Aug 16 2023
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The Velvet Underground
The Velvet Underground
One of my favorite albums of all time
5
Aug 17 2023
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C'est Chic
CHIC
Better than I anticipated. Still very redundant and with very little changes, but some decent grooves
3
Aug 18 2023
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Bringing It All Back Home
Bob Dylan
5
Aug 21 2023
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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
Aug 22 2023
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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
Aug 23 2023
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The Köln Concert
Keith Jarrett
Beautiful jazz piano, love the vocalizing
4
Aug 24 2023
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Fisherman's Blues
The Waterboys
Started out strong enough but got old quickly. The Van Morrison cover was dire
2
Aug 25 2023
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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
Aug 31 2023
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(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
Sep 01 2023
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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
Sep 04 2023
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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
Sep 06 2023
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Elephant Mountain
The Youngbloods
3.5 Fun little late 60s rock record, not mind-blowing but lots of fun
3
Sep 07 2023
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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
Sep 08 2023
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A Girl Called Dusty
Dusty Springfield
Love love love love love love love love love love love love love love love love
5
Sep 11 2023
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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
Sep 12 2023
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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
Sep 13 2023
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Talking Book
Stevie Wonder
Pretty sure Stevie Wonder is incapable of producing anything less than a 5 star album
5
Sep 14 2023
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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
Sep 15 2023
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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
Sep 18 2023
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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
Sep 19 2023
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Court And Spark
Joni Mitchell
Pretty much perfect, the last song was kind of cheesy but everything else was prime Joni.
5
Sep 20 2023
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Celebrity Skin
Hole
Not bad, but just okay. Decent enough 90s alternative, but nothing that really jumped out at me
2
Sep 21 2023
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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
Sep 22 2023
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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
Sep 25 2023
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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
Sep 26 2023
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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
Sep 27 2023
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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
Sep 28 2023
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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
Sep 29 2023
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Remedy
Basement Jaxx
Good for what it is but not really my thing. Some catchy tunes though, amongst the repetitive beats
3
Oct 02 2023
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Africa Brasil
Jorge Ben Jor
This was fantastic! Lots of great guitar tones and polyrhythms. A nice album to end the week with.
5
Oct 03 2023
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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
Oct 04 2023
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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
Oct 05 2023
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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
Oct 06 2023
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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
Oct 09 2023
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Pet Sounds
The Beach Boys
Perfect record. No notes
5
Oct 10 2023
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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
Oct 11 2023
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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
Oct 12 2023
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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
Oct 13 2023
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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
Oct 16 2023
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Jazz Samba
Stan Getz
Very nice jazz, I will definitely check out more.
4
Oct 17 2023
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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
Oct 18 2023
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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
Oct 19 2023
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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
Oct 20 2023
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Slayed?
Slade
Decent, like Kiss but probably less problematic? After a few songs I was good though.
3
Oct 23 2023
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Let's Get It On
Marvin Gaye
A beautiful bookend to the Stevie Wonder, a pretty much perfect record
5
Oct 24 2023
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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
Oct 25 2023
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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
Oct 26 2023
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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
Oct 27 2023
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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
Oct 30 2023
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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
Oct 31 2023
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The Band
The Band
A classic and a perfect fall album!
5
Nov 01 2023
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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
Nov 02 2023
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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
Nov 03 2023
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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
Nov 06 2023
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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
Nov 07 2023
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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
Nov 08 2023
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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
Nov 09 2023
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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
Nov 10 2023
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Maxinquaye
Tricky
Very nice, smooth and sexy. I only knew a little Tricky before, but this is pretty good
3
Nov 13 2023
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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
Nov 14 2023
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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
Nov 15 2023
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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
Nov 16 2023
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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
Nov 17 2023
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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
Nov 20 2023
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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
Nov 21 2023
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Young Americans
David Bowie
This Bowie is pretty good Bowie. Not my favorite Bowie but pretty good.
