God, can she sing! At its best, this album offered moments of rawness, emotion and soulfulness reminiscent of Amy Winehouse...a pleasant surprise. But, all in all, the music is too mainstream, conventional, and unchallenging for this listener.
I know nothing about hip hop or rap...it's history, evolution, east vs. west., etc.
I've never listened to a full rap/hip hop album.
I have never heard of Gang Starr.
That said, here's what I can say...
I'm glad I discovered this album. Smooth, jazzy, funky, chill, relaxed vibe. Loved the basslines. Loved the samples. Delivery was more understated/uninspired than I expected, but maybe that helps create the relaxed vibe. Idk. I just know I enjoyed the ride, will work this into my regular playlists and will be seeking out more rap/hip hop in the future.
Isn't this the reason for joining this site? Curiousity, discover, and expansion of musical palate?
Happy I joined. Enjoying the experience.
Enjoyed every track, but faves were:
Step in the arena
Lovesick
Just to get a rap (yes to the bassline!)
3.5/5.0
A breathtaking masterpiece! Utterly perfect.
I've listened to this THOUSANDS of times and, still, something stirs deep inside of me with each listen.
Every track is a stand-alone achievement in its own right, but collectively, the cumulative product is just breathtaking.
A collage of genres (gospel, blues, soul, hip hip, club dance beats, ambient haze), with samples taken from across a stunning range of time and space and artist, all woven together so well that they seem they were performed to be in this mix when these samples were originally recorded years ago. It's really an amazing achievement.
The result is a sprawling stew of emotions that makes up all that we feel as humans...joy, elation, melancholy, despair, sensuality, determination, reflection....it's all in there. See for yourself.
I've listened to this so many times and experienced it so deeply that it has truly become the soundtrack of my life...a soundtrack of all that we collectively experience.
A perfect 10 out of 10!
Please give me early Elvis! The hungry, innovative, inspired, edgy, bluesy Elvis. The Sun Records Elvis. I can listen to THAT all day long!
Not this!
Uninspired, bloated, saccharine, sappy...those God-awful, elevator-music strings...mind-numbing horns....Hollywood orchestra chorus. I'm sorry, but this is just vapid and insipid....the beginnings of Elvis's eventual movement towards the sad parody of himself that he would ultimately become at the end.
Don't despair, though....go listen to the good stuff. There's plenty of it!
This is NOT it.
1/5
Was excited that this popped up in the queue since I have a developing interest in rap/hip hop and I understand RUN-DMC's importance as a seminal artist in all that followed...and I'd never actually listened to one of their albums...
But geez, it seems so simplistic, repetitive and dated! For me, that was the true surprise.
I appreciate they laid a groundwork for a new genre, and for that reason I'm glad I listened....but really not much to listen to by today's standards.
Out of respect for it's role in pioneering a genre, I'll give this a 2 instead of a 1.
I really wanted (and expected) to like it. Not to be. But thanks for the history lesson.
Atmospheric, hazy, distant, bluesy, bourbon-soaked, leathery, brooding, reflective, moody....and utterly perfect. It's all about the mood. It's film noir meets whiskey bar.
Most surprising is how Dylan's vocals, steeped in the gravel of age, wisdom, and mortality, are an actual STRENGTH on this album.....unlike in his early work where I feel like I have to "tolerate" his voice to get at his songwriting. Not here....the deep, aged, wizened, grittiness only adds strength and character to the sound and punctuates the mood of the entire album.
Never heard this before and am so glad I found it. Will be seeking out more Dylan of this era.
Best tracks: Love sick, Million miles, Not dark yet, Highlands.
4.5/5.0
Wow! A sprawling, funky, fun masterpiece.
Yes, it goes on forever....but it's never repetitive, always exciting, challenging, and different. It's like walking through a funhouse and you never know what's around that next turn.
Loved the journey...interludes and all.
Favorite tracks:
Ms. Jackson
So Fresh, So Clean
I'll Call B4 I Cum
B.O.B.
