Mar 01 2023
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Station To Station
David Bowie
4
Mar 02 2023
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The Downward Spiral
Nine Inch Nails
3
Mar 03 2023
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25
Adele
3
Mar 06 2023
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Halcyon Digest
Deerhunter
4
Mar 07 2023
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Pink Moon
Nick Drake
4
Mar 08 2023
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Murmur
R.E.M.
4
Mar 09 2023
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Life's Too Good
The Sugarcubes
3
Mar 10 2023
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Melody A.M.
Röyksopp
4
Mar 13 2023
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Zombie
Fela Kuti
4
Mar 14 2023
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Marquee Moon
Television
5
Mar 15 2023
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One World
John Martyn
3
Mar 16 2023
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Let's Stay Together
Al Green
5
Mar 17 2023
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Power In Numbers
Jurassic 5
4
Mar 20 2023
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Fun House
The Stooges
5
Mar 21 2023
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The Joshua Tree
U2
5
Mar 22 2023
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The College Dropout
Kanye West
5
Mar 23 2023
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Real Life
Magazine
3
Mar 24 2023
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When I Was Born For The 7th Time
Cornershop
2
Mar 27 2023
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Birth Of The Cool
Miles Davis
3
Mar 28 2023
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The Yes Album
Yes
4
Mar 29 2023
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Tubular Bells
Mike Oldfield
Sure, it's a clever album with good musicianship, but my god is it a chore to get through.. I'd be more than happy to not spin this one again
1
Mar 30 2023
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Rum Sodomy & The Lash
The Pogues
3
Mar 31 2023
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Under Construction
Missy Elliott
3
Apr 03 2023
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Thriller
Michael Jackson
5
Apr 04 2023
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Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots
The Flaming Lips
5
Apr 05 2023
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Happy Sad
Tim Buckley
3
Apr 06 2023
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Bone Machine
Tom Waits
Tom Waits has a wonderful gift for songwriting, composition and storytelling, not so much so for singing. He's for sure an acquired taste and won't be everyone's cup of tea. I enjoy it his music, albeit in spurts and small doses. Great record, but not one I'd listen to in regular rotation
3
Apr 07 2023
View Album
Hypocrisy Is The Greatest Luxury
The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy
Spotify is missing tracks 5, 6, 12 and 13, making it hard to get the full seamless album experience. Good album all the same with a industrial jazz vibe
4
Apr 10 2023
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In The Court Of The Crimson King
King Crimson
4
Apr 11 2023
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Green Onions
Booker T. & The MG's
4
Apr 12 2023
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Infected
The The
2
Apr 13 2023
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Music From Big Pink
The Band
3
Apr 14 2023
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Headquarters
The Monkees
3
Apr 17 2023
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In A Silent Way
Miles Davis
4
Apr 18 2023
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Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
Wilco
5
Apr 19 2023
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Speakerboxxx/The Love Below
OutKast
3
Apr 20 2023
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Bert Jansch
Bert Jansch
3
Apr 21 2023
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The Colour Of Spring
Talk Talk
4
Apr 24 2023
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Disraeli Gears
Cream
3
Apr 25 2023
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Shake Your Money Maker
The Black Crowes
3
Apr 26 2023
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Dust
Screaming Trees
3
Apr 27 2023
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Aladdin Sane
David Bowie
4
Apr 28 2023
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Rock 'N Soul
Solomon Burke
3
May 01 2023
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Joan Armatrading
Joan Armatrading
4
May 02 2023
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The Number Of The Beast
Iron Maiden
3
May 03 2023
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Figure 8
Elliott Smith
5
May 04 2023
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Paranoid
Black Sabbath
3
May 08 2023
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Eagles
Eagles
4
May 09 2023
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Elastica
Elastica
4
May 10 2023
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Alien Lanes
Guided By Voices
3
May 15 2023
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Hail To the Thief
Radiohead
5
May 16 2023
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In The Wee Small Hours
Frank Sinatra
3
May 17 2023
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The Gilded Palace Of Sin
The Flying Burrito Brothers
1
May 18 2023
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Songs In The Key Of Life
Stevie Wonder
4
May 22 2023
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The Band
The Band
4
May 23 2023
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Morrison Hotel
The Doors
4
May 24 2023
View Album
Whatever
Aimee Mann
I enjoy Aimee Mann's song writing but for some reason the way she delivers those songs always feels a little lack luster to me. Great production from Jon Brion as always. I can see how this would be an essential album to listen to, but it doesn't have a lot of replay value for me.
3
May 25 2023
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Among The Living
Anthrax
3
May 26 2023
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In Utero
Nirvana
Stone cold classic
4
May 29 2023
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Ill Communication
Beastie Boys
4
May 30 2023
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(What's The Story) Morning Glory
Oasis
4
May 31 2023
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Only Built 4 Cuban Linx
Raekwon
3
Jun 02 2023
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Another Green World
Brian Eno
Interesting album. Not sure if it's good for background music, or putting on headphones for a dedicated play through.
