I love this album so my review is going to be a teeeeeensy bit biased. I hope teenagers for generations will continue to find this one because it captures so many feelings I had at that age so perfectly - informed but powerless, surrounded but lonely, angry at nothing and longing for something better. Its play/singability lend it well to passionate and sloppy jam sessions. I think I'd enjoy it but wouldn't connect with it nearly as deeply if it came out now. 4/5 stars.
If I have to listen to U2, I'm glad it's this album. Sunday Bloody Sunday is excellent, and the overall relentlessness of each track blending into each other sets a really strong thematic foundation. Some cool riffs to be found in Like A Song... and The Refugee. Overall I stand the same on U2: 2.5-3/5 stars.
Fucking fantastic. Biting lyrics with playful use of diction and enunciation. It doesn't feel like any of the musicians are relegated to the background, and their skilled collaboration is apparent in each track. This is gonna send me down a rabbit hole, isn't it? 5/5 stars.
Very fun! Super danceable and just full of hits.
Really dig the orchestration in general. Not sure I ever would have sought this out but I'm glad I'm listening! In general I think I'm a bigger fan of the backing tracks than the vocals, this is a little bit whiny (lyrically and aesthetically) for my taste. 3.5/5 stars
This is WILD. How have I not listened to Tom Waits yet?! Overall this is what I LOOOOVE about American music - detailed storytelling, varied styles, honest and raw songwriting, and generally unapologetic storytelling. It feels like the audio equivalent of seeing someone switch costumes and characters in a deeply interesting way. 5/5 stars
I'm thoroughly annoyed by the cover art and title so we'll see how this goes. Of course it rocks. Artful and surprisingly subdued, I particularly appreciated the titles and overall flow. I'm getting big David Bowie vibes. 3.5/5 stars because patriarchy.
Opening track tells me they're taking this one seriously. I didn't realize how interesting The Cure can get until giving this album a listen. They're sensitive, creative, experimental, passionate, and thoughtful. Overall I'm a big fan and am pleasantly surprised by the overall subdued energy of this album. 4/5 stars.
Overall just some good rock. I'm enjoying it but not really noticing specifics. It doesn't grab my attention but it totally doesn't need to. 4/5 stars.
So much fun, this is an excellent jazz compilation with some particularly excellent rock organ. Didn't really take notes but enjoyed.
Can't go wrong with Miles Davis! This one is subdued and really laid back. No tracks really stood out over the others but I didn't pay close enough attention to take detailed notes. I really enjoyed this one!
Was focused on work so I didn't take notes but I was surprised at how much I liked this! Went in expecting screamo/metal and ended up getting something much more subtle and interesting. I'll give this another listen, for sure! 4/5 stars
She does a lovely job and has a gorgeous voice but this level of romance has never really done much for me. Can't fault the album, it's just a personal preference. Gonna give it 3/5 stars tho.
Allllll of the classics! This was fun and would have been a great show to see live. Just a basic good time. 4/5 stars since nothing really jumped out at me but I enjoyed it!
Overall excellent. I generally prefer jazz that gives me a bigger melodic anchor to grab hold of but that doesn’t mean I didn’t find this wonderful. I need to look this up but I have a feeling we’re hearing something much closer to true improvisation as opposed to solos that are riffs over a plotted roadmap. Bemsha Swing is a fuckin banger. 4.5/5 stars
Probably wouldn't have picked it and honestly probably wouldn't have stuck it out if not for my listening project, but I think I'm glad I did. It's pretty genre bending and veers into classic southern rock by then end in an interesting way. Didn't pay close attention to the lyrics but the titles alone are great. I'll give this a 3.5/5 stars, I enjoyed it but it's not my usual cup of tea.
Oh hell yeah what a jammin start. Getting rockier Beatles vibes which is a lot of fun. Generally enjoyable but nothing to really write home about, some decent covers and just a fun bop.
This is excellent and I need to come back to it when I have more brain space/processing abilities. 5/5 stars for now.
Elton John is perfect, I loved it. The deluxe edition was very cool but a bit much for me, I should've just listened to it as it came out.
Absolutely fantastic, no notes, just 5 stars.
BIG fan of the orchestration, this is beautifully layered and sounds so easy even though it's intricate. Not a track goes by without a killer baseline, and her lyrics are smooth and thoughtful. Her accent is almost another instrument, I'm just nuts about this sound. Didn't take notes on specific tracks so didn't take note of any standouts, but this is fantastic. 5/5 stars.
