1001 Albums Summary

Listening statistics & highlights

800
Albums Rated
3.25
Average Rating
73%
Complete
289 albums remaining

Rating Distribution

Rating Timeline

Taste Profile

1990
Favorite Decade
Reggae
Favorite Genre
Other
Top Origin ?
Wordsmith
Rater Style ?
70
5-Star Albums
31
1-Star Albums

Breakdown

By Genre

Top Styles

By Decade

By Origin

Albums

You Love More Than Most

AlbumYouGlobalDiff
Duck Stab/Buster & Glen
The Residents
5 2.04 +2.96
Locust Abortion Technician
Butthole Surfers
5 2.39 +2.61
Chocolate Starfish And The Hot Dog Flavored Water
Limp Bizkit
5 2.51 +2.49
KE*A*H** (Psalm 69)
Ministry
5 2.7 +2.3
Yank Crime
Drive Like Jehu
5 2.74 +2.26
Roots
Sepultura
5 2.78 +2.22
Slayed?
Slade
5 2.87 +2.13
Hypocrisy Is The Greatest Luxury
The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy
5 2.88 +2.12
O.G. Original Gangster
Ice T
5 2.97 +2.03
Searching For The Young Soul Rebels
Dexys Midnight Runners
5 3 +2

You Love Less Than Most

AlbumYouGlobalDiff
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Elton John
1 3.92 -2.92
At San Quentin
Johnny Cash
1 3.78 -2.78
Amnesiac
Radiohead
1 3.42 -2.42
At Fillmore East
The Allman Brothers Band
1 3.37 -2.37
Made In Japan
Deep Purple
1 3.28 -2.28
John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band
John Lennon
1 3.24 -2.24
Closer
Joy Division
1 3.23 -2.23
Let England Shake
PJ Harvey
1 3.15 -2.15
Live 1966 (The Royal Albert Hall Concert)
Bob Dylan
1 3.13 -2.13
Rubber Soul
Beatles
2 4.11 -2.11

Artists

Favorites

ArtistAlbumsAverage
Led Zeppelin 5 4.8
Jimi Hendrix 3 4.67
Pink Floyd 3 4.67
Van Halen 2 5
Rush 2 5
Black Sabbath 3 4.33

Least Favorites

ArtistAlbumsAverage
Tim Buckley 2 1
Morrissey 4 1.75
Kanye West 3 1.67
Johnny Cash 3 1.67
Brian Eno 3 1.67
Joy Division 2 1.5
Elton John 2 1.5
John Lennon 2 1.5
The Fall 2 1.5
Björk 3 2

Controversial

ArtistRatings
Dexys Midnight Runners 3, 5, 1
Happy Mondays 4, 1
M.I.A. 4, 1
Tom Waits 4, 4, 1
Deep Purple 2, 1, 4

5-Star Albums (70)

View Album Wall

Popular Reviews

I will vehemently defend this album - it's a great example of critics not knowing what they're talking about. Limp Bizkit were lightning in a bottle, and Chocolate Starfish... is their uncorking. It... Appealed to a generation of young people that were actively disenfranchised at the time (Full nelson) Spawned smash-hit singalongs that are still played in bars and clubs today (Rollin', My Way, My Generation) Captured the zeitgeist of the late 90s (Livin' It Up, Take A Look Around) and draws towards its' conclusion with a performance so heartfelt that even its' cringiest lines are forgivable-at-worst (Boiler) Whilst it's not its' generations Sticky Fingers or Blonde on Blonde it is something special that's too regularly cast off for being easy (wrong), unadventurous (wrong) or dumb (a little bit, but mostly wrong) 5 STARS

Unknown Pleasures by Joy Division

Style over substance to be honest. I'm not sure why this album is considered so iconic

Faith by George Michael

I actually didn't like this. It's very confused. One song sounded like he was trying to be Bowie then the next, Michael Jackson. Faith is a certified tune, but the rest of this is fodder

Imagine by John Lennon

I was ready to give this 1-star because I think John Lennon is a bit of a wanker. But no, I did as I should and I listened to the album and am judging it on its' content. This album is wanky. Imagine is such an awful single. If Jeff Bezos wrote a song telling you to give more money to charity he'd be crucified. Oh Yoko! pissed me off - 4 minutes of wailing. No thank you. He picks up the extra star for the Macca diss-track. That is based asf

Kollaps by Einstürzende Neubauten

I really want to rate it higher, but I don't love it enough for a 4. I can totally see why this is so low rated, this is so far removed from Paranoid Android, 1989 and Master of Puppets that it will alienate al.ost everyone But what's the purpose of this list if not to showcase the bravery of these Germans? No I'm not listening to this outside of this project, but I'm glad that I have listened to it and it will remain one of the most memorable albums on the list. Way more interesting than anything that Rod Stewart is involved in

1-Star Albums (31)

All Ratings (800)

Neon Bible by Arcade Fire
Jul 03 2023

Quite enjoyed, didn't blow me away but 👍

Rage Against The Machine by Rage Against The Machine
Jul 04 2023

It's Rage! Classic, wall-to-wall heavy hitters and they inspired virtually everyone that followed them. Easy 5

Back In Black by AC/DC
Jul 05 2023

Actually enjoyed it quite a lot - this album is much more than just the singles. I can see why it's considered a classic

Either Or by Elliott Smith
Jul 06 2023

"do what you want to whenever you want to" - Speed Trials Otherwise not really my vibe

25 by Adele
Jul 07 2023

"Say Hello..." is a tune - didn't realise how much Self Esteem sounds like Adele (stylistically) until now. "Hello" is bang average though

Music in Exile by Songhoy Blues
Jul 10 2023

Awesome! Totally punk rock in a completely novel way

Sound of Silver by LCD Soundsystem
Jul 11 2023

James Murphy with a leccy guitar, how can I not give it 5 stars

It's Too Late to Stop Now by Van Morrison
Jul 12 2023

Bit of a yawn fest - highlight was a cover of someone else's song which kind of says it all

Call of the Valley by Shivkumar Sharma
Jul 13 2023

Wonderful album to put on in the background or sleep to - nothing remarkable stood out to me though

This Is Fats Domino by Fats Domino
Jul 14 2023

Good fun album but again not much stood out as a takeaway song

The Cars by The Cars
Jul 17 2023

Quite like the cars, very creative & varied despite always sounding like them. Big fan

Tres Hombres by ZZ Top
Jul 18 2023

ZZ Top are the kings of what they do, but this album struck me as quite same-y. Big respect but low score sadly :(

Fisherman's Blues by The Waterboys
Jul 19 2023

Really really enjoyed this! Songs like 'You in the Sky' give off grandios Dylan's-next-door-neighbour vibes - the classic Celtic sounds peppered in made for a varied but not chaotic listening experience. Big fan!

Sweet Baby James by James Taylor
Jul 20 2023

Little on the lame side - not my vibe :(

Jul 21 2023

Really liked it actually, I suspect they smoked a lot of pot whilst writing it. Won't make it's way into my regular rotation, but loved how out-of-the-box this album is

Blue by Joni Mitchell
Jul 24 2023

Really really beautiful album - heartfelt and honest. Thank you Joni!!

Rock 'N Soul by Solomon Burke
Jul 25 2023

Fun album, had a good time listening to it

Born To Run by Bruce Springsteen
Jul 26 2023

Bless you Bruce, bit of a yawnfest though :(

Billion Dollar Babies by Alice Cooper
Jul 27 2023

Started off very vanilla but got kind of wild in the second half

Unknown Pleasures by Joy Division
Aug 01 2023

Style over substance to be honest. I'm not sure why this album is considered so iconic

Heaven Or Las Vegas by Cocteau Twins
Aug 02 2023

Very cool! No idea what on Earth they were singing about, but really enjoyed how eclectic this album was

Aug 03 2023

Maybe it's just not for me, but it was quite samey and no single track really stood out :(

New Wave by The Auteurs
Aug 04 2023

A bit meh to be honest - couple of stand-out songs but sounds an awful like lot an awful lot of other stuff

Parachutes by Coldplay
Aug 07 2023

Before listening: Love love love this album, it was on regular rotation when I was a tyke, and I only revisited it recently. Expertly crafted with some truly phenomenal moments. I want to give it 4 stars, but Yellow is one of the best songs ever recorded and ending with 'Everything's Not Lost' is such a great payoff it's a 5 from me. The guitars throughout are awesome, I just have nothing bad to say about it!

Aug 08 2023

Enjoyed it, makes me wonder how an album like this logistically gets put together but otherwise not much to add

Djam Leelii by Baaba Maal
Aug 09 2023

V interesting, not my usual thing but I did enjoy it

World Clique by Deee-Lite
Aug 10 2023

Very fun album, a few songs sounded very samey but it's so weird and eclectic I didn't even mind

Beauty And The Beat by The Go-Go's
Aug 11 2023

Lovely album, feels like I've heard it before possibly because it was a trailblazer and other people made plenty of music that sounds just like it.

Aladdin Sane by David Bowie
Aug 14 2023

Thank you Bowie very cool!

Odelay by Beck
Aug 15 2023

Always wrote Beck off as being boring dad-rock, but he's made something really out-there with this album. Will deffo come back to it

Permission to Land by The Darkness
Aug 16 2023

Big fan of this album, not a bad song on it. The b-sides are strong too, could never give it anything less than 5

The Number Of The Beast by Iron Maiden
Aug 22 2023

Not my favourite Maiden album, but listening to it this time around was the first time I ever really 'got' it - really enjoyed

Arrival by ABBA
Aug 23 2023

ABBA really aren't a band for me, but this is a really brave effort. So many unusual sounds and styles all on the same album would typically be career suicide for most 'radio bands' but this is a really quality effort

Can't Buy A Thrill by Steely Dan
Aug 24 2023

Quite impressed with this album! It's inventive and a good bit of fun

Truth And Soul by Fishbone
Aug 25 2023

Read the description and thought "no way this will be any good" - I'm very happy to be proved wrong! What a treat this album is, totally unpredictable and a really brave effort.

Aqualung by Jethro Tull
Aug 28 2023

I was really looking forward to this album! I love a bit of prog, but it totally fell flat for me. It wasn't a bad listen, but no single song really stood out. I'll revisit it one day but not in a hurry.

Vauxhall And I by Morrissey
Aug 30 2023

I think Morissey had a superbly distinct voice, but that's all this album has

Aug 31 2023

Fun album - shame it's not on Spotify because I would've listened through it a second time.

The Slider by T. Rex
Sep 01 2023

This feels like I'm listening to a regular 80s/90s rock album but I've done a tiiiiny bit of heroin

Hybrid Theory by Linkin Park
Sep 04 2023

Classic album, among the first that I ever really enjoyed

Sticky Fingers by The Rolling Stones
Sep 05 2023

Really took me by surprised - I'd always written off the Stones as not being my thing just because they're ancient. This album has totally changed my opinion. 50+ years down the line and this still sounds super fresh, every songs stands out as having something unique about it. I was sure this would rate reasonably low but I can't not give it 5*

Sep 06 2023

On first listen I really like it - I mean The Pogues are legends for a reason. I've always had some disdain for Fairytaile... because it's a good song that's ruined by the Christmas setting. It fits neatly into this album, though. And having it on the same album as "The Broad Majestic Shannon" really highlights that. Toying with so many different genres really paid off as well, it's not a predictable album at all.

Young Americans by David Bowie
Sep 07 2023

A brave album, very different from what I would expect from Bowie

Kind Of Blue by Miles Davis
Sep 08 2023

Nice - not the kind of thing I'll go back to often but what a serene day I had as a result!

Master Of Puppets by Metallica
Sep 11 2023

Never actually listened to this front to back, which is a cardinal sin for any metalhead. Really enjoyed it though, Metallica are at their best when they're experimenting and having fun. Orion really demonstrates that

Sep 12 2023

I mean, it's got Simple Man and Free Bird on it, two of the best sing-alongs ever to have been written. That said, some of the rest of the album felt like filler, but when on the same LP as such big songs that's always bound to happen

Diamond Life by Sade
Sep 13 2023

Fun album, a little samey for my liking but I generally enjoyed the vibe

Sep 14 2023

Upon first listen this was a big meh for me. There were a couple of songs that stood out but largely felt like a 'safe' album. Half a zoot and a moody sunset later and wowzers - still not a forever favourite but I can appreciate it much more now

I will vehemently defend this album - it's a great example of critics not knowing what they're talking about. Limp Bizkit were lightning in a bottle, and Chocolate Starfish... is their uncorking. It... Appealed to a generation of young people that were actively disenfranchised at the time (Full nelson) Spawned smash-hit singalongs that are still played in bars and clubs today (Rollin', My Way, My Generation) Captured the zeitgeist of the late 90s (Livin' It Up, Take A Look Around) and draws towards its' conclusion with a performance so heartfelt that even its' cringiest lines are forgivable-at-worst (Boiler) Whilst it's not its' generations Sticky Fingers or Blonde on Blonde it is something special that's too regularly cast off for being easy (wrong), unadventurous (wrong) or dumb (a little bit, but mostly wrong) 5 STARS

Made In Japan by Deep Purple
Sep 18 2023

I know this isn't a one star album, but I don't understand why exactly it's in here. Live albums can be cool, and DP are clearly a world class live act but I've heard a lot of these songs already in other albums on this list, and the audience clapping along drives me absolutely nuts. Would have been awesome to be there live and in person, but sadly this was a dud for me.

Music From Big Pink by The Band
Sep 20 2023

I do like The Band, this album felt very authentic

Tago Mago by Can
Sep 21 2023

Interesting album, was great as background noise but didn't love it beyond that

Catch A Fire by Bob Marley & The Wailers
Sep 22 2023

I love reggae and I love Bob Marley but this album was just a little bit on the 'meh' side - I did enjoy it but nothing much stood out to me. Will definitely revisit it though

Sep 25 2023

I have a lot of time for REM - I like their general vibe, and no one else really sounds like them

Only By The Night by Kings of Leon
Sep 26 2023

I adore this album, but it's definitely picked up the 4th star based off of nostalgia

The Specials by The Specials
Sep 27 2023

Enjoyed this far more than I initially expected

Sep 28 2023

This is a real exercise in separation of the artist from their art - I quite liked the album but Kanye West makes my blood boil so it's a low rating sadly

Felt Mountain by Goldfrapp
Sep 29 2023

Great album, can't believe I'd never heard of this band before!

Teen Dream by Beach House
Oct 02 2023

Cool album, nice vibes!

Vol. 4 by Black Sabbath
Oct 03 2023

Changes and Snowblind I mean what songs! Amazed I haven't heard this album before

OK by Talvin Singh
Oct 04 2023

I liked this - it's a pretty massive project and was quite well done but I didn't fall in love with it. Not a bad listen at all though

Happy Trails by Quicksilver Messenger Service
Oct 05 2023

Good album, interesting choice to record it live

Shake Your Money Maker by The Black Crowes
Oct 06 2023

I've never listened to the Black Crowes before but they sounded super familiar, I can only assume that they inspired a lot of later bands

Highway 61 Revisited by Bob Dylan
Oct 10 2023

I enjoyed this album but didn't finish it, will definitely return because Robert is a talent

Oct 11 2023

Punk runs the world, but this album was a bit 'eh' - I'm not huge on live albums, particularly for bands I'm unfamiliar with.

Wild Is The Wind by Nina Simone
Oct 16 2023

Awesome vibe, enjoyed it thoroughly!

War by U2
Oct 17 2023

I've always bought into the "U2 bad because Bono annoying" hype, but actually this album is class. Maybe it's my Irish bias but this album is varied, informative and passionate at heart. Will definitely be putting more U2 on in the future as a result

I Should Coco by Supergrass
Oct 18 2023

I actually discovered this album early this year and quite liked it - having heard Alright I initially wrote Supergrass off as being one of those douchey early 2000s flash-in-the-pan bands, but the rest of this album is really solid and Gaz Coombs seems like a nice guy so I'll happily give it 4*

Oct 19 2023

This is the kind of album I'm here for! Music by musicians, not frauds chasing moneybags. Loved how bizarre this was, obviously a passion project - will tune in again

All Hail the Queen by Queen Latifah
Oct 20 2023

I really rate Queen Latifah, but I thought she started in gospel and had no idea she debut'd with a hip-hop album?? Either way I'm impressed!

In It For The Money by Supergrass
Oct 24 2023

Two SUpergrass albums in one week - prior to this year I'd never listened to them at all but I've found that actually they're on the edgier side of the whole britpop fiasco - I can't say I hate that!

