701
Albums Rated
3.31
Average Rating
64%
Complete
388 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
1950s
Favorite Decade
Rock-and-roll
Favorite Genre
other
Top Origin
Wordsmith
Rater Style ?
104
5-Star Albums
43
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Like Water For Chocolate | 5 | 2.96 | +2.04 |
| Autobahn | 5 | 3.09 | +1.91 |
| This Is Hardcore | 5 | 3.14 | +1.86 |
| Miriam Makeba | 5 | 3.19 | +1.81 |
| Lady In Satin | 5 | 3.23 | +1.77 |
| I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got | 5 | 3.25 | +1.75 |
| Kenya | 5 | 3.27 | +1.73 |
| Live At The Star Club, Hamburg | 5 | 3.28 | +1.72 |
| Liquid Swords | 5 | 3.28 | +1.72 |
| Siembra | 5 | 3.29 | +1.71 |
You Love Less Than Most
Albums you rated lower than global average
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fear Of Music | 1 | 3.47 | -2.47 |
| xx | 1 | 3.37 | -2.37 |
| Armed Forces | 1 | 3.09 | -2.09 |
| The Modern Lovers | 1 | 3.06 | -2.06 |
| Bandwagonesque | 1 | 3.05 | -2.05 |
| Underwater Moonlight | 1 | 3.05 | -2.05 |
| Your Arsenal | 1 | 3.05 | -2.05 |
| Behaviour | 1 | 3.04 | -2.04 |
| Skylarking | 1 | 3.04 | -2.04 |
| Emperor Tomato Ketchup | 1 | 3.02 | -2.02 |
Artist Analysis
Favorite Artists
Artists with 2+ albums
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Beatles | 6 | 4.67 |
| Radiohead | 4 | 4.75 |
| Nirvana | 3 | 5 |
| Pink Floyd | 3 | 5 |
| Bob Dylan | 7 | 4.29 |
| Led Zeppelin | 4 | 4.5 |
| Miles Davis | 2 | 5 |
| Bob Marley & The Wailers | 2 | 5 |
| Fela Kuti | 2 | 5 |
| Creedence Clearwater Revival | 2 | 5 |
| Common | 2 | 5 |
| Kraftwerk | 2 | 5 |
| Michael Jackson | 2 | 5 |
| Jimi Hendrix | 2 | 5 |
| Johnny Cash | 2 | 5 |
| A Tribe Called Quest | 2 | 5 |
| Coldplay | 2 | 5 |
| R.E.M. | 4 | 4.25 |
| Prince | 3 | 4.33 |
| Beastie Boys | 3 | 4.33 |
| Bruce Springsteen | 5 | 4 |
Least Favorite Artists
Artists with 2+ albums
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Elvis Costello & The Attractions | 4 | 1.25 |
| Pet Shop Boys | 2 | 1 |
| The Divine Comedy | 2 | 1 |
| Talking Heads | 2 | 1.5 |
| The xx | 2 | 1.5 |
| Morrissey | 2 | 1.5 |
| Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds | 3 | 2 |
| Tim Buckley | 3 | 2 |
Controversial Artists
Artists you rate inconsistently
| Artist | Ratings |
|---|---|
| Happy Mondays | 4, 1 |
5-Star Albums (104)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
Kraftwerk
5/5
A classic which basically started electronic music. It sounds so futuristic and so hard to believe it’s from 1978
8 likes
Stan Getz
5/5
If there was an essential bossa nova album this would be it. Or at least a very strong contender. Easy 5 stars.
Especially the time of listening my city has been raining for the last 2 weeks. This brings Copacabana vibes and lifts the spirits somewhat.
3 likes
Run-D.M.C.
3/5
King of Rock is the better album but considering this one came before it might be more influential.
1 likes
Kraftwerk
5/5
I’m not an electronic music guy, but without Kraftwerk EDM would not be the same today. For that alone this deserves an easy 5 stars.
1 likes
Pere Ubu
1/5
Maybe a front runner for Talking Heads? I don’t like Talking Heads so logically I don’t enjoy this either. It’s one of those styles of music where you claim to like it to be cool in a contrarian sort of way.
1 likes
1-Star Albums (43)
All Ratings
Arcade Fire
4/5
Black Mirror is a great opening track and the indie punk sound reminds me of my uni years. Nice drums but the angular guitar parts get a bit repetitive halfway through the album.
nice vibe to listen to while walking, or to use in a hipster indie film
Massive Attack
3/5
I don’t listen to trip hop much, it’s not bad but most of the album faded into the background until Heat Miser which grabbed my attention.
Foo Fighters
5/5
Some schoolmates and I once went on a joy ride during high school one summer night and discussed our favourite music. Apparently at one point I said “well everyone loves a bit of Foo Fighters”
It’s refreshing to hear this album again after so long, especially looking back from 2023 where most music is so digital and heavily edited and sampled, to get that usable TikTok soundbite.
Basically a Dave Grohl vehicle (he played all the instruments) it’s quite stripped down in a way that’s understandable as someone coming from a 3 piece grunge band. It has the same ingredients to Nirvana (loud distorted guitars, pounding drums, quiet loud structure) yet so different, decidedly sunnier and more pop. Still, it’s got that charming rough around the edges and a bit more raw compared to the stadium rock polish they would be so famous in later albums. What I noticed this time is how the vocals are a little bit buried in the mix.
I forgot how much I used to enjoy just lying back and letting a wall of crunchy distorted guitar and loud drums wash over me. Steak and potato rock for sure, but nothing wrong with that.
David Bowie
4/5
Here’s an album that’s been on my to listen list for a while. They said Bowie made a masterpiece before he passed away. The album manages to capture a classic Bowie sound while being forward looking at the same time. Highlight song for me is Lazarus.
Rod Stewart
4/5
I used to listen to a lot of classic rock like this, but somehow this particular album just doesn't really do it for me... the mix of the bass is a bit weird in the earlier tracks and that continued to distract me haha. And man is the bass line so busy in the opening track! Is it sacrilege to criticise an album that every boomer rates 5/5 stars?
That said, the more mellow acoustic songs were quite nice (maybe because the arrangements didn't have as much bass!). Obviously Maggie May is a classic but for me the standout tracks are "Tomorrow is a Long Time" (which turns out to be a Dylan cover... figures!) and "Mandolin Wind".
Leonard Cohen
4/5
Brilliant album, tonally consistent. Leonard Cohen has a way with lyrics and the stripped back folk arrangement suits this well. Standout track is "Famous Blue Raincoat" but "Avalanche" demands your attention as soon as you hit play.
Sonic Youth
3/5
I am not familiar with Sonic Youth but have heard about them a lot. So it was good to have a chance to listen to them. My thoughts on this album? A bit meh. It’s fine as music playing in the background when I try to soak up in it I find most of the tracks too meandering with not much melody to make any of the tracks memorable. Maybe that’s the point with noise rock?
And I usually like my fair share of noise and distortion.
I think this kind of sound was probably groundbreaking in its time but after grunge became mainstream this doesn’t sound too exceptional. Anyways this is also supposed to be their grunge album.
Disappointed that I didn’t like this album but afterwards I started checking out their earlier stuff and I like them a bit more.
Standout track for me here is Chapel Hill with its catchy opening riff.
Jah Wobble's Invaders Of The Heart
3/5
Interesting album and concepts to incorporate world music sounds. It ends up sounding like background music in a cafe that tries to be a bit posh.
At least the bass lines are pretty solid.
Standout tracks: Bomba and Erzulie
Sly & The Family Stone
5/5
Thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish. Love the funky jams
Miles Davis
5/5
Classic album and really good from start to finish
Ray Price
4/5
Not a country music expert by any means and the album won’t make me start listening to it more, but I appreciate how polished this album is. Clear dreamy vocals, reverb laden lead guitars, plodding bass. This is what I imagine a barn slow dance would sound like. Also appreciate that this is trying to be a concept album at an era where this wasn’t the done thing.
R.E.M.
4/5
All the classic hallmarks of REM is here. The jangly guitars, the cryptic haunting wails from Michael Stipe.. this is 80s alternative at its best. Accessible yet sounds a bit underground like the best years of university. Second half feels a bit weak I find but the first half makes up for it and I found myself singing along to One I Love while vacuuming. Solid effort.
The Undertones
4/5
Very competent punk album, the songs are short and to the point!
Jeff Buckley
5/5
Haunting choral like vocals with hard hitting 90s alternative rock drums. This album is a masterpiece. Highlight tracks: Grace, Lilac Wine, Hallelujah, Lover You Should’ve Come Over
Jane's Addiction
4/5
A bit like a more diverse Motley Crüe. LA metal/hard rock sound but with a bit more groovy rhythm section and some experimental songs. Dave Navarro is a tasteful lead guitarist in small doses. Can’t really stand the lead vocals though.
Standout track is Standing in the Shower Thinking and Mountain Song
Dinosaur Jr.
3/5
To me it seems like more noise rock like Sonic Youth but apparently they are not. Not sure what the difference is.
There’s something to appreciate in noise rock. Unusual song structure, a wall of sound that drowns you. On an intellectual level I think it’s pretty cool but I just can’t connect with it emotionally. Feels a bit calculated, eschewing conventional rules just because you want to rebel. I guess it’s a teenage instinct that I don’t relate to anymore.
The texture of noise is actually quite nice and visceral. Unfortunately the whiny mopey lead vocals don’t really do it for me and it takes away from the experience.
Most of the album feels like a blur of noise but the stand out song for me it’s Don’t. I couldn’t help comparing it with Nirvana’a Territorial Pissings but much more raw and cathartic (which is an awesome thing).
Ash
4/5
Never heard of them before but it's pretty good Britpop with less whiny vocals when compared with Oasis. High energy rock.
Isaac Hayes
4/5
Smooth grooves. Love the long jams but I think I need to be in the right mood for it.
Gorillaz
4/5
Clint Eastwood and 19/2000 are classic standouts. The rest are interesting jams with a lot of instrumentals over various styles of music blended into a unique Gorillaz sound. Pretty interesting blend of genres which is pretty ahead of its time.
The Stranglers
3/5
Punk/new wave from the 80s. Interesting addition of bluesy keys.
Motörhead
3/5
Can't deny the influence of Motorhead to heavy metal. The combination of hard rock and punk (in sound and attitude) is charming, as is the production value. Standout track is the classic "Ace of Spades" but the rest of the album sounds a bit samey to me. Lemmy is not the most technical bassist but his hard driving bass lines and slightly distorted tone suits the music so that's cool. I definitely enjoy his bass playing more than his vocals haha.
Something I don't mind listening to in small doses but not all the time (generally applies to metal for me nowadays).
Bob Marley & The Wailers
5/5
Can't go wrong with a vintage Bob Marley album. This is the first time I've heard the non-live version of No Woman No Cry and I have to say the vibe is more chill.
The Mothers Of Invention
1/5
A quirky album with satirical commentary lyrics and even in attitude. I appreciate it for its vision and concept intellectually. I also agree that it is definitely influential, but it was not enjoyable listening to it. Reminds me of when I was super drunk trying to be a rock star at my friend’s flat. I thought I was super witty with my random lyrics but I wouldn’t listen to it again the next day.
Neil Young
3/5
I thought I would Neil Young but his voice grates after a while. Highlight on this album is For the Turnstiles for me for the laid back folky arrangement.
Otis Redding
4/5
Beautiful buttery voice with a bite. Standout track for me is Down in the Valley
Stereolab
1/5
Eclectic mix of sounds but doesn't really work for me
Fela Kuti
5/5
Great jazzy record. Couldn't spend enough time to listen to it properly but what I heard was great.
The Velvet Underground
4/5
Gritty 60s rock, can see how it influences punk.
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
4/5
Actually really nice classic rock. Prefer the more acoustic folky numbers like Teach Your Children and Our House
Donovan
2/5
A bit too hippie for me
The Beau Brummels
2/5
Didn’t really stand out for me
Elis Regina
3/5
Interesting Brasilian music. Samba influences apparent but mixed in interesting ways.