I LOVE EVERY SONG ON THIS ALBUM IT IS PERFECT TRACY CHAPMAN IS PERFECT
The orchestration is straight up yummy, especially in Paper Tiger and Round The Bend. Wonderful, chilled out vibes with more to it than might initially hit the ear. End Of The Day forces me to slow down and match its pace in a way that's really luscious. LOVE when Sunday Sun gets a little bit crunchy, it's so freaking fun. Overall a great listen, I loved it.
It was unhinged but I liked it? Not easy listening for sure, and definitely not something I'll put on again while I'm washing dishes or reading, but I'm glad I listened.
Normally I'd love an album with a cover like this but honestly I restarted the first track three times because I just couldn't pay attention. Not sure how this made the top 1001 list but maybe I'm just in a mood?
I am OBSESSED. This is so fun and funky. Reminds me a lot of an earlier version of gangstagrass, complete with all the best parts of the 90s. I can't stop dancing! Standouts include The Fun Lovin' Criminal, Bombin' The L, and I Can't Get With That.
Ugh this is not my jam. I can respect it but getting through this album will be a bit of a slog for me, I can feel it. Down to keep an open mind, though! After more listening I was right, but there is a lot here going on musically that I totally respect. It's just too harsh for my delicate little baby ears. Definitely some interesting stuff happening in Eraser.
Oh I absolutely love this! Such tight vocal harmonies and meandering but still interesting jams. I was immediately reminded of CSNY but like a funkier, rockier version. Love getting a full rock opera with Starship Trooper. It's so cinematic and full of intrigue, I'm a very big fan.
Oh wow take me back to middle school! This is a bit much for me right now and I didn't listen to it often enough to be nostalgic but it's certainly not bad! It's just not my go-to genre.
Not feeling optimistic given the track titles, but who knows? It definitely rocks and rocks hard. It's pretty messy and processed which isn't my favorite sound but I see the appeal. Party The Baby Off was good, but otherwise no standouts for me. 3/5 stars
The album art pisses me off but the music is fantastic. Dress is a banger, and Victory is bass heavy in a great way. She reminds me of people like Patti Smith and Tori Amos. Additional standouts include Sheela-na-gig and Joe.
To absolutely no one's surprise, this is FANTASTIC. A true work of art that will need a lot more dedicated listening time, it demands several listens at least to absorb everything. He's truly a next-level collaborator who has an incredible command over using small and thoughtful details to craft an incredibly rich and compelling overall narrative. I can't even think of this in terms of which tracks stood out to me because the story is a bit too cohesive for that (though I will say, u stopped me in my tracks). Kendrick Lamar is one of those artists who has and likely always will continue to inspire me to REALLY think about perspective and voice and how each can profoundly impact the same story. It's sometimes hard to face how raw and emotive he gets, like if he were here with me I'd struggle to make eye contact for slight fear of the intensity - but I'd do it anyway and the connection would be worth it. What an ARTIST. Truly a transcendent album.
Love me some Allman Brothers Band, and especially love me a good live album. Overall a very good jam session from a top tier jam band: no standouts, but no complaints.
This was fun! I didn't really take notes but overall enjoyed this in the same way that I enjoy bands like Wham! It's danceable and I'm sure if I paid closer attention I'd hear some neat stuff, but I just don't feel like it and/or don't like the genre quite enough.
Hadn't heard of it, wasn't digging the album cover, and honestly this is a JAM. It's experimental and interesting, with cool instrumentations and neat percussive sounds throughout. I'm having a somewhat hard time grabbing on to a melodic anchor and throughline for the album so I don't think I'd put this on for fun/background listening, but I'm glad I checked it out.
What a squad! This is a very cool art music collaboration from artists I'd never have put together. I guess I can forgive Elvis Costello for being a total derp.
Total classic but I couldn't stop thinking of how much of this was stolen. 3 stars for the backstory
Total jam that makes me want to explore more desert blues. No real standouts but I did listen while dog walking and it was a total jam. Will have to come back to this one!
Absolutely gorgeous and perfect for this grey fall day. Super chill and not something I think I'd usually seek out but I'm really enjoying reveling in it. I'll have to explore more Brazilian music!
Oh I LOVE this! Interesting punkish/indie rock with lots of very cool layers going on under some pretty striking but understated vocals. Give me so much of this! I didn't take notes on specific tracks but the mouth harp goes so hard, and there's such a large variety of styles in one album that still has a decent melodic and narrative through line. I love it!
Such incredible energy, both from the performers and almost radiating from the audience. I can't imagine being there for this show! Very danceable and just a great time.
Oh to be the flutist on In My Bed. This is fantastic, sexy, heartbreaking, and beautiful.
