1001 Albums Summary

Listening statistics & highlights

759
Albums Rated
3.08
Average Rating
70%
Complete
330 albums remaining

Rating Distribution

Rating Timeline

Taste Profile

1960
Favorite Decade
Funk
Favorite Genre
US
Top Origin
Wordsmith
Rater Style ?
65
5-Star Albums
49
1-Star Albums

Breakdown

By Genre

Tap a bar to see the albums behind it

Top Styles

Tap a bar to see the albums behind it

By Decade

By Origin

Albums

You Love More Than Most

AlbumYouGlobalDiff
A Grand Don't Come For Free
The Streets
5 2.63 +2.37
Yeezus
Kanye West
5 2.74 +2.26
Good Old Boys
Randy Newman
5 2.85 +2.15
Sail Away
Randy Newman
5 2.96 +2.04
Car Wheels On A Gravel Road
Lucinda Williams
5 3.01 +1.99
Exile In Guyville
Liz Phair
5 3.03 +1.97
Time (The Revelator)
Gillian Welch
5 3.05 +1.95
I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight
Richard Thompson
5 3.05 +1.95
Bandwagonesque
Teenage Fanclub
5 3.07 +1.93
Ambient 1/Music For Airports
Brian Eno
5 3.07 +1.93

You Love Less Than Most

AlbumYouGlobalDiff
Dirt
Alice In Chains
1 3.47 -2.47
...And Justice For All
Metallica
1 3.41 -2.41
Faith
George Michael
1 3.29 -2.29
System Of A Down
System Of A Down
1 3.27 -2.27
Rust In Peace
Megadeth
1 3.24 -2.24
The Real Thing
Faith No More
1 3.21 -2.21
Hysteria
Def Leppard
1 3.2 -2.2
Selling England By The Pound
Genesis
1 3.19 -2.19
Welcome To The Pleasuredome
Frankie Goes To Hollywood
1 3.12 -2.12
The Colour Of Spring
Talk Talk
1 3.08 -2.08

Artists

Favorites

Tap an artist to see their albums

ArtistAlbumsAverage
Bruce Springsteen 5 4.8
Bob Dylan 7 4.57
Beatles 6 4.33
The Pogues 2 5
Funkadelic 2 5
Randy Newman 2 5
Led Zeppelin 4 4.25
Elvis Costello & The Attractions 4 4.25
Talking Heads 3 4.33
Arcade Fire 3 4.33
Nick Drake 3 4.33
The Velvet Underground 3 4.33
The White Stripes 3 4.33
Radiohead 3 4.33

Least Favorites

Tap an artist to see their albums

ArtistAlbumsAverage
Megadeth 2 1
Sepultura 2 1
Metallica 3 1.67
King Crimson 2 1.5
Def Leppard 2 1.5
Everything But The Girl 2 1.5
Orbital 2 1.5
Steely Dan 3 2
Madonna 3 2

Controversial

Tap an artist to see their albums

ArtistRatings
Brian Eno 1, 3, 5

5-Star Albums (65)

View Album Wall

Popular Reviews

Getz/Gilberto by Stan Getz

There is a certain type of music that makes me sad because it is background music to a life I’ll never live. This album falls into that category.

Rings Around The World by Super Furry Animals

Very fun. Gets somewhat psychedelic without losing poppy hooks. A few songs got a bit too annoying toward the end (I didn’t like Presidential Suite) but overall would listen again.

Quiet Life by Japan

Duran Duran on Valium. Very boring.

1-Star Albums (49)

All Ratings (759)

1999 by Prince
Sep 25 2023

Unbelievably strong start, drags a bit in the middle but closes strong.

Pretenders by Pretenders
Sep 26 2023

Surprisingly varied in the back half. “Brass in Pocket” still slaps. Could do without “Private Life”.

The Slim Shady LP by Eminem
Sep 28 2023

Surprised at how few of these tracks had staying power. Also the skits are so corny. Totally missed it when I was a kid, but the Dee Barnes line seems legitimately shocking today — genuinely felt subversive as opposed to the bland shocking violence of other tracks.

Sep 29 2023

Bursts out of the gate. Might have enough hits to get a five rating if the album were 35 minutes long, but the filler drags it down.

Vulnicura by Björk
Oct 05 2023

The first track so strong that the rest of the album struggles to measure up. Atom Dance and Quicksand are also good.

Rapture by Anita Baker
Oct 06 2023
Music for the Masses by Depeche Mode
Oct 10 2023

Classic Depeche Mode in that is sometimes awesome industrial/new wave stuff (Never Let Me Down Again) and sometimes way too goofy vampire rock (Little 15, Pimpf).

Night Life by Ray Price
Oct 11 2023

Pleasant as hell. Could put this on in the background while cooking or hosting a dinner party anytime.

Exit Planet Dust by The Chemical Brothers
Oct 13 2023

Hard to assess this in a future where is was so influential (feels like a dime a dozen movie montage backing track now but was probably very cool when it came out). It was pretty groovy though.

KIWANUKA by Michael Kiwanuka
Oct 16 2023

I prefer the uptempo stuff.

Feast of Wire by Calexico
Oct 18 2023

Loved the first half and was sure it was on pace for five stars, but the meandering instrumentals of the second half weren’t my thing.

Pelican West by Haircut 100
Oct 19 2023

Pretty replacement level

System Of A Down by System Of A Down
Oct 20 2023

Put this off all day, and when I got around to listening it was even worse than expected. I like a few of their lore melodic songs on Toxcitity but this album is wall-to-wall incoherence. Feels like self-parody. Wish I could give it zero stars.

Blonde On Blonde by Bob Dylan
Oct 23 2023

Incredibly easy five stars. Almost no missteps (not a huge fan of Obviously Five Believers).

Blue by Joni Mitchell
Oct 24 2023

Side 2 GOATED

25 by Adele
Oct 25 2023

Doesn’t hold up as well as I’d hope. Still has some good tracks but there are too many maudlin middle ground tracks here.

Planet Rock: The Album by Afrika Bambaataa
Oct 26 2023

I can see how this was influential, and it is groovy, but a bit too long and same-y for me.

Music Has The Right To Children by Boards of Canada
Oct 27 2023

A few nice moments (e.g., Open The Light) save this from getting only 1 star, but it is mostly a boring slog.

Pearl by Janis Joplin
Oct 30 2023

She really could sing.

Oct 31 2023

Some decent jams, and no real bad songs. Still, it is interesting to see how much filler there is in the Queen catalog.

Scum by Napalm Death
Nov 01 2023

I don’t like this.

Dummy by Portishead
Nov 02 2023

Surprisingly pleasant. I wouldn’t mind listening to this again, but wouldn’t actively put in on.

Young Americans by David Bowie
Nov 07 2023

Mildly funky/jazzy tunes. Few standouts.

White Light by Gene Clark
Nov 08 2023

I didn’t dislike any songs, but didn’t love any either.

Blood, Sweat & Tears by Blood, Sweat & Tears
Nov 09 2023

When the album started with a nice Satie cover I thought “hey maybe my preconceived notions about this band were wrong” then Galway through that song they did a dramatic style shift to absolutely confirm my preconceived notions. Every good song is derailed by some dumb jam. Spinning Wheel does slap (even though it would be a lot better without the jam and the dumb flute (?) part).

Violator by Depeche Mode
Nov 13 2023

Another Depeche Mode where I enjoy the hits but not the filler. I might go a star higher if Enjoy the Silence didn’t have the hidden track appended, which makes it much less playlist-friendly (and is bad in the flow of the album).

Nov 14 2023

Got in a car accident while taking my extremely sick kid to the pediatrician while listening to this which may have cost it a star.

Born In The U.S.A. by Bruce Springsteen
Nov 16 2023

It’s insane that Dancing in the Dark might not be in the best half of songs on this album. Strong five stars.

Talking Heads 77 by Talking Heads
Nov 17 2023

Some classics (Psycho Killer, don’t worry about the government, new feeling) but there are a few stretches that get a bit same-y.

Tommy by The Who
Nov 20 2023

Lots of goofy stuff in here but the music is good throughout and it has Pinball Wizard.

Black Sabbath by Black Sabbath
Nov 21 2023

The Wizard was a pleasant gem. The rest was fine as well — better when bluesy, like The Wizard, than when it was metal-y. I liked it less than their second album.

Neon Bible by Arcade Fire
Nov 22 2023

Has gotten better with age.

Crosby, Stills & Nash by Crosby, Stills & Nash
Nov 27 2023

Really drops off after suite Judy blue eyes.

Guitar Town by Steve Earle
Nov 29 2023

Not sure if this is four stars or just three stars that hits better bc it is in my sweet spot.

Pink Moon by Nick Drake
Dec 04 2023

Haunting and beautiful but it does get same-y.

Sign 'O' The Times by Prince
Dec 06 2023

Up and down, many forgettable stretches (the cross)

Hypocrisy Is The Greatest Luxury by The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy
Dec 07 2023

A bit heavy handed, but interesting beats. The Dead Kennedys cover is neat. .

The Slider by T. Rex
Dec 08 2023

Good T. rex. Ballrooms of mars is great

Back To Black by Amy Winehouse
Dec 11 2023

Very good. A few high highs and no real lows.

Revolver by Beatles
Dec 13 2023

The Beatles are underrated

A Love Supreme by John Coltrane
Dec 18 2023

Very interesting and enjoyable.

Rio by Duran Duran
Dec 21 2023

Jury is out on which way those guys'll go. They're a lot of fun, and James Taylor is one of the most proficient bass players in the UK at the moment, giving them a funky edge.

Hounds Of Love by Kate Bush
Dec 25 2023

One of the best to ever do it operating at her peak. Opening tracks unassailable. Waking the witch is pretty wack.

Electric Warrior by T. Rex
Dec 28 2023

Didn’t remember how great this is start to finish. No real weak spots (maybe “Motivator”, which is a less good version of Bang and Gong)

The White Room by The KLF
Dec 29 2023

Inoffensive, but not particularly notable.

The Yes Album by Yes
Jan 01 2024

Has some nice moments (e.g., parts of I’ve Seen All Good People) but they are all ruined by overly long, complicated noodley songwriting.

Arrival by ABBA
Jan 02 2024

I know it is cool to like ABBA now but besides some obvious skill at writing hooks, I just don’t find much to really latch onto.

Goo by Sonic Youth
Jan 03 2024

It rocks but gets a bit longwinded at times.

Aja by Steely Dan
Jan 08 2024

With apologies to the people I follow on Twitter, this is just jazzy nothing music.

Led Zeppelin by Led Zeppelin
Jan 09 2024

Meandering at time but has some undeniable bangers.

En-Tact by The Shamen
Jan 11 2024

Punishingly boring

Hearts And Bones by Paul Simon
Jan 12 2024

Up and down (what the hell was “cars are cars”), but the man can write some chunes.

Gorillaz by Gorillaz
Jan 15 2024

More chillers than I remembered.

The Only Ones by The Only Ones
Jan 18 2024

One standout track (another girl another planet)

The Soft Bulletin by The Flaming Lips
Jan 22 2024

Comes strong out of the gate. Then peters out a bit

The Modern Lovers by The Modern Lovers
Jan 25 2024

Roadrunner and Girlfriend are all-time great songs. The rest of the album is similarly great but not as revelatory.

Veckatimest by Grizzly Bear
Jan 26 2024

Definitely understand why it is here — emblematic of a scene/vibe that was very big (though I’d probably choose Merriweather Post Pavilion as the representative) — but as a person who was into that scene at the time I always felt this type of music was overrated. Looking back now it still feels overrated.

Play by Moby
Jan 30 2024

starts to drone in the last half but the first half really goes.

Foxbase Alpha by Saint Etienne
Jan 31 2024

There is really nothing here.

Pacific Ocean Blue by Dennis Wilson
Feb 01 2024

Always disappointing when the first song in the record is the best one.

Venus Luxure No. 1 Baby by Girls Against Boys
Feb 02 2024

A few solid riffs, but otherwise nothing to care about.

Ill Communication by Beastie Boys
Feb 05 2024

it’s amazing how good the instrumental tracks in this album are

The Next Day by David Bowie
Feb 06 2024

A few solid tunes, but it is long and the weirder stuff doesn’t work for me. The last song is so bad it leaves you on a sour note and makes it hard to accurately judge the album.

Fishscale by Ghostface Killah
Feb 07 2024

Wears out its welcome toward the end but enjoyable.

The Velvet Underground by The Velvet Underground
Feb 08 2024

The beautiful songs are beautiful. I’ve never liked the murder mystery.

Aqualung by Jethro Tull
Feb 12 2024

despite being over the top, it is good throughout.

Transformer by Lou Reed
Feb 13 2024

Packed with classics

Want Two by Rufus Wainwright
Feb 15 2024

I found this very boring.

California by American Music Club
Feb 16 2024

The uptempo songs sound like a great local bar band. The downtempo songs sound like a more boring Smiths.

The Chronic by Dr. Dre
Feb 21 2024

With fresh ears it is interesting how much heavy lifting Parliament does for this album.

