586
Albums Rated
3.52
Average Rating
54%
Complete
503 albums remaining
Rating Distribution
How you rate albums
Rating Timeline
Average rating over time
Ratings by Decade
Which era do you prefer?
Activity by Day
When do you listen?
Taste Profile
1960s
Favorite Decade
Rock-and-roll
Favorite Genre
US
Top Origin
Balanced
Rater Style
157
5-Star Albums
27
1-Star Albums
Taste Analysis
Genre Preferences
Ratings by genre
Origin Preferences
Ratings by country
Rating Style
You Love More Than Most
Albums you rated higher than global average
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter | 5 | 2.15 | +2.85 |
| Scott 2 | 5 | 2.64 | +2.36 |
| Trafalgar | 5 | 2.64 | +2.36 |
| ...Baby One More Time | 5 | 2.67 | +2.33 |
| Third/Sister Lovers | 5 | 2.79 | +2.21 |
| Scott 4 | 5 | 2.8 | +2.2 |
| Hypocrisy Is The Greatest Luxury | 5 | 2.88 | +2.12 |
| In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida | 5 | 2.94 | +2.06 |
| Rhythm Nation 1814 | 5 | 2.98 | +2.02 |
| Ray Of Light | 5 | 2.99 | +2.01 |
You Love Less Than Most
Albums you rated lower than global average
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strangeways, Here We Come | 1 | 3.44 | -2.44 |
| Bossanova | 1 | 3.37 | -2.37 |
| xx | 1 | 3.37 | -2.37 |
| Queen Of Denmark | 1 | 3.14 | -2.14 |
| Untitled (Black Is) | 1 | 3.05 | -2.05 |
| Microshift | 1 | 3.03 | -2.03 |
| Killing Joke | 1 | 2.99 | -1.99 |
| Fever Ray | 1 | 2.99 | -1.99 |
| The Dreaming | 1 | 2.96 | -1.96 |
| Reign In Blood | 1 | 2.96 | -1.96 |
Artist Analysis
Favorite Artists
Artists with 2+ albums
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| David Bowie | 7 | 5 |
| Beatles | 4 | 5 |
| The Who | 4 | 4.75 |
| Steely Dan | 3 | 5 |
| Nirvana | 3 | 5 |
| The Kinks | 3 | 5 |
| Bob Dylan | 4 | 4.5 |
| Joni Mitchell | 4 | 4.5 |
| The Doors | 3 | 4.67 |
| The Beach Boys | 3 | 4.67 |
| Johnny Cash | 3 | 4.67 |
| Big Star | 2 | 5 |
| Led Zeppelin | 2 | 5 |
| Rush | 2 | 5 |
| T. Rex | 2 | 5 |
| Yes | 2 | 5 |
| Talking Heads | 2 | 5 |
| Scott Walker | 2 | 5 |
| Pink Floyd | 2 | 5 |
| King Crimson | 2 | 5 |
| Radiohead | 6 | 4.17 |
| The Byrds | 4 | 4.25 |
| Prince | 3 | 4.33 |
| R.E.M. | 3 | 4.33 |
Least Favorite Artists
Artists with 2+ albums
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Tom Waits | 2 | 1 |
| Pixies | 2 | 1.5 |
| Randy Newman | 2 | 1.5 |
| Everything But The Girl | 2 | 1.5 |
| Brian Eno | 3 | 2 |
| The Smiths | 3 | 2 |
Controversial Artists
Artists you rate inconsistently
| Artist | Albums | Variance |
|---|---|---|
| Amy Winehouse | 2 | 1.5 |
5-Star Albums (157)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
The Prodigy
4/5
I really don’t like electronic music. Goldie, Fatboy Slim, Moby, and others on this list were such a struggle to get through. So why do I love The Prodigy? This album is 78 minutes long, and I didn’t know any of the songs on it (I know quite a few from their other album on this list) but I was never bored and this album never felt like it dragged. I guess that’s why this album belongs on this list. It’s quite a feat to make someone love an album in a genre they hate. Kudos to The Prodigy. They’re clearly one of the best.
5 likes
Queen
5/5
I like Queen a lot, but I never really listened to this album but "Seven Seas of Rhye" is just meh for me on its own. But after listening to this album I am OBSESSED with it. The first half is amazing, and I kept having to force myself to listen to the next song because I just wanted to repeat the one I had just listened to. I even kind of like "Seven Seas of Rhye" now because it fits in so well with the rest of the album. I wish I hadn't slept on this for so long because it's so good.
5 likes
Elliott Smith
3/5
I’ve heard individual songs from Elliott Smith that I really enjoyed, but never listened to an entire record. Ngl, I was pretty disappointed. This album, as the kids would say, is mid. Far from the worst thing on this list, but not great. “Son Of Sam” and “Easy Way Out” are my favorite songs from it, but nothing really stood out. I’d give this a 2.5 if I could, but I’m rounding up to 3 because a 2 seems a little too harsh, but it was close.
4 likes
Bee Gees
5/5
Honestly shocked by this. Not that I thought I’d dislike it because I generally enjoy the Bee Gees, but this was lowkey brilliant. Maybe I’m just in the mood to be sad, but this left an impression on me in a big way. One thing about the Bee Gees is they’re so good at conveying emotions with their voices in a much stronger way than lots of other acts. “The Greatest Man In The World,” “It’s Just The Way,” “Trafalgar,” and “Don’t Wanna Live Inside Myself” are my favorite songs from the album, but there wasn’t a track I didn’t at least somewhat enjoy. Emotionally, I really felt this and vibed with it. Definitely going to be on heavy rotation for me for awhile. A good surprise.
2 likes
Big Star
5/5
I love Big Star and I love this album. The songs where Alex Chilton sings lead are my favorites, but they’re all good. The standouts for me are “The Ballad of El Goodo,” “Thirteen,” and “Give Me Another Chance.”
2 likes
1-Star Albums (27)
All Ratings
Jethro Tull
5/5
(So glad we can edit now so I can give a proper review.)
My best friend and I discovered the song "Aqualung" through Rock Band, and for some reason we gravitated towards it. But the whole album is stellar top to bottom. There should be at least one other Jethro Tull album on this list, but I'm glad Aqualung is here at least.
Pixies
1/5
Edit: This is the 2nd album generated for me, and I gave it a 2 because I figured there would be things that are much worse than this. And there are, but this is still pretty bad. Downgrading to a 1. I hate the Pixies.
This was okay. I think the Pixies just aren't really for me. I thought the latter half of the album was decent, but I just wasn't a fan overall. "Dig for Fire" and "Down to the Well" were the standouts for me.
Black Sabbath
3/5
Solid album. I primarily enjoyed the songs that felt unexpected to me from Black Sabbath. “Changes” is a highlight along with the instrumental “Laguna Surprise.”
Kraftwerk
2/5
Edit: Downgrading this because it's one of my earliest albums, and I was being overly generous. It's not the worst thing, but Autobahn is way better, and I only felt like giving that a 3.
I really hated the first song on this album, but it definitely picks up after that. I’d have to be in the right mood to listen to this again, but I’m glad I listened to this at least once. “Spacelab” is probably my favorite song on the album.
Sex Pistols
4/5
I love punk and this is a classic of the genre for a reason. It had been awhile since I listened to it, and I think I like it better now than I did when I was younger. A few things didn’t age well, but overall a great album.
Dire Straits
3/5
I love Dire Straits, but this is not my favorite album of theirs. My favorite tracks are “Down to the Waterline” and “Wild West End” and “Sultans of Swing” is a classic, of course. I think they hit their stride in later albums, but overall this one is solid.
The Adverts
4/5
Had no idea what to expect when I started listening to this, but I really liked it. The standouts for me are “New Church,” “On the Roof,” and “Great British Mistake.” This is a great punk album and one I’m sure I’ll listen to again and again.
Big Star
5/5
I love Big Star and I love this album. The songs where Alex Chilton sings lead are my favorites, but they’re all good. The standouts for me are “The Ballad of El Goodo,” “Thirteen,” and “Give Me Another Chance.”
Jack White
3/5
This album was fine. Not something I’d seek out or listen to again, but I didn’t hate it. Standout tracks were “Love Interruption,” “Weep Themselves to Sleep,” and “Hip (Eponymous) Poor Boy.”
The Police
3/5
As an album, I'm giving this 3 stars. I like the songs better individually than as an album. Listening to it all the way through, it doesn't flow as well as I remember. A lot of the individual songs are worth 4 or 5 stars, but overall as a cohesive album, it's just okay.
The Stooges
2/5
I liked the first few songs well enough, but I got progressively bored listening to this. It’s not terrible, I just didn’t find that it grabbed my attention, even in a negative way. I’d probably rate it a 2.5, but I’m rounding down since I probably wouldn’t listen to this again.
Taylor Swift
3/5
I’m not a Swiftie, but I can admit that Taylor has some catchy songs. I didn’t care for most of this album, but there are a few songs I’ll definitely listen to again. Solid 3 because even though a lot of this isn’t my taste, it’s at least fun and catchy.
Depeche Mode
4/5
Depeche Mode is a band I need to be in the mood for when I listen, but when I'm in that mood, they're some of the best. I really like this album, and it has so many solid songs. "Policy of Truth" is probably the one that ends up stuck in my head the most.
The Undertones
3/5
I had never even heard of this band before. I liked this album fine, but it bored me at the same time, possibly because most of the albums I’ve been getting so far have been European punk and I’m craving variety. There were some good, catchy songs. I particularly liked “There Goes Norman,” “Wednesday Week,” and “What’s With Terry.” Overall this is getting a 3 because I’m glad I experienced this album, as I likely wouldn’t have found it on my own.
George Harrison
5/5
I always thought I wasn’t a “George girl” but listening to this all the way through I realized that was definitely not true (until I got to “I Dig Love” because what was that?!). “My Sweet Lord” has always been one of my favorite songs, and I always liked the singles from this album for the most part, but there are some real gems on here. “If Not for You,” “Run of the Mill,” “Ballad of Sir Frankie Crisp (Let It Roll),” and “Hear Me Lord” are new favorites for me. I will be listening to a lot of songs on repeat for the new few weeks. Maybe I’m a George girl after all.
Miles Davis
3/5
Miles Davis is undeniably talented, and this album is well put together and each song flows seamlessly into the next. However, I'm not a huge jazz fan, so combined with the length, this was a bit of a struggle for me to get through.
Cornershop
3/5
I’d never actually listened to this album before even though I’ve loved “Brimful of Asha” since it came out. The album as a whole wasn’t what I expected, but I liked how different it was. “Good Sh**” and “Norwegian Wood” were two of the standouts for me.
The Dictators
3/5
When I first started to listen to this album, I wondered why it was on this list, but then about halfway through it started to make sense. There’s some iffy lyrics and the production value leaves something to be desired, but there’s a weird charm to it too. I’m giving this a 3, but it’s sort of a 3.5 for me. Standout songs are “Weekend,” “Cars and Girls,” and “Teengenerate.”
Erykah Badu
3/5
While this isn't one of my preferred genres, I can definitely see why this album is on the list. There are some good songs on here, and I liked the vibe a lot.
Queen
5/5
I like Queen a lot, but I never really listened to this album but "Seven Seas of Rhye" is just meh for me on its own. But after listening to this album I am OBSESSED with it. The first half is amazing, and I kept having to force myself to listen to the next song because I just wanted to repeat the one I had just listened to. I even kind of like "Seven Seas of Rhye" now because it fits in so well with the rest of the album. I wish I hadn't slept on this for so long because it's so good.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
3/5
Reggae is far from my favorite genre, but I enjoy Bob Marley from time to time. Most of my favorite songs from him are on this album, and it was overall enjoyable to listen to.
Doves
3/5
This was fine. Nice vibe and made for good background music. None of the songs stood out for me, but they flowed together nicely.
Goldie
1/5
Not my genre. Not my vibe. An absolute struggle to get through. I ended up listening to just parts of the songs in the end because I wanted it to be over, but it just kept going.
Sparks
3/5
Edit: I wanted to seem cool for liking Sparks, but no one reads most of these reviews (although thank you to those who do, it feeds my ego). I enjoyed this album, but it's not worth a 4.
I’ve surprisingly not listened to that much Sparks, but I really liked this. It was fun, different, and something I’ll definitely want to listen to again. On first listen, I think “Equator” is my favorite track, but I expect that could change as I listen to the album more. A solidly put together and cohesive album that I quite enjoyed.
Stevie Wonder
3/5
Not my favorite Stevie Wonder album. It's fine, but nothing really stands out. It's Stevie Wonder, so it's obviously not terrible, but I don't think I'll be listening to this very often.
Janis Joplin
5/5
Love Janis, and this is a great album from top to bottom. My favorite songs on it are probably "Cry Baby," "Trust Me," and "Get It While You Can," but honestly there's not a bad song on here.
Nanci Griffith
3/5
Not my preferred genre, but this was... fine. It made for decent background music while I was at work, but nothing really stood out to me. I think if I was more of a country fan would have liked this a lot more. Not bad, but just okay.
Jimmy Smith
3/5
I don’t love jazz, but this was very pleasant to listen to and made for good background music while I did some work.
Frank Black
3/5
Well I sure liked this more than the Pixies. Kind of uneven, but definitely some songs I enjoyed. Probably a 2.5 for me, but I'm in a good mood today so I'm rounding up.
The War On Drugs
3/5
This was okay. Pretty cohesive as an album. Some of the songs went on for much longer than they needed to. The War on Drugs aren't always my favorite, but I liked this well enough.
Jorge Ben Jor
3/5
Had no idea what to expect, but I really liked this. I really enjoyed all the songs even though I didn't know any of the words, and the music made me want to dance. Great blend of instruments and overall great album.
Beastie Boys
4/5
The Beastie Boys are great, and this is a classic. I haven't listened to this album all the way through in quite some time, so it was great to rediscover some of the songs. Maybe not my favorite of their albums, but it's still amazing.
Donald Fagen
2/5
I feel like I need to preface this by saying, I really love Steely Dan! I really do! But it's really clear that Walter Becker was the key to what made them so good. Donald Fagen on his own is so boring. Every song drones on for too long and sounds the same, and I'm someone who loves Yacht Rock and similar genres. I don't know what it is, but I just can't stand Donald Fagen by himself. I would have given this a 1, but I actually enjoyed "The Goodbye Look" so it gets an extra star.
Fleet Foxes
3/5
This was fine. Sort of put me to sleep, but I understand why it's on this list. Probably won't listen to it much in the future, but I didn't hate it.
Beach House
4/5
The first song on this album was not my favorite, and I sort of expected to dislike the entire album because it sounds like a lot of other bands, just not as good. That is until the next song “Silver Soul.” Totally obsessed with it, and with that, gave the entire album a good listen. So glad I did because it’s actually fantastic. I will definitely listen to this again.
The Zombies
5/5
It is such a shame that I had never listened to this record before. I grew up listening to “oldies” radio and hearing songs by The Zombies, which were always some of my favorites. But until today I’ve never listened to a full album from them. Wow, I was missing a lot. I was completely captivated by the title track “Care of Cell 44,” which is probably my favorite off the album and possibly my favorite song ever from The Zombies. Every song on this is great. No skips. The only thing I hate is that it took me until now to listen to it.
B.B. King
4/5
Don’t always love live albums, but I always love B.B. King.
Adam & The Ants
2/5
Edit: Actually this album is terrible.
I think I liked this album better when I was younger. It’s fine, and I understand why it’s on here, but it wasn’t doing it for me today.
Black Sabbath
4/5
Great album with a lot of their biggest and best hits. Not a bad track on the album, and if flows together very cohesively.
Oasis
4/5
I definitely don’t remember this album being this good, but I love it. I’ve had it on repeat all day. Not a weak track on it. I was kind of surprised to see this album on this list, but I get it now.
Steely Dan
5/5
One of Steely Dan’s best albums. Personal favorites are “Peg” and “Josie” but there isn’t a bad song here. Hands down 5 stars.
Ray Charles
4/5
Ray Charles is great and this album showcases that perfectly. Some of the songs drag a bit, but overall a solid album. But it's hard to dislike anything from Ray Charles.
Supergrass
4/5
I thought I had no idea who this band was, but I actually recognized a couple of songs on here (and liked them too). Very 90s, but very enjoyable. "Alright" is the song I was most familiar with, and it's probably also my favorite on the album, but honestly most of the songs on here are good. Will definitely listen again.
The Byrds
5/5
I love The Byrds, and this is a fantastic album. While most of these songs are covers, they're all great, as are the few originals. My favorites are "Mr. Tambourine Man," "I'll Feel a Whole Lot Better," and "Chimes of Freedom."
Beatles
5/5
I'm biased because I love the Beatles and Rubber Soul is one of my favorite albums they've made. Aside from "Run for Your Life," this album holds up really well and doesn't have a weak track. My personal favorites are "Girl," "In My Life," and "I'm Looking Through You."
Adele
4/5
Adele is a mixed bag for me. Sometimes I really love her music and other times I'm very bored by it. With this album, I love the singles, but the rest of the album is underwhelming. My favorites are "Set Fire to the Rain," "Rumour Has it," and "Someone Like You," and because of that, I'm giving this a 3.5 but rounding up to 4.
The Young Rascals
5/5
I love 60s pop music, so there was pretty much no chance I wasn't going to love this record. I'm familiar with the hits from The Young Rascals, but this entire album is solid top to bottom. My favorite tracks are probably, "A Girl Like You," "How Can I Be Sure," "Groovin'," "I Don't Love You Anymore," and " A Place in the Sun," so pretty much the entire record. A total delight to listen to!
Wu-Tang Clan
4/5
Wu-Tang is great, and I totally understand why this album is on this list. It's not my favorite of theirs, but it's still really good.
Cocteau Twins
3/5
Not a huge fan of dream pop as a genre. I can see why it's on the list; it just wasn't my thing.
Sonic Youth
4/5
I knew a few Sonic Youth songs but definitely hadn’t listened to a full album from them until now. I really loved this. I know it’s not for everyone, but it’s grunge and weird and amazing. My favorite songs were “Teenage Riot” and “Hey Joni” but there wasn’t a song on this album I didn’t enjoy at least somewhat.
Adele
2/5
Listen, I understand why 21 is on this list. But 25? Is it just because it's Adele that people assume it's a good album? Most songs go on for way too long, and so many of them are incredibly dull. There is no need for this album to be on this list. It's nothing special.
Ali Farka Touré
3/5
I found this to be a little boring. It's not something I'd normally listen to, but it was fine for what it was. Not terrible but overall not my favorite.
Radiohead
4/5
Not my favorite Radiohead, but this is still a great album. My favorite songs are definitely "Optimistic," "Morning Bell," and "Motion Picture Soundtrack." I totally understand why this is on the list. It's a fantastic album even if I prefer some of their others.
Dion
4/5
I absolutely love Dion’s music from the 50s-60s, but I had no idea what to expect from this. It was a little up and down for me as an album, but “Make the Woman Love Me” is absolutely fantastic. I’ve been listening to it nonstop since I finished the full album. I’m not completely sure this should be on a list of greatest albums of all time, but personally I really enjoyed it.
A Tribe Called Quest
4/5
I love A Tribe Called Quest, and this album is fantastic. Totally understand why it's on this list. Lyrically, musically, and stylistically it's top tier. Plus "Scenario" is an all time classic.
Blondie
5/5
I like Blondie, but I’m not sure I’ve ever listened to this album outside of the major radio singles. I was really missing out! Top to bottom this album is fantastic. Hard to pick favorites because they’re all so good, but I think mine are “Hanging on the Telephone,” “Picture This,” and “I’m Gonna Love You Too.” Will definitely be on heavy rotation for me going forward.
Maxwell
3/5
This was fine, and I can't deny Maxwell's talent, but it's not really the type of music I'm into. It was fine as background music, but sort of boring when I really focused on it. "...Til the Cops Come Knockin'" was a definite highlight for me, though.
Jeff Beck
4/5
Jeff Beck on guitar and Rod Stewart on vocals - is there anything better? Absolutely fantastic album. "Morning Dew" is the standout track for me, but the whole album is great.
Wire
3/5
This was fine. Nothing that particularly stood out or felt groundbreaking. My ADHD loved the short songs, though.
The Verve
4/5
I never actually listened to the full album when it came out because I really didn't care for "Bitter Sweet Symphony" at the time. I still don't, really, but there are some really good songs on here. "The Drugs Don't Work" and "The Rolling People" were probably my favorites, but most everything was solid. I totally understand why this album made the list.
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
3/5
This is good for what it is, but I’m just not a big fan of jazz.
Jeru The Damaja
3/5
This was alright. I can definitely hear the Wu-Tang influence. I think my favorite song ended up being "Da Bichez" but there are a few good ones on here. Didn't love it, but it was okay.
The Doors
5/5
"Love You Madly" is probably my favorite Doors song and is up there on my list of favorite songs ever. As an album, L.A. Woman is pretty solid. Some great rock tracks and then some weird ass songs that are indicative of The Doors and lots of other bands around this time. Pretty great album top to bottom.
Ice Cube
3/5
I think Ice Cube is a good rapper, and I think he's great as a part of N.W.A. This album just isn't doing it for me, though. It's okay. Nothing really special. There are definitely better rap albums on this list.
The Flaming Lips
5/5
Edit: I really hate The Flaming Lips, but I've come to love this album. Ever since I listened to it for the first time it has continued to grow on me. So many good songs. It's worth the 5 stars, damn it.
I was actually pleasantly surprised by this album. I usually don't care for The Flaming Lips, but I actually found myself really liking these songs and playing a few of them on repeat. The first half of the album is a lot stronger than the latter half, but overall it's really good. My favorite songs are "Race for the Prize," "The Spark That Bled," and "The Spiderbite Song"
Michael Kiwanuka
3/5
This was pretty good. Not something I would have normally sought out, but I'm glad I listened to this. "You Ain't The Problem" and "Hero" were the standout tracks to me.
Killing Joke
1/5
I really wondered when I was going to get to my next 1 star album, and lo and behold, it's here. This entire album was absolutely grating. There wasn't even one song that I thought was worth another listen. They were all too long and droned on unpleasantly. I ended up skipping through the last few.
Elastica
2/5
This album was fine. Nothing really stood out, but it wasn't terrible either. I think it's just not my genre, but for what it is, it's good.
Ian Dury
2/5
I got a string of weird ass albums in a row, and this might top the weirdness scale. But there was also something I weirdly liked about this. It was different, but in a somewhat enjoyable way. Should this be on the list? Probably not, but I can’t hate it either.
Dolly Parton
3/5
Enjoyable album. Not sure I'd consider it one of Dolly Parton's best, but that doesn't mean it isn't good. "Coat of Many Colors" and "Traveling Man" were probably my favorite songs. Given some of the albums I've listened to on this list lately, I was appreciative of the short length of both the songs and the album overall.
The Rolling Stones
5/5
One thing I love about this album a day challenge is that I rediscover deep cuts from some of my favorite bands. I love The Rolling Stones, but most of the time just end up defaulting to their hits. But on this album, the hits aren't even close to some of the best songs. "Jigsaw Puzzle," "Dear Doctor," and "Salt of the Earth" are the standouts for me, but honestly everything here is good. I definitely have some new favorite Stones songs, though, thanks to this album.
Randy Newman
1/5
Edit: Actually this is terrible and racist and deserves 1 star.
I get that this is a concept album but was anyone actually asking for this? Did this "concept" need an album? Randy Newman seemed way too comfortable saying some of these slurs too. Only reason I'm giving this 2 stars is because a few of the songs are catchy, and at least he's committed to the concept.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
3/5
I like the Yeah Yeah Yeahs a lot. I generally prefer their later albums, but this one is good too. Plus "Maps" is an all time classic song for my generation.
Can
2/5
Not my type of music, but I was weirdly into it at times. I definitely appreciated the instrumentation and composition of the songs. I likely won’t listen to this again, but I can appreciate it for what it is.
Nirvana
5/5
I love Nirvana, and this album is just so, so good. "All Apologies" is one of my favorite songs, and it's a great ending to this album. Every track is great, but "All Apologies," "Rape Me," "Heart Shaped Box," and "Dumb" are probably my favorites.
Eminem
4/5
I was really into Eminem when I was younger, but then I stopped listening to him because I just wasn't vibing with how angry his music was anymore. I haven't listened to this album all the way through in a long time. His talent as a rapper and a lyricist is evident, but some of his lyrics definitely haven't aged well. I also think some of his later albums are a lot stronger than this one. The Marshall Mathers LP is definitely his standout album, and you can see the roughness of this one in comparison to his later work. Still, his talent is evident, and there's no question this album should be on the list. My favorite songs now are "My Name Is," "If I Had," and "Just Don't Give a Fuck." I also forgot how many skits were on this album and how annoying they all are. At first I was listening to them just to get the full experience, but I skipped the last few because honestly they were all obnoxious and didn't add anything to the album. All that being said, I'm rating this a 4. I still don't vibe much with Eminem anymore, but the talent is evident and I'm trying to be objective. Plus "My Name Is" is still a banger to this day.
Sepultura
3/5
I’m not big into metal, but I quite enjoyed this album. The talent is evident, and it’s a very worthy addition to this list.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
4/5
I actually enjoyed this album more than Exodus, which was kind of surprising since I knew more of the songs on the latter. "400 Years," "Stop the Train," and "Stir It Up" were my favorites. I don't love reggae, so some of this was a bit of a slog to get through, but overall a solid album. Plus it's Bob Marley.
The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy
5/5
Of all the albums I've listened to so far, I think this one has been the biggest surprise for me. I had never heard of this group before, but this album is fantastic. It's an absolute masterclass in political hip hop. There isn't one weak song on here. "Satanic Reverses," "Famous and Dandy (Like Amos N Andy)," "Television the Drug of the Nation," and "California Uber Alles" are my personal favorites, especially the lyric "the only cola I support would be a union c.o.l.a." in "Television..." I would not have listened to this without this album challenge, and I'm so glad I was introduced to this group.
Herbie Hancock
3/5
Herbie Hancock is incredibly talented, and this album perfectly showcases that. This isn't the kind of music I seek out, but I really appreciate it when I listen to it.
The Beach Boys
5/5
Pet Sounds was always explained to me as The Beach Boys' answer to Sgt. Pepper. You can definitely see where Brian Wilson took inspiration. Is it as good as Sgt. Pepper? Absolutely not. Not even close. But is it still a fantastic record? Absolutely yes. The songs, the production - all of it is top notch. I have no hesitation giving this 5 stars. My favorite songs are "Sloop John B," "I Just Wasn't Made for These Times," and "Caroline, No" but honestly all the songs are great. "I Know There's An Answer" is also way better as "Hold On To Your Ego." Idk what Mike Love was on about with that one.
FKA twigs
2/5
I'm aware of who FKA twigs is, but I've never actually listened to her music until today. Honestly, I was hoping I'd enjoy it more. This just really isn't my type of music, and I absolutely hated the first few songs, though the album did pick up as it went on.
