Always a good day when a Neil Young album is generated. Especially with Crazy Horse backing him up. Just a great album. So many classics on here. RIP Danny Gatten.
Angry young white man music was an unfortunate trend in the late 90s. I, too was an angry young white man in the late 90s and have many regrets from that era. At least this isn't Kid Rock or Limp Bizkit so it gets an extra star. But it doesn't forgive My Fault and it's horrifying lyrics.
After listening to this, I want to buy an Adidas track suit.
Is it depressing? Yes. Is it great? Hell yes! Arguably the best grunge album of the era. Slow, heavy, claustrophobic, relentless. So damn good. Would? remains one of my favourite songs of the 90s. A classic!
Apparently listening to the Grateful Dead is supposed to bring enlightenment to your soul. The only moment of enlightenment I had after listening to this is the Grateful Dead are a truly awful band and I don't understand why so many people like them. Fucking dreadful.
Not my cup of tea but a decent album. Starts strong but the second half fades. If you're into folk but with a social conscious and not lovey-dovey hippie folk, this is the album for you.
Lifeless noodling from technically competent musicians. Also cocaine. Pass.
Angry young white man music was an unfortunate trend in the late 90s. I, too was an angry young white man in the late 90s and have many regrets from that era. At least this isn't Kid Rock or Limp Bizkit so it gets an extra star. But it doesn't forgive My Fault and it's horrifying lyrics.
Right Here Right Now is a five star banger. A true classic. I did like the big beat sound of the late 90s and even though it is somewhat dated, I still enjoy it. You're Not From Brighton is a hidden gem.
Turns out I’m not that into goth. The Cure are overrated and Robert Smith is annoying. Next.
The album never got past second gear. It’s also very English and Damon Alborn sounds like a wanker. Meh.
Never heard of these guys until now. Their back story is quite interesting. This very much inspired The Stooges and I’m all for it.
Terrific musicianship from this quintet. Not all the songs slay but enough do to earn a high ranking. Jaco Pastorius and Wayne Shorter shine in particular. Shame what happened to Jaco. He was an all time talent.
Marty Friedman is an absolute dynamo. A sterling guitarist who has magical fingers. He's the strength of this album. There's something about Dave Mustaine that really bothers me. He seems really toxic and his voice grates on me. Some great songs but too much filler.
Some decent hardcore punk action here. Betrayed is a banger. I still think Husker Du did it better though. Also, this is an EP so should it belong on this list?
It’s too avant-garde for me but I do appreciate the musicianship and the influence this album had on many artists. Not sure I’ll revisit that often though.
The more I listen to it, the more this album grows on me. Can definitely here the David Bowie and Talking Heads influences. Other Voices and Tonite are bangers. Black Screen is haunting and dark. Solid album.
I can appreciate the influence it had on other grunge artists but the lyrics are terrible. I like grunge and punk but this is a sophomoric effort. Disappointing.
Not my jam. Cello Song and Saturday Sun were fine songs but Thoughts of Mary Jane was absolutely dreadful.
Not quite prime Stones. Paint it Black slams. Going Home is a sign of things to come. A predecessor to Midnight Rambler. Still lots of filler. They won't hit their peak for a few years yet. Hot take. A Canadian band called Streetheart does a much superior version of Under My Thumb.
Can definitely hear how this album and artist influenced so many future guitarists. I've Got My Mojo Working is a standout.
I'd rather listen to New Model Army.
Liked it more than I thought I would. Johnny Mar is an innovative and inventive guitarist. Morrissey is an insufferable prick.
Definitely was bopping my head to some of these tracks. Didn't enjoy the skits and some of the lyrics were cringey and violent. I'll concede this album wasn't made for old white guys like me but I can appreciate how important this album was to East Coast Hip Hop and Rap in general.
Better than I expected. Decent background music. Lacked a standout track and the country vibe was not necessary.
Some solid tracks. Drive and Ignoreland stand out. Never liked Michael Stipe’s voice. Too much accordion and mandolin. Still a decent album.
Really solid album. Love the big sounding drums and razor sharp guitars. Production from Steve Albini is terrific. Black Francis and Kim Deal have a chemistry with their vocals that mesh nicely. End of the album fades a bit but this was an enjoyable listen.
Some very cool funky vibes. Africano smashes hard. Prefer the up tempo songs over the ballads. Will check out more of EW&F. More 70s funk please.
The production is too sparse. I prefer my electronica more dense and claustrophobic like Massive Attack.
Decent album. Somewhat jarring. Not 100% certain what to make of it. Might explore further.
Somewhat eerie. Somewhat frightening. Somewhat claustrophobic. Somewhat unsettling. Yet in the end, it's a worthwhile addition to the 1001 club. Sit Down, Stand Up and There, There are outstanding tracks.
No.
A cacophony of sounds, textures, moods and feelings. Quite abstract which doesn’t work all the time but there are some moments of quality that shine. Can definitely hear Talking Heads, Devo, David Bowie and Trent Reznor in this album. King Lead’s Hat and Spider and I are highlights.
Sounds like background music to a bad Game of Throne parody porn film. Holy fuck this is awful!!
An album that's a victim of its own success. There are good songs but they've been overplayed to the point that I'm sick of them. Hells Bells and Back In Black are stand out tracks. Hot take: Bon Scott > Brian Johnson.
Boring and forgettable.
So we have an album cover of a man holding a child who looks terrified. And on said album there's a song called Sweet Cocaine (which is one of the worst songs in the history of civilization). If that isn't a red flag, I don't know what is.
It's a shame that Morrissey is so punchable because The Smiths make interesting music. Title track is excellent. Second half of the album loses momentum. Overall decent album.
There's better CCR albums than this. It isn't terrible but it didn't do anything for me. Very meh.
Is it depressing? Yes. Is it great? Hell yes! Arguably the best grunge album of the era. Slow, heavy, claustrophobic, relentless. So damn good. Would? remains one of my favourite songs of the 90s. A classic!
Not a big fan of live albums. Also prefer the 1970s Who output over the 1960s material. Still, there's enough on here that makes this release decent. Magic Bus is much better on here than the studio version.
This is perfect music for a dinner party. Ella is a great singer but this is too much. I don’t think box sets should be on this list.
The zenith of U2's career. It would slowly go downhill after this brilliant album. Everyone talks about the first three tracks and yes, they are fantastic. But Running to Stand Still and Mothers of the Disappeared are hidden gems that should get more credit.
I tried. I mean I really tried. Trust me I tried. I tried so hard. But I just can't get over that voice. Sorry Bob.
A rollicking affair. Lots of energy. Some of it a tad misguided but still a wild and fun listen. Not perfect but pretty damn good.
Decent. Might explore further.
Certainly not boring. Loud, abrasive, dark, slightly frightening. I can see why people don't like it. I didn't mind it. It's not perfect but it is a very interesting listen. Did not know this was Nick Cave's first band. Not the worst thing I've heard on here that's for sure.
Call it the Divorce Album. It's not Marvin's best but there are some interesting and chill tracks on here. His voice is just superb even with the bitterness that permeates this album. Decent but not a classic.
One thing I'm learning about myself doing this project. The Singer-Songwriter genre is not my thing.
Started promising with a couple of decent tracks but loses momentum shortly thereafter thanks to thin production, obnoxious horns and piercing keyboards that many 80s albums are guilty of. I don't remember this band even though I'm an 80s child. They didn't make a mark in my home and native land (🇨🇦) and I do tend to mark bands I remember from that time a bit higher. Still, meh.
I don't think this album knows what it wants to be. Too overproduced to be grunge. Too grimy to be California pop. It's a chaotic mess which basically describes Courtney Love most of the time.
Didn't know about these guys until know. Quite solid. Every track flows seemlessly to the next one. Radio and Frontier Psychiatrist are standouts. The tracks have room to breathe for some fascinating samples using funk, pop standards and various influences. Fades a bit at the end but this was an enjoyable listen.
You can smell the cigarettes and bourbon on this album. Hence the song Jockey Full of Bourbon which was a standout along with Union Square. Waits knows when the songs have run their course which is a lesson Bob Dylan doesn't understand. Not every song is good and it is slightly uneven but it's a decent listen and I'm willing to explore more Tom Waits.
Was very interested in hearing this when I found out that this artist had a major influence on two of my favourite artists, Neil Young and Jimmy Page. Preferred the instrumentals over the songs with vocals. The guitar playing is excellent. Folk isn't my thing but this was fine.
First off, Trevor Horn deserves way more credit for the musical direction of this album. McLaren just discovered these artists but had no idea what to do with them or even pay them which is a crime. There's some good stuff on here but McLaren is a slime ball so I can't give it to high of a ranking. To think, Trevor Horn went from the Buggles, to Yes, to the manager of the Sex Pistols, back to Yes, to Frankie Goes to Hollywood then to Seal. Horn is a genius.
Decent. Wished it rocked out a little more. Take away the lead and closing tracks and it's pretty much a Lou Reed solo album. I prefer Transformer but again, this was OK.
Sonic Youth are a bit of a blind spot for me. I had friends who were into them but they sort of escaped my attention even when I was pretty heavy into my grunge/alt rock phase. This was my first time hearing this album and it was a smart, crackling listen. Not quite five stars but still gets praise from me.
Terrific album by this underrated punk band from Brisbane Australia. No filler on this one. The horns are a nice touch without being overbearing. This should have been much bigger than it was. Still it was influential and I'm glad it's in the book.
Hated this album when it came out. Still hated it after listening to it today. Not even Prince could save this turd.
A lifeless blob of an album.
Wish I was listening to this at a beachside cantina or a sun drenched patio than a sterile office environment but it is what it is. Some of the songs needed a trim and too many sounded the same but the musicianship was excellent, especially Ry Cooder's guitar work and the many percussionists that delivered labyrinth-like rhythms.
Liked this album quite a bit. Melodic yet still punky and abrasive. Well composed and structured with some serious bite. This was a new discovery for me and I dug it.
Really liked the jazz and soul samples. This was a damn good album. Shame that Kanye was involved thus a star was deducted. Still, a cool, chill vibe while being socially conscious. This would be a hip hop album Marvin Gaye would have made.
First off, I get it. I know prog rock is a divisive genre. I know there will people who will hate this album and I get it. That being said, this is brilliant! Just a superb slice of 70s prog. Rick Wakeman's church organ solo in the title track gives me chills.
Somewhat uneven but overall decent. Quite arty and experimental.
Album starts off super strong. I'd Like To Know and Caught By The Fuzz are total bangers. While the rest of the album slips slightly, this is a solid listen and it's too bad I missed this back in 1995. I can hear how this influenced The Strokes and The Hives.
Dark, edgy, somewhat menacing, even a touch nihilistic. Yet it's brilliant funk that captures the mood of the early 70s which was chaotic and frightening. Sly was on so many drugs and it shows in the production which you can hear a hiss throughout. Yet it actually adds to the mystique and tone of the album. Damn good!
If U2 and Oasis had a love child, it would be The Verve. Liked it more than I thought I would. A bit uneven and not everything works. Note to bands. If you're not The Clash and your hidden track isn't Train in Vain, don't do hidden tracks. Overall, decent but not spectacular.
That this dreck made this book while a brilliant band like Tool is completely ignored is utterly shameful. Fuck Kid Rock and everything he stands for!
Not all of it works but it's an interesting experiment. I didn't mind it even though it's too long and bloated. Outlaw Torn stood out and is a surprise on here. Decent.
Different from what I was expecting. Thought it was a punk album but instead much more dub and reggae than punk. Maybe post punk is a more accurate description. Liked the guitars on Ping Pong Affair. Strong bass work by Tessa Pollitt throughout. Liked the tracks Instant Hit and Typical Girls. Shoplifting was a weak track that brought the album down. Overall influential and decent.
Interesting.
Nice slice of Dad rock here. Sultans of Swing is a classic and Down to the Waterline is a solid yet moody opener. Mark Knopfler's guitar playing is extraordinary. However, this album tends to veer to easy listening at times and I wished it would rock out more.
Sounds like a soundtrack to a late night "film" on Cinemax. Veers too much into easy listening and pop. One review I heard stated it's Steely Dan with a female singer. I don't like Steely Dan so this album is a meh to me.
Was expecting something else. This was quite jarring. Yes it's arty. Yes it's influential. Yes the musicianship is sound. But I couldn't get into it. Was kind of disappointed overall.
