When I started my One Album A Day project and saw that this was my first album I was ecstatic. I was already very familiar with Air, and Moon Safari is one of my all time favourite albums.
"La femme d'argent" has one of the catchiest bass riffs that often pops into my head from time to time. The whole album is so dreamy and chill, and just a joy to listen too while relaxing.
I went into this album not expecting much, but it was an entertaining listen. Much respect to Manu Chao for recording and producing this all on his laptop.
I had listened to Depeche Mode's entire discography years ago and even after burning myself out, and getting annoyed by some repetitive songs after multiple listens, I still can't say no. I just love moody synth too much.
This album did not hold my attention at all. The low-energy of the vocals bored me and nearly put me to sleep.
Expectations: I thought I would love André 3000's "The Love Below" more than Big Boi's "Speakerboxxx" because I was more familiar with André's work.
Reality: "The Love Below" was a hateful, self-loathing, love letter to bad relationships and was truly a slog to get through. "Speakerboxxx" was much more enjoyable to listen to. I'm giving 3 stars to Big Boi and 1 to André.
Great album with a lovely early-80's lo-fi sound that compliments airy, melancholy tones while still maintaining an upbeat post-punk feel.
Having the hindsight that Bowie released this album knowing it would likely be his last does tend to skew one's appreciation of it. Overall it is a good album with many outstanding tracks, but listening with the knowledge of his illness does pull on the heartstrings a bit more than if it wasn't his parting musical work.
Mediocre and uninspired orchestral arrangements hastily layered over songs that were not originally composed with a symphony in mind.
Solid album with some truly great and energetic riffs and melodies. It loses a star for me for the overplayed singles and lack of consistent style, even though the variation from 80’s synth-pop to 2000’s indie pop rock wasn’t weak on either side.
Louis Prima’s voice and style did not resonate with me, for whatever reason. This album had a few songs I enjoyed (mostly the instrumentals) but even those were undercut by strange tempo and meter choices. I guess I enjoyed Louis better as King Louie in The Jungle Book ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Tori Amos is not an artist that is in my go-to, top favourites but I do respect her work. Phenomenal voice, composing skills, and musical talent. This first album is full of raw emotion, melody, melancholy, and heart.
This was my first interaction with Leonard Cohen. I’m not if it was the best way to be introduced to him but I can’t be sure. I was familiar with “Everybody Knows” already, but otherwise this album was a weird product of its time. Late 80’s synths cheapened the overall sound of the album along with his voice being mixed too loudly. It was interesting, to say the least.
I mean, what more could I even say that hasn't already been said? Great album from start to finish with some classic Zeppelin hits.
I have seen this album several times but had never listened to it before. It was very dreamy and enjoyable. I think it requires a certain mood and setting to enjoy it properly, though that does not detract from its quality.
I don’t think I’ve been so charmed while listening to an album about heartbreak.
If you’re familiar with Sloan, Teenage Fanclub is like 1990’s Sloan, but Scottish. Great sound, great riffs, great harmonies. All sprinkled with that ethereal, melancholy 90’s flavour.
I don’t have familiarity with drum and bass enough to comment with confidence on this album. I had to read up on Goldie, and Timeless, to understand the impact this album has had, but I still don’t have a frame of reference for exactly how it influenced other musicians.
The only thing I kept thinking was “this sounds like generic drum and bass that you’d hear in the background of a movie or video game”. And that’s valid, because Goldie apparently set the soundscape for others. Maybe other drum and bass bands aren’t very creative and are just sticking to imitation, maybe I haven't found a band that is creative and unique yet (likely), or maybe I just don’t like drum and bass.
In my ignorance, I couldn't tell you a single name of a Steely Dan song or album but realized today that I know their first Album "Can't Buy a Thrill" quite well. Knowing that, I now believe I thought all of their work sounded similar in style to "Reelin' In the Years", but was I ever wrong.
Aja was a superbly executed jazz rock album featuring some of the best session musicians I've ever heard. The drums, brass, keyboards, and guitars were just so crisp and clean. Fagen's vocals were on point, as were all of the talented backing vocalists.
You can’t really go wrong with any Alice in Chains album, but this one is pretty exceptional. So many great songs with beautiful harmonies, and composition, both instrumental and lyrical.