Doves
4/5
Comparisons to early Coldplay is justified. And to me that’s in the best way possible. Love late 90s/early 00s Britpop
Joni Mitchell
3/5
Good folk music. Can see how it influences later artists
Dusty Springfield
3/5
Silky smooth voice. Sometimes the songs on the record are a bit cheesy. Highlight is Son of a Preacher Man.
Motörhead
2/5
The live album captures Motorheads energy a lot better than the studio albums. But it gets repetitive after a while.
4/5
Surprisingly enjoyable old school country music. Found myself dancing along haha. Great vocals and storytelling.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
4/5
Great 2000s indie rock
Frank Sinatra
3/5
Quite smooth but in some parts Sinatra’s lounge croony voice doesn’t really suit the bossa nova style.
Arrested Development
3/5
Interesting arrangements with positive message.
The Saints
3/5
Another punk album
Ministry
4/5
Love industrial metal from time to time. This album is pretty influential to the point that Du Hast sounds very similar to Just One Fix. I prefer my industrial metal with more chunky groove and less of that harsh vocal though.
fIREHOSE
3/5
Interesting alternative rock
The Jesus And Mary Chain
4/5
Quiet pleasant album to listen to while winding down on a rainy Sunday afternoon. Vocalist has a calming voice. Feels like an album to be highly regarded and recommended by purveyors of taste and played in cool record stores.
Joy Division
4/5
A moody post punk album that’s been very influential in the genre. I need to be in the mood to enjoy Ian Curtis’s vocals but love the instrumentation. The rolling drums and plucky bass high in the mix is quite catchy.
Radiohead
5/5
My favourite Radiohead album. It's a transition album from their typical Britrock debut to the electronic rock of OK Computer, and it's a perfect balance.
Slade
2/5
Feels like generic 70s hard rock
Def Leppard
4/5
Cheesy pop metal from the 80s? Yes. But such a guilty pleasure
R.E.M.
3/5
Another REM album. Not bad to play in the background but nothing much sticks out to me apart from Radio Free Europe
The Kinks
3/5
60s British rock, less Beatles-y than the Beatles. Favourite tracks are Sunny Afternoon and Rainy Day in June.
They’re fine but it made me realise how much I am missing the Beatles harmonies, John’s sarcasm, Paul’s bass lines, George’s licks and Ringo’s fills.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
3/5
Not bad but still can’t really stand abril Young’s voice most of the time. Love the distortion tone of the guitars though.
The Gun Club
3/5
Nightmares On Wax
4/5
I enjoy most of the trip hop recommendations on this list.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
5/5
Love their brand of rootsy hippie rock. I’m ambivalent with their straight up rock and roll numbers though. Classic album with plenty of CCR classics.
Billie Holiday
5/5
Really dig Billie’s voice. Such a rich timbre with a lot of emotion. The arrangements don’t get in the way.
Cat Stevens
4/5
Great folk rock by Yusuf. His most well known songs are on this album.
Jurassic 5
5/5
Great grooves and rhymes
Blur
4/5
Strong tunes in the first half but the latter part of the album feel like fillers
David Bowie
5/5
Really enjoyable Bowie album. Sounds a bit stripped back and folky (a lot of piano driven songs) but with that touch of Bowie quirkiness and flamboyance. One of my favourites.
Jack White
2/5
Some tracks that I liked. Not really sure how to categorise the music here and maybe that’s the whole point. Maybe Jack White is trying to broaden his sounds to more than just bluesy garage rock. Quite unlike The White Stripes and it’s a bit more polished of a record.
Tom Waits
2/5
So many eclectic styles in one album. Some people hate his voice. I think it’s quite cool. Just can’t stand the tracks with the extremely 80s saxophones and the carnival style songs.
Jerry Lee Lewis
5/5
For a 22 minute album this is full of energy
Led Zeppelin
5/5
Almost no bad tracks here. Black Dog has one of the best riffs in hard rock. Rock and Roll is unstoppable.
Neil Young
3/5
Another Neil Young album…
The Killers
4/5
The first five tracks are flawless. I always have a soft spot for Mr Brightside, it’s the song of the iPod generation. But looking back from 2023 I have a new appreciation for All These Things That I’ve Done.
The rest of the album don’t compare unfortunately and for that I need to rate the album down. In 2004 there are better dance post punk garage type bands like The Strokes and Franz Ferdinand.
The Killers would make better albums later (Day and Age I think of their best) and perfect their sound into a stadium rock style. But I also like the rougher guitar tone in this album.
Amusingly, Glamorous Indie Rock & Roll sounds like they’re attempting a Queen sound haha.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
1/5
Not sure what is the big deal with Elvis Costello. He’s basically a smug, insufferable version of Bruce Springsteen, without the working class earnestness. The whiny vocals grate after a while.
Good drum work on the album though.
Todd Rundgren
3/5
Interesting album, wish I had more time to listen to it
Paul Weller
2/5
Nothing really special
King Crimson
3/5
Apparently this is the first ever program rock album.
Some nice moments but it’s sandwiches between long sessions of noodling that sometimes meander. Could have trimmed the fat in places. Maybe that’s the point?
I enjoyed the drumming and the melodic bass lines though. And the guitar part has a spaghetti western vibe and sounds like they belong in a Ennio Morricone piece.
Santana
5/5
Santana is one of my favourite guitarists so this is an easy 5
Love
3/5
Another 60s hippie folk rock. Love Again is pretty cool
Lauryn Hill
4/5
Love the big 90s hip hop beats and Lauryn has such a good flow. A classic for sure even though there are some tracks that feel like fillers
The Cardigans
4/5
Solid 90s alt rock
The Rolling Stones
4/5
A lot of diversity in style in this Rolling Stones album. Quite enjoyable. Dead Roses is a favourite.
Nirvana
5/5
Love the stripped back and raw approach of this album. I used to prefer Nevermind because it has all the Nirvana hits but these days I prefer In Utero.
A certified classic, hard not to give it 5/5.
Kacey Musgraves
4/5
A pleasant country pop album
The Louvin Brothers
3/5
Pleasant harmonies
Curtis Mayfield
3/5
Funky and smooth
Keith Jarrett
3/5
Interesting album but after a while it feels like noodling
Common
5/5
I remember when this came out it was a sharp contrast to the other mainstream hip hop which was either gangsta or about bling and women. The political consciousness coupled with a chilled jazzy vibe was refreshing.
Marvin Gaye
5/5
Classic Motown soul with James Jamerson’s velvety bass lines
Animal Collective
2/5
Experimental indie music. Ambitious but didn’t really connect with me emotionally
Patti Smith
3/5
Didn’t listen to all the lyrics but I quite enjoyed this one. She has a distinctive tone of voice
Eagles
4/5
It’s not as good as I remember it. Apart from Hotel California the rest seems to be average country rock
Led Zeppelin
5/5
Led Zeppelin makes the best hard rock music and this is one of their best albums. They expand their sound into more folk compared to their first 2 albums. Highlight: Since I’ve Been Loving You
The Specials
2/5
Not sure if this was The Specials best work.
The Residents
1/5
If their intention is to make art with something unlistenable then they’ve succeeded. Some catchy soundscapes but not full enough to become songs (maybe that’s the point). Not quite enjoyable
The 13th Floor Elevators
2/5
Great psychedelic music but would sound better without the jug
Oasis
5/5
A classic Britpop album. Morning Glory has all the hits but this has Live Forever
Stan Getz
5/5
If there was an essential bossa nova album this would be it. Or at least a very strong contender. Easy 5 stars.
Especially the time of listening my city has been raining for the last 2 weeks. This brings Copacabana vibes and lifts the spirits somewhat.
Dead Kennedys
3/5
That raw punk sound but more dangerous sounding compared to The Clash
Fleet Foxes
4/5
This kind of hipster indie folk/pop is my kind of jam. Beautiful harmonies with folky arrangements. White Winter Hymnal just sounds timeless.
The Verve
3/5
Very similar to other 90s Brit pop/alt
Hugh Masekela
4/5
Great piece of jazz
Frank Sinatra
4/5
Classic Sinatra vibes
Brian Eno
3/5
Intriguing album and no doubt influential to the electronic genre.
Pixies
4/5
Love Here Comes Your Man.
Mike Ladd
2/5
Pretty cool production style but not really feeling the vibe.
Pink Floyd
5/5
Classic album, the highs are super high but also with some filler.
Joni Mitchell
3/5
Didn’t listen to the whole album because it’s not on Spotify any YouTube ads annoy me. What I did hear is nice enough though. Folky singer songwriter style.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
4/5
The songs get more and more electric until the last track which has been said to be the godfather of grunge. That said I only enjoyed the first and last tracks of the album.
Sly & The Family Stone
4/5
Sweet bass lines
3/5
Pretty rocking Blur album
Elvis Presley
4/5
Classic Elvis album
Radiohead
4/5
I remember the big hype around this one because you could pay whatever you wanted to get a digital copy of the album. The good old days before music distribution platforms eh?
Looking back this feels like a consolidation Radiohead album where they still do the electronic experimentation but in a more standard a song structure. A best of both worlds type of Radiohead album.
Highlights: Weird Fishes/Arpeggi, Reckoner, Jigsaw Falling Into Place
Kraftwerk
5/5
I’m not an electronic music guy, but without Kraftwerk EDM would not be the same today. For that alone this deserves an easy 5 stars.
Queen
4/5
A Queen album showing an expansion of their 70s hard rock sound.
Drive-By Truckers
1/5
I thought I would enjoy an album inspired by Lynyrd Skynyrd. Turns out this album is pretty bland. All flash no substance, led by a mediocre vocalist. Even guitar solos are drowned in the mix.
Simon & Garfunkel
3/5
Mrs Robinson is a classic.
Songhoy Blues
5/5
This is the kind of discovery I’m looking for by doing the 1001 albums. This is a great story for blues music. Black music from America influencing African musicians. Not as flashy or focused on lead guitar solos but uses the blues structure and electric blues tones in a Malinese groove.
Emmylou Harris
3/5
Nice vocals
The Chemical Brothers
4/5
Certainly a vibe when it’s cold and raining outside and you are driving through peak traffic.
Minutemen
2/5
This has proto RHCP vibes
The Police
4/5
The Police is one of my favourite bands and Reggatta de Blanc is such a good album.
This was a mid career album where they still play lean new wave reggae music without adding the pop flourishes that you get on later albums.
So remarkable that they can be so lean and tight as a power trio. Sting is the charismatic frontman but to me the real star is Stewart Copeland’s tight drumming and groovy fills. But everything fits together perfectly here.
Favourites: Message in a Bottle, Walking on the Moon, Reggatta de Blanc.
Earth, Wind & Fire
4/5
Funky tracks
Elbow
3/5
Catchy indie tunes
Jean-Michel Jarre
4/5
Interesting soundscapes. I actually enjoyed this
ABBA
4/5
This is the ABBA album with their most well known hits, including Fernando which is one of my favourite ABBA songs
Depeche Mode
4/5
Love the eerie dark vibes and the strong beats. Very 80s in a good way.
I don’t know much about Depeche Mode but really enjoyed discovering this band. This album has hints of Kraftwerk and Joy Division.
Highlights: the first tracks up to Strangelove. The haunting piano and vocals of Pimpf (sounds like a theme for a video game).
Rush
4/5
I have a love hate relationship with prog rock but YYZ rocks
Faith No More
4/5
Funky alt rock
Youssou N'Dour
3/5
Very interesting beats but not a fan of the guitar tone
The Magnetic Fields
1/5
Ugh there are some nice tunes in there and I dig the indie pop aesthetic. But throwing in fillers to a 3 hour playtime is torture. I couldn’t finish it and ended up listening to John Mayer.
Siouxsie And The Banshees
3/5
Once upon a time I might have enjoyed a Lofi gloomy post punk album but today was not one of those days. Appreciate the influence they have on alternative music though.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
3/5
Didn’t get through it all. It wasn’t bad but didn’t stand out to me.
Pink Floyd
5/5
Hard to pick the standout tracks here because all are awesome and they follow one another seamlessly.
Everything But The Girl
2/5
This is what you hear in cool cafes in the 90s
David Ackles
2/5
The musical vibe felt contrived
Blur
3/5
I can see Blur starting to branch out from the Britpop sound with more experimentation, eventually culminating in the Gorillaz sound. Some songs are not catchy but I respect the effort.
