306
Albums Rated
3.24
Average Rating
28%
Complete
783 albums remaining
Rating Distribution
Rating Timeline
Taste Profile
2000
Favorite Decade
Soul
Favorite Genre
UK
Top Origin
Wordsmith
Rater Style ?
32
5-Star Albums
11
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
Top Styles
By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Club Classics Vol. One
Soul II Soul
|
5 | 2.82 | +2.18 |
|
Astral Weeks
Van Morrison
|
5 | 3.26 | +1.74 |
|
Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
Wilco
|
5 | 3.31 | +1.69 |
|
Rock 'N Soul
Solomon Burke
|
5 | 3.37 | +1.63 |
|
Garbage
Garbage
|
5 | 3.38 | +1.62 |
|
Songs Of Leonard Cohen
Leonard Cohen
|
5 | 3.38 | +1.62 |
|
Stardust
Willie Nelson
|
5 | 3.4 | +1.6 |
|
Sound of Silver
LCD Soundsystem
|
5 | 3.42 | +1.58 |
|
The ArchAndroid
Janelle Monáe
|
5 | 3.45 | +1.55 |
|
Blue
Joni Mitchell
|
5 | 3.49 | +1.51 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Skylarking
XTC
|
1 | 3.04 | -2.04 |
|
Superfuzz Bigmuff
Mudhoney
|
1 | 2.93 | -1.93 |
|
Out of Step
Minor Threat
|
1 | 2.93 | -1.93 |
|
Off The Wall
Michael Jackson
|
2 | 3.79 | -1.79 |
|
Planet Rock: The Album
Afrika Bambaataa
|
1 | 2.79 | -1.79 |
|
Histoire De Melody Nelson
Serge Gainsbourg
|
1 | 2.74 | -1.74 |
|
Dire Straits
Dire Straits
|
2 | 3.72 | -1.72 |
|
Boston
Boston
|
2 | 3.71 | -1.71 |
|
Getz/Gilberto
Stan Getz
|
2 | 3.65 | -1.65 |
|
Live At The Witch Trials
The Fall
|
1 | 2.64 | -1.64 |
Artists
Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Van Morrison | 2 | 5 |
| Led Zeppelin | 2 | 5 |
Least Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| The Byrds | 3 | 2 |
5-Star Albums (32)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
Solomon Burke · 2 likes
5/5
I love soup and I enjoyed listening to this.
Cornershop · 1 likes
4/5
*taking a big hit from a bong*
Awww yeahhh that's funky
The Cure · 1 likes
4/5
Banging
Thin Lizzy · 1 likes
4/5
I don’t objectively think this is that great mug my god I enjoyed it. Docks a star because it’s too long. Otherwise really cracking.
1-Star Albums (11)
All Ratings
R.E.M.
3/5
Was ok. I could see why the songs that were singles made the singles - they were the highest and lowest points of the album emotionally. Found the rest a bit flat.
Steely Dan
4/5
Really enjoyed this one - dylanesque musically and good 70s chill vibes
Crosby, Stills & Nash
3/5
Enjoyed this, would listen again for chill 70s ish vibes. Don’t feel I got much of a handle on the lyrics
The Zutons
4/5
4.5 love the variety from high paced indie rock bangers to the softer confusion and remember me. Quite a long album with a couple more scene setting tracks in the middle I enjoyed less but overall a strong choice
Radiohead
4/5
CHIC
4/5
I couldn’t help the corners of my mouth rising up for the big bold disco beats.
Alanis Morissette
5/5
Raw female experiences of
Rage (You Oughta Know)
Misery (Perfect)
Confidence (hand in pocket)
Frustration & independence (not a doctor)
Optimism (you learn)
Layered over grungy 90s vibes. Loved this.
Al Green
3/5
I liked this, would listen again.
Mudhoney
1/5
I like noise and screaming. But I couldn’t get around this. Maybe if I was in a grungier or punkier mood but I just didn’t enjoy this.
System Of A Down
3/5
Would listen to this again - but maybe not all of it, and depending on mood as while it’s a metal album the themes, lyricism and highs and lows make it feel a little more complex and deep.
First listen - didn’t enjoy really all sounded samey
Second listen - enjoyed some lighter and clean vocals
The I didn’t want to turn it off
Top songs: Sugar, Soil
MGMT
5/5
I love every second of this album. Possibly a soft spot for the first concert I went to but honestly- time to pretend > Weekend wars > the youth is a spectacular 3 track run for an album opening and up there with the best of them.
And then bam - the hits - electric feel and kids. Chefs kiss.
Back end of the album is definitely less punchy and less widely loved but The Handshake is absolutely cracking and future reflections is a groovy tune.
Honestly. So good.
Death In Vegas
2/5
I really wanted to like this, maybe more than I did. It’s got cool sounds but for me it doesn’t go much beyond that as overly long tracks and a lack of lyrics made me less engaged.
Marianne Faithfull
3/5
Makes sense to me that she’s described in the same breath as Leonard cohen - I thought the association rested in my head solely on the title of So Long Marianne and their being near contemporaries, but turns out it’s rather with the occasionally crude & abrasive and eternally vulnerable & unrestrained storytelling musical style told over soft & dark backgrounds. On first listen the Ballad of Lucy Jordan - not written by Faithfull - stands out from its role on Thelma & Louise and because I love a good synth.
Not sure it’s an album I’d put on again but I enjoyed listening to it and will pick up a few singles from it.
Van Morrison
5/5
Going in Moondance was the only song I knew on this, and fantabulous is too earnest a word for any lyrics to pull off. I ended up preferring the vibe of the rest of the album instead. Came back to increase my score because I have listened to this quite a bit.
Tracks - Crazy Love, Into The Mystic, Brand New Day
Depeche Mode
2/5
I love synths but turns out I’m not crazy about the godfathers of synths themselves. Found myself a bit bored through this. Probably would not listen again.
Kendrick Lamar
2/5
I find this the same that I find Taylor swift in that I can appreciate the artistry and I know so many people love it. But I just don’t enjoy it.