It took me a second listen but I was really drawn into this album by the unique soundscape that Kate Bush can create.
So… I knew who Peter Gabriel was by name and notably through having heard the songs “Sledgehammer” and “In Your Eyes” but let me share my ignorance with you. While listening to this album I kept thinking “Wow, this album is phenomenal! This sounds like Phil Collins or Genesis”. Then I read the attached Wikipedia article and immediately felt simultaneously smart and stupid.
5/5 for being educated by an amazing album.
It's not a surprise that Oasis was so popular, as this debut album is well written, performed, and produced. The Gallagher's had a good sense for quality in all aspects of album production, and it shows here.
I just listened to Led Zeppelin III ten albums ago, so this was a nice surprise seeing another Led Zeppelin album so soon.
Again, I've got nothing useful to add here, it's Led Zeppelin and they're legendary. All I can say is that I can remember when my dad bought the four-disc boxed set and he would crank the stereo up while "Whole Lotta Love" blared out, setting the image in my mind that the band was larger than life.
The Allman Brothers sound like the most generic blues rock band in the world with predictable song structure, boring and technically unimpressive solos, meandering and self indulgent songs that overstay their welcome, and nothing else interesting or unique going on.
On the drive home from work today I was listening to the end of Stormy Monday and thinking “Okay okay, I get it. Wrap it up already, guys”. But they didn’t wrap it up.. they just kept on playing aimlessly. Forever.
Bobby Gillespie is a genius. There is so much variety and experimentation here and it’s all superb.
The drums are hypnotic under the accompanying instrumentation, with poetically pointed lyrics overtop.
Everyone and their dog knows Jagged Little Pill. This is a quintessential mid 90’s album filled with hits that dominated tv and radio for a time. Alanis has a force of personality that endeared her to a lot of people with her raw honesty, independent attitude, and voice that demands your attention.
My minor complaints about Morrissey’s weird grunting on the first two tracks do not detract from how much I enjoy this album overall.
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers debut does not disappoint in any way. I’ll always have a soft spot for Tom Petty.
I never realized so many well known Dusty Springfield songs came from this debut album. The whole album is performed well and is a polished snapshot of its genre and era.
This is classic R.E.M. right here. Solid album all around.
How can you not like Frank Sinatra? His silky, comforting voice and backing orchestration just fill me with warm feelings. No one croons quite like him.
Meat Loaf is undeniably an amazing performer with one of the most powerful singing voices in rock. His rock operas are theatrical and entertaining, his music tells stories with their composition.
This album seemed to drag a little bit, but it could’ve just been because I listened to it in a traffic jam.
It was nice to hear something by the Pixies other than “Where Is My Mind?” and “Hey” for once. I wasn’t properly acquainted with them beforehand.
I can now see why they’re so highly regarded and influential. They are true artists in their craft.
I had no idea Rod Stewart was in this band, nor had I heard of the band Faces before. I’ve definitely heard “Stay with Me” though. This was a nice, 70’s blues/country rock album that sounds great all around.
FUNKY
Seemed ahead of its time and had fun with its concept.
Knowing Nick Drake passed away shortly after this album could potentially colour one’s opinion about Pink Moon. Out of respect for the dead, I’ll say that I didn’t mind this album but it did not impress me. I’d rather have been listening to Elliott Smith.
This was a such a good album with a very chill, and sometimes somber and introspective, atmosphere. Dennis Wilson paints an intimate picture of love, loss, and gratitude with an expertly crafted and performed set of songs. I feel like this album influenced a lot of different musicians.
If you don’t know anything about Dennis, please read up on him. He was an interesting character who led an interesting life.
Knowing the album was comprised of unreleased Woody Guthrie songs made more sense than when I didn’t know that fact. It’s a competent album with a good understanding of its source material.
We grew up watching Sister Act 2 and I remember the Lauryn Hill hype when this album dropped. It’s influence cannot be overstated.
I have not seen or read Virgin Suicides, but I do like Air. Some of the spoken word was distracting and out of place, otherwise there were some great instrumentals on this soundtrack.
The production and composition was very appealing. Sounded like old a jazz album with the warm fuzz of vinyl crackling in the background.
