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Wed Aug 16 2023
The Velvet Underground
The Velvet Underground
One of my favorite albums of all time
5
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Thu Aug 17 2023
C'est Chic
CHIC
Better than I anticipated. Still very redundant and with very little changes, but some decent grooves
3
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Fri Aug 18 2023
Bringing It All Back Home
Bob Dylan
5
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Mon Aug 21 2023
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones
Surprised this is here. A couple decent songs, but far from essential Stones. Tell Me is great, the rest so so.
2
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Tue Aug 22 2023
Dookie
Green Day
One of the first CDs I bought that wasn’t a film score or comedy album, I’d almost give it five stars for the bass line in Longview alone. Only real issue is, like a lot of pop-punk, the songs start to blend together after a bit.
4
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Wed Aug 23 2023
The Köln Concert
Keith Jarrett
Beautiful jazz piano, love the vocalizing
4
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Thu Aug 24 2023
Fisherman's Blues
The Waterboys
Started out strong enough but got old quickly. The Van Morrison cover was dire
2
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Fri Aug 25 2023
Blue Lines
Massive Attack
Very nice surprise, I’ve heard of Massive Attack for years but didn’t realize this was it. Nice hip hop, reggae influences
4
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Thu Aug 31 2023
(What's The Story) Morning Glory
Oasis
Didn’t pay much attention to the 90s British Invasion, but of course I knew a bunch of these songs. Some solid 90s rock with a bit of Beatles gravy.
4
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Fri Sep 01 2023
Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music
Ray Charles
So look. I get the conceit here, take a bunch of country songs and give them the R&B treatment. And yeah, the result is it sounds like an R&B song, lo and behold. The problem is Ray Charles said I’m going to do all ballads (except the last song which, surprise is the most fun) and so they all melt together into this slow soup. I get it as an interesting piece of music history but in practice it’s a slog to listen to.
2
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Mon Sep 04 2023
Endtroducing.....
DJ Shadow
Didn’t know what to expect, I’ve heard of this without really hearing it. Really enjoyed it, reminded me of the Byrne/Eno Bush of Ghosts with record scratches and breakbeats.
4
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Wed Sep 06 2023
Elephant Mountain
The Youngbloods
3.5 Fun little late 60s rock record, not mind-blowing but lots of fun
3
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Thu Sep 07 2023
Doggystyle
Snoop Dogg
Pleasantly surprised! Don’t usually listen to hip-hop but this is a great record, fun and funny. Would only knock it points for some good old-fashioned misogyny.
4
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Fri Sep 08 2023
A Girl Called Dusty
Dusty Springfield
Love love love love love love love love love love love love love love love love
5
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Mon Sep 11 2023
The Joshua Tree
U2
Another pleasant surprise! Songs I’d been tired of hearing I was more than ready to hear again. I do think the singles are a little better than the rest of the songs. Fun fact: the song One Tree Hill inspired the batshit crazy TV show. Another fun fact: my freshman year roommate would put this on when entertaining the ladies
4
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Tue Sep 12 2023
Boston
Boston
Not bad at all, but unlike U2 the other day, I don’t think enough time has elapsed between the seventy zillion times I’ve heard these songs. Impressive that pretty much all of these are (over) played on the radio and they are incredibly catchy.
2
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Wed Sep 13 2023
Talking Book
Stevie Wonder
Pretty sure Stevie Wonder is incapable of producing anything less than a 5 star album
5
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Thu Sep 14 2023
Peace Sells...But Who's Buying
Megadeth
I’m not opposed to metal music, and as far as metal goes, this is decent. I can’t help but feel as though these songs would have more of an impact if they were about half as long most of the time, but I guess that’s what punk is for. My son is a big Metallica fan so I wondered if he’d be offended by my listening to this. Fortunately we’re all good
3
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Fri Sep 15 2023
90
808 State
Not bad but not really for me. It feels like it’s probably perfect for listening to at a club or a rave, but just casually without any stimulants it’s just fine. I feel like New Order and bands like that do this kind of thing more interestingly
3
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Mon Sep 18 2023
The Doors
The Doors
Not the biggest fan of the Doors, but there’s definitely some good stuff here. I really enjoy The Crystal Ship and End of the Night, and the band grooves along nicely on most of these tracks. A prime example of what divides me on this is The End, which I love when it’s the band doing a VU style jam, but then Jim Morrison is all Father? Yes, Son? I want to kill you. Anyway pretty middle of the road stuff for me. I was pleased to learn that Break On Through was edited for the radio!
3
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Tue Sep 19 2023
Court And Spark
Joni Mitchell
Pretty much perfect, the last song was kind of cheesy but everything else was prime Joni.
5
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Wed Sep 20 2023
Celebrity Skin
Hole
Not bad, but just okay. Decent enough 90s alternative, but nothing that really jumped out at me
2
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Thu Sep 21 2023
Fragile
Yes
Really liked this! Prog is a genre that I definitely have to be in the right mindset to enjoy, apparently I was there today. The Brahms bit was a little cheesy but otherwise highly enjoyable
5
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Fri Sep 22 2023
The Downward Spiral
Nine Inch Nails
Kinda surprised myself with how much I liked this. It really works well as a full album, has a bit of a Swans-lite feel to it.
4
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Mon Sep 25 2023
Nilsson Schmilsson
Harry Nilsson
Nilsson is one of the best and this is one of his best! Jump Into the Fire is a particular fave
5
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Tue Sep 26 2023
Cheap Thrills
Big Brother & The Holding Company
So I really like Janis Joplin’s voice and the album artwork is terrific. I didn’t really get much else out of this. The band is good but much like the first Rolling Stones album, it’s so-so blues workouts without much more to it.
2
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Wed Sep 27 2023
Moby Grape
Moby Grape
Had to stream this one on YouTube. Another decent but not super noteworthy album. I mostly know Moby Grape as:
-one of the bands Cat Power covered (Naked if I Want to)
-I think Neil Young was almost in the band but decided to join Buffalo Springfield instead
- Skip Spence had a mental breakdown and recorded Oar, which is more interesting I think than this album, kinda like Syd Barrett’s solo stuff is more interesting to me than most Floyd.
3
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Thu Sep 28 2023
Black Holes and Revelations
Muse
Pretty so-so. Lots of moments here lots of other bands have done better (Radiohead, U2, Rush.) Not bad but I probably could have died without hearing it
3
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Fri Sep 29 2023
Remedy
Basement Jaxx
Good for what it is but not really my thing. Some catchy tunes though, amongst the repetitive beats
3
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Mon Oct 02 2023
Africa Brasil
Jorge Ben Jor
This was fantastic! Lots of great guitar tones and polyrhythms. A nice album to end the week with.
5
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Tue Oct 03 2023
Dirt
Alice In Chains
Solid slice of nineties grunge. Not necessarily my favorite thing, but I couldn’t help but think Sam would really like it, as it reminded me of Nirvana, Black Sabbath and Metallica in various places.
3
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Wed Oct 04 2023
The Infotainment Scan
The Fall
Love the Fall! Haven’t heard this one as much as Hex Enduction Hour or Wonderful and Frightening World but it is prime Fall music
5
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Thu Oct 05 2023
Deja Vu
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
Another one I could have sworn I had on vinyl. A classic to be sure, though some of the lighter moments are bit too saccharine for my taste
4
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Fri Oct 06 2023
Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1
George Michael
I loved this but I listened with (personal) prejudice, as I had completely forgotten but I’ve heard this before, it was in heavy rotation in my mom’s car growing up. Love this one! Also it takes massive balls to cover Stevie Wonder, and he nails it
5
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Mon Oct 09 2023
Pet Sounds
The Beach Boys
Perfect record. No notes
5
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Tue Oct 10 2023
25
Adele
Adele has a powerhouse voice, and there’s a few songs here that put it to good use, but far too many quiet piano ballads for my taste. Still can’t deny Remedy is pretty good.
3
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Wed Oct 11 2023
Water From An Ancient Well
Abdullah Ibrahim
Annoying that this wasn’t on Apple Music, but it was pretty good. For some reason, I wasn’t expecting traditional jazz, but it was pleasant. I wouldn’t go out of my way to recommend it, though.