Outside of the obvious big singles, I enjoyed Death of a Party
OutKast
3/5
An ambitious album to split off the different styles of Big Boi and Andre 3000. But I feel like it has too much filler. My favourite tracks tend to be on The Love Below though. I guess I prefer Andre’s spin on eclectic funky jazz stuff. He’s channeling Prince vibes
Suede
2/5
Meh
Japan
2/5
I’m a fan of 80s new wave but I didn’t really dig this one. Some of the darker tracks are cool.
I can appreciate the influence of this album on said 80s new wave bands though
Frank Zappa
4/5
Actually quite an enjoyable psychedelic record
The Police
4/5
The Police album with the hits. Also the most poppy one. My favourite Police song is here: Synchronicity II.
Sarah Vaughan
5/5
What a smooth velvety voice. Love this from start to finish. I haven’t heard of Sarah Vaughan before but she must be one of the best jazz vocals like Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald.
Nirvana
5/5
Even though I'm really familiar with this album, it still rocks. The first half is practically flawless. The raw energy of punk, with alternative structures and poppy melodies, optimised for mass appeal.
Favourites: In Bloom, Breed, Lithium, Territorial Pissings, Something in the Way.
Blood, Sweat & Tears
3/5
Jazz rock has always been a mixed bag for me. There are some cool tunes in here but I feel is inconsistent.
John Grant
3/5
I enjoyed “Baby you’re where dreams go to die”.
Lovely ballady folk stuff and I like how he enunciates his lyrics.
Talking Heads
2/5
Can’t stand David Byrne’s voice but the rest of the band is pretty tight. Credit them for taking the punk spirit with an arty approach without the nihilist attitude.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
2/5
Still can’t stand Elvis Costello’s voice. People say he’s one of the greatest lyricists but all I’m getting is someone who tries to fit lots of big words into a flat melody. At least with rap you have rhythmic flow instead of verbosity.
I gave him 1/5 on another album and this one is begrudgingly 2/5 because Pump It Up and Radio, Radio are kind of okay.
Michael Jackson
5/5
Not sure which Michael Jackson album I like best but it’s in the top 3. People say this album sounds dated but it’s not necessarily a bad thing. Love the slightly harder edged vibes compared to the smooth R&B of Thriller. Also the synth bass slaps.
Gram Parsons
1/5
They say this is an important country album as it takes in some rock and roll influences. I’ll have to take their word for it since I’m not an expert but it’s not too remarkable for me.
Megadeth
4/5
This brand of speed/thrash I think I could like more if I spend more time listening to it. But the vocal is the weakest point. Plus kind of cringey D&D style lyrics I have somehow outgrown.
But Tornado of Souls totally rocks. Fell in love with the guitar solo at first listen and I had to rewind to listen to again. This has not happened to me for a while.
ZZ Top
4/5
A lot of big hits here. I love when ZZ Top get down and dirty with their fat distorted guitar sounds. There are some stylistically different tracks, I’m not so much of a fan but I suppose respect for branching out from their usual style.
Adele
4/5
This album was everywhere when it came out. The big hit is obviously Rolling in the Deep. And it can be argued that Adele (along with others of course) paved the way for solo female artists that charted big in the 2010s.
Listening to it outside of its cultural context is interesting. The music is arranged to allow Adele’s voice to be the primary focus. Which is probably not necessarily a bad thing. Other albums I have rated and enjoyed are like this, like Billie Holiday.
Hole
4/5
Can’t believe I never listened to this album. The only Hole song I knew before was Celebrity Skin which is a lot more polished. This album is a raw mix of punk and alternative, it is pure grunge. Love Courtney’s vocal delivery especially when she screams her lungs off. Angsty teenage me would have loved this.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
Yes it’s the Rolling Stones but not sure why their album of blues covers is on this list, apart from it being their first album? Surely their later work is more worthwhile once they’ve refined their blues influences into their signature sound.
No disrespect to the Stones but I’m talking stars off this one. If you want to highlight blues music pick one by one of the OG blues musicians from Chicago or the Delta.
The Young Gods
2/5
Not feeling it
Supertramp
2/5
It’s ok
Amy Winehouse
5/5
The soulful singer Adele wishes she was.
Classy jazz arrangements that don’t detract from her smoky soulful vocals. Fade to Black still hits with the lyrics.
Metallica
3/5
Metal and classical music actually pair up quite well, and the treatment suits some Metallica songs more than others. What was a novelty in 1999 seems to be now quite common in some metal genres.
That said, the orchestral treatment seems overdone in some other songs (too much spy movie vibe).
Billy Joel
5/5
I ironically enjoy Billy Joe's music from the 70s. The songs are arranged well in the singer songwriter style of the period (without getting too folky), with interesting imagery evoked in his lyrics. Highlight is The Stranger and She's Always A Woman
Doves
4/5
I reviewed their other album The Last Broadcast while recuperating after doing a hike in the Fiordlands of New Zealand. I was chilling to that album in a cheap and cramped hostel in Queenstown, but really loved the vibe. Their sound is representative of the post-Oasis Britpop sound.
I probably don't seek out their music intentionally but really don't mind it.
Nick Drake
3/5
Cosy folk arrangements
The Temptations
5/5
Strong funky numbers in the first few tracks, followed by Motown R&B. Love the James Jamerson bass lines as always
The Rolling Stones
3/5
I enjoy a couple of Stones songs but I think they are overplayed now. The rest just feels like too jangly for me. Controversial opinion maybe. But I respect their influence on rock music.
Elvis Costello
1/5
How many Costello do we need on this albums list? 😐
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
2/5
Appreciate the artistic vision but it wouldn’t be something I play very often. By conventional means it’s not pleasant sounding but actually if you isolate certain parts you can hear good tunes.
Beatles
3/5
John Lennon’s voice is pure rock and roll in this album. This is The Beatles right in the middle of their jangly Merseybeat phase before expanding their sound in the later albums. The cover tracks are fine but are probably the low points.
Kanye West
4/5
Pre crazy Kanye is pretty cool. I listened to Graduation a lot when it came out but I know that this was what put Kanye on the map. This bucked the gangsta rap sound so in that sense is very influential.
Death In Vegas
3/5
Cool industrial trip hop vibes.
Willie Colón & Rubén Blades
5/5
Salsa is an easy 5 for me. Sunny dancey vibes
U2
3/5
Prefer the old style of U2 but respect the reinvention
Alice In Chains
4/5
Dirty grungy sound with bleak ish lyrics
Run-D.M.C.
5/5
An easy 5 stars for one of the biggest names that brings hip hop to the mainstream. The production and the flow is old school but the influence is massive. It’s Tricky is my all time favourite Run DMC track.
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five
4/5
Birth of hip hop was essentially a stripped down soul album. Sounds dated but appreciate the influence. It also has a surprisingly diverse style that varies from track to track.
Bauhaus
3/5
Dark post punk energy in a similar vein to Joy Division
Metallica
4/5
Would have been at least 4.5/5 if they didn’t muck up the bass guitar in the mix. Cool riffs and structurally technical composition. This is rightly called the closest Metallica gets to prog metal. Highlight: the machine gun drumming in the bridge of One still gives me goosebumps.
Muddy Waters
4/5
Great blues album and Muddy Waters influenced rock music in a big way.
Buena Vista Social Club
5/5
Easy 5 stars for this classic gem of Cuban jazz
Pet Shop Boys
1/5
Cheesy electronic pop music but some interesting effects
Pet Shop Boys
1/5
I can’t believe I got Pet Shop Boys 2 days in a row. The lyrics and arrangement is even more cheesy than the last one (Behaviour). This reminds me of suburban malls in the early 90s but not in a good way. Go West is mildly anthemic so kind of ok I guess.
Joy Division
4/5
I always preferred Closer to Unknown Pleasures. But maybe because I found Unknown Pleasures too lofi.
Public Enemy
4/5
The rhymes hit hard over old school hip hop beats. Yea boii
Prince
3/5
Trademark Prince robotic funky beats
Sebadoh
2/5
Where to begin. It’s a chaotic album. It’s an interesting blend of lofi, Nirvana, and darkish 80s post punk. Makes sense given that they share band members with Dinosaur Jr.
The most fascinating track is Fantastic Disaster where every instrument (including vocals) seems to play on its own key. Maybe the instruments are even out of tune. At least you can save time playing these kind of songs live because you don’t need to tune?
But on the acoustic or stripped back numbers you can feel an In Utero vibe. Just the right level of lofi. So clearly these guys know how to play.
So I give it a 2/5 for effort. I feel like it’s uncool to like bands like this but I honestly feel no emotional connection.
SZA
1/5
Not feeling this modern R&B pop stuff
Except for the one standout single and Rod’s voice (which later launched his solo career), this seems like a pretty average British rock album typical of the era.
Pulp
4/5
Surprisingly enjoyed this Britpop album. Original enough to stand out from other bands with an anthemic vibe.
Beck
3/5
The first half is quite an eclectic blend of rock and hip hop which fits in with the 2000s sound, yet unmistakably Beck. The second half seems a bit samey and drifts into the background.
Ryan Adams
3/5
Not sure what's so special about this mellow country rock. It's ok.
R.E.M.
5/5
REM is not flashy but they are tight and the songs are consistently good here.
Soft Cell
2/5
The two good songs are the singles. The rest are super cheesy 80s synth pop (not in a good way) with cheesier lyrics.
David Bowie
4/5
Bowie’s music always defies categorisation, especially his earlier work.
Herbie Hancock
5/5
Truly a classic and a great introduction to jazz fusion. Chameleon and Watermelon Man are so groovy. Easy 5 stars.
Kendrick Lamar
4/5
Ambitious and layered. The flow is not something I’m drawn to instantly but I respect the music that demands attention.
Faust
2/5
Respect the complex composition and layers. It’s fun adding electronic noise on top of even conventionally more acoustic songs to make them more interesting.
Air
3/5
Interesting hints of Pink Floyd and Radiohead rolled into one.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
5/5
Sometimes all we need is good old bluesy swampy rock
Bob Dylan
5/5
One of the good folk rock albums. I think this is when Bob Dylan started incorporating electric guitars.
Slipknot
3/5
Cool drumming and the songs come together when they sing clean vocals. Not such a fan of the death metal growls. The guitar parts are a bit cheesy though.
Bobby Womack
3/5
Not always in the mood for smooth 80s soul
The Smiths
3/5
I can only tolerate Morrisseys voice in small doses. But the rest of the band is fine.
Wu-Tang Clan
5/5
One of the classics. Absolutely top notch hip hop.
Paul Simon
3/5
Loving the African vibes which actually led me down a rabbit hole of zydeco and mbaqanga playlists on Spotify.
I understand there’s a bit of controversy about cultural appropriation but this helped me discover some new music genres so that’s cool. I guess like a lot of things this is quite complicated.
Songs wise the majority are okay with some misses due to being cheesy 80s pop compositions.
Jethro Tull
4/5
Prog rock with flute. Honestly I thought I was going to hate it but it kinda rocks.
Happy Mondays
4/5
A fun album that helped me understand the progression of British music from the 80s to 90s Britpop era. Didn’t mind it at all.
Little Richard
5/5
Love his voice! Can still feel the electric energy of rock and roll from the OG.
Derek & The Dominos
4/5
I get the accusations of cultural appropriation. But this is still a fine album of 70s blues rock and among the best of Clapton’s work.
Al Green
4/5
Smooth soul and groove
Count Basie & His Orchestra
5/5
Totally enjoyed this on a rainy evening. A strong big band album that totally swings. Bonus points for a mushroom cloud cover
John Lennon
4/5
An uneven album, with some average blues rock stuff. I don’t mind the big hits Imagine and Jealous Guy and my favourite is probably Gimme Some Truth.
I think John’s voice only suits certain styles of music. With the support of The Beatles his music was awesome, The Beatles was truly more than the sum of its individual parts.
There was a bit of bitterness that Paul had the more successful post Beatles career, and if you judge it by this album, you’ll probably understand why.
