Mar 30 2023
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Born To Run
Bruce Springsteen
Although I loved his 80’s stuff as a kid I always kept Springsteen at a distance. Partly because I veered towards newer music in my youth and early adulthood. But a big part of it is probably due to the complete cult of Springsteen in my home town Göteborg. Springsteen has been playing the local arena every summer since the eighties it seems like. Bruce has generations of people in this city worshipping him. Naturally, as a youth identifying with indie, punk, hip hop etc I didn’t want to be a part of that crowd. Although I’ve always enjoyed some of his songs I have never really went further into his oeuvre, because it didn’t interest me. Until the last couple of years that is. Maybe it’s because I just have few years left to 40 ;).
Still, I am not completely sold on Born to run although I definitely see what people love. What struck me was that it felt less dated than a lot of other 70s rock. Maybe because Swedish indie rock still sounds like thunder road almost fifty years later.
Anyway, I already have tickets to see Bruce for the first time this summer in Göteborg. Mid life surrender
4
Mar 31 2023
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Crosby, Stills & Nash
Crosby, Stills & Nash
Bored by the falsetto-folk of the first half of the album. Especially disliked Judy blue eyes and Marrakesh express. But when the album takes a darker turn beginning with pre-roads down I start to dig it. Wooden Ships and Long time gone are great.
3
Apr 03 2023
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Street Life
The Crusaders
Ranges from muzak to foonkeeey. Grows on me. Know the crusaders from before mainly because of the great track “A ballad for Joe (Louis)” which has been sampled excessively. Especially like My lady, night faces and carnival of the night.
4
Apr 04 2023
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Deloused in the Comatorium
The Mars Volta
I respect the craft. But where I am in my life at the moment I don’t have the time or ability to get into the exploratory mindset necessary to absorb this. It’s a bit sad that I have lost my patience for absorbing more experimental music. Or maybe this was just never my cup of tea, because I’ve tried to get into this before.
3
Apr 05 2023
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Marcus Garvey
Burning Spear
Great album that I hadn’t listened to before. Almost a five. Dub version was also great.
4
Apr 06 2023
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Golden Hour
Kacey Musgraves
Well produced norm-core pop centred on a young woman longing for connection, meaning, romance and magic. Longing is one of the best lyrical themes for pop and i am cautiously curious after the first track. But it soon becomes obvious that the album is dominated by very basic and unoriginal lyrics. Tasteful but safe and boring music production. First previously unknown artist for me in this project
2
Apr 07 2023
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Apocalypse 91… The Enemy Strikes Black
Public Enemy
Although I’ve listened to a lot of 80’s and 90’s hip hop I never was especially into PE. I own “It takes a nation..” on CD but it never really beacame a recurrent play. Apart from stand out tracks “By the time I get to arizona” and “bring the noize” I hadn’t listened to this. Born in the mid eighties PE always was a thing of the past for me and I never really got into them as I did with other contemporary rap groups like Run DMC, Eric B and Rakim, Beastie Boys, De la soul, NWA etc.
Still, it is abundantly clear that a lot of my favourite artists have been heavily influenced by PE. Rage against the machine, el-p, wu tang and countless of rappers.
In some parts Apocalypse 91 sounds dated but in other parts it still sounds forward thinking and fresh. The brash, harsh and alarming beats are in a way singular and unique for PE. They really were doing their own thing and although they inspired a lot of artists their sound was maybe too abrasive to really become an ongoing thing. Take for instance A Tribe Called Quests “Low End Therory” which also came out in 1991. That album feels considerably less dated because their style of beats and rapping became a dominating sound in nineties hip hop.
With that said, the uniquely rough and alarming sound is both the appeal and the difficulty with Public Enemy. Apocalypse 91 is a great album but it’s not easy to get through.
Stand out track: By the time I get to Arizona
4
Apr 10 2023
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Hysteria
Def Leppard
80’s hard rock is like kryptonite for me. Overproduced bombastic stupidity. Can be fun in very small doses.
2
Apr 11 2023
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Darklands
The Jesus And Mary Chain
Really loved this. I don’t think I’ve ever listened to the band. This kind of pointers in new directions is what I am here for. First album I know I will return to a lot. Clearly inspired other stuff I like.
5
Apr 12 2023
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Live 1966 (The Royal Albert Hall Concert)
Bob Dylan
I am late comer to Dylan. Although I’ve always loved a few of his hits I used to dismiss him for the same reasons most Dylan doubters do: weird voice and singing style, plus the annoying harmonica and the hardcore fans.
The last few years I’ve come to enjoy Dylan but I never took a deep dive into his discography.
This double album live bootleg may not be the most obvious starting point, but I think it’s a great way to hopefully understand his genius.
The intimacy of the first half and the inspired and louder band dynamic of the second half is a testament to his greatness. Amazing stuff.
5
Apr 13 2023
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Sea Change
Beck
The opening track Golden Age I knew from before and love. So I had high hopes going into this. But the rest of the album is just a well produced bore.
2
Apr 14 2023
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The Boatman's Call
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
Yesterdays sad sap album Sea Change by Beck bored me. Nick Cave on the other hand held me completely under his spell. It feels like I’ve found a new friend in this album. I had a couple favourite songs from Cave before but never listened to this.
The Boatman’s call feels timeless almost. Caves sincerity and almost theatrical delivery are at odds with the 90s zeitgeist of mumbling irony. The sparse piano based instrumentation is very effective. What a great, great album.
5
Apr 17 2023
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Bad Company
Bad Company
Take out the excitement in hard rock and Bad Company is what you get. Slow bluesy classic hard rock without any edge, power or fun.
2
Apr 18 2023
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The Stranger
Billy Joel
“And it seems such a waste of time Mama, if that’s what it’s all about,
Then Billy Joel is whack-ack-ack-ack”
1
Apr 19 2023
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Two Dancers
Wild Beasts
3
Apr 20 2023
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Truth
Jeff Beck
This was surprisingly good!
After having the lame blues rock of Bad Company a couple of days ago, this is where it’s at.
Six years earlier compared to bad company (1968 vs 1974) you can still hear the explosion of American blues meeting British electric guitar wankery. It’s two worlds colliding to create something fresh. As all great new music it’s an exploration and amalgamation of different musical origins. In this case some European white guys stealing the African American blues rock and turning the loudness up. It’s exciting music not still solidified in its form.
Led zeppelin and the likes would soon come and take it further. In turn, like all music revolutions paving the way for watered-down followers. Such as Bad Company who stayed safely and boringly put in the new form of blues-inspired hard rock.
Rod Stewart is great in this, I really don’t get the hate. He has a power and rawness in his voice on this record that fits the equally powerful and raw music.
4
Apr 21 2023
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At San Quentin
Johnny Cash
I see a lot of negative comments towards live albums on this site. Personally I have come to realize the last years how powerful live albums can be. Especially during the pandemic it was a great substitute to the sense of togetherness and the energy of a live audience. I think live albums like this will have a more lasting cultural significance than many of the coveted album oriented rock albums on this list.
The album as an art form had its time between the late 60’s and the early 00’s. It had about 40 years to shine. Although I still listen to the physical media of records (vinyls, CDs, tapes etc) it’s with few exceptions a nostalgic old man’s game by now.
Of course a lot of great records are still being produced in the digital age but I think songs and live performances (not on record but the real thing) have eclipsed the importance of albums.
At San Quentin showcases two of Cashs gifts. His story telling ability and his rapport with an audience. Perhaps an audience of inmates starved of entertainment is a grateful task, but it’s obvious Cash can talk the talk and walk the walk. Every song on this might not be a certified banger but I listened to the original release, saw the video recording and then listened to the legacy edition with the whole concert. Powerful and entertaining stuff. Cash’s delivery on A boy named Sue is one of the highlights. This is how myths are made.