I never know what to expect from Zappa. But I liked this. Superb guitar playing. Can totally hear how this inspired the likes of Steve Vai and John McLaughlin. Also hear some King Crimson vibes. Solid album.
Most of this album cooks. Brighton Rock and Stone Cold Crazy are pure bangers that totally rock. The medley of Tenement Funster, Flick of the Wrist and Lily of the Valley is outstanding! The final quarter is a bit of a let down but overall, this is a worthy listen. Not quite five stars but still really good.
Dragged and droned throughout. Didn't click with me.
Really good! Hurt is a classic. Really liked his version of Personal Jesus. I didn't care for Danny Boy as I think that song should be sung by a tenor. Despite that, Johnny Cash is a legend and this is a solid recording.
Again with live albums. I also prefer instrumental jazz to vocal jazz. Also prefer Billie Holiday and Nina Simone over Sarah Vaughan. Overall, it's just meh.
Finally a Bowie album. And a damn good one. More avant-garde and experimental thanks to Brian Eno's influence and inspiration. Bowie is trying hard to get clean here and it shows in the more atmospheric, instrumental tracks that resemble Tangerine Dream. Not perfect but a great listen.
Meh.
Edwyn Collins tries so hard to sound like David Bowie. He doesn't have the master's chops. It's not terrible but it never rises above mediocrity.
Any album that features a Cheech & Chong cameo can't be all bad. I'll take this over Dylan any day. Too folky at times which is a drawback but I'm willing to listen to more Joni Mitchell.
HELL YES! What a pleasure to revisit this classic. A game changer!
It's OK. I prefer Back to Black over this though. Still it's a decent listen. Fuck Me Pumps is a standout.
Somewhat of a hit and miss. Georgia On My Mind is fantastic but I didn't care for Willie's version of Unchained Melody. Everything else is OK. Have respect for this forever outlaw for making this record against the record company's wishes.
This one is kind of all over the place. I Can See For Miles is a banger! Heinz Baked Beans has a Monty Python feel to it. In fact, the entire album is somewhat Pythonesque. Some of it good. Some of it, well... I do respect that the Who are calling out the commercialization of rock music way back in 1967. Ahead of their time. Overall, decent.
Never heard this before. The discovery of the week. Dirge is a flat out killer song. Just mesmerizing. Aisha and Luther's Funk are damn good too. Not perfect but this was a pleasant surprise to my ears.
A lot going on here. Money Changes Everything is a fine opener. Time After Time is a good ballad. She Bop is a decent synth pop tune. After that, it's a no from me. I get why people like it. I'm surprised Cyndi Lauper didn't have a bigger career. This was a huge album back in the day. But it isn't for me.
Liked it more than I expected. Dark, gloomy, uncomfortable, menacing, even a bit terrifying. But damn good. I have a soft spot for early 80s guitar sounds. It's dated yes, but when it comes to the 80s guitar and even synths, give me 1981/1982 over 1988/1989.
Historically important but not my cup of tea.
Prefer the Big Boi material over the Andre 3000 side. Sprawling and ambitious which I respect and both are talented. But it sounds too busy and all over the place. Didn't click with me.
Bowie's vision starts to take flight here. Life on Mars? and Queen Bitch are stone cold classics. Quicksand is an underrated gem. It's not 100% perfect but that will come later from Bowie. Still, it's a damn good album.
Very disappointing. Had higher expectations. It tries to be Sgt Pepper, Pet Sounds, early Genesis and even Tommy but not even close. Major dud.
Didn't click with me.
Solid album. New Year's Day is a classic. Surrender is an underrated gem. I do think the live versions of Sunday Bloody Sunday and Forty are better than the studio versions. Still, a young vibrant and somewhat naive U2 are better than the latter day smug posers they became in the 2000s.
A rare album in that it's backloaded. Most of the best songs are on Side 2. The classics are here like Every Breath You Take, King of Pain and Synchronicity 2 but there are questionable tracks like Mother that bring the album down a bit. Still, a great listen. I just wish Zenyatta Mondatta was in the book because that's the best Police album.
A somewhat surprisingly raw album. Could be called garage country. Overall decent. Not great but it's there like most of Kings of Leon's work. Decent but not great.
Enjoyed this album quite a bit. Excellent job by the Record Plant to setup and recreate a jazz club environment Waits storytelling and between song interludes are funny and interesting. Better Off Without a Wife is a fantastic song that's both funny and melancholy. I'm becoming more of a Tom Waits fan the more I listen to him.
Inoffensive but bland and boring.
Great album. Needle and the Damage Done is an all time classic! Out On The Weekend is a great opener. Perfect album to play on a lonely highway in Western Canada. Only Neil Young can make a country folk album that I love.
Decent listen. Always have respect for Billy Bragg.
I highly respect Dolly Parton for her humanitarianism and she seems like an outstanding person. But, this didn’t work for me. To country for this rocker.
Fuck you I won’t do what you tell me! One of the greatest debut albums ever! Change that. One of the greatest albums ever!
Can’t stand his voice. Songs are too long. A prick on stage. Apparently a cranky blunderbuss as a human. Hard no!
Decent. Better than Ocean Rain. Still, not all of it clicks but I can tell it influenced many artists.
Folk rock isn’t my thing. I do like The Boxer but the title track is vastly overrated. I know many people like this but I’m in the minority on this one.
Meandering pap and prattle. I didn't need to listen to this when there's so much better out there that didn't make this list.
I remember my sisters listening to this back in the day. Brings back some good memories. Our Lips Are Sealed has a solid bass line while We Got The Beat will always remind me of Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Decent outing.
Damn this was tasty. Some fine funk from a master. What a talent Curtis Mayfield was.
Cocaine.
Decent. They were definitely around in the 90s but I always bypassed them for some reason or another. Cut Your Hair is a cool song. First half is strong but second half is somewhat lacklustre.
There's no doubt this album had a major influence on hip-hop. Bernard Hopkins bass lines set the tone for the rap scene in the 80s, 90s and beyond. Good Times is a banger. Side two isn't quite as good but this is a decent album overall. Also what a talent Nile Rodgers is.
Decent. Again too many live albums. Still it's a fun recording.
The breakup album Taylor Swift desperately wants to write, but doesn't have the emotional maturity to do so. River is devastatingly heartbreaking.
Some solid funk here. You can hear how this influenced Prince. Just wish Eddie Hazel was on this album. Still, a fine addition to the list.
This one surprised me. Somewhat dystopian and desolate it still packs a punch and I enjoyed it. Hero is a banger! I can definitely hear how this influenced Bowie. Solid album.
Dark. Depressing. Moody. Also, fucking brilliant! One of Neil's best works! Ambulance Blues is one of the all time best album closers. Revolution Blues is a flat out banger. Neil can stay in the ditch all he wants if it means he produces gems like this.
You Better Run is the best song on the album. Pat Benatar's version is better. If you're best song on an album was done better by another artist, chances are your album isn't very good.
Uneven. Chaotic. Messy. Very hit and miss. Not sure what to make of it. It's probably a 2.5 since some songs are quite good but a couple of songs are flat out terrible. If I was on the 1001 albums podcast I'd go neutral.
Interesting. Very ambient. It's mood music so I have to be in the right mood to listen to it. I'll explore when I'm feeling it. There's potential for me to really like it but for now, it's just OK.
If my French was better (I know remedial French at best) I'd give this a higher mark. There's definite flow and the beats are filled with jazzy goodness. But the language barrier (my fault) does make it difficult. Still, I'm glad I was exposed to this.
All killer no filler. Simply fantastic. Just a thoroughly enjoyable punk album that's sinister enough to keep it real.
Another album from the most overrated genre in all of music. Critics love singer/songwriters because they feel it captures a glimpse of vulnerability from the courageous and brave musician that is inspired by the Beatles which apparently you have to be in order to be relevant and worthwhile. Nah. This is bland and repetitive material that is way over represented in this book. It's not terrible but it's not that exciting either. Yawn.
George really needed an editor or a producer with some gumption on this one. A triple album? Really George? Pare it down and it's decent. But this is overwrought and disappointing. Some high quality musicians save this from being a total dud.
First off, Child in Time is an all timer. The greatest howl maybe in all of rock music was done by Gillan on the classic anti war anthem. That song alone gives this album high marks. The rest is solid proto-metal with some prog overtones. It might lean towards hard rock while Sabbath is probably more metal. Musicianship is very high. Ian Paice is an underrated but outstanding drummer. Jon Lord and Ritchie Blackmore are both brilliant. Yeah this is good stuff.
For the most part, it's decent. I would like R.E.M more but Michael Stipe's voice just irritates the hell out of me. That said, Orange Crush is an all time classic. On the opposite end, Stand is one of my least favourite tracks. Never liked that song even though it was a sizeable hit. Overall it's OK.
Didn't click with me.
How to make Bo Diddley sound terrible. Listen to side one of this dreck. I have to imagine the consortium who made the choices of which album appeared in this book took a whole whack of drugs back in the day. The only explanation why this monstrosity made this list. Ugh!
There's no denying the influence and impact this record had on rock and roll music. For that reason, it deserves a place in the book. However, in terms of musical style, it's not for me.
Liked it more than I thought I would. Good musicians. Still a bit uneven and too many Dylan covers. Overall it's fine but it didn't blow me away.
How to make a punk record sound artistic. Goddamn this album is so good! The title track is insanely amazing! Tom Verlaine's angsty vocals and nimble guitar work is beyond fantastic. This is a great guitar album that isn't a classic shredder but it has a way that knows how to make use of the space that it creates. Pure genius.
The saddest thing this album is still very relevant today. This packs a wallop. Incendiary rhymes delivered with force by Chuck D. The Flavor Flav material is a tad weaker but it still smokes. Fight The Power is an all timer! Welcome To The Terrordome is a banger! Nice to hear Ice Cube on Burn Hollywood Burn. Respect.
No doubt Marianne Faithfull is a survivor. She's been through everything and still came out with a decent album here. Very late 70s early 80s vibe that is somewhat dated. I prefer Lennon's version of Working Class Hero but her version is very cold, nihilistic and detached which does work. Why D'Ya Do It is angry as hell. Not perfect but pretty good.
I did not know Otis Redding wrote Respect until today. Cool. Overall decent with some hits and misses. Liked Satisfaction and Rock Me Baby. Didn't care for My Girl. (Temptations version is better) Great voice.
Loud teenage angst combined with some toxic masculinity equals a shit album. Again I harp on this but, this makes the 1001 list but Tool doesn't? I really question the people who contributed to this book. There's good metal out there. (Dream Theater, Porcupine Tree, Fates Warning, Queensryche just to name a few.) Stuff like this gives metal a bad name.
Starts promising but quickly delves into this "smooth" jazz and funk that is played in late night "cinema". Till The Cops Come Knockin' is a bit creepy. It's also too long. I know it's a concept album so it gets bonus points for the attempt but it didn't do it for me.
It's not terrible but this isn't required listening. A bit unfocused and frenetic for it to elevate the material. I never heard of these guys before and I don't think I need to hear them again.
Another album that's a victim of its own success. It's overplayed to death and yet, I like it. Quite a bit actually. It's a bit of a guilty pleasure but I can't deny the craftsmanship of the songs and the production. They never topped this which was their downfall but this is a solid listen.
Very arty. Very percussive. Very good. Yeah the production is somewhat dated by today's standards but the songs remain strong. Red Rain and In Your Eyes are gorgeous. Sledgehammer and Big Time are bangers. Love Tony Levin's bass work. Didn't know Stewart Copeland did some drum work on this album until now. An 80s standard.
Let's state the obvious first. Superstition is an all time banger. Just a great song. The rest of the album is solid in its own right. Maybe too many ballads for my taste and not enough guitar with the exception of Jeff Beck on a couple of tracks. Still, I can't complain too much.
It's fine. Pretty standard fare. Problem with the blues is it doesn't really have much place to go. So it becomes mood music to some extent. Also, it's a tad creepy to hear how horny Muddy Waters is even though he is a legend.
Decent. Kind of dated though. Some tracks did have a groove to it which I dug. This would have been played in the clubs in the late 90/early 00s. But the album is too hit and miss.