The Who
4/5
The Who rocks. Powerful drums by Keith Moon, John Entwistle is one of my favourite bassists. Pete Townshend does awesome rhythm guitar. Usually I like Roger Daltreys voice depending on the song, sometimes it’s a bit shaky.
Anyway this album has a lot of their hits. Baba O Riley is a bit overplayed. Won’t Get Fooled Again, I’ll always love the screaming bit.
The Allman Brothers Band
4/5
Great blues jams. Second half is a bit too meandering for me though.
Ray Charles
3/5
I respect the concept behind repackaging country music into a big band jazz sound. Sonically it sounds like Ray Charles does Sinatra. But I miss the r&b Ray Charles. Maybe there’s one of those on this list too.
Nick Drake
2/5
Hippie folk that didn’t stand out too much for me.
B.B. King
5/5
Great live blues album
GZA
5/5
Smooth 90s vibe
Bob Dylan
4/5
Classic Dylan
Parliament
4/5
So much funk. These guys could jam endlessly and it would still not be boring.
And I can see the evolution from Parliament to early hip hop from the song structures.
Beastie Boys
5/5
The second half the album is eclectic af and I’m here for it
Led Zeppelin
4/5
Not my favourite Led Zeppelin album but it’s still pretty solid. The band has started shedding some of its bluesy influences compared to the earlier albums. There are less long solos, and John Paul Jones’ keys start to become more prominent here.
Bonus points for having the coolest cover artwork in the Led Zep discography, and having Kashmir.
Linkin Park
5/5
A classic of nu metal
Willie Nelson
3/5
Relaxing country music with some covers.
Various Artists
3/5
Very familiar arrangements of secular Christmas carols
Sonic Youth
2/5
Gave me a headache haha
Nirvana
5/5
By the strength of “Where Did You Sleep Last Night”, this deserves 5 stars.
Aretha Franklin
4/5
She had a golden voice
King Crimson
3/5
Quite an enjoyable listen while doing some home chores. Some of the interludes are interesting. Almost like a classical symphony quality of building the music up.
Van Halen
4/5
Basically revolutionised how the electric guitar can sound
Caetano Veloso
2/5
Psychedelic sounds mixed with some boss nova vibes
Red Hot Chili Peppers
3/5
I loved RHCP growing up, but now I can’t stand Anthony Kiedis’ voice. This band has written some iconic hits in this album but on the whole it is enjoyable due to the tight interlock between Flea and Chad Smith.
The Notorious B.I.G.
4/5
Awesomely fat 90s hip hop beats. Big Poppa is an anthem.
Tom Waits
2/5
Good voice but can’t take the music seriously.
Genesis
3/5
Interesting compositions but I didn’t have enough time to listen to the whole album properly.
Aerosmith
3/5
Sometimes you just need simple rock and roll
Kraftwerk
5/5
A classic which basically started electronic music. It sounds so futuristic and so hard to believe it’s from 1978
Bob Dylan
5/5
My favourite Bob Dylan album with Don’t Think Twice It’s Alright. Love the simple acoustic arrangement.
Steve Earle
4/5
Reminds me of the time I lived in Idaho for 3 months for work
The War On Drugs
3/5
U2 and Killers vibes on an indie rock record, it’s representative of the time period
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
A classic. Innovative guitar playing and track mixing, with a solid rhythm section.
The Cure
5/5
This is The Cure at their atmospheric best. Plainsong is hauntingly beautiful.
Van Morrison
4/5
I could imagine this album being in my parents car permanently
Radiohead
5/5
This is actually the first time I listened to Amnesiac this closely. Usually I’m a fan of Kid A. Even though these were said to be recorded around the same sessions these songs seem be more traditionally structured. So on balance feels like Radiohead synthesising their different styles. I like it.
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
2/5
Blues rock through the lens of Gen X punk attitudes. Got a bit tiring listening through the whole thing though.
Bee Gees
3/5
Now I know why they changed up their sound when disco blew up. I did however enjoy How Can You Mend a Broken Heart and Trafalgar. And yes the harmonies are top notch.
The Verve
3/5
Typical 90s Britpop
Arcade Fire
3/5
Typical 2000s indie rock
Mudhoney
4/5
Hard not to listen to this and not hear Nirvana. The influences are very direct.
Travis
4/5
Sounds like rain in Britain but you are walking around forlornly in your rain jacket watching couples having dinner inside restaurants.
This list seems to love British bands. Not sure if you need to hear it before you die as it’s quite derivative. Better to listen to Radiohead’s The Bends.
In saying that I did enjoy it though.
Machito
5/5
Excellent Cuban jazz, it helps that I was making salsa while listening to this.
Nine Inch Nails
3/5
The first couple of tracks are a bit too abrasive and inhuman for me. But I guess that’s the whole point of industrial metal.
Also so much processing of his vocals sometimes leaning on the side of overdone.
But when the industrial beats groove it’s really great.
Aerosmith
3/5
Sweet emotion is great
4/5
Pretty influential and ahead of its time.
Elliott Smith
3/5
Nice indie rock arrangements that became the template for the 00s. Not really vining with the melody though which I thought was forgettable.
Dire Straits
3/5
I wished the electric guitar sound was grittier in Money for Nothing, it seemed to be toned down to fit that smooth 80s production.
But I’m strangely enjoying the smooth saxophone of Your Latest Trick.
Elton John
3/5
I realised I can only handle a bit of Elton John at a time. Tiny Dancer is always a banger though
4/5
Got hints of 2000s indie rock which was unexpected. I guess this is an influential album and I enjoyed it a bit more than I expected (having not enjoyed a previous Kinks recommendation).
The Pogues
4/5
It feels like an Irish pub in here
Ute Lemper
1/5
Why is an album of unremarkable covers something you must listen to before you die?
What’s worse is that they are songs by Elvis Costello and Tom Waits
Joni Mitchell
2/5
Still unable to resonate emotionally with Joni Mitchell
Metallica
4/5
So many classic songs, with kick ass riffs. Sometimes all you need is a James Hetfield chugging power chord.
Lyrics are a bit cringy though.
Kirk’s wah drenched solos are a guilty pleasure.
Lars’ drumming is plodding but suits the style of the band.
I’m also happy that you can hear the bass here unlike … And Justice For All
Second half kind of dips in quality.
Highlights: Enter Sandman, Sad But True, Wherever I May Roam
Dusty Springfield
2/5
Lovely tunes and vocals. Originally thought it was from the 50s but I found out it was from the 60s and they are covers.
Madness
2/5
The campiness gets tiring towards the end. Too much carnival vibe. Our House is a great pop tune though.
Portishead
2/5
The singing scares me a little.
The Cure
4/5
Creepy atmosphere. I guess good gothic rock.
The Smiths
3/5
Morrissey’s voice still annoys me. But I’m warming up to Johnny Marr’s jangly guitar
Funkadelic
5/5
Great grooves. This holds up.
Laibach
4/5
Dark industrial twist on new wave. The second part of the album is even operatic and made me think of Wagner. The influence on Rammstein is obvious.
The last few tracks a bit too avant garde for me though.
The National
3/5
Moody indie folk tunes
Dinosaur Jr.
2/5
Still don’t get the hype
Electric Light Orchestra
3/5
Mr Blue Sky is awesome but the rest is a weird version of a less bombastic Queen. Respect the orchestral arrangements though.
Beatles
5/5
They changed up their sound after this album so I think this is one of the albums that best encapsulates that Beatlemania sound
Bruce Springsteen
5/5
Jungleland is my favourite Springsteen song and for that I give this a 5. The album has Murica dive bar somewhere mid Atlantic vibes. A jug of beer with your spaghetti and meatballs while you watch the band play after a hard day in the docks or something.
Also bonus points for looking so cool in the album cover, despite having the piano and sax more prominent in the songs.
Fatboy Slim
5/5
One of the best 90s breakbeat albums
Saint Etienne
2/5
Pleasant enough as background music. Feels representative of 90s trip hop/lounge electronica
Boston
3/5
This probably was cool back in the day but comes across as generic classic rock. Still enjoy More Than A Feeling though.
I can see the progression from this to 80s rock though.
Bob Dylan
4/5
I just realized the album cover photo is blurry. Anyway great album I think this is one of his classics. Just Like a Woman is achingly beautiful
George Michael
3/5
Clean 80s pop production to let George Michael’s soulful voice soar. But second half seems to drag for me
Highlights are Faith and One More Try
Tito Puente
4/5
Dancy Cuban music
The Waterboys
3/5
Irish fiddle pub music. It’s ok in small doses but a bit long
The Temptations
4/5
Funky and soulful
Michael Jackson
5/5
It is disco, funk, soul and R&B perfectly encapsulated. Rock With You is one of my favourite Michael Jackson songs.
Peter Tosh
4/5
An enjoyable reggae album
Air
3/5
Pleasant electrónica music
The Stooges
4/5
Wow I don’t know how to describe this album. It’s hard rock, with blues scales at it’s base but it’s not bluesy. There is a jazzy component with the saxophone. But at its heart is a wildness and rawness that would become punk. Can’t believe this came out in 1970, they were ahead of their time.
Love the energy and it would have been wild to see them live.
Queen
3/5
This is a 70s hard rock Queen, it has Led Zeppelin vibes but without the dirty blues sound. I think I prefer the more bombastic sound they would have later.
Ogre Battle is awesome though
Elton John
4/5
Classic Elton
Run-D.M.C.
3/5
King of Rock is the better album but considering this one came before it might be more influential.
The Only Ones
2/5
Didn’t really vibe with these
Scritti Politti
2/5
There is a British bias on this list when something as unremarkable as this 80s pop is on the list
The White Stripes
4/5
Every generation there’s always a reinterpretation and repackaging of blues or blues influenced music. Well The White Stripes was one such band for the millennials with their minimalist punky style. I prefer De Stijl but this album is pretty good too
Pink Floyd
5/5
Perfection. One of my favourite albums for just vibing. The opener Shine On You Crazy Diamond is the prefect execution of building music to a climax.
The United States Of America
1/5
Their music was unavailable on Spotify apart from one track and what I heard from it didn’t interest me to try and time find it elsewhere
Alice Cooper
3/5
50 years on maybe the shock value is not as strong. But it's still a good hard rock album and he has a good voice.
The xx
2/5
Not feeling this kind. Another forgettable indie pop record
Meat Loaf
5/5
These are epic power ballads
The Doors
4/5
Gets points for Riders on the Storm. It’s classic 60s rock but I think their best songs are the big hits.
CHIC
4/5
Good Times is excellent
Björk
2/5
Björk is supposed to be cool and it’s cool to like her but I can’t connect emotionally with this album
Stephen Stills
3/5
The guitar solos in some tracks save this otherwise generic but of the era 70s singers songwriters music
ZZ Top
4/5
Great Texas style blues rock
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
Born to Run has a slight edge for me but this is also a great Springsteen album
Rocket From The Crypt
3/5
It’s ok standard 90s punk type music
PJ Harvey
4/5
Cool 90s alt rock vibe
Cypress Hill
4/5
90s gangsta rap is so fun. Some of the lyrics don’t age very well but the groove and flow is peak hip hop for me. B Real has a unique voice
The Go-Go's
5/5
Surprisingly very enjoyable. They are very consistent tracks, probably not too technical but very tight and high energy. Probably what I would have aspired to when I was still in a band. Classic New Wave in a good way.
Adele
2/5
Amazing voice but if you’ve heard one Adele album you’ve heard them all. The quintessential suburban normie music of the 2010s. Why are there more than 1 albums of hers on this list?
Justin Timberlake
3/5
Never expected such an unabashedly slick pop album from an ex NSync to be on this list. Bonus points for being fun and nostalgic. He definitely managed to shed his boy band image with Justified. Second half feels like fillers.
Bee Gees
1/5
The best decision the Bee Gees made was to embrace disco. This is meh folk rock.
De La Soul
3/5
This is highly respected hip hop which I think influenced a lot of later alternative rap music like OutKast.
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
5/5
One of my favourite albums
Lou Reed
4/5
Enjoyable when in the right mood
Joan Baez
4/5
Don’t have much to say except that it is very nice
New Order
3/5
There are still traces of Joy Division post punk new wave stuff but blended with the dance sound they’d be more well known for.