Nebraska by Bruce Springsteen
Oct 25 2023
Endtroducing..... by DJ Shadow
Oct 26 2023

This album arrived exactly when I needed it, amazed I've never heard it before. Thoroughly enjoyed it, will definitely put it into regular rotation

Stardust by Willie Nelson
Oct 27 2023

Beautiful album, we don't deserve Willie

Superunknown by Soundgarden
Oct 31 2023

Big up Soundgarden - Chris Cornell is in my humble opinion the greatest rock vocalist ever to have lived. The emotion he spills into this album is intense, and the fact that something so heartfelt could still spawn so many hits is a testament to his talent

Shleep by Robert Wyatt
Nov 01 2023

Weird but I didn't hate it

Back To Black by Amy Winehouse
Nov 06 2023

Thank you Amy very cool

Disintegration by The Cure
Nov 07 2023

I like the cure but this was a touch too whiny for my liking

Elephant by The White Stripes
Nov 08 2023

Pleasantly surprised! Really enjoyed some of the deeper cuts, I can see why 7NA was the hit but solid effort

Everything Must Go by Manic Street Preachers
Nov 10 2023

I did enjoy this, but it was a bit mid

Fever To Tell by Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Nov 13 2023

Awesome stuff, amazed I've never listed to the Yeah Yeah Yeahs before now

Blood Sugar Sex Magik by Red Hot Chili Peppers
Nov 14 2023

Better than I expected, had a Beastie Boys sound to it at times which was welcome. The singles definitely aren't the best songs on this album though

Metallica by Metallica
Nov 17 2023

Superb, cohesive and changed metal forever

Cloud Nine by The Temptations
Nov 20 2023

Top shelf, sounds super fresh

Getz/Gilberto by Stan Getz
Nov 21 2023

Wonderful album, excellent vibe

Bone Machine by Tom Waits
Nov 22 2023

Awesome album, one I'd never heard of before, loved the general sound, all of the drums. Something about it really resonated with me, will definitely revisit

Machine Gun Etiquette by The Damned
Nov 23 2023

This must be the 12th or so punk/hardcore album I e had so far and possibly the only one that is indisputably sonically unique. Loved how it leans into some more proggy and experimental genres

Pyromania by Def Leppard
Nov 24 2023

I like Def Leppard and I didn't hate this album, but I feel like I've heard this exact album a dozen other times by other bands

Kid A by Radiohead
Nov 27 2023

This one is tough because I quite like the general sound of this album. However I can't help but feel that it's an album that was made to test critics rather than a heartfelt attempt at using music to express something meaningful. I'm stuck at 3.5* wanting to round it up, but I think it's a bit too obnoxious and pretentious so it can't be a 4.

Green Onions by Booker T. & The MG's
Nov 28 2023

Classic, nothing to dislike really but can't say I'm infatuated

Figure 8 by Elliott Smith
Nov 29 2023

I really don't get the Elliot Smith hype, sorry! There's nothing much here that sets him aside from every other singer/songwriter I've heard. A couple of interesting songs but mostly fell very flat

Let It Bleed by The Rolling Stones
Nov 30 2023

A couple of heavy hitters on this album but equally there's some filler too, so no real strong feelings either way. Incredible that a band can put together an album like this considering the chaos going on in their camp, though. Commendable.

Brothers In Arms by Dire Straits
Dec 04 2023

Reading about this album made me really excited, among the best selling albums of all time and I'd never heard of it? Sadly I was a bit underwhelmed. It was enjoyable but there wasn't anything particularly iconic about it, even on my second listen it just fell a bit flat.

Daydream Nation by Sonic Youth
Dec 05 2023

Parts of this feel like if the Yeah Yeah Yeahs were a post-rock band. Other parts felt like really fresh and original indie-rock. Not what I expected from a 35yo album???

Traffic by Traffic
Dec 06 2023

Sorry, Traffic. There's a reason I've probably never heard of you.

Rio by Duran Duran
Dec 12 2023

Adventurous, a fun listen

Younger Than Yesterday by The Byrds
Dec 13 2023

Super interesting album for the 60s - it feels really modern. At times almost like King Gizz meets Bob Dylan, balancing each other out to make something that's not super bombastic but distinctly unique in the landscape of pretty plain 60s rock and roll music.

Very by Pet Shop Boys
Dec 14 2023

Bit of a let down

Sulk by The Associates
Dec 15 2023

Tesco value 80s album

Back At The Chicken Shack by Jimmy Smith
Dec 18 2023

I've had this one in my list for 13 months now, and whilst I'd listened to it a couple of times I never felt like I had anything to say about it, so never rated it. However, upon what must be my 3rd or 4th listen I totally get this now. I don't have much of substance to say about it, but what an enjoyable experience listening to this album was. The fella in my local chicken shops name is Sasni, but if it were Jimmy Smith I'd be there all day everyday.

Brothers by The Black Keys
Dec 19 2023

I wrote this one off almost immediately to be honest, but the longer I listened to it the more I realised that the BKs are actually quite a nuanced band, and not just another radio-rock outfit. I particularly enjoyed Black Mud - a Zep inspired broody blues song, shame it wasn't longer is all I can say!

Off The Wall by Michael Jackson
Dec 20 2023

I have a lot of time for MJ and this album is a great example of why. He was clearly superbly talented, and having been confined to the J5 box for so long this effort is him clearly expressing himself in his own way. I imagine he gets a lot of 1*s for reasons unrelated to his music, and being a talented musician doesn't absolve you of anything beyond just that, but I liked this album a lot.

Axis: Bold As Love by Jimi Hendrix
Dec 21 2023

Loved this, Jimmy is a force to be reckoned with. The intro really took me off guard, wasn't what I was expecting and he's so consistent - I don't have a bad word to say

American Beauty by Grateful Dead
Dec 27 2023

I've yet to understand why Dead are so heralded. This album was fine, but nothing more so than that

Take Me Apart by Kelela
Dec 29 2023

Cool album, can't say it left much more of an impression than that

The Slim Shady LP by Eminem
Jan 01 2024

Of course I got this right after claiming Tim Buckley is a misogynyst. This is a super album, definitely music-as-art and whilst it clearly caused a stir and the debate about whether Eminem is a genius, or a sheep-in-wolfs-clothing still rages 10+ years later. I can't quite articulate why, but the 'hate' on this record is worlds away from the bad vibes I got from Tim. Eminem's controversy has always had a manufactured-film over it that I think makes it much more tongue-in-cheek, rather than an impassioned rage. Anyway, this is a good album - considering it's his sophomore it's amazing to think that this was amongst some of the first things he'd put out. Easy peasy 4 stars, reserving that fifth one for Encore!

Trans Europe Express by Kraftwerk
Jan 03 2024

Big fan, felt a little samey at points but I think that's the intention

Jan 04 2024

Great album, I've never heard of the Adverts before. Sounds super fresh even in 2024, classic but novel at the same time. Thoroughly enjoyed

Arise by Sepultura
Jan 05 2024

Metal bias incoming - this album fucks. Sepultura have been on my periphery for a while but I've only ever heard them on shuffle. Arise proves demonstrably that they are a tight-knight unit that know what they're doing. I had no idea they were Brazilian too, so I've learned something today too.

Come Away With Me by Norah Jones
Jan 08 2024

Equal parts fun and chill, very easy to listen to and likely I'll revisit it

The Next Day by David Bowie
Jan 09 2024

This was a lot of fun, clearly a Bowie album but felt less like a lot of what I'd already heard.

Roxy Music by Roxy Music
Jan 10 2024

This was a good time, I really enjoyed how off-piste the second half of the album was. Zany at times, not enough albums are zany

Planet Rock: The Album by Afrika Bambaataa
Jan 11 2024

Awesome - this gave me nostalgia for a time before I was even born. I suspect plenty of the 80s movies I watched featured songs from this album. Overall it's a lot of fun, I'll be coming back to it

Slanted And Enchanted by Pavement
Jan 12 2024

This is what I imagine I'd make if I were casually making music with my mates. Super relaxed, lots of passion. Great album

Blue Lines by Massive Attack
Jan 15 2024

Wicked - plain as day how and why this album changed music. Some of the combinations of and approaches to sounds would be fresh today, let alone in 1991!!!

Doggystyle by Snoop Dogg
Jan 18 2024

Impressive for a debut album - some filler and not much stood out to me beyond the hits

Surf's Up by The Beach Boys
Jan 19 2024

I enjoyed this album, but there's something about The beach Boys (or maybe just Brian Wilson) that makes me feel sad

Jan 23 2024

Very cool album, considering it's from the 60s too. Got a bit pretentious and filler-y in the middle but it's bookended by two phenomenal performances so I'm quite pleased

Urban Hymns by The Verve
Jan 25 2024

This was very nearly a 5 - I'm not a fan of britpop whatsoever, but The Verve do everything so much better than the usual suspects in that genre. At times I thought the album had ended and an Oasis album had started playing, but then I'd tune into some of the more subtle sounds that were happening behind the main instrumentation and realise that it hadn't, and that Urban Hymns is simply '...Morning Glory' with far superior production, songwriting and (in my opinion) ambition.

Jan 26 2024

Ya know what, I didn't hate this. Being a 20-something from the UK my entire experience of George Michael has been plagued by old women badgering the DJ to 'pop on a bit of George!' at events I'd much rather not be at, and it's always the same couple of songs. This album was totally different from what I expected - I didn't love it per-se but it's certainly changed my position on what I think of GM as a songwriter and artist.

A Girl Called Dusty by Dusty Springfield
Jan 29 2024

Blown away might be a bit of a stretch, but I was dumbfounded by how many Dusty songs I knew. I've had Dusty in Memphis come up already and only knew '...Preacher Man' - but I think 80% of the songs on this album had me going "Oh I know this one" or "I had no idea Dusty wrote this??" Whilst it's not the kind of album I'll often go back to I enjoyed it for what it was, and it's opened my eyes to just how influential she is.

Paul Simon by Paul Simon
Jan 30 2024

Amazing! I've listened to Graceland once, but don't remember it well enough for it to have affected my expectations here. I had expected this to be very forgettable, a little shallow and generally unextrodinary - why I expected that I don't relly know, but I'm so pelased to have been wrong. From the off this album is full of heartfelt anti-wart sentiment, intricate (but not obnoxious) guitar playing, and a folky-bluesy undertone that really resonated with me. I listened to this twice and both times thoroughly enjoyed it. There's some filler, but it pales to the high moments of this album.

Tracy Chapman by Tracy Chapman
Jan 31 2024

Astounding! 36 minutes of succinct, berating social analysis. Whilst this is a heavy album, it doesn't feel like it at times. It's tragic that so little has changed in the ~50 years since this album came out, but it's clearly stood the test of time!

Clandestino by Manu Chao
Feb 01 2024

This album reminds me of Joab, a Portugese migrant who joined my school and struggled to settle as it was very middle class and resistant to non-white people. As a result he was challenging to be around, but I hope he's doing well these days. As for the album, it has a lot of character but isn't something that I'll be regularly playing.

Van Halen by Van Halen
Feb 02 2024

Boom it's another 5 - there isn't a wasted minute on this album. VH know what they do best and they don't shy away from it. These guys reinvented guitar rock, but they don't spend 90 minutes parading around going "how good is this, corrrr bloody hell aren't we fuckin sick"

Hounds Of Love by Kate Bush
Feb 05 2024

I don't really get Kate Bush, which is probably more of a me problem than a her problem. Clearly she's very good at what she does, but I just don't think what she does is for me

Feb 06 2024

Cool album - Elbow always struck me as a bit of a dad-rock band from times-gone-by, but there's quite a lot more to this album than that. Previously I'd have put them into a similar bracket to bands like The Killers, Stereophonics and maybe to an extent Kasabian, not stylistically but in the sense that they write simple songs for a wide-range of mostly radio listenders, but TSSK has a lot more going on in the background. There's quite a lot of nuance to this album, a lot of sounds going on in the background that you may not pick up on if you're listening passively. I'll definitely give them a bit more time.

Feb 07 2024

I'm a big believer in 'definitely do judge a book by its' cover, however this album let that down big time. I love psych rock and this album, at a glance, looks cool as fuck. I suspect back when this was first released in the 60s it was a great example of throwing the book out and blazing your own trail, but in the 21st century we're spoiled with so many better examples of those things. Rating it low on that basis may not necessarily be in the spirit of the 1001 Albums experience, but I just didn't vibe with this one.

Survivor by Destiny's Child
Feb 08 2024

Anapologetically 2000s - plus it's refreshing to listen to music by Beyoncé that was considered great based on its' merit rather than her status. Enjoyed this a lot, will definitely go back.

GREY Area by Little Simz
Feb 09 2024

Wicked - Little Simz doesn't miss a beat nor does she waste any time on this album

Since I Left You by The Avalanches
Feb 12 2024

I love this, and am amazed it's never popped up on my radar before. Very rarely do I hear something and feel like it's actually proper original - I get that this album uses samples quite heavily, but despite that being a genre in-itself this feels super fresh, inspired and is just good fun. I can't bring myself to give it a 5, though it would be an easy 4.5 if it were possible!

Feb 13 2024

Some interesting songs on here, but there's a lot of 'filler' and other stuff that feels pretty homogeneous. I love the energy and messaging, but the delivery just didn't hit for me.

The Köln Concert by Keith Jarrett
Feb 14 2024

A nice listen, not something I see myself revisiting or falling in love with but pleasant enough!

Steve McQueen by Prefab Sprout
Feb 15 2024

Meh! I'd heard of PS before, so went into this expecting quite a lot. As a result I found this record underwhelming - it never really goes anywhere or does anything interesting. It's fine to listen to, but doesn't inspire me to come back to it at all. Maybe I've missed something, but it's a regrettable 2 at best

Ocean Rain by Echo And The Bunnymen
Feb 16 2024

Interesting album, nice and varied - I always thought Echo.... were a modern band and sounded nothing like this.

Madman Across The Water by Elton John
Feb 19 2024

Elton John just isn't for me. He's a global megastar because he knows how to get elderly people out of their seats and boogie in the aisles, but nothing makes me go to the bar quicker than an Elton single. I gave this a fair shot - Tiny Dancer is 90% naff with a pretty good chorus. The rest is entirely forgettable trash that sounds exactly the same as the preceeding song, but without any novelty. Truely, I'd sooner listen to a dog try and de-worm itself on a the Teletubbies Honky Tonk piano than put myself through this album again, a total waste of my time!! Sorry Elton, nothing personal. I think you coming in on Eminem's Stan that one time was a very big dick move, but please stop making albums like this.

The Doors by The Doors
Feb 20 2024

I like The Doors, they're unproblematic

Feb 21 2024

I was all for giving this a 5 - Kill You, Stan, The Way I Am, Real Slim Shady - but there's definitely quite a bit of filler, and the album goes on for longer than I would have liked. That said the good stuff is proper good - I'm not a huge hip-hop-head but I'd consider Stan one of the best songs ever written. I can't think of a song that does a better job of telling a story that's equal parts personal and social-commentary, plus it's only got more relevant with time AND it was a smash-hit. A song like that should have been an under the radar opus, but of course it was enormous, which is a testament for just how good Eminem is.

Metal Box by Public Image Ltd.
Feb 22 2024

Another let down - I'm a big fan of avant-garde and music that's a little more out-there, however this record was directionless. It wasn't bad, but even worse than that was it left no real impression on me whatesoever

Idlewild by Everything But The Girl
Feb 23 2024

Didn't leave much of an impression sadly! No single song stood out much to me, and it's not the kind of thing I think I'd revisit

Gorillaz by Gorillaz
Feb 26 2024

I mean it's Gorillaz - how could it not be 5*. 0 filler, some of the most recognizable singles to come out of the 2000s. It's totally original, there wasn't much that sounded like this is 2001 and there still isn't much now. There's a gimmick that doesn't detract from the music. Most of the songs would still be smash hits if they came out today. Even the remixes at the end of the album (not on standard release but was on Spotify at time of review) add to the album, and don't feel like afterthoughts. Simply brilliant!

Jazz Samba by Stan Getz
Feb 27 2024

Love a bit of Bosa, but I wouldn't say this blew me away any more or less than any other album like it I've heard

Abraxas by Santana
Feb 28 2024

Not my usual vibe, but I did enjoy the fuzzy/psychy stuff in the middle of this album

16 Lovers Lane by The Go-Betweens
Mar 01 2024

Cool album, feels like the kind of thing I'd put on at the beach on a sunny day.

At Mister Kelly's by Sarah Vaughan
Mar 04 2024

I enjoyed this, glad I stuck it out to the end despite its' length - the last song was a trip.

At Folsom Prison by Johnny Cash
Mar 05 2024

I enjoyed Cash's banter on this album but musically it was a big 'meh' from me

Scott 4 by Scott Walker
Mar 06 2024

Cool album, super original sounding, almost like if someone decided to sing over a video game OST

Ray Of Light by Madonna
Mar 07 2024

Before listening to this album I never liked Madge. Now I like Madge a bit - good show.

Sunshine Hit Me by The Bees
Mar 08 2024

This was a cool album, loads of stuff going on that you probably wouldn't notice unless you tune your ear into it. I'd never heard of The Bees, but am pleased to have changed that

Pearl by Janis Joplin
Mar 11 2024

I think Janis Joplin is very cool - I know that's a milquetoast take but I think it has to be said. I don't know why I think so, I figure it's because she's in the 27-club which is unarguable a very cool-person club to be a part of (second only to being alive) As for this record, I enjoyed it. I didn't read way into the lyrics but it is clearly a journey. I have a lot of time for acapella efforts too.

Moondance by Van Morrison
Mar 12 2024

Not what I expected from Van Morrison, but still not really for me

Mar 13 2024

Realistically I think this is a 3-point-something but for nostalgia's sake it's going to be a 4. To their credit, there are some really stand out tracks on this record - the hits obviously go hard, but some of the instrumentation on the other songs is quite unique and even sounds fresh after 20 years, so by no means is this one to sleep on.

Third by Portishead
Mar 15 2024

Really enjoyed this, love a broody atmospheric album. Takes a few left-turns and makes some brave decisions that in my humblest of opinions definitely pay off

Illinois by Sufjan Stevens
Mar 18 2024

This is a lovely album, with some really fun songs on it. I didn't buy into the whole concept I suppose, much of the actual history was lost on me but it's obvious that this is a passion project.

Parklife by Blur
Mar 19 2024

I didn't expect this to be a 5 start album on first listen, but I'm fairly sure it is now. However, I think this is as good as Britpop gets. If '...Morning Glory' and 'DIfferent Class' are 5* albums this rightfully should be a 6. Some of the decisions made on this album are super brave, at times it's kooky and whimsical. It never feels like it's taking itself too seriously. Compared to the street-drug chic of Oasis, this record is a gem.

