Journey in Progress
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563
Albums Rated
3.58
Avg Rating
59
5-Star Albums
52%
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526 albums remaining
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Reviews
563
Written
100%
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0.32
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3.58
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6
1-Star Albums
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You Love More Than Most
Albums you rated higher than global average
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tragic Songs of Life | 5 | 2.58 | +2.42 |
| Buenas Noches From A Lonely Room | 5 | 2.6 | +2.4 |
| Casanova | 5 | 2.67 | +2.33 |
| Group Sex | 5 | 2.74 | +2.26 |
| Two Dancers | 5 | 2.75 | +2.25 |
| Superfuzz Bigmuff | 5 | 2.93 | +2.07 |
| I Against I | 5 | 2.93 | +2.07 |
| Fever Ray | 5 | 2.99 | +2.01 |
| Vento De Maio | 5 | 3.01 | +1.99 |
| Heartbreaker | 5 | 3.03 | +1.97 |
You Love Less Than Most
Albums you rated lower than global average
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde | 1 | 3.13 | -2.13 |
| Dr. Octagonecologyst | 1 | 2.69 | -1.69 |
| Out Of The Blue | 2 | 3.63 | -1.63 |
| good kid, m.A.A.d city | 2 | 3.61 | -1.61 |
| 1999 | 2 | 3.6 | -1.6 |
| Rust Never Sleeps | 2 | 3.53 | -1.53 |
| Bryter Layter | 2 | 3.51 | -1.51 |
| Chocolate Starfish And The Hot Dog Flavored Water | 1 | 2.47 | -1.47 |
| 3 Feet High and Rising | 2 | 3.46 | -1.46 |
| Sign 'O' The Times | 2 | 3.45 | -1.45 |
Artist Analysis
Favorite Artists
Artists with 2+ albums and high weighted score
| Artist | Albums | Avg | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bob Dylan | 4 | 4.75 | 4 |
| David Bowie | 5 | 4.4 | 3.88 |
| Miles Davis | 2 | 5 | 3.8 |
| Johnny Cash | 2 | 5 | 3.8 |
| The Doors | 2 | 5 | 3.8 |
| ABBA | 2 | 5 | 3.8 |
| The Rolling Stones | 4 | 4.25 | 3.71 |
| Metallica | 4 | 4.25 | 3.71 |
| Beatles | 4 | 4.25 | 3.71 |
| Led Zeppelin | 4 | 4.25 | 3.71 |
| Bob Marley & The Wailers | 3 | 4.33 | 3.67 |
| Radiohead | 5 | 4 | 3.63 |
5-Star Albums (59)
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Popular Reviews
The Louvin Brothers
5/5
I have never heard of these old boys, but they are right up my alley. Sounds a lot like Hank Williams, but darker. Going to have to look into more of their stuff. Good ol' country twang. I love it.
1 likes
Nirvana
4/5
I don't believe I have ever listened to an entire Nirvana album before (not counting the Unplugged album from earlier on this list). I thought this was going to be an easy 5 stars but a couple of the early tracks are just too grating. Not sure I can give them less than a 4 though, so here you go.
1 likes
Cee Lo Green
2/5
It was ok. Not really my vibe. Had it on more as background music, but don't feel the desire to give it closer listen.
1 likes
Dwight Yoakam
5/5
You shut your mouth when you are talking to me. Classic.
1 likes
1-Star Albums (6)
All Ratings
Sarah Vaughan
3/5
Live album and the crowd noise is a distraction. Nice bluesy/jazzy music other than that.
JAY Z
2/5
Some catchy music, but not really my thing. Got burned out pretty just a few songs in.
Miles Davis
5/5
This album slaps from start to finish.
Van Halen
3/5
First half is pretty strong. Some real bangers. Second half is meh. Overall liked it a better than I thought I would.
Beck
3/5
Pleasant, chill music. I liked it, but nothing really stood out. I'm not sure I could identify a song that was on the album if I heard it again.
AC/DC
4/5
Starts to all blend together as you progress through the album, but it rocks from start to finish.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
4/5
I dig it. Makes me want to go hang out at the beach.
Air
4/5
Starts out nice and funky and transitions to smooth and jazzy. I quite enjoyed it. Can be very Daft Punkesque.
Dion
3/5
Some decent easy listening. A little on the preachy side.
Jeff Buckley
3/5
Hallelujah is amazing. The rest is mostly meh. Although Eternal Life also rocks.
Pink Floyd
5/5
Only five songs, but damn they do not disappoint. Groovy all the way through. Liked it way more than I expected.
The Last Shadow Puppets
4/5
Really cool retro vide. Never heard of this band before but I am digging their sound.
Tina Turner
4/5
Very 80's. Some good songs. Private Dancer is super depressing. What's Love Got To Do With It and I Can't Stand The Rain are bops.
The Jam
3/5
Not bad, but nothing really stood out. I kind of liked English Rose, but other than that just king of meh.
The Velvet Underground
2/5
Weird 60's drug music. I was kind of digging The Gift, but it drug on far too long. I much prefer their first album. A lot of just feels like noise.
Pink Floyd
3/5
It's alright. Kind of slow and meandering. I didn't like nearly as much as Wish You Were Here.
Iggy Pop
4/5
Very strong start, but kind of tails off in the second half. Loved Lust for Life and The Passenger.
Antony and the Johnsons
3/5
Amazing voice, but the songs did not really capture me.
Missy Elliott
3/5
There are some good songs, but for the most part not my cup of tea. The talking portions are also a little jarring.
Count Basie & His Orchestra
5/5
Very cool big band sound. Enjoyed it for several listens.
Curtis Mayfield
3/5
Very funky, but also very slow.
Sufjan Stevens
5/5
There are a lot of songs on this album, but fortunately I really liked the majority of them. There is some meandering music on there that almost brought me down a star, but I am feeling generous this morning.
Sheryl Crow
3/5
There was a couple of good songs. I just want to have fun is catchy. But the rest didn't really get me going.
Jefferson Airplane
4/5
I love White Rabbit. There are lot of good bluesy, groovy songs to go along with it. Very solid album all in all.
Echo And The Bunnymen
3/5
I had no idea Echo and the Bunnymen were from the 80's. It is a very 80's album. I enjoyed it, but nothing really stuck out to me.
The Cars
4/5
Catchy songs. Great forerunner to the classic 80's sound. Would definitely listen to again.
The Rolling Stones
4/5
A fairly solid rock and roll album. I particularly like wild horses.
Incredible Bongo Band
3/5
Decent background music. Thought I would like it a lot more at the get go, but the novelty wore off fairly quickly.
The Cult
3/5
Seems like pretty standard 80's rock. Nothing really stood out to me.
Flamin' Groovies
3/5
Never heard of these guys before, but I was really enjoying the first half of the album. Kind of lost me once you got to the covers on the back half though.
Johnny Cash
5/5
Live albums are just not my thing. The less talking on an album the better. That being said, I was never going to give Johnny less than a 5. Let's be reasonable.
Elton John
4/5
Solid album. Indian Sunset seems a bit dated, but I still own two copies on vinyl.
Queen Latifah
3/5
Feels so 90's. Reminds me of listening to an MC Hammer cassette in my walkman as a kid. Didn't hate it, don't think I will ever listen to it again.
Arrested Development
4/5
Second 90's era hip hop in two days. But this one was much more unique and enjoyable.
LTJ Bukem
4/5
Hard to find a place to listen to the album unfortunately. Eventually found it on Youtube, but had some of the tracks removed due to copyright. I quite enjoyed it and would definitely listen again if it we easier to find.
The White Stripes
4/5
Some familiar bangers as well as some good songs I hadn't heard before. Occasionally devolves into just noise which is not my favorite, but overall a strong album that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Television
3/5
Pretty good 70's rock. None of the songs really stuck with me though.
Bob Dylan
5/5
You got watch out for that Jack of Hearts.
Dr. Octagon
1/5
Skits...Repetitive...Meh, not for me. It is also very crass, I would not feel comfortable playing this in public. I did like "Halfsharkalligatorhalfman" though.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
4/5
Some good old fashioned rock and roll. Some of the backing vocals are kind of shrill. Enjoyable guitar playing. I really liked "Running Dry" it had a strong Leonard Cohen vide for me.
Michael Jackson
3/5
The hits are hits. The rest is meh. I did like "Librarian Girl".
Big Brother & The Holding Company
4/5
Some blues. Some rock and roll. Good Stuff. I liked "Turtle Blues" the best.
Metallica
5/5
Very cool. Made me wish I had better speakers. It is a bit long, but I still enjoyed it through the end.
Spiritualized
4/5
Some nice atmospheric rock. I really enjoyed while listening to it, but absolutely nothing stuck with me once I was done.
Green Day
3/5
Some nostalgic songs, but the ones I didn't already know sounded just like generic 90's pop punk. Nothing special.
Miles Davis
5/5
I didn't realize I enjoyed jazz so much when I started this, but here is another awesome album I could listen to on repeat.
Nirvana
5/5
Another live album I really enjoyed. Quintessential Nirvana for me. I am sure nostalgia also helps.
Beatles
4/5
I think this is the first time I have ever listened to a Beatles album straight through. I really enjoyed most of it. "Eleanor Rigby" has always been one of my favorites and I loved the sitar weirdness of "Love You To". The back half of the album didn't really capture me though. Still all and all a very nice listen.
The Pharcyde
1/5
Crass... Skits... Not my jam.
Les Rythmes Digitales
4/5
Some nice funky beats. Gets a little repetitive at times. Occasionally annoying (Disco Disco). But mostly kept me tapping my toes the whole time.
Metallica
4/5
High energy. Fun album, but some of the songs drag on pretty long and the whole things starts to blend together.
Jimi Hendrix
4/5
Awesome guitar playing. Occasionally a bit heavy on the feedback at times. Also on random song, by someone other than Jimi that kept making me check to see if Spotify had switched to a Beatles album.
Pere Ubu
4/5
I really liked how weird this album was, but sometimes it got too shrill for me. "Sentimental Journey" is basically unlistenable. But, I ended up listening to it 3 times and would definitely listen again.
U2
3/5
It's not bad. Nothing really stood out to me. Just kind of faded into the background.
Talking Heads
3/5
Another album where nothing really stuck out to me. It also had a kind of shrillness to it that made it hard for me to listen to the entire album straight through. Individually though I did enjoy most the songs even if I didn't remember them after they were done.