Soundgarden
5/5
Someone said this album was too long. Rubbish. This was pure grunge muscle from start to finish.
4/5
The first half are all bangers, classic U2 stuff. They really know how to play simple but effective stadium rock. Everyone gives each other space. By the second half I sick of Bono’s voice though.
The Flaming Lips
3/5
Representative of the indie rock sound of the 2000s
Teenage Fanclub
1/5
Genetic
Shack
1/5
Sounds like an Oasis knock off
Killing Joke
2/5
It’s ok but does seem pretty influential
Bob Dylan
5/5
A strong Dylan album
Violent Femmes
4/5
Gen x uni student music
John Cale
1/5
Feels like the bad cuts that didn’t make it to the Beatles Magical Mystery Tour album
Weather Report
1/5
First track was pretty good. Then it devolved into elevator music. Jazz can be better than this.
The Soft Boys
1/5
Prince
5/5
A classic. Dramatic, with sparse but soulful arrangements. Prince was a genius.
David Bowie
4/5
Classic Bowie bridging classic rock with new wave
Raekwon
3/5
Raekwon is importante in 90s hip hop but I didn’t vibe with this one
N.W.A.
4/5
Classic gangster rap but misogynistic lyrics. Gritty portrait of 90s urban USA. Fuck the Police is a banger though.
Queen Latifah
2/5
Very 80s hip hop. The Queen is cool though
Jorge Ben Jor
4/5
Interesting fusion of samba and rock styles. Funky grooves!
Beatles
5/5
If only every band’s final album is as good as this. Definitely more of a McCartney album than a Lennon one but I don’t mind.
Ella Fitzgerald
3/5
Lovely voice and Gershwin is a classic
The Rolling Stones
4/5
This is peak Stones. Tight rock songs with delicious lead parts by Keith Richards.
The Beach Boys
2/5
Samey after a while. Pet Sounds is better.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
4/5
It’s got my favourite RHCP tracks but they would really be a better band without Anthony Kiedis
Elvis Presley
3/5
Elvis without the raw rock and roll grit
Brian Eno
3/5
Pretty cool but this is literally background music
Dire Straits
3/5
It’s ok
Public Image Ltd.
2/5
Ok so influential to the development of post punk and new wave. But apart from the tight rhythm section I don’t enjoy this. Tuneless singing and discordant guitar noodling.
David Bowie
4/5
It’s quite experimental and a lot of it is instrumental which is unusual for a Bowie album
Van Halen
4/5
Panama is great and this is representative of 80s hard rock
The Roots
3/5
Respect the experimentation but not my kind of thing
The Cure
3/5
The Cure at their gothiest?
Waylon Jennings
3/5
Pleasant country music. Good bass grooves.
Nina Simone
5/5
Wow this is so good. I’ve been underwhelmed with some of the vocal jazz that has been on this list but Nina Simone’s voice is captivating. So much emotion and command.
Highlight is Four Women, I love the storytelling here.
And I forgot that Lilac Wine was a cover in Jeff Buckley’s album so it’s nice to hear the original here.
Lorde
4/5
Representative of the 2010s sound of minimalist girl pop
Big Brother & The Holding Company
4/5
Great vocals and blues rock. But sometimes Janis overdoes the hoarse vocals
Beck
2/5
Lush arrangements but I’m not really into it
Baaba Maal
4/5
Very interesting style this is what makes this list interesting
Paul Simon
3/5
After the first track of a cringy attempt at reggae, the album redeems itself with what Paul Simon does best, folky singer songwriter grounded in acoustic guitar.
Dolly Parton
3/5
Surprisingly enjoyed this country album
Sepultura
4/5
Gets a bit much with the black metal vocals after a while but Roots is brilliant. Also love the traditional Brazilian instruments
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
1/5
Incredibly difficult to get through.
Einstürzende Neubauten
2/5
This is terrible but in a good way and after Nick freaking Cave this is actually awesome. Obviously influential to the industrial music that comes after.
Johnny Cash
5/5
Great heartfelt concert
Snoop Dogg
4/5
Could not play this album with the kids around but I remember it being pretty cool
Nas
5/5
One of the best hip hop albums. Love his rhyming and the 90s production
Dolly Parton
3/5
It’s fine
Ride
2/5
I think shoegaze is over represented on this list. It’s fine and maybe influential but not my jam.
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
2/5
Generic classic rock that gets played at boomer radio stations. Not sure what is special apart from nostalgia factor.
The Who
2/5
I like The Who but this live album ain’t it
Dizzee Rascal
4/5
Grime is to the 2000s what dubstep is to the 2010s. Quite polarising music that sounds quite different from what it is being compared to (in this case American hip hop).
I quite like this album, it does get a bit samey but the attitude and style still feels fresh.
Kate Bush
2/5
Appreciate the artistic vision but I didn’t enjoy this. The album is well produced though.
Ananda Shankar
3/5
At first I was annoyed at this album for its inclusion of 2 rock covers which basically just replace guitar with sitar and call it a day. Seems gimmicky. What a waste to represent musical tradition going back centuries to a bunch of lazy fusion rock covers, just because it's played by Ravi Shankar's nephew, how much more western centric can this list get?
But my stance softened a little with the originals that offer something a little more unique. This is not quite 60s rock, not quite raga music, but an interesting attempt to blend the two during a unique period known as psychedelia.
Still taking stars away for the cheap and lazy covers though.
Ramones
4/5
Classic punk sound
4/5
The angsty teen version of me is happy. Loved this album to death. I remember getting stuck in traffic coming home the Muse concert in 2007 and I ended up playing this album again from start to finish.
A combination of romantic classical piano and prog metal is cool right? So I thought. Except by this album I think Muse already started moving away from that sound towards a more Queenesque stadium rock sound.
Someone said this is music for nerdy IT consultants and I totally relate with this haha.
Knights of Cydonia is my favourite Muse song.
Janet Jackson
3/5
Rhythm Nation is cool, and some of the new jack swing beats is representative of the style.
Talking Heads
1/5
I don’t even like Talking Heads hits let alone their less known songs.
Grating vocals. I appreciate him embracing weirdness but this is not my brand of weird sorry.
Morrissey
1/5
Not sure why this is on the list.
The xx
1/5
Sounds like any other indie pop album which there’s already plenty of representation. Not sure why it’s on the list.
Stylistically derivative of 80s post punk with a tinge of minimalist electronica.
A Tribe Called Quest
5/5
This is cool sophisticated hip hop. Clever, chilled out and jazzy.
Pere Ubu
1/5
Maybe a front runner for Talking Heads? I don’t like Talking Heads so logically I don’t enjoy this either. It’s one of those styles of music where you claim to like it to be cool in a contrarian sort of way.
Can
2/5
Experimental and fun
The Black Crowes
3/5
A bit of Aerosmith vibe here but with more grit. I was prepared to call myself too cool to enjoy this but the blues rock really does boogie. Enjoyable! Second half is a bit samey though
David Bowie
3/5
Iconic cover. The songs are fine but I’m not as familiar with them compared to say Heroes
Johnny Cash
5/5
This feels like a very heartfelt and intimate concert
The Mamas & The Papas
3/5
California Dreaming is one of my favourite songs from the 60s
Robert Wyatt
2/5
First track was ok. The atonality was interesting. But his voice was insufferable
Destiny's Child
2/5
The first three singles are iconic. The rest were generic
U2
4/5
Larry Mullend Jr hit the drums like it was a military parade. This was a pretty bare bones and raw U2 album.
Coldplay
5/5
Fantastic debut album by Coldplay. Picking up the alternative britpop sound from Radiohead I love the melancholic and lush sound. They’d go to bigger things but intimate and sensitive Coldplay from the first 2-3 albums are their best.
Willie Nelson
4/5
There is an emotional depth to his voice which is quite appealing
TLC
3/5
Enjoyably funky R&B songs, the strongest of which are the famous singles which will always be classic 90s tunes
Bob Dylan
4/5
Bob Dylan doing Bob Dylan things. Feels like a very organic record with songs written from the heart.
Randy Newman
3/5
I don’t know anything about Randy Newman apart from the Toy Story song. It turns out that’s his signature sound.. earthy country rock sound.
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
Bold and experimental, with some of his strongest songs.
Beck
3/5
I understand the hype (genre bending!) but can’t really enjoy Beck on an emotional level.
Guns N' Roses
5/5
This is near perfect 80s hard rock. Debut album full of energy, and very tight. There are basically no dud songs. A lot of overplayed songs but can’t deny it 5 stars
Pavement
3/5
I appreciate the jangly indie sound but it didn’t stand out too much
The Doors
3/5
Good blues rock
Alanis Morissette
4/5
this album encapsulates the angsty 90s alternative rock vibe
The Prodigy
5/5
I used to associate The Prodigy with the cool but scary kids at school. That, and the stereotypical underground clubs in 90s movies which play this type of electronic where goths wear studded clothing and have neon hair.
Paul McCartney and Wings
5/5
Paul wanted to be in a touring rock and roll band after The Beatles and this is what he did. The result is pretty solid 70s rock, accessible but with some interesting arrangements.
Beatles
5/5
One of, if not the, favourite Beatles record of mine. Gorgeous harmonies, all the parts are tight. Ringo’s drums are a joy to listen to, I could almost sing them. Some folky influences moving away from the Merseybeat rock and roll sound of their earlier work. This is the start of The Beatles really branching out and experimenting.
4/5
Fun to listen to for nostalgia. The first half are bangers in terms of nu metal classics but it fizzles out in the second half. This CD was permanently in my stereo for about 8 months of my high school years.
The Doors
3/5
60s blues rock. I used to like The Doors but now I find Jim Morrison a bit insufferable. The big hits are classic songs though
The Band
3/5
Hippie music
Gene Clark
1/5
Kind of boring
Steely Dan
3/5
Better than the Gene Clark rubbish I was subjected to the previous day. Familiar with some of the hits and on the whole quite competent 70s soft rock
James Taylor
2/5
Pleasant soft rock, almost too sweet
Björk
3/5
Maybe because I’m not familiar with her work and it’s from a long time ago, I fail to appreciate the hype. But she does have a nice style of alternative music
Fugees
4/5
Classic hip hop, I take one star off for the skits that sometimes go on too long
The Young Rascals
3/5
A bit of Beatles, Monkees and Kinks rolled into one.
Fun Lovin' Criminals
4/5
Pretty cool mash up of alternative rock and rap actually.
Spiritualized
3/5
I was expecting this to be quite pretentious considering the ambitious concept of the album. But when it comes down to the actual music some of it is not too bad.
Led Zeppelin
4/5
Influential to the development of the hard rock sound of the 70s and arguably heavy metal as well. I loved these songs as a youngster. Although they feel overplayed to me now I can’t deny the mastery of the musicians. Bonham really rocks, Page was equal parts soulful lead guitar and crunchy riffs, Jones was steady and dependable, Plant cuts your soul with his vocals.
However deduct one point for plagiarism without crediting original artists.
The White Stripes
4/5
I forgot how much I enjoy the raw stripped back sound of The White Stripes.
Tim Buckley
2/5
Not bad but sounds like a hillbilly Tom Jones
Serge Gainsbourg
2/5
Cool style of chilled funky instrumentals with spoken word on top. But the creepy subject matter is a bit ick
Madonna
2/5
I associate this sound with grubby clubs (and not the good kind of grubby)
The Modern Lovers
1/5
Terrible album. I get that it’s trying to be anti establishment but without the energy of punk. The vocals grate. Did not enjoy this
Bob Marley & The Wailers
5/5
Classic reggae from the master of the style. Chilled vibes and rhythms
The Divine Comedy
1/5
The guitar tone is quite well mixed and that’s the only good thing I can say about this album.
Annoying vocals, like a Bowie/Morrisey wannabe. Boring songs that don’t build up, too wordy. There are no hooks. Not sure why this should belong on the list. Do I have to be a Brit to understand it?
