Apr 27 2023
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L.A. Woman
The Doors
Totally perspective changing. Made me rethink Acid Rock and the Doors.
4
Apr 28 2023
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Rattus Norvegicus
The Stranglers
First reaction - what the hell am I listening to. The synth is wild, and the vocals are totally off from what I expected.
But from the second track on this is very early days of British punk rock. Reminds me of Flogging Molly. Very experimental, and not a huge fan, but I respect it's likely influence on others. If I'd never heard this kind of music before I'd probably love it more.
Overall good for music appreciation, but not otherwise not into it.
2
May 01 2023
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Ace of Spades
Motörhead
I already knew Motorhead for Ace of Spades, but didn't realize how many other good tracks they had. I had always thought of them as a one hit wonder, and am pretty shocked to find they have a really robust catalogue.
Really vibing with this band.
More importantly, the fact that they did this in the 80s is shocking. I thought they were a 90s band.
4
May 02 2023
View Album
Highway 61 Revisited
Bob Dylan
Really great album. Bob Dylan is a legend, and his lyrics are really inspiring. Some of his best tracks here, though some of the songs were overly long
4
May 03 2023
View Album
Ladies And Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space
Spiritualized
REALLY enjoyed this album. I can see why it won album of the year. Not a band I would have ever listened to without this, but definitely my style of music - same vein as Massive Attack and others. 10/10
5
May 04 2023
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School's Out
Alice Cooper
School's Out is a classic. The rest of this album is...questionable. Not sure I loved it honestly. Didn't feel like the rest of the album lived up to the hard rock punch from the first part.
3
May 05 2023
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GI
Germs
Had trouble finding this one. Apparently not on Spotify (which is pretty punk in and of itself). Not something I would have easily just stumbled upon.
This is definitely punk as hell. Not sure I love it, but I appreciate it.
Lexicon Devil is a really fun track
2
May 08 2023
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Siamese Dream
The Smashing Pumpkins
Really enjoyed this. Smashing pumpkins really rocks hard. Don't love his voice, but the guitar and drums are incredible
4
May 09 2023
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Francis Albert Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim
Frank Sinatra
5
May 10 2023
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The Velvet Underground
The Velvet Underground
Really surprised by this. For some reason I had never been interested in the Velvet Underground, but this album slaps. Something to add to my rotation for sure. I can also really hear this album's influence on more modern bands.
5
May 11 2023
View Album
Exit Planet Dust
The Chemical Brothers
Holy shit this album slaps. The beats early on are really strong, and just when it feels like enough it mellows out. Can see how this influenced the EDM scene and more.
5
May 12 2023
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Before And After Science
Brian Eno
Wow, um, this is really bad. I hated everything about this. I'm sure there are some people who love this, but they aren't me.
1
May 15 2023
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I'm Your Man
Leonard Cohen
Not a huge fan of this, but it's smooth and sexy in a way I can't quite explain. Not in standard rotation, but I see the appeal for date night.
3
May 18 2023
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A Girl Called Dusty
Dusty Springfield
Good soul music. Adele sounds a LOT like her and I can see where the inspiration came from. Very fun album.
4
May 19 2023
View Album
S&M
Metallica
I'm a HUGE fan of this album already - one of my favorites. Combining orchestra with Metallica adds something truly brilliant that is hard to find in either genre, and really adds a lot to their music.
5
May 22 2023
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(What's The Story) Morning Glory
Oasis
Already know and love this album. A true classic of modern rock.
5
May 23 2023
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Violent Femmes
Violent Femmes
Blister in the sun is such a classic. A lot of really good punk music here.
4
May 24 2023
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Seventeen Seconds
The Cure
Some smoother listening than the past few days. I hadn't listened to the Cure before, but this is some great brit rock.
3
May 25 2023
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D
White Denim
Really liked this. I'd heard White Denim before but never did a deep dive on them. The voice is soothing, and there's some really killer guitar riffs and solos here.
4
May 26 2023
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Mama Said Knock You Out
LL Cool J
Some really good stuff here. Also some weird tracks. Hits well, and is a lot of fun.
4
May 29 2023
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Eliminator
ZZ Top
4
May 30 2023
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Beggars Banquet
The Rolling Stones
4
May 31 2023
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Aftermath
The Rolling Stones
4
Jun 01 2023
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Kenza
Khaled
This isn't a style of music I typically get to listen to, and for that alone I appreciate this album's inclusion on the list. Not sure this will enter my regular rotation, but certainly encourages me to expand my horizons (I have a soft spot for Arab music)
3
Jun 02 2023
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good kid, m.A.A.d city
Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick is king. Absolutely killer album.
5
Jun 05 2023
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Figure 8
Elliott Smith
Reminds me a lot of Ben Folds. Good stuff, but not quite my style.
4
Jun 06 2023
View Album
Hybrid Theory
Linkin Park
I hadn't really listened to much Linkin Park before (for some reason I think of them and Limp Bizkit when I think of punk/rap/metal). This was fun though. Would listen to more of them
4
Jun 07 2023
View Album
Kid A
Radiohead
Radiohead is always phenomenal. Great album
5
Jun 08 2023
View Album
For Your Pleasure
Roxy Music
I do not think art rock is a genre for me. It was difficult to enjoy or appreciate this album. What baffles me is how this topped the charts when it did come out and the stunning praise for it
1
Jun 09 2023
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The Lexicon Of Love
ABC
Surprisingly fun. A bit too old school for my tastes but not bad to listen to
3
Jun 12 2023
View Album
The College Dropout
Kanye West
I hadn't listened to this before, but I see the appeal. That said, Kanye is a bigot. Kanye's use of some outdated terms that are pretty offensive these days. We don't listen to Kanye in this household.
1
Jun 13 2023
View Album
The Suburbs
Arcade Fire
I hadn't really listened to Arcade Fire before, and honestly thought they weren't going to be my style. Boy was I wrong - this hits like Radiohead, has some great bangers, and is one hell of an emotional trip.
5
Jun 14 2023
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Golden Hour
Kacey Musgraves
Some good country music. Not quite my style but I can appreciate this being a great album.
4
Jun 15 2023
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Calenture
The Triffids
Very 80s vibe here. The first song is great, but not sure about the rest of this. Nothing really clicked for me here.
2
Jun 16 2023
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Rubber Soul
Beatles
It's the Beatles. As always classic. That said not sure this is my favorite of their albums.
4
Jun 19 2023
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Since I Left You
The Avalanches
Really enjoyed this album. Can appreciate the musical mastery behind combining so many loops here, and how it inspired others is just phenomenal. Love this style of music.
5
Jun 20 2023
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Rumours
Fleetwood Mac
I mean it's Fleetwood Mac and one of their best albums. Absolute classic
5
Jun 21 2023
View Album
Document
R.E.M.
Surprised I didn't enjoy this. It seems like it's trying too hard to be interesting/funky, and none of the tracks (outside the hit single) really spoke to me.
2
Jun 22 2023
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Twelve Dreams Of Dr. Sardonicus
Spirit
Fun album. Great classic rock. Could definitely listen to this happily, and can 100% feel David Briggs influence on the sound here.
3
Jun 23 2023
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Arise
Sepultura
Overall there were some fun tracks, but a lot of it sounded 'samey' and like noise to me - it's hard to appreciate the artistry when the guitars all sound the same across the different tracks. That could be a reflection of my relationship with heavy metal (very hit or miss). It's definitely genre defining, and there were some fun bits (like the bass in Subtraction). I may continue to give this a try, but right now it doesn't feel like the right fit. Also that album art is freaky dude.
3
Jun 26 2023
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The Wall
Pink Floyd
Overall there were some fun tracks, but a lot of it sounded 'samey' and like noise to me - it's hard to appreciate the artistry when the guitars all sound the same across the different tracks. That could be a reflection of my relationship with heavy metal (very hit or miss). It's definitely genre defining, and there were some fun bits (like the bass in Subtraction). I may continue to give this a try, but right now it doesn't feel like the right fit. Also that album art is freaky dude.
5
Jun 27 2023
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To Pimp A Butterfly
Kendrick Lamar
Thrilled to have a chance to dive in with Kendrick. To Pimp a Butterfly is such a phenomenal album and really plays with the idea of what hip hop can and should look like. His poetry is incredible and the themes he deals with continue to be salient today. 10/10
5
Jun 28 2023
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Home Is Where The Music Is
Hugh Masekela
Good jazz album. I can't say this struck me one way or another but I enjoyed listening to it and would put this on in the background without hesitation.
4
Jun 29 2023
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With The Beatles
Beatles
Sometimes I forget about the Beatles roots as a first of its kind pop-rock band that sang great love songs. I hadn't heard most of these before, or at least not in a long time. Overall good album but Little Child has...not aged well
4
Jun 30 2023
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Hotel California
Eagles
It always surprises me listening to eagles songs that aren't Hotel California. It feels so distinctive to their sound, yet is so very unlike most of what they do - which is just very different. But despite some great songs overall, there are some much weaker songs later on the album.
3
Jul 03 2023
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Fever To Tell
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Fever to Tell is such a distinctive album for the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. I'd almost describe this as more of a punk sound, with Karen O's distinctive vocal stylings but also just her approach to yelling and screaming into the mic. I'm not sure their distinctive sound has carried over into other albums in the same way, but Fever to Tell is absolute fire and most of the tracks are bangers.