One of the most 80s albums the 80s ever 80d. Still the singles are strong enough to carry the over production. Better Be Good To Me is a standout. Not sure about the covers. I'm glad I never heard Dire Straits do Private Dancer even though Mark Knopfler wrote it. Overall, it's fine and bonus points for Tina surviving and thriving after she left Ike.
So dated. Quite cringy. Ugh! Hard pass.
Another live album. This one is decent. Would have been cool to have been there in person. Sam Cooke can sing. Such a sad and tragic ending to his life.
Confession: I had a bit of a crush on Nina Persson back in the day. So I've seen the Lovefool video a few times. As for the album, it's not bad. Hit and miss. Quirky fun but sometimes too quirky. That Iron Man cover is interesting.
Despite sampling the Pixies and the Clash, this didn't click with me. Too much autotune.
There's no denying Eminem's talent and flow. He's got that in spades. And I do think Stan and The Real Slim Shady are good songs. But man those lyrics are just frightening and haven't aged well. Also, it's too long. An edit would have been nice.
If an overhead projector made an album, it would probably sound like this.
Never got into the Kinks. After hearing this, still not into them.
Kind of have to be in the mood to listen to this one. Billie's voice is dripping with heartbreak and despair. The heroin and alcohol are taking their toll on her here. Still, it's a worthwhile listen.
One really good song (Behind the Wheel) and a bunch of mediocrity after that.
Liked this more than I thought. The jazzy interludes are quite welcoming. His voice is a deterrent which stops this album from being great. Instead it's a decent listen that I might revisit on a quiet chill evening.
Songs about murder and religion. Ugh!
There is some good stuff on here (Ms Jackson, B.O.B) but there are too many skits and interludes on top of the rest of the material being extremely uneven. It's all over the place.
Another one that brings me back. Not sure the whole album is great as there is some filler. But the singles are strong enough to carry it to the finish line. Better musicians than people give them credit for especially John Taylor who could flat out slap that bass.
The precursor to grunge. Somewhat arty. Somewhat noisy. Somewhat snarly. Altogether cool. The more I hear Sonic Youth, the more I like them.
It wasn't terrible but it was way too psychadelic for my tastes.
Another album that's a victim of its own success. It's been overplayed and it is somewhat overrated. That said, it's still pretty good. The musicianship is there and the songwriting is on point. But it's also kind of depressing and at closer look it's a rather sad album.
Quite grungy and punky. I actually liked it. Courtney Love isn't my favourite person in the world but I'll give her credit, this album works. Not as overproduced as Celebrity Skin (which I really disliked) but the rawness helps this album.
A pedestrian affair.
This album was everywhere in the late 90s early 00s. Moby is a bit of an unsavoury character but I can't deny it. This remains a solid album and an enjoyable listen.
Of course it's a classic! GOOD GOD ALMIGHTY! THOSE DRUMS ON WHEN THE LEVEE BREAKS!!
Decent. Starts off strong but the second half of the album fades. Tiny Dancer is a classic! Drinking game. Take a shot every time Elton mentions Jesus. You'll be drunker than a frat house during pledge week.
I remember when this album came out and I was hugely disappointed when I first listened it. 30 years later, it's a bit better but far from perfect. The bookend tracks are the best songs on the album but you can tell Kurt Cobain wasn't going to be long for this planet. Steve Albini's production is hit and miss which is surprising. (Speaking of Albini, why isn't his band Shellac in the book? They're fantastic. Never mind.)
The most hipster album I've ever heard. That said, it's decent and inoffensive but it's also overrated and a bid dry. Good background music and fine musicianship carries it to a passing grade but it doesn't elevate to greatness. Great album cover though.
Annoyingly 80s.
Decent. Good energy. Too bad Carrie Brownstein's voice is so annoying. Don't need that much tremolo.
Couldn't get into it. Kind of disappointing.
Tis a shame that Win Butler is a punchable asshole because this is a solid album. Some really good songs on here.
There's no denying the influence and impact this album had on music and popular culture. And yes, A Day In A Life is a truly great song. But...I do think this album is somewhat overrated and it get so highly regarded because it's the "first" or the beginning of the rock album era. I do think there are others that followed are much better. Granted, I'm not the biggest Beatles fan, (I don't hate them but I don't love them either) so that might tilt my bias a bit. Still, it's fine but there is a lot of filler on here.
Decent. Good energy. Darby Crash's voice is a bit annoying. I also prefer Dead Kennedys and Husker Du to this. Did not know Pat Smear played guitar on this until now. Interesting.
Maybe the most overrated band that appears in this book. I never got Depeche Mode and I still don't get Depeche Mode.
Who recorded this Pepe LePew? Bloody awful!
I remember when this came out and how much it pissed off the religious right. Yet, the religious right is far more evil than anything on this album. Some solid metal here. I do think Powerslave is Maiden's best album though but still, this one does cook.
This Hendrix fellow can play guitar a little bit.
At times tough. At times tender. Solid album by someone I tend to overlook. I should delve more into PJ Harvey's work because she does produce some really good material. Enjoyed this one.
Annoying fake band. Didn't need to hear this when it came out and didn't need to hear it now.
Always a good day when a Neil Young album is generated. Especially with Crazy Horse backing him up. Just a great album. So many classics on here. RIP Danny Gatten.
It's greasy. It's dirty. It's raunchy. It's vintage Stones. Unlike most classic albums, this one hasn't been ruined by classic rock radio so the songs are more fresh. It may not have the hits but it's a great album overall.
Fake ass soul from a bunch of Manchester United supporters. Rubbish. Here's hoping Bayern Munich crushes the red scourge in the Champions League and I never have to listen to this tripe again.
The title track is so hypocritical. Lennon preaches peace and love yet was not very peaceful or loving to family members. Sorry but not buying it John. Rest of the album is very meh.
Hugely influential. The glammiest of glam rock albums. Fine album. Some real bangers on here. Not entirely perfect but definitely belongs in the book.
Hard no! Beyond not my thing. I heard he opened for The Clash on a few dates and was spit on and punks threw beer at him. I would have been one of those punks that would have thrown beer if I was at that show.
It's fine. Punky enough to earn a passing grade but too Celtic and folky for me to earn higher marks. It would be better to hear this at a British or Irish pub while sipping some Jamesons.
The good: The version of I'm a Man is superior to Spencer Davis Group's version. Peter Cetera can play bass. Damn. In fact, the musicianship on this album is terrific. The bad: The Free Form guitar solo is nothing but noise and is damn annoying. They became sappy balladeers in the 80s. Overall, it's decent albeit a bit all over the place.
Was never a big Tom Petty fan but this album is OK. American Girl is a banger. The rest is fine. He tries real hard to sound like Bruce Springsteen but I prefer the Boss more.
One of the most gorgeous albums ever made. Just a stunning masterpiece. There aren't enough words to describe this. An astounding achievement.
It’s fine. Drive My Car is a classic. Run For Your Life hasn’t aged well. Just not a big Beatles fan.
Solid instrumental album. Very much enjoyed it. Only issue is too many covers. Otherwise this was an enjoyable listen.
Underrated but damn good album. Tomorrow's Dream is a hidden gem. Some solid sludge and doom metal here. Call it proto sludge and proto doom if you want. Sabbath were the innovators.
This might be my least favourite Kings of Leon album. They're good musicians but the songs don't cut it here. Second half in particular drags. Not sure why this one is in the book.
It's a great album but it isn't Neil's best. I like other albums from him more but this is still an excellent listen. The title track, Don't Let it Bring You Down and When You Dance I Can Really Love are stand out tracks.
This could very well be the birth of fusion. Some jazz purists may not like it but I like the experimental style of this record. Bold and somewhat courageous outing from Miles. Always pushing the boundaries.
This album isn't sure what it wants to be. Is it R&B? Is it pop? Is it hip-hop? Is it trip-hop? Too convoluted. I wish it was more rap because those songs work better and it would have been a more interesting album. Instead the pop stuff sounds so dated and meh.
Depressingly horny. Is Leonard Cohen depressed because he's horny or is he horny because he's depressed? By any account, he needs a therapist.
In all honesty, I didn't mind this. It's not perfect by any stretch of the imagination and I have to be in the right mood to listen to this (or at Starbucks which many have said on here already in earlier reviews) but this was OK.
Mercifully, it wasn't long. Because I really didn't like this. Fake opera is what I would call it and I don't like real opera. I didn't need to hear this and I hope I never hear this again.
Utter rubbish. Whiny and annoying. Piss off.
I just can't get into the Kinks. They might be too British for my North American tastes. That said, Situation Vacant is a good song. But overall, it's not my jam.
Have to be in the right mood to listen to it. She's a talent no question about that. Although I find her warbling to be a bit much. Four Women is devastatingly great.
Really solid album. Lust for Life remains a banger. Success is an underrated great song. David Bowie's fingerprints are all over this First time listening to the entire album and yeah, it cooks!
It's quirky, arty, weird, chaotic, glammy and a whole lot of fun. Enjoyed listening to this album. One of the most unique and original bands out there. Just wish there were more albums from these guys in the book. (In particular, Hello Young Lovers which is fantastic.)
Decent outing. A bit overrated though. Too much spoken word diatribes for my liking. Gloria is a standout. I think I was expecting more gnarly punk than poetry. Still, it's worth a listen and I do think it's inclusion in the book is valid.
Broad, cinematic in scope, grand, lush, and truly amazing. The Boss arrives here and never looks back. Happy to be along for the ride. Simply put, a fantastic album and I look forward to seeing him live for the first time in six weeks time.
Very pedestrian. Plays it so safe that moms around the world rejoiced. But for me, it's so bland, it makes laundry detergent look exciting. Blah.
DUN DUN DUN! DUN DUN DA-DUN!
Not my jam.
Decent. Some good moments. Some meh moments.
Porn for the hip hop crowd. These guys are hornier than Hugh Hefner in the 1970s. That said, the beats are smooth, the grooves are cool. But it's overlong and a slight bit dated. OK but not a classic.
Spooky and quite nihilistic. It's decent. Day of the Lords is a banger. Not all of the songs hit which makes for some lost momentum which makes me tune out. But it's definitely influential and one wonders what would have happened if Ian Curtis didn't take his own life. New Order may not have existed or would have come about in the 90s.
Liked it more than I thought. Preferred the more rock and ambient material over the pop stuff. Bjork's voice is more restrained for the most part here. Not perfect but decent.
Couldn't get into it. There were too many moments where I just checked out. It's not the worst thing I've heard on here, but it didn't click with me.
Decent but I've heard better punk rock.
This one brought back some memories. I went through a clubbing stage in the late 90s and this album sounded awesome in a club or rave. My old self can't do that any more but this album still sounds solid albeit slightly dated. Firestarter remains an all time banger.
Liked this. Quite influential. Was only familiar with a couple of Fugazi songs before listening to this but now am willing to explore them further. Solid album.
Decent. Some good songs. Excellent rhythm section. Eric Clapton is an asshole.
An album that's very near and dear to me. It helped me get through many a dark time over the years. I've been told I do build up a wall because I don't let people in and I think this album has been an influence. One of my favourite albums of all time. David Gilmour's guitar solo in Comfortably Numb is in my humble opinion, the greatest guitar solo ever recorded.
Ska really isn't my thing. Our House was a big hit and an OK song but the rest of the album is meh. Also, is there a dude in blackface on the cover? Ugh!
It's fine. It's fun. A bit too processed though as the mix is drowned in synths which dilutes the rhythm section a bit too much for my liking. Still, it did extend ZZ Top's career and made them icons so I get why they did it.
Decent. Have to be in the mood to listen to it. It's also too long but it does make for some good background music. Best played at night while walking around a cosmopolitan city at night.
Blah and meh. Didn't do anything for me.
Decent. Interesting mix of African rhythms and American blues. Some of it works. Some of it doesn't. I would be interested if there is more from this project.
The most hipster album I've heard so far. Not necessarily a good thing.
Not a country fan but this was OK. Lots of old cowboy songs on here. Have to be in the right mood but wouldn't complain if someone threw this on at a dive bar.
Decent. Some of it slaps. But there are too many keyboard and synth sounds that takes away some of the snarl from this album. It's almost post punk even though this came out at the height of punk. I'd be open to exploring more of the Stranglers.
This one was OK but still a bit jarring. I can hear the talent and there are good songs but not quite a full album.