Leonard Cohen
2/5
His voice is cool and his poetry is quite combative
Massive Attack
5/5
Great debut, still sounds fresh even though a lot of trip hop sounds of its time. The bass creates a great mood of introspection
Pearl Jam
4/5
Pearl Jam is a bit overrated, here in NZ I associate them with steak and potato dudes who drink Woodstock excessively and listen to The Rock FM all the time while hooning in their big utes. This is the one album of theirs that is a must listen and admittedly it is a really good one (although Vs is good too). Definitely a quintessential grunge album.
Big riffs, rhythm section is tight and relentless. Eddie Vedder’s vocal is a love it or hate it affair, but I quite like it.
Favourites are: Black (first song I ever learned on guitar), Once, Even Flow (great solo at the end), Alive, Jeremy.
Manic Street Preachers
4/5
First time listening to Manic Street Preachers. Cool alternative rock style with punk attitude and drumming.
Little Simz
4/5
Nice flows with great jazzy instrumentation
The Offspring
3/5
Skate punk vibes, this album by The Offspring is full of energy and sounds fresh. This was before The Offspring became a parody of themselves
Buck Owens
3/5
Chill country music
Slint
2/5
A bit of post punk style with 90s alternative aesthetic. Not a fan though, the songs kind of meander.
The Coral
2/5
Indie band starting off sounding quirky and novel, but overstayed its welcome.
The Avalanches
2/5
Respect this innovative approach to creating music called plunderphonics. Some enjoyable disco-like grooves but ultimately emotionally couldn’t connect with it.
Duran Duran
4/5
Pretty cool new wave album with iconic bass lines
Red Snapper
3/5
Interesting trip hop using live instrumentation. Not so keen on tracks with lyrics.
Buzzcocks
4/5
Energetic first gen punk
Happy Mondays
1/5
Did not enjoy this. Annoying vocals.
Frank Black
3/5
I expected to not enjoy this, this list has a lot of throwaway alt/indie albums that I have not liked. But this one is not too bad. Eclectic but still a mostly grounded alternative rock avoids being indulgently weird for the sake of it, except it’s a bit long. Pretty good songwriting.
The Yardbirds
3/5
A 60s blues rock sound with Jeff Beck at the helm
Dirty Projectors
2/5
Tries very hard to be included in a Richard Ayoade film soundtrack
Django Django
4/5
Cool drumming
Sparks
4/5
Interesting and they said it was an influence on Queen
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
3/5
Pretty cool but I can't sit through 2 hours of it
Method Man
4/5
Awesome flow, album feels a bit too long.
Dr. Dre
5/5
Classic era defining G funk with cringy lyrics as per your worst stereotypes of gangsta rap. Love all the collaborations with his homies
Roxy Music
3/5
I can see why they're influential. This came out in 1973 and would have sounded very unique compared to anything else that was around. You can hear their influence in punk rock, new wave, disco (and subsequent genres that were influenced by those). But I can't get over the slightly annoying voice of Brian Ferry and the thumpy sound of the drums. I think the best parts were the bass parts and Brian Eno's synths.
AC/DC
4/5
Simple rock and roll and they do sound the same in all their songs. But what they do, they do it well and sometimes it’s what you need.
Brian Eno
3/5
Easy to see how this was influential. The latter tracks are more experimental and ambient.
Ms. Dynamite
3/5
Representative of hip hop sound around this time
Fred Neil
2/5
A bit meh
Thelonious Monk
5/5
Great jazz music for a quiet evening in and glass of wine
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
3/5
Interesting new wave music, given the year of release it must have been quite an influence on later bands
Tom Waits
3/5
All he has going for him is the too much cigarettes voice. As the album goes on the jazz arrangement grows on you though
Lupe Fiasco
3/5
The mid 00s hip hop vibe is strong here.
3/5
Very smooth jazzy electronic music.
Leonard Cohen
3/5
I think he comes fully into his own later. But some interesting songs still
Green Day
5/5
A classic punk pop album
The Stooges
3/5
Clearly a blueprint to be followed by punk rock almost 10 years later. So you can see that this is a very influential band. I only enjoyed a few of the songs though (particularly the faster ones).
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
4/5
Not the kind of music in my usual rotation but it’s nice to listen to old rock and roll from time to time. These guys are pretty influential
Suicide
1/5
Probably influential but not my cup of tea
Kendrick Lamar
3/5
The jazzy instrumentation is cool and influential for 2010s hip hop. Not a fan of his lyrics though
Bert Jansch
3/5
Like a cooler James Taylor
Yes
4/5
Not as terrible as other prog rock albums I’ve heard on here maybe because the bass parts were prominent
Throbbing Gristle
2/5
Influential blend of early electronic music and incidental sound. It’s like if Kraftwerk were edgier.
Some are interesting but some are grating. So it’s a 3.
Primal Scream
2/5
Trainspotting is cool but everything else was meh. Good rhythm section though
MC Solaar
4/5
Surprisingly entertaining French 90s rap. Would listen again.
The Pharcyde
3/5
I mean why not just listen to the Beastie Boys?
Solomon Burke
4/5
I enjoyed this early soul record.
Grateful Dead
3/5
Nobody in the band is listening to anyone but themselves so the end result is a pastiche of individual short musical ideas that don’t really go anywhere.
I can understand that this is exactly the point of the Dead. Personally while it’s not for me it has helped me with my insomnia tonight.
The Byrds
4/5
It's like Beatles Rubber Soul era
The Beta Band
2/5
Disappointingly generic. I feel like they are only famous because of a quirky reference from High Fidelity and that may have been done ironically.
Super Furry Animals
3/5
The lead singer sounds like David Bowie. This is actually not bad, I was expecting to hate it.
The Last Shadow Puppets
4/5
The indie sleaze vibe is strong with this one. And then I realised it’s the same vocalist from the Arctic Monkeys. Quite fun and a bit dramatic with some light orchestral flourishes.
Dexys Midnight Runners
3/5
The ska vibes grow on you. But ruined by vocals similar to what happened to Talking Heads and The Smiths for me.
Megadeth
3/5
A musical vehicle for Dave Mustaine who wanted to show Metallica how much of a better guitarist he is.
Hole
4/5
Not sure we need 2 Hole albums on this list but I enjoyed it anyway. More polished and less loud compared to their debut.
Klaxons
2/5
Generic indie rock trying to blend their sound with dance music. Except other bands do it better. It’s ok but not a must listen before you die.
The Associates
1/5
Basically a David Bowie wannabe act. Why not just give us Bowie?
Simon & Garfunkel
4/5
Great folk rock album
Prince
5/5
This became the blueprint of the sound of pop music in the 80s.
Deerhunter
2/5
Generic 2000s indie rock. Insert in a generic 2000s indie film about growing up in a small town.
A Tribe Called Quest
5/5
Jazz and 90s rap is a good match
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
5/5
Takes me back to the time when this kind of music was edgy! I’m part of the demographic and this is definitely cool
Finley Quaye
1/5
Why not give me a real reggae album rather than this disposable “hip 90s cafe background music”?
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
2/5
Nice enough arrangements but not too memorable for me
Van Morrison
2/5
This didn’t stand out to me. Average piano driven pop songs.
The Jam
4/5
Quite enjoyable this is somewhere between punk and new wave
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
1/5
The more I listen to Elvis Costello the less I like him. Insufferable little twat with an annoying voice. Can’t relate to the lyrics and the way he arranges his “poetry” seems really forced. Musically the arrangements are very ordinary standard rock. Are you sure he’s not just someone the industry pushes people to like to see how much we follow the opinion makers? Is it part of a big experiment just so people who rate him a 5 can feel smug and superior in their culturedness?
Eels
4/5
Quirky Nirvana vibes. Love it.
Justice
4/5
Daft Punk vibes are strong especially in the first half. This was enjoyable.
The Pogues
4/5
Great Irish sound with a punk attitude. A staple in all Irish bars haha
Peter Gabriel
3/5
Kind of interesting
Fairport Convention
3/5
Nice folk music
The Adverts
3/5
Fun punk sound. Almost punk pop
Leftfield
2/5
This gives millennium era Ministry of Sound compilation vibes. I guess it’s influential
Eric Clapton
3/5
Boomer rock but it’s consistent
Belle & Sebastian
4/5
A blueprint for that hipster indie whispery vocals. I dig it when I’m in the mood
Ghostface Killah
2/5
It’s ok
Britney Spears
3/5
Some little known gems in here but probably because it came out during my formative years
Wild Beasts
2/5
Pretty indistinguishable 2000s indie with slightly annoying vocals
Neil Young
3/5
Still not a fan of his voice but this is one of the lesser annoying Neil Young albums
The Smashing Pumpkins
5/5
Classic alternative rock, they’ve mastered the quiet loud quiet formula.
Eminem
4/5
Classic Eminem album.
Wilco
3/5
A chill standard 90s alt rock band
American Music Club
2/5
From 1988 but it could sound like an indie band from 2009. Weird haha
Simple Minds
4/5
Chill 80s synthwave vibes
John Martyn
4/5
Love the jazzy vibe, the bass is front and centre
Roxy Music
3/5
Good glam rock album. Reminds me of David Bowie which makes sense as he was also making similar music at this time.
Don McLean
3/5
This is like the definitive boomer music. American Pie is the big one and the rest are folky soft rock type ballads.
The Zombies
3/5
Pleasant hippie psychedelic rock
Aimee Mann
3/5
Kind of a country vibe like Shania Twain
David Bowie
3/5
Pretty good but if you are starting out with Bowie I would check out his classic period first
Holger Czukay
3/5
A bit meandering in places but it seems to be a cool blend of disco, funk, jazz and prog. I’m not an expert in “krautrock” except that I like Kraftwerk. This doesn’t sound like Kraftwerk but it is cool that what is under the krautrock umbrella has a bit of diversity.
Lambchop
2/5
There’s a rustic indie pop sound in the first half of the album but then it transitioned into a chamber pop type of music. The first half was stronger and would be nice music to chill to.
The Who
3/5
I used to really like The Who, this one is a classic for sure.
Christina Aguilera
3/5
It is pop with a vintage vibe but this is where Christina starts to forge her own style I think.
George Jones
3/5
Pleasant country music
The Psychedelic Furs
2/5
insufferable British New Wave
Lana Del Rey
4/5
Surprised that this is the Lana Del Rey album they picked. Regardless I enjoyed it and she has definitely been influential for that sad indie pop sound
Dion
2/5
Very schmalzy arrangements
Quicksilver Messenger Service
2/5
Very Woodstock vibes. Long jam out rock sessions
Marilyn Manson
2/5
Either you grew up with it and love it out of nostalgia, or you can’t relate with all the edgy angst. I would have been the demographic for this but missed the boat, and now can’t take the cringy lyrics seriously.
But it’s interesting to remember how much more mainstream aggressive music was in the late 90s/early 00s
Traffic
3/5
The first half of the album is filled with nice jams
Richard Thompson
4/5
I like the relaxed vibe and the reverb drenched sounds, like strolling around at the country fair on a Sunday afternoon
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
The classic earnest rock and roll sound of Bruce Springsteen during this golden 70s period. I am more familiar with Born to Run so it’s nice to explore his other songs.
Arctic Monkeys
5/5
One of the more famous indie rock bands from the 2000s with the distinctive scouse accent. They took the Franz Ferdinand formula of dancy rhythms and angular guitars and made it rock harder
Ravi Shankar
3/5
A good introduction to a style of music a lot of people following this list wouldn’t be familiar with
3/5
Has 90s alt rock sound
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
I like melancholy brooding Springsteen. Such a mood.
XTC
1/5
Overrepresentation of new wave and this is not one of the good ones. They say it sounds like the Beatles and I think that’s an insult to the Beatles 😆
Eminem
3/5
Eminem’s flow is unique and this album was definitely influential. But I agree that if not for the nostalgia people wouldn’t be so keen on lyrics. Personally I enjoy The Eminem Show more.
Terence Trent D'Arby
2/5
Plasticky overproduced 80s soul. Sounds like a one hit wonder artist. Maybe with a more organic arrangement it would have sounded better. That said the second half is slightly better.
Peter Gabriel
4/5
This is the second 80s pop album in 2 days but Peter Gabriel’s is much more polished.
Flamin' Groovies
4/5
This is fun to listen to, but feels derivative. Basically The Rolling Stones, with a dash of Elvis.