The Police
3/5
Starts off strong with the first two songs and then kind of tails off...It was alright.
Frank Ocean
2/5
Meh. Low energy lounge singer vibes. Not really my thing.
R.E.M.
4/5
Some good upbeat rock and roll. "It's The End Of The World" and "The One I Love" are obviously amazing, but I really like "King of Birds" and "Oddfellows Local 151" as well.
Saint Etienne
3/5
It was kind of all over the place. Some of it I really enjoyed, some of it I wasn't sure what I was listening to.
Foo Fighters
4/5
Some good 90's rock. Reminds me of high school.
Funkadelic
4/5
The music is fantastic, but the weird samples, and talking, and sound effects took me out of it. Very nearly a five for me.
Santana
4/5
Some nice funky guitars. I got some The Doors vibes on a few of the songs. Overall pretty enjoyable.
LL Cool J
2/5
Feels repetitive. Mama Gonna Knock you Out is enjoyable. The rest not so much, Milky Cereal got on my nerves especially.
Miriam Makeba
4/5
Great voice. Enjoyed the jazzy feel to the album. Especially enjoyed The Click Song and Where Does It Lead.
PJ Harvey
4/5
Nice and crunchy rock and roll. I dig it.
Parliament
4/5
Great funky music. Keeps your head bobbing and toes tapping. Doesn't get old.
Keith Jarrett
3/5
Very nice piano music. I could have used a little something else added to it. An hour plus of piano is a lot of piano.
Slayer
3/5
Very high energy and frenetic. Not sure about the nazi song opener. Enjoyable, but it wears me out even with only being a half an hour long. Maybe I am just not built for metal.
Sade
3/5
Some groovy 80's music. Really like Smooth Operator and Sally. Could use a few more upbeat tracks.
U2
4/5
Sunday is great the rest is pretty good
Solomon Burke
3/5
Pretty groovy, but faded into the background. I listened several times and can’t remember anything about it.
Various Artists
3/5
Decent Christmas music, which is not my favorite. 3 stars for the timing.
Louis Prima
4/5
Super fun energy. Made me want to get up and start dancing.
Dinosaur Jr.
3/5
Sounds like the precursor to pop punk. I think highschool me would have loved it. Would have been a solid 4 stars if they hadn't spent the penultimate song screaming at me.
Duke Ellington
4/5
Another great jazz record. The extended version on spotify is way too long with too much talking. Listening to just the tracks on the original release was just right.
Michael Jackson
3/5
Good opening track and a strong core. The rest is meh. "The Girls is Mine" is bad enough to detract a star, but I will probably stick with a three star. I like it better than "Bad".
Jimi Hendrix
3/5
Good rock and roll, but it is too much of a jam band feel for my tastes. So many of the songs just drag on and on.
Rush
4/5
Some nice prog rock. Didn't blow me away, but was quite enjoyable.
Ministry
3/5
I enjoyed the instrumentals for the most part, but the screaming grates on me. Once again I just am not sure I have the musical fortitude to weather an entire metal album.
Barry Adamson
3/5
Very interesting, cool concept. Unfortunately it leads to some of the tracks just sounding like background music and the tracks with talking over them are annoying. A few tracks were great though.
Dire Straits
3/5
Money for Nothing is obviously a classic. I was not expecting the rest of the album to be so low key. The Mans Too Strong was interesting, started out with some cool country vides and had some rock thrown in for good measure. The rest was just meh. Somewhere between a three and four for me.
The Killers
4/5
The first half is solid. 4 great songs. The second half trails off a bit, but still liked it a lot.
Aimee Mann
4/5
A couple songs jump out to me when they play: 4th of July, Put Me On Top, & Stupid Thing. The rest kind of blend together, but are still enjoyable.
Sigur Rós
4/5
Very cool trippy and atmospheric. I will be listening to it again.
Tricky
3/5
Some enjoyable hip hop. A few lines stuck out to me here and there, but never really any full songs.
Supertramp
4/5
These guys were one of the bands playing the first time I went to the Gorge so there may be a bit of nostalgia factoring in, but I thought is a pretty solid rock album. Will always love Bloody Well Right.
4/5
I really enjoyed this album. She has a great voice. I will definitely listen to this one again.
Wilco
3/5
I liked the first song "I am Trying to Break Your Heart". The rest just kind of blended together. Except "I'm the Man Who Loves You" and "Poor Places" which had a bunch of grating noises at the end.
Rod Stewart
4/5
Solid album. I really enjoyed the more folksy bluesy portions.
The Lemonheads
4/5
A solid 90’s alternative record. Another one I think I would have really enjoyed in high school. It felt nostalgic even though I have never heard of the band before.
Led Zeppelin
5/5
A pure classic. Loved all of it.
Marvin Gaye
4/5
Very funky. Very groovy. But the subject matter is very repetitive.
Elvis Costello
4/5
Enable first half. Feels like the album is just a bit too long.
Van Morrison
4/5
A decent folksy rock album. Seems kind of meandering at times and nothing really jumps out at me, but overall a pleasant listen.
David Bowie
5/5
Wonderful album. I’m not sure why I haven’t listened to more Bowie. Andy Warhol was a favorite.
The White Stripes
4/5
The first half of this album is so good. Had me dancing all over morning. The second half is still good, but not as grabbing.
Pixies
4/5
I have loved "Where's My Mind" since the first time I saw Fight Club. The rest of the album was great as well. I recognized more songs than I thought I would.
The Flaming Lips
3/5
Kind of slow and meandering. Nothing really stood out to me. Nothing was terrible either.
Anthrax
4/5
A metal album that did exhaust me. I actually enjoyed listening to it a couple of times. "Indians" was a little weird though.
Jane's Addiction
3/5
"Jane Says" is still good. Other than that just kind of meh.
Pixies
3/5
I really enjoy the opening track "Cecilia Ann". Getting screamed at next on "Rock Music" was less enjoyable. The rest of the album after that was fairly enjoyable. Maybe I am just getting old, but I have a hard time giving 4 stars to any album where I have to sit through screaming for a track or more. I though Surfer Rosa was a lot more enjoyable.
Joni Mitchell
3/5
It was enjoyable, but didn't seem a lot to it. I feel like it might have grown on me more, but it was difficult to find and listen to unfortunately.
Anita Baker
3/5
Not a bad album. Very 80's. Probably not anything I will be coming back to.
The Fall
4/5
A cool quirky sound. Not any songs you can sing along to, but I really liked it.
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
Some classics. I really liked "Downbound Train". The 80's synth sounds aren't great, was expecting more straight forward rock and roll.
Gorillaz
3/5
There are some good songs on here. I particularly like Starshine, and Clint Eastwood of course. Some of the others were a bit to avante guard for me.
Beatles
4/5
A solid album. Has my second favorite Beatles song with Norwegian Wood. A few other classics. Run For Your Life is a bit cringey.
Mylo
4/5
Groovy tunes. I really liked Sunworshipper and Destroy Rock & Roll. Would definitely listen to this again. Seems like it would make a fine road trip album.
Cypress Hill
2/5
Every song sounds exactly like a Cypress Hill song. I'm not sure I could differentiate one from another. Which is fine, but it is a lot for 14 songs.
Otis Redding
3/5
It is mainly an album of covers. Very good covers, but I was hoping for something more original.
5/5
Oh man, I really liked this album. Knights of Cydonia has always been a favorite. It perhaps dips a bit for a few of the middle songs, but it starts and ends so strong. I am feeling generous so that is going to be a five for me.
The Allman Brothers Band
4/5
Good bluesy music. I have a hard time getting into the just jamming/live music vibe, but this was better than most.
Ray Charles
4/5
An amazing voice. Some fun big band backing to go along with it.
Crowded House
3/5
Never heard of these guys before. Very 90's sound. I enjoyed quite a few songs, but a lot of it seemed very dated. Probably would have liked it a lot more when I was in high school, but since I did not hear it then there is no nostalgia factor to pull it up a star.
Moby
4/5
Tons of nostalgia here. Great album of electronic music. I already knew five or so of the songs well and enjoyed the rest. It is packaged with the b sides on Spotify which is a bit much. But the original album will definitely be getting another listen in the future.
Sex Pistols
4/5
Fun, classic punk. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Probably not an every day listen, but great when the mood strikes.
Jack White
4/5
A solid rock and roll album by Jack. I liked every song. There was enough variation and added texture to make it not seem monotonous or repetitive, but still felt like Jack White all the way through.
Girls Against Boys
3/5
I have never heard of this band or album, but I think middle school me would have really liked it. Middle aged me thinks its is a bit dark and verging on the territory of just noise. Still, not awful. I think if the singing didn't feel kind of like lazy chanting it might have scored a bit higher.
Billy Bragg
3/5
I liked the music, but I did not enjoy Billy Bragg's voice. It was enough to take me out of songs.
The Louvin Brothers
5/5
I have never heard of these old boys, but they are right up my alley. Sounds a lot like Hank Williams, but darker. Going to have to look into more of their stuff. Good ol' country twang. I love it.
Lynyrd Skynyrd
5/5
Tuesday's Gone, Simple Man, Free Bird - all amazing. As for the rest...also pretty damn good. I really enjoyed Mississippi Kid. This album rocks. Full marks.
Neil Young
4/5
The orchestra backing on the track's "A Man Needs a Maid" (meh) and "There's a World" (I think I liked it, I swear I have heard the orchestra music somewhere else though) are jarring. I dig the sounds, kind of reminds me of Metallica's S&M, but they just don't seem to fit with the rest of the album. I would definitely listen to this album again if it was easier to find and play.
Björk
4/5
I had previously only known Bjork by reputation or as the butt of a joke on SNL, I had never taken the time to listen to her music before. And it is weird, but it is certainly not dull. There were a couple songs mid album that I didn't enjoy as much, but for the most part I quite enjoyed it.
The White Stripes
3/5
Seven Nation Army has long been a favorite and Hardest Button to Button is great as well. But the rest of the album just didn't catch me like some of the previous White Stripe or Jack White projects on this list. Still alright, just not infectiously enjoyable.
Beastie Boys
5/5
I am amazed that this album is from 1986. So many of these songs played a big part in the soundtrack of my high school and college years. It is my first time listening to the full album, but it is a pure classic.
