1001 Albums Summary

Listening statistics & highlights

1044
Albums Rated
3.48
Average Rating
96%
Complete
45 albums remaining

Rating Distribution

Rating Timeline

Taste Profile

1950
Favorite Decade
Metal
Favorite Genre
US
Top Origin
Wordsmith
Rater Style ?
142
5-Star Albums
14
1-Star Albums

Breakdown

By Genre

Top Styles

By Decade

By Origin

Albums

You Love More Than Most

AlbumYouGlobalDiff
Scum
Napalm Death
5 2.08 +2.92
Spy Vs. Spy: The Music Of Ornette Coleman
John Zorn
5 2.26 +2.74
Locust Abortion Technician
Butthole Surfers
5 2.39 +2.61
Black Metal
Venom
5 2.47 +2.53
Our Aim Is To Satisfy
Red Snapper
5 2.72 +2.28
Arise
Sepultura
5 2.73 +2.27
Medúlla
Björk
5 2.74 +2.26
Yeezus
Kanye West
5 2.74 +2.26
Group Sex
Circle Jerks
5 2.75 +2.25
Atomizer
Big Black
5 2.75 +2.25

You Love Less Than Most

AlbumYouGlobalDiff
The Joshua Tree
U2
1 3.66 -2.66
The Marshall Mathers LP
Eminem
1 3.45 -2.45
Shake Your Money Maker
The Black Crowes
1 3.27 -2.27
The Slim Shady LP
Eminem
1 3.27 -2.27
Live At The Star Club, Hamburg
Jerry Lee Lewis
1 3.26 -2.26
Only By The Night
Kings of Leon
1 3.22 -2.22
Frampton Comes Alive
Peter Frampton
1 3.19 -2.19
Murder Ballads
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
1 3.08 -2.08
The Rising
Bruce Springsteen
1 3.05 -2.05
Chemtrails Over The Country Club
Lana Del Rey
1 3.04 -2.04

Artists

Favorites

ArtistAlbumsAverage
Led Zeppelin 5 4.6
Miles Davis 4 4.75
Black Sabbath 3 5
Public Enemy 3 5
Johnny Cash 3 5
R.E.M. 4 4.5
Stevie Wonder 4 4.5
Talking Heads 4 4.5
Metallica 4 4.5
Pink Floyd 4 4.5
Björk 4 4.5
Jimi Hendrix 3 4.67
Creedence Clearwater Revival 3 4.67
Marvin Gaye 3 4.67
Yes 3 4.67
The Smashing Pumpkins 2 5
The Flaming Lips 2 5
Iron Maiden 2 5
Rush 2 5
Nirvana 2 5
OutKast 2 5
Motörhead 2 5
Sepultura 2 5
King Crimson 2 5
Brian Eno 4 4.25
Radiohead 6 4
Pixies 3 4.33
Beastie Boys 3 4.33
Michael Jackson 3 4.33
David Bowie 8 3.88
Tom Waits 5 4

Least Favorites

ArtistAlbumsAverage
Kings of Leon 3 1.33
Eminem 2 1
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds 5 2
Taylor Swift 2 1.5
Ryan Adams 2 1.5
Aerosmith 3 2
Leonard Cohen 4 2.25
U2 4 2.25

5-Star Albums (142)

View Album Wall

Popular Reviews

Aha Shake Heartbreak by Kings of Leon

Music for christian high school girls going through their rebellious phase.

Queen Of Denmark by John Grant

I think that rampant homophobia, the christian theocracy and general bigotry is a huge problem not just in the US, but world-wide. I don't doubt Mr. Grant had a tough time being gay growing up, but his garrulous use of slurs that don't apply to him comes off like a vapid suburban teen and the music suffers for it. There's something so frustrating about a white man using the N-word like this. It's so tone deaf and insipid. It's lazy. If you want to shock people, learn word play, don't just rattle off a string of slurs. I can see how this music would appeal to some folks, but I just can't looks past the painfully simple, skin deep musicality. This music borrows a little too much from the music that inspired it. Entire riffs and motifs are pulled from other songs 30 years prior. I think my major problem with music from the last couple decades on this list is a lack of measurable impact they have on music today. This music has already aged fairly poorly, it's not classic at all. Are there bands out there today citing this album as being seminal for them? Perhaps there are, and I'm just not clued in. Very possible.

Jagged Little Pill by Alanis Morissette

So 90's that it borders on distracting. There are a ton of iconic jams on this album. Alanis' trademark strained vocals fit right into the alt rock / grunge that the 90s were seeing. This is one of those albums that made it out of that decade not looking completely ridiculous in the process. Enough here that anyone could enjoy.

Remain In Light by Talking Heads

Unfortunately, this album is as good as the nerds at /mu/ say it is.

4-Star Albums (358)

1-Star Albums (14)

All Ratings (1044)

Raw Power by The Stooges
Sep 15 2023

Gimme Danger and Search and Destroy totally hold up. Old school cool and timeless as well. The rest of the album suffers from some dated sounds, like the weird Robert Plant style sex vocal sounds, but other than that, really solid record. Not a routine re-listen for me but I'd re-visit it every 5 years or so gladly.

Jagged Little Pill by Alanis Morissette
Sep 18 2023

So 90's that it borders on distracting. There are a ton of iconic jams on this album. Alanis' trademark strained vocals fit right into the alt rock / grunge that the 90s were seeing. This is one of those albums that made it out of that decade not looking completely ridiculous in the process. Enough here that anyone could enjoy.

Nilsson Schmilsson by Harry Nilsson
Sep 19 2023

This album is such a mixed bag. Some tracks I feel myself really getting into it, then out of left field there's one like Coconut. It doesn't really gel for me.

Can't Buy A Thrill by Steely Dan
Sep 20 2023

This album starts off with such a jam. Do It Again is such a rad song. Followed up by Dirty Work, another classic Steely Dan jam. So far, this album is just so chill. Easy listening but complex enough to be interesting. In between songs I've heard before, there are some fun jazzy tracks. Very enjoyable. Reelin' in the Years is classic though. All in all, really solid record. Will absolutely be returning this this. Should probably pick it up on vinyl too.

Pretzel Logic by Steely Dan
Sep 21 2023

A fairly jammy album. I can see the appeal, but it's not my favorite. Songs like East St. Louis Toodle-Oo are just goofy, but not fun for me. I love the album art and most of these track names are fantastic. I can respect this album, but I probably won't revisit it for some time. Not my favorite Steely Dan record.

Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness by The Smashing Pumpkins
Sep 22 2023

Beautiful opening arrangement. Tonight, Tonight is so hard not to at least hum along to. I know lots of people don't care for Billy Corgan's voice, but I like it. Even softer hitting tracks like Here Is No Why are great. The first 6 tracks on this album are fantastic. Vocals and bassline on Tales of a Scorched Earth are fantastic. The breakdown in XYU is a lot of fun. For such a long record, it does a good job with moving in and out of tempo and tone.

25 by Adele
Sep 25 2023

"Hello" is a fantastic example of voice as an instrument. Adele has such an impressive voice and this song has a beautifully understated accompaniment that builds over the 5 minutes. Total jam. The rest of this album is mostly just pop to me. It's not my style most of the time, but Adele's voice is great.

Sep 26 2023

This album was funky and fun, but for whatever reason it wasn't grabbing me on this Monday morning. I'll re-listen to it someday.

evermore by Taylor Swift
Sep 27 2023

My partner heard the first song come on and asked "is this an ad?". The music is generic to the point of forgetfulness. Champagne Problems seems like it's full of references I don't get. This music is just so predictable. It's distracting how generic this sounds. One of the main issues here is that I'm not the target audience. Since I don't like the music, there's no lyrics to grab onto. It's just frustrating.

Songs Of Leonard Cohen by Leonard Cohen
Sep 28 2023

The opening track of this album almost lulled me to sleep. The strings and organs on Master Song hint at a more engaging sound but then just fade back away. So many of these songs feel like lullabies. The Stranger Song has such gentle guitar picking and Leo's soft voice barely getting above a whisper. Aside from the accompanying instruments and the occasional guest voice, these songs kind of blend together. The lyrics are poetic and emotionally complex, but Leonard's voice is taking me out of the beauty.

L.A. Woman by The Doors
Sep 29 2023

I felt neutral about The Doors going into this album. Now I think I don't like them much. This specific brand of boomer blues rock just isn't for me. I can't see myself ever giving this album a listen ever again. The one song that doesn't come across as cheesy is Riders on the Storm. Even still, lyrics like "his brain is squirmin' like a toad" are just goofy. The Doors are goofy.

Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots by The Flaming Lips
Sep 30 2023

This album is a ton of fun. The Flaming Lips are at their best when their uplifting sound is juxtaposed by lyrics of regret and fear of the future. This album blew my mind when I heard it in high school and it continues to be a favorite. Will return to this album again soon, just as I have been doing for the last decade and a half. Favorite tracks: Flight Test, Ego Tripping at the Gates of Hell, All We Have Is Now

Femi Kuti by Femi Kuti
Oct 01 2023

So funky and groovy. The music is uplifting and danceable while the lyrics are political. Very glad to be introduced to this artist. Favorite tracks: Frustrations, Plenty Nonsense, Live for Today

Woodface by Crowded House
Oct 02 2023

Kind of remind me of Hanson. It's not my least favorite, but there's a lot of stuff I'd rather listen to.

Teen Dream by Beach House
Oct 03 2023

Chill, deliberate, laid back and almost minimalist. I can definitely see the appeal. This music isn't really my style. 2010's style vocals over synth just don't do it for me. It's also just so repetitive. There's not a lot of different choices with percussion or tempo between tracks. Nearly every track is breathy vocals with synth riff and tambourine in the background. I keep waiting for the songs to keep building, but they just end when I expect there to be a pay off or climax. Again, I think this is a selling point for some people, just not for me.

The Coral by The Coral
Oct 04 2023

Reggae, shanties, britpop. Doesn't come across as groundbreaking but it is a fun record when they're leaning more into the harsher sound. Favorite tracks: Skeleton Key, Bad Man

Very jammy. The bass line and recorders on Wishing Well are so delightfully silly. Terence's voice is great and the high point of every song. Tracks like Let's Go Forward where he's really letting loose and belting it sound phenomenal. All in all, I'm not a fan of this type of music, but this album had a lot of charm, even with some less than stellar tracks like "If You All Get to Heaven". "Who's Loving You" is a great way to close out the album. Kind of wish more tracks featured sax. Doubt I'll listen to it again anytime soon, but I'm glad I did.

Here's Little Richard by Little Richard
Oct 06 2023

Crazy to think the lyrical content was considered inappropriate at the time. I want to go back in time and show people Cattle Decap or something. This album is super fun, though. Absolutely love the bluesy sax riffs. Some of the songs run together, so I can't really recommend listening to the album all the way through.

Sunday At The Village Vanguard by Bill Evans Trio
Oct 07 2023

I'd find myself tuning out every now and again but if there was a bass solo I'd tune back in. There's lots of groovy stuff to enjoy in this album. I would throw it on again to work to but I'm not much for active listening to jazz.

The Modern Dance by Pere Ubu
Oct 08 2023

Frantic, cynical and fun. I really enjoyed this album. Can't believe I've never heard of this band before.

So Much For The City by The Thrills
Oct 09 2023

This was a pleasant listen. Definitely the kind of band I would be super into when I was 14. I would add some songs to a playlist, but I don't think I'll give this whole album a listen again anytime soon.

The Low End Theory by A Tribe Called Quest
Oct 10 2023

There's nothing I could say about this album that hasn't been said before. Incredible wordplay and production. Really solid album. I would absolutely buy this to keep for my own collection. Favorite track: Show Business

Happy Trails by Quicksilver Messenger Service
Oct 11 2023

I listened to this album at 8:00am very sober. It was fine. Nothing that excited me, save for maybe when they moved on from one idea to the next. Tended to drag at points, but overall it's clear these guys are talented.

Oct 12 2023

"Funky beat-eough" Had a great time with this album. Couldn't understand what the hell he was saying but the vibes were funky, jazzy and laid back. Even the more upbeat tracks were so damn chill. I would absolutely pick this album up if I found it at my local record shop. Favorite tracks: Matière Grasse Contre Matière Grise, L'histoire de l'art

Oct 13 2023

Besides the occasional overuse of a really irritating sample (looking at you, broken glass), this album has a lot to love if you're into electronic music. 8 minute long songs with themes that build and layer on top of each other for a payoff that makes you wanna move. Several songs from this album would be on a playlist if I ever were to host a dance party. Favorite tracks: Full Throttle, Speedway, No Good (Start the Dance)

Superfly by Curtis Mayfield
Oct 14 2023

This soundtrack is so iconic. Absolutely worth picking up if I find a physical copy. Will probably re-listen soon, I already have half this album saved to playlists and stuff.

Brilliant Corners by Thelonious Monk
Oct 15 2023

Just a super enjoyable listen. I've been a fan of Thelonious Monk since high school and it's evident this style helped form my taste in jazz. The way this albums moves between tempos, handing ideas back and forth between the players is just plain fun.

Hearts And Bones by Paul Simon
Oct 16 2023

This album was a bit underwhelming. I don't think I ever gave Paul Simon a chance past some singles here and there. I was expecting more, but I'm not sure why. This type of singer/songwriter acoustic music doesn't really do it for me, but I could see how others enjoy it. It just injects images of dinner parties in the 80's, throwing on some nice music to eat dinner to.

Physical Graffiti by Led Zeppelin
Oct 17 2023

Thanks to John Bonham and John Paul Jones, the sound is THICK. Big fan.

Black Sabbath by Black Sabbath
Oct 18 2023

This is far from Sabbath's best work, but there's a lot to enjoy here. Track's like The Wizard and N.I.B. helped shape an entire landscape of new music for decades. If it's not obvious, I'm a big fan of heavier music and in particular Doom. This album was a blast to revisit. Since it's clear the folks that put together this list have a frustrating affinity for late 60's / early 70's noodling, this was such a breath of fresh air for music of that era. Favorite tracks: The Wizard, N.I.B., Warning

461 Ocean Boulevard by Eric Clapton
Oct 19 2023

This album was... fine. A lot of the tracks went in ear and out the other. Took all the edge out of the blues riffs he jacked.

I Am a Bird Now by Antony and the Johnsons
Oct 20 2023

Holy vibrato, Batman. Bordering on Tiny Tim levels of ridiculousness. There are some beautiful piano and string arrangements, but the vocals really detract from the experience for me. It's a bummer, because a lot of the accompaniment are a ton of fun, particularly on "Fistful of Love". I really wanted to enjoy this more, but I think it's just not for me.

Oct 21 2023

The way that this album builds tension and releases it is just fantastic. I like jazz with a bit of edge and this album delivers.

Tigermilk by Belle & Sebastian
Oct 22 2023

This album is delicate and deliberate with the layering of strings, keys, vocals and even in one case, electronic elements. It's a fun album although the first half is so much stronger than the second. I would still listen to it often enough to want it for my personal collection.

The Boatman's Call by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
Oct 23 2023

This album was quiet and deliberate. Not my favorite sound but it was enjoyable enough.

Blur by Blur
Oct 24 2023

I've never listened to this album (except the one song. You know the one.) I was pleasantly surprised. I assumed it was going to be a brit pop slog like a lot of the other albums on this list, but it's just the slightest hint edgier than some. Like when your white girlfriend says the carbonara you made was spicy because it has black pepper in it. Favorite tracks: M.O.R., Death of a Party, Movin' On

Blood On The Tracks by Bob Dylan
Oct 25 2023

Bob Dylan gonna Bob Dylan. This was a fun enough listen, but I can't imagine putting this on to listen to of my own volition very often. The folksy harmonica is the most charming thing about these songs in my opinion, and it borders on irritating sometimes haha.

Post Orgasmic Chill by Skunk Anansie
Oct 26 2023

This album is hard to categorize. Little alt-rock, little orchestral, little electronic. It was a fun listen.

Back To Black by Amy Winehouse
Oct 27 2023

Not my style, but it's fun enough.

Oct 28 2023

The Kinks always feel less polished and put together than the Beatles. I think this is a good thing. Lots of tracks on this album sound like they're having a good time recording. Overall, a fun record but I probably won't be on the lookout to own it for my collection or anything. Favorite tracks: Do You Remember Walter?, Last of the Steam-Powered Trains, The Village Green

Garbage by Garbage
Oct 29 2023

Somewhere between Nirvana's Nevermind and Nine Inch Nail's Downward Spiral, this album is just the right amount of 90's edge. Not quite grunge and I love that. Songs like Vow are head bobbingly catchy. You can draw a straight line from music like this in the nineties to the ultra edgy early 2000's. Favorite tracks: Queer, Vow

NEU! 75 by Neu!
Oct 30 2023

I liked some of the slower, proggier sections. This album was a little dull at parts however. Fun stuff for the mid 70s.

Oct 31 2023

Jazzy, funky and patient. Definitely lets the sound breathe. The titular track is a standout here.

Lam Toro by Baaba Maal
Nov 01 2023

Enjoyable upbeat songs as well as tracks that sit with Baaba's impressive voice. The king of album I would put on while chatting up a new friend in my living room in order to appear more cultured than I actually am. Favorite tracks: Toro, Hamady Boiro, Gildelam

Henry's Dream by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
Nov 02 2023

Another chore of a listen. Nothing about this album strikes me as innovative or musically significant. The lyrics made me roll my eyes more than a few times. Someone who contributes to this list just really likes Nick Cave, it seems.

The Stone Roses by The Stone Roses
Nov 03 2023

Didn't expect much from this album, but it was a good listen. The tracks are different enough from each other to be actually distinguishable. I appreciated the genre bending from track to track. Favorite tracks: Bye Bye Bad Man, Made of Stone, This Is the One, Fools Gold

Synchronicity by The Police
Nov 04 2023

This album is a mixed bag. Odd inclusions like Mother and Walking in Your Footsteps lean away from the sound the rest of the tracks are going for. It's less cohesive than other albums, but it's fine overall. This album is at it's best when it's leaning into themes of possession and power dynamics. Favorite tracks: O My God, Wrapped Around Your Finger

The Velvet Underground by The Velvet Underground
Nov 05 2023

Very chill. As much as I hate Lou Reed, this album was a fun listen on a quiet Autumn Saturday morning.

Parachutes by Coldplay
Nov 06 2023

This album was more enjoyable than I remember it. The vocals are slow and hold onto sustained whole notes while the bass and drums drive the song coldly forward. This album reminds me of days getting colder. Trying to get warm in first period after walking to my high school. I think Coldplay is still a little too poppy for my taste but I can get down with a couple of songs. Favorite tracks: Don't Panic, Trouble, High Speed

Cloud Nine by The Temptations
Nov 07 2023

Funky, lively and just a delight.

Whatever by Aimee Mann
Nov 08 2023

Albums like this are so difficult to rate. Like, with no context, this album is totally fine. It has some charming songs and it moves from track to track very satisfactorily. It's when you put this in the context of being one of the 1001 albums you MUST hear before you die. I find that really hard to believe. I can see some people being fans of this artist, but I don't really see anything innovative or significant about this album. I wish I could say any of these songs really stuck out to me. I don't really have a favorite. If I was rating this album independently of this list, I would rate it higher. Perhaps a 3/5.

Nov 09 2023

True to their name, lots of alarm sounds. Songs with a faster tempo remind me of Muse. Fun riffs, catchy bass lines and synthy electronic hooks. Slower songs, like Two Receivers and Isle Of Her remind me of Imagine Dragons. Bland. Slower songs can have energy, but these guys just sound so bored unless there's a fire lit under them. I'm sure if I heard this band when I was 14 I would have a lot of nostalgia for them and would routinely listen to them. Unfortunately I can't see myself revisiting this album anytime soon. Favorite tracks: Atlantis To Interzone, Gravity's Rainbow

Crazysexycool by TLC
Nov 10 2023

This album was super popular when I was a kid and it pretty much holds up. I had a good time listening.

The Blueprint by JAY Z
Nov 11 2023

A good Jay-Z record or a bad Kanye record? You be the judge. Favorite tracks: Hola' Hovito, Never Change

Are You Experienced by Jimi Hendrix
Nov 12 2023

Truth be told I was stoned and doing the dishes while listening to this album. I'll give it a sober relisten soon, but I had a great time. When boomers talk about 60s rock having 'feel'. This is what I picture. Obviously Jimi's guitar playing is phenomenal, but Mitch Mitchell's drumming is what kept me engaged with his record. Super jazzy and tight percussion. Favorite tracks: Manic Depression, I Don't Live Today, Fire.

Forever Changes by Love
Nov 13 2023

A pleasant, if not forgettable, 60s rock record. Just like a lot of the albums on this list it seems.

Iron Maiden by Iron Maiden
Nov 14 2023

It's not the best Maiden album, but this definitely set the stage for what's to come. Songs with soaring, operatic vocals. Tight harmonies and even tighter rhythm section. I adore this band, but this album feels more like a blueprint than a complete thought. That being said, I loved it and cherished being able to listen to something with distorted guitars for once. Favorite Tracks: Phantom of the Opera, Strange World, Iron Maiden

Illmatic by Nas
Nov 15 2023

I knew NY State of Mind but there are so many other tracks on this album worth checking out. Great record. Favorite tracks: N.Y. State of Mind, The World is Yours, Memory Lane (Sittin' in da Park)

Want Two by Rufus Wainwright
Nov 16 2023

I appreciated how the tone moves from hectic to somber between songs. Can't really accuse this album of having samey feeling tracks. On the more upbeat tracks, Rufus has this almost impish sense of humor about him.

Cheap Thrills by Big Brother & The Holding Company
Nov 17 2023

It's no wonder that Janis went on to have a solo career. Nothing against the backing band, but the tracks where Janis' vocals are allowed to shine (Piece of My Heart, duh) are just phenomenal. The other tracks are fun too, just not as creative or interesting. It's also not often I talk about the album art, but R. Crumb doing the art for this album definitely secures it as a time machine to the late 60s. Looking at his cartoon images transports me back 60 years, complete with racist caricatures. Favorite tracks: Piece of My Heart, Flower In the Sun

Smash by The Offspring
Nov 18 2023

If you've never driven on the 405 while blasting Bad Habit you haven't lived.

Natty Dread by Bob Marley & The Wailers
Nov 20 2023

Try as I might, I can't seem to get into even the most accessible reggae. I appreciate the message and the passion, but the music doesn't call to me.

Grace by Jeff Buckley
Nov 21 2023

My expectations were low going into this, so I'm very pleasantly surprised. Favorite tracks: Hallelujah, Eternal Life

Bug by Dinosaur Jr.
Nov 22 2023

Its hard to put into words what I love so much about Dinosaur Jr. They come across as unpretentious folks just making the music they want to. This isn't my favorite Dinosaur Jr. album, but this was such a delight to listen to this morning.

1984 by Van Halen
Nov 23 2023

Nothing I could say about this album that hasn't been said a million times before. 12 year old me is still in love with Van Halen. Favorite tracks: Hot For Teacher, I'll Wait

Homework by Daft Punk
Nov 24 2023

It's really cool to see how Daft Punk's sound has changed throughout the years. This is a super 90's record and I love it. Favorite tracks: Da Funk, Around the World, Rollin' & Scratchin', Rock'n Roll

Tidal by Fiona Apple
Nov 25 2023

Never listened to Fiona Apple before this. I had a great time. Jazzy, moody and just impressive song writing and vocals. Favorite tracks: Shadowboxer, Criminal

Stephen Stills by Stephen Stills
Nov 26 2023

Another early 70s slogfest. Very competently made album that just happens to bore the hell out of me.

Bandwagonesque by Teenage Fanclub
Nov 27 2023

Overall, I think I would have enjoyed this album more if someone didn't tell me it was one of the best albums of all time before listening to it. Got over-hyped and I was disappointed. That being said, it was a good listen. There's just other bands with music from this era I'd rather listen to.

Rio by Duran Duran
Nov 28 2023

Some really sick bass lines on this album.

Rid Of Me by PJ Harvey
Nov 29 2023

Audibly groaned when I saw yet another album described as "singer/songwriter" but thankfully this album has some edge and dynamism to its sound so it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.

Dec 01 2023

Hip Hop that samples Black Sabbath and horror movies? Sick. This album's lyrics are so over the top at times it's distracting. Still, super fun and thought provoking. Favorite tracks: Midnight, Lifestyles of the Rich and Infamous

The Fat Of The Land by The Prodigy
Dec 02 2023

This album is so rad. Danceable, intense and just 90s in the best/worst way. Also, fukcing CRAB

Dry by PJ Harvey
Dec 03 2023
Honky Tonk Heroes by Waylon Jennings
Dec 04 2023

Pre-9/11 country music is a lot of fun. This was a solid album. Will revisit it someday for sure.

A Love Supreme by John Coltrane
Dec 05 2023

Just a fantastic album and a killer listen. I definitely want this album for my personal collection.

Shake Your Money Maker by The Black Crowes
Dec 06 2023

Generic, boring, slog of an album. Started my day off with this and now I'm upset.

Chore of Enchantment by Giant Sand
Dec 07 2023

Quiet, intimate and simple. All things I personally don't value in my music much.

Le Tigre by Le Tigre
Dec 08 2023

Oddball and genre bending crappy little rock band.

Dec 09 2023

Queen is a band that get's pigeonholed by their hits. Songs like Bring Back That Leroy Brown satisfy in so many ways. What a great listen.

Deserter's Songs by Mercury Rev
Dec 10 2023

So whimsical at times that it comes across as circus music. There are some songs that take a darker tone, so overall this music reminds me of sad clowns.

New Boots And Panties by Ian Dury
Dec 11 2023

This album really started off interesting with some great bass lines and fun lyrics but it quickly wore me out. It's humorous enough, but it drags for so long. I think this album is more fun in theory than in practice.

Frank by Amy Winehouse
Dec 12 2023

Jazzy and with the right amount of edge. Super solid listen. I could use a bit more horns, but the way it's used sparingly lets Amy's incredible voice be front and center the entire time.

Snivilisation by Orbital
Dec 13 2023

Great example of 90s UK electronic. Not everything was trying to be The Prodigy, some people were making thoughtful, patient tracks you're meant to sit with.

Savane by Ali Farka Touré
Dec 14 2023

Moody and thoughtful, this was a great listen.

Next by The Sensational Alex Harvey Band
Dec 15 2023

An album with lots of peaks and valleys. The piano riffs, guitar solos and horn sections are all fantastic. I just wish there was more!

Rock 'N Soul by Solomon Burke
Dec 16 2023

Not my favorite type of music, but enjoyable enough.

The Dreaming by Kate Bush
Dec 18 2023

80s pop rock circus clown music. Fun when it leans into the silly stuff. The more generic poppy tracks did not wow me.

Songs For Swingin' Lovers! by Frank Sinatra
Dec 19 2023

It's really cool that the game series Fallout gives these lesser known artists some exposure.

The Holy Bible by Manic Street Preachers
Dec 20 2023

I liked the lyrics a hell of a lot more than the music. Felt generic and bland throughout most of the album. It was enjoyable anyways.

Document by R.E.M.
Dec 21 2023

What a delightful, charming little album. Love me some R.E.M.

From Elvis In Memphis by Elvis Presley
Dec 22 2023

Pleasant enough, but quickly got dull. Thankfully Suspicious Minds is on the back half of the album and got me re-engaged there.

