313
Albums Rated
3.55
Average Rating
29%
Complete
776 albums remaining
Rating Distribution
How you rate albums
Rating Timeline
Average rating over time
Ratings by Decade
Which era do you prefer?
Activity by Day
When do you listen?
Taste Profile
1970s
Favorite Decade
Soul
Favorite Genre
other
Top Origin
Wordsmith
Rater Style ?
45
5-Star Albums
8
1-Star Albums
Taste Analysis
Genre Preferences
Ratings by genre
Origin Preferences
Ratings by country
Rating Style
You Love More Than Most
Albums you rated higher than global average
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faust IV | 5 | 2.78 | +2.22 |
| 69 Love Songs | 5 | 2.84 | +2.16 |
| For Your Pleasure | 5 | 2.98 | +2.02 |
| Floodland | 5 | 3.04 | +1.96 |
| Before And After Science | 5 | 3.09 | +1.91 |
| Sound Affects | 5 | 3.26 | +1.74 |
| Pretenders | 5 | 3.35 | +1.65 |
| Endtroducing..... | 5 | 3.36 | +1.64 |
| Home Is Where The Music Is | 5 | 3.36 | +1.64 |
| 2112 | 5 | 3.39 | +1.61 |
You Love Less Than Most
Albums you rated lower than global average
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Beauty | 1 | 3.24 | -2.24 |
| Wild Wood | 1 | 3.09 | -2.09 |
| The Last Of The True Believers | 1 | 2.95 | -1.95 |
| The Gilded Palace Of Sin | 1 | 2.93 | -1.93 |
| Grievous Angel | 1 | 2.86 | -1.86 |
| Yeezus | 1 | 2.77 | -1.77 |
| Graceland | 2 | 3.74 | -1.74 |
| Master Of Puppets | 2 | 3.73 | -1.73 |
| All Hope Is Gone | 1 | 2.7 | -1.7 |
| Ill Communication | 2 | 3.65 | -1.65 |
Artist Analysis
Favorite Artists
Artists with 2+ albums
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Led Zeppelin | 4 | 4.5 |
| Radiohead | 3 | 4.67 |
| Rush | 2 | 5 |
| The Velvet Underground | 2 | 5 |
| Stevie Wonder | 2 | 5 |
| Beatles | 4 | 4.25 |
| Simon & Garfunkel | 3 | 4.33 |
Controversial Artists
Artists you rate inconsistently
| Artist | Ratings |
|---|---|
| Pink Floyd | 5, 2, 5 |
5-Star Albums (45)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
The Dandy Warhols
4/5
I've heard a thousand bands that sound just like The Dandy Warhols. They sound like every Brit Pop band mixed with every 90's/2000's indie rock band. And yet, this album still sounds fresh and full of energy.
All I'd heard of The Dandy Warhols was Bohemian Like You, which is a fantastic song. It takes a LOT to give an album 5 stars on first listen, but this came verrrrrry close.
17 likes
Paul Simon
2/5
My opinion of this album MAY have been swayed by the fact that my subway was delayed for 25 minutes while I listened to it, but I found it to be incredibly grating. The production and sounded dated, the African-inspired instrumentation was cheesy at best and culturally appropriative at worst, and I found myself just generally annoyed while listening to this album.
7 likes
Rod Stewart
2/5
I have a hard time believing that this is anyone's favorite album. It's so incredibly middle-of-the-road, bland. Everything it does well, a thousand other artists have done better and more interesting. It's generic background music. It's fine, I guess.
4 likes
4/5
An album that sounds like a hot summer day in Brooklyn. Such a rich atmosphere of sounds.
4 likes
Devendra Banhart
4/5
Pretty good mid-2000's indie folk. Well produced, great vocals, though it doesn't push many boundaries. The first few songs are great, but the album does fade away and I found myself losing interest by the end.
1 likes
1-Star Albums (8)
All Ratings
Queen
4/5
Joy Division
5/5
Beatles
4/5
Incredible Bongo Band
3/5
DJ Shadow
5/5
Isaac Hayes
4/5
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
Slipknot
1/5
The Chemical Brothers
3/5
The Pogues
2/5
Radiohead
5/5
George Michael
3/5
The Sabres Of Paradise
2/5
Bobby Womack
4/5
Fleetwood Mac
5/5
Primal Scream
3/5
I can't figure out if I love or hate this. I’ll split the difference and give it three stars.
Big Brother & The Holding Company
4/5
I'd give five stars to Janis Joplin, though. Her voice is unbelievable on this album.
I wonder how many times Led Zeppelin listened to this record.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
2/5
I don’t really need to ever listen to a Res Hot Chili Peppers album. Their radio hits are decent, but this was pretty uninteresting.
Manu Chao
3/5
Not my type, but pretty okay to listen to.
Little Richard
3/5
I feel like listening to Little Richard in only a few instances:
1. At a Johnny Rockets
2. In a 50's period piece
3. In a class on the history of rock music.
He's definitely incredibly talented and influential, but this is pretty dated and I won't see myself listening to it again.
Eminem
3/5
Kinda fun but also kinda dated. Can definitely see how this took off.
Paul Simon
2/5
My opinion of this album MAY have been swayed by the fact that my subway was delayed for 25 minutes while I listened to it, but I found it to be incredibly grating. The production and sounded dated, the African-inspired instrumentation was cheesy at best and culturally appropriative at worst, and I found myself just generally annoyed while listening to this album.
Led Zeppelin
4/5
Pretty good. Not my favorite Zeppelin record, but still good.
The Cure
4/5
Love the atmosphere and the overwhelming sound. I couldn't listen to this at any time. But, playing this loud on a Friday night at home alone with a bottle of whiskey, that would be perfect.
Beastie Boys
2/5
The instrumentals were pretty good and entertaining, but I just find the vocals incredibly grating. They ruined the album for me.
Metallica
3/5
If I'm going to listen to Metallica, this is how I would. I'm not a big fan, but I can appreciate their talent and musicianship. A couple of songs are good, I just don't want to listen to this for over two hours.
Manic Street Preachers
4/5
This was actually really good! I'd never heard of this band or album before, but it was solid. Nothing immediately special on initial listen, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Nine Inch Nails
4/5
There's a lot in this album that's really great! And some that isn't my normal cup of tea. I probably have to be in the right mood to listen to the whole album again, but there are some great songs and moments on this album. It certainly captures a distinct mood that still stands out today.
Beatles
5/5
Abbey Road is The Beatles at their absolute best, with classic hit after classic hit. The back half does what the White Album was trying to do, and wraps everything up in a perfect coda with The End.
When you factor in critical acclaim, popularity, and lasting legacy, Abbey Road is probably the greatest classic rock album of all time, aside from maybe Dark Side of the Moon.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
3/5
Not my favorite Neil Young sound - this doesn't really do much for me. Some of it's pretty good, but most is pretty bland.
