350
Albums Rated
3.14
Average Rating
32%
Complete
739 albums remaining
Rating Distribution
Rating Timeline
Taste Profile
1970s
Favorite Decade
Grunge
Favorite Genre
US
Top Origin
Wordsmith
Rater Style ?
52
5-Star Albums
24
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Merriweather Post Pavilion
Animal Collective
|
5 | 2.9 | +2.1 |
|
Rocks
Aerosmith
|
5 | 3.12 | +1.88 |
|
Rain Dogs
Tom Waits
|
5 | 3.2 | +1.8 |
|
John Prine
John Prine
|
5 | 3.22 | +1.78 |
|
#1 Record
Big Star
|
5 | 3.26 | +1.74 |
|
Astral Weeks
Van Morrison
|
5 | 3.27 | +1.73 |
|
Neon Bible
Arcade Fire
|
5 | 3.35 | +1.65 |
|
Ready To Die
The Notorious B.I.G.
|
5 | 3.37 | +1.63 |
|
Odessey And Oracle
The Zombies
|
5 | 3.42 | +1.58 |
|
Never Mind The Bollocks, Here’s The Sex Pistols
Sex Pistols
|
5 | 3.46 | +1.54 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Abraxas
Santana
|
1 | 3.72 | -2.72 |
|
Head Hunters
Herbie Hancock
|
1 | 3.55 | -2.55 |
|
James Brown Live At The Apollo
James Brown
|
1 | 3.46 | -2.46 |
|
Diamond Life
Sade
|
1 | 3.42 | -2.42 |
|
Blue Lines
Massive Attack
|
1 | 3.38 | -2.38 |
|
C'est Chic
CHIC
|
1 | 3.34 | -2.34 |
|
Sunday At The Village Vanguard
Bill Evans Trio
|
1 | 3.32 | -2.32 |
|
Winter In America
Gil Scott-Heron
|
1 | 3.25 | -2.25 |
|
Close To You
Carpenters
|
1 | 3.11 | -2.11 |
|
La Revancha Del Tango
Gotan Project
|
1 | 3.04 | -2.04 |
Artists
Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Bob Dylan | 4 | 5 |
| The Rolling Stones | 3 | 5 |
| Beatles | 3 | 4.67 |
| Nirvana | 3 | 4.67 |
| Arcade Fire | 2 | 5 |
| AC/DC | 2 | 5 |
| Talking Heads | 3 | 4.33 |
Least Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Björk | 2 | 1.5 |
Controversial
| Artist | Ratings |
|---|---|
| The Who | 2, 2, 5 |
| Simon & Garfunkel | 2, 5, 3 |
| David Bowie | 2, 4, 5 |
5-Star Albums (52)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
The Mars Volta
3/5
For me this works as background music. It isn't something I would put on when I was wanting a real musical vibe though. There is no circumstance in my life where this fits the mood of I want to pay attention to the music. Lots of cool sounds though. Soft 3.
2 likes
Solomon Burke
2/5
Surprised to see this was a mid 60s record. In terms of interesting sound, this was pretty far behind. Solomon has a cool and talented singing voice, but these songs are boring. The album drags almost from the very beginning. Disappointing.
1 likes
Charles Mingus
2/5
Music to have a psychotic break from reality to! This is mostly just a ton of noises not in harmony. Then something cool pops up and is quickly discarded. Ultimately, my dislike of jazz got the better of me here. It wasn't totally unlistenable though, so it avoids the dreaded 1 star score.
1 likes
Aerosmith
5/5
I was shocked by this one. I've never really been an Aerosmith fan. Growing up in the 90s I heard their hits from that era. I didn't like them. I like sweet emotion but basically just wrote the band off. Imagine my surprise when I put this on and found out it rips. I loved it. I listened again to be sure. Still loved it. Crazy.
1 likes
1-Star Albums (24)
All Ratings
Metallica
4/5
Awesome record. Have loved forever. Still goes hard.
Led Zeppelin
4/5
Thank you is so good and you always forget it. Don't forget it when you rate.
A Tribe Called Quest
2/5
Simon & Garfunkel
2/5
A couple good songs but overall pretty bad.
The Cure
3/5
George Harrison
4/5
Björk
2/5
I can't really see listening to this regularly, but it isn't bad. Just not my preferred style.
Marty Robbins
4/5
Love it.
Duran Duran
3/5
A little samey and some songs drag. Other parts are really great and catch my ear. A mixed bag. Really could give it a 3 or a 4.
Orbital
1/5
Offensively boring. I don't understand how anyone can like this type of music.
Simon & Garfunkel
5/5
Great the whole way through.
Bob Dylan
5/5
Easy 5 stars. I have loved this album for 20 years.
Beth Orton
3/5
Some songs were really great, but it also had some boring stuff. Most songs drug on too long.
Muddy Waters
2/5
I just don't like the blues. This isn't bad, just gets boring. It all sounds sort of the same. And it's so slow and plodding.
Portishead
2/5
This isn't unlistenable. It is very dull though. This type of music just doesn't move me at all.
ZZ Top
3/5
Nick Drake
3/5
PJ Harvey
2/5
The War On Drugs
4/5
Fantastic record. Built for driving on open roads. Songs are probably too long but it does add to the grand feel.
Lloyd Cole And The Commotions
3/5
This isn't reinventing anything. But it is pretty pleasant. Just a real solid record.
Beach House
2/5
This is pretty but very boring.
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
3/5
Not a jazz fan, but as jazz goes this is solid. So I'm grading on a curve a bit.
Arcade Fire
5/5
This album is great. No duds. I don't know what most of the lyrics mean but they sound cool.
Mike Ladd
2/5
Cool beats on a dull record.
Anita Baker
2/5
I actually like this a fair bit, but I'll never listen to it. Cool yacht rock sound musically but I don't like the lyrics. Too cheesy.
The Rolling Stones
5/5
Probably about 90% of the music I love owes something to this period Stones. This is just a front to back great album.
Jamiroquai
2/5
This just sounds so sterile. There are plenty of cool instrumental moments but they just don't feel genuine. I can't imagine anyone hearing this and actually being moved to dance. Also lyrically this is terrible.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
3/5
This is a decent album. Nothing more or less.
Janelle Monáe
3/5
This is clearly cool and interesting. But I like music that fits some life situation or feeling. This is too all over the place and crazy to feel that way. So I'll never listen to it again. That's my problem with avant-garde records. I recognize them as cool but they make me feel nothing. Still better than lots of stuff though so I'll go 3.
Count Basie & His Orchestra
4/5
I'm not normally a fan of jazz/instrumental music, but this is really good and fun. Not something I'd put on a lot but I have to admit once in a while I will. A total surprise of a 4 for me.