Come Away With Me by Norah Jones
Dec 23 2023

Didn't hate this as much as I thought I would, likely because of the fun piano and guitar work. I can't imagine ever seeking this music out again, but I'm glad I gave it a shot.

Tonight's The Night by Neil Young
Dec 24 2023

A lot of what the critics that built this list is just not what I like in my music. This album is so gentle and intentional. Good music, just not for me.

Led Zeppelin by Led Zeppelin
Dec 25 2023

Not the best Zeppelin album but it's really, really solid. Only complaint is not enough hobbits. 4 1/2 outta 5

Remedy by Basement Jaxx
Dec 27 2023

Was expecting something more groovy, but it was a fun listen.

Space Ritual by Hawkwind
Dec 28 2023

Long, but fun. The skits in between songs weren't my favorite, but whenever there's full riffage it's a really good time.

Now I Got Worry by The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
Dec 29 2023

Started off strong with high energy, frantic rock and roll. Then it got really bland for another hour.

Since I Left You by The Avalanches
Dec 30 2023

Aside from a couple tracks, pretty forgettable. But it was a fun album, very chill.

Violator by Depeche Mode
Dec 31 2023

Fun but dated.

Marcus Garvey by Burning Spear
Jan 01 2024

More interesting than most reggae I've ever heard. Not my favorite genre, but this is a cool and historically important release.

Songs From The Big Chair by Tears For Fears
Jan 02 2024

Very surprising how well this album flows. I totally assumed it was gonna be another "one hit wonder" 80s pop slog, but it was great. Wish there were more tracks with sax solos, but that's like every album with sax for me.

Want One by Rufus Wainwright
Jan 03 2024

Thoughtful, dynamic (in that it goes from super soft a little above speaking volume) and pretty pleasant.

Rain Dogs by Tom Waits
Jan 04 2024

Kind of offbeat and odd, I loved this album. Not something I'd listen to every day but I feel good knowing Mr. Waits made such a kooky record.

Odelay by Beck
Jan 05 2024

Experimental bordering on annoying. That being said, it's a really fun album. The creative usage of objects and instruments to make odd noises is more entertaining than not. Most of the tracks on this album are super laid back and chill, with simple percussion nudging the tempo forward. Not sure if I'd listen to this again soon, but definitely again someday.

Talking Book by Stevie Wonder
Jan 06 2024

What a great listen. Some unexpected low points on this album, but nothing terrible by any means. The beginning, middle and end of the record are all great, there's some filler in between though.

En-Tact by The Shamen
Jan 07 2024

Very fun. Interesting listening to an album that bridges new wave with 90s electronic.

In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida by Iron Butterfly
Jan 08 2024

It's a shame that I didn't enjoy any track as much as IAGDV. Maybe on later listens I'll dig it more. Even the titular song is a little self indulgent but it's pretty fun.

Daydream Nation by Sonic Youth
Jan 09 2024

Ushered in the 90s alt rock era. A lot of bands owe success to Sonic Youth and this album. Definitely iconic and captures the feeling of being an adolescent pretty well. Listening to this album gave me flashbacks to highschool, but in a good way.

Red Dirt Girl by Emmylou Harris
Jan 10 2024

Even with such a rich, full sound I don't think this album is for me. Somewhere in the vicinity of Sheryl Crow or the Chicks, but not nearly as catchy.

Duck Stab/Buster & Glen by The Residents
Jan 11 2024

Hearing the first few bars of this album, I just know the nerds on this website are gonna LOVE this. If art is supposed to make you feel something, this album makes me feel like I'm on a bad trip. Because of this it's hard to rate on a traditional scale. For enjoyment of listening I'd give it a 1/5. For making me think about music in general and talking about this band, this album and considering how it made me feel, easy 5/5. Grating but wonky in a proto-Primus way at some points. I did enjoy this a hell of a lot more than the T-Swift album I heard a month ago. This album definitely reminds the listener that art is subjective.

Out Of The Blue by Electric Light Orchestra
Jan 12 2024

Obnoxiously chipper at times, but damn if it's not infectious.

Play by Moby
Jan 13 2024

Music for people who think they were losers in high school but were actually bullies.

The Madcap Laughs by Syd Barrett
Jan 15 2024

Yet another album that's a lot more interesting to read or talk about than listen to.

Lady Soul by Aretha Franklin
Jan 16 2024

Just delightful.

Supa Dupa Fly by Missy Elliott
Jan 17 2024

Lots of great samples on this album. Its fun to draw a straight line from Nicki Minaj and other artists popular today back to the late 90s and Missy.

Seventeen Seconds by The Cure
Jan 18 2024

None of the tracks on this album jumped out and bit me. It was enjoyable enough but maybe I'm just not a huge fan of the Cure. It was encapsulating of a certain vibe, tough to pin down.

Jan 19 2024

Surprising how fun this album was. Great bass lines, some kooky 80s synth, it was great. Probably won't be on my rotation anytime soon but glad to be introduced to this artist. Bonus points for how many people rated this a 1 because it was "way too 80s" lmao.

Parallel Lines by Blondie
Jan 20 2024

The first time listening to a whole Blondie album front to back and holy cow, what a voice. Gorgeous and full, with the perfect amount of vocal fry to give it a bit of edge on a few tracks. This album would be a perfect 5/5 if all the tracks had as much pop and punch as One Way Or Another.

Bayou Country by Creedence Clearwater Revival
Jan 21 2024

Not my favorite CCR album but it's always a good listen.

I Against I by Bad Brains
Jan 22 2024

If you don't like this album, you don't get it. You never will.

Bryter Layter by Nick Drake
Jan 23 2024

Very gentle, but full of emotion. The whole album reminds me of being on the verge of tears but not actually crying. Love the instrumentals, especially the sax and flute. I wish there was more of that on this album, but it's enjoyable.

The Good, The Bad & The Queen by The Good, The Bad & The Queen
Jan 24 2024

The ideas in this album are fun, but they kind of feel like "leftovers" from stuff that didn't make it into Demon Days. Entire songs made up of the crooning and guitar work that would be the bridge of a Gorillaz song. I definitely miss the hip hop influence that Gorillaz has here. Without that energy, the songs are a little too dull for me.

Jan 25 2024

This album is so influential, it's hard to rate it. It's not the kind of album I would put on to listen to very often, but lots of albums I do listen to often are directly influenced by Aretha.

Ágætis Byrjun by Sigur Rós
Jan 26 2024

One of those unbearably pretentious hipster post-rock nonsense bands that was passed around for indie cred in the 2000s. I was always much more of a GY!BE fan, but I have to admit this band is pretty talented. Ambient, moody and just a wee bit psychedelic. Also, anyone else remember the webcomic Questionable Content?

Bossanova by Pixies
Jan 27 2024

Nothing I could say about this band that hasn't been said hundreds of times before. Pixies are quiet but loud, angsty but calm and terrible but great. I love 'em.

Real Life by Magazine
Jan 28 2024

Sax parts were cool. Not sure if there's anything else of note here, but its fun.

Cosmo's Factory by Creedence Clearwater Revival
Jan 29 2024

Lookin' Out My Backdoor is a masterpiece. There's just so few tracks on this album that aren't fantastic. Hard 4 to soft 5.

The College Dropout by Kanye West
Jan 30 2024

Good production and Happy Gilmore references only get you so far. Kanye's personality is so strong for better and for worse.

Aha Shake Heartbreak by Kings of Leon
Jan 31 2024

Music for christian high school girls going through their rebellious phase.

The Stooges by The Stooges
Feb 01 2024

Love the amount of edge these clowns brought to music at the time. Unfortunately, the sound has evolved so much since then.

Back In Black by AC/DC
Feb 02 2024

My mom grew up in the 80s, so this album was super nostalgic for me. I had a good time with it, but I'm happier adding some of the songs to a playlist rather than listening to the whole thing front to back. Some of the chord progressions bleed together...

The Wildest! by Louis Prima
Feb 03 2024

Man, this music is just fun. Gets me dancing.

Trout Mask Replica by Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
Feb 04 2024

Of course people don't like this album on this site. It's not anything like the rest of the late 60's guitar masturbation or smarmy pop rock that this list famously pushes. Call me a contrarian if you want, but so many cool things in life are going to be beyond your understanding if you can't learn to enjoy things that are a little grating on purpose. Movies, music, books, places, people, you name it. There are plenty of things out there that are ultimately worth it even though they aren't "easy" to get through.

Brothers In Arms by Dire Straits
Feb 06 2024

Listening to boomer rock is my business and business is a BOOMIN.

Picture Book by Simply Red
Feb 08 2024

Fun 80s pop. I can totally get why someone would nerd out about this, it's just not my thing. I was dancing a little listening to this though, there's something to be said about that.

The Colour Of Spring by Talk Talk
Feb 09 2024

Duran Duran x Pink Floyd x R.E.M. Simple piano and some fun bass lines really carry this album for me. Super chill listen.

Dire Straits by Dire Straits
Feb 10 2024

Sultans of Swing alone makes this a 4/5, the rest of it is good too.

Deep Purple In Rock by Deep Purple
Feb 11 2024

Seminal hard rock album. I can't deny how influential this album and this band is, but listening to it in 2024 just makes me wish I was listening to Motorhead or Iron Maiden.

Talking Heads 77 by Talking Heads
Feb 12 2024

It's not the best Talking Heads album but it's got some great tracks.

Neon Bible by Arcade Fire
Feb 13 2024

I wouldn't go as far as to say this outright sucks, but it's definitely not as good as I remember. The late 2000's indie sound is just not my favorite any more, it all sounds so radio ready and fabricated. Disingenuous is the word that comes to mind. That all being said, I dig the organ and strings on this album.

Music by Madonna
Feb 14 2024

This album immiedieteely hooked me with it's techno/trance-esque production and fun, anthem-like lyrics. Runaway Lover especially was just a blast. Starting with I Deserve It, the album took an odd turn into this country inspired pop territory. I wasn't a fan, save for the percussion being wicked tight and reminded me of trap beats. After a short dip into generic pop land, we're back into this odd, spacey auto tune slow jam with Nobody's Perfect. This album is at it's best when it's less Sheryl Crow and more Bjork. Also, probably the best version of American Pie I can think of.

Heaux Tales by Jazmine Sullivan
Feb 15 2024

Some fun, poppy R&B. I'm curious to see how influential this album becomes.

Peter Gabriel by Peter Gabriel
Feb 16 2024

It was... fine. Kind of hard to come up with things to say about an album that's so non-offensive.

Abraxas by Santana
Feb 17 2024

Pretty iconic album. Short and sweet, unlike a lot of the rest of the late 60s/early 70s jam nonsense this list shoves down my gullet.

Eagles by Eagles
Feb 19 2024

*Insert The Big Lebowski reference here*

Roxy Music by Roxy Music
Feb 21 2024

What a pleasant surprise! Diverse sound, lots of great instrumentation and fantastic energy throughout. Super solid album.

I See You by The xx
Feb 23 2024

Non-offensive and a little dull, but I can appreciate the production.

Urban Hymns by The Verve
Feb 24 2024

This album undoubtedly had a lasting cultural impact, but about half the tracks on this album feel derivative of each other. I had a good time listening through this, but probably won't revisit it again.

Fishscale by Ghostface Killah
Feb 25 2024

Just a solid hip hop album.

Live! by Fela Kuti
Feb 27 2024

Pretty phenomenal album that ends in near 20 minute drum solo.

White Blood Cells by The White Stripes
Feb 28 2024

This album is kind of a mixed bag. Some tracks are so dorky that they're fun. Others are Jack White trying so hard to be cool that he's dorky. Lots of fun riffs and powerfully simple percussion on this album. Fell In Love With a Girl is still incredible, it's too bad the rest of this album doesn't reach those heights. 3.75/5

Sunshine Hit Me by The Bees
Feb 29 2024

Soft, a little boring, a tad tired and mostly just background music. Not very engaging at all. Maybe I wasn't in the right headspace to listen to this today but I'm not impressed.

Traffic by Traffic
Mar 01 2024

A pleasant but typical late 60's rock band. A little technical when they want to be, but not enough to hold my attention. Fun jams though.

At Mister Kelly's by Sarah Vaughan
Mar 02 2024

Sarah Vaughan is undoubtedly talented, witty and funny.

Kala by M.I.A.
Mar 03 2024

Every time I start an album that doesn't sound like late 60's guitar masturbation or pop-rock, I rush to the comments on this god-forsaken website to read the salty reviews. It sustains me. So many music "fans" can't listen to anything outside of their little genre circles they've sequestered themselves in. This album is not what I expected at all. Paper Planes was so pervasive in my high school experience. It was everywhere in the late 2000's. It's definitely a stand-out on this album, but if you can't bob your head to the percussion on the rest of these tracks, you're probably dead inside. The thick sound on songs like 20 Dollar are just infectious. The world music influence on this album is incredible. I understand this type of music not being your favorite, but calling it "unlistenable" is childish. Grow up lmao

The Band by The Band
Mar 04 2024

I feel like a lost of the magic of these late 60s rock bands are really lost on me.

Elvis Presley by Elvis Presley
Mar 05 2024

This album is historically relevant, but I can't find a good reason to listen to Elvis in 2024.

Remain In Light by Talking Heads
Mar 06 2024

Unfortunately, this album is as good as the nerds at /mu/ say it is.

Suzanne Vega by Suzanne Vega
Mar 08 2024

Wasn't expecting much, but this was a fun little album.

Nixon by Lambchop
Mar 10 2024

Reminded me a bit of Radiohead.

Winter In America by Gil Scott-Heron
Mar 11 2024

Fantastic album this late winter morning. Here sipping my coffee, this album was a joyful, sardonic and bitter delight.

Fred Neil by Fred Neil
Mar 13 2024

Just reminds me of that Futurama episode where Zapp and Kif leave the DOOP.

You Are The Quarry by Morrissey
Mar 14 2024

Pretty forgettable, but mostly pleasant tunes. 2.5/5

Chelsea Girl by Nico
Mar 15 2024

Very surprising. Great alto voice, the strings and flute were arranged so well. These songs are somber and thoughtful but move forward at a reasonable pace. I especially enjoyed the noisier elements of the songs. Discordant strings were a lot of fun.

Music for the Masses by Depeche Mode
Mar 16 2024

What can I say? It's Depeche Mode. Formative but there's other things nowadays I'd rather listen to.

Queen Of Denmark by John Grant
Mar 17 2024

I think that rampant homophobia, the christian theocracy and general bigotry is a huge problem not just in the US, but world-wide. I don't doubt Mr. Grant had a tough time being gay growing up, but his garrulous use of slurs that don't apply to him comes off like a vapid suburban teen and the music suffers for it. There's something so frustrating about a white man using the N-word like this. It's so tone deaf and insipid. It's lazy. If you want to shock people, learn word play, don't just rattle off a string of slurs. I can see how this music would appeal to some folks, but I just can't looks past the painfully simple, skin deep musicality. This music borrows a little too much from the music that inspired it. Entire riffs and motifs are pulled from other songs 30 years prior. I think my major problem with music from the last couple decades on this list is a lack of measurable impact they have on music today. This music has already aged fairly poorly, it's not classic at all. Are there bands out there today citing this album as being seminal for them? Perhaps there are, and I'm just not clued in. Very possible.

Mott by Mott The Hoople
Mar 18 2024

My understanding was that Mott The Hoople wouldn't have amounted to anything if not for Bowie's intervention. Is this not the case? Are they valid on their own merit, or are they included here for being involved with that coke fiend?

Marquee Moon by Television
Mar 19 2024

While I can appreciate the impact this album allegedly had on rock, I just didn't have much of a good time listening to it. Just wasn't my cup of tea.

Juju by Siouxsie And The Banshees
Mar 21 2024

Driving bass lines? Check. Songs about Halloween and Witchcraft? Check. Annoying noises in the song mix? Check. Yeah, it's Goth time.

Moss Side Story by Barry Adamson
Mar 22 2024

How to get considered for the 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die: Step 1: Have connections to Nick Cave. Step 2: Record an album that's vaguely inspired by detective noir soundtracks, label it as a "concept album." I really don't think this music is that interesting or special, but the inclusion here feels confusing. Who is picking these albums?

Illinois by Sufjan Stevens
Mar 23 2024

Gentle arrangement and very deliberate, despite it's relaxed sound. Mr. Stevens has certainly done a good job making this album sound effortless. The production lends itself well to this. That all being said, I don't know if this music is for me. I had a hard time differentiating songs and it was a bit too long.

2112 by Rush
Mar 24 2024

So funny to me that people are complaining about a song being too long. I guess enjoy your subway surfers and Family Guy: Funniest Moments Compilation 6.

Heroes by David Bowie
Mar 26 2024

I liked that the second half of this album is less pop and more free form. Haven't actually listened to this album front to back before so it was a pleasant surprise.

System Of A Down by System Of A Down
Mar 27 2024

So rarely are my middle school tastes in music vindicated.

Gasoline Alley by Rod Stewart
Mar 28 2024

Virtually no song called out to me on this album, but it was pleasant enough.

Tapestry by Carole King
Mar 29 2024

Music was totally fine. Great kitty on the album art.

Coat Of Many Colors by Dolly Parton
Mar 30 2024

Not gonna lie, I was expecting more camp. I hadn't heard this album of Dolly's, but it's pretty good. I just love me some old school country music. 3.5/5

Dusty In Memphis by Dusty Springfield
Mar 31 2024

Had a good time with this album. Definitely a pleasant surprise knowing none of Dusty's music aside from that one song in Pulp Fiction. 3.5/5

Blue by Joni Mitchell
Apr 02 2024

Pleasant :)

Heartbreaker by Ryan Adams
Apr 04 2024

This album started off pretty strong, but lost steam quickly. The inclusion of speaking lines before songs start comes across as faux-sincerity. Felt like a deliberate move by a producer to make this music feel more genuine. All that being said, it's nice, gentle music. If that's your thing, go nuts. I have a hard time with these hour long lullaby albums.

Junkyard by The Birthday Party
Apr 05 2024

How have I only seen 200 albums but 4 of those have been Nick Cave albums? Anyway, this band was described as dark and challenging. I was a little disappointed as a result. Just feels like being edgy on purpose and as a result feels really safe. I don't know. I like noise, I like grindcore, I like powerviolence, but this just isn't those things. I can see how being a 17 year old in 1982 and hearing this for the first time would blow your mind, so I appreciate it from that angle.

Fever To Tell by Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Apr 06 2024

I thought I was so deep and esoteric listening to this band in 2007 growing up in a rural Montana town. I was just so desperate for any music was wasn't church hymns or post 9/11 country. I think this album holds up. It's definitely another indie record that I think the breakout single overshadows much better songs. Y Control is just so much more fun than Maps, but to each their own. Solid album, will listen again.

A Wizard, A True Star by Todd Rundgren
Apr 07 2024

Some absolutely fantastic prog rock constantly interrupted by cartoon BOINGYOYOYOING sounds. 7/10, I had a good time.

Is This It by The Strokes
Apr 08 2024

I tried to approach this objectively, because I can't stand people who never shut up about how great the Strokes are. A refreshingly short album. I appreciate how much the bass stands out in the mix. Tight, poppy rock music. A decade earlier, Nirvana changed the face of rock music and the Strokes did something similar for the 2000's. Definitely a beginning of an era, it's just not my style. I like my rock music a little less polished and with a bit more edge. It's not my favorite, but I can appreciate it's place in music history.

Aladdin Sane by David Bowie
Apr 09 2024

Beautiful piano riffs on this album.

Heartattack And Vine by Tom Waits
Apr 10 2024

Super bluesy and Tom Waits has such an incredible voice.

Sail Away by Randy Newman
Apr 11 2024

Well, they say the world's your oyster Man, but oysters ain't for me You're the belle of the ball But you ain't my cup of tea They always vote you Best in Show But this doggie disagrees 'Cause I like life in Paddy's Pub... There's a place for me, it's the place I go Where the beer is cheap, and the lights are low It's Paddy's Pub I like Paddy's Pub Let the record show The greatest place to go Is that bar called Paddy's Pub... [Harmonica Solo] I like life in Paddy's Pub...

Hail To the Thief by Radiohead
Apr 13 2024

Feels like a collection of b-sides more than a complete album, but it's pretty fun.

The Number Of The Beast by Iron Maiden
Apr 14 2024

Devastatingly haunting vocals, soaring guitars, bombastic drums and rocking bass lines to glue it all together. This is Maiden at their best and I fuckin' love this record. Can't overstate enough how important this was to me, growing up in rural Montana. Music that was technical, evil/epic sounding and most of all it felt good to play it LOUD. Iron Maiden goes so fucking hard.

We Are Family by Sister Sledge
Apr 16 2024

Funky bass lines. Great voices. Just groovy.

Odessa by Bee Gees
Apr 17 2024

This is definitely conjecture, but after reading about this album I think the only reason it was included here was because it almost tore apart the band. No 70's Bee Gees, the exposure to disco white people get looks very different. Regarding the actual music, it's a typical late 60's slog. Virtually nothing stands out to me here, aside from the vocal work, but it's just a reminder of what's to come. This is a sub-par Bee Gees record, compared to themselves. It's nothing to write home about in the genre it exists in, either. The album is annoyingly long, too. Just a slog to get through.

3 + 3 by The Isley Brothers
Apr 18 2024

Groovy.

Either Or by Elliott Smith
Apr 20 2024

This music feels so delicate if I listen to it wrong, it's going to break. The lyrics give weight to the music, so it's kind of top heavy. Didn't think I'd dig it, but it's pretty good.

Gold by Ryan Adams
Apr 21 2024

Man, this album was just painfully boring. It's just so flaccid and safe.

Nothing's Shocking by Jane's Addiction
Apr 22 2024

It's cool these guys were making this kind of music in the late 80's, pre grunge explosion. Unfortunately, they get kind of lost in the shuffle afterwards. 3.5/5

Fear Of A Black Planet by Public Enemy
Apr 23 2024

Just chock full of classic lines and hooks. Fantastic album.

On The Beach by Neil Young
Apr 24 2024

Neil Young's influence and success speaks for itself, but personally I never got the hype. This album has some fun solos here and there, but the lyricism really pulls me out of it. Thankfully, this album isn't very long. If you're into laid back guitars, almost funky bass lines and songs that make remind you of being on the beach with your family, this might be for you. Also, maybe it's just that so many local acts I see sound exactly like this and I'm super sick of this sound. 2.5/5

C'est Chic by CHIC
Apr 25 2024

Having only heard "the hits", this was a surprisingly fun album.

...And Justice For All by Metallica
Apr 26 2024

Not even close to the best Metallica album, but it's still pretty shreddy and bombastic, like good thrash should be. The lyrical themes stay topical to this day. It's a weaker thrash album, but it was signaling metal's eventual move to mainstream music. On a list of other thrash albums, I would put this one lower. But since it's on this list, 4.5/5.

Apr 28 2024

Can't tell how much I actually enjoy Bob Dylan's music. Might be one of the blandest but most earnest albums I've ever heard.

Brothers by The Black Keys
Apr 30 2024

Totally acceptable white boy blues rock slog from the worst decade of music!

Third by Portishead
May 01 2024

Mostly non-pretentious electronic inspired rock. You'll probably know within the first half of the first song if this is something you'd wanna listen to for an hour.

The Real Thing by Faith No More
May 02 2024

Already a cool album, then they busted out the Sabbath cover.

Everything Must Go by Manic Street Preachers
May 03 2024

Totally fine mid-90's rock. I didn't understand why The Holy Bible was included in this list and I don't understand this inclusion either. But it's fine!

Foo Fighters by Foo Fighters
May 04 2024

I listened to a lot of grunge when I was younger and that led me to heavier music like thrash and death metal. I don't often listen to alt rock any more, it all comes across as being palatable to the most amount of people it can (capitalism baby). I think what I like about the Foo Fighters is that this music sits right in the middle of my and my father's music taste. We don't agree on a lot, but when I visit him some sort of Foo Fighters radio playlist is what we're listening to. He genuinely loves it and I am not bored to tears by it. I suppose I'm rambling at this point, but this generic-ass rock band did bring a father and son closer together, and I appreciate that. Seldom though they are, there are enough hardcore punk influences on this album that it's a good listen.

The Velvet Underground & Nico by The Velvet Underground
May 05 2024

I understand how this was cool 6 decades ago, but by today's standards it doesn't hold up for me. That being said, I respect that it's just a bunch of kids doing drugs and making music. 2.5/5

Leftism by Leftfield
May 06 2024

Fun electronic music with lots of cool influences. Very much so the kind of music I like to listen to while focusing on work.

Fleet Foxes by Fleet Foxes
May 07 2024

As far as 2000's indie rock nonsense is concerned, these guys are fine. Kind of like the Decemberists, they're getting by on acapella vocals and gentle guitar work.

Sweet Baby James by James Taylor
May 08 2024

Musicality is too few and far between to make this an interesting listen. Mostly its a just a soft rock slog.

All Hail the Queen by Queen Latifah
May 09 2024

Funky, jazzy, and just a ton of fun. Some of the samples remind me of 80s electro and it's just goofy enough to be so enjoyable.

White Light / White Heat by The Velvet Underground
May 10 2024

SHE BEEN SUCKING ON MY DING DONG SHE BEEN SUCKING ON MY BING BONG Same as the last VU album I listened to, I can appreciate this for being edgy back in the 60s, but it doesn't make for good listening today. 2.5/5

Ill Communication by Beastie Boys
May 11 2024

This album is so much fun. The samples, the instrumentality, the attitude. Peak 90s for me.

Jack Takes the Floor by Ramblin' Jack Elliott
May 12 2024

Back when country music was about real shit... like getting eaten alive by bed bugs and coke.

Buffalo Springfield Again by Buffalo Springfield
May 13 2024

As far as late 60's rock slogs go, this one was pretty fun. Jazzy and light hearted, it does not feel like it takes itself to seriously. 3.5/5

Tracy Chapman by Tracy Chapman
May 14 2024

I'm not much for singer/songwriter music, but at least this is genuine. Unlike T-Swizzle, I am not rolling my eyes throughout the entire album. 3.5/5

D by White Denim
May 15 2024

It's no shock to me that the song with the most plays on Spotify is Street Joy. It definitely sounds the most "of the era." I'm not the biggest fan of that late 2000's / early 2010's indie pop rock sound, but this was already really tight and enjoyable. What really got me about this album was the transitions! Taking pop rock into psych was just great. The compressed and simple percussion on Street Joy turning into the tightly wound but light drumming on Anvil Everything was a lot of fun. Overall, very surprisingly enjoyable record. Being a senior in high school when this came out, I would have loved to hear this, but it must have slipped my radar (living in a rural area pre social media empire will do that).

May 16 2024

This album is fuckin' perfect. If you don't like this, we can't be friends. Not sure why you'd wanna be friends with scum like me, but there you go.

Hot Buttered Soul by Isaac Hayes
May 17 2024

It's almost spoken word at some points in this album. These tracks are so gentle, soulful and intentional. Usually things I don't really value in the music I listen to regularly but the rhythm section is just so damn tight and groovy.

My Aim Is True by Elvis Costello
May 18 2024

Most of these songs are pretty decent on their own, but listening to the whole album front to back gets a little repetitive.

Boston by Boston
May 19 2024

This album is so special. I listened to it so much in high school, singing along but not having my own experiences to relate to the lyrics. Over a decade later now, hearing these songs again forces me to look back and appreciate the people in my life who aren't there any more, for any reason. Just an incredible rock record, in my top 25 albums of all time.