3
Jun 06 2023
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Reggatta De Blanc
The Police
4
Jun 08 2023
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Caetano Veloso
Caetano Veloso
3
Jun 09 2023
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Seventeen Seconds
The Cure
Good album, not their strongest or most exciting though. Largely just ambient sounding instrumentals, almost sounds like it's incomplete with Robert Smith not yet having recorded the vocals
3
Jun 12 2023
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Crosby, Stills & Nash
Crosby, Stills & Nash
4
Jun 14 2023
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Tusk
Fleetwood Mac
3
Jun 15 2023
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Darkdancer
Les Rythmes Digitales
Not my cup of tea
2
Jun 16 2023
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Siamese Dream
The Smashing Pumpkins
4
Jun 19 2023
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Boston
Boston
4
Jun 21 2023
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White Light
Gene Clark
2
Jun 22 2023
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Bayou Country
Creedence Clearwater Revival
3
Jun 23 2023
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Bat Out Of Hell
Meat Loaf
2
Jun 27 2023
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Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
4
Jun 28 2023
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Peter Gabriel 3
Peter Gabriel
4
Jun 29 2023
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Rubber Soul
Beatles
5
Jul 04 2023
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All Things Must Pass
George Harrison
5
Jul 05 2023
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Bummed
Happy Mondays
2
Jul 06 2023
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Take Me Apart
Kelela
4
Jul 07 2023
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Closer
Joy Division
3
Jul 10 2023
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The Marshall Mathers LP
Eminem
3
Jul 12 2023
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Time Out
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
5
Jul 13 2023
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Roger the Engineer
The Yardbirds
4
Jul 14 2023
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AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted
Ice Cube
3
Jul 18 2023
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Hot Rats
Frank Zappa
4
Jul 19 2023
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In Rainbows
Radiohead
5
Jul 20 2023
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Miriam Makeba
Miriam Makeba
4
Jul 21 2023
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Younger Than Yesterday
The Byrds
3
Jul 24 2023
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Kid A
Radiohead
5
Jul 26 2023
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Safe As Milk
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
3
Jul 31 2023
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1999
Prince
4
Aug 01 2023
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Brothers
The Black Keys
5
Aug 03 2023
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Pictures At An Exhibition
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
3
Aug 04 2023
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High Violet
The National
4
Aug 07 2023
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Elephant
The White Stripes
4
Aug 08 2023
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Aftermath
The Rolling Stones
4
Aug 09 2023
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Le Tigre
Le Tigre
3
Aug 11 2023
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Heroes
David Bowie
4
Aug 14 2023
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Abattoir Blues / The Lyre of Orpheus
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
5
Aug 16 2023
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Another Music In A Different Kitchen
Buzzcocks
4
Aug 22 2023
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Parallel Lines
Blondie
4
Aug 23 2023
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Songs From The Big Chair
Tears For Fears
5
Aug 25 2023
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The Bends
Radiohead
5
Sep 04 2023
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Lost In The Dream
The War On Drugs
5
Sep 05 2023
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Blunderbuss
Jack White
4
Sep 06 2023
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Phaedra
Tangerine Dream
2
Sep 07 2023
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Cosmo's Factory
Creedence Clearwater Revival
4
Sep 08 2023
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Dig Me Out
Sleater-Kinney
4
Sep 12 2023
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The Chronic
Dr. Dre
4
Sep 13 2023
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Trafalgar
Bee Gees
2
Sep 14 2023
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My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
Kanye West
5
Sep 15 2023
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Bridge Over Troubled Water
Simon & Garfunkel
4
Sep 20 2023
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Come Find Yourself
Fun Lovin' Criminals
2
Sep 21 2023
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Fromohio
fIREHOSE
3
Sep 22 2023
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Pretenders
Pretenders
4
Sep 27 2023
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m b v
My Bloody Valentine
4
Oct 04 2023
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Peggy Suicide
Julian Cope
3
Oct 06 2023
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Don't Stand Me Down
Dexys Midnight Runners
3
Oct 10 2023
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Fragile
Yes
3
Oct 12 2023
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OK Computer
Radiohead
5
Oct 17 2023
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Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Elton John
4
Oct 18 2023
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Funeral
Arcade Fire
4
Oct 20 2023
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Sticky Fingers
The Rolling Stones
4
Oct 23 2023
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Electric Ladyland
Jimi Hendrix
4
Oct 25 2023
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All Hope Is Gone
Slipknot
2
Oct 27 2023
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Peter Gabriel
Peter Gabriel
4
Oct 30 2023
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Frank
Amy Winehouse
4
Oct 31 2023
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Disintegration
The Cure
5
Nov 02 2023
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São Paulo Confessions
Suba
2
Nov 07 2023
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What's Going On
Marvin Gaye
5
Nov 08 2023
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Vauxhall And I
Morrissey
interesting choice to add to a list of "must listen" albums. All in all, it's a good record, Morrissey has a timeless voice and the songs are well crafted. That said, he's still a racist POS.
3
Nov 09 2023
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There's No Place Like America Today
Curtis Mayfield
3
Nov 20 2023
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At Folsom Prison
Johnny Cash
3
Nov 22 2023
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Lam Toro
Baaba Maal
Fun album, but not my cup of tea
3
Nov 23 2023
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The Idiot
Iggy Pop
4
Nov 30 2023
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Heavy Weather
Weather Report
3
Dec 01 2023
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Sweetheart Of The Rodeo
The Byrds
3
Dec 04 2023
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Grace
Jeff Buckley
5
Dec 05 2023
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Transformer
Lou Reed
3
Dec 06 2023
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Larks' Tongues In Aspic
King Crimson
4
Dec 07 2023
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New Wave
The Auteurs
3
Dec 08 2023
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McCartney
Paul McCartney
4
Dec 11 2023
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Odelay
Beck
5
Dec 13 2023
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Kilimanjaro
The Teardrop Explodes
3
Dec 18 2023
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Sound of Silver
LCD Soundsystem
4
Dec 19 2023
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1989
Taylor Swift
3
Dec 20 2023
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Hearts And Bones
Paul Simon
3
Dec 21 2023
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Tarkus
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
4
Dec 22 2023
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All That You Can't Leave Behind
U2
3
Dec 26 2023
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A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector
Various Artists
1
Dec 27 2023
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Blue
Joni Mitchell
Luckily I already have this album, it's a legit classic. Sadly it's not available on Spotify to stream
5
Dec 28 2023
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Pornography
The Cure
3
Dec 29 2023
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New Boots And Panties
Ian Dury
3
Jan 01 2024
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Get Behind Me Satan
The White Stripes
4
Jan 02 2024
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Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
5
Jan 03 2024
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It's A Shame About Ray
The Lemonheads
4
Jan 04 2024
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Me Against The World
2Pac
4
Jan 05 2024
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Ten
Pearl Jam
3
Jan 09 2024
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Vol. 4
Black Sabbath
4
Jan 10 2024
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The Real Thing
Faith No More
3
Jan 12 2024
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Haunted Dancehall
The Sabres Of Paradise
Not for my tastes. Also, the over compressed, digital samples are just grating on the ears...
1
Jan 15 2024
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Let It Bleed
The Rolling Stones
4
Jan 16 2024
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Automatic For The People
R.E.M.
4
Jan 19 2024
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With The Beatles
Beatles
4
Jan 24 2024
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Pacific Ocean Blue
Dennis Wilson
Sounds far more modern than his contemporaries, including his brothers in the Beach Boys were doing. Brilliant album
4
Jan 29 2024
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Axis: Bold As Love
Jimi Hendrix
4
Jan 30 2024
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Since I Left You
The Avalanches
4
Jan 31 2024
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The Only Ones
The Only Ones
3
Feb 02 2024
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Talking With the Taxman About Poetry
Billy Bragg
3
Feb 05 2024
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Wish You Were Here
Pink Floyd
5
Feb 08 2024
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Different Class
Pulp
3
Feb 09 2024
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The Modern Dance
Pere Ubu
Artist not available to stream on Spotify, but songs I was able to locate on Youtube are quite good
4
Feb 12 2024
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Green
R.E.M.
4
Feb 14 2024
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World Clique
Deee-Lite
not my cup of tea but a solid classic
3
Feb 15 2024
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Music for the Masses
Depeche Mode
4
Feb 16 2024
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Tanto Tempo
Bebel Gilberto
3
Feb 20 2024
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Californication
Red Hot Chili Peppers
probably the only RHCP album I've listened to all the way through on my own and without skipping a track
4
Feb 22 2024
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The Stone Roses
The Stone Roses
4
Feb 27 2024
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Sheer Heart Attack
Queen
3
Feb 28 2024
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Ctrl
SZA
4
Feb 29 2024
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A Seat at the Table
Solange
3
Mar 05 2024
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Physical Graffiti
Led Zeppelin
4
Mar 06 2024
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Snivilisation
Orbital
Not really my kind of thing, but makes good background music while working.
