757
Albums Rated
3.25
Average Rating
70%
Complete
332 albums remaining
Rating Distribution
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Rating Timeline
Average rating over time
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Which era do you prefer?
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When do you listen?
Taste Profile
1950s
Favorite Decade
Funk
Favorite Genre
US
Top Origin
Wordsmith
Rater Style ?
65
5-Star Albums
8
1-Star Albums
Taste Analysis
Genre Preferences
Ratings by genre
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Ratings by country
Rating Style
You Love More Than Most
Albums you rated higher than global average
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aha Shake Heartbreak | 5 | 2.97 | +2.03 |
| Double Nickels On The Dime | 5 | 3.12 | +1.88 |
| Repeater | 5 | 3.12 | +1.88 |
| Soul Mining | 5 | 3.17 | +1.83 |
| Close To The Edge | 5 | 3.19 | +1.81 |
| Tonight's The Night | 5 | 3.23 | +1.77 |
| Rust In Peace | 5 | 3.24 | +1.76 |
| Live At The Star Club, Hamburg | 5 | 3.28 | +1.72 |
| Countdown To Ecstasy | 5 | 3.28 | +1.72 |
| Fragile | 5 | 3.32 | +1.68 |
You Love Less Than Most
Albums you rated lower than global average
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| I See A Darkness | 1 | 2.97 | -1.97 |
| Come Find Yourself | 1 | 2.93 | -1.93 |
| Green | 2 | 3.48 | -1.48 |
| Disraeli Gears | 2 | 3.47 | -1.47 |
| Suicide | 1 | 2.46 | -1.46 |
| Metal Box | 1 | 2.41 | -1.41 |
| Amnesiac | 2 | 3.41 | -1.41 |
| Parklife | 2 | 3.38 | -1.38 |
| Blue Lines | 2 | 3.38 | -1.38 |
| Brilliant Corners | 2 | 3.33 | -1.33 |
Artist Analysis
Favorite Artists
Artists with 2+ albums
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Beatles | 6 | 4.5 |
| Neil Young | 4 | 4.75 |
| Led Zeppelin | 4 | 4.5 |
| Black Sabbath | 3 | 4.67 |
| Yes | 3 | 4.67 |
| Steely Dan | 3 | 4.67 |
| The White Stripes | 2 | 5 |
| Fleetwood Mac | 2 | 5 |
| Kings of Leon | 3 | 4.33 |
| Creedence Clearwater Revival | 3 | 4.33 |
| Jimi Hendrix | 3 | 4.33 |
| The Rolling Stones | 5 | 4 |
Least Favorite Artists
Artists with 2+ albums
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds | 5 | 2 |
| Public Image Ltd. | 2 | 1.5 |
| Brian Eno | 4 | 2 |
Controversial Artists
Artists you rate inconsistently
| Artist | Ratings |
|---|---|
| Pink Floyd | 2, 5, 4 |
5-Star Albums (65)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
Dennis Wilson
2/5
Ebb and flow rock. Tons of grand ideas, and plenty of instruments, lacks any real motive. Just kind of dull background rock. There are songs with that spacey backing voice, reminiscent of Pink Floyd, which then fades to soft piano mono-audio singing.
8 likes
Django Django
3/5
It’s like the postal service made some trippy acid pop. Excellent electronic composure but the falsetto harmonization can get a little tired. Lord of half hashed ideas that sometimes stick, and sometimes don’t. That’s the beauty of music after all, they’re being creative and sometimes something fresh and wonderful can be created. However, only some of it hits for me. As the album progresses it resembles new age sea shanties where the harmonies float on waves of consistent rhythms mixed with well placed instrumentals. Nothing captured my attention, but I did enjoy a few songs. Overall, a bland record for my taste, mostly due to the vocals not taking any chances.
3 likes
Black Sabbath
5/5
If this list has taught me one thing, it’s that Black Sabath A-sides, have nothing in the B-sides.
This is absolute carnage and chaos, but controlled in such a delicate, precise manner. Rock and fucking roll, man.
2 likes
808 State
3/5
Overall I really like it. There are some groovy beats and the drum machine work is exceptional. I’ll say that the music gets a bit ambitious and not all of the concepts land. As a whole this is very genre defining for the time and holds up today as a period piece of electronic house/trance.
2 likes
Skepta
4/5
This is one I’ll have to sit in and give another listen later. I’m not super up on my Brit rap, it’s a different style, different rap scheme. I never cared for some of the other Brit rappers, but I do like this guy. The American rap influences are present with talks of gangs, bitches, drugs and arrogance. Themes I think are week and cliche, but Skepta makes up with a lot of this with nuanced skill and expertly crafted beats. I really liked Numbers. I think others would grow on me.
2 likes
4-Star Albums (215)
1-Star Albums (8)
All Ratings
Nina Simone
3/5
Nina sings with a very airy, vibrato effect. Her voice is raspy, and delightful to listen to. Her songs are centered around romance and elicit some feelings of longing and affection. The music is simple and stripped back, with accompanying keys, horns, and soft drums brushing. It starts off with some tempo, but ultimately resolves to softer and less ensembles tracks that feature her unique singing style. The audio specifically is lower fidelity, but not enough to distract from the passion of the music. No songs in particular stood out to me, but if I had to name a few that I enjoyed more than the others: I love your lovin ways, Lilac Wine, Break down and let it all out.
Miles Davis
4/5
2 track, jam album. This is the kind of stuff you want playing when you walk into a dimly lit bar for cocktails. It doesn’t command your attention, but it does make you happy that you have ears. As the first track suggests, “Shhh / Peaceful” the music is just casual trumpet blows with some spacey keys and jazzy drums, great as far as background music goes. “in a silent way” is a little more swingin than the previous track, and has a little electric guitar riff or 2, but is very much the same laid back jazziness. Overall, just a fun, simple little Jam session.
Green Day
5/5
Oddly enough, I had never listened to this complete album. This is wild to imagine given that the 90s rock era is what I grew up on, and I’ve heard half of these songs more time than I care to guess on the radio. The latter perhaps being the primary reason I have not gone from start to finish. That being said, I would give this album 5 stars just because of the nostalgia bump. Thinking of the album critically and neglecting the subjective tidal wave is nearly impossible, so I’ll just give my opinion at face value. Starting with the hits: Longview, Basket Case, and When I come around have always been songs to turn up when the local radio station spins. Welcome to Paradise is less of a favorite, but still great, throw She into that category as well. The rest of the album definitely doesn’t stray from this tried and true pop-punk formula so as a generalization, the power chords and infectious choruses are what make Green Day shine. I won’t say this is a complete album that must be listened to from start to finish, but the presence of the flagship songs is enough for me to recommend this album to anyone. Sassafras Roots, and in the End are honorable mentions.
4/5
It’s wild, fun, electric, and just plain interesting music. Some songs are better than others, but this album deserves a listen in its entirety.
Supergrass
5/5
Very fun and electric UK punk. Many great songs and a common tempo throughout. Will listen more often!
The Cure
3/5
Ahh. The original teen-angst music. As someone who went through the phase hard in the 00’s, I can hear many stylings that have probably been used countless times, by any number of soul-searching emo and pop-punk bands. I can definitely hear the influence in Blink 182s music from how Tom and Robert both sing. As to how this music speaks to me personally, I can’t deny it’s a solid album. However, it tends to drone on for more than I would care to re-spin this album. I can appreciate the lyrics dripping with sadness and melancholy and the simple guitar, keys, and drum beats that convey the emotion of the tracks. Although, this music doesn’t necessarily resonate with me as much as I would believe it would. I enjoy many Cure songs, but this album is ultimately not the poppy Cure that I’m used to. Perhaps it could grow on me.
Kid Rock
1/5
Anyone can smell a pig from a mile away… They fucking stink! Just like the majority of this album. I remember this was a big deal when it was released and was the white trash anthem, I appreciate that it is true to its roots. The music is creative as far as country and rap go, because it is unlike the other 2 and has interesting heavy guitar rifts and other instrument parts. It is not a bland album, either. The problem I have is the tired rap lyrics that constantly talks about having sex and doing drugs, only it’s not particularly good rapping. Overall, the album is a genre definer, but it is not good music. The auto tune on Only God Knows Why is especially bad. Cowboy itself is a fun song and I do remember liking it when I was a kid. So for the minor nostalgia hit, genre influence, and of course his part in Joe Dirt being his shining moment I suppose a 2 is the least I can do. Also, fuck Kid Rocks ideology. Despicable person…. After finishing the whole album, and with the shitty last song. 1
The Stooges
3/5
I can understand that this would be ground breaking at the time. With the way pedals and heavy distortion guitars shreeking and groaning. The vocals are mostly conversational and commanding. This is definitely reminiscent of early Rolling Stones and you can understand why British rock reused this formula for decades. It works.
For me personally it became repetitive and droned on for more time that I could engage myself in it. 1969 and I wanna be your dog were personal faves, but unless the album kept on like this I am resigned to a middle score. Perhaps if I had been born in a different time.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
2/5
With his unique voice and interesting musical composition, it is not hard to get into the groove of Elvis’ music. The jostling flow and cornucopia of instrumental interjections do tend to make the music hard to vibe to. To me it is intended for intent listening and not for moving your body to. I always begin to think the songs or going to break into melodic chorus and tie everything together, but it never quite gets there for me. Intriguing and distinctive, but not my choice for spinning.
Bob Dylan
4/5
I always enjoy some Blues Bob, not quite as great as the Folk Bob, but still a solid collection of songs. His voice is vastly different than when he was younger, but I enjoy the raspy curdle. He sounds like a Dr John, and mimics the Louisiana dialect. All of the songs are your standard bluesy sorrow, and I enjoy it for what it is.
Supertramp
5/5
Heavy Pink Floyd vibes on the first track School which melts into a funky jazzy breakdown of interludes. Great start to an album. Then Bloody Well Right throws you right into the fun and quirky Supertramp that you’re used to. It’s wild how melodic this band can be while also still throwing the theatrical instrumentals of a Steely Dan, or the magic of a Styx rock anthem. Broad generalizations, but I can really understand how much of an inspiration these guys must have been to others exploring their sound. There are multiple Jams then the album mellows out for the middle section, which I don’t mind. Problem is that it ends with a proper saxy showdown, and that is enough for me to ask myself why have I never listened to this album before? Beauty.
Count Basie & His Orchestra
3/5
As far as large orchestral jazz bands go, I really don’t mind listening to this type of music. However, it is not my go to for casual listening. Mostly, I feel as though I’m playing fallout 3 and exploring the dystopian landscape. Nothing wrong with this music, but the situation has to be just right. The music blends well together and you could listen to this whole album without really realizing that there are too many individual songs. The mastering is good for the time.
Elvis Presley
3/5
Elvis is of course a talented guy. His discography and works are of course impressive and expansive. He is also, of course, a unique voice which defined a genre. In my preference of music these songs hold a place for casual listening in the background at a dimly lit bar. Not quite something that I would put quality headphones on and get lost in. However, maybe if I were born in his time I would have jived more with this music. Hard to say, but short of a few good songs: I am only slightly interested in his grand works.
The Band
5/5
It’s The Band. THE Band. I’ve seen Last Waltz a few times, and I appreciate Levon’s voice too much to give this album a half assed listen. With the exception of the biggest hits, this album is full of excellent melodies and great instrumentals. Great Americana rock. These guys toured with the best and created some absolutely iconic tracks. The album flows so well together. Maybe not the strongest 5 I’ll give, but this album deserves it, all the same.
The Verve
3/5
The flaw with this album is that it starts off with their biggest hit ever, by a mile. It’s hard to appreciate anything else on the album, even though the talent is there. The Verve throw together some interesting tracks, some slow, some poppy, some rockin, some absolutely space and time affluent. Nothing here is bad. It’s just average; and the contrast to Bittersweet and the rest of the album is just too great of a divide to appreciate anything much more than a forgettable track here and there.
B.B. King
5/5
They say that BB is the king of the Blues which is very much the truth. However, they also say that he is the king of phrasing, and that he can make his guitar talk. That is absolutely the truth. What could be a tired and boring, just another blues record, becomes a passionate homage to sadness. You can feel the emotion in his words, the power of his melodies, but most importantly you can hear another story just from his guitar. His playing style is magical and entrancing. It’s wonderful to absorb the joy and pain that his playing style emits. While this may not be my absolute favorite music. The man himself displays so much with such a straightforward genre and exhibits it’s complexities with incredible artistry.
Alice Cooper
2/5
Power cords, unique riffs, powerful solos, a medley of instruments, and a resonance od rebellion. All things that I enjoy in a typical record. However, this album doesn’t stick with me. I appreciate it, I just don’t love it or even particularly like it. I suppose it’s fun enough, Ana I can understand others’ enjoyment. Just not for me.
Elliott Smith
2/5
Slow and thoughtful. To say this the music bores me is not to say others shouldn’t find it enjoyable. However, I equate it most closely to Conor Oberst, and then closely beside a more composed Jose Gonzalez, or iron and wine. All of which are talented and deserving. They just never sat with me. Not a voluntary rotation for me.
Goldie
2/5
Takes me back to some PS1 games where I’m driving a jet ski off of ramps and catching big air, while the high tempo drumns n bass are blasting me into a futuristic state where nothing else matters except the water and waves. Therefore, younger me would probably give this a higher rating considering it also reminds me of the original Killer Instinct soundtrack, which I absolutely loved as a 7 year. So merely for the nostalgic kick I will treat this album a little more fairly.
Sonic Youth
2/5
Just wailing guitars and off key singing. Every time I though a song was decent it failed to reach the point where I would normally say. “Hey, not bad!” Forgettable. Chapel Hill is passable.
The Chemical Brothers
3/5
Electronic vibe music. Kinda like Mobey. It’s better than that Goldie nonsense. Doubt I will re-listen but I wouldn’t say it’s bad.
GZA
4/5
Definite method man tide rising the ship that is this album, but GZA is great at meshing some crazy samples together to make an exceptional rap album. I am not a huge Wu Tang follower but I absolutely enjoyed some tracks on this record and will revisit it at a later date. I can comprehend the gravity of wu tang and the effect the group had on rap music. Powerful and lyrical.
King Crimson
3/5
Yes yes. It’s everyone’s favorite. I get it. Epitaph is the strongest, schizoid man is decent, court of the crimson king is wild but also alright. I dig the instrumental in I talk to the wind. I fully understand how this would have been groundbreaking when it debuted, it is creative and very intriguing and takes some crazy risks with the wild horns, rock licks, and jazziness. For me it lacks the overall cohesion and is not set on a coherent direction. I got lost and bored, but ultimately enjoyed some portions.
10cc
3/5
I floated between a 3 and 4 all the way through this album. It’s ambitious, it’s wild, it’s… odd. Which I usually like. I dig the ripping riffs and unique mixing of instruments, as well as the chances taken on lyrics and delivery. I can’t quite bring myself to fully embrace and enjoy the music though. The last song was enjoyable.
The Chemical Brothers
3/5
The music is fun, and comes with the energy. I recognized the first track immediately but kind of spaced out in the middle. The electronic mix with the drum track is a pleasing type of vibe music. Overall, it’s not something I would seek out growing up in the EDM age molded my tastes for better or worse. Where Do I Begin was a pleasant surprise near the end of the album, reminding me that I should be cautious to write these summaries until the end. Regardless, my rating never changed throughout.
The Velvet Underground
2/5
I’m conflicted. It’s weird and noisy and oddly irrelevant. This does not conform to anything, and I think some could argue whether or not this is even music. Hell we have story about a dude mailing himself to a girl and getting stabbed through the box, and we a 17 minute power jazz record about sucking on a ding dong. Meanwhile, there are synths and guitars whaling all over the place. I wouldn’t say I vehemently hate this record, but I would have a hard time telling someone that I like it. I would just say this shit is loud, sloppy and strange. I just don’t know what to do with myself.
Sade
4/5
Honestly, didn’t start off with high hopes. Smooth Operator was always a fringe song in my mind that lived somewhere between a cheesy Jimmy Buffet song and Faith Hill. However, i really listened to it instead of passing it off and I was pleased with the song itself. What’s more is that as this album went on I really grew to enjoy Sade’s voice. The tracks are minimal and backed with simple drum tracks that appear to come from an electric piano, but are saved by some beautiful sax. Ultimately, her voice is what carries the album and conveys thoughtful lyrics and style. I enjoyed this album.
Beck
3/5
No one ever said that Beck didn’t take chances and make some unique music. Some of it sticks, some of it falls short. Yet I’ve never met anyone who told me that Beck is their favorite. Sad thing is that many people seem to love DMB to no end, but I can’t understand why Becks uniqueness doesn’t draw a similar cult following. Some things just don’t make sense, but what makes sense is that Beck makes very interesting music. If it were 4 songs on this album and some decent accompanying tracks I may keep this is rotation, but it just doesn’t have unanimous draw.
Solomon Burke
4/5
Buttery, silky voice. Immediately reminded me of Sam Cooke. I have never heard Solomon before and while these may just be your standard love and loneliness songs, he executes them so well. Lots of guitar licks, with some horn, keys, and backing vocals to carry this album to a wonderful place. I loved it.
Grant Lee Buffalo
3/5
It’s strange. So many elements of this music appeal, his voice is excellent and interesting, I love the fun backing vocals, guitar licks, acoustic accents, and soft rock vibes. It’s more that the music never fully hits a stride, it’s like a shadow of a good song, on repeat. So many foundations to make a hit, but they lack a certain element.
Skepta
4/5
This is one I’ll have to sit in and give another listen later. I’m not super up on my Brit rap, it’s a different style, different rap scheme. I never cared for some of the other Brit rappers, but I do like this guy. The American rap influences are present with talks of gangs, bitches, drugs and arrogance. Themes I think are week and cliche, but Skepta makes up with a lot of this with nuanced skill and expertly crafted beats. I really liked Numbers. I think others would grow on me.
Marty Robbins
4/5
His voice is silky and the reverb is key. While this may be simple music, his passion shines through and creates emotional response. His story telling is captivating to absorb. I think this is excellent pre-country music and the outlaw mentality is just a fun, extinct music style. Would love to work in casual music.
M.I.A.
2/5
MIA is excellent at creating interesting tracks. The music is fresh and includes unique accoutrements. The rap and lyrics are unfortunately boring and the flow is weak. Paper planes is a cool song but doesn’t save this album for me.
Lou Reed
4/5
Soft vocals, talk singing. Some of the songs have more action than others, but overall Lou has a knack for composing a rhythmic compilation. He has created interesting lyrics with uncommon story telling and fun choruses. He employs some various instrumentals including keys, horns, and strings. The quality of the album is adequate.
4/5
It’s like the British blink 182. There are certainly some fun tracks on the album. The sound is well balanced but the hooks aren’t as often as I’d like them to be. Overall, the music is pop punk and I was surprised to enjoy the album more than anticipated.
Django Django
3/5
It’s like the postal service made some trippy acid pop. Excellent electronic composure but the falsetto harmonization can get a little tired. Lord of half hashed ideas that sometimes stick, and sometimes don’t. That’s the beauty of music after all, they’re being creative and sometimes something fresh and wonderful can be created. However, only some of it hits for me. As the album progresses it resembles new age sea shanties where the harmonies float on waves of consistent rhythms mixed with well placed instrumentals. Nothing captured my attention, but I did enjoy a few songs. Overall, a bland record for my taste, mostly due to the vocals not taking any chances.
Linkin Park
5/5
This will get a 5 regardless, however I want to give it an updated chance to be absorbed into my developed musical tastes. I grew up thinking this album was one of the coolest things ever. It was rap rock, but never did I feel it was corny. Chester had exceptional talent and the rapping always fit nicely. Dj + rock instrumentals were fresh and eye-opening for a genre defining sound. I relistened intently to see if I could get some sense of that rush, like chasing a drug high. Chester was unbelievable, so melodic but damn the scream can just convey so much angst and pain at one time, while still being enjoyable. With you is a passionate and powerful song, love to hear it through s refreshed lens. Crawling is a great mashup of electronic overlays on a rock track, beautifully melded. The chorus is electric and the emotion is visceral. So many great tracks in this album, so much expansion of rock into new spaces. Other tired to copy but paled in comparison. Linkin Park were supreme.
Daft Punk
3/5
Good as background music while you work on something, but not something that I would just sit and listen to. It has some intriguing mixes and the music is fun.
Traffic
4/5
Certainly, some very strong tracks here. While there are also a few fillers. I think the overall sound of the band is ambitious and well balanced. Lots of tasty guitar riffs, piano Melodies and synchronized voices. The lyric writing is fun and the singing style commands attention at its best parts. There are some songs where all the weirdness, pop, and rock come together properly, but it appears they threw a little too much quality on this record and there’s no real need to stay spinning past the flip unless you’re a true fan on the jazzy, folksy, bluesy jams. Shanghai Noodly Factory is fun though.
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
2/5
Highly experimental. Not fully fleshed out. Perhaps that’s why some like it. Bluesy and folksy. Poor quality. Some interesting sounds. Otherwise ehhhh. All instrumental in backhalf.
Arcade Fire
3/5
It’s a type of music that I would like, but somehow don’t. Spacey and airy vocals, interesting music styling and choices. It’s like and Indy-folk. There are a few songs I enjoy, but ultimately forgettable.
TLC
3/5
Well constructed R&B songs with some indisputable bangers. I would say this music was constructed to be the background tunes for many a saucy night, but includes some deeper consciousness tracks to explore culture. Overall fun music, and well processed and mastered tracks. The rating simply reflects my perception of this genre. Not something i seek to play regularly.
Otis Redding
5/5
What an incredible voice, and a generational talent. I researched a few of these mega hits to see if Otis had written them or another band and it appears to be a mixed bag. The fact that he wrote respect is an accomplishment on its own, but that he also covered Sam Cooke and The Rolling Stones is wild. This album is just an exploration of the genre on its own. It’s like a best hits of soul. Otis can take you on a journey with just his voice. Truly incredible stuff. I would buy this album.
LCD Soundsystem
5/5
Incredible! Hooks you immediately and doesn’t let go. The album has so much fun rhythm and instrumentals that transport you into another world. The lyrics are thoughtful, the percussion is smacking, and the bangers are banging. All around a great album that I would like to own.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
2/5
As a fan on the slower stuff, this put me to sleep. I’d call this spoken poetry with some pretty piano and modulation in the background. Not something you’d play at a party, or on a road trip for risk of falling asleep at the wheel, or a friendly gathering for similar reasons, or even a funeral for that matter. Perhaps I could listen to this while I take an afternoon nap, but I’m not eager to.
Alice Cooper
4/5
I didn’t expect to like this album as much as I did. I have never been into Alice, and I had heard one album prior to this one, which I don’t believe I rated very highly. But hell… this guy can sing like Paul McCartney and then scream with authority. The guitars rip and the chorus’ have excellent balance and catchiness. Overall a very solid album with some solid hits. I will re-listen.
Merle Haggard
4/5
Good ol country n western. Sad songs that make you want to drink a few cold ones and hop in a pickup.
Slade
2/5
It has the elements for a good rock record. You can tell it birthed some hair metal. It’s like the Beatles could r dubs a good hook. Too much discombobulation.
David Bowie
4/5
It’s as if someone told Bowie that indie music was in, and the the kids these days were mixing interesting arrangements together with simple lyrics that had emotional gravity to them. Then Bowie said, “hold my beer”. This album is so cutting age that I would think it came out early in his career. He doesn’t hold anything back; he just delivers really interesting music. I was very impressed!
Eminem
4/5
Perhaps the rawest Eminem album, before her came to understand his flow. This album is still super ambitious, we learn how messed up this guys life is/was and the dark comedy that he wants us to believe is or isn’t a joke. It’s very clear from this album how talented the man is, but you can tell there is some room for growth. The content is extremely dark, which I think is absolutely fascinating. His rap game is sinister and well thought out. White trash rap certainly took of with this album, and he became the hip hop Elvis. I prefer his work that follows this, which is more balanced and mastered, but that’s not to say that this isn’t incredible.
Blondie
3/5
2 huge hits and a bunch of strong pop-rock songs. Certainly not the worst thing to come out of the 70s and I can assume the influence this had on other artists was huge. It’s not something that I would casually listen to, but I won’t turn it off on the radio. That feels like a 3 to me.
Country Joe & The Fish
2/5
It’s like the Doors took the wrong drugs, or no drugs at all. Too many instrumental interludes. Doesn’t mesh well.
Billy Bragg
4/5
Some really solid folksy-Americans. There are some truly excellent songs on this record and the powerful vocalists do a great job of sharing the singing responsibilities. I teetered on the edge of a 3 and 4. The first half has some really strong songs but it seems to lull in the muddied. However, it ends strong with some strong melancholy.