What a curtain call. A haunting, mesmerizing masterpiece from an absolute legend. To think, Bowie was dying from cancer when he made this artistic tour de force. Simply incredible.
Really funky and very cool. The rhymes are dope. The flow is excellent. I'm taking away a star for Infamous Date Rape which is an unfortunate inclusion. Otherwise this is a solid hip-hop album.
Decent. Some good samples and rhythms. Some songs were annoying though which made it a bit uneven but there's enough good stuff to give it a passing grade.
Not my favourite genre but can't deny the influence. Also, this one has a bit more snarl to it so it gets a higher grade than previous albums of similar ilk.
It's fine. Some interesting and eclectic stuff on here. Not all of it works and at times it goes into country which I'm not into. I also think he's better with Meg White behind the drum kit. Still, there's enough good stuff on here to make it passable.
Fun album. Iggy lets loose here. The rest of the band is tight. Solid stuff.
Stark. Raw. Unflinching. You can hear the pain in Neil's voice as he pays tribute to Danny Whitten and Bruce Berry. It's very rough on the edges and it can be a difficult journey. But it's so worthwhile once you get to the destination. Fantastic!
Interesting. I feel that this album is a potential grower. There's some good samples and the ambience is appreciated. But I wasn't fully engaged because I wasn't 100% in the mood. But I do feel the right situation or mood would make this album better. I'll probably give it another go down the road.
This album really needed Neil Young.
This is a grower for me. It took me a while to get into it. It's very good but I don't think it's Bowie's best. The title track and Cracked Actor are bangers. Panic In Detroit is really good. I do think there are better Bowie albums but I still think this one is solid and definitely belongs in the book. Also, the album cover is iconic!
Country isn't my thing. This is a no.
Their best album. They never topped it. Lots of solid tracks. Space Invaders is an absolute banger. Brass in Pocket is a classic. Nice blend of punk aesthetics with new wave sensibilities. A shame that addictions thwarted such a promising group.
Music was decent but the lyrics and song titles are beyond stupid. Maybe this was a joke or some other comedic stunt but it didn't work for me. In a way a shame because I do hear talent amongst the musicians.
The thing about electronica is that it has to grab me or I lose interest. This one didn’t grab me. Aimless and meh.
I like the prog, Peter Gabriel led Genesis more than the pop, Phil Collins led incarnation of the band. So I do like this album quite a bit. It's not perfect and like most concept albums, it starts strong but fades in the back half. Still, a solid listen with excellent musicianship knowing that this won't be for everyone's taste. Basically, a typical prog album.
It sort of floats about but doesn’t go anywhere. Possibly my least favourite Radiohead album.
Solid stuff. The precursor to punk. Lots of energy. Last song is meh but everything else smokes.
I didn't need to hear this before I die.
Even though I'm not a Dylan fan, I have to admit that Subterranean Homesick Blues and Maggie's Farm are great songs. Add to the fact that this was the first time Dylan went electric, it was hugely influential. I still can't stand his voice though.
It's OK albeit a bit dated. It's fine for background music.
Starts strong but loses momentum in the second half. Overall decent. The bonus track is flat out terrible. Memo to musicians. Don't do bonus tracks. If the song isn't good enough to be on the original album, don't use it as a bonus track. More often than not, bonus tracks are awful.
I remember when they played Saturday Night Live in the early 90s and I enjoyed their performance. I kind of forgot about them. Listening to them today, I'm a tad surprised they weren't bigger. Then again, there were so many alt rock bands in the early 90s that they got lost in the shuffle while the Seattle bands ruled the roost. Too bad. This was a solid album.
Unpopular opinion but I think this album is overrated. It's Too Late is a good song but the rest is just isn't my jam. Give me Aretha Franklin's version of You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman everyday over King's version.
At times thoughtful. At times mournful. At times scornful. Overall it's a great record but sadly, still too relevant considering the subject matter. I do want to explore Scott-Heron's discography further. Everything I've heard from him so far, I've really liked.
In my younger days, I was a huge Rush fan. My fandom has dropped a bit but this is still a great album. I'm deducting a star for the unfortunate Ayn Rand shout out. Neil Peart's drumming is sensational. I do understand people not liking Geddy Lee's voice. This one is a matter of personal taste.
Man this is some good stuff on here. It's a shame they couldn't stick together although I do like their solo material. The mercurial Lauryn Hill has a gorgeous voice especially on the cover of Killing Me Softly. The title track samples Dove by Cymande brilliantly. I'm deducting a star for some of the skits after the song ends which hip hop is guilty of. But overall, it's a solid album. Yo L: Take it to the bridge.
Somewhat uneven but overall decent. Tennessee was the hit but Mr. Wendal is the banger. They should have been bigger and it's a bit of a shame that they couldn't stay together. But it's influence remains.
I can hear the critics now. Using words such as baroque, opaque, unique, quaint, or anything with the letter q in it. To me, I question this entry into the book. It's not terrible but it is somewhat dull and when it tries to pick up steam, it quickly fades into a languid wave of blah. Hipsters may like it but I'm not a hipster.
It's decent. Good flow with some solid samples. But it sounds like she's repeating words to make the lines rhyme and it sounds repetitive. She's got talent and her voice is unique but the writing needs to improve. Still, it's listenable.
This album was everywhere back in the day but I never got into it and after listening to it now, I still won't get into it. There are good musicians on here. The playing is solid. But it's drowned out by annoying 80s production and synths that sound like horns which is one of the worst 80s tropes. Add to the fact the accusations of plagiarism and appropriating black music to a white audience makes this album kind of cringey.
At least Clapton's not on it.
It starts a bit slow but it kept growing on me. The longer tracks are the best tracks, especially Four Cornered Room which has an impeccable groove. I preferred this over the hits from War. Always a pleasure to get a 70s funk album.
Silky smooth soul from a master. The title track is a classic. Al's version of How To Mend a Broken Heart surpasses the Bee Gees version. Rest of the album is quite solid. Would not complain if someone threw this on to wind down a party.
Disjointed, jarring, chaotic, bloated, overrated and influential. There are good songs. Dear Prudence is beautiful. While My Guitar Gently Weeps and Helter Skelter are bangers. The playing is good. However, Obla Di Obla Da is flat out terrible. There's no denying the impact the Beatles had. But just because they were the first doesn't mean they were the best.
Meh
Probably the most raw Iron Maiden album. Steve Harris may disagree but there are punk vibes on this album. Overall it's decent but I would put Powerslave in the book over this one.
It does have one of my favourite CCR songs in Born On The Bayou. I liked it more than Green River but CCR are a singles band not an album band which explains the fact there's still too much filler. Also, what's chooglin? Don't answer that.
Fuck Clapton.
Starts strong but has lulls throughout. Inconsistent but a decent outing. It was my first time hearing this particular album but I have hear other Dandy Warhols songs and I've liked them. I'd be open to listening to this again.
A bit meandering and all over the place. But the playing is solid and the recording is top notch for a live album. It isn't perfect but it's far superior to anything the Grateful Dead produced.
Liked it more than I thought I would. Kind of sounds like a James Bond soundtrack from the Sean Connery era or background music in a Persuaders episode. This might need a deeper look in the future.
Not really my jam. Friday Night is a banger. The rest is too much rich white rock star living in California whining because he did way too much cocaine and befriended Charles Manson.
This album is the reason why punk had to happen. So pretentious. Ugh.
A superb slice of power pop and new wave. This album has grown on me over the years. It took me a while but I now recognize how fantastic this album is. Sadly, they never topped it as they went too much to the pop side in later years. But this is a great listen.
I liked it. Very ambient. First half is stronger while the second half does fade. Still a nice discovery as I've never heard them before.
Sounds too much like Oasis. Thin production. But overall, not bad.
No denying the talents of Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards. And Le Freak is a banger. But there are too many ballads that drag this album down. I prefer Risque over this one.
Hugely influential. There's no denying the impact this album had on hip hop and music in general. It's not perfect and some of it is dated, but the title track is an all time banger and remains relevant today.
The drums were excellent and as a former drummer, I appreciate that. However, the singer had a very grating and irritating voice. Musically not bad but the songs were kind of samey. Overall, OK.
Title track is an all time banger! Beats are solid. Rhymes flow. But the lyrics on some songs are just ick especially on Mr. Good Bar. Yeah sensibilities were different in 1990 but still. Giving it a passing grade just because the title track slams hard.
Very experimental and most of it works. Very solid album. Not all of the experiments work but most of them do and I will revisit this album. Good addition to the book.
A complete smoke show of an album. Eddie Van Halen's guitar work dazzles and lights up the speakers on every listening device imaginable. To say this album kicks ass is an understatement.
Some solid old school hip hop here. Yeah it's a tad dated but this still cooks.
A mood album. Old Blue Eyes can sing the classics like no other. But since I'm not in love or an old Bobby Soxer, it didn't wow me. Still, I understand its place and I'd be open to listening to it again.
Have to admit Our Private Life was a fun song. However the rest of it was typical country tropes. I love her she leaves me. Blah blah blah. It's not the worst country album but that's a low bar.
Solid old school metal album. It's a bit front loaded as the final third fades a bit. Metal Gods is an all time banger. This is the best Priest album as the rest of their catalogue is a tad inconsistent so credit Robert Dimery for nailing this one.
A couple of decent songs but the album is stocked of tedium and bore. I like the later work of Simple Minds but this album is lacking.
Not the best Arcade Fire album. That said, The Suburbs, Ready To Start and Month of May are excellent songs. But the album as a whole doesn't have enough bangers to make it great. Decent outing but they've done better. Win Butler remains punchable.
Bonus points for Dave Lombardo's drumming which is sensational. However, this is too extreme for my tastes. The Nazi and Satanic overtones are a big turnoff.
Always had respect for Billy Bragg. His musings and critiques on Thatcher are well served here. The problem is its too folky for my tastes. Wish it was punkier and the music just as biting as the lyrics. It's decent but it could have been better.
A bit hit and miss. The album closes magnificently with Riders On The Storm, an all time banger. The title track is solid as well but the rest doesn't click the whole way. This was Jim Morrison's swan song so I can see why this made the book.
The album where Brian Wilson started taking lots and lots of drugs. Whatever.
First time hearing it. Really enjoyed it. Another Girl, Another Planet, City Of Fun and The Beast are all bangers. This is some good power pop here. The rockers are better than the ballads. Shame these guys had a short career.
An absolute classic!
Finishes super strong. The last three tracks, (Stress, Waters of Nazareth and One Minute to Midnight) are certified bangers. Definitely influenced by Daft Punk but a tad more abrasive. Most of it works.
Some decent moments, but not enough for me to be fully invested. The ballads in particular are flat. Not terrible but not my thing.
Thought I would hate it. Turns out I didn't mind it. Not perfect but I dug the trip hop passages that are very reminiscent of Massive Attack. Bjork's voice can be grating and that does hurt. But overall, a decent listen.
Phil Spector is an utterly repugnant human being but the music is really good. So the marking is right down the middle. Merry Christmas.
Terrific stuff from a somewhat difficult prog rock band. Might take some patience but this is required listening especially for those willing to dig deeper into the music. Robert Fripp is a genius.
Kind of disappointing and a tad annoying. There was some good electronica in the late 90s that should have been in here instead of this. The reworked James Bond theme is OK but Moby's is better. Just never got out of second gear.
Their best album. Won't Get Fooled Again is one of the best album closers ever. It's not perfect as it does have a bumpy middle but overall it's really solid. Townsend's ambitions were tempered which created a more grounded effort and the results are worth it.
Solid, silky, smooth-ass soul.
Solid listen. Fascinating to hear jazz with no brass instruments. The real star is bassist Scott LaFaro. His playing is outstanding.
Utter dross. Spectacularly dreadful.
Really solid album. Nicely balances between punk and pop. Even disco makes an appearance. This might have been the only album to be played at CBGBs and Studio 54. Debbie Harry can get me one way or another any time she wants.
I can see why some people gave this five stars. I can also see why some people gave it one star. Liked part one. Didn't like part two. Split down the middle.
If two saxophones and two drums ganged up and beat the hell out of you, this is what it would sound like. Relentless, bruising and totally hardcore. A bit much but man the drumming is incredible. Props to Joey Baron and Michael Vatcher. I didn't hate this.