5
Apr 24 2023
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Back To Black
Amy Winehouse
4
Apr 25 2023
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Africa Brasil
Jorge Ben Jor
Great album. 20 albums in and this is the first one I’ve previously listened to front to back. It’s both varied and cohesive. Lots happening. Jorgen Ben sings, chants and talks over a varied and fun soundscape. Not quite a five for me, i miss a real standout track that I want to come back to again and again, but a great album nonetheless.
4
Apr 26 2023
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Kick Out The Jams (Live)
MC5
Third live album in a short time. And another great one! Cool to debut with a live album. Seminal band just for the mix of politics, pure energy and loudness. Previously listened a bit to MC5 (love the track “looking at you”) but never listened to any albums. Electric energy but I probably won’t return to this a lot.
4
Apr 27 2023
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Crime Of The Century
Supertramp
It was alright. Feels like an album that might grow on me. On the other hand I don’t feel I need this in my life. I’ll take along some songs I liked for further listening, school, ruby and the title track.
3
Apr 28 2023
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Beach Samba
Astrud Gilberto
Second Brazilian album in a week. Almost as good as Africa, Brasil. Very enjoyable and pleasant. Perfect morning music. The kids loved to dance to it as well. I like the classic romanticism of the lyrics. Flowers, birds and love. A warm breeze of naïveté and positivity. A nice break from the male rock lyrics about wanting to love a woman that have dominated this project so far.
Best tracks: Stay, The Face I love, beach samba, You didn’t have to be so nice, Nao Bate O Corocao
4
May 01 2023
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Live!
Fela Kuti
Chanting and drumming. The base for so much good music. A primal need. Even my two year old sung along with the Fela and the audience on the last track. At the same time that the music speaks to me on a bodily level with its repetition, chanting and jamming it is utterly complex and exciting music that tickles my mind. Fela Kutis music always feel like it’s live. No surprise that this proper live album is great.
5
May 02 2023
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Sweet Baby James
James Taylor
“I am a napalm bomb for you baby”.
James, you are barely a firecracker. You ain’t got an ounce of blues in you.
1
May 03 2023
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The Band
The Band
So much soul and warmth. It’s music that is living and breathing.
Only knew the intro break of “Up on cripple creek” from Gang starrs sample for “beyond comprehension”, but what a fantastic track! I might be overreaching with five stars, I don’t love every track, but there is just something magical in the dynamic between the musicians on this album.
5
May 04 2023
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I Should Coco
Supergrass
I probably would’ve enjoyed this more if I’d heard it as a teen. In retrospect a lot of 90s rock seem overrated to me - especially the Brit pop. Even though those were my formative years I have a hard time getting into it now. A terrible head cold might have took a star off.
2
May 05 2023
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Back to Mystery City
Hanoi Rocks
Big surprise that this was more than tolerable. Fun, stupid, sleazy glam rock/punk. Thankfully closer to the Ramones and New York dolls than classic hard rock. First half much better than B side.
3
May 08 2023
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Gunfighter Ballads And Trail Songs
Marty Robbins
Knew the great track Big Iron previously. Although I like the heart on your sleeve seriousness of the songs and the storytelling , it gets a bit weary after a while. Kind of miss some humour in between, the way Johnny Cash did great.
3
May 09 2023
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Aftermath
The Rolling Stones
The highs of Paint it black and under my thumb weighs up for some of the really crappy songs. A selection of pretty good tracks inbetween the highs and lows. It feels like Stones is one of the most uneven of the giant rock bands of yore. Tried both versions and prefer the American. It has paint it black and lacks the terrible “Take it or leave it”. First time I enjoyed a stones album. I’d previously listened to some of their first albums without finding anything worth returning to.
4
May 10 2023
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Here Are the Sonics
The Sonics
More wow screams pls
5
May 11 2023
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American Pie
Don McLean
American Pie: a soaring eagle
Everything else: subpar
2
May 12 2023
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Treasure
Cocteau Twins
4
May 15 2023
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A Rush Of Blood To The Head
Coldplay
First record that I own a physical copy of. Listened to this a lot when it came out. It came out in a time when I almost exclusively listened to rap music but this still hit me, like the rest ow the world at the time. Haven’t listened to this album or Coldplay in general for almost twenty years now. But this still holds up.
4
May 16 2023
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Suede
Suede
3
May 17 2023
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Californication
Red Hot Chili Peppers
4
May 18 2023
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Wish You Were Here
Pink Floyd
5
May 19 2023
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GREY Area
Little Simz
Great album. Little Simz is a technically accomplished rapper but it is the producer Inflo who really makes this stand out.
Little Simz raps like it was the year 2000, and she explicitly references Jay-Z in the first track in the best line of the album. It somehow feels fresh with the old school exaggerated bragging. It’s obvious she is a fan of the turn of the century New York hip hop. Little Simz lyrics as a whole are alright but not interesting enough for five stars.
The production by Inflo though is definitely five stars. Dynamic, organic and banging.
4
May 22 2023
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Ready To Die
The Notorious B.I.G.
Great album. Little Simz is a technically accomplished rapper but it is the producer Inflo who really makes this stand out.
Little Simz raps like it was the year 2000, and she explicitly references Jay-Z in the first track in the best line of the album. It somehow feels fresh with the old school It’s obvious she is a fan of the turn of the century New York hip hop. The lyrics are alright but not interesting enough for five stars.
The production by Inflo though is definitely five stars. Dynamic, organic and banging.
4
May 23 2023
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Arrival
ABBA
3
May 24 2023
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Tical
Method Man
Method Man often outshines everyone on wu tang tracks and on guest verses. He has charisma and a unique flow. But I just can’t get down with his records. And although I respect RZA as a beat maker I think his murky dark beats on this are a bit one note.
I even own the album on CD. Sits in a box in the cellar. But I never really appreciated it. I can’t help but feel Tical is a bit dreary. It’s hard hitting classic New York boom bap, it just lacks stand out tracks and variety.
Compared to other classic rap albums from 94 it doesn’t hold up (in an admittedly extremely tough competition). It lacks the poetic imagery and beat variety of Illmatic or the stand out tracks of Hard to earn. There are even albums in a similar style like O.Cs word…life that I like way better. Tical does not even make the top 10 of rap albums of 1994 for me.
For all the negativity above, it’s still method man and rza. 3 stars
3
May 25 2023
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Since I Left You
The Avalanches
5
May 26 2023
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Darkdancer
Les Rythmes Digitales
3
May 29 2023
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Moving Pictures
Rush
3
May 30 2023
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The Suburbs
Arcade Fire
Beautiful album. Just a bit too long. I’ve been listening a lot to Sprawl II the last couple of years. Arcade Fire has always been a singles band for me. But this time it clicked in album form. Listened through it three times. The three first tracks are really great. New favourite: Ready to start
4
May 31 2023
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Lazer Guided Melodies
Spiritualized
3
Jun 01 2023
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Second Toughest In The Infants
Underworld
4
Jun 02 2023
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Jack Takes the Floor
Ramblin' Jack Elliott
2
Jun 05 2023
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Raising Hell
Run-D.M.C.
Incredibly defining album for rap. Opens with four absolute bangers. One of the strongest side A:s ever? Only “perfection” brings it down. Together with their debut the absolute high point of their career.
The minimalistic beats are banging and the back and forth between Run and D.M.C is incredibly enjoyable. Ah, the good old days when rap lyrics was all about who is the realest rapper. I don’t care that a lot of the lyrics are basic, this slaps.
5
Jun 06 2023
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Bookends
Simon & Garfunkel
I’ve been debating myself if this deserves a five as the album is a bit uneven. Missed it when it came up and had plenty of time to listen again. And again and again. I just keep want to come back to this terribly silly but wonderful album. It just feels like they’re having a blast exploring different ways of writing songs. Beautiful stuff.
5
Jun 07 2023
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Hail To the Thief
Radiohead
4
Jun 08 2023
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Dirt
Alice In Chains
Good droning sabbath-inspired guitar work. I just can’t stand this type of singer. American power rock masculinity contest type of thing. It’s the same with pearl jam (even though I like Vedders later solo work), I just can’t get into it because of the singing style. A singing style that really plagues American rock since the 90’s.