Aftermath by The Rolling Stones
Mar 20 2024
OK Computer by Radiohead
Mar 21 2024

It's Radio-head, I get that it's good but there wasn't much that grabbed me. I respect a brave album but OK Computer may just not be for me

Natty Dread by Bob Marley & The Wailers
Mar 22 2024

Reggae touches my soul

Graceland by Paul Simon
Mar 25 2024

This could be the most subjective review I've written across 400+ albums.. I'm 6 beers down in a microbrewery. I've saved this album for over a year because my nan told me it was among her favourites and I wanted to give it my full attention (Google: oxymoron) This album is awesome. It's varied. It's ambitious. It's woke, but not obnoxiously so. It appeals to the UK Boomers - Call Me Al is among the most famous songs ever to air on Magic.fm. it appeals to my radical-left ass, sticking a finger to apartheid and celebrating being alive for the sake of sharing that life with others. I think I'll look back at this record fondly. It's so far removed from my usual top-albums but I have a lot of time for this for those reasons. Thank you, Al.

Led Zeppelin II by Led Zeppelin
Mar 26 2024

There is not a universe in which I give an album featuring Bonham <5 stars - it just so happens that everything else about this album is a smash hit. LZ win points for being an authentic band too. Putting hurdles in their own way, never caving in to pressure from the industry, making music because they want to rather than chasing the dragon. Simply joyous

Being There by Wilco
Mar 28 2024

Really liked this - it reminded me of LCD Soundsystem at points. That said - I wasn't crazy about some of the country elements.

Let England Shake by PJ Harvey
Mar 29 2024

Blegh - this album whiffs of an artist intentionally creating a stinky album because they've won all of the awards and know people will eat it up - and y'all fell for it! If that's not the case, then this record is just a mish-mash of nothing particularly inspired or inspiring.

Raising Hell by Run-D.M.C.
Apr 01 2024

Banging album, but gets repetitive in the second half

She's So Unusual by Cyndi Lauper
Apr 02 2024

This is a delightful album - its bursting with positive energy, and really encapsulates an era where women were realising and fighting for their full potential. Despite that it's not preachy or in-your-face. I was going to say that some of these songs gave me Bjork vibes and that Cyndi ran so Bjork could walk. But I don't think that pitting women against each other is in the spirit of this album

Ace of Spades by Motörhead
Apr 03 2024

I like Motorhead, and believe that every industry should have a Lemmy Kilmister. I also know just how important Ace of Spades was in the beginnings of heavy-metal, and as a single it's simply phenomenal. The rest of the album is lackluster though. MH are pretty famous for doing the same thing over and over again, and this album definitely reflects that. After the 3rd or 4th song it gets samey. Good samey, but samey nonetheless.

Apr 04 2024

I mean they're just a cool band aren't they? Not my new favourite band by any means, but definitely shifted up in my ratings

Third by Soft Machine
Apr 05 2024

File this one under disappointment - totally judged this book by its' cover and wasn't at all what I expected. Even having read the bio I thought it was going to be one thing and it was something else entirely. I don't think it's a bad album per-se, but even had it been labelled differently I don't think I'm as into experimental jazz records as your average participant

21 by Adele
Apr 08 2024

Wish she would crack a smile

Arc Of A Diver by Steve Winwood
Apr 10 2024

I really liked this actually. Never heard of Steve Winwood or this album, but this feels like somebody has put the 80s into a can

Talking Heads 77 by Talking Heads
Apr 11 2024

Sounds like it came out yesterday, despite the steel drums

Celebrity Skin by Hole
Apr 12 2024

Awesome - I think Courtney Love is a bit mental, but this is decent

Time Out by The Dave Brubeck Quartet
Apr 15 2024

Jazzy

Songs For Swingin' Lovers! by Frank Sinatra
Apr 16 2024

This fella gets about a bit doesn't he. Makes a good album but his todger must be rotten.

Hotel California by Eagles
Apr 17 2024

This lbum falls off QUICK. Hotel California, the single, what a masterpiece. Quite simply a masterclass in how to write a single that will still be heralded decades (and generations) after release. The rest of this album is pants though. How can you go from /that/ solo to what is ultimately an additional hour of filler. Just release the single bro! Were it not for the single this would easily be 1*

Drunk by Thundercat
Apr 18 2024

I listened to this at least 5 times because I just can't work out if it's good or not. The instrumentation on it is fab, and clearly these musicians are far more talented than I could ever be. But it's not particularly cohesive, sometimes it feels like it's being weird for weirdos sake and Im just not convinced that it's /actually/ good. I'm bumping it up to 3 because it's trying something new, and I imagine Thundercat is leaning into his (their?) strengths, but I just don't know...

All Hope Is Gone by Slipknot
Apr 19 2024

Gosh this album takes me back to simpler times - listening to Sulfer and Psychosocial on ScuzzTV as I got ready for school. This album was among the catalysts that got me into metal culture - I paid 99p to have the album artwork for AHIG as my phone background for Pete sake. It's super easy to pass over this album, particularly if you're not partial to metal, because it's abrasive from the offset. Slipknot also have a reputation for being ridiculous and definitely created sumething of a nu-satanic panic n the early oughts which maybe didn't help them much commercially. HOWEVER - this album is dead good. It's probably Slipknots most accessible album - the singles are groovy and poppy at times. Minus the image, songs like Dead Memories could definitely have played on some of the big commercial radio stations (and probably did, I don't know I was too edgy to listen to the radio at the time) I don't think it's SKs best effort. If you liked this album but didn't love it I'd definitely suggest trying some of their other stuff. If this album isn't heavy enough give their self titled a spin. If it's too heavy try Vol. 3. If you don't want to do that go and give the music video for 'The Devil In I' a watch before you close the book on them forever. At any rate, I think you'll make a big mistake if you hear 'screamo' and skip this album after 3 songs. There's a lot more to it, but I will concede it's not for everyone. Oh, and if you get a chance to see them live don't pass it up. It's a real Cirque du Horror, and not an experience you'll forget quickly.

3 Feet High and Rising by De La Soul
Apr 22 2024

Loved this, had a groove to it that no other album so far has had. Very very fun.

The ArchAndroid by Janelle Monáe
Apr 23 2024

This is music as art, but super accessible. Big fan!

Apr 24 2024

My gut instinct is that this is a 5* album, but that's probably got a lot to do with me listening to this record to death in my formulative years. Then I thought it was a 3* album simply steeped in nostalgia, but that didn't feel fair too. Admittedly this album is lightning in a bottle - considering that it's a /debut/ album made by a bunch of 20 year olds, AND they pioneered viral online marketing - a 3* would be very harsh. It's a good album. The perfect length, good mix of upbeat and downtempo songs. The singles are raucous and the 'filler' is still pretty good. Have your 4* and be happy with it Alex.

Purple Rain by Prince
Apr 25 2024

Easiest 5 of my experience so far... Let's Go Crazy is one of the best opening songs ever put to tape. Purple Rain is one of the best closing songs ever put to tape. Everything inbetween is joyous, plus Prince himself was a trailblazer, visionary and had the garb to boot. If I were his manager I'd promote him to King.

Beach Samba by Astrud Gilberto
Apr 26 2024

It's fine as background music but didn't inspire me to revisit it

Fear Of Music by Talking Heads
Apr 29 2024

The Talking Heads are a bit of me, but this felt a little lackluster. No single song really stood out to me - whilst I enjoyed listening to it as a whole I don't think I could recommend any one song to someone from it.

Lady Soul by Aretha Franklin
Apr 30 2024

A bit too Jesus-y for me at times, but she's got pipes and knows how to use them

Oxygène by Jean-Michel Jarre
May 02 2024

Brilliant album, unlike anything else on this list. Listened to it twice and got lost in it both times.

Songs In The Key Of Life by Stevie Wonder
May 03 2024

I was going to mark this down because it felt like it just wasn't for me, but then Contusion came on and totally blew me away! Still, it's a bit long and about half of it just isn't music that I vibe with so it's a 3.5 rounded down.

Foo Fighters by Foo Fighters
May 06 2024

I think Dave Grohl is one of the most fascinating musicians alive today. I'm a big fan of his, and of the Foos. Considering he wrote and recorded this whole album by himself at the tender age of 25 after having already been in one of the biggest bands in the world is beyond impressive. The fact that this album was also good is amazing. I do think the Foos have better material, but this album is a snapshot of a pivotal point in music history, and even if you're ignorant of why that's the case it's a great listen

Stand! by Sly & The Family Stone
May 07 2024

Wow! Simply put this is an album for music lovers by music lovers. Oozed heart and soul, and definitely deserves to be on this list.

The Downward Spiral by Nine Inch Nails
May 08 2024

Who hurt you Trent? NIN are cool as fuck, but they never really blow me away. Closer and ...Pigs are classics, but there's a lot of similar sounding songs padding around that. If you want a raw as hell album to have carnal sex to this is the one, but I'm hiding this CD when grandma gets in the car.

Talking Timbuktu by Ali Farka Touré
May 09 2024

This was going to be a solid two because the first few songs all blend into one and I began to tune it out, but then Amandrai came on and bumped it up. A 9 Min long blues song yes please!

Murder Ballads by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
May 10 2024

What a wild ride

Pretenders by Pretenders
May 13 2024

Punk rock for kids, good fun

Innervisions by Stevie Wonder
May 14 2024

Underwhelming and very forgettable

Grace by Jeff Buckley
May 15 2024

Hauntingly beautiful - I often wonder whether this would have blown up the way it did had Jeff lived longer, and whether he would have continued making boundary-pushing music or become a bit of a twat. Either way we're blessed to have this effort.

Who's Next by The Who
May 16 2024

Good old classic rock with some synths, what's there not to like?

Toys In The Attic by Aerosmith
May 17 2024

A very lame album. If it weren't for Walk This Way it wouldn't be on this list.

Heroes by David Bowie
May 20 2024

It's very middle-of-the-road Bowie

Triangle by The Beau Brummels
May 22 2024

Robert Dylan eat your heart out

Mermaid Avenue by Billy Bragg
May 23 2024

Cool concept, a smidge forgettable but I liked the vibe

Tarkus by Emerson, Lake & Palmer
May 24 2024

Unapologetically prog, cool shit.

The Stone Roses by The Stone Roses
May 28 2024

I liken this to vanilla ice cream, or margherita pizza. It's a bit bland, maybe even boring if put next to other better albums, but I do enjoy vanilla ice cream and a slice of margherita so I'm not complaining

Bryter Layter by Nick Drake
May 29 2024

I've listened to too many poopoo Elliot Smith and similar artists to have been excited when I saw "singer-songwriter" but this was a pleasant surprise. A novel take on a genre that has been wildly overdone, I quite liked it

...And Justice For All by Metallica
May 30 2024

'One' is obviously a masterpiece, and this album does have a smattering of other quality singles. But I don't think it's Metallica's best effort by far, and controversially I think Death Magnetic is more interesting

May 31 2024

I have no idea why this is on this list, but I'm glad it is. It's weird. It's experimental. It's everything country usually isn't, but at no point does it betray itself. I expected this to have come out of the 60s. It it's only a hair away from having been an 80s album! I expect Joe (only a Joe could have made this album) wanted to make the country album no one else had, and boy did he succeed

Jun 04 2024

It's iconic, but is it actually good? The singles are what you would expect, but they're as good as this album gets.

Melodrama by Lorde
Jun 05 2024

A masterclass in writing modern pop music

The Message by Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five
Jun 06 2024

Funky Fresh

Boston by Boston
Jun 07 2024

A lot of fun, but too reliant of the formula bruv

Out Of The Blue by Electric Light Orchestra
Jun 10 2024

Underwhelmed to be honest

Green by R.E.M.
Jun 11 2024

I liked this a lot, it's much more peculiar than any other REM stuff I've heard and I think it benefits from it

Scum by Napalm Death
Jun 12 2024

As a metalhead I feel very comfortable in saying that this is utterly ridiculous, but it's so unique I have to rate it.

Pretzel Logic by Steely Dan
Jun 17 2024

Fun vibes, way exceeded my expectations. Will revisit for sure

So by Peter Gabriel
Jun 18 2024

Sledgehammer

Rings Around The World by Super Furry Animals
Jun 19 2024

Blidning - realistically a 4.5* but I'll round it down just because the lack of an overall structure lets it down a smidge. I'm a big fan of how chaotic it is though. It gave me the same feeling I get when I'm walking through a fairground and there are always a dozen different things happening at once. Definitely deserves a second-pass

Bitches Brew by Miles Davis
Jun 20 2024

Totally uninteresting

Too Rye Ay by Dexys Midnight Runners
Jun 21 2024

I /hate/ Come on Eileen, it's plainly a rubbish song. I was pleasantly surprised by the rest of this album though. Far from what I expected it to sound like, it's ambitious and doesn't follow any kind of formula. I don't like it enough to give it a 4, but I've changed my tune about DMR

Paul's Boutique by Beastie Boys
Jun 24 2024

Few do it like the Beastie Boys. This oozes cool, great listen

Electric by The Cult
Jun 26 2024

Pretty cool

Jun 27 2024

This is easily the best album artwork I've had in 400+ albums so far. The album itself is fine - it holds its' own, isn't too long and doesn't falter. No single song jumps out at me, but as an easy-listening experience it's dead good.

Coles Corner by Richard Hawley
Jun 28 2024

This didn't really do anything for me. It feels like it should have been recorded in the 70s, not the 00s. I also got big "I love to go to the local karaoke and queue 6 Elvis songs back-to-back" vibes from it

Five Leaves Left by Nick Drake
Jul 01 2024

The instrumentation on this is pretty class, but that's all I really liked about it

Birth Of The Cool by Miles Davis
Jul 02 2024

I don't think I could ever put an album like this above a 2. It's fine, makes great background music whilst I'm doing other things but try as I might I just don't get it

Bubble And Scrape by Sebadoh
Jul 03 2024

Really cool take on indie rock. I can picture these fellas in their garage writing these songs. Raw and unrefined, good craic

1999 by Prince
Jul 04 2024

Groovy baby

Ys by Joanna Newsom
Jul 05 2024

After sitting on my Unrated list for well over a year I finally found out that this was on Amazon Music (which is a shite platform) and gave it a listen. This album is SO not for me. The lazy comparison would be that this feels like that one Icelandic megastar, but different. I get why, but I think this is better than that. Saying that I hate the vocals is probably a bit harsh, but they don't do much for me. The instrumentation is what makes this album shine. It probably helped that I listened to it whilst walking through the woods at golden hour, but there is a lot to like once you get past those, frankly quite jarring vocals. Hold off on judging this immediately, get through a few songs and look for what you do like rather than what you don't and I'm sure most people will find something positive.

We Are Family by Sister Sledge
Jul 08 2024

I was surprised just how many songs I knew from this already, and blown away by how much fun it was. My expectations weren't high because I'd always considered Sister Sledge 'old people music' but this was a great record

Bat Out Of Hell by Meat Loaf
Jul 09 2024

This album is bumpy. Its' highs are 10/10 knocked out the park home runs. 'BOOH' and 'Paradise...' are the clear examples of that. There is a fair share of filler, some of which feels a little cringe, but mostly makes sense in the context of the rest of the album. This is my mums favourite album ever, and she generally has disastrous taste, but this is one that I'm happy to say she has got right!

Hejira by Joni Mitchell
Jul 11 2024

Joni Mitchell is very cool, but this album was a little lacklustre

Konnichiwa by Skepta
Jul 12 2024

I'm rating it this low very begrudgingly. UK grime is so good, and this is such a poor representation of it. The highlights of this album are all songs that were originally released as one-off singles, and it shows. I think Skeptas brother JME is far more talented and releases much more interesting music than Skepta. Dizzee Rascal too. It's a shame because this album is a real nostalgia trip for me, and I don't hate it, but it should have been an EP and better albums could have taken it's place

Maggot Brain by Funkadelic
Jul 15 2024

Imagine recording this album and then just fucking off

Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness by The Smashing Pumpkins
Jul 16 2024

A bit of a shame this - I love the Pumpkins, and I was excited to get this album. Then I saw that it was 2+hours long, which made me lose my enthusiasm for it! If this were just for disk 1, it would be an easy 4 - I love how even amongst all of the weird, against-the-grain music that was coming out of the 90s, TSP have such a distinct sound and feel. I just can't get behind the volume of music that was recorded for this release. Soz!

A Walk Across The Rooftops by The Blue Nile
Jul 17 2024

I was going to say I'd never heard this before, but maybe I have and just assumed it was The Cure.

D by White Denim
Jul 18 2024

Realistically this would be a 4.5, but I enjoyed it so much a 5 seems fair. What a gorgeous album. Reminds me of a scaled back King Gizzard at times, and an unhinged Cage The Elephant at others. Beautiful.

Fuzzy by Grant Lee Buffalo
Jul 19 2024

This album is fine - it's not particularly ambitious, but that doesn't mean it's a bad listen. At times it feels like a more subdued Smashing Pumpkins, and unusually the album starts to pick up towards the end.

Remain In Light by Talking Heads
Jul 23 2024

Wonderful. Every time I retuned my ear I could hear another layer of bizarre instrumentation, or something else interesting going on. This record is layered and complex, but so accessible and not at all pretentious. Bravo!