Spacemen 3
4/5
This is an album I'd listen to while in a taxi on the way to the airport early in the morning, staring longingly out the window, after I'd just made a big life decision to finally move out of my hometown and get a fresh start somewhere else. It's an album that creates great atmosphere, but this music would work much better as a movie soundtrack. This isn't something I want to actively listen to.
Michael Kiwanuka
4/5
Burning Spear
3/5
System Of A Down
2/5
It’s more enjoyable to listen to than most metal, for whatever that’s worth. But that’s like saying this spoiled chicken is well seasoned. Just not my taste at all.
Buzzcocks
4/5
Jeff Beck
4/5
Very good classic blues rock, with great instrumentation. If somebody put this record on, I'd say "oh cool."
Devendra Banhart
4/5
Pretty good mid-2000's indie folk. Well produced, great vocals, though it doesn't push many boundaries. The first few songs are great, but the album does fade away and I found myself losing interest by the end.
Billy Joel
5/5
One classic after another. It's Billy Joel at his best - these are massive hits for a reason.
The Waterboys
4/5
I have to admit I enjoyed this album may more than I expected. While it's not really my musical taste, the fiddle is a bit much, and the album goes on far too long, something about it touches some deep part of me. An alternate universe version of me is completely in love with this album, and some of that comes through in this universe too.
Faust
5/5
Albums like this are why I decided to listen to the 1001 Albums project. I wouldn't have found this on my own, but I'm glad I did. It was weird, forward-thinking, and constantly entertaining. I can imagine artists like Talking Heads, Brian Eno, and Devo listening to this incessantly.
Gorillaz
3/5
Never really been a fan of Gorillaz, they're just kinda boring and a bit annoying. This album is fine - I don't really want to listen to it again, but I wouldn't be upset if someone put this on.
The Beach Boys
2/5
I've already listened to too much Beach Boys in my life.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
Some good songs, largely pretty forgettable
The Charlatans
3/5
Pretty standard Britpop - it’s nothing I’ve never head before, but still a pretty decent listen.
Arcade Fire
5/5
Pretty much a perfect album. It’s classic indie rock, packed with emotion and catharsis, incredible songwriting, and inspired musicianship. This album will always make me feel like my heart is spilling out of my chest.
Tim Buckley
3/5
I enjoyed this more than I expected, but I still wouldn’t listen to it again. I much prefer his son
Isaac Hayes
4/5
Great listen, and an incredible atmosphere. One of the best albums by a Scientologist.
Muddy Waters
3/5
He's got his mojo working!
Eric Clapton
2/5
"I hate Eric Clapton, but it's sad that his baby died" - Phoebe Bridgers
Fairport Convention
2/5
The production and song-crafting was good, but it was pretty corny and boring.
The B-52's
4/5
In high school, my friend had a car that only played cassettes, so he went to the thrift store to pick up some old tapes. One of the ones he grabbed was this album. We drove around one day listening to it, cracking up at how completely ridiculous it was. But damn, if this album isn't fun as hell.
Grateful Dead
1/5
I'd never listened to the Grateful Dead before this album, and fingers crossed I never have to again. Yeah, yeah, I'm sure they're better live, but I'm not planning on finding out.
The Stone Roses
4/5
Some pretty great songs, some pretty okay, overall pretty good! I’d listen again
Common
4/5
I struggle to listen to lyrics sometimes, especially on a first listen, so I tend to mainly judge albums based on the sound/production/etc. It can be difficult to properly judge albums that are more lyrically-based, such as a lot of hip hop and folk. With that said, I really enjoyed a lot of this album. I loved the production and soundscape, and really enjoyed the jazz and funk influences.
New Order
3/5
A couple great songs - Love Vigilantes, Sunrise - surrounded by mostly average to decent 80's synth pop. I've heard better new wave.
Blondie
4/5
Just really good, solid pop punk (or is it punk pop?)
Dusty Springfield
4/5
Tremendous voice and great production, but this album goes on a bit too long.
The Who
4/5
Four of the best rock songs ever written, surrounding four songs that are just pretty good.
Morrissey
4/5
It sucks that Morrissey sucks, because his music doesn’t suck.
Barry Adamson
4/5
When I read "scored a David Lynch film" in Barry Adamson's bio, everything made sense. Delightfully creepy and weird.
Anthrax
2/5
Just not my thing. I can appreciate the musical prowess, though.
George Harrison
4/5
Pretty good! Not much that was truly outstanding, but nothing bad either. A decent listen.
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
2/5
American Girl is good, the rest is bland and grating. It’s like if Springsteen was worse in every single way - vocals, songwriting, instrumentation, etc.
Brian Eno
5/5
I’m more familiar with Eno the producer than the artist. But from this listen you can absolutely hear the incredible producing talent in his own work. A lot of Talking Heads, a lot of Bowie, and it is all great.
Eagles
3/5
I ended up enjoying this more than I expected. Hotel California is a classic song for a reason, but it's still overplayed. Probably the most boomer album I can think of.
Paul Simon
3/5
Mostly pretty milquetoast and forgettable. The second half is definitely more interesting and has a few pretty good songs, but I don’t need to go back and listen again.
Beck
4/5
Really good! Definitely one of Beck’s best albums. Some great songs on here, and no skips. Just a solid, really fun album all around.
Coldplay
4/5
It’s a bit odd revisiting Coldplay’s first album after seeing the direction their career went. You hear the Brit-pop and Radiohead influences. And hear how they would become the biggest “rock” band in the world. It’s been a while since they’ve made good music, it’s easy to forget that this album is just really solid. Several great songs, some others that sound a bit dated now.
The Jam
5/5
Totally unexpectedly great album! You can hear so many different influences in their sound. It’s like if the Beatles were punk.
Sinead O'Connor
3/5
Really enjoyed this album in the first half. It got a bit tedious by the end, and I was glad to be done listening.
The Adverts
3/5
Pretty good punk, but I’d have to be in the right mood, and it’s tough to listen to the whole thing in one sitting.
Electric Light Orchestra
4/5
Over-the-top, overly dramatic prog rock is right up my alley. This album tested the limits, and probably went slightly TOO over-the-top. Its instrumentation is a bit cheesy and dated now, but this album is a lot of fun.
The White Stripes
4/5
The White Stripes have always been one of those bands that I SHOULD really love, but they have never quite clicked for me. Elephant is good! Seven Nation Army is a classic! It just doesn't quite resonate with me like it does for a lot of people.
Paul McCartney
4/5
It sounds like an album of Beatles demos or unreleased tracks. McCartney is a legendary songwriter and can churn out incredible melodies with such ease. That's definitely the case here, but his worst songwriting tendencies are also at play here. The album lacks direction and polish, the finishing touch that made his songs with The Beatles so special. I spent most of the album waiting for Maybe I'm Amazed.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
4/5
This album has such distinct and unmistakable vibes. Reggae isn't typically my thing, but I really enjoyed this listen and would listen to this above any other reggae album I've heard so far.