3
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Thu Oct 12 2023
Tidal
Fiona Apple
Another one where I know I like her other stuff better. This is good but not essential to me. Still can’t deny the power of that voice
3
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Fri Oct 13 2023
Rising Above Bedlam
Jah Wobble's Invaders Of The Heart
Another one not available to stream except YouTube. I’m somewhat familiar with Jah Wobble from PiL and some other projects. This was decent, not something I’d normally check out.
3
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Mon Oct 16 2023
Jazz Samba
Stan Getz
Very nice jazz, I will definitely check out more.
4
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Tue Oct 17 2023
Songs In The Key Of Life
Stevie Wonder
Most Stevie albums, particularly in this era are essentially perfect. This album is a sprawling, almost 2 hour epic that is also essentially perfect. I might prefer Innervisions but there’s no denying the quality of this album, an easy 5 stars
5
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Wed Oct 18 2023
Grace
Jeff Buckley
I somehow missed this one, aside from the ubiquitous Hallelujah. Really loved when the soaring tenor mixed with the complex guitar arrangements, and though there were a few reminiscent of dudebro rock like John Mayer, I mostly really liked this
4
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Thu Oct 19 2023
Second Toughest In The Infants
Underworld
Another album not really for me, at least there was a little more to this dance/house album than a repetitive beat and a handful of lyrics.
3
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Fri Oct 20 2023
Slayed?
Slade
Decent, like Kiss but probably less problematic? After a few songs I was good though.
3
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Mon Oct 23 2023
Let's Get It On
Marvin Gaye
A beautiful bookend to the Stevie Wonder, a pretty much perfect record
5
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Tue Oct 24 2023
GREY Area
Little Simz
This was a nice surprise, something I’d never heard before. Kind of dark, abstract minimal hip-hop. Very good.
3
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Wed Oct 25 2023
Pelican West
Haircut 100
Ooh a nice slice of early 80s New Wave pop goodness. Doesn’t have much of an aftertaste but it’s a good time while it lasts
3
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Thu Oct 26 2023
Cafe Bleu
The Style Council
Weird to have this so close to the Haircut 100. This one leans even more into the jazz side of things, at least at first. There’s a wonderful appearance from the always welcome Tracey Thorn, but a misbegotten attempt at rap in the second half sours the whole thing for me. Another shrugworthy record
3
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Fri Oct 27 2023
Opus Dei
Laibach
Did not expect to enjoy this as much as I did. About halfway through I texted Ian to confirm that he knew this already or at least was enjoying it as much as I did. We’ll never know.
Definitely in the vein of Ministry and Swans and other industrial loud loud noisy screaming bands. My kids said it sounded like Angry Cookie Monster, which I will now refer to music in this genre as.
4
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Mon Oct 30 2023
Wish You Were Here
Pink Floyd
So this is another in the solid classic rock albums that’s admittedly very good but that I don’t really need to hear again. Of the six songs, four are on heavy rock radio rotation, and at least one of the others sneaks on frequently, the last being a reprise. Not bad at all, not necessarily something I feel the need to revisit though.
3
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Tue Oct 31 2023
The Band
The Band
A classic and a perfect fall album!
5
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Wed Nov 01 2023
Stankonia
OutKast
Ooh another great album! I balked at the length of this one at first, and I do think it overstays its welcome just a bit, but there are so many great songs here, including the hits I hadn’t heard in too long.
4
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Thu Nov 02 2023
Tapestry
Carole King
They are killing it with albums this week! A terrific and rightly revered singer songwriter album from one of our best songwriters. A note on the album cover though: cute cat, but at least put some socks on!
5
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Fri Nov 03 2023
Ananda Shankar
Ananda Shankar
Another solid entry for this week! The covers were slight but fun; this one really came alive with the epic Sagar (The Ocean.) Really enjoyed this.
4
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Mon Nov 06 2023
The Seldom Seen Kid
Elbow
This one is not for me. I’m not sure what I expected but it wasn’t this sorta watered down Coldplay stuff. I mean, it’s perfectly serviceable 2000s rock, but it did nothing for me.
3
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Tue Nov 07 2023
Automatic For The People
R.E.M.
Still remarkable after umpty billion spins. Even the songs that don’t fully grab me (pretty much just Ignoreland) are undeniably pretty damn good. A favorite album by a favorite band
5
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Wed Nov 08 2023
Rust Never Sleeps
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
Ooh another favorite! Love how Neil can do stripped down frail acoustic numbers and some of the loudest heaviest songs on the same album. Love Pocahontas, Powderfinger and both versions of My My Hey Hey.
5
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Thu Nov 09 2023
Here, My Dear
Marvin Gaye
A mixed bag for me. Some stuff in here I really enjoyed marred by what felt like tossed together songs that may have been cathartic, given the circumstances but don’t necessarily make for essential listening.
3
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Fri Nov 10 2023
Maxinquaye
Tricky
Very nice, smooth and sexy. I only knew a little Tricky before, but this is pretty good
3
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Mon Nov 13 2023
Tea for the Tillerman
Cat Stevens
Another perfect record, and always nice when I can listen to my own vinyl copy. A friend of mine once described the title track as the perfect song, it’s the exact length it’s supposed to be.
5
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Tue Nov 14 2023
Graceland
Paul Simon
This album has been a part of my life for so long it’s like furniture, but you know, very special furniture. I will knock it down a star because it definitely smells of cultural appropriation, but at least the Apple Music credits included the African musicians.
4
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Wed Nov 15 2023
Beach Samba
Astrud Gilberto
Very pleased with this one. Nice tunes and some interesting melodies that didn’t always resolve the way I anticipated they would. A few of the songs were so light and airy there was barely anything there but most were pretty terrific
4
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Thu Nov 16 2023
Rattlesnakes
Lloyd Cole And The Commotions
Decent, but not great. Reminded me of new wave-ish bands like Squeeze or Elvis Costello but not as interesting.
3
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Fri Nov 17 2023
Dig Me Out
Sleater-Kinney
Definitely my favorite or at least top 3 SK albums, and an absolute favorite overall. Love Little Babies, One More Hour, Words and Guitar, Buy Her Candy, etc
5
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Mon Nov 20 2023
Toys In The Attic
Aerosmith
I was ready to give this the benefit of the doubt, the title track had the R.E.M. stamp of approval. And that song is perfectly fine, as were the other singles. But songs like 12 Inch which pair gross double entendre with the laziest 12 bar blues and the reprehensible transphobia of Adams Apple destroy any minuscule goodwill those songs may have offered. This does not belong anywhere near this list
1
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Tue Nov 21 2023
Young Americans
David Bowie
This Bowie is pretty good Bowie. Not my favorite Bowie but pretty good.
3
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Wed Nov 22 2023
3 + 3
The Isley Brothers
This was new to me, and very good! I read they recorded this at the same time Stevie Wonder was making Innervisions, and some of the ultra-magic of that record must have rubbed off on this one.
4
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Thu Nov 23 2023
Sunshine Hit Me
The Bees
I was worried this was going to be another dull 2000s British arena rock band kinda thing (looking at you, Muse and Elbow) but it was quirky and charming. The Os Mutantes cover was nice as well.
3
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Fri Nov 24 2023
Music From The Penguin Cafe
Penguin Cafe Orchestra
Loved this! I know a little Penguin Cafe Orchestra, pretty much the same stuff everyone knows, but I will be digging in further for sure.
4
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Mon Nov 27 2023
Live At The Star Club, Hamburg
Jerry Lee Lewis
This is a very good live recording of Jerry Lee Lewis. He and the band sound great, and I bet it was incredible to be part of the audience. It was very short, though, could have used a little more.
3
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Tue Nov 28 2023
Cloud Nine
The Temptations
I liked this one quite a bit, though I much preferred the groovier funkier early tunes to the ones on the second half.
4
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Wed Nov 29 2023
Psychocandy
The Jesus And Mary Chain
This is fun throwback rock and roll with a blown out, feedback laden twist. My only caveat is that after about six songs or so they all start to blend together and sound alike. I think that’s kind of the point, but just a little variation would have been nice.
4
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Thu Nov 30 2023
Talk Talk Talk
The Psychedelic Furs
I forget how much I like this band. A solid rock band with just the right amount of idiosyncratic touches to make them stand out from the rest of the 80s New Wavers. And anyone who loves Molly Ringwald loves this band.