3
Mar 07 2024
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Only By The Night
Kings of Leon
4
Mar 11 2024
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Strangeways, Here We Come
The Smiths
It's ok I guess. Whomever created this list is a bit of a Morrissey fan boy though, because there's too many albums on here of his. Love me some Marr though.
2
Mar 12 2024
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Channel Orange
Frank Ocean
4
Mar 14 2024
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16 Lovers Lane
The Go-Betweens
3
Mar 18 2024
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Definitely Maybe
Oasis
4
Mar 19 2024
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The Village Green Preservation Society
The Kinks
4
Mar 20 2024
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Pelican West
Haircut 100
3
Mar 21 2024
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After The Gold Rush
Neil Young
4
Mar 22 2024
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Led Zeppelin IV
Led Zeppelin
4
Mar 25 2024
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American Idiot
Green Day
4
Mar 26 2024
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More Songs About Buildings And Food
Talking Heads
4
Mar 27 2024
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Being There
Wilco
4
Mar 28 2024
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Liege And Lief
Fairport Convention
2
Mar 29 2024
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Mott
Mott The Hoople
4
Apr 02 2024
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Ágætis Byrjun
Sigur Rós
4
Apr 03 2024
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The Beach Boys Today!
The Beach Boys
3
Apr 04 2024
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2112
Rush
I don't know why I just don't get Rush..
2
Apr 05 2024
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Ladies And Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space
Spiritualized
3
Apr 09 2024
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Led Zeppelin III
Led Zeppelin
4
Apr 10 2024
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Paris 1919
John Cale
3
Apr 12 2024
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Dirty
Sonic Youth
4
Apr 16 2024
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...And Justice For All
Metallica
Classic album with some incredible songs but the era wasn't very good to this genre in terms of the mix. Wish the album had a more balanced sonic range, would get another star out of me for sure
3
Apr 18 2024
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Shadowland
k.d. lang
meh
2
Apr 19 2024
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The Visitors
ABBA
What else can there be said about ABBA...
3
Apr 22 2024
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Urban Hymns
The Verve
Urban Hymns is a bona fide classic 90s britpop album. Ashcroft's smooth vocals and melodies paired with big spacey verbed out guitars, and well layered production. The obvious big hit, "Bitter Sweet Symphony", I think is the main reason this album even makes this list. Undeniably memorable, but just as much so for the copyright debacle as the song itself.
All in all, it's a good album, but suffers from most of the songs sounding pretty similar throughout. Throw it on in the background while you cook dinner or study or work. It's not an album I'd say you want to sit down for a fully dedicated listening session as the somewhat repetitive feel of the album can be a bit of a drag over the 75 minute runtime (knock about 5 or so minutes off if you skip the silence between "Come On" and the pseudo sci-fi sounding instrumental hidden track "Deep Freeze")
3
Apr 23 2024
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Oracular Spectacular
MGMT
4
Apr 24 2024
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Beautiful Freak
Eels
If you're only in it for powerful lead vocals, energetic songs, beautiful harmonies and big lead guitars. This isn't the album for you.
But if you want some well crafted/written indie alternative music, then don't skip this record. E's vocals are considerably limited, but his lyrics and song craft are downright masterful. The bands only radio single "Novocain For The Soul" kicks off the album with some creative and uplifting yet depressing lyrics like "life is good, and I feel great, cause mother said I was a great mistake". "Susan's House" is a spoken word track over a simple drum groove that should not be skipped. And everyone who grew up in the 90's will remember "My Beloved Monster" from the OG Shrek soundtrack.
Personally, 5 stars, no notes
5
Apr 25 2024
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The Madcap Laughs
Syd Barrett
I once heard a friend refer to a band as "very Syd Barrett-y". I don't remember the band he was talking about, but I remember the music feeling fairly jarring and "herky-jerky", if you will. After finally listening to this record, I can say with confidence that I now fully understand and will be using that phrase comfortably in the future.
3
Apr 29 2024
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Five Leaves Left
Nick Drake
Beautiful album with Nick Drake's signature acoustic sound and masterful song writing. Maybe not the most exciting album you'll hear, but certainly one of the most soothing.
Some of my favorite tracks include "Thoughts Of Mary Jane", "Time Has Told Me", "Way To Blue" and "Day Is Done"
4
Apr 30 2024
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A Hard Day's Night
Beatles
This album is probably that kicked off my love for the Beatles. Fantastic album with some of the best rock songs (maybe more pop than rock by modern standards) out there. That slap you in the face chord that starts "A Hard Day's Night", to beautifully melancholic "And I Love Her" and "If I Fell", to the head bopping tracks like "Can't Buy Me Love" and "Tell Me Why". While not my favorite Beatles album, it's certainly firmly planted in my top 100 albums of all time.
Also one of the best band movies out there. Making light of the Beatlemania of the time with a bunch of sly jokes. The media party scene with classic one-liners, like when someone asks Lennon "How'd you find America?" and he simply replies with a straight "Turned left at Greenland".
5
May 01 2024
View Album
Nevermind
Nirvana
The grandfather of so much music to come, truly a legendary and influential album by all counts. 4 stars because some songs wouldn't impact the final product if omitted, such as "Endless, Nameless"
4
May 02 2024
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Wild Gift
X
Classic punk with that classic raw production. Good energy and surprisingly upbeat
3
May 03 2024
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Yank Crime
Drive Like Jehu
It's safe to assume that At The Drive-In were fans of this album as you can hear it's influence all over their albums from their original run (Acrobatic Tenement to Relationship Of Command). I missed these DLJ during their heyday, but they're going to be rotation going forward for sure.
4
May 08 2024
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Guitar Town
Steve Earle
Not really my thing, but sure
2
May 09 2024
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Bad Company
Bad Company
Classic rock with a pop flare at some of it's finest. Not every song on the album is great, but when it hits, it hits just right.
\"Have you heard Bad Company by the band Bad Company of their album Bad Company?\"
3
May 10 2024
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Gentlemen
The Afghan Whigs
3
May 14 2024
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Let's Get It On
Marvin Gaye
On this album, Gaye really wants to get it on and keep getting it on. He really lets you know where his intentions lie instead of beating around the bush.
4
May 15 2024
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At Budokan
Cheap Trick
It's amazing this band isn't more beloved than they are and In Budokan was what it took to finally get these guys a top 10 single.
4
May 16 2024
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Scott 4
Scott Walker
This is the 4th album with the name Scott by Scott Walker. Definitely cut from the same cloth as Neil Diamond (or at least a similar pattern). It's an ok album I guess, nothing too exciting start to finish.
