372
Albums Rated
3.1
Average Rating
34%
Complete
717 albums remaining
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1970s
Favorite Decade
Soul
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UK
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Balanced
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64
5-Star Albums
44
1-Star Albums
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You Love More Than Most
Albums you rated higher than global average
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chris | 5 | 2.82 | +2.18 |
| Want One | 5 | 2.91 | +2.09 |
| Ingenue | 5 | 2.94 | +2.06 |
| Sheet Music | 5 | 2.96 | +2.04 |
| The Nightfly | 5 | 3 | +2 |
| evermore | 5 | 3.04 | +1.96 |
| Smile | 5 | 3.06 | +1.94 |
| Close To You | 5 | 3.11 | +1.89 |
| Modern Life Is Rubbish | 5 | 3.13 | +1.87 |
| Trio | 5 | 3.13 | +1.87 |
You Love Less Than Most
Albums you rated lower than global average
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rage Against The Machine | 1 | 4 | -3 |
| In Utero | 1 | 3.84 | -2.84 |
| The Number Of The Beast | 1 | 3.59 | -2.59 |
| Brothers | 1 | 3.58 | -2.58 |
| ...And Justice For All | 1 | 3.43 | -2.43 |
| My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy | 1 | 3.42 | -2.42 |
| 2112 | 1 | 3.39 | -2.39 |
| You Want It Darker | 1 | 3.33 | -2.33 |
| The College Dropout | 1 | 3.32 | -2.32 |
| The Slim Shady LP | 1 | 3.29 | -2.29 |
Artist Analysis
Favorite Artists
Artists with 2+ albums
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Beatles | 3 | 4.67 |
| Simon & Garfunkel | 3 | 4.67 |
| Steely Dan | 2 | 5 |
| Pulp | 2 | 5 |
| Stevie Wonder | 2 | 5 |
| Blur | 2 | 5 |
| The Who | 2 | 5 |
| Dolly Parton | 2 | 5 |
| Fleetwood Mac | 2 | 5 |
Least Favorite Artists
Artists with 2+ albums
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Björk | 3 | 1.33 |
| Kanye West | 2 | 1 |
| Ryan Adams | 2 | 1 |
| Iron Maiden | 2 | 1.5 |
| Tom Waits | 2 | 1.5 |
| Leonard Cohen | 2 | 1.5 |
| Rush | 2 | 1.5 |
| Metallica | 2 | 1.5 |
Controversial Artists
Artists you rate inconsistently
| Artist | Albums | Variance |
|---|---|---|
| Nirvana | 3 | 1.25 |
| Radiohead | 4 | 1.22 |
5-Star Albums (64)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
Christine and the Queens
5/5
Pre-listening thoughts: don’t wanna get my hopes too high but POP! 2018! Eek! Modern music and it’s POP!!! There is not enough pop on this list I am so happy I finally got a queer pop album YIPEE!!! Also let me just say the user reviews are generally negative which to me is a good sign 😭 they hate pop but…!
Post/during listening thoughts: oh this is for ME. I am such a pop girly it’s not even funny. The melodies, production, and vocals are just all so punchy and exciting. It’s reallyyyy nice to have something modern on here. This is also something I don’t think I would’ve listened to on my own like I had no clue who Christine and the Queens was before this moment. Sort of like French Marina and the Diamonds or Tegan and Sara or HAIM… the list goes on, and that is why this is right up my alley. I can feel my soul healing over from the 70s rock excess 10/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: me personally yes. Like I’ve become a fan. I think more people should open themselves up to pop music as well and this is a great album to do so with
Fav tracks: literally all of them. Not one skip on this album. The Walker is my personal favorite though
Least fav tracks: none
2 likes
Roni Size
1/5
Pre-listening thoughts: 2.5 hrs… drum and bass… no…
Post/during listening thoughts: it’s all the same and there is almost nothing redeeming about this. We were on such a good streak so makes sense we got hit with a dud 2/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: NO
Fav tracks: Beatbox
Least fav tracks: yes
2 likes
The Damned
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I have never heard of this band or album but ohhhh joy another British punk album…!
Post/during listening thoughts: this is pretty hardcore. I can see how some would enjoy it but man it’s just not for me. I didn’t even realize we switched songs from track 1-2. I like the less heavy moments where it’s just rock and not as hardcore/metal influenced. I think I just don’t like metal and when it seeps into other subgenres of rock I run away. Melody Lee was such a red herring I thought it was gonna be a ballad 😭. The harmonies on Smash It Up are genuinely nice. Not a bad closer but whole album is meh. At least it’s only 36 mins 3/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nope!
Fav tracks: I Just Can’t Be Happy Today, Anti Pope but only cause of the lyrics, Plan 9 Channel 7, Noise Noise Noise but ONLY the fart noises, Smash It Up
Least fav tracks: Love Song, Machine Gun Ettiquette, Melody Lee, Looking at You
1 likes
LL Cool J
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: this is album 100!!!! 😭😭 not sure what I expected but it wasn’t this. Laughing a little cause I mixed LL Cool J up with Ice JJ Fish in middle school and yeah iykyk
Post/during listening thoughts: people were so right that this is a great representation of the transition from 80s to 90s rap. I think the best thing this album challenge has done for me is expose me to more rap and hip hop cause I genuinely enjoy those genres but just never really knew where to start in terms of listening to them and finding what eras/specific styles I enjoy. I think this is pretty good but it’s a little too long for my tastes and my head hurts so im sorry LL Cool J that’s not your fault but it’s tainting my perception of this album. 6.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: I dont think so
Fav tracks: Around the Way Girl, Murdergram, Cheesy Rat Blues, Mama Said Knock You Out
Least fav tracks: I didn’t dislike any tracks but a lot of it sort of blended together just bc of length + headache
1 likes
Guns N' Roses
2/5
Pre-listening notes: Ok I got eager and looked at my new album at midnight and boy oh boy I let myself down hard. This album fucking OPENS with welcome to the jungle, one of my least fav songs of all time. However, I will give it the benefit of having Sweet child o mine, which is a really great song. I do not think I will enjoy this album tho. Guns N’ Roses is not for me lol. I have now made the vow to only look at my new album in the morning because I don't want to wake up dreading what I have to listen to lol.
Post/during listening thoughts: I skipped Welcome to the jungle bc I just... cannot. That song will knock this album down a point alone. It's So Easy and Nightrain are like... good but yeah very Guns n' roses. I think that's how I'll feel about most of this album. Like is it objectively good? Yeah! Is it for me? No! Also let me say I HATE this album cover. Sorry, it's ugly. Mr Brownstone was pretty good, nice melody line. Ohhhh yup I know Paradise City lmao. It has a really nice start to it. I hate My Michelle. Jesus. Sweet Child O' Mine is a classic BUT only bc I think of Stepbrothers. Listen it may sound like I'm actively trying to dislike this album and that's not true. I'm trying so hard to LIKE it. I just cannot stand Axl Rose's voice. Tf is the moaning in Rocket Queen?! Yeah it's exactly what I expected. Gotta listen to some music I enjoy more to cleanse my palette. 3/10.
Top Tracks: Mr Brownstone, Paradise City, Sweet Child O' Mine
1 likes
4-Star Albums (82)
1-Star Albums (44)
All Ratings
Steely Dan
5/5
I LOVE STEELY DAN I CANT BELIEVE THIS WAS MY FIRST ALBUM LOL. Ok so this album is only 7 songs but still manages to clock in at 40 mins? These are pre-listening thoughts so I'm curious to see what song/songs are super long. I think I'm going in completely blind (except maybe Peg).
Ok time for during the album thoughts. I have a soft spot for Steely Dan's harmonies and superrrrr smooth guitar playing. Something about their vocals is so classic and soothing. It's literally like listening to the feeling of putting your toes in the sand.
-Black Cow: super groovy. Love the female backing vocals. It's also very rhythmically interesting, and the key changes/modulation add so much to the funk feeling they cultivate. OK KEYBOARD SOLO! 9/10.
-Aja: the title track. Piano usage in this song is really nice. Realizing with this song and the lyric "dude ranch above the sea" that I really never understand their lyrics lol. This track is super mellow. They LOVE their extensive instrumental breaks - I think that is what lengthens the tracks so much. Modern artists take note - you don't need a bridge if you just write like Steely Dan! This track is like 8 mins oh my god! 7/10
-Deacon Blues: I love Steely Dan, but a lot of their tracks do kinda blend together in my mind. Maybe I just haven't spent enough time with them. I will give this album one thing: it's very cohesive sonically. This track also borders 8 mins. Sax is super smooth. Lyric "sue me if I play too long" is super funny lol. 7/10
-Peg: I think I've heard this one before. Incredibly groovy start. Also a normal song length - I think that's why it's one of the more popular tracks from this album. Realizing now they could be talking about a name shortening for Margaret and not... yeah. The little da da dada riff at about 2:19 behind the verses is ADDICTIVE. Love this track so so much. 10/10
-Home at Last: Piano in the beginning with the dissonant chords is giving MAJOR Billy Joel vibes. Then the brass comes in and you KNOW it's Steely Dan lol. Loving the tempo and tonal shakeup though - effectively breaks up the album. 9/10
-I Got the News: SUPER groovy start oh my god that piano and bassline is heaven. Still Steely Dan but definitely sonically different than the rest of the album (and their work overall). Not for the non-experimental crowd methinks - this is the Warm Blood of the album (but better bc Warm Blood isn't good!). 8/10
-Josie: The album closer! Brass is a super standout in this track. Really high energy closer, you never lose the sparkle of this album to a dull ballad (no shade to ballads, but sometimes they do suck the wind outta your sails). 7/10
Overall, I'd give this album an 8/10. Very classic Steely Dan but also just really great production and instrumentation. Vocals are also delightful to hear but not a highlight on most songs which is ok, I just kinda wanted more from them on that front. Very sonically cohesive, but almost too much so in the front half. The back half really shines once you get to Peg. Great album! Great first album to review.
I'm really excited to start this project in general, I really hope I can keep up with it. I've been looking for ways to broaden my music taste. I love listening to older music, but because these bands and artists have had so much time to exist, I often just don't know where to start in terms of diving into their discography. My music taste has also been leaning incredibly pop-ish recently, so I'm hoping that this project can be a way to diversify that.
*EDIT* oh my god this is my biggest regret to not give this a 5 immediately. For the record, it was a 4. It has since been upgraded. Steely Dan ily
Pixies
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I have only heard of the Pixies through "Where is my Mind". Which like, is an ok song (sorry to every fanboy out there), but it's not really for me. I'm curious to see if this is starkly different from their other work or not. I'm also not gonna put the effort that I did for Steely Dan - while these reviews are solely for me, I know the pressure to rate every track is gonna get tiring. So instead, I'll list a few I enjoyed along with my thoughts about the album, and if there were any standout horrible ones, those will make the cut too.
Post listening thoughts: Lol this album clocks in at exactly 38:38 which is kinda neat. This is like... a little to heavy for me lol. Like it's not bad but I definitely won't be revisiting this. I'm just not a huge fan of songs where they don't sing (excluding rap/hip hop). Like there was a lot of just breathing and talking and yelling it was lowkey so awkward at times. Props if this is for you but I cannot relate. 3/10.
Top Tracks: Here Comes Your Man, Monkey Gone to Heaven (what a fucking track name lol)
Van Halen
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I know very little about Van Halen (I know, sue me!). I know Eddie Van Halen is one of the most revered guitar players of all time, and for that alone, I am excited to dive into this record. Of course, I know Jump, but I also know that is an outlier in their sound/discography. I expect this to be pretty heavy rock, which can definitely be a hit or miss for me. We shall see!
Post/during listening thoughts: This is the kind of music that just fills your ears in a good way. Very sonically balanced. I have definitely heard Runnin' with the Devil before (thanks dad rock radio stations). God damn ok NOW I understand why everyone kisses the ground that Eddie Van Halen walks on. This shit is crazy bro. Eruption is literally just him lol. THE TRANSITION INTO YOU REALLY GOT ME!! Oh I know this song too! The screaming is not overpowering (like it's not the whole song) so it's like an accent or a seasoning instead of the main course in their songs. LOVE the baba shoobedowa section in I'm the One. Giving very Tarzan animals at the camp. I think I understand Van Halen's general sound after this record. Love the change of sound for Ice Cream Man!! So cute and effectively breaks up the album. I did not dislike any songs on this album - really impressed overall! 8/10
EDDIE VAN HALEN DIED??!!! how did i miss that. my god rip to a legend.
Top tracks: Eruption, You Really Got Me, I'm the One, Feel Your Love Tonight, Ice Cream Man
David Bowie
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: BOWIE!!! Looking forward to this album immensely even though some have told me that David Bowie is better to listen to just jumping from song to song rather than diving into his full projects. I literally only know the title track from this album so I'm very excited to know more of Bowie's work. (also sorry for this but the cover looks like that pic of bat boy from that tabloid article SORRY SORRY)
Post/during listening thoughts: This is pretty much exactly what I expected from knowing some of Bowie's other work - I really enjoy it. Very rock but also sort of campy pop? Synth driven but it's so cohesive and striking (the front half is). Heroes (the song) never gets old. It's cinematic and larger than life. The soundscapes are... interesting. They're sort of odd on an album like this. It's like somebody threw a wrench in the energy that was accumulating. Like I forgot what album I was listening to. They sound like the music my mom would play as a yoga teacher with random brass accents thrown in. God the end of Neukoln is... bad. Like really bad. Redemption definitely strikes with The Secret Life of Arabia. So so weird to have those two instrumental tracks in the middle of this album bc now the energy is back but the album is over?! Overall 6/10. Would def revisit the front half!
Top Tracks: Beauty and the Beast, Heroes (duh sorry but it's so good), The Secret Life of Arabia
Least favs: Moss Garden, Neukoln
Elbow
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: This is the first album/artist combo I've gotten where I have never heard of any of it. Like no concept of what genre this band makes, nothing. I did some research before diving in just so I wouldn't be caught too off guard - it seems like it's indie/alt rock (also British). I'm actually kind of excited! I took this 1001 challenge on to expand my taste, and getting artists I already knew wasn't going to expand it alone.
Post/during listening thoughts: You can soooo tell the lead singer is British lmao. Not a bad thing, just kinda funny. Starlings is a really lush and chill opening track, not low energy, still full sound-wise. The Bones of You is a really great track 2, propelling the listener forward into the rest of the album with its unique syncopation and addictive guitar/percussion combo (and the layered vocals!!). Let it be known that I'm also VERY biased towards female singers but this guy has a really lovely voice. Holy shit the production on Mirrorball. UGH. I already want to listen to this album again and I'm on TRACK THREE. Grounds for Divorce is like if Imagine Dragons were cool. Weather to Fly's high vocals are weird because they don't quite line up with the backing track - not sure if this was on purpose, but it's not my fav artistic choice. The Loneliness of a Tower Crane Driver kinda sounds like something my brother would make (not in a bad way to either party, just the use of the bass (sax?) and the rhythm remind me of his work). The transitions on this album are phenomenal. It's also an incredibly cohesive body of work. ONE DAY LIKE THIS. My god. the strings. This should've been the album closer tbh. There is no better feeling than discovering good new music. 8.5/10.
Favorite tracks: The Bones of You, Mirrorball, One Day Like This, Hotel Istanbul (even tho it's a non album track)
*super unrelated but I realized if I keep this up, in 20 days I'll get an album on my birthday and I'm so worried it's gonna be shit*
Yes
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: Ok so I obviously know Yes from Owner of a Lonely Heart, but really crazy thing is I know their song Roundabout from when it was a meme and people would freezeframe it. But I don't think I ever listened to the whole song because it's legitimately nine minutes long. It's one fifth of the whole album on its own haha! But I know what kind of music Yes makes so I think I'll enjoy this well enough.
Post/during listening thoughts: I lied I've heard ALL of Roundabout. I must have had it on like a meme playlist or something but I know the entire song. It's a damn good song tho - that synth in the back and the guitar is entrancing. Cans and Brahms sounds like video game music but like the kind in the back of like a match 3 style game or like one of funkyland's escape rooms (niche reference). Despite its repetitiveness, I really love We Have Heaven. Yes seems to love SUPER long songs or really short ones - South Side of the Sky is like 8 mins. Good song, 8 mins is a wee bit long tho. And America is like over 10 mins.... my GOD but if I'm not mistaken in my hearing it's a cover of Simon and Garfunkel so that's kinda cool. This album kinda all blends together, none of it's necessarily bad, but it's all kind of mid tier. 6/10.
Fav tracks: Roundabout, We Have Heaven
Guns N' Roses
2/5
Pre-listening notes: Ok I got eager and looked at my new album at midnight and boy oh boy I let myself down hard. This album fucking OPENS with welcome to the jungle, one of my least fav songs of all time. However, I will give it the benefit of having Sweet child o mine, which is a really great song. I do not think I will enjoy this album tho. Guns N’ Roses is not for me lol. I have now made the vow to only look at my new album in the morning because I don't want to wake up dreading what I have to listen to lol.
Post/during listening thoughts: I skipped Welcome to the jungle bc I just... cannot. That song will knock this album down a point alone. It's So Easy and Nightrain are like... good but yeah very Guns n' roses. I think that's how I'll feel about most of this album. Like is it objectively good? Yeah! Is it for me? No! Also let me say I HATE this album cover. Sorry, it's ugly. Mr Brownstone was pretty good, nice melody line. Ohhhh yup I know Paradise City lmao. It has a really nice start to it. I hate My Michelle. Jesus. Sweet Child O' Mine is a classic BUT only bc I think of Stepbrothers. Listen it may sound like I'm actively trying to dislike this album and that's not true. I'm trying so hard to LIKE it. I just cannot stand Axl Rose's voice. Tf is the moaning in Rocket Queen?! Yeah it's exactly what I expected. Gotta listen to some music I enjoy more to cleanse my palette. 3/10.
Top Tracks: Mr Brownstone, Paradise City, Sweet Child O' Mine
Pre-listening thoughts: I know some U2 songs, I think they started as a Christian rock band? But that sound is certainly prevalent in their music. Kind of a turn off for me. They're certainly not bad tho - album of the day could have been MUCH worse.
Post/during listening thoughts: I have definitely heard Beautiful Day but I don't think I've heard any other songs on this album. Beautiful Day is a good opener - a large track that sets a positive tone for the album, and Bono sounds good on this song. Stuck In a Moment You Can't Get Out Of is a really great track - love the message but also the melody is really catchy. Elevation has a really nice guitar line in the back of the chorus, and the shift to electric guitar really makes the song pop. Really love Walk On also. The upside of starting as a Christian rock band is that their songs are really positive and uplifting - puts energy back into the listener instead of sucking it out. Some of the more mellow tracks blend together on this album (Kite, Peace on Earth) - but it's also my first listen so idk maybe it's just that. In A Little While has a really cool beat behind it. Also Bono has a falsetto that's actually really nice to listen to - unlike mf axl rose SORRY I HATE his voice. New York is kinda boring imo. I was typing "for this close to the end of the album it needs a little more umph" and literally as I was typing umph the guitars and drums KICKED in. Sorry New York my apologies. Grace was a little boring but sweet. Overall, better than I was expecting! Nice job U2 - will probably revisit a lot of this. 7/10.
Favorite Tracks: Stuck In a Moment, Walk On, Wild Honey
The Zombies
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: Speedrunning this album before class because today is a really busy day!! But I've heard of the Zombies thru my friend who I studied abroad with, and I've heard She's Not There (not on this album). I feel like I'll enjoy this!
Post/during listening thoughts: Ok so the Zombies are pretty similar sonically to the Beach Boys. Not shocking since my friend who recommended them is a HUGE Beach Boys stan. Care of Cell 44 sounds soooo much like a Beach Boys track with the layered harmonies and the little 60s beat. A Rose For Emily is a very toned down track with just a piano as the backing, but it's cute! Something about the verses of Maybe After He's Gone reminds me of While My Guitar Gently Weeps. Beechwood Park is definitely 60s man like it SOUNDS like how the album cover looks. Brief Candles has something odd going on with the rhythm, would def be a grower. Hung Up On a Dream has that Beatles shit going on where vocals are only in one earbud. BOOO. I don't love the echo on Changes, but the simple instrumentation is charming. I Want Her She Wants Me is a great song title lollll. That song reminds me a little of God Only Knows rhythm wise and with the bababas. Butcher's Tale sounds like a They Might Be Giants song lol. Love the overlapping vocal lines on Friends of Mine but the drums are a little intense, but the piano is lovely. I do see why Time of the Season is one of their most popular songs bc it's a great album closer with a unique beat creation and it's just really rich sonically. This was a great album! When I'm in the mood for this kind of music I will definitely turn to this again. 7.5/10.
Fav Tracks: Care of Cell 44, Maybe After He's Gone, This Will Be Our Year, Time of the Season
Eric Clapton
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: Hi! I'm back. I didn't even get through ten albums last year but I'm ready to rumble now that I have some routine in my life again. So. Eric Clapton is one of those artists that I am positive I have heard some of his songs/playing on songs but could I tell you what? No. So let's see.
Post/during listening thoughts: Vocals are... fine at best. There is definitely a reason Eric Clapton is known primarily as a guitarist. Sometimes the backing vocals lean into Steely Dan territory (i.e. "I Shot the Sheriff"). Some of the more subdued, mellow tracks are actually really nice (i.e. "Please Be With Me", "I Can't Hold Out"). Outro on "Let It Grow" is kinda awesome but the rest of the song isn't a super standout. 12 bar blues spotted in Steady Rollin' Man (I hate knowing what 12 bar blues is cause now I catch it EVERYWHERE). It's a fine album but overall I think you can find better stuff from similar artists of the time (CSNY, Steely Dan, Eagles). 6.5/10.
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: Nah
Fav tracks: I Shot the Sheriff, Please Be With Me
Least favs: Give Me Strength, Willie and the Hand Jive
Radiohead
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: Uh oh. My first Radiohead album. I was wondering when it would finally show up since there's like 8 of them on this list! The album cover is... unsettling. And do I really need to explain whether I know Radiohead or not? Either I've been living in the darkest hole under the deepest rock or I've heard of them. Take a guess.
Post/during listening thoughts: It is exactly what I thought it would sound like. British alt rock. Is it bad? No. It's extremely well produced, and Thom Yorke's voice fits the sound here really well. Title track is kinda fire. I find myself craving vocal harmonies though. A track like "High and Dry" would be so fire with vocal harmonies. Overall it's a lot more mellow than I was expecting - lots more acoustic guitar and subdued vocal performance than I thought would be on here. But that buildup on "Fake Plastic Trees" is so seamless! "Just" is that perfect burst of energy after some of these slower tracks. The distortion in "My Iron Lung" is not my fav choice but whatever. Fade in on "Black Star" is kinda weird, like you never really hear songs fade in. Ok vocals on "Street Spirit (Fade Out)"! Overall I am shocked at how much I enjoyed this album. Will I ever speak about it in public? No. 8.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR IT BEFORE I DIE: Not necessarily but I'm glad I did
Fav tracks: The Bends, Fake Plastic Trees, (Nice Dream), Black Star, Street Spirit (Fade Out)
Least favs: My Iron Lung
The Black Crowes
2/5
Pre-listening notes: I have never known this band by name nor heard of this album. I have heard the incessantly played “Hard to Handle” which I recently found out is a cover and the original is by Otis Redding (whose version I prefer!). This is probably just gonna be generic bar rock music.
Post/during listening thoughts: I think I was right in my assumptions. A whiny voice paired with harsh instrumental = the perfect music to play in a bar and have to yell over to be heard. It’s not like the worst stuff I’ve ever heard but I wouldn’t waste my time with this. It sounds like I put on 105.9 The Mountain™ at 6 in the morning. Normally I would write about individual tracks a little more but this album feels like pure filler. I can’t express how much I hate this man’s voice. She Talks to Angels might be the only standout on here sorry 4/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: hell no
Fav tracks: She Talks to Angels
Least favs: Seeing Things, Thick N Thin, Stare it Cold
Bob Marley & The Wailers
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: Bob Marley is such an interesting pick. Like I feel like everyone knows Bob Marley’s music to an extent but have you ever met a Bob Marley super-fan? Maybe I’m just too young to know them but I’m curious about this album cause I never hear anyone talking about Bob Marley deep cuts.
Post/during listening thoughts: The instrumentation on this is actually really nice and lush. Lots of different sonic layers which I appreciate. I think Bob Marley’s lyricism is the main reason why this record is on this list though. He really had a gift for conveying a message to the masses in a way that didn’t create fear around social/political/religious issues but rather simply brought awareness and sparked conversation. This is a great snapshot of the social issues in the 70s and Marley’s own turmoil surrounding them. It feels akin to listening to Vietnam protest songs where I feel like I’m catapulted into a time I never lived in. The actual music is obviously very reggae. I’m not the biggest reggae fan but this album was a pleasant listen. Reggae can feel very repetitive, but this album had such varied instrumentation and such captivating backing vocals I never got bored or tired of the sound. Album cover is kind of giving legend of Zelda ocarina of time on the N64 game cover. Exodus (song) is 7.5 mins?!?! Crazy bro. This album also has a bunch of Bob Marley’s most popular songs (Three Little Birds, Jammin, One Love), so I already knew a nice chunk going in. 8.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: yes I did
Fav tracks: Natural Mystic, Exodus, Waiting in Vain
Least fav tracks: n/a
Magazine
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I have literally never heard of this band or album before. The album cover is freakyyy. They have less than 100k listeners on Spotify which is crazy that they made this list. This album has gotten great reviews and people can’t quite seem to pin a genre down so I’m pretty curious to say the least.
Post/during listening thoughts: The vocal production (and instrumental production) is quite interesting. Some of the production does kind of date itself. It’s sort of charming almost 50 years later though. Even though the album cover is wackadoo the sound kinda fits it so props ig? I kinda rock with the post punk genre a lot so this is sort of right up my alley. The standard album stops at Parade so that’s all that I will consider for this review but I’m still gonna listen to the bonus tracks (but if they’re awful they won’t tank this rating). I love being able to hear when artists are British lol. Shot by Both Sides is superrrr catchy. This is very punk which I was not expecting! I know I literally just said I like post punk so like I should’ve known but I’m an idiot and get surprised at anything. I wanna mosh to Recoil. I could definitely see how this would be a huge influence to later 80s and beyond artists because in the 70s this genre was really new and fresh. Burst sounds like a Radiohead track. Okayy stacked vocals love that choice! Outro is fireeee. The midway rhythm change (basically became a diff song lol) in The Great Beautician in the Sky threw me. Not opposed to it though cause the second half of the song is better. Bonus tracks are good as well. That was a solid listen 7/10! Would love to revisit cause I think it would grow on me a little more.
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: mixed on this. Super influential but later ppl also did the genre just as well if not better. Like do you need to see the blueprint to appreciate the architecture? I don’t think so. But it’s cool and insightful.
Fav tracks: Shot by Both Sides, Recoil, Burst but specifically the outro, Touch and Go (bonus track)
Least fav tracks: n/a
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I have heard the name Elvis Costello but he feels like one of those things I should know more about but don’t. Like it feels like not having seen The Sixth Sense like I just missed him somehow.
Post/during listening thoughts: I would never guess that this was made in the 70s. You could tell me this was 90s/00s and I would believe you. The production is genuinely really great. I will agree with everyone and say there are too many Elvis Costello records on this list but I think at least 1 is worth a listen (not a “you HAVE to hear this before you die” kinda listen but rather a “this could hook you and you might enjoy it casually” kinda listen). It does sound like he’s saying “cause she’s dishes, girl” in This Years Girl 😭. I really like the sound of this though. It’s definitely good but I’m also not sure how memorable it is? Lotsa organ. This is good but nothing is super grabbing me. I think the second half is stronger than the first. I could definitely hear how pop punk stemmed from stuff like this. 6.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nope
Fav tracks: No Action, (I Don’t Want to Go To) Chelsea, Lip Service, Lipstick Vogue, Radio Radio
Least fav tracks: Little Triggers
Doves
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I have never heard of this band or album (lots of albums I'm gonna repeat that sentiment with on this list!). I don't even have an inkling of what this will sound like.
Post/during listening thoughts: Am i tweaking where are the vocals. Ok wait nevermind the opening was just an instrumental phew! Thought this was a weirdo soundscape album. It sounds like aimless Coldplay. Choppy vocals on Break Me Gently are not doing it for me. This is like lowkey the most forgettable genre of music for me. I am zoning out so hard rn this is so boring lol. Why is every song so long like bring back the 3 minute song! 4/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: absolutely not
Fav tracks: Melody Calls, Catch the Sun
Least fav tracks: Break Me Gently
Pulp
5/5
Pre-listening thoughts: Oliver insists I’ve heard Pulp but I cannot remember any of their stuff.
Post/during listening thoughts: Really loving the sound of this so far. It’s more poppy than some of our previous listens which I needed. Very very British once again but this time I’m not opposed to it. It reminds me a little of Bowie? Like if Bowie’s lyrics were a little more incel-ish. There are definitely elements of disco in some of these tracks too. A really nice genre blend with lots of upbeat, fun moments that I think could hook anyone. Common People alone bumps this up a point. 9/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: lowkey yeah
Fav tracks: I Spy, Disco 2000, Common People, Monday Morning
Least fav tracks: n/a
The Vines
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I once again have never heard of this band or album. I’m so used to that atp. I’m like kind of growing resentful towards the guy who made this list for including SO MUCH British/aussie rock, like cmon man we don’t need to hear ALL of these before we die. We shall see though
Post/during listening thoughts: this might be a little too heavy for my personal tastes. I don’t think I like this. Autumn shade is like whiplash from the title track. Is this classified as singing or just rhythmic yelling? I would almost like Outtathaway if this guys voice were tolerable. Some of this isn’t terrible when they actually sing! It’s like if Radiohead and Guns n Roses had a terrible lovechild. That octave singing in Country Yard is AWFUL. In The Jungle is like Welcome to the Jungle’s awful awful nephew. The “fav tracks” section on here is more like tracks I tolerated lol. You know what’s tragic is I love the album art, it looks like a video game! Sorry aussies 3/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nope
Fav tracks: Autumn Shade, Sunshinin, Homesick, Mary Jane
Least fav tracks: Highly Evolved, Outtathaway, Get Free, Country Yard, In the Jungle
The Triffids
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I cheated and looked at reviews for this before listening and everyone said “what is this generic 80s snorefest doing on this list” so idk. I’m sort of already seeing their point on track 1.
Post/during listening thoughts: The deluxe version of this album is CRAZY long. It’s supposed to end at Save What You Can so that’s where my review will end. The lead singer has a nice voice but yeah this is pretty generic 80s stuff. I’m not opposed to it but I’m definitely not hooked. I appreciate the album narrative of the slow descent into insanity but sadly the songs are not sonically interesting or unique enough to elevate that narrative. It’s dragging on. I need an album by a woman 4/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Hometown Farewell Kiss, Vagabond Holes
Least fav tracks: Jerdacuttup Man
Tracy Chapman
5/5
Pre-listening thoughts: FINALLY A WOMAN!! And Tracy Chapman at that! This is such an exciting album. Tracy is such a brilliant storyteller and I am so very excited to not only listen to an album by a woman but a queer woman of color.
Post/during listening thoughts: I’ve already heard the first two tracks of this album. I love Tracy’s voice. The folk-rock genre blend on this record is flawless and keeps energy flowing while also keeping the sound down to earth and intimate. Some of the production does lean very 80s though. Theres something about the way that Tracy places emphasis on certain syllables and places words within the rhythm that I’m awful at describing but is very pleasant to listen to. Not a bad track on this album. These issues are still super prevalent today, a timeless record but at what cost? 9.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: yes and everyone should
Fav tracks: Fast Car, Across the Lines, Baby Can I Hold You, She’s Got Her Ticket, If Not Now…
Least fav tracks:
Lou Reed
1/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I know Lou Reed from Walk on the Wild Side. I don’t like that song (controversial I know). I didn’t know Lou Reed was part of the Velvet Underground but I’ve also never listened to their stuff so I’m really ill informed on this artist.
Post/during listening thoughts: Lou Reed does this sort of talk/sing thing that I don’t really enjoy. It makes it sound like spoken word and I’m not really rocking with spoken word like that. The instrumental tracks are great (ie Sad Song) but man I cannot get over this talk singing. Im convinced people who enjoy this just like to be pretentious. Why are there KIDS CRYING whoever made this record HATES ME. I’ve got nothing more to say 2/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: absolutely! Not
Fav tracks: Caroline Says I (I guess), Sad Song if Lou Reed could find the beat
Least fav tracks: the rest
Charles Mingus
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: Ok so I know Charles Mingus from my American music class but all I know is he’s a jazz artist from the later jazz era (that sort of late 50s-early 60s pivot). I looked at the track list and 4 songs at 39 mins is WILD (this is mostly cause of Track D being 17 mins on its own 😭). Jazz is crazy bro. I’ve grown to appreciate jazz music (some of it! Some bebop still isn’t really for me lol) over the past few years so we’ll see if I enjoy this or not.