Locust Abortion Technician by Butthole Surfers
Feb 22 2024

I like other Butthole Surfers albums, but this was unlistenable. I don’t know if it was important in the development of a noise/freakout scene, but even if it was I can’t see how it merits inclusion.

Exodus by Bob Marley & The Wailers
Feb 26 2024

Hard to assess something with so many ubiquitous, but similar, songs.

Back In Black by AC/DC
Feb 27 2024

Rocks hard. Enjoyable throughout. Doesn’t feel essential.

Darkdancer by Les Rythmes Digitales
Feb 29 2024

The grooves on this album are surprisingly good but it is still an era of techno that I have little interest in

Funeral by Arcade Fire
Mar 01 2024

Likely the most formative album in my music listening career. Six stars.

Eliminator by ZZ Top
Mar 04 2024

This album tops out at enjoyable but inessential, and bottoms out at deeply embarrassing (“I Need You Tonight”, “I Got the Six”).

Court And Spark by Joni Mitchell
Mar 05 2024

Solid Joni, but the very over the top jazzy stuff brings it down.

Let Love Rule by Lenny Kravitz
Mar 06 2024

Surprisingly Christian? Some good funky jams too.

Lam Toro by Baaba Maal
Mar 07 2024

I enjoyed this quite a bit but likely wouldn’t put it in regular rotation.

Calenture by The Triffids
Mar 08 2024

Very replaceable. Like echo and the bunny men without any edge.

London Calling by The Clash
Mar 11 2024

Probably my favorite album of all time. Six stars.

Konnichiwa by Skepta
Mar 14 2024

Had high hopes after the first track but it really tailed off. It did make rememebr this all-time great tweet so that was nice: “uk rappers be like she suck on my willy it’s quite delightful if i catch you in west gloucestershire you’ll catch the rifle”

Bat Out Of Hell by Meat Loaf
Mar 18 2024

Meatloaf is so funny because he basically sings musical theater songs about fucking, but then the album art is like a panel from demon superhero comic.

Leftism by Leftfield
Mar 20 2024

Generic background music for a movie scene that takes place in a club. Don’t know why it is included on the list… maybe it invented that sound or something?

White Light / White Heat by The Velvet Underground
Mar 21 2024

A bit too much freakout at times, but sister ray is a banger.

Blackstar by David Bowie
Mar 22 2024

There were nice moments within songs but I didn’t like any songs start to finish.

Odelay by Beck
Mar 26 2024

Alt country stuff is good. A bit too noisy for my liking at times.

Golden Hour by Kacey Musgraves
Mar 27 2024

Just a bit too polished for me, but some great tracks.

Jazz Samba by Stan Getz
Mar 28 2024

Smooth but complex. Enjoyable.

Moon Safari by Air
Apr 01 2024

Shocked at how much I loved this.

The Nightfly by Donald Fagen
Apr 03 2024

Still so funny to me that hip millennials have convinced themselves that Steely Dan is good.

Band On The Run by Paul McCartney and Wings
Apr 08 2024

Paul McCartney can really write some catchy tunes. Unfortunately be it the lack of a solid collaborative band or the 70s influence, these just aren’t interesting.

Hunky Dory by David Bowie
Apr 09 2024

So many great songs on here. There are a few that don’t grab me but still five stars overall.

Stand! by Sly & The Family Stone
Apr 11 2024

Good and funky.

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

I can see how this is influential, but can’t imagine I’ll listen again.

Apr 15 2024

Unlike the last album, his flow is undeniable here and it makes it more understandable that he became so huge. But the edginess sure is cringey.

Zombie by Fela Kuti
Apr 16 2024

Awesome uptempo afrobeat

Kimono My House by Sparks
Apr 17 2024

Sounds like circus music a bit too often. But it has some bangers when it goes for more straightforward rock.

Steve McQueen by Prefab Sprout
Apr 18 2024

Cheesy eighties schmaltz. The first song sounded a bit cowpunky right at the end and I got excited it might improve, but that was the high point of the album.

Face to Face by The Kinks
Apr 19 2024

I prefer their stuff that rocks a bit harder, but this has some nice songs.

A Girl Called Dusty by Dusty Springfield
Apr 22 2024

First two tracks are amazing. It stays solid but never reaches those heights again.

Dirt by Alice In Chains
Apr 23 2024

Not for me.

E.V.O.L. by Sonic Youth
Apr 24 2024

Too thrashy. Needs more tunes.

Fleet Foxes by Fleet Foxes
Apr 25 2024

Nice harms. Songs hold up pretty well.

Lady In Satin by Billie Holiday
Apr 26 2024

Undeniably beautiful, but a bit too old fashioned and same-y for me.

The Score by Fugees
Apr 29 2024

Smooth grooves, nice flow, great beats, and at times, when Lauryn Hill is on vocals, transcendent. I do have to knock it down a star for the Chinese Restaurant skit.

Blood And Chocolate by Elvis Costello & The Attractions
May 01 2024

Excellent. Felt timeless. A few dull patches but no bad patches.

Dub Housing by Pere Ubu
May 02 2024

This really feels like something I should like based on my other tastes, but I found it grating. A few good moments (the end of caligari’s mirror, ubu dance party) but mostly a drag.

Ray Of Light by Madonna
May 03 2024

A few nice pop hits but too much electro

What's Going On by Marvin Gaye
May 07 2024

Great opener and closer. Solid throughout.

Your Arsenal by Morrissey
May 09 2024

Begrudgingly liked this. Some cracking tunes but I still find Morrissey’s voice and delivery grating. Ironically the best song on the album was antifacist.

Wild Gift by X
May 10 2024

Some nice poppy, punky jams in here. A bit bland at times but overall a nice listen.

War by U2
May 13 2024

Good U2 songs are great. Bad U2 songs sound like Sting. This is a pretty even mix of the two.

Surrealistic Pillow by Jefferson Airplane
May 14 2024

Some tracks are overly 60s sounding, but many of the tracks rock. Grace Slick is undeniable.

Let's Get Killed by David Holmes
May 15 2024

Started out pretty boring but improved as it went on.

Tres Hombres by ZZ Top
May 16 2024

I absolutely did not need to listen to two ZZ Top albums before dying.

Ocean Rain by Echo And The Bunnymen
May 17 2024

A few bops but a lot of goofy overwrought tracks.

Paranoid by Black Sabbath
May 20 2024

This fucking rips. I was shocked by Planet Caravan — didn’t know that was in their repertoire and I found it thoroughly enjoyable.

The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
May 21 2024

A bit overlong but has great moments throughout

New Forms by Roni Size
May 22 2024

Too long and boring, but I guess it functions ok as background music.

Rip It Up by Orange Juice
May 23 2024

The music was great, but the vocals really took me out of it.

Dire Straits by Dire Straits
May 24 2024

Some really great tracks. Overall pretty enjoyable.

Aftermath by The Rolling Stones
May 27 2024

Outside of the few enduring hits it is pretty middle of the road.

The Stone Roses by The Stone Roses
May 28 2024

Glam-y, jam-y, rock goodness.

May 29 2024

The music is nice but lyrically it is just far too goofy for my taste. I mean, “Your Dictionary” sounds like a joke song from Documentary Now or something.

May 30 2024

A great Dylan. It drags at times but has two of the all time great songs in “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright” and “Girl From the North Country”.

Arc Of A Diver by Steve Winwood
May 31 2024

Farty-synth era blue eyed soul is generally bad. This is no exception though a few tunes are catch enough to merit two stars.

Iron Maiden by Iron Maiden
Jun 04 2024

I was intrigued by how poppy Charlotte the Harlot was. Enjoyable enough to listen to throughout but nothing I would revisit.

Talk Talk Talk by The Psychedelic Furs
Jun 05 2024

I like the music and songwriting but the vocals are a bit grating.

Get Behind Me Satan by The White Stripes
Jun 11 2024

A below average White Stripes album is still a good album.

American Pie by Don McLean
Jun 12 2024

Some really syrupy stuff in here (Vincent is bad), but the more upbeat stuff is fun.

Heaven Or Las Vegas by Cocteau Twins
Jun 13 2024

A couple of fun dancey tracks but overall too dull.

Lust For Life by Iggy Pop
Jun 17 2024

Extremely good. Feels ahead of its time (and I guess it was, since the title track really blew up in the 90s).

Made In Japan by Deep Purple
Jun 18 2024

strange kind of woman knocked this down from three stars to two.

Abraxas by Santana
Jun 19 2024

Nice grooves and jams. Better without vocals.

Sincere by Mj Cole
Jun 20 2024

Completely replaceable. Not offensive but very generic.

Wild Is The Wind by Nina Simone
Jun 21 2024

Stunning but outside of a few tracks I can’t imagine listening to it again.

Paul's Boutique by Beastie Boys
Jun 24 2024

The sampling alone would be worthy of five stars, and then of course the rhymes match that in complexity and quality.

Jun 26 2024

The operatic sections and finger-tapping bits are too overwrought. But there are a few parts that sound a bit like hail to the thief era Radiohead that are pretty good.

Protection by Massive Attack
Jun 27 2024

Vibe-y grooves that occasionally transcend the chill to be very enjoyable. I liked it but probably would only listen to a track or two at a time in the future.

Shaka Zulu by Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Jun 28 2024

Extremely enjoyable. Will definitely be in my rotation moving forward.

Debut by Björk
Jul 01 2024

I liked the jazzy stuff a lot better than the trip hop stuff. Clearly shows promise but I’m not likely to revisit

3 + 3 by The Isley Brothers
Jul 02 2024

Some insanely good funky jams. A few stretches that are too yahct-y.

Van Halen by Van Halen
Jul 03 2024

Not my thing but listenable.

Surf's Up by The Beach Boys
Jul 04 2024

I liked this less as it got deeper into the album; it got a bit too ethereal. The early tracks were enjoyable.

Real Life by Magazine
Jul 05 2024

I kept thinking “I should like this album” but I never did. It seems adjacent to some of my new wave favorites but it just didn’t grab me.

Tracy Chapman by Tracy Chapman
Jul 08 2024

A few duds (Mountains of Things), but overall great. Kicks off with two masterpieces in “Fast Car” and “Talkin’ Bout a Revolution”

Fear Of Music by Talking Heads
Jul 09 2024

Occasionally uneven, but still has enough tracks that I love to carry it to four stars.

Jul 10 2024

Got diagnosed with tuberculosis halfway through listening to this album, which knocked a full star off my rating.

Casanova by The Divine Comedy
Jul 12 2024

Pretty unlistenable for the most part.

Pet Sounds by The Beach Boys
Jul 15 2024

Lots of great tracks and clearly an influential masterpiece, but I do find some stretches dull which holds it back from perfection.

Raising Hell by Run-D.M.C.
Jul 16 2024

Comes out of the gate with a string of great tracks but tails off into sameness

Out Of The Blue by Electric Light Orchestra
Jul 17 2024

Some solid tunes, but a lot of tracks are too over the top.

Siembra by Willie Colón & Rubén Blades
Jul 18 2024

Came out of the gates with a banger opening track. Never reached such highs again but was enjoyable throughout.

It's Blitz! by Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Jul 19 2024

Better than I remembered, and I remembered it being great.

Live At Leeds by The Who
Jul 22 2024

This has its moments (a quick one while he’s away) but I fundamentally don’t really think of The Who as a band I need to hear live recordings of.

Autobahn by Kraftwerk
Jul 25 2024

Up and down but the title track is so strong that I have to give it four stars.

You Want It Darker by Leonard Cohen
Jul 29 2024

Still a master of song craft right up until the end of his life.

Physical Graffiti by Led Zeppelin
Jul 30 2024

A few songs go on too long but overall it rocks.

Pieces Of The Sky by Emmylou Harris
Jul 31 2024

One of my favorite voices of all time. I wish the songs were a bit stronger but I could see myself revisiting this from time to time.

Purple Rain by Prince
Aug 01 2024

The back half of this album goes unbelievably hard. Hard to believe you could top the first half of the album — but it does!

Ágætis Byrjun by Sigur Rós
Aug 02 2024

Some beautiful tracks and it takes me back to the good old days. But it does drag into same-ness

Master Of Puppets by Metallica
Aug 06 2024

the songs are too long and similar to each other

Heroes to Zeros by The Beta Band
Aug 07 2024

Some nice lo-fi chillers and grocers especially “Liquid Bird” and “Simple”. A bit sleepy in the first half of the album.

Immigrés by Youssou N'Dour
Aug 08 2024

Very fun but not likely to revisit in full. The first track will go into rotation.

Two Dancers by Wild Beasts
Aug 09 2024

A more boring animal collective. But it wasn’t unpleasant to listen to.

Who's Next by The Who
Aug 13 2024

Wall to wall greatness

Medúlla by Björk
Aug 14 2024

I respect bjork and don’t think this is necessarily bad. But I won’t listen to it again.

Disintegration by The Cure
Aug 15 2024

Too many long, droning tracks. But “pictures of you” is an all-timer. “Lovesong” also rules.

Rain Dogs by Tom Waits
Aug 16 2024

Uneven first half. Spectacular second half.

Green Onions by Booker T. & The MG's
Aug 19 2024

Hammond organ goodness. Could listen to it forever.

