750
Albums Rated
3.19
Average Rating
69%
Complete
339 albums remaining
Rating Distribution
Rating Timeline
Taste Profile
1970
Favorite Decade
Reggae
Favorite Genre
US
Top Origin
Wordsmith
Rater Style ?
109
5-Star Albums
57
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
Top Styles
By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
The Modern Dance
Pere Ubu
|
5 | 2.48 | +2.52 |
|
Bitte Orca
Dirty Projectors
|
5 | 2.69 | +2.31 |
|
Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes
TV On The Radio
|
5 | 2.93 | +2.07 |
|
Call of the Valley
Shivkumar Sharma
|
5 | 2.93 | +2.07 |
|
Like Water For Chocolate
Common
|
5 | 2.95 | +2.05 |
|
Paris 1919
John Cale
|
5 | 2.97 | +2.03 |
|
Throwing Muses
Throwing Muses
|
5 | 2.99 | +2.01 |
|
Future Days
Can
|
5 | 3.01 | +1.99 |
|
Sometimes I Wish We Were An Eagle
Bill Callahan
|
5 | 3.02 | +1.98 |
|
Twelve Dreams Of Dr. Sardonicus
Spirit
|
5 | 3.04 | +1.96 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Hybrid Theory
Linkin Park
|
1 | 3.39 | -2.39 |
|
Eliminator
ZZ Top
|
1 | 3.37 | -2.37 |
|
Pornography
The Cure
|
1 | 3.31 | -2.31 |
|
Surf's Up
The Beach Boys
|
1 | 3.3 | -2.3 |
|
Slippery When Wet
Bon Jovi
|
1 | 3.29 | -2.29 |
|
Faith
George Michael
|
1 | 3.28 | -2.28 |
|
System Of A Down
System Of A Down
|
1 | 3.27 | -2.27 |
|
The Idiot
Iggy Pop
|
1 | 3.22 | -2.22 |
|
Here, My Dear
Marvin Gaye
|
1 | 3.21 | -2.21 |
|
Pyromania
Def Leppard
|
1 | 3.13 | -2.13 |
Artists
Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Led Zeppelin | 5 | 4.6 |
| Jimi Hendrix | 3 | 5 |
| Beatles | 5 | 4.4 |
| Talking Heads | 3 | 4.67 |
| Nirvana | 3 | 4.67 |
| Bob Marley & The Wailers | 2 | 5 |
| Funkadelic | 2 | 5 |
| OutKast | 2 | 5 |
| Stevie Wonder | 4 | 4.25 |
| Nick Drake | 3 | 4.33 |
| Black Sabbath | 3 | 4.33 |
| The Doors | 3 | 4.33 |
| Neil Young & Crazy Horse | 3 | 4.33 |
| Radiohead | 5 | 4 |
Least Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds | 5 | 2 |
| The Beach Boys | 2 | 1.5 |
| Super Furry Animals | 2 | 1.5 |
| Def Leppard | 2 | 1.5 |
| k.d. lang | 2 | 1.5 |
| Christina Aguilera | 2 | 1.5 |
| Morrissey | 4 | 2 |
| Deep Purple | 3 | 2 |
| Metallica | 3 | 2 |
Controversial
| Artist | Ratings |
|---|---|
| Prince | 2, 5 |
| Iggy Pop | 1, 4 |
| My Bloody Valentine | 1, 4 |
| Paul Simon | 5, 2, 5 |
| Neil Young | 5, 2, 4, 5 |
5-Star Albums (109)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
Funkadelic · 20 likes
5/5
I must admit before pledging my allegiance to the funk I was suffering from moral and mental diarrhea. Under the groove of this album I finally had the musical bowl movement I’d been waiting for. Now I no longer fear being eaten by a sandwich. Hallefunkinlujah!
Minutemen · 11 likes
5/5
When I first saw a 43 song punk album I groaned. But this is different than anything I've heard before, a true genre bender. Imagine Talking Heads, Primus, Dead Kennedys and Meat Puppets had a baby. It all over the place, wild and a work of genius. Best new discovery on this list so far
The 13th Floor Elevators · 10 likes
3/5
I fully endorse this album to become the new official music of elevators from now on.
Spacemen 3 · 8 likes
1/5
Melodramatic and boring
Fun Lovin' Criminals · 7 likes
1/5
So many good hip hop albums from the 90s and they chose this one... smh
4-Star Albums (197)
1-Star Albums (57)
All Ratings
The War On Drugs
2/5
Just okay, pretty boring
ABBA
3/5
A couple good songs, but overall pretty cheesy and doesn’t flow very well
T. Rex
4/5
Solid classic rock album, with a bit of David Bowie glam, Rolling Stones driving blues, and Hendrix guitar licks. The singing isn’t my favorite and there are some throw away tracks, but it’s overall not bad
Cyndi Lauper
3/5
Fun with some catchy tunes. Better than I expected
The Cardigans
4/5
Catchy driving tunes. A bit like the band Cake with sultry vocals. Worth a listen, but wouldn’t listen a lot. 3.5 stars
The Beach Boys
1/5
Deep Purple
2/5
Generic hair band vibes
Aphex Twin
5/5
Creative an varied, spacious, innovative auditory landscapes. A real mood setter and masterpiece
Harry Nilsson
3/5
The Beatles we have at home
The Modern Lovers
3/5
Fun punk jams, but a little repetitive
Fugees
5/5
One of the greatest hip hop albums of all time. Every song is a banger. Lauren Hill flows exquisite. Even the skits are fun
Bob Dylan
4/5
Classic Dylan record, but not my favorite. Varied and interesting. 4.5
Mike Ladd
4/5
This album really grew on me. Creative record with mf doom / mad villain vibes. Great for a mold
Devendra Banhart
3/5
Weird stuff
Muddy Waters
4/5
Classic blues album 3.5
Marianne Faithfull
1/5
Not for me
Jean-Michel Jarre
1/5
Aretha Franklin
4/5
Just great classic soul
Boston
2/5
Solid classic rock album
Beastie Boys
4/5
Great start to the album. In the running for best Beastie Boys album, but I still think Ill Communication is better
Gillian Welch
5/5
Phenomenon songwriting, musicianship, with intimate soulful vocals. I knew how good “Everything is Free Now” is, but turns out the whole album is gold
Eminem
3/5
God sent him to piss the world off. Lyrics are messed up but creative. Dre is one of the top producers of all time, but in my opinion this isn’t his finest work. I like some Eminem, but this is probably not an album I will return to
Parliament
4/5
Essential funk
Goldfrapp
2/5
Some albums on this list I was surprised I missed. This one I would’ve been perfectly fine with missing
Taylor Swift
3/5
Modern pop isn’t my thing, but this was decent for the style of music
3/5
Vocals have a Graghm Nash feel, with worse song writing and harmonies. Music is clearly influential for
Modern Jane music. Some interesting moments
Prince
2/5
Not really a fan of 80s pop music
2Pac
3/5
I appreciate 2pac’s influence on hip hop, but his flow feels repetitive to me.
Jeru The Damaja
3/5
Leonard Cohen
3/5
Great songwriting but many of the songs are similar
Super Furry Animals
1/5
Just awful. The only album I’ve listened to so far where I disliked every minute. Definitely one to skip before you die
Tracy Chapman
4/5
As nostalgic as autumn leaves
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
3/5
Not bad
CHVRCHES
3/5
Leonard Cohen
4/5
Sonic Youth
3/5
Astrud Gilberto
2/5
5/5
I
The Flaming Lips
3/5
Frankie Goes To Hollywood
1/5
Maxwell
2/5
Deep Purple
2/5
Big hairband energy
The Rolling Stones
4/5
You Can’t Always Get What You Want lifted this from 3 to 4. To me this is a three song album with Gimme Shelter, Monkey Man and You Can’t Always Get What You Want. The rest is kind of cheap blues impression filler. I’d probably go 3.5 with the option
Spacemen 3
1/5
Melodramatic and boring
Beatles
4/5
Animal Collective
2/5
I want to like them, because I feel like it would make me a more sophisticated music lover. But I didn’t enjoy anything but My Girls. Too dissonant and busy for me
Red Hot Chili Peppers
5/5
One of the best albums of the 90s. Breaking the Girl is excellent and I think I Could Have Lied is one of the most underrated songs of the generation. Really the first 14 song are all really strong with no need for skips. Both musicianship and production are on point. Rick Rubin is a magician and you can argue this is some of his finest work. Only complaint is the album is too long. Should’ve cut My Lovely Man and Sir Psycho Sexy, two songs I could do without.
Nick Drake
4/5
The musicianship is excellent, but I prefer a stripped down version of Nick Drake like on Pink Moon. For me Hazy Jane II is the highlight
Garbage
2/5
Garbage but not trash. That said this album is not my idea of a good time
Bob Marley & The Wailers
5/5
Bob Marley’s production is as superb as his songwriting and vocals. This is not my favorite Wailers album, that would be Uprising. Still it warrants 5 stars. One of the lesser known tracks The Heathen is actually my favorite
Rage Against The Machine
5/5
Most people know this as the F*** you I won’t do what you tell me album, but for me it’s about Wake Up, Know Your Enemy, Take the Power Back. Incredible moments in Fistful of Steel and Freedom as well
Herbie Hancock
5/5
Chameleon and Watermelon Man are two of my all time favorite jazz/funk songs. The final two tracks are forgettable. But half the album is legendary, so this gets 5 stars
The Rolling Stones
4/5
Solid throughout, but not many standouts
Bob Dylan
4/5
I think this album is slightly overrated, but it’s still prime Dylan and Shelter from the Storm is a classic
Frank Zappa
5/5
Zappa's masterpiece
Dr. Dre
4/5
Classic hip hop album. Dre’s production is pretty unparalleled
Prince
5/5
Not a big 80 synth-pop guy, but this is near the pinnacle of the genre. Bangers sprinkled throughout and only a couple skips for me.
Neil Young
5/5
Some of Neil Young’s best work. The title track is exceptional, evocative songwriting
Brian Eno
2/5
Parts sound like a movie soundtrack. But this didn’t hold my interest
John Lennon
3/5
John Lennon is great and this album is okay. In addition to the obvious Imagine, Give Me Some Truth is a highlight
Arrested Development
3/5
Pretty cheesy overall, but I’m a fan of Mr. Wendel and Tennessee
The Stone Roses
3/5
Some good moments especially on the B side
Iggy Pop
1/5
Why am I listening to this?