3
Nov 22 2023
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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
Nov 23 2023
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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
Nov 24 2023
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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
Nov 27 2023
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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
Nov 28 2023
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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
Nov 29 2023
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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
Nov 30 2023
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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
Dec 01 2023
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Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Great record, love Chapman’s voice and lyrics. A nice combination of protest singer Dylan and introspective Dylan.
5
Dec 04 2023
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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
Dec 05 2023
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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
Dec 06 2023
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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
Dec 07 2023
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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
Dec 08 2023
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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
Dec 11 2023
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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
Dec 12 2023
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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
Dec 13 2023
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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
Dec 14 2023
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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
Dec 15 2023
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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
Dec 18 2023
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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
Dec 19 2023
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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
Dec 20 2023
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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
Dec 21 2023
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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
Dec 22 2023
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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
Dec 25 2023
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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
Dec 26 2023
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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
Dec 27 2023
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Mothership Connection
Parliament
Delicious funky awesomeness!
4
Dec 28 2023
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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
Dec 29 2023
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Bryter Layter
Nick Drake
I’ve been meaning to revisit this stunning album again, a perfect piece of UK folk loveliness.
5
Jan 01 2024
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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
Jan 02 2024
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The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars
David Bowie
FREAK OUT IN A MOONAGE DAYDREAM OOOOOOH YEEEEEAH!!!!
5
Jan 03 2024
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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
Jan 04 2024
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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
Jan 05 2024
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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
Jan 08 2024
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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
Jan 09 2024
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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
Jan 10 2024
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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
Jan 11 2024
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Brothers
The Black Keys
Decent enough garage rock, but lots of other bands do it better.
3
Jan 12 2024
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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
Jan 15 2024
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(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
Jan 16 2024
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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
Jan 17 2024
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Liquid Swords
GZA
What a great album, one I barely knew. Very atmospheric and evocative, lots of fascinating world-building. Good stuff!
4
Jan 18 2024
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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
Jan 19 2024
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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
Jan 22 2024
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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
Jan 23 2024
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Music in Exile
Songhoy Blues
Really liked this, very pretty and sometimes rocking tunes. Will have to look more into this group.
3
Jan 24 2024
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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
Jan 25 2024
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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
Jan 26 2024
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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
Jan 29 2024
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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
Jan 30 2024
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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
Jan 31 2024
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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
Feb 01 2024
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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
Feb 02 2024
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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
Feb 05 2024
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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
Feb 06 2024
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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
Feb 07 2024
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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
Feb 08 2024
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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
Feb 09 2024
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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
Feb 12 2024
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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
Feb 13 2024
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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
Feb 14 2024
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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
Feb 15 2024
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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
Feb 16 2024
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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
Feb 19 2024
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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
Feb 20 2024
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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
Feb 21 2024
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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
Feb 22 2024
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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
Feb 23 2024
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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
Feb 26 2024
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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
Feb 27 2024
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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
Feb 28 2024
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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
Feb 29 2024
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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
Mar 01 2024
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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
Mar 04 2024
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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
Mar 05 2024
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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
Mar 06 2024
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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
Mar 07 2024
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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
Mar 08 2024
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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
Mar 11 2024
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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
Mar 12 2024
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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
Mar 13 2024
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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
Mar 14 2024
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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
Mar 15 2024
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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
Mar 18 2024
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Seventeen Seconds
The Cure
Decent but certainly not great. Too many sketches of songs, and the actual songs were underwhelming
3
Mar 19 2024
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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
Mar 20 2024
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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
Mar 21 2024
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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
Mar 22 2024
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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
Mar 25 2024
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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
Mar 26 2024
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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
Mar 27 2024
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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
Mar 28 2024
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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
Mar 29 2024
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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
Apr 01 2024
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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
Apr 02 2024
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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
Apr 03 2024
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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
Apr 04 2024
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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
Apr 05 2024
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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
Apr 08 2024
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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
Apr 09 2024
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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
Apr 10 2024
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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
Apr 11 2024
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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
Apr 12 2024
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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
Apr 15 2024
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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
Apr 16 2024
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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
Apr 17 2024
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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
Apr 18 2024
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...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
Apr 19 2024
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Konnichiwa
Skepta
This was pretty good, but I have to admit I wasn’t blown away. A solid three star affair.