Post/during listening thoughts: So while jazz has grown on me I still have a hard time listening to music without words. It’s like watching a black and white movie to me like it’s just missing something and in this case that is the instrument and poetry of the voice. Is this good? Absolutely. This is mixed really well, with lots of instrument variety and different song segments and improvisation that show off different musicians who played on this record. In terms of jazz this is as good as it gets. However, me personally, I'm not gonna jump to put this on in the car ride to work or to dance to or anything. It’s a little shocking how fast the tracks go by considering how long they are. I don’t ever feel the album dragging. Its a genuinely good album but jazz is still not my genre of choice 6.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nah, but I’m sure some did
Fav tracks: Tracks B&C
Least fav tracks: n/a
Supergrass
5/5
Pre-listening thoughts: So like everyone else on planet earth, all I know from Supergrass is Alright. Expecting the full album to just be that song over and over since that’s the only song by them that gets airplay.
Post/during listening thoughts: wait I love this actually. Love this dissonant, high energy opener. The album cover is a little unsettling to me for some reason but whatever. The song lengths are very short. This is very 90s, very British. Nothing I haven’t heard before on this list, but it’s a genre I seem to really like. Vocal harmonies are kind of awesome, especially on songs like Lose It. Yo they got the minions on We’re Not Supposed To! I think the biggest difference with this album and the other British alt rock albums I’ve heard on this list is the sheer energy here. This album is sooo upbeat and fun but I also think it mellows out really nicely at the end. 9/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: need? Nah. Want? YEAAA
Fav tracks: I’d Like to Know, Mansize Rooster, Alright, Strange Ones, She’s So Loose, Time To Go
Least fav tracks: n/a
Oasis
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: Womp womp oasis is what I wrote when I woke up and saw this album this morning. Oasis is like… fine but it’s exactly the kind of pick I would expect from the loser who made this list. Also Oasis sucks cause they skip their own concerts but they don’t have music good enough to excuse doing something like that.
Post/during listening thoughts: exactly what I expected womp womp oasis be better musicians and human beings 5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nope!
Fav tracks: wonderwall I mean uhhhh
Least fav tracks:
Baaba Maal
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: So I have once again never heard of this artist but this is my first non-English album. It kinda snapped me back to reality that there are in fact albums in other languages and by people from other countries besides the UK and the US. Like so much of this list is so western focused it’s crazy. Made me realize how unbalanced it is.
Post/during listening thoughts: so obviously I do not speak Pulaar so I will have no commentary on the lyrics. I do agree with some of the other reviews that some of the production dates itself and is very distracting. The vocals are impressive and overall the melodies are ok. My thing is I have no knowledge of the culture or language so I’m sort of at a roadblock in terms of actually *getting* it. And that makes me wonder like did I need to hear this before I die to gain an appreciation for a different culture’s music? Or is this like a really bad pick (not bad ALBUM bad PICK there’s a difference) from said culture’s music and I’m getting screwed over by the editors of this book to think it’s semi-representative of this subset of African music? Who can say. Why is he mogging on the album cover tho 4/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: ?!
Fav tracks: Hamady Boiro, Ndelorel
Least fav tracks: Minuit, Lem Gi
Harry Nilsson
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: writing this with the most raging headache in the world. Reallyyyyy hoping this album is good cause idk if I can handle something crappy tonight 😭
Post/during listening thoughts: 35 mins. Life is beautiful, I needed a short and sweet album tonight. The cover is also making me laugh a little like who took that pic 😭😭? I’m enjoying this a lot so far actually. A lot of the male singers on this list have been kind of… samey and a little whiny but this guy has a really lovely voice and I understand the Beatles comparisons (especially with harmony choices and vocal arrangements). This is bringing a smile to my face on such a rough day! The only complaint with short song length is they end so abruptly and many lack bridges (which I love bridges) so it’s a slight sadness. You ever hear a song and know it’s a certified hit? Yeah that’s me when I heard Without You my GODDDD. I did start falling asleep during Jump Into the Fire sorry it’s long and I’m really tired. I love the variety here and would absolutely revisit this 8.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: I dont think so but I definitely enjoyed this (although everyone should hear Without You at least once)
Fav tracks: Gotta Get Up, The Moonbeam Song, Without You
Least fav tracks: Jump into the Fire past minute 3
Elvis Presley
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I don’t like Elvis! I like Blue Christmas and that’s about it from him. Just rubbed the wrong way by almost every career/personal choice he made so yeah. Not super looking forward to this.
Post/during listening thoughts: listen did Elvis objectively help craft rock and roll as we know it? Yes. This is good music. Elvis has a great voice and great stage presence and it’s hard to argue against him as a performer/musician. I however have personal beef with Elvis so 6/10. This genre of early rock is also not my fav in general. The like 40s/50s rock is sort of samey to me in a way I can’t explain very well (12 bar blues but more than that. Would be able to explain if I knew music theory!). But lowkey I did kind of enjoy this. Ack I’m so conflicted on Elvis like he’s so talented but he’s a crook!!!
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no but most would argue otherwise
Fav tracks: Wearin’ That Loved on Look, Power of My Love, True Love Travels on a Gravel Road, Suspicious Minds
Least fav tracks: Don’t Cry Daddy
The Pretty Things
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: oh Christ a rock opera. I’m a little terrified of this I’m not going to lie. Hoping the story will captivate me. I’ve also never heard of this band before. I feel like I’m saying that a lot!
Post/during listening thoughts: the album cover scared me! Ahhh! Why does the audio do that in Bracelets of Fingers it makes me mad. Some of the production is incredibly 60s (and just plain bad). Balloon Burning sounds like something from that Magazine record, Real Life. Sort of a Shot By Both Sides kind of track. There’s actually a lot sonically that reminds me of that album in a weird way (Deflecting Grey reminds me of Beautician in the Sky) but I dont like this one as much. To me this album is missing the weird character that Magazine album has. Plus some of the panning/audio choices are worse here imo. It would absolutely take me multiple listens to grasp any sort of story going on here. I’m the type of listener where it has to sonically grab me before lyrics are even a factor (unless the lyrics are very obviously terrible). Why does the audio keep tweaking?! I don’t like Well of Destiny or songs like it where it’s just sort of soundscapey style instrumentals and noises out of tune. Makes me feel like I’m having a panic attack. This is an okay listen and I’m sure influential to the Pink Floyd/Who sort of music but idk if this is a necessity before I die 5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Balloon Burning, Baron Saturday, Trust
Least fav tracks: Old Man Going, Well of Destiny, Deflecting Grey
Christine and the Queens
5/5
Pre-listening thoughts: don’t wanna get my hopes too high but POP! 2018! Eek! Modern music and it’s POP!!! There is not enough pop on this list I am so happy I finally got a queer pop album YIPEE!!! Also let me just say the user reviews are generally negative which to me is a good sign 😭 they hate pop but…!
Post/during listening thoughts: oh this is for ME. I am such a pop girly it’s not even funny. The melodies, production, and vocals are just all so punchy and exciting. It’s reallyyyy nice to have something modern on here. This is also something I don’t think I would’ve listened to on my own like I had no clue who Christine and the Queens was before this moment. Sort of like French Marina and the Diamonds or Tegan and Sara or HAIM… the list goes on, and that is why this is right up my alley. I can feel my soul healing over from the 70s rock excess 10/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: me personally yes. Like I’ve become a fan. I think more people should open themselves up to pop music as well and this is a great album to do so with
Fav tracks: literally all of them. Not one skip on this album. The Walker is my personal favorite though
Least fav tracks: none
Kraftwerk
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I learned a little about Kraftwerk in my Making Music with Computers class. We learned they were super influential on electronic, dance, club, and even hip hop music. Electronic and EDM is usually not up my alley at all so we’ll see how much I enjoy this lol.
Post/during listening thoughts: this is daft punk lite lol. It’s like ok but yeah electronic music isn’t really for me. I don’t dislike it but I wouldn’t go back for more 4/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nah but I understand why it’s influential
Fav tracks: The Model
Least fav tracks: idk I am so beyond neutral on this I can’t even say what stood out poorly
Billy Joel
5/5
YESSSSSSSSS YESSS YESSS YESSSS YESSS YESSSSSSSSSS
So since I’ve already heard this album in full (many times too lol) I’m gonna spare you the essay. I absolutely did need to hear this album before I died. I love Billy Joel’s songwriting and this album is just so amazing with so many highlights. Forever a staple. No skips, every track is amazing and serves a purpose in this album. 10/10
Why is this the only Billy Joel album on the list though that’s criminal. Like where is 52nd Street, Turnstiles, An Innocent Man, The Nylon Curtain, and my personal fav GLASS HOUSES???? All much better albums than some I’ve heard on here!
Janet Jackson
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: the only songs I know by janet jackson are rhythm nation and the one where she samples Ventura highway 😭. And now every time I hear rhythm nation I think of that awful cover Prime’s Cinderella did.
Post/during listening thoughts: I’m not super sure why the reviews are whining about the production cause this is superrr similar to the production Michael Jackson used in a lot of his songs just like a little louder. Black Cat she very vocally sounds like Michael imo. Janet’s voice does get drowned out a little so I wish they had lowered some volume levels. I understand the interludes but there are a LOT of them. Listen people were complaining about the pop-ness of this album but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy it. It’s super upbeat and catchy but also with a good message. It is a little samey though like every song has a very similar beat/sound. I wanted to credit the transitions but like if every song sounds similar how much of an accomplishment is that really 😭. If you want an album full of rhythm nations with some mid ballads thrown in this is for you 6.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no I think all you need to hear is the song Rhythm Nation (if that)
Fav tracks: Rhythm nation, Love will never do (without you), Alright, Escapade, Black Cat
Least fav tracks: ig the interludes cause I don’t think they’re necessary and Lonely and Come Back to Me sorry
Bonnie "Prince" Billy
1/5
Pre-listening thoughts: holy cow this album art is UGLY. Not something I want to look at first thing in the morning. No clue who this is but everyone says this is an indie folk album which means I probably will not enjoy it!
Post/during listening thoughts: this album isn’t even on Spotify?? Musi it is. This is exactly what I thought it would be - minimal arrangements with mid vocals and lyrics that probably mean something to someone but not to me upon first listen. I want so much more from the instrumentation and from the vocal performance (sometimes the vocals are just BAD) and arrangement. I know folk music is relatively simplistic but plenty of folk music does more than this while still spotlighting the lyrics. Yawwwwwnnnnn 1.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: not a chance
Fav tracks: none! Whole album is not for me. Also not on streaming so I couldn’t have added any to my playlist anyways
Least fav tracks: Black, I see a darkness, Knockturne
Stevie Wonder
5/5
Pre-listening thoughts: LETS GO STEVIE WONDER W!!!! I actually know zero songs on here but I have not heard Stevie Wonder miss so far so! Also can I say how refreshing it is to open this page to some pretty/non unsettling album art for once oh my god.
Post/during listening thoughts: good lord I love Stevie Wonder. His voice is just butter over the smooth golden base of his music. He is also the master of smooth key changes and you know how I love a good key change. People were complaining about there being multiple Stevie albums when all you “need” to hear is Songs in the Key of Life. Hard disagree. I think all 3 are necessary and Stevie is one of very few artists that deserve every album pick on this list. 10/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: yes Stevie Wonder is magical
Fav tracks: once again literally all of them I mean there’s no skips!
Least fav tracks: none
Deee-Lite
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I have quite literally only heard Groove is in the Heart by this band, just like everyone else. Curious why this whole album is on this list cause it feels like that song is all anyone knows.
Post/during listening thoughts: this is about what I expected - that sort of post-disco electronic/house music that I would kill for clubs to play nowadays instead of crappy trap music. Not a ton of depth lyrically but musically it’s very fun. This is the sort of genre that has inspired modern artists like Jessie Ware - I can totally hear similarities in production and instrumentation with the piano (learning this technique is called keyboard stabs!) and drumbeats. Power of Love reminds me of Free Yourself. I am a sucker for horns so Smile On won me over a little! Who Was That? Is almost too stupid for me to enjoy 😭. Like wym who was eating peanut butter??? That’s the lyric you ended up on? Some of the tracks are a little too long for my taste and I don’t think I’d revisit this as a full body of work but if some songs came on shuffle I wouldn’t skip them 6.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no, but it’s cool to hear this step in music’s evolution
Fav tracks: Good Beat, Try Me On… I’m Very You, Smile On, Groove Is In the Heart
Least fav tracks: What Is Love?, ESP, Build the Bridge
Jungle Brothers
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I have never heard of this album/group. I saw it was hip hop and I'm ngl I'm a little excited cause this era of hip hop is so fun and distinct.
Post/during listening thoughts: While the actual rapping is not as impressive as contemporary rap and sometimes the flow is awkward to squeeze in a rhyme, I think overall this is a decent body of work. Sometimes the beats are lacking complexity but I honestly don't mind that cause it allows me to focus on the lyrics, arguably the most important part of hip hop/rap. The scatting in Feelin' Alright is making me laugh a little bit. I love the samples in this album - they're used so well without overtaking the song (cough cough Jack Harlow mumbling over Fergie's song). This is such good music to walk to and dance to. I really need to listen to more rap/hip hop especially from the 80s/90s. I know a lot of people don't like that era of hip hop but I have such a soft spot for it. I would however weed this album's song count down by 2-3 songs. 7.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: not necessarily but also I think everyone should hear some rap/hip hop songs from this era so this isn't a bad place to start
Fav tracks: Feelin' Alright, What "U" Waitin "4"?, "U" Make Me Sweat, Tribe Vibes, Doin' Our Own Dang
Least Fav tracks: none really
The Damned
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I have never heard of this band or album but ohhhh joy another British punk album…!
Post/during listening thoughts: this is pretty hardcore. I can see how some would enjoy it but man it’s just not for me. I didn’t even realize we switched songs from track 1-2. I like the less heavy moments where it’s just rock and not as hardcore/metal influenced. I think I just don’t like metal and when it seeps into other subgenres of rock I run away. Melody Lee was such a red herring I thought it was gonna be a ballad 😭. The harmonies on Smash It Up are genuinely nice. Not a bad closer but whole album is meh. At least it’s only 36 mins 3/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nope!
Fav tracks: I Just Can’t Be Happy Today, Anti Pope but only cause of the lyrics, Plan 9 Channel 7, Noise Noise Noise but ONLY the fart noises, Smash It Up
Least fav tracks: Love Song, Machine Gun Ettiquette, Melody Lee, Looking at You
Songhoy Blues
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I have never heard of this group or album yet again. This is a more recent pick so I’m extra curious just because picks from the 2010s and beyond are so few and far between. Also what are the odds that in my first 50 albums two of them are African music? I thought this list was very white and western centric so either there’s more diverse picks than I thought or the random generator is giving me all the non-western picks now.
Post/during listening thoughts: Just like the other album I have heard from an African musician, I do not speak the language they are singing in so my understanding of the album and any context it may fall in is super limited. I had no idea desert blues was/is a genre so this is kinda interesting. I think maybe watching whatever documentary this band was featured in may provide some needed context but without it, this music is pretty standard sounding world rock. 4/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: not without proper context (also have been informed that this album was in a previous edition of the book and has since been removed - interesting)
Fav tracks: Irganda
Least fav tracks: idk man I zoned out today was a long day
PS I just want to say I found the list of albums that were in previous editions of the book that have since been removed but are still in this generator. This one I’m not upset I had to listen to but the VINES album?? That one was terrible! Should’ve never been in the stupid book to begin with. And wym you’re gonna remove Britney, Gorillaz, and TWO Adele albums but keep soooo much other crap??? Crazy.
Sebadoh
1/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I feel like we’ve been getting a lot of 90s lately. Also an American band - maybe it’ll be different than the sea of brit pop?
Post/during listening thoughts: 17 songs is a lot. My perfect album length is 8-15 songs. I think if you’re over that you have things to cut. Woof this is already boring I’m sorry. Distorted guitar and vocals that seem to drone without expression or liveliness. The mixing is dookie. Wow this isn’t just boring it’s straight up terrible! This is the sort of music Mordecai from Regular Show would listen to (also lead singer sounds a little like him imo). Pretty standard indie rock (I am an indie rock hater) 1/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no. Like why does stuff like this make the list. What makes it so special that I HAVE to hear it.
Fav tracks: Happily Divided
Least fav tracks: literally all of them (besides any listed in favorites, those are tolerable). I cannot stand this. First two tracks were not the worst but it gets SO MUCH WORSE from there. Convinced people who enjoy this don’t actually like music sorry.
George Michael
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: oh my god what a relief to get George Michael after yesterday’s monstrosity. It literally can only get better from there.
Post/during listening thoughts: this is pretty much what I expected from having heard some of Wham! And some of George Michael’s solo work. I love Freedom! But every time I hear it I think of the High school reunion dance scene in it’s always Sunny 😭😭😭. I have in fact also heard They Won’t Go When I Go. WAIT the reason I’ve heard it is bc we just got Stevie Wonders original version!!! Wild omg. The vocal harmonies on this album are wonderful. Stones interpolation is awesome. This is a very sad, slow, acoustic driven album that I would usually be deterred from. But man these songs are striking a chord within me today. Really enjoyed this 8.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: maybe?
Fav tracks: Freedom! ‘90, They Won’t Go When I Go (great cover wow), Something to Save (crazyyyy three track run), Waiting for That Day, Heal The Pain
Least fav tracks: I think Cowboys and Angels could’ve been like a min shorter. Same with Soul Free
Iron Maiden
1/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I don’t do metal.
Post/during listening thoughts: I still don’t do metal. 2/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: hell no
Fav tracks: I guess Run to the Hills? Like I didn’t even like it but it’s sadly the one that’s going on my playlist so
Least fav tracks: Invaders, Children of the Damned, 22 Acacia Ave (god this one is BADDDD), The Number of the Beast (corny!)
Roxy Music
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I have once again never heard of this band or album. However I have heard of Brian Eno and have a bad track record with his ambient stuff so reallyyyy hoping that’s not prevalent here.
Post/during listening thoughts: so this is not at all ambient thank god (these words were eaten a few tracks in). It reminds me a little of Talking Heads with the sort of talk singing and funky instrumentals. Why is one track 8.5 mins oh my god (I know I should be used to long songs by now but nope sorry!). Most of it is a little too slow and long but I can get behind a few tracks 4/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Do the Strand, Editions of You
Least fav tracks: Strictly Confidential, In Every Dream Home a Heartache (first half doesn’t quite save the second half for me), The Bogus Man (I hear you Brian eno go away!), outro of For Your Pleasure (seriously Brian Eno I’m gonna tweak)
*Editing this just to say I had no idea Brian Eno produced a lot of Talking Heads' material. I feel really smart for making that connection.
Girls Against Boys
1/5
Pre-listening thoughts: oh come ON random generator like u couldn’t have split up the 90s indie rock by more than a few days??? First that awful Sebadoh album now this??? I have a bad feeling I’m going to hate this
Post/during listening thoughts: I CANT DO THIS SOMEBODY SEDATE ME GODDD I can’t do this genre for another full album. Please. Release me from this suffering 1/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: NOOOOOOOOOOOO STOP SUGGESTING 90s NOISE ROCK I HATE IT
Fav tracks: one of these has to go on my playlist? Oh actually shoot my brains out and curb stomp them
Least fav tracks: All of them! Can I please get an album next week where this isn’t the case dear god. 3 of these albums within a week is so cruel
Madonna
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: listen as bizarre of a pick as this may be I am SO relieved to get Madonna after the onslaught of 90s grunge and indie rock. It’s something different.
Post/during listening thoughts: interested why they picked this Madonna album tbh. Like I feel like they should’ve picked True Blue no? But whatever. It’s a weird fusion of genres and has a veryyyy turn of the century electronic feel to it. It’s a little all over the place - maybe this is her Red before Red lol. Upon second listen it’s so camp y’all just don’t get it. Y’all will hate me for saying this but none of yall would be having a BRAT summer if not for this album. This is kinda fire lowkey maybe I should listen to more Madonna 7/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nah but there’s some good stuff for pop girlies here
Fav tracks: Music, Runaway Lover, I Deserve It, Amazing, Gone
Least fav tracks: none tbh
Duran Duran
5/5
I’ve already heard this one in full too!!! LOVE Duran Duran. Great album, can get a little repetitive in terms of sound but a superb listen nonetheless. Straight bangers 9.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: this is a fantastic intro to New Wave so yeah! PS everyone should also hear their other fav album of mine Seven and the Ragged Tiger 💪
Fav tracks: every song slams.
Least fav tracks: none!
Michael Jackson
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: ya know I cannot believe I’ve never heard a Michael Jackson album in full. I have high expectations!
Post/during listening thoughts: listening to all these songs I’ve heard before in the context of this album makes me enjoy them more. Bad is such an energetic album opener and now I’m seated! Speed Demon is good but feels like it’s missing something production wise. I am not a fan of Adult Contemporary as a genre so Liberian Girl is… yeah. WHY IS STEVIE WONDER NOT CREDITED ON JUST GOOD FRIENDS ON SPOTIFY?!?! Yall all wanna call Man in the Mirror corny but it’s SO GOOD. This is good like there are really solid tracks on here but in terms of Michael’s strongest work, this isn’t quiteeee up there for me. Good amount of hits, some mid. 8.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: not as a full body of work but some songs for sure
Fav tracks: Bad, The Way You Make Me Feel, Just Good Friends, Man in the Mirror, Dirty Diana, Smooth Criminal, Leave Me Alone
Least fav tracks: Liberian Girl, I Just Can’t Stop Loving You
John Lee Hooker
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: looking at this album on Spotify + browsing some reviews of it I can see there are a ton of collaborations. I worry that the collaborations will ruin any potential for cohesiveness throughout the album. Like they could be really great but it could sound very disjointed
Post/during listening thoughts: help Santana is sooo clear on the first track. The melody on this first track is very freeform and the production is VERY 80s. Without a set structure, the first track sort of just meanders on for a long time it feels. Here is my issue with Blues music - as good as it can be, it can be SO repetitive because most songs follow a 12 bar blues form with little variation. I wish the melodies were a little more solid and I wish there was a little more variation in sound here 4/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nope
Fav tracks: I’m in the Mood
Least fav tracks: none in particular but I wish most of these were more concise and shorter
Isaac Hayes
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: THIS IS CHEF FROM SOUTH PARK 😭but 4 tracks at 45 mins… wild work. Heard through the grapevine that one song is 19 mins. Lord pray for me.
Post/during listening thoughts: waittttt okay chef! He may have cooked here (haha hehe). This man has a beautiful voice and the instrumentation is stunning and full on every track (I mean these arrangements! I can’t gush about them enough!). I think my only complaint here is track length cause they’re really long but man this is some good soul music and just good music period 8/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: yes I suppose!
Fav tracks: Walk on By, One Woman
Least fav tracks: intro of By the Time I Get to Phoenix - I think it could be shorter
The Dandy Warhols
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: just got like 5 albums that weren’t 90s indie rock so the generator was probably like “aw wait u miss it so much! Here’s more! There’s always more!!” 😭
Post/during listening thoughts: wish the vocal mixing was a little better but so far I’m enjoying this well enough. Be In has some nice vocal harmonies (sucker for them in general sorry!). There’s some nice pop influence in this record while still keeping the rock sound and instrumentation. Very power pop at points which I love. Minnesoter is so funny lowkey. Heroin is so passé is one of the funniest lyrics I have heard in a long time. Hard on for Jesus😭??? Some of the tracks on this album are a little too slow and droning for me. Also not a fan of the two instrumentals at the end. BUT the upbeat songs are pretty good. This is such a silly little album lol 6/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nah but I got a good laugh out of it
Fav tracks: Be In, Boys Better, Minnesoter, Not If You Were The Last Junkie On Earth, Every Day Should Be A Holiday, As Cool as Kim Deal, Hard On For Jesus
Least fav tracks: Orange, I Love You, Whipping Tree, Green, Pete International Airport, The Creep Out
The Charlatans
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: are we knocking out EVERY 90s alt rock album NOW???? Why ANOTHER from 1997 TWO DAYS IN A ROW HELP ME GOD
Post/during listening thoughts: oasis from SHEIN. If you like oasis you MIGHT enjoy this a little less. Hope this band got tickets to oasis’s reunion tour and as they’re sitting in the audience they think “man that could have been us if we came first and wrote better music” 3.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no and i hate this British editor for putting bands like this on the list cause they’re so insignificant
Fav tracks: North Country Boy
Least fav tracks: Area 51, How High
David Ackles
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: this is a weirdly small artist to include on this list. Wonder how many of his streams come from this little challenge
Post/during listening thoughts: ya know one review of this album said “this is like if Billy Joel wrote a Broadway musical. And if that appeals to you… help me god” or something along those lines. I mayyyyy be the target intersection for that sorry! So this is kinda cool to me. The instrumentation is fun and very lively and does certainly have a musical-esque quality to it. Special shoutout to the upright bass in Waiting for the Moving Van cause wow it’s beautiful. You can physically hear every instrument being played and that makes me so happy. The lyrics are very narrative based which upon first listen I am not grasping all the way but I’m sure upon relisten I’d be able to get it a little more. Lots of rhythm changes which keeps the listener on their toes. Big but still retains an acoustic quality akin to James Taylor or Carole King. 8/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: not necessarily but I’m sort of glad a pick like this made the list. What a weird pick lol
Fav tracks: Loves Enough, Ballad of the Ship of State, Oh California!, Another Friday Night, Waiting for the Moving Van
Least fav tracks: Family Band (sounds like a hymn and I am not rocking with that sound)
The Doors
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I think I’ve literally only heard Light My Fire before by the Doors. Sorry classic rock fans I’ve failed you!
Post/during listening thoughts: this is kinda awesome. Groovy in the right places, bluesy in others. (Oh 12 bar blues form you never seem to fade away 😭). Pretty standard classic rock but I seem to be a 45 yr old man in terms of my music taste half the time cause I like this kind of stuff sorry! 6.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: not really no but not a bad listen
Fav tracks: The Changeling, Love Her Madly, L’America, The Hyacinth House
Least fav tracks: listen the blues is fine but goddd 12 bar blues form gets so repetitive after so many songs/albums! Sorry to Cars Hiss By My Window and Crawling King Snake. Also don’t do talking aka WASP
Tom Waits
1/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I am not sure if I’ve ever heard a Tom Waits song but from seeing the reviews this may be the genre where Adelynn and Oliver intersect and I do not lol. Also there are FIVE Tom Waits albums on this list?? Christ. Hoping for my sake I enjoy this cause I’m screwed otherwise.
Post/during listening thoughts: hmmm listening to this guy sounds like listening to someone try to sing while gargling mouthwash. He sounds drunk. Some lyrics are great and some I can’t quite understand cause this guys voice is making me subconsciously clear my own throat. It’s very bluesy which is fine. I think I’m learning blues is not my favorite genre through this challenge. I enjoy jazz, I enjoy soul, but blues tends to get sooo repetitive. An instrumental for track 2 is a brave choice that ultimately did not win me over. This is what bad bar karaoke sounds like 2/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no can we start uplifting vocal AND lyrical talent?? Why is is always one or the other
Fav tracks: girl idk
Least fav tracks: holy moly like literally all of them. Cannot do this guys voice and 5 albums of this in the future is gonna kill me
Ute Lemper
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I was lowkey excited for this cause like a woman! An international album! An album made this century! BUT NO. OFC THERES SONGS BY: TOM WAITS. NOT AGAIN PLEASE FREE ME. I JUST had to listen to him YESTERDAY. Hoping his songs sound better sung by someone else cause I really can’t go through yesterday again.
Post/during listening thoughts: she has such a beautiful voice that carries lots of emotion. The strings are gorgeous in this first track but something is missing - it feels a little too freeform for my tastes. Now the second track is more up my alley, we’re seeing big arrangements that don’t get lost in themselves! I am a littleeee convinced the guy who originally made this book is obsessed with Elvis Costello enough to put this in there JUST because of him. Ute gets a little caught in the lyrics in track 4 which I can’t spell sorry. It’s a mouthful (the title and all of the lyrics!). Man this album kinda feels musical-esque as well. I could hear the boo hoo in the first Tom Waits track immediately. Wait but “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”…. See maybe Tom Waits can cook if it’s not his own voice lol! WHY DO ALL OF THESE ALBUMS HAVE TO END ON 10 MIN TRACKS?! Can’t we just conclude an album with a 2 min song I’m TIRED. This like should be right up my alley but it’s just nottt hitting the right spots for me. Idk if it’s cause I’m tired but I’m finding myself bored. Wait why is her voice very lowkey giving Pearl from Steven Universe can she cover It’s Over Isn’t It 5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: The Case Continues, Passionate Fight, Split, Purple Avenue (Tom Waits is sometimes not my opp fr)
Least fav tracks: Tango Ballad, The Part You Throw Away (Tom Waits is my opp fr), Scope J
Nirvana
1/5
Pre-listening thoughts: oh gee nirvana! I’d act like I’m excited but I hate grunge sorry. I’ve heard heart shaped box from this album and that’s it.
Post/during listening thoughts: yeah it’s exactly what I thought it would be. They’re fine musicians but I am just not a fan of this genre. This is what the average set at The Bronze in Buffy the Vampire slayer must sound like 2/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: dumb I guess
Least fav tracks: senseless apprentice, rape me, milk it, Tourette’s
Astrud Gilberto
4/5
Pre-listening: interesting choice. Curious why she made the list. WAITTT THIS IS THE WOMAN WHO SINGS THE GIRL FROM IMPANEMA OHHHH but that song isn’t on this album :(
Post/during listening thoughts: man after nirvana anything sounds a little better. It’s sort of like elevator music though. She has a lovely voice and the beats are nice but it’s very easy for it to become background music. Also 27 mins is super short. It’s just very easy listening 60s music which I honestly don’t really have real complaints about. 7/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no but it was pleasant
Fav tracks: stay, misty roses, the face I love, oba oba, my foolish heart
Least fav tracks: parade (what is happening why are we listing every holiday), you didn’t have to be so nice (if you’re gonna bring a kid in to sing make sure they’re not pitchy)
5/5
Pre-listening thoughts: so I obviously have heard of Blur and have heard a few songs from them but none from this album. In the dated Blur vs Oasis debate I am absolutely team Blur though sorry!
Post/during listening thoughts: epic and awesome. So so British and I love it. Blur you just gained a fan fr 9.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: hmmm I love britpop so yes! Maybe not a necessity for everyone though
Fav tracks: almost all of em! What a fun record
Least fav tracks: Miss America
Rod Stewart
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I feel like I’ve heard the name Rod Stewart before but I could not tell you any of his songs off the top of my head. Ohh wait this is the do ya think I’m sexy guy. Hmmm ok
Post/during listening thoughts: man these songs are like fine but his voice is like taking a cheese grater to my brain. I think there are better classic rock singers and better classic rock songs. 4/10 unremarkable
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no go listen to any radio station right now and you’ll hear this but better
Fav tracks: It’s all over now, my way of giving
Least fav tracks: gasoline alley
Beatles
5/5
Pre-listening thoughts: HEYO first Beatles album! About time considering how much Beatles related material comprises this list. Glad we got an early album from them to start versus like the white album.