4.5/5.0
Kraftwerk is a true pioneer of electronica/ambient and Autobahn was my introduction to them. I prefer their later work (Man Machine, Trans-Europe Express, Electric Cafe), in which they developed more energy and sonic exploration and has more of a dance/club vibe...but this first album should be heard, if for no other reason, for the classic track Autobahn. My favorite part of this album, though, was revealed after repeated listens and is Kometenmelodie 2....the more subdued track that precedes it (Kometenmelodie 1) creates a need for an emotional, musical release, which is delivered in part 2....particularly at the end....so stay with the track for that. Nice payoff.
3.8/5.0
I like Elvis Costello and his unmistakably unique sound, sneer and quirky cadence...but I found this album unremarkable. Yes, it's clearly Elvis and you'll get your fix of him...but nothing stands out for repeated listens. If you want the best Elvis you'll need to go to his first three albums (My Aim is True, This Year's Model, Armed Forces). Now THOSE are truly special!
2.7/5.0
What a great Christmas album! The 60's Wall of Sound arrives just in time for the holidays! All tracks are great (except Spector's creepy Silent Night wish, of course...insert eye roll emoji here), but that Darlene Love is truly special, isn't she?
I didn't know this album existed, so thank you, 1001albums, for the gift.
A great way to add depth, diversity and punctuation to your Christmas mix, which can tend to grow stale with the same old same old if you let it. It will be prominent in my Christmas mix for this year and many years to come.
Merry Christmas, all!
What a great album!
Smooth, funky, danceable, emotionally-charged beats that masterfully chronicle (with effective use of news samples interspersed) racial injustice in this country. Timely in its release right after the Rodney King tragedy 30 years ago, it's actually a sad social commentary that it is still as fitting as ever in today's times.
As for the music itself...
"When Will They Shoot" is a strong opening track and an instant addition to my playlist...that repetitive backbeat is catchy, hypnotic and has an almost Middle Eastern quality to it. Love the fusion of genres.
The "I'm Scared" insert is a good example of the audio samples being used to chronicle the themes and messages of the music. Well done.
"Wicked" and "Now I Gotta Wetcha" feel like I've walked into the best dance party ever, right at the peak of its energy.
"Check Yo Self" is the highlight of the album and has also made it to my playlist.
Love the Steely Dan sample in "Don't Trust 'Em."
"Integration" is another good use of audio samples that complement the music and message.
Only so-so track is "Gangsta's Fairytale"....felt like filler to me. The rest is outstanding.
Side note: Artist's prerogative, of course, but I wish the passioned and effective chronicling and commentary on racial injustice and police brutality were not coupled with repeated themes of misogyny, homophobia, and gangsta bravado, which serve to dilute and tarnish the otherwise effective message in this great work.
When he's singing at a higher register he sounds like Bowie or Elvis Costello and I start to get hooked...but then he puts out that smarmy creeper affect (I Spy is particularly uncomfortable) and it just kills an otherwise listenable (though mostly forgettable) album.
Sounds good enough...but other than Common People there's just nothing hooky or compelling or interesting here to bring me back for future listens.
Best tracks:
Common People
Sorted for E's & Wizz
Monday Morning
This album couldn't sound more 80s if it tried...and not in a good way. All the cliches of the era...cold, emotionless vocals, overproduced, excessive synths. Endless, boring, and repetitive.
Truly awful and uninspiring.
I'm 32 albums in and this was the worst experience to date.
I like the experiment soundscapes and spacy vibes, but there are not enough hooks or emotions here to connect to. It always feels like they're building towards something that's really gonna groove...but it never quite gets there. So it's more "interesting" than it is enjoyable.
"Waiting for Superman" is great, playlist-worthy track.
Sugary, retro 80s synth pop.
Some catchy hooks, for sure, but rather vapid and unremarkable on the whole.
High energy, but not much thought or depth for repeated listens.
If music were drinks this is a vodka and Red Bull.
Best track is the opener.
Pop is not my preferred genre, so let me admit I've never listened to a Taylor Swift song in its entirety prior to this.