5
Jul 04 2023
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Music From Big Pink
The Band
4
Jul 05 2023
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Dusty In Memphis
Dusty Springfield
4
Jul 06 2023
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Clandestino
Manu Chao
Harder for me to get into this album. I have never been all that in to reggae, and while it's clear this is an important album, I'm not sure it's something I enjoyed listening to.
2
Jul 07 2023
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Revolver
Beatles
A LOT of classics on this one, from Eleanor Rigby to Yellow Submarine and a few more.
4
Jul 10 2023
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Blackstar
David Bowie
I love Bowie but I think I'm realizing I am not a huge fan of art rock, which this album leans in to very heavily. There are some interesting tracks and I can tell there's a lot of musicality to what's going on, but I just don't think it resonated with me.
2
Jul 11 2023
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Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea
PJ Harvey
I liked this a lot more than I expected I would. It's a very 90s sound, but there's something very comforting in that.
4
Jul 12 2023
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Destroy Rock & Roll
Mylo
This is the kind of house music I can behind. Really funky, fun to listen to, and a great album to vibe to.
4/5
4
Jul 13 2023
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Only Built 4 Cuban Linx
Raekwon
Loved the mix between concept and lyrics here. This was fun to listen to and there were a few clear hits from the album (backed up by Spotify listens), like Crimonology and Ice Cream that were great to listen to.
4
Jul 14 2023
View Album
Selected Ambient Works 85-92
Aphex Twin
This is great to chill out to. At times reminds me of Stranger things. But also sometimes a tough listen on its own.
3
Jul 17 2023
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OK Computer
Radiohead
OK Computer is such a profound album. One of Radiohead's best.
5
Jul 18 2023
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Disintegration
The Cure
I can see why this was a hit, but I'm really not sure I'm into it. It's dark and moody, and there are some really great tracks. Robert Smith's distinctive vocals really shine through. But would I listen to this again? I doubt it.
3
Jul 19 2023
View Album
Bridge Over Troubled Water
Simon & Garfunkel
It's Simon & Garfunkel! Legendary duo, and this is a legendary album full of incredible tracks. Their lyricism and knack for making things catchy is really on show here, and it's just remarkable how relevant and timeless it feels. The care and attention to detail in their songs matches that of the Beatles IMO.
5
Jul 20 2023
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Darkdancer
Les Rythmes Digitales
Life got in the way and I wasn't able to listen to this full album. But broadly I enjoyed what I heard. Honestly could feel this influencing a lot of other tracks I've heard that are more recent.
3
Jul 21 2023
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Your New Favourite Band
The Hives
Really really enjoyed this one. Reminded me a lot of the Clash, but had it's own distinctive punk flare. Will be coming back to this for sure.
5
Jul 24 2023
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Hail To the Thief
Radiohead
I mean, it's Hail to the Thief! One of Radiohead's best albums! This is where I first really listened to Radiohead, and the album holds up.
5
Jul 25 2023
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Stand!
Sly & The Family Stone
Some really classic funk here. Sing a Simple Song is an all time favorite from college. I knew a cover band who absolutely killed this one, which brought back some good memories.
4
Jul 26 2023
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Modern Kosmology
Jane Weaver
This is...fine? But I'm clear why this is on here. It doesn't even have a Wikipedia page. It's not bad but it's not great, and it really makes me question the methodology behind picking any of these albums. I know of plenty of indie artists from around the same time who have released remarkably good albums that are better than this (and if anything I want to go listen to those now):
Thievery Corporation
Lula Wiles
Kaki King
2
Jul 27 2023
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Basket of Light
Pentangle
Honestly didn't expect to enjoy this as much as I did. The folk/Celtic/indie/etc sound really defies classification. Some tracks feel almost medieval in nature, but in a great way. I'll have to explore them more as an artist.
4
Jul 28 2023
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xx
The xx
A really strong first album from the xx. The Intro is probably one of the best 'intro' songs ever recorded, to the point that I think it eclipses the rest of the record. A couple popular tracks I recognized on here, but I think the first half of the album ends up being much stronger than the second half, which was harder for me to get in to. That said, those first few tracks are brilliant.
4
Jul 31 2023
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Rio
Duran Duran
Unpopular opinion - Duran Duran is fine I guess? They've got some decent tracks on this album, but I've never loved Hungry Like the Wolf like others do. It's an ok song, but I just think there's better stuff out there. The rest of the album is ok. The artwork is of course iconic.
3
Aug 01 2023
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Lady Soul
Aretha Franklin
I mean, it's Aretha Franklin, some of her greatest hits, and an overall solid album to boot. Her voice is incredible and I'm looking forward to more of her on this list!
5
Aug 02 2023
View Album
Devotional Songs
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
This was pretty good. It's something I could see myself putting on in the background as light listening. Not my traditional style of music but I can see how it was influential.
3
Aug 03 2023
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The Notorious Byrd Brothers
The Byrds
Feels weirdly like the Beatles, but very much enjoyed listening to this - apart from the last track which I frankly skipped over, wasn't in the mood for a 14 minute jam. It feels very experimental in the same way that the late Beatles was, and I actually found the sound to be somewhat similar (you can really see the Beatles influence here).
4
Aug 04 2023
View Album
All That You Can't Leave Behind
U2
Is this a good album? No. Are there a couple good songs on here? I guess? Are the lyrics REALLY bad? 1000% The only reason this album feels like it belongs on the list is for Beautiful Day, maybe Stuck in a Moment. But so much of the song writing is shallow, uninspired, and at times just plain awful that it just brings down the entire album. It's way too safe and lacks anything inspiring. I want music with soul, not this dribble.
1
Aug 07 2023
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Raw Power
The Stooges
Really fun album. Love the punk power here.
4
Aug 08 2023
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I See You
The xx
I feel like this fails to have the same impact on me as the original xx album.
3
Aug 09 2023
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Rings Around The World
Super Furry Animals
This is one of the first albums on this list that I just couldn't listen through. It reminds me of another artist I really don't like, and I just couldn't resonate with any of these songs. Not a fan
1
Aug 10 2023
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Tubular Bells
Mike Oldfield
Really enjoyed this. There are parts that are weird and clunky but it's raw and powerful in a way that is astonishing to have come from a young teenage mind. Really impressive stuff and the melodies are really incredible across these long concept pieces.
4
Aug 11 2023
View Album
Younger Than Yesterday
The Byrds
Really enjoyed this. I hadn't listened to the Byrds prior to this experience, and the previous album by them didn't do it for me. This feels much more like they are doing their own thing and in their prime. You can feel the influence the Beatles and Simon and Garfunkel and others had on them, but you also see how they evolved their own unique style and substance. Quite a few classics in here and I'll be coming back for more
5
Aug 14 2023
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KIWANUKA
Michael Kiwanuka
Wow. This is a really incredible album. The lyricism, the guitar melodies, it all just works together. You can feel a lot of different influences here, but it's also clear that this will itself be an influential album long into the future.
5
Aug 15 2023
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Ramones
Ramones
Punk a f.
4
Aug 16 2023
View Album
Be
Common
Really excellent album. Common's got a terrific flow and brings in some terrific beats and themes throughout his music.
4
Aug 17 2023
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Fire Of Love
The Gun Club
I've heard music inspired by this style and absolutely loved it, but this felt jarring and more like 'noise' to me.
3
Aug 18 2023
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Highway to Hell
AC/DC
One of AC/DC's best albums, featuring one of their best singles, and some really rocking songs besides.
5
Aug 21 2023
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Let's Get It On
Marvin Gaye
Marvin Gaye's Let's Get It On is an absolute CLASSIC. Unfortunately, I'm not sure the rest of the record lives up to the expectations set by this song. It's terrific music (and there's a clear time and place for this album), but I was looking to more captured by the album in a way I wasn't. Still, the title track is in and of itself worthy of inclusion on this list.
3
Aug 22 2023
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Synchronicity
The Police
The Police are always a classic. I'm not sure everything on this album resonated with me, but it's an album I want to revisit.
3
Aug 23 2023
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Third/Sister Lovers
Big Star
It's a very slow album, very discordant, but also very touching. I can see why this is considered an influential album. There's a very disheveled, surreal approach to the music.
3
Aug 24 2023
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Led Zeppelin II
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin II has some of Led Zeppelin's absolute best tracks. Whole Lott Love, Ramble On, Moby Dick, Heartbreaker, What is and What Should Never Be. This is absolutely one of their best and hands down an easy five stars.
5
Aug 25 2023
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Something Else By The Kinks
The Kinks
I can't get over how much this sounds like a Beatles knockoff band. That may speak to the style of psychedelic brit rock more than the Kinks themselves, but I found myself wanting to listen to the Beatles over this. Not that there aren't good tracks here, but I think it's missing the special something that makes the Beatles so iconic.
3
Aug 28 2023
View Album
The Marshall Mathers LP
Eminem
I thought I'd like this more, but much of Eminem's lyrics have not aged well. There are some really thoughtful, well structured tracks here (Stan in particular), but his trashing of gay men, of how he talks about women, are not only inappropriate, but in poor taste - even if what Eminem is going for is that shock factor. Obviously there are some standout tracks here, it was a 'breakout' album, but today it's so easy to read as teenage, toilet humor. Sure there's this absurdity to it, you aren't supposed to take it seriously, but words have an impact, and Eminem does a disservice to his fans by ignoring that.
2
Aug 29 2023
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After The Gold Rush
Neil Young
It's a great Neil Young album, unfortunately by not being on Spotify I was also greeted with ads between most tracks, which took away from the overall vibe. Still, what a wonderful lyricist - it's hard not to care deeply about what he's singing about or be reflective when he sings. Cheers Neil.