Live At The Regal by B.B. King
Aug 21 2024

Solidly enjoyable blues. Not something I’d revisit often because it didn’t have any standout track, but I’d gladly listen to it if it was on the stereo sometime.

Aug 22 2024

Enjoyable but forgettable. The drum breakdown in (I Know) I’m Losing You brings it close to four stars but this feels solidly in the three star range

Survivor by Destiny's Child
Aug 23 2024

great at the top but falls off very badly in the second half. Some very bad ballads there.

Murmur by R.E.M.
Aug 29 2024

Another solid R.E.M. album that I enjoy but am not as thrilled by as I expected to be.

Axis: Bold As Love by Jimi Hendrix
Aug 30 2024

Little wing is amazing. The rest is merely good.

Pretzel Logic by Steely Dan
Sep 02 2024

I do not need to listen to any more Steely Dan

Blood On The Tracks by Bob Dylan
Sep 03 2024

A masterpiece. Dylan’s reputation as a master is fully earned.

Celebrity Skin by Hole
Sep 05 2024

Title track rocks. The rest of the tracks are good but the back half of the album is a bit uneven.

Off The Wall by Michael Jackson
Sep 09 2024

Other than the opening and closing tracks, I found it very schmaltzy

Hotel California by Eagles
Sep 10 2024

To quote Jeff Lebowski “I fucking hate The Eagles, man!” Just a juiceless album. No edge. Striving for profundity but missing the mark (The Last Resort feels almost like a parody). Begrudgingly giving it two stars because the title track is iconic and listenable, but the rest is pure dreck.

Darklands by The Jesus And Mary Chain
Sep 11 2024

Moody, catchy, just plain good.

Parallel Lines by Blondie
Sep 16 2024

Catchy, propulsive, just plain enjoyable.

Sep 17 2024

Much like the Beatles albums in this project, Dylan albums are as good as their reputations.

Hysteria by Def Leppard
Sep 18 2024

This sucks. Absolutely infuriating inclusion on this list. Bland garbage best forgotten.

Queen II by Queen
Sep 19 2024

Enjoyable listen but nothing jumped out and grabbed me.

L'Eau Rouge by The Young Gods
Sep 20 2024

Contenswr for my least favorite album on the list. Grating (vocals and music), boring, repetitive. Would give it zero stars.

With The Beatles by Beatles
Sep 23 2024

Undeniable craft, but lacking the oomf of other Beatles records.

Disraeli Gears by Cream
Sep 24 2024

Too psychedelic for me, doesn’t seem as cool as it did when I was 16.

1977 by Ash
Sep 25 2024

Super fun pop punk, with a surprising amount of range (at times sounds like weeper at times sounds like GBV).

Penance Soiree by The Icarus Line
Sep 26 2024

This is like the output of an AI prompt: “write a meet me in the bathroom era album in the style of Alice In Chains”.

Born To Run by Bruce Springsteen
Sep 30 2024

Truly one of the best ever. Just a start to finish masterpiece.

Definitely Maybe by Oasis
Oct 01 2024

Enjoyable tunes. Had a fun time listening but not super memorable.

Oct 04 2024

The covers are interesting, but without video it gets a bit samey. Still enjoyable and you can feel how interesting it is in context.

Kid A by Radiohead
Oct 07 2024

I still think this album is somewhat overhyped, but I enjoyed it all lot more than I did when it first came it. It is a solid to great album experience, but a lack of transcendent moments holds it back, in my eyes, from achieving the exalted status it holds in the culture.

Eagles by Eagles
Oct 08 2024

Take it Easy is fun. The rest of the album is dreck.

Oct 09 2024

It is unclear exactly how much of this is meant to be a joke, but it was enjoyable and there were some real standout tunes sprinkled through it.

Idlewild by Everything But The Girl
Oct 10 2024

Easy listening music that is extremely hard to get through.

Oct 11 2024

Hard to untangle this one from nostalgia, but the high notes on this album are so spectacular that I am end up forgiving some of the goofier moments.

Sea Change by Beck
Oct 14 2024

Enjoyable, low-key, countryish, melancholy. Something I will return to.

At Fillmore East by The Allman Brothers Band
Oct 15 2024

A magnificent live album. Whipping Post rips.

Cafe Bleu by The Style Council
Oct 16 2024

Shockingly enjoyable opening and closing instrumental tracks. Unfortunately every song with vocals was very bad. Seems like you need to hear this album in order to remember why people rag on music from the 80s. I guess that is a useful exercise, because the disrespect for 80s music has always baffled me since the music that endured from that decade is some of the best. This stuff is some of the worst.

Headquarters by The Monkees
Oct 17 2024

Pleasant and clearly a historical artifact, but not something I plan on listening to again.

Machine Gun Etiquette by The Damned
Oct 18 2024

Solid punk songs with just enough variety to keep it interesting.

Birth Of The Cool by Miles Davis
Oct 22 2024

Really interesting and propulsive while staying smooth and groovy throughout.

Bluesbreakers by John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers
Oct 23 2024

Has a cool defined sound and some great harmonica work. Probably won’t revisit it though.

Unhalfbricking by Fairport Convention
Oct 24 2024

Really enjoyed this. Distinctly British sounding folk music. Will definitely revisit this one.

Teenage Head by Flamin' Groovies
Oct 25 2024

As it went along it got less garage-y and I liked it a bit less as that happened. Still solid overall.

Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd
Oct 28 2024

An experience that really requires listening to uninterrupted in one sitting. Has peaks and valleys but the overall experience is quite good. I do think it would be better without the middle track.

Juju by Siouxsie And The Banshees
Oct 29 2024

Veers into the overly-spooky freaky at points (voodoo dolly), but I mostly enjoyed the gloomy jangle of the tighter tracks (spellbound, into the light).

Led Zeppelin III by Led Zeppelin
Oct 30 2024

A great album. I really enjoyed the more stripped down tracks in the back half.

To Pimp A Butterfly by Kendrick Lamar
Oct 31 2024

An album that gives you something new to connect with on each listen, but also challenging enough that I don’t listen to it often.

Nov 01 2024

I just don’t click with the Fall even though I feel like I should. Every aspect of the songs speaks to me in some way, but I find listening to them unpleasant.

Guero by Beck
Nov 04 2024

Over indexes on being vibe-y in the back half, but still a great album that reminds me of a specific time in my life.

Hard Again by Muddy Waters
Nov 05 2024

This lives up to the title by going extremely hard. Listened to it twice back to back.

Winter In America by Gil Scott-Heron
Nov 06 2024

Enjoyed some of the more melodic stuff, but the spoken world wasn’t my favorite.

Nov 07 2024

I listened to at least a minute each of these before skipping (which is more than most deserved). Only made it through three tracks all the way. Zero stars. Absolutely perfect fit for the first day after Trump was elected to his second term.

Raw Power by The Stooges
Nov 11 2024

Rockin, but repetitive.

Tea for the Tillerman by Cat Stevens
Nov 13 2024

Reminds me that I like pretty folk Music. A few duds (Sad Lisa notably) hold it back from five stars.

Screamadelica by Primal Scream
Nov 14 2024

I liked the Oasis-like songs better than the euro-techno songs. Unfortunately, there were more euro techno songs. Ultimately it was just kind of forgettable.

Street Signs by Ozomatli
Nov 15 2024

Decently catchy stuff. Nothing that I wanted to immediately turn off, but also nothing that made me want to put it on again.

Let It Bleed by The Rolling Stones
Nov 18 2024

The best Stones album in a walk.

The Velvet Underground & Nico by The Velvet Underground
Nov 19 2024

Unbelievable that this is their debut. Such range and so many amazing tracks.

Bookends by Simon & Garfunkel
Nov 20 2024

A nice album that is a bit uneven at times.

Cut by The Slits
Nov 21 2024

Heard it Through the Grapevine rips.

Truth by Jeff Beck
Nov 22 2024

I much prefer the instrumental tracks.

Sticky Fingers by The Rolling Stones
Nov 25 2024

A lot of great tracks but a decent amount of filler holds it back from a five star rating.

Station To Station by David Bowie
Nov 26 2024

I liked listening to this but in the grand scheme of the Bowie discography it felt less than essential.

Nov 27 2024

I liked listening to this but in the grand scheme of the Bowie discography it felt less than essential.

Fragile by Yes
Nov 28 2024

Goofy carnival bullshit. Roundabout is ok so I’ll bump it up to two stars.

The Rising by Bruce Springsteen
Nov 29 2024

Very hard to judge this independent from my history with it (formative album, one of my first concerts). Felt a tad bloated this run through so I’ll leave it at four.

Seventeen Seconds by The Cure
Dec 02 2024

Enjoyably vibey but surprisingly light on hooks.

At Mister Kelly's by Sarah Vaughan
Dec 03 2024

Pleasant enough but quite boring. A perfect example is “Just A Gigolo” which has none of the humor or verve of the Louis Prima version. The one exception is the final song that seems like a self deprecating joke or maybe just a bad song.

Amazingly strong opening run of four songs — some of my favorite ever. Unfortunately the back half gets embarrassingly bad (“New York” “Grace). I have to give it 4 stars on the strength of the openers, but it is not an album I will revisit in full.

Dec 05 2024

Enjoyed this more often than not, though it got a bit too wacky at times. Overall a solid listen, especially the uptempo pop work.

Felt Mountain by Goldfrapp
Dec 06 2024

Feels like the output of a school assignment to write an album of rejected 80s James Bond themes in the style of Bjork. That said, it wasn’t a bad listen.

The Stranger by Billy Joel
Dec 09 2024

Like most Billy Joel, I find this overly schmaltzy. But there are a few solid tracks.

Either Or by Elliott Smith
Dec 10 2024

Beautiful songs with just enough variety. I could listen to Say Yes a thousands times and not tire of it.

Dec 11 2024

Boring and same-y. No memorable hooks. I find the singers voice grating enough to downgrade it to one star (the music itself would get a two).

Cross by Justice
Dec 12 2024

It grooves and has good enough variety to stay interesting throughout.

Time Out Of Mind by Bob Dylan
Dec 13 2024

Not familiar with this one going in and found it solid throughout. I was blown away by Not Dark Yet which is good enough to lift this to four stars.

The Clash by The Clash
Dec 16 2024

Expert debut with all the charge and verve they would later perfect on London Calling when they added a bit more variety and craft.

The Madcap Laughs by Syd Barrett
Dec 19 2024

Not sure what I’m supposed to do with this. I suppose you have to listen to it to understand that Pink Floyd didn’t work except as a sum of its parts. Not punishing to listen to, but rather thin and not something I’d ever revisit.

1989 by Taylor Swift
Dec 20 2024

This album should really end three songs sooner. But I still have to give it five stars.

Fever To Tell by Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Dec 23 2024

Has “Maps” one of the greatest songs of all time. The rest of the album is good but doesn’t reach the heights of It’s Blitz.

Siamese Dream by The Smashing Pumpkins
Dec 24 2024

Real 90s sounds. Headlined by Cherub Rock and Today this was a great listen but with a few long tracks that lost my interest.

Dec 25 2024

Enjoyable, replacement-level indie rock but There Goes The Fear was very good.

Stripped by Christina Aguilera
Dec 26 2024

Ultimately forgettable. There are a few choice tracks (Beautiful, Fighter) but those don’t elevate the rest of the album enough to be worthwhile. I suppose it is a decent time capsule.

Ready To Die by The Notorious B.I.G.
Dec 27 2024

Beyond the hits, I found it repetitive. He does have immaculate flow though.

Dec 30 2024

Tour de force performance that *almost* manages to translate it’s live energy entirely to wax.

Brilliant Corners by Thelonious Monk
Dec 31 2024

Solidly enjoyable. Seems ahead of its time but I don’t know enough jazz history to properly contextualize.

Sound of Silver by LCD Soundsystem
Jan 01 2025

A few dull patches (the title track is not my favorite), but two all time bangers (New York I Love You but You’re Bringing Me Down, All My Friends).

Everything Must Go by Manic Street Preachers
Jan 02 2025

Excellent Brit pop that overstays its welcome a bit toward the end.

Out of Step by Minor Threat
Jan 03 2025

One Minor Threat song — pretty good Two Minor Threat songs — ok I get it Three Minor Threat songs — ok thats good enough for me for now Album ends — actually I came back around on it

Urban Hymns by The Verve
Jan 06 2025

Listenable but quite boring. Like if Oasis wrote songs without hooks.

The Number Of The Beast by Iron Maiden
Jan 07 2025

Don’t think we needed two Iron Maiden albums on this list. But if you don’t attempt to take this seriously it is pretty fun.

Swordfishtrombones by Tom Waits
Jan 08 2025

Has a lot of stuff I didn’t jive with, but has some great tracks (town with no cheers in particular).

Done By The Forces Of Nature by Jungle Brothers
Jan 09 2025

Laid back and funky with a solid flow. I don’t fully connect with it, but I enjoyed it.

Electric Prunes by The Electric Prunes
Jan 10 2025

I’m finding during this exercise is that I don’t really enjoy psychedelia, but this was fine. Too much to dream is a song I used to like that holds up pretty well.