3
Apr 22 2024
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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
Apr 23 2024
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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
Apr 24 2024
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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
Apr 25 2024
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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
Apr 26 2024
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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
Apr 29 2024
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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
Apr 30 2024
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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
May 01 2024
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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
May 02 2024
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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
May 03 2024
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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
May 06 2024
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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
May 07 2024
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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
May 08 2024
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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
May 09 2024
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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
May 10 2024
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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
May 13 2024
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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
May 14 2024
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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
May 15 2024
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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
May 16 2024
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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
May 17 2024
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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
May 20 2024
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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
May 21 2024
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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
May 22 2024
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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
May 23 2024
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Coles Corner
Richard Hawley
Decent, much like yesterday’s album, fairly bland and most likely not something I will return to
3
May 24 2024
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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
May 27 2024
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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
May 28 2024
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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
May 29 2024
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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
May 30 2024
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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
May 31 2024
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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
Jun 03 2024
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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
Jun 04 2024
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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
Jun 05 2024
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Innervisions
Stevie Wonder
Top tier, of all the Stevie’s this one is my favorite. Just perfect.
5
Jun 06 2024
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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
Jun 07 2024
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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
Jun 10 2024
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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
Jun 11 2024
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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
Jun 12 2024
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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
Jun 13 2024
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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
Jun 14 2024
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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
Jun 17 2024
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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
Jun 18 2024
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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
Jun 19 2024
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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
Jun 20 2024
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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
Jun 21 2024
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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
Jun 24 2024
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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
Jun 25 2024
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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
Jun 26 2024
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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
Jun 27 2024
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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
Jun 28 2024
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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
Jul 01 2024
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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
Jul 02 2024
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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
Jul 03 2024
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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
Jul 04 2024
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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
Jul 05 2024
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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
Jul 08 2024
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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
Jul 09 2024
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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
Jul 10 2024
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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
Jul 11 2024
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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
Jul 12 2024
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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
Jul 15 2024
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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
Jul 16 2024
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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
Jul 17 2024
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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
Jul 18 2024
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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
Jul 19 2024
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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
Jul 22 2024
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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
Jul 23 2024
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...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
Jul 24 2024
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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
Jul 25 2024
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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
Jul 26 2024
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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
Jul 29 2024
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Sea Change
Beck
I kind of prefer goofy funky Beck to sad sack Beck, but I can’t deny this has a Lee Hazelwood hazy beauty to it.
4
Jul 30 2024
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This Is Fats Domino
Fats Domino
I kind of prefer goofy funky Beck to sad sack Beck, but I can’t deny this has a Lee Hazelwood hazy beauty to it.
4
Jul 31 2024
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Blood On The Tracks
Bob Dylan
Best Dylan album? Certainly best 70s (Desire a close second.) Not much else to say, Bobby D said it all.
5
Aug 01 2024
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Paul's Boutique
Beastie Boys
This week is on fire! For sure the best Beastie Boys album, it’s weird this flopped so hard considering how much it paved the way for hip-hop to come. On the other hand, the failure of this album led the band to start playing their instruments again, and because of that we have Sabotage. Win-win.
5
Aug 02 2024
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Sweet Baby James
James Taylor
Pretty decent but mostly meh. I think I don’t like James Taylor’s voice. Some of these songs are awfully cheesy too. Dude does Oh, Susannah like he’s Raffi or something. But then Fire and Rain is legitimately good, so. You know.
