Aug 02 2023
Definitely Maybe
Oasis
Oasis not quite at the top of their game. You can see hints of what's coming with their sophomore release, (What's the Story) Morning Glory?
Best cuts: Rock 'n' Roll Star, Cigarettes & Alcohol, Side Away
Worst cut: Shakermaker
3
Aug 03 2023
Tusk
Fleetwood Mac
I tend to like the Lindsay Buckingham songs best. My favorite is Not That Funny, I Know Iβm Not Wrong and of course, Tusk.
The Christine McVie stuff is mostly too mellow for me. Lovely songs - just too mellow. Exception: Brown Eyes. Of course, John McVieβs bass lines are impeccable. Having Peter Green on guitar doesnβt hurt.
Stevie Nicks seems to be less of a presence on this album. They played the crap out of Sara on the radio but Angel is her standout track on this album.
Buckingham and McVie dominate this album. In retrospect, I can see why they got together and toured later.
Itβs a departure from Rumours but in the end it canβt recapture the magic. If Rumours is a β5β, this has to be a β4β
4
Aug 04 2023
BEYONCΓ
BeyoncΓ©
Not my thing. BeyoncΓ© is clearly talented but I found the songs monotonous with the thumping beat in what seemed like the time signature. Also did not see the point of the explicit lyrics on some songs. A good example is Partition. Leave nothing to the imagine or to interpretation. People have been singing about sex forever. Itβs more interesting when veiled in euphemisms than coming right out and saying it. A waste of 90+ minutes
1
Aug 05 2023
Face to Face
The Kinks
This album is very much a British Invasion album. Released in 1966, many of these songs could've been Beatles songs (Party Line) or songs by other British Invasion bands like Herman's Hermits (Dandy). Sunny Afternoon is the most popular hit from this album.
It's amazing to compare the songs here with their earlier work with the bluesy/power chords of You Really Got Me and All Day and All of the Night. I would've expected this album to have preceded those releases where they took more of a rock approach vs jangly acoustic guitars. It's almost like two different bands.
Overall, this is an album full of really solid pop songs and very enjoyable.
4
Aug 06 2023
Sheet Music
10cc
The βWall Street shuffleβ is a not so subtle indictment of Wall Street style capitalism. Next up is "The Worst Band in the World" which takes a bit of a poke at the music industry. Entirely sure about what the song βHotelβ is about. It sounds like they donβt like Americans and Americansβ tendency to buy the better things. They even want the Yankees to go home. All to a calypso influence βOld Wild Men is a melancholy, mellow ode to men, who apparently reached the end of their lives and, having seen better days are waiting to die. "Clockwork Creep" is frenetic and nonsensical. I have no idea what itβs about. βSilly Loveβ is a pretty rockinβ tune. And I guess itβs 10 cc attempt at doing a love song. If there was one good word to describe it would be silly... "Somewhere in Hollywood" predates Eaglesβ "King of Hollywood" by 5 years while covering the same topic. "Baron Samedi" starts out as an uptempo since but then changes time signature about one minute in and then picks back up a minute later. Back and forth throughout. Itβs just an odd song. It might be about a superhero. Or, I might be about a vampire. Itβs a head scratcher. "The Sacro-Iliac" pitches a new dance for those who donβt want to. Not surprised that it never caught on. The album closes on a high note βOh Effendiβ as we move to the Middle East and oil based capitalism.
10cc was always very experimental. And making music for art sake is all well and fine but making records is usually a decision to make money as far as the music industry goes. I have no idea how this album ever got made. I canβt imagine a record executive thinking that this was ever going to produce even a single hit
1
Aug 07 2023
Innervisions
Stevie Wonder
Good album. Starts off slow but picks up by the 3rd song. Did not care for "Too High" and "Visions" at all. Arguably three best songs are also the three that probably received the most airplay" "Living for the City", "Higher Ground" and "Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing."
Most impressive: Stevie Wonder reportedly played all the instruments. Also, was surprised to read that this was his 17th album.
3
Aug 08 2023
Alien Lanes
Guided By Voices
Most of the songs are immelodious and the guitars are discordant. βGood Flying Birdsβ was okay but all the songs leading up to that were awful. βMotor Awayβ was pretty good. βMy Valuable Hunting Knifeβ sounded like an actual song in that the few instruments on the track were on the same page. βAlrightβ was so bizarre! Itβs nearly three minutes long. Other than some βAlrightsβ early on, there are no lyrics until there are 20 seconds left. Gratefully, the songs are short. Garage rock at its worst.
1
Aug 09 2023
I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got
Sinead O'Connor
I picked up this CD when it first came out. The album is full of haunting and seemingly autobiographical songs. In her biggest hit, Sinead takes Princeβs βNothing Compares 2 Uβ and makes it her own. I think βThe Emperorβs New Clothesβ was a single too. Really good album.
Iβm glad this came up to listen to when it did. Sinead recently passed and it was good to hear her once again. Incredible talent. So sad she was such a tortured soul. I hope she finds peace.
4
Aug 10 2023
Infected
The The
Some catchy tunes. Some quirky tunes. I kind of had this playing in the background, and the only song that really stood out to me was βSlow Train To Dawnβ with Neneh Cherry. Overall, just an okay album. I might give it another listen.
2
Aug 11 2023
Fisherman's Blues
The Waterboys
Enjoyed the Waterboys! After listening to Sinead OβConnorβs βI Do Not Wantβ¦β album, a Waterboys song played next as Spotify often chooses a related artistβs song. Well, they are Irish. And British. And Welsh. And Scots soβ¦
This album is an amalgam of Irish folk tinged rock and roll. Favorite songs with βFishermanβs Bluesβ (including the alternative version) "And a Bang on the Ear". Despite being awfully long, itβs a really good album.
4
Aug 12 2023
Mr. Tambourine Man
The Byrds
Very Beatle-esque but they still have their own distinct sound. Jangly guitars and 3 part harmonies though out. Some political commentary common to the music of the time
Great use of stereo. Sounds great when listening with headphones. Why doesnβt anyone do real stereo anymore. It was cool listening to βMr. Tambourine Manβ and hearing guitar on the right channel and bass on the left!
Favorites:
βIβll Feel A Whole Lot Betterβ - cool intro. I like the use of repetition of the verse by the lead vocal by the background singers.
βItβs No Useβ - great guitar work and very upbeat. Alternate version adds some interesting lead guitar and makes it a much more rockinβ song.
βDonβt Doubt Yourself, Babeβ - love the drums and vocals. Dig the harmonic solo.
This particular album version includes alternative versions of βIβll Feel A Whole Lot Betterβ and several other songs. Itβs always interesting to hear a different song arrangement.
4
Aug 13 2023
Let's Get Killed
David Holmes
Letβs see. This isnβt music that you would listen to in the background like jazz. This isnβt music that I would expect one would go to a nightclub in college and try to dance to. This isnβt music that is catchy that you would later find yourself humming to one of the tunes. This isnβt music to sing to because, by and large, there arenβt lyrics, although some songs do rap over the musical track. So, I find myself asking, βwhat is the purpose of this album and why is it important that I listen to it before I dieβ?
I donβt normally look up artists that I am unfamiliar with when one is generated and presented to me but I did look up Mr. Holmes. I guess I could see some of this being used for soundtracks and apparently he makes a good living doing just that.
Radio 7 is supposed to be one of the outstanding tracks on this album. Itβs a mystery to me how sampling the Bond theme and laying a drum track over it passes for clever. Arenβt you just leaning on the work of others like a crutch? Itβs not like when Johnny Cash made Trent Reznorβs βHurtβ his own. Or when Sinead OβConnor did the same with βNothin Compares 2 Uβ when she covered Princeβs tune.
From my point of view most (alll?) of the tracks are pointless and monotonous. This music doesnβt really seem to have a purpose. Without a movie or a show to assist, what is the artist trying to say? Iβm not giving another moment of thought to try to answer that question.
1
Aug 14 2023
Suede
Suede
I hear hints of Bowieβs influence and I think that this band mustβve influenced The Darknessβ vocal stylings. Solid tunes and a good mix between slow songs and up-tempo rockers.
I donβt think I have any favorites off this album nor do I have any that I really dislike. Iβve always liked Justine Frischmann although I have to admit I knew her from her work with Elastica rather than Suede. I think her great guitar work is the highlight of this album rather than any given song. This album gets a 5 or 6 out of 10 for me.
3
Aug 15 2023
Something Else By The Kinks
The Kinks
This album was βSomething Elseβ thatβs for sure. Iβm not sure what to make of it. There were some songs that were just awful like βLazy Old Sunβ, and βEnd of the Seasonβ.
Sometimes, like on βTin Soldier Manβ, I felt like they were trying to be Sergeant Pepperβs Lonely Hearts Club Band. Other songs like βAfternoon Teaβ felt like they were trying to capture a mood ala Queenβs βLazing on a Sunday Afternoonβ but this song was rejected by the band and the Kinks found it while rummaging through the trash.
In any case, I did not enjoy this album at all and Iβm not sure why it made the list.
1
Aug 16 2023
The Band
The Band
At the risk of sounding like a certain political leader, The Band is a band full of members that make up The Band.
Iβve never really understood why folks think that The Band is so influential. To me, the music sounds a lot like other rock music that was put out at that time. Donβt get me wrong, itβs good rock music but I just donβt see how The Band influenced the acts that succeeded them. But what do I know? I am sure that some music critic, who declared this album βone of the most influential albums of all timeβ knows.
My favorite tracks are βAcross the Great Divideβ and βThe Night They Drove Old Dixie Downβ.
3
Aug 17 2023
Emergency On Planet Earth
Jamiroquai
This album was a pleasant surprise! I knew of Jamiroquai by name, but never really paid much to attention them. Very funky and jazzy grooves. Very listenable!
3
Aug 18 2023
Ingenue
k.d. lang
Good album. Easy to listen to. k.d. lang has a beautiful voice. βConstant Cravingβ is the only song I have heard before.
3
Aug 19 2023
Teen Dream
Beach House
Dreamy, lush and ethereal sounding. The songs are all roughly in the same tempo. I found the only real difference between one song and the next depended largely on who was singing. The instruments were often indistinguishable from one another, lost in a background of synthesizer. Not my thing but not unpleasant in any way. Just meh.
2
Aug 20 2023
Surrealistic Pillow
Jefferson Airplane
Based on βWhite Rabbitβ, people seem quick to write Jefferson Airplane off as just a psychedelic rock band, but I donβt think that description does them justice. They can do it all. They rock on βSomebody to Loveβ. With βTodayβ they prove they write a top notch ballad. βComingβ Back to Meβ is beautiful in its simplicity. β3/5 of a Mile in 10 Secondsβ sports some great electric guitar work. On βHow Do You Feelβ they give the Mamas & the Papas a run for their money with lush harmonies. βEmbryonic Journeyβ is an upbeat acoustic instrumental. They tackle the blues βIn The Morningβ. Check out the spectacular bass lines on βCome Back Babyβ.
This production value is right up there with the best of that time period. I one of the first things that jumped out at me is the brilliant use of stereo. This is another album best listened to with headphones on.
This is truly a great album. The musicianship is top notch, they make great use of harmonies and sophisticated lyrics and melodies. Will be listening again and again.
5
Aug 21 2023
Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)
Eurythmics
Full disclosure: I had this album on vinyl was it was released.
Iβm a big fame of the 80s New Wave movement. Even though synth pop bands like Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD), Blancmange and Human League preceded them, to me the Eurythmics were different in that Annie Lennox can actually sing.
The songs are well written and the arrangements are lush. "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" is the breakout hit but their cover of Sam and Daveβs "Wrap It Up" is really good.
I also enjoyed "The Walkβ due to the addition of horns. βThis is the Houseβ gets high marks for that wicked bass line (and horns!)
There arenβt any *bad* songs on the album but βJenniferβ comes close. Itβs subdued and repetitive. Itβs just okay. Not sure who she is (maybe Annieβs alter ego?) or why she warranted over 5 minutes of attention although I do think she drowned. Iβm going to put βThe City Never Sleepsβ in this category too. Itβs a trip that never actually goes anywhere.
Compared to their contemporaries, this album is probably a β5β but I am going hold my ground about not giving out many 5s. So 4 of 5.
4
Aug 22 2023
Sometimes I Wish We Were An Eagle
Bill Callahan
Huh? What just happened here? The only thing I came away with from this album is the fact that I could be a lead singer in a band that somehow got a recording contract.
Oh and even though you changed one note, nice job stealing the bass line from Talking Headsβ βPsycho Killerβ on βEid Ma Clack Shawβ
1
Aug 23 2023
Blue Lines
Massive Attack
After listening David Holmesβ Letβs Get Killed, I did not have high hopes for this album. I guess this trip hop too but itβs much more listenable. Itβs still not my thing but I appreciate the production value and the fact that they have various vocalists, and less repetitive sounding tunes. I enjoyed βSafe From Harmβ and βUnfinished Sympathyβ with Shara Nelson on vocals. I enjoyed the tracks that only rapped the least.
3
Aug 24 2023
Felt Mountain
Goldfrapp
When I saw that Goldfrapp was considered electronic pop, I thought, βGreat! Maybe lβll hear something like Yaz or the Eurythmicsβ but this album is very different than those bands. None of the songs moved me. Many of the songs felt like themes for James Bond. Color me underwhelmed.
2
Aug 25 2023
Blood And Chocolate
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
I like Elvis Costello. I like this album. Do I think it is his best album? I do not (check out My Aim is True or When I Was Cruel or a half dozen others). But there is not a bad song on this one.
3
Aug 26 2023
Playing With Fire
Spacemen 3
Long repetitive spacey guitar driven rock songs. Not for me.
2
Aug 27 2023
Giant Steps
The Boo Radleys
Not impressed. Lots of what sounds like songs being played backwards. Some songs were okay when they finally started singing. I enjoyed βI Hang Suspendedβ and βIf You Want It, Take Itβ but thatβs about it. Overrated album imo.