Chicago
3/5
There are some hits here, but also a lot of hap-hazard Jazz. Obviously these guys are classically trained, and unafraid to take chances on some licks, but the guitar gets a little out of control at times. I respect the melding of instruments and genre bending.
The Beach Boys
3/5
This was a good prequel to Pet Sounds, seems like they’re finding their sound. Overall a little more melancholic than what I expected.
Hole
2/5
It’s similar to Sonic Youth. It’s the super yelly side of grunge that never quite clicked with me. It’s not terrible, it’s just not good either.
Arcade Fire
3/5
I liked this album more than Funeral, but I’ve determined that I’m just not drawn to this music. It has its positives: it’s got that indie soft to rocking buildup, the harmonizations are key, and it has creative inspirations. However, it just doesn’t connect for me. Perhaps the ideas are too large and just don’t land. They have a very large sound that just gets too messy. No Cars Go was a great late album addition. More songs like this please.
Metallica
3/5
Runk-gugga-gunk-gugga-gunk!
Headbangers ball, through and through. Not my casual listen of choice, but the presence of One on this and the overall sense of rock n roll/ metal gives it a middle of the road score for me.
Tito Puente
4/5
Absolutely infectious music. I chose to listen to this while commuting into work and I wish that I had blared it at home and given into the rhythm to dance. Blasting horns, scratch boards, maracas, more horns, drums, acoustic boxes, and even the glockenspiel! Great music to dance to, if I knew the salsa.
Khaled
3/5
Very fun and peppy music! There are some jazzy flairs and really interesting singing styles. I enjoyed it!
Mudhoney
3/5
I love grunge, and this is grunge! However, I came to a realization while listening to a band that I always knew of, but had never heard much of. I love Grunge with an exceptional lead vocalist: Chris, Eddie, Kurt, Scott, ….fucking Layne! This has all of the elements of good grunge, minus the very important bit. Otherwise, hey… not bad!
Prince
5/5
2 many hits 4 me to not give this a 5. The guy rips on guitar and composed some extremely solid tracks that have birthed so many spin-offs and likely shaped pop into what it is today. It blends rock, soul, and pop together seamlessly, and when you add a finisher like that, you have s truly remarkable album.
Joni Mitchell
3/5
Joni is an excellent story teller, and an exceptional poet. Her music is more than just music, it’s truly and art. I believe this album has songs that take time to digest though.
Klaxons
3/5
It’s creative, it’s unique, it sufficiently rocks, and it has Indy vibes. I think some of the music could grow on me with a few listens or so, but it doesn’t necessarily pique my interest off the bat.
Kate Bush
3/5
Is creative She absolutely influenced a new age of pop and electric blend. I love the Celtic tones. The music is a like spacey and sometimes loses the concept. Overall I enjoyed it but did not love. One more hit and I would give it a 4.
The Rolling Stones
5/5
Can’t you hear me knocking is an automatic 4, the question is whether or not the rest of the album fills in the gap. With a rocking start and passionate singing Mcjagger, Keith, Charlie, and the other guy put together a powerful message to all rock n roll wannabes. That shit better rip! But also to say don’t be afraid to throw some sax and sadness into it, it yangs out the yin. Rolling Stones have always been an enjoyable band, but have never been a favorite. That being the case, I can objectively say this album is wonderful and inclusive of some genre defining sounds. Love it! The gaps are filled in by brown Sugar, wild horses, kinda Bitch, kinda dead flowers and a strong finish with moonlight mile. Long live Brit rock!
Devendra Banhart
2/5
Slow folk with a repetitive style. Not something I would relisten to. Jose Gonzalez vibes.
Kacey Musgraves
4/5
I’m surprised. Her voice is wonderful and I’d call this country about as soon as I’d call kid rock rap. Only difference is that this doesn’t suck as much as that fucking guy. Although I don’t have the estrogen levels to relate to the feelings in this sign, I can relate to its passion as I hop off my misogyny horse. Great music. Great writing!
Robbie Williams
2/5
Boring pop-rock. It’s not particularly bad, but one could also say that it’s not entirely ground breaking or creative, either. It’s like you take the powerful electric guitar away from Lenny Kravitz and you’re left with this.
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
Did I just become a Bruce fan? It’s such a crazy mix of melancholy sadness with Americana rock. Then it throws in some sax and keys. Need to give it a couple more listens to confirm, but I’m looking forward to them!
Metallica
2/5
It’s ambitious, but it takes the part of Metallics that I think we all love, the metal, and washes it out with this disjointed accompaniment of strings and horns. The thought was likely that you take the grandness of an orchestra and it would somehow expand upon the large sound of Metallica, but it has the opposite effect. Nothing really stands out. It’s boring. A for effort, D for execution.
Gorillaz
3/5
Clint Eastwood saves this from being a mediocre concept. Unique songs with no flair. Forgettable.
Michael Jackson
5/5
What an incredible blend of rock, funk, and soul blended with pop. Truly one of those albums that deserves the recognition. So many classic songs that catch your attention as soon as the music starts. Hard to believe something like this can just be created by someone with that much talent. Just thinking about the dancing that accompanied this is mind blowing, because the music stands out so much by itself. I would love to own this album.
Stereolab
4/5
A unique blend of prog rock, indie pop, and electronic accoutrement. The French female vocals are such a welcomed flair to the music. This record would not be a casual-listening choice, but it certainly has a place for making some food or chilling with friends and making some drinks. Pleasant vibe for this medium tempo jam. The instruments do not fight one another, and the music is very well mixed and arranged. Some songs are fuller than others, however the good ones shine!
The Mamas & The Papas
4/5
Certainly interesting reading about the founder, John, and of his escapades… but with that aside we are left with some classic 60s pop folk rock. There are some cataclysmic hits on this record, with some slower gap fillers. Overall, the male and female harmonization and lead singing hand offs come across with receptive enjoyment. The music is not highly mastered or having the highest fidelity. The music is reminiscent of Beatles, and beach boys, and I would generalize them by calling them fleetwood from the valley. But seriously, the founding member was a troubled human.
Willie Nelson
4/5
Stripped down country western music. Honestly this is the melancholy and sadness that I look for in the genre. Plus you’ve got Willys unique silky and raspy voice. It’s a gem!
Kanye West
3/5
It’s got all of the elements of a solid Kanye album. The rap is tight and the flow goes hard. The mixing is fantastic and the beats go. I just don’t enjoy the lyrics in this one. Feels like an experiment, half polished. He’s very creative, and he takes chances. The buck stops there. Bound 2 was a banger 4 sure.
Bonnie "Prince" Billy
1/5
Without being over-dramatic- I had a really hard time even wanting to pay attention to this. It was so slow and is not something that I personally enjoy or would ever suggest to others. I like slow music, but I like it to have something interesting in it. This is slow for the sake of being slow. Boring as hell. It has not ability for relisten and would not suggest.
Big Star
2/5
It’s very apparent that it’s un-finished. I just didn’t appreciate the music like I see that others do. Too many slow sad songs, but not in a good way.
David Bowie
4/5
I am becoming a Bowie fan. Very creative compositions. Excellent mastering, and apparently a lot of drugs went into perfecting this album. On the listen to relisten! Stay is a great song!
R.E.M.
3/5
Certainly a unique band. The vocals are well written and the voice is easy to listen to. The music is creative and the hooks can hook. I have never been an REM fan and frankly I can’t say why. Good casual listening, though I’m not gonna add it to my collection.
Nas
4/5
A glimpse into the streets of NY in the 90s and a portrait of a hardened rapper who has grown up in conditions that I cannot imagine. One of the primary reasons I enjoy rap is the storytelling aspect. No other genre is more-equipped to convey so much raw truth, so quickly, and so vividly as rap/hip-hop. The truly special rap can make you feel like you are a part of that life, if just for a moment, and Illmatic falls in that camp. Nas has a great flow, I can see the bridge from old school to new school, I can see the birth of a more intimate style which speaks to the struggles of life in the rougher areas, and I can see the passion flow through the words making up these stories. A genre defining album, a time capsule, a solid hip-hop album.
Missy Elliott
3/5
I have always had a soft spot for Missy, and that is partially because she is a funny rapper, and partially because she makes bangers. I would say this album has some interesting songs and the music itself is fun to listen to. It doesn’t appear that it will quite make it into my rotation, but I now know a little more of her catalog, which will make the bangers band just a little harder. Missy pushed females forward in rap and deserves the credit for her style.
Janelle Monáe
3/5
She’s talented, and the music is unique. Orchestral hip-hop is a fun combination. I’m just not sure it was executed with much more than 1 or 2 songs coming away with a compete sound. The rest is kind of boring and tame considering the grand ambition of the mash-up.
Bon Jovi
3/5
It’s kind of like a three hit wonder. As if they blew the wad on the first album and sold their souls to the devil to get absolute rock ballads. The rest of the album has the same energy, and the same tired pop-metal; not quite hair metal, not quite MJ, but somewhere in the middle. Of course the 3 big boys are infectious classics that make even the most hardened rockers wail out in unison after a beer or two at the local saloon, and for those tracks alone this is a remarkable record. I just think it’s the toughest sophomore follow up ever… the put themselves in a huge hole. Other than that, I’ve heard these songs sooooo manyyyyy timesssss. Subjectively not something I want to hear again.
Bobby Womack
3/5
Funk, soul, a little pop, and some ripping blues Bobby’s got the ingredients and has a sprinkle of the passion to create what appears to be a soulful, rhythmic love record. It’s nice to listen to. If I were on an elevator and this came on, I would probably sway to the tunes, and if I were at a bar with a few beers then more of the same. With the exception of a few lackluster songs, the record is a complete groove. I think it misses the connection with me a bit, but I would give it a high 3.
Cyndi Lauper
4/5
Powerful voice and power-pop, it’s a combination made for the 80s. 3 absolutely massive songs really speaks to the magnitude of this record. The remaining songs aren’t necessarily forgettable drub from the 80s but they aren’t memorable either. To me this is a fun record, but not a regular rotation. However, the magnitude of the music and voice carry it past the 3.5 mark. This would be a 7/10.
4/5
Gritty guitar, with clear and precise vocals share a solid drums network, and produce really solid rock songs. I’m surprised that I’ve only ever just heard of PJ, but am happy to have finally experienced such a unique sound with this album. She definitely has unique quirks and definitely takes some risks on odd mixing of instrumentals and vocals, but she is super controlled and has a great ear for music. This is as if Hole was able to make a coherent record, just as punk, just as rock n roll, but without the trash instruments fighting one another for the limelight. Proof that you have to have a method to the madness. PJ is a true musician, and this is a true compilation of art.
Arrested Development
3/5
Religious hip-hop. Slowish with interesting timing and instrument choices. Sometimes it hits its stride, but most of the time it’s just preach-rap. I think it works for some casual listening, and perhaps with a small group playing games to have on in the background. Otherwise, not my first choice.
Traffic
4/5
The instrumental first track is off to a great start. I could imagine this as a musical score, and by the time the vocals start on the second track you are absorbed into the music and ready for action. The flute and bass really drive the funk train out of the station and by the time we get to Empty Pages, that train is chuggin’ along. I absolutely love the keys blending in with the walking accompaniment. The flute sticks around as the electric guitar is traded for acoustic and the yelling fades to lullabies, a welcomed bit of continuity. The album unfortunately putters out from here and the funk gives way to a bluesy resolution, which they do well enough, just not as quite as good as the magical funk factory presented at first. I dig the organ work, contrary to others’ opinions. I think it adds some depth to the whole thing. First 3 songs are Jamz.
Led Zeppelin
4/5
First Zep record of the list. What a fucking treat! Starts off with some of the Jimmy Page dirty crunch and by the time the harmonica hits - the game is fucking on and it’s time to dive in! Following up with the Rover is another hard rocking hit and I’m noticing some audio compression on the digital track, aside from that the ripping solo puts this song in the appreciation zone. The arpeggio backing guitar kinda gives this track a punk note, unusual but not unwelcome from the Zep I’m used to. Then you’re smacked in the face with an 11 minute power house, that would have you believing you just finished a record, but no this is just the beginning! What’s this? Houses of the Holy on Physical Graffiti?! It doesn’t make sense, but be damned if this song doesn’t rip and fit right in on this record! The riff and organ-keys in trampled under foot are cosmic and the guitar flying into accent them just pumps everything up! Hitting Kashmir I’m realizing it’s not my favorite Zeppelin track, and realizing how long these songs really are. The second half of the album takes a beat and the tempo slows, by the time you arrive at bron-yr-aur you begin to think you’re at a concert and Robert is resting the vocals, hopefully for some powerful closers. Nope… down by the seaside is an interesting song for the album, and then Ten Years gone seems to be when the record begins to amp it back up. Still some slow, departures from the rock with Night Flight and we get a glimpse into how the sound is progressing into a new type of rock, perhaps they were trying to reinvent their sound and take a note from the Beatles. The Wanton Song brings back some of that wonderful Jon Bonham drum work and we are back in business, baby! Boogie with Stu and no we’re in the ragtime saloon, strange.
The first half of the album is a solid 5, the second half is not bad, but it doesn’t quite fit with classic Zeppelin or this new progressive rock. Overall, the album has some serious power and is a remarkable highlight to the later years of the rock gods. One an only imagine where they would have ended up without Jon’s passing, but perhaps the second half of Physical Graffiti reminds us that the first half isn’t always followed up with an equal second.
The Associates
3/5
It’s something that I can imagine people would like, but I’m not one of them. There’s too much chaos, especially in the vocals. They singing is all over the place, lots of tremelo, pre-emo. The music is well done, with some cool blends and that classic 80s drum-beat. I can tell this pushed the genre into new directions, just well past my preferences (I imagine the couple from family vacation that hate the griswalds are avid fans of this music.)
Femi Kuti
4/5
Orchestral-funk. The lyrics are political and an introspective look into Nigerian culture. The music absolutely kicks in and the largeness of the band is very present. The music makes you want to dance and move. Femi has a great singing style. I would pair this music with the other dancing international tracks like Tito Puente when I’m feeling adventurous and want the tunes to move my body. Loved the big bad sound here.
James Brown
3/5
Electric and soulful. James Brown has an excellent voice when he broke on the scene, but I think I liked it more when it matured. The mastering isn’t fantastic on this and the fidelity is lacking, but the music is fun.
Hüsker Dü
3/5
It’s like Diarrhea Planet wanted to cover R.E.M. some of the guitar riffs absolutely shred, and could have fooled me as something that came out in the 2010s, but I guess that’s the beauty of music. There were some songs I enjoyed, but the record is very chaotic and doesn’t necessarily flow into strong standalone songs when the sound comes at your in a messy wave of yelling and dueling instruments. Mastering likely has a part in this.
3/5
Not gonna lie, when I read “White Panthers” I assumed they we some clan boys. I’m glad I was wrong. As for the music, I can see that at the time this was punk rock heaven, I would have likely geeked out on it, but the fidelity of the live album and lack of polish on songs impacts my perception. Overall, I enjoyed the fun atmosphere of it, and the passion certainly flows through. I’d give it a high 3.
Run-D.M.C.
3/5
Honestly could confuse this for Beastie Boys. The flow is dead-on and even the mix sounds like something they would rap over. I like the composition of everything, but like many fathers of hip-hop the music hasn’t aged as well as you’d hope. The genre is constantly evolving, and the origins are to be revisited, if seldomly.
Eels
4/5
Very advanced indie. Slow, with very unique arrangement. The vocals are great, and the songs go down some adventurous paths. Sometimes it works out nicely, others are less so. I really likely the style and would listen again.
CHIC
3/5
It’s got some of that funk. Some of that bass that’ll droop your face, some of the drum that’ll move your bum, and some of that sauce that’ll… make you wonder what it was like to be in a disco club when this was dropping.
Odd genre, but the funk is why it remains relevant.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
3/5
It’s Bob. He’s jammin’. It’s good easy listenin. Keep on jammin’!
Isaac Hayes
3/5
Long songs, golden pipes, organ, strings. Bring on the soul. This is good casual listening, but not a regular rotation. If I owned a record store this is what I would work in.
Franz Ferdinand
5/5
Ahhh, the days of Fuse TV. Watching music videos for hours on end and Take Me Out always popping up in the rotation. Honestly, one of the more influential moments in my musical journey. While that song may have been ground down to a numb sensation, I still vividly remember it’s part in how I felt back them with the new age sound. I have never listened to this full album, and I’m surprised at just how different all of the songs sound. How each one is in its own space and makes its own sound. I love it. What a magical pop-punk-indie collection of songs.
Bonnie Raitt
4/5
I’m conflicted. Her voice is an absolute 5; Susan Tedeschi mixed with Sara Watson. It’s gritty and really becomes ethereal. The 80s synth pop is what gets me, really takes from what could be a raw soft rock singer-songwriter album. I suppose I like some songs and dislike others, but I would own this and rotate it. Truly a 3.5
Nico
2/5
Sad and slow. Nice for a song or two. Very poetic. The voice isn’t necessarily impressive. Very casual and boring. Like this paragraph structure.
Nirvana
5/5
The Zeitgeist of grunge. What all other west coast 90s rock aspired to manifest. The culmination of the pain and suffering couple with the inexplicable angst that we all know to be true in our late teens and early twenties. Nirvana captured powerful emotions, mostly angry-ones, and bottled them into a more powerful album. One that defined an entire genre and changed much that came after.
Is it a perfect album? No. There are certainly songs that infect you with the spirit of rock n roll, but then there are others that are just kind of… noisy. The sheer volume of innovation here makes it a 5. Kurt was a maverick. His guitar skills were made for power chords, and were adequate for his vocal-tracing solos. The drums were always tight. And can you even make our Kirst through the static? Tough to say! It doesn’t matter! It fucking rocks!
Christina Aguilera
4/5
Reading the other reviews you would think this album is terrible, people on this are seriously deluded so maybe I shouldn’t concern my self with their opinions and try to be as unbiased to my own tastes as possible.
Christina has extreme talent. Her voice has that grit that many female vocalists wish they could imitate. She makes solid pop songs. This album is very complete, the only oddness about it is how stylistically distinct each song is. We’re talking rock, hip hop, soul, power ballad. The work that went into creating this is very evident. Personally I enjoyed it. My main critique is the length. I think if this were a 10 song album, a 4 would be likely.
Violent Femmes
5/5
One of the first CDs I ever owned. Funny enough I only listened to it all the way through a few times. I think this is because my music tastes weren’t quite mature enough for this as a child. However, blister in the sun is easily one of my favorite songs of all time. This album defined what it meant to make Cool Music. It is the hard to believe that this came out the 80s because the stuff could have been made yesterday and people would geek out over it. What a truly revolutionary album.
The Prodigy
4/5
Relative to other EDM albums that are likely on this list, I would have to say this is likely going to be the one that’s most appealing to me. Objectively, this album is fast-paced rage-dance. It’s catchy, and it’s action packed. It’s unique and fun and it hits hard!
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
3/5
Certainly the better of the Elvis Costello albums. Some of the songs are catchy and fun, I’ve just realized that it’s not my cup of tea.
Fiona Apple
3/5
The prototypical jazz-alt-rock. It certainly brings an artistic touch to that 90s sound which can appear stale at times without injections of originality like this album. Fiona is a natural writer. Her moody and poetic lyrics are accented by piano and string accompaniments that bring wonderful music forward and personally to the listener. The songs don’t necessarily resonate with me to the point where I’d listen to this often, I can see a teenager from any generation after mine benefiting from the angst and frustration, but that sweet zone has passed for me.
Don McLean
3/5
American Pie, the song, is a classic. It is an anthem for the USA. To be required at every BBQ. It is a 5. However, I can’t recall if I have ever consciously listened to the entire song from start to finish. I always zone out and snap awake when he sings “Jack be nimble, Jack be quick”. It always happens. It’s just too damn long. Then I find out that the entire album is just different versions of American Pie… well that just has to be immediately forgotten, and I have to pretend that the song is only 3 minutes of perfection where I chat with my friends in the sunshine, to lovely smells of smoked meats, and booms of fireworks. -Speaking of 3.
The Velvet Underground
3/5
The indie influence is strong. Mostly soft and melodical. I can always hear the likes of The Vines, The Strokes, etc… To me it just lacks anything that I would be keen on rehearing.
Laura Nyro
2/5
Joni Mitchell, but way more whiny. I like it for a song, but the album is very vanilla after that.
The Cure
4/5
Depressing and beautiful. This helped define the genres that I love. I really appreciate this album upon the first listen. It has a few songs I know and love, but even the others had dynamic appeal. Accompanying, whiny-guitar arpeggios and soft delayed vocals. The spacey sadness cuts right though me!
Frankie Goes To Hollywood
3/5
Likely groundbreaking at the time. The album is powerful and dynamic. Great singing and a fun mix of instruments. I wish I could Relax and just give it a 4, but it’s not exactly something I have to listen to again.
Neneh Cherry
3/5
Buffalo Stance was great. Rest of the album was 80s rap. Didn’t age well.
Little Simz
3/5
She has great rhythm. The rap can kind of drone on and get a bit tedious. Certainly it is well done, but not something I would listen to again.
Thelonious Monk
2/5
Soft, improv jazz. The kind that yo I would expect to hear in a relaxing spot. One that I wouldn’t visit very often because I would fall asleep. I don’t dislike the drum walks, the sax accompaniment, or the subtle keys. It’s that I don’t connect to this type of music.
Terence Trent D'Arby
3/5
Mom, can we get Michael Jackson?
No. we have Michael Jackson at home!
*Michael Jackson at home.
To be honest, he’s talented and has a great songwriting ability. His voice is interesting.
I’m not a fan of the boring song structures, but everyone once in awhile it clicked.
Just a little too experimental without the ability to make it really pop.
Stevie Wonder
4/5
Funky and soulful. Stevie is a great singer with a nose for the catchy verse. I was surprised to enjoy so many songs on this album. Great for casual listening!
Pixies
5/5
Holy Shit. It’s sloppy, it’s noisy and the balance/mixing leaves something to be desired. However, I’d be damned to not recognize the passion and genius in so many of these songs. When you think the music is going down some sloppy, noisy path then it just throws in a tasty guitar riff. Really magical blend of quirk with tame structure.
The Style Council
3/5
The piano medley intro was killer, and I thought with the next 2 songs that this album would be onto something. However, it descended into pop, and while not bad, it kept on going further into the weird soul, RnB borderline appropriation crap. The rap was fitting of the decade, but not fitting of the record vibe. I was really hoping for the them to fit the exposition.
David Bowie
3/5
It’s a little too advanced-Bowie for me. The man was very imaginative for the entirety of his career. Gotta give him that.
Buena Vista Social Club
3/5
Beautiful singing, and the piano work at the end was lovely. I don’t mind some easy listening Spanish music!
A Tribe Called Quest
4/5
Definitely some corny flow that people was cutting edge at the time, it’s just that rap has progressed so much (for better or worse). The mixing is exceptional, the band really put together some dope bass lines and drum beats; the scratching is very fitting of the era. I think there are certainly some standout tracks, but the album drags on. I respect the flow and influence this had on hip hop. Considering that it is a good album.
Tom Tom Club
3/5
Genius of love is a pretty decent song, the rest of the album is a little less decent. Overall, that balance out to…. Decent!
Cool electronic blend with the reggae sound.
Joan Armatrading
4/5
Excellent voice! She’s like a mix of Joni Mitchell and Tracey Chapman, and her music is funky with that big band feel, slightly soulful, kinda like DMB, but actually good.
I really want to listen to this again.
Neil Young
5/5
It’s nuts. What starts off as some of the most progressive Americana that you could conceive (and from a Canadian), with the prettiest guitar licks and harmonics melodies taking you to the great open planes and the simple life. Then this dude brings out the grittiest, grungiest blues imaginable and shows you why he is a maverick. He perfects 2 genres and brings you something heavenly in the middle. While his politics have always been at the forefront of his music, and the song Alabama can make him sound like a pompous Jesus-figure trying to save the backwards people from their troubles (we get it Neil, you have all of the answers) it’s clear the he is an opinionated man just trying to spread the word. I think that’s what all good musicians should aspire to, right or wrong. But damn does he get soooo much right. Incredible body of work, just in this quick album.
The Residents
1/5
I imagine having a friend, one which I’ve bonded with over the course of many years. We know each others siblings. They are always extended an invite to hang out.
I then image this friend telling me to check out this wicked band The Residents, telling me they are on the cutting edge of musical innovation, that they are creating revolutionary sound and that I have to listen to them!
I then imagine never talking to this friend again.
This stuff stinks.