I previously stated that large parts of the 90’s Brit-rock wave leaves me cold. But I am starting to realize that the whole grunge movement (except for the aesthetics and nirvana) was complete garbage. I was a bit too young to appreciate it at the time and in hindsight it just seems terribly stale.
1
Jun 09 2023
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Moss Side Story
Barry Adamson
Came into this with a curious mindset based on the description. But left disappointed. It’s just too eclectic and lacks coherence. Music fitting different film genres stacked on top of each other. It’s also often over the top and would be a hard fit as soundtracks for most films. I’d hoped for a more coherent approach and not just a portfolio/showcase. And as history shows, Barry never became a prominent scorer of movies (although he has some tracks on the soundtrack of Lynchs great Lost Highway, I’ll give him that).
2
Jun 12 2023
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Abraxas
Santana
Surprisingly good! Sure, it is masturbatory guitar noodling, but its nicely accompanied by organ and great percussion. Incident at Neshabur is a stand out for me.
Haven’t yet bothered to listen to the Santana-records passed on by my father. Time to do some crate digging.
4
Jun 13 2023
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Five Leaves Left
Nick Drake
Since I like some of his tracks I’ve tried before to get into Nick Drake. Just like the last time I tried I just get too bored.
It’s the same with modern acts in a similar vein such as Jose Gonzales. Nice guitar picking never did anything for me on its own.
The orchestration doesn’t add anything for me but annoyance.
Saturday sun I knew from before and like, but the rest of the tracks won’t enter any playlist.
2
Jun 14 2023
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Maverick A Strike
Finley Quaye
Skottlands svar på Papa Dee. Från ljum svärmorsreggae till rätt skönt dub-gung. Väldigt svag trea.
3
Jun 15 2023
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Rock Bottom
Robert Wyatt
First listen left me cold. Had no patience for experimental, sonically challenging music with a singer who seem to be improvising. It seemed rather ridiculous at first. But the lines between madness, genious and tounge in cheek nonsense are thin here. I gave it another shot in the evening, and then another. And this cacophony of madness really grew on me. It certainly isn’t something I will listen to often, and it’s not suited for regular playlists. But when in the mood for exploring more difficult sonic landscapes Rock Bottom really does the trick.
4
Jun 16 2023
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Tonight's The Night
Neil Young
3
Jun 19 2023
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A Girl Called Dusty
Dusty Springfield
Great versions of good songs. I prefer Dustys version to the original in many cases. Dusty’s “Twenty four hours from Tulsa” has a lot more power and heart in it than Gene Pitneys version. And “When the love starts shining through his eyes” is almost on par with The Supremes original recording. The crisp expansive production makes it such a enjoyable listen.
4
Jun 20 2023
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So
Peter Gabriel
This will never have a revival. Please let these 1980’s production techniques stay buried in the attic. Those who actually enjoyed this at the time are allowed to listen to it with headphones only. The rest of us don’t want to be a part of this. Okay, leave the video for sledgehammer for posterity.
2
Jun 21 2023
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In Utero
Nirvana
4
Jun 22 2023
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xx
The xx
A revelation when it came out. Melancholic minimalism. Jamie xx is one of defining artists of the 2010s. Apart from the xx I love his Gil Scott Heron album, his solo album and his production in general. The xx are great live as well.
5
Jun 23 2023
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The Contino Sessions
Death In Vegas
3
Jun 26 2023
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Nilsson Schmilsson
Harry Nilsson
An album and artist i really want to like, but just don’t. I like his voice and unpretentious persona but the songs do nothing for me.
2
Jun 27 2023
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Exodus
Bob Marley & The Wailers
Obvious five-star album up front, but I had almost forgot just how good this album is. Marley’s best album and a likely contender for my personal top ten.
Everything comes together brilliantly on this album. The band, the back up singers, Marley’s delivery and lyrics. The album has an amazing vibe. Major hits and great deep cuts. Every single track slaps and the album works as a whole.
5
Jun 28 2023
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Honky Tonk Masquerade
Joe Ely
3
Jun 29 2023
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Throwing Muses
Throwing Muses
3
Jun 30 2023
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Me Against The World
2Pac
Freudian death drive: the album.
4
Jul 03 2023
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The Gershwin Songbook
Ella Fitzgerald
Tasteful well-sung big band boredom.
2
Jul 04 2023
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Unknown Pleasures
Joy Division
What makes this album so great is that the full on desperation is kept on a tight leash. Constantly threatening to explode but just keeps desperately pulsating.
Make sure not to miss the amazing live version of Shadowplay on the collectors edition.
5
Jul 05 2023
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Music for the Masses
Depeche Mode
Maybe it’s the laconic hedonism or the all-encompassing seriousness of the music - but once again DP fails to fully reach me. Never let me down slaps though. But so many songs feels at least a minute to long - building up to nothing.
3
Jul 06 2023
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Kala
M.I.A.
Infectious, banging and annoying (in a good way). Pure brilliance. Listened to this a lot in 2007. Switch and Diplo really managed to create a global unique sound for MIA. They went on to create great things with Major Lazer. It’s the effortlessness both in MIAs rap and in the continuous experimentation with sounds and influences that makes this stand out.
5
Jul 07 2023
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Very
Pet Shop Boys
3
Jul 10 2023
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Abbey Road
Beatles
First time I’m listening to this milestone. The main reason for me to do this project is being pushed to listen to the classics. Been anticipating my first Beatles and i guess I am starting at the end. Enjoyable but mixed bag that doesn’t really hit my buttons. Mixes total stinkers (Maxwells hammer) with amazing pop songs like Come together and Something.
4
Jul 11 2023
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This Is Fats Domino
Fats Domino
Was expecting something more rowdy. This was a bit too reserved and held back to really itch the rock’n’roll nerve. But it was definitely “nice”!
3
Jul 12 2023
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Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not
Arctic Monkeys
Fun danceable rock.
4
Jul 13 2023
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The Holy Bible
Manic Street Preachers
Too misanthropic for my mindset. Obviously written from the pov of a very depressed person with nothing but hatred for mankind.
2
Jul 14 2023
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Suzanne Vega
Suzanne Vega
Good cop: moody folk with some decent songs not marred by 1980’s overproduction.
Bad cop: no real stand-out tracks. Too many weak metaphors obscuring real emotion and the blandest instrumentation of the eighties.
2
Jul 17 2023
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Pretenders
Pretenders
3
Jul 18 2023
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Birth Of The Cool
Miles Davis
4
Jul 19 2023
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Vol. 4
Black Sabbath
First time listening through Vol 4 I thought: a testament to why even great bands need a proper producer. It sounded murky and uneven. Full of subpar sabbath-tracks. But that might in part be the 2009 remaster.
Subsequent playthroughs of the 2021 remaster considerably brightened my mood towards the album. It has some real heavy hitters like “supernaut” and “under the sun/every day comes and goes”. But also some complete duds (FX, Laguna Sunrise) and some more mid tracks. And the production really is a bit murky and uneven, but the dirty sludginess is also part of the appeal.
4
Jul 20 2023
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Paris 1919
John Cale
I was previously familiar with the great title track but still struggled with this at first. But like a lot of these albums, especially the quirkier ones, it grew on subsequent listenings. New fave: Graham Greene.
4
Jul 21 2023
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Roxy Music
Roxy Music
I had previously dismissed Roxy music as not for me based on one of their other records. But this was such a continuous surprise of jazzy, unhinged rock music. Loved it! The biggest positive surprise of my 1001 project yet.
5
Jul 24 2023
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Let's Stay Together
Al Green
4
Jul 25 2023
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Van Halen
Van Halen
Going into this I had only negative feelings towards Van Halen and the type of hard rock they represent. But this was pretty fun. You can really hear eighties hard rock in formation here. It’s plastic and over the top but the guitar shredding also has some lasting power. Highlight was “Ain’t talkin bout love”
3
Jul 26 2023
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This Year's Model
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Costello comes off as a total douche. But that’s not always negative when making rock music. This album really has some great songs (the beat, I don’t want to go to Chelsea, lipstick vogue) and it is especially well arranged and produced. It still sounds great.