Post/during listening thoughts: The Beatles have such tight harmonies and this is just really classic stuff. These songs are so short though 😭. I went in thinking I only knew one song but that is just not true lol. They are just everywhere it is impossible to avoid the Beatles. And ya know what? I’m not mad about it. I think some of their other albums have higher highs but i would be lying if I said this wasn’t no skips and fantastic all around. I feel like almost every Beatles album on this list may be a personal 5 stars whoops! 9.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: like yes for me personally? I feel like everyone should hear at least one Beatles album. And maybe this isn’t the one for everyone but I would put this on my list of albums to hear before I die
Fav tracks: A Hard Days Night, If I Fell, And I Love Her, Tell Me Why, Can’t Buy Me Love, I’ll Be Back (but also like… I enjoyed all of them)
Least fav tracks: none. I mean the Beatles just didn’t miss as far as I’m aware (may eat these words in a few albums)
Joy Division
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I feel like I’ve heard of Joy Division but I could not tell you anything about them or any of their songs. I feel like they’re associated with bands like The Cure in terms of genre? Could be wrong
Post/during listening thoughts: something about the vocal production on track 1 is kinda wonky. But it’s a good song nonetheless. There was a review of this album that said something along the lines of “I should have liked this a lot but I didn’t” and that’s how I’m feeling right now. It’s post punk and I love a lot of post punk but man this is just not hitting the right points for me. Sometimes it sounds like he’s singing into a tin can and I don’t enjoy that. It’s just kind of boring post punk. Lacking the necessary energy and variety for me 4.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: day of the lords, interzone
Least fav tracks: disorder and insight but only cause of the vocal production, I Remember Nothing
Air
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: this is my birthday album! While I was secretly hoping for a band or album I already knew/listened to, I guess it’s cool to experience something new WHATEVER. I do think it’s funny that on the album cover next to their band name, it says “French band” as if you need a disclaimer. Did they think we were tuning in because it was just gonna be air noises?? 😭 or did they have to warn people they were French cause honestly valid
Post/during listening thoughts: hmmm this is electronica and psychedelic music. The world knows exactly what genres I’m not fond of and gives them to me on my brightest days. Well! It’s not bad though. I just enjoy lyrics and vocals to be prominent features of music (and this is why Beth Hirsch ate) 5.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: All I Need, Kelly Watch the Stars
Least fav tracks: Talisman
Big Brother & The Holding Company
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I have no idea who this band is but upon further inspection it seems they were fronted by Janis Joplin which means crazy impressive vocals are on the way. Kinda hype
Post/during listening thoughts: as expected Janis’s vocals are crazyyyyyy. She was so so talented. Why why WHY is Ball and Chain almost 10 mins. No song needs to be that long! I think most of these songs could use some editing/shortening tbh. I think it’s good overall but I think so much of it is carried by Janis Joplin. Like the songs themselves are fine and the arrangements and production is fine but without Janis idk it would be kind of mid. 6.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no bc personally I would pick Pearl over this in terms of Joplin material but this was good
Fav tracks: Summertime, Piece of my Heart, Ball and Chain if it were 5 mins shorter 😭, Flower In the Sun, Magic of Love
Least fav tracks: turtle blues (man maybe I don’t like blues sorry!), Ball and Chain length
Finley Quaye
1/5
Pre-listening thoughts: Scottish reggae what da hell
Post/during listening thoughts: pairing reggae vocals with 90s synth and drums/percussion should be a crime. This is so bizarre lol. The vocals and instruments are duking it out on every track 2/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no and I’m not sure who heard this and went “aw hell yea let’s subject everyone else to listen to this Frankenstein of music”
Fav tracks: It’s Great When We’re Together
Least fav tracks: Sunday Shining, Supreme I Preme, Red Rolling and Seen, I Need a Lover
The Who
5/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I had such an inkling that we were gonna get an album by The Who soon. Idk why. I just knew. I thought it would be Tommy tho so oops. But I looked at the track list for this one and it is LONG. But turns out the standard edition ends at 35 mins at The Ox, there’s just a ton of deluxe tracks. So that’s cool.
Post/during listening thoughts: ok so honestly I’ve never really sat down and listened to The Who so I had no idea what to expect but this is good. Sort of in the vein of the Stones. Just like the Beatles album I reviewed, these songs are sooooo short. This is one of those bands like the Beatles where I truly feel like every member/instrument was in sync and makes for such a great listening experience. This is pretty innovative rock for the time as well. Very solid debut album. 9/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: ? Idk maybe??? Yes?
Fav tracks: Out In the Street, The Good’s Gone, La-La-Lies, Much Too Much, My Generation, The Kids are Alright
Least fav tracks: I’m a Man (STEREOTYPICAL ROCK INFLUENCED BLUES WHY ARE YOU EVERYWHERE GOD) (could go on a whole rant about how white people ruined the blues but I’ll save it for another day)
Can
1/5
Pre-listening: ohhhh I’m gonna hate this sorry. Based on the reviews I just know. 1 hr 13 mins for like 7 songs never bodes well for me.
Post/during listening thoughts: yeah I hate psychedelic rock. Like cannot stand it. It feels aimless and bores me and often is experimental. People tend to praise experimental music just for being experimental when in fact the experiment was a failure and bad. And that’s how I feel about this album. 1/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no I hate krautrock.
Fav tracks: paperhouse I GUESS
Least fav tracks: mushroom (where are the rest of the instruments), halleluhwah (18 mins is too long), aumgn (nuff said), Peking o, bring me coffee or tea
Franz Ferdinand
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I have vaguely heard of this band and have heard take me out on the radio. This seems like a weird pick but we’ll see
Post/during listening thoughts: this is surprisingly really good. It’s pretty standard indie rock but I kinda rock with it idk. This is indie rock that prioritizes catchy melodies and hooks versus indie rock that prioritizes lyrics that get mumbled against instruments that are poorly mixed. And that’s why I like it. 8/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no but a solid listen
Fav tracks: Jacqueline, Take Me Out, Auf Achse, This Fire, 40’
Least fav tracks: n/a
The Replacements
4/5
Pre listening thoughts: I’ve heard a few songs by the replacements but I’m still not 100% sure what to expect. But I liked what I’ve heard so we’ll see!
Post/during listening thoughts: love me a good 30 min album. This is pretty good 80s rock. The production doesn’t date itself and I always love seeing punk’s early blossoms. Sometimes it’s a little too “loud and fast” for me but overall a good listen. 8/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nah but once again a good listen!
Fav tracks: I Will Dare, Favorite Thing, Androgynous, Unsatisfied, Seen Your Video, Sixteen Blue, Answering Machine
Least fav tracks: We’re Coming Out
Björk
1/5
NOOOOOO NOT BJORK DONT DO THIS TO ME I ALREADY HAVE NO POWER AND NO WATER CAN I PLEASE BE SPARED
*Edit: I didn't add a score to this album. It's a 0/10. I also did not need to hear this before I die. Just trying to keep my review format somewhat consistent here.
Green Day
5/5
Pre-listening thoughts: DOOKIE!!!!!
Post/during listening thoughts: DOOKIE!!!! 10/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: YES!!
Fav tracks: ALL OF THEM!!!!
Least fav tracks: NONE!!!!
Also feel the need to say this was album number 69 🙏
Quicksilver Messenger Service
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: have once again never heard of this band or album. I kinda rock with the album cover though
Post/during listening thoughts: These songs seem to lack focus (on anything! But mainly) on lyrics/vocals and instead direct the listener to the guitarist at almost any given moment. Any other member of the band feels like a side piece. I didn’t even notice we transitioned songs between tracks 1-2. Oh Christ this is gonna just be one long song isn’t it. Well f*ck me. Psychedelic rock you always know how to piss me off 3/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: NO STOP PUTTING PSYCHEDELIC ROCK ON THIS LIST! The most pointless genre of music and I’m NOT sorry for that opinion. I would’ve hated Woodstock lol
Fav tracks: Happy Trails
Least fav tracks: When You Love, Where You Love, How You Love, Which Do You Love, Mona, Maiden of the Cancer Moon, Calvary
Rage Against The Machine
1/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I don’t do metal.
Post/during listening thoughts: I still don’t do metal. And I REALLY don’t do it when it’s mixed with rap??? 1/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: none my god what even was this album
Least fav tracks: all of them like they all sound the same to me
The Beta Band
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I have once again never heard of this band or album. Zero clue what to expect here
Post/during listening thoughts: this is pretty chill and like lo fi. I can get behind it to an extent but this genre tends to bore me after a while. I’ll check back in towards the end of this album to see if it kept me hooked.
This is like the exact opposite of the rage against the machine album we just got lol. Like that was overstimulating and this is understimulating and I’m way bored lol. This is like the Doves album from a while back. I thought I was at the end but I’m only on song three?! Yeah bye 4/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: not a chance
Fav tracks: Squares
Least fav tracks: can’t decide if I love or hate Broke.
De La Soul
5/5
Pre-listening thoughts: LETS GO I am very excited for this album. Legendary pull with some songs I already know and apparently a Jungle Brothers feature as well?! Hype ‼️‼️‼️
Post/during listening thoughts: I love 80s/90s rap and hip hop and De La Soul delivers. Their use of samples are so clever and fun (Steely Dan Peg sample is my personal fav on Eye Know). The interludes are a bit bizarre but honestly add character to the album. Can U Keep a Secret is so weird help 😭 why are we discussing dandruff?? I’d be lying if I said it didn’t make me laugh which seems to be the goal. It’s just such a wildly fun album that makes you feel like you’re sitting in the studio with these guys goofing off. But there’s also such innovation here that would be criminal if overlooked, I mean the samples alone are one thing, but the production is so clean and the lyrics really solidify this new age of hip hop. 9.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: yes!!
Fav tracks: man I was listing them out and it turned out to be every song (except for De La Orgee. What)
Least fav tracks: De La Orgee
Jefferson Airplane
5/5
Pre-listening thoughts: LETS FREAKING GOOOOO I have such a weird soft spot for this band since I saw them live this past year (yeah yeah there was only one original member idc it was a cheap ticket. Show went crazy though). But this is when they were still Jefferson Airplane and their material is so so good during this era of their career. Very excited to hear this full album
Post/during listening thoughts: Grace Slick is literally so amazing I love her so much. Just like a lot of other 60s music, it has a Beatles-esque quality to it but it’s very enjoyable. I’m really realizing how much of this album I’ve already heard just from trying to research their material for their show 😭. Their harmonies are so tight though. THIS is psychedelic folk/rock that remains engaging and interesting. Great album!!! 9/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nah but I personally enjoyed it a lot
Fav tracks: hate to be this person again but I enjoyed almost every song ‼️
Least fav tracks: was lukewarm on the blues track but that’s to be expected from me atp
The Velvet Underground
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: so I was pretty disappointed when I saw this album bc the Lou Reed solo album we got was really bad imo. But so often, a band and a solo artist that branches from it have pretty different sounds. So I’ll keep my hopes neutral.
Post/during listening thoughts: 6 songs, 40 minutes. Whew boy. I liked the first song and then everything after was pretentious for pretentious sake. Ugh. Lou Reed ur officially an opp 3.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: hell no
Fav tracks: White Light/White Heat, Here She Comes Now
Least fav tracks: The Gift, Lady Godiva’s Operation, I Heard Her Call My Name, Sister Ray (STOP MAKING SONGS LONGER THAN 10 MINUTES I BEG)
Kate Bush
5/5
OH MY GOD YESS YES YES YES I LOVE THIS ALBUM SO SO MUCH KATE BUSH MY ANGEL 10/10 CHRIST ITS SO PERFECT
This album literally changed the face of pop music. Big and boisterous but also very tender and intimate, Kate Bush manages to create an album that gets better on every listen. It incorporates so many different styles and subgenres, and the production is so clean and well done. Not even to mention Kate’s voice, which is just entrancing and compliments the sound of this album beautifully. And her vocal arrangements are just incredible, I love how she truly utilizes her voice as an instrument. The lyricism is so captivating (especially on the second side, the concept-ness of it is incredible and worth really actively listening to the lyrics). Will always have more to say but just know I will forever put this album on repeat. 💜
The Monkees
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: so sad this is not the album with I’m a Believer :( but Donkey kinda ate them up on that song anyways
Post/during listening thoughts: am I tweaking or does everyone in the 60s just sound like the Beatles. They’re American too! But man if you showed this to me blind I would say it was the Beatles (at first, they come into their own sound as the album goes on). And maybe I’m uneducated on the Beatles but maybe they just shaped 60s music (and beyond). If I had a nickel for every male band in the 60s that was an animal name misspelled by one letter I’d have two nickels, which isn’t a lot, but it’s weird that it happened twice. 7/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nah
Fav tracks: You Told Me, You Just May Be The One, Shades of Grey, Mr. Webster
Least fav tracks: n/a
The Beach Boys
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: 28 min album is CRAZYYYY. I like The Beach Boys so I’m assuming I’ll enjoy this
Post/during listening thoughts: The Beach Boys are kind of a blueprint for 60s music but as they went on they became something pretty innovative and unique. This is pretty standard stuff from them though. Their vocal harmonies are just too good. I wish I could give this a 4.5 because I’m not sure it’s a 5 from me but it’s better than a 4. So I’ll give it an 8.8/10 and you’ll have to trust what I mean with my star rating.
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no I think you can hear a few Beach Boys songs and understand their deal, but this is a solid album
Fav tracks: Good To My Baby, Help Me Rhonda, Dance Dance Dance, Please Let Me Wonder, Kiss Me Baby
Least fav tracks: none
Steve Earle
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: absolutely loving this run of short albums we’ve gotten for the past few days. This is country??? Crazy, I don’t think we’ve gotten any country in like 80 albums thus far.
Post/during listening thoughts: it’s like objectively okay country but man I am not a big country fan. I like some country by women but as soon as it’s a man singing it I’m super disinterested. I love fitting lesbian stereotypes lol 4/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nope
Fav tracks: ???
Least fav tracks: Good Ol Boy (Getting Tough)
The Cure
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: here’s my thing. And this is so embarrassing. I always get The Cure, The Smiths, and The Strokes mixed up and I could not tell you who is who. To me they all have the exact same fanbase except The Smiths fans are a tad more insufferable, The Strokes fans are a tad less vocal, and The Cure fans are a tad older.
Post/during listening thoughts: this is very like atmospheric if that makes sense? Music that takes up a lot of dimension but in a really good way that still keeps me engaged versus like psychedelic stuff where I forget what I’m listening to. It’s a little long though. Honestly I really enjoyed this and would definitely seek out other material by The Cure. Call me old 7.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no? Idk
Fav tracks: Pictures of You, Lovesong, Lullaby, Fascination Street, Disintegration
Least fav tracks: The Same Deep Water As You
Paul McCartney
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: my favorite Beatle often alternates between Paul and George so I am a little excited for this! I also know and like Paul’s stuff with the Wings so I feel like I’m familiar enough with his solo stuff to know what to expect.
Post/during listening thoughts: this is about 90% what I expected lol. I didn’t expect this many instrumental tracks though. I feel like Paul just has a lot of fun with his music and that is so apparent listening to this album. Fun, short songs with interesting instrument use and catchy melodies. Where can you go wrong? 7/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nah just listen to the Beatles
Fav tracks: That Would Be Something, Every Night, Man We Was Lonely, Maybe I’m Amazed
Least fav tracks: n/a
Dexys Midnight Runners
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: come on im dean and my hands are so clean at this moment I am stapling
Post/during listening thoughts: this ain’t even the one with come on Eileen on it. Wait but this is kinda fire. Why were they a one hit wonder they should have had so many more hits! 😕 8.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no there’s so much like it out there but man I enjoyed this!
Fav tracks: Tell Me When My Light Turns Green, Geno, Seven Days Too Long, Thankfully Living in Yorkshire…, Keep It
Least fav tracks:
Kanye West
1/5
BOOOOOOOOOOO shamelessly boycotted this one! Not a completionist and idc!
Amy Winehouse
5/5
Pre-listening thoughts: bro this album is absolutely STACKED with a lot of Amys hits. Rest in peace queen 🙏🙏
Post/during listening thoughts: I mean what else is there to say. Her voice is so timeless and these songs are so phenomenal. If this isn’t an instant 5 stars for you I feel sorry for you. 10/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: bro yes and everyone should
Fav tracks: every song
Least fav tracks:
Radiohead
5/5
Pre-listening thoughts: out of all the Radiohead albums, this is the one I am the most excited for by far. I have heard a few songs from it and I think it’s Radiohead at their most unique. Maybe I wouldn’t have quit my challenge a year ago if this was the Radiohead album that I got. But why is Radiohead our first repeat artist 😭😭 a) I thought it would be Bowie and b) I thought we would make it through 100 albums before getting a repeat artist
Post/during listening thoughts: this is unlike any Radiohead that has come before or would come after. It toys with its time signatures, the instrumentation is so playful but also purposeful, Thom Yorke sounds decent??? It’s got a slight pop influence to it but it’s really got this dreamy rock sound and I kind of love it???? Am I a soy boy beta cuck for enjoying Radiohead twice 😭 9.5/10 (Radiohead will never see a full 10 from me. I have to have some dignity)
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: ????!
Fav tracks: this might be a no skip album… oh no
Least fav tracks:
TLC
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: DONT GO CHASING WATERFALLS
Post/during listening thoughts: well… hmm. It’s really good at some parts and then other parts I feel like I’m walking in on something. It also gets weaker in the back half imo. Going to give this 4 stars because like out of context a lot of these songs eat so hard but idk if I’d revisit this as a full album (especially cause I'm not a fan of interludes) 8/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: not as an album no
Fav tracks: Creep, Kick Your Game, Diggin on You, Case of the Fake People, Red Light Special, Waterfalls
Van Halen
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: this cover looks like an AI post that boomers think is real on Facebook. Also can I stop getting repeat artists this week 😭 please I just wanted to hit 100 albums with as few repeats as possible
Post/during listening thoughts: Jump always reminds me of the glee scene where they sing it on the mattresses. Just listened to a dungeons and daddies episode where Anthony Burch did a bit where he sang Panama as “stereotypical macho comedy music” or something along those lines. It was very fitting. Van Halen are so talented and I would be lying if I said this wasn’t good rock. I think I prefer their self titled though ngl. 6/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nope
Fav tracks: jump, I’ll wait
Least fav tracks: hot for teacher. I mean come on we can’t all be abba
Genesis
5/5
Pre-listening thoughts: hmmm… so here’s my thing with Genesis. This is Peter Gabriel Genesis and I truly feel that once he left the band got better. Now this isn’t to say I dislike Peter Gabriel, I actually love some of his solo stuff. However. Phil Collins’s pop sound changed the band for the better imo. (Yes I know Phil Collins was in the band atp but when he became lead singer I mean). This is very prog rock so I’m not going to enjoy this as much as I’d have hoped I bet.
Post/during listening thoughts: this is lowkey so full of character. Like within the first 10 seconds. I do agree with other reviews that Phil Collins on the drums is such a vital piece of this band and record. They were kinda insane for cooking this up in 1973. My biggest issue is the same as it is with all prog rock - song length. Man but even the long songs I find myself still consistently interested and enjoying the whole way through, it’s like a big album of songs that move and change like Scenes From an Italian Restaurant. Genesis I’m so sorry for doubting you (although I still mostly stand by my original statement that Phil Collins-fronted Genesis is better than this). 9/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: I kinda rock with this a lot actually so yes ⁉️Prog rock can be good and this is a great example of it ‼️
Fav tracks: whole thing. This won me over in ways I did not expect
Least fav tracks: none
k.d. lang
5/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I KNEW constant craving was a lesbian anthem. I could smell it. But also every time I hear that song I think of glee cause they bodied that cover
Post/during listening thoughts: kd lang has such a lovely singing tone. I reallyyyy hate to give two fives in a row (I’m literally love maxing and enjoyment pilled) but the harmonies! The instrumentation! The lyricism! It’s all there and it’s gorgeous. This style of music is so sitting in a hammock on a summer day but also laying on your cold bathroom tile contemplating where you went wrong. What a classic I mean lesbians really do it best! 9/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: I did!
Fav tracks: man another no skip album. Banger after banger
Least fav tracks:
Coldplay
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I’ve heard this is Coldplay at some of their best. I know a few songs but hoping the entire record isn’t as slow as Sparks despite it being a good song
Post/during listening thoughts: this is like objectively good but for whatever reason I’m just not clicking with it as much as I thought I would. I love Viva la Vida (song not album, haven’t heard that one all the way thru) and was hoping for more big pieces like that I guess. Or like Clocks like that is such a good song. There are some bangers though. I mean it’s good I’m just not as eager about it as most. 7/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nah
Fav tracks: Shiver, Sparks, Yellow, Trouble
Least fav tracks: didn’t dislike any per say but was bored a little
Run-D.M.C.
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: literally all I can think of is White Chicks dance battle I’m so sorry😭😭
Post/during listening thoughts: ITS TRICKAYYYYYYY ‼️‼️‼️ I love this so much actually. It’s beyond fun and such a product of its time in the best way possible. Love that Aerosmith came out to play their sample live. It’s kind of Beastie Boy-esque although I’m assuming Run-DMC was the blueprint here. First four song run is historic. Strong 4 stars! 8.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: just like other rap of this time, I think you need to hear a selection from diff artists but not necessarily this whole album
Fav tracks: Peter Piper, It’s Tricky, My Adidas, Walk This Way, Hit It Run, You Be Illin’
Christina Aguilera
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: there is no planet where this album needs to be almost an hour and a half. Christina is fine but she gets really loud and I’m just kinda lukewarm on her music on the whole. I think she’s incredibly talented but I’ve never felt the urge to dive into her discography
Post/during listening thoughts: she really loves her vocal growl lol. This is also such a product of its time and I kinda like it. Was about to say Impossible sounds like an Alicia keys song but turns out it is! Not sure if this is a hot take or not but the Xtina album that should’ve been on this list should’ve been her self titled. I mean Genie in a Bottle? What a Girl wants??? The whole thing is seeped in 90s teen pop and I know this album is her trying to move away from that sound but mannnn it was so good 😭. Anyways this was like good I suppose. Very much a middle four stars and yall know I hate giving my pop queens less than a five but there’s just too many songs here and not enough of them are stellar + the loudness of it all gets exhausting after a while. 7.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Can’t Hold Us Down, Fighter, Infatuation, Underappreciated, Beautiful, Soar, Get Mine Get Yours
Least fav tracks: Make Over
The Dictators
1/5
Pre-listening thoughts: we’ve been on quite the streak of artists and albums that I’ve actually heard of. Not surprised that came to an end with this one.
Post/during listening thoughts: I expected this to be a little bit more hardcore. It’s ok I guess, the production dates it a little bit. The cover of I Got You Babe didn’t really add anything, it’s mid. I expected a complete twist on the song considering the supposed genre of this album. WHY ARE THERE NOT ONE BUT TWO RACIST SONGS ON HERE????? Maybe I misinterpreted the lyrics but uhhhhh??? Yeah for that alone it’s a one star😭 shame cause it’s a decent record otherwise! 2/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no!!!!
Fav tracks: California Sun, I Live for Cars and Girls
Least fav tracks: Back to Africa, Master Race Rock
Creedence Clearwater Revival
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: u know what’s crazy? At work today, I turned on a random playlist I had made and the second song to play was Bad Moon Rising. And I was like no freaking way that song is on today’s album!
Post/during listening thoughts: this is so me when there’s a bathroom on the right. CCR has a nice genre blend of country, folk, and rock and it’s executed really well. The vocal reverb is kinda insane like I wonder why there’s so much of it. Tombstone Shadow, Cross Tie Walker, and The Night Time is the Right Time: don’t think I didn’t catch your basic ass 12 bar blues form. Wrote a Song for Everyone reminds me of something and I cannot for the life of me place it. I think this is a great album overall like not much else to say I suppose 7.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nah
Fav tracks: Green River, Wrote a Song for Everyone, Bad Moon Rising, Lodi
Least fav tracks:
The Cars
5/5
Pre-listening thoughts: actually kind of hyped for this one. I know a few songs from it and this is solid 80s pop/rock
Post/during listening thoughts: this album bangs bro. Radio friendly music at its best. It’s quirky, it’s upbeat, it’s short, it’s definitely not like groundbreaking but I don’t think it needs to be. It’s just a good time overall. And baby, let the good times roll. 9/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: conflicted on this cause like need? No. Want? Yes
Fav tracks: My Best Friend’s Girl, Just What I Needed, Don’t Cha Stop, Bye Bye Love, All Mixed Up (but I enjoyed the whole album fr)
Least fav tracks:
Snoop Dogg
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: can’t say I’ve ever sat down and listened to snoop dogg. Sure sure the man is talented but I’ve just never really had the interest in listening to rap that is misogynistic like that 😭😭😭
Post/during listening thoughts: man my ears love this but it’s like so lyrically not aligned with what I want to listen to. The beats are crazy good and the flows are also wonderfully crafted. But my god almost the whole album is shallow subject matter - smoking, drinking, objectifying women. I want substance not substances 😞💔 also the interludes are attached to the tracks and are genuinely bizarre sorry 6/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nah
Fav tracks: Tha Shiznit, Gin and Juice, Serial Killa, Murder Was the Case, Gz and Hustlas
Least fav tracks: For All My…, Ain’t No Fun, Pump Pump
Arcade Fire
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: ok so I thought I had heard of arcade fire but I guess not? Cause I scrolled thru their Spotify and could not find any songs I recognized. But why are there three arcade fire albums on this list??? Are they that remarkable??
Post/during listening thoughts: I am trying so hard to form an opinion on this to no avail. It is unbelievably mid. I don’t love it, I don’t hate it, I don’t even like or dislike it. This is the kind of music that someone could put on in the background many times and I would not remember what I just heard. 4.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: definitely not
Fav tracks: Neighborhood #3, Crown of Love
Least fav tracks: Neighborhood #2
Paul Simon
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: so I’ve heard a few songs from this album before and from what I heard I think I’ll enjoy it but we shall see
Post/during listening thoughts: Paul Simon just like rambles lol. Love this a lot but the way the rhythm of the lyrics is just a suggestion cracks me up a little.
So I did some further digging into the background of this album and it’s got quite the story attached to it. Simon being accused of stealing from African artists, being accused of breaking the cultural boycott of South Africa during Apartheid, and being accused of cultural appropriation. Whew! I love the music on this record but to credit Paul Simon for being the genius behind it feels wrong, whether he stole directly from the artists in the studio or not. African music is the genius behind this, and if the rumors are true, the specific bands he collaborated with deserve a lot more credit than what they get today. This album definitely has some genius though. It’s lively and folky and rhythmic in very fun ways. A unique record. 7.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: I would say yes? The context alone is worth knowing about I think
Fav tracks: The Boy in the Bubble, Gumboots, Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes, You Can Call Me Al, All Around the World
Least fav tracks: That Was Your Mother
10cc
5/5
Pre-listening thoughts: YAY 10cc!!!!
Post/during listening thoughts: everyone in the reviews said “this is stupid and lacks substance” and I agree. But god that’s why I love it. It’s just quirky rock and I don’t need anything more from it. This is such a predecessor to bands like They Might be Giants, Tally Hall, etc. I understand that this music is not for everyone but man I definitely fall into this niche. I feel like I’ve been giving a lot of 5s and high scores recently but whoops this is another 5 stars! 9/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: not necessarily I guess but very much enjoyed this one
Fav tracks: this is a no skip album
Least fav tracks:
LL Cool J
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: this is album 100!!!! 😭😭 not sure what I expected but it wasn’t this. Laughing a little cause I mixed LL Cool J up with Ice JJ Fish in middle school and yeah iykyk
Post/during listening thoughts: people were so right that this is a great representation of the transition from 80s to 90s rap. I think the best thing this album challenge has done for me is expose me to more rap and hip hop cause I genuinely enjoy those genres but just never really knew where to start in terms of listening to them and finding what eras/specific styles I enjoy. I think this is pretty good but it’s a little too long for my tastes and my head hurts so im sorry LL Cool J that’s not your fault but it’s tainting my perception of this album. 6.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: I dont think so
Fav tracks: Around the Way Girl, Murdergram, Cheesy Rat Blues, Mama Said Knock You Out
Least fav tracks: I didn’t dislike any tracks but a lot of it sort of blended together just bc of length + headache
The Velvet Underground
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: 😕
Post/during listening thoughts: this is… not bad? Velvet underground is listenable??? Lou Reed isn’t completely insufferable??? It’s still just okay but I was so prepped for terribleness today so hallelujah. Maybe I’m just sad but this is kind of hitting on the low 5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: oh definitely not
Fav tracks: Some Kinda Love, Pale Blue Eyes
Least fav tracks: The Murder Mystery
Pulp
5/5
Pre-listening thoughts: PULP!!! I’m kind of sad that this is the last Pulp album we get. His N Hers isn’t on this list (shocked tbh) so I might just listen to it anyways on my own time.
Post/during listening thoughts: this certainly has a different tone than Different Class but I kind of dig it. “I am not Jesus but I have the same initials” is cracking me up. I like the more mellowed out tracks on this album a lot. People complained that it sort of falls into “lazy tempo territory” but even if it does I have absolutely no problems with that. The one leg up that Different Class has over this album is Common People. And I’m so serious. That song is so incredible and while this album is also great, there’s no standout like Common People (although Glory Days sounds a LOT like Common People to me). I’m so so torn on my score for this album and literally rewrote this review three times. It’s really really good and I wish I could give it five stars but there are just a few weaker links that sink it to a four and there’s no real standout track. Ughhhhh 8.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: I mean not necessarily? But damn it, I’m gonna recommend Pulp to the masses now
Fav tracks: almost everything 🙏
Least fav tracks: Party Hard, Seductive Barry
*EDIT* - I relistened to this one and my god it is a 5. I’m sorry Pulp I feel like I did you so dirty on first review. I liked both of the tracks I marked as least favs. Like didn’t even realize I had disliked them on first listen. It’s at least a 9/10.
Stephen Stills
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: all of these recent albums have been LONG! Can I please go back to the streak of 30 min albums 😕
Post/during listening thoughts: This is like okay but all the songs sort of mesh together (perhaps intentionally, but whatever) and it’s way too long (21 songs!!!!) for all that. At least with a long album like Xtina’s the songs were different ENOUGH, but here they’re so vocally, instrumentally, sonically similar. Which usually for an album is a good thing but here I find myself unable to find much that stands out. Side note but Jesus Gave His Love Away sounds like something else and I am tweaking trying to place it rn. Stephen Stills is very talented but I think I prefer his work with CSN(Y). 5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Anyway, Both of Us, Colorado, Johnny’s Garden, What To Do
Least fav tracks: some of the more country and fiddly ones that I can’t remember the names of at this moment
*Edit - no rating change but I am pretty sure the song I was thinking of that Jesus Gave His Love Away for Free reminds me of is Wild West Hero by ELO. They're not even that similar. But it's the part in Wild West Hero where it's like "Ride the range all the day/Til the first fading light/Be with my western girl/Round the fire oh so bright". If I am crazy just like ignore me
Lorde
5/5
BROOOOOO YESSSSS OMG OMG LETS FREAKING GO
I can’t gush about this album enough. When I first heard it, it definitely didn’t click with me all the way. This is one of Jack Antonoff’s best pieces of work. But Lorde - her lyricism, her concept, her stylistic vision - it’s all beautifully imagined and executed. The album being a journey through a night at a party shifted my brain around as a high schooler. It’s deeply personal, vulnerable, and yet so lively and so many people see themselves in this body of work. This album makes me feel like being lost in the world and inside myself is something totally normal and beautiful, and that my relationships with other people are flickers in that darkness. Lorde did something masterful here. 10/10
White Denim
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: two albums from the 2010s in a row! Crazy
Post/during listening thoughts: had literally no idea what to expect going into this. It’s like soft spoken millennial psychedelic rock which… hmmm.. idk. This is like that arcade fire album where I’m just meh on it. There’s some energy here though. And expertise. I have to give credit where it’s due and some is due here but not too much. It’s still kind of boring. 4.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nope
Fav tracks: It’s Him, Is and Is and Is
Least fav tracks: Back at the Farm, Anvil Everything
Machito
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: album cover is scary but lord not as scary as election news the morning I revealed this album
Post/during listening thoughts: this is pretty solid jazz music, I don’t have a lot else to say. There’s no vocals which is something I gravitate towards, but lots and lots of horns. It’s bright, and it’s fun. I don’t think I’d revisit this though, it’s just not my genre of choice. 6.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Frenzy
Least fav tracks: n/a
Suicide
1/5
Pre-listening thoughts: what a terrible album and band name. I feel like I’m gonna hate this actually
Post/during listening thoughts: anddd within the first 10 seconds I already hate it. Instruments are so sparse it’s like they could only afford one per song. Vocals are headache inducing. These song arrangements are just vile. Someone owes me compensation for having to sit through that entire thing. Honestly might be just as bad as Bjork. 0.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: NO and like I’m wondering what possessed someone to put this on the list.
Fav tracks: I have to add one of these to my playlist and I'm upset about that.
Least fav tracks: every one of them
Arcade Fire
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: oh boy let me act excited for another arcade fire album! Not like we just had one last week or something. Random generator, you couldn’t have shaken it up a bit more?!
Post/during listening thoughts: wait ok hold on. Wait. This is good. This is leagues better than their other album we got. I listened to this album twice because once again I am conflicted on my score. On one hand, it’s long, it’s very white millennial, and towards the middle, some of the songs bleed together. On the other hand, there are some really strong tracks in here, I like the way it loops back in on itself (hence why I listened twice), and the lyricism is something to applaud. I think it’ll grow on me so you know what, it gets 4 stars. 7.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nah
Fav tracks: The Suburbs, Ready to Start, Empty Room, Half Light II, Month of May, Sprawl II
Least fav tracks: Half Light I, Sprawl I (didn’t hate them but I think the second halves stand well on their own and these are weaker halves imo)
Pavement
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: show me a word that rhymes with pavement
Post/during listening thoughts: ok here’s my deep dark confession. I was totally not listening to this in the active way I usually do. Stardew valley just dropped the 1.6 update for console and I’ve been back on my grind. So this was very much a background listen. I have to say from what I tuned in to, it was okay, nothing special but I didn’t hate it. So a solid 3. 6/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no but everyone should hop on stardew’s update
Fav tracks: Gold Soundz, Range Life
Least fav tracks: Stop Breathin, Hit the Plane Down
Janelle Monáe
5/5
Pre-listening thoughts: we’ve been getting a lot of 2010s albums lately and I need that to slow down cause we’ve still got like 980 to go 😭 I can’t burn through all the recent ones right now and just be left with 50s jazz which we’ve gotten almost none of. But anyways love Janelle Monáe but I’ve only ever fully listened to Dirty Computer by her so excited for this!