4
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Fri Dec 01 2023
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Great record, love Chapman’s voice and lyrics. A nice combination of protest singer Dylan and introspective Dylan.
5
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Mon Dec 04 2023
At San Quentin
Johnny Cash
A nice collection of live Johnny Cash songs, but as much as I enjoy hearing Johnny banter, there was way more talk than singing for my taste.
3
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Tue Dec 05 2023
Appetite For Destruction
Guns N' Roses
This feels like the platonic ideal of an LA hard rock album. Which is another way of saying it’s not really for me. I really enjoy the hits, particularly Paradise City and the objectively amazing Sweet Child of Mine, but felt pretty much nothing for the rest.
3
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Wed Dec 06 2023
Homework
Daft Punk
I’m sure there’s someone out there for whom this is meaningful, beautiful, exciting music, and not loud, boring repetitive noise. But it ain’t me. And I won’t judge you if you like it; I have my fair share of noisy repetitive music that I enjoy (I wonder if Metal Machine Music is on this list?) But I get nothing from this.
1
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Thu Dec 07 2023
Tank Battles
Dagmar Krause
I like Dagmar Krause in Slapp Happy, and I didn’t hate this, but a little Brechtian showtunes go a very long way
3
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Fri Dec 08 2023
Buena Vista Social Club
Buena Vista Social Club
See now this is dance music that I like. Was I dancing to this around my bedroom after my shower? You bet I was. And now you have that image in your head. Happy Early Christmas!
5
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Mon Dec 11 2023
Hot Rats
Frank Zappa
I run pretty hot and cold with Mr. Zappa, but this, I think, is indisputably great. None of the characteristics that turn me off (“transgressive” lyrics, excessive soloing) are here, just solid tunes, in what is essentially a jazz fusion album.
4
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Tue Dec 12 2023
The Wall
Pink Floyd
As far as concept double albums go, this one is actually pretty decent, not too many weird songs that would sound strange outside the context of the record. But it still is overlong and a bit pretentious, and Roger Waters is an alleged anti-Semite who victim blames the Ukraine so I’m knocking some stars off for that.
4
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Wed Dec 13 2023
Is This It
The Strokes
I should have some cynical take on this album, and I can say that of the new Rock revival bands The Strokes are not my favorite (that would be TV On the Radio) but this is an undeniable classic full of great throwback tunes. I will say I’m very happy the version I heard doesn’t have this cover.
4
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Thu Dec 14 2023
Tago Mago
Can
Here is an indisputably great album, though sticking the 2 long, noisy drone songs back to back near the end is a strange choice. Still a fantastic record that sounds as fresh today as it was in the 70s.
5
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Fri Dec 15 2023
Fifth Dimension
The Byrds
Perfectly adequate stuff from the perfectly adequate Byrds. I’m always surprised when I look at all the different members in The Byrds that I don’t like this band more. But put them all together and it’s just fine, not mind-blowing, no matter how psychedelic they attempt to be.
3
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Mon Dec 18 2023
Heroes
David Bowie
One of 3 Eno/Bowie collabs, this is one of my favorite Bowie albums, along with Low (another Eno album) and Ziggy Stardust. This one integrates the synthy instrumentals a little better than Low, though I think I like that one better.
4
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Tue Dec 19 2023
The Soft Bulletin
The Flaming Lips
Ooh, now this is a blast from my past! I used to listen to this all the time when it came out. Some very solid tunes and fond memories. This I feel like was a turning point album for the Lips, with more straightforward and genuine lyrics, though still very surreal in nature.
4
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Wed Dec 20 2023
Permission to Land
The Darkness
This was fine. I kind of feel like if I want to listen to this kind of thing I’ll put on Queen or Boston or Journey or AC/DC. It is pretty impressive how they can mash up those different bands but instead of feeling inspired by them, it feels like they’re “inspired” by them, which is less fun. But still a little fun, admittedly. What I’m trying to say is, essential listening, 12 stars.
3
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Thu Dec 21 2023
Ace of Spades
Motörhead
It’s hard to say what’s going to grab me, sometimes a straight ahead rock band will bore me, or their lyrics will offend me. This one really clicked for some reason. With the exception of the horrid Jailbait, I really dug all these songs. Ace of Spades is great of course and the others worked for me as well. Good stuff.
4
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Fri Dec 22 2023
Bitches Brew
Miles Davis
Do I get it? Not really. Do I love it? Absolutely. Does it go on a bit too long? Maybe. Does that matter? Eh, not really. Sometimes it’s okay for music to be big and messy and a little incoherent when it’s clear the players are so locked into one another and able to transcend the tune into something larger than themselves.
5
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Mon Dec 25 2023
The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan
Definitely a worthwhile record, though I much preferred the bittersweet love songs to the protest songs on the album, which give a better sense of the much better albums to come.
4
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Tue Dec 26 2023
A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector
Various Artists
A pretty much perfect Christmas album, produced by one of the worst people in the world
5
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Wed Dec 27 2023
Mothership Connection
Parliament
Delicious funky awesomeness!
4
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Thu Dec 28 2023
What's Going On
Marvin Gaye
Pretty great, though very repetitive. One song out of the lot doesn’t really work for me, the rest is very very good.
4
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Fri Dec 29 2023
Bryter Layter
Nick Drake
I’ve been meaning to revisit this stunning album again, a perfect piece of UK folk loveliness.
5
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Mon Jan 01 2024
Electric Warrior
T. Rex
Love me some T. Rex, though I prefer The Slider to this one. This one is pretty great as well. That song Lean Love is kinda lame though, wanky 12 bar blues. It doesn’t live up to the material around it.
4
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Tue Jan 02 2024
The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars
David Bowie
FREAK OUT IN A MOONAGE DAYDREAM OOOOOOH YEEEEEAH!!!!
5
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Wed Jan 03 2024
Life Thru A Lens
Robbie Williams
I’ve been doling out 4s and 5s all over the place lately, it was only a matter of time before the algorithm threw me a dud. So meh, I feel like there was a ton of this stuff in the late 90s. Some very good but most not interesting. This is a solid chunk o’ boredom.
2
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Thu Jan 04 2024
Imperial Bedroom
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Oddly bland, merely competent songs from a usually way more interesting songwriter. The songs are fine, just not much interesting happening.
3
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Fri Jan 05 2024
Mama Said Knock You Out
LL Cool J
This was a fun one! I didn’t know much from this but the title track, and my LL Cool J association is more as a romcom and procedural actor than an MC. He’s pretty great, I have to say. I will knock it down a star for the usual 90s rap misogyny.
4
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Mon Jan 08 2024
Pearl
Janis Joplin
I was surprised by how much I liked this. The previous Joplin album didn’t grab me at all, but I liked this one quite a bit. Not sure why but it was lots of fun and of course those powerhouse vocals.
4
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Tue Jan 09 2024
Superunknown
Soundgarden
This is actually my first time with this album. I know the hits, this came out when I started really digging into music but I wasn’t interested in Soundgarden. Not surprisingly, it’s pretty good, though I think diluted in the 2020s by all the copycats that have since littered the Hard Rock station.
3
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Wed Jan 10 2024
Figure 8
Elliott Smith
Pretty much the sound of the 2000s, I was honestly surprised Jon Brion wasn’t a producer on this. I feel like poor Elliott Smith is remembered for being a sad singer songwriter, but even though his lyrics could be bummers his hooks were surprisingly sweet and sunny. Top
Tier Stuff.
4
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Thu Jan 11 2024
Brothers
The Black Keys
Decent enough garage rock, but lots of other bands do it better.
3
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Fri Jan 12 2024
Djam Leelii
Baaba Maal
Now here is an album that I would never think to seek out myself, and I really enjoyed it. I wish the songs weren’t quite as long and repetitive, though I understand that’s (probably?) part of the Senegalese tradition. If it were half as long it would most likely get more than 3 stars. Definitely worth a listen though, unlike some of the other albums I’ve given this rating.
3
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Mon Jan 15 2024
(Pronounced 'Leh-'Nérd 'Skin-'Nérd)
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Gotta say, didn’t expect to like this as much as I did. I think it helps it doesn’t have their most well known song (Sweet Home Alabama is good, very good, but I could go the rest of my life without hearing it again) but it does have what I think is their best song (Tuesday’s Gone.) There’s a couple here that are inessential but plenty of good stuff.