Jan 13 2025

Despite the best efforts of Cast No Shadow to drag the album down, this is five stars. Too many bangers.

Endtroducing..... by DJ Shadow
Jan 14 2025

Gonna assume this was vital in the development of lo-fi beats to chill to.

Kenza by Khaled
Jan 15 2025

Very hard to track these songs down, but the ones I found were not very memorable.

Sweet Baby James by James Taylor
Jan 16 2025

I expected to like this a lot more. James Taylor has always been a blind spot for me in a genre I usually love. I found this pretty boring and cheesy.

Jagged Little Pill by Alanis Morissette
Jan 21 2025

The hits are great. The album tracks are OK.

Halcyon Digest by Deerhunter
Jan 22 2025

Not unpleasant, but this type of music never really grabbed me. I liked a few tracks, but found that it mostly faded into the background.

Oedipus Schmoedipus by Barry Adamson
Jan 23 2025

High variance. Really enjoyed some tracks but the more esoteric ones such as “Dirty Barry” really rubbed me the wrong way.

Bryter Layter by Nick Drake
Jan 24 2025

Really wonderful. I prefer this to Pink Moon, which surprised me because Pink Moon was the record people always used to introduce me to Nick Drake when I was younger.

Jan 27 2025

A bit bloated. I prefer Madman Across The Water, but I still enjoyed most of the songs.

Five Leaves Left by Nick Drake
Jan 28 2025

Beautiful. A feast for the ears. Didn’t like it quite as much as Bryter Later.

Shake Your Money Maker by The Black Crowes
Jan 29 2025

This rocks! Surprised this hasn’t been more lasting and present. It is a bit cheesy but stacks up with a lot of the early 2000 garage revival stuff.

Bummed by Happy Mondays
Jan 30 2025

Disappointing. Too same-y throughout.

World Clique by Deee-Lite
Jan 31 2025

*Bruce Campbell voice* Groovy

We Are Family by Sister Sledge
Feb 03 2025

The uptempo tracks are great, but I didn’t like any of the ballad-y tracks.

Fisherman's Blues by The Waterboys
Feb 05 2025

Violin gets a bit too unnerving at times but overall I enjoyed this quite a bit.

Among The Living by Anthrax
Feb 06 2025

Exactly what I always thought this would sound like (derogatory)

Rage Against The Machine by Rage Against The Machine
Feb 07 2025

All the bones are here but it is uneven (Settle for Nothing was really unpleasant.). Great when it is funkier. Killing in the Name whips.

The White Album by Beatles
Feb 10 2025

A bit overstuffed, but a shocking achievement given its scope and scale. This exercise continues to highlight how good the Beatles really are. They hold up! “Long, Long, Long” stood out on this listen as a song I’d never really appreciated before but found really excellent and beautiful this time through.

Melodrama by Lorde
Feb 11 2025

Allyssa Beird loves running around her school listening to this. A few solid cuts, but overall a replacement level pop album.

Heroes by David Bowie
Feb 12 2025

Uneven. Didn’t love the ambient stuff other than Moss Garden. Title track is a banger.

Henry's Dream by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
Feb 13 2025

Tons of great tracks with the epic sweep I expect from Nick Cave.

Street Life by The Crusaders
Feb 14 2025

Unfortunately Muzak-y

3 Feet High and Rising by De La Soul
Feb 17 2025

I feel like I lack the full knowledge/context to judge this. It holds up well and feels very influential. The beats in particular felt timeless. But, it didn’t really grab me.

The College Dropout by Kanye West
Feb 18 2025

Listening to the most misogynistic song I’ve ever heard “wow, this is troublingly classist”. I dunno, this album was a big part of my youth, not sure what the fuck I’m supposed to do with his albums now.

Duck Stab/Buster & Glen by The Residents
Feb 19 2025

Very unenjoyable. I can see how it probably influenced music I like, but it was painful to get through.

White Blood Cells by The White Stripes
Feb 20 2025

A nearly flawless album (I don’t love “I Can Learn”). Boundless energy.

Beautiful Freak by Eels
Feb 21 2025

Really enjoyed this. Solid from start to finish. It didn’t have any transcendent moments so I’m giving it a 4, but I’d say it’s more of a 4.5.

That's The Way Of The World by Earth, Wind & Fire
Feb 24 2025

Kind of disappointing after shining star. Got less funky and more jazzy which I don’t like.

My Generation by The Who
Feb 26 2025

Some great tracks “the kids are alright” “my generation”. Some pleasant surprises “the ox”. But overall uneven.

Kollaps by Einstürzende Neubauten
Feb 27 2025

Answers the question “what if kraftwerk was atonal and bad?”

Berlin by Lou Reed
Feb 28 2025

I much prefer the first half of this album to the drearier tracks toward the back.“Sad Song” ties together the back half of the album well. Overall a good album!

Let's Get It On by Marvin Gaye
Mar 03 2025

A bit boring but some solid tunes.

Achtung Baby by U2
Mar 04 2025

There is some typical U2 cheese in here that holds it back (“Tryin To Throw Your Arms Around the World” is pretty awful, “Love is Blindness” not a great closing track) but on the whole a great album.

Rejoicing In The Hands by Devendra Banhart
Mar 05 2025

This hasn’t held up well for me. Feels a bit kitschy

Sail Away by Randy Newman
Mar 06 2025

Beautiful songs, funny songs, heartbreaking songs. Political Science more relevant than ever. Five stars.

Live And Dangerous by Thin Lizzy
Mar 07 2025

Cowboy Song straight into The Boys are Back in Town — hot damn.

Illinois by Sufjan Stevens
Mar 10 2025

A huge album in my life that came out just as I was moving to Illinois for college. Played the hell out of it then and have listened to my favorite tracks often in the years since. This is my first full album listen through in probably a decade and my god does it hold up.

Mar 12 2025

Really loved this album. The compositions shifting from spare to lush were really beautiful. However, “Invocation to Ratiocination” really rubbed me the wrong way and held it back form five stars.

Parachutes by Coldplay
Mar 13 2025

Really nice songs with more variety and edge than their early reputation implies.

Violent Femmes by Violent Femmes
Mar 17 2025

Good as hell folk punk. So many great tracks on here from start to finish.

Cosmo's Factory by Creedence Clearwater Revival
Mar 18 2025

Packed with great songs.

Peter Gabriel 3 by Peter Gabriel
Mar 19 2025

Never really connected with Peter Gabriel and on this album I think something about his singing is it grates on me (similar to Dave Matthews). This clicked during “Lead a Normal Life” which I thought was great until the singing kicked in. Overall a decent listen but not one I’d return to.

Seventh Tree by Goldfrapp
Mar 20 2025

I liked this a lot more than Felt Mountain. I liked the rock-folkiness of this a lot more than the chanteuse vibes of the last one. Overall a nice listen with a lot of bright spots.

Illmatic by Nas
Mar 21 2025

Lives up to the hype. Incredible flow. Wonderful beats. Lyrics that will need multiple listens to process.

All Directions by The Temptations
Mar 24 2025

I enjoyed the uptempo funky songs more than the more ballad-y tracks, as I always do, but overall I thought this was a very good listen.

Highway 61 Revisited by Bob Dylan
Mar 25 2025

An album so good it is making me crotchety about modern music. Flawless start to finish. Six stars.

Crocodiles by Echo And The Bunnymen
Mar 26 2025

Solidly listenable but forgettable.

Armed Forces by Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Mar 27 2025

A sonic delight that occasionally veers off track. Lots of choice tracks in here.

xx by The xx
Mar 28 2025

Chill beats and cool vocals.

Highway to Hell by AC/DC
Mar 31 2025

Fun like all AC/DC songs but I think one of their albums would be enough for this list.

good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar
Apr 01 2025

An amazing narrative achievement that also delivers a number of undeniable hit singles.

Third/Sister Lovers by Big Star
Apr 03 2025

Didn’t love this as much as I’d expected given how much I love #1 album. But maybe I am just taking Chilton’s songwriting for granted.

Live! by Fela Kuti
Apr 04 2025

Drum solo was a bit too much for me but the other tracks were really great.

The Fat Of The Land by The Prodigy
Apr 07 2025

Feels epochal but for an epoch I don’t care much about one way or the other. Very listenable as background music.

Youth And Young Manhood by Kings of Leon
Apr 08 2025

I forgot how great this album is. Their later output had negatively spun how I remember this. But hearing it again takes me back. Hard rocking southern jams. Allman Brothers x Velvet Underground vibes.

Blunderbuss by Jack White
Apr 09 2025

Easily the best Jack White album outside of his work with White Stripes. I especially like the back half which has some more adventurous stuff.

Let It Be by The Replacements
Apr 10 2025

I can see how this influenced a lot of music I like, and I enjoyed listening to it, but it left me a bit cold.

Quiet Life by Japan
Apr 11 2025

Duran Duran on Valium. Very boring.

Sister by Sonic Youth
Apr 14 2025

Too shaggy for me. Not my favorite of their records.

Shaft by Isaac Hayes
Apr 15 2025

Groovy and sweeping. A great soundtrack but doesn’t rise to the level of an album I’d revisit often.

The Scream by Siouxsie And The Banshees
Apr 16 2025

Solid moody rock. A bit same-y. I feel like this could have really imprinted into my mind if I’d encountered it when I was younger, but for now it’s just a solid three-star album.

Power In Numbers by Jurassic 5
Apr 17 2025

A very cool amalgam of styles over chill grooves, jazzy elements, and samples.

Machine Head by Deep Purple
Apr 18 2025

Space Truckin’ is a perfect capper for this album because it sums up the whole experience — deeply goofy but undeniably rocking.

Franz Ferdinand by Franz Ferdinand
Apr 21 2025

Take Me Out is an all-time for me. And. It has lots of other great tracks sprinkled throughout.

Welcome To The Pleasuredome by Frankie Goes To Hollywood
Apr 22 2025

This was slightly better than I expected and I’m still giving it one star. Just a slog of uninspired electro rock. It seemed like it would never end.

Bad by Michael Jackson
Apr 23 2025

There are undeniable hits throughout, but with enough maudlin syrup to drag it down to three stars.

69 Love Songs by The Magnetic Fields
Apr 24 2025

So many great tracks throughout. A fair number of duds but that’s understandable. I could see this landing anywhere from 3-5 based on its highs, lows, and overall ambition. I guess I’ll average it out to 4. Best tracks “papa was a rodeo”, “kiss me like you mean it”, “luckiest guy on the lower east side”, “sweet-lovin’ man”

Dare! by The Human League
Apr 25 2025

Boring but inoffensive.

Broken English by Marianne Faithfull
Apr 28 2025

Marianne Faithful has an interesting voice but the songs left me a bit cold.

Ramones by Ramones
Apr 29 2025

This album just fucking rips. Fast, loud, and fun.

S.F. Sorrow by The Pretty Things
Apr 30 2025

The opening riff of this album was so cool and the rest of it was a let down.

A Seat at the Table by Solange
May 01 2025

Really good album. It was a bit slow and melodic for my personal taste but the overall progression of the album with the interludes was very arresting. I really enjoyed this!

Ace of Spades by Motörhead
May 02 2025

Motörhead is cool and fun but does get repetitive especially since a number of these tracks were already on the Live at Hammersmith album on this list.

May 05 2025

While I didn’t love any single track this was an enjoyable listen at the album level. Some varied styles and low key grooves.

In Our Heads by Hot Chip
May 06 2025

Bleep-bloop music that isn’t terrible, but definitely isn’t good.

Private Dancer by Tina Turner
May 07 2025

A bit too 80s for me, but Tina Turner is great. Overall three stars bc it was good but not something I’d revisit.

The Real Thing by Faith No More
May 08 2025

Combining rap in the style of “my name is John and I’m here to say, I rock the beat in a rockin way”, with putrid metal riffs and knock off Axl Rose vocals. Not good!

May 09 2025

This was a stunning album for me. Folk songs with range, depth, and beauty. I loved both the vocalists and can’t wait to revisit this and listen to the lyrics again.

Black Monk Time by The Monks
May 12 2025

Feels ahead of its time and is still very listenable and fun.

Joan Baez by Joan Baez
May 13 2025

One of the all-time voices but this is not the strongest collections of songs.

For Your Pleasure by Roxy Music
May 14 2025

High variance. Some good tracks but some really sloggy ones featuring too much sludgy synth.

Devotional Songs by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
May 15 2025

I always struggle with things that are so foreign to me. This was pleasant enough to listen to but not anything I’d revisit.

May 16 2025

Solid flow and some interesting sampling/beats but it lacked the hooks in some of his other albums. The misogyny is also amped to a million here which detracts from the overall stories.

Don't Stand Me Down by Dexys Midnight Runners
May 19 2025

There are some interesting musical moments in here but the vocals are godawful, and the songs are too long and slow to ramp up. There is also an inexplicable song that rags on popular music while ripping off (intentionally I assume) Werewolves of London — pretty rich to be throwing stones at Warren Zecon. Three stars mostly just for the strength of the last four minutes of That’s What She’s Like. Also, is the author doing a bit by including a Dexy’s Midnight Runners album that doesn’t include Come on Eileen.