Murmur by R.E.M.
Jul 25 2024

The first couple of songs are great, but the record becomes pretty homogeneous after about song 4. Don't get me wrong I enjoy the sound of it, but it could have been an EP

Shadowland by k.d. lang
Jul 26 2024

Not really for me, but it's a nice short listen and would make for great background music

At San Quentin by Johnny Cash
Jul 29 2024

Disclaimer, I really like Johnny Cash. I don't get these live albums though. This is the second one I've had on this list, both of which have been him performing at prisons. There's a lot of talking, and at one point he seems to get distracted and play the same song twice. Waste of my time.

Tidal by Fiona Apple
Jul 30 2024

If Joni Mitchell tried to make an Allanis Morisette album

Ill Communication by Beastie Boys
Jul 31 2024

Who knew there were this many genres?

Seventh Tree by Goldfrapp
Aug 01 2024

Started off a little 'meh' but finds itself in the second half

Nilsson Schmilsson by Harry Nilsson
Aug 02 2024

I was sure this was going to be a flop, but I was familiar with half the songs on it already. Not bad

Bayou Country by Creedence Clearwater Revival
Aug 05 2024

Having only heard Fortunate Son prior to this, I was blown away by just how modern these guys sound. There are times where they sound like Soundgarden and other bands of that ilk. Good fun

Zombie by Fela Kuti
Aug 07 2024

This is the kind of album I'd love to make if I had a modicum of talent

KE*A*H** (Psalm 69) by Ministry
Aug 08 2024

Sometimes all you need is an album to repeatedly punch you in the face. This is that album.

...The Dandy Warhols Come Down by The Dandy Warhols
Aug 09 2024

Knew this band for the hits but this album is a very cool foray into something much more interesting

British Steel by Judas Priest
Aug 12 2024

Enjoyed this a lot - I've never listened to much Priest but have a lot of respect for Rob Halford. I was a big Iron Maiden fan as a teenager, and this is very adjacent to some of their best work

Central Reservation by Beth Orton
Aug 15 2024

Someone listened to Jagged Little Pill and The Lion and the Cobra and had ideas beyond their means

2112 by Rush
Aug 19 2024

I love prog, and have /just/ got back from ArcTanGent festival where I saw some excellent musicians play some really interesting music. Yet no one competes with Rush - This album is nearly 50 years old and it's still more complex, interesting and impressive than most things you hear today. Overture is a masterpiece, followed by some astounding complementary pieces of music. This album has no weaknesses. 5*

xx by The xx
Aug 20 2024

Awesome album particularly for a debut, especially considering so much of the indie-rock sound at this point was so homogenous. 'xx' really stands out and is a superb little gem

Court And Spark by Joni Mitchell
Aug 21 2024

What a beautiful record. Joni Mitchell has, I'm my opinion, a perfect voice. This record is varied, a little bit sexy and pretty relatable throughout. I enjoyed it a lot, but wouldn't put it in my regular rotation. It's a 3.5 realistically, but I can't give it a 4

At Fillmore East by The Allman Brothers Band
Aug 22 2024

Okay. I didn't listen to the full album admittedly. Live albums typically aren't for me. Judging by the first 30 mins of this album, the next 50 were going to be very similar and I just didn't care for what I'd already heard.

Cross by Justice
Aug 23 2024

Incredible! This feels like a cornerstone of noughties dance - its clear as day that this was influenced by the likes of LCD Soundsystem, and feels like it went on to influence electronic, dance and maybe even dubstep music in the following years. Very big fan

Pet Sounds by The Beach Boys
Aug 26 2024

Tender and introspective

Black Sabbath by Black Sabbath
Aug 27 2024

Black Sabbath Black Sabbath Black Sabbath! I'm so torn, this is a 4.5 if I'm honest. The quandary is whether we round up or down. This album is unparalleled in many ways. Black Sabbath invented a whole genre with this very album. Metal music didn't really exist before this record was released. The Beatles and the Stones and some others experimented with some fucked sounds but this is THE album. Black Sabbath isn't only the defining album of the whole genre, but Black Sabbath is also among the best opening songs ever. It's not followed by tripe either, it keeps pushing the boundaries of Rock & Roll and Blues music. This should be a 4.5, but it's so delightful that I'm choosing to round up on this occasion. Ozzy Osbourne shouldn't expect to be called delightful often, but it's an extraordinary enough occasion that I feel safe in my justification

Time Out Of Mind by Bob Dylan
Aug 28 2024

This is very typical Dylan. I'd rate it lower, but no one is as consistent as he is after 30 albums, so it's a middle-of-the-road from me

Suicide by Suicide
Aug 29 2024

Is this a joke?

Aug 30 2024

Megadeth, more like 💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩 On a more serious note... It's not unlistenable, but there are so many better metal albums that I feel like this album is aspiring to be, I'd rather just listen to those

Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs by Derek & The Dominos
Sep 02 2024

I was really struggling to see why this album was on this list, then I found out it was an Eric Clapton project and it all made sense. This album is too long, yet still manages to go nowhere. Go and listen to Cream if you want to hear a racist make actual good music.

Lust For Life by Iggy Pop
Sep 03 2024

This is a weird one - at points it's grungey, sometimes sounds like The Doors meets Bowie, other times it's ankle-deep in Britpop. Not something that I think I'd revisit but an interesting listen

With The Beatles by Beatles
Sep 05 2024

Wins the award for the worst opening for an album ever. Original Beatles is so boring, I'm glad they grew some character but this is shite.

Alien Lanes by Guided By Voices
Sep 06 2024

Interesting album with a unique mix

Are You Experienced by Jimi Hendrix
Sep 09 2024

I am experienced, Jimi! There's nothing I can say about this album that it can't say for itself, though I would remind people that he was 23 when this album was written and 24 when it was released. Unrivaled.

Machine Head by Deep Purple
Sep 10 2024

Deep Purple are not boring Smoke on the Water is boring Deep Purple are very talented

Solid Air by John Martyn
Sep 13 2024

Dramatic

Electric Ladyland by Jimi Hendrix
Sep 16 2024

It's Hendrix at his best, so it's 5 stars. I do prefer AYE, but this is a fine follow-up 4.5 realistically but I can't deny Jimi his 5

Sep 17 2024

I don't think a more talented group of individuals have ever made music together. That said, I find that listening to WTC albums demands the same amount of attention as watching a film. As someone who listens to a lot of music passively I struggle with that. This is possibly a 5* album but I feel like it was more like a 4* experience

The Wildest! by Louis Prima
Sep 18 2024

This is a lot of fun. I imagine getting drunk and dancing to this in the 60s would have been the thing of dreams

The Scream by Siouxsie And The Banshees
Sep 19 2024

Middle of the road punk music. Helter Skelter was sick tho

Actually by Pet Shop Boys
Sep 20 2024

I hate Thatcher so much I wrote a synth-pop album about it

Power In Numbers by Jurassic 5
Sep 23 2024

This is a cool album - despite being a west-coast hip-hop album I think this does a great job of folding some of the best bits of East and South coast in there too. 'Hey' could have been an Outkast song.

California by American Music Club
Sep 25 2024

This is a pretty good bluesy-rock album. I'm not infatuated, but if I could put together something like this I'd be chuffed

Loveless by My Bloody Valentine
Sep 26 2024

Awesome album, mostly really interesting use of sounds but verges on boring and repetitive at times.

Tellin’ Stories by The Charlatans
Sep 27 2024

Me: Mum, can we listen to Oasis? Mum: We already have Oasis at home Oasis at home:

Ready To Die by The Notorious B.I.G.
Sep 30 2024

BIG is a 5* artist, but this loses points be abuse... - it's a single issue album. Lots of "I do crime and shoot people" and not much else - the Intermissions are a bit cringe, and as Diddly was involved I can only imagine that was his influence. It's a good listen, and BIGs storytelling and flow are unparalleled, but this isn't an album I'll ever play front to back ever again

Ágætis Byrjun by Sigur Rós
Oct 01 2024

A gorgeous album that only suffers from its' length - It does go on a bit, and I get the criticisms about some of the songs not really 'going anywhere' but I think that's by design. I don't think it's the best post-rock album ever made - I prefer my post-rock to be punchier and have a bit of edge but this is a nice deviation away from that.

Oct 02 2024

This is a typical mid-70s album experience. I mean that not in a complimentary way.

Physical Graffiti by Led Zeppelin
Oct 03 2024

Not my favourite LZ album, but this is clearly a demonstration of how they matured and found their sound. Great listen

Bad Company by Bad Company
Oct 04 2024

Pretty good company for sitting in the pub and writing my wedding vows - middle of the road dad rock for sure, but I dig it

Hot Fuss by The Killers
Oct 08 2024

This album is so aggressively bland. Realistically it's probably a 3, but owing to the critical acclaim that it simply doesn't deserve I'm punishing it.

Rust Never Sleeps by Neil Young & Crazy Horse
Oct 09 2024

I enjoyed this more than I expected I would

Rattlesnakes by Lloyd Cole And The Commotions
Oct 10 2024

Very 80s, this time in the best possible way. An interesting album

Henry's Dream by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
Oct 11 2024

More unhinged Nick Cave - delightful. Not quite Murder Ballads but I've got a lot of time for this

Nevermind by Nirvana
Oct 14 2024

I spent many years poo-pooing Nirvana, mostly because their fanbase is hollow and pretentious. However even I can't deny that this album isn't special - it's lightning in a bottle, and re-invigorated rock music in the 90s. The last 30 years of music would have undoubtedly looked very different without this record, so I will gladly concede that younger me was very wrong.

Blood On The Tracks by Bob Dylan
Oct 15 2024

I've got a lot of time for ol' Robert, but having had 4 of his albums on this list now I feel like finding unique reasons to enjoy them is only becoming more difficult. He definitely found his sound, and it's remarkable that his 15th album is so listenable, I just wish it were more distinct.

Fly Or Die by N.E.R.D
Oct 17 2024

The André 3000 x Andy Samberg collab the world didn't know it needed

B-52's by The B-52's
Oct 18 2024

Very cool. /Almost/ sounds like The Talking Heads made a record with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs

In Utero by Nirvana
Oct 21 2024

I definitely preferred Nevermind, only having had it last week - but this is still a solid effort. I particularly like just how aggressively they go against the grain of popular music at the time. You wouldn't get 'Rape Me' onto an popular album these days

The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
Oct 22 2024

It's Arcade Fire

Trout Mask Replica by Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
Oct 23 2024

I'm conflicted. Yes this album is technically brilliant. But my tiny brain is too small to comprehend how or why. I've listened to it twice and I still don't really get it. I understand that not being confined to the 'law of music' is awesome, and more artists should be braver with what they're making (I'm sure lots of drugs helped too) but that doesn't mean that this sounds good. At no point am I going to pick this album over literally any other when it comes to day-to-day listening, and I think you'd have to be an insufferable contrarian in order to do so. That said, I will challenge myself to revisit it another day and see if current-day me is actually a big dummy. Good job Mr Beefheart, continue being fast and bulbous despite what the plebs say.

Aha Shake Heartbreak by Kings of Leon
Oct 24 2024

I really liked this - Only By The Night was a really forumative album for me, but I'd never delved into any other KOL material. This album whiffs of the mid 2000s, and generally has a really comfortable and content feeling to it that modern albums never seem to have.

Moving Pictures by Rush
Oct 28 2024

This record is a gateway drug. They reel you in with Tom Sawyer, then almost immediately rewire your brain with YYZ. Rush are a tough band to get into. ~30 albums spanning almost five decades, but this is absolutely where to start. Even if prog isn't your scene, this album deserves a fighting chance because it's just so unapolagetic in what it sets out to achieve. If you don't like it, maybe you're right and prog just isn't for you. At any rate, this is a top-shelf effort and I would encourage anyone who even liked this album a little bit to give 2112 a spin too.

Deja Vu by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
Oct 29 2024

I actually really liked this

Ten by Pearl Jam
Oct 31 2024

Phenomenal album, a real turning point in rock music.

Paranoid by Black Sabbath
Nov 01 2024

Delightful in a horrid evil satanic kinda way

Marquee Moon by Television
Nov 04 2024

Awesome discovery, a really varied rock album - Despite being from the 70s it sounds like mid-2000s Indie. I reckon the likes of the AMs pulled inspiration from this record.

Dummy by Portishead
Nov 05 2024

Love love love this album. It's moody, it's unique. Simply brilliant

The Stooges by The Stooges
Nov 06 2024

Loved this. Didn't expect to 5* it but honestly it blew my expectations sky high. What a fun, interesting album.

Pictures At An Exhibition by Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Nov 07 2024

I've listened to this three times and it just never makes an impression

Green River by Creedence Clearwater Revival
Nov 11 2024

I mean it's okay? But lacks even one song that stands out. Just totally didn't resonate with me

Debut by Björk
Nov 12 2024

I don't love Bjork. She's clearly very talented, and this album is varied and interesting, but I'm not sure that it's actually that great

Devil Without A Cause by Kid Rock
Nov 13 2024

I said I'd go into this one open minded, because hating it is the done thing, right? It starts off actually pretty good. If you get rid of the self-mastabatory calling out of his own name, the opening track 'Batwitdaba' is actually a really solid nu-metal song. If Rage had released it, people would go nuts for it. Admittedly I unashamedly love nu-metal, so that commendation only goes so far for the average Joe. Even the second song 'Cowboy' is worthy of credit - it's not trying to be anything other than what it is. It's corny as hell, but in an almost endearing way. Aaaaaaand then the rest of the album arrives. By this point I was thinking "surely people haven't got this album so wrong??" and tragically I was right. What follows is some fairly decent instrumentation, some interesting ad-libs, sound effects and even choral interludes which make for an varied listen. Unfortunately all of that hard word is accompanied by misogynistic lyrics, truly awful usage of autotune and one part where a child brags about how big their dong is, so I can't defend it any more than that. Is it the best album ever? No. Is it the worst album ever? Definitely not - it's just the result of someone with mediocre-at-best talent being handed far too much money and attention. Edit: Oh my God I just listened to the last song on the album why did he think this was a good idea????

Nick Of Time by Bonnie Raitt
Nov 15 2024

Songs 4 80s housewives... Doesn't do much for a 28 year old male metalhead in 2024 NGL.

Imagine by John Lennon
Nov 18 2024

I was ready to give this 1-star because I think John Lennon is a bit of a wanker. But no, I did as I should and I listened to the album and am judging it on its' content. This album is wanky. Imagine is such an awful single. If Jeff Bezos wrote a song telling you to give more money to charity he'd be crucified. Oh Yoko! pissed me off - 4 minutes of wailing. No thank you. He picks up the extra star for the Macca diss-track. That is based asf

Appetite For Destruction by Guns N' Roses
Nov 19 2024

I mean, how could this be less than a 4? I doubt there is a more famous rock song than Welcome to the Jungle, and if there was one it would probably be Sweet Child O' Mine! This isn't wall-to-wall bangers, and it does come off a bit cheesy/cringe at times, but for a debut effort it's phenomenal.

More Specials by The Specials
Nov 20 2024

I may just have American-Singer-Songwriter fatigue but what a breath of fresh air this is. Ska, reggae, trip-hoppy unusual nonsense. I loved the first album, and despite what I read about the making of this one it /feels/ like a group of people enjoying music because they love it. The art really shines through. I also adore the line "Spend and spend and spend and spend. Will the muzak never end?" (International Jet Set)

Le Tigre by Le Tigre
Nov 21 2024

Absolute gold. A group of people pissed off at the world channeling their energy into art. Not your typical punk record, non-pretentious, fresh and alive.

S.F. Sorrow by The Pretty Things
Nov 22 2024

More proof that the war on drugs was a bad idea

My Aim Is True by Elvis Costello
Nov 25 2024

A cool, early take on punk music

Behaviour by Pet Shop Boys
Nov 27 2024

If this album were a sandwich it would be a bread sandwich. A slice of bread between two other slices of bread. That's how this album made me feel

American Idiot by Green Day
Dec 03 2024

I've always given Green Day a hard time. I love punk, but compared to the likes of the Dead Kennedy's and Fugazi, GD we're always too bubblegum instead of broken glass. That said, this is a dead good record. Saying that punk is bad because it's accessible is obviously misguided - especially when the message is still pretty consistent. I liked this a lot, and will definitely give it another spin.

Phrenology by The Roots
Dec 04 2024

I've listened to this a few times and I just don't think it's for me - apparently it's not their strongest album, so fingers crossed for next time

Make Yourself by Incubus
Dec 05 2024

I'll pre-face this by saying I love this band, and wanted to give this 5* but I think 4 is fair. Make Yourself is such a breath of fresh air. In the late 90s/early 00s there was a lot of boring rock music doing the rounds. Incubus are nothing if not innovative. This record is eclectic, anchoring itself with that grungey guitar tone, but pinging off in every direction in order to keep things fresh. Songs like Stellar, Make Yourself and Pardon Me are the perfect rock songs, in my opinion. Battlestar Scralatchtica is an awesome interlude, and Drive is the perfect lead single for an album like this. I do however think that there are better Incubus Albums - if you liked this then definitely try Morning View. That's an easy-peasy 5* album. As a nu-metalhead I would also give S.C.I.E.N.C.E 5* but I know that's a more controversial opinion. At any rate I'm glad this album is on this list, and thoroughly enjoyed revisiting it!

Licensed To Ill by Beastie Boys
Dec 06 2024

Lightning in a bottle - RATM meets Wu Tang Clan. This experience can't be faked

3 + 3 by The Isley Brothers
Dec 09 2024

Smooth

Eliminator by ZZ Top
Dec 13 2024

EVERY lady is crazy about a sharp dressed man? EVERY one?? Doubt.