Mariah Carey
3/5
Mariah is a great singer, but I tend to prefer her more upbeat songs, and this album is full of ballads. Just bores me, even though she has a lovely voice. The singles from this album are probably my favorite songs from it. I'm giving it an extra star partly just because "Honey" is such a fantastic song. But yeah, just meh on this one.
George Michael
4/5
There are so many great George Michael songs on this album, and his voice is fantastic. My biggest issue with this album is that most of the songs go on for like a minute longer than they really need to. But there are so many great, all time classic songs here it’s hard to be that annoyed by the song length.
Frank Ocean
5/5
Frank Ocean is so talented, and this album blew me away. I've listened to most songs from this album before, but I don't think I've actually listened to the album itself all the way through, and wow. Just wow. Every song is great, but I think my favorites are "Thinkin Bout You," "Sweet Life," "Pyramids," and "Forrest Gump." Also, this is the way you do interludes in your album. They really added something and flowed from/into the previous/next tracks seamlessly. A really easy 5 stars from me.
The xx
1/5
So incredibly boring. My god. Not the worst thing I've listened to so far, but so boring and unnecessary. Should not be on this list.
Liz Phair
3/5
I think if I were in college in the 90s this would have been on heavy rotation. I enjoy this album for what it is, and I can see how important it is to the genre and time period. For me now, it's fine. Nothing I would listen to all the time, but I'm glad I experienced it. I think my favorite songs from it are "Dance of the Seven Veils" and "Never Said." Also after listening to this I totally understand why people said Liz Phair sold out when she became more mainstream. This album is definitely better than that.
The Mothers Of Invention
3/5
I know what I'm getting into when I listen to a Mothers of Invention/Frank Zappa album. It's going to be weird, and I'm okay with that. I rarely seek it out, but I get enjoyment when I listen, but I like weird things.
David Bowie
5/5
I'll be completely honest that I'm giving this 5 stars because "Young Americans" is a top 10 song for me. But overall the album is really solid. And I've always loved Bowie's cover of "Across the Universe."
David Bowie
5/5
David Bowie instrumentals? Surprisingly love this. I've always heard about this album but never listened to it, and I get it now. "Speed of Life" and "Sound and Vision" are probably my favorite songs from this album. I love how different it is, yet is still very distinctly Bowie. I got this album right after Young Americans, and it's so interesting to hear the contrast of the two.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
4/5
I'm not a huge RHCP fan, but I like them well enough. Honestly if you would have had me rate this when it came out, I would have given it a lower rating because most of this was overplayed on radio at that time. "Otherside," "Porcelain," and "Road Trippin'" are probably my favorite songs from it. Personally I think Stadium Arcadium is the superior album from them from this time period, but this one is good too.
k.d. lang
3/5
I think I prefer k.d. lang's songs that are more pop than country, but I did overall enjoy this album. Though I don't love country music, there are some really good songs here, and k.d.'s voice is so good on everything. My favorite songs on the album are "Sugar Moon" and "(Waltz Me) Once Again Around the Dance Floor."
Ride
2/5
This was pretty boring, and I did not care for it. Really not a fan of shoegaze. The only reason I’m not giving this a 1 is because I did enjoy the song “Vapour Trail.” Otherwise, pass.
Electric Light Orchestra
5/5
This album is so good. So good. ELO is at their best here, and so many of their iconic songs are from this album. The way this album flows from one song to the next is really unmatched. I don’t think I’ve heard many albums that are this cohesive. The production is great too. Usually I mention favorite songs, but it’s probably easier to mention least favorites. “Jungle” is a mess and “The Whale” is a bit underwhelming, but they still fit in with the story being told by the album. I really can’t say enough about how spectacular this album is. Easiest 5 stars so far.
John Coltrane
3/5
I can tell that this is good jazz. I just don’t love jazz. But it doesn’t get better than Coltrane.
Led Zeppelin
5/5
This is not my favorite Led Zeppelin album, but it's still very good. "Babe I'm Gonna Leave You" is one of my favorite songs of theirs. I give this a 4.5/5, but I'm rounding up.
Fatboy Slim
2/5
My issue with this album is similar to my issue with every album from this genre - the songs are too long. If I was at a party, I probably wouldn’t hate it, but listening to it on its own is repetitive and annoying. I expected I was going to like this album more than I actually did. I hated “Praise You” when it first came out, but it has grown on me. But I think I liked the radio edits more. They felt more purposeful and concise. With that said, I do understand why this album is on this list, and Fatboy Slim really changed the game and brought this genre mainstream in a way it wasn’t at the time. I just don’t care for it. This album gets an extra star for “The Rockefeller Skank” because that song is amazing to this day. But I didn’t care for it overall.
Rush
5/5
Such a perfect prog rock concept album. Musicianship, production, lyrics - everything about it is top tier. Rush is a great band, and this is them at their best.
Arrested Development
3/5
I liked this album. Totally understand why it’s on this list. I just wish I liked it more. The good songs are amazing, but the rest are just kind of middling. I didn’t know much of Arrested Development outside of “Tennessee,” so I’m glad I finally listened to the entire album. “Mr. Wendal” is a great song that I know I’ll listen to a lot. But overall I was hoping for more from this.
Kanye West
4/5
Of all the Kanye albums on this list, this is the best one. But in my opinion he has much better and more important/influential albums. Late Registration should be on here, and a few others, instead of what is actually on this list. Anyway, this album is really good. I still remember when it came out and how great and different it was. It’s a shame Kanye became what he did because his early albums were something special. “All Falls Down,” “Never Let Me Down,” “Slow Jamz,” and “Through the Wire” are my favorite songs from the album, and the whole thing holds up really well. A solid 4 stars.
Booker T. & The MG's
3/5
I can’t believe I didn’t know the name of that song is “Green Onions” until today. This album was enjoyable, but I was hoping for a bit more. Many of the songs sounded somewhat the same, but the talent and musicianship were there. If I could I’d give this a 3.5, but I’m rounding down just because outside of the title track I probably won’t listen to this again.
The Chemical Brothers
3/5
I'm really not into electronica, and it seems like there's a lot of it on this list. But in terms of the genre, this is probably the best one I've listened to so far. Most of the mainstream stuff I've heard from The Chemical Brothers I've at least enjoyed to an extent, and that has translated to this album. Favorite songs are definitely "Block Rockin' Beats" and "Setting Sun."
Gang Of Four
2/5
So much British punk on this list. This was fine. Nothing groundbreaking and none of the songs really stood out to me. Probably won't listen to it again.
Scissor Sisters
4/5
I’ve heard of the Scissor Sisters but haven’t listened to their music until now. Not sure why, but I assumed they were a completely different genre. So this was a surprise, but a good surprise. A really fantastic and fun record. Normally this isn’t a genre I care for, but I really liked this. My favorite songs were “Laura,” “Take Your Mama,” “Mary,” and “Return to Oz.” One of my biggest (good) surprises so far!
Louis Prima
3/5
I’m generally sort of ambivalent about big band music, but I found this rather enjoyable. The best songs were “Just A Gigolo,” “Jump, Jive, An’ Wail,” “Buona Sera,” and “(I’ll Be Glad When You’re Dead) You Rascal You.” I likely won’t seek this out again, but it was a fun listen.
Frank Sinatra
5/5
I was not expecting to love this album as much as I did. Of course Sinatra was going to get 3 or 4 stars from me, but I did not expect to rate this a 5. It’s such a fun album, and Sinatra puts on a masterclass here. I enjoyed every single minute of listening to this. My favorite songs were “You Make Me Feel So Young,” “Too Marvelous for Words,” “I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” and his take on “Anything Goes,” which had a lot to live up to. I don’t always love this type of music, but this was fabulous, and I will listen to it again (and again and again).
Prince
5/5
I mean, what’s there to say? It’s Prince. It’s Purple Rain. The soundtrack to one of the best musical movies of all time. Arguably the best opening and closing song to any album ever. Absolutely immaculate.
Bobby Womack
2/5
I was expecting a bit more from this. The Bobby Womack songs I’ve heard, mostly his older stuff, I’ve enjoyed, so I expected I’d enjoy this too. Not so much. His voice is great, and I liked the songs “Just My Imagination” and “If You Think You’re Lonely Now,” but the rest of this just wasn’t that great. The songs went on for too long and most of them were fairly boring. I really wanted to like this more than I did.
U2
4/5
Bono is annoying, but U2 is generally pretty good. Not my favorite album of theirs, but it starts strong and is cohesive throughout. It starts to drag as it goes on but ends strongly with “40.” The singles are the best songs on here. It’s a 3.5/5 but I’m rounding up.
Willie Nelson
4/5
The first thought that came into my head while listening to this was, “what a sweet album.” Not necessarily what I was expecting given what I know about Willie Nelson, but it was really enjoyable, and there are some great arrangements of classic songs. “Unchained Melody” was absolutely gorgeous and probably my favorite song from the album, but I really liked “Georgia On My Mind” as well. Overall, just very pleasant to listen to.
Fugees
4/5
The Fugees are so good. A few too many skits for my liking, but that’s really a hallmark of most hip hop albums from that era. Lots of solid tracks here. My favorites are probably “Ready or Not,” “Killing Me Softly With His Song,” and “No Woman, No Cry.” Overall one of the best hip hop albums from the 90s.
Sister Sledge
3/5
Quite good for a disco album. “He’s The Greatest Dancer” is probably one of the best disco songs ever, in my opinion. Nile Rodgers production is top tier here. I don’t always love listening to disco, but this was enjoyable. Their voices are beautiful, and the songs are fun. And I totally understand why this album is on this list.
Taylor Swift
4/5
I liked this album a lot more than I thought I would. I’m not a Swiftie, but some of this was really good. Some of it was also very juvenile in the way that I find lots of Swift’s other songs and albums to be, but overall this has a much more mature sound. I definitely think this is more worthy of inclusion on this list than 1989. My favorite songs were, “willow,” “no body, no crime,” and “dorothea.” Not 5 star worthy, but still really good.
The Cult
2/5
This album started off well with “Wild Flower” but it was pretty much downhill from there. You can definitely hear Rick Rubin’s influence (especially considering how much this sounds like his work with Danzig). Overall just kind of boring and not memorable.
Jeff Buckley
4/5
I could listen to Jeff Buckley's rendition of "Hallelujah" on repeat for days. As for the album as a whole, I'm a little more mixed on it, but it's really good, and very moody. My favorite songs were "Last Goodbye," "Hallelujah," "Lover, You Should've Come Over," and "Forget Her." "Eternal Life" seemed tonally out of place in relation to the rest of the album, but it wasn't a bad song. It's really a shame we don't have more music from Jeff Buckley.
Various Artists
4/5
Edit: Phil Spector is a terrible human, but I love Christmas music, and listening to this again around the holidays made me realize how good it is.
If there’s going to be a Christmas album on the list, I suppose this would be the one. Lots of classics, and it’s enjoyable, just not sure it needs to be here. But it’s fun that I got this on Christmas!
Marianne Faithfull
2/5
Well, this was sure an album. The only word that comes to mind is “bizarre.” But not in a good way. Honestly I would have given this a 1 if it weren’t for “The Ballad of Lucy Jordan,” which is actually a pretty good song. I'd probably like this more if it was the 80s, and I was on a lot of cocaine.
Public Enemy
3/5
For political hip hop, it doesn’t get much better than Public Enemy, and Chuck D is one of the best there is. That being said, I just wasn’t feeling this as much as I’d hoped. There are a couple standout tracks, “Nighttrain” and “By The Time I Get To Arizona” being my favorites, but the rest sort of blended together. Not bad by any means, just hoped for a little more.
The United States Of America
4/5
This was weird, but in the absolute best way. I think I’m just a sucker for weird psychedelic 60s music. My favorite song on here by far was “The American Way Of Love” but “Where Is Yesterday” and “Coming Down” were up there too. I’d never heard of this band before, and I’m glad I listened to this album. I wish they’d put out more music.
Arcade Fire
3/5
This was a good album, just not particularly memorable. “Neighborhood #1-4” and “In The Backseat” would have made a really solid EP that I probably would have rated 5 stars. But it felt like the rest of album seemed like filler. Not bad, but nothing else stood out.
GZA
3/5
When I started listening to this, I didn’t much care for it. But as it went on, the production, lyrics, and concept continued to build, and I got really into it. The haunting style and atmosphere are really unique to this record. Parts of it were almost… creepy… but I liked that a lot.
The Who
4/5
Not my favorite album from The Who, but there's still some really good songs on here. "Mary Anne With The Shaky Hand," "I Can See For Miles," and "I Can't Reach You" are the best songs. This is peak "weird" from The Who, but I enjoy lots of weird music from this time period.
Tito Puente
3/5
This was good for what it was. Not my favorite genre, but it wasn't bad.
Supergrass
2/5
I had high hopes for this since I previously got I Should Coco on this list and surprisingly enjoyed it. This, not so much. Everything was just kind of middling and nothing stood out. “Late In The Day” and “G-Song” were probably my favorites, but it’s a very meh album.
R.E.M.
5/5
An absolutely fantastic album all around. There really isn’t a weak song on here, though I totally could have done without “Lightnin’ Hopkins.” My favorites from the album are “Finest Worksong,” “Welcome To The Occupation,” and “The One I Love.” One of R.E.M.’s best albums and definitely worthy of being on this list.
Jimi Hendrix
4/5
Not my favorite from Jimi Hendrix, but his talent is on full display here. My favorite songs are probably "Wait Until Tomorrow," "Ain't No Telling," "Castles Made of Sand," and "Bold As Love," with that being the absolute standout track. It feels like there's a bit more filler here than on his other albums, but overall it's still good, and Hendrix is still one of the best.
Curtis Mayfield
4/5
I knew the song “Superfly” going into this, but otherwise didn’t know much about this album. Wasn’t expecting much since it’s a soundtrack album, but wow was I wrong! This is a spectacular album top to bottom. Every song added to the bigger story, and the performance and production were top notch. One of the best soul albums I’ve heard.
Abdullah Ibrahim
3/5
This was enjoyable for jazz, which admittedly is not my favorite. It was a bit different than some of the other jazz offerings I've had on here, which I liked.
Bruce Springsteen
5/5
I really love most of Springsteen's early stuff, and Born To Run is no exception. Just an absolutely fantastic record from start to finish, and the opening and closing songs bookend the album perfectly. My favorite songs are probably "Thunder Road," "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out," "Backstreets," and "Jungleland," so basically almost the whole album. I don't think there's a song on here I don't at least somewhat like. Overall just amazing stuff here.
The Cure
4/5
The Cure is great, and this is obviously one of their best albums. Musically and lyrically they’re at their best here. My favorite tracks are “Pictures of You,” “Lovesong,” “Fascination Street,” “Homesick,” and “Untitled.” My biggest gripe with this album is the length of some of the songs, but overall it’s solid.
Bob Dylan
5/5
Despite thinking “Tangled Up in Blue” is a brilliant song, I’ve never actually listened to the full album of Blood On The Tracks. Well that was a mistake because the album itself is brilliant too. I think my favorite song actually ended up being “Idiot Wind,” which surprised me because I didn’t think anything would top “Tangled Up in Blue.” “Simple Twist of Fate” and “If You See Her, Say Hello” are also amazing songs. The second half of the album isn’t as good, but the first half is so good that it makes up for any weaknesses of the latter half. Not that the second half is bad either, but the first half is fantastic and every song is top tier. I wish I hadn’t put off listening to this album for so long because some of these songs are life changing.
Digital Underground
2/5
Wasn’t expecting much from an album that started with “The Humpty Dance” and, well, this lived up (down) to my expectations. None of the songs needed to be as long as they were, and the few that started off okay took weird lyrical turns partway through. I just wasn’t a fan of this at all, and there are much better hip hop albums that should be on this list instead. This is getting 2 stars only because of “The Humpty Dance,” which is still a fun song, albeit too long.
Magazine
3/5
I really wasn’t feeling this at first, but this is one of the few albums I’ve had so far on this list that actually picks up in the second half. “Shot By Both Sides,” “Motorcade” (the mid-song transition is fantastic), and “The Great Beautician In The Sky” are the standout tracks. Just an okay album overall, but a few really good songs here.
The Sugarcubes
2/5
Not really a fan of Bjork, and this is no exception. It's not completely unlistenable, but it's just kind of annoying nonsense.
Johnny Cash
4/5
What's there to say? Johnny Cash At Folsom Prison is a classic for a reason. Still great to listen to every time.
Al Green
5/5
This is such a good soul album. Al Green is a fantastic singer, and all the songs are great. I was making a mental list of my favorites while listening, but it ended up being like 2/3 of the album. Overall just an amazing album.
Astrud Gilberto
2/5
I’m not really very fond of bossa nova as a genre. That being said, this album was okay. Enjoyable enough, but nothing special and I doubt I’ll listen to it again. I liked that it was short.
Violent Femmes
5/5
"Blister In The Sun" and "Gone Daddy Gone" are damn near perfect songs, and the rest of the album is great too. "Kiss Off," "Please Don't Go," and "Good Feeling" are also standout tracks. There really isn't a low moment on this album. Probably one of the best albums of the 80s.
Iron Maiden
3/5
Not the biggest heavy metal fan, but this is fine. I enjoy Iron Maiden every now and then. I think “Charlotte The Harlot” is probably my favorite song on the album, but they all blended together a bit.
Paul McCartney and Wings
5/5
Practically a perfect album. Even the "weaker" songs are still amazing. I know people have mixed feelings on Wings and McCartney's post-Beatles stuff, but Band On The Run is so good. "Band On The Run" as a song is definitely in my top 10 songs of all time too. This is McCartney at his best. Easiest 5 stars for me so far.
Massive Attack
2/5
Meh and forgettable. None of the songs grabbed me. Not the worst thing I’ve listened to on this list, but it wasn’t very good either.
Peter Frampton
5/5
Possibly the best live album by any artist ever. This version of “Do You Feel Like We Do” is one of the best songs of all time. For me, it’s rare that a live version eclipses a studio version for one song, let alone an entire album of songs. This is Frampton’s masterpiece.
The Byrds
3/5
I usually like The Byrds, but I wasn’t really into this. Apparently it was revolutionary in country rock? I guess. This wasn’t terrible, but it was mediocre and forgettable. The best songs were “You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere” and “Nothing Was Delivered,” which I think I liked in particular because there were parts that were reminiscent of The Byrds songs that I liked. “Nothing Was Delivered” really is a fantastic song and gets it an extra star from me for that alone.
The Doors
4/5
I haven’t heard much of this album outside of “Roadhouse Blues,” but it’s quite good. “Blue Sunday” through “Indian Summer” are all great songs and make for a really fantastic middle/end of the album. Not my favorite from The Doors, but I still enjoyed this a lot overall.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
5/5
This album is so good. First two songs are a bit weaker, but once "Travelin' Band" starts, this album hits and doesn't stop. The 11 minute "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" jam is absolutely amazing. Best of CCR, hands down.
Also, I'll always have a soft spot for this record because "Lookin' Out My Back Door" was a song in a piano book my mom had, and I taught myself how to play by ear because I knew that song.
Pearl Jam
5/5
One day you’re at karaoke with your friends singing “Jeremy” and they start chanting “teeth, teeth, teeth” during his ad libs, and that’s all you can hear now.
Stellar album.
SAULT
1/5
I could not wait for this to be over. So many of the songs were insufferable. Did this make it just to have something from 2020 on the list? There had to be better albums. Even the songs that started out alright went on way too long. “Wildfires” and “Pray Up Stay Up” are the only two songs I didn’t absolutely hate, but it was a low bar.
Anthrax
1/5
This is heavy meh-tal at its worst. Just noise and not good. I understand why it’s on the list to an extent, but I don’t like it at all.
Kings of Leon
4/5
I definitely think there are more than 1001 albums that should be listened to before this one, however I still enjoy it. The best songs on the album are "Closer," "Sex on Fire," "Revelry," and "Notion," but there really aren't any terrible songs on here either. Doesn't belong with the greats, but that's fine. It's still good.
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
4/5
I really like Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, but this is not their best album by a long shot. It's still good, and all the songs are solid, but there's definitely other solo or Heartbreakers albums that should be on here instead of this one.
T. Rex
5/5
Admittedly I was not sure what to expect with this album because my familiarity with T. Rex was pretty much just “Get It On,” which I think is an okay song. But I’m so glad I listened to this whole album. The first half is damn near brilliant, and the album as a whole is really good and funky. “Mambo Sun,” “Cosmic Dancer,” and “Rip Off” were the highlights. This was the perfect album to listen to on one of the first sunny days of the year.
Madness
4/5
I didn't know much of Madness outside of their hits, but this was pretty enjoyable. I think my favorite songs were "Rise and Fall," "Tomorrow's (Just Another Day," and "Our House." Probably more of a 3.5 for me, but I'm rounding up.
1/5
BLOOD... BLOOD... BLOOD...
Let's fucking not.
Portishead
2/5
Kind of a slog to get through. Far from the worst thing I've heard from this list recently, but not great. Songs went on too long. I did enjoy "Deep Water," but that was about it.
Snoop Dogg
4/5
Classic gangsta rap. Snoop Dogg is just fantastic here. Not everything has aged super well, but it's that way with a lot of music. Standout tracks are "Gin and Juice," "Murder Was The Case," and "Ain't No Fun (If The Homies Can't Have None)." Loved hearing Nate Dogg on that last one. RIP.
Cream
5/5
Cream is so good. I absolutely adore this album. Every song is great, and the album itself is very cohesive. 5 stars.
Jean-Michel Jarre
3/5
Listening to this reminded me of the TV show Friends when Ross was doing his ridiculous keyboard music, but I weirdly enjoyed it.
T. Rex
5/5
I’ve really been sleeping on T. Rex, apparently. Another fantastic album from them. Didn’t vibe with this one quite as much as Electric Warrior, but it’s still really good and has some stellar songs. My favorite songs are “Metal Guru,” “Ballrooms of Mars,” and “Main Man.” Definitely going to listen to a lot more T. Rex going forward.
The Libertines
4/5
Honestly, I expected to hate and at best be indifferent to this album. But honestly? It’s quite good. It starts off strong with “Can’t Stand Me Now” and has some other really good songs, including “Music When The Lights Go Out,” “What Katie Did,” and “What Became Of The Likely Lads.” Parts of it were a little dull and redundant, but overall it was a surprisingly solid album.
Jurassic 5
3/5
This was very okay. Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it. I definitely think there’s better Jurassic 5 albums that could have been on this list.
Nick Drake
3/5
I want to like this more because it's giving me some Dave Matthews Band vibes, which I love, but this is just mediocre. "The Thoughts of Mary Jane" and "Saturday Sun" are fantastic songs, but the rest kind of blended together. Not terrible as an album, but just okay.
Cyndi Lauper
5/5
Such a great album. Every song is a banger. 5/5 so good!
Slipknot
2/5
I waffled between giving this 1 or 2 stars because, while I didn’t completely hate it, I was so bored. Plus most songs are too long. Then “Snuff” came on, which I really enjoyed. That’s really the only highlight.
Brian Eno
3/5
Didn’t think I was going to like this, but I actually kind of did. It made for good background music while I washed dishes and did some other chores. “I’ll Come Running” was probably the highlight. Started to get kind of tedious near the end, but I’ve heard a lot worse.
The Cure
3/5
Normally I like The Cure, but I wasn’t as into this. “M” and “Seventeen Seconds” were my favorite songs, but nothing really stood out. Kind of boring overall. I hoped for better.
Metallica
5/5
I hate Metallica. The songs are too long. But I love this album. Fuck.
The Flaming Lips
3/5
I thought maybe I’d turned a corner with The Flaming Lips because I liked The Soft Bulletin so much. But alas, I’m reminded why I really don’t care for them. I admit I liked listening to this album more than when I first heard it years ago, but there’s so much here that’s annoying and try hard. “Fight Test” and “Do You Realize??” are the best songs, but I’ve come around to “Yoshimi Part 1” a bit too. I totally understand why this album is on this list, but I prefer The Soft Bulletin even more after listening to this.
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
3/5
Emerson, Lake & Palmer just aren’t for me. I find most of their music to be so grating. And just when I think maybe I’m actually enjoying them, there’s a song that reminds me why I can’t stand them. However, when comparing them to other albums on this list, I’m more indifferent to them than anything else. I wish I could give half stars because this is a solid 2.5 from me, but I’m rounding up.
The Smiths
2/5
Insufferable rubbish.
The Temptations
4/5
Not my favorite album from The Temptations, but there are some really great songs here. "Papa Was A Rollin' Stone" is a classic, and "Do Your Thing" and "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" are also highlights. Plus it's The Temptations - they'll always make enjoyable music.
OutKast
5/5
My biggest issues with these albums are the length of some of the songs, and the amount of interludes. Idk what it is with hip hop and copious interludes, but they’re so unnecessary and 99% of the time they take away from the flow of the album.
That being said, these are fantastic albums. Speakerboxxx is the tighter album, but The Love Below has the better songs. “Roses” is probably the absolute standout, but there are so many great songs. The albums compliment and contrast each other well. Not perfect, but some of the best hip hop albums of the 2000.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
3/5
Edit: I was clearly feeling some kind of way when I rated this because I definitely do not love it like I did the night I rated it. Downgrading from a 4 to a 3.
Wasn't sure how I was going to feel about this album, but I surprisingly enjoyed it. I loved the concept and the song selection. "Henry Lee," "Where The Wild Roses Grow," and "Death Is Not The End" were probably my favorite songs, but there wasn't anything that stood out to me in a bad way either.
Elvis Presley
5/5
I like Elvis a lot, and some of his most famous songs are here. My favorites are “Only The Strong Survive,” “In The Ghetto,” and “Gentle On My Mind.” A solid album from top to bottom.
But can we talk about “Don’t Cry Daddy?” It’s this kind of batshit songwriting I’m glad we left in the past. I cringed so hard I almost removed a star.
Buffalo Springfield
4/5
Edit: On second thought, this is actually a 4, but "Broken Arrow" is still blows me away every time I listen to it.
Admittedly I find Buffalo Springfield a bit boring to listen to. I hadn’t listened to this album before, but some of the songs were pretty good, with “Mr. Soul,” “Bluebird,” and “Sad Memory” being my favorites. As I got near the end, I was pretty certain this was going to get a 4 from me. But then “Broken Arrow” comes on and, wow, what a song! I immediately connected with it, and it drew me in more than any other song on the album. Still not totally sold on Buffalo Springfield, but I’m definitely sold on this album.
Carole King
5/5
One of the best albums of all time hands down. You can still hear its influence on music today. Few albums have the longevity that this one does.
Funkadelic
3/5
Unusual. Different. Funky. It’s not really my thing but I enjoyed it well enough.
Joni Mitchell
5/5
There is a reason this is considered one of the best albums of all time. Just absolutely beautiful, musically and vocally. My favorite songs here are "All I Want," "River," and "A Case of You," but every song is really lovely. Such an amazing album that you can tell influenced so many since its release.