2
Aug 28 2023
At Mister Kelly's
Sarah Vaughan
I am not a jazz enthusiast by any stretch but I have been exploring the genre more and more. I found this to be a really good 50s style jazz album. Sara Vaughan sure can sing and her backing band is great.
I listened to this on both loud speakers and headphones. If it wasnβt for the applause and the glitch at 4:03 of "Willow Weep For Meβ (a mic or something was knocked over), you might mistake this for a studio album. So charming the way she recovered and sang some improvisational lyrics making fun of what happened.
The recording is so good, this one would be worth owning on vinyl.
4
Aug 29 2023
Scissor Sisters
Scissor Sisters
Better than I thought it would be.
3
Aug 30 2023
Movies
Holger Czukay
Imagine you are a musician with formal training. Now, imagine someone gave you a $40,000 Moog Synthesizer in the late 70s and told you to learn how to use it. So, you spent a few days with it and decided to record what you learned down in your Momβs basement. Then you dubbed it some guitars, bass and drums. And you invited some friends over to contribute to your recordings. And everyone just played whatever they wanted with little regard for melody, harmony, or rhythm. Then, just for fun, youβd lift some sounds of people talking and splice that in.
Okay, I admit the part about Momβs basement was unnecessary but if you did the rest of that, youβd have this album. And youβd be considered avant-garde and a pioneer for sampling.
1
Aug 31 2023
John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band
John Lennon
I thought I never really liked John Lennonβs solo work based on the stuff that got airplay. But I really enjoyed this! I donβt think I have ever heard any of the tracks on this album before. Top picks for me are βWorking Class Heroβ, βRememberβ and βWell Well Wellβ
4
Sep 01 2023
Scott 2
Scott Walker
First things first. The guy can sing. The songs vary between cabaret and 1970s variety show tunes. Just okay.
2
Sep 02 2023
Arc Of A Diver
Steve Winwood
Solid album. Reminds me of college. While they played the crap out of βWhile You See a Chanceβ, βArc of a Diverβ is the standout song to me. The album is remarkable, and that Steve Winwood plays almost all the instruments.
3
Sep 03 2023
The Sensual World
Kate Bush
In general, I am not a fan of Kate Bushβs breathy, little girl soprano. Sheβs a terrific lyricist and, to me, many of her songs have this ancient Saxon feel to them.
βLove and Angerβ is a welcome departure from that. The album seems to go back and forth between songs that kind of rock (βHeads Weβre Dancingβ), songs that have a lot going on (βThe Fogβ starts out clear and becomes a muddled mess about halfway through.) and soft love ballads. βThis Womanβs Workβ is an outstanding example of the ballad. βThe Sensual Worldβ is an ode to what must have been some pretty hot sex. βReaching Outβ starts out with some lovely piano and left me wishing she had kept it simple throughout.
3
Sep 04 2023
Kenya
Machito
Big band jazz with Latin rhythms! Whatβs not to like?
3
Sep 05 2023
Dog Man Star
Suede
The second Suede album on the list. Good album. The songs have a certain fuzziness to them. I guess that's a feature of their sound. Song-wise nothing really stands out to me though except "The 2 of Us" because it was so different than the rest of the album.
3
Sep 06 2023
The Contino Sessions
Death In Vegas
This album is considered to be electronica but with the addition of guitars and bass itβs really much more complex and layered and quite good. Very listenable.
I enjoyed almost all of the songs but especially those with vocals: "Dirge", "Soul Auctioneer", "Aisha", and "Broken Little Sister". The choir arrangement on "Aladdin's Story" was very interesting too. The only song I did not care for was βDeath Threatβ. I was noisy and monotonous.
3
Sep 07 2023
Highway to Hell
AC/DC
Great album. From Bon Scottβs tongue-in-check lyrics combined with Angus Youngβs lead guitar riffs and solos, and Malcom Youngβs rhythm work (whose timing that you could set a watch to) the album just rocks. The album doesnβt have a bad song on it.
Aside from the hit title track, my favorites are βTouch Too Muchβ, βBeating Around the Bushβ, βIf You Want Blood (Youβve Got It) and βNight Prowlerβ.
4
Sep 08 2023
Buena Vista Social Club
Buena Vista Social Club
Their musicianship is undeniable. I donβt speak Spanish so I donβt know what theyβre singing about but the music was pretty good.
3
Sep 09 2023
Behaviour
Pet Shop Boys
Super mellow synth pop with some guitars and strings mixed in on various songs. Some songs have a bit of an R&B feel. Didnβt really do anything for me to be frank but I appreciate the production value and the songs are very well crafted.
3
Sep 10 2023
My Aim Is True
Elvis Costello
His first and my favorite Elvis Costello album. This is one I would consider getting on vinyl (so I did!) My favorite tunes are "Alison" (love the guitar work), "Watching the Detectives" (is there a better lyric than βred dogs under illegal legsβ?) and "(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes".
5
Sep 11 2023
Germfree Adolescents
X-Ray Spex
Loud, frenzied riffs. The lead singer sounds like she is a female version of John βJohnny Rottenβ Lydon. Interesting use of horns and sax though out.
2
Sep 12 2023
Tubular Bells
Mike Oldfield
I was just a kid when The Exorcist came out but I remember the hysteria around it all. As I recall, Part 1 was used as the theme for the movie. However, I had no idea until listening to the album here that it was over 26 minutes long (pretty sure the long version never made it to Top 40 radio haha). Impressive that he played almost all of the instruments. Extra credit for doing that at 19 years of age.
3
Sep 13 2023
Lady In Satin
Billie Holiday
Good jazz album from 1958. Billie Holiday's voice had changed significantly by this point (listen to her earlier work to see what I mean) apparently from drugs, alcohol and illness (she died the next year) but it gave her voice so much character.
3
Sep 14 2023
Fifth Dimension
The Byrds
This is my second Byrds album (the first was Mr. Tambourine Man) on the list. I have to say, I enjoyed Mr. Tambourine Man more. Some good songs, jangly guitars (that often sound like sitars) and two instrumentals on this particular version of the album. There are also some songs that are kind of all over the place and guitar solos that just sound like someone playing as many notes as they could without regard to the underlying tune.
Some standout tracks for me are "Why" (both versions), "Eight Miles High" (the only song I've heard before) and "John Riley". I think their version of "Hey Joe (Where You Gonna Go)" was good too - really different than the bluesy rock version by Jimi Hendrix or Wilson Pickett's soulful rendition.
3
Sep 15 2023
Floodland
Sisters Of Mercy
Although I recognized the band's name, I never listened to them as I thought gothic rock is kind of dark. However, this album is surprisingly listenable! While the lead singer's voice sounds like many others in the genre, it works. I liked "Dominion"/"Mother Russia", "Lucretia My Reflection" and "This Corrosion". No real dislikes.
3
Sep 16 2023
Smokers Delight
Nightmares On Wax
Innocuous, laid-back background music. I really couldnβt tell the difference between most of the songs. But it was good.
3
Sep 17 2023
Selling England By The Pound
Genesis
Pretty typical album of the 70s prog rock genre. Peter Gabriel is the vocalist on all but one of the tracks. Phil Collins sings on the other and, as a ballad, it is the least progressive in terms of style. Some songs are really long as prog rock songs tend to be.
Phill Collins' drumming is pretty interesting. Steve Hackett contributes some cool riffs. Tony Banks' keyboard seem to dominate most songs.
Overall, it's a good album if you like prog rock.
3
Sep 18 2023
Dummy
Portishead
Really good! Easy to listen to. I really enjoy the lead singerβs vocals. I didnβt come away with a favorite song, but there werenβt any that I disliked.
4
Sep 19 2023
All Things Must Pass
George Harrison
Very good album! I had forgotten what a great songwriter George Harrison was. I really enjoyed the alternative versions of "What Is Life" (backing track/alternate mix) and "My Sweet Lord (2000)".
4
Sep 20 2023
The Colour Of Spring
Talk Talk
Interesting album. Iβve always thought of Talk Talk as a synth pop band. This album, while it employs synths, seems to have more emphasis on guitars, bass and non-synth keyboards. Favorite song: βLifeβs What You Make Itβ.
3
Sep 21 2023
Billion Dollar Babies
Alice Cooper
This album holds up pretty well over the 50 years since its release.
3
Sep 22 2023
Nothing's Shocking
Jane's Addiction
Interesting album. βJane Saysβ is the track that everyone has heard before but I found the rest of the album louder (in a good way) than I expected but a bit noisy at times. I enjoyed Dave Navarroβs guitar work.
I am amazed by the album cover. My first thought was to wonder how the band got away with it in 1988 while the Black Crowes caused such a s-storm with their Amorica album cover in 1994. That said, I am pretty sure the twins had implants.
In the end, I just canβt get into Jane's Addiction as a whole. I just donβt care for Farrellβs voice - to me, a little Perry Farrell goes a long way. Listening to this album left me wondering just who is Jane anyway that she had a song written for her by a band named after her and her neuropsychological disorder?
3
Sep 23 2023
Blue
Joni Mitchell
Well, unfortunately, only βA Case of Youβ was available on Spotify so I wasnβt able to listen to this album. But Joni Mitchellβs voice is lovely and the song is lyrically beautiful.
I found the whole album on YouTube. Weird to me that it is available but not Spotify. I guess sheβs monetizing by playing commercials that you must dismiss after *every* song.
Once I got to listen to it, it turned out to be a really good folk album. I think Joni Mitchell is a better songwriter than singer, but the album really doesnβt have any bad songs.
3
Sep 24 2023
Another Music In A Different Kitchen
Buzzcocks
Typical punk rock. Good album if you are a fan of the genre. Think Sex Pistols instead of the Ramones
3
Sep 25 2023
Fleet Foxes
Fleet Foxes
Never heard of them. Nice folk rock. Good harmonies. Super mellow and dreamy tunes. Easy to listen to.
3
Sep 26 2023
Let It Bleed
The Rolling Stones
Dang! The Stones do it all on this record: rock, blues and even a little country. Awesome album! Of course, you have "Gimme Shelter" and "You Can't Always Get What You Want" but my favorite is "Midnight Rambler".
5
Sep 27 2023
If You're Feeling Sinister
Belle & Sebastian
The musicianship is good, and the lyrics are better but lead singer's voice ruins it for me.
2
Sep 28 2023
Kenza
Khaled
Spotify only had one song: "El Harba Wine". I'd characterize it as Middle Eastern Pop. It was nothing special so I am not going to chase down the other songs on YouTube or wherever. Not my thing but the guy can sing though so bonus point.
2
Sep 29 2023
Ctrl
SZA
Whenever an album comes up on this list, I look at it from the perspective of why I must hear the album before I die. I'm drawing a blank on this one.
The musicianship has some value and it sounds well produced but SZA seems like just another artist too reliant on autotune and explicit lyrics. There are some catchy tunes but most of it was just run of the mill R&B with some hip hop mixed in.
I've heard a bunch of albums that take me out of my comfort zone and make me want to give it another listen but this is not one of them.
2
Sep 30 2023
Logical Progression
LTJ Bukem
Found the reviewed album on YouTube. High BPM drums. Some sampling. Repetitive. Sparse vocals. Innocuous music. High energy - might be good to run to. Or dance to if you were really high. Otherwise without value imo.
1
Oct 01 2023
Hunting High And Low
a-ha
I find this to be a typical new wave synth-pop album in manyy respects. The musicianship/programming is top notch and the vocals are different than a lot of other bands of this period. Compare them to Human League, Heaven 17 or even Depeche Mode and youβll find that the lead singer, Morten Harket, has a bit more range than those lead singers even if the top end of his range is falsetto. Weβre not talking Jimmy Somerville/Bronski Beat falsetto, Harket uses it more sparingly.
The best songs on this album are probably those that were released as singles. Made me want to see their videos. Interestingly, the video for βTake on Meβ has over 1 billion views which is pretty rare. When I first saw it on MTV, I think it was the fist to use animation so kudos to whoever thought of that.
All that said, I still think it is just a 3. Maybe 7/10.
3
Oct 02 2023
Bandwagonesque
Teenage Fanclub
Good album. 90s Alternative. Familiar with the name but never heard their music. Why arenβt they more popular? Lots of overdriven fuzzy guitars and good pop sensibilities. Very catchy. Can hear the Beatles and Byrds influences. Totally underrated band. Will give another listen!
3
Oct 03 2023
Roxy Music
Roxy Music
Too artsy and pretentious for me. I found Bryan Ferry's vocals especially annoying with that vibrato thing he does. I guess I am just not appreciative of the "avant-garde"
1
Oct 04 2023
Hybrid Theory
Linkin Park
*Great* album. Tremendous mix of hard edged guitars, gritty vocals, heavy lyrics and perfectly designed rhymes. This album is so good, itβs hard to believe that it is the bandβs first album. Every song is produced to perfectly blend heavy metal and rap/hip-hop. Itβs hard to pick out a favorite, but "Cure for the Itch" feels like filler. The magic occurs when the lyrics, raps, scratching, samples and guitars all play off one another.
5
Oct 05 2023
Solid Air
John Martyn
I get this album, see the name John Martyn and look him up. Heβs described as a British folk singer-songwriter. I thought great, another Joni Mitchell album (folk is not my thing). Boy, was I pleasantly surprised! This is a good album!
3
Oct 06 2023
Calenture
The Triffids
Okay songs. Okay band. Okay singer. Okay album.
2
Oct 07 2023
Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
The King! TCBβ‘οΈ
4
Oct 08 2023
Heroes
David Bowie
Letβs face it. Bowie is brilliant but weird. The songs on this album reflect that. Thereβs a reason that βHeroesβ is really the only hit single from this album. I found the rest of it mostly unlistenable avant-garde crap. But itβs Bowie so an extra star for that.
2
Oct 09 2023
Among The Living
Anthrax
Thrash Metal. They seem to like long intros. The songs range from fast tempo to blazingly fast tempo - often in the same song. There must be a dozen tempo changes in βAmong The Livingβ on the track.