3
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Tue Jan 16 2024
Remain In Light
Talking Heads
You got your Eno in my Talking Heads! You got your Talking Heads in my Eno! This the third and final collaboration between the two, and of the three, probably the more Eno-y, which might be why I like it best (all of them are great.) A phenomenal kaleidoscope of sounds swirling to a polyrhythmic heartbeat, with songs that simultaneously celebrate and eulogize the inevitability of the earth turning. Maybe it’s not perfect, but that makes it better.
5
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Wed Jan 17 2024
Liquid Swords
GZA
What a great album, one I barely knew. Very atmospheric and evocative, lots of fascinating world-building. Good stuff!
4
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Thu Jan 18 2024
american dream
LCD Soundsystem
I missed this LCD reunion album when it originally came out, which is surprising since I was a bit obsessed with their last album. And it was very good! I enjoy LCD Soundsystem and I enjoyed this. Sometimes these things aren’t intricate math problems.
4
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Fri Jan 19 2024
New Wave
The Auteurs
Maybe the mehiest album so far. There’s nothing wrong with it but literally nothing stands out. I’m guessing the guys in the band are brothers with the people who made the list.
2
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Mon Jan 22 2024
Tres Hombres
ZZ Top
Tres Hombres=Dos Estrellas. I have heard this album praised by lots of folks, but I don’t get it. Perfectly adequate blues from white guys with excessively long beards. Pass.
2
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Tue Jan 23 2024
Music in Exile
Songhoy Blues
Really liked this, very pretty and sometimes rocking tunes. Will have to look more into this group.
3
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Wed Jan 24 2024
Elastica
Elastica
Giving this a four star, not so much because I think it’s extra great 90s britpop, but because it was one of a handful of cassettes I I bought at Housework’s in Iowa City (wondering if any of the others will make the list.) I listened to this a lot in my Walkman around campus and in shitty Topaze I drove to Des Moines and back when my future wife moved back home. Anyway these songs totally rock.
4
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Thu Jan 25 2024
Atomizer
Big Black
Ooh, I like this! Big Black have been a big black blind spot for me for a while. I read about them in Our Band Could Be Your Life, but never really sought them out. I will have to dig deeper.
4
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Fri Jan 26 2024
Vulnicura
Björk
I was a massive Bjork fan in college, but haven’t kept up with her output in more recent years. Consequently I’m hearing this one for the first time. It’s a terrific blend of what drew me to her in college and a new, even more experimental sound, which is saying something for Bjork! Really loved this, I’ll definitely need to listen to more of the recent stuff.
4
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Mon Jan 29 2024
Born To Run
Bruce Springsteen
I mean look: I’m not a Bruce superfan but I can’t deny the man’s chops. And this album is Bruce at the top of his game, doing the big E Street band bombast with his evocative lyrics, there really isn’t much better.
4
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Tue Jan 30 2024
The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
Lauryn Hill
This album was everywhere back in 98, I remember having discussions about it in an African American theatre class I was in, the controversy about how it was embraced by non-black listeners and Lauryn Hill’s conflicted feelings about that. I obviously can’t relate to everything on here, but that doesn’t mean I don’t get anything from it, it’s a gorgeous record, very worthy of this list.
4
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Wed Jan 31 2024
Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes
TV On The Radio
TV On the Radio are probably my favorite of the early 2000s NYC rock bands. This album is great but is almost completely overshadowed by the follow up. I will be shocked and sad if that one isn’t on the list.
4
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Thu Feb 01 2024
Either Or
Elliott Smith
Elliott Smith is apparently one of those guys who will get at least 4 stars from me. I have very little to say about this except that I liked it a lot. I knew it pretty much already and I have had a certain number of beers so I’m going to end here.
4
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Fri Feb 02 2024
Red Headed Stranger
Willie Nelson
Dang, thousy albums! You’ve been on a roll lately. This is of course pretty much a perfect album. Not only does it got Blues Eyes Crying In The Rain, but many other terrific songs. Not bad, William Nelson, not bad.
5
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Mon Feb 05 2024
The Queen Is Dead
The Smiths
This gets a four for the great jangly Johnny Marr guitar, and a point knocked off for Morrissey being Morrissey.
4
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Tue Feb 06 2024
Franz Ferdinand
Franz Ferdinand
Big fan of this one as well. I remember my friend Adam Neubauer playing Take Me Out and saying it was going to be huge. I really liked the disco inflections, this was one of the dancier albums of the early oughts.
4
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Wed Feb 07 2024
Juju
Siouxsie And The Banshees
Dang list, keep teeing up the good stuff! I’m not as versed in my Siouxsie Sioux but this hit the spot today. Fun gothy tunes, maybe not as dark as something like Nick Cave, but in contrast a little more dancey, a bit poppier. Good times.
4
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Thu Feb 08 2024
Abbey Road
Beatles
I mean, what can I say that hasn’t already been said about this album? About as perfect a Beatles record as there ever was, the beautiful sound of collaboration after a fractious period, a last gasp before all the wind was knocked out, one sweet dream coming true. Or something like that.
5
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Fri Feb 09 2024
A Love Supreme
John Coltrane
Absolute perfection. Transcendent, much like yesterday’s album, it’s incredible musicians collaborating to make something bigger than all of them. It’s also a fascinating bridge between the more melodic playing of Coltrane’s previous albums and the freer more chaotic sounds he’d explore afterward. Can’t say enough about how much I love this. I guess Supremely?
5
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Mon Feb 12 2024
S&M
Metallica
Giving this 3 stars for 3 reasons:
1. My son Sam is obsessed with Metallica and knew exactly what I was listening to.
2. I do think the melding of metal music and orchestral music works very well.
3. That said, I didn’t listen to all 2 hours and 15 minutes of this. So I can’t fully judge it. I listened to more than half though. That was enough.
3
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Tue Feb 13 2024
It's Blitz!
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
I hadn’t heard this one before, it was decent. Of the YYYs I’ve heard I like their second one best, but this had some catchy tunes on it. I liked the synthy overtones as well. Good stuff.
3
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Wed Feb 14 2024
Peter Gabriel
Peter Gabriel
Love this, though I think Gabriel improved each album. Still can’t argue with Salisbury Hill and Here Comes The Flood.
4
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Thu Feb 15 2024
Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo
Devo
So so good! I haven’t listened to this one in a while, and it was really fun to revisit. A terrific debut!
5
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Fri Feb 16 2024
Californication
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Oh, RHCP. The fact that you occasionally throw an undeniably good song every now and then makes me dislike you more. For every Scar Tissue and Porcelain (I admittedly prefer the ballads) there’s I Like Dirt, Around the World or Right On Time. I want to like you more, if you did more Under the Bridgeses and Breaking the Girlseses I’d be in your corner. But alas. At least we have Flea’s acting credits.
2
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Mon Feb 19 2024
Power In Numbers
Jurassic 5
When I first decided to dive deeper into hip hop back in the mid aughts, Jurassic 5 were one of my favorites. And I really liked this one. And it still holds up, I think. With the glaring exception of one song that is super judgy about vain people and gets weirdly homophobic, I liked this.
4
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Tue Feb 20 2024
Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters
Very pleasantly surprised by this. I know Foo Fighters a little bit, and had written them off as semi-decent arena rock. Maybe subsequent records have that sound, but this was like great 90s alt rock, it honestly gave me Sugar vibes, Copper Blue in particular. I also gave FF crap because I think Dave Grohl is one of the greatest drummers of all time, but to be fair, he’s a terrific frontman also. So be nicer, me!
4
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Wed Feb 21 2024
Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite
Maxwell
It was very nice, but very repetitive and ultimately kind of dull. Like an aural bowl of tomato soup. Nice but not very exciting.
3
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Thu Feb 22 2024
Traffic
Traffic
Not bad, but nothing exciting. Gives me Clapton vibes, more straight ahead blues rock, not much else. I’m an 80s child way more familiar with Steve Winwood’s farty synth music than his guitar playing. I was also surprised that the 4 or 5 bonus tracks were more interesting to me than any of the album cuts.