Here's Little Richard by Little Richard
May 21 2025

The energy is off the charts and it still feels fresh almost 70 years later. There is a bit of fatigue with the style by the end but overall a great time.

Post Orgasmic Chill by Skunk Anansie
May 22 2025

At times this had an almost showtune vibe that I kind of liked. But, most of it was somewhat grating operatic metal that I never got into.

May 23 2025

I was worried this wouldn’t hold up because I hadn’t listened to it since high school. I figured the impact would have worn off a bit now that I’m not a teenager, but it’s…. somehow better? I think it works top to bottom. It’s one of the most successful concept albums/operas I’ve ever heard. It is a top-tier work of fiction about the mid 2000s. I can’t believe it.

Now I Got Worry by The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
May 26 2025

I really enjoyed the middle third or so of this album, where I felt like it hit the perfect blend of bluesy, thrashy, and hooky. The begging and end were out of balance in the thrashy direction, but overall a solid listen.

Africa Brasil by Jorge Ben Jor
May 27 2025

This album rocks and rolls. It’s groovy and funky and jammy. A very fun listen but not sure how often I’ll revisit.

Nebraska by Bruce Springsteen
May 28 2025

Some of my favorite Bruce songs on here. Atlantic City, Reason to Believe, and Highway Patrolman are all classics. Despite being stripped down this album has great range.

May 29 2025

Not bad at all just boring. Like Franz Ferdinand but louder and less interesting. It is probably a three on merit but I found it so dull I’m giving it a two.

The Boatman's Call by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
May 30 2025

I love a spare, haunting, Nick Cave ballad, but these do get a bit repetitive as the album drags on.

Miriam Makeba by Miriam Makeba
Jun 02 2025

I felt that the English language standards on this dragged a bit and detracted from the overall experience.

Woodface by Crowded House
Jun 03 2025

Replacement level rock. Fine but boring. Probably could be three stars based on listenability but I found the slower ballads to be a real slog so I’m knocking it down to two.

Jun 04 2025

Really enjoyed this. Lightly ska/folk-inflected indie rock with enough variety to keep it interesting throughout.

Butterfly by Mariah Carey
Jun 05 2025

Slow dance songs from fifth grade that I didn’t like then and don’t like now, but her voice is good so I’ll give it two stars for that.

Songs The Lord Taught Us by The Cramps
Jun 06 2025

Like all Rockabilly I like it, but it gets very goofy and repetitive. I think I’m around. 3.5 on this but I’ll round down to three because of the same-yness

In Rainbows by Radiohead
Jun 09 2025

A very good album. Great even! But I am still a bit baffled that it is so widely regarded as their best when it is probably not even in my top three. I appreciate the complex compositions, but it just has none of the emotional heft of some of their better achievements (The Bends, OK Computer).

American Idiot by Green Day
Jun 10 2025

Really holds up. I know that a few songs have cringey reputations but in the flow of the opera they are good. Big thumbs down to the Spotify track breaks making it hard to add certain tracks to my overall playlist.

Ragged Glory by Neil Young & Crazy Horse
Jun 11 2025

This was a fun enough listen but I feel like the list is over-indexing in Neil Young that sounds exactly like this. I’d 90s young really that essential? The long songs are a bit too meandering for me.

Jun 12 2025

This was fun to put on in the background but it lacked some of the catchy hooks that made his other albums more memorable.

Smile by Brian Wilson
Jun 13 2025

It’s a good piece of pop orchestral music. But then good vibrations hits at the end and I can’t help but compare it (unfavorably) to Pet Sounds.

Os Mutantes by Os Mutantes
Jun 16 2025

Cool garage-y psych rock with enough holiness to grab me even in another language. Still a bit too psychedelic for me but I liked it.

What's That Noise? by Coldcut
Jun 17 2025

The sort of proto-avalanche sound collages were better than the more straightforward beats. This was overall fine as background music but felt like a waste of time.

Time Out by The Dave Brubeck Quartet
Jun 18 2025

Really fun listen. Makes me excited to hear more Jazz.

Talking Timbuktu by Ali Farka Touré
Jun 19 2025

I enjoyed the mellow compositions here but after a while it got boring.

Dry by PJ Harvey
Jun 20 2025

Finally clicked with a PJ Harvey album. I much preferred the first half of this album (the second half got a bit too sludgy for me) but the first half is awesome.

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Jun 23 2025

I’ve always found Tom Petty a bit boring. Enjoyable but unremarkable. (Exception being American Girl which is a bop).

Signing Off by UB40
Jun 24 2025

Slow but groovy reggae. Not super interesting but a decent listen.

Rust In Peace by Megadeth
Jun 26 2025

Unpleasant. I’ve never been a metal guy and albums like this are why. Bad vibes, bad melodies.

Queens of the Stone Age by Queens Of The Stone Age
Jun 30 2025

The first track “Regular John” was awesome. After that it got less propulsive and more sludgy which I liked quite a bit less

I Am a Bird Now by Antony and the Johnsons
Jul 01 2025

Some really gorgeous songs in here. I was big into this album in college and I’m glad it holds up years later.

Exile On Main Street by The Rolling Stones
Jul 02 2025

A bit bloated but also some of their best songs. Shine A Light almost pushed it to five stars but it felt more like a four throughout so I’m sticking with that.

McCartney by Paul McCartney
Jul 04 2025

Some interesting stuff in here. I particularly loved “Momma Miss America”. It’s possible that if a man named John Smith had released this album I’d have considered it for four stars, but it is impossible not to compare it to the Beatles output which makes it seem slight in comparison.

Moving Pictures by Rush
Jul 07 2025

There are moments on this album that are enjoyable (Limelight for instance), but every time I started to get into it something extremely dumb would happen (YYZ for instance).

Snivilisation by Orbital
Jul 08 2025

Some relatively solid background music mixed with some truly annoying tracks. Hovering around 1.5 but the last half hour was a chore so I’m giving it a 1.

Bright Flight by Silver Jews
Jul 09 2025

A lot of thee songs really hit me. I also appreciated the variety in the music despite his unique droning voice.

Fred Neil by Fred Neil
Jul 10 2025

Some cool stuff in here with some unique, haunted folk. I liked his Everbody’s Talking better than Nilson’s. There was a proto-Nick Cave vibe at times as well. Strongly disliked the final track which bumped this down from a four to a three.

Doggystyle by Snoop Dogg
Jul 11 2025

Pretty undeniable album. His flow is so smooth and in the pocket matched with great instrumentation. Of course, that instrumentation does rely heavily on load-bearing Parliament samples (particularly on “Who am I”), but you can’t argue with the results! There is, of course, a troubling amount of misogyny in the lyrics as is typical of the era. Shocking behavior from America’s preeminent Olympics correspondent!

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

Van has many an undeniable banger. However this album meanders just a bit too much (particularly in the first half of disc 2). Overall a great time but not quite a five star.

Innervisions by Stevie Wonder
Jul 15 2025

The funky uptempo songs (especially Higher Ground and Living for the City) on this album are so good. The ballads (Golden Lady, All in Love is Fair) are very saccharine. Overall four stars on the strengths of the great tracks but the dour songs will stop me from giving it a full relisten.

No Other by Gene Clark
Jul 16 2025

Pretty down the middle folk rock. I really enjoyed the funkier guitar and organ of From a Silver Phial.

Brutal Youth by Elvis Costello
Jul 18 2025

Solid chunes. Falls into the category of “do I really need to listen to this aging legend’s 90s output” that afflicts this list. Enjoyed it enough. Won’t revisit.

Repeater by Fugazi
Jul 21 2025

I’ve always appreciated Fugazi on an intellectual level while never really being emotionally affected by their music. On this listen my reaction is much the same. Solid stuff but doesn’t grab me.

School's Out by Alice Cooper
Jul 22 2025

Pleasantly surprised by the range on this. Not at all what my perception of Alice Cooper was going in.

Blur by Blur
Jul 23 2025

Long live Britpop.

Vol. 4 by Black Sabbath
Jul 24 2025

Black Sabbath is firmly the best of these metal bands in terms of melody and range. Found this release a bit uneven but enjoyable.

Moss Side Story by Barry Adamson
Jul 25 2025

This is way too avant garde for me. I struggled to get through it, and it has little to no emotional impact. But it has a few nice songs scattered throughout.

Viva Hate by Morrissey
Jul 28 2025

“Maudlin street” is a pithy description for everything I dislike about Morrisey. But I can’t deny I drops a banger track (“I Don’t Mind if You Forget Me”) every now and then.

Tigermilk by Belle & Sebastian
Jul 29 2025

The first five tracks on this album are damn-near perfect. The second half is a bit less memorable but still fantastic.

Surfer Rosa by Pixies
Jul 31 2025

Not my favorite Pixies album (that’s Doolittle) but still solid.

Lost Souls by Doves
Aug 01 2025

Solid if replaceable. A bit like a mix between oasis and Radiohead, but maybe a bit more mellow than that implies.

Aug 04 2025

A solid outing from Eno. Not as good an album as ‘Here Come The Warm Jets’ or ‘Music for Airports’, but it feels like a stepping stone between them. 3.5 stars but I’ll round down given the highs of his other output.

LP1 by FKA twigs
Aug 05 2025

A bit too spooky and ethereal for me. It sort of put me on edge, which is possibly a product of me being in a bad mood while I was listening. I can see the craft but it didn’t grab me.

Daydream Nation by Sonic Youth
Aug 06 2025

I appreciate Sonic Youth but on the whole, they are too thrashy for me.

Connected by Stereo MC's
Aug 07 2025

This is groovy and listenable but it is basically background music.

Roger the Engineer by The Yardbirds
Aug 08 2025

I understand why this was impactful, and some points are enjoyable, but on the whole it is a bit too noodly and goofy for me. The guitar is impressive but a bit hollow.

Metallica by Metallica
Aug 11 2025

The best of the Metallica albums so far (which isn’t saying much). I hope there aren’t any more because three of their albums are far more than enough.

The Blueprint by JAY Z
Aug 12 2025

Undeniable flow, excellent production. Added to the long list of pop culture that Kanye has made uncomfortable for me despite it’s strong merits.

Aug 13 2025

I liked this and enjoyed having it in the whole time. Hard to judge beyond that given how unfamiliar I am with the genre.

Aug 14 2025

I really hate this schmaltzy British 80s shit, and there are a lot of these albums on this list. I guess it is two stars for being marginally listenable, but I’m in a bad mood so I am very tempted to give it 1 star.

The Libertines by The Libertines
Aug 15 2025

Solid, strokes-y britpop. Very enjoyable.

Frampton Comes Alive by Peter Frampton
Aug 18 2025

Veers between decent and schmaltzy. Just down the middle three stars.

Rings Around The World by Super Furry Animals
Aug 19 2025

Very fun. Gets somewhat psychedelic without losing poppy hooks. A few songs got a bit too annoying toward the end (I didn’t like Presidential Suite) but overall would listen again.

Getz/Gilberto by Stan Getz
Aug 20 2025

There is a certain type of music that makes me sad because it is background music to a life I’ll never live. This album falls into that category.

Tical by Method Man
Aug 21 2025

Not my favorite Wu-Tang solo effort. A bit nondescript but it had a nice groove to it so it was very listenable.

GI by Germs
Aug 22 2025

I’m just not a hardcore guy. This album had a few moments of intrigue (the opening riff of Richie Dagger’s Crime, the slower sludge of Shut Down) but overall I didn’t enjoy it.

Legalize It by Peter Tosh
Aug 25 2025

The man was on the right side of history. I liked this ok, though a lot of tracks felt like filler.

Aug 26 2025

Despite knowing that “Is This It” by The Strokes is the better album, I always think of this album as the prime example of the early 2000s “The” band craze. Pleasantly surprised by how well this holds up. It goes! Just about the maximum amount of thrash I like in an album.

Isn't Anything by My Bloody Valentine
Aug 27 2025

I know this is heresy but I wish the vocals were mixed higher.

Manassas by Stephen Stills
Aug 28 2025

Cool variety and nice musicianship, but it’s long and bloated. I especially disliked the yachtier moments that took over the second half of the album (“It Doesn’t Matter” was a lowlight).

Eternally Yours by The Saints
Sep 01 2025

This album rules. The horns were particularly great.

Dust by Screaming Trees
Sep 02 2025

Shocked by how much I liked this. Avoids so many of the pitfalls of other new-to-me grunge albums on this list.

B-52's by The B-52's
Sep 03 2025

This album would still feel fresh and exciting if it came out in 2025. What a great sound.

Sep 04 2025

Some nice tracks in here but I found the overall experience uneven, especially the second half.

The Sounds Of India by Ravi Shankar
Sep 05 2025

More of a lesson than an album but I enjoyed the music and the teaching.

Low by David Bowie
Sep 08 2025

The first half was solid if uninspired Bowie, then the back half shifts to solid but out of place ambient music. Overall I liked it more than I expected! Probably because the ambient tracks sound like they could be Disney World area loops.