Bill Callahan
5/5
The best artist I’ve discovered so far on the platform. His deep clear voice sounds a bit like an indie Leo Kottke, the lyrics are thought provoking, but it’s the musical arrangements that blew me away. The varied melodic syncopation has uncommon feeling and depth to it. In particular My Friend and All Thoughts are Prey to Some Beast propelled this to a 5 star album from a solid 4.
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
1/5
So we meet again Captain Beefheart. I could smell you from a mile away. The foul stench of stale alcohol on your breath as you haphazardly speak words into microphone over chaotic asynchronous anti-melodies. You almost had me with your Ella guru, but then I heard the rest of the album
King Crimson
5/5
Musicianship and production on point
Adele
3/5
While this is my favorite kind of music I do have to recognize the obvious talent of Adele. I do feel this album plays more like a collection of singles than a record. And while Adele is probably the world best ballad belter, I do wish some of the songs sounded different. But it’s very difficult to get one smash single not to mention 4.
Leonard Cohen
2/5
Interesting, but not an album I’d listen too often. Title track feels like it’s out of Breaking Bad
System Of A Down
1/5
Not for me
Michael Jackson
3/5
Not fly bag, but not bad. Smooth Criminal is pretty awesome
Wilco
2/5
I lik some Wilco, but to me this album is not very interesting for being so pretentious.
Sly & The Family Stone
5/5
Few bands can translate the live sound to record like Sly and the Family Stone. I Want to Take You Higher in particular jams like you’re watching them at Woodstock. The album has strength all around, from creative pop songs like Sing a Simple Song And Everyday People to the bluesy Sex Machine jam.
White Denim
4/5
Frank Black
4/5
This album grew on me. It’s a bit all over the place, but creative and interesting. Freedom Rock was the highlight for me
Stan Getz
3/5
A nice album for relaxing on the beach, but not for trying to stay awake on a road trip
Scott Walker
1/5
The Rolling Stones
5/5
The end of the album makes this a classic. Dead Flowers and Moonlit Mile are classics
Guns N' Roses
2/5
Janelle Monáe
5/5
One of the most creative and expansive pop albums I’ve heard. I knew and loved Tightrope, but the whole album took me fore a ride.
Queen
4/5
I lost my virginity to this album with a Camaro… still recovering.
Incredible Bongo Band
4/5
Enjoyable funk grooves. Mostly covers and nothing groundbreaking.
Black Sabbath
4/5
The only kind of metal I really like. Hard riffs and limited screaming. Some more great Sabbath
Sabu
4/5
FKA twigs
3/5
Impressive production and vocals. But songs are a bit meandering
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
4/5
Breakdown is a classic and one of Petty’s best. I always thought American Girl is an overrated song. The rest of the album is pretty good, but not really any standouts.
Elvis Presley
3/5
Don’t love Elvis but this isn’t terrible
Suede
2/5
Curtis Mayfield
3/5
It’s got Mayfield’s crisp funky grooves with his signature sultry falsetto, but this album is no Superfly. Strong start kind of goes off the rails with the Jesus song. Not really any standouts here
Little Simz
5/5
Exceptional skill. 101FM is the highlight
Curtis Mayfield
5/5
Quite possibly both the greatest original movie soundtrack of all time and a top 10 soul album of all time.
Kate Bush
4/5
Creative brilliance. Fitters out towards the end, but a really strong start
Ramblin' Jack Elliott
2/5
I recognize the significance of this guy. Without him I guess there could be no Dylan. The music didn’t do it for me, but I do like his sense of humor.
David Bowie
4/5
Another very good Bowie album, but definitely not the level of Hunky Dory and Ziggy Stardust
The Only Ones
1/5
The singing is terrible
David Crosby
5/5
This album is essentially a cross between the Grateful Dead and CSNY, with some Jorma and Joni thrown in for good measure. Ah to have been a fly on the wall for these recording sessions. After a cheesy first track, the rest of the album is excellent. My favorite is Tamalpais High, which features some quintessential harmonies by Crosby with sensational backing by Jerry, Phil, Kruetzman, and Jorma. I mean wow!
The Killers
3/5
Energetic, interesting, but kind of annoying. Something for a workout or a night out, but not something I would throw on regularly.
Buzzcocks
4/5
Grew on me. Particularly liked I Don’t Mind and Autonomy
Fats Domino
3/5
My Bloody Valentine
1/5
There Isn’t Anything on this album I want to hear again
Peter Gabriel
2/5
So-so
Gene Clark
3/5
Spanish guitar is the highlight. Like a Kirkland brand James Taylor or Cat Stevens
The Specials
3/5
Metallica
2/5
The Beach Boys
2/5
Tito Puente
3/5
Good atmospheric music
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
2/5
Lauryn Hill
4/5
My memory of this album was an easy 5 stars. But I was remembering all the best songs like Doo wop(that thing) and to Zion. Some phenomenal songs, but also a few skippable moments.
Public Image Ltd.
1/5
Tortoise
4/5
Interesting, weird and at times mesmerizing
Nas
5/5
Classic throughout
Adele
3/5
Daft Punk
4/5
Perfect music to have in the background while doing homework. Steady beat with good pace that is interesting, but you don’t have to listen closely to
SZA
2/5
The Doors
4/5
To me this is the worst of The Doors four major releases. What made the album is Peace Frog and a spectacular transition into Blue Sunday. Nothing else really hits for me. Indian Summer could’ve been good but Morrison ruined it with awful lyricism. Maggie M’gill was a good final track. Roadhouse Blues is very overrated
The Clash
4/5
Country Joe & The Fish
4/5
This sounds like a mix of early Dead and Velvet Underground. While the musicianship isn’t quite on the level of other early psychedelia I was deeply impressed by the lyricism
Talking Heads
4/5
Phenomenal band, but an ordinary album until Psycho Killer hit. Also really liked Love -> Building on Fire
Anita Baker
2/5
Emmylou Harris
4/5
Fiona Apple
3/5
A quality soulful, moody album
The Smashing Pumpkins
3/5
Several songs are very impressive musically but Billy Corgan’s voice grates my against my soul
Manic Street Preachers
2/5
Simon & Garfunkel
4/5
This album is carried by the strength of The Boxer and The Only Living Boy in New York in my opinion
Lorde
3/5
Morrissey
1/5
Dennis Wilson
3/5
Surprised by how much I liked this. I don’t like The Beach Boys, but this better
Led Zeppelin
4/5
John Paul Jones bass playing is exceptional throughout and Jimmy Page’s guitar tone is one of a kind. I’d forgotten how good the middle portion of Bring It on Home is. That said to me this doesn’t reach the level of songwriting of III, IV or Houses of the Holy
Jerry Lee Lewis
2/5
Wilco
3/5
2/5
AC/DC
2/5
Frank Sinatra
2/5
Kanye West
3/5
Creative and interesting hip hop. I enjoyed three out of the first four songs. Thought “I am god” was terrible. Then after New Slaves this album really fell off.
I don’t think an artists art should be judged by their character. Dali was also a narcissist and nazi sympathizer, but I enjoy his work. To me this was not Kanye’s best work, but I do appreciate him taking artistic risks
Justice
4/5
Album grew on me. Favorites were D.A.N.C.E, Phantom part II, Valentine, and Waters of Nazareth. Far more intricate and interesting than your typical dance music
Nick Drake
4/5
Cello song is perhaps my favorite track from Nick Drake, but on the whole I still prefer Pink Moon to this one. Five Leaves is hauntingly beautiful, but a bit morbid. Some of Drake’s later work is a bit bryter
The Velvet Underground
4/5
Like a gift that is so revolting you actually kind of love it. Speaking of gifts that song is a wild ride. Sister Ray is a cocophone of sound but with a purpose, I enjoyed it. Lady Godiva hits for me too. The only song that really sucks is the title track
Pet Shop Boys
2/5
Big Brother & The Holding Company
5/5
Ah… to have seen this band in their prime. This was a top 5 record for me growing up. Oozes with energy from the opening note and Janis of course is extraordinary with the passion and character in her voice. There is really no one like her as a performer. A phenom who put everything she had into it
Primal Scream
4/5
Some of this album is outstanding, creative and vibrant and some of it is repetitive and annoying. I guess that’s the drug experience. High highs and low lows
Joan Baez
3/5
The Who
2/5
This hard rock the way mashed potatoes are a hard rock. I much prefer there later stuff. This album is bland
Beck
4/5
Go it Alone is a really good track. Also enjoyed Missing and Hell Yes
Richard Hawley
2/5
Minor Threat
2/5
There are worse punk albums
The Who
5/5
Easily the Who’s best album. Most will know the massive hits Baba O’reily, Behind Blue Eyes, and Won’t Get Fooled Again. Bargain and Getting in Tune are also great
Venom
1/5
Motörhead
2/5
Radiohead
5/5
Not a huge Radiohead fan, but this was the one I liked to listen to all the way through. It’s beautifully crafted with immaculate production. It’s underrated because it doesn’t have any massive hits
R.E.M.
3/5
I thought I would enjoy this more but the non-hit songs were underwhelming. The best of the songs that weren’t radio songs in my opinion is Lightnin’ Hopkins
Belle & Sebastian
3/5
I like the vibe on this, but a lot of the songs sound very similar. Seeing Other People is my favorite track
Beatles
5/5
There isn’t a song on the album I love. The first side is all incredibly famous songs, but aside from Come Together they feel somewhat kitschy to me. The B Side is why this album is a classic. The medley is sublime and Because is a good one. As an album it holds up, even if it’s not my favorite Beatles
Bob Dylan
4/5
This meeting could’ve been an e-mail, this e-mail could’ve been a text and this double album could’ve been an 8-song album. Nothing after Just Like a Woman is remarkable. And while Visons of Johanna and Stuck Inside of Mobile are great, they could be 4 or 5 minute songs. Dylan’s voice and song structure doesn’t really work for long songs
The Go-Go's
3/5
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
3/5
This is a great bluegrass band, but since when did 1001 start giving 42 song compilation box sets and calling them albums?