I didn’t mind the sound of bitch don’t kill my vibe and poetic justice, and sing about me I’m dying of thirst. Ok ok so a few of them snuck up on me.
I put to you the lyrics of backseat freestyle:
I pray my dick get big as the Eiffel Tower
So I can fuck the world for seventy two hours
Damn I got bitches, damn I got bitches
Damn I got bitches, wifey, girlfriend and mistress
Not for me.
Public Image Ltd.
2/5
There was a guy at my school who who smoked rollies, went barefoot and was obsessed with the doors. For some reason this album reminded me of this dickhead lecturing people about society.
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
Thelonious Monk
2/5
May be great jazz, but it’s still jazz.
Doves
2/5
Wasn’t keen on this the first time I heard it. Liked it better the second time, good chill after hours vibes. Not sure I’d return to it though.
Ray Charles
3/5
Very enjoyable, would pop a few on a playlist but unlikely to enter the rotation album-wise
Fatboy Slim
4/5
Praise you is my mums favourite song. It’s a great one but I wasn’t overly excited for the album. How wrong I was - I loved all the beats and silliness here. Rockefeller transcends taste, praise you is a classic and the others are tongue in cheek and delighful. Found it tailed off for me at the end.
Kanye West
3/5
Highly grudging - as much as i don’t like Kanye I did enjoy some of this album and especially the flow over the whole thing, and the more soul influences. I think it’s probably good for a rap / hh album that’s just not what I really enjoy listening to. I enjoyed the themes of the songwriting - education, money, power.
The Doors
4/5
Top: peace frog, you make me real, ship of fools.
Thought this was going to be kinda shit but actually really enjoyed it.
King Crimson
4/5
Mostly I love this album. Loses a star for a few tracks being lengthy in a less good way, eg the quiet tinkling last 5 minutes of moon child.
2/5
It was ok, for very much not a country fan I appreciate her voice and could picture a time where I might enjoy listening to this
Frank Sinatra
4/5
Lovely, makes me want to be in a Nora Ephron film in New York in Winter
The Fall
1/5
Maybe I don’t get it. Maybe I just don’t like it. Either way, think I could die happy having never heard this.
Echo And The Bunnymen
2/5
Elliott Smith
3/5
The older brother of depressing indie music. Can see how it has influenced so many other artists. Enjoyed it
Robert Wyatt
2/5
I feel like I get where this is going - musically interesting and enjoyable, lyrically good to start with but vocally quite unpleasant and not enough to make me want to come back for more
The Everly Brothers
4/5
Beautiful harmonies from this early rock and roll duo. The sort of music I like to put on in a sunny morning having coffee. Couple of singles I enjoyed particularly - I only knew Cathy’s clown going in which I find a little plodding in tempo but I enjoyed their slower more melancholic tunes more - Always it’s You and Love Hurts. Similarly ploddy but just gave me the feelings.
Stevie Wonder
3/5
Enjoyed where this started, enjoyed where it ended, didn’t love it overall as an album.
The Byrds
2/5
Nice sorta what u expected from knowing the single off it
Throwing Muses
3/5
I found this fun. Might have been the run of average albums I got before this making me starved to enjoy something at all but the twisted up guitar, slightly breathy but silky smooth vocals are really working for me - I feel nostalgic for a 90s college experience, despite being born in 95.
Van Morrison
5/5
Even with some weird instruments, I found this really beautiful, especially Madame George.
Nas
2/5
2-3. I like the musicality, the bass lines, backing singers and overall vibe. I just fundamentally don’t think I enjoy rap and man I really tried. I think it’s good rap I just don’t like it.
Einstürzende Neubauten
1/5
Its reputation precedes it - I was pretty excited for this, knowing it as the lowest rated album here. And wow it did not disappoint - I feel like I’m tripping balls on an east Berlin building site.
Found the cover of Serge Gainsbourg vaguely hilarious.
Wish I was a special snowflake noise lover but alas, I am a hater.
Dusty Springfield
3/5
What I expected from knowing a bit of dusty and a few of the songs from other artists versions. Would listen again & liked a few singles.
The Who
3/5
Maybe I’m stuck in a rut, nothing has of yet come along to wow me for a while. This was a nice listen - I could feel the chains of musical connections reaching out from albums before and after this and there’s a couple of good jams on there I grew up with.
Steve Winwood
3/5
Just a nice synthy vibe from an incredibly talented musician - I mean just look at his session credits. Hadn’t listened to much of his work before.
Side note - I met two of his kids and they were genuinely very nice people.
Manic Street Preachers
3/5
It’s somewhere between a 3 and a 4. A very weird Elvis themed miserable Blackpool start going into an absolute banger really threw me for a loop. The rest of the album sat somewhere in the middle, although I liked Australia a lot. Would listen again.
The Doors
4/5
I like it best at its most banal poppy and it’s most self-indulgently obscure - Light My Fire and The End. I didn’t enjoy the Alabama detour, or Twentieth Century Fox.
Serge Gainsbourg
1/5
Et si délicieuse enfant
Aimable petite conne
Je n'sais pas ce que je te ferai
🤢 poor Jane Birkin at 24 playing a breathy FOURTEEN year old, against Serge in his 40s. I don’t get the sense it’s meant to be an unsympathetic unreliable narrator considering he released a song called lemon incest with his 13 year old daughter, with a video of them barely dressed in bed together, then said the song wasn’t about incest.
Creepy creepy creepy.
Ramones
5/5
Loved this, can’t believe I’d never heard the full album. Particularly enjoyed I wanna be your boyfriend into Chainsaw.
The Incredible String Band
2/5
Rather too earnest and certainly too much kazoo, let alone the other weirdnesses contained within.
Michael Jackson
2/5
Yes, it’s a great album. But I’ll separate the art from the artist when it no longer has his name on it, and when the profits go to charity.
Love
4/5
Psych 60s rock vibes.
Flamin' Groovies
2/5
Very 80s US bluesy rock inspired by 50s rock. Not crazy about 50s rock so those influences leave me colder. I liked some of the songs a lot like whisky woman (such a doors title and vibe) and city lights - a bit slower more of a pensive bluesy twangy guitar vibe. Probably won’t put this on again but wouldn’t mind hearing it.