Low-Life by New Order
Dec 16 2024

Synths coming out of every hole

Floodland by Sisters Of Mercy
Dec 18 2024

Spooky, but not Thatcher spooky

Sincere by Mj Cole
Dec 19 2024

A fun bit of RnB

John Prine by John Prine
Dec 20 2024

If I wanted a cosy, southern country album this would be a 5* effort. I almost never do, though...

From Elvis In Memphis by Elvis Presley
Dec 23 2024

I've never actually listened to an Elvis album, and prior to hearing this I don't think I could even have named one amazingly. I do find a lot of his stuff pretty samey - I didn't dislike it but a few songs on this album could easily be confused for others. The few songs that do stand out are the hits, naturally. Even those didn't leave a massive impression on me. I'm hoping for some more interesting Elvis in the future!

Music by Madonna
Dec 25 2024

This might be harsh, but I have a head-cold and this album has gone straight through me. After the first couple of songs I did start to question whether it was me or the music - then that horrid autotune song came on and she started singing American Pie and I've concluded, as ever, Madge is the problem.

Bug by Dinosaur Jr.
Dec 26 2024

Very enjoyable plinky vibes

This Year's Model by Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Dec 30 2024

I just don't /get/ it

Kenza by Khaled
Jan 03 2025

Not my tempo at all, and then he started singing Imagine and I bailed - unforgiveable.

Amnesiac by Radiohead
Jan 06 2025

I'm actually offended at how bad this album is. Imagine you're the biggest band in the world, right in your prime, and then you release this tripe. 45 minutes of Thom Yorke dribbling over some awful electronic mess. This album should have been titled 'Hubris'. Why on Earth did this reach no. 1? Because 900,000 dorks were told 'Radiohead are a good band' and gobbled this shite right up. Just because the nerds say an album is good, doesn't make it good. I'm angry on behalf of all of the small musicians that were overlooked because everyone was wanking over this album, instead of using their ears and their brains.

Frank by Amy Winehouse
Jan 07 2025

1. Amy on Frank compared to BiB are w different singers 2. That this came out when she was 19, reality TV was curating talent and she had 3 labels fighting over her!! It's nice to hear some AW that isn't the overplayed singles the UK was plagues with. Good effort

Foxbase Alpha by Saint Etienne
Jan 08 2025

Chill vibes to get the tube to

Mask by Bauhaus
Jan 09 2025

Bowie skipped his sertraline

Songs Of Leonard Cohen by Leonard Cohen
Jan 10 2025

It's a fine album, but no single song jumped out at me and it goes on a bit

Synchronicity by The Police
Jan 13 2025

Equal parts classic, inventive and a lot of fun

The Stranger by Billy Joel
Jan 14 2025

Man plays piano but never mentions the piano man

Illmatic by Nas
Jan 15 2025

For something we'll out of my usual wheelhouse I really enjoyed this

Thriller by Michael Jackson
Jan 16 2025

I unashamedly love this album - I remember getting the 25th anniversary edition of this on my 12th birthday and played it to death. That said, I'll acknowledge he's a problematic artist and whilst we may never know the truth behind those controversies, it's fair to say that musically MJ was a genius. The run of Thriller/Beat It/Billie Jean is *perfect*. The Girl is Mine is a big stinky pile of cringe though - I would probably attribute that mostly to Macca. ...Startin' Something and PYT are awesome songs that balance this record out, so overall it's a solid solid effort, with a couple of 'eh' songs and one I'd skip altogether.

Here Are the Sonics by The Sonics
Jan 17 2025

I don't understand why the reviews for this album are so mixed - it's just some fellas having a blast playing music in their garage. Did they reinvent music and change history forever? Probably not, but it's short and sweet, and full of character and energy

Under Construction by Missy Elliott
Jan 20 2025

Some excellent songs on here The rest are a bit swing-and-Missy

Jan 21 2025

I listened to this for maybe 15 minutes, which is maybe 15 minutes longer than it deserves. I don't know much about CLG, or how he 'became a musician' - but this record stinks of some dude that has loads of money, loads of connections and no material talent. I imagine plenty of other people realised that too, which is why he started recording under the Knarles Barkley name instead? Oh also he enjoys abusing women.

Sunshine Superman by Donovan
Jan 22 2025

Donovan, I bet you WHIFF - but your attitude is spot on, I get the sense you're a proper hippie who is genuinely out there making art, not milking every bit of fortune and fame the industry has to offer. Just buy some deodorant bruv,

Pelican West by Haircut 100
Jan 23 2025

Ultimately I can't say I love the genre much, but what these lads have done with it is class. Equal parts corny and horn-y

Jan 27 2025

This one is odd. I admire it for trying to be totally unique, but I think as a result it's quite chaotic. At times it sounds like an Indian prog-indie record, then the next song sounds like a Blur or a Kooks b-side. I don't dislike it at all, but it's not exactly an easy listen

Screamadelica by Primal Scream
Jan 28 2025

This will never be my favourite album ever, but I think having given it a fair crack it's just about a 5* It's varied, complex, nuanced - it takes you on a journey. I can totally see why this was the big acid/LCD soundtrack in the 90s. Totally deserves the iconic status it has, in my opinion.

Heavy Weather by Weather Report
Jan 29 2025

My friend Max sometimes listens to the worst jazz you've ever heard - almost like it's been made to intentionally offend me This album isn't that, this is great fun and I really enjoyed it. Do better, Max.

Brown Sugar by D'Angelo
Jan 30 2025

It's an R&B album. It's smooth, it's sultry, but it's boring.

Woodface by Crowded House
Jan 31 2025

I'm inclined to say the reviews for this album verge on harsh. Are Crowded House reinventing the wheel, burning down record stores and inventing new instruments? No. However, this album is fine - it's easy to listen to, doesn't try too hard but has it's quirks and interesting moments. Safely a three.

Duck Rock by Malcolm McLaren
Feb 03 2025

I do think this is an interesting album, and it's nice to get some real variety - however I saw the comments about 'musical colonialism' and I'm inclined to agree that a bunch of white-British people getting together to 'bring international music to the masses' does whiff of privilege and virtue-signaling. It's either just above or just below a 3*, so I'll middle it out

Os Mutantes by Os Mutantes
Feb 05 2025

This album is cute - not my usual vibe but it's a pleasant listen. Would recommend.

Lazer Guided Melodies by Spiritualized
Feb 06 2025

I have a lot of time for Spritualized, but this is far from their best effort. It's fine - makes for some good ambient background music but doesn't ever make an attempt to do anything really significant. If you thought this was interesting, delve into some of their later works, but don't judge them too harshly on this debut effort.

En-Tact by The Shamen
Feb 07 2025

Suspiciously French sounding

Legalize It by Peter Tosh
Feb 10 2025

I /love/ this album. I also /love/ to get stoned. Those two things are totally unrelated

Midnight Ride by Paul Revere & The Raiders
Feb 11 2025

More generic 60s pop-rock. Totally forgettable imho

Heartattack And Vine by Tom Waits
Feb 12 2025

This album STINKS of red wine and cigar smoke. I like it though, it's charming and has a unique energy. I can imagine Tom sat in a bar writing most of these songs on the back of a napkin whilst Roxy Music plays on a jukebox.

Highway to Hell by AC/DC
Feb 13 2025

Way better than Back in Black - it's still turn your brain off pub rock, but is far more adventurous

You Want It Darker by Leonard Cohen
Feb 14 2025

I can taste cigarettes when listening to this album. Leonard is a master of 'less is more' - there's so much breathing room in this album but it's so well executed.

Crocodiles by Echo And The Bunnymen
Feb 17 2025

Totally forgettable

461 Ocean Boulevard by Eric Clapton
Feb 18 2025

I was going to give this 3* just because it's middle-of-the-road American guitar music. Clapton himself leaves me very conflicted, which I wasn't sure whether I should take into consideration. I had a look at the reviews and I think I'm in good company, so I'm docking him points for being a waste of skin & bone

Strange Cargo III by William Orbit
Feb 19 2025

"Yes, hello. I was wondering if you could play that song again." "Hmmm, which one, man?" "The one that goes "Bee-boo-boo-bop, boo-boo-beep."" "No, man, you're thinking of "Bee-boo-boo-bop, boo-boo-bop."" "Bee-boo-boo, boo-boo-bop? [garbled telephone noise] Bee-boo-boo-bop? [garbled telephone noise] Boo-boo-bee-bop? [garbled telephone noise] Not "Bee-boo-boo-beep"? [garbled telephone noise] Bop? [garbled telephone noise] Beep?! [garbled telephone noise] Boo-boo-bop?!" [SpongeBob screams.]

Odessa by Bee Gees
Feb 20 2025

A valiant attempt at pushing the boundaries - its not their best work, but I think we should encourage more bands to make the music that they want rather than the music people expect to hear

Atomizer by Big Black
Feb 21 2025

I bet all of the 1 star reviews are from Old people that angrily shake their fist whenever they see young people having fun It's a bunch of kids making art in their garage. Does it sound like shit? Kinda, yeah. But that's the charm, and we wouldn't have your favourite band were it not for albums like this

Kenya by Machito
Feb 24 2025

This really isn't for me at all but I fucking loved this album

Feb 25 2025

Boom, easy 5* for me. I totally get why other people might not like the Prodigy, particularly this album. It's abrasive and in your face, but it's trying to be. Not every album has to be 'beautiful', 'soulful' or a 'thoughtful masterpiece' - sometimes you just need punching in the face. "Yes, but so many people make music like that, why is this one 5*?" Virtually everyone that has made albums like this after the Prodigy did it worse, or said that they never would have been making music we're it not for Liam, Maxim and Keith. Jilted... Isn't just an album, it's a cornerstone in music history

Truth by Jeff Beck
Feb 27 2025

Hendrix for plebs Don't get me wrong, Jeff Beck is talented, way more so than I am, but what is this if not a bargain-bin Jimi album? And why is Rod Stewart here?? Jimi would never.

Clube Da Esquina by Milton Nascimento
Feb 28 2025

Not my bag, but makes for great Muzak whilst I bang out my spreadsheets

1984 by Van Halen
Mar 03 2025

Plainly, this is a joy to listen to. The reviewers that rated this 1-star because they hate hair metal are brain-dead, and should broaden their perspectives. Whether this is your usual poison or not, you don't need to be a genius to recognise that these fellas are wildly talented with their respective instruments. I can see the smiles on their faces as I listen to it. They obviously love the art they're making If you did rate this low - go back and listen to Girl Gone Bad again. Reeaally listen to it. Then go back to the hits, and read your review again. If you still don't feel like a knucklehead then this project clearly isn't for you

Kollaps by Einstürzende Neubauten
Mar 04 2025

I really want to rate it higher, but I don't love it enough for a 4. I can totally see why this is so low rated, this is so far removed from Paranoid Android, 1989 and Master of Puppets that it will alienate al.ost everyone But what's the purpose of this list if not to showcase the bravery of these Germans? No I'm not listening to this outside of this project, but I'm glad that I have listened to it and it will remain one of the most memorable albums on the list. Way more interesting than anything that Rod Stewart is involved in

Crazysexycool by TLC
Mar 06 2025

Kinda sexy, mostly cool. Virtually no crazy

The Coral by The Coral
Mar 11 2025

There is egg on my face. I assumed this would be radio-rock rubbish. I know and enjoy the single Dreaming Of You and assumed that this would be a classic one-hit album. I'm glad I gave it a chance, The Coral is so much more interesting and adventurous than the hit would lead you to believe! The Doors' influence bleeds through basically every moment of this album, but they're in no way just trying to be a sequel to that band. I enjoyed this a lot

U2 write some good hits, but the rest of this is pretty dog. That bit when he's singing about "peeeeeaaaaccee on eeeaaaarthhh" made my skin crawl. Very wanky.

american dream by LCD Soundsystem
Mar 13 2025

I was surprised to find this album on the list! I do adore this album. In my eyes James Murphy deserves more credit than the likes of Thom Yorke and Macca. That said, this is the weakest LCD album in my eyes. It's still gorgeous, don't get me wrong. 'oh baby' is a perfect opener, and 'how do you sleep' is simply gigantic in stature. I think it suffers from sticking to it's vibe a bit too rigidly. I would have enjoyed a bit more variety. The other three albums are definitely more ambitious.

If You're Feeling Sinister by Belle & Sebastian
Mar 14 2025

Maybe 2* is unfair, because there's nothing really wrong with this album. My problem with it is probably that it sounds like some people just did a load of drugs and tried to make a Bowie Album. Drugs and music are a bit of a match made in heaven, but this is a swing and a miss. Maybe they weren't on drugs, in which case that could be the problem. Who knows.

Veckatimest by Grizzly Bear
Mar 17 2025

Ultimately I think there is only so much you can do with dreamy-indie music, but these guys have done a great job. This album is very pretty, it's spacious, and isn't just a rehash of every similar album that precedes it. Quite nice.

Phaedra by Tangerine Dream
Mar 18 2025

This is a tough one to rate. It's actually a really pleasant listen, I can see why it was so popular. However I would never willfully put this on again, so I can't rate it that highly.

Tank Battles by Dagmar Krause
Mar 19 2025

I'm conflicted. It's a weird album, but I can tell it's really clever. Does it make it enjoyable? Not really.

Crosby, Stills & Nash by Crosby, Stills & Nash
Mar 20 2025

I feel like this would have been a really exciting album to have experienced upon release, but sitting among so many other similar albums on this list it's quite easily forgotten. I did enjoy it, but can't rater higher than 3

Homework by Daft Punk
Mar 21 2025

I was really excited to get some Daft Punk, but this album is a bit of a dud. 'Around the World' is a fantastic single and is deserving of its' plaudits. The rest of Homework is frankly boring. Every band has to start somewhere, and DP obviously went on to make some phenomenal albums after this, but this one is /stinky/.

Vivid by Living Colour
Mar 24 2025

This album is so much fun. Opens with a song that could be mistaken for Alter Bridge covering Nickelback, then flies straight into Rush had they written a song for the GTA Vice City soundtrack. It's forgivably cheesy, isn't trying to be something that it's not and even the weak songs are vey listenable. An easy 4, but a somewhat worthy 5

Faust IV by Faust
Mar 25 2025

Not my bag - it was fine as background music but nothing stands out and I'd never realistically revisit it

Mar 26 2025

A solid, clearly Hendrix-inspired rock album. Way more interesting than a lot of stuff I've heard come out of the late 60s/early 70s. Enjoyed this quite a lot!

Oar by Alexander 'Skip' Spence
Mar 27 2025

I used to have this awful uncle called Tom who was a pitiful alcoholic. This album reminds me of him.

Faith by George Michael
Mar 31 2025

I actually didn't like this. It's very confused. One song sounded like he was trying to be Bowie then the next, Michael Jackson. Faith is a certified tune, but the rest of this is fodder

Sex Packets by Digital Underground
Apr 01 2025

I went into this project telling myself that I would listen to everything and give it a proper chance - this is the first album (#542) that I just can't do that for. This does absolutely nothing for me.

Copper Blue by Sugar
Apr 02 2025

I really like this. It's raw and edgy, but not in a lazy or cringe way.

Buffalo Springfield Again by Buffalo Springfield
Apr 03 2025

I largely enjoyed this album - it's a little slow and repetitive at points but when it shines it's bright and beautiful.

High Violet by The National
Apr 07 2025

This album is fine. This kind of rock music should be right up my lley, but having listened to this effort a couple of times it just doesn't do much for me. It's not awful, but shouldn't be anywhere near this list. If you did enjoy this album, I would suggest listening to Manchester Orchestra who are in a similar vein, but make much more interesting albums.

Ghosteen by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
Apr 08 2025

Beautifully solemn but nigh on impossible to revisit

Fromohio by fIREHOSE
Apr 09 2025

This is a fine album - I disagree that I had to hear it before I died but I'm glad the generator has thrown another album my way that I likely never would have heard of

Blood And Chocolate by Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Apr 10 2025

Ngl I think Elvis Costello is the most overrated musician alive

Darkdancer by Les Rythmes Digitales
Apr 14 2025

A great listen - I'd never heard of LRD before this, but found some of the songs on this record to be really familiar so they must have made a splash. At times this felt like old school LCD Soundsystem and Daft Punk - I can only imagine that these guys were all listening to each other. What a moment in time. Will definitely revisit this

Night Life by Ray Price
Apr 15 2025

Cheer up, cunt

The Rise & Fall by Madness
Apr 16 2025

I've never loved Madness - they verge on cringe and suffer from having a sound that's so specific I feel like they get stuck in the loop of making the same stuff over and over again. That's what I thought going into this album, but actually this is a pretty exciting listen. It's clearly Madness, but feels like they've pushed the boat out a bit more and aren't writing for radio. Colour me impressed.

1977 by Ash
Apr 17 2025

This record is equal parts grungey and preppy - like a depressed cheerleader. Big fan

Searching For The Young Soul Rebels by Dexys Midnight Runners
Apr 21 2025

Boom, there go my expectations. Blown to pieces! This album is so cool, it reminds me of the modern band HMLTD - a group of outcasts who come together to make a racket and have a fucking blast doing it.

McCartney by Paul McCartney
Apr 22 2025

I've never understood the Macca hype. This is a good album, it's got some interesting bluesy parts scattered about it and maybe 50 years ago thisreally was amazing - but it's mostly forgettable, no single tracks stand out and I'm not drawn to listen to it again. It's simply not for me, but it was short so I'll chuck it an extra star.

Walking Wounded by Everything But The Girl
Apr 23 2025

This is a pretty good introduction to that late 90s trip-hop scene. It's not as fully-formed as the likes of Massive Attack or Portishead but fits nicely alongside them, and it admirable in its' attempt.

