1001 Albums Summary

Classic jazz patterns, great for a summer day or relaxing background. A vibe for sure

The undisputed Queen of early 2000's R&B. Grimey, Fun, Dramatic, Classic

1972 was a great year for music. This album is not specifically notable to me, but its' influence can be heard throughout the next 50 years of music, especially in English music

This album sounds like a nervous breakdown Constant, crashing, warlike, eastern percussion takes over much of the album residing over dissonant tones. There is some peaceful breaks, but even then it just seems the brief time you'd spend just holding yourself trying to calm down before becoming enraged once more. Can't believe it took 6 years to record this, or that it was met with such acclaim

It's hard rock. Less grating than I thought, even some shoegazy sections, and I'm sure important in developing their genre, but not my deal. Drummer has a Meg White level of talent.

Indicative of late 90's / early 00's indie. The subject hits personally; the whole album is tinged with disparate sadness through the clean, evenness of the music against unenthused and depressed vocals It's smart honestly. Initially sounds like nothing notable, but the album does create a unique story through the play. Not reaching for it any time soon, but its a good blend of sad country and thoughtful indie. Makes sense on this list

Wide open and free. A classic late 60's sound emphasized by the basic patterns of the time and a huge carry on the vibraphone. Blends of jazz and folk stretch throughout a heartfelt, emotional album

Always thought of them as more of a one hit wonder, but I guess I was wrong. Album is timely, and sounds like it's inspired by the end of the 70's with notes of early Ska. Interesting to hear the influence of American Soul on British bands. Could do without the whispering or odd sound sections

Artistic combination of Jazz and Soul brought in to the modern era. Music is very expressive through use of effects and space to envelop the listener in its' journey

A darker, more thoughtful Bowie. A majority of the album, Lazarus specifically, comes off as a Swan Song as many other reviews have contextualized the album. There are lots of layers to this album. Most notably the feedback loop of art. When an artist has lived and created much, they have the option to evolve or stay constant. Hearing tinges of modern artists and their styles blended with an evolution of Bowie's music provides a new experience

Classic. One of the iconic soft folk albums from the period, filled with thoughtful songwriting and lush, synchronous harmonies of two guitars and two voices. A reflection of a different time.

Dramatic and fun, though not always pleasant to listen to. Most notably influenced by the Ramones, with notes of stadium rock and and metal. Clearly an originator of Seattle Grunge as described in reviews, you can really hear the two pedals the album is named for

Pinnacle disco. The Sledge sisters provides the main vocals while an orchestra of other musicians and singers color in the rest of the album. Did not know it was spearheaded by the guys in Chic or that they wrote the songs before knowing the Sledges. An album defining of its' era and endlessly sampled in the modern age.

A stellar and fun Christmas album. A few of the songs are the best versions of the title, two are on the Christmas tape of 1984

Oh fuck, 'Maps' is THAT SONG. The late 90's aggression takes the front seat on the first half of the album, but it develops in to the complexity and finesse of other bands later in the decade. An important album showing the creation and influence of the main indie phase of the 00's Warrants a relisten

Surfy vibes meets more driven rock with R&B and a bit of the Ramones.

Interesting to hear Janis Joplin in such a raw set of recordings. The "fake liveness" of the album is gimmicky and bad, but it was the 60's.

Straight 80's time capsule. Some of the hits have persevered and have been prominent my whole life. Interesting write up in the article about how this was a breakthrough for metal to go mainstream, but this will always be Classic Rock for me

Hauntingly beautiful. Billie Holiday has always been a niche more than something to comfortably put on for all, but her style, presence, and personal tale is something to be appreciated. This album is like a time capsule as jazz quickly began to move towards fusion and bebop

It's poppy, it's punky, a precursor to divergence of music in the 80's. Second side is better than first

Sounds like how someone who never listens to any metal would describe it the genre. Fast, gruff, weird. Leans heavily into religious aspects complete with recordings and choirs. Very intentional drama I'd give 1.5 if I could, but I'll round up for significance

Fast paced synthesized dance hits written for popularity put against some lush, spacious, and dreamy bops. Would be fun to dance to undoubtedly. Silly talking parts included. Vaguely familiar

Creative jaunt through multiple genres from dance pop to trip hop. Expectations met. Definitely not an every day listen, but hits when this genre is what you're looking for

It's one of the greatest albums during the pinnacle of rock. Good mix of complexity, intricate lyricism, and classic songs.

Seems to not belong here. It's not bad, but I don't seem to see any significance to it

It sounds like a lot of the New York rap I wasn't allowed to listen to growing up. That made it seem briefly un-notable, until I realized that this is the album a lot of that pulled from. One of the first to produce and rap in this style. Shoutout NYC

Damn life was good when I was 5 and the world wasn't burning. Made me forget that the first half of this album is leagues better than the second.

Hit after hit. Definitely a fun listen, trails off to more ballads towards the end

The original metal album. Spawned an entire genre of music. Learned about it in Metal 101 with Professor Duke

It sounds like the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan show. Definitely not the Who I know: a lot more blatant influence of the blues and similarly arranged into standard repeated sections. They even said themselves it doesn't quite capture their sound or what their sound will become

So many iconic songs on one album. The core of so many songs and albums in the future. Never was a personal favorite, but its reverence is noted

A cinematic exploration of folk and orchestration. Really wowed through the listen. Resonant with classic 60's music while also leading a clear path to future use of orchestration by bands like Radiohead and the Flaming Lips

Punk and a bit of jazz with a lot of screaming and harsh tones. It took a while for me to think about why this would be ranked so high on Australia's albums of all time, but there's a straight line from this to KGLW

Man do I love the Count

Interesting to learn that it's his first album and that he wrote so much of it. It's a bit too... forwards for me. The 80's be wildin' Worth another listen late night instead of 9 AM on a Tuesday. 2.5/5

Thanks mom Never realized there was no bass on the album, but it is the very distinctive sound of the White Stripes. Reminds me of going to science summer camp. 3.5/5 but round up for nostalgia.

In the End is a classic, Cure for the Itch had some nice triphop vibes and no screaming. There's good parts and interesting components, otherwise, not really the album for me even though I remember a good amount of these songs. Divorced parents soundtrack

Like Black Sabbath, this album was before its' time. Songs were not particularly notable but are the core of punk rock

Never explored this band as much as Declan suggested. There's a reason we all sought his musical wisdom. It's clean, it's lush, it radiates warmth and emotion with crazy good drums

Baroque is the right way to describe most of the sounds of this album. An interesting blend of the classic late 60's Brit sound with classical influences moving more and more away from the norm. An interestingly peaceful listen with some quirks

Another refreshing and peaceful jaunt through late 60's / early 70's singer / songwriter music. Interesting that he's from the Byrds and clearly contributed much

This is the album that did it for them. A good amount of the songs are instantly recognizable, but again they front loaded the album. u2 -> U2

Some of the original triphop right there. Drags a bit in the middle but is an important origin

Classic, killer, thrash. Nothing overbearing or too overtop, just tasty metal

Good Afrobeat, a bit long form

Hard to go wrong with Stevie. Definitely some more mature themes from him laid over some fine grooves

Prime time 90's R&B. Not always right, but hits when it does

Good early punk sound. Both vocalists play off of each other well and keep the album sounding fresh when some of the riffs and songs otherwise sound similar.

Its an absolute classic. One of my favorite Bobby D albums. A transitional phase to more complex songwriting both in terms of music and lyrics. The album is composed of mostly monumental songs known by many, but my favorite is still probably Bob Dylan's 115th Dream

Johnny Cash was one of the original country stars. This album showcases many of his talents: His deep, sultry voice, his natural story telling, and most of all his striking charisma. There's times when he voice cracks or he just asks for a glass of water a second time, and it shows how comfortable he is on stage. One hell of an artist

Interesting to go back and listen to these guys: their sound is a cinematic blend of US pop punk and UK Indie. right as everything was coming together in the mid 00's. Well made and produced

A fascinating story of travel recorded in a busy, heavily Asian influenced album. The synthesized drum beats in contrast with recordings of native choirs are a bit jarring at time but was an interesting journey

Classic Van Morrison. The man cultivated quite a vibe before he slowly became an unbearable asshole

This album marks a transition to more expressive psychedelic and emotional music. Absolutely influential and, though rough at times, played a big roll in creating the revolution of the 60's. White Rabbit is the perfect analogy to exploring the unknown given its' consistent use to flash back to the Vietnam war

Unlike some critics, I would not go so far as to say this is the Who's best work. It is filled with well-written songs that sound especially 60's on top of its' status of notable social commentary. 3.5/5

Interesting to see this on here. I definitely enjoyed this more than I thought, but am not running back to it for a casual listen. Good working or rotting music.

Fela Kuti always brings such energy to his performances, it's interesting to hear a live recording from so early on in his international career.Even before some of his biggest albums, he was always Fela, one of the main players in defining the Afrobeat genre.

Jazzy, well-articulated, easy going tunes. Ray Charles nailed it. Lush orchestration and classic tunes. A great collection to be made aware of

It's fucking Dark Side. Recently read a conspiracy that the album is supposed to be played B side first then A side: Starting with Money and ending with Great Gig in the Sky. Listening to it like this definitely changes the tone of the album and is an interesting approach to something I've listened through many times. I'd recommend it to any long time listener as its easy on Vinyl and easier with modern services

Not the Radiohead album I would've thought to encounter here first, but also not one I'm too familiar with. Starting off in 7/4 is just such a classic Radiohead thing to do. Fairly mellow given Radiohead's body of work but with all of the notable stylistic choices of the band in the early 00's. A good album to listen back on

A vibe. Everything does sound vaguely like "Groove is in the Heart." Really interesting guests and directly influences the development of 90's music

A lot more mellow and articulated than "an anarcho-syndicalist speedfreak road-movie record" made it sound. Certainly cinematic but overall a bit underwhelming. Everything from design to description made this sound like a thrash album and it just wasn't

A really interesting blend of cultures and sounds. Anthems for the regular people of LA County. Full of energy, Ozomatli definitely delivered here. Will have to check more of their catalogue out

Rich mid-90's psych-rock. Philosophical and spacious as implied by the name. Good heavy bits and good writing, nothing crazy though

Sounds like the 1950's again. Muddy big and proud on this album with tight backing. Some of the best mainstream blues

Though never explicitly stated, it seems these albums were an early blend of electronic and world music. It's groovy if not oddly distant at points. Becomes a bit repetitive towards the end of the album, but was an interesting listen.

I am glad I took the time to read about the movie before listening. This album sounds like a soundtrack, obviously based heavily in Indian Culture. It is good for what it is, though I do not understand what qualified it for this list.