OutKast
4/5
Enough. With. The. Interludes. 99% of the time they kill the flow of the album. And they add unnecessary time to albums that can border on being too long even without them.
With that being said. I do really love Outkast. "Ms. Jackson" is a classic for my generation. Overall a really good album, but there's a fair amount of filler too, which detracts from it.
Randy Newman
2/5
Randy Newman's music has kind of made me hate Randy Newman. I always thought for the most part he just did the nice songs for the Toy Story movies but my god his non-soundtrack music is insufferable. Only reason this is getting 2 stars is because it's not completely unlistenable. Plus I gave his racist "concept" album 2 stars, and this definitely wasn't worse than that (though not much better).
Paul Simon
5/5
I love Paul Simon. Generally his music is fantastic. While not his best album, this self-titled gem does have some of his best songs. "Mother and Child Reunion" is one of the few songs that can make me cry from just hearing a few notes. Absolutely beautiful. "Duncan," "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard," "Armistice Day," and "Peace Like a River" are also really strong tracks, but nothing quite tops "Mother and Child Reunion" for me. The first half of the album is generally better than the latter half, but it's still a lovely album top to bottom.
Yes
5/5
One of my favorite moments with my mom is when we were driving to dinner and “Roundabout” came on the radio. I cranked up the volume and said, “I love Roundabout!” My mom was vibing too but then paused and said, “wait, how do you know Roundabout?” It came out when she was in high school, and I discovered it when I was in high school. Funny how life comes full circle.
I love Yes.
Saint Etienne
2/5
Not my favorite genre and kind of all over the place for me as an album. I’d give this a 2.5 if I could but rounding down due to the likelihood of me listening to this again (low).
Kate Bush
1/5
While listening to this, I kept thinking, “how much more would I hate this album if I didn’t feel like I should like it since it’s Kate Bush?” The answer is, A LOT. Not a fan of this at all. Sorry, Kate, this just didn’t work for me.
Janet Jackson
5/5
Quintessential Janet! So many great songs here. My only real gripe is how unnecessarily long some of the songs are. But overall a spectacular album!
Beastie Boys
5/5
Far and away the best Beastie Boys album. There’s some songs on here that haven’t aged super well, but that can be said for many albums from past decades. I was obsessed with “No Sleep Til Brooklyn” when I was a kid, and it’s probably still my favorite song on the album. So good!
The Kinks
5/5
I’ve listened to a lot of music from The Kinks, but not this album. I shouldn’t be surprised that it was also great. It was a lot of classic Kinks style and 60s weird songwriting that I love so much. My favorite songs were “The Village Green Preservation Society,” “Do You Remember Walter?,” “Starstruck,” and “All Of My Friends Were There.” It’s been cited as an early example of a concept album, and I hear it and I dig it. I love The Kinks, and this is no exception.
X-Ray Spex
2/5
Didn’t really care for this and kept thinking, “is this really an album I need to listen to before I die?” It wasn’t the worst thing I’ve listened to on this list, but it was boring and a bit repetitive. The title track and “I Cant Do Anything” were okay, but this is a skip from me.
Run-D.M.C.
5/5
Just a really good hip hop album from the 80s. Their version of “Walk This Way” is iconic! “Dumb Girl” doesn’t hold up especially well, but the rest of the album does, more so than many others from that era. This album has so many iconic songs; it makes total sense why it’s on this list.
Wilco
2/5
This was alright. Kind of boring, but generally this isn’t a genre I love. Okay for what it was but I wouldn’t listen to it again.
Talking Heads
5/5
I really enjoy the Talking Heads. Sometimes they can be a little much for me, but overall I really enjoy their music, and this album is no exception. "Born Under Punches," "Crosseyed and Painless," and "Once in a Lifetime" are the best songs on here, but they're all pretty good. This is between a 4 and 5 for me, but I've been listening to "Born Under Punches" on repeat all day, so it's getting a 5.
Stevie Wonder
5/5
I love Stevie Wonder, and this is really his best album. But listening to it all the way through, since this is a double album, it's very clear that the first album is much stronger than the second. At times the second album was really a slog to get through (and those lyrics to "Black Man"... yikes!). I will say, the four bonus songs are fantastic ("Saturn" is gorgeous) and should have been the second half instead of what's actually there. With all that being said, this is still an amazing album and more than deserves to be on this list. Personally it's around a 4.5 for me, but it's Stevie and there's some stellar songs here, so I'm rounding up.
Elvis Presley
4/5
I like Elvis, but I wasn’t captivated by this one as much as I was some of his other albums. That being said, it’s still quite good, and I enjoyed most of the songs.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
3/5
This was alright. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds are a little hit or miss for me most of the time. My favorite songs were “Into My Arms,” “People Ain’t No Good,” and “Far From Me.” Overall I didn’t love it, but also didn’t hate it. Pretty average.
Common
3/5
This was enjoyable enough. I’m not a huge fan of this kind of hip hop, but it was good for what it was. There were a couple lyrics that made me raise my eyebrow, but this isn’t the only album on here where that’s happened, and I know it won’t be the last. “Geto Heaven Part Two” was definitely the best song on the album.
Alanis Morissette
5/5
Fantastic album. One of the best of the 90s and one of the best ever by a female artist. Every song is great and most of them are iconic. So, so good.
Prince
4/5
I like Prince a lot, and this is a really solid album. The main reason it's not getting 5 stars from me is that some of the songs really meander for way longer than they should. The musicality and production are top notch throughout, but this album just loses me at some points. It's not bad by any means, though. My favorite songs are probably "Little Red Corvette" and "Free" but they all have high points.
Animal Collective
2/5
I don’t know how to explain it, but this album stressed me out. More than half the songs had me on edge, especially the first and last. “My Girls” and “Summertime Clothes” were okay, and there were parts of others I didn’t mind, but overall this was a very unpleasant listening experience.
Sonic Youth
5/5
This is a really good album. I didn’t listen to much Sonic Youth growing up, which is a shame because they are definitely one of the best alternative grunge bands of all time, and this album showcases that perfectly. While it dips a little for me in the middle, there really isn’t a bad song on here. “100%,” “Youth Against Fascism,” and “Purr” are probably my favorite songs, but I was captivated from beginning to end.
Van Halen
4/5
This album is iconic for a reason. It’s not my personal favorite Van Halen album, but it’s still really good and is probably one of the best debut albums from any band from that era. My favorite songs are “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘bout Love,” “Jamie’s Cryin’,” and “Atomic Punk.” Plus “Eruption” is pretty much perfection.
Ramones
5/5
I mean it's the Ramones, what more is there to say? One of my favorite bands of all time. Every song on here is fantastic. My favorites are probably the first 4 and last 3 songs, but honestly everything here is great. Punk pioneers, and one of the best punk albums of all time.
The Velvet Underground
4/5
Surprisingly have not listened to much of The Velvet Underground. I quite enjoyed this. My favorite songs are probably "Candy Says," "What Goes On," and "Jesus." "The Murder Mystery" was totally a mixed bag for me; I loved and hated it at the same time, but that was the only song I didn't really care for, even though I kind of did. Overall a really good album!
Method Man
4/5
The more albums I hear that were produced by RZA, the more I appreciate his creative and haunting production style. Tical is definitely one of the best solo efforts from members of the Wu-Tang Clan. “Tical,” “What The Blood Clot,” and “I’ll Be There For You/You’re All I Need To Get By” are the best songs on a very strong album. Honestly was not expecting to be this impressed by Method Man’s debut solo effort, but his rhymes are great and the production puts it over the top.
Scott Walker
5/5
Edit: I love this brilliant weirdo. I was on the fence with this album for so long, but I've come to embrace my love of Scott Walker. This deserves a 5.
Usually after one listen through of an album I have a pretty good sense on whether I like it or not. But not this one. I had to listen to it a few times to actually figure out my feelings. On first listen? Hated on. Next listen? Kind of brilliant. And so on. I’m still not entirely certain on my feeling, but more often than not, I found myself enjoying most of it. But boy does Scott Walker like to write about women crying. I swear like 2/3 of the songs on here have lyrics about it. “Hero Of The War” is probably my favorite song on this album. It’s lowkey brilliant? Somehow? Clearly I still don’t know how to feel, but, uh, 4 stars. Sure.
U2
4/5
Definitely one of U2’s better albums. Not my favorite of theirs, but it’s not bad. “So Cruel,” “The Fly,” and “Ultra Violet (Light My Way)” are probably my favorite songs aside from their two major hits from this. Solid 4.
Miles Davis
4/5
I admit I tend to struggle with jazz. Even good jazz. It’s just not my favorite genre. But this album? Totally captivating. An absolute pleasure to listen to. There’s a reason Miles Davis is one of, if not the, best.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
3/5
I'm kind of meh on Elvis Costello. I really liked the first 3 songs on the album, but then it just fell off for me. Not terrible, just not super engaging. I've definitely heard worse on this list and wouldn't turn this off if it came on a playlist, but I wouldn't seek it out either.
N.W.A.
4/5
This is an amazing, iconic album by a similarly iconic rap group. NWA really left their mark on hip hop in a big way. Are some of the lyrics problematic? Sure, but that can be said about so many albums on this list in all genres. It’s not exclusive to rap, though I see it levied as a criticism almost exclusively to rap albums on this list. But I digress. One thing about NWA that I find different from a lot of other groups is that all of their rappers are insanely talented, but also so different. Even in other groups with multiple artists, there are usually weaker members, but not in NWA. Everyone is a talented lyricist and rapper. The first 3 songs come out the gate hot and set the tone for the album. While I don’t love every song here, the good ones are so good, and it’s a solid album top to bottom.
Radiohead
3/5
Didn't love this at first, but it grew on me as I listened. Not my favorite Radiohead, but even with that said, it's pretty good. My favorite songs were "Faust Arp," "Reckoner," and "Videotape." Wish I could give this a 3.5, but I'm rounding down.
Jane's Addiction
4/5
This sort of felt like 2 separate albums put together, and honestly I really don’t like when bands do that. That being said, both parts of this album are really good. I definitely preferred the first half, but also appreciated the melancholy sounds of the latter half. This is probably a 3.5 for me, but I’m rounding up because I absolutely love “Been Caught Stealing.”
Neil Young
4/5
This is definitely Neil Young’s best solo album. “Out on the Weekend,” “Heart of Gold,” and “Words (Between the Lines of Age)” are my favorite songs here. I wish they’d kept the entire album as more low key and acoustic. There are a few songs that just feel out of place, especially “Are You Ready for the Country?” Solid album, though.
Nirvana
5/5
The quintessential grunge album. Iconic songs all over the place. Not a weak point on the album. Practically perfection. I grew up listening to Nirvana, and this album is just as good now as it was back then.
Pere Ubu
2/5
This album frustrates me. There are so many pieces of good songs here, but then they take weird turns in random places and become strange, but not in a good way. I really wanted to like this, and there are parts I did, but it’s a big mess overall.
I am surprised this is one of the worst rated albums on this entire list, though. I can guarantee there are so many worse albums than this.
Fela Kuti
3/5
One of the better live albums I’ve listened to. Music, instrumentation, and production were all really good here. Not my usual genre, but I enjoyed this.
Billy Joel
5/5
Billy Joel is so good. Probably his best album top to bottom, but he has some other fantastic ones that I think should be on this list as well. “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant” is my favorite song on here, but I admittedly love his long story songs (“Captain Jack” is all time favorite) but there is literally not one weak song on this album.
I’ve seen him play most songs from this album in concert, and if you have the chance to see him, I highly recommend it. One of the best concerts I’ve ever seen.
Parliament
4/5
I'm definitely more of a Parliament person than a Funkadelic person, though both are still good. Absolutely love this album. Great songs top to bottom. Can't really pick a favorite because they're all fantastic.
The Isley Brothers
5/5
This is a great album, but the original songs are so much stronger than the covers. Aside from "Summer Breeze," I actually think the cover songs are the weak points. Obviously the vocals and stuff are still good on those, but they pale in comparison to the original songs (and their original versions). "That Lady," "If You Were There," and "You Walk Your Way" are the best songs on the album. Still, though, the album is so good. Definitely some of the best from The Isley Brothers all in one place.
Cat Stevens
5/5
I love Cat Stevens. His music always puts me in a peaceful mood. This album is great. For better or worse, "Father and Son" will always make me think of Guardians of the Galaxy 2 and make me emotional. But truly all the songs here are excellent.
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
1/5
Every time I see the title of this album I just think of Alfred E. Neuman/Mad Magazine. “What, me worry?”
As an album, though? Completely obnoxious.
Lynyrd Skynyrd
5/5
Probably the most influential southern rock record of all time. I know some of these songs are kind of played out, but they’re still so good. “Tuesday’s Gone” is my favorite song on here, and I’ve been listening to it on repeat since listening to the album. “Poison Whiskey” is probably my least favorite song on here, but it’s still solid. Overall just a fantastic record.
Steely Dan
5/5
As a Dan fan, this is one of their albums that I’ve listened to the least, individual songs aside. With that being said, it’s still love it. My favorite songs are “Night By Night,” “Any Major Dude Will Tell You,” “Barrytown,” and “With A Gun.” The album loses some steam in the second half, but it’s still fantastic.
The Offspring
5/5
One of my favorite albums by my favorite band? Yeah, I've been waiting for this one.
From an objective point of view, I think Ignition and Americana are better albums (they've never sounded better than on Americana, in my opinion, and the non-single songs are some of the best they've ever done, and Ignition is where they're lyrically at their best). However, it makes total sense for this album to be on here. It changed the game. Really brought punk to the mainstream in the 90s in a way other bands weren't and paved the way for the success of bands like Blink 182 and Rancid. Even though I was a kid in 1994, I remember this album being such a big deal. Listening to it with my older brother is what made me a lifelong fan of The Offspring.
Let's talk about the songs. My brother had a copy of Spin magazine with Dexter Holland on the cover that I used to steal and read the article on them over and over. While it was during the Americana days, Dexter talked about what persuaded him to write "Bad Habit," and it endeared me to the song ever since. Plus, how can you hate a song with the lyrics "stupid dumbshit goddamn motherfucker?" "Self Esteem" is their masterpiece. Hands down, no questions. "Come Out and Play," "Bad Habit," "Nitro (Youth Energy)," and "Smash" are my other favorites, but honestly there isn't one song on here that I don't like in some way. Still know all the words. Still belt them at the top of my lungs. Practically a perfect record.
Slayer
1/5
Not even a half hour in length, but it still felt long. No fucking thank you.
Kraftwerk
3/5
One of the first albums I got on this list was The Man Machine, and I gave it a 3, but it was very meh. I actually liked this album a lot more, probably about a 3.5, but not enough to round up to a 4. If I could go back and re-rate The Man Machine, I’d probably give it a 2. But alas, this is also getting a 3. But it was much better.
Bad Company
5/5
Bad Company by Bad Company from the album Bad Company.
Not my favorite album of theirs, but I understand why this is the one chosen for the list. Probably like a 4.5 but rounding up.
5/5
Wow okay. Totally obsessed with these Kinks concept albums. Definitely preferred some individual songs on Village Green Preservation Society, but this is so much richer as an album. Only comparing the two due to the conceptual nature of both. But my god. So fantastic. Hard to pick favorite songs, but “Victoria” and “Arthur” are probably my favorites. “Yes Sir, No Sir” and “Shangri-La” are really great too. Just amazing.
Dr. Dre
4/5
A classic of the genre for a reason. Some lyrics haven’t aged well, but you’re going to find that in a lot of albums. Honestly what I don’t love about this album is that it feels light on Dr. Dre himself. He’s a good rapper, but this is more of a showcase for everyone else featured here. Given where his career headed (producing) it makes sense, but it doesn’t really feel like a Dr. Dre album. Still good, but I admit I prefer 2001 from his discography. But it totally makes sense why this is here.
Madonna
5/5
I’m generally kind of ambivalent about Madonna. I like some of her songs but generally don’t seek out her music. So color me surprised when I listened to this and loved it? This isn’t even a genre I enjoy in general, let alone from Madonna, but this was amazing. A super cohesive album, and while on the longer side with songs on the longer side too, it never overstayed its welcome. So many great artists fall into that trap, but Madonna figured out how to perfectly toe the line here. “Drowned World/Substitute for Love,” “Ray of Light,” and “The Power of Good-Bye” were my favorite songs, but I found something to enjoy about every song on this album. Was not expecting to love this as much as I did, but I’m so glad this came up on this list and forced me to give it a chance.
3/5
This was alright. I could see how this could have been really important album in the 80s. Listening to it now, though, a lot of the songs are similar and repetitive. I didn’t hate this, but nothing much stood out. I was going to give this a 2, but “4 Ever 2 Gether” was a nice departure from the rest of the album, and I quite enjoyed it. But over, this was just okay.
Marvin Gaye
4/5
Marvin Gaye is great, and I liked this album quite a bit. My favorite songs are “Let’s Get It On” (an absolute classic) and “Distant Lover.” The last 2 songs really drag on too long, and that’s my main criticism here. But overall still enjoyed this album a lot.
Coldplay
4/5
I thought I’d listened to this whole album back when it came out, but I don’t remember half the songs. “Don’t Panic,” “Shiver,” “Yellow,” and “Trouble” are my favorite songs, but they’re all pretty good. I’m hit or miss on Coldplay in general, but this is one of their best albums.
Fela Kuti
4/5
Liked this quite a bit better than the other Fela Kuti album I got, which I did still enjoy. This was one great and I found the music to be more engaging. Overall a really solid album.
Tim Buckley
3/5
I have really mixed feelings on this album. At points I really loved it, but at other points it seemed so tedious, sometimes even in the same song. I enjoyed parts of “Buzzin’ Fly” and “Gypsy Woman,” but the latter especially droned on far too long. I’d give this a 3.5 if I could, but overall this was just a bit much for me.
Death In Vegas
2/5
This far from the worst thing I’ve heard, but I still didn’t like it much. Something about the song “Aisha” really put me off in an extreme way. Overall just didn’t care for this.
fIREHOSE
3/5
This was okay. Not something I think I needed to listen to before I die. I don’t really have strong feelings about this either way. Was leaning towards giving this a 2, but I really liked the song “Understanding” so I bumped it up to a 3.
Keith Jarrett
4/5
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this. Normally I find classical music to be a bit sleepy, but I found this to be really engaging. I listened to this with headphones, and every now and then there would be like talking or murmuring sounds on the track that I kept thinking were happening outside, which I didn’t love. But overall really good and enjoyable.
Public Enemy
5/5
This is such a great hip hop album. Production, lyrics, everything, just absolutely top notch. My favorite songs are “911 Is A Joke,” “Burn Hollywood Burn,” “Revolutionary Generation,” and “Fight The Power.” I don’t always love Public Enemy, but this is definitely their masterpiece.
Ravi Shankar
3/5
This was okay. It’s really not my type of music. It was fine for what it was.
Scott Walker
5/5
Edit: Scott 4 is still better, but this gets a 5 too.
I love this weirdo and his weird ass music. I was so on the fence about him when I heard Scott 4, but I’ve since completely embraced his music. My favorite songs on this album are “Best Of Both Worlds,” “Black Sheep Boy,” and “Come Next Spring” but honestly it’s all pretty good. I think in general I preferred Scott 4 to this, but I like this a lot as well.
Deep Purple
4/5
A stellar psychedelic rock album. Maybe not my favorite Deep Purple album, but it’s really good. “Hard Lovin’ Man” is probably my favorite track, but there’s not a weak song on here.
Count Basie & His Orchestra
4/5
Honestly wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about this album before I started it. I’m not the biggest fan of big band music, but I also know Count Basie is a legend. This definitely exceeded my expectations. The arrangements were fun and captivating. I kept listening to “Fight of the Foo Birds” on repeat because it was such a fun track. Overall I really enjoyed this.
Curtis Mayfield
4/5
I’ve really loved the Curtis Mayfield albums on this list. While not as epic as Superfly, this is still fantastic and lyrically masterful. My favorite songs are probably “Blue Monday People” and “Love to the People.” A very powerful album that deserves its place on this list.
Tori Amos
5/5
Totally blown away by this album. Actually shocked I hadn't listened to this before, though I know I've heard a few songs from it. Her voice is beautiful, and her lyrics are stunning. My favorite songs are "Crucify," "Silent All These Years," "Winter," and "Tear in Your Hand." I also love that "Silent All These Years" was originally written for Al Stewart, who she sang background vocals for, and is one of my favorite artists. This has to be one of the best 90s albums by any female artist. Just gorgeous.
The Pharcyde
3/5
I have really mixed feelings on this. Some of it was great, but some of it has aged so poorly. The skill and creativity were apparent, and I totally understand why this made the list, but overall I just didn’t love it.
Lana Del Rey
2/5
This kind of music really isn't my vibe. It's really indicative of what I don't like about late-2010s-20s music. It's far from the worst thing I've heard on this list, but also not sure it needs to be on here. "Wild At Heart" and "Dark But Just A Game" were somewhat enjoyable, but overall this is not for me.
5/5
I like Muse well enough, but I don't think I've ever listened to a full album from them. Clearly I was missing out because this is an amazing album from top to bottom. I think this is one of the albums that has fallen off the list over the years, which is shocking to me because it's fantastic and is one of the ones that seems most obvious as to why it should be on the list. It's hard to pick favorite songs, but mine are probably "Starlight," "Map of the Problematique," and "Knights of Cydonia," but honestly I loved every song on here. Just absolutely stunning.
Guns N' Roses
4/5
I understand why this album is on the list, but it's probably not the Guns N' Roses album I would have chosen. I think Use Your Illusion I is probably a more memorable album, even if it has less of their hits. Guns N' Roses has always had some pretty problematic lyrics, and there's definitely some stuff on here that made me cringe. However there are still a lot of good songs. "Mr. Brownstone," "My Michelle," and "Sweet Child O' Mine" are probably my favorites. It's still a good album, but not their best.
Iron Butterfly
5/5
I definitely should have listened to this whole album before now. I knew "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" as a song, but holy cow the entire album is fantastic. Just stunning. Every song is amazing. And the title track is just absolute overindulged, unhinged greatness.
Fugazi
2/5
I hoped to like this more than I did. It was pretty boring and nothing stood out. I waffled between giving this a 1 or a 2, but I'm going with 2 just because it's not atrocious in the same way as other things I've rated a 1. Just really blah.
Radiohead
4/5
Honestly any Radiohead post-Ok Computer is hit or miss for me. I appreciate how they continue to evolve their sound, but I preferred them when they were more straight alternative. This is pretty good, though. Didn’t love it at first, but it grew on me. “Backdrifts,” “Go To Sleep,” and “A Punch Up at a Wedding” are my favorites, but there’s nothing on here that was bad. After listening to this all the way through, I actually think I liked this more than Kid A, which surprised me. A solid 4.
Neil Young
5/5
I liked this better than Harvest? That was very unexpected for me. I think I actually loved every song on here except “For the Turnstiles” and “Vampire Blues.” But everything else? Stunning and moody in the best way. I was expecting to be ambivalent about this album, but it truly blew me away.
The Clash
5/5
My goodness what a fantastic album. You can still hear its influence on music today. There isn’t one bad song on here. “London Calling,” “Train In Vain,” “I’m Not Down,” “Spanish Bombs,” and “Lost in the Supermarket” are my favorite songs off of it, but I mean it when I say there are no weak songs. Lyrically and musically this is The Clash at their best. This is an album that everyone should have to listen to at least once.
G. Love & Special Sauce
1/5
This is like blues-jazz-alternative-rap fusion, right? Honestly I’m impressed someone can mix four genres and not be good at any of them. Oh and add in a bad blaccent? The cherry on top.
Hard pass.
3/5
This was okay. Somewhat enjoyable but not particularly memorable. The title track was the best song. Not bad but nothing special.
Fats Domino
5/5
This was exceedingly hard to find. I ended up having to listen to each song individually, but it was worth it. Fats Domino is amazing, and the moment I heard “Blueberry Hill” I was transported back to my family’s minivan listening to the oldies station on the way to school. Love it.
Janelle Monáe
5/5
I was honestly shocked by how much I liked this. An absolutely stunning album and probably one of the best concept albums I’ve ever heard. I tend to not like much music from the 2010s and beyond, so I’m glad I gave this a real listen. “Faster,” “Cold War,” and “Come Alive (War of the Roses)” were some of my favorite tracks, but everything here is great and contributes to the whole of the album. It just seamlessly flows, and the production is top notch. Janelle Monae is so talented. Wow.
MGMT
3/5
This was fine. I was surprised I knew more of the songs than I thought I would from hearing them on the radio. The singles were probably my favorite songs, but I also enjoyed “Of Moons, Birds & Monsters.” Not sure if this really belongs on the list, but it was alright and enjoyable enough to listen to.
Paul Weller
2/5
I wasn’t a huge fan of this. It’s very 90s in an incredibly specific way, but one that is very hit or miss for me, and this is a miss. “Hung Up” was a bright spot, but that was about it. I wish I could give this a 2.5, but I’m rounding down.
Eagles
5/5
I have such a love/hate with the Eagles, bordering more on hate these days. But this album? I can’t deny that it is a masterpiece top to bottom. Even though it is overplayed to hell, “Hotel California” is a perfect way to open the album and really sucks you in and sets the tone. I can’t really pick favorite songs but “Wasting Time” and “Try and Love Again” are what I enjoyed most on this listen. The only song on this album that I don’t care for consistently is “The Last Resort,” but everything else is fantastic.
Shuggie Otis
4/5
I was really surprised by this one. Had absolutely no idea what to expect as I’d never heard Shuggie Otis before, but this was so enjoyable, musically and lyrically. It seemed very different from a lot of stuff from that time period, in a good way. I found myself really getting lost in the music when normally I’m more of a lyrics person. Fantastic album overall.
David Bowie
5/5
Such a great Bowie album! It’s a great mix of lyrics and instrumentals, and it’s so delightfully moody. The first 3 songs (“Heroes” is a classic, of course) and the last song are my favorites, but it’s strong top to bottom. Hard for me to dislike anything from David Bowie.
Van Morrison
5/5
Van Morrison is kind of a crappy person, but I can’t deny he’s made some amazing music. This is absolutely my favorite album of his. The first half is definitely stronger than the second half, but it’s still pretty good top to bottom. “And It Stoned Me,” “Crazy Love,” and “Everyone” are my favorite songs on the album. I especially love “Everyone” because of its use in The Royal Tenenbaums, which is my favorite movie. To me, Van Morrison has great singles more so than albums, but this is definitely his masterpiece.
Funkadelic
4/5
Surprisingly hard to find, but definitely worth the trouble. Even after listening to this, I think I'm still slightly more partial to Parliament, but I greatly preferred this to Maggot Brain. Really solid album. I'll probably return to this.
John Lee Hooker
2/5
I just didn’t vibe with this. I can definitely hear the talent, and there’s a great roster of guests, but it bored me. This is one of the albums where I understand why it’s on the list; I just don’t care for it.
