676
Albums Rated
3.66
Average Rating
62%
Complete
413 albums remaining
Rating Distribution
How you rate albums
Rating Timeline
Average rating over time
Ratings by Decade
Which era do you prefer?
Activity by Day
When do you listen?
Taste Profile
1970s
Favorite Decade
Britpop
Favorite Genre
UK
Top Origin
Cheerleader
Rater Style ?
98
5-Star Albums
6
1-Star Albums
Taste Analysis
Genre Preferences
Ratings by genre
Origin Preferences
Ratings by country
Rating Style
You Love More Than Most
Albums you rated higher than global average
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| What's That Noise? | 5 | 2.78 | +2.22 |
| Oedipus Schmoedipus | 5 | 2.79 | +2.21 |
| Go Girl Crazy | 5 | 2.84 | +2.16 |
| Hypocrisy Is The Greatest Luxury | 5 | 2.88 | +2.12 |
| Music Has The Right To Children | 5 | 2.91 | +2.09 |
| Infected | 5 | 2.92 | +2.08 |
| Black Monk Time | 5 | 2.94 | +2.06 |
| The Dreaming | 5 | 2.96 | +2.04 |
| Ghosteen | 5 | 2.97 | +2.03 |
| Dog Man Star | 5 | 3 | +2 |
You Love Less Than Most
Albums you rated lower than global average
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| S&M | 1 | 3.26 | -2.26 |
| The Scream | 1 | 3.04 | -2.04 |
| Club Classics Vol. One | 1 | 2.82 | -1.82 |
| Chelsea Girl | 1 | 2.63 | -1.63 |
| Buenas Noches From A Lonely Room | 1 | 2.6 | -1.6 |
| Back At The Chicken Shack | 2 | 3.39 | -1.39 |
| Ace of Spades | 2 | 3.29 | -1.29 |
| Paranoid | 3 | 4.2 | -1.2 |
| Mermaid Avenue | 2 | 3.18 | -1.18 |
| The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter | 1 | 2.15 | -1.15 |
Artist Analysis
Favorite Artists
Artists with 2+ albums
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Beatles | 5 | 4.4 |
| Radiohead | 5 | 4.4 |
| Stevie Wonder | 4 | 4.5 |
| Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds | 4 | 4.5 |
| Nick Drake | 2 | 5 |
| The Chemical Brothers | 2 | 5 |
| Nirvana | 2 | 5 |
| Brian Eno | 3 | 4.33 |
| Jimi Hendrix | 3 | 4.33 |
| The Kinks | 3 | 4.33 |
| Bob Dylan | 5 | 4 |
Controversial Artists
Artists you rate inconsistently
| Artist | Ratings |
|---|---|
| Siouxsie And The Banshees | 1, 4 |
| Metallica | 4, 1, 4, 4 |
5-Star Albums (98)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
Shuggie Otis
4/5
Really good stuff, sometimes funky sometimes laid-back, always tasteful. 4
2 likes
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
3/5
Equal parts insufferable and crazy genius. You can't help but pay attention, like you would a train wreck. Very unique album. Glad I got through it, but will not listen again for a good while. 3.141592
1 likes
Patti Smith
4/5
Very strong, this is the female version of Bob Dylan / Velvet Underground 4.3
1 likes
1-Star Albums (6)
All Ratings
Joy Division
3/5
A bit boring, don't like the singer's voice
Muddy Waters
3/5
The recording is not very high quality. I'm sure this was influential because it sounds almost cliché at this point. Good music, but has been redone better in the following years
Louis Prima
5/5
The Flaming Lips
4/5
4*, Creative and soothing
Thin Lizzy
5/5
Bill Evans Trio
5/5
Extremely listenable, goes down smooth even if sophisticated
Spiritualized
4/5
Spacey, entrancing
Marvin Gaye
3/5
Many of the tracks feel like the same song
Boards of Canada
5/5
5
Hole
3/5
More listenable than I thought.
The Sugarcubes
3/5
Not unpleasant
Siouxsie And The Banshees
1/5
I wanted to like it but it is repetitive, simplistic and irritating.
Rage Against The Machine
5/5
The Zombies
5/5
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
3/5
David Bowie
4/5
Todd Rundgren
4/5
Inventive! Zen Archer is great
Drive-By Truckers
2/5
Off key
Buena Vista Social Club
5/5
Ash
4/5
Very well crafted
Scott Walker
3/5
English Jacques Brel? Maybe good to fall asleep
ABBA
3/5
It's ok
Van Morrison
4/5
Metallica
4/5
Metal that feels solid to this non-metal fan
The Smashing Pumpkins
4/5
Solid
Gary Numan
3/5
Indeed sounds influential, but that kind of music has been done better in later years
Antony and the Johnsons
3/5
Very original; poignant and immediate; feels like you're in the room where they recorded. but I would likely tire of it
Stevie Wonder
4/5
Quite original and personal
R.E.M.
4/5
Good, easy to listen to
Pet Shop Boys
4/5
Super listenable
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
Better than I thought
Hawkwind
2/5
tiresome, though it has some good ideas
Marty Robbins
3/5
Big Brother & The Holding Company
3/5
uneven but some parts are outstanding
The Black Keys
3/5
A few real bangers but a bit of filler too
Billy Bragg
2/5
Not my style
Led Zeppelin
4/5
Actually like it better than IV
Frank Zappa
5/5
Completely outstanding. Creative integration of so many different musical ingredients! Must have inspired Beck Hansen
Wilco
5/5
Every song superbly crafted, every note felt. There is a sense of full presence and musicianship I find hard to express.
Willie Nelson
3/5
Missy Elliott
4/5
Good production values
David Bowie
3/5
It's OK
Can
3/5
good ideas but gets tedious
Wilco
3/5
Solid work but did not inspire me as much as Being There
The Beach Boys
4/5
Brian Eno
5/5
Genius
The xx
3/5
A couple bangers but that's kind of it
Linkin Park
3/5
Good effort. That sound has since become cliché.
Johnny Cash
4/5
Some of these are deeply soulful
Lynyrd Skynyrd
3/5
LCD Soundsystem
3/5
Supergrass
5/5
Original and sounds great!
John Martyn
3/5
muttering much, some good ideas
Ray Price
4/5
Very well done, I usually don't care for this style of music but it drew me in
The Mothers Of Invention
3/5
A bit too experimental
Lloyd Cole And The Commotions
3/5
bit of 80s nostalgia
Astor Piazzolla
3/5
The Notorious B.I.G.
3/5
Decent
Saint Etienne
2/5
meh
Super Furry Animals
3/5
ok
Various Artists
3/5
A few bangers in there, not great recording quality
Morrissey
3/5
Metallica
1/5
Couldn't finish it. Not for classical music lovers, and I suspect not for Metallica lovers either
Queen Latifah
4/5
Excellent stuff, well delivered
Beatles
4/5
Talking Heads
4/5
Original and energetic
The Magnetic Fields
4/5
Impressive feat of composition. Many songs sound like they could be turned into bangers if only they had more polish.
The Who
4/5
They're good
Little Richard
3/5
Bangers but high redundancy
GZA
3/5
Solid rap, but did not leave a strong impression. 3.5
Massive Attack
3/5
OK
Fred Neil
4/5
Original and good, similar to Cat Stevens and Van Morrisson
Bob Dylan
4/5
great songs, so-so execution
Massive Attack
4/5
Quite enjoyable
Skunk Anansie
4/5
Maybe it's just my era but this hit the spot
The Byrds
3/5
Poor man's Beatles. Just ok.
Aretha Franklin
3/5
I know she's a legend but this was just ok for me
Soul II Soul
1/5
maybe if i were drunk in a dance club
Carpenters
4/5
Meticulously produced, everything sounds so good!!