2
May 17 2024
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Rising Above Bedlam
Jah Wobble's Invaders Of The Heart
Interesting album with a varied mix of afro, middle eastern and latin beats and instrumentation but not interesting enough to make up for the lack of excitement throughout the whole album. Not really sure why this one would make a list of albums you have to listen to for any reason.
2
May 20 2024
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Be
Common
3
May 29 2024
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American Beauty
Grateful Dead
It's an ok album, kinda one note/bland overall, certainly not indicative of their jam band reputation. Feel like this is another questionable addition on this list, but I'm sure this isn't intended for everyone to love everything (see: Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells..).
2
May 30 2024
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Boy In Da Corner
Dizzee Rascal
Some of the beats go pretty damn hard, but "grime" isn't really my thing and production on these earlier albums feel somewhat dated to my ears. Overall sound doesn't hold up as well to modern hip hop with the somewhat thinner sounding instrumentation, but that's just my 2 cents.
"Fix Up, Look Sharp" is a bop, check out the live version off the deluxe version of Tongue n' Cheek.
2
May 31 2024
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Bad
Michael Jackson
Bad is a great record with a bunch of classic pop hits, but not MJs best overall album. Much like Thriller, this album feels a lot like a collection of hits more than a cohesive album, I mean, 8 of 11 songs charted as singles in the US alone with 5 of them reaching #1! Maybe when the album came out it felt more cohesive but with time and it's overall legacy started feeling more like a greatest hits. Still a fun listen tho
4
Jun 03 2024
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xx
The xx
I know this was a pretty big album when it dropped but it's honestly a snooze for me. Both Jamie and Romy have done far more interesting music outside of this very empty sounding album (can't say the same for Oliver only because I haven't listened to any of his solo work).
It's not a bad album, it's just a boring album.
2
Jun 06 2024
View Album
Pump
Aerosmith
Fun album with a few big hits. The album as a whole flows but if you aren't intimate with every song, it can kinda bleed together since most of the songs have the same feel/production/sound. Really is a staple of that boogie rock with a pseudo punk ethos.
4
Jun 10 2024
View Album
Young Americans
David Bowie
A solid Bowie album, not my favorite of his, but it's still a classic. More groovy than a lot of his earlier work, and certainly stands on it's own in the middle of an incredible run of albums (Ziggy was less than 3 years prior with Aladdin Sane, Pin Ups, and Diamond Dogs between them!). Just on the topic of sheer output, Bowie released at least 1 album a year from '69-'80 and not a flop among them.
Young Americans gives you the title track and "Fame" as the 2 massive singles, an interesting take on the Beatles "Across The Universe", a fun collab with Luther Vandross in "Fascination", and in my opinion, not a skip on the album.
4 out of 5 only because by Bowie standards, it's not his best and most influential album that he's released, but that's hard to do with his catalog surrounding this album.
4
Jun 13 2024
View Album
Group Sex
Circle Jerks
A blink and you'll miss it classic punk album. 14 high octane tracks clocking in just shy of 16 minutes. Perfect hardcore punk with a diy sounding production, delightfully unrefined performances, zero nuance or subtly from frontman Keith Morris, but why would you be looking for anything more/less in the genre?
I fully support this album making the list.
4
Jun 19 2024
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Crime Of The Century
Supertramp
4
Jun 21 2024
View Album
The Dreaming
Kate Bush
Wild and interesting album to be sure. Certainly not Hounds of Love or The Kick Inside, but it's certainly an album of all time. It's a weird record that takes a number of plays to get into and can be a little unsettling at times, but it is a good album overall, even if it's not her most user friendly or popular releases.
If you want more approachable version of one of these tracks, check out Ra Ra Riot's version of "Suspended In Gaffa"
3.5/4 stars
4
Jun 25 2024
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3 + 3
The Isley Brothers
Ronald Isley is the definition of butter when it comes to vocals. Dude is smooth as it gets! Good album but not my favorite from them, still some great tgracks though with the ever famous "That Lady" and a beautiful cover of Seals and Crofts' "Summer Breeze" and a fun take on The Doobie Brothers' "Listen To The Music". It's a good listen, but not sure if I'd call it a mandatory album.
Overall, I give it 3/5
3
Jun 26 2024
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Live / Dead
Grateful Dead
Some solid jams breaks, but just not my thing. Never been able to get into the Dead.
2
Jul 08 2024
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Tres Hombres
ZZ Top
Have Mercy!
I'd agree that this album is a staple for rock/blues/boogie-woogie. Kicking off with a killer 1-2 punch to open the album with "Waitin' On The Bus" and "Jesus Just Left Chicago", but the following "Beer Drinkers..." is a little weak across the whole track except for Gibbons' solo. The song list as a whole has some ups and downs, with some weaker tracks in the mix but great playing all the same. Of course you have one of their biggest hits before switching up to a more 80's pop working of their core sound on the album Eliminator with "La Grange".
All in all, a good album despite it's flaws. I'd give it a 3.5 if I could, but don't feel quite right giving it a 4, so 3 stars I guess
3
Jul 09 2024
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Abbey Road
Beatles
Arguably one the greatest rock/pop albums ever recorded. There's nothing more that really needs to be said. 5 stars for me.
5
Jul 10 2024
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The Queen Is Dead
The Smiths
It's a quintessential jangle-pop album, no doubt. Some great tracks on this album, but I'm not sure I'd actually consider it their best album, I'd probably tag the self-titled debut for that.
The title track, Bigmouth and Some Girls are songs certainly worth checking out.
Also, fuck Morrissey..
4
Jul 11 2024
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Rattlesnakes
Lloyd Cole And The Commotions
There's so many albums out there that sound exactly like this that I'm not sure why this would be considered required listening. It's an generally fine record but nothing that really seems to set it apart from others. Just check out the "Fans also like" section on Lloyd and co.'s Spotify page and it's just more copy pasta of the same sort of act. If the list that has this album listed is really limited to a finite 1000 total records, then get this one off here to make room for something better.
2
Jul 12 2024
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Clandestino
Manu Chao
Completely forgot about this album. When I was in high school, so many of my friends were obsessed with the track "Bongo Bong" to the point that it became more of a novelty than anything else.
The album itself is clever, with an almost seamless transition between every song across the album with exception of a few pointed stops. As a whole, it definitely feels like it was written to be a singular project more than a collection of songs thrown together.
Overall, I enjoyed it, even if I'm not likely to come back to it for another listen anytime soon. The immediate nostalgia upon hearing "Bongo Bong" was a trip though, right back to my freshman year of HS.
A strong 3/5
3
Jul 16 2024
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Tea for the Tillerman
Cat Stevens
I've never been big on the singer/songwriter sound and tend to prefer music with a little more energy to it. That said, hard to argue with the staying power of songs like Wild World and Father and Son. Cat Stevens is a legit tour de force when it comes to songwriting and has a buttery delivery of said songs. Tea for the Tillerman is nice, tight little package of songs barely over 35 minutes, and makes the most of that short runtime.