Very distinct as late 60's psychedelic folk. A lot of renaissance themes to it, combined with their Scottish accents, makes it sound like it would fit in the Fox Robinhood universe. Theatrical and silly yet oddly satisfying.

Spooky Skeleton man has always had a refined blend of punk and appeal. It i interesting to listen to the differences in the tracks produced by Iggy and by Bowie.

Instrumental, percussion heavy, covers album. Yes please. Lots of samples and inspiration from this one.

Cee Lo has always been a little full off him self and it shows. This album has a great depth of production and interesting guests, but I'm not sure what put it on this list. A continuation of the exploration of Southern Style Hip Hop

The refined sound blend of good 80's music with interesting lyrical content. Very cool how a lot of it references literature and recreates the feelings of being in love 4/5

One of my favorite albums of all time. The source of a few long running family remarks (SLOWLY DWADDLES) and fights (Is the Jack of Hearts alive at the end of the song???), and many fond memories of singing this in the backseat as early as I can remember. It's also one of the best examples of the Bob Dylan's deservingness of the title "Poet Laureate of a Generation." A deeply emotional and complicated album that has stood the test of time and changed with me as I've grown

Cinematic and wild. Many different layers of sounds and moments were expertly created and refined here. What a start to a solo career.

I can't believe this came out in 1983.. I have a whole new appreciation of the Violent Femmes. Killer Acoustic Bass Guitar and clearly influential to Alt and Indie music. Strikingly minimal while whimsical and calamitous

Another high concept art album from legendary assholes. Important in terms of sampling and tracking but not a particularly enjoyable listen. Often sounds like the music from How It's Made

They don't make albums like they used to HOT DAMN. Continuity through a thoughtful 4 part album?! Sign me up Impressive segueing of styles and composition. A bit odd to listen to as such but really interesting

One of the earlier examples of the melodic shift of Southern Hip Hop. Widely influential, not always what I'm looking for

Thought this would be a one hit wonder band with a guitar hero song, but it was a well put together combo of hard rock and funk with a laundry list of influences. Great instrumentation

U2's body of music is really hard to grasp sometimes. Half of their body of music is from my lifetime and half before. Their sound changes by decades, but always holds the same stadium appeal. I've heard a good amount of the songs from this album prior but listening this intently makes me appreciate their significance much more. This album feels more complete than All That You Can't Leave Behind and the songs I didn't know stood out more.

4/13 songs have been removed from Spotify. High Quality early 90's Hip Hop beats with politics as the clear focus. Surprisingly doesn't feel patronizing or begging because it goes in so hard. So forwards its reminds of the Adventure Time POLITICAL RAP scene. It's almost hard to believe this guy went on to create Spearhead and write such cheery music if the politics weren't so consistent.

A well done set of classics by a legend. Not groundbreaking, but it is genre defining. Enjoyable listen

Refined dissonance. This album has definitely influenced many of the indie bands I grew up listening to. The moments of harshness are surprisingly balanced and I enjoyed more than I thought

Again, I liked this more than I thought I would. Dexy's really did come out swinging, and the advent of the string section definitely helped that along on this one. It's a shame all of the horns left the band immediately after this release. Lots of early ska. Sounds like the drama kids just pulled a bunch people from Orchestra, Band, and Chorus by the song to help them record in a good way

Filled with personality and that great early chugging of NYC Hard Rock, this is a stand out for sure. Nothing crazy or overcomplicated, the dolls delivered a fun album while telling Homophobia to fuck off.

This album bred so many rappers for decades to come. Never could really lean into the aggression of it all, but the beats are crazy. So many samples to make groundbreaking songs and runs for a full hour. Its' influence is the reason why I wasn't allowed to listen to rap growing up. Some parts of this definitely wouldn't fly today, but this was always meant to be something that made people scared and angry. Not my deal, but reverent of it.

Clocking in at nearly three hours total, I thought I would need a break. The variety of it all kept me invested. There is a lot of distinct indie charm and New York life mashed into these songs. It is impressive how many genres and styles this album goes through and how many different views of love are presented in these "Love Songs" A lot of it doesn't quite reach that complex level of songwriting, but there's a lot of depth in the lyricism. I think its' concept is fun and that it realistically is more of a Revue than a consistent album. It comes off more silly than profound at times, but I think that's the point. A wild album to put together and record. I ended up liking this better than I thought

Album is good, though I think it's importance must lie in its' dreamy reintroduction of Bossa Nova music into the popular lens in Europe and America. The most interesting things I learned: the Serbian producer of the album died due to smoke inhalation after a studio fire, and that Gilberto is a Brazilian Bossa Nova dynasty musician.

Comes off as Post-Folk as it is obviously tinged with Morrison's older work but there is a much wider range of influences present. A sweeping soundscape of moods, this album came off much better than I anticipated.

A true, full concept album. It's a well written and sad story about the ravages of addiction including ups and downs, all still smattered with Lou Reed's iconic NYC sound. It would be worth going back and trying to read through the lyrics or listening more consistently to the lyrics.

A love letter and introduction from Jimi. It includes many of his best known songs as well as some incredible instrumentation and songwriting. This album is one of the major sounds of the late 60's and inspired generations of guitarists to explore their artistry. Hard to believe that this is a debut album at times.

Didn't really do it for me. Hard to follow the vocal themes and is a bit zany and inconsistent. I don't believe I disliked it as much as it didn't settle as an important experience for me.

90's Soul / R&B Incarnate. Refined and sexy . This album just feels good when this is the mood you want.

Classic 90's Alt feel. Catchy while still holding to the edgy attitude. Interesting stories behind the band.

A day in the life of a Hi-Fi Audiophile: 1) Plead with my wife to come back home 2) Crank that sweet, sweet Steely Dan

Country music back in the day just hits different. It's still free, artistic, and a memory of simpler times. Getting Flagels with Grampa out in NJ and his love of outlaw country. It's hard to think of Dolly anything other than the mega figure she has been my entire life. Short and sweet lil album here.

Appropriate for the times, did not feel as weighty as the Wikipedia and Critical reviews would've made me guess. Likely worth a listen, definitely an influence to many of the British Indie favorites of mine.

This is it: the transition from jazz and blues and psychedelic rock to jam bands in recorded form. Utilizing the new 16 track recording, to capture a lot of the finer details of and emotion of a live show

So this is Gothic Rock, huh? Always nice to eb able to put a name to a genre I know. Nick Cave was interesting to learn about, as is a lot of Australian music. Not fully my deal but iconic for what it is. A double album is always appreciated.

1973: A great year for music A lot of classics from this album and songs I knew but didn't realize. Absolutely a vibe in and of itself. Interesting to learn that this is the album where the 3 brothers incorporated 3 other musicians for the first time, though now the name makes it seem obvious

Whimsical and eccentric, this album has a lot of surprising notes to it. Everything from screeching guitar solos to silly, high pitched vocals, it almost comes off as a musical soundtrack sometimes. Interesting to learn about Sparks and who they've influenced, especially through this album. When I started this album, I thought this wasn't going to be my style at all, but it surprisingly grew on me in a way I didn't expect. Warrants a re-listen

I immediately recognize this album cover, but had never really listened. Was just a bit early from when when I hit my big Indie pocket. A soaring album of dramatic swells and emotions. Really keyed in on the lonesome aspect of heartbreak, highlighted by the use of space and small effects suspended in them.

Wonderful album, and definitely seems to be tipping the scale towards psychedelia. Had lots of classic early 60's charm. Always interesting to find out songs I didn't think were covers are: Mr. Spaceman

A bit of musical ADD with how many songs are crammed into the 74 minute run time. Interesting in how many style are captured and interpreted. Difficult to listen to at times

Such a classic 60's sound, it transportative. 12 songs in under 30 minutes is also a nice surprisingly easy listen

Definitively Noise Rock, but with a nice hit of passion. Got me moving from time to time through all of the abrasiveness.

Good mid 70's punk sound with exploratory lyrics. Great use of space. Nothing crazy, but a solid album all the same

It's just really high quality American Punk as the scales began to tip towards that musical direction. Jello's voice matched up with the high speed and intensity of the music makes it a very immersive album, ready to thrash about whenever needed.

The album is quiet, had to be turned up from where I've listened to every other album. Definitely seems to follow the path transitioning Punk to Grunge in the early 90's with hints of Indie.

The whole album is more than just American Pie! Aside from the classic of classics, there's a lot of excellent era appropriate folk blended with a bit of country and Don McLean's own sound.

Lots of interesting musicality interacting through Hard Rock. Didn't listen as intently as desired, but certainly a good and important album for what it is

There are many interesting moments on this album, though overall, it does fall fairly flat to me. Seems at times to blend R&B aspects with traditional Reggae roots. Album takes advantage of lots of space, feels a bit unfulfilling at points, but that is more due to personal style.

Sounds like a more driven and experimental version of the Police at times. Definitely a show of the movement towards musical differences in the early 80's, but not something that could stand up greatly to the test of time

It was interesting to hear Bob Live in such an early part of his career, having already achieved international success. Concert is in two sets: the first is just Bob, guitar, and harmonica while the other has the band behind him. To think he was only 25 at the time and had already become so notable is wild. It's nice to hear his artistry resonate through the theater and this album is good, though this is not a standout favorite

Classic early American Soul. Everyone knows the song Green Onions: it has appeared so many times as the song people explain how the Heist is going to go down. Lots of great organ and instrumentation and enjoyable covers. Research led me to McLemore Avenue, a Booker T. and the M.G.s All Beatles cover album

The sounds of the 60's from Surf Rock to Hendrix to the Blues are pervasive throughout the album, but it's all quite different. If the first true Heavy Metal album is Black Sabbath, this definitely helped clear the way. The sound quality is a little rough and could definitely use a remaster. An interesting listen and clear path of evolution in music

I feel like my whole generation was lied to about Deep Purple: "They're the guys who wrote a guitar song you can play with one finger. Famous one hit wonders!" This album shredded. Lots of high intensity, hard rock jams that went on for longer than anticipated. There were some weird parts like a 4 minute drum solo or some back and forths between the vocalist and guitar solos that didn't translate well, but I imagine seeing this blitzed on coke in the early 70's in Japan was an absolute riot.

I'm glad it was compared to Gaye's "What's Going On" which came out around the same time. A lot of the soundtrack is familiar because so many of these songs have pushed beyond the boundary of backing music and defined an entire genre of soul

Album was delightful and fun. Just silly enough to be relaxed and poppy enough to have made a name for itself.