The Divine Comedy
1/5
You didn’t miss anything with this one. Move along
Neil Young
2/5
This album blows a 3.0. Every song feels like a stumble home from the bar is to follow. I love Neil Young, but the blood/alcohol content is too high for me on this one. My least favorite of his work before 1976.
Simply Red
2/5
Alexander 'Skip' Spence
2/5
Songhoy Blues
5/5
Lively and solid throughout. But unlike some albums from Saharan Africa, the songs have variety and flow. This was a great discovery
The 13th Floor Elevators
3/5
I fully endorse this album to become the new official music of elevators from now on.
John Grant
2/5
Super Furry Animals
2/5
Twice as good as the other Super Fury Animals album on the list, so it gets another star
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
2/5
Dire Straits
3/5
Strong start, then really tailed off
M.I.A.
4/5
It’s unfortunate that this album is only remembered for one song. Jimmy, Mango Pickle Down River, and Come Around are all great songs
Michael Kiwanuka
5/5
Excellent album from start to finish and one of my favorite discoveries so far from the generator. Songwriting is superb, musicianship is top notch, the transition are tight and the album bridges folk and souls with modern rock and electronic. Favorite tune is Solid Ground
The Sugarcubes
3/5
This is album is about as bad musically as anything I’ve heard on this list, but Bjork’s voice. Favorite track is Fucking in Rhythm and Sorrow
Gotan Project
3/5
I like this kind of music, but find the album unexceptionle
Paul Simon
5/5
Classics throughout. Superb musicianship. One of the greatest albums of the 80s.
Coldplay
3/5
Def Leppard
1/5
Jethro Tull
4/5
Excellent album, but if I’m being honest not one I’d listen to frequently. Locomotive breath and Mother Goose are favorites
Echo And The Bunnymen
3/5
Well it’s not dull as a couple reviews claimed. Songs range from borderline unlistenable, (mostly due to out of tune singing) to fun, interesting, complex and energetic. My favorite tracks are White Devil, Porcupine, and Ripeness. They’re all quite different. I’m not surprised to hate some songs and love others, I’ve had polarized opinions within myself on this band in the past.
Pink Floyd
3/5
I want whatever Syd is on. Looks up what happened to Syd… ah never mind.
Found most of this hard to listen to but Gnome and Scarecrow at the end were fun.
Some better Pink Floyd albums missed the list like Meddle, Animals, and Atom Heart Mother
T. Rex
2/5
Linkin Park
1/5
The Clash
4/5
Reminds of Exile on Main St by the Rolling Stones. Solid throughout, but not much in the way of stand outs
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
3/5
Such a pretentious album. I felt like an idiot for not appreciating it more.
The Avalanches
4/5
Great background music. Creates a mood and flows, with subtle song distinctions, yet is varied and interesting
Adam & The Ants
4/5
Wild stuff. First few songs caught me. But this one maintains a pulsating energy throughout
Red Hot Chili Peppers
4/5
Like Blood, Sugar, Sex, Magic this one is solid throughout. I’m not a huge fan of the hits on this one, but Californiacation is a good song. My favorite part of the album is Porcelain through Velvet Glove. Songs are well arranged and produced
Talking Heads
5/5
A masterpiece and amongst my favorite albums of all time. Richly textured polyrhythms with interesting vocals and lyrics. The only song I don’t love is final track the Overload. All the other tracks are sensational
Solomon Burke
4/5
Undeniably great voice and I enjoyed the B side with the Latin fingerpicking
Stevie Wonder
5/5
A masterpiece by a musical genius
Girls Against Boys
2/5
The vocals ruined this for me. Musically it’s not awful
The Rolling Stones
3/5
Sympathy for the Devil is a classic, but this album doesn’t hold my attention after that. To me it’s one of the less interesting Stone albums of their prime years
Chicago
4/5
Superb musicianship, but to me the songwriting is lacking. The album also felt thrown together and not cohesive.
Soundgarden
3/5
Paul McCartney and Wings
3/5
Hard to discuss McCartney without discussing Lennon. Both musical geniuses who needed each other to bring out each others up strength and cover up for each others weaknesses. My favorite solo albums of any Beatle is from George Harrison. The start of this album doesn’t do it for me, but really like Mamunia, Mrs. vandebilt, and the final track
MGMT
4/5
Impressive album beyond the hits. Favorite track is Youth
Ice T
2/5
Some nice old school beats, but not a fan of Ice-Ts flow
Holger Czukay
2/5
I like weird, but this was meandering, weird for the sake of weird, weird
Cream
5/5
One of my favorites in my teenage year with Tale Brave Ulysses as the highlight in addition to Sunshine of your love and Strange Brew. There are a handful of stinkers on it, but more than half the songs are great. Closes with a Monty Python impression
Carole King
3/5
Black Sabbath
4/5
Love these thick heavy guitar riffs.
Nightmares On Wax
4/5
Got more into this as I got deeper in. At first I thought it was pleasant background music but Praying for a Jeep Boat I was grooving. Great run from Wait a Minute to Bless My Soul
R.E.M.
5/5
Don’t love REM but this album was outstanding. The Moral Kiosk is my favorite track
Badly Drawn Boy
3/5
Enjoyed the beginning of the album with a rich full sound. It wore on me as it went though
The The
4/5
This type of music wears on me, but this was an excellent album. Creative and varied. Favorite tracks were Soul Mining and Giant.
The Band
3/5
There are better Band albums in my opinion
The Smiths
3/5
Alice Cooper
3/5
Not bad for the first 5 songs are so. Maybe even Bowie-esque. Then it got significantly worse
Sonic Youth
3/5
Catchy song that descend into chaos
The Doors
4/5
Excellent A side with LA Woman as the highlight and probably my favorite all time Doors Song. B side is mostly boring before Riders of the Storm. Overall this record has some great songs but feels more disjointed than other Doors albums
MC Solaar
3/5
Beats feel lack high end production and depth, and sometimes feel canned. Flow is ok, old school and sometimes robotic. Bouge de la is one of my favorite tracks but didn’t need two parts in my opinion.
Iron Butterfly
4/5
Grew on me. Final track is like a lesser version of The Doors “The End”
The Who
3/5
While this album has some great and memorable songs, it also has some dull stretches. The section Sensation and Tommy’s Holiday Camp is pretty bleh. Favorite tracks are Sparks, Underture, and Go to the Mirror!
Jimmy Smith
3/5
First track was excellent, but overall found the album to be nice, but not exceptional
Common
5/5
Seems to me this was intended as a double album, not only due to the length but the abrupt transition from Time Travelin’ Reprise to The 6th Sense.
An aside - The static on 6th Sense leading into the iconic “revolution is here” intro had me longing to use it as a lead-in track for the hip hop mixtapes I made for girls in high school. After all Common’s voice is a well known aphrodisiac (it’s not just the nag champa). But goddam Common had to put an annoyingly long interlude at the end of the track about men as hypocrites and smacking hoes. Needless to say the feminist chicks I dug in high school weren’t having that and they were deprived of one my all time favorite DJ Premier beats. Alas!
Anyways I wanted to dock the album a star for that and it being too long. I was ready to do so and then A song for Asata came on and I knew this had to be 5 stars. It’s a bit of an all star group with Common joined by the Soulquarians (Questlove, Dilla, etc). The beats are solid throughout ans aside from a few dumbass homophobic and misogynist lines the flow and lyricism are on point.
Peter Frampton
3/5
Janis Joplin
4/5
From Move Over to Mercedes Benz very very solid album. Creative songwriting and Janis’ powerful voice. At times Janis can be overpowering. I prefer Big Brother in the Holding Company, but this still solid
LL Cool J
2/5
I’d like to say it’s just dated, but Tribe Called Quest was producing much better hip hop at exactly the same time. This just doesn’t pass the test of modern flow and beats. Respect LL Cool J for his role in growing hip hop, but the music isn’t that good
Fela Kuti
5/5
This Fela groove start so strong. Reminds me if Headhunters in that the first two tracks are excellent and memorable. Second two are kind of boring. Still a great record
Pantera
2/5
I don’t enjoy heavy metal singing, but the guitar work this album is undeniably impressive. As a fan of Rage Against the Machine and Tom Morello I can hear how this inspired him.
Thelonious Monk
3/5
This bop is a bit too hard for my tastes. I prefer a softer bop
Cypress Hill
3/5
B Real’s voice annoys me, but I do appreciate the production of DJ Muggs
Sister Sledge
2/5
So much cheese my lactose intolerance kicked in
Morrissey
2/5
Was disappointed when this one came up, but I liked it better than the other Morrissey album on the list
The Auteurs
2/5
Various Artists
2/5
The Sabres Of Paradise
2/5
A couple cool jams later on . Tow truck is cool
Keith Jarrett
3/5
George Michael
1/5
George Harrison
4/5
My favorite of all the Beatles solo albums. Superb start and finish
Pulp
3/5
Wasn’t familiar with genre Britpop before 1001 and Im not a fan. It’s currently last in my genre rankings. But this was admittedly better than others I’ve heard. Dishes and I am a Man were alright
UB40
3/5
Some solid dub grooves such as King, Burden of Shame, and Food for Thought. Also some
Cringy pop songs like I think it’s going to rain today
Al Green
4/5
Super solid vocals with tight grooves
Jefferson Airplane
5/5
Fantastic start, but Embryonic Journey and White Rabbit is where it’s at
Solange
2/5
This album has a nice flow but overall lacks melodic and rhythmic dynamism. I prefer her 2019 release.
Bob Dylan
5/5
After giving 5 Dylan albums 4 stars it felt weird not to have one in my highest rated albums. While not my favorite of Dylan’s work (that would be Desire) this one felt worthy. Like a Rolling Stone is a top Dylan song and Queen Jane is probably my second favorite song on the record.
Bill Evans Trio
2/5
Had it’s moments but mostly meandering
Wu-Tang Clan
5/5
I hadn’t really entered the Wu before. I knew the track C.R.E.A.M, enjoyed some Method Man and Redman, and even saw Wu live at Rock the Bells. The cult like following for the group kind of turned me off to it. This album convinced that their reputation is deserved.
The beats are stripped down and grimy compared to other legendary producers of the era like Dr. Dre and Q-Tip. But RZA’s production is creative, compelling and a perfect fit for the raw, energetic and varied flow styles of the group. Other than C.R.E.A.M. my favorite track is Da Mystery of Chessboxin’.