Pearl Jam
5/5
Outstanding, creative, energetic
Michael Jackson
4/5
Bangers and saccharine
The Velvet Underground
4/5
It sounds like it was recorded in little Johnny's basement and is repetitive but somehow they make it entrancing. Good stuff.
Kanye West
5/5
Insanely talented producer and creative musician.
Kraftwerk
4/5
Minimalistic and very European!
Lenny Kravitz
4/5
Very clean recording, perfecting the music of the previous decades. Quite enjoyable.
The White Stripes
4/5
Excellent work. Raw ane effective. Uneven but great overall.
R.E.M.
4/5
Solid work.
Kanye West
4/5
All very good + several bangers
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
5/5
Absolutely captivating
Eminem
4/5
very raw, powerful; quality is uneven
Raekwon
3/5
The rapping is good but the music is often just one good loop repeated 176 times. It grew on me as I listened though - or I got hypnotized.
Radiohead
5/5
Hard to beat. This never gets old.
Ramones
5/5
Marvelously efficient, glorious simplicity
Bonnie Raitt
3/5
Good but not my style
Funkadelic
5/5
Incredible musicianship
Hot Chip
3/5
Look At Where We Are is a banger, the rest is good
Beck
4/5
Carefully crafted, requires a quiet space for listening
Sex Pistols
4/5
Better played and better recorded than I expected.
Tori Amos
4/5
Excellent, powerful, personal.
Green Day
3/5
Very decent, almost too tight
Culture Club
3/5
Okay
The Afghan Whigs
3/5
It goes hard but the singer needs autotune.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
4/5
Bangers and filler
Meat Loaf
4/5
Original, theatrical
The Byrds
4/5
Original and interesting, liked it better than Mr. Tambourine Man
The Dictators
5/5
Amazing, great energy, they are up there with the Ramones IMO
Metallica
4/5
Goes hard
New York Dolls
3/5
Competent but lacking that spark that the Ramones and the Dictators have
Bob Dylan
5/5
Moving
The Rolling Stones
4/5
Solid one, they have the mojo
Elton John
4/5
Inventive and pleasant
Cat Stevens
5/5
Quite amazing + nostalgia for me
Skepta
3/5
Big man ting yeah... serious Big Shaq vibes
The Smiths
3/5
ok
Q-Tip
4/5
Musically better than most rap albums. 3.51*
5/5
The Crusaders
4/5
Great musicianship. Opening track is very accomplished
Jerry Lee Lewis
5/5
Such energy
New Order
3/5
Shades of cure
The Go-Betweens
3/5
The Band
3/5
Good stuff but didn't stick that much with me
The Libertines
4/5
Very good but I liked Up the Bracket more
Frank Black
4/5
Very well put together
Eric Clapton
3/5
underwhelming
A Tribe Called Quest
3/5
Some good stuff but feels too long, lost interest
Thelonious Monk
5/5
Creative and brilliant
The Beach Boys
4/5
Better than I expected
Black Sabbath
5/5
Surprisingly great. Accomplished musicianship, simple and effective
LL Cool J
4/5
Solid piece of work
Deep Purple
3/5
Tight musicianship, not always inspired, the tracks are good but I don't like how it sounds 3.5
Fleetwood Mac
5/5
Wow
Prince
4/5
A bit too 80s but quite good
The Stooges
3/5
If substance abuse was a rock album. If you're looking for something primal, this is it.
Tom Waits
3/5
Quite listenable but not memorable
Bob Dylan
4/5
No one like sir Dylan
Peter Frampton
3/5
3.5 - pretty good but short of wonderful
Kraftwerk
4/5
Retro-futurist synth-pop. Successfully capturing the zeitgeist. 4
Santana
3/5
I really wanted to like this. 3.4
Doves
4/5
Very listenable
Teenage Fanclub
3/5
ok
Deep Purple
4/5
Gotta love the energy
Dr. John
2/5
Sounds like a drug trip to new Orléans. Songs feel pretty bare and repetitive
U2
4/5
A few bangers and the rest is pretty good. 3.6
Boston
4/5
Very tight, better than I expected
Michael Jackson
4/5
Not bad at all
Jeff Beck
3/5
Rod Stewart sings with Cream. Solid but not striking 3.3
Orange Juice
3/5
Mid. Talking heads style
AC/DC
5/5
Insanely catchy rock n roll
Janet Jackson
4/5
The sound is original and the album is well put together. Refreshing
Gang Of Four
5/5
Sharp, tight, edgy, fresh, absolutely outstanding. It is clear why this is one of Rolling Stone's top punk albums of all time
Dagmar Krause
4/5
3.8 mostly for originality
Beatles
5/5
Astonishing. Even the lesser songs on this album are four stars.
Adele
3/5
Not outrageously inventive but well sung and well performed, 3.4
Otis Redding
5/5
Sings great songs with soul
The Offspring
3/5
3.4, sometimes annoying sometimes enjoyable in about equal parts
Dirty Projectors
4/5
Audacious sonic exploration 3.8
Bob Marley & The Wailers
3/5
Good music but kinda boring. 3
Jazmine Sullivan
3/5
It's OK but rather conventional
Radiohead
4/5
4.4 - a mix of nearly great and great songs.
David Bowie
3/5
None of the tracks really stood out for me
Maxwell
3/5
almost muzak, neither unpleasant nor memorable. smooth. 3
The Isley Brothers
5/5
Funky, tight, sounds fresh 4.6
Fleetwood Mac
3/5
It’s ok, goes down smooth
Ella Fitzgerald
5/5
What a singer. It sounds like she inhabits every word
Le Tigre
2/5
Black Sabbath
3/5
Sounds a bit basic
Gram Parsons
3/5
Not memorable but competent
Alexander 'Skip' Spence
2/5
needed an editor 2.4
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
4/5
4.4 very good
Elbow
4/5
The album holds you in the fullness of its sound. Brilliant, just a bit too long 4.3
Bee Gees
4/5
Very full sound, original and pensive 3.7
Herbie Hancock
5/5
Cool original hard to beat 4.6
The Strokes
5/5
Satisfying and compact
Aphex Twin
5/5
Genius. Reliable sends me elsewhere
Common
4/5
Top-shelf rap. Well-crafted.
Led Zeppelin
4/5
At times brilliant and at times irritating
The Smiths
4/5
Ok I'm beginning to get why some people love the Smiths.
Stereo MC's
4/5
Slick 4.2
Dexys Midnight Runners
4/5
This is very good music, not much more to say!
Songhoy Blues
3/5
Decent but too repetitive for my taste
Eagles
3/5
Sounded exactly i expected save for Earlybird
Dwight Yoakam
1/5
I can’t even
I couldn’t stand more than 10min
3/5
3.3
The Smiths
3/5
Good effort 3.4
Dr. Dre
4/5
Solid and entertaining but not uniformly brilliant, 3.8
Van Halen
5/5
My, this band is very tight! 4.6
Steely Dan
3/5
Forgettable muzak played impeccably, 3
Patti Smith
4/5
Very strong, this is the female version of Bob Dylan / Velvet Underground 4.3
k.d. lang
4/5
She sings real well, album is well produced with a lot of class 3.8
Curtis Mayfield
3/5
Meh 3
Cowboy Junkies
3/5
Made me a bit sleepy
Big Star
4/5
Sounds contemporary and original, surprised me
Michael Jackson
4/5
Really good pop 4.4
Electric Light Orchestra
4/5
Imaginative and great but sometimes too rich like a good cheesecake… hard to digest it all in one go. 4.2
Creedence Clearwater Revival
4/5
Good old rock and roll!
Portishead
5/5
Conjuring a Magnificent atmosphere
The Police
5/5
4.6 this stuff is quite unique
John Prine
4/5
If Bob Dylan made a country album. Surprisingly good, not sure why, maybe my favourite in this genre
Violent Femmes
3/5
Alternately entertaining and tedious. Could have used more distortion!