5
Aug 30 2023
View Album
Another Green World
Brian Eno
From this adventure, I'm learning that I really do not like Brian Eno's music. His melodies tend not to resonate with me, and when he's produced an album, I've tended not to vibe with it. It's wild to know how much influence he's had on music over the past half a century and to feel such a divide between what he's creating and what I enjoy. But I just really can't seem to enjoy his work. (It really doesn't help that he produced U2's absolutely horrific 2000 album)
This album itself seems to encapsulate almost a lofi style, which I could really appreciate on tracks like Big Ship, or really any of the tracks without vocals. I can see how important this is to ambient music, to production, etc. But I still struggle to enjoy it.
2
Aug 31 2023
View Album
The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn
Pink Floyd
What.
Truly not what I expected from this album. This is a very strange, almost psychedelic album, but has a very different vibe than I've come to expect from Pink Floyd. It is VERY MUCH a product of the 60s. Perhaps important to get this context on what Pink Floyd used to be like, but it's a very weird album and I can't say I enjoyed it.
1
Sep 01 2023
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Siembra
Willie Colón & Rubén Blades
Fun album and not something I'd normally listen to. Can absolutely see how I would dance to this at an event or something. Some great tracks, especially Ojos.
3
Sep 04 2023
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Otis Blue/Otis Redding Sings Soul
Otis Redding
Just really incredible. What a phenomenal album. It's amazing to hear his take on so many classics.
5
Sep 05 2023
View Album
Bat Out Of Hell
Meat Loaf
When I was a kid, the art on this album always seemed so insanely cool. When I finally had the nerve to pop it in, I found the piano jarring, and immediately felt like this wasn't the album I was hoping it would be. In hindsight, I missed out on a truly epic experience that I'm only catching up on now. While it's not the album I expected based on the art (I think still a fair criticism - it looks like it should be an intense heavy metal album) what a set of epic songs and I'm sorry I missed out of this when I was younger. Paradise by the Dashboard Light, Bat Out of Hell, You Took the Words Right Out of my Mouth (especially that opening!), are all such phenomenal, opera level tracks. RIP Michael Lee Aday
5
Sep 06 2023
View Album
Electric
The Cult
The Cult has such a classic bad boy/punk sound to them, really helped by Ian Astbury's almost growling vocals. He really shines throughout this album. Bad Fun is arguably the best track on this album, and it's shocking to me that it isn't their most listened to tracks from the album. I remember absolutely jamming to this track playing Tony Hawk's Pro Skater back in the day. Not every track is a hit here, and I can definitely appreciate the sentiments that this is somewhat generic. But it's also just too good to not love. This is the kind of album you jam all the way down the highway to (or skate to).
4
Sep 07 2023
View Album
No Sleep 'Til Hammersmith (Live)
Motörhead
I find myself agreeing with some of the more negative reviews. I'm struggling to see why this is the best live album ever made when the sound is rough, the lyrics almost unintelligible at times (though that's largely due to Lemmy's gruffness), and most of the songs sound like early riffs on the Ace of Spades. I 1000% see the origins of grunge and pink in Motorheads sound in many of these songs, but the sound quality feels fairly bad here compared to things a decade or two later. Muddy Banks of the Wishka, How the West Was Won, and S&M all strike me as better live albums than this.
2
Sep 08 2023
View Album
Selling England By The Pound
Genesis
Some pretty great epic tracks on here. Phil Collins voice really shines through, though the instruments used tend to feel quite dated now, and many tracks overstay their welcome.
3
Sep 11 2023
View Album
Guero
Beck
Really solid album from Beck. Some great tracks here and some funky beats and rhythmic vibes from the likes of Emergency Exit and Farewell Ride, really pushing at what makes music.
4
Sep 12 2023
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Green River
Creedence Clearwater Revival
This is just good old fashioned rock'n'roll. Fantastic album from a fantastic band.
5
Sep 13 2023
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Slipknot
Slipknot
Slipknot's overall vibe (as in their dress, the creepy breathing, manic laughter, etc) is definitely not for me. But there's some really hardcore tracks here and I can absolutely see how this had a major influence on rock, punk, emo, and heavy metal when it was released. Definitely some absolute banger thrashcore tracks here. But I really can't get past the creepy clown masks, and something about the vibe just really turns me off.
3
Sep 14 2023
View Album
Shleep
Robert Wyatt
The first couple tracks had me going wtf and I was concerned that I was not going to make it through this whole album. As it kept going though, the sound evolved into much more of a jazz with spoken word vibe, and I found it to be relaxing, sometimes soothing, background music. I'm not a big fan of Robert Wyatt's voice and lyrics here, but I can see the appeal.
3
Sep 15 2023
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Reggatta De Blanc
The Police
What a classic. Lots of amazing tracks on here. Not their best album, but very very solid.
4
Sep 18 2023
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Doggystyle
Snoop Dogg
Despite some of the crass humor, Doggy Style is a rare rap album that has aged fairly well. The misogyny isn't as front and center (and it more feels like posturing than anything else) and there aren't a lot of disparaging comments towards others. What surprised me is Snoop Dogg's trademark crooning voice is almost absent from this album - it's very early on in his career and it's clear he's still establishing his sound. I can see the influence, but I almost feel like the greatest influence here was on Snoop's career itself.
3
Sep 19 2023
View Album
London Calling
The Clash
Definitely a fun album. The Clash definitely redefined what rock should be and can sound like, with a mix of genres. The mumbling almost casual nature of the music is really interesting, and there are some really great tracks here. Not sure it's a favorite for me personally, but I think it's one I'll continue to come back to.
4
Sep 20 2023
View Album
Machine Gun Etiquette
The Damned
Wow, this album slaps. The whole thing is an absolutely fire punk album. I'm surprised I'd never heard of this before, but this is really good British punk, and also coming right off of a Clash album. Big fan of this and it will be entering regular rotation.
5
Sep 21 2023
View Album
1977
Ash
4
Sep 22 2023
View Album
Crossing the Red Sea With the Adverts
The Adverts
This is fine. There has been a lot of punk and brit rock on this list, and this doesn't do much to stand out from what is becoming a crowded field for me, but I could see given when this came out the influence this could have had, but better stuff has since come out.
3
Sep 25 2023
View Album
A Hard Day's Night
Beatles
4
Sep 26 2023
View Album
Songs Of Leonard Cohen
Leonard Cohen
Leonard's lyricisim is on full display here. Suzanne is such a wonderful track. Super mellow, very engaging, his voice really brings you in to listen to the lyricism. Easy 5.
5
Sep 27 2023
View Album
Apocalypse Dudes
Turbonegro
Wow. Intense, whimsical, punk as hell. This reminds me of the best of AC/DC, and just seems like they are just out here to have a great time. The band name, some of the historical context (ie playing in blackface) hasn't aged well, but I think some of that can be chalked up to them being a European band. Regardless, this feels like glam rock as it should be - fun as hell with absolutely killer guitar and drums.
5
Sep 28 2023
View Album
This Nation’s Saving Grace
The Fall
Despite some really excellent post-punk tones here, this demonstrates just how much I really don't like art rock as a music style. The almost drunken lyrics, the kind of crazy off the wallness of it all. There's some solid tracks, but I just couldn't get into this album.
2
Oct 20 2023
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Tusk
Fleetwood Mac
While not Fleetwood Mac's best (that of course goes to Rumours), there's a lot to love on Tusk. I couldn't get quite as in to this album as I have with others, but it's certainly worth repeat listens.
4
Oct 23 2023
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Sea Change
Beck
This album hit me like a ton of bricks. I'd never really listened to Beck before, and the album art (which looks like it could've been done in photoshop in about 5 minutes) didn't give me high hopes for the album itself. But I've been going through a melancholic phase and this was exactly what I needed to reflect on that and get through it. It's the rare album that shows up for you exactly when you need it.
The album itself is filled with that bittersweet sensation - joy, sadness, melancholy, it's all there in Beck's voice, the melodies, and the quiet background. To me it captures the feeling of a lonely sunset drive. It's exactly what you need to reflect and get through a moment, and that to me is ultimately what a great album can capture. A good album has great tracks that you love to listen to, and is maybe full of them. A great album transcends that, capturing a feeling, an experience, perhaps even taking through a series of emotions and is something you turn to when you need to move through those, for whatever reason. This is that, and I would contend is one of the best albums on this list as a result. A true masterpiece.
5
Oct 24 2023
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Fragile
Yes
Fragile is an absolutely classic Yes album. Roundabout is such a brilliant track, as are tracks like America, Long Distance Run, etc.
4
Oct 25 2023
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Miriam Makeba
Miriam Makeba
This isn't music I would have ever been exposed to and I loved it. It's excellent easy listening, similar in some ways to jazz, and the kind of thing I'd put on in the background for a nice dinner.
4
Oct 26 2023
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Speakerboxxx/The Love Below
OutKast
Overall a great double album with lots of incredible tracks. I think there's quite a bit of bloat here, and not everything landed, but overall really good.
4
Oct 27 2023
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The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators
The 13th Floor Elevators
The guy making weird sounds in the background really took away from what is otherwise a good album. Sounds a bit like Bob Dylan and other classic rock, but I really can't get over that random dude.