3
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Fri Feb 23 2024
Ágætis Byrjun
Sigur Rós
This album is gorgeous, brimming with beautiful string arrangements and soaring vocals I don’t understand. This album is also gargantuan, each song at least 7 minutes (mostly) and they’re all the same slow tempo. I really do love it but I recognize these things as slight flaws. Songs can be as long or short as they need to be, and I would say most of these earn their length but not all. Four stars for sure though.
4
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Mon Feb 26 2024
Cross
Justice
As far as electronic albums go, this was better than some of the others on the list, but still pretty repetitive and boring.
2
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Tue Feb 27 2024
Rock 'N Soul
Solomon Burke
What a pleasant way to start the week! I will say that other than the transcendent Cry to Me and a handful of others, the rest of the songs were good not great. But overall very enjoyable.
4
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Wed Feb 28 2024
Led Zeppelin III
Led Zeppelin
About 10 or so years ago I gave Zeppelin another chance. Never disliked them, just didn’t really care. Maybe because it corresponded with my starting to learn guitar, but I really really dug them. And this album was a particular favorite since it wasn’t full of songs that got played constantly on KGGO. So yeah, I got this one on vinyl. And yeah it’s good.
5
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Thu Feb 29 2024
The Gilded Palace Of Sin
The Flying Burrito Brothers
Love me some Gram Parsons. A very nice slice of old fashioned country music with a bit of soul and rock mixed in for good measure. The only thing that would make it better is adding Emmylou Harris to the mix.
5
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Fri Mar 01 2024
There's A Riot Goin' On
Sly & The Family Stone
Dang the list serves up another classic! Love the experimentation of this album. Part of me wishes it was more focused and part of me loves the random jams that go into weird places. Either way, definitely great.
4
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Mon Mar 04 2024
Surfer Rosa
Pixies
I don’t know if this is the best Pixies album, it might be, or that might be Doolittle. I don’t know if the Steve Albini production works better for them than the other albums or if the others are the truer Pixies sound. All I know
Is that there were rumors he was into field hockey players….
There were rumors
5
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Tue Mar 05 2024
Tusk
Fleetwood Mac
Quite a while back, I read a collection of Greil Marcus essays. His review of Tusk made me very curious to check it out, because like most people born in the late seventies Rumours is imprinted on my brain. And it’s great, of course. But Tusk! What a furry pachyderm of a record, a sublime mixture of classic Mac with some skewed pop like The Ledge and the title track. Every time I listen I’m taken by how the whole eclectic stew works together. And if nothing else, you get some of the greatest songs Stevie Nicks ever wrote (Storms alone is essential.) Love love love it.
5
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Wed Mar 06 2024
Talking Timbuktu
Ali Farka Touré
This was pretty terrific, great guitar work! I really wish I had more to say, just enjoyed it a lot. Sometimes repetition can get boring (see most of the house music on the list), and sometimes like with this album, it builds up an interesting groove that you can just swim in.
4
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Thu Mar 07 2024
You Are The Quarry
Morrissey
Maybe 15-20 years ago I would rank this higher. Knowing now what a bag of feces Morrissey is, his songwriting doesn’t do much for me anymore. And if this were a Smiths album, with Johnny Marr’s guitar cutting through the other crap, I might rank it higher. But the music here is pretty boring. Go away, Morrissey. No one needs you.
2
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Fri Mar 08 2024
Foxbase Alpha
Saint Etienne
This was pretty good. I’ve heard of Saint Etienne but never heard them. Kind like Belle and Sebastian meets Portishead. I might check out more.
3
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Mon Mar 11 2024
Stardust
Willie Nelson
Gorgeous collection of standards, refracted through the Willie Nelson lens. A lovely way to start my Friday! If I had to criticize, the only thing I’d say is it’s all very mid-tempo, but that doesn’t bother me all that much. Songs like Blue Skies pick up the pace enough, so it evens out.
4
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Tue Mar 12 2024
Never Mind The Bollocks, Here’s The Sex Pistols
Sex Pistols
Sure it’s important, without the Sex Pistols we wouldn’t have many other, and better bands. It’s certainly not bad, and my guess is at the time of release it felt very provocative, but it was almost immediately usurped by much better, real punk bands. And nowadays it’s impossible to listen to without hearing the racist comments John Lydon made just last week, and in previous years.
3
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Wed Mar 13 2024
Nowhere
Ride
Very good, surprisingly tuneful and melodic shoegaze, not as abrasive as MBV or as ethereal as Slowdive. I’ve heard some of their subsequent music and I liked it fine, but this is very very good.
4
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Thu Mar 14 2024
Haunted Dancehall
The Sabres Of Paradise
Did I find this perfectly fine? Yup. Was it slightly better than the other electronic albums we’ve heard? Yup. Was it still too long? Yup? Did I listen to more than half?
No comment.
3
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Fri Mar 15 2024
Surrealistic Pillow
Jefferson Airplane
A lot of these classic rock records end up feeling very meh to me, and this one is no exception. Some good songs that don’t linger mixed with definite classics, but I would rather crank up the Monkees than listen again.
3
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Mon Mar 18 2024
Seventeen Seconds
The Cure
Decent but certainly not great. Too many sketches of songs, and the actual songs were underwhelming
3
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Tue Mar 19 2024
Here's Little Richard
Little Richard
What a great start to the week! Smoking hot music from the legend himself! A little redundant but it also doesn’t overstay its welcome. A genuine classic.
5
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Wed Mar 20 2024
Done By The Forces Of Nature
Jungle Brothers
Really loved this one as well. I was completely unfamiliar with Jungle Brothers but will have to check out more. Fun old school hip hop with a toe dipped in the more 90s house style. Very fun!
4
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Thu Mar 21 2024
Aha Shake Heartbreak
Kings of Leon
This one surprised me. I didn’t exactly love it, but it wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought it would be. I’d heard KOL compared to The Strokes, and I thought that was a crazy comparison based on the monster hits Use Somebody and Help, My Sex is On Fire!!! But this sounded very much like a Southern Strokes. Not sure if I needed that but it’s definitely better than Somebody Use My Flaming Sex.
3
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Fri Mar 22 2024
A Walk Across The Rooftops
The Blue Nile
Another pleasant surprise! Not even sure what to expect from this band I’d never heard of, but I got strong Kate Bush/80s John Cale vibes, mixed with the last couple of Talk Talk albums. Spare jazzy grooves and impressionistic vocals make for some solid art pop, definitely exploring more from this band.
4
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Mon Mar 25 2024
Murmur
R.E.M.
I mean, music doesn’t get more perfect than this. If R.E.M. quit after this they’d still be legends; the fact that I might like the follow-up even more is pretty astounding. Still, this and maybe Automatic are the 2 albums that feel the most fully realized as album long statements. And I prefer this to Automatic personally.
5
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Tue Mar 26 2024
Cosmo's Factory
Creedence Clearwater Revival
Maybe it’s because I’m now a dad but I’ve gained a much deeper appreciation of CCR. Part of it is as a kid, one of the first records I listened to over and over was Willie and the Poor Boys, which my sister and I were allowed to play on our Fisher Price record player. But this band smokes man! Literally probably? I don’t know, I’ve had a couple of beers.
5
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Wed Mar 27 2024
Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea
PJ Harvey
Ooh, another classic! PJ Harvey is one of those artists I take for granted; every time I listen to her, I think I should listen more often, and then I forget. This one is definitely top tier Polly Jean, but I’m hoping there are more on the list as well.
5
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Thu Mar 28 2024
Aqualung
Jethro Tull
Surprisingly the first time I’ve heard this (aside from the title track), and my gut reaction is perfectly passable prog rock. Didn’t dig it as much as Yes. Nothing wrong with it, but nothing that spurs me to explore further.
3
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Fri Mar 29 2024
They Were Wrong, So We Drowned
Liars
I remember when this came out, and it was such a left turn from Liars first record, some people hated it. I really liked it then, and given the subject matter I’d revisit it around Halloween over the years. Listening again after many years, it still holds up, but not as much as it used to. Liars have expanded on this sound and improved. Still pretty good though.
3
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Mon Apr 01 2024
Head Hunters
Herbie Hancock
Now this is the stuff! A really nice way to wrap the week up, with some killer grooves. More of this on the list please.