Dusty In Memphis by Dusty Springfield
Sep 09 2025

Incredible singer. Some great songs here but enough filler to leave it teetering between 3 and 4 stars for me. I’ll bump it up to 4 because I loved “Don’t Forget About Me” so much.

The inclusion of this album very nearly undermines the whole project. It does capture some of the stupid impotent rage of the early 2000s so in that sense it is a good time capsule. Luckily, it has one good track that it has the good sense to put on the album twice (Rollin’). For that song alone I will give the album 2 stars.

From Elvis In Memphis by Elvis Presley
Sep 11 2025

Gospell-y Elvis is pretty solid. There are some great tracks here (“Long Black Limousine” “Suspicious Minds”), but also some real dreck (“Don’t Cry Daddy”).

Are You Experienced by Jimi Hendrix
Sep 12 2025

Great album but there is too much filler to get it to five stars.

Yank Crime by Drive Like Jehu
Sep 15 2025

I liked this more than I expected to. Some of the longer tracks got a good groove going. But ultimately it was too thrash-y and hardcore for me.

Life Thru A Lens by Robbie Williams
Sep 16 2025

The uptempo tracks crush the ballads. A lot of tracks are like a store brand oasis record, but that’s still pretty good! Let Me Entertain You is both my favorite track, and the one that sounds most unique among Britpop stuff.

Sep 17 2025

Very boring. Not chill enough to get into the flow of, not uptempo enough to dance to.

A Little Deeper by Ms. Dynamite
Sep 18 2025

This feels like warmed over Destiny’s Child, but it is solidly listenable. Quite a bit longer than it should be, though.

Hot Buttered Soul by Isaac Hayes
Sep 19 2025

The 18 minute track really didn’t work for me, and because it was half the album that made it challenging. Still three stars for overall grooviness.

Gold by Ryan Adams
Sep 22 2025

Real shame that this guy is a huge piece of shit. This album is extremely good.

A Northern Soul by The Verve
Sep 23 2025

Kind of like a knock off worse early Radiohead mixed with oasis. Which is fine but not anything special.

The Idiot by Iggy Pop
Sep 24 2025

This is solid but it undeniably feels like a Bowie album and lacks the edge I want from Iggy Pop. Still three stars.

Third by Portishead
Sep 25 2025

My enjoyment of each song on this album was inversely promotional to how moody and industrial it sounded.

More Specials by The Specials
Sep 26 2025

I like the specials but this wasn’t my favorite album of theirs. Interesting experimentation but I thought the straightforward 2 tone tracks were the strongest ones. The lounge-y stuff really turned me against the album.

Bandwagonesque by Teenage Fanclub
Sep 29 2025

Superb power pop. Not sure how I have never heard this album before.

John Prine by John Prine
Sep 30 2025

I’ve tried to get into John for years and never can. Same reaction on this listen. Every song individually is a C+ at worst but that just doesn’t grab me.

Rattus Norvegicus by The Stranglers
Oct 01 2025

This album was up and down. Much more enjoyable when they were toying with genre (especially on the reggae-inflected “Peaches”). But it dragged a bit toward the end and overstayed its welcome.

Fear Of A Black Planet by Public Enemy
Oct 02 2025

Public Enemy albums are just so listenable. Great sound collages. Occasionally the lyrics jump out and those march the music, but the lyrics sink back in my listening enough that I can’t go five stars.

Frank by Amy Winehouse
Oct 03 2025

This feels surprisingly anonymous and schmaltzy. Her talent is there and you can see where the next album is going to come from, but I’m surprised this album made much of an impact as is.

Next by The Sensational Alex Harvey Band
Oct 06 2025

I liked the glam stuff on here quite a bit. The proggier stuff was less successful.

Pictures At An Exhibition by Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Oct 07 2025

Wanky prog trash. I even hated the song from the nutcracker, which shouldn’t be possible.

Oct 08 2025

This album falls into a category of music I enjoy but can’t fit into my daily life. I feel like if I could slow down my evenings a bit I’d put on records like this all the time.

Shadowland by k.d. lang
Oct 10 2025

Enjoyable mellow country but not much to elevate it beyond that.

Traffic by Traffic
Oct 13 2025

I found most of this to be a bore and a chore to get through. But I enjoyed Medicated Goo a lot and was on the verge of giving this three stars as a result. The next track (Shanghai Noodle Factory) knocked it back down to two.

Oct 14 2025

I really love a lot of music in here but D Boon’s singing just isn’t for me. I also think it is just too long. I feel like this is a 3.5 but I’m rounding down.

Timeless by Goldie
Oct 15 2025

Sure. This is decent for this type of music, but how many of these electronica albums are going to be a part of this project?

Homework by Daft Punk
Oct 17 2025

I found the back half of this album very repetitive. I wish it were Discovery.

Fun House by The Stooges
Oct 20 2025

Extremely raw and driving but maintains a groove throughout. A tough tightrope to walk! I especially appreciate the horns on Fun House

Blue Lines by Massive Attack
Oct 21 2025

A bit too sleepy for me. There were a few nice grooves, especially the closing track (Hymn of the Big Wheel).

Live / Dead by Grateful Dead
Oct 22 2025

I have always “not been into The Dead” despite never really giving them a chance. This album vindicated my past beliefs. I just don’t like long noodle jammy stuff. Turn on Your Love Light was decent, the rest left me cold — Feedback in particular was a real dud.

Oct 23 2025

The early songs were a bit too jazzy for me but I started to like it more as the album went on and they got more rock/experimental.

Low-Life by New Order
Oct 24 2025

Not my favorite New Order. A few solid rock-ier songs (Love Vigilantes and Sunrise). Face Up is a great dance song, up there with Bizarre Love Triangle for my favorite of theirs in that genre, but I still don’t like that mode of New Order all that much.

At Budokan by Cheap Trick
Oct 27 2025

I Want You to Want Me rolling right into Surrender is sick.

The Sensual World by Kate Bush
Oct 28 2025

It’s not Hounds of Love, but it is a great outing nonetheless. Some high highs (This Woman’s Work, Love And Anger) and some forgettable moments, but no real lows. A solid listen start to finish.

Rocks by Aerosmith
Oct 29 2025

This was perfectly fine but not a single song grabbed my attention. It felt like generic rock background music.

Oct 30 2025

Diet-wu-tang beats and a laid back flow. Chill and fun to listen to but extremely forgettable.

The Modern Dance by Pere Ubu
Nov 03 2025

I can appreciate this album, but I don’t enjoy it.

Too Rye Ay by Dexys Midnight Runners
Nov 04 2025

A bit too long but there are some nice tunes on here. Come On Eileen really does slap.

Deja Vu by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
Nov 05 2025

Pretty solid outing if a bit overhyped. Some great tracks (Helpless and Our House are my favorite). But some filler too.

Django Django by Django Django
Nov 06 2025

Replacement level Animal Collective style music. Not unpleasant but not something I’d return to.

Thriller by Michael Jackson
Nov 07 2025

Obviously it has a run of unimpeachable bangers in the middle (Thriller, Beat It, Billie Jean), but there is some schmaltzy trash too (The Girl Is Mine is truly unlistenable, Human Nature is not much better).

Tragic Songs of Life by The Louvin Brothers
Nov 11 2025

I like this type of music, and I assume this is a blueprint of sorts, but it didn’t have any standout songs.

Both halves of this album are amazing in different ways. The acoustic half had some great performances of classics and then the electric half just fucking rocks.

Document by R.E.M.
Nov 13 2025

I always like an REM album. Not my favorite but still very solid.

Bongo Rock by Incredible Bongo Band
Nov 14 2025

Really fun and funky. Wears out its welcome a bit as it drags on and the covers begin to seem more rote.

Gasoline Alley by Rod Stewart
Nov 17 2025

Rod Stewart songs are fun even if most of them sound the same.

Hypnotised by The Undertones
Nov 18 2025

A great time that starts out repetitive but shifts enough along the way that I stayed engaged throughout.

Nov 19 2025

There was stuff in here I really enjoyed but every time I got into a groove there would be a very homophobic, transphobic, or misogynist lyric that would really bring it down.

Superfuzz Bigmuff by Mudhoney
Nov 20 2025

Too sludgy. I can see the influence it had but I didn’t enjoy it.

Roots by Sepultura
Nov 21 2025

I hated every second of this.

Imagine by John Lennon
Nov 24 2025

I enjoyed this quite a bit more than I expected to, and a lot more than I enjoyed Paul’s solo album that I had a few months back.

Fifth Dimension by The Byrds
Nov 25 2025

This album was pleasant enough to have on in the background, but psych rock really doesn’t do it for me.

Grace by Jeff Buckley
Nov 28 2025

Very good but some of the songs with more range tip over the edge for me.

Bone Machine by Tom Waits
Dec 01 2025

Not my favorite Tom Waits, but it has some breathtaking moments.

Exile In Guyville by Liz Phair
Dec 02 2025

Thrilled when this popped up this morning. Just a pleasure to listen to a perfect album. Frank, unsparing, catchy. One of my desert album islands. I love it start to finish. Top tracks: Fuck and Run (one of my favorite songs of all time), 6’1, Help Me Mary, Divorce Song, Flower, Never Said

Palo Congo by Sabu
Dec 03 2025

Despite being a genre I usually like, this was too frenetic for my taste.

Infected by The The
Dec 04 2025

Way too eighties. The Mercy Beat was the best track but it was too little too late. Lacking the hookiness that elevates the songs of theirs that I’ve liked in the past.

Call of the Valley by Shivkumar Sharma
Dec 05 2025

This is very nice and atmospheric, but also a bit forgettable.

Oar by Alexander 'Skip' Spence
Dec 08 2025

Interesting stuff that seems like a forerunner of some of the lofi singer songwriters I like today. That said, I didn’t really like the songs much. Glad I listened to this but won’t revisit.

90 by 808 State
Dec 09 2025

I find this kind of music hard to judge but it was groovy enough I suppose.

Dec 10 2025

The first half of Speakerboxxx is perfect but it gets pretty wobbly after the Bamboo interlude. The Love Below has moments of greatness throughout. There would be a killer five star album here if you culled some weaker tracks and put them together but the dual halves are interesting as well.

Vauxhall And I by Morrissey
Dec 11 2025

It's a Morrissey album. Palatable but not my thing.

Kala by M.I.A.
Dec 12 2025

Great music to get pumped up.

Songs Of Love And Hate by Leonard Cohen
Dec 15 2025

Leonard Cohen simply writes great songs. Sometimes I’m not in the mood, but when I am, there’s nothing like them.

Different Class by Pulp
Dec 16 2025

This album rocks and rolls. Jam after jam. Hilarious lyrics. Features an all time classic (“Common People”) and another great banger (“Disco 2000”).

Go Girl Crazy by The Dictators
Dec 17 2025

This was fun and fast.

Imperial Bedroom by Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Dec 18 2025

Not my favorite Costello album but undoubtedly one of his best. Beyond Belief is one of my absolute favorites of his songs. Lush arrangements and tight songwriting. A few songs in the back half lose me which holds it back from five stars. A truly great album!

Deep Purple In Rock by Deep Purple
Dec 19 2025

This is fine (despite an overly long song or two) but it is not as good as the other Deep Purple on this list — and really that means it shouldn’t be on this list.

Red Headed Stranger by Willie Nelson
Dec 22 2025

A collection of beautiful, if occasionally slight, songs that add up to more than the sum of their parts when listened to as an album.

A Wizard, A True Star by Todd Rundgren
Dec 23 2025

Had some enjoyable tracks but overall it was too experimental and not as good as other Rundgren stuff I’ve heard. Seems like he just really wanted to be Zappa and it didn’t work out.

Gentlemen by The Afghan Whigs
Dec 24 2025

This was pretty great even though no individual song jumped out at me. Feel like it would benefit from a deeper listen but even so it really popped.

Come Away With Me by Norah Jones
Dec 25 2025

This album is right on the edge. Some tracks are beautiful while others tip over into the pure schmaltz.

Walking Wounded by Everything But The Girl
Dec 26 2025

I found this extremely boring and repetitive, but it wasn’t unpleasant to listen to.

Scream, Dracula, Scream by Rocket From The Crypt
Dec 29 2025

This albums kind of rips. The horns were an especially pleasant surprise. Wears out its welcome just a bit toward the end, but it is one I’ll likely revisit.

Fly Or Die by N.E.R.D
Dec 30 2025

This album starts fun and funky and I suppose it remains that way throughout but it wore out its welcome for me especially with the extra long tracks toward the end.

Dirty by Sonic Youth
Dec 31 2025

Sonic Youth is a weird one for me. When they are in their more melodic riff-based mode (“Sugar Kane” for example) I love it. But mostly here it is too moody and thrashy for me.

Dear Science by TV On The Radio
Jan 01 2026

This is not my favorite TVOTR album but it is still quite enjoyable. Starts out very strong but Peter’s out in the second half as it becomes less dancey.

GREY Area by Little Simz
Jan 02 2026

Started off very strong but as it mellowed out in the back half I lost interest.

New York Dolls by New York Dolls
Jan 05 2026

Blisteringly fun punk/glam rock. The DNA of a ton of my favorite music is in here.