4
Jul 27 2023
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Tommy
The Who
No rock operas for me please. Get back to the three-minute pop song format. Some lyrics are darker than black metal.
2
Jul 28 2023
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En-Tact
The Shamen
Never heard of this. But this was great. An album pointing forward to nineties rave culture. There are way too many dismissive voices towards electronic music on this site. This is definitely accomplished dance music, with varied and surprising layers mixed into its pulsating repetitiveness. It fit perfectly for this Saturday night.
Contrary to what a lot of the commentators write, I believe this is on equal footing with the more famous acts of the era. Just look past the 90’s dance rap stuff and you’ll find a good electronic record. Stand outs: “Possible Worlds: Deep PSI”, “Hyperreal Orbit”, “Lightspan Soundwave” and “Progen 91”.
4
Jul 31 2023
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S&M
Metallica
Too overloaded. No leaf clover is a stand out. It’s the only track where the orchestra adds something transformative to the heaviness. Otherwise it’s too much of everything all the time. For me the orchestral power doesn’t translate to record easily. I am not much for the grandiose. But in a live setting it sure can be powerful.
2
Aug 01 2023
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At Newport 1960
Muddy Waters
Feet: stomping
Head: nodding
Mojo: working
5
Aug 08 2023
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Cee-Lo Green... Is The Soul Machine
Cee Lo Green
Dated digital soul. Although it has some fairly bopping beats now and then I don’t think this will have much lasting power. As a rap fan I enjoy clever bragging, but this is just boring braggadocio all the way through.
2
Aug 09 2023
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Water From An Ancient Well
Abdullah Ibrahim
Great album title. A shame the best track (title track) is missing on Spotify. Well worth it to seek up the full version on YouTube. The album is uneven with some strong tracks and some weak.
3
Aug 10 2023
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Joan Baez
Joan Baez
There is no denying that Baez is a very accomplished performer, but this was a bit too high strung for me. Best track: Mary Hamilton
3
Aug 11 2023
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Chelsea Girl
Nico
2
Aug 14 2023
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Tea for the Tillerman
Cat Stevens
Too preachy. Basically every song is from the perspective of conceited man who has “figured it all out” and can’t wait to bless the ignorant people surrounding him with his profound life lessons.
2
Aug 15 2023
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Sticky Fingers
The Rolling Stones
4
Aug 16 2023
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Ogden's Nut Gone Flake
Small Faces
3
Aug 17 2023
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All Things Must Pass
George Harrison
4
Aug 18 2023
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Tres Hombres
ZZ Top
3
Aug 21 2023
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The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan
5
Aug 22 2023
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Pearl
Janis Joplin
4
Aug 23 2023
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I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight
Richard Thompson
4
Sep 08 2023
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Apocalypse Dudes
Turbonegro
Ah, the soundtrack of my youth. In their heydays Turbonegro had a sizeable cult of followers in Scandinavia. The die hard fans all had denim jackets with Turbojugend patches. Some friends of mine even had a tribute band.
I saw them live a couple of times in the early 2000’s but most of all i remember the many singalongs while partying with friends. Turbonegro is the sound of young male camaraderie.
Although i might even prefer the trashier, dirtier and even more idiotic punk rock of their previous album Ass Cobra, my pants are bulging from the riffs and shout-along-friendly lyrics of Apocalypse Dudes.
When so much fast and heavy rock takes itself way to serious Turbonegro brings back a juvenile excitement to rock’n’roll with their homoerotic punk rock.
5
Sep 11 2023
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KIWANUKA
Michael Kiwanuka
4
Sep 12 2023
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Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Beatles
4
Sep 13 2023
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Seventh Tree
Goldfrapp
Sounds like an album intensely insipired by “The Beach” soundtrack. Completely decent but I probably won’t ever return to this.
2
Sep 14 2023
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Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor
Lupe Fiasco
Lupe is an accomplished student of rap. He has the lyricism and technique of his idols. He just lacks personality as a rapper. Just like J Cole he can imitate the greats but it just feels like a pale afterthought. There is no acuity, no urgency, no boundary pushing. Food & liquor has the production values of a Kanye album but it lacks the rewards.
I really like the self referential world of hip hop, but some artists are *just* references. Lupes from the generation who grew up on rap, forming their whole persona. This makes him feel like an echo of the 20 years of rap that came before his debut. Sometimes Lupe successfully transforms that echo into fresh point of view, but oftentimes he comes off as an amalgamation of his inspirations. Who is to blame him though, aren’t we all?
3
Sep 15 2023
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High Violet
The National
I like The National. I even own Boxer on CD. Even then, their albums are never stronger than 3 out of 5. Same for High Violet. No real stand out tracks here. It’s nice and Matt Berninger keeps brooding. Then I go listen to something more exciting.
3
Sep 18 2023
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Court And Spark
Joni Mitchell
3
Sep 19 2023
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Queen II
Queen
3
Sep 20 2023
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The Seldom Seen Kid
Elbow
2
Sep 21 2023
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Let England Shake
PJ Harvey
4
Sep 22 2023
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Come Find Yourself
Fun Lovin' Criminals
Funky musicianship marred by sub-par rapper spouting the most overused rap-cliches.
2
Sep 25 2023
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Remain In Light
Talking Heads
4
Sep 26 2023
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Power In Numbers
Jurassic 5
I would say their debut (J5 LP from 1998) is essential listening. Power in Numbers is also great hip hop record.
On Power in Numbers they’ve expanded on their signature sound of harmonising rap over break beats. With top notch turntableism, a surpring amount of great flute samples and archaic record industry samples. Power in Numbers has a fuller more radio friendly sound than their previous releases. But it has also lost a little bit of freshness of the debut. Still a lot of great tracks here.
4
Sep 27 2023
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Modern Life Is Rubbish
Blur
Aggressively ok. Boring like a lot of 90s rock. This is like the middle road of the era. A bit noisy and snarky with no real feelings apart from dejection and cynicism. I much prefer the romanticism and pop sensibility of the eighties (cure, smiths etc) or the more dynamic, fun and danceable rock of the aughts. This got some good lyrics though and I completely agree with the title and the thesis Damon Alburn delivers here.
2
Sep 28 2023
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Shake Your Money Maker
The Black Crowes
Crowes can competently cos-play classic cock-rock.
2
Sep 29 2023
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I'm Your Man
Leonard Cohen
80’s Cohen is all about his dark voice. Contrasts well with female backing on a lot of songs. Better than I remembered but still too eighties.
3
Oct 02 2023
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Funeral
Arcade Fire
Good album. But I enjoyed The Suburbs a lot more.
3
Oct 03 2023
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Imagine
John Lennon
The album ends on an high note with the wonderfully twee “Oh Yoko!”.
3
Oct 18 2023
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Fetch The Bolt Cutters
Fiona Apple
Manic, soulful, accusatory. Rhythmic but undanceable. Difficult but rewarding listen.
4
Oct 19 2023
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Basket of Light
Pentangle
Interesting listen but definitely an acquired taste that I am not going to give further chances to grow.
2
Oct 20 2023
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Queen Of Denmark
John Grant
Can’t stand this or Father John Misty which a lot of commentators compares to. It’s like a terrible time capsule to the sloppiest of beatles/Nilsson/Billy Joel songs, with the added spice of more explicit lyrics. If you think the last 50 years of music was a mistake, and just want some sassyness added to your silly pop songs of 1973, this might be for you.
2
Oct 23 2023
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Pink Moon
Nick Drake
Oh great. Another instalment of depressed Norah Jones.