Dr. Octagon
3/5
I don't really have much to say about this album. It's fine. Not bad, but not really remarkable.
ZZ Top
3/5
Doesn't really do much for me, and sounds pretty dated. It's fine.
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
4/5
Very good jazz album! A couple of songs that are classics for a reason. I love all of the influences you can hear, and I challenge you to listen to this if you think that jazz is boring.
The xx
2/5
It sounds like an album made by and for people falling asleep. The production and sound are pretty decent, but the songs, instrumentals, and especially the vocal performances are incredibly boring.
The Monkees
3/5
Pretty generic, inoffensive 60's pop rock. It is very much modeled after The Beatles and some of the melodies and harmonies are actually pretty good. There just wasn't much memorable about this album, and I don't think I'd revisit it.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
Gimme Shelter is a great song - probably my favorite Stones song. Other than that, it just doesn't do anything for me. You Can't Always Get What You Want just annoys me.
David Bowie
5/5
The title track alone would almost make this a 5 star album. The rest of the album is also full of great tracks like Beauty and the Beast, Joe the Lion, and The Secret Life of Arabia. The weakest tracks are still very good and worth listening to.
I'm not always in the mood for the ambient/experimental back half, but they are what make this album memorable and special (that and containing one of the greatest songs ever written).
Tears For Fears
4/5
Obviously the three massive hits - Shout, Everybody Wants to Rule the World, and Head Over Heals. Really, though, there's not a bad song on the album! It's probably the most 80's new-wave sounding album I've ever heard, and it's an enjoyable listen from front to back.
The Flying Burrito Brothers
1/5
Oh god. This was a chore to listen to. I didn't know what to expect based on the band name and album cover, but I wasn't anticipating anything good. That's just what I got - nothing good. I hope I never hear this music again.
4/5
An album that sounds like a hot summer day in Brooklyn. Such a rich atmosphere of sounds.
5/5
The Joshua Tree is as close to a perfect album as you can get. This album is U2 at their best - the enormous and grandiose sound is backed up by earnest and heartfelt emotions and incredible songwriting and musicianship.
From a band from Dublin no less, this album perfectly captures the American spirit - from the restless optimism to the inherent contradictions and deep rooted inequities that afflict us. It's the ideal road-trip album, and one I will love for the rest of my life.
The War On Drugs
4/5
Another album I wish I could give half stars to. It’s better than good, but not quite great. The driving, dreamy Dylanesque sound is wonderful, and there are some truly fantastic songs like Red Eyes, An Ocean in Between the Waves, and Burning. This album is just about fifteen minutes too long, and really drags at a few points.
The Zombies
4/5
Pretty good 60's psychedelic rock! I don't know if I'd listen again, but I enjoyed this.
The Jam
4/5
I didn't enjoy this one quite as much as Sound Affects, but I still added it to my library and will definitely listen again!
John Lee Hooker
2/5
Just didn't really do anything for me. It wasn't bad, just not my favorite.
Elliott Smith
4/5
I've listened to this album a few times before. It's one that I know I will have to sit with for a long time to fully appreciate - it's good background music but it's probably even better when you fully pay attention to the songwriting and the lyrics. I could definitely see myself wholeheartedly loving this album someday, but I just don't right now. Still good though.
Leonard Cohen
4/5
Cohen's voice on this album is the voice of eternal mythical being. Knowing that this album was released days before his death, produced by his son, makes this send-off all the more powerful. It's a difficult but hauntingly beautiful listen. "You Want it Darker" is one of those astonishingly great songs that most artists could only dream of writing.
It's incredible that this album came out the same year as Bowie's Blackstar.
Calexico
3/5
Some really good songs on here, and unique influences for mid-2000's indie rock, but largely this wasn't my cup of tea. I'd give it 3.5 stars if I could.
Big Star
2/5
Just didn't do anything for me. Pretty uninteresting and unremarkable.
Cowboy Junkies
3/5
The lead singer had a very nice voice, but this didn't really do anything for me. Very mellow - easy to fall asleep to.
Herbie Hancock
4/5
Fun, funky jazz. Love the bass work throughout the album.
Beatles
4/5
Very good early Beatles album! Some all-time classic pop songs, but still before the band's more interesting and memorable work.
Supergrass
4/5
I'd never heard Supergrass before this album, but it was pretty good! I really liked several of the songs, and could see myself listening again. It got a bit tedious to listen to - there wasn't enough variance in volume and intensity. It makes for an album best listened to in short bursts rather than all in one sitting.
Fun Lovin' Criminals
3/5
My initial expectation for this album was that I would absolutely hate it. It seemed like it would be specifically designed in a lab to irritate me. I expected 90's slacker/stoner rap with grating vocals combining the most annoying aspects of Red Hot Chili Peppers and Beastie Boys.
What I got, however, was not bad at all! It was still slacker/stoner rap with hints of RHCP, but it was well produced, relaxed but interesting grooves, and good vocals! It's still nothing I would listen to again, but it was at least decent.
CHIC
3/5
Le Freak has been stuck in my head for hours now. It's fun disco music, but not really anything I'd want to sit and listen to. I'd need a few drinks to really enjoy this.
Led Zeppelin
5/5
It's probably not my favorite Zeppelin record, but it's pretty fantastic. It just showcases what the band does best so well. Robert Plant's vocals are definitely the highlight of this album.
Nirvana
4/5
It's a classic album filled with iconic songs. For whatever reason, Nirvana has never really clicked with me though. I understand a lot of their appeal, but I don't fully GET it.
Nico
3/5
Nico has a terrific, one-of-a-kind voice. However, I much prefer her with The Velvet Underground. This album just lacks some of the energy, and while I really enjoy her voice for a couple of songs, it was tedious to listen to the whole thing.
Bob Dylan
5/5
I'm not the biggest Bob Dylan fan, but this is a fantastic album. Dylan's pivot to electric is widely praised and for good reason - this album is inspired and full of energy. It sounds fresh to this day. I totally understand why people can't stand his voice, but it works so well in this album.
Like a Rolling Stone is an all-timer for a reason, and Tombstone Blues is the other standout track for me.
Everything But The Girl
2/5
Made it through a couple of songs, but this managed to be both melodramatic and boring at the same time. Production was decent.
Santana
4/5
I had modest expectations going into this album. I've heard Black Magic Woman and Oye Como Va hundreds of times - they are decent songs, but I'm beyond tired of hearing them. The rest of the album took me by surprise. It was actually really good, and I thoroughly enjoyed each song! Santana is an incredible guitarist, and I'm glad I got to listen to more of him. I probably won't listen to this very often, if at all, but I'm glad I did once.