Post/during listening thoughts: I remember playing Tightrope on Just Dance and then later in life being shocked to find out that was Janelle Monáe and that she sings bc I knew her as an actress first. But hello???? This is her debut album?! This is INSANE. Overture already had me gagged. But this is something still so fresh even though it’s from almost 15 years ago. It’s genre bending, and hooks you at every turn with its smooth transitions that somehow manage to twist every uniquely crafted song into each other. Not to mention Janelle’s vocals which have such power but also flit and float effortlessly. The instrumentation is so full and funky and experimental with massive success rates. God I love this. 10/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: you know what yes
Fav tracks: this is a no skip album
Least fav tracks:
Al Green
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: cover of Bee Gees song probably won’t be as good as Bee Gees sorry Al green but I like soul so maybe this will be a good record
Post/during listening thoughts: like the other reviews say, sometimes 35 mins of feel good soul is just right for the day. This album feels like sitting in the right patch of sun. But it’s also a great album to listen to to put laundry away (what? I put away my laundry? Crazy times people) 8/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nah
Fav tracks: Let’s Stay Together, So You’re Leaving, I’ve Never Found a Girl, How Can You Mend A Broken Heart (not as good as Bee Gees but still good!), It Ain’t No Fun To Me
Least fav tracks: none
Simply Red
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: guy on the cover looks like Ethan slater AHHHHH 😱😕😢😨🫣😵
Post/during listening thoughts: ok 80s pop but not in a cool Peter Gabriel or Kate Bush way but rather in a mid synth way. I like pop regardless though so it gets a few brownie points. This is totally a guilty pleasure kind of listen where I know it’s not pop or 80s at its best but I still enjoy a good amount of it regardless. WHAT is going on in No Direction 😭😭😭😭😭6.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nope
Fav tracks: Come to My Aid, Jericho, Money’s Too Tight, Red Box
Least fav tracks: picture book
The Adverts
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: never heard of em
Post/during listening thoughts: oh joy more British punk! Not like there’s enough of that on this list. But fr I am so done with this genre. And this doesn’t have a lot that makes it stand out from its competitors (or itself. All of these songs sound the same) 4/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Safety in Numbers
Least fav tracks: On The Roof
R.E.M.
5/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I have had this album saved in my library for MONTHS with the intention to listen to it but just totally forgot to do it and then it got buried underneath other listens. But veryyyy excited for this one!!
Post/during listening thoughts: I can’t really pinpoint why I enjoy this (and R.E.M. in general) but I do. Maybe it’s the fantastic songwriting/lyricism. Maybe it’s the enchanting instrumentation. Maybe it’s the kind yet pointed tone and familiarity of Michael Stipe’s voice. Hell, maybe it’s the Cat in the Hat mention in The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite. But it is definitely a fantastic album. 9.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: yeah sorry like everyone should for sure hear Nightswimming
Fav tracks: this is a no skip album (yes even the instrumental!)
Least fav tracks:
N.W.A.
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: guys the website was down and I thought I wasn’t gonna get to review this one today. Thank god it’s back up cause I’m a little excited for this lol
Post/during listening thoughts: this is very well produced. It’s creative and has some great wordplay and lyricism. This is such a staple in rap. But. Christ almighty. For every amazing beat and verse on this album, there is a moment of rampant sexism. Just like Doggystyle, it takes me out of it when women are just so violently objectified. It’s like objectively good music but I cannot stand behind some of this! 5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Fuck Tha Police, Express Yourself, Something 2 Dance 2
Least fav tracks: 8 Ball, Dopeman
Haircut 100
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: some weird track names on this one! Milk film? Baked beans? What am I getting into
Post/during listening thoughts: I made the mistake of trying to listen to this while making my work schedule lol. Was so tuned out of this and had blown through half the album without realizing. Whatever review said it was like off brand Duran Duran nailed it. It’s just pretty generic new wave 80s music. But I actually enjoy this (I feel like I’ve heard these songs before though?? Having intense Deja vu). Sorry. 7/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no go listen to Rio
Fav tracks: Lemon Firebrigade, Kingsize, Fantastic Day (hello the harmonies?!)
Least fav tracks: n/a
*Edit: bumped this to a four star rating. It's good.
Radiohead
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: oh boy more Radiohead! We’ve already gotten their two best albums so whatever comes after is just automatically going to be worse sorry
Post/during listening thoughts: hmmm. This is what I expected from Radiohead when I listened to The Bends. It’s okay. There are some songs that kind of grate on me and some that are genuinely beautiful (pyramid song!!). This is far from their best work though. I think it lacks the cohesiveness in sound that In Rainbows has and it lacks the song composition skills that The Bends has. And you’re kind of left with songs that drone and noises that pierce your ears in unpleasant ways as a type of experimentation. It doesn’t really work for me. 4/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Pyramid Song, Knives Out
Least fav tracks: Packt Like Sardines…, Pulk/Pull…, Morning Bell/Amnesiac, Like Spinning Plates
R.E.M.
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: been literally less than a week since we got Automatic for the People lol. I don’t think I’ll like this one quite as much but I still like R.E.M. so I bet it’ll be good.
Post/during listening thoughts: this is literally just R.E.M. like idk what else to say about it. It’s just good idk 8/10 I love R.E.M. they’re like dad rock but emotional and cool with it
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Pop Song 89, Get Up, Stand, Orange Crush, Turn You Inside Out
Least fav tracks: none
The Hives
1/5
Pre-listening thoughts: putting a greatest hits album on the list feels like cheating actually. Like yeah it’s good enough for the list duh you handpicked your best work idiot????? But it’s like up on this list with artists’ normal albums that weren’t cherry picked for their best material which feels like you’re just setting this band up to either look really good against everyone else or be embarrassed when even their greatest hits is worse than an artist’s normal album. Which like if Queen’s greatest hits were allowed here it would blow almost every album on this list out of the water. Or like ABBA gold? Everyone else is like chopped liver compared to those compilations which is why they’re not on here cause it would be dumb.
Post/during listening thoughts: greatest hits more like greatest MIDS am I right guys haha. No wait in all seriousness this is booty cheeks. It’s so generic, and because it’s a compilation, there’s no story, no creative cohesion to latch on to, no flow to the track list at all. If you know this band this might be better but as a first impression it sucks. It’s also their last impression with me cause I’m never listening to their stuff again. 2/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: definitely not
Fav tracks: maybe the instrumental one at the end?
Least fav tracks: the rest
Lucinda Williams
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: country but woman! Maybe it’ll be okay
Post/during listening thoughts: yeah this is good. It’s country so it’s not my favorite but there are some good moments on here. I did find myself getting into this more than I thought I would. Women just do it better sorry. 6.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Right In Time, Lake Charles, Can’t Let Go, Jackson
Least fav tracks: None
Leonard Cohen
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I’ve always thought of Leonard Cohen as Bob Dylan with more tune. Let’s see how this assumption holds up.
Post/during listening thoughts: well, more tune was a generous assumption. It’s like listening to poetry with a tune in the room next door. It’s a little slow for my liking. It's sort of up the Lou Reed alley but a little better. Maybe about equal to Bob Dylan. But for my vocal aligned taste that’s not saying much. 4/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no sorry
Fav tracks: A Bunch of Lonesome Heroes
Least fav tracks: was pretty meh on most of this didn’t like actively hate it but was not loving it
Funkadelic
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: my brain feels like maggots rn
Post/during listening thoughts: not the opening song being nine minutes… I was sorely mistaken expecting just a funk album I suppose. Sue me for seeing the name Funkadelic and expecting funk. Instead it’s a psychedelic rock fusion album. I think I wanted to like this a lot more than I actually did. The genre blend just isn’t quite working for me today because I really did just want a pure funk album sorry 😭. It’s really unique and I’ll give it credit and maybe on another day I’d enjoy this more. But today I’m kinda meh on it. 5.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: I dont think so?
Fav tracks: Can You Get To That, You and Your Folks…
Least fav tracks: Maggot Brain, Super Stupid
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I feel like peoples ratings of these Elvis Costello albums depend on how many they’ve gotten up until this point. I’ve only had one before this. Maybe it will be tolerable. But after 7, I can see how you would be sick of it.
Post/during listening thoughts: this album feels like the equivalent of being in the shower and not being able to find the right temperature water. It’s just not hitting the right marks for me and idk what’s off? I had the same problem with the last Elvis Costello album too. I just got bored. Idk. 6/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nah
Fav tracks: Tears Before Bedtime, …And In Every Home, Human Hands
Least fav tracks: Almost Blue
LTJ Bukem
1/5
Pre-listening thoughts: why is the one on streaming the wrong album????? Had to find this on YouTube. Also another compilation album. Idk how I feel about this
Post/during listening thoughts: Christ almighty someone chop my ears off and throw them in the meat grinder. I can’t do drums and bass and nothing else. This is my purgatory. 1.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: oh hell no
Fav tracks: ?!
Least fav tracks: yeah
Lynyrd Skynyrd
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: FREEEEE BIRDDDDDD
Post/during listening thoughts: this is 100% what I expected. I’m so neutral on this it’s not even funny. I really have no opinions on this at all. Sorry to disappoint I know EVERYONE was just LONGING to hear my essay on this album. 5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nope
Fav tracks: Tuesday’s Gone, Simple Man, Free Bird (it’s too long tho)
Least fav tracks: maybe Mississippi Kid?
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: Harry Potter song okayyy
Post/during listening thoughts: listen this is good but why does Nick Cave need FIVE albums on this list. Like it’s good but not revolutionary or anything. Also my controversial opinion is double albums should be split up into… well, two separate albums. I understand the point. I don’t care. It’s too long. This is kind of good though whatever. 6.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Get Ready for Love, There She Goes My Beautiful World, Nature Boy, Carry Me, O Children
Least fav tracks: Fable of the Brown Ape
Carpenters
5/5
Pre-listening thoughts: 💔 Karen Carpenter’s story makes me so so sad. But her voice is so beautiful and Richard is such a talented arranger. I bet this will be good.
Post/during listening thoughts: convinced that everyone who dislikes this hates pop and hatessss women. I love my contraltos yall carry the world on your shoulders. (They Long to Be) Close To You always makes me really wistfully sad but like in a good way if that makes sense? “What do you get when you kiss a guy? You get enough germs to catch pneumonia” might be one of the greatest lyrics in history (lesbian speaking here so I might be biased). The harmonies in all of these songs are just so lovely. I love you Carpenters 🫶 9.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: yeah
Fav tracks: We’ve Only Just Begun, Love Is Surrender, Help, (They Long To Be) Close To You, I’ll Never Fall in Love Again, Mr. Guder, I Kept on Loving You (should I just have said this was a no skip album??? Maybe idk but I thoroughly enjoyed this)
Least fav tracks: no
Yes
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: Yes album #2 and the Thanksgiving album! Yes is okay but prog rock in general just kinda drags on for too long. Predicting this will be a 3.
Post/during listening thoughts: this is very Yes. Long songs that move through different acts before I still realize we are on the same song. The Clap reminds me a lot of Jefferson Airplane’s Embryonic Journey. Yes and Genesis are the prog rock bands that have ALMOST changed my mind about prog rock. It doesn’t have to be aimless. It can be very intentional and very musically interesting. It can have structure that takes you on a journey that leads somewhere. This album kind of rocks. 7.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: maybe?
Fav tracks: despite their lengths I kind of loved Starship Trooper and Yours is No Disgrace, also I’ve Seen All Good People and Perpetual Change
Least fav tracks: none really
Black Sabbath
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I don’t do metal.
Post/during listening thoughts: I still don’t do metal. But this wasn’t the worst metal I’ve ever heard. 3/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: hell nah
Fav tracks: The Wizard(…ANNDDDD IIIIIIIIIIII 🧹)
Least fav tracks: while it’s not the worst metal I’ve ever heard I didn’t actively enjoy like any of this.
Little Richard
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: tutti frutti aw Rudy
Post/during listening thoughts: well every song sounds exactly like tutti frutti. 50s music is just… ugh. 4/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: tutti frutti
Least fav tracks: can we just change the chord progression please
Ryan Adams
1/5
BOOOOO RYAN ADAMS SUCKKSSSSS BOOOOOOOO I’ll listen to this (maybe) but in a way where this man does not see a cent of my change. I stand with the women he harassed. Also he doesn’t get a full in depth review. Also screw what he did to 1989 this man is a terrible person and musician
I hope he plays summer of 69 at his next show (iykyk)
Jurassic 5
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I hope they rap about dinosaurs :3
Post/during listening thoughts: guys I think I love (a lot of) hip hop actually. I realize hip hop is a broaddd genre but so many of the hip hop albums I’ve listened to from this challenge I have enjoyed more than expected. I need to do some exploration of my own there. My biggest qualm with most of them is they are too long. But whatever. The use of flute on this album makes me feel nostalgic for early 2000s Sesame Street in a way I won’t and can’t explain further. NELLY FURTADO FEATURE OMG!!! Love this yayayay! 8/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nah but im glad I did
Fav tracks: Freedom, If You Only Knew, What’s Golden, Thin Line, High Fidelity, I Am Somebody
Least fav tracks: Acetate Prophets
Super Furry Animals
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: YEAHHHH WELSH ROCKERS
Post/during listening thoughts: this is like welsh blur a little. I can see how some people would tire of britpop but not me baby! I really love Britpop and I’m not sorry about it. 8/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no I guess not
Fav tracks: God! Show Me Magic, Something 4 the Weekend, Hometown Unicorn, Mario Man, Hanging with Howard Marks
Least fav tracks: none
Slint
1/5
Pre-listening thoughts: poetry and yelling???? Screw this bro
Post/during listening thoughts: some artistic visions shouldn’t be brought to life. I felt like I was on some bad trip this entire album. Like nauseous and everything. The ASMR bits make me feel like I’m about to get assaulted. Jesus Christ this was so terrible. Thank god this was their last album. 0.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: is there any way I can warn people they need to NOT hear this before they die?
Fav tracks: ?????
Least fav tracks: yes
Arrested Development
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: cannot believe they tried to sue the tv show like 😭😭 the audacity
Post/during listening thoughts: yeah let’s rap about peace love and Jesus! It’s almost refreshing but like also kind of corny. Musically there are some good moments though. Lyrically… it’s not my fav. Can we please find a balance between blatant misogyny and let’s all hold hands and sing kumbaya? 5.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: god Fishing for Religion is so catchy but like ???, U, Dawn of the Dreads
Least fav tracks: Raining Revolution
The Who
5/5
Pre-listening thoughts: yup. That’s me. Now you might be wondering how I got into this situation. Well, let’s start from the beginning.
Post/during listening thoughts: you can totally hear the “My Generation” of it all on this album but it’s not as cookie cutter as that album is. There are interesting melodic choices, songs that move and shift, and instrumentation keeps these songs from falling into cliche traps. There are a few well known hits on this album but the album tracks also shine through on this album. This is a really good album. Struggling between a 4 or 5 just based on personal enjoyment so please know that when you see my rating. In all honesty I probably should’ve given My Generation a 4 and this a 5. But whatever I was in a good mood that day and it was hitting. 9/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: I dont think so?
Fav tracks: all of it but my one critique is that Bargain was too long
Least fav tracks: none
Guided By Voices
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: lofi… oh… well
Post/during listening thoughts: now why is this 28 songs?????! WHY? Give me one good reason why an album lasting 41 minutes needs 28 entire separate songs. Absolutely insane. Song length is giving that one episode of Zach Stone is Gonna Be Famous where Zach makes songs that are so short they are just ringtones. Every song is over before it begins. It’s so uninteresting. My attention span is deteriorating. Help me 3/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: oh definitely not
Fav tracks: As We Go Up We Go Down
Least fav tracks: The Ugly Vision, Gold Hick, Ex Supermodel (is someone snoring in this one?????), Chicken Blows
Scissor Sisters
5/5
Pre-listening thoughts: YAYYYYYY YAYY I LOVE SCISSOR SISTERS THIS IS SO EXCITING!! Also can I just say this album cover is beautiful.
Post/during listening thoughts: I’ve heard a few songs from this album before but never sat down to listen to the whole thing. This is so for me. As soon as music becomes pop or disco, the reviews hate it. And that’s when I know I’ll love it. The Comfortably Numb cover you just kind of have to treat as a totally different song and then you might be able to enjoy it. But everything else is wonderfully joyful and fun and makes you want to dance around your room even though getting out from under the covers is hard because it’s so cold. It’s sort of Elton John reminiscent but definitely more modernized. Love this so much!! 9.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: hmmm…!
Fav tracks: this is a no skip album BUT my personal favs were Laura, Take Your Mama, Filthy/Gorgeous, Music is the Victim, and Return to Oz
Least fav tracks: none
Rush
1/5
Pre-listening thoughts: my brain thought Rush E instead of Rush 😭 whoops!
Post/during listening thoughts: a 20 min starter… oh boy… I love prog rock… yeah… I just adore when one song takes up over half of an album’s runtime… and I love no lyrics until 4.5 mins in… and when they do come in I love screechy vocals that make my eardrums bleed… and I love babbling brook noises and guitar tuning for mins on end… and just when I think it’s over… there’s another segment… and more babbling brook… why couldn’t they just break it up into separate songs… aughhh
Ok I feel the need to yap bc if they can get away with a 20 min track I can get away with a long ass review. The oriental riff in A Passage To Bangkok?!! Caught me so off guard??? I know it’s 1971 blah blah blah I’m the friend that’s too woke but like every time a song uses that riff I am always flabbergasted. Also Golden Earring’s Twilight Zone solos this one. The singing on this album is so grating. 2.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no no no
Fav tracks: Tears
Least fav tracks: the behemoth of an opener and like honestly everything else
Einstürzende Neubauten
1/5
Pre-listening thoughts: whyyyy WHY WHY WHY did we have to get this album god no I have been dreading this since I started this challenge ☹️ the poop colored cover greeted me this morning and I let out the biggest sigh ever like come ON bro. Yes I knew eventually we had to get this album. Yes I’m still upset it’s here within my first 150 albums before ANY of the top rated albums on the site.
Post/during listening thoughts: calling this an “album” or “music” is generous. This could induce a panic attack in someone who has never suffered anxiety a day in their life. This could make a blind man wish he was deaf too. This is like that one video where they took “How Bad Can I Be” from the Lorax and replaced every “bad” with a metal pipe falling. That was better than this.
If you have never heard this album here is how I would describe it: there’s a German construction crew in your ears dismantling your eardrums but they keep hurting themselves with their equipment so they scream quite often.
This is about to falsely inflate my ratings for other albums due to just how garbage this is. Can I give this a negative score? 0/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no and I pray for every user on this site who hasn’t had this album yet. At least my time with it is over.
Fav tracks: oh my god. I have to add something to my playlist. This just hit me. Oh no. Oh god.
Least fav tracks: every. Single. Sound. That. Was. Made. On. This. Abomination.
5/5
Pre-listening thoughts: ya know anything would have been a relief after Kollaps but this is just like a blessing. When people think of Bowie this tends to be the album they picture. So excited to dive into this one.
Post/during listening thoughts: I’ve heard a few songs off of this before but my god this is such a treat of an album. It is so sonically cohesive but every song has such character and distinction from the last. Bowie’s lyrics are playful and vivid, while also having a story to follow about Ziggy themself. Even if the story wasn’t intentional I think it absolutely works. I listened to this one twice and I will definitely be revisiting this in the future. 10/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: yes
Fav tracks: all of them. I have a special soft spot for Moonage Daydream and Starman but this whole album is phenomenal
Least fav tracks: none
The Smiths
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: morrissey can suck my nards
Post/during listening thoughts: The album is catchy though 😞 If a prick like Morrissey wasn’t at the forefront of this I’d enjoy it a lot more. However despite Morrissey’s more recent comments I am going to give this a real rating bc the other members of the band (and the band when they were active) didn’t do anything to my knowledge. Hate to say it… this was kind of baller. I’ll dock a star for morrissey. 5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: oh most definitely not
Fav tracks: I Started Something…, Stop Me If You Think…, Girlfriend in a Coma
Least fav tracks: any time Morrissey opens his mouth
Elton John
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: hold me closer tony danza
Post/during listening thoughts: I expected to like this more than I actually did. Is it good? Absolutely. It’s just a little too ballad-y for my personal taste. I think there’s really great instrumentation work (I love strings) and really great lyricism here. I just wish it was a little more upbeat sometimes. I like Elton’s more upbeat songs like Crocodile Rock. And I like the ballads too, just not as much a full album of them. Still good. 8/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: I don’t think so
Fav tracks: Tiny Dancer, Levon, Holiday Inn, Rotten Peaches
Least fav tracks: Indian Sun
John Cale
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: another Welsh singer. Need the Welsh to step up their game
Post/during listening thoughts: this is fine. Unremarkable foot tapping at best. I have almost no feelings towards this but I wouldn’t complain if someone turned it on. 5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Child’s Christmas in Wales, Macbeth
Least fav tracks: Graham Greene, Antarctica Starts Here
The Boo Radleys
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I’m not sure what’s going on with the album cover but that about sums up my feelings about what I’m about to walk into. A 90s album by a band I’ve never heard of named after a famous jazz album? Curious.
Post/during listening thoughts: This is almost good. There’s a little bit too much “noise” in here for me but I have to say on the whole I am more keen on it than other 90s albums of this genre that we’ve gotten before. Still doesn’t save it from a 3 star rating. I’m just not a fan of the “shoegaze-y” songs sorry 5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: I Hang Suspended, Wish I Was Skinny, Thinking of Ways, Barney (…and Me), Best Lose the Fear
Least fav tracks: Upon 9th and Fairchild, Leaves and Sand, Spun Around, Run My Way Runway
Solomon Burke
5/5
Pre-listening thoughts: girl idk this man or what this is gonna be. 60s rock and soul is usually a mixed bag - sometimes it’s super generic and formulaic but sometimes it’s really something special.
Post/during listening thoughts: Dude this is amazing. I am really enjoying this album. Like Cry To Me really just got me hook, line, and sinker and now I am so IN this thing. While sometimes it is a little formulaic, I don’t think it’s distracting or repetitive at all. Solomon Burke has a fantastic voice. I think this challenge has really exposed me to the fact that I enjoy soul music. And this is a fantastic example. 9/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: maybe? Yeah?
Fav tracks: I mean this is a no skip album but Cry To Me, If You Need Me, You’re Good For Me, Won’t You Give Him (One More Chance), Hard Ain’t it Hard, and You Can’t Love Em All were my absolute favs
Least fav tracks: none
The Velvet Underground
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I HATE YOU VELVET UNDERGROUND AND LOU REED LEAVE ME ALONE PLEASE. As excited as I am that we’re finally done with The Velvet Underground all before album 150, Lou Reed still has one solo album left in our generator and Nico has her album too. So bleh.
Post/during listening thoughts: god I cannot express how much Lou Reed is not for me. Singing is a generous word for him. Nico’s songs are okay. Sometimes the instrumentation is very droll and sometimes it’s screechy. But this is not as bad as White Light/White Heat. It’s just boring. 4/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no velvet underground are my opps
Fav tracks: Sunday Morning
Least fav tracks: anything where Lou Reed is lead vocals and whatever the hell European Son was
Radiohead
5/5
Pre-listening thoughts: oh BROTHER another Radiohead album. FOUR in my first 150. Like that feels crazy??? I feel like I should be at maximum two rn. But no. Four. Christ. And all the best ones are gone (including this one) so any Radiohead we get after this is… yuck
Post/during listening thoughts: wait guys. The masses may be correct about this album. It’s definitely more brash in sound than In Rainbows but it has some real hits on here. It’s atmospheric yet engaging (stoner’s paradise). Thom Yorke’s weird ass voice works shockingly well here. The lyricism is pretty good too. Am I a cuck. Pls guys. 9/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: uhhhh IM NOT A RADIOHEAD FAN I SWARE NOOOOOO
Fav tracks: I fear this may be a no skip album… I mean… uhhh…
Least fav tracks: no no there has to be one I mean it’s Radiohead cmon IM NOT AN INCEL PLEASE
David Holmes
1/5
Pre-listening tracks: never a good sign when an album’s first track is called Listen. Girl are you begging me to listen cause now I’m skeptical
Post/during listening thoughts: yawwnnnnn okay whatever. This is like barely music. An album full of GarageBand templates and loading screens 2/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: ??? Half of this was literally talking like
Least fav tracks: I didn’t really like any of it
Fats Domino
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I cannot find this anywhere in full so I’m listening to a cobbled together playlist of these songs. Welp. But hey! Album #150. An incredibly short one. I gotta update my playlists before starting the next stretch of 50. lol I’m so behind on those!
Post/during listening thoughts: I can totally see how these songs would’ve rocked the world in the 50s, and they’re still good now, just definitely more simplistic than a lot of music now. Fats Domino has a good voice. This is sort of like that Little Richard album for me where like I’m sure at the time it was baller but with how far music has come now it’s not as much baller (for my personal taste). 5.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: like it was a blueprint so yeah but just in terms of my enjoyment no?
Fav tracks: Blue Monday, What’s The Reason…
Least fav tracks: didn’t dislike any of it I guess but was sort of lukewarm on a lot of it
Rufus Wainwright
5/5
Pre-listening thoughts: okayyy Rufus wainwright!! We might have cooked here guys I am a little excited for this one. Why was this released thru dreamworks records I didn’t know dreamworks had a label 😭
Post/during listening thoughts: I adore this actually. It’s so baroque pop. His voice sort of drolls over the songs in a Thom Yorke way but honestly it works. But when the sound gets really big that is when this album excels. The instrumentation is so varied but full and fun. Really really enjoyed this one. Hype that Want Two is somewhere in our future (and glad we got this one first). 9.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: me personally maybe? but to everyone saying “I hate pop music” listen to this one and get back to me
Fav tracks: this is a no skip album but seriously special shoutout to Go or Go Ahead bc I was gagged during that song. Absolutely insane.
Least fav tracks: none
Hawkwind
1/5
Pre-listening thoughts: god damn it 😭 it’s live, it’s psychedelic rock, and it’s long as hell. I wasn’t even a concept when this was made but I feel like they made this album to spite me.
Post/during listening thoughts: going to be really candid here I didn’t make it through two hours of this before deciding I didn’t like it. In all honesty, it took me thirty seconds to decide I didn’t like it. I still sat through another few tracks though, just to be nice. The spoken parts are so bad. The electronic parts are even worse. Half of this is pretentious guitar solos lasting 8 mins a piece and yelling resembling Radiohead’s MTV beach house crash out where Thom Yorke jumps in the pool. This is so dookie bro. 1/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: huh
Least fav tracks: everything
Steely Dan
5/5
YESSSSSS YES YES YES I LOVE TJIS ALBUM I LOVE STEELY DAN AND THIS IS A FANTASTIC ALBUM!!!!! Front to back zero skips and all bangers. God this is a beautiful album and the album that got me into steely Dan. So hype and I cannot believe this is their debut album. Phenomenal 10/10
Aja was my first album on the generator and I was so stoked to get it and then gave it a 4. And I kick myself every day for doing that cause it’s literally a perfect album upon relisten. I am so sorry steely Dan I love u
David Bowie
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I swear I summoned this album into existence. I was JUST thinking yesterday about how much I love the title track of this album SO MUCH but I’ve never listened to the rest of the album (love Fame though) and everyone says it’s mid ☹️ so I’m curious but wary. BUT yall can never crush my love for the title track. It is a masterpiece.
Post/during listening thoughts: this ain’t no ziggy stardust but it is 100% better than heroes. I don’t think I’d consider this truly soul music, but it’s an interesting departure from Bowie’s normal sound. There was one review on here that said something like “this album may have introduced white audiences to some form of soul which was cool kind of, but it didn’t do anything to move soul music itself forward.” Which I totally agree with. But this is till a pretty good album. 7.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Young Americans, Fascination, Somebody up There Likes Me, Fame
Least fav tracks: Win
Various Artists
1/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I was kind of stoked at the odds of getting this on Christmas but it turns out… everyone gets it on Christmas. lol. Which is a really cool Easter egg thing but man I thought we just got really lucky to not have to hear this album in July or April.
Post/during listening thoughts: ho ho ho I didn’t get to this until the day after Christmas and now Christmas is over and I’m here listening to Christmas music a year early or a day late, really however you view it. It’s a Christmas album tho which is such a strange pick for the list. Idk it’s not real music in my brain. 5/10 --> 1/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: oh god do I have to eternally add a Christmas song to my playlist????
Least fav tracks: didn’t really have any but this genre of music has no longevity/playability outside of Christmas so its just incredibly limited in terms of what I would actually listen to.
*Edit: changed to a 1 star rating from a 3. Phil Spector is a monster
Queen
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: wait why did I think this was the one with bohemian rhapsody??* Turns out I know zero songs from this album. Interesting Queen pick.
*Turns out actually I thought this because the cover was just reused for the MV. I am NOT a total idiot for that association.
Post/during listening thoughts: my brain knows this is Queen but also it’s so not what I KNOW from Queen. It’s a lot more prog rock than I expected. Boo. I shamelessly like their later stuff more. Freddie Mercury always rocks though. Maybe the biggest thing saving this from a two star rating. 5.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: The Fairy Feller…, Nevermore, Funny How Love Is (can you tell I enjoyed the second half of this album a lot more than the first?)
Least fav tracks: was just lukewarm on a lot of it. Disappointed in Queen ☹️
Cocteau Twins
5/5
Pre-listening thoughts: Bro I never have any clue what the Cocteau Twins are saying but I bet this is going to slap regardless
Post/during listening thoughts: if someone asked me to transcribe these lyrics by ear I think I’d get maybe four words correct per song. But my god these instrumentals are so lush! This is a wonderful album with fantastic production and lovely harmonies that make up for the fact that I can’t understand 90% of the words. 9/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nah
Fav tracks: Cherry Colored Funk, Iceblink Luck, Heaven or Las Vegas, Fotzepolitic, Frou Frou Foxes (but this is a no skip album)
Least fav tracks: none
Nirvana
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: this is the fourth highest rated album on the website at the time I’m typing this. This is Nirvana at their creative and commercial peak. I fear I’m going to piss people off with my rating.
Post/during listening thoughts: every time I hear Smells Like Teen Spirit I DO think about the muppets barbershop quarter cover and I’m not sorry. Why have I heard almost every song on this album???? I don’t even like Nirvana. Maybe they were just that widespread during the early 2000s still when I was growing up. The lyricism on this album is definitely unique within grunge and I do appreciate that. The acoustic tracks are also nice. The first half of this album is so strong and then the second half is really not as much. As influential and important as this album is, nothing will save it from the fact that I personally don’t like grunge and this will never be my genre of choice. 5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: idk man
Fav tracks: Smells Like Teen Spirit, In Bloom, Come As You Are, Lithium, On a Plain
Least fav tracks: Breed, Territorial Pissings, Drain You, Endless Nameless
Laibach
1/5
Pre-listening thoughts: is the reason Kraftwerk was such an accomplishment for Germany that everyone else there was just banging pots and pans together and yelling and calling it music???? Why is every German album here like frightening recruitment music???? Scared for the potential of Kollaps pt 2
Post/during listening thoughts: this is what I think of when I hear “German music”. Now, I will say this is loads better than Kollaps. I don’t think it can get much worse than that. There are actual instruments and singing here. However this totally still falls into the “banging pots and pans together in a militant manner” category. I don’t want to go to war papa 1.5/10 (.5 is for how much it made me laugh. LIFE IS LIFE!!!)
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: as funny as this album is I can’t say I enjoyed any of it as like music I would revisit to actually listen to. Something has to go on my playlist tho. Hmmm
Least fav tracks: well…
Prince
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: maybe I’m just like my mother…😨 she’s never satisfied…💔 why do we scream at each other…😢 this is what is sounds like… 🤫when the doves cry 🦆
Post/during listening thoughts: this is incredibly 80s but this is like lowkey what defined the pop sound of the 80s. Great vocals, great guitar playing, some horny ass lyrics but whatever it’s Prince. 8.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: if you’re looking for some solid 80s pop this is a great place to start
Fav tracks: really enjoyed almost all of this. So close to 5 stars but a few tracks sank it a little. When Doves Cry is an all time fav
Least fav tracks: The Beautiful Ones, didn’t dislike Darling Nikki musically but lyrically…
Bruce Springsteen
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: you know that version of Santa Claus is Coming to Town that Bruce Springsteen sang and there’s only a crappy live recording of it where he sounds like he’s just kind of bumbling through it musically in a gravely register of his voice? That is how all of Bruce Springsteen’s songs sound to me. Sorry. He ain’t my boss
Post/during listening thoughts: can he PLEASE enunciate???? I cannot understand like 50% of his lyrics (which are supposed to be his strong suit) bc of his singing style. He sounds like when theater kids do impersonations of drunk people despite them never having been drunk before. Like just slurring his words sloppily but his flow and tune remain intact. The instrumentation is decent. Every song is like “i grew up poor working for my daddy and I fell in love with a southern beauty and we grew old and were happy even though we were poor. Hell yeah America!”. I just don’t think Bruce Springsteen will ever be for me. 4/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Badlands
Least fav tracks: Candy’s Room
Bee Gees
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I <3 Bee Gees and I am also simultaneously confused at this album pick. Why not Spirits Having Flown, Main Course (my fav), or even the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack? I love their early stuff, don’t get me wrong, but I feel like both of their picks being their pre-disco/pre-RnB stuff is bizarre. It should be one early and one after they blew up to show their evolution but whatever. Also everyone go watch their documentary it’s really good!!