2
Oct 30 2023
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Appetite For Destruction
Guns N' Roses
LFGOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
I haven't heard this full album start to finish in quite some time and it's a great reminder of why Guns N Roses were GOAT for so long. Welcome to the Jungle remains able to get you out of your seat like nothing else, and Sweet Child O' Mine remains a true classic, alongside Paradise City. I'd forgotten about Night Train, another great rock song. While a lot of the other tracks feel almost like 'filler', a filler for Guns N Roses still maintains an epicness that other bands lack. That said, repeated listening also reveals a simpleness to the lyrics (which may be a contributing factor to its success).
5
Oct 31 2023
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The Bends
Radiohead
The Bends is one of those albums that really encapsulates what makes Radiohead absolutely incredible. Fake Plastic Trees is such a hauntingly beautiful song and never fails to make me extremely emotional. The entire album is like that, fully encapsulating ideas and 'vibes' and bringing life to them in a way you don't see from many bands, including on this list. It's the rare band that can truly capture magic like Radiohead can.
5
Nov 01 2023
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Zombie
Fela Kuti
Great longform jazz album. There's a bit of funk in here, and overall greatly enjoyed this. 10/10 would throw on at a dinner party.
4
Nov 02 2023
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Metallica
Metallica
Man, listening to this album brought up a LOT of memories. Not all of them good. It's a really powerful metal album, one of Metallica's last good albums. But lyrically there's quite a bit here that feeds a bit of an incel mentality, and I can really only see that with some serious hindsight and separation from the material. There is a 'victim of society' mentality present here that I think can really burrow in to someone's mind, and I wonder what impact this may have had beyond the album. Whether it's giving a false sense of injustice, a need to prove oneself (in some ways as better than), or facing rejection with anger - there's a lot on display here that just isn't healthy.
But musically holy shit. What a great album full of incredible tracks. Mark's absolute cruising here with insane solos and this becomes less thrash and more power metal, but you can also hear Metallica's sound evolving from here.
5
Nov 03 2023
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Queens of the Stone Age
Queens of the Stone Age
This isn't the best of Queens of the Stone Age, but in terms of introducing their offbeat, almost villainous, sound this gets the job done. Definitely enjoyed, but not my favorite of their works.
4
Nov 06 2023
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Live At The Harlem Square Club
Sam Cooke
Energetic and fun! Great love album capturing Sam's energy and vibes
4
Nov 07 2023
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Hot Fuss
The Killers
It's pretty incredible how many hit singles are on the front half of this album. Some absolute bangers from the Killers that kind of defined the mid-2000s. The back half is filled with less hits, but no less memorable songs. Mr Bright side is the obvious highlight here, but Smile Like You Mean It and Somebody Told Me are classics that can sit right alongside. Maybe polarizing for some, but the Killers are an important band that really defined the time period and I think will remain a highlight from the early 2000s era
5
Nov 08 2023
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Kala
M.I.A.
I've never been a huge fan of M.I.A, though I did find some of the tracks here really worming there way into my brain (in a good way!). Maybe I need to listen to more of her material.
3
Nov 09 2023
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Devil Without A Cause
Kid Rock
It's so close to being good. So close. But this is really not my vibe.
1
Nov 10 2023
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Born To Run
Bruce Springsteen
Born to Run is an absolute classic of a song, and Springsteen has a real talent for lyricism. Interestingly, in many respects this sounded a lot like Meatloaf to me in terms of epicness of some of the tracks.
4
Nov 13 2023
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The Queen Is Dead
The Smiths
The Smiths are definitely influential, but this sad brit rock isn't quite for me.
2
Nov 14 2023
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Cosmo's Factory
Creedence Clearwater Revival
Full of classics, this is American rock at its finest.
5
Nov 15 2023
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Winter In America
Gil Scott-Heron
Great jazz album. I can hear a lot of influence here into modern day rap, hip-hop, and more. Gil's lyricism is really on point here, and the political issues he sings about are sadly still prevalent today.
4
Nov 16 2023
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Eagles
Eagles
Come on man, I had a rough night and I hate the fuckin' Eagles!
Good classic Americana, and knowing the influence this had to popularize country rock, this clearly has a place on the list. But not something I'd listen to regularly.
3
Nov 17 2023
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Vivid
Living Colour
Hell yeah. Living Colour was a band I learned about while learning bass back in the day. The bass slaps here, and the singing if really fantastic. What really makes Living Colour stand out though is they are one of the few African-American metal groups out there, and quite frankly makes this an important album.
4
Nov 20 2023
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Let It Bleed
The Rolling Stones
Some classics from the Stones here, and a great short album to boot. Doesn't overstay it's welcome.
5
Nov 21 2023
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Marquee Moon
Television
I feel like this is an album that I need to give more listens. I can already feel it growing on me, but it just sounds so similar to other post-punk albums to me that I feel like I'm missing the genius of it. 3 for now, but I hope to listen more and that that changes.
3
Nov 22 2023
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The New Tango
Astor Piazzolla
Hah - this was fun. Not my usual cup of tea, but great to have on in the background while I was working.
3
Nov 23 2023
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Sweet Baby James
James Taylor
I grew up listening to James Taylor with my parents so this hits a particular soft spot for me. I'm not sure this is his best album in retrospect, but James Taylor definitely has a place on this list for me, if only for the pure hit of nostalgia.
4
Nov 24 2023
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Whatever
Aimee Mann
A side note that albums like this prove that not all the reviews on this site are worth reading - a lot of sexism and just plain lack of an open mind from folks on here. Country, folk rock, girl rock, 'mom rock', all have a great place on this list and are important for millions of people. Dudes on here, do better.
As far as this actual album - I'm not sure I'm a huge fan, but that comes down to my taste and not the merits of Aimee Mann. It feels of its time and like something I just missed out on. Then again, I've never been a huge fan of soft rock. But her lyrics are terrific and the production value is rock solid.
3
Nov 27 2023
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Fleet Foxes
Fleet Foxes
5
Nov 28 2023
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Chirping Crickets
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
66 years on, this is still great. Super old school, but quite charming. This is almost hard to rate because of its age - I'm not sure I'd listen to this on a regular basis, but fun to have on from time to time.
4
Nov 29 2023
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Time (The Revelator)
Gillian Welch
This is terrific. I wasn't familiar with Gillian Welch before this, but this is extremely reminiscent of other Americana/Bluegrass artists I love like Lula Wiles - who were clearly inspired by Gillian themselves. Singer/Songwriter Americana like this isn't something I've explored deeply, and it's clearly a shame because artists like Gillian have influenced some of my favorites. I'm looking forward to exploring her discography more.
5
Nov 30 2023
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You've Come a Long Way Baby
Fatboy Slim
This is fun to listen to in the right environment, and excellent club or getting in the zone music. Certainly a hugely influential album in terms of trance/trip hop and more. I can see why this would be controversial for some - it's not for everyone and you need to already like this 'trance' style of music in the first place. Fatboy is a legend in this regard - the repetitiveness is the point, but those looking for deeper lyricism or musicality beyond the 'vibe' will be sorely disappointed. One of the few genres that can perhaps be described as based on pure vibes.
5
Dec 01 2023
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Five Leaves Left
Nick Drake
Wow this was really terrific. As a follow on to Gillian Welch I was shocked to hear another excellent singer/songwriter that I felt like I should have been listening to for years on the list. Drake's soothing voice and poetry really shine through, but the guitar turns it into something truly profound - I will note the bass seems a little discordant and out of place at times, but I may feel differently on future listens.
5
Dec 04 2023
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Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots
The Flaming Lips
I was never quite in to Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots and if I'm being honest have struggled to enjoy this album. It's clearly good, an excellent concept album, yet it just doesn't really evoke much in me. I don't think this is a fault of the band - and it is truly a beautiful, well-rounded album. But it's also just not really my cup of tea.
3
Dec 05 2023
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The Chronic
Dr. Dre
Culturally significant, highly important to our own shift in culture and the cultivation of gangsta rap. Whether or not that was a good move away from previous forms of the genre is certainly up for debate. Hearing lots of Snoop was refreshing and Dre's beats are incredible. That this was his introductory album speaks volumes to his abilities as a producer and the way he influenced rap and hip hop long-term.
4
Dec 06 2023
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Black Metal
Venom
Man - this hasn't aged well for me. The influence this has had on metal is clear, but a lot of it just feels silly now and the guitar riff, drums, and mixing overall just doesn't do it for me. Perhaps that's because it's hard to go back to something that's much weaker than things like Metallica and more.
2
Dec 07 2023
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The Healer
John Lee Hooker
This was a real fun Blues listen. John Lee has an incredible voice and this music is just so soulful.
4
Dec 08 2023
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The Visitors
ABBA
4
Dec 11 2023
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Birth Of The Cool
Miles Davis
Miles Davis is the definition of cool.
5
Dec 12 2023
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Get Behind Me Satan
The White Stripes
The White Stripes as a whole is an incredible project. Jack White is such a masterful musician with a really distinguished lyrical style - to say nothing of Mary's masterful drumming. That said, I think this is one of their weaker albums and I'm surprised to find it on this list compared to other White Stripes albums. Several of these tracks are quite good - Blue Orchid, Denial Twist, The Nurse, Red Rain, My Doorbell - and this is quite distinguished from the White Stripes usual sound because of the heavy emphasis on piano, but an album like White Blood Cells or Elephant feels like it would be a more appropriate representation of the Stripes.
3.5 stars, rounded up because I do think it's a good album, but wish it was removed to make way for other albums more deserving a spot on the list.