XTC
1/5
Did not enjoy this album. Kinda found it like squeeze but without the humour.
Wilco
5/5
This is why I don’t like telling people what kind of music I like. Give me a genre-defining 80s punk rock band and I’m cold. Give me a 6 minute indie rock song of one man moaning that starts and ends with 30 seconds of, as far as I can tell, random fucking noises, and my brain is like ‘ohh yeah that’s the good stuff’.
Run-D.M.C.
4/5
Everyone likes this album right? I’m not keen on it but even I like this album. A deserved placing.
Justin Timberlake
3/5
Some classics
Astrud Gilberto
3/5
Felt like I was stuck in a tropical lift, and then a child appears?
Beatles
4/5
it’s the Beatles
Supergrass
4/5
Some upbeat British 90s rock.
Grateful Dead
3/5
I enjoyed listening to this album through but I don’t feel like there were any particular standouts.
Stevie Wonder
3/5
Sufjan Stevens
4/5
Dolly Parton
3/5
Cute storytelling, lovely voice.
Derek & The Dominos
3/5
Really enjoyed this overall album!
Eminem
4/5
Some horrendous phrases and views. But. This was an absolute game changer of a record, as well as an interesting critique of celebrity, influence, the record industry, being a role model and parasocial fan relationships.
The Good, The Bad & The Queen
2/5
- Hmm not sure about this
- hey that’s Damon Albarn! I like Damon albarn
- anything else to recommend this album?
- should it be one of the 1001?
- Along with the 3 blur albums for him i would have picked demon days over this
Blood, Sweat & Tears
3/5
Enjoyed the vibes, not crazy about it. Like the bluesy energy more than the jazzy parts
Soul II Soul
5/5
Loved this.
Oasis
5/5
Why do good things happen to bad people
Leonard Cohen
4/5
Beautiful, this is what forgiveness sounds like.
Mylo
4/5
Bloody loved this like an early and snobbier future nostalgia in the sampling concept.
A Tribe Called Quest
2/5
Not for me
Elliott Smith
3/5
I had Either/Or already, however I actually preferred this. Ironically for being an album made after he attempted on his own life, I found this more hopeful to listen to.
The Mamas & The Papas
4/5
Really nice little album - 60s acoustic vibes
Boston
2/5
Feels like a mean rating as I did like this album but I don’t see myself coming back to it. More Than A Feeling is a banger though obvs - was hoping for more forgotten big hitters on the album but didn’t get that.
Alice In Chains
3/5
I listened to this while angrily stomping around the city at sundown on the way to a dnd group. Short of lit outside a dive bar at gone 3am I think it’s a way the album is meant to be enjoyed.
And I liked it. Arguably a bit too long and for me, a bit dark - I liked the single Dirt until I didn’t. Goes on the yeah I guess pile at a 3
The Rolling Stones
4/5
Jaunty jangly Stones. I prefer the more bluesy souly tracks. Love a half hour album.
Top tracks: I’m a king bee (kinda sexy) Walkin the Dog (vibes), You Can Make it if you try (more bluesy)
Bee Gees
3/5
I didn’t like this at first but it really grew on me, instrumental pop rock opera style. Still found it a bit long.
Willie Nelson
5/5
This was so beautiful I cried.
Skunk Anansie
2/5
Based on the title and the album art I thought this would be some sort of ambient electronic so I was kinda surprised by what it actually was. I thought I’d like this - female vocalist, rock / metal, British. But it didn’t really hit for me.
Liked - lately
The Specials
2/5
Ah man really this album? Just imagining some confused Americans listening to this.
Slint
2/5
The title made me dread this. The wiki page made me actually pretty excited for it.
Turns out, not mad about it. I can see why it has a cult following - not just for the band that broke up as the second album came out - but for the weirdness and intensity of the album itself.
Lou Reed
5/5
Easy 5 for me. Everything I already know on this album I love, everything else I enjoyed.
Roxy Music
2/5
My favourite part of this was reading reviews from confused Americans in the comments.
David Bowie
3/5
This really reminded me of You Want It Darker - unsurprisingly as they both bookended 2016 and were the final, dark, religiously-overtones swan song albums of two prolific 20th century musician poets before their deaths.
Every time I thought I got a handle on this it shifted musically in quite a different direction. I enjoyed the lyrics, and I love David Bowie but I only really loved Dollar Days on this with that sax solo.
GZA
2/5
I’m not hating this. I’m certainly not liking it though. I’m finding it sonically dull. Very much not to my taste. I like the film samples more than the album.
**
If someone was playing this I wouldn’t be like, what the hell are you listening to, but I would be happy when it was over.
Pulp
3/5
Mature, heartfelt, poetic, reflective Pulp, exquisite in the little details.
Love: A Little Soul, Party Hard, I’m a Man, Like A Friend
Enjoyed less: Seductive Barry
The Youngbloods
3/5
Nice 60s folksy vibes
Sebadoh
4/5
A really fun indie rock discovery.
The Who
3/5
Feel like I could love this but didn’t. Maybe because there’s no nostalgia attached. Definitely because of creepy uncle Ernie.
Big Black
3/5
This is just noise and screaming. In a good way.
The Damned
3/5
rock n roll into punk in the late 70s vibes.
Foo Fighters
4/5
Unidentified Flying Bangers
The Gun Club
3/5
Am I starting to like punk?? I blame this project. Bluesy punk is cool.
Blue Cheer
3/5
Blues into rock. A nice listen, some what forgettable.
John Lennon
3/5
Singer / songwriter / screamer.
Black Sabbath
4/5
Mmmmm yummy sticky fudgy newly invented metal with a smattering of Ozzy on the harmonica. Get in ma belly.
Top tracks: NIB cool solo
Khaled
2/5
All over the place.
The Specials
2/5
Everything I liked on this album was the songs I already knew - the singles etc. I enjoyed some parts of the musicality this contains but overall I think ska is too wack for me.
Led Zeppelin
5/5
Thought I would like this.
Loved it.