The Who
3/5
Odd concept album. Decent execution. I can tell they were just being wild dudes having a little fun, but the commercial atmosphere detracts from an otherwise decent album, but only minor-ly. This album has a beach boys vibe to it, not as much of the rockin who we come to expect.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
5/5
You know? It’s kind of a travesty that teenagers only experience Bob with a mixture of weed culture. It’s like lumping a trip to the beach into the same group as Panama city beach spring break. If you have a certain mindset of something before and after you experience it, it can severely alter your perception. Bob is in his own right a virtuoso musician. He brought an entire country culture to light with his island music. It transcends weed culture in the biggest way. It is an absolute master-class album in spiritual music. You would think this thing is a few test hits, no sir, it is just greatest hits of one album. Stellar.
Big Star
4/5
The rock songs are perhaps mediocre Attempts considering what it felt this album should have aspired to. This recording is regarded so highly that it’s hard to approach with an open mind. I came thinking the rock would pull me in, but I was more surprised by the slower, acoustic tracks. This is where the magic lives. These guys just spread themselves too wide, re-envisioned as a folk album this thing really shines.
Minor Threat
3/5
If institutionalized were an LP… Im just not a punk person. I can understand why some like to jam to this stuff, but it’s all kind of the same to me. I will say that this album didn’t annoy me. So that’s something.
Beatles
5/5
It’s the most complete album that I can imagine. I wouldn’t say that I would list any of the songs in my top 50, with the possible exception of He Came In The Bathroom Window (god damn that’s a good one). However, the album as a whole can be viewed as one compete work and that is what makes this special. You hear common themes throughout, guitar licks, piano melodies that reoccur in various intervals, woven into the tapestry. The magic is the dynamic rise and fall of the album into the poppy Beatles, into the rocking era, and then expanding the drug renaissance. They pay homage to their anthology, in a way that pays respect to the fans, but really helps to appreciate that they made this album for themselves. It is their passion project before the upcoming departure form one another, to escape the crazy fans but to also let them know that they appreciated it as much as us. The ones who enjoyed it get a final parting gift. The greatest album ever.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
2/5
I appreciate the weirdness, but it’s not my type of weird.
The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy
2/5
It’s like Tool meets R&B, but the music isn’t very good. I appreciate his elevated intelligence. However, this gets stale quick with its attempt to be a pedantic review of current world culture and a critique of America. Perhaps it spoke to some, but I didn’t groove to it.
Harry Nilsson
4/5
I agree with what a lot of people say about him being the American Beatle. He has that fun, whimsical, quirkiness to his music. I believe that is a harpsichord that I hear? Also he brings a lovely voice to the mix. I suppose short of a few standout songs, this album is something I would recommend to others with a similar taste, but would only listen to it when showing them or if it happened to be on the radio. Overall, very nicely made music. Perhaps a revisit in the future, this is only a first impression. Lime and the coconut ironically hurts this song after pop culture took ahold of it for so long. Actually, on second thought (god I’m bad at judging) I’m going to err on the side of a 4. I like this guy.
Jefferson Airplane
4/5
I’ll admit that In The Morning is a very strange track to throw on this album considering it is southern blues on a white-washed California rock album. The guitar work on 3/5 mile is crunchy and delicious! I really like the female vocalist and even the others sound good. Talented musicians and some good hits on this.
Paul Revere & The Raiders
3/5
They’ve got a beach boys sound, mixed with a little bit of clash style punk. Starts of with a few good songs then kind of falls flat.
Dusty Springfield
3/5
Slow white-soul. It’s ok. Son of a Preacher Man is of course a banger, the rest is delightful.
Black Sabbath
4/5
I appreciate this album for what I imagine it did for music. It encouraged the moody boys the crank up the distortion and to tighten those drums and hit a little bit harder. It can be seen as the mutated species that decides to step onto land for the first time and into the new world outside and spawned everything after, for better or for worse. Ozzy was a maverick. This album has some wicked guitar work and his voice shines as the premier attraction. War pigs is an exceptional song.
Fairport Convention
3/5
Folky as a renaissance fair, the vocals are the saving Grace. However, the tracks tend to drag on.
Suicide
1/5
Spoken verse, strange mix, tons of delay and synth-organ. Not something I like.
MGMT
3/5
The nostalgia hit is real. This was on the college freshman banger list, but in reality I only truly enjoy a few songs. And nothing that I’d really miss after going awhile without listening. This album has some unique sounds and stretches genres, but the passion behind the delivery always stuck with me. I feel like it’s just fun music, but without the true showmanship of a strong vocalist. It’s always just been ok to me.
My Bloody Valentine
3/5
Space sonic. It’s like Smashing Pumpkins without Billy. The guitar melody begins to make more sense as you get deeper into the album, but the indistinguishable lyrics make it tough to get attached. Perhaps upon further listens I would warm up to it. The guitar work I’m sure was very impressive as a genre definer at the time. I can appreciate that.
1/5
Chaotic speed jazz. I dislike.
Jeff Buckley
5/5
Angelic voice and some very interesting mix of songs. Hallelujah is obviously what makes this album standout. As far as covers go, I have no problem defending that alongside All Along The Watchtower, this is a top-tier cover. The song is brutally passionate and mesmerizing; it’s hauntingly beautiful. Lover you should come over is no less transcendent and you realize that with each listen, this album was onto something special.
Herbie Hancock
4/5
The funk is strong in the first track, and the jazz certainly shines through with the hyper aggressive synth improv that hits a few too many sour notes to really hide behind the jazz guise for as long as it assumed it’s welcome. However, the clash of drums and bass hit some absolutely peak-funk grooves and the sheer stank on this album makes it a killer album to play in the background of any gathering that you’re trying to impress people with your jazz exposure. It is highly accessible entry into this genre.
Lambchop
2/5
Print spoken word, with some questionable falsetto gambles. Saved only by some interesting indie guitar licks.
I fully intend to never listen to this again.
Kings of Leon
5/5
This is an album that you have to let grow on you. I didn’t understand it fully when I heard it as a good, but I thought it was unique and had a mystique to it. Caleb’s voice is mesmerizing to me, I think those who do not like it can consider their opinion valid, but I would credit the polarizing atmosphere of this album to the chances this album took, it’s like punk country. Small town Oklahoma boys, ripping up some guitar and laying some delicious drum fills to some expert bass lines and the vocals are not to be understood, but to be felt. It’s primal, and it’s fucking punk rock!
Parliament
4/5
Absolute FUNK! Wild that this comes from the guy who made funkadelic. Love it for its tasty bass and drums, and the e-Z listenability.
Manic Street Preachers
3/5
Sound like Jellyfish to me, another creative band that blended multiple styles and had a spoken poetry singing style. I certainly enjoy the style here, but the music doesn’t click. The voice is kind of all over the place, the guitar riffs are pretty good. I think the 90s got a little carried away with GRAND sound and covered up the weaker parts of the song with a string orchestra.
Public Image Ltd.
1/5
The only reason I continued to listen to this album is because I needed to know if it was a 1 or a 2.
This is just weird music for the sake of being weird, and that doesn’t make it good. I would love to hear out why others think this is groundbreaking, or revolutionary. I’d rather listen to them than this crap.
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
4/5
Very smooth jazz. Excellent musicianship with very thoughtful arrangements; no instrument is aggressively stealing the light but when they do their own thing the music shines. Each song is wonderful, with the initial tracks having a faster beat, subsiding to swinging percussion lead tracks that have wonderful key accompaniment and that sax is saxin.
Enjoy with a glass of wine on high fidelity headset!
Soft Cell
2/5
Not sure what I’d call this, it’s synth-jazz with pop structure. It holds a few catchy hits hostage with boring poetry interlaced with the same drum kit and a spattering of strange instruments. Tainted love is magic, that’s it.
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
Can’t deny that this is about as fun as rock gets, there are some cheesy bits here and there, but why shouldn’t there be. The hits speak for themselves, and the b-sides ain’t bad either. As I move through the Springsteen records (this is the second) I think I prefer the dark and moody sight just a bit more. Dancing in the dark is a timeless anthem.
Beastie Boys
4/5
Arguably their most authentic stab at hip-hop. The boys show their talent for fast, mayhem-ic flows and well-produced tracks. While the tape-effect for the vocals may be slightly overused the music still exposes their raw talent. They were not just a novelist rap group, they effected real change in the scene and brought NYC flows to a new level!
Nirvana
4/5
With the presence of some absolutely genre-expanding ballads, this album was as magical as it could have been with where Cobain was heading. The other tracks are hard rock pincers, the singles were selected for a reason. This is a special band, with an excellent album, just not their best. Heart shaped and all apologies are premier.
The B-52's
3/5
Fun and groovy. Love the quirkiness.
Drive-By Truckers
3/5
It’s unrefined and that’s its niche. I’ve been a distant listener for a while, and it’s safe to say that while I enjoy the guitar work and composition of the tunes, that I’m still not going to be anymore than a moderate fan.
Björk
3/5
I can think of no scenarios where I would play this music. It’s talented, it’s unique, it’s also free form and hard to absorb. The singing style is controlled chaos, lots yelling and and chorus chants, a bit tribal. The music mixes 90s flair and r&B, a bit like a Casio keyboards backing tracks.
Eagles
3/5
This album flirts a fine line between boring poppy-southern rock and a true piece of Americana magic. The harmonizations are fantastic and the guitar work can be absolutely stellar. The quirkiness fades to corny song composition when it’s not clicking, but the hits are hits for a reason. Truly a exhibition of some classic songs, and some truly forgettable b-sides.
Ryan Adams
3/5
Slows way down in the backhalf of the album, but started off very well. I think Ryan has the elements of a revolutionary singer/songwriter and he puts together some exceptional songs. However, this is quickly balanced out with passionless blueprints that span genres and lack the conceptual integrity of a good song. Coupled with his troubling background, Ryan will only ever be a mildly successful act. He tried way too hard to fit a mold, instead of being authentic. I’ll keep the classics for the occasional folk-exposure, but the rest can fade to obscurity with him when he’s gone.
Jerry Lee Lewis
5/5
Putting aside his shitty personal qualities- the dude is an absolute maniac on the keys. This stuff hits hard and it’s from the 60s. I understand from others that he claimed to have created rock n roll, and while that is highly debatable, this doesn’t sound like anything else from that era… the drummer is a fucking magician. This stuff is fast, chaotic, and we’ll arranged. Loved it!
Duran Duran
3/5
Consistent 80s synth pop. Pretty much a proto-typical example of it. The hits are great. The rest ain’t bad.
Germs
3/5
Another one of those albums where it would have been a different story had I been an angsty teenager upon its release. It’s mastered all for the noise level, and the thrash can be fun at times. Every so often it clicks and gets the head bangin, but mostly it’s just noisy. I would have to dissect this one further to grasp its impact to the scene.
Dennis Wilson
2/5
Ebb and flow rock. Tons of grand ideas, and plenty of instruments, lacks any real motive. Just kind of dull background rock. There are songs with that spacey backing voice, reminiscent of Pink Floyd, which then fades to soft piano mono-audio singing.
R.E.M.
3/5
I don’t enjoy REM. Boring background rock.
This album has a couple of decent singles which saves it from being a 2. The one I love is possibly the best REM song, and that about the only good thing I can say.
Joni Mitchell
4/5
Beautiful voice. Excellent story teller. Great guitarist. Truly a talent.
Sepultura
4/5
Nasty heavy metal. Great gym music. I really enjoyed a majority of the breakdowns. The guys have some disgusting drops, the kind that give me a lemon face and cause my head to start nodding. Would absolutely listen again.
Sly & The Family Stone
4/5
3.5 - Maybe I need a relisten down the line. I feel like I gave it my attention though. I think this was absolutely transformative in its time, however it doesn’t quite stick with me. Good. The first half of the album is what shines. It’s explorative and creative, the soul shines through in places, but the keyboard jams can get a bit repetitive, maybe that’s just the extended version? The female backing vocalist is superb.
Miles Davis
4/5
I guess I don’t really feel the apeal that so many others do, or why this is a must own album. Its vibe is that of a casual dinner party, or perhaps making some drinks and dancing along to the soft Jazz. His Trumpet playing is of course a high magnitude of musicianship and the sax, drum accompaniment are on par with his execution. The whole this is wonderful to listen to, but not my consistent cup of tea. Certainly that once in awhile treat.
MC Solaar
4/5
Very interesting French rap. He has an incredible flow, one that hits regardless if you understand it or not. Lots of exquisite sound mixing as well. This some rap that was ahead of its time, from an unlikely place. Great stuff!
Milton Nascimento
4/5
I really enjoy Milton’s songs! So melodic and angelic. I appreciate the exploration with instruments and the audacity of blending so many styles. Magic!
Iron Maiden
3/5
Soaring solos, righteous riffs, voracious vocals. This is certainly better than hair metal, unfortunately it kind of influenced it.
I probably would have enjoyed the hell out of this if I were 14 when it was released. Honestly, I don’t mind it now. 3.4
The Fall
2/5
Even if I were drunk in a pub with my mates after a bar brawl, I would still be angry that this was playing.
The Thrills
3/5
The Thrills is the antithesis of this band. They are, in fact, the sads.
The elements are here for something I’d enjoy, quirky licks, bluesy twangs, drumfills… however the singer irks me.
Funkadelic
5/5
This album has no right to lay down this much funk and rock. It’s a combination that should have spurned more of a revolution than it did. These guys absolutely lay down the stank and then Eddie Shreddie plunged them into righteous-ville. Incredible! The last 2 songs songs are a little experimental and wild, but not bad. The album just blasted us with experimental lovin, you’ll see when the farts kick in.
Astrud Gilberto
2/5
Is she a good singer? Yes
Did I also fall asle
Happy Mondays
3/5
Funky 80s-pop. There are elements which are enjoyable: basslines, catchy chorus, and solid drum beats. However, there are also elements which I do not gravitate towards, the generic 80s reverb and washed out vocals, synth pop. Overall, this is reminiscent of 80s RHCP, funny enough, and I can’t say it’s terrible. Just had its moment in the sun.
N.E.R.D
2/5
Tired rap-rock. About as memorable as an interstate mile-marker.
Charles Mingus
4/5
Saucy jazz! Both creative and chaotic. It goes off of the rails just enough to capture your stress hormones and then releases the dopamine with some sultry wind instruments. It’s expertly composed with just enough variety to please even the most adverse jazzers.
Eminem
5/5
This is the Eminem that shocked everyone; the dark lyrics and aired-out-laundry that are so depressing that you don’t quite know what’s true and what isn’t, and if it isn’t then why would someone bare this? The complexity of emotional depth is what drew me into him as a kid, I came for the comedy rap and stayed for the heavy themes, ones I would not understand until I was an adult, or ever for that reason. Eminem had such a realization of his place in rap, he knew how different he was from a typical rapper, not just skin-color, but raw style with trailer park description and crippling family issues.
This album had peak Eminem techniques - outrageous lyrics, sadistic themes, funny lines, depth of story telling, and incredible flows. Verse 3 of Who Knew is a good example of the outrageousness as I write this. Then by the time The Way I Am comes on, it’s just unreal how raw and commanding his rap is. It’s infectious.
When The Real Slim Shady arrives, I find where I discovered Eminem as a kid. A song full of ludicrous and taboo rap with a tight beat. I was stunned by it and it definitely introduced me to a new genre of music. I loved it and the couldn’t get enough of Slim.
The second half of the album certainly continues on the themes of calling out his critics and enemies, and gets over-the-top at times with the felatio Insane Clown Possee skit. The songs explore his darker side sometimes in a depth that is hard to follow, and I would say this is the albums biggest detractor.
Bob Dylan
4/5
Classic Dylan, spoken verse, jangly guitar, shifty lyrics, folk explosion, harmonica explosions. The guy wrote good music, plain and simple. It can be argued that he didn’t arrange and perform it to its fullest intent, but I’d argue that Bob is as imperfect as perfect should conceive of being. He is passion and influence, intrigue and creativity.
Great casual background music, great critical listening.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
4/5
Great, gritty, not-so-southern rock! These guys shaped Americana forever and gave power back to the rockers!
Queen
3/5
Way more rocking than I would have thought. I think I had a hard time vibing with some of the songs, but I certainly was feeling others. Overall, it has great tracks like killer queen!
Giant Sand
2/5
The only Chore here is listening to this. Soft spoken vocals, and a tempo a turtle could vibe to. I don’t mind the medley or instruments and quirkiness, however it’s not enough to save the lackluster delivery.
Van Halen
4/5
The 10 years of Van Halen peace have unfortunately ended, and there is no longer peace in the Middle East. It appears we need them now more than ever! RIP Eddie.
Auspiciously-timed South Park reference aside - this band is made up of supremely talented musicians, possessing a revolutionary guitarist, and an undeniably present vocalist in David. Along with the rest of the band these guys rewrote rock and merged fast placing and power chords back into the glam rock of the era.
This album has some absolute jams on it, of which ain’t talkin bout love steals the show as it expands upon Eddie and David’s ability to create a massive anthem.
The rest of the album is filled with iconic rock songs and just a tad bit of filler. It’s definitely a regular oration in my catalogue.
John Lennon
3/5
It’s the John we know and love, minus some powerful elements. It’s not bad. I like the creative mixture of jazz, folk, and pop. The screaming is neat I guess? Some strong tunes, just not fully finished.
The Who
4/5
Man, people don’t really care for live albums here, do they?
This shit rocks!
Deee-Lite
3/5
Disco-pop with some DnB. Fun to listen to, but a bit long and repetitive to play outside of a 90s club.
Carole King
4/5
Listened to this in the car with my wife who is an avid Gilmore Girl fan, I myself quite like the show as well. Carole sang us through a drive from Michigan as we appreciated the fall colors, and the juxtaposition could not have been more magical!
An eclectic mix of folk rock, with singer-songwriting that could rival Dylan. The creativity is inspirational and the music lovely. Tons of hits, and tons of good tunes!
Beatles
4/5
1001 Beatles albums to listen to before you die.
The guttural yells from John and Paul is enough for even a grown man to feel something. Good luck to any teenage girl hearing this in the 60s, no wonder their live albums are just high-pitched scream tracks.
This album is pop perfection. They write and belted love song after love song, and quite well!
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
4/5
It’s live Neil, baby! Dudes rockin, and the jams ain’t stoppin. Great sounds and great songs.
Shack
2/5
I can see why when this was released it was received warmly; it has well executed guitar licks and dreamy chorus’. However, the pop quickly subsides and it’s clear that this is just a poor imitation of their Liverpudlian predecessors.
Black Sabbath
5/5
God Damn! That is some dirty, crunchy metal. These guys were just pushing it harder than anyone else and Ozzy has most ethereal voice to carry this monolithic ecstasy into another dimension. Truly incredible. Supernaut and under the sun are magnificent.
Lauryn Hill
3/5
It’s lovely, she can sing, good rapping, exciting song composure. The length drags a bit and the strong songs are up front.
Ali Farka Touré
3/5
Interesting is the word I would use. For a westerner trying to grasp this isn’t difficult with its blues roots, but it also isn’t easy with its complex mixing of African cultural music.
This is certainly great for a casual shindig, but I don’t see myself reaching out to play any of these songs on a regular basis. The blend is beautiful and the instrumentation follows suit! I love the rhythmic chanting-type of singing, as well.
Pixies
3/5
These guys certainly have a cult following and I’m not really in it. Some of it is ok, but mostly it’s just noise.
Santana
3/5
Lopsided. Starts off with some absolute rhythmic magic and then fades into some haphazardly spliced songs. The guitar work is mesmerizing and the percussion and organ work is a great compliment. Really creative stuff, just needed some better artistic direction.
Frank Sinatra
3/5
Half-assed love songs carried by a generational voice.
k.d. lang
3/5
Great voice. Corny country. She’s like the original Brandi Carlisle, and only slightly because of you know what. I’d say the music feels like a Christmas album without the sleigh bells. It’s like that classic big band music, with some pedal steel. She has a knack for the slow stuff and this an enjoyable venture.
Iggy Pop
3/5
I realize that I’m not cool if I don’t like this, but that isn’t enough for me to lie to myself and say that I connect with this. It’s just not that exciting.
Arctic Monkeys
5/5
Brit punk rock heaven. These guys lay down some exquisite fast-paced jams with fine-tuned fuzz pedals and accompanied by a unique vocalist. I was amazed to find out how much I loved this!
Teenage Fanclub
2/5
Wholly unimpressive but not terrible. This sounds like much of the drab pop-indie of today, so I guess there always has to be the forefather… the vocals are smothered in reverb and mixed to be quieter than the melody. The lyrics, from what I cared to pay attention to sang of cliche subjects and are forgettable.
Todd Rundgren
3/5
Noisy and cluttered David Bowie. Some songs create a nice chaotic mixture. Nice enough voice. Back half of album settles into a nice dream-pop explosion.
R.E.M.
3/5
I try to like them. I just don’t. I can mesh with a few of these songs, but their style is just choppy and lacks the rhythm.
Keith Jarrett
5/5
I began listening to this on my AirPods, but after a minute or so I knew that the fidelity and emotion of this required my nicer cans. Boy was I glad with that decision-
This album was simply a masterpiece of raw emotion channeled into a piano with expertise and passion. I could listen to a man pour his heart out with this type of skill all day. The songs appear to have no real gap between them so the 4 part breakage only appears to be a way for this guy to rest before again blowing everyone away. The songs go from peaceful and melodic to laying down some jazzy funk and everything in between. Truly beautiful.
Ride
2/5
Noise-rock. You have the constant drone of mono-tone vocals, where inflection is absent. The litany of instruments fly in from all directions and instead off taking a que to diminish upon another’s arrival, they take it as a challenge to play more aggressively and loud, like jazz but with one simultaneous power chord.
It’s not bad music, but I don’t particularly care to listen to it.
Mudhoney
3/5
It has the grunge elements that make an othwerwise exceptional band. However, it does not have a Layne, Kurt, or Eddie. And that, my friend, it what separates the monsters from the men.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
4/5
Excellent! Sad songs with incredible guitar craftsmanship. Neil is a lot of things, and an excellent musician is one of them. Some of the songs are a little slower, by my god when he rips he rips. DOWN BY THE RIVERRR, I SHOT MY BAYBAYYY
The Flying Burrito Brothers
4/5
Wow. This was unexpected and way better than I could hoped for. Gospel country with excellent harmonies and ripping guitar. The chorus and verse across all of the songs were fresh and slightly unusual for the genre. Pleasantly serendipity.
Gram Parsons
4/5
Cosmic Country is a lovely genre that I wish didn’t become the stomp n holler genre it is today for California slow rock. The Flying Burritos have a little more adventurous tendencies with their guitar solos, but as a stand alone project this is also great! I love Grams style, and I love the matchup with Emmylou. You could tell me this is outlaw country and I would believe it. Exceptional songwriting and exceptional attention to the detail.
The Killers
4/5
Coming out of the gates swinging with some of the most eclectic and powerful ballad-rock known to man. Convincing people everywhere that this is the most British non-British band known to man. We are hit with exceptional levels of lyricism, accompanied by guitar, keyboard, and drum-filled builds. Followed by choirs of rejoice and queen-like chants. The highs and lows are as apparent as with any great album and it’s clear why this band catapulted to the top of pop-power-rock, and then cemented it with a single-version of a song that would power become this generations Don’t Stop Believing.
Inexplicably heavy with power-tracks in the first half of the album, and followed up by an adequate finish. Great music!
Tom Waits
3/5
Sounds like a dive bar, on a Sunday morning. I’m talking 2am Sunday, with a glass of scotch and a cigar. With conversation flirting with confrontation and exposure of deep feelings. You can image Tom singing to you in the corner. It is then when you recognize his presence.
White Denim
3/5
Ambitious power rock. I love the jam sessions and the exploration into funky realms. This is a great album to throw on in the background of friend gathering.
Deep Purple
4/5
Great head banging classic rock. Interlaced with some interesting screams, cries, and keys, but the guitar progressions are exceptional and the culmination of some very powerful rock. The vocals tend to be drowned out by the action, but the music is led by its exquisite power chords and grinding guitar shreds. YeaaaaahhhhHHHHH!
Kraftwerk
3/5
Boop beep bop boop beep.
I crave ze boop bop beep.
Ministry
2/5
Kinda like Rob Zombie, minus the good parts.
I enjoyed some of the guitar work, but failed to understand where others see the magic. Industrial metal is absolutely an acquired taste, and one the comes with panted black nails and those pants that open towards the bottom, have too many zippers, and are black. Oh yeah, chain wallets.
Japan
2/5
Sloppy, boring poetry losely sung over funky basslines and interesting keyboard medleys. Ultimately it’s the uninspiretional vocals that let me down. Not my cup of tea.