Yes
5/5
Great album. It apparently took me until my early 40's to discover I am a big fan of prog rock. Who knew?
Talking Heads
3/5
I have always enjoyed Psycho Killer, but nothing else on the album seems to live up to that. A couple songs sound like imitations, a couple were kind of annoying, a couple were alright. Overall it was fine, but not something I will probably seek out in the future.
Duran Duran
4/5
There are some classics on here and the rest is just so very 80's, but in the best way. Loved it, will definitely listen again.
Coldplay
3/5
It is a little low energy for me. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy a nice slow, sad song, but an entire album of them is a bit much.
Beatles
4/5
There are some good jambs on here. A lot that just didn't catch my attention though. I didn't actually look up which tracks were originals and which were covers, but the ones that I thought felt like originals vs covers were more enjoyable.
The Kinks
4/5
A decent record. The A side sounded a bit like a Beatles clone to me (also a bit of CCR with "Last of the Steam-Powered Trains), which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but I much more enjoyed the uniqueness of the B side
Fleet Foxes
4/5
I do love me some folk music. I had a feeling this was going to be a five star for me, but while there were some definite standouts a lot of it just didn't grab me. Still a fun listen.
Mariah Carey
3/5
It is alright 90's R&B/pop. I enjoyed the track with Bone Thugs, but that is because it sounded like it was Bone Thugs and Harmony instead of Mariah. Not bad, but not going to be listened to again either. It could probably be a two star, but it is right in line with a bunch of other mostly unobjectionable albums I have already given three stars so I guess we will strive for consistency.
Mike Ladd
3/5
A very unique sound. I really enjoyed a lot of it, but there was just enough that I thought was too out there or too avant garde that I am not sure I would go back to it again.
Elis Regina
5/5
Awesome music. Could groove to this all day.
Led Zeppelin
4/5
Some good songs on here and I do like that there is some variation in the style as opposed to just your typical Zeppelin sound. But the it is a bit long. Just a bit of overload.
De La Soul
2/5
A few of their songs were enjoyable. Way too many sketches and call me old fashioned, but an entire track of explicit sex sounds is just going to make me uncomfortable. Not an album I will be returning to, but i did enjoy enough of the album to keep it from a 1 star.
Fela Kuti
4/5
Love the high energy. The talking is kept to a minimum and so it is not distracting in the way that many live albums are. I would definitely listen to this one again.
The Darkness
3/5
I enjoyed the music, but his voice is just too much. It works on a handful of the songs really well and they are great. I am guessing it would also be fine if I was only listening to one or two of these songs at a time, but a whole album of that voice was just not as enjoyable.
Baaba Maal
4/5
Unique and fun. Not like most music I am often exposed to, but quite enjoyable. I feel like one of the songs (Daande Lenol) had an Irish feel to it, but maybe that is just in my head. Would love to come back to this one for a few more listens.
The Pogues
4/5
I enjoy folk and I enjoy punk and I really enjoyed this album. It just went on a little too long. I am starting to feel like an hour plus is too long for an album. The sound gets too familiar and the songs just start to blend together.
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
3/5
It's pretty good. Really liked Breakdown and American Girl. Nothing else really caught my attention though.
The Zombies
4/5
The album definitely has that golden oldies feel that makes me feel like I am riding around in the back of my parents car as a kid. But it also has some strange almost creepy touches to it as well. Butcher's Tale in particular stood out. I could see myself seeking out this one again.
Holger Czukay
4/5
Wonderfully bizarre and unique. I just don't enjoy the samples that sound like dialogue from a movie or tv show. Although, I guess the album is titled movies so that should have been expected. What the heck I'll round up this time.
David Bowie
4/5
The first half of the album was pretty good, but I really loved the second half with its weird atmospheric tracks. Warszawa gave me some serious Final Fantasy vibes. It almost feels like two different listening experiences. I am probably going to give it a 4, but the back half is a five in my heart.
Isaac Hayes
3/5
The first three songs are amazing. Just so good and funky. That last one drags on forever. I can't see myself throwing this album on again knowing that 20 minutes is waiting for me at the end. It would have been an easy 5 without that.
Depeche Mode
4/5
I am basing this rating on the original track list. I didn't get to the added B-Sides that were included in the 2006 rerelease. This is a very nostalgic band for me, this isn't the album I had on repeat those early high school years, but Enjoy The Silence brings me right back there regardless. The album wraps up a little strangely, but I still enjoyed it thoroughly and would throw it on again.
Buzzcocks
4/5
Some very enjoyable early punk. Upbeat and energetic. Nothing really stuck with me, but a pleasant listening experience overall.
Michael Jackson
3/5
A strong start with the first couple songs. Then it's mostly alright.
Grizzly Bear
3/5
Two songs in and I thought I was going to really like this album. And I did like Two Weeks, but nothing else caught me. It was just kind of slow background music. Nothing bad, just nothing to make me want to go back either.
Beach House
4/5
An enjoyable reminder of the music that was pervasive in the 2010's. I enjoyed it. Don't have too much more to say on the matter.
Jerry Lee Lewis
5/5
Raucous energy, succinct length, minimal talking, great songs. What's not to love.
Elvis Costello
4/5
Some fun rock and roll. I wasn't singing along to anything, but there was nothing to complain about either.
Stevie Wonder
4/5
Started off very strong. There is a bit in the middle that's mostly talking that takes you out of it. It gets back into the good stuff pretty quickly, but that jarring middle keeps me from giving full marks.
Roxy Music
4/5
Started off a bit generic. But I really started to enjoy it when it got a bit weirder with Bitter Sweet and Triptych.
Leonard Cohen
5/5
Such an amazing song writer. Loved this album.
The Temptations
4/5
Not my favorite version of Heard It Through the Grapevine, but a pretty funky album from start to finish.
Sonic Youth
3/5
I really enjoyed the vast majority of this album. Except that at seemingly random intervals it devolves into noise and/or screaming.
Ryan Adams
5/5
This is not what I was expecting. I think I have always assumed Bryan Adams and Ryan Adams were the same person. This has a great alternative country feel that I loved. I don't know if it is quite full marks, but is at least a high four stars. Oh My Sweet Carolina was my favorite.
After a second listen I think this definitely gets a 5 from me.
Pixies
4/5
They eased up on the screaming (there is still some, but not excessive). Absolutely love This Monkey Has Gone To Heaven. A few other bangers on here as well. Will definitely throw this album on again in the future.
George Harrison
3/5
It starts off with some good tracks, but it is just so long. And it starts to become much more jam bandy later in the album which is just not my taste. No bad music here, but nothing to bring me back either.
Kendrick Lamar
2/5
I really did not enjoy the first 4 or 5 tracks. The second half of the album was a lot better, enough that I kind of forgot about the start. Unfortunately once I got to the end of the album it started again and brought that bad taste right back. Not for me.
Scott Walker
4/5
I really enjoyed the unique sound and feel of this album. It hooked me right from the beginning The Seventh Seal. I liked all of the songs, but none really got there hooks into me. I can't see myself singing these under my breath in a few days. That said, I will definitely be listening to this record again.
Thin Lizzy
4/5
It is quite long, but the rock and roll is pretty good and they keep the live nonsense to a minimum. I can dig it.
Peter Gabriel
4/5
This feels very 80's, but in a good way. For some reason many of the songs sound like Africa by Toto to me. Not sure if there is any connection between Peter Gabriel and Toto or if it is just the general 80's vide. I don't even know if Africa by Toto is from the 80's. I suppose I could look it up, but I probably won't. Maybe Toto's album will be on this list later and I can learn it then. Time will tell.
Queen
5/5
It's Queen. It's 5 stars. This is the first time I have listened to this whole album. I really like some of the odder tracks such as '39 and The Prophet's Song.
Curtis Mayfield
4/5
Pusherman and Superfly are fantastic. Everything else bops, nothing to dislike here.
Earth, Wind & Fire
4/5
Starts out super funky. Slows down a bit in the middle, but overall a very nice listen.
Beth Orton
4/5
Some nice folky music. After listening to it a few times none of the songs stood out to me, but I like folky music so it gets a bump.
King Crimson
4/5
Feels a bit pretentious, but how could it not be with an album title like that. I am still digging the prog rock vibe, but this one was a little more repetitive and out there in spots. Started out as a solid four star, but was going to bump it down to 3 on the second listen. However, the 3rd time through brought me right back to 4. A real rollercoaster of emotions.
Radiohead
4/5
A decent album. Doesn't pack the same punch as the Bends or OK Computer, but that might be nostalgia talking.
The Band
4/5
The Weight and Long Back Veil are both great. The rest is good 60's rock. Feels pretty laid back and easy going. Music for lounging more than activities, but I would definitely throw it on for sitting on a dock on a hot day.
Steely Dan
4/5
Any Major Dude Will Tell You this is a solid album. I was especially partial to Charlie Freak.
The Modern Lovers
3/5
It was alright. I liked the start, but it got kind of slow and lackluster in the middle.
Kid Rock
1/5
Those first two tracks hit with a heavy dose of nostalgia and I was feeling that the vitriol for this album was overblown and undeserved. Then I heard the rest. Awful, just awful.
Blur
3/5
Song 2 is a banger. The rest...it's ok.
Hugh Masekela
3/5
Some decent background jazz. Nothing really drew me in.
Little Richard
5/5
Such amazing energy. It just bops from start to finish. So many recognizable songs. I can't think of any reason not give this full marks.
Supergrass
3/5
Solid 90's alternative rock. There was nothing bad on this album, but I listened to it a few times through and nothing sunk its teeth into me. I am struggling to recall a single song this morning. I wouldn't complain if this album was playing, but I am probably not going to be seeking it out.
The Mamas & The Papas
4/5
Solid 60's grooves. Monday, Monday and California Dreaming are enough to earn it 4, but the rest was pretty good as well. Spanish Harlem perhaps felt a bit out of place, but I enjoyed it.
David Bowie
4/5
It is Bowie, it is always going to be good. But there wasn’t anything that really stood out to bring it all the way up to a five for me.
Jurassic 5
4/5
I really enjoyed this album. The variety of the singers voices really help keep things fresh. Good beats, good lyrics.
Brian Eno
4/5
I can see how this would not be everyone's cup of tea, but I really enjoy the ambient genre and this seems to be the start of it. I could have this playing in the background all day.