Some classic well known Led Zep bangers as well as some more varied, genre busting softer tunes.
Lightning Bolt
1/5
I am fed up of this 30 seconds in.
Update: it did not improve.
Pixies
4/5
weird but I like it, think it influences a lot of bands I like too
Marty Robbins
2/5
Fine - not my sort of thing. Exactly what you’d expect from the album name and cover.
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
2/5
I don't think this is *bad*, necessarily, it's just really not for me, and I struggle to think who it is for.
Rush
3/5
Liked the prog rock vibes but honestly got a little bored.
Dwight Yoakam
2/5
Forgettable country
Sam Cooke
5/5
Not a bad second let alone a bad track.
Barry Adamson
1/5
They could have picked the lion king soundtrack but picked this instead
LTJ Bukem
1/5
Far too long and far too repetitive. Weirdly enough, my gal pop loving husband enjoyed this 1 probably because he only listened to 5 minutes of it every half hour, rather than the full beast.
Stevie Wonder
3/5
Faith No More
4/5
Enjoyed this rocky metaly melodic RCHP alike vibe
Shack
4/5
Thought from the cover art it would be a slog of a thing but what a fun little 90s Britpop album.
The Smiths
3/5
A couple bangers a couple slower ones
The Band
4/5
Didn’t pay much attention at first but wow this is warm and lovely.
Top tracks: the weight, long black veil, we can talk, chest fever for the organ solo!
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
2/5
Thought this was an easy hate but I liked Straight to You. The rest is kinda weird Hadestown energy.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
3/5
I have never really listened to Elvis Costello before this, something of a new discovery for me. In my head he was more in the realm of Nick Cave - don't know where I got that from - so was surprised at the poppy chirpy record coming through. I enjoyed listening to it.
David Bowie
3/5
Really liked a few of the singles. A pretty odd album overall, funky Bowie
Nirvana
5/5
Starts so incredibly that it’s hard not to feel a little let down by the end. Still slapping a 5 on this bad boy though.
Burning Spear
2/5
X-Ray Spex
4/5
I really enjoyed reading about Poly Styrene and the X-Ray Specs, and this female fronted 70s punk record. Hell yeah
Talking Heads
4/5
I listened to this on a plane and I can’t fully remember it but I’m pretty sure i enjoyed it, that raspy voice and poppy boingy vibes
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
3/5
The band well known from Graceland.
Digital Underground
2/5
Horny dudes fantasy x old school Hiphop. For 65 minutes.
Jethro Tull
4/5
Weird prog rock flute
Banging
To return to
Jeff Buckley
5/5
Lilac Wine, Hallelujah, Last Goodbye, Lover You Should’ve Come Over are absolutely beautiful. The rest are still a great listen as they do have their own specific vibes.
Solomon Burke
5/5
I love soup and I enjoyed listening to this.
Gene Clark
3/5
That’s nice.
Fela Kuti
3/5
In the immortal words of Ringo Starr, “you can’t play Imagine on the drums.” Really enjoyed this. Not keen to hear it again, mainly due to the endless drum solo, and the 15minute tracks.
Justice
3/5
Honestly a little disappointed as the only song I’d already heard was DANCE, and it’s by far the best on the album.
Goldfrapp
3/5
Nice dreamy synth pop album with near unintelligible lyrics.
Listened to it again with the lyrics up and Clowns is about big ole fake titties?? That really adds some starrage for me, what a vibe.
But seriously, A&E is incredibly beautiful, Caravan Girl is lovely too and the rest is a nice vibe.
Curtis Mayfield
3/5
Funky tunes.
Garbage
5/5
Yay I get to write the cliche album project comment!!!
This is the reason I’m doing this, to discover these absolutely banging albums that I would never have heard otherwise.
5* babyyyyyy
Elton John
4/5
Some absolute classics here.
Circle Jerks
2/5
What just happened
Duran Duran
4/5
A lot of big hitters on this banging 80s album, who knew? Love me a bit of synth pop.
Faves: Rio, Hungry Like The Wolf, Save A Prayer, Hold Back The Rain
Green Day
5/5
imagine being 17 in 2004 and hearing holiday into boulevard for the first time, calling your parents American Idiots, deciding to be a rebel and be dangerous, and rocking out. What an album.
The Electric Prunes
2/5
PHEW FINALLY some all-male American late 60s Psychedelic blues rock, beginning to think we wouldn't get any on this list.
If someone said this was their favourite album I would be forced to assume they had never heard any other music at all.
The good/fine: I Had Too Much to Dream (Last Night), About a Quarter To Nine = random little piano tune, Bangles, Get Me To The World on Time, Luvin', Try Me On For Size
The bad: everything else
My absolute WTFs:
The King is in The Counting House (Tudor nursery rhyme but a bit more threatening)
Sold To The Highest Bidder (taverna shanty)
The Toonerville Trolley (clowny nightmare fuel)
Arctic Monkeys
5/5
The only track on the album I don’t like is red light indicates doors are secured, and I have an issue with songs based on taxi/car signs: see also, objects in the rear view mirror may appear closer than they are. The rest of this album is bangers. I am British though.
Ray Price
3/5
nice little album. Familiar with Night Life from Willie Nelson's solo cover, and highly enjoyed having an intro track. Wouldn't consider myself a country fan, but this far back I enjoy it.
The KLF
4/5
Highly enjoyable chaotic pop house record.
Rufus Wainwright
3/5
Musical polenta: In theory, I like it, but in practice, it's somehow too folksy, too hippie, too samey, too bland for me to really enjoy.
The Velvet Underground
4/5
Just enough weird shit to keep a chill album interesting, plus I love Lou Reed so definitely biased going in. Newfound love for Moe Tucker for After Hours. Liked the chaos of Murder Mystery, and Pale Blue Eyes, Candy Says and I'm Set Free are classics for me.
The Louvin Brothers
1/5
For the whiskey swillin, god fearin man who’ll never love a woman as much as his dear ma.
Cornershop
4/5
*taking a big hit from a bong*
Awww yeahhh that's funky
Portishead
3/5
I was already familiar with the sultry delights of Glory Box. I like the rest of the album, and the cool reverby sound, but I found it repetitive and overall very samey.