Judas Priest
3/5
Honestly, the rock is supreme in this. They have excellent chord progressions and solos are very tasty. I enjoy the music, but I think the singing is what turns me off. He has this monotone vibrato that is ok, but just doesn’t click for me. I appreciate many things about this and see myself listening to it again.
CHVRCHES
3/5
Everyone knows the first one and that always creates an expectation for the rest of the album. Of which mine were exceeded with this dream-pop debut. The synth style mixed with a little new age phase beat is a nice mix. I like several songs and wouldn’t mind listening them again.
Yes
4/5
Does it have a group of freakishly good musicians? Yes.
Does it have eccentric blends of folk, blues and nerd-rock? Yes.
Does it make me feel like a warlock? Yes.
Does it absolutely rip?
YES
The Dandy Warhols
3/5
Shoegaze noise. Not unbridled noise, but still enough to be upset by the lack of dynamics. I gotta hand it to these guys, though. They do know how to write some catchy riffs and chorus. The soft songs fall flat and the dull droning doesn’t click, let alone the 4 or 5 times identical songs are show-casing it. I’d say the better songs hit well and if the album were shorter and without the slows. It would be a solid 4
Elvis Presley
3/5
Can’t see the hips shakin, but at least you can hear the voice breakin. Too bad it’s about 15 songs about loving women enough to not let them escape, but the good news is that the guy is a talented singing and would go on to have a very eventful career. This is just ok, but nice to have as a background music.
Electric Light Orchestra
3/5
Of course everyone loves Mr. Blue Sky, which is a song that would lead you to believe that the album, like the song, would be a grand exhibition. And while the opposite is not the case, it definitely is somewhere in the middle.
This album is like the trippy Beatles sound a few more instruments and delay effects then kicked up the weird another notch. The talent is there, and the songwriting is good, but it’s not monumental. It’s good.
808 State
3/5
Overall I really like it. There are some groovy beats and the drum machine work is exceptional. I’ll say that the music gets a bit ambitious and not all of the concepts land. As a whole this is very genre defining for the time and holds up today as a period piece of electronic house/trance.
Stevie Wonder
4/5
If you don’t have a smile as big as Stevie’s after listening to this, then there’s no hope.
It would appear to me that Stevie understands the true gravity of music, its full potential, and what’s more, he can harness and handle it. He understands agony, and pain. He understands love, and passion. He can carry the sole to the highest splendor, and then he can drop the stankiest of funk. A true magician. A treasure.
Anita Baker
3/5
Great voice. Very 80s. Pop-soul with those synth keys. The choir is a nice touch, but could have been perfected a bit more.
Brian Eno
2/5
If you manage to stay awake through the majority of this album you’ll be saddened to learn that there is not an accompanying film to go along with this score-like 4-parter.
It’s really just repetitive noise and pulsating crescendos. Nothing remarkable, at all. Dreamy background tunes.
Prefab Sprout
3/5
80s soft pop. Bold instrument choices and catchy vocals. Some of the songs have a nice ethereal quality to them and this is reminiscent of some later indie-pop.
The Replacements
4/5
I was surprised by this one. Really impressive, if just slightly unpolished. They have a knack for bringing the melody back into the music while also deviating into the punk world for a bit. A solid mix of aggression, blues, and even some complex social battles. The power chords and raspy singing creates a lovely mix. Similar to J Roddy Walston stuff!
Johnny Cash
4/5
Sounds like these prisoners were having the time of their lives. Johnny really knows how to identify and speak to a crowd. He treats them like he’s one of them, and whether or not that is true is moot. He is an excellent entertainer and the music and comedy act put that on full display. Really unique and interesting performance.
Steely Dan
5/5
Walter Fucking Becker…
If you can listen to Boston Rag or My Old School and not have a gigantic smile on your face after Walter absolutely shreds your brain in half with that tonal wave of sound, then I’m not sure I could ever be your friend.
This album is absolute jazz-rock heaven, I think they’re most true to the genre. With keys and drums accompanying the backing singers and supporting Walter and Donald.
It’s just something you grow into and appreciate more as you age. I’m sure someone could explain it to me, but in the meantime I’ll just continue appreciating it more and more.
Meat Puppets
2/5
It’s like Nirvana, only sloppier, slower, less rhythm, and surpassingly worse at guitar. Let alone the signing, and all of its droning.
Talking Heads
4/5
A blend of showy dance music and some thought provoking lyricism. Dave Byrne’s quirky style may precede the band, but it doesn’t quite define it. The melodic chorus and sporadic guitar licks accompanying the chanting hooks are what serve the creation of an interesting and eclectic rock-blend. This is the type of music that you can’t not pay attention to, it’s too strange, and ultimately too intriguing to not give a chance, for better or worse. It’s definitely a better for me.
Paul Weller
3/5
Good singing, strong song composition, albeit a thin sound. This just lacks true substance and falls flat. Nothing about it is bad, yes it’s a little boring, more so that nothing stands out as must listen again.
Kate Bush
3/5
Obviously talented and an exceptional vocal talent. I like her style and her embrace of counter-pop, if I can call it that. She has a knack for unique mixing and instrumentation. I think I get lost a bit in the exploration and less than passionate delivery. More or less it’s just not in my camp.
Common
2/5
Common explored and found a great flow that roles well with his style and voice. The music doesn’t really stand out to me, and as others have said I also noticed that the homophobia is strong here and it’s unlikely is listen to this again.
Funkadelic
4/5
Exceptional funk plus ripping rock. I think the poop jokes get a little tired, but these guys really have the music thing figured out. Great to have on in a hangout situation or BBQ
Run-D.M.C.
3/5
Just because our ancestors eventually discovered fire and then roasted the first squirrel, unseasoned guts and all, does not mean that we can’t all agree that literally any cut of steak spoils that initial delight and massive advancement in human ingenuity.
We can still appreciate them for taking that giant leap for mankind and embrace all that has come since.
The Louvin Brothers
3/5
Decent story-bluegrass. Darker themes are prevalent, but for those of us that don’t necessarily focus on music for the lyrics, but more so for the melodies and emotions that they generate.
To that effect this music is interesting and delightful. Great harmonies, and decent fidelity.
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
3/5
I have to imagine at the time this was ground breaking. However, now it is a bit under whelming; to no fault of the album, just a product of the times. Regardless, there is some excellent guitar with here and some lovely vocal arrangements.
The Gun Club
2/5
Thin punk-blues. Low fidelity and half-composed guitar riffs. The vocals don’t necessarily annoy me, I’d say they are reminiscent of talking heads or violent femmes. However, the totality of the song falls short.
Hot Chip
3/5
I went back and forth between a 3 and 4. It started off wonderfully with some great Brit Trance-dance pop. The vocals compliment nicely and the mixing is excellent with great rhythm. Honestly, the music itself is nice, but ultimately it’s let down by inconsistency and needless experimentation without a true root to meaningful song for many of these tracks. Overall, the good tracks are good but surrounded by lack-luster.
Dr. Dre
3/5
It’s hard to set aside the lore and legend that comes with an album that changed the game. However, it’s easy to just be critical of a gangster-rap album for being a collection of contrived, mediocre rap about killing and fucking bitches. I understand it’s a reflection of culture and an incredibly important portrayal of LA life.
Some of the beats are pretty tight, tho.
Elvis Presley
4/5
I’ve had a few Elvis albums before this one, and I have to say that this is a nice departure from his early achy-heart rock. This is soulful and swinging, and it has some more complex constructions, which spark intrigue. All while containing that classic Elvis quiver and shake. The songs are unique and thoughtful.
Ray Charles
3/5
Lovely, soulful, energetic blue. Great composure and execution.
Suede
3/5
Can’t say that this isn’t well conceived art. However, as with all art it is subject to subjectivity. And subjectively this gives me “let’s try the Oasis route and miss the mark, let’s also borrow from Bowie and then recreate that really crappy 90s Brit-pop composition.”
I don’t hate this music, I just know that I’ll never be in my feels and think this is a good medicine.
Good voice, good production, unique songs.
Simon & Garfunkel
4/5
Like a fine whiskey, this album has a bitter burst and aromatic quality that is followed by a smooth finish. I’ll ad that it also probably gets better every sip or listen if I continue this Analogy. This is very Bob Dylan-esque and it’s hard to say who inspired whom, maybe if flows both way. The harmonies are lovely and the song composition is excellent. Lovely stuff.
Peter Gabriel
4/5
Big sounds, great instrumentation, powerful lyrics, incredible voice, and excellent production. This is a stellar album from a legendary frontman. It’s got that 80s sound which can easily be overdone, and sometimes it gets close, but the artistry shines through in this excellent composed LP.
Saint Etienne
2/5
Slow house jazz. Not really my thing. Not terrible. Not remarkable.
The White Stripes
5/5
Some odd things about Jack White that shine through in this album: he was known for favoring guitar technique over the quality of the instrument and is known for making his own guitars out of the bare minimum components. This comes through to the music with harsh highs and muddy power chords. Another oddity is the low production value of these first few albums, it’s really not until Get Behind Me Satan that you hear the production rival the technique. Then there’s the obvious bare-bones song composition. You have ragtag piano sing alongs and absolute filthy guitar blues.
Here’s the thing, this album may have what appears to be a nonchalant production value, and the fact that Meg White only serves to accompany the madness and not take any sort of lead doesn’t harm the value of the finished product in any way. That’s the beauty of art and music. Jack white knew he was magic and he was able to concoct a potion to redefine Indy/blues rock. This album combines passion and rock rhythm into something in excess of its parts. It’s remarkable musicianship from a guy who is not only arrogant, but can live up to his hype.
The Avalanches
3/5
It’s mindless EDM, not too harsh or deviating in any particular direction so as to be an annoying, contrived mess. It actually blends some solid rhythm with interesting instrumentation and the bass and drums assemble some adequate hip swaying beats. This really isn’t anything more than background music to accompany a hangout sesh with the boys or the girls, similarly it is not a casual listening experience for anyone that has left this phase behind them. Perhaps a revisit one day.
The Rolling Stones
4/5
Not my pinnacle RS, but you can’t deny this album rocks. Blues and southern US sound are of course not their brand, but the homage absolutely stuck a chord with US fans. This stuff has great composition and some catchy tunes. Gimme Shelter is obviously top 3 RS all time.
Super Furry Animals
2/5
People enjoy listening to this?
It’s boring Brit pop, over-synthesized, and hard to decipher.
The poppy bits are similar to Weezer, and I’m talking recent Weezer, the bad kind.
The slow chorus parts are like John frusciante solo work, however when I think I’m beginning to enjoy it, I realize it still stinks so it’s hard for me to make that comparison and is only a reflection of the dystopian rhythm assembly and reverbed vocals, not in anyway comparable to His majesty.
Ramones
3/5
Hey! Look! It’s Blitzkrieg Bop and 13 other variations of Blitzkrieg Bop.
Buck Owens
3/5
Solid country and western. The lyrics are solid along with the accompanying instruments and overall musical quality. I can imagine this shaped the genre for generations, and I hear many influential styles. Some of the songs hit, others were slow love songs. I think I would rate this as a relisten 3
John Lennon
3/5
Plain Jane. Or Yoko.
4/5
Really impressive stuff. The guitar licks rip, and the lyrics are sharp. The music has very strong composition with many layers strewn about. I’m really into the almost funky like breaks with the bass lines and drum beats, and every time I think it’s going to be a boring song, the best kicks in and I’m bobbing along.
Mike Oldfield
2/5
Ridiculous concoction of simple melodies and then a cataclysm of instrumental oddities. I don’t even like this ironically. It’s boring and superficial.
Neu!
3/5
Not a lot to go on here. Certainly important to remember the decade this came out, so as to get an idea of how ground breaking it was. However, now it is just this post-punk showgaze that while not bad is also not much to digest. I think it stands up as a casual listen, but lacks any lasting relevancy.
Wu-Tang Clan
4/5
Excellent raw flow. The many headed beast brings many rap styles and flows to the track on this album, however they are blended well. While this is not the most technical, well produced, or mixed album. The powerful rap and genuine story telling carry it far. There is pure talent, and a desire to thrive here. The anime themed beats coupled with detailed street violence paint the picture of the daily life for these guys and you can nearly feel like you understand them, for a moment that is.
The Byrds
3/5
Bit of a one trick pony with the reverb slow chords and harmony of vocals. It holds a good casual listen, with its beatlesque dream-pop and quirky guitar rhythms.
Love
2/5
Flutes and harmonicas and mediocre singing. If those are your thing. Have a go.
The Stranglers
3/5
Definitely rocks. It has the punk vibes and the careless screams along with rocking guitar and a steady drumbeat. I think it’s not quite as refined as I’d like, but still good to listen to.
The Allman Brothers Band
4/5
Solid blues rock. Great background jams with some real bangers. Obviously it can be a little tedious at times, but not bad.
Crowded House
3/5
Cookie cutter cliche of Brit pop rock. The delivery is mundane and can only partially be made up for with decent production. Wholly unforgettable.
John Martyn
2/5
Bored. Uninterested at any point. It’s not bad music, just not anything I would ever listen to again.
Fleetwood Mac
5/5
Look… Rumours is out of the way. One of the best albums of all time. A huge commercial success and on the backs the tumultuous relationships from the band that created it. The decision can be to attempt to top it, or realize that there is no need and the next can be whatever you want it to be. The latter is what I feel the band chose. They had all of the pain and magic of the previous album and they had the ability to capture the magic again. Any of these songs could have been on Rumours; they are all as strong as the hits. If anything hindered this album, it was the unbelievable success, the accompanied expectations, and the general darker tone of these songs. As If the message is still the same but the minor chords and reverb where increased to more express the pain. That resonates with me. The band knew they had freedom, and they didn’t squander it. They produced something beautiful, something that stands on its own.
Rage Against The Machine
4/5
Raw passion and aggression, along with complex progressive ideals, disguised by such instrumentation and conviction as to fool an entire generation of right-wings that this music is made for their conservative ideals. When, to the contrary, these boys could be no less differently oriented.
That plus the scream and Tom Morello magic makes this a killer album. MUTHA FUCKA! Oooohhhhaaa!
XTC
3/5
The production value is high, and so is the quirkiness. Obviously heavily Beatles-inspired. I thing it hits the mark in several cases with strong songs, but also gets muddy in other areas. Great arrangements and you can’t knock em for trying some new things.
Tom Waits
4/5
It’s hard not to smile when finished with this album. I think this is something to be enjoyed in its entirety. Tom is gravely and an entrancing story teller. The music is simple but delightful for a whiskey drinking hang out. The music sounds like a dive bar.
Sufjan Stevens
5/5
This music elicited an emotional response. That’s something powerful. The production value is incredible. Such an impressive melding of instruments and vocals that weave in and out exceptionally, peaking and dipping in a jazz formation where they do not battle each, but instead allow the other to flourish. The singing can be soft at times, but it’s never boring, always beautiful.
The concept aspect is fun, the titles are silly, and the filler songs are unique flows that have their own cosmic flair.
Truly a beautiful album on the first listen.
Jah Wobble's Invaders Of The Heart
2/5
Solid mixing and production. Poor final product of surface level cultural exploitation. Boring. Weird. Not enjoyable to listen to.
Nightmares On Wax
3/5
Good bops. Great production. Groovy stuff and a strong 3
Leonard Cohen
3/5
Certainly an exceptional poet with incredible song writing talent. The music is presented at face value, which is not a bad thing, it just means that some songs shine through with their beauty and the others are just thin singer-songwriter experiences.
Björk
2/5
I get the ambition. I feel the talent. I appreciate some of the vocal achievements. I do not intend to listen to this again, by choice.
Public Image Ltd.
2/5
We get it. You’re upset. Stop screaming.
The Go-Go's
3/5
Certainly well-executed 80s pop. Complete with catchy hooks and dance beats. The hits are timeless, and the rest is filler.
The Smiths
4/5
Excellent eclectic rock. Plenty of melancholy to go around, accompanied by some truly ethereal singing and music composition. This contains a strong passion and ability to cut to the emotions.
Shuggie Otis
3/5
I like the ambition to mix so many instrumentals and flavors together. However, short of Strawberry Letter this sounds like Hobby Lobby background Jazz, a step up from elevator jazz.
Sonic Youth
3/5
Noise. Melody. Noise. Talk. Noise.
Blur
3/5
It’s got that one song!
Slayer
3/5
Talented and ground breaking. When the drops hit and the guitar is chugging that’s the peak. The vocals are screamy and just ok. A little repetitive. Good but not my type.
Joy Division
3/5
Post-punk drudge and sadness are apparent in the beginning, but eventually the record strikes a chord and hits that reinvention of rock stride. I think the ambition is phenomenal and the execution is acceptable. I still don’t understand why every 50 year old with a gray beard has to where the shirt, but perhaps if this has been released while I was in my formative years, I may have a softer spot for it? Idk… it’s just missing passion. It weaves some wicked guitar chords and SFX in, but doesn’t keep the pace.
Moby
3/5
Some good songs. Mostly background music.
Nick Drake
3/5
Excellent music and song composure. A bit on the dry side, but nevertheless strong song composition. I don’t really vibe with his singing style, and the music does not elicit an emotional response.
Sisters Of Mercy
2/5
Very 80s. Very dull.
The Beta Band
4/5
I thought this was unique and an experimental success. The singing is strange enough, but never annoying. It’s got that boundary pushing pop that we are used to from the post-Beatles pop bands, but it adds a sort of funkiness to the mix, which serves to make some real strong vibe music. I enjoyed it.
Neil Young
5/5
Neil explores blues, rock, and even some country tones here. He always delivers a complex and motivated story, but this time it becomes something more. It’s as if an entire album was inspired by Old Man, the sadness shines through and the music excellently fills in the details.
The Zombies
3/5
Heavy characteristics and similarities can be drawn to that other British, weird-pop band. However, these guys make their own flavor which is refreshing and delightful in some aspects, albeit sometimes mundane. The hits are certainly magical.
U2
3/5
U2 makes hits. They don’t make not hits.
U2
2/5
2 U2 albums in a row and I’m tired of it already. Bono is an excellent singer and the edge is a creative player. But this stuff is boring.
Hugh Masekela
4/5
I really like the uptempo tracks. This is some absolutely stanky jazz and when it hits its stride it just infects you with the groove. I love the improv work, primarily because them are some talented musicians. There is an amble mixture of tones and instruments, and the composition of the songs is so widely varied that it creates some excellent area for exploration. Exciting, groovy, tasty jazz.
ZZ Top
4/5
They write whacky songs about sex, cars, and tv dinners. Then they proceed to absolutely tear up a guitar with southern rock blues licks. It’s great. They are extremely strong tracks and a couple fillers.
Curtis Mayfield
3/5
Taking the Wah-wah to the limit!
Funky music, with excellent production and structure. Lovely blend of soul and complex story telling.
For me it just doesn’t have any lasting power, not to say it’s bad.
Ray Charles
3/5
If you’re looking to grab your old lady by the waist and swing away around the fireplace on a cozy winter night, this is your stuff. If, on the other hand, you’re looking to do virtually any thing else, this is not your stuff.
Happy Mondays
3/5
Really feels like that turn-of-the-decade mix. It’s has the 80s elements of synthesized drum beats and big sounds, but you can start to hear the industrial dark-rock mix into it. Like a drug hangover. The music is complex enough, with thoughtful sound and mix. However, I couldn’t get into it to any meaningful amount.
Fun Lovin' Criminals
1/5
This is garbage drug-rap. Pretty much everything wrong with the world.
Raekwon
3/5
Aggressive gangsta rap. Raekwons flow is an acquired taste. He has an excellent ability to change up his rhythm and emphasizes his lyrics. The content of the raps is the usual: drugs, women, violence, and self-promotion. I think the picture into the the life is painted well, and this album is a period piece that led to modern rap.
Steely Dan
5/5
This suburban dad in socks and sandals absolutely wants to discuss grass-layering techniques and then segue into the delicate nuances of Steely Dans’ jazz rock. From funky rhythms to ripping guitar medley. The horns are blaring and the keyboards are squealing. This is musical magic, ladies and gentleman.
Leonard Cohen
3/5
As always, I appreciate his ability to write a well-structured verse. However, I find it hard to appreciate the execution.
This is singer-songwriter meets 80s revolution.
Massive Attack
2/5
Boring. Shitty.
It’s like daytime crime-drama background music.
Metallica
3/5
They just kinda have that one sound, ya know? It’s ok sometimes, fits nicely with a few songs, gets the head banging a bit. Even the acoustic guitar can shine here and there, but people come for the yelling “yeah-hah” and the wailing guitar. I like it enough, just not craving it.
Bob Dylan
4/5
Electric blues and folk. Bobs foray into the combo was a successful one, albeit not quite as powerful as the blues fathers, but no less a good shake. Some real hits, and some quality fillers. Great as a whole or split into parts. The classic Bobby singing style as well!
Gillian Welch
3/5
As a bluegrass fan I appreciate this album for its ambition and talent. The music is lovely and delightful, albeit a bit simple and repetitive. Simply based on how much the songs resonate with me, guides my rating. Good, not great.
Anthrax
3/5
80s hair metal, with the yelling and chugging guitars. Not bad, has the flavor. Just not my music.
Radiohead
3/5
With the presence of some real excellence also comes a bit of polarizing execution. The production vosuexis high, and the structure of the songs is well done. The use of instruments and the singing are also something to be appreciated. I get lost in the experimental abyss, but I also get caught by the beauty. Overall, a strong album that deserves its recognition.
I should appreciate this more for influencing the better side of “Sad boy rock” but here we are…
Beatles
4/5
For those that like elements of both sides of the Beatles, this album is a treat. You absolutely sense the classic, love song, pop-group that we all know and love. Then, you get the sense of changes to come. Things are slower, more thoughtful. The songs about relationships and minor themes are still there, but the writing appears to be more explorative and the instruments featured begin to expand. We feel the onset of something exciting. We get the excellent joy from Paul, and then the oddity of John. I wouldn’t say this is the peak of the mix, but the middle road brings some excitement.
It’s wild that the 60s can very nearly be split in 2, right to when this came out in 65 because it really feels like Help is the end of the pop era, and revolver is the start of the trip era, with the nestled square in the middle.
Silver Jews
3/5
I’m not cool enough to enjoy this. It’s spoken word indie, the guitar licks are good and the fidelity is nice. I just can’t connect to the vibe of not singing, and having the absolute most whimsical lyrics ever.
Muddy Waters
4/5
The voice is unmatched. The man makes you feel like you’re living the story he’s telling, and my god the harmonica solos are invigorating! Muddy had the freedom to create some magic here and that shines through with some passionate licks and yells. I know the BB has the best phrasing, but you can really hear that slide guitar talk on I Can’t Be Satisfied.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
4/5
One of those rare albums where the songs continue to get better as you listen. You begin to absorb the music, understand and feel the passion. This is some of the realest and well executed punk there is. Beautiful vocals and thrashing guitar. Absolute fun!
Dead Kennedys
4/5
Absolute anarchy. The wildest lyrics and angriest delivery. But the music bops, there’s so much depth here, from the power chords, to the keys in the background, synthesized noises, it just infects you and gets the head bobbing. The material is absolutely wild, but it clicks. I don’t even particularly like the singing, but I don’t hate the final product. Wired rating for me.
Wilco
4/5
Obviously a polarizing album. i just don’t think some people understand the appeal of sad-boy Midwest Indy. This is far from boring; the music is complex and the lyricism is provocative. Each song is a new world and the accenting instrumentation is a delight. I think the bias gets to people.
Coldplay
4/5
A Beautiful voice and some powerfully written pop songs are what catapulted these guys to success, and long before they found that special sauce of putting out hit after hit, they identified that they could zone in on a sound and jam on it and create this gigantic sound. And it works for them. Overtime I feel as though the music became less creative and more about the impact. However, that was not the case with Parachutes, and not quite fully true with this album. While propelled by the massive songs, it still has powerful presence as a whole. I’ve never been fully engrossed, but I could appreciate their first few albums for the talent collected and refined in them.
Doves
3/5
It’s like an Oasis meets Radiohead, with way more emphasis on the indie rock vibes. Very spacey and ethereal. The singing is good, but I always feel like the British versions of this genre get a little cheesy. Just my opinion. Some songs hit their stride and become power pop ballads, but for the most part it’s passable and not worth a relisten.
The Youngbloods
4/5
Really unique and cool psychedelic folk. The production value lacks at times, but they hit some serious grooves throughout.
The Clash
3/5
As a person who does consider themselves a punk aficionado, I can say that I never quite get into the gibberish yelling and harsh guitars. I understand the value of this, but I cannot fully appreciate it. I will have to revisit one day
Simon & Garfunkel
3/5
Beautiful when it’s right, understated when it’s not. The music is of course deserving of it praise with the melodic harmony and janglet guitars. The hooks are a delight and the music really speaks to the sole. I love the hits and a few others, but could do without some of the fillers.