A testament to the great, expansive, pinnacle of Rock that occurred in the mid-70's. Wish You Were Here is an incredible album and should be appreciated. It is more operatic than Dark Side and showcases clever songwriting in the transitions

Outside of my normal scope of music, this was a bit challenging through long sections of repeated beats with limited development in the songs. That being said, it is a high quality album and a great album for focus. The final song, the Private Psychedelic Reel, was definitely my favorite. I don't think this belongs in the greatest 100 albums of all time, but I'm glad I listened to it

Elton John has put out so much music over the course of his career, but the early 70's, right when he started, was like someone turned on a fire hose. A good album that's got plenty of Elton's classic charm and songwriting that starts with Tiny Dancer of all songs.

Very dramatic and intricate songwriting with the lyricism to boot. Does sound and feel very similar to exploring New York. It's a bit long winded, but a feat of musicality undoubtedly

It's hard to overstate Janis Joplin's importance to music and the rock and roll scene. What a powerhouse of a vocalist and someone who was taken too early from us. The album really captures a lot of her uniqueness and her voice.

Much more mellow and soul driven than Superfly, a great listen. There's a lot of character and emotion pushed out through the album. So In Love is a Curtis Mayfield song it turns out. Love finding older originals to newer covers and comparing and contrasting through this project

I've heard a lot about this album through different media sources, and is rightly lauded as a defining moment in Alternative Rock. Though not listed as a concept album by Billy Corgan, this "Loose Collection of Songs" has distinctly captured the feelings of teenage angst and confusion. Over 28 songs, there is naturally some brilliant moments and some to be less enjoyed, but a good listen none the less.

Some really fun and hypnotic, trancy dance music. Has some surprisingly deep lyrics. Warrants a full relisten, but would great to put on to hype some people up or have on during afters

Sorry mom: ABBA is good. This is so different than a lot of the popular ABBA songs and I believe represents some of the tenser moments of Mama Mia. It has a gothic/baroque quality to it and is soaring with emotional turmoil.

It's really good, even better than I anticipated. The guys in Metallica may be dicks, but the two hours of symphonic metal on this album makes up for it. Perfect D&D fight music. Will warrant another listen

This album DRIVES. Nonstop movement and motivation through constant guitar work and shouted vocals. I like that they refused to be labeled a metal band, and were instead a "Rock 'n' Roll" band Not something I want to listen to all of the time, but it's a damn good rock album

I've learned a lot about Nine Inch Nails listening to and researching this album that I didn't before. For one thing, Trent Reznor is the entire fucking band. There's a few small instruments and samples added as a cherry on top, but he's credited for "Vocals, All Instruments, Arranger, Producer" on this album. Not even just that, he was using early Macintosh software to edit and distort the sounds and frequencies used. The album is rough and erratic, and can be hard to listen to. I feel that's almost the point though. A concept album of a man so misanthropic he kills God before struggling to take his own life is relatable in a lot of ways. It speaks a lot to the underground scene in the early 90's and a bit to what some of these live shows must have been like. As I listened, this album grew on me much more than I would've guessed. Ultimately, an incredible accomplishment in music history that warrants more listens and analysis of the lyrics. It's time to come to terms with the drum machine

This was a fine album, not my particular music taste. Interesting combo of raps and 80's beats.

9/11 had a profound effect on the music industry, and I don't think any of it was good. This is a prime example. Its awash with patriotism and self-pride. The music is simple and uninspired while being littered with a bunch of over complicated melismatic strings. It feels lazy overall. It's the shadow of albums like Born to Run and Wild, Innocent, E-Street band. I love Bruce, but this is not the version of him I love. If anything I feel like this still belongs on the list to show the significance of 9/11 in music

Idk what I expected, but it was definitely not a gruff, punk album. Its got some surf rock, it's got some stomp and holler, its not by any means revelatory. Crazy that these guys blew up thanks to a few songs on their 4th album. Not a bad listen, but idk why it's on here

It's 2023 all year, so it's Willie Nelson's 90th birthday all year. Crazy to think that Willie Nelson's 22nd studio album was one of the ones that really propelled him into the mainstream. Cool story about Booker T. Jones producing and arranging the album after meeting on a jog in Malibu. It's hard to hate classics like these, especially coming from Willie Nelson reflecting on his own influences.

I always wondered why people got really into Devo. This made me wonder why more. Half-ass sounding cover of Satisfaction. Some really high instrumental notes were cut off by vocals coming in. The yelling and stuttering syncopation were just not for me. Whole album sounds unenthusiastic and lacks emotion. Not insufferable, but not good.

1973: A great year for music. Straight to the point: Iggy Pop and the Stooges created Punk Rock. They were not the only ones, but this is the album that really gets it together. Reading about the different approach to music and guitar due to the new guitarist is really interesting and helps connect the lines to the Clash, the Ramones, the Sex Pistols, and Patti Smith

A great classic album. Many of the songs are still in rotation today. Interesting to learn about the recording process and how the band got together to create this album. An incredible debut, though not particularly influential or significant beyond its' popularity

Great musicality with lots of space and thoughtful lyrics. Black Sabbath really paved the way for Metal of all varieties. Love learning about producer changes like this where the band does it and it changes the sound positively Not only were they pioneers, but in research, I learned they put out 4 albums in their first two and a half years: prolific

There is a distinctly different set of influences on this album from world music compared to the rest of the Police's catalogue. Everyone knows Every Breath You Take. A classic album that provided a fitting end for the band. It was really cool to see their reunion tour as a kid.

Filled with a lot of space and self-reflection, this album takes a step back from the normal bops of Stevie Wonder, but holds just as much of his iconic character.

POST-ROCK!! Wasn't sure I'd see any of this on here. I was surprised that it was this album from Tortoise, but after reading how it was one of the more notable entries in early Post-Rock, it makes sense. Album is tactfully written and full of complex emotion. Definitely a good listen

Not the easiest to listen to, but that's how it often is with post-x music. I'm not running back to this album, but it was very interesting to listen to this and consider how it influenced those after it in a similar genre like Joy Division and the Sonic Youth

The production on this album is incredible. Quincy Jones always nails it. Though a bit more hard lined and serious than some of MJs other albums, it is still a landmark album in the catalogue with all of his unique quirks and styles showing through

It's not even my favorite Green Day album, but it's a classic. Green Day started a new wave of Punk amid America's slide into Grunge. It's short, it's loud, and it definitely gets the point across. It's not particularly musically complex, but its influence and emotion definitely leave this as a good contender.

I've been looking to explore Traffic again so this was a nice push. The album is a bit scattered in a way I really like. Shows how many influences they had and leads to the direction they would go in. Definitely a front runner in Progressive Rock. 3.5/5

1973: A great year for music A bit more reserved but still an artistic accomplishment from the masters of perfection. Though none of the songs ever broke through as singles, it still deserves high praise for the journey it takes you on.

Three very well known popular songs out of the eight and a half on the album is impressive. It's not reinventing the wheel, because this is the sound of 80's rock. Not the most musically impressive thing I've ever listened to, but it's full of drive and energy. To be appreciated for its influence for sure

This feels so unnatural, Peter Gabriel too... Sledgehammer and In Your Eyes. Lots of progressive, synth heavy music with the exact kind of gripping lyrics and fusions you'd expect.

I don't love all of Prince's music, but this was phenomenal. The artistry and talent shown on the album is crazy. Not an easy or short listen, but well worth the time. Probably one of the best albums to come out of 80's pop hell

I listened to this the same day as Siouxsie and the Banshees for continuity after missing a bunch of albums. It's great to see how they took the same dramatic post-punk and refined it into a more well thought-out album with their own spin. Album definitely has a lot of attitude that is kept pretty minimal at times but breaks through to intense bits. Great, if not strange song writing

This is a distinct step forward in musicality from "My Aim is True." Definitely leans a bit more into the pop sound but still has all of the sharpness and interesting styles you want from Elvis Costello. The Attractions add a lot of depth to the record, as does the increased level of production.

A staple in folk albums. So many immediately recognizable songs from Bridge, to Cecilia, the Boxer, etc. It's got its' own flair and styles and was a worthy finale of Simon and Garfunkel

Breezy, great instrumentation, a solid listen through. Nothing is exceptionally mind blowing, but it is definitely an impressive debut. Gotta love the Sultans of Swing.

Easy listening. Some good classic soul. It's exactly what you expect in a good way

Damn is this a vibe. I wish world music like this had the same kind of write ups that the more popular stuff does. Obviously they hit a smaller group of people, but there's clearly a lot more to this album than the Wiki leads. A complex jaunt of music and emotion. The language barrier doesn't matter too much because the music is so expressive as is. As advertised: a short, but comprehensive jaunt through a uniquely African soundscape

I feel like this is another Deep Purple situation. Sure everyone knows School's Out the song, but the album has a lot more complexity and appeal though not mainstream. A fun listen and an interesting possible concept album about ending school and having to grow up after graduation

Is Joy Division overrated? Yes and No Of their own admission, they didn't try too hard to make this album. They're talented musicians that shot the shit and got darker and darker until they would hit record and improvise jams and lyrics into a tape recorder. Bernard Sumner's suicide certainly helped propel the band a bit more into notoriety especially with these posthumous releases. All of that being said, Joy Division is one of if not THE seminal band in Post-Punk. Their style was certainly their own and has influenced a great many people. Some take it deep to heart and some just wear the T-shirt for clout. Joy Division is a cultural and musical icon, no matter how you look at the quality of their music or artistry. Even if it's not for you, it's important to appreciate the steps of musical history.

Really great production on the album. Cut Chemist and Chali already got high marks from me for Ozomatli. It's a good album and continued to push HipHop in the early 00's to blend more and more with other genres. 3.5/5

I didn't like this nearly as much as Mellon Collie. It is good, and once again defining Alt Rock, but I don't feel that it carries the same weight personally

A bit simple, but shows how much of a talent Paul Simon was even when he we just starting out on his own. Most if not all of the songs had been recorded for years before being released. Nothing mind blowing, but an important piece of musical history. A bridge between his days with Garfunkel and his future sound

I wasn't sure what to expect from a Rufus "the Hallelujah guy" Wainwright, but this definitely exceeded my expectations. It has many sounds to be later found in later alt / indie music of the next few years. Specifically reminiscent of artists like Andrew Bird and Sufjan Stevens. Really excellent songwriting with a lot of eccentric charm throughout the different styles. Heartfelt and theatrical, bits of whimsy intercede with deep emotion. Put it on early thinking it'd be casual but it really gripped me while listening

I put this one off for 100 albums because I already knew it. It is important for the shifting of the ambient genre beyond Brian Eno into a more electronic space. It's not bad, but it can be hard to work through on its' own. It's really excellent background music, and allows some of its' better moments to catch you off guard and shine

The QUEEN You just gotta love it

Really interesting to hear James Brown from such an early point of his career. I didn't particularly know any of the songs but he still comes through as the performer everyone knows him to be. I think this is just before he skyrocketed to the very top with some of his singles. An interesting point in music history

Its good, though I'm not quite sure why it's on here. I had no idea Rod Stewart was in Faces so that's interesting. Captures the changing sounds of the early 70's transition from Blues to Rock. Not as hard as the Stones, but a clear directional shift

Its fun and silly while still being distinctly punk. Reminds me a lot of the TV album from Less Than Jake but a bit more raunchy. Nothing particularly gripping but a fun listen regardless

Hendrix truly helped reinvent what the guitar could be. I prefer Are You Experienced, but there's still much to be appreciated on album 2

Fuck yeah. Learned a lot about Chuck D and Flava Flav (the original Hype Man) not to mention that they're also from Long Island The mixing is so good. Definitely pushed Hip-Hop in new directions in the late 80's all while staying socially conscious.