Jeff Buckley
5/5
Jeff Buckley is one of my all-time favorite vocalists. His voice just does whatever he wants it to do, effortlessly. An incredible combination of Nina Simone and Robert Plant.
This album packs such a wide range of emotion. Buckley's Hallelujah is probably the definitive version at this point, but it might not even be the best cover on the album, because Lilac Wine is also there. Grace is packed full of great songs with just a couple that are only pretty good. It's a shame we lost such a talent so young, but at least we have Grace.
The Notorious B.I.G.
3/5
Again, I don't really feel qualified to rate hip hop/rap albums, since I usually don't focus on lyrics for the first listen. I can see why this is a rap classic, with some great tracks and quality beats. Some songs seem to have aged poorly, lyrics-wise, and I didn't care for several of them. Decent listen, and an essential album if you live in Brooklyn, even if it's not my cup of tea.
U2
4/5
In U2's discography, War is the band at a crossroads. This album captures the raw energy from their early "punk" days right as they were transforming into the arena-rock behemoths they came to be. Sunday Bloody Sunday and New Year's Day are classics, but tracks like Two Hearts Beat as One or Like A Song... shouldn't be ignored either.
There are a few songs on War that I don't really care for. Yet another album I wish I could give 4.5 stars to. It's a great album, it just doesn't quite hit the heights of their follow-ups.
Pink Floyd
5/5
An absolute classic. Though it certainly isn't a pick-me-up, The Wall keeps your attention and takes you on a journey for all 26 songs. Obviously, Comfortably Numb is the magnum opus- it's one of the best songs ever written with probably the greatest guitar solo of all time.
The story of the album is one that has resonated especially well over the past several years, unfortunately. It's a story of how toxic masculinity, abysmal mental health care, and the cruelty of society and institutions, create generations of disassociated young men who isolate themselves from the world, self-medicate, and become susceptible to false-truths and conspiracies. It's one of the oldest tricks in the books - "Isn't this where we came in?"
Arctic Monkeys
5/5
Arctic Monkeys were one of the many mid-2000's guitar rock indie bands that were dubbed "saviors of rock." This album didn't save rock music, because rock music didn't need saving. It's just a great rock album from a great rock band, but rock music didn't dominate the airwaves like it once did.
This album sounds a lot like other mid-2000's indie guitar rock. But what sets it apart is the raw energy, and a bit of extra spice in the songwriting. A perfect example is at 1:40 in Fake Tales of San Francisco. It's far from my favorite song on the album, and starts off pretty tame and cookie-cutter. But at 1:40, the song shifts in an unexpected yet completely logical way, the energy builds, and it becomes something special. Moments like this keep this album feeling fresh to this day.
Soundgarden
3/5
I haven't listened to much Soundgarden, but was fairly skeptical going in. Black Hole Sun generally irritates me, and I didn't want to listen to an entire album of that sound. The rest of the album was...pretty good! I know that some people LOVE Soundgarden, but it didn't really grab me. I understand why people like them, but this is probably a one-time listen for me.
Gillian Welch
2/5
Pretty nice vocals and guitar work, and I can see why people would love this, but I do not.
LCD Soundsystem
5/5
This album is imperfect, but it's incredibly fun and the high highs more than make up for its imperfections. All My Friends is one of the best songs ever written - it packs about as much emotional drive and catharsis as you can fit in one song. The rest of the album is mostly great, with infectious grooves making up for the fact that some songs can get a bit repetitive. I just want to turn up the volume and keep listening anyway.
Bill Evans Trio
4/5
Gentle simplicity without losing energy is typically very difficult to pull off, but this album does it extremely well. It's calming and relaxing, and yet driving at the same time. I love the interplay between the bass and piano - they bounce off of eachother very well.
One of the other reviews mentioned that Bill Evans sounds like falling water, and I completely agree. This is an album for a rainy day in November, but you are feeling calm and motivated.
Dr. Dre
3/5
There were some things I enjoyed about this album - the production, the rapping, and several of the songs (Stranded on Death Row, particularly). There were some things I did not enjoy about this album - the length, the skits. Overall, I can see why it's a classic and the influence it had, but it's not my favorite.
Brian Eno
4/5
An album by Brian Eno and David Byrne sounds exactly what you would expect an album by Brian Eno and David Byrne to sound like.
Aimee Mann
3/5
First song was pretty good, but the rest were pretty meh and forgettable.
The Dandy Warhols
4/5
I've heard a thousand bands that sound just like The Dandy Warhols. They sound like every Brit Pop band mixed with every 90's/2000's indie rock band. And yet, this album still sounds fresh and full of energy.
All I'd heard of The Dandy Warhols was Bohemian Like You, which is a fantastic song. It takes a LOT to give an album 5 stars on first listen, but this came verrrrrry close.
Oasis
2/5
You can see what people love and hate about Oasis here. A couple decent tracks, but the vocals are nasally and grating and the songs are overblown and melodramatic. Ultimately this was a tiresome listen.
Metallica
2/5
I don't enjoy metal, but I enjoy Metallica more than most metal.
Elvis Presley
3/5
Music I enjoyed to listen to once. Elvis is fine, I guess. Don't really have a strong opinion about his music.
Peter Gabriel
4/5
Some of this sounds a bit cheesy and dated, but it's a fun listen!
Prefab Sprout
3/5
It’s fine, I guess. I don’t know, it’s hard to have a strong opinion on all 1001 albums.
Daft Punk
4/5
Great to listen to, but only in certain contexts! It's not an album that requires deep contemplative listening, but I'd love to hear this at a club.
Ray Charles
4/5
No surprise at all, Ray Charles has an incredible voice! Very pleasant and easy to listen to, but this album dragged on a bit too long, and no individual songs really stood out.
Deep Purple
4/5
An album from over 50 years ago that still sounds fresh and exciting! I hadn't heard any Deep Purple aside from Smoke on the Water, so I wasn't expecting much. You can definitely see how they influenced Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin. Just a lot of fun. Child in Time is the standout track for sure.
Kraftwerk
4/5
I feel obliged to like any album that influenced Bowie's Berlin trilogy. I have always meant to listen to Kraftwerk someday, so I'm glad that 1001 albums gave me the push I needed to sit down and listen to an album. It was basically exactly what I expected - weird, ambient, and made me question what music even is. I think I enjoyed it? I really don't know. Fun fun fun on the Autobahn.
Iron Maiden
3/5
There were some parts that I enjoyed and were pretty decent! Mostly didn’t do much for me though.
Rush
5/5
An absolute classic! About as good of a first half of a record as you can get. Just absolute incredible musicianship from the trio. Moving Pictures is Rush at their best.
Aerosmith
3/5
Pretty generic classic rock. Guitar and vocals were both excellent, but this didn't really do much for me.