The lyrical themes, however, were not appealing and made me wonder why Amy was so popular aside from her stark honesty.
First of all, I thought Blister in the Sun was performed by a different band.. in the 60's... Second of all, I thought Violent Femmes were a different band altogether.
It was like listening to a band from the 60's or 70's, but with early 80's raw punk attitude. Wikipedia says they're "folk punk", so yeah that checks out. Very interesting piece of music history here.
90’s alt-country-rock schlock
Solidly executed jazz album that I can see myself throwing on randomly for ambiance.
You can really hear the influences on this album, and they almost dip into imitation. The vocals and lyrics on certain tracks were distracting at times and the loops got exhaustingly repetitive. I feel the same way about Daft Punk though, but I do still quite enjoy them and I know the music is mostly designed to be danced to while entranced.
Catchy enough to bop my head, mediocre enough not to listen to again on purpose.
I’m not discounting the importance of this album, but it’s not for me.
Warehouse: Songs And Stories answers the question “What if an album sounded like REM but muddier?”
The mixing on this was so bad that songs were a chore to listen to. The tempo combined with the muddled sound felt exhausting, which is too bad because there were some catchy parts here and there.
YEEEAAAHHH BOYYYYYY!
This album was awesome! Sick beats from Terminator X with Chuck D spittin straight fire, and Flavor Flav as the ultimate hype man. It was pure fun to listen to and has become one of my all time favourite albums.
Absolute classic Rush album filled what you’d expect from them; great composition, insightful lyrics, and hit after hit.
There’s something about the Beastie Boys I just don’t like but if I hear them out in the wild and it’s a single, I won’t pretend like I don’t enjoy it.
They’re obnoxious, they yell-rap for no reason, and have really immature lyrics and themes, but apparently had something to offer considering their legacy.
3/5 I wouldn’t listen to this album on purpose.
Too much cacophony in the soundscape for me to enjoy it.
There’s no denying Prince was talented and unique, and a great entertainer. This was a good album, but I’m not sure if I can say that I loved it. It was still worth the listen.
This is the first full Jimi Hendrix album I've heard in my life. Incredible! He was truly on another level and immensely talented. Can't wait to hear the rest of his discography.
I love me some 80's new wave, and this is some VERY early 80's new wave with a few good harmonies and melodies, but the songs all sound so cheap and sparse. Obviously you can attribute that to the synths and drum machine, I know.. Still doesn't explain away the overall lackluster feel of the album.
This is classic Green Day and their breakout album. It's still a great listen from start to finish.
There is a great comfort in Chris Cornell's voice and in Soundgarden's music. Chris' passing made the comfort melancholic and now we're left to feel joy and grief simultaneously.
Superunknown is an amazing album from one of the most influential bands of the 90's/2000's. Personally, I think it's essential.
There are some catchy moments on this album and it was also very unique overall. Unfortunately, it was also a little unrefined and immature for my taste.
Nothing I love better than listening to a man gargle phlegm while signing songs that are just layered in filth. You couldn’t pay me to listen to Tom Waits again.
The album as a whole feels 90’s-generic and forgettable but there are a few standout moments.
It’s not without its problems but it’s got a lot of great 70’s prog riffs and harmonies.
I was not very impressed at all by the Beastie Boys’ first release “Licensed to Ill”, but this album was really refined, varied, fresh, and fun.
Am important musician with important messages, but this debut felt a bit flat to me.
Somber tones beside nostalgic themes create an interesting atmosphere.
I hadn't heard this album in my entire life outside of "Pinball Wizard" here and there on the radio or at someone's house. I knew that the album was a rock opera, but I didn't know it was billed as the first of its kind.
Having the full picture of Tommy's life before and after "Pinball Wizard" has changed how I experience the song. Tommy was a wild ride with some shocking and unexpected moments throughout.
Overall, the composition and performances are extremely solid and I enjoyed the musical aspect completely. The concept and story was a little unclear at times if I hadn't read the Wikipedia article on it, I probably would have missed the flow of the story.
The cover of this album is so iconic, I've seen it for decades on stickers, posters, featured at record shops, etc. Having finally listened to it, I was very impressed and now understand why it's so highly influential and regarded.