New Order
4/5
So very 80's, it was a bit much at first, but it grew on me and I ended up quite enjoying it. So much synth, such a strange time in music.
The Byrds
4/5
I liked it when it was a bit more on the psychedelic, experimental side. Eight Miles High was my favorite.
Michael Kiwanuka
5/5
I have never heard of this artist before, but I liked it. Bluesy, funky, and just plain rocked. I don't know if the high will last, but I thought it was a 5 star banger.
Rush
5/5
Another absolute monster of a prog rock album. I loved it. Weird and over the top in all the best ways.
The Blue Nile
3/5
There were some interesting sounds in here, but most of the songs were so slow and low energy I just can't see myself coming back to this one.
Elvis Presley
4/5
When the king is rocking it rocks, but the crooners can be real snoozers.
The Cramps
3/5
The first time through I was ready to dismiss this as 80's trash. Too much weird for the sake of weird, too much random noise, too much kitsch. But after the next couple listens it started growing on me. I started to dig that psychobilly groove. Not enough for me to throw this album on again probably, but it ended up being an enjoyable listen.
Harry Nilsson
4/5
Great album. The songs are upbeat and fun and little bizarre.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
3/5
A nostalgic first half, a mediocre second. Although I did enjoy the last song Road Trippin, or at least the beginning of it.
Crosby, Stills & Nash
4/5
A nice folky vibe. Nothing really sank its teeth into me, but it was enjoyable start to finish.
Iggy Pop
3/5
A lot lower energy than I was expecting from Iggy. It felt like a lot of talk singing as well. Just didn't reel me in.
The Byrds
4/5
Another solid folksy album. It gets a little weird and experimental here and there like the song Dolphin's Smile which was nice. Gave it a little extra something.
The Smiths
3/5
Very 80’s. Very sad.
The Who
4/5
This had a much stronger blues/golden oldies/surf rock vibe than I was expecting. Which is not a bad thing.
The Doors
5/5
It’s The Doors. Enough said. I’ve never actually listened to this album all the way through before but it did not disappoint.
Pet Shop Boys
3/5
Wow. So 80’s. So much that it sounds like a parody of the 80’s. But it’s not. It’s a bit much, not bad per se, but a bit much.
Astor Piazzolla
4/5
This felt like a very unique sound to me. Listened to it for most of the day and didn't get bored of it. Was downright jaunty at times. I really liked it.
The Smiths
3/5
They have such a distinct sound. I actually enjoy it...for about half an album then it starts to get old. But at least now I know that some girls are bigger than others I guess.
3/5
Some heavy hitters starting out the gate. The rest was just standard U2, never really been my favorite for some reason. I can't put my finger on it, but they have always grated on me.
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
4/5
How delightfully bizarre. Although it became a bit to discordant for my tastes in places. Also, Ready Eddy did not seem to fit in at all.
Dr. John
3/5
It was an interesting concept, but not much more than that really. Nothing really grabbed my attention or made me want to come back for more.
My Bloody Valentine
2/5
Meh, fuzzy noise. Not my cup of tea. It was a bit headache inducing.
The Clash
4/5
Some solid early punk. It was an enjoyable listen.
Radiohead
4/5
Trippy and atmospheric. No one song stood out to me, but I loved the album as a whole.
Pink Floyd
3/5
Some killer songs...but this album is so long. And there are repetitions of the songs. I know it is a concept album, but if I needed this much story I would watcha musical, or an opera. I just don't get the same enjoyment from it as a purely listening experience.
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
4/5
Some decent 60's rock and roll. It feels a little experimental in spots. I didn't find myself singing along to any of the tracks, but I enjoyed listening to them all.
Machito
4/5
That is a collection of funky grooves. Great for a pool party.
Marty Robbins
5/5
Fantastic storyteller. Absolutely love Big Iron, The Master's Call, and El Paso.
Al Green
4/5
Richa and soulful, but kind of samey throughout.
Throwing Muses
4/5
I liked this. I wish it was on spotify so I could listen to it again, but I am probably not going to go through the effort to seek it out.
Garbage
4/5
Wow, this sounded just like high school. I actually liked it better today than I did back then. Solid all the way through.
The Damned
3/5
I dig the raw energy. And it sure sounds like they are having fun. But some of it is just too much noise instead of music for me to love it.
Jorge Ben Jor
4/5
Very funky and soulful. I like it.
Calexico
4/5
I have never heard of these guys, but they are good. An interesting take on the indie scene with some Latin influences and style thrown in. I think if it was a hair more upbeat it might have gotten full marks from me.
TV On The Radio
4/5
Another unique sounding early aughts indie band. Could get a bit droney at times, but overall I liked it. Although it seemed more enjoyable with headphones than over a speaker.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
4/5
There are some bangers on here. And some fun experimentation with styles. But i just did not need an 11 minute rendition of Heard It Through The Grapevine in my life.
Britney Spears
2/5
Baby one more time is a huge nostalgia bomb. The rest is forgettable teeny bop pop.
Paul McCartney and Wings
4/5
Mostly good catchy tunes. A few of the songs kind of drag, I’m looking at you Bluebird. But overall a nice listen. Also the first album on the list that I own the vinyl and listened somewhere other than Spotify or YouTube.
Depeche Mode
4/5
So over the top and dramatic. Makes me feel like a teenager who has feelings no one in the world has ever felt before.
And I am here for it.
I am sure it is mostly nostalgia but I love Depeche Mode and all the ridiculous 80’s synth glory.
The Birthday Party
2/5
There were moments when I genuinely enjoyed the music and found it unique and interesting. But for the most part it was just discordant noise to me.
Lorde
3/5
I like her sound, but it feels kind of samey throughout the album.
fIREHOSE
3/5
Kind of funky, kind of folksy. It was a nice listen and seemed like something I would have really enjoyed, but nothing really reached out and grabbed me. I listened through a few times and can't really remember much about it.
The Black Crowes
4/5
Some fun rock and roll. Nothing exceptional, but enjoyable.
Deerhunter
3/5
Another album where nothing stood out to me. A very low energy vibe. Nothing bad, but nothing I have any desire to come back to.
Prefab Sprout
3/5
It was decent jangly 80s music. Nothing special.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
4/5
Strange and atmospheric. Not something I would put on to get the party started, but definitely something I would put on for a chill day by myself.
Charles Mingus
3/5
I enjoyed quite a bit of it. There were some very fun and different sounds, but a lot of the time it just seemed a cacophony of noise. Too much going on at once, at least to my uncultured ear.
The Velvet Underground
3/5
Much better than their last album, but still not much that grabbed me. Felt a bit tame even.
Ravi Shankar
4/5
Wow, that was fun. And while I do enjoy the educational asides it might be distracting enough that I wouldn't throw this on anytime like I might have otherwise. But still, great album.
4/5
That was some very fun 60's pop. I don't think there was a dud in the bunch and few we quite infectious. I would definitely throw this record on again.
Scott Walker
3/5
Oh man this started strong. From the opening notes I loved Jackie. I wish it could have kept up this energy for the entire album, but I feel like the rest was a bit more of a drag. I might have to add Jackie to my liked songs though.
Simon & Garfunkel
3/5
America and Mrs. Robinson are absolute monsters. A Hazy Shade of Winter was wonderful as well. But WTF was Voices of Old People? The rest was ok to good, but not as great as I was expecting.
Thelonious Monk
4/5
That is some smooth jazz.
Lou Reed
3/5
It was alright. I felt like some of the later songs drug on a bit long. And the actual kids crying on The Kids really took me out of it, I did not like it at all.
Incubus
3/5
Three big nostalgia bombs. Although I didn't realize how much those three singles sound alike. The rest of the album didn't really add much for me.
Jean-Michel Jarre
4/5
It is like being immersed in laid back, atmospheric space battle.
The Offspring
5/5
This is hardly fair. Offspring was my favorite band in high school and this is their best album. 5 stars. Although I am slightly annoyed by the hidden track at the end of the album. That trend was never good and it didn't age well.
OutKast
3/5
This was so long. There were some very enjoyable tracks. I think I enjoyed Andre 3000's side a bit better. Especially odd tracks like an instrumental version of My Favorite Things. Perhaps I am a prude, but it was a little too sexually explicit for me to really love it. And to many interlude/skits.
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five
3/5
The Message is just iconic. I actually enjoyed the rest as well. A little preachy and more religious than I was expecting.
The Only Ones
3/5
Some fun upbeat pop. The only track that really stuck out to me was The Beast, but even that kind of faded into the background as the song went on. I might give this one another listen in the future.
The Gun Club
4/5
Some good peppy punk. I enjoyed the more bluesy track Cool Drink of Water Blues as well.
Dolly Parton
5/5
Didn't know any of these songs before this, but come on. Dolly is an american institution. She is amazing. Five stars all day every day.
Derek & The Dominos
4/5
Recognized and thoroughly enjoyed Layla. The rest was pretty decent blues rock. The album was a bit long, but never felt tired or stale to me.
Fleetwood Mac
3/5
It was a lot of Fleetwood with none of the great songs. Not sure I will be coming back to this one anytime soon.
The Mothers Of Invention
4/5
Well that was fucking weird. But it was weirdness that grew on me. I initially thought I was going to dislike it with the excessive talking and random noise, but I didn't and I can't really articulate why.
Lauryn Hill
3/5
Not bad musically, but did not enjoy the classroom interludes.
Nine Inch Nails
3/5
There is a lot I like about NIN. There are more than a few songs like on this album. But so much of it just sounds like noise to me. And Closer feels more and more cringey the older i get.
Talking Heads
4/5
Fun and upbeat. Not nearly as grating as the last Talking Heads album to pot.
Janelle Monáe
5/5
This was fantastic. The style of music was all over the place, but I really enjoyed it all. So unique and interesting and fun.
Boston
4/5
Some fun 70's rock. I feel like there is some prog rock tendencies showing, but it mostly seems pretty straight forward to me.
Dead Kennedys
4/5
Some fun punk. I have always enjoyed It's a Holiday in Cambodia, but for some reason it sounded different to me this time around. Maybe I have been listening to a different version.
Sly & The Family Stone
4/5
Some solid funky music. Although I can't lie, the second track made me slightly uncomfortable and makes me hesitant to through it on in front of other people or children.
Metallica
4/5
Dramatic and heavy, but still fun to listen to. I enjoyed this album.