Creedence Clearwater Revival
4/5
3.7 Proud Mary carries it. Bootleg is good.
Radiohead
5/5
Seminal work 4.7
Common
3/5
Good stuff. But "Be" by the same artist was more musically accomplished. This music is a bit repetitive. 3.4
The Dandy Warhols
4/5
Very well put together, sounds good!
Leonard Cohen
5/5
Fucking legend of a songwriter
Soft Cell
4/5
Strong music, but weak singing. If the singing were not offkey this often this could have been five stars!
T. Rex
4/5
Not memorable but Extremely listenable, gotta check out other work
Giant Sand
4/5
Original and well crafted
Jimi Hendrix
4/5
Great in parts, not that pleasant to listen to 3.8
ZZ Top
3/5
Mid
Rod Stewart
3/5
Beatles
5/5
In a class of its own
Throwing Muses
4/5
Quite good and ahead of its time, too bad it isn't on Spotify 3.9
Echo And The Bunnymen
3/5
3.4 this would get at least 4 if the singing was better. Inventive and good music, impressive for 1983
Madonna
4/5
3.9 like a prayer is a favourite
Beck
4/5
One of a kind, very creative, at times irritating though. 4.2
Neil Young
4/5
Well-titled, relaxing album, not super catchy but well put together. 3.6
George Harrison
4/5
Impressive work, George sure can compose!
Sly & The Family Stone
3/5
The Cure
3/5
Original, must have been groundbreaking at the time but pretty mid by now. 3 stars + .3 for A Forest - 3.3
Shack
4/5
Very listenable 90s album
Fiona Apple
3/5
Very sparse instrument-wise, original. there's something there but it's not for me
John Coltrane
5/5
How do they do this
Paul Simon
3/5
3.4 made me a bit bored
2/5
Not my thing
The Incredible String Band
1/5
Couldn't finish. The cover art is quite representative of what to expect.
A Tribe Called Quest
5/5
One of the best hip hop albums I've heard so far
Megadeth
4/5
great players, solid songs 3.8 - you need to be in the mood tho
Nick Drake
5/5
Wonderfully emotional and beautiful, a revelation for me. five stars for five leaves
Marvin Gaye
3/5
Steely Dan
5/5
Brilliant and very tight
The Bees
3/5
Original but not very interesting. Not grating though, good background music.
Joan Armatrading
5/5
Lively and well put together. Great guitar. Album is nearly 50 years old but sounds fresh to my ears! 4.5
The Temptations
3/5
It's fine 3.4
Scissor Sisters
3/5
Not as wonderful as I expected, still good 3.3
Sister Sledge
3/5
Entertaining but not quite great 3.33
Hugh Masekela
3/5
3.4 original and well-crafted but didn't quite grab me
Coldplay
4/5
3.75 catchy and comforting
Snoop Dogg
4/5
Solid and got his own style
Lou Reed
5/5
Hard to make something as simple yet powerful
The Electric Prunes
3/5
Not bad 3.3
OutKast
3/5
Some strong pieces but scattered overall 3.1
Blur
3/5
Song 2 stands out but the rest doesn’t 2.8
Mike Oldfield
5/5
Original and surprising. Bit of musical wizardry in this assemblage!
Calexico
5/5
Magnificent.
The Smashing Pumpkins
4/5
Again very strong music. Unique sound, technically precise, sometimes heavy but not grating. 4.3
Pantera
3/5
Good in their style, not quite my thing 3.3
Jimi Hendrix
4/5
Many brilliant pieces but some self-indulgence in the 2nd half. 4.33
Rock on! This is what Rod Stewart could have become with a good backing band! 4.1
Judas Priest
4/5
Sounds stereotypical… probably because they defined the heavy metal sound. Wasn’t convinced at first but it grew on me 3.6
Pixies
4/5
Solid alt-rock work, clearly influenced other bands 3.8
Emmylou Harris
3/5
ok
Jane's Addiction
3/5
Good compositions but the singing is irritating. Music festival music. 3.4
Fleet Foxes
4/5
Original and pleasant 3.9
Magazine
4/5
Solid. 4
The Divine Comedy
3/5
Quite original and well put together but nothing really grabs me 3.4
The White Stripes
3/5
Love the white stripes but some of this isn’t very good 3.3
Bob Marley & The Wailers
4/5
Well-crafted and pleasant to listen to 3.6
Yes
5/5
Whoa
2/5
Jazz as an extreme sport. Often painful but never boring. Probably won't listen again. A good album to get the bar emptied. 2.3
Stevie Wonder
4/5
Really good and funky with some surprises, as one might expect. 4
Tim Buckley
3/5
Not sure what to think of it. 3.3
ZZ Top
5/5
One of the best in its category. Very effective. 4.51
4/5
Really good eighties sound. Had never heard of ABC but this was original and quite enjoyable. 4.1
Janelle Monáe
5/5
Eclectic, quirky, meticulously produced, masterful, cohesive. Something hard to pull off! Loved it 4.7
2/5
Much more energy than talent 2.4
Julian Cope
4/5
Brilliant in parts, a bit scattered 3.8
Neil Young
3/5
OK. Bit spare, almost spartan. 3
Nanci Griffith
3/5
Predictable but nice to listen to. Doesn't overstay its welcome. 3.2
4/5
Creative, well-crafted, intemporal, some of it similar to Electric Light Orchestra. No bangers but overall love it 4
Willie Nelson
4/5
Soothing and vibrant, 4.0
Talking Heads
4/5
Repetitive yet not boring. Original and inventive 4.3
Pulp
4/5
Surprised I didn’t know this band! Solid 4
Nick Drake
5/5
Impeccable composition, tasteful interpretation 4.51
Sufjan Stevens
4/5
Idiosyncratic and at times brilliant 3.9
Wu-Tang Clan
4/5
Goes pretty hard 3.8
Pet Shop Boys
3/5
Go West is a banger but the rest is pretty bland 3.2
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
4/5
Solid offering, 4
Kendrick Lamar
4/5
Good stuff 3.7
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
3/5
A little unpolished, though the spontaneity has some upside. Several enjoyable tracks, some just feel unfinished 3.4
Queen
5/5
Creative, diverse and well-executed. Not boring at all! 4.5
Mylo
2/5
If beige was an electronic music album. Bland as can be 2.4
5/5
Masterful 4.6
JAY Z
4/5
Packs a powerful punch 4.3
Sade
3/5
Elevator music, well crafted 3.2
David Ackles
4/5
One of a kind album with lyrics you can’t help but pay attention to 3.7
Fiona Apple
4/5
Very good work 4
Steely Dan
3/5
Very competent but too detached 3.4
My Bloody Valentine
4/5
How did I not know about that band? They're pretty original. The recording feels quite off yet quite right at the same time. 3.75
Country Joe & The Fish
3/5
Very so so 2.8
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
3.2 decent, no more
Fatboy Slim
3/5
Mid excerpt Going Out of my Head 3.1
Everything But The Girl
3/5
Passable elevator music 2.7
Peter Gabriel
5/5
Quite outstanding 4.6
Pulp
3/5
3.4 Not too bad but not memorable
Arcade Fire
4/5
Good stuff 3.8
The Undertones
3/5
Competent but not memorable 3.2
Moby
5/5
No stellar technique or virtuosity, quite simple musical collages, but ones that evoke powerful emotion. The extra tracks are better than I expected! This one does it for me 4.75
Miles Davis
4/5
Quite pleasant to listen to 4
Supertramp
5/5
Damn close to a masterpiece. 4.75
The Adverts
4/5
3.8 goes pretty hard, a better recording would do justice to the quality of the compositions
David Bowie
4/5
Solid 3.7
The Cure
4/5
Nothing sounds like the cure. A bit long but nice moody album 4
The Fall
3/5
Drummer knows what he's doing, but it looks like the others are deliberately going for an amateurish sound. Sometimes nice and sometimes annoying. 2.8
The Velvet Underground
4/5
Creative but some of it is experimental in a bad way 3.7
James Taylor
5/5
Great songs that don’t overstay their welcome. Musicianship. Mix of country folk blues and sometimes makes me think of Bill wurtz! 4.5
The Doors
4/5
Good stuff, inventive and fun 4.2
Adam & The Ants
3/5
Creative but grating, trying a bit too hard 3
Siouxsie And The Banshees
4/5
What a difference a few albums makes - this is so much better than The Scream. Some nostalgia for me, a bit like a female version of Cure, 4
Pretenders
4/5
Confident and entertaining 3.9
Sparks
5/5
Daring, ambitious, surprising and delightful. Up there with Bowie and Queen imho 4.85
The Who
3/5
It's ok. I Can See for Miles is very good. 3.2
Joe Ely
2/5
Won't listen again. Competent but uninteresting 2.2
Dusty Springfield
4/5
Son of a preacher man is a banger, the rest is pretty good 3.8
Koffi Olomide
4/5
Sunny 3.6
Jimmy Smith
2/5
Mostly boring 2.4
Nina Simone
4/5
She's got it 4.1
Charles Mingus
5/5
Original and masterful 4.6
Venom
4/5
Surprisingly good. A better recording would have helped but this is solid 3.8
Liz Phair
3/5
Couldn’t really get into it 3
Public Enemy
4/5
Strong! Angry! Flav lightens it a bit, fortunately 4.2
The Vines
3/5
They play the right notes but where's the soul? 3.2
Method Man
3/5
Decent, nothing more 3.2
4/5
A few bangers, rest is decent 3.8
Little Simz
4/5
Very strong, 4
Cyndi Lauper
5/5
Bold and enjoyable 4.6
Baaba Maal
4/5
Exotic and relaxing 3.7
Run-D.M.C.