My Mom had a few Bonnie Raitt albums and I remember hearing them when I was younger. I am not my mother, however, and this album was a weird collection of pop-rock country, reggae, and soft rock ballads.
From the cover I was expecting it to have been from the 90’s which, of course, it is taking inspiration from while throwing a modern twist on things. It wasn’t for me, but outside of its negatives I found a couple of songs entertaining at least.
This is an incredible album with so much character. Being a virtual band allowed a unique theme to shine through with lyrics reflecting the world that they live in while still sharing common themes that resonate in real life. Truly a joy to listen to every time.
This is the type of album you have to be actively listening to for it to be appreciated otherwise it may sound a bit chaotic or unstructured.
I was excited to finally hear any King Crimson for the first time, although I’m not sure if this album was the best place to start. I’ll have to revisit this listen when I hear another one of their albums.
Still, it was a good dive into progressive rock’s history and I’m happy to have heard it.
I loved the beats and positivity on this album, but I could do without the religious themes. That’s just my preference.
The songs all suffer from being a product of their time with similar structure and blues progression but damn if Little Richard can’t sing with more energy and personality than anyone else at the time.
There’s a lot of variety in this album which, for a debut and final album, is an asset. I knew the album cover and I kept hearing people talk about Jeff Buckley for years, but I didn’t recognize a single song except for Hallelujah and I’m not even sure I had heard his rendition before.
I think overall this was a good album, but neither does it deserve the vitriol it gets from some reviewers nor the praise for being some mythical thing because of his familial ties or tragic death.
Uplifting positivity is one of the best traits of this album. No Woman, No Cry is the clear single that everyone knows but it was far from a standout track here, being outshone, at least for me, by Talking Blues.
This album is full of soul, with Curtis Mayfield's soothing voice accenting his wonderful arrangements. I've never seen Superfly, so I have no emotional attachment to the music from seeing the film. The album on its own, though, stands up very well.
Side A of bookends feels rushed and not well thought out, possibly even a little slow-paced despite its short runtime. Side B is a collection of previously recorded or released songs.. Strange to stick onto the end of a concept album.
I'm indifferent to Simon & Garfunkel, and have no strong feelings about this album. It exists, I suppose.
Xavier de Rosnay and Gaspard Augé are geniuses and masters of audio mixing. Plain and simple.
This is one of the best electronic albums I've ever listened to. I've listened to everything Daft Punk has released and I've liked and respected their work but I've never /loved/ any of their albums. They've always come across as too basic and repetitive for my tastes. Then you've got a band like LCD Soundsystem where it seems like James Murphy listened to Daft Punk a little too much and thought "I could do this too", and became the derivative musical version of Ernest Cline. But, Justice... Wow. They really know how to sequence a song, keep it dynamic, and give it interesting melodies and harmonies, not to mention their amazing skill at texturing and sampling.
A second listen of this album in the right mood and headspace opened my eyes to the hypnotic soundscapes that Faust creates. On a few songs you can feel the comfort of the main riffs while the accompanying cacophony rises and falls, which I thought was an interesting and effective way to convey an abstract concept through instrumentation alone.
I never used to understand why people were so into U2. Years ago when I used to listen to the radio, their hits played nonstop and I think I assumed their identity was just those songs and I was getting sick of hearing them. Then I listened to War front to back and they rightfully deserve the love they receive.
Sure there are a few songs on here that are one of the many hits played on the radio but in the full context of the album and the time it was released it changed my perspective. I suppose you can say that about most albums you’ve only heard the singles off of until you sit down and actively listen.
Beautiful arrangements and vocals, head-bobbing bass and drums, and ethereal strings. I was blown away when I heard the titular track on headphones and really heard the song for the first time. Everybody knows “We Are Family”, it’s been all over popular media for decades but that’s done the song a disservice by making it background music to advertisements nobody cares about.
I was really impressed with this album.
Singer songwriter AND country? Oh boy, my two favourite genres—THBBBT! :P
There are some great moments in this album with impressive technical drumming and catchy bass riffs, and the fuzz is toned so nicely. However, I don’t enjoy noise as a genre so I didn’t care for the album as a whole.