Roni Size
2/5
I’m not the type to listen to a whole drum and bass album. It’s too repetitive for me. I did like the bass on Brown Paper bag and thought the first three songs were good
Beck
4/5
After getting a drum and bass album yesterday where all the tracks sounded the same I love how varied this one was. My fav tracks were Derelict, Jack-ass, and Readymade
The National
4/5
The best pure indie album I’ve gotten so far on this list. Nice full sound quality, good production and songwriting. I particularly liked the end of the album with England Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks
The Shamen
4/5
I liked the first 4 songs. More interesting than most house music. Then it fell off a bit.
Bobby Womack
2/5
The moves on this one are so smooth it gave me an urgent need for the toilet
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
4/5
Lively and impassioned and danceable punk jams.
Kanye West
5/5
Undoubtedly one of Kanye’s best albums but still pretty uneven. Really this one feels like four parts.
Part 1: Intro -> Spaceship. Production is good but not up to Kanye’s lofty standards. Kanye’s rapping really lets him down on this part of the album. Its substandard. 3 *
Part 2: Jesus Walks -> Get ‘em High. Excellent stretch. Jesus Walks may be Kanye’s best song overall with immaculate production, Get ‘Em High probably features Kanye’s best rapping.
Part 3: Workout Plan -> Slow Jamz. Feels like Kanye is trying to get laid here. Bizarre skits mixed with below average songs. 2 *
Part 4: Breathe In Breathe Out -> Last Call. Excellent closing stretch with long drawn out skits slowing the role a bit as Kanye (fairly and somewhat hilariously) rails against college. Through the Wire has sensational production even if the rapping lacks and Family Business shows Kanye’s range almost bridging Pharcyde and Chance the Rapper with a beautiful track. The outro on Last Call is rambly as hell, but also pretty interesting even if it showcases Kanye’s narcissism 5*
Aerosmith
4/5
Not the kind of album I usually listen to, but I’m a roadtrip and this is a fun road trip tape. I enjoyed songs like F.I.N.E. With some nice harmonies on the chorus. I also had fun with the weird interludes of dulcimer an didgeridoo even if they surrounded throwaway tracks like Don’t Get Mad Get Even
Jorge Ben Jor
4/5
Ponta lanca has been a favorite since high school. Oustanding song. The rest of the album was disappointing. Nice funk sounds, but not nearly as smooth as the first track.
Elbow
3/5
I can see why someone would like this, but the album didn’t catch me
Charles Mingus
3/5
Fela Kuti
4/5
More infectious grooves by the king of infectious grooves. This one just lacked the high end stand out song of some othe Fela records. I enjoyed it all though even the audience participation and the long drum solo
The Velvet Underground
5/5
My second favorite Velvet Underground album after Loaded which didn’t make the list. Great variance of tracks. Love the start and finish with Candy Says and After Hours
Haircut 100
3/5
Mostly cheesy, but also some fun grooves. Favorite track is ski club which apparently didn’t make the original record
Hüsker Dü
4/5
I’ve heard this before and didn’t love it. However I listened while cleaning and it really worked for me. Very energetic throughout. Yes a lot of the songs sound similar it’s long. Just like the drive and energy. It’s a fun album
Sam Cooke
2/5
I like Sam Cooke just fine, just not this recording. Muddy and not in a good way
Miriam Makeba
4/5
Very impressive album. Her voice is exceptional. Favorites are the songs not in English particularly the ones with clicking in them
Metallica
2/5
Hanoi Rocks
1/5
Oof this is as bad as it gets.
Neil Young
4/5
Hard to rate these albums I’ve listened to 1000 times so they’ve gotten bit stale. This one has three very well know excellent but overrated songs, that I’ve heard too many times: Heart of Gold, Old Man, and Needle and the Damage Done,
one excellent and underrated song: Out on the Weekend,
one pretty good song: words
Two decent songs: Are you Ready for the County and Alabama
Two forgettable songs: a man needs a maid and There’s a world which are both crappy and overproduced.
Overall it’s a classic album but not Neil Young’s best
Elton John
3/5
Ride
3/5
Still have no idea what shoegaze is but I like this better than others I’ve heard from the genre. The first two songs in particular were interesting. The album wore on me though
Public Enemy
4/5
Good energy, solid production, and some classic Chuck D raps. But there are really only 3-4 good songs on the record
Fishbone
3/5
Neil Young
5/5
An excellent Neil Young album. The A side really outshines the B side. Walk On, See the Sky about to rain, and for the turnstiles are all fantastic. Even the songs I don’t love this album have nice jams and production.
Randy Newman
3/5
Bang average
Snoop Dogg
4/5
Probably the most references to licking balls of album on the list. Luckily the beats and flows are ball-licking good
Lightning Bolt
1/5
If you like chaotic, repetitive, noise you’ll love this one. If you like music you should probably move on
Sigur Rós
4/5
Breathtakingly, hauntingly beautiful like watching a glacier melt. About the same pace too
Elvis Presley
3/5
Not bad, but Elvis is extremely overrated. Originals are better than his covers.
Malcolm McLaren
3/5
World famous, but I didn’t know it!
Lenny Kravitz
2/5
I always feel like Kravitz more than I do. His voice and songwriting don’t do it for me. Feels like empty calories
Orange Juice
2/5
The Notorious B.I.G.
3/5
Witty dark lyrics, but other than the hits I don’t find this to be a good listen
Love
4/5
Strong throughout, quality early psychadelia
Raekwon
3/5
Average 90s hip hop. Not really any memorable songs
Beatles
3/5
Not a huge fan of early Beatles. To me what sets this one apart is the song “And I Love Her” which is one McCartney’s best
Stevie Wonder
4/5
Brilliance throughout but also moments of cheesiness. Superstition is unimpeachable as a work class funk song. Great beginning and end as well. Not as consistently awesome as Innervisions
Joni Mitchell
5/5
Joni’s songwriting is uniquely brilliant and this is her at her apex. California is my favorite
Steve Winwood
2/5
Cheese 80s blah
Funkadelic
5/5
I must admit before pledging my allegiance to the funk I was suffering from moral and mental diarrhea. Under the groove of this album I finally had the musical bowl movement I’d been waiting for. Now I no longer fear being eaten by a sandwich. Hallefunkinlujah!
The Beta Band
3/5
This one grew on me. Weird but strangely catchy
Ali Farka Touré
4/5
Excellent African blues. Repetitive at times, but there was also some nice variation between songs. Favorite tune was Soulora
The Smiths
4/5
Excellent start, A rush and a push and the Land is Ours is awesome, excellent composition and lyrics. Kind of lost my interest in the middle, then came back strong with Paint a Vulgar Picture which is also strong lyrically
Incubus
2/5
There is some enjoyable music in places. I really enjoyed the bass, drums, and riff in Warmth. Then the songwriting comes in and it sucks. The songwriting throughout is terrible
The Rolling Stones
2/5
This is the worst Stones record I’ve heard. Mostly sloppy blues covers. Not much of an inkling of the songwriting brilliance that would later emerge
R.E.M.
3/5
Side A show cased much of what I like about 80s REM. Energetic, intricate creative pop. Side B showcased much of what i don’t like about 90s REM overdramatic and irritating. Hairshirt may have single handedly moved this from a 4 to a 3
Public Enemy
5/5
Hands down the best hip hope record of the 1980s. Banger after banger and apex Chuck D. Something about Chuck D’s partnership with Flovor Flav cracks me up. It’s like Malcom X teaming up with Chris Tucker. While Chuck D is critiquing tv as the opiate of the masses in She Watch Channel Zero, Flav is like “yo turn that shit off so I can watch the game!” It’s ridiculous
Orbital
3/5
Some interesting songs and some very annoying ones. Overall there are better 90s electronic albums
David Holmes
2/5
Another bleh 90s electronic album
Radiohead
4/5
Technically brilliant and the production is immaculate. I don’t find it as listenable as its sister release Amnesiac though. For me Idioteque and Morning Bell are the heart of this one. Excellent but not quite to the heights of some other Radiohead albums to my ears
The Cars
4/5
First three are hits, but it stays pretty strong throughout, with just a couple lulls. Nice clean punky rock pop
The Electric Prunes
2/5
Forgettable psychedelic bubblegum. But not all was lost, I took a deeply satisfying dump after listening. Thanks prunes!
Tricky
2/5
I was kind of digging this at first, but it just got weirder. The Public Enemy cover was bizarre
Little Richard
3/5
As oldies go this is pretty solid. I like the energy of the horn solos
Bob Marley & The Wailers
5/5
This album exemplifies that Bob Marley is more than just a reggae musician. This really feels like reggae/soul. Some of his albums are more reggae/funk. Either way this one is a solid throughout, packed with excellent vocals and songwriting. Probably my second favorite reggae album after Uprising which didn’t make the list for some reason
The Last Shadow Puppets
3/5
Depeche Mode
2/5
What is the opposite of nostalgia. That’s how I feel about this one. Hated it when I was younger still don’t like it. Album is emo yet mechanical
Django Django
4/5
Q-Tip
3/5
This is a bit of a dud from the great Q-Tip
Supergrass
4/5
First time hearing this. While it has the energy of a good punk album, it’s more varied and musically interesting. A particularly great stretch early on between the fuzz and Alright. Rest is pretty solid, but doesn’t reach those songwriting heights.
U2
3/5
It’s not bad but I’m basically never in the room for arena rock
Radiohead
3/5
The first Radiohead album I owned and I wasn’t looking forward to revisiting. Not bad, but not there best work
Everything But The Girl
1/5
Found this one repetitive, formulaic, and overall not interesting
Beatles
5/5
Everyone knows Elenor Rigby and Yellow Submarine, but it’s the supporting songs that make this is a classic. My favorites are I’m Only Sleeping, And Your Bird Can Sing, and Tomorrow Never Knows
Roxy Music
4/5
Such a full sound it sometimes overflows. Experimental, rocking and before it’s time
Robert Wyatt
2/5
Bob Dylan
3/5
This one grew on me, but is not nearly the level of Dylan albums that didn’t make the list like Desire. Still pretty good
David Bowie
5/5
My favorite Bowie. Life On Mars is his best song, but there is much more to this one
The Verve
3/5
The Prodigy
3/5
My mom’s least favorite 90s band on alt radio. Has some good beats, but they all sound pretty similar
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
3/5
Elis Regina
4/5
Music moves effortlessly as samba should, but has a bit extra
OutKast
5/5
Perhaps the best hip hop double album of all time. Speakeboxx beginning is awesome. It’s dripping in P Funk at the beginning and Bow tie is particularly great. Love Below has some classic tunes but is less consistent.