Damn. This hits hard. It's sadly relevant today as there are still huge racial issues between cops and minorities. Lots of uncomfortable truths. It Was A Good Day and Say Hi To The Bad Guy are total bangers. Solid, solid stuff.
This was better than the previous Cohen albums I reviewed. I prefer the melancholic jazz with Cohen's dour poetry over the fluttering folk he did in the sixties. That said, there's too much Cohen in this book.
Not a weak track on this one. I personally think this is Radiohead's best album. Jonny Greenwood is a guitar hero despite the fact he's not even close to being a classic shredder yet the way he can manipulate and devise sounds and angles into the songs is just brilliant. Fantastic stuff.
Wasn't feeling it.
So good! Costello's songwriting is razor sharp with barbs and melancholy but the real star is drummer Pete Thomas with fills to burn and beats that are intricate and precise.
Some politically charged reggae here. Really solid listen. Slavery Days cooks! I will revisit this album again.
Not terrible but not my thing.
OK Robert Dimery. I get it. You fancy British artists. But this? THIS? Ugh. The beats are stilted and disjointed. The rhymes have no flow. The story is somewhat cringey and his voice is wankish. I can't believe a brilliant album like Check Your Head by The Beastie Boys is left out but this trash is listed. Ugh!
Really solid album. Everyone knows Seven Nation Army but Black Math and Little Acorns are unknown bangers that cook. Kind of wish they would get back together. This was an enjoyable listen.
Inconsistent at best. The rockers are decent but there are too many country tinged songs that bring the album down. Also, completely unnecessary for it to be a double album. But hipsters are pretentious and full of themselves.
Tepid synth pop. Another album that's guilty of having one decent song but the rest doesn't hold up.
Dug most of it. Us V Them is a flat out banger. The closing track about New York is excellent but I wouldn't want to hear a whole album of that type of song. There are lulls but a solid album nonetheless.
Arty. Nerdy. Chaotic. Ambient. Really solid. Tina Weymouth is just outstanding on bass. They're all good players. Pleasure to hear Adrian Belew on this. Not quite perfect but still a worthy listen.
RIP. Nothing Compare 2 U is a classic. Surprised to hear some crunching guitars on a couple of tracks. Overall decent.
Solid. This Is Hell is one of the saddest songs I've heard. Costello's lyrics are biting and sharp. Pete Thomas is simply an amazing drummer. Not as good as This Year's Model but it belongs in the book.
Fantastic. It may be plastic white soul but no one did it better than Bowie. He had to do it to escape the Ziggy persona and build his career. He did get help from Carlos Alomar, Luther Vandross and John Lennon but Bowie was still the mastermind. Such a great album and a pleasure to revisit.
One of the best albums of the 2010s. Terrific guitar work even though it's not a shredder album. Solid musicianship throughout. Songs are well crafted and have the perfect balance of ambience and noise. This one's a keeper.
So good! The birth of trip hop. Innovative, mysterious, haunting but oh so cool. Just superb. And yet, not their best. Mezzanine is even better but sadly, not in the book. Still, Blue Lines is a classic in its own right.
I know Chester Bennington had a lot of issues throughout his time on this planet to the point that he took his own life and it is a sad story. But, as for the music, this isn't good. In fact, I didn't care for any of it. The rapping is second rate and the DJ scratching is grating. Would much rather have a second Rage Against The Machine album or a second System of a Down album or a Tool album to represent the alt metal movement of the early 2000s over this.
A bit all over the place. Somewhat unfocused and uneven. There are good bits in here and I may give it another try down the road. Transpotting is a highlight. Prefer the instrumentals over the vocals. Fine but short of outstanding.
Some of the worst faux jazz I've ever heard. Apparently inspired by Miles Davis, it doesn't come close to the master. He also started doing heroin. So I make this an anti drug album. Do smack, make crappy albums like this.
Pleasantly surprised. Some good chunky power pop here. Plenty of snarl and bite to they lyrics. Fascinating albeit tragic back story. Will check this out further. Solid album.
Solid prog. Yours Is No Disgrace and Starship Trooper are bangers. I've Seen All Good People was used very nicely in season five of Fargo. The last two tracks aren't as strong. Still, a worthwhile addition to the book.
Many critics accuse prog of being pretentious and for the most part they're right. (Looking at you ELP) Yet this is some of the most pretentious shit I've ever heard in my life yet the know-it-all writer that passes as a rock critic will praise this. Boring, self absorbed, bordering on narcissistic. Shut up!
Not the best Beck album but there's enough good material to make it a decent listen. I may need to revisit it in the future as it has a chance to grow on me. No denying Beck's creativity but this one falls slightly short compared to previous efforts.
The best part about this album was the nearly 10 minutes of silence between the title track and the hidden track at the end of the album. The second best thing about this album was the playlist Spotify conjured up following this album by playing actual good bands. The worst thing about this album was Dexter Holland's grating and irritating bro voice. I like punk. I did not like this album.
Brings back some memories. I was a little rowdier back in the late 90s and this album brought back the days of club hopping and shots of Jack Daniels. I'm older now. Don't go to clubs and don't shoot JD anymore but it was nice to reminisce about the glory days. So minus a point for making me feel old but a solid album nonetheless.
Liked it more than I thought I would. Some cool funk elements to go along with some smooth R&B and hip-hop. Some of the interludes are annoying. It's also too long and a bit too horny. But a decent listen.
Enjoyed this one. I Wanna Be Adored hit me with all the feels. Sadly, they never topped this album. It's not perfect but it's a solid listen throughout.
This had potential to be a solid rock album. Instead, Buckley chooses tired singer/songwriter tropes that only pleased whiny, snivelling rock critics. I'm not mad. I'm disappointed.
Mediocre, inoffensive 80s schlock.
Title track is a banger. But the rest of the album is kind of flat. Heroin use/abuse was a factor but I also think Chris Poland wasn't the right fit for the band. This album needed Marty Friedman who is a superior guitarist. Still don't care for Dave Mustaine.
Have you ever been to a party where the music is really good and the vibe is chill until some insufferable jobby comes along and just ruins everything. This is The Smiths. The band is cool yet Morrissey is the warbling, whiny pissant who just destroys the mood with his yammering and incessant piffle. All that said, How Soon Is Now is an all time banger but it's only on the US release not the UK edition which Spotify has. So exhausting.
After a string of mediocre albums, it was refreshing to get this funky, cool, solid piece of art. Life During Wartime is a banger. The rest is slinky, a bit tense and slightly jittery. David Byrne can convey awkwardness and menace in the same song. Good stuff.
It's fine. Some decent songs. But it doesn't elevate into anything special. It's just sort of there. A decent listen but nothing spectacular.
Dude's trying really hard to be Prince but he lacks the master's touch. He's a good singer and a talented musician but the songs are kind of drab and dull. Also, if you have a song called Shit, Damn, Motherfucker, make it a hardcore rap song with some venom. Don't make it a smooth R&B ditty.
This is the wrong Foo Fighters album to be in the book. The Colour and the Shape should be here instead. Also, Foo Fighters are overrated. They're not terrible and Dave Grohl seems like a cool dude but there's nothing extraordinary about them. They're just there. On top of that, this album seems kind of jokey and I can't take it too seriously.
Didn't click with me.
Decent. Some good songs in here. Not perfect but I can see why they opened for Pearl Jam in the 90s. This one might grow on me.
Not really a big Kinks fan but this album was pretty good. Liked the concept of the waning British Empire through the eyes of a hard lucked everyman. Not of al the music hits but enough to rate it higher than the previous Kinks albums I've listened to on this list.
Decent albeit uneven affair. Starts strong but loses momentum. Still, enough good stuff to make it passable. Some grunginess but also some tenderness. Prefer the grunge. Very 90s album.
Sounds like it was made in the 80s. That's not a compliment. Also, the singer's voice is annoying. Blah.
A friend of mine introduced me to their music a few years ago and I liked it but didn't dig deeper. Got a chance to listen to a full album and I did like it. Striped White Jets is a banger. Very economical album with over 20 songs in 40 minutes. But the drawback is that it loses flow at times and makes it a tad uneven. But an overall solid album.
Unpopular opinion but I think this is one of the most overrated albums of all time. Yes, the productions is good. Wouldn't It Be Nice and God Only Knows are fine songs but the rest is just Brian Wilson deteriorating into madness while Mike Love is a punchable asshole.
The only Robbie Williams song I like (Millennium) isn't on this album so that deducts huge points. The rest is British douchiness that was way too prevalent in the late 90s. Hey Robert Dimery. Not everything Britain makes music wise is great. This was utter tosh.
Apparently this album was critically acclaimed. We really need a punch a rock critic day. Good Lord this was rubbish.
The closest The Boss came to making a hard rock album. A number of searing guitar solos which is quite surprising but Bruce pulls it off. Really solid but because Born To Run and later Born in The USA are such high benchmarks, this one is a tad behind. But still highly recommend.
Enjoyable listen. More guitar driven than I expected. Uncontrollable Urge is a flat out banger. The satire is biting throughout the album. Hugely influential. Will listen again.
Oddly fascinating. Definitely influential. Not my thing though. Not the worst thing I've heard since starting this project but I can hear why it's one of the lowest rated albums on the list.
OK. Nothing special. The Eagles are more of a greatest hits/singles band than an album band. I've heard better. I've heard worse.
No denying how influential this album was. The beats are dope. Snoop Dogg raps are on point. But the lyrics are really dated and Dre is far too hung up on Easy-E which is a shame. Still a decent album overall.
Liked it more than I thought I would. Especially the songs with Karime Kendra singing. Did catch some Massive Attack vibes albeit more uptempo. I'll revisit this one again.
Drowning in 80s production plus a Kenny G ish sax solo equals a whole lot of painful listening. If the book needed an Australian band in the 80s to be represented, Men At Work and Midnight Oil would have been more palatable.
Not bad. I've heard this band before and I liked them but this was my first time hearing this album. This one is a potential grower and I may have to check out the rest of their discography.
Very influential. From Bowie to Daft Punk. I might need a few more listens as I thought it was slightly dated. But it was interesting and I wouldn't be surprised if this grew on me.
Elvis takes a stab at an album. Thing is he's a singles artist and the hits really aren't there. Not entirely his fault. The rock album wasn't really a thing for another 5-6 years. It's a decent attempt. The two drummers (D.J. Fontana and Buddy Harman) are excellent.
I like the music. The playing is good. The attitude of punk is there. But the production is a miss. It can't decide whether it wants to be a hardcore punk album or an 80s metal album. It's a shame because this influenced two bands I really like in Rage Against The Machine and Faith No More. Overall good but it could have been great.
This needs to be heard on the beach instead of a staid office which is where I heard it. It is relaxing and calming music but I do have to be in the mood to hear it. Prefer the songs with Astrud Gilberto singing than Joao.
Paul is missing John and George here. Hell, he's even missing Ringo. This is utter tripe. Hard pass.
Fun album. Percussion was excellent. Haven't listened to latin jazz very much but I'd be willing to listen to more after hearing this. No vocals was a plus.
This took me back to when I was 18 and ready for a musical revolution. After years of hair metal and really lame pop, Nirvana came out with some refreshing sounds that was very pleasing to my ears. Now it is a tad overrated and it has been way overplayed, but it is essential listening.
Not my jam.
Holy hell this was awful. A candidate for the worst album on this list and Tim Buckley is a candidate for worst artist on this list.
Perhaps the most melancholic funk album I've heard. Still relevant today which is somewhat depressing. Music is rock solid.
Maybe the most hardcore album the Clash ever recorded. Raw, fiery, intense yet so solid. To think it gets better in two years when they released an absolute masterpiece. But this is a good start.
Song 2 is an unquestioned banger. The rest of the album is decent but it does fall off in the second half. I liked it more than Parklife but I remain somewhat indifferent on Blur.
Wasn't feeling it. Terrible album cover.
Very experimental from the master. Call it whatever you want, (I call it proto-prog) but this works and Hendrix is simply cooking here. Shame what could have followed. Who know what direction he may have gone. Voodoo Child (Slight Return) is simply a titanic closer.
Saw the Hives with a buddy and we were sitting in the loge seats. Lead singer Howlin Pelle Almqvist decides to scale the wall and as soon as he reached us, he wasn't sure how to get down. It was one of the cooler moments I've experienced at a rock show. That all said, Veni, Vidi, Vicious should have been in the book.
