839
Albums Rated
2.8
Average Rating
77%
Complete
250 albums remaining
Rating Distribution
Rating Timeline
Taste Profile
1960s
Favorite Decade
Reggae
Favorite Genre
other
Top Origin
Perfectionist
Rater Style ?
17
5-Star Albums
13
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Music From Big Pink
The Band
|
5 | 3.36 | +1.64 |
|
The Band
The Band
|
5 | 3.37 | +1.63 |
|
3 Feet High and Rising
De La Soul
|
5 | 3.45 | +1.55 |
|
Zombie
Fela Kuti
|
5 | 3.47 | +1.53 |
|
Head Hunters
Herbie Hancock
|
5 | 3.56 | +1.44 |
|
Jazz Samba
Stan Getz
|
5 | 3.56 | +1.44 |
|
People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm
A Tribe Called Quest
|
5 | 3.61 | +1.39 |
|
Mothership Connection
Parliament
|
5 | 3.61 | +1.39 |
|
A Love Supreme
John Coltrane
|
5 | 3.63 | +1.37 |
|
Getz/Gilberto
Stan Getz
|
5 | 3.64 | +1.36 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Different Class
Pulp
|
1 | 3.42 | -2.42 |
|
Felt Mountain
Goldfrapp
|
1 | 3 | -2 |
|
Ghosteen
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
|
1 | 2.97 | -1.97 |
|
The Dreaming
Kate Bush
|
1 | 2.96 | -1.96 |
|
Disintegration
The Cure
|
2 | 3.85 | -1.85 |
|
Goodbye And Hello
Tim Buckley
|
1 | 2.83 | -1.83 |
|
Yeezus
Kanye West
|
1 | 2.77 | -1.77 |
|
Hot Fuss
The Killers
|
2 | 3.74 | -1.74 |
|
Appetite For Destruction
Guns N' Roses
|
2 | 3.74 | -1.74 |
|
Dummy
Portishead
|
2 | 3.71 | -1.71 |
Artists
Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Beatles | 7 | 4.29 |
| A Tribe Called Quest | 2 | 5 |
| The Band | 2 | 5 |
| Stan Getz | 2 | 5 |
| Talking Heads | 4 | 4.25 |
Least Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds | 4 | 1.75 |
| Bee Gees | 2 | 1.5 |
| Goldfrapp | 2 | 1.5 |
| Barry Adamson | 2 | 1.5 |
| Kanye West | 2 | 1.5 |
| Pet Shop Boys | 3 | 2 |
| Blur | 3 | 2 |
| Peter Gabriel | 3 | 2 |
| Elvis Presley | 3 | 2 |
| Björk | 4 | 2.25 |
5-Star Albums (17)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
The Band
5/5
A masterpiece. Each song is great in its own right, and having multiple band members have lead vocals throughout the album adds to the overall greatness of this album. It’s just so good. 5/5 Listen often
3 likes
Cyndi Lauper
3/5
Has some good songs. Aggressively ‘80s. Her voice is kind of grating at times. 3/5 Might listen again
3 likes
Dr. Dre
4/5
A highly influential early 90's rap album. I am a big fan of P-Funk, so the G-Funk beats are fantastic. Parts of this album haven;t aged well, and Snoop Dogg is basically the one rapping on most songs, but it is a overall good album. "Nuthin' but a 'G' Thang" is one of the great rap songs. 3.5/5 Will listen again.
2 likes
Girls Against Boys
2/5
Not very interesting. Nothing stood out on the album. 2/5 Won't listen again
1 likes
The Style Council
3/5
Interesting. Kind of all over the map in terms of genres. Liked some of it, but not all of it. 3/5 Probably won’t listen again
1 likes
1-Star Albums (13)
All Ratings
Pixies
4/5
"Where is my Mind?" seems out of place with the rest of this album. I kind of preferred the frantic nature of the other songs. 4/5 would listen again.
ABBA
3/5
Disco isn't for everyone and this album certainly has its dull moments. But the songs that work well have a good mix of standard disco beats and some euro flair. 3/5 Would listen to the hits.
Beatles
5/5
A masterpiece. The first half of the album bounces back and forth between the serene and the silly. Some of the greatest songs ("Come Together, "Something", "Here Comes the Sun") ever written on the same playing field of some of The Beatles more ridiculous ("Maxwell's Silver Hammer", "Octupus's Garden"). Then we are hit with the Medley which is just wonderful. Each song working into each other, but somehow can be enjoyed as a standalone track. And then a little reminder to not take things to seriously they end with "Her Majesty", which serves as a great encore. This is The Beatles at their best, pop music at its finest. 5/5 Would listen again. One of the absolute best.
Little Richard
3/5
Overall pretty good. The songs are relatively short and kind of just come at you with breakneck speed. They all sound similar and this album lacks overall depth, but this is a historical moment in music and so old its hard to judge it on a more modern criteria. 3.5/5 Good but probably wouldn't listen again.
SAULT
3/5
Overall pretty good. The theme is prevalent throughout the album and although there are a few songs that could stand as singles, this is better as a whole. 3/5 May listen again
Siouxsie And The Banshees
3/5
Not bad, but nothing really special right here. Everything sounds similar and even the most popular song on the album underwhelms. The mood throughout is consistent and the dark melodies are fine, just not my style. 3/5 Probably wont listen again
A Tribe Called Quest
5/5
A true classic. As hip-hop goes this is as good as it gets. Everything is there for this to be one of the great albums of all time, but the group (especially Q-Tip) just needed a little more experience. The following two albums prove that. This album is like the painting before the mona lisa, and everything here gets expanded on in the near future to perfection. 5/5 Will listen too repeatedly.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
3/5
Mostly gritty southern rock. The 2 singles are more polished, and the rest of the album sounds like it could have been recorded in a barn (in a good way). On the shorter side, but it was nice to hear some CCR songs that aren't on the chronicles album. Not the strongest throughout, but liked the album. 3.5/5. Would listen again
The Doors
4/5
Great psychedelic blues. heavy on the organ. SO much great stuff going on with this album, just misses a little bit. "The End" kind of rambles too long. Really like "Back Door Man", great mix of Morrison's vocals and the guitar/organ combination. 4/5 Would listen again.
Teenage Fanclub
3/5
Enjoyable if not underwhelming at times. It really grows as the album goes on. British Pop-esque vocals mixed with 90's light alternative music. Lyrics don't really say anything, kind of generic. Nothing bad about the album, just doesn't jump out at all. 3/5 Would maybe listen again.
5/5
I think this is a masterpiece, but on the scale of Beatles albums I think this one has some real misses on it. There are some truly top notch psychedelic pop songs on this record, and there are some songs that are just a little too weird at times. "With a Little Help From My Friends", "Getting Better", and "When I'm Sixty Four" are some of my favorite Beatles songs ever. 5/5 Will listen again repeatedly.
AC/DC
3/5
Classic power cord arena rock. The songs are simple both musically and lyrically, but remain mostly fun. 3/5 would listen to the hits again
Van Morrison
4/5
Filled with some great songs. Love the jazz influence on the album and "Come Running" and "These Dreams of You" are favorites. "Caravan" is great as well, but I prefer the Last Waltz version more. Overall solid album, my only issue is that its a style of music I have to really be in the mood for to want to listen to it. 4/5 Will definitely listen again
Coldplay
2/5
Painfully generic. Meh. 2/5 Would not listen to again
Bob Dylan
4/5
Overall a very good album, with some of Dylan's greatest songs. However, some of the tracks lack a certain distinguishness from each other. 4/5 Would listen again
Meat Loaf
4/5
Over the top outrageous. The songs that hit are fun but still musically impressive. The songs that miss, just kind of feel flat. But, the whole album works as a concept. 4/5 Would listen again
Dolly Parton
2/5
Not my cup of tea, but Dolly's voice is truly great. "Here I am" is a good song. 2/5 Would not listen again.
The Adverts
3/5
Started out slow, every song kind of sounds the same, then grows towards the end of the album. The instruments are good, but I didn't like the singers voice as much. 3.5/5 Would probably listen again
Ramones
4/5
Starts fast and never lets up. Although the songs are short, they never seem to shortchange the listener, they are exactly as long as they need to be. 4/5 Would listen again
Public Enemy
3/5
the overall theme of this album is important and relevant even today, but must of been a real shock when it was released. Chuck D has some great bars across this album, and he and Flava Flav work well together, almost like what a rap concert is like. But some of the songs are just strange and don't really work. 3/5 Will listen to a few tracks again
Bee Gees
1/5
Bland and uninspiring, not sure how it made it to the list. 1/5 Won't listen again
Soundgarden
3/5
Cornell's voice is great, but some of the songs are flat and repetitive. The hit songs are good, but that's about it. 3/5 Would listen to the hits off this again
Tortoise
3/5
It isn't bad, it just isn't good enough to captivate for the entirety of the album. Some of the musical sections are pretty good, just not enough. 3/5 Would listen to as background music
Bauhaus
2/5
This kind of music is really hot or miss with me. This one was a miss. I liked "Harry" though, good groove. 2/5 Wouldn't listen again....except "Harry"
Badly Drawn Boy
2/5
Neither here nor there. Doesn't do anything good or bad, just kind of is. Some songs near the end are pretty good, but just not enough on the album to make it good. 2.5/5 Probably won't listen again
The Last Shadow Puppets
2/5
Sounds like a movie soundtrack for a bad YA movie. 2/5 Wont listen again
a-ha
2/5
Overall not much to this album except "Take on me". Everything else falls short of relevance. 2/5 Won't listen again
Scott Walker
2/5
Slow and boring. I think the lyrics are poignant, but delivered so dully it makes it hard to enjoy them. 2/5 Won't listen again
Frank Ocean
3/5
Interesting. There is so much to like about the beats, lyrical content and the general feeling of the album. However, it just sounds too sporadic and made for a modern audience with a short attention span. 3.5/5 May revisit later.
Shack
3/5
Got better towards the end, but overall just not very interesting. Very generic and non offensive. 2.75/5 Won't listen again
Big Brother & The Holding Company
3/5
I like the bluesy feel of this album. Can see why Janis and Pigpen got along so well. Her vocals are truly unique, but sometimes get tiring. 3.5/5 Would listen again
Aphex Twin
2/5
Some tracks are interesting, some are unbelievably boring, and it seems like they alternate the whole album, making it not find its rhythm. 2.5/5 Won’t listen again.
Nirvana
3/5
Can really hear the push back form the band to the fame they garnered from "Nevermind". The album is a mix of really polished tunes and some real rough cuts, especially the songs that were not destined for radio. Overall really enjoyed it. 3.75/5 Would listen to most of it again.
Queens of the Stone Age
2/5
Tries to do some really interesting things, but much of it just never lands. Lyrically strange, but not in a fun or compelling way. Musically wants to be innovative, but never fully commits to make it. 2/5 Won't listen again
Antony and the Johnsons
3/5
Vocals are clearly the highlight here, which the music only serves as a vehicle for. Although I can appreciate the vocal talent, this just didn't do much for me. "Fistful of Love" was good. 2.5/5 Wouldn't listen again
Herbie Hancock
5/5
Brilliant! This album grooves like no other. "Watermelon Man" is one of the great instrumental songs of all time. I just saw Herbie live 5 days ago, and he is still amazing. Closed the show with "Chameleon", and overall was just wonderful. 5/5 One of my favorites
The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy
3/5
Really wants to be Public Enemy, but missing the production value. This has the production of something found on soundcloud if made today. Like the message of the songs, just wish it was musically better and Franti's vocals flowed better. Crazy to think where he is now, making music akin to the Wiggles for adults. 3/5 Probably wouldn't listen again
Pulp
1/5
Lyrics aren’t interesting and delivered in a strange unsatisfying way. Musically nothing special. Overall not very good, trying too hard and not doing it successfully. 1/5 Won’t listen again
The Smiths
3/5
Liked this more than I thought I would. Not a great album, but has moments that are interesting. Hard to relate to some of the material that is very much geared towards a British audience. Liked the message in "Meat is Murder". 3/5 Good, but probably won't listen again
Little Simz
3/5
Overall I though this was pretty good. Not my favorite kind of rap, but Simzs' lyrics are strong and wise beyond her years. 3/5 Would maybe listen again
Doves
3/5
Felt like this is what Coldplay wishes it sounded like. 3/5 Would maybe listen again
Fleetwood Mac
4/5
I have kind of avoided Fleetwood Mac throughout the years, and though I can appreciate this album, I just don't love it. Some of the songs, the music and lyrics are just bland, However, I did enjoy this more than I thought I would. Overall, pretty good and a very clean and clear record. 4/5 Probably won't listen again
The Kinks
3/5
Overall really liked this. Sounds a lot like Rubber Soul or Revolver, just missing the standout tracks that those albums have. 3.5/5 Would listen again
The Chemical Brothers
3/5
Not bad. Not my favorite kind of music, but albums like this are tough because you really have to be in the right mood to enjoy it. None of the songs stood out over the rest. 3/5 Probably won't listen again.
The Who
3/5
Surprised that so many people reviewing on here are not fans of live albums. This one is decent, it predates a lot of the Who's more exploratory songs, but there are elements of that music here towards the end of the record. The rhythm section really shines on this one. 3.5/5 May listen again
David Bowie
2/5
I like some of Bowie's work. I did not care for this. 1.5/5 Won't listen again
New Order
2/5
Relatively generic, seemingly over produced. Nothing notable lyrically. 2/5 Won't listen again
Germs
3/5
Bass is great on the album. Songs aren't particularly memorable, but overall I enjoyed the energy. 3/5 Might listen again
Sade
2/5
Nothing particularly great about this album. "Smooth Operator" has become relevant again because of social media, but this album as a whole isn't very interesting. 2/5 Won't listen again
Talking Heads
5/5
It is just so unbelievable great. 5/5 Frequently listen to
Patti Smith
2/5
Pretty forgettable. 2/5 Won't listen again
PJ Harvey
3/5
Never heard of this before. Not my favorite style of music, but I liked it in the end. 3/5 Might listen again
Crosby, Stills & Nash
3/5
The harmonies are great, and I can see why so many people love this bands music, but I found it to be largely repetitive. 3/5 Might listen to again
The Black Keys
3/5
Knew more songs off of this album than I thought I would. Overall the album is good, but the hits songs really do most of the work, and most of the album never really excites. 3/5 Probably won't listen again
Madness
2/5
I like ska. But this was kind of boring. 2.5/5 Won't listen again
Depeche Mode
2/5
Moody electronic. Not really my thing. Not enough variety or change of pace to make it overall interesting. 2/5 Won't listen again
Parliament
5/5
Nothing really compares to it. This is the peak of funk music and of Parliament. It is decadent and absurd and weird, but the grooves are so great and the albums ability to move (or remove) you is incredible. I absolutely love it. 5/5 Listen to it frequently
Scritti Politti
1/5
Very boring. Sounds like the soundtrack to a made for TV kids movie in the 90's, but not a good one. 1/5 Won't listen again
Isaac Hayes
3/5
Enjoyed this one. The long version of "Phoenix" was a little much, but overall liked the groove of the album. 3.5/5 Would listen again
Throbbing Gristle
1/5
More noise than music. Really hard to get through this one. 1/5 Won't listen again
U2
3/5
Started strong, but never really went anywhere interesting. 3/5 Won't listen again
The Residents
2/5
Kind of a tough album to just sit down and listen to. Sounds like the soundtrack to an old animated horror movie, and I think would be more interesting if accompanied by some sort of visual medium. 2/5 Won't listen again
A Tribe Called Quest
5/5
This builds so well after "People's Instinctive Travels...". The beats, lyrics, and delivery are all more refined in their sophomore album. I know some people rate this as their best, which I will disagree with, as 'Midnight Marauders" is the greatest hip-hop album of all time. However, this one is up there in the all time greats form this genre of music. A absolute classic. 5/5 Listen all the time
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
3/5
Pretty good. Some of Young's classic solo tunes are on this album. Not the biggest fan of him, but I do enjoy his music at times. Really like the guitar work throughout. 3.5/5 May listen again
Red Hot Chili Peppers
3/5
Surprised by how may songs I knew off this album, having never listening to it in full before. Overall, the album is okay, some of the songs I have never heard before were not the best, and the bands struggle to keep its funk roots alive while also making pop music is prevalent. Some lyrics are weird, or even nonsensical, but the album is fun and light. 3/5 Might listen to the hits again
The Triffids
1/5
Bland. 1/5 Won't listen again
ZZ Top
3/5
Gritty, straight to the point blues. "La Grange" is the most popular song, but for me "Jesus Just Left Chicago" is the real highlight. 3.5/5 Would listen again
Wu-Tang Clan
4/5
Their sound is so distinct within the world of rap music. Really enjoyed the beats and the lyrical delivery, just not a huge fan of the skit type talking in the beginning of songs. 4/5 Would listen again
Bob Marley & The Wailers
4/5
One of the truly great reggae albums. Love the early mix with Tosh, Wailer and Marley. It is easy to forget just how great they were and how polished Marley became as an artist. 4/5 Will listen again
Fiona Apple
3/5
I found this to be better than I expected. 3/5 Might listen again
Supergrass
3/5
Not bad, but not necessarily good either. Songs are fine, but nothing special. 3/5 Probably won't listen again
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
1/5
Not just boring and repetitive, but also the two long form "songs towards the end were just bad. 1/5 Won't listen again
N.W.A.