Notable songs: Wild World, Miles From Nowhere, Father and Son
4
Jul 17 2024
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Darkness on the Edge of Town
Bruce Springsteen
Not the Boss's best album, nor most popular, but a solid record all the same. Opening track, "Badlands", comes right out the gate and hits you in the face with a classic Springsteen sound you'd hear cranked in a packed dive bar. He doesn't give you a chance to settle in as "Adam Raised a Cain" wastes no time with a dirty rock groove that hooked me right away. "Something in the Night" is a great piano ballad of sorts but I don't care much for Bruce's nasally vocals in the opening. "Candy's Room" has good energy but is just ok and then it's another piano ballad with "Racing in the Street". Then it's more signature Springsteen with "The Promised Land" and "Factory". "Streets of Fire" is a lumbering track that throws a little Gilmour-esc solo at you with a good "soft/loud" dynamic between verse and chorus. The album closes with "Prove It All Night" and the title track, the former of which is one of my favorites from the album with a great hook and the latter sounding much like the rest of the album.
Suggested tracks: Adam Raised a Cain, Streets of Fire & Prove It All Night
3/5
3
Jul 18 2024
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Chelsea Girl
Nico
Beautiful instrumentation and arrangements, great songwriting by a number of brilliant artists, but Nico's "singing" just sounds flat and dead on every damn song. While I am into this genre generally speaking, I just can't get over Nico's voice. These Days is a beautiful song, but you should go listen to The Black Keys cover of it instead.
2
Jul 23 2024
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Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
Neil Young is one of those odd successes in my opinion. Brilliant song writer and guitarist, and while he's a reliable singer, his voice isn't all that pleasant on the ears. All that said, this is a great record with some of my favorite Neil tracks.
Notable songs: Cinnamon Girl, Down by the River (the big single), and the title track. Also check out the different takes on "Cinnamon Girl" by Smashing Pumpkins, Susanna Hoffs/Matthew Sweet, and Type O Negative, and "Down by the River" by Buddy Miles.
4
Jul 26 2024
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Heartbreaker
Ryan Adams
Alright album with a real americana/country tinge to it. Most of the album is pretty mellow with the exception of a few tracks, so if that's not your thing, skip this one.
If nothing else, check out the track "To Be Young"
3
Jul 29 2024
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London Calling
The Clash
There's only a handful of double albums out there that are "all killer, no filler" and in my humble opinion, this is easily in that group! However, in classic punk fashion, you still get all 19 songs in an almost fleeting 65 minutes.
Notable tracks: ALL OF THEM, DAMNIT! But seriously, "London Calling", "Spanish Bombs", "Lost in the Supermarket", "Clampdown", "Train in Vain"
5
Jul 31 2024
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Timeless
Goldie
The album is called \"Timeless\", but at nearly 2 hours long, this album has overstayed it's welcome. Sure music changes and evolves all the time, but ironically, this album sounds very dated and I'm convinced the author put this album on the list because they owed someone a favor. Most of the songs are over 6 minutes of dragged out, bloated 90s drum and bass.
1/5
1
Aug 01 2024
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Microshift
Hookworms
Wasn't sure what to expect once the first song started with all sorts of old school electric rhythm sounds only for it to transition into a very Hot Chip, LCD Soundsystem, !!!, MGMT mix of early 2000's indie dance punk. There's a certain nostalgia I got from this record
This is my first experience with this band but I'll likely be digging into the rest of their catalog in the future.
Check out "Static Resistance", "Opener" and "Each Time We Pass"
4/5
4
Aug 02 2024
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Queen Of Denmark
John Grant
Would you call this "proto Father John Misty"? I haven't checked out the rest of his catalog yet, but FJM did debut 2 years later in 2012 and this album feels like it was the foundation before Tillman added all the strings and additional orchestration that usually fill all his albums. All in all, it's an ok album albeit not that exciting. None of the songs really popped out at me or excited me in any way. It's just solid mid.
3
Aug 06 2024
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Jazz Samba
Stan Getz
Stan Getz has a solid catalog, and this is no exception. Put on "Samba Dees Days" while you're making dinner and dance around the kitchen. Sip on a glass of wine while enjoying Getz's signature breathy sax style on "Samba Triste" and "Samba De Uma Nota So" with perfectly paired runs with Charlie Byrd's guitar.
Honestly, there's nothing about this album to dislike, it's just so pleasant and easy. This album screams dinner party or wine bar and tapas.
Pair with a nice and light Pinot Noir or medium bodied Cabernet
4
Aug 07 2024
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Goodbye And Hello
Tim Buckley
Tim's vocals are incredible, but I confess I'm not really into this album that much. It's good, it just didn't leave any sort of lasting impression for me.
3
Aug 08 2024
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Sea Change
Beck
I remember how big the hype was around this album was when it came out. Beck makes a hard pivot from the sound of his previous albums focused on sample driven, alt rock, pseudo psychedelia, funk rock, hip hop and disco to a lush, acoustic driven, heartfelt album of folk rock perfection.
Check out Paper Tiger, Guess I'm Doing Fine, Lost Cause, Round The Bend and Sunday Sun
4
Aug 12 2024
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Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not
Arctic Monkeys
I miss this version of AM. Energetic, hard hitting, cutting, angsty and punked up.
4
Aug 13 2024
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Fever To Tell
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Some have considered this album to be part of the garage rock revival, but I'd say it's a little more inline with the early dance-punk that was starting to take off in the early 00s with the likes of LCD Soundsystem, Bloc Party, Franz Ferdinand and others. A little more raw production getting that garage rock tag, but the energy of the album is more bopping around while staring at the floor in a dark, dirty basement night club in NYC. Each track hits you with searing energy and sharp edges with the only seemingly polished break you get in the whole album being "Maps", but even that has massive wall of guitar hitting you in the bridge, never really letting you relax until the album closer Modern Romance.
Listen to: Man, Pin, No No No, Maps, Y Control
4
Aug 14 2024
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Country Life
Roxy Music
As many have already pointed out, the cover art is far more exciting than the album and I'm inclined to say they're not wrong. It's an alright album but nothing to write home about. I wish I could give it an even 2.5/5, but since that's not an option, I'll bump it up to a 3 for making me feel like I'm doing something inappropriate with the cover art on my work computer.
3
Aug 15 2024
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Calenture
The Triffids
How drunk was the person that decided you had to listen to this album? I mean, there's nothing about it that should have landed it on this list. I think what makes it even worse is it's a whole double album with the second disk full of demos of the same unremarkable songs that make up the first disk. There's this weird mix of very typical 80s alternative/pop male lead vocals and country pedal steel guitar on a number of tracks that just doesn't make sense in my mind. The lyrics I've been able to pickup on are barely surface level deep and there's just really nothing that has me wanting to hear this record (or any of their other albums) again.