Suzanne Vega
4/5
I’m a fan of Suzanne Vega for “Luka” and “Tom’s Diner” but I haven’t heard much else from her. I wasn’t feeling this album at first, but it really grew on me as I listened. “Marlene On The Wall,” “Some Journey,” and “The Queen And The Soldier” are my favorite songs from it. It’s a little hit or miss for me in places, but overall I liked it. It’s basically a 3.5 from me but I’m rounding up.
Rush
5/5
This is Rush at their best. Every song on here is amazing. Great, cohesive album. No notes.
Van Halen
4/5
This is a really good Van Halen album. The singles are the best songs, but the rest aren’t bad. I tend to prefer the Sammy Hagar years a bit more (I know…) but this is pretty much peak Van Halen.
Lightning Bolt
1/5
MY BROTHER IN CHRIST WHY IS THIS ON HERE?
If there was a list of 1001 albums you shouldn’t listen to before you die, this would be near the top.
Big Star
5/5
Not a huge fan of the first song on the album, but it only goes up from there. Genuinely hard to pick favorite songs, but “Thank You Friends,” “Jesus Christ,” “Femme Fatale,” and “Kanga Roo” are probably near the top. In addition to being a great album, the history behind it is super fascinating. I just love Big Star.
Elliott Smith
3/5
I’ve heard individual songs from Elliott Smith that I really enjoyed, but never listened to an entire record. Ngl, I was pretty disappointed. This album, as the kids would say, is mid. Far from the worst thing on this list, but not great. “Son Of Sam” and “Easy Way Out” are my favorite songs from it, but nothing really stood out. I’d give this a 2.5 if I could, but I’m rounding up to 3 because a 2 seems a little too harsh, but it was close.
Talking Heads
5/5
Probably my favorite Talking Heads album. It’s just so good. Every song is absolutely stellar, and there are no weak tracks. “Psycho Killer” is an elite song; one you have to sing along to at the top of your lungs whenever you hear it. But “Uh Oh, Love Comes to Town,” “No Compassion,” “Pulled Up,” and honestly every other song… just cannot choose a favorite. Might not be possible. It’s been awhile since I’ve listened to this, and I forgot just how good it is. This album will be on heavy rotation for me for at least the next month.
Pink Floyd
5/5
It has been a minute since I’ve listened to this album all the way through. Just… wow. What else can I say about it? Pink Floyd at their best. The pinnacle of concept albums. Absolutely brilliant.
Neneh Cherry
3/5
I quite enjoyed this. It has that late 80s/early 90s dance/R&B vibe that is very nostalgic to me. “Buffalo Stance” is a fantastic song, and there are a lot of other good ones on the album too. Wish I could give this a 3.5, but I’m rounding down as it’s not quite a 4 for me, but I still enjoyed it.
The Notorious B.I.G.
3/5
Loved “Juicy” and “Big Poppa” but that’s about it. Those are the two I was familiar with before listening to this, and I hoped to enjoy this based on those songs. But I didn’t. I enjoy hip hop a fair amount, but this just didn’t grab me. The Diddy of it all probably didn’t help either. This was just okay, but I wanted more.
The Youngbloods
5/5
Considering my dislike for the song “Get Together” I did not have much hope for an album from The Youngbloods. This is another instance on this list where I was glad to be proved wrong! “Darkness, Darkness” is a fantastic opener, and arguably the best song on the album, and it sets a tone for what’s to come. There honestly isn’t a bad song on this album, and besides the opening track my favorites are “Smug,” “Sunlight,” and “Quicksand.” The instrumentals are fantastic too, and on albums like this they tend to be hit or miss, but they were definitely a hit here. There are so many great albums from the 60s, and this manages to stand high amongst the competition. Truly just a fantastic record.
Amy Winehouse
2/5
It seems to me like Amy Winehouse gets the Adele treatment where anything she ever released is considered good, even when it’s remarkably average. Back To Black is a fantastic album, but Frank left a lot to be desired. Maybe I’d like this more if I was going through a breakup or in my 20s, but I couldn’t get into this at all. She’s obviously a talented singer, and there are some decent songs here, but overall it’s just not great and doesn’t deserve to be on this list.
Stevie Wonder
4/5
This is definitely one of my top Stevie Wonder albums. Lots of great songs, though some of them drag on a little longer than they need to. My favorites are “He’s Misstra Know-It-All,” which is the best song on the album by far, “Higher Ground,” and “Living For The City.” This is a 4.5 for me, but I’m ultimately going with a 4 because it doesn’t compare with Songs In The Key Of Life, which I already rated a 5. But “He’s Misstra Know-It-All” is a 10/10 song. I can’t get over how much I love it.
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five
4/5
Really good album, and you can hear how it influenced hip hop. “The Message” is iconic. Hadn’t heard much else from them besides the title track, but was overall really impressed. Didn’t care much for “Scorpio” or “You Are” but the rest of the tracks are amazing. This is an album where you can tell from the first few beats of the first song that it belongs on the list.
Deep Purple
5/5
This is the best Deep Purple album. Every song on here is top tier, but “Highway Star” and “Smoke on the Water” stand above the others. Just absolute fantastic 70s rock.
Kendrick Lamar
4/5
Kendrick Lamar came on the scene when I wanted nothing to do with any current music, so his music has largely escaped me aside from a few major performances I’d seen, like the Super Bowl halftime show a few years back. His talent is evident from the first track. It fits in perfectly with the West Coast hip hop that I grew up with and loved (which obviously makes sense since Dr. Dre had a hand in it). This album is head and shoulders above most of the other hip hop I’ve heard from this time period. I definitely understand why Kendrick Lamar is considered so highly. I didn’t love everything about this album, but it’s solid, had a story, great production, and Lamar’s talent is evident. Definitely a worthy inclusion for the modern side of the list.
Pixies
2/5
I’m just not a fan of the Pixies. I feel like I should like them, but I don’t. While I liked this album better than Bossanova, which was the 2nd album I got on this list, overall I’m still not a fan. “Gigantic” and “Where Is My Mind?” are my favorite songs on the album, and I think I particularly liked “Gigantic” because Kim Deal did the lead vocals instead of Black Francis (with few exceptions, all of the songs where Kim Deal took on more of the vocals I preferred to the rest of the album). But yeah, pass on this.
David Bowie
5/5
This might be my new favorite Bowie album. I don’t think I’ve ever listened to it all the way through, but wow. I loved every song, but “Watch That Man,” “Drive-In Saturday,” “Panic In Detroit,” and “The Jean Genie” are the standouts. I also love the concept of this being about him traveling through America during his tour. You can actually hear the inspiration in a lot of the songs. This is going to be on constant rotation for me.
Yes
5/5
This is probably my favorite Yes album. I cannot pick a favorite song because it changes constantly. Honestly this album is low key (or high key) brilliant. Despite having multiple 8+ minute songs, none of them feel overly long, and that’s hard to do. This is on fairly regular rotation for me, and I don’t ever see that changing.
Duran Duran
3/5
Most of my knowledge of Duran Duran is their singles, which I pretty much universally enjoy, so I was a little let down by this album. I liked it well enough, but nothing was spectacular about it. “Rio,” “Hungry Like The Wolf,” and “New Religion” were my favorite songs, and while none of the other songs were bad, they were just kind of middling. This is definitely a 3.5 to me, but I have to ultimately give it a 3. It wasn’t bad but wasn’t great either.
Steely Dan
5/5
I’m so biased when it comes to this album. Steely Dan is one of my favorite bands, and this is possibly my favorite album of all time. For a debut album, it is insanely good and possibly the best album the band has ever made. There is not one weak track on the album. Everything is a standout. It’s also so different from almost everything that was out at the time. Production is great. Sound is unique. Musically and lyrically a standout. “Dirty Work” into “Kings” into “Midnight Cruiser” is such a great creative punch. I could go on and on about this album, but I’ll shut up now and give it the 5 stars it deserves.
Radiohead
4/5
I continue to feel very mixed about post-OK Computer Radiohead, and this album might be the one I feel the most mixed about. The standout songs are so good, verging on brilliant. The rest feel incredibly lacking. The best tracks are “Packt Like Sardines In A Crushd Tin Box,” “Pyramid Song,” and “Knives Out,” and there are a few others that are pretty good. The only reason this is getting a high rating from me is because of the strength of some of the songs and the moody vibe. Even for the songs I didn’t care for, they added to the overall moodiness of the album, and that in itself elevates the material.
Led Zeppelin
5/5
Is this Led Zeppelin’s best album? Yes. Does it also have most of my favorite songs of theirs? Also yes. I’ve listened to this album so many times, and it somehow gets better with each listen. If I had to pick a favorite album of all time, this would definitely be in the conversation.
The Byrds
5/5
I generally love The Byrds and this is no exception. Fantastic album top to bottom. “So You Want To Be A Rock ‘N’ Roll Star,” “Have You Seen Her Face,” and “My Back Pages” are my favorite songs on it, but every song is really enjoyable. It’s just good, fun 60s folk rock.
Guided By Voices
4/5
I’m struggling to rate this one despite the fact that I overall quite liked it. But there were a handful of songs that were actually physically hard to listen to. Just noise and weird sounds and bad production. Listening to those was almost painful. But on the other hand, there were some absolutely brilliant songs. “As We Go Up, We Go Down,” “Game Of Pricks,” “My Valuable Hunting Knife,” “King And Caroline,” “Blimps Go 90,” and “Little Whirl” were spectacular, and I actually loved the brevity of most of the tracks and how some of them were like short poems being sung. Some questionable lyrics at times, but it was the 90s. Because of how much I really loved some of the songs, I’m giving this a higher rating, but a few of the tracks and the production really left something to be desired. Really had to sit with this one for awhile, but overall I think it’s a worthy inclusion to this list.
Beatles
5/5
The Beatles are one of my favorite bands, so I’ll be biased towards any of their albums. Is this the best from them? Not even close. I’m not sure it should be on this list honestly. If there was a Beatles album to leave off, it would probably be this one. But it’s still a 5 star album. Great top to bottom and fun in the unique way early Beatles albums are. Not their greatest, but still great.
The Smiths
3/5
I really disliked Meat Is Murder. This is… better? Somewhat? More tolerable, I suppose. My issue with Morrissey and The Smiths is that most of their songs are overdone, overindulgent, and whiney. Plus Morrissey as a human is so repugnant that I have a hard time even attempting to enjoy anything he’s done. This is probably the best it’ll get for me with The Smiths. I actually enjoyed a few of the songs on the album - “The Queen Is Dead,” “Cemetry Gates,” and “The Boy With The Thorn In His Side.” I’d like to give this a 2.5, but I’m rounding up against my better judgment.
ZZ Top
4/5
I’ve always been kind of borderline on ZZ Top and really need to be in the right mood to enjoy them. I’ve never done a deep dive or listened to a full album before, and it was pretty much what I expected, but it was good. “Move Me On Down The Line” was by far my favorite track, but most songs are good and “La Grange” is a classic. With all that being said, I totally understand why this is on the list, and honestly it would be offensive to not have any ZZ Top here.
The Crusaders
2/5
I had no idea what to expect with this one. I’d never listened to the Crusaders before, and was surprised in good and bad ways. The title track is the absolute standout, and while all the songs are pleasant, it really verges on elevator music at times. A lot of the tracks sounded familiar, but not in good ways. Like something you’d hear in a mall or a bad 80s sitcom or your very last backup preset radio station that you hope you never have to listen to but every other station is on commercials. Still, it was nice, pleasant, and somewhat enjoyable. I’m really struggling between a 2 and a 3 for this, but I think I’m rounding down. The strength of the title track just can’t quite carry the record.
Prince
4/5
I wish this wasn’t a double album. The 2nd half is hands down 5 stars. Literally every song there is fantastic, perfect, etc. The 1st half, though, is boring and unremarkable, which is a bummer considering it’s Prince. The title track and “Starfish and Coffee” are the first half highlights, but the rest is nothing to write home about. Splitting the difference here and rating it a 4, which doesn’t quite seem fair because of the strength of the 2nd half, but it seems overly generous for the 1st half. Sadly this is one of those double albums that really shouldn’t be. Add a few songs from the 1st to the 2nd half, and you have a damn near flawless album. Oh well.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
3/5
I know I’ve listened to this before and liked it. But I didn’t this time. Some of the songs are god awful and cringe and go on for way too long. The singles that came from this are the best parts. “Breaking The Girl” and “Under The Bridge” are 5 star songs. RHCP’s late 90s/early 2000s stuff is a lot stronger than this.
Television
2/5
This was fairly unremarkable. I didn’t hate it, but I really didn’t like it either. “Marquee Moon,” despite its length, and “Guiding Light” were my favorite songs, but overall this just didn’t grab me.
Moby
2/5
Here’s my thing with Moby. I find him to be a pretentious fuck and really far up his own ass. And his obsession with Natalie Portman is so weird and creepy. Clouds my feelings about his music. Also his voice is terrible. I actually liked a few songs on this album, but it happened they were all ones where he sampled the vocals of black artists. I understand sampling and generally don’t have problems with it, but this felt like appropriation to an extent. I mean, the production was good? And the non-Moby vocal songs were generally enjoyable. But overall I didn’t care for this album (or him).
R.E.M.
5/5
I’ll be honest, I don’t listen to much REM. I like them a lot, and whenever I hear them it’s enjoyable, but it’s not something I seek out or want to listen to very often. This album is great. No question there. I found “You Are The Everything” to be absolutely beautiful and moving. And while this won’t be on heavy rotation for me, it’s still stunning and brilliant.
Nirvana
5/5
There’s not much to say that hasn’t already been said. Fantastic. Amazing. Sometimes I really have to remember how groundbreaking MTV Unplugged was and how amazing and special this performance was in the history of the show. I don’t even love live albums that much, but this is perfection. The covers are iconic, and the performances of their own songs live up to and often elevate the studio versions. “The Man Who Sold The World,” nothing can top that.
John Grant
1/5
Didn’t like the album and it gave me weird straight dude vibes, like in the way I could totally imagine him having mannequins and pallets of human hair in his basement. So color me shocked to find out this guy actually isn’t straight at all! The album just has that very particular 2010s hipster dude sound where they think they’re so clever and funny and deep, but in reality it’s just tryhard and cringe. Dude’s voice is not good either. Also, I don’t care if you’re trying to be ironic or subversive or whatever, but it’s not okay for white people to say racial slurs. I don’t care what point you’re trying to make. It was just one song but soured me even more on the album.
This was really a struggle to get through. I started watching Instagram reels near the end because one caught my eye and I completely forgot I was listening to an album until like 30 minutes later. I’m not sure why this deserves to be on the list and why it received so much critical praise. It is nothing special. I’d say almost every album I’ve rated 1 star so far should be on this list over this. I’ve heard albums from American Idol rejects that are better and more culturally significant than this.
David Bowie
5/5
What’s there to say? Another great Bowie album. No weak tracks. “Life on Mars?” is a damn near perfect song. Bowie continues to be at his best here.
Michael Jackson
4/5
I have to separate Michael Jackson the person from Michael Jackson the artist because I do like his music for the most part, but I think he did some terrible things.
Speaking strictly musically, this isn’t my favorite album from him. There are fun songs, but also a lot of filler. “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough,” “Off The Wall,” and “She’s Out Of My Life” are my favorite songs from the album, and while there are a few other solid ones, the rest are meh. I think he hits his stride in later albums. Still enjoyable, though.
Gary Numan
2/5
I understand why this album is on the list, and I can hear the influence it had, but I’m underwhelmed. Admittedly, this is far from my favorite genre, but the songs really started to sound the same after awhile. I didn’t hate it, though. This is honestly a 2.5 for me, but I’m rounding down.
The Incredible String Band
5/5
People hate this? Really? I know it’s one of the lowest rated albums on this site, but it’s actually really good. It’s wonderfully weird in that 1960s way, but it’s also innovative and influential. Reading that this album influenced Robert Plant is totally evident in early Led Zeppelin songs. I hope people give this an honest chance because it’s actually fantastic and completely deserves it’s critical acclaim and place on the list.
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
How can you give this anything but 5 stars? It’s an iconic album, and top to bottom filled with great songs. As a Seattle Mariners fan, “Fire” will always make me smile since it’s played after every home win. But “Purple Haze” and “Hey Joe” are also fantastic, plus “Are You Experienced?” ends the album on such a different note, while possibly being the most brilliant song on the entire album. I could go on and on, but I’ll stop now and give it 5 stars.
A Tribe Called Quest
4/5
Wasn’t as immediately taken with this album as I was with their other one on this list. Doesn’t mean it’s bad by any means. “Can I Kick It?” is such a good song it gets a star just for that. Listened to a few of the tracks again and came around on the album a little more. Wish I could give it a 3.5, but I’m rounding up because there are some really stellar tracks.
The Specials
3/5
This definitely deserves to be on the list, but I didn’t love it. Admittedly ska is hit or miss for me, but The Specials are iconic, so I can’t hate. Overall I enjoyed this record. Not every song was great, but it was pretty enjoyable as a whole.
Miles Davis
3/5
I don’t love jazz, but this was quite enjoyable and calming. You really can’t get better than Miles Davis.
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
4/5
Wasn’t totally feeling the first two songs, but I ended up really enjoying this. A little all over the place, but I love this kind of 60s weirdness. Some of it gave me Scott Walker vibes, who I love. My favorite songs are “Call On Me,” “Dropout Boogie,” “I’m Glad,” and “Yellow Brick Road.” Solid album overall.
Metallica
3/5
I think what sets Metallica apart from other heavy metal bands is that musically they are beautiful. The instrumentation is exquisite. With that said, I still don’t love their music. The title track is fantastic, but the rest is just alright. Not bad, just okay. They have moments of brilliance here, but not enough for me to love it.
Black Sabbath
3/5
I liked this well enough, but I prefer later Black Sabbath albums to this. Nothing bad here, just a lot that sounds the same. Instrumentation is great and some interesting lyrics as well, but nothing really grabbed me. Still good, though. Just not great.
Elton John
5/5
I love this album, but if we can only have 2 Elton John albums on this list, which is apparently the case, aside from Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, I would have chosen Honky Chateau over this. With that being said, this is still an amazing album. “Tiny Dancer” is a classic for a reason, “Levon” is probably one of my favorite songs of all time, and “Madman Across The Water” is absolute perfection. But then we get to “Indian Sunset.” While I really like this song and think it’s beautiful, it’s something that probably shouldn’t have been written by a white, British guy, let alone performed by a white, British guy. Times were different then. The album seems to peak there, however, and the latter half just can’t hold up to how strong the first half is. Still great overall and one of Elton’s best.
John Martyn
1/5
Idk what this is, but whatever it is, I’m not a fan. I made a face listening to the first song, and it didn’t get much better from there. Not a fan.
James Taylor
5/5
I just love James Taylor. This is such a perfect record. “Fire and Rain” is an amazing song and stands out on an album full of amazing songs. There should be more James Taylor on this list, but I’m glad at least this one is here.
M.I.A.
2/5
This is another album where I totally understand why it’s on here; I just don’t care for it. There were some parts I liked, but it definitely felt longer than it’s actual runtime. M.I.A. is definitely talented, but this isn’t my thing.
Johnny Cash
5/5
Is it weird to like this more than At Folsom Prison? I don’t know how they’re ranked against each other. Anyway, I really loved this. Sort of surprisingly so. I don’t love live albums, but there’s great banter and great songs. Can’t ask for anything more.
Thin Lizzy
5/5
This was a nice surprise for me. Live albums are very hit or miss for me, and I like Thin Lizzy, but I don’t love them. But this? I loved this. I was surprised to see this on here instead of Jailbreak, but after listening, I get it. This album also showcases just how talented and charismatic Phil Lynott was. It loses a bit of steam for me in the last few songs, but it’s still stellar. One of the best live albums I’ve ever listened to.
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
I never really “got” this album. So many people think it’s brilliant and Springsteen’s best work, but I’ve always found it to be incredibly mediocre. There are a few decent songs, “Atlantic City” and “Johnny 99,” with “Highway Patrolman” being the standout on the album, but the rest ranges from underwhelming to outright bad (I’m looking at you, “State Trooper”). I can appreciate the stripped down nature of it and the history of its recording, but even with all that, it’s still not that great of an album. If I listen to it with the idea that it’s a concept album, it works a little better for me, but not by much. I really like Springsteen, and I’m probably rating it higher than I would if it were almost any other artist, but this album is just not great.
TV On The Radio
2/5
I think this just isn’t my genre. Very average. Decent background music but nothing stood out. I don’t imagine I’ll be listening to this again.
Fever Ray
1/5
I can safely say I didn’t enjoy anything about this. Not the absolute worst thing on the list, but it also reminds me why I despise most music of this genre.
The Pogues
4/5
This was fun. Didn’t know what to expect but I found this engaging and enjoyable. There were a few iffy lyrics, but overall this was good. I can also definitely hear its influence on other artists.
Harry Nilsson
5/5
Not surprised that I basically loved this. I generally really enjoy Harry Nilsson in general. Do I think “Coconut” was unnecessary and seemed to go on for too long? Yes. But was everything else fantastic? Also yes. Basically a 4.5 for me, but I’m rounding up.
Finley Quaye
2/5
This was dreadfully boring, but not bad. I think I’m just not the target audience for this music. That being said, there are much worse things on this list. Not sure if this needs to be here, though.
The Prodigy
4/5
I really don’t like electronic music. Goldie, Fatboy Slim, Moby, and others on this list were such a struggle to get through. So why do I love The Prodigy? This album is 78 minutes long, and I didn’t know any of the songs on it (I know quite a few from their other album on this list) but I was never bored and this album never felt like it dragged. I guess that’s why this album belongs on this list. It’s quite a feat to make someone love an album in a genre they hate. Kudos to The Prodigy. They’re clearly one of the best.
Bob Dylan
3/5
I’m grateful that this album gave us “To Make You Feel My Love” but otherwise, I’ll pass. Dylan is well past his prime here. His voice does not hold up, and the songs are overly long and meandering. I’m kind of surprised this got so much critical praise, but at the same time, there’s something about it I could see specifically critics in the mid-90s gravitating towards. There are glimpses here and there of a good album, and I did particularly enjoy the first track, but overall it’s uneven and kind of a mess. As I listened, I kept thinking, “did this really need to be made?” But at the same time, it’s Dylan and something in me just can’t hate it.
The Prodigy
5/5
I think what I love about The Prodigy and what sets them apart from other electronica is that to me their music has an angry and manic edge that others don’t. That’s honestly the only thing I can think of because based on my feelings about the genre, I really should hate them. But I just can’t, for whatever reason. I’d give this album 5 stars just for “Smack My Bitch Up,” which I always listen to when I’m angry and need to rage. And “Breathe” is still a banger. The whole album is great, though. There’s nothing better in this genre than 90s-era The Prodigy.
Isaac Hayes
3/5
I wanted to like this more than I did, but I found it to be overindulgent and overdone. “Walk On By” was great but didn’t need to be 12 minutes long. “One Woman” was definitely the standout, which isn’t surprising considering it was the shortest and most concise song. Long songs are fine, but they need to serve more of a purpose than this. Isaac Hayes has a great voice and is super talented, but this could have been better.
Anita Baker
3/5
This was alright. A lot of the songs sounded the same, but Anita Baker’s voice is fantastic, and there’s no denying that. I understand why this is on the list, but personally it was just okay.
Crowded House
3/5
This was okay. I quite liked the beginning of the album, but it sort of fell apart as things went on. Most of the tracks also sounded the same, and there wasn’t a whole lot of variety. This is one of the albums on the list that even though I got some personal enjoyment out of, I in no way think it should be on the list. This is definitely not something you need to hear before you die.
The Replacements
3/5
I enjoyed this for the most part. Really preferred the more downbeat songs as my favorites were “Androgynous,” “Unsatisfied,” “Answering Machine,” and “Sixteen Blue.” I definitely understand why this is on the list. My only experience with The Replacements before this was the song “Alex Chilton,” which I absolutely adore. This didn’t quite live up to my love for that song, but it was still pretty good overall.
Otis Redding
5/5
This is elite. It is such a tragedy that Otis Redding died so young. He was so incredibly talented. This album is practically flawless. “Ole Man Trouble” and “You Don’t Miss Your Water” were done so beautifully that it almost brought me to tears. Not only is his voice at its best here, he has some of the best musicians playing on these tracks. I don’t always love covers, but he elevates and innovates so many of them that I can’t help but like them. Just an absolutely incredible album top to bottom.
4/5
Sort of struggling with rating this one. The singles are so good, but the rest is a little bland in all honesty. I generally like U2, and I know I’ve listened to this album before, but I remember liking this more when I listened to it previously. I enjoyed it, but I wanted to enjoy it more. Waffling between a 3 and 4 here, but ultimately I’m going to round up.
Incubus
3/5
In my angsty teen years I loved this record. Now? I was a bit underwhelmed. I think I prefer later Incubus (Morning View and Light Grenades are fantastic albums). This was a lot more same-y than I remembered too. While “Stellar” is one of my favorite songs and I’ve come around to “Drive” as time went on (I used to hate that song when it first came out), the rest is mostly just okay. “Pardon Me” and “I Miss You” are the other highlights, but my nostalgia glasses liked this more than I actually did. With all that said, I totally understand why this album is on this list and agree with its inclusion. But overall this was good, just not great, despite what teenage me would think.
This starts off a bit lackluster but really picks up in the second half. “Stay With Me” is a favorite song of mine, but “Debris,” “Memphis,” and “That’s All You Need” are equally amazing. Mostly only knew the hits of Faces before this, but so glad I listened to an entire album. Lyrically and musically it’s top tier. I’ll definitely be listening to the rest of their discography after this.
Johnny Cash
5/5
I put off listening to this one for a long time because I knew it was going to make me emotional, and well, it sure did. There’s just something about Cash’s originals and his renditions of the covers that is so beautiful and haunting and sad. I’ve listened to this album a few times before, and I don’t think I’ve ever made it through without crying at least once. There’s just something so beautiful about every song. I can’t pick a favorite, but if I had to, “The Man Comes Around,” “Hurt,” “Personal Jesus,” and “Desperado” would all be in the running. This might be Cash’s best album of his entire career. I’m flabbergasted that this album got removed from the list in later years. It’s one of the best, if not the best, from the 2000s. There’s a reason the songs on this album are used so often in movies and TV and other media. Its influence in pop culture alone makes it worthy of keeping on the list. Just an absolutely stunning album.
The Doors
5/5
When you’re looking at this album in the context of it being the debut album from The Doors, it’s fantastic. On its own apart from that, it’s still really good, but the rough edges are there. With that being said, though, pretty much every song here is great. The only one I didn’t care for was “Alabama Song.” “Break On Through,” “Light My Fire,” “Twentieth Century Fox,” and “End Of The Night” are the highlights amidst a sea of fantastic songs. I feel like “The End” is hit or miss with people, but I personally really like it. This album is the perfect mix of rock and roll and psychedelic weirdness that The Doors would perfect throughout the years. An amazing and influential album.