May 20 2024

This album is only a little pretentious.

Music From Big Pink by The Band
May 21 2024

I wouldn't go as far to say this album was boring, but it was on the slower side. Aside from The Weight, I just can't picture remembering any of these tracks.

May 22 2024

The grip that "In Da Club" has on my generation to this day is crazy. All in all, pretty tight album for it's era. I never really got into this particular brand of tough guy hip hop.

Pictures At An Exhibition by Emerson, Lake & Palmer
May 23 2024

I liked this album, but there's prog out there I'd rather listen to. Possibly my favorite thing about prog is how much it makes people mad. My favorite review someone wrote of this album was just: "Not fun at all. Weird and boring." God, I love the simplicity of that. "This music is yucky to my ears, it made me feel bad :("

May 24 2024

Another in a long list of albums that ripped off their song entirely from the black community, spruced it up with good production and sold it to the Mayo Americans. I can see how this album is historically relevant, but good lord why would I ever sit down and listen to this in 2024 (the year of our lord.)

Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
May 25 2024

The way this album starts fucks so hard. The PlayStation and Street Fighter sounds really put me into a different headspace right away. Then, Thinkin Bout You starts and it's so delicate and intimate. Very cool way to start an album. Wordplay and references were very enjoyable. Not my typical style, but I had a good time with this album.

Throwing Muses by Throwing Muses
May 26 2024

Pleasant listen, although a bit forgettable.

London Calling by The Clash
May 27 2024

So varied and seminal for a lot of artists. 4.5/5

Sea Change by Beck
May 28 2024

Not my favorite Beck record, but really nice. Somber, thoughtful and intentional. 3.5/5

Licensed To Ill by Beastie Boys
May 29 2024

This music is a lot of things. Massively influential, irritating, obnoxious, fun-loving, etc. A friend of mine and I got Beastie Boys banned from our band room in high school for repeatedly playing Brass Monkey and Girls on the xylophone and bari sax.

Lost Souls by Doves
May 30 2024

Definitely an album that if I had heard this in high school, I'd probably remember it fondly but not listen to it much. It's a fun album, but it is more impressive when it leans away from that indie pop sound. Starts off great, but "A House" is not impressive enough to end satisfactorily on. 3.5/5

Pump by Aerosmith
May 31 2024

There's good horny (industrial music, R&B), then there's whatever the fuck this is. This music tastes like stale vomit on someone's breath, dried beer on their clothes and the faint idea that you're making a mistake. There's not a lot musically or novel happening, it's just a couple of singles that Jack F.M. will play relentlessly.

Power In Numbers by Jurassic 5
Jun 01 2024

"Some of you like the way my words caress tracks While some of these politicians secretly suppress facts" Fantastic album. Community centered and progressive lyrics, funky beats and overall just a fun listen. 4.5/5

Jun 02 2024

By the end of With or Without you, I was ready to stop listening and try again later. However, the use of overtones in the intro to Bullet The Blue Sky convinced me to stick it out. Unfortunately, the rest of this album is a by the numbers pop-rock slog, complete with crooning vocals, lyrics that make you wanna groan and repetitive song structures throughout. This music is fucking corny.

Raising Hell by Run-D.M.C.
Jun 03 2024

Always fun to hear time capsules like this.

Ocean Rain by Echo And The Bunnymen
Jun 05 2024

I always enjoy an album that's shorter than 45 minutes. Besides that, this is fun pop-rock. It's hard not to compare Echo & The Bunnymen to The Cure, but I think I prefer the former. Highlight track on this album for me is My Kingdom.

Crosby, Stills & Nash by Crosby, Stills & Nash
Jun 06 2024

Late 60s soft rock slog. Aside from the vocal harmonies, there's not much I enjoy about this type of music. I'm sure this album inspired so many talented artists to make music, but I don't know if the entire album holds up today. 2.5/5

Jun 07 2024

Tom Waits has a rugged wisdom that really makes him feel genuine. This album is fun, thought provoking and hilarious. What else could you ask for in a spoken word jazz album?

Jun 09 2024

Solid prog rock album. Even being a double album, I never felt I had to take a break or finish it later. Some of the tones and effects were fun, others a little irritating, but I feel that comes with the territory, haha.

Station To Station by David Bowie
Jun 10 2024

Every time I get a Bowie album generated, I think something like "he's got some good hits, but listening to an entire album might drag a bit." Every single time I'm wrong! Golden Years is a stand out for me here, but Station to Station, TVC15 and Wild is the Wind are all bangers. 4.5/5

Hot Rats by Frank Zappa
Jun 11 2024

This album is wicked fun.

Tusk by Fleetwood Mac
Jun 12 2024

Steel Ball Run

Vol. 4 by Black Sabbath
Jun 13 2024

Changes sounds like it came off a solo Ozzy record 10 years in the future.

Africa Brasil by Jorge Ben Jor
Jun 14 2024

Reminds me of Quincy Jones.

Hunky Dory by David Bowie
Jun 15 2024

MAKE WAY FOR THE HOMO SUPERIOR! -The Sovereign

1999 by Prince
Jun 16 2024

Fun pop record. Way dirtier than I thought it would be, but I have never really listened to Prince. Great vocals, synth, percussion. All around super solid.

The Downward Spiral by Nine Inch Nails
Jun 17 2024

Visceral and intense. I cannot stress how important this music was for people like myself, living in rural America. Before you could just go find music on the internet, finding a CD like this one was life changing.

Sticky Fingers by The Rolling Stones
Jun 18 2024

Flashy, fun and just shy holding my attention the entire time.

Groovin' by The Young Rascals
Jun 19 2024

This music is non-offensive and little dull. I'm glad to have heard of them, but I won't be revisiting this album any time soon. 2.5/5

Goo by Sonic Youth
Jun 21 2024

The noisy tracks on this album elevate it so much. Feels like a bunch of folks getting together to jam. Having a blast.

The Next Day by David Bowie
Jun 22 2024

I just don't see this as being influential or sonically impressive. There are much more interesting and impressive albums that could be on this list. Do I think it's impressive that Bowie was making music up until the end? Yeah, sure. I don't think this album can be cited as being seminal or groundbreaking. This album is fine. Enjoyable for sure. But why is this album on this list? I really should pick up the book that explains this stuff.

Jun 23 2024

Some really great stuff on this album. As per the usual, the hits were not my favorite. Final Hour was excellent, and the piano on the ending track was so wonderful. 3.5/5

Goodbye And Hello by Tim Buckley
Jun 24 2024

Not bad! Was expecting to dislike this, like most of the 60s rock nonsense that's on this list, but the prog elements really upped this for me.

Van Halen by Van Halen
Jun 25 2024

I had totally forgotten about the scatting on I'm the One. But yeah, these songs are seminal and still culturally relevant today. It's just sad that they've been relegated to radio rock.

Destroyer by KISS
Jun 27 2024

Definition of style over substance. Kiss are a boy band with a costume gimmick. While I wasn't actively angry while listening to this album, it did make me sad. All that said, it should get a star for being culturally relevant back in the day.

The La's by The La's
Jun 28 2024

Fun blast from the past with There She Goes, but the rest of this album is a fairly forgettable. 90s british pop band. Its funny to me that we had a zillion beatles clones in the 60s, then 30 years later we got a zillion more. Don't you people get tired of hearing the same old song over and over again? It's a decent album, but nothing really stirred me. 2.5/5

Getz/Gilberto by Stan Getz
Jun 29 2024

I've always liked Getz and this album is a classic. These saxophone licks are buttery smooth but complex enough to snap me out of working to listen.

Jul 02 2024

"Um, actually it's super cool to include a minute long skit of blowjob noises, playing pretend that two grown men are fantasizing about you while they blow each other." - Eminem fans This album is cringe-fest wannabe cool guy garbage.

Jul 03 2024

Chill album. Like a lot of hip hop from decades past, it has it shortcomings but overall a really fun listen.

Good Old Boys by Randy Newman
Jul 04 2024

More boring than anything. Had to fight to keep attention on it.

Clandestino by Manu Chao
Jul 05 2024

Would put on during dinner with my parents.

American Idiot by Green Day
Jul 06 2024

This album is massively overrated, but it's still good.

Dare! by The Human League
Jul 07 2024

Went back and forth on 2 or 3 for this one. On one hand, it's historically relevant. On the other, it's just boring. Other than one or two tracks, this album was a bit of a slog. We'll call it 2.5/5

Jul 08 2024

Philosophical and poignant. The sci-fi inspired futurism theme really does it for me.

Slippery When Wet by Bon Jovi
Jul 09 2024

The hits are radio rock fodder, but pleasant enough. I wanted there to be some underrated jam on this album, but no dice. Maybe I'm being too harsh here, but this is the definition of 80s rock mediocrity. I must admit I am a sucker for that synth keyboard.

Sulk by The Associates
Jul 11 2024

Quirky, but not enough to warrant another listen. If this album was literally an hour shorter it would be a lot more impressive. The instrumentals are pretty fun, though. The keyboards complement the bassline pretty well, I just wish this album had more high points. It's definitely a slog to get through.

Aja by Steely Dan
Jul 13 2024

I always kind of liked Steely Dan, but I think I'm becoming an actual fan. This album is really jazzy, kinda funky and just overall really pleasant.

Let Love Rule by Lenny Kravitz
Jul 14 2024

Music for people with no personality made by a nepo baby. At least some of it is catchy!

Lost In The Dream by The War On Drugs
Jul 16 2024

Easy listening soft rock for millennials. Art is supposed to make you feel something, all this makes me feel is bored. The soundscape stuff has the most interesting ideas on the album, but it's short lived and completely displaced by this derivative soft rock nonsense.

Superfuzz Bigmuff by Mudhoney
Jul 17 2024

Listened to the original 6 song EP first. This shit rips. Album name does not disappoint. Fuzzy, grungy and absolutely filthy guitar sound. I wish all of the albums on this list had half the distortion that these tracks have. I get it's not everyone's cup of tea, but I can't think of a better way to sweeten my morning beverage than with some Mudhoney.

The Rising by Bruce Springsteen
Jul 18 2024

Right off the cuff, these lyrics are insanely vapid. The music itself is pretty boring, but the lyrics actively make me roll my eyes, at least once a song. Into the Fire might be the worst part about my day. Overall, a frustrating album to get through. Definitely not my cup of tea.

Axis: Bold As Love by Jimi Hendrix
Jul 19 2024

While it didn't blow me away like their first album, this is such a solid psych rock record.

Made In Japan by Deep Purple
Jul 21 2024

As far as live albums go, really solid. Would rather listen to this than any Greatest Hits compilation.

All Things Must Pass by George Harrison
Jul 22 2024

A pretty self indulgent album. Lotsa peaks and valleys. There's a lot here I love, and even more I feel ambivalent about.

Group Sex by Circle Jerks
Jul 24 2024

Quick and dirty. Fuckin' excellent album.

Cafe Bleu by The Style Council
Jul 25 2024

This album was totally fine. There were interesting elements to it, but they were buried under a lot of generic smooth jazz and 80s pop nonsense.

Shleep by Robert Wyatt
Jul 26 2024

Somewhere between Pink Floyd and Radiohead. I liked this! Gentle, proggy little album that feels like it's reaching beyond what other acts in the 90s were doing.

At Fillmore East by The Allman Brothers Band
Jul 27 2024

Boomer blues rock jam band nonsense. I don't hate this music, but it's really not my thing. I appreciate the musicianship, but overall not that enjoyable of an album for me.

Madman Across The Water by Elton John
Jul 28 2024

Nothing I could really say about this. It's good, give it a listen.

Get Behind Me Satan by The White Stripes
Jul 29 2024

It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking The White Stripes only have one sound. Listening to this album was fun because I had forgotten that these guys have more than one sound. They actually have two!

OK Computer by Radiohead
Jul 30 2024

Not much to say. Solid pop record.

Green Onions by Booker T. & The MG's
Jul 31 2024

Half an hour of some fun, iconic jams.

Fear and Whiskey by Mekons
Aug 01 2024

Maybe I need another listen, but I hardly found anything of note in this album. Some things I enjoyed: 1. Short album. Love when albums are sub 45 minutes. 2. Spoken word lyrics with improv sax in the background. Other than that, it's pretty meh. 2.5/5

Dirty by Sonic Youth
Aug 02 2024

Solid pacing throughout, knows when to rip and when to chill.

Jazz Samba by Stan Getz
Aug 03 2024

Solid white guy jazz album. I enjoy Getz' sax playing, he was an inspiration for me when I was in high school. This album just doesn't have enough bite for me to love it.

Rising Above Bedlam by Jah Wobble's Invaders Of The Heart
Aug 04 2024

Reggae, dub, Spanish guitar, this album is definitely someone's jam, but it wasn't mine.

The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
Aug 05 2024

While I liked this more than Neon Bible, I still think this album suffers from being too long, too generic at it's low points and not ambitious enough. I was in high school when this band was in their prime. I might have a change of heart in the next couple of decades, but this was less of a blast from the past and more of an experience I can't wait to move on from. Still, gotta give credit where credit is due, there are a couple of jams on this album, just not enough to justify the 1hr+ runtime.

You Want It Darker by Leonard Cohen
Aug 06 2024

I think Leonard Cohen has a really interesting voice, but that's about it. Thankfully this album was short, but I am not really impressed with the composition.

Aug 07 2024

Tight, fast enough and with more (sadly) distorted guitar tone than 70% of the music on this list. Which is saying something, because these guys are basically a Buzzcocks knockoff. Not a bad album, but curious who is citing this album specifically as being formative for their sound today.

Franz Ferdinand by Franz Ferdinand
Aug 08 2024

I assumed this wasn't gonna hold up, glad I was wrong. Even with Take Me Out being one of the most overplayed songs in modern history, this album was a great listen.

Machine Head by Deep Purple
Aug 10 2024

CAM ON CAM ON LETS GO SPACE TRUCKIN'

Moby Grape by Moby Grape
Aug 11 2024

Feels more rhythm and blues influenced than some of their commentaries. Songs like Someday make me really glad to find artists like this, but it just isn't enough for me to want to revisit the entire album.

Definitely Maybe by Oasis
Aug 12 2024

I wouldn't go as far as to say this sucked, but it is really not for me. I found it uninteresting and dull.

Nevermind by Nirvana
Aug 13 2024

An album near and dear to my heart. Even though this was ultra popular when I was growing up, not many of my peers were listening to grunge in the mid 2000s in rural Montana. It's distorted and raw for radio rock. I can see how someone would think this is overrated today, but those people probably don't understand the massive influence this album and others like it had on the landscape of alternative music. One bad thing I can say about this album is the endless number of corporate plant bands that flooded the market after this.

Street Signs by Ozomatli
Aug 14 2024

Super hit or miss. Some tracks suck me right in with an infectious arrangement, but others just feel derivative and boring.

Chris by Christine and the Queens
Aug 15 2024

I think something I like about euro pop is the trance and house influence. Reminiscent of Bjork at points, this album was a super pleasant surprise. I think the double album holds it back, unfortunately. Judging the album as a whole, having a second disc that is basically the same as the first is definitely a hindrance. Being the pretentious ass I am, I prefer the French side.

The Köln Concert by Keith Jarrett
Aug 16 2024

Phenomenal improv. Incredible musicianship.

Elephant by The White Stripes
Aug 17 2024

There's a couple massively overplayed songs on this album, but overall its a good one.

Histoire De Melody Nelson by Serge Gainsbourg
Aug 18 2024

Every time I found myself enjoying the music, the vocals really ripped me out of it. Not for me. Thankfully, it was a short album. Likely would rate lower if it was much longer.

Boy In Da Corner by Dizzee Rascal
Aug 19 2024

Mixed bag of an album. The electronic music is very apparent and also very UK. The tracks where the production is taking a front seat are my favorites. I typically prefer US hip hop to UK, so it's no shock to me that some of these tracks didn't work for me. There's enough interesting ideas on this album to make me glad I checked it out, though.

Aftermath by The Rolling Stones
Aug 20 2024

I don't care much for this 60s rock nonsense, but I can't deny the cultural impact the Stones have had. This is a great example of an album that I'm positive has resonated with millions of people worldwide that I just don't care for. Under My Thumb is my pick for high point of this album, and it's so early on.

Stankonia by OutKast
Aug 21 2024

The variety on this album makes it's long runtime worth it. The songs flow seamlessly into each other. Massively talented people at the top of their game.

Pearl by Janis Joplin
Aug 22 2024

Great pipes!

Five Leaves Left by Nick Drake
Aug 23 2024

Not challenging, unoffensive but very pleasant. This music is a cut above the usual milquetoast, boring 60s crap that infests this list, but I will likely never listen to it ever again.

The Stranger by Billy Joel
Aug 24 2024

If you asked me on the street if I liked Billy Joel, I'd probably have a pretty non-committal answer. I don't listen to him often, but I did know 90% of the songs on this album. What can I say? It's just fun.

Stardust by Willie Nelson
Aug 26 2024

Pleasantly short album of only covers. Willie is a great artist and I love his music, however I likely will not revisit this album any time soon.

At Newport 1960 by Muddy Waters
Aug 27 2024

Mad respect for this musician.

Guitar Town by Steve Earle
Aug 28 2024

Totally acceptable country music :)

Olympia 64 by Jacques Brel
Aug 29 2024

It's not my style of music, but I can appreciate the clear love of music that Jacques has. Probably a 2.5/5 for me.

Horses by Patti Smith
Aug 30 2024

Spoken word over mildly interesting guitar and piano.

Figure 8 by Elliott Smith
Sep 03 2024

Elliot Smith is good, just wish I was listening to this in High School.

Aqualung by Jethro Tull
Sep 04 2024

Excellent album with a lot of replayability.

Court And Spark by Joni Mitchell
Sep 06 2024

This album was super pleasant. Joni's vocals, the warm guitar tones and the jazzy composition really made it for me. Will probably revisit in the future.

Abbey Road by Beatles
Sep 07 2024

Nothing I can say about this that hasn't been said before.

Deja Vu by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
Sep 09 2024

Solid folk rock, some proto jam stuff going on. All in a tight sub 40 minute package. Ideal.

Melodrama by Lorde
Sep 10 2024

I have a hard time with these albums. I don't see this as groundbreaking or seminal, so putting a 2017 album on the 2018 version of this list seems short shorted at best. It's a fairly by the numbers electropop album. I wish I could say I was delighted or surprised by anything the tracks were going for. I think I also sort of ruined this album for myself by reading the wiki page while I listened. Being told there were industrial and noise inspired tracks on this album got my hopes up. In a vacuum, this music is fine. It's pleasant and achieves the mood the artist was going for. In the context of this list, it's definitely ranked lower. I don't understand why music this generic and new gets put on this list when there's actual groundbreaking music being released today.

Repeater by Fugazi
Sep 12 2024

If you don't get it, you don't get it.

Steve McQueen by Prefab Sprout
Sep 13 2024

A solid 80's pop album.

Queen II by Queen
Sep 14 2024

As far as Queen albums go, this was less bombastic and over the top than I hoped. Not a bad album, but I expected more. I can see why music historians consider this important, but it doesn't hold a candle to their later albums.

Teenage Head by Flamin' Groovies
Sep 16 2024

Totally fine blues rock from the 70s.

S&M by Metallica
Sep 17 2024

This is a SFSO album first and a Metallica album second.

Shalimar by Rahul Dev Burman
Sep 18 2024

Catchy music and well done, just not my thing. Probably won't revisit it, but I enjoyed being exposed to it.

Rocks by Aerosmith
Sep 19 2024

A wholly uninteresting record on it's own, but I have to give credit where it's due. The blueprint laid here for 80's rock bands is hard to ignore.

Medúlla by Björk
Sep 20 2024

Layered, intimate and epic. This album was excellent. Bjork doesn't miss.

I Should Coco by Supergrass
Sep 22 2024

Surprisingly good album. Was expecting another 90s britpop slog, but this was innovative, full of youthful energy and not pedestrian like their contemporaries.

War by U2
Sep 23 2024

After listening to the absolute slog that was The Joshua Tree, I was dreading listening to this album. I was pleasantly surprised at the deeper than skin lyrics and interesting musical motifs. Way to go, U2! You cleared the bar that was on the ground.

Make Yourself by Incubus
Sep 25 2024

Put grunge, reggae/ska and hip hop into a blender and you get this. I think this is important music on one's journey to heavier music.

The Rolling Stones by The Rolling Stones
Sep 26 2024

The Stones' influence can't be denied, but I'd much rather listen to the countless bands they inspired.

1977 by Ash
Sep 27 2024

Shines when it's more distorted guitar solos and less britpop nonsense. Still a good album, though.

Armed Forces by Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Sep 29 2024

What if Talking Heads was irritating?

Cupid & Psyche 85 by Scritti Politti
Sep 30 2024

It's... fine. I can't really imagine listening to this again in the future. 2.5 / 5

Ellington at Newport by Duke Ellington
Oct 01 2024

Duke Ellington's piano playing provides an incredible foundation for these insanely talented musicians to solo over. The rhythm section is killing it and everyone sounds so tight. Fantastic album. Man, it would be so fun to be a part of a big band like this. I played in jazz band in high school and this music is just a blast to play.

Oct 02 2024

Might be the least interesting or creative Albarn project I've ever heard, but it's passable.

Calenture by The Triffids
Oct 04 2024

These Aussies are trying their best.

The Wall by Pink Floyd
Oct 05 2024

Transgressive (for the 70s) lyrics and some classic prog rock. Big fan.

Born To Run by Bruce Springsteen
Oct 06 2024

Gotta admit, this is pretty fun.

Joan Baez by Joan Baez
Oct 07 2024

Solid folk album. I don't really have anything meaningful to say about it.

Tommy by The Who
Oct 08 2024

I enjoy concept albums. This one is hit or miss, but mostly hit.

Dear Science by TV On The Radio
Oct 09 2024

Fun electronic soft rock album, but the vocals and vapid lyrics really hold it back.

Risque by CHIC
Oct 10 2024

Those bass lines kept me engaged. Not a ton of diversity of sound in this album, but its a short little ripper. I would totally be in a CHIC cover band.

Patient, aggressive and grating. Before even looking at the other reviews I'm willing to bet most people hated this. I like electronic, ambient and noise. Those genres wouldn't be the same without Throbbing Gristle.

So by Peter Gabriel
Oct 12 2024

I like Genesis, I like Phil Collins, turns out this was good too. Who woulda thunk it?

Penthouse And Pavement by Heaven 17
Oct 13 2024

I'm not a big fan, but I can see where others might be. The bass lines were especially fun.

Mask by Bauhaus
Oct 14 2024

Evokes images of the Peanuts gang, wearing all black, dancing along to these songs.

Parklife by Blur
Oct 15 2024

I still prefer Gorillaz, but this was a solid 90s britpop album.

Frampton Comes Alive by Peter Frampton
Oct 17 2024

Peter Frampton's boomer ramblings and irritating stage personality made this live album a real slog. There is zero reason for this album to be nearly 2 hours long.

Disintegration by The Cure
Oct 18 2024

Ya' know... it's the Cure. Not unlike your goth phase, it sticks around a little longer than it should.

If You Can Believe Your Eyes & Ears by The Mamas & The Papas
Oct 19 2024

Beautiful vocal harmonies, warm production and fun. This album is better than most other 60's records I've heard thus far. Really happy with the runtime too.

At Folsom Prison by Johnny Cash
Oct 20 2024

A classic and formative to my taste in music.

Only By The Night by Kings of Leon
Oct 21 2024

This music is so self-indulgent and vapid. It's marketed towards people who want to fit in with everyone else, but also feel unique.

The Chronic by Dr. Dre
Oct 22 2024

A classic 90's gangster rap album. The sense of humor is the biggest allure here for me. These tracks are such a great portrait of Dre's personality. A lot of my favorite rappers drew inspiration from this, you gotta respect it.

Signing Off by UB40
Oct 23 2024

I'm not a huge fan of Reggae, but I am a fan of it's history. This album was a little long for me, but the saxophone and lyrics kept me engaged enough. I think I would rather listen to the Specials.

Truth And Soul by Fishbone
Oct 24 2024

Very eclectic and varied sound here. Ska, reggae, elements of nu-metal, punk, soul, etc. This album somehow feels ahead of it's time but also steeped in late 80's cheese. No doubt this was a seminal album for a lot of acts I listen to, but I fear this album is more interesting to discuss than listen to. Still glad I got to hear it!

Scum by Napalm Death
Oct 25 2024

Anyone dismissing this music as "angry noise" is missing the point. Poignant and philosophical lyrics juxtaposed by absolutely brutally simplistic music. This album turns 40 in a couple years. Sad to say that the world has just gotten worse. Fuck Thatcher. Fuck Reagan. Those of us lucky enough to be born too late are inheriting a dying and broken world. This album was ahead of it's time and seminal for tons of acts.

Brown Sugar by D'Angelo
Oct 26 2024

I've never been drawn to R&B, but I can't deny this album is very jammable. D'Angelo's instrumentation and vocals are showcased well here, it's a very fun album.

Heroes to Zeros by The Beta Band
Oct 27 2024

Like a less quirky, less memorable Gorillaz. Still had a good time. 3.5/5

Sound of Silver by LCD Soundsystem
Oct 28 2024

LCD Soundsystem is so iconic, I hate to admit their better than I thought they were in High School when this music was new.

A Hard Day's Night by Beatles
Oct 29 2024

I enjoy this era of the Beatles. They are over their Twist and Shout days and are moving into more iconic territory. This 30 minute ripper was solid. Any longer than that and I would definitely rate it lower.

1989 by Taylor Swift
Oct 30 2024

Started off fairly pleasantly, Welcome to New York is catchy enough. Blank Space was groan inducing, though. A lot of the album was a pop slog inspired by the synthwave/electronica of the late 2000s. It wouldn't shock me that someone who never heard production like this would find it groundbreaking, but there's nothing here that's innovative. It's simply marketed to a large and musically ignorant audience. This music was designed to be catchy and it delivers here. I just wish there was something more substantial. This is by no means an original thought, but these vapid lyrics really bring it down for me. I also recognize just by virtue of being a man in my 30s, this album isn't really for me. It's not meant to be consumed as an album. This is a huge bag of jellybeans, not a full prepared and balanced meal.

Oct 31 2024

To evoke a tired trope, the lyrics on this album are more and more relevant with each passing year. The biting political commentary made accessible with humor and catchy hooks exemplifies youth counter culture. As others have said, the surf rock influence is the big draw musically. Absolutely seminal album for so many hardcore acts. If you don't see the appeal of this music I don't know what to tell you other than I hope your stocks crash.

Giant Steps by The Boo Radleys
Nov 01 2024

The poppier tracks tend to lose me, but the walls of sound are interesting enough to keep me engaged. Pleasant surprise. Some tracks guitar tone reminds me of Dinosaur Jr.

Nov 02 2024

Very surprising album today. The mix of genres here is fantastic.

Gris Gris by Dr. John
Nov 03 2024

Proto Tom Waits. Very interesting stuff, probably won't revisit for a while.

In Our Heads by Hot Chip
Nov 04 2024

Maybe derivative is too harsh a word to describe how I feel about this album. Mostly I find it to be very emblematic of 2010s dance/electronic music while trying to evoke the power of 80s synth pop. Overall, it was an enjoyable listen but I don't know if I would throw this on just to listen to. The kind of thing that girls I had a crush on in high school would listen to and I just couldn't get into it.