3
Aug 05 2024
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Jagged Little Pill
Alanis Morissette
4
Aug 06 2024
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You've Come a Long Way Baby
Fatboy Slim
Here’s the formula for a Fatboy Slim song: take a vocal sample (right about now funk soul brother), repeat it many many times, then start stuttering the sample over and over and over until it just starts repeating again, then add the same drumbeat to every song, some repetitive guitars or piano and repeat for about five and a half minutes. All that being said, it does work more often than I expected it would. Not great and way too long, but better than some other albums of this ilk on the list.
3
Aug 07 2024
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Too Rye Ay
Dexys Midnight Runners
This was real fun! Like most folks I imagine, I only knew one (actually 2) song(s) on this album, and it’s a really good one. The rest is great also, and not exactly what I expected. The other song I knew was a cover of Van Morrison’s Jackie Wilson Said, which is kind of the key to album. It’s actually a little more Wilson than Morrison but there’s definitely more than a hint of Irish folk mixed with the classic R&B flavors. Good stuff!
4
Aug 08 2024
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John Barleycorn Must Die
Traffic
This was not bad, actually. Definitely better than the other Traffic album. A little better than some of the more generic 70s blues rock we’ve had. Still not my favorite but decent.
3
Aug 09 2024
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Gold
Ryan Adams
For starters, yeah this is pretty good, the guy can write a decent song. It’s overlong and at points the songs were just so-so. But this was always going to get a three or less because of the fact that Ryan Adams is a massive shitsack. So there you go.
3
Aug 12 2024
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Highway 61 Revisited
Bob Dylan
Classic Dylan, maybe not at the level of Blood on the Tracks, but very very close.
4
Aug 13 2024
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Beauty And The Beat
The Go-Go's
I’m a huge fan of this album, I love the shimmery summery vibes it creates, the fun pop essence. So yeah, weirdly I apparently like it more than Highway 61? I mean, it’s all subjective so probably more like they’re the same amount of like, but because of mood it gets a higher ranking. You’re welcome, Belinda Carlisle!
5
Aug 14 2024
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Out Of The Blue
Electric Light Orchestra
Nice, another great record! Some solid, spacey Beatley rock. Pretty great, though a bit overlong. And I hope you enjoy vocoder folks!
4
Aug 15 2024
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Lady Soul
Aretha Franklin
Geez, another perfect record! There’s no denying the power of Ms. Franklin’s voice. And the songwriting here is top shelf R&B songwriting, Natural Woman, Chain of Fools and even the lesser known ones are unimpeachable. Definitely belongs on this list.
5
Aug 16 2024
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Live And Dangerous
Thin Lizzy
I balked a bit at the length of this and the fact that it’s live, but honestly as only a semi-fan of Thin Lizzy, this feels like the way to hear them. This feels like it really captures the sound of the band, who must have been killer live.
3
Aug 19 2024
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My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
Kanye West
I hate how good this is. I want to punish Kanye for being the person he is, but I can’t deny this album’s greatness. I can however give props to the many, many guests who elevate this material even more, most of whom are not problematic, I think? I just won’t google it. Problem solved.
4
Aug 20 2024
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Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
In semi-recent (like 10 or so) years, I have become a much bigger fan of Zeppelin than before. I really enjoy this one as well, although I don’t think it lives up to anything that came after (the next 3 albums are light years ahead of this one in my opinion) but there’s plenty to enjoy here.
3
Aug 21 2024
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Introducing The Hardline According To Terence Trent D'Arby
Terence Trent D'Arby
First off, someone needs to update the list because he changed his name to Sananda Maitreya. But yeah, pretty good though I’m not sure I’d go out of my way to listen again. I’ve always enjoyed Wishing Well, and the rest is good also. Just to me not great.
3
Aug 22 2024
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Modern Life Is Rubbish
Blur
Fine. This is one of those albums that tells you the folks who put it together are from the UK, because I feel like it would otherwise not be included, like a few others. I mean, it’s no Presidents of the United States of America.
3
Aug 23 2024
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Fear Of A Black Planet
Public Enemy
Now this is more like it! Truly essential listening, one of the greatest rap albums of all time. I might like this one even more than Nation of Millions, but it’s too close to call. Okay?