Might also be because I'm in a bad mood due to construction workers next door, which makes every album sound like Kollaps.
Pet Shop Boys
4/5
Cool dark handsome synth pop.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
2/5
I like his voice but found the rest of this dull. I genuinely fell asleep listening to it.
ABBA
5/5
Happy people like ABBA. Sad people like ABBA because they want to be happy. Angry people don’t like ABBA.
Billy Joel
4/5
Tom Waits
4/5
Now that’s a good use of a live album. Feels like I’m at the fake jazz club in LA, enjoying his charisma, and vibey jazz band, and everyday lyricism.
Billie Holiday
4/5
An incredible voice
Talking Heads
3/5
liked this - ol Byrne but with funky backing tracks
The Adverts
3/5
Led Zeppelin
5/5
Cracking album start to finish. Very varied and altogether hits.
Queen
4/5
Loved this album - interesting enough with a bunch of different textures and vibes to be engaging.
Deep Purple
3/5
Feel like I’m being hit over the head with a guitar by someone’s younger brother.
Like the playing but there’s no substitute for decent songwriting.
Dolly Parton
2/5
3 amazing voices, great outfits but this is just not for me.
Fever Ray
4/5
Dark, moody, electronic. I recognised that specific intonation from the Knifes cover of Jose Gonzalez heartbeats. I enjoyed this.
Meat Loaf
4/5
Some great songs, and then there’s that weird intro to took the words right out of my mouth.
Teenage Fanclub
4/5
Fun 90s rocky album.
Spacemen 3
3/5
I already know this a bit - back in the early 2010s when I was a teenager waiting for the day I'd meet a hot skinny indie boy like Ben Goldwasser from MGMT, and thought I'd better check out some tunes so I know what I'm talking about when we're listening to druggie music, smoking weed in our skinny jeans and tumblr cardigans. That didn't happen for me but on listening back I kinda still like this, although it loses its way a little in the middle for me. Would listen again.
Lambchop
3/5
A solid, interesting, varied, rock album.
The Beach Boys
4/5
that cover is worth getting banned from the zoo for bouncing a carrot off a tiger's nose.
Partly pop-changing, decade-defining bangers, partly psychedelic choirboy bizarrity.
Sarah Vaughan
4/5
Not usually wild about a live album but I really enjoyed this - her voice is incredible, and I like my jazz bands like I like my earrings: brass-free.
The White Stripes
4/5
Really enjoyed this rocky fun album
The Cure
4/5
Banging
Gorillaz
3/5
Some absolutely incredible songs but overall an odd album that I didn’t love.
Afrika Bambaataa
1/5
Did not enjoy - sounds like a scrubs parody of a hip hop track & he’s a nonce.
Radiohead
4/5
I regret to inform the good people of 1001 albums club that I have discovered that in fact, the bends is my favourite radiohead album, making me a basic bitch. I request that people respect my privacy at this time. Thank you very much.
The Pogues
2/5
I like their version of trad folk songs and their softer songs, but was sad not to find more in an album containing my fave Christmas song of all time (albeit replacing some lyrics with "I love Diane Abbott")
My Bloody Valentine
4/5
Kevin Shields sounds like a twat
I did think my neighbour was drilling but turned out to just be the other half of this sound
it is good though
90s irish english shoegaze indie
The Divine Comedy
3/5
"chamber pop" apparently, lots of instruments, overall sounds nice and would listen again but kinda melodramatic
Supergrass
2/5
Found this generally unremarkable.
Badly Drawn Boy
2/5
I spent most of this wondering why I was convinced this was going to be early & bad hip hop - was it that weird album cover?
About an hour in it hit me, I must have been thinking of the beastie boys.
And that was the most eventful part of listening to this album.
Genesis
3/5
Me, pointing at Peter Gabriel as slipperman to my drug dealer:
‘I’ll have what he’s having!’
This is my first intro to genesis (other than, of course, Phil Collins’ Tarzan soundtrack and I had absolutely no idea it was going to be like this - an hour and a half, track into track, absolutely bloody bonkers. I think this merits another listen as right now I have no idea where this stands with me. All I know is I put this on to unpack the dishwasher and an hour later I’ve cleaned my whole house.
OutKast
3/5
Some very high highs and some quite mid lows on this mixed hip hop album. Ultimately too long (24 songs! 75 minutes!) and not enough of it strong enough.
Paul Simon
4/5
“Finally, with Garfunkel out of the picture I can releasing as many ‘hobo’ related songs as I want.”
- Paul Simon in 1972, probably
Electric Light Orchestra
4/5
Cross genre multi instrument powerhouse of a double album.
The Killers
5/5
I have seen them live twice, more than 10 years apart, and they were absolutely incredible each time.
The least played song on this album has been played 20 million times. Like it or not this album deserves its spot here.
And I bloody love it.
Dire Straits
3/5
Didn't hate this, a few decent singles across the album, a lot of placid guitary music.
The Who
4/5
Did not expect to like this really - a long Who album based around commercials? but found the songs surprisingly good and the ad format a compelling tribute to commercial radio. Wouldn't be listening to it all the time but a strong contender.
Did not like Silas Stingy - absolutely ruined the momentum of the album for me.
David Bowie
5/5
What dread sound
What haunting voice
Ute Lemper
2/5
Feels like the plot filler songs from a bunch of musicals, complete with incredibly obscure references to things that have happened or are happening on stage that I don’t understand. I keep thinking the next one is going to be the big banger that I’ll have heard of.
Pixies
4/5
Rivals Doolittle for me. A great album.
Stan Getz
2/5
Weirdly I got the pixies bossanova yesterday then the real thing today. This was pleasant but not something I’m likely to listen to.
The Verve
4/5
Simultaneously this deserves all the low stars for being boring and the high star reviews for being great.
I found more to be enjoyed on this than just bittersweet symphony - sonnet, drugs don’t work, lucky man being the big ones. The rest faded away a bit for me but I did also enjoy The Butterfly even though it’s a bit long - has that funky 90s sound.