Adele
4/5
She can sing about absolutely nothing and make it beautiful. Hence the hatred from others. However, I happen to think that while her songs happen to be simple, they also contain a magic more often than not. Emotion flows through amid the chord progressions and choir accompaniment. It puts you into her world, and that’s powerful stuff. Her cataclysmic voice is obviously the show, but the supporting characters of composition and prose twisting into poetry is what completes the strong exectuiton.
Echo And The Bunnymen
3/5
Very much a Cure inspired Brit pop band. Maybe I’m just disenchanted by this stuff, or I just don’t have the ability to appreciate it. The music is creative enough and I like the spacey elements, along with the guitar noodling. I am not so tuned into the shakey vocals or the break from cohesive consistency.
Overall some good songs.
N.W.A.
3/5
It’s wild that music about killing, bitches, and drugs can eventually turn into corny mixes and versus, but that is understand with how far hip hop has come in the decades since. It’s apparent how well mixed and produced this is, but it is most certainly a period piece with some classics, and some songs that have served their purpose.
Sleater-Kinney
3/5
Girl power rock, borderline punk. I think the power chords and yells hit some strides here and there. Like most punk, the screaming can get old and takes an acquired taste, the vibrato can get old. The music is well thought out and produced and mixed.
Björk
2/5
Great voice, but this really is some otherworldly flavor. Abstract is an under statement, during the absence of structured chorus or verse. Where the voice is simply on a journey to explore the empty space. It’s just too much to enjoy as a typical listener. It takes an effort to reach the appreciation. Random instruments, some thoughtfully executed, electronic beats sporadically hitting, and the ever present ahhhhhhhyyyyaaaaaheeeeaaaaa
The Cure
3/5
Slower than the later Cure. Has some of the magic, and the sadness shines through magnificently. Just not my pace.
Fatboy Slim
3/5
It reminds me of those old WB commercials, the ones with the dancing frog with a cane. In fact, I think Going Out Of My Mind may have been the song…
Anyway, great production, fun beats, and dance-inducing songs. It is only slightly dated, but this music, EDM, has evolved so much that this is now a relic.
Richard Thompson
4/5
Really solid English folk. Great harmonization and hauntingly beautiful songs. It has elements of grass roots as well as a Celtic lullaby. The music is peaceful and melodic. Has rocking vibes at first and then fades to beauty.
Pet Shop Boys
2/5
Department store mellow electro pop. Really about as exciting as waiting at the DMV.
The Band
4/5
Really just freakishly talented musicians who have a knack for portraying raw emotion and combining it with musical phrasing that really cuts to the heart. I could always use more Levon, but the availability of multiple talented singers presents that dilemma. Lovely lovely music.
Goldfrapp
3/5
Dream pop with a lovely voice. The music hits its stride in many ways, however it doesn’t always ride the wave for long, due to the constant state of change. I don’t have a problem with anything in particular I just don’t see myself adding this to the rotation. There is a presence of beauty and strong song composure, regardless.
Meat Loaf
3/5
Mellancamp, Springsteen. It’s as if a karaoke version of common 80s rock hits existed and a moderately talented singer gave his rendition. Just doesn’t hit me as anything necessary to play again. I respect the ambitious song structure and composition. Just kinda meh.
Television
4/5
I love the mellow punk vibes that could be mistaken for modern indie, and then you add in some righteous guitar riffs and fills and I can see how these guys might have been onto something. I think the singing may have hindered my in the beginning of the album with the shakey vibrato and mild whiny-ness. However, as the album progressed I can appreciate the style in a similar to the violent Femmes or David Byrne. Really explorative sound in this album with a rock foundation and an intrepid spirit.
Miles Davis
3/5
Really cool, smooth jazz with excellent dynamics. To be listened to as a whole.
Killing Joke
3/5
Very cool sound, great experimentation with the electric guitar as well as electronic sound. Likely well ahead of their time. The music tends to feel like a background accoutrement, perhaps that of a movie score. You get hints of a punk band, but it focuses on the wall of sound rather than the yelling anger. It has that attraction, but lacks the revisit-ability.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
3/5
Always magical. Always lovely. This time a little slow.
The Who
3/5
The story of Tommy. A little over my head and perhaps I’m too naive to grasp the grandeur. Overall the guitar work is lovely, with some strong songs and some noise.
Marilyn Manson
2/5
As heavy on the N word as he is on the distortion, also the rape.
Some of the songs get the head bangin. Otherwise very passable.
Patti Smith
3/5
Refreshingly ambitious, while a little unpolished.
Regardless, he punk-style belting is a fun mix with the light accompaniment of instruments. Stripped to bear essentials, this is a powerful expression. Worth a revisit.
Radiohead
3/5
Hey that’s not bad!
Hey that’s also not good!
Eurythmics
3/5
A collection of well-engineered, artistic, 80s electro-beats. However, the title track is just something so much more grand. They put together a masterpiece and had trouble replicating the magic. The rest is filler, solid filler, the contrast is just insurmountable.
Megadeth
5/5
Sweet Jesus! Wrap me in your death metal embrace and take me to the promised land.
Brian Eno
2/5
Feeling kinda tired.
Tom Waits
3/5
Very polarizing guy. Personally, I find times where I enjoy his gnarled crackle of a voice. Other times, I tolerate it. This music has a very specific purpose of either intent listening or background ignorance, both while consuming hard liquor.
A wide range of instruments, creative, dark and whimsical.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
5/5
I was surprised to learn that these guys hail from California.
One of the first CDs that I ever owned. I blew this thing out in elementary school. Over and over and over again from start to finish. It shaped me in so many ways. I can understand the hate for these guys, but it has never swayed the esteem that I hold them in. Their music is magical.
The first 6 songs are just a nonstop cataclysm of expression. Pure energy and musicianship. Then they fit fucking Otherside into it… one the breakdown hits at 3 minutes you get peak RHCP, a steamy baseline, a powerful drum, rapping lyrics, and just the most absolutely mesmerizing Frusciante experience with soaring guitars and angelic harmonization. It’s the pinnacle of rock in my opinion. This Velvet Glove might just be my favorite Chili pepper song of all time.
The only gripe I have with this album is that it does not end on a banger, otherwise it still remains my favorite album of all time, by my favorite band of all time.
This album is far from perfect, the mix alone leaves a lot to be desired. However, this music is intended not for critical listening, it is intended to accompany your drive, your party, your hangout. It catches your ear and it makes you groove, and when you finally dive into the complexity of the layering you are faced with a cosmos of creativity.
The album is a delight from start to finish and has shaped my music tastes ever since I first dived in.
The Police
4/5
Although it lacks some cohesion, see Mother, I would still recommend this album to many for its ability to capture and explore the looser side of music. The ability to take regae and mix it with soft rock. Truly beautiful music. Sting is a strange cat but also writes a mean hook. The 4 song stretch is a thing of beauty and really hits the climax of an otherwise lovely album.
Siouxsie And The Banshees
2/5
Ive decided that I don’t care much for punk. I tend to take music at face value, because why the hell would I choose to look past untamed yelling and battling instruments towards the influential aspect of the album. It’s not enough for me sometimes, especially not this time.
Buffalo Springfield
3/5
It lacks a certain cohesion that is hard to pinpoint. The music is lovely and the guitar riffs are impressive, however the venturing into jazz, soul, melancholic rock, and other genres really stretches this record thin. Its ambition outweighed its prowess.
Regardless, there are some strong appearances and perhaps if this omitted more of the weaker tracks, it have been an excellent EP.
The Strokes
4/5
They defined an entire generation of indie punk rock. This album has some truly catchy riffs and the ambition is monumental. I think the hits really hit and some of the rest is just filler, but groundbreaking nonetheless.
The Rolling Stones
4/5
A little long, a little contrived, a little bit country, and a little bit rock n roll.
I personally wouldn’t agree that this is The Stones best, instead I would say it is their most controlled and chart-oriented.
The presence of blues makes it very American, and the jazz horns add a delightful depth to it.
Great casual listening, solid hits, classic Stones.
Coldplay
4/5
Bunch of self-righteous pricks who hate on Coldplay because it’s cool to do. Honestly the opposite of what you think this project would bring out in people.
Coldplay may have altered their sound exceptionally in the albums to come after this, but that does not change the fact that this was a breakthrough in indie pop-rock. The vocals are exceptional and the guitar melodies are fantastic. It can slow down into the most beautiful music ever and people shit on it? This is their peak! They had to change after. How can you follow this up?
Bunch of phonies.
Stan Getz
3/5
Very smooth and lovely music. Horn jazz with some pleasant vocals and great balance of power within the instruments.
I find it hard to connect to the music, and it doesn’t really capture me. Objectively it is very beautiful.
The Flaming Lips
3/5
On the service I enjoy the quirkiness and unique instrument blending. The songs have a fun quality to them, but I get lost in the monotony and casual exploration.
OutKast
4/5
Strictly based on the presence of absolute bangers, this album is an Auto 4. Speakerboxxx itself is a ghetto-rap masterpiece. Big Boi lays down some solid bars and the exceptional mixing propels the music forward. As always Andre exhibits his creative side on The Love Below, and we get some good and not so good. The length of the double Lp leaves some questionable gaps in otherwise brilliant songs, but they let the magic consume them and put out a crowd pleaser with tracks that will define a generations rap exposure.
Suede
2/5
Bored to tears.
Dull Brit-pop, every song is the fucking same.
The vocals are so reverbed and washed out that I just get lost, like the reading a boring book lost, where you read 5 pages and remember nothing.
Ella Fitzgerald
3/5
As always, a lovely and wonderful voice. The big band is blastin them trumpets and pairing the essential accoutrements. However, the length here does not present a tidy and digestible foray into the music. We are left with some well written and sung classics, but with too much to offer.
David Bowie
3/5
Ambient and psychedelic. A little too experimental for my taste even if it is Bowie.
Mott The Hoople
3/5
This one is perplexing. In the one hand the guitar absolutely rips throughout the album, the production value is remarkable with an assemble of instrumentation, but on the other hand I don’t feel any of the songs click. They have most of the elements for great rock albums, they even have some decent hooks. However, it’s just not there for me. It’s like a girlfriend that has all of the great qualities, and is a lovely person, but you don’t feel the connection. Even though she does a great Bob Dylan impression, especially on I wish I was your mother, but she’s just too vanilla and doesn’t posses her own spark. Idk.
The Stooges
3/5
Raw and powerful guitar work, although a bit sloppy. I got it adds to the mystique. The songs are catchy enough and the yelling style is certainly punk rock. A little rough around the edges, and I think I agree that the Iggy cut is more pure. Not quite my listening preference but still enjoyable.
M.I.A.
3/5
She can wright catchy hooks and the music is interesting enough. Her rap is basic and borderline adolescent at times, but this album is better than her paper planes follow up.
Scott Walker
2/5
I’m pretty bored.
Jimi Hendrix
4/5
As a whole this album posses a strong amount of B sides. Noodles where the sound was being discovered but not refined.
However, in parts you have some absolutely, cataclysmic blues. Complete with the most righteous guitar exploration of the time. The guy was a maverick, so it’s no wonder the album would be experimental, regardless of that it is a majestic masterpiece of culture influence, wrapped up with some of the gnarliest hits of the century in rock and roll.
Frank Sinatra
3/5
Wow, Frank, that’s a lovely voice you’ve got there. What’s that? You’re going to sing a slow song about heartbreak and pining? That was really lovely! Oh, there’s more? Beautiful! What other tricks do you have up your sleeve? Ah, more love songs? You shouldn’t have!
Buzzcocks
3/5
Short. Simple. Energetic. Punk rock.
It’s vanilla to me.
Marvin Gaye
4/5
Yes. It’s absolutely lovely. The structure of the album is magnificent how all songs fade into one another. The topics are complex and noble. Marvin is a very talented singer, and the instrumentation is beautiful.
I find it a nice background accompaniment.
Michael Kiwanuka
4/5
The voice alone deserves some recognition, but then you add in some very creative drums and bass music. The transcendent sound is both big and controlled. This is really a treat to listen to and the key being that the entire album is conceptual and a delight to listen to in full.
Echo And The Bunnymen
2/5
Boring, 80s Brit-pop.
Bert Jansch
3/5
It’s like the original Jose Gonzalez. Very ambient and bare. The passion is present and I can hear some Tallest Man qualities. However, I just don’t connect to it like I thought I might. Good, but did not connect with me.
Led Zeppelin
4/5
An incredible debut. Some genre defining material and some experimental jams that don’t achieve the same level. Regardless, this is rock 101 and stands as an exceptional showcase of 4 very talented artists.
Hawkwind
2/5
Usually I like the spacey jam psych rock. However, this was aimless noise for 2 hours.
Elvis Costello
2/5
I’ve reached the point of this project where I don’t need to lie to myself anymore for the sake of feeling like a phony. If the music is drab and pretentious, then call a spade a spade.
The Isley Brothers
4/5
Really lovely soul music. Surprised by the songs and covers these must have inspired.
New York Dolls
2/5
American punk. About as good as Brit punk. Nothing special here.
Black Flag
3/5
Very angry and fast. There was a time and place for this music, and that may have passed.
The Who
4/5
As others have pointed out - it begins with electricity and excitement, takes a brief snooze and then finishes with absolute passion. The grit of the guitar is present throughout and the singing never fully diminishes. The direction of the album is uniform throughout. Truly stellar songs. Great album.
Sly & The Family Stone
3/5
Funky passion and powerful lyrics. The composition is great. The singing is stellar. The horns and guitar are solid.
Not an everyday listen, but enjoyable nonetheless.
PJ Harvey
2/5
Perhaps I wasn’t in the headspace for this, and normally I can appreciate the more eccentric ballads, but I just didn’t feel anything for this. It was too ambitious and too vanilla. Perhaps, one day, someone will be able to explain this to me in depth. I’m happy to listen and reevaluate should that day come, but I can’t get there alone.
Fugees
4/5
Surprisingly good. Very well constructed and executed rap. I love the east coast spoken-verse flow. Lauryn hill is remarkable as a rapper, and stellar as a singer. While there may be a few filler tracks, the peaks are really strong here and as a complete collection it flows well. The beats are strong and well recorded, the passion is felt throughout.
Fatboy Slim
3/5
Certainly dated, but nonetheless it has a few classics. More so than not the album has some repetitive beats, but I do enjoy a few b sides. Great background house music.
Aimee Mann
2/5
While the writing may be solid, her voice just doesn’t jive with me. I don’t find the music particularly exciting. By the time the final track hit the chorus I was singing along with “I’ve had it”
This music had a time and place, but it will rest obscure amongst the moody coffee shop rock.
Radiohead
4/5
As far as Radiohead goes, this is their most palatable attempt. The most grounded in reality, while also exploring the expanse of music. Thom lets loose his creativity, and the music complements it nicely. The angelic vocals and spacey arpeggio guitar are a match made in heaven. There are some truly incredible tracks here that speak to me, and I go back and forth on the rating here, I think it’s simply that I don’t fully appreciate the majesty here. I know it is there, and other feel so strongly about it, and maybe one day I will, or maybe that day has passed. It deserves the chance, and is a record I would own. This is a revisit 4 and likely my favorite Radiohead.
Steve Winwood
2/5
It’s not that this isn’t well composed, or that the synth is the featured element. It’s that it sounds like department store rock, from the 80s. There’s really nothing to appreciate.
AC/DC
5/5
The zeitgeist of Rock n roll, and the poster boy of Marshall stacks. These riffs will live on in perpetuity and will always border ironic rock, but was executed so crisply that it will never fade to obscurity. This yelling can feel overdone, but respects the medium. There is absolutely a time and place for this music, and it will always elevate the sports game, backyard barbecues, or late night bar scenes. When these tracks blast over a decent stereo system, you feel them. They are electric. The album is a piece of art, not for everyone to enjoy, but speaks volumes to the masses.
The Damned
3/5
I enjoyed it more than similar bands of the Brit-punk era. Which is not a genre I have fully understood. I do enjoy the discernible talented instrument playing, and the light hearted, fun atmosphere certainly made for a more tolerable listening experience. As with other punk albums, the recording is not ideal and adds to the noise-factor. If I revisit any, this would be one to give a second chance.
The Vines
3/5
Lacks the lasting power. I remember when get free came out and I don’t remember thinking it was anything special, I feel about the same for the rest of the album. At times it has some intricate indie kicks, and the screaming is alright. Just not a go to.
Leonard Cohen
3/5
Raspy, slow, and dark. With a knack for lyricism, Leonard demonstrates that even in old age he still has the ability write solid spoken verse blues.
The Beta Band
3/5
Like a jam band, without the ripping guitar solos. Mostly forgettable.
The Mothers Of Invention
3/5
I certainly enjoy the satirical nature, and the foray into blues, doo-wah, and mo town genres. The music is well played, recorded and mixed. My only critique is that nothing is particularly strong in its own right. Just a fun album.
50 Cent
4/5
The longer this generator roles, and the more reviews I read, I begin to gather the demographic of the people I’m here with and while that isn’t necessarily a problem, I do expect that ratings are skewed. This album is substantial evidence for that. People point out the misogyny, general demographic phobias, so on, but ignore that many white counterparts have been guilty of the same.
Putting that to rest, this album is objectively brilliant. The production value of the mixes is substantial, and the flows are brilliant. 50 is a street-raised, urban, rapper who raps about what he knows. The point is that we get to feel like we live it for the length of the album, and that is possible with his appealing rap style and lyricism. Is he the best rapper? Not by a mile, but he has an excellent flair and made some great songs, most of them on this packed album.
Jurassic 5
4/5
This stuff is fresh as hell, such a different style of rap with an incredible flow. The beats are simple but will most definitely move your head. The album as a whole has a digestible vibe and creates an electric atmosphere. Really pleased with this one. Deserves some rotation.
Fleet Foxes
5/5
My intro into this genre, and really just about the peak of it. This ethereal, folksy, airy rock is a tough venture and one that often exposed many as cliche. That is not the case for this album, in its weakest points it is still a breath of fresh air and creative genius. At its highest points it is magical transportation to a fairy tale world where you float through the sky and observe the beautiful world below. The falsetto harmonies and the jangly guitar strums are propelled by gorgeous arpeggios and wonderful lyricism. These guys created something special that is not for everyone, but is everything to someone.
Dolly Parton
3/5
Solid heartbreak country with excellent harmonies, strong writing, and some bluegrass elements. The voices are lovely, and I very much enjoyed the atmosphere this music created.
Fela Kuti
3/5
Electrifying jazz with some premium elements. It can get a little jammy, where the music drags on, waiting for its chance to strike again. That is not a knock, but just a critique of the art. This is great accompaniment music, but not necessarily detestable by itself, however at a record store I would love to hear this in background.
Duke Ellington
4/5
Wow! Excellent jazz ensemble from start to finish. It’s fun to hear the announcer describe the event and music to come. There is some incredible musicianship throughout and the songs really hit hard. I think that this is a type of album you enjoy in parts or all together, but not in single songs. The atmosphere is set as they go on, and the magic creeps in when you feel as though you are at the event. The passion is evident at how hard these guys play there instruments with the sax, horn, and drum solos stealing the show.
3/5
Lovesick country songs with a very lovely voice.
Weather Report
3/5
Like an 80s Vulfpeck. Very tight jazz with some synth beats worked in. I certainly enjoyed it when it hit its stride and the horns come in. The bongos and drums were always keeping things alive. Sometimes the music got a little too ambitious, but otherwise I liked what I liked, and tolerated the rest.
Depeche Mode
3/5
Dark and poppy, a unique combination. Perhaps a little dated for my taste, but the production value and musicianship are surprisingly great! Overall, not a constant rotation for me.
Carpenters
4/5
What a lovely voice, carrying beautiful music. This is the type of stuff that could be cheesy if it weren’t so eloquently executed. Fortunately we get to enjoy some tame soft rock that allows her to show off her incredible range and control.
David Ackles
2/5
Like a Leonard Cohen without the poetry, a Tom Waits without the grit, and a Don McLean without the hit.
Sure it has character, but is that enough?
Tears For Fears
5/5
My god, the 80s are present, but the power is unbelievable. The guitars are ripping and the harmonies are floating through the ether. What an incredible show when the chorus’ kick in and the elements combine to create really gorgeous music. This one rips the scales of a 4, but I’m feeling a 5 because of how this moves the soul!
Paul McCartney and Wings
4/5
While Lennon was undoubtably the quirk behind the Beatles, the one who pushed the expansion of the sound and incorporated unique styles and instruments; it is clear the McCartney was the passion and the rock n roll. This album showcases that he wasn’t held up by the Beatles, but simply inspired by them. This album has magic throughout, diverse arrangements, guitar licks, harmonization. It’s just a trip from start to finish, it moves the body and Paul’s silky voice is a welcoming fire in the center of your cozy den.
Sheryl Crow
2/5
Songs are way too long, and way too monotonous. The music is basic, and while her voice may be interesting, and the one hit is good, it’s not enough to carry the rest.
Rocket From The Crypt
3/5
At times ska, at times punk rock, and then strangely at times it Springsteen. I feel like it’s always just one good hook or chorus away from being mind blowing, but it always manages to be intriguing. Not a constant listen, but I find some enjoyment in it.
5/5
Pure magic. What I imagine is hard for most people to pallet here is how jarring some of instrumental choices must be. How the music can go from soft to gigantic in the span of a measure. It is alarming in instances, and that can be tough to grasp. For me it is creative and freeing in its approach to musical expansion. I don’t fully understand the hows, whys, and whats, but I understand the beauty of this artwork. There are some seriously thoughtful compositions here and the music is unlike anything else. This album created genres, and expanded pop and rock.
Spacemen 3
2/5
Ambient background psych rock. A tedious album.
The Beau Brummels
3/5
Like a band of Bob Dylan’s that fit the prototype, but lean to far Simon and Garfunkel. Really well recorded and produced, but kinda boring. Lacks the certain something.
Dexys Midnight Runners
2/5
I get it, I’m not avant garde enough, I lack the ear for more refined music.
That’s all well and good, but it the mumbling singing and oddly composed nature of this music just isn’t appealing. At moments I could catch pieces that were enjoyable, and Listen To This seemed to be a solid effort, otherwise this is just colors thrown on a canvas and labeled as art.
The Sonics
2/5
Pre-punk covers of classics.
Moby Grape
4/5
Some impressive elements here, some Crosbys, stills and Nash type harmony rock. The guitarsd are ripping some blues licks and the tempo creeps into some Doors type rhythm. I think it hits some lulls here and there, but no doubt a solid period piece.
SZA
3/5
Very well mastered and produced. The beats hit hard and the rap is well constructed. She has a great voice, albeit a bit auto tuned. This is honestly just one good song away from being a 4, but overall something I would enjoy listening to again.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
2/5
It’s tough. I have a really hard time getting into this casual, melancholic style. There’s no redemption in it, it’s sad for the sake of the sad. His singing style is unrefined and the music choices are odd to say the least.
FKA twigs
2/5
Slow paced ambient electrono pop.
Not particularly exciting.
Elton John
5/5
A unique blend of piano ballads and legitimate rock n roll, led by an extremely proficient front man who can write the catchiest hook imaginable. There is not shortage of fun, nor head-bobbing rhythm. The songs are laden with messages that never dull the delivery, it’s just well produced, well mastered, well written, well executed music that can be played over and over again to a very wide audience.
Kraftwerk
2/5
In ze 70s this would have been groundbreaking. In ze todays it is whelming
Dolly Parton
4/5
While a tad homogenous, it doesn’t detract from the talent and execution present on this record. Dolly is full of passion and love and she posses a knack for spreading happiness to people. That is sufficient to write a magical country record, add to that some decent guitar licks, and great backing outfit and you have yourself a solid showing.
Snoop Dogg
3/5
Snoop is a professional, he has an immense amount of swagger and a fair amount of talent. This album is a solid display of rap finding itself in the evolution of the genre. Snoop pushed flow and rhythm forward, but this is not an miraculous execution of his rap abilities. He is a complimentary force to a better rapper, and an extremely charismatic person, that doesn’t necessarily make the best rap album.
Sepultura
3/5
Starts very strong, some wonderfully composed thrash metal. The breakdowns are brutal, the guitars are fucking disgusting, and the composition is impeccable. This stuff really gets the head bobbing. While the album does drag on a bit longer than I’d like and explores some less designed tracks and dives into tribal music. A bit out of character.
Peter Gabriel
3/5
Jazz, orchestral, blues, rock, pop - this thing is a mess. A well executed mess, but just a convergence of discovering a sound. While not bad, it was tough to invest into. Solsbury Hikl is magical.