A bit inconsistent. Some beats are dope. Some are flat. Back To Life is a total banger. Bonus points for a nice nostalgia trip.
Spiritual, mournful, uplifting, funky. Super solid throughout. Will revisit this one again.
Never heard of these guys before. This one surprised me in a good way. Solid beats. Dope rhythms. Smooth rhymes. Love the 70s funk influence. Enjoyed this one.
The Rasta's best album. A bit back loaded but I believe that was done intentionally. Great to listen to at a protest or at a cabana on the beach.
It’s OK. Not really my thing but I’m glad I was exposed to it.
Hello I'm Johnny Cash.
After listening to this, I want to buy an Adidas track suit.
Admittedly, country/folk isn't my favourite genre but this was OK. Margo Timmins voice saved it. Soft, haunting but with no noticeable twang that keeps more than tolerable. I can see why Robbie Robertson and Neil Young liked this album.
Not bad. Pretty good actually. I struggled with Peter Murphy's voice but Daniel Ash's guitar and David J's bass work made up for it. There is some filler but I wouldn't be surprised if I revisited this one in the future.
115 charges.
The songwriting and instrumentation are solid. But Dylan's voice brings it down. I just can't get into his nasaly warbling. Won't deny its influence it had on popular culture and its relevance remains today.
Right on!
First off, America is a great song. Will always remind me of Almost Famous which is one of my favourite films. The rest for the most part is fine but there are too many goofy and weird tracks that throws everything off kilter. At least it isn't long so it was manageable.
Tepid corporate dad schlock that doesn't move the needle one bit. It's pretentious, meandering prattle that only serves Jeff Lynne's ego. Something about Lynne that rubs me the wrong way. Hard pass.
I've heard better Christian Rock albums than this.
This sounded very 1997. That said, not bad. Listened to it at work and it was good background music. It is too long and I prefer trip hop and big bet over drum n bass but this was listenable overall. Heroes was a standout track.
The title track and Locomotive Breath are absolute bangers. Hymn 43 is an underrated gem. But there's too much that sounds like minstrel wandering through the forest that Monty Python spoofed in Holy Grail. Decent but could have been great.
14 songs in 15 minutes. I dig.
It has some moments where it rocks out and I enjoyed those. The playing is solid and they know how to craft a song but it's somewhat disjointed and inconsistent. Decent but not spectacular.
Not my thing. John Phillips is a reprehensible human being.
There's plenty of good metal missing in this book. Then you have shitty metal like this turd of an album that's in it. Yes I know it's a parody but then put Spinal Tap in here instead. At least they were funny. This was plain idiotic.
Phenomenal! Utterly phenomenal!
The more I hear Sonic Youth, the more I like them. Cool stuff from a band I somehow missed in the late 80s and early 90s. Can't wait till Daydream Nation is generated as my album of the day.
Sweet Home Alabama isn't on the album which is a positive. Couple of good songs. Quite a bit of filler. It gets a passing grade but barely.
Fine. I wish it would rock out a bit more though. The slower songs bogged the album down a bit. Not offensive. Decent enough. You could almost call it 90s dad rock.
Cool album cover and decent musicianship. But Damon Albarn is extremely irritating on this one. He's so punchable. Guess I'm not British enough to appreciate it.
Somewhat clunky but a solid prog album. Roundabout is a classic but Heart of the Sunrise is a showstopper. The individual tracks take it down a notch. Chris Squire's bass lines are mesmerizing. When discussing top bassists in rock, Squire should be mentioned more often. 1971 was quite the year for Rick Wakeman. Hunky Dory and Fragile in the same year. Not too shabby.
Not my thing but I've heard worse.
We get it. You like Lynyrd Skynyrd and Alabama. Geaux Tigers.
Slightly refreshing actually. Instead of macho postering which was very common in the 70s, we get some vulnerability and angst. Yet it still maintains some abrasiveness. It isn't perfect by any stretch but it's decent.
Not for me even though she has a good voice.
So soft and fluffy. Tepid beats and annoying synth sounds make this a slog to get through. Nearly fell asleep to this boring and utterly wasteful album.
The most neutral album I've heard.
One of the reasons I started this project was to discover new music I haven't heard before. This was a discovery. Shades of Isaac Hayes and Curtis Mayfield with plenty of soul, a touch of folk and even a dash of prog. (Check out the mellotron.) This was really cool Neo soul music and I will listen again and will dig into his discography.
Apparently listening to the Grateful Dead is supposed to bring enlightenment to your soul. The only moment of enlightenment I had after listening to this is the Grateful Dead are a truly awful band and I don't understand why so many people like them. Fucking dreadful.
Quite good actually. Relax is an all time banger. It should be on every 80s playlist. I actually didn't mind the Born To Run cover even though no one will top the Boss's version. More guitars than your typical dance album. Trevor Horn's production is top notch. This one surprised me a bit in a good way.
No need for this to be a double album. Way too long and totally not my thing.
Ol Blue Eyes has a great voice but it isn't suited to the Bossa Nova style. Frank called it an exciting genre. Disagree with you there Mr. Sinatra. This wasn't exciting at all.
Hugely influential. Can hear Nine Inch Nails, Ministry and Faith No More amongst others on this album. Primitive is a flat out banger. Solid listen. Good addition to the book.
Liked it. Didn't love it. Some good songs. Running Up That Hill, The Big Sky and Waking The Witch stood out. Kate Bush is immensely talented there's no denying that. Just not everything works. Still, it's decent and I'd be willing to give it another listen. This one might grow on me.
Some solid jazz work here. Playing was exceptional. Max Roach in particular shone on the drums. Monk is a craftsman and it shows brightly. Not quite as good as Kind of Blue or Love Supreme but still a worthy addition to any jazz collection.
Starts well. The middle part drones. Ends OK. It gets a passing grade but nothing more.
Solid. Love Iggy's version of China Girl. Much more sinister than Bowie's version but I detect sadness instead of anger inside that sneering veneer. The album is a bit more downbeat than I anticipated but Iggy and Bowie were trying to clean themselves up so I understand the darkness in the album.
It's OK but not a classic. In Da Club is a total banger. Too much mumbling makes it hard to understand and it's something that annoys me when I listen to post 2000s hip-hop. Production is excellent. Good but not great album.
A bona fide classic! The title track is beyond epic. Eddie Hazel is the guitar hero no one knows but man, can he sling the axe. The rest is excellent. More of this please.
Bonus points for Winwood playing all the instruments. But this is a tepid, drab affair that is so middle of the road, Christopher Cross got jealous.
Another bland 80s brit album. I know it inspired bands I like but I couldn't get into it. Mark Hollis's voice is grating. Pass.
A dance album that would clear the dance floor. Lame.
Quite influential. I can hear how Kurt Cobain was influenced by these guys. But it is a bit herky-jerky and inconsistent. Still decent and kind of cool. Might grow on me with more listens.
Decent background music. Could use a bit more urgency though.
It's fine. Test Me is a terrific song and an excellent album closer. I prefer their first album over this one though. Still a worthy listen.
What a talent Prince was. A fantastic album!
Liked this more than I thought. A pleasant surprise. Some good stuff on here. Not perfect but I will revisit this one again.
Inoffensive but ultimately boring dad rock. Not Rod's worst but not his best either.
It's OK. Not that original. Then again, trying to replicate David Bowie isn't the worst idea in the world but these guys aren't Bowie. It's an OK glam rock album but I'm not sure it's required listening.
Some reviews on here say this is good cookout music and I concur. Fire up the barbecue, have a cold one and put on this album for a chill, good time. Solid stuff.
Solid punk album. Liked the blending of male and female co lead singers. Brings a different vibe to the normal punk scene. Critics really liked it and I can see why. Enjoyed it.
A criminally underrated but brilliant band. This album cooks and it's not even their best. (Angel Dust is better) A smouldering cover of War Pigs is just so aces. Everyone knows Epic and it is a classic but the entire album is so good.
This album and band haven't aged well. The musicians are skilled but the funkiness of earlier albums sound flat here. The lyrics are nonsensical even when they're trying to be deep. This album also brings back some not so great memories as the late 90s weren't the best time for me.
Cool stuff. It does dip a bit in the back half but this is a solid listen. Brings back some good memories. Head bopped during a number of these tracks.
That synth sound is so annoying. Couldn't get over it. There are moments but not enough to earn a passing grade.
Apparently, this was the only album from this band. It was one album too many. Absolutely dreadful.
Very good. I do think Trouble Will Find Me is a better album but this is a Nic choice. Somewhat sombre and haunting. It does lean into some hipster caches which is a deterrent. But overall, a solid listen.
Really solid punk album. It does fade a bit later on so it could have been shortened to a single album, but this is still a worthy listen.
It's good but it's not great. Partially due to the fact I'm not a huge fan of live albums and partially due to I prefer JB's hard funk from the 70s over the R&B 60's output. Still, it's a decent listen and there is good material on here.
This is Springsteen lite. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing. The songs are well crafted and the playing is sound. But I wish it would rock out a bit more. Joel is guilty of going too soft at times which doesn't appeal to me. But there's enough quality on here to give it a passing grade.
Avant garde, funky, weird, atmospheric, spooky, slightly frightening, ahead of its time. Pretty cool album. Quite influential as well. They were never going to reach huge commercial success but this is art that should be appreciated.
To quote the late Steve Albini, "Christ, the amount of human effort wasted to sound like an SNL band warmup."
Pretentious shit.
It's a well produced, well made album. Sad But True and Wherever I May Roam are flat out bangers. Of Wolf and Man and My Friend of Misery are underrated gems. Enter Sandman is way overplayed. Don't Tread on Me is forgettable at best. I still think Puppets is a superior album. They may have sold out according to some fans, but this album was necessary as it helped kill hair metal with a big help from grunge. So I'm cool with it even though it isn't perfect.
I thought I would hate this album. I didn't hate it. It's actually not bad. It's flawed and I won't revisit it that much, but it's ambitious and definitely would make a decent soundtrack to some neo noir film. Solid neutral.
Pas mon truc
Maybe the most misinterpreted album ever but it remains fantastic after all these years. This was my introduction to the Boss and I remain a fan. Great stuff.
At least it's economical and gets to the point. But I don't care for his voice and his whimsical takes don't resonate with me.
Fun listen. But I have to be in the right mood to listen to it. Still, it does belong in the book.
Didn't hate it but Father John Misty does this style much better. This album is quite a downer and I got tired of it midway through. Pass.
Lovely listen. Take Five is an all time classic. It slightly fades in the latter half but that's only a minor quibble. Worthy and deserved addition in the book.
I did like the song Sweet Nothing with the James Bond style guitar licks. Otherwise, I don't care for this. Never got Alice Cooper's schtick. Not really into the macabre or horror storytelling. I Love the Dead is simply gross.
There's no doubt Bowie was listening to this and it helped him shape the Berlin Trilogy. I preferred the ambient tracks over the songs with vocals. Detached and icy. There's a good chance this will grow on me but for now, it's decent and influential.
A somewhat sad album considering this was released posthumously. I also detected a Karen vibe to this as well. The major positive wast the Full Tilt Boogie Band who were absolutely solid. The singles are OK. The rest is meh. Passing grade for legacy's sake.
I love Husker Du but this is the wrong album on this list. Zen Arcade is a masterpiece and it's omission is one of the biggest mistakes this book has made. Warehouse does have good songs but it has problems. Bob Mould and Grant Hart's relationship was so fraught that getting this album completed was a miracle onto itself and the band was fractured beyond repair. Hart's heroin addiction was out of control and Mould was a menace to the other band members. It's a shame because when they were on, this band smoked. Many here don't like this album but I suggest listen to Zen Arcade, New Day Rising or Candy Apple Grey to get the best of this Minneapolis trio.
This would have been better if Monty Python spoofed it.
Solid punk album. Rise Above and TV Party are flat out bangers. Some humour. Some social consciousness. Some anarchy. I'm down with this.
There is prog that is really good and there is prog that is the drizzling shits. This album is the drizzling shits. Just another reason why punk had to happen.
Didn't care for it. I will revisit Solid Air someday but I won't revisit this one. Just didn't work for me.
Solid stuff. The title track is a banger and I wish the Police would have done more instrumentals. Bring On The Night and Bed's Too Big Without You are standouts as well. Always enjoyed the Police even though Sting can be a bit of a wank.