Pyromania by Def Leppard
Jan 06 2026

There are occasional moments of cheesy fun in here but overall it is very bland and repetitive hair metal.

Nothing's Shocking by Jane's Addiction
Jan 07 2026

Surprisingly intriguing variety in the music here (I had assumed all their songs sounded like “Mountain Song”, the only song I’d heard coming in and maybe my least favorite track on the album). I really enjoyed the opening instrumental track, but the vocals wore on me. Not my cup of tea but I can see people liking this.

Jan 08 2026

Some cool compositions that build in interesting ways but at the end of the day it is just some thumping techno.

Femi Kuti by Femi Kuti
Jan 12 2026

Very enjoyable afrobeat.

Suede by Suede
Jan 13 2026

Awesome pop. Tons of great tracks and interesting hooks and melodies.

Hejira by Joni Mitchell
Jan 14 2026

Some high highs (coyote and refuge of the roads are both great) but a few of the jazzier tracks grate on me.

Solid Air by John Martyn
Jan 16 2026

I found this interesting at times but overall extremely grating. The title track in particular set my teeth on edge.

Here, My Dear by Marvin Gaye
Jan 19 2026

This was great. Loved the repeating “when did you start loving me” track.

Atomizer by Big Black
Jan 20 2026

Some of the sickest riffs and coolest guitar tones ever committed to vinyl. “Kerosene” is an all timer. This is the music the makes all other hard driving music pale in comparison for me. This has “it”.

american dream by LCD Soundsystem
Jan 21 2026

I found this too samey. I didn’t hate it, but not my favorite album of theirs by a long shot.

Songs For Swingin' Lovers! by Frank Sinatra
Jan 22 2026

Despite my general aversion to crooning I kind of enjoyed this. These songs really are quite pleasant to listen to. Not challenging at all and not something I’d listen to often, but I might throw it on again if I was having a bad day.

Bubble And Scrape by Sebadoh
Jan 23 2026

Pretty forgettable replacement level indie rock. Too thrashy for my taste.

Green River by Creedence Clearwater Revival
Jan 26 2026

Dead solid rock and roll. CCR just rocks

16 Lovers Lane by The Go-Betweens
Jan 27 2026

These songs were fine but I found them quite anemic and lacking in emotional heft.

Maggot Brain by Funkadelic
Jan 28 2026

The title track is maybe my favorite guitar solo of all time. The first half of this album is flawless. The back half is a bit rockier but still great.

Yeezus by Kanye West
Jan 29 2026

An album that was problematic when it came out and has only gotten more problematic with time. Unfortunately it is also an absolutely perfect album. The trumpets on Blood on the Leaves are simply transcendent.

Brown Sugar by D'Angelo
Feb 02 2026

Solid smooth tunes. Not my jam but enjoyable.

Meat Puppets II by Meat Puppets
Feb 03 2026

The alt country stuff in this is so good. The thrashy hardcore stuff is not for me. The final three songs (Lake of Fire, I’m A Mindless Idiot, The Whistling Song) are an extremely strong close.

The Specials by The Specials
Feb 05 2026

Ska rocks. This album just gets better as it goes.

The Bends by Radiohead
Feb 06 2026

Near perfect album and easily my favorite Radiohead (not sure why that opinion isn’t more widely held). The only misstep is Bulletproof but otherwise every track is awesome.

Countdown To Ecstasy by Steely Dan
Feb 09 2026

PTA is going to have to make a lot more masterpieces to change my mind about Steely Dan. King of the World and My Old School were decent tracks but I just find their voices annoying for the most part, and the majority of the songs are too slow for me.

The Queen Is Dead by The Smiths
Feb 10 2026

Easily the best Smiths album I’ve heard. I still find Moz inanely grating at times, but the back of this album does indeed rip. Johnny Marr fucking rules.

Olympia 64 by Jacques Brel
Feb 11 2026

College me getting really into Jacques Brel has aged quite nicely. Amsterdam still an all timer.

D by White Denim
Feb 12 2026

This wasn’t bad per se, but it definitely activated my allergy to jam bands.

m b v by My Bloody Valentine
Feb 13 2026

I enjoyed this quite a bit. Wears out its welcome a bit toward the end but overall positive. This was melodic enough to avoid sinking into a lot of the boredom and fuzz I generally associate with shoegaze.

Beach Samba by Astrud Gilberto
Feb 16 2026

Pretty boring. I don’t dislike bossa nova, but I find it very Muzak adjacent.

The Visitors by ABBA
Feb 17 2026

The album summary notes “the album is often regarded as a more complex and mature effort.” With all due respect to ABBA, I do not come to them for mature and complex, I come to them for bops, and this album is sorely lacking in bops.

Vespertine by Björk
Feb 18 2026

A damn good album. Pares away a lot of what I have found hard to connect with in other Bjork albums and leaves a starkly beautiful showcase for her voice.

Rock Bottom by Robert Wyatt
Feb 19 2026

Too weird and off putting for me. Reading about the album I can see how you get an album like this, but I don’t like it at all.

Bitches Brew by Miles Davis
Feb 20 2026

Certain tracks in here really worked for me, but overall I don’t think I have a sophisticated enough jazz palate to love this album.

The Who Sell Out by The Who
Feb 23 2026

I enjoyed this a lot! I expected the concept album aspect to detract from the songs a lot more than it did.

Permission to Land by The Darkness
Feb 24 2026

The fun songs on this album are so fun. Just a ripping good time. Unfortunately, the ballads are as bad as the good songs are good.

Feb 25 2026

On the shortlist for my favorite rap albums of all time. Incredibly funny, catchy, varied and deep. The unique flow of each member stands out and keeps the album from ever getting boring. You can still feel the influence of it today — not just in hip hop but in how musicians craft soundscapes and tell stories. Also a near literary portrait of New York.

Elvis Is Back by Elvis Presley
Feb 26 2026

These songs were pleasant but didn’t grab me and I got bored toward the end. They’d be nice background music at a party but not something I’d throw on regularly.

After The Gold Rush by Neil Young
Feb 27 2026

Not my favorite Neil Young, but solid. I like him rocking out a bit more.

Trafalgar by Bee Gees
Mar 02 2026

Snooze. If I have to listen to The Bee Gees it better be danceable. Lion in Winter very nearly approaches being a decent song (though still far too mewling) and that alone saves this from one star status.

Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
Mar 03 2026

I remember when this album came out and topped every single year end best of list. I was confused then and still am to a degree. The album is undeniably good, but I just don’t find it transcendent. I think some of the slower more jazzy tracks are just too mellow for me. I particularly think the first five tracks on the album are some of the weakest. The highs (“super rich kids” “bad religion”) are transcendent.

Suzanne Vega by Suzanne Vega
Mar 04 2026

This kind of female singer songwriter music is usually my jam but I found this pretty boring. I think the instrumentation was too 80s sounding to me. Muzak adjacent.

Happy Trails by Quicksilver Messenger Service
Mar 05 2026

I just don’t like jam bands. This isn’t the worst jam band album I’ve ever heard, but I’d rather not have had to listen to it.

Hot Fuss by The Killers
Mar 06 2026

Definitely some nostalgia tilting the scales here but this is a great album. Pure uncut early 2000s bangers. The first half is flawless. The second half loses steam just a bit, bumping it down to 4 stars.

L.A. Woman by The Doors
Mar 09 2026

Started out ok then tailed off. I find the Doors pretty blah, and the two most famous tracks on this album (LA Woman and Riders on the Storm) were among the weakest tracks on the album.

Beauty And The Beat by The Go-Go's
Mar 10 2026

Power pop is among my favorite genres of music and this is a damn good version of it. It bolts out of the gate with a perfect first half but does flag just a bit toward the end.

Country Life by Roxy Music
Mar 11 2026

Occasionally gets a bit to arty, but mostly this just rocks. Riff-forward and rocking, keeping the best of their previous albums and culling most of the bad parts.

Beyond Skin by Nitin Sawhney
Mar 13 2026

Extremely boring

Elephant by The White Stripes
Mar 16 2026

Amazing that an album can start with Seven Nation Army and end with It’s True That We Love One Another and have it work. Great album. Formative album for me and still one of the best live shows I’ve ever been to.

Arise by Sepultura
Mar 17 2026

Absolutely brutal that there is a second album from this band on the list. This is just as bad as the last one.

The Low End Theory by A Tribe Called Quest
Mar 18 2026

Unbelievably cool. Lives up to the hype.

Elastica by Elastica
Mar 19 2026

Good fun rock and roll. Sounds very ahead of its time to me. I would have pegged this as a mid 2000s indie sleaze band.

Porcupine by Echo And The Bunnymen
Mar 20 2026

Better than I expected. I enjoyed the opening more than the back half. All told, forgettable.

G. Love And Special Sauce by G. Love & Special Sauce
Mar 23 2026

In the genre of Jason Mrazcore. Listenable but sounds almost like a joke that would get Adrien Brody banned from SNL. You can’t tell me “Shooting Hoops” is not some sort of bit.

Like A Prayer by Madonna
Mar 24 2026

The title track is so awesome, but it really fails off in the second half and becomes a slog.

Rumours by Fleetwood Mac
Mar 25 2026

Oh Daddy is really the only wrong step on this whole album. Easy five stars.

Bug by Dinosaur Jr.
Mar 26 2026

I always feel like I should like Dinosaur Jr. more than I do. It’s just too thrashy for me.

She's So Unusual by Cyndi Lauper
Mar 27 2026

This album rules. The first half is all bangers. I think I would have given it five stars if it ended after track 8, but the last two tracks weren’t my favorite and left a slightly bitter taste in my mouth.

Red Dirt Girl by Emmylou Harris
Mar 30 2026

A bit disappointing. I wanted more of a country edge to some of the later songs. A few standouts (my baby needs a Shepard in particular).

Da Capo by Love
Mar 31 2026

Far too shaggy for me — especially the last track. Had a few solid tracks in the beginning but I didn’t love it. It’s no Forever Changes, that’s for sure.

The Hour Of Bewilderbeast by Badly Drawn Boy
Apr 01 2026

Loved this. A bit meandering at times (do we really need so many long piano outros?) but some of that adds to the charm. Great album.

Bayou Country by Creedence Clearwater Revival
Apr 02 2026

Another solid Creedence album. Just a dead on 3.5 band to me. I’ll lean this one to 4 bc it put me in a good mood today.

Tubular Bells by Mike Oldfield
Apr 03 2026

MIKE: Hey, check out my new album. MIKE’S FRIEND: Yeah, man. Uh decent prog stuff, not really my speed. But, um, I think people are going to find the opening pretty off-putting and spooky. MIKE: No way, man. It’s just some bells.

Rock 'N Soul by Solomon Burke
Apr 06 2026

This is good. Not super memorable but very solid.

Apr 07 2026

This is perfectly fine, but it is a negative WAR CSNY solo album. Probably a 2.5 but I’ll round down to two.

Trans Europe Express by Kraftwerk
Apr 08 2026

Loved the first track in this but was disappointed in the rest. I prefer melodic and driving Kraftwerk to spooky Kraftwerk.

The Downward Spiral by Nine Inch Nails
Apr 09 2026

I appreciate this more than I enjoy it. There is some great stuff on here but it leans a bit too metal for me — I prefer the more orchestral and industrial sections.

Giant Steps by The Boo Radleys
Apr 10 2026

This was very solid — Super Furry Animals, Dandy Warhol vibes — but not very memorable.

Apr 13 2026

Another solid album that reminds me of the Dandy Warhols (two days in a row for that vibe). Liked it front to back more or less, but found it forgettable.

The Wall by Pink Floyd
Apr 14 2026

“The Trial” knocked a full star off this one. Overall there are a lot of good tracks on here but I find the wanky concept album tracks distracting to the overall quality.

Vivid by Living Colour
Apr 15 2026

The metal stuff on this album was very grating. The ska/funk inflected stuff was much better but still not terrific.

Psychocandy by The Jesus And Mary Chain
Apr 16 2026

70% of maximum thrash level Jesus and Mary Chain are so so good. The first half of this album over indexed on thrash to me, but the back half really saved it.

Crazysexycool by TLC
Apr 17 2026

A couple great tracks but a lot of it was just bland to me. Maybe it was fresher in its era and only seems bland in hindsight.

In A Silent Way by Miles Davis
Apr 20 2026

I enjoyed side two more than side one. Thought both were good not great.

Suicide by Suicide
Apr 21 2026

You can see how this was influential but it was very samey throughout. Cheree into Johnny was great but the rest was forgettable.

The Infotainment Scan by The Fall
Apr 22 2026

No matter how I try, I can’t get really into The Fall. I enjoyed this but wasn’t blown away.

White Ladder by David Gray
Apr 24 2026

Rode the line between decent songwriter stuff and meh songwriter stuff. 2.5 but I’ll round down.

You Are The Quarry by Morrissey
Apr 27 2026

Quintessential whining Moz. Everything I dislike about him summed up in one album!

Arular by M.I.A.
Apr 28 2026

Not as good as Kala but still very enjoyable. MIA songs rock.