Kanye West
4/5
Joni Mitchell
2/5
A really strange album for me. On lots of songs there were things I really like or drew me in. But then something would happen that felt like something that would happen in an snl sketch with weird singers. Ultimately I didn't like this much but it's probably the album I disliked with the most random moments I loved.
Common
4/5
When Kanye produced albums in this era they were basically always really good.
Mj Cole
1/5
This type of music is for someone. That someone is not me. Electronic music like this is punishingly boring and I can't imagine being moved by this. I guess if I was doing club drugs I could tolerate it but I'm not so I can't.
Siouxsie And The Banshees
4/5
This album rules.
Janis Joplin
3/5
Could have possibly went to a 4. The highs on this are very high but a lot is just really solid. Either way, it's a pretty good record.
Arcade Fire
5/5
I love it.
Röyksopp
2/5
Big Star
5/5
5/5
Carpenters
1/5
Brutal.
ZZ Top
3/5
Culture Club
2/5
Assumed I would hate this but honestly it's got some bops. It needs some editing though. Too many songs and too many long songs. Overall I will never go back to this.
Eminem
4/5
The Kinks
3/5
I love the kinks but this isn't one of my favorites. Still solid though.
The Undertones
3/5
Better than a 3 but not quite a 4. I will listen to at least some of it again.
The Verve
2/5
A couple great songs but mostly just long and boring. There is no real point to listening to most of this record.
Ella Fitzgerald
2/5
This just isn't for me. Me rating it is silly.
Motörhead
3/5
John Coltrane
2/5
R.E.M.
3/5
I love R.E.M but this isn't their best.
The Last Shadow Puppets
3/5
I hadn't heard this and was excited for it. Turns out it's just sort of fine so there is no reason to have heard of it. Bummer.
The Smiths
4/5
Morrissey is a problem, but this record is really good.
AC/DC
5/5
I have loved this album for 25 years. It rules.
Rod Stewart
3/5
Really good album but too many songs go on too long. Close to a four but I think a strong three is right.
Randy Newman
3/5
Randy is a tough one to rate. I really love his music as I'm listening to it but I never really put it on. The social commentary is great but I don't really listen to music for biting satire. I guess it's a 3, but it's damn good.
Santana
1/5
I hate Santana.
Tears For Fears
4/5
Awesome arrangements. Great 80s synth pop. A lot of the songs do run too long though. One thing this project is teaching me is that I don't think very many songs should run over 5 minutes and most not even that.
Queen
3/5
Queen has better records. They are a band that I think it's great but also don't really want to listen to that often so this can't ride above a 3 even though there is tons of talent here.
Bad Company
2/5
Very boring classic rock.
Beastie Boys
4/5
I've never actually listened to this record. I've of course heard sabotage and love it. Turns out the whole record is really good. Strong 4.
The Rolling Stones
5/5
This is my favorite albums of all time. Perfect.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
3/5
George Michael
3/5
The fast songs are good. The slow songs are bad.
Stevie Wonder
3/5
Paul McCartney and Wings
5/5
I love this entire album.
Elton John
4/5
Very very close to a 5.
Beatles
4/5
It's good, but I don't love it as much as some other Beatles records.
Rush
4/5
This is obviously goofy in certain ways, but it doesn't stop it from being really good. A band like rush needs to exist to fill this weird niche.
John Prine
5/5
I love it. I'd give it a 6 if I could.
Fugees
4/5
Very good. Slightly tighter and may be a 5.
Scott Walker
3/5
This is a strange record. Not bad but very weird. It's sort of like a movie soundtrack. But also not? I don't love it, but I will say I think becoming familiar with this type of thing is why I'm doing this challenge.
Curtis Mayfield
3/5
Definitely got a cool sound. Not one I'll go back to much though. Also don't love the vocals.
Killing Joke
2/5
I really like music like this. But this isn't really a very interesting version of this style. Strange choice.
50 Cent
3/5
I was 20 when this came out and it was huge. I've heard basically all of these songs but I don't think I've ever just listened to the album through. It's not my favorite but it's pretty good. I like it more than most modern hip hop. But not a top hip hop record for me. Would be a 3.5 if I could.
UB40
2/5
Long, boring, samey. I like reggae to an extent, but when I don't I think it's a pretty bad style of music. This is just not good enough to rise above a 2.
Paul Simon
5/5
One of my favorite records ever.
The Beau Brummels
4/5
I'd never heard of these guys. Really glad I now have. These guys are very good.
Sinead O'Connor
4/5
I never listened to sinead in the 90s. I clearly was wrong about her sound. This is really great.
Booker T. & The MG's
2/5
Lots of decent songs in isolation, but as an album pretty boring.
Manic Street Preachers
2/5
Cool music. I can't understand a word they say.
The Boo Radleys
3/5
This is very 90s in ways both good and bad. Easy to see why someone would love it and why someone would hate it. I'm in between. I can't see coming back to it though. Also it's too long. Would give 2.5 if I could.
Morrissey
3/5
I actually like this quite a bit, but probably not enough to seek it out again. Sort of a perfect 3 album.
Violent Femmes
4/5
Great album. Very close to a 5, but just short.
Depeche Mode
3/5
I did like this quite a bit. But 3 seems fair.
Depeche Mode
3/5
I got Depeche mode two days in a row. I feel largely the same as music for the masses. I like this but it's still probably just a 3 with this scale. It just isn't music I can see myself putting on. It doesn't really capture a mood I'm ever in.
Public Enemy
2/5
Way too long. It isn't awful but it isn't really good. I can see it's cultural significance and can see why someone would give this 5, but for me it just isn't much.
Incredible Bongo Band
3/5
This was good, but not something I'm going to regularly put on. Incredible source of samples though.
Taylor Swift
2/5
This isn't exactly bad, but it's also not really anything. It's overproduced and seems like normal inauthentic pop music. Music for people who just listen to whatever is on terrestrial radio. I don't see how the type of person who would take on this project really needs to hear this. Even if they haven't heard this specifically, they've heard it many times before.
Girls Against Boys
2/5
Mixed bag. Some songs are pretty ripping. Qotsa sound. But then a totally dull slow shit song comes on. I suppose bands like this had to walk so better bands could run. But I'm trying to rate based on how well I like the record not significance, impact, or influence. So this is a 2.
2/5
The Cisco Kid is great. Everything else is not for me.
Leonard Cohen
2/5
This is too dreary for me. It does nothing for me. Sounds like it's for sad people. That said it's not unlistenable so not a 1.
Ash
3/5
Vocals are too low in the mix. Other than that this is a solid if unremarkable version of this style of music. Other bands did it better.
Joni Mitchell
3/5
The absolute softest 3. It's probably more of a 2 for me personally, but it's artistic accomplishment is pretty undeniable so a 3 seems more correct. Plus river is very good.
Oasis
4/5
Excellent rock and roll from around the last time rock and any cultural hold. Not quite perfect enough to get a 5, but a very easy 4.