Maybe use this album to kick off a new list of 1001 albums that would have made no difference to the world had it just not been made.
1/5 (because that's as low as it goes around these parts)
1
Aug 16 2024
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Off The Wall
Michael Jackson
Probably one of MJs better solo albums. Right out the gate you're shaking your shoulders with good vibe dance grooves with Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough and he doesn't give you any reason to stop until the second half of the album. Rock With You, Workin' Day and Night, and Get of the Floor will keep you moving. The title track starts off a little less energetic with a cackle that I think it could do without but picks up quickly and gets you back into the boogie.
Kicking off the second half, Girlfriend is a chill poppy bop of a track with a bouncy bass line, smooth harmonies and catchy melody. You'll still be bopping your head.
Finally you get a sweet ballad about lost love and heartache with She's Out Of My Life. Very simple production that just servers to highlight what we've already known about MJ's vocal power (I get chills every time I her the "deeeeeeep in side" crescendo).
I Can't Help It is a return to the disco dance vibes, albeit at a slower tempo that the first half of the record, but the tempo picks back up throughout It's The Falling In Love (fucking bop and a half) and closing the album with Burn This Disco Out.
Certifiable classic album, a disco banger before MJ sets in stone his claim as "King of Pop" with Thriller
4
Aug 19 2024
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Never Mind The Bollocks, Here’s The Sex Pistols
Sex Pistols
Legendary album but maybe not as revolutionary today as it was when it came out. I still give it a spin or 2 a year for the nostalgia.
Listen to: Bodies, No Feelings, God Save The Queen & New York
4
Aug 21 2024
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Water From An Ancient Well
Abdullah Ibrahim
Big band esc jazz, lounge-y, feel good background music. All in all a very pleasant listen. Can't say I recognize any individual songs from this album outside of this listen or that I'll come back to this record on my own volition, but I enjoyed it while it lasted.
Side note, I feel like I was actually a little more productive at work with this in the background than the other albums I've had on this list that make you pay more attention (or in some cases question why you're even listening to it)
3
Aug 22 2024
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American Gothic
David Ackles
The number of Spotify listeners/streams on this album would imply it's probably not that important of an album. Even AllMusic wrote "it never found it's audience". Probably because if you're looking for classic singer-songwriter fare, you'd be somewhat disappoint by this way-off-broadway theater schlock.
I though I was going to get something along the lines of Jackson Browne or Dan Fogelberg or James Taylor, but instead I was "gifted" with odd stories about wishing something was a one night stand or rain in California, flat vocals, disjointed lyrics and a musical production more suited for the high school play it sounds like it was conceived for.
To quote Mr Horse from Ren & Stimpy; "No sir, I didn't like it"
1
Aug 23 2024
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Fever Ray
Fever Ray
Somehow this album perfectly encapsulates the hangover I'm currently working through and I'm not sure how that makes me feel.. I thought the vocals in "Dry and Dusty" were just in my head, but no, they're right there! Honestly I don't have a ton to say on this album either way but I don't think I'll be revisiting it anytime soon.
2
Aug 27 2024
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All Directions
The Temptations
Buttery vocals and harmonies across this entire album, but that's what you get with the Temptations. Great arrangements and production too. Side note, I don't think I ever heard the album version of Papa Was A Rollin' Stone and didn't realize it's almost 12 minutes long!
Over all it's a fine album, albeit fairly forgettable as it sounds like most of their catalog and just going of the numbers it would appear most Spotify listeners only listen to 2 songs off this album seeing a play count drop off 75% between the 2nd and 3rd most played tracks and then another 50% between the 3rd and 4th with the latter getting just shy of 155k at time of this writing and half of this album not even that much. Ultimately, it's a Temptations album so you'll get exactly what you expect from a Temptations album.
Listen to Run Charlie Run, Mother Nature, and Do Your Thing
3/5
3
Aug 29 2024
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OK
Talvin Singh
My previous commentary got wiped out some how, but honestly, it was about as important as this album really is/was. That is to say, not so much.
To sum it up, OK is hardly worth the time and is likely taking up a spot on this list that should be going to a far more deserving album. I'll give it 2 stars because there is some interesting live instrumentation on this album, but it's not enough to save the otherwise boring electronica album..
2
Sep 02 2024
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Remain In Light
Talking Heads
How serendipitous that I just watched Stop Making Sense last night.
Just about everyone I know that likes Talking Heads cite this as their best and most influential and innovative album, and I don't completely disagree. I always find myself flip flopping between this or Speaking In Tongues for their best album. Meanwhile, Remain in Light is a fantastic blend of styles with new wave, funky bass grooves, afro-beat percussion, hypnotic rhythms, spacey synths and abstract guitars. The first half of the album far more exciting and energetic while the last few songs kinda drone on with David Byrne more or less monologuing over very Brian Eno influenced backing tracks.
It's a great album, highly recommend, even if it's not their most successful and single laden album.
4/5
4
Sep 04 2024
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This Year's Model
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
What a banger from Elvis and company, solid from start to finish.
The mix didn't age as well as the songs on it, sometimes sounding a little mid focused or over compressed, but that doesn't detract from the quality performances across the whole album. The issues in the mix actually do help to highlight just how awesome the bass lines are in every song bringing the instrument almost in front of the vocals at times.
Check out "No Action", "This Year's Girl", "Pump It Up", "(I Don't Want To Go To) Chelsea", "Little Triggers", "Lipstick Vogue" and "Radio, Radio"
5
Sep 05 2024
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Moby Grape
Moby Grape
What a delightful album, short and sweet with a great mix of cutting rock and roll, acoustic folk, CS&N-esc harmonies and some Beatles influenced guitar leads. The whole album comes in under 30 minutes and is worth a few plays. Since it's so short, there's no reason to point out specific songs, just give the whole thing a spin.
Fun tidbit about this album, it came out only 3 months after The Grateful Dead's debut and out performed it on the charts. Both bands originate from San Francisco and come from the same music scene.
As mentioned by others, it's not available on Spotify but you can find the whole album on YouTube.
4
Sep 09 2024
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Diamond Life
Sade
4
Sep 10 2024
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Illinois
Sufjan Stevens
I've never really been a Sufjan fan. He's an undeniably talented songwriter but when I originally heard this album around it's release back in 2005, it just wasn't my cup of tea so I just carried on with my life not giving any further though to Mr Stevens other music. Since then however, I've expanded my horizons and feel like I can better appreciate this almost 20 years later and boy is it a delightful album. Illinoise is wistful, clever and beautiful, from start to finish and I don't even know where to start with specifics of the across the album, as the whole thing is a masterclass in modern song craft. Whether it be the up beat, bouncy 5/4 on the title track, or immediately followed by the somber acoustic "John Wayne Gacy' Jr.". The album flows seamlessly from one track to the next with lush strings and little segues of applause. I don't know what else to say about this other than it's a 4/5 for me.