All Hope Is Gone by Slipknot
Nov 05 2024

I understand why Slipknot exists. There was a niche to be filled for heavier music highly marketable towards youth in the 2000s. Slipknot was ever popular with the 12 year olds that were craving something heavier than radio rock, but weren't familiar with anything heavier than Metallica or Soundgarden. Enter Slipknot, standing on the shoulders of giants. Recycling old Slayer riffs, add some Joey J drum fills and a frontman who can scream AND sing (WOWEE!) Things I like about this album: 1. I am desperate for variance in guitar tone. Hearing distorted tones again warms my heart after 400 albums of late 60s jam rock slogs and 90s brit pop slop. 2. The lyrics are on point. Slipknot is writing songs that resonated with the youth of the 90s and 2000s and remain popular for this reason. Any music that is pushing back on the right wing christian theocracy that is alive and well today is appreciated. This is peak Bush era music. 3. Joey J definitely is the highlight here. Slipknots songwriting learns heavy into having a talented drummer that can fit in tight little drum fills to doctor up these songs as being more exciting than they are. Things I dislike about this album: 1. Holy shit the recycling riffs here are boring. There are a couple of downbeat songs here that really let you linger and think about what the music isn't doing, and this sucks. Slipknot is at it's best when its a fast and heavy. 2. Clean vocals. The sing songy choruses juxtaposed to the screamed ones are probably a draw for some, but I can't get into it. It reminds me of those Jpop bands like BABYMETAL. I can't take these guys seriously at all. I'm struggling to rate this as far as this website goes. Heavy metal and it's subgenres are my favorite to listen to in my daily life, and I don't like Slipknot all that much. The conversation has just moved on. Nostalgia doesn't grip me to this music like it does some other nu metal acts. If I was going to rate this album amongst other heavy metal records, it would likely be a 2/5. Because of the omission of seminal or innovative metal albums on this list, I am forced to rate this higher. In short, put Acid Bath on this list, you cowards.

The White Room by The KLF
Nov 07 2024

The dub influence is not for me, but the techno tracks here are pretty fun. I want some electronic music from anywhere but the UK. This list is so biased towards UK music scene it's embarrassing.

Copper Blue by Sugar
Nov 08 2024

I'm a big fan of Hüsker Dü, so it's no shock I liked this. It's so sonically close, it feels like an extension of HD. I really like albums like this, where you can draw a straight line from hardcore punk into this softer, gentler sound. It keeps punk sensibilities while exploring a more accessible sound. The clavichord and organ on Hoover Dam give the song a huge boost. Anyone claiming these songs all sound the same probably just didn't listen close enough.

Smokers Delight by Nightmares On Wax
Nov 09 2024

Layered and soft spoken, this music seems very fun to play. It evokes images of friends getting stoned together and jamming for hours. Sounds like a pleasant way to spend an afternoon, in my opinion. While I agree with others this could be considered boring, I disagree that it has no merit. It does exactly what it sets out to do. If you aren't into that, that's fine. Sometimes I think people forget that art is not always (or even often, depending on who you are) made directly for people like you.

Innervisions by Stevie Wonder
Nov 11 2024

Come on... it's Stevie Wonder. Higher Ground is worth the price of admission, but there's other goodies here too.

Maggot Brain by Funkadelic
Nov 13 2024

The way this fantastic funk album ends with a chorus of flatulence has got me at a loss for words. Truly iconic. Sub 1 hour total ripper of an album.

Nov 14 2024

Undeniably seminal for many important artists today, but I don't often listen to this music for fun. The sax elevates this beyond "music that Elvis stole."

Architecture And Morality by Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
Nov 15 2024

I love electronic music, but this one didn't grab me as much. I definitely hear it's influence in britpop bands from the 90s, so I can appreciate it from that angle. Otherwise, not for me.

Hypnotised by The Undertones
Nov 16 2024

Not quite punk, not quite pop rock. The clash were doing it better and earlier. But honestly, this album was fine.

Nebraska by Bruce Springsteen
Nov 17 2024

Bruce sings "wee wee" on a track here. That's all you need to know. Very important to tell the story of forgotten parts of America. There's a lot to enjoy here if you like being sad about our country's rich history of the wealthy exploiting the working class. The music is fine. The mixing was odd for me. Bruce's voice on some songs was so quiet it was barely a whisper, while the harmonica was so effin' loud it hurt my ears. In short, okay music about an important topic.

Ace of Spades by Motörhead
Nov 18 2024

If you've never abused amphetamines I don't care about your opinion regarding this band. Most things really, but especially Motorhead.

Tical by Method Man
Nov 19 2024

Reading reviews of hip hop albums on this site is always hilarious. You have people typing up long dissertations, going into extreme detail about how influential or innovative an album is and how impressive the music is overall. Then you have users describing this music like a toddler would describe the taste of their least favorite vegetable. "It sounds yucky!" "I hate rap and asking me to stretch my musical imagination for less than an hour is a lot to ask, 1/5." Anyway, this album is great. It makes a great double feature with 36 Chambers but is good enough on it's own. Lyrics are mindful, revolutionary and comedic when they need to be. The production is both laid back and aggressive. If you are listening to this album and thinking "how did this make it on this list" I am begging you to grow up.

Nowhere by Ride
Nov 20 2024

This music is a fun balance of twinkly guitars and distorted overdrive. Enjoyable.

Hms Fable by Shack
Nov 21 2024

Another britpop album? I'm nearly half done with this list and it really feels like the UK has a stranglehold on the people who wrote this book.

Bongo Rock by Incredible Bongo Band
Nov 23 2024

Over an hour of covers of other people's music, rife with the overuse of generic bongos. I can see this album being interesting in music history for sampling, inspiration, etc, but I don't truly believe I needed to hear it before I shuffled off this mortal coil. It's fine, it just goes on for entirely too long without introducing anything other than "hey, remember this song?"

At San Quentin by Johnny Cash
Nov 24 2024

Little ripper of an outlaw country live album. Great stuff.

Wild Gift by X
Nov 25 2024

Solid earlyish punk.

90 by 808 State
Nov 26 2024

First two tracks started off pretty uninteresting, but as soon as Cobra Bora hit I was all in. Solid house album that makes me wish I had a turntable so I could sample this.

Darkdancer by Les Rythmes Digitales
Nov 27 2024

It's fine. I enjoyed it.

Playing With Fire by Spacemen 3
Nov 28 2024

Another album that is more interesting to talk about than to listen to. I kept waiting for a payoff with each of these tracks, but was left with aural blue balls. This isn't bad music by any means, but this soft, intentional, gentle droning is just not something I'm into. If I'm going to listen to droning, I'm going to listen to some ambient electronic or funeral doom metal or something. This Lou Reed leftover just didn't do it for me.

Oedipus Schmoedipus by Barry Adamson
Nov 29 2024

Oh, interesting, another Nick Cave connection. My expectations were low going into this, but it's a pretty cool album. It's thematic but tonally diverse. The avart garde tracks are engaging and fun, but I have to admit the jazzy tracks are my faves. Miles in general was such a fun little song. Overall, it's a fun album but another in a long list on this site that are more fun to talk about than to listen to. 3.5 / 5

Soul Mining by The The
Nov 30 2024

It's decent new wave.

Stripped by Christina Aguilera
Dec 03 2024

It's early 2000's pop. I was in elementary school when this came out and I wasn't a huge fan then. By today's standards, it's fine. Pop just isn't my genre.

Let's Get Killed by David Holmes
Dec 04 2024

Interesting. Minimalist and influenced by multiple genres. This definitely sounded like it should have been rapped over, but whatever. It was fun enough.

Ready To Die by The Notorious B.I.G.
Dec 05 2024

Iconic and totally changed the game. One of the best rap albums of all time.

Hejira by Joni Mitchell
Dec 06 2024

Wasn't a fan when the album started, but it kind of grew on me. Mostly the rhythm section.

Casanova by The Divine Comedy
Dec 07 2024

Wicked corny, but in a fun way. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LvkM-Wp2iI

Fuzzy by Grant Lee Buffalo
Dec 08 2024

Fairly forgettable but pretty enjoyable.

Solid Air by John Martyn
Dec 09 2024

Songs like Dreams By The Sea are way up my alley. Jazzy, laid back with a smooth sax solo. May You Never takes me right out with it's creepy acoustic "cafe in a college town" vibes. Mixed bag of an album for sure.

Moving Pictures by Rush
Dec 10 2024

I used to live in rural Montana. I grew up in the 90s and 2000s, before you could just look up whatever music you wanted on spotify or youtube. When I was in high school, I came across Rush. I was immediately smitten. Nobody I had ever met had ever talked about them. I had never heard them on the radio. Tight percussion, grooving basslines, lightly philosophical lyrics (with topics like, authoritarianism is bad) and packaged in a synthy, jazzy, hard rock box. I loved it so much. I had no idea that Rush was even talked about. When I got to college I was shocked at how many people hated Rush. Shocked at how many people wouldn't even give the music a chance because "Ew Geddy Lee's voice" or "this music is trying to be too smart". Just shocked. Anyway, this music inspired me to be a better person, a better musician and a better friend. I'm sorry some of you can't see what I did.

A Date With The Everly Brothers by The Everly Brothers
Dec 11 2024

Is this album just here for Love Hurts? I'm betting this is one of the albums that got cut in later editions.

Golden Hour by Kacey Musgraves
Dec 12 2024

Definitely surprising. I haven't heard of this artist before, but apparently she sees a lot of radio play. Fun album. Feels a lot more genuine than other compemporary pop-country artists. The disco beat tracks, synthed drums and vocoder stuff is all wicked fun and gives this album a solid boost past "generically forgettable" into "hmm, that's kind of fun." Will probably re-listen in the future.

16 Lovers Lane by The Go-Betweens
Dec 13 2024

Totally fine! Wish there was more strings on the album, but otherwise feels like a natural progression towards britpop.

Dec 14 2024

Color me impressed. The flute solos, the jammy guitars and all in a half hour package. Solid.

Halcyon Digest by Deerhunter
Dec 15 2024

As far as indie pop goes, this was more enjoyable than most. A lot of these bands sacrificed compelling musicality for adhering to what was popular at the time, but Deerhunter seemed to escape mostly intact.

Home Is Where The Music Is by Hugh Masekela
Dec 16 2024

It's been snowing here today, so this album was great to sit inside and do some work to. Excellent sax playing.

The Slim Shady LP by Eminem
Dec 18 2024

The South Park of rappers. Talent is talent, but using that talent to make goo goo gaga noises and rape jokes is just sad.

Beggars Banquet by The Rolling Stones
Dec 19 2024

It's the Stones ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Broken English by Marianne Faithfull
Dec 20 2024

Feels ahead of it's time for 1979. 3.5/5

Darkness on the Edge of Town by Bruce Springsteen
Dec 21 2024

I like the themes and the lyrics more than the music itself, but it's decent.

Hot Shots II by The Beta Band
Dec 22 2024

Second album by The Beta Band I've heard on this list. It's not bad by any means, but I don't know if they are the unsung heroes that this book tries to make them out to be. They're pleasant enough.

Yeezus by Kanye West
Dec 23 2024

Possibly Kanye at his best. Grimy beats juxtaposed with beautiful choirs. The wordplay here is classic Kanye. Since I had an Eninem album the other day, he's fresh in my mind. Like Eninem, Kanye's lyrics are transgressive and seek to offend but often it seems like Kanye has (had?) a lot more self awareness and is in on the joke. The lyrics are shocking in order to bring awareness to social issues that have been plaguing this country since before it existed. Black Skinhead sampling the Black Lodge Singers fits so well in a song about racial injustice. African Americans and Native Americans have been working together through struggles for centuries now. Daft Punks production on this song give it a massive boost as well. Just a 5/5 song, easy. Overall, this is an excellent album. Kanye is advocating for marginalized people everywhere to recognize where we're at and realize that help is not coming. We can only help ourselves and by extension, our community. 4.5/5

Reign In Blood by Slayer
Dec 24 2024

Relentlessly fast, but knows how to slow it down and get groovy. This album changed my life when I was 14. To the shock of nobody reading this, I was an edgy, athiest teenager and this music made me feel like I wasn't alone in my rural hometown. Slayer's Neo-Nazi imagery has aged poorly, which is unfortunate. What played as transgressive 40 years ago just doesn't work today. That being said, this music fucking rips and paved the way for so much music being made today. Any band that inspires people to literally carve the band's name into their body with knives is legendary in my book.

American Pie by Don McLean
Dec 25 2024

Starts off great, ends pretty mediocre.

The Man Machine by Kraftwerk
Dec 26 2024

I really like electronic music, so a lot of my favorite artists owe Kraftwerk something. The historical and cultural significance of this bands discography can't be denied. Unfortunately, this album was a slog to get through. Even at 36 minutes, it drags. It's not just that it's slow and repetitive, the constant inclusion of downright aggravating noises is something I can't get behind. Maybe I'm just not in the mood this morning, but this wasn't doing it for me. For slower and repetitive electronic music, I'd rather listen to Aphex Twin.

Dec 27 2024

Never really listened to Eurythmics aside from SDAMoT, sad to say the rest of the album is not as good as that song, but it's still pretty decent.

Private Dancer by Tina Turner
Dec 28 2024

Very subdued instrumentation that encourages (forces) you to focus on Tina's voice. Simple jams written by talented people and sang by a great singer. Also, Welcome to the Thunderdome. 3.5/5

Club Classics Vol. One by Soul II Soul
Dec 29 2024

Super cool album. Feels about 5 years ahead of it's time. 3.5/5

Vespertine by Björk
Dec 30 2024

Bjork is a little weirdo and I love when little weirdos make music.

Time Out Of Mind by Bob Dylan
Dec 31 2024

Ol' Bobby boy continues to make music that I don't mind. What a perfectly acceptable album.

The White Album by Beatles
Jan 01 2025

I think a lot of the time, people misinterpret the word overrated to mean outright bad. This is often not the case and I can think of no better band than the Beatles to exemplify this. This album is great. It's foray into psych rock is my favorite thing about it. Even the poppier tunes like Back in the U.S.S.R., Obladi oblada and Birthday are fun as hell. However, it's almost impossible to separate the music from the massive ego trips nearly every member of this band is on. The result is an album that's almost as fun to talk about as it is to listen to. Likely my favorite from the Beatles discography.

New Forms by Roni Size
Jan 02 2025

Drum and bass from the late 90's? I'm into it. Some of these longer tracks almost get meditative. Super fun.

Tom Tom Club by Tom Tom Club
Jan 03 2025

Whenever I come across a band I've never heard of from this list, it makes me uneasy. I'm anxious and excited to see what the music has in store for me. I always try to err on the side of being prepared to dislike it. From track 1, this album had my attention. By the end of the first song, I was asking myself who was in this band. Lo and behold, it's a fucking Talking Heads side project. What a delightful little surprise. Absolute banger of an album and 39 minutes is perfect.

Vauxhall And I by Morrissey
Jan 04 2025

Surprising how much I enjoyed this album. I never really gave Morrissey a shot (because he's such a fucking prick) and I expected to hate it.

The Only Ones by The Only Ones
Jan 06 2025

Had not heard of this band before! Total surprise. Really fun from the get go. Peter Perret's voice reminds me of Neil Cicierega'a.

Unknown Pleasures by Joy Division
Jan 07 2025

I see a lot of people describing this music as "dark" or "moody". I think you have to show some sort of emotion to be considered moody. I also understand that there is a whole spectrum of emotional tone to art but I really can't imagine anyone describing this as "dark". It's not chipper and poppy, but it ain't dark. The vibe seems more like the absence of a vibe. It's the loneliness of depression. Numbness. Anyway, it was fairly boring but thankfully pretty short,

Welcome To The Pleasuredome by Frankie Goes To Hollywood
Jan 08 2025

It really sounds like they're having a good time recording this album, so that's fun. Aside from the classic club banger "Relax", there's not much here to write home about. It's a fairly straightforward, by the numbers, 80's synth pop record. If anything is noteworthy it's how ridiculously long this record is. A lot of this squeaky clean 80s stuff just isn't my bag. I love synth and electronic music in general, I just want more edge.

Street Life by The Crusaders
Jan 09 2025

SHARKY'S MACHINE While I was excited to be reminded of The Venture Bros, I was over the moon to enjoy this banger of an album. Funky, groovy and overall just delightful. What a great time.

Immigrés by Youssou N'Dour
Jan 10 2025

There's plenty of other African recordings out there that I find moving, this one just didn't do much for me. Not to say I disliked anything about it, just didn't get much out of it and likely won't revisit in the future.

Haunted Dancehall by The Sabres Of Paradise
Jan 11 2025

I'm willing to bet that this was included because of that throwaway line about it being the "first techno concept album." To that end, it's a fine album. I like this music, for the most part.

The Hour Of Bewilderbeast by Badly Drawn Boy
Jan 12 2025

Not super familiar with this band, but I dig this album. It definitely reminds me of a lot of other late 90s /early 2000s acts, but its not a bad thing. I don't think I'd like to talk to anyone about this band. I bet the fans are irritating as fuck.

Technique by New Order
Jan 13 2025

Late 80s Synth Pop. The album itself is entertaining and thankfully doesn't wear out it's welcome since it's only a little over a half hour long. By this time in the 80s, this music is begging for some edge and bite to it, but this album is comfortable to stick around in the years preceding it.

After The Gold Rush by Neil Young
Jan 14 2025

Not sure what I can say about this album. It feels heartfelt and mostly genuine. The music is simple but enjoyable. It's Neil Young.

Jan 15 2025

Started off as a fairly innocuous indie rock album. Influenced by post-rock acts, perhaps. The light strings and delicate, deliberate instrumentation had me engaged from the first few songs. As soon as Grounds for Divorce started, this album completely vomited up all the good will that it had earned from me with a completely hamfisted and ugly attempt at capitalizing on the "sound of the time." That completely boring kick-boom-hey blues rock that made the Black Keys so popular. It's fucking music for ads. Even the wiki page for this album mentions Grounds for Divorce and all the different ads and TV shows it's been featured on. After track 4, my enthusiasm took a nosedive. It's a shame too, because there is definitely something here to enjoy. Thom Yorke style crooning over hushed drums and tight strings. I have to wonder if the band itself wanted to go in that direction or if they were just trying to get in on that blues rock money that so many other bands of the mid-late 2000's were getting. Either way, it's sad. The album suffers for it. Profits over art, I guess.

Murder Ballads by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
Jan 16 2025

I have to assume the kind of person who describes Nick Cave's music as "dark" or "intense" has never been anywhere other than Disney World. I'm 14 and this is deep type music.

B-52's by The B-52's
Jan 17 2025

Not peak B-52's, but damn this is a fun album. Feels ahead of it's time by a few years at least.

Grievous Angel by Gram Parsons
Jan 18 2025

Big fan of 70's country. This is a solid country rock album with one iconic slow jam on it. Is Gram Parsons underrated or an unsung hero of 70s country music? Maybe. Probably not. But this is a really fun album.

#1 Record by Big Star
Jan 19 2025

Totally acceptable soft rock album.

For Your Pleasure by Roxy Music
Jan 20 2025

A totally fine release by Roxy Music. The latter half of the album is more interesting than the first, imo.

Electric Warrior by T. Rex
Jan 21 2025

When I think of Glam rock, I usually think of Bowie. T. Tex is making me reconsider that. I had a good time with this one.

Phrenology by The Roots
Jan 22 2025

Surprisingly diverse sounds on this album. Thirsty! is proto Death Grips / Danny Brown. Super fun album. Glad to hear it.

Ray Of Light by Madonna
Jan 23 2025

Madonna had a kid, did a bunch of religious tourism (typical Los Angeles white lady) and made a killer pop album. The first half of this album is definitely stronger than the second half, but it's still a solid listen.

Tubular Bells by Mike Oldfield
Jan 24 2025

An interesting prog album. Some fun themes were introduced throughout the album, but it's not very cohesive. That didn't necessarily detract from the experience, but it was notable. Still had a good time.

I'm Your Man by Leonard Cohen
Jan 25 2025

It's fine. Totally fine album. The poetry is on full display here, but my brain craves something meatier.

Jan 26 2025

A fantastic time machine to a time in my life where possibilities were endless. An album that encapsulates the feeling of having the ability to do anything, but making the choice to do nothing. Feeling as if that choice was made for you. Feeling everything and nothing at all. Great album.

Rip It Up by Orange Juice
Jan 27 2025

Post Punk / New Wave from Scotland. There's some Reggae and Dub influences here and there, plus some fun synth. Overall, it's quirky and enjoyable. Nothing more to say about it. 3.5/5

Surrealistic Pillow by Jefferson Airplane
Jan 28 2025

A classic album. Somebody to Love and White Rabbit do all the heavy lifting here, but it's still a decent album, overall. Grace Slick's voice is so incredibly iconic.

The Slider by T. Rex
Jan 29 2025

I had a friend a long time ago that said T.Rex was his favorite band in the whole world. I haven't seen that friend in a long time, but listening to this album was fun because of those memories.

Freak Out! by The Mothers Of Invention
Jan 30 2025

Not nearly as polished as some of the Mother's (or even just Zappa's) albums, but there's enough here to enjoy. I can definitely see why this didn't take off when it was released, especially if you aren't familiar with this band's sense of humor. People who claim this album comes across as "lol so random" are unfamiliar with how time works.

The Nightfly by Donald Fagen
Jan 31 2025

I didn't really realize how much I enjoyed Steely Dan's music before starting this album journey. I've had 3 SD albums before getting Fagen's solo debut. It's unfortunate, but this album lacks what very little edge Steely Dan had in the first place, so it comes across as easy listening. It's well produced, it just comes across as what it is: someone's solo efforts after being a part of a band who's sum is greater than it's parts. As of listening, this album is sitting at a perfectly balanced 3.0 rating. I can't think of any other time in the 500+ albums I've heard so far where I agreed with the consensus so much.

Feb 01 2025

It's got everything Korn is infamous for. Filthy bass tone, hip hop inspired percussion, and spooky scatting.

Feb 02 2025

Nothing I could really say about this album that hasn't been said before, but I'll try and record my basic thoughts. As an intro to prog rock, this is up there. Got me into it from an early age. Just an incredible album. Maybe one of the best ever recorded.

Porcupine by Echo And The Bunnymen
Feb 03 2025

3.5/5! Totally fine and what I expected, having listened to another Echo + The Bunnymen album on this journey.

Zombie by Fela Kuti
Feb 04 2025

Excellent album.

Exodus by Bob Marley & The Wailers
Feb 05 2025

I don't particularly like reggae, so listening to this album was more about focusing on being objective. The production is clean and very accessible. The instrumentation (especially solos) is worth noting. The lyrics are probably the big draw here. I can't see myself putting on this album to listen to for fun, but this is clearly a very well made album. All that said, I really didn't need to hear "Three Little Birds" again. That song is one of the top overplayed songs in the history of mankind. A true feat.

Let It Bleed by The Rolling Stones
Feb 06 2025

To be fair, if I had never heard anything besides gospel or folk music before, went to a Stones concert where a stranger gave me acid, I'd love this album too. Crazy to think boomers did that shit then just ruined everything. One has to assume Mick Jagger is to blame.

Fly Or Die by N.E.R.D
Feb 07 2025

This album kind of settles into a groove somewhere in the middle, it took me a couple tracks to really get into it.

Green by R.E.M.
Feb 08 2025

A fantastic rock album.

What's Going On by Marvin Gaye
Feb 10 2025

An awe inspiring album chock full of love and adoration for life. This albums tracks seamlessly lead into one another and the whole 36 minute long album is so impressive. Being a fan of hip hop, there are a ton of samples I've heard over the years taken directly from this album. Classic stuff. Easy 5/5.

Permission to Land by The Darkness
Feb 12 2025

More like the Dorkness, amirite folks? Still an incredible debut. Glam rock taken cranked all the way up. Still tickles me that Justin Hawkins was beefing with Lemmy and Lemmy basically had no idea who they were.

Songs The Lord Taught Us by The Cramps
Feb 13 2025

Kind of like Insane Clown Posse, I enjoy talking about it way more than listening to it.

Parsley, Sage, Rosemary And Thyme by Simon & Garfunkel
Feb 14 2025

At it's best during tracks like For Emily. Even at a blistering 28 mins, this album tends to drag a little at points. Also, maybe I'm just being a hater but that closing track was mega corny.

Dance Mania by Tito Puente
Feb 15 2025

This shit rips.

Blackstar by David Bowie
Feb 16 2025

A really solid and emotional album. As with most albums from the 2010s on here, I debate on the validity of the inclusion here. I don't think I would include this in my list of 1001 albums to hear before you die. Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe in 30 years people will talk about this album like they talk about The White Album.

Appetite For Destruction by Guns N' Roses
Feb 18 2025

Massively influential in bringing heavier music to a wider audience, it's just hard listening nowadays because of how massively overplayed this album is. Mr. Brownstone still goes hard, though.

Music From The Penguin Cafe by Penguin Cafe Orchestra
Feb 19 2025

Whimsical, thoughtful and patient. Maybe I'm just a sucker for a good string arrangement, but this was very pleasant.

3 Feet High and Rising by De La Soul
Feb 20 2025

Jazzy, uplifting and upbeat. Very fun album and very influential to a lot of artists I listen to regularly today.

Imagine by John Lennon
Feb 21 2025

Imagine being a millionaire white br*tish dude singing songs about "what if we didn't have jobs" and getting massive praise for it. I get that Imagine was transgressive for the time, but damn if the isn't on the floor. Probably my least favorite Beatle.

The Message by Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five
Feb 23 2025

Seminal for a lot of artists/groups that I listen to regularly, but not enough going on here to entice me to revisit this album often. The Message is still a banger.

The Undertones by The Undertones
Feb 24 2025

Short and sweet little album.

Queens of the Stone Age by Queens Of The Stone Age
Feb 25 2025

Laid back most of the time. It sounds great, but it lacks the thickness and intensity of tone that I want out of the stoner rock/doom genre. Basically Kyuss > QotSA Still an excellent album and one that I am enjoying jamming while getting some work done today.

The Clash by The Clash
Feb 26 2025

It's hard to dislike this music. Simple but effective chord progressions and driving bass lines. The progressive lyrics are uplifting. I would spin this today.

Highway 61 Revisited by Bob Dylan
Feb 27 2025

Solid listening for a day. Not sure how many other times I'll revisit this album in my life, though.

Liquid Swords by GZA
Feb 28 2025

Damn, this album is cool as hell. On the look out to add it to my collection.

Arise by Sepultura
Mar 01 2025

South American heavy metal is fascinating to learn about and Sepultura is one of the biggest acts to come out of that part of the world. The fury and passion this music evokes is so welcome on this list. Such a fantastic listen today.

It's A Shame About Ray by The Lemonheads
Mar 02 2025

Thankfully very short. This album definitely reminds me that there is a level of "too palatable" for my tastes. This is so safe and generic that it was kind of a slog to get through. I was alive in the 90s, I remember this music being played a lot on the radio while I was growing up. I just think there's much, much better 90s alternative out there.