With hindsight, some people may look back at this debut and scoff at it for not being as good as Black Sabbath’s later works, but I believe you need to listen to albums in the context of when they were released. This was the first in a line of influential albums and it was also pioneering a new twist on blues-infused rock that would later be credited with starting the doom metal genre. It deserves respect even if it’s not perfect.
The falsetto really does stick out like a sore thumb here, coupled with the insufferable lyrics. The instrumentation is decent enough and some of the music is pleasant if you remove the vocals.
I knew The Band was Canadian, and I had heard The Weight several times, but I didn’t know they had backed Bob Dylan. I don’t have a solid opinion on Dylan so I’m not sure what to do with that information at the moment.
Some say the slow, muddy, bluesy sound is a reason to dislike this album. Your mileage may vary I suppose. Some people also expect bands to not sound like themselves so that’s why opinions exist. This sound suits them, and it was a good listen.
I was only familiar with Maps on this album, and I can safely say it’s the only good thing on it. The other songs were obnoxious and felt like pale imitations of better music. It also feels like they had no direction, having half the album poorly imitate 80’s/90’s indie punk and half sound like generic 2000’s indie rock.
I was expecting a disjointed, noisy mess, but what I got was professional playing and mature songwriting. The adoption of various musical styles never ruined the flow of the album and it was interesting to hear what influenced future punk bands to incorporate reggae, ska, rockabilly, pop, and R&B into their styles.
Great ambience, beats, and use of samples. I really enjoyed this album all the way through, and it will make a good option for background music.
Being from Canada, I always thought they were Canadian. Had no idea they were from Scotland or that they took inspiration for their name from the Film Board of Canada.
I don’t mind the rough post punk sound, and some songs grew on me after a second listen but I can’t get past the shitty electric keyboard parts. Honestly, with a different sound font or tone it would have sounded fine but that tinny, early-Casio-sounding-mf’r kept plinking away.
Overall, this album was good and I suppose Kanye has influenced other musicians (I wouldn’t know, hip hop isn’t my scene) but listening in hindsight of Kanye’s arrogance, and his troubling stance on certain issues I have to knock it down to a 2.
A little lackluster at times, but Stewart’s rough charm and Faces’ decent backing instrumentation pick up the slack.
Seems some people really dislike this album but I’m approaching it without expectations based on Slipknot’s previous works. This album stands up on its own with a mix of catchy death metal riffs and melodic vocals, and you can really hear the influence of several genres throughout the album. Yes, Iowa was good, but this is still a well-crafted piece of music.
The instrumentations are inoffensive enough for the album to have been listenable on repeat plays, but Morrison’s mumbled, slightly grating voice (part of that might be the mix, though), uninteresting lyrics, and his repeating his repeating his repeating his repeating words words words make this difficult to revisit.
Maybe I’m missing something after reading comments about this album, and maybe I’m also missing something by having no other experience with Wilco than “Mermaid Avenue” which is a strange entry point since it was technically a Billy Bragg album. I don’t know.
What I took away from YHF was that it was a little different, a little experimental, and wasn’t as awful or as amazing as people say it is. I didn’t mind the choice of sounds used in the background on some songs, and I don’t mind a melancholic tone at all.
Also, I thought there were song really great chord progressions, melodies, use of sound to accentuate sections of songs, and the vocals overall were suited to the style of the songs being played.
Like many others, I have never enjoyed Bob Dylan’s mumbly, nasally, poorly cadenced musical stylings. Also like many, I have been waiting for one of his albums to change my mind because it seems like he influenced a lot of people and maybe I’m just “missing something”. Well, I can’t say that it true because I was just as annoyed with this album as any his others.
It’s hard to believe this was released in 1978. It sounds so well layered with both technical mastery and keen artistry, paired perfectly with their overall aesthetic.
It’s so nice to hear hip hop that’s fun, playful, positive, and well put together. I just cannot listen to any rap or hip hop that’s full of gang violence, hustle culture, misogyny, and homophobia. Like, I have no time for any of that.
I’d rather listen to artists like Jungle Brothers, or (ignoring some religious themes) Arrested Development, or (ignoring some of the controversies) Public Enemy.
On face value, some people might write this off as just another Britpop album but that’s a discredit to the variety, creativity, and personality here. There’s a lot that I could go over, but I would instead just like to mention that the harmonies on this album are so good.