4
Dec 13 2023
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Oar
Alexander 'Skip' Spence
It's a haunting experience, and frankly the experience of listening to Skip over the course of an hour certainly merits this being on the list as an 'album to listen to before you die'. That said, it's a ramble of music (likely because this was meant as a demo), and was a struggle for me to listen through. As someone else has said - it's tortured genius. Unfortunately, I just don't think it's for me, but I'm glad it's included.
2
Dec 14 2023
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Elephant
The White Stripes
Back to back Stripes albums, this being the greater of the two (previous album being Get Behind Me Satan). Let's start with the obvious here - Seven Nation Army is an absolute masterpiece. There's a lot going on in this album, but I think first and foremost the White Stripes have always been defined by a certain element of stripping back songs to just the core of what's needed to make them shine. Mary is stunning on drums throughout and absolute killing it - hitting exactly the right level of intensity while pulling back when needed to compliment everything else going on. Jack has an ear for simple melodies that turn into rocking guitar jams, rather than more difficult and technically complex playing. But I think where Jack has always stood out is his voice and lyricism, which is on prime display throughout Elephant, and the simplicity of the guitar serves to elevate these aspects. The simplicity of it all actually reminds me most of Nirvana, but obviously with Jack White's own signature twist. It's one hell of an album and, unlike Get Behind Me Satan imo, well deserving of this list.
5
Dec 15 2023
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The Low End Theory
A Tribe Called Quest
Wow - this is just a phenomenal album. Incredible rhythms, absolutely fire raps, and just incredible flows. This is the kind of album I wish I'd known about a long time ago, and feels so important to understanding the genre as a whole. What's shocked me is just the shear number of lines present in this that I've riffed on by the likes of Beastie Boys, House of Pain, and Eminem. I had no idea how influential A Tribe Called Quest was in the space until listening to this.
5
Dec 18 2023
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Court And Spark
Joni Mitchell
Lovely little album. Really enjoy Joni's overall style, not an artist I've listened to much of but will have to find more by her
4
Dec 19 2023
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Transformer
Lou Reed
Really fantastic. Loved this
5
Dec 20 2023
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Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes
TV On The Radio
Really truly enjoyed this. Very different from most of the stuff on this list and felt like a true discovery of a band that I wish I'd know about a long time ago.
5
Dec 21 2023
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At San Quentin
Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash playing at a prison is so culturally important that this is an instant 5.
5
Dec 22 2023
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Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Beatles
5
Dec 25 2023
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One Nation Under A Groove
Funkadelic
This one was interesting. I greatly prefer Maggot Brain to this album. This felt more like an abstract painting come to life, with a lot of vibes and themes, but a general lack of cohesion that tied me to this album and most of the songs, and a very weak middle. The back half of this album is just incredible though, with some of the best guitar I've had the privilege of hearing recorded, and saves this from being a 2 star album. It's so good I'm tempted to give this album 4 stars, but will sit in the happy medium of 3. I think this lands between culturally important and genuinely masterful but the weak points and abstractness really sink the album for me.
3
Jan 01 2024
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A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector
Various Artists
It's a Christmas album alright. Better than most. 4 stars I guess?
4
Jan 02 2024
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Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
4
Jan 03 2024
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Hypocrisy Is The Greatest Luxury
The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy
I really didn't like this album. The almost abstract repetitive jazz-infused hip-hop/rap didn't really work for me and I found it more grating than satisfying or power in overthrowing the system. The songs felt overly long and I couldn't wait for this album to be over.
1
Jan 04 2024
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Life's Too Good
The Sugarcubes
Oof. Early Bjork. Did not enjoy this. I can understand having Bjork on this list, but not an early pre-Bjork album.
1
Jan 05 2024
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The Holy Bible
Manic Street Preachers
I liked this more than I expected to.
3
Jan 08 2024
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Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
I think incredibly important for what it helped achieve at the time, a grungy sketched out rock and roll sound that really allowed the improvisation to shine. Knowing that this laid the groundwork for bigger and better things from other bands is huge and merits 4 stars here.
A musing: Before hearing this I had thought Crazy Horse was in reference to another, Native American musician, paying homage to the Lakota war leader of the 1800s. I was very disappointed to learn that Crazy Horse is just a group of white guys appropriating the name to serve as Neil Young's backing band (obviously I'm not a Neil Young fan or I would have known this sooner). Neil's fascination with Native American culture is fairly well known, but I can't help but wonder what could have been if he had partnered more prominently with Native American musicians in his songwriting and included them as part of his band.
4
Jan 09 2024
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Amnesiac
Radiohead
This isn't Radiohead at its best, but still contains some good tracks.
3
Jan 10 2024
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The White Album
Beatles
It's hard to say anything that hasn't been said already about the White Album. It is without a doubt the most important album ever produced not just for its artistic or cultural merit, but because of the historic implications of it. It is *THE* album you need to list to before you die. It's hard to think of another album that could merit that number one spot, even if many deserve a high ranking on this list.
Historically the White Album led to the break up of the Beatles, with had huge implications for the future of music. Culturally, the White Album experimented with a dozen different musical styles and served as proto examples of some of several unique genres of today (including pre-heavy metal in Helter-Skelter, punk, and more). Artistically, it's simply a masterpiece and features some of the Beatles best work from Happiness is a Warm Gun, to Blackbird, While My Guitar Gently Weeps, Back in the U.S.S.R, and more AND THAT'S JUST DISC ONE. It's also delightfully weird at times, and even when not every song hits, it's hard to ignore the shear musical mastery in each and every song.
For folks who are not into the Beatles, and I can understand why - not every band is for everyone - I would encourage you to look into the history of this album. The influence of the Beatles on modern day music cannot be overstated, and almost every band today has been influenced in some way by them, especially by the White Album. Those of you interested in music theory may actually get the most out of this, because there's just such a rich array of techniques, melodies, scales, and more and the Beatles have always demonstrated a rich and nuanced understanding of what makes music music.
5
Jan 11 2024
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I Against I
Bad Brains
If I was into hardcore punk and reggae this would be THE band. But I am just not super into this kind of music and find this hard to enjoy. Appreciate it's place on this list.
1
Jan 12 2024
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Imagine
John Lennon
Asides from Imagine, this album really did not do it for me, especially because it came immediately after the White Album. It strikes me that John Lennon without the Beatles to throw ideas around with just isn't the same, and a lot of the charm is lost that let you get past some rather weird ideas.
2
Jan 15 2024
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Off The Wall
Michael Jackson
I find this really hard to rate. On the one hand, the first three tracks are some of Jackson's best work and the album absolutely rips out of the gate with them. The rest of the album mellows out a bit too much and becomes a bit take it or leave it. On the other, it's fairly well established that Jackson was likely a pedophile. I've always been iffy on the particulars of this because Jackson himself was also deeply psychologically complicated, but I've met people who have been close to the matter in the music scene and have ascertained that he was indeed guilty. Because of the nostalgia factor with Jackson, it's a bit easier to separate the man from the music, but I still find it difficult to listen to him. Objectively, a 4/5 album. But with his history I have to drop this to 3.
3
Jan 16 2024
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The Wildest!
Louis Prima
Louis Prima is pretty classic, and this is just so wonderful to listen to. It's great jazz, and I noticed quite a few bits that have been sampled in more modern music.
4
Jan 17 2024
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Beach Samba
Astrud Gilberto
This is some lovely samba music. This reminds me a lot of all the things I love about Saudade by Thievery Corporation (which has a lot of samba inspiration from Astrud clearly). Great for date night or just for some chill background noise.
4
Jan 18 2024
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Parsley, Sage, Rosemary And Thyme
Simon & Garfunkel
Simon & Garfunkel are both GOATs and frankly this is just such an incredible album. Their sound is full of comfort, nostalgia, and more and they are in their prime here. Scarborough Fair is one of my favorite songs of all time and
5
Jan 19 2024
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Heavy Weather
Weather Report
Weather Report is a classic jazz staple and this album is no exception to that. Five stars, no notes, perfection
5
Jan 22 2024
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Debut
Björk
I was really expecting to hate this and was very pleasantly surprised by this album. It's much more of an experimental mix of jazz, electronica, and to a certain extent art rock than I was anticipating. After hearing the Sugar Cubes (which was horrible in comparison) I did not have high hopes, but this was quite pleasant. Bjorks almost narrative storytelling really shines here, and this feels truly transcendent. I'll be curious if other albums evoke the same feeling.
4
Jan 23 2024
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Queen II
Queen
Before this I had only really listened to Queen's Greatest Hits (a stellar album in its own right), and so this is almost entirely new music for me. It both gave me a good perspective on why the Greatest Hits album really is some of Queen's best, but also gave me insight into more of the operatic vibes and killer guitar that Queen has become synonymous with. With that said, the songs themselves mostly don't inspire the same sense of awe that I think their greatest hits do. Seven Seas of Rhye is absolutely killer, but I could take or leave the rest.
3
Jan 24 2024
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Heroes
David Bowie
Man, I have always struggled to get into Bowie, in part because I really don't enjoy art rock, and I'm really glad this was my first introduction to him on this list. As others have said, this may actually be a low point compared to other albums of his, but I think it's also a bit of an easier entry point for someone who's been on the edge. It still keeps to the art rock vibes, but really helps me understand why David Bowie has such an incredible following. This is full of incredible tracks from Heroes, to Beauty and the Beast, and the experimental and jazzy instrumentals at the end, especially Moss Garden.