Eminem
3/5
Some big nostalgia bombs on this one. But what seemed edgy and hilarious when I was in college kind of feels crass and juvenile now.
George Jones
4/5
Some decent old school country, but nothing really got its hooks into me like a few of the previous albums we've had. Liked it, didn't love it.
Fats Domino
4/5
Some old school cool. Short and sweet. This style of music is never going to get me to fall in love, but it is quite enjoyable a bit at a time.
The Stooges
4/5
A fun album, I think I like Iggy's solo stuff a bit more. Spotify had two different remasters, Bowie's mix and Iggy's mix and it was kind of fun to hear the differences. I am not musically inclined enough to specify how they were different, but I could tell they were different.
Kate Bush
4/5
Some fun 80's ballads. Running Up a Hill has had a moment in the past couple years and it deserves it. A few of the songs on the album had a strange demonic/culty energy to them. I enjoyed it, made it more unique.
The Divine Comedy
5/5
It gives me lounge singer vides and is absolutely delightful. A bit bizarre and absurd at times I thought it was fun all the way through. I thought I was going to give it four stars, but why be stingy. Full marks.
Caetano Veloso
4/5
Fun jazzy 70's rock from Brazil. I'd definitely like to come back to this one again.
The Mothers Of Invention
3/5
I quite enjoyed the first 3/4's or so of the album. But the back portion went off the rails for me. Especially Can't Happen Here.
AC/DC
4/5
Another fairly solid AC/DC album. I am not sure it brings anything new to the table from the last one we had. But it was still fairly solid rock and roll.
Nirvana
4/5
I don't believe I have ever listened to an entire Nirvana album before (not counting the Unplugged album from earlier on this list). I thought this was going to be an easy 5 stars but a couple of the early tracks are just too grating. Not sure I can give them less than a 4 though, so here you go.
5/5
Great album all the way through. Loved the hits, loved the deep cuts. I can see why this is often on the top albums of all time lists.
The Adverts
4/5
Great punk album. Listened to it several times through and would happily listen to it again.
Arcade Fire
4/5
Another band that I knew was popular and was sure I had heard their music, but could not associate any songs with. I did recognize many of these songs and quite enjoyed the entire album.
Beck
4/5
What a fun album. I love the quirkiness of Beck and it is on full display and the music is just downright catchy..
Jethro Tull
4/5
There is a flute. It is wonderful. The rest of the music is pretty good as well.
Arcade Fire
4/5
I didn't recognize as many of these songs as I did off Neon Bible which we had last week. But it was still very enjoyable all the way through.
Tim Buckley
3/5
This one just didn't click with me. Nothing bad per se, but it just felt a bit much. A little too frenetic, a little too over the top.
Digital Underground
3/5
I really liked the first handful of tracks, but then it got a little raunchy for my middle-aged prudish tastes. Still when it wasn't making me uncomfortable I did quite enjoy it.
Bob Dylan
5/5
Fantastic album. Just ask Mr Brown, but he won’t know.
Public Enemy
4/5
Energetic and fun. I really enjoyed this album. Helped that there were no skits.
Public Enemy
3/5
Wow, back to back Public Enemy. This one did not grab me as much as "It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back". Tracks like calling into the radio station took me out of it. Overall still pretty good though.
Isaac Hayes
4/5
The song Shaft is a stone cold classic. The rest of the album is pretty funky, but never quite lives up to the bar that is set with that first track.
John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers
4/5
A fun blues album. Some serious guitar work. Not a lot else stuck with me.
Yes
4/5
Roundabout is an absolute monster of an opening track. They never quite got up to that level again. A few of the instrumental interludes were too discordant for my tastes to go full marks.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
4/5
Some nice groovy reggae. Only really recognized No Woman No Cry, but enjoyed all of it.
Throbbing Gristle
2/5
Well that was weird. I am not sure it was music. Artistic? Perhaps. It veered toward something I'd describe as music a few times. For the novelty alone I'll bump it up a star, but that's all I can do.
Mudhoney
5/5
Just focused on the songs in the original EP instead of the entire deluxe album on Spotify. I have never really listened to Mudhoney before and I really enjoyed this. Energetic rock and roll/grunge. Not sure why I didn't listen to them in high school because I feel like I would have really loved it then. Going to give them a bonus star for being local. Full marks!
5/5
Such a fun album. Another one I have on vinyl at home so I got to listen to it multiple ways and I just love it.
Prince
3/5
It feels very dramatic and over the top to me.
ZZ Top
3/5
Solid rock and roll. Sharp Dressed Man stood out to me, but the rest just kind of faded into the background as I listened. Nothing really made it pop.
Cowboy Junkies
3/5
Some low keys countryish covers. I really wanted to like it more than I did. It seemed to drag on and on. It really could have used a shot of energy to give it a change of pace. I could see myself listening to a song or tow at a time again, but no desire to relisten to the entire album.
Metallica
4/5
Great metal album. Some classic bangers and a solid enjoyable energy throughout. Doesn't become exhausting or grating even with my admittedly low metal tolerance.
Fairport Convention
5/5
Fantastic folk album. Loved every bit of it.
ABBA
5/5
It's ABBA. Everyone loves ABBA. Perhaps not every song on the album is a banger, but there are quite a few. And it has my favorite ABBA song (Fernando). And to reiterate, everyone loves ABBA.
John Lennon
3/5
Imagine is great. Jealous Man is horribly cringe. The rest is ok. I am tempted to give two stars, but Imagine is good enough to bump it up.
Pet Shop Boys
2/5
So very 80's. Too 80's. It is off-putting.
Björk
4/5
Surreal and beautiful. Gets maybe a little too out there at times, but for the most part I really enjoyed it.
Raekwon
2/5
I did not connect with the music. I did not enjoy the interludes. This album just wasn't for me.
John Coltrane
4/5
Some very enjoyable jazz. Gets a bit jangly occasionally and the chanting wasn't my favorite, but overall a big winner.
Coldplay
4/5
Every song sound just like Coldplay. Which is not a bad thing, but I felt like it could have used a bit more variety to spice up the album. I did enjoy it though.
Madness
4/5
This was a fun album. I really enjoyed the old school feel. I think I might have given it 5 stars if I gave it another listen. Unfortunately it is not on spotify and I only have enough patience for one listen through on youtube.
The Who
3/5
Some enjoyable old school rock. Not a lot stood out to me. I liked Silas Stingy and I Can See For Miles. Tattoo was pretty fun as well. But for the most part it kind of faded into the background form me.
James Taylor
4/5
Really good folky rock. The blues songs were a bit jarring, they didn't really mesh with the rest of the album, but they were still good in their own right.
Fiona Apple
3/5
Had a much more sultry, lounge singer vibe than I was expecting, but in the end nothing really stuck out to me.
Violent Femmes
5/5
What a great album. Blister in the Sun is obviously amazing, but so many of these tracks had me singing along and dancing. Absolutely loved it.
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
Very dramatic. There were a few songs I enjoyed, but mostly it was just ok.
The Everly Brothers
2/5
Meh. Cheesy and dull. Not for me.
Stevie Wonder
3/5
Not bad, but mostly faded into the background. I did really like They Won't Go When I Go, but the rest just wasn't that memorable.
Deep Purple
4/5
Smoke on the Water is a classic. Some fun experimental tracks as well. Great album.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
3/5
Born on the Bayou is great. The Good Golly Miss Molly cover was unnecessary. Still would have got four stars if the didn't drag it down with Keep on Chooglin at the end. It was just too much.
Dire Straits
4/5
A bit slower vide than I was expecting. Sultans of Swing was good, the rest was fairly enjoyable if not any real standouts.
X-Ray Spex
4/5
Some fun punk. Some of the songs felt familiar, but I wasn't sure if I had actually heard them before.
System Of A Down
5/5
Oh my goodness, such a fun album. Well, when I focus on the lyrics perhaps fun isn't the right descriptor, but it gets me going every time. I was originally thinking there was a bit to much screaming for full marks, but I enjoyed too much not give it a five.
The Band
4/5
It is some good folky 60's rock. The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down was my favorite, but Up On Cripple Creek stuck in my head the most.
Elvis Presley
4/5
A very nice collection of Elvis tunes. I've always enjoyed In the Ghetto although I am not exactly sure why.
Kings of Leon
4/5
That was a fun album. Some different styles a feelings to the songs. I would like to listen again sometime.
Marvin Gaye
3/5
Marvin has a very distinctive sound. While I enjoy that sound for a song or three, it is a lot for an hour plus.
Orbital
4/5
Fun techno album. The intro and outro are a little jarring, but they mesh with the overall aesthetic.
The Specials
3/5
Some old school ska. Fun at first, but gets a little old. Some of the lyrics seem kind of immature. Maybe I am just getting old .
The Rolling Stones
4/5
Good bluesy rock and roll.
Small Faces
4/5
There is a weird nonsensical story in the back half of the album that I found annoying at first. But it kind of grew on me and brought this up from a middling 3 star to a low 4 star for me.
The Byrds
4/5
Fun folksy rock and roll. Recognized a few of the songs. Worth a listen or two.
Frank Zappa
5/5
This has a real meandering, jam band feel to it which normally puts me off. But there was something about this energy that hooked me. I liked it way more than I though I would. Gumbo Variation drags on a bit longer than needed perhaps, but overall just a great time.
The Velvet Underground
4/5
It is some groovy 70's music. It can get a bit jangly for my tastes later in the album, but for the most part I thoroughly enjoy it.
Aretha Franklin
4/5
Soulful, beautiful. Hard to have a stronger opener than Respect.
The Waterboys
4/5
I liked this rock and roll album. Wished they leaned more into the traditional irish stuff, but still quite enjoyable.
Eagles
4/5
It's the eagles. Strong start to the album. The middle was just alright and then another string finish. I do not know what is going on in the beginning of earlybird. But I like it.
Malcolm McLaren
3/5
I like the music. Especially the weird and different styles and influences all mixed together. I hate the talky radio bits.
Blondie
3/5
One Way or Another is amazing. The rest was pretty good, but no huge standouts.
Eagles
4/5
A lot of classics on this album. Solid Eagles all the way down.
Mudhoney
3/5
I liked it. A solid grunge album. But nothing that really grabbed on to me.
The Doors
5/5
A solid Doors album. Some straight up bluesy rock, some strange psychedelic tracks. Great stuff.