2
Oct 24 2023
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Let's Get It On
Marvin Gaye
4
Oct 25 2023
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Superfuzz Bigmuff
Mudhoney
4
Oct 26 2023
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Bitches Brew
Miles Davis
4
Oct 27 2023
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Among The Living
Anthrax
Liked this way more than expected. More punk and hardcore than other thrash metal, which suited me. Also more fun than the other overly serious big four thrash acts, and metal in general. I like this better than every Metallica album I’ve listened to.
A lot of surprising turns and speed shifts in the songs and less indulgent guitar wankery than feared. Powerful, tightly packed bursts of thrash.
I also like the political lyrics and varied singing styles, especially the hardcore-styled back up vocals. Even veers into rap rock territory and does it right. Surely inspired hardcore I like. Chuga-chugg-chugg have a surprise five!
5
Oct 30 2023
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My Generation
The Who
My Generation and (new for me) I don’t mind are really great. Strong non-polished jangly rock sound.
4
Oct 31 2023
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The Velvet Underground & Nico
The Velvet Underground
Probably the most overrated album on this site. A lot of commenters obviously not liking it giving it fours or fives, because of its cultural significance and/or for fear of looking uncool. Folks, it’s ok to not like blaring lo-fi art-rock. Sure, it inspired a lot of great stuff that I like, but boy did I not have the patience for this. This is more about image than music. And that image belongs in a museum where folks can adore the counter culture heroes of the past without having to pretend they like their music.
Sure it inspired a lot of bands. But everything that sounds amateurish and “real” inspires people to create. Because it lowers the bar and makes it seem possible to do it yourself. So thanks for lowering the bar and paving the way for punk and other diy music I guess.
2
Nov 01 2023
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Talking Timbuktu
Ali Farka Touré
This was amazing. Full of rhythm and emotion. Slow but with a driving pulse and beauty. Dreamy but never boring. Varied but also really takes its time to explore sound-paths.
I’ve listened a bit to Ali’s son Vieux Farka Toure. I especially enjoy his album Mon Pays (2013). But I never got around to any deeper dives into the discography of his legendary father Ali.
Glad I finally took the plunge.
Stand outs: Gomni, Amandrai, Ai Du, Diaraby
5
Nov 02 2023
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Bluesbreakers
John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers
3
Nov 03 2023
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Steve McQueen
Prefab Sprout
WOW! What a pleasant surprise. Totally new to me.
Smooth jazzy pop with constant charming production surprises ‘round every corner. Obviously a lot of heart and skill was poured into this album.
Still sounds insanely crisp and modern despite the eighties-tinged synths. This is what modern producers try to emulate.
Reminds me of one of my favourite albums: Kaputt by Destroyer.
5
Nov 06 2023
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Green Onions
Booker T. & The MG's
Iconic opener doesn’t fully save this from sounding a bit too much like a novelty act for much of its duration.
3
Nov 07 2023
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The Number Of The Beast
Iron Maiden
Maidens epic cartoonish heavy metal can be fun in small doses. They sure made a lot of kids metal heads in the eighties (and nineties). It’s metal palatable for pop listeners. An entry point to the world of fast electric guitars and head banging.
3
Nov 08 2023
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The Sun Rises In The East
Jeru The Damaja
Never listened to the whole album before, but since I had an intense love affair with NY boom bap some twenty years ago, I’ve had around half of the tracks on mixtapes, mp3s and burned cds. The album is a great snapshot of the era of New York rap I personally like the most - 90s boom bap.
4
Nov 09 2023
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Django Django
Django Django
A bag of almost. Almost funky. Almost interesting. Almost catchy. There are no cracks to enter into this musical world, its too hermetically produced. It’s krautrock without edge, indietronica without emotion. But my main problem with connecting with this is probably the singing style. The song is more of an instrument than a human to connect to.
2
Nov 10 2023
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A Little Deeper
Ms. Dynamite
Better than the average r’n’b / digital soul of the era. Dy-Na-Mi-Tee was a minor hit in Sweden at the time and it still holds up. A mix between digital and analogue makes the production still sound ok. Nothing overwhelmingly interesting though.
3
Nov 13 2023
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Can't Buy A Thrill
Steely Dan
Jazz-rock that is so polished that zoning out is a real risk despite its groovy, catchy and varied soundscapes.
4
Nov 14 2023
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Deja Vu
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
Just like their debut, it just doesn’t stick on me. It just goes in one ear and out the other. It sounds like a lamer version of The Band.
2
Nov 15 2023
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The Genius Of Ray Charles
Ray Charles
4
Nov 16 2023
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John Prine
John Prine
Lyrics and delivery with pathos, soul, humour and poetry. Straightforward, elegant and poignant.
4
Nov 17 2023
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Hunky Dory
David Bowie
An ok album with a couple of objectively great pop songs. But it just doesn’t move me. I am not immune to Bowies charm but a lot of his music leaves me cold.
3
Nov 20 2023
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Hot Fuss
The Killers
A couple of tracks that became hits through commercials, as was the norm for mid-00’s indie rock. But the songs never really appealed to me then, and I didn’t care for this album now. It’s completely alright music but nothing I want to revisit.
2
Dec 08 2023
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Rock 'N Soul
Solomon Burke
3
Dec 11 2023
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Sign 'O' The Times
Prince
Thank you horny funk-pygmy for your advice on getting some. I’ll start with lying about my relationship status and taking bubble baths with my pants on tonight.
3
Dec 12 2023
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Teen Dream
Beach House
A grower, not a shower.
Grew to unchastely size around the third time through.
4
Dec 13 2023
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A Seat at the Table
Solange
This was great! Weird I disregarded this release when it came out. Tightly produced neo-soul with ambition and scope.
5
Dec 14 2023
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Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde
The Pharcyde
Great beats, fun banter and unique flows. Rap album equivalent of listening to a group of young men cracking jokes, trying to one up each other. Apart from all the jokes and improvising, there are a couple of tracks with genuine emotions, exploring personal failures and issues.
Sure, some content is extremely juvenile but for the most part the album has an undeniable charm in its infectious anything-goes mentality. And the beats still sounds great!
5
Dec 15 2023
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Odelay
Beck
A quintessential 90’s album: detached, ironic, eclectic. Beck obviously listened a lot to beastie boys and Bob Dylan. Pauls Boutique is one of my favourite albums so as Beck brought in the Dust Brothers for this, of course I like it even if it’s a bit derivative. It doesn’t have the trailblazing feel and energizing rap-interaction of the beastie boys or the lyrical depth of Dylan, but it’s not cat shit either.
4
Dec 18 2023
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Fear Of A Black Planet
Public Enemy
Relentless sound bombardment. The Bitches Brew of rap. Difficult but bangin’
4
Dec 19 2023
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Lady Soul
Aretha Franklin
5
Dec 20 2023
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The Madcap Laughs
Syd Barrett
I’ll leave this to the real connoisseurs of crazy British sad boys.
2
Dec 21 2023
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You're Living All Over Me
Dinosaur Jr.
Little Fury Things is worth a five on its own. The blueprint of all good rock of the last three decades. Admittedly I seldom listen to the whole thing, but the opening five tracks are top damn notch
5
Dec 22 2023
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Solid Air
John Martyn
3
Dec 25 2023
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Blood On The Tracks
Bob Dylan
Så jävla, jävla bra.
5
Dec 26 2023
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A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector
Various Artists
3
Dec 27 2023
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3 Years, 5 Months And 2 Days In The Life Of...
Arrested Development
A rap album for people who don’t like hip hop. Funky but preachy. Detached from youth culture. As if your parent made a rap album that was somehow pretty tight musically. It doesn’t matter I am parent myself now and fully agree with the sentiment that children should “let go of their Nintendo joysticks and go dig in the earth”, I am not interested in music as a teaching tool.
2
Dec 28 2023
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Live Through This
Hole
4
Dec 29 2023
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The Stooges
The Stooges
4
Jan 01 2024
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Urban Hymns
The Verve
Överraskande bra! Minns hitsen, men det fanns mer att hämta här. En expansiv ljudbild som hela tiden håller intresset uppe. Albumet har både låtar och ett gött groove.
4
Jan 02 2024
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Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
Wilco
Too constructed.