Live At The Star Club, Hamburg by Jerry Lee Lewis
Mar 04 2025

A lot of people are rating this lower on account of how shitty JLL was as a person. The crazy thing is, this music sucks great balls of fire on it's own. The person singing and performing this music could be a saint and I still would think this blows. Vapid and without soul. Just how I like my blues inspired rock and roll.

Younger Than Yesterday by The Byrds
Mar 05 2025

A lot of these late 60s psych rock albums have some really neat ideas that informed a lot of the music I enjoy today. Personally, I wouldn't put this album on just to listen to, but it was pleasant enough. Short too! More sub 30 minute albums please!

Southern Rock Opera by Drive-By Truckers
Mar 06 2025

Thoughtful lyricism over fun albeit generic sounding rock. I'm always happy to listen to an album that feels like it's telling a narrative.

Pink Moon by Nick Drake
Mar 07 2025

Incredibly short and sweet.

Seventh Tree by Goldfrapp
Mar 08 2025

Maybe it's because I'm used to listening to hour long doom metal songs, but the consistent themes of this album didn't bug me as much as it did others. I found reading about the members of this band more interesting than the album itself. One of the first thoughts I had was "well, the strings are nice." Turns out the guy who arranged the strings for this also did it for Bjork, so no wonder I liked it. 7th Tree uses a lot of ideas that were beat to death in the following years. Reminiscent of Stomp Clap music. Overall though, I liked it more than I didn't.

Butterfly by Mariah Carey
Mar 09 2025

Totally and completely acceptable R&B/pop. Some of the disco influences on these songs were really fun.

Greetings From L.A. by Tim Buckley
Mar 10 2025

That's how to end an album. The strings on Make It Right were a ton of fun. Very cool album.

Bitches Brew by Miles Davis
Mar 11 2025

Iconic album that I have to be in the right mood to enjoy. Today was pleasant.

Roger the Engineer by The Yardbirds
Mar 12 2025

Wow, another album from the 60s! It's fine :)

Protection by Massive Attack
Mar 13 2025

Reggae, dub, didgeridoo, etc. There's a lot of influences going on here that don't necessarily add up to a fantastic album, but it was fun.

It's Too Late to Stop Now by Van Morrison
Mar 14 2025

I bet it would be a cool story to tell about how you were there, back in the day. I just wish it was more entertaining today.

Shaft by Isaac Hayes
Mar 15 2025

I mean, he's no Black Dynamite...

Astral Weeks by Van Morrison
Mar 16 2025

Van Morrison is one of those acts that I can understand why others dig him, it's just not for me. Like Bob Dylan.

To Pimp A Butterfly by Kendrick Lamar
Mar 17 2025

Standing on the shoulders of giants, this album is a fantastic unification of black music.

Unhalfbricking by Fairport Convention
Mar 20 2025

A delightful surprise. Haven't heard of this band before but I had a good time.

Step In The Arena by Gang Starr
Mar 21 2025

This album was super refreshing. Just a really solid 90s hip hop album.

Vulnicura by Björk
Mar 22 2025

Standard Bjork fare. Really interesting and engaging but not a lot of fun haha

Mar 23 2025

This website is so biased against hip hip, it's insane. This music is everything Eminem wanted to be. Transgressive and thoughtful but with an energetic, catchy flow. Has this album's lyrics aged well? No, obviously. But that's not really the point here. The point is that this album influenced a ludicrous amount of music since it's release over 3 decades ago. The Bomb Squad is the real star here, imo.

Black Monk Time by The Monks
Mar 24 2025

I'm just glad they sound like they're having fun.

Mar 25 2025

Seriously, what a ride. I listened to Amerikkka's Most Wanted by Ice Cube the other day, so that's fresh in my mind. That was a fun 90's hip hop throwback, but this is as fresh today as it was then. The songs are catchy, funky, jazzy, layered and flow into each other so well. What a fun album.

Kenza by Khaled
Mar 26 2025

Very chill album, though it was very long. Wish I knew more of why this was chosen to be on this list. It sold well enough, but I wouldn't consider this an unknown gem or anything.

Rings Around The World by Super Furry Animals
Mar 28 2025

The stuff I thought was notable was when the band leans into the electronic sound. Past that, it's early 00's "indie" alt rock.

Sunshine Superman by Donovan
Mar 29 2025

I'm gonna listen to so much less boomer 60s rock slog albums in about a year when I'm down with this list haha

Fuzzy Logic by Super Furry Animals
Mar 30 2025

The Beatles and their consequences have been disastrous for mankind.

Merriweather Post Pavilion by Animal Collective
Mar 31 2025

Another band that others around me were crazy about in the mid to late 00's, but I never could get into them. You could diplomatically call this music complex, layered, experimental and true to it's pop roots. You could also say it's standing on the shoulders of giants, doesn't have a single original idea and evokes images of actual animals trying to play instruments. Animal Collective is just a little too smug and self important sounding for me to get into them.

California by American Music Club
Apr 01 2025

Pleasant.

Paranoid by Black Sabbath
Apr 02 2025

Strong contender for one of my favorite albums of the last century. Ahead of it's time and went on to define an entire genre of music. Planet Caravan, Electric Funeral, Hand of Doom, Fairies Wear Boots, I mean there are so many awesome tracks on this album. Rare occasion that I want the daily album to be longer.

All Mod Cons by The Jam
Apr 03 2025

That bassist saved this record for me.

Legalize It by Peter Tosh
Apr 06 2025

I used to really dislike Reggae, but I'm warming up to it.

Wild Wood by Paul Weller
Apr 07 2025

Reading through some of the other reviews, it's very fun to see others describe this album as "funky." I have to assume these are the same type of folks to call black pepper "spicy."

Djam Leelii by Baaba Maal
Apr 08 2025

The music is pretty fun. The vocals I can do without, but what are you gonna do?

Apr 09 2025

Would this album be as renown if Courtney Love wasn't with Kurt? Yeah, probably. It's a pretty good album.

American Gothic by David Ackles
Apr 10 2025

Comes across a little like showtunes. I don't hate showtunes, but I don't often listen to an entire album of them.

Coles Corner by Richard Hawley
Apr 11 2025

Would be super impressive if it came out 40 years prior.

In Utero by Nirvana
Apr 12 2025

My dad's friend loaded my psp with grunge when I was 13.

Gorillaz by Gorillaz
Apr 14 2025

This album meanders around a lot. It sounds like what it is, a couple of musicians fucking around. If that's not your thing, you probably won't enjoy this. However, if you're under 30, try and recognize how different the world was 20 years ago. The late 90s/early 00's were marrying rock and hip-hop everywhere. A lot of people were super upset about it. Gorillaz was always about making the music that these creators wanted to hear in the world. So many collaborators, lending to the albums eclectic sound. Gorillaz will always be the act that got me to seriously listen and consider hip-hop. Del's diction, flow and charisma won me over with Rock the House. Such a laid back and fun little jam. It goes without saying that Clint Eastwood had radio stations (and MTV/Fuse) in a vice grip for a while after it's release. It might not be the best album by Gorillaz, but their self-titled album is undeniably culturally pervasive.

What's That Noise? by Coldcut
Apr 15 2025

Look at those dudes who hate this music. Got stink lines and everything. I love to read reviews on this website. It's really fun to get perspective on how other music fanatics think about music. I get a huge kick out of reading reviews that are just thought terminating cliches like "Ugh, this music is just shitty!" No thought put into why you feel that way, no reflection. Just Ew, yucky electronic music! >:( This is a fun album. Some really funky grooves and clever samples. Anyway, 3.5/5

No Other by Gene Clark
Apr 16 2025

Not bad! I would throw this on for some older guests or something.

Apr 17 2025

I can see the appeal. A lot of the droning guitar work is really fun, very post rock. Unfortunately, the entire picture together just doesn't do it for me.

Trafalgar by Bee Gees
Apr 18 2025

Did you guys know the Bee Gees played music before they were a disco act? Well, someone out there thinks you NEED to know this.

Exit Planet Dust by The Chemical Brothers
Apr 20 2025

Not bad. Chill electronica.

Green River by Creedence Clearwater Revival
Apr 21 2025

A routine listen for me, this album is just fantastic.

Apr 22 2025

I have nothing original to say about this album. It's pretty fun.

Sign 'O' The Times by Prince
Apr 23 2025

It's Prince. Soulful, groovy, funky, but at the end of the day, it's just pop.

Apr 25 2025

Look, I know the Beatles are like your special little guys or whatever but this is just fine.

Face to Face by The Kinks
Apr 26 2025

Pleasant enough, but I think once I'm done with this list of albums I likely won't be listening to british invasion music for the rest of my life.

Palo Congo by Sabu
Apr 27 2025

Music that sounds like it's more fun to play than to listen to.

Reggatta De Blanc by The Police
Apr 28 2025

White boy reggae is all fun and games until someone gets hurt.

Time (The Revelator) by Gillian Welch
Apr 30 2025

Simple, earnest folk music. Gillian's voice is so delicate but carries such a weight to it.

Master Of Puppets by Metallica
May 01 2025

"You will do, what I say, when I say, back to the front!" Anti-imperialism, anti-war, anti-authoritarian thrash. The production is much cleaner than RtL, but damn if this album isn't amazing.

May 02 2025

Ugh. 45 minutes of breathy, whispering vocals layered over soft keys. Lana leans super hard on production here. Not every track needs chorus, jesus. I'm heard more track variance on stoner doom albums than this. It's currently 2025, whomever submitted this album needs to take a reality check. When I think of how fucked everything was in 2021, this album just comes off as vapid. There were people writing music about our institutions crumbling, our leadership failing us and their loved ones dying all around them. Good thing Lana was singing about "remember when we listened to Kings of Leon on the radio?" Who gives a shit. Similar to Taylor Swift, Lana has that same "shoot for the middle" approach that makes her music come off as dull and and safe. It feels like music made with focus groups. The most offensive thing art can be is inoffensive.

May 03 2025

Greater than the sum of it's parts, this album is timeless. Never a dull moment. Easily one of the greatest hop hop albums ever made. Me at age 14: "Wait, you can rap about Voltron and Spider-man?"

Antichrist Superstar by Marilyn Manson
May 04 2025

Vapid, skin deep lyrics that pander to young people that otherwise would be listening to the top 40 list, but the 90s were rife with performative edginess. Downward Spiral came out 2 years before this, so why is half this album recycled NIN songs? This album doesn't have to be over an hour long. It's got 3 singles that people talk about but it's jam packed with riffs "inspired" by other musicians at the time. For anyone who got started on heavier music through MM, I'm happy you found something that spoke to you. I hope that now that you're out of 7th grade, you're listening to something with a little more substance. If you define your image and who you are by how much of a non-conformist you are, turns out you're also a conformist. I think MM was trying to be my generation's Alice Cooper, but turns out you need to be genuine in order to critique the powers that be. MM has always been a hack chasing trends who happens to employ some half decent musicians. GWAR is what MM wanted to be, but the asking people who clearly aren't fans of metal to parse out what's genuine or not is difficult, I guess. Much easier to go by album sales.

Talking Timbuktu by Ali Farka Touré
May 05 2025

A little long, a little homogeneous, but when this album does shine it shines bright.

Shadowland by k.d. lang
May 06 2025

Sometimes I really think the users on this website don't actually like music. Or at least music that isn't the same 20 famous albums that /mu/ told you were good. There are some impressive studio musicians that came together to make this album. k.d.'s voice is laser focused and smooth. If this music upsets you, ask yourself why? Most poor reviews I can see are just thought terminating cliches. "It's boring." Reviews like that just communicate to me that you have never played music. This music isn't amazing, but it's not boring either. At just over a half hour, it's a ripper of a country album. Perfect music for a starry night or a dew kissed morning.

Dub Housing by Pere Ubu
May 07 2025

I enjoy my daily ritual, but nearing album 700 it's all starting to bleed together. I don't even remember the last Pere Ubu album I listened to. Apparently it was 2 years ago. These guys are kinda offbeat and funky, but this album comes off as lackadaisical. Fun moments scattered through, plus it's barely over a half hour long.

Bright Flight by Silver Jews
May 09 2025

It's lackadaisical, smug and a little too simplistic for my taste. Mostly it just reminds me of smoking cigarettes in a beanie in 2008. Not exactly a bad feeling, but nostalgia for a different time can only carry me so far.

Ananda Shankar by Ananda Shankar
May 10 2025

This is one of those albums that was probably incredibly innovative in it's blending of genres but just doesn't hold up today. I don't even want to hear the Doors play Light My Fire, why would I want to hear a cover of it?

Midnight Ride by Paul Revere & The Raiders
May 11 2025

A mostly by the numbers 60s rock slog. At least some of the vocals had a bit of an edge to 'em.

Paris 1919 by John Cale
May 12 2025

Thank god this was only a half hour long. The dreamy tone of this album is likely a draw for some of you, but it was not engaging to me.

Quiet Life by Japan
May 13 2025

Fun synth and great bass tone. This was pretty fun, though it could stand to be shorter. 3.5/5

Off The Wall by Michael Jackson
May 14 2025

Quincy Jones is the fuckin' man.

Phaedra by Tangerine Dream
May 15 2025

Interesting soundscapes. A little directionless, but there is intent. Another in a long, long list of historically important albums that don't hold up for me.

Treasure by Cocteau Twins
May 16 2025

Cocteau Twins have always been a blind spot for me. I have heard so much about them but have never really jumped in. This was a fun soundscape. Dreamy is the word that kept coming to mind. Very fun album.

Heavy Weather by Weather Report
May 17 2025

Jojo's reference? It's a decent album. 3.5/5

Head Hunters by Herbie Hancock
May 19 2025

Not sure how people can call this boring.

good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar
May 21 2025

Kendrick is an artist that doesn't hide the fact that he's standing on the shoulders of giants. He collects as many ideas as he can and makes a mosaic from them. I was never into Kendrick when his music was coming out. Even if he's not my favorite rapper, he's got my respect. Solid album.

The Man Who by Travis
May 22 2025

Just kind of bland.

Back to Basics by Christina Aguilera
May 23 2025

She's a talented singer, but this album leaves a lot to be desired. As others have overstated, this is a long album. There's a lot of chaff on this record that likely didn't need to be here. The big band sound had a comeback for a bit in the late 2000's/early 2010's and I think this album was a bit ahead of the curve on that. Bioshock came out the next year and it was still 2 years before Caravan Palace began ravaging theater kids' iPod shuffles. It intends to pay homage, but comes off as uninspired. It's overproduced but tries so hard to capture the warmth of analog recording. It's not really for me, but I bet there's plenty of people out there that still return to this every now and again.

Manassas by Stephen Stills
May 24 2025

Stephen Stills is usually good for a folksy 70s rock album.

The Sensual World by Kate Bush
May 25 2025

Overall, very pleasant album to listen to at work on a Tuesday.

Elastica by Elastica
May 27 2025

Halfway between Blondie and Bikini Kill.

Hybrid Theory by Linkin Park
May 28 2025

Enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would! Linkin Park falls victim to a lot of the issues that nu-metal at large does. Radio rock friendly riffs and beats coupled with 3edgy5me lyrics. I was huge into LP when I was in middle school, but man, it is hard to take this music seriously, but I enjoyed it the same way I would watch Hollywood Chainsaw Hookers. Is it a great movie? Nah, but I had a good time.

Walking Wounded by Everything But The Girl
May 29 2025

Relaxed vocals over some chill electronic. It's not danceable for me to really love it, but it was a very approachable listen.

Fever Ray by Fever Ray
May 30 2025

Aphex Twin but with the layers of clever production replaced by breathy vocals. Music for high schoolers who listened to top40 all their life but found something "different" and it changed their life.

Meat Puppets II by Meat Puppets
May 31 2025

Folk, grunge, punk, this album has a lot going for it. I love Meat Puppets. The strained vocals, the ditsy instrumentation, all of it is this kaleidoscope of angry, sad and hopeful music.

White Ladder by David Gray
Jun 01 2025

Totally and completely acceptable.

Bert Jansch by Bert Jansch
Jun 02 2025

Totally fine folk.

Arular by M.I.A.
Jun 03 2025

Banger after banger on this album. The lyrics, the goofy sampling (that sanford and son sample is incredible), and overall the attitude are great.

Alien Lanes by Guided By Voices
Jun 04 2025

Low production quality and some fun (if not simple) songs. I enjoyed this one. Something I really love about a 28 track album that's under an hour.

Damaged by Black Flag
Jun 05 2025

For better or for worse, reminds me of being 16. Needless to say, I had a great time.

Smile by Brian Wilson
Jun 06 2025

Man, these looney tunes noises are just not doing it for me. Otherwise a very pleasant listen with a very interesting history.

Floodland by Sisters Of Mercy
Jun 07 2025

The way this album starts is not unlike the way the 80s vampire flick The Lost Boys starts. Came out the same year, both are spooky, have driving synth and rocking sax. This album goes hard based on vibes alone.

Isn't Anything by My Bloody Valentine
Jun 08 2025

Albums like this definitely make me regret not listening to more of this in high school.

Electric Prunes by The Electric Prunes
Jun 09 2025

I was a teenager in the 2000's. I used to think those indie bands were so clever and original. I had never heard music like that before. Albums like Electric Prunes remind me that I was just 14. This is a fun album. The guitar tone, jingly tambourine, and simple percussion really won me over quickly. It really helps that this album doesn't overstay it's welcome at less than 30(!) minutes.

Led Zeppelin IV by Led Zeppelin
Jun 11 2025

Anyone who worked in a guitar center hates this band and specifically this album.

Surf's Up by The Beach Boys
Jun 13 2025

Beach Boys that isn't Pet Sounds. Fun!

Nick Of Time by Bonnie Raitt
Jun 14 2025

Very approachable and fun. Kinda crazy to see as many misogynistic reviews as I did here.

Jun 15 2025

A surprising album! Very down to earth and simple. The musicality never gets too indulgent or overly clever. 3.5/5

Fromohio by fIREHOSE
Jun 17 2025

After that intro, I was expecting something a little less folksy. It was fun, though!

Caetano Veloso by Caetano Veloso
Jun 18 2025

A fairly enjoyable mashup of 60s psych and samba. I wish I had more to say about it.

Killing Joke by Killing Joke
Jun 19 2025

Just the right amount of edge for post punk.

Back to Mystery City by Hanoi Rocks
Jun 20 2025

The nicest thing I can say about this album is that it sounds like they're having fun. Described as the "Finnish glam rock EQ of Michelangelo's David." While I don't even remotely agree with that statement, I do have to appreciate that someone out there loves this album enough to put it in a book.

Da Capo by Love
Jun 21 2025

The last track on this album was delightful. The rest was okay!

Graceland by Paul Simon
Jun 22 2025

Feels sanitized and packaged, even for pop. That said, I didn't dislike it. It was catchy enough, just pretty thin, thematically and lyrically.

Jun 23 2025

Somehow feels ahead of it's time and of the era at the same time. Great folk album, can see a straight line drawn from albums like this to albums like Rogue Taxidermy.

m b v by My Bloody Valentine
Jun 24 2025

My desire to hear distorted guitars vs my assertion that shoegaze is just okay.

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Jun 26 2025

Was expecting to dislike this album more, but hey, it's pretty catchy. Very approachable, but nothing I'd like to return to regularly.

Suede by Suede
Jun 27 2025

Oh look, a 90s album that is capitalizing on the sound of bands that came 5, 10 or even 20 years before!

Jun 28 2025

Halfway through this incredibly pleasant and accessible album, there's just a noise track. Gets an extra star from me for that. Makes for an interesting reframing of their sound track 8 onwards.

Rumours by Fleetwood Mac
Jun 29 2025

Timeless album.

Transformer by Lou Reed
Jun 30 2025

Songs like Hangin' 'Round and New York Telephone Conversation take me out completely. Lyrics and musicality completely eye roll inducing. Other songs, like Walk On the Wild Side and I'm So Free are fun enough, if not a little simplistic. If I was a teenager in America in the 70s I'm sure I would have a great deal of respect for this album, but I wasn't and I don't.

Ramones by Ramones
Jul 01 2025

A lot could be said about this album, so I'll try and keep it brief. The co-adoption of punk aesthetics to sell more albums to young people more or less starting with the Ramones. This music is fast, simple and catchy. While I think this album was instrumental in furthering music diversity in America (and the UK), it started a trend of "looking the part" in punk subculture that is alive and well today. 4 stars for historical relevance, transgressive (for 1976) lyrics and just being damn catchy, even if they did reuse the same 4 chords for over a dozen songs.

Bat Out Of Hell by Meat Loaf
Jul 03 2025

The energy Meatloaf brings to this music is incredible. A lovely album I used to listen to a lot when I was younger.

Highway to Hell by AC/DC
Jul 04 2025

Crass, simple music for knuckle dragging cretins. What a fun album.

Jul 06 2025

He is... the music. Honestly, really cool album both musically and lyrically. I love how the glasses look like they have diamond lenses from a distance.

Fire Of Love by The Gun Club
Jul 07 2025

Was never crazy about rockabilly, but this is fun enough. I bet plenty of people in 1981 hearing this music for the first time were pretty chuffed.

Youth And Young Manhood by Kings of Leon
Jul 08 2025

There's just so many ways you can repackage and sell blues rock to suburban white kids.

Melody A.M. by Röyksopp
Jul 09 2025

I was introduced to Röyksopp in highschool. I listened to a fair amount of trance and french house before, but this was different. First few tracks are mostly ambient adjacent, but Poor Leno takes that laid back vibe and adds a thumping bass line. Danceable but reserved. The percussion and reverb on this track is hypnotizing. Poor Leno is my favorite track on the album, if every song was as mesmerizing as that one track, this would be a 5/5 album.

Ys by Joanna Newsom
Jul 10 2025

Bjork-esque, I really enjoyed this album. The vocal harmonies and string arrangements gave it an otherworldly. ethereal feeling.

Who's Next by The Who
Jul 11 2025

Minus 1 star for inspiring Limp Bizkit.

Dirt by Alice In Chains
Jul 12 2025

Driving percussion. Melancholy lyrics. Great bookend tracks. Yup, that's an excellent 90s rock album.

Another Green World by Brian Eno
Jul 13 2025

What we can expect from a Brian Eno album. Thoughtful and ambient.

Lust For Life by Iggy Pop
Jul 14 2025

Feels like quite the departure from The Stooges. As others have mentioned ad nauseam, Bowie's greasy goblin fingers are all over this album. Bowie brings consistency and a glossy shine to the sound. Takes proto punk into glam territory. Very fun stuff.

The Score by Fugees
Jul 15 2025

Very eclectic sound on this album. Very fun stuff.

Out of Step by Minor Threat
Jul 16 2025

A straightforward sonic assault. The energy and lyrical content are just fantastic.

One World by John Martyn
Jul 17 2025

This was pretty interesting. Some of the poppier stuff just reminded me of Steely Dan, but not nearly as catchy. The real draw here is the more ambient tracks. Small Hours was a great way to close this one out. 3.5/5? 4/5? Let's go with 3.75/5. That feels good.

Swordfishtrombones by Tom Waits
Jul 18 2025

An incredibly specific brand of quirky melancholy and darkness. I totally get how this might not be everyone's thing, but I dig it.

Jul 19 2025

When I say this album is overplayed and overrated, I don't mean that it's bad. I don't even mean to say I didn't enjoy it. It was incredibly influential and popular in the late 90s / early 2000s. It's just that this edge-less, squeaky clean sound doesn't do it for me. Says a lot when Radiohead are edgier than you.

Metal Box by Public Image Ltd.
Jul 20 2025

A real mixed bag.

Rattlesnakes by Lloyd Cole And The Commotions
Jul 21 2025

Interesting sense of humor. Fun enough.

Cut by The Slits
Jul 22 2025

First ever listen for me. How people can sing the Clash's praises but hate this is beyond me. 3.5/5.

Peggy Suicide by Julian Cope
Jul 23 2025

A disturbing amount of people assuming that the deluxe 2 disc edition on spotify is the actual length of the album. As for the music, it's fun enough. College rock, some avart garde stuff. I don't know much these songs will stick with me, but it was a fun listen.

Be by Common
Jul 24 2025

Jazzy hip-hop with some crisp and chill production. Vintage Kanye was a pleasant surprise (RIP). 4.5/5

Different Class by Pulp
Jul 25 2025

An interesting album lost in a sea of 90s brit pop. After one listen, I am having a hard time distinguishing this from other contemporaries, but maybe I'll get more out of it on later listens. The most interesting thing about this album is the occasional touch of dissonant strings or funky synth.

Kid A by Radiohead
Jul 26 2025

The kind of nobhead shite I can get behind.

Fetch The Bolt Cutters by Fiona Apple
Jul 28 2025

Not heard this one yet. Very engaging album. Fiona Apple's iconic vocal style is obviously the allure here, but her lyricism continues to intrigue me after years of listening to her music. After nearly 700 albums on this list, it's rare for me to feel like such a recent inclusion actually earned their spot. As others have pointed out, the themes of isolation and loneliness were very relevant when this album was released, despite taking half a decade to record and produce. Definitely an interesting album and I think it will be interesting to return to it later down the road.

The United States Of America by The United States Of America
Jul 30 2025

It's hard to remain objective when an album is this annoying. Anyways, this is a cool album to talk about, less so to listen to (for me). LSD and sonic experimentation go together like smoking weed and doing laundry.

69 Love Songs by The Magnetic Fields
Jul 31 2025

It's relentless smultz is somehow charming. Way more diversity on this album than I thought there would be.

Aug 01 2025

An older guy I knew in high school loaded my mp3 player up with a bunch of 2000s indie rock, including a lot of Arctic Monkeys. In our small town in Montana, it felt like I was listening to music that none of my peers had ever heard of. As a recovering indie hipster kid, I think this album holds up great.

Aug 02 2025

Incredibly seminal for a lot of electronic stuff. Still a solid album, but I don't know if I want to return to this as often as more modern work in the genre.

Metallica by Metallica
Aug 03 2025

Hard to deny the influence and reach this album had. Metallica was more relevant in the 90s than the 80s because of this album. We had 15 years of butt rock because of this album. All jokes aside, it's a very successful record for a reason. It was made in a lab to bring hard rock to the forefront of the musical conversation and it did that. The lyrical themes and content were very tuned in with a lot of American men. Songs like Don't Tread On Me resonated so strongly with young men in the 90s that we had armed militia groups storm our own nations capital building. Can I directly blame Metallica for Jan. 6th? No, but I can try. It's basically Five Finger Death Punches fault, but Metallica gave them the idea.

Harvest by Neil Young
Aug 04 2025

Not a huge fan of folk, but this was fantastic.

Catch A Fire by Bob Marley & The Wailers
Aug 06 2025

Reggae has never been my favorite, and Bob Marley was always a touch overrated in my mind. That all said, I think that this album has a great message and the music is well produced and recorded.

Aug 07 2025

Coldplay is good at two things, clean production and getting the white folks excited.

Planet Rock: The Album by Afrika Bambaataa
Aug 08 2025

Album art goes supremely hard. Innovative for the time, but just like Run DMC, it's hard to listen to this day to day over other more modern acts.

Murmur by R.E.M.
Aug 09 2025

This album being from 1983 is fucking crazy to me. R.E.M. came out swinging here.

Scissor Sisters by Scissor Sisters
Aug 10 2025

Was pretty cool to hear music in rural Montana that was so unabashedly queer in the 2000s. I liked this album then and I like it now.