Here's the take from my virgin ears...
She's a talented storyteller and lyricist, has a great voice, and creates melodic, soothing sounds. Not enough diversity of song structures and/or instrumentation to hold my attention for active or repeated listening. Sounds like more of a background album for me (if at all).
That said, I really liked two tracks...
"champagne problems" is hauntingly beautiful and will work its way into one of my playlists.
"no body, no crime" has an indie sensibility and a bit more edge, which I enjoy. Wish she did more of this kind of stuff.
A remarkable piece of art, music, and storytelling. Such smooth sounds and beats throughout, and should be listened to in its entirety
I just wish I didn't have to hear "nigga," "pussy," "bitch," and Kendrick sing about his dick every 3 and 1/2 seconds.
I get it that it comes with the hip hop territory, but it prevents the more frequent air play I would otherwise give it.
Amazing follow up to Nevermind, and every bit as good...maybe even better. Darker, edgier, more personal, at times primal.
Everyone knows Heart Shaped Box, Pennyroyal Tea, and All Apologies (maybe Nirvana's best track, along with Smells Like Teen Spirit)....but, hell, I didn't realized EVERY track on here is perfect.
Do yourself a favor and listen to this while reading the lyrics and soak it all in. You will find Cobain baring his soul to us. Trapped, confined, and alienated in his newfound celebrity, angst-ridden and unable to reconcile his sudden success with his apparently self-loathing identity (this was his last release prior to his tragic suicide), it feels almost voyeuristic and intrusive to witness his raw emotion and honesty.
Such a shame that he left us so soon...In Utero is proof that Nirvana was only beginning to hit its stride musically and had so much more to offer.
What a loss!
And what a moving experience!
A creative, surprising fusion of trip hop, acid jazz, club beats, electronica, and ambient, this is a remarkable, surprising, genre-bending, work that has instantly caught my attention (listened through twice) and will become a favorite repeat listen. Cool funky beats and sounds throughout. Compositions are varied and no two tracks are alike, so listening in its entirety is a fun, adventurous journey. Perfect for a trippy headphone experience, but also would make a great background soundtrack for driving, working out, or just hanging out and chilling with friends.
Never heard of Red Snapper before this but will definitely be dipping into their catalogue as a result of this discovery.
25 albums into this project, this is my first true "find" on this list...precisely why I signed up. Keep them coming! Great stuff!
60s Psychedelia, garage sound, fuzzy baselines, gravelly vocals, and the coolest freakin' guitar throughout....just a really fun ride!
Highlights...
Don't understand how "I Had Too Much to Dream (Last Night)" didn't become a hit (or stay one as a representation of the ear).
Love the second half of "Train for Tomorrow"
The blues guitar licks on "Luvin"
The middle eastern influence on "Sold to the Highest Bidder"
"Quarter to Nine" and "Toonerville Trolley" are fun, lighthearted diversions that complement the album
Also, you'll hear hints of Beatles, Stones, Beach Boys and Doors influence throughout.
Great discovery! 4 stars
All I hear is hate, rage, and anger. Not for me.
Drums were awesome throughout.
Bluesy Doors = Best Doors
And this is their bluesiest.
Best tracks (in order of personal preference):
Peace Frog - doesn't get as much airplay as their most famous classics, but it's as good as any of them. This is the Doors signature sound, at their best. Funky beat, driving keyboards, and shamanistic Morrison rapping vocals. Love that guitar solo too.
Roadhouse Blues - awesome, high energy, blues rocker. And one of the best album openers anywhere. A classic.
Maggie M'Gill - Powerful Morrison vocals, driving beat, and awesome blues guitar.
Land Ho! - Love that bouncy bassline
The Spy - How cool is that bluesy guitar riff? And Morrison sounds great here too.
Waiting for the Sun and Indian Summer are more psychedelic tracks. Still good....just not bluesy and could fit better on other albums. (I believe I read somewhere that Indian Summer was written several years earlier, so that would make sense).