Apr 25 2025

Separating the artist from the art is always something I struggle with - this is one of those cases where it's particularly difficult. This album feckin rips. It's hard from the beginning and doesn't relent. The guitar work on it is beautiful and really makes it shine. It's novel, and stands apart from other metal albums in the same era. I do think Pantera are a great example of a band that should have quit while they were ahead though. Famously they fell apart because they hated each other. Dimebag was murdered, and then Phil went full-on Nazi. Unforgiveable. It's not the first album I would recommend to a budding metalhead, but I do think it's an excellent signpost that could point you in the direction of the kind of metal you might like because it does an awful lot. All-in, I really like it, but I can't award it more than 3* because of the 3 decades of controversy

Safe As Milk by Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
Apr 28 2025

I /just/ listened to Trout Mask Replica, so the timing of this is excellent. I like this much more - this isn't a review of TMR, but this is unquestionably the better album if we were comparing. It's almost incomparable, and I only am as both are Beefheart albums, but where Trout... is lauded as maybe the better 'art' I think this is where the Captain's talents are maybe better placed. This is very accessible, varied and interesting - big fan!

Arular by M.I.A.
Apr 29 2025

Cool record - MIA is totally unique, no one else sounds like her. I've got a lot of time for this

Golden Hour by Kacey Musgraves
May 01 2025

This is a fine album - I don't /love/ country, but the pop on this record is pretty good. I felt like it was missing something, then as soon as it ended 'Solar Power' by Lorde came on and I think I realised that Golden Hour just doesn't have the same character that we've become accustomed to. Perhaps Kacey walked so that Lorde could run.

Swordfishtrombones by Tom Waits
May 02 2025

I admire Tom Waits for his bravery, but this was trash

Next by The Sensational Alex Harvey Band
May 05 2025

Alex Harvey is mid

The Who Sell Out by The Who
May 06 2025

The songs on this album are okay, I don't love them. But the presentation if this whole thing is spectacular!

Mr. Tambourine Man by The Byrds
May 07 2025

Classic mid-60's jangly rock. Pretty fun but didn't blow me away at all

Dig Me Out by Sleater-Kinney
May 08 2025

This is cool as fuck. It sounds like Alanis Morisette spent her teenage years getting stoned with Chris Cornell whilst listening to Joan Jett and Janis Joplin albums. Proper intense, raw as can be and so easy to enjoy. Hell-fucking-yes!!

The New Tango by Astor Piazzolla
May 09 2025

I expected to hate this album - Italian jazz strikes fear into my heart. But this was actually really interesting. It's equal parts melancholic and zany. Not something I get to say often

Rocks by Aerosmith
May 12 2025

Disappointing. Aerosmith at their best are pretty good, but this album is the same song on repeat for 35 minutes.

Close To You by Carpenters
May 13 2025

This is a very pleasant album, but I think that's all it is. It's not trying to break the mould or push any boundaries, but it's very easy to listen to if not a little drab at times. I'm glad I heard it before I died, but I doubt I'll hear it again

Superfly by Curtis Mayfield
May 14 2025

Cool as fuck

Closer by Joy Division
May 15 2025

A precious hour of my life I'll never see again

May 16 2025

Cool album - Daydreamin' is a fantastic song, and the rest of the album is totally listenable. The content is admirable, but I can't see past the Kanye influence and that god-awful Outro. This probably sits around 3.5 so I'll generously round it up to a 4

Parsley, Sage, Rosemary And Thyme by Simon & Garfunkel
May 20 2025

This is a beautiful sounding album, but it feels like it's trying to do something profound but ultimately comes off as very hollow

Fred Neil by Fred Neil
May 22 2025

Errs on bland, but when it's good it's really good. The final track is 8 minutes of gorgeous instrumental composition - maybe if Freddy did more of that I'd have heard of him before

May 23 2025

I'm not a massive Nirvana fan, I'm not convinced they would have stood the test of time were if not for KCs untimely death. That said, this is very good - leaning away from their biggest hits, dropping in some tasteful covers, reeling in the whole manic-depressive identity. It sounds so far removed from what you would expect from Nirvana, and maybe that's why it works so well. I do wonder what Kurt would have been like had he lived longer. I suspect he would have become a massive douche, but listening to this makes me think that maybe I'd be wrong. Fair play.

The Sounds Of India by Ravi Shankar
May 26 2025

Ya know what, I was sure I wouldn't enjoy this, but I was totally wrong. The music on this album is really really good. Maybe a little understated at times, but it's really apparent that this was made for a western audience. If the educational sound bites weren't enough, then the simplicity of this album should surely be enough to make it clear that it's trying to draw in an atypical audience. I liked this a lot. It did feel like I was watching some of those weirder scenes from Courage the Cowardly Dog at points, but I found it very charming

Melody A.M. by Röyksopp
May 27 2025

I'm ready to be crucified for not 'getting' this album, but it does feel like a CD you'd get with an early 2000s hip-hop magazine.

Dire Straits by Dire Straits
May 28 2025

There's nothing dire about this

Bert Jansch by Bert Jansch
May 29 2025

Cool album - gave me Scottish Dylan vibes. Quite enjoyed

Heaux Tales by Jazmine Sullivan
May 30 2025

A fresh R&B album, affected by Andy P's Midas touch!

Teenage Head by Flamin' Groovies
Jun 02 2025

The Stoned Stones

Hypnotised by The Undertones
Jun 03 2025

Adolescent 1980s pop-punk. Beat for beat what I expected from an album of that description. It's fine.

We're Only In It For The Money by The Mothers Of Invention
Jun 04 2025

This is a tough listen. Not really enjoyable at all, but I /think/ that's what it's trying to be

What's That Noise? by Coldcut
Jun 05 2025

Starts really strong but tapers off - I didn't really care by the end

White Blood Cells by The White Stripes
Jun 06 2025

I don't get the WSs. They sound like a privately educated Nirvana - some of the grit but none of the soul. It's fine, totally listenable but I just don't believe it.

The Clash by The Clash
Jun 09 2025

Punk had to start somewhere. It's probably unfair to judge this so harshly /because/ so many better albums followed it, but this isn't really that interesting. There are two dozen albums I would pick to listen to before this one, but I'm glad I've spun it at least once

The Trinity Session by Cowboy Junkies
Jun 10 2025

Looking at the reviews for this I think it's been judged a bit harshly. In my opinion it's a beautifully put together and well considered album. It's not blowing the roof off of any venues but it's not trying to. Even the criticisms about it being 'just another blues/folk/country' album I don't think are fair. There's a lot of nuance in the way it blends those genres, plus others. It's not going to be on my regular rotation but I did really enjoy it

Frampton Comes Alive by Peter Frampton
Jun 12 2025

He might be excellent at what he does, but Peter Frampton's live albums don't do much for me I'm afraid

Smile by Brian Wilson
Jun 13 2025

This album has big swansong energy, but the fella went on record 6 more albums after this. I'm curious about the history behind it, you can't mention Smile anywhere without people talking about the backstory, so I'll be sure to go and watch the doc. But just off of this alone it's an easy 4. Godspeed you, Brian Wilson!

Jun 16 2025

Having O my really heard Born Slippy before this I was expecting an assault on my ears, but this is actually a really nuanced album. It's almost like jazz for racers. Wicked.

Brutal Youth by Elvis Costello
Jun 17 2025

Much like this experience, every 4th dream I have has an Elvis Costello jump-scare. Jokes aside, I just don't understand this fella. It sounds like the kind of generic rock music you get in cartoons. That's probably a testament to just how influential Elvis 2 is, but I can't get behind it.

m b v by My Bloody Valentine
Jun 18 2025

I have to say I'm underwhelmed by this album. Loveless is a masterpiece , but mbv is a bit too light and airy for my liking. I love a long slow burn of a song, but there's rarely any payoff on this album

Eagles by Eagles
Jun 19 2025

This is so much better than the Hotel California album

Exile In Guyville by Liz Phair
Jun 23 2025

I want to say something clever, like how groundbreaking the social commentary is or that the political incandescence of this album burns with the rage of a thousand stars... ...but I can't think of a better way to describe this record than "it's like eating dry bread. It's bland, and doesn't excite any of my senses, but sometimes I eat it anyway"

Basket of Light by Pentangle
Jun 24 2025

Ba ba ba do da da Miles away from my usual rotation but very enjoyable

Two Dancers by Wild Beasts
Jun 25 2025

Arctic Monkeys if they were born with depression instead of developing it as adolescents

The Libertines by The Libertines
Jun 27 2025

This is a very confused album. One song will sound like an adolescent tantrum that would be right at home in the soundtrack for Skins. The next is a swingy jazz inspired call-and-reslonse number. If I were in a drunken stupor I may feel differently

After The Gold Rush by Neil Young
Jun 30 2025

I don't love Neil Young, I think he's a bit whiny and derivative. That may be because this album is 55 years old and everyone and their nephew was inspired by it, but I'm not sure. It's an okay listen, great vibe and politically conscious - I'm just not enamored I'm afraid

The Only Ones by The Only Ones
Jul 01 2025

This is a solid album - raw and ready, yes the vocals are naff but it makes up for that in the execution of its experimentation

Meat Is Murder by The Smiths
Jul 03 2025

If meat is murder then I am the Son of Sam

Street Signs by Ozomatli
Jul 08 2025

Very cool album, shame it's not available to stram - even the YouTube playlists are missing half of the album. I liked what I heard though

Reign In Blood by Slayer
Jul 09 2025

Simply put, this is the best thrash metal album ever made. I can totally understand why it may not be your cup of tea, but it's undeniably brilliant. Opening the album with a song about one of the most evil human beings to have lived is a little sus, but once you get past that this is lightning in a bottle. 34 minutes long and not a second wasted, Slayer pummel you into submission. Jeff Hanneman's riffs go and go and go. Tom's vocals are a bit hit and miss, but under the watchful wing of Rick Rubin they pull together an absolute masterpiece. This is one I regularly go back to.

Bummed by Happy Mondays
Jul 10 2025

Bummed by name, bummed by nature

Isn't Anything by My Bloody Valentine
Jul 11 2025

I really tried to like this, but it's like it wants to be disliked. I didn't choose the rating, this album did.

Led Zeppelin III by Led Zeppelin
Jul 14 2025

Led Zepp at full throttle, storming towards their peak

In The Wee Small Hours by Frank Sinatra
Jul 17 2025

The album has the warm, festive feel of a Christmas record, but the artistry and swagger are pure Sinatra. It's as if Jay-Z dropped a jazz album.

Joan Baez by Joan Baez
Jul 18 2025

Proper folk music, great voice (Very Joni Mitchel)

The White Album by Beatles
Jul 22 2025

If you throw enough shit at the wall, some of it sticks. Unfortunately, now your wall is covered in shit. That's this album. I'm offended that we've allowed this to have the cultural cut through that it has. Move "...Gently Weeps" to disk 2, throw disk 1 away. Maybe include Blackbird as a b-side or an album closer. Then you've got a 3.5. There's so much average filler on this, it's obvious the bravado the band had at the time resulted in them just releasing anything they wanted whether it was good or not. As it stands, this is a 2.5 I'm generously rounding up to a 3. Don't @ me

S&M by Metallica
Jul 24 2025

Metallica but cringe

London Calling by The Clash
Jul 25 2025

Totally over-rated, even the singles are a bit naff

Gris Gris by Dr. John
Jul 29 2025

Haunted in a wonderful way

Jul 30 2025

Short and sweet - if you're after this kind of thing then it's pretty decent. I can't say I'll be reaching for it regularly though

My Generation by The Who
Jul 31 2025

Glad I've heard it, but it's pretty mid

Junkyard by The Birthday Party
Aug 01 2025

Bravo Nick, awfully brilliant

The Healer by John Lee Hooker
Aug 04 2025

Robert "Jazz Hands" Dylan

Stephen Stills by Stephen Stills
Aug 05 2025

Interesting, but not something I would revisit

Hard Again by Muddy Waters
Aug 06 2025

Mr Muddy speaks to my soul

Broken English by Marianne Faithfull
Aug 07 2025

I feel bad because she obviously poured her whole being into this album but I didn't really enjoy it and I think it verges in forgettable

Savane by Ali Farka Touré
Aug 08 2025

Albums like this are exactly what I wanted coming into this project. A bluesy, soulful Malian album I otherwise never would have heard of? What's not to love

Superfuzz Bigmuff by Mudhoney
Aug 12 2025

Grungey grunge to grunge to. Doomy in parts, super interesting album

Suzanne Vega by Suzanne Vega
Aug 13 2025

If Dolores O'Riordan and Stevie Nicks made an album together but made it bad it would sound like this

Histoire De Melody Nelson by Serge Gainsbourg
Aug 14 2025

This is clearly a really impressive work of art but it made me exceptionally uncomfortable

Juju by Siouxsie And The Banshees
Aug 15 2025

Haunted house at the carnival vibes

Sheet Music by 10cc
Aug 18 2025

This is a brave album, very chaotic but equally fun

...Baby One More Time by Britney Spears
Aug 19 2025

Oh no, I really wanted to like this but it's actually dreadful. Britney comes out swinging with what is maybe the best pop song ever written, but it quickly unravels into low-effort tweeny drivel. Far too much whining and pining for my liking. She's an icon, and this album clearly defined the zeitgeist more than maybe any other album released in the last 30 years, but it's plainly not good

System Of A Down by System Of A Down
Aug 20 2025

I was raised on and radicalised by System of a Down - a group of misfits with little in common but their shared heritage and the want to scream about the existential threat that faces their people. My initial thought was that this isn't the album that belongs on this list; Toxicity being the obvious choice. But this self titled record is truly lightning in a bottle. By the time it had been recorded and released System were the biggest band in the world, they just hadn't happened yet. Soil, War?, Mind and P.L.U.C.K are assaults on the listeners senses, calling them to action and for once it worked. There has been no better advertisement for the injustice of the Armenian race than System of a Down. And no band for a long time before or since SOAD have so brazenly thrown politics into global arenas and stadiums and been so warmly embraced. I was going to give this a 4, reserving the 5 for Toxicity (despite its absence on this list) but I can safely say this is a five star album, no quibble.

NEU! 75 by Neu!
Aug 25 2025

Having one foot in post rock and the other in punk is very brave, but ultimately it works

C'est Chic by CHIC
Aug 26 2025

It made for a very awkward train journey when I got up out of my seat and started rhythmically shouting "Chic, Chic Chic!"

Vulnicura by Björk
Aug 27 2025

Björk is obviously very talented but fucking hell I hated this album

Heroes to Zeros by The Beta Band
Aug 29 2025

This was far from blowing me away, but it's a nice dreamy soft rock album and I enjoyed listening to it

Dry by PJ Harvey
Sep 01 2025

Pissed off women make some decent tunes

Headquarters by The Monkees
Sep 02 2025

This is a fun album - it's pretty dumb but at least John Lennon had no involvement

Led Zeppelin by Led Zeppelin
Sep 03 2025

There is nothing anyone dead or alive could have done to make this album any better

Like A Prayer by Madonna
Sep 04 2025

Swing and a miss again, Madge

Shaka Zulu by Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Sep 08 2025

Perhaps I should have let this one steep for a bit, but I found it totally lacklustre.

Will The Circle Be Unbroken by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Sep 09 2025

I don't know how much I enjoyed this album, but gosh do I respect it. 2 hours of bluegrass was never going to be something I actively sought out, but having listened to this in It's entirety I'm taken aback at just how versatile and dynamic it is. There are points where you're whiplashed from a crooning ballad straight into dueling banjos. I was sure I'd hate this and I'm chuffed to have been proven wrong.

The Rising by Bruce Springsteen
Sep 11 2025

Positive vibes for post-Patriot Act America

Kala by M.I.A.
Sep 12 2025

I suppose this deserves credit for being creative - smashing together so many genres and styles is brave, but this album is diabolically executed. Paper Planes is obviously the highlight, but it isn't nearly strong enough to carry the rest of this record

Africa Brasil by Jorge Ben Jor
Sep 15 2025

Great fun, I love picking up these world albums I'd otherwise never have heard of.

Boy In Da Corner by Dizzee Rascal
Sep 16 2025

Love this - it's energetic, it's unapologetic, it's just a great time

Halcyon Digest by Deerhunter
Sep 17 2025

Not sure of I liked this because it's good or because I was really stoned

Technique by New Order
Sep 18 2025

I really like a bit of dancey poppy rock music but this is depressing and dreary :(

The Velvet Underground by The Velvet Underground
Sep 19 2025

Listened to this twice and forgot about it twice

Roger the Engineer by The Yardbirds
Sep 22 2025

This is a good fun blues album, but that's all it is

Cut by The Slits
Sep 23 2025

More proof we should live in a matriarchy

Moby Grape by Moby Grape
Sep 24 2025

I didn't hate this - it's very proto-Beatles but not in a derivative sense

Beggars Banquet by The Rolling Stones
Sep 26 2025

Starts really strong but suffers from a pretty quick taper

Sep 29 2025

Forgive me for not listening to the full 70 minutes of this, but there was no coming back from the Jamaica Jerk-Off

Bookends by Simon & Garfunkel
Sep 30 2025

This is a very pretty album, very enjoyable

The Man Who by Travis
Oct 01 2025

Entirely listenable, but contains all of the least enjoyable parts of Radiohead's sound

Electric Prunes by The Electric Prunes
Oct 02 2025

I have to say I'm totally disinterested with albums like this

Tubular Bells by Mike Oldfield
Oct 03 2025

Amazing. Would make for an awful doorbell though

Viva Hate by Morrissey
Oct 06 2025

What a boring cunt

Cypress Hill by Cypress Hill
Oct 07 2025

Cops. What a bunch of bastards.