4/5
Really old skoool, Walk this way is a banger 3.8
The Velvet Underground
4/5
Creative and original, maybe too unpolished for my tastes. A few great ones. 3.7
The Coral
4/5
Varied and entertaining 3.9
Taylor Swift
4/5
Conventional, competent, catchy 3.65
The Doors
3/5
Love Her Madly and Riders are great; the rest is OK 3.4
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
5/5
Lively and well put together , excellent bass 4.6
Donovan
5/5
Incredible 4.8
Fatboy Slim
4/5
A bit bubblegum but quite entertaining, especially the 3-4 bangers 3.8
Brian Eno
4/5
Experimental and pleasant, songs do not overstay their welcome 4.2
Turbonegro
3/5
Competent but uninspired 3.3
Eminem
4/5
Uneven but some tracks are great 3.6
The Specials
2/5
Eclectic but ultra kitschy, often grating 2.4
Leonard Cohen
4/5
Effortless artistry. Everybody knows. 4
Frank Sinatra
3/5
Great singer but not my thing, 3
Television
4/5
Pretty great 4
Van Halen
3/5
Too much cocaine 3.3
Sonic Youth
3/5
Original but repetitive and not very good. I imagine this was influential on alt-rock and grunge but the successors thankfully did better 2.8
5/5
Really good, almost Beatles-level 4.6
Fever Ray
4/5
Delightfully weird, up a similar alley to Bjork but I think I enjoy it more, 4
Stevie Wonder
5/5
Sophisticated yet accessible, great 4.6
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
3/5
Competent but basic except for American Girl 3.3
Green Day
4/5
Very effective punk rock with moments of greatness and sometimes cheeky 4.25
UB40
3/5
It's fine 3.4
Run-D.M.C.
2/5
Old skoolest of the old Skool. Mind numbingly primitive - both the tapping and the “music”. Clearly they had a discount on those handclaps 2.4
The Who
3/5
They're trying really hard, and there is originality here, but it lacks the je ne sais quoi that sparks joy. 3.3
Metallica
4/5
They’re great at what they do! 4
Spacemen 3
3/5
Pretty spaced out, good for sleeping 3
The Hives
5/5
Pretty much blown away. The most energetic, effective punk I’ve seen, 4.85
Adele
4/5
Quite good 4
Alice In Chains
4/5
Really good, I barely knew them but they are really in between Soundgarden, Pearl Jam and Metallica. All great songs, none memorable though. Good study background music I would guess! 4.1
The Cardigans
4/5
Original and high-quality, Lovefool is awesome! 4
Eagles
3/5
3.3, Hotel California saves it
The Icarus Line
3/5
Jane's Addiction meets Soundgarden, not bad, quite listenable actually but not memorable either, 3.2
Red Hot Chili Peppers
4/5
Uneven but the bangers are banging 4
Ryan Adams
3/5
Competent, at times soulful but mid 3.2
The Doors
4/5
Classic and outstanding at times 4.2
Alanis Morissette
5/5
So powerful, so alive, so good 4.8
Screaming Trees
3/5
Very nineties. Not a bad song in there, but lacks a little oomph. Singer is maybe too laid back. Still quite listenable. 3.4
Tracy Chapman
3/5
Underwhelming, 3.15
Creedence Clearwater Revival
4/5
For the love of music! 4
Manic Street Preachers
4/5
Refreshing! 3.9
Miles Davis
5/5
A mighty fine jazz album. Both very creative and listenable. 4.65
Prince
4/5
Gets a good groove on 3.7
Cheap Trick
3/5
Forgettable and often tedious dad rock 2.7
Aerosmith
4/5
Not bad at all! Two classics (Walk This Way and Sweet Emotion) and the rest is solid 3.6
King Crimson
5/5
Outstanding musicianship 4.6
Sepultura
4/5
Best metal album I’ve heard so far. These guys know their stuff, they’re tight, they go very hard! 4.3
Fats Domino
3/5
Pioneering work but has been improved upon since. 3.3
The Jam
5/5
Outstanding artistry! A joy to listen to. Why did no one tell me about The Jam? 4.6
The War On Drugs
3/5
Kind of easy listening, doesn't hurt the ears but not memorable either. 3.2
Pretty classic U2, well-produced, I enjoyed this. Stuck in a Moment is a banger. 4
CHIC
4/5
Very groovy , love that bass 3.75
DJ Shadow
4/5
Unevenly brilliant; some tracks are meandering, some others instill a deeply felt atmosphere. 3.85
Christina Aguilera
4/5
Powerful voice, good songs across a variety of genres. Like. 4
Simple Minds
3/5
Didn’t grab me but has flashes of brilliance 3.4
Abdullah Ibrahim
4/5
Inventive, tight and joyful jazz album 4.3
Lorde
3/5
Well made but didn't really grab me. 3.2
Roxy Music
4/5
Unevenly brilliant; sound feels too full in parts. 4
The Louvin Brothers
3/5
In the pines, in the pines… 3
Queen
3/5
Lacklustre stylistic exercise but Bohemian rhapsody single-handedly saves it 3.3
Pixies
4/5
Flows really well, a solid offering. Only missing memorable hooks. 4.2
Madonna
4/5
Strong and refreshing 4.1
Gene Clark
4/5
Smooth and tastefully put together. Not a bad song in there. 3.9
Muddy Waters
4/5
Good ol’ blues 3.6
SAULT
2/5
Takes an hour to get nowhere 2.3
Rahul Dev Burman
3/5
Nice for a change but I suspect there are even better albums of this kind. Cheesy in parts but enjoyable 3.4
Elvis Presley
4/5
Good songs good delivery, 3.8
KISS
3/5
Very competent rock'n'roll. 3.4
Dexys Midnight Runners
4/5
Rather original and boisterous, I like it but the singer isn't very good which hurts a bit. Come on Eileen is awesome. 3.8
M.I.A.