5
Aug 26 2024
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Who's Next
The Who
Some albums are classics for a reason and this is one. I could complain about hearing these songs too often but for me anyway they never get old.
5
Aug 27 2024
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2112
Rush
2112 the song is corny, overstuffed and deeply silly and I absolutely love it. 2112 the (rest of the) album has a couple songs I like fine and a couple I dislike. The Bangkok song is borderline racist with the stereotypical “Asian” music motif and the last song very soberly intones a message that would become a Team America punchline. But the title track is really fun.
4
Aug 28 2024
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Joan Baez
Joan Baez
Joan Baez has a powerful voice, and a beautiful voice. I just found these stark arrangements fairly boring and the fact that each song was just vocals and acoustic guitar made them run together. So so, but I might need to listen to more of her, if the songs are more interesting.
3
Aug 29 2024
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Calenture
The Triffids
I knew the name The Triffids, had heard them as an influence on some bands I like. I’m not sure why though, this was mostly just fine, a couple songs I liked and most were fine and then some that I really didn’t like. I mean, pretty bleh. Just like real life Triffids.
3
Aug 30 2024
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Searching For The Young Soul Rebels
Dexys Midnight Runners
Fine. I think I was more generous to the other Dexys album, and this was about as good. But I don’t know. I gave it less because I felt like it. They’re in Ireland they can’t hurt me.
3
Sep 02 2024
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Maggot Brain
Funkadelic
Finally a perfect 5 star album for this week. Thanks Funkadelic!
5
Sep 03 2024
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Are You Experienced
Jimi Hendrix
And yet another obvious and entirely worthy classic rock choice. I was just looking at the Rolling Stone list of best guitarists and while there are some that I disagree with and lots of discourse about who was included, Hendrix at number one is just a given. And the guy is a great lyricist as well!
5
Sep 04 2024
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Smile
Brian Wilson
I’m only giving this 4 stars because I prefer the version with The Beach Boys. This, though is also essential, with more lyrics than the original. What a treasure it was when this came out and we finally had an official document of Brian’s magnum opus. You know what? This gets 5 stars, it’s just too good.
5
Sep 05 2024
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Coat Of Many Colors
Dolly Parton
The list continues to serve up classics. Not much to say but this is fantastic, well written and performed, and one of the few short albums I wish were (a little bit) longer.
5
Sep 06 2024
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Ingenue
k.d. lang
Another album I adore. I know it’s kind of the cliche k.d. lang album to pick, but I do very much love it. So there.
4
Sep 09 2024
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Led Zeppelin II
Led Zeppelin
Better than the debut for sure, maybe not as good as 3 or 4. I do really like Zeppelin but I’m indifferent to their albums. As much as I like them, if I was making a list of essential albums they probably wouldn’t make it.
3
Sep 10 2024
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Imagine
John Lennon
1. I was kind of lukewarm on the title track before it was destroyed by self-important celebs.
2. He makes fun of McCartney’s Muzak in How Do You Sleep and the next song is the stupidest sappiest song I’ve ever heard.
3. The only songs I really, really like are the love songs. Oh Yoko is pure joy, and Oh My Love is delicately beautiful.
4. The rest is fine, Jealous Guy is ridiculously overproduced, and I Don’t Wanna Be a Soldier Mamma is saved by it’s production.
3
Sep 11 2024
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The Yes Album
Yes
This was pretty good, as it turns out I’m kind of a Yes guy. This wasn’t as good in my HO as Fragile, not as many catchy tunes, but Seen All Good People is pretty great.
4
Sep 12 2024
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Like Water For Chocolate
Common
I liked this a lot but wasn’t blown away. I really like Be and Finding Forever, but this one was good as well. Not great but very good.
3
Sep 13 2024
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Peter Gabriel 3
Peter Gabriel
I do like Peter Gabriel a lot, and I liked this one a lot. But not as much as like So or some others. Good stuff though.