Other then Sunshine of Your Love, nothing especially stood out. It was good psychedelic rock and a fun listen, but that's all it was

This took me by surprise: When I saw Chicago it was lots of ballads and the popular songs I knew that were fun, but didn't stand up to their showmates Earth, Wind, & Fire. This comes off more as a glorious processional. Lots of well articulated and harmonized horn parts with long running songs and solos. It almost comes off as a fusion of jazz and jam. Tons of energy and style choices, this was really one hell of a debut.

Really great mixing from a style I never really listen to. A bit long but a fun listen

Disappointing. I really only knew Paper Planes going in, and I was hoping the rest of the album would be a worldly electronic vibe. It got worldly and electronic, but vibes were few, Did think the kids rapping was cute though. Not my style but not bad. Enjoyed the clear influence of travel and world sounds on the album

This is a great example of an album that has a lot of thought put into it. The combo of the lavish orchestrations with the determinedly dark and spacey moods / lyrics creates quite an album. I was surprised that of any indie albums I know, this was one of the first to show up, but I'm happy to rediscover it through this project

This was David Bowie's gateway to himself. Already well established by the time he put out this album, the change in songwriting and some notable songs like Changes and Life on Mars? primed him to create Ziggy. Listening through this album takes a little effort, but it's worth it. 3.5/5

I didn't make it all of the way through the album because it's noted that this album was removed from the project at a later release. This should've stayed and Fetch the Bolt Cutters should never have made it. This isn't good, but its' cultural relevance may make this album worthy of a listen. I could totally mosh if drunk enough. This created a whole subsection of people who wore Neon too big gym shorts with TAPOUT Shirts. Ahhhh youth. I see what they were going for with the Rap/Rock and how hype they were on themselves given the time, but I can't stand it.

Another album that grew on me as I listened. A balanced amount of politics and spacious post punk. Some especially grabbing moments, but nothing mind blowing. I'm glad to have gotten the chance to listen, this is not the kind of genre that's easy to find. Also very cool to learn about Julian as an artist

This is some high quality Country music. I miss when this is what Country referred to instead of small town this, 9/11 that. The Grand Tour and Our Private Life are specific highlights. It's short, sweet, and packed with a deeply emotional baritone.

A distinctly British sounding album undoubtedly. Like someone took the 60's rock and pop and put the filter of early punk on it. Down to the Tube Station was my favorite on album.

I love this album. Funny how when you separate some of the singles, everything takes on a bit more of a positive light than when you listen to the whole album. They really nailed the concept and emotional output of this one. Reading about the musical was interesting, knowing Aaron Sorkin was briefly attached to it especially. I think it'd be an interesting show, but much like Sorkin, feel that it being sung all of the way through would remove some of its' emotional content.

It's really good dance music that absolutely hits a level deeper than similar groups around the mid-90's playing this style. It's a bit longwinded for me and difficult to listen to all of the way through, but it would be better in a different setting is my guess. May warrant a relisten to try to highlight and understand some of the subtleties

This was a fascinating album to listen to. I'm not aware of many rap concept albums, especially none so early with such a talented group behind it. It's weird. A whole hour of a homicidal alien gynecologist is not exactly what I was expecting to appear on this list, or ever hear. Sticks to its' underground roots and laid out a path for a lot of weird / story based rap during an interesting time of for this style

Will it Destroy Rock and Roll? No Name aside, it's a great showing of soft rock and other more lush influences to electronic music to create different sounds. Not as gripping as most album, but does have value, especially as background music for focus

Original girl pop in the best way. Interesting to read about their origin and hear some of the later all female groups that use albums like this for inspiration

A few big songs I knew, but mostly went into this one blind. Great production, but is still old enough into hiphop variance in the individual songs. Very socially aware and a worthwhile listen as a response to the 1992 riots.

A fine dance album. Its' place on this list is questionable though as I cant find anything particularly revelatory or big influences other than D.A.N.C.E.

This was great, eccentric Blues. I even listened to the additional 7 bonus tracks I was so intrigued. Ultimately an artist I had been meaning to check out long term and glad to finally get the opportunity.

The longing of this album is much different when compared to Harvest, as intended. I really appreciate the themes of loneliness and feeling distanced while being around people. I always forget how much I like Neil young, wish his music was back on Spotify

I don't think anyone is rushing to put Tom Petty at the top of their "Greatest Guitar Players of All Time" list, but it is very interesting to listen to his first album. It's sweet, carries a nice breezy feel to it, and is definitely tied to the heartland of America.

Interesting to learn about the formation of the band and how they grew out of the mid-70's NYC scene. Best fact is that Lou Reed told David Byrne to never wear short sleeves on stage because his arms were so hairy. It's eccentric and fun, was very unique upon release. Tina Wheymouth is such a good bass player and I was happy to hear a lot of her style on the album. Listening to the bonus tracks added a lot more depth to the record

An album that carries significant emotional weight. Balancing spoken word sections with simple but pertinent R&B songs featuring historically African themes in music and lyrics. For an album that came out mid-pandemic and within a single month of the George Floyd incident, this album is an incredible summary of feelings and direction. It incorporates immediate struggle, but also expresses frustration in summary of decades and centuries of othering. Really glad this made it on to the list in its' most recent review.

Young Damon Alban really nailed this one, and apparently it's not even their biggest album, definitely makes me want to explore more. Reading about how Blur needed a hard image change so they pioneered Britpop is a wild story. Influences heard in many mid 00's indie and alt bands. I like how the sound transfers to the Gorillaz, who often take it one step further or odder

You can take the boy out of long island but you can't take the long island out of the boy. Everyone knows these songs, almost everyone loves them. What a way to make sure the company didn't drop you

I never got into Oasis because they're whiny assholes and were a bit before my time. Big influencers and an album that should be in the project, but it just doesn't really go anywhere. It was... fine. None of the big Oasis hits I know of, but still well put together musically. There's a lot more complexity to it than it leads on, but the whole album feels like it was made to be nonchalant in the epitomic British way. Can't believe some people are willing to vote for this as the best album of all time

A national treasure. I doubt there will ever be a better Superbowl performance than Purple Rain. Even though it's not my thing, it's impossible to not appreciate the artistry on this album or treat it as anything other then Genre Defining

Brian Eno comes off as a bit of a dick, but I don't think I knew he was credited for inventing Ambient music. Definitely an important album in that regard and really capitalizes on the "as ignorable as it is interesting"-ness of it all, in Eno's own words.

Didn't really know much going in. Reading about how his career and dropping out of high school through this being a response album he put out after "selling out" for pop, to everything after was all very interesting. An excellent showing of old school hiphop that certainly is one of the defining albums of rap music

At first I wasn't sure how to feel about this album, but doing more research helped assure me that this album should be on the list. It's an interesting bridge between the early stages of British punk mixed with 70's psychedelia and pop. Highlighted by mixing rhythms, tones, tempos, and sudden changes between those in the songs from all three different styles.

Lush and full, a love letter to the end of a musical era. This album resonates with the sounds of similar singers from the 50's and 60's highlighted by the captivating sound of Dusty's voice. A shame it wasn't initially received well, this album is an instant classic

Jethro Tull cultivated a distinctive late 60's sound that they twisted to their own through emotional songwriting and unique choices. One of the few popular musical acts to be in the last 60 years to use flute at all, and probably one of the best at it. Lots of songs I already knew and enjoyed and a great few I didn't to round out the album. Great listen!

A good album with interesting electronic notes and good songwriting, but feels a bit long winded even after just 35 minutes. Their own eccentricity is apparent and the songs that I knew are still classics. 2.5/5

This album was a great listen, really capitalizing on the return of glam and hair rock complete with chugging guitars, soring vocals, and fun effects.

Shows quite the effort as the first solo Jackson album departing from Motown Jackson 5 stuff. A landmark disco album to usher in the era. Obviously some very famous songs, but more interesting to me was who all contributed to write them.

A main influence on English bands post-Britpop, this album brought Radiohead out of one hit wonder territory and led them further into their experimental territory. I really like the blend of influences from Pop, Grunge, and their own brand of esoteric oddness. Not my favorite album from them, but an interesting point in their and UK''s music development. Quite the sophomoric effort

A unique turn in the mid-80's for a soon to be genre defining band. I think it's kind of funny Morrisey didn't let the band get photographed eating meat for promotion. Increasing the political activeness over a very aesthetically good album, great bass and guitar work

This album is a capture of 1970's NYC. 7/8 songs on this album are perfect... and then there's meeting on the river, an art song that is good and appreciated, but out of place. Really stops album flow. So many classics between Thunder Road, 10th Ave. Freeze Out, and Born to Run, but Jungleland is an incredible musical/ballet emphasizing NYC and showing off one of the greatest saxophone solos in modern music. Hits the spot every time

Though her Synth project never took off, Tori Amos seemingly led the way for eccentric piano based singer/songwriters of the 90's and mid 00's. A bit odd at first, she really settles into opening a vulnerable and questioning space while putting herself fully on the line.

Interesting piece dedicated to the death of Metallica's Cliff Burton. They seem to have lost their friend but found their own sound amongst the grief as this was the album that propelled them to arena metal. I enjoy the elements of punk and other hard core material, but the album begins to drag, especially with every song being nearly 5 minutes or longer

Eminem was one of the worst things I ever could have listened to growing up because it was so vulgar, let alone listen to rap at all. Going back to it though, there's a lot of justification and emotions hidden behind the way he writes and presents himself. Not always the right thing, but a really incredible / essential moment in rap history

Really capitalizes on the esoteric depravity of the late 90's Alt scene. Songs are depraved and depressing, yet still have a quality of warmth. Interesting that Dreamworks studios was their record label, probably how My Beloved Monster ended up in Shrek.

