I didn't know that Buddy Holly was a real person. I thought he was the figment of Weezer's imagination. Album was mid, had none of the bangers that I had hoped. Perhaps The Notorious BIG and Buddy Holly have in common that people elevated their career too high because it was cut short, and we assume the trajectory would have stayed the same even later. Who is to say.
Stand out track: Oh Boy!
EW&F do it like no other. This album was top to bottom hits. And I don’t even know if it is even their best album. I think it might be in just how consistently smooth and funky it is. If you’re looking for an aphrodisiac, this is it.
A subtle classic, this is probably my favorite Springsteen record because of its melancholic undertones. Any upbeat moments carry anger more than anything else, and demand answers from an unrelenting world. Springsteen is true Americana and he shows a side like no one else really could.
Stand out track: The Promised Land
This album really solidified Nirvana as one of the great rock bands. What they did with this album defined a genre and a generation of musicians. After listening to it fresh, I was taken aback by how many hits are on a singular album. Like there are more bangers on here than some bands have in their entire discography. Can Nirvana be over-rated? Sure. Is Kurt Cobain put on a pedestal and immortalized due to his pre-mature death? Maybe, but even if Dave Grohl's music was never as good, he still is revered by most musicians for his piece in history. Overall, banger of an album.
Stand out track: Polly
I was really underwhelmed by this album. As for as alternative rock goes, I would choose many other ones over this. Lyrics and performances were subpar and didn't leave you anything worth thinking about. I would give this album 1 star but they wrote "Drive" and that song was in "Surf's Up" starring Shia LeBouf.
Stand out track (but not in a good way): Battlestar Scralatchtica
Sarah Vaughan was an unknown artist to me before this album. Likely because her career is eclipsed by other jazz singers from the era such as Ella Fitzgerald or Billie Holiday. I found this album to be fun but less provoking that others in the genre. Other than that, excellent voice and a fun personality cut out for lounge singing.
Standout track: Just one of those things
I think that this album slaps hard. Tons of hits and honestly I never noticed the blues influence on Led Zeppelin until I listened to this album this time around. But it’s not my favorite project of theirs so I am going to give it a 4. I just feel like other albums deserve to be ranked higher.
Standout track: Heartbreaker
This was my first Manson album that I listened to beginning to end. I definitely understand how certain misunderstood kids in the 90s could find this comforting. I did not. After hearing him drop the n-word, I understood why he and Kanye are friends. Worth a listen once but probably never again fully through.
Standout track: Tourniquet
This album is a masterpiece. I am not a Queen or Freddie Mercury apologist by any means, but this album rips hard. Brian Mays often gets left behind in the discussion of top rock guitarists, but he just knows how to lay down a track. When you listen to Bohemian Rhapsody in the entirety of this album, you almost appreciate it for what it is and what it meant back then and not as "that overplayed theater kids looking for attention song". There were some surprises such as the country folk banger "'39". Being their first massive hit of an album, the band was obviously elevated to rock's Hall of Fame immediately after, but I don't know if any other album feels quite as cohesive and progressive. A hard album to beat.
Stand out track: '39
This album was an odd one. An unusual mix of samples, hip hop beats and off beat lyricism, I could get why this album was well received in the early 90s. Compared to a lot of the other hip hop coming out at this time in America, it’s clear that this is America’s genre. Some lyrics played off of like nursery rhymes and generic one liners like “don’t put all your eggs in one basket” and it just came across at corny. Overall worth the listen but according to their Wikipedia, the next few albums get better so maybe I’ll give them another listen. Also, I know the bands name is “Massive Attack” and one of the dude’s names is Daddy G, but there is a song where the words say “oh daddy” and then say “massive” really loud a couple of times. It just caught me off guard is all and is probably not supposed to be funny, but I laughed.