I'm not big on Blue Sunday or Ship of Fools, thus the 4 rating overall for an otherwise 5-star album.
Undeniably one of the greatest albums of all time from one of our most important and influential artists ever. Dylan is a poet and a genius.
I didn’t know Visions of Johanna until now. It’s instantly one of my new favorite Dylan tracks. Also love all the blues tracks here (Pledging my time, pill-box hat, temporary like Achilles, and Obviously five believers).
Thoroughly enjoyed immersing myself in every bit of this for the past couple hours (listened twice).
After reading all the 5 star reviews, I feel like Stevie Wonder at an art gallery.
What am I missing here?
Cool ambient background vibe, I guess, if you’re occupied by something else…but I was expecting more.
Never heard of this before, but I loved it!
Quirky, trippy, and it really rocks. All of the longer tracks are awesome jams, while the shorter tracks establish mood/vibe (admittedly not for everyone, but contribute to a unique listening experience). Especially like how the flute is worked into the longer jamming tracks.
It's long, so you gotta be in the mood...but if you are, you're in for a fun ride.
Best tracks: Orgone Accumulator, Brainstorm, Lord of the Light, Master of the Universe
Listenable throughout with lots of fun references to Southern culture, but nothing stands out musically in 90+ minutes.
Mediocre southern rock.
Cool funky jazz undertones throughout, fused with hip hop, funk, punk, rock, middle eastern tones, and even Tibetan throat chanting. Bold exploration and mixing of genres and varied instrumentation (hip hop rapping over a FLUTE, for chrissakes!) like no other album I've ever heard.
Love it all, but favorite tracks (in order in which they appear) are Sure Shot, Sabotage, Sabrosa, Flute Loop, Shambala, and Boddhisattva Vow.
Truly remarkable!
Truly an amazing work! From those iconic intro chords of the opening title track through the growing crescendo that closes out the final Wind-Up, each track perfectly complements what precedes and follows it and gives unity to the entire album even as it twists and turns its way through Rock, Prog, Metal, Folk, Blues, Renaissance, and Medieval elements...and then they throw in that kick-ass flute to boot!
What a badass album!
I don't know what this dude did to his guitar, but the sounds he has coming out of it are insanely cool and unique and are a highlight of every track.
And Siouxsie's vocals are arresting, haunting and beautiful. I can't look away.
Combine the two, along with those steady driving basslines, and I can listen all day (just played it through twice).
Although I'd heard of the band before, this is my first listen. And it looks like I have a new discography to explore.
Fave tracks: Arabian Nights, Monitor, Into the Light, Spellbound
4.5/5.0
I'm getting so damn sad sitting here thinking about the paralyzing trauma and anguish Brian Wilson must've languished in for years....(I mean, truly paralyzing artistically, psychologically and socially), and would love the storybook ending of a groundbreaking work ultimately being released 40 years later, as the "myth" of Smile's release suggests...but let's face it:
Other than Heroes and Villains (which is outstanding), this is really a collection of (albeit, mostly pleasing) soundscapes, snippets, ideas, and experiments that have not been fully executed and actualized into a cohesive album.
And the thought of admitting that makes me sad...because I really wanted the storybook ending.
Irritating vibrato and excessive orchestral instrumentation (those God-awful, elevator-music strings, in particular) plague an otherwise interesting collection of tracks.
Really liked the diversity of styles on side 2 (Whisper Whisper is the best song on the album and sounds like a Lennon/Beatles track). Also liked the ambition of the opening track, Odessa, though it gets tedious at times. Never Say Never Again is kinda catchy.
The rest is hard to listen to, though, and will prevent future visits.
Plenty of cool beats, samples, and hooks at the base of many of these tracks, but they’re inaccessible unless you’re ok with being subjected to lots of nonsense to get them. What nonsense? Intro to Method Man is Exhibit A, but it’s everywhere and prevents enjoying the otherwise cool beats.
Tearz is the best track, with only minimal nonsense in the intro.