Venom
3/5
The mastering certainly leaves something to be desired, but otherwise the guitar work is satisfactory and the lyricism is substantial.
It’s a good mix of punk and metal, a particular pallet is needed to immerse, but not necessary to at least enjoy.
Joy Division
2/5
Slow and messy. Does not speak to me
Skunk Anansie
2/5
Not for me. Too disjointed and noisy. Strong elements, lackluster execution.
The Beach Boys
4/5
Just soothing and delightful. Takes chances, but sticks to the lovesick tone with excellent musicianship and exciting melody.
Jethro Tull
4/5
I respect the flute. Sure it is not inherently rock n roll, but how dissimilar is it really to a harmonica? And if that is the case this dude is Johnny Popper and is absolutely designating that wind instrument to the backing of solid guitar and drum work, with the ability to right a strong hook and create some decent tunes.
Elliott Smith
4/5
Sad boy sadness. There is a lot of depth to this album, strong composition of instruments with sparse riffs and thoughtful beats. The lyrics are of course melancholic and controlled, but not restrained. Some of these songs really strike a chord and speak to the emotions. Overall, this is a very strong, emotional piece that inspired some introspective acts to follow
A Tribe Called Quest
3/5
Period piece of rap, strong flow and exceptional beats. The style can get a little tired, but that’s just a product of the age. Not a constant rotation for me, but a solid album.
Jean-Michel Jarre
2/5
Sure this may have been an inspiration for future electronic artists, and an excellent blueprint for scores.
But it also may be Obsolète
Pulp
3/5
This is Hard to judge. While Britpop is not my cuppa, I can jive with the direction this is heading. Strong rock pop blends and interesting music composure that does not confine itself to any particular formula. However, I find myself criticizing it more than I should and I land somewhere in between. The vocals ultimately drive the final nail of mediocrity.
The The
3/5
Big sound, fun music. Certainly 80s, sometimes borderline cheesy, but it saves itself with thoughtful song composure and unique appeal. Strong 3
Blue Cheer
2/5
Hey, what if we put everything through a fuzz pedal and recorded this with a potato?
Creedence Clearwater Revival
5/5
Fahhhh… Far out, man. Far fuckin’ out!!
Heaven 17
4/5
Certainly a foray into fusion. It’s as if Flea brought the bass slappin to The Talking Heads, while they had just listened to a fair amount of German techno pop. The production is exquisite and the recording is crisp. Very interesting.
Belle & Sebastian
4/5
What an imperfect blend of strained, subdued vocals and a sporadic blend of instruments. One which is expertly mixed and places an exquisite emphasis on the feeling of the music, regardless of the melancholic lyrics. This one continued to grow on me throughout the listen. But ultimately I was entranced by the incorporation of all of the magic that indie acts to follow, copied. It has solid riffs and arpeggios, harmonization and quirky songwriting. Hard not to enjoy.
Dire Straits
4/5
A departure from their original sound, a bit more into the foray of soft rock pop, not a terrible thing, but I feel they never excelled at pop. It’s their rock, present on this album, that propels them forward. Mark wrote very tasty riffs and could shred the living hell out of a 6 string. I just think some of these songs lack cohesion, but are ultimately enjoyable.
Throbbing Gristle
2/5
AB/7A captured what I believe it is that this band attempted to accomplish, otherwise this is so ironically punk rock that it is unironically shit.
Throwing Muses
3/5
Technically impressive, and well executed. Ideally I would prefer some deviation from the norm and some variety in the style would be welcome. Just not memorable.
Norah Jones
3/5
One trick pony as far as soft cafe rock is concerned. She had a lovely, raspy voice and the lyrics are cliche, but not terrible. Just well performed boring love songs.
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
3/5
Too long for its own good, and arguably under produced. But, I would say that also adds to its odd appeal. It’s just wild fun recorded on track, I think the guitar work is fantastic, the instruments in general are good, it just gets a little lost.
De La Soul
3/5
I’m not qualified to speak to the magnitude of this album. The rap is solid for the time, and the concept is fun and enjoyable. The rap is dated but the flow is fluid. However, it is not a part of my rotation.
Robert Wyatt
2/5
What a mess. Far too prog rock for me.
Brian Eno
2/5
This guy noises!
Sister Sledge
4/5
While the title track has reached a certain status that welcomes the likes of pharmaceutical commercials and ironic daytime show tangents, it is impossible to ignore the cohesion of this album. It is funky, it is soulful, and it is well composed. While not a constant rotation due to the genre not being my favorite, it is something I would ask sometime to turn up in practically any setting so as to have the good times roll.
The Fall
3/5
It’s a coincidence that I hear Sister Sledge absolutely make a masterpiece of Lost In Music and then hear an absolutely whelming version of it by this band, the very next album. Idk if that was intentional or not. As for the rest of this album, the bass hits, the drums kick, but the vocals are mundane and lifeless. Ultimately it’s hard to digest.
Holger Czukay
2/5
Experimental, a mesh of many things some of which are not polished. Really not my thing.
Slint
3/5
Like a punk Explosions in the Sky with spoken word, dark lyrics. It doesn’t capture my attention but I recognize the objective.
Wilco
3/5
Never could really immerse myself in Wilco, but I do find it enjoyable. It doesn’t really fill a niche that I’m absent of. It is rocking, has great lyrics, and jumps into the indie folk routine quite well. It just doesn’t quite scratch the itch.
The Kinks
3/5
Hard to avoid calling out the similarities to the Beatles, but I don’t see what that should be a bad thing. This is fresh, light, funny, delightful, and sometimes downright catchy. I think the length of the album gets in the way and there is some fat to trim.
Basement Jaxx
3/5
Drum n bass, with some interesting layering and vocal presence. Overall an enjoyable foray into the contemporary development of EDM. I think this album has a very soothing feel to it and is captivating in some cases, while overdone in others. Not something that I would attempt to revisit in the future, but had I experienced this when I was 20 perhaps a different perspective would have formed.
Madness
3/5
Love a good, short-album. This has fun and good hooks. Along with a massive 80s hit.
Badly Drawn Boy
3/5
Melancholic, excellent production, variety of instruments. I think the singing is lovely but the music tends to venture a little too broadly for its own good. Nothing to really pick apart by this album, just appears to be a lack of passion of conveyance there of. Just kind of bleh.
Scott Walker
2/5
Lord Farquad bequeathed his lute and bellowed a tune most trivial.
The Kinks
3/5
It’s certainly got all of the fun Brit pop from the 60s that we enjoy, and I like a number of the songs. Just not a constant rotation for me.
Stevie Wonder
4/5
What a voice, and what a talented composer. This music is anything but tired and cyclical. Stevie winds in and out of funk and sole music so effortlessly and brings a specific flair that has yet to be replicated. The composition is exquisite and the record soars when the funk is strongest, whereas the album trails toward gospel at the end and while this isn’t terrible it’s just less mesmerizing. All in all an excellent tracking of his creativity.
Tracy Chapman
4/5
A beautiful voice, and knack for storytelling, courage to write about difficult topics such as racial and economic inequality, and then the audacity to lay down one of the best Americana songs of all time. Tracy is aptly underrated for her contribution to music with this album, and that was reflected as she became the first black woman to top the country music charts with the presence of a white man. Tracy broke barriers and wrote some incredible folk on her way.
Jimmy Smith
3/5
Great soft jazz with organ-lead compositions. This really fits a very specific mood, one that most oftentimes includes a dark liquor and a cozy fire, but not required. The music seldom varies from its core theme, but that doesn’t tarnish its wonderful, sparkling sound ensemble. I would not spin this unless I had a specific group of circumstances, however that does not mean that I don’t enjoy the rhythm.
Gary Numan
3/5
Yes, technically this is impressive. But it is also very much the sound of the 80s, so I guess it’s impressive that it came out in 79. Every song is just a less poppy version of Cars.
Blur
2/5
I get kinda angry listening to this, the kind of angry that just makes you want to shake a baby. It’s all over the place and directionless. I
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
2/5
There is entirely too much Nick Cave on this list. It’s dull and void of passion. Just sad music without anything that comes across as credible.
Ian Dury
2/5
I know some people enjoy the quirkiness and the ironic take on rock n roll, but this is just borderline strange.
Alice In Chains
4/5
Grunge is great because you take the only aspects of hair metal (killer pop chorus’ and righteous guitar solos) and add sludgy, droning guitars and enough solipsism to choke a giraffe. And what does AIC do? They take it to the next level and add a stellar vocalist, I mean this guy has one of the most unique and capable voices since prime Axel, and the amount of baggage he brings to Jerry’s writing really puts these guys in another league of destruction. This album has so much chaos and cataclysm that is absolutely emboldened by some incredible hooks, guitar work, and painfully beautiful singing. The only downside is on the mid-backhalf where it could have used some b-side trimming, but the singles on this album are timeless and strangely mesmerizing. Layne was a gift to the troubled.
The Everly Brothers
3/5
Excellent harmonization and really the type of thing you’re ok with hearing at a roller skate delivery drive in.
Supergrass
4/5
As far as Brit pop, this is the type I prefer. They a quirky but not outright to the point that the music has to be ironically enjoyed. These guys lay down some excellent instrumentals and scream at the right times to make a tolerable punk album. They slow the music down properly and right some decent hooks. This is enjoyable as background our critical listening; it’s fun and energetic.
Queen
4/5
Incredible highs, and some satisfactory lows. The thematic reprising if melodies also creates some strong cohesion. Even the songs that are performed not by Freddie are interesting. But the peaks are where this puppy shines, Queen wrote some mega hits throughout their catalog and this album has several of them. A note to listen to this in premium cans to enjoy the layering.
Beatles
4/5
Exponentially creative and ground breaking, you can tell they pushed the artistry to the limits on sgt pepper and then refined their roots through this drug induced creative lens. These guy knew they were in a league of their own and this album may finally be where they started to let it get to their heads, but they didn’t forget how to right a fucking great song, they used the momentum and continued to push the envelope. The risks taken here are beautiful to experience and we really get something that expanded music. The only drawback is the length and inclusion of less strong songs.
Serge Gainsbourg
2/5
Oui oui. More like no no.
Frank Sinatra
3/5
Excellent pipes singing about laying pipe.
Le Tigre
3/5
A very cool blend of punk rock and girl power pop, photo-electronica? Whatever it is, it flirts the line between catchy and overly yelly very well. The experimental instrumentation lightens it up nicely.
Emmylou Harris
4/5
Where this excels as opposed to other country and western albums is that it explores the genre rather than fitting its niche. Emmylou has an exquisite voice, like other female country artists, but she really leans into the production value in this record and takes you to high peaks and sad lows. It’s beautiful and extravagant.
Elvis Costello
4/5
No shortage of Costello albums on this list, and most of the time I’m unimpressed. However, this one was pleasantly surprising. It is far more rock n roll with a bluesy feel. Elvis injects a little fun into the record and the kicks are catchy and get your toe tapping. This doesn’t make me a fan of his music, but should I meet a Costello head I would praise this album as some of my favorite tracks of his.
Justin Timberlake
3/5
The hits are well produced and catchy, and were played on pop stations accordingly. The rest of the album is a Stevie wonder wannabe.
The Cult
3/5
Feels very generic at times, which is a pity because the guitar work is good, and the music is otherwise exciting. I’ll agree that it always feels like they’re about to play “She sells Sanctuary” and you realize how vanilla the album is without a very similar sounding songs presence.
SAULT
3/5
I appreciate the intent, but at face value the music is not substantial enough to retain attention. The message is clear, but not powerful. I enjoy some of the compositions and overall enjoyed the album.
Sebadoh
4/5
Honestly I love the rawness of it. There production is lacking, but adds to the mystique. The punk overtones, and sadboy rock consistency create a very intriguing, indie record. It can get lost in the noise at points, but the song writing is strong and captivating, has that dinosaur jr vibe. Really surprised by this one
Neil Young
5/5
Neil can sing the blues with the best of em, and his knack for story telling is quintessential to the quality of his music. This album is not as rocking as others, it’s a hybrid of the folk side and the heavy distortion side, but it does not lack in tenacity. It even ventures into the country western realm. Beautiful melodies, soulful power.
Pink Floyd
2/5
Certainly not the album that defined their sound, nor one which would be critically acclaimed should they not attain their later success. A stepping stone along the pathway, but I need to hear some of those Gilmore shreds.
Ali Farka Touré
3/5
Lacks evolution of sound, it does the folksy, mellow, hopeful sound well. However, it fails to venture into anything deeper. Enjoyable, but only on a song by song basis.
ABBA
5/5
Dancing Queen is a microcosm of ABBA as a whole, it has the disco punch and emotional story. Then this album is the ABBA universe, excellent songs full of fun and jubilee. Solid song and solid song, and plenty of show stoppers. Exquisite listen from start to finish!
The Kinks
3/5
Waffles are better than pancakes in almost every conceivable way, they have structure, and pockets for butter and syrup, along with an excellent uniform crispiness. Then you have pancakes, which seem to attract a large following while being the inferior batter. Given the choice between the two it’s an ez choice. However, I’m not going to turn down pancakes either.
The kinks are pancakes.
G. Love & Special Sauce
2/5
Sublime at home
Randy Newman
3/5
I appreciate authenticity and the clear ability to write a solid tune. Almost a softer Tom Waits, if that makes sense? However, people can’t deny that the Toy Story generation may have drawn their conclusions and this guy is a little comical, as a result.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
3/5
Well composed pop punk, with synth beats, and mellow lulls. I have personally not ever had the click with the Yeahs, but the album is solid nonetheless. I prefer the punk forward sound of their early career.
Nick Drake
3/5
Jose Gonzalez type folk. Droning, monotone voice with barebones guitar and maybe a few other instruments strewn in. The music is of course intentional but feels void to me. It’s not my go to mellow, just doesn’t light the candle. I found some enjoyable songs, but my emotional trigger never moved.
Elis Regina
4/5
Wow! I’m exceptionally surprised by this one. Her voice is splendid and intoxicating, maybe It’s better I can’t understand the lyrics. Then the bossa nova and smooth jazz kicks in! Tasty guitar licks, tight drum fills, and some thoughtful backing vocals. This is so well thought out and produced! The passion adds a beautiful layer on top. All around a memorable listen.
The Velvet Underground
3/5
I guess this is one of those that hits you or it misses you. Call me Tom Delong.
Mylo
3/5
If you like well organized techno beats that include lists of vehicles and famous musicians, this might be for you.
It occasionally for the foot tapping, but does not need to be listened to in full.
The Icarus Line
2/5
Really just not good.
Death In Vegas
2/5
Boring and forgettable background-rock
Lana Del Rey
3/5
Sad girl pop, chaotic and beautiful. Very Joni sounding, with odd timing on the vocal delivery and some interesting, soft melodies. I didn’t fully connect with it, but can appreciate the artistry.
Motörhead
3/5
Righteous riffs and destroyed vocal cords!
Fred Neil
3/5
Not enough here to warrant any sort of revisit or recommendation. Nothing that deters in the simplistic riffing, noodling and mellow story telling.
Frank Ocean
4/5
If John Legend was more artistic and a risk taker he would be Frank Ocean. This is engaging, unique, avant garde music. Lyricism that explores off script concepts and abides by no rules. Excellent song structure and fantastic singing. The album hits its groove in the second half and I fully anticipate this will get better with subsequent listens.
Massive Attack
2/5
So you’re looking for some weed, you hear about this guy who is a friend of a friend. As you walk into this apartment and you are slightly on edge and suspicious, you hear this atrociously mixed hip-hop and reggae blend of music. This immediately puts you in a funk and the drug dealer Darin is cool and all, but he pushes harder drugs on you. You say “no thanks” and leave. Glad to be out of the situation. Maybe if the music was better you would have stayed longer.
Culture Club
3/5
Catchy and fun. Very 80s. Not something I would seek out, but a fun listen regardless. Very funky beats that lead into clever hooks.
Kraftwerk
2/5
Must have been there I guess.
Techno stylings with synthesized melodies. Simplistic to say the least, honing in on that video game sound and recording some water drops.
3/5
Ain’t never been shit, ain’t gon be shit.
That’s why I take shit, whenever I see shit.
Fred convinced Red, Meth, and DMX to collab on a rock/hip hop masterpiece. That alone gives some credibility to the gravity of this album. Yes it’s long and at times unpolished, but the blend of metal, anger and hip hop is unmatched and the bangers bang.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
2/5
Usually just excited for Elvis’ albums to end. Dude has way too much to say about everything.
Rufus Wainwright
2/5
The Thom Yorke comparisons are valid, just wish he went for the rock persona and not the moody one.
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
This may be too bold to say, but Jimi is decent at playing the guitar. Possibly underrated!
The Pharcyde
3/5
Excellent beats and quirky lyrics. I found myself getting into the flow time and time again, but ultimately it is dated and niche. A fun conversation piece, though!
Echo And The Bunnymen
2/5
I feel nothing when I listen to this.
The Blue Nile
4/5
High production value, sounds like this could have been recorded far more recently. Sounds like a mix of Springsteen and Gabriel with a flair for some 80s reverb. I was a fan of the subtle delivery and passionately assembled song structure.
Stephen Stills
4/5
Folk rock that rips, although it doesn't veer too far down the rocky roads of rock exploration, it does fit the bill of a lovely and interesting record. I will say that his blues licks are tight. Solid stuff, Steve.
Paul Simon
5/5
Appropriation in the same way that a Korean taco steals from two cultures to make a splendid blend. Paul approaches and borrows respectfully from African music. While I may not know enough about this to make a bold claim, I can say that I am amazed by the beauty of the blend and leave feeling an appreciation of African music, and for that reason it has to hold some value.
That aside, this is sonically beautiful, and production forward heaven. Paul’s voice is one, the blend of synth and drum beats with mild guitar just present a magical recording. The music is peaceful and delightful. Just pure beauty. This deserves a good soundsystem or premium open backs to digest and appreciate.
Queen Latifah
2/5
Perhaps she should try acting.
4/5
Could have used a little more tambourine. Short of 3 of the songs having been played into absolute obscurity, this album boasts some bold pop-rock flair. It is not something that I think needs to be listened to in full, rather the magnitude of the singles far out shadows the work of the album, but regardless it is a masterclass in the genre.
Ice Cube
2/5
Yo! Fuck bitches and suck my dick!
Iron Butterfly
3/5
Little mundane and dull, but employs those soft rock tendencies. A little heavy on the electric organ.
Youssou N'Dour
3/5
Such a unique voice, and a different singing style than westerners would be used to. I loved the guitar noodling and funky breaks. Solid album that I can’t understand, but can in some ways!
Dire Straits
4/5
Mark Knopfler found a tone setting that he liked and he made an entire album without touching the knob or bridge selection once. I have no qualms with that, he captured lightning and then let his picking style and phrasing take control. He is a master class in stripped down rock. There is no hiding imperfection when the gain is low, also there is no imperfection.
Some songs are stronger than others and showcase this talent, but this album is easy listening, head rocking throughout
Louis Prima
4/5
He knows how to not take himself too seriously, write a quirky song, and direct the brass section. Just an insanely fun album to listen to.
Stereo MC's
3/5
Large sound EDM. That British flare is exciting and fun. The music plays well in the background, and rarely draws attention.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
4/5
That Paul Simon comment is hilarious and fair. However, there is a reason why he and Peter Gabriel sampled and seemed to understand this tribal-roots music. That is because is hauntingly beautiful and other people needed to be exposed to it. On its own it is immersive and grand. True beauty a cappella.
Doves
2/5
Brit pop, not particularly bad. You’ve heard one, you’ve heard em all.
Vocals are good in parts, production quality is decent, instrumentation is that of late stage Coldplay. I don’t like late stage Coldplay.
Genesis
3/5
Much prog, much talent, much length, much… ability to zone out.
Like I would definitely agree with someone defending this album as creative and technically impressive feat of musical discovery, but I would ask them to turn it down.
Led Zeppelin
5/5
Likely my favorite Zep album. The overall hard-rock mood and guitar forward sound is just peak “how in the hell did this come out in ‘69?!” However, the groove section comprised of the John’s is where this album really shines. Chugging drums and funky bass riffs push the rhythm to the fore-front and bring the emotion of the music to tangible levels. This album hits you from all angles and infects you. Robert Plant does such an astounding job of embodying blues that it’s unbelievable to think that these guys aren’t even remotely close to the origination of the genre. The way multiple songs drift from one beat into another adds further to the complexity of the album. 69’ was an incredible year for Rock, and therefore music, and this album may just have led the revolution.
Jimi Hendrix
4/5
A genius guitar player, and pretty decent at the singing and writing too. Plenty of hits here, plenty to love. I think there are more complete albums, some that utilize more sources of music, but this rules nonetheless.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
4/5
Americana machines. They had the voices, the lyrics, and the twangy, jangly guitar licks to transport you to the set of Dazed and Confused. This album is the softer side of CCR, a little more ‘residing within the bounds of the genre’ but not at all underwhelming.
Big Brother & The Holding Company
4/5
This one definitely deserves some relistens. The power is immense and the guitar work is fine, it is blues supreme and Janis’ voice is just so complimentary. Some very excellent song structure and powerful composition.
The Zutons
3/5
Really unique and cool sound. Very new age post-punk with a good mixture of instruments like horns and keys. Fun melodies and all that. If anything it gets a little one-sided and fails to flesh out, but overall enjoyable!
Cee Lo Green
2/5
This provided virtually zero benefit to my life.
Prince
4/5
Starts with a bang and maintains an incredible level of funk rock with the showmanship that you expect of Prince. The guy injects so much passion into his music, that you may ask yourself, “is there anybody around?” And “why do I feel so dirty, yet free?”
The album slows a bit in the end, but remains a magical journey. Prince is first-class talent with his guitar work, singing/screaming, and writing chops.
Various Artists
4/5
Certainly a gem.
Primarily because half of these songs (especially those sung by the Ronettes and Darlene Love, and even the Crystals) are still in regular rotation on most Christmas playlists, and for good reason. These are sonically uplifting and joyous explosions of music. They throw you into the Christmas spirit and bring back that nostalgia year after year. 4
Pet Shop Boys
3/5
Definitely has that poppy 80s sound. It culminates into some impressive songs, but more often is dismissible filler.
Lucinda Williams
3/5
If you were to walk into a dimly lit bar, order a beer, and someone where to have queued up a few songs of this on the jukebox, you’d feel right at home.
Scissor Sisters
3/5
The beat and quality of the music are good, the lyrics can fall flat often. Overall it is fresh and interesting but ultimately a time piece without lasting values
Lloyd Cole And The Commotions
3/5
Emo without the rolling guitar and killer backing vocals, I really prefer those.
The Libertines
3/5
Not quite as dull as similar acts within the genre. I enjoy the sporadic guitar breakouts and the intermixing of interesting musical instruments. The vocals are fun, pitchy at times, and sometimes the instruments get a little carried away about breaking from the key, but it’s punk rock, man.
Turbonegro
3/5
Strong guitar power chords, the solos aren’t bad either. This is bachelor rock, or rebellious teenager rock. If your favorite shows are/were Jackass or Viva La Bam then it’s likely that this music was also your jam. It’s frankly not terrible, but it is over saturated with testosterone.
The Jesus And Mary Chain
4/5
Sounds remarkably similar to early Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever, which appears to be by coincidence, but who knows?
Regardless, the power-pop, shoegaze rock is infectious. The wall of sound never becomes aggressive enough to drown the passion, the vocals are diverse and always welcome and the little guitar medleys are a delight. When the music hits its climactic convergence, the emotional punch is palpable. This is beautiful and simple at the same time. I can hear so many styles that appear to have influenced contemporary indie bands to pop bands.
Perhaps the singleness is fooling me into thinking this isn’t incredible, or perhaps I just need subsequent listens, but this teeters on a 5.
The Adverts
4/5
As an apprehensive to the genre, I did enjoy this. It’s not overly noisy. The music is controlled and creative. The chorus’ are often fun. If I were to approach the genre with open arms, I would allow this to guide me. It gets a 4 considering my view on others in the brit punk scene.
Mj Cole
3/5
Softcore porn tracks.
Beyoncé
3/5
An extreme talent, with an incredible voice and a flair for the presentation. She excels at these, but the music can become tired and shallow. The production value is high and the hooks are catchy, but the themes are cliche. This album starts of with vivid discretions of having sex with Jay-z, then it shifts to complex feelings of love which I got more in then with. Overall, counter to all of the haters this is good music, but not timeless. Beyoncé is timeless, but not allll of her catalog.