Sarah Vaughan
4/5
Just really lovely to listen to, and oh so smooth. It makes me want to sit at a cabaret and down a bottle of wine.
Blood, Sweat & Tears
4/5
Genre is completely meaningless. Is this funk? Yes. Is it prog rock? Yes. Is it folk? Yes. Blues? Yes. Jazz? Yes. Ska? Also yes.
I really don't know what to think about this album - I'd need to listen a few times. There were parts that I really enjoyed (the vocals were great), and parts that I didn't enjoy. I think overall it was pretty good. I'd give it 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.
Death In Vegas
4/5
I actually really enjoyed this! Couldn’t listen to this all the time, but a few pretty great songs.
The Velvet Underground
5/5
It's not as groundbreaking as their first album, but damn if this still isn't excellent. It's The Velvet Underground much more subdued, but they do it so well. Candy Says and Pale Blue Eyes are each absolutely perfect songs.
Bob Dylan
4/5
Dylan definitely isn't my favorite. I can see why people love him, and I can see why people can't stand him. That being said, I did enjoy this album. I feel like it was hard to appreciate the lyrics on first listen, but the melodies were excellent and the singing was...mostly decent. There were definitely points where Dylan's inflections and flourishes detracted a lot from the music.
The Kinks
4/5
I've never heard an album that sounds so much like The Beatles before. It was pretty good!
Cyndi Lauper
3/5
Pretty decent 80's pop! Some classics on here, and it was fun to listen to the deeper cuts. A bit too repetitive in a couple songs though.
4/5
I'm not quite sure why The Kinks are often overlooked in classic rock. This album is better than anything I've ever heard from the Stones, and yet I'd never heard a single song before.
John Lennon
4/5
Imagine is a classic song for a reason, even if it's a bit overplayed. The rest of the album is pretty decent, but nothing else really grabbed me.
Norah Jones
2/5
She has a nice voice, but dear god is this album boring. Don't Know Why and Come Away With Me are the hits, but they have always been incredibly grating - an immediate skip or change the station.
Coldplay
4/5
A very good album, even if some of it is a bit dated. You can start to hear the transition from good Coldplay to bad Coldplay here, and some of the songs can be a bit overbearing. This is the album I associate most with listening to on an iPod.
Ananda Shankar
3/5
This album was pretty interesting. Not really a fan of a whole album of sitar, but that's probably just my western music - trained ear. A nice bit of variety from the typical 70's white man rock on this list.
Hugh Masekela
5/5
Really terrific jazz album. Great beats, fantastic melodies and riffs, and a ton going on. Could be great background music or something to really focus on.
Prince
5/5
It's Prince at his best. This album has not one, not two, but three of the best pop songs ever written (Let's Go Crazy, When Doves Cry, Purple Rain), and the rest of the album definitely isn't filler! It's big, funky, tight, and transcendent. A legendary album for a legendary talent.
R.E.M.
4/5
Classic indie rock album! It’s not 100% in my wheelhouse, but good to hear from time to time, and I’m never upset if any of these songs come on the radio.
The Louvin Brothers
1/5
Nope.
Rod Stewart
2/5
I have a hard time believing that this is anyone's favorite album. It's so incredibly middle-of-the-road, bland. Everything it does well, a thousand other artists have done better and more interesting. It's generic background music. It's fine, I guess.
The Cure
3/5
A few good songs, but overall not my favorite from The Cure. I enjoy broody/dark/atmospheric sometimes, but not so much on this album. 3.5 stars.
Iggy Pop
5/5
For whatever reason, Iggy Pop was a glaring gap in my musical knowledge. Which is incredibly disappointing because this is an incredible album. Just a ton of fun, an all-around terrific listen. I could listen to this anytime, anywhere.
Beatles
4/5
Some of my favorite early Beatles tracks (All My Loving, It Won't Be Long) on this album, but overall one of the more forgettable Beatles records. It's not bad, it's fun, but doesn't hold a candle to their early singles or later work.
Cornershop
3/5
Pretty much background music. It's fine. Though it cursed me to have "Everyone needs a bosom for a pillow" in my head for the rest of my life.
OutKast
4/5
This album somehow managed to stay interesting and engaging for over two hours. A ton of great tracks, but it'll be tough to come back to this one just because of the length.
Massive Attack
4/5
Really liked this album and its vibes. Except for the cover of Light My Fire, which was pretty mediocre.
The Temptations
4/5
Motown is difficult to rate sometimes. There are a few really great songs, a few okay songs, but most Motown is just really solid. As usual, giving this 4 stars.
Emmylou Harris
2/5
As far as country goes, I’ve heard worse. The first song was pretty decent actually. Couldn’t get through much of the rest….
Nanci Griffith
1/5
Just not my thing at all
The United States Of America
3/5
I'm definitely too sober to fully appreciate this album. It's very weird, but strangely enough doesn't really spark any emotion in me. I have no strong feelings about this album.
Cream
3/5
It’s pretty decent, but I prefer the music this album inspired (zeppelin, Hendrix, etc). Better than average, not quite good. 3.5 stars.
The Doors
4/5
Not my favorite from the Doors, but still better than almost all blues/psychedelic rock. Jim Morrison is a legendary front man for a reason.
Madonna
4/5
Very fun pop album. Like A Prayer is one of the best pop songs of all time, and definitely outshines the rest of this album, but I appreciate the experimentation that you typically don't see in pop music.
Deep Purple
4/5
Terrific musicianship and full of energy. I can only imagine how groundbreaking this must've been when it first came out.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
4/5
Really enjoyed the first half of this album, but the second half dragged a lot. There’s a chance I could really love this, but it’s so long and it’s not an easy listen - it takes a lot of energy.
Simon & Garfunkel
4/5
At their best, Simon & Garfunkel create incredible songs with infectious melodies and the most beautiful harmonies. At their worst, they are stuffy and boring. This album has both.
Nick Drake
4/5
Pleasantly surprised by this album. I'm not typically a folk fan, but this had a very engaging sound to keep my attention at first listen before I can listen to the lyrics.
Richard Thompson
2/5
Boring but relatively inoffensive.
a-ha
3/5
I can see why a-ha is a one-hit wonder. Take on Me is by far the best song on here. The rest of the album isn't bad, just generic 80's pop.
Pulp
4/5
A sound that is right up my alley! Great listen, even if none of the songs were all that memorable. Like listening to a worse Bowie.
Prince
4/5
Not a lot of hits, but this is still a great Prince record. What impressed me the most was the consistency from front to back. Normally double albums can be a bit of a slog to listen to, but this album kept the momentum the whole way through.
Pet Shop Boys
4/5
Pretty enjoyable listen, even if the sound is a bit dated. Don't really need to listen again, but I enjoyed this.
Fela Kuti
4/5
Really solid jazz/afrobeat. Great grooves, and overall a lot of fun.