4
Sep 11 2024
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Bandwagonesque
Teenage Fanclub
You hear a lot of people talking about bands like Drive Like Jehu, American Football and Cap'n Jazz being the founders of emo music by way of the midwest emo scene, but I'd argue it was the early 90s indie rock/power pop bands that came shortly after 80s new wave and during the rise of grunge that set the tone with heartfelt lyrics sung softly over a wall of guitar and drums. This album/band helped form my own music over the years along with the likes of Big Star, The Posies and Superdrag.
Listen to "What You Do To Me", "I Don't Know", "Metal Baby"
4
Sep 12 2024
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Emperor Tomato Ketchup
Stereolab
meh.
3
Sep 16 2024
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Jack Takes the Floor
Ramblin' Jack Elliott
Ramblin' is a bit of an understatement, but at least he has some sense of direction, Oakland is, in fact, across the bay from San Francisco...
Ramblin' Jack meanders his way through the album, caterwauling, mumbling and giving "here's a song about..." exposition. A reasonably talented songwriter, but seemingly found his limitations and decided to just stop there and not push himself any further. Ultimately, this album is very forgettable and it's highly unlikely that I'll remember any of it because I won't be coming back to it, ever.
2
Sep 17 2024
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Foxbase Alpha
Saint Etienne
Catchy songs with an upbeat groove, but some of the sample interludes are a little to long and repetitive ("would you like some sweets willy?"), but overall sounds exactly like what I remember from early 90s dub and house music. Sarah Cracknell's vocals are soft and sweet and offer a nice break from the otherwise over repetitiveness of the album.
I don't feel like this is required material, even if it may have been influential on the genre, it doesn't do much to excite me
2
Sep 18 2024
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I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight
Richard Thompson
This is the first album I've added to my saved music on Spotify in weeks (that wasn't already there). The first 4 tracks are great folk-ish songs with some elements of rock and delightful guitar work.
4
Sep 20 2024
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Nixon
Lambchop
This was my first exposure to Lambchop and I almost bailed on the first song, mostly due to Kurt Wagner's drab vocals and somewhat sparse instrumentation, but luckily I stuck around for the second track. Grumpus is a nice bit of life added to this album after the snoozefest of The Old Gold Shoe. You Masculine You ends up being a bit of a cross between the first 2 tracks with very so-so vocals, but far more engaging arrangements (great melody, but the soft falsetto was distracting and ultimately just meh).
So all that said, you can pretty much get a feel for this whole album in the first 3 tracks. Solid arrangements with beautiful strings and other accompaniment topped with dull vocals. I feel like this album would have been more enjoyable with a different singer.
I guess 3/5?
3
Sep 26 2024
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You Are The Quarry
Morrissey
Self-righteous, pompous, trite, unapologetic (literally) and fairly bland. Come listen to Morrissey spend 47 minutes and 20 seconds berate you about how he's so much better than you are or ever will be. Most of the songs are repetitive and drab with very few exceptions.
"Irish Blood, English Heart" slaps tho.
2
Sep 27 2024
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Back to Mystery City
Hanoi Rocks
Maybe periodically updating this list isn't what's needed anymore. Maybe it's time to just scrap it and start from scratch because like this album, there's a lot of fluff/filler on here that just doesn't need to be.
There's nothing remarkable about this album at all. From off-key, whiny vocals to generic, uninspired performances (that awful flute in the intro track). Heck, this isn't even a popular album among their listeners on Spotify..
1
Oct 02 2024
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Rattus Norvegicus
The Stranglers
In case you ever wondered what raw power sounded like, look no further. Nasty bass, snarling vocals, heavy organ, this album absolutely drips attitude and punk ethos. "IV"? More like "V"!
Been a long time fan of these guys and this album falls in my personal top 100 records of all time. This is a rare gem on this list that has been rather stale the last few weeks.
5
Oct 04 2024
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Actually
Pet Shop Boys
Very Pet Shop Boys start to finish. Some gems on this album, but ultimately, this album exists in a very specific time in history and doesn't really hold up in the modern music world (that sounds more negative than I mean it). A number of the songs get a little repetitive and drone on for a little too long, but the themes and emotions throughout are relatable and at times hard hitting.
3
Oct 07 2024
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Heroes to Zeros
The Beta Band
What an aggressively mid record. It truly doesn't know what it wants to be, and I don't mean that in an "every song has it's own sound" kinda way. Every track is a mishmash of half baked ideas that never quite land. Seventies singer/songwriter esc at it's core with overwhelming drum loops, disconnected sound effects, ambient repetitive vocals. And that cover?! Some 14 year old boy probably saw this in the shop and thought it was going to be the coolest album ever, and then he listened to it...
1
Oct 08 2024
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Deep Purple In Rock
Deep Purple
If all you've heard of these guys is "Smoke On The Water" (or even worse, kids that just heard it for the first time playing it wrong/poorly at your local guitar store), I suggest putting that song out of your mind when listening to this. The opening track alone is straight face melting raw rock power! Bloodsucker feels like proto Jack White as he's definitely ripped off that guitar line on a solo track and the arrangement on more than one Raconteurs songs. Child In Time is a 10+ minute roller coaster with prog-y organ and haunting vocals, but really picks up at the 3:20 mark and you're right back to the brutal rock for just under 3 minutes before going back to the chill organ and back up again. The rest of the album is a lot more of the same, just hard hitting rock with thick organ and guitars, kicking drums, and powerful vocals. After this album, I finally get what all the fuss was about with these guys
4
Oct 09 2024
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Teen Dream
Beach House
Dream pop is dreamy. Honestly, this was a very enjoyable album (especially compared to a lot of the other suggestions I've been getting on here as of late). Ambient, sweet and well written.
Fav tracks: Norway, Lover of Mine, Real Love
4
Oct 10 2024
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Penthouse And Pavement
Heaven 17
This album should serve as a reminder that just because a band was a "pioneer" in a genre does not mean their music will hold a flame to anyone they served as an influence to down the road. There's some interesting production choices on this album and for 1981, it was probably revolutionary, but by today's standards, it's an exhaustive listen. By the end of it, my jaw hurt from clinching my teeth...
hardly a 1/5
1
Oct 14 2024
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The Last Broadcast
Doves
I had this album on CD when it came out, so there's a tinge of nostalgia listening to it again all these years later. I feel like it still holds up for the most part. Well crafted jangle brit-pop, comforting melodies, great arrangements, snappy production. The tracks sung by guitarist Jez are great songs, but his voice is nasally and whiny and leaves much to be desired, while Jimi's smooth almost crooner delivery serves the songs very well.