Pretenders
3/5
Straight down the middle for this. Brass In Pocket is great, there was nothing else I found distinctive enough to notice. I’ll be sticking to their hits.
Brian Wilson
2/5
There are bits of this I like but none of them amount to a song, rather a load of fragments carved up into songs. At best, touching, lyrical and melodic, at worst oddly comic, repetitive and off-putting.
The Byrds
2/5
Not much for me to recommend in this - I found it quite dull, basic covers and weird folky songs.
Tim Buckley
3/5
I don’t know why but kinda felt like the doors if JM didn’t think he was all that. A nice listen.
Adele
4/5
This just is a really good album. Her voice is fantastic, it has highs and lows, and yes it's a female singer songwriter piano ballad album but it is a bloody good one.
Orbital
3/5
I don’t know what this is but I liked it. Apparently techno, but not the sort of nntz nntz techno I hate.
Trippy electronic beats music 90s
N.W.A.
2/5
Oh look it’s the most famous rap album of all time!
Does it deserve its place here? Hell yeah.
Do I still not like it? Oh hell yeah.
3/5
Actually genuinely a really strong start to an album. After that I checked a few times that I was listening to the right thing.
A friend of a friend had I still haven’t found what I’m looking for as the first dance for their wedding because it was the couples song, which is one of the worst picks I can think of.
LCD Soundsystem
5/5
Scum into Someone Great into All My Friends is an incredible track run. I came to this album in my 20s and it spoke to everything I was feeling.
The Triffids
3/5
Not totally sure what to make of this. A great voice and a lot of depth to it. In parts melancholy and joyful, from a great Aussie band I’d never heard of.
Aretha Franklin
4/5
Incredible voice.
Steely Dan
3/5
Enjoyed this but not especially memorable.
Stephen Stills
3/5
Nice guitary music
Wilco
3/5
honestly I liked this but was really not in the mood for it.
The Stone Roses
5/5
What a fucking corker of an album
The Prodigy
4/5
I feel like I’m storming a midnight zombie rave.
Caetano Veloso
3/5
I listened to this and then forgot about it and couldn’t for the life of me remember what it was.
‘Tropicalia’, apparently. Down the middle. Easy listening but doubt I’ll be popping this on.
Bob Dylan
4/5
Soundgarden
4/5
Cool accessible grungy 90s surf rock album.
If a bit long.
Beyoncé
4/5
How is this the only Beyonce album???
The Rolling Stones
3/5
Interesting that the wikipedia page for Aftermath mentions Rubber Soul 14 times.
Liked the instrumentation - pointed out as Jones adding weird instruments to songs.
Not keen: Lady Jane, I Am Waiting
Keen: Paint it Black, Under My Thumb (Jones' marimba vibes), Flight 505 (classic rock)
Dire Straits
2/5
Meh
Kraftwerk
4/5
Absolutely loved Autobahn and the Komitdowdjfbfien #2 (yeah I am fluent in German how did you know). Like I’m not going to listen to it all the time but it does slap. Fuck it it’s a 4
Crowded House
2/5
I thought this was going to be pretty inoffensive but something about the lyrics and the songs irritated me. Weather With You and Fall At Your Feet are good though.
Bon Jovi
3/5
My god this is fun. 80s hair rock is a vibe
Aretha Franklin
5/5
Sensational, funky, heartfelt.
Beastie Boys
2/5
Love the artwork - was interested to read more about the photographer and especially his Brooklyn Gangs photoshoot.
Off the wiki: “Although Davidson had not heard the Beastie Boys' music and did not understand it once he did—he later recalled thinking it sounded like a "secret language" when they sent him a demo tape”
I very much agree. I think it’s probably good I just don’t really like it - and the less rapping the better.
Peter Gabriel
2/5
Odd mix of US stadium rock and folksy spangly guitars. Can see why Solsbury hill is a hit.
Bill Evans Trio
3/5
I am no great jazz fan, and much prefer music with lyrics, but the combination of piano, bass and drums is especially enjoyable in the jazz world. I wouldn't say I was a massively into it but I can see myself coming back to this for a specific backgroundy vibe.
T. Rex
4/5
Why have I never listened to a T Rex album in full when I've loved all the singles I've heard?
Upbeat instruments, iconic vocals, big thwacking melodies.
Finley Quaye
2/5
Willie Nelson
3/5
Lynyrd Skynyrd
3/5
That free bird song. And a few others. Decent stuff.
Stevie Wonder
3/5
Sometimes nice and funky. Overall not super excited
The Band
4/5
Really liked this americana revival folk album. Didn't find it dull at all.
Cream
3/5
A solid classic rock album with an absolutely baffling final song.
Green Day
3/5
Thought I’d like this more tbh as a millennial. I liked it. And sure that maybe I’d like it more if I listened to all of it when I was 16.
Incubus
2/5
Found this pretty meh overall.
3/5
Kinks' songs are like good poetry in their specific vignettes, but with more upbeat instruments and british accents.
Fleetwood Mac
3/5
This was nice, recognisable from the more famous works of the mac but nothing in here is as well known. I think for good reason.
The Beta Band
3/5
Weird kinda generic britpop but like on a slightly different drug than the rest of Britpop. I’m a sucker for this kinda vibe and I enjoyed this.
Jefferson Airplane
4/5
Fun psychedelic pop rock with highs and lows.
Kendrick Lamar
2/5
look I just don’t like it ok
Weather Report
3/5
This was a nice background jazz vibe. I know nothing about Jazz tbh but vibes
Nick Drake
4/5
Surprised myself, thought this was quite run of the mill but his silky rough voice and lyricism was very enjoyable.
Parliament
4/5
My god this is fun. Somebody call the fun police.
4/5
Weird, dark, grating, great.
Paul Simon
5/5
The platonic ideal of an album.
Curtis Mayfield
4/5
Short, sweet and soulful.
Earth, Wind & Fire
3/5
Yeah I liked this funky disco soulful album but she didn’t speak to me.
Bob Dylan
4/5
The album opens with Blowin In the wind, as made famous of course by hitchhikers guide to the galaxy.