The Killers
5/5
The first five songs on this album are possibly the best opening to any album in the 21st Century. What’s great about this album, though, is that it doesn’t let up after “All These Things That I’ve Done.” Of course they don’t live up to the brilliance of the first few songs on the album, but they’re still fantastic songs. I can’t believe this album actually got removed from the list. I’d argue it’s one of the best albums from the early 2000s, and definitely the best one they had from that era on any version of the list. The Killers are a great band and Hot Fuss is brilliant. It’s a shame it’s no longer on the official list.
Beck
3/5
Not a huge Beck fan outside of Odelay, and this album is really a mixed bag. “E-Pro,” “Girl,” and “Broken Drum” are the best songs, with the latter being the standout track. Production was decent and there were some interesting lyrics, but overall it was just okay. I definitely understand why this one got removed from the list in later editions.
Sheryl Crow
3/5
I understand why this album made the list, but if I were to pick something from Sheryl Crow, I would have chosen her self-titled or The Globe Sessions. This album is okay. Some really good songs and some clunkers, but this album really seems to suffer from songs that are too long. Not that all songs should be 3 minutes or less, but there’s no need for some of these to drone on as long as they do. “Leaving Las Vegas,” “Strong Enough,” and “All I Wanna Do” are the best songs on the album. Most others are middling to bad. There’s something so quintessentially 90s about this that I love, though. But it could be better.
The Kinks
5/5
I’ve learned through this challenge that I really love The Kinks. I always liked them well enough, but never listened to entire albums, just singles. But wow. Every album from them I’ve had on this list so far has been perfection. My favorite songs are “Party Line,” “Rosy Won’t You Please Come Home,” and “Sunny Afternoon,” but there really aren’t any weak songs on the album. This will be on heavy rotation for me going forward.
Santana
5/5
This is such a good album. Santana is just absolutely amazing, and his talent is in full display here. The entire first half is gorgeous and flows together perfectly. Practically flawless. The second half, while still great, doesn’t quite live up, but “Hope You're Feeling Better” might be the best song on the entire album. But still, it’s early Santana, where he’s arguably at his best. Easy 5 stars.
Neil Young
4/5
Decent album. Not my favorite Neil Young, but not bad. “Southern Man” is such a great song, and definitely the standout track, but there are a lot of other really good songs here too. While not my favorite, this is still so enjoyable to listen to.
Big Brother & The Holding Company
5/5
So freaking good. Everything Janis touched turned to gold. Great covers and originals. “Piece of My Heart” is an amazing song; one of the best ever. “Combination of the Two,” “Summertime,” and “Ball and Chain” were my other favorites, but there wasn’t one song here I disliked. I listened to this on repeat a few times and it never got old.
Dinosaur Jr.
2/5
This started out alright but then went downhill. The first few songs really blended together, but in a somewhat pleasant way. Then it seemed to go off the rails. I was actually hopeful for the “Just Like Heaven” cover, but then the yelling happened and with the abrupt ending I just kind of noped out. Far from the worst thing, and I can see how it’s influential, but I’ll pass.
Robert Wyatt
1/5
I can't believe this is rated higher than The Incredible String Band on this site. To me they're almost opposite sides of a coin. They both have a weird, avant-garde style, but where The Incredible String Band does this in a pleasant and fun way, this is just boring, repetitive, and off-putting. I can even appreciate weird for weird sake, but this isn't even that. It's like it's trying too hard to be innovative and just became a big mess. I really wanted to like this at least somewhat, but the album got worse as it went along. Even with other bad albums I can hear its influence in later works or some fresh concept or creativity, but not this. I appreciate the story of Robert Wyatt in how this album evolved from before and after his accident, but that's the only positive thing I can say about it. This album just isn't good. At all.
CHIC
3/5
I liked this well enough. It felt a little repetitive and a little long, which isn’t surprising since it’s disco. “Le Freak” and “I Want Your Love” are great songs, and the instrumentation and vocals are fantastic throughout the whole album. Nile Rodgers is such a talent, and it shows. Overall this album is pretty good, especially for the genre.
Dire Straits
5/5
Definitely the best Dire Straits album there is. “Money For Nothing,” while containing some problematic lyrics out of context, is honestly such an amazing song and the best on the album. Top to bottom this album really can’t be beat. It starts strong with “So Far Away” and ends on an even stronger note with “Brothers In Arms.” Not a weak song to be found. Just absolutely fantastic.
The Cure
3/5
There are 3 albums from The Cure on this list, and that already feels a little like overkill, but I’d definitely trade this one or Seventeen Seconds for Wish in a heartbeat. I guess I understand why this is on the list, and it’s not terrible, but I feel like there are better albums from The Cure than this. But, I mean, rating the list as it is, this one is middling. “A Strange Day” and “Pornography” were pretty good. Nothing else really stood out. Overall this was fine.
Orange Juice
2/5
Very forgettable. Very much in that "whiney 80s" genre. There's too much of this type of music on the list, which I guess isn't surprising. Only thing going for this band to set them apart is that they're Scottish and not British. It's not the worst thing on this list by far, but it doesn't need to be here. The title track is the best part, and then it's just downhill from there.
Little Richard
5/5
It's Little Richard? How can you dislike this? The songs are so fun, and he's an absolutely fantastic singer and performer. A joy to listen to!
Stan Getz
2/5
Pretty sure the hold music at my work is more exciting and groundbreaking than this. It’s not terrible; it’s just boring and forgettable. My life isn’t worse for having listened to this, but it’s also not better. Definitely don’t think I need to hear this before I die.
Beatles
5/5
Not my personal favorite Beatles, but there isn’t a Beatles album that I don’t like. And I can appreciate how innovative this album is for them. Plus it contains some of their best songs (“Eleanor Rigby” and “For No One”) and some of their funnest (“And Your Bird Can Sing,” “Doctor Robert,” and “Yellow Submarine”). While personal taste makes it not my favorite, it more than deserves its place on the list and its high ranking on this site.
Screaming Trees
3/5
I should like Screaming Trees more than I do because I love their genre, plus they're local to me, but I've never loved their music. It's fine, definitely not bad, but not my favorite. "Sworn and Broken" is such an amazing song, but the rest of the album is just okay.
Hookworms
1/5
Edit: I was clearly feeling generous by giving it a 2, but this is bad.
I don’t think there’s a universe in which I need to hear this before I die.
Everything But The Girl
1/5
Edit: This was horrible, and I should have given it a 1 to begin with.
“I don’t want to talk about…” how overly long this felt.
It gives adult contemporary a bad name.
Nick Drake
4/5
Oh, I loved this. Just so wonderful and pleasant. “Pink Moon” and “From The Morning” are the best songs on the album, but all the songs are great. By far my favorite Nick Drake.
Green Day
5/5
Listening to this album in the context of this list gave me a new appreciation for how cohesive it is and how well it flows. One of the best 90s punk albums of all time. I wish I had something more profound to say about it. It’s a really freaking good album and up there with the best of all time.
Meat Puppets
3/5
I think I assumed a band named Meat Puppets would sound different? Not sure good or bad different, just different. This was a little uneven, but overall I enjoyed it. I don’t think I’d heard the original versions of “Plateau” and “Lake of Fire” before, but they were really good. I think I should have just listened to the original release tracks and not the extra tracks that were added later. They made the album drag near the end. Still, I liked this and understand why it’s on the list.
The Residents
3/5
Kind of expected to hate this based on the first song, which was terrible and obnoxious, but honestly I kind of enjoyed the rest of it, at least to an extent. I can definitely understand why so many people hate this and why it's one of the lowest rated albums on the list, but at the same time, I completely understand why it's on the list. There is something innovative about it, and I can hear how it influenced other artists around this same time. Weird for weird sake is fine if it's done right, and I think this is for the most part, and it doesn't take itself too seriously either. This could have been a lot worse in the wrong hands.
The Shamen
2/5
This is a joke, right? Operating under that assumption, this album completely belongs on the list. It’s unserious. It’s subversive. It’s kind of amazing.
Sadly, I think this is serious. “Omega amigo for you I’ll always have time.” What the hell is that? Serious people do not sing those words over and over. Believing this is a joke makes it genius, but otherwise it’s just bad.
Kendrick Lamar
5/5
This was really freaking good. I really stopped paying attention to most current music starting in the 2010s, and honestly my only real regret is missing out on Kendrick until now. His two albums on this list are both fantastic, but I give a slight edge to this one. Just top to bottom great songs, great lyrics, great production, etc. Kendrick expertly continues the legacy of West Coast hip hop. “Wesley’s Theory” is a perfect way to start the album and “Mortal Man” is the best way to end it. “Alright” is another highlight. The only real drawback to this is that it drags at times. Some of these songs could have benefited from brevity. Still a fantastic record, though. Wish I could give this a 4.5, as it’s not quite a 5 for me.
Edit: Considering how much I’ve listened to this since this album was generated for me and how long “Wesley’s Theory” has been my most repeated song on Spotify, I have to give this 5 stars.
Pink Floyd
5/5
God I forgot how good this album is. The songs, the way it flows… it’s practically perfect. There’s really nothing else I can say that hasn’t already been said. Brilliant record.
Megadeth
2/5
I think I’d like Megadeth a little more if Dave Mustaine wasn’t their frontman. His voice is grating to me. The music is okay. I don’t hate it, but I don’t love it either. Some of the songs are too long, but the album itself isn’t totally u pleasant. This is a 2.5 for me, but I’m rounding down largely because I won’t listen to it again.
Björk
2/5
I’ve just never been able to get into Bjork. If it wasn’t for “Venus as a Boy” and “The Anchor Song” this album would be getting 1 star, but those songs are objectively beautiful. Aside from those, though, this album is a mess.
The Mars Volta
3/5
Incredibly beautiful, but overly long, and at times dreadfully boring. I can understand why this is on the list, but it was somewhat of a slog to get through.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
2/5
Of all the Bob Marley albums on this list, this is the weakest one. Aside from "No Woman No Cry" none of the songs really stand out. Nothing about it is particularly exciting in any way, musically or lyrically. I've been generally pleasantly surprised by the other Bob Marley albums on this list, as I tend to not be a huge fan of reggae, but this reminds me of all the things I dislike about the genre. "No Woman No Cry" is an elite song, but that's really the only bright spot on this album.
Joan Armatrading
3/5
I haven't heard anything by Joan Armatrading before now, but I definitely enjoyed this. It was pleasant and folky and funky at the same time. "Down To Zero," "Join The Boys," and "Tall In The Saddle" were my favorite songs, but everything was fairly enjoyable. A little sleepy at times, but that's folk music. Overall a solid album.
Leftfield
2/5
I think a big issue with electronica is that something gets lost in the general listening experience. There’s something enjoyable about it playing at a party or in a club, but on its own it can be repetitive and boring. The ones who can make an enjoyable listening experience regardless of setting are truly special. Sadly, this is not that. I was waffling between a 2 and 3 for this because I didn’t hate it, but the last two songs I really disliked for some reason, so I’m going with a 2.
The Beach Boys
5/5
Wasn't sure how to take this album at first, but after a second listen I kind of love this. I didn't dislike it on first listen, but I wasn't sure if I loved it. But I do. And it's brilliant. So many great songs. I think my favorites are "Long Promised Road," "Disney Girls (1957)," "A Day In The Life Of A Tree," and "Surf's Up" but I really like all the songs on the album. It's different from typical Beach Boys, but in a good way. I like the more melancholy songs with their signature harmonies, and it's nice to hear everyone in the group singing lead on different songs. I think this is considered Prog Pop? Haven't heard a lot of that genre, but after listening to this I definitely want to hear more.
Rufus Wainwright
3/5
I think I prefer Rufus Wainwright in smaller doses. I like songs he's featured on and a few of his singles, but a whole album from him was a bit much. A lot of the songs sounded the same and were quite overwrought. Not necessarily bad, and Rufus has a lovely voice, but this was just okay. Not sure this needs to be heard before you die.
Radiohead
5/5
This album is so good. I really love OK Computer, but honestly The Bends might be my favorite Radiohead album. It starts off so strong with "Planet Telex," "The Bends," "High and Dry," and "Fake Plastic Trees," which are honestly the best songs on the album, but it doesn't let up after that. While it's one of their more accessible albums, that doesn't make it lesser by any means. Definitely one of the best albums of the 90s.
5/5
It has been a long time since I listened to this album top to bottom and not just individual songs, and I forgot how good it is. "Five Years" is such an amazing way to start an album, and honestly might be the best song on the album. But it is so strong top to bottom, and the Ziggy Stardust story is woven so well throughout. This is definitely up there as one of Bowie's best albums, if not his very best, and one of the best of all time.
Joni Mitchell
4/5
Not my favorite Joni Mitchell album, but it’s still really good because, well, it’s Joni. Songs are catchy, the album flows well, and I love her guitar playing. It’s no Blue, but still a great record.
George Jones
3/5
Surprisingly really enjoyed this. Do I think it needs to be on this list? Probably not. But is it a pretty good country album? Yes. It’s a good listen even if it doesn’t seem particularly groundbreaking.
The Byrds
4/5
I just can’t dislike The Byrds. Not my favorite album of theirs, but it’s still good. Also not sure there needs to be as many albums on the list by them as there are, but that’s a separate point. The best songs here are “Get To You” and “Old John Robertson” but all the songs are enjoyable. The replay value of this isn’t super high for me, which is why it isn’t getting a 5, but I still really liked it.
Beck
4/5
This is a great album, definitely the best from Beck. “Devil’s Haircut,” “Hotwax,” “The New Pollution,” and “Where It’s At” are the best tracks. I kept listening to those on repeat because I enjoy them so much, which might be my 90s nostalgia talking, but they’re objectively good songs. The album falls off a little at the end, but overall it’s solid and worthy of its place on this list.
Sigur Rós
3/5
I knew that song from The Life Aquatic is from Sigur Ros, but I didn’t realize it was this album. I do love that song from the memory it gives me of the movie (I’m a huge Wes Anderson fan). Overall as an album this was pleasant and interesting, but nothing I’d seek out or likely listen to again. Still good, though.
Eric Clapton
4/5
Putting aside that Eric Clapton is a terrible person, I generally prefer the projects he's involved with (Cream, Derek & The Dominos) rather than him on his own. This is a good album, but it's not great. The best songs are "Motherless Children," "I Shot The Sheriff," and "Let It Grow." Those songs are fantastic. The rest are good, and obviously Clapton is a great guitar player, but the album overall lacks something that puts it truly over the top.
R.E.M.
3/5
I totally understand why this is on the list, but admittedly it is far from my favorite R.E.M. album. It's expected to be a little rough as it's their first full length album, but they hit their stride so strongly with later albums that this really pales in comparison. "Radio Free Europe" and "We Walk" are my favorite songs on the album, but most of it is pretty middling. Not terrible and good for a debut, but R.E.M. gets so much better over the years.
Gil Scott-Heron
4/5
Wow. This is so good and worth seeking out. I don't think I've listened to a full Gil Scott-Heron album before (I've heard individual tracks) but it was absolutely amazing. "The Bottle" is the best track by far, but they're all good in their own way. Scott-Heron is so talented, and there's a reason he's considered so groundbreaking. Totally understand why this album is on the list.
Jerry Lee Lewis
3/5
If you take away the fact that Jerry Lee Lewis was a creep and a predator who appropriated black music, this is actually fairly good. For a live album, this is especially good. But while this is good, there are so many other artists who did these songs better. Jerry Lee Lewis as an artist definitely made an impact, and it makes sense he'd have at least one album on this list. I wish I could give half stars because this is definitely a 3.5 for me. I think I have to round down, though, all things considered.
Portishead
3/5
This was okay. I really enjoyed how atmospheric and moody the album was, but it did all start to sound the same near the end. The production was good, and I liked the vocals as well. Not something I'd really listen to again, but it was alright.
King Crimson
5/5
What is there to say about this album? One of the best and most influential prog rock albums of all time. Fantastic top to bottom, and delightfully weird in that very specific 60s way. Practically flawless. So good.
I hate the album cover, though. So, so much.
The Who
5/5
I never realized how much The Who tried to sound like The Beatles in their early days. Obviously The Beatles influenced numerous bands, but where The Who ended up later feels so different that I’m surprised there’s so much early Beatles sound on this album. It’s great, though. “The Kids Are Alright” is possibly my favorite song they’ve ever recorded, and “My Generation” is a classic. “It’s Not True” is very Beatles-esque, but ended up being weirdly fun and one of the best songs on the album. While The Who hit their stride much later, in my opinion, this is a fantastic debut record.
Richard Hawley
2/5
Not terrible, just boring. I really don’t think this deserves to be on this list. There’s so many below-average British albums taking up residence on this list, and this is one of them.
Bruce Springsteen
5/5
I definitely understand why people consider this album one of Springsteen’s best. It is filled with great songs, and ends on such a strong note. I find a lot of albums start strong but then lose steam near the end, but this one saves some of its best songs for last. Everything from “The Promised Land” and after is top notch. “Badlands” is a great way to start the album as well. Just good, solid music from one of the best.
Michael Jackson
5/5
Putting aside the Michael Jackson of it all, this album is brilliant. I actually think it’s better than Thriller in most respects. Quincy Jones’ production is a standout, and there isn’t a weak track. “Bad” is such a great way to open the album, but I probably would have picked “Smooth Criminal” to end it rather than “Leave Me Alone.” This is MJ’s most mature, standout album.
Traffic
3/5
This is a hard one for me to rate. I thought it started off quite slow, but "John Barleycorn" and "Every Mother's Son" were absolutely brilliant and ended the album on such a high note. But I was so underwhelmed by most of the other songs on the album. I find Steve Winwood and his various projects to be hit or miss most of the time. If I could rate this a 3.5, I would, but I think I have to go with my initial impression and round down.
Mj Cole
1/5
There is so much weird and unnecessary British electronica/house music on this list, and this is another example of that. I can guarantee I didn't need to listen to this before I die.
Eels
2/5
Bland and boring. There is much better 90s alternative music than this.
The Cars
5/5
This album is practically flawless and perfectly encapsulates the transition in sound that we'd start to hear from all bands in the 1980s. "I'm in Touch with Your World" and "Don't Cha Stop" make for a weaker middle because they're completely overshadowed by the incredibly strong opening tracks and the ending which perfectly crescendos with "Moving in Stereo" and "All Mixed Up." A masterpiece of a debut album and definitely one of the best albums of 1978.
Bob Dylan
5/5
I don't think Bob Dylan gets enough credit for being one of the first artists to write epic diss tracks. "Like A Rolling Stone," besides being a great song, is a really savage takedown. And he's written a lot of songs like that throughout the years. A true icon.
But back to the album. "Like A Rolling Stone" is arguably one of Dylan's best songs and is a perfect way to start the album. "Ballad Of A Thin Man" is a really underrated gem that ends side one and flows nicely into "Queen Jane Approximately" (another great Dylan diss track). While I don't find the last songs on the album to be quite as profound as many critics, they are still fantastic tracks. It's obvious from top to bottom why this album is considered one of Dylan's best. His songwriting shines throughout, and this album has stood the test of time. An easy 5 stars and totally worthy of its place on this list.
Tricky
2/5
I kind of understand why this is on the list, but it became tedious quickly. Most of the songs were too long and repetitive to listen to on their own without becoming boring or overdone. Not the worst thing, but I didn’t care for this for the most part.
Daft Punk
3/5
Why did Daft Punk choose to make the longest songs the most annoying ones? Like there are some legit good songs here, but the ones with the most annoying sound effects were like 8 minutes long. Honestly, I understand why this album is here, and Daft Punk are iconic, but they have better albums. Discovery and Random Access Memories are way better. I’d also put the Tron: Legacy soundtrack on here over this album. It’s arguably the best thing they’ve ever done. This album is the first, so of course it’s here, but it’s far from their best.
Also… Around, and I cannot stress this enough, The World.
Aretha Franklin
4/5
Aretha is so great. Phenomenal and iconic. "Respect" is such a classic, and her version of "A Change Is Gonna Come" is gorgeous. This is Aretha at her best.
Lorde
3/5
Admittedly I don't listen to a ton of music that came out after 2010. It's just not my thing. I have some familiarity with Lorde from listening to the radio, but that's about it. Overall, this was alright. There were a few times I found myself trying to change my car's radio station while listening to this (force of habit) but I've heard a lot worse on this list. Not my favorite, but for post-2010 music on this list, this is far from the worst.
Ella Fitzgerald
4/5
I will say in defense of this album's length, I don't think you lose out on anything by listening to it in chunks. I listened to this over about 4 days, and I'm pretty sure my rating would be the same if I listened to it all at once. This is a bear to get through, but it's also worth it because Ella's voice is fantastic and really elevates these songs. There weren't really any songs that stood out to me over others, but that doesn't mean I didn't enjoy the majority of them. While I do wish they had chosen an album that was more truly Ella, rather than her singing an entire songbook of others, this is overall a fantastic album.
Wild Beasts
2/5
My thoughts as I listened to this were, “I don’t like this,” and “I don’t care,” mixed in with a little, “what are they on about with this song?”
Not sure this needs to be on this list. Did enjoy a bit of the weirdness, though.
The Jesus And Mary Chain
2/5
I feel like I've heard music from The Jesus and Mary Chain that I liked more than this? But maybe I'm thinking of a different band. This wasn't awful, but I'm not a huge fan of noise rock. I can see the value in something like this being on the list, but I didn't like it all that much.
Jane Weaver
3/5
I really wanted to dislike this and make a snarky comment about how this album doesn’t even have its own Wikipedia page, but this actually ended up being quite pleasant. I really enjoyed it musically, and it had a very calm vibe. “Ravenspoint” totally took me out of it, but otherwise the songs were good. Not sure it needs to be on this list, but I can’t hate it either.
Beck
4/5
This was way different from the Beck that I’m used to, but I really enjoyed it. Loved the calm vibes, and I want Beck to make more music like this. Need to listen to this a few more times to find my favorite parts, but on first listen I loved how different it was.
The Black Crowes
5/5
This album is so good. The Black Crowes' version of "Hard to Handle," besides being the best song on the album, is possibly more iconic than the original, and is the gold standard for future covers of the song. Besides that, this album is filled with great songs. "Twice As Hard," "Jealous Again" and "She Talks to Angels" are the best of the best, but everything on the album is good. It's hard to find much fault with this album.
Alice In Chains
5/5
One of the best grunge albums of all time and one of the best albums of the 90s. It’s really a shame everything that happened with the band and Layne Staley. I would have loved to see how the transitioned into the 2000s. This album has so many great tracks. “Rooster” and “Would?” are two of the best grunge songs of all time, and the whole album is full of standout tracks. Some of the tracks drag a bit, but that’s just me being extra picky. Overall Dirt is an amazing album and deserves its place on this list.
Rod Stewart
5/5
Aside from a few questionable lines in the title track, this album is so good. Basically flawless. Rod Stewart at his very best. I’m probably biased because “Maggie May” and “(Find A) Reason To Believe” are two of my favorite songs of all time, but every song on this album is great. “Mandolin Wind” and the title track are also standouts. I was probably born to love this album, though. I was raised on Rod Stewart since he’s one of my mom’s favorite artists, and I’m sad we never got to see him in concert before my mom passed. But I have such good memories of her when I listen to him, especially this album.
Amy Winehouse
5/5
I’m not a huge Amy Winehouse fan, but I can’t deny this album is brilliant. I could listen to “Tears Dry On Their Own” on repeat for a long time without getting sick of it. So many great songs, and she’s never sounded better than on this album. A few tracks are a bit dull, but overall this is a standout album.
Queens of the Stone Age
2/5
I mean, sure. Why not? I guess. Never been a huge Queens of the Stone Age fan. I understand this album being on the list, but I still don’t like it much.
Badly Drawn Boy
3/5
I’m starting to think there really aren’t 1001 albums one needs to listen to before they die. Maybe just like 300 or so because this list has quite a bit of filler. Do I think this is filler? Yes. But did I enjoy it? For the most part. Some of the songs gave me Velvet Underground vibes, which I quite liked, and there was some weird for weird sake that I also liked. This album was definitely dull at times, but I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I might. Music from the 2000s on this list seems very hit or miss, and this is one of the few ones that rests nicely in the middle.
Sufjan Stevens
4/5
Before listening to this album, the only songs by Sufjan Stevens I’d listened to were “Chicago” and “John Wayne Gacy, Jr.” both of which I thought were alright but not great. I’d heard a lot about this album from friends who loved it, so I had high expectations. I was so underwhelmed and disappointed listening to the first few tracks, but wow does it pick up as it goes on. This album really builds on itself, and the Illinois concept is fun but not overwhelming. I actually wish Sufjan Stevens had followed through on making albums about all 50 states because after finishing Illinois, I just wanted more of that. Such a fresh idea executed nearly flawlessly. And despite being over an hour, the album never felt long. I didn’t love that at times he was so soft spoken singing that I had to keep turning the volume up, but that’s a minor criticism. This album isn’t quite a 5 for me overall, but it’s pretty damn close. I’d give it a 4.5 if I could. Just a wonderful, solid album built on an interesting and unique concept.
Public Image Ltd.
1/5
I kept wishing I could die while listening to this, so I feel you, John Lydon.
Antony and the Johnsons
2/5
I can see the merit in this being on the list, but honestly I didn't like it for the most part. At times it was beautiful, but unfortunately I really didn't like the singers voice, and it was very overwrought at times. Musically this was pretty good, however. Really hated the first song "Hope There's Someone" and kind of liked "Fistful Of Love" but the rest was very hit or miss, and unfortunately mostly miss. Again, I see why this is on the list, and there are good points to the album, but overall I just wasn't a fan.
Air
2/5
I went from “yeah, okay, I guess” to “hard pass” pretty quickly listening to this album. I actually think adding vocals to some of the tracks hindered them quite a bit. The ones that had no vocals were far and away the best songs on the album. I sort of understand why it’s on here, but so many of the albums on this list seem to be hindered by the artists getting in their own way, and I feel like that’s what happened here. I went from a 3 to a 2, and after all wish I could give it a 2.5, but I have to round down. This just didn’t do it for me in the end.
Carpenters
4/5
Karen Carpenter has a beautiful voice, and I like songs by the Carpenters for the most part, but a whole album was a bit much when it’s filled with soulless covers of songs done much better by other artists. That being said, this is filled with fantastic harmonies, and why was “Mr. Guder” kind of the best song on the album? Idk I love weird 60s songs. I wish there was a little more Richard Carpenter here because I quite enjoyed the song where he sang lead. If I had to pick a Carpenters album to be on the list, I probably would choose Carpenters over this because I think “Superstar” is their masterpiece, but I understand why this one is here, and it’s a good pop album.