The Icarus Line
3/5
It's loud and rough. Not bad, but nothing that really made me want to come back to it either.
Stan Getz
3/5
Some light fun jazz. Nothing that really stood out and grabbed me.
Paul Simon
4/5
Wow, this was not the vide I was expecting when I saw Paul Simon. I did really enjoy the different feel and the african styles. Some songs weren't my favorite (Crazy Love springs to mind), but for the most part very enjoyable.
Robbie Williams
3/5
Some decent ballads. I listened to this immediately after the Paul Simon album that was previous in the list and whenever I had to pause the album Paul Simon's songs would pop back into my head. Overall not bad, not great.
The Beach Boys
4/5
I am usually not a fan of the Beach Boy vibe, but this was kind of weird and eclectic and I was digging it.
Leftfield
4/5
Fun, upbeat techno. Kind of gets lost in the background for me, but that can be a good thing on occasion.
OutKast
3/5
This is along album and for the most part it just does not click with me. Thankfully the interludes are fairly short, but I would prefer they weren't there at all. However, So Fresh, So Clean, Ms. Jackson, and Bombs over Baghdad are just so catchy and good that I can't give it less than 3 stars.
Guided By Voices
3/5
There was a lot I really liked about this. Great fuzzy, low key vibe, but then they would throw in the most shrill sounds. Or the track that just has someone snoring overtop of it, what is that? Also, nothing stuck with me. I hadn't even realized I was on my second listen until I heard the snoring again. It wasn't awful, but I don't see myself ever listening to it again.
The Beach Boys
3/5
The Beach Boys just don't do it for me. Most of their songs sound so similar and kind of cheesy. That said there are some classics on here. I can handle a song or two at a time and enjoy it, but a whole album is a bit much.
Nina Simone
4/5
Wow. Soulful, beautiful, awesome.
Buena Vista Social Club
3/5
Some nice latin music for the background. Nothing felt particularly special or catching to me.
Gillian Welch
4/5
Great voice. Good music. Definitely be listening to her more in the future.
Röyksopp
4/5
Great electronic music. Poor Leno especially got its hooks into me.
Stephen Stills
4/5
Some decent rock. The album drags on a bit long, but it ends with Blues Man which sounds a lot like Treetop Flier, which I love. So I'll give it a boost to 4 stars.
Aretha Franklin
4/5
What a voice. Classic songs. Wonderful album
Carole King
4/5
I Feel the Earth Move is just a wonderful opener. I don't feel like the rest of the album quite live up to that first song, although I did enjoy Tapestry quite a bit. Overall still a great listening experience.
The Psychedelic Furs
4/5
I liked this. A lot of good songs. No huge standouts, but a lot seemed familiar and enjoyable.
Megadeth
4/5
I liked this. Fun, not too screamy, not too exhausting. I'd listen again.
The Crusaders
3/5
Some pleasant background jazz.
James Brown
3/5
Good music, I just don't enjoy the crowd noise in live albums.
ZZ Top
4/5
Solid rock and roll. Doesn't demand a lot of attention but is fun throughout.
Bert Jansch
4/5
Some very good folk. Needle of Death was powerful. I also really enjoyed the acoustic Angie at the end of the album.
The Rolling Stones
4/5
Great opening and ending. Pretty good middle.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
4/5
Over the top and dramatic...but in a good way. It sometime feels like he is trying to hard, but I do enjoy the music.
Taylor Swift
4/5
It is an undeniably fun album. Listen to both the original and Taylor's version. I am not musically inclined enough to articulate the difference, but I did like Taylor's Version better as long as you limited to the original track list.
Beastie Boys
3/5
Did not put its hooks into me and my sense of nostalgia like License to Ill did. I didn't particularly dislike anything about it, but didn't love anything about it either.
Penguin Cafe Orchestra
4/5
How delightfully odd. I am not entirely sure what that was or who it is for, but I enjoyed it.
Sparks
4/5
Fun and eclectic. Quite enjoyable.
The Divine Comedy
4/5
Another great, if a bit odd, product from The Divine Comedy. Not quite feeling the full 5 stars for this one, but very close.
Supergrass
3/5
It was good, but did not stick with me. I listened a few time Friday and this weekend and now I can remember nothing about it.
Led Zeppelin
4/5
Some stone cold classics, but not the overall power house of some of their other albums.
ABBA
5/5
I have always considered myself an ABBA fan, but I have really only been exposed to greatest hits. I had never heard a single track from this album and all I can say is…amazing. Everybody loves ABBA. Full marks.
Oasis
4/5
Pretty good. I didn't realize that Morning Glory wasn't their first album. This is not as good as that, but you can see where those highs came from.
The Vines
4/5
Fun rock and roll. Could get a little over the top noisy and screamish, but never to the point where it was annoying. I'd throw this one on again in the future.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
5/5
Always liked the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and love heads will roll. The rest of the album is pretty good as well. I’m not sure it is a five star album, but I do like it significantly more than the last few albums I gave 4 stars to so here we are.
Pulp
3/5
Pretty good album, but Common People is obviously the best song and at the end of the day Shatner did it better.
Run-D.M.C.
5/5
Wow. So many bangers. Just great stuff all the way through.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
3/5
The music is pretty good. But there was nothing that really caught me and I am trying to recalibrate my ratings as I feel I have been getting more and more generous with my stars. I can't see myself coming across this album in the future and thinking, "You know what, I could really use some Blood and Chocolate this afternoon." So 3 stars it is.
Fishbone
4/5
Never heard of these guys before, but that was some serious fun. It just sounds like they are having a great time and it is infectious.
Kraftwerk
5/5
Early german techno? Yes please. Great soundtrack for sauerkraut making.
Muddy Waters
4/5
I am sure I am missing a lot of nuance, but blues all starts to sound the same to me after the first song or two. Fortunately that sound is pretty good.
Some decent old rock. Nothing that stood out to me. Nothing I would seek out in the future. Also, nothing I would mind having on in the background.
Sabu
3/5
Genuinely different and interesting. A lot of it was fun, but some of it was just too heavy on the percussion for my preference.
Paul Weller
3/5
It was ok. Nothing stood out to me at the time, and I am having difficulty remembering anything about it now. But I am pretty sure I didn't hate it for any reason.
Deep Purple
2/5
I did not like that. I am not entirely sure why, it seems adjacent to many other albums I have enjoyed. But something about it really just rubbed my the wrong way.
King Crimson
3/5
For the most part I liked it, but what the fuck was going on in the middle of Moonchild? It almost makes me want to sink this rating to a two. But I enjoyed the rest of the album enough to send it down the middle of the road.
Led Zeppelin
4/5
Immigrant Song is amazing. Tangerine is great. The rest...pretty good. It even got a bit bluegrassy at one point. Zepplin kicks ass.
Marvin Gaye
3/5
It was fine. It sounded like Marvin Gaye. Other than that I don't really remember much about it. I didn't even realize when the album looped because it all just blended together.
Stevie Wonder
4/5
Super funky. Superstition alone is worth 4 stars, makes you want to start strutting around. Love it.
Alanis Morissette
4/5
So very 90's and angsty. It feels a little dated, but also a little iconic. It is very distinctive and overall I quite enjoyed it.
Adele
5/5
Oof, what a powerhouse of a voice. She comes out so strong with Hello it really just carries you through the rest of the album which is still pretty good in its own right. I really can't think of reason not to give it full marks.
Culture Club
2/5
I did not enjoy this one. For some reason the version of Karma Chameleon that lives in my head is much more upbeat and energetic than the real version. Which made me think I had been listening to a cover instead of the original, but that does not seem to be the case. The rest is so very 80's, not in a good way. No desire to listen to this again.
T. Rex
3/5
Not bad, but not super memorable.
Giant Sand
3/5
Meh, not terrible but often felt like it was being weird for the sake of weird.
Alice In Chains
4/5
Good energy, good fun, a bunch of nostalgia. I liked it.
Paul Simon
4/5
Me and Julio alone is enough for a four star rating. The rest of the album is decent, although I do feel like a few of the tracks drag a bit.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
5/5
So chill, so fun, so classic. It is a great album.
Janis Joplin
3/5
Some good rock and roll. Nothing in particular really stood out to me.
Underworld
4/5
Reminds me a lot of Kraftwerk. And I really like Kraftwerk.
Radiohead
4/5
Quite a bit more avant garde than the Radiohead that I am used to (mostly The Bends), but still quite enjoyable. Nothing else sounds like them and I like that sound.
Funkadelic
4/5
Fun and funky. Would listen to it again if it was on Spotify, but oh well. Still enjoyed it even with the youtube ads.
Jamiroquai
2/5
It was not my favorite. Every song had me waiting for the lyrics "just dance" which I think is a Jamiroquai song, but I am not sure. I don't think it was on this album, but again not positive. Overall it was fun for maybe a song and then a bit of a slog.
Fugees
3/5
Ready or Not and Killing Me Softly are great. Some of the other songs are pretty good. But the interludes/skits kills it for me every time. All in all though it was fairly enjoyable.
Johnny Cash
5/5
I have said before I am not a fan of live albums. But let's be honest from the second I hear "Hello, I am Johnny Cash" I knew this was getting five stars. Does that make me a hypocrite? Maybe, but I don't care. This album was awesome, Johnny is awesome. 5 stars.
4/5
Fun and funky. I quite enjoyed it.
Iron Maiden
4/5
Accessible heavy metal. Rocks hard but doesn't grate on your nerves. I dig it.
Christina Aguilera
2/5
I liked the jazzy feel, but it was just too long. And the son were no great. And the track that us just recordings of people kissing her ass was off putting.
Christine and the Queens
3/5
It was fun having the album in french as well as english. But ultimately nothing really grabbed me. It was decent music, just nothing I am eager to revisit.
Cee Lo Green
2/5
It was ok. Not really my vibe. Had it on more as background music, but don't feel the desire to give it closer listen.
Black Sabbath
3/5
I liked the faster songs. When is slowed down it was a little weird for me.
Stevie Wonder
4/5
A lot of fun songs and sounds on here. I probably wouldn't have guessed this came from the 70's because it still sounds fresh to me. Also, who knew this is where Gangsta's Paradise came from? Not me.
The Stooges
3/5
It was fun punky music until the last track of just awful noise. Almost brought it down to two stars, but I like the rest of album enough to keep it middle of the road.