Vocals are just okay. Lyrics are meh. Rhythm guitar work is tight. The bass and drums are amazingly in synch. Not my thing but I can appreciate the musicianship.
3
Oct 10 2023
Moon Safari
Air
Dreamy, spacey electronic music. Some of the sounds are a little dated but overall itβs not a bad album. Easy to listen to and not repetitive like some songs on similar albums.
3
Oct 11 2023
Foxbase Alpha
Saint Etienne
This was okay. In general, songs with vocals were better than the instrumentals. Some songs were just too long and monotonous.
3
Oct 12 2023
Talking Heads 77
Talking Heads
Talking Heads is one of those bands that I did not appreciate when they first came out. I think many people see them as love 'em or hate 'em. They've grown on me over the years. Glad to revisit this album.
A wonderfully weird debut album. "Psycho Killer" is likely the only song most people have ever heard of. The rest of the album is very good too.
3
Oct 13 2023
The Velvet Underground & Nico
The Velvet Underground
I don't know. I think The Velvet Underground is overrated. I find Lou Reed to be overrated. Frankly, Andy Warhol is overrated too. He certainly doesnβt deserve a bridge named after him in Pittsburgh.
Iβm not sure who Nico is or what songs he sings. All of the vocalists are mediocre. The album is pretty dark and covers some seedy topics. I am coming to the conclusion that βart rockβ is not my thing.
2
Oct 14 2023
No Other
Gene Clark
Itβs hard to believe this album didnβt get any love when it was first released. A little rock and a little folk with some country mixed in. Not at all like The Byrds. Well written songs and vocals. Very good!
4
Oct 15 2023
Traffic
Traffic
Not to my liking but you canβt deny their talent and musicality.
3
Oct 16 2023
Kala
M.I.A.
Not bad. Not hip hop as I think of it. Interesting rhythms combined with some good melodies.
3
Oct 17 2023
Hail To the Thief
Radiohead
OK album, I guess. I don't see what all the adulation is about with Radiohead. Musically, this album seems very experimental. The vocals are boring. For me, it's just meh.
2
Oct 18 2023
Who's Next
The Who
Easily the best Who album imo. Never listened to it with headphones before. The guitar work is sublime ;-)
4
Oct 19 2023
Life Thru A Lens
Robbie Williams
Pretty good. Vocals remind of Oasis although this is more pop than rock.
3
Oct 20 2023
Snivilisation
Orbital
Boring, monotonous, background techno. Don't see the appeal. People who use drum machines should figure out how to do fills and tempo changes.
2
Oct 21 2023
A Date With The Everly Brothers
The Everly Brothers
The simple arrangements mark the period/time when musicians performed good, wholesome music. Beautiful harmonies and wholesome rock 'n' roll!
4
Oct 22 2023
Rhythm Nation 1814
Janet Jackson
Did you ever notice you never saw Michael and Janet together at the same time? And since he passed away, Janet no longer performs? Coincidence? I think not. I'd rate this a "2" but there is some wicked guitar work mixed in throughout this album so +1.
3
Oct 23 2023
Clube Da Esquina
Milton Nascimento
This stuff is pretty catchy. The songs are in Spanish so I did not know what he is singing about but it was pretty good pop music. Easy to enjoy.
3
Oct 24 2023
m b v
My Bloody Valentine
Noisy, muddled and often unlistenable (e.g. "who sees you"), this is another one of those albums that seems to be the list simply because the band is from the UK. It is difficult to understand the vocals as the lead singer mumbles his way through the songs.
"is this and yes" is another example of how awful things get. It's like one of those songs that the free streaming channels play on show breaks because they can't get anyone to advertise with them.
Don't get me wrong, I love guitars and fuzz pedals but this was too much fuzz. Even the vocals are fuzzy. Why so much fuzz?
I couldn't wait for the album to end but it did. It was terrible.
1
Nov 03 2023
Tarkus
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Long, seemingly pointless songs. Impressively synchronized playing by all three musicians. Progressive rock at its finest? I guess. Extra points for the armadillo tank.
3
Nov 04 2023
The Rising
Bruce Springsteen
Bruce got the band back together! Although, to be honest, there are several songs that sound like the E Street Band is not playing on The Boss' album at all. Then Clarence Clemons chimes in and all is well. It's a pretty somber album but pretty well executed.
3
Nov 05 2023
Peter Gabriel
Peter Gabriel
Gabrielβs first album after leaving Genesis. Some songs are throwbacks to the progressive rock thing he did in Genesis. A few other songs that kind of rock. The radio friendly βSolsbury Hillβ is here too. Not his best album in my opinion but pretty good for a debut.
3
Nov 06 2023
Peter Gabriel 3
Peter Gabriel
Two Peter Gabriel albums in a row (1 and 3). I like 3 (aka Melt) better than 1. It's supposedly more experimental but I found it more listenable. Enjoyed "I Donβt Remember" and "Games Without Frontiers". "Family Snapshot" was very interesting (and disturbing).
3
Nov 07 2023
Ghosteen
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
I am not sure what to make of this album. It's not very musical. I would call it spoken word art if I had to pick a way to categorize it. There are some places were singing occurs but a lot of it was a guy with a cool voices telling a story. No effort to rhyme. But good imagery from the "lyrics".
2
Nov 08 2023
The Fat Of The Land
The Prodigy
Is it me or does all of this style of electronic music have the same beat? I was listening to this album and when it ended Spotify put on a similar artist and I swear that they had the same drum track. I guess this music would be good to dance to but otherwise I didnβt have much use for it.
2
Nov 09 2023
The Poet
Bobby Womack
A little soul, a little, old school, R&B, and even a little funk makes this a really good album. Itβs too bad the entire thing was not available on Spotify because I really enjoyed it.
3
Nov 10 2023
Figure 8
Elliott Smith
Not familiar with this artist. Thoughtful indie rock. Surprisingly good. Too bad he is no longer with us.
3
Nov 11 2023
British Steel
Judas Priest
Never was a big Judas Priest fan but this is the band at its best. Strong songs, tight musicianship and high quality production shows how quintessential this album is.
4
Nov 12 2023
21
Adele
Very good album. Blues, pop and soul all come into play on this, Adeleβs second album. Itβs deeply personal as she wrote about the relationship troubles she was having at the time and her voice brings this all to life.
4
Nov 13 2023
Parsley, Sage, Rosemary And Thyme
Simon & Garfunkel
Lush harmonies. Sophisticated lyrics. More Simon than Garfunkel. βNuff said.
3
Nov 14 2023
Either Or
Elliott Smith
Good album. I'd rate it higher except for the fact that Smithβs voice has a very limited range, and that leads to many songs sounding very much the same.
3
Nov 15 2023
Second Toughest In The Infants
Underworld
More electronic dance music. It seemed to be more varied than some of the other stuff that I have listened to on the list. Drum tracks varied. Synths varied. Some songs seemed awfully long. Blueski was different (which is why I looked to see what the name is) and short. It was okay. Extra credit for variety.
3
Nov 16 2023
GI
Germs
It's loud. Much what you'd expect from a punk rock album. Extra credit for the Germs being one of the first punk rock bands.
3
Nov 17 2023
Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret
Soft Cell
More like Non-Stop Erotic Karaoke. Pretty awful. Extra star because of Tainted Love
2
Nov 18 2023
Hunky Dory
David Bowie
I donβt know how somebody writes a brilliant song like βChangesβ, and then comes up with the rest of the stuff thatβs on this album. Although βQueen Bitchβ was pretty rocking and sort of amusing.
2
Nov 19 2023
Ocean Rain
Echo And The Bunnymen
Okay album. The highlights here are βThe Killing Moonβ and βSeven Seasβ The lowlight here is βThorn of Crownsβ.
2
Nov 20 2023
Live 1966 (The Royal Albert Hall Concert)
Bob Dylan
Not a big Dylan fan. I think his voice is annoying and his harmonica playing is dreadful. That said, this is a pretty good album. No doubt about his songwriting. He can write.
3
Nov 21 2023
Different Class
Pulp
Dreadful.
1
Nov 22 2023
Astral Weeks
Van Morrison
Van Morrison has one of coolest and most distinctive voices in Rock 'n' Roll. This album is super mellow and the music is pretty stripped down. I donβt think the songs do him justice but his vocals are pretty great nevertheless.
3
Nov 23 2023
Antichrist Superstar
Marilyn Manson
Never listened to Marilyn Mason before. Never will again. Unless there is another album on the list. Then that will be the last album.
1
Nov 24 2023
Eagles
Eagles
Great album. Although it is probably not fair to compare the 1972 version of the band with the 1976 version, if Hotel California is a 5, then this is a 4.
4
Nov 25 2023
Zombie
Fela Kuti
Good! Very jazzy and upbeat.
3
Nov 26 2023
The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan
He can't play harmonica or sing but these are darn good songs.
3
Nov 27 2023
Green Onions
Booker T. & The MG's
All instrumentals. Classic rhythm & blues.
5
Nov 28 2023
Live At Leeds
The Who
Never did get to see The Who live but, if this album is any indication, they are pretty good. Solid live album with really good recording quality.
3
Nov 29 2023
Beautiful Freak
Eels
Mid-tempo alt-rock from the 90s with slacker lyrics that pass for thoughtful. No bad songs but nothing really stood out either. Could have used a drum machine (maybe they did). Cover is pretty disturbing tbh
3
Nov 30 2023
Rock 'N Soul
Solomon Burke
Pretty good. About what I'd expect from the genre and time period.
3
Dec 02 2023
Tanto Tempo
Bebel Gilberto
Very pleasant listening. Wikipedia says it is bossa nova but most of the songs sounded like more like jazz to me Β―\_(γ)_/Β―. Good album!
3
Dec 03 2023
Hejira
Joni Mitchell
Really good album. The only song I did not enjoy was the title track. There is something dissonant about the way it sounded to me. Minus 1 for the severed penis haha
3
Dec 04 2023
Broken English
Marianne Faithfull
Good album - it's well written and Faithfull's is very expressive. I know I have heard the title track but did not realize it was done by Marianne Faithfull. Pretty sure I have heard Working Class Hero before too.
3
Dec 05 2023
Like A Prayer
Madonna
Madonna at perhaps her peak creative powers. Did not care for Act of Contrition but everything else was good.
3
Dec 06 2023
Bad
Michael Jackson
Good album but totally over produced. MJβs squeaks, gasps, woots and hee-hees wear thin quickly. I find it difficult to take his songs about women seriously given his reported proclivities and Speed Demon is just ridiculous. Still there are bunch of hits on this album, hence the score.
3
Dec 15 2023
Berlin
Lou Reed
Iβm not a big Lou Reed fan. But this album is okay.
2
Dec 16 2023
More Specials
The Specials
This album is good. It sounds like they had a lot of fun recording.
3
Dec 17 2023
Paranoid
Black Sabbath
Classic. Compared to the schlock played these days, this album is a 5. I remember listening to this in high school. Even though it had been out for several years at that point, there was really nothing else like it.
5
Dec 18 2023
At Folsom Prison
Johnny Cash
The quintessential Johnny Cash album. Outrageous at the time. Who goes and plays a concert for convicts? The Man In Black. Thatβs who. Singlehandedly started the whole outlaw country genre imo.
5
Dec 19 2023
Myths Of The Near Future
Klaxons
I liked it. Energetic synth pop.
3
Dec 20 2023
Being There
Wilco
I had no idea what to expect. I heard the band's name mentioned but never heard their music. I did not care for it at first but it grew on me. Surprisingly good.
3
Dec 21 2023
Bitches Brew
Miles Davis
I don't know if it was just Spotify but this album was *long*. Good album if you like experimental, improvisational jazz... I don't. I much preferred Davis' Kind Of Blue album to this one. That said, the musicianship here was top notch. Still, I cannot rate it any higher than a 3.
3
Dec 22 2023
Closer
Joy Division
My previous exposure to Joy Division was "Love Will Tear Us Apart". I've always thought that was a terrible song mostly due to lead singer Ian Curtis' inability to carry a tune. With that out of the way, this album was a pleasant surprise and better than I expected. I can definitely see how Joy Division became New Order.
3
Dec 23 2023
S&M
Metallica
Congratulations to Metallica for playing together with an orchestra 30 years after Deep Purple did it. The Who actually wrote a rock opera to be played with an orchestra around that same time. I'm sure there are others. Nothing groundbreaking here.
2
Dec 24 2023
Golden Hour
Kacey Musgraves
Kacey Musgraves has a very pleasant, pretty voice. It's a really good country pop album. Maybe a perfect pop album. Not a bad song on it. That said, I am not sure why it is among the 1001 Songs. Credit where credit is due: 7/10
4
Sep 26 2024
Goo
Sonic Youth
This was better than I expected but still kind of hit and miss. It started off strong and went downhill from there. I donβt care for the Kim Gordon βvocalsβ all the much. I really liked Dirty Boots. Mildred Pierce was about 2 minutes too long.
3
Sep 27 2024
Fred Neil
Fred Neil
Not my thing - overrated album in my view (for what *that's* worth). I often felt like the musicians were playing different songs at the same time. +1 because Fred has a pleasant voice. Oh and Harry Nilson did "Everybody's Talkin'" better.
2
Sep 28 2024
The Village Green Preservation Society
The Kinks
What a weird and quirky album! Never heard it before. I kind of like it but will probably never listen to it again. I'm going to go read the review to find out what was going on when they recorded this because it is a very strange album.
3
Sep 29 2024
Ramones
Ramones
I canβt say it better than this:
"We play short songs and short sets for people who don't have a lot of spare time."
Tommy Ramone
3
Sep 30 2024
Kind Of Blue
Miles Davis
I own this album on vinyl. It was my introduction to Miles Davis. I find it to be the perfect jazz album.
5
Oct 01 2024
Sheer Heart Attack
Queen
Really good album! It's pretty rockin' - not really a bad song on it. Killer Queen is the hit here and is probably the first song I ever heard from Queen.