"Smoke on the Water" is an iconic classic, but its' sharp edges have been eroded by time and excessive radio play and it sorta feels more like an impotent museum piece at this point. Groundbreaking in its day, though, and still a nostalgic listen.
For a band that is the precursor to heavy metal, the surprise for me here are those awesome keyboards/organ solos throughout. Check out what I mean on Highway Star, Pictures of Home, and Never Before. Nice guitar solos on these too.
The best discovery here is "Lazy," an awesome blues rock jam, replete with harmonica solo!
Overall, more enjoyable than I expected, but a 3.0 at best.
Help! I'm trapped in the 80s!
"Take on Me" is a classic. The rest is unlistenable. Epitome of a one-hit wonder.
Super cool EDM/techno club beats!
Every track rocks on its own, but also flows as one continues rave. Great soundtrack for parties, workouts, chores, long drives, tripping with a nice set of headphones, or just walking around feeling like you're in the Matrix.
These guys were ahead of their time and shaped much that followed.
Still feels fresh after 30 years.
If you like sex, this is a good album.
If you like music, not so much.
Polished and smooth, but also empty and soulless.
Smooth Operator is a great track, but the rest is boring and forgettable.
Sounds like bad karaoke night at the jazz lounge.
I like the lounge vibe, but these tracks are all about the vocals, and she’s not a good vocalist. Her range is limited, her style is abrupt rather than sultry, she has a weird cadence, and she seems to be searching for her notes.
Not sure how this makes the list or why it’s special.
Hard pass in a genre I normally enjoy.
He’s good at what he does, and he’s a great storyteller, but for me a little Bruce goes a long way.
Badlands, Prove It All Night, and Adam Raised a Cain are great…but the working class ballads gets old after a while.
Bold and exuberant. Rich, multi-layered orchestration. Unique and varied instrumentation (mandolins, flutes, strings, horns, and a goddam church pipe organ!). And it all rocks!
No one else sounds like Arcade Fire...(except when they're doing their Springsteen impersonation...see "Keep the Car Running" and "Antichrist Television Blues"...which are also great, btw).
Despite its dark lyrics and heavy subject matter, the album somehow maintains an anthemic, cathartic, and triumphant tone.
Every track is a keeper, but the best are:
Black Mirror
Intervention
Antichrist Television Blues
And that closer...."My Body Is a Cage" Holy f@ck!
What was THAT??!!
I think their stunning debut, Funeral, is superior...but this is a worthy follow up.
Unique, ambitious mixture of retro 60s sound, cinematic orchestration, spaghetti western jangly guitars, brit indie vocals, and strong use of strings and brass...it's a strange stew that creates a crazy-cool vibe throughout.
While mood/vibe is great...the songs themselves are forgettable.
3 overall because of ambitious attempt at doing something really special.
I think we just found the worst album on this list.
A reminder of what happens when you don't hug your kids.
Lou Reed is the shit! His ultra-cool, slick, streetwise, "I-could-give-a-fuck" detachment totally makes this album.
Walk on the Wild Side, with that sublime, iconic bassline, is arguably the coolest track ever recorded.
But every other song is a keeper, too....no skip tracks.
Vicious is a great opener.
Perfect Day's lyrics say it's a love song...but that foreboding sound says otherwise. You decide. Either way, you have to listen.
Other faves are: Hangin' Round, Make Up, and Satellite of Love. All have a strong Bowie feel.
And the caberet lounge tones of New York Telephone and, especially, Goodnight Ladies work well here and are the perfect way to close this masterpiece.
I can't believe I'd never heard this album before...it has instantly become one of my all-time favorites.
The moog/synth of "Superstition" just may be the coolest, funkiest thing ever put to tape. The most iconic song from a legendary artist. It's Funky Stevie at his all-time best.
Would have liked more of THAT Stevie on this album, but "Maybe Your Baby" is the only other funky offering here and, for me, was the greatest discovery on otherwise ballad-filled album.
I can listen to Funky Stevie all day long. But the rest of this album is Ballad Stevie, which (while pleasant and enjoyable) starts to wear thin after a while.