Pearl Jam
4/5
One of the 90s better rock albums. Really strong start, but tails off a bit at the end.
Ray Price
3/5
Barry Adamson
3/5
2/5
Shack
2/5
Coldplay
4/5
A nice debut with a strong start
Hookworms
4/5
Yeah I’d never heard of this band either and I’m not in love with all the unknown Britpicks on this list. This one though I feel is a legitimately good indie album with energy, creativity and variety. I enjoyed the first three tracks in particular with Ullswater being my favorite
Lou Reed
4/5
Walk on the Wild Side is one of my all time favorites and Andy’s Chest is great as well. Overall the album didn’t fully hold my attention, but there are some great songs
Drive Like Jehu
1/5
Jane's Addiction
4/5
My favorite red light/green light song kicks this one off. The hits are great and the rest is decent
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
2/5
Thought I could like Elvis Costello. I was wrong
Drive-By Truckers
1/5
Let’s just pretend I listened to this whole thing
Michael Jackson
5/5
Not a huge fan of 80s pop music, but this is undoubtedly one of the greatest pop albums of all time and it’s not just Thriller - Billie Jean trio. The album is well produced and has a number of classic songs, with Wanna Be Starting Something getting play in recent years
The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy
3/5
I’m a fan of Franti’s later stuff with Spearhead, particularly his first few albums with that band. Like all his early stuff this album has a strong message, but the poetry doesn’t all hit for me. The TV song is the clear highlight, it sounds a bit like a modern Gil Scott Heron powerful and poised. Much of the rest sounds like a bad imitation of Chuck D. It doesn’t quite take a side between the rhythm and poetry style of Saul Williams and hip hop lyricism, so feels muddled. While this album is interesting it clearly isn’t as influential, polished or as good a listen as contemporary conscious hip hop classics like KRS-One’s Return of the Boom Bap. Still I’m not mad I heard it
LCD Soundsystem
5/5
Love the recipe review and I think there is some Talking Heads and a bit more punk rock I tasted in the stew too. But this actually unique and refreshing for an indie 80s dance sound. I agree it was exhausting at times, especially All My Friends. Lyrically this is much more interesting than you’d expect from an dance record
The Flying Burrito Brothers
4/5
Better than I expected, but why is it considered one of the best albums of the 70a if it was released in 1969?
Joy Division
3/5
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
I’m going to restrain myself from giving all Jimi’s albums on this list 5 stars. This one had the most well known songs. It’s raw and the Wind Cries Mary might be the best he ever wrote. Still it doesn’t feel as much like an album as his later more experimental efforts. It is incredible quality and quantity he put out in just a couple years. Ah to hell with it, I’ll give this one 5 stars too. It’s not perfect, but it’s an excellent debut
Jacques Brel
2/5
Basement Jaxx
4/5
The Strokes
4/5
Not anything groundbreaking, but some good stuff. I particularly liked Alone, Together
Willie Nelson
4/5
Great classic country song writing and the best vocals. That said this one is a little repetitive and not too varied
The Darkness
2/5
Cornershop
4/5
Candyman is great, but much of the rest of the album is dull
Jeff Buckley
5/5
Beast of a debut. What a talent? Sad that he went too soon
Morrissey
1/5
Jane Weaver
3/5
CHIC
3/5
First couple are bangers, then it tails off considerably
Nine Inch Nails
2/5
Kings of Leon
4/5
I love the blend of eras on this one. A spirited effort, some songs came off better than others but they were trying things
Les Rythmes Digitales
4/5
Hard to rate a dance album unless you’re dancing or working out to it. Some of the beats are great on this one, yeah they’re repetitive but that’s dance music. The funk track is my favorite
David Bowie
2/5
This will take Bowie, from my favorite artist, to my most controversial here. What I can I say his best work wasn’t his last work
Bee Gees
2/5
Metallica
2/5
Better than most metal, but still too heavy for me
Ananda Shankar
4/5
Big fan of Indian rock fusion and while this is far from the greatest example, it still has compelling moments. Favorite track is metamorphosis
Stevie Wonder
4/5
Didn’t love the first three songs which were on the cheesy side. From Boogie on Reggae Woman through to Bird of Beauty is some of Stevie’s best stuff though. Particularly enjoyed You Haven’t Done Nothing and They Wong Go When I Go
Common
4/5
Solid, but not as good as Like Water for Chocolate. First couple tracks are the best ones
Violent Femmes
4/5
I listened to this album three times in a row when I was sick in high school. I threw up and couldn’t tolerate his voice for years after. His voice still gets me a little nauseous. But this album has a few great songs. In particular a big fan of Gone Daddy Gone and the xylophone solo
Van Halen
2/5
Morrissey
4/5
Not anything groundbreaking but some good stuff. I particularly liked Alone, Together
k.d. lang
1/5
Taylor Swift
2/5
Beck
3/5
Sheryl Crow
3/5
Einstürzende Neubauten
1/5
John Coltrane
3/5
No my favorite jazz album, but there are certainly moments of brilliance. Part II is my favorite.
Happy Mondays
2/5
The Prodigy
3/5
Had its moments as a mash between electronic and hard rock. Particularly liked Their Law. Better than the other Prodigy album on the list in my opinion
The Smiths
3/5
Grew on me. First few tracks were dull but by Cemetary Gates I was in
Meat Puppets
4/5
In addition to the excellent Nirvana Unplugged albums there are some really good instrumental jams. Particularly Aurora Borealis and Magic Toy Missing
Rufus Wainwright
2/5
Dexys Midnight Runners
4/5
I had fun with this one. Like Elvis if he were a British hipster who took a bunch of psycadelics. End of That is What She’s Like rocked
Cowboy Junkies
2/5
Brian Eno
4/5
Dead Finks Don’t Talk hits all the right notes
The United States Of America
2/5
Oasis
2/5
The xx
2/5
Paul McCartney
3/5
Sounds mostly like outtakes with the exception of two very good songs. Maybe I’m Amazed and Junk
Todd Rundgren
2/5
The Dandy Warhols
4/5
Rod Stewart
3/5
Decent southern rock sound, but I can’t get behind his vocals.
The Jam
2/5
The Louvin Brothers
3/5
Sebadoh
2/5
Never heard this one, but I have heard some of their next album Bakesale and I prefer that one
3/5
The Mess We’re In is phenomenal. The rest is okay
Deerhunter
3/5
The Isley Brothers
3/5
A Tribe Called Quest
5/5
Album gains steam and by the end hits harder than 2 day old shits. But Fife was there another way to show me where you come from?
Bee Gees
2/5
The Triffids
1/5
Cat Stevens
5/5
The songwriting is excellent and so is the production. The longer boats came and won me
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
2/5
Soul II Soul
3/5
Now this is the kind of music I want to jam to ironically in the aisles of TJ Maxx
Emmylou Harris
3/5
The Dictators
2/5
Wire
3/5
Air
4/5
Abdullah Ibrahim
3/5
2/5
I cannot understand choosing this over Desire, which in my opinion is Dylan’s best front to back record. When you compare that album to the quality of this recording it’s night and day. The only thing noteworthy about this record is that he got heckled for playing electric. I feel like every song is a subpar version compared to the album. This is no Allman Brothers Fillmore East or 4-Way Street, just a wasted pick.
Jungle Brothers
3/5
Ms. Dynamite
3/5
The Cure
3/5
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
2/5
The Stooges
3/5
Skepta
4/5
First time with the grime fam
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
Kelela
2/5
M.I.A.
4/5
Galang is awesome. While some of the wear on me, Bucky Don Gun. The production is on point and her style unique and creative
Kraftwerk
4/5
4 stars for one good song, but it’s long
Suzanne Vega
3/5
The Byrds
3/5
The Byrds fluttered so CSNY could soar
The Kinks
4/5
Not peak Kinks yet, but fun and whimsical. Great start and great finish
The Incredible String Band
2/5
Monty Python but not funny and dull
TV On The Radio
3/5
Sometimes with these indie rock albums it just feels like they’re trying to hard to sound like an indie band
U2
3/5
I liked the opening track, but after that I found out to be like a normal U2 album, not that compelling
Kings of Leon
4/5
Randy Newman
3/5
Culture Club
1/5
Paul Simon
2/5
Fan of Paul Simon, but this is not one of his better albums
k.d. lang
2/5
Willie Nelson
4/5
Kendrick Lamar
4/5
Good Kid M.A.A.D City is better. This one has its moments though. Kendrick is a bit overrated, but only because people talk about him like he’s the GOAT
The Undertones
2/5
It’s never too late to enjoy dumb entertainment
David Gray
2/5
King Crimson
4/5
This one falls somewhere between Pink Floyd and true Books. Innovative and extremely varied, this one is quite an accomplishment. I'd give it 5, but I overrated their other album on here, but this is the better one
The Doors
5/5
Stereo MC's
4/5
Nick Drake
5/5
Raw and brilliant. The is the best Drake
Antony and the Johnsons
2/5
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
5/5
Not sure it's grunge, but it is glorious.
Elvis Presley
2/5
Eagles
2/5
Siouxsie And The Banshees
2/5
Tori Amos
3/5
Erykah Badu
4/5
Eurythmics
4/5
Aside from the obvious single this is like off brand Talking Heads. I enjoy the Talking Heads quite a bit, so this is a good replacement when they're all out David Byrne
Julian Cope
3/5
Sparks
2/5
Orbital
2/5
Tears For Fears
2/5
Peak 80s and not in a good way
Peter Gabriel
2/5
The Adverts
1/5
I'd rather watch adverts
Derek & The Dominos
4/5
I enjoyed this as a teenager, but admittedly skipped large portions of it. It's way too long for an album without much variety. There are some classic and memorable songs though.
Talvin Singh
3/5
OK!
Fleet Foxes
4/5
Not the biggest fan of this folky pop mid-2000s genre, but the Fleet Foxes did it better. Melodically this is far more interesting than the other bands of this ilk.