I was trying to figure out why this sounded like a concept album to me, and it's that it is a time machine back to 1968. The album is full of personality and captures so much of Jimi's style, tone, and unique take on music.

Breezy and full of early 70's charm. A surprising blend of influences made Rod Stewart who he was and really shone on the album. Not the most interesting thing in the world, but it was a good listen

It caught me off that this cover is different than the one I'm used to, not to mention that the English version doesn't even have Paint it Black on it. A clear stepping stone to them becoming one of if not the first major rock band. Essential, but likely still doesn't get itself into my top 3 Stones albums

It always bothered me that some people took this album only for the Pop Hits and eschewed everything else as weird and too conceptual. Those pop hits never would've been as big if they weren't tinged with the weirdness that is at the root of MGMT. The eclectic, emotionally activating songs really hit when I discovered this album as I was about to enter high school. I'm terribly biased, but I'm glad this album is on here. Its' combination of courage, appeal, complexity, and uniqueness really stands out and undoubtedly went on to influence many artists and producers

I can't believe that I and II both came out in 1969 and III in 1970 to just be casually followed by IV in '71. For how acclaimed and influential Zepp is, I always thought they took more time to make their masterpieces. This album is the distinct change from pure rock to acoustic/folk influences. This is how we ended up with songs like Over the Hills and Far Away and Going to California. It's got the least recognizable songs to me out of the numbered albums, but this is quite the experience in and of itself as they were continuing to experiment. A defining moment in Rock and Roll history

Todd Rundgren obviously was feeling confident before starting this as his third album. To play and record all of the tracks and vocals independently for a double album in 1971, or at least 75% of it is one hell of an endeavor. The album is full of intelligent and well written pop songs with the occasional weird bit here or there. It got a bit repetitive by the end of it all, but a good listen

An impressive early influence to all sorts of modern electronic music, the German scene in the late 60's and 70's was awash with Discotheques ready to nurture this kind of music. The greater use of synthesizers and sequencers will go on to shape an entire genre. Ultimately though, it fell a bit flat to me. Though wildly influential this is not something I would put on for myself. I'm glad I checked the track listing online and only listened to the proper album and not the two hours of bonus content

A good, inoffensive album. Most notable is the unreleased Bob Dylan music that's been transformed into their own style. I like the English Folk influence on this, though it vaguely sounds a bit like Fox Robinhood's soundtrack.

Will require a relisten. This album is certainly eccentric. With the weight of the Britpop / Indie movements to come on its' shoulders, it's clear that this was a massively influential album.

Really just amazing. Nobody could capture the range of emotions of these songs quite like Ella. The songs are all smartly arranged around her emotional forwardness and it's just lovely to hear

It's the Strokes. Always funny to see an album I don't recognize for it to turn out to be something I know quite well. I find it funny that a NY based band got their album approved and released around the world, but were forced to delay for FCC related reasons. Some Day and Last Nite are obvious eternal indie garage songs. They really did bring a whole energy back into that kind of music that helped inspire a cavalcade of bands into the Aughts and beyond

I actually enjoyed the bonus tracks more than the rest of the album. They showed a lot more the country/blues and punk blend than the punkier versions on the album. There's not a lot of information on this album comparatively to some of the others on the list, but this album was a beginning of a new branch of Punk leading into a wider eye of influence. I'm not the biggest fan of it, but can appreciate it for its' landmark genre combination. 2.5/5

A sprawling, dark album highlighted by a unique approach from their old electronic music days. I hate that so many bands, especially British Indie bands are compared to Oasis, but this band builds and improved upon the blueprint those assholes laid out. Always cool to hear a new and important Indie album. A notable step towards the many 2005 and after British Indie albums

It's cool to learn about how the Kinks helped to popularize concept albums and their interesting approach to music during a "slump" before Lola. It's whimsical, serious, emotional... a very worthwhile listen. 3.5/5

Though a bit predictable at times, this album is perfectly captures an array of styles and emotions under Norah's wonderful voice. It's excellently inoffensive. A creative blend of genres that will certainly weather the test of time.

A consistent, loving album from Emmylolu Harris. Rings with all of the classic old country tones you'd want but with her own spin on it. The covers were especially interesting

Sounds exactly like an Iggy Pop lyrical response to David Bowie's songwriting while both were holding up in a castle in France in an attempt at sobriety. Dark and a bit more coordinated than the Stooges, it helps to show a different side of Iggy, though the music remains distinctly Bowie-like

Cinematic, cerebral, and ambitious... this album warrants another listen. Interesting to learn more about the band and their other "Post-Alternative" music." Certainly comes out as a kaleidoscope of genres as intended. Juxtaposed with you is an absolute bop. 3.5/5

1973: a great year for music. Was this life-changing? No. Was it a grooving, driven, southern influenced listen? Absolutely. Exactly what you'd want when you think of ZZ Top featuring their number 1 song

It was a real treat getting to see the police growing up. Obviously Message in a Bottle and Walking on the Moon are great, but there's a wide breadth of influences combining the three musicians origins and the music scene at the time: most notably punk, ska, and rock. The album has a lot of character and personality to it because of all of these influences and it works well.

An interesting 60's listen. They still have the reformed boy band properness to them like the early Beatles, but they're also cutting a bit loose and moving more towards Rock. Surprised anyone was in Boise in the 1960's anyway, especially for a band to come out of there. Nothing mind blowing, but a notable step for American music

I'm glad this is on here for the exposure alone. The music is transportive and brings forth world music that is often too underrepresented. The way they play and the emotion that comes out of this album is not to be underappreciated. That being said, it is a bit long winded The long song time, similarity of many songs, and simplicity of the instrumentation can cause too much of this to blend together after listening.

Good rock and roll from people who I didn't think shredded so hard.

Do I love every second of it? No. Is this the turning point for house music in the late nineties and did it pave the way for the creation of amazing albums? Yes. They say "Around the World" 144 times.

An album whose influence was not widely known until a generation after, the Velvet Underground stood to create an icon in their debut. Under the wing of Warhol; Lou Reed, John Cale, and Co did just that. It's amazing to think these kinds of subjects and types of sounds/songs were not widely used, because this has tinged so much of all music since. I feel that its' influence stretches a bit over its' musical quality, but reverent none the less.

An interesting man with an interesting story. Though there's not much said for the album, reading about Jah as a bass player / singer resonates with me, plus he lived with the guitarist of the Sex Pistols. It's a well thought out album of world music with a lot of interesting sounds and moods to choose from.

It's fucking sexy. Great debut from JT with some absolute bangers on it. One hell of an R&B classic

Elvis Costello certainly has a way about him. The music really accentuates the poetic lyricism he's known for, even amid tension with the Heartbreakers

The starts of Stevie's classics, clearly on the way to Songs in the Key of Life. Happy to hear the increased keyboards and synths as he grew into the 70's. A bit more downtempo than I expected, but a great listen.

Absolutely the start of a revolution. Glad there are multiple Stooges albums on here to hear the path from Rock to this proto-punk and at times psychedelic album. We Will Fall really caught me for a surprise; I would never have expected a 10 minute song on this album. This album isn't perfect, but it is a landmark

Kooky. Combining some of the influences of late 70's punk with some more resonant tones and interesting topics, this album can be heard in a surprising amount of future bands ranging from REM to King Gizz

A big turning point for rap: this level of introspection and vulnerability is the opposite of what the scene started out with. He was still in jail while the album was selling. It capitalizes on the 90's R&B trend with solid beats and Tupac laid himself entirely out for this one.

The esotericness of this album is a bit lost on me. It is good as what it is. I find it similar to a bleaker Peaceful the World Lays Me Down by Noah and the Whale. Some moments shine through, most notably One Day Like This

There's something so distinct and profound sounding in the late 1960's folk scene. Maybe it was that life was different and people were living out the songs they were writing. Maybe the lack of existing content allowed for more simplistic freedom of expression. Either way, an excellent debut from Leonard Cohen

I always thought Depeche Mode was a 90's band. It's interesting to learn more about their history and listen through an album. This particular album and bonus tracks were an enjoyable listen, but nothing overwhelming. The irony of the albums title was not lost on me. It's a unique musical space in the 80's that helped steer the band's own direction and many other artists

Timbaland just does not produce unsexy music. This album clearly not only let him really flex his talents and create a wave of influence in the R&B scene to come, it is equally highlighted as Missy Elliott. This album is great sonically, but Missy's attitude and talent are what makes this album such a landmark. This is how you become the Queen of Rap

The son of Fela continues to carry and develop the Afrobeat dynasty. I'm glad to keep seeing world music's important place on this list

A great album that sounds like it was 10 years before its' time. Most specifically, it sounds like late 90's video game music. The blending and shifting music on top a mix of silly and serious themes is what makes this a "ska" album even if other elements are used. Certainly influential to later ska and punk acts

It's cool, it's dark, it murmurs along some important points. Lou Reed doing the production alone, to the disapproval of his bandmates, is truly the rise of an important asshole. I do like that everyone in the band was encouraged to sing and contribute.

1973 a great year for music. An unparalleled blending of soul, funk, and sex.

Just a solid rap album. It's cool to learn about the familial lineage of rappers, like how this original 50 cent album was influenced by both Dre and Eminem. A few good bangers and some notable lyrics and guests. Instrumentation and the beats really stand out especially the marimba in P.I.M.P.

Even Mick Jagger recognized how close this was to the Stone's Sticky Fingers. It's a bit more raw and leans further into the Blues than Rock & Roll. The whole album stays very raw and never meets the mastery of the Stone's sound, instead conjuring up influences like Elvis and Surf music.