Richard Hawley
1/5
Lounge act snooze fest, apparently it’s from a bassist from a Britpop band so that’s why it’s on the list?
Sheryl Crow
3/5
A wholesome brand of country pop
My Bloody Valentine
4/5
Melodic and washed in a bath of fuzz! Kind of cool when in the right mood. I can see that this influenced The Smashing Pumpkins a lot
Madonna
3/5
All the electronica styles from the 90s in this album. Pretty cool textures and production even though I’m usually not a Madonna fan.
The Darkness
3/5
A fun album bringing back glam rock to mainstream charts. But I don’t think it’s groundbreaking enough to be on this list. Anyway the second half isn’t as good as the first.
Robbie Williams
2/5
I like Robbie Williams but not sure if it belongs on this list. Boyband pop rock style from the 90s and it is not even his biggest album.
Portishead
4/5
Apparently this was one of the first trip hop albums. So by influence alone it's a pretty big deal, and I do like the emotions it evokes.
The Beta Band
2/5
Pretentious hipster shite
Eagles
4/5
Take It Easy and Peaceful Easy Feeling are classics.
LCD Soundsystem
3/5
Not always a fan of the indie dance punk genre but I didn’t hate this. You can hear the influences of the 80s post punk bands and even U2 on this.
Album cover is terrible though
Sabu
4/5
A welcome change to the boring new wave/post punk/indie stuff that people take way too seriously. If you don’t like it maybe your bones are just not blessed enough to appreciate anything beyond a straight 4/4 rock then.
Tim Buckley
2/5
some flashes of brilliance but a bit too much of a carnival vibe for me.
Haircut 100
3/5
The guitarist is hella funky. The Duran Duran comparison is justified.
David Holmes
1/5
Sampling radio and adding 90s breakbeat is cool yall. I was so happy when it ended.
Tom Tom Club
2/5
One of the better new wave albums but too long and a bit patchy. I preferred the sunnier funky songs
Giant Sand
2/5
Tries hard to be Lou Reed but it didn’t click with me.
Beach House
3/5
A bit twee
Iggy Pop
4/5
I knew of Iggy Pop but only from Passenger, and had heard the David Bowie version of China Girl first. This version is decidedly more raw. Not a fan of the first song but the rest is pretty cool in that gloomy post punk way. In heard it’s influential for the development of post punk and I guess deservedly so.
JAY Z
4/5
Love the beats
Depeche Mode
5/5
When I think of dark moody synthwave I think of Depeche Mode
Echo And The Bunnymen
3/5
Not a fan of the post punk vocals. The lyrics are a bit cringey, reminds me of arts students trying to be more profound than they really are. But the second half of the album grew on me sonically with the jangly guitars and drums.
William Orbit
2/5
Not a fan of this style of coffeehouse 90s techno thing haha. Even the cover had the Asian new age vibe thing going so it ticks all the stereotype boxes. But it was a dominant style for a while so I understand the inclusion on this list.
Pulp
5/5
I like this Britpop album. You can tell Jarvis Cocker is a bit of a wordy songwriter, but can pull it off without being too pretentious.
Blondie
5/5
A classic new wave album. Lots of Blondie’s best songs are from here. Heart of Glass is a top tier song.
Steely Dan
3/5
I listened to it but forgot to come back to review. Then I realised most of it wasn't memorable except for the single "Ricky Don't Lose That Number". Maybe because looking back it sounds like generic 70s pop.
R.E.M.
5/5
REM is that Gen X band that seems too cool and intelligent, if I had an older brother I'd imagine him listening to an REM album in his room and sighing that I wouldn't understand.
Beastie Boys
4/5
Classic 80s hip hop with a lot of rock influence. I didn't realise this was produced by Rick Rubin.
Childish lyrics but kinda funny.
Björk
4/5
Bjork is a visionary but I can’t see myself reaching out for this album for enjoyment that often.
Miles Davis
5/5
I am travelling for work tonight and it’s pouring with rain outside. Somehow the cool jazz hits just right. Miles Davis is the king of cool
Billy Bragg
2/5
A bit of a snooze fest although I’ve heard Woodie Guthrie’s poetry is top tier
Tina Turner
4/5
Tina Turner at her most 80s and it is glorious
Sinead O'Connor
5/5
Great voice, soulful and full of feeling.
Isaac Hayes
4/5
So funky and smooth! However you can feel these compositions are meant to be in a film.
Echo And The Bunnymen
3/5
More 80s post punk. I can only handle in small doses.
Astor Piazzolla
4/5
Tango is cool but I don't know if I can listen to that much vibraphone
Jeru The Damaja
4/5
Love the jazzy east coast hip hop sound
Big Star
3/5
It’s ok. I don’t hate it but it doesn’t stand out much either. Some psychedelic and chamber pop flourishes typical of 60s rock
M.I.A.
4/5
Not sure if you can just pigeonhole her to British hip hop/rap. MIA draws from a diverse sound of hip hop, electronica, South Asian music to an eclectically weird mix of empowering high energy music. Sometimes can be a bit much and fatiguing but gotta respect the vision and influence on other musicians.
The Thrills
2/5
Too much cute twee in this indie album
3/5
Understand the historical significance of this live album. It showcases the two sides of Dylan considered controversial at the time, which was to play with an electric guitar.
All in all pretty cool, but his inability (or unwillingness) to stay in tune is annoying at times.
a-ha
4/5
The most 80s of all 80s synth pop albums
Supergrass
4/5
Never heard of their music before so I was pleasantly surprised by how much they rock
Thundercat
3/5
Smooth cafe shop vibes
Q-Tip
3/5
Chill hip hop tunes. Kind of enjoyable
Anthrax
3/5
Some cool riffs and grooves, but not into the vocals
Coldplay
5/5
This was the album of my summer holiday in 2002. Coldplay perfected their early sound of introspective piano driven post Radiohead Brit rock and it’ll get 5 stars from me
50 Cent
4/5
This takes me back to the early 2000s when gangsta rap ruled the clubs. Definitely representative of the genre.
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
3/5
Interesting style but a bit long
Afrika Bambaataa
3/5
Historically significant as one of the first recordings of hip hop. But would I listen to it for personal enjoyment? Probably not, it sounds a bit dated.
The Triffids
1/5
Mediocre
Aphex Twin
2/5
Genetic background music vibes
Jungle Brothers
3/5
Vintage sounding hip hop
Gotan Project
3/5
Today I realised that gotan is tango backwards
Manu Chao
4/5
Enjoyable chill reggae folk album in Spanish
Paul McCartney
4/5
This is a stripped down and laid back album and I enjoyed it very much. When contrasted with what’s going on with The Beatles on the verge of breaking up I can imagine this being Paul’s escape of creating music just for the joy of it rather than with all the baggage and expectation of it being a Beatles album.
You can hear the freedom and relief in the music.
The Undertones
3/5
A fun punk/new wave album that doesn't take itself too seriously.
Sex Pistols
4/5
Smashed classic rock that came before it. Love the energy in the drums
The Velvet Underground
3/5
Was expecting to not like this but it was actually pretty good. It feels experimental but still accessible. Shoutout to Venus in Fur being sampled by Coldplay
Beatles
5/5
One of my favourite Beatles albums, further branching out of their Merseybeat sound, a massive influence on rock music.
Brian Wilson
4/5
This is historically significant as the album of Smile as Brian Wilson intended. He was such an influence to rock music that it’s hard to overstate.
The arrangements are very lush and beautiful.
Public Enemy
4/5
I enjoyed this one, politically conscious rap with great production somewhere between the old school 80s style and the 90s.
Kid Rock
2/5
Sounds like angsty teenage rebellion. I don’t mind it but maybe in small doses
Ice T
4/5
Only had a cursory listen but this is legit gangsta rap of the 90s
Morrissey
2/5
The songs sound fine until Morrissey starts singing
Scissor Sisters
3/5
So campy. I used to like their version of Comfortably Numb because it’s actually the first time I’ve gotten to know the song. But I must concede the Pink Floyd version to be superior.
But in any case it’s a fun album of retro disco inspired rock tunes
Ramblin' Jack Elliott
3/5
I recognised San Francisco Bay Blues from Eric Clapton’s unplugged album. Apart from that I enjoy the earthy folksy style but unlikely to revisit this.
Coldcut
3/5
Some interesting arrangements
Scott Walker
3/5
Opening with a western style song is a bold choice. I like it.
Cyndi Lauper
4/5
One of the most 80s pop that ever was. I prefer her than Madonna
Julian Cope
3/5
Honestly not terrible. The quirkiness reminds me of Beck but with a rawer/punkish vibe.
Small Faces
3/5
Some really good heavy psychedelic riffs here with strange skits interspersed. Reminds me of gangsta rap skits but British haha. I don’t mind it and not am in the mood for more psychedelic music.
Scott Walker
2/5
Didn’t realise this guy had more than one album on this list. Why?
Orange Juice
2/5
Another new wave 80s pop type thang. Nothing much stands out from the others I’ve been subjected to
Crowded House
4/5
Love to see NZ music represented. Musically this is kind of a late 80s/early 90s college alternative rock vibe. Some of the vocal harmonies is kind of Beatlesesque
The Style Council
1/5
Feels like cheesy elevator music in a department store
The Crusaders
2/5
Kind of cheesy smooth jazz
Todd Rundgren
2/5
A variety of styles in one album. Feels a bit too long and indulgent though, these types of songs Paul McCartney does better at.
Beatles
5/5
One of my favourite albums. This is the result of a band who's given complete freedom in the studio, and decide to pursue whatever they wanted musically whether as a band or not. So you can hear the tracks which are basically McCartney solo tracks, Lennon solo tracks, Harrison solo tracks. So in a way you can also hear the beginning of the end of The Beatles as a unit.
Metallica
5/5
One of the best thrash metal albums and definitely influential in heavy metal in general. It was my favourite Metallica album but I prefer Ride the Lightning these days, but will still give this 5 stars. The title track is flawless.
Lucinda Williams
2/5
I guess this is country pop? Mellow sounding and a bit bland.
Miriam Makeba
5/5
The kind of discovery I like from this project. Soulful music sung in some of the languages spoken in South Africa
Frankie Goes To Hollywood
2/5
I just learned that when I picture a gay bar in the 80s I picture it playing Frankie Goes to Hollywood. First half is stronger than the second.
The Fall
2/5
If 80s post punk and 90s rave had a child. Not sure I like the singer’s vocals though
M.I.A.
3/5
I do like MIA but the glitchy grime vibes is exhausting after a while.
Eurythmics
4/5
Enjoyable 80s new wave music with a tasteful amount of synths
Laura Nyro
3/5
Intimate sounding vocals with tasteful 60s pop rock arrangements. Reminds me of Carole King. I guess Laura was an important influence to her style.
Some of the songs felt more like jams which could have been cool but just sounded like vocal exercises to me which wasn’t very enjoyable. I’ll probably give this album more time to be listen to though.
Joan Armatrading
4/5
Tasteful soul pop vocals
Merle Haggard
4/5
Wow the lyrics get quite dark
Black Sabbath
5/5
RIP Ozzy. I happened to listen to this album today and didn't mind at all to have to listen to it again. Definitely a very influential album in the development of heavy metal, although only a couple of songs here would only be considered metal/hard rock. But it pointed the way to a darker vibe of rock music that would inspire generations of bands later.
Title track gave me goosebumps the first time I listened to it. It's minimalistic, doomy, and heavy. So good!
Dagmar Krause
3/5
I am not sophisticated enough to judge this beyond my personal level of enjoyment. But it's different... campy... theatrical? Apparently these are translated lyrics from a Weimar-era composer.
As I listened more, I leaned into the theatrical vibe and rolled with it. Not bad but not one for regular rotation.
Adam & The Ants
2/5
Like a manic version of The Cars
Buffalo Springfield
3/5
didn't really enjoy this one even though as folk/country rock this should be up my alley. Maybe not catchy enough
Lou Reed
3/5
Don’t think I’m cultured enough to enjoy Lou Reed
Echo And The Bunnymen
3/5
There was another Echo and the Bunnymen album on this list. I don’t mind it, but I think only one was necessary.