Post/during listening thoughts: this is weirdly Beatles-esque at points? But this is very downtempo/midtempo. It is quite perfect for my mood tonight. I hate New Years. But Bee Gees make it a little better. 8.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: I wanted to
Fav tracks: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart, The Greatest Man in the World, It’s Just the Way, Somebody Stop the Music, Trafalgar, Dont Wanna Live Inside Myself, Walking Back to Waterloo (but I liked the whole album tbh)
Least fav tracks: I just wish there was like a little more upbeat-ness to some of this. It drags in its middle a little and that is why it is not a 5 star album from me
Iron Butterfly
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I’m a few behind while rating this but today’s is Blur and I’m really excited for it. But I told myself before I can listen to Blur I have to listen to this one and Bruce Springsteen (have been putting these off bc I don’t think I’ll enjoy them). Wahhhhhh
Post/during listening thoughts: this is not as bad as I was expecting it to be. It’s unbelievably mid psychedelic rock but I’ve heard MUCH worse from this list in terms of psychedelic rock so thank god it’s decent. The guys singing voice isn’t my fav (he’s weirdly Pearl Jam-esque? I don’t like it). The title track doesn’t need to be 17 mins. Hate psychedelic rock for pulling shit like this. Swinging between 2 and 3 stars with this one bc overall, it’s decent but idk. 4.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Flowers and Beads
Least fav tracks: My Mirage, the monstrous title track
Blur
5/5
Pre-listening thoughts: BLUR!!!!
Post/during listening thoughts: this is the most British album I have ever heard in my entire life. This is what watching peep show as an American feels like. I love this album though it is so good. Britpop peaked here (and with pulp and supergrass). 9.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: bloody right innit
Fav tracks: no skips.
Least fav tracks: none
The Police
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I’ve only heard a few songs from this album but I’m kind of excited for it based on what I’ve heard. I personally enjoy The Police 🙏
Post/during listening thoughts: that opening track was so strong and now we’re like cavemaning it up???? Wait gasped at the Every Little Thing She Does is Magic mention in O My God. Side One is so bizarre😭 and then you get banger after banger on Side Two. Redemption but not enough to be a five star album. 7/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Synchronicity I, Miss Gradenko, Synchronicity II, Every Breath You Take, King of Pain, Wrapped Around Your Finger, Murder By Numbers
Least fav tracks: Walking in Your Footsteps, Mother
The Doors
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: Doors album 2/3, I liked the first one as much as I can enjoy the excessive use of 12 bar blues form. I bet I will have the same gripe with this album. But I bet there will be parts I’ll enjoy. I predict 3 stars.
Post/during listening thoughts: yeah for the most part this is pretty mid. I feel like the Doors are way overhyped. They’re fine, but on the whole I am so neutral on this. There’s not much that stands out to me here. 5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Peace Frog
Least fav tracks: was just lukewarm on most of this
Paul McCartney and Wings
5/5
Pre-listening thoughts: Paul McCartney my fav underrated indie artist
Post/during listening thoughts: this is 100% what I expected and I very much enjoyed this. The harmonies are tight, the songs change and move in interesting ways, and there’s no reason for me to not give this a five star rating. 9.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no but it was a fun listen
Fav tracks: it’s a no skip album. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed Bluebird though.
Least fav tracks: n/a
Sonic Youth
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: Sonic youth is another one of those bands that I feel like I should know about but idk anything about them 😭
Post/during listening thoughts: this is one of the most interesting listens I have come across on this list. And you may be thinking “why? It’s just like 90s rock with lots of speaking and dissonance” but this was IN 1990. This was a pioneer of the sound of 90s alt rock. While the actual sound they created may not be my favorite it’s really interesting to see how this sort of topical alt rock was able to break through to the mainstream. The songs are danceable but also simultaneously noisy and not what I would call catchy or earworms due to just the sheer amount of talking and dissonance. I cannot decide if I like this or not. Like it’s caught my attention and broadened my horizons but it’s definitely also really pretentious (do we need 4 mins of just guitar screeching?) Now that we can edit ratings I am gonna give this 3 stars, revisit it at some point, and get back to ya. 5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: ???
Fav tracks: Dirty Boots, Kool Thing, Disappearer
Least fav tracks: end of Mote, Mildred Pierce, Cinderella’s Big Score, Scooter and Jinx
Thundercat
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I just think of when Them Changes trended on tik tok and people couldn’t agree on what the song looked like
Post/during listening thoughts: applause for the fart in the first full length song. I did have to listen to this twice because I made the mistake of listening to this at work on the speaker where I was distracted and there are lots of loud noises to drown the music out. This is such an interesting blend of genres. You’ve got soul, lofi, RnB, yacht rock, and jazz all kind of melded in this album. Not to mention the features. Crazy to have Michael McDonald and Kendrick Lamar on the same album. This was a great listen though. My only complaint is some of the songs kind of seep together just due to song length + the large quantity of songs on this album. 8/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nah
Fav tracks: Captain Stupido, Jethro, Show You the Way, Walk on By, Blackkk, Them Changes, Drink Dat
Least fav tracks: Tokyo
Weather Report
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: instrumentals. Yay.
Post/during listening thoughts: listen I know instrumental music is important, I get why there’s the amount there is on the list, I just don’t like it. I like vocals and lyrics. I find myself without something to latch on to here. This isn’t even like really interesting or experimental jazz, it’s just like the epitome of background music. 4/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Teen Town
Least fav tracks: lukewarm on everything tbh
Dire Straits
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: no sultans of swing on this album 😢💔
Post/during listening thoughts: ok so this started ok and then I was assaulted by the f slur in Money for Nothing. Dire Straits came into my bedroom and started personally calling me that word because I’m gay😰. Then they burned me at the stake and spat all over my pride flag and kept chanting “boys kiss girls! Boys kiss girls!” How could they do this to me. 😭😭😭 4.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: what the hell how could u even ask that of me rn. Did I need to hear the f slur before I die??! I am in shambles 😥😞😵
Fav tracks: So Far Away, Walk of Life
Least fav tracks: Money for Nothing (good song otherwise) but side two was mid in all seriousness
Brian Eno
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I thought this was gonna be ambient stuff (gross) but reading the Wikipedia has put my hopes back at neutral 🙏
Post/during listening thoughts: ok so I was reading up on Brian Eno while listening to this album and I would like to formally apologize to the Brian Eno fan community bc I thought he just made ambient music but oh my god this man has produced for so many of my favorite artists. I am so sorry. This is really good. Obviously well produced, the vocals are nice, the songs are varied but also all similar enough stylistically to make a cohesive body of work. Great album. I am not a fan of instrumentals so those knock it down some. 7.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nope
Fav tracks: No One Receiving, Backwater, Kurt’s Rejoinder, King’s Lead Hat, Here He Comes
Least fav tracks: Julie With, Through Hollow Lands
Death In Vegas
1/5
Pre-listening thoughts: oh boy more electronica… So excited…😔
Post/during listening thoughts: well there are some vocals and words but at what cost. That first song was a slog to get through. I just kind of feel like an impending sense of anxiety when I listen to this. Can’t explain why. 2/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nope
Fav tracks: hm…
Least fav tracks: didn’t like this at all but had to shout out Death Threat, one of the most annoying songs to grace my ears
Fugees
5/5
Pre-listening thoughts: just now getting around to this I am slacking 😔 we’ve had a lot of mid recently reallyyy hoping this will be good
Post/during listening thoughts: this is phenomenal bro. The lyricism is just brilliant. The instrumentals are filled with texture and movement. There are so many references to catch. Lauryn Hill is unreal. 9.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: yeah. Everyone who says “rap isn’t for me” please try this album I am begging
Fav tracks: almost all of it
Least fav tracks: the Chinese Restaurant skit
The Chemical Brothers
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: how did the generator know I saw sonic 3 today (iykyk)
Post/during listening thoughts: this is… not as good as the song in sonic 3. Sometimes I feel like I’m in a vacuum cleaner. Sometimes I feel like I’m in outer space which is cool. Then I feel like I’m in someone’s mouth and I’m getting chewed, which is not as cool. 4/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: One Too Many Mornings
Least fav tracks: meh on most of it
Sigur Rós
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: the cover is making me wildly uncomfortable and that is the sole reason I have put this album off for so long.
Post/during listening thoughts: what the hell am I listening to? It’s not bad, but are they trying to lull me to sleep? This is just ambience. The instrumentals are beautiful but not engaging. Every song is unnecessarily long. Somebody wake me up in an hour and 11 mins. 4/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: this is probably what the kiss of death sounds like but no
Fav tracks: idk man I liked some moments but every song was just way longer than I wanted it to be
Least fav tracks: Avalon
The Youngbloods
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: idk anything about this
Post/during listening thoughts: this is not what I expected at all. This combines psychedelic rock with folk? Country? Jazz??? and it is interesting. It’s almost the kick that psychedelic rock needs bc it tends to drone. But here, there’s structure and intent and different instrumentation that what you would normally get from either folk/country or jazz or psychedelic rock. It’s quite the fusion. Consider my horizons broadened. 7.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: this was interesting but maybe not an essential listen? Idk
Fav tracks: Smug, Sunlight, Beautiful, Don’t Let the Rain Bring You Down
Least fav tracks: On Sir Francis Drake, Ride the Wind
Curtis Mayfield
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I have like vaguely heard of Curtis Mayfield but I still have no clue what to expect here
Post/during listening thoughts: this is good. I don’t have a lot to say about it. It all kind of mushed together and maybe that’s cause im tired but who knows. 5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nope
Fav tracks: So in Love
Least fav tracks: Jesus
B.B. King
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: thinking about how when we played Anomia, Mom's answer for any artist was always B.B. King for some reason
Post/during listening thoughts: this is solid stuff. If there was a 3.5 star option that's where I'd put it. I'm not the biggest fan of the blues just because it tends to get repetitive, and this album is no exception. However, B.B. King has a really fantastic voice with a lot of power and emotion carried in it. I would have enjoyed seeing this live. 6.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: not sure
Fav tracks: Help the Poor, Please Love Me
Least fav tracks: didn't dislike any of it but a lot of it mushed together
Fairport Convention
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: have once again never heard of this band or album.
Post/during listening thoughts: This is kind of like Jefferson Airplane if they were more traditionally folk aligned. I think I prefer the more rock sound that Jefferson Airplane had, plus nobody comes close to Grace Slick in that genre imo. But this isn't bad. I feel like I'm in Anne with an E if it was set in the 1960s. If that makes literally any sense. 5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Farewell, Farewell
Least fav tracks: Reynardine
Sam Cooke
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: Second live album from the 1960s in 3 days. What is happening
Post/during listening thoughts: well I will say between this and B.B. King, my opinion on live albums has changed. It's pretty cool getting to feel like you're at a concert you would never be able to attend. It's a neat form of preservation. I was kind of hesitant that live albums would have structure or good sound quality but I have been pleasantly surprised thus far. Sam Cooke is incredibly talented. Also whoever is on backing vocals is really hitting those harmonies. The crowd engagement is fun to hear. Once again, the music is slightly repetitive. I enjoyed this. 6.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: once again idk. Live albums are a diff territory in my brain
Fav tracks: Chain Gang, Cupid, and I love Bring it On Home to Me but hot take don't love the two min long slow intro
Least fav tracks: n/a
Silver Jews
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: no clue who or what this is gonna be
Post/during listening thoughts: yo who is on lead vocals and is he half asleep singing? It sounds like he's bored of his own material. Lowkey this is how I feel about the lead singer of The National too. It's like indie music that seems to bore the band itself. Well, count me bored too. There is little distinction between songs. They all sound the same. 3/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Let's Not And Say We Did
Least fav tracks: Time Will Break the World
The Rolling Stones
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: there is a certain song on here that would be really great to play at a car dealership when you accidentally sign up for incredibly high payments on your car and you still can’t bear to listen to the song to this day because you feel salty that the dealership robbed you blind
Post/during listening thoughts: I am shocked at how different the opener and closer are from the entire rest of the album. Gimme Shelter and You Can’t Always Get What You Want are crazy good songs and then you get hit with honky tonk 60s country and blues??? It’s like okay but I definitely expected something a little better knowing some of the Stones’ other stuff. 5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Gimme Shelter, You Can’t Always Get What You Want
Least fav tracks: Love in Vain, Country Honk
Lloyd Cole And The Commotions
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: gee no clue who these guys are either. Literally been on such a mid streak of unknown artists. Which not saying that every artist I haven’t heard of on here makes mid stuff, but I’ve just been on a streak of artists that I don’t know who happen to make mid stuff.
Post/during listening thoughts: this is pretty standard 80s new wave stuff. There’s some fun instrumentation and the vocals remind me vaguely of Jarvis Cocker. I really wanted to give this anything but a 3. I have actually been begging for something above a 3. Every album I have rated in the past week and a half has been a 2 or 3 with maybe one 4 thrown in there. I did enjoy this. Just not enough to escape the hellscape of 3 star albums. 6/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nope
Fav tracks: Speedboat, Rattlesnakes
Least fav tracks: Down on Mission Street, 2cv
The Kinks
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I also feel like I'm supposed to know about the Kinks but I literally know nothing about them. Let's see!
Post/during listening thoughts: this is really good actually. It's 60s rock with solid harmonies and a really good flavor. It's sort of like the Beatles meets ELO? If that makes any sense. There's some really interesting songs and some quite silly lyrics in here and I am so glad I have escaped the rut of 3 star albums. 8/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nah
Fav tracks: The Village Green Preservation Society, Do You Remember Walter?, Picture Book, Phenomenal Cat
Least fav tracks: Wicked Anabella
Simon & Garfunkel
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: oh hell yeah. But also this is like the 6th album from the 1960s that we've gotten in a week. So yeah.
Post/during listening thoughts: I'm definitely not getting the "concept album" of it all. But I mean, it's Simon and Garfunkel at their peak. Their harmonies are notoriously good and there are some fantastic songs on here. Instrumentation is genuinely beautiful. However I really disliked The Voices of Old People. To me, that just completely broke the flow of the album. This is good, I sadly thought it would be a 5 star album going in but it's just not quite there. 8.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nope
Fav tracks: America, Old Friends, Fakin' It, Mrs. Robinson, A Hazy Shade of Winter, At the Zoo
Least fav tracks: Save the Life of My Child, Voices of Old People
Blood, Sweat & Tears
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: this is the third day in a row we’ve gotten an album from 1968, and the seventh album from the 1960s in 9 days. What is going on.
Post/during listening thoughts: ok so this literally just started but the Erik Satie intro is really beautiful. In terms of the rest of the album, it is… quite all over the place. I don’t know that I’d call this genre fusion; more like genre warfare. What is going on. 4/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Variations on a Theme by Erik Satie (both of em), Sometimes in Winter
Least fav tracks: Smiling Phases, And When I Die, Blues Pt 2
The Prodigy
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: ur telling me this is an electronica album with a crab on the cover and it DOESN’T have crab rave????
Post/during listening thoughts: the first song is one of the funniest things I have ever laid my ears on. The repeating of smack my bitch up over fart-y bass is killing me. And not to mention when the singing came in. Almost as funny as the Life is Life song from Opus Dei. This is just fine electronic music otherwise. I would be satisfied hearing this in the background of a video game but not like overly tuned into it, ya know? It’s no Sonic R soundtrack or anything. 4.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nope
Fav tracks: Smack My Bitch Up
Least fav tracks: Serial Thrilla
1/5
Pre-listening thoughts: you know what? Hell yeah. I am so glad that today’s album is going to be dogshit. And you know why? Because I have had so much new music of my own discovery in my rotation, I don’t have to make space for anything else new right now. I can spend these 24 hours relishing some other great albums while giving this album the one time pass over it deserves.
But I will also say before listening to this that I have taken so many music history classes that I DO in fact know who Ornette Coleman is. I have never seen a class recoil the way people did when professors would play Ornette Coleman’s music after playing Miles Davis or John Coltrane. It is very freeform as is, without John Zorn’s input. So this is going to be a disaster.
Post/during listening thoughts: this is exactly what I expected 😭. It’s freeform jazz, just with more noise. The two drummers were… a choice, but the latter half of this album is occasionally listenable (at least as listenable as its source material). I still would never sit down and listen to this again. 1.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Feet Music
Least fav tracks: pretty much the entire first half
Def Leppard
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: Def Leppard is known for having a one armed drummer. Well he still had two arms when this album dropped so like what am I supposed to be impressed by
Post/during listening thoughts: in my brain this is like Van Halen meets AC/DC. But they’re lacking the technical flair of Eddie Van Halen and they’re lacking the iconic-ness of AC/DC. Let me know in the comments if I’m right and like and subscribe for more awesome album reviews. In the next review, hopefully I’ll get a better album. 3/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Photograph, the intro to Rock of Ages 😭
Least fav tracks: Too Late for Love, Die Hard the Hunter
Jimmy Smith
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: absolutely fire album name and cover. Hopefully the music lives up to it all.
Post/during listening thoughts: so smooth I forgot I was listening. Sometimes I was like “oh hell yeah he (and the cats) cooked here” and sometimes I was like “am I in an elevator?”. Maybe that’s just the duality of jazz. 5.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nah
Fav tracks: Minor Chant, On The Sunny Side of the Street (bonus track)
Least fav tracks: n/a
Soundgarden
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: this is so disappointing. Would literally rather have something laughably bad but no! Keep getting hit with just garbage 90s music. Awesome. Maybe I need to pray to the generator gods that I’ll get something good tomorrow. At least this is Soundgarden’s only album on this list.
Post/during listening thoughts: if you like grunge this is good grunge. I personally don’t like grunge so it’s just bad music to me. It’s also just way too long. But not as terrible as I was expecting it to be. 3.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nope
Fav tracks: Black Hole Sun
Least fav tracks: Mailman, The Day I Tried to Live
Depeche Mode
5/5
Pre-listening thoughts: actually finally. I am so excited for some good music. Already know like 3 songs off this album so I know it is going to go crazy. Blessed be my prayers were answered
Post/during listening thoughts: Depeche Mode is awesome. This album’s sound matches the cover so well somehow. It’s dark but it gets you moving. The standard version of this album is so fire. Not huge on the deluxe tracks but that won’t affect my rating here. Would revisit this quite often. 9/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nah
Fav tracks: World in My Eyes, Personal Jesus, Halo, Enjoy the Silence, Policy of Truth, Clean
Least fav tracks: n/a
Adam & The Ants
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I don’t know how I stumbled upon the reviews for this album a few weeks back but I remember reading that it’s just one guy named Adam Ant and so it was stupid for him to name the band “Adam and the Ants” cause it would be like naming the Beatles “John and the Lennons”. Is this how people felt about Marina and the Diamonds cause at least her real name is Marina Diamandis and not Stuart like this chode
Post/during listening thoughts: So this started pretty normal in terms of 80s new wave/pop and then it just went off the rails a little. Why are we making sex music for ant people? Why are we pirates? Why is this white British man rapping about Native American tribes? Maybe this was a big thing in the UK that Americans don’t quite get, like Robbie Williams. But who knows, I’m only a dumb American. 4.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nope
Fav tracks: Dog Eat Dog, Antmusic
Least fav tracks: Feeding Me to the Lions, Kings of the Wild Frontier
Jeff Buckley
5/5
Pre-listening thoughts: oh we are soooo back. I am so excited to listen to this album in full. I’ve heard maybe 3-4 songs from this already so I’ve got a good sense of what I’m getting into. Also crazy we got this before any of Tim’s stuff. Glad it happened this way.
Post/during listening thoughts: god Jeff Buckley’s voice is unreal. It’s rare that someone’s performance can carry so much emotion while sounding so effortless. The lyricism is devastatingly beautiful. The instrumentation complements everything perfectly. Even in the covers he sprinkles magic. This version of Hallelujah is still the only one I will really listen to. This is a phenomenal album. Gone too soon. 10/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: yeah
Fav tracks: all of them. Last Goodbye is my absolute fav but this is just about as perfect as music gets
Least fav tracks: n/a
Red Hot Chili Peppers
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: wait isn't one of the RHCP a total asshole? Oh yup, that's Anthony Kiedis. Sex with a 14 yr old girl before AND after learning her age. Jesus christ.
Post/during listening thoughts: Around the World is like kind of racist. Scar Tissue still goes kind of hard though. This album just has really poor sound quality in a way I can’t quite pin down. I told my parents I listened to this album today and they both shook their heads in disappointment. Enough said. 4/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Scar Tissue, Otherside
Least fav tracks: Around the World, Get On Top, Porcelain
Elvis Presley
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: well okay. We already got the one with suspicious minds and that is his best song by miles so I’m just going to be lukewarm on pretty much anything else from Elvis that comes my way. I mean, I’d like for him to pleasantly surprise me but I doubt that will happen.
Post/during listening thoughts: yeah this is 100% what I expected. Very doo-wop of the 1950s seeping into the 60s. I can’t deny that Elvis has a nice voice but overall this style of music just isn’t quite for me. It’s just kind of repetitive and boring. Crazy how the audio quality on this is better than Californication and that was 30 yrs after this. 4.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Such a Night
Least fav tracks: meh on most of it but didn’t outright dislike it ya feel?
Faith No More
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: funk metal is a crazy genre combo. I am wary.
Post/during listening thoughts: there’s a nasal quality to this guys voice that I’m not a huge fan of. Like sometimes he borders sounding like SpongeBob. This sort of feels like if Linkin Park met RHCP. It’s definitely more accessible than a lot of metal, but I’m not sure that I like it. 3/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: From Out of Nowhere, Falling to Pieces
Least fav tracks: Epic, Zombie Eaters, The Real Thing
The Offspring
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I KNEW we were gonna get this album today. Don’t ask me how. I’m not psyched about it though. I feel like we’ve been getting a lot of loud music recently - a lot of 90s grunge, metal, alt, etc. so I was hoping for something of a different pace. Manifesting an album by a woman for tomorrow.
Also special shoutout to the kid from Jedi Junior High whose dad was in the Offspring. That was crazy figuring that out upon rewatch. Sadly his fav song (Stuff Gets Messed Up) isn’t on this album, but Greg K (his dad) isn’t in the band anymore either.
Post/during listening thoughts: I completely zoned out during this sorry. You may be thinking “how the hell did you zone out during an album that’s so loud?” To that I say, I’m just incredibly talented. The speaking interludes made me wildly uncomfortable though. This isn’t the worst of 90s punk I’ve heard but I’m not loving it. This marks the fourth two star rating in a row I’ve given, and the 6th two star album in 8 days. Please let me get a good one for album 200 tomorrow 🙏 4/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nope
Fav tracks: Self Esteem
Least fav tracks: Smash. Why is there like 8 mins of silence.
Willie Nelson
5/5
Pre-listening thoughts: hooray album 200! Sadly still on the stretch of no female artists but this should be a nice change of pace from the loud 90s rock we've been slammed with. I almost don't care if it's dogshit. It's something different, and we haven't gotten a ton of country so far. I also have never listened to any Willie Nelson songs. We shall see about this one!
Post/during listening thoughts: this is just really solid cover work. 22nd studio album is already crazy but then I learned he has recorded a whopping 102 studio albums thus far. But anyways, he really took all these songs and added a very homely/cozy quality that you don't get much with big theater and jazz standards like these. It's like a warm blanket of an album. When you can get a sense for an artist's identity on an album of purely covers, that's how you know they've really carved a place for themselves. 9.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: lowkey yeah. Everyone should hear how standards can be reimagined like this
Fav tracks: yeah I enjoyed all of this sue me. I love any cover of September Song I can get my grubby little fingers on so that was obviously my favorite but
Least fav tracks: none
The Jesus And Mary Chain
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: listen idk who these guys are BUT with a name like “Jesus and MARY Chain” I thought (hoped with no shred of real evidence) that one of em would be a woman. The representation on this list sucks so bad that’s how desperate I am for some female contribution.
Post/during listening thoughts: ok so this is going to sound weird but I can genuinely hear how people took inspiration from this and then proceeded to make it boring. My opinion is if you have vocals that drone, you need to have instrumentation that doesn’t. This does that. Future indie artists do not do that. So much of 90s/00s shoegaze drones in EVERY aspect. But this was a pleasant listen. 7/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Darklands, Happy When it Rains, Down on Me, April Skies, Cherry Came Too
Least fav tracks: Fall
Depeche Mode
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: 😭 we just got Violator like a little over a week ago. I’m sort of sad bc that means Depeche Mode is over so soon! I mean I can always revisit these albums but ya know. Also second album in a row from 1987! Freaky
Post/during listening thoughts: oh dude Depeche Mode goes crazyyyy. I’m a fan now between this and Violator. This wasn’t quite as strong as Violator - there were a couple tracks that sank it a little bit. This is the “This is Hardcore” to Violator’s “Different Class”. Just like with This is Hardcore, I will be thinking about whether to give this a 4 or a 5 for eternity. 8.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nope
Fav tracks: All of it except (see below)
Least fav tracks: I Want You Now (did we need the 30 seconds of heavy breathing at the beginning + end?), Pimpf (what is happening)
Elton John
5/5
Pre-listening thoughts: as excited as I am to get this album (I’ve already heard like over half of it atp), I am upset that we keep getting high rated albums in our first 250. Reallyyyy don’t want to be left with just slop at the end of this journey. So please divide the slop more evenly across our journey, random generator. And save some of these good albums for later!!
Post/during listening thoughts: usually I’m not one for long instrumental tracks but I was propelled 5 mins into this opener without really realizing. It’s stunning, even before the lyrics come in. The first four track run is historical. This is just a classic record with so many underrated songs despite how huge it is. Also shoutout to Bernie Taupin. Lyrics are masterful. I can excuse the travesty that is Jamaica Jerk Off because everything else is insanely good. This is what I was expecting from Madman Across The Water - great ballads but mixed with other stuff. 9.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: yes
Fav tracks: all of it except Jamaica Jerk Off 😭
Least fav tracks: Jamaica Jerk Off
Brian Eno
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I am so curious about this one. I know Brian Eno produced a lot for Talking Heads so I imagine there will be some sonic similarity there (and bc of David Byrne obviously). I wonder if it will stray into ambient territory though. Hoping it just sounds like a Talking Heads record even though you’re missing every other band member to make that magic happen. So it probably won’t 😭
Post/during listening thoughts: hmmm.. this isn’t really what I was expecting! Lots of sampling here. I thought David Byrne was gonna sing but I guess not. It’s like a collage in music form. It’s definitely well produced, there’s no denying that. I’m just not sure I enjoy it all that much. Like I’m not really sure what I’m listening to. It sounds like scrapped Talking Heads instrumentals with like random speaking bits over it. Brian Eno, you have once again become an opp; and David Byrne, I am not mad, just disappointed. But I’m gonna keep reading your book cause it’s good. 3.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nope. No matter how influential this was for sampling I don’t think it needed to grace my ears before I croak
Fav tracks: Help Me Somebody (I guess. I wasn’t super keen on anything on this album. So disappointed actually)
Least fav tracks: Mea Culpa
Shivkumar Sharma
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: hmm okay instrumental music. I will probably put this on in the background while I work.
Post/during listening thoughts: it was great for background noise while I scheduled. It is beautiful but I can’t see myself revisiting this very often. It’s kind of repetitive and a little boring if I’m being honest. Idk. 4/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
I would usually add fav and least fav tracks here, but I listened to a vinyl rip on YouTube and there were no distinctive marks between the tracks. So it was all just kind of one long song. Plus it’s not on Spotify so I can’t add anything to my playlist.
Joni Mitchell
5/5
Pre-listening thoughts: FINALLY we are back with a woman. Thank god and it’s legend Joni Mitchell. So hype
Post/during listening thoughts: oh this is fireeee. Folky and jazzy in all the right places, and a masterclass in lyricism. People seem to be divided on her voice but I think it is beautiful. This is amazing. 9/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: mmm no but everyone should hear some Joni Mitchell before they die
Fav tracks: no skips but I love Help Me, Car on a Hill, Raised on Robbery, and Twisted
Least fav tracks: n/a
Screaming Trees
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: there is MORE 90s grunge on this list??? How is that actually possible I stg we’ve gotten every single 90s grunge album ever made in the past few weeks. This is torture for me atp. Also the album cover is UGLY. I really really don’t want to listen to this. But we must march on, no matter how terrible this looks! Onwards!
Post/during listening thoughts: This is shockingly good (my expectations were in the gutter). There's actual singing here, it's balanced decently, there's nice variation between songs, and I don't want to rip my ears out because someone is either tuning their guitar in the middle of a song or yelling for no apparent reason! It definitely loses steam in the second half. Look what happens when you judge an album by its cover and then proceed to listen to it anyways, kids. Maybe you'll enjoy it, at least enough to give it a 5.5/10.
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nah
Fav tracks: All I Know, Look At You, Make My Mind, Sworn and Broken (synth break goes crazyyyy)
Least fav tracks: Witness, Dime Western, Gospel Plow
Björk
2/5
BOOOOOOOOO BOOOOOO 🍅🍅🍅🍅🍅🍅 I HATE U BJORK BOOOOOOOOOOOO UR MUSIC SOUNDS LIKE A WIND CHIME FUCKED A DJ U WILL NEVER GET A REAL REVIEW OUT OF ME UR LIKE YOKO ONO OF THIS GEN
The Black Keys
1/5
Pre-listening thoughts: whatever man I already know this is gonna be like generic 10s indie rock. Soulless corporate garbage. We’ve had a few really good albums recently (minus bjork yesterday) so it was fate we had to return to midness. But what is most upsetting about this is how few albums from the 2010s are on this list, and THIS is what they pick. Like brother where is E•MO•TION by Carly Rae Jepsen? Where is Lemonade by Beyoncé? Where is Isolation by Kali Uchis? WHERE IS LADY GAGA?????
Post/during listening thoughts: you know that band Lawrence that trended on tik tok (tell me what ya NEEEEEEEDDDDDuh. Buzzfeed top ten ways that ya hate me…)? Yeah I imagine them in their green room before a concert listening to this and hyping themselves up, being like “hell yeah man this is the sound we need to go for on our next record”. Even with other albums on the list I didn’t like I can understand why they’re on it/what influence they had. This influenced me to listen to better music if that counts! 1/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no.
Fav tracks: I hate this stupid corporate genre of music it sucks balls and I don’t want to add it to my playlist WAAAAA
Least fav tracks: all of it. most uninspired piece of garbage I’ve ever heard
Dire Straits
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: ...and here's the other Dire Straits album! I feel like we've gotten a lot of albums recently that have been the other one of an artist we've already gotten who only has two on the list (Depeche Mode, Elton John, now this). I liked the other one okay, but there was the f slur song (tragedy cause it was a good song otherwise) and then the second half was boring as hell. So hoping this one is better (especially cause it has Sultans of Swing!).
Post/during listening thoughts: guitar playing is sick as always. I never beg for a track to fade out except Down to the Waterline. Feel like it would've made it better (great track tho). Bro if I was like 45 and a man I would LOVE this. Hand me a six pack on a warm patio with a sunset and this listening experience would be complete. 6/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Down to the Waterline, Southbound Again, Sultans of Swing
Least fav tracks: Six Blade Knife, In The Gallery
Björk
1/5
WHAT THE HELL MAN 😭😭😭😭😭 STOP IT STOP I JUST GOT BJORK’S DEBUT 3 DAYS AGO LEAVE ME ALONE I HATE HER
Bjorks lyrics have no structure and her voice is just unbelievably annoying. I am so pissed she has four albums on this list.
Amy Winehouse
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: oh my god and here’s another artist that won’t appear on the generator after this cause we already got their first album! Finishing up a lot of artists in our first 250. Excited for this cause I LOVED back to black.
Post/during listening thoughts: this is really great, love Amy winehouse. BUT. I feel like she really found her songwriting/singing groove on back to black (feel awful saying this cause she was obviously going thru it at that point😭). This is slightly weaker and disjointed. Songs are still fantastic but this is very obviously a debut album. Back to black just had like HIT after HIT. And this album is a little bloated. But this could also grow into a 5 star album with relistens. 8.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Intro/Stronger than Me, Fuck Me Pumps, Take the Box, Amy Amy Amy
Least fav tracks: n/a
Iggy Pop
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I’ve heard of Iggy pop/the stooges, but I've never listened to any of his/their stuff. Curious about this since he and Bowie were in cahoots.