4/5
Appreciate the significance of this album, but it just didn't fully click for me. I wanted to love it, but a few of the songs were a little too unrefined. "Express Yourself" is an absolute top tier rap song though. 3.5/5 Will probably listen again
The Sonics
3/5
Nothing spectacular about the album, but you can obviously hear the influence it has on punk/alt music in the future. Covers of some noticeable oldies were fun, but not noteworthy. 2.5/5 Might listen again
Pretenders
3/5
Only knew the one song from before, but overall liked the album. Not really anything that stood out, but easy ti listen too. 3/5 Might listen too again
Fleet Foxes
3/5
Pleasant music. Something you would listen to laying in a field of flowers. 3.5/5 Would listen to again
Television
4/5
First time listening to this, but have been aware of it for a while now. Really delivers. Enjoyed so much of this. 4.5/5
Arcade Fire
2/5
Was okay. Not super impressed by the music. 2.5/5 Probably wont listen again
Pet Shop Boys
2/5
Not really a style of music that I frequently enjoy. Was an odd mix of upbeat dance type music and some really sad lyrics. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Ella Fitzgerald
3/5
A little slow for me at times, but her voice truly is one of a kind. Would work well in certain scenarios. 3/5 Might listen again.
Franz Ferdinand
3/5
There is a lot of good stuff going on here, but it gets a little repetitive. Most of the songs sound too similar, but at least they are good. 3.5/5 Might listen again
Depeche Mode
2/5
Kind of strange industrial pop music. Not really my kind of thing. 2/5 Probably won’t listen again
The 13th Floor Elevators
3/5
Liked the album, but it wasn’t spectacular. A lot of it sounded too similar. 3/5 Might listen again
Led Zeppelin
3/5
Great mix of rock and blues with some classic well known songs. May be overplayed these days, but still holds up in the end. 3.5/5 Would listen again.
Beck
4/5
Have always really enjoyed this album. Some of the songs are just a little too strange and don’t really flow well with the rest of the album. But there are some absolutely great songs here. 4/5 Will listen again.
Brian Wilson
3/5
Really appreciated the attempt at making a continuous album. The album is indulgent, but not always in a good way. 3/5 Would listen again
Bob Marley & The Wailers
4/5
Probably Bob’s best produced and well known album. The songs are great and feature some of his best work, though I prefer some of his other stuff more. 4.5/5 Will listen again
Metallica
3/5
The end of the great first 4 albums by the band. Not as complete as Puppets or Lightning, but as overall pretty good. 3.5/5 Would listen again
Duke Ellington
3/5
Lovely music. Mostly laid back, but really finishes with a flurry. I am starting to listen to more jazz and in some moments it just doesn't work for me, but this was great. 3.5/5 Will likely listen again
3/5
There some good parts of this album, but there were also some that were a little too strange. 3/5 Probably won’t listen again
David Crosby
3/5
Some interesting psychedelic songs on here, very reminiscent of the Grateful Dead and that era of music. Some of it is kind of boring though. 3/5 Probably won’t listen again
Metallica
3/5
Interesting concept. It doesn’t always work, but it has some songs that really work with the orchestra. 3.5/5 Might listen again
2/5
Wasn’t bad, but wasn’t anything special either. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
Goldfrapp
1/5
Not really my thing, overall did not enjoy it. 1/5 Won’t listen again
Björk
3/5
This was surprising. I am not too familiar with Bjork’s music and this was the first time I have ever intently listened to it. I liked this more than I would have thought. Her vocals are truly something special. 3.5/5 Might listen again
Beck
3/5
I always think his albums will be too strange, and they usually are not. They always manage to straddle the line. I liked this one. 3.5/5 Would listen again
Shivkumar Sharma
3/5
Really pleasant and beautiful music, just kind of difficult to listen to in one sitting. Enjoyed it, but it’s an album you need to be in the mood for. 3/5 Might listen again
Van Morrison
3/5
Interesting stripped down album by Van. I liked the songs, but everything was a little too slow. 3/5 Might listen again
Dusty Springfield
3/5
I don’t know, this one we kind of fun. Didn’t expect to know any songs or enjoy this album, but in the end I did. 3/5 Might listen to a few songs again
Scissor Sisters
2/5
A little too outlandish for me. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
The Incredible String Band
2/5
If you ever wondered what Bob Dylan would sound like if he was a bard in the Middle Ages, here’s your chance. I think you have to be a certain kind of high to really enjoy this album. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Pink Floyd
4/5
One of the only PF albums I thoroughly enjoy. “Have a Cigar” is probably my favorite song of theirs. 4/5 Would listen again
Radiohead
3/5
Overall enjoyed it. Sometimes bands like Radiohead a hit or miss with me. I like some stuff, but occasionally it sounds like ambient noise. This one I liked, but not enough to make it a regular listen. 3.5/5 Might listen again
Bee Gees
2/5
Nothing really great about this album, but it is so much better than Trafalgar, which I have previously listened to on this list. There are a couple of songs that are at least passable as good music. I kind of liked "Marley Purt Drive". 2/5 Won't listen again
Brian Eno
2/5
Most of this album is weird instrumentals that kind of seem like Zeno just trying things out in the studio. The few songs with lyrics are also not that spectacular. 2.5/5 Won’t listen again
Bob Dylan
4/5
Some of Dylan’s best work. The songs are great and really flow well together on the album. 4.5/5 Will listen again
The Streets
2/5
Just an odd cadence, and the lyrics don't really resonate with me. Most of the beats on the album are lacking as well. Not a completely terrible album, but also just not very good. 2/5 Won't listen again
Air
3/5
Liked the album, just not as upbeat of a dance record as I would want. 3/5 Might listen again
Buzzcocks
3/5
The drums really stick out to me on this album. The songs are pretty standard, but that is to be expected with when this was released. Overall, thought it was enjoyable. 3/5 Would listen again
Creedence Clearwater Revival
3/5
Some classic CCR songs on this album. My favorite, and maybe favorite CCR song ever is "Lodi". The album tends to not differentiate much from song to song, but is still pretty good. 3.5/5 Would listen again
Barry Adamson
1/5
Just a strange pick for a list of albums you "have" to listen to. Son of the tracks were listenable, but this album is filled with weird music with background chatter and other noises. 1/5 Won't listen again
Caetano Veloso
2/5
Was excited to listen to this, but in the end was let down. I usually really like this kind of music, but this album really lacked something. It misses a few real standout songs. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
Jimi Hendrix
4/5
At times it sounds like you are in the studio with the band, listening to them play. It does ramble a little, but this is probably the most authentic of his albums to come out during Hendrix's time on earth. His guitar playing is still just so raw and unparalleled. 4/5 Will listen again
The Go-Betweens
2/5
Pretty generic. Really nothing particularly special about this album. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Kanye West
2/5
Not very impressed. I like some of West’s earlier work, but found this to be a little too over the top. The beats are uniquely him, which kind of saves the album for me, but the lyrics are just not impressive. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Magazine
4/5
Really liked this one. I can see where this influenced a lot of music after it came out. This is the kind of album I was hoping to be introduced to when listening to this list. 4/5 Will listen again
Solomon Burke
3/5
I like soul music. I liked this album. Was not familiar with Burke, but the album sounds great, just missing a few really spectacular songs. 3.5/5 Will probably listen again
Curtis Mayfield
3/5
The music on this album is incredible. Great bass and keyboard playing, as well as the horns (such a necessary and great addition). So much funk and soul. 3.5/5 Will probably listen again
Big Black
2/5
Wanted to like this, but had a hard time with the industrial sound. The effects were really rough on the ears. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Talking Heads
4/5
Love some much on this album, but this lacks a little to put it in the category with Speaking in Tongues or Remain in Light. Still a great album. 4/5 Will listen again
Lynyrd Skynyrd
4/5
Great album. Has some of the best work that Skynyrd has done. “Gimme Three Steps” is just a great track and obviously “Freebird” and “Tuesdays Gone” and classics. 4/5 Will listen again
James Brown
3/5
A great live record showcasing JB as a rockstar. Wasn’t familiar with any of the songs, and I prefer JB’s eventual pathway to funk music, but a great listen still. 3.5/5 Would listen again
Fever Ray
2/5
Not incredibly interesting. The music was at least passable, but the lyrics were just boring, especially with that delivery. 2/5 Won't listen again
Talking Heads
4/5
Great album. So many great songs, and it really bridges the gap from '77 to the more afrobeat influenced albums to follow. "Found a Job" is a personal favorite. 4.5/5 Will definitely listen again
The Replacements
3/5
Liked the album, thought some of the songs lacked a bit. 3/5 Might listen again
The Killers
2/5
Overall the album was underwhelming. I’ve heard that “Mr. Brightside” is one of my generation’s favorite songs, but I don’t have a connection with it. I did like that the bass was turned up in the mix though. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Queen
2/5
Strange concept album. Was not aware of its existence. Songs were fine, but nothing was noteworthy. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
Weather Report
4/5
Loved this. “Birdland” is obviously a staple of jazz music but this album is so much more than that. The interplay in the band is top notch and Jaco’s bass is just brilliant throughout. 4.5/5 Will definitely listen again
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
2/5
Pretty bland. Found Costello’s voice to be annoying. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Eminem
2/5
Did not enjoy this. Eminem has always been polarizing, but as I’ve grown older his vulgar and childish lyrics just don’t do it for me. He obviously has a lot of talent and this was an early album in his career, I just did not like it. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Electric Light Orchestra
3/5
Such a unique sound. This mix of orchestral strings with voice effects and rock melodies just somehow works. 3.5/5 Might listen again
Röyksopp
2/5
Not very interesting, lacks dynamic tracks. 2/5 Won’t listen again
SZA
3/5
Kind of enjoyed it. Liked the mix of lofi beats and she does have a great voice. 3/5 Might listen again
Various Artists
2/5
A collection of classic Christmas songs. If this is your kind of thing, I’d imagine it is great. I don’t really care for Christmas music, so I was not really interested in the album. 2/5 Wouldn’t listen again, although will probably here all these songs anyway around the holidays
The Human League
3/5
I kind of liked this album. A lot of these ‘80s synth pop albums are just very one note. “Don’t You Want Me” is one of the greatest songs of this genre though. 3/5 Might listen again
Nina Simone
3/5
Liked it, but left me sort of underwhelmed. The last song showed a more uptempo musical style I like more. 3/5 Might listen again
The Rolling Stones
3/5
Good Stones album. Not every song is great, so it lacks the overall strength of an “Exile” or “Let it Bleed”. 3.5/5 Probably will listen again
The Electric Prunes
2/5
All over the place. This album can’t seem to find a genre. The only interesting music is the pre-punk stuff. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Elton John
3/5
First two songs on the album are classics, the rest, not so much. Perfectly slightly above average album by EJ. 3/5 Might listen again
The The
2/5
Nothing notably great about the album, but nothing terrible either. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
Flamin' Groovies
3/5
Liked the album. Can definitely hear the similarities between this and some of the great Stones albums in that time. Overall pretty good, just missing a few standard tracks. 3.5/5 Probably will listen again
Portishead
2/5
Pretty boring. The songs are not very distinguishable from each other. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Guns N' Roses
2/5
Outside of the real hits this album lacks significantly. Rose’s voice is really grating on most songs, and musically they don’t stand out against other music of their time. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Girls Against Boys
2/5
Not very interesting. Nothing stood out on the album. 2/5 Won't listen again
Barry Adamson
2/5
Really strange album. It starts off with some absolute nonsense spoken word stuff, but eventually mixes in some borderline great jazz music. Overall not a fan though. 2/5 Might listen to "Miles" again.
Arcade Fire
3/5
Didn’t love the album, but at least with this one, I can understand why the band is popular. 3/5 Probably won’t listen again
The Flaming Lips
2/5
Strange album. A mix of pop/soft rock music with electronic effects. The lyrics seemed borderline childish at times, like someone carefully guiding you through a psychedelic trip. Never really gets interesting somehow. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again.
OutKast
3/5
Interesting concept of having Big Boi and andre3000 create solo albums and release them together as Outkast. The albums really show the difference between both of their styles. Andre3000’s has the big hits, but is relatively strange besides those two songs. Big Boi’s is the more consistent of the two. Overall pretty good, I think they are better in other works. 3.5/5 Might listen again
Skepta
3/5
Aggressively British. He has some decent verses, but overall just a good album. 3/5 Might listen again
Elton John
3/5
Album has a lot of class John tunes on it. Kind of loses a bit in the middle but overall a pretty good album. 3.5/5 Might listen again
CHIC
3/5
"Good Times" is obviously a classic. The rest of the album never gets close to that level, though the bass playing on the album is incredible. 3/5 Might listen again
Grizzly Bear
2/5
Dramatic indie rock music. Not bad, but never really does enough to be interesting. 2.5/5 Won’t listen again
Michael Kiwanuka
3/5
Ended up liking this one. Enjoyed the mix of soul music and the influences of his ancestral background. 3.5/5 Might listen again.
Tim Buckley
1/5
This is one of the those albums that makes you wonder what the parameters are to make this list. Truly an awful album. 1/5 Definitely won’t listen again
Doves
2/5
Starts off slow, but gets better. Some of the songs are good, but nothing really catches the ear. 2.5/5 Likely won’t listen again
The Velvet Underground
3/5
Interesting to hear the velvet underground before loaded. The spoken word track was not interesting, but overall a good album. 3/5 Might listen again
Beatles
4/5
First half of the album is incredibly polished, the second half is rudder but has some real beautiful moments. One of the Beatles more ambitious works. 4.5/5 Will definitely listen again
John Cale
2/5
Kind of interesting, but mostly just an odd album. It never gets bad, but never really does anything great. 2/5 Likely won't listen again
Janis Joplin
3/5
Janis' voice is so unique, but can be a little overwhelming. The songs are okay, there really is only one good song on the album. 2.5/5 Probably won't listen again
The Temptations
3/5
Good soul album. Doesn’t have many of their big songs, but still a good one. 3/5 Might listen again
Eagles
3/5
Harmonies are their strong point and this album has a few decent songs. Like the country influence more than what comes later in their career. 3/5 Might listen to a few of the songs again
Norah Jones
3/5
Beautiful voice, and some really beautiful songs. “Don’t Know Why” is a classic. 3.5/5 Probably will listen again
Liz Phair
3/5
Liked parts of this album, but some of the lyrics were lacking a refined edge. 3/5 Might listen again
The Band
5/5
Exceptional. One of the greatest folk/americana/rock albums ever made. Every song is wonderful and really transports you to another time. 5/5 One of my favorite albums ever
David Holmes
3/5
Okay album. Some of these electronic albums are tough, but I’m sure they are better performed live. I did like the street performance aspects on certain songs. And there is a song with a melodica, which I fully support. 3/5 Probably won’t listen again
Morrissey
3/5
Liked this more than some of his other albums. A little more uptempo songs, though the lyrics are similar. 3/5 Probably won’t listen again
Jefferson Airplane
3/5
Some good psychedelic music on this album. A lot of the songs sound similar, but there are some of their best on here. 3/5 Might listen again
Moby
2/5
Better than some of the other electronic albums on here so far, but still kind of weird listening to electronic music while just sitting around. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
Super Furry Animals
2/5
Not very interesting. Sounds like just another generic British alt rock/pop album. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
Kendrick Lamar
3/5
Musically one of the best modern rap albums. Some of the songs don’t work lyrically, but overall most of the songs are great. 3.5/5 Might listen again
Talking Heads
4/5
Great album. Doesn’t have the strength of some of their later works, but still great. “Pulled Up” is one of my favorite songs of theirs. 4/5 Will definitely listen again
John Lee Hooker
3/5
Really good blues album. Enjoyed the guests. 3.5/5 Might listen again
Johnny Cash
3/5
Great concept for a live album and overall a great album. Enjoyed that they left in the banter between songs. Gave it an authentic feel. 3.5/5 Probably will listen again
Steely Dan
3/5
Good album, not the best of their work. Lacks the overall groove of some of their other albums and doesn’t have as many strong songs. Still good though. 3/5 Might listen again
Arrested Development
3/5
Liked the album. Sounds a bit like Public Enemy mixed with more jazz/afrocentric influence. “Mr. Wendel” is a great song. 3.5/5 Probably will listen again
Björk
2/5
Very strange album. Listened to one of her other albums before on this list and really liked it, this one not as much. 2/5 Won’t listen again
The Only Ones
2/5
Not very interesting. The singers voice is a little too annoying and unpleasant at times. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Adele
3/5
Didn't think I'd like it but it's a lovely album. Good mix of slow ballads and more uptempo songs. Obviously her voice is great and stands up to some of the great singers of old. 3.5/5 Might listen to a few songs again
Paul Simon
5/5
Fantastic album. Definitely Simons best work. Love the influence and feature of African musicians. 5/5 Will no doubt listen often
Tom Tom Club
3/5
A strange album. On one hand Tina’s bass playing is unbelievable, but on the other hand, the lyrics are sporadic and almost childish. Still a fun album. 3.5/5 Might listen again
Blondie
3/5
Pretty average album. Couple of well known songs and a bunch of just okay ones. Nothing really stood out, but nothing was bad either. 3/5 Probably won’t listen again
The Young Rascals
3/5
An okay album. Nothing really stands out, but nothing was bad either. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
Björk
2/5
Really strange. Similar to another album of hers that I recently listen to for this list. Not for me. 2/5 Won’t listen again
R.E.M.