4/5
Spunky and original 3.6
Franz Ferdinand
5/5
Totally love it, feels fresh and energetic. One of my favourite albums 4.8
Sigur Rós
5/5
Dreamlike, boreal, pretty unique 4.6
Peter Gabriel
3/5
Wanted to like it but mostly meh for me. 3.1
The Pogues
4/5
Entertaining Irish folk with decent drums, 3.6
Sepultura
4/5
Solid and heavy stuff! Oddly enough, works well as background work music 4.3
Stan Getz
4/5
Classic, 3.9
John Lee Hooker
3/5
I wonder if the guest musicians were as bored as me. Basic blues, too basic. 2.75
The Jesus And Mary Chain
3/5
Mid 3
Def Leppard
3/5
Fine (but not quite peak) hair metal with a hearty helping of cowbell 3.3
The Chemical Brothers
5/5
Stellar, showing everyone how it’s done. Sound is full but so well balanced, everything fits 4.7
Shivkumar Sharma
3/5
Opening track is ominous and pretty great and saves it, rest sounds like spa music. 3.2
Justice
4/5
Brilliant in parts and a slightly sub- daft punk in others. Overall quite awesome 4.1
Jack White
4/5
Strong stuff 3.7
Django Django
4/5
Quirky, eclectic and good! 4.2
Wild Beasts
4/5
Slightly otherworldly, special singing 3.6
Bob Marley & The Wailers
5/5
This must be the best reggae album ever. Vibrant and warm and soulful. 4.6
The Yardbirds
3/5
Unpolished, a bit weird with flashes of brilliance - bet they were a great live jam band 3.25
Goldfrapp
4/5
Delightful and cool and collected. A sonic hug 4
Keith Jarrett
4/5
Really draws you in with just two hands on a piano. Is this improvised? Whoa 4.3
The KLF
4/5
Weird album. Sounds epic at times, I wonder how they manage to avoid sounding corny this with those synthesizer sounds. Must be the beats. The beats are great. 3AM Eternal is awesome. 3.6
The Pretty Things
4/5
Beatles-like, similarly creative but a notch lower on production. Like it a lot! 4.2
Stevie Wonder
5/5
On this album Stevie manages to make music that is complex and rich yet catchy and not ostentatious. It all feels very natural. Genius level. Just wish it were an hour long! 4.75
Dusty Springfield
3/5
Decent, 3.1
Marvin Gaye
4/5
Marvin is one smooooth mofo! Extremely listenable 4.1
The Beau Brummels
3/5
Discount Cat Stevens. I don’t get it, they are doing everything right but there is no spark 3.1
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
4/5
Not a great voice but he writes solid compositions with creative chord changes. Like! 3.8
FKA twigs
3/5
The singing is too single-note and it feels repetitive, nevertheless it builds an otherworldly atmosphere and works well as background music for work. 3.2
The Birthday Party
3/5
Distateful until you get entranced. There is something there but it's not very accessible among the thorns. 3
Fishbone
4/5
Quite amazing. They got their unique style, it’s funky and alive! 4.3
Sebadoh
2/5
Half awful, on many songs they’re not even trying to sing properly. Sophomoric lyrics 2.4
Sleater-Kinney
4/5
Raw and intense. Lors of yelling and not sure I like the tremolo but otherwise excellent 3.8
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
5/5
Entrancing and hypnotic… this album goes for majestic depth and cosmic gravitas and it succeeds more than once. 4.6
Madonna
3/5
It’s ok 3.2
Pink Floyd
5/5
Masterpiece. 4.75
Prince
4/5
Confident. Sounds dated in parts. A bit grating on headphones but liked it on speakers. 3.8
Elvis Presley
3/5
Competent R&R. 3.2
The Allman Brothers Band
3/5
Good live performance, not particularly memorable 3.25
The Young Rascals
3/5
Discount Beach Boys. It's all right. 3.2
Led Zeppelin
4/5
The two openers are irritating, but the rest is pretty brilliant. Stairway to Heaven is a classic. 4.3
My Bloody Valentine
4/5
These guys build soundscapes with layered noise and woozy, pitch-bending guitar. It shouldn't work but hey, it does! And Billy Corgan noticed it does as he ripped off that sound with Smashing Pumpkins. 4.2
Gillian Welch
4/5
Bare-bones but soulfully executed and good. 3.8
N.W.A.
4/5
Front half is a 4.6 but back half is a 3.4. Quite entertaining overall! 4
Mj Cole
3/5
Pretty mid except the opening track which is cool. 3.1
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
meh 3
The Who
3/5
It’s ok but didn’t spark joy 3.1
Ray Charles
3/5
It's OK 3.2
The Prodigy
4/5
Incisive and very effective! 4.35
Morrissey
4/5
Quite good! Feels alive 3.9
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
3/5
Equal parts insufferable and crazy genius. You can't help but pay attention, like you would a train wreck. Very unique album. Glad I got through it, but will not listen again for a good while. 3.141592
U2
4/5
Very solid, Sunday Bloody Sunday is the cherry on top. 4.2
Haircut 100
4/5
Quite funky! Surprised me. 4.1
Suede
4/5
Wonderful surprise. Very listenable, well-crafted songs with some originality in them. The singer's voice cracks sometimes, which I'm not sure I like. I could listen 2 times in a row! 4.2
The Rolling Stones
3/5
The Stones before they found their own sound. Interesting but no more than that 3.2
The Kinks
3/5
Decent, except for sunny afternoon which is outstanding 3.3
Laura Nyro
4/5
Quite creative. Similar to feist but she strains her voice too much 3.7
Def Leppard
5/5
So fun, boisterous and listenable. The epitome of hair rock. 4.6
Morrissey
4/5
Quite good and listenable but not that memorable 3.7
Elastica
5/5
Now my favorite mostly-girls band! How did I miss this album back in the day?? Very effective, confident punk rock. The vibe is strong with this one. Connection is an astonishing piece. 4.55
Crosby, Stills & Nash
4/5
Quite good! Softer than I expected. Nice vocal harmonies. 3.75
Bob Dylan
4/5
Another good one by good ol' Bob. Especially enjoyed Just Like a Woman. 3.6
Belle & Sebastian
4/5
Smooth, goes on easy. Well put together and enjoyable! 4.2
Ali Farka Touré
2/5
Mostly boring and repetitive 2.2
Girls Against Boys
3/5
Competently played workout music 3.1
Shuggie Otis
4/5
Really good stuff, sometimes funky sometimes laid-back, always tasteful. 4
Black Sabbath
3/5
They're tight and no doubt this was very influential. Liked it, didn't love it 3.4
George Jones
4/5
Not so original, but played with gusto and sung in a heartfelt way. 3.7
Serge Gainsbourg
4/5
Original and confident, a bit light though 3.6
King Crimson
4/5
Very strong musicianship, the songs are long but they keep it interesting, this draws me in! 4.3
The Sabres Of Paradise
3/5
Tastefully put together but laid-back, almost ambient music.. has neither the oopmh of Propellerheads or the genius of Photek or Aphex Twin. 3.4
The Residents
4/5
What an oddity. Very original and unhinged, it somehow works! But I won't listen to it every week. 3.6
Fugazi
2/5
Not putting this on repeat. 2.2
Pixies
4/5
Album feels very indie-unpolished but has good musical ideas. Where Is My Mind is a classic! 3.7
Todd Rundgren
3/5
Meh 3.1
Germs
3/5
Clearly an influence on Nirvana, and clearly the latter was much better. Many songs sound like they are sung by a coked-up gremlin. 4 stars for effort and originality, 2.4 for outcome, final score 3.2
Finley Quaye
3/5
Mostly boring background music for poolside chillin 2.8
OutKast
4/5
Rambunctious and bold, if uneven. 3.8
Sabu
3/5
Nice old-school Latin jazz album, refreshing change from all those 70s rock albums. Recording sounds rather crude though, but the vibe is there. 3.2
The Monks
5/5
I am blown away. A bit like the Beach Boys meets Nirvana?? Every song is fun! They are clearly having a ball here. This band ought to be much better-known! And doing this in 1966 was extremely ahead of its time. 4.55
Public Enemy
4/5
Not always pleasant to listen to (sometimes repetitive with a very busy sound) but they have their own unique style, energetic delivery and a strong message. 3.7
Mudhoney
3/5
Moments of brilliance but never gets to the heights of Pearl Jam or Nirvana 3.4