So by Peter Gabriel
Apr 29 2026

I’m just not a Peter Gabriel guy. This is fine but not something I’d listen to recreationally.

Since I Left You by The Avalanches
Apr 30 2026

A perfectly nice album that I never fully clicked with in the way others have. I prefer tue tracks that have some sort of hook (e.g., Frontier Psychiatrist) over the more soundscape-y ones.

One World by John Martyn
May 01 2026

Boring.

May 04 2026

This album had a few interesting tracks (A Song for Assata being the standout) but on the whole it was far too forgettable to be so long.

Good Old Boys by Randy Newman
May 05 2026

Funny, moving, insightful, catchy. Almost half these songs ended up on my 1001 albums playlist. Maybe Newman’s best.

I See You by The xx
May 06 2026

I found this pretty bland. Just not my kind of thing.

Pump by Aerosmith
May 07 2026

This was ok. No standout tracks , just all very similar.

Ghosteen by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
May 08 2026

This was quite beautiful but not something I would revisit because it is both depressing and a bit samey throughout. Not my favorite of his stuff even if it may be some of his best.

Mermaid Avenue by Billy Bragg
May 11 2026

This is even better than I remembered. One or two duds but overall five stars.

So Much For The City by The Thrills
May 12 2026

Feels very dated. Fine music for this era but really rode the line between enjoyable and annoying.

Scott 2 by Scott Walker
May 13 2026

Too baroque for me. Had its moments but overall I wanted more of the folky stuff and less of the soaring symphonic numbers.

Wild Wood by Paul Weller
May 14 2026

Some of these songs were great. Some of these songs strayed too close to the John Mayer zone. Moon On Your Pyjamas was an abomination.

Shalimar by Rahul Dev Burman
May 15 2026

Sounds like a 70s movie soundtrack. Not much else to note.

Kenya by Machito
May 18 2026

Pretty fun jazz album. I know very little about the progression of jazz throughout the years but this felt very modern — shocked it is from the 50s.

Something/Anything? by Todd Rundgren
May 19 2026

This is a three star album grafted onto a one star yacht rock album

Songs From The Big Chair by Tears For Fears
May 20 2026

I enjoy a few Tears For Fears songs (Everybody Wants to Rule The World is great!) but even the good ones are a bit cheesy, and their bad songs are so bad (I Believe knocked a full star off this album ranking).

Aladdin Sane by David Bowie
May 21 2026

Not my favorite Bowie but still incredibly solid. A few of the slower songs don’t really work for me so I’ve only got this at a three but that may be grading unfairly on a curve because of his other superb output.

Faith by George Michael
May 22 2026

What if the Michael Jackson songs I don’t like sounded even worse.

May 25 2026

I know Bono is an easy target but man U2 can write a song. Sometimes they get out over their skis (Exit is all over the place) but the first three tracks on this album are all timers and some of the later tracks (Trip Through Your Wires, One Tree Hill) are also great. Probably a four and a half star album.

Fire Of Love by The Gun Club
May 26 2026

Extremely cool blues punk. Sounds like a foundational text for a lot of music I loved in high school.

Roxy Music by Roxy Music
May 27 2026

The good songs on this album fucking rip (and most of the album is good). But the 4 experimental songs (The Bob, Chance Meeting, Sea Breezes, Bitters End) really don’t work for me. Probably a 3.5 star but I’ll round up to four on the strength of the good songs.

The Message by Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five
May 28 2026

Obviously sounds dated now but it’s easy to see how this was so influential. The title track still goes, and the sample-heavy closing track holds up for its age.

Green by R.E.M.
May 29 2026

Maybe the best REM album. The uptempo songs are almost all hits, while the quieter stuff isn’t as good.

Jun 01 2026

This was pretty solid. It wasn’t on Spotify so I won’t revisit it soon, but it was fun to see LL Cool J being a cool rapper instead of an NCIS cast member.

Kings Of The Wild Frontier by Adam & The Ants
Jun 02 2026

Solid but not as revelatory as I expected. Occasionally the hooks were grating. Solid 2.5 but I’ll bump it to 3 because i like its vibe.

Teen Dream by Beach House
Jun 03 2026

A bit too sleepy for me. I never really got into this era of indie, the songs are pleasant enough but there is nothing to hook me.

American Beauty by Grateful Dead
Jun 04 2026

Easily the best Dead album I’ve heard. I still find them pretty grating for some reason but this was fine. Ripple is very nice.

Cheap Thrills by Big Brother & The Holding Company
Jun 05 2026

Some truly incredible tracks on here. Janis Joplin’s voice is just insane.

The Atomic Mr Basie by Count Basie & His Orchestra
Jun 08 2026

A good album from start to finish, though I the more energetic numbers (particularly the opener) most.

Opus Dei by Laibach
Jun 09 2026

Rough listen. A few of the more orchestral tracks (like The Great Seal) were fun in a kitschy way which made it slightly bearable but not enough to raise it above 1 star.

Sex Packets by Digital Underground
Jun 10 2026

Load bearing parliament samples. Not unenjoyable but way too long. Funny at times and decent flow but just wears out it’s welcome. The title track is a genuinely interesting sci fi premise!

Devil Without A Cause by Kid Rock
Jun 11 2026

Taken one at a time these songs can be kitschy ironic fun (Cowboy and Wasting Time being standouts). Listening to them all in a row is extremely grating. It is a war crime that this album is 70 minutes long. Only God Knows Why in the running for the worst song ever written. The song where Eminem drops on for a verse hilariously demonstrates just how dogshit Kid Rock is at rapping.

Dr. Octagonecologyst by Dr. Octagon
Jun 12 2026

I feel the DNA of this in other stuff I like but don’t really connect with this. The humor came off too creepy and while the beats and flow were solid it just didn’t do anything for me.

Jun 15 2026

Loved this album in college. Remains extremely solid. A bit long but has many great tracks along the way.

Slipknot by Slipknot
Jun 17 2026

Utter dogshit. The best thing about this album is that the lead singer will occasionally very clearly yell out “fuck!” or “fuck this shit!” and I will think “I’m right there with you, brother.”

Jun 18 2026

More or less perfect. The medley was the only slight misstep. Great songs, great vocals, great live vibe. Loved it.

The Pleasure Principle by Gary Numan
Jun 19 2026

Not for me. Listenable but I found it boring. I will give it two stars because I did the Leonardo DiCaprio pointing at the TV meme when the track sampled in “Where’s Your Head At” started playing.

Morrison Hotel by The Doors
Jun 22 2026

This album is perfectly fine I just don’t think The Doors are very interesting. 2.5 but I’ll round down.

Tonight's The Night by Neil Young
Jun 23 2026

I have enjoyed Neil Young albums on this list a lot more than I expected because I don’t particularly care for Young’s music coming in. This album reminded me of my initial position. It was perfectly fine but felt pretty generic at time, and verging on self parody at others (for instance, the two title tracks). It was probably a 2.5 but I’ll round down bc I was bored.

Come Find Yourself by Fun Lovin' Criminals
Jun 24 2026

Listenable but got very bored by the end.

Maverick A Strike by Finley Quaye
Jun 25 2026

Liked the first half ok. Didn’t like the spacier second half.

Slayed? by Slade
Jun 26 2026

What if AC/DC was Rod Stewart? This was fine but not notable enough to revisit.

Rising Above Bedlam by Jah Wobble's Invaders Of The Heart
Jun 29 2026

The soundtrack to a shop that sells crystals and incense.

Blood Sugar Sex Magik by Red Hot Chili Peppers
Jun 30 2026

The bad songs on here are deeply embarrassing. They almost read as self-parody (Apache Rose Peacock is particularly egregious). It is also far too long. But I can’t deny that some songs work. Under the Bridge rocks, Give zit Away is a great time. 2.5 but I’ll round up on the strength of the hits.

Cypress Hill by Cypress Hill
Jul 01 2026

I get a bit lost on the lyrics but it is a fun time.

Nowhere by Ride
Jul 02 2026

This was great. Lagged a bit in the middle but the final song is a stunner.

Meat Is Murder by The Smiths
Jul 03 2026

Not bad for a Smiths album, particularly the uptempo songs, but Morrissey still really grates on me and that gets worse on the slow songs. Well I Wonder was a lowlight, Nowhere Fast was fun.

Tank Battles by Dagmar Krause
Jul 06 2026

I like this type of theatrical avant garde music but this didn’t grab me.

Jul 07 2026

Impressed with the variety here. Changes up the flows and beats regularly. Good lyrical content with some depth and texture and I even chuckled at a few of the skits.

Truth And Soul by Fishbone
Jul 08 2026

High variance. When it is in a ska/funk register (Ma and Pa, Bonin’ In The Boneyard) it rips. When it is in a more generic rock/metal lane (Freddie’s Dead) it is pretty bad.

Sound Affects by The Jam
Jul 09 2026

That’s entertainment indeed. I like The Jam a lot. Solid tunes fun to listen to.

High Violet by The National
Jul 10 2026

This isn’t my number one national album but it is close. Bloodbuzz is an all timer.

First Band On The Moon by The Cardigans
Jul 13 2026

Solid. The hits are very good. The rest is not bad but not memorable.

1984 by Van Halen
Jul 14 2026

Van Halen really doesn’t do much for me despite having a few catchy songs. Way too much guitar.

All Hail the Queen by Queen Latifah
Jul 15 2026

I found this pretty boring. Some solid beats at times but the lyrics and flow just didn’t do it for me.

NEU! 75 by Neu!
Jul 16 2026

Loved this. The ambient stuff dragged on a bit for me, but wasn’t bad. The punkier rock stuff was aces.

Smokers Delight by Nightmares On Wax
Jul 17 2026

This started out enjoyably chill, but by the end it was grating to me. Probably a 2.5, but I might put on a track from time to time as background music to a boring task so I’ll give it a 3.

Antichrist Superstar by Marilyn Manson
Jul 20 2026

Worse than I expected. Deeply unpleasant both sonically and lyrically.

Coles Corner by Richard Hawley
Jul 21 2026

I enjoyed some of these songs to an extent, but found the album on the whole to be a bit too sleepy and a bit too croon-y.

The Colour Of Spring by Talk Talk
Jul 22 2026

I really dislike this smooth listening stuff from the 80s. Nails on a chalkboard for me.

Rhythm Nation 1814 by Janet Jackson
Jul 23 2026

This was on track for an enjoyable three star. But the last three tracks were so bad that it left a bad taste in my mouth. Ultimately a 2.5 rounded down to 2.

Jul 24 2026

Had some nostalgic value, but on the whole I find his songs a bit plodding.

The Holy Bible by Manic Street Preachers
Jul 27 2026

Not for me. I expected to like this more and I can see some influence it may have had on music I like, but the vocals rubbed me the wrong way.

Younger Than Yesterday by The Byrds
Jul 28 2026

I found some of the psych flourishes annoying, but there were some nice folk moments.

Superunknown by Soundgarden
Jul 30 2026

Throughout this project I’ve realized that grunge just isn’t a genre I like much (despite a general enjoyment of Nirvana and Pearl Jam). This was better than some grunge but overall it was too long and sludgy save for a few tracks (Superunknown, Black Hole Sun, Spoonman)

The Coral by The Coral
Aug 03 2026

This was ok. Mostly felt like a knockoff of other British acts I liked, but it was fun to listen to.

Orbital 2 by Orbital
Aug 04 2026

Negative WAR techno. Mildly acceptable as background music.

A Hard Day's Night by Beatles
Aug 06 2026

Once again I come away from a Beatles album thinking they are underrated. Growing up it was conventional wisdom that the Beatles were among the greatest bands of all time — as I got older there was some backlash to that idea. Listening to their albums with fresh ears they are uniformly excellent. This is a five star album and it isn’t even one of their top 3 albums.

Vento De Maio by Elis Regina
Aug 07 2026

Way too easy listening for me.

Music by Madonna
Aug 10 2026

I found this pretty bland overall. Don’t Tell Me was good though.

Rid Of Me by PJ Harvey
Aug 11 2026

PJ Harvey continues to be a bit too heavy for me.

The Healer by John Lee Hooker
Aug 12 2026

Really solid modern update on the blues. Enjoyed every single track but didn’t love any of them.

Risque by CHIC
Aug 13 2026

I just found this mostly boring. Not objectionable in any way. Certainly had some decent grooves, but very unremarkable (outside of Good Times).

I See A Darkness by Bonnie "Prince" Billy
Aug 14 2026

Not my favorite Oldham (I prefer Master & Everyone) but this is a strong beautiful outing from him. Some of his songs I absolutely love, and album full can get tiring all in a row.

#1 Record by Big Star
Aug 17 2026

Easily a top 250 album of all time. Laid ground work for indie rock, and never sounds too similar from track to track. Thirteen is one of my all time favorite songs. The only way this could be improved is if they dropped the final track.

I Against I by Bad Brains
Aug 18 2026

Always felt like I should enjoy Bad Brains more. This is one where I can see the influence they have on stuff I like and think it is cool how they are blending genre, but it just doesn’t grab me at all.

Moondance by Van Morrison
Aug 19 2026

Moondance is the worst song on this album — and it’s still pretty good.

Wordsmith

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