3/5
Good album. Has a couple of the bands more known songs, but the rest of the album just doesn’t inspire in the same way. 3/5 Might listen again
The White Stripes
3/5
An okay album. Nothing really great, but nothing that bad. 3/5 Probably won’t listen again
k.d. lang
2/5
Not my favorite kind if music. Most of the songs have similar delivery of lyrics and become repetitive. 2/5 Won't listen again
The Yardbirds
3/5
Good album. Can definitely hear how this album influences other music down the road. 3/5 Might listen again
Beastie Boys
3/5
Decent album. There are some random sporadic elements to this that don’t always work and some of the songs are a little flat. But, enjoyed the delivery from the group and some of the songs are pretty good. 3/5 Might listen again
Crowded House
3/5
Kind of liked this one. Some of the songs weren’t great, but overall liked the style and the music. 3/5 Might listen again
The Strokes
4/5
Really enjoyed this one. Can still remember when it came out and all the hype around it. The album definitely lives up to it. 4/5 Will listen again
The Youngbloods
2/5
Album was okay. Had some decent songs but in the end nothing that was really great. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
Frank Sinatra
3/5
Classic crooner album. Gets a bit repetitive and hard to distinguish between songs, but still a good listen. 3/5 Might listen again
John Coltrane
5/5
A masterpiece. The drums and bass are exceptional and Coltrane is just flawless. Finally some high level jazz on this list. 5/5 Will listen again
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
3/5
Lovely music. Not being able to understand the lyrics is secondary. 3.5/5 Might listen again
Simon & Garfunkel
3/5
Good album. Not their best, many of the songs don’t offer much, but “America” is just a great song. Kind of saves the album in the end. 3/5 Might listen again
The Stooges
3/5
Liked this one. The energy of the and really comes through. 3.5/5 Might listen again
Primal Scream
2/5
An okay pop album. Nothing was bad, but nothing was truly great either. Surprised I knew a song on it. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
David Bowie
3/5
Enjoyed this one. Has a few classic Bowie tunes on it. “Young Americans” is a great song. 3.5/5 Probably will listen again
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
3/5
Album was okay, some of the songs were alright. Still find Costello’s voice to be annoying. 3/5 Probably won’t listen again
Aerosmith
2/5
Has some decent songs on here. Enjoyed some of the more bluesy numbers. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
Sonic Youth
3/5
Interesting album. Some good songs, but occasionally gets a little weird. 3/5 Might listen again
Nirvana
4/5
Great live recording. Such a great concept to have musicians play somewhat acoustic back then. The songs here are really well done as well. 4/5 Will listen again
Taylor Swift
3/5
Not my kind of music. That being said, I can understand why people like her so much. For a pop record, it was good, but again just not for me. 3/5 Won’t listen again
Raekwon
3/5
Liked this one. Sometimes Wu Tang can get a little muddled with so many people on tracks. This was more direct. 3.5/5 Most likely will listen again
Dire Straits
3/5
Good album. “Sultans” is definitely the strong point. Wished it had a few more standout songs. 3/5 Might listen again
Earth, Wind & Fire
3/5
Some good bass lines on the album. Some of the slower songs lost my interest, but overall a good album. 3/5 Might listen again
The Hives
3/5
Some decent songs, a lot of it sounds the same. 3/5 Probably won’t listen again
Dirty Projectors
3/5
Strange, but I kind of liked it. Has some decent grooves and the delivery of the lyrics is unique. 3.5/5 Might listen again.
The White Stripes
3/5
Enjoyed this more than another one of their albums I listened to on this list. Some familiar songs, and just overall a good album. 3.5/5 Might listen again
Coldplay
2/5
Painfully average. Just generic and boring. Nothing interesting about it. 2/5 Won’t listen again
R.E.M.
3/5
Some classic songs on this album. Liked this more than the other one of theirs I’ve listened to on this list. 3.5/5 Might listen again
The Undertones
3/5
Interesting, kind of early punk album. I enjoyed it, partially cause how short it was, but overall it was good. 3/5 Might listen again
Oasis
3/5
All the sounds of “Morning Glory”, without any of the standout songs. Overall still good. 3.5/5 Probably will listen again
LTJ Bukem
1/5
Just bad. Sounds like the soundtrack for a bad action movie in the 90’s. 1/5 Won’t listen again
Screaming Trees
2/5
Not very interesting. Songs lack quite a bit of energy. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Songhoy Blues
4/5
Great mix of sounds. It’s amazing how well the blues is played in their unique style. 4/5 Will listen again
Bon Jovi
3/5
Some well known songs on here. The rest are just okay. Overall a good effort, just not great. 3/5 Might listen again
Massive Attack
2/5
Just not interesting. The songs lack a lot and the one with the breathing was just bad. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Supergrass
3/5
Not bad, but not that good either. Was decent to listen too, but nothing really jumped out. 3/5 Might listen again
Led Zeppelin
3/5
Decent album. Like the more expansive and psychedelic aspects of this. 3.5/5 Will probably listen again
Basement Jaxx
2/5
Not really my thing, but I did know a couple songs in here, which surprised me. Not bad per se, but just not something I would really listen to. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Scott Walker
2/5
Such a strange album, especially for its time. Lots of just weird lyrics. Not really bad, but not that good. Kind of funny though. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Radiohead
3/5
Album was pretty out there. I’ve enjoyed some of the Radiohead albums, but this one was just a little too eccentric for me. Didn’t think it was bad, just a little much. 3.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
Manic Street Preachers
2/5
Pretty average album. Nothing really interesting on here. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Def Leppard
2/5
Kind of boring. Didn’t have any standout songs. Not a huge fan of glam/hair rock, but this wasn’t at least fun like some others. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Laibach
2/5
The German chanting went a little long and was just strange. Surprised I knew a song on this, pretty sure I’ve heard it at a sporting event before. 2/5 Won’t listen again
R.E.M.
3/5
Good album. Didn't have any of the stand out tracks from some of the bands more acclaimed works, but still a good listen. 3.5/5 Might listen again
Portishead
2/5
Strange album. Switches genres regularly, which really catches you off guard. Just wish some of the songs were more interesting. 2.5/5 Probably won't listen again
Louis Prima
3/5
It was fun. Songs were good, really enjoyed the saxophone and other horns. Lyrics were light and fun. 3.5/5 Probably will listen again
David Bowie
3/5
Good album. Not as many familiar songs for me, but still enjoyable. 3.5/5 Might listen again
Blur
2/5
Not a bad album, but not really that good either. Pretty average overall. 2.5/5 Won't listen again
The Band
5/5
A masterpiece. Each song is great in its own right, and having multiple band members have lead vocals throughout the album adds to the overall greatness of this album. It’s just so good. 5/5 Listen often
Astor Piazzolla
3/5
Some beautiful music, but was a little boring at times. Wished there just a little more excitement. 3/5 Probably won’t listen again
Jeff Buckley
3/5
Decent album. Mostly slow song, which are performed well, but sometimes not what I want to listen to. In a different mood, it may have caught me better. 3/5 Might listen again
Dusty Springfield
2/5
Ok album. Some recognizable songs, but very generic. Her vocals save most of the songs. 2.5/5 Won’t listen again
Ray Charles
3/5
Interesting to hear Ray with a big band, not what I was expecting. Overall a good album, just think I prefer his later work more. 3/5 Might listen again
The Mamas & The Papas
3/5
Overall good. Some well known songs on here, but it never gets to a great place. 3/5 Might listen again
The Monks
3/5
Enjoyed the album. Like some of the early psychedelic stuff and the messaging that came along with it. 3/5 Probably will listen again
Neil Young
4/5
Great album by Young. Some truly great lyrics throughout and the overall tone is great. 4/5 Will listen again
Rod Stewart
2/5
The album was okay. Nothing really interesting, but wasn’t bad either. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
4/5
An album I have enjoyed. The vocals are great and “Maps” is an incredible song. This is the kind of indie rock that I hope to hear more of. 4/5 Will listen again
Public Enemy
3/5
Liked it. Sometimes Public Enemy can be very one dimensional, but their message is good and it still works overall. 3.5/5 Might listen again
Cream
3/5
Album was good, musically was great just didn’t enjoy the vocals that much. 3/5 Might listen again
Iggy Pop
4/5
Enjoyed this one. Was familiar with the title track, but amidst everything else was completely new. It was a lot groovier than I would have expected and I liked that. 4/5 Will listen again
2/5
Not that interesting. Found it hard to follow along and there were no songs that grabbed my attention. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Cocteau Twins
2/5
Not bad, but not very interesting either. Overall just did not grab my attention. 2.5/5 Won’t listen again
Blue Cheer
2/5
Loud and distorted. Musically not that impressive and some of the songs just dragged on. Recognized a couple of songs, but still didn’t think it was that good. 2/5 Won’t listen again
The Cars
3/5
Fun album. Some pretty decent pop songs to sing along to. 3.5/5 Might listen again
Kate Bush
1/5
Ehh, just not good. A strange album with some real random vocal choices. 1/5 won’t listen again
The Fall
3/5
Album was fine. Nothing great but nothing bad either. 3/5 Probably won’t listen again
The Doors
3/5
Good album. Some of the songs were fun and the bluesy influence was nice. 3/5 Might listen again
Kid Rock
1/5
When I was younger and knew little of the world some of the more known songs on this album seemed fun. In retrospect, it is a mash up of genres that comes off as over produced and muddled. Bob’s lyrics are awful and the character he pretends to be is shameful. 1/5 It is utter nonsense
Joe Ely
2/5
Fun, but just not really my thing. Starts pretty slow, but the songs get more interesting and upbeat towards the end. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
Don McLean
2/5
Just okay. It’s obviously in the list for “American Pie”, but the rest of the album doesn’t really go anywhere. 2/5 Probably won’t listen again
Jimi Hendrix
4/5
Great mix of psychedelic and blues. Obviously Hendrix’s guitar playing stands out, but the band works well together as a whole. Just a few songs always from being a truly incredible album. 4/5 Will listen again
The Rolling Stones
4/5
As good as it gets for Stones albums. This and Let it Bleed and Exile and the best of their catalog. Really likes the blues inspiration and “Can’t you hear me knocking” is just and unbelievable song. 4/5 Will listen again
The Pharcyde
3/5
Good 90’s hip hop album. Definitely their own sound, struggles a bit with lack of truly great tracks. Pretty good, just not at the level of other contemporary albums in that era. 3.5/5 Would listen again
Stevie Wonder
3/5
Some really good songs on this album. “Living for the City” is a real stand out. Album is good, but lacks a bunch of real great songs throughout. 3.5/5 Probably will listen again
Spiritualized
2/5
Album was kind of boring. Nothing was that interesting. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Public Enemy
3/5
Good album. Much like the other Public Enemy albums, I like the message but sometimes the music is too militant. I know that it fits, just not my favorite to listen to. 3.5/5 Might listen again
Ray Charles
3/5
Liked the album. Was a little slow at times, but Ray’s voice is iconic and I enjoyed some of the songs he covered. 3.5/5 Might listen again
Arcade Fire
2/5
Just not my kind of music. The songs were boring and dragged on. 2/5 Won’t listen again
3/5
Interesting album. Some of the segments are great, but it does ramble at times. Overall good, just not the easiest listening. 3/5 Might listen again
Marvin Gaye
3/5
Lots of really long form songs on the album. Can tell it’s not Gaye’s best, but overall a good album. 3/5 Might listen again
Rage Against The Machine
3/5
Good album. Have always liked Rage and this an enjoyable album, though not their best. “Killing in the Name of” is an amazing song. 3.5/5 Will listen again
Ministry
2/5
Not for me. I enjoy some metal music, but this had too much added effects and just weird lyrical stuff. 2/5 Won’t listen again
De La Soul
5/5
A masterpiece. One of the greatest early era hip hop albums. So many amazing tracks, with “Eye Know” being one of my favorite songs ever. The skits kind of hurt the overall flow of the album, but they’re not that bad. 5/5 Listen frequently
B.B. King
4/5
Lovely love album by the King. Loved hearing the audience reactions. A great blues record. 4/5 Will listen again
Nick Drake
3/5
Kind of liked this one. Just happened to be a rainy day and this was a great accompaniment to the world at large. 3.5 Probably will listen again
Metallica
4/5
Pretty good album. Not the best the band has done, but the songs are good and there aren’t really any misses. More of a fan of the earlier thrash stuff, but this is still a good album. 4/5 Probably will listen again
Pentangle
2/5
Another strange kind of renaissance album. A couple songs saved it from being absolutely terrible. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Run-D.M.C.
3/5
Good album. Some familiar songs on here which was nice. Just didn’t have too quality throughout. 3.5/5 Might listen again
Iron Maiden
3/5
Was okay. Thought the drums were great, but some of the guitar parts were boring. 3/5 Might listen again
Taylor Swift
2/5
Much slower and much less of a pop album than the other one I’ve listen to for this list. Didn’t really have any stand out songs and still way too overproduced. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Pixies
3/5
Good album. Similar to Surfer Rosa, where the most famous song on the album doesn’t really fit with the rest of the songs. Still enjoyed it. 3.5/5 Probably will listen again
The Clash
4/5
Enjoyed this one. Not every song is great, but there is some really amazing stuff on this. “Train in Vain” is awesome. 4/5 Will listen again
Funkadelic
4/5
Interesting album. Compared to some other Funkadelic/Parliament albums this one was toned down (for them at least) and had some really good psychedelic guitar work. The bass and groove are as good as always. 4/5 Will listen again
Justin Timberlake
2/5
Not for me. Some of the songs are listenable, but many are slow and/or boring. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Queen
3/5
Decent album. Mostly saved by the hit songs, so kind of top heavy. 3/5 Probably won’t listen again
Blur
2/5
Was okay. I can’t really remember anything that caught my ear, but nothing was bad either. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
The Style Council
3/5
Interesting. Kind of all over the map in terms of genres. Liked some of it, but not all of it. 3/5 Probably won’t listen again
Ray Price
2/5
Not really a country person. So this wasn’t bad, just not for me. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Johnny Cash
3/5
Good album. Really enjoyed the causal realness of Cash’s stage presence. Songs were mostly good. 3.5/5 Might listen again
Neil Young
3/5
Good album. Really like “Walk On”. Not as consistent as other Young albums. 3.5/5 Might listen again
Alice In Chains
3/5
Pretty good. Too much of the album sounded too much alike, but there were some good songs that I was familiar with. 3/5 Might listen again
Violent Femmes
3/5
Good album. Famous for “Blister”, but the other songs are interesting as well. Can see how it would have influenced a lot of music in the 90’s. 3.5/5 Probably will listen again
Sheryl Crow
3/5
Has some good songs. “Leaving Las Vegas” is her best song. Kind of loses steam towards the end. Overall was enjoyable. 3/5 Might listen to a couple songs again.