Soundgarden
5/5
I love Soundgarden, and Chris Cornell has one of the best voices in rock music. This is a great album, but there’s also a good bit of filler. I think the last 2 songs could have been chopped and nothing would have been lost. “Fell On Black Days,” “Black Hole Sun,” “Spoonman,” “Limo Wreck,” and “4th of July” are the standout tracks. There’s a lot to like about this album, and despite a few flaws, it’s still one of the premier grunge albums of all time.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
3/5
I just can't deal with Elvis Costello. Even the songs I like bother me in some way. "I Hope You're Happy Now," "Blue Chair," and "Next Time Round" are probably my favorite songs, with the latter being the reason this is getting a 3 and not a 2. But I'm not sure if it's his voice or what, but even when I like Elvis Costello, he grates on me. There definitely is no good reason for him to have so many albums on this list, though. That's for sure.
CHIC
2/5
This was so boring. "Good Times" is a great song, but even then it doesn't need to be 8 minutes long. I know Nile Rodgers is great, and the music is fantastic, but this falls into all the bad disco traps like being overly long and repetitive. There's worse on this list, but there's also a lot better.
Alice Cooper
4/5
Enjoyed this for the most part and appreciated how irreverent it was. Dragged a little at times, but overall still really good. “No More Mr. Nice Guy” is such a great song, and I also really liked “Hello Hooray,” “Mary Ann,” and “I Love The Dead.” Solid album.
King Crimson
5/5
Oh fuck yeah! I actually went and grabbed my better set of headphones about a minute into the first song because I knew I needed to experience this in HD surround sound. Musically this was such an amazing experience. Every song was so different but also flowed together perfectly? The title tracks are such a unique listening experience and are so obviously influential but in almost completely different ways. There's experimental prog and hard rock and beautiful instrumentals. I could have done without the screaming at the end of the penultimate track, but everything else was damn near flawless.
Bee Gees
5/5
Honestly shocked by this. Not that I thought I’d dislike it because I generally enjoy the Bee Gees, but this was lowkey brilliant. Maybe I’m just in the mood to be sad, but this left an impression on me in a big way. One thing about the Bee Gees is they’re so good at conveying emotions with their voices in a much stronger way than lots of other acts. “The Greatest Man In The World,” “It’s Just The Way,” “Trafalgar,” and “Don’t Wanna Live Inside Myself” are my favorite songs from the album, but there wasn’t a track I didn’t at least somewhat enjoy. Emotionally, I really felt this and vibed with it. Definitely going to be on heavy rotation for me for awhile. A good surprise.
Flamin' Groovies
3/5
This was all over the place, and not at all what I expected from a band called Flamin’ Groovies. Didn’t hate it, but didn’t love it either. “Yesterday’s Numbers” and “Whiskey Woman” were the best songs. Likely won’t revisit this aside from possibly the two songs I listed, but I do understand somewhat why this album made the list.
Nas
3/5
East Coast hip hop is hit or miss for me, and I tend to prefer late 90s/early 00s Nas. That being said, Nas is incredibly influential and a great rapper, so I understand why this particular album made the list. “Life’s A Bitch” is the best track. The others are fine, but nothing to really write home about. I think Nas has better albums, but this one’s okay. I will say, the length of this album is one of its strengths. Many 90s hip hop albums are overly long, but this one is concise, which benefits the flow and really shows the importance of the tracks that were included. I’d give this a 3.5 if I could. This album really changed the game. I wish I liked it more.
The Beach Boys
4/5
Ehh... if you're going to go with a pre-Pet Sounds album, there are much better than this. Surfer Girl would probably be the one I'd choose, but there's so many better albums from The Beach Boys. I get that this is a transitional record, but it's honestly not a particularly good or interesting part of their transition. This album is fairly dull and the tracks are fine but not standouts. Pet Sounds and Surf's Up! definitely deserve a place on this list. The Beach Boys Today!... not so much. This record is a 3.5 for me, but I'm rounding up in this case because "Do You Wanna Dance?" and "Help Me, Rhonda" are two of my favorite songs from The Beach Boys, and they're both on this album. But also what the hell was that last track?
Bauhaus
3/5
Expected to hate this but actually kind of liked it? I can definitely hear the influence it had on other artists. I was kind of surprised to see it came out in 1981 because it sounded like something from later in the decade. Some DEVO and The Cure vibes for sure. It was a little much at points, and the title track grated on me, but the rest was pretty good.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
4/5
This one kind of surprised me. I'm a bit ambivalent about the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, even though "Maps" and "Cheated Hearts" were on heavy rotation for me in college. I didn't care much for "Heads Will Roll" when it came out, so I didn't have super high hopes for this album. But I was proved wrong. "Zero," "Soft Shock," "Skeletons," and "Little Shadow" were all great songs, and I loved the overall vibe of the album. I appreciated "Heads Will Roll" a lot more seeing how it fit in the album. Not a perfect album, and it drags a bit in the middle, but in general a very pleasant surprise for me.
Little Simz
2/5
Not a fan of this one. I really don't care for British hip hop in general, and I especially didn't like this, so I wasn't surprised to find out the main producer is part of Sault, whose album I rated a 1. This is album is better than the Sault album, however, but it just wasn't doing much for me. I'm curious if this will remain on the list in future editions because it's a bit forgettable, and I'm not sure it has the staying power of other recent albums on the list. Michael Kiwanuka's presence on "Flowers" was definitely a highlight, and it was far and away the best track on the album. There are much worse albums on this list, but this still wasn't great.
Lucinda Williams
3/5
This started out dreadfully boring, but I actually ended up liking it at the end. There are some really good songs on here with “Drunken Angel,” “Metal Firecracker,” and “Joy” being my favorites, along with “Can’t Let Go,” which reminds me of my best friend. It does drone at times and is a bit the same throughout, but there is also a good amount to enjoy here as well.
Marilyn Manson
1/5
I'm normally one who believes in separating the art from the artist, but I didn't have to do that in this case because they both suck!
I've never actually listened to a whole Marilyn Manson album all the way through, and I was actually surprised that I didn't hate this more. Granted, I was waffling between a 1 and 2 rating while listening to this, but I expected to hate every single part of it, and I didn't. But at the same time, there's only so much unintelligible screaming I can listen to in one sitting. "The Beautiful People" is objectively a great song, but that's really the only standout here. There were parts of songs that I liked, but then they'd take a weird turn at the end that I didn't care for. Manson really let his ego run wild here, but I think brevity might have helped on this record. I totally understand why this is on here, and Manson did really change the game in a lot of ways, but I just can't get into it. I didn't like his music much when I was younger, and I still don't like it now. I do think, from the songs I've heard, that Mechanical Animals is a better album and if it were here instead, I probably would have rated it a bit higher. And while I didn't hate this, I still didn't like it.
The Smiths
1/5
I liked this the least of all The Smiths albums I've had on this list so far. Meat Is Murder was meh and The Queen Is Dead had some good points, but this album honestly had me going "oh fuck off" a few times. This is a 1.5 for me, but Morrissey's voice bugged me, the lyrics bugged me, and Morrissey in general just bugs me, so I'm rounding down.
The Good, The Bad & The Queen
2/5
This was a little too one note for my taste. I'd think "wow this is a long song" before realizing that actually 3 songs had passed since I was last paying attention. Not terrible, but very boring and not particularly groundbreaking in any way. The musicians involved in this project definitely deserve to have albums on this list, but this doesn't need to be there.
Eurythmics
3/5
For me, the Eurythmics are more of a singles band. I love a lot of their singles, but a whole album just falls flat. That being said, they were a groundbreaking band and more than deserve to have an album on the list. While I didn’t love this, I did like it a fair amount and totally understand and respect why it’s here.
Everything But The Girl
2/5
This started out somewhat promising but went downhill quickly. I liked this better than Idlewild, but it was a very low bar. It was like the worst parts of Ace of Base and Dido came together to make an album. "Mirrorball" is a good song, but everything else was a struggle to get through.
Bebel Gilberto
2/5
This is good... for elevator music. Dreadfully boring. I'm sure there's some artistic merit here, but I did not need to hear this before I died.
Cocteau Twins
2/5
I really want to like Cocteau Twins since so many people I know love their music, but I just can't get into them. Dream pop really isn't my thing, but even then it's dreadfully boring. I much preferred their other album on this list. This one was okay for background music, but that's about it.
Cheap Trick
5/5
Definitely one of the best live albums of all time. "I Want You To Want Me" is iconic, but every song on here is perfection. Cheap Trick doesn't necessarily do it for me in general, but something about this live album just brings them to life in a different way.
Simon & Garfunkel
5/5
Despite absolutely loving Simon & Garfunkel, I'm not sure I've ever listened to the full album of Bookends before. Just... wow. This album is completely ahead of it's time. "Save The Life Of My Child" sounds like something Paul Simon would have done in the 80s, but this came out in 1968. "Voices Of Old People" is just talking? In the middle of a pop record? Definitely something you don't hear everyday, but fits in perfectly with "Old Friends" right afterwards. The first half of the album tells its own unique story, and the second half is filled with great pop hits. "Punky's Dilemma" is such an interesting song to unpack. At first it seems like a pleasant ditty about breakfast food but then becomes a commentary on military service (all during the Vietnam War era). And "Mrs. Robinson" is just an absolutely perfect song, though in some ways I do prefer the version on The Graduate soundtrack, and "America" is one of the best Simon & Garfunkel songs of all time. On the outside this album is a nice pop record from Simon & Garfunkel, but when you really listen to the lyrics, take the production into account, the time period, and the varied themes, it becomes so much more than that and becomes a perfect commentary on the late 60s. I feel so privileged to have been able to see them in concert when they reunited when I was a teen. It makes me appreciate their music even more.
Garbage
4/5
My 90s nostalgia glasses are strong with this one. I probably like it a bit more just because of my memories of listening to this album. It still holds up pretty well, but it does lose steam a bit at the end. But the singles are so good, as are most of the other songs. Garbage is a great band, and Shirley Manson has such a unique voice. I might have put Version 2.0 on the list over this, but this is still a great album and worthy edition to the list.
Blue Cheer
4/5
Just a great 60s psychedelic rock record with fantastic guitar riffs. Did feel a little one note at times, but I still really enjoyed this.
Dusty Springfield
5/5
This is just a fun album filled with nice 60s pop songs sung by someone who has a phenomenal voice. This album isn't particular groundbreaking in any way, but it's a perfect capsule of its time period. Plus Dusty Springfield has a fantastic voice that elevates every song she sings. I just love this album so much.
The Lemonheads
4/5
Enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would. I always knew and liked their cover of "Mrs. Robinson" but hadn't listened to anything else by them. This is a really solid album top to bottom. Favorite songs are probably "Rockin' Stroll," "It's A Shame About Ray," and "My Drug Buddy," in addition to the "Mrs. Robinson" cover. This left a little something to be desired at times, but overall this is a great listen and worthy of its place on the list.
The Yardbirds
4/5
I took an edible before listening to this album and I think I am way too stoned for “Ever Since The World Began.” It’s a brilliant song but is also putting me on edge so much and giving me tonal whiplash. Yet I keep listening to it on repeat. The album as a whole grew on me as I listened to it. First song didn’t do it for me, but I enjoyed every other song until closer to the end when it all came together for me. But back to “Ever Since The World Began.” I think I’m just going to keep listening to it on repeat until I become completely unsettled or it’s time for bed, whichever comes first.
New Order
4/5
I oscillated between a 3 or a 4 star rating while listening to this album. At times I loved it, but other times it was just okay. "Run" is far and away the best song on the album, and I'll definitely have it on heavy rotation going forward, but "Round & Round" and "Love Less" were also great, with the latter reminding me of The Cure. I wish I could give this a 3.5, but when thinking about the spirit of this list, I do think I needed to hear this album before I die, even if I didn't love everything about it. But it is so unique and groundbreaking that it truly deserves its spot on this list, so therefore I have to round up.
Weather Report
2/5
Is this considered smooth jazz? Smooth jazz fusion maybe? Regardless I really did not like it, and I liked it much less than any other jazz record I've heard from this list so far. Struggling between a 1 and a 2 for this, but ultimately going with a 2 because I didn't have the same visceral reaction I had towards most of the albums I've rated a 1. Still, I don't need to hear this before I die.
Fleetwood Mac
5/5
I mean, it's Rumours? What can you really say that hasn't already been said about one of the best albums of all time?
I've listened to this album plenty of times, but listening to it with a critical ear I did sort of wonder how "Oh Daddy" made the cut over "Silver Springs," and "Don't Stop" seems so different compared to all the other songs lyrically, and actually I think would have been better served at the end, but those are my two main criticisms. Even with that being said, the album is still brilliant. "Second Hand News" is a perfect opener to this album, and literally every song after practically perfect. Knowing how dysfunctional the band was at the time, it's almost shocking they were able to put together something so iconic. Possibly the best album ever to play after a break up. I like to pretend "Silver Springs" is the last track after "Gold Dust Woman," even though it's not part of the official album track list. If it was, I'd put it before "Gold Dust Woman," which I think is just an absolutely brilliant closing song for the album and wraps everything up perfectly.
Okay, I guess I had a lot to say, but this album is just so stacked. Not a weak track here, and the band is at their best. One of the easiest 5 star ratings I've given.
Eminem
5/5
I'm struggling with this one more than I thought I would. I already had The Slim Shady LP, which I rated a 4, expecting to rate The Marshall Mathers LP an easy 5 because childhood me remembers it being better. And it is better. The production is better, his skills as a rapper are better, but as a teen I did not realize how much he complains about being famous and how annoying that is. Listen, when we're talking about Eminem's lyrics, I know there are worse things than that. Much worse. But I was prepared and expected them because I remember those songs. But half the tracks seem like there's at least one line where he complains about fame or being recognized or something like that. And the skits. Good lord. I hate skits on rap albums but Eminem always seemed to have the most obnoxious ones.
With all that being said, this is a fantastic album that really changed the game. I remember staying up late listening to the radio to hear "Stan" for the first time. I remember before the song even came out there was so much hype around it and how it was groundbreaking. The Dido "Thank You" sample was absolutely perfect in it. For a period of time, "Stan" was almost profound in early 2000s rap. Eminem performing it at the Grammy's with Elton John was a huge cultural moment. "Stan" kind of makes me cringe a little as an adult, but the impact it had at the time cannot be ignored, and it's still one of the best tracks on the album.
Even though I don't vibe with Eminem much anymore because as an adult the angry, bitter lyrics just don't do it for me, "Kill You" is still one of my go-to songs to listen to when I'm mad, and I still remember all the words. "Bitch Please II," "Amityville," and "Criminal" still stand out all these years later, and I appreciate "The Way I Am" so much more as an adult than I did when I was younger, because back then I largely found it boring. And "The Real Slim Shady" remains such a banger. I can't be mad at anyone who hates this album because of the lyrics. Some of them are bad, and shocking, and listening to "Kim" for the first time as an adult was honestly painful. Even when I was trying to be an edgy teen, I knew that song was too much, and it's even worse now. I've been putting lyrics aside for the most part in this challenge, but this album puts that to the test in a way even the Slim Shady LP didn't. I really thought this was be an easy 5 stars for me, but it's not. I'm still giving it a 5 because I'm rounding up from a 4.5, but I'm really seeing the cracks in this album as an adult. With that said, though, Eminem is so good and so talented on this record, and it was such a cultural milestone. And it made a huge impression on me when I was young in a way most albums, even ones I loved, didn't. It's shocking. It's violent. It's of it's time and yet not at all. Some of the most challenging lyrics you'll ever come across, but some of the most talented rapping you'll ever hear. This is 5 stars, but probably the most difficult of all the ones I've given a 5 to so far.
Brian Eno
2/5
Loved the first track so much but was so put off by the others. The choral vocals on the middle tracks really ruined them and made them quite unpleasant. They would have been so beautiful without the vocals because they distracted greatly from the music itself, which was fantastic. The last track was a mess on all fronts. A 45 minute version of “1/1” would have been perfect and I gladly would have listened to that than sit through the other three tracks. I understand why this album is on the list, but it ended up being so disappointing.
Kate Bush
3/5
I want to like Kate Bush a lot more than I do, but outside of a few select songs, she just doesn't do it for me. This album gets an extra star for "This Woman's Work," which is one of her songs that I love, but in general I've enjoyed covers more than her original. As an album, though, I just don't love it.
Joni Mitchell
5/5
Wow. While I've enjoyed, I've never been overly impressed with Joni Mitchell outside of Blue, but this was outstanding. Totally blew me away. "Coyote" and "Amelia" are possibly Joni's best songs, but every track on this album was fantastic. Totally brilliant, and I loved the mood of the album. I'll be listening to this a lot.
Joni Mitchell
4/5
This was very pleasant and enjoyable, but it's hard for me to really dislike anything from Joni Mitchell. "In France They Kiss On Main Street" and "Don't Interrupt The Sorrow" were my favorite songs, but there were things I liked about all the tracks on the album. Not perfect, but really, really good, which is not a surprise given it's Joni.
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
Oh, Bruce. You were trying way too hard with this one. There were some good songs. "Lonesome Day," "Mary's Place," "The Rising," and "My City of Ruins" were all fantastic, but that was about it. Most of the songs, even the good ones, were way too long, and a lot of them sounded vaguely religious, which I don't think Bruce was going for at all. But there were times when I was listening to this that I wondered if I had somehow put on a contemporary Christian album instead (and one song where I thought I was listening to Sting), which I think is a direct consequence of him trying too hard to say something profound post-9/11. It almost seemed like he was trying to make such a huge statement while writing this that he ended up almost becoming a parody of himself. Lots of parts of this were boring and there were so many filler songs. Even some of the songs I liked on the album I could tell were filler. There were moments of typical Springsteen brilliance on here, but they were very few and far between. I'm struggling to rate this because there are parts of the album I really enjoyed, but the rest was a huge mess. I'm probably also being more generous because it's Bruce Springsteen than I would have been for other artists. Still, there were things to like, I was just bored.
Sisters Of Mercy
3/5
Surprisingly really enjoyed this. Normally wouldn't be my thing, but I dug the dark, moodiness of it all. Kind of reminded me of the best things about The Cure and Depeche Mode. I wish I could give this a 3.5 because I really did enjoy it, but just not enough as the albums I've rated a 4. It's a high 3, though.
Ministry
2/5
Wish I liked this more. I can definitely hear the influence it had on others, and I think it generally deserves its place on this list. Not sure this would ever get more than a 3 from me, but it’s really just not doing it for me today.
The Undertones
4/5
One of my pleasant surprises from this challenge has been The Undertones. I find some European punk to be very tedious, but I’ve generally enjoyed what I’ve heard from The Undertones, and this album is no exception. I got one of their other albums early in the challenge and gave it 3 stars, but I want to revisit it to see if maybe that rating would go up now. Overall this is a great record. Particularly liked “Family Entertainment,” “Teenage Kicks,” and “Jimmy Jimmy” but honestly liked something about every song on here. I can definitely hear how it influenced other bands. Worthy of its place on this list.
Lauryn Hill
4/5
A really great record. Stunning. Groundbreaking. I don't think Lauryn Hill has sounded better. "Ex-Factor," "Doo Wop (That Thing)," "I Used To Love Him," "Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You," and "Tell Him" are the standout tracks, but there's a lot to like in the other tracks as well. This album suffers from some of the trappings of other hip hop/R&B albums of the time, which is too many interludes and songs that go for too long. Not that a 5+ minute song can't be good, but a lot of these songs just kind of drifted along by the end. I wish I could give this a 4.5, but I have to round down because it doesn't quite do it for me in the same way the other albums I've rated a 5 do. That being said, still an absolutely fantastic record.
David Bowie
5/5
Really wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about this. I hadn’t really listened to 2010s Bowie and expected to feel like it fell off from the 70s era Bowie that I loved. The few songs I heard I didn’t love when they first came out. But my god, this was so good. Every song got better and better, and the songs are so varied in style, theme, and genre, but they flow together perfectly. This album is cohesive but varied, and so stunning to listen to. This is top tier Bowie. The singles I didn’t love years ago grew on me when combined with the entire album, but in some ways they were also the weaker tracks, but of course, they were still amazing. Haunting, melodic, and beautiful. I just can’t get over how much I loved this.
David Holmes
3/5
I did not have high hopes for this and expected it to be similar to artists like Fatboy Slim and Goldie. I was quite surprised, in a good way, to be proved wrong! This album is innovative and fresh. Even though it’s from the 90s it doesn’t feel dated in the same way other electronica often does. While this does fall into the trap of being a bit too long and dragging on, it’s rarely boring. I wish I could give this a 3.5 because it’s not quite a 4 for me, but giving it a 3 feels harsh given how good this record is. I probably won’t listen to this again, but this album definitely belongs on this list, and it’s definitely worth hearing before you die.
John Lennon
4/5
I’ve never much vibed with the majority of John Lennon’s solo work. Doesn’t mean I don’t like it, but I don’t seek it out. This album is good. Some great points with a fair amount of mess too. “Mother,” “Hold On,” “Working Class Hero,” and “God” are my favorite tracks, though I had a pretty emotional reaction to a lot of it as it was related to his mom and mine recently died, so I could feel those emotions strongly. The reason this is getting a 4 instead of a 5 is because there’s not a whole lot on this I’ll want to revisit, and while I think it’s a very good album that deserves its spot on the list, there’s better too, especially when it comes to post-Beatles releases.
Girls Against Boys
2/5
I can definitely hear how this might have influenced other bands, but just because something is influential doesn’t mean it’s good. This album felt so incredibly long for only being about 45 minutes. Those first few songs were a slog to get through, and I kept checking the time because they were so long. The album surprisingly ended on a high note with “Bughouse,” which I thought was actually a pretty good song and far and away the best on the album. Overall, though, this was pretty boring and just not very good.
Peter Gabriel
3/5
This was a bit uneven for me as an album. Of course I can hear Peter Gabriel's talent here, but the album is all over the place. "Solsbury Hill," "Down The Dolce Vita," and "Here Comes The Flood" are the best songs on the album. The last two tracks were so stunning that I wanted the entire album to be like this. If Gabriel put together a whole album in the same vein as those tracks, it would be something special. But as is, the album is just alright.
Buck Owens
3/5
This was a really fun record. There is something so charming about country music from the 50s and 60s. Was it the best thing ever? No. Was it groundbreaking? Probably not. But was it enjoyable? Of course! I wish I could give this a 3.5, but I have to round down because it just isn't quite as good as the other albums I've given a 4. I do love that this era of country music is represented on this list, though.
Pretenders
4/5
This album is so good, and Chrissie Hynde’s voice absolutely shines throughout. It starts off so strong with “Precious” and doesn’t let up after that. The best songs are the opening track, “Tattooed Love Boys,” “Stop Your Sobbing,” “Brass In Pocket,” and “Mystery Achievement.” I don’t know much of the Pretenders outside of their singles, which I love, and don’t think I’ve ever listened to a full album from them. Glad I listened to this one because it’s fantastic.
Astor Piazzolla
4/5
Had no idea what to expect with this, but I absolutely loved it. This was recorded in the 80s, but still sounds fresh as ever, and "La Muerta Del Angel" is one of the best closings to an album I've heard so far. Just an absolutely stunning record.
Joanna Newsom
4/5
Didn't know how to feel about this album at first, but it really grew on me as I listened. I'd never listened to Joanna Newsom before, and she's definitely not for everyone, but I came to really love this. There was something beautiful yet sad about it, which I adored. "Emily" and "Only Skin" were stunning, and "Cosmia" made a big impression on me as I recently lost my mom, and I could feel her loss and grief of her friend in the lyrics. Didn't care much for "Monkey & Bear," but even then there was a certain charm to not. I wouldn't be surprised if this album continued to grow on me the more time I spend with it. I find the albums from the 2000s to be very hit or miss on this list, but Ys definitely deserves its place here.
Muddy Waters
4/5
Muddy Waters is one of the greats and this album is a delight. Hard to find anything to dislike about it. Definitely deserving of its spot on this list.
Steve Winwood
4/5
Steve Winwood is hit or miss for me, and this album is no exception. The first half is so good, with "When You See a Chance" and "Arc of a Diver" being the best songs on the album and "Slowdown Sundown" also being a standout. But it really loses steam in the second half. "Dust" is okay, but the other songs are a mess. I'd give this a 3.5 if I could, but I'm rounding up because I know I'll be listening to the first half of this album on repeat quite a bit.
Julian Cope
2/5
Not saying all music needs to have point or a purpose, but what the fuck was the point of this? What is the intended response from the listener? And who is the intended listener? This was all over the place and honestly I’m trying to figure out what Julian Cope was even trying to do here. I’m sure there is an audience for it, but I’m not in it, and honestly my life would have been perfectly fine if I never heard this. I’ve heard worse, but I’ve heard a lot better.
Teenage Fanclub
3/5
Had no idea what to expect from this but really, really enjoyed it. Started off a little slow for me, but after a few songs I was hooked. I can totally hear how this influenced some of my favorite artists too. The last few songs beginning with “Sidewinder” were phenomenal. I wish I could give this a 3.5, but I have to round up because this left such a strong impression on me.
Edit: listening to this more I don’t love it like I did on first listen. Rounding down and giving a 3 instead.
Pavement
3/5
A good 90s alternative record. Not amazing, but really solid. I enjoyed this quite a bit, but it wasn't anything super special either. Sort of confused about what their issue with STP is, though, who definitely should have at least one album on this list (and probably deserve a space more than pavement). "Fillmore Jive" is probably the highlight for me. I wish I could give this a 3.5 because a 3 feels too low but a 4 feels a little too high. Ultimately rounding down because I don't love it the same way I loved the other albums I've given 4 stars to recently.
Marvin Gaye
3/5
I totally understand why this album was not received particularly well when it was released but was received better later on. I also understand why this is such a polarizing record for so many. There are parts of it that are so good and brilliant, but also parts where Gaye seems to go completely off the rails. I really struggled with rating this because of the ups and downs of the record. Splitting the difference and rating this a 3, but the highs are great, but then the lows are so bad.
Scritti Politti
4/5
Honestly shocked by this being one of the lowest rated albums on the site. I kept waiting for something terrible or offensive, but it was all just 80s bops? You could have told me this was Culture Club and I would have believed you. I mean, is it the best thing? No. Did I need to hear this before I die? Probably not. But is this fun? Hell yeah! There's way worse on this list, and at least I can hear how it influenced other artists. I wish I could give this a 3.5, but I'm going to round up because I had a lot of fun listening, and some of these songs are going to be stuck in my head for weeks.