There's 2 "instrumental" passages on this album that could have been left out as they don't add anything to the overall listening experience. In the same vain, a number of songs on the album have long drawn out intros making the album a little bloated overall. That said, it's still a solid record and I can confirm that I still enjoy it after all these years.
4
Oct 16 2024
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The Healer
John Lee Hooker
Pretty standard blues for the era. Only song that really stands out from the rest of the album is the title track and that's entirely because of the Santana feature, he just comes out and punches you in the face as if to say "Hey! Santana is here!". The rest of the features do bring that artists' signature touch, but none of them as prominent as Santana's signature guitar tone and band. All in all, this album is just okay, nothing spectacular, just middle of the road blues.
3
Oct 17 2024
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Rid Of Me
PJ Harvey
If a record could have teeth. Maybe not the best mixed album, but the songs hit hard and PJ's vocals are great!
4
Oct 18 2024
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Blur
Blur
As an American, I'm a casual Blur fan as they were little more than "Song 2" on this side of the pond. That being said, this is a solid record overall. Certainly a staple for 90s Brit-pop/power-pop. I know Song 2 wasn't their typical sound, but beyond just the wall of guitar and quiet/loud production, there's something in the writing of that song that isn't found anywhere else in their catalog that I've found.
3
Oct 22 2024
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Modern Life Is Rubbish
Blur
Two Blur albums almost in a row? I wonder how many more of their albums are on this list. It's an ok album but not great.
3
Oct 25 2024
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The Cars
The Cars
When your debut album is a literal greatest hits album. The Cars released a few other albums after this but I don't think any of them were as instant of a classic as their debut.
4
Oct 28 2024
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Sunday At The Village Vanguard
Bill Evans Trio
My notes were wiped and I don't remember them, but I enjoyed this album. Great playing all around by everyone even if the bass solo passages at times seem to go on a little long and diverge from the core feeling of the song a bit.
4
Oct 29 2024
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The Low End Theory
A Tribe Called Quest
I could have sworn that I already had this album suggested but that might just be because I have it in semi regular rotation in my personal collection. This record is so damn smooth and buttery, a bona fide staple of early hip hop and also absolutely timeless.
For a laugh, check out "Rap Promoter" if you want to hear what Kid Rock tried to rip off..
5
Nov 01 2024
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The Last Of The True Believers
Nanci Griffith
It's nice enough I guess. Sounds pretty much like all the other country, singer/songwriter, coffee shop music that came out around the same time. There's really nothing spectacular about it.
3
Nov 04 2024
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Blackstar
David Bowie
This is such a phenomenal album, but it is a hard listen knowing it was Bowie's farewell to the world.
Haunting production from start to finish, even in the more upbeat-ish tracks like "Tis a Pity" and "Sue". There's a lot of prog elements to the album as well that keep it exciting and fresh.
Favorite tracks: Blackstar, Girl Loves Me and Dollar Days
5
Nov 05 2024
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The Message
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five
Maybe this album was more important when it was released, but it didn't really do anything for me as a full album. A couple tracks are bops, but the album as a whole just feels slapped together with no real sense of direction. Good bass grooves though
3
Nov 06 2024
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Countdown To Ecstasy
Steely Dan
Steely Dan definitely deserves to be on this list but I'd probably pick a different album, like either album the one is sandwiched between. That said, it's a good record. I give it a light 4
4
Nov 07 2024
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Live And Dangerous
Thin Lizzy
These guys absolutely rocked. Awesome musicians, a solid live performance, and a great selection of tracks. But I don't think a live Thin Lizzy album should make it on a list of albums to listen to before you die. There's so many other live albums that could have been included instead of this one.
3
Nov 11 2024
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Beyond Skin
Nitin Sawhney
it insists upon itself...
1
Nov 15 2024
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The Scream
Siouxsie And The Banshees
Very avant-guard post punk. Siouxsie's vocals are some how both awesome and grating but no matter your tastes, they work here. Not sure how often I'll revisit this album, but it did send me down the Siouxsie and the Banshees rabbit hole which is full of wonderful music. I'd give this a 3, but since it resparked my joy for the rest of the catalog, it gets bumped to a 4
4
Nov 18 2024
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In Our Heads
Hot Chip
Opening track takes a moment to get some traction and I was going to just throw in the towel expecting just another run of the mill electronic act that plagues this list (seriously, how many copy/paste English electronic bands are on here?!?), and then those crispy-af drums came in and caught my attention. But was that it? No! The song kept going and drawing me in more and more. Truly a killer song and album opener.
Sadly, the momentum doesn't carry and the next few tracks were bland enough that I drifted off and missed them until slipping back in with "Look At Where We Are", which is a beautiful yet somber tune. The album continues to be a bit of an up and down with some great songs, some less so. Some take a little too long to get off the ground, some punch you right in the face.
It's not a bad record by any stretch, just not one I'll be coming back to as a full album, but definitely added a few songs to playlists.
3
Nov 20 2024
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Here, My Dear
Marvin Gaye
This list already included his best works with "What's Going On" and "Let's Get It On". This album has some of the same signature sounds as those before it, but unlike those other albums, it doesn't really add anything that sounds out in his overall catalog. Gaye's smooth buttery vocals, croon-y ballads, occasional funky groovy vibes, and all are great, but it's nothing fresh.
3
Nov 21 2024
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If I Should Fall From Grace With God
The Pogues
Now we're talking! And almost nailed the timing with Christmas coming up and Fairytale of New York. Not long ago, they would do a 3-4 night stint at The Fillmore here in San Francisco this time of year and I'm happy I got to catch a show the one time.
A master class in blending traditional Irish folk music with the politics and ethos of punk rock. I don't have a single bad thing to say about this album, just go listen to it, and when it's over, listen to it again.
4
Nov 22 2024
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Electric
The Cult
A fun album by a classic rock band. But a must-listen-before-you-die album? I think not...
3
Nov 25 2024
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Lost Souls
Doves
Your boys at www.1001albumsgenerator.com sure do love their Doves. I wonder if they'll update the list to add the new album when it comes out?
Doves are a pretty consistent band, and I do enjoy them (had this and The Last Broadcast on CD back in the day), but I feel like they would have been fine to include just one album from their catalog on here and then looked to other artists that were effectively snubbed. This can actually be said about a lot of albums on here, and while I agree an artist can have multiple albums in their catalog that are a must, not EVERY artist deserves multiple shoutouts on here.
All that said 3/5
3
Nov 29 2024
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Everything Must Go
Manic Street Preachers
I enjoy power-pop and britpop, I honestly do, but this album is just no good. The vocals are grating, the lyrics are cringy and the production is somehow both over done and bloated while also being thin and cheap sounding. Hard pass for me
1
Dec 02 2024
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The Nightfly
Donald Fagen
Groovy, bouncy, jazzy yacht rock through and through. It's like diet Steely Dan with all the signature taste of Fagen, but zero Becker. That said, I'd rather listen to Steely Dan.
3