4
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Tue Apr 02 2024
Strangeways, Here We Come
The Smiths
I’m going to sound like a broken record with all these Moz/Smiths albums, but it’s true. I do love this album, but the man’s awfulness knocks it down a star. There’s some great stuff on here, though. Sorry Johnny! Nothing personal.
4
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Wed Apr 03 2024
Talking Heads 77
Talking Heads
Another solid album, though not one of their best. They certainly grew and improved but you can’t deny that most of these tracks are solid. 77 was a great year for music and for people to be born in.
4
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Thu Apr 04 2024
Inspiration Information
Shuggie Otis
I wanted to like this more than I did. I think Shuggie Otis is great and I love Strawberry Letter 23. There was something off about the production of this though, it felt really incomplete or something. Not as lush as it should have been in my opinion. Still, the songs were pretty great.
3
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Fri Apr 05 2024
Gentlemen
The Afghan Whigs
Afghan Whigs are a band whose name I’ve heard a lot, but never really checked them out. After this listen, I think I’m good. Honestly, there’s nothing wrong with the music, but it really doesn’t move me. They sound like pretty much all the other 90s alt-rock bands. Nothing objectionable but nothing inspiring either.
2
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Mon Apr 08 2024
Hard Again
Muddy Waters
A great way to wrap up the week. Muddy Waters has, of course, incredible chops, and I’m also very impressed by the mix. It sounds clear (not Muddy) but not smoothed out. My only caveat is a little 12 bar blues goes a long way with me, and a couple of these songs went a little long for me. But overall a great one.
4
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Tue Apr 09 2024
Hotel California
Eagles
Boy I am struggling with this one. In the words of the Dude, I do not care for the Eagles. And yet, I can’t deny Hotel California is a pretty great song. And then there’s the rest of the album, which is underwhelming at best. I’m going 2 stars but it’s really 2 and a half, for the title track. So many other artists do this so so so much better (Flying Burrito Brothers) so it’s always hard to hear how huge this band is.
2
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Wed Apr 10 2024
Tommy
The Who
This is another tricky one. I get that it’s an impressive achievement, and there’s plenty of Who goodness here, but it’s also bloated and full of uncomfortable songs about child abuse. It’s the kind of album that if I’m in the right mood hits me exactly right. But generally it annoys me.
3
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Thu Apr 11 2024
From Elvis In Memphis
Elvis Presley
If you like your Elvis ham-fried, glazed and smothered in overdramatic weepy vocals, strings and a lady choir, please partake! Me, it’s fine. Not my favorite Elvis mode but I can’t deny the formula works. As in most of these things, a little goes a long way.
3
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Fri Apr 12 2024
Vespertine
Björk
I was a major Bjorkist in college, but I dropped off before this one came out. It makes me sad because this is prime Bjork, at least as good as Post or Homogenic. A gorgeous marriage of her expressive voice and the bleepy bloopy production, with a modest sprinkling of strings. Beautiful.
4
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Mon Apr 15 2024
The Atomic Mr Basie
Count Basie & His Orchestra
Pretty good! A solid kinda classic jazz album, maybe it didn’t move me the way other jazz albums do, but it was lots of fun!
3
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Tue Apr 16 2024
Debut
Björk
Another Bjork so soon! When this popped up I thought, Oh no, this is going to suffer in comparison because of timing. But not really! I still love this one.
4
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Wed Apr 17 2024
Berlin
Lou Reed
I was excited when this one came up, I haven’t heard it in years. And then I remembered why. This is such a beautiful, grotesque monster of a record, with moments that make me smile but even more that disturb me deeply. I mean, that’s the point. And few people can nail that beautiful grotesquerie like Lou Reed. I love this album but it will be a few years before I revisit.
4
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Thu Apr 18 2024
...Baby One More Time
Britney Spears
Perfectly acceptable pop. No, you know what, it’s not great. I think Britney got better as she went along, or at least the production got more interesting. My issue with this is that so many of these songs are about being controlled or submissive to her partner. It sets an unfortunate precedent for young girls who propelled this album up the charts. Fortunately, the antidote would arrive in about a year with Destiny’s Child. One positive: there’s a completely genuinely earnest love song on here called E-Mail My Heart which could only be done this earnestly in 1999.
1
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Fri Apr 19 2024
Konnichiwa
Skepta
This was pretty good, but I have to admit I wasn’t blown away. A solid three star affair.
3
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Mon Apr 22 2024
The Fat Of The Land
The Prodigy
It’s possible this electronica music is beginning to wear me down but I didn’t hate this. Some of it I downright liked. How about that?
3
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Tue Apr 23 2024
We Are Family
Sister Sledge
I wanted to like this more than I did. I find that lots of dance music, be it disco or electronica would benefit from editing. Some of these songs are real catchy and fun and then they just keep going and going and going and going and going and going and it’s like okay. Now I don’t like it anymore. Maybe if it went even longer then it would go back to the point that I like it again.
But probably not.
3
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Wed Apr 24 2024
Modern Kosmology
Jane Weaver
This one blindsided me, I came into it with no knowledge of what to expect, certainly not this kosmische inspired sound. It’s kind of like Beth Orton fronting Broadcast, really really good stuff. I will have to check out more.
4
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Thu Apr 25 2024
Sometimes I Wish We Were An Eagle
Bill Callahan
Ah, love me some Bill Callahan. This might not hit me the way Apocalypse or some of the Smog albums have, but I can’t deny its greatness. Solid stuff.
4
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Fri Apr 26 2024
The Predator
Ice Cube
I appreciate some of this, as a reaction to racism in the US it is powerful and vital. I just wish it wasn’t riddled with the sexism and homophobia so much hip hop of the 90s was.
3
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Mon Apr 29 2024
KIWANUKA
Michael Kiwanuka
Another totally new one for me, and a very pleasant surprise! Solid soul music, I will have to dig into more from this guy.
4
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Tue Apr 30 2024
Blonde On Blonde
Bob Dylan
I mean, yeah. A massive classic, undeniably. There isn’t much to be said about it that isn’t said more eloquently by the man himself. There are times I wish the arrangements were more interesting and not just straight up twelve bar blues, but that’s a minor nitpick.
5
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Wed May 01 2024
One Nation Under A Groove
Funkadelic
This is a fun one, a Funkadelic album I’m less familiar with. Definitely not as good as Maggot Brain or Free Your Mind, but a fun way to start the day.
4
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Thu May 02 2024
The Village Green Preservation Society
The Kinks
I mean, come on. Not much beats The Kinks at their peak, and this may be it. I might listen to Something Else or Lola Vs Poweman more, but as a cohesive statement, this album (and the follow-up Arthur) are Kinks at their absolute best. Definitely essential listening. Good job, list.
5
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Fri May 03 2024
Meat Puppets II
Meat Puppets
Another great album! Meat Puppets are a band I forget about, and when I’m reminded I always think, man I should listen to these guys more. Hopefully I’ll remember this time. Great ramshackle indie rock music.
4
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Mon May 06 2024
Arrival
ABBA
Maybe a controversial opinion, but I do enjoy ABBA. Solid 70s pop, with of course a disco vibe. I do think a little goes a long way, and sometimes I wish they’d switch up the sound a bit. It’s fun to think of what ABBA could sound like if produced by Brian Eno or Daniel Lanois.
3
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Tue May 07 2024
White Blood Cells
The White Stripes
A nice blast from the past! I haven’t listened to this one since the early 2000s. Good stuff, but I’m probably good for a while.
3
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Wed May 08 2024
Siembra
Willie Colón & Rubén Blades
Very good, though probably not something I would listen to again? A fun time, though I believe the lyrics are political, I don’t speak the language.
3
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Thu May 09 2024
Microshift
Hookworms
This was new to me, and it was pretty good! Got a little nervous when the album was described as electronica, but it’s more electronic elements mixed with garage rock revival. Much more my style. That said, there are some songs where it feels the embellishments are there because there’s not really a song. Still, a good time.
3
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Fri May 10 2024
Liege And Lief
Fairport Convention
Ooh, I do love Fairport Convention. I kind of like them better when there’s more rock to their folk rock, but this was pretty great. I was especially in the mood after reading a new book about Nick Drake.
