayou vibe to it too.
Lots of angst on this one. The hits on here are “killer” bum bum tsss.
One of the better bands to come out of the 80s. Morrissey is still an arse.
Enjoyed this one. Loud wall-of-sound production reminiscent of other britpop groups like Oasis. Eccentric, new-wave style vocals. Mixing 90s alternative with glam elements. Cool listen. Sick album cover too.
I really don’t like how this list keeps including albums that were obviously only included for one breakout single. And the single for this particular album isn’t even good. It’s crappy overproduced 80s synth shite. Quite infuriating to listen to.
I don’t know what it is about electronica. It’s just not for me. It sounds cool at first but I cannot stand a full album of this. Is something wrong with me
A very interesting and captivating listen. Drummer is a beast. Really cool blend of emo/prog/psych.
An absolute classic. While it may not be their best work, it is undeniable that Nirvana presented themselves as a force to be reckoned with on this album. A bit too polished compared to their earlier (and later) stuff, but that’s ok.
Pretty basic cool jazz, but Miles has that ability to garner great talent and have them perform at a high level. That’s what this record is. Top notch playing. Just not extremely interesting.
After an experimental 80s period, Neil Young decided to change his musical direction yet again. This time, with something more familiar. Young heads back to his roots with a sound reminiscent of just 1969 album with Crazy Horse. This record features raw “live in studio” production, which I think adds to the grungy sound. Lots of extended guitar jams on here, really highlighting Young’s guitar playing. Does it belong on the 1001 albums to hear before you die list, probably not. Still a very enjoyable listen.
I love how Black Sabbath is able to effortlessly mix quieter songs with their rockers. Not their best, but still great.
I liked this more than I thought I would. Solid indie rock. Definitely inspired by some early Radiohead and Beck stuff. That album cover is terrible tho and almost turned me off this album completely lmao.
Not a great album overall. Just straight up gimmicky. Given an extra star for the obvious single.
I always thought Paul Simon was pretty cool. This record was obviously inspired by afrobeat and other genres of African music. I think Simon is able to blend those genres with pop quite well on here. Enjoyable listen.
This was Metallica’s “comeback” album. They traded in their thrash style for a more slower, heavier style. It was no coincidence that they had to stay relevant with the grunge movement that was exploding at the time. This was probably their last good album.
Not on Spotify, so I went to YouTube and listened to the original Indian-issue LP in mono ( I don’t believe it was released in Stereo at the time). Wow this was really good. I was only really familiar with Indian Classical through Ravi Shankar and various psych-rock tracks that feature similar instrumentation. This record is very spiritual and takes the listener away on a psychedelic experience. Super cool. The playing is amazing as well.
Can’t believe this guy believes there was no real rock and roll before him. Like bruh you stole your whole style from black musicians. Giving an extra star for being listenable, but you’d be better off listening to a Little Richard set.
Liked this more than I thought I would. Solid LA-style folk/rock. I enjoyed the Linda contributions more than the others.
Absolute classic. The power in Aretha’s voice is undeniable. The backing band is also great. Recorded with the legendary Muscle Shoals session musicians (Eric Clapton plays on a track too). There’s a documentary on YouTube about the Muscle Shoals studio, highly recommend watching so you can fully appreciate their greatness.
Apparently this is their best album? There’s some good tracks but I don’t think it’s their best. Pretty standard jangle pop/new wave that The Smiths are known for. Morrissey is still an arse.
Apparently this record was made while the band was falling apart. They could not stand to be around each other. They had to record their live parts in different rooms. The recording of Every Step You Take got so heated that they had to scrap the recording and comprise the track completely from overdubs. My favorite track on this was Wrapped Around My Finger. I love when The Police go in the dub direction. Funny enough this record was one where they tried to abandon the dub sound for more world influences with some dashes of synth-pop that was popular at the time. Not very cohesive, and side 1 was full of filler. I’ll give it a 2 because of the standout tracks on side 2.
I really can’t stand this crooner shit. +1 star for being listenable.
I believe this was Iggy’s first release since 1973’s “Raw Power” with The Stooges. I really wonder what Stooges fans thought when they first bought this record and threw it on the turntable. I know Bowie had a lot to do with this one. And I’m not a fan of the Berlin-era Bowie to begin with. This record had a Krautrock vibe but way slower and with some electronic elements. Just wasn’t for me. I could hear some Velvet Underground influence as well. I can definitely see how this record would go on to influence many post-punk and new-wave acts of the 80s.
Joni Mitchell is a polarizing figure for me. I enjoy her folky stuff more than her easy listening jazzy style stuff.
Uninteresting. I will never get the hype about Nick Cave. His voice isn’t great and his songs can drag out.
I mean… it’s the white stripes. I’m sure they were a breath of fresh air in the music scene during 2001. Since then, so many bands have copied their sound, and it became so widespread. That being said, this album rocks. Also contains one of my favorite tracks ever, “We’re Going to Be Friends”
Solid late-90s metal. They are usually classified as “nu-metal” but I feel like they’re a step beyond that. The lyrics here were actually pretty thought provoking and political.
Great record sandwiched by two outstanding tracks. The record does kinda dip towards the middle. A lot of people think this is just the Stones attempting country/honky tonk but I think they’re able to pull it off quite well.
Probably their best record. I swear anything Hendrix touched was gold. Some standouts on here: Voodoo Chile, 1983…, and (of course) the 1-2 punch of All Along the Watchtower and Voodoo Child (Slight Return). A must-listen.
While the musicianship is great, I’ve always found this era of big band/swing to be very boring. Overrated in my opinion.
Wow this is really good. So ahead of its time. I can hear the influence this had on modern emo groups like Modern Baseball.
This was a strange one. Half the record was new wave/post punk style and half was a sort of hybrid between that and acid house. While that does make it interesting, it also makes the record sound pretty dated. It wasn’t great honestly. However, if I did a line or two of coke I can’t say I wouldn’t be dancing to it.
I’ve heard of this band but never bothered to check them out. This album was pretty good. Kinda on the tail end of that 80s new wave sound but mixed with early britpop. Also some 60s psychedelic aspects as well, taking inspiration from bands like The Byrds.
2 Hendrix albums in the same week! Sweet! Like I mentioned in my Electric Ladyland review, everything Hendrix touched was gold. This is the second of two albums released in 1967. This record features some heavy psychedelic sounds, with highlights such as “Little Wing” and “Castles Made of Sand”. Can’t go wrong with this one.
Sigur Ros is a name I’ve been hearing for years in the post rock circle. Never really bothered to check them out until now of course. This record is very atmospheric. There are some great orchestral highs on here which sound great. Good listen overall.
Had never heard of these guys before. Pretty cool psych sounds on here. This definitely influenced the sounds of newer groups such as Spiritualized and Tame Impala.