10cc
2/5
Worst band in the world seems harsh, but it's not great
The Byrds
3/5
3/5
Christina Aguilera
2/5
Joe Ely
2/5
Keeps those fingernails long so he can make that chalkboard sing. Nice to have my ears bleed a little before I die.
Ice Cube
3/5
The Pogues
5/5
My new favorite Christmas album. Varied yet cohesive and a fun plot twist at the end.
Dexys Midnight Runners
3/5
Enjoyed this, not quite as much as the othe Dexys album. Love some funky horns, the vocals are a bit too over the top for me
The Good, The Bad & The Queen
3/5
Miles Davis
4/5
Neu!
2/5
Tina Turner
3/5
Beastie Boys
5/5
They're not great rappers and their voices are annoying, but this album is outstanding
Fleetwood Mac
2/5
Not in the same league as Rumors
Grateful Dead
4/5
A very good, but probably overrated dead album. Song writing is good, production is sub par. Some really good songs though that grew as they were performed live.
Big Black
3/5
One of the more surprising albums on this list. Far more abrasive than the music I enjoy. I don't like Noise Rock or Industrial. However the production is extremely impressive and it's mor creative than most screams albums. Not one I will listen to often, but glad I heard it
Judas Priest
2/5
There are some elements I like. But hair band music repels me and this is far too close for my liking
N.E.R.D
1/5
I like Pharrell, but this one wasn't good
The Sonics
2/5
This album is a real shrieker
Throwing Muses
5/5
It's interesting that one of my favorite albums that this list turned me on to is not on the list. Because of the difficulty of listening to the 1986 album I listened to the 2003 album posted on the comments and it's excellent. Soaring guitar with Dave Grohl style drums and creative songwriting. I liked the whole album, but the standouts were Speed and Sleep and Epiphany. I realize that I'm reviewing the wrong album, oh well. The 80s are getting an undeserved bump in my decade rankings
Baaba Maal
4/5
Weather Report
2/5
B.B. King
3/5
BB King is a legend, but this live albums is just ok
Air
5/5
LFG
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
Cheesy overall, but a handful of decent songs
The Temptations
5/5
This album feels like 3 parts:
Side A (first three songs)
Monster funk rhythmically and musically outstanding 5*
Side B first half (songs 4-6)
Cheesy R&B 2*
Side B second half (songs 7-8)
Beautiful and soul music with depth and passion. Do your thing is spectacular in particular 5*
Baaba Maal
3/5
Soothing music, but I don't love the vocals
Radiohead
3/5
I was disappointed by this. I've always liked High and Dry and really the like the three albums that followed this. This one however felt more boring and less innovative.
Green Day
5/5
Usually I can't stand pop-punk. Separately they're too of my least favorite genres and when you combine them it's worse. Blink-182 is one of my least favorite bands. This however is the pinnacle of the genre. I can't stand anything else Green Day did, but enjoyed this entire album from when I was 11 until today. Welcome to Paradise is my favorite currently, but always loved basket case
Van Morrison
5/5
Like an old comfy sweater
The Cult
2/5
Marvin Gaye
1/5
Boring, self indulgent, cheesy, and good god I dislike that saxophone.
I understand he was going through some stuff so I don't blame him. I blame the editors for making me listen to it
Ali Farka Touré
3/5
Pleasant background music
Van Halen
2/5
Joanna Newsom
3/5
Strange, wild, fever dream where every song was WAY too long. Music and lyrics were interesting for the most part. Found her voice annoying in parts. Glad I listened but if I'm honest it will probably be the only time
John Lennon
3/5
I like the raw beginning of the album. While I'm not a big fan of the primal scream outro to Mother, Lennon's voice really shines elsewhere in the song. In my opinion this album tails off significantly on the B side. Lennon's solo work work has been a significant disappointment listening to this list. For the most part it really doesn't a hold a candle to his Beatles songwriting. Lennon and McCartney needed each other to bring out the best in themselves
Dead Kennedys
4/5
It's virtually impossible to be this obnoxious and good simultaneously. Holiday in Cambodia and Chemical Warfare are personal favorites
Def Leppard
2/5
I despise hair metal, but if I'm being honest there are parts of this album I can appreciate it's just not Pour Some Sugar On Me
Isaac Hayes
5/5
The last two tracks are some of the best funk tracks of all time. Just absolutely phenomenal musicianship. No way Do Your Thing is a soundtrack song
Talking Heads
5/5
This album is music heaven for me. Play it all night long
Hugh Masekela
5/5
Could be my favorite jazz musician of all time. The more I hear the more I like
5/5
After the first half dozen songs I was leaning towards a four, but I was blown away by the run from Space Child to Soldier. Exceptional energy, production, and musicianship. Never heard of them before but I'm a convert
Megadeth
1/5
This is the type of metal I don't abide
Hole
2/5
I want to like this more. But the only song I really enjoyed was the third track Plump
Steely Dan
3/5
This album being called "Can't Buy a Thrill" is kind of like a carousel ride being called "Can I get some screaming please?" Only slightly thrilling part is the solo guitar work on Reelin' in the Years
Calexico
5/5
I was surprised by how much I liked this. Latin jazz-folk fusion with an indie inflection. Had some really nice moments. Particularly enjoyed Pepita and Close Behind
Tom Waits
3/5
A lot of not too interesting filler. I really liked Emotional Weather Report and Spare Parts though
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
Not a Springsteen guy, but this is my favorite of his work even though I find it dull in places. Atlantic City and Highway Patrolman are extraordinary songs
Manu Chao
3/5
I've always found Manu Chao pleasant on the ears, but feels a bit like empty calories. His albums don't have much variation, so not great for anything but background music
The B-52's
4/5
I want whatever they were on
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
4/5
Milton Nascimento
2/5
Germs
2/5
A Tribe Called Quest
4/5
Two great songs with Can I Kick it and Youthful Expression
Cocteau Twins
4/5
Perfect music for putting up Halloween decorations or carving pumpkins
Fun Lovin' Criminals
1/5
So many good hip hop albums from the 90s and they chose this one... smh
Iggy Pop
4/5
So much better than the other Iggy 77 release on this list. Passenger is excellent
Finley Quaye
4/5
I'll admit some of these some of these songs aren't good and some are objectively bad. But a few of these reggae baselines are so filthy (played by Quayle himself) that I may or may not have become pregnant listening to this.
I was familiar with "Even After All" and "Your Love Gets Sweeter" as they were staples on mixtapes for hippy girls when I was in high school. Undoubtedly they acted as an aphrodisiac for the right teenage girl. However in my case it just made them realize they wanted a cool, Rasta musician type, and not some nerdy weirdo. Oops
Well I was still on the fence about this one until I heard "Supreme I Preme" 90s hip hop anthem wet dream. Now I plan to name the child after his father Finlay Quayle Jr., which again I have mixed feelings about because most of this album isn't very good.
The White Stripes
3/5
Grew on me and then grew off me
Heaven 17
4/5
Two days before the election in the US and that first track is feeling a bit close to home. This is a really good synth pop album
Missy Elliott
4/5
Very good start, with great production, good flow, and nice features. Got a bit stale by the end
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five
3/5
To me this album is all about the song The Message, which was the first great hip hop song. The hook to that one is excellent. However overall I think this album doesn't hold up in terms of beats and flow. It was too early in hip hop's evolution
The Cure
1/5
Anthrax
1/5
Christine and the Queens
1/5
Blondie
4/5
Lou Reed
3/5
I started off liking this but it got increasingly morose
N.W.A.
3/5
Groundbreaking in 1988, but to me doesn't stand the test of time. Pales in comparison to Dre's later virtuosic production
The Who
3/5
I generally feel that live albums should only be on this list if the artist is known as a live artist and if it comes from a legendary live show. This one checks both those boxes. Unfortunately early Who isn't great. The medleys are particularly good highlighted by the awesome Spark melody and some good imitations of Hendrix and Zeppelin. Other than that only the I Can't Explain hit for me and there's a bad stretch in the middle
The Birthday Party
1/5
Youssou N'Dour
3/5
Has the ingredients, but it's too busy for me
CHIC
2/5
Fugazi
3/5
Tom Waits
5/5
Tom Waits really broke through for me on this listen. His halting, strange melodic style has an appealing intimacy. It wasn't always my cup of tea, but this album has to be the pinnacle of his work
Earth, Wind & Fire
3/5
Overall I found this cheesy, but I like Africano and Shining Star
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
5/5
The song Woodstock is the song of the generation. Brilliant writing by Joni and CSNY made it come alive
Sex Pistols
3/5
I was told this was the greatest punk album of all time, but some people lie... like EMI
Dire Straits
5/5
4 excellent songs in Water of Love, Setting me up, Sultans of Swing, and Wild West End. Lions is pretty good too and the rest is good enough
TV On The Radio
5/5
Hard to describe this one. It's got the dark, droning, soaring feeling Explosions or Godspeed, but a soulful barbershop quartet thing going on to. Production is excellent and the sound is unique. Never really gotten into this band. Always thought Dear Science was just okay, but this one hit me
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
3/5
This album has too excellent songs and the rest I'm not fond of. The two great songs are My My, Hey Hey and Powderfinger.