3
Jan 15 2024
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Melody A.M.
Röyksopp
4
Jan 16 2024
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Catch A Fire
Bob Marley & The Wailers
4
Jan 17 2024
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Darkness on the Edge of Town
Bruce Springsteen
Straight-faced ballads about cars. Nah thanks. For the last year I’ve been convinced I was turning into a Bruce-fan. Reconnecting with my childhood affinity. I even saw him live last summer. But I am starting to realize my distance wasn’t some youthful music snobbery, but a genuine distaste for a lot of his music. Springsteen has made more than a handful genuinely great tracks, but for the most part I don’t connect with it. I don’t need Springsteen in album form.
2
Jan 18 2024
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Reign In Blood
Slayer
4
Jan 19 2024
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Rid Of Me
PJ Harvey
Raw production, powerful, unique lyrics and vocal delivery. Only problem is there are just no songs I want to return to. I had the same feeling with Let England Shake: impressed but not hooked.
3
Jan 22 2024
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Pet Sounds
The Beach Boys
Still cute!
4
Jan 23 2024
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Band On The Run
Paul McCartney and Wings
Never heard any of these tracks before, even though the title track has a lot of plays. Paul is only interested in crafting clever pop songs in a classic rock mould. There is no heart, no fury, no pulse, no nerve and no lust. The bass is nice and there are a lot of arrangement ideas, but I still struggle to find anything worth caring for. I liked Bluebird and the title track though. After having an album from each ex-beatle (excluding Ringo) and two or three from the Beatles I can safely say I don’t care much for the group itself or Paul or John individually. The George Harrison one was the best of the bunch (all things must pass).
2
Jan 24 2024
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Fisherman's Blues
The Waterboys
Completely new to me and although I am not big on folk-rock this was a real treat. A lot of pulse, emotion and a live feel.
4
Jan 25 2024
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Isn't Anything
My Bloody Valentine
That sure was something. The four tracks from Cupid Come to All I Need = fantastic.
4
Jan 26 2024
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Sunshine Hit Me
The Bees
An eclectic but inessential tribute to good music. Still good music though. Especially enjoyed the slower, jazzy beats at the end of the record.
4
Jan 29 2024
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Tapestry
Carole King
Amazing album. Glad to listen to it again. Full of great tracks. “It’s too late” is an all time fave.
5
Jan 30 2024
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Otis Blue/Otis Redding Sings Soul
Otis Redding
5
Jan 31 2024
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The United States Of America
The United States Of America
3
Feb 01 2024
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25
Adele
Britains biggest emo since Robert Smith.
2
Feb 02 2024
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Frampton Comes Alive
Peter Frampton
Dad rock in its most boring iteration.
Tried to listen to the LP when I took over my dads record collection. Couldn’t make it through. Same story now. Sold the lp to a man in his sixties at a yard sale event. It is now where it belongs, in the record collection of a retired man. I hope he enjoys the guitar solos and think back on a life well spent.
1
Feb 05 2024
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Dummy
Portishead
The album is a bit one note moodwise and the album art is probably the ugliest in the whole book. But Roads is one of my favourite tracks ever and the album still has a moody mysterious allure.
5
Feb 06 2024
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Ten
Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam reviving 50s death rock with the cover of “last kiss”: yay!
This album and Pearl Jam in general: nay!
For some reason I just don’t vibe with PJ. Probably because it’s “big serious masculine hard rock” without any speed, fun or new sounds. Love Vedders soundtrack for Into the Wild though. Pearl Jams influence on American rock is probably a big reason why it has been terrible the last 30 years (I can’t help exaggerating like this).
2
Feb 07 2024
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Leftism
Leftfield
A bit underwhelmed by this. I like the genre mix but it never really takes off. I sit there nodding along to the beats but it doesn’t get me pumped, nor is it interesting enough for headphone-sessions.
3
Feb 08 2024
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Debut
Björk
Unique in every sense of the word. I never really clicked with Björk all the way, but there is no denying the greatness of her debut.
4
Feb 09 2024
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Ladies And Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space
Spiritualized
The epic sounds of drug induced boredom.
2
Feb 12 2024
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You Want It Darker
Leonard Cohen
5
Feb 13 2024
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Blonde On Blonde
Bob Dylan
Headsplitting harmonicas, vivid lyrical imagery and god damn immortal songs. This project has made me a staunch Dylanite.
5
Feb 14 2024
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Marquee Moon
Television
Totally understandable that it was no hit at arrival but has garnered a big following down the years. Personally I am just lukewarm. They feel a bit like a less fun Talking Heads with more guitar wankery. Still kind of a unique sound for the time.
3
Feb 15 2024
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Greetings From L.A.
Tim Buckley
2
Feb 16 2024
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Henry's Dream
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
I only like the slow tracks from Cave, none of that rocking stuff. Too much theatrical loudness or loud theatrics on this album
2
Feb 29 2024
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Garbage
Garbage
A burning pile of soulless toxic waste polluting the airways.
1
Mar 01 2024
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Wonderful Rainbow
Lightning Bolt
”Full retard”-rock som hade varit kul att se live men som är helt hopplöst i lurarna. Behöver inte detta bröt i mitt liv.
1
Mar 04 2024
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The Chronic
Dr. Dre
An album that truly is a link between the old and new school of rap. Setting the standard and sound of west coast gangsta rap while still having a leg in the more traditional rap game.
The track “the day the n****z took over” sounds very much like the 88-91 period of rap, soundwise and rap-wise, while the following track “nuthin but a g thang” launches the laid back g-funk sound.
The beats are more well produced than anything at the time. Incredibly influential sound. Lyrically it’s mostly a very thorough exploration towards perfecting the coolest way to say “motherfucker”. Of course the kids loved it!
To be honest though, I was never comfortable with the glorification of gang violence and it’s misogyny (the album has some great verses by lady of rage though!). At the same time, for much of its duration, the beats and rap delivery are great enough to make me look past the tastelessness. I am not gonna return to it often, but I will never not nod my head in oblivious assent when I hear the intro of “Nuthin but a g thang”.
4
Mar 05 2024
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If You Can Believe Your Eyes & Ears
The Mamas & The Papas
3
Mar 06 2024
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It's Blitz!
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
I really like Karen O as a singer but the music don’t do anything for me.
2
Mar 07 2024
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Rum Sodomy & The Lash
The Pogues
I love the opening track and like some of the story telling of other tracks, but I find myself zoning out as the album proceeds. I’ve given it a couple of tries but I think the opening track is enough for me, I’ve had my fill. Kind of like the first beer tastes the best when out drinking and it’s all downhill from there.
3
Mar 08 2024
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Fromohio
fIREHOSE
2
Mar 28 2024
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The Black Saint And The Sinner Lady
Charles Mingus
I prefer my jazz either groovy or moody. This is neither. It’s a grand chaos, but rather unwelcoming. As if one stopped by a derailed party completely sober. Stay a bit and let the chaos seep into you, or follow your urge to move on.
3
Mar 29 2024
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Hypocrisy Is The Greatest Luxury
The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy
Major Gil Scott Heron vibes. And of course Chuck D. Ahead of its time on certain issues for being a rap album. Deeply political. Boomin beats.
4
Apr 01 2024
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Elephant
The White Stripes
The raw energy of good rock n roll. Loud and unpolished. Almost balances between image and honesty but ultimately feels a bit too acted. Mostly because the heavy retro leanings I suppose.
4
Apr 02 2024
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Physical Graffiti
Led Zeppelin
Lots of really good songs but none truly great (which can be found on all five previous efforts).
4
Apr 03 2024
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Gentlemen
The Afghan Whigs
It rocks. Timeless sound that could have been made any time the last thirty years. Great voice also. But I have no interest in listening to this self professed asshole no matter how self aware.
3
Apr 17 2024
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The Doors
The Doors
Undeniably great
5
Apr 18 2024
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The World is a Ghetto
War
A solid three-star album of tight grooves elevated to a four by the fantastic title track.