Rufus Wainwright
3/5
His manner of singing irritates me, he sounds full of himself, and sadly it is the main thing that stands out. Shame because the songs are decently put together 2.8
The xx
3/5
Seems they took a turn towards the mainstream. Not very interesting but listenable. 3
Joni Mitchell
3/5
Good but didn't grab me 3.25
Brian Eno
4/5
Great music to hear just before you die! Very soothing. Good for doing taxes, too. 3.8
Tortoise
4/5
Great for concentration. Well put together. 3.8
Korn
3/5
Like they’re following RATM, NIN and Soundgarden but sounds engineered rather than heartfelt 3.1
Neneh Cherry
3/5
Spunky, feisty and dated, but pretty enjoyable 3.2
David Bowie
4/5
Quite good but nothing to throw me out of my chair 3.6
The Specials
4/5
Boisterous and fun 3.9
Motörhead
3/5
They sure are heavy. The drummer is in remarkable form! Otherwise, just OK. I liked "Capricorn". 3.1
Ray Charles
3/5
Good but too bombastic for my tastes 3.3
B.B. King
3/5
A good blues album. Lots of verve and energ, but not too original. 3.4
Brian Wilson
3/5
Half genius and half freewheeling crazy circus with a dab of movie soundtrack… but incoherent, maybe should have been two albums. Good vibrations is tops though but does not save it 3.33
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five
3/5
I'm sure it is very important in the history of hip hop... The title song is strong, but rap has evolved and improved a lot since this. 2.8
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
4/5
Soulful 3.7
The Police
4/5
3.8
Depeche Mode
5/5
Fantastic atmosphere. Aged better than most 80s music. Teenage years bias, but I'll own it: 4.55
Led Zeppelin
4/5
Some songs are long indulgent jams, and some others are genius like Kashmir or sound way ahead of their times like the wanton song. Good variety and verve overall 3.9
Billy Bragg
3/5
Those songs deserved fuller instrumentation. Does Bragg have something against drummers?? 3.2
Eels
4/5
Depressing but original. Cobain, Elliott smith, beck, cake vibes. Maybe needs a second listen, thinking 3.6
Deee-Lite
3/5
Groove is in the Heart is perfect, power of love is good, rest is unremarkable 3.2
Prefab Sprout
3/5
Meh 2.8
Death In Vegas
4/5
Eclectic but still somewhat coherent album, rich and full sound. My kind of music! 4.3
The Saints
4/5
Smooth! They make it look effortless. A great discovery for me. 4.2
Ms. Dynamite
3/5
Impeccably produced! Sounds great on headphones. Fizzles out at the end. Overall pretty good. 3.35
Sonic Youth
3/5
Surprisingly listenable, more so than their previous album Sister. More like background music though 3.1
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
Incredible. Jimi was a master. 4.8
Fela Kuti
4/5
Strong sauce. I can see why Kuti is seen as a pillar of Afrobeat. A lot of presence in this album. That sound is often imitated but without the soul. 4.1
George Michael
3/5
Two first songs are good - Freedom is awesome - but the rest of the album is mostly average pop. 3.4
The Killers
4/5
Close to Franz Ferdinand, album is great and gets more experimental at the end. 4.15
Tom Waits
2/5
POV: you've been ambushed by a couple drunken hobos in a dark alley near the subway in a rundown who insist on banging tin pots and hollering random complaints. The whole thing was recorded with a tiny mic sitting in a trashcan nearby. 2.25
Miriam Makeba
3/5
It's okay I guess 3
Marianne Faithfull
4/5
I didn't know her and was pleasantly surprised. Album still sounds good after 45 years. The singing is full of feeling. 3.7
Nico
1/5
Nico is that girl in high school who can’t sing but decided to write a full album’s worth and sings so low for no reason. Maybe she’s even more out of tune in the higher range? I don’t want to know! Couldn’t finish. 1.4
The Pharcyde
4/5
Really good and stood the test of time. 3.85
Quicksilver Messenger Service
3/5
Between the Doors and Led Zep but not as good as either. Indulgent noodling on the guitars mostly. Back half is a bit original and almost saves it. 2.85
Solange
3/5
Quirky and meandering and unpredictable. Mixed feelings 3.2
Rush
4/5
This is something else. Dont love the voice though. 4.1
Kelela
3/5
Smooth but pretty milquetoast, good for sleeping I guess 2.8
Röyksopp
4/5
Quite wonderful! 3.9
Lauryn Hill
4/5
Rather great album 3.8
Iron Maiden
4/5
Much milder (no screaming!) and more precise than the cover suggests... a pretty tight and good metal album. 4
John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers
3/5
Pretty much mid blues throughout, with a couple nice licks. 3.1
Frank Sinatra
4/5
So confident! Sinatra of fashion nowadays but he was great at what he did. 4.1
Stephen Stills
3/5
It's OK I guess. Good musician. 3.2
Isaac Hayes
4/5
Much mojo and swagger! Great sample in Walk on By. 3.7
Digital Underground
3/5
Rather original 90s rap. Good samples. 3.4
New Order
5/5
Quintessential New Wave album, finely crafted. A delightful discovery for me. 4.55
ABBA
4/5
Very solid. Title track is outstanding. Everything is tight. 4.1
Bobby Womack
3/5
It's ok I guess, maybe good dinner background music 3.15
Iron Maiden
4/5
Tight playing and nice vibrato! Inspired some videogame soundtracks I'm sure 3.9
Isaac Hayes
3/5
Opening and ending are iconic and epic, but the middle feels like a on-hold music slog at times. 3.2
Suede
5/5
Didn't know Suede but got totally swayed by this album! The tracks are strong and diverse, well-constructed, original, performed well and mixed tastefully. Sounds kind of like a lovechild of U2 and Radiohead and Bowie. Great stuff. 4.75
Barry Adamson
5/5
Unique album. Each track dripping with atmosphere, a delightful mishmash of styles. 4.55
Dire Straits
4/5
Some absolutely astounding compositions on there make up for the ordinariness of the rest 4.3
Michael Kiwanuka
4/5
Kiwanuka managed to create his own quite unique style and it’s refreshing. Soulful delivery. 4.1
Dion
2/5
I didn't know Dion before and now I wish I remained ignorant. Couldn't finish even a third of this. 78 whole minutes would be a form of torture. That said the recording is good quality, it's just that the musical content is utterly lackluster 1.8
Jeru The Damaja
3/5
A bit better than the cover suggests but not much. 3.1
Al Green
4/5
Soulful 3.9
Steve Earle
3/5
Musical equivalent of comfort food 3.15
Meat Puppets
3/5
Original but technically quite approximate 3.3
Buffalo Springfield
3/5
Decent but not very memorable and the mix/recording quality is so-so 3.4
Slint
2/5
Sounds interesting and good but only for a few bars. There are so many bars. Just because you can play irregular time signatures doesn’t mean you should. 2.4
Caetano Veloso
4/5
Quite exotic and charming, I don't know the genre well enough to tell how good this is comparatively to others, but I know I enjoyed it. Smooth delivery and cool combinations of musical elements. 3.9
Slayer
3/5
It’s mechanically precise playing but not compelling.. 2.7
Femi Kuti
4/5
Consistently solid, very listenable afrobeat/jazz album. Keeps moving forward. I'm impressed. 3.9
Kate Bush
4/5
Title song is awesome. "Deeper Understanding" was visionary. See https://www.katebushencyclopedia.com/deeper-understanding/#Kate_about_%E2%80%98Deeper_Understanding
The rest is generally good but didn't leave a strong impression. 3.6
Roxy Music
4/5
Artsy, daring, quite wonderful glam art-rock. The Bogus Man is hypnotic, you don't realize it is 9:20 long but it never gets boring. 4.2
The Mamas & The Papas
4/5
Borderline kitschy at times but California dreaming saves it from mediocrity. Beach boys and Beatles vibes. 3.6
Living Colour
4/5
Album is a mix of things, and I like most of them! Pretty unique. 3.8
Minor Threat
2/5
Not much to this one. My. These lads sound angry. Many songs seem to be the same song. 2.3
R.E.M.