Aug 12 2025

Never really got into this band, glad to hear this album holds up. 3.5/5

Hot Fuss by The Killers
Aug 13 2025

If you don't think the Killers are christian rock, you're not paying attention. This music is so vapid and skin deep. Just goes to show you what stays culturally relevant because unimpressive white dudes need a song to sing at karaoke.

Aug 14 2025

A fascinating cultural moment leaves a great album for me to enjoy decades later. 4.5/5

British Steel by Judas Priest
Aug 15 2025

Lacks the speed and intensity that Judas Priest has come to be known for in the 21st century, but its still a great early heavy metal record. Steeped in counter culture and bluesy riffs, this isn't Judas Priest at their best, but its fucking fun.

Trans Europe Express by Kraftwerk
Aug 16 2025

I took a music theory class in college. One of the first things we learned was the definition of music. "Organized sound." This sound is organized as fuck. Filed away. Collated. Properly alphabetized. Kraftwerk are massively important for electronic music and technology in the music industry, but I can't seem to get into them.

Skylarking by XTC
Aug 17 2025

Proto Brit Pop nonsense. Very pleasant listen, but not what I was in the mood for this morning.

A Seat at the Table by Solange
Aug 18 2025

700+ albums in, I feel like a broken record when I am questioning why these albums from the last decade are included here. Is this a good album? Yeah, definitely. It's also not surprising, given the access Solange has to music industry resources.

Safe As Milk by Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
Aug 19 2025

Accessible blues rock with some surprising depth.

Music for people that think Anarchy means burning down buildings and throwing bricks at windows. A culturally and historically relevant album that was originally designed to sell a specific look and narrative that took root. You can draw a straight line from this album to the rich kid wearing crust pants at the local show, asking to bum a beer off you because "his parents cut him off" (no they didn't, he already spent his allowance on blow). This is a simulacrum of actual punk music. Go listen to Death, they were doing it better and earlier. They just didn't have a marketing manager.

Opus Dei by Laibach
Aug 21 2025

KMFDM if they took themselves a tiny bit more seriously.

The Visitors by ABBA
Aug 22 2025

ABBA seems to be able to take a wholesome and edge-less sound and keep it engaging for me. I've never been a huge fan of pop in general, but this album is great. Seemingly simplistic on the surface, but has a lot of depth.

Elvis Is Back by Elvis Presley
Aug 23 2025

Elvis was deemed a danger to the US for promoting black artists and fostering cultural connection between black and white people during a time of great civil unrest. He was stationed in Germany and spent lots of time around high ranking military personnel, got introduced to his wife and came home after a few years. This album was his triumphant return to the spotlight. As far as the music goes, it's Elvis. As per the usual, couple of covers that I don't prefer his version of, some fun voice stuff and well produced sound. Unfortunately, I just don't care about the music that much. I have a copy of the 2018 version of this book and mostly it talks about how big of a deal it was that he was back, making music again. Other than the cultural moment surrounding this album, there's nothing interesting for me to say about the music. What IS interesting is the theories that Elvis was different when he came back stateside. There are even theories he was exposed to mind altering drugs like LSD in order to attempt to brainwash him and become even more of a US military asset. I don't know if I believe all that, but it makes sense for the military to draft him at the height of his popularity, get him inside their circle, make friends with him and change his viewpoints to more align with what the US wants for their citizens, not what the citizens want for the US.

Sister by Sonic Youth
Aug 24 2025

Classic Sonic Youth.

Moondance by Van Morrison
Aug 26 2025

Folk isn't typically my thing, but this is a pleasant enough listen. The instrumentation is subdued save for a couple riffs, so it's very chill.

Blunderbuss by Jack White
Aug 27 2025

White boy blues (affectionate) as opposed to White boy blues (derogatory)

Rum Sodomy & The Lash by The Pogues
Aug 28 2025

Fantastic Irish folk album. The sentimentality, the prose, the mild but full instrumentation. It's like a nice shepherds pie. I wouldn't order it at a restaurant to celebrate or anything, but if it was what was for dinner I would be stoked.

L'Eau Rouge by The Young Gods
Aug 29 2025

Love me some industrial. +1 star for drawing a straight line to Nine Inch Nails and KMFDM, -1 star for being fr*nch and having the gall (gaul) to call themselves Young Gods.

Aug 31 2025

An incredible band that has had it's legacy ruined by the racist "jokes" of it's frontman. Look, I'm not here to defend Pantera. There are plenty of dipshits on the internet doing that already, so I'm going to attempt to be brief here. The music is driving, intense and FULL. Dimebag Darrel's guitar sound is iconic. The drums are bombastic and crushing. The vocals are intense and emotional. This album is a fantastic departure from Guns and Roses, Pearl Jam and every other band that was popular in the early 90s. The lyrics are good, for the most part. At the time, I'm sure this "I don't see color" approach to race relations was considered progressive by some, but a bunch of good ol' boys from Texas singing about coming together while still sporting the rebel flag comes off as insipid and tone deaf today. All that being said, this is one of the most influential albums in the metal space. If you like hardcore at all, your favorite band owes something to this record.

The Predator by Ice Cube
Sep 01 2025

So many reviews of this album are like "look, I get this was important politically and personally to Ice Cube but did he have to use so many bad words?" Anyways, this album aged well. 4.5/5.

Liege And Lief by Fairport Convention
Sep 02 2025

You can draw a straight line from Crazy Man Michael to Madman by Ashbury. Overall, a cut above the usual late 60s brit rock that populates this list. The dynamism in these tracks feels very before it's time. Parts of this sound clearly influenced American jam bands, but I won't hold this against the album.

Blood Sugar Sex Magik by Red Hot Chili Peppers
Sep 03 2025

I always kind of dread returning to albums that I loved as a teenager. God help me, I think I like the Red Hot Chili Peppers still. I totally get why some people would not like this album. If clever, esoteric lyrics are your thing, RHCP might not be your band. The lyrics here are not without their charm, but I could see how others might find them grating. This album has some simple but really tight drumming, guitar that can play to the strengths of the band and a bassist that is very comfortable injecting his own style and taking the lead. The funk/jazz/rock fusion is very appealing to me. There's some diversity in sound here, certainly more than other bands in the 90s. Gotta admit though, the singles from this album have got to be competing for most overplayed 90s songs.

More Specials by The Specials
Sep 04 2025

How could you not like the Specials?

Led Zeppelin II by Led Zeppelin
Sep 05 2025

One of the albums I don't actually enjoy listening to front to back. There are some fun tracks on here (Ramble On is the high point), but ultimately it's no Houses of the Holy or IV. Still, it's clear what an influence this sound had on the rock genre for decades.

Heaven Or Las Vegas by Cocteau Twins
Sep 06 2025

Dreamy, layered pop. It's like a well made ice cream sundae. Bittersweet chocolate flakes on top.

Spiderland by Slint
Sep 08 2025

Ahead of it's time and completely holds up today.

Sep 09 2025

Even setting aside Guillotine (Swordz), this album is incredible. Modern masterpiece that music scholars will be studying for centuries.

21 by Adele
Sep 10 2025

I can be pretty down on pop, but this was a fun album. Adele's mezzo voice is the star, through and through. There's some simple but engaging musicality to the track she's singing over that supplements the vocals and doesn't distract from, but they're fun to focus on anyway. Particularly the hip hop/jazzy percussion on tracks like He Won't Go.

Two Dancers by Wild Beasts
Sep 11 2025

I bet I would have been way into this if I was listening to it when it came out.

The Doors by The Doors
Sep 12 2025

Honestly, I fucking hate the doors. Getting that out of the way, I can respect how so many people in the late 60s loved this music. It's fine.

Live At The Regal by B.B. King
Sep 13 2025

Groovy, jammy, bluesy and that voice is incredible. One of the best live albums of the 60s.

Atomizer by Big Black
Sep 14 2025

Transgressive, edgy nonsense made by some goobers that wanted to hear more of this kinda shit. My kind of album.

McCartney by Paul McCartney
Sep 15 2025

An album that I'm glad Paul made, because he clearly wanted a musical outlet that was completely divorced from the Beatles and especially John. That all being said, this album doesn't need to be heard before you die. It's only significant for being the first solo debut of one of the most famous people to ever live.

I See A Darkness by Bonnie "Prince" Billy
Sep 16 2025

This sound was everywhere in the late 90s/early 00s. I do really appreciate the vocal harmonics on this album. Hopeful and melancholic lyrics sang over simple but fitting music.

Exile On Main Street by The Rolling Stones
Sep 17 2025

Rolling Stones are like the Beastie Boys (hear me out.) They make music inspired by American black people, in the same genres as American black people, but for white audiences. Both groups do inject enough of their personal style (all Beastie Boys songs sound like THAT for example), but ultimately would not exist without the hundreds of artists that laid the groundwork for them. I'm not a massive fan of the Stones. I know they're important historically and contributed to the rise of Rock and Roll world wide, but if I wasn't doing this list of albums I wouldn't have thought to listen to this album. That said, that's the best part of this whole site.

A Girl Called Dusty by Dusty Springfield
Sep 18 2025

Never been a fan of this era of music, but certainly I'd rather listen to the artists she's inspired by than this album. It's not bad, just a little uninteresting, one-note and forgettable. To be fair, that's 20% of the albums on this list.

La Revancha Del Tango by Gotan Project
Sep 19 2025

The album is a little dry, but isn't without it's charm. I don't really know anything about what makes good production, but this album sounded crispy. I hear a lot of the late 2010 obsession with lofi jazz here. Gotan Project definitely had a part in that era of music history.

The Specials by The Specials
Sep 20 2025

What a great seminal album for ska. Who doesn't like The Specials?

Vento De Maio by Elis Regina
Sep 22 2025

Fun record. Full of energy and the cultural identity of the record is cool.

Meat Is Murder by The Smiths
Sep 23 2025

Gee, I wonder where the stereotype of sanctimonious vegans comes from? Lyrics from the titular song aside, this has some incredible guitar work on it. I was very pleasantly surprised to find myself getting into a couple songs. This feeling was fleeting, however. The vocals, vapid lyrics and literal barking kept taking me out of it.

Actually by Pet Shop Boys
Sep 24 2025

Its proto-90s trance. 3.5/5!

Debut by Björk
Sep 25 2025

Bjork's debut is not my favorite Bjork album, but it holds up well.

Sep 26 2025

A fantastic follow-up to Fragile and coming in at under 40 minutes, this album is a ripper. Classic 70s prog rock, the swelling crescendos and tight musicality are killer. Huge fan of prog and a huge fan of this album.

Kimono My House by Sparks
Sep 27 2025

I'm kind of split on this one. It sounds like music that my favorite artists would like!

Revolver by Beatles
Sep 28 2025

Might be my favorite Beatles album. The pretension is there, but its mostly ignorable.

Hard Again by Muddy Waters
Sep 29 2025

What a listen. Great stuff.

The Healer by John Lee Hooker
Oct 01 2025

Approachable blues album with some star power. The copy of the book I have calls this album "100-proof blues." I disagree, as compared to earlier blues records, this seems watered down. It's not a bad album, I just question it's inclusion here over other, earlier albums.

All Directions by The Temptations
Oct 02 2025

Nothing I could say about this album that's an original thought. Great album.

Beauty And The Beat by The Go-Go's
Oct 04 2025

Totally a breath of fresh air. What a great album.

American Beauty by Grateful Dead
Oct 05 2025

I don't think I would ever go as far as to say this music sucks, but it's certainly not impressive to me. The conversation around this band suggests a much more interesting sound, like every other famous band popularized in the 60s.

Oct 06 2025

Hip hop as a genre evolved out of desire for an african american sound in urban cities like NYC. Western pop music often passes back and forth across the pond, but it isn't often we see the genre starting here in the states. Hip hop was intended to be by and for working class people. By 2004, rappers were as big as rock stars. For those of you born in the 90s and after, I promise this is a notable thing to say. So suffice to say, hip hop wasn't only being mad by working class americans anymore. Moving onto to this album, the nicest thing I can say about it is that it seems like a genuine application of the genre to tell stories from his perspective, for a specific working class audience in the UK. The music itself is interesting from a cross cultural perspective, but I can't really say I enjoyed this album. It was interesting enough, but it didn't really get any feelings out of me. This album is long and doesn't have a lot going on musically that I enjoy, but I appreciate the rejection of "posh" english.

Strange Cargo III by William Orbit
Oct 07 2025

Interesting ambient electronic music from the 90s. Like Aphex Twin, it feels like a distinct move to get away from the hardcore intense music that electronic was known for at that point. This list seems to love ambient electronic music clearly inspired by Eno, so I can see why this was included.

Scott 4 by Scott Walker
Oct 08 2025

I try really hard not to employ mono syllabic reviews for the albums on this site, but this was.... Bland.

Moon Safari by Air
Oct 09 2025

Very introspective listen. Atmospheric but with enough going on musically to keep me engaged.

Miriam Makeba by Miriam Makeba
Oct 10 2025

Miriam Makeba was instrumental in bringing African music to the international eye. What an incredibly beautiful voice and person.

Devil Without A Cause by Kid Rock
Oct 11 2025

Musically, it's completely trite. Kid Rock takes his favorite aspects from popular music of the day (hip hop inspired percussion, guitar solos Ala Skynyrd and what I can only assume are attempts at rapping), tries to recreate them (poorly, I feel I must add) and jams them together into a disgusting amalgam. I think country, rock and hip hop can definitely work well together, but this is what "metal purists" think nu-metal is. A frustratingly simple approach to genre blending that comes off as insulting to all but the most ignorant. Lyrically, this music is just plain sad. It makes me upset to think of people I know, in my life, that feel something other than emptiness when listening to this. The rhymes, the wordplay and flow definitely evoke Mr. Rock's name, it sounds like a kid wrote it. This album was made in a lab by record company execs wanting to cash in on popular trends while packaging it behind the blandest wannabe gangsta white dude they could find. The biggest reason I can think of to include this album is as a time machine listen. This album is incredibly late 90s. America's hegemony was unquestionable. Music about partying has always been popular, but Kid Rock being popular goes to show you how thirsty the masses were for any music that wasn't about something negative. The counter-counter-culture to grunge, alt-rock and the metal underground. Say what you want about boomer era Clapton worship, but at least that music wasn't so fucking empty of soul. Gen X lapped this dogshit up.

Os Mutantes by Os Mutantes
Oct 12 2025

Very interesting album.

Maxinquaye by Tricky
Oct 13 2025

If I had to think of single word to describe this album, it's gloomy. The mood is set from track 1. It's comfortable in the same way that laying half on a couch while you're high on smack is comfortable.

Bad by Michael Jackson
Oct 14 2025

I enjoy Quincy Jones' music.

Shaka Zulu by Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Oct 15 2025

I like a cappela music, so this was a fun listen. There is so much going on culturally and historically in this album, it's hard to talk about it all.

Bookends by Simon & Garfunkel
Oct 16 2025

Likely a seminal album for a lot of indie rock/folk bands I enjoyed throughout my youth as well as today. Lots going well for this album. The production is crisp, I especially dig the guitar tones. One of the most baffling things about this album is the constant use of sound effects to embellish the narrative of the song. It comes across as cartoony nowadays, but I bet they felt differently in 19-dickitydoo.

Music in Exile by Songhoy Blues
Oct 17 2025

I enjoyed this album, but it definitely is indicative of US/UK critics uplifting overseas artists that have ties to existing US/UK acts. This album was pretty good, but I was hoping for something with a bit more edge to it. Those are my tastes though, I'm sure others will be spinning this for years.

Loveless by My Bloody Valentine
Oct 18 2025

Just a solid shoegaze album. I definitely regret not listening to this more when I was 15.

Third by Soft Machine
Oct 19 2025

Its not Zappa, but it wants to be.

Mr. Tambourine Man by The Byrds
Oct 20 2025

I mean, it's not bad. I can appreciate it from a historical point of view but I will not be spinning this again any time soon. Hypnotically Caucasian.

Morrison Hotel by The Doors
Oct 21 2025

What can be said about this other than: "It's the doors." Overplayed, boring and barely worth talking about.

Let It Be by The Replacements
Oct 22 2025

Great Proto Punk. 3.5/5

Sincere by Mj Cole
Oct 23 2025

Very chill. Dreamy and atmospheric, this was a good listen.

The Queen Is Dead by The Smiths
Oct 24 2025

Man, it's fine. Smiths albums tend towards the center for me, I just can't seem to get into it for more than a track or so. If anything, I know a lot of my favorite bands enjoyed this.

Blonde On Blonde by Bob Dylan
Oct 25 2025

This might be the best album Bobby ever done. Really feels like he's firing on all cylinders and at the top of his game.

Oct 26 2025

Look, it ain't no 12 Golden Country Greats, but its a fine album.

Oct 27 2025

Incredible album. Not every day that such a seminal album is also on rotation frequently. I listen to this album front to back at least once a month.

Bubble And Scrape by Sebadoh
Oct 28 2025

An album that kept me guessing. Just the right amount of edge. Clear influences of punk, but keeps a lid on that anger. Contemporary with Sonic Youth, which is why I think it was included. Overall, very enjoyable album.

Led Zeppelin III by Led Zeppelin
Oct 29 2025

Not much to say about this album other than it's underrated in Led Zeppelin's discography. Is it essential, though? Not for me to decide I guess.

Bone Machine by Tom Waits
Oct 30 2025

Tom is such a goober, I love him.

Oct 31 2025

Understandably their most unpolished and raw album, but damn if it doesn't satisfy. I am a massive sucker for 90s electronica.

Imperial Bedroom by Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Nov 01 2025

Elvis Costello has always been a blind spot for me, never really was into him growing up and never hung out with anyone who was into him. This album was surprising in some ways, but overall what I expected.

Electric by The Cult
Nov 02 2025

Another album the English are begging the rest of the world to take seriously. Unfortunately for them, in the USA, we are up to our tits in generic rock bands. Coming out in '86, I can't even say these guys were ahead of the curve.

Rock Bottom by Robert Wyatt
Nov 03 2025

Ahead of it's time? Meh, maybe. It's pretty interesting, though! 3.5/5

New York Dolls by New York Dolls
Nov 04 2025

Camp, very fun. Musically straightforward, but in the same way that punk rock is. The energy is really what you're here for.

World Clique by Deee-Lite
Nov 05 2025

Very interesting sampling. This album clearly had an impact on a lot of the electronic music I was listening to in the late 90s/early 00s.

Lazer Guided Melodies by Spiritualized
Nov 06 2025

Kind of spacey and simplistic, but not in a way that tickles my brain. It's okay.

The Soft Bulletin by The Flaming Lips
Nov 07 2025

The Flaming Lips embody that hopeful, melancholic sound that was everywhere in the early 2000s. This album definitely made an impact on me when I heard it for the first time.

Pet Sounds by The Beach Boys
Nov 08 2025

The Flaming Lips embody that hopeful, melancholic sound that was everywhere in the early 2000s. This album definitely made an impact on me when I heard it for the first time.

Blue Lines by Massive Attack
Nov 09 2025

Very english. Incredibly english. Despite it all, pretty good.

Pelican West by Haircut 100
Nov 10 2025

Totally fine! Poppy, a little funky, but mostly just fun.

Nov 11 2025

Very interesting listen today, made even more interesting by the fact that I just listened to Massive Attack yesterday! I knew the spoken word stuff would be lost on a lot of people, and the reviews on this site did not disappoint. There's a lot of interesting stuff being done throughout this album. Handing the narrative back and forth between spoken word poetry and musical motifs. I know essentially nothing about SAULT as I'm writing this review, so take what I say with a grain of salt. I could see how this album would rub a lot of people the wrong day. It's very un-apoligetically black, it goes against what every suburban white gen x through gen z was taught. It's impolite to talk about race! It really makes me wonder about the backgrounds of the musicians involved. This could totally come off as vapid if some industry plant millionaire kid was the one making it. Moving on to the lyricism, it's not even being subtle in the messaging here. Wild that people are upset about how point blank and on the nose these lyrics are, when an entire songs lyrics are saying "you didn't listen when we tried to tell you before." As far as the music goes, I preferred the tracks like Monsters and Us, with a pretty sweet synth going. That said, there is a surprising diversity of sound on this album. To those of you that disagree, consider a cheesemonger. They could tell you the difference in regions and varietals of 15 types of cheddar. The subtle taste differences. What goes into making it, how the cows diet effects it, etc. But to some of you, its all just cheese. If your scope is limited, your understanding will be limited as well.

Will The Circle Be Unbroken by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Nov 12 2025

I get that bluegrass isn't everyone's thing, but some of these reviews are hilarious myopic. "ugh, I hate country this SUCKS." Earlets, lmao

Ghosteen by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
Nov 13 2025

I have nothing original or interesting to say about this band. So, instead, I'll just get some thoughts down rapid fire style. -I genuinely don't know any ride or die Nick Cave fans personally, so I have a hard time imagining who this music is for. It's certainly not for me. Nick Caves smarmy vocals make me think of theater kids and REPO the Genetic Opera. -I understand this album was written during a grieving process, but that hardly qualifies this as needing to hear it before I die. -Less than 10 years old, who is citing this album as being seminal or even a standout? Doesn't deserve to be on this list. There are some nice soundscapes on this album but nothing that couldn't be found on soundcloud by searching "Moody soundscape." My advice to the critics writing these books is to get off Nick's jock, leave the man alone. 2.5/5

...Baby One More Time by Britney Spears
Nov 14 2025

Man, ...Baby One More Time comes out swinging. Great bassline, tight percussion, simple but fun hooks. The rest of the album is fine. As expected, it's drenched in turn of the millennium optimism and teenage naivety. These songs were everywhere when I was a kid. nearly 30 years later, its a shame that it's not worth really talking about besides the singles/hits. There's a lot of schmutz to sift through on this. I definitely agree with adding it to this list, it's a cultural touchstone and Britney Spears was/is one of the most famous people on the planet. Albums like this (and the legion of copy cat artists) continued the work started by boy bands like the Beatles and the Beach Boys. Hypnotically Caucasian music that sells you the personality of the singer alongside the music. You know what, its just more fun and interesting to talk about teen idols as a cultural phenomenon. What the fuck is with that? Why were their grown ass men counting down when teenage girls were turning 18? A decently interesting pop album that is much more thrilling to discuss than listen to. Fits right into this list.

Mermaid Avenue by Billy Bragg
Nov 15 2025

Opening track must be a joke. Generic folk updated for a modern audience. Hoodoo Voodoo is just juvenile. Overproduced drivel.

Vanishing Point by Primal Scream
Nov 16 2025

There's enough going on here that I think it's definitely worth talking about, but man I had to dig in there. Aphex Twin and many others were already doing the subtle electronica thing a half decade before this came out. The track "Medication" brought the whole album down.

Nov 17 2025

This one isn't in the 2018 copy I have. I get it.

Pretenders by Pretenders
Nov 18 2025

Feels ahead of it's time. Very fun album.

Rapture by Anita Baker
Nov 20 2025

Beautiful husky voice. The TIGHT rhythm section. An excellent album made by a fantastic group of musicians and engineers. That last track? What an excellent way to end an album. Also, what a good time to never have listened to this before but recognizing parts of it from hip hop samples.

LP1 by FKA twigs
Nov 21 2025

I'm not a big fan of pop in general. I thought this was interesting enough. Introspective synth pop, clearly influenced by many genres. It definitely feels a little over-produced to me, but this is subjective. It seems the direction that most pop is going in, so it tracks for this artist's debut. I see the appeal here, but it's just not for me. Like a lot of art, I can respect why/how others enjoy this, but I probably won't be spinning it at home any time soon.

Closer by Joy Division
Nov 22 2025

I bet these vocals are divisive. I'm not a huge fan, but they work well for this music. The bass lines and tight percussion are really the selling point for me here. The overall sound they're going for is a lot of fun and danceable. Overall, cool album to start my day with.

Celebrity Skin by Hole
Nov 23 2025

I think I'm probably just craving any alt rock at all, but this was great.

The Gershwin Songbook by Ella Fitzgerald
Nov 24 2025

As others on this site have pointed out, this is a very long compilation. But maybe grow up? Idk.

Songs From A Room by Leonard Cohen
Nov 25 2025

Look, I understand the place that this dude holds in the greater conversation. However, it comes off as vapid and as Taylor Swift's music today. The poetry (arguably the only draw here?) is simplistic to the point of nausea. I'm sure there's a historical context I'm missing here, but I'm really growing to dislike Ol' Leo because of this list. This is the 3rd Cohen album I've heard on this list and I would have a hard time differentiating them to someone who has never heard of this guy.

Hysteria by Def Leppard
Nov 26 2025

Big dumb fun, but my appreciation ends there. Metal albums released in 1987 that deserve to be on this list more than this one: Nightfall - Candlemass Scream Bloody Gore - Death Keeper of the Seven Keys: Part I - Helloween Killing Technology - Voivod Pain of Mind - Neurosis Abigail - King Diamond Crossover - DRI Among the Living - Anthrax Not to mention the countless recordings of bands that didn't make it because they lacked the funds, reach or otherwise means to become successful in the corporate rock age.

Toys In The Attic by Aerosmith
Nov 27 2025

Ah yes, the album that is brought up whenever I even hint that I'm not a big fan of Aerosmith. Look, it's jock rock at best but it probably the best of their albums.

Penance Soiree by The Icarus Line
Nov 29 2025

Was this really good or am I just starved for any distortion at all? Call that the Sonic Youth effect.

Come Find Yourself by Fun Lovin' Criminals
Nov 30 2025

Anyone remember when making a reference to Tarantino was cool? Its kind of hard to imagine now, because those movies are overplayed as shit in 2025. Well, what I can say is that the wordplay is notably more clever than other shitass "hillbilly hiphop" groups/artists. The percussion is tight and the musical hooks aren't bad. Unfortunately, I can't help but compare this to Kid Rock and that's an insanely low bar. I expected it to irritate me, but this album was best when it was mostly clever rhymes over repetitive piano/guitar riffs and some light percussion. Glad to be exposed to these guys, but I cannot imagine spinning this to relax at home, sparking a J. That's a shame, because that's clearly what this music was made for. The last thing I'll say is that there's not a lot of discernible reasons why this is an album you have to listen to before you die, at least not in the book that you nerds wrote. The 2018 copy I own claims that the success of this album was due to the chemistry between the 3 members, it was popular in the UK and that this LP was one of the author of the blurb's favorite LP. Okay, but it being your favorite isn't a reason for others to listen. The members of a band having chemistry is not remarkable, that's a prerequisite of an band that is remarkable enough to stand out from the countless other albums ever made. Past that, being popular in the UK is a mark against it in my book (kidding, calm down.) On this list? 3/5 is fair I think. Only because there are a plethora of other unremarkable albums on this list as well.

Fragile by Yes
Dec 01 2025

THAT is how you start a prog album. Holy hell, what a ripper of an album. But it's on rails the entire time! The train is going exactly where they want it to go, at breakneck speed and precision. On top of that, it sacrifices none of the groove. Incredibly ahead of it's time. Bruford is a fucking machine. I mean that figuratively, nobody that plays prog has sex (citing from experience here.)

Call of the Valley by Shivkumar Sharma
Dec 02 2025

I definitely enjoy being exposed to more world music, but I don't know that I could comment on this past "it was pleasant and consistent."

Entertainment by Gang Of Four
Dec 04 2025

Now this is what I'm talking about.