A total classic. SUCH great tracks on here, hard to leave notes.
Honestly didn't think I'd like this but forgot they were more grunge than heavy/harsh metal. Still not my favorite but I definitely respect it!
Lust For Life is the GOAT!!!! Seriously fucking love this song. The Passenger is so good too, didn't take notes of other standouts but this is some top tier glam rock and I'm a big fan.
Absolutely stunning. She has such power and control and her emotive range is so freaking wide. Didn't take notes on individual tracks but just really enjoyed relaxing into her voice.
I love Norah Jones and I don't believe this album is new to me so I'm not counting it in the project, but listening anyway. Don't Know Why is such a gorgeous opener. I could swim in this whole album, she really is the queen of understated beauty and vibes.
I mean what is there to say? This is a MASTERPIECE. Some that I didn't know, like Bron-Y-Aur Stomp is a low key jam. No other notes, just excellent.
I can respect but don't particularly enjoy this. Nothing wrong, just not my genre. It's certainly loud! Some interesting harmonic choices that caught my ear, they're definitely fantastic musicians.
It's a good collection but honestly there were a lot of lyrics that creeped me out.
Will come back and add notes later but like...Funkadelic
It's decent and definitely a product of its time. I bet I would've liked this more if I were around in 1986. Ah well, it's not bad background
This is a bop, I love late 70s British rock, turns out. Compared to other stuff I like though, this is reasonably boring. It makes decent background and dancing around music, but it definitely didn't blow my mind or anything.
Ooooo this is FABULOUS! Incredible drumming, wide variety of styles, interesting lyrics...I'd be thrilled to see these guys in concert. Didn't take notes on specific tracks since I listened while moving but I loved it and can't wait to listen again!
Just a stunning live performance, but it was SO weird to be "inside" a prison and hear the normal prison operations going on.
Yeah ok fine this rocks. Somehow both of and ahead of its time, I really love their lead singer's timbre and rhythmic playfulness. I know I'll need to go back and look up some lyrics because I'm sure they're sharp, I just have a hard time catching them sometimes
The only artist on this collection I'd heard of before is Nelly Furtado so I had no idea what to expect. It's surprisingly understated given the cover art, I'm a fan! Nice and chill early 2000s rap. Like with The Hives, I think I've been so damn spoiled lately that some music that's very good in its own right is just being overshadowed at the moment.
Already listened to this one! I'll track my notes from it down but I liked it well enough. Coldplay doesn't quite do it for me but there's some good stuff on here.
This is one of the best albums of all time, and is among my favorites. 5 stars, no notes.
GORGEOUS. Incredibly thoughtful and flowing. Didn't take track notes because the album flowed so well that I didn't think of it in distinct movements exactly, but top to bottom it was what I love about jazz.
Banger after banger after banger, amen.
This is a beautiful album that I just wasn't in the right headspace for. Will come back to it for sure
Totally full of bangers that sends me right back to high school. It's nothing groundbreaking but top to bottom very enjoyable early aughts rock.
Ooooo this is a great addition to my collection of beloved southern rock.
I am an absolute sucker for a rock opera and while this occassionally leans on some outdated/annoying melodic tropes I don't mind too much, it's otherwise super expansive and just a total journey in a very fun way.
Goddammit Kendrick save some talent for the rest of us
Feels disrespectful to do any less than 5 stars for Bob Marley. I've always felt kind of weird listening to him though, since I've mostly heard him at beach parties and in a freaking resort in Jamaica but lyrically it can be so heartbreaking and touching that I want to smash the speakers and tell everyone that this isn't a cute jam for white people to smoke weed to ok I'll shut up now
This is a bit growly for my taste but there are some elements I enjoy. Bullet Proof Cupid is a great track but nothing else really stood out to me.
A true classic, Marvin Gaye's beautiful voice very nearly distracts from his equally important messages - but not quite.
This is such phenomenal dance music and is really brightening up this gray day. The bass in Get on the Floor is fuckin STANKY and I could listen to it all day. Just an S tier Michael Jackson album, full stop.
Honestly this is a tough listen and not in a fun way, I mean ZERO complaints about the music itself, but the lyrics are pretty over the top and violent/sexist and while I know they're going for hyperbole I just am not having a fun time. Respect for the musicians, but I don't love this one.
This is gooooorgeous, super sensitive and feeling. No real standout tracks because it flows so well, but I really appreciated the occasional intro track thrown in. No detail went untouched but it's still so relaxed sounding, sometimes you just know something's authentic when you hear it and this totallly is.
I'M TELLIN Y'ALL IT'S SABOTAAAAAAAGE