My favorites are (in album order): Brighton Rock, Killer Queen, Tenement Funster, Flick of the Wrist, Now I'm Here, Stone Cold Crazy, and Misfire.
I am ambivalent about Lily Of the Valley, Dear Friends, Bring Back That Leroy Brown and The Lap Of The Gods... Revisited.
In The Lap Of The Gods is strange and the song I liked least.
4
Oct 02 2024
Music in Exile
Songhoy Blues
An interesting melding of Eastern music and American Blues. I really did not care for it overall. I think the musicianship was fine but I did not care for the vocals. I liked "Soubour" and "Nick" but the rest of the songs were just meh. I feel like this album would not be included in the list if it weren't for the Band's backstory and the obstacles they overcame to create their music.
2
Oct 03 2024
Architecture And Morality
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
I know this is supposed to be their seminal album but it doesn't really do anything for me. It's just okay 1980s synth pop. I prefer Yazoo (Yaz), Blancmange, Erasure, Human League or Heaven 17 to OMD and New Order. 2/5
2
Oct 04 2024
Stand!
Sly & The Family Stone
I remember some of these songs as singles when I was a kid. The whole album has that thin late 60s production sound. Album was just okay for me.
2
Oct 05 2024
Don't Stand Me Down
Dexys Midnight Runners
What an awful album. I kind of liked the first song βThe Occasional Flickerβ and then I realized it sounds a lot like βCome On Eileenβ. It went downhill from there for me. The vocalist has the most annoying vibrato I think Iβve ever heard. As if that isnβt bad enough, most of the songs are too long (e.g. the 12+ minute βThat is What Sheβs Likeβ - BTW, whatβs with the pointless conversation in the beginning?) Others are unoriginal (βOne of Those Thingsβ rips off Warren Zevonβs βWerewolves of Londonβ). Itβs hard to believe that this is same band that came up with "Come On Eileen". DMR is clearly a one-hit-wonder and I found the album without any redeeming qualities. 1/10.
1
Oct 06 2024
Ritual De Lo Habitual
Jane's Addiction
Overrated. Not sure why this album went double platinum - it came across as a hot mess to me. I always say βa little Perry Farrell goes a long wayβ. I can only take him in small doses. +1 for Dave Navarroβs guitar work which is always tasty.
3
Oct 07 2024
Chemtrails Over The Country Club
Lana Del Rey
Soft, mellow and dreamy. Lana Del Ray has a nice voice but little range. The songs all sound very similar to the point that I mistook the first 3 songs ("White Dress", "Chemtrails over the Country Club" and "Tulsa Jesus Freak") as the same song. I enjoyed "Let Me Love You like a Woman" and "Wild at Heart". The rest of the album was just okay. Not enough variety for me to revisit this particular album.
3
Oct 08 2024
Black Monk Time
The Monks
Loud, edgy and primitive. Pretty good!
3
Oct 09 2024
90
808 State
Interesting listen - for a genre that makes use of a repetitive 4/4 time signature, I found that there was enough varieties between songs that I did not feel like it was a 30 minute-long song. Not too bad overall!
3
Oct 10 2024
Autobahn
Kraftwerk
The album consists of several instrumentals except the title track with is largely instrumental with some lyrics. A sample:
Wir fahr'n, fahr'n, fahr'n, auf der Autobahn
Wir fahr'n, fahr'n, fahr'n, auf der Autobahn
Wir fahr'n, fahr'n, fahr'n, auf der Autobahn
Wir fahr'n, fahr'n, fahr'n, auf der Autobahn
for 22 minutes hahaha. Well, except the instrumental parts.
Very industrial. Very German. I like it. I can see why it is thought of as the foundation and influencer of synth pop.
3
Oct 11 2024
Ten
Pearl Jam
Ahh, 90s grunge. Or is it 90s alternative? Whatever you call it, it rocks. I think the only thing that makes it "grunge" is the timeframe it was released and the flannel shirts.
It's a great album and has aged really well. I think you could release this today; it's not dated at all.
5
Oct 12 2024
Trio
Dolly Parton
Old time country with fiddles, steel guitar and banjos. It's a collection of low tempo songs sung by three great voices with lush harmonies. Even if you don't like country, you have to appreciate how talented these ladies are.
3
Oct 13 2024
The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
Lauryn Hill
I enjoyed the songs where she sings (she has a good voice) but the rap and hip-hop did nothing for me. I'm neutral on the reggae flavored cuts. Overall, just an okay listen for me. Kind of overrated. And way too long.
2
Oct 14 2024
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
Blues based rock - great album! This may be my favorite Zeppelin. Brings back fine memories of high school.
4
Oct 15 2024
Protection
Massive Attack
Not sure why there are two Massive Attack albums on "The List". Subdued rhythms, guest singers and electronic sounds. Blue Lines popped up for review in August 2023 and I don't really find any difference between the two albums. Had I died before hearing this, I don't think I would have missed much.
2
Oct 16 2024
The Good, The Bad & The Queen
The Good, The Bad & The Queen
This is supposed to be an album by a super group? Super bad maybe. Just an awful album. 2/10. +1 for some interesting work by the rhythm section so round up to a "2"
2
Oct 17 2024
Led Zeppelin III
Led Zeppelin
I listened to Led Zeppelin in my high school years. My recollection of Led Zeppelin I through IV albums was that they were very good. I just reviewed Led Zeppelin I the other day and it was as good as I remembered. However, this album is not as good as I remember. Okay album.
2
Oct 18 2024
Wish You Were Here
Pink Floyd
I donβt really like Pink Floyd But this was surprisingly good. David Gilmourβs guitar licks are fantastic. My main criticism would be that βShine on you crazy diamondβ song was awfully long.
4
Oct 19 2024
World Clique
Deee-Lite
Okay dance music, I guess. I find the music to be very formulaic. Start out with a synth line for one measure, add a bass line in the next measure, add symbols then drums in subsequent measures. Different lines, lyrics and sometimes different tempos so the songs donβt sound alike. Ho hum. Not impressed.
2
Oct 20 2024
Superfuzz Bigmuff
Mudhoney
Iβm okay with this musically but the vocals are awful. Taking a point away because the vocalist ruined this for me.
2
Oct 21 2024
Another Green World
Brian Eno
Strange and not my thing but at the same time beautiful and haunting.
3
Oct 22 2024
Darkdancer
Les Rythmes Digitales
Pretty good dance music! Probably won't listen to it again but I did not hate it.
3
Oct 23 2024
I Against I
Bad Brains
Rockinβ! The guitarist has chops!!
4
Oct 24 2024
Maggot Brain
Funkadelic
Take some bluesy guitar work, add a whole bunch of funk and integrate it with some weird themes -= good stuff
3
Oct 25 2024
Scream, Dracula, Scream
Rocket From The Crypt
Usually, when I ask myself "why is this on the list?", it's because the album is really bad. This is not bad at all. But the question remains: what is so important about a mid-90s punk rock album that it made the list? I have no answer...
3
Oct 26 2024
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Elton John
Is this his greatest album? It may be. Even though there are a few snoozers, I feel like Elton John and Bernie Taupin were at height of their creative powers. 9/10.
5
Oct 27 2024
Queen II
Queen
This was good. But if βA Night at the Operaβ (their Magnum Opus) is a 5 and I gave βSheer Heart Attack a 4 then I can only give this a 3.
3
Oct 28 2024
New York Dolls
New York Dolls
I knew of the New York Dolls but never paid them any attention. That was a mistake. I can hear (and see) how the Dolls influenced the early albums by KISS and you can hear how The Rolling Stones influenced the Dolls. About a zillion bands credit the Dolls as an influence. All influences aside, I really enjoyed this album and will probably listen to it again.
4
Oct 29 2024
Odelay
Beck
I thought I knew Beck based on some of the songs that were released and played on the radio that really doesnβt capture his weird, eclectic style. An enjoyable listen.
3
Oct 30 2024
Songs The Lord Taught Us
The Cramps
It's been quite a ride over the past three days. The New York Dolls on Sunday and the Cramps on Tuesday and Beck's Odelay in between. I didn't realize that I was a fan of punk. The Cramps throw in some rockabilly which I have always been drawn to. They have a spooky Halloween feel to some of their songs which seems appropriate since Halloween is a two days away. Good stuff!
3
Oct 31 2024
Nilsson Schmilsson
Harry Nilsson
Amazing album - I had no idea that Harry Nilsson was this good. I remember hearing "Without You" as a 9 year old kid. As an adult, I think it is one of the saddest songs ever written (and a Badfinger cover at that). Recently "Gotta Get Up" has bubbled into my consciousness from a commercial or something. To be honest, I thought it was a Billy Joel song. I'd give this album a 7 of 10. An unexpected gem that I will listen to again.
4
Nov 01 2024
Pacific Ocean Blue
Dennis Wilson
I have mixed feelings about this album. Iβm sorry he passed away. Dennis Wilson cannot sing very well.
+1 because⦠The Beach Boys
2
Nov 02 2024
Stephen Stills
Stephen Stills
Good 1970s album.
3
Nov 03 2024
Blunderbuss
Jack White
Is there anyone in the last 25 years or so that is more prolific than Jack White? Between the White Stripes, The Raconteurs, The Dead Weather and his solo work it seems like he was everywhere for a while.
This was an interesting album. It is a bit all over the place in terms of musical styles and that's a good thing. Not a bad song on the album. Nothing to get too excited over either.
3
Nov 04 2024
Dig Your Own Hole
The Chemical Brothers
Imagine you visit London on a business trip. Your daughter is going to school there for the semester and you meet her for dinner. She convinces you to go with her to meet her friends who are going clubbing. You agree to go for one drink and one of those βfriendsβ slips you some MDMA at the club and the drug kicks in. The next hour+ of your life sounds like this album.
In all seriousness, I found the album to be pretty repetitive except "Setting Sun" and "Where Do I Begin" both of which had vocals. I did enjoy the bass lines in several of the songs but the drums were rather annoying throughout.
3
Nov 05 2024
The Holy Bible
Manic Street Preachers
Good alternative rock - the Manics have a good sound. I don't think there is anything that differentiates them from other bands in this genre. To me, the most interesting thing about the band is the disappearance of their lyricist/rhythm guitarist Richey James. It's a solid album.
3
Nov 06 2024
Henry's Dream
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
Why is Nick Cave so melodramatic? I don't care for his vocals. If the vocals are not there then I can't look past the alleged greatness of this album. 3/10.
2
Nov 07 2024
Songs In The Key Of Life
Stevie Wonder
This is a pretty amazing album. It's an hours and 46 minutes long. I looked it up and it was originally released as a 2 LP vinyl set.
Released in 1976, it has held up very well. It does not sound dated to me. If you are familiar with Stevie Wonder at all, you'll recognize \"I Wish\", \"Sir Duke\" and \"Isn't She Lovely\". While those are hits, there aren't any bad songs. Wonder is just that talented. Little wonder (no pun intended) it is considered his best. It's pretty much a perfect record.
4
Nov 08 2024
Arrival
ABBA
Ah, the 70s. Simpler times, simpler songs. Compared to lyrics written for songs today, these songs are filled with naive, almost childlike lyrics. It was just a more innocent time I guess. Many of the songs have the same feel as songs lifted from musicals (long before Mama Mia debuted on Broadway).
The recording and production is first rate. Many hits: "Dancing Queen", "Fernando", "Knowing Me, Knowing You", and "Money, Money, Money" "Dum Dum Diddle" was kind of dumb, "Tiger" was pretty cheesy and I am not sure what's going on "When I Kissed the Teacher".
Overall, this album was a 7/10 for me so I'll round up.
4
Nov 09 2024
Vol. 4
Black Sabbath
This was an amazing album! It was a lot more complex than I expected. I have listened to them in my youth but I canβt say that I am a Black Sabbath fan but I think this is worth listening to more than just once for this project.
4
Nov 10 2024
Sunday At The Village Vanguard
Bill Evans Trio
It's jazzy piano, bass and drums. The bass solos are a little too improvisational for my liking but in general it's a pretty easy listen. The recording is excellent. I did not realize it was a live album until the audience clapped. Very good album.
4
Nov 11 2024
Kollaps
EinstΓΌrzende Neubauten
I write this paragraph before listening to this album. Prior to this, I listened to four albums that were 4s in my book. Will this album make 5 in a row? Or will my 174th album reviewed break the streak and drop down below 4 or break the streak and achieve a rare 5. I have to admit that, based on the title (βCollapsing New Buildingsβ according to Brave's AI search), my expectations are not great. Having not read too much about the band beyond their name and their "experimental and avant-garde sound", I am hoping to be pleasantly surprised.
After trying to listen to the album I can only rate this as awful. I only made it into the 6th song. I felt like I was walking through some modern art exhibit where this album was playing in the background. Dreadful. 1/10
1
Nov 12 2024
I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight
Richard Thompson
Celtic/English tinged folk music set to electric guitars. Some songs have a country western feel to them. Guitar work is very good. I could take or leave Richard's vocals. I think Linda's voice is wonderful. This album was (too?) short even with the bonus live tracks. Good album.
3
Nov 13 2024
Honky Tonk Masquerade
Joe Ely
Good country rock album. Ahead of its time, really.
3
Nov 14 2024
Duck Stab/Buster & Glen
The Residents
Mostly unlistenable dreck - this strikes me as art for art's sake. That is to say it is without any discernible purpose. The best part of the album was the songs were, gratefully, short.
1
Nov 15 2024
Black Metal
Venom
I thought this was awful. It reminded me of a technically proficient high school band of misfits whose singer owned the mics and PA so he got to be the vocalist.
1
Nov 16 2024
Tonight's The Night
Neil Young
What's the big deal with this guy? Neil Young is totally overrated. I was glad when the album was over so I could listen to something better (in this case, whatever arbitrary playlist of "similar" songs by "similar" artists that the Spotify algorithm came up with).
Young has always been sub-par as a vocalist but this album takes it to new lows for me. He's frequently flat, his voice cracks in several places in multiple songs. The one song whose lead vocals that stood out to me, "Come On Baby Let's Go Downtown", isn't even sung by him.