Stereo MC's
4/5
I enjoyed this. It is a UK breakbeat/trip hop sound.
The Everly Brothers
4/5
I’m now starting to understand that early Beatles is basically Paul McCartney wanting to be Little Richard and John Lennon wanting to be The Everly Brothers.
Fatboy Slim
3/5
Not as iconic as We Have Come A Long Way Baby. But I enjoyed this, I like big beat grooves it seems, and the record settled nicely into the background.
Still, not sure if this list needed 2 albums by Fatboy Slim.
Wire
3/5
The chaos energy of punk tampered into a tight rhythm section that you can see influencing a lot of post punk and new wave later.
The Clash
5/5
Punk music that grew up. It showed that punk didn’t have to be a one trick pony, but to harness the energy into different genres instead. Musically I love the bass guitar that was steady but still melodic. It has a great tone with just the right amount of bite. The power of a P Bass!
The Dandy Warhols
3/5
Representative of mid/late 90s alternative pop/rock sound. Not a bad option to play in the background
Radiohead
5/5
Where Radiohead pivots their sound from another anthemic Britpop band to a more experimental one. The album grew on me to a point where now I prefer their more electronic rock sound more than the earlier work (although The Bends is still cool).
Probably I would rank Kid A higher these days but I’d still give this one a 5.
Also love Paranoid Android.
Drive Like Jehu
4/5
Wow this is awesome, the songs blend into one another but it’s an awesome energy and vibe, it’s like taking the rawer songs of Nirvana and making it into a whole album. Feels a bit long after a while though.
Charles Mingus
5/5
dark and stormy, very interesting jazz! I like it.
Franz Ferdinand
4/5
Franz Ferdinand dominated the middle years of university airplay. I even sang it on Singstar I think haha. One of the first bands to make the indie angular post punk guitar sound popular in the early mid 2000s.
Tim Buckley
2/5
Still not a fan of his insincere sounding vocals.
k.d. lang
3/5
Adult contemporary stuff. A bit bland for me but Still Thrives This Love is kind of cool with a tango vibe.
New York Dolls
3/5
Influential for the development of punk music, mind blowing that this came out in 1973. Not many musicians sounded like this at the time.
At the same time I only enjoyed a handful of their songs.
Butthole Surfers
3/5
Actually kind of enjoy the experimental noise. But when they integrate it with conventional songs they don’t quite hit the same as other bands that make atonal noise work like Nirvana
Maxwell
3/5
smooth arrangements
The Band
3/5
Rustic folk rock stuff. A bit over represented here but I don’t mind it
Shuggie Otis
4/5
Some lite funk jazz stuff with smooth vocals. I like it that it’s content to groove and chill with some tasty bass lines. Some of the synths like on XL30 is pretty dated though.
Fela Kuti
5/5
So funky. I’ve heard a lot about Fela Kuti and I’m glad I made this discovery. This is top tier jazz fused with afrobeats.
The Divine Comedy
1/5
Wannabe Burt Bacharach with saccharine arrangements. Why try to be a pale imitation of freaking Burt Bacharach?
This was so dull I let my daughter change the music to Kpop Demon Hunters.
The Youngbloods
3/5
run of the mill country/folk/rock stuff from the 60s. nice jams.
The Sabres Of Paradise
1/5
Designed to be background music.
The Bees
3/5
Indie rock with eclectic influences
My Bloody Valentine
2/5
I prefer their next album. This one focuses more of the noise a bit too much and not enough on the song structure.
Taylor Swift
4/5
Guess this is the big breakthrough album when Taylor Swift’s transformation from country to pop is fully realised.
Slickly produced, this is what 2010s pop sounds like.
Second half is forgettable though.
But it started me on a journey of her other albums (upon recommendation from a friend) and I found that I like folklore much more.
Primal Scream
4/5
once it settled into a groove it was actually OK. I couldn't tell whether it was a DJ or a band sometimes, maybe it means that's a positive result of experiments of genre-bending? Makes me want to put on an Adidas tracksuit, bucket hat and go clubbing in 1990s London. After repeated listens I actually really like how the drums, bass and piano lock in together in some of the songs like Loaded
The Replacements
3/5
Maybe it’s the passage of time and you just had to be there. But this album feels like fairly middle of the road 80s rock to me. I don’t get the hype. Maybe like a cross of REM and Bruce Springsteen. Which sounds cool on paper but I’d rather listen to Springsteen instead.
Lead singer has a cool voice though.
The Who
2/5
I get it. It’s a concept album of commercials and jingles. Novelty wears off quickly though. It’s a no from me and I’m a Who fan.
Talk Talk
3/5
The tracks get better.. first couple were underwhelming but the new wave grooves hit their stride after their most well known song Life is What You Make It.
Still prefer Tears for Fears though. I need to be in the right mood to enjoy Mark Hollis’ voice.
Fiona Apple
3/5
Reminds me of acoustic Florence and the Machine. Quirky without being alienating
Malcolm McLaren
2/5
Pretty eclectic collection of songs assembled like a radio show. But apparently this guy is not the original artist. If I make a mix CD of awesome songs would my name make it on this list? lol I think not and for that I rate this down.
1/5
Noise rock. Meh. It faded into the background. If I want music to sound incidental I will just listen to nature.
Emmylou Harris
2/5
Meticulously produced but feels bland to me.
Suede
3/5
I like Suede but I don’t think we need 2 of their albums on this list.
Pantera
3/5
I am always confused by the name groove metal, because if you are expecting metal with funky rhythms, you’d be disappointed.
Subtle this album is not but if you want riffage and aggression you would be in the right place.
Minor Threat
3/5
Cool energy from the hardcore punk style but I am glad it wasn't too long.
SAULT
4/5
I like the vibes and grooves. Some say it’s a bit repetitive but isn’t James Brown repetitive? The hypnotic groove is the whole point.
As for the politics, some of the best music is political because it has something to say.
Madonna
3/5
Reminds me of going to the mall as a child. This is the late 80s pop sound of America.
Janelle Monáe
4/5
This is pretty cool sophisticated pop music. Diverse range of styles in each track.
Common
5/5
Didn’t think we needed 2 albums by Common on this list. Had I known I would have rated this one higher and the other slightly lower.
Bad Brains
3/5
I quite like this. They call it hardcore punk but I think their sound is more than that. The abrasiveness of punk is tempered by a diverse combination of styles, almost metal riffs and solos.
John Prine
3/5
Folky country music. It’s fine
Beastie Boys
4/5
Pretty cool hip hop
The Byrds
3/5
More psychedelic rock
D'Angelo
3/5
The stereotypical sound of 90s r&b
Stevie Wonder
5/5
So much soul, groove, positivity and musicality. Easy 5 stars
The Fall
2/5
Yet another post punk album
The Byrds
2/5
There are too many Byrds albums here.
Dr. Octagon
4/5
Pretty interesting and eclectic sounds put together for a hip hop album.
Badly Drawn Boy
3/5
Reminds me of The Shins
Marianne Faithfull
3/5
It’s ok
The Libertines
3/5
Indie sleaze has a special place in my heart. This one is ok, the Strokes are better. But Can’t Stand Me Now is a classic though.
Mj Cole
1/5
How is disposable background music like this considered a must listen?
The Smashing Pumpkins
4/5
A long and ambitious album but full of rockers and ballads. An icon of alternative music.
Bon Jovi
4/5
This makes me want to grow a mullet.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
1/5
Enough with Elvis Costello already. Overrepresented on this list.
Tricky
3/5
Not a fan of the whispery vocals but I like the diversity of styles incorporated here
Janis Joplin
4/5
She hams in the raw wailing vocals sometimes but she does have the voice for it, the blues rock suits it, and it is the flower power 60s after all.
Glad to be exploring her album properly, I dig it.
Steve Winwood
2/5
Bit of a pleasant sounding snooze fest
The Hives
4/5
Rocking garage rock music from the 2000s. Hate to Say I Told You So is a classic.
Anita Baker
2/5
Nice soulful voice but not a fan of this hold music style
The Who
3/5
The concept album seems to have a lot of filler. Unfortunately not feeling this even though I like The Who and it’s supposed to be one of their best albums.
The Monkees
3/5
I don’t mind this, pretty good 60s psychedelic rock and apparently one where they started writing more of their own songs and playing their own instruments
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
3/5
Sounds like a jam band of sorts with a bit of freaky psychedelic experimentation using electronic elements.
Kanye West
2/5
Would sound better without Kanye's voice.
4/5
I like this. It has a good blend of folky country guitars and heavy rock, a common combination in 60s psychedelic rock. Similar vibes to early Led Zeppelin and apparently Stairway to Heaven is a rip off of one of their songs.
Jacques Brel
3/5
I was expecting French crooner in the mood of Dean Martin but am pleasantly mistaken. Without understanding the language I could still feel the emotion. I have always enjoyed French chanson as a genre so this is a pleasant addition to the list.
Kate Bush
3/5
A lot of lush layers and ideas in the instrumentation. The melodies are kind of hookless though which makes it tend to become background music.
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
Kind of catchy but doesn’t hold a candle to his classic works.
George Harrison
4/5
One of the best post Beatles albums but a little too long.
The Blue Nile
2/5
Wannabe Talking Heads with a bit of Sting sans the knack for melody or hooks.
Koffi Olomide
3/5
I enjoyed discovering this genre of music. Need to explore more Ethiopian music.
Skepta
3/5
British hip hop always hits different. Not something I’d listen to too often but not bad.
System Of A Down
4/5
I thought Toxicity would be a better album. Either way SOAD is a great inclusion. Alternative metal with great riffs, using traditional Armenian scales.
Cheap Trick
3/5
I think I am missing some historical context for why this live album is so great. Pretty basic rock music. But in saying that “I Want You to Want Me” is so catchy with tasty guitar solos.
Boards of Canada
1/5
Lullaby techno. Not a fan, but it’s ok as background music
Television
4/5
Very influential, most 2000s indie garage bands sound a bit like this album.
Vocalist voice is a bit of an acquired taste though
Cream
4/5
A classic 60s rock album. Heavy, blues based, psychedelic, with a healthy dose of nonsensical lyrics (bearded rainbows??).
Each musician was a master at their instrument.
Some of the songs have aged poorly however, not a fan of the novelty sounding tunes.
The Good, The Bad & The Queen
3/5
It’s a quirky blend between Damon Albarn’s other projects (Gorillaz but with a sprinkling more guitar), add a bit of The Shins indie vibe.
Norah Jones
4/5
Smooth and warm, jazzy singer songwriter music. Good for a rainy evening.
Moby Grape
3/5
Pleasant rock from the 60s with a blend of country, folk and psychedelia
The Flaming Lips
2/5
A lot of indie kids love The Flaming Lips but I never warmed up to them. Their songs sound decidedly average.
Purposefully off key singing? With cheap lo fi sounding synths (which I normally like but not here). The beats have no backbone.
Prefab Sprout
3/5
B grade New Romantics music. At times sounds like solo album Sting. Not sure if it’s essential to hear before you die. Was going to give 2 stars but I like some of the jazzy chords so 3 stars it is.
Bonnie "Prince" Billy
3/5
Not bad but the vocals bring sad vibes
Manic Street Preachers
3/5
Hooky 90s alt rock
Jamiroquai
4/5
I only knew Jamiroquai's big hits in the acid jazz style, so it was interesting that this album is a more organic funk sound.
Germs
2/5
Appreciate the energy and attitude but the guy can’t sing lol. Maybe that’s the whole point but it doesn’t mean I have to like it.
The Damned
3/5
A bit chaotic and raw around the edges but it’s punk so that is the whole point.
Booker T. & The MG's
5/5
With blues music, if during the solos I do the stank face, that means I enjoy the music. My first 5 star in a while.
Digital Underground
3/5
Pretty smooth
Milton Nascimento
4/5
Brazilian music isn’t only bossa nova, who would’ve thought? This was interesting, instead of visualising beaches and sunshine, I ended up I ended up visualising a mid century modern mansion, sitting on a leather armchair wearing a turtleneck and sipping caipirinha. Sophistication.
Black Flag
4/5
Pretty cool energy, hardcore punk