The Chemical Brothers
3/5
I've always felt like they have potential, but it's usually not fully realized. Favorite tracks are Piku and the Private Psychadelic Reel
Stephen Stills
3/5
My favorite year in music history, the year of Deja Vu and After the Goldrush. In comparison this one feels like a bit of a dud. Not too many memorable tracks. What saves it is the warm production and strong instrumentation
Arcade Fire
4/5
Strong album. Good songs throughout. My favorite is Ocean of Noise
The Young Rascals
3/5
Not bad, but overall pretty generic
Gene Clark
4/5
This was way better than I expected. Lady of the North is a great final track
Robbie Williams
1/5
The Young Gods
1/5
Beth Orton
4/5
I vaguely remember the name Beth Orton. Surprised by how much I enjoyed this. The first track is outstanding. She has warm vocals similar to Bonnie Paine of Elephant Revival, and the melodies reminded me of the Cranberries compelling pop riffs. Ben Harper's slide just adds to the atmosphere of an expertly played backing track. The rest of the album is warm but lacking in standouts. I was fond of Sweetest Decline, Stars All Seem to Weep, and Live Like Laughter. Great for a chill, warm fireside vibe
Billy Joel
3/5
Not my kind of music, but good song writing and excellent production. Vienna is my favorite
Cheap Trick
3/5
While they may be big in Japan this is just too much hair for me. Album did grow on me with Need Your Love as the highlight. It's a bit muddy but great energy
John Martyn
3/5
A strange one
George Jones
1/5
This is what you hear when you turn on AM radio and your girlfriend just broke up with you. 28 minutes of torture
ZZ Top
1/5
I would be happy to never listen to this album or any of these songs ever again. Empty calories and it doesn't even taste good
The Afghan Whigs
1/5
Hard to listen to
ABBA
3/5
Fun start. I liked it less as it progressed
Cocteau Twins
4/5
It's like the Cranberries took acid. I like it
Black Sabbath
5/5
If this truly is the beginning of metal it was all downhill from here. Metal ranks easily my least favorite genre, but in my opinion this is one of the greatest albums ever. War Pigs, Paranoid, Planet Caravan, Iron Man, and Faeries Wear Boots are all extraordinary
The Pretty Things
4/5
Was a 3 until Defecting Grey, bumped it a 4. Varied and interesting album
Led Zeppelin
4/5
Not yet peak Zeppelin but, pretty darn close. While I feel plenty of nostalgia for this record, it really grows into itself with finest full band song being How Many More Times
Circle Jerks
1/5
Hey waiter this food is inedible... and such small portions
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
There are a lot of massive hits on this album, but to me the music feels very average. I like Glory Days and I'm on Fire, and while it might be fun to watch these songs played live, they don't move the needle for me on record
David Bowie
3/5
This is where Bowie began to lose me
Shuggie Otis
3/5
Living Colour
2/5
Bob Dylan
4/5
Not Dylan's best work, but this is the most important folk album of all time
Donald Fagen
1/5
So bad
Led Zeppelin
5/5
My favorite Zeppelin. Tangerine, Bron-Y-Aur Stomp, Immigrant Song. So varied and doesn't grow as stale as II and IV
Laibach
2/5
Cookie Monster like light beer. Ja! Ja! Ja!
D'Angelo
2/5
I like the other D'Angelo albums on here, but this one is boring
Sarah Vaughan
4/5
Great old live album. She can really sing
The xx
2/5
Fell off a cliff after the first two minutes
The Gun Club
4/5
Fun listen, falls off for the last couple songs, but great before that
Foo Fighters
4/5
Some great songs (I'll Stick Around) and some annoying ones (Good Grief), but overall a 90s pop grunge guilty pleasure
3/5
Decent album
Minutemen
5/5
When I first saw a 43 song punk album I groaned. But this is different than anything I've heard before, a true genre bender. Imagine Talking Heads, Primus, Dead Kennedys and Meat Puppets had a baby. It all over the place, wild and a work of genius. Best new discovery on this list so far
The Stooges
3/5
Mick Jagger impression is impressive, music is not
The Beau Brummels
2/5
Almost salvaged at the end, but this is a pretty bland listen
Ozomatli
2/5
I like this band and bought this album when it came out. I was disappointed. Only tracks that were decent are whose to blame w/ Chali 2na And Saturday Night. They're more of a live band but they're 1998 self titled release is far better
Tom Waits
3/5
Tom Waits has really grown on me but this album is no Rain Dogs
The Rolling Stones
3/5
Spotify link has this without Paint it Black. Even so it's a blah effort. Wasn't until Beggars Banquet that this band really took off
Buena Vista Social Club
5/5
The warmth and richness of this recording is legendary. Each track oozes with flavor and a cohesion that gives a timeless impression. I love Cuban jazz but I've never heard another studio album that compares to this one. Both my favorite world music and jazz album of all time
Eels
2/5
I wanted to like this. I like the first track, I like Birds, but the whole album felt pretty contrived and hollow to me. Nothing hit after the first track
Slade
3/5
First thought was this belongs in the bargain bin with ZZ Top and AC/DC. However it's a little better than you average hair band. The Move Over cover is actually excellent. The songwriting isn't awesome but there is some decent playing
Khaled
3/5
Deep Purple
2/5
The hair returns and it's live now
Pavement
4/5
Quintessential indie band. Their next album was better though
The Lemonheads
3/5
Power pop isn't really my thing. This wasn't bad though
The Mamas & The Papas
2/5
Bland and boring. Only California Dreaming holds water. Glad we've evolved passed this kind of music
Miles Davis
3/5
Nice background music, but didn't capture my attention
Gang Starr
4/5
I like Gang Starr heard this one in entirely. It's not quite to the levels of their later stuff, but very impressive for the era. I particularly like Check the Technique
Suede
3/5
I don't like britpop or glam rock. But the musicianship was good and I like the first couple songs
Ramones
2/5
Most overrated punk band ever. Every song sounds exactly the same and is the same three chords
Grateful Dead
3/5
I listened to a lot of 60s dead when I was young, but don't tolerate nearly as well now. A year later they were so much more polished and cohesive. This one is particularly chaotic and not a pleasant listen. This not close to the Dead's best live release, that would be Europe 72, which would've been an easy 5 for me. Without a Net from the late 80s is also considerably better
The Fall
3/5
Strange, but I like the first song. It's creative
Alanis Morissette
5/5
My dad called her his god after this album came out. Then Dogma came out and he became a prophet. This is in the conversation for best album of the 90s for me
Creedence Clearwater Revival
4/5
Not a fan of John Fogerty's vocals, but an impressive album nonetheless. Particularly like the groove on Running through the Jungle
Prefab Sprout
2/5
Another 80s album I could live without
Sly & The Family Stone
4/5
Not their best work but still grooves. Just Like a Baby held me well
PJ Harvey
4/5
Stevie Wonder
4/5
An incredible album with some extraordinary songs, but it's wayyyy too long. For all of Stevie's epic funk tunes like Sir Duke and Pasttimes Paradise there are a number of sappy duds. Still incredible just should have been n shorter
David Bowie
4/5
Cinematic and experimental this is an ambitious album, that doesn't always hit the mark for me. Still there are moments of magic
Laura Nyro
4/5
Ebbs and flows with an aquatic like quality. Poverty Train to Stoned Sould Picnic is a great stretch
Mylo
4/5
A decent electronic album that has some interesting grooves
Beatles
5/5
Too long but still The Beatles best album. First disc is especially impressive. Dear Prudence and While my Guitar Gently Weeps are both extraordinary
Bon Jovi
1/5
It's sad that this is the only Bon Jovi album on the list. It just feels wrong not to have him on my worst artists list
Kate Bush
3/5
Decent album, but a bit too 80s for me in the intonation
Fever Ray
3/5
The Waterboys
2/5
First song was good. All down hill from there
The Yardbirds
4/5
Varied with creative composition and exceptional musicianship. The vocals aren't great and starts to fade toward the end, but Beck really kills here. His guitar tone is extraordinary
Arcade Fire
5/5
Indie pop isn't my favorite but this is a genre defining album. Strong throughput, great ebbs and flows. Played with energy, honesty and complexity.
Aerosmith
3/5
Mostly don't like this, but Sweet Emotion is truly great song
Thundercat
4/5
Interesting listen and clearly talented
Silver Jews
4/5
Fun and creative indie album that was varied enough to hold my interest
Madness
3/5
Not an album and it's fine
Led Zeppelin
5/5
I forgot how good this one. First disc builds and intensity leading to the epic Kashmir. But 2nd disc is sneaky good. Ten Years Gone and Wanton Song are particularly excellent
Burning Spear
5/5
Could be my favorite reggae non-Marley reggae album. What a voice and what a vibe
Dexys Midnight Runners
3/5
The Flaming Lips
4/5
One of the best albums of the early 2000s with a # of great songs. However I find it tough listen to all the way through. The rhythms and melodies are not varied enough and parts of the album bore me. Still a classic and the Flaming Lips best
Serge Gainsbourg
3/5
Fatboy Slim
4/5
Digital Underground
2/5
Hard to believe 2pac was in this group. First four songs are decent although heavily sample driven. Changes by Band of Gypsies sounds good as a hip hop beat, but it should not have been nine minutes long. Lyrics aren't great, the flow is decent for the era, but nowhere near the level of Tribe, De La, or Public Enemy. Second half of the album runs out if gas and is not good
The Jesus And Mary Chain
3/5
This one was wild. I like the contrast between the insane amounts of distortion and dissonance and the indie-pop. Sometimes it works other times it doesn't
Simon & Garfunkel
3/5
Why does Paul Simon get angry at me when I request Voices of Old People at his concerts?
Massive Attack
2/5
I like trip hop, but not this album, it's boring. Even the tracks with really good vocals like Sly have pretty lame backing tracks.
Tangerine Dream
1/5
Just because it's weird doesn't make it good or an album
Belle & Sebastian
3/5
a-ha
2/5
One hit wonders. Take Me On as obviously a crowd pleaser. The rest is not my cup of tea
William Orbit
3/5
Lambchop
3/5
There are parts of this I like a lot, but the. The falsetto comes in
Leftfield
4/5
Wasn't into this at first, but turned out to be an excellent electronic / dance album. Varied and interesting a start contrast to some of the other Bristish 90s electronic on this list
Goldie
1/5
One of the worst on the list
Kendrick Lamar
4/5
Kendrick's best work, but my favorite track is The Recipe on the bonus disc not linked here.