The Score by Fugees
Oct 08 2025

Absolutely quality - if hip hop still sounded like this I'd listen to a lot more of it.

Let It Be by The Replacements
Oct 09 2025

Very tender grunge, a little bit woke but sincerely and not performative. Definitely a grower

Smash by The Offspring
Oct 10 2025

Little Tikes Punk Rock - serves a purpose but is far from the best punk album ever made

evermore by Taylor Swift
Oct 13 2025

Pooing on TS is admittedly very easy to do, but I day this as a big fan of 1989... I find it totally unfathomable that this is considered (by some) the best album by the most successful music artist ever to have lived. The features are the only standout songs, probably because those artists didn't just accept the first thing Swifts songwriters handed them. This whole album is filler, thrown together to support the couple of acceptable singles I expect were hastily rustled up to exploit the fact that everyone had fuck all to do in 2020. To each their own, why you would choose this over literally anything else is beyond me.

L'Eau Rouge by The Young Gods
Oct 14 2025

I think is is a really cool record, but I think I understand why it's so low rated here. It's very far from the matured, cohesive projects such as Rumours and Dark Side... Instead, The Young Gods violently jerk between uncomplimentary genres. Kicking off sounding like Gypsy-punk band Gogol Bordello, you soon find yourself tumbling between songs that sound like the least talented members of Nine Inch Nails, Rammstein and the Dead Kennedy's got mortally pissed and recorded an album out of hatred, fronting it all with a Frenchman who sounds like the personification of 'Sacre Blú' I think this is totally deserving of your time, but it's *so* niche.

Throwing Muses by Throwing Muses
Oct 15 2025

At its best when it's grungy, otherwise it's pretty middle of the road

The Low End Theory by A Tribe Called Quest
Oct 16 2025

As far as hip-hop goes, this is awesome. I'm just not a /massive/ hip-hop fan. I really like the jazzy beats on this album, the lyrical delivery is awesome too. I just don't reach for albums like this very often, so it's a 4-almost-5.

Queens of the Stone Age by Queens Of The Stone Age
Oct 20 2025

Not my favourite Queen's album but a very strong self titled

Oct 21 2025

Cool as fuck. At times it sounds like RHCP before they hired Kiedis, then it sounds like La Dispute, and then it sounds like Cheekface. Comparing this band to anyone does them a total disservice, they're proper original. Blew my expectations out of the water.

The Idiot by Iggy Pop
Oct 22 2025

I wish I liked anything as much as this guy loves shiny leather boots

Nothing's Shocking by Jane's Addiction
Oct 24 2025

Cool shit, but sounds like it was written by a prepubescent school bully

Car Wheels On A Gravel Road by Lucinda Williams
Oct 29 2025

This feels like a parody album at times. ChatGPT, make an American country album...

Kilimanjaro by The Teardrop Explodes
Oct 30 2025

Starts strong and then is exactly the same song over and over again for an hour

Our Aim Is To Satisfy by Red Snapper
Oct 31 2025

The 90s - gone are the days of hallucinogen fueled psych rock bands, in are the minimalistic electronic experiments. For what it's worth, I really don't hate the simplicity of this album. It doesn't try to shock and awe (except for that one song) and instead provides ample breathing space to quietly float along at its own pace. That said, I bet DVD menu designers were crawling over themselves to license some of these songs. All in all it's pretty good. Deserving of a proper co sidered listen.

Infected by The The
Nov 03 2025

Very forgettable

Ogden's Nut Gone Flake by Small Faces
Nov 04 2025

The first half of this album is pretty forgettable, but by the end it's almost as if Led Zep wrote a Lord of the Rings esque musical based in East London. It might not be very good but it's a lot of fun. Id love to have a pint with Mad John, fella sounds like proper craíc

Definitely Maybe by Oasis
Nov 05 2025

Ya know what, I've always poopood this band. Partly because the songs I'd heard were pants, but also because Liam G was rude to me when I met him in a Spanish supermarket. At any rate, this debut album is pretty good! Shits all over Wonderwal et al. Good craíc

E.V.O.L. by Sonic Youth
Nov 06 2025

Would be great if I were sad or had poor taste

Nov 07 2025

I must be feeling generous to be giving Rod Stewart anything more than 3*, but this is a standout work compared to the other albums I've heard from him. Save for that cover of Amazing Grace, the musical direction and lyrics on this album are actually pretty good - sincere and well told storied. I quite enjoyed it

Yeezus by Kanye West
Nov 11 2025

"If Kanye West was a horse, he'd have been put down by now" That was my attitude going into this album, and I was totally prepared to give it 1*. That said, the production of this album really picks up in the latter half, and there's some really good instrumentation and features throughout. With all of that in mind, Yeesuz gets 1 beautiful star, one more than it deserves. Having Justin Vernon do his thing over some real fucking cool electric guitar solos only to interrupt it by dribbling like a brain-dead fuckwit is a crime I cannot forgive. Fuck you Kanye, eat shit.

Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
Nov 13 2025

Frank'd my Ocean all night long to these chill vibes

Fuzzy Logic by Super Furry Animals
Nov 14 2025

This isn't a bad album by any stretch - it goes out of its' way to be more than just a guitar rock album. There are some interesting synths and samples, but it still all feels a bit flat. I enjoyed it, but I wouldn't come back to it - maybe because it's largely a fairly archetypal Britpop album which just isn't my vibe

Iron Maiden by Iron Maiden
Nov 17 2025

Let's be honest, Iron Maiden deserve every bit of praise they've ever had. Whilst far from their best album, this debut is phenomenal. It's creative and it doesn't overstay it's welcome! Later albums benefit from having Bruce Dickinson, a real force majeure, but this doesn't feel as though it suffers for not having him. Great band, great album, thank you for making me re-listen to it again

In Rainbows by Radiohead
Nov 19 2025

This is probably the best of the 4 RH albums this list has chucked at me, but it suffers from many of the same criticisms I have of the others - it's steeped in pretension and illusions of grandeur. Tell me I'm the best band in the world and I'll make the most middle of the road music that appeals to experts and plebs alike. Credit where it's due, there are some actually good songs on here, but if you consider this to be the best album ever made I think you need to hug a human being.

Treasure by Cocteau Twins
Nov 20 2025

This album starts out gorgeously, as strong of an open as you could hope for. Then it goes on a bit, and each song sounds quite a lot like the one before it. 3* for my sober brain, probably a 4* album if the devils lettuce has chimed in

Nowhere by Ride
Nov 21 2025

This album is fine, I almost feel as though it would have been better as a post-rock album sans vocals

Nov 26 2025

He's the best example of 'separating the artist from the art' that I know of. I have massive respect for Bob Dylan. But his music is mostly wank

Guero by Beck
Nov 27 2025

Albarn does what he does and he does it good

Roots by Sepultura
Dec 01 2025

What an album - I love metal and admittedly have given some other albums on this list an easy ride. This is top drawer stuff. Gutteral instrumentation, world influence, and features from icons of the biggest music subculture of the late 90s at their prime? Absolute gold. This is all killer and no filler.

Femi Kuti by Femi Kuti
Dec 02 2025

Flawless

Goodbye And Hello by Tim Buckley
Dec 03 2025

I wouldn't leave my drink unattended around this donny

Fire Of Love by The Gun Club
Dec 04 2025

Primus without the edge

Live At The Regal by B.B. King
Dec 05 2025

I'd do unholy things to be in the room when this was recorded, the women sound feral and B.B. is absolute top shelf

Garbage by Garbage
Dec 08 2025

I can't explain why but this gave me big Fred Jones from the live action Scooby Doo movie vibes

Out of Step by Minor Threat
Dec 09 2025

Hard and fast but not for long just like me ayy lmao

Vincebus Eruptum by Blue Cheer
Dec 10 2025

Very solid blues rock album, can hear some ACDC and Led Zep in this. Very cool

G. Love And Special Sauce by G. Love & Special Sauce
Dec 11 2025

Gorgeous - 90s bluesy hip hop, really liked this. It's feels equal marts mature and juvenile, really complex.

Dec 12 2025

Let's be honest. This is a masterpiece. Music as art. Inherently yet not overtly political, enormous and bombastic, clever and refined. This record is held to lofty standards and it overshoots them. Phenomenal.

Harvest by Neil Young
Dec 15 2025

Hee haw

Spiderland by Slint
Dec 16 2025

I really really like this album, but I don't think it's perfect. It tries very hard, and achieves most of what I think it sets ku to, but it doesn't hold my attention throughout. I'd eat my own shit in order to see it played live, but probably because it's warty

Bridge Over Troubled Water by Simon & Garfunkel
Dec 17 2025

I was really into this then the last song came on and it had a live audience clapping along which made me vomit

Head Hunters by Herbie Hancock
Dec 18 2025

Dearest Bartholomew B. Benson, It is with great pleasure that I can confirm that I do indeed like jazz. Sincerest regards,

Blood, Sweat & Tears by Blood, Sweat & Tears
Dec 19 2025

I went into this with 0 expectations, left me quite impressed. SPIN THAT WHEEL!!

Darklands by The Jesus And Mary Chain
Dec 22 2025

Alright.

Underwater Moonlight by The Soft Boys
Dec 23 2025

Better than most psych albums that show up on this list

Medúlla by Björk
Dec 25 2025

Björing

Songs From A Room by Leonard Cohen
Dec 29 2025

Earnest and tender - a window into Lenny's soul. On the depressing side, but that's to be expected

The La's by The La's
Dec 30 2025

Pretty good

New York Dolls by New York Dolls
Dec 31 2025

Rowdy and obnoxious - there's some really interesting production going on here, not bad at all

Gold by Ryan Adams
Jan 02 2026

I didn't love this, but the wife enjoyed it which counts for something

Hot Rats by Frank Zappa
Jan 05 2026

Adventurous but not obnoxious prog, proper class

The Holy Bible by Manic Street Preachers
Jan 06 2026

Is this The Killers making a Mars Volta album, or is it the Mars Volta making a Killers album? Whichever it is, I fuck with this

All Things Must Pass by George Harrison
Jan 07 2026

Yes yes yes, this is what the Beatles should have been! Complex, intricate, soulful. Not the bee-ba-doo-bop shite that people insist is quality music. It's clear where the talent in the band was, and that it was stifled is only forgivable because it resulted in this album.

Winter In America by Gil Scott-Heron
Jan 08 2026

Thoroughly enjoyed this despite only having row-res Youtube audio to listen to. "H2Ogate Blues" is a masterpiece - if you're considering passing over this as it's not on any streaming services *at least* give that one song a listen.

Pink Flag by Wire
Jan 09 2026

The instrumentation on this is fantastic, the discordant guitar is 👌 - I'm not crazy about the vocals, but the energy is awesome

good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar
Jan 12 2026

This album is perfect, but it requires tuning into. I've listened to it 100 times, and the first 99 we're just because I liked the way it sounded. Once you tune in and begin to understand the storytelling present here it takes it from a good album to an all timer. It's poignant. It's cyclical. It's maad. If you don't like this on first listen, give it a Google and try it again. It's worth the effort

White Light / White Heat by The Velvet Underground
Jan 13 2026

I was almost immediately prepared to write this album off... "It sounds like a group of people who are infinitely ambitious but not at all talented decided to make a record" - was my first, fleeting thought. I'm glad I stuck around. I'd suggest skipping most of the album though, which feels as though it's just lowering and lowering the bar so that the monumental album closer 'Sister Ray' seems even more gargantuan than it already is in reality. Bin the rest, all my homies love Sister Ray. I'm also glad I got to hear Lou Reed talk about his ding-dong being sucked for 17 minutes. Big up.

The Boatman's Call by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
Jan 15 2026

The first song on this album is awesome - 5* It's then followed by a lot of quite uninteresting wallowing. I know it's his thing, and Ive got a lot of respect for Nick Cave, but I could totally have stopped after that first song and been quite satisfied

Jan 16 2026

I was considering giving this 5* because it caused a monumental shift in how the UK music scene operated, but having listened through and considered it's global appeal I don't think that's right. It's a mega album, and 4* feels fair

Lost Souls by Doves
Jan 19 2026

Loved this - it you threw Coldplay and Radiohead together via the Large Hadron Collider this would be the result!

Jan 20 2026

A 1965 honky-tonk album with a title that sounds like it could be a microaggression doesn't usually catch my attention for the right reasons, however this is a pleasant surprise. It helps that it's capped at 30mins, but the storytelling and sincerity of this album do a lot of heavy lifting. I'll likely never listen to it again, but I'm glad I listened to it before I died

The Poet by Bobby Womack
Jan 21 2026

Cool record. Very easy to listen to, but I'm not sure how it's influential or why it's on the list

Exodus by Bob Marley & The Wailers
Jan 22 2026

40 minutes of pure bliss - what a talent, the likes of which we'll never see again

Butterfly by Mariah Carey
Jan 23 2026

So booooring

The Atomic Mr Basie by Count Basie & His Orchestra
Jan 26 2026

Makes me want to eat very tiny food and pay lots of money for not enough drink

Tigermilk by Belle & Sebastian
Jan 27 2026

This album is *pretty* but otherwise really not for me

Bright Flight by Silver Jews
Jan 28 2026

God, I'm about 700 albums deep and just had the revelation that an album doesn't have to be good in order to be good. This sounds like your most endearing uncle sheepishly hopping on the karaoke, or showcasing his garage-rock project that he's undyingly passionate about but is, objectively, not good. I love it. It's an earnest reminder that an artist is an artist, whether you or I like it or not. Bravo 👏

Maxinquaye by Tricky
Jan 29 2026

Gorgeous album - 'Hell Is Round the Corner' is an awesome song

Jan 30 2026

Beautiful sounding record, deeply complex without being obnoxious.

Feb 02 2026

There are a couple of enormous songs on this album - I think 'Cast No Shadow' is an all-timer. 'DLBIA' is quality', 'Morning Glory' and 'Champagne Supernova have both grown on me too'. Considering the cultural impact this album had, I think a 4 is fair

The Undertones by The Undertones
Feb 03 2026

There are a lot of albums in this era with a similar sound, but I think this is one of the better ones. The hits on this album are really solid, and the filler isn't too bar behind

Slayed? by Slade
Feb 04 2026

This is like the Beatles but better

Liege And Lief by Fairport Convention
Feb 05 2026

There's a lot of wanky folk music on this list, but this is the exception! The band are really tight, each instrument adds something to the mix, it's well paced and doesn't get boring. Bravo

Mama's Gun by Erykah Badu
Feb 10 2026

Lovely, well paced R&B - the Jacob Marley feature was a nice touch

Scream, Dracula, Scream by Rocket From The Crypt
Feb 11 2026

Very cool album - butt rocky ska but not cringe. Loved it

Life Thru A Lens by Robbie Williams
Feb 12 2026

This isn't a good album. Angels isn't a good single, LMEY is, to be fair. I'll never listen to this again.

Elephant Mountain by The Youngbloods
Feb 13 2026

Unextraordinary easy-listening. Totally inoffensive, excellent music for a coffeeshop

Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd
Feb 16 2026

Pink Floyd are just one of those class acts that come around far too rarely - alongside Led Zeppelin and Rush they're so talented it just isn't fair on the rest of us. I love early Floyd. 'The Piper at the Gates of Dawn' is zany and bombastic, but this ninth album is the polar opposite. Brooding and considered. A triple filled pop-prog sandwich, made with Crazy Diamond bread. Flawless.

Feb 17 2026

This is a cool album - socially conscious but not overwhelmingly aggressive. Very easy to listen to with some novel, catchy hooks. V nice

Lady In Satin by Billie Holiday
Feb 18 2026

Phenomenal, haunting, an exceptionally brave display of bravery and vulnerability

Raw Power by The Stooges
Feb 19 2026

Raw for sure, needs more power

Feb 20 2026

I've spent my whole life bugging up Johnny Cash and it's only now I realise I'm probably wrong. Credit where it's due: putting out an album, albeit one that's fine at best, when you're running on fumes is a hell of an achievement. But this feels like everything from the cutting room floor. Contrary to what I might have said 10 years ago, his cover of Hurt isn't better than NINs, and I'd happily say that about all of these covers.

Feb 23 2026

Saint Sinead was never going to get fewer than 5 stars, but I understand why some people may not find this album to their taste. A particular mood is required to really let this album sink in - it's so heartfelt and honest it can be excruciating at times. However - Sinead O'Connor was the last of a dead breed of artist. The kind that lived and died for their art, their community and their politics. Money was never a motivating factor, nor was fame or anything that may have accompanied it. I do believe this is an album everybody should hear, and that we should talk about SoC at every given opportunity, lest we forget why art is so important in the first place.

La Revancha Del Tango by Gotan Project
Feb 24 2026

This Brazilian album made me feel like I was in an Irish pub in Bulgaria

Now I Got Worry by The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
Feb 25 2026

More explosion than blues

Tommy by The Who
Feb 26 2026

I actually felt like this was a bit mid

Coat Of Many Colors by Dolly Parton
Mar 02 2026

I grew up in a house where this album would be blasted on repeat, so I'm averse to a bit of Dolly Parton - that said this is her eighth album released over 50 years ago and she's still got the beans now, even I can't deny that she's one of the all time greats

Let's Get It On by Marvin Gaye
Mar 03 2026

I spent the first 20 minutes cooing, who knew Marvin was so infatuated with me? Then a woman was audibly satisfied to completion and I realised he didn't want to get freaky with me. I had a good time though, even if I didn't cum.