Linkin Park
4/5
I didn't love Linkin Park when they first hit the scene, but I've since come around to their music and definitely respect their legacy and influence. With all that being said, I was a little let down by this album. The singles were amazing, but the album as a whole was so up and down. A lot of the songs paled in comparison to their nu metal counterparts, and yes I'm including Limp Bizkit in that. Aside from the singles, this album's saving grace was its bonus tracks. "My December" and "High Voltage" were arguably the best tracks on the entire album. Normally I try to avoid bonus tracks as I want to experience the album the way it was intended when first released, but I'm glad I listened to these because it elevated the album for me. This is another 3.5 for me, but I'm rounding up because of how strong the high points are on this album, as well its influence and legacy.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
3/5
I really enjoyed their contributions to Paul Simon's Graceland album, and this was also quite enjoyable. Not something I'd listen to every day, but you can hear the talent and how it influenced certain artists. This is another case where I wish I could give a half star rating and give this a 3.5, but this just isn't quite as strong as the albums I've rated a 4, so I have to round down. Still good though, and definitely think it's something people should listen to at least once before they die.
Slipknot
3/5
Really did not like Slipknot's other album on this list, but I actually kind of enjoyed this? For early era nu metal, it's pretty good. Granted there is a lot more screaming than I really care for, and a lot of the songs did start to sound the same after awhile. My main gripe with Slipknot is that their lead singer has a really great voice when he actually sings, so I'm always wanting more of that in the end. This album is a 2.5 for me, but I honestly have to round up because giving it just 2 stars seems too low.
Morrissey
3/5
I really hate how much I enjoyed this because I really do hate Morrissey. He's an odious person; his voice is whiny; and a lot of his songs come off as really weirdly sexist. But like, I don't know. When I was listening to this and walking through Target to pass the time before getting my dead mom's mail, it all just kind of made sense. A lot of people say this is Morrissey's best, and I can see that. It is objectively a good record, and I hate that I agree this is one you should listen to before you die. It's a solid 3 stars, and that's a compliment.
Bob Dylan
5/5
I say this in all my reviews of Bob Dylan albums on this list, but he writes the best diss tracks. "Masters of War" is an absolute savage takedown, and I couldn't help but listen to it over and over again. But also how did that song come out in 1963 and is still relevant? I hate it. This album has some of my favorite Dylan songs with "Blowin' in the Wind," "Girl from the North Country," "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall," "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right," and "Corrina, Corrina" but there isn't one song on here that feels out of place or that it doesn't deserve its spot. This might be my favorite Dylan album after Blood On The Tracks. Such a good album and so strong and sadly still relevant.
Simple Minds
2/5
This was very average. Started off alright but then got boring and same-y as it went on. The first half is definitely stronger than the latter half. Everything kind of falls off after the instrumental track. This wasn’t awful, but I’m sure there are 80s new wave albums that were better than this and deserved a spot on the list.
John Martyn
3/5
Considering I really hated the other album from him on the list, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this. “Over The Hill” and “May You Never” were the top tracks for me, but there were things I enjoyed about all the songs. John Martyn’s voice does grate on me a bit, but I could overlook that here. A solid (pun intended) effort!
Genesis
3/5
Listen, I love a good concept album, but this was a mess. It seemed like they were trying to bite off more than they could chew with it. Even with the long run time, it still felt like they struggled to tell a cohesive story. There are a couple good songs throughout, and “Counting Out Time” and “The Carpet Crawlers” really grabbed my attention, but it’s just not a very strong album. The songs don’t need to spell out the story completely, but there were a lot of times where I just felt lost. Technically it’s a good album, and of course the Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins-era Genesis isn’t going to put out anything truly terrible, but I hoped for a lot more. A 90 minute Genesis concept album should be right up my alley, but this didn’t work for me.
Wilco
2/5
I had a really great eviscerating review going when my computer crashed, so I'll try to retype it, but it won't be the same. *clears throat* Ahem...
There was absolutely no reason this needed to be a double album. It contains some of the most sophomoric lyrics I've ever heard, and the musicianship and production aren't particularly good either. If you add "The Lonely1" to the first album, it would actually be decent. "Say You Miss Me" is a strong ending to the album, and overall it would be a solid 3 stars. Nothing groundbreaking and boring at times, but good enough and enjoyable for 90s alternative. But then we get to the second album, and it's a mess. And boring. I've already listened to like 40 minutes of Wilco at this point, and the second album doesn't tell me anything I don't already know. Plus it's country for seemingly no reason? I don't hate country, but it's almost like they just mashed two completely separate albums together because they thought the world needed to hear it. But we didn't. There's no story or overarching thread that justifies putting together two seemingly random albums that go on for a combined 80 minutes. Unless whiny white boy songs with basic ass lyrics is considered a concept. There's better 90s alternative. There's better country rock. There's just better. The second album really drags whatever they were trying to do on Being There down, and if I was just rating that, it would probably get 1 star. I'm giving this 2 stars, though, because there were a few things I enjoyed about the first album, but the second almost dragged this whole thing down with it.
This generator has proved that certain artists are just not for me, and Wilco is one of them.
Madonna
3/5
Madonna can be really hit or miss for me, and aside from the singles, this album is surprisingly a miss. "Like A Prayer," "Express Yourself," and "Cherish" are all top tier songs, but a lot of the rest are kind of lacking. This album falls into the trap that a lot of 80s pop albums do, which is having really great pop songs and then deciding they all need to be over 5 minutes for some reason. It's definitely to the detriment of most of these songs that they're so long. Many would be better and way more enjoyable if they were even a minute shorter. I really wanted to like this album more, but it just wasn't doing it for me. "Like A Prayer" is an iconic song, but if we're talking about early Madonna, I think she has better albums that should be on this list over this one.
Dexys Midnight Runners
5/5
This has been one of my biggest surprises. “Come On Eileen” is a banger for all time, but I did not really have high hopes for the entire album. I was definitely glad to be proven wrong! This album is full of stellar tracks. “The Celtic Soul Brothers,” “Liars A To E,” “Until I Believe In My Soul,” and “Come On Eileen” are the standouts, as is “Jackie Wilson Said,” which might be better than Van Morrison’s original. I’m not sure if Dexys Midnight Runners are considered ska, but this album definitely had some ska vibes and made me think how underrepresented that genre is on this list. I know they’re considered a one hit wonder, but they definitely shouldn’t be, and this album is very worthy of its place on this list.
Air
4/5
Admittedly I’ve never seen the movie this is the soundtrack for, but I know what it’s about, and it’s a perfect match. Wasn’t sure what to expect because I didn’t love the other Air album on this list, but this was stunning. This soundtrack is so atmospheric and moody and makes me feel like I’m in the story, with even just a cursory knowledge of what the story is. I’ve heard a lot of really great film scores, and I completely understand why this one is so critically acclaimed. Wish I could give this a 4.5, but it’s just not quite 5 stars for me, but I still absolutely loved it. Definitely deserves to be on this list, and I’m so glad I heard it as I likely wouldn’t have sought it out otherwise.
Hole
5/5
This album is so good. It’s 90s pop rock at its best. “Celebrity Skin,” “Awful,” “Malibu,” “Dying,” “Northern Star,” and “Petals” are the best songs, but there’s really no low points on this album. Courtney Love hasn’t sounded better than she does here. Maybe I’m just a moody girl, but this album speaks to me on many different levels. Definitely the best Hole has ever done.
Björk
3/5
Bjork really isn’t for me, but I actually quite enjoyed this… until it got towards the end. The last half of the album reminds me of everything I dislike about Bjork, but the first half had some really lovely songs. Really stuck on what to rate this because a 2 seems kind of harsh for the first half of the album but a little generous for the latter. A 2.5 would be perfect, but I think I have to round up this time. Even the parts I didn’t like I still preferred to other Bjork albums.
Jazmine Sullivan
2/5
Didn’t love this. There are some enjoyable beats and vocals, and I respect the uniqueness of the concept, but overall it’s not great. Some of the lyrics are flat out bad. Even at only 32 minutes this felt long and dragged at times. I have to imagine there are better R&B albums from the 2020s than this that should have been on the list instead.
Jefferson Airplane
5/5
I mean, it’s Jefferson Airplane. It has “Somebody To Love” and “White Rabbit.” If you’re looking for good 60s psychedelic rock, this is it. The hits are the highlights, but all the songs are good. This is just a good 60s rock album that deserves its acclaim.
Radiohead
5/5
This project has made me realize that while I always thought OK Computer was my favorite Radiohead album, my favorite is actually The Bends. Don’t get me wrong, OK Computer is still amazing and “Karma Police” and “Paranoid Android” are some of my favorite songs, but I connected with The Bends so much more. But yeah, OK Computer is great and was always going to get 5 stars from me. I’m hit or miss with almost everything after this album, but they’re doing some of their best work here.
Donovan
5/5
I love this Scottish weirdo and his psychedelic folk music. There’s that one greatest hits album of his where he’s like shirtless on the cover of something, and I swear everyone who bought a record player post-2000 has that album. Sunshine Superman is a great album, and the title track is one of his best songs. “Celeste,” “Season of the Witch,” and “Legend of a Girl Child Linda” are the other highlights, but if you’re like me and enjoy Donovan, you’re going to like every song here. Honestly he has better individual songs on other albums, but as a whole this is probably his strongest album.
Primal Scream
3/5
Loved the first song on the album, but it kind of fell off the rails after that for me. “Movin’ On Up” was the only song like that on the album, so the rest left me wanting. None of the songs were bad, but a few went on way too long. I think there was a little too much mixing of genres because this album never felt anchored at any point. There was some real potential here, but it never quite made it.
The Beta Band
4/5
Had no idea what to expect from this but ended up liking it for the most part. “Squares” and “Dragon” have been on repeat for me ever since I finished the album. The last few songs blended together for me, but I thought it ended strong with “Eclipse.” While I liked this album, I didn’t love it. Nothing was bad, but some of it was just alright. I wish I could rate this 3.5 stars, but I actually think I’m going to round up, largely due to “Squares” and “Dragon” being on repeat and because I do feel like this album justifies its place on this list with its unique sound.
The Sonics
4/5
This album is a bit of a mixed bag. Even for the 60s the production is rough, and lots of these songs have been done “better” by other artists. At the same time, you can hear the influence this had on other artists and genres. There’s not a lot of proto-punk and garage rock from this era on this list, so I appreciate it’s here. Plus The Sonics are a local group, so I have a soft spot for them like I do other Seattle and Washington State acts. But this was enjoyable, and it was short, which is a plus most of the time on this list. This deserves its spot on the list, and when you take the time period into account, it’s actually pretty good and groundbreaking.
a-ha
2/5
The only reason this has a higher rating than Scritti Politti is because of “Take On Me,” which to be fair, is an elite song. As much as I want more non-US/UK artists on the list, I want them to actually be good. There’s so much better 80s pop than this. I can guarantee there’s probably better 80s Norwegian pop than this. Everything outside of “Take On Me” is boring and uninspired, and there’s no reason this should be on the list.
Röyksopp
2/5
Nothing about this made me think I need to hear it before I die, although I will have “Remind Me” stuck in my head for the next week. Not a terrible album, but not great either. Just sort of… there. A few parts of songs that caught my attention in a good way, but largely the songs felt long and boring with nothing really standing out.
Thelonious Monk
3/5
I mean, of course you have to have Thelonious Monk on this list. Jazz isn’t really my thing, but this was enjoyable and made great background music while I read. I’d give this 3.5 stars if I could because a 3 feels too low for this album, but I won’t listen to it enough to justify a 4. I’m rounding down, but it’s a high 3 for me and an album that definitely deserves to be on the list.
LTJ Bukem
1/5
I think I found the correct album, and it was over 2 fucking hours. There are some good albums that are super long, but this is not one of them. I'm sure it was influential and blah blah but this is the type of electronica that just drives me nuts. Maybe if I were in a club I'd be into it, but on its own, most of it is too long and too same-y. After awhile this just felt tedious. There is some really good electronica on this list, to be fair, but there is a lot of it, and this doesn't need to have a spot.
Fred Neil
3/5
Decently enjoyable, but also forgettable. "The Dolphins," "Everybody's Talkin'," and "Sweet Cocaine" were the best songs, but many just sort of blended together. This album was just a little too same-y for my liking.
SZA
4/5
I’ve heard a few songs by SZA, and they were alright, but I had no idea how I’d feel about an entire album from her. This was absolutely amazing. A lot of the more recent albums on the list I don’t feel deserve their place on it, but this absolutely does. I vibed with the whole thing, and “Drew Barrymore” is going to be on repeat for my for a long time. Such a great album, and I’m so glad for this list making me listen to it because I wouldn’t have otherwise.
Napalm Death
3/5
Did I enjoy this? Not particularly. Do I understand why it’s on this list? Absolutely. As I’ve approached 500 albums listened to, I’ve really started to appreciate the unusual and different genres and albums more than I did at first. This is an underrepresented genre, and tbh I might enjoy more of this than a bunch of unnecessary new wave, post punk, and electronica. Also oddly enough it made me think there should probably be a Gwar album on this list. Anyway, I understand why this is ranked so low, but there’s much worse on the list. And this is never boring, and there’s a lot of boring on this list.
3/5
I think I prefer Devo in smaller doses. A whole album from them is a lot. "Uncontrollable Urge" is such a good song, but the rest is a little uneven. Not a bad album, but not one I'll listen to much either outside of a couple songs.
Robbie Williams
3/5
I like Robbie Williams well enough, but I'm not sure it was this album of his that needed to be on the list. The Ego Has Landed, Sing While You're Winning, or Swing While You're Winning would have been better choices. That being said, this album is fine. "Angels" is on here, and that's his best song. I think I'm just not sure why this is on the list. Was it because Robbie was in Take That? Otherwise I don't feel like this is a necessary inclusion. It feels like this list is allergic to including boyband albums, despite their cultural impact. Like there's a Justin Timberlake album on the list, but nothing by NSYNC or Backstreet Boys. Maybe there should have been a Take That album on here instead of including Robbie's British solo debut. I like it, and it's fine, but I don't think it needs to be included on this list.
Mylo
3/5
Really good beats here, but adding vocals detracted from most of the songs that had them. Might have rated this higher if it was all beats, but it was still good and enjoyable, just could have been better.
Brian Wilson
3/5
This was fine. You can tell it was supposed to be a Beach Boys album and honestly would have been better if it was. Brian Wilson’s voice isn’t what it used to be, and sadly sort of detracts from the songs since so much of the appeal of The Beach Boys is their harmonies and melodic voices. “Heroes and Villains” is definitely the standout song, but there’s no real clunkers here. Wish I could give this 3.5 stars, but it’s just not quite a 4 for me, so I have to round down.
Tom Waits
1/5
If “fucked up circus music” was a genre, this album would be it. Overall very unpleasant. I’ve heard other Tom Waits stuff is better, but I’m not holding my breath after this. My 500th album and first Tom Waits so far, and I’ll pass.
The Auteurs
3/5
I enjoyed this a fair amount. Do I think this belongs on the list? Probably not. But it’s really fun 90s pop rock album. Not likely to listen to this again, but still pretty good.
5/5
Oasis is generally overrated, but my god this album is a masterpiece. Top to bottom one of the best albums I've ever listened to. I remember really liking it when it first came out, but really listening to this as an adult, it blew my mind. This is the kind of music the Beatles would have made in the 90s. The record is stacked and groundbreaking. Not one weak track, and each track builds on the next for a satisfying listening experience. And ending with "Champagne Supernova," which is a modern day "A Day In The Life," is the cherry on top of a practically perfect album. This album is freaking brilliant and deserves to be considered one of the best all time. The Gallagher brothers are annoying, but my god they made magic together on this album. This is now a contender for one of my favorite albums of all time.
Mott The Hoople
4/5
Really enjoyed this. I didn't know Mott The Hoople much outside of "All The Young Dudes" but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this. It was fresh and interesting and all the tracks were great. A solid 4 stars for me.
2/5
This was... a lot. Was it supposed to be serious? Funny? Whatever it was, it didn't work for me. By the time I got to "Greenman" I was pretty over the album. If the whole album was like "Your Dictionary" or "Fruit Nut" I might have enjoyed it more. The second half of the album seemed very unserious, which actually made me like it more. But whatever was going on with the first half really dragged it down. It seems like they couldn't decide if they wanted this to be a funny record or not, and if they had full on committed either way, I think it would have been better. Not much better, but somewhat better.
Billy Bragg
2/5
This was just okay. Not sure it’s something I need to hear before I die. I do like this better than Wilco, generally, and that’s probably because it’s technically Billy Bragg. I didn’t love this, though, and there were parts where the lyrics were laughably bad. I’d give this a 2.5 if I could, but I have to round down.
The Damned
4/5
Really struggling to rate this one. Most of the album is good, but not great. At the same time, The Damned are iconic and influenced most of my favorite punk bands of the 90s. Plus “Smash It Up” is an elite song, “Plan 9 Channel 7” is pretty great too. If I could I’d give this a 3.5, but I think I have to round up because of how influential The Damned are.
The Who
5/5
Who’s Next is an iconic record and contains some of the best songs The Who have ever recorded. There’s not a weak track on here, and it’s a good mix of shorter, traditional rock songs and their signature rock opera style. I also have a very soft spot for “Behind Blue Eyes” because of an inside joke between my mom and me. And “Won’t Get Fooled Again” might be one of the best closing tracks to any record ever. Easy 5 stars.
2Pac
4/5
I was about to come in here and complain that All Eyez On Me should have been on the list instead of this album, but you know what? Both should be on here. This is also 2Pac at his best. Both albums show different sides of him, and this has some of his best lyrics. “Dear Mama” is a classic, but there are so many great tracks here. I do sort of wish they had eliminated the final track because “Outlaw” is really the only weak link. But this album is still amazing. I’d give this a 4.5 if I could, but I have to round down just because it doesn’t have much replay value for me, and most of my favorite 2Pac tracks are on other albums. He is one of the best rappers of all time, and this album proves it.
Syd Barrett
4/5
I feel like I'm predisposed to love almost anything 60s psychedelic rock, and this is no exception. Top to bottom loved every song here. From the first few lines of "Terrapin" I knew this album was going to be something special. Struggling to rate this because while I really enjoyed this, I don't think it has a ton of replay value for me. I wish I could give this a 4.5, but I think I have to round down in this case, sadly. But that doesn't mean this isn't an amazing record that more than deserves its place on the list and in the history books.
Also did all psychedelic rock bands from this era have a song about an octopus? Was that the animal of the time for those dropping acid?
Mercury Rev
3/5
This was kind of shocking to me. If you told me this came out in the 70s or mid/late 2000s, I would have believed you, but not 1998. I was confused by this inclusion at first but once I saw when it came out, I realized why. This was really ahead of its time. Some of it sounded like that pleasant mid-2000s indie sound, other parts of it reminded me of the Moody Blues. I found this enjoyable and also shocking from the time period it came out. I was about 10 years old in 1998 and listened to everything that came out. This was different from literally anything I can remember hearing. Having trouble rating this because I enjoyed it, but it wasn't always my cup of tea, but I also hear the influence it had on other artists. Wish I could rate this 3.5, but I think I need to round down because there isn't a ton of replay value for me personally.
Basement Jaxx
3/5
I mean, sure, there should be a Basement Jaxx album on here, but that doesn't mean I have to like it. But honestly I was surprised that I didn't hate it as much as I thought I would. I figured I'd be struggling between a 1 and 2 to rate this, but actually I'm struggling between a 2 and 3. Most of this was meh, and I swear they were singing "Boat Show" instead of "Same Old Show" (which would have been more interesting imo), but "Being With U" was actually a really nice track to wrap up the album and probably my favorite as well. I'd give this 2.5 stars if I could, but I think I'm actually rounding up because it's Basement Jaxx, and even though I don't love electronica, I can't deny their influence on the genre and music in general.
Muddy Waters
4/5
I mean, it's Muddy Waters. This is a fantastic blues record, but that's to be expected, and he sounds great here. This record is polished, but still has that grit you expect from blues. A worthy inclusion to this list.
The B-52's
3/5
I’m hit or miss with The B-52’s songs I’ve heard outside their main singles. Definitely never listened to an entire album before and was somewhat pleasantly surprised. The tracks were fun and were definitely in line with what I expected based on their singles, which I generally enjoy. While I didn’t love this album, but I liked it well enough. “Rock Lobster” and “Downtown” were my favorite tracks, but nothing stood out to me in a negative way. Solid 3 stars.
TV On The Radio
3/5
Was kind of dreading this because I didn't like Dear Science very much when I got it previously, but this was a lot better. The music was better and the tracks were more engaging. I think it would have been fine to only include this album. After listening I actually understood why this band was on the list. "Ambulance" was probably my favorite track, but there were a few pretty enjoyable ones. Not my favorite album by far, but definitely an improvement from other things I've heard from them.
Lupe Fiasco
4/5
Fantastic record. I loved “Kick, Push” when it came out and always thought Lupe was talented, but this album was better than I could have expected. Lyrically interesting, and Lupe has great flow. The diversity in topics was a nice change of pace as well. I loved all the different producers and collaborators as each song felt unique yet cohesive to the overall record. Especially enjoyed “The Instrumental” because Mike Shinoda’s contributions really did something fresh and new for the genre. And “Daydreamin’” was such a delight with Jill Scott’s vocals. The only thing I didn’t care for much was the “Outro.” Way too long and didn’t add anything to the album. Despite that, though, the album was absolutely stellar.
Brian Eno
1/5
Just shy of the halfway mark of this project, I can say with confidence that I just don’t like Brian Eno. He’s produced a few things I don’t mind, but things that are more of a solo or direct collaboration I just can’t stand. This is no exception. He described this album as a “vision of a psychedelic Africa” and that tells me all I need to know. Him and David Byrne really thought they were doing something here, but instead they decided that as two white men they should make an album sampling music from artists around the world and take the credit for it. It’s colonizer shit, and they thought they were so clever. It just makes me angrier the more I think about it. It’s not even good either. They also took this title from a book they didn’t even read. What a goddamn mess. Writing this review actually made me like this less than I already did. It just takes a lot of audacity for two white dudes to do something like this and think they have something to say. If we need an album on here that does groundbreaking sampling, put a rap record on here. Not this cultural appropriation abomination. And if you’re going to do something like this, at least make it good or interesting. This was just sounds. I was going to give this 2 stars, but as I write this, no. Fuck that. They don’t even deserve 1 star, but that’s the lowest I can go. David Byrne, I am disappointed. Brian Eno, I am not surprised.
Marvin Gaye
5/5
This album was a nice surprise. I knew I was going to like it because it's Marvin Gaye and "What's Going On" and "Mercy Mercy Me" are two of my favorite songs by him, but I didn't expect to love this album like I did. I know I've criticized albums for songs sounding the same, but this felt like one long song but in a good way, which apparently was the point since this is considered a "song cycle" album. The story it told was compelling too. Perhaps it's just the world we're living in right now, but a lot of the songs and the vibe really resonated with me. This is definitely Marvin Gaye's best album, and it deserves its place on the list.
My Bloody Valentine
2/5
I aggressively dislike shoegaze and dream pop, so this album really didn't stand a chance with me. I've heard of this band before, and I know they're influential, I just don't like the type of music they influenced. This album wasn't terrible, but it was boring, which I'm starting to dislike more than outright awful things the further I go into this list. I understand why this album is here, but it wasn't for me.
Gillian Welch
2/5
I do not understand why this album is so critically acclaimed. It's very dull. Most of the songs are the same downtrodden music and lyrics, and once you think you've finally made it to the end there's a 16 minute song that seems to go on forever. There's much better early 2000s country than this, and I'm sure there's much better alternative country folk than this too. I was listening to this while on a long drive and kept thinking, "I would hate for this to be the last album I was listening to if I got into a car wreck." So basically the antithesis of the point of this list.
Bon Jovi
4/5
Earlier in this project I probably would have given this a lukewarm 5, but over 500 albums in, hearing some amazing and some terrible ones, this is a solid 4. Lots of Bon Jovi’s best songs are on this album, and it’s a great 80s rock record that really captures the sound at the time. Some filler songs, but overall a really fun record.
Kelela
3/5
Had no idea what to expect from this, but I liked it. Definitely a different sound from similar artists in 2017, so I understand why it made the list, plus her vocals are great and the production is pretty good too. Not sure this has staying power, but it was enjoyable and is a good addition for 2010s albums.
Bonnie Raitt
3/5
Honestly surprised Bonnie Raitt only has one album on this list. Considering all the artists who have like 3+, she should definitely have more here. This album was alright, but there's definitely albums of hers I prefer. I'm in between a 3 and a 4 for this, but this doesn't have much replay value for me, so I'm rounding down.
Cowboy Junkies
3/5
Actually surprised how much I enjoyed this. A pretty decent album of country covers of various songs. Everything did start to sound the same after awhile, but the talent is evident here, and I understand why it made the list. Nothing I'll give much thought to afterwards, but this was a good listen.
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
2/5
I 100% own up to being an uncultured American, but this just didn't do much for me. Long songs with lots of repetition annoy me in every genre, and I just couldn't connect much with this. I can definitely hear the talent, and I do appreciate whenever I come across some of the (minimal) cultural diversity on this list. But personally this wasn't for me. Definitely understand why it's on the list, but I wish I had more similar to compare it to than having to stand on its own.
Roxy Music
2/5
As I go through this list I'm learning I don't like anything that Brian Eno touches. This was my first Roxy Music album, and I wasn't impressed. This was boring but also grating at the same time. I didn't hate the album, but I didn't care for it either, and there's zero replay value in this for me. While I generally have enjoyed this more than Brian Eno's solo stuff, I can't say I'm looking forward to more Roxy Music albums.
Lenny Kravitz
3/5
Not sure this is the Lenny Kravitz album I would have chosen for this list. It's definitely good for a debut, and Lenny deserves to have something on here, I'm just not sure this is it. I think his later albums are stronger top to bottom. The standout tracks are "Let Love Rule," "I Build This Garden For Us," and "Mr. Cab Driver," while the rest of the album is a bit all over the place. The music is strong but the lyrics aren't particularly engaging. It gets kind of boring after awhile and the songs start to sound the same. It's not bad, but in my opinion, not representative of Lenny Kravitz's talent or influence. Another example of an artist deserving a spot on the list but with the wrong album.
The Velvet Underground
4/5
I love this weird shit. Talk slash sing poetry over rough guitars? Sign me the fuck up! The distortion did start to get to me after awhile, but that's probably because I was developing a headache for unrelated reasons. Otherwise I really enjoyed how weird this was, and Lou Reed is a great story teller, even if the songs are not told the traditional way. I know this album is really hit or miss with critics and listeners, but I think it's great and very representative of the time.
Sonic Youth
3/5
Once again, Kim Gordon proves she’s the most talented member of Sonic Youth. Her songs on this album are way above the rest, with “Tunic (Song For Karen)” and “Kool Thing” being the standouts of the entire album. As a record, this isn’t as strong as Daydream Nation or Dirty, and I’m not sure it needs to be on here. Not a bad album, just doesn’t feel like Sonic Youth at their best.