For some reason, Paul Simon just doesn't do it for me. This album is further proof. It isn't terrible, but it is unremarkable and bland. I get some people like it but this isn't for me.
This was some cool chill music. Great to listen to late at night as a wind down. First half was pretty strong. Second half faded a bit. Will recommend to those who dig chill electronica with the occasional pulsating beat.
I thought I was going to hate this. I didn't hate it. It's OK. Not great but OK. Bob Mosley's bass work is fantastic. The songs are economical and make sense. Still not a fan of the jangly psych county guitar sounds that was so prevalent in the 60s. Overall, fine.
Solid album. Enjoyed both albums by these guys that the book presented. How come they weren't bigger? The music industry can be fickle.
First time hearing this. Glad I was exposed to it but in the end, it doesn't do it for me. Might be the cultural difference and my Canadian ears aren't used to African folk sounds but I couldn't vibe with it.
This one has a chance to grow on me. It's a bit of a downer and I prefer Beck's more upbeat material. Still, it's a well made, well crafted album and there's no denying Beck's talent. I do think I have to be in the right mood to hear it but I'll give it another go in the future.
I will confess this album does bring back some good memories. However, this is a really dumb, idiotic collection of songs that hurt my brain to the point I may have to see a doctor because this album causes concussions. Advil required.
Can hear the beginnings of metal here. Not as dark as Black Sabbath or has the chops of Deep Purple but it has moments. Production is lacking and there's too many covers. But overall, decent.
Solid listen. Alison is one of the most heartbreaking songs ever. Watching The Detectives is a stone cold classic. I just wish The Attractions were the backing band. Still, this will do.
The good news. Transylvania Blues is a good song. The bad news. The rest of the album is extremely mediocre. Lesson to bands. Make one good song into a collection of good songs in order to have a great album. Simple.
One thing about getting older is that you realize not everything is tailored for you. I recognize their talent, especially Beyonce. But this music isn't for me.
Every song starts off with and introduction like This Song was first done in Texas in 1923 or something to that ilk. To that I say this album is annoying and grating. A painful lesson. Please generator, give me something good.
Solid album. Love Steve Albini's production here. Raw, emotional, brave and vulnerable. PJ Harvey goes through all of it. Mostly dark, she comes out of it in the end as a survivor and we're rewarded. Heard two albums so far and liked them both. Good stuff.
An emotional, sparse album that's so good. I've only heard a couple of tracks before and I liked them but the whole album blew me away. Good Morning Captain just might be the best album closer ever. A superb masterpiece.
I don't get the hype. They're talked about as indie darlings but I find them boring and staid. It just sits there and does very little. Just can't vibe with this.
Spectacularly mediocre.
Some good spunky music let down by some grating vocals. Overall I give it a pass but it could have been higher if they had a proper singer.
It's pretty good. Not spectacular but it was a decent enough listen. Surprised me a bit in a good way.
Solid album. The first two tracks, Pretty Green and Monday are killer. I do think Paul Weller sounds like David Bowie on Monday. The horns brought the album down a notch but I'll revisit this one again.
Not my thing but didn't totally hate it.
I'd rather listen to King Crimson. (The Louvre is a good song though.)
Even though I prefer 1970s Who over 1960s Who, this was OK. The title track is still strong albeit dated. There is some proto punk here that I do like. But the guitars have that 60s psychedelic jangle that aren't my cup of tea. Overall decent but Who's Next is better.
Liked it. Darkly atmospheric and forlorn. Experimental in a good way. Everything makes sense here. Not quite as great as The Bends but this one will get revisited again.
Fun album. Lots of energy. Take Me Out is an all time banger. First half is stronger. Yeah I like this one.
First track was good. Production is decent. The rest is a snoozer. Overall, not my thing.
I did like the soul, funk infused samples that gave it a retro vibe. But the homophobic and immature lyrics were a letdown. Be is a better album than this but this is still decent albeit dated.
It might be low rated on this site, but I didn't hate it. In fact, it's kind of decent. I might not revisit it that often and yeah it's too avant garde for me but I kind of enjoyed it. In particular, Birthday Boy was a riot.
This was pretty good. It has the chance to grow on me. I'm putting it away as an album to revisit down the road.
Musically it's solid. It's the End of the World As We Know It is an all time classic. The One I Love I've grown to appreciate over the years even though it has been overplayed. But Michael Stipe's voice irritates me too much to really love this band. Also I prefer Wire's version of Stranger over this one. Still a decent offering.
Bluesier than I expected. It's OK but I can hear the weirdness coming through in the second half of the album. I liked this one more than I thought but I'm not sure how I'll feel about Trout Mask Replica.
Really solid album. Living For The City is a banger albeit a heartbreaker as it remains sadly relevant today. Higher Ground is a killer as well. Over the years, I've grown to appreciate Stevie's version of the Red Hot Chili Peppers take. Stevie was on a roll here. The 70s were very good to him.
I'm not flying with these Byrds.
For those wondering, it is now on Spotify so it is easier to find and listen to. Was expecting something more upbeat and carnival style but it kind of morphed into cheesy smooth jazz which isn't my thing. Was kind of disappointed with this one.
Who killed the Futons? Those bloody saxophones. So annoying. Ruined the record.
This brought me back to my Grade 9 year. I hated my Grade 9 year and this album. Nothing's changed. Blech.
Couldn't find it on Spotify but I did find it on YouTube. It's not bad. Pretty chill. But it's too long and it did sound same-y. Still not as bad as many reviews on here would lead you to believe.
Despite thin production, this album was OK. Music had some good qualities to it. Definitely influential. Not totally my thing but it was listenable.
I like The Boss but this is his weakest album that appears in the book. I would have preferred The River or even Tunnel of Love over this one. Still there are good songs like Worlds Apart and Paradise and it's still Springsteen and the E Street Band so the material is still decent. But there's better from Bruce.
Damn that shit was dope!
Yawn.
Stark, brooding, sparse, bare, chilling. A masterpiece from the Boss.
The two stars of the album are Keith Levene's icy guitar stylings and Jah Wobble's slinky bass lines. They give this album depth and musical tastiness. The two problems are it's too long and John Lydon's somewhat dispassionate vocals. Having said all this, I thought it was better than most reviewers think and I may give this a follow up in the future.
Fun album. A live album that actually works compared to others on this. Some solid power pop here. They never topped this.
It's a bit dated and the production isn't the best but this is a good glimpse into proto-punk and the beginnings of the Seattle scene which would really emerge 25 years later. I wish there were more originals but I'd still put it in the book.
I give Lenny credit for playing most of the instruments and doing the production. This is his album for sure. There are good songs but there's a bit of filler as well and at times stuck in retro 60s psychedelia. Overall it's OK but he does try too hard to be Prince.
Really good rhythm section but the guitar sound doesn't work here. Too clean and the use of open strings doesn't match with Mark Smith's vocals. Still, it's OK with Two Steps Back being a standout track.
I'll give him an extra star for the high energy and rollicking piano playing. But stealing music and pedophile behaviour brings down my opinion of this creep. Should't be represented in this book.
If this album were a drink, it would be non alcoholic beer.
The ultimate one album wonder. This should have made Lauryn Hill a superstar with a lengthy career. Instead, we got a blazing shooting star with a lot of unanswered questions about her musical direction. This is a great album marred only by over length and a couple of filler tracks.
She has a good voice but too many covers and blah presentation brings this album down several notches. Didn't work for me.
Didn't click. The beats were slightly off. The delivery was so-so. The lyrics were mean. The skits were pointless. Pass.
A monster title track, some decent songs and Annie Lennox's haunting voice are enough to earn a passing grade for me.
Absolutely awful. Completely terrible. A complete waste.
Oh look at me. I'm so sensitive. Yet I abuse women when I'm not recording faux indie tracks that have as much soul as a corpse. What a turd of an album. Not much better human being.
I'm starting to think that the generator is trying to torture me this week by giving me crappy albums. This is the third albums in a row that was absolutely awful. Beyond boring with no soul, no energy, no heart. Just a whole lot of nothingness.
After a run of ghastly albums, the generator gave me a well deserved reward with this all time classic. Timeless, innovative, freaky, and so much Bowie goodness. Mick Ronson's guitar work is exemplary. Everything about this works to a tee. Wham, Bam, Thank You Ma'am!
Not my thing.
It's trendy to bash U2 and some of that is relevant. Bono is a bit of a wanker. But they have produced some quality music and this album is in the upper echelon of U2 albums. It's dripping with irony to the point of overload but this was an album they had to make in order to not be part of an 80s retro act that so many bands fell into. It would get worse from here but this is still palatable.
Psychobilly isn't my favourite offshoot of punk. That said, this was OK. Liked the their rendition of Fever. But I can only take so much of the rest. Fine but not outstanding.
A couple of bangers, some filler, plenty of gangsta musings. All in all it's OK but there's something about 2Pac that always bothered me.
Meh.
Lyrics are good. Music is not my thing. Your Flag Decal Won't Get You In Heaven Anymore is very relevant today. Took guts to write and record this and I respect that.
Somewhat unique in approach. I may not listen to it all the time but I respect the originality and creativity of this album.
The best part of this album was when it need and I never have to hear this again. A ghastly album. Utter crap.
The 1960s are overrated.
Wild, chaotic, frenetic, somewhat schizophrenic but a solid album here. I do think Toxicity is a better album and should be on this list as well but this is a worthy addition to the book.
Solid proto punk. I Wanna Be Your Dog is an all time banger. No Fun is wicked cool. Attitude galore. Good stuff.
Only a band with Lemmy in it can have a flute solo sound badass!
Such an annoying punchable voice. Beyond irritating. They have three albums on this list. Why? Grating beyond belief.
This one surprised me in a good way. I didn't care for The Soft Bulletin but this one was quite good. Sly commentary on technology and AI which is very relevant today. A grower. Also a very sad and distant album. Good to play on lonely rainy nights.
Still not totally into The Kinks but I am understanding why people really like them. There is pop craftsmanship and wry humour to please the most hardened of souls. People Take Pictures of Each Other has aged very well in the age of Instagram which would be 30 years in the future.
Classic! A great album from beginning to end.
Solid but absolutely heartbreaking album. You Know I'm No Good is an all time banger. Considering all she went through, it's a bit of a miracle this album sounds so fresh despite here many issues.
I prefer Alice In Chains Unplugged album over this, but this is decent nonetheless. The covers are better than the originals with the possible exception of All Apologies. It's also somewhat sad as this was the final recording of Kurt Cobain.
Uneven but I give Jah credit for experimenting and trying new things. HIs bass playing is solid but his voice leaves much to be desired. The songs with the female singers, including Sinead O'Connor are the best songs on here. As well, it's hard to find. Not on Spotify. I did find it on YouTube.
Let's make something clear. Britney has been a victim of mean spirited paparazzi and shady business dealing with her father to the point I feel sympathy for her. I think she has endured a tremendous amount of hurt to the point her mental health is probably not the best. Craig Ferguson did a well thought out monologue on his old late night talk show describing what Britney was going through in comparison to his issues with drugs and alcohol. Worth watching if you haven't seen it. That said, the music is so not my thing. Bubblegum teen pop is probably my least favourite genre but I'm also an older white male who grew up liking hard aggressive music so this is not my scene whatsoever.
The most romantic album I've ever heard.
Admittedly, not usually my first choice but this was OK. Criminal is flat out a solid song. Wish it rocked out a bit more though. I do like that it's at times touch but at times vulnerable. This one might grow on me.
No shortage of hits on this one. Probably their most complete album. I do like their version of I Heard It On The Grapevine but I do understand why many others don't like it. Too dad rock at times but still listenable.
Odd and offbeat but I'm rather odd and offbeat so I didn't mind this. Won't listen to it all the time but it might sneak in there every now and then. Glad I was exposed to this.
I admit it. I like prog. But I don't like this and I've never been an ELP fan. The recording sounds like it was taped in a warehouse and I don't care for classical pieces done up rock style. The playing is good as these are talented musicians but this was a mess otherwise. Pass.
It's OK. When Missy raps, she sounds confident and forceful but there's too much R&B crooning by other artists that brings this down a couple of notches. Still, glad I was exposed to it.