Pink Moon by Nick Drake
Mar 04 2026

This is a very tender, vulnerable album. It's pretty, and it doesn't outstay it's welcome, but I don't think it deserves the reputation it has

Stankonia by OutKast
Mar 05 2026

This album stanks but it's a good stank the kinda stank you rip and huff and you know it stank bad to other people but you luuurve that stank

Darkness on the Edge of Town by Bruce Springsteen
Mar 06 2026

I've never been mad on Springsteen but this is a dramatic effort. Sounds like it influenced other acts like Prince, Aerosmith and Meatloaf so he must have done something right

I See A Darkness by Bonnie "Prince" Billy
Mar 09 2026

This is a really nice, thoughtful album. It's restrained, easy to listen to and doesn't overstay it's welcome. Very glad to have discovered it.

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Mar 10 2026

If I were driving through backwater USA this would be my first pick. It was less good for my London parkrun.

Slipknot by Slipknot
Mar 12 2026

I'm very familiar with this album and the scene it exploded out of and whilst I don't think it's Slipknot's best effort, it's still very strong. Slipknot were a group of misfits growing up in the arse-end of nowhere, Iowa. They were bored, pissed off and had access to instruments. The music they made was harsh and abrasive, offensive to some senses and people didn't really give a shit. Then they put on the mask and as Bane prophesised, they blew up. This album goes for shock, and it lands that on multiple fronts. If this isn't your bag but you're still a little curious, their later albums are definitely more coherent (Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses)) and catchier (All Hope is Gone).

Locust Abortion Technician by Butthole Surfers
Mar 13 2026

What an experience. This is my 705th album and likely the best I've discovered via this project. Unusual sludgy grunge, intersprsed with aboitoir noises, a traumatic phone call and a Black Sabbath sample? Count me in. Looking at the reviews this has been peppered with 1s and 2s, but all I ever see people complain about is how there's far too much 70s/80s prog and country. Here you go people, an actually interesting album and you've shat all over it. Big up the Butthole Surfers, I'll be back again and again!!

Bandwagonesque by Teenage Fanclub
Mar 16 2026

Cool album, lots of interesting sounding guitars. Amazingly ahead of it's time

Rhythm Nation 1814 by Janet Jackson
Mar 17 2026

Not her best work but pretty interesting

Mar 18 2026

Thought this was a bit 'meh' but then I added 'To the Moon's Contractor' to 4 different playlists

Mar 20 2026

In the summer of 2019 I was erroneously added to a Twitter group chat full of British teenagers eagerly anticipating their GCSE results. It turned out to be a group of misfits who had all bonded over their love for Lana Del Ray. I announced my arrival with the howdoyoudofellowkids.gif, they welcomed me as a new member of their clan, labelled me with the moniker 'Anne' and spent 24 hours asking me about my worldly wisdom and asking me of my opinion on LDR. After that, I left the group and never spoke to them again. I hope you did well in your history GCSE, Rachel.

Step In The Arena by Gang Starr
Mar 24 2026

There's nowt wrong with this but it did take me three listens to determine I have no determinable opinion on it

Highly Evolved by The Vines
Mar 26 2026

Excellent album! So much is said about the big hitters of the grunge scene; Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden. This rightfully belongs in those conversations - it's not a carbon copy of those massive genre-defining albums, but sits neatly atop them adding its own dramatic flare. Big fan.

BEYONCÉ by Beyoncé
Mar 27 2026

I really didn't like this, it's left a really sour taste in my mouth. Should this artist be on this list? Yes. Should this album? No.

Sister by Sonic Youth
Mar 31 2026

Admittedly I don't love this, it's lacking something, but I am taken back by how contemporary it sounds. There are enormous bands playing feckin arenas right now that sound just like this

Apr 01 2026

Delightful - the spirit of Bob Dylan born out of Barking, Essex. As poignant now as it was in the 80s. Bravo, Billy 👏

Jack Takes the Floor by Ramblin' Jack Elliott
Apr 03 2026

30 mins of the middlest-of-the-road country. Probably would be a 2* song but that song about bed bugs was pretty sick

Hypocrisy Is The Greatest Luxury by The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy
Apr 06 2026

I'd like to say this is as if Scroobius Pip had a baby with Benjamin Zephaniah, but it predates them both. File this one under "albums we should have learned from but didn't" Unbelievably this could have been released last week and it would be word-for-word relevant. Well impressed.

Rapture by Anita Baker
Apr 07 2026

Magic Radio is a British digital radio station owned and operated by Bauer Media Audio UK. The station is available on 105.4 FM in London, 106.5 FM in Bristol and across the UK on DAB Digital Radio, via Bauer's Rayo platform, and on Smart speakers. It plays "adult contemporary"[1] such as Elton John, Madonna, Ed Sheeran, Whitney Houston, UB40, Simply Red, and more. It had previously been a part of a network of Magic stations broadcast on FM in London and on MW across northern England and began broadcasting across the UK via the Digital One multiplex in January 2015. On 5 January 2015, Magic Radio launched nationally on DAB and all other Magic stations were dissolved to form the Bauer City 2 network.[2] According to RAJAR, the station broadcast to an average weekly audience of 2.4 million during the July to August 2025 quarter, with the Magic Radio network of stations reaching an average weekly audience of 3.5 million during the same period.

Stripped by Christina Aguilera
Apr 08 2026

This album is CHARGED with bangers, hell yes!

Astral Weeks by Van Morrison
Apr 13 2026

Me and VanMozza have a mixed history - he's so poo-poo'able. This effort gives me some real pause for thought though, it's delicate and airy, far from in a rush and genuinely really enjoyable. It's not totally changed my opinion, but fellas has got something going on here

Led Zeppelin IV by Led Zeppelin
Apr 14 2026

How does one eloquate just what this album means to me? It's likely not possible. The year is 2012 , it's the height of summer, the Olympics are in town and young me is completing the first year of my fine-art GCSE - the only class I had that encouraged you to listen to music through headphones as you worked. As I sketched away, I'd routinely listen to LZ2 and LZ4. At the time I was almost exclusively listening to hard rock and metal, so dabbling with the Zep gave me a newfound appreciation for those genre's early beginnings. I've listened to this album a thousand times since then, and every time it's felt novel and exciting. My music taste usually sees me swimming upstream against the current, but on this one I'm well aligned with the masses. This is one of the greatest album of all time.

Rubber Soul by Beatles
Apr 16 2026

I'm sorry but this band are so mid. There's nothing exciting about this at all. Perhaps it popped back in the 60s when it was the only music available, but going out of your way to listen to this these days is mental behaviour.

Whatever by Aimee Mann
Apr 17 2026

Eh, this was an okay listen but totally forgettable if I'm honest

Bossanova by Pixies
Apr 20 2026

Easy listening jangly alt rock, pretty good but equally forgettable

Sound Affects by The Jam
Apr 21 2026

I've never quite 'got' The Jam before - they're regularly heralded as masters of their craft and pioneers of the era but they've always given me the cheese-vibe. This album is great though, they really found their groove and it's big on funk. Much much better than I anticipated

Armed Forces by Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Apr 22 2026

This sounds like the result of David Bowie and Agnetha Fältskog producing an album for Bob Geldof

Fever Ray by Fever Ray
Apr 23 2026

Would do bits at Arctangent festival, put her on Bixler whilst Pig Destroyer tear the Yohkai a new one

Is This It by The Strokes
Apr 24 2026

Cool album, I can see why people go nuts for it and why every indie album after it sounds the way it does

90 by 808 State
Apr 27 2026

Cool album, if a smidge forgettable

Play by Moby
Apr 28 2026

Music for film credits and DVD menus

Apr 29 2026

Unapologetically 80s, errs on whiny but pretty listenable

Among The Living by Anthrax
Apr 30 2026

Big metalhead here, I've never been mad on Anthrax. They're the most forgettable of the big 4, but having listened to this they're maybe the most accessible - at least for a thrash band. This doesn't stink, but I'm unlikely to revisit it

Sea Change by Beck
May 01 2026

Wow, what a departure from what I expected from Beck. Tender and morose, there isn't a shred privacy on this album, he (they?) are wide open and vulnerable to the core. Sunday Sun is a phenomenal crescendo, a d the denouement doesn't leave me feeling cheated. Superb

May 04 2026

The last album I reviewed (Beck, Sea Change) I praised for being unapologetically vulnerable. I'd say this album does the same thing in a VERY different way. There's almost no filter to be found within a hundred miles of Ice T. Body Count is an awesome fusion of genres and was a great prelude to the band of the same name. This album does it all and it does it well

Raw Like Sushi by Neneh Cherry
May 05 2026

Neneh is enthusiastic as hell and as a result we have the most 80s album I've ever heard. Another totally fine album, but not one I'd have included on this list

Home Is Where The Music Is by Hugh Masekela
May 06 2026

I'm not a massive jazz-guy, I'll be honest. This album fucks though. The bass on it is hypnotic, the horns aren't obnoxious, the drums are perfectly balanced. I enjoyed this a lot.

Tical by Method Man
May 07 2026

Did not Tical my fancy

Abbey Road by Beatles
May 08 2026

Okay - as a card carrying member of the 'I Hate The Beatles' club I have given this due care and attention. This is the most listenable of their works I've heard to this point. Having 12 Beatles-adjacent albums on this list is pure madness, and a real disservice to other musicians. That said, this album is interesting. It's dramatic in places, goofy in others. 'I Want You' is a proper rock song, but the side-flip into 'Here Comes The Sun' is so jarring in the modern age of streaming that it's actually difficult to listen to. I think that's a fair assessment. Why you would pick this band (or this album) as the best ever, I don't know - it demonstrates why we shouldn't trust the general public with anything important. Have your 3 stars and enjoy them

Real Life by Magazine
May 11 2026

Pretty cool off the wall alternative rock

Come Find Yourself by Fun Lovin' Criminals
May 12 2026

I really liked this actually, it's reminiscent of Outkast at times, and really doesn't take itself too seriously. It trails a bit towards the end, but besides that I don't have much to sniff at

The Blueprint by JAY Z
May 14 2026

Totally underwhelmed actually - so much good rap music came out of this era and a lot o it credits this as the blueprint (haha) but it falls so flat

Californication by Red Hot Chili Peppers
May 18 2026

When the Chilis are good, they're so fucking good! The filler on this album really drags it down though, it really outstays it's wrlcome

Hms Fable by Shack
May 19 2026

Edgy Scouse Oasis

Porcupine by Echo And The Bunnymen
May 20 2026

Cool beans

Protection by Massive Attack
May 21 2026

Massive Attack at their most subdued? Criminal that this is here rather than Mezzanine, but I'm only the 10,000th person to say that. This is a good background-album, but far from MA's best

Rid Of Me by PJ Harvey
May 22 2026

Finally I understand why people big PJH up! This is cool, edgy, out-there rock

One World by John Martyn
May 25 2026

I expected this album to be a snooze-fest, but it's not bad. Big Muff is a tune, plus there are some really ahead-of-it's-time post rock segments that are a delight to listen to

KIWANUKA by Michael Kiwanuka
May 27 2026

Such an easy 5. What an easy listen - downbeat and sultry, every note is agonised over and the record is phenomenal as a result

Tea for the Tillerman by Cat Stevens
May 28 2026

Where do the children play? Far away from anywher what's playing Cat Stevens' music

May 29 2026

Very cool prog-rock album, reminiscent of Pink Floyd but not derivative. Enjoyed this a lot!

Mott by Mott The Hoople
Jun 01 2026

This was going to get a 2 for being derivative - everyone else has mentioned it sounds quite a lot like the worst parts of Bowie & Dylan so I shan't. 'I'm a Cadillac / El Camino Dolo Roso' is a really interesting song though. If the album had more like that it would've stood out far more. 3* is more than fair

Caetano Veloso by Caetano Veloso
Jun 02 2026

This is probably fine, but it does absolutely nothing for me. Soz bruv

Funeral by Arcade Fire
Jun 03 2026

I loved this. Perhaps it was because I was ever so slightly toasted and on a gorgeous walk, but what an album. I felt like I was at Reading Festival in 2009 My immediate feeling was that this was like King Fizz were a west-coast US band making music for the everyman, but ultimately it went and went and went.

Black Metal by Venom
Jun 05 2026

This isn't exactly a work of art, but it's good fun

Yank Crime by Drive Like Jehu
Jun 08 2026

I don't often dish out 5* to albums I've never listened to by bands I've never heard of - but wow! This is everything I could've asked for. Screaming punk a-la At The Drive In, experimental rock a-la Slint, and brooding post-rock a-la Mogwai. Hell to the yes!!

School's Out by Alice Cooper
Jun 11 2026

I liked this a lot more than I thought I would. 2 pretty middle of the road radio-rock songs followed by 30 mins of jazzy metal rock opera??

Freak Out! by The Mothers Of Invention
Jun 12 2026

Not enough cream cheese

Colour By Numbers by Culture Club
Jun 15 2026

Karma Chameleon slaps, but I didn't really love the rest of this album

Suede by Suede
Jun 16 2026

Gave this three listens and I still don't have an opinion on it

Forever Changes by Love
Jun 17 2026

Very Stonesy at times, a bit Dylan at others. Entirely listenable but far from blowing me away

The United States Of America by The United States Of America
Jun 18 2026

Totally bizarre and off the wall. One and done, you've got to respect that

It's A Shame About Ray by The Lemonheads
Jun 22 2026

Cool album, didn't blow me away but I can understand why people would dig this

Jun 26 2026

As a prog-rock/metal fan, I'm blown away by just how much of my favourite band, Coheed & Cambria, I can hear in this. If Claudio Sanchez had a time machine and got stuck in the 70s, this is beat for beat the album he would have made. The first song goes from Rush, to Bowie, to Phantom of the Opera in very quick succession. I love how extra this all was - like a night at the theatre.

Crime Of The Century by Supertramp
Jun 29 2026

It turns out I've been conflating Supertramp and Supergrass my whole life... They're both good bands it turns out! I love the drama on this album, it's really heavily produced but feels organic and free-flowing for most of its run. I'm always dubious when a piano shows up on a rock album, but it's well balanced on this occasion. V impressed

Casanova by The Divine Comedy
Jul 01 2026

Equal parts charm and cheese. Too long, but I actually didn't mind it

Dare! by The Human League
Jul 03 2026

Inoffensive, fun, pretty cool album. The singles are massive, and everything else is fine

Run-D.M.C. by Run-D.M.C.
Jul 06 2026

Run-DMC are cool as hell and their flow is second only to Outkasts, but there's nothing that really jumps out at me on this album

The Rolling Stones by The Rolling Stones
Jul 07 2026

This was probably sick in the 1960s. Unfortunately for the Stones at least a million other better musicians have been born in that time

Manassas by Stephen Stills
Jul 16 2026

I get that this was probably a phenomenon back when it was released, but I don't think it's aged well - there's so much other music in this style that's simply better. It's long too - trim that fat and this would be a 4, but 3 is probably generous

You Are The Quarry by Morrissey
Jul 17 2026

If I understand this correctly, Morrissey was SO in peoples faces for so long that even the boring-as-sin British media turned on him. He disappeared for 7 years, then came back and made exactly the same music he was making prior to being excommunicated, but this time we're supposed to love him? He's a wanker - forget 'Britain is fed up with Labour and Tories' - we're fed up with the worst musicians in the world being lauded as national heroes!!

The Velvet Underground & Nico by The Velvet Underground
Jul 21 2026

I mostly enjoyed this - some really thoughtful instrumental work going on here. Not mad about Nico's vocals, but they're acceptable enough that it doesn't distract from everything else

Cupid & Psyche 85 by Scritti Politti
Jul 22 2026

Give me Michael Jackson, but make him Welsh and shit

In Our Heads by Hot Chip
Jul 24 2026

Sounds as though there was a Two Door Cinema Club, Metronomy & LCD Soundsystem supergroup, big fan!

Don't Stand Me Down by Dexys Midnight Runners
Jul 28 2026

What a horrid experience. Add this to the 1001 Albums I Could Have Dies Having Never Heard list. At times there's too much nattering, which I found myself eagerly anticipating ending, then the music would kick in and I'd eagerly anticipate that ending too. THEN they smeared themselves all over Sweet Home Alabama, leaving nothing but putrid dribble and a something that resembles a slug trail over it. It all sounded the saaaaaaaaame.

Devotional Songs by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
Jul 29 2026

How refreshing to not have an English/American for a change! I enjoyed this a lot, no idea what they're singing about but it's gentle and soothing

The Sun Rises In The East by Jeru The Damaja
Jul 30 2026

90s hip hop >>>>>>>>>>>> modern hip hop, god these flows are so good and now the genre is ruined

The Visitors by ABBA
Aug 03 2026

I've never been crazy about Abba - but this is a really mature pop album

Risque by CHIC
Aug 06 2026

Fun album, short and sweet! 3 feels harsh, but I didn't enjoy it quite enough for a 4

Siamese Dream by The Smashing Pumpkins
Aug 07 2026

I suspect this album is perfect. An acquired taste, but perfect.

Aug 10 2026

I love this era of Pink Floyd - they're totally unaccountable, doing what they love because they're good at it and because they want to. Bizarre music for bizarre music's sake

Grievous Angel by Gram Parsons
Aug 11 2026

70s album equally feature both a man and a woman, but it's just the blokes name of the jacket. Indicative of how backwards this record is - they were making music like this in the 50s, Gram!! Maybe try something new!!

Wordsmith

Reviews written for 98% of albums. Average review length: 159 characters.

Other

Album origins are grouped into three buckets: US, UK, and everything else. “Other” means the artists you rate highest are from outside the US and UK.