Does he write good songs? Yes, I guess so (although I can think of very few I like personally). So I am going to magnanimous here (how pompous of me) and give him a 3/10.
2
Nov 17 2024
Truth
Jeff Beck
Good blues-based rock and some good blues cover plus Rod Stewart on vocals is a 7/10 for me.
4
Nov 18 2024
B-52's
The B-52's
The B52's don't take themselves too seriously and that's part of the appeal. The lyrics are silly, vocals often over the top and the melodies are simple. The guitar work is my favorite part. It's just enough and fits in perfectly with the stripped down keyboards, solid drums and various noise makers like toy pianos and buzzers. Fun album!
4
Nov 19 2024
Electric Music For The Mind And Body
Country Joe & The Fish
Good album but somewhat unremarkable. It's a typical late 1960s psychedelic rock album in my view. Heavy on the organ and thin 60s style guitar work.
3
Nov 20 2024
Remedy
Basement Jaxx
House music. Not my thing.
1
Nov 21 2024
The Dark Side Of The Moon
Pink Floyd
Ah, the classic Pink Floyd album. Classic cover. Classic prog rock. Two classic singles: "Money" and "Us and Them". Itβs as good as I remember as a kid and Iβm not even a Pink Floyd fan.
4
Nov 22 2024
Hard Again
Muddy Waters
What a great blues album! Absolutely perfect in my view. Will get this on vinyl.
5
Nov 23 2024
Dusty In Memphis
Dusty Springfield
This album is very polished and well produced. Her vocals are soulful and sexy. She has such a lovely voice. It is a very easy listen.
4
Nov 24 2024
Street Life
The Crusaders
I found this to be pretty generic jazz albeit with lots of saxophone and horns.
2
Nov 25 2024
Soul Mining
The The
Another completely overrated album whose presence on the list baffles. A merely ordinary new wave band with typical new wave vocals. Meh.
1
Nov 26 2024
Bayou Country
Creedence Clearwater Revival
I've always thought of myself as "not a big CCR fan" mostly because they've overplayed the hits over the years. That said, I was pleasantly surprised on how good the other songs are on this album. Sure, "Proud Mary" is an awesome tune and covered by many artists (I like the Ike & Tina Turner version best) but every other song on the album is solid. A solid 4 for me.
4
Nov 27 2024
Beauty And The Beat
The Go-Go's
Great album! It has held up very well for an album that was released 40 over years ago. Not a bad song on the album. Too bad it was so short; I was really enjoying it. A classic. Vinyl worthy.
5
Nov 28 2024
Lost In The Dream
The War On Drugs
Liked the album opener "Under the Pressure" but it kind of went downhill from there for me. The songs have a dreamy feel to them where all the instruments work together but seldom really stand out. And that's the formula throughout albeit with varying tempos. Additionally, the songs are pretty long averaging around 6 minutes give or take. So if you love this, you are definitely getting your money's worth. I found myself looking forward to the album ending about 45 minutes in...
Overall it's not a bad album. There just aren't any songs that moved me. It's a solid 5 out of 10 for me.
4
Nov 29 2024
This Nationβs Saving Grace
The Fall
I really don't have much good to say about this album. Not the worst album but certainly not the best. Musicianship is not the worst but certainly not the best. The lyrics were not the worst but certainly not the best. The vocals were (arguably) not the worst but certainly not the best. Once again I question whether or not it is yet another UK album that appears to be on the 1001 list only because of the band's geographical roots.
2
Nov 30 2024
Two Dancers
Wild Beasts
Dreamy but boring. The falsetto singing ruined it for me. It reminded me of the Muppetsβ Miss Piggy after some singing lessons.
1
Dec 01 2024
Treasure
Cocteau Twins
Dreamy and ethereal with a distinct 80s feel. Canβt understand any of lyrics. Better than other dream pop Iβve heard so far.
3
Dec 02 2024
High Violet
The National
Never heard the band before this. Glad that I did. I like the vocalist's voice. No single song stood out to me but good album.
3
Dec 03 2024
Faust IV
Faust
Nein!! Not for me. I found it noisy and distracting. The vocals, when there were any, were ludicrous.
1
Dec 04 2024
Get Behind Me Satan
The White Stripes
Finally, after days of stuff that I did not care for, I finally got a really good one. Meg still pounds on the drum kit in her signature minimalist style and Jack lends plenty of riffs like their earlier work. But this album is definitely not a repeat of \"Elephant\".
Is there anyone as prolific as Jack White? The album is still very much garage rock but White adds some piano and acoustic on several tunes which I think shows his versatility.
Fun ride! I hope there are more White Stripe albums in the future.
4
Dec 05 2024
Gunfighter Ballads And Trail Songs
Marty Robbins
Clean, well produced and sparse. There are just a few instruments and you make out each instrument and they never trample over the vocals. The songs tell stories and if you listen you can imagine what's going on as the vocalist weaves his tale. A C&W masterpiece.
5
Dec 06 2024
Bummed
Happy Mondays
Impressed that the band managed to record this at all given their reported drug-addled state during recording. On the plus side, recording and production quality was pretty good. Other than that, not sure what all the hullabaloo surrounding this band is all about. 37 minutes later, I found myself relieved it was over.
1
Dec 07 2024
Automatic For The People
R.E.M.
Still a great album 32 years later! The Spotify version has live versions of the songs which was really good. Album has many hit singles: "Drive", "Everybody Hurts", β Find the River", "Man on the Moon", "Nightswimming" and "The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite". Good stuff!
4
Dec 08 2024
Channel Orange
Frank Ocean
Ooo, look at me! Iβm an R&B βartistβ and I can sing because of autotune! Utter crap.
1
Dec 09 2024
Lost Souls
Doves
For the first six songs, I thought I was listening to songs that didnβt make it onto the last Oasis album. Then βMelody Callsβ and βCatch the Sunβ gone one and I look at my phone to see if the album ended and a new band queued up. They seemed to jump back and forth between downbeat and upbeat songs after that. In the end, they sounded like a poor man's Oasis to me. Decent album, all said.
3
Dec 10 2024
1999
Prince
I thought I would love this but I grew increasingly tired of it as I neared the end of it. It's an okay album. I think Purple Rain is better despite it being a soundtrack. Β―\_(γ)_/Β―
2
Dec 11 2024
Dookie
Green Day
I really can't stand Green Day but this album slaps. Greats songs except for \"All By Myself\" which is just a ridiculous, adolescent ode to onanism. I guess that's to be expected from an album named after what the artwork monkey is trying to decide to throw (or not). This was a fun album - it's too bad Green Day sees themselves so self-important these days.
4
Dec 12 2024
Nighthawks At The Diner
Tom Waits
This was an interesting album. Waits is a strange cat. He talks at various parts in the album and, to be honest, his singing is not much different than the way he talks. He is a storyteller through song and as you listen you can imagine the scenes he describes. In the end, a little Tom Waits goes a long way. I struggled to make it thru the album.
2
Dec 13 2024
Brown Sugar
D'Angelo
Awful. Thatβs all I have to say about that.
1
Dec 14 2024
In The Court Of The Crimson King
King Crimson
This is a quintessential prog rock album. Very good!
4
Dec 15 2024
Crocodiles
Echo And The Bunnymen
I think this is a pretty typical early 80s new wave album. Iβve heard the single βRescueβ a bunch of times. Other than that, the album was good. Not a lot of variety of songs mostly because the lead singer doesnβt have much range, but he does have a pleasant voice.
3
Dec 16 2024
Pieces Of The Sky
Emmylou Harris
Classic country album. Very easy to listen too. Good album. You'll probably rate it higher if you love old school Country. Check out her cover for the Beatles' "For No One". It's pretty amazing and totally different from the original.
3
Dec 17 2024
Smash
The Offspring
Amazing album. Has aged well over 30 years. Love the energy and guitars. 9/10 for me.
5
Dec 18 2024
Imagine
John Lennon
Good album. I donβt think any of the Beatles are as good as solo artists as they were as a group.
3
Dec 19 2024
A Seat at the Table
Solange
Low key minimalist modern R&B. I didnβt hate it.
2
Dec 20 2024
Haunted Dancehall
The Sabres Of Paradise
Without value.
1
Dec 21 2024
Ogden's Nut Gone Flake
Small Faces
What a strange ride. The second half of the album reminded me of Monty Python but not in a humorous way - just offbeat. Very weird but I kind of like it. Iβll never listen to it again but I am glad I heard it.
2
Dec 22 2024
American Idiot
Green Day
Solid song craft and power pop. They are no longer punk as far at this point. Sellouts.
3
Dec 23 2024
Vauxhall And I
Morrissey
Good album. Take The Smiths and drop Johnny Marr on guitar and you have this album.
3
Dec 24 2024
Green
R.E.M.
Very good album. With hits like Stand and Orange Crush, I feel like the band was just beginning to hit their creative stride.
4
Dec 25 2024
The Bones Of What You Believe
CHVRCHES
Very good album. Heard of the band but never paid much attention to them. I like synth pop in general and this has an 80s feel to it. The female vocalist has a sweet voice and the lyrics are good. I found enough variety between songs that the album did not feel as long as it was. Most of the songs were very catchy. Not sure that belongs on the 1001 list but I liked it enough to listen to it again but probably would not buy it on vinyl.
4
Dec 26 2024
A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector
Various Artists
Whatβs not to like? The Ronettes, the Crystals, the Wrecking Crew and the Wall of Sound. Merry Christmas! π
4
Dec 27 2024
The Next Day
David Bowie
Itβs Bowie. Itβs good in spots. Not so good in others. Itβs better than the album they derived the cover from.
3
Dec 28 2024
Red Headed Stranger
Willie Nelson
Nice enough country western album. Good storytelling. I donβt care much for Nelsonβs nasally vocals but it works perfectly with these songs and their stripped down arrangements. The songs/album is pretty short so there isnβt enough time to be irritated by his vocals which I find easier to take in small doses.
3
Dec 29 2024
Throwing Muses
Throwing Muses
I tried to find this on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon and Tidal. So I listened to their University album because it was mentioned in the Wikipedia review. It's probably not fair to compare a debut album with University, their 6th. If the two are anything alike, it's a good album albeit somewhat unremarkable. I liked the vocals - Hersh has a cool voice. The rest of it guitars, bass, drums) was competent.
3
Dec 30 2024
Lady Soul
Aretha Franklin
Unbelievable. βNuff said.
5
Dec 31 2024
Meat Is Murder
The Smiths
Good album. Marrβs guitar shines throughout. Rourkeβs bass line really stands out on "Barbarism Begins at Home". Morrisey isβ¦ Morrisey.
3
Jan 01 2025
If I Could Only Remember My Name
David Crosby
Good album. Crosby has a cool voice. Unfortunately there were places on this album that did not seem substantively different than any given Crosby Stills & Nash album. For example, the harmonies on "Laughing" and "What Are Their Names" are very much CS&N. Overall, an enjoyable if somewhat short album.
3
Jan 02 2025
Oxygène
Jean-Michel Jarre
70s synth instrumentals. Very spacey and innocuous. Easy enough to listen to. I think I would be hard-pressed to distinguish one song from another after one listen.
I read somewhere that this was his first album not written specifically for a movie. But some songs ended up in some movie soundtracks so I not sure he met his goal from a practical standpoint.
3
Jan 03 2025
At Fillmore East
The Allman Brothers Band
While I prefer studio albums to live recordings, this one is one of the exceptions. It really good start to finish. Be forewarned that if you dislike long jam sessions in your live cuts, you probably will be triggered listening to this album.
4
Jan 04 2025
London Calling
The Clash
Great album! Sounds as good today as it did when it was released 45+ years ago!
5
Jan 05 2025
Aftermath
The Rolling Stones
Very good album. Several singles/hits. Interesting to hear how the band had grown from their previous album in their songwriting and use of different instruments on this album.
4
Jan 06 2025
Cloud Nine
The Temptations
Very good album. I like the Motown stuff. Their version of βI Heard It Through The Grapevineβ is very different (but really good) than the others I am accustomed to (Marvin Gaye and Gladys Night and the Pips as well as CCR)
4
Jan 07 2025
Le Tigre
Le Tigre
Genre: riot grrl? Hahaha
I liked it
3
Jan 08 2025
Stripped
Christina Aguilera
Good album. Not my thing musically but Aguilera sure can sing. The vocal gymnastics wear on me after a while. My favorite song was βMake Overβ.
3
Jan 09 2025
Opus Dei
Laibach
Okay album. I didnβt dig this at all. It seemed like the band was trying perform a German rock opera. I think the musicianship was there but the album couldnβt end early enough for me.
2
Jan 10 2025
All That You Can't Leave Behind
U2
This is an okay album. Nothing really jumped out at me. The band does not seem as great as they used to be. Bono's voice sounds a bit tired and strained at the limits of his range. The Edge's guitar work is solid and more versatile than it was earlier in his career. Bass and drums are tight. The lyrics were just okay. They didn't seem as well thought out as in previous albums.
3
Jan 11 2025
MTV Unplugged In New York
Nirvana
Very good album. It was really cool to hear Nirvana perform stripped down versions of their songs and several covers. I thought it was ironic that Cobain felt like he was as going to blow it but then crushes it by making Bowieβs βThe Man Who Sold The Worldβ his own. It might be the best live album ever.
5
Jan 12 2025
Teenage Head
Flamin' Groovies
Okay album. I wasnβt sure what to expect with a band name of βFlaminβ Grooviesβ but it was not too bad. It was a bluesy rock for several songs, country rock in places and rockabilly in others. I came away with the feeling that they had a big following in their hometown and surrounding areas but never really made the transition to the βbig timeβ. Glad to have heard this album but I wonβt return to it. I was torn between a 2 and a 3 for this one so erring on the side of caution.