3
Sep 16 2024
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Rumours
Fleetwood Mac
I’d like to play it cool and be like, meh. I mean there’s so so many great albums that came out in this, the year of my birth. But I can’t deny how good this really is. Also I grew up hearing this album constantly so it’s ingrained in me to love it.
5
Sep 17 2024
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If I Should Fall From Grace With God
The Pogues
I’d only heard the Christmas song before, and the rest was decent but it all kind of sounded the same. If possible, you should hear Fairytale of New York karaoke with Ian singing the Kristy MacColl parts.
3
Sep 18 2024
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Mermaid Avenue
Billy Bragg
Really good stuff, very much my thing, though I have to unfairly knock it down a star because Airline to Heaven is on Volume 2. Unfair I know but I don’t make the rules.
4
Sep 19 2024
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Third
Portishead
Pretty good Portishead, I gotta say. I didn’t know this one as well as Dummy, but I really liked the different sounds this one explored. Good stuff!
4
Sep 20 2024
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Raw Power
The Stooges
Pretty much perfect, loud rock music played loudly by loud people. Yup!!
5
Sep 23 2024
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In A Silent Way
Miles Davis
Beautiful, especially the title track. Lovely sounds you can just live in and ruminate on, a nice contrast to the more chaotic songs of Bitches Brew.
5
Sep 24 2024
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Aladdin Sane
David Bowie
Not a Bowie I was very familiar with aside from the cover. Very good, though not as good as Ziggy in my book.
4
Sep 25 2024
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Scott 4
Scott Walker
I’m giving this a 3, but I have a feeling I’ll be revisiting soon, and I might regret this rating. It didn’t quite work for me, but something definitely peaked my interest, so there is that.
3
Sep 26 2024
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The Healer
John Lee Hooker
Fine, not great. I think when he’s able to do his own thing it’s better than when other artists collaborate.
3
Sep 27 2024
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First Band On The Moon
The Cardigans
Real fun, not just the mega-hit but good dancy pop. I will have to check out more.
4
Sep 30 2024
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At Folsom Prison
Johnny Cash
This one’s great, full of terrific songs and banter. And June!
5
Oct 01 2024
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Blue
Joni Mitchell
Perfect. Beautiful melancholy tunes that make me wanna learn the dulcimer. Joni is pretty much always great and this just might be peak Joni.
5
Oct 02 2024
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Songs Of Love And Hate
Leonard Cohen
I wanted to like this more than I did. I find Cohen to be a very good songwriter but the sameness of the arrangements began to grate on me and the songs drug a bit. Still pretty good but not great.
3
Oct 03 2024
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B-52's
The B-52's
Such fun twisted party music! Love the way the songs can be silly but also just ride a groove for five minutes. Good stuff (which isn’t on this album)
4
Oct 04 2024
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At Newport 1960
Muddy Waters
Sometimes I can’t decide if I like the blues but it turns out I’ve heard a lot of bad versions of the blues. This is the good stuff, the genuine article.
4
Oct 07 2024
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Songs From The Big Chair
Tears For Fears
Here’s another great one, this one I have on vinyl, but I don’t break out often enough. The hits still hit and the deeper cuts are great as well. Love the tribute to Robert Wyatt!
4
Oct 08 2024
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Birth Of The Cool
Miles Davis
This is solid early jazz from a master, but much like The Beatles, the later period music is way more interesting to me. Still, this is good, can’t deny.
3
Oct 09 2024
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You Want It Darker
Leonard Cohen
Maybe the best of the Leonard Cohen albums, maybe just shy of the last one. I will say it seems he is not necessarily for me, it seems. Good enough but didn’t really grab me.
3
Oct 10 2024
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A Rush Of Blood To The Head
Coldplay
Yeah it’s fine. Like I’m not a big Coldplay guy but the songs are catchy enough, just don’t really linger.
3
Oct 11 2024
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Quiet Life
Japan
Another perfectly fine album, some very very nice synth pop with very little to set it apart from other synth pop artists. Good but not great.