4
Jan 25 2024
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Black Holes and Revelations
Muse
Really enjoyed this. Incredible Muse album
5
Jan 26 2024
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White Ladder
David Gray
I'd never heard of David Gray before now somehow, though apparently had listened to a few of his tracks. This album is stunning, and I've really enjoyed it. David's voice carries a wonderful emotion mixing love and melancholy, and this resonates in a big way
purely from the vibes. I think this experiment has taught me that, for my taste, vibes are everything, and this hits that mark. I clearly missed the boat when this was popular and so don't have the negative feelings (likely resulting from this being overplayed) that some other reviewers do, but can understand why this might not be for everyone. I think this album likely popularized a style of music that wasn't quite as popular before, resulting in...whatever happened in the 2000s. Influential for sure, and well deserving of the list.
5
Feb 09 2024
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The Gershwin Songbook
Ella Fitzgerald
NOTE: You can listen to the Very Best of the Gershwin Songbook which is only 45 minutes! I do wish there were more 'very best of' albums on here, but I see why that's difficult for some artists v others.
With that said, Ella is really a timeless voice, with such a sense of melody, rhythm, and jazz (her scat singing is really something else). Not much else to say asides from this being well deserving of a spot on this list.
5
Feb 12 2024
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Graceland
Paul Simon
I really struggled with this one. On the one hand, I think Paul Simon absolutely has a time and place (and deserves a spot on this list of course), but at the same time this feels like so much a product of the time and absent Garfunkel, Simon's penchant for frankly weird lyrics isn't tempered. It's very good on tracks like You Can Call Me Al, but it just doesn't hit for me most of the time.
2
Feb 13 2024
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It's Blitz!
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
This is a bit of a nostalgic hit, but also such an evolution of sound from Fever to Tell (there was an album in between of course). Zero and Heads Will Roll are two of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs all-time best tracks, and the rest of the album quickly goes into more of a pop-rock/soft rock vibe, largely doing away with some of the punk-rock vibes that made the Yeah Yeah Yeahs so distinctive. But amazingly it still works and is a great example of a band really evolving their sound in a way that works and makes many of these tracks really iconic. Karen O's vocals and lyricism really stand out here. Runaway in particular is a standout track that is really evocative for me.
4
Feb 14 2024
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LP1
FKA twigs
This feels extremely generic to me. It got better as it went on and I can see it's value as a vibe, but I'm not sure it's distinct enough from similar pop to help me understand it's place here.
1
Feb 15 2024
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A Wizard, A True Star
Todd Rundgren
Not gonna lie the first few seconds of International Feel just sounded like one, long fart and set the tone for the rest of the album for me. This is extremely psychedelic, to a fault and I really struggled to get through it, even when it transitioned to more rock/Rush style music towards the end. Very much did not enjoy this.
1
Feb 16 2024
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Kimono My House
Sparks
This album does a brilliant job toeing the line between glam and art rock. It's very operatic in tone and there's a lot going on here overall in terms of the music, the melody, the overall weirdness. The influential side of things is clearly there in the likes of future musical acts like Elton John and Freddie Mercury. I think I could grow to really like this on future listens, but for me right now this is a 3 at best (didn't hate it, didn't love it).
3
Feb 19 2024
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Illmatic
Nas
This absolutely slaps. Every song is fire, and Nas' lyricism really comes out throughout. The beats, the rhymes, the melodies, it's all there. This is the kind of album I wish I'd known about sooner because this just bleeds cool.
5
Feb 20 2024
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C'est Chic
CHIC
This is some absolutely classic funk/R&B. I like how stripped back to the basics this album becomes, and this album is coming from one of the most influential names in Disco. At the same time, I find myself craving more of the heavy riffs and melodies of someone like Funkadelic, and I'm just not sure this one's for me. Perhaps as filler on a funk playlist, but not as the main event.
3
Feb 21 2024
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One World
John Martyn
I was trying to wrap my head around this album and how I felt about it, when someone in another review said this sounded a lot like Brian Eno and it clicked for me. I really am not a fan of Brian Eno and his experimental tracks and the similarity to that really put me off, but John Martyn's sound also still has melody and shape to it. I think overall the use of effects works at some points and doesn't in others. The effects feel overused mostly, though interestingly Small Hours works most for me because I think it really captures a really melancholy vibe because of the effects. I leave feeling more intrigued by John Martyn as an artist than this as an album.
2
Feb 22 2024
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Dry
PJ Harvey
This is very much a product of indie rock and grunge 90s movement. It has a raw feel to it, heavy bass, and PJ's voice is incredibly distinctive as of that time. Certainly enjoyed it, but I'm also not sure it's something I'd come back to.
2
Feb 23 2024
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Horses
Patti Smith
This is some early girl-punk and I'm absolutely here for it. Super fun album.
4
Feb 26 2024
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Endtroducing.....
DJ Shadow
This is one of those albums that caused me to reflect on this whole experience of listening to the '1001 Albums to Listen to Before You Die'. I think many of us come in with various definitions of what that means. Is it best albums? Is it most influential? Is it about discovering different styles of music? Is it something more? Are we listening just to discover music (and is this truly the best way to do that)? And albums like this seem to show that this exercise almost by intention defies categorization - that it's impossible to say without context.
Case in point - I truly don't know why Endtroducing... is on this list. It's fine, but it's not revelatory in the way other albums on this list are. Exit Planet Dust by the Chemical Brothers came out a year before and, for me, is an objectively better album by a large margin. Maybe DJ Shadow's style and what he brings to the genre was influential and so deserves an album on the list? Certainly I've heard the name and know of him. But then why is it this one and not a different album? And truly, without the book or without the context from the person who put this album on the list it's almost impossible to say for this or really ANY album that I'm not immediately drawn to. I've certainly heard albums that make me go 'of course this is here' or 'I can understand why this is here', but I've also heard many that made me go 'I don't know what makes this special', and I think there is a missing connective tissue that maybe the book covers, but maybe it doesn't. Hell, for some of these albums, the Wikipedia entry only states that it's special BECAUSE IT WAS INCLUDED ON THIS LIST!!!
This exercise also makes me reflect on just how many artists I love and albums I feel are much better than what's been provided that aren't reflected here. Just in electronica, there is Thievery Corporation, Tosca, Pretty Lights, and more that, sure, may have been influenced by DJ Shadow, but as a result have produced more interesting and compelling music and also may have been influenced by a hundred other artists. But then how do others discover them if they aren't reflected on lists like these because room has to be made for what came before, when all music is almost universally referential to what came before? You have to start somewhere of course, but you also have to pick and choose to an extent and, to make this exercise truly valuable, justify those choices. If you can include a Best of album for one artist, why can't you for another?
All to say, it's a fascinating but flawed experiment and has made me think much more deeply about how I find and discover music - both in taking risks and listening to things I wouldn't otherwise, but also the value in listening to an entire album the whole way through. And of course in questioning the lists in and of themselves and recognizing that any list is going to be highly biased and can never wholly encompass what is good and what will resonate most with you.
2
Feb 27 2024
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Boston
Boston
Bit of a personal one for me - literally. Brad Delp had a love affair with a friends mom in high school that inspired More Than A Feeling. We always got a kick out of that story growing up, not least of which because Boston is an incredible band, and More Than A Feeling is such an epic track. Peace of Mind and Long Time are up there as well of course. Brad Delp's voice is truly legendary and I love that Boston has made its way onto this list as a result. 70s/80s rock at its finest.
5
Feb 28 2024
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Out of Step
Minor Threat
Washington DC Punk! Great punk album but also why is there SO MUCH punk in this experiment??
4
Feb 29 2024
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Tank Battles
Dagmar Krause
This feels very much like wartime theater/performance art, and I was actually surprised this was from late in the cold war. The lyrics were quite interesting and overall this is well composed. The ballad of the sackslingers in particular is quite fascinating. But I can hardly imagine listening to this on a regular basis when it was created. It is clearly important, but it's also definitely not for me.
2
Mar 01 2024
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Raw Like Sushi
Neneh Cherry
This is SO 80s, in a very fun but dated way. I can't imagine my kids enjoying this, but the nostalgia hit is great with this one.
On further listening though this started to get very old very fast.
2
Mar 04 2024
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Stardust
Willie Nelson
This was really phenomenal. I've listened to Willie before and thought he was good, but never gave his music much time to really sink in. There's something incredible about his comforting voice, his deep lyricism, and often contrasting but simple melodies (upbeat for sad songs, down for happy songs) that is really special, and this album is testament to that. Keep on rocking Willie.
5
Mar 05 2024
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The Score
Fugees
Totally blown away from this. I've heard some great hip-hop through this project, it's a genre I haven't experimented with enough and so I look forward to new albums when they come up. This feels like a pinnacle to me. Intelligent with rhythm, flow, and beats to match, almost every track just bleeds charisma. The singles are well known of course, but I found myself gravitating closer to other tracks.
5
Mar 06 2024
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Locust Abortion Technician
Butthole Surfers
Dear lord what have I been subjected to. My butthole has not just been surfed, it has been violated. I have been violated. That said I listened to this on an airplane, does that qualify me for the mile high club?
1
Mar 07 2024
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Playing With Fire
Spacemen 3
Some pretty great ambient rock. Not fully my cup of tea, but I can get behind this.
3
Mar 08 2024
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Maverick A Strike
Finley Quaye
Was surprised by how much I enjoyed this. Reggae isn't really a style I enjoy, but this really broadened my horizons. Very trippy in a fun way.