I think I missed the window on this album as its influence is widespread and other bands have done better things with the genre. Above all, it was very boring.
I also lost count of how many times they name-dropped their own band name. That was a huge annoyance.
The Jam is my jam.
I had never heard them before but I really love the post-punk sound and the tone of every instrument, especially the bass. The echo on the mics give everything that cool, roomy, moody sound. Just fantastic.
I love music that is melancholic and upbeat at the same time, and this album is that.
I don’t like country. I don’t typically like singer-songwriters. I like this album though, it’s so lovely. I’ve heard the criticism that it’s just a bunch of covers performed cabaret style and.. that’s pretty reductive and a misunderstanding of the type of person k.d. lang is. She’s exactly the type of person to want to perform covers in a smoky nightclub.
lang’s voice is soulful and emotional with an incredible tone and range. The musical performances are all clean and professional, and the guest singers add a real lively touch.
The first time I saw k.d. lang was on Pee-wee's Playhouse Christmas Special in 1988 and she’s always been a Canadian icon as far as I can recall. That bias aside, she deserves every bit of love and respect for her contributions to music, art, and her support of gay, animal, and human rights.
Very much a product of its time and didn’t have enough interest within the songs to hold my attention.
A great disco album that beckons you to the dance floor but also throws in other styles like pop, funk, and R&B. This is a solid production by Quincy Jones, and Jackson’s magnetic personality only compliments it. The album does slow down a bit at times when it dips into ballads but there wasn’t a rule that said it wasn’t allowed to.
While others criticize this album for not having stronger backing instrumentation or memorable hooks, I think that it has these things at a more subtle scale. Every song is groovy and chill, and you have to slow down to appreciate it.
Not their greatest album but Queen still delivers a solid performance. Songs are theatrical, well produced, well played, but not as ambitious as other later work. I suppose the album felt a bit flat and unremarkable.
I’m sure better sitar recordings exist than this, but it was an inoffensive listen.
This was a boring, slow and drawn out, warbled listen. It also has a smeared and muddy mix.
This album, and Deep Purple in general, was an important influence on several rock and metal artists that came after them. I think people forget about context when listening to music from this list and dismiss a lot of it just because it's "old", or not their preferred genre.
Are the songs a bit simple and lyrics lacking depth? Yeah. Do they still slap? Yeah. Is it "dad rock"? My dudes, the album was released in 1972. Of course it is. Loosen up.
I really enjoyed this album. It was a feelgood collection of chill songs that felt timeless despite the warm analog softness of the recording. Also never knew Steve Winwood started off here, very interesting.
Raw and full of emotion, with walls of chaotic energy that at first sounds disjointed but are actually carefully measured. The A side definitely shines brighter than the B side, but it was a good listen.
This is a classic and personally nostalgic for a time when I was living with the two metalheads who helped broaden my musical tastes, but I hadn't given it a listen in years. Aggressive, unrelenting, tribal, and angsty. The songs have so much groove and the riffs are solid. I appreciate how passionate Max sounds but I also think it's a little much at times. It's still a metal staple.
A few well known singles on here that are genuinely good, but they sandwich an otherwise pretty mid collection of songs.
There is nothing wrong with this album, but it fell a bit flat for me. Not sure what the issue is, because the songs are performed well, the harmonies are on point as always.. Not sure. I preferred Parklife much more to this.
Okay, luckily I now know who Peter Gabriel is after my dumb revelation while listening to "So".
3 (unofficially referred to as Melt) was great and my first impressions were that this interesting and experimental album really sets a signature tone for the beginning of the 80's, and that I have not been disappointed by anything he has created so far.
Phenomenal, I would listen to this front to back any time.
Not my favourite Iron Maiden album but a good debut, and for the time it was released created a following that helped prop the band up as a heavy metal / post punk staple. I’d still rather listen to Powerslave.
This is a good poster child for salsa music. Well produced, expertly performed. I don’t ever have a hankering to listen to this style in my day to day life, but it was enjoyable.
A recent review of mine for another album that featured salsa music was lukewarm. But this… add some really great Latin jazz into the mix and this genre is elevated exponentially.
I found myself putting this on a few times after my initial listen and it just filled the space with a comforting tone like it was humming out of an old radio.