2
Jan 13 2025
Red Dirt Girl
Emmylou Harris
Good album! Emmy Lou Harris is a country music icon so when I saw this album come up, I thought that is what I'd be getting. While the album has some of those elements, I did not feel like I was listening to country music. It is something else entirely. Not quite country and not quite folk either. There are some rock elements too. It is very lush, heartfelt, spritual and melancholy. Anyway, interesting album. Glad I heard it
3
Jan 14 2025
With The Beatles
Beatles
Great album! This album is very much like "Meet The Beatles", the second album released in the US. My earliest memories of listening to music was "Meet The Beatles" spinning on the record player (a piece of furniture really - a massive wooden console with builtin speakers and radio) watching the Capitol rainbow ring on the label spin round and round.
The differences between the two releases are few (12 vs 14 songs respectively). I do miss Meet The Beatles' "I Want to Hold Your Hand", "I Saw Her Standing There", and "This Boy" but enjoyed the covers on With The Beatles' "Please Mr. Postman", "Roll Over Beethoven", "You Really Got a Hold on Me", "Devil In Her Heart", and "Money (That's What I Want)".
5
Jan 15 2025
Kid A
Radiohead
Awful. Based on this album, I would only conclude Radiohead is terrible. Seriously though- how can this be the same band that came up with βThe Bendsβ?
1
Jan 16 2025
Pretzel Logic
Steely Dan
Really good album - the recording and production quality on the album is amazing. The songs are really more pop with less of the jazz influences from the previous albums. The Fagen and Becker incorporate many different musical genres and instruments combined with amazing musicianship. The single "Rikki Don't Lose That Number" is the only song I recognized but I didn't think there were any bad songs.
Some albums on the 1001 list are insufferably long. This one was just the opposite. Most songs were very short and the album run time clocked in at a little over 30 minutes despite there being 11 songs.
4
Jan 17 2025
Tank Battles
Dagmar Krause
I poured a glass of schnapps, put on my smoking jacket, lit a Ernte 23 cigarette and listened to this on my vintage gramophone while in my sitting room. I came away a changed man. After listening to this album's 26(!) songs, I feel like I listened to the soundtrack for the fictional "Springtime for Hitler: A Gay Romp With Adolf and Eva at Berchtesgaden". Gratefully most of the songs were short.
2
Jan 18 2025
Lazer Guided Melodies
Spiritualized
This was okay. I thought it was pretty innocuous. Nothing jumped out at me as good (or bad). It was kind of like background music. Something i could listen to while working and not have it be distracting.
2
Jan 19 2025
A Love Supreme
John Coltrane
I am going to rate this as a good album even though it did not do anything for. I've never cared for improvisational jazz. It just seems like everyone is doing their own thing. It's a cacophony of instruments to me. But in the end, it's Coltrane and the musicianship is undeniable.
3
Jan 20 2025
The Soft Bulletin
The Flaming Lips
This was an okay album. Not what I expected from the Flaming Lips. Wayne Coyne's "singing" is better taken is small doses. I liked "Race for the Prize". The rest of the album was unremarkable.
2
Jan 21 2025
Illinois
Sufjan Stevens
I found the album to be okay and not at all what I would've expected. It's challenging to categorize by genre with the extensive orchestration.
I never heard of this fellow so I searched the interweb and found his website. Apparently, he turned this album into a musical. I guess it makes sense that way.
2
Jan 22 2025
Rust In Peace
Megadeth
Good album. Whether or not you enjoy speed/thrash metal you should be able to appreciate the musicianship because here because Mustaine's rhythm guitar work is impeccable. I thought the vocals occasionally sounded like Metallica which makes sense I guess given the history between the two bands. Cool cover too if somewhat macabre.
3
Jan 23 2025
Pink Moon
Nick Drake
Very folksy guitars. Very folksy singing. Very folksy songs. Very folksy album.
3
Jan 24 2025
Back At The Chicken Shack
Jimmy Smith
Good jazz album. Songs were very long but I enjoyed the ride.
3
Jan 25 2025
Back To Black
Amy Winehouse
Really good album. Feels like a modern take of the Motown girl groups. Another amazing talent lost to drug and alcohol abuse.
4
Jan 26 2025
The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators
The 13th Floor Elevators
Good album. Very 60s album from a recording standpoint. I detect hints of Jefferson Airplane and the Rolling Stones from that same time frame. It was kind of interesting listening to the mono recordings and then the stereo versions.
3
Jan 27 2025
Bubble And Scrape
Sebadoh
I believe that if an album is going to be listed as one of the 1,001 it should meet some minimum standards. It should be a quality recording. It should have excellent production. The musicians should be competent and the song writing should have some aesthetic qualities.
Does an album have to have all of these attributes? Not necessarily. Sometimes a recording is done in such a way to try to capture, say, the band live foregoing what we would typically think of uus "quality". Likewise, an album doesn't have to have the production value and perfectionism of, fore example, Steely Dan or Boston.
Musicianship can be a tricky one. Was Kurt Cobain a great guitarist in the same echelon as Les Paul, B.B King or Eric Clapton? No, but he knew his limitations and worked within them to produce something unique. He had competency and then some.
Lastly while aesthetics are often in the eye of the beholder, there is usually something about a song that draws the listener in and makes a connection with them. It might be a lyric or a theme or an energy. But there has to be something.
Almost all the albums that Iβve heard so far meet the standards I listed above. Perhaps the album has all of these qualities. Perhaps it only has some of them. This album, however, has none of those qualities in my opinion.
The songs are monotonous and discordant. The vocals are weak. Musically, the album is just cacophonous.
It reminds me of a bunch of guys that got together in high school and learned to play their instruments in their garage or basement. Theyβre not good enough to do cover songs so they wrote their own material and bang their way through it with what barely passes as musicianship. Then they bought an inexpensive recording device off Alibaba and created a overly saturated demo that they sent to the local radio and cable stations in an effort to try to get a record deal.
While they did get that deal, it doesnβt mean they are very good or that the material is very good. Itβs simply gives the rest of us talentless hacks hope as we dream to someday play in a band.
1
Jan 28 2025
Palo Congo
Sabu
Good album. Recording was excellent with good use of stereo. The percussionist(s) were awesome. Good guitar work. So-so vocals.
3
Jan 29 2025
Young Americans
David Bowie
Good album. Give Bowie credit where credit is due: he never rested on his laurels. He always tried different things; from his ever-changing personas to tackling different genres of music. I think he is a little over his skis on some of these songs on this album and he struggled a bit with his take on soul. However, he has a nice voice and it is a very listenable album.
3
Jan 30 2025
Chore of Enchantment
Giant Sand
OK album. It was a bit of a chore to get thru though.
2
Jan 31 2025
The Age Of The Understatement
The Last Shadow Puppets
Very good album. It has a retro feel. While all the songs were good, I really liked the "Meeting Place" for the images and emotions it evokes.
4
Feb 01 2025
Copper Blue
Sugar
Really good album! While I find it hard to believe it took so long for a band to take the name βSugarβ, I was even more surprised by how good this album is. Having just listened to it, I am torn between a 4 or a 5. Luckily I have until tomorrow before I have to make a decision.
I think my favorite song was the opening track βThe Act We Actβ. The whole album is of the same quality.
4
Feb 02 2025
Younger Than Yesterday
The Byrds
Okay album. It started out as what I would expect from The Byrds with jangly guitars and lush harmonies. I was okay with the country western influences. With the more experimental, jazz and psychedelic cuts, I grew less enamored with the album.
2
Feb 03 2025
The Gilded Palace Of Sin
The Flying Burrito Brothers
Good album if you like the country rock genre. Interesting that this band spun off from the Byrds. Gene Clark (also of the Byrds) also pursued a country rock direction after leaving the band. Makes me wonder how they decided to pursue a Beatlesque sound when the Byrds first came out (noting that you could see were things were headed as there were country themed songs on the Younger Than Yesterday album). Solid musicianship and song craft.
3
Feb 04 2025
A Northern Soul
The Verve
OK album. They have a cool sound but I wish there was some variety. I found it pretty monotonous.
2
Feb 05 2025
Little Earthquakes
Tori Amos
Very good album. When this album came out, I seemed like Amos was oversharing. I had read that she'd been raped and this album felt like a therapy session that I accidentally overheard.
It was uncomfortable. Her pain was evident. In retrospective, I can see how this was probably cathartic for her and others who suffered through sexual assault.
This album really is a masterpiece of sorts. To be able to put your feelings out there and make an album that people can relate to really is something special.
4
Feb 06 2025
Brothers
The Black Keys
Very good album. I am a big fan of the blues rock genre and this album does not disappoint. "Tighten Up" and "Howlin' for You" are the two singles that introduced many (including me) to the band. This lead me to explore their other albums along with Dan Auerbach's solo work and side projects. Auerbach is very prolific and has a distinct style. No one else sounds like him.
4
Feb 07 2025
Headquarters
The Monkees
This was an okay album. I feel like everything with The Monkees is contrived. They donβt really have their own sound (they sound like the Beatles or the Byrds.) Their television show was little more than a rip off of the Beatles movies. And it seemed like they were trying too hard. I think it would be difficult for a group like this to try for legitimacy but, unfortunately, I donβt think they pulled it off.
2
Feb 08 2025
Live And Dangerous
Thin Lizzy
I like Thin Lizzy. There is nothing remarkable about this album. Additional point off because it is a live album with alleged overdubs.
2
Feb 09 2025
Who Killed...... The Zutons?
The Zutons
Okay album. I have nothing good nor bad to say about it.
2
Feb 10 2025
Scum
Napalm Death
Frenetic Drop-D powerchords.
Thunderous drumming.
Lyrics delivered in a demonic shout.
Repeat. 28 times.
Awful.
1
Feb 11 2025
Trout Mask Replica
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
I listened to it seven times and I still donβt get it. Two awful albums in 2 days (Napalm Death and now this).
1
Feb 12 2025
Winter In America
Gil Scott-Heron
What a gem!
4
Feb 13 2025
Da Capo
Love
This was an OK album. 60's "psychedelia". Nothing really jumped out at me but I did not hate it. The singer's vocals were a little grating as the album went on. Musicianship was okay too - what I would expect from the time period.
2
Feb 14 2025
Porcupine
Echo And The Bunnymen
Before listening I thought: "Great... another Echo & theBunnymen album. What's up with that? Do we really need three(!) albums by them on this list?"
Starts out well enough with "The Cutter". It kind of goes slightly downhill from there for me but overall, I'd rate this as a good album.
3
Feb 15 2025
Electric
The Cult
This is a really good album! I always thought that The Cult was underrated and it is kind of unfortunate that they get grouped in with 1980's New Wave because they could really rock out. I enjoyed the album all the way through. My only complaint is that is it too short.
4
Feb 16 2025
White Light
Gene Clark
Good album. Well written and performed. Not all like the Byrds. Seems more like a C&W album.
3
Feb 17 2025
Paris 1919
John Cale
Okay album. When I first saw the name, βCaleβ, I thought I was in for JJ Cale. I guess I set my sights too high.
2
Feb 18 2025
Sticky Fingers
The Rolling Stones
Very good album. Enjoyed the bluesy tunes and use of horns.
4
Feb 19 2025
Wonderful Rainbow
Lightning Bolt
"In the beginning, there was noise. Noise begat rhythm, and rhythm begat everything else."
Mickey Hart
2
Feb 20 2025
Bookends
Simon & Garfunkel
Good album. Some classic S&G songs. Very enjoyable.
3
Feb 21 2025
Chicago Transit Authority
Chicago
Good album. Amazing the way they combine traditional rock instruments with the horn section. Iβm not sure if they were the first to do this, but I donβt think anyone has ever done it the way they did. The only thing I did not care for was the more experimental songs.
3
Feb 22 2025
Nevermind
Nirvana
Very good album. This is the Nirvana album that served as my introduction to the band along with the vast majority of the world. All the songs are good or great. Except βEndless, Namelessβ. I didnβt care for that much.
4
Feb 23 2025
Make Yourself
Incubus
OK album. I don't see what Incubus brings to the table that puts on the 1001 list. The only song I was familiar with before listening for this review is "Drive" and, for whatever reason, I thought is was the guys from Alice in Chains singing.
2
Feb 24 2025
Isn't Anything
My Bloody Valentine
Bloody awful.
1
Feb 25 2025
Thriller
Michael Jackson
I have mixed feelings on this one. This is undoubtedly a classic album. It was commercially successful with seven singles. The musicians who performed on this album played perfectly. The recording is clear as a bell. The production is remarkable. Itβs pretty much a perfect pop album. There really isnβt a bad song on this album.
The downside for me is it is too perfect. The production is almost clinical in execution. Some of the songs are incredible: βBeat Itβ and βBillie Jeanβ come to mind. On the other hand, thereβs βThe Girl Is Mineβ with the ludicrous discussion between Jackson and McCartney about who the girl loves more.
Michael Jackson was a massive talent despite the personal goings on that came out toward the end of his career and after he passed away. In the end, I have to give credit where credit is due and separate his personal life from his recordings. 9/10 for me.
5
Feb 26 2025
Sweetheart Of The Rodeo
The Byrds
Good album if you like this genre. If you dislike βcountry rockβ youβll hate this because it is more country than rock. Itβs interesting to see The Byrds evolution from psychedelic to country. Beyond that, there isnβt much else to say about this album.
3
Feb 27 2025
Your Arsenal
Morrissey
Typical Morrisey. I donβt see where he broke any new ground with this album. That said, itβs a good album.
3
Feb 28 2025
Fever Ray
Fever Ray
This was an okay album. It's different from anything I heard before in the synth pop genre. Not sure if I like it but I don't hate it.
My random observations during listening:
- Not much difference between songs
- Roughly the same tempo for each song
- Many of the songs had an Eastern influences (like China or Japan rather than India).
- Electronic sounds used for rhythm; no drums per se
- Lots of electronic animal noises like birds or things you'd hear in a forest
- Lots of synth washes
- Dreamy and ethereal
- I don't really understand the heavily electronic tuned down "male" vocals. Sounds like an evil spirit on downers
- Fever Ray's vocals occasionally remind me of BjΓΆrk in the same way that Dolores O'Riordan occasionally reminds me of Sinead O'Connor
2
Mar 01 2025
Microshift
Hookworms
This was pretty good. Not at all what I expected. Noisy yet melodic.