4/5
I started in the high 3s because I’d heard these tracks to death, but had to upgrade into the 4s. Really strong album. Creative and musically juicy. 4.2
Kid Rock
4/5
Surprised at how much I liked this! Catchy tracks with good hooks. The rapping is not sophisticated but does the job. 4.2
LCD Soundsystem
3/5
Sounds a bit pretentious. Reminiscent of Talking Heads and Bono. A bit underwhelming. 3.2
Incredible Bongo Band
4/5
Cheesy but quite amazingly so. Some songs sound very contemporary, giving Skeewiff vibes. If you love bongos you will be in heaven with this album. I enjoyed it and will listen again. 3.9
The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy
5/5
The highest-IQ rap I’ve heard, and it sounds pretty good too. Similar to Public Enemy but much less grating 3.8
CHVRCHES
3/5
Pretty mid 3.1
Robert Wyatt
4/5
It's hard to pull off something as original and daring, but Wyatt does. A UFO of an album. Not everyone will like it but I do. 3.85
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band
4/5
Quite electric and eclectic. Refreshing among the lot of early 70s albums. Like! 3.9
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
5/5
Again an outstanding, heartfelt offering from Cave. The structure is simple and even repetitive but he makes it work so well. Sung poems. 4.6
The Verve
4/5
In between Radiohead and Oasis, rather good, love bittersweet symphony 3.9
Duran Duran
3/5
A concentrate of the sound of the 80s. Makes me feel nostalgic even though I hadn’t heard this album. I can see why this would have been very trendy in 82. To many it will sound cheesy. 3.2
R.E.M.
3/5
Just good 3.3
4/5
How did I miss this band?? They’re awesome, on between punk and REM. Great lively album 4
The Cars
3/5
Decent with a few great guitar solos 3.3
Beatles
3/5
Underwhelming relative to other Beatles offerings. 3.2
3/5
Pleasant to the ear but very middle of the road 3
Kanye West
3/5
Not as good as his previous offerings. 3.2
808 State
4/5
At first I thought this was very similar to a bunch of other electronic music albums but then it went places. Like! 3.8
Neil Young
3/5
Can’t sing very well on this album 2.8
Nightmares On Wax
4/5
Awesome and smooth and dangerous - the ambience of a dimly lit place where mystery women and men hang out 3.9
Malcolm McLaren
4/5
Surprising and refreshing grooves seemingly from around the world! Now curious to know how this album came about.. 3.9
Nirvana
5/5
Such unstoppable energy and drive, of course mixed with a hearty dose of angst. One of my favorite albums. RIP Kurt Cobain 4.75
Randy Newman
4/5
Good stuff with thoughtful lyrics. God’s song is quite special!! 3.8
Hüsker Dü
4/5
This sounds like a secret or gone missing REM album! Really good stuff, not especially catchy but solid. Pretty ahead of its time for 1987! 4
The Gun Club
2/5
Repetitive and uninspired 2.3
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
3/5
The weakest of the Cave albums I've listened to so far. Has a more mainstream, less unique sound than the others. Decent but nothing grabbed me. 2.9
Arcade Fire
4/5
Good atmospheric concept album. Wasn't impressed 1st time, grew on me the 2nd listen. 3.9
Elvis Costello
4/5
Catchy music that sounds old (fifties-style riffs) but not old... he's carved quite a unique niche for himself. 3.7
The Undertones
3/5
Normally I would love this but something is missing, not sure what. Maybe they're playing too fast. Anyhow I still like it. 3.3
Blue Cheer
2/5
Sounds like 17yo cream and Jimi fanboys fooling and fumbling with electric guitars and drums 2.2
Basement Jaxx
3/5
A couple interesting tracks but otherwise pretty middle-of-the-road or even sometimes irritating. 3
The Psychedelic Furs
3/5
Rather good, not amazing, though ahead of its time IMHO. 3.3
Morrissey
4/5
This guy may be an asshole as many say but he makes undeniably good music. 4
Incubus
4/5
Fascinating album from a versatile band at the crossroads of so many styles. They do them all quite well but I like some more than others. 3.9
Radiohead
4/5
Experimental and many experiments succeed! 4
Nas
3/5
Well-produced but the loops, while good, are repetitive. 3.25
Les Rythmes Digitales
4/5
The song construction is not especially original, but this particular Y2K-is-near sound texture rubs me exactly the right way. A tasteful je ne sais quoi. 3.9
Björk
4/5
Very quirky and atmospheric, impressive that she can go outside the box so much and succeed. 4.1
Motörhead
2/5
Probably historically important but not pleasant to listen to. Drumming is repetitive, voice gets on your nerves 2.4
Dolly Parton
3/5
Competent country, touching at times 3.25
Nine Inch Nails
4/5
If 10-grit sandpaper were music. not easy to listen to but a very unique style. Tracks 345 are quite strong, and this is the record that gave us Hurt which became Johnny Cash’s unforgettable ode 3.8
Cocteau Twins
4/5
Atmospheric, moody, floaty, timeless (a bit like the world of the movie _It Follows_), very enjoyable. Kind of a cross between My Bloody Valentine and The Cure. Sounds like a nice rainy Sunday that doesn't seem to end. 4.1
Kate Bush
5/5
I really wonder how she does this with other musicians - how does she communicate what she wants?. She brings her singular vision from another world to life. Amazing 4.6
The Blue Nile
3/5
Akin to U2 with less edge, maybe with a tad of Peter Gabriel with less verve. Good for sleeping I wager. 3
The Last Shadow Puppets
4/5
Very cool album. A lot of it sounds like a western movie soundtrack. Entertaining. 4
Jethro Tull
3/5
I wanted to like this more than I did. Still some solid songs on there, but this stuff is sometimes tedious to listen to for some reason. Rock that flute! 3.33
TV On The Radio
3/5
Sounds good but too smooth and unsurprising, lacking edge 3.2
Coldcut
5/5
Outstanding. Funky and awesome, impeccably mixed. The remix of Paid in Full is burned into my mind. 4.65
Joni Mitchell
3/5
Feels like she’s generating random chord sequences then doing karaoke over that. Meandering to the tenth power, not for me 2.9
Love
4/5
In between the Doors and the Zombies, this is quite good with original chord progressions and energy. Last song is a hilarious parody of The Doors! (At least I think so) 3.6
Orbital
3/5
Used to be futuristic, still is in parts. 3.35
The Shamen
2/5
What is this. Almost completely empty! Still listenable though. 1.8
Nirvana
5/5
Just amazing that Kurt could do just as well in a minimalistic setup without distortion. The covers including Meat Puppets are insanely good. Tons of repeat listening value. 4.6
The Young Gods
3/5
Arthur H meets Nine Inch Nails. Not as good as either sadly. Grating in parts but original 3.1
Beach House
3/5
Very 2010 indie. A bit dreamy, maybe a bit too laid back to my taste. But good nevertheless. 3.3
Pavement
3/5
Decent alt-rock, nothing to write home about. 3.1
Doves
3/5
Sounds quite a bit like Coldplay. Easy to listen to. Doesn't leave a deep mark. 3.3
The Byrds
2/5
Lord what a boring album. Not painful though so there's that. 2
Cornershop
3/5
Weird little album with a lot of middle east / indian stylistic influences, drum machines, and a semi-banger as the 2nd song. Reminiscent of Sugar Ray. 3.1
Amy Winehouse
5/5
What an album. She borrows from soul and other old styles and makes chocolate out of it. Catchy as hell and full of meaningful lyrics 4.55
Super Furry Animals
3/5
Interesting, a bit like an alternate Flaming Lips. Nothing really grabbed me but many good musical ideas 3.4
Johnny Cash
4/5
Pretty good country but still country 3.6 The opener is a banger
Dinosaur Jr.