4
Apr 19 2024
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Architecture And Morality
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
A showcase of the pros and cons of the pretentioussness of new wave synth pop. I’ve listened through it a couple of times and have mixed feelings - sometimes about the same tracks. My enjoyment seem more mood influenced than usually. Some of the extra material is better than the original tracks. Sacred Heart sounds like something that inspired The Knife.
4
Apr 22 2024
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Dire Straits
Dire Straits
I am 39 with two kids. Time to finally sit back and enjoy some mark knopfler guitar licks.
3
Apr 23 2024
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More Songs About Buildings And Food
Talking Heads
Talking Head sounds like a stiffer Roxy Music here. I gave remain in light a four as that was a more dynamic and exciting experience. But this album doesn’t speak to me. There are no real memorable tracks here. Just a steady, stiff attempt at a groove.
2
Apr 24 2024
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Stankonia
OutKast
I like the fearless experimentation of OutKast (or to be honest Andre 3000. Big Boi will probably continue to rap fast about being a womanizer over smooth beats for another three decades). Their sonic explorations brought us some of the finest rap and pop songs at the turn of the millennium.
But the wild experimentation also means a lot of duds. Their albums are impressive but incoherent.
The highs of Stankonia are incredible but there are also plenty of skips here. I feel boring for punishing risk taking here. But I prefer a shorter coherent album than a sprawling, ambitious mess.
4
Apr 25 2024
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Colour By Numbers
Culture Club
Stuff me full with Stilton and cheddar, but this is too much British cheese to handle.
1
Apr 26 2024
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Twelve Dreams Of Dr. Sardonicus
Spirit
A lot of ideas here but not really any memorable tracks.
3
Apr 29 2024
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Bat Out Of Hell
Meat Loaf
Så det är här The Ark snott allt från.
3
Apr 30 2024
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The ArchAndroid
Janelle Monáe
Overstuffed. It just never breathes. Monáe is self confident and talented enough to take a stab at several genres and styles and succeed. But in the end it feels like a relentless collection of pretty good pastiches. It feels too much like a showcase rather than a genuine piece of art (which is perhaps unfair when considering the obvious time and talent put into this). But I’ve given it a lot of chances and it just doesn’t open up to me.
2
May 01 2024
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Getz/Gilberto
Stan Getz
Iconic sound and album cover. Not all music needs to bite, sometimes you need that smooth caress.
5
May 02 2024
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Talking Book
Stevie Wonder
Every time I read a Stevie Wonder write-up I think I am going to love the album. I never do. He is an incredibly gifted musician and somehow both timeless and ahead of his time. But i just don’t fall for his sweet soul and sexless funk.
3
May 03 2024
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Abattoir Blues / The Lyre of Orpheus
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
3
May 06 2024
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The Fat Of The Land
The Prodigy
I was twelve when this came out. It hit right in the solar plexus of my formative years. It had it all: image, an air of danger and a new sound. Shook me out of the eurodisco-phase of my childhood and pointed me towards drum’n’bass, big beat, punk and hiphop
The menacing all-encompassing deep bass in these tracks was next level for 97’. It still sounds fantastic
5
May 07 2024
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Parachutes
Coldplay
A really good album. I have warm memories of cozying up with others listening to this album. All the haters just need a hug.
4
May 08 2024
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If I Could Only Remember My Name
David Crosby
Chill hippie session music.
3
May 09 2024
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C'est Chic
CHIC
So in love with the pulsating groove and the instrumentation of “I want your love”.
4
May 10 2024
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Yank Crime
Drive Like Jehu
3
May 13 2024
View Album
Innervisions
Stevie Wonder
This finally cements that I just don’t care for Stevie Wonder. I love funk, soul and jazz but I just don’t understand the appeal of Stevie. There are moments of funkiness I enjoy (“Too high” is a standout here), but in general it’s a bore. With Stevies annoying wailing as a cherry on top.
2
May 14 2024
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After The Gold Rush
Neil Young
A frail earnestness towards life and music. Almost naive, but at least it feels genuine. Harvest is better though.
3
May 15 2024
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Songs Of Leonard Cohen
Leonard Cohen
Discovered Cohen and this stunning debut through one of Werner Herzogs weirdest documentaries (which is really saying something) Fata Morgana (1971) . Several of the tracks feature in the film, set in the desert. The sparse instrumentation with guitar and minor add ons from other instruments is the sonic equivalent of the warm desert and some sporadic oasis.
The female accompanying song is like the Fata Morgana. Ethereal. A shimmering incorporeal longing. It constrasts so well with Cohens desert-dry voice.
Although my favourite songs of Cohen are found on later recordings, his debut is maybe his best album of his career. Tastefully produced and not as bare or overproduced as some later albums.
5
May 16 2024
View Album
Destroy Rock & Roll
Mylo
I bought the CD when it came out. It was a three star album then. Same now. Drop the pressure, sunworshipper and in my arms are pretty good tracks. The rest are ok.
3
May 17 2024
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Clandestino
Manu Chao
Just like 25 years ago when “Bongo Bong” was inescapable i feel that it has a pretty good vibe but I don’t need bigger doses of it. I like the global, found sounds approach though.
3
May 20 2024
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L.A. Woman
The Doors
Morrison channels his blues heroes and makes it work. His voice and delivery really has weight on this album. Great groove throughout. Lyrically there is a lot of sexually frustrated laments about how he wants to get laid. As is the tradition in the classic rock era.
4
May 21 2024
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All Directions
The Temptations
Boy band with funky backing musicians. The longer instrumental funky parts are the best parts here.
3
May 22 2024
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Maxinquaye
Tricky
Murky beats with rather anonymous female singing. As a longtime enjoyer of hip hop beats I can dig this. But it lacks the moodiness and beauty of better trip hop releases.
3
May 29 2024
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Kilimanjaro
The Teardrop Explodes
I like the prominent new wave bass lines, but there’s too few really memorable tracks. Best track: second head
3
May 30 2024
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Post Orgasmic Chill
Skunk Anansie
Leans heavily on other alt rock/metal acts of its era, but this was surprisingly effective. Great singer and dynamic but a bit anonymous sound. Maybe a bit overproduced. Probably won’t return to it.
3
May 31 2024
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Woodface
Crowded House
Pop rock lullabies for adults.
2
Jun 03 2024
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Appetite For Destruction
Guns N' Roses
Never cared for G’n’R. Cartoonish version of Led Zep mixed with the vulgarity of hair metal.
2
Jun 04 2024
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Machine Head
Deep Purple
Peak ”gubbrock” or dad rock in English. I sure heard my father repeatedly play this in the car growing up. It’s alright for what it is but the singer is a bit bland.
3
Jun 05 2024
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Bridge Over Troubled Water
Simon & Garfunkel
I remember being immensely bored by “bridge over troubled water” as a kid when my friends mom was raving about it. That song still is a bore. It made me wrongfully dismiss this album. Because then comes “El Condor Pasa” and “Cecilia” and plenty of other pop gold nuggets.
4
Jun 06 2024
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Le Tigre
Le Tigre
An intoxicating cocktail of raw punk energy, drum machines and feminism.
4
Jun 07 2024
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Diamond Life
Sade
Boppin bass lines.
3
Jun 10 2024
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Hounds Of Love
Kate Bush
Beautiful avant-garde pop music. Timeless and unique. There’s something exciting and unexpected hiding around every corner.
5
Jun 11 2024
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Hot Rats
Frank Zappa
There are some real good grooves hiding under the screaming guitar. But Zappa just can’t let the guitar breathe even for a couple of seconds.
2
Jun 12 2024
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Paul Simon
Paul Simon
I like Simon because of his open minded and exploratory approach to music. Like all the best artists he is good at stealing and making something of his own from it.
3
Jun 13 2024
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E.V.O.L.
Sonic Youth
Noice!