The Byrds
3/5
Meh. It was alright, felt a little preachy.
Faust
3/5
I really liked the first song. The rest was alright. Didn't really stick with me though.
Tracy Chapman
4/5
Decent album. Fast Car is a great song.
Paul Simon
3/5
I like a more folky Paul Simon. This felt a bit too 80's. Not terrible though.
Pavement
3/5
Sounded like fairly typical 90's alternative. Nothing really stood out to me.
Pantera
3/5
So much screaming. I can do metal for a song or two, but a whole album is just to much to ask. That being said, I do think I would enjoy listening to most of these songs as one offs.
Everything But The Girl
3/5
Meh, more 80's music that I am unable to differentiate from other 80's music. I feel like it should be two stars, but I can't say anything bad about it. I just don't care if I ever hear it again.
Nanci Griffith
4/5
A solid country album. Really enjoyed this one. Ashley thought it sounded like the Indigo Girls.
Morrissey
3/5
He has a very distinctive sound. It is not my preferred sound, but it isn't awful. Another album I would never seek out, but also not rush to to switch if it happened to come on.
The Pretty Things
4/5
Well that was fun and interesting. It was doing some strange things in the beginning with the music and lyrics split between my two earbuds, but overall I thought it was a cool concept and would love to come back to it sometime.
Bad Brains
5/5
Wow. Never heard of these guys but this was a great punk album. I really enjoyed the style and flavor and will listen again. Trying to be less stingy with my highs and lows so 5 stars.
Screaming Trees
4/5
This was really good. Have heard of Screaming Trees before but never really listened to them. It was just a bit too long to get the full 5 from me.
Deep Purple
2/5
The music is alright, but I really don't enjoy most live albums and this was no exception.
Fugazi
4/5
Fun and energetic. Didn't know these guys before, but I enjoyed this album.
Wild Beasts
5/5
I am not sure what it is, but I am a bit of a sucker for the neo-lounge singer types. I am not sure this is totally a 5 star album, but I am trying not to regress to the middle with all my rating and give out more on both sides of the spectrum. And I thought this was very fun and silly and awesome.
The Residents
4/5
Weird album. From the opening notes I thought it was going to be too much. But I actually listened to it a couple of times and it grew on me. I would listen to it again, it is just nice to have some oddness and eccentricity every now and then.
Traffic
4/5
It was decent 70's rock, but the track John Barleycorn itself was dope so I'll bump it up a star.
4/5
Wow...that was a lot. Objectively too much. From the first notes I thought I was going to give this a one star review, but then it started to grow on me a bit. I can't say I will ever listen to it again. Although I suppose it could be good background music for doing some house cleaning while hopped up on speed. In the end it was unique and interesting and crazy enough that I was thoroughly glad I listened to it.
Happy Mondays
3/5
Meh. Not terrible, but nothing that stood out to me. I wouldn't seek it out again, but I wouldn't really mind it playing in the background.
John Lennon
2/5
I kind of enjoyed Working Class Hero, but overall he seems like a pretentions wanker.
The Chemical Brothers
4/5
I really enjoy 80% of the tracks. There are just a few mixed in that are bit to much like random noise to me to give it full marks.
4/5
This was cool. Very unique and fun. I liked it a lot.
Travis
3/5
It was some ok easy listening. Nothing that really grabbed on to me.
Roxy Music
4/5
This was another album that grew on me the more I listened to it. A lot of kooky offbeat vibes including a heartfelt ode to a inflatable sex doll. I'd listen again.
Turbonegro
4/5
Never heard of these guys before, but they sound a lot like the music I loved in high school. In fact I think high school me would give them an easy 5 stars. Hell 43 year old me is more than willing to give them 4.
Tito Puente
4/5
Fun. Jaunty. Different. I liked it.
Radiohead
3/5
Not my favorite Radiohead joint. It was alright, but not spectacular.
Electric Light Orchestra
2/5
Some of it was good. A lot of it was ok. Some of it was meh. Minus a star for being entirely too long.
Ice Cube
2/5
Not much to say. I just did not find it enjoyable.
SAULT
3/5
This was an enjoyable album. The talking interludes were interesting. Not bad, but did break up the flow of the album for me. I liked the music, but can't see myself searching this on out again.
Gene Clark
3/5
I like Silver Raven, but nothing else really clicked for me. It is fine inoffensive music to have in the background.
Elastica
4/5
This was fun. I didn't realize I had ever heard this band before, but I was familiar with and quite enjoyed Connection. I enjoyed the rest as well. Not perfect but I would definitely listen again.
Soundgarden
4/5
Solid grunge. Some great tracks. I feel that as a Seattlite I can't give it less than a 4.
Queens of the Stone Age
4/5
I liked it. Nothing really grabbed me and stuck in my head, but I like the experimental nature of lot of it, especially towards the end of the album.
Tom Waits
2/5
I have never listened to a Tom Waits album before. I have always known he was out there. I knew he had a gravelly voice and an off the beaten path vibe. Only the cool kids liked him. To be honest, it was ab it too much. It felt like he was making it purposefully unlistenable. There were a few flashes of enjoyment that are making me consider a 3 star now that it is in the rearview mirror, but I am gonna stick with my feelings when I was in it. Sorry Tom.
Rufus Wainwright
2/5
I guess it wasn't awful, but it was just so low energy. It felt like it drug on and on and I was just waiting for it to be over.
Ray Charles
3/5
A fun take on some country staples. Although I think I prefer the originals when all is said and done.
T. Rex
3/5
So okay 70's rock. Nothing that got me over excited.
Gotan Project
4/5
Fun and different. It would make good background music.
Morrissey
3/5
I actually enjoyed the first couple of tracks and then it just started to sound like Morrissey again. Meh.
Kacey Musgraves
5/5
I have enjoyed Kasey's songs for a while now. First time listening to a whole album and I loved it. Plus I got to watch the Sounders win last night so I am feeling extra generous. Five stars!
Booker T. & The MG's
4/5
I had no idea that song was called Green Onions. Lots of covers, but overall some good instrumental music for background listening.
Ute Lemper
3/5
She has a soulful voice and the lounge singer vibes usually are right down my alley, but for some reason this one just didn't do much for me. It felt a little too cheesy.
Green Day
4/5
Not a bad album, plus a star for the pure nostalgia of it.
Sisters Of Mercy
3/5
Meh, it was ok. Kind of droned on. Nothing to really sink your teeth into.
1/5
Woof. Another album I thought nostalgia would buoy up at least a little bit, but no...this was awful.
Skepta
2/5
In the beginning I thought I was going to like this, but the more it went on it was just not for me. As usual the interludes drag it down even further.
Joan Armatrading
4/5
This was a fun album. Good voice. A bit jaunty. Would listen again.
The Roots
3/5
It wasn't bad, it's just not the type of music I derive a lot of enjoyment from.
Pulp
3/5
This didn't seem that hardcore. It fact it felt pretty low energy, not terrible, but nothing to really pull me in.
The Dandy Warhols
3/5
There were some decent songs on here. But it was to long and a lot of it was to drone-y
Brian Wilson
3/5
I am sure this came up because Brian Wilson just passed away. RIP. The music is quality, but the Beach Boys sound has never doe it for me and this was no exception.
PJ Harvey
3/5
I liked a lot of this album, but too much of it came across as just noise for me to want to return to it.
Little Simz
3/5
I did kind of like this, but it is just not an album I see myself coming back to again.
Simply Red
2/5
Awful schlock. Did not need to hear this.
Jazmine Sullivan
2/5
Not my kind of music.
Suede
3/5
Not awful, but definitely too long. Felt overblown and pretentious and completely unmemorable.
D'Angelo
2/5
Not something I enjoyed. Was mostly waiting for it to be over and dreading I might miss when it repeated and have to listen to it again.
a-ha
3/5
Take On Me is amazing. The rest is ok 80's noise.
Love
4/5
Some chill 60’s folk. Not sure if I had heard some of these songs before but it felt like I had. All in all a refreshing change of pace.
Def Leppard
4/5
Better than expected hair metal.
Syd Barrett
3/5
I liked a lot of the first half, but why was the second half a part of this album? Cut that and I would probably have given another star.
Scritti Politti
1/5
Yuck. All the cheesy nonsense of the 80's with nothing fun to offering a bit of saving grace. I can't think of single reason I would ever listen to this again.
The Smashing Pumpkins
4/5
Today is the best and Disarm is amazing as well. The rest was pretty good. All in all a very fun album.
Serge Gainsbourg
4/5
The music is good. I wish I had not read that it is about a romantic fling between a middle aged man and a 14 year old girl. Kind of sours the vibe, and I would have had no idea since I don't speak french.
Paul McCartney
3/5
It was ok. Nothing great, nothing terrible. Middle of the road. Not very memorable the next day.
Prince
2/5
Oof, I know Prince is pretty wildly adored, but his music has never been my cup of tea. Also, this was way too long.
Prince
2/5
Two Prince albums in a row huh? Well this review is same as my last. Lots of people love him, but his music just does not move me. Also once again entirely too long.
Nick Drake
2/5
At first this felt like a breath of fresh air, but in the end it was just boring.
The Saints
3/5
It was ok. Another one that it hard to remember too much about the next day good or bad.
The Rolling Stones
5/5
Some classics, some country, overall a great album. Full marks.
The The
3/5
It was kind of fun and different. Very 80's, not something that would be in my regular rotation, but not awful or boring.
Kate Bush
4/5
This was a fun album. 80's without being too 80's. Kate has a great voice. I'd listen again.
Dwight Yoakam
5/5
You shut your mouth when you are talking to me. Classic.
Buffalo Springfield
4/5
I really liked Mr. Soul. The remainder seemed to fade into the background a bit, but still quite enjoyable.
1/5
Well that was different and unique. It was also just noise. Awful, grating noise.
Dizzee Rascal
3/5
I enjoyed quite a bit of this, but in the end it was just too long and I started liking it less and less. Still pretty decent all in all.
Black Sabbath
4/5
Fun album. Nothing stuck out like Crazy Train, but it was solid all the way through.
Ozomatli
4/5
This was funky and fun and different. I felt like it switched it up enough through the album that it never got dull or stale. I would definitely listen again.
Traffic
4/5
Decent 60's rock. Nothing that really grabbed me, but pleasant all the same.