The Mars Volta
3/5
For me this works as background music. It isn't something I would put on when I was wanting a real musical vibe though. There is no circumstance in my life where this fits the mood of I want to pay attention to the music. Lots of cool sounds though. Soft 3.
The Police
4/5
Great record drug down by 1 real stinker.
B.B. King
2/5
I just don't like the blues. It's not unlistenable so it gets a 2.
The Temptations
2/5
I liked the back half a fair amount. I was not a fan of the funk sound of the first half though. And even the back half didn't reach the standards of great motown. Kind of a bummer really.
Kate Bush
3/5
Not accessible to get above a 3, but too cool to fall below a 3. It is really cool, but just not something I'd come back to.
The Notorious B.I.G.
5/5
One of the greatest MCs of all time. One of the greatest hip hop albums of all time. Incredible honesty. Biggie really wrestled with his street life and his guilt for living that life here. People saying it's just about fucking and killing aren't listening at all.
3/5
I like XTC quite a lot. I'm not sure this needs to be on the list though. It's solid but not really necessary considering other XTC albums are much more essential.
The Who
2/5
Concept albums, rock operas, etc can't be great. I'll die on that hill. The greatest albums are full of songs that speak to specifics of the human condition. They can't exist to tell some half ass, ill explained tale. Some good tracks here though.
Talking Heads
4/5
This is a great record that defies categorization. It's challenging but accessible. It's lack of complete of complete bangers (there are some but not enough) is all that keeps it from a 5. It's an extremely strong 4.
R.E.M.
4/5
I love R.E.M.
Sister Sledge
3/5
This is much better than I expected. Basically every song was too long though. Still a strong 3.
Nirvana
5/5
An all time great record. Easy 5 star.
The National
3/5
The national are a band I want to love. I always like their records ok, but never love them. In part I think it's because I always get the sense that writing something I think is incredible is within their grasp. I also think if they wrote lyrics that were more clear about what they wanted to say and less poetryish I'd like them better.
I almost want to give this a 2 out of this frustration, but it wouldn't capture how I feel about the songs as they are, only how I wish they were. So, it's a 3.
Fatboy Slim
4/5
In general I don't like electronics, but come on. This record is great and full of bangers. It's probably as close to a 5 as any electronic record will come. Strong 4.
The Psychedelic Furs
4/5
This was my first time listening to the psychedelic furs. It won't be the last. This was really good. I liked the entire record.
Elton John
4/5
This has tons of good songs. But it also is too long. It has Benny and the jets, but it also has Jamaican jerk off. Ultimately for me it's a 4 because it's clearly great at lots of points but doesn't maintain that greatness enough to climb to a 5.
Alice Cooper
3/5
It's solid. Not something I'll go back up but it's got some cool stuff.
Waylon Jennings
3/5
I like music like this and this isn't bad at all, but nothing really grabs me either.
Steely Dan
5/5
The Dan rules.
Napalm Death
3/5
First of all, I can completely understand why someone would hate this. But if you are someone that ever wants to kick the world's teeth in then I think you can vibe with this. It's not an every day listen type of thing but it definitely has its place in my life more than lots of higher ranked records on this list. Plus Siege of Power fucking rocks.
Mudhoney
2/5
A pretty average version of a style of music with limited room for error.
Lou Reed
3/5
Bit of a direct innit? This is actually pretty good and I'm tempted to go 4 here, but I think the fact that I will probably not go back to this for the most part probably keeps it a 3.
The Cure
3/5
A little too down for me. The cure are at their best when the music is more upbeat. Also, the drums just got a bit annoying for me in parts. Still, not awful and I could see listening on a rainy day.
Belle & Sebastian
3/5
I like Belle and Sebastian, but this isn't my favorite of theirs. Not a lot of stand out tracks.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
2/5
There is a reason the Bob Marley album everyone has is Legend. This isn't legend.
Jack White
3/5
This is a solid record. By no means is it a must hear. Strange to be on the list.
The Thrills
2/5
I can not imagine telling a friend they have to listen to this record. It does nothing of note. And the vocals are awful. It gets a 2 because it didn't make me turn it off.
Rufus Wainwright
1/5
This is music for people who call people who are normal "sheep" and use the word sportsball. Fucking awful.
Pulp
4/5
Fantastic. What Britpop should be.
Roxy Music
4/5
Lots of songs on here that could be on a 5 record but a few that hold it back. Overall a really good record that I listen to a few times a year.
Peter Gabriel
4/5
This record is great. It is what I think art rock/experimental music should be. Only thing keeping it from a 5 is the lack of certified bangers that you can always listen to.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
4/5
This is really close to a 5 for me. Probably has one or two too many average songs, but even they are interesting and under the right circumstances I'd like hearing them. Nick cave really should be more well known.
Queen
3/5
Queen are absurdly talented. This isn't my favorite of theirs though, and even my favorites don't always work for me. Still can't go below a 3 though.
The Velvet Underground
3/5
I get why people don't like it. But in general I think it's pretty good. Sister Ray is good. The gift is awful though.
Led Zeppelin
5/5
It's zoso
Van Morrison
5/5
This is a favorite of mine. I think it's truly beautiful. This album puts me in mind of sitting outside, watching a sunset, and thinking of the good times spent with a friend you recently lost. Or perhaps you are dying and thinking of the happy moments in your life. It makes me reflective in a way that is beautiful and sad. I'm not sure what higher praise I can give to a piece of music.
D'Angelo
1/5
This sucks.
Talking Heads
4/5
Tom Waits
4/5
You either like the music of a psychotic carnival barker singing over nothing but weird percussion or you don't. I do.
Frankie Goes To Hollywood
3/5
Much more interesting and variable than I was expecting. Probably not something I go back to, but worth listening to.
TLC
3/5
This isn't really a style of music I care for, but it does it pretty well. Overall I didn't mind listening to it, a few bangers, and extreme horniness. A classic 3.
Talking Heads
5/5
Quite possibly my favorite Talking Heads record.
Bob Dylan
5/5
Bob Dylan is one of my favorite artists and one where how someone feels about him informs how much I respect their music tastes. This is an incredibly easy 5.
Morrissey
3/5
I like this. I don't love it. Seems to be how I feel about most Morrissey.
The Who
2/5
I like the who but this is before they started doing much interesting. I can appreciate it for its historical importance but that's it.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
4/5
Not exactly something that I want in heavy rotation. A seriously heavy record. But it's also pretty incredible at accomplishing its goals.
Simon & Garfunkel
3/5
For me, Simon and Garfunkel have very high and very low lows. They probably deserve their place in music history but I don't begrudge anyone who thinks this is the weeniest shit ever. This record sort of epitomizes all that. For me it's a soft 3.
3/5
This was a tough one for me. It hovers between a 3 and a 4. Ultimately, I probably won't relisten often enough to give it a 4. But it's good.