A Short Album About Love by The Divine Comedy
Dec 05 2025

Not as short as I'd hoped, but it's a fun album. The of music I like to sing, but not really listen to haha

Darklands by The Jesus And Mary Chain
Dec 06 2025

Short, melancholic and a bit heartfelt. You can draw a straight line from this to insufferable pricks talking about In the Aeroplane Over the Sea when I was in highschool, so that might be a mark against it.

Black Metal by Venom
Dec 07 2025

Spooky Motorhead is alright.

Dec 08 2025

I remember when I was in highschool and I thought these guys were so cool. Their lyrical themes lack subtly, but I like that about them. This is a bombastic album full of swelling, near overproduced tracks. I'm betting a lot of people don't enjoy Muse's vibe, but as an ex theater kid I had a good time.

Dec 09 2025

Is it self-indulgent to make a double album bursting with incredible tracks? This album has tons of ideas executed well. Hip-hop with pop sensibilities, informed by decades of black music. Outkast are standing on the shoulders of giants and they aren't shy about showing you the view.

Paul's Boutique by Beastie Boys
Dec 11 2025

If you're not on board with the vibe of "nursery rhymes rapped by the whitest men on the planet" you probably won't enjoy this. It's camp, goofy and surprisingly clever.

In A Silent Way by Miles Davis
Dec 12 2025

If you thought this was boring, you're just admitting you don't play music.

Doggystyle by Snoop Dogg
Dec 13 2025

"He said bitches and talked about his wiener :( I am a real music fan and should be taken seriously. I'm going to google "thesaurus words for childish" just to show you how serious I am." For real, some of ya'll need to grow the fuck up lmao This album has incredible flow. The use of synth was innovative and gives the sound a ton of character. Snoop is a dipshit, but this album has a place in music history.

Life's Too Good by The Sugarcubes
Dec 14 2025

Man, maybe I just love Bjork, but this was pretty fun.

E.V.O.L. by Sonic Youth
Dec 15 2025

This is the fifth Sonic Youth album I've reviewed on this list. It's pretty good, but not what I was in the mood for today.

The Bends by Radiohead
Dec 16 2025

Incredibly solid album.

Cross by Justice
Dec 17 2025

A personal favorite of mine. I was super into Daft Punk in High School (still am) and Justice always felt like a grittier, grimier house act. We love them for that. This album is definitely a religious experience.

John Prine by John Prine
Dec 18 2025

A fun little country album from a time where "find Jesus on your own" was a pretty radical statement.

Orbital 2 by Orbital
Dec 19 2025

Very fun album. Layers on layers of sound. Plays with and subverts expectations throughout the whole album, but the high points are definitely in the latter half of the album. Cool stuff. I love reading people's reviews on this site. So many wannabe music fans that can't find anything interesting or intelligent to say about an album, so they just dismiss it with a thought terminating cliche. "It's just noise." "Sounds like a toddler made this." You're just outing yourself as having no clue how music is recorded or produced. Embarrassing behavior imo haha

The Contino Sessions by Death In Vegas
Dec 21 2025

Two years before Gorillaz debut makes this more interesting than it sounds, I think. Not a bad album for a chill Monday morning. 3.5/5

american dream by LCD Soundsystem
Dec 22 2025

Dusty. Dry. Derivative. Ideas that have been done to death. Sound assets that were feeling overplayed by the second LCD Soundsystem album. This isn't a horrible album by any means, but nobody has to listen to this before you die.

Pink Flag by Wire
Dec 23 2025

Short little album, always a treat. I absolutely could see this as being seminal for a lot of bands I enjoy.

New Wave by The Auteurs
Dec 24 2025

Not bad for soft spoken britpop smiths worship.

Apocalypse Dudes by Turbonegro
Dec 26 2025

A band you don't hear about much anymore, for obvious and not so obvious reasons. Other bands like Green Day or Offspring had better success with a radio friendly sound, but this album is decent mindless fun. 3.5/5

Mama's Gun by Erykah Badu
Dec 27 2025

Solid and funky.

Movies by Holger Czukay
Dec 28 2025

I can't really tell if the actual samples here are clever or not. I'm leaning not. The actual instrumentation is really good. This album is recorded and produced very well. I would rate it higher, but the "experimental" samples do detract from the overall experience. I get that the samples are kind of the point, but they just didn't land as much as the tight guitar work and restrained but solid percussion.

Something/Anything? by Todd Rundgren
Dec 29 2025

Surprisingly clever and engaging for a 90 minute album. I had a good time, especially with the instrumentals.

First Band On The Moon by The Cardigans
Dec 30 2025

Very fun, laid back little album. As others have noted, the Sabbath cover is appreciated and gives a little more insight into the bands tastes and motivations.

Brutal Youth by Elvis Costello
Jan 01 2026

When I'm in the mood for music like this, I never think of Elvis Costello.

Oar by Alexander 'Skip' Spence
Jan 03 2026

Another album that I assume an influential musician has named as being a favorite and music critics rushed to gnaw on the carcass for decades to come.

Tres Hombres by ZZ Top
Jan 04 2026

There was a time where I thought La Grange was the coolest song ever. I think I was 10?

The Cars by The Cars
Jan 05 2026

Genuinely a fun and interesting little album.

Dookie by Green Day
Jan 06 2026

Not as big of a hit as American Idiot, but it's my favorite Green Day album. I used to hate this band for being overplayed, overproduced and generally just emblematic of whiny rich kids from Southern California not getting that second trip to Disney Land like they wanted.

Scott 2 by Scott Walker
Jan 07 2026

I think the arrangement is pleasant enough, but I don't really get Scott's sense of humor. Not exactly a chore to listen to, but the times where my brain was really engaged were few and far between.

Californication by Red Hot Chili Peppers
Jan 08 2026

I get how some folks wouldn't like Kiedis' singing style, that's fair. I have always been a rhythm section guy and there's a lot to enjoy here in that realm. Obnoxious, overbearing and sometimes sickly sweet, I have a lot of nostalgia for this album. Not my favorite release of theirs, but these singles were everywhere when I was growing up. Par for the course with rock bands as big as they are, this band is full of shitbags. I think its hard to explain to gen z music fans just how prevalent these guys were in the 90s. Largely because being a creepy abuser doesn't do you any favors, the conversation has moved on from RHCP. Doesn't help that they based their whole sound around that so-cal obnoxiousness. Totally contributed to the rise of the "chill indie pop" bands. The people were craving something a little more mellow.

Born In The U.S.A. by Bruce Springsteen
Jan 09 2026

It is 100% Springsteen. As per the usual, I like the actual lyrical content more than I like the fangless and approachable sound, but to each their own.

Ogden's Nut Gone Flake by Small Faces
Jan 10 2026

The copy of the book I have (the 2018 version) says that this album remains the pinnacle of British 60's pop. That's amazing. What a thing to put to a page. I think this album is another in a long list of albums that is much more interesting to talk about than to hear. I fear I may never think of this album again, but it wasn't unpleasant. How do you rate an album like that?

Take Me Apart by Kelela
Jan 11 2026

After reading some reviews, I don't think I have anything novel to add to this conversation so I'll just get my thoughts down here rapid fire style, so I can refer back to this later. Common for music I enjoy, this album has a lot going on beneath the surface, so if you're finding the sound a little "samey" or whatever, challenge yourself to dig a little deeper. I agree with a lot of users that 2017 is very recent to be considered for a list that is supposed to have some sort of magnitude to it, but at the same time the list is already missing a lot of women artists and especially women of color. This IS an impressive record but is so far from what this list itself has taught its audience to expect that they think they're supposed to hate it. 2010s is probably one of my least favorite eras for music, because a lot of what was popular last decade is just the norm now. Record execs found what sells well and refined it, so this album already feels dated. Reading what others wrote about this album in 2017 (that it sounded futuristic) is almost laughable today in 2026. Is this a well made record? Absolutely, how could you even argue against that? Is it an album that I would put on just to listen to? Time will tell, I suppose.

Let's Get It On by Marvin Gaye
Jan 12 2026

This was an uncomfortable listen for me. When I was in my early 20s (over a decade ago now), I was not big into one night stands or casual encounters. I always felt like the pressure to perform was holding me back from enjoying myself or the person I was with. One night, I ended up having a one night stand with a friends ex. It was incredibly awkward, we were both wasted and the sex itself was not very comfortable. Later, I came to realize that the whole situation was just a ploy to "get back" at my friend, and it made me feel gross. Everything about that interaction fills my head with shame and disgust. If you're reading this, you may be asking how this is relevant to Marvin Gaye. Well you see, my alcohol soaked and underdeveloped prefrontal cortex decided that putting this album on would set the mood juuuuuust right. It did not. From that day onward, I have not interacted with Marvin Gaye's music in any sort of meaningful way. I avoided this artist and especially this album for years and years because of a particularly shameful event in my youth. I have done much work on myself since then, and while this album still reminds me of that shame I mentioned earlier, it's such a good listen. Listening to this album is a lot like making love to a trusted partner. Tight, smooth and just the right length. If you're a young man and don't find one night stands appealing, just know you're not alone and there is nothing wrong with you for not wanting to do that.

A Northern Soul by The Verve
Jan 13 2026

More interesting than I thought it was going to be, since my only exposure to this band previously was Bittersweet Symphony. I could understand how some could call this boring, it is kind of slow. I think more than anything, it's just kind of a long album. Multiple nearly 7 minute long tracks on an alt rock record doesn't gel to me.

Jan 14 2026

Lots of peaks and valleys here. While overplayed as shit, some of these songs are generally classic and obviously had a massive impact on the world of rock and roll. The other half of this album is pretty forgettable.

Behaviour by Pet Shop Boys
Jan 15 2026

Funny, I was thinking I was in the mood for french touch this morning and this almost was what I was in the mood for. Fun stuff. 3.5/5

Jan 16 2026

I don't know that I have anything interesting or novel to say about this album. I liked it. I like Brian Eno and David Byrne's music and this collaboration was pretty on par from what I would expect from this union.

Paul Simon by Paul Simon
Jan 17 2026

So incredibly safe and lacking depth, but otherwise a pleasant listen.

Jan 18 2026

Respecting a piece of media for your personal taste in it as well as its place in history are usually two different lenses, but I just love this album. Had a game of Warhammer 40k where my opponent brought out Magnus with his T-Sons and we jammed this album. Was a great time.

Germfree Adolescents by X-Ray Spex
Jan 19 2026

Pretty awesome. The energy is fantastic, the lyrics are on point too. Great album to start my day with.

Dr. Octagonecologyst by Dr. Octagon
Jan 20 2026

"Don't know how this is on the list." Did you try fucking googling it? lol Never in my life have I been exposed to a more intellectually uninterested music "fans." If you're reading this and it upsets you AND you're still under the age of 25, its okay. Your prefrontal cortex hasn't developed yet. There's hope for you yet. If you're over the age of 25... enjoy arrested development I guess? Anyway, the flow is great but the samples are where I'm digging this album. Constant references to pop culture and hip hop in general. Very proto MF DOOM.

The Grand Tour by George Jones
Jan 21 2026

A classic. Informed a lot of what I consider the best era of country to be.

Jan 22 2026

Such a classic. Perpetuated the current pop cultural idea of cowboys, so that's a solid knock against it. Too bad its such a tasty jam of an album.

Tank Battles by Dagmar Krause
Jan 23 2026

Man, I understand why others don't like this, but I thought it was great. To be fair, I briefly went to school for vocal performance and had a focus on german opera. Even the accompaniment is fun to listen to on it's own, these songs are classics. The lyrics have a sardonic humor to them that really tickled me.

OK by Talvin Singh
Jan 24 2026

Albums like this are tough to judge today. It was probably very innovative at the time to bring such an "exotic, old world sound" into drum and bass. From what I read, Talvin Singh seems to have played a decent part in bringing asian classical music together with electronica. That alone is worth a star, I think. The real question is, does this album hold up? Yeah, more or less. It's certainly not bad, there are a lot of fun tracks in here. As an album it tends to take its time and breathe. It definitely felt a little repetitive and long after 9 or so tracks. Still, a cool listen and I am thankful to learn more about music history.

Siamese Dream by The Smashing Pumpkins
Jan 25 2026

What can I say? I think this band is great.

Raw Like Sushi by Neneh Cherry
Jan 26 2026

Not a bad first listen. This album is aggressively late 80s. I'm wondering if the Massive Attack connection warrants it's inclusion here.

The Atomic Mr Basie by Count Basie & His Orchestra
Jan 28 2026

I love Skullgirls, I wish Big Bands were real.

Tarkus by Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Jan 29 2026

If you can't handle me at my armodillo tank, you don't deserve me at my red screamy man.

Odessey And Oracle by The Zombies
Jan 30 2026

It's hard to judge music like this. I rarely find myself gravitating towards these late 60s joyous rock bands. There were a handful of interesting production decisions that give the album a lot of character, but I just don't think its for me.

Justified by Justin Timberlake
Jan 31 2026

Former Mouseketeer desperately wants to be taken seriously, so his music is now aimed at teens instead of preteens. This album is competently made, but there's just no soul or feeling. It's white boy R&B made in a lab to be popular. The copy of the book I own is the 2018 edition, which does not include this album, so I can't even try and glean insight as to why this record is included. My best guess is that since it's JT's first solo project, critics found it notable. Unfortunately, there is nothing here that is new interesting if you already listen to other R&B acts of the time. Bush era pop music is a special kind of shallow hell. It's all style over substance and this album is no different.

With The Beatles by Beatles
Feb 01 2026

Inclusion of albums like this is why people don't respect Beatles fanatics.

Bummed by Happy Mondays
Feb 02 2026

I'm definitely missing something because I didn't find this remarkable in the slightest.

Blood, Sweat & Tears by Blood, Sweat & Tears
Feb 03 2026

Pleasantly surprised. This album is just fun.

Feb 04 2026

Qualityslop, you guys only like this because it's good. For real, probably their best album. Not a single song on this album I don't like. The Beatles at the top of their game, it's all downhill from here. It's still rife with the beatles smelling their own farts and presenting other people's ideas in a palatable way, but it's a seminal work for a lot of music I enjoy to this day.

Tago Mago by Can
Feb 05 2026

Definitely feels ahead of it's time, which sounds about right for Krautrock. As others have said, track 5 feels a little out of left field. Halleluhwah is a tasty jam, then we get this spacey minimalist soundscape that grates on your eardrums for 17 minutes. In other words, my kind of bullshit.

Sound Affects by The Jam
Feb 06 2026

Usually not a big fan of post punk, but this was short, sweet and fun. Some tracks didn't do it for me, but songs like Music for the Last Couple were just excellent. Wish I could give it a 3.5, but 3 is fair.

Surfer Rosa by Pixies
Feb 07 2026

An excellent album.

Locust Abortion Technician by Butthole Surfers
Feb 08 2026

Obviously not everyone's cup of tea, but Butthole Surfers have always had a good combo of sardonic sense of humor paired with intense, raw music. Huge fan.

G. Love And Special Sauce by G. Love & Special Sauce
Feb 09 2026

It's got that 90s whiteboi fake swagger than bands like Sublime utilized. I'm trying to imagine the type of person that would be big into this, and I can't help but think of my dad. Born in the 70s, went to college in southern California and was a cop.

Tea for the Tillerman by Cat Stevens
Feb 11 2026

First time listen for me. Very pleasantly surprised. This album ebbs and flows like a gentle creek. Just enough variation between these tracks to keep me engaged. I was really worried this would be another acoustic singer songwriter set, with no accompaniment. The musicianship is on full display here. Fairly simple idea executed extremely well.

Beyond Skin by Nitin Sawhney
Feb 12 2026

A real mixed bag. Tracks like Pilgrim really turn me off, but the track right afterwards, Tides, is my kind of soft, jazzy nonsense. I think this album is at it's best when it's providing a solid soundscape and conveying feeling through music. Too many peaks and valleys for me to really recommend it just to listen to, but it's a decent album. I'm wondering how transgressive it was in 1999 to be anti nuclear weapons.

Slipknot by Slipknot
Feb 13 2026

Standing on the shoulders of giants. So much death metal, thrash metal, breakbeat, hip hop, doom metal influence. How some of these dweebs on reddit claim that Slipknot isn't nu metal is beyond me. Joey Jordison is to Slipknot what Wes Borland is to Limp Bizkit. Tracks that showcase Joey's percussion (especially earlier in the album) are typical industrial/thrash/death riffs over some really solid polyrhythms and interesting fills. Later in the album, the songs kind of bleed together into a generic Nu metal stew. Joey is very reserved in these later tracks. Going for a very typical hardcore 2-4 beat and the songs suffer for it. Corey Taylor's rapping is beyond embarrassing. I've always been down on Slipknot because I don't think they deserve the seat they've been given in the metal pantheon. They're a bunch of other bands' ideas mashed together to make a palatable, marketable paste. That all said, this album was huge and directly inspired a lot of more accessible metal music in the past 2 decades. Not nesscessarily a good thing, because now we have wannabe tough guys saying "keep politics out of the scene." Plus we got Five Finger Death Punch, and that's horrible. Bringing it back to this album, it really outstays it's welcome. As previously mentioned, the album really loses gas in the second half. Which is a shame, because there are genuinely some cool tracks early on in the album, I think I just prefer the more raw, death metal inspired tracks to the sing songy choruses and uninspired, generic rhythm section of the middle and back half of the album. If it's not clear, I am very passionate about extreme music and it is downright embarrassing that bands like Slipknot get included when they're are a plethora of other, more well deserving albums. Album gets an extra star being extreme music is woefully underrepresented on this list.

Eternally Yours by The Saints
Feb 14 2026

Pleasant surprise! I have not listened to this band before but will be returning to re-listen to this album in the future.

It's Blitz! by Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Feb 15 2026

Really raised the bar for me on what I could expect pop to be. Also the first release of theirs I was able to pick up on release.

We're Only In It For The Money by The Mothers Of Invention
Feb 16 2026

There is definitely such a thing as too much irony. Thankfully, the Mothers figured this out early, so we can enjoy bands like Ween today.

The Age Of The Understatement by The Last Shadow Puppets
Feb 17 2026

This side project doesn't really feel like it's important enough to include here, but it's not a bad album. From my 2018 copy of the book: "I Don't Like You Anymore is a distorted nightmare of psycho guitar twang and vertiginous rush." Which like, no it fucking isn't lmao. This is an extremely approachable alt rock record.

Bitte Orca by Dirty Projectors
Feb 19 2026

Really liked the ending of this album. I don't agree with others that it was "needlessly complicated" or "disorganized." Mostly I am feeling like this was a fun break from the other stuff on this list. Probably won't ever come back to this, but it's interesting enough and I'm glad I listened to it.

Suicide by Suicide
Feb 20 2026

The 70s are tough to rate sometimes. There's so much experimentation and innovation happening, but they haven't really been able to refine it yet. This album is a good example of a record that had a lot of cool ideas and interesting things going on, but I just don't think it holds up that well today.

Billion Dollar Babies by Alice Cooper
Feb 21 2026

Shock rock is seminal for a lot of acts I enjoy today, but other than "Mr. Nice Guy" that's not a lot here to love. There's plenty to like, though.

My Generation by The Who
Feb 22 2026

This album is far from The Who's best. It's an unfocused approximation of what other artists were doing at the time. Rock and Roll thrice removed from it's African American roots.

Too Rye Ay by Dexys Midnight Runners
Feb 23 2026

Honestly, I was not expecting to enjoy this as much as I did. A great amalgam of folk, ska and R&B. On a separate note, while reading the wiki article for this album, I saw it described as "blue-eyed soul", which is a term I was not familiar with. I just gotta say, what a fucking stupid term, haha.

Emperor Tomato Ketchup by Stereolab
Feb 24 2026

An interesting album, to say the least. I understand not enjoying this type of music, but I'm here for the mixing of pop sensibilities with ambient/droning electronica. 3.5 / 5

Here, My Dear by Marvin Gaye
Feb 25 2026

Great rhythm section. The percussive guitar work on this album is really fun too. Overall, just a great album that I can get down with.

Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere by Neil Young & Crazy Horse
Feb 26 2026

This is the sixth Neil Young album I've listened to on this list. I think he's fine. Laid back and heartfelt, this has gotta be someone's favorite. It's just not mine. Also, naming your band Crazy Horse but refusing to kill US military leaders is poser shit.

Feb 27 2026

The absolute wall of text that is included on this entry in the book is insane. Music taste is subjective, but when you put anything under a microscope you can justify whatever you want. I did not hear an album rife with themes of coping and loss, but that's what the critics are waxing poetic about.

Feb 28 2026

A perplexing album. The sense of humor is really offbeat. I could see it being really off-putting if you're not in the mood for it. Definitely a more interesting album to talk about than to listen to, but still I'm glad to have listened. If every song was as interesting as Dead Finks Don't Talk, this would be rated higher for sure.

Rejoicing In The Hands by Devendra Banhart
Mar 02 2026

Interesting album. I usually hate Bush era music on this list, but this was fun. I don't really feel like he's reinventing the genre or anything, but this is a nice modern folk album.

Duck Rock by Malcolm McLaren
Mar 03 2026

A culturally important piece of media that is far more interesting to talk about than to listen to. Malcom McLaren's whole schtick was selling brits on approachable but "exotic" music.

Dust by Screaming Trees
Mar 04 2026

Kind of shocked how much I enjoyed this. Interesting guitarwork sets it apart from other 90s alt rock bands.

The Libertines by The Libertines
Mar 05 2026

Better than it probably has any right to be.

Purple Rain by Prince
Mar 06 2026

What a lovely album. I'm not a big Prince fan, but maybe I should be.

Live / Dead by Grateful Dead
Mar 09 2026

I've come around a lot more on the dead in recent years. Within the context of this list, pretty excellent album. Great guitarwork, the band's chemistry is phenomenal and these are some great tunes to jam while doing something.

Thriller by Michael Jackson
Mar 10 2026

Just banger after banger. What little there is to not write home about is still excellently recorded and produced. QJ is the goat.

Survivor by Destiny's Child
Mar 11 2026

Y2K song is all over this album, but even still there's some fun 80s/90s hiphop sensibilities on tracks like Bootylicious that give the album some much needed variety. There are some truly wacky samples on certain tracks. The opening to Independent Women Pt II is hilarious. The vocal harmonies are tighter than hell, too. It's no wonder this album was so successful, its fun and well made. That, and sex sells.

Autobahn by Kraftwerk
Mar 13 2026

Man, really interesting album. It does suffer a bit from the "I have to remind myself this was groundbreaking and ahead of it's time" thing, but it was enjoyable.

Mar 14 2026

This album was totally fine. Never cared much for Dwight's voice, but the backing band is pretty fun.

Faith by George Michael
Mar 15 2026

Really let myself down by reading some reviews before listening. I was familiar with the title track before listening to this, but what really got me was that review that said this whole album was greasy and sex obsessed. I wonder if that user is a mormon born in like, 1972 or something. This album is so neat and tidy it's almost sterile. Even the song titled "I Want Your Sex" listens like a health class video on why safe sex can be good for you. "Best enjoyed 1 on 1?" Fuckin' casual. GM kind of comes off like a baritone on some of these tracks, his voice has a fullness that really gives these tracks some richness. I found the percussion lacking on this album, so it was nice to have a bit more for my ear to hang onto. Besides the vocals and bass (which needs to be brought up more in the mix imo), the production almost comes off as tinny. It sounds incredibly thin, which is why I think R&B inspired white boy pop just doesn't work as well as the music its trying to emulate. Overall, it's not a bad album. The bass lines are simple but groovy, the lyrics are fun enough and the vocals are breathy and full. I was expecting some more grooves, some more hooks and a lot more raw, sexual aggression.

At Budokan by Cheap Trick
Mar 16 2026

"One of America's most underrated bands at its creative peak." is a direct quote from the 2018 version of the book I have access to. I certainly can't back that up, and this album fails to deliver on that exceedingly high praise. It's a fine live album.

Venus Luxure No. 1 Baby by Girls Against Boys
Mar 17 2026

Genuinely a fun and interesting record. It's desert rock adjacent at points, with sound so thick it feels like a fog. Tracks like Bughouse really like to play with the soft/hard dynamic, which I can be a sucker for. I had a good time.

Trio by Dolly Parton
Mar 18 2026

An album described as more than the sum of its parts, its a very pleasant listen with some great vocal harmonies and light string work. I especially liked the inclusion of banjo on what few tracks had it. Past that, it seems like pretty routine foray into pop-country. The late 80s were rife with musical innovation and experimentation, so it's interesting that this throwback to 60s/70s country is lauded so much. Kinda wild that this came out in '87, the same year Napalm Death released Scum.

Hounds Of Love by Kate Bush
Mar 19 2026

That first track lures you in with it's pop hooks and fantastical lyricism, then the album takes you on an experimental pop ride for a while. Strings playing dissonant chords, anxiety and doom inducing synth layered in the back, just for it to turn into a key driven soft spoken word dream sequence. This is a cool album!

Night Life by Ray Price
Mar 20 2026

Fiddly, bluesy country. Paying attention to the fiddle or steel guitar is the only way I could enjoy these songs. The vocals are totally fine, but unspectacular. The rhythm section is pretty typical of this genre, at this time. 3/5 would walk around the mojave killing rad scorpions to this music.

Mar 21 2026

Absolutely steeped in goofy, derivative funk riffs, but damn if it's not tasty. Had a good time with this one today. Such a wacky blend of acid jazz, funk and electronica.

Ragged Glory by Neil Young & Crazy Horse
Mar 22 2026

Kinda wild to hear an album about the climate crisis made from before I was born. Really sad.

Beautiful Freak by Eels
Mar 23 2026

What if Butthole Surfers were more marketable? A decent album, reminds me of Soul Coughing. The mid 90s were rife with a ton of these corporate backed bands as execs were desperate to find the next grunge. It's pretty fun overall, great to visit as a time machine to my youth.

The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter by The Incredible String Band
Mar 24 2026

Not as bad as reviews would have me think! I think the experimental aspects of this album turned people off, but it's fine. This album is fine.

Diamond Life by Sade
Mar 25 2026

Is it derivative of Michael Jackson? Yeah, but Quincy Jones is the best to ever do it, so it's endearing they tried to capture that sound for some of these tracks. This album is so over the top in that mid 80s way, it totally won me over. Hard to tell how played out these motifs were when this came out, but it's so classic sounding I don't care if they were. Somehow an incredibly dated and timeless sound. I am such a sucker for that buttery saxophone. Obviously the vocals are fantastic, but its the reserved but full rhythm section that rounds it all out. This album is nothing without the weightless consistency of the drum kit, that soft but funky bass and those tantalizing keys. For an album with layers of sound, it all feels so light and breathy.

Mar 26 2026

An album that I really can't take at face value.

High Violet by The National
Mar 27 2026

An album that isn't even in the 2018 version of the book I have. I have a hard time with this late 2000s/early 2010s "indie." The sound was everywhere when I was a lad, so none of this feels important to the greater music scene. Put in Christopher Lee's Charlemagne album, you cowards.

Rattus Norvegicus by The Stranglers
Mar 28 2026

Better than the Sex Pistols, but damn that's kind of a low bar.