Goldfrapp
4/5
I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this record. A very mellow, pleasant listen with great vocals and excellent production.
James Brown
4/5
A classic album that I honestly expected to like a lot more than I did. James Brown is a legendary performer, but I don't think this was him at his best!
Amy Winehouse
5/5
A tremendous talent that we lost far too soon. Back to Black is in the running for the best pop song of all time, and there are no bad songs on here. I'll never tire of this album.
Harry Nilsson
3/5
A pretty forgettable album, until you get to the "lime in the coconut song," which is one of the most unforgettable songs of all time. I had no idea who that song was by, so it took me by complete surprise. Weird listen.
Johnny Cash
4/5
One of the coolest, most badass albums of all time. A lot of the time, live albums don't add much, but here, the live recording is what makes it so special. The music isn't my favorite - this is about as good as country gets - but damn if it isn't entertaining as hell.
R.E.M.
4/5
A classic indie/alternative album, but not exactly my cup of tea. I love a few R.E.M. songs, and a couple are on this album, but the rest are just pretty good to okay.
The Offspring
2/5
Just an all-time grating voice. This would actually be pretty decent if it weren't for that. Self Esteem is about the only song where his voice is tolerable, but I couldn't get through this album.
Stan Getz
3/5
I'm suddenly craving a sangria.
Aerosmith
2/5
Just throughly uninteresting and dated.
Dolly Parton
3/5
I'm not a fan of country, but I respect the hell out of Dolly Parton, so I'm glad I listened to this. I enjoyed it about as much as I can enjoy a country album, though I probably won't listen to it again.
The Clash
4/5
This album was way tamer than I expected, given that I had only listened to the title track before. I definitely wasn't expecting such a wide array of sounds and influences. Some of the songs I didn't really care for, it was a bit too long, and I wish there was a bit more intensity, but I enjoyed this.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
4/5
I definitely enjoy CCR way more than other roots rock. John Fogerty's voice fits so well, and the blues/soul/R&B influences bring a level of excitement and tension that is usually missing from roots rock.
Al Green
4/5
Short but sweet album from one of the all time great voices.
Bonnie Raitt
2/5
Incredibly dated and uninteresting.
Mercury Rev
3/5
I don't know. It's not good, it's not bad. It's fine. I don't want to spend my time listening to this again.
Goldie
3/5
Not bad as background music, but not really my thing. I can't see myself listening to this again on purpose.
Guns N' Roses
3/5
An iconic album - the hits are great when I'm in the right mood for them, but they are definitely overplayed. Most of the rest of the album is a chore to listen to. It's alright.
Curtis Mayfield
5/5
Just a lovely listen from front to back. I could listen to this any time, any place.
Donovan
3/5
A couple of songs were pretty good and fun, but this was mostly too slow and boring, and I am not on nearly enough acid to enjoy it.
Adele
3/5
Doesn't have my favorite Adele songs, and its a bit tedious and heavy to listen to the whole album at once. She has a tremendous voice, but this isn't my favorite listen.
Metallica
2/5
Just too much for me. Apparently I can’t handle that level of rock and roll.
Frank Zappa
4/5
Weird!
The Smiths
3/5
Pretty unremarkable Smiths album for me. It’s decent, but nothing really stood out.
Morrissey
4/5
One of Morrissey's more interesting projects, but it was still a bit tough to get through the whole thing. It's a shame he's such a xenophobic shithead.
The Stooges
4/5
Really great listen, lots of energy and personality.
Blur
3/5
Some decent songs, some not-so-decent songs. I appreciate the melodic variety here, but it can be a bit too overblown for me.
AC/DC
4/5
AC/DC does one trick, really well - making music for cruising down the open road with reckless abandon. A highway to hell, for instance.
Frankie Goes To Hollywood
4/5
Just an excessive amount of 80's weirdness here, and I can't help but love it, especially Relax. The Born to Run cover was pretty unremarkable and unnecessary, though.
The Pretty Things
4/5
It's if The Doors and The Beatles mashed into one. It's one of those albums that makes me appreciate the 1001 albums project. I never would've listened to this on my own, I doubt I'll listen to this too many times in the future, but I'm glad I got a chance to hear this!
The Specials
2/5
This is the type of music you hear when you're on vacation and go to a beach bar with live music, and a beloved local band comes on stage. Enjoyable enough in that setting, but it's nothing special (get it?????). I'd never seek this music out on my own.
Van Halen
3/5
Incredible technical musicianship throughout. I mean, Hot for Teacher, say no more. Jump and Panama are catchy 80's hits. But the rest is pretty cheesy and I don't really care to listen to.
De La Soul
4/5
A ton of fun to listen to and oozing with creativity. Glad I listened to this!
Sisters Of Mercy
5/5
I should listen to more goth rock, shouldn't I?
Gram Parsons
1/5
Gave it an honest try, but couldn't make it past a few songs. Maybe there's some country out there for me, but this isn't it.
Garbage
4/5
Just an all-around solid record.
Small Faces
2/5
Way too British for me. What a ridiculous country.
Ella Fitzgerald
4/5
I found a much shorter compilation album on Apple Music. I don't want to listen to 3+ hours of this, but Ella's voice is just delightful. Timeless, and a wonderful listen.
The Flaming Lips
2/5
I'm a fan of a lot of artists in the same sphere as The Flaming Lips, but just can't get into them. It just isn't for me.
The xx
2/5
Nice production, but by god is this album boring. The vocals and songwriting are so sleepy that they're grating. I've never understood why this album is so acclaimed.
The Hives
3/5
This kicks ass for a couple songs at a time, but it's tedious to listen to the whole thing. Don't love that this is a compilation album, either. Though I have a soft spot for early 2000's post-punk garage rock, I don't need to come back to this one.
Rage Against The Machine
4/5
Hasn’t really been my jam before. But for some reason it hits differently after November 5, 2024 can’t imagine why….
Led Zeppelin
5/5
“Stairway to Heaven” and “Fantasy” by Earth, Wind, and Fire have extremely similar melodies. I think about that every time I hear either song and I’m not sure what to do with this information.
Anyway, this album fucking rocks.
Mj Cole
3/5
Gave it a try. Not a bad listen, just not for me.
The Vines
4/5
Pretty solid early 2000’s alt-rock! Nothing totally remarkable, but very good listen!
Germs
2/5
The aesthetics, culture, and influence of punk? Outstanding, 10/10.
A lot of the actual music? Hit or miss....this is more of a miss for me.
Stan Getz
4/5
I mean, this album is just a delight. I feel happy and relaxed just thinking about it.
Sly & The Family Stone
5/5
This is what listening to the peak of a genre is like. Just such a great listen from an all-time great band. RIP Sly Stone.
4/5
This album is probably both overrated and overhated. Some absolute classics (Champagne Supernova), and the rest is pretty good.
Black Sabbath
4/5
RIP Ozzy - this album rocks.
