Smashing Pumpkins was one of the mainstays of my formative years along with Pearl Jam, Nirvana, etc. I've always preferred Gish and Siamese Dream to Melon Collie but the first half of the first disc is pure fire. It overstays it's welcome and if Corgan could have edited this down to a 60 minute album it would rank right along the best of the Pumpkins.
Highlights:
Tonight, Tonight
Jellybelly
Zero
Galapogos
Muzzle
Transitional album between early Beatles and Superstar Beatles. Their first iconic album.
Highlights:
Drive My Car
Norwegian Wood
Girl
In My Life
Sgt. Pepper raises the conundrum of do you evaluate the album purely on the listening experience or does one need to factor in the context of the album's release and the impact it has? One could argue that no album had a bigger impact on popular music than Sgt Pepper but for me it's songs aren't as strong as the other "iconic" Beatles albums. In retrospect it's kinda of silly that the first concept album is basically just about a band that is singing songs.
Not my preferred genre but always respected the Roots musicianship and enjoyed Things Fall Apart. First time hearing Phrenology and it's a trip. Hip Hop, funk, soul, advant garde noisescapes, and even straight up punk. You gotta commend the Roots for the chances they take on this.
Rock solid bluesy rock album and La Grange is an all timer but I don't find anything exceptional going on here.
Highlights:
Waitin for the.bus
Jesus just left Chicago
La Grange
The first Beatles album comprised only of original material is catchy as hell. Lennon and McCartney might have a future in song writing.
Highlights:
A Hard Day's Night
Can't Buy Me Love
I Should Have Known Better
Any Time at All
First album so far that I haven't heard of before although Connection was familiar so it must have gotten air play at some point. Elastica has some Riot Grrrl going on mixed with some Brit Pop (not my jam). It was an okay enough listen but I don't see myself putting this on again.
Highlights:
Connection
Stutter
A classic album that I used to listen to quite a bit on vinyl. Still doesn't get old on repeat listens. Imagine what other greats albums he could have produced if he didn't turn away from mainstream music for 30+ years.
Highlights:
Where do the children play?
Wild World
Miles From Nowhere
Much better than modern day long dirt road, old pick up truck, short jean shorts, and beer country music.
Highlights:
Guitar Town
Someday
Down The Road
Beautiful album where the songs just flow into each. 50+ years later Marvin Gaye may just be the coolest person who ever existed.
What you get when you cross Bob Dylan with Johnny Cash. Crazy to learn that he retreated form public eye for the conservation of dolphins.
Highlights:
That's the bag I'm in
Ba-Di-Da
Faretheewell
Everybody's talkin
Their 3rd album but this was their big break through. Was in heavy rotation in the early 2000's for me and still holds up all these years later. Shout out to Citizen Kane!
Highlight:
Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground
Fell In Love With a Girl
We're Going to Be Friends
I Think I Smell a Rat
Haven't heard this one before. His first electric album but before he got real avant garde with it so it still plays real smooth.
The Hives always bring the energy and were one the more fun bands of the early 2000s. Knocked a star for being a compilation album.
Highlights:
Hate to Say I Told You So
Main Offender
Die, All Right!
Great mix of Americana, Country, and Blues giving space to each to shine. Several tracks reminded me of Big Thief
Highlights:
Right in Time
Car Wheels On A Gravel Road
Lake Charles
Can't Let Go
Joy
I know that everyone loves Bjork and I can't deny that she has a original sound but it has never worked for me and this album is no exception.
What amazes me the most about this album is how mature it sounds for such a young band. Iconic tracks kick off the album but it fades a bit on the back half.
Has there ever been someone more musically gifted in Pop music than Prince?
Highlights:
Let's Go Crazy
When Doves Cry
Purple Rain
Feels straight out of a film noir - can practically smell the smoke and booze of Mister Kelly's. Musically it's not my cup of tea though
Debut album from one of my favorite bands and it delivers.
MTV 80's Pop icons - pretty boring listen for me
Dumb, but before it's time dumb so there's that?
I mean c'mon it's Zeppelin II.
Great fusion of genres and who has a silkier voice than Ray?
Shitty generic 80's glam rock
Ambient sound scapes to listen to while working - wouldn't recommend listening on its own.
Beginning of the end of the Metallica that I love but this album is still a banger.
A more cheerful poppy Pink Floyd - Mr Blue Sky is an all-timer
The first real rough listen since I started this endeavor, pretty clear why they were a one hit wonder.
Folky rambling cowboy. Meh
Not my wheelhouse for music but I can appreciate all the genres being pulled together here.
ZZ Top goes Pop
Psychedelic hippie circus. The inventiveness grew on my as the album progressed.
Boring boomer rock
Darkest album that came out of the early 90's Seattle scene. Starts off with a bang.
4 stars always for Uncle Neil
beep boop beep
I mean you can easily make the argument for this being the best album of all time.
Ugh won't be listening to this again
Never heard of this band before but reminds me a lot of Gang of Four and can clearly hear their influence on bands like Franz Ferdinand.
Aja is hailed for its production value which is undeniable but the album as a whole is quite boring.
This an album by the Black Keys. The name of the album is Brothers. It's the album where we sell out.