3
Oct 14 2024
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The Specials
The Specials
I liked this more than I expected. I’m not normally a ska kinda guy, but the fact that this had a little more variety to it made me like it more than most. Solid stuff.
3
Oct 15 2024
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Back At The Chicken Shack
Jimmy Smith
Decent, smooth jazz. Not smooth like Kenny G, more like Booker T. Not bad but not my favorite kind of jazz.
3
Oct 16 2024
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O.G. Original Gangster
Ice T
This was really great, though overlong. Damn, Ice T is really really good at this, wonder if he’ll ever come back to rap.
4
Oct 17 2024
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I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight
Richard Thompson
Such a great album, and perfect for the fall. Definitely listen to Life of the Record podcast on this one, it’s fantastic.
5
Oct 18 2024
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Femi Kuti
Femi Kuti
Really fun one! I might have gone all the way to 5, but it went a little long. But I’ll definitely listen again.
4
Oct 21 2024
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The Gershwin Songbook
Ella Fitzgerald
Full confession: I did not listen to all 4 hours of this, but I did listen to enough to know that Gershwin and Ella Fitzgerald are a winning combo.
4
Oct 22 2024
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Electric Ladyland
Jimi Hendrix
Not as good as Are You Experienced, but there’s some really great stuff here. You have to sift through a bit of chaff, but the classics are still classic.
4
Oct 23 2024
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Tuesday Night Music Club
Sheryl Crow
She can write a song that I’ll begrudgingly call catchy (All I Wanna Do), a song I legitimately love (Strong Enough) and a song that is embarrassing for everyone (The Na-Na Song.) I can take or leave the rest.
3
Oct 24 2024
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Live At The Harlem Square Club
Sam Cooke
A great document of a really solid performance. Everyone is firing on all cylinders here and the crowd loves it.
4
Oct 25 2024
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Rain Dogs
Tom Waits
Probably the best Tom Waits? Yeah probably. If I have only one nitpick it’s that parts of it seem weirdly sequenced. But I think that also adds to the charm.
5
Oct 28 2024
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People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm
A Tribe Called Quest
Another terrific album! I hadn’t heard this particular Tribe album before but not surprisingly it was fantastic.
4
Oct 29 2024
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Live At Leeds
The Who
Yes yes this is a great document of a classic rock band playing many of their best songs live but at what cost? For whom do we pay for this slice of musical historical history? I don’t know what the price of a piece is. But it seems to me the same thing as a piece that has a certain value.
4
Oct 30 2024
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Bert Jansch
Bert Jansch
Bert Jansch? What’s next, Ernie?
Ernie Jansch?
Well, moving on, I did like this quite a bit. While the songs themselves weren’t all that exciting the fingerpicking was really great and elevated everything. So yeah.
Bert.
3
Oct 31 2024
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Brown Sugar
D'Angelo
More like C minus Angelo. Fine enough R&B, but nothing that really grabbed me. Guy can really sing but there’s not much else, no quirky Prince embellishments.
3
Nov 01 2024
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Music For The Jilted Generation
The Prodigy
No, I’m good. Pretty much the same as all the electronic dance albums. Not my thing.
2
Nov 04 2024
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Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Can’t deny Tom Petty has a talent for a catchy tune. This isn’t quite on the level of subsequent albums, but still really good.
4
Nov 05 2024
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All Things Must Pass
George Harrison
Another Wilbury! Of course it’s 5 stars, even though it’s just a bit overstuffed, and maybe if the instrumental jams weren’t all at the end they wouldn’t be as annoying, but Coke Zero! Or come on! It’s great, and I say that having heard the vastly superior Beatles version of the title track which makes it sound like a Band song.
5
Nov 06 2024
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Car Wheels On A Gravel Road
Lucinda Williams
Love me some Lucinda Williams, this album is probably her best. I’m freaking the fuck out right now so nothing else to say.