50 Cent
5/5
I was in my teens when this came out and “In Da Club” was everywhere, but I never listened to this album outside of what I heard on radio or MTV. I was sleeping on this because album is fantastic, especially for a debut. There are some top tier tracks on this record. “What Up Gangsta,” “Many Men (Wish Death),” “Patiently Waiting,” “21 Questions,” and “Wanksta” have been on repeat for me, but there are so many bangers here. “In Da Club,” while the most iconic song from the album, might actually be one of the weakest tracks. I do think run time is an issue here because there isn’t much diversity in subject matter, but the production is great on all tracks. I wish I could give this a 4.5, and I’m really struggling to rate, but based on how I feel today, I have to round up. While I don’t love the entire album, a lot of these songs have strong replay value in a way even some things I’ve rated 5 stars don’t have.
TLC
3/5
TLC is really a singles group for me. I’ve never been in love with their deep tracks. However, they sound amazing together, and the singles like “Creep,” “Diggin’ On You,” and “Red Light Special” are so freaking good (I never liked “Waterfalls,” I’m sorry). It’s a fine record, but I’m not in love with it. Still good, but I’m not sure this holds its own on this list, though TLC more than deserves to be here.
Echo And The Bunnymen
2/5
This is like The Smiths if they didn’t have Morrissey, and I thought that would be a plus, but it’s not really. The voice is slightly less annoying (and of course Morrissey the person isn’t there thankfully) but it feels similarly whiney, dull, and uninspired. “Thorn of Crowns” is the worst song on the album, and “The Killing Moon” and “My Kingdom” are the only moderately tolerable songs. Not excited for the rest of their albums on the list.
Neil Young
3/5
Probably my least favorite Neil Young album I've come across so far on this list. It's not bad, just very average. The song "Albuquerque" is lowkey brilliant and far and away the best song on the album. It's almost worth adding an entire star onto my rating of the album as a whole, but it doesn't quite push the album from a 3 to a 4. I wish I could give this a 3.5 because it's still a good album with a brilliant song, but it doesn't stand up to most of my other 4 star albums, nor does it stand up to the other Neil Young albums I've heard so far on this list.
Todd Rundgren
5/5
Wow, the last song really ruined what was a nearly perfect album. Todd Rundgren tends to have weird misogyny in a lot of his songs, so I shouldn't be surprised, but this was a lot. Even considering the decade/genre. That aside, this record is really, really good. I really expected to hate it because I'm very hot and cold with Todd Rundgren, and this album is 90s minutes long. I figured I'd be bored, but it's really good. Varied and interesting topics, and I loved how it was sort of like 4 completely separate records, yet they flowed well as one. Most double albums become unbearable after awhile, but this didn't until the end. I never felt the length because I was so interested in the songs. I'm still giving this a 5, but skip "Slut" when you listen, and it'll be even better.
The Who
5/5
Usually when I listen to albums for this, I try to listen to them as they were when first released. No bonus tracks or legacy editions or whatever. However for this one I decided to just listen to the expanded edition since it was easy to find on Spotify, and it was so worth it. Live albums are really hit or miss for me, but this one was fantastic. Totally understand why it's considered one of the best live albums of all time.
Penguin Cafe Orchestra
4/5
I had no idea what to expect from this, but I loved it. Pleasant, a little weird at times, my first experience with lo-fi orchestral music, and it blew me away. Made a perfect soundtrack for my afternoon at work. I also love the album cover, but I'm a sucker for anything penguin, and I love that they leaned into it on their albums covers. A solid 4 stars for me.
Britney Spears
5/5
I'm so biased towards this album. I was a tween when it came out, and I was obsessed with Britney. I had Britney doll that when you pressed it's stomach it sang "...Baby One More Time." I knew all the dance moves to the "(You Drive Me) Crazy" music video. Saw her in concert, etc. I'm a lifelong Britney fan, and even though I fell off a little after Circus came out, I'm still a huge fan and want the best for her. To this album - groundbreaking. She put female popstars back on the map and surpassed previous teen idols like Tiffany and Debbie Gibson. The songs on the album are what you'd expect from a 16 year old girl recording them, and frankly feels appropriate considering how young she was. They're not profound, but they're fun and catchy. "...Baby One More Time" was a phenomenon, and all the other singles were also great (although the "Stop! Remix" of "You Drive Me Crazy" is much better than the album version). Sure songs like "E-Mail My Heart" are kind of hokey, but she was a teenager in 1999. It works. This is far from her best album, but it deserves to be here. She really changed the game for female popstars going forward, and she deserves recognition on a list like this. Tween me and adult me both give this album 5 stars.
Also her cover of "The Beat Goes On" is a total banger. Hated it as a kid, probably because I hated the song in general, but it's actually a really great cover and lowkey one of the best songs on the album. And I encourage everyone to listen to the bonus tracks because "Autumn Goodbye" is one of her best songs.
Willie Nelson
3/5
This is nice. Willie Nelson definitely deserves to have some albums on here, and this is a great one to add to the list because "Red Headed Stranger" is one of his most iconic songs. That being said, it's pleasant, but not particularly exciting or groundbreaking. I enjoyed the album, but didn't love it. It almost feels a little like filler on a list like this, but it's Willie Nelson, so I can't hate.
Arctic Monkeys
3/5
Ah yes, 2006, the era where indie and emo bands had story length titles to their songs. I can’t hate, I love those bands. Arctic Monkeys were never my favorite, but I enjoyed some of their songs. I tend to favor some of their songs from later albums, but there is some good stuff here too. “I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor” is a great song and has fond memories attached (my best friend used that as the closing credits and “bloopers” for our high school Hamlet movie. It was pretty great.) and “Perhaps Vampires Is A Bit Strong But…” is also a standout. There’s some other good tracks, and nothing here sticks out in a bad way. Definitely an enjoyable album.
Nina Simone
5/5
Oh, Nina is so fucking fantastic. Her voice conveys so much emotion that you can feel what the song is about without even listening to the lyrics. Is this Nina’s best album? Honestly I have no idea, but she deserves her place on the list, and this is fantastic.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
3/5
I think I'm hitting Neil Young fatigue on this list. He's really good, but I'm not sure he needs as many albums as he has on this list. This album is nothing special. I can understand why it was a big deal and critically acclaimed when it came out, but it doesn't hold up. Neil Young starts to become a parody of himself over the last couple songs. The album as a whole is overly long, and the songs are trite for the most part. There are some gems here, and "Over and Over Again," despite being a bit too long, is objectively good and saves the album. I think this album is an example of something that was successful and influential during it's time but does not hold up as one of the best in retrospect.
Quicksilver Messenger Service
3/5
This was alright. Kind of different, which I liked. It flowed together very nicely, and I often didn't notice the songs had changed, but it never felt overly long. My interest did start to fade near the end of the album, but it was still good.
Stephen Stills
3/5
There's a reason Stephen Stills is my least favorite of Crosby, Stills, and Nash (and Young). This was very boring and also too long. This definitely didn't need to be a double album. A few bright spots, but just incredibly average. I love CSN(Y) and David Crosby, Graham Nash, and Neil Young on their own and in their respective groups, but I'll pass on Stephen Stills and this album. It's getting a 3 from me, but only because a 2 feels too low. Wish I could give this 2.5 stars.
Kanye West
5/5
Fuck Kanye West, but this is his last good album, and it's brilliant. Brilliant enough that Kanye's worst ramblings (at the time) were able to be excused by his talent. But this was before he became an actual Nazi. The albums of Kanye's chosen for the list are largely not his best in my opinion, except for this one. But this album makes me sad because it's so good, and he'll never get back there again. He's too hate-filled and believes his own hype too much. This album does fall off a little near the end with some of the epically long songs, but the first few songs are possibly the best he's ever done. I have to separate the art from the artist to rate it properly, and in that case it truly deserves 5 stars.
Traffic
4/5
Struggling with this one. I like Traffic alright, and I enjoy Steve Winwood a lot solo, but this was very hit or miss. "No Time To Live" and "Shanghai Noodle Factory" were amazing songs that left a big impact, and I put them on repeat immediately after. But the rest was very... mid (as the youth say). And what the fuck was "Vagabond Virgin?" I realize I'm listening to this with a 2025 perspective, but singing a song like that about a 13 year old? So gross. Actually makes me want to rate it lower because of that song. This is really a 3.5 for me, but I'm rounding up only because of "No Time To Live" and "Shanghai Noodle Factory," which to me were brilliant songs. I wish there had been more like that.
ABBA
4/5
Not surprised to see ABBA on this list, but kind of surprised to see this ABBA on the list. I'm mostly familiar with their previous efforts and hadn't spent time with this album aside from the fantastic "One Of Us." I had no idea what I was expecting, but it was not that. This was largely conceptual? And kind of weird? Made me think of space for some reason, but I also really dug it. I don't know how I feel about 5 minute ABBA songs, but I could get behind a lot of this. "The Visitors" and "Soldiers" were probably my favorite tracks besides "One Of Us," but there wasn't anything that stuck out in a bad way. I'd give this a 3.5 if I could, but I have to round up for the originality and creativity. Plus it was fun, which is all I really want from ABBA.
Calexico
2/5
I did not like this, and I don't think I needed to hear this before I die. While I appreciated the Mexican inspiration in many of the songs, I didn't care for it from some random white dudes. Could we not have more Mexican/Latin bands on this list instead of white people inspired by them? We can't even throw some Mana on here? But I digress. In general this had that really boring 2000s indie sound, and I had to stop listening in the middle and didn't pick it up again for days because I didn't care. And sometimes that's worse than outright bad music. I believe this was removed from later editions of the book, and I understand why. I'll pass.
Peter Tosh
4/5
I'm so glad this challenge exists because it introduces me to albums like this that I wouldn't have listened to on my own but absolutely loved. I really don't like reggae that much, and I expected to struggle with it, but this was brilliant. A little predictable at times, but I found the second half to be so incredibly good. The last 3 songs were definitely my favorite, but honestly I grooved to this entire album. While this isn't something I'll likely revisit, I'm so glad I heard it, and it's definitely something I'm glad I listened to before I die.
Hugh Masekela
3/5
I definitely rate jazz on kind of a weird scale because I'm just not well versed in it. Unless I absolutely loved it (there have been a few) or hated it (also a few) they mostly get a 3 star rating. This is also getting that 3 star rating. It was pleasant, and I liked it well enough (up until the last song). Nothing I'll listen to again, but it was nice.
The Vines
3/5
Typical mid-2000s alternative, but not bad. I was really only familiar with "Get Free" before this, which I liked, and the rest of the album was alright. Nothing really stood out for me, but I didn't hate it. Just kind of average. Not sure this needs to be on the list, but it was a fine listen. Nothing really groundbreaking. Just okay.
Sabu
3/5
This was quite good and different, especially considering it came out in 1957. Not something I plan to revisit, but I found it enjoyable and was glad it was included on the list.
Silver Jews
2/5
Very meh. Early 2000s indie in that really annoying way. Nothing particularly stood out, and I didn't care for the singer's voice either. I feel like there were so many of this kind of album that came out in the early 2000s that I'm struggling with why this one was chosen. There just isn't anything special about it.
The Police
3/5
Of all The Police albums to put on here in addition to Synchronicity, they chose this one? Outlandos d'Amour and Zenyatta Mondatta deserve a place on this list way more than Reggatta De Blanc. It doesn't mean the album is bad, it's just not really special or exciting in any way. I guess it's because of the "white reggae" aspect, while Outlandos leaned a little more punk/new wave, but like, do we need to celebrate white reggae? Is that really a thing to be excited about? Also why does there always have to be one fucking weird song on every Police album? Granted, "On Any Other Day" isn't quite on the level of Synchronicity's "Mother," but boy that line about the song being gay did not age well. The singles are pretty good on here, but otherwise the album is just alright. Probably closer to a 3.5 for me, but I can't justify rating this higher than Synchronicity, which I gave a 3 when it was really a 3.5 too.
Sinead O'Connor
3/5
I really appreciate Sinead O'Connor's convictions, and her cover of "Nothing Compares 2 U" is phenomenal, but an entire album of hers was kind of boring. I appreciated the political tones in a lot of her songs, such as "Black Boys on Mopeds," which I was ready to cringe about from the title but was pleasantly surprised, but most of the songs go on for far too long and lose their impact. I do think this is a worthy inclusion on this list, but personally I didn't love it.
Sonic Youth
4/5
I've been very hit or miss with the Sonic Youth albums on this list. Dirty and Daydream Nation have been standouts, but I was very underwhelmed by Goo. As for Sister, I liked it. I really wanted to love it, but the songs didn't grab me in the same way as Dirty and Daydream. Still, I love almost anything Kim Gordon does, and her songs again were the highlights. "Schizophrenia" and "Pacific Coast Highway" were my favorite tracks, but there wasn't anything on here that I didn't somewhat enjoy. This is closer to a 3.5 for me, but I'm going to round up because giving it a 3 just seems too low.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
4/5
I was prepared to not like this, but I was pleasantly surprised. The opener “Get Ready For Love” had me hooked immediately. As a double album, this first is so strong, but admittedly the second album lost me a little bit. It was good, and I enjoyed it, but it wasn’t as great and didn’t catch my attention the same way Abattoir Blues did. Abattoir Blues is a 5 for me, but The Lyre of Orpheus is closer to a 3, despite the fantastic “O Children.” Splitting the difference and giving this a well-deserved 4 stars.
Judas Priest
4/5
This is just a good, fun metal album. I’ve never listened to a full Judas Priest album, but I was familiar with and really liked the singles “Breaking The Law” and “Living After Midnight.” “Grinder” is really great too, and there isn’t a song on here I didn’t like. The album is pretty much what you’d expect from Judas Priest based on their singles, but it’s enjoyable and deserves to be on the list.
Jungle Brothers
3/5
Quite enjoyed this one. I wish it was easier to access because I’d be more inclined to do repeat listen if my main source wasn’t YouTube. I thought the use of samples was good and clever, and the production was solid too. Wish I could give this a 3.5, but I’m rounding down. Really solid album, though, top to bottom.
Richard Thompson
3/5
Oh man, “When I Get To The Border” is such an amazing song, and one that I think I want played at my funeral. I listened to it on repeat for awhile before moving on to the rest of the album because I was so enthralled with it. Unfortunately, the rest of the album was a bit of a letdown. The title track and “We Sing Hallelujah” were pretty good, and there wasn’t anything that stood out negatively, but nothing held a candle to the brilliance of “When I Get To The Border.” I wish I could rate this a 3.5, but despite how much I loved the opening track, I have to round down.
Big Black
3/5
Did not know how I’d feel about this, and tbh I still don’t quite know how to feel about this. I like punk a lot, but there was a little more edgelord here than I cared for. “Kerosene” was the best song, but “Bad Houses” was good too.
The Stooges
3/5
Liked this way better than the other The Stooges album I had on this list. “Search and Destroy” is a great song, and you can really hear the Bowie influence. I wish I could rate this a 3.5 because it’s just not quite in the same league as other albums I’ve given 4 stars, but a 3 seems too low. It’s a high 3, though. This is a good album that deserves to be on the list.
Manic Street Preachers
3/5
I’ve never actually listened to Manic Street Preachers, and I guess I expected them to sound a little different, possibly less Britpop than this turned out to be. I didn’t dislike it, but nothing really stood out to me either. I couldn’t name a favorite song, but I couldn’t point to any songs I disliked either. So I guess middle of the road. I would rate a 2.5 if I could, but I’m rounding up.
Franz Ferdinand
4/5
Enjoyed this quite a bit. “Take Me Out” and “Michael” were my favorite songs, but I more or less liked every song here. It’s that early 2000s indie that actually succeeds at what it’s trying to do. I really wish I could give half star ratings because this is a 3.5 for me, but I have to round down in this case. I really liked it, just not quite as much as other albums I’ve given 4 stars lately. This is a 3, but a very high 3. Wouldn’t be surprised if I re-evaluate at some point and give it a 4. Definitely deserves its spot on the list.
Edit: Nevermind, I re-evaluated quickly, and it’s a 4.
Pavement
3/5
This was alright. Didn’t love it, didn’t hate it. Did enjoy it more than Crooked Rain, which I got awhile back. I definitely understood more this album being on the list than that one. Doesn’t have much replay value for me, but I think it deserves its place on this list.
The Band
5/5
I haven't heard much from The Band outside of the obvious songs, so I was surprised by how much I loved this album. The first half is filled with great jams, and the latter half is anchored by "King Harvest (Has Surely Come)," and I am such a sucker for pro-union songs. This album was definitely a solid 4 stars, but that last song upped it to a 5. You have to at least somewhat like folk rock to really appreciate this album, but it's well worth the listen.
John Prine
5/5
I expected to hate this album, but I was pleasantly surprised. I absolutely loved this! It was fun with cheeky lyrics that kept me engaged the entire time. I'd never listened to John Prine before, but I totally understand why he gets the praise he does as a songwriter. Kind of can't believe this is his debut album because it's so good. "Illegal Smile," "Spanish Pipedream," and "Your Flag Decal Won't Get You Into Heaven Anymore" are my favorite songs, but I really loved everything on here. Plus, "Your Flag Decal..." is as timely today as ever. Reminded me a lot of Bob Dylan's "Masters of War." This album is definitely up there as one of my best surprises since beginning to listen to this list.
3/5
This was fine. Nothing groundbreaking, and I dare say there might be a bit too much Britpop on this list, but the genre can be very hit or miss for me. I've liked everything I've heard from Blur previously, but this is the first time I've listened to an entire album. Started off strong but then faded a bit. Average overall.
Super Furry Animals
2/5
I get this band mixed up with Animal Collective (solely due to the name), and I expected to hate this album because of it. I didn't, but I didn't like it that much either. It felt very same-y for the most part, though I did enjoy "If You Don't Want Me To Destroy You." Maybe some of my enjoyment overall was clouded by the fact that I listened to this while driving over Snoqualmie Pass in my tiny car while snow started falling, which stressed me out. But I felt very ambivalent about the album as a whole. I'd give it 2.5 stars if I could, but I think I'm rounding down.
Justin Timberlake
2/5
The only Justin Timberlake album that deserves to be on here is FutureSex/LoveSounds, which is legitimately a 5 star album. It really did something and influenced pop music in a big way at the time. His debut, in comparison, is boring. Even without comparing it to future albums of his, this is nothing special. It's way too long, and "Cry Me A River" has not aged well. The singles are okay, but beyond that nothing stands out. It's all kind of corny and cringe. Really not sure how this album ended up on the list.
The Stranglers
3/5
I generally like punk rock, so I'm not surprised I enjoyed this. The tracks were pretty good and kept me engaged while listening, which is more than I can say for many of the albums I've generated recently. No standout tracks, good or bad, but in this case that's fine. I'd rate this 3.5 stars if I could, but I think I ultimately have to round down.
Marty Robbins
5/5
Did not expect to absolutely adore this album as much as I did, but it's so fun. Some all time classics and some clever songs, and it all put a smile on my face. His version of "El Paso" is probably my favorite I've heard. This is one of those albums that totally deserves its spot on this list. Just absolutely delightful.
Dinosaur Jr.
3/5
I liked this so much better than You're Living All Over Me. Still didn't love it, but it was a major improvement. There were actually songs I liked on here rather than hated less. "Freak Scene" and "Keep The Glove" were both pretty good. The only song I absolutely hated was "Don't," and it reminded me of all the things I hated about their previous album. Dinosaur Jr. is never going to be a favorite of mine, but this was a big improvement from their last album on the list.
The Jesus And Mary Chain
3/5
I liked this album better than Psychocandy, but not by a whole lot. Their stuff really falls flat for me. I did enjoy "Happy When It Rains" but the rest was pretty mid. It all sounds a bit the same and bland. This is closer to a 2.5 but I'm rounding up because I didn't have quite the same visceral reaction that I did for their other album on this list.
Boston
5/5
Honestly might be one of the best top to bottom rock albums from the 1970s. Every song is catchy and hits hard. Full of hits that are still played on classic rock stations to this day. Every song here is great, and I wouldn't be able to pick a least favorite. I didn't realize how many of Boston's hits, which I love, came from this album. I also have a soft spot for "Foreplay/Long Time" from playing it in Rock Band with my best friend all the time when we were in our early 20s. I might have finger memory of some of the bass lines still.
3/5
Here’s the thing. If the entire album was only the second half, I guarantee this has a much higher rating. The second half of this album is actually really good. It’s different and avant-garde, but not in an off-putting way. The first half, though, is borderline unlistenable. Actually gave me a headache. And maybe I just think the second half is actually kind of good because of how abysmal the first half was. Also made me think that it would probably have been better to have an actual Ornette Coleman album on here rather than someone else recording his songs. I understand why so many people hate this album, but I also completely understand why it’s here, despite the fact that if anything a record by Coleman himself should be in its place. I can appreciate what it’s doing and that it’s different while still not liking it. And you can’t deny the musicians are incredibly talented. The first half is a 1 but honestly I’d give the second half of this album a 4. Splitting the difference it’s a 2.5 but I’m actually going to round up here because it’s something different, and it’s never boring. I’d rather be exposed to something like this than more British post-punk.
Prefab Sprout
3/5
Kind of surprised by how much I enjoyed this because I really wasn't expecting much. The first few songs are really fantastic, but it drops off a bit after "Goodbye Lucille #1" and never really picks up again after that. Not saying the album is bad by any means, but this is one of many with a strong start that really plateaus about halfway through. I'm also a little surprised this is more well received than Scritti Politti because they gave me similar vibes, yet that is one of the lowest rated albums on this site. Go figure.
Pantera
2/5
My issue with this kind of metal is that most of the songs are so. long. And the ones that aren't are basically just noise. I know objectively Pantera is an influential metal band, and I hear the talent there, but it's just not really for me. A lot of this album sounded the same, which made it feel even longer. I understand why this album is on the list, but I didn't like it.
Doves
3/5
I liked this quite a bit better than Lost Souls, but it still lost me near the end. I really enjoyed the first few songs, specifically "Words" and "There Goes The Fear" but as the album goes on, the songs start to sound the same and are somewhat boring. Honestly I should have given Lost Souls a lower rating, but it was early in my album journey, and it doesn't feel important enough to change. That being said, The Last Broadcast is also getting a 3 from me, and a middling 3 at that, but Lost Souls' 3 stars is more like a 2. I'll probably forget about this album before long, but it was nice enough to listen to once.
Neu!
3/5
I appreciated that this was a different sound than the majority of the list and that it came from a country that wasn’t the US or UK. I was also shocked that this is from the 70s because it had a much more modern sound. I figured this was from the early 2000s at first. Not all of it was to my taste, and it doesn’t hold a ton of replay value for me, but it was enjoyable enough, and I’m glad I listened to it. I appreciate being exposed to this kind of music even if it’s not my favorite.
Christina Aguilera
2/5
I’m so hit or miss with Christina. Sometimes I really like her, but she over-sings everything, and it’s so grating. She has some good songs, but the way she sings them is exhausting. There’s also no reason this needed to be a double album. The songs were not special enough to justify that. They were also way longer than they needed to be. The production was a highlight, though, and part of the reason this is getting 2 stars from me instead of 1. Honestly if this only had half the songs it did, it’d probably get a higher rating, but it started to drag quite a bit near the middle-end of the first album. And the last song of the first album “Thank You” was so cringe. Really wish they would have skipped that. It felt like something that would make more sense on a pop album in the late 90s, yet still would have been cringe then too. “Save Me From Myself” was probably my favorite song because Christina’s voice was much more subtle and didn’t have the same over-singing she usually does. Her voice is really beautiful when she’s not trying to do too much. “Ain’t No Other Man” and “Candyman” are still fun songs, and I enjoy them like I did when they came out. But overall this album was a big miss for me.
Talk Talk
3/5
This is a pretty good new wave album. Nothing earth shattering or groundbreaking, but good 80s art pop. My favorite song from the album is “Living in Another World,” and the harmonica part was really giving me Dave Matthews Band vibes (why don’t they have an album on this list?). I’m rating this 3 stars, but it’s much closer to 3.5 honestly. Good album and deserves its place on the list.
5/5
I think every kid in the 90s who went through a Beatles phase in elementary/middle school additionally went through an even deeper Sgt. Pepper’s phase. I have listened to this album all the way through so many times and thought it was the most profound thing I’d ever heard when I was a kid. And you know what? It’s still one of the most profound things I’ve ever heard. I don’t love the George song on this one, and I’ve never loved “Good Morning Good Morning,” but “She’s Leaving Home” and “A Day In The Life” might be two of the best Beatles songs of all time. This might be the Beatles best album, or maybe it’s just nostalgia, but I’m still as obsessed with this album as I was when I went through my first Beatles phase.
The Electric Prunes
4/5
I love 60s psychedelic pop, so of course this was great and enjoyable. "I Had Too Much To Dream (Last Night)" is the only song I was really familiar with ahead of time, though I know I've heard some of these songs before. The first track remains the best one on the album, but every song is fun (and short, which I appreciate). "The Toonerville Trolley" is unhinged but I love that kind of shit.
Tom Waits
1/5
Fuck Tom Waits and his "soundtrack for serial killers in an Eli Roth movie" music. I mean I know it's his "thing" but why does he sing like that? The few times he sounds like he's trying to sing somewhat normally are the songs I kind of liked. "Who Are You" was decent, and I liked "A Little Rain" until the "German dwarf" line took me out. "The Ocean Doesn't Want Me" sounds like Waits' is about to commit an actual murder, and "In The Colosseum" was just a complete mess. "Whistle Down The Wind" and "I Don't Wanna Grow Up" sound like a constipated RFK Jr. trying to pass a turd. This was a 53 minute assault on my ears, and I think my life would have been better without it. Lyrically this made me think of Nick Cave's Murder Ballads, which was superior in literally every way. I can't believe I have more Tom Waits albums to listen to from this list. I believe I said the last album I had from him sounded like "demented circus music" so I can't wait to describe the next one.
Suede
3/5
This album was interesting because it had a super strong middle section, while the opening and closing tracks I felt were lacking. I actually thought I was going to hate this for the first two tracks, but things started to really pick up with “Heroine.” The tracks were bombastic in a good way and the lyrics were engaging. Really found myself loving it at that point, but then it dropped off significantly for me starting with “Black Or Blue.” “Still Life” was alright for a closer but didn’t quite get to the same level as the middle tracks. Nothing was bad, though. The opening and closing just seemed weak in comparison. I’m waffling between 3 and 4 stars, but I think I have to round down. It’s a high 3, though, and definitely something I’m glad I heard before I died.
3/5
This was really pleasant, but then got increasingly weird. Yet, I didn't hate. It had that really odd 90s electronica thing going on, but it was actually enjoyable unlike most. I think because the actual music was good that the repetition didn't do a disservice to the songs. It's not something I'm likely to revisit, but I appreciated that this was different from most things on this list and from its genres.
Megadeth
3/5
I surprisingly liked this quite a bit more than Rust In Peace, even though Dave Mustaine’s voice still grates on me. But this album had more of a punk edge than precious Megadeth albums I’ve heard. I’m not a huge fan of metal in general, but it’s much more tolerable to me when it’s more punk than thrash. There were some good melodies here too. Still didn’t love the album, but I totally understand why it’s on this list.