4/5
Nirvana’s brother! Maybe a bit less angry and on edge 3.8
The Byrds
3/5
Guitar noodling and harmonization. Loosely goosey but in a mostly talented way 3.3
Bob Dylan
3/5
Mid bob 3.2
The Fall
4/5
Spunky, vivid, alt-punk rock. Gives the Clash vibes. Some songs are boring but at its best it is inspired music. 3.8
The Everly Brothers
3/5
Ok 3.1
The Sonics
3/5
I like their gritty sound though it can become grating. The songs do not overstay their welcome. 1965! Punk before its time. 3.2
Norah Jones
3/5
Very smooth. Too smooth in fact. "Don't Know Why" is a banger though. 3.4
Tom Tom Club
4/5
Really enjoyed this, it is like a more comforting version of Talking Heads mixed with Stereolab. Oh wait, it is a subset of Talking Heads! 4
Talking Heads
4/5
Playful and original 4
Jane's Addiction
4/5
They are bold and they give it their all. The singing is the weak point which makes this less than it could be. Still very good stuff. 3.7
Radiohead
4/5
Not bad but not great for Radiohead 3.7
3/5
Just too long which dilutes the talent. There was probably a 4-star album in there… 3.3
MC Solaar
4/5
Refreshing, quality French hip-hop. 4
Mudhoney
3/5
Precursor to Nirvana but only half as good 3.1
4/5
Pretty good often catchy 3.7
Aretha Franklin
4/5
Queen. 4.1
Terence Trent D'Arby
4/5
Surprised by this! Knew very little about TTD but I should have... quite soulful and energetic 4
The Chemical Brothers
5/5
Astounding album. The samples are incredible and the songs are very well put together. It takes me elsewhere 4.8
N.E.R.D
4/5
Not sure what I listened to but I liked it! This is a quite unique sound. 4.1
The Teardrop Explodes
3/5
Poor man's U2-Cure crossover with so-so singing. 2.8
Iggy Pop
4/5
LfL and Passenger are bangers, the rest is quite good! 3.8
Bee Gees
4/5
Sounds fresh for a 1969 album! Bold inclusion of symphonic pieces. These guys are even more talented than I thought. There is something unique about this effort. 4
Dead Kennedys
4/5
Rambunctious! and very political. Solid 80s punk 3.6
Red Snapper
4/5
These songs take me elsewhere. Classy electronica 4
Gang Starr
3/5
Middle-of-the-road early 90s hip-hop. It's OK 3.1
Ride
3/5
Nice early alt-rock album that doesn't go too hard. 3.2
Love
4/5
Tighter than most 60s acts. I liked this quite a bit! 3.8
Bauhaus
3/5
Reminiscent of the Cure but not as catchy. 3.2
Kendrick Lamar
5/5
Bold and thoughtful rap. Very solid. 4.6
Merle Haggard
3/5
Reasonably well done but not quite my thing. Still country. 2.7
Butthole Surfers
3/5
Better than I expected! Weird but fun and surprisingly precise. 3.3
The Flying Burrito Brothers
3/5
Part rétrograde and tacky and part avant garde… 3.1 overall
Donald Fagen
4/5
Top-shelf yacht jazz/rock. Not exactly my style but he's good at what he does. 3.7
3/5
Not too badly executed but feels derivative 3.2
Tito Puente
3/5
It's OK as background music but Buena Vista Social Club is so much better 3.2
Spiritualized
3/5
Well-crafted, laid-back sounds, good for sleep or ambience. 3.3
The Auteurs
3/5
Good but not memorable 3.4
Foo Fighters
4/5
A strong derivative of Nirvana, but less unhinged and more hinged. strong but not stellar like its predecessor. 3.8
The Rolling Stones
4/5
Decent stuff, Symphony is pretty great. 3.6
Curtis Mayfield
4/5
Masterfully groovy 4
Killing Joke
4/5
Pretty good stuff... Metal with less distortion! Reminds me of Rush or Cure a bit 3.6
The Temptations
3/5
It's ok, first track is groovy 3.2
The Thrills
3/5
Not bad, competently played, but lacking in originality 3.1
The Cramps
3/5
Garage punk rock with few surprises. Doesn’t rival the Ramones or Sex Pistols. 3.1
Solomon Burke
3/5
Black Elvis ballads 3
Einstürzende Neubauten
2/5
Sounds like a 3-hour visit to a crazy evil East German dentist, and about as much fun. That said, not entirely without artistic merit so 1.6
Tim Buckley
3/5
Sometimes medieval sometimes folk, usually meh 3
Simon & Garfunkel
4/5
Pretty kickass but I suspect I heard it too much 3.7
Ozomatli
3/5
Starts fun and ends tiresome and kitschy 3.1
Pet Shop Boys
4/5
3.7 good stuff from my teen days
Orbital
4/5
Really good, 4
William Orbit
4/5
A bit too smooth and sounding like spa or ad music but overall quite enjoyable! 3.8
The Kinks
5/5
Kickass. Is this the Kinks' Sgt. Pepper? Deserved a little better recording but these are awesome tracks. 4.6
Manu Chao
5/5
Unique and a true classic, doesn't get old! 4.6
Mercury Rev
4/5
The songs are fire but the voice is a bit iffy. Shades of Polyphonic Spree and Flaming Lips. Original and expansive. 3.8
Happy Mondays
3/5
A bloopy, annoying version of Talking Heads 3
The Charlatans
3/5
Discount Oasis? Very listenable but lacks edge. Great for a dentist office perhaps. 3.2
Arcade Fire
4/5
Strong but not overwhelming, milquetoast in parts. Enjoyable! 3.6
k.d. lang
4/5
Smooth but original and not kitschy. Precisely executed. 3.6
The The
5/5
What a great album, especially how hard it was to make good-sounding albums in 1986... how did I not know The The?? 4.6
Dizzee Rascal
3/5
Interesting and pretty unique (to my ears at least) but the music is too spare and repetitive. 3.2
Genesis
5/5
Outstanding album. Complex yet accessible. Intense. This is high art. 4.75
Happy Mondays
4/5
Quite better than Bummed. Every track sounds good, and is enjoyable though not memorable. Again reminds me of Talking Heads 3.9
Stereolab
4/5
Wonderful music, voice is kinda weaksauce 4.1
Jeff Buckley
4/5
Quite awesome, hard to categorize, original, confident and solid music. Just learned he died young like his dad, what a loss! 4
Supergrass
4/5
Bit like Ween though with lower diversity. Young, energetic, noisy, vivid and rambunctious. I love it! 4.3
Faith No More
4/5
Deliciously eclectic combo of styles, quite unique! 3.9