4
Nov 07 2024
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Hot Fuss
The Killers
Maybe I’m just looking for a (mister) bright side right now but this was a nice throwback to arena alt-rock, lots of songs I thoroughly enjoy. Really didn’t expect to enjoy this as much as I did, but in terms of surprises, this was a nice one.
4
Nov 08 2024
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Basket of Light
Pentangle
Hey, I picked this one up at a record show not long ago. It’s pretty good, though I tend to prefer like Fairport Convention, where it’s not so much straight up folk.
3
Nov 11 2024
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American Idiot
Green Day
I sometimes forget about or give a hard time to Green Day, but they’re a very solid trio. I think this album is a bit long for what it is, but thems some catchy ass tunes!
4
Nov 12 2024
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My Aim Is True
Elvis Costello
One of the most accomplished debut albums of all time, and one of my favorite songwriters. Truly terrific.
5
Nov 13 2024
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Shleep
Robert Wyatt
Hey hey, I was just hoping we’d get some Robert Wyatt on the list! This is full of good tunes and even some great ones, though it isn’t Rock Bottom, which is one of my all time faves.
4
Nov 14 2024
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Chris
Christine and the Queens
Not really my thing, but I have to admit, he is very good at what he does. Some of this was very catchy, but not enough to put it over a three.
3
Nov 15 2024
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Brilliant Corners
Thelonious Monk
I do like me some solid jazz, and this is that. Not much else to say except yes it is good.
4
Nov 18 2024
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Nevermind
Nirvana
I could pretend to be all cool and like whatever about it, but there is a reason this was huge. The songs are all great (though the hidden track thing I think doesn’t work as a last track as much as the actual last track does.) Definitely essential.
5
Nov 19 2024
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Abraxas
Santana
Had forgotten about this one. Very nice Latin psychedelia, almost makes up for Smooth.
4
Nov 20 2024
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Tubular Bells
Mike Oldfield
I got really into Mike Oldfield last year, particularly the phenomenal Ommadawn. This is great also. I feel bad for the folks who only know it from The Exorcist, that’s like the first 7 minutes or something, you have to keep listening to get to the guy screaming in Klingon.
5
Nov 21 2024
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Led Zeppelin IV
Led Zeppelin
I feel like you’re either into Zeppelin or not, and this is the album that will really determine that. Generally I am into Zeppelin so I like this, though I will say I’ve heard everything on this album now enough times that I’m good. Battle of Evermore notwithstanding.
4
Nov 22 2024
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Future Days
Can
I feel like this Can gets slept on, because it follows two unimpeachable classics. But it is pretty great as well. The grooves are a little smoother, not as much cacophony this time around.
5
Nov 25 2024
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This Year's Model
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Hard to believe Elvis Costello followed up his excellent debut with a possibly better album. Or maybe not, but it’s extremely good nonetheless.
5
Nov 26 2024
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The Cars
The Cars
Pretty terrific debut, with a bunch of hits and great songs. Almost feels unnecessary given how often I’ve heard these songs, but they’re good enough I don’t care.
4
Nov 27 2024
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Heaven Or Las Vegas
Cocteau Twins
Love this one, perfect for an overcast day. Soothing tunes to ease me back into the workforce. Thanks, Twins!
5
Nov 28 2024
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Call of the Valley
Shivkumar Sharma
This was indeed quite nice, though a bit on the dull side. I do enjoy this light instrumental stuff from time to time but this one was just fine.
3
Nov 29 2024
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Double Nickels On The Dime
Minutemen
A stone classic. Normally I’d say it’s too long, but this is just too good. Each song doesn’t overstay its welcome, and each is pretty great.
5
Dec 02 2024
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Madman Across The Water
Elton John
Not the best Elton John, but still Elton John. Some good stuff here and also a long misguided song about an Indian.
3
Dec 03 2024
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That's The Way Of The World
Earth, Wind & Fire
Another 3, honestly probably more of a 2.5. A couple of these were pretty good, but too many sloooooow jams. Zzzzz.
3