4
Jun 25 2024
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With The Beatles
Beatles
If the Beatles ended after this album they would be a cute curiosity today, known only by a few record collectors. This is quickly produced boy band music with inane lyrics. Pretty catchy but it’s an album that doesn’t grow with further listening. It starts to annoy me third time through.
2
Jun 26 2024
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The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators
The 13th Floor Elevators
Solid early psych but not mind blowing.
3
Jun 27 2024
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Beggars Banquet
The Rolling Stones
Got enough really great songs to warrant a five.
5
Jun 28 2024
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Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath
4
Jul 01 2024
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Purple Rain
Prince
Purple rain is full of ideas. Some work, most don’t. First two and last two tracks are terrible. But there are a couple of songs in the middle I enjoy parts of. But all song structures are weird. No track work as a whole. As soon as I find something I like there is the next moment or track to ruin it.
Prince is a burst of creativity lacking cohesion. His ideas are everywhere but they are just so fleeting, never fully explored, always on to the next thing. ADHD in music form.
Purple rain feels both extremely dated and uniquely weird. I understand that some people love him. Songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, star quality etc. But I can’t understand the near universal acclaim. There must be a lot of people NOT liking Prince? I mean, thin drum machines, eighties synths and electric guitar wailing can’t be everybody’s cup of tea?
Although I have started to understand that funk with pop appeal has maintained a huge mainstream audience for decades, and that Prince fits the bill for a renaissance in contemporary American culture I still don’t get it. For example, his contemporaries Madonna and MJ have a lot more big hits that still work today. I’ll just have to accept that I’m in the minority here, that this is not for me.
2
Jul 02 2024
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Guero
Beck
I see no reason for the inclusion of this album. Beck does the same things he did ten years earlier but it doesn’t feel fresh anymore. This batch of detached musings over pretty ok break beats are on the wrong side of the millennium shift.
2
Jul 03 2024
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The Colour Of Spring
Talk Talk
I respect the craftsmanship but the songs don’t have sonic claws to stick in me.
3
Jul 04 2024
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Low
David Bowie
3
Jul 05 2024
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Joan Armatrading
Joan Armatrading
Middle of the road folk rock with some blues and funk inspiration. Strong voice (which I personally don’t care for), weak lyrics. Background music for grownups. File under: vaguely soulful music that bores the shit out of me.
2
Jul 08 2024
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Be
Common
Be (intro) is probably my favourite Kanye beat of all time, and that is saying a lot. (Number two is probably jay-z - this can’t be life). I never got past the opening on earlier listens of this album as it’s too hard to follow. It’s such a perfect track. But after keeping this on rotation several times today I see my mistake. It’s a great album from Kanyes golden era when everything he touched became gold. I’ve always liked common but never loved him. Although he is technically a great rapper his voice register is rather monotone. But Be is a treasure trove of soulful jazzy hip hop productions topped with good lyrics and delivery. Such a nice vibe.
5
Jul 29 2024
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Talking Heads 77
Talking Heads
I like Talking Heads and their debut is pretty good and influential. But I am fairly certain I’ll never think: “I am really in the mood for a Talking Head-record”. The type of band I respect a lot but never get the itch for (at least in album form). Their debut is better than “More songs..” but not as good as “Remain in light”.
3
Jul 30 2024
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OK Computer
Radiohead
Not as cohesive as I remebered but the highs are really high.
5
Jul 31 2024
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Let Love Rule
Lenny Kravitz
Uninteresting mix of retro sounds.
2
Aug 01 2024
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Slanted And Enchanted
Pavement
Nice lo-fi indie rock. A keeper.
4
Aug 23 2024
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The Cars
The Cars
Don’t let the new wave tag fool you, this is dad rock in disguise. But damn, this still has an effective pop punch I can’t resist.
4
Aug 26 2024
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Paranoid
Black Sabbath
5
Aug 27 2024
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Doolittle
Pixies
Such a fun album!
Manages to constantly surprise.
Love the prominent bass.
Compared to other great late eighties alt-rockers like Fugazi and Dinosaur Jr, Pixies is more tongue in cheek. There is an exuberant lust for experimentation here.
So many great songs and a few duds.
5
Aug 28 2024
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Mask
Bauhaus
“Bela Lugosi is dead” has long been a fave. Their debut ”In the flat field” is also great. “Mask” is disappointing and dated post punk experimenting. Thin and annoying sound.
2
Aug 29 2024
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Pacific Ocean Blue
Dennis Wilson
Grand arrangements, tame blues rock, piano ballads and faux-pink-floydisms. In a word: booooooring. Some nice horns and a general inoffensive chill vibe saves it from one star oblivion.
2
Aug 30 2024
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Master Of Puppets
Metallica
Packed with powerful riffs. Impactful and iconic. There is however a limit to how much joyless masculinity-cult metal I can take in one sitting. But hey, probably their best album.
4
Sep 02 2024
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Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis is a heck of a performer on some tracks (Blue Suede Shoes) and a bumbling fool on others (I got a woman, tutti frutti). And some songs are not that good to begin with.
3
Sep 03 2024
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Nevermind
Nirvana
As someone who was a bit too young to register Cobains death, Nirvana has always been there. A dependable band you can be sure most people like. I found love for loud rock around the time Grohl paid homage to Cobain with “My hero”. So I was too young to really grasp the grunge movement as it happened. I’ve always enjoyed Nirvana, but never had that spark in the eye for them. But they sure influenced a lot of bands I listened to in my formative years.
Nirvana bridged the pop/punk divide effortlessly on Nevermind.
4
Sep 04 2024
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There's A Riot Goin' On
Sly & The Family Stone
Brilliant moments mixed with plodding, crappily produced funk. Was expecting to love this based on my deep affinity for “family affair”, but this was kind of a let down.
3
Sep 05 2024
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Black Metal
Venom
Fast, grimy and idiotic. As it should be.
3
Sep 06 2024
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From Elvis In Memphis
Elvis Presley
Sure, it’s calculated hit making with plenty of Elvis mannerisms. But it is also genuinely jouyous and brimming with life. Organic and tight musicianship with good writing and production.
4
Sep 09 2024
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Siamese Dream
The Smashing Pumpkins
Great fuzzed out alt-rock with sonic depth and honest lyrics. But Siamese Dream doesn’t light that spark in me to warrant a five.
4
Sep 10 2024
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Surfer Rosa
Pixies
”Gigantic” is an all time top ten song for me. Not really knowing who the pixies were back then I had a very innocent conception of the lyrics. I always thought Kim Deal sang about a deep, deep love. Gigantic even. Turns out it was all about the schlong-size of black man named Paul.
4
Sep 11 2024
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Orbital 2
Orbital
As I am sitting here in my home office nodding my head to Orbital 2 I begin to question my life choices. Why am I not completely wasted in an industrial warehouse, half blind from flashing lights and smoke, dancing to this?
3
Sep 12 2024
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Rumours
Fleetwood Mac
All sane people agree that “Dreams” is one of the best things humanity produced the last century. And Rumours is a great album. But, contemplating with one foot raised on a baroque footstool, does it reeeeally tickle my freely swinging balls enough to warrant five stars? No
4
Sep 13 2024
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We're Only In It For The Money
The Mothers Of Invention
3
Sep 16 2024
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Blue Lines
Massive Attack
In the frontline of beat-oriented music in 91’. Still sounds fresh.
5
Sep 17 2024
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Highway 61 Revisited
Bob Dylan
My fifth Dylan-album and the first not awarded five stars. Definitely prefer the follow up Blonde on Blonde.
4
Sep 18 2024
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Country Life
Roxy Music
I loved the unhinged jazzy art-rock of their debut, which got a five from me. Roxy continues their sonic experiments here, but it just sounds overproduced. An overloaded heap of sounds without any strong songs. Out of the blue sounds terrible with its effects. Just found it pretty annoying in general.
2
Sep 20 2024
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Zombie
Fela Kuti
Fela delivers two 12-minute funky afrobeat anti-militaristic juggernauts which prompted 1000 soldiers to be sent out to crush him, tragically killing his mother. Obvious five.
5