Genesis
4/5
Album has a real ebb and flow. Some of the songs are pretty much genius compositions, but some of the songs fall kind of flat. Overall was pretty good. 4/5 Will listen again
The Zombies
3/5
Pretty good. Nothing really stands out besides “Time” , but overall was still a good listen. 3/5 Might listen again
Joy Division
3/5
Kind of a one note album. Almost every song was the same. Wasn’t necessarily bad, just not very interesting. 3/5 Probably won’t listen again
Can
3/5
There are parts of this album that are amazing. Unfortunately, most of the album sounds like a sound check or that they kept recording between song takes. 3/5 Probably won’t listen again
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band
2/5
Found this one to be quite boring and uninspired. Not very good. 2/5 Won’t listen again
The Velvet Underground
3/5
Really good album. Not quite on the level as “Loaded” but still overall very good. “Sunday Morning” is an amazing song. 3.5/5 Will listen again
Sparks
3/5
Pretty good. There aren’t many songs that are memorable or distinguishable, but nothing bad either. Overall a good album. 3/5 Might listen again
Bad Brains
3/5
Album was ok. Knew a little about the band before listening and thought there would be more reggae influence in the album. 3/5 Might listen again
Stan Getz
5/5
Fantastic. Getz is just an amazing musician and his interplay with Byrd is so well done. Truly a great piece of art. 5/5 Definitely will listen again
David Bowie
3/5
Decent album. “Golden Years” is a great song. Album lacks a few more standout tracks. 3.5/5 Might listen again
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
3/5
Interesting. A real effort on the lead track, then some of the other songs are good, but overall just an okay album. 3/5 Probably won’t listen again
Goldie
2/5
Just not my thing. Repetitive and very long, just became easy to not pay attention while listening. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Leonard Cohen
4/5
Enjoyed this one. Cohen has written some truly timeless music, and this album is no different. 4/5 Will listen again
Fatboy Slim
3/5
Usually have a hard time with these just sitting around listening to electronic music, but this one I didn’t mind. 3.5/5 Might listen again (maybe at a party or something)
Derek & The Dominos
4/5
One of the great blues albums. “Layla” is one of my least favorite songs on here, which shows this album’s strength. 4/5 Will listen again
Bonnie Raitt
3/5
Raitt is very talented and I enjoyed a lot of the songs on this album. The tone is very 90’s era, especially the bass playing. Overall I liked this. 3.5/5 Probably will listen again
The Who
3/5
Kind of a top heavy album. The notable songs are great, but the others kind of fall flat. 3.5/5 Might listen again
Muddy Waters
4/5
Muddy is a master at his craft. Such a great blues album. 4/5 Will listen again
Jane Weaver
3/5
Didn’t mind this one. Kind of a strange album, but mostly kept my attention and overall was good. 3.5/5 Might listen again
Aretha Franklin
4/5
Aretha is fantastic. Enjoyed this one. She is so revered for a reason. 4/5 Will listen again
The National
2/5
Found this to be boring. A style of modern music that I just don’t enjoy that much, too slow. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Tricky
3/5
Good album. Definitely stays in the same tone the whole time. Easy to listen to, but not very dynamic in the end. 3/5 Might listen again
Giant Sand
3/5
Reminds me of the great Leo Kottke. Enjoyed this one. 3.5/5 Might listen again
Snoop Dogg
3/5
Has some classic early 90’s songs on here. “Who am I” is one of the great rap songs of that era. Love the G-funk. 3.5/5 Probably will listen again
Simon & Garfunkel
3/5
Starts out slow, but picks up energy as it goes along. Still a little too slow for me. 3/5 Might listen again
Pet Shop Boys
2/5
Found it to be quite boring. Mix of slow electronic music and melancholy lyrics, just not for me. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Michael Jackson
3/5
Has some well known songs, but overall found the album a little stale. Not as fun as other MJ albums. 3/5 Probably won’t listen again
Beastie Boys
3/5
Good album. Musically simple, but fun. Has some of their best songs on it. 3.5/5 Probably will listen again
Sonic Youth
2/5
Slow album. Never really made me interested. Surprising cause I have like some of their other work. 2.5/5 Won’t listen again
Christina Aguilera
2/5
She has a great voice, but this album can’t seem to decide which direction it wants to go. The stripped down songs are much better than the cheesy pop tunes. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Beatles
4/5
A good Beatles album. Lacks the overall strength of others, but still has some great songs. 3.5/5 Probably will listen again
Thelonious Monk
4/5
Lovely bit of music. Really like the interplay between the musicians. Nearly an amazing album, just missing a little something extra. 4.5/5 Will listen again
Randy Newman
2/5
Interesting stuff. Definitely has the relaxing and familiar sound you expect of Newman. Didn’t find any of it particularly appealing, but still a good listen. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
Aerosmith
3/5
Pretty average album. “Last Child” is a great song, but the rest of the album is pretty uninspired. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
Black Sabbath
3/5
Good album. Gets straight to the point. Surprised by how short it was. Still a good listen. 3/5 Might listen again
The Doors
3/5
Liked the start of this album. Some really good blues and the bass playing is great. Kind of teeters off midway through. Still a good listen. 3.5/5 Might listen again
Amy Winehouse
3/5
She oozes with style . Such a unique album for its time. 3/5 Might listen again.
The xx
2/5
Kind of boring. Just didn’t do it for me. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Aretha Franklin
3/5
Great album by Aretha. More upbeat than the other one I recently heard on this list. 3.5/5 Might listen again
Radiohead
3/5
Interesting. I know a lot of people hold this album in very high regard, but I still am not completely sold on the band. 3/5 Probably won’t listen again
Paul Simon
3/5
Decent album by Simon. This sounds similar to his work with Garfunkel, and I enjoy his more upbeat solo work. 3.5/5 Probably will listen again
Rush
3/5
Album was okay. Not overly familiar with Rush, but do like some of their work. This album didn’t have any real standout songs. 3/5 Might listen again
Supertramp
3/5
Album was decent. Missing some real standout songs, but still overall listenable. 3/5 Might listen again
Richard Hawley
2/5
Album was really slow and I found it kind of boring. Never really caught my attention. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Otis Redding
4/5
Fantastic. Redding’s voice really shines and the song selection is great. 4/5 Will listen again
3/5
Liked this one. Easy to listen to and I enjoyed the energy of the band. 3.5/5 Probably will listen again
Suzanne Vega
3/5
Decent album. Definitely one I would have to be in the mood for. Liked her more uptempo songs. 2.5/5 Might listen again
The United States Of America
2/5
Kind of boring. Could have easily cut some of the songs on the album. 2/5 Probably won’t listen again
The Smiths
3/5
I liked this more than I thought I would. More uptempo than I assumed the album would be. Still not my favorite style of music but I enjoyed this. 3.5/5 Might listen again
Dennis Wilson
2/5
Fairly boring. Did enjoy the title track, but overall the album was missing standout songs. 2/5 Probably won’t listen again
Echo And The Bunnymen
2/5
Sounds like a lot of other albums on this list. Just not my kind of music. Found it uninteresting. 2/5 Probably won’t listen again
Pink Floyd
4/5
A little long winded at times, but much of this album is great. Kind of an experience more than just an album. 3.5/5 Probably will listen again
Lauryn Hill
4/5
Enjoy the message and the beats in this album. Missing a few real standout tracks. “Doo Wop (That Thing)” is a truly amazing song. 3.5/5 Probably will listen again
Paul McCartney and Wings
4/5
Fun album. Songs are really well done. One of the best solo albums by any member of the Beatles. "Mrs. Vandebilt" was my favorite on the album. 4/5 Will listen again
Ride
2/5
Had some decent points, but overall kind of dragged on and never really caught my attention. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Funkadelic
4/5
Very much a Funkadelic album, but a little more refined than most of the others. “Can You Get to That” is a classic. 4/5 Will listen again
Christina Aguilera
3/5
A very good 2000's era Pop album. Aguilera's vocal talent stands out compared to her peers of that time. Musically, her albums go back and fourth between showcasing her talent and trying to keep up with the other Pop songs of time. Overall this is not my kind of music, but gets extra points for having Redman on a song. 2.5/5 Won't listen again
Dead Kennedys
3/5
Liked this. Enjoyed the aggression and the brevity. The album is short and too the point. 3.5/5 Probably will listen again
Marty Robbins
2/5
Kind of a novelty album. I have seen this being restocked at my local record store almost weekly, so it is obviously popular. It was fun, but a little too repetitive. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again.
Burning Spear
4/5
Great reggae album. Burning Spear is amazing and this is one of if not his best works. Just saw him live recently and he is as lively as ever. 4/5 Will listen again
Bad Company
3/5
Decent album. Some familiar songs and some just fun 70's rock songs. Nothing crazy impressive, but still a good time. 3/5 Might listen again
Joni Mitchell
4/5
Absolutely beautiful. Just a real work of art, and a musician with unbelievable talent. I wish i had listen to this earlier in life. 4.5/5 Definitely will listen again
Beatles
4/5
Great album. Lacks the overall strength of other Beatles albums, but still really good. 4/5 Will listen again
Madonna
2/5
Some decent Pop songs, but most of the album lacks that something special. Really cool that Prince is on this album a few times. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
Dion
2/5
Not bad, but not very interesting either. No real standout songs. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
Buck Owens
2/5
Pretty standard old country western album. Nothing that great on here, overall pretty average. 2/5 Probably won’t listen again
Ryan Adams
2/5
Fairly generic. Songs were quite flat and uninspiring. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Tears For Fears
3/5
Album was alright. A few notable songs that I was familiar with, but some of the other tracks were really slow and boring. 3/5 Probably won’t listen again
The Pretty Things
2/5
Had a hard time paying attention to this one. Nothing really grabbed me and everything was pretty boring. 2/5 Won’t listen again
2/5
Kind of bland. Everything is too similar and nothing really stands out. 2/5 Won't listen again
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
3/5
Pretty standard rock and roll album. Gets to the point and has some fun songs. 3/5 Might listen again
Bob Marley & The Wailers
4/5
Great album by Bob and the Wailers. “Bend Down Low” is one of my favorite tunes by them. Overall a solid reggae album. 4/5 Will listen again
Alice Cooper
2/5
Album was okay. Besides the title track, much of this album just doesn't do much. Overall kind of boring. 2/5 Probably won't listen again
Yes
3/5
Liked this one. Interesting prog rock album with one well known track. 3.5/5 Probably will listen again
Nine Inch Nails
2/5
Interesting album. A couple songs I was familiar with. Not really a fan of industrial type music. 2/5 Probably won’t listen again
Coldcut
2/5
Album is okay. Not really my kind of music, especially just sitting around and listening. Maybe I would enjoy it more if I was at a party or club. 2.5/5 Probably won't listen again
Bert Jansch
3/5
Nice acoustic music. Nothing spectacular. Overall a good album. 3/5 Might listen again.
The Flaming Lips
2/5
Too much going on. Lyrics are hard to hear on many songs cause of overproduction and effects. Overall just okay. 2/5 Probably won't listen again
The Jam
3/5
Album was alright. Some fun songs on here. Nothing really grabbed my attention though. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
The Sugarcubes
2/5
Kind of a strange album. Some of Bjork's vocal work is impressive, but ultimately a little too much for me. Some of the songs are musically interesting. Overall just okay. 2.5/5 Probably won't listen again
Haircut 100
4/5
It’s just a fun album. So many good songs and the music is tight and funkier than you would expect. “Calling Captain Autumn” and “Marine Boy” are standout songs. 4/5 Definitely will listen again
Marvin Gaye
3/5
Good album. Gaye’s voice is great and the songs are pretty good. A little too slow for my liking . 3.5/5 Might listen again
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
Album was good. Kind of top heavy. The hits are good, the other songs are lacking. 3/5 Might listen again
M.I.A.
3/5
Interesting album. Very ambitious in style, but some of the songs are a little too scattered. When it works, it really works. 3/5 Probably will listen again
Willie Nelson
3/5
Decent album. Still can’t fully get behind country music, but I do like Willie. I just know he has better stuff out there. 3/5 Might listen again
Fairport Convention
2/5
Better than some of the other similar albums on this list. Still don’t really think this is necessary listening. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Metallica
3/5
Good album. I’ve always liked “Battery” and the whole album works well. Just like some of their other albums more. 3.5/5 Probably will listen again
Rush
3/5
Overall a good album. Some of the songs drag on, but liked a few of them. 3.5/5 Might listen again
The Velvet Underground
3/5
Overall a good album. Lacking on some stand out songs, but the album works. 3.5/5 Probably will listen again
Robert Wyatt
2/5
So, this is a tough album for sure. But I don’t think it’s the worst thing on this list. I guess I kind of appreciate the effort here, but it does fall short and gets a little too off at times. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Miles Davis
4/5
This was fantastic. Even the parts that were a little more wandering, was there to build up to the next piece of each song. It was calm yet poignant and interesting. 4.5/5 Would definitely listen again
Nick Drake
4/5
Enjoyed this one. Something about his music is oddly comforting. Would be good for a fall or rainy day. 4/5 Would listen again
Janelle Monáe
2/5
Strange album. Appreciate the effort, but it try’s to do too much and mostly results in a muddled mess. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
The Stranglers
3/5
Album was okay. Seemed like they took inspiration from other artists and made an album. Not necessarily a bad thing, just wish it was done better. 3/5 Possibly would listen again
Mike Oldfield
2/5
Strange, like a movie score. Really liked the sea shanty at the end of the second song. Kind of all over the place, sometimes missing the mark. 2/5 Probably won’t listen again
Steely Dan
4/5
Overall a pretty solid album. Definitely is a little too heavy, but the music is good. 3.5/5 Probably will listen again
Pink Floyd
4/5
I’ve gone back and forth on this album for years. It’s good, but sometimes feels a little slow for me. 3.5/5 Might listen again
Joan Armatrading
3/5
Album was good. Nothing spectacular, but was an easy listen. 3/5 Might listen again
Stevie Wonder
3/5
Mostly enjoyed this. Sometimes his music can be a little too slow for me, but his more upbeat songs are great. 3.5/5 Probably will listen again
X-Ray Spex
3/5
Fun album. Liked the addition of horns to some early pop/punk music. Overall decent. 3/5 Might listen again
Beatles
5/5
This album has slowly, over time, become one of my favorite Beatles albums. It’s fun to listen to, and every song just has that it factor. “You Won’t See Me” is one of my favorite songs in their entire catalog. 5/5 Will definitely listen again
Alexander 'Skip' Spence
2/5
Strange album. First half had some okay songs, then the second half was more of a continuous test recording. Overall it was kind of bland. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Amy Winehouse
2/5
Album was okay. Not as interesting as the other album of hers I’ve listened to for this list. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
Travis
2/5
Pretty boring. Album was filled with songs that weren’t very interesting. 2/5 Won’t listen again
2/5
Album was okay. Nothing too interesting. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
Johnny Cash
4/5
Enjoyed this. Really stripped down. Mostly covers, but all done well. 4/5 Will listen again
Everything But The Girl
2/5
Pretty boring and uninteresting. Not necessarily bad, but not really that good. 2/5 Won't listen again
DJ Shadow
2/5
Some interesting things on this album, but kind of a weird thing to listen to. More of a demo type album. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
Gary Numan
2/5
Album was okay. Some fun stuff, but overall kind of repetitive. 2/5 Probably won’t listen again
Michael Jackson
3/5
Album was fun. Had mostly good songs and a few very popular tunes. Liked “P.Y.T” the most. 3.5/5 Might listen again
Donovan
3/5
Album was okay. Some familiar songs, but nothing that notable otherwise. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
Mekons
2/5
Not that into this one. Was pretty uninteresting. 2/5 Won’t listen again
AC/DC
3/5
Album was okay. Title track was easily the best on here, the rest were pretty forgettable. They have better albums. 3/5 Probably won’t listen again
2/5
Liked some of the music, especially the bass playing. However, the songs left a lot to be desired. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
Mott The Hoople
3/5
Nothing particularly special about this album, but was a decent listen. Overall it was enjoyable. 3/5 Might listen again
Eric Clapton
3/5
Album was fine. Liked the Bob cover, though I prefer the original. This is in Clapton’s prime. 3/5 Might listen again
Steve Winwood
3/5
Album was okay. Nothing bad, but nothing that impressive either. 3/5 Probably won’t listen again
Hanoi Rocks
2/5
Album was okay. Nothing that interesting. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
3/5
Strange but kind of fun. Would have liked to listen to Coleman’s versions to compare side by side. Overall I liked it, but it is a very niche album. 3/5 Might listen again
Fats Domino
3/5
Liked this one. Would have to be in the mood for it, but overall it was fun to listen to. 3.5/5 Might listen again
Suede
2/5
Album was okay. Didn’t have much wrong, but wasn’t that interesting either. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
Nightmares On Wax
3/5
Album was fine. A bunch of relaxing beats. I don’t know if I would put this on for many situations, but I wasn’t bad. 3/5 Might listen again
The Magnetic Fields
2/5
Obviously this album is too much. There are some good songs on here, though few and far between. The length and amount of songs brings this down. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Lou Reed
3/5
Pretty good. Familiar with “Wild Side”, but nothing else really. Prefer the Velvet Underground, but this was still good, though a little stranger. 3/5 Probably will listen again
The Boo Radleys
3/5
Nothing wrong with this, but not overly interesting either. Pretty average. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
The Mars Volta
3/5
Liked the energy of this album. A style of music I don’t listen too often, but enjoyed this one. 3/5 Might listen again
Super Furry Animals
2/5
Kind of strange. Some parts of songs are fine, but some go into these weird changes of style. Not particularly good. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Björk
2/5
Strange, much like some of her other work I’ve heard on this list. Appreciate her to an extent, but still just not for me. 2/5 Won’t listen again
TV On The Radio
2/5
A little more out there than what I was familiar with. It was good, just maybe a little slower than I usually like. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
Isaac Hayes
2/5
It’s good. The funk is played well, an the orchestral parts in the theme are well done. It’s just kind of kitschy. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
TLC
3/5
Overall liked this one. Some of the slower songs are not my thing and the album is aggressively 90’s music. But their group dynamic is great and the beats are good. 3.5/5 Might listen again
Paul Weller
3/5
Kind of liked this. Enjoyed the bluesy elements. Just no standout songs for me. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
Hüsker Dü
3/5
Wasn’t a bad album, just nothing too great. Can see the comparison to REM and it is just a step below them. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
Frankie Goes To Hollywood
3/5
Interesting album. Not totally my style, but the covers were fun and “Relax” is well known. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
Jethro Tull
2/5
It was okay. Kind of a run of the mill 70’s rock album. Nothing really great about it. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
The Darkness
3/5
Album is not bad. Kind of single toned. Not a very serious album, but it is pretty fun. 3/5 Might listen again
The La's
2/5
It was alright. An okay album with one standout song. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
Mariah Carey
2/5
Her voice is obviously great, but this album wasn’t for me. Too slow, which is her style, just not my favorite. 2/5 Won’t listen again
The Flying Burrito Brothers
3/5
Album was good. Nothing spectacular, but still an easy listen. 3/5 Might listen again
Grateful Dead
4/5
Love the Dead. One of the most influential bands of my life. This is an album that would probably not turn someone onto them. “Lovelight” is an amazing song, and “St. Stephen” is fantastic, but “Feedback” is kind of rough. They get so much better in the next year. 4/5 Will listen again.