The Teardrop Explodes
3/5
This is a style of music I'm somewhat embarrassed I like as much as I do. That said, this is only an ok version of this style.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
5/5
One of the all time great sitting on your porch, drinking beer albums. Which just happens to be my favorite thing to do.
George Jones
3/5
Public Enemy
4/5
It's obviously dated, but it still weirdly holds up. Chaotic and full of great beats. Chuck D sounds cool as hell. Surprisingly I could see myself throwing this on occasionally.
Yes
2/5
Lots of really cool ideas on this. Lots of really bad ones too. Hard to give this more than a 2 when I don't think I would put a single song on by choice. Two probably seems a bit harsher than my feelings for this, but I don't think it is a 3.
Joan Armatrading
3/5
Pretty good. I'll have to revisit sometime.
Living Colour
2/5
The parts of these songs are often good, but the whole mostly stinks. No way this can get above a 2 and at times I thought it might be a 1. Ultimately the musicianship drug it to a 2.
Nirvana
5/5
Probably my favorite live album ever. Perfection.
Aretha Franklin
3/5
This is the type of record that I know is good and deserving of respect. But I don't like soul music. That said, giving it less than a 3 is allowing my personal taste to creep in too much.
Britney Spears
2/5
I do not like this. It's not a style of music that I enjoy or think deserves much respect. But, trying to meet it on its terms, I can get it to a 2.
Michael Jackson
3/5
This has a few classics, but overall feels like an artist on the way to great records that isn't there yet. Which is basically where Michael was at the time. The production is top notch. For me it's solid but not great.
Sade
1/5
Bad smooth jazz instrumentation. Bad lyrics. Bad vocals. This is a record that would be liked by a middle aged woman with the worst taste in music that you know.
Earth, Wind & Fire
2/5
Their is some interesting musicianship on here, but I generally do not like the songs at all. This is just not a genre of music for me. Another one that I don't like, but since I'm not mad that it even exists it gets a 2.
The Monkees
4/5
The Monkees are often said to be underrated. This album definitely supports that position. This is great 60s pop. No it isn't the Beatles. The fact that a band isn't the equal of the greatest band of all time is not the knock some seem to think it is.
Sarah Vaughan
3/5
This is a fun live album because they left in some obvious goofs and playful stuff that normally gets removed. But I think the vocals are too high in the mix and I'm pretty indifferent to this music on the whole.
Radiohead
4/5
I'm not a huge Radiohead fan. In general I think the are Overratediohead. This album is the exception. It's fantastic. It misses a 5 for me just because it's a bit too dour for regular re-listens. It is a very strong 4 though.
Sabu
1/5
This is a style of music that ideas can be taken from and cool music can be made. But it in its raw form for an entire album? No thanks. It's awful.
Sly & The Family Stone
2/5
It's got some good songs and some stuff I hated. Sort of hovers between 2 and 3 for me. I don't like the good songs enough to outweigh the bad I suppose.
Def Leppard
4/5
Glam metal, pop metal, hair metal, cock rock, butt rock. Whatever you want to call it, this music is fun. At some point people decided rock stars partying and sleeping with women was a bad scene. I disagree. And this is good.
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
It's a classic for a reason. It's probably not my favorite Bruce record though. It is a bit back loaded. But the great songs are true all timers, especially the title track. Could see getting to a 5, but I think a 4 feels right for me.
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
2/5
For me Tom Petty is an artist where you can basically get by with the greatest hits record. And even on his greatest hits I think there is some pretty skippable stuff. Breakdown, for instance. This record definitely doesn't change that feel.
The Flaming Lips
4/5
Tons of great stuff on here. This is the first time I've listened to a flaming lips album all the way through. It won't be the last. My biggest complaint is that the back half fades a bit to better background than foreground music for me.
Tom Waits
5/5
I love Tom Waits and this might be my favorite of his. It's not the right record for any time, but driving alone late at night there isn't a better record.
Keith Jarrett
2/5
Tough one for me. I'm definitely not qualified to comment on the skill on display here. I definitely didn't hate it, but listening to someone noodle around on the piano for an hour is not my idea of good music. The record has an interesting story but I'll never go back to this. For me it's a 2, but I'm sure the level of playing on here is much higher.
Dr. John
3/5
I'd never heard this one before. Lots of really good. Some pretty decent stuff. Nothing I outright hated. Definitely weird and interesting. I won't go back to this much, but I'm glad I know of it now. This is the type of thing I was looking for when I started this challenge.
Nirvana
4/5
I like this record a lot, but for me it's not at the level of their other records. Still has some great songs though. Strong 4.
Lynyrd Skynyrd
5/5
It's a stone cold classic. 4 of 8 tracks are legendary and the other 4 are real good.
Aerosmith
5/5
I was shocked by this one. I've never really been an Aerosmith fan. Growing up in the 90s I heard their hits from that era. I didn't like them. I like sweet emotion but basically just wrote the band off. Imagine my surprise when I put this on and found out it rips. I loved it. I listened again to be sure. Still loved it. Crazy.
A Tribe Called Quest
2/5
I get it. I don't like it. Way too long. Boring. Just not for me. 2 stars cause it isn't awful and Can I Kick It is good.
Hawkwind
2/5
Absolutely incredible levels of wankery on this. I like drugs too, but get real. This narrowly misses a 1 just because there are some good things under all the dumb shit.
R.E.M.
5/5
I'm in the tank for R.E.M. big time. I love them and I don't understand why they don't seem to have a larger cultural footprint. They are honestly one of the best bands of all time and so far ahead of other bands of the era. Yet, they don't seem to have the lasting acclaim they deserve. I'll never understand. Anyways, easy 5 stars.
R.E.M.
4/5
I think R.E.M grew in an interesting way. It makes sense. But I prefer the earlier, more rocking stuff better. That said, this has some incredible songs and even if it's not my favorite it's still really really good.
Cheap Trick
3/5
This is good, but I don't love love albums. I also think it's reputation is better than deserved. Still, a solid album with no terrible flaws.
Orange Juice
3/5
This was a new one to me. Lots of my favorite music was influenced by this or Orange Juice was influenced by them. It doesn't rise to the level of the bands I'm reminded of. It is good though. Ultimately for me it's a super strong 3 or a soft 4. I went 3 because that is the rating I use for a wider array of albums. 4s are something I'd listen to more than this.
Jimi Hendrix
3/5
Jimi is incredible and way ahead of his time. But this album is a mixed bag for me. The good songs are all timers. But there are plenty of songs on here I don't really care about hearing again. Which is kind of my take on most Jimi records. For me he is a greatest hits record artist. With all due respect.