I wasn't sure how serious this would turn out when compared to the original major rock operas, but over the listen it built itself up. There is a constant and important narration that reflects the story through a few different songs, and the music is written with appropriate emotion. This album is at its' best when attention is paid to the lyrics and the various subjects they talk about. My favorite being the section on people from Alabama, most specifically George Wallace. It's not Tommy or the Wall, but an interesting result of their effect in rural America

Undoubtedly influential in Punk across the world, the Ramones, hailing from the Queens, are an important piece of musical history. With catchy chord powered thumping, the lads discuss a surprisingly wide array of social issues and influences. The album grows old rather quickly, but at least I didn't listen to the extended edition. A lot of the songs are better looked at individually for their breakdowns than trying to pull something from the album in its' entirety. 2.5/5

Angels in the Architecture Using his massive recognition, Paul Simon readily showed the world what African music was all about, even during a cultural boycott. Some highly recognizable pop hits mixed with unexpected genres really make this album stick out as a commercial and cultural success

Early Bee Gees really hits different. I didn't expect every song on the album to be a ballad, but because of this listen I learned that they were the original English harmonic family. All three of them are brothers! An interesting development that they moved from this to the disco era with such force, but this was there gateway to that level

Four songs is all that was needed. I think the long form allows for even deeper expression in an album that began to point Soul towards popular music in the 70's. The storytelling and emotion captured from Isaac's playing and singing really made this album captivating

It's impossible to separate this album sung by a 17 year old from everything that happened since, but this is how you become Pop Royalty. Captures some of the R&B and even punk tones of the era in certain songs, as well as went on to shape pop music around the world in a complex way. I was 3 when this came out, but doing the research and trying to be objective this time: this shit slaps. Soda Pop was an unexpected gem. Worthy of its' accolades and a defining moment in music and cultural history as we shifted into the early 2000's

A definitive progressor of rock music, Duran Duran helped push rock into its' next steps in the 80's using creative sounds and instruments over driven progressions. Performances may be under appreciated, may be worth going back and watching the music videos that started the MTV revolution

Good old family fun. Some big instrumentals and a lot of personality is exactly what you'd expect from Sly & the Family Stone. Biggest surprise to me was that this album came out in the 69 as their 4th album

You can hear the recovery from creative pause in the music, especially emphasized by the atmospheric sounds conjured by the producer Bob didn't even like. It's aching, it's recovering, it's trying to see something new after decades of notoriety. I don't think it reaches the scope of some of his other releases, but its' relevance in one of the most important catalogues of music really makes it stand out

The intertwining of styles between jazz, fusion, rock, hip-hop... made this album and the Beastie Boys a lot more than I set them up to be. I'm not sure I thought of them distinctly as a hip-hop group vs early hard rock, but this is how you inspire a lot of the rap-rock groups that would come within the next decade following this album. Sabotage is an instant classic, but the instrumentals on the album have a lot of weight

Muddy Waters, Grandfather of Modern Music, on a lovely July night. It's the first live Blues album AND they had to convince the cops to let them have the show because drunk people got too rowdy and were teargassed at the site before at Ray Charles. Legendary

The original vibe rap. Not here to start fights or drop rhymes about killing each other, but for making art and complexities of living. A peaceful revolution and development in music. Distinctive sample choices. A generational staple for anyone who enjoys Hip-hop

Preceded the listen with The Chase, Janelle Monae made something really special with her 3 Suites. It pulls from the Afrofuturistic roots of artists like Sun Ra and translates it to a modern era while still capturing the political importance of it all. The songs are widely varied and it keeps you paying attention. I was delightfully surprised with this, and excited to give it another listen. A Popera

One of the ultimate heavy metal albums. Didn't quite realize all these Iron Maiden songs I knew all came from this one album. A wild pivot with a new vocalist over the original band. Powerful sounds and poignant lyrics

I totally forgot a big part of what makes this album great is Duane Allman's slide guitar. A reminder of just how much emotion some of the early rockstars were able to conjure sonically. Many excellent songs with their influence shown from cover renditions on the album itself. I would've stayed with George Harrison though

Interesting to think that this is the first blend of country and punk, while still carrying some distinct 80's British tone. It's odd and doesn't quite sit well after one listen, but there's a lot of rawness displayed in an appreciable way

Stellar funk album. It's a crime there's not more documentation on it in Wikipedia or the ability to play the whole album on Spotify. I'll probably look for this one on Vinyl I guess. 4.5/5

One of the most influential and iconic albums in modern music. A well rounded blend of folk and hard rock showcasing Led Zeppelin's peak of musical development. Always good

Glam Metal is good, and it's interesting to listen to this and think about its' reverberations into the world. A shame about Razzle their drummer, the band had so much potential with this album, but this album still stands as a big success.

I don't know if I can cede the #1 all time spot to this, but this is a damn perfect album. The way it approaches conflict, the issues it chooses to bring up, and how it centers itself on love and understanding have reverberated through generations of listeners. This is the soul equivalent to Zepp IV

I'd always wondered how Bjork got her start in music and now I have my answer. This album clearly was inspiring for bands like the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Paramore, and Florence and the Machine fusing upbeat sounds with dark content. In a way, one of the original pop-punk albums

I was impressed from one end to the other. I never really gave Moby much of a chance, but this was a great electronic album. The way he sampled and produced, on top of this potentially being written to be his final album, gave the album a lot of weight and engagement throughout the listen. Great sunny day album

I don't know if there was one song I knew well on this album before starting. It's hard to follow up an album like Born to Run with anything, but this does a good job. It's almost as if the characters from those stories made their way out of Jersey and into the world after school and faced more wide ranging adult issues. Though it misses the peaks and valleys of some of his other work, it is undeniably Bruce 3.75/5

A good early art album and an enjoyable listen, but it failed to reach the emotional peaks and variations that other of its' contemporaries (Dark Side or Tommy) hit that make those albums so impactful. It places the themes behind the music as opposed to integrating them. Worth another listen to hear what they have to say

Pulled a lot from various points of English music throughout history with her own unique twist. Most notably accenting traditional folk music and some of the more recent indie music from the aughts, it was an interesting look into a new artist. I'm excited to hear her other album on this list

Another album that relies on traditional English music but timed just after the British Invasion. Their use of traditional instrumentation and even some fantasy themed songs mark this as a classic folk album

I'm shocked to learn that neither Black Magic Woman nor Oye Como Va are Santana originals, instead coming from Fleetwood Mac and Tito Puente respectively. Santana's first #1 US record release, and on a larger scale, one of the earliest modern musicians to bring Latin music into a popular space. Even if the songs are not all originals, this album drips with charisma and is presented excellently

1973: A great year for music. A sprawling return to greatness for Paul full of eccentric yet driven tones and shifts. Recorded by just three people, Paul really carried the weight of the band on this album and did not disappoint.

Ethereal and sometimes hard to digest, Grizzly Bear put a lot of thought into how this album is presented. Everyone knows Two Weeks for its soaring warmth and positivity, but a lot of the other songs illicit feelings of cold and confusion. A unique style that is not always my favorite, but is worth revisiting

Absolutely captured the identity of sitting in a cafe or bar on the street of many countries through language and style variation. A great album for exploring

This album is a notable step from Bringing It All Back Home thanks to the boys from the Hawks and shows Bob's movement towards the sound he would cultivate in the late 60's and 70's. Always poetic and well spoken, I was not as familiar with this one, but glad to get the chance to listen to one of the early modern double albums

One of, if not the most essential Western albums of all time. El Paso and Big Iron are still icons after 60 years, and hearing the full album made me certain of that. He's got the voice, he nails the emotion, and he recorded this album in EIGHT HOURS. Marty Robins and his backing band absolutely knew what they were going for, and captured a legend

A good early Rolling Stones album. Focuses a lot more on some late 60's US experiences they had and those kinds of music styles as well as the tragedy of Brian Jones. Not one of my favorites, but if you try some times, you get what you need.

An interesting look into the Laurel Canyon scene in the late 60's and how that area was responsible for so much. A pre-cursor to CS&N (&Y) as well as Neil Young's solo career, a lot of the standard rhythms and styles of popular 50's and early 60's music comes through with distinct twang and psychedelia. The start of the tree branch towards folk rock

Brian Eno just made a whole lot more sense. An eclectic album featuring all different kinds of tones and styles that pushed rock and pop music into new frontiers. Some of the choices I liked and some I didn't, but you can't always like every part of change

I went into this thinking: great, another Brian Eno album, but against what I though were all of the odds, I really enjoyed it. This album is creative, diverse, features tons of great guest musicians, and almost acts as a revue of some of the more notable acts at the time (Bowie, Talking Heads, etc.). A blend of Roxy Music and Ambient work.

I wasn't sure what to expect out of Wyclef and Ms. Lauryn, but this album genuinely sounded like kids having fun with R&B and Rap. Always hard to assume what you do is visionary, but this helped push rap further into the vibe category and away from the original Gangsta attitude it had associated with it. A phenomenal cover and lots of notable originals

A genre defining album for Indie Rock, laden with lush soundscapes and drama. Lots of lyrics about change, curiosity about feelings, and growing up hit me at just the right time when I got my hands on this. Such a strong start to their career, it's a shame they couldn't sustain it forever

Creators of 2 Tone Records??? Clearly an important influence in the second wave of ska, but also some of the originators of its' political subject matter and variance in styles. It's everything from raw jazz band to almost electric sounding triphop. Lots of diversity amongst the quarreling band members caused this album to really stand out, showing that chances sometimes really do pay off

Go off short king. Due to Garfunkel's pulling out of the album, it sounds like a fusion between the duo and Simon's solo work: an introverted Paul Simon album. Though this album lacks the big splashes and drama, it is charming and captures different sides of Paul Simon. I didn't know any of the songs inherently and it was a fun opportunity for exploration

This is what Neo-Soul is all about. A lot of the original songs I had heard and was never able to identify again. IT'S SEXY, IT'S CLASSIC, IT IS A MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENT IN IT'S GENRE

King Louis!!! Though they focus most on his singing, attitude, and Italian Identity, he's also one hell of a trumpet player. Undeniably fun listen

An excellent example of how music can transcend barriers like language by inflecting the feelings of its' performers. I wish there was more specific info on the band and the album specifically, but understand they are in a unique situation. The album showcases the yearning and resentment of the implementation of Sharia Law and being evicted from their homes, but still has a tinge of hope to it. 'Desert Blues' is a good way to frame it, and the music is unique but still familiar

A big expansion for Electronic music in the early 90's, Orbital helps to pave the way for many future artists. Most notably focusing on both dance music and lush, full environments. I didn't love it, but it has a lot of value

Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers were the backbone of so much progress in the music scene, though even they couldn't have had an idea that Good Times would become the basis for for an entirely new genre of music: Rap. The instrumentation is so much more complex than I originally thought. I love that the Rhythm section is the core of the band from being session musicians together, and that they had so many musicians come in and guest or add on to their creation.

A good country album with some real determination and emotion in it. Merle really delivered, almost on accident since he didn't write the titular song. Captures the old western aesthetic with a bit more vulnerability than Marty

What a storyteller. Navigating through issues both personal and political, Tracy's original vision stays captivating as it pulls you in for just one more tale. Her discovery and initial challenges she faced leading up to this album really cemented its message. The music isn't always complicated, but the simple chords and multi-cultural influence of the drums provides excellent framework for Tracy's voice to shine as the main event.