Shivkumar Sharma
4/5
This was good. Great background music. Would definitely listen again.
Joanna Newsom
3/5
Unique and different. I liked the folky feel, but it is not something I can see myself wanting to listen to very often.
4/5
Fun rock album. Never heard of these guys before, but this was some entertaining music.
5/5
It was a bit long, but fantastic all the way through. I think I enjoyed the first half with just Dylan a bit more, but both disc's were great.
The Stooges
4/5
It is a 30 minute album and one of the songs is a 10 minute long droning chant? Not gonna lie, I kind of dig it. And the opening to I Wanna Be Your Dog is fantastic.
LCD Soundsystem
4/5
It was a touch too long. There were a few oddball tracks I really enjoyed, but a lot of it just blended into the background. Overall a pleasant listen.
Doves
4/5
Kind of trippy electronic rock. I liked it. I would listen again.
Jimmy Smith
3/5
It was enjoyable background music. Not anything I would go out of my way to put on again.
Le Tigre
5/5
Fantastic. Great energy, a little goofy at times, just all around fun. Loved it.
Gang Starr
2/5
It wasn't awful. I appreciate not skits. It wasn't especially vulgar. It was a bit too long. I just can't see myself ever choosing to play this again.
The Stone Roses
3/5
It was alright. The only song that really stuck out to me was Elizabeth My Dear, which I really like, but it was also only a minute long.
Todd Rundgren
3/5
It was ok...Too long and the weird track about finding audio mistakes was not great.
The Young Gods
3/5
Different. Sounded a bit too much like just noise to get a great review. I thought I would give it a two on my first listen, but I enjoyed it more my second time through.
Talvin Singh
3/5
It was ok. It was unique for sure, but nothing really grabbed onto me. I wouldn't mind listening to this again, but I don't foresee trying to seek it out.
The Soft Boys
4/5
This was some fun rock and roll. Only listened to the original album, not the bonus tracks. Would throw it on again.
Jungle Brothers
2/5
Again I am thankful for not interludes or skits, but I can't imagine ever choosing to listen to this again.
Animal Collective
4/5
I liked this. Not really sure how to describe it and it doesn't really have any staying power in my head, but I would listen to it again.
Jane Weaver
3/5
I really liked the start of this. But then it got too drone-y and static-y for my tastes.
Snoop Dogg
2/5
Nostalgia for a some of these tracks saved it from the bottom of the barrel. A few of the tracks are enjoyable, but the ones that aren't really drag it down for me.
Deee-Lite
3/5
Groove is the Heart was good. The rest meh.
Big Star
4/5
Some (barely) above average 70's rock.
Klaxons
3/5
It was ok. Didn't really stick with me in the end.
Pentangle
4/5
Loved the folk vides and the dirge. Not quite up to five stars for me, but darn close.
Afrika Bambaataa
3/5
It was ok. Nothing awful and some fun moments.
Robert Wyatt
3/5
I like the folky sound of a lot of this album, but it gets too drone-y and discordant in section for me to really want to come back to it.
The Cardigans
4/5
Great fun. A little more upbeat and energetic and would have gotten a five for sure.
Lou Reed
4/5
Delightfully bizarre and very entertaining.
David Ackles
4/5
Some serious musical theater vides. Good thing I happen to like musical theater.
Frank Sinatra
3/5
It is an iconic voice and sound, but I am just not fully on board with the crooning genre.
Q-Tip
4/5
This was pretty good. I listened to it a few times through. I'm not sure I would ever through it on just for the fun of it, but I'm not sure I wouldn't either.
Ice Cube
3/5
Ice Cube voice is just so iconic. It is not my genre of choice, but it was still enjoyable. Plus there were minimal/no skits and interludes.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
2/5
Great start and finish...the middle not so much. Also Pocahontas was terrible.
KISS
3/5
The music was decent, but subtracting a star for making me listen to nothing for a minute and half at the top of the record.
3/5
It was ok...kind of meh to be honest. But not bad, just nothing I would seek out ever again.
David Bowie
4/5
Not my favorite Bowie, but still a lot of good stuff here.
The Pogues
4/5
That was fun. Not sure it could be an all the time, any time record. But I would listen to it a lot of the time.
DJ Shadow
4/5
I am not entirely sure what that was. But I am moderately sure I enjoyed it.
Patti Smith
3/5
Gloria is amazing. Absolute banger. The rest was ok. Nothing I would go back for.
David Holmes
2/5
I don't know why I, or anyone else, would have to listen to this before they die. Not awful...not anything really, felt like I was just waiting for it to be over.
The Youngbloods
4/5
Man, I really liked the opening track Darkness, Darkness. The rest didn't quite live up to that opening, but it was still pretty decent.
The Good, The Bad & The Queen
4/5
This was a fun album. No real standouts, but I enjoyed it all the way through.
The Beau Brummels
4/5
Short and jaunty. Starts out sounding a bit like Dylan. Gets a little stranger toward the end. I liked it.
Sly & The Family Stone
3/5
It was ok. Funky, but not really attention holding. I am having a hard time remembering much of it.
Gram Parsons
4/5
Some fun countryfied rock and roll. I would listen again, but not quite in my top tier.
Fiona Apple
4/5
Strange. A bit jangly. I wasn't sure if I liked it, but I gave it another listen this morning and I definitely liked it. I would listen again.
Country Joe & The Fish
4/5
That was an enjoyable psychedelic album. I particularly enjoyed the middle with Porpoise Mouth, Section 43, and Super Bird.
Don McLean
4/5
A monster start to the album . The rest was a bit slow to get all the way to five stars.
Fred Neil
3/5
Decent folk, with a jazzy side. Didn't seem like anything special. I did enjoy the raga at the end.
Femi Kuti
3/5
Fun and different. A little long. Couldn't really keep a hold of my attention.
Billie Holiday
4/5
A very soulful and unique voice. I can see how it was very influential on future music, but it is not something I am going to throw on all the time. Still pretty decent.
The Hives
3/5
It doesn’t seem like compilation albums should be included. And I feel like if you are going to pick you best songs it should be better than this. Still I mostly enjoyed it.
Waylon Jennings
5/5
Some great old school country. I love it. I will be playing some Waylon more often.
Eurythmics
3/5
Love Sweet Dreams. The rest was ok 80’s synth. Can’t see myself wanting to go back but I wouldn’t turn it off if it was playing.
Sister Sledge
4/5
Fun, funky, soulful. That was a great listen.
Wilco
3/5
It was ok. I would start to like it then it would become a bit to noisy or discordant. And it was too long and no particular track really jumped out at me.
Radiohead
5/5
This is not an unbiased review. This was one of my first albums. This is always who Radiohead has been to me and probably had a disproportionate effect on my music tastes in general. I love this album. Every track.
Portishead
3/5
This one did not capture me like I was expecting it to. I like Machine Gun, but the rest was just a little too much like noise and not enough like my music for my tastes.
Adam & The Ants
3/5
Decent 80's rock I suppose. Nothing that really drug me in.
Youssou N'Dour
4/5
Fun, punchy, short, fantastic.
Kings of Leon
3/5
It was ok. Another album I would have no problem listening to if it was on, but no desire to seek out agian.
Cocteau Twins
4/5
This was fun. I'm not singing along to any of the songs, but I would definitely listen to it again.
The Shamen
3/5
I liked some of it. Some of it was a bit to much of an 80's vibe. It could also have been quite a bit shorter.
The Streets
3/5
I have always enjoyed Dry Your Eyes. The rest...wasn't awful, but wasn't great either. A little too talky.
The Stranglers
5/5
I really liked this. I'm not even sure what it is, but it just made me happy. I was originally going to go with a high 4, but why be stingy.
Stereo MC's
3/5
It seems like pretty generic 90's dance. It was ok. Not something I would choose again.
Bee Gees
3/5
I can't seem to get over the fact that in my head a Bee Gees song should be upbeat. Something you dance to. These ballads are ok I guess, but it is no Stayin' Alive.
PJ Harvey
4/5
I liked this. It was fun. Got a little strange in spots (The Glorious Land) but overall very enjoyable.
The Clash
3/5
A lot more brass than I was expecting. They sounded like a ska band at times. Great opening track. The rest is pretty good, but it was too long.
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
2/5
I don't know what that was or why there was so much of it. Every time I thought I was starting to enjoy the album it reminded me that I did not.
Bob Dylan
4/5
It was alright, but not my favorite Dylan album. It was just too long and too much stereotypical Dylan for me to give it full marks, but still quite enjoyable.
New Order
4/5
This is my kind of 80's music. I found myself drawn to Elegia in particular.
Dusty Springfield
2/5
Not my favorite. Felt like an album full of covers. Not sure if there were any originals.
Circle Jerks
5/5
Wow. 14 songs in 15 minutes. It is like a shot of frenetic energy. I have never listened to these guys before, but if somebody asked me to explain punk to them, I think this is the album I would use. I feel like this album does exactly what it sent out to do, gotta give it credit. Full marks.
Leonard Cohen
3/5
I enjoyed about half of this. The rest was a bit too 80's for me. And kinda creepy at times.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
3/5
Eh, it was ok. Didn't really tickle me, but didn't irritate me either. I remember enjoying Radio, Radio but nothing else really stood out.
Spacemen 3
4/5
I kinda liked this. Didn't love it, nothing really grabbed me, but it was enjoyable in the background. A lot of it gave me Velvet Underground vibes. Also, I only listened to the original 9 or so songs. I think if I listened to the full double album it would have drug this down at least one star.
Madonna
3/5
Meh, it was ok. Ray of Light had some nostalgia. The rest was fine in the background, but nothing I want to seek out in the future.
Aphex Twin
4/5
Great for background music while working or cooking. I'd definitely throw this one on again.
Fever Ray
5/5
This on reminded me a lot of School of Seven Bells and First Aid Kit which are two bands I really enjoy. It looks like they were both influenced by and fans of this album which makes sense. I also really enjoyed this album. Not sure if it is really an all 5 stars, but I am giving them anyway.
Magazine
4/5
Some solid rock and roll. Never heard of these guys, but I liked their style.
Dr. Dre
2/5
I was actually enjoying quite a few of these tracks. But the skits and that last track, just not for me.
The The
4/5
This was a fun album. Felt more jazzy than I was expecting.
The Beach Boys
3/5
The beach boys are still not my favorite, but this was mostly ok. Except the last track.