Liked it more than I thought. At least I liked it more than Five Leaves Left. Probably because this has more of a jazz feel than a straight ahead folk album. Not totally my thing but it was listenable.
Another album I was glad to be exposed to. I may not listen to it all the time but it was definitely a relaxing and calming listen. Will revisit later in the future.
I don't get how these guys are so popular. This is fucking dreadful. I loathe The Grateful Dead with a passion.
I'm old.
Wanted to like it because I hear the David Bowie and Elvis Costello influences two artists I admire. But this didn’t click with me.
Decent outing. Nice mix of Indian and indie styles with a dash of electronica and hip hop. Not everything works and at times they try too hard but this was listenable and I just might revisit this one in the future.
I remember hating this album when it came out. After listening to it now, I can understand why it was so incredibly popular back in the day. It's not perfect by any stretch. Her voice is grating at times and the slower songs don't measure up. But there's no denying the power of You Oughta Know with that great bass line and her searing delivery. So yeah, it's OK even though it's firmly stuck in 1995.
Not bad. Not as good as Talking Heads but that's a difficult act to follow. I do understand why Tina Weymouth and Chris Frantz wanted to do this and there is some decent stuff on here. Overall, it's listenable but it lacks the tension and nervous energy that makes Talking Heads special.
Second Indian album I received this week. It’s OK but I have to be in the right mood to listen to it.
Mediocre and bland. Not terrible but it doesn't belong in the book. Didn't move the needle at all. A pedestrian affair.
First off, there's no denying Dancing Queen is an all time banger. Just a great pop song through and through. The rest of the album is quite solid. A well constructed, well crafted pop album. Not every song hits but most of them do. Deserves to be on this list.
Somewhat confusing. What mix did I listen to? What version is this? Spotify wasn't terribly clear on the mixes so I kind of dropped out. There is some good material here but there's also stuff with a country twinge that didn't work at all. Not terrible but I can't give it a passing grade either.
Well that was something. If something was nothing and we're all living in a hopeless entity that will bring nothing but the end of time. Which I was hoping for after listening to this turd of an album. Awful.
I needed to take a shower after listening to this.
After some mediocrity, it was refreshing to hear something solid. First time hearing this particular album by this band and I was impressed. I've heard other albums by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and liked them as well. This was a nice discovery that I will revisit again.
It's fine but not spectacular. Some of the beats cook but some fall flat. Overall inconsistent but a decent slab of 90s hip hop.
I don't get the love Van Morrison gets. His voice is grating beyond belief. The faux jazz interludes are irritating and then he adds a harpsichord. Ugh! Plus he's a cranky, crusty individual whom I never want to cross paths with. Forget it.
Some of this was good. Some of it was meh. I do appreciate Nick Cave's songwriting ability and it's always a pleasure to hear PJ Harvey make a guest appearance. Overall, decent but not outstanding.
I really don't like country music.
Nope. Just nope. Too dumb to be taken seriously. Gene Simmons is an all time asshole. Hard pass.
Discovering Stevie’s classic album period has been a highlight of this musical journey. This one did not disappoint. Solid funk. Smooth ballads (although at times too smooth). Great musicianship. Solid listen.
Nearly two hours of hillbilly music plus confederate flags on the album cover equals an absolute no from me.
Maybe a bit overplayed and there are some meh tracks but this remains a solid listen after all these years. I still think Queen are more of a singles band but I'd still recommend them to any hard rock fan that has prog leanings.
I respect Björk for being ambitious and daring. This album while it doesn’t always click is definitely ambitious and daring. For that, it gets a passing grade but I do have to be in the right mindset to listen to it.
I'm mad at 15 year old me for not listening to this unadulterated masterpiece when it came out! Mesmerizing, hypnotic, beautiful, snarling, menacing, vulnerable. Just fantastic stuff.
I was 16 when this album came out and I hated it back then. I wish I could go back in time and punch my 16 year old self for not realizing what an absolute masterpiece this album is. All the samples hit hard. The beats are dope. The rhymes are the bomb. This works so masterfully that it can't be duplicated. And this isn't even their best album. Check Your Head is beyond incredible and somehow didn't make this list. Still, 5 stars and then some for this glorious recording.
Couldn't get into this one. They don't sound that confident here which makes sense since this was their debut. It just sort of sits there with very little energy. It gets better for them later on in their career but this one doesn't need to be in the book.
Solid stuff from the former Husker Du frontman. Nice slice of 90s alt rock with some grunge and a dash of post punk thrown in. I still wish Zen Arcade was in this book but I have no problem with this and I will listen again.
Steely Dan reminds me of my love life. Dull, disappointing and depressing to think about. Fuck Steely Dan!
Fine but not Costello's best. The horns and orchestration don't match Elvis's style. Pete Thomas drums sound muted and restrained which limits him which is a shame. There are good songs on here but the album as a whole lacks punch. Decent but it's no This Year's Model.
Too much jingle jangle for my taste.
Why are there five Byrds albums on this list? Why did I get the Byrds for two straight days? Too many questions. Not enough answers.
Starts kind of slow but finishes strong. I think this album will grow on me as I liked the majority of the tracks. I wish there was more real drums than using electronic beats. Still, this was pretty solid.
Influential. Songwriting is good. Not surprising since Robbie Robertson wrote the majority of the songs. A bit too dad rock and a bit too folkie at times for my taste. Decent but not spectacular.
Not her best but still decent. I wish it would've rocked out more but she goes for a more indie and at times baroque sound. I get it. She wants to grow as an artist and the songwriting remains strong. But this didn't quite hit as hard for me as previous releases. Still, worth a listen.
I understand the low rating on this site but I kind of liked this. Yeah the lyrics are juvenile but the musicianship is rock solid. Will listen again.
The main reason why I'm doing this project is to discover "new" music. Maybe a better term would be undiscovered music. First time hearing this and it was a treasure. Feels like I should be at a martini bar, talking to a beautiful woman while this is playing in the background. Not quite five stars but this will be added to my rotation.
It has moments but not enough of them to make a good album. Also, the singer's voice is annoying. Meh.
Decent but not spectacular. The lyrics are dumb and hurt the overall product. I'm a sucker for 90s grunge like sound so this appealed to me musically. Probably made me nostalgic for the days when I was young and immature. Those were the days.
Been wanting to explore this band further. This is really good. Unconventional, yes. But if you can handle the dissonance and the chaos, it's a rewarding experience. Also, a great live band as well. Wish more of their albums appeared in the book.
Their best album. Yeah it's been overplayed but the songs are strong. (Closer in particular is a banger.) The playing is solid and the vibes just feel right. I do understand the negative reviews but I can't deny that this album deserves to be in the book. Also brings back good memories which helps its cause.
Started pretty good, but quickly faded into self loathing and non stop whining from this pretentious asshole. If he wasn't so punchable, he could make a decent record. Alas, he goes into his normal woe is me schtick to the annoyance of this particular listener.
Masters of War is a banger. Simply a great anti war song that's sadly relevant to this day. The rest of the album is meh. But this is a rare time that one song is so strong, it gives the album a passing grade.
She has a good voice but the country/Americana thing isn't my jam. I can see why people like it but sorry folks. Not for me.
Pretty good. Not perfect but I think this one will grow on me.
Boring dad rock.
Stone cold classic!
Didn't do anything. Just some mediocre 60s psych rock.
Yes, it's experimental. Yes it's difficult. Yes it's, chaotic. Yes, it's unsettling. Yes, it's daring. It's also fucking brilliant. Only Miles could pull this off and make it work. A challenging, yet rewarding experience.
It's fine. Not a classic. Her voice can be grating at times but the songwriting is solid and the content at times suits her limited range. Very 90s.
Inoffensive but somewhat bland and dull. Pass.
Good social commentary but boring reggae music. It it had Bob Marley's fire this would have been great. Instead, it's just meh.
Good but not great. I prefer Holy Bible over this one. Some decent tracks but it is inconsistent overall. Still, a decent listen.
Liked it more than I thought. First half of the album is strong but it does drop off in the latter half. Still, I'll probably revisit this one in the future.
A bit inconsistent but there's enough decent music on here to give it a passing grade.
White Rabbit is great. The rest is meh.
Dated but there's enough good tracks to keep this thing going. Very influential which helps its cause as well. Ian Curtis is a downer and his voice is a bit grating.
He's talented but this is a convoluted mess. He sounds like he's trying too hard to make the album to please everyone. In the end, it falls flat.
The more I listen to Morrissey's solo albums, the more I realize Johnny Marr was the true talent of The Smiths.
Really cool album that's slightly marred by over length and a lack of Phyfe Dog. Still, an important album from the old school hip hop days that I thoroughly enjoyed.
It isn't radio friendly nor will it be a commercial darling but it is daring and different and that's what I'm looking for. I do think Red and Discipline are better albums from King Crimson but this is a solid albeit difficult album.
It's fine but I'd rather listen to it on a beach or a resort over a sterile office.
It's certainly glam rock. It's pretty good but Bowie does it better.
Not the best Tom Waits album but there's still some decent stuff on here.
Way overproduced with dumb lyrics. The title track is the album's saving grace but the rest I can live without. It was a massive success but I find it disappointing when it came out and my opinion hasn't changed since.
Hard no. This is bad prog. How this made the list and a great band like Tool was ignored is shameful. This album is another reason why punk needed to happen.
There is no doubt the late Bon Scott was influence by these guys. Some of these songs have aged poorly. (Gang Bang is flat out gross.) Some are great. (Faith Healer is a banger.) It squeaks by with a passing grade due to its influence but the lyrics are icky.
Solid stuff. This is true soul music. Hugely influential. Definitely belongs in the book.
This one hit some feels today. Solid hard rock/stoner rock/post grunge album. If Only was a bit of a radio hit in the late 90s but I appreciate that song more now than in the late 90s. Mexicola is a flat out banger. Thin production and slight over length subtracts a star but I'm glad this one made the list. I wouldn't have been disappointed if more QOTSA albums made it but alas, this is the only one.
This album hasn't aged well. It's not terrible. There are still some good songs on here and the musicianship is solid. But the lyrical content and the faux rapping is very much stuck in the early 90s. That said, it does bring back some good memories so I give it a pass. It would have been higher in the 90s though.
It's fine but they definitely weren't the new Nirvana. Some good songs, some meh songs. Decent but give me The Hives over this.
Definitely not boring. Always interesting. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn't. Kind of have to be in the mood to listen to Bjork.
Pretty good. Definitely has a late 70s/early 80s vibe to it. I can hear the influence it had on Duran Duran but I also think Tears For Fears were taking notes as well. Not perfect by any stretch but listenable.
Definitely influential. Without this, the Berlin trilogy from Bowie doesn't exist nor does Iggy Pop's late 70s output and any other electronica album that has come out since. For influence alone and yes, influence is important, this gets a solid thumbs up from me.
No denying Tangled Up In Blue is a great song. The rest of the album is Ok at best. This is Dylan's divorce album no matter how much he denies it. Some songs run too long. With his voice that's a drawback. It did influence artists l like including Public Enemy who quoted lyrics from this in later albums. So I'll give it a passing grade.
Actually liked it more than I thought I would. Very relaxing background music. That said, I'm not sure I needed to hear this before I die. It's pleasant but it's also is just there. I kind of wish half star ratings were available. A pure neutral rating.
Some of it worked, some of it didn't. An interesting experiment that was novel at the time but kind of out of style by today's standards. Still decent enough to earn a passing grade.
I know many rate him highly, but I can't get into Nick Drake. It just doesn't do it for me.
Good but I was expecting great. No doubt it influenced Kurt Cobain and the rest of Nirvana. There are good songs but not everything hit for me. Decent but not spectacular.
Groove Is In The Heart is a banger. However, the rest of the album doesn’t hold up. It’s also quite dated. Can’t recommend it.
It’s decent but there’s better punk albums out there.
Trying to sound like making a James Bond theme but failing spectacular. Dreadful stuff.
A bit moody but I should expect that from Nick Cave. Decent. Some good songs on here. Don't think I'd listen to it all the time but it is a good listen when I'm having a bad day.
Maybe the smuttiest album on this list. But it's Prince and he can make smut work. Not quite as good as Purple Rain or Sign O' The Times but this is still pretty damn good.
Trying way too hard to make a statement about America only to have it sound cheesy and laughable. On top of that, his voice isn't great. This was a dreadful listen. A waste of time.