I'm happy Blur chose to change their sound and influences to create something different. Similar to how Ratatat and LCD Soundsystem feed both into and out of Justice (I'm upping Justice's Cross [album 186] rating to 3.5), Pavement had a profound affect on Blur's sound as things got a bit looser and the band made some changes. Song 2 obviously stands out as one of those songs everyone knows but can't put a finger on. This definitely begins to bridge the original Blur content with what will eventually become the Gorillaz. 3.5

I didn't think that the album with a forlorn red-haired child would fit the description of pop-soul, but boy was I wrong. There was a lot of good variance to the album, while still having a lot of consciousness about who was performing the songs and what they wanted to say

Filled with drama, ABC were successful in their quest to combine the politicism of punk with the sophistication of disco. The whole album is filled with catchy gems and comes off like watching a play

It sounds exactly like I think of REM sounding like but a bit less refined. A solid debut to be sure. Review is a bit behind original listen

Now this is the REM that I know. Funny how I got two of their albums two days in a row. Certainly a bit more refined for their 5th album, they really focused in on their personal sound and the best ways to present it

Young Americans and FAME are such classics, it was good to finally listen to the whole album. A cool story about how Bowie hung out with John Lennon and began exploring more African-American musical influences. Though the album is defined by the bookends, it's still as meticulously crafted as much of Bowie's other work.

Sufjan Stevens is an Ed Hardy wearing fuck. That being said Illinoise deserves its' acclaim. It is an artistically crafted album that, in its' complexity, is able to conjure up real emotion. It's rich and lush, it's vulnerable, it's unsure of how or what it is and it makes it feel real

I'm not sure if I'm willing to say it is the best jazz album ever, but the line up says plenty. Its' focus on modal music can be tough to work through at times, but there is much to be appreciated and learned just 46 minutes. To this day a masterclass

This... sucked. Kid Rock is a spoiled white kid from Michigan who ran away from home to be tough. Important for rap rock and fusing country into the genre. Even Eminem thinks Kid Rock went way too far into the drugs, guns, and pimp lifestyle. It just feels ingenuine and too based on creating the image to make this sound

An undeniable piece of rock history. It did to modern music what L'Orfeo did for the Baroque period. Its' legacy has spawned everything from Ziggy Stardust and the Wall to American Idiot and the Archandroid. Though I have mixed feelings about the ending with the camp aspect reaching into the absurd, the opera covers such a wide range of emotions with a gripping story that it deserves its' praise. Highly suggest reading a synopsis first to make it easier to follow

Lots of really great music to be had in here. Feels like the hot summers growing up. Glad to have Beck bring the focus back to his sampling. There's a lot of cool styles that are brought into the album and melded together to form what I think of as his iconic style. Love that it's a group effort from Jack White on bass for Go It Alone to Elliot Smith's death being the inspiration of Broken Drum

Ironically dark and slow, Metallica made a big shift in the direction of metal with this one. Some of their most iconic tracks were born from this album and this is what I think of when I talk about their sound. They get so into the new style that it can be a bit dense, but if brooding, angry, and a little bit powerful is what you're feeling this is the album for you.

Lessons included, Ravi Shankar was the person to internationalize Indian music. The different scales and microtones used make the music feel more conversational than typical western music with lyrics. I doubt I'll regularly be putting on any of these songs but am very reverent of their impact

A main origin of Pop-Rock and clear predecessor of No Doubt, I was pleasantly surprised by most of this album. Not every song is perfect or the most catchy, but this was a clear start for a huge genre that began to emerge after

A few of big songs, but more so a return to the Blues core of the Doors. The band made themselves commit to their return and it paid off well

The most iconic song in 5/4 to ever exist along with an intro course to odd time signatures. This shit slaps, just some good jazz

A mishmosh of genres, I didn't think people were out here blending some of these so well. Leave it to Leonard Cohen and his cool demeanor and raspy voice to blend them together. A great layer of emotion and honesty is felt through the synths that comes off really clean

An album called Screamadelica by Primal Scream I assumed was definitely going to be a metal album, and was pleasantly surprised. What an honor to have won the first Mercury Prize. So many bands past and future can be heard in this and it's wild to think how this fallen to the wayside a bit itself while influencing so many

Not sure I ever put together that Emmylou Harris sang mostly covers for decades of her recording career. There's a healthy mix of country with some surprising 90's influence. She sings her heart out, in a way that showcases the pride of releasing her own music as such

Consistently overrated, Noel Gallagher thinks far too much of himself. Much of the album is rooted in simplicity, but is lauded for its' complexity. Don't Look Back In Anger is the only song I get any real enjoyment out of from the album, the rest has either been overplayed to ruin or just doesn't stand out. The album does get a lot of points for its' major contributions to Britpop and the densely loud indie sound that I personally love. By no means a bad album, but I wouldn't listen to it otherwise

Wild and free, Laurel Canyon really did an umber on its' main inhabitants. A level of self-expression and confidence to change the norm that is as mesmerizing as the songs on the album. Truly came into her own on this one

I don't think I would have previously defined this as the 'Jack White Piano album,' but when listening back again it certainly takes the center stage on most songs. Shows maturity compared to some of the White Stripes previous albums in both sound and lyrical content.3.5/5

It's not my favorite, but this showcases some of Steely Dan's best. The incessant perfectionism and use of scores of musicians is most apparent on an album like this. They did what they set out to do, and did it well

A great balance of genres between alt-90's and some classic Australian grunge sounds with a hint of pop

Really excellent sampling, a road map for what's to come. Has had a lot of influence on what I like, and includes a healthy amount of politics in the darkened tones of classic 90's hip hop

Capitalizing on the other soft but well-written solo female singers of the 90's, Fiona Apple gained (Tidal) waves of support early in her career. She creates very vivid emotions in her music to inspire feeling in the listener, and this much more harmonic approach fit my style a lot more

We are lucky to have George Harrison. Eric Clapton did not deserve him. Interesting to learn Derek and the Dominoes spawned from this recording project. His individuality from the Beatles really shines through here. The album is long, but easy to listen to in all of its' twists and turns.

This is a big step forward in West Coast Hip Hop after what NWA started. Still some gangsta lyrics, but balanced with some jokes and less serious topics. They had a good time with the album, and the beats especially helped mold the new sound

Great early synth-pop with some dark inflections that likely effected later electronic music

The influence from the White album is apparent throughout, resulting in a dynamic and varied Smith's album. A shame to see them go so soon, but a great final album from the Smiths.

1973: A great year for music. Genre defining Southern Rock. Half of the songs are only good, half are iconic landmarks.

Deeper and weirder than Court and Spark, the whole album is held together by Joni Mitchell just being herself. She can turn anything into a sprawling, encapsulating experience. A model for so many independent women in music down the road. Early indie music even

Sounded a lot more Primus-y than the origin of Midwest Emo I thought this would be. An important carrying on of the Minutemen's legacy

Southern Rock by way of European Dance music?? I don't know that I ever would've made that connection without reading about Billy Gibbons talking about it, but a very interesting combo. I don't love that they went behind the bass and drummers back and rerecorded their parts / subbed them in for machines. Easy listening made it their most widely successful album, though I don't know that it is their best

1973; A great year for music. How does one follow up one of the greatest albums ever made? Awash with new stardom, its' changes remind me of other English musicians retrospectives of their success as they tour through America for performances and inspiration (tranquility base, etc.) It's not as gripping as Ziggy and there are no distinct mind-blowing standouts, but it's still a great David Bowie album with a lot of interesting influence, especially on piano. 3.5/5

The Band took the core of every way music was diverging in the 60's and made one of the most homey sounds out of it. With inspiration from all over and having spent time as the Hawks before backing Dylan, they got to finally put themselves out to the world as their own group. I love that everything is recorded live. You can really hear the honesty and integrity of fellas just making something they had fun with and cared about

It's hard to compare this to other bands because Pavement truly came to define the American Indie genre. It's eccentrically captivating as the band sprinkles dissonance throughout harmonic sections. Went on to influence so many, and many levels beyond their direct line.

The kind of artistic stunt that I'm not surprised Bjork was actually able to pull off. It's got some great moments as well as some that are difficult to listen through, but an all vocal album that still sounds artistic and not like Glee or Pentatonix is a success

Incredible writing about serious topics. Shoutout to empowered women. The music is well written but simple, showcasing the lyrics and poetry. The structure is what makes this album stand out: incredibly vulnerable spoken word followed by songs expanding on those concepts. Easy to connect with and overwhelmingly honest

A bit dense at times, but important to the emerging loud electronic sound of the turn of the century. Good but gets a bit tiresome after a bit

Helping to define the lush alt sound and definably influenced by the success of Britpop, the Verve worked hard from a Storm in Heaven to achieve this level of success. I think they left a bit too much silence before the secret song, but always a treat to see it. Still find it hard to believe this is considered one of the BEST British albums but I feel the same about Good Morning Morning Glory Bittersweet symphony is far overplayed, but learning the sample is from an orchestral rolling stones cover is particularly cool.

RAW. An entertainer so enveloped in his love and passion of the music he's performing. Absolutely essential soul. An interesting inflection point on the movement of popular music to focus on and include African-American artists and their influences but still preventing them from presenting themselves as such.

I'd aim to classify this as folk over country. Excellent composition and integrity in the recordings, especially the interplay between Gillian and her longtime partner David Rawlins

The condescending NYC asshole of Lou Reed meets the musical detachment of Brian Eno by way of dance music???? LCD is not the most approachable group, especially for the dance genre, but there's so much complexity and personality behind it. Really relates to my NY roots. Finally starting to get it and their importance

It's the moody other brother of Oasis and Blur. Darker and a bit more punky than lush, it didn't capture the same interest from me. 2.5/5

Another amazing example of the talent of musicians in the late 50's having Sam Cooke's live album just last week. She nailed everything she set forth to do on the album: the highs, the lows, the jazz... and all while still relaxed like she's singing at home

Funny that they thought this album would flop in retrospect. A big stepping stone for the Temptations to branch out to share the variety of music with the world. Motown and R&B expanded into rock, jam, and beyond. Wish there was a remastered version

Fascinating to be able to hear The Smiths, Titus Andronicus, Oasis, and Neutral Milk Hotel within one artist. True commitment to Folk Punk earlier than I knew it existed. Smart, well written, and eccentrically charismatic, a very interesting listen. The bonus disc largely skippable, but is more of an extension to the original album release

Short and sweet. Gives some good insight to pop music before most of the list takes place and just get some nostalgic bops

An hour of stellar jazz piano. The Wiki goes into excellent detail on the style of his improvisation and riffing as well as some of the difficulties in getting the concert to run

What a huge and divisive swing from OK Computer. I included Amnesiac in the listen as the "hidden B-sides" of the album to emphasize how different of a project the band endeavored on at Thom's behest. It's odd to listen to, and not immediately appealing. Over time, it has come to be appreciated for its' importance to music as a whole and for several of its' distinct instruments, songwriting practices, and general oddness compared to what they could've made. Combined or separate neither crack my top 3 Radiohead albums, but it's an important part of the journey they take

Certainly a more approachable post-punk album than others, a surprising influence to indie and what would eventually be post-rock as well as other venues like Dance a la James Murphy. More important perspective

Crazy that in the early 70's, the Stones said "fuck it" and became tax exiles. What a different time to be alive. This album matters much more than I realized: it is both a return to some of the influences and genres that helped the Stones become who they are, but also followed Led Zeppelin in helping to bring more genres into the budding rock and roll. Some excellent songs and a fun double album

Love that it's actually a few different concerts pieced together with a lot of surrounding lore and circumstance career wise for Duke. One of the best sax solos I've ever heard and the sounds from Duke and those on and off the stage help add to the live feeling of the album. Really stellar Jazz and a riot to boot. Wonder what it was like to live back then

It captures all of the elements of Bob Marley: Spirituality, Justice, Sex, and a devotion to those around us. It just feels good.