Crosby, Stills & Nash
5/5
Americana bliss. The simplistic acoustic nature of the songs with unrelenting harmonization sends the endorphins through the roof. Getting absolutely lost in the lyrics and relishing in the joyous nature of the melody is not only welcomed, it is expected when playing this album. The jangly guitars, the falsetto accoutrement, and the dynamic range of music ensures this a delightful experience. Neil was not necessary, he was just a cherry (maybe maple syrup?) on top of the Sunday.
Caetano Veloso
3/5
An enjoyable listen, eclectic and exotic (sometimes not so exotic) mix of music. Lovely voice. This works very well as a background music to set an ambiance.
D'Angelo
2/5
Sure he’s talented, sure the music is well written and composed. However, it can’t save the utter lack of passion on this album.
I listened to Marvin Gaye just before this and the contrast of the two is abysmally enormous, considering the music feels charted for the same course, this one takes you there in a governed golf cart.
Marvin Gaye
4/5
Reminds me of a few Facebook posts I made in my early teens: “…is still missed her”, “…is wondering what he did wrong.”, and “…is trying to find the will to move on.”
I look back on these and I cringe because of the immaturity.
Then you have Marvin who creates an entire album about a messy divorce. Only he is talented as hell and makes this a funky masterpiece. Is That Enough is objectively fucking hilarious, complaining about owing his ex alimony and having to pay lawyer bills. Nothing was off limits to this dude, and I respect his unabashed exploitation of a failed marriage to create some musical magic.
The sax solos are prime, and his voice is sublime. The length does leave you asking, how much complaining can we really handle, Marvin?
Booker T. & The MG's
4/5
Sultry organ, tight drumming, and a righteous, licking guitar make this an easy listen from start to finish as these boys lay down iconic jams, and interpretations of popular music. There isn’t much variation, but does there need to be when they nail everting they touch?
Abdullah Ibrahim
3/5
True jazz, exquisite musicians who you know are incredible at their instruments, but then one steals the lead and improvises a tune that makes you question what music is. Nothing wrong with that at all, just a very acquired taste.
These guys are undoubtably jazz masters, they lay down some sultry swing, blow them horns, and allow everyone to shine. I have to imagine that if I were hearing this live my mind would be blown. One day I may be more appreciative of jazz, and I try to open my mind to it, maybe it’s a switch that will flip one day?
Air
3/5
Ambitious prog rock, soundtrack-esqe. They lay down some solid beats, but can still feel vanilla. Very good drum work, a little too much 80s flair.
Van Halen
4/5
Peak Hair Metal. Sex appeal, thrashing guitar that is both subtle and not so much, the Roth-squeal, and just some dirty breakdowns that could fit into any heavy metal band of the time. These guys spread themselves wide but never too thin. The music is fun and interesting and the chances taken on synth and pop stylings pays off with some truly timeless hits.
Ray Price
3/5
Lovely voice, sad songs, and a hell of lap steel! The message of heartache becomes clear by the 4th or 5th song, the rest is just filler.
Jeff Beck
3/5
I know he’s talented and that this is good, but it’s hard for me to get into it. Just blends into muddy-ness and lacks dynamics. The guitar work is great and the vocals are of course tight. Just kinda exists, ya know?
Michael Jackson
4/5
Great hits! Very 80s. Dude is a smooth criminal.
Boards of Canada
3/5
If you listen to 10 minutes of this you’ve essentially heard the whole thing. It’s tranquil and deep, slow burn electronic music. It’s a vibe setting type of collection that is great for keeping on in the background while you look at avante guarde art.
Pavement
2/5
I don’t have the maturity for this. It’s just noise.
People grow to love Bleu cheese in a similar way to how they learn to love this. I find it over fragrant and enducing of uneasy feelings.
Deerhunter
3/5
Ethereal indie rock, it gets a little lost in the noise on some me songs. I can appreciate what they were working towards, and it does land on a few tracks, but much of the album is just there and absent of emotional reaction. The atmospheric nature is nice and relaxing, albeit not engaging. Perhaps if they had polished this a bit more?
The Prodigy
4/5
Coming from my very limited industrial rave music knowledge: no band was able to so well blend dance house music with that absolute guttural sludge like The Prodigy. This is dirty, it is dated, and it is a very niche music. However, it is also addictive and an absolute riot. It warrants that the volume be increased, that you give it a chance and feel it. It is infectious and at its best it is euphoric.
Gotan Project
3/5
A well produced and good mix of instrumental. Long and not dynamic enough for my taste. Not worth a relisten, but not bad.
Cocteau Twins
3/5
Ethereal, dark and enchanting. The vocals are drenched in reverb and the music is eclectic and free form. The lyrics are spacey and of different (gibberish?) language but are engaging. Dark and haunting, but also existential. I like it, but I don’t have a relisten calling for it. Perhaps background music. It stated off as something I would really enjoy, but the depth does not necessarily resonate with me, while I will say the music is objectively good and fresh.
Beatles
5/5
One of the transition albums, very similar to Norwegian, but not as experimental as Sgt Peppers. I feel this album is more rounded than the former, but it does not skimp on the simply mesmerizing antics of the Beatles. The musicianship is spectacular. The guitar and drum work is beautiful and the singing is of course thoughtful and the lyricism may be at its peak in their catalog. There are so many songs on this album that are just plain ol easy listening, yet they are bountiful in their composition. Other than their talent, what I believe intrigues me the most about this band is that they are able to fully explore their sound over and over but still keep their final product well rounded and with mass appeal, it’s impressive and this album displays that better than their others, short of Abbey Road possibly. Regardless, I believe this and SGT were their absolute peak.
Grateful Dead
3/5
Solid Americana that is 20% better high, 20% better live, 20% better when dancing like a jellyfish.
The recording is well polished, well mixed, jammy and delightful. But deadheads can’t argue that the real appeal of this band was the gathering.
The juggalos of classic rock.
5/5
Im rating the standard edition album-
What’s not to like here? 18 minute songs? Well that’s fair, but let’s just pretend there are multiple songs and that this is like any other concept album. The original version is only 37 minutes, and in those minutes you get some extremely over-produced and over-worked prog rock. Only, as with most music that is touched too much that it turns to dust, this comes across as meticulously polished. It’s an adventure of sound, a foray into so many elements and themes, but stays true to its quirkiness. The production is spectacular and the fidelity is high. I am reminded of Crime of The Century in so many ways when listening to Yes. Both bands just explore their sounds so deeply. Giving us fun and unique music. True gems.
The Cars
5/5
Leading the way of “Cool Rock” skirting the edge of comical, but laying down such intricate tracks mixed with the subtle synth, and backed by tasty guitar riffs and paired with exquisite production value and mastering. Perhaps the vocals push this the farthest into atypical territory and cast a bit of light on the comical tones. However, when considering other cool bands ala Cake or Devo, the Cars feel like the format to construct around. This album being the blue prints for jovial and tight rock mastery. It is in a class of its own, and stands today as music made for the sole purpose of having fun.
Led Zeppelin
5/5
It’s the ultimate Zep, it borrows elements from their entire catalog, and balances between their musical prowess, their appetite for exploration, their nerdiness, and possibly signifies the peak of their connection to the root of music. It’s an amazing album by all accounts. Not my absolute favorite album, that probably resides the rock forward number II, however it is objectively their best.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
A bit of an odd mix of songs, perhaps one their greatest commercial successes followed by rag tag blues, country western rock. Nine of it is particularly bad, nor is it very impactful. Just ok.
Muddy Waters
4/5
The best part about Blues music is that it sounds unpolished and off the cuff when in reality the bands have perfected these songs, but allow the music to speak them while playing. Perhaps this is similar to jazz, the jamming or the improvisations lead listeners to believe that these musicians are winging it with simple blues chords. The truth is that these guys, Muddy Waters specifically, are masters of the blues. They have constructed songs of heartbreak and despair and paired with a bare bones backing track, and then they have added the right mix of harmonicas, keys, and soft drums to make it catchy. This is true art. Chicago blues spicing it up with some electric instruments is just the natural progression and there is no wonder it inspired so many mainstream rockers to borrow and borderline steal elements. This was a benefit for society in all facets.
This album is not fully fleshed out, but it possesses some historic progressions in heartland rock n roll. The foundation it laid is worth its weight in gold.
Nick Drake
4/5
I feel this album helped me appreciate him more than his others (I think I got all of the albums in chronological order, oddly enough) this one is bare, it is sparse and it is sad. The guitar work is brilliant, simply haunting and mesmerizing. His lyricism is poetic, dark, and interesting. The intimacy of this albums is its true delight, the first three songs are borderline hopeful (which is where it piques my interest) and then it degrades into true melancholy for a stretch (which I think is my main gripe with his previous work) and then ends on a similar tone to where it began which leaves me to wonder where his catalog may have gone with a follow up album. This album entices me to explore his other 2 albums. I really love the intimate singer-song writing nature of this.
Beth Orton
2/5
Poetry backed with a simple guitar strum. Music that you expect to hear at urban coffee shop that proudly supports the feminist movement. I would, of course, love to patronize this coffee shop and support their cause, however I would not be one to ask them “what is this music you’re listening to?”
Neil Young
4/5
Folksy Neil. I tend to lean more towards the crunchy electric guitar, melancholy-side. But I like this too.
Q-Tip
3/5
Exceptional flow and lyricism. The beats are tight but not overly stated or engineered. This is pure hip hop and well done. Not typically my vibe, but I don’t dislike this.
It’s similar to Lupe Fiasco style, but not quite as polished.
Rush
4/5
This Rips.
Einstürzende Neubauten
1/5
Somewhere between an interrogation room and a tray full of eating utensils being dropped on a tile floor.
Elbow
2/5
Atmospheric. Ambient. Noisy. Verbose. Doesn’t quite captivate.
Kanye West
3/5
Kanye West: 0 Stars
- Is a Nazi
- Has an ego complex the size of The Sears Tower
- evidently doesn’t like the North Side of CHI
- is just a shitty person in general
- Has made some really good music. Strong strong singles on this album. Shame that he is trash.
Derek & The Dominos
3/5
Uninspired blues, talent that is crammed together and not appropriately tamed with fighting vocals and instruments that do not fit with one another. Strong elements with thoughtless translation to music. Sometimes a decent song is made, but short of Layla this is forgettable.
Clapton is highly overrated, and as shitty a person as Kanye (coincidence that I got this right after The College dropout)
Björk
4/5
Truly not a fan of Bjork’s style. Her singing style is intentionally disjointed, airy, obtuse, untamed, and just odd. However, this album was not nearly as preposterous as her others. It of course strays from the standard song signature and seeks out oddities, but it also contains a fair amount of beauty, a strong musical composition, and singing that coincides more appropriately with the music.
I was surprised, but this is still not something I would seek out. I objectively give this album a 4. The last song was a strong ending.
The Stone Roses
4/5
This could have come out in 2010 and fit right in with the indie movement. Wild how music can be ahead of its time. This is shoegaze, spacey rock with fantastic arpeggios and vocals reverbed to the max. While the music can get a bit lost in the sound at points, the highs are high. The guitar rips. Hard to compare this to something, but easy to hear similarities in the greats of the genre.
The 13th Floor Elevators
3/5
It’s got that surfer rock guitar style going for it, otherwise I get a little lost in it, and not in a good way. Very similar instrumentation and song progression throughout; lacks dynamics.
The Fall
2/5
Brit Punk, you either like it or you try over and over again. Far too much on this list regardless.
Roxy Music
3/5
Lukewarm pop rock. Noisy, uncontrolled, uninventive.
Rod Stewart
4/5
It’s conflicting, on one hand this guy has soul passion, he belts his lyrics and is accompanied by a great ensemble as the music echos, expands, and contracts you get a sense of some impressive song structure. On the other hand, his voice is a bit strained and the music can border tepid. It is ultimately saved by its grandiose style that incorporates many instruments and styles, some excellent guitar work, piano as well.
This is juuuuust intriguing enough to elicit curiosity.
Earth, Wind & Fire
4/5
Startin off with the stank, and then exploring the love. Powerful album with excellent musicianship.
Fleetwood Mac
5/5
"The band would come in at 7 at night, have a big feast, party till 1 or 2 in the morning, and then when they were so whacked-out they couldn't do anything, they'd start recording"
Devastating relationship turmoil, heavy drugs, and a fuck ton of talent gave us all one of the best pieces of music. Ever.
Ryan Adams
4/5
Really exquisite songwriting, some excellent jangly tunes, and some somber ones. The album tapers a bit at the end and ends a bit sour, but is no less impactful as a folksy exposure.
Speaking of exposure…. Ryan really sucks as a person and a performer. Serious talent. Serious issues.
Tom Waits
3/5
You really just have to be a fan of his eccentricity to get this album. I catch glimpses of it sometimes, but ultimately it doesn’t quite resonate with me. That doesn’t change that this is creative genius and a massive collection of comedic, dark, and complex songs.
Magazine
3/5
Not quite punk, not quite rock. But it still doesn’t capture me.
Wire
3/5
Punk, post-punk. Doesn’t matter, it’s rare that I enjoy it. The guitars here are at least exciting.
2Pac
3/5
Classic rap just runs together for me. I have a hard time picking anything out in particular that piques my interest. Tupac’s influence is undeniable, and his flow is impressive, his voice is also commanding and powerful. The production value is that of a 90s hip hop album, sampled bass and drum machines. Perhaps this is where hip hop has evolved the most and what has dated records such as this. I like this, but I cannot accurately weigh its impact on the culture of rap. I have to take context clues and rate this as it appeals to me, which is a solid album with nuances that have been buried in the quickly changing styles of modern rap.
PJ Harvey
4/5
I sincerely appreciate the gravity of this album, it absolutely delves into the emotion and raw nature of grunge, the production is fantastic, the recording is ideal, and PJs vocal talent is on broad display. I feel as though this album is so dense that it would take time to digest, so while not every song landed with me and some did, I give this album the recognition is deserves and bookmark it for a revisit.
Beach House
3/5
Ethereal, shoegaze, tranquil, and an intriguing listen. It runs a bit together to capture my attention but I do think it’s pretty.
Machito
4/5
Fun and exciting Jazz explosion. Certainly have to be in the mood to enjoy these and I wasn’t necessarily at the time. Regardless, worth a revisit
Frank Zappa
5/5
Fuck. Yes.
Instrumental jazz-rock perfection. Bold dynamics coupled with supreme musicianship. This gets the head bobbing and the brain cooking with its complex layering. The guitar serves to compliment and not to muddy the music, a delicate balance that is executed expertly.
Wonderful!
2/5
Just kind of exists without eliciting much emotional response. It doesn’t really call on me to listen closely, nor does it speak to my subconscious.
Little Richard
4/5
Fun, energetic, a product of its time with a solid voice. I’m glad this existed to others could be influenced. True essence of music. Just of bygone time.
Underworld
3/5
Dated techno that is also a bit contemporary in vibe. Well recorded and extremely explorative, it hits a stride occasionally and can be pleasing. The quality is good and the blend flows well with interesting musicality.
However, it is long and not particularly applicable in modern listening digest. May it be buried in the strata and persevered in a museum as a fossilized version of itself for educational purposes, leading people to debate whether or not it ever actually existed or was placed there by a supreme being to have us question our existence.
Fairport Convention
3/5
Folksy, monotone, ok.
Wild Beasts
3/5
Shoegaze and ambient. Thoughtful instrumentation coupled with good mastering and fidelity. Sounds like many other bands of the era, washed out and ethereal. Like a b rate Alt-J. I enjoyed the whimsy and didn’t really find aggravation with the singing like others. It was just overall solid and ok.
John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers
2/5
Blues for Wanks.
Aretha Franklin
4/5
Powerful voice, and fantastic song renditions. She commands your attention and then pleases with the backing orchestral embellishments. The production quality is of course a little harsh on certain speakers, however this album shines all the same.
Waylon Jennings
3/5
Country western goodness. It never enters my constant rotation, but I also don’t mind walking into a bar that plays the classics. This would fit in nicely there.
The Go-Betweens
3/5
Middle of the road Brit pop. Good fidelity and mix of music, vocals are a bit drab and boring.
Ice Cube
2/5
It’s valid to be upset by dissemination in 90s LA and to criticize people for treating you a certain way based on something you cannot control. It’s also valid for you to be called a hypocrite for actively being a misogynist, anti-Semite, homophobe, etc…
Also this music is super dated, with only a few standouts. 2 stars for the double standard.
The Stooges
2/5
I didn’t have much fun.
Afrika Bambaataa
3/5
Culturally I’m sure this is significant. I can imagine nothing sounded quite like it at the time and that others sounded similar after.
The raps are very dated, the mixing is well done and the bass is funky. No relisten-ability.
Cream
2/5
Everything Clapton touches is just boring. Dude is mid.
Grateful Dead
3/5
I don’t think they picked the right GD albums for this list.
Public Enemy
3/5
Yeaaaaaahhhh boy!
Guns N' Roses
4/5
Hits in hits, sexual tension, talented hair metal. The only downside is the fact that this spawned butt rock.
Def Leppard
4/5
Insane amount of production, everything is expertly pieced together. The gloss and glam is apparent through. The ballads are of course larger than life, this album has been played on literally every radio in the world at least once. Powerful and indefatigable. Sure you can get tired of the pop washed rock, but it’s hard to deny the effect of this album, not to mention the joy of it. The modulated voice synchronization gets a bit old, though.
The Pogues
4/5
Enjoyable, jolly, dark at times, but always enjoyable Irish folk music. It has everything you look for when seeking out the genre.
Lorde
3/5
I like Lordes style, and I believe her music is fresh twist on pop. Her delivery can be a bit slow and at times not easily digestible, but then she can really make some magic happen. I’m not a full album listener, but I enjoy her singles. I can understand the power here, just not appreciate it fully.
Fishbone
4/5
Just a little bit of everything here. Hard rock, ska, soul, blues. All well executed. A true jack of all trades. Add into that the amount of fun these dudes appear to be having and we have ourselves a real unicorn. Deserves more visits in the future!
Black Sabbath
5/5
If this list has taught me one thing, it’s that Black Sabath A-sides, have nothing in the B-sides.
This is absolute carnage and chaos, but controlled in such a delicate, precise manner. Rock and fucking roll, man.
The Jesus And Mary Chain
2/5
The reverb and sustained fx pedals was a little too unbearable. I don’t mind this band, just this combination.
Fever Ray
2/5
If Björk joined an Indie band.
Christine and the Queens
3/5
Interesting pop, albeit a bit indiscernible from the rest of pop. Still this was fun and the talent is apparent.
3/5
The gritty, post punk, attitude rock has the elements I enjoy, however I find myself a little bored.
My Bloody Valentine
2/5
No thanks
Adele
5/5
Spectacular voice, soulful renditions of heartfelt love songs. Put aside all of the tired, white male POVs in this review section and recognize this for what it really is, a generational talent with spectacular song writing. Aside from the massively impactful singles assembled on this album, even the toppings are tasty. Turning Tables and Someone like you are peak Adele; brilliant, tragic, enveloping. They suck you in and make you feel comfortable.
The White Stripes
5/5
With the 2000s and the decline of grunge, rock was in need of a revival. There appeared a few main paths towards rock exploration: either you take the Butt Rock with all of its aggressive drunk, divorced dad tendencies as they pushed you to push your fist through the drywall; or you can allow a new exploration of blues and indie influences with some absolutely torturous guitar riffs. This is the later, music that is poetic and beefy. Jack White taking cheaply built guitars and absolutely ripping them apart along with Meg's simplistic, yet mathematical drum beats adds up to some gut punching beauty. I personally love both avenues of 2000s rock, save for the Hinder, Five Finger Death Punch, Avenged Sevenfold nonsense. However, I would not lie to myself and say the path that Jack White forged isn't infinitely more impactful to the advancement of modern rock, because it absolutely is. Chicago took Blues and added electricity, The White Stripes took Chicago Blues and created mayhem.
Roni Size
3/5
Drum and Bass electronic music for 1+ hour with a great blend of samples. This is strong, but also dated. It's hard to say that I would ever want to converse over this records impact, let alone spin it. A true timepiece, the aside from it accolades, does have much lasting value apart from the British Bass Heads.
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
3/5
A great collection of powerful names in classic Blue Grass. A little long and disjointed, but great for the collection that it is.
3/5
Very 80s, but with a nice little funky twist. Some songs really shine here, but the album as a whole is a bit drenched in the time period.
The Divine Comedy
2/5
As pedantic as a blue polka-dot bow tie at a funeral.
Spoken verse poetry that someone said “I could make this even worse with some boring music”
Korn
2/5
Short of the two singles, this is aggressive dribble. I really loved those singles as a kid, so I’m kind of shocked at the quality of the rest. The songs with Ice Cube and Fred Durst are absolute garbage. The guitar work and bass blasting are key enjoyables, but the screaming vocals can get tired. Nu metal was a brief renaissance. Glad it didn’t go any further.
Kings of Leon
4/5
Sec is on fire is a distraction and honestly a pivotal point in this bands sounds. They hit commercial success and more or less ruined this album at the same time. Aside from that song this album is excellent. Incredible mixing, strong song producing. I love Caleb’s voice.
Small Faces
3/5
I tried to listen to this in the car, but the thin recording leaves a lot to be desired. Revisiting a few songs in headphones, it’s marginally more appealing. I really enjoyed the kickoff track and some off the Hendrix-esque guitar phasing. This album is many things: quirky, bluesy, aloof, rocking, and strange. I really feel as though it requires attentive listening, but doesn’t necessarily command it. In the end I just really wish it was recorded better. Certainly worth a revisit in the future. Strong 3
Roxy Music
3/5
Very cool elements, the signing is somewhere between Dave Byrne and Rick Davies. I think the style is similar to those bands as well. The music a wide range and delightful in parts, less so in others. Overall, I like pieces but not the whole product. The song Grey Lagoons is very cool and I wish I had an album in this style.
Napalm Death
3/5
Hail Satan!
Ash
2/5
Weezer at home
The Slits
3/5
Girl punk rock. More rock than punk. The sometimes reggae? The vocals, while active and unique, are repetitive. The music is explorative, energetic and unique.
Jamiroquai
3/5
Interesting mix of jazz and pop. Not particularly exciting for me. Not particularly bad,either
Ute Lemper
2/5
She has a solid voice, but I’m fucking bored.
Fats Domino
4/5
Such a soothing voice, very casual “big band” music. It has soul and class all wrapped up in one. Great for background enjoyment, as well as critical listening.
Isaac Hayes
4/5
This is for the consolidated version and not the deluxe, although I would love to enjoy the entirety of the deluxe one day.
This music immediately sparks the ‘Stank face’ and gets the body grooving. Such wonderful mixes of bass, horns, and a stellar drum ensemble. The funk flows through immediately, and the keys fill in the cracks. Exceptional melodies create a feeling of power and joy. Excellent music for backtracking a dinner party.
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
2/5
Jazzy and orchestral. Gets a bit carried away and lost in its ambition.
Les Rythmes Digitales
3/5
Daft punk only less fun. Casual electronic dance music, some of it is enjoyable. However , nothing grabs me, short of few catchy riffs.
The Doors
3/5
It’s an exceptional voice backed by lackluster instrumentals, less than exciting melodies, and decent lyricism. Formative, yet ehh.
The Temptations
4/5
Incredible vocal talent, love the guy singing in the lowest register possible. The dynamic of funk and Motown soul is refreshing. The songs are all about love, but still remain fresh. 4 by the skin of its teeth, and for its crowd pleasing tendencies.
Dr. Octagon
3/5
Maturity of a 14 year old, raps are tight, beats are aight.
Roxy Music
3/5
I’m really done with this band. You can argue all you want about how artistic they are, but they can also be nonsensical and lacking of any strong direction. It’s just nonsense. The sax fucks, that’s about it.
John Lee Hooker
3/5
Blues with friends. A little Chicago electric, and a little Memphis jangle. There’s certainly some essence of the primal music here, and that’s good. The collection feels a little stretched across the features.
Talvin Singh
2/5
Quantity of drugs required to make this interesting: too much.
Kings of Leon
4/5
Like many others, I believe that early KOL were supreme. In general, I think they write great stuff and stuff that isn’t that great. They truly only have one perfect album, Aha Shake, and many people disagree that that album is even “good”. However, that is undoubtably my peak for them, whereas this album is a formative precursor with its raw punk rock vibes and southern hospitality. It is not fully refined, but that is not a fault. Perhaps it’s real shortcoming is that they did not fully capture this sound until AHA, and then they broke away with BOtT, and Moreso with the pop success of OBtN. Shoot CASD is arguably my second favorite album and that is a far departure from this. It reckons to be that they had an explorative sound and I have taken the good with the bad. This album was the beginning of that Journey.