Gotan Project
1/5
Elevator music, hotel music, fancy store music, restaurant music, DVD menu music. It's fine for that, but I can't imagine being passionate about this. It's just somewhat decent background music. You don't need to hear this before you die, because you've basically heard it before in hundreds of places. Also, why do people who make this soulless music think the songs need to be 5 minutes long at minimum? For what this is, it's OK and I could see giving it a 2. The problem is I could not give a shit less about what this is. Most electronic music sucks, but subdued electronic music is especially baffling to me.
Method Man
3/5
Meth has never been my favorite Wu Tang member. This record sort of just reinforces my feeling that he is extremely solid but a little unremarkable. I don't like how muddy the vocals are on lots of this either. This is a record that I wouldn't be mad to here come on but I'm not seeking it out either.
Iggy Pop
3/5
I'm more of a stooges guy. I hate lust for life, but I love the passenger. Everything else is solid if not great. Classic 3.
The Young Rascals
3/5
Based on the cover art I figured I would really be bored by this. I was definitely wrong. This is solid blue eyed soul with more interesting things going on instrumentally than I would have expected. I'm probably not coming back to it, so if can't really get above a 3 for me. That score is not disparaging here though. Solid.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
3/5
This record is too up and down for me. I don't hate any of it, but not a lot rises to great for me. It's between a soft 4 and a strong 3 for me. Going with a 3 because I know I'm not going back to most of this much at all.
Aerosmith
3/5
After my surprising love of Rocks, I was excited to listen to this in full. Turns out it just reinforced my priors. Early Aerosmith isn't great, but they aren't awful. Sweet Emotion is great though. Probably not coming back to this one.
Solomon Burke
2/5
Surprised to see this was a mid 60s record. In terms of interesting sound, this was pretty far behind. Solomon has a cool and talented singing voice, but these songs are boring. The album drags almost from the very beginning. Disappointing.
Basement Jaxx
2/5
I don't like this style of music, but I got kollaps after this and hadn't given a star rating to basement jaxx yet. That reminded me what a 1 star album is. So this gets a 2.
Einstürzende Neubauten
1/5
Fuck everything about this. Music for the type of people I hate the most.
CHIC
1/5
The songs are too long. I don't like disco or dancing to this style of music. This is not influential on almost any band or style of music I care about. It has good production. A 1 is too harsh, but I really did not like this. So it gets a 1.
The Youngbloods
3/5
I liked this record overall. Sort of reminds me of the dead at times. It suffers from a lack of true bangers though. Some hits to truly ground it would have helped it rise above a 3 and find a spot in the rotation.
The Cramps
3/5
This is solid. I love punk. I love surf rock. I don't like rockabilly. I like horror. I like horniness. Overall this hits a lot of the right notes. The issue is it gets a little samey and is probably too kitschy to listen to with any regularity. Still, it's good to know this is out there.
Cornershop
3/5
It's nice to hear something a little different. Indian/East Asian sounds haven't really shown up for me so far. I didn't love this and won't really go back to it, but I'm glad I listened. It certainly wasn't awful.
Hugh Masekela
3/5
I don't like jazz. So this is grading on a curve for sure, but this isn't too bad for jazz. If I was wanting to listen to jazz for some reason, I could see this being a choice.
3/5
Musically I like a ton of this. Lyrics wise I don't.
Travis
3/5
The blandness of this doesn't upset me like some here, but it doesn't move me either. I caught myself spacing out while listening to this a lot. This is just sort of there music. Which I guess is better than awful music.
Fiona Apple
4/5
I love Fiona. I think her later records are a bit better, but this is still great. For a 19 year old it's pretty incredible. Not quite a five for me, because of a slightly laggy middle.
Jimmy Smith
2/5
I don't like jazz. There, I said it. Every once in a while something jazzy catches my ear, but in the aggregate I don't like jazz. This isn't as annoying to listen to as some things on this list though.
Goldfrapp
2/5
Instrumentally it is very pretty. Vocally it's God awful. It was boring. I also think it's for people who have a lot bigger feelings than I do about lots of things. Celebration rock this ain't.
2/5
This style of music works as a single song. An entire album is way too much. There isn't a single certified banger on here either.
Van Halen
5/5
Eddie is probably my favorite guitarist and this record shows why. It's just a fun rock record. The type no one is making anymore. Love it.
Siouxsie And The Banshees
2/5
It pains me to give this score. This was very influential for lots of bands I love and styles of music I love. Unfortunately, I really didn't enjoy this while listening. Too goth, awful singing, not melodic, boring instrumentation. Bummer.
Echo And The Bunnymen
2/5
Another post punk record that just didn't grab me. Influential, but not fully baked into what the genre would become.
Coldplay
4/5
I know hating Coldplay is fashionable, I'm just not sure why. Because they aren't exciting? This album is basically just one great song after another. It doesn't move me the way 5 start albums do, but this is such an easy 4.
Laura Nyro
4/5
This one caught me off guard. It's pretty weird. Part soul, part folk, part show tunes. It's hard for me to score it because I'm not sure how often I'll go back to it. But it was pretty cool overall, and I liked a lot of it. Plus, I like that it felt like a big swing.
The Fall
2/5
I enjoy the music quite a bit. I fucking hate the vocals. Nothing is less cool than people who don't show excitement and passion in their life. Being "too cool" too get hype is an immediate dismissal for me. Mark E Smith spends this whole record feeling this way. I can't stand it. And it annoys me even more because he is ruining solid music.
The Beach Boys
4/5
The beach boys have such a crazy history for a band that seem like dorks from simpler times. Anyways, they are good and so is this record.
Foo Fighters
4/5
I'm not a huge Foo Fighters fan. I do like the first two albums though. And I think the fact that this was just Dave alone adds something to it. This album loses steam some in the second half, but remains solid and never craters. It's probably not great enough for a five, but it's a really easy 4.
Television
5/5
I've loved this record for years. It's such an obvious influence on so many modern indie bands. And it holds up so well and doesn't seem dated at all.
The Human League
4/5
I love 80s synth pop. I can't even totally explain why. It just hits my ear the right way. It also heavily influenced bands that I love like Future Islands or Nation of Language. I wouldn't say this is a perfect record, though. The album starts out a bit slow for me, but it does continue to build to that incredible finish. Overall its very good, and I'll be adding this to my listening collection.
The Cars
5/5
One of my all time favorites. Practically every track is a greatest hit. The Cars probably had more to do with my love of 80s synth than any other band.
The Mothers Of Invention
2/5
To me this sounds like music made by people too afraid to try to make good music that people will actually like. By making this they can say "the sheep just don't get it, we're too smart for them." Then they never have to actually try to make music that people will unironically love, so they never risk failing. I'll give it an extra star because there is talent here. Unfortunately they were too cowardly to actually use that talent to make music for people who aren't trying hard to be "different."
The Strokes
5/5
Everything about this is great. I've had it on rotation for over 2 decades. It's a perfect record.
Spiritualized
2/5
It's not terrible, but it is boring. I'm not really in to super spacy music like this. It seems best suited for just laying around listening to music and doing nothing else. I don't do that, so for me it's just boring music that I ignore.