3
Mar 11 2024
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Licensed To Ill
Beastie Boys
A classic, though Beastie Boys style has become somewhat of a nerdy/lame characterization of itself. No Sleep Till Brooklyn and Fight For Your Right remain classics.
4
Mar 22 2024
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Frank
Amy Winehouse
Amy Winehouse is a polarizing character. There's both a charming 'frankness' you don't normally hear in jazz and a clear sense of humor - sometimes self-deprecating, sometimes simply as a commentary on women's relationship to men and love generally, sometimes on men themselves. I'd challenge anyone listening to this thinking that her lyrics are just about hooking up with bad boys to reflect on how serious she's actually being in her songs, how much of it is commentary on hook up culture in the first place, and how often Frank Sinatra and other greats sang about love and women. If it's fine when other jazz crooners did it in there era, why is it not ok for Winehouse to sing about love and sex in the modern era?
Lyrics aside, Amy's voice and the jazz are really what create the atmosphere here. There's a lot of range on display and Amy had one hell of a voice, an extremely unique style, and so so much potential. Her struggles with addiction are truly tragic, and of course add a lot of weight to her lyrics where it's clear she is struggling with her lifestyle and substance abuse.
4
Mar 25 2024
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Fear Of Music
Talking Heads
It's really challenging for me to rate this. On the one hand, Talking Heads has such a unique range and a rather avant garde style. It's like nothing else you've ever heard, but it's not art rock, it's not punk, and David Byrn's voice is just so unique. They are wholly themselves and totally embracing their sound. But at the same time it's never really been for me. Maybe they've just never reached me at the right time or place, but I've never really vibed with Talking Heads. And that's ok, it's not for everyone, and that's a risk with embracing your own style. They absolutely deserve to be on this list though and I'm glad I listened through.
3
Mar 26 2024
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3 Feet High and Rising
De La Soul
This took a few listens for me to vibe with. The first time I listened to it I just wasn't in the right head space and wasn't able to appreciate the lyrical complexity of De La Soul, nor how the humor contributes rather than detracts from the depth of the songs. I was so shocked by the positive reviews for this album that I had to give it a second listen on a later date, and that's where it really clicked. I'm glad I did cus this album absolutely slaps.
5
Mar 27 2024
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Pink Moon
Nick Drake
Reminds me heavily of Alexi Murdoch, another favorite of mine, who I imagine was himself heavily heavily inspired by Nick Drake. This is beyond excellent and feels ahead of its time. There is something incredibly comforting about Drake's style, but this is also just so so well recorded. It's shocking to me that he went unnoticed while he was alive, but it's also so clear that he was a tortured soul. Really glad to have discovered this.
5
Mar 28 2024
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Remain In Light
Talking Heads
I enjoyed this much more than Fear of Music, though the songs are a bit overly long. Once in a Lifetime is an obvious classic, but then I think this is a little more contemporary. It's still avant garde and embracing the Talking Heads sound, but it also is far more approachable.
4
Mar 29 2024
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Songs For Swingin' Lovers!
Frank Sinatra
A lot of classics on here. Hard not to love Frank's voice and his style.
5
Apr 01 2024
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The Stranger
Billy Joel
Really an incredible album. Movin' Out is a great opener for this, but there's a Broadway musical influence to so much of Billy Joel's music while still remaining pop/rock and it just remains so fun to listen to. The Stranger, Only the Good Die Young,
5
Apr 02 2024
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Moon Safari
Air
I mean give my instrumental electronica any day and I'll be pretty happy. Throw in some pretty simple lyrics on top and you've got a winner. I was just discovering this style of music when a friend introduced me to Air back in college. Back then I didn't have access to Spotify so only had a couple of tracks that he had shared with me, but man did it slap. I'm really happy to come across them again on this list and get a deeper dive. The crunchy bass on this is truly excellent and really elevates Moon Safari to the next level. Sexy Boy and All I Need are classics of course, but there's a lot to love on pretty much every track.
5
Apr 03 2024
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Talking Book
Stevie Wonder
Not a huge fan of this one. Outside of Superstition (which, if just that song had been the entire album, instant 5, no comments), there's some interesting stuff happening with the keyboard, but it's also a bit repetitive and fails to feel like there's anything that makes this stand apart from other commercially available music. Where's the stuff that makes Stevie Wonder stand out? Cus it ain't this album.
3
Apr 04 2024
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NEU! 75
Neu!
Really not sure what I listened to here. I normally enjoy ambient noise but this just wasn't it. I could see it being the building blocks of other music, but the incoherent vocals really killed the vibe.
1
Apr 05 2024
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25
Adele
We all know Adele at this point. Hello and Send My Love are absolute masterpieces while also being super innovative. The rest of the album is quite good, but is a little more same-y. But Adele's voice is absolutely incredible, as is her lyricism. Not much to fault here.
4
Apr 08 2024
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Gorillaz
Gorillaz
Man, og Gorillaz is SO good, in a way that the later stuff just doesn't match. There's still something a bit raw, almost punk like to electronic nature of this music that gets produced out in later work. Re-Hash, 5/4, Clint Eastwood, and New Genius immediately jump out as album highlights.
I actually first listened to this through the early days of pirating and copying music, and there are a lot of tracks here I hadn't heard previously. I will say many of them are far more experimental than I'd anticipated, and Gorillaz newer work seems to have leaned more into this experimental style than the the punk electronic style it originated. But tbh I don't think this other stuff is nearly as good as what made them famous in the first place.
3
Apr 09 2024
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Kind Of Blue
Miles Davis
Classic jazz featuring some of the greatest of the greats. It may not be everyone's cup of tea, but for a musician it's gold
5
Apr 10 2024
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Madman Across The Water
Elton John
4
Apr 11 2024
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You Are The Quarry
Morrissey
3
Apr 12 2024
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You're Living All Over Me
Dinosaur Jr.
3
Apr 15 2024
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Tidal
Fiona Apple
5
Apr 16 2024
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Back To Black
Amy Winehouse
Amy Winehouse is a polarizing character. There's both a charming 'frankness' you don't normally hear in jazz and a clear sense of humor - sometimes self-deprecating, sometimes simply as a commentary on women's relationship to men and love generally, sometimes on men themselves. Back to Black shows a clear evolution from her previous album, without losing what makes her music pop. It's a perfect combination of jazz and pop serving as the background for Amy's incredible range of voice. Her struggles with addiction are truly tragic, and of course add a lot of weight to her lyrics where it's clear she is struggling with her lifestyle and substance abuse. Then again, Addicted is simply fantastic and a super funny song to end on to boot.
5
Apr 17 2024
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Strangeways, Here We Come
The Smiths
I find this to kind of drone on, despite how varied it is. Morrisey's voice brings it back to that same droning, dreary quality. His voice is distinct and iconic, for better and for worse. If I wanted to set a very particular feel for the 80s I'd use the Smiths, but I just have no desire to listen to this.
2
Apr 18 2024
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Little Earthquakes
Tori Amos
4
Apr 19 2024
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Close To The Edge
Yes
This is overly long and too similar to Roundabout for me
2
May 06 2024
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Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music
Ray Charles
4
May 07 2024
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Feast of Wire
Calexico
Really loving the vibes on this one. Reminds me a bit of the Decemberists in the best way. This is the kind of music I was hoping to discover through this project.
4
May 08 2024
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At Newport 1960
Muddy Waters
Simply amazing. A bit repetitive but Muddy Waters is brilliant.
4
May 09 2024
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La Revancha Del Tango
Gotan Project
This is some really fun tango infused electronica. Really enjoying the vibe of this overall. This french/euro trip-hop stuff is great to just kind of chill out to or work, which is generally how I've been enjoying this project
4
May 10 2024
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Slayed?
Slade
Sounds surprisingly like a Rock n Roll Beatles knockoff, but in an authentic way. It's definitely brit influenced (as is half this list really). Hard for me to say what this is really adding compared to other stuff I've listened to from this project. It's certainly interesting but also kind of 'generic' and doesn't stand out from the crowd. To be fair, I'm coming off of Muddy Waters and some wild tango infused trip-hop which were both just really fun, and this is good but not outstanding in the same way. I do find it really interesting that they originally wrote Cum on Feel the Noize (which appears on a previous album), which I associate with Quiet Riot who covered it a decade later - why couldn't we have that Slade album instead?
3
May 13 2024
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If You Can Believe Your Eyes & Ears
The Mamas & The Papas
Really good classic rock with tons of incredible tracks.
5
May 14 2024
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Wild Is The Wind
Nina Simone
I'm gonna be honest, Nina Simone is a wonderful voice, but I just couldn't enjoy this, even after two listens. I think it's an important album, but it just isn't for me.
3
May 15 2024
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Morrison Hotel
The Doors
Wow. I've always struggled to enjoy The Doors, but this album really rocks and helped me understand the vibe. I really liked this, maybe because it's a little more traditional rock, but Jim Morrison's vocal style really shines through here.
5
May 16 2024
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Ghosteen
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
Very sad, but very good. Knowing this is about grief after the death of Nick's son really helped open up this album for me. It's a cathartic listen yet also heartbreaking.
5
May 17 2024
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...The Dandy Warhols Come Down
The Dandy Warhols
Wow - this album just got removed from the list and that's a damn shame cus this is fun. A few tracks were a bit same-y, but I'm really glad to have listened to this.