3
Mar 02 2025
My Generation
The Who
Good album. Not what I expected from The Who. I rather enjoyed it though. It is interesting to see how much they changed from these early mono recordings. If not for the song "My Generation", I could have easily wonddered who this band was as the style of music goes from Blue to 60's Rock to hints of Hard Rock as we know it.
3
Mar 03 2025
Tres Hombres
ZZ Top
Great album! Texas Blues-Rock at its best. Crunchy guitars and rock solid rhythm section. Nobody does pinch harmonics better than the Reverend Billy F. Gibbons. I found all of the songs except "Hot, Blue and Righteous" to very strong. That one just didn't do it for me. So 9/10 for that but gotta round up. Β βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ
5
Mar 04 2025
Tuesday Night Music Club
Sheryl Crow
Good album. Musically, I thought the album was pretty good. Interesting lyrics. For me, the vocals were either spot on or absolutely dreadful.
3
Mar 05 2025
Killing Joke
Killing Joke
Three songs in and I was thinking "this is pretty bad. There's nothing about any of these songs that makes one stand out over another."
Gratefully, as the album goes on, it gets better. Digging the remixes at the end of the Spotify version of the album.
Solid 6/10 for me. Good album.
3
Mar 06 2025
Graceland
Paul Simon
Good album. There are quite a few musical influences on here and it comes across well. Simon's voice is pleasant but thin. He is a good song writer.
I know that this is supposed to be his masterpiece and the album generated a few singles but I feel like there is quite a bit of hype over the album because he had South African artists on the album. That's all well and good but I am betting outside of a few critics and Simon super fans that there weren't many consumers that said "boy, I have to get this album because there are musicians from different countries on here."
3
Mar 07 2025
Permission to Land
The Darkness
Good album. Great crunchy power chords. Annoying falsetto vocals.
3
Mar 08 2025
Metal Box
Public Image Ltd.
Note: on Spotify the album is called Second Edition
This is a dreadful album. Although I got through the whole thing, I found it to be largely unlistenable. 0/10
1
Mar 09 2025
Arular
M.I.A.
Okay album. Interesting meld of different genres of music.
2
Mar 10 2025
Surfer Rosa
Pixies
I feel like I want to like Pixies, I really do. This album was just okay though. I think I heard βGiganticβ before and I definitely have heard βWhere IsMy Mind?β as it gets regular play on Sirius XM.
Musically itβs primitive in that the musicians really donβt seem to have much experience. Lyrically thereβs not much to praise here. The vocals werenβt great. Nice cover though haha.
3/10. Rounded up.
2
Mar 11 2025
G. Love And Special Sauce
G. Love & Special Sauce
Never heard of these guys so I read the Wikipedia summary. I wasn't sure I would dig rapping over blues but somehow they make it work. Good album.
3
Mar 12 2025
Since I Left You
The Avalanches
Another electronic dance music album with a bunch of noises in each song that weren't musical at all. Unless they were the first artist to do such an album in this genre, I just don't see how any of this music differentiates itself from the other artists in the genre. Just an OK album in my book. 3/10 stars rounded up.
2
Mar 13 2025
Caetano Veloso
Caetano Veloso
Itβs okay. I neither liked nor disliked it.
2
Mar 14 2025
The Boatman's Call
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
Good album. Not at all like I expected. I thought the Henry's Dream and Ghosteen albums were awful but this was better. Still not sure why three Nick Cave are on the 1001 list. Hopefully, that's it.
3
Mar 15 2025
So Much For The City
The Thrills
Okay album. Nothing remarkable.
2
Mar 16 2025
Darklands
The Jesus And Mary Chain
Good album. Seems to be a pretty typical album for the time.
3
Mar 17 2025
MedΓΊlla
BjΓΆrk
I've always thought BjΓΆrk was overrated. I don't think this album changes my mind. Lots of wailing and vocalizing. Even when there are lyrics, there is lots of wailing and vocalizing.
1
Mar 18 2025
The Healer
John Lee Hooker
Classic Blues by a legend. Lots of collaborations with other great Blues artists. What's not to like?
4
Mar 19 2025
Every Picture Tells A Story
Rod Stewart
Good album. Melds Rock with English Folks with a dash of Country and Western. I've heard three of these songs: " "Every Picture Tells a Story", "Maggie May". and "(Find a) Reason to Believe". His cover of Big Boy Crudup's "That's All Right" which is followed by "Amazing Grace" are noteworthy.
3
Mar 20 2025
Third
Portishead
Good album. It's really different from their previous stuff. Very listenable and creative.
3
Mar 21 2025
In Rainbows
Radiohead
Okay album. I liked it better than βKid Aβ.
2
Mar 22 2025
American Beauty
Grateful Dead
Better than I thought it would be. My impression of The Dead is influenced by "Truckin'" (which I hate). It's definitely not the best song on this album. Overall I'd rate this 7/10 rounded up.
4
Mar 23 2025
Live At The Witch Trials
The Fall
Utter rubbish.
1
Mar 24 2025
Time Out Of Mind
Bob Dylan
I am not a Bob Dylan fan although I did enjoy his work with the Traveling Wilburys. He is clearly a good writer but most of the stuff I heard really annoyed me because of his nasally delivery.
When I saw this album, I did not have high hopes. I have to say that I am pleasantly surprised. It's all pretty low key with slow to mid tempo songs. Some of it is really bluesy and that really appeals to me. While he still is not much of a singer, his voice has developed a raspy edge to it as he's aged. It adds a lot of character. Very good album.
4
Mar 25 2025
Inspiration Information
Shuggie Otis
Good album. Dig the funky guitar work.
3
Mar 26 2025
Jagged Little Pill
Alanis Morissette
Very good album. It was played to death and in the 90s and I think I heard every song on it. I'm not sure I'd want to be the guy in a romantic relationship with Alanis based on "You Ought to Know". Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.
4
Mar 27 2025
Freak Out!
The Mothers Of Invention
From what little I knew of Frank Zappa, I didnβt think I would like this album. I am pleasantly surprised. I try not to read the reviews or the Wikipedia article before listening to ann album. I listened to this on a road trip and came away with the impression that The Mothers were trying to make fun of their other musical genres. I wasnβt surprised when I read the Wikipedia article and found that it was supposed to be satirical. That said, I think itβs a pretty good album.
3
Mar 28 2025
Rattus Norvegicus
The Stranglers
I thought this was just OK. None of it was really bad, but I donβt feel like playing an organ in a punk band (which seems to be their only unique quality) justifies thinking of them as innovative. I never heard any of The Stranglersβ music before this and I doubt I will seek out any of their other work.
2
Mar 29 2025
White Blood Cells
The White Stripes
Good album. Very much like the other White Stripes albums.
3
Mar 30 2025
Life's Too Good
The Sugarcubes
Good album. It helped me realized that I like Bjork better as part of the Sugar Cubes than as a solo artist. That's in spite of the ridiculous Eurovision-style rapping in some songs.
3
Mar 31 2025
Oar
Alexander 'Skip' Spence
I listened to this during a traffic jam while driving North out of Washington, DC on a Sunday morning.
Maybe my opinion of the album was colored by frustration of being stuck in traffic but seriously it felt like it was the longest 64 minutes of my life.
After listening, I looked this up. Sorry this guy was so mentally disturbed but that still doesn't make this an album that I needed to hear. I'm betting his mental condition is the only reason that this song is on the list.
1
Apr 01 2025
Frampton Comes Alive
Peter Frampton
This is the live album that put Frampton (and the Talk Box Pedal) on the map. Itβs a very good album.
4
Apr 02 2025
Next
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band
This was better than I thought it would be. Some of the song topics (e.g. Gang Bang) are ridiculous but, hey, that's rock 'n' roll. Good album.
3
Apr 03 2025
OK
Talvin Singh
It was OK. Interesting meld of RDM and Eastern musical styles. Call it EEDM. Good album but I wonβt revisit because EDM is not my thing.
3
Apr 04 2025
Live / Dead
Grateful Dead
Pretty awful. A rock version of improvisational jazz where each musician is doing their own thing. But pretty awful.
1
Apr 05 2025
Venus Luxure No. 1 Baby
Girls Against Boys
Good musically but I did not care for the vocals. An okay album in my view.
2
Apr 06 2025
Highway 61 Revisited
Bob Dylan
Still not the biggest Dylan fan but I thought this was very good. I like the electrified version of Dylan better than the folk version.
4
Apr 07 2025
In It For The Money
Supergrass
Sometimes they reminded me of the Beatles. Sometimes Oasis (so the Beatles). Sometimes they reminded me on Neon Trees. Vocally, the guy occasionally sounds like Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins. Nothing remarkable here. Good album.
3
Apr 08 2025
Idlewild
Everything But The Girl
I thought that this was really good. Kind of jazzy. I prefer the songs sung by the woman vs the guy.
4
Apr 09 2025
Iβve Got a Tiger By the Tail
Buck Owens
Good album - songs are short and well performed. If you like C&W, you'll like this
3
Apr 10 2025
Countdown To Ecstasy
Steely Dan
Good album - classic Steely Dan
3
Apr 11 2025
Bug
Dinosaur Jr.
This was an okay album. I found the music to be noisy (in a good way) but the vocals are awful.
2
Apr 12 2025
Off The Wall
Michael Jackson
Before Michael got weird. Very good album. Very funky, delivered in very well produced manner. Musically precise, almost flawless. Jackson just sings and mostly avoids many of those stupid squeaky sounds he delivers on Bad and Thriller. Very listenable and danceable (thinking a little disco here).
4
Apr 13 2025
Slipknot
Slipknot
Terrible. How does anyone βsingβ like that without destroying their vocal chords? The drumming was unbelievable though.
1
Apr 14 2025
One Nation Under A Groove
Funkadelic
Pretty amazing! There is almost as much rock on this album as there is funk. The bass and guitar work is outstanding.
4
Apr 15 2025
Dire Straits
Dire Straits
Very good album. Quite a debut. Sultans of Swing sounds as good today it did (almost) 47 years ago. If Brothers in Arms is their masterpiece then this is a "4".
4
Apr 16 2025
Deloused in the Comatorium
The Mars Volta
Good album. Very progressive. Amazing how fast the drums and guitars are.
3
Apr 17 2025
Home Is Where The Music Is
Hugh Masekela
Really good jazz album. Masekela's trumpet work is fantastic. This is an album I would consider purchasing if I can find it on vinyl. I'm torn between a 4 and a 5 on this one.
4
Apr 18 2025
Manassas
Stephen Stills
Good album - sounds a lot like Crosby, Stills and Nash except for the country rock songs.
3
Apr 19 2025
Physical Graffiti
Led Zeppelin
Good album. A little too long - not sure if the original was this long or if they added songs when they remastered. In any case, they are some great songs ("Kashmir" and "Trampled Under Foot") and some snoozers ("In My Time of Dying". "Ten Years Gone" and "Down By the Seaside"). I liked the rest of the songs. Overall, I enjoyed the album but I'm thinking there is maybe one disc worth of really good material here.
3
Apr 20 2025
Faith
George Michael
Pretty much a perfect pop album by perhaps the greatest voice in that time period.
5
Apr 21 2025
Five Leaves Left
Nick Drake
Droning and monotonous. Lyrically the songs have depth but the music ruined it for me.
2
Apr 22 2025
Halcyon Digest
Deerhunter
Yet another indie shoegaze band. π₯± Easily my least favorite genre and one that I did not even know existed before my 1001 Albums project started. Thanks for nothing Dimery.
2
Apr 23 2025
The Infotainment Scan
The Fall
I just donβt think theyβre that good
2
Apr 24 2025
Casanova
The Divine Comedy
The only comedy here is the singing. It's like karaoke.
1
Apr 25 2025
Ambient 1/Music For Airports
Brian Eno
Dreamy and ethereal. Background music for airports, elevators, high end coffee shops, etc.
3
Apr 26 2025
At San Quentin
Johnny Cash
This one deserves to be judged on its own apart from βLive at Folsom Prisonβ. The songs are great but the ad-libbing, the interplay between Cash and the audience, the telecast crew and his band are priceless. It mustβve driven the producers fits.
5
Apr 27 2025
Darkness on the Edge of Town
Bruce Springsteen
While I can see that The Boss is maturing as a songwriter on this album, I found his vocals (which were often mumbled) to be a distraction on an otherwise good album. The best three songs on the album were the three released as singles: "Prove It All Night", "Badlands", and "The Promised Land". I know this will be a blasphemy to some, but I feel like Bruce Springsteen is overrated.
3
Apr 28 2025
Forever Changes
Love
Weird but good I guess. Itβs very different. Iβm torn between a 2 and 3 but there was nothing objectionable so a 3 it is.
3
Apr 29 2025
Want One
Rufus Wainwright
This was very interesting given that I did not know what to expect especially from a guy whose father wrote βDead Skunkβ. Despite that, I thought it was a pretty good album.
3
Apr 30 2025
Pet Sounds
The Beach Boys
I know this is supposed to be their masterpiece, but I really didnβt like it all that much hence the β3β. I think it was the orchestral elements that make it less appealing to me. That said, itβs a good album. I should probably give it another listen given all the critical acclaim and Wilsonβs apparent descent into madness.
3
May 01 2025
Tapestry
Carole King
A masterpiece. Not dated at all. Holds up well 54 years later. Worthy of owning on vinyl. Listen to it with headphones - they donβt seem to do stereo like this anymore.
5
May 02 2025
Francis Albert Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim
Frank Sinatra
Sinatra begat Harry Connick Jr who begat Michael BublΓ©
3
May 03 2025
The Coral
The Coral
This could have been a good album if half of the songs were just better.
2
May 04 2025
The Grand Tour
George Jones
Good olβ fashioned country. Itβs a good album if you like the genre. The production quality is really something. Makes me wonder if tape recordings and the tubes were better than our fully digital modern recordings.