Stevie Wonder
2/5
Stevie always has great instrumentation. Unfortunately, he has embarrassingly bad lyrics. And his ballads suck. One of the most overrated artists in the canon for me.
The Beta Band
3/5
I don't hate this. It's nice. It just doesn't inspire much passion either. It kind of just exists as fine music that isn't really much of anything.
Taylor Swift
2/5
I can't say I liked this, but it's not really made for middle aged dads either. It's just so mediocre. It's catchy, but only on the surface. The instrumentation has no soul. The lyrics are laughably bad at several points. It's just incredibly sterile pop. Compare to someone like early and mid career Madonna and you see the lack of balls. I know it's got teen girls, but it really seems to be for pre teens. Before kids understand anger, fear, oppression, horniness, really any real feelings. The adults that are in to this are the real frightening ones. Anyways, I'll give a 2 because I reserve 1s for things that I find to be so bad I'm mad it exists. This isn't that.
Ian Dury
2/5
Lots of these songs are fairly catchy, instrumentally. But the lyrics are obviously goofy. I don't mind a silly song, but a whole album gets grating. Then again, 1 goofy song on a sincere album lessens the whole. Silly songs need to be divorced from album context. Anyways... this album is too tongue in cheek for me to ever listen to again. I wish the solid music had been used for something else.
SZA
3/5
This isn't really made for me, but it's not awful. It is surprisingly boring though. Just down the middle for me.
Red Snapper
1/5
There are moments on this that could work decently as a soundtrack to a movie or TV show. As music to just listen to there are none. It's boring. It just kind of exists. I knew a guy in college who fucked around on his computer making music like this. I hated when he had me listen to it. He's in sales and marketing now.
Eagles
2/5
Look it's considered to make fun of the Eagles just like El Duderino. And that makes sense, the Eagles suck. Take it easy has its time and place though.
Gram Parsons
3/5
You can draw a straight line from this to tons of music I love today. But this is probably still too early of a version. It's close to hitting the mark but just misses for me. Still, it's solid.
Frank Black
4/5
I love the Pixies but somehow had never heard this. I loved it, but it does suffer from mid 90s, CD bloat. There is a 5 star record on here but ultimately there is too much filler. Still an easy 4.
Charles Mingus
2/5
Music to have a psychotic break from reality to! This is mostly just a ton of noises not in harmony. Then something cool pops up and is quickly discarded. Ultimately, my dislike of jazz got the better of me here. It wasn't totally unlistenable though, so it avoids the dreaded 1 star score.
Soul II Soul
2/5
This does nothing for me. I don't hate it, but I don't like it. It's just a bit above bad.
Bad Brains
3/5
Younger me probably would have liked this more. I just feel kind of silly listening to this type of stuff at this stage of life. Overall it isn't awful though. Wasn't a big fan of the vocal style.
Bill Evans Trio
1/5
Jazz sucks, but with that in mind I still especially hated this. So dull. Music to wander a Barnes and Noble to.
The Go-Go's
3/5
Definitely solid. I'm some ways very good. It can't quite get to a 4 for me, but it's close. Wish I could give a 3.5.
Gil Scott-Heron
1/5
This seems custom made for me to hate. Just a big jumble of things I don't like in music. I guess I can see how a certain type of music can might like this, but I'm not the type.
Richard Hawley
1/5
Maybe I'm just not feeling this today, but I hated this. It's just a version of things that have been done better 100s of times before. It sounds like some average talent musician in a coffee shop or winery. It commits the worst sin in the arts... it's boring. This is the first record I've gotten where I have no clue why I would need to hear this before I die.
Sex Pistols
5/5
I don't trust anyone who has never wanted to burn the whole fucking thing down.
Ramblin' Jack Elliott
2/5
The problem is, as a link between Woodie and Dylan, Jack pales in comparison. Not one song rises to a level beyond passable.
Dennis Wilson
4/5
This is a great record. Incredible instrumentation. Powerful vocals. Very pretty. I'm torn between a 4 and a 5. I think the lack of some obvious bangers (the bangers are there, they just aren't for everyone) keeps it from a 5. But that does hurt my heart to say.
The Everly Brothers
4/5
Nothing annoys me more than people whining about how guys liking girls is misogynistic. So the main complaint people seem to have with this record doesn't bother me. Harmonies on this are solid. Great example of cool old early sixties music. Golden oldies baby!
Massive Attack
1/5
I really tried. I just hate music like this. I think trip hop might me my most despised genre, even over jazz.
Fishbone
1/5
Honestly, this is embarrassing. I can't imagine being the type of person who likes this, let alone makes it. It's not fun or funny, it's just cringe.
King Crimson
2/5
King Crimson is a band that I've heard about forever from lots of people whose musical taste I think is at least decent. I've never listened to them though, because the description of them always sounded like pure wankery. Unfortunately, on this record it is. Two stars because listening to it doesn't make me angry, but it does mostly suck with cool ideas mixed in once in a while.
The Doors
2/5
The Doors are one of the canonical rock bands I like the least. Jim Morrison just seems like he would be the least enjoyable person to spend time with ever. That fucking organ is SO high in the mix. It all just gets on my nerves. It avoids a 1 because there are some good ideas in here. They just get buried in the crap.
Simple Minds
3/5
I really like new wave, but this didn't move me like I hoped it would. Just not much catchy stuff on here. Glittering Prize basically saved this from a 2, but it was close. I think the vocals being buried and not being catchy really is what lowered this for me.
Missy Elliott
4/5
Drags just a little at points, but overall it's fantastic. Pretty easy 4.
Bonnie Raitt
2/5
This is a clear progenitor to 90s pop country. I like 90s pop country to a point. You can make a pretty fire playlist out of it for sitting around a campfire. But it also has a very narrow lane for being good and it's easy for it to fall to pretty awful. This album didn't really hit the mark. It is just kind of nothing. Too bland for anything over a 2. Not so bad that it gets a 1.
Dire Straits
4/5
I just really like dire straits. Something about knopflers singing and guitar sound.
Wu-Tang Clan
5/5
Top 5 Hip Hop album for me.
Tracy Chapman
4/5
This is a very strong album. It just isn't an album I'll really ever put on. That would lead me to giving it a 3. But!, it has Fast Car on it. That is like a top 25 song of all time. So I'm giving this a pretty easy 4.
The Smiths
4/5
It's a good record. Probably could go three or four stars. I guess I'll go a soft 4.
Bonnie "Prince" Billy
3/5
I only listened to about half of this since it isn't on spotify. It was decent.
Nick Drake
4/5
I really like this. It has more instrumentation than some of Nick Drake's stuff. Just a pleasant record.
The Who
5/5
Pretenders
2/5
There is a lot of good instrumentation on this. And I actually don't hate the vocals. But for me it all adds up to less than the sum of its parts.