I'm not sure I ever knew the original Foo Fighters was just a cover name for Dave Grohl with the band coming after the fact. I think it speaks a lot to me that these songs were recorded because of grief, but most were written while Kurt Cobain was still alive. There's certainly some distinct Nirvana influence as many others have pointed out, but I think it gives the album a matter of prominence as we all dealt with losing Cobain

Though the big hits failed to garner my attention, there was a lot of unique eastern influence heard especially through some of the odd instrumental songs that I really enjoyed. Helped bring diversity to the scene and influence other UK artists. Seems a good precursor to Noah and the Whale 2.5/5

An interesting proto-punk album of Americans out in Germany. A very unique album that shows the movements towards the Stooges taking off. The banjo and vocal melodies keep this one foot in the present while stepping towards the future with the its' unrefined energy and sounds.

INFLUENTIAL Warrants another listen, but is cited by so many bands (Beastie Boys, Nirvana, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rage Against the Machine, Clutch, Green Day, the Offspring, the Roots, Lamb of God, No Doubt...) for its' blend of hardcore punk with reggae, funk, and a host of other genres. Short and sweet at just over 30 minutes, an important study of reference material

EAST SIDE Wu-Tang emerged with the NYC renaissance and changed rap forever. Some of the oldest, most notable names in the game and listed by countless as a major influence: it's the style for me. The counterplay between all of their unique styles and sounds, all while sounding like you're hanging out with them cracking jokes about pop culture and shitting on each other

The first all originals Beatles album. Really showcases their roots and how they garnered the popularity that allowed them to set the stage for the modern era of music. The sounds, the film, the pageantry... it was ready to begin

A lush Indie / Britpop gem The emotion comes through so clear and honest and had the entire musical development of the 90's to help push it towards something special. To be considered with Oasis and the Verve

A nice blend of punk into the classic 80's style. Nothing particularly grabbed my attention but not a bad listen. 2.5/5

Smooth as can be, the King walks us through a great short set of the Blues. I enjoy how casual it is with some of the songs being linked by stories and letting the band keep playing as BB spoke directly to the audience. His voice hasn't aged much here and that makes it sound a bit odd to me, but still all of the same emotion and pride you'd expect from the man

A Swan Song for the band. It's wild that they split ways before the release of the album, but I respect the integrity of the move. What was left was a quirky, playful album reminiscent of the Beatles and other early English bands (used same studio and Mellotron as Sgt. Pepper) but also helped to gently shape the Laurel Canyon sound as it emerged halfway across the world

Though the lyrics decry the complications of American society, the sound of this album resonated with so many that it incidentally created patriotic fervor and to this day is still used incorrectly. I think seven singles is a bit much, but this new sound of music gave way for so many to shine in "Heartland Rock." The music is classic Springsteen: simple, but so full of emotion you can't help but get pulled in as the snare hits on 2 and 4 under a bright melodic line. It incorporates modern 80's instrumentation with all that Springsteen has learned in his career thus far to launch him into an American Icon

Seminal doesn't even begin to cover it. This album broke through generations by helping bring about funk in the 70's G-rap and other styles in the 80's / 90's, and is still one of the most sampled pieces of art to exist. From the burgeoning solo of the title track through the heavily political Armageddon, there's so much to unpack in 37 minutes. Not always easy, but always good

Bringing techno to the scene, English musicians are almost always a step ahead it seems. It's a double album so it does stretch on for a bit at times, but a continued shift and evolution of music towards the future

Great Jazz. Always interesting to hear influences rebounding and influencing others Like Ellington to Ibrahim and learn what certain music means to some: Manenberg / Apartheid

Certainly not the "best" Beatles album, but the bridge between their two distinctive periods. Even more defined by the fact that the Beatles stopped touring, allowing them to focus fully on recording and innovating in the music space. By treating this as the bridge, we are able to see society step over the previous walls of pop music and see what potential music had to offer them. Undoubtedly these techniques have been copied into both digital and analog effects and modern practices. 3.5/5

I'd relate this more to hardstyle than necessarily metal, but definitely an important blend of upbeat electronic music and more intense music. Strongly reminiscent of the late 90's, good to learn it's the first. Excellent cover art

Diverse but cohesive sound, a good 90's fusion of genres. Lots of personality comes through the music. Not revelatory, but a good listen

Classic Amy. Great to learn more of her original story and check out her debut. Easy to see how she evolved into the superstar she became

Simple, honest, vulnerable, emotional... the perfectionist in me sees the perfectionist in him. Four albums in one year at age 22 as a solo artist is a wild feat. It makes sense that this is the album that broke through. Somehow both nostalgic and prescient at the same time

The Beatles make such excellent music for children. The variety is enough to teach while keeping interest and relating to higher themes that are learned later. Listening to this in its' entirety reminds me of that. The diversity is especially notable with the double album, as are the influences of both India and Yoko. Not the top 2, but an important step of the Beatles journey. Not every tack is perfect: many are great, but mom always used to skip Revolution 9

It's great power pop. I don't find it particularly relatable to my experience, but its' definitely an easy and energetic listen

Another album I thought I'd struggle through, but ended up enjoying. A good way to access and understand Marilyn Manson and company, though still not a casual listen 3.5/5 Funny enough, through the metal and politics, you can hear their influences in the original punk and metal bands, and in turn their sound went on to influence a massive amount of hard rock, indie, and various other future genres.

Hanging out with Neil Young up in the canyon? Count me in. It feels raw and emotional as intended. Not rehearsing too much and going in with the confidence and talent to accomplish this is great. There's something special about learning a group musically, and yo can hear that on this album, especially on the interplay of the guitars

Really good country. Pulls from the classics and makes it his own.

Interesting to learn more history including the Blue Velvets and Vision and the Golliwogs. John taking control on this album is a direct line to some of their greatest successes and some of their deepest issues. It sounds like CCR. Though they don't always have the most variety in the album, the performance they put into it always makes a pleasant listen.

A cacophony of sounds and styles, exactly what you'd expect for Jack White's solo debut. There's so much experience through all of his group until now that you can hear reflected here, but are expanded upon, altered, and made even more personal. Some of the best music historically has come from the blues. This is just a more modern example.

More than anything, this album is about TONE. Eric Clapton may be a dickbag, but his playing here crystalized the style of solo and tone that should accompany the new shifting era from Blues to Rock. Though the album is built around his playing, I find some of the best segments to be without him

It's light, it's fun, it's theatrical... It's campy? A lot of focus on lushing up the backgrounds to swim through the various moods and settings under Scott's almost country sounding voice. A great listen through for dynamic background and fun themes

Americana at its' heart: The more I listen, the more I see the Band along with Bobby D and the Laurel Canyon musicians leading a counter movement to the massive wave of English rock and pop. Instead of sharpness, the music sprawls in a way similar to the Beatles late work, but with artistic integrity, cooperation, and the ability to be played live.

The infusion of more complex chords, rhythms, and depth to punk brought about so much development and genres breaking out. A big step that while some of the biggest punks are getting notoriety for their way, that they changed the formula to mixed reviews. Worth a re-listen, 3.5/5

Brass Monkey has more significance to this guy than entire genres of music. Its silly, but true. I can't say I want to listen to the Beastie Boys most of the time, but they did change the direction of music and changed the rules for rap and rock music. Plus they're really so NSYNC with one another it went on to influence other genres.

Great 70's English punk. Informed enough by their predecessors to really key in on their own sound, but too late to reach the acclaim of doing it first. Another album that never got quite the attention it deserved, and it's historical notes reflect that

Elliot Smith could've been a pop star, he just never wanted to be. There's a lot of power and subtlety in his writing that pulls you in and makes you feel what he's feeling. It's a good blend of his two main styles and again, is massively influential

It's deep, it's dark, it's complicated, it's... over-produced. Kelela is listed as "Executive Produce" on the album, but is not referenced anywhere else findable at this time as a producer. Wikipedia lists her as a Singer. Every song on the album has an average of two additional writers and two separate producers and in such, takes away any sense of honesty in the album. As a whole, I'm interested to listen again. Whether to hear more of the lyrics or try to experience the more of the overall feeling that Kelela and company put forward, A big step for R&B towards the future, but loses some of what makes R&B great as a genre

A lovely red with notes of Maggot Brain and Metallica along with an infusion of California nonsense. Legs for days. This is when they became the Chili Peppers we all know and love. A great blend of emotionality, levity, hard style and soft development. Maybe didn't need to be a double album, but it's got a lot of good qualities

You can hear the joy in his voice and his songs. Beyond his normal bravado, the man was so happy to get to do something he wanted to do after years. The Memphis band really added that saccharine quality along with the melismatic orchestrations that just sticks the songs in your head and keeps you coming back

Two albums for the price of one. Speakerboxxx is definably a better album. Both have great flow and theming and maybe it wasn't fair to Andre that he had to go after Big's whole album. That said, putting Hey Ya directly into Roses is a big statement

Oh, it's hard alright. Excellent examples of thrash metal and breaking into their own sound after they finally broke through. At points it's almost too much, but its definitely got power

Hell yeah Having just gotten back from Germany and listened to Queen's Sheer Heart Attack right before helped me really get into the album. Am I ever generally reaching for industrial music? No. But if I need this, I know it's there.

Reading about their transition from prog rock to their more pop-focused classic sound, I really need to listen to Queen II. This is the footsteps of their temple. Their sound has been forged and changed through all of their struggle to put out this album. Their next album, A Night at the Opera, will send them directly to the top