RIP Phil
808 State
2/5
Not for me. Kind of difficult for me to get into electronic music just hanging out in my house or even driving. 2/5 Won't listen again
Kraftwerk
2/5
Album was okay. Not really my thing, and again listening to electronic music casually at home just doesn't do it for me. 2/5 Probably won't listen again
Peter Gabriel
2/5
Not much going on for me on this album. "Solsbury Hill" is a known song, and kind of the only thing this album has going for it. 2.5/5 Probably won't listen again
Green Day
3/5
Fun album. As a kid who grew up in the 90's, this is likely the first punk record I ever heard. Still find some of the songs to be good. 3.5/5 Might listen again
Cornershop
2/5
Not very notable. Not bad, but not interesting. 2/5 Probably won’t listen again
The Prodigy
2/5
Like the 3rd electronic album this week. Just not my thing. 2/5 Won’t listen again
John Martyn
3/5
Kind of liked this one. Surprised by the different styles of music on here. 3/5 Might listen again
Pantera
3/5
Enjoyed this. Always enjoy metal drums and guitar. “Walk” is a great song. 3.5/5 Might listen again
Bob Dylan
3/5
Decent album by Bob, but not his best. There are some good songs on here, but there is also some forgettable ones. "Don't Think Twice.." is one of my favorite songs of his. 3.5/5 Might listen again
The Smashing Pumpkins
3/5
Album is okay. Overall the tone really isn’t my thing, but the songs I knew before listening are still good. A two plus hour album is rough though. 3/5 Probably won’t listen again
Ice T
3/5
Overall I liked it. The beats are not better than most of the other rap of the time, but they are distinct. Like the punk/hard rock influence in the music. 3/5 Might listen again
Love
2/5
Kind of boring. Not a bad album, just not very interesting. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Talvin Singh
2/5
Another electronic album. At least one had some interesting influences. 2.5/5 Won’t listen again
Marvin Gaye
4/5
Vocally great. Really enjoyed how the album was a continuous piece. “What’s Going On” is one of the most significant songs in modern music history. 4/5 Will listen again
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
4/5
Beautiful. Like water flowing over a stone or the wind blowing through tall grass. Enjoyed this. 4/5 Will listen again
Slipknot
4/5
Drums are really good. Kind of interesting going back and forth with the lyric delivery. Kind of long for an album that is fairly similar throughout. 2.5:5 Might listen again
Ozomatli
4/5
Enjoyed the Latin influence. Great to see an album with Cut Chemist and Chali 2na on the list. Pretty fun album overall. 3.5/5 Will listen again
Tom Waits
2/5
Strange album. Not always in a good way. Appreciate the various genres attempted, but it sometimes makes the album feel disjointed. 2/5 Won’t listen again
The Damned
3/5
Enjoyed this. Liked the early stage punk. 3/5 Might listen again
Malcolm McLaren
3/5
Some really enjoyable parts of this album. Knew the music by Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens right away. Bummer they weren’t properly credited. 3.5/5 Probably will listen again
The Kinks
3/5
Good album. Nothing objectively bad about it, just nothing that really sets it apart from the other 60's Brit-pop. 3/5 Might listen again
Neneh Cherry
3/5
Album was okay. Nothing bad, but nothing really stood out either. Did appreciate the social issues brought up in the music. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
3/5
Enjoyable album. Really liked “Victoria”. Everything else was good, just not as standoutish. 3/5 Might listen again
John Lennon
3/5
Good album. Liked the themes and the music was good. 3/5 Might listen again
Daft Punk
3/5
Album was fine. Not the best for just listening casually at home. A few of the songs were recognizable. 3/5 Probably won’t listen again
Big Star
2/5
Pretty bland album. Nothing really interesting. Not horrible though. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
3/5
Good album. Seems to be more disco influenced than the other album of theirs on this list. 3.5/5 Might listen again
Black Sabbath
4/5
Overall a really good album. Has some of the bands heavy hitters, “War Pig” is a great song. Enjoyed the psychedelic mixed with heavier tones. 4/5 Will listen again
Holger Czukay
3/5
Album was okay. Definitely sounds like a movie score. 3/5 Probably won't listen again.
Skunk Anansie
2/5
Fairly bland. Not much interesting going on here. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Joni Mitchell
4/5
Uniquely beautiful. Her voice is truly amazing and her cadence is just wonderful. “Free Man in Paris” is a great song. 4/5 Will listen again
Lightning Bolt
2/5
Just not very good. There are short parts of songs that are nice, but overall this was not a good listen. 2/5 Won’t listen again
The Cure
2/5
Not as good as their more popular stuff. Kind of boring. 2.5/5 Won’t listen again
The Libertines
2/5
Not very interesting. Nothing truly bad, but nothing of note either. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Thin Lizzy
3/5
It’s alright. Not familiar enough with the band to know of these are good versions of their songs. Not the most prolific band, kind of surprised they got a live album on this list. 3/5 Probably won’t listen again
George Michael
2/5
Knew one song on here. Feels like an album that you had to experience when it came out to fully understand. A little too slow for me. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Common
4/5
Enjoyed this one. Like Common’s message and the mix of hip hop and r&b. “GO!” Is a great song. 3.5/5 Will listen again
King Crimson
3/5
Definitely an interesting album. Some parts were good, but the noodling was a bit too aimless at times. 2.5/5 Might listen again
The Temptations
3/5
Okay album. "Papa Was a Rolling Stone" is a well known classic. Kind of lacks anything else that is really notable. 2.5/5 Probably won't listen again
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
2/5
Wasn't a bad album. Just not really that interesting either. Kind of meh. 2.5/5 Probably won't listen again
Gotan Project
3/5
Liked parts of this album. Seemed to have a lot of dub influence mixed with Latin music. I think I even heard a melodica in there. It does taper off in the second half and become more electronic focused. A little too long as well. 3/5 Might listen again
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
3/5
I knew some of the back story of this before listening, so I am a little biased. On a technical level, this is one of the most ambitious and impressive albums. However, it is hard to listen to and some of the songs are pretty abrasive. That being said, there are some really great moments and the album definitely gets points for its ambition. 3/5 Might listen again
UB40
4/5
Enjoyed this. More dub than straight up reggae. Mix in the horns and this is a good album overall. 3.5/5 Will listen again
Emmylou Harris
3/5
Not a huge fan of country music , but her voice is great. No songs stand out, but nothing is bad either. Overall a good album. 3/5 Probably won’t listen again
4/5
Pretty good album. Some really good songs on here. “Don’t Look Back in Anger” is a great song. Liked this. 4/5 Will listen again
Bonnie "Prince" Billy
3/5
I liked this. Definitely an album that fits a mood. Pretty sad lyrics and tone, but done well. 3/5 Might listen again
The Rolling Stones
4/5
Likely my favorite album of theirs. Really enjoy the country/blues influence. 4/5 Will listen again
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
2/5
Just didn’t do it for me. Songs were not very good and that 14 minute song was a chore to get through. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Brian Eno
3/5
It was alright. There weren’t really any songs that stood out, but it wasn’t a bad album. 3/5 Probably won’t listen again
Dagmar Krause
2/5
Definitely interesting. Sounds like the music from a WWII themed musical. Not the easiest listen but wasn’t horrible. 2/5 Probably won’t listen again
Madonna
2/5
I’m not opposed to pop music, but this was not very good. Her foray into electronic based pop music falls flat. Most of the songs are boring and forgettable. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Kings of Leon
2/5
Musically the album is okay, just not very special. Lyrics were consistently hard to understand throughout the album, which made this a bit of a chore. At least it was short. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Van Halen
3/5
Fun, but in a kind of stupid way. The hit songs really stand out and the rest of the album is pretty mediocre. 3/5 Might listen again
Paul McCartney
3/5
Album was alright. Definitely weaker than some of his other solo work. “Maybe I’m Amazed” is a good song. 3/5 Might listen again
The Chemical Brothers
2/5
Pretty run of the mill electronic music. A little manic at times and still not a great listen while just hanging around the house. Maybe better at a club. 2.5/5 Won’t listen again
The B-52's
4/5
Such a unique sound. You can tell it’s them. Fun listen and quick. Enjoyed the mix of genres. 3.5/5 Will probably listen again
Merle Haggard
2/5
It’s fine for an old country album, if that is your thing. Couldn’t really distinguish between songs and found nothing that was overly impressive. At least it was short. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
Sebadoh
3/5
Like the music. A very 90’s grunge sound. Overall a good album. 3/5 Might listen again
Koffi Olomide
3/5
Liked this album. Reminds me of some music from Soweto that I enjoy and was being made around the same time. 3.5/5 Will listen again
Jeff Beck
3/5
Like the bluesy influence. Recognize a couple songs from other bands covering. Overall a good album. 3/5 Might listen again
Leonard Cohen
2/5
His voice is very recognizable. Sometimes it is too slow and the songs are sort of oddly timed. Overall an okay album. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
Dr. Dre
4/5
A highly influential early 90's rap album. I am a big fan of P-Funk, so the G-Funk beats are fantastic. Parts of this album haven;t aged well, and Snoop Dogg is basically the one rapping on most songs, but it is a overall good album. "Nuthin' but a 'G' Thang" is one of the great rap songs. 3.5/5 Will listen again.
Orbital
2/5
Another electronic album. Just doesn’t really do it for me, especially just driving around doing errands. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Cee Lo Green
2/5
Wanted this to be better than it was. The amount of talent associated with this album is crazy, but the album is rather mediocre. No great singles, and nothing really dynamic going on. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Devendra Banhart
2/5
Fairly boring. Nothing really notable in the album. 2/5 Won’t listen again
TV On The Radio
3/5
I mostly enjoyed this. Parts were a little too effects driven and overproduced for me. Interesting to hear “Golden Age” not as a cover. Overall a good album. 3/5 Might listen again
Sarah Vaughan
3/5
Lovely music. Her voice is beautiful and the band is really good. A good album. 3/5 Might listen again
Curtis Mayfield
3/5
Good album. Like the funk influence mixed with Mayfield’s voice. 3/5 Might listen again
Count Basie & His Orchestra
3/5
Enjoyed this. Album cover is almost comical compared to the music. Nice listen. Nothing spectacular, but good. 3/5 Might listen again
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
3/5
Good album. Their collective harmonies work well with the music. Very laid back and soothing. Peaceful. 3.5/5 Probably will listen again
Sister Sledge
3/5
Disco Funk. Bass lines are great and the songs are mostly fun. Overall a good album. 3.5/5 Might listen again
Pere Ubu
3/5
An interesting album. Not sure if I retained anything, but it wasn’t bad to listen to. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
The Rolling Stones
3/5
Like how bluesy this album was. Not the best by the Stones, and if it wasn’t their first album, not sure it would be on this list. Overall it was okay. 3/5 Probably won’t listen again
Sufjan Stevens
3/5
Kind of too long. Most of the songs are fairly mediocre. Got better towards the end, but just wasn’t very interesting overall. 2.5/5 Won’t listen again
2/5
Just not for me. Can’t really see a time where I would want to listen to this album. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Steely Dan
3/5
Steely Dan is always kind of hit or miss for me. There great songs are really great, but they can be kind of boring sometimes. “Black Cow” and “Peg” do a lot of the work on this album. 3.5/5 Probably will listen again
Jah Wobble's Invaders Of The Heart
2/5
Some interesting stuff on here, but it is a little too scattered and not very interesting. Overall it’s okay. 2/5 Won’t listen again
The Allman Brothers Band
4/5
A great live album. Early on in their career, so not as polished as they would eventually become. Some really ABB classics on here. 4.5/5 Will definitely listen again
JAY Z
3/5
It’s an okay rap album. There are some radio hits, but not much else on here that’s notable. 3/5 Might listen again
The Bees
2/5
Not overly interesting. Pretty average album overall. 2.5/5 Won’t listen again
Foo Fighters
3/5
It’s okay. Nothing spectacular, just an average rock album. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
David Bowie
2/5
Found this one to be a little too much for me. Overall produced and not as good as some of Bowie’s earlier work. At least it took a chance. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Thundercat
3/5
He is an extremely talented bass player and the album really helps solidify that. The songs are kind of lacking and rather slow. Overall it’s interesting, but not as good as it could be. 3/5 Might listen again
Serge Gainsbourg
2/5
It’s kind of a strange album. Very chill musically, but the near spoken word delivery of the lyrics gets kind of repetitive. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
Pet Shop Boys
2/5
I don’t know, once again a pop/electronic album that isn’t too impressive. It’s not bad, but just not very interesting. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Miriam Makeba
4/5
Lovely album. Her voice is wonderful and the songs are filled with joy and beauty. 4/5 Will listen again
Motörhead
4/5
Fuck. Yes. No frills, just straight to the point, well played rock and roll. 4/5 Will listen again
Os Mutantes
4/5
Really enjoyed most of this album. The South American take on psychedelic was great to listen to. Overall I liked this. 3.5/5 Will listen again
Hawkwind
2/5
I guess I just didn’t find this interesting. Album was too long and most of the songs are meandering. 2/5 Won’t listen again
King Crimson
3/5
Ambitious, but falls a little flat. Nothing bad, just not great. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
Fugees
4/5
A classic. The skits are a bit too much, but the music, the lyrics, the message, all of it is amazing. 4/5 Will listen again
The Beach Boys
4/5
Harmonizing is great, one of the best groups at doing it and this album is them at their best. Some great classic songs on here. 3.5/5 Would listen again
Boards of Canada
2/5
Not really my thing. At times kind of a lo-fi sound and sometimes more of a hip hop beat. Not necessarily bad, just not for me. 2/5 Won’t listen again
The Sabres Of Paradise
2/5
Another electronic album. Not very interesting and wouldn’t be fun at all party either. 1.5/5 Won’t listen again
John Lennon
3/5
Good album. “Imagine” is obviously the hit on here. Enjoy the messaging of the album. 3.5/5 Might listen again
Slayer
3/5
Good thrash album. Some of the songs would have been better if they extended them. The beginning of “Raining Blood” is great. 3/5 Might listen again
Cyndi Lauper
3/5
Has some good songs. Aggressively ‘80s. Her voice is kind of grating at times. 3/5 Might listen again
Incubus
3/5
An okay album. Very much a representation of the Y2K era of music. Like it when they go a little heavier. 3/5 Might listen again
Fishbone
3/5
Fun album. Some really upbeat songs and great use of horns throughout. Doesn’t always hit, but overall a good album. 3.5/5 Probably will listen again
Charles Mingus
4/5
Really good album. Enjoyed the connective nature of the sons and the melodies were great. When the band explored more the album shines. 4/5 Will listen again
Buena Vista Social Club
4/5
Great album. The standard for Afro-Cuban jazz. Just some wonderful music. 4/5 Will listen again
Sugar
2/5
Album was okay. Nothing really stood out but nothing was explicitly bad either. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
Aerosmith
2/5
An okay album. Hasn’t really aged well. The songs are campy and the music isn’t especially good either. There are a couple of known songs, but overall it’s kind of lackluster. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Rod Stewart
3/5
Some fun songs on here. Really enjoyed the organ. Album was good. 3/5 Might listen again
Q-Tip
4/5
Really good album. More of a fun/party tone compared to a lot of Tribe albums. Q-Tip is a genius. 4.5/5 Will definitely listen again
The Stone Roses
3/5
It's a decent album. The first few song were not very interesting, but the album picks up near the end. Some of the later grooves are pretty good. 2.5/5 Might listen again
The Undertones
2/5
It’s fine. Nothing overly interesting, but nothing bad either. 2/5 Probably won’t listen again
Napalm Death
2/5
Interesting choice for this list. The music is frantic and often not synced with the vocals. It’s fast and loud, which is the style, but that makes it less technically impressive. At least the songs and album are short. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
Shuggie Otis
4/5
Really like the groove on this. Funk and Soul, not much else I could ask for. Overall really good. 4/5 Will listen again
R.E.M.