PJ Harvey
3/5
I would have liked this a lot as a younger person. At 40 I'm just not that angry or angst filled anymore. Still, it's pretty solid.
Fever Ray
2/5
This was not as bad as most electronic music on this list. It just wasn't that great either. Still at least it was interesting. Strong 2.
GZA
4/5
It's a great record. I love all of the sampling and the mood that rza gives the music. GZA is on point throughout. The lack of 1 or 2 stone cold classics keeps it from a 5th star.
Neil Young
4/5
It's a great record, but not my favorite neil record. Too much of a downer to be a 5 for me. It is a very strong 4 though.
The Mothers Of Invention
2/5
I fucking hate people who "see through the bullshit, man!" Nothing is less appealing than people who think they are better than "normies" and "sheeple". A bunch of losers deciding they are enlightened because they couldn't hack real life. This whole record is a battle cry for these types. I'll give a 2 because this wasn't the worst example of this and there is some good instrumentation.
Grizzly Bear
2/5
This should have been in my wheel house when it was released. But, even then I thought it was boring. Two weeks saves it from one star.
Alanis Morissette
4/5
This is a deeply 90s album. Luckily for it, I was 11 in 1995. Just starting to really listen to music on a deeper level. This was a huge smash for a reason. I wouldn't take issue with anyone giving this a lower score, but for me this is very solid and has done undeniable SCCs.
Van Morrison
3/5
Lots of good on this. But it drags a bit, especially disc 2. Still a solid 3.
The Beach Boys
5/5
It's one of the greatest records ever.
Prince
5/5
Jean-Michel Jarre
3/5
Pretty futuristic dude! I actually enjoyed this reasonably well. I had a bunch of boring data entry to do and this was fun background music for it. Not something I'd really put on in a normal setting but pretty chill and solid bg music.
Super Furry Animals
2/5
More dull brit pop. Why do they insist on making such dull songs? Is it because it's gloomy there so much? Ugh.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
3/5
I like several Elvis Costello records. This one has lots of cool instrumentation, and definitely influenced some things that came after it. But I just didn't really connect with this album. I don't hate it, but it just never grabbed me.
Björk
1/5
I hate Bjork.
Blondie
3/5
I thought I would be super into this. It's solid but it wasn't at the level I was expecting. Still a fun record.
Eurythmics
3/5
Cool sounds on this one. Probably not something I'll come back to.
Marianne Faithfull
4/5
This is damn cool. Full of piss and vinegar. I like the dated instrumentation and he scratchy voice. Seems like a record that needed to happen for lots of things that came after.
David Bowie
2/5
I just don't really like the Berlin albums.
Terence Trent D'Arby
2/5
He has a nice voice. Their is talent on display here. It's just not a style of music I'm into.
Bob Dylan
5/5
I can't believe this was sort of panned when it was released. It's an incredible album. Possibly my favorite dylan record.
Little Richard
5/5
This is a great record. Just awesome, early rock and roll.
The Zombies
5/5
It's not necessarily an album I put on a lot. It is fantastic though. I should listen to it more often.
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
3/5
I know nothing about this style of music, so I can't really judge it against its peers. I will say I enjoyed it as work background music quite a bit.
Goldie
1/5
Nope.
The Black Crowes
4/5
As a 90s kid I've heard the hits here a ton. I've never listened to the whole record though. It's really solid. Not enough brilliance to get to a 5, but an easy 4.
The Band
3/5
I thought I would like this more. The weight is an all timer, but overall I thought this was just OK.
LCD Soundsystem
3/5
This is a weird one for me. I don't hate it at all. But, having been into indie music at the time lcd was treated as God makes me want to give it a lower score than is fair. I just always found the level of hype unwarranted. I'm going I just say I think it's solid enough and give a 3.
The KLF
2/5
I can't get above a 2 here, but I really didn't hate this like I figured I would based on the description.
Metallica
4/5
I think this is a great record. Sometimes I might think it's Metallica's best. But, in my heart I know it isn't. Still an easy 4.
Liz Phair
2/5
Saying negative things about this feels misogynistic. So I'll just say it wasn't for me.
Elis Regina
4/5
No clue what was being said, or how to properly evaluate this. It was really fun though and great background music for work.
James Brown
1/5
A live album of an artist I don't like with a boring 10 minute track in the middle. At least it was a short album.
Cream
4/5
Just barely misses 5 stars.
Mylo
3/5
Surprisingly decent. Only works as background music for me, but was fun.
Black Sabbath
4/5
Never listened to this. It rocked. Supernaut is an awesome track. Barely misses a 5 for me cause it was a bit draggy in a couple spots and it's not my style is music totally.
Boston
5/5
The biggest complaint I have about this record is so many of the songs are over played. That isn't Bostons fault. It's the platonic ideal of classic rock. If I never hear it again that's fine, but it deserves 5 stars.
David Bowie
4/5
I liked this a ton. One of Bowies best. I'm torn between a 4 and 5, but I probably won't relisten enough to go with a 5. Very strong 4.
Beatles
5/5
The Chemical Brothers
2/5
This is fine. Just something for the background.
Bruce Springsteen
5/5
I assume the choads who don't give this a 5 like Radiohead.
Jeru The Damaja
3/5
Solid, but compared to the 90s hip hop pantheon records this can't compete.
Radiohead
2/5
I have been on the overratediohead train since this record. Post ok computer Radiohead took a dump in my opinion. And the overwhelming praise for this record has always annoyed me. There is enough here that is ok to keep it from a 1, but it's close.
The Undertones
3/5
I love punk. This is a very solid record. The issue is i don't think it really rises to a level that necessitates. A score above 3. It probably influenced lots of bands, but taken on its own, I'll say 3.
Haircut 100
3/5
This is decent new wave. I just don't see what is essential about this. I'm sure I'll never go back.
The Stone Roses
5/5
This is a record i had heard a couple times but never really listened to. I absolutely love it. Fair to say I'll really listen to it many more times.
Giant Sand
2/5
This wasn't awful, but it was pretty dull. Nothing really ever rose beyond, "this is pleasant. " I'm beginning to think there aren't 1000 albums i have to hear before I die.
Flamin' Groovies
3/5
This was a solid version of what it is trying to be, but it's not my favorite kind of thing. Also, it isn't better than sticky fingers. That's nice of mick to say, but no way.
The Adverts
3/5
It's a solid version of early punk. It just doesn't do anything special.
De La Soul
2/5
I just don't like this style of hip hop. It's incredibly boring and samey. This record is waaaayyyy too long. Can't go to 1 but it's a super soft 2.
Sonic Youth
1/5
I'm just not unhappy enough to enjoy this at all.
XTC
4/5
OutKast
5/5
In the running for my favorite hip hop album of all time. And yet I'm not even sure it's my favorite outkast album. Just an incredible record by a legendary group.