Post/during listening thoughts: you can hear Bowie’s influence on here for sure, down to the vocal performance (and the backing vocals literally lol). The arrangements are more punk than standard Bowie though, and I’m guessing that part is all Iggy Pop. Also unrelated but curious if Lana del Rey’s album of the same title is a reference to this or something else. Fall in Love with Me is kinda giving Franz Ferdinand. This is good, I’m not like enthusiastic about it but I don’t dislike it. I do feel bad judging any music rn bc I’m sick and my hearing isn’t at its greatest, but I’m like 3 albums behind so gotta lock in. 6/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nah
Fav tracks: Lust for Life, Tonight
Least fav tracks: Sixteen
A Tribe Called Quest
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: every time we get a hip hop/rap album I jump for joy. So much rock on here and hip hop is a wonderful break from it.
Post/during listening thoughts: I know a lot of people don’t like early/formative rap, but I think there’s just such a charm in it. I read up on the background of this album and I’m so glad I did. And I’m so glad we got Jungle Brothers and De La Soul before this one. You can totally hear the influence of both on this. It’s pretty conversational in terms of lyrics/flow. However, the patchwork of sampling here is pretty unique to this group. Why does Robbie Williams sampling “Can I Kick It?” in “Rock DJ” make me mad 😭?? This is pretty good. I think it would grow on me with more listens but for now it’s a solid 8/10.
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: maybe
Fav tracks: Luck of Lucien, Public Enemy, Bonita Applebum, Can I Kick It?, Ham ‘N’ Eggs
Least fav tracks: Rhythm (Devoted…)
The Saints
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: and with that, we’re back to 70s punk. What would this list be without one hundred 70s punk entries?
Post/during listening thoughts: this guys voice is really annoying. Some really fun instrumentation, though. Love the horns. 70s punk is more palatable than most punk but I still don’t love this. I mean, his voice is just really annoying. 3/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: memories are made of this
Least fav tracks: the rest of it
Eminem
1/5
Pre-listening thoughts: you know how when we got A Tribe Called Quest I said “every time we get a rap/hip hop album I jump for joy”? Well, I take that back. I forgot Eminem was on this list. Twice.
Post/during listening thoughts: see skits are ok when the person delivering/writing them are funny. Eminem is not funny 👎👎👎👎. And literally every other line on this album is misogynistic and disgusting towards women. I HATE YOU EMINEM 😡😡😞😞‼️‼️‼️ 1/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: I needed to avoid this before I died and I failed
Fav tracks: I literally don’t know what’s gonna end up on my playlist. Like dude. What am I supposed to do
Least fav tracks: yes
Brian Wilson
5/5
Pre-listening thoughts: was literally just reading up on this albums history one week ago today 😭. I went down a crazy Beach Boys rabbit hole for some reason and it was super entertaining but one of their biggest pieces of lore is this album/Smile sessions/Smiley Smile. I’m not gonna take the time to explain it ALL here but the main gist is The Beach Boys worked on Smile for a while and it never met Brian’s expectations (among other issues) and it never got released. So then a bunch of the songs were reworked into the album Smiley Smile but it wasn’t the original vision they were going for. Smile was one of the most famous pieces of unreleased material (fans would try to piece together what they thought the album would sound like based on leaks) until Brian released this, and then the record label released more footage from the recording sessions. I think reading the full lore will change your perspective on this album. And lowkey… listen to all 3 mentioned above if you get the chance/have the time. Smiley Smile was the first Beach Boys album I chose to listen to a while back and I knew NONE of the context. I have no clue why I chose that album. Maybe something inside of me knew it had really interesting lore.
Post/during listening thoughts: man if you don’t know the lore this just sounds like Beach Boys stuff but a little more bizarre 😭. Also without the rest of the boys. But like I see the vision. Or at least part of it. But the album itself never really reached a finished state. This may be my most undecided rating ever. On one hand I really want to give this a 5 just because it was so beyond ahead of its time in 1967 and it is really musically inventive and complex. On the other hand, how often would I revisit something as weird (and really unfinished) as this? The lyrics are questionable at times (looking at you, Van Dyke Parks). The newly done production also doesn’t have the same charm as the old sessions. But the top review for this album sums up my feelings pretty well - it’s not really about the music itself and more about the confrontation of a 40 yr old vision with this album. Im so sorry but I have to give this a 5 because the whole story is just so cool to me. But just know, my 5 encompasses not only this album, but also the Smile Sessions, as well as Smiley Smile. I feel like you really need to hear all 3 at some point to have a sense of why this one in particular is important. 9/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: lowkey…
Fav tracks: Heroes and Villains, Roll Plymouth Rock, Wonderful, Surfs Up, Vega-Tables, Good Vibrations
Least fav tracks: Barnyard 😭 don’t know why I could handle the veggie song and not this one
Ella Fitzgerald
5/5
Pre-listening thoughts: now why did yall give me the 3 hr album as soon as I'm done being sick and have to go back to work 🤨???
Post/during listening thoughts: I originally wrote a complaint about how long this was. When I started it, I wanted to hate how long it was. I was so prepared to be sick of it by the end. But my god. Ella Fitzgerald you are a virtuoso. There is magic in her voice. I could listen to this woman sing for 8 hours. This gets a 5 star rating not because I would turn this on all the time and listen to all 3 hours every time, but because i could hit shuffle on this and be just pleasantly satisfied listening to any array of these tracks for as long or short as I want. And you can listen to the Best Of version but you are missing out on some gems!!! Brb gonna go listen to the Rodgers and Hart songbook cause this was a 9.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: yes.
Fav tracks: let’s call the whole thing off, oh lady be good, by Strauss, they all laughed, my cousin in Milwaukee, stiff upper lip, strike up the band, I’ve got a crush on you, Bidin my time, treat me rough
Least fav tracks: did not dislike any of this. Too many mentions of Christopher Columbus tho. And take or leave the instrumentals.
The Temptations
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I… guess… you… say… what. could. make. me. feel. this. way…? what’s that? Wrong album? Oops
Post/during listening thoughts: okay temptations I didn’t know you could get funky like that! Run Charlie Run was pretty starkly different from that opener! Papa Was a Rolling Stone is good but too long for my taste (funny considering I just gave the Gershwin songbook a 5. I’m a hypocrite). This is good but I wish they leaned into that funk sound more. 5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Funky Music…, I Ain’t Got Nothin’, Mother Nature
Least fav tracks: The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face
Pixies
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I got Doolittle as my second album ever on this generator and I think I hold an unpopular opinion cause I really didn’t like it. Not super enthusiastic going into this one.
Post/during listening thoughts: the pixies love to just yell and talk during their songs. Yeah I like this just as much as Doolittle. Which is not really a whole lot. 3/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: break my body, where is my mind
Least fav tracks: something against you, broken face, river Euphrates, Tony’s theme, oh my golly, vamos
Madonna
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: YAYY Madonna!!! I liked Music so excited for this, plus I’ve really been meaning to listen to more Madonna cause she changes her sound up a LOT during her career.
Post/during listening thoughts: this is a lot more mellow than I was expecting. But also electronic and upbeat at times, similar to its successor, Music. This kind of goes crazy??? This wouldn’t usually be the kind of music I spring for but even at points where I found myself skeptical, it reined me back in. Lowkey Madonna I might be a fan 8/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nah
Fav tracks: Drowned World/Substitute for Love, Ray of Light, Skin, Nothing Really Matters, The Power of Goodbye, Little Star
Least fav tracks: Candy Perfume Girl
Jah Wobble's Invaders Of The Heart
1/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I felt guilty the other day that World is in my least fav genres listed on my summary but dude I think the editors of this book are including bullshit World entries (like this). I am positive there are better World albums out there, not made by an entitled white guy who appropriated other cultures’ music. Why did this need to make the list.
Post/during listening thoughts: ok slay Sinéad O’Connor! But holy shit all the other vocals are garbage. And the production! The first track is only mildly redeeming. I am actually pissed that this was an inclusion on this list. Fuck you Jah Wobble. 2/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Visions of You
Least fav tracks: everything else but especially Bomba’s production
The Stooges
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: we just got Lust for Life by Iggy Pop like a week and a half ago, so I have a decent feel of what to expect from the Stooges based on that.
Post/during listening thoughts: I’m not sure I enjoy either mix of this??? Like I mean it’s a good album. Good songs. But the mixing on both Bowie and Iggy’s versions are not my fav. Everything on Iggy’s mix is too loud, and everything on Bowie’s mix sounds like a tin can. If you’re going for “raw power” I think Iggy captured that more. I am flip flopping between a 3 and 4 for this because of the mixing! 😭😭 But regardless of the mix this is a FUN album. There is so much energy and liveliness here, and every song is filled with character. Iggy’s vocal performance is really uniquely punchy. I liked this. 6/10 *EDITED FROM 7/10. Mixing is really just that bad.
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nope
Fav tracks: Search and Destroy, Gimme Danger, Raw Power, Shake Appeal
Least fav tracks: n/a
Boards of Canada
1/5
Pre-listening thoughts: why is there so much crappy 90s electronica on this list. Why not anything else please god.
Post/during listening thoughts: I sort of feel like someone is about to kidnap me or something? I feel like I’m in danger. There is something very unsettling about the atmosphere of a lot of this. 2/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: hell no
Fav tracks: roygbiv
Least fav tracks: literally everything else
Tori Amos
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: hallelujah praise the lord it’s a woman songwriter of the 90s which means it won’t be nearly as godawful as the bullshit electronica album we got yesterday!
Post/during listening thoughts: there is something very Kate Bush about this. It’s sort of Kate Bush meets Fiona Apple meets k.d. lang meets old Marina and the Diamonds. There is really lush instrumentation (I love strings sorry) and her lyricism is pretty great. I really like this and it could easily become a 5 upon relistens. 8/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Crucify, Silent All These Years, Precious Things, Happy Phantom, Leather, Tear in Your Hand
Least fav tracks: Me and a Gun
Mudhoney
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: just when I thought there could be no more 90s grunge, there’s always more 90s grunge. I will say I like the title and album cover of this one. I doubt the album will hold the same whimsy but whatever.
Post/during listening thoughts: listened to the song “Let it Slide” while I took a dump. It did not, in fact, help “Let it Slide”. 3.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Fuzz Gun 91, Pokin Around
Least fav tracks: Broken Hands, Who You Drivin Now
Jorge Ben Jor
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I always get nervous with the world entries on this list. Especially with our last one being Jah Wobble’s asinine album.
Post/during listening thoughts: Jesus Christ finally a world album that deserves to be here! It’s not bogged down by crappy production that dates it, it’s not intensely boring, and it’s DEFINITELY not borderline appropriation by some chode named Jah Wobble. Why are the good world entries so few and far between???? My enjoyment of this album was dampened only slightly by the fact that my stomach dropped out from underneath me and I had the worst poop of my life. Maybe that Mudhoney song “Let it Slide” finally caught up to me. 7.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: yes. This successfully broadened my horizons
Fav tracks: Hermes Trismegisto Escreveu, O Plebeu, A Historia De Jorge, Africa Brasil (Zumbi)
Least fav tracks: n/a
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: WAIT! They don’t love you like I love you…
Post/during listening thoughts: ok so this is kind of mid 😭. Maps is fire (and sounds NOTHING like the rest of the album!) but I don’t find myself caring about the rest of this. Her voice is really bratty in an annoying way and the arrangements feel bare in a way I can’t explain. It’s not the worst I’ve ever heard but I probably wouldn’t revisit this. Whoever said this sounds like Scott Pilgrim outtakes was on the money. 4/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Maps
Least fav tracks: Cold Light
Slipknot
1/5
Pre-listening thoughts: mom come pick me up I’m scared
Post/during listening thoughts: god I am such a pop girl born after this time because I literally dislike so much music from this era besides britpop, hip hop, singer songwriters, and like boy bands/girl groups. Grunge, alt/indie rock (specifically from the 90s), and metal are such weak spots in terms of what music I like/how much my horizons are broadened. I had a coworker who would play metal/grunge all day for eight hours and she was fired a few months ago but man I still can’t listen to those genres and enjoy them just because of how much I had to listen to them then.
I do realize I haven’t said anything about this album in specific. Just stuff about the genre. Well, this album is dogshit. Loud! I have never felt like I needed earplugs while listening to something through my headphones. Until now. 1/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no!!!!!!!!!!
Fav tracks: it would be a miracle if Slipknot could make something I enjoyed
Least fav tracks: dude if you haven’t gotten to this album yet I’m praying for you. So much better metal out there than this (and I HATE metal!). Like this is REALLY bad. It’s like someone took rage against the machine and made their lyrics have the emotional maturity of a fifth grader, and when they’re not awkwardly speak rapping over obnoxiously loud instrumentals, they’re yelling in hopes it makes their immature point come across more. TLDR it’s ALL my least fav track
Parliament
5/5
Pre-listening thoughts: you know, I’ll take anything over Slipknot yesterday but funk is very welcome today. Feel like this is going to be fire.
Post/during listening thoughts: I didn’t realize this was only 7 songs! 😭 this is what I THOUGHT the funkadelic album was gonna sound like, but that was an idiot assumption on my behalf considering their name is literally a fusion of the words funk and psychedelic. I usually am against long songs but Jesus this is so fun. Every piece of this band is heard/balanced and in sync and playing with a really infectious energy. If this doesn’t get you dancing I’m not sure anything will. I have no choice but to give this a 9/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: yes this is 100% essential listening and a staple of its genre
Fav tracks: everything but was lukewarm on the last track being the last track if that makes sense
Least fav tracks: n/a
Frank Sinatra
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: okay Frankie let’s see if you can sing standards better than Ella Fitzgerald (unlikely)
Post/during listening thoughts: while I personally don’t think Frank Sinatra’s voice had the emotional depth Ella Fitzgerald’s did, he’s got that silky crooner quality ala Bing Crosby that is impossible for me to dislike. Every song just rolls off his tongue with such ease. The big band arrangements are fun, and complement his voice well. I think I really enjoy pop/vocal jazz from this era. Even though they all sang the same damn songs. I really liked this but shoot I just prefer other people’s versions of some of these songs. 8/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: ya know I think everyone should hear at least one Frank Sinatra song but maybe not the entire album
Fav tracks: You Make Me Feel So Young, Too Marvelous For Words, Love Is Here To Stay, I’ve Got You Under My Skin, Swingin Down the Lane, How About You?
Least fav tracks: Pennies From Heaven (they could never touch you Louis Prima), Anything Goes (they could never touch you Patti Lupone)
Fela Kuti
4/5
Pre-listening songs: THIS IS ONLY TWO SONGS??? 😭😭😭😭😭 but it’s only 25 mins so it’ll be a very short listen. But it’s like flipping a coin to see which song I’m adding to my playlist. Anyways all I know about Fela Kuti is his work heavily inspired David Byrne/Talking Heads.
Post/during listening thoughts: yeah you can 100% hear Remain in Light in these songs. Damn I listened to eight minutes of the first song before realizing eight minutes had gone by! Okay holy shit dude please read up on this album even if you didn’t like how it sounded musically. This is insane. This is the kind of entry I’m looking for on this list in terms of global context. 8.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: yes
Fav tracks: Zombie
Least fav tracks: n/a
The Human League
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: (in the voice of Damon Albarn) it’s dare!
Post/during listening thoughts: 80s mush! I don't hate this at all but I literally could not distinguish most of these songs from each other. Definitely not essential listening as other bands did this sound better. 5.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Darkness, Love Action, Don't You Want Me
Least fav tracks: Get Carter, I Am The Law (no silly that's Brian Firenzi)
The Rolling Stones
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I wasn’t all that enthused with the other Stones record we got so I’m skeptical going into this one
Post/during listening thoughts: this might be my most controversial statement ever about music but I think The Rolling Stones are like Rihanna of the 1960s. They have really good singles that got a lot of airplay but their albums are overall kind of weak and not really worth listening to. Like way weaker than their reputation would have you believe. But someone probably included them on this list because it’s the Stones and you have to hear these two or three songs from this album before you die, but not the whole album. I’m actually kind of convinced this album was included JUST because of Sympathy for the Devil. Either way, I think the Stones are maybe the most overrated group from this time period. And you have to be fucking with me that there are SIX Rolling Stones albums on this list and not one of them is Some Girls. What the hell guys. 6/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Sympathy for the Devil, Jigsaw Puzzle, Salt of the Earth
Least fav tracks: Factory Girl
Grateful Dead
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: oh piss off
Post/during listening thoughts: yeah dude a 23 min opener is almost rude. Let me just tune my instrument for five minutes (and then again for 8 more, and we’ll call it a whole separate song!) and then we can start playing, and yes we have to include this segment on the live album! WHY! This reminds me of that Hawkwind album (except not quite as egregiously terrible). Live psychedelic rock may just not be for me. Maybe I need to be high for this? Questioning why Lindsay Weir went to be a groupie for these guys. 3/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: And We Bid You Goodnight (thank god it’s over!)
Least fav tracks: Death Don’t Have No Mercy, FEEDBACK (like if I was in the audience I would be throwing tomatoes.)
Butthole Surfers
1/5
Pre-listening thoughts: well we were due for a bottom twenty album a while ago, so I can’t say I’m surprised that this showed up. Frightened, though, for what will be on here that makes it so bad that almost the entire website hates it. Time to turn on private session so Spotify doesn’t think I enjoy this.
Post/during listening thoughts: laughed really hard at that opener tbh. Also skimmed some of their other stuff and it sounds a lot less experimental/noisy, so maybe this is an outlier in their discography? My experience with a lot of these bottom twenty albums is that they are so bad it’s funny. Like the music equivalent of The Room, or like any of the Kissing Booth movies. I like ALMOST find myself enjoying some of it just because I’m getting a kick out of it. That Laibach album was genuinely some of the funniest stuff I’ve ever heard. But like at the end of the day (TO ME SUBJECTIVELY) it is still bad. And you may disagree but somehow to me, Slipknot was still worse than this. But I will say 22 going on 23 is exactly what it feels like to be 22 going on 23. 1/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nope
Fav tracks: I almost want to put Sweat Loaf here just because that intro made me laugh so hard. SATAN
Also Human Cannonball was like the only (semi) normal song on this goddamn album. I know it’s an experimental album and maybe my horizons are still narrow but Jesus christ
Least fav tracks: I did feel like I was being auditorily assaulted through most of this. Is this what it sounds like when a locust gets an abortion #prochoicebutidontgottahearallthat
David Bowie
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: if I had a nickel for every time we got an album rated on the bottom twenty of this website immediately followed by a David Bowie album, I’d have two nickels. Which isn’t a lot but it’s weird that it happened twice.
Post/during listening thoughts: the white hot spotlight starts making my face sweat profusely as I nervously clamber my way on stage. I tap the microphone and the feedback whines. I clear my throat. I can hear the impatient shuffling of people who don’t care enough to read all of this to see what my opinion is. “David Bowie’s ambient stuff is mid and the Berlin trilogy is overrated.” I say, mustering up the courage to stand up straight and look at the audience without picturing them in their underwear. All of a sudden I hear rumbling, a thousand simultaneous boos from Brian Eno dick riders. Tomatoes start pelting my skin, and I rush off stage, wondering if I stooped too Low. 5.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nope
Fav tracks: Breaking Glass, Sound and Vision, Be My Wife
Least fav tracks: all of side B
The Bees
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: okay
Post/during listening thoughts: this is nice but like let me say something about a lot of the post 2000 picks on this list. Why are so many of them like unremarkable (and predominantly male) indie and alt rock??? Female pop has been so prominent and influential in the 2010s-now especially, but even in the 2000s. Same with RnB. Both genres are sorely underrepresented on this list imo. Maybe that’s bc that’s mostly what I listen to, but I could name like 20+ albums that are post 2000 that should have been here instead of something like this or the Vines or Doves or THREE arcade fire albums (one is enough). There’s just so many of these that I don’t quite understand why they’re here, but that doesn’t mean I hate them or even dislike them. I actually enjoyed The Suburbs a lot, and this was decent too. It’s just kind of whatever in terms of significance. 5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Sunshine, Lying in the Snow
Least fav tracks: A Minha Menina, Sweet Like a Champion
Marilyn Manson
1/5
NO!
The Notorious B.I.G.
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I like a few of Biggie’s really popular songs so I’m hoping I’ll enjoy this 🙏
Post/during listening thoughts: hmm… so Biggie is really talented but I agree with some of the reviews where they say the skits and interludes really tank this. They are so gross most of the time 😭 And there’s quite a bit of misogyny here. Also this is so long. Idk man. Wanted to like this more than I did. 4/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Ready To Die, Everyday Struggle, Big Poppa
Least fav tracks: One More Chance, Me and my Bitch, Respect
Dolly Parton
5/5
Pre-listening thoughts: aw yay dolly!!!!
Post/during listening thoughts: there are a few singers in this world who they could sing me a grocery list and I’d give it a 5 on this site and dolly is one them. Plus the songwriting is an amazing example of what makes country storytelling so good. 9.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: hmm maybe but like I just feel like people should hear any dolly
Fav tracks: Coat of Many Colors, Traveling Man, Early Morning Breeze, The Way I See You, Here I Am
Least fav tracks: n/a
Morrissey
1/5
Pre-listening thoughts: GODDAMN IT 😭 oh brother look at this tracklist he is just WHINING
Post/during listening thoughts: oh my god can he SHUT UPPPPP. Every single song he is whining about something or another whether it’s America or Brits or Jesus or just generally people in the world or lesbians (????) or his own personal life. FUCK YOU MORRISSEY👎👎👎👎👎👎 2/10
I have typed Morrissey in all caps from yelling at him so many times now my phone has started autocorrecting anything remotely close to MORRISSEY to his name in all caps. Need the world to know this.
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no no no no no
Fav tracks: First of the Gang to Die
Least fav tracks: I HATE YOU MORRISSEY
k.d. lang
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: the generator is repenting for making me listen to MORRISSEY harp on about closeted lesbians when he has no place to be doing that! Let’s go lesbians!!!!
Post/during listening thoughts: this is just solid old school country covered by someone with the voice to do it. I mean if I had a voice like this I’d also be dropping 50s country covers in 1988. This was solid. 7/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Sugar Moon, Black Coffee, Shadowland, Tears Don’t Care Who Cries Them
Least fav tracks: n/a
Peter Gabriel
5/5
Pre-listening thoughts: beginning of last year i was in this crazy music rut and I could not find anything interesting from my usual catalog to listen to. Sledgehammer played on my Spotify and I literally felt my world shift. Made a 10 hr playlist because of it and added other 60s-80s music I started to find and enjoy. Then made two MORE 10 hr playlists because I enjoyed making the first one so much. So thank you Peter Gabriel for encouraging me to find 30+ hours worth of really great retro music. Cannot believe my dad said he was “so-so” (and for once, the pun was not intended).
Post/during listening thoughts: this is just really great 80s pop dude. Every single track here is a certified banger. Plus a Kate Bush feature can’t go wrong. I love u Peter Gabriel and I’m also sorry I doubted your work with Genesis way earlier in this challenge. 9.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: me personally yes. But I think that may not be true for everyone. I think everyone needs to find their Sledgehammer.
Fav tracks: SLEDGEHAMMER!!!! But I liked the rest too 😋
Least fav tracks: n/a
Khaled
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: once again always skeptical of the world submissions on this list. But hey, if nothing else, they’re a starting point since this is a genre I never really seek out.
Post/during listening thoughts: well this isn’t on Spotify and I can’t even really find a good version on YouTube but the few tracks I was able to find are lowkey really gas. Actually bummed this isn’t on Spotify. Why the fuck is there an imagine cover shoehorned into this album. 6.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: prolly not
Fav tracks: see idk if I’ve even got the right track names on these janky ass YouTube videos bro 😭 whatever
Least fav tracks:
The Stooges
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: apparently my controversial opinion was enjoying the other album by the Stooges we got (Raw Power). Well! Let’s see if my opinion on this one will be controversial yet again
Post/during listening thoughts: well it’s like if Lou Reed went punk (also see: LuLu with Metallica. Hysterical that that combination exists.) Maybe that’s just because John Cale produced this. This sounded a little too Velvet Underground for me. Not my speed. 4/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: 1969, No Fun
Least fav tracks: I Wanna Be Your Dog, We Will Fall, Ann
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: uh oh these are the guys who made trout mask replica (which we still haven’t gotten but is notorious for being disliked here). Scared!
Post/during listening thoughts: okay so weirdly I kind of like this. My biggest complaint is it sounds like shit compared to other albums made at the time. Like the production or mixing or something is bunk. But whatever. I feel safe as milk rn. 6/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nah
Fav tracks: Zig Zag Wanderer, Call on Me, Yellow Brick Road, Where There’s Women
Least fav tracks: sometimes the vocals grated on me a little like on Dropout Boogie and Electricity but idk
The Rolling Stones
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: dear god more Rolling Stones. I feel like we just got one 😭 kind of needed a longer break but whatever maybe I’ll Stockholm syndrome myself into really enjoying them
Post/during listening thoughts: okay I concede there are some bangers on here. I also want to say I don’t DISLIKE The Rolling Stones I just feel like their albums we’ve gotten have a ton of filler in a style their radio hits didn’t really dabble in so it was jarring. THIS is the goddamn stones album I was looking for (and Some Girls. Why isn’t that on this list????). It has a decent amount of their hits but also it doesn’t really feel like it’s filled with blues from a group that can’t make it super well. First three track run is really good stuff. 8/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: I don’t think so but if there is one stones album we’ve gotten so far that I’d recommend it would be this one
Fav tracks: Brown Sugar, Sway, Wild Horses, Bitch
Least fav tracks: You Gotta Move
Fleetwood Mac
5/5
I literally can’t wrap my head around the fact that this generated. And I feel so basic for enjoying this but honestly I’d rather be basic than wrong. Every single member of the band shines on this album because even though it was the worst period of their relationships, they put all of that into the music with full honesty and commitment to the album.
Stevie Nicks arguably shines the brightest on this album, and I’d have to argue that this album has her best songwriting with FM (I mean Dreams? Gold Dust Woman? Silver Springs even though it’s not on the standard edition???) But that also makes me so pissed that they didn’t include Tango in the Night on this list so listeners could really understand the magic that Lindsay Buckingham and Christine McVie brought to the table as a songwriting duo (although you get a taste of that on Don’t Stop). But you get a sense of the full group’s genius on their (imo) magnum opus, The Chain. And Christine shines as a writer in Songbird and also as a keyboardist in You Make Loving Fun, and Lindsay shines as a writer in Go Your Own Way and as a guitar player in Never Going Back Again. I don’t play drums or bass so I am less attuned to the successfulness of John McVie or Mick Fleetwood but John’s bass on Dreams and The Chain is really great and Mick’s drumming on Dreams and Go Your Own Way really make the songs for me.
To anyone listening to this album and reading this, my next wish is for you to watch their live concert filmed in 1997 after they reunited briefly called The Dance. There are versions of it on YouTube and the album is on Spotify. But it is just phenomenal how much chemistry this band has and how successfully they were able to channel it all into such great music. If there are live albums on this list I truly cannot wrap my head around why The Dance isn’t on this list but whatever. Maybe I’m just a fangirl.
Anyways I love Fleetwood Mac so much and as much as I love Rumours and it 1000% deserves to be here, I also wish there were a few more FM albums on this list, namely their 1975 self titled and Tango (and these should maybe replace Tusk?? I love Tusk but it feels like a weird pick). I’m a weird fan of Mirage as well even though I don’t think it belongs here but I really encourage people to listen past Gypsy (still a great song tho).
Suffice it to say this is a no skip album (yes, even Oh Daddy), and not just me, but everyone should hear this before they die. It’s rare that I have that sentiment but I just feel like this band changed the face of music with this album. And even putting the context of it aside, it is stunningly written, arranged, and produced. There’s a reason why this is a textbook example of great music.
Billie Holiday
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: hip hip hooray for album #250! And what better way to welcome my next round of 50 than with miss Billie Holiday. Voice of an angel.
Post/during listening thoughts: I understand that this is the 50s and production isn’t great back then and maybe I didn’t notice this in other 50s albums but why can I hear her saliva when she opens and closes her mouth. It’s all I can focus on.
But anyways this is pretty normal 50s jazz. I know Billie Holiday is culturally important but this particular album doesn’t feel like it has her culturally important moments. It just feels like another 50s jazz album of standard covers. It’s also just incredibly downtempo, vs like Ella Fitzgerald or Frank Sinatra had really upbeat songs along with ballads. This is like all ballads. And they’re all the same tempo. I cannot tell any of these songs apart. It’s not bad, just like mush. 5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: I Get Along Without You Very Well
Least fav tracks: didn’t dislike any of it but I’d be lying if I said I could distinguish these songs
Rush
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: oh boy am I RUSHING to get this one over with! Rush more like mush am I right guys! Haha!
Post/during listening thoughts: I’ve literally only heard Tom Sawyer. And it’s a good enough song, but is it enough to save this album from the fiery depths of 2-dom? NO!!!!!! This is like if Styx jerked themselves off musically and were also really annoying. 3.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: FUCK YOU RUSH
Fav tracks: Tom Sawyer
Least fav tracks: this certainly wasn’t as bad as 2112 but I hate this guys voice
Nitin Sawhney
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: cannot decide if I love or hate this album cover
Post/during listening thoughts: well my one revelation while listening to this electronic (?) jazz (?) trip hop (?) ambient (?) music is that it is still freaking everywhere. Especially in corporate settings like hotel lobbies or coffee shops. We haven’t progressed at all past this since 1999. What the hell guys. Anyways this is fine. I would never willingly seek it out but if I heard it in a coffee shop or hotel lobby, I wouldn’t complain. I’ve heard worse in public settings. Thinking of that one time I was in a coffee shop and I heard a really terrible indie ukulele style cover of Pumped Up Kicks. At least this isn’t that. 5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nope
Fav tracks: Broken Skin
Least fav tracks: Homelands
Miles Davis
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I’ve seen this guys trumpet. He used it for Kind of Blue and it’s on display in the music building of my alma mater. Please don’t dox me because I said this.
Post/during listening thoughts: yeah I don’t think instrumental jazz is really for me unless it’s safe like Vince Guaraldi Trio. Love those guys. Sorry Miles. I actually like what I’ve heard from Kind of Blue a little more than this though so maybe that one will get a better rating from me. But this is too friggin long and too all over the place. I know jazz is important and this definitely deserves to be here but I don’t personally care for it. 4/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: not me but maybe some of yall needed to
Fav tracks: Jesus I mean every track is 20 goddamn minutes except one of them so take your guess which one is getting added to my playlist
Least fav tracks:
The The
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: oh boy more 80s english post punk. It just really never ends!
Post/during listening thoughts: idk why I am loving this but something about this is really cool to me. It's like the Persona 5 soundtrack meets Depeche Mode meets They Might Be Giants meets Magazine in a bizarre fusion that sounds like none of them yet all of them at the same time. I really like these instrumental arrangements. The horns are awesome. It's so so 80s but I really don't mind. This one may need a second listen to settle on my score. 7.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nah
Fav tracks: Infected, Slow Train to Dawn, Twilight of a Champion
Least fav tracks: n/a
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: Neil Young album number 1/8. It was about time since we’re over 250 into this challenge. Still no sign of Bob Dylan yet. We still have all of his stuff left. Lord have mercy.
Post/during listening thoughts: well this is certainly Neil Young. And I only knew like two of his songs before this so why in gods name are there eight albums with him on this list. Anyways I liked it well enough. I think some songs were way too long but I’m not sure if this is a high 3 or low 4. Right now I’ll go with a 6.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Cinnamon Girl, Round and Round
Least fav tracks: Down By the River
Led Zeppelin
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: half expected to get either another Neil young album today or our first Bob Dylan album. Scared for a potential onslaught of both of them later down the line I suppose.
But anyways Led Zeppelin always reminds me of this group of boys in high school who swore it was the pinnacle of music, and the guy who runs the Inn that my bakery is attached to. He shamed us for listening to “girl music” (pop from 2000s on) and insisted we put on some Zeppelin. I did not do that, and kept playing Carly Rae Jepsen shamelessly, for I am, in fact, a girl 😱😱😱.
People like idolize this group but my shameful fact is I know three Led Zeppelin songs and that is it (Immigrant Song (which is on here), Fool in the Rain, and Going to California). I couldn’t even tell you what Stairway to Heaven sounds like if you had a gun to my head. Oops.
Post/during listening thoughts: wow okay maybe I’m a villain because I didn’t really enjoy most of this. I think the lead singer’s voice is annoying as shit. Like almost as bad as Axl Rose for me. I like the folkier and slower stuff but most of the rockier tracks I didn’t enjoy. 4/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Since I’ve Been Loving You, Tangerine, That’s The Way
Least fav tracks: Out on the Tiles, Gallows Pole, Hats Off to Roy Harper
U2
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: every U2 fan I’ve ever met was bald so what does that really say about this band
Post/during listening thoughts: I don’t actually have any meaningful opinions on this music but I have to say a few things about this band.