4/5
The messaging is great.Many of the songs are well played and there is a good mix of flat out rock songs and the softer ballads (often accompanied by a mandolin). "Stand" is a great song. 4/5 Will listen again
The Verve
3/5
Some decent parts of this album. Liked the music on a few songs, lyrically was mostly forgettable. Okay album. 3/5 Might listen again
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
It’s an alright album. Very much a classic Springsteen, some fun upbeat tunes and some slow down ones as well. Doesn’t quite have the hits that some of his other albums have. 3/5 Might listen again
Ghostface Killah
4/5
He is extremely talented. Takes the Wu Tang idea and expands. Some of the songs are a little lacking and the skits are pretty unforgettable. Overall a good rap album. 4/5 Will listen again
Linkin Park
2/5
One of the more successful Nu Metal albums. Feels a little overproduced and the lyrical themes don’t really resonate with me. 2/5 Probably won’t listen again
Tracy Chapman
4/5
Amazingly talented, her voice, her message and the music just work so well together. A little top heavy in terms of hit songs, but overall a really good album. 4/5 Will listen again
Chicago
3/5
Kind of surprised by this. Much more jazz influenced than I would have thought. Some of the instrumentals were a bit strange, but overall the album was better than anticipated. 3/5 Might listen again
The Mothers Of Invention
3/5
So fittingly odd. Trying to make a point, but musically a little all over the place. Still not a bad album. 3/5 Probably won’t listen again
Lupe Fiasco
3/5
Interesting Hip-Hop album. Liked the use of orchestra strings and he has a very laid back, easy flow. Songs were mostly good, but outside of "Kick Push" nothing really stands out. 3.5/5 Might listen again
The Who
3/5
The album is okay. This is before the signature sound of the band and is similar to a lot of British rock of that era. Some good songs, but outside of "My Generation" nothing is great. 3/5 Might listen again
Country Joe & The Fish
2/5
Pretty average album. Nothing too notable, yet nothing really bad either. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
Led Zeppelin
3/5
Some songs I like on here. Enjoyed the more stripped down tunes. Needed a few more stand out songs, but overall pretty good. 3/5 Might listen again
Ryan Adams
2/5
Not very memorable. Songs were okay, but nothing dynamic. 2/5 Won’t listen again
The Associates
2/5
Just not interesting to me. Wasn’t bad music, just very bland and uninspiring. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Drive-By Truckers
3/5
There are parts that I enjoyed. I think the music is pretty good and some of the lyrical content is intriguing. Album is too long and they reference Skynyrd a few too many times. 2.5/5 Probably won't listen again
Big Star
2/5
Kind of boring. Not that interesting. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Kraftwerk
3/5
Another electronic album. Listened to while driving, which I think added to the score. Overall it's okay. 3/5 Might listen to again (while driving).
Stephen Stills
2/5
It was just okay. “Love the One Your With” is the only stand out song. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
Deep Purple
2/5
Kind of bland. Album doesn’t do anything impressive. 2.5/5 Won’t listen again
Prince
3/5
Pretty good. Some of the grooves are really well played and funky. 3.5/5 Might listen again
U2
2/5
It’s okay. Nothing is objectively bad, but just not very interesting either. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
Deep Purple
3/5
Enjoyed the keys on this. Songs were mostly fine, but were lacking at times. 3/5 Might listen again
N.E.R.D
3/5
It was okay. Beats were good, but the lyrics and rhymes were just alright. Also lacks a lot of real standout songs. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
Genesis
3/5
Very melodic, almost like an epic in musical form. I liked it, but it does lack any real standout songs. Overall as a concept it was fairly good. 3/5 Might listen again
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
2/5
Kind of boring. Still find his voice to be sort of annoying. Overall it was okay. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
Heaven 17
2/5
Pretty forgettable. At least it was short. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Massive Attack
2/5
It was okay. There were some good moments, but it didn’t really capture me. 2.5/5 Might listen again
Boston
3/5
Fairly fun album. Most of the songs are perfect for karaoke. Nothing amazing, but good. 3/5 Might listen again
Hugh Masekela
4/5
Really enjoyed this one. I am familiar with Masekela, but this album was all new to me. The rhythm and grooves are great, and his trumpet playing is fantastic. 4.5/5 Will listen again
CHIC
3/5
Some fun songs on here. The slower songs didn’t really do it for me. The vocals and the bass playing are fantastic. 3.5/5 Might listen again
John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers
3/5
Decent blues album. Nothing overly impressive, just a good album. 3/5 Might listen again
Roni Size
2/5
Another electronic album. Still a little tough to listen to casually. Nothing overly impressive. Not the worst electronic album though, nearly jungle. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
The Mothers Of Invention
2/5
Definitely odd at times. Not as musically interesting or exploratory as expected. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Jimi Hendrix
3/5
It’s a good album. Not quite as good as “Are You Experienced?”. “Bold as Love” is the standout song. 3/5 Might listen again
The Divine Comedy
2/5
Sounds like the songs from an off broadway show. Not really for me. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Jeru The Damaja
3/5
Good 90’s hip hop album. Nothing overly impressive quite on par with some of his contemporaries, but Premier’s beats are good and the album flows well. 3/5 Might listen again
Simple Minds
2/5
Pretty bland album. Not really interesting to me. Another album that hasn't aged well. 2/5 Won't listen again
Mercury Rev
2/5
Not necessarily bad, but not super interesting either. A little better than some of the other albums like it on the list. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
The Beau Brummels
2/5
Dylan-esque, but not nearly as interesting. Overall, it’s just okay. 2.5/5 Won’t listen again
ABBA
3/5
Vocals and harmonies are great. Not quite as fun as some of their more famous songs. Still a pretty good album. 3/5 Might listen again
Steely Dan
3/5
Good album. Some of the songs fall flat, but when it works, it’s great. 3/5 Might listen again
Machito
3/5
Enjoyable album. The big band arrangement was interesting and the horns were great. 3.5/5 Might listen again
Japan
2/5
Overall a pretty dull album. Have a hard time listening to lyrics delivered so drably. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Happy Mondays
2/5
Pretty average. Nothing really interesting, but not bad music either. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
The Birthday Party
2/5
Not very good. Seemed more like noise than music. Not sure how this is considered something that one has to listen to. 1.5/5 Won’t listen again
Fleetwood Mac
3/5
Album was okay. Doesn’t have the stand out tracks as other albums. 3/5 Might listen again
Sly & The Family Stone
3/5
Some really well done funk on here. “Everyday People” and “You Can Make it if You Try” are standouts. 3.5/5 Probably will listen again
Sam Cooke
4/5
Overall pretty good. Sam goes through his set with hardly taking a breath. Some really classic soul songs. 3.5/5 Would listen to again
Missy Elliott
3/5
Some fun songs on this. Her production is distinct and the beats are really good. Album loses steam a bit near the end. 3.5/5 Might listen again
Santana
4/5
Good mix of Latin grooves and great guitar playing. “Oye Como Va” is a great song. 3.5/5 Would listen again
Roxy Music
2/5
Just kind of boring. Not for me. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Minutemen
4/5
Great punk album. Interesting view into the genre in early 1980’s America. “Corona” is well known, but “Viet Nam” is also a standout. 4/5 Will listen again
Jean-Michel Jarre
2/5
Not quite as bad as some of the other electronic albums on this list, but still isn’t my thing. Borderline too boring. 2/5 won’t listen again
Peter Gabriel
2/5
Kind of a miss. Yeah very well known songs, but much of the album falls flat. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
David Gray
2/5
Not much distinction between songs. Only on here cause of “Babylon”, which is just an okay song. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Sisters Of Mercy
2/5
An odd album. Like a Dracula soundtrack, bordering on comedic. Think “Forgetting Sarah Marshall”. 2/5 Probably won’t listen again
Django Django
3/5
Surprised I enjoyed this. A mix of electronic and some interesting Middle Eastern rhythms. 2.5/5 Might listen again.
Waylon Jennings
2/5
Some standard old country. Not my favorite music, but this wasn’t bad. 2/5 Probably won’t listen again
Rufus Wainwright
3/5
It’s okay. Felt kind of generic at times, but had some good parts. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
Todd Rundgren
3/5
Kind of a weird album, with a lot of psychedelic influence. It’s okay. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
Joni Mitchell
3/5
Her voice and cadence are amazing on this album and work incredibly well with the music. Bass playing is exceptional. Overall a good album. 3.5/5 Probably will listen again
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
3/5
Like the mix of acoustic and electric. “Powderfinger” is the standout song for me. A good album. 3.5/5 Probably will listen again
Belle & Sebastian
2/5
Songs are well done, but become a bit too similar. Not a bad album, just a little too slow for me. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
G. Love & Special Sauce
2/5
Pretty flat. Non-offensive almost to a fault. It’s not bad music, it just doesn’t inspire at all. 2/5 Won’t listen again
The Roots
3/5
The Roots are always kind of a conundrum for me. The idea of a band backed hip hop group is great, but sometimes I feel like they fall flat on albums. This is still good, but it’s just missing something to make it truly great. 3.5/5 Might listen again
Stereo MC's
2/5
Another electronic album. At least this one is fun. Not particularly poignant, but it was listenable. 2.5/5 Won’t listen again
Prince
4/5
Prince is easily one of the most talented musicians in modern history. Sometimes I feel like his incredible output slightly waters down his talent. There are great songs on this album, but there are a bunch of forgettable ones as well. 3.5/5 Might listen again
Van Morrison
3/5
Pretty good live album. Covers are played well and the horns are a great addition to many of his songs. 3.5/5 Probably will listen again
The Offspring
3/5
Energy is good, but the songs get a little repetitive. A couple 90’s classic pop punk hits on here. 3.5/5 Migjt listen again
Missy Elliott
3/5
Decent album. Missy and Timberland create such a unique combination. Not as many hits on this record, but still good. 3/5 Might listen again
The Coral
2/5
It’s okay, nothing really stands out. 2/5 Probably won’t listen again
The Good, The Bad & The Queen
2/5
Just very average. Not bad but just not interesting in any way. 2/5 Won't listen again
Dolly Parton
3/5
Each of them is great in their own right, but they harmonize together really well. Not my favorite genre of music, but it was good. 3/5 Probably won’t listen again
Jacques Brel
2/5
Sounded like a French crooner. It was okay, not really something I would like even if it was in English. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
Lenny Kravitz
2/5
Missing a real standout song. Album is rather stale. 2/5 Won’t listen again
The Byrds
3/5
It’s an okay album. Doesn’t quite hold up next to their piers of the time, but isn’t necessarily bad either. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
Roxy Music
2/5
Pretty forgettable. Not necessarily bad, just missing something. 2/5 Won’t listen again
The Clash
3/5
Pretty good. As a debut album you can hear a lot of things that become more defined with their later work. I liked this. 3.5/5 Probably will listen again
The Thrills
2/5
The singers voice got to be annoying after a while. The songs were not particularly interesting and the overall the album was kind of monotonous. 2/5 Won't listen again
3/5
Strange album, but in a good way. Very unique sound. Overall it’s good. 3/5 Might listen again
Laura Nyro
2/5
Liked her voice. The songs are okay, but there is a real lack of something truly special. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
Deerhunter
2/5
It’s not bad. Not overly memorable, but wasn’t a chore to listen to. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
The Pogues
3/5
It’s unique for sure. A bunch of Irish folk punk songs that are fairly catchy but get repetitive. It’s not bad, just very specific. 2.5/5 Might listen again
Gang Starr
4/5
Really enjoy this by Gang Starr. One of the most interesting hip hop duos, with a heavy jazz influence. Premier and Guru work so well together. This is an important album, but they have better ones later in their career. 4/5 Will definitely listen again
Morrissey
2/5
A little more upbeat than I expected. Still couldn’t really get into it. 2/5 Probably won’t listen again
Jerry Lee Lewis
2/5
It’s not bad. Kind of frantic, but it’s very short. Some well known songs on here. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
Cypress Hill
3/5
Such a unique sound. Not as hit heavy as some of their later albums, but still really good. “How I Could Just Kill a Man” is the standout song. 3.5/5 Probably will listen again
Neil Young
4/5
Songs are well written and his guitar playing is adequate enough for the style. His voice does start to sound grating, but the album is filled with great songs. This is one of Young’s best works. 3.5/5 Probably will listen again
Beck
3/5
Kind of surprised by this. Wasn’t expecting a more stripped down album from Beck. It was good. 3/5 Might listen again
Bob Dylan
3/5
It’s okay. There are a few good songs, but there are a few that really amplify what people criticize Dylan about. He has better albums. 3/5 Might listen again
Elis Regina
3/5
Fun album. Like the grooves and the vocals are beautiful. This is the kind of random music I was hoping to hear on this list. 3.5/5 Probably will listen again
Talk Talk
2/5
Kind of like background music. Maybe for a B movie. Overall pretty uninspiring. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Elliott Smith
3/5
Album is okay. A little too slow and kind of depressing for me, but it’s clear he is talented. 3/5 Probably won’t listen again
Jane's Addiction
3/5
A real back and forth between well thought out songs and some real messes. A mix of hair metal and early 90’s alt rock, not a bad album, just a little too much at times. “Idiots Rule” is a good song, especially with the horns added in. 3/5 Might listen again
The Cramps
3/5
Interesting mix of rockabilly, surf rock and punk. The album starts to drag a little bit, but overall it’s good. 3/5 Might listen again
Digital Underground
3/5
A little too strange. The G-funk beats are a bit messy and some of the lyrics/themes are childish and too crass. “The Humpty Dance” is a classic though. 2.5/5 Might listen again
Nitin Sawhney
2/5
Blend of electronic and Indian music. Didn’t really work for me. A little too disjointed. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Leftfield
2/5
Eh, not for me. These electronic albums are pretty tough not in the right setting. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Brian Eno
2/5
It’s not bad per se, but it is legitimately background music. Some of the noises were quite irritating after a while. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Elvis Presley
2/5
I’m generally not very keen on Elvis. This album is ok, and the faster paced songs are more enjoyable. 2.5/5 Won’t listen again
Sly & The Family Stone
3/5
Decent funk album. They music is fairly good and the singing is well done. Just missing a few real standout songs. 3.5/5 Might listen again
Lou Reed
2/5
Not as good as his other work. Doesn't have any standout songs. 2.5/5 Probably won't listen again
Underworld
2/5
Another electronic album. Still can't convince me this style of music is good for anything but being at a club. Kind of stale. 2/5 Won't listen again
David Bowie
3/5
Can really hear Bowie's age on this one. It's not a bad album, just missing something that stands out. He has much better albums. 3/5 Probably won't listen again
Paul Simon
3/5
It’s an okay album. Has all the sound and feel of his other albums, just lacks some definitive songs. 3/5 Might listen again
Sigur Rós
2/5
Definitely an interesting album. I can appreciate the musicianship, but this was an album that required more of my attention and I just couldn’t get into it. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
Slower version of Springsteen. Songs are well played, but a little lacking in verve. 3/5 Probably won’t listen again
George Jones
2/5
Pretty slow, old country album. Generally not my thing, but at least it’s short. 2/5 Won’t listen again
The The
2/5
Pretty boring and not very noteworthy. Didn’t really catch my attention at all. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Faith No More
3/5
Good album. Like the energy and the playing is good enough. Feel like this is in the list, solely due to “Epic”. 3/5 Might listen again
Air
2/5
The album was okay. Not really my type of music. I think I liked their other album better. 2.5/5 Won’t listen again
The Beach Boys
3/5
Not what I was expecting from a Beach Boys album. This is much more serious and mature than what one would usually associate with Beach Boys music. It is mostly good, but does lack some real standout songs. Side note: Brian Wilson passed away yesterday, so this album seems a little serendipitous. 3/5 Might listen again
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
3/5
It is definitely an odd album. Not as of as some of their works to come, but has their distinct style. Not something I would want to repetitively listen too, but enjoyable in a quirky kind of way. 3/5 Might listen again
Ute Lemper
2/5
Found it to be kind of boring. I feel like it was trying to be edgy and didn’t really accomplish that. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Happy Mondays
2/5
Another rather uninspiring 80's British album. Hard to pay attention to it. Everything sounded the same. 2/5 Won't listen again
Anita Baker
2/5
Fantastic voice. She has a lot of talent, but I just couldn’t get interested in the music. It’s like bad 90’s R&B. 2.5/5 Won’t listen again
Nick Drake
4/5
This is my last of Drake’s three albums on the list. His music has been one of the only pleasant surprises. This album may not be my favorite of his, but it is a great entry into his music. 3.5/5 Will listen again
Mudhoney
2/5
Pretty generic sounding grunge album. Not bad, but not nearly as good as some of their contemporaries. 2.5/5 Won’t listen again
Soul II Soul
2/5
A little better than some of the other electronic albums cause of the vocals. Still not really my thing though. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
Elbow
2/5
Like a better version of Coldplay. Still not that good, but it wasn’t horrible either. Started to kind of drag after a while. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
Hookworms
2/5
It’s sort of interesting. But it really lacks something great. It’s another just okay album on this list. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
Dwight Yoakam
2/5
Just not my kind of music. Really boring uninspiring country. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Korn
2/5
There are a couple of genre defining songs on this album. That doesn't really make up for the rest of it though. The song with Fred Durst is one of the worst things I've heard in years, almost an insult to music as an art form. The playing is okay, but each song sounds similar and the album really drags. 2/5 Won't listen again
Dinosaur Jr.