I’m just kidding, before I get roasted by angry Dylan fans.
But this is classic stuff here. I like the grating minor war songs the least and the softer more existential and romantic tunes more. Some discoveries here too.
Norah Jones
3/5
This is pleasant.
Tricky
3/5
Weirdly enjoyed the trip hop vibes - no specific standout tracks, the only memorable one was the portishead heavy one.
Neil Young
2/5
Goodness I didn’t like this at all
The Notorious B.I.G.
2/5
Not a big rap fan anyway, I see why this is popular and I like the beats but all the talk of drugs bitches and guns it’s just not for me. I don’t want to hear a coerced sloppy beej on an album.
Big Poppa do be a jam though.
Love
2/5
Absolutely all over the place - very 60s and quite bonkers, psychedelia, jangly instrumentation. Did not love.
Linkin Park
4/5
Really enjoyed this powerful dramatic rock record. On the first listen so far they’re a bit samey other than the big hits but i feel they’d reveal themselves more distinct on subsequent listens.
John Prine
2/5
The hay bale image did not fill me with confidence.
Funnily enough I did a pub quiz last night where one round was all about country music - needless to say I knew none of the answers apart from Shania Twain & Johnny Cash.
So I’m not saying this twangy record isn’t fine writing and melodic, just that it’s not a sound I enjoy.
I always thought Bonnie Raitt wrote Angel from Montgomery so that was interesting.
Alexander 'Skip' Spence
2/5
Some albums are here for being influential, genre-spawning, genre-defining or incredible songwriting, instrumentation or vibes. Some are here seemingly because the artist or one of the songs on it merit inclusion. This one seems to have been included for the circumstances around its creation. Unfortunately for me, mental illness does not make genius - otherwise I could play guitar behind the poem I wrote in group art therapy and make the list too.
Also, it’s too long. I keep checking thinking I’ll be on the last song but I’m only halfway through.
D'Angelo
4/5
Makes me wanna peel off my low rise jeans, butterfly top and baker boy hat to get freaky in the back of my boyfriend’s car, circa 1996.
Amy Winehouse
5/5
I had assumed that at least some of these were covers because of how classic they were. I didn’t like Rehab when it first came out but my god now this whole album is just glitteringly darkly beautiful.
Saint Etienne
4/5
DO YOU WANT SOME. SWEETS WILLY?
what a funny little album.
Common
3/5
Generally, not a fan of hip hop (no I don’t have a maths phd) but I actually quite enjoyed this melodic album.
Nirvana
4/5
This was cool - soft melodic acoustics and the harshnesss of his voice together. I don’t love the Nevermind ‘secondary’ album tracks but the covers were great
Pearl Jam
4/5
This is like a 3.5 for me right now but will round up or down on a subsequent listen.
Thick ass guitar riffs and groany Vedder vocals - it’s relatively compact and surprisingly more laid back than I thought. Faves were Alive (obvs just a classic) and Garden.
Os Mutantes
4/5
This is so noisy and camp and stupid and weird. I love it. My favourite is the slurping noise in baby. What a rich soundscape.
The Sugarcubes
3/5
Like a parody of euro pop, because of bjorks strong vocals, punky pop tunes and a campy European accented man saying cunty things like ‘she badly needs a new toy’. I hear the B52 comparison other commenters have made. Weird but I kinda like it. 3.5 maybe.
Arcade Fire
3/5
Ah yeah noughties folk indie pop revival. I like it at its more upbeat - no cars go and keep the car running.
Bonnie Raitt
4/5
The song Nick of Time is bloody amazing. I’m not a big country fan but I will make an exception for Bonnie Raitt.
The Associates
2/5
Oh wow I had no idea temu Bowie teamed up with the Cure to make emo music for daleks. But somehow in the worst way possible.
The War On Drugs
3/5
This is pleasant indie music - I very much hear the American heartlands Petty Springsteen type influences but I still found it nice to listen to.
Steely Dan
5/5
Thought this was probably going to be boring but ended up really enjoying it - yes the hits but the album tracks too. Made me wanna go for a long drive with the windows down.
The Prodigy
4/5
I don’t know if I can give this a 5 when I only gave jilted generation a 4. The highs are higher but there are a couple of lows / too long songs.
Nitin Sawhney
4/5
It’s not that I think the criticism of this album is invalid - it does sound at times like weird coffee shop music, it is overly disparate - but I guess I just liked the overall effect. Every time I thought I knew what it was it went a different way. I felt stoned af and had absolutely the best nap of my life after listening to this. No idea why it’s here.
Nick Drake
3/5
A nice chill album, with a beautiful voice. I didn’t love it though.
Faust
2/5
I don’t know what I was expecting krautrock to mean but it wasn’t this. I enjoyed it but doubt I’ll be back.
Rahul Dev Burman
2/5
Oh it’s all the names from Brimful of Asha! It is different to a lot of the stuff on here, and an English / Hindi film soundtrack. I didn’t mind it.
Kate Bush
4/5
Funnily enough I got this on the day I lwatched the stranger things finale which features the first song.
Where I live in Sydney each winter they have a Kate Bush day in the local park - hundreds of people turn up wearing red and black a la Wuthering Heights and dance to that I’m the park, and then run up a little hill lblasting Running Up that hill.
Anyway.
No one else sounds anything like this - what a crazy, cool album.
Richard Thompson
2/5
Acoustic guitary duet. Pleasant but not particularly interesting to me.
808 State
3/5
Enjoyable electro classic. Good vibe for focus.
Björk
3/5
I actually really liked this pared back dark ethereal female break up album.
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
I think I like the E street band as much as I like old Brucey - the stripped back production did not resonate with me as much as the glossy commercial stuff.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
5/5
I feel like a big part of the challenge for me with these albums is putting aside preconceptions and just listening to the album in front of you.
Anyway. Listening to this with intent felt almost like hearing some of the songs again for the first time and what a cracking album it is. So 5* for that, but also to spite the other reviewer below who keeps using the word political about Bob Marley like that’s a bad thing.
Ms. Dynamite
4/5
Based on the wiki and the reviews I expected to find this super dull but I find myself here defending it and its inclusion.