1. I must have been in a fantastic mood when I got All That You Can’t Leave Behind bc this sounds like someone made Christian rock (source: I’m an ex pastors daughter) and then their label told them they couldn’t say the word “God” so they just replaced it with “You” or “She” or something. It’s the most like inoffensive, safe genre of rock I’ve ever heard.
2. Who the fuck told Bono and The Edge that those were cool names. Like were they all sitting in a circle coming up with rockstar names and Bono goes “I’ll be Bono cause it means good voice” and everyone just had to sit there and pretend like that was true??? And the other chode says “I think I’m gonna be… The Edge” and then rips the craziest smirk like the Dreamworks face. And everyone was like “oh sick dude” and lied to his face? The Edge of WHAT???? Maybe he needs some better friends
Oh no just looked up why he’s really called The Edge and it’s cause his head is so pointy??!!???? This is insane and way worse than my conceited headcanon for him. 😭😭😭😭
3. They peaked with Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark.
5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Who’s Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses, Mysterious Ways
Least fav tracks: n/a
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: rolled my eyes when I saw this. There are FIVE Bruce Springsteen albums on this stupid fucking list????? My week just went from bad to worse. Genuinely I might give this a one because I’m so pissed off and I haven’t even listened to it yet. Only one person gets to write a song about Nebraska and that is Lady Gaga in her song Yoü and I.
Post/during listening thoughts: PUT THE HARMONICA DOWN!!!!!! Also do we really need two back to back songs called Highway Patrolman and State Trooper? What's next, Town Sheriff? Traffic Cop? 5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: NO
Fav tracks: Atlantic City
Least fav tracks: everything actually sounded the same.
Echo And The Bunnymen
5/5
Pre-listening thoughts: well this is strange! Spotify literally has been recommending me songs from this album on the search page on those “Discover something new” tabs that function kind of like tik tok. Like literally yesterday 2/3 of those tabs started with songs from this album. And I was like “nah I won’t listen to these yet cause I know this is on the list” but hey the universe must really want me to listen to this album rn cause here it is! Bizarre
Post/during listening thoughts: I like the song where he lists the vegetables and says cucumber because cucumber is my favorite vegetable :) 🥒/10
*EDIT: okay but like I heard this album calling to me after I listened to it the first time. The strings!!! I love the instrumentation so much. This is a really beautiful body of work. It's very much a product of its time but if you isolate these backing tracks they would make an insane video game soundtrack. I mean that in the highest regard. I feel like a really cool pirate rn. Bumping this bad boy to a 5 from a 4.
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: well no I guess not
Fav tracks: Silver, Crystal Days, The Yo Yo Man, Thorn of Crowns, Seven Seas, Ocean Rain
Least fav tracks: n/a
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: yeah okay sure I liked the last one from him well enough so let’s see
Post/during listening thoughts: and that was the night the skeletons came to life
6/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Straight to You, John Finn’s Wife, Jack the Ripper
Least fav tracks: n/a
George Harrison
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I just think it’s really funny that we’ve gotten more Beatles solo stuff than their group stuff. We’ve gotten all of Paul’s solo stuff + Wings and now George. No sign of John/Yoko (scared)
Post/during listening thoughts: insane Paul and John told this man no so many times he had to make a TWO HOUR album with their rejects. Some of these songs I understand why they weren’t a good fit for the Beatles but they’re good songs regardless. I really wish this were shorter like cmon George I know you could’ve cut the second version of Isn’t It a Pity and all the other ones that repeat and the backing tracks and demos. But whatever this is classic. 8/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nah
Fav tracks: My Sweet Lord, Isn’t It a Pity (version one), What is Life, If Not For You, Ballad of Sir Frankie Crisp, All Things Must Pass, Art of Dying
Least fav tracks: it’s Johnnys birthday and the four instrumental tracks at the end
Jimi Hendrix
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: wow we are really on a streak of artists that any classic rock fan would give a five with no question but I am probably going to rate a 3!
Post/during listening thoughts: yeah okay am I missing something here? Like idk I just don’t get it. This is just okay. I’m gonna look up in the mirror later to see a red laser dot pointed at my forehead for saying this. Also why is there a song by a completely different dude on here?? 5.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nope
Fav tracks: Wait Until Tomorrow
Least fav tracks: whatever the hell that opener was
Frank Black
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: well I heard this guy was in the Pixies so that doesn't bode well for me
Post/during listening thoughts: jesus guys can we stop the talk singing PLEASE!! Also why is every song like ringtone length. Literally that episode of Zach Stone that I'm 90% sure I've referenced in a review on here before and I'm 100% sure I will end up referencing again. But 22 songs is absurd actually. There were some good ones in here but I would be a lot more enticed to listen to this if it were shorter. Also this man looks too grown to be a teenager. 5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: NO!!
Fav tracks: Calistan, Headache, Superabound, Space is Gonna Do Me Good
Least fav tracks: idk there were a lot of songs man. Not gonna take time to comb back thru 22 songs sorry!
50 Cent
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: hey generator. It's me, your old pal writing. I've just got a small favor to ask you. Would you mind generating an album that's under 1 freaking hour long next time please? I am dying out here. Thanks.
Also two Eminem features is just two too many.
Post/during listening thoughts: well I enjoy my fair share of rap and hip hop but there is almost nothing about this that says "hey I'm essential listening!!!". Nothing special about the lyricism or flow, and 50 Cent is just sort of forgettable against the other rappers/groups on this list like Kendrick, Biggie, De La Soul, etc. I mean even a really lyrically questionable album like Biggie's or Snoop Dogg's I could immediately tell they were super talented and I did understand why someone would need to hear at least some part of those albums before they died. I just can't find myself caring about this at all. The production is occasionally really good though (shoutout Dr. Dre). Also so many of the rap albums on this list are way too long. 4/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: In Da Club, Blood Hound
Least fav tracks: Heat
Cyndi Lauper
5/5
Pre-listening thoughts: girls just wanna have fun is such a fun karaoke song and I’m not sorry about it
Post/during listening thoughts: and what if pop music healed me tonight. This is exactly what I needed. I love you Cyndi lauper and all your quirkiness and your influence on pop artists today!! This is an album full of character and spark and joy!!! 9.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: lowkey. if you like pop music this is a foundational piece of it. Please listen!!!
Fav tracks: I’ve recently tried to avoid saying “this is a no skip album” and just pick like 3-4 really good ones but man…
Least fav tracks: n/a
A Tribe Called Quest
5/5
Pre-listening thoughts: oh man I am SO excited for this one. I loved the last album by ATCQ so really high hopes for this
Post/during listening thoughts: there’s almost a jazz element to a lot of these beats which I find really interesting. It’s minimalistic (but not boring) and draws more attention to the actual rapping when it needs to. This group has such clever lyrics and engaging delivery. This is a brilliantly cohesive album!! Embarrassed to say I heard scenario from Pitch Perfect before here 😭 9.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: this is so unique that I kinda want to say yes
Fav tracks: Butter, Verses From the Abstract, Show Business, Check the Rhime, Jazz (We’ve Got), What?, Scenario
Least fav tracks: n/a
Hot Chip
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: any pick from past 2000 worries me from this list. And just listening to the preview of each song I can already tell you this album will be okay, not anything groundbreaking or spectacular. But they included all these 2010s male indie bands and left out Two Door Cinema Club’s Tourist History??? A little baffling idk.
Post/during listening thoughts: maybe I am in a fantastic mood today because it’s my weekend after two insanely difficult weeks at work and now I am stress free but I’m really enjoying this. The electronic elements create songs that are so sonically full. That “work that left side right side” vocal line in Flutes is insanely satisfying. My biggest beef is this guy’s singing voice isn’t that great. It’s definitely hipster and pretentious at times but I can’t lie and say it’s not good overall. 7/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Motion Sickness, How Do You Do?, Don’t Deny Your Heart, Flutes, Let Me Be Him
Least fav tracks: Look At Where We Are, Night and Day
Suede
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I’ve actually never heard a song by Suede despite really liking Britpop so we shall see why that is!
Post/during listening thoughts: this is like if Pulp’s This is Hardcore met Echo and the Bunnymen’s Ocean Rain. Certainly not as upbeat as other artists who get compared to Suede like Supergrass or Blur. I should love this, in theory. It’s just not really clicking with me today. Some parts of it just also sound poorly produced or mixed or something. Not sure if this was intentional but I don’t like when music sounds low quality. It’s also just too ballad-y. The front half is great but the back half is not as much. 6/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nope
Fav tracks: Heroine, The Wild Ones, New Generation, Still Life
Least fav tracks: The 2 of Us
Earth, Wind & Fire
5/5
Pre-listening thoughts: fantasy is genuinely one of my favorite songs oat but it’s not on this one 😞 but still I am excited!!!
Post/during listening thoughts: good lord I love this band. Horns! Slappy bass and guitar! HARMONIES! The smoothest instrumentation known to man. Funk and disco continue to impress me at every turn. 9.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: yes! But also everyone go listen to fantasy even tho it’s super popular it’s so good pls!!!
Fav tracks: Shining Star, Happy Feelin’, Reasons (god this one was no skips too! I did try my best to pick some favorites fr tho)
Least fav tracks: n/a
Roni Size
1/5
Pre-listening thoughts: 2.5 hrs… drum and bass… no…
Post/during listening thoughts: it’s all the same and there is almost nothing redeeming about this. We were on such a good streak so makes sense we got hit with a dud 2/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: NO
Fav tracks: Beatbox
Least fav tracks: yes
Simon & Garfunkel
5/5
Pre-listening thoughts: happy 4/20 but guys, you forgot an herb… hehehe…
Post/during listening thoughts: after our last album was 2.5 hrs of drum and bass, I will welcome a 27 minute folk album with open arms. Their harmonies bring me to tears. Just really stunning and gentle stuff. This album is the equivalent of finding a patch of sun by the window. Better than Bookends. 10/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: yes but i was also familiar with over half of this album before sitting down to listen to it so it kinda feels like cheating
Fav tracks: this is a no skip album but really special shoutout to Homeward Bound and 7 O’Clock News/Silent Night, two of the most beautiful pieces of music I’ve ever heard
Least fav tracks: n/a
Eagles
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: generator… stop giving us all these good albums all at once… we are going to be left with slop by album 300 please…
Post/during listening thoughts: I actually went roller skating to this album. It was the perfect length and wonderful spring/sunny day atmosphere. Some people say Eagles aren't yacht rock but I would disagree. I think they're almost textbook definition of it. I'm also not really sure why everyone HATES them cause I enjoyed this overall but some of the songs weren't like super memorable. 7.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nah
Fav tracks: Hotel California, New Kid in Town, Life in the Fast Lane, Try and Love Again
Least fav tracks: n/a
The Byrds
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: oh piss off why are there FIVE albums by these guys on here
Post/during listening thoughts: this was sometimes weird in an endearing way and sometimes weird in a “the side effects of medical marijuana, ladies and gentlemen” way. Although it was def like LSD they were taking not medical marijuana. So yeah. 5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Goin’ Back, Old John Robertson
Least fav tracks: Space Odyssey
M.I.A.
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: uh oh trumpie alert!
Post/during listening thoughts: well ya know what at least the album is terrible. Bc now I don’t have to act like I didn’t enjoy it just bc she’s a nutball, I ACTUALLY didnt enjoy it! 3/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: banana
Least fav tracks: the rest
2Pac
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I put this one off after being underwhelmed by Biggie so I’m not super excited for this
Post/during listening thoughts: yeah this is about what I expected. Idk at least it’s not full of sex interludes like Biggie. But it’s just like whatever ig. Sorry. He’s talented for sure but I am not engaged. 4/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Me Against the World, It Ain’t Easy
Least fav tracks: Dear Mama, Heavy in the Game
Bob Dylan
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: after 275 albums Bob Dylan has made his first appearance. If Bob Dylan has 7 albums on the list, and there are 1089 albums on the list, that means we should have gotten our first Bob Dylan album at around 155 albums or so if the generator was to evenly distribute them. I was kind of hoping somehow we’d avoid him altogether but
Post/during listening thoughts: PUT THE DAMN HARMONICA DOWN!!!!!!!!! STOP IT!!!!! Listen I hold the very popular opinion that Bob Dylan is a very talented writer but also a terrible singer. Everyone who has ever covered his songs (with the exception of Guns n Roses) has done them better than him. This was bearable. I do often think about the one guy on here who got like 5 Dylan albums generated in his first 100 albums or so and he like ragequit 😭 6/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Subterranean Homesick Blues, Love Minus Zero
Least fav tracks: Outlaw Blues
Everything But The Girl
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I know nothing about this group actually
Post/during listening thoughts: this sort of reminds me of Madonna’s Ray of Light in some ways. Idk man sometimes I can vibe to this but sometimes it’s really painfully 90s. 5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Mirrorball
Least fav tracks: Walking Wounded
The Soft Boys
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I also know nothing about this group actually!! So many unknowns after a week or so of like really famous artists
Post/during listening thoughts: idk why this being a commercial failure is really funny to me. The audio quality is garbage 😭😭😭! Like maybe that’s why! Reminds me a little of that Magazine album but less quirked up. I can tell the music is good underneath all of the crappy audio moments. Need a re-remastered version of this. Also this album isn’t 40 songs! Google the original tracklist before listening! 5.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Positive Vibrations, Queen of Eyes
Least fav tracks: I Got the Hots
Herbie Hancock
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: 4 instrumental tracks… 41 mins… oh god…
Post/during listening thoughts: on Tuesday I saw Remi Wolf in concert and that show was GREAT. Highly recommend seeing her perform if you ever get a chance to. But she had a jazz group called Dana and Alden open for her. Now, they were okay, but some of their songs were wack as hell. Let’s go to Trader Joe’s??? Let’s celebrate permaculture as a family??? Yeah you guys didn’t need to announce you were from Oregon at the beginning of your set, we can tell 😭. Anyways, my point with this is sometimes songs don’t need lyrics, otherwise it’ll just make them worse. So maybe I appreciate this album for just being cool instrumentals rather than yapping about linking up near the Kung Pao Chicken or keeping this family together over some squash in the front yard. 6/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nah
Fav tracks: Chameleon
Least fav tracks: I didn’t dislike any of this but this isn’t something I’d revisit frequently
Dolly Parton
5/5
Pre-listening thoughts: oh HELL yes I am so excited for this. But this does mark the end of dolly for this challenge :(
Post/during listening thoughts: this is literally the infinity war of country music. Not the hokey scene where all the women gather up, no, these are the bonafide avengers themselves. Male country doesn’t hold a candle to this. I cannot name three men in country who could devour this hard sorry. 9/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: yeah maybe. This is the blueprint for like boygenius lowkey
Fav tracks: The Pain of Loving You, Making Plans, Hobo’s Meditation, Wildflowers (I am dolly biased sorry!), Farther Along
Least fav tracks: none
The Stooges
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: what the hell man this is like the third stooges album in the span of like 80 albums what is happening
Post/during listening thoughts: yeah this one was bad. Raw Power had some redeeming moments but I just didn’t like hardly anything on here. It was loud and droning and not fun at all. 3/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: this is something I’m pissed about bc this sounds so similar to the other stooges album (self titled). Like why do we need both on here when so many deserving albums got snubbed. Just pick one bro. If that.
Fav tracks: Down on the Street
Least fav tracks: La Blues
Alice In Chains
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: oh…
Post/during listening thoughts: well that was certainly what I expected from an album called dirt. It’s like off brand Nirvana. And I really only like Nirvana occasionally so this was just bad. 3/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: them bones I GUESS
Least fav tracks: Sickman
Nas
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I was always confused why Lil Nas X named himself that. Does it have to do with this guy? Lil Nas X is more pop than rap imo which is what makes this name choice confusing for me but idk
Post/during listening thoughts: this is pretty good! I don’t have a ton to say but I wish Q Tip got a verse on the song he produced 😔. I like the samples, I think the rhymes are very creative and make for some interesting flows, but I think the first half of the album is stronger. Stuck between giving this a high 3 or low 4 but since there weren’t any songs I disliked I’m gonna go with 4. 7/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nah
Fav tracks: NY State of Mind, Life’s a Bitch, Halftime, It Ain’t Hard to Tell
Least fav tracks: I guess I didn’t really have any?
Ananda Shankar
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: well props to the list for recommending me something I’d never seek out on my own
Post/during listening thoughts: idk man this is underwhelming. It’s like in the same vein as when you’re at school and your teachers start playing orchestral covers of pop songs. It’s the reverse side of that same coin. The synth is just awful. The sitar is okay. But like this is street performer level quality, like the guy who plays Rock Band drums to accompany pop/rock music at the gas station near my house. Haven’t seen him in a while, miss him 4/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Mamata
Least fav tracks: the covers
Orange Juice
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: ???? Why is this on here???? Who are these people???
Post/during listening thoughts: did not expect the instrumentation to resemble Talking Heads/Fela Kuti?? Thought it was going to be more britpop or traditional post punk. I do appreciate that a band called Orange Juice has a song called Breakfast Time. Nice. I wanted to dislike this I’m gonna be real. Just feeling like a hater today. But something about this lowkey won me over. 7/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nah
Fav tracks: Rip It Up, Mud in Your Eye (strings go insane), I Can’t Help Myself, Hokoyo
Least fav tracks: Breakfast Time (yeah it’s funny I still didn’t like the song), Tenterhook
Kanye West
1/5
BOOOOOO 👎👎👎👎👎👎👎🗑️🗑️🗑️🗑️🍅🍅🍅🍅🍅🍅🍅
Shuggie Otis
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: idk who shuggie Otis is but I saw strawberry letter 23 on here and the Brothers Johnson version of that song goes hard so let’s see if the og is any good
Post/during listening thoughts: well it was great music to put on in the background at work. Never too demanding of your attention. Just sort of there to build the atmosphere. It’s okay, I don’t think I’d revisit this tho. 5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Sparkle City, Strawberry Letter 23 (still prefer the cover)
Least fav tracks: Aht Uh Mi Head
Tom Waits
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: oh fuck off I hate tom waits
Post/during listening thoughts: ROBOTS?! Literally forgot tom waits has a song in robots. I thought Spotify had just queued something random bc I had a bunch of these albums queued one after the other and right after Iron Maiden finished this started and all I could think of was Robots 😭😭. Well the rest of this was mostly terrible, some of the clanky industrial stuff was cool I suppose but overall it’s a mess. The spoken word is awful and the instrumental stuff is bizarre. 3/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Underground, 16 Shells from a 30.6
Least fav tracks: lowkey all of the rest of it. The two songs above are the only things keeping it from a 1
Minutemen
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: 43 songs is actually absurd. This almost doubles the Guided by Voices album which had 28 songs and the Frank Black album which had 22, and I complained about how many songs are on those. Like that is just nuts
Post/during listening thoughts: like am I supposed to gain something from 1-2 min songs? It’s as if someone changed the radio station just as I was getting into every song. And yes, I am one million percent going to reference the episode of Zach Stone where he makes songs so short they could be ringtones. This is maybe the worst offender of albums that I’ve had to pull that reference with bc the songs are legit so short. Just in the time I’ve typed this portion of the review, four songs have gone by. And I’m not even writing that much.
I do think the guitar and bass lines are really cool though on the whole. Very Bloc Party meets Talking Heads. But I don’t like the lead singers voice and I don’t like it when he just talks over a song. He doesn’t have a nice enough voice to pull that off. 4/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav snippets: Theater is the Life of You, the instrumentals
Least fav snippets: It’s Expected I’m Gone, One Reporters Opinion, any spoken word, You Need the Glory
Iron Maiden
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I don’t do metal.
Post/during listening thoughts: I still don’t do metal. Yeah yeah broaden my horizons blah blah. I don’t wanna. This stuff makes my head implode. 3/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: running free cause it’s the shortest
Least fav tracks: all of these felt so long
Elliott Smith
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: see Elliott smith is another artist like Radiohead who has influenced a ton of songwriters but whose fanbase is also insufferable. So I’m worried about what’s to come but also I know in my gut it’s probably gonna be okay
Post/during listening thoughts: okay wait this is fire! I like how it alternates between slower tracks and more uptempo tracks. It keeps me interested and doesn’t make any one half of it a slog. Sometimes his voice is a little droney for me, like when Thom Yorke is droney at least I feel some energy there, but it really just feels depressing here. Which is probably the point but whatever. Really great lyricism. I can understand his influence. 7.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: I guess just to understand Elliott smith? And like remove personal bias around him?
Fav tracks: Son of Sam, Everything Means Nothing to Me, L.A., Wouldn’t Mama Be Proud, Pretty Mary Kay
Least fav tracks: Bye
Roxy Music
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: whatever I did not care about Roxy Music’s last album. Why are they on the list three times????
Post/during listening thoughts: am I supposed to form an opinion about this? It’s so generic and unexciting. Turns out Brian Eno wasn’t a part of this one but idc Roxy music is still his project so I am continuing my beef with him. I liked the opening track and then liked everything that came after it a lot less. 4/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: The Thrill of It All
Least fav tracks: If It Takes All Night, Triptych
Metallica
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I don’t do metal.
Post/during listening thoughts: I still don’t do metal, but this was probably the best metal album we’ve had so far. 4/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Master of Puppets, Orion
Least fav tracks: Welcome Home, Leper Messiah
The Mothers Of Invention
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: hmmm... curious. People either seem to love or hate Frank Zappa so let's see where I fall.
Post/during listening thoughts: it is rare that an album leaves me with my jaw hanging open. And this one was not in a good way. Almost tempted to give this a one but the first few tracks imo save it from being terrible and unlistenable. Now there are a few songs on here that are unlistenable. Yikes! 3/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: I Ain't Got No Heart, Motherly Love
Least fav tracks: lowkey... everything else...
Jane's Addiction
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: oh dear… can we get something with chiller vibes soon? Been a lot of heavy rock lately
Post/during listening thoughts: ugh god yeah not a fan of this. Hateee the lead singer’s voice. I’ve been giving out so many twos lately. Really wish that was not the case like 😭 can’t I have a streak of fours? Fives???? I’d even take a streak of threes and just like tolerable midness versus borderline bad stuff. 3.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Been Caught Stealing
Least fav tracks: Ain’t No Right, Three Days
Ozomatli
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: i read somewhere that one of these guys was in Jurassic 5 and I liked their album we got so maybe I will like this too (praying)
Post/during listening thoughts: this swings between okay and good for me. Like some songs are really catchy but some are just really not. It feels like an album that's not sure what its identity is. Idk. 5.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Love and Hope, Who Discovered America?
Least fav tracks: Dejame En Paz
Bob Dylan
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: 😭 oh brother here we go! 270 ish albums with no Bob Dylan and then all of a sudden two within two weeks
Post/during listening thoughts: this is certainly a Bob Dylan album! That damn harmonica is just ruthless! But like I feel like we don’t need 8 Bob Dylan albums on this list! They all sound the same! 5.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: like a rolling stone, ballad of a thin man
Least fav tracks: anything that ended in the word blues
Alanis Morissette
5/5
Pre-listening thoughts: LETS GOOOO oh hell yes bro this is gonna be so good. How many albums can you say got a musical dedicated to them just because they were that good huh? Not that many
Post/during listening thoughts: yeah I already knew basically this whole album. Alanis has a powerhouse voice and this is just amplified by these “rage in your room” kind of songs. Cohesive, upbeat, and every song could be the lead single (and a lot made it to radio!) 10/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: yes
Fav tracks: no skips but You Learn is a fav of mine, also You Oughta Know
Least fav tracks: n/a
Michael Jackson
5/5
Pre-listening thoughts: oh my god yes dude literally after a streak of twos and mid albums I am so excited to get this and Jagged Little Pill back to back 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏 thank you generator
Post/during listening thoughts: bro okay so I legit know every song off this album except Baby Be Mine and The Lady in My Life. Baby Be Mine’s instrumental legit sounds like it could be in Sonic 3 (game not movie). And people still wanna say MJ didn’t contribute to the soundtrack. Also let’s not understate Toto’s impact on this album. It’s not the whole band, they were just session musicians, yeah yeah whatever. Steve Porcaro wrote Human Nature and you can feel their vibe on this album. If you like this you genuinely might enjoy their debut album (Georgy Porgy is goated) or Toto IV (The Girl is Mine kind of reminds me of Rosanna or Waiting for Your Love). I would feel guilty if I didn’t acknowledge the pedo allegations and those definitely tainted my enjoyment of this album. But I cannot deny that this is insanely good music. But PYT aged like milk. But also why wasn’t Alvin chipmunk credited for the end of PYT 🤨 9/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: maybe
Fav tracks: it’s almost hard picking a favorite from all of these really overplayed hits that somehow I still enjoy. Human Nature has always been a fav tho. Also shoutout to the glee cover which actually ate idc
Least fav tracks: none
Metallica
1/5
Pre-listening thoughts: Bro this is album 300 😭 what the hell we just got Metallica not even a week ago! And we've gotten a ton of 80s/90s metal and heavy rock recently. I thought we were breaking the streak with Alanis Morissette and Michael Jackson but it's right back to bite me in the ass.
Post/during listening thoughts: I DON'T DO METAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ENOUGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 2/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: NO
Fav tracks: i am so sick of Metallica bro. like maybe One was decent but it's the same stuff over and over and every song is over five minutes and it's infuriating
Least fav tracks: ALL OF THEM!!!
Pentangle
3/5
Ere-listening notions: I hath heard that this was meant to be merry but in a manner of the Renaissance faire? So I guess we shalt see when we dost harken.
Aft'r/present listening notions: I dost feel a yearning to feast upon a turkey leg and to whirl in a gown of four folds whilst one doth pour me a tankard of ale. This be not aught I would oft revisit, yet 'tis verily of a league its own. This be a five and half of ten.
DIDST I NEEDETH TO HEARETH THIS ERE I KICKETH THE BUCKET: nay
Favored melody: Light Flight
Least favored melody: Lyke Wake Dirge
Gary Numan
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: had no idea who this was but was reminded he did the song Cars. But also the album cover is lowkey unsettling lol
Post/during listening thoughts: this is like if the Cars and Kraftwerk had a love child. Very brashly metallic/robotic/retro-futuristic sounding at times, super 80s, but it’s a vibe. I cut my hair to this album. This was a fun listen, low 4. 7/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nah
Fav tracks: Complex, Observer, Cars, Engineer
Least fav tracks: ME
Simon & Garfunkel
5/5
Pre-listening thoughts: nooo this is the end of Simon and Garfunkel :(
Post/during listening thoughts: yeah I've basically already heard this entire album as well. Insanely goated. Bridge Over Troubled Water is a crazy opener. This is on par for me with Parsley Sage, maybe a little better, idk. Depends on the day. 10/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: yes. But in terms of the list and S&G picks, I would personally omit Bookends, and you could probably pick between this one or Parsley Sage to include and it would be fine. I love S&G though so I am glad they had 3 albums on the list oops
Fav tracks: no skips. Bridge Over Troubled Water and The Only Living Boy in New York are favs though
Least fav tracks: n/a
Stevie Wonder
5/5
AHHHH I LOVE THIS ALBUM!!!!!! I will jump on any excuse to relisten to this. Stevie Wonder is just so immensely talented, this album is 1 hr and 44 mins but blows by. It's just loads of fun and you can hear the thought put into every instrument choice, every arrangement, and every lyric. Stevie himself played a lot of instruments on this album! It's just such an important body of work and I love this album so much. 10/10 no questions asked.
I was in an American music history class in college and at the end of the semester, our prof asked us to make a list of 5 songs we think encapsulate American music's history. Then we would take everyone's list and narrow them down to 5 collective songs for the whole class. Someone's list had Sir Duke on it and eventually nobody cared about any of the other songs on anyone's list, and we all decided that Sir Duke was maybe the greatest song ever made and encapsulates American music more than any other list anyone made. I have never seen a group of music students agree on something like that. It was magical tbh.
Dead Kennedys
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: oh brother more punk... our amazing streak is over...
Post/during listening thoughts: yikes! Wow this was not very good. I try to reserve my ones for things I had to skip through because they were genuinely unlistenable/gave me a headache and this cut it pretty close but I'm feeling kind so it will be a low 2. 3/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Let's Lynch the Landlord
Least fav tracks: Chemical Warfare but also most of this tbh. That was just a standout bad one
Fishbone
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: Fishbone aka one of the newest playable characters in Mario Kart World (currently upset we cannot add pictures to these reviews although that's probably for the best)
Post/during listening thoughts: This is sort of new jack swing ish meets Jamiroquai meets punk? I'm not 100% sure where I'd place this. It is maybe the most bizarre genre fusion album we've had so far, on par with that Elephant Mountain album. It's really interesting to see ska's blueprints here. Slow Bus Movin is kind of giving Tusk by Fleetwood Mac in a weird way. God this is all over the place and sometimes downright terrible but what if... I liked it... and I thought it was fun... and I would defend its inclusion on the list intensely... 7.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: maybe...
Fav tracks: Ma and Pa, Mighty Long Way, Bonin' In the Boneyard, Ghetto Soundwave
Least fav tracks: Subliminal Fascism
Massive Attack
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: no idea who this band is or what to expect from their sound. Going in blind
Post/during listening thoughts: immediately got scared by a record scratching sound effect in the first song. It was like right in my ear and I deadass thought someone was clawing at my door or something. I'm one song in but I can tell this is going to be a three. It's kind of like that Everything But the Girl album. meh whatever elevator music 5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Unfinished Sympathy
Least fav tracks: One Love
Eurythmics
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I'm sort of shocked to see this on the list. I always kind of assumed the title track was their only big hit. Kind of like the Human League album. But I know Annie Lennox has had a great career of her own so maybe there will be some gems in here
Post/during listening thoughts: This is actually pretty good! It's not really sticking with me as much as I'd have liked it to (I listened twice) but the production on here is quite nice. Annie Lennox has a lovely voice. Most of these songs are really good. I just am having a hard time remembering what I've heard. 7.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nah
Fav tracks: Wrap It Up, The Walk, Sweet Dreams
Least fav tracks: n/a
Nico
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: well I am confused by her political views but I'm just going to try to listen to this without trying to decipher those
Post/during listening thoughts: Her voice isn't spectacular but jesus these instrumentals are. I am a sucker for strings like this. But some of these songs are just slightly too repetitive and droning for me. Some of this I messed with and some of it I did not as much. 6/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Fairest of the Seasons, These Days
Least fav tracks: Little Sister, Chelsea Girls
Wilco
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: wilco more like who-co cause who is this group ha ha ha
Post/during listening thoughts: This was good, but I listened to it twice and still never felt anything on it really grab my attention except for the rhyming of "alcohol/cotton ball". I wanted to like this, like I know this could be a grower if I sat down and listened to it like two more times with more attention given to it. But for now, it's a 6/10.
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Monday, I Got You
Least fav tracks: I didn't dislike any of this but it was mushy
Queen
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I love Queen's hits but man Queen II was kind of a let down compared to what I know from them. Really hoping this will be better
Post/during listening thoughts: you know what, this was good! Reminded me of Boston at certain points but with Queen's whimsy. Nobody stacks harmonies like Queen. Shoutout Roger Taylor's crazy high notes. Overall this was closer to what I expected from a full Queen album. 7.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nah
Fav tracks: Brighton Rock, Killer Queen, Misfire, Bring Back That Leroy Brown
Least fav tracks: Tenement Funster
TV On The Radio
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: uh oh 2004 indie this could either be really good or really bad
Post/during listening thoughts: I'm leaning on the bad side for this one. Very discordant and empty, sort of like if that Suicide album were listenable and not absolutely terrible. But this was still not my cup of tea. 4/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Dreams
Least fav tracks: all the ones with weird acapella elements. yes i was in acapella, yes i can still hate it
Lana Del Rey
1/5
Pre-listening thoughts: UGH GOD I hate Lana del Rey. One trick pony and it’s a boring ass trick. She just sort of moans her way through her music. Do not understand why people worship her like she’s an iconic pop star. She cannot sing. Hate her hate her.
Post/during listening thoughts: this did not change my opinion on Lana del Rey. In fact, it only emphasized my points. She spits a mouthful of words that don’t fit on a beat that drones. Like the National but for femcels. UGH UGH UGH 1/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: NO
Fav tracks: actually rolled my eyes thinking of having to add something of hers to my playlist and Spotify now recommending me her stuff NO
Least fav tracks: I actually cannot believe this made the list. Fuck off
Stan Getz
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I’m lowkey excited for this one and I’m not sure why I put it off for so long but!