4
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Mon May 13 2024
The Velvet Underground & Nico
The Velvet Underground
A classic for sure. I remember when I first heard it I didn’t like Nico’s voice, and I’ve since come around on it. Not my favorite VU, that’s already been covered, but any VU record is gonna get high marks from me.
5
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Tue May 14 2024
Dire Straits
Dire Straits
Pretty meh. I like some Dire Straits fine, like Brothers In Arms, but they’ve never done much for me. This is fine, but I can only take so much of the verse chorus guitar noodling formula.
3
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Wed May 15 2024
Station To Station
David Bowie
There’s Bowie I love and there’s Bowie I like and there’s Bowie I can take or leave. This is somewhere between the latter two. Interesting feints toward what he’d do in the 80s mixed with some watered down versions of the glam stuff. None of my favorite Bowie though, the Eno stuff. Oh well. Still a fun listen.
3
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Thu May 16 2024
Illmatic
Nas
Here’s another one from my deep-ish dive into hip hop from like, almost 20 years ago now. I hadn’t thought of this one since then but I remember really liking it. It definitely holds up! Weirdly I think what made an impact on me was more the sampling than the content of the rapping, and I’m glad to say this holds up on both counts.
4
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Fri May 17 2024
Every Picture Tells A Story
Rod Stewart
As I’ve matured I’ve gotten over my knee jerk dislike of Rod Stewart. This album helped with that immensely. Much like his work with Faces, this is like bluesy pub rock with some solid musicianship. I bought this one recently at a record show for $2. The record is super beat up but well worth it.
4
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Mon May 20 2024
Illinois
Sufjan Stevens
Haven’t revisited this one in years, but I was obsessed back when it came out. Still definitely holds up, love the sweet nostalgic lyrics married to the Philip Glass scores a Charlie Brown special arrangements. Need to break out the Sufjan more often.
5
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Tue May 21 2024
Get Behind Me Satan
The White Stripes
Huh, another White Stripes. I do like them, but this one was just fine. Not upset I had to listen to it, but not a favorite.
3
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Wed May 22 2024
Come Away With Me
Norah Jones
I winced when this was revealed, but to be honest, there’s nothing particularly wrong with it. I like my jazz less smooth but it’s inoffensive. Won’t be revisiting anytime soon or like ever but I wasn’t tearing at my ears or anything.
3
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Thu May 23 2024
Coles Corner
Richard Hawley
Decent, much like yesterday’s album, fairly bland and most likely not something I will return to
3
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Fri May 24 2024
Let It Bleed
The Rolling Stones
This is more like it! I forget this album sometimes when revisiting my favorite Stones records, but it’s pretty high up there. It’s maybe to me a tad better than Beggars Banquet and not as good as Sticky Fingers or Exile. I found myself enjoying more of the songs than I thought I did, though. The classics are classic obviously but You Got the Silver and Country Honk are really good as well. Top shelf!
5
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Mon May 27 2024
21
Adele
When this first popped up I was convinced we’d done it already. Turns out that was 25, an album I was mostly underwhelmed by. This one is significantly better, and I mean significantly. Adele has a powerhouse voice, which was used to middling effect on 25, mostly on ballads. The songs on here are harder, like pure pop goodness. Definite recommend.
4
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Tue May 28 2024
In Utero
Nirvana
You know, this is in fact a great album, I think. Timely of course with the death of Steve Albini, but probably (barring the Unplugged album) my favorite Nirvana. They didn’t mean as much to me as other folks my age, but I can’t deny their impact and influence, which is in no small part based on the quality of their music. A terrific record, which not only makes me wonder what could have been if Kurt had lived, but also what we could have if Dave Grohl was still a drummer.
4
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Wed May 29 2024
Shaka Zulu
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Fantastic, beautiful stuff. Don’t have a lot to say about it, just really, really good. I can see why Paul Simon wanted to work with them.
5
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Thu May 30 2024
The Genius Of Ray Charles
Ray Charles
I really want to like Ray Charles, and I really thought I did! But the albums on this list have been so boring. There’s nothing wrong with this, but that’s kind of the problem. It’s plain and inoffensive. I want there to be some grit, some excitement. These songs just kind of are. Uninteresting, underwhelming.
2
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Fri May 31 2024
Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
Wilco
Sometimes I worry that all the lore surrounding this album overshadows the fact that it’s fucking fantastic. I’m not the world’s biggest Wilco fan but I do enjoy their music, and this is rightly regarded as peak Wilco. It sucks that there was so much tension and drama in the making of this, but the end result is so good. Also fun, as I’ve begun to explore his work more, I can definitely sense the fingerprints of Jim O’Rourke all over this.
5
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Mon Jun 03 2024
1999
Prince
I’ve loved all of this, and I’ve loved some of this and found the rest bizarre and indulgent. This listen I loved it all. Much like Stevie Wonder, Prince can let a song coast on a groove for a while and sometimes I’ll be impatient for it to end, and other times I’ll lock in and enjoy the ride. Well over half of this album is unimpeachable classics and the rest are fascinating if not perfect.
5
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Tue Jun 04 2024
Back To Black
Amy Winehouse
If you ignore the tabloid background nipping at the heels of this album, not to mention the tragic end of the artist herself, we’re left with a pretty good throwback to the sixties, a solid soul record with an incredible band. I try but I have trouble not comparing this unfavorably to the Dap-Kings other work with Sharon Jones. Which, I understand, almost nothing is going to hold up to scrutiny when compared to Sharon Jones. This is a very good record though.
3
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Wed Jun 05 2024
Innervisions
Stevie Wonder
Top tier, of all the Stevie’s this one is my favorite. Just perfect.
5
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Thu Jun 06 2024
Lost In The Dream
The War On Drugs
I haven’t checked this one out in a while. Really nice songs that sprawl out like the scenery on a road trip, long jams that aren’t too jammy, just ride a particular groove for a while, like kosmische country. My only criticism is it goes longer than my attention span and is pretty samey.
3
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Fri Jun 07 2024
Sweetheart Of The Rodeo
The Byrds
I can see why you wouldn’t like this if you aren’t a Gram Parsons fan. The version of the album I listened to had a radio ad in which one listener refused to believe it was The Byrds. As a Parsons fan I really dig this, though I would say by the end I didn’t need to hear the pedal steel for a while.
4
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Mon Jun 10 2024
Bat Out Of Hell
Meat Loaf
Very enjoyable, very bombastic rock. Maybe not my favorite, and not one I’ve spent a lot of time with, but definitely in the anthemic 70s Springsteen vein. Good times!
3
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Tue Jun 11 2024
Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
This is the Elvis I like, more than the melodramatic Elvis (though there’s nothing wrong with that Elvis.) I love the reverb, the smoking guitar solos, but of course some of the lyrics are a little retrograde. Overall a solid album.
4
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Wed Jun 12 2024
Something/Anything?
Todd Rundgren
25 songs at 90 minutes is a lot, maybe too much? Unless you’re Stevie Wonder, odds are you can trim some fat from your double album. And there are definitely a few songs that didn’t need to be here.
Generally I can see why Todd Rundgren is a go-to producer, there’s a lush fullness to these songs. But too often they’ll veer into lite-rock territory and lose me. In the end, I found myself wishing I could hear Rundgren producing a Nilsson album.
3
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Thu Jun 13 2024
The United States Of America
The United States Of America
A fascinating time capsule which at times reminds me of Jefferson Airplane and at others early Mothers. An enjoyable psychedelic voyage, though at over an hour it overstayed its welcome a bit.
3
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Fri Jun 14 2024
Live!
Fela Kuti
Love me some Fela Kuti! Haven’t heard this one before, what a great, smoking hot set! Sizzling grooves! Killer tunes! Exclamation points!
4
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Mon Jun 17 2024
Machine Head
Deep Purple
Decent enough classic rock that rocks. Nothing special, in my opinion. Fine enough background music, but doesn’t really hold up to further scrutiny.
3
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Tue Jun 18 2024
Disintegration
The Cure
Once again, I was convinced we already covered this. And once again I was pleasantly surprised by this one. Another surprise is that I didn’t know this album, aside from the hits. I didn’t like it as much as like Head on the Door but some solid Cure sounds herein.
4
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Wed Jun 19 2024
There's No Place Like America Today
Curtis Mayfield
Very nice! I knew nothing about this album, and was pleasantly surprised sort of. I mean it was what I expected, but that’s a good thing. Love Curtis Mayfield’s voice, it reminds me of Prince. Would listen again for sure.