3/5
It’s decent. Not transformative or groundbreaking, but a good album. 3/5 Might listen again
Prefab Sprout
2/5
Nothing special or noteworthy. Just another bland album on this list. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Suicide
2/5
Strange album. Hard to follow and some of the songs are just a slog to get through. At least it was short. 2/5 Won't listen again
Fela Kuti
5/5
Exceptional. The band is very cohesive and the steadiness of the rhythm section and the sharpness of the horns work really well together. Fela is one of the great musical savants of our time and this is one of the more polished offerings by him and Afrika 70. 5/5 Will definitely listen again often
Primal Scream
2/5
Parts are okay, but the album is mostly forgettable. Don’t really know this album gets on a list of must listen. 2/5 Won’t listen again
2/5
Old country, not my kind of music. Everything was too similar, at least it was short. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Almost offensively bland. Never been much of a U2 fan, but they used to be more interesting. This was just an overly safe album. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Ms. Dynamite
3/5
Not a bad album. Lacks a real hot song or two. Didn’t know of this before listening, it’s okay. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
Red Snapper
2/5
More electronic music that doesn’t seem groundbreaking or interesting. It’s not necessarily bad, just not something I would think I would miss out on if I didn’t hear it. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Dexys Midnight Runners
2/5
Not a bad album, but nothing on here makes it stand out. A little underwhelming. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
Sinead O'Connor
3/5
Powerful voice. Music with a true purpose to change the world. She was so heavily criticized and turns out she was speaking the truth. Album is good, but a little too slow for me. 3.5/5 Might listen again
Silver Jews
3/5
It’s an alright album. I enjoy some of Pavements music, and this is like a stripped down version of some of that. Missing a real attention grabbing track though. 3/5 Probably won’t listen again
Astrud Gilberto
3/5
Mostly enjoyable (the song with the kid was a little off putting for me). Liked the songs with the Walter Wanderley Trio backing. Unique voice. 3/5 Might listen again
The Soft Boys
3/5
Good album. Nothing spectacular, but overall solid. 3/5 Might listen again
Public Image Ltd.
2/5
Largely forgettable. Nothing too interesting or good on this album. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Moby Grape
3/5
It’s an okay album. Didn’t have any songs that were overly interesting, but solid as a whole. 3/5 Might listen again
Marilyn Manson
2/5
It’s strange. Like horror goth metal. It’s not something I would seek out on my own. 2/5 Won’t listen again
The Prodigy
3/5
For an electronic album, it's not the worst. It has a couple of notable songs that are fairly good. Better than most of the electronic stuff on this list. 3/5 Probably won't listen again
Spacemen 3
2/5
Pretty forgettable. Nothing really interesting going on. 2/5 Won't listen again
The Byrds
2/5
As a country album, it is more palatable than others on this list. That being said, it is still not a great album and looks like most of the songs are not originals. 2.5/5 Won't listen again
Baaba Maal
4/5
This was a really good album. Full of vibrancy. Language barrier be damned, this is the kind of stuff I was hoping to hear on this list. I enjoyed it. 4/5 Would listen again
Khaled
3/5
I liked it. Not the easiest of the international albums to listen too. It never seemed to flow right. But, there are some fun songs on here and I appreciated it being included. 3/5 Might listen again
Pavement
3/5
It’s an okay album. Missing a couple of real standout songs, but overall it’s good. 3/5 Might listen again
Def Leppard
2/5
Hair/Glam metal. “Pour Some Sugar on Me” is not a good enough song to warrant this album being included on this list. It’s pretty uninspiring and just not that good. 2/5 Won’t listen again
10cc
2/5
Kind of bland. Nothing too interesting a bad album, just not very interesting either. 2/5 Won’t listen again
The Black Crowes
3/5
It’s an okay album. The blues/rock mashup is done well and the singer has a good voice for this style. 3/5 Might listen again
The Afghan Whigs
2/5
Found this to be fairly uninspiring. Not a bad album, just nothing that makes it standout. 2/5 Won't listen again
Nirvana
4/5
It’s a good album. Surprised that I knew as many songs as I did. It is a standout in its genre, I just don’t live it. 3.5/5 Might listen again
Sonic Youth
3/5
Not the best indie album I’ve heard, but it’s passable. Wanted to like this more. 3/5 Might listen again
Black Sabbath
3/5
It’s a good album. They were really the early masters of psych/metal. Just needs a standout song or two. 3.5/5 Probably will listen again
Eagles
2/5
Bit of a conundrum of a band. They are a talented group of musicians and they are rightfully usually praised for their harmonies. But, they put out some pretty average songs. This album is no different and even with a couple of famous tunes, the album as a whole just kind of falls flat. 2.5/5 Won't listen again.
Dinosaur Jr.
3/5
I liked this a little more than the Dinosaur Jr. album I recently had on this list. It's still a little unrefined, but I thought it was a good album. 3.5/5 Might listen again
Stan Getz
5/5
Fantastic. Getz and Gilberto compliment each other wonderfully. Getz's playing really livens up each song. This is bossa nova at its finest. This is what this list needs more of. 5/5 Will listen again
David Bowie
4/5
Enjoyed this. Probably the best Bowie album I’ve had on the list so far. The album really flows well. “Life on Mars?” is a great song. 4/5 Will listen again
New York Dolls
3/5
I liked this album. Good mix of early punk and blues. It did start to taper off towards the end. Still good though. 3.5/5 Probably will listen again
The Specials
3/5
I like Ska. This strays a little too far, while not doing anything that impressive. It does have some real good moments. 3.5/5 Probably will listen again
Kings of Leon
3/5
It's an okay album. Nothing really offensively bad on it, but doesn't really do anything great either. Pretty average. 3/5 Probably won't listen again
The Stooges
3/5
Thought this was good. Like the energy. Pretty simplistic, but in a good way. 3.5/5 Probably will listen again
Terence Trent D'Arby
3/5
Overall a decent album. Kind of goes back and forth between up tempo, nearly Stevie Wonder-esque songs, and slower vocal focused tunes. The more uptempo songs are pretty good. Wish the album was more of that. 3/5 Probably won't listen again
Neu!
2/5
Interesting album. Some of it sounds like atrium music, the rest is like experimental rock. Doesn’t always work, but at least it was something different. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
Kanye West
1/5
Interesting, but not really in a good way. He took a big swing incorporating different genres into this album and it mostly misses. Lyrically, the album isn't much more than ego stroking and provocative self fulfilling nonsense. I think people buy a little too much into his "genius". 1/5 Won't listen again
Beatles
3/5
It’s an okay album. Probably on the list to compare to what the Beatles eventually became. Not as many hit songs and much of is pretty average. 3/5 Might listen again
Fugazi
3/5
I liked it. Got a little repetitive, but the energy is great. Definitely a different style of hardcore. 3.5/5 Probably will listen again
The KLF
2/5
Another British electronic album. At least this one was quite lively. Still not my thing. 2/5 Won't listen again
Manic Street Preachers
3/5
Not a bad album, but doesn’t quite hold your attention either. Subject matter is interesting, but the music isn’t as compelling. 2.5/5 Might listen again
Megadeth
3/5
It’s an okay metal album. It exists in between thrash metal and more performative versions of the genre. It is a little less serious, which is nice. Kind of wish they leaned into that a little more. Overall not bad. 3/5 Might listen again
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
2/5
Interesting concept, but the album drags on a bit. Didn’t hold my attention after a while. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
Sabu
3/5
Mostly enjoyable. The beginning of the album, which is more drum based, does drag on a bit. When more instruments are brought into the songs, the album really comes alive. 3.5/5 Might listen again
Madonna
3/5
It’s interesting. Pop takes on electronic music and it’s not terrible. Album definitely has some spots that are a little redundant, but this wasn’t the worst thing I’ve heard on this list. 3/5 Probably won’t listen again
Faust
3/5
Strange album, but somehow was kind of into it. It wasn't groundbreaking or life changing, but a solid, fun album that was completely new to me. 3.5/5 Might listen again
k.d. lang
2/5
I can tell that she is talented, but this just isn’t my kind of music. Pretty average to me. 2.5/5 Won’t listen again
The Auteurs
2/5
Album was just okay. Felt kind of flat. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Sonic Youth
3/5
Overall a good album. Like the switching vocals between songs. Energy was good. 3/5 Might listen again
Fred Neil
2/5
Didn’t do much for me. Some of the songs were fine, but nothing too interesting. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
Pavement
3/5
More refined album by the band. Songs are pretty good and the tone of the album works. Overall, thought this was good. 3.5/5 Probably will listen again
Christine and the Queens
2/5
Is it impressive to release two versions of an album in different languages? Yes, yes it is. But that doesn't necessarily mean that either version is that good. I applaud the effort, even if I didn't like it that much. The french version was better. 2.5/5 Won't listen again
Beach House
2/5
Kind of boring. Not really for me. The music is pleasant, but doesn’t really do anything interesting. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Kelela
2/5
Everything sounds a little too similar. Her voice and delivery are good, but the album lacks a bit of substance. 2.5/5 Probably won't listen again
M.I.A.
2/5
Eccentric, but overdone. Lacks the polish of her other album on the list and lacks definitive standout songs. At least it was lively. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
The Cult
3/5
Not a bad album, but definitely lacks in quality. At least it was easy to get through. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
Red Hot Chili Peppers
3/5
The band does really well with the faster more funk based songs. They slow it down a little too much and lose what they do best. 3/5 Might listen again
Robert Wyatt
2/5
A weird album. It's definitely interesting, but not always in a good way. If you told me that this was put on this list because it was pulled from a hat, I would believe you. It's not horrible, but it is a gentle reminder that the list is 1001 albums to listen to before you die, not 1001 GOOD albums to listen too before you die. 2/5 Won't listen again
The Avalanches
2/5
More electronic music, but now from Australia! This was at least more lo-fi, and a little easier to play just doing stuff around the house. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
Peter Tosh
4/5
It is overall a good reggae album. Not necessarily his best, but still great. “Brand New Second Hand” is awesome. 3.5/5 Will listen again
Aimee Mann
2/5
It's not bad, but not really all that interesting either. Kind of just goes along. 2.5/5 Probably won't listen again
Britney Spears
2/5
Pretty much genre defining for late 90's, early 2000's pop music. It has a few widely successful songs, but the rest of the album is pretty boring and uninspired. I can remember how popular this was when I was younger, even though I wasn't remotely interested in this kind of music. More culturally relevant than musically. 2/5 Won't listen again
CHVRCHES
2/5
Found this to be kind of boring. Little distinction between songs. 2/5 Won’t listen again
The Smiths
2/5
Not for me. Fairly repetitive and a real downer. They are trying to make you feel like crap. 2/5 Won't listen again
Dire Straits
3/5
Album starts strong with the first 3 songs. It does wander a bit after that, and really loses steam by the end. Still an overall good album. “Walk of Life” is catchy. 3.5/5 Probably will listen again
PJ Harvey
3/5
It’s just alright. Nothing overly interesting, and she has better stuff on this list. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
Elvis Presley
2/5
Meh. Not very inspiring. Even lacks a big hit of his. 2/5 Won't listen again.
Leonard Cohen
3/5
It’s a decent album. His style is fairly unique and this album is very much in that vein. I liked it. 3.5/5 Might listen again
American Music Club
2/5
It’s not bad, but it isn’t that good either. Fairly forgettable. 2.5/5 Won’t listen again
New Order
3/5
Goes back and forth between new wave electronica and post punk. Feels like two separate album ideas in one. Not bad, but a little confusing. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
Milton Nascimento
4/5
Enjoyed this one. This is the kind of album I was hoping to see more of on this list. Some really nice grooves on here. 4/5 Will listen again
ZZ Top
3/5
Interesting album. Seems to leave the southern biker blues behind and transition into a more modern dare I say strip club blues? The album has some of their more famous songs on it, but not much outside of that. 3/5 Might listen again
The Charlatans
3/5
It’s okay. Obviously it’s very similar to Oasis, but without the standout songs. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
Les Rythmes Digitales
2/5
Pretty generic and monotonous. Another bland electronica album. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Michael Jackson
3/5
Very top heavy album. Starts off strong with some classic disco/funk pop songs, but really loses steam after that. The ballad is kind of an album killer. Bass on the album is quite good. Overall the album is still fun and fairly good. 3/5 Might listen again
The Rolling Stones
4/5
Very good album. Full immersion into American blues. “Rocks Off” starts the album off with a lot of energy and the album keeps up for most of it. Probably the bands most triumphant effort. 4.5/5 Definitely will listen again
Run-D.M.C.