Post/during listening thoughts: this was so smooth and easy I can’t believe it’s not butter! I think that elevators make baby elevators to this music. This is easier than pie, lemon squeezy, and Sunday morning. 6/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nah
Fav tracks: Girl From Ipanema, Corcovado
Least fav tracks: n/a
Megadeth
1/5
Pre-listening thoughts: oh…
Post/during listening thoughts: I STILL DONT DO METAL!! YOU CANT CRUSH MY (hater) SPIRIT 2/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: um
Least fav tracks: yes
Beatles
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: love that we got this after our trivia team name was The Shitty Beatles the night before
Post/during listening thoughts: yeah this sure is early Beatles! To be honest, I'm not sure why this album was included. It's great, I mean The Beatles are classic, but it feels like it was only included BECAUSE it's The Beatles. I feel like especially with Roll Over Beethoven on this album, this spot should've gone to Chuck Berry. I also said I didn't think I'd ever give a Beatles album lower than a five but this is like the worst the Beatles get. 8/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: All My Loving, Till There Was You (MUSIC MAN MENTIONED), Please Mister Postman (although this isn't even a top 3 cover of this song), You Really Got a Hold On Me
Least fav tracks: none
Fever Ray
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: a post 2000 pick… worried…
Post/during listening thoughts: what the hell is going on here bro 😭 so many mouth noises like did nobody edit this or put a filter over the mic when recording???? Thought this was going to be instrumental and I kind of wish it was but there was very little redeeming about this. It just wasn’t completely unlistenable for me which is why it narrowly escaped a 1. 3/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no! Why the hell is this on the list. Like actually I’m pissed
Fav tracks: uhhhh
Least fav tracks: yup
Neil Young
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: here we go man we avoided Bob Dylan and Neil Young for like almost 300 albums and now they’re starting to steadily trickle in as we’ve gotten two of each
Post/during listening thoughts: I know people have beef with Neil Young (as a person and musician) but there’s something about this stacked harmony minimalistic instrumental folk that feels so cozy to me. It’s why I love Tapestry so much. This is the kind of album I would sit on a porch swing during sunset and read a book to. Although sometimes this has a little edge to it which I appreciate. Sometimes his voice doesn’t quite do it for me when he doesn’t have an army of harmonies behind him but nonetheless this was really good. 7.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nah
Fav tracks: Tell Me Why, Don’t Let it Bring You Down, I Believe In You
Least fav tracks: After the Gold Rush
Ice Cube
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: uh oh… heard this one was pretty misogynistic
Post/during listening thoughts: “I’m thinking to myself why did I bang her / now I’m in the closet looking for a hanger” genuinely made me put this album down. In a bad way. This was after like eight other “she’s my bitch and she’s easy” type lines. This is why Sabrina Carpenter’s album cover is getting backlash lowkey like what was she thinking 😭 3/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: bro idk
Least fav tracks: if he was rapping in simlish then it would be okay
Ray Charles
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: used to get this guy mixed up with Stevie wonder all the time. Now I know there’s a big difference between them but oops
Post/during listening thoughts: this is decent vocal jazz/soul. He is very talented but idk it’s just not catching my interest. It’s all a little too mid or down tempo for me. I wish there were some more upbeat songs in here. That’s why I loved the Gershwin songbook so much. It’s sort of like that Billie Holiday album where every song sounds the same/is arranged the same even though the singer is really famous and talented. 5.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nah
Fav tracks: Alexander’s ragtime band
Least fav tracks: I didn’t dislike any of this necessarily but I wouldn’t revisit this
David Bowie
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I’ve heard mixed things about this Bowie album. I’m getting the vibe it’s probably not his best work but rather included bc a) it was close to his death? After his death? Something like that and b) it’s Bowie
Post/during listening thoughts: this is… yeah. Exactly what I expected tbh. I really wish people would stop glazing dead people’s work just bc they’re dead and were a legend at some point. Bowie was constantly experimenting and to me, this one just didn’t succeed. I still think he was revolutionary but I don’t have to enjoy every body of work of his. Sorry. 4.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Lazarus
Least fav tracks: Sue
Cheap Trick
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: uh oh a live album. But I freak with Surrender so maybe this will be good
Post/during listening thoughts: yeah idk why I said that. There are very few bands where a live album should be their ONLY inclusion. Not sure why we didn’t just pick a studio album for these guys (or why they’re on the list at all. Always thought they were a one hit wonder). I mean it was FINE but like definitely not worth my time at all. 4/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Surrender
Least fav tracks: half of the songs they just wailed on guitar for 5 mins I did not gaf
Aerosmith
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I used to get Aerosmith mixed up with Foreigner and Boston as a kid. To be so real I still sometimes cannot tell the difference
Post/during listening thoughts: well this was certainly an Aerosmith album! I think it’s just pretty standard classic rock. Outside of their hits I’m not sure they’re a band worth doing a discography deep dive. Also I may be persecuted for this opinion but Run DMC’s Walk This Way is better. 5.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Big Ten Inch Record, Sweet Emotion
Least fav tracks: Toys in the Attic
The Beach Boys
5/5
Pre-listening thoughts: 😔🙏 rip Brian Wilson. Thought we got insanely lucky today but the generator was rigged so
Post/during listening thoughts: every time I hear The Beach Boys I start to understand my friend who I studied abroad with a little more. She was OBSESSED with them. I know she’s hurting today. Anyways the Wilson brothers (and Al Jardine, but fuck you Mike Love) had harmonies that are smoother than silk. Their blend is insane. Brian Wilson’s brain was just so incredible to be able to picture music like this. God Only Knows is a masterpiece and Sloop John B is still a fav of mine. There is no world where this isn’t a 10/10.
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: yes
Fav tracks: no skips but Wouldn’t It Be Nice, I’m Waiting for the Day, Sloop John B, God Only Knows, and I Know There’s an Answer are toooo good.
Least fav tracks: n/a
Deep Purple
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: who the hell are deep purple
Post/during listening thoughts: my question remains unanswered. I did not recognize any of these songs. This was like if you asked Chat GPT to spit out a classic rock album. So so mid. 4/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: could not distinguish these from one another
Least fav tracks:
Emmylou Harris
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: hey my coworker is named after her!
Post/during listening thoughts: this was nice! Mellow and folky and a little bit country. Sometimes it bled together but I like her voice and I thought it was nice background music. This is a strange pick for Emmylou but I enjoyed it well enough. 6/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nah
Fav tracks: The Pearl, I Don’t Want to Talk About it Now, One Big Love
Least fav tracks: J’ai fait tout
Bob Dylan
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: oh brother here we go again. I’m about to get sick of Bob
Post/during listening thoughts: okay so this solidified my previous opinion that we don’t need more than one Bob Dylan album on the generator. They all sound. The same. Like nearly freaking identical. That stupid ass organ and that fuckass harmonica just will not go away 😭😭😭. I’m about to give this a two just cause I’m mad that this took up a spot on the list. 4/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: NO
Fav tracks: I want you
Least fav tracks: any time that stupid stupid harmonica made an appearance
The Rolling Stones
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: man I thought we were done with the Stones lowkey 😭 turns out there’s still two more after this. Also I listened to this like a week ago but have genuinely just forgotten to rate all of my backlog. But I promise I’m not 14 behind 😭😭
Post/during listening thoughts: this was like on par with Beggars Banquet for me. Maybe a little higher. Sticky fingers is still their best album on here (and I’m STILL pissed about the omission of Some Girls but their like first Beatles-y album is on here???? F yall for real). There were some songs on here that I definitely feel had the Stones vibe I like the most, idk how to explain it. Like I’m not a fan of their blues stuff or their rockabilly inspired stuff, and their country stuff is hit or miss for me. But there’s some niche in the classic rock sound they hit and it really works for me. Anyways this was good. I still think Sticky Fingers is better overall but this had some hits and highlights I’d put on par with that albums best. But it was a little long and the back half had much less I really enjoyed. 7/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Rocks Off, Tumbling Dice, Torn and Frayed, Loving Cup, Happy
Least fav tracks: anything with that stupid 12 bar blues progression I actually am so sick of it
Beach House
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I am curious for this one! A 2000s pick that I’ve heard of, crazy
Post/during listening thoughts: this was decent! I don’t think dreamy-pop is really my genre, moves a bit too slow for my taste. There are some great instrumentals here though, but yeah I just can’t see myself revisiting this often. 6/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nah
Fav tracks: Silver Soul, Lover of Mine, Take Care
Least fav tracks: I guess I didn’t dislike any of this per say but overall it was just mushy
Donald Fagen
5/5
Pre-listening thoughts: one half of Steely Dan!!! I’ve heard mixed reviews about this so I’m a little nervous but I also don’t think any member of Steely Dan is capable of making bad music.
Post/during listening thoughts: well I was right. This is smooth as butter and just fantastically made. Gawd damn I love yacht rock. It’s like a whole album of Steely Dan B sides which is better than most band’s A sides. 9/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nah
Fav tracks: no skips but IGY and New Frontier are BANGERS
Least fav tracks: n/a
The White Stripes
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: hmmm im really curious about this one to be real. Ive only heard two songs by the White Stripes (and I’ll let you guess what those are).
Post/during listening thoughts: well this was certainly Seven Nation Army and then some other songs! Listen it wasn’t bad at all. But to me, the White Stripes are a band like Greta Van Fleet that classic rock fans attach themselves to to justify that they don’t ONLY like old music. But they refuse to branch out beyond bands/genres like this. Like this band (and GVF) is fine whatever but imo there’s so much better modern music (more specifically, better modern rock) out there and I don’t think this deserved to make the list. It feels like Franz Ferdinand did what this album tried to do way better a year later. Anyways it’s a 5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Seven Nation Army
Least fav tracks: In the Cold Cold Night
Leonard Cohen
1/5
Pre-listening thoughts: oh…
Post/during listening thoughts: yeah this was exactly what I expected. If you thought Leonard Cohen was already incoherently mumbling over his songs in the 60s, oh boy, you got a storm coming. I actually vehemently dislike this album. I think Leonard Cohen is the most overrated singer (if you can call him that) ever. Maybe on par with Lou Reed. There’s a spectrum of men that don’t really sing and it runs from Bob Dylan to Tom Waits, and this album certainly falls more on the Tom Waits end. It was like going to a poetry slam but some old ass man with dementia didn’t have anything prepared so he just started mumbling into the mic. But pair that with instrumentals that are so nice it makes you even more upset when he starts “singing”. Fuck this album 1/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: NO
Fav tracks: n/a
Least fav tracks: any where he opens his mouth
Lou Reed
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: oh fuck me I was just talking (dreading) about how much velvet underground we had left (zero as a band, zero solo other than motherfucking Lou Reed)
Post/during listening thoughts: okay so actually this wasn’t bad at all. His talk singing still annoys the crap out of me sometimes. But this is the most notes I’ve ever heard him hit. I still hate Walk on the Wild Side. Not sure why that was the song to blow up from this album. There were moments I found myself enjoying this as if it weren’t Lou Reed so congrats Lou Reed, you have made a tolerable album. 5.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Andy’s Chest, Hangin Round, Satellite of Love
Least fav tracks: Perfect Day, Walk on the Wild Side, Make Up
The xx
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: man we have gotten a ton of 2000s recently what is going on
Post/during listening thoughts: ya know I was excited for this one cause it was a post 2000 pick, and I shouldn’t have been. It was so mid. Quiet ass songs that go nowhere. It’s like if someone put a shitty beat over Of Monsters and Men. Bleh. 4/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Islands, Night Time
Least fav tracks: Crystalized, Fantasy, Basic Space
Arctic Monkeys
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: okayyyy arctic monkeys! But seriously what is going on. We’ve gotten so many 2000s picks recently like it’s crazy. We’re about to exhaust them all.
Post/during listening thoughts: hey this was good! I think Arctic monkeys is also one of those bands that (albeit usually younger) classic rock fans latch onto to prove they like newer music, but I think they’re a decent group. I think this subset of 2000s indie rock is really fun and bands like this, The Killers, The Strokes, Bloc Party, etc really made something with surprisingly large appeal. I have found myself in a hole of this genre recently and I think Arctic Monkeys just dug it a little deeper. 8/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nah
Fav tracks: The View From the Afternoon, Dancing Shoes, Perhaps Vampires is a Bit Strong But…, When the Sun Goes Down
Least fav tracks: Riot Van
Doves
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: ugh god their last album was a BORE im not excited for this at all
Post/during listening thoughts: It’s like if elbow and Coldplay had a baby. And when they were raising this baby and singing lullabies to it in the crib, it would cry vehemently when a song would end so elbow and Coldplay would drag out the song for way too long. So when this baby grew up to be their own musician, they had no idea a normal song wasn’t supposed to go on that long. 6/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nope
Fav tracks: now these I actually really messed with. Words and Pounding. Great songs.
Least fav tracks: I didn’t outright dislike any of it but just like their last one it was mush
Bob Marley & The Wailers
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: okay sure another Bob Marley. Doubt it will be better than Exodus but let’s go
Post/during listening thoughts: this was okay. Idk I don’t love reggae. Exodus to me was great, and could definitely be a 5 if I invested in it. This could maybe be a 4 if I cared a little more. But it felt very repetitive which Exodus did not. And lyrically it wasn’t quite as engaging to me. Anyways 5.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: So Jah Seh
Least fav tracks: n/a
The La's
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: what a bizarre inclusion bro. Like who asked for this
Post/during listening thoughts: wtf was this besides There She Goes????? It was the most basic ass 90s album ever. Poor man’s REM. Why the hell would anyone listen to this and say “yeah this needs to make the list above the Cranberries” fuck you Robert Dimery 4/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: There She Goes
Least fav tracks: Freedom Song
Miles Davis
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: ayoooo this is maybe one of three jazz albums I am psyched about! I’ve already basically heard this in full but let’s relisten anyways
Post/during listening thoughts: yeah this is smooth but also very engaging I feel. Sometimes jazz tends to lose me but I really enjoyed this throughout. It’s sort of in that Vince Guaraldi Trio vein of jazz (I’m sure Miles Davis came first but sorry I watched Peanuts cartoons before spinning a Kind of Blue vinyl). Anyways I freaked with this 8/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: lowkey yes?
Fav tracks: So What, Blue in Green
Least fav tracks: n/a
Fleetwood Mac
5/5
OH MY GOD OKAY! This album is MY BABY and I will do anything to defend it 🫡! Rumours is undeniably their most well rounded work in terms of each members’ contributions together and just how varied yet cohesive the whole album sounds. But my god. Tusk. This to me is where each member (specifically the three vocalists and songwriters) shines so brightly but so separately. Stevie Nicks’s songwriting is genuinely insane on this album. Storms, Sisters of the Moon, and Sara are NUTS!!!!! So so so good. Christine has some of her best ballads on here with Never Make Me Cry and Brown Eyes, and Honey Hi is also very sweet. And don’t even get me started on Lindsay’s stuff. There is something about his songs in particular on here that scratches something deep in the grooves of my brain. This album is a grower for sure. I just need everyone who listened to this to go listen to their other work, come back to this one, and really let it sink in. Sure, it’s long, sure, it’s all over the place, but Jesus Christ it’s actually perfect to me. I love Fleetwood Mac and I’m also devastated that this is the only other album they get on this list yet Aerosmith gets 3, and Def Leppard and Slipknot both get the same amount as this amazing, super talented band. It’s bogus. Anyways 10/10 don’t even think I needed to specify that.
Arcade Fire
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: oh brother not this stupid band again 🍅 listen I liked the suburbs but like I think this is maybe the most overrated band oat. There is no reason for them to have three albums on this list.
Post/during listening thoughts: man some parts of this were really good and some were just… not. Every time this album slowed down it was actually unbearable. But some of the more upbeat and layered songs really grabbed my attention back. This to me is the worst parts of Funeral mixed with the best parts of The Suburbs. Listen at your own risk. 5.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: The Well and the Lighthouse, No Cars Go
Least fav tracks: Neon Bible, Ocean of Noise
The Doors
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: Christ are we not done with these guys either?????
Post/during listening thoughts: well this was definitely another album by The Doors! I know a lot of my reviews have been like this recently but genuinely because we’ve already gotten these artists before and these albums aren’t any different from their other ones, I don’t have anything new to say. This one at least had some songs I recognized. But this blues rock genre is actually one of my least favs to ever exist. 4/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Break On Through, Light My Fire
Least fav tracks: eh I don’t remember this one well enough
King Crimson
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I’m really curious about this one. I feel like it’s super popular among classic rock fans but I’ve just missed it. Also I get this band mixed up with King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard oops
Post/during listening thoughts: this was actually really good. I understand why people glaze the shit out of this. HOWEVER. Every single song went on at least a minute too long. Moonchild was like insane. I thought we had transitioned to another song but there were still SEVEN minutes left. But the good parts of the songs were really good. 7.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nah
Fav tracks: honestly all of them except MoonChild
Least fav tracks: moonchild
Beatles
5/5
Pre-listening thoughts: whenever people meet me for the first time a lot of them say “oh your name’s Elanor like Eleanor Roosevelt” but I wish more of them said like Eleanor Rigby 😔
Post/during listening thoughts: man Beatles just don’t miss. This is an incredible album all the way through. Listened twice and enjoyed it more the second time. Great balance of every member. Stunning instrumentals and some of my favorite lyricism by them. 9.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: yes
Fav tracks: Eleanor Rigby, Here There and Everywhere, And Your Bird Can Sing (literally such a good song. Underrated I feel), Got to Get You Into My Life
Least fav tracks: Love You To
The National
1/5
Pre-listening thoughts: oh FUCK me man i HATE the national
Post/during listening thoughts: most boring fucking group to cross the face of the planet. Stupid lead singer with a voice that couldn't be bothered to earn some participation points. Sounds like he's actually falling asleep at the mic. It's like someone took a glass of the magic of Bleachers or Bloc Party and spit in it, peed in it, and watered that shit down so there was only a speck of glitter left. Fuck this stupid band. 2/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: NO
Fav tracks: I could not even tell you what I listened to. Boring slop
Least fav tracks: all of it
The Rolling Stones
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: Jesus are we not done with them yet????
Post/during listening thoughts: this is like early Beatles but shitty. So so much blues. So much blues. Did I mention so much blues rock? And 12 bar blues chord progression? In every? Song?????? 4/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: uhhhh Tell Me I guess???
Least fav tracks: I didn’t love this one ngl!
Violent Femmes
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: there are NO women in this group called Violent FEMMES. I (lesbian) am so disappointed
Post/during listening thoughts: OH these are the Blister in the Sun dudes. Yeah okay. So this is a genre blend of like acoustic and punk. I can dig it. Sometimes I feel like the main dude can't REALLY sing but it's not the end of the world. This was okay, I don't think I'd come back to it. 5.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Blister in the Sun, Please Do Not Go, Ugly
Least fav tracks: Confessions
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: holy shit more Neil Young. Like actually how much more can there be
Post/during listening thoughts: yeah this isn't as good as Harvest. It's OKAY. But I know you can do better, Neil. It's just so generic. Like it's so classic rock in a way I don't love from Neil Young. I like when he leans folk. 5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Fuckin up
Least fav tracks: the 10 minute song of evil
Beastie Boys
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: wait 😭 im lowkey excited for this. Don’t judge me
Post/during listening thoughts: hmmm okay. So turns out this is a band I enjoy in small doses. This was a tough listen at times. Lots of pop culture references being YELLED over some of the most simplistic beats oat. It’s like shitty GarageBand beats before that app existed. Brass monkey is a classic tho. Sometimes it’s funny and charming but sometimes it’s annoying as shit. 5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: She’s Crafty, Girls, Fight for Your Right, Brass Monkey
Least fav tracks: Slow Ride, Paul Revere
Kings of Leon
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: YEEEOOOOOOOHHHHHH THIS SAX IS ON FYYYAAAA
Post/during listening thoughts: Kings of Leon is so overrated. Sorry. Sometimes the lead singers voice is like cool and sometimes it’s a little too Pearl Jam accenty for me if ya catch my vibe. I bet I could do a really good impression of this guy. This subgenre of rock is also lame as hell. Idk. So safe and white bread. 5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: YEEEEEOOOOHHHH THIS SAX IS ON FYYYAAAA, use somebody
Least fav tracks: 17, Notion
Neil Young
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: what the fuck 😭😭😭 like zero Neil young for 200 albums and now like 4 within two months????
Post/during listening thoughts: hey this was actually good! I like Neil Young I think. But this one also had two of his biggest hits. Why the fuck is this called harvest and doesn’t have harvest moon. Why the fuck does he have an album called harvest and one called harvest moon????? Anyways stream old man 8/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nah
Fav tracks: Heart of gold, OLD MAN, Alabama
Least fav tracks: a man needs a maid (seriously what was this)
Talvin Singh
1/5
Pre-listening thoughts: bad gut feeling about this one.
Post/during listening thoughts: I was right! This is dog shit! Every song sounds exactly the same! God i hate trip hop. 1/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: HELL NO
Fav tracks: nope
Least fav tracks: all
Black Sabbath
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I know we only got this cause Ozzy Osbourne died but man we literally JUST got Black Sabbath. Ugh
Post/during listening thoughts: hmmm. I'm not the biggest fan of this but I certainly don't hate it as much as I thought I would. As with most metal, most songs are a little too long for my tastes. I also don't love the singing style here, I just can't do so much high pitched yelling. Sometimes when it slows down it's good though. 4/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Changes
Least fav tracks: FX (????? what was this)
Soft Cell
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: what an interesting pick. Like was Soft Cell not a one hit wonder (and that one hit was a cover??? Not even their song apparently)
Post/during listening thoughts: this was quirked up in all the right and some of the wrong places. I did enjoy this on the whole, but sometimes it veered a little too weird for me. I like the lead singer's voice a lot, it's that funky British 80s diction and style that I enjoy. Sort of reminds me of that Magazine album lowkey. You know what? They promised a non stop erotic cabaret and I think they delivered. But I still think it's only a 6.5/10 for me.
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Tainted Love, Entertain Me, Chips on My Shoulder
Least fav tracks: Youth, Sex Dwarf
Aerosmith
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I'm really confused why we need ANY Aerosmith albums, let alone 3. But whatever, it could be worse I guess.
Post/during listening thoughts: hey wait... this was kind of good... I'm not happy that I enjoyed this. This was literally like the most juvenile lyrical subject matter ever. It's all just like "hehe get it cause SEX". But damn it, it's set to some really catchy tunes. Love in an Elevator is so fucking fire I cannot get it out of my head. Anyways oopsie giving this a 7.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nah
Fav tracks: Going Down/Love in an Elevator, Water Song/Janie's Got a Gun, What It Takes
Least fav tracks: n/a
Van Morrison
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: YERR MY BROWN EYED GYIRL
Post/during listening thoughts: ok so that song wasn't even freaking on here. Man he is just hootin and hollerin away! I wasn't really interested in a whole lot on here and every song felt really long. Not because it actually was long, it just felt like Van Morrison ran out of musical ideas and was just yelling half the time lol. 5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Sweet Thing
Least fav tracks: Cyprus Avenue, Ballerina
The Darkness
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I’m a little nervous to listen to this one bc Adam Lambert did I Believe in a Thing Called Love on glee and I worry they can’t actually top his cover of it
Post/during listening thoughts: I kind of enjoyed this! It was a fun listen but I’m not sure I’d ever revisit it. I think it was a nice modern take on glam rock/metal but also to me serves as why we should never bring that genre back. It’s just a little too much yelling in the falsetto range and sometimes the instrumentals feel like they’re fighting with the vocals instead of complementing them. Anyways this wasn’t bad though, but still a 6/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: I Believe in a Thing Called Love, Love is Only a Feeling, Friday Night
Least fav tracks: Get Your Hands Off of My Woman, Stuck in a Rut
Nirvana
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I haven’t really enjoyed Nirvana in the past but I’m curious as to why they’ve earned a live album on top of the other albums of theirs on the list.
Post/during listening thoughts: wait okay. This is kind of good chat. I like the banter with the audience, and I think they sound way better here than on their studio albums. It’s a way toned down sound and I really think it brings out the best in Kurt’s performance. If there was one Nirvana album on this list, lowkey, it should be this one. 7/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nah
Fav tracks: Come as You Are, Dumb, Polly
Least fav tracks: Where Did You Sleep Last Night
Johnny Cash
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I have a good feeling I already know what this is going to sound like. But the one thing I do hope for because this is later in Johnny Cash's career that this isn't like the Leonard Cohen album from 2016 cause that was atrociously bad.
Post/during listening thoughts: this is sort of like the Willie Nelson album we got. Lots of covers done very stripped down. Although this one has Fiona Apple on backing. Something about hearing an old Johnny Cash sing is making me sad though. I'm not even like a fan of him, this is the first work I've ever heard by him. But it's like looking at the handwriting of someone you love who has passed away. I can't really explain it any more than that. Anyways, this is good. Slow, but good. I'm not sure it's the type of music I would revisit often especially because most of these songs are covers and I like the original better. But I do appreciate the covers on this album for being clear reimaginations instead of imitations. 6.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nah
Fav tracks: Hurt, In My Life
Least fav tracks: Sam Hall
Van Morrison
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: the end of my Cotswolds hike/walk around town was with this album. I know that’s not a pre listening thought but I just picked it to listen to bc I thought it would be nice
Post/during listening thoughts: this was WAY better than Astral Weeks. Cohesive, fun, and just like palatable. Astral Weeks felt like he was yelling at me the whole time. This felt like we were dancing together at night in the city streets. Title track is awesome and a few others were great as well. Van Morrison you have redeemed yourself. 7.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nope
Fav tracks: Moondance, Into the Mystic, Glad Tidings
Least fav tracks: n/a
Paul Simon
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: listen I know Paul Simon is supposedly an ass irl but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy the hell out of Graceland. So excited for this one.
Post/during listening thoughts: this was very good. There’s something cheesy I can’t quite pinpoint about Paul Simon’s production that his singing voice and lyrics directly contradict, but it’s like eating apples and cheese together where you think it’s gonna be gross but it’s actually pretty yummy. Anyways I think this was a fun album with some great moments and while not quite as high of highs as Graceland, it was good all the way through. 8/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nah
Fav tracks: When Numbers Get Serious, Song About the Moon, Think Too Much (a)
Least fav tracks: Cars are Cars (what was this??)
Neil Young
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: it is ABSURD how much Neil young is on this list and we’re like maybe halfway through with his stuff my god
Post/during listening thoughts: I mean it’s a good thing I remember I LIKE Neil young when his stuff gets generated and I actually sit down and listen to it. If I was a Neil young hater I would probably have a hard time with this list. I mean I do have a hard time with this list but for other reasons. I love the album cover for this one. I really like the sound of this album. I think there’s a groove here that some of his other stuff doesn’t quite have. It actually suits his singing style quite well. I do think it is unnecessary to have THREE song titles end in the word blues. Who are you, Bob Dylan? 7.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nah
Fav tracks: Walk On, Revolution Blues
Least fav tracks: For the Turnstiles, Vampire Blues
The Byrds
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: ok I know I said I was going to go in chronological order but we all knew that wasn’t going to last very long. Listen I needed a good hiking album (or three) so I picked one I knew would be more upbeat. Sorry Rufus wainwright 😭
Post/during listening thoughts: this was pretty good! A little samey all the way through but I enjoyed it all I won’t lie. I never had to think to myself “oh god let me skip this one”, and that’s usually a good sign. I liked their rendition of we’ll meet again as well. Beautiful harmonies. Just wish there were a few more standout songs. 7/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Mr Tambourine Man, Here Without You, All I Really Want To Do
Least fav tracks: I didn’t dislike any but as stated above it was samey
Rufus Wainwright
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: I'm slacking YES I KNOW i'm SORRY god forbid a girl settles into her routine. Anyways I have found my best window for listening to an album is before class. I will for sure have to listen after class too, but I'm squeezing in a quick Rufus Wainwright treat before I go make a million loaves of sourdough today.
Post/during listening thoughts: I am just not sure Rufus Wainwright can do any wrong. I love this man. In a lesbian loves a gay man kinda way. The culmination of Agnus Dei had me suspicious at first as to whether it would end up sounding good, but I learned my lesson quickly for doubting Rufus. I just think his harmony stacking is so beautiful. It always feels so familiar and friendly to listen to him. But as soon as that feeling envelopes you, then there's a sucker punch of sad lyrics. I love his lyricism. Anyways, this is a great successor to Want One. I don't quite like it AS much on first listen, so I'm glad we got Want One first, but I still just cannot dislike anything this man makes. 8.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: lowkey yes for Want One AND Two but maybe not this one by itself if that makes sense. Also everyone please go listen to Poses. That is a PHENOMENAL album. Especially if you like his more upbeat stuff.
Fav tracks: The One You Love, The Art Teacher (my god.), Gay Messiah, Waiting for a Dream
Least fav tracks: I didn't love the beginning of Agnus Dei
Barry Adamson
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: hey this guy is the bassist for Magazine! Maybe this will sound like that!
Post/during listening thoughts: well I have never been more wrong in my entire life. Turns out this is “the soundtrack to a crime film that doesn’t exist”. Dude. Actually who would listen to this. The reason film soundtracks are so good to listen back to is because of the visual pairing and plot moments they link up with. Composers are rarely just making soundtracks without having some reference for where the moments of meaning will occur in their music. This feels so pointless to me. 3/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: Under Wraps
Least fav tracks: whatever the hell that opening was and chocolate milkshake which is lowkey giving resident evil basement
Taylor Swift
5/5
GOATED ALBUM YESSSS idc what yall anti taylor ppl gotta say this is a genuinely well crafted album with great lyrics and really beautiful instrumentals. I am always gonna be more partial to folklore but I love this album so much. I don’t like the National so that feature falls flat for me tho. But tolerate it and champagne problems and evermore and right where you left me and Ivy (my surprise song at my eras tour show!) are just phenomenal. Perfect way to ring in September. Listen to this bad boy on a crisp autumn walk in a park or like by a window while you’re drinking tea and that will complete the experience.
Sade
5/5
Pre-listening thoughts: oh HELL yes this is going to be good I already know
Post/during listening thoughts: and I was spot on. This was so so good and this list desperately needs more albums like this. The smooth, silky sound and Sade’s voice complement each other wonderfully. It’s like eating the first really good bite of yogurt before it gets gross later on. It’s that feeling but perpetual. 9/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: maybe
Fav tracks: Smooth Operator, Hang on to Your Love, When Am I Going to Make a Living, I Will Be Your Friend
Least fav tracks: n/a
4/5
Pre-listening thoughts: fuck me. well. ok. This is one of those albums where I know it's going to be good, whether I like it or not. I hate oasis. But. We will see.
Post/during listening thoughts: listen i cannot stand these stupid brothers. More often than not the singing is grating and the song topics feel whiny. But occasionally on this album they really do strike gold. Champagne Supernova may just be one of the greatest album closers of all time. Forever a Blur girl but... damn. 8/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: wonderwall (whatever don’t laugh), don’t look back in anger (more like don’t look back in banger), Cast no shadow, champagne supernova
Least fav tracks: swamp songs
Tito Puente
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: Who is this fabulous woman on the cover if Tito Puente is a MAN??????
Post/during listening thoughts: this, at the very least, is a shake up from the normal classic rock bullshit on this list. Some really great harmonies on here, and the whole thing is smooth as hell. I liked the singing and then it was just instrumentals for the latter half which I was disappointed by and made me bump the rating down to a 3. It's good, but browsing the wikipedia page didn't actually lead me anywhere. I am curious how such an album ended up on this list. Maybe that's what the book is for. Anyone wanna get me the book some day? Hopefully a new edition will be out soon though so maybe wait for that lol. 6/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: i don't think so
Fav tracks: Complicacion, Cuando Te Vea
Least fav tracks: Hong Kong Mambo
The Modern Lovers
2/5
Pre-listening thoughts: in the fear that I will avoid listening to an album like this forever, I am instead going down the backlog in chronological order starting with the most recent. I knew I would put one like this off for way too long which is ultimately what created the backlog last time. Who knows, this could surprise me.
Post/during listening thoughts: well. it didn't. It's like the Doors. Except they sing even less. and I don't really like the doors. so. 4/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no
Fav tracks: uhh roadrunner?
Least fav tracks: Pablo Picasso, Hospital
Daft Punk
3/5
Pre-listening thoughts: ok folks... and so it begins. I am finally working through the insane backlog I have built up for myself before I leave for the UK. I have some from like July that I've actually already listened to, about 15 or so but I never sat down and rated because I got lazy. But we've had some decent ones generated recently, so I'm excited to jump back in. Hopefully I can catch all the way up before Sunday.
Post/during listening thoughts: I'm really not the biggest fan of electronic music. But even so, I KNOW this isn't Daft Punk's best work. It's decent, like the production is stellar as always, but a lot of their later stuff just has better melodies and composition. I did enjoy this (and got a flashback to Just Dance with Da Funk) but I can't say electronic music will ever be for me. A lot of these songs were just slightly too long for my taste and I like lyrics/singers, which a lot of these songs lack. 6/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: maybe not me in particular but I would advise to anyone if they've never heard electronic music, give these guys a try.
Fav tracks: Da Funk, Fresh, Around the World
Least fav tracks: Rollin and Scratchin, Rock n Roll
Ryan Adams
1/5
BOOOOOOOO