As a staunch non-rap fan I’ve sat through a bunch of albums already that have sounded pretty damn similar to me, a constant flow of guns, drugs, n words and bitches. So what I really liked about this is the perspective. Female, anti drug, anti domestic violence and disrespect. And hey maybe there are others that do that better - as I’ve said I don’t come into this with much pre-existing knowledge about rap at all but showing the other side of what’s depicted in the stereotypical rap album I found an interesting dialogue with it, or at least a refreshing take.
Not to say the list overall isn’t overwhelmingly and underwhelmingly British, and that based on global appeal, impact and acclaim this album deserves a spot, I’m not saying that, but marking it up an extra 1 because hell I can
Beatles
4/5
Highly enjoyable, an absolutely classic, I just don’t love it.
Coldcut
4/5
Fun noisy weird house music. Highly enjoyed. A bit too long.
Big Star
2/5
I didn’t really get this. It wasn’t unpleasant I just didn’t particularly enjoy it.
T. Rex
3/5
A good album but I didn’t like it as much as Electric Warrior, the home of the hits.
Thin Lizzy
4/5
I don’t objectively think this is that great mug my god I enjoyed it. Docks a star because it’s too long. Otherwise really cracking.
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
warm soulful (not like, Soul) lesser know. (At least to me) Springsteen tracks. Some duds.
Underworld
2/5
Not mad about this, took me three sittings to get through this electronic album.
Leonard Cohen
5/5
Beautiful. Haunting. Nostalgic.
Butthole Surfers
3/5
I was expecting to hate this but I didn’t. Sure it’s weird, overly experimental and somehow still relies on other people’s work / spoofing but idk it worked for me.
Fave bits:
Human cannonball, 22 going on 23
Johnny Cash
4/5
A smash, improved by the audience and the electric ambience of this live prison album.
- 1 star because I really didn’t like the song about his dog.
The Byrds
2/5
I liked Nothing Was Delivered, You Ain’t Going Nowhere, You Got A Reputation, Lazy Days - the more rock side of the country rock album.
I really didn’t like: Life in Prison, The Christian Life.
Everything else I just didn’t particularly like.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
3/5
I just don’t love this. The hits are ubiquitous, between them is filler. It’s a distinctive sound I just struggled through it.
The Saints
4/5
Really enjoyed this punky but more rocky Aussie album. Songs blurred into each other a bit but the horns smashed big time.
Buck Owens
2/5
So I guess this is included because it’s ’Bakersfield country’ / hillbilly music. I’m hoping that means it’s the only one.
Ploddy steel twangy guitars. Not my least favourite country but I don’t like it at all.
Franz Ferdinand
3/5
A nice indie pop album with one massive hit on it.
Miriam Makeba
4/5
Really lovely album this. Didn’t like One More Dance particularly but her voice is incredible and the songs are broad and interesting.
Iron Butterfly
3/5
early psychedelic acid rock and a 17 minute one side track - the sort of song that gets the aux snatched off you. Similar vein to doors etc.
Various Artists
3/5
One of the ones that got behind over the holidays so listening to this on the 13th Jan doesn’t exactly feel like the spirit in which it ideas meant.
It is my first Christmas gift from a murderer so good for me I guess. In light of this the Silent Night freaked me out. Don’t really wanna hear that again.
These versions of White Christmas, Baby Please Come Home, Sleigh Ride are all played a lot.
Public Enemy
3/5
I thought this was Public Image so was relieved when it was in fact Flava Flav’s outlet. I just don’t love the genre but I do think this merits a spot I just don’t particularly enjoy it.
Bonnie "Prince" Billy
4/5
I found this beautiful and sad.
Carpenters
4/5
I was expecting this to be an album of meh with a big hit on it. And to a lesser extent it was but I still found it lovely.
David Bowie
3/5
Trying not to rate albums just based on the artist and the fame / expectation around their name so here goes - I didn’t love this ambient instrumental album. I think I’ll listen to it again but it’s just not what I love about his work.
Nico
4/5
Had no idea this was so controversial. I honestly love this album. I adore her voice and I could listen to her sing a shopping list. I do wish I hadn’t read her wiki page though.
Kanye West
4/5
I always knew him as pop music guy -> crazy right wing sneaker guy and somehow missed musical genius guy. This is unabashedly really fucking good. Minus one star for the vaginal upholstery business wtf
Depeche Mode
4/5
Some absolute classics here of dark 80s synth. Vibes for days
Hanoi Rocks
3/5
I mean, I enjoyed listening to it but also who the fuck are these guys making random glam rock stuff and why should I listen to this other than it’s kinda fun. Hmmm
Haircut 100
3/5
Just when I thought I was working out what new wave meant. This is new wave? Is mayonnaise new wave??
A kinda fun record, 80s pop and boy am I a sucker for a saxophone.
R.E.M.
2/5
I found this very meh. End Of The World has been played a lot.
The Cramps
4/5
Reading more about them they sound like the wackiest people out there. Liked this a lot. Odd choice to end the album on a cover but I love the way they play.
Julian Cope
3/5
Weird art rock singer vibes - I liked it and would listen again
The Who
3/5
Sorry I have no taste and like the commercial stuff better
I feel like this would have been great to be at
Bob Dylan
3/5
I like Dylan at his most melodic and folky - the twanginess I find grating
Daft Punk
3/5
Give me RAM and I’ll give you 5 *s… while the pop and dance instincts are great for me it just misses the storytelling and the highs and lows
TV On The Radio
4/5
Wow I really loved this. Chill and funky but powerful, and strong vocals. A fun new discovery!
Elton John
4/5
Elton classic.
The Stooges
3/5
Worship music in the church of miscreants and maniacs.
Minor Threat
1/5
20 minutes might be short for an album, but it's long for a panic attack, which is what this felt like to me.
Joni Mitchell
5/5
Feels alternately like being pulled underwater and breaking the surface with gasping breaths.
Janelle Monáe
5/5
What the fuck (compliment)
In my head this is happening in the same universe that Yoshimi is battling pink robots