Aug 16 2023
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Moving Pictures
Rush
I was a Rush fan coming into this album, but had never heard it all the way through. This album is a tale of two halves. The first four songs are some of Rush’s all time greats. Starting an album with Tom Sawyer is strapping someone onto the front of a bullet train for their morning commute. The last four songs are just fine and definitely set the tone for what would become Rush’s signature sound. It was like they made side A to sell the record and side B to satisfy their creativity. Really great stuff. 5/5
5
Aug 17 2023
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Sticky Fingers
The Rolling Stones
So awesome. I had heard the hits off this album, but not the whole thing all the way through. It’s now obvious why this was such an important album when it came out and why it’s the favorite of so many Stones fans. I wish I had graded Moving Pictures differently because Sticky Fingers is definitely a step above, but I’ve lived both so 5/5 no regrets.
5
Aug 18 2023
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Rio
Duran Duran
It’s 1984. I step out of the club at 2 am and hand my ticket to the valet. He brings my Testarossa around, I make some 11’s on the pavement and head off to meet the cast of Miami Vice. As I pull away, I turn on the tape player and you better believe this is what’s playing at full volume. This album captures a sound and a moment in pop culture like few other albums do. So damn good.
5
Aug 21 2023
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Time Out
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
So smooth. So cool. The changes in energy were interesting. Could be for easy listening or to dive deep into. This is a great album for learning to appreciate jazz. Amazing improvisation within the structure. I’ll have to invent a time machine to go to my first swanky 60s cocktail party to hear this album out in the wild.
5
Aug 22 2023
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Straight Outta Compton
N.W.A.
Takes me right back to high school. This is definitely my favorite rap crew and my favorite rapper, Ice Cube. Dr. Dre has the most ridiculous beats and samples and drops. DJ Yella makes some tasty jams. I love the bravado and rebellious attitude. It’s so interesting to see how taboo this record was when it came out and now there’s a movie all about it. It’s a momentous album that out gangster rap on the map.
5
Aug 23 2023
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Lust For Life
Iggy Pop
This is the first album I’ve listened to that was good, not great. It has some iconic songs on it and I know Iggy Pop was very influential to the punk rock scene that came after him. It definitely takes you to the dark alleys and hole in the wall bars in your mind’s eye. It’s a fun album.
4
Aug 24 2023
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Searching For The Young Soul Rebels
Dexys Midnight Runners
What happens when a bunch of blokes get together with a bunch of horns? This album is the answer. I only knew them from Come On Eileen, but I totally hear all the best parts of that song throughout the album. Really high highs, but some low lows as well. I had fun, but it wasn’t exactly Sticky Fingers.
4
Aug 25 2023
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Hearts And Bones
Paul Simon
Paul Simon is amazing. At least half the songs started out a little odd to me and by the end I was fully into it. He also seems to understand how sounds layer really well and he was willing to use different methods to make the exact right sound. A song writing genius, as ever.
5
Aug 28 2023
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Either Or
Elliott Smith
I think if I were a moody teenager in the Pacific Northwest when this came out this album would mean a lot to me. I was not such a teenager when this album came out, as it were. It was just ok for me. Maybe two songs really got my attention.
3
Aug 29 2023
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The Joshua Tree
U2
This album is epic. Such huge sound. Certified hits to start things off. Definitely my favorite U2 album. We’re back on track with awesome stuff to listen to.
5
Aug 30 2023
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Beyond Skin
Nitin Sawhney
I definitely wouldn’t have picked this album without this project, which is a big part of why I’m doing it. To listen to music I wouldn’t normally and expand my horizons. Many of the songs were beautiful and had full sound, something I really value. I did get a little bored in the middle, but the best parts make it a great album. The fusion of electronic and Indian and a very 1999 sound was excellent.
3
Aug 31 2023
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Sheet Music
10cc
I really didn’t like it. It was like a mash up of all these different classic rock bands. Like a restaurant with too many items on the menu and meals made up of foods that don’t go together. I know the band is full of music legends, but it was just so off. I liked some parts of some songs and really hated many parts of all the songs. Definitely the worst album to date.
2
Sep 01 2023
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Dr. Octagonecologyst
Dr. Octagon
It was cool. It was weird. It was an interesting look into the New York underground scene. The beats were great. The doctor is so loquacious. The interlude audio from porn was not my favorite choice.
3
Sep 02 2023
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Bat Out Of Hell
Meat Loaf
I loved this album. The song itself Bat out of hell gave me Springsteen vibes and I was a little skeptical, because it seemed like Meatloaf was ripping him off, but everything else is amazing. And Bat out of Hell is a great song, it just felt like the rest of the album is more representative of Meatloaf. I’m glad to be back to loving this new album from this list.
5
Sep 03 2023
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D
White Denim
This album was great. I’ve always wondered why more current bands don’t play in the style of classic rock, even though there’s clearly an appetite for it. This band does exactly that on this album and is able to sound all their own. I’m glad to to have stumbled upon this band. They scratched an itch I’ve had for a while.
4
Sep 04 2023
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The Idiot
Iggy Pop
This is the first artist to have two of their albums come up out of the 1001 possible albums. This is the most Iggy Pop I’ve ever listened to and I’m struggling to understand his status in music culture. This guy is an icon and a punk hero. He’s vital to an entire genre of music and it’s prominence in our society. And I gotta say I’m pretty underwhelmed by these songs. They’re fine. They’re not bad in any way. But I expected them to be undeniable. Forces of nature that laid waste to my ears and brain. Maybe it’s a build up to his best stuff and I’ll listen to that later. Then again, if this is his good stuff why is he on this list at all?
3
Sep 05 2023
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Bringing It All Back Home
Bob Dylan
This is a great album. It’s got some bops. It’s got some thinkers. It’s got harmonica. I’d never sought out Dylan before this because I didn’t know where to start. I definitely see how he was influenced by his predecessors and how he influenced those during and after his era. This didn’t make me feel like I understand why Dylan is held in such high regard, but I could see myself getting there.
4
Sep 06 2023
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Electric
The Cult
This just a good old fashioned rock album. Great licks, fun song subjects, and high energy. It’s clear which bands influenced them and I think I could pick out a few bands they influenced. Tons of fun, but not so good it earns 5 stars.
4
Sep 07 2023
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Chemtrails Over The Country Club
Lana Del Rey
I can see why she’s so popular with teens. This is exactly what I would expect a high school kid to listen to as they process their first break up. I was bored a lot. Although, some of the music choices and singing were quite nice. Some of the lyrics were confusing, but the message of each song was made obvious. This could also be used to replace any white noise machines that help people sleep, just a little psa
3
Sep 08 2023
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Want One
Rufus Wainwright
Some of the musicians play their instruments beautifully and the songs are complex, but I was so bored listening to a lot this album. Some of the songs were pretty. They just didn’t evoke a lot of anything out of me and I’m easily evoked by music.
3