3
May 05 2025
Made In Japan
Deep Purple
It's a good album as far as live albums go. I will say, however, that drum solos really don't belong on live albums as they don't translate in the same way as they do when you go to a live concert. Having said that, if you aren't into drum solos they are always a good opportunity to go to the concession stand (or the kitchen) for refreshments.
3
May 06 2025
Apocalypse Dudes
Turbonegro
Good album. Iβd give it a 4 if not for the coarse language. Iβm not above swearing myself but I think a lot of bands believe it makes them edgy. It doesnβt. Itβs the easy way out lyrically in my view.
3
May 07 2025
Born To Be With You
Dion
Itβs just an okay album. I donβt think this showed off Dionβs pipes at all. I blame Phil Spector. What a disservice to a great vocalist.
2
May 09 2025
Master Of Puppets
Metallica
Take one part crunchy power cords, one part progressive rock style synchronized bass and drums and one part growling vocals and go. Repeat 7 times. Throw in one song using the same formula less vocals (gotta give those pipes a break, right James?). Put it all together and you have this album. Good album for those thrash metals fans. Me? Iβm still bitter than they helped to kill Napster (talking to you, Lars). Viva la Spotify π
3
May 10 2025
Live!
Fela Kuti
Good album although I honestly only remember the drum solo cut
3
May 11 2025
Born In The U.S.A.
Bruce Springsteen
This was a huge album when it came out. I think it really put Springsteen on the map as a superstar just because of the sheer number of songs that got airplay at the time.
5
May 12 2025
I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You
Aretha Franklin
The Queen of Soul. 'Nuff said.
5
May 13 2025
Joan Baez
Joan Baez
A collection of mostly traditional Anglo folk songs, arranged by Joan Baez. Lovely voice, remarkable recording and production. Good album.
3
May 14 2025
Bat Out Of Hell
Meat Loaf
Big man. Big voice. Big compositions. Big album.
5
May 15 2025
The Real Thing
Faith No More
I wasnβt sure what I was in for having only heard the bandβs βEpicβ (and realizing later that "We Care a Lot" was also theirs from a different album). But I thought this was really good. Their cover of βWar Pigsβ is spot on. Great guitar work and the bassist just kills it.
4
May 16 2025
McCartney
Paul McCartney
Good album. Different from his work with The Beatles and Wings.
3
May 17 2025
Songs From A Room
Leonard Cohen
He's not much of a singer. Not sure about the music from a songwriting standpoint since the songs are very spartan. The lyrics are good. He's really more of a storyteller. Think short stories set to music. Good album. Better than I thought it would be.
3
May 18 2025
Electric Warrior
T. Rex
Good album. Very sparse sound - there's not a lot of going on so you can hear all the instruments with great separation. I feel like the recording and production was very typical of albums at that time.
3
May 19 2025
Exit Planet Dust
The Chemical Brothers
My two least favorite genres are "shoe gaze" followed closely by "acid house". Exit Planet Dust is rhythm forward, high energy but repetitive within each song and from song-to-song. I don't see the point (probably because I am not currently not stoned).
1
May 20 2025
It's A Shame About Ray
The Lemonheads
I forgot how good this album is. It's very good. Favorite songs are "Confetti", "It's A Shame About Ray" and "Mrs. Robinson". I enjoyed the demos.
4
May 21 2025
Ragged Glory
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
This is a very good album. The songs are well crafted with big chords and guitar solos that work for the songs. The band is tight and work well with Neil Young. Iβd give it five stars but for one thing: Youngβs vocals. Heβs just awful.
4
May 22 2025
Arise
Sepultura
It was a good album. Thrash and Death Metal is not really my go to but I listened to the whole thing and never once wished it was over (something I cannot say about every album on the list) but I really don't think I will play it again. I appreciate the musicianship if not the vocals.
3
May 23 2025
The KΓΆln Concert
Keith Jarrett
Good album. Lovely playing. This is the kind of music I like to have playing in the background when I need something other than quiet and working on some technical.
3
May 24 2025
In The Wee Small Hours
Frank Sinatra
This was an okay album, I guess. Sinatra has nice enough voice but the songs are slow and plodding. Every song sounded the same. I honestly couldnβt wait for the album to end. But the songs are probably fine if you like Sinatra and heβs a bit of a legend so itβs a β2β for this one.
2
May 25 2025
Gold
Ryan Adams
The songs were good not great. The musicianship was good not great. The song writing was good not great. The vocals were prosaic but the songs are generally a good listen.
Overall, I'd rate this a good album if somewhat unremarkable. Not sure why it is on the list. 5/10 so βοΈβοΈβοΈ
3
May 26 2025
Atomizer
Big Black
I thought the songs were good musically. Interesting mix of pink and industrial. The drumming was really good. The vocals were awful. Iβd give this a β3β if the vocals were better.
2
May 27 2025
Be
Common
This was an okay album. I was pleasantly surprised by the use of musical instruments and melodies. But in the end I can only give it two stars because I can't relate despite having failed Calculus in school ;-)
2
May 28 2025
Purple Rain
Prince
His magnum opus.
5
May 29 2025
Back to Mystery City
Hanoi Rocks
Good album. I thought the lyrics were kind of cheesy but the music was good. It sometimes felt like the band was just mimicking hair bands (almost like karaoke) but I am just going to write this off as lyrics lost in translation from Finnish to English.
3
May 30 2025
Getz/Gilberto
Stan Getz
Portuguese jazz and bosso nova? I did not expect to like this but I did. Good album.
3
May 31 2025
The White Album
Beatles
Overall, this a great album. There is so much to choose from and, while some songs are stronger than others, it really is a great collection of songs. I did not care for "Revolution 9" - too avant garde for me.
5
Jun 01 2025
Sunshine Hit Me
The Bees
Never heard of The Bees. This didn't hit me at all but I didn't hate. It was just okay.
2
Jun 02 2025
Time (The Revelator)
Gillian Welch
Very nice!
4
Jun 03 2025
Bad Company
Bad Company
Great album from one of the greatest voices in rock 'n' roll. Shame his talent was cut short by a couple od strokes.
5
Jun 04 2025
Dare!
The Human League
Great album by one of the best 80s synth pop bands.
5
Jun 05 2025
Mask
Bauhaus
Dark Wave!
3
Jun 06 2025
25
Adele
I want to find a reason to give it less than a 5, but I just canβt. Itβs a perfect pop album. Iβd love to hear her sing jazz or something more challenging because she has a great voice.
5
Jun 07 2025
Happy Trails
Quicksilver Messenger Service
I found this to be a good album. Nothing to get excited about. Perhaps the longest version of βWho Do You Love?β ever recorded for no particular reason.
3
Jun 08 2025
Basket of Light
Pentangle
Big grand versions of folk songs. Many songs have a Celtic feel. Interesting and unexpected use of sitar. Female vocals are way better than the male vocals. Good album.
3
Jun 09 2025
The White Room
The KLF
I thought this was pretty good. It reminded me more of 80s synth pop extended dance mix versions than your typical acid house or rave.
3
Jun 10 2025
Strangeways, Here We Come
The Smiths
This is their best album. Johnny Marr is awesome.
4
Jun 11 2025
Brothers In Arms
Dire Straits
I don't even have to listen to this again. This is a "5". Money for nothin' and chicks for free!
5
Jun 12 2025
Timeless
Goldie
Okay album but not my thing. One of the definitions that I came across for timeless is "Having no end; interminable; unending". That's how this album felt to me. Like it would never end. It's just too long. +1 for the artist to be able to maintain focus long enough to cobble together an album that runs for nearly 2 hours. I could listen to 4 to 5 Ramones albums in that time. Sheesh.
2
Jun 13 2025
Smile
Brian Wilson
Pretty sure this came up because Brian Wilson passed yesterday. So much for random album selection.
Iβm going to call this a okay album because I feel like Iβm missing something that others are seeing as brilliant. Sometimes it sounds like The Beach Boys with the lush harmonies. I can see where this would have been a follow up to Pet Sounds with the orchestral elements. But this mostly felt like a bunch of song fragments patched together in the studio. The lyrics were often childish and tiresome. Had anyone else done this album, I feel like this wouldβve never been released.
2
Jun 14 2025
Music for the Masses
Depeche Mode
Dark, brooding songs driven by synths and guitar. Very good.
4
Jun 15 2025
Bringing It All Back Home
Bob Dylan
I like Electric Dylan better than Acoustic Dylan.
4
Jun 16 2025
One World
John Martyn
Easy listening soft rock. Good album albeit nothing remarkable.
3
Jun 17 2025
D.O.A. the Third and Final Report of Throbbing Gristle
Throbbing Gristle
Meaningless noise.
1
Jun 18 2025
American IV: The Man Comes Around
Johnny Cash
Very good album. Cash owns "Hurt". His voice has aged and it provides such character and sadness. It's hard to listen to Trent Reznor croak out the song after hearing this version.
4
Jun 19 2025
Night Life
Ray Price
Ray Price has a great voice. Backup band lineup is amazing. Normally I would be all in for a concept album. Sadly a few songs in, the song topics became repetitive and there was not enough variation from song to song to hold my interest. In the end, it was a good album but not anything I would listen to again.
3
Jun 20 2025
Imperial Bedroom
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Very interesting. I like it. Great album.
5
Jun 21 2025
Nebraska
Bruce Springsteen
This was an okay album. I found it to be largely repetitive. Springsteen is overrated.
2
Jun 22 2025
Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo
Devo
Straddling the space between punk runk and new wave, Devo delivers. Each instrument seems to mix together just right. Very good album.
4
Jun 23 2025
Guitar Town
Steve Earle
With a few exceptions, the songs on this album could have been written by John Mellencamp had he been raised in Texas instead of Indiana. Very good album.
4
Jul 09 2025
Neon Bible
Arcade Fire
Arcade Fire doesn't really appeal to me in any way but I thought this was a good album.
3
Jul 10 2025
Grievous Angel
Gram Parsons
I enjoyed this very much- even more after I discovered Emmy Lou was doing the female vocals. Very good album.
4
Jul 11 2025
What's That Noise?
Coldcut
Surprisingly listenable - good album!
3
Jul 12 2025
Future Days
Can
I thought that this was an okay album. For experimental music, itβs not off putting at all. That said, this is not music that youβll find yourself humming afterwards. I came away wondering if thereβs a happy medium between a 3 minute song and a twenty minute one. I donβt think 4 songs averaging 10 minutes each is the answer.
2
Jul 13 2025
Highly Evolved
The Vines
Good stuff. The Vines are to Nirvana what Jet is to The Vines.
3
Jul 14 2025
Cheap Thrills
Big Brother & The Holding Company
Very good album phony audience sounds aside. Janis Joplin sure could scream.
4
Jul 15 2025
Rio
Duran Duran
Great album! Duran Duran was written off by many as a teeny bopper band at the time but they really could play. Tight rhythm section with John Taylor who is one of the best bassists in his lifetime. The lyrics don't always make sense but by and large these are great, well-crafted songs.
5
Jul 16 2025
Actually
Pet Shop Boys
Very good album. Classic British synth pop - the sound of the β80s. Holds up well after almost 40 years. Not a bad song on it.
4
Jul 17 2025
Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
For whatever reason, I like Neil Young and Crazy Horse more than I like him as a solo artist or with CSN&Y. Very good album.
4
Jul 18 2025
Rip It Up
Orange Juice
I saw this and I thought "Cool. A Scottish post-punk band. I like Scotland. I like post-punk as a genre. This has to be at least a good album because I have been a roll with 4 star and 5 star albums." I jinxed it.
It went downhill from there.
Minus 1 star - the vocals are ridiculous. It's like bad karaoke. Okay maybe 4 stars then.
Minus 1 star - several songs in and I am thinking that there is literally nothing remarkable going on here. 3 stars then.
Minus 1 star. It has literally taken me three days to get through this. I dreaded it that much. Down to 2 stars.
I'm tempted to take away another star just because the name of this band is Orange Juice and apparently their first hit song was called... yes, "Orange Juice".
The cursor is hovering over that second star. Do I click it? No, there is nothing offensive here. Okay album. But why are these clowns on "The List of Songs..." No idea.
2
Jul 19 2025
A Wizard, A True Star
Todd Rundgren
What a hot mess. This, kids, is why you shouldn't use drugs. +1 for "Medley".
2
Jul 20 2025
Gasoline Alley
Rod Stewart
Very good album. This was apparently made before Rod Stewart decided to suck.
4
Jul 21 2025
Court And Spark
Joni Mitchell
Very good album. In many ways, it epitomizes that 70s soft rock sound and yet has a sound all its own. Mitchell just such a rich, sweet voice. I think that is her best album.
4
Jul 22 2025
I See A Darkness
Bonnie "Prince" Billy
Good album but I did not enjoy this as much as I thought I would. Vocals are overweighted in my mental review system. If the vocals are out of tune or the harmonies aren't great, it just ruins it for me. "A Minor Place" and a "Nomadic Revery (All Around)' set that tone. "I See A Darkness" redeems things a bit just in terms of its profound sadness. The whole album is sad. Well written songs though even if the execution was a spotty.
3
Jul 23 2025
Live At The Harlem Square Club
Sam Cooke
Very good album. Not usually a fan of live albums but this is a top notch recording. It feels very organic. Amazing when you consider it was recorded in 1963. Oh and did I mention that Sam Cooke performs on the album? Lots of classic songs from a more innocent age.
4
Jul 24 2025
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath
I was a little young to remember this album coming out but my friends and I listened to "Sabbath" in high school. This album was not among the ones we listened to. In retrospective, this album is very good. I actually enjoy the side 2 more with their blues-rock approach as I now appreciate the genre. R.I.P. Ozzy
4
Jul 25 2025
Vulgar Display Of Power
Pantera
Good album. Vulgar display of vocal cord abuse. Love βWalkβ though: βCanβt you see Iβm bothered by persistence? β¦ Be yourself, by yourself. Stay away from me.β What great lyrics.
3