4
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Thu Jun 20 2024
Blackstar
David Bowie
Not sure why this is my first listen, but I was certainly aware of it. It is a gorgeous album, very good in places, though even with the baggage of it being Bowie’s farewell, I was mostly lukewarm on it. There’s Bowie I love and Bowie I like just fine, and this is the latter.
3
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Fri Jun 21 2024
A Little Deeper
Ms. Dynamite
Here’s an artist I’d never heard of. Decent enough, but underwhelming. Solid r and b but nothing that blew me away.
3
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Mon Jun 24 2024
Axis: Bold As Love
Jimi Hendrix
I mean, you gotta love Hendrix right? Sometimes these 60s blues knockoff bands don’t do much for me, but when folks like Hendrix and Zeppelin provide their psychedelic spin on things it’s pretty great in my opinion. And honestly the man can not only shred, he truly expresses himself through his guitar, but he’s also a pretty terrific lyricist as well. Definitely worthy of the list.
4
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Tue Jun 25 2024
Green
R.E.M.
Maybe not the best R.E.M. album but in my personal top five. Somewhere below Reckoning and above New Adventures in Hi-Fi, I think. Love pretty much all of it.
5
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Wed Jun 26 2024
Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not
Arctic Monkeys
I remember being really into this when it first came out. For nostalgic reasons I still enjoy it, and the songs are definitely catchy and well-written. Probably won’t revisit any time soon but a fun one.
3
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Thu Jun 27 2024
Ramones
Ramones
I mean, what is there to say? It’s the motherfucking Ramones, they’re great! They do their thing and they do it awesome. End of story.
5
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Fri Jun 28 2024
Fever To Tell
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Here’s another blast from the early 2000s. Weirdly this one held up better for me. I think the next couple of YYY albums are a little better than this one; this feels more like they tried to capture the feeling of their live shows and the subsequent albums used the studio better. But it still had my little tootsies a-tappin’!
4
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Mon Jul 01 2024
Shake Your Money Maker
The Black Crowes
This was just so incredibly not for me. I will be honest, I only listened to about half, and I couldn’t handle the overly polished “rock.” Worse really than the Eagles. Listen, I’m writing this on June 28, 2024, today saw the release of over a half dozen new albums I was so excited to check out and they were all pretty great. So maybe skip this one and listen to Dirty Three, Mabe Fratti, Folk Implosion, GBV, or any of the others that came out today.
2
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Tue Jul 02 2024
Pretenders
Pretenders
Pretenders are one of those bands I take for granted, and then I’ll listen to a song or an album and be reminded how much I love them. This one in particular is a favorite, love the bass line in Mystery Achievement, the Kinks cover, the Howard the Duck shoutout in Precious. Absolute classic.
4
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Wed Jul 03 2024
Qui sème le vent récolte le tempo
MC Solaar
Pretty good, though the last time I took French class was like 1996, so I barely understood the lyrics. Can’t decide if that helped or hindered my enjoyment of this, but I think it was destined to be a three star affair either way.
3
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Thu Jul 04 2024
Straight Outta Compton
N.W.A.
Now this one I did understand the words, and it’s an indisputable classic. I have to knock off a star, like I always seem to need to with these albums that are full of misogynistic lyrics. Otherwise a pretty perfect album.
4
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Fri Jul 05 2024
Teen Dream
Beach House
Really enjoyed this as well! I’m more familiar with Depression Cherry but this is as good as that one. Beach House is another band I take for granted, will probably be on a bit of a kick now.
4
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Mon Jul 08 2024
Superfly
Curtis Mayfield
Terrific soul record, peak Curtis Mayfield. Generally I balk when these albums are like an hour long and cheer when they come in at half that, but I definitely could have used more of this.
4
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Tue Jul 09 2024
Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire)
The Kinks
I’m sure the Kinks aren’t infallible, but they’ve got a run of several unimpeachable classic albums, and this is one of them. Do I like Village Green or Something Else or Lola or Muswell Hillbillies better? Honestly I think they’re all equally great.
5
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Wed Jul 10 2024
The Bones Of What You Believe
CHVRCHES
I really dug this when it came out, it’s a great throwback to 80s synth music. I even covered a CHVRCHES song once! Big fan, good stuff.
4
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Thu Jul 11 2024
Low
David Bowie
One of my favorite Bowie records, if not
my favorite. Though that might be due to the Eno contributions. Still, a pretty terrific album in my opinion
5
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Fri Jul 12 2024
Master Of Puppets
Metallica
Well this is definitely better than that 2 hour live Metallica album. I’m not really much of a metal guy, but I am a tad biased because this is one of my son’s favorite albums of all time. And I can’t lie: for what it is, it’s pretty good. Just not necessarily for me.
3
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Mon Jul 15 2024
The Marshall Mathers LP
Eminem
I really, really, really don’t get the whole Eminem thing. It’s like he takes all the criticisms of misogyny and glorification of violence and strains out everything else to focus just on that. Let’s talk about how awful women are and threaten them with violence! Oh and for good measure let’s do the same thing with gay men. Needless to say I didn’t listen to the whole thing but I gave it more than it deserved.
1
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Tue Jul 16 2024
Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs
Derek & The Dominos
Getting this out of the way early: Eric Clapton is a garbage person. That definitely impacts my rating of this album. That said, about a third of this is pretty good. Can’t deny the power of Layla, Bellbottom Blues sounds like an outtake from Let It Be, and Little Wing is gorgeous. But there are way too many cliche 12 bar blues songs that all sound the same. Ultimately pretty shrug worthy overall.
3
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Wed Jul 17 2024
Natty Dread
Bob Marley & The Wailers
Up until recently I was fairly indifferent to reggae. It was fine, but I didn’t get the people who obsessed over it. But after an algorithm recommended a reggae album to me (Return of the Super Ape) I’ve been exploring a little more. This is very good, which seems obvious but yeah. I do find I like the more dubby reggae with the echo and drenched in reverb, but that said there’s a reason Bob Marley is considered great. Bottom line, album good.
4
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Thu Jul 18 2024
Pills 'n' Thrills And Bellyaches
Happy Mondays
This was not quite entirely my thing, which is a little surprising. I feel like Happy Mondays inspired some bands that I like more, and the Fall also embraced this kind of sound around the same time, and I like those albums. But this one was just fine to me. Sorry Happy Mondays, more like Adequate Tuesdays amirite?
3
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Fri Jul 19 2024
A Seat at the Table
Solange
I remember when this came out to pretty much universal acclaim, but that apparently wasn’t enough for me to check it out. Not sure why, I enjoyed Beyoncé and Janelle Monae. But yeah this is fantastic. I won’t be ignoring it anymore.
4
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Mon Jul 22 2024
1984
Van Halen
Generally I feel VH aren’t for me. That said, this was better than I anticipated. I know the hits obviously and they’re fine, if you overlook how overplayed they are. And it’s blessedly short.
3
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Tue Jul 23 2024
...And Justice For All
Metallica
According to my son, this and Master of Puppets are battling for the top spot in his Metallica rankings. I might put this one a bit higher myself. I’ve been pleased with early Metallica, though not much of a metal fan I do like the guitar interplay on these, and the production isn’t as glossy as the later songs I’ve heard. Probably not going to revisit anytime soon but I wouldn’t be hesitant to play it again.
3
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Wed Jul 24 2024
Songs From A Room
Leonard Cohen
Beautiful songs, sung very understated and with just the right amount of embellishment. Honestly the only thing I’d say is that they all kind of run together, there’s a similarity to all the songs. But it still works for me, so you know.
4
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Thu Jul 25 2024
Kollaps
Einstürzende Neubauten
I’m not opposed to noise based music but there’s gotta be something more to it. This felt like the band heard Black Angels Death Song and scrubbed it of any melody and just recorded it over and over again. At least the songs were short.
2
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Fri Jul 26 2024
Locust Abortion Technician
Butthole Surfers
Feels like the list heard my criticism of the last album and was like, how about this then? And yeah, this is better for sure, though still not exactly my thing. I liked the more fleshed out songs, and the weird noise stuff that sounded like they were just screwing around in the studio I could live without.
3