Green Day
4/5
Pop-punk isn't normally my cup of tea, but Green Day is the exception. A really fun listen of some now-classic songs. I prefer American Idiot, though!
Iron Maiden
3/5
I know a few people who are obsessed with Iron Maiden. I can see why, but it's not for me. This is pretty good though.
Kanye West
1/5
Nope, not listening to Kanye.
The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy
4/5
I enjoyed this more than I expected! Lyrics are still incredibly relevant today. Reminds me of Gil Scott-Heron.
Eels
4/5
Eels are like if you combined Elliott Smith and Beck. And it totally works! This is a very good album. Bonus points for appearing on the Shrek soundtrack.
Linkin Park
2/5
In The End is a great song. Everything else, I don't enjoy listening to.
Wu-Tang Clan
3/5
I always struggle with rating hip-hop albums since I'm not a lyrics-first listener. I know this is a classic and I can see why, but can't say I fell in love at first listen.
The Byrds
4/5
Very of it's time (complimentary)
Kings of Leon
3/5
It's pretty good, and definitely representative of early 2000's indie garage rock. But does it need to be on this list? I can think of many more albums from this era/genre that stand out more than this.
Orbital
3/5
Good for background music if I need to focus on work or something. Otherwise don't see myself listening to this on its own.
Jurassic 5
4/5
Damn, this album slaps. Adding to my library!
Ramones
3/5
An important album, but not my favorite to listen to. Blitzkrieg Bop is a classic, but the rest is a bit tedious to get through.
Randy Newman
3/5
It's kinda nice but kinda boring. I can appreciate that the songwriting and melodies are vastly different than what I am used to listening to. I don't typically hear music that conveys these moods and feelings.
The Smashing Pumpkins
4/5
I understand if you can't stand Billy Corgan's voice. But it fits so well with the music. This is a pretty damn good album with some all-time classics and no bad songs.
Malcolm McLaren
2/5
Feels appropriative, and also it's just not very good.
Stevie Wonder
5/5
Stevie Wonder should be required listening for every music lover.
Radiohead
4/5
This would be most artists' best album. But for Radiohead, it's probably their 6th- best album? It's very good, but not as consistently excellent as much of their other work.
John Martyn
2/5
If someone put this album on, I wouldn't mind, except for the fact that we could instead spend our time listening to way better music instead. It's not good, but it's inoffensive.
Jethro Tull
4/5
The world is a better place with weird little flute prog rock music!
XTC
4/5
Not my favorite XTC. I’ve always enjoyed them and only loved a couple songs, and this was right on par with that.
Snoop Dogg
4/5
This was a ton of fun from top to bottom. Pleasantly surprised!
The Allman Brothers Band
3/5
It's blues rock. Not sure what more to say.
White Denim
4/5
I'd somehow never heard of this band, but this was pretty good! Not my favorite, but is a quality edition to the indie rock canon.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
4/5
I mean, what can be said? So many classic songs, what most people automatically think of when they think of reggae.
Wilco
3/5
This really should be right up my alley. But I just don't fully get it? It's not the album, it's me.
Pixies
4/5
Pixies are a good band. This is a good album.
Simon & Garfunkel
4/5
Mrs. Robinson is an objectively great song that hits whatever the opposite of a sweet spot is. I can't stand it. I do enjoy the rest of this album though! It's a bit too quirky and mellow for me to listen to all the time, but America is a tremendous song, and I can always appreciate their incredible melodies and harmonies.
Johnny Cash
3/5
Legendary voice and a legendary send-off. Not always my cup of tea and gets a bit tedious by the end, but when he hits (Hurt, In My Life, Personal Jesus, etc.), it's really special.
The Magnetic Fields
5/5
I lost count. Can somebody tell me how many love songs are on this album? It better be a funny number.
Jorge Ben Jor
4/5
Great vibes, but probably not something I'll come back to. Glad I listened to it, though!
Janis Joplin
5/5
Not really sure what to say that hasn't already been said. A legendary voice that we lost too soon. I'd never really listened to her full albums before, so I'm glad this is in the world to experience!
ABBA
4/5
A lot of this record is very of it's time and kinda cheesy, but at its best are some of the best pop songs ever made. Dancing Queen? Fernando? I'm glad I've come around and let myself enjoy just how good those songs are.
The Smiths
5/5
Morrissey is a shithead, but this album is still great. Bigmouth Strikes Again will be in my head for weeks.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
4/5
Classic 2000's indie band and sound. But one of those bands I never really got into, for one reason or another. It's not bad, it's pretty good, it just doesn't grab me the way similar artists do.
David Bowie
4/5
A couple of classic Bowie tracks - Young Americans and Fame - and a perfect representation of Bowie as a chameleon. It is a bit weird having a white British man sing soul music and this isn't as good as music from actual soul artists, but it's still very good overall.
Rush
5/5
I always find Side B a bit of a letdown compared to the epic title track. But 2112 is one of, if not the greatest piece of prog rock so it doesn't really matter. So great.
The Human League
2/5
I wanted to like this more than I did. Don't You Want Me is still a banger though.
Neneh Cherry
2/5
I wouldn't really say this is an essential album. It sounds very of-it's-time, and not really in a good way. It's far from the worst music on this list, but I've also heard way better R&B/hip-hop than this.
The Verve
3/5
You know, it was fine. Pretty decent, but forgettable.
Led Zeppelin
4/5
Not my favorite Zeppelin, but still better than almost every other album. Wishing again for half stars!
Radiohead
5/5
Not sure what else there is to say about this album that hasn't already been said. It's one of the best albums of all time. Full stop.
Christina Aguilera
3/5
I enjoyed this more than I expected, she does have a great voice. But this isn't my favorite era of pop music, and ultimately don't want to listen to almost an hour and half of this....
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
3/5
As a casual prog fan, this album sounds to me like what prog must sound like to non-prog fans.
Pink Floyd
2/5
Pink Floyd's four album run from Dark Side of the Moon through The Wall is as good as music can get and includes some of my favorite albums of all time. That's the Pink Floyd I know. I'd never listened to this album before, and I definitely won't listen again.
Pretenders
5/5
This album is so up my alley, I'm surprised I'd never listened to it before!
ZZ Top
3/5
Probably the okayest album on this list. I never once considered giving it above or below a 3. La Grange is a great song, though.
Can
4/5
I was absolutely loving this until the experimental sections. I can appreciate the experimentation, but it doesn't mean I have to enjoy listening to it. I'm glad they figured out how to make these sounds so that future bands could figure out how to actually make them sound good.
Todd Rundgren
3/5
Pretty inoffensive and not very memorable. I kind of forgot I was listening to it half-way through.
Adele
4/5
I've never had strong feelings about Adele. She's a great singer, but doesn't do much for me. Her hits are very good, but not great. This album is the same way. The hits are good/great, and the rest is okay/decent.