4
May 20 2024
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Blunderbuss
Jack White
Of all of Jack White's solo works, I've enjoyed this the most. It feels the most in touch with his White Stripes roots, but despite its range is so clearly missing Meg's influence.
5
May 21 2024
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Abraxas
Santana
Latin Jazz fusion at its finest. What a legend.
5
May 22 2024
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Moondance
Van Morrison
I grew up listening to Van Morrison so this one is a bit nostalgic. Reminds me of lazy summer evenings on the road, and pretty much every song hits.
5
May 23 2024
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Live 1966 (The Royal Albert Hall Concert)
Bob Dylan
Dylan's poetry is unmatched. But his voice is really tough to listen to on this album - the inflection is a bit much. I also feel that Live album's can be incredibly difficult to listen to and appreciate unless you already have strong familiarity with a band, and their inclusion on this list is often questionable when better albums are relevant and accessible.
3
May 24 2024
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Dire Straits
Dire Straits
Dire Straits are absolute GOATs. Yes it's 'dad rock' but it's just oozes style. I'm not sure this is their best album, but damn are they good and is this fun to listen to.
4
May 27 2024
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Slippery When Wet
Bon Jovi
It's perfect. It's so many of the Bon Jovi classics in one package. I'd actually be hard pressed to name a Bon Jovi song I know that ISN'T on this album.
5
May 28 2024
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The Downward Spiral
Nine Inch Nails
Very raw at times. Visceral (like on I want to F*** you like an animal) but also deep and emotional. Hurt is of course absolutely wonderful, but Johnny Cash's cover of this is just a million times better.
4
May 29 2024
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New Forms
Roni Size
When I saw that the 20th Anniversary album was FIVE HOURS LONG, I instantly had a 'ain't nobody got time for that' moment. I decided to listen to Disc 1 before going back to the rest of my backlog (which is currently full of bangers, a nice juxtaposition to what I've listened to lately). The initial drum and bass combo on Railing and Brown Paper Bag really work quite well, but from there the tracks are entirely too long and too repetitive, and this would have benefited from some level of restraint or curation. As is, it was even hard to zone out to. That said, acknowledging that this was a first of its kind and really paved the way for drum and bass music, it's spot here makes some sense. But given how niche it is, did I really need to listen to most of this before I die? Probably not.
2
May 30 2024
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Made In Japan
Deep Purple
A lot of noise, and not a particularly well-recorded live album. Some cool solos on display here, but it's hard to appreciate. I would have greatly preferred a regular Deep Purple album.
1
May 31 2024
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Rising Above Bedlam
Jah Wobble's Invaders Of The Heart
Reminds me a LOT of the B-52s. I really like the fusion of styles here, but I think this album is more successful when it treads into non-English lyrics. I'm not sure I can justify giving it a 2 for that though. Really didn't enjoy
1
Jun 03 2024
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Bossanova
Pixies
I wanted to like this more than I did, but it was an overall enjoyable listen. I think I'm feeling some alt/punk fatigue from this list overall and an unfortunate result is I find it harder to enjoy albums I may have earlier in the process.
3
Jun 04 2024
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Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden
Man the recording quality on this is as rough as Eddie looks on the cover. But the guitar rips and the melodies are fantastic. Transylvania and Phantom of the Opera strike me as highlights here and you can see an extremely clear line of inspiration from this to Metallica and many other genres of metal. I'll be excited to continue listening to Iron Maiden in the future.
4
Jun 05 2024
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Planet Rock: The Album
Afrika Bambaataa
This was a challenging listen. On the one hand, clearly influential - from the sampling to the cover of Renegades of Funk by RATM - but at the same time a lot of this didn't age well and I found the repetitive beat to get very repetitive very quickly.
1
Jun 06 2024
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The Clash
The Clash
It's the Clash. It's classic, iconic, and punk to its core. Very deserving of this list and much better than most of the other punk that's been on offer
5
Jun 18 2024
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Nixon
Lambchop
Not much stood out to me here. It didn't strike me as very provocative or interesting, nor was it compelling as background music
1
Jun 19 2024
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Crooked Rain Crooked Rain
Pavement
This was fantastic. A really great indie, punk, experimental band to cleanse the palette. Really enjoyed
5
Jun 20 2024
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Back to Mystery City
Hanoi Rocks
Glam metal with a saxophone? Sign me up
4
Jun 21 2024
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Hot Buttered Soul
Isaac Hayes
This was really good but also these are four VERY long songs. It turns them into wonderful epics, but at the same time one on an album would have been enough. Four is a bit much
4
Jun 24 2024
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Odessey And Oracle
The Zombies
This a pretty classic Zombies album. Lots to love, not much to hate. It's classic rock plain and simple
4
Jun 25 2024
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Blood On The Tracks
Bob Dylan
This is probably the best Dylan album I've listened to. He leans less into his particularly odd singing voice and it helps carry the tune and music much more. Great poetry and songwriting and damn the dude rips on harmonica
4
Jun 26 2024
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Brutal Youth
Elvis Costello
Really enjoyed this. Not at all what I was expecting - it's a mix of pop and rock but not cringe at all.
4
Jun 27 2024
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Murder Ballads
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
250 albums in and this is the first album where I honestly couldn't get past the first two songs. Sometimes ok storytelling, but Mr Stagger Lee sounded too much like a rapey Dr Seussesque song. It's a shame because I thought Ghosteen was wonderful, but I don't need to listen to this before I die, though I can certainly picture being murdered to this album.
1
Jun 28 2024
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Fulfillingness' First Finale
Stevie Wonder
Wow, this is a huge improvement over the last Stevie Wonder album I listened to. This was really wonderful to listen to, no notes really, just good vibes
5
Jul 01 2024
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Shake Your Money Maker
The Black Crowes
Really enjoyed this. Fantastic classic rock with a bit of a punk twist to it. But also it's a band that I had truly forgotten about until listening to this album, including Hard to Handle. Enjoyable, maybe a bit forgettable, but overall a fun album.
4
Jul 02 2024
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Blue Lines
Massive Attack
I was really looking forward to this but reggae just isn't my vibe. This was good for reggae, but it's not what I associate Massive Attack with.
3
Jul 03 2024
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Bug
Dinosaur Jr.
Not a huge fan of the noise rock parts of this album, but the more mellow songs (like Keep the Glove) are better to listen to. The album feels a bit all over the place, but I've always struggled to enjoy Dinosaur Jr.
2
Jul 04 2024
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Chris
Christine and the Queens
Cool to have a version in both French and English, though I stopped listening part way through the French version. I didn't like the album enough to listen to it twice. Fine 80s pop (published in 2018), but not great
2
Jul 05 2024
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The Undertones
The Undertones
This was fairly enjoyable early brit-rock-pop. Sounds similar to a lot of other things I've heard through this experiment but was a solid outing.
3
Jul 08 2024
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Vol. 4
Black Sabbath
Absolutely killer album. Great early era metal and some of the true GOATs
4
Jul 09 2024
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Can't Buy A Thrill
Steely Dan
What a perfect album. Relaxing summers, the open road, good times with great friends, this hits it all.
5
Jul 10 2024
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Rip It Up
Orange Juice
I mean this is just standard 80s pop. I honestly thought it was a different band because of the lead singer who sounds SO MUCH like another 80s pop singer from the time. It's really indistinguishable from other stuff of the time.
2
Jul 11 2024
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Happy Sad
Tim Buckley
This took me a second listen to start appreciating. It's honestly quite good, but overly long tracks and two songs on the six song record don't really sit well and take away from the overall experience.
3
Jul 12 2024
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No Other
Gene Clark
This was very good. Reminded me a lot of Willie Nelson and other great country singers. Something I'll be coming back to listen to for sure.
4
Jul 15 2024
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Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire)
The Kinks
Reading other reviews I think I need to come back to this. I had it on as background listening and thought some was very good, but very similar to the Beatles. Overall good brit pop but I need more time with it
3
Jul 16 2024
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Ready To Die
The Notorious B.I.G.
5
Jul 17 2024
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All Hope Is Gone
Slipknot
Woof. This was tough to listen to. On the one hand incredible drums, some awesome guitar riffs. But also I had to drag myself through this album. I think for that alone it gets a 1, though it's more deserving of a 1.5
1
Jul 18 2024
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Let It Be
The Replacements
4
Jul 19 2024
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Crime Of The Century
Supertramp
4
Jul 22 2024
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Jazz Samba
Stan Getz
It's jazz and it doesn't overstay it's welcome
5
Jul 23 2024
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All Directions
The Temptations
Temptations are such a blast, and Papa Was A Rolling Stone is such an incredible song
5
Jul 24 2024
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Live At The Witch Trials
The Fall
Pure brit punk in the best ways
4
Jul 25 2024
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G. Love And Special Sauce
G. Love & Special Sauce
Pure vibes
5
Jul 26 2024
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Real Life
Magazine
Really struggled with this one. Others clearly love this but I'm not sure I feel the same - maybe because I'm not super in to art rock. Maybe on future listens
3
Jul 29 2024
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Pearl
Janis Joplin
I grew up on Janis. Easy 5/5
5
Aug 19 2024
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Lost In The Dream
The War On Drugs
Really loved this. What a great vibe. Mellow and somber in all the right ways but melodic and beautiful. A 5/5 for sure
5
Aug 20 2024
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Tres Hombres
ZZ Top
On the one hand it's ZZ Top. The guitar is incredible and this is about as rock 'n' roll as it gets. On the other hand, that's about all it is, and it doesn't have the depth I hear in other artists.
3