Stand out track: Safe From Harm (female singer needs a raise, she was my favorite part)
This is THE Beatles album for me. Even the weakest song on the album "Good morning, Good morning" adds something to the themes. Not only does it present itself as a whimsical, campy masterpiece, but it also lends the most evidence to the theory that Paul McCartney died and was replaced in the late 60's. Skill without good execution means nothing, and I used to rip on them as a group for their musical abilities compared to some others, but there is something to be said about the skillful and selective way that they mix the music. Beginning to end this album feels like a journey. A view into a world that I recognize yet not fully understand. It is the best the Beatles will ever be.
Stand out track: Day in the life
I had never heard of this band or album prior to listening. Let me tell you though, that I was hooked. That wailing saxophone, energetic bass and synth, was all led with campy/theatrical lyrics and vibes that put me right into this era. I literally spent the rest of the day listening to 80's tracks and understand how much music was influenced by ABC's sound. I also love how it jumps from The Look of Love Pt. 1 to Pt. 4. That is something I would do if I wrote an album. Catch me wearing a crop top and some short shorts like Tom Selleck in Magnum PI while I absorb some pure 80s vibes.
Stand out track: The Look of Love Pt. 4
The Cure is an incredible band who led new age rock into an amazing new era. By comparison to their discography, this album was kinda weak sauce. A Forest is an obvious banger and I loved how cohesive the whole thing felt. It really gave the impression that they wanted a pseudo-concept album. But I just don't think it landed as well as other projects by the group.
Stand out track: Seventeen Seconds
I have really tried to start getting into Arctic Monkeys, but they are really hit or miss for me. Alex Turner's vocals and lyricism is best on tracks such as Marty Bum or When the Sun Goes Down. I like how this album gives strong vibes of a danceable rock and roll sound, but I think they may have lost that with all of the albums following.
Stand out track: Mardy Bum
Vibes. At first glance, I had thought this was going to be a Fela Kuti album (who also has some banging music), but was pleasantly surprised to find someone new in the genre. The orchestration is superb and I found myself getting quite pumped up as I listened to it during a workout. I'm a sucker for some saxophone and he can really rip. There is enough genre bending across the album to hold your attention and he does so without losing the core sound. Overall, a great time but I don't know how often I would go looking for it to listen.
Stand out track: Survival
This was my first industrial rock album and after listening to this, I don't think anything could be described as more industrial. I felt like I was working in an iron mill in Germany in the 1980's. I would not want to be there then, and I don't want to be there now. Was it worth a listen? Maybe on a technicality but I would never choose to listen to this again unless I wanted to punish another person.
Stand out track: U-Haft-Muzak
Solid synth pop record from the early 80's and I can imagine how many groups they were able to inspire. This album will always remind me of Shrek 2 because the Big Bad Wolf sings "Hungry like the wolf" during the bonus feature's "Far Far Away Idol". Only good memories from that time in my life. Not bad album, but definitely has a couple of skips.
Stand out track: Save a Prayer
This album actually goes really hard. What I thought would be your stereotypical Christian country album was full of life lessons for your strong independent 60's wife. Don't you dare come home drunk and horny is what she says, and who can blame her? I had a really great time listening to this and will again.
Stand out track: The Shoe Goes on the Other Foot Tonight
Banger. The vibes are immaculate from beginning to end and this makes me wanna be a jet-setting business man from the 60's. Just livin life without a care in the world. As a former saxophonist, I appreciate both its role in instrumental pieces but even more so when it is used as a compliment to a singer's vocals. It's just not something you often see anymore.
Stand out track: Corcovado
I respect what she was trying to do here, but it just wasn't doing it for me. She had a very unique style as far as singer-songwriters go, but I wouldn't actively seek this album out again.
Stand out track: Witches' song
Classic early rap record but I don't think it has the relisten-ability like I thought it would. Songs can be catchy, but that drum beat gets a bit too repetitive and then after 30 minutes, you just kinda forget where you were. Gotta respect them for leading the charge in this style of rap. Rap seems to have always been the genre for the people, but I don't know who this album was for or if there was really any sort of spectacular message behind it. Still, just good times.
Stand out track: Peter Piper