Funkadelic
4/5
I'll take "Albums that make me go 'Hell yeah' for $400, Alex.
Roxy Music
5/5
An essential glam rock record. Editions of You/In Every Dream Home a Heartache is a brilliant back-to-back run.
The Jesus And Mary Chain
4/5
Really good first listen. I've always enjoyed listening to The Jesus And Mary Chain and could see this one growing on me a lot.
Meat Puppets
3/5
Pretty good, but not really my thing and probably won't come back to this again.
Pixies
3/5
One of those artists that should be right up my alley, but just doesn't click with me for whatever reason.
5/5
I forgot how good this album is. It's one of Muse's best but one I haven't come back to in years. There are a couple meh tracks that keep this from being an all-timer, but Knights of Cydonia on its own warrants inclusion on this list.
This is a 4.5 star album, but I'll round up for the sake of nostalgia, waiting this album's peak songs over it's inconsistency.
Julian Cope
4/5
This is pretty good post-punk, but really just makes me want to listen to Iggy Pop or Joy Division instead.
The Good, The Bad & The Queen
3/5
This album is extremely well-produced (I've always loved Danger Mouse's production), but just not very good or interesting. The last song is great, though!
Stereolab
4/5
Very enjoyable album! Not sure how often I'll come back to this, but I'm glad I heard this album before I died.
Pink Floyd
5/5
Not sure what else there is to say about this album. It's on the shortlist for greatest album of all time. Music doesn't get much better than this.
Simon & Garfunkel
5/5
Some of their best work, peaking with The Boxer, which is one of the best songs ever written. There aren't any other duds, and this is as lively and vibrant as Simon & Garfunkel can be. Not always in the mood for this, but it's a great album.
Richard Hawley
3/5
Some really beautiful music, but also really boring
Ride
4/5
It's pretty good, but isn't one of the 1001 albums that will stand out.
808 State
2/5
While listening to this album, I got a call that my uncle had passed away. So that made this a weird listen.
Lauryn Hill
4/5
A classic album I was really looking forward to. And it was a thoroughly great listen, though it didn't blow me away. Maybe a hot take, but I even enjoyed the skits, which I don't normally do.
Sonic Youth
4/5
My Apple Music algorithm keeps trying to get me to listen to Sonic Youth. And the songs that I haven't skipped, I haven't loved. However, their music works so much better in a full album context. It's still not my favorite, but I can see why the streaming algorithm overlords thinks I'll like them.
Buffalo Springfield
4/5
Most of this I enjoyed! I've always generally liked the Buffalo Springfield I've heard, and other than a couple slower country songs, this album held up.
John Grant
4/5
This is one of those albums I feel like I'd have to listen to a lot more to figure out how I really feel. There are parts that jumped out as something I'd really love. And others that might bore me over time. But on a first listen, I liked it.
Tori Amos
3/5
A classic album I was really looking forward to. And it was a thoroughly great listen, though it didn't blow me away. Maybe a hot take, but I even enjoyed the skits, which I don't normally do.
Sister Sledge
3/5
Pretty classic disco, which is both over-hated and also just okay.
Elvis Costello
3/5
I'm never sure what to make of Elvis Costello. He's simultaneously great fun and right up my alley, and supremely annoying to listen to.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
4/5
The Dude is right - CCR is so much better than the fucking Eagles. Normally country/blues rock isn't my cup of tea, but CCR is great.
Carole King
5/5
It's one of those pieces of art that's so acclaimed that you think "It can't be that good, can it?" and then you experience it and it's that good. This album is a warm hug. It's freshly baked banana bread. It's a cozy sweater and a cup of tea.
Hüsker Dü
3/5
It's not bad, but I doubt I'll come back to this.
King Crimson
5/5
Not much else to say about this album, except that it's not just one of the best prog rock albums, but one of the best albums of all time.
Duke Ellington
4/5
Really great listen, and love hearing the crowd reactions. It helps show just how talented all of these musicians were.
Kate Bush
5/5
An easy 5 stars. It's an album that I love more each time I listen to it.
Nick Drake
3/5
This started out a delightful listen. But I got a bit tired of it by the end.
Lupe Fiasco
4/5
This album was a pleasant surprise! Based on the album cover, I expected this to be pretty cheesy, and of an era of hip-hop/R&B that I've never really enjoyed. This definitely had that era's sound, but the main difference is that it is actually good! Not quite a 5, and I could do without the 12 minute outro, but I'll be coming back to this one.
Van Halen
4/5
It's pretty dated, cheesy, and over-the-top, but still a lot of fun. Eruption alone makes this album worth listening to.
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
I wonder how rock music would have evolved if Hendrix hadn't joined the 27 club. He was that type of talent and this album is that type of good.
My Bloody Valentine
3/5
It's okay. Decent background/atmospheric music, but nothing I'm going to fall in love with.
Dr. John
3/5
It's if Lou Reed was from San Francisco instead of New York, and did acid instead of heroin. I didn't really enjoy this, but I'm glad I listened to it?
Dinosaur Jr.
4/5
Feels like the exact midpoint between new wave and grunge. Can see why this is a cult classic!
Ray Charles
4/5
A generational talent and voice. A really great sometimes-listen.
Stevie Wonder
5/5
Maybe a hot take, but this album is overrated. It's still five stars, don't get me wrong! Just not a top-five album of all time. Innervisions is even better, in my opinion.
Paul Weller
1/5
This is the music equivalent to Applebees. Like, it's not good but objectively not that bad. But why on earth would you choose to eat there over hundreds of better and more interesting places? This album is certainly not a must-hear. It's not terrible, but it might be worse - it's a waste of my time.
Ali Farka Touré
4/5
Pretty good listen, and nice to get something not from a country that starts with "United." Not sure how often I'll come back to this, but I'm glad I heard it.
Giant Sand
4/5
This was actually a pretty good listen, a pleasant surprise. I've got to stop peaking at the reviews before I listen to an album myself! Though it's a good album, I have a hard time believing this is one of the 1001 albums I absolutely MUST hear.
The Velvet Underground
5/5
Not sure what more needs to be said about this album. It's not the best album ever, and there are several points that don't sound exactly....good? But that's kind of the whole point. It's dirty, gritty, and maybe the most influential album of all time.
Pixies
4/5
Pixies have never really clicked for me, but this album came the closest. By the end it grew on me a bit, and ended up being a surprisingly good listen!
Pentangle
3/5
Neat, I guess.
Love
3/5
I listened to this album only hours ago, and I've already forgotten everything about it except that the last song was super long. It wasn't bad, just not the most memorable album of that era.
Dexys Midnight Runners
4/5
I'll admit I was mostly waiting the whole listen for Come On Eileen. The rest of the album was pretty fun, though, and Come On Eileen is such a great song.