Raekwon
2/5
Not one of my favorite Wu members solo records (hard to say solo when Ghostface is in basically every track). I know this is considered to be one of the best but I find it boring, overlong, and the production is muddy. Just not for me.
Prince
4/5
Sparks
4/5
I've known of Sparks for a while now, but never listened. I wasn't even sure what type of music they played. It reminds me of certain types of queen songs but pushed through an indie rock lens. Very cool actually and I'll be coming back.
Skunk Anansie
2/5
I'll go with a 2 here because it's not totally awful. I do not enjoy this though. Another one i can't see why anyone needs to hear too.
Pearl Jam
5/5
Second best grunge record ever? Maybe with the best single songs.
Deep Purple
4/5
I was surprised by this one. I fully expected to think it was fine. It's actually really good. A clear precursor to stoner rock that really holds up. Not quite a 5 for me, but I'm happy to give it a 4.
The Stooges
3/5
I don't hate this, but it's not something I would put on really. That said it was probably pretty important in the formation of lots of music I do really like.
Primal Scream
2/5
A couple songs kept this from a 1, but it was close.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
2/5
RHCP are not good. Lots of good musical ideas wasted by dumb as hell lyrics and awful vocals. They always seemed to be a band for people who only listen to the radio but think they know music. No thanks.
Julian Cope
3/5
This isn't bad at all. It just isn't exceptional in any way either. Definitely didn't need to hear it. 1001 may be more albums than are really needed.
Thelonious Monk
2/5
It's jazz. It worked fine as background music and it's annoying if you actually listen closely.
Herbie Hancock
1/5
Sometimes I think about how I'm wasting precious music listening time with this project.
Steve Earle
4/5
A buddy of mine has often called me a "god-damned proper American." I think that means I'm built to like this record, and I do. It doesn't quite do enough for 5 stars but I'll happily go 4. Also he hates Trump which is cool.
Animal Collective
5/5
I've loved this record for years and still do. Something about it just works for me. That said I could see how people would hate it. That seems to be the theme of this project.
The Cardigans
3/5
This was definitely better than I expected. More interesting instrumentally for sure. I wish there was a broader number take range because this deserves more than a 3 but not on a 5 star scale.
Adele
4/5
I've of course heard Adele, but i had never really listened to her. Going in i figured i would think this is boring over produced trash. I was wrong. This was much better than that. Really good tunes that I could see putting on again.
Jimi Hendrix
3/5
Like all Jimi records, for me this is a mixed bag. The highs are astronomically high. Greatest songs ever stuff. But the rest is sort of meandering and my mind wanders. Hate to do it, but it's a 3 due to length being eaten by so much average stuff.
Doves
2/5
Not bad, just sort of boring. Another album that I don't think you need to hear before you die.
The Rolling Stones
5/5
The Stones released four 5 star records in a row beginning with Beggars Banquet and ending with Exile. This is one of the four.
Maxwell
1/5
I guess the purpose of music like this is to put on while having sex? Do people really do that? I'd feel like something out of an awful moving putting this on. Also this sucks.
Deep Purple
2/5
Live albums suck. I hate drum solos. Every song here didn't justify the long run time. Jamming can be cool, but this wasn't. 2 stars because when they actually just played the songs, they are good songs.
The Doors
3/5
I'm pretty shocked I didn't hate this. I basically always hate what I hear of the doors. This seemed to avoid the worst impulses of the band and it was actually decent. Not great but solid.
AC/DC
5/5
I grew up in the country, where driving on back roads and pounding beers while you do it (road loading!) is the main pass time. Lots of the best times of my life fall under that description, and AC/DC soundtracked them. IYKYK.
Cat Stevens
5/5
Fantastic and really pretty record. Father and son is an all time great.
T. Rex
5/5
Effortlessly cool. Fun. Fits basically any mood. Just a fantastic record.
Gorillaz
3/5
There are a couple solid songs on here. There are also lots of interesting individual ideas. The problem is there is a lot of boring music. Closer to a 2.5 than a 3 but I'll round up.
Bob Dylan
5/5
It's maybe Dylans best.
Pet Shop Boys
2/5
I like synth pop from the 80s. But this was so dated it was like it was fake. Just not for me.
Buena Vista Social Club
3/5
It's pleasant background music. That's about all I could hope for from it for my musical taste. A good solid 3.
David Bowie
5/5
My favorite Bowie album. I love every song, even kooks.
The Police
4/5
Closer to a 5 than a 3.
MGMT
5/5
The first 5 songs are unbelievable great. After that it slows down, but i still like each song a lot. I could see going 4 but I'm feeling generous.
Duke Ellington
2/5
I only listened to the songs on the original record. No way I would listen to the extended version. This was live jazz. It didn't make me mad but by no means did I like it.
The Byrds
3/5
I enjoyed this a lot, but it probably isn't something I come back to much if at all. It's just a bit too dated for regular listening. Clearly deserves to be here though.
4/5
Just really good indie rock. Abrasive and listenable.
Lou Reed
4/5
The Triffids
4/5
I understand why people are calling this boring, but i really liked it. Indulges in the 80s in a way i can get behind.
FKA twigs
1/5
I hated this. Probably interesting if you like music completely different than the music I like so I can see why it's here. But for me it's a 0.
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
4/5
Obviously it's dated, but the songs are still really great. Factor in how influential it was to the music I love and I have to go with a strong 4.
John Grant
3/5
Father John Misty but not a good i guess? I sort of really liked this, but i also sort of really hated it. Tough one for me.
Sonic Youth
3/5
This is by no means bad. And at the time I probably would have loved it. It just doesn't do enough for me to get above a 3. But I mean that 3 as a compliment.
Abdullah Ibrahim
2/5
Standard score of 2 for "it's jazz. "
DJ Shadow
2/5
This is fine for background music when you have work you need to concentrate on. I suppose burn outs might like it too. Ultimately very dull.
The White Stripes
5/5
I wore this one out in college.
The Black Keys
3/5
A couple of really strong songs, but ultimately a little dull.
Rush
3/5
Decent. Not my favorite Rush record.
Brian Eno
3/5
Clear influence on music that came after it. Probably not something I'll go back to though.
The Jesus And Mary Chain
4/5
Wow. I loved this. I'd only heard a few tracks from it before. This will now go in the rotation. I know people are hating on the feedback but for me that just lends awesome texture to pretty standard 60s pop sound. A great update to an older style.
Peter Gabriel
4/5
It's not a record I'll go back to much, but it's undeniably very good. Peter Gabriel is under appreciated.
Funkadelic
3/5
This absolutely belongs on this list. But for me it's just OK.
Moby Grape
3/5
This is between a 2 and a 3. It doesn't do anything I love, but nothing i hate either. It's just a solid version of what it is. I'm feeling generous so I'll go with a soft 3.