Elliott Smith
4/5
This one really grew on me. Favorite track Rise Parade
The Youngbloods
4/5
This one really grew on me. Superb and creative musicianship, with a great flow. I've heard a couple songs by them, but this exceeded my expectations
Hole
2/5
Not my favorite of the genre or era, but the final song is decent
Screaming Trees
3/5
I kind of like this, but don't find any of the songs memorable
The Zutons
2/5
Not bad, not something I plan to ever listen to again
50 Cent
3/5
Christina Aguilera
1/5
I know she's talented, but I don't like the style, songwriting or production
The White Stripes
3/5
Lynyrd Skynyrd
4/5
Terence Trent D'Arby
1/5
My Bloody Valentine
4/5
So much better than the other MBV album on this list
The Undertones
3/5
Kate Bush
4/5
Daring art pop that actually works
Killing Joke
3/5
This one grew on me. Hated the first couple songs, but could really see the appeal on the B side. The Wait opening guitar riff and beat sounded so much like the beginning of the Beastie Boys Sabotage I actually googled whether it was sampled on Ill Communication. Complications is a pretty awesome traditional punk song, showed that Jaz is a great punk vocalist when he is not over doing it. Primitive was also an interesting, cool track. 2 stars for side A and 4 for side B
Frank Sinatra
3/5
The Verve
3/5
The Allman Brothers Band
5/5
Still the greatest live album of all time. Crescendos with the transcendent "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed"
Richard Thompson
4/5
Sounded better on the second listen
2/5
The type of country I could do without
Led Zeppelin
5/5
Smack in the middle of a legendary six album run
Pere Ubu
3/5
On the Surface and Dub Housing are both awesome with jubilant edgier Talking Heads/ B-52s vibe. The rest of the album is pretty eh for me.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
2/5
Was hoping this would be the Nick Cave album that finally made me understand what people love about Nick Cave. Alas, I'm 0 for 4 so far. Beginning is not bad. But it gets worse
Donovan
4/5
Donavan is a great songwriter
Penguin Cafe Orchestra
4/5
Working to this album was a joy. Intricate and beautiful. Clearly an inspiration for one of my favorite artists, The Books
The Byrds
3/5
Background music to me
Nico
2/5
While there are some great songs, this is overall a tough listen. The production is a bit too minimalist and rough around the edges.
Thin Lizzy
2/5
1/5
This was a rough listen
Can
5/5
Exceptional musicianship and deeply intricate. This hit all the right notes for me
Dr. John
3/5
Strange one. I felt like I was in a swamp... filled with drugs
Elvis Costello
2/5
Kind of a brutal listen. Not all the instrumentation is bad, but his voice really where's on me
Mudhoney
3/5
Obviously you can hear the seeds of Nirvana. If Kurt Cobain was singing I would've like this quite a bit more into it. Still some good stuff. The guitar and drums on In N Out of grace is excellent
Deee-Lite
1/5
One hit wonder band
Brian Wilson
1/5
Still don't understand the appeal of The Beach Boys or Brian Wilson
3/5
Rufus Wainwright
3/5
Talented but songwriting is inconsistent. Some songs like Go or Go Ahead are quite good. Sounds like a decent Radiohead song. Others like Natasha are terrible and sound like a trashy Disney song
Bebel Gilberto
3/5
Nice background music, but not too engaging
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
2/5
Somehow this is my 5th Nick Cave album. I keep hoping it's the last one
The Temptations
3/5
Marilyn Manson
1/5
Aretha Franklin
5/5
She kills it
Patti Smith
4/5
Excellent songwriting and vibe. Can really feel the Velvet Underground influence, so it makes sense that John Cale produced this
David Bowie
2/5
Love 70s Bowie. I find his later stuff uninspiring
Skunk Anansie
3/5
Talented, but songwriting is just okay
The Saints
5/5
Never heard of them, but this album packs a punch. I like it better than more well known punk bands of the era like the Ramones and Sex Pistols. Simultaneously raw and refined. I would have liked to have seen them live in their prime
Frank Sinatra
3/5
Decent background music
Saint Etienne
4/5
Fun and creative album
Mott The Hoople
3/5
Hawkwind
4/5
Psycadelic garage rock with tints of Sabbath, The Who, and Pink Floyd. Raw and rough around the edges
Nirvana
5/5
The best unplugged album of all time
Soft Cell
4/5
80s synth pop is not my thing, but this is much better than most of the other stuff
The Fall
3/5
Decent 80s punk album
Nirvana
5/5
The B side is what makes this album an all timer
The Crusaders
2/5
John Lee Hooker
4/5
Amazing voice, some nice guest appearances. Songs were just okay
Nanci Griffith
3/5
Jurassic 5
5/5
One of the best hip hop albums of the early 2000s with immaculate production, smooth flows and serene harmonies. Unskipable for at least the first 12 songs and Chali 2na shows that he is one of the most underrated of all time on Sum of Us. This one rivals Quality Control as their best album
808 State
3/5
3/5
Definitely not the best kinks album
Billy Bragg
3/5
Bad Company
3/5
Kraftwerk
4/5
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
Grateful for the spaceship that brought Jimi. This stuff is not of this world. My GOAT
Destiny's Child
3/5
Slint
2/5
Underworld
3/5
Elliott Smith
4/5
Slipknot
2/5
Screamy metal is probably my least favorite genre, but this is slightly better than some of the others
Goldfrapp
2/5
Not human. Must be a dud
Japan
1/5
Lana Del Rey
4/5
I had only heard Lana Del Rey on the Taylor Swift song Snow on the Beach, which I think maybe be Taylor's best song. This album grew on me. Wasn't into the singles at the beginning. I thought Wild At Heart and through the B Side was good though. Last song sounded like Laura Nyro. Good songwriting
Pixies
5/5
Excellent album, varied, fun, and, interesting. When the album finished Spotify went right into a song from the Lonesome Crowded West. Modest Mouse were obviously inspired by the Pixies and then went on to inspire many other indie bands. I don't understand how there are two albums by Super Furry Animals on this list and none by Modest Mouse
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
And they said it was impossible for a man to live and breathe under water. Masterpiece of musical creativity. Top 10 all time for me
Jack White
5/5
Banger after banger. Reminds me of prime Bowie
Radiohead
5/5
One of the greatest albums of the generation
The Libertines
4/5
Never heard of them. So to me they are underrated
Brian Eno
3/5
Extremely weird, most of it too much for me, but I liked a couple songs
Shivkumar Sharma
5/5
Classic sound, soothing and inspiring (YouTube not Spotify)
Echo And The Bunnymen
3/5
The Boo Radleys
2/5
All over the place with a few decent moments, but mostly just Barney pop. Unique but not influential since I've never heard another album like it. Far better and more influential albums in 1993 that were not picked. Primus' Pork Soda is one example
Ravi Shankar
3/5
Genesis
3/5
Miles Davis
3/5
Suicide
1/5
Torture
The Chemical Brothers
4/5
Varied and really well done
Massive Attack
4/5
Muddy Waters
5/5
High quality blues
Klaxons
4/5
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band
3/5
The Bees
4/5
Really good album
Gorillaz
5/5
Classic Gorrillaz. Varied and excellent
3/5
Very loud for the era
Crosby, Stills & Nash
5/5
So many of my favorite folk/rock tunes on this one highlighted by Guinevere, Suite Judy Blue Eyes, and Wooden Ships. While I prefer to listen to the unskippable So Far, that is essentially a best of with the bonus of "Woodstock". There are a couple good ones on here that did not appear on that one, such as Long Time Gone and Lady of the Island.
Joni Mitchell
3/5
Ash
3/5
Musicianship is good, but didn't love the songwriting. Drummer was really good and I really liked the opening track
Amy Winehouse
4/5
Electric Light Orchestra
2/5
Too easy listening for me
Brian Eno
4/5
Such a full delicious sound
Pere Ubu
5/5
First 7 songs are exceptional. Amazing punk vocals and great musicianship
Lupe Fiasco
4/5
Wasn't super impressed at first, but this one grew on me. B Side much better than A side
Sufjan Stevens
4/5
The musicianship is excellent, much of the songwriting is great. However I don't care for his voice or the two hits from the album, Chicago and Casimir Pulaski Day. Knocking it a point for that, but still wildly impressive
Funkadelic
5/5
Can you get to that is one of my favorite songs of all time and Eddie Hazel's guitar playing is the closest you'll get to Jimi
Dinosaur Jr.
4/5
Excellent early grunge
Pink Floyd
4/5
A solid, but overrated Pink Floyd album
Flamin' Groovies
3/5
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
2/5
Elvis Costello is really starting to wear on me
Stereolab
4/5
Fun art pop album
James Brown
4/5
Frank Ocean
2/5
The Monkees
1/5
Bland bubblegum pop
Blur
4/5
Giant Sand
2/5
The Blue Nile
4/5
Like U2 but much better
Kings of Leon
3/5
Buffalo Springfield
3/5
Fatboy Slim
4/5
Spiritualized
2/5
The Style Council
2/5
Jazmine Sullivan
2/5
Dirty Projectors
5/5
Modern masterpiece
John Cale
5/5
The Police
3/5
Nirvana
4/5
I used to have this on par with Nevermind. With another listen I can see I overrated it. The lesser known tracks are much less listenable than Nevermind.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
5/5
Four excellent songs, Cinnamon, River, Corwgirl, and the title track. Two good songs Losing end and Running Dry. One mediocre track Round and Round
JAY Z
5/5
Easily Jay-Z's best album. It's four stars until the song Renegade, which is a hip hop masterpiece
Miles Davis
5/5
If not the greatest jazz album of all time, this is top 5. It has the feel of effortless mastery
GZA
4/5
Grimy... take off 4th Chamber to Investigative Reports. Shadowboxing is the highlight.
Steely Dan
3/5
The La's
4/5
Not a Brit pop fan, but this so much better than the other Brit pop albums in this list
Gang Of Four
3/5
Sounds decent until you realize every track sounds the same
New York Dolls
2/5
Iron Maiden
3/5
Elton John
4/5
DJ Shadow
5/5
One of a kind incredible album. Made me want to become an organ donor
Leonard Cohen
4/5
Famous Blue Raincoat is one of my favorites, but this one does feel like a bit of a drag listening to the whole album, even though I like the songs individually
Merle Haggard
4/5
Goes down easy. Some quality classic country
Nina Simone
5/5
Incomparable voice. Soulful to the max
Cee Lo Green
4/5
Ghostface Killah
3/5
I'll never forget the grand in a kilo again
Santana
5/5
The Santana album
Dusty Springfield
2/5
OutKast
5/5
Prime OutKast is hard to beat
fIREHOSE
4/5
At first I hated this, but really enjoyed it as I got into it. What Gets Heard is my favorite track
Van Morrison
3/5
I love Astral Weeks and Moondance, but would rather listen to those versions of the songs. This was fine, but just not a live concert album that should be on this list. Plenty more deserving live albums like 4-way street by CSNY or Europe 72 by the Grateful Dead, etc. etc.
Paul Simon
5/5
One of my favorite albums of all time. Listened to the vinyl hundreds of times growing up. Great songwriting, musicianship, and variety.
The Velvet Underground
3/5
The cover is iconic, but the audio is mostly a tough listen