3/5
Influential but doesn’t hold up over time. Outdated rhymes and beats. Not bad, just lacks something. 3/5 Probably won’t listen again
The Specials
3/5
I like ska. This album is an important part of the genre’s history. There are some really good songs, including a couple 2nd wave greats. The album does lose steam here and there. Overall it’s pretty good, just not great. 3.5/5 Probably will listen again
My Bloody Valentine
2/5
Liked parts of it, but overall had a hard time staying engaged. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Destiny's Child
2/5
Sometimes pop music can’t escape the time it was created. This is one of those times. The album is aggressively of the early 2000’s and has mostly not aged well. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Abdullah Ibrahim
4/5
Pretty good jazz album. Lacks a little flair that other more recognizable albums have but it is still enjoyable. Like how it got a bit “out there” near the end. 3.5/5 Might listen again
The Waterboys
3/5
Album was good. Liked the fiddle. 3/5 Might listen again
Butthole Surfers
2/5
Didn’t find this too interesting. Musically wasn’t bad, but just didn’t really grab me. 2/5 Won’t listen again
The Saints
3/5
Not bad. A decent early punk album. 3/5 Might listen again
FKA twigs
2/5
It is an interesting album, but that doesn't necessarily mean that it is good. Hard to track at times, and is filled with the manic attention span of the modern world. 2/5 Won't listen again
Brian Eno
3/5
Not a bad album. Liked this more than some of his other work. Overall, it was enjoyable. 3/5 Might listen again
The Beta Band
3/5
The album was okay. No issues, just not overly interesting. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
Tina Turner
3/5
Powerful voice. Some of the music is a little too 80’s, but it was still good overall. 3/5 Probably won’t listen again
Van Halen
3/5
Fun, but it's dumb fun. Album never really relinquishes it's pace and is over before you know it. Lacking some substance, but it is still pretty good. 3/5 Might listen again
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
2/5
Still don’t get it. Found this to be rather boring and self indulgent. Don’t really understand the hype. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Eminem
2/5
Wow. This was pretty tough to get through. Much like his other albums, this one shows off his talent as a rapper, but also his desire to make shocking music. When it’s good, it’s done really well. But his imagery of violence and sex are hard to get through. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Emmylou Harris
3/5
Talented singer/songwriter. Album is good, just not for me. 3/5 Probably won't listen again
Beastie Boys
4/5
Interesting mix of instrumental songs and tracks that are uniquely the Beastie Boys. It mostly works, but does drag towards the end of the album. "Sabotage" is just such a good song. Really shows of their style. 3.5/5 Probably will listen again
Wilco
3/5
Good album. Some good songs, but album is a little too long. Overall, enjoyed it. 3/5 Might listen again
Jazmine Sullivan
3/5
Interesting. The format of skit then song about skit was done well. Musically, I found the album to be lacking, but it was overall okay. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
Iron Maiden
3/5
Fun metal album. Nothing groundbreaking but still a good time. 3.5/5 Might listen again
The Pogues
3/5
Decent album. Definitely better on the more lively songs. 3/5 Might listen again
Dr. Octagon
3/5
Strange early hip hop concept album. Beats are pretty good. Lyrics aren't the strongest and drift into some weird themes. Not a bad album, and can see how it influenced other artists. 3/5 Might listen again
T. Rex
3/5
Enjoyable album. Catchy songs and easy listening. Pretty good. 3.5/5 Might listen again
Penguin Cafe Orchestra
3/5
Good album. There were definitely slower parts that I didn't like as much, but most of the album was interesting and kind of captivating. 3.5/5 Might listen again
The Crusaders
3/5
Fun little jazz/funk album. Nothing groundbreaking, but still done well enough. 3/5 Might listen again
The Modern Lovers
3/5
The comparison to the Velvet Underground is obvious and not quite on the same level. Pretty raw lyrically. 3/5 Might listen again
Kendrick Lamar
3/5
Interesting rap album. Very talented, but I find it hard to keep up and enjoy him sometimes. 3/5 Might listen again
Youssou N'Dour
4/5
Randomly bough this album a couple of years ago, and it did not disappoint. Grooves are well done and the album is really good. A good starting point to get into music from Africa. 4/5 Will listen again
Erykah Badu
4/5
The groove and vibe of this album are great. Her voice is smooth and sultry. It is a really good album. 4/5 Would listen again
Tito Puente
3/5
Lovely mambo/dance percussion focused album. Fun. 3.5/5 Probably would listen again
The Notorious B.I.G.
3/5
Skits are bad. His cadence is still one of the greatest even after all these years. The hit songs are great, but much of the album is overly misogynistic and crass. 3/5 Might listen again
The Psychedelic Furs
3/5
It's okay. Nothing too interesting, but not a bad album either. 3/5 Probably won't listen again
The Verve
2/5
It’s an okay album. I feel like there is some real bias by the author of the list on this one. Does having 1 hit song mean the whole album is worry of one’s time? Most of the album is rather flat and uninspired. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
Black Flag
4/5
Raw energy. Simplistic in a good way. A true keystone in American Punk music. 4/5 Would listen again.
Gillian Welch
3/5
Beautiful voice and lyrics. A bit too slow for me at times, but a good album nonetheless. “Red Clay Halo” is a delightful song. 3/5 Probably won’t listen again
Dizzee Rascal
2/5
Grime can be such a hard genre to get into. This album has some interesting moments, but really struggles to be attention worthy. Overall it's listenable, but not very good. 2.5/5 Won't listen again
Gram Parsons
2/5
Album was just okay. Nothing really resonated with me and it was kind of boring at times. A little too country for my taste. 2/5 Won't listen again
Goldfrapp
2/5
It was okay. Kind of dream/techno pop. Started to lose interest near the end. 2.5/5 Probably won't listen again
The Beta Band
2/5
Didn’t find this to be overly interesting. Wasn’t necessarily bad, but had a hard time paying attention after a while. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Ian Dury
2/5
Mishmash of genres with nearly spoken word over top. Album should have been more interesting, but comes off as immature and boring. 2/5 Won't listen again
The Police
3/5
Parts of this album are fantastic. I really enjoy “Synchronicity II”. Other parts of the album kinda fall flat. Makes sense that this was the band’s final effort. Seems like they were running out of steam. 3.5/5 Might listen again
Echo And The Bunnymen
2/5
Another album by this band. Still find it to be a bit boring. I guess it’s just not for me. 2/5 Won’t listen again
The Beach Boys
3/5
An okay album. Sounds mostly the same and doesn’t have the hit songs that other albums have. Harmonies are good. At least it was brief. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
Elvis Presley
2/5
Not really into Elvis, especially an album full of covers. At least it was short. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Rocket From The Crypt
3/5
Never heard of this band or album. It was okay. Nothing particularly great, but wasn't bad either. 2.5/5 Probably won't listen again
Maxwell
3/5
Real smooth r&b. Pretty good, kind of lost interest after a while, but still was a good listen. 3/5 Might listen again
Ice Cube
3/5
An interesting album. Ice Cube tackles race in the aftermath of Rodney King and the LA riots. This aspect of the album is poignant and important. He also, however, continues the misogyny that plagues rap music til this day. Overall, its a good album that is as relevant now as it was when it was made. 3.5/5 Probably will listen again
Nanci Griffith
2/5
It was okay. Still not that persuaded by country. Kind of sounds like early pop/country. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
Eels
3/5
Weird cover. Album wasn't bad. Didn't really retain anything, but it sounded good. 3/5 Probably won't listen again
Stephen Stills
3/5
Decent album. Very similar to CSN. Harmonies were good. 3/5 Might listen again
Steve Earle
2/5
A little better than some of the other country albums on the list. Still lacking something that would keep me interested or wanting to listen again. 2.5/5 Probably won't listen again
Belle & Sebastian
2/5
I feel like this was slightly more upbeat than their other album on the list. Still a little too slow for me, but it is well made music. Just not something I would go back to. 2.5/5 Probably won't listen again
KISS
2/5
Never really saw the appeal of KISS. It’s like the pop version of arena rock. This album was missing a lot and was fairly uninteresting throughout. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Tom Waits
2/5
Didn’t resonate with me. Found this to be not very good. 2/5 Won’t listen again
The Vines
3/5
Album is alright. Another included on the list because of 1 hit song. 3/5 Probably won’t listen again
Elvis Costello
2/5
Another Costello album. Still find his voice to be grating and the songs to be boring. I guess I just don't like his music. 2/5 Won't listen again
Leonard Cohen
3/5
I like some of Cohen’s work. This one just didn’t do it for me. 2.5/5 Won’t listen again
Mike Ladd
2/5
Have never heard of this artist before. There were some good ideas on this album, but he attempts too much overall. I think it would have been better if it was more focused. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
Joy Division
3/5
It's an okay album. A little too sad for me, but is a really good version of sad music. On a few songs, it seemed like the lyrics and music didn't match, which was kind of odd. 3/5 Probably won't listen again
Simon & Garfunkel
3/5
Talented songwriting and harmonies are well done. A little too slow and melodic for me. 3/5 Might listen again
fIREHOSE
3/5
Okay album. Never heard of it before. Nothing spectacular, but was a decent listen. 3/5 Might listen again
The Zutons
3/5
Not a bad album, but not overly interesting either. There is one song that was kind of familiar, but I’m not sure that warrants the album being on the list. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
T. Rex
3/5
Good album. I liked the bluesy parts. Nothing revolutionary, but a pretty good listen. 3/5 Might listen again
Morrissey
2/5
Surprisingly more upbeat than his other albums. Still not totally into it. Not bad, just not for me. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
The Police
3/5
Good album. Drumming is really good, and the band has the ability to get into a groove. They are better when it is upbeat. 3.5/5 Probably would listen again
Common
3/5
A very well done conscious hip hop album. The beats are top notch and Common’s style fits the vibe. The homophobic stuff is strange, and seems out of place . “The 6th Sense” is a great song. 3.5/5 Might listen again
Pixies
3/5
Good album. Nothing mind blowing but an overall solid album. 3/5 Might listen again
Randy Newman
3/5
He is just one of those unique artists that has a sound of their own. The album is a great example of his style and is so playful. It’s good, but I can see why some people don’t like it. 3.5/5 Probably will listen again
2Pac
3/5
At times it is a mature/introspective album from a man who has just been shot 5 times. 2Pac is a polarizing figure. His lyrics tackle some very personal and societal issues, but he didn’t always live what he preached. It’s a good album, but definitely has some weak points. 3/5 Might listen again
The Teardrop Explodes
3/5
Strangely, the drums and bass lines are quite good on most of the album. That being said, the album definitely gets repetitive and eventually became hard to keep concentration. It's not a bad album, just not very good either. 3/5 Might listen again
Can
3/5
I liked the exploratory nature of the album. The band is taking some risks and it mostly comes off. Overall, it was good. 3/5 Might listen again
Dr. John
4/5
Really good album. More of a ritualistic fever dream than some of his more popular work, the drumming here sort of lures you in throughout. I do like his more upbeat music over this, but this is still really good. He is one of the more unique artist to have made it big. 3.5/5 Will listen again
The Kinks
3/5
Good album. Missing a little something special. Prefer Village Green and Arthur over this. Still a good listen though. 3/5 Might listen again
Venom
3/5
Kind of liked it. Not the best metal album ever, but it was good for today. The more thrash/hardcore songs were better. 3/5 Might listen again
The Smashing Pumpkins
3/5
Good album. Not necessarily something I would routinely seek out, but in the right circumstances it works. 3/5 Might listen again
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
I like parts of this album. There are some decent songs and I always enjoy horns in rock music, but the lesser known songs are kind of boring and sometimes I can't fully get behind the boss. 3/5 Might listen again
The Jam
3/5
Didn't mind it, but wasn't blown away either. Another English band that probably has more relevance to the list creator than anything else. Overall, not bad, but I'm sure there will be some omissions from this list that deserve more attention. 3/5 Might listen again
Miles Davis
4/5
There are some really amazing explorative sections of music on this album. There is also some parts that just kind of meander a little too much. This is so close to being a truly amazing album. 4/5 Will listen again
Bill Callahan
2/5
It was okay. Reminds me a little of Leo Kottke, but without the guitar skills. 2.5/5 Probably won't listen again
Soft Cell
2/5
Another album that is only relevant for one song. I'm sure this was a big hit in Great Britain in the 80's, but some songs on this album are just laughably bad. 2/5 Won't listen again
Miles Davis
4/5
It's a good album, but a little too "big band" for me. I prefer his more experimental stuff late on. 3.5/5 Might listen again
Slade
2/5
It’s not bad, but it is fairly uninspired and kind of bland. Hard to distinguish from other bands of that era. Must have been relevant for the list creator. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
Al Green
3/5
It’s a good album. The title track is definitely the best and much of the album isn’t at that level. But the grooves are good and Green’s voice is great. 3.5/5 Probably will listen again
John Prine
4/5
Really good album. Witty and poignant, Prine's debut is a classic. "Illegal Smile" and "Flag" are favorites if mine and the whole album is worth listening to. 4/5 Will listen again
The Blue Nile
2/5
Pretty forgettable. Having a hard time remembering anything about this album. 2/5 Probably won’t listen again
5/5
Just a fantastic album. An era defining work of art. The songs are great and are just relentless in their order. It’s a masterpiece. 5/5 Will definitely listen again
Peter Gabriel
2/5
This one just didn't really hit for me. It's almost too experimental for what I can only assume was an album created to sell. I found it hard to pay attention. 2.5/5 Probably won't listen again
Sepultura
3/5
I liked some of the influences brought into the genre here. Vocals were a little tough at times. Not bad, but nothing super interesting either. 3/5 Might listen again
Kings of Leon
2/5
Fairly average 2000's indie rock album. Surprised I recognized a track on here, but there were other songs that sounded very similar to it. 2.5/5 Probably won't listen again
Dexys Midnight Runners
3/5
Not bad. Enjoyed the horns. Seemed to be slightly ska inspired. Overall a decent listen. 3/5 Might listen again
Deee-Lite
3/5
It’s not the best album out there, but it is fairly fun. Like that it has some pretty cool guests like Q-tip, Bootsy Collins and Maceo Parker. “Groove” is a fun song, but the rest of the album fails to live up to that standard. 3/5 Might listen again
Syd Barrett
3/5
Strange. Almost like your weird friend who plays guitar at house parties. It’s an okay album. 2.5/5 Might listen again
The Cure
2/5
A little too dark and dreary for me. I am a little familiar with The Cure's hit songs and there wasn't much on this album that had that level of playing. It's just not for me. 2.5/5 Probably won't listen again
Leonard Cohen
3/5
Good album. Reminds me a bit of Dylan mixed with Kottke. I've listened to a few Cohen records for this list, and I think I like his earlier stuff better. 3/5 Might listen again
Joan Baez
3/5
It’s an okay album. Her voice is strikingly beautiful and some of the songs are really good. There are a few that start to get close to renaissance fair music and this is what hurts the album. 2.5/5 Might listen again
Alanis Morissette
4/5
This one kind of falls in a guilty pleasure category for me. It has more than a few good songs and I think the playing on the album is quite good for the time period it came out. It is a great example of post-grunge 90's alt rock. 3.5/5 Probably will listen again
Gang Of Four
4/5
This is the kind of post-punk that I enjoy. Was familiar with this album, but have never listened before and found it to be lively and well played. It is very good. 4/5 Will likely listen again
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
4/5
I go back and forth with Young. I liked this one. It’s raw and gritty. The guitar playing fits well and the band really melds together. 3.5/5 Probably will listen again
James Taylor
3/5
Simplistic, but in a good way. Well written songs and melodies. A little one note at times. Overall a good album. 3.5/5 Might listen again
David Bowie
3/5
Album of two halves. First half is really good Bowie, second half is too out there and kind of forced experimental. Overall the album is good, just could have been better. 3/5 Might listen again