Stephen Stills
4/5
Great for that background accoutrements. This album is explores a little psychedelia, a little country, a bit of folk, a bit of Jam band janglin’, and a whole lot of groovin. On the first pass some of the melodies can be lost in jam. However, paying a little more attention brings me to some stellar musicianship, and thoughtful arrangement. Many songs hit their stride hard, with marginal filler on a double LP
Minutemen
5/5
Thoroughly enjoyed this. Short, unique songs. Excellent riffs and overall sense of fun. The guitar solos can be exceptional but also lean towards under produced, however that kind of leans to the beauty of it. The skits scattered throughout are a fun break to the otherwise punkish talking Heads type songs. I lean to a 5 because of how fresh and exciting this music it. While not a strong 5
Todd Rundgren
4/5
A really good mix of many genres and styles. I found myself grooving to a solid number of these as it faded from pop tunes to some aggressive rock back to some slower, Funk riffs. The album dragged on a bit to long and while there is definitely some filler, the presence of many techniques and strong musicianship served as a solid glue.
Barry Adamson
2/5
Like Nick Cave but somehow worse?
Air
3/5
Not quite sure where I would fit this music into my rotation. It is chill electronica pop. Like a softer daft punk. A collection of soft, melodic beats and a mixing of synth and electric instruments. It just doesn’t scratch an itch for me, but if I were waiting on a plane and this was the background music as i found my seat? Perhaps…
Mike Ladd
3/5
Trip hop, existential rap. Big ideas that don’t quite translate to the rap. The rapping itself is choppy flow like Tyler the creator mixed with nyc rappers. The music is creative and well mixed, albeit abstract and sporadic delivery. Overall enjoyable, but not digestible.
Mariah Carey
3/5
Mariah is certainly very talented, but perhaps there is too much exploration in her vocals for me to get lost in her music. It’s very similar to Christina Aguilera where both jump around the key with their voice and arpeggio the chords. I recognize the power of both, but I feel Mariah is a one trick pokey. She has incredible range and can absolutely SING. I just can’t get lost in her music. Couple that with generic 90s r&B tracks. This becomes antiquated quickly.
LL Cool J
4/5
Well produced and honestly a solid rap style. This stuff is all antiquated, and comically aged. However, LL has an engaging style and the music holds up well. I wouldn’t listen to this frequently, but I was glad to have visited a strongly made album, which was artistic, fresh, and well put together. Complete with passionate delivery.
The Beach Boys
4/5
Sonically dense and creative, a thoughtful departure and rebirth from what people tend to associate with The Beach Boys. The album is political and a bit progressive, with a tendency to explore things in a lyrical, as well as instrumental fashion. The songs are delightful and enjoyable, with some of that lovely falsetto we enjoy.
Kendrick Lamar
5/5
Might be one of the best rap albums of all time.
Shivkumar Sharma
3/5
Simple, intricate, and engrossing. Not necessarily my music, but I appreciate its brilliance.
Deep Purple
4/5
The guitar works is phenomenal. Just absolutely bites into every riff and tears off the meat from the bone. The music is well produced and recorded, good dynamics and range. However, did I mention the guitar?
The The
5/5
This one continues to grow as you go, and by the time I finished I had to revisit most of it again. Synth-pop masterwork, with some folksy undertones and delicious mixing. Sonically incredible with musicianship to match. I love a record that is short and to the point, yet has a journey through the music along the way that is exciting and engaging.
The Monks
4/5
I appreciated how loose this was, quirky at times, but always rockin. Feels ahead of its time while also rough around the edges.
David Gray
3/5
Peaceful and embracing brit folk. I enjoyed the electronic overlays and experimental sound which gives an otherwise cookie cutter folk album some richer elements. I think the singles excelled in their presence of creativity. High 3
Tim Buckley
2/5
While he may have a good voice, his vibrato and pitch are all over the fucking place. Plus the music is just not landing for me. While this isn’t awful, it’s definitely something i do not enjoy.
The Boo Radleys
2/5
It’s like the Pixies went pop. The shoegaze genre can go two directions 1.consistent, well thought out and simple composition. Or more often 2.a heap of noise that resembles no consolidated idea. It’s like jazz without the talent. The singing here is decent, but too much is going. Oh and then there’s reggae out of nowhere.
LTJ Bukem
3/5
Every generation has there preferred electronic music, so I won’t cast any hate from a fellow enjoyer of the genre. Especially transient house music, which I enjoy.
My opinion on “Hyper DnB” is that you must appropriately allocate enough cigarettes and coffee to get your brain running fast enough to catch up to it.
This album, the YouTube linked version, is all together interesting and hits a solid stride with its rapid beats and earthly sampling (birds, water drops, etc). It’s spacey man.
Amy Winehouse
3/5
Excellent voice, solid production with engaging music. I felt uninspired by the lyrics and renditions at times. Overall a solid album.
Simple Minds
3/5
Absolutely 80s pop new-wave in every single way. Nothing that I need in my content rotation, but it did hit some grooves.
Butthole Surfers
2/5
I appreciate the experiment. I also appreciate it being over.
R.E.M.
2/5
REM puts me into REM.
Janet Jackson
3/5
Extremely 80s, highly produced but not so much that it’s not enjoyable. The central core of hits are solid, but the remainder of the album falls flat for me. Just background 80s pop. Also too long and with some songs that are absolutely too long for pop songs.
Lupe Fiasco
4/5
Introspective, thoughtful, and well produced. Lupe has a unique flow and this is coupled with thoroughly fleshed out rap songs. He raps for the purpose of education and not just entertainment and it comes through as powerful and engaging. The album itself takes a second to absorb into, but it builds presence throughout. Excellent. Only downslide is overall length and length of some songs.
Bee Gees
2/5
They should stick to disco.
Cowboy Junkies
2/5
‘I fell asleep while walking’ should be the title track.
David Bowie
3/5
A solid Bowie construction. Complete with some of excellent composition, witty hooks, and distracting instrumentals. Overall, solid and interesting.
Aphex Twin
2/5
Boring background trance.
Pink Floyd
5/5
Little known fact that if you put this album to the classic movie The Wizard of Oz, it will cause you immediate diabetes.
CHIC
4/5
Super funky and tasty music. Could listen to this at any time. Nile Rodgers is unbelievably good at everything he does.
Joanna Newsom
4/5
Bjork goes to the Renaissance Faire.
Only partially kidding. I honestly became distracted with the style of music (no chorus, no repeating lines, pure poetry to music) and the abstract orchestral backing. That is until I felt an urge to see what she was doing live…
I visited the video below and saw her sitting solo with her harp and belting her unusual lyrics. It became clear that she is dripping with talent, she manages the harp expertly and creates some really impressive music, while belting out lyrics in strange, yet beautiful fashion. I was sucked into the whole thing. And then the crowd roars at the end and makes me realize that people saw something truly special there. This is not my type of music, but I am deeply appreciative of it.
https://youtu.be/RS3Z_hU4GL4
Queen
5/5
Ogre Battle should have been a bigger single. March of the Black Queen is unbelievable. This album should also be called “Queen Fucking Rocks”
This albums contains all of the elements of peak Queen, exceptionally clear and layered guitar, abstract and harmonious lyrics, and sporadic arrangement. It’s stellar and intriguing. Also if you have one of the greatest vocalists of all time, you should definitely not let other members of the band sing.
Ghostface Killah
4/5
Wu Tang is the real thing. An extremely talented group that proved that its members were more than qualified to lead successful solo careers. At this point I’ve had GZA an Raekwon albums, and including this I have been convinced that NE rap was into something as it elevated the genre to impressive heights. GK has raw talent and a forceful energy in his raps, add to that some excellent production. This album is supremely complex and well made. Also it is goes hard.
Primal Scream
2/5
If this were half as long I would give it +1 star. But it is entirely too experimental without a clear direction. Yes, it is cool from and indie perspective in that it samples and plays with different styles. That’s good for a song or 2…
Faith No More
3/5
10 inferior versions of that one song everyone knows.
The Black Crowes
4/5
These dudes got their degrees in general rock studies.
Jazmine Sullivan
4/5
I was feeling a little uncomfortable with the sexual level of this album but was still receptive to its artistic style and quality of music, which is good. I was overall unsure until Lost One came on… wow… bare bones, brutal, vocally complex, and a heart breaking masterpiece. This song lead to overall more introspective second half of an album. The presence or true artistry propels this to a new level. She’s a mix of SZA, Beyoncé, Lizzo but much better than the last 2.
Spiritualized
2/5
Showgaze bore-athon.
Penguin Cafe Orchestra
2/5
Not for me.
James Taylor
3/5
I’m not sure I’ll ever understand the full shtick here; James has the vocal prowess to accomplish his objective, however the objective is either soft rock, blues, or country jangling. The blues especially feels flat, almost insincere. While the music itself is highly produced and recorded, I swear the quality is exceptional for a 1970s record. Otherwise, this is just decent music to be interlaced into classic stations.
UB40
3/5
Was looking for Red Red Wine, and all I got was bad bad time. Just kidding. It was alright, but by no means does it hold up to other forms of reggae.
Dr. John
3/5
It’s cool and also it’s trippy.
Foo Fighters
4/5
Considering this was one of the firsts tastes of 00s rock, it should be firmly on this list. Really strong debut from a band entering with extremely talented musicians. The hits are strong, production value is ehhh, and the alt rock is flowing. It drags on a bit near the end, but what doesn’t?
Sigur Rós
3/5
Ambient and beautiful, however it doesn’t quite capture me. At most this sits as strong background music unless you are seriously critically listening, there’s a large divide between the two when it comes to casual enjoyment. Nothing wrong with that!
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
2/5
Someone stop this man.
Yes
5/5
Freakishly talented, freakishly whimsical. A collection of oddities and absolute jazz-like prog rock that gets carried away with itself as it sails through tonalities and genres, yet still finds its footing often with ethereal vocals and catchy riffs. Truly impressive and captivating work. This list has really introduced me the the real Yes.
Fugazi
5/5
It’s an excellent blend of metal and punk. The drum pushes the entire train along and the chugging guitars generate the steam. The screaming is the conductor yelling at you to pay your $5 fare, you fucking cheap bitch!
The War On Drugs
5/5
Nothing else sounds like this, and I get why that's a problem for some people who are searching for some context. The reality is that this is just ambient chaos. A blend of sounds that seek to explore emotion, explore what a melody could be. It's lovely and captivating.
Pantera
3/5
90s Avenged Sevenfold. More annoying than metal. The hits are ok, This Love being the best. But the formula-driven guitar chugging and yelling all seem thin after a few songs.
Orbital
3/5
Decent at far as house-techno goes. Easy to have on in the background, not necessary to engage with, fully.
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five
4/5
That classic formative hip hop. This stands up better than others form the era with some very strong mixing going on.
The Rolling Stones
4/5
Not their most refined, as is evident in the repetitive nature of the songs. However, considering the time this music is formative and still holds up with some notable strength. I think it’s recorded pretty well considering and the material is obviously a bit juvenile. Still it’s jangly and boppy. Classic stones.
Pink Floyd
4/5
Like a sandwich with premium deli meat, accompanied by garden fresh tomatoes, and the finest Dijon and aioli; between two fluffy pieces of white bread.
This sandwich has excellent tonality and production value, with exquisite dynamics.
Peter Frampton
4/5
There is no in between, either he’s drowning you in some generic pentatonic soloing coupled with a rock song that lyrical is no more complex than 100 piece puzzle, or… or he’s writing some hits that would stand the test of time and pulling out the stops to deliver a true show. Live albums can be dull or they can be great. This one somehow gives us both. Then comes the song… where he begins with any other tired rock ballad and guitar solo, the piano does a nice little diddy, and then he fucking transports you into the concert venue, the audio quality is absolutely dialed in to capture the pure joy of the crowd and you could see your there when at the 7:45 mark he starts turning a talk box and whammy pedal into the gnarliest mixture or robot orgasm and Krispy Kreme tone you could imagine and proceeds to mesmerize as he exits into a powerful, band backed blastoff.
Frankly that song is fucking incredible. It is a 10 on a track of 4s and some 7s singles.
Radiohead
4/5
I appreciate that this guys (primarily Thom) decided to do their own thing. Artistic presence is the most important thing and if you’re not feeling the rock shtick, try something else. Hell it’s 2000, the millennium of robots and hovercraft. Make an album that sounds like they’ve been here for decades! This is ambient, it’s also specific. I lean 3, but my appreciation for the craft elevates it. Now onto Amnesiac.
The Charlatans
2/5
Oasis without the hits.
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band
3/5
A hyper sexual meatloaf? The rock licks are solid. The material is out of my scope.
Oasis
5/5
Call it recency bias but I just saw them play in The USA for the first time in 17 years and it was excellent. This is coming from someone who has never really appreciated their secondary work short of the BIG songs, and while I do enjoy those of course there is more below the surface. The concert helped me appreciate them more, but this album took it to the next level. These songs are so much more raw and just as powerful and WTSMG. The rock licks are heavy and the tone is muddy but distinguished. Both Liam and Noel are in sync. I connected with this album much more than the totality of their next, which is a surprise considering the impact of the second album.
I’m actually an Oasis fan now.
Drive Like Jehu
3/5
I enjoyed the droning guitars and screams felt like a stepping stone to 2000s aggression rock, maybe screamo? The album is a bit long and doesn’t always mesh well together. I’ve learned from Fugazi and minutemen that I like this music in bite sized songs. But otherwise a solid album. Close but not quite a 4
The Triffids
2/5
2 80s.
Joni Mitchell
4/5
I’m with the masses on this one. I think it is a far more accessible Joni while also being artistic. She flutters her voice far less while showing off her incredible control. The music is chiefly more interesting than prior albums, far more involved and expansive. The first half of the album is groovy. The second half has some softer jazz elements: Car on Hill even feels like Steely Dan for a second.
The Lemonheads
4/5
Elvis Costello starts an indie rock band…
In all fairness this is unique and foundational for what would become a massive genre. It even feels a little emo at times. Has elements of so many things I enjoy, while also being little dated in the ripped jeans and flannel 90s.
Bee Gees
3/5
Perfectly fine. Great recording and excellent singing. However, way too ambitious for its own good, it never really lands.
The Yardbirds
3/5
Jeff beck is a solid guitarist. This album is think and lacking otherwise. Tasty morsels on white toast without any sauce.
The Smashing Pumpkins
4/5
Splendid. Orchestral, Metal, soft, dynamic, and packed with fantastic songs. The album keeps you on your toes, but your toes do happen to get a bit tired. I like Billy’s voice but I can see how it grows a bit stale over the course of this album.
William Orbit
2/5
Shitty soft core pen tracks.
Billy Joel
4/5
It’s got the hits and it’s groovy. I enjoy his voice and the sax solos, ultimately not something I would play for personal enjoyment, but would love to hear in a social setting.
Radiohead
2/5
How about an album of B sides from an experimental ambient album?
How about no.
Beastie Boys
5/5
Not every song is perfect, some lack structure or a clear message.
However, with these guys on their debut album it comes down to the basics, and yes I mean basic raps for starters, but I also mean a fundamental focus on sampling incredible rock music, producing and mixing it extremely well (thanks Rick), and molding some passionate and fun lyrics over the top.
The difference is the confidence. These guys excrete solid bricks of it, to pose as a lifestyle they obviously don’t live but to do it so well that the community appreciates and embraces them. Mainstream rock embraces them. It’s a true classic.
Sam Cooke
3/5
Exquisite pipes, this guy, and a big band sound to boot. However, I don’t find myself getting lost in it like I would like.
Circle Jerks
3/5
15 minutes is optimal for punk records.
David Holmes
2/5
This type of music makes me feel nothing.
fIREHOSE
4/5
This is exceptionally well mixed and produced. In the beginning it felt like an album that would sound flat and underdeveloped, but I was pleasantly surprised by the musicianship: drums, bass, guitar, and even vocals are carved out and fit well with the total package. The music doesn’t always resonate, however it is thoughtful in its approach and easy to listen to. Worth a revisit!
Dexys Midnight Runners
2/5
I dig their sound, the jazzy with horn section, punkish speed. It all does a good job of creating a fun environment. The vocals do not coincide in this would in an effective way, that’s were I get lost. Too many albums on this list from these guys.
Bob Dylan
3/5
The man is a folk genius. Doesn’t always translate to exquisite music, but the lyricism is undeniable and I also can’t deny that this sounds nice.
Cocteau Twins
3/5
80s ambient. Vocals are ok.
Public Enemy
3/5
While it may have gravity and impact, I’ve grown tired of justifying a connection to classic hip hop. It’s not worth it for me.
Randy Newman
3/5
It’s all the same.
Big Black
4/5
Solid punk, drum marchine is a cool touch. Guitar work is aggressive and well recorded, the bass is turned full blast gain and sounds sick. Vocals are over the top and wild, this sounds modern. +1 for Chicago punk scene.
Jane's Addiction
3/5
Hangs around nicely in the background, not something I would critically listen to it but it’s produced well and has nice composition. The vocals aren’t necessarily my favorite. It’s passable.
Tim Buckley
2/5
A pretty voice but ultimately a tepid delivery of folk songs with grand ideas and moderate delivery.
Britney Spears
4/5
The hits alone are massive and while the 2nd half of this album trails off a bit to tired 90s pop, the magnitude of how this impacted the genre was immense. Britney has the classic raspy breakup in her otherwise stellar voice that intrigues the listener. Powerful. My primary hold up is that Britney is a performer, we miss half of her musical talents, but that is still impressive. Timeless hits, even if I’m just a casual listener.
Haircut 100
4/5
Everything is tight: the drums, the bass, the vocals, and the fucking horns! The production value is incredible and while this sounds like a typical 80s album, it also doesn’t. It’s got that Nile Rodger’s flair, and the Duran Duran execution. I thought it was refreshing and funky throughout.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
4/5
This was the bridge from chaotic funk to melodic funk. John’s second album and a stepping stone into his melodic presence while also deporting bit from Hillels wild style. This album is truly the blend of what made the peppers popular in their early days and what would make them globally popular afterwards. There is some filler, but the bass is funky, the drums are powerful, and the guitar is mesmerizing. I think there is some filler, but the strength in the big songs is substantial.
The Only Ones
3/5
The guitars are tight and supreme. The band has a Rolling Stones mixed with a ska type horn section. Had they hired a decent singer this may have been a more robust group.
Steely Dan
4/5
Massive hits, solid B side. The disparity between the sides is significant and why I. Think this album falls short of later efforts which are fully polished and balanced.
Regardless, this album is a classic. The production value and talent are top. Notch.
Billy Bragg
4/5
It started off in a negative light. I thought the voice was over the top. I gritted through the first 2 songs and considered packing it in. However, persist I did and rewarded I was with a solid landing. The folk atmosphere is constant throughout but it approaches a melodic and layered delivery. The voice doesn’t change, but it’s contrasted well with great chorus’ and jangly guitars. Really impressed by the ideology lyricism and I feel that was the turning point of the album. A great track to drink a pint to.
Astor Piazzolla
3/5
Chaotic while finding control. Expert musicians who find any void in the music and interject their spice. Truly engaging music that kinda stresses me out. It’s very close to being a video game soundtrack. I would give the talent a 5, but the music overall falls to just an appreciation level and not an active enjoyment. Good stuff overall.
Animal Collective
3/5
If the beach boys had access to licking toads they likely would have put out something similar. However, the cohesion would have been stronger.
The Doors
3/5
Another doors album. Another round of me trying to convince myself that I like them.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
4/5
Garage band dad-rock but with the immovable force that is Neil Young and his guitar. It lacks depth at points yet it satisfies and nourishes the soul.
Sonic Youth
2/5
Not sure this one was necessary.
The Jam
3/5
Bass is incredible. The music grew on me as the album went on, but I still feel little emotional involvement in it. The usual Brit punk pop falls flat without a proper I don’t know what.
Gene Clark
3/5
It has moments of Americana excellence, but ultimately in terms of cosmic country it pails in comparison to similar act the FBB, or Crosby. A little too mild, a little too long, and a little too inferior to true country and western.
The Young Gods
4/5
Tom waits French Slasher. Orchestral, industrial, heavy but controlled and richly complex.
Morrissey
3/5
I dig The Smiths, and the similar elements on this album. But, it mostly falls flat
Tom Waits
3/5
Equal parts spooky and melodic. The musical composition is stronger than some of his other albums, still you have to be in a particularly explorative mindset to fully embrace this music. I’m not usually there.
KISS
3/5
It’s hard to get past the gimmick. I know there’s more beneath the backup and glam, but I’m not interested enough to find out.
Baaba Maal
3/5
Lovely singing, somewhat tribal while still calm. Not a regular listen for me but still nice.
Thundercat
3/5
I first heard this guy opening for RHCP, and I thought it was a joke. Now I understand that he is an immensely talented bass player, a giant nerd, and still somehow it feels likes a joke.
I say that understanding why some people like this wild bass, oddly interlayed keys and such. It just doesnt have enough of a foundation to pull me. Some songs get very close.
The xx
3/5
There’s a reason why I only loved one song from this album in college. The vocals were recorded for the vibes only.
That first song is pretttty cool though.
Sex Pistols
4/5
All of the elements of punk that we enjoy. The guitar work here is excellent, it rips through the songs and hits stable melodic undercurrents that carry the passionate vocals along. This is raw yet somewhat polished. A great blend of fundamental punk and artistry. Gone as quickly as they came, which adds to the mystique.
Portishead
3/5
I enjoyed the industrial, impending doom elements. The trip hop is a cool and engaging sound. The vocals fell a little flat.
Ultimately, while I like this, I don’t feel the need to listen to it.
Red Snapper
3/5
Nothing bad here, nothing inherently exceptional either. A good dynamic showcase of electronic music with solid MC features and well designed rhythm sections. I’m not sure this pushed or expanded a genre, but nonetheless tolerable.
Marianne Faithfull
3/5
Funky. Great musicianship with tasty guitar riffs and a solid rhythm. He voice is raspy and lyrics can be edgy.
Simply Red
3/5
Just as funky as it is 80s. Probably won’t kissed again
Jacques Brel
4/5
Passionate and talented singing, he’s got a quirkiness to his delivery and totally has th audience eating out of his palm. I find the music similar to American music from the period but with that nice French twist. Refreshing an eye opening.
Dwight Yoakam
3/5
Your standard melancholy country and western. The vocals are good and the guitar diddys are nice.
Barry Adamson
2/5
Immensely bored.
Liz Phair
4/5
You know, not something that I would seek out. However, I dig the punk, alt style. She’s got the attitude and the music is dynamic while also engaging.
The Specials
2/5
Just because you can, doesn’t mean that you should.
Call me biased but the Americans did a far better job ripping off Jamaican culture. I’ll save for the special exception that is Sting
Morrissey
4/5
The thinnest line between insufferable self-righteousness and excellence.
Brian Eno
2/5
After 3 or 4 Eno albums I’ve come to several conclusions. 1.I don’t get it.
Guided By Voices
2/5
Quirky without the redeeming qualities like: talent, or a sense of direction.
Cornershop
3/5
Perhaps a bit too long for what it offers. This album excels with its funky mixing and steady bass drum rhythms. The Indian instrumentation is a lovely element.
Kate Bush
3/5
Experimental pop with 80s flair. It’s certainly an album that showcases Kate’s talent of mixing and singing. I would need to let this grow on me as it is a lot to absorb. Good and bad thing.
Aerosmith
4/5
Excellent hooks, premium vocals, and ripping guitar. I see the negativity towards hair metal, I’m a doubter myself when it comes to the genre. However, Aerosmith were experts and their talent and knack for flair elevate the genre past its inability to see through its blond locks. This album exhibits excellent production and a myriad of instruments. While the lyrics suffer a bit, the tunes are powerful and make the saddest soul want to belt out the chorus’.
Queens of the Stone Age
4/5
Droning guitars and subtle hooks. Dripping in dark thematics while being moody and gritty. This could easily be background stoner rock but the magic rises to the top.
Joe Ely
2/5
Country Jerry Lewis. Not really necessary.
The Pogues
4/5
Makes me want to join a few of me lads in a pub and belt out a few tunes over a few pints.
John Grant
4/5
Very engaging lyrics and music. He has a way of creating very beautiful tunes while also incorporating some anterior instruments like synths. His lyrics and vocals follow a similar path, which is very whimsical and quirky lines but delivered with talent and smooth vocals. This isnt and every day listen, but a casual revisit.
Peter Gabriel
4/5
I’m torn between 4 and 5. I’ve never heard any of these songs but man are they catchy. The mixing and instrumentals are powerful. The vocals are equally booming, with dynamic presentation.
Ms. Dynamite
3/5
Strong hip hop presence with a good, slow flow. The beats are interesting.
Dusty Springfield
3/5
Fantastic voice backed by your typical 50-60s big band.