Among The Living by Anthrax
Mar 29 2026

Progenitors of the so called "Pizza Thrash" genre. A term used to describe thrash bands where technical proficiency takes a backseat to fun riffs, bombastic percussion and catchy choruses. I think Anthrax is a really divisive band. They're not serious enough for these tik tok kids that got into beatdown or hardcore through short form video content. On the other side, they're too rough around the edges for non metal fans to enjoy. The fact is, the metal scene as we know it today would look totally different without Anthrax. Up to you whether or not that's a good thing. Personally, I love this album. The bass tone is crunchy, the drums are simple but effective and the vocals are basically shout-alongs made for live performance. It's hard to describe to the young folk nowadays how important it was to have a record store that carried even a small amount of metal was, even 15 years ago. Now everything is talked about ad nauseam and music is more accessible than ever. Being one of the 100 out of 10,000 people in my hometown who even knew who Anthrax were is a feeling I'll never forget. Where else can you get an album referencing a dystopian cyberpunk character from the 70s that also includes a track about native american genocide? Probably pretty easy to come by nowadays, but I swear it was interesting at the time!

Mar 30 2026

Kind of a slog. Some interesting use of synth, but also seems pretty par for the course for 1968. This is probably just survivorship bias, because I'm betting there's hundreds of forgotten bands from this year, but somehow we're talking about the Byrds.

Felt Mountain by Goldfrapp
Mar 31 2026

The vocals didn't do it for me, which is a shame, because I really did enjoy this gloomy soundscape.

Being There by Wilco
Apr 01 2026

Wilco is one of those bands that I think I am growing to enjoy more and more. They've got such a range. This album reminds me of Ween with how many different sounds and genres they've got going on. Similar (but subdued) sense of humor, as well. It's like Ween if they took themselves seriously.

S.F. Sorrow by The Pretty Things
Apr 02 2026

Whenever it wasn't trying to be the Beatles, it was pretty fun. More distorted nonsense, please!

White Light by Gene Clark
Apr 03 2026

Calling this album "pedestrian" is a little disingenuous. It's just a really accessible folk album.

Psychocandy by The Jesus And Mary Chain
Apr 04 2026

Seminal for a lot of bands nowadays. Ahead of it's time? Maybe. Love the guitar tone, though.

Apr 05 2026

Standing on the shoulders of giants, Rod has some decent tracks here. It's a total mixed bag, though.

Time Out by The Dave Brubeck Quartet
Apr 06 2026

Dave Brubeck had a heavy hand in developing my taste for jazz as a young man. I hate him for that.

Music Has The Right To Children by Boards of Canada
Apr 07 2026

A very interesting listen. I can 100% get behind the message of the music, but the inclusion of children's voices was jarring. I understand their inclusion makes the message more impactful, but the music loses listenability. Which is fine, I'm sure this was considered during production.

Ctrl by SZA
Apr 08 2026

I struggle a lot with neo R&B. On one hand, I find it overly simplistic and overly produced. Most of these tracks were not touching me. On the other, the vocals really shine through. In that way, this album feels top heavy. Gorgeous voicework over the top of some pretty empty sounding tracks. This album's inclusion in the 2018 version of this book feels like the authors are rushing to claim that they knew what would have a lasting impact years later. Feels desperate. This isn't a bad album, it's just stiff in all the wrong ways and doesn't feel like music for music's sake. Feels like it was made by rich people in a lab.

The Infotainment Scan by The Fall
Apr 10 2026

Interesting, but not enough. At least not interesting in the way that I find compelling. An album I imagine someone else loving, for well articulated reasons.

Slayed? by Slade
Apr 11 2026

It's not a bad album, but damn guys, being underrated/underrepresented in the conversation around influential 70s rock groups does not equal needing to hear it before I die. In my copy of this book from 2018, Slayed?'s entry says: "I could go on at length about the impact and influence this music had on musicians, groups, and scenes, but the music speaks for itself." Actually, I would like you to go on about what bands specifically mentioned being inspired by Slade. I think Slade is interesting as a kind of proto-hair metal, but I'm just not that impressed. If I was in the mood for this type of music, there's a handful of bands I'd rather listen to.

Apr 12 2026

Not sure how you can claim to be a fan of music and not at least find this album interesting.

The Pleasure Principle by Gary Numan
Apr 13 2026

Seminal and foundational for tons of music I enjoy today. Hard not to get into this nonsense.

A Little Deeper by Ms. Dynamite
Apr 14 2026

The fact that one of the most popular reviews of this album on this site says it's "standard R&B" should tell you a lot about the user base here. What little hip hop is included on this list is always a pleasant surprise, including this album. Delightful Y2K EK Hip hop. 3.5/5

Funeral by Arcade Fire
Apr 15 2026

Gen X got grunge but we got this. This album's influence on the decade following was huge. Just like grunge, the scene got flooded with swathes of corporate plants trying to cash in on the genre hype. I'm in my 30s. I was listening to this album a lot in high school. I was one of the few people I knew of at my tiny, rural high school that listened to anything other than Toby Keith or Eminem. Back then, this album sounded fresh, almost magical. Today, it feels like a bunch of ideas done better by bands that influenced and were influenced by it. The 2000s were an awkward stepping stone in a lot of art mediums, I think I'm just not a big fan of a lot of bush era popular art. That said, it does deserve to be talked about, but I don't know how often I'll return to this album.

The Trinity Session by Cowboy Junkies
Apr 16 2026

Intimate and moody, this album was a great sleepy listen in the morning. Strings and steel guitar gave this album a huge boost.

Band On The Run by Paul McCartney and Wings
Apr 17 2026

Not a bad album by any means, but it's infinitely more interesting to talk about than to listen to.

Life Thru A Lens by Robbie Williams
Apr 18 2026

Not to feed a fed horse, but it is nothing short of baffling that brits are shocked yankees don't even know who Robbie Williams is. I think this album is derivative and a little boring, so I could see why it was such a hit with the island nation that invented popularizing bland nonsense.

Go Girl Crazy by The Dictators
Apr 19 2026

Seemingly seminal for bands like the Dead Milkmen, these glam rockers / wannabe punks were just out there to rile people up. Comes across as "rude beach boys" for most of this wicked short album.

Another early 70s brit album that is stuffing influences from people with more melanin into one rock album. It's not bad though, reminds me of early Rolling Stones.

Stand! by Sly & The Family Stone
Apr 21 2026

A classic album.

Headquarters by The Monkees
Apr 22 2026

Seems that vapid nonsense that melds into the background has always been popular.

Idlewild by Everything But The Girl
Apr 24 2026

So called "Sophisti-pop." This album evokes the idea of Patrick Bateman, but instead of working in finance, he works in HR at the local DMV. It's pretty good, not as boring as some of these reviews would have me believe (mostly thanks to the bass/synth). This is someone's favorite band, but it's not mine. I appreciate that in the decade that is famous for the most over the top bombastic nonsense, this laid back album got some recognition.

Veckatimest by Grizzly Bear
Apr 25 2026

Apparently this album was added in the 2011 version of this book, but I have access to the 2018 version where it is notably absent. My assumption is that critics in 2011 saw the explosion of indie inspired folk music hitting the charts and assumed that the Bush Era indie sound will stick around for more than a decade, but alas, this is not true. Within context, I do not think this album deserves to be on this list. It's not really doing anything incredibly different than other "indie" acts at this time, and by 2009, I would basically call this era over and done with. It had hit mainstream. Without context, this is a decent album! It's a little too "I'm so cool, listen to my breathy voice over deceptively complex instrumentation", but it's fun enough to listen to. I understand why it's so poorly received on this site, although I would encourage users that rate this album a 1 because "boring" to learn how to play/record music, you might be a little impressed afterwards.

The Idiot by Iggy Pop
Apr 26 2026

Bowie uplifts everything he touches. This is a step above Iggy ever did by himself or with the Stooges. Iggy is still such a sleazeball, even Bowie can't shine him up. Described as being a cross between Kraftwerk and James Brown, I see what they were going for.

Public Image: First Issue by Public Image Ltd.
Apr 27 2026

I'm a pretty cynical dude, admittedly. John Lydon has a set of stones on him to create this album and this band in general. The band's name is making fun of his own previous band's name, but there is zero irony or self awareness there. I think a lot of this album's lyrics were probably pretty transgressive at the time, but the conversation has moved on. There were more important punk bands doing more important work at this time. Lydon's lyrics are infantile, even by 70s standards. The music is pretty one note and boring, save for what little noise-adjacent sounds they play with throughout the album. Genuinely a tough album to rate. I wasn't there, nearly 5 decades ago. I can't speak to whether or not this was received well by people who actually knew what the fuck they were talking about. A lot of the punk ethos of the 70s and 80s have been rightly dismissed as ineffectual young men lashing out at whatever institutions they could. In the case of Public Image Ltd., this is a broken clock situation. The christian theocracy is a huge problem worldwide, but John Lydon is a nonce, so you're probably better off listening to any of the music that he accidentally inspired over the years.

Our Aim Is To Satisfy by Red Snapper
Apr 28 2026

Coming off that Public Image Ltd. album, this was such a breath of fresh air. Funky, driving rhythm section and some goofy samples to go over the top. My kind of bullshit. Delightfully sleazy. Consider me satisfied :^)

Apr 29 2026

Bobby boy does it again. It's totally fine! Enjoyable, even! Absolutely seminal for folk rock, so I understand why people don't like this album haha.

Like A Prayer by Madonna
May 01 2026

Its just so damn clean and wholesome sounding. The giggling baby noises sent it way over the top. Just really not my vibe. #notmymadonna

Maverick A Strike by Finley Quaye
May 02 2026

The UK's Darius Rucker? Is that insensitive? Yeah, probably. Speaking as someone who's mixed race himself, our concerns usually fall on deaf ears. Mostly I just don't have a lot of patience for nepo babies. Album is forgettable, but pleasant enough, I guess.

School's Out by Alice Cooper
May 03 2026

Sounds so tame nowadays, just goes to show how far we've come with extreme music. Some of the jammy tunes on this album are almost Zappa-esque. It's enjoyable, but I can't imagine when I'd be in the mood to listen to an Alice Cooper album front to back.

May 04 2026

"I have trouble with the violent and misogynistic lyrics" Did you try thinking?? Critically, even?! Jokes aside, this album is fucking TNT. Shit was so popular the LAPD got their budget increased.

May 05 2026

Terrible news, that insufferable edgelord you know is a great musician and lyricist. I didn't like this one as much as Yeezus, but there's a lot of interesting production here as well as some phenomenal flow/lyrics. Top notch clever wordplay. My only gripe with the album is more a gripe with this era in pop music. Over reliance on strings and vocal effects takes the album down a notch for me, but it's genuinely a really cool album. Fun to listen to and to talk about!

Devotional Songs by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
May 06 2026

Unfortunately, I don't really have anything interesting to say about this album. It was pleasant world music.

This Is Fats Domino by Fats Domino
May 07 2026

Short and sweet, great little early rock and roll album.

Arrival by ABBA
May 08 2026

Tracks like Money, Money, Money feel like proto-Oingo Boingo. Pop sensibilities with a delightful impishness to it. Some of this album drags, because it's scandanavian people trying to make 50s style American rock and roll. Overall, pretty solid album. 3.5/5

Modern Kosmology by Jane Weaver
May 09 2026

Bleeps and bloops, but uplifted by 50 years of music to build off of.

Sex Packets by Digital Underground
May 10 2026

Total time capsule of an album. Sense of humor goes a long way here, but it starts to wear out its welcome down the road a bit. Chuck Klosterman says the 90s didn't start until '91 when the Berlin wall fell. By that logic, this album is definitely an 80s hip hop record. You can see some themes and ideas that were going to be bigger with gangsta rap, but this album is a little too Sugar Hill Gang for me.

Ritual De Lo Habitual by Jane's Addiction
May 11 2026

Barking dogs has got to be one of my least favorite samples included in music. Fucking stupid. When I think of Jane's addiction, I think of 3edgy5me Gen X'ers that were throughly entertained that radio music was so raunchy. This jangly, shrieking tone of this album is just not my jam. I didn't hate this, I'm just surprised to see it here. The 90s had so many alt rock acts that I think are much, much more deserving to be on this list. Like Scumdogs of the Universe, by GWAR.

Siembra by Willie Colón & Rubén Blades
May 12 2026

Sounds like music I would really enjoy playing.

KIWANUKA by Michael Kiwanuka
May 13 2026

Very chill, introspective album.

GREY Area by Little Simz
May 14 2026

Funny, I had Michael Kiwanuka's 2019 album yesterday. This album is high energy and at 35 minutes, it's a ripper. Big fan of excellent pacing like this. Not heard of Little Simz before, but I enjoyed this album very much. Her flow is really solid and the lyrics are genuinely really clever.

Guero by Beck
May 15 2026

I totally understand why some people might find the tone of this album to be grating. By this time, Beck was just kinda doing stuff, not all of it was groundbreaking or impressive. That all said, this might be my favorite Beck album. It's only got a few low points, but there's plenty to enjoy here if you're into this kinda stupid shit.

Elephant Mountain by The Youngbloods
May 16 2026

"Elevated jug band music." With no jugs? Whatever. This album was a tight half hour, and we love that shit.

Underwater Moonlight by The Soft Boys
May 17 2026

At just over a half hour, not bad. It's just kissing the idea of psych rock while still being really accessible. Not my favorite, but I can see how this would be well loved by a certain audience.

Peter Gabriel 3 by Peter Gabriel
May 18 2026

Typical Peter Gabriel. Lots of interesting musical ideas set against a backdrop of insufferable wanker shit. 3.5/5

Microshift by Hookworms
May 19 2026

Always a pleasant surprise when an album that is not even a decade old delights me. While I don't know if Hookworms is doing anything new or innovative, they have arranged a very interesting electro-pop album. Crescendos, waves of synth ebbing and flowing and delicate vocals layered on top. It's nothing I haven't heard before in various forms, but they put together a really fine album here. 3.5/5

Yank Crime by Drive Like Jehu
May 21 2026

Really cool album. Elements of noise, hardcore, early CA based pop punk, it's a cool time machine.

Dig Me Out by Sleater-Kinney
May 22 2026

Funny to read other people describe these vocals are "shrieking". Anyway, what a great album. Evokes images of garage shows, seeing your friends play their hearts out. The emotional content and genuine quality of the music is the highlight here.

Arc Of A Diver by Steve Winwood
May 23 2026

In my 2018 edition of this book, the entry for this album talks almost exclusively about Steve Winwood's place in the industry at this time and his collaborations with other artists. I think there is a place to talk about artists that are important in the greater conversation, but this specific album is not doing anything innovative or new. It sounds like exactly what it is: a pop-rock album released in 1980. That all said, Steve Winwood has always done a good job of making accessible music that isn't boring. It's not a bad album, I'm just questioning what it's doing here.

Bridge Over Troubled Water by Simon & Garfunkel
May 24 2026

I don't know, man, it's S&G. This brand of extremely accessible seminal music was huge in the 60s, so it seems a fairly safe bet for 1970. As an album I want to listen to today, I am just not a megafan. Totally fine album.

Screamadelica by Primal Scream
May 25 2026

A lightly eclectic album that was perhaps 20 minutes too long.

Kenya by Machito
May 26 2026

Excellent Jazz album for my morning walk in the rain.

Roots by Sepultura
May 27 2026

Whether you dorks are willing to admit it or not, heavy metal and indigenous cultures have been trading ideas since the 70s. Metal has always been counter culture, and that includes being anti-capital, anti-colonization and anti-fascist. Everyone has the right for self determination. Regarding the music itself, this album is fuckin' bonkers. The groovy, distorted guitar riffs are probably the highlight here, but damn if those drums aren't doing some heavy lifting. The polyrhythms inspired by indigenous music on tracks like Ratamahatta are just fuckin' killer. This whole album is firing on all cylinders, its easy to see how bands like Korn, Limp Bizkit and Slipknot would take heavy inspiration from this album for their own sounds. Even if Nu-metal isn't your thing, give this album a try. It's such a great execution of a great idea, if you're a fan of music at all, you should be able to appreciate what Sepultura have done here.

Colour By Numbers by Culture Club
Jun 01 2026

A little dull for an album that presents itself so colorfully. No doubt a cultural touchstone but I probably won't be returning to this anytime soon.

GI by Germs
Jun 02 2026

Another Dave Grohl / hardcore connection. Pat Smear has had a pretty successful career post Germs, its easy to see why this album was included.

Jun 03 2026

Chill, moody, sensual. I feel bad that I was at work and not sipping coffee in a cafe downtown during a rainstorm.

Crocodiles by Echo And The Bunnymen
Jun 04 2026

Joy Division are marginally better, still a decent album.

Amnesiac by Radiohead
Jun 05 2026

I'm running out of things to say about Radiohead. I like them, but at 900+ albums I've listened to enough Radiohead for a while. This isn't their best release, but I appreciated the toned down soundscapes.

Bluesbreakers by John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers
Jun 06 2026

I know it's reductive and dismissive to just say "boomer blues" and move on. I liked the drum solo on "What'd I Say" though.

Eliminator by ZZ Top
Jun 07 2026

Maybe I'm mad because I listened to an Eric Clapton album yesterday, but all of the ire towards ZZ Top here could 100% be directed at Eric Clapton and it would still make sense. At least ZZ Top never acted like they were god's gift to rock and roll. Unpretentious blues rock is fun and this album is no exception.

Triangle by The Beau Brummels
Jun 09 2026

The most interesting thing I retained after listening to this album was the hammer sample used on Nine Pound Hammer sounds like the one from Merle Haggard's Working Man Blues, 2 years later.

Foxbase Alpha by Saint Etienne
Jun 10 2026

Kind of a meandering, soft album. Proto-Radiohead soundscapes. This was a cool one. Definitely going to spin this later on.

Fear Of Music by Talking Heads
Jun 11 2026

It's not their best album, but it's still really fuckin' good.

Future Days by Can
Jun 12 2026

Very interesting percussion. An album that I think I like talking about more than listening to.

Kollaps by Einstürzende Neubauten
Jun 14 2026

An incredibly interesting album. I gathered it would be a challenging listen based on the reputation it has gained on this site, but man this was much more pedestrian than I was led to believe. I like 90s industrial and most of my favorite bands in that genre owe something to this album.

Clube Da Esquina by Milton Nascimento
Jun 15 2026

A surprisingly diverse album. Some great jams on here.

Konnichiwa by Skepta
Jun 17 2026

Production: B Lyrics/Flow: D Interesting samples: C Skits: F Feels immature and obvious to include all the gongs and vaguely asian sounding samples on this album. Wu Tang did this better 2 decades earlier. More pac-man samples please. Try as they might, the UK doesn't really understand hip hop. Grime is interesting, but the rapping is pretty god awful. 2.5/5

Faust IV by Faust
Jun 18 2026

Very diverse sound for a Krautrock album. Cool stuff.

Pyromania by Def Leppard
Jun 19 2026

There are a few tracks on this album that I can get into, but songs like Rock of Ages take me right the fuck out. Album art goes hard.

BEYONCÉ by Beyoncé
Jun 20 2026

I find it so interesting that both Taylor Swift albums I've reviewed here have better averages than this Beyonce album. While both artists are insanely popular because of mass mainstream appeal, at least Beyonce seems to inject more personality into her music than Taylor. Regarding the actual music, the production is really layered and rich. It's never overbearing, but it's almost distractingly clean. Whatever edge this album has is fleeting and mostly contained to lyrical content. The first half of the album is definitely stronger. Poppy R&B tracks had me bobbin' my head to the beat. As the album went on, around track 7 or 8, I started to tune out. The album doesn't have a very diverse sound, despite all these collaborators credited. Obviously Beyonce is a very talented singer and artist, so I think she deserves recognition, but this is definitely not an album I think of when wanting something to listen to front to back.

Vincebus Eruptum by Blue Cheer
Jun 21 2026

The most interesting stuff on this album is the harsh feedback and production value. Obvious comparisons to Hendrix, but that is doing them both a disservice I think. I would 100% learn a couple of these tunes to jam with friends. 3.5/5

The Poet by Bobby Womack
Jun 22 2026

Smooth like peanut butter and cheesier than Velveeta.

Birth Of The Cool by Miles Davis
Jun 23 2026

What a ripper of an album. Tight harmonies, percussion and solo work. Just a fantastic jazz album front to back. At barely half an hour long, great album to throw on while cooking dinner for friends for romantic partner.

Happy Sad by Tim Buckley
Jun 24 2026

I think Jeff should stick to slower jams where his vocals can really shine, not try and rip off Fleetwood Mac.

The Yes Album by Yes
Jun 25 2026

Very reserved for prog rock, but it's executed well.

Deloused in the Comatorium by The Mars Volta
Jun 26 2026

A surprisingly diverse album that often gets shoved into a box labeled "modern prog."

Django Django by Django Django
Jun 27 2026

Skies Over Cairo sounds like a Mario desert stage, its super distracting.

Vivid by Living Colour
Jun 28 2026

Really, incredibly diverse sound on this album. Guitars and percussion is downright thrashy at times, but then there's tracks like Glamour Boys, peak 80s pop indulgence. It would be a long list indeed to try and list all the different genres of music you can see influence from here. Worlds collide on this album, I'm a big fan. All that, plus the lyrical content makes this a straight up masterpiece.

Viva Hate by Morrissey
Jun 29 2026

I would be curious to hear from fans of this music in the 80s what they thought Bengali in Platforms was about, because it did not age well. I'd be lying if I said I didn't get the appeal if this album, though. The music is pretty fun, the guitar work in particular. Pop-ish songs with twinkly tones and a thick driving bass line is usually a recipe for success, and I don't even mind the vocals. That all said, the conversation has moved on. Morrisey shat on his own legacy by being a twat. I tried to judge this music on its merit and not by who created it. I think 3/5 is a more than fair score for this album of contradictions.

Jul 01 2026

As others have pointed out, this album comes off as a bit excessive at times. That said, this was a fun listen while drinking coffee in the morning.

I’m a Lonesome Fugitive by Merle Haggard
Jul 02 2026

Ripper of a 60s country album. If you can take this schmoozy time capsule at face value, it's very charming. The lyrical content is the star here, very "cowboy poet." Though Merle's voice is at the center, that doesn't stop the strings from providing some soulful solos, as well as some great call and response bits with the vocals like on tracks like My Rough and Rowdy Ways. This is one of my favorite eras of country music, so it's easy for me to look past this albums shortcomings. If you're not into country as much as I am, you'll probably rate this lower, but I implore you to cast aside preconceived notions of who this album is for. Do you get lovesick? Depressed? Confused? Ever had to drink to give yourself some liquid courage? This album is for you.

Hotel California by Eagles
Jul 03 2026

I totally forgot that Life in the Fast Lane was on this album haha

Wonderful Rainbow by Lightning Bolt
Jul 04 2026

Genuinely a nice surprise. Lots of fun, driving energy on this album. This is very accessible for noise, so it makes me giggle how many people can't handle it.

Achtung Baby by U2
Jul 05 2026

This music makes me feel nothing, but at least it was recorded and produced to a competent standard.

Punishing Kiss by Ute Lemper
Jul 06 2026

An incredibly out of touch inclusion to this list. These fuckers will put any album that features Nick Cave on here.

Run-D.M.C. by Run-D.M.C.
Jul 07 2026

As a time capsule, super fun. I very rarely listen to hip hop from before '88.

The New Tango by Astor Piazzolla
Jul 08 2026

Wow, excellent live recording and some great arrangements.

Your Arsenal by Morrissey
Jul 09 2026

Surprising, given what I've heard from Morrissey so far.

Fun House by The Stooges
Jul 10 2026

Less than 40 minutes long Great energy Rippin' saxophone Honestly, might be my favorite Stooges album.

Berlin by Lou Reed
Jul 11 2026

I've just never really been impressed with Lou Reed. There's nothing I could say about this album to contribute to the conversation further. Mostly I just want to pile on that adding in the sounds of children crying and screaming brings this whole experience down.

Rage Against The Machine by Rage Against The Machine
Jul 12 2026

Fantastic debut. The riffs, the energy, the tight yet bombastic percussion and above all, the fucking guitar work is just phenomenal. "What, the land of the free? Whoever told you that is your enemy."

Rhythm Nation 1814 by Janet Jackson
Jul 13 2026

Very depressing to listen to this nearly 40 year old album and realize that we're dealing with the same social issues. Gun violence and racism are American virtues at this point. As far as the music goes, it's interesting as a time capsule. As others have pointed out, Janet Jackson's foray into the burgeoning fusion genre of new jack swing is notable and interesting on paper, but my modern ears cannot get down with this. There's some bops, but listening to the album front to back was kind of a chore. This is a very ambitious album with a lot of heart, I'm just not a big fan of R&B. Songs like Black Cat are overproduced as hell, but still fun.

Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs by Derek & The Dominos
Jul 14 2026

Nothing I can add to this discussion. This music is like LMFAO. Extremely popular with a group that were alive for a very specific time at a very specific age and a whole new generation enjoys it ironically.

Gentlemen by The Afghan Whigs
Jul 15 2026

This might be one of those times where I mistake an album's seminality for being generic. I did not dislike this album, if anything I found it pretty pedestrian. Far from my least favorite inclusion on this list, but equally from the music I willingly spend time listening to for fun.

Abattoir Blues / The Lyre of Orpheus by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
Jul 16 2026

Rhyming "Orpheus" with "Orifice" is not nearly as clever as it appears NC thinks it is. Spell is proto stomp clap music. "Wow, he's like... singing about death and stuff. He must be so deep."

The Who Sell Out by The Who
Jul 17 2026

A couple of stone cold classics bookended by some very dated humor. Another entry on this list that is more interesting to talk about than to listen to. Whatever.

Drunk by Thundercat
Jul 18 2026

Jazz fusion made by an unabashed black otaku, how could you not find this interesting? Thundercat continues to titillate me with his irreverent lyrics, groovy bass lines and funky production. Hard to believe this album came out almost a decade ago.

Sheet Music by 10cc
Jul 19 2026

Proto Oingo Boingo BULLSHIT 3.5/5

Very by Pet Shop Boys
Jul 20 2026

Electronic music leading up to 2001 (the end of the 90s) had this dreamy, hopeful tone to it. This album is fantastic as a time capsule, I would consider this sound very seminal for the Y2K sound.

Blood And Chocolate by Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Jul 21 2026

I don't dislike this album, but I'm confused as to it's inclusion on this list.

Crime Of The Century by Supertramp
Jul 22 2026

Campy to the point of wrapping back around and becoming endearing. The style and choices made here are hokey but so earnest you can't help but sit back and enjoy.

This Year's Model by Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Jul 24 2026

Had a fairly measurable impact on rock music and might be my favorite Elvis Costello album.

Close To You by Carpenters
Jul 25 2026

The reach this album had at the time was huge. Through today's lens, its not much to write home about. That said, I can't deny the success and influence soft, folksy rock duos like this had on music for generations.

In It For The Money by Supergrass
Jul 29 2026

As far as 90s britpop nonsense goes, Supergrass is pretty fun.

Doolittle by Pixies
Jul 30 2026

Very nostalgic listen for me.

Let England Shake by PJ Harvey
Jul 31 2026

In 2011 this sound was already pretty popular. Not a bad album by any means, I just have a hard time believing this had a big impact on music today. (More than the music that inspired it, to be clear.)

Bad Company by Bad Company
Aug 12 2026

I could be cynical here but honestly it's a fun album. 3.5/5

Wordsmith

Reviews written for 99% of albums. Average review length: 199 characters.

Other

Album origins are grouped into three buckets: US, UK, and everything else. “